(LANSING) - Lobbyists spent a record more than $485,000 on meals and drinks for Michigan lawmakers and executive branch officials in 2025, with individual sit-down meals accounting for over $180,000 of that total and large group events topping $300,000, Bridge Michigan reports.
Disclosure records show Republican Rep. Joseph Aragona of Clinton Township received the most itemized meal spending at $12,508. He also had $4,574 in travel and lodging reported for a conference in Turks and Caicos -- the largest single travel expense disclosed in the state's lobbying system in more than a decade. Other lawmakers with high totals included Republican Reps. Pauline Wendzel and Greg VanWoerkom.
State law requires lobbyists to name officials only when spending exceeds $79 in a month or $500 over six months, meaning many smaller meals are not individually reported. Firms representing multiple clients accounted for more than half of the itemized spending.
Reviewing the full scope of expenditures has been complicated by technical problems with the Michigan Transparency Network, the state's online disclosure portal. State officials say some data is in the system but not currently visible to the public.
Lobbyist spending on meals, events, and travel is legal in Michigan but frequently draws scrutiny from watchdog groups who question whether such perks influence policymaking.