The Washington-based nonprofit group hasn't released a report for the 2000 season yet, but a review of filings shows increased spending by some tech companies last year. With billions in cash still on hand, Redmond is sure to remain a player. The software giant added more insiders to its Washington roster last year, hiring former Senate Finance Committee counsel Tom Roesser and former Senate Democratic Steering Committee staffer James Houton. Microsoft also reinforced its legion of outside lobbyists, bringing on former Sen. Bob Kerrey's legislative director, Anne Urban, and Alison McSlarrow, formerly an aide to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. Microsoft's rivals did not keep pace in spending last year.
Companies making cutbacks are loath to admit they have diminished their presence inside the Beltway.
Novell closed its Washington office and transferred the duties of its local lobbyist to Raymond Nasr, an executive who lobbies from the company's San Jose, Calif., office. Nasr insists there has been no pullback. DoubleClick lobbyist and former Senate staffer Josh Isay is back in New York City working on the mayoral campaign of city comptroller Alan Hevesi. But DoubleClick executives say Isay is still available to them as a consultant. Word of the retrenchment wasn't as couched at 3Com.