LANSING, MI (WOWO) Lobbyists reported spending more than $485,000 on free food and drinks for Michigan lawmakers and executive branch officials in 2025, setting a new record.

An analysis by Bridge Michigan found more than $180,000 of that total was directed toward meals with individual legislators, nearly $40,000 more than the previous high set in 2024. Spending on food for officials in group settings topped $300,000.

Thirty-six-year-old Republican Rep. Joseph Aragona of Clinton Township reportedly received the highest amount in itemized meal spending, with $12,508 spent on food and beverages on his behalf in 2025. Disclosure records also show $4,574 was reported for his travel and lodging tied to an event in the Caribbean. The spending coincided with a conference hosted by the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association at the Ritz-Carlton in Turks and Caicos.

Other lawmakers with high reported meal totals included Republican Rep. Pauline Wendzel and Republican Rep. Greg VanWoerkom.

Public access to detailed records has been limited due to ongoing technical problems with the Michigan Transparency Network, the state’s online disclosure portal. The Michigan Department of State told Bridge Michigan that some data is in the system but not displaying publicly, and a fix is expected.

Under Michigan law, lobbyists must name officials they treat to meals only if spending exceeds $79 in a month or $500 over six months. Multiclient lobbying firms accounted for more than half of all reported individual meal spending in 2025.

The records also show lobbyists must disclose travel and lodging expenses exceeding $1,050 for an official. The $4,574 reported for Aragona’s travel was the largest single travel expense disclosed in more than a decade in the state’s lobbying system.