Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest
/* */
img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }
/* */
img.wp-smiley, img.emoji {
display: inline !important;
border: none !important;
box-shadow: none !important;
height: 1em !important;
width: 1em !important;
margin: 0 0.07em !important;
vertical-align: -0.1em !important;
background: none !important;
padding: 0 !important;
}
/*! This file is auto-generated */
.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}
.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list{display:flex;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0;list-style-type:none;margin:5px;padding:0}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-small-icon-size{font-size:12px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-normal-icon-size{font-size:16px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-large-icon-size{font-size:24px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-huge-icon-size{font-size:36px}@media print{.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list{display:none!important}}.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-jetpack-sharing-buttons{gap:0;padding-inline-start:0}ul.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em}
:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px --wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px --wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px --wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px --wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px }:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}
:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}
:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}
:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;}
:root { --preset-color1: #037fff --preset-color2: #026fe0 --preset-color3: #071323 --preset-color4: #132133 --preset-color5: #34495e --preset-color6: #787676 --preset-color7: #f0f2f3 --preset-color8: #f8f9fa --preset-color9: #ffffff }
:root { --postx_preset_Base_1_color: #ffffff; --postx_preset_Base_2_color: #ecf3f8; --postx_preset_Base_3_color: #B4C2D6; --postx_preset_Primary_color: #2890e8; --postx_preset_Secondary_color: #6cb0f4; --postx_preset_Tertiary_color: #1D3347; --postx_preset_Contrast_3_color: #4B586C; --postx_preset_Contrast_2_color: #2c4358; --postx_preset_Contrast_1_color: #10202b; --postx_preset_Over_Primary_color: #ffffff; --postx_preset_WP_Gray_color: }
:root { --postx_preset_Primary_to_Secondary_to_Right_gradient: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--postx_preset_Primary_color) 0%, var(--postx_preset_Secondary_color) 100%); --postx_preset_Primary_to_Secondary_to_Bottom_gradient: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--postx_preset_Primary_color) 0%, var(--postx_preset_Secondary_color) 100%); --postx_preset_Secondary_to_Primary_to_Right_gradient: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--postx_preset_Secondary_color) 0%, var(--postx_preset_Primary_color) 100%); --postx_preset_Secondary_to_Primary_to_Bottom_gradient: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--postx_preset_Secondary_color) 0%, var(--postx_preset_Primary_color) 100%); --postx_preset_Cold_Evening_gradient: linear-gradient(0deg, rgb(12, 52, 131) 0%, rgb(162, 182, 223) 100%, rgb(107, 140, 206) 100%, rgb(162, 182, 223) 100%); --postx_preset_Purple_Division_gradient: linear-gradient(0deg, rgb(112, 40, 228) 0%, rgb(229, 178, 202) 100%); --postx_preset_Over_Sun_gradient: linear-gradient(60deg, rgb(171, 236, 214) 0%, rgb(251, 237, 150) 100%); --postx_preset_Morning_Salad_gradient: linear-gradient(-255deg, rgb(183, 248, 219) 0%, rgb(80, 167, 194) 100%); --postx_preset_Fabled_Sunset_gradient: linear-gradient(-270deg, rgb(35, 21, 87) 0%, rgb(68, 16, 122) 29%, rgb(255, 19, 97) 67%, rgb(255, 248, 0) 100%); }
@import :root { --postx_preset_Heading_typo_font_family: Roboto; --postx_preset_Heading_typo_font_family_type: sans-serif; --postx_preset_Heading_typo_font_weight: 500; --postx_preset_Heading_typo_text_transform: capitalize; --postx_preset_Body_and_Others_typo_font_family: Roboto; --postx_preset_Body_and_Others_typo_font_family_type: sans-serif; --postx_preset_Body_and_Others_typo_font_weight: 400; --postx_preset_Body_and_Others_typo_text_transform: lowercase; --postx_preset_body_typo_font_size_lg: 16px; --postx_preset_paragraph_1_typo_font_size_lg: 12px; --postx_preset_paragraph_2_typo_font_size_lg: 12px; --postx_preset_paragraph_3_typo_font_size_lg: 12px; --postx_preset_heading_h1_typo_font_size_lg: 42px; --postx_preset_heading_h2_typo_font_size_lg: 36px; --postx_preset_heading_h3_typo_font_size_lg: 30px; --postx_preset_heading_h4_typo_font_size_lg: 24px; --postx_preset_heading_h5_typo_font_size_lg: 20px; --postx_preset_heading_h6_typo_font_size_lg: 16px; }
window.abkw = 'alr,acn,ccr,columns,tcn,pcl,scr'; img#wpstats{display:none}
.category-button.mgs-cat-9 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-9 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-9 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-9 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-9, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-9 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-9{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-9 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-9 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-9 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-9 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-3 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-3 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-3 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-3 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-3, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-3 