The Michigan Campaign Finance Network has issued released a new analysis of lobbyist spending showing that Michigan lobbyists have spent $19.1 million in the first seven months of 2008.
While the amount of spending is up by 8% over 2007, it still remains unknown what exactly the money is being spent on given limits in Michigan’s disclosure laws. Multi-client firms are required to list their active clients in lobbying reports, but they are not required to report how much was spent representing each of those clients or what legislation they are advocating for or against. Multi-client firms including Governmental Consultant Services, Inc., James H. Karoub Associates, Kelley Cawthorne, Wiener Associates, and Public Affairs Associates are among the top spenders. Additionally, reporting advertising expenditures is optional and further limits disclosure. For example, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan spent $1.4 million for television in January and February to advocate an overhaul of the health insurance market for individual policies but reported no advertising expenditures.
Disclosure for individual gifts is also limited as lobbyists are not required to report travel and lodging expenditures for lobbyable officials that are less than $700, or gift or entertainment expenditures that are less than $53. There is no requirement to report food expenditures until they exceed $53 in a month for a lobbyable official or $350 in a calendar year.
Related posts:
- Michigan Lobbyists Spend over $34 Million in 2008
- Michigan Utilities and Insurance Companies Spending Big to Influence Policy
- Report Ranks State Government’s on Online Disclosure
- Tax Dollars go Primarily to Military Spending, Limited Amount to Social Programs
- Michigan Lobbyists Spent $32.1 Million in 2007
