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Michigan Campaign Finance Network questions lame-duck fundraising

LANSING, MI (AP)--   A watchdog group is questioning the practice of Michigan lawmakers continuing to raise campaign money despite being barred from seeking re-election by term limits. 

The Detroit Free Press says that 22 lame-duck lawmakers raised $568,000 in 2011.  It says the lawmakers held 42 fundraising events that year.

Michigan Campaign Finance Network Executive Director Rich Robinson says that kind of fundraising “makes it a more direct connection between money and policy.”  Robinson says he questions the propriety of lawmakers using the campaign accounts for their present offices as a way to raise money to run for other offices.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Roger Kahn of Saginaw Township raised $176,000 last year.  Kahn says he raises money to aid other Republicans, cover miscellaneous office expenses and save up for future elections.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.