THE SPENDING: Google Inc.’s quarterly lobbying expenses surpassed $2 million for the first time during the April-June period. It’s a 54 percent increase from $1.34 million at the same time last year.
THE BACKDROP: The U.S. government has begun a wide-ranging investigation into the Internet search leader’s business practices.
NEW RECORD: The previous high came during the first three months of the year when Google’s poured $1.48 million into its lobbying efforts. In another first, Google is now spending more on lobbying than Microsoft Corp., a fierce rival and critic that has urged government regulators to rein in Google.
