Mich. economy cuts into lobbying, fundraising

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan's bad economy and a wait-and-see attitude toward the 2010 elections are cutting into the action for those who lobby lawmakers and donate to their political campaigns.

Lobbyists were spending less trying to influence officeholders in the first half of 2009. Fundraising for many of the state's largest political action committees also dipped after several years of rapid rise.

Michigan's poor economy is largely responsible for the decline as lobbyists and donors cut back on political spending just as theyhave in other areas. But part of the decline is because of an upcoming shift in the state's political power structure.

Term limits will force a major turnover of elected officials during the 2010 elections. Donors still are studying which candidates to support.