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-3{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-3 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-3 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-3 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-3 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-5 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-5 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-5 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-5 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-5, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-5 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-5{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-5 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-5 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-5 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-5 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-14 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-14 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-14 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-14 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-14, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-14 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-14{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-14 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-14 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-14 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-14 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-4 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-4 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-4 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-4 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-4, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-4 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-4{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-4 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-4 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-4 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-4 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-6 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-6 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-6 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-6 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-6, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-6 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-6{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-6 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-6 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-6 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-6 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-8 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-8 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-8 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-8 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-8, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-8 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-8{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-8 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-8 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-8 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-8 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-11 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-11 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-11 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-11 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-11, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-11 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-11{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-11 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-11 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-11 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-11 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-13 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-13 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-13 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-13 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-13, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-13 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-13{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-13 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-13 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-13 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-13 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-7 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-7 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-7 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-7 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-7, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-7 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-7{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-7 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-7 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-7 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-7 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-12 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-12 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-12 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-12 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-12, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-12 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-12{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-12 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-12 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-12 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-12 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-1 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-1 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-1 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-1 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-1, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-1 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-1{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-1 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-1 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-1 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-1 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.category-button.mgs-cat-10 a { background: #1e73be}
.category-button.mgs-cat-10 a:hover { background: #00418c}
.block-header.mgs-cat-10 { border-left: 2px solid #1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-10 .block-title { background:#1e73be }
.block-header.mgs-cat-10, #content .block-header.mgs-cat-10 .block-title:after { border-bottom-color:#1e73be }
#content .block-header.mgs-cat-10{ background-color:#00418c }
.rtl .block-header.mgs-cat-10 { border-left: none; border-right: 2px solid #1e73be }
.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-10 { background-color:#1e73be; border-left: 4px solid #1e73be }
.rtl.archive .page-header.mgs-cat-10 { border-left: none; border-right: 4px solid #1e73be }
#site-navigation ul li.mgs-cat-10 { border-bottom-color: #1e73be }
.navigation .nav-links a,.bttn,button,input[type='button'],input[type='reset'],input[type='submit'],.navigation .nav-links a:hover,.bttn:hover,button,input[type='button']:hover,input[type='reset']:hover,input[type='submit']:hover,.edit-link .post-edit-link ,.reply .comment-reply-link,.home-icon,.search-main,.header-search-wrapper .search-form-main .search-submit,.mgs-slider-section .bx-controls a:hover,.widget_search .search-submit,.error404 .page-title,.archive.archive-classic .entry-title a:after,#mgs-scrollup,.widget_tag_cloud .tagcloud a:hover,.sub-toggle,.main-navigation ul > li:hover > .sub-toggle, .main-navigation ul > li.current-menu-item .sub-toggle, .main-navigation ul > li.current-menu-ancestor .sub-toggle{ background:#1e73be}
.navigation .nav-links a,.bttn,button,input[type='button'],input[type='reset'],input[type='submit'],.widget_search .search-submit,.widget_tag_cloud .tagcloud a:hover{ border-color:#1e73be}
.comment-list .comment-body ,.header-search-wrapper .search-form-main{ border-top-color:#1e73be}
.main-navigation ul li,.header-search-wrapper .search-form-main:before{ border-bottom-color:#1e73be}
.widget a:hover{ color:#1e73be}
#breadcrumb.layout2 li:before, #breadcrumb.layout2 li:after{ border-left-color: #1e73be;}
#breadcrumb.layout2 li:before{border-color:#1e73be; border-left-color:transparent;}
#breadcrumb.layout2 li > a, #breadcrumb.layout2 li > span{background-color:#1e73be}
progress#reading-progress-indicator::-webkit-progress-value, .breaking_news_wrap.fade .bx-controls-direction a.bx-prev:hover, .breaking_news_wrap.fade .bx-controls-direction a.bx-next:hover { background-color: #1e73be; }
.blog .page-header, .archive .page-header,.block-header, .widget .widget-title-wrapper, .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper{ border-left-color:#1e73be}
a,a:hover,a:focus,a:active,.entry-footer a:hover,.comment-author .fn .url:hover,#cancel-comment-reply-link,#cancel-comment-reply-link:before, .logged-in-as a,.top-menu ul li a:hover,#footer-navigation ul li a:hover,.main-navigation ul li a:hover,.main-navigation ul li.current-menu-item>a, .main-navigation ul li.current-menu-ancestor>a,.mgs-slider-section .slide-title a:hover,.featured-post-wrapper .featured-title a:hover,.newspaper_lite_block_grid .post-title a:hover,.slider-meta-wrapper span:hover,.slider-meta-wrapper a:hover,.featured-meta-wrapper span:hover,.featured-meta-wrapper a:hover,.post-meta-wrapper > span:hover,.post-meta-wrapper span > a:hover ,.grid-posts-block .post-title a:hover,.list-posts-block .single-post-wrapper .post-content-wrapper .post-title a:hover,.column-posts-block .single-post-wrapper.secondary-post .post-content-wrapper .post-title a:hover,.widget a:hover::before,.widget li:hover::before,.entry-title a:hover,.entry-meta span a:hover,.post-readmore a:hover,.archive-classic .entry-title a:hover,
.archive-columns .entry-title a:hover,.related-posts-wrapper .post-title a:hover, .widget .widget-title a:hover,.related-articles-wrapper .related-title a:hover, .byline:hover a.url, .byline:hover time.entry-date, .byline:hover a, .posted-on:hover a.url, .posted-on:hover time.entry-date, .posted-on:hover a, .comments-link:hover a.url, .comments-link:hover time.entry-date, .comments-link:hover a,.byline:hover, .posted-on:hover, .comments-link:hover,.mgs-more-articles-box .post-title a:hover { color:#1e73be}
#content .block-header,#content .widget .widget-title-wrapper,#content .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper {background-color: #248ae4;}
.block-header .block-title, .widget .widget-title, .related-articles-wrapper .related-title {background-color: #1e73be;}
.block-header, .widget .widget-title-wrapper, .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper {border-left-color: #1e73be;border-bottom-color: #1e73be}
#content .block-header .block-title:after, #content .widget .widget-title:after, #content .related-articles-wrapper .related-title:after {border-bottom-color: #1e73be;border-bottom-color: #1e73be}
.blog .page-header, .archive .page-header {background-color: #248ae4}
