Michigan Lawmakers Received Record Amount in Lobbyist-Paid Meals in 2025

Disclosure data shows lawmakers and officials received close to $500,000 in free food and drink from lobbyists, with some individuals receiving thousands in meals.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Lobbyists spent a record amount of money providing free food and drink for Michigan's lawmakers in 2025, according to disclosure data analyzed by Bridge Michigan. Advocates for special interests in Lansing reported spending more than $485,000 wining and dining with legislators and members of the executive branch in 2025, with over $180,000 spent on individual lawmakers - a new high. However, the full details of who received the meals and from which lobbyists remain hidden from public view due to issues with the state's lobbying disclosure portal.

Why it matters

This record spending on lobbyist-paid meals for Michigan lawmakers raises concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest, as the full details of these interactions are not publicly available. There are questions about whether this level of wining and dining of officials by special interests is appropriate and whether it could influence policymaking.

The details

The top recipients of lobbyist-paid meals in 2025 were Rep. Joseph Aragona ($12,508), Rep. Pauline Wendzel ($9,783), and Rep. Greg VanWoerkom ($8,504). However, the state's lobbying disclosure portal has issues that prevent the public from seeing the full details of who received the meals and from which lobbyists. Multiclient lobbying firms were responsible for over half of the reported individual meal spending. The Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association also paid for three lawmakers to speak at a conference in the Turks and Caicos Islands, with one lawmaker's travel and lodging costing nearly $5,000.

  • In 2025, lobbyists spent a record $485,000 on free meals for Michigan lawmakers and officials.
  • The previous high for lobbyist-paid meals was in 2024, when just under $450,000 was spent.

The players

Rep. Joseph Aragona

A Clinton Township Republican who received the most reported free meals from lobbyists in 2025, with $12,508 spent on him.

Rep. Pauline Wendzel

A Bainbridge Township Republican who received the second-highest amount of reported free meals from lobbyists in 2025, with $9,783 spent on her.

Rep. Greg VanWoerkom

A Spring Lake Republican who received the third-highest amount of reported free meals from lobbyists in 2025, with $8,504 spent on him.

Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association

One of the state's most prolific political donors, the association paid about $9,600 for three lawmakers to be convention speakers in February 2025.

Tyler Technologies

A Texas firm that was the sole qualified bidder for the $9 million contract to build Michigan's lobbying disclosure portal, which has been plagued with issues since its launch.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes when I go out to lunch or something, I'll just offer to pay and they will say, 'you saved me from doing a disclosure.'”

— Rep. Bill Schuette, Midland Republican (Bridge Michigan)

What’s next

The Michigan Department of State has said they expect a fix to the issues with the lobbying disclosure portal to be implemented by the contractors this weekend.

The takeaway

This record spending on lobbyist-paid meals for Michigan lawmakers raises serious concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest, as the full details of these interactions remain hidden from public view. It highlights the need for stronger lobbying disclosure laws and reforms to ensure greater accountability and oversight of the relationship between special interests and policymakers.