(The Associated Press circulated the following on January 24.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads paid Washington Council Ernst & Young $160,000 in the second half of 2007 to lobby the federal government.
Transportation-tax incentives and railroad regulations were on the lobbying agenda, according to a disclosure form posted online Tuesday by the Senate’s public records office. The trade association also paid the firm $160,000 in the first six months of the year to lobby on the same issues and antitrust matters.
The group is opposed to proposed federal legislation, which is supported by several states, that would subject railroads to stiffer antitrust standards. A government agency hired a consulting firm to assess competition in the freight-railroad industry. The assessment is expected to be complete this fall.
Washington Council firm lobbied Congress, the Export-Import Bank and the Transportation and Treasury departments.
Among the trade group’s 15 full members are Norfolk Southern Corp., CSX Corp. and Union Pacific Corp.
Lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches, under a federal law enacted in 1995. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying.