Michigan voters to weigh utility political spending
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Utilities have long been major political players in Michigan. This fall, voters will decide whether to rein in some of that influence.
Why it matters: The proposal would limit how some of Michigan's most powerful companies can spend money in politics and require more disclosure about who's paying for political ads.
Between the lines: The House tried to settle the question itself Tuesday, voting 77-26 to adopt the citizen initiative.
- That's significant because if both chambers had enacted it, a future Legislature could amend it with a simple majority. If voters approve it, changes would require three-fourths support in both chambers.
- Senate Democrats say they won't go along, meaning voters are still expected to get the final say in November.
What they're saying: "They did not collect the signatures to put the question up to the Legislature to adopt it and then be able to amend it with a 51% vote and render it unenforceable," Rep. Jim DeSana, a Republican who voted against the House move, told the Detroit News.
Zoom in: The proposal would prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities (such as DTE and Consumers Energy), companies with more than $250,000 annually in government contracts, and substantially connected people or organizations from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to candidates and officeholders who affect them.
- It would also make more political ads disclose who's paying for them, including ads that mention a candidate or ballot proposal without explicitly saying "vote for" or "vote against."
Catch up quick: The Board of State Canvassers approved the proposal for the November ballot last month after Michiganders for Money Out of Politics submitted more than 560,000 petition signatures.
Flashback: Michigan lawmakers used a similar "adopt and amend" strategy in 2018 on citizen initiatives involving the minimum wage and paid sick leave, sparking years of litigation.
Zoom out: The utility restrictions come amid heightened scrutiny of Michigan's major power companies over reliability and rising rates.
What's next: The proposal still faces a pending Michigan Supreme Court challenge over whether supporters gathered enough valid signatures.