FRANKFORT — Inflated by race tracks and interest groups trying to legalize casino-style gambling, spending for lobbying the 2002 General Assembly exceeded $8.5 million.

        According to reports filed with the Legislative Ethics Commission, the total spending on lobbying was about 5 percent more than the $8.1 million spent in 2000, the last regular 60-day session of the legislature.

        Education, business and health care issues topped the spending, along with gambling interests.

        The Kentucky Education Association, the Frankfort-based teachers union, topped the list, disclosing $203,739 in costs for the period between Sept. 1, 2001 and April 30.

Bengals will collect before mission does
'Taste' leads choices for holiday activities
Owners at The Lofts stuck
Walls of historic hall to remain
$3M sought for more police officers
Bethesda Hospital to expand
Blue Ash, UC envision mid-size venue for arts
Charter school in audit debacle
Children's gets federal grant for clinical research
City 'growing against itself'
Glick gets 10 years in father's murder
Greetings to Reds decorate last beam
Judge rules man insane in street sweeper theft
Obituary: La Salle's Brandon Roesel, 17
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Alien nation
SMITH AMOS: Money sharks
WELLS: Mountain Citizen
Homicide trial begins for driver
Police seek bigger players
Stowe's home receiving historical honor
Teachers get ethics refresher course
Tax argued: Long days, short fuses
Commissioner primary Tuesday
Incumbent promised a 2-term run
Ky. lobbyists spent $8.5M during session
More suits filed against archdiocese
Schools told to assume worst