Atlanta Unfiltered

July 10, 2009 --

Special interests have plunked more than $1 million into statewide and legislative races in Georgia so far this year, the latest financial disclosure reports show.

Health-care interests contributed more than $375,000 of that total, led by United Health Services, a Toccoa-based chain of nursing homes and pharmacies.

Other industries represented among the most generous businesses and political action committees in 2009 include:

– Development interests ($150,000+)
— Lenders ($125,000+)
— Makers and distributors of alcoholic beverages ($100,000+)
— Lobbyists ($75,000+)

Under state law, the first financial disclosure reports for 2009 were due this week. Candidates and donors who give more than $25,000 a year must file the reports with the State Ethics Commission, which makes them available (and searchable) online.

Twenty-three political action committees reported giving more than $15,000 to candidates (virtually all incumbents) or political parties this year.

The top givers:

$79,000    United Health Services
$68,200    Civil Justice PAC (Georgia Trial Lawyers Association)
$55,900    International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
$54,703    Georgia Bankers Association
$52,500    Centene Corp.
$47,950    Aflac
$41,910    Titlemax of Georgia
$38,000    United Parcel Service
$37,300    Georgia Association of Realtors
$35,000    Georgia Optometric Association
$34,000    Donald M. Leebern III
$33,342    Temple-Inland (Committee for Responsible Government)
$32,750    Georgia Health Care Association
$32,750    McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
$31,250    Georgia Apartment Association (Georgia Better Government Fund)
$30,608    Georgia Wholesalers for Better Government
$28,250    Georgia Credit Union Affiliates
$25,900    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia
$24,750    Builders PAC
$24,100    Georgia Pharmacy Services
$24,000    Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals
$23,600    Wholesale Distributors for Good Government
$22,250    Georgia Association of Educators
$21,125    Georgia Association of Convenience Stores
$20,800    Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia
$20,300    Donald M. Leebern Jr.
$16,250    Coca-Cola Enterprises
$15,000    Delta Air Lines

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