Michigan Campaign Finance Network Again Lists Ann Arbor Sen. Warren Among Pols Accepting Most Lobbyist-Paid Hospitality

IN SEPTEMBER 2011, MLive political analyst Susan J. Demas reported that Ann Arbor’s Democratic State Senator Rebekah Warren was one of only four Michigan legislators who had accepted more than $1,800 in free food and drinks from lobbyists during 2011. In contrast, former Ann Arbor State Representative Jeff Irwin, who was elected in 2010 to represent Michigan’s 53rd District (the seat previously held by Warren), didn’t make the 2011 Silver Spoon Supper Club list compiled by the watchdog group Michigan Campaign Finance Network (MCFN).

The MCFN has once again listed Ann Arbor Senator Warren as a member of the Silver Spoon Supper Club. According to the most recent MCFN report, between January and July 2016, Warren accepted $1,623.35  of “itemized lobbyist hospitality.” According to MCFN data, in 2012 Warren accepted $1,787 of “itemized lobbyist hospitality,” less than she did in 2011. Ann Arbor’s state senator dropped from number four on the list in 2011 to number five in 2012. As of July 2016, Warren was back up to the number four spot and the only Democrat in the top ten.

The lobbying firm that spent the most money on Warren in 2011, 2012 and 2016 was Governmental Consultant Services Inc., (GCSI). “Integrity, diligence, bipartisan. Powerful words synonymous with Governmental Consultant Services.” This is part of the welcome message visitors to the CGSI site hear when they land on the home page.

In 2013, The Ann Arbor Independent reported on Warren’s penchant for lobbyist-paid food and drinks and in this 2014 editorial questioned the need for Ann Arbor to contract with GCSI in light of conflicts of interest.

At its June 20, 2016 meeting, the Ann Arbor City Council approved a $48,000 contract with CGSI. In essence, this means the firm paid to lobby on behalf of Ann Arbor is lobbying the city’s own state senator. Former legislators don’t equivocate when talking about accepting lobbyist-paid meals. Former state Senator Doug Ross, now Detroit Public Schools’ chief innovation officer, never accepted lobbyist-paid meals.

He told the Detroit Free Press: “I went to my first luncheon with the AFL-CIO and they served these little steaks and potatoes, and I brought in a hamburger in a bag. I think they were a little offended. But when I ran for the state Senate in 1978, I told my constituents I would pay for my own lunches. I went out to lunch with lobbyists as much as anybody else because they are a great source of information, but I’d say, ‘Let’s split the tab.’”

While Democrat Rebekah Warren accepted lobbyist-paid meals at a clip in 2011- 2016, fellow Democrat, Representative Vickie Barnett of Farmington Hills, employs a different strategy when meeting with lobbyists.

“I buy my own lunch,” she said.

Warren is not the only Democrat accepting food and drinks from lobbyists. Ann Arbor State Representative Adam Zemke appeared at number 24 on the 2016 list having accepted $732.34 in food and drinks. Democrat David Rutledge, who represents Ypsilanti, accepted $159.56 in food and drinks, all of it from GCSI. Ypsilanti, like Ann Arbor, has a contract with GCSI to lobby on behalf of that city in Lansing.