September 17 Meeting: Michigan Ballot Measure to Test Role of Money in Politics

Signatures are now being gathered on a ballot initiative for the November election that will test the role of money in politics. The measure, backed by Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP), aims to prohibit regulated utility monopolies and companies that have or are seeking contracts above $250,000 with the State of Michigan from making donations to political campaigns for the office holders who regulate them. 

The ballot initiative would also close the biggest dark money loophole in Michigan election law by requiring disclosures for campaign ads put out leading up to an election.

Several other states, including Connecticut, Hawaii, and Georgia, and also the Securities Exchange Commission, have passed similar restrictions on political spending. At our meeting, we will discuss the successes and failures of these efforts, and how they fit into broader efforts to promote corporate political responsibility and the proper role of money in politics.

Selection of this meeting topic should not be construed as an effort to encourage a vote either for or against the MMOP ballot proposal. 

Here are some suggested readings:

• Overview of MMOP ballot initiative (Michigan United Action)
• Full MMOP petition language (for wonks only).
• Utility regulators take millions from industries they oversee. What could go wrong? (Floodlight)
• Study of effectiveness of utility political contribution limits (Center for Growth and Opportunity, Utah State University)
• Principles for Corporate Political Responsibility (Erb Institute, Corporate Responsibility Taskforce)
• Corporate Political Responsibility in a Captured Economy  (Claudine Schneider and Ed Dolan in Promarket, University of Chicago.)