Bottom Line

• APPROPRIATIONS. The Ferguson Group is lobbying for the Interior, Environment and Energy and Water Development appropriations bills as well as the $787 billion stimulus package on behalf of 3M. Mark Limbaugh, former Interior assistant secretary for water and science, is working on the account.

• DEFENSE. Capstone National Partners is lobbying for funding for Defense Department medical research on behalf of the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center. Alan MacLeod, former chief of staff for Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), and Steve Moffitt, a former deputy assistant Defense secretary for Senate affairs, are working on the account.

• ENERGY. The Greenfields Coal Co. has hired K&L Gates to lobby for “federal funding opportunities at the Energy Department,” according to lobbying disclosure records. Scott Nelson, former deputy chief of staff to Sen. Bryon Dorgan (D-N.D.), is working on the account.

• FINANCIAL SERVICES. The Futures Industry Association has hired Elmendorf Strategies to lobby on reforms for financial services and derivatives regulations. Steve Elmendorf, a former aide to House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.), and Barry LaSala, past counsel to the Senate Small Business Committee, are lobbying for the trade association.

• HEALTHCARE. Alston & Bird has been hired by the Greater New York Hospital Association to lobby on “issues impacting group purchasing organizations,” according to disclosure records. Colin Roskey, a former health policy adviser and counsel to the Senate Finance Committee, is working on the account.
USA Swimming, the national governing body for swimming, has hired B & D Consulting to lobby for federal support for drowning prevention.

• NATIVE AMERICAN ISSUES. The Crow Tribe has hired Bose Public Affairs Group to lobby on the “extension of and amendments to existing tax authorities applicable to business conducted on Indian lands” and “lobbying on climate issues,” according to records.

• TAXES. PriceWaterhouseCoopers has registered to lobby on behalf of the National Association of Realtors on the first-time homebuyer tax credit and other tax legislation that will affect real estate. Lindy Paull, former staff director and chief counsel for the Senate Finance Committee, and Don Langano, past chief tax counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee, are working on the account.