Lobbyist revenues spike

City lobbyists’ revenues were up 18 percent last year, to $44 million, according to a report from the city clerk’s office. Almost half of that money went to the top 10 firms, many of which have real estate firms as clients. According to Dick Dadey, the executive director of watchdog group the Citizens Union, the development boom is bolstering lobbyists’ earnings, since many developers hire lobbyists to help them navigate the city’s land-use process. more [NYT]