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October 27, 2025 at 7:27 PM

MCFN: Are Billions of Dollars in Michigan Earmarks Actually Unconstitutional?

MCFN: Are Billions of Dollars in Michigan Earmarks Actually Unconstitutional? A new lawsuit is challenging the constitutionality of a workaround that state lawmakers have used for years to give away billions in earmarks. View this email in your browser …

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October 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM

MCFN: We Need More Oversight of Michigan's Earmarks

MCFN: We Need More Oversight of Michigan's Earmarks Here are three ways to make this spending more accountable to the public. View this email in your browser MCFN.org Share Tweet …

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September 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM

MCFN Investigation: How $132,150 in Donations Led to a $20 Million No-Bid Grant

MCFN Investigation: How $132,150 in Donations Led to a $20 Million No-Bid Grant Did Sharif Hussein’s $107,150 to Whitmer’s Campaign and $25,000 to Wentworth’s PAC Buy Bipartisan Support for a $20 Million No-Bid Grant? View this email in your browser …

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July 29, 2025 at 4:40 PM

MCFN Investigation: How Does Tyler Technologies Keep Getting Government Contracts?

MCFN Investigation: How Does Tyler Technologies Keep Getting Government Contracts? Why does this one corporation keep getting all of these huge taxpayer-funded contracts? View this email in your browser MCFN.org …

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May 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM

MCFN in the News

MCFN in the News Seven new stories in the last eight weeks featuring our work! View this email in your browser MCFN.org Share Tweet Forward …

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April 11, 2025 at 9:18 PM

MCFN: Who is Paying for Governor Whitmer's Travel?

MCFN: Who is Paying for Governor Whitmer's Travel? Critics claim trips are taxpayer-funded, but it’s actually dark money from private donors. View this email in your browser MCFN.org Share …

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March 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM

MCFN Announces New Executive Director

MCFN Announces New Executive Director Neil Thanedar Unanimously Elected by MCFN Board to be Next Executive Director View this email in your browser MCFN.org Share Tweet …

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January 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM

MCFN: MICHIGAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE NETWORK SEEKS NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MCFN: MICHIGAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE NETWORK SEEKS NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The 28-year-old nonprofit is searching for its next leader after current director resigns to run for public office. View this email in your browser MCFN.org …

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October 16, 2024 at 5:28 PM

MCFN: Elon Musk funded superPAC spends $550k in Michigan in “support” and opposition of Senate candidate Slotkin

MCFN: Elon Musk funded superPAC spends $550k in Michigan in “support” and opposition of Senate candidate Slotkin Since October 1st, Future Coalition PAC has spent $480,000 in “support," and $66,000 in opposition to the same candidate. View this email in your browser …

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July 24, 2024 at 6:12 PM

MCFN: Harris Unlikely to Face Obstacles in Using Biden’s Campaign Funds

MCFN: Harris Unlikely to Face Obstacles in Using Biden’s Campaign Funds Executive Director Nick Pigeon joined WJR’s ALL Talk with Tom Jordan and Kevin Dietz to discuss the legality of campaign funds being transferred. View this email in your browser …

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October 25, 2023 at 9:32 PM

MCFN Testifies to Senate Oversight Committee Regarding Proposed Financial Disclosure Law

MCFN Testifies to Senate Oversight Committee Regarding Proposed Financial Disclosure Law Executive Director Pigeon gives context on how SB 613 and SB 614 compare to 48 other states' public official financial disclosure law View this email in your browser …

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September 7, 2023 at 8:29 PM

MCFN: Amidst Controversy, Michigan Lawmakers Are Approaching Year-End Deadline to Implement Financial Disclosure Law

MCFN: Amidst Controversy, Michigan Lawmakers Are Approaching Year-End Deadline to Implement Financial Disclosure Law The Detroit News' revelations have brought attention to Michigan's absence of a disclosure law, which is already in place in forty-eight other states. View t…

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July 31, 2023 at 1:39 PM

Help Keep @MCFNalerts Running!!️

Help Keep @MCFNalerts Running‼️ Thousands of people rely on @MCFNalerts for real-time updates to track PAC and candidate registrations, Michigan lobbyists, and campaign disclosures. View this email in your browser MCFN.org …

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April 27, 2023 at 8:59 PM

MCFN: Common Cause, Other Groups Hold Campaign Finance Reform Lobby Day at Michigan Capitol

MCFN: Common Cause, Other Groups Hold Campaign Finance Reform Lobby Day at Michigan Capitol On Thursday, multiple activist groups collaborated and rallied citizens to Lansing to speak with lawmakers about campaign finance reform. View this email in your browser …

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April 26, 2023 at 3:59 PM

MCFN: Voters Not Politicians Kick Off Campaign Finance Town Hall Tour, Discusses Pathway To Reform

MCFN: Voters Not Politicians Kick Off Campaign Finance Town Hall Tour, Discusses Pathway To Reform The powerful grassroots organization is travelling around the state. What does this mean for reform efforts heading into the 2024 general election? View this email in your bro…

