Billionaire top political giver

Charlie Cain and Gary Heinlein / Detroit News Lansing Bureau

LANSING -- Kalamazoo billionaire Jon Stryker bankrolled the state's biggest political action committee for the second consecutive election cycle, a watchdog group reported Wednesday.

The Coalition for Progress raised more than $4.2 million during the 2007-08 election cycle, and $3.83 million of it -- 91 percent -- came from Stryker.

The coalition spent money on behalf of Democrats in 12 competitive state House races and helped them pick up nine seats in November -- swelling their majority over Republicans to 67-43.

Ben Miller, executive director of the Coalition for Progress, said he doesn't mind having the richest PAC -- but the report may not tell the whole story.

"The fundamental difference is that we are transparent; it's a matter of public record," Miller said. "Conservatives and Republicans can't say the same thing. Historically, Republicans have flooded their campaign coffers with money from nonprofits, foundations and other (nonreporting) organizations."

Overall, the Michigan Campaign Finance Network says the state's top 150 special interest PACs pulled in $41.4 million during the 2007-2008 election cycle. That's down by 20 percent from the $51.9 million raised by the top 150 PACs in the 2005-2006 cycle -- but there was no contest for governor, state Senate, attorney general or secretary of state last year. The top PACs raised 24 percent more money this time around than they did four years ago.

"While the state's economy is in serious trouble, the money-in-politics sector remains robust," said Rich Robinson, executive director of the nonprofit watchdog group. "It's a sure bet that the interest groups will be heard loudly and clearly when it comes time to write budgets, regulations and tax policy.

"Let's hope ordinary families aren't forgotten in the process."

No. 2 on the PAC list was the House Democratic Fund, which raised $3.15 million during the last election cycle, followed by the House Republican Campaign Committee at $2.47 million.

Some of the state's top politicians also had well-heeled PACs.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Leadership Fund raised $1.17 million over the last two years.

House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, raised $833,476 for his leadership fund, while his counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, took in just over $500,000.

The Blue Cross/Blue Shield PAC topped $1 million for the first time in 2008. The Blues waged a fierce, but unsuccessful, battle last year to get the Legislature to make some changes that it sought on insurance policies bought by individuals.

Sixteen special interest PACs raised at least $500,000 over the last two years.

Reprinted from The Detroit News