One lobbyist who works with the caucus complains that it is far less effective than the 23-member black group.

The selection process is also murky, lobbyists for social service agencies complain.

All year, legislators, lobbyists and advocates complained about how little seemed to be getting done here.

In 1991, the Health Education Authority and anti-sugar lobbyists both complained, without success, to the ITC that such advertising encouraged children to eat sweets between meals.

In the past, Democratic members of Congress and lobbyists for the elderly have complained that the sickest patients would be hardest hit by co-payments.

Their lobbyists will complain, of course, but they may get less of a hearing than they usually do.

Many lobbyists and other regular contributors complain that they are paying heavily for Mr. Pataki's growing political activities.

One lobbyist reportedly complained: "I always thought my job is to look out for my clients.

He reversed a pledge not to raise taxes, fought for a tax on services and then backed off when lobbyists complained.

Yet some lobbyists and members of Congress complained today about the perspective of the study, saying that not every lawmaker who accepts money has put his or her vote up for sale.