MCFN found at least two dozen instances where donors reported giving to Chatfield-connected accounts, totaling more than $100,000 in contributions, and the donations were never reported. Michigan's Department of State didn't ask after them. read more

posted on 02/21/2022

The former House Speaker and associates raised millions in campaign cash and dark money. Now, spending on food, travel and a connected company is under scrutiny as he faces assault claims. read more

posted on 01/25/2022

A husband and wife duo held two of the highest-paying jobs as policy staff in the Michigan House. At the same time, their political consulting firm took in hundreds of thousands of dollars from members of the Republican caucus they helped oversee. read more

posted on 12/30/2020

Republicans have maintained a cash advantage heading into election day, despite Democratic candidates out-raising their GOP counterparts, in part through a new source of funding: small-dollar donations from outside Michigan. read more

posted on 11/03/2020

While lobbyists' overall spending on food for state officials is less than half of what it was last year, the expensive meals that require disclosure are only down slightly. read more

posted on 09/16/2020

Michigan's top 150 political action committees raised more money over the first seven months of 2019 than they did over the same period before the record 2018 election, according to new campaign finance disclosures. Increased fundraising by committees connected to state lawmakers helped spur the high-dollar total. read more

posted on 08/05/2019

Ten state lawmakers raised more than $30,000 through their own political action committees over the first months of 2019, according to new campaign finance disclosures. Individual contributors gave as much as $40,000 to the leadership PACs, a growing form of fundraising in Michigan. read more

posted on 04/30/2019

Leadership PACs are becoming a more powerful player in Michigan politics. It's a trend that gives donors the ability to make unlimited contributions to a wider array of elected officials and that gives lawmakers who can attract donors the ability to wield more influence. read more

posted on 03/16/2018