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April 19, 2022 at 8:06 PM

Landfill Money and Rotting Legislation

Landfill Money and Rotting Legislation This is newsletter can continue to be provided free thanks to the ongoing support of our individual donors. Ensure we can continue this work by making a donation. After Michigan Senator Receives $30k from Landfills, Recycli…

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April 5, 2022 at 12:14 PM

Dark Money In the GOP Attorney General Race

Dark Money In the GOP Attorney General Race This is newsletter can continue to be provided free thanks to the ongoing support of our individual donors. Ensure we can continue this work by making a donation. Dark Money Enters the GOP Attorney General Contest Tr…

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March 22, 2022 at 12:52 AM

The First Edition of MCFN's Newsletter

The First Edition of MCFN's Newsletter Welcome to the first edition of MCFN's weekly newsletter! We’ll be sending our subscribers original reporting and research, quick hits, plus campaign finance news from around Michigan each week. We rely on the support of ind…

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January 26, 2022 at 1:44 PM

Lee Chatfield Raised Millions and Traveled Often. Michigan Law Let Much Remain Secret.

Lee Chatfield Raised Millions and Traveled Often. Michigan Law Let Much Remain Secret. Lee Chatfield Raised Millions and Traveled Often. Michigan Law Means Much Remains Secret. LANSING  — Lee Chatfield is a 33-year-old father of five, made $95,985 per year as spea…

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October 1, 2021 at 11:29 AM

Five Hundred Thirty-Three Million Dollars

Five Hundred Thirty-Three Million Dollars The Full Breakdown of the $533M in Michigan's 2020 Elections In four short years, Michigan became some of the most hotly-contested political territory in the United States. In 2020 the decision as to which party would con…

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May 14, 2021 at 10:36 PM

Whitmer's Inaugural Nonprofit Chartered Her Private Jet To Florida

Whitmer's Inaugural Nonprofit Chartered Her Private Jet To Florida Governor's Inaugural Nonprofit Chartered Her Private Jet Flight To Florida LANSING (May 14, 2021) — A private jet Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to fly to Florida in March was chartered by the nonprof…

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May 4, 2021 at 12:41 PM

Experts Unimpressed By Financial Disclosure Package

Experts Unimpressed By Financial Disclosure Package Anti-Corruption Experts Don’t See Real Reform In Financial Disclosure Package   LANSING (May 4, 2020) — A package of bills intended to review legislators’ financial disclosures does little to increase a…

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February 12, 2021 at 4:54 PM

Paid to drop out of an election? Michigan may allow that.

Paid to drop out of an election? Michigan may allow that. For Michigan Republicans, A Reckoning With The Consequences Of Hidden Money   LANSING (Feb. 11, 2020) — A week ago, rumbling fissures within the Michigan Republican Party (MRP) were blown open. Then-cha…

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December 30, 2020 at 1:44 PM

A Side Consulting Business Brought In Big Money For Senior House Staff

A Side Consulting Business Brought In Big Money For Senior House Staff How Senior House Staff Blended Politics And Policy With Lucrative Results LANSING (Dec. 30, 2020) — As House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) gave his farewell address on the floor of the ch…

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December 3, 2020 at 9:00 PM

How Big Money Fueled a Mountain of Political Mail

How Big Money Fueled a Mountain of Political Mail How Big Money Fueled a Mountain of Political Mail LANSING (Dec. 3, 2020) — This election season, mailboxes were filling up. And much of the mail appeared to come from just two sources: Michigan’s Democratic and Re…

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November 3, 2020 at 11:24 PM

The Numbers You Need For Election Night Context

The Numbers You Need For Election Night Context The Numbers You Need For Election Night At 8 p.m. tonight, precincts reporting and ballots counted will be the only metric that matters. Unti…

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October 29, 2020 at 1:44 PM

Dark Money in Michigan's Supreme Court Race

Dark Money in Michigan's Supreme Court Race How Dark Money is Permeating Michigan’s Supreme Court Race   LANSING (Oct. 29, 2020) — With the balance of the Michigan Supreme Court at stake th…

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October 21, 2020 at 8:45 PM

Michigan's $47 Million Week

Michigan's $47 Million Week Michigan's $47 Million Week   LANSING (Oct. 21, 2020) — "Election season" or not, advertising spending in Michigan has increased explosively in the runup to in-p…

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October 19, 2020 at 5:52 PM

An Open Invitation For Outside Help In Key Races

An Open Invitation For Outside Help In Key Races Campaigns Are Leaving The Invitation For Outside Help Wide Open   LANSING (Oct. 19, 2020) — When national groups get involved in Michigan ra…

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September 25, 2020 at 8:34 PM

The Advertising Onslaught Is Just Beginning

The Advertising Onslaught Is Just Beginning The Advertising Onslaught Is Just Beginning LANSING (Sept. 25, 2020) —  The election is here, and it’s here to stay. Early voting officially began in Michigan Thursday, and more than a third …

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September 1, 2020 at 6:19 PM

We're On Track For $150 Million In Political Ad Spending

We're On Track For $150 Million In Political Ad Spending   Michigan Is On Track To See More Than $150 Million In TV Ad Spending LANS…

