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Money is Power
Last week, I posted a column by Brad Flory about legislative shenanigans in Michigan. It’s so good, it’s worth bringing up again. Here’s an excerpt from the second page of the article:
Committee members kept asking a spectator in the room for his opinions. The spectator gave advice freely, so I assumed he was a Department of Education bigwig. After the meeting, I approached the man and learned he was a lobbyist. My opinion of lobbyists is higher than average but even I was stunned to see politicians make so little effort to hide the fact lobbyists often write laws.
Michigan has many effective and dedicated lawmakers. But it’s clear that not everyone knows what they’re about.
Strong lobbyist influence in Michigan is only increasing. The Associated Press reported last week legislative lobbying spending is up six percent in the last year, to $32.1 million. It’s notable that most of these are multi-client firms—consolidated agencies roaming the halls of the Capitol like mercenaries, rather than citizens or corporations advancing their own interests.
There’s a space, and perhaps a need, for various industries to band together and bandy legislators for support. But it’s important that individual citizens and businesses are aware of and active in their government. Only then can we guarantee that writing laws is not some circular activity, built to please those with the power and those with the influence.
