Altria Paid Lobbyist $160K in 2007

Source from:  WASHINGTON (AP) Monday July 30 08/01/2007

Altria Paid $160,000 in First of 2007 to Johnson Madigan to Lobby Federal Government Tobacco company Altria Group Inc. paid Johnson, Madigan, Peck, Boland & Stewart Inc. $160,000 in the first half of 2007 to lobby the federal government, according to a disclosure form. The firm lobbied on tobacco-related regulation and legislation, including congressional proposals to increase taxes on tobacco products, according to the form posted online Friday by the Senate's public records office. New York-based Altria, which owns the Philip Morris cigarette companies, and other tobacco companies are lobbying against the tax increases -- ranging from 45 cents to 61 cents per pack of cigarettes -- to help expand a children's health insurance program. They have said the proposals are unfair and the tax increases may not prove to be a stable funding source for the program due to declining tobacco sales. Richmond, Va.-based Philip Morris USA is the biggest cigarette maker in the nation, selling the Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Parliament and Basic brands. Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying. Enditem