Banks is a lobbyist registered with Cook County and the State of Illinois.

But industry critics saw the episode as evidence of influence-wielding by the drug industry, which has more than two dozen lobbyists registered in West Virginia.

Lobbying is common in Annapolis; there are more than 700 lobbyists registered with the state.

DiGenova and Toensing are lobbyists registered on behalf of several clients including the American Hospital Association.

Fritchey is a lobbyist registered with the City of Chicago.

Looking at the 10 Florida cities with populations closest to Treasure Island's, none have lobbyists registered with the Senate; the only earmark among them was $25,000 last year for a veterans' memorial at Alachua City Hall.

But the group's three top employees are all lobbyists registered with the state, and group officials said today that Mr. Franks could find himself advocating stronger patent protection for makers of brand-name drugs that compete with generic-drug producers.

The number of lobbyists registered with the city increased to 92 last year, from 89 in 1989, but 72 percent of the fees received by lobbyists were paid to 10 firms.

Lobbyist Search: Find lobbyists registered in N.C.

United Illuminating had at least 15 lobbyists registered with the Ethics Commission, and retained Wiggin & Dana, a New Haven law firm, for $150,000 a year.