Ohio's top cop says he is aiming his office's might at lobbyists swarming the state.
Attorney General Richard Cordray acknowledged that Ohio already has a legislative inspector general who enforces lobbying law, monitors registrations and collects fines. But he says the intensity of lobbying activity justifies added enforcement.
Cordray says the number of legislative lobbying engagements has increased 52 percent in the past 10 years, and there are now 11 lobbyists for every state lawmaker. The rise in activity has coincided with the start of term limits for lawmakers in 2000.
Cordray's investigative effort will include legislative, executive agency and retirement system lobbyists. (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)