Campaign to ban utility, contractor contributions advances with canvasser approvals

[RandySF]

Lansing — The Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted unanimously Friday to approve a 100-word summary that will be used to gather signatures for a ballot initiative that would bar political giving by regulated utilities and large state contractors.

With the approval, Michiganders for Money out of Politics plans to begin collecting signatures before Labor Day for the ballot initiative, said Mariah Bryant, director of programs for Voters Not Politicians, which is involved in the campaign. The group will need to collect at least 356,958 valid signatures in the coming months to qualify for the November 2026 ballot.

"This will make a huge change in our political landscape and who we see getting elected to office," Bryant said. "We haven't gotten a lot done through the Legislature this year, and I think, with money out of politics, that could really change."

Protect MI Free Speech, a Michigan Chamber of Commerce-backed group formed to oppose the ballot initiative, expressed concern Friday about the approval of the language.



https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/22/campaign-to-ban-utility-contributions-to-start-collecting-signatures/85775570007/

[WestMichRad]

1. My question is...

… why did they single out utilities and interests that currently have business contracts with the state, but not business interests that will potentially have future business interests with the state in the future? Seems like this initiative would put a band aid on a gaping wound.