Glenn Bain reports in the New York Daily News that $121.2 million was spent to influence state and local governments during the first six months of 2017 according to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. Uber, a company that provides taxi service without having to follow the same rules as taxi services, spent the most on lobbying, nearly $1.8 million. That investment seemingly paid off, as the state legislature made ride services that don't have to follow taxi regulations legal in April. The other biggest lobbying spenders in the state so far this year, according to JCOPE, are: The Greater New York Hospital Association, at $1.45 million; the Rent Stabilization Association of New York, with $943,280; the New York State United Teachers, at $858,846; and AARP, the seniors lobby, at $790,717. Uber agreed to a $98,000 settlement with JCOPE in June because it underreported its lobbying expenses in 2015 and 2016. Read the full story in the New York Daily News.