Business, education top lobbying money list

Business interests and education groups spent the most on political lobbying efforts in Minnesota the past few years, data released today by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board show.

Organizations have spent more than $420 million since 2006 to get their voices and positions heard before state government. Those numbers are expected to bump up as the last few dozen groups submit their reporting for 2012.

Here's a look at the biggest spenders reported to date for 2012 and the the top total spending since 2006.

To date 1,123 of the 1,287 organizations represented by lobbyists in Minnesota have submitted the required report, disclosing a total of about $54 million so far "to influence official actions during 2012 with about another $2.5 million to influence action by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission," the agency said.

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