He’s hardly a household name but Rich Robinson deserves some kind of medal for serving as Michigan’s premier campaign finance watchdog for 15 years with little pay while enduring lots of aggravation generated by secretive politicians.
Yet, Robinson’s hand-picked successor to lead his nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan Campaign Finance Network, Craig Mauger, also merits praise for stepping into some very big shoes in January and raising MCFN activities to a higher level.
Relying on his reporter’s instincts, including nearly four years on the state Capitol beat for the MIRS news service, Mauger has pumped out numerous stories that provide a face-to-face look at the sleazy side of campaign fundraising for his readers.
The latest example is an MCFN piece published online today that digs deep into Lansing-based fundraisers – held by scores of lawmakers, populated by top lobbyists, but where not a single constituent is on hand to offer their support – or contribute a personal check.
Robinson
Mauger goes so far as to offer a play-by-play account of Republican Sen. Tanya Schuitmaker’s early morning gathering in downtown Lansing on a day last week when she held a fundraiser while also attending a Senate hearing down the street.
More importantly, MCFN reported that 315 fundraisers were held last year by legislators and 170 of them — 54 percent — occurred in Lansing on days when at least the House – if not the Senate — was scheduled for session.
The House slated 102 planned session days last year. Documented fundraisers were held on 82 of those days — about 80 percent. The Legislature generally meets three days a week — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — from mid-January through the end of June and from early September through mid-December. The work pace is much slower in election years.
Not only are legislative session days popular dates for fundraisers but locations within blocks of the Capitol and committee meeting rooms are also preferred locations for such soirees.
Mauger
Mauger points out that well-established lobbying firm Karoub and Associates, with a laundry list of special interest clients, remains king of the cozy fundraiser atmosphere in Lansing. The lobbyists’ luxurious headquarters is located within about a 2-minute walk of the Capitol. In addition, the firm’s “Governors Room” is located on the same block as the Farnum Building, which houses the Senate offices.
MCFN relies upon Karoub’s own sales pitch to tell the story:
“The Governors Room is Lansing’s premier legislative reception facility,” Karoub’s website says. “Located just steps from the Capitol Building and within two blocks of all legislative offices, this events space offers an unparalleled location for legislators to host off-site activities.”
It continues, “Our client receptions in the Governors Room offer you the opportunity to interact with legislators in a casual yet elegant setting.”
Mauger tracked 58 documented fundraisers that listed Karoub’s address, 121 W. Allegan St., as their location in 2015. That’s about 18 percent of all fundraising parties state officeholders reported.
So, beyond the convenience of holding a fundraising event within walking distance, why do lawmakers prefer the Lansing scene over their own district, where friends, family and supporters are located?
Well, MCFN uncovered this little gem:
According to the network’s tracking for 2015, $3.04 million was scooped up at Lansing-based fundraisers while $1.44 million was raised at (all) events elsewhere.
Asked why home district-based fundraisers are so unpopular, one source with knowledge of fundraising strategies put it, “There is no reliable, institutional money floating around Palookaville.”
