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Database shows freebies Michigan lawmakers took from lobbyists between 2001 and 2023

Michigan lawmakers and officials took more than 17,000 free meals and trips worth more than $6 million over the last 20 years from lobbyists. This search tool will show you what the lawmakers got.

Eye On Michigan, a student investigative reporting program based in Detroit and East Lansing, examined more than 17,500 transactions between lobbyists and state officials between 2001 and 2023, the vast majority involving free meals and trips. Free Press data specialists helped organize the information into a searchable database that makes it quick and easy for you to see for yourself how many freebies lawmakers took from lobbyists and how much they were worth.

Eye On Michigan, in association with The State News, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting and training investigative journalists.

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