Department of State fines SEIU $200,000 after campaign finance probe

In what is the second-largest fine of its kind, the Service Employees International Union will pay $199,000 in penalties after the Michigan Department of State found there may have been campaign finance violations, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced on March 10.

The penalties are part of a conciliation agreement reached by the department with Citizens for Affordable Quality Home Care and Home Care First, Inc., related to a 2012 ballot question to amend the state Constitution. Violations included commingling of funds; late filings; not identifying all accounts used; and not providing complete or accurate campaign statements. When combined with late filing fees already paid, they will have paid more than $205,000 in fines. "Michigan law requires all organizations, including 501(c)4 nonprofit corporations, to file complete campaign finance reports when spending directly in support of a ballot question," Johnson said. "These organizations cannot be used as a means to conceal the identity of the true contributors. This agreement reflects our commitment to transparency and accountability in the campaign finance process, especially in an election year." More

Secretary Johnson reads with kids

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson stressed the importance of reading during a visit with second graders at Rose Pioneer Elementary School in Holly on March 5.

Johnson shared her favorite book from childhood, A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer, and took questions from the eager youngsters.

March is National Reading Month. Stop by your local library for a good book or download an eBook today!

Secretary meets with FFA, unveils new Agricultural Heritage plate

Secretary Johnson met with Future Farmers of America students at the state Capitol on March 6 and noted that March is "Agricultural Heritage License Plate Month" in Michigan, as declared in a resolution offered by Rep. Kevin Daley.

Johnson unveiled a new-look Agricultural Heritage plate, which now includes the Pure Michigan branding on top.

"Agriculture IS Pure Michigan, from our orchards to our dairy farms and our abundant crops that feed the people of this state and the country," she said.

More than $64,000 has gone to FFA programs since the fundraising plate went on sale 15 years ago. FFA members presented Johnson with an award at the event for her support of the Agricultural Heritage plate and agriscience education.

SOS meets with Business Roundtable

Secretary Johnson met with members of the Secretary of State Business Roundtable on March 4 at the Austin Building in Lansing. She thanked the gathered business and industry leaders for their past advice and then discussed new ways with them to continue improving customer service at MDOS while stretching every tax dollar further.

Johnson recognized by MADCP for support

Secretary Johnson received recognition from the Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals on March 11 for her "outstanding contributions to DWI courts in Michigan" through her support of the ignition interlock program. Johnson is pictured at MADCP's annual training conference at Michigan State University with Judge Harvey Hoffman.

Why not be a donor?

The Michigan Eye-Bank has a question for you: Why not be an eye, organ and tissue donor?

Renew online!

The 250,000 Michigan watercraft owners receiving renewal notices in March can easily renew online at ExpressSOS.com.

"Renewing online is fast and easy," Secretary Johnson said. "You can renew wherever there's an Internet connection. Use your computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone; go to ExpressSOS.com; click on 'Renew Watercraft' and you'll be done in no time."

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