How did we get here? Money talks. The people who are responsible for holding these monopoly utilities accountable — our elected officials — get contributions from the very firms they’re supposed to regulate. DTE and Consumers contributed more than a quarter of a million dollars to Michigan legislators in the first six months of 2025.

While DTE and Consumers Energy are the storyline for February, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is equally culpable in bankrolling legislators’ campaigns.

There really are too many exhibits to present, so I’m resting my case here: It’s clear that we need to get big corporate money out of politics.

That’s why we’ve joined dozens of grassroots organizations from across the state in support of the Michiganders for Money out of Politics campaign. The ballot measure would prevent DTE, Consumers Energy, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and other corporations with state government contracts worth $250,000 or more from donating to elected officials. Also, the elected officials would not be able to accept corporate donations.

We know that the state’s voters are on our side: More than 80% of Michigan voters support banning political donations from regulated monopolies.

To get this measure on the ballot, more than 350,000 signatures are needed. Let’s make our case to the community about these corporations by signing the petition. Let’s put the power back where it belongs: with the people of the state of Michigan.