LANSING, MI – The Taking Back Our Power coalition will host a press conference at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday to announce the imminent introduction of groundbreaking legislation in both legislative chambers that would ban companies seeking government contracts from making political contributions. Additionally, the coalition will unveil new Senate legislation to prohibit utility companies from engaging in political spending, complementing a pair of House bills (HB 5520/HB 5521) introduced in February. The coalition will be joined by Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit), Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield) and Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor).
Legal bribery from companies like DTE, Consumers Energy and Blue Cross Blue Shield is destroying Michigan's political integrity. In the last decade, almost all of the top 20 corporate contributors to Michigan state politics over the last decade are regulated monopoly utilities or corporations seeking lucrative state contracts. Legislators must urgently address and dismantle this systemic corruption.
This new legislation represents a bold stride towards breaking the stranglehold of corporate interests on our state lawmakers, paving the way for a more inclusive and responsive democratic system that champions the rights and concerns of everyday citizens.
The Taking Back Our Power coalition is Clean Water Action, Community Change Action, Detroit Action, Emergent Justice, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, MOSES Action, and Voters Not Politicians.
For further inquiries or to RSVP, contact Daniel Caracheo Teniente at dcaracheo@miunited.org.
WHO: Members of the Taking Back Our Power coalition and state legislators, including Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit), Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield) and Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor).
WHAT: Press conference to unveil new state legislation prohibiting corporations seeking state contracts from making political contributions.
WHERE: Room 403, Capitol Building, 100 S. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933
WHEN: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 12 p.m.
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Taking Back Our Power is a coalition of working families in Michigan fighting to pass comprehensive state legislation to prevent regulated monopoly corporations and companies seeking government contracts from making political contributions. Learn more at takingbackmi.org.