The Michigan Campaign Finance Network reports companies spent $21 million in the first seven months of the year. That’s about 1.3% more than during the same period in 2014.
Multi-client lobbying firms dominated the filings, which presents a problem.
MCFN director Rich Robinson says the reports with the state are not clear about who all the lobbyists are working for, or what they want.
“That’s been the nature of our reporting right along and that really never has been sufficient to give a clear idea how lobbyists work in Lansing,” says Robinson.
Robinson says much of the lobbying has centered on changes to Michigan’s energy policy.
Robinson says the effort to influence Michigan’s energy policy extends to political campaign donations and television issue ads, which is not part of this report.
