NO SOLO DINING

Lawmakers in Lansing looking for ways to skirt campaign finance laws intended to eliminate the influence of dark money are currently targeting corporate donors for their non-profit fundraisers. While Michigan law prohibits corporations from contributing to campaigns directly, corporate donations given to non-profit and administrative accounts established by lawmakers aren’t subject to the same disclosure or scrutiny, meaning donations can’t typically be tracked by the public. The Michigan Campaign Finance Network (MCFN) found that half of the 148 lawmakers serving in 2018 had direct connections to non-profit organizations or administrative accounts that could raise money in secret. The MCFN found at least three representatives – Pete Lucido (R-Shelby Township), Triston Cole (R-Mancelona) and Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) – who had participated in fundraisers asking for “corporate contributions only,” however, the sponsor for Lucido’s “A Brighter America” event later updated its invitations to say that all checks would be accepted.