Lobbyists are spending less money wining and dining Oklahoma lawmakers as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change how the public, including paid lobbyists, interacts with their representatives.
Recently released Ethics Commission reports show spending by lobbyists is at the lowest levels since at least 2015.
Lobbyists spent almost $187,000 the first four months of 2021, according to the latest disclosures. Nearly $400,000 was spent at this point in 2019.
The drop comes as lawmakers added COVID-19 protocols that included social-distancing requirements, fewer seats in committee rooms and a mask requirement for visitors to the public — a rule many lawmakers have ignored.
Lobbyist spending was also down last year after COVID-19 caused lawmakers to suspend that session as cases began climbing in April. But this year’s total is still running below 2020.