Race Day Live Lobbyists and other stakeholders spent nearly $30 million last year trying to influence lawmakers, their families, and legislative employees in Indiana.
The latest data from the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission shows that the healthcare and energy industries played a major role in this spending.
Lawmakers from both parties say lobbyists provide useful information, sometimes even helping to write or refine legislation.
However, opinions vary on whether accepting lobbyist-funded dinners and gifts is appropriate and how well Indiana regulates money’s influence on politics.
Indiana law defines lobbying as communicating with a legislative person to influence legislative action. This includes candidates, officers, employees, and close relatives of lawmakers.
Anyone spending over $500 on lobbying must register with the commission and file reports. These reports cover gifts, purchases over $100, and any changes in lobbying activities.
The commission recorded over 1,000 employer lobbyists and nearly 950 compensated lobbyists in 2024. Some organizations register in both categories, as they hire lobbyists while also employing their own.
Many lawmakers rely on lobbyists for information. Sen. Ron Alting emphasized that Indiana has a part-time legislature, making lobbyists an important resource.
Rep. Matt Pierce said legislators need as much information as possible but must stay aware of lobbyists’ biases. Sen. Mike Young added that lobbyists tend to be truthful because losing trust would ruin their credibility.
Alting agreed, saying that any dishonest lobbyist would quickly be exposed, ending their career.
Employers reported spending over $26 million on lobbying in 2024, with compensated lobbyists contributing another $3.4 million, bringing the total to $29.5 million.
This surpasses lobbying expenses from previous years, except for 2023, when nearly $32 million was spent. The biggest spenders were from the healthcare and energy sectors, followed by real estate and tobacco companies.
The Indiana State Medical Association topped the list with $382,000 in spending, followed by Indiana University Health at $262,000.
Other major players included pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly & Co., the Indiana Hospital Association, and Elevance Health.
Energy companies like Duke Energy Indiana and the Indiana Energy Association also spent heavily.
Tobacco giants Philip Morris USA and RAI Services Co., along with gambling company Caesars Entertainment, were among the top 20.
Some lawmakers refuse lobbyist-funded gifts and invitations. Rep. Pierce said he declines offers to attend sporting events in luxury suites because he believes it sends the wrong message.
Sen. Young buys his tickets and rarely attends lobbyist dinners, preferring to spend his time reading bills. Rep. Bob Behning said he doesn’t need to attend such events because he feels less susceptible to influence.
Sen. Alting, however, dismisses the idea that a free dinner could sway his vote, arguing that accepting a meal does not mean compromising his decisions.
Indiana lawmakers have spent nearly $200 million on lobbying since 2019, averaging around $29 million per year.
While some believe lobbying plays a vital role in educating legislators, others worry about the influence of money on politics.
Lobbying rules have changed over time, with stricter reporting requirements, but some believe these rules are unfair to lawmakers who travel long distances to the Statehouse.
Sen. Vaneta Becker noted that out-of-town legislators must pay for meals daily or attend receptions, unlike those who live nearby.
Public transparency is another issue. Sen. Young believes lawmakers should not hide anything from the public. However, Rep. Pierce argues that the real power lies in campaign donations, which are often hidden through nonprofit organizations.
These groups can engage in lobbying but are not required to disclose their donors. Pierce believes the current system benefits the Republican supermajority, making them unlikely to push for more transparency.
Over the years, lobbying has evolved. Rep. Sheila Klinker pointed out that education bills were once only influenced by public school advocates, but now school choice groups also have a voice.
Pierce noted that the Great Recession and industry consolidation have reduced the number of small businesses involved in lobbying.
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Sen. Becker observed an increase in female lobbyists, while Sen. Young recalled initially fearing lobbyists due to negative stories but later realizing they were simply doing their jobs.
Some lawmakers worry about corruption. Sen. Young recalled a few legislators going to prison over unethical dealings with lobbyists, saying that even a handful of bad actors can damage the reputation of both lobbyists and lawmakers.
Behning recounted being threatened with violence over telecommunications legislation as a young lawmaker, something he says has changed over the years.
Sen. Alting believes dinners and receptions help build relationships and facilitate better policymaking.
He views legislative dinners as a chance to foster bipartisan connections. However, not all lawmakers agree.
The debate over money’s role in politics continues, with some pushing for more transparency while others see current regulations as excessive.
The impact of lobbying on Indiana’s legislative process remains a topic of discussion, as millions of dollars continue to flow into influencing decision-makers each year.
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