Republicans in the state legislature racked up THOUSANDS of dollars in meals bought and paid for by lobbyists. Hawver News conducted analysis of how much money lobbyists spent buying state legislators "food, drink and incidentals" in 2008. Not surprisingly, Republicans top the list:

• $3,354 on House Majority Leader Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell
• $2,670 on the new for 2009 Speaker, Rep. Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson
• $2,615 on Sen. Julia Lynn, R-Olathe
• $2,540 on Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park
• $2,252 on Rep. Kay Wolf, R-Prairie Village
• $2,157 on Rep. Jason Watkins, R-Wichita
• $2,156 on Rep. Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin

If Republican legislators spend so much time hobnobbing with lobbyists, it begs the question - whose interests do Republicans have at heart? Who are they thinking of when they head to work in the morning? When they cast a vote? What did they do to earn such treatment?