NACS' Lobbying Spend Exceeds $600K in Second Quarter

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association of Convenience Stores spent $620,000 lobbying federal officials during the second quarter, the Associated Press reported, citing a recently released disclosure document. The group's lobbyists focused on issues related to price-gouging, renewable energy, credit and debit card fees, tobacco sales and food safety among other topics.

The second-quarter figure marks a decrease from the first quarter, when NACS spent nearly $1.2 million, and from last year's second quarter when it spent $720,000 lobbying on behalf of convenience retailers of all sizes.

According to NACS' disclosure report, filed July 20 with the House of Representatives' clerk's office, the association lobbied the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Reserve, the Department of Energy and others.

Swipe fee reform has been a major focus for the association during 2011, along with fuel prices and tobacco regulation, according to the AP.