The name Matty Moroun hardly conjures up warm feelings in the public forum. But his family's money seems to put some smiles on the faces of Republican Lansing lawmakers.
Gary Heinlein of the the Detroit News reports that Moroun family made political donations totaling more than $105,000 in the last five years to 18 of the 26 state GOP senators, who voted in favor of the New International Trade Crossing spending prohibition.
Last week, the GOP-led Senate approved a ban against state purchases of land for the bridge being backed by Gov. Rick Snyder, the News reports. For now, Snyder has figured out a way to get around that by working with the Canadian and U.S. governments.
Since 2009, the New reports that the Moroun family has given more than $1 million in legislative givings that includes contributions to " House members and a wide variety of political committees — with the lion’s share going to Republicans and committees that support them."
Moroun has opposed the building of a government bridge. Instead, he wants to build a new bridge next to the existing one, something Canada opposes.
The News writes:
All told, Moroun and his family have spent tens of millions of dollars fighting the bridge, sought by Gov. Rick Snyder and the U.S. and Canadian governments, through a legislative blockade and an unsuccessful 2012 statewide ballot measure. -- A.L.
