News of the Day April 7, 2026
Wisconsin Capitol Sees 10-Year High in Lobbyist Spending

Companies, interest groups and others spent over $47 million on lobbying Wisconsin lawmakers last year, marking a decade-long high, according to a Cap Times analysis of state ethics disclosures.

These organizations have regularly been among top 10 spenders in the last decade of ethics disclosures:

• Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
• Wisconsin Hospital Association
• Wisconsin Property Taxpayers Inc.
• Wisconsin Insurance Alliance
• Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation
• Wisconsin Counties Association
• Wisconsin Realtors Association
• Wisconsin Infrastructure Investment Now Inc.
• Americans For Prosperity

Ten years ago, about $1 of every $7 spent lobbying Wisconsin lawmakers was by the top 1% of lobbying groups ranked by spending. That ratio has gradually shifted to about $1 of every $6 last year, a Cap Times analysis of ethics disclosures found.

State law requires reporting both money and hours spent on lobbying to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission, which produces biannual reports summarizing the disclosures.

The top 1% of groups spending the most time lobbying are similar to those doling out the most money with some exceptions. The State Bar of Wisconsin, the city of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Association of School Boards have regularly logged top hours but not top dollars for lobbying in the last decade.