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 $540,598 on food and drink purchases for public officeholders over the first seven months of 2017, according to new state disclosures. That total is the second highest ever posted for the first seven months of a year and isn't far from the record. Some state officeholders, including high-ranking lawmakers, have received a larger portion of the free food and drink from lobbyists than others. read more

posted on 09/18/2017