Raw Story reports that the Sunday New York Times will include an article detailing the extent to which cities, towns, and municipalities are going to secure federal dollars through earmarks.

Since 1998, the number lobbyists for such public entities has doubled, the paper will report.

According to the Times, “Most of these new clients had never sought earmarks — some had never even heard of them — before someone knocked on their door, essentially offering big pots for a pittance. Others had read in the newspaper about neighbors with lobbyists building bridges or beach walks and felt pressure to keep up with the municipal Joneses.”