Target Spent $870K Lobbying in 2Q

Minneapolis Target Corp. spent $870,000 lobbying on consumer product safety standards and other issues in the second quarter, according to a recent disclosure report.

The company also lobbied on banking matters, crime enforcement and labor issues in the April-June period, according to the form filed July 21 with the House clerk's office.

Among labor issues, Target cited the Employees Free Choice Act, which would allow labor organizations to unionize workplaces without secret ballot elections. The legislation is adamantly opposed by big retailers, which claim that it would raise costs of doing business and lead to employee layoffs. The bill was co-sponsored by Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the presumed Democratic presidential candidate, and is opposed by Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumed Republican nominee.