Hutchinson ? Lobbyist spending has surged in Kansas this year, particularly in April when there was an advertising campaign against legislation to tax sugary drinks. That legislation ultimately failed.

Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission data shows lobbyists reported spending more than $1.1 million for January through April.

“It’s pretty far up there for this early in the year,” Ruth Pile, lobbyist coordinator for the agency, told The Hutchinson News.

Even though two more spending reports will be due to cover the rest of the calendar year, Pile already was saying it is quite possible that 2010 could set a record.

The surge in lobbyist spending came as revenue shortfalls had legislators considering a range of options to generate money — everything from raising tobacco and alcohol taxes to possibly ending tax breaks.

Lawmakers ultimately voted for a 1-cent state sales tax.