LANSING, Mich. — The two biggest power companies in Michigan are paying to defeat the ballot measure aimed squarely at them. Money tied to Consumers Energy and DTE Energy has now reached $215,000 in the committee working against Proposal 2, which voters decide on Nov. 3.
The newest checks match. CMS Energy Corp., the parent of Consumers Energy, wrote a $50,000 check on Sept. 30 to the opposition committee, Protect MI Free Speech. That equals the Aug. 31 gift from Michigan Energy First, a nonprofit linked to DTE. Both gifts appear in the committee’s latest required filing.
Proposal 2 would stop regulated monopoly utilities, along with companies holding more than $250,000 a year in government contracts, from giving to state officeholders and party committees. It would also force politically active 501(c)(4) nonprofits to disclose spending on ads that run before an election. Blue Cross Blue Shield, which holds state contracts, is among other donors to the opposition committee.
Opponents tried and failed in court to keep the question off the ballot, and business groups have said they are prepared to sue if it passes.
If approved, the contribution bans would not take effect right away. The state Senate Fiscal Agency notes that the prohibitions could not be enforced until 18 months after the law takes effect, that violations would carry misdemeanor penalties heard in district courts, and that the attorney general office would see modest new costs from enforcement.
The fight has reshaped campaign habits. Over their careers, sitting state officials have taken over $1.97 million from utility political action committees, yet nearly 200 lawmakers and candidates pledged this cycle to refuse utility donations. All four Democrats running statewide back the measure, and the state Republican Party chair also signaled support earlier this year.
Section: More Lansing MI politics news
Filed under: Lansing MI Politics News
