Businesses, unions and other interests set a record in 2011 for money spent lobbying the state: $286.6 million, a 6.8% increase from the year before, according to recent filings. That surprised even veteran Capitol watchers, who refer to the lobbying corps as the "Third House" because its power rivals that of the two houses of the Legislature.
The California Teachers Assn. spent the most, as it does periodically: $6.5 million. Among its many successes, it persuaded lawmakers to pass a last-minute bill restricting school districts' ability to lay off more teachers if future funding cuts occur.
Must be nice to be able to buy some dems and make sure you have no chance at being laid off.
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Politicians are like diapers, they should be changed often and for the same reason.