Lobbying in California is exploding as special interests spend a record amount of cash lobbying Sacramento lawmakers — a shocking $285.6 million . Over the last 12 months, the dollar amount spent on lobbying California legislators was not up by only a few bucks — it jumped a full 6 percent over 365 days. Top 10 Biggest Spenders on Lobbying in California: California Teachers Association California State Council of Service Employees Western States Petroleum Association City of Vernon Kaiser Health Plan Chevron California Chamber of Commerce California Hospital Association California Manufacturers and Technology Association AT&T “Californians should be worried that their voices may be drowned out by lobbyists who outnumber legislators 16-to-1,” warns the nonprofit California Common Cause . That may be one of the reasons why so many Californians apparently want a part-time California Legislature . L O B B Y I N G