Lobbying spending in New York reached $62M in July, August

Total lobbying spending in New York state reached nearly $62 million from July to August, according to preliminary data released Monday by the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG).

That amount is down $3.3 million, or 5%, from May to June; and down $4.8 million, or 7.2%, from March to April.

Making up the lion’s share of that $62 million was once again lobbying compensation — $56.5 million — followed by expenses at $5.5 million. Both of those also saw decreases from previous periods earlier this year.

The top three retained lobbyists, ranked by compensation only, were Brown & Weinraub Advisors, LLC with $3.8 million, followed by Bolton-St Johns, LLC at $2.9 million and Kasirer, LLC with $2.8 million.

The state’s ethics panel releases lobbying data every two months.

“Preliminary data from July-August 2025 shows us that lobbyist priorities shifted when compared with previous months, moving away from the state budget issues that predominated when the legislature was in session to specific legislation, including, for example, bills concerning extensions of natural gas service to new customers, the protection of health information, and damages in wrongful death actions,” COELIG Chair Seymour W. James, Jr. said. “With more frequent access to lobbying data, New Yorkers are able to stay informed on what policy areas receive the most attention over time. The Commission remains committed to releasing preliminary lobbying data throughout the year to maintain our goal of increasing the transparency and accessibility of lobbying data.” 

The top bills lobbied was a state Assembly bill that relates to the providing gas service to new customers, followed by a state Senate bill that provides for the protection of health information. Ranking third was a state Senate bill that would amend the estates, powers and trusts law, and ranking fourth was the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, which would phase out materials and target chemical recycling, institute a fee for plastic packaging and provide initiatives to regulate recycling infrastructure.

The first three bills passed both chambers of the state Legislature this session and await being delivered to the governor for signing or veto. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act passed in the state Senate but not the Assembly.