A record $22 million was spent lobbying the state in 2007.

According to data compiled by the nonpartisan Democracy North Carolina, nearly 900 businesses, trade associations and nonprofits lobbied state officials in 2007, the last long session of the state legislature.

That amounts to nearly $125,000 for each of the 170 legislators.

The $19.5 million in compensation for individual lobbyists was $5 million more than reported in 2005, but executive director Bob Hall said that may be because we know more.

"That big a jump is largely due to the state's new ethics law that requires more groups to file more complete reports about more of their activities," he said.

The top lobbying groups were the N.C. Association of Realtors, which reported spending $972,384 on six lobbyists and other expenses; Land for Tomorrow, $403,092 on three lobbyists; and the N.C. Automobile Dealers Association, $287,959 on four lobbyists.

The highest-paid lobbyists were former state Sen. Steve Metcalf of Asheville, who reported $485,362 in compensation; former Secretary of State Rufus Edmisten, $396,764; and Alexander "Sandy" Sands of Womble Carlyle, $325,055.

North Carolina has lost 300,000 acres of family farms, forests, stream banks and wildlife areas to development since 2005.

That's according to a report issued by Land for Tomorrow, which is asking for $200 million in state funding in each of the next five years for land and water conservation.

The report says that the cost of land has risen almost 300 percent in the last 10 years, while the miles of streams that do not meet water quality standards has gone from 3,000 to 3,300 since 2005.

The state is only halfway towards its 1999 goal of protecting a million acres of land by 2009. (AC-T)

The latest lobbying reports show that the N.C. Association of Realtors has spent another $109,000 on lobbying and advertising campaigns largely aimed at stopping lawmakers from giving voters the opportunity to adopt a land transfer tax. The reports also show that a partnership of public officials and businesses has also spent serious money on the other side.

The Partnership for North Carolina's Future spent over $400,000 on advertising, polling and consulting, according to its latest report. A couple of the groups that are a members of the partnership, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners and greenspace advocate Land for Tomorrow have also spent $138,000 or more, according to lobbying reports. Land for Tomorrow lists a $200,000 payment to the partnership for its "publicity ad campaign," money that has yet to be spent on lobbying or advertising.

Read more after the jump.

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The cost of preserving land in North Carolina nearly tripled in 10 years.

According to a study released today by Land for Tomorrow, the price of conservation lands jumped from $699 to $2,691 per acre from 1996 to 2005 — a 285 percent increase.

The analysis was based on data from the State Property Office on conservation purchases.

Kate Dixon, executive director of the Durham nonprofit, said the study shows the need for the state to spend on conservation now, before land is developed and prices rise.

"Waiting will only mean higher prices and lost opportunities," she said in a statement.

Land for Tomorrow has called for the state to spend $1 billion over the next five years. It is also a member of the Partnership for N.C.'s Future coalition.