MI Lobby Spending Sets Record

Not every industry in Michigan has been doing well lately, but don’t include lobbying in that group.

The watchdog group Michigan Campaign Finance Network says lobbyists spent nearly $39 million last year to wine and dine politicians.

That’s an all-time state record.

Building up the biggest spending numbers were multi-client firms, according to Craig Mauger, Executive Director of the MCFN.

Mauger doesn’t criticize lobbying itself, he criticizes the lack of proper disclosure of lobbying spending.

That is, knowing exactly how much was spent on each politician from dollar one.

Currently lobbyists must only provide how much they spent on all lobbying and their list of clients.

But they’re not required to provide a breakdown of how much is spent on each client.