Michigan utilities sue to block voter-approved donation ban

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 23:21 · Archive

Michigan's two largest utilities have filed a federal lawsuit to block Proposal 2, a voter-approved measure banning political donations from utility companies.

Michigan's two largest utilities, Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, have filed a federal lawsuit to block Proposal 2, which voters approved by more than 80 per cent. The measure, known as the 'Money Out of Politics' initiative, bans political donations from utilities and state contractors as part of changes to the state's Campaign Finance Act.

The utilities claim the proposal violates First Amendment free speech rights by targeting only one side of the political debate. They argue it bans political giving without evidence of wrongdoing and punishes people by association. The lawsuit also contends the rules are too vague and confusing.

DTE stated that the measure attacks its 10,000 employees' fundamental right to participate in the political process and support candidates and issues they care about. This lawsuit follows a separate federal challenge filed by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, which is seeking to block two parts of the proposal.

How it is being reported

• DTE, Consumers Energy sue to block Proposal 2 utility donation banMichigan's two largest utilities filed a federal lawsuit to block a voter-approved proposal that bans their political donations, arguing the measure violates First Amendment free speech rights.Woodtv · 5 Nov, 22:51
• Consumers Energy, DTE Energy file federal lawsuit to block Proposal 2Filing follows federal lawsuit from Mackinac Center for Public Policy over campaign finance reporting rulesWILX · 5 Nov, 22:10

In this story: Consumers Energy · DTE Energy · Michigan · Mackinac Center for Public Policy

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log