Some groups report million-dollar increases in spending Related contentChart: 2017 top spenders by sector The numbers show just how much many associations stepped up lobbying efforts in 2017, a year that started out with high hopes for scores of business groups but also presented fresh dangers. Business Roundtable reported the biggest dollar increase in lobbying spending, nearly $12 million more than the year before. BRT's 2017 total of $27.5 million was 74 percent higher than 2016. The National Retail Federation and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America each upped spending by nearly $6 million, an increase of 84 percent and 30 percent respectively. "The… Read More