.main-navigation ul li.current-menu-item>a, .main-navigation ul li.current-menu-item>a, .main-navigation ul li.current-menu-ancestor>a, .bx-default-pager .bx-pager-item a.active, .bttn, .navigation .nav-links a, .navigation .nav-links span.current, .navigation .nav-links span.dots, button{border-color: #1e73be}
.bottom-header-wrapper {border-color: #1e73be}
.top-menu ul li, .newspaper-plus-ticker-wrapper ~ .top-header-section {border-color: #1e73be}
.ticker-caption {background-color: #1e73be}
.ticker-content-wrapper .news-post a:hover, .newspaper-plus-carousel .item .carousel-content-wrapper a:hover, .breaking_news_wrap .article-content.feature_image .post-title a:hover{color: #1e73be}
.newspaper_plus_random_news .below-entry-meta a:hover, .newspaper_plus_random_news .below-entry-meta span:hover, .tab-widget .below-entry-meta a:hover, .tab-widget .below-entry-meta span:hover, .newspaper-plus-carousel .item .carousel-content-wrapper h3 a:hover, body .newspaper-plus-carousel h3 a:hover, footer#colophon .newspaper-plus-carousel h3 a:hover, footer#colophon a:hover{color: #1e73be}
.main-navigation ul>li:after, #mgs-menu-wrap .random-post a, .newspaper_plus_random_news ul.widget-tabs li.active a, .tab-widget ul.widget-tabs li.active a, a.widget-read, .widget .owl-theme .owl-dots .owl-dot.active span{background: #1e73be}
.newspaper_plus_random_news ul.widget-tabs li a, .tab-widget ul.widget-tabs li a{background: #248ae4}
a.read-more-link:hover{background: #1e73be}
.woocommerce .woocommerce-breadcrumb a, .woocommerce ul.products li.product .woocommerce-loop-category__title:hover, .woocommerce ul.products li.product .woocommerce-loop-product__title:hover, .woocommerce ul.products li.product h3:hover{color: #1e73be}
.woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs li, .woocommerce span.onsale, .woocommerce #respond input#submit.disabled, .woocommerce #respond input#submit:disabled, .woocommerce #respond input#submit:disabled[disabled], .woocommerce a.button.disabled, .woocommerce a.button:disabled, .woocommerce a.button:disabled[disabled], .woocommerce button.button.disabled, .woocommerce button.button:disabled, .woocommerce button.button:disabled[disabled], .woocommerce input.button.disabled, .woocommerce input.button:disabled, .woocommerce input.button:disabled[disabled], .woocommerce #respond input#submit.disabled:hover, .woocommerce #respond input#submit:disabled:hover, .woocommerce #respond input#submit:disabled[disabled]:hover, .woocommerce a.button.disabled:hover, .woocommerce a.button:disabled:hover, .woocommerce a.button:disabled[disabled]:hover, .woocommerce button.button.disabled:hover, .woocommerce button.button:disabled:hover, .woocommerce button.button:disabled[disabled]:hover, .woocommerce input.button.disabled:hover, .woocommerce input.button:disabled:hover, .woocommerce input.button:disabled[disabled]:hover, .woocommerce #respond input#submit.alt, .woocommerce a.button.alt, .woocommerce button.button.alt, .woocommerce input.button.alt, .woocommerce #respond input#submit, .woocommerce a.button, .woocommerce button.button, .woocommerce input.button, .woocommerce #respond input#submit.alt.disabled, .woocommerce #respond input#submit.alt.disabled:hover, .woocommerce #respond input#submit.alt:disabled, .woocommerce #respond input#submit.alt:disabled:hover, .woocommerce #respond input#submit.alt:disabled[disabled], .woocommerce #respond input#submit.alt:disabled[disabled]:hover, .woocommerce a.button.alt.disabled, .woocommerce a.button.alt.disabled:hover, .woocommerce a.button.alt:disabled, .woocommerce a.button.alt:disabled:hover, .woocommerce a.button.alt:disabled[disabled], .woocommerce a.button.alt:disabled[disabled]:hover, .woocommerce button.button.alt.disabled, .woocommerce button.button.alt.disabled:hover, .woocommerce button.button.alt:disabled, .woocommerce button.button.alt:disabled:hover, .woocommerce button.button.alt:disabled[disabled], .woocommerce button.button.alt:disabled[disabled]:hover, .woocommerce input.button.alt.disabled, .woocommerce input.button.alt.disabled:hover, .woocommerce input.button.alt:disabled, .woocommerce input.button.alt:disabled:hover, .woocommerce input.button.alt:disabled[disabled], .woocommerce input.button.alt:disabled[disabled]:hover{background-color: #1e73be}
.woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs li, .woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs:before{border-color: #1e73be}
body .woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs li.active:before{box-shadow: none;}
body {
color: ;
}
h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
color: ;
}
p {
color: ;
}
.top-header-section {
background: ;
color: ;
}
.top-header-section .date-section {
color: ;
}
.bottom-header-wrapper,
.main-navigation ul.children,
.main-navigation ul.sub-menu,
.is-sticky .bottom-header-wrapper {
background: ;
}
.main-navigation ul li a {
color: ;
}
.block-header .block-title,
.related-articles-wrapper .related-title,
.widget .widget-title,
#content .block-header h3,
#content .block-header h3 a,
#content .widget .widget-title-wrapper h3,
#content .widget .widget-title-wrapper h3 a,
#content .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper h3,
#content .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper h3 a,
#content .block-header h4,
#content .block-header h4 a,
#content .widget .widget-title-wrapper h4,
#content .widget .widget-title-wrapper h4 a,
#content .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper h4,
#content .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper h4 a {
color: ;
}
#secondary .widget {
color: ;
}
#secondary .widget a {
color: ;
}
#secondary .block-header,
#secondary .widget .widget-title-wrapper,
#secondary .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper {
background-color: ;
border-left-color: ;
border-bottom-color: ;
}
