Most major technology companies increased the amount of money they spent attempting to influence lawmakers and the regulatory process in Washington, D.C., through federal lobbying.
Behind the increased spending is a push by tech companies to reduce or eliminate regulations that are slowing them down as they expand into sections of the economy like cars and medical devices.
Google spent more on lobbying than any other tech company although the $16.7 million U.S. total for 2015 was down about 1% from 2014.
The money was spent lobbying in traditional tech areas like cybersecurity and online competition, big-business issues like the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal and immigrant worker visas, and areas connected with Google research such as wind power, according to a lobbying disclosure report filed on Wednesday.
Telecommunications companies had been the biggest tech spenders on lobbying for years. That began to change about a decade ago when tech companies realized money can buy them power and influence in Washington, D.C., but the telecom industry still runs up big lobbying bills in D.C.
In 2015, Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) spent $15.6 million U.S., AT&T spent $14.9 million U.S. and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) spent $11.4 million U.S.
Notably in telecoms, spending by Verizon was down 11% and the USTA was down by 5%.
A lot of the spending isn't done directly by the companies, although the bigger organizations have their own lobbyists on staff. Many companies hire one or more D.C.-based lobbying companies that charge a monthly retainer and both lobby for the company and act as its eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, keeping it informed on upcoming legislation that it needs to know about.
Comcast shares took on 18 cents to $53.79 U.S. in early Thursday trading, within a 52-week trading range of $50.01 U.S. to $64.99 U.S.
