Michigan Lobbyists Spent $19.7 MIllion During First Seven Months Of Year

LANSING – Lobbyists in Michigan spent $19.7 million through the first seven months of the year, which was up from 2010 and 2008 levels, the Michigan Campaign Finance Network said Wednesday.

The 11.6 percent spike was attributed in part to $900,000 in an advertising campaign done by StudentsFirst, the group led by former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee. The group recently hired former Rep. Tim Melton (D-Auburn Hills) as a lobbyist.

Lobbyists spent $526,753 on food and drinks, with Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) and Rep. Frank Foster (R-Pellston) the leading recipients of those meals at $2,985 and $2,814, respectively. That total only includes meals over $55 a month for a public official or $350 during a reporting period.

Rounding out the top five top lobbying spenders were: Governmental Consulting Services Inc. ($774,000), Kelley Cawthorne ($709,000); Karoub Associates ($460,000) and Wiener Associates ($326,000).

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