Google Bankrolled Secret Summit For Key State Lawmakers

Ahead of states’ 2026 legislative sessions, Google paid state lawmakers upwards of $2,000 as “gifts” to cover their attendance at a secret all-inclusive summit with “educational” sessions extolling the benefits of artificial intelligence among other policy issues. Lawmakers enjoyed hotel rooms costing up to $500 a night, a party at Wrigley Field, and a chance to rub elbows with company executives and lobbyists, according to public records reviewed by The Lever.

Now, dozens of those same state officials will be weighing legislation on matters like artificial intelligence, data center construction, and online privacy that could boost Google’s profits.