LANSING, Mich. (News 10) – A proposal to restrict political spending by certain regulated utilities and large state contractors is one step closer to appearing on Michigan’s November ballot.
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted 3-1 Friday to certify that the group Michiganders For Money Out of Politics submitted enough valid signatures to move the proposal forward.
Supporters say the measure would reduce corporate influence in politics and give voters a stronger voice.
“This is 100% about free speech,” said Christy McGillivray, co-chair of Michiganders for Money Out of Politics. “It is about how money stifles voters’ free speech. So what this does is it levels the playing field.”
Opponents argue the proposal could restrict political speech for employees and family members connected to companies covered by the ban.
“The people that don’t get silenced, they are out-of-state billionaires,” said John Sellek, spokesperson for Protect MI Free Speech. He added that under this proposal, they could come into Michigan and “spend as much money as they want on politics, and have even more control over what our public policy looks like or our political system looks like than the people who actually live here and pay taxes.”
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DTE Energy, which could be affected by the proposal, called it a “direct attack on Michiganders” intended to silence people from participating in issues that affect their lives and communities.
The Legislature has 40 days to approve the measure. If lawmakers do not act, the proposal could go before voters in November.
Opponents have also raised concerns about the petition signature review and said they are considering legal action.
“We saw a couple extra sheets that were duplicated within the 1,000-person sample, so it means we didn’t really have 1,000 sample,” Sellek told News 10.
Supporters believe the proposal can hold up in court, as McGillivray said, “This stands up to Citizens United. This has been tested in courts. We have a really good chance of defending this once we pass it.”
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