The House Judiciary Committe just voted 20-14 to hold Karl Rove in contempt!

WHAT THIS MEANS: The decision by the HJC to hold Karl Rove in contempt is a recommendation to the full House, who can now vote to adopt the recommendation with a contempt resolution by a simple majority vote. Should they pass a contempt resolution, the Sergeant-at-Arms for the chamber would be ordered to arrest Karl Rove and bring him to the floor of the House to answer to the charges and to be issued punishment. The case would then be referred to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, who would in turn refer it to a grand jury. If convicted, Rove could face between one month and one year in jail.

ALBANY — The New York State Commission on Public Integrity released its 2007 Annual Report today.

Of particular interest is the record spending within the lobbying industry, which increased by more than $20 million last year. In 2007, $171.2 million was spent, up from $151 million spent the previous year.

For the eleventh straight year, the firm of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP, reported the highest lobbyist compensation, totaling $9.6 million for 2007; Patricia Lynch Associates, Inc., is the second highest earner, at $6.7 million (P. Lynch Lynch was Sheldon Silver’s top aide until 2001), followed by Bolton St. Johns, Inc. at $5.7 million.

Health and Mental Health organizations reported the highest expenditures from special interest groups, spending $26.7 million. Real Estate and Construction follow at $21.3 million, with Education at $13.2 million.

Clients ranked by highest expenditures are Verizon at $3.2 million, The Trustees of Columbia University of the City of New York at $2.2 million, and New York State United Teachers at $2.1 million.