By MICHAEL GORMLEY
Associated Press

ALBANY - Hard times? You couldn't tell in some of Albany's best private clubs and restaurants, where lawmakers are still charging lobbyists and others $250 to $25,000 a ticket at campaign fundraising events during this year's session.

A New York Public Interest Research Groups study shows that ticket prices paid to attend political fundraisers by those seeking to influence lawmakers so far haven't taken a hit in the recession.

At the top of the list released Tuesday is new Senate Majority Malcolm Smith. The Queens Democrat charged up to $25,000 a ticket for a Jan. 26 fundraiser at a trendy downtown Albany restaurant.

At the bottom are minority-party lawmakers like Assembly Republican leader and congressional candidate James Tedisco. He charged just $50 a ticket for a fundraiser Saturday at the same restaurant.

"At least something is working in Albany," said Blair Horner, NYPIRG's legislative director, of the annual list compiled by obtaining lawmakers' invitations. "These are fundraising sessions, not legislative sessions."

All of this is legal. Good-government groups have long sought to restrict fundraising by lawmakers during the legislative session, as they work on bills the lobbyists are trying to influence. Legislators counter that the fundraisers are needed for expensive statewide campaigns, and lobbyists say they are protected by free-speech rights to inform lawmakers of their points of view.

"The reason people should care is, they come up from their legislative districts for fundraisers, and to ply their trade all within a few hours," said Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters. "It's the people going to work every day and raising their kids who don't do that. They don't tap into the big-money lobbyists going to fundraisers every night."

Smith's counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, a Nassau County Republican, charged a flat $750 for his Jan. 20 money-maker. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a lower Manhattan Democrat, charged $1,000 and $3,600 per ticket for his Feb. 2 fundraiser.

Most of the fundraisers are at restaurants and clubs a short walk from the Capitol. Some are in large rooms in the state's Empire State Plaza, where an underground concourse provides a sheltered route between the Capitol and legislators' offices.