New rules might be clipping the wings of lobbyists in Washington, DC but in New Mexico lobbyists for developers, health care companies, and the like are lining up to give to campaigns, take legislators to dinner, and host fancy receptions to court legislators as they come into session.

It's an election year so spending will be frenzied compared to last year's numbers (which are nothing to sneeze at):

During the first four months of 2007, lobbyists made about $23,000 in political contributions, according to previous disclosure reports.

In addition to making campaign contributions, lobbyists and their clients spent at least $658,000 last year on meals, drinks, gifts, entertainment and special events for legislators, the governor, state agency officials and staff. Nearly $127,000 of that spending was from late April through December.

Haven't got a few thousand to take your legislators of choice on a moonlit cruise and whisper sweet nothings about property zoning laws? Then you'll want to support Clean Elections legislation expected to be introduced this session which will allow candidates for legislative office to run without taking big checks from corporate lobbyists and other well-heeled donors -- and attending their fundraising soirees -- and leaving the more time to talk to everyday voters.