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July 7, 2020 at 3:28 PM

Police Unions Contribute Widely: Here Is Where Their Money Went

Police Unions Contribute Widely: Here Is Where Their Money Went Michigan’s Largest Police Unions Contribute Widely: Here Is Where Their Money Went LANSING (July 6, 2020) — When a resolutio…

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May 18, 2020 at 4:23 PM

How Out-Of-State Nonprofits Stoked Anger About Michigan's Stay-At-Home Order

How Out-Of-State Nonprofits Stoked Anger About Michigan's Stay-At-Home Order Closely-tied Nonprofits Are Marketing An Ecosystem of Conservative Content To Michiganders On Facebook In the r…

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May 11, 2020 at 4:31 PM

Get Ready For $45 Million In Political TV Ad Spending. Minimum.

Get Ready For $45 Million In Political TV Ad Spending. Minimum. The Post-Primary Election Season Has Already Produced $45 Million In TV Spending LANSING (May. 10, 2020) — In most elections…

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March 2, 2020 at 8:50 PM

Bloomberg has eclipsed the whole 2016 primary in TV ads 📺

Bloomberg has eclipsed the whole 2016 primary in TV ads 📺 Bloomberg has now spent more than the entire 2016 primary on TV advertising. By SIMON D. SCHUSTER Michigan Campaign Finance Netwo…

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February 7, 2020 at 8:31 PM

PACs and Wealthy Donors Dominated 2019 Legislative Fundraising 💰

PACs and Wealthy Donors Dominated 2019 Legislative Fundraising 💰 Michigan’s legislative races attracted more than $18 million in 2019. Three-fourths came from PACs and $10,000+ Donors By S…

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January 31, 2020 at 11:37 PM

An Opaque Nonprofit is Spending $750,000 to Promote Whitmer’s Road Plan

An Opaque Nonprofit is Spending $750,000 to Promote Whitmer’s Road Plan A Nonprofit with Unknown Funding is Spending $750,000 to Promote Whitmer’s Road Plan   LANSING (Jan. 31, 2020) …

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January 17, 2020 at 9:08 PM

Billionaires and Dark Money Are Dominating 2020 Ad Spending

Billionaires and Dark Money Are Dominating 2020 Ad Spending Billionaires and Dark Money Are Dominating Ad Spending In The 2020 Cycle   …

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December 2, 2019 at 6:29 PM

Who will be influencing the 2020 elections?

Who will be influencing the 2020 elections? The 2020 election season is looming. Michigan is a key battleground state. This means our state is going be the focus of national attention and in turn dark money. This’ll keep us busy at the Michigan Campaign Finance N…

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October 8, 2019 at 9:02 PM

MCFN Hiring New Executive Director

MCFN Hiring New Executive Director Michigan Campaign Finance Network Seeks New Executive Director LANSING — The Michigan Campaign…

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September 24, 2019 at 6:48 PM

'Corporate Contributions Only'

'Corporate Contributions Only' Some Lansing Fundraisers Target ‘Corporate Contributions Only,' According To Invitations LANSING —…

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September 11, 2019 at 4:23 PM

Where The Lobbyist-Funded Food Flows

Where The Lobbyist-Funded Food Flows Record Amounts Of Free Food And Drink For Some Lawmakers, According To New Disclosures LANSI…

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September 6, 2019 at 7:47 PM

A County-By-County Push To Boost Line 5

A County-By-County Push To Boost Line 5 How A County-By-County Push Is Boosting Enbridge's Line 5 LANSING — A company that owns a…

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September 5, 2019 at 5:52 PM

A Company, A Bill And The Opioid Crisis

A Company, A Bill And The Opioid Crisis Most Michigan Counties Have Named This Company In Suits. Lawmakers May Give It A Win.   LA…

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August 16, 2019 at 3:23 PM

Term-Limited Lawmakers' Campaigns Keep Spending

Term-Limited Lawmakers' Campaigns Keep Spending Term-Limited Lawmakers’ Campaigns Made Big Purchases On The Way Out Of Lansing LA…

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August 8, 2019 at 1:57 PM

Following The Money In Michigan

Following The Money In Michigan Michigan has been ranked 50th out of all 50 states for transparency and accountability. View this email in your browser You Can’t Understand Politics Today Without Access To Public Information. Donate Now …

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August 5, 2019 at 2:56 PM

PACs Increase Fundraising Ahead Of 2020

PACs Increase Fundraising Ahead Of 2020 Michigan's Top PACs Are Increasing Their Fundraising Ahead Of 2020, New Disclosures Show LANSI…

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July 22, 2019 at 3:23 PM

Undisclosed Fundraising Accounts Have Become Widespread

Undisclosed Fundraising Accounts Have Become Widespread Undisclosed, Untold: Most State Lawmakers Have Ties To Accounts That Can Raise Money In Secret …

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July 16, 2019 at 6:51 PM

U.S. House Members Post Big Fundraising Numbers

U.S. House Members Post Big Fundraising Numbers Michigan U.S. House Members Posted Big Fundraising Numbers. Where Is The Money Coming From? …

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