After weeks of speculation, the Governor's office disclosed that a nonprofit used to fund her inauguration had mostly paid for a private flight to Florida in March. Her staff characterized the nonprofit as an administrative account, and despite pledging transparency, the picture offered of the nonprofit's finances is far from complete. read more

posted on 05/14/2021

Some Michigan lawmakers have been headlining fundraisers where donors are specifically asked to make “corporate contributions only," according to invitations obtained by MCFN. It's a request that could help ensure the sources of money and the groups collecting it remain secret. read more

posted on 09/24/2019

Michigan officeholders’ quiet use of accounts and organizations that can accept unlimited amounts of money from secret donors has become widespread in Lansing. A new report by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network found links between a majority of the 148 lawmakers serving last year and accounts or organizations that could raise money from sources known to the lawmaker but unknown to the public. Where does the money end up? That can be a mystery as well. read more

posted on 07/22/2019

When it comes to the general election race for Michigan governor, direct spending by PACs, super PACs, nonprofits and other political groups dwarfed spending by the candidates' campaigns. The numbers point to a greater trend in campaign finance, and they aren't final yet. The disparity will likely grow as more disclosures become available. read more

posted on 12/10/2018

The battle for control of the Michigan Senate saw an influx of spending by nonprofit organizations that don't have to disclose their donors. The groups funded mailers, Facebook ads and even door-to-door campaigns. They also spent heavily on negative TV ads about candidates in the weeks before the election. read more

posted on 11/16/2018

With Michigan’s redistricting process, wage laws and marijuana legalization hanging in the balance, the 2018 battle over ballot proposals is just getting started. But it’s already attracted more than $7 million in contributions, according to new campaign finance disclosures. read more

posted on 01/31/2018

Making Government Accountable paid out $1.7 million in the election year, more than other Snyder-linked nonprofits reported spending in past years. read more

posted on 01/18/2018

The top 15 fundraisers serving in state government have combined to attract more than $4.4 million in contributions over the first seven months of 2017. Most of the money has gone to officials’ candidate committees, which collect funds for their own campaigns for offices. But the officials are also raising money for PACs, which help fund other campaigns, nonprofit organizations and administrative accounts. read more

posted on 08/03/2017