by Rich Robinson, Michigan Campaign Finance Network
September 22, 2008

The Center for Governmental Studies recently gave Michigan an “A” and a national ranking of #3 for campaign finance disclosure. I guess things in Michigan look much rosier from Los Angeles than they do in Lansing.

Since 2000, we have had more than $40 million worth of candidate-focused television issue ads in state campaigns — the sort that define the character and qualifications for office of candidates without exhorting a vote — with absolutely no disclosure of who put up the money.

Yes, the ads have a disclaimer naming one of the political parties or an interest group, but you won’t find any accounting for those ads in the entities’ campaign finance reports. Over this period there has been more spending for these anonymously funded ads in Michigan Supreme Court campaigns than the candidates themselves have spent. And then there is the $30 million worth of gubernatorial issue ads in 2002 and 2006.

In Wisconsin Right to Life v. Federal Election Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court made clear that corporations, unions and any wealthy persons who want to throw their weight around in a political campaign have a right to do so (at least as long as this majority is on the bench), if they are coy with the language they use. But we are fools for letting this happen in state campaigns with no accountability.

The big hitters behind these marketing campaigns are not spending their millions for selfless reasons. They shouldn’t have a privilege to skulk around in secret.

“A” for campaign finance disclosure? Grade inflation strikes again — big time.

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