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Politics
Burns says Michigan delegation backed school funds


Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) says he supported a $3 million appropriation for a wealthy tribal client of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff because lawmakers from Michigan asked for it.

Burns allowed the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan to participate in a school construction program meant for poorer tribes. He denies any wrongdoing and his lawyer says he put the money in the Interior appropriations bill over the objections of the Interior Department because Michigan Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both Democrats, and Michigan Rep. Dave Camp (R) requested it.

Burns received $36,000 from the tribe but wasn't influenced by the money, a spokesperson said.

Get the Story:
Democrats decry Burns' link to lobbyist (The Great Falls Tribune 4/2)

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