Luke Parsnow reports for New York State of Politics that lobbyists spent a record-breaking amount in Albany in 2022, a new report from the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government said. The report, released Aug. 28, said lobbyists spent a $331 million record last year, up 13.2 percent from 2021. The report also said that more than 84,000 state officers and employees have participated in ethics training in just under a year. The top five lobbyists in donating to officials and candidates were the 1199SEIU Labor Management Initiatives, Inc. Healthcare Education Project at $5.7 million; the Greater New York Hospital Association, at $3.5 million; Genting New York, LCC at $2.5 million; the 199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East at $2.3 million; and AARP at $2.3 million. Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government Executive Director Sanford N. Berland said in a statement, "New Yorkers have a right to transparency in government and to know what entities may attempt to influence government decision-making. This is especially true in a year when lobbying spending shattered all previous records.... The annual report sheds light on which individuals and interests are lobbying state and local elected officials and policymakers." Read the full story at New York State of Politics.