A Michigan ballot measure to stop public utilities and large government contractors from some political giving moved closer to gathering signatures Friday.
The initiative went before the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to have the board check that the campaign’s petition forms were in order and get summary language for the top of the petition approved.
After more than three hours of discussion and drafting, the campaign got past both optional, but recommended, steps. Getting board approval can shield a campaign from lawsuits later.
Early in the process, business groups shared their concerns with the petition. During public comment, Wendy Block with the Michigan Chamber called the effort “a broad proposal that among other things contains restrictions on free speech.”
Lawyers opposed to the campaign brought up several concerns, including that it wouldn’t just apply to the utilities and contractors themselves but others who have a significant connection to them.
The compromise resulted in the following language being approved:
“Initiation of legislation to: prohibit electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them; expand campaign finance laws and restrictions that regulate spending on political communications, including laws that require disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them; expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications.”
The coalition behind the petition, Michiganders for Money out of Politics, said the summary gave it an opportunity to make their goals clear to voters.
The campaign argues utilities and large contractors have used large political donations to buy influence in Lansing without facing accountability.
Mariah Bryant is with one of the coalition’s member groups. She said it’s ready to take on any opposition it faces.
“We’ve got sort of the historical context with what we’ve experienced with past petitions. But also, this national landscape that’s directing us and telling us, this is what your opposition is going to be saying, because the people that want to keep money in politics are always the same people and they’re always saying the same things,” Bryant said.
Bryant said the campaign has already had around 2,000 people sign up to collect signatures. She said there’s a total goal of around 5,500 volunteers.
The campaign does not plan on using paid signature gatherers.
Bryant said organizers are learning as they conduct more trainings.
“It’s us saying, 'This is what we recommend saying. What’s unclear about this? What do you think people will have a hard time understanding? What will resonate with people?' And we’re getting that feedback and we’re plugging it back directly into our training materials that will be used to further train other volunteers, but also to educate members of the public,” she said.
Michiganders for Money out of Politics must collect nearly 357,000 signatures within a roughly six-month window to make next year’s ballot.
With a planned start before Labor Day, that would likely mean canvassing through the winter months when fewer people are out and about.
A bipartisan group of mostly Democratic Michigan House lawmakers has tried to pass similar legislation during the current and previous legislative sessions.
But regardless of which party held the majority, the legislation has never gotten anywhere.
Sean McBrearty, also with the coalition, was undeterred by both the weather and lack of legislative action. McBrearty said going straight to voters is the only realistic way to stop the utilities and contractors from spending on politics.
“It’s plainly obvious that Lansing lawmakers are not going to regulate themselves in this way. And what we have with money in politics in Michigan is a bipartisan problem that requires a nonpartisan solution,” he said.
