Michigan Measure Limiting Utility and Contractor Political Donations Heads to November Ballot

Overview

• Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks said she would not bring the measure up for a vote, a move reported Tuesday that ensures the citizen-backed initiative will appear on the Nov. general-election ballot after it cleared signature and House-vote steps.
• The proposal would bar certain political contributions from state-regulated electric and gas utilities and from companies with government contracts worth $250,000 or more and would expand disclosure rules for political advertising.
• The Republican-controlled Michigan House passed a version of the proposal with some bipartisan support, and House Speaker Matt Hall criticized the Senate decision not to act and urged lawmakers to adopt the measure instead of sending it to voters.
• Opponents led by Protect MI Free Speech have filed a legal challenge now pending before the Michigan Supreme Court, and no oral arguments had been scheduled as of the latest reports; that case could affect ballot language or implementation.
• Supporters say the measure responds to more than half a million petition signatures and aim to curb corporate influence on local and state decisions, while passage could change how utilities such as DTE and Consumers Energy engage in local political races and advertising.