Mich. State Rep Fighting Muni Broadband Took Telecom Industry Money: Report
The sponsor of a Michigan bill that would ban municipal broadband (see 1710170050) received large campaign contributions from the telecom industry and dined with trade association lobbyists before introducing the measure, said an International Business Times report Monday. AT&T gave…
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Rep. Michele Hoitenga (R) $1,500, the Telecommunications Association of Michigan (TAM) gave $3,500 and the Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association (MCTA) gave $1,000, said contributions records. After IBT asked about Hoitenga thanking AT&T Michigan President Jim Murray on Twitter for donating to a school in her district, the state representative deleted the tweet, the report said. "TAM, like virtually all organizations representing companies with an interest in public policy, contributes to candidate campaign committees," TAM President Scott Stevenson emailed. TAM is a relatively small contributor, but "we do what we can to support candidates who understand the concerns of businesses operating in rural areas," he said. Hoitenga and AT&T declined comment. MCTA didn't comment.