#secondary .block-header .block-title,
#secondary .widget .widget-title,
#secondary .related-articles-wrapper .related-title {
background-color: ;
}
#secondary .block-header .block-title::after,
#secondary .widget .widget-title::after,
#secondary .related-articles-wrapper .related-title::after {
border-bottom-color: ;
}
#secondary .block-header .block-title,
#secondary .related-articles-wrapper .related-title,
#secondary .widget .widget-title,
#secondary .block-header h3,
#secondary .block-header h3 a,
#secondary .widget .widget-title-wrapper h3,
#secondary .widget .widget-title-wrapper h3 a,
#secondary .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper h3,
#secondary .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper h3 a,
#secondary .block-header h4,
#secondary .block-header h4 a,
#secondary .widget .widget-title-wrapper h4,
#secondary .widget .widget-title-wrapper h4 a,
#secondary .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper h4,
#secondary .related-articles-wrapper .widget-title-wrapper h4 a {
color: ;
}
#bottom-footer {
background: ;
}
#top-footer .mgs-footer-widget .widget {
background: #2c2e34;
}
#middle-footer .mgs-footer-widget .widget {
background: #303440;
}
#top-footer {
}
#middle-footer {
}
#bottom-footer {
}
/* =Responsive Map fix
-------------------------------------------------------------- */
.newspaper_plus_map_canvas img {
max-width: none;
}
.site-title,
.site-description {
position: absolute;
clip:
}
.page-id-29 .entry-title {
display: none;
}
.page-id-9329 .entry-title {
display: none;
}
.page-id-59 .entry-title {
display: none;
}
.page-id-24539 .entry-title {
display: none;
}
.page-id-29845 .entry-title {
display: none;
}
Skip to content
Wednesday, July 09, 2025
E-Edition
Subscribe
Public Notices
Obituaries
Submissions
Contact
Archives
Albion
Allegan County
Clare County
Jackson County
Paw Paw
Saugatuck/Douglas
South Haven
Sturgis
Three Rivers
Search for:
HomeAllegan County News & Union EnterpriseMike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest
Albion Recorder & Morning Star
Allegan County News & Union Enterprise
Clare County Review
Columns
Commercial-News, Penny Saver, & Sturgis Sentinel
Courier-Leader, Paw Paw Flashes, & South Haven Beacon
Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record
Mike’s Musings: Legislators, lobbyists married to one another is a conflict of interest
Posted on July 9, 2025July 9, 2025 Author Editorial StaffComment(0) 104 Views
I was sent an article from the Lansing City Pulse written by Kyle Melinn, that claims there are four state legislators that are married to lobbyists.As Melinn says “that means in four households, one person works for the state to write the laws we live by. The other person works to tell lawmakers what those policies should be.”Now we can’t regulate who marries who, but it would seem if you are one of 147 legislators running our State, and paid by taxpayer money, that either you or your spouse should step down from your position. It’s not illegal but most certainly a conflict of interest and one you would think an upstanding legislator would want to avoid.Just to be clear, lobbyists are paid to influence legislators. For instance, as an intern several decades ago, I worked for a lobbyist whose job was to influence legislators in an attempt to get more funding for Detroit Public Schools. We visited legislators at their offices, held get-togethers at a local restaurant, and did all we could to explain and cajole lawmakers to provide more funds.So, I question how this works with the four legislators and their spouses. The spouses are paid to influence their partners. Something doesn’t smell right with this arrangement.The four legislators with lobbyist spouses are:Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit). Her spouse is Harvey Santana, who works for the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a non-profit focused on criminal justice reform.Rep. Pat Outman (R-Six Lakes). His spouse is Autumn Outman who has been a lobbyist since 2017 for Trinity Health.Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia). Her husband is the former mayor of East Lansing but now is a lobbyist for the State Bar of MichiganRep Phil Skaggs (D-Grand Rapids). Kate Skaggs works for a multiclient firm that lobbies for a variety of organizations.Of course, power couples are nothing new in Washington D.C. or Lansing. Since the beginning of time, they have wielded their influence on our laws at the federal and state level. But frankly I was surprised that we had actual spouses that might influence their married partner at the dinner table, and there are no written restrictions disallowing this.Former Public Citizen’s Congress Watch director once said, How can a member of Congress (in this case state legislature) possibly share a bed and a bank account with a member of a persuasion industry (lobbying) without a life laced by conflicts of interest?”I would answer it’s impossible and inappropriate. If you were to ask these four couples you would hear a myriad of excuses. “We don’t discuss politics at home.” “The legislation I am working on has nothing to do with my spouse.” On and on.If I had my druthers I would do away with lobbyists all together. Unfortunately, they have much more say than one would think about shaping the laws and regulations of our land. Legislators come and go, but lobbyists in some cases are in their positions for years. They know more about the legislative process than most legislators. Yet they are unelected and work in the background. You don’t know their names or what they are advocating.My suggestion to you as a voter is to be aware of these power couples next time you are in the ballot box. Only you have the ability to make change.
