Even a bad year for lobbyists isn’t too bad.

Research by the Center for Responsive Politics found that companies, unions and other organizations spent a record amount to lobby in 2006, in spite of the black eye from the Jack Abramoff scandal and a midterm election that caused Congress to close early.

In total, lobbyists received $2.45 billion last year to try to craft public policy. That said, K Street soon may wish to forget 2006. While revenues reached new heights, industry growth wasn’t nearly as rapid as it had been in previous years. Revenues grew just 1.7 percent over the $2.41 billion spent on lobbying in 2005. According to the center, growth has averaged about 8 percent over the past eight years.

As The Hill previously reported, Patton Boggs earned the most in lobbying revenue, followed by Van Scoyoc Associates, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Cassidy & Associates and Dutko Worldwide.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent more than any other single entity — gobs more. The Chamber and its legal-reform arm reported spending more than $72.4 million on lobbying. AARP was a distant No. 2: It spent $23.2 million.

The largest lobbying contracts were paid, in order, by: Mars, Nissan North America, Consumer Mortgage Coalition, YCO Inc and Medicines Co.