State Representative Jennifer Wortz was among lawmakers who voted to preempt a citizen-led initiative aimed at curbing corporate political spending across the state.
The move has the potential to defeat the measure’s stated purpose. The proposal, organized by the campaign group Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP), seeks to ban public utilities and major government contractors from donating money to political candidates and campaigns. Supporters argue the measure boosts transparency, protects taxpayers, and reduces the influence of special interest groups in Lansing.
The Michigan House of Representatives approved the proposal in a 77-26 vote. Under Michigan law, legislators have the option to adopt citizen-initiated measures directly into state law before they reach the general election ballot.
The decision now moves to the state Senate. However, Senate leadership has indicated it prefers to let residents vote directly on the measure during the upcoming November election.
A voter approved initiative has a higher legal threshold than one approved by the legislature.
If voters approve it, any changes to law at the legislative level would require a supermajority vote.
However, if legislators approve the citizen-led initiative before it reaches voters in November, lawmakers could amend, repeal or change the law with a simple majority vote.
Enacting the initiative before it goes to voters could potentially render it useless. Preemptive legislative approval would open it up to the same influences of lobbyists and others that it was intended to prevent.