Tough times: Lobbyist spending on the decline

There’s one silver lining to a recession that continues to pound Michigan: Lobbyist influence is on the decline statewide.

In this country, there is an adage that with fewer dollars in government spending, the higher the number of lobbyists that will be employed to grab these bucks anyway possible.

But the Detroit News is reporting the lobbyists shelled out $31.8 million in 2009, compared to $34.2 million in 2008, despite a lingering state budget crisis, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

It appears that money is so tight in Michigan that some businesses and public interest groups can no longer afford to put as many lobbyists on their payroll to secure themselves a place at the feeding trough.

And if you’ve been dismayed at the rising influence of lobbyists in Lansing – and Washington – over the past two decades, this is a good thing.

Rest assured, when the state economy recovers, those dollars for lobbyists will begin flowing again too.