The Seattle Times has published an article about erstwhile and current Microsoft employees becoming local lawmakers. "Of six successful candidates from the 45th and 48th districts headed for Olympia next month, four are current or former Microsofties."
Microsoft has been dealing with federal issues, particularly the anti-trust litigation, but, the article says, the company "has [also] increased its lobbying in Olympia in recent years."
The article also contains a summary of Microsoft's political contributions at the federal level: in the last election, for instance, Microsoft contributed about $3 million. "Almost two-thirds of that money went to Republicans — a dramatic turnaround from eight years ago, when 71 percent of Microsoft money went to Democrats. "
Check out the full text here.