Michigan Voters to Decide Corporate Donation Ban After Court Ruling

A Michigan ballot proposal aiming to block major utilities and big contractors from donating to political campaigns is heading to the November election. The measure, backed by the group Michiganders for Money Out of Politics, would stop DTE and Consumers Energy from making political contributions. It would also ban political spending by companies that have government contracts worth more than $250,000.

The proposal also wants to shine a light on political ads. Groups that don't currently report their donors would have to start. Supporters say this stops secret money from shaping elections.

Business groups are not happy. Protect MI Free Speech, an opposition committee, and Jim Holcomb, head of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, sued to block the measure. They challenged the voter signatures used to get the proposal on the ballot.

The Michigan Supreme Court rejected their effort. On Thursday, Sept. 3, the court refused to overturn the Board of State Canvassers' decision to certify the proposal. The ruling came just one day before the deadline to lock in the ballot.

John Sellek, a spokesperson for Protect MI Free Speech, criticized the outcome. He said the court missed a chance to question the Board's work. He also accused the proponents of using dark money.

MMOP argues its plan protects democracy. The group says politicians should not be for sale. They claim Lansing is open to the highest bidder.

Because the measure is voter-initiated legislation, lawmakers got the first chance to act. The GOP-led House approved it. But the Senate, controlled by Democrats, did not vote. That sent the issue straight to voters.

If the legislature had passed it, future changes would need only a simple majority. But if voters approve it, changing the law would require a three-fourths vote in the Legislature. That makes it much harder to undo.