Lobbyists earned a record $173.9 million from clients seeking influence in state government last year, according to a new report released Thursday.

That spending is up $3 million, or 1.7 percent, above 2007 levels, when the previous record was set, according to the state's annual lobbying report.

For the 12th straight year, the Albany office of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP pulled in the most compensation, earning $10.8 million for its efforts. That's up 12 percent from 2007 totals.

Patricia Lynch Associates Inc. was the second-largest lobbying firm last year, earning $7.9 million. That's up 18 percent from the year before. The firm is based in Albany and has an office in Buffalo.

Health-related companies and organizations spent $29.9 million on state government lobbyists last year, the most of any sector. Real estate and construction followed with $26.1 million in spending, with the education sector accounting for $13.6 million in lobbying expenses.

The New York State United Teachers union spent more money on lobbying - $4.4 million - than any other entity, according to the report. The Latham-based union has more than 600,000 members.

Verizon spent the second-largest amount of money, at $2.6 million.