Bottom Line: Lobbying briefs

• DEFENSE. The Raytheon Co. has hired the Ashworth Group to lobby on defense budget issues. Margaret Ashworth, a former aide to the Senate Appropriations Committee, is representing the defense giant.

 • ENERGY. Vectren Corp., an energy holding company, has hired BKSH & Associates to lobby on the climate change bill. Stefan Bailey, the former legislative director for Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), has registered for the client.

{mosads}• FINANCIAL SERVICES. The Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association has hired Steptoe & Johnson to lobby on financial regulatory reform issues, according to lobbying disclosure records.
 

• HEALTHCARE. McGuireWoods Consulting has registered to lobby for BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. to find funding for research and development of pharmaceuticals, according to lobbying disclosure records.
 Triax Pharmaceuticals has hired the Ferguson Group to lobby on healthcare reform legislation, according to lobbying disclosure records. Chris Jones, former chief of staff to ex-Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.), is representing the client.
 
• TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Mercury Strategies has registered to lobby on behalf of T-Mobile regarding a number of telecom and cell phone bills pending this Congress.
 
• TRANSPORTATION. Van Scoyoc Associates has registered to lobby on behalf of the Spokane Transit Authority regarding “appropriations and authorization for transportations related issues and initiatives,” according to lobbying disclosure records. Jennifer LaTourette, former chief of staff to Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio), and Steven Palmer, once the assistant secretary of government affairs at the Transportation Department, are working the account.

The American Bus Association has hired Cassidy & Associates to maintain the current gas tax exemption, according to lobbying disclosure records. Dawn Levy, former tax counsel to Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), is representing the client.