Michigan's new $9 million system for campaign finance and lobbying disclosures is drawing sharp criticism for functionality issues and decreased public access to information. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says fixes are expected, but the problems could persist for months.
The upgraded online portal, known as the Michigan Transparency Network, or MiTN, is intended to provide public access to financial disclosures filed by politicians and lobbyists. However, users have reported difficulties, and some information previously available is no longer easily accessible.
Details such as a lobbyist's registered clients, or a candidate's total fundraising and spending in a reporting period, are not readily viewable. Descriptions of financial transactions are also reportedly truncated. Transparency advocates, including Neil Thanedar, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, say the system provides less information than its predecessor, hindering efforts to monitor political spending. criticized the system in a social media post earlier this month saying the new portal provides less information to the public than the previous portal.
The new system was developed under a $9 million contract with Texas-based Tyler Technologies. under a state contract. Benson described working with the firm as "challenging to build things with" and noted the procurement process is overseen by the Michigan Department of Technology Management. Tyler Technologies has faced reports of dissatisfaction with government software projects in other states.
Republican House Speaker Matt Hall of Richland Township has strongly criticized the system's performance. He called the new portal "less transparent" and "not user-friendly." Hall calls for Oversight Committee investigation into Michigan’s new campaign finance portal.
Speaker Hall suggested the House Oversight Committee should investigate how the $9 million funding for the system has been spent, calling it "a $9 million boondoggle." He stated, "I mean, you spent $9 million and it’s worse."
Secretary of State Benson, who is exploring a run for governor in 2026, has defended her department's efforts, stating that the reduced access is a "temporary feature" during the upgrade process and that fixes are expected within "a few months." She maintains that once the transition is complete, MiTN will offer greater transparency. However, her office is also facing a subpoena from the GOP-controlled House over election training documents, which Republican leaders say have not been sufficiently provided.
A compliance professional who uses the system, Brett McRae of Campaign Finance Services, reported difficulties with importing transactions and found the system slower than the previous one during recent filing deadlines. He expressed hope that issues, particularly the import function, would be resolved by July.
The Michigan Department of State spokesperson Angela Benander stated the department's contract with the old MERTS system expires this year, necessitating the new system and data migration. She acknowledged the difficulties and stated fixing problems is the current priority.