Share this:Post
Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Email
Click to print (Opens in new window)
Print
More
Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)
Bluesky
Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window)
Mastodon
Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window)
Nextdoor
Pocket
Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Reddit
Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
Telegram
Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window)
Threads
Share on Tumblr
Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
WhatsApp
Like this:Like Loading...
Post navigation
Mayor and city council candidates will appear at forumLife as Performance Art
Leave a ReplyCancel reply
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
var commentForms = document.
for (var i = 0; i < commentForms.length; i++) {
commentForms[i].allowTransparency = false;
commentForms[i].scrolling = 'no';
}
});
#placement_690500_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}
var rnd = Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);
var pid690500 = rnd;
var plc690500 = window.plc690500 || 0;
var abkw = window.abkw || '';
var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=690500;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid690500+';place='+(plc690500++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';
var _absrc = absrc. absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];
document.
Copyright 2025, Wilcox Newspapers. All rights reserved.
Subscribe
Contact
Archives
{"prefetch":[{"source":"document","where":{"and":[{"href_matches":"\/*"},{"not":{"href_matches":["\/wp-*.php","\/wp-admin\/*","\/wp-content\/uploads\/*","\/wp-content\/*","\/wp-content\/plugins\/*","\/wp-content\/themes\/newspaper-plus\/*","\/*\\?(.+)"]}},{"not":{"selector_matches":"a[rel~=\"nofollow\"]"}},{"not":{"selector_matches":".no-prefetch, .no-prefetch a"}}]},"eagerness":"conservative"}]}
window.WPCOM_sharing_counts = {"https:\/\/wilcoxnewspapers.com\/mikes-musings-legislators-lobbyists-married-to-one-another-is-a-conflict-of-interest\/":31031};
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d. js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&appId=249643311490&version=v2.3'; fjs.parentNode. }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
document.body.addEventListener( 'is.post-load', function() {
if ( 'undefined' !== typeof FB ) {
FB.XFBML.
}
} );
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');
( function () {
var currentScript = document.currentScript;
// Helper function to load an external script.
function loadScript( url, cb ) {
var script = document.
var prev = currentScript || document.getElementsByTagName( 'script' )[ 0 ];
script.
script.
prev.parentNode.
script.
}
function init() {
loadScript( 'https://platform.linkedin.com/in.js?async=true', function () {
if ( typeof IN !== 'undefined' ) {
IN.
}
} );
}
if ( document.readyState === 'loading' ) {
document.
} else {
}
document.body.addEventListener( 'is.post-load', function() {
if ( typeof IN !== 'undefined' ) {
IN.
}
} );
} )();
( function () {
// Pinterest shared resources
var s = document.
s.type = 'text/javascript';
s.async = true;
s. s.src = window.location.protocol + '//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js';
var x = document.getElementsByTagName( 'script' )[ 0 ];
x.parentNode.
// if 'Pin it' button has 'counts' make container wider
function init() {
var shares = document.
for ( var i = 0; i < shares.length; i++ ) {
var share = shares[ i ];
var countElement = share.
if (countElement) {
var countComputedStyle = window.
if ( countComputedStyle.display === 'block' ) {
var countWidth =
share.style.marginRight = countWidth + 11 + 'px';
}
}
}
}
if ( document.readyState !== 'complete' ) {
document.
} else {
}
} )();
( function () {
var currentScript = document.currentScript;
// Don't use Pocket's default JS as it we need to force init new Pocket share buttons loaded via JS.
function jetpack_sharing_pocket_init() {
var script = document.
var prev = currentScript || document.getElementsByTagName( 'script' )[ 0 ];
script.
script.
prev.parentNode.
}
if ( document.readyState === 'loading' ) {
document.
} else {
}
document.body.
} )();
/* */
/* */
/*
var infolinks_pid = 3402337;
var infolinks_wsid = 0;
Genealogy and research providers who charge a fee for their services must have a commercial license to use SmallTownPapers content!
Searches Highlighted on Image