A ballot proposal aimed at restoring public trust by tackling corporate influence in politics is another step further after its petition language was approved by a state panel last week.
Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP) is a grassroots coalition of progressive organizations leading a statewide ballot initiative to ban political contributions from companies with state or local government contracts above $250,000.
The Michigan State Board of Canvassers approved the language of group’s petition summary in a unanimous vote Friday, Aug. 22.
The coalition now says it is preparing to launch a statewide signature drive. It needs to collect 356,958 signatures within 180 days from registered voters to get the proposal before lawmakers to either adopt or reject within 40 days. If the proposal is rejected, it would go to the voters in November 2026.
Read more: Ballot Proposal Would Ban Political Spending from DTE, Consumers Energy
“When powerful corporations spend big to influence elected officials, the people of Michigan lose our voice in our own government,” Sean McBrearty of Clean Water Action, one of the coalition partners, said in a statement. “There is a conflict of interest when regulated utilities and big government contractors are financially supporting the elected officials who should be working for the people they represent.
McBrearty and the leaders of MMOP says democracy is for sale the way Michigan law currently allows powerful corporations to be fundraising for candidates running for office.
The group names DTE, Consumers Energy, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as the top players “buying” political influence by way of donating money to politicians in hopes to influence their votes on legislation affecting the bottom line of their companies.
The proposal would prohibit DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and other utilities regulated by the state Public Service Commission from donating to state lawmakers.
Utility companies in Michigan for years have wielded influence lobbying in Lansing and contributing to political candidates and campaign committees.
The Taking Back Our Power coalition includes Clean Water Action, Climate Cabinet, Community Change Action, Detroit Action, Emergent Justice, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, MOSES Action, Progress Michigan, and Voters Not Politicians.
In a press call in June upon the launch of the effort, leaders said the ballot proposal won’t be a cure all for every problem with campaign finance, but is a major step forward that will bring greater accountability.
MMOP points to governments such as Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Georgia and federal agencies such as the Securities Exchange Commission that have also banned political spending by utility companies and corporations seeking government contracts.
Business leaders at the Michigan Chamber who oppose the initiative calls the effort “selective censorship.”
“This egregious proposal appears to silence the voices of job providers and limit free speech for some while giving others, like labor unions, a free pass,” the Chamber said of MMOP in a statement last month. “That’s not just bad policy – it’s fundamentally unfair and harmful to Michigan’s future. “Efforts to restrict free speech have repeatedly been deemed unacceptable – and this is no different. Michiganders deserves fair, open debate on issues that impact every community, every business and every worker in our state, not selective censorship that shuts out the voices of those who create jobs, drive economic growth and invest in our communities.”
In a statement, Consumers Energy said the ballot proposal would seek over 200 state contractors and pick “winners and losers” in who gets to participate in the political process.
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