As state lawmakers sent nearly 400 bills to then-Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk in the closing weeks of the year, lobbyists upped their efforts in Lansing to influence policy decisions, helping to make 2018 a record year for lobbyist spending, according to state disclosures. Overall, lobbyists reported spending $40.3 million in 2018. read more

posted on 02/27/2019

Two times each year, groups that want to influence state government through lobbying have to file reports on their spending. But according to lobbying contracts obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, state law has allowed many groups to disclose only a portion of the amount they're paying lobbying firms. read more

posted on 09/04/2018

The three major-party candidates in Michigan's 2018 U.S. Senate race combined to raise $20.5 million by the end of March, according to campaign finance disclosures. One of the candidates is an incumbent with a large fundraising lead. One is self-financing his campaign. And the third is receiving heavy support from some of Michigan's top donors. read more

posted on 07/09/2018

Because of large blind spots in Michigan law, state officeholders can go on trips funded by interest groups and easily avoid public detection. Multiple sources say trips funded by groups may happen more often than you would expect, and the same blind spots that exist in Michigan don't exist in some neighboring states or at the federal level. read more

posted on 04/30/2018

Michigan lobbyists reported spending $690,681 on food and drink purchases in 2016 with 25 different state legislators identified as recipients of more than $1,000 in free meals each, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network’s (MCFN) review of new disclosures filed with the state. read more

posted on 03/08/2017