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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Preliminary financial disclosures show that lobbyists tightened their belts in spending on members of the Utah Legislature.
One lobbyist with several clients tells the Salt Lake Tribune that meetings are just taking place at less-expensive restaurants.
He says he spent more than $2,600 on meals the first three months of 2009. This year? Just $1,100.
Some reports were still pending late Monday.
But the newspaper says overall lobbyist spending dropped nearly 28 percent from the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010.
Those numbers might fall further once new requirements take hold May 11.
They'll ban most gifts and require lobbyists to name anyone getting a meal exceeding $10.
That's down from a current reporting threshold of $25.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
