Teachers' union, utilities top lobbyist spending

HELENA - A powerful union and Montana's two major utilities were among the biggest spenders who tried to influence the lawmaking process during the 2003 Legislature, reports filed with the state show.

The teachers' union, MEA-MFT, formed through the merger of the Montana Education Association and the Montana Federation of Teachers, outspent all other special-interest groups during the four-month session.

According to documents submitted to the state political practices commissioner by Tuesday's deadline, the union spent $98,019 on lobbying the Legislature. And that amount didn't include $35,00...