Top health information technology firms want lobbyists with Capitol Hill or executive branch experience

24 states have made disclosure strides since 2003

What is permissible? Out of bounds? Punishable?

Almost 80 members of Congress used corporate lobbyists to head their fund-raising committees

Campaign donors and former government officials help 4,600 companies influence the executive branch

Center finds violations, missing records regarding legal expense funds

More than $620 million spent lobbying federal government

Shadowy lobbyists ignore rules and exploit connections

At least one in five companies lobbying fail to file required forms

Cities, states and universities spend more than half a billion dollars lobbying