The most influential lobbyist in North Carolina is former state House speaker Harold Brubaker, according to a report from the non-partisan North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research.
Brubaker, a Republican who represented Randolph County for 18 terms, counts Alliance for Access to Dental Care, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and 21st Century Oncology among his current clients.
Looking at Brubaker's client list and that of other influential lobbyists gives an idea of the most contested issues in state politics. That includes health care, says Page Worsham, an analyst with the Public Policy Research center.
"For example," Worsham says,"three quarters of the 60 ranked lobbyists have some connection either in health care or a medical interest."
The ranking looked at the 2013 term, but it likely still applies today. Lawmakers spent the better part of this legislative session trying to agree on Medicaid reform. The bill was left pending.
The full rankings are available here. [PDF]
Editor's note: The originally broadcast version of this report incorrectly stated the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research's study corresponded to the 2012 and 2013 terms. It focused on 2013 and this post has been updated to reflect that.