Michigan lobby spending down from first half of last year
Spending by Michigan lobbyists for the first seven months this year has fallen over 11 percent compared to the first seven months of 2008, according to a report by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.
Reports filed with the Michigan Department of State show lobbyists have spent $17,281,754 from January to July of this year, while they spent $19,490,622 during those months in 2008. Lobbyist expenditures have not fallen since 2002. Since 2002 spending has steadily rose from $23,295,129 to $34,107,543 in 2008, an increase of 46.4 percent.
Not all lobby groups have reported their expenditures though. MCFN, a Midwest Democracy Network partner organization, reported the Michigan Education Association has yet to file a report, which was due Aug. 31. The MEA has reported an average of $700,000 in expenditures throughout the past eight years.
Another issue raised by the MCFN is how state lobbyists are not required to report what bill, budget or regulation they hope to influence, unlike federal lobbyists.
“These lobbying reports are deficient in what they reveal about lobbying activity,” said MCFN Executive Director Rich Robinson. “The details of who is spending what for whom, and what they are seeking to influence, should be public information, as it is in many states and federal lobbying reports. Politicians talk about transparency and accountability but they just don’t walk the talk.”
Lobbyists are also not required to report travel or and lodging expenditures for officials under $725 or a gift or entertainment expenditures under $56. Lobbyists are also not required to report food expenditures unless they surpass $56 a month for officials or $350 a calendar year.
Reported Michigan Lobbying Expenditures, 2001-2008
2008: $34,107,543
2007: $32,206,578
2006: $30,199,376
2005: $29,633,289
2004: $27,119,649
2003: $26,609,024
2002: $23,295,129
2001: $23,777,305
