… the United Auto Workers are spending 45 percent less than two years years ago and the Michigan Realtors are spending 21 percent less than two years ago to influence Michigan elections.
This year’s Top 150 Michigan PACs report from watchdog extraordinaire Rich Robinson offers other interesting glimpses of an economy in flux…
Comerica is pulling up stakes and moving the HQ to Texas, but the company’s PAC fundraising in Michigan is up 3.6 percent over two years ago, to $439,000.
Teachers are feeling the pinch… The MEA’s PAC fundraising is down 16.8 percent, to $945,000.
Folks must be drowning their sorrows because there’s no sweat yet for the Beer & Wine Wholesalers, who’ve raised $716,000 — 5.7 percent more than two years ago.
Others must be watching plenty of cable television. Comcast’s PAC is up 83.7 percent, to $366,000.
It’s been a good couple years for agriculture, and the Farm Bureau’s PAC is up 60 percent, to $336,000.
A year ago, in the midst of the state budget meltdown, state workers got a three-year contract with modest wage increases and slight increases to health care co-pays. The AFSCME PAC suggests they’re grateful — it’s up 59 percent to $220,000.
