NORTHVILLE, Mich. – The Michigan Credit Union League has made the list of the top 50 Michigan political action committees that raised money from January-October 2005. According to the listing compiled by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, the Michigan Credit Union League Action Fund ranked 34th. It raised $89,340 over that 10-month period. The Michigan Bankers Association PAC also made the list coming in at number 17 with $196,706. Patrick LaPine, Michigan Credit Union League Vice President Governmental Affairs, explained that the list of top 150 state PACs is compiled every two years based on the state's two-year legislative cycle. This is the first time MCUL has made the Top 50 list. "Raising money for our state PAC has been a strong focus for us this year. We're happy where we're at now, but I'd love for us to be in the top 25 at the end of the cycle in 2006," he said. "We're happy, but it's still only half way to the finish line. We want to continue the momentum into 2006 to end up with a very strong number," he continued. Commenting on the PAC money raised by the MBA, LaPine pointed out that much of that money was raised in the first part of 2005 when the bankers worked hard to successfully defeat legislation pushed by the administration that would have reworked the way businesses in the state are taxed, including out-of-state banks that have a large physical presence in Michigan. That effort gave the MBA a cause to wrap their arms around, said LaPine. Looking ahead to the rest of 2006, LaPine said it's an election year in the state and a lot of legislators are up for reelection. Throughout the year, LaPine said the Michigan league continuously works to raise money for lawmakers who support credit unions. "Our strength has always been our grassroots, and we have to continue to energize our credit unions to support legislators who support credit unions, as well as educate members about these legislators," said LaPine, who added that in the last election cycle, the league sent out over half a million statement stuffers to members on which legislators supported credit unions. LaPine said the league's goal in 2006 is to send out 750,000 statement stuffers to members. The league will start promoting them during the summer and will begin sending them out in August and September.