Influence Peddlers: New data on Lobbying Firms in Michigan and how they influence public policy

The Primary Election is now behind us and according to https://www.transparencyusa.org/mi/ in Michigan along up til now in the current election cycle the total amount of campaign contributions was $138,260,343.03.

Imagine how many houses could be built for families with $138 million or how many renters could have their rent covered for the next year, providing substantial relief for the high cost of rent?

Of course there was a small number of individuals and Political Action Committees that spent the bulk of the $138 million. Hell, Doug and Pamela DeVos alone contributed just over $5 million combined. Imagine how much more money will be contributed and spent between now and the November Election and how much political influence will be invested by the rich?

Another arena of influence peddling in Michigan are all of the lobbyist groups. According to a recent article in Crain’s Grand Rapids Business the top 25 Lobbying Firms spent roughly $17 million to influence the Michigan Legislature. (See graphic below) These 25 lobbying firms represented the interests of such corporations as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Ford Motor Co., DTE, Stryker, Microsoft, Illitch Holdings, Oracle, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Michigan Artificial Intelligence Association, Humana Inc., WK Kellogg Co., and Delta Airlines.

These lobbying firms get paid to represent the interests of these companies in matters of public policy. For example, the fact that Microsoft and Michigan Artificial Intelligence Association both hired lobbying forms to represent the interests of AI and data centers should tell you something about what that industry is doing to influence state policy makers.

Now, the Crain’s Grand Rapids Business article said nothing about how lobbying firms influence public policy on behalf of corporations that have investments in Michigan or what to expand those interests. The Crain’s Grand Rapids Business article only provided information on how the lobbying industry has increased in recent years, stating:

“The total number of registered lobbying agents, those hired to do the lobbying, has held steady at around 1,600 over the years. But the number of registered lobbyists — the businesses and organizations paying for lobbying — has risen. The figure is approximately 1,900, according to a search of the lobbying database, up roughly 300, or 19%, in five years.”

While it is useful to know that there has been an increase in lobbyists in Lansing, the public needs to have a more robust investigation into how much influence and power that lobbyists have in determining public policy.

For example, it is important that roughly 40% of politicians eventually become lobbyists and represent corporate interests. Look at the the lobbying firm The WinMatt Group. Brandon Dillion, a former Democratic Party State Legislator is the CEO of The WinMatt Group right after leaving public office. Dillion now represents the interests of Detroit International Bridge Co., Oracle, Meridian, Gun Lake Tribe, and Fairlife.

The President of the WinMatt Group is Kate Skaggs, who is an East Grand Rapids Council member and the wife of State Representative a Phil Skaggs. Now that Skaggs has lost his bid to be a State Senator, he might join his wife’s lobbying firm and work to influence public policy on behalf of corporate and other special interests.

This is why I write about following the money when it comes to electoral politics, since money is the driving influence and money too often dictates public policy.