Former secretary of state Bob Babbage was the top-paid lobbyist through the 2007 legislative session, according to disclosure reports filed with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission.

The commission's list of all compensation paid to all lobbyists from Jan. 1 through April 30 shows that 23 clients paid Babbage $215,230 during the period that encompassed the legislative session.

That put Babbage far ahead of the second-highest paid lobbyist, J. Ronald Pryor, who was paid $169,993 by 17 clients during the period.

Compensation paid by each company or group to each lobbyist can be found at the ethic commission's website: www.klec.ky.gov

A review of that website shows the following lobbyists made the most money through the first four months of this year. Also listed is a sampling of the major clients of each lobbyist:

1. Bob Babbage, $215,230 from 23 clients including Commonwealth Progress Council, U.S. Precedent, Insight and American Tax Funding LLC.

2. J. Ronald Pryor, $169,993 from 17 clients including Yum! Brands, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, Kentucky Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

3. John P. Cooper, $163,050 from 23 clients including Kentucky Bankers Association, Kentucky Medical Association, Blue Grass Airport and Corporex.

4. James "Jitter" Allen, $153,344 from 12 clients including Philip Morris USA, Miller Brewing, and the Kentucky Cable Telecommunications Association.

5. Warren G. McLean, $149,661 from nine clients including Red Mile and Kentucky Beer Wholesalers.

6. Ellen Williams, former chair of the Kentucky Republican Party, $109,384 from nine clients including Data Recognition Corporation and the Kentucky Association of Counties.

7. Mike D. Helton, $108,523 from 23 clients including Wellpoint/Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Museum Plaza.

8. Karen Thomas-Lentz, $103,926 from 10 clients including Epilepsy Foundation Kentuckiana and the Kentucky Concrete Pavement Association.

9. Kim L. Nelson, a former state senator, $103,315 from 14 clients including Kentucky State Assembly of Surgical Technologists, Coal Operators and Associates, and ComPassLeasing, Inc.

10. Michael Shea, $99,822 from 27 clients including Philip Morris USA, AT&T and Museum Plaza.