Group tallies lobby payroll in Texas

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas lobbyists collected up to about $345 million to influence lawmakers while the state Legislature was in session last year.

But Texans for Public Justice says that's only a small increase from a maximum near $344 million spent on lobbying during the last legislative session in 2009.

In a report released Wednesday, the watchdog group said it's difficult to pinpoint exact values for lobbying contracts. Still, 1,836 lobbyists collected a minimum $169.1 million and maximum $345.4 million from 2,908 clients in 2011.

In 2009, 1,690 lobbyists got between $167.4 million and $343.6 million from 2,866 clients.

Dallas-based AT&T has long been the top spender on Texas lobbying and paid up to $10.6 million in 2011.

Dallas-based Energy Future Holdings Corp. was second, spending a maximum $2.6 million.