[nathan_phoenix]

What constitutes lobby costs?

Also why do some organizations have relatively big lobby costs but no EP passes or meetings with EC? Does that mean that they are less "effective" than their peer lobby organizations?

[mstef]

lobby costs is a self reported value based on their spending on lobbyings, including for example staff, office rent, events, etc.

not having ep passes or meetings with the ec, only means less direct contact, or possibly having outsourced this contact.