While the state budget continues to see more red ink each week, fund-raising efforts for top political action committees are on pace to break records.

A Michigan Campaign Finance Network report found that the top 150 committees raised $11.1 million this year compared to $8.3 million raised at this time in 2001. There are 18 new committees this year.

Leaders include the House Republican Campaign Committee with $801,504 raised and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee which raised $627,276. The Michigan Education Association raised $492,250 and the Michigan House Democratic Fund raised $420,225.

Among the new committees formed in Michigan are Attorney General Mike Cox's Cox 5200 Club with $195,000 raised and Granholm's Granholm Leadership Fund which raised $158,000.

During the 2002 election cycle about $27 million was raised.