Michigan, June 30th 2025 – Today the Taking Back Our Power coalition, an alliance of everyday people, grassroots organizers, and statewide advocacy groups, announced their formation of the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP) Ballot Committee. Michiganders for Money Out of Politics aims to pass a citizen-led ballot initiative that bans political contributions from regulated monopoly utilities, such as DTE and Consumers Energy, as well as corporations that seek or hold large state and local government contracts.
“The corrosive influence of corporate money on our political system has consistently grown worse over the last several decades. The dominance of dark money contributions and corporate cash drowns out the voices of people across our state and has contributed to people losing faith in democracy itself,” said Sean McBrearty, Michigan State Director of Clean Water Action. “The only thing that beats the power of organized money is the power of organized people.”
In recent years, the Taking Back Our Power coalition attempted to address the problem of money in politics through the legislative process, introducing legislation in both the 23-24 session (House Bills 5520, 5521, 5975 and 5976), as well as bipartisan legislation in the current legislative session (House Bills 4381, 4382, 4383, 4384). Despite the bipartisan support, neither bill package received movement in Lansing.
“Well let’s be real, one of the biggest reasons we don’t see progress in Lansing is because too many politicians are bought and paid for,” said Ken Whittaker, Executive Director of Michigan United Action. “If we wait for them to clean it up we’ll be waiting forever. That’s why we’re going around them straight to the people. Voters are going to do what politicians won’t. And that’s to take money out of politics, and take back our power. Because we’re here to mop up Michigan.”
MMOP intends to submit petition language for a statutory initiative to the Board of State Canvassers this July, before launching a massive, statewide signature collection drive to gather over 357,000 valid signatures and put the initiative before voters on the November 2026 ballot.
“Why is this reform so urgently needed right now? Michigan is a cautionary tale. A state where corporate money has brought political silence and inaction,” said Ponsella Hardaway, Executive Director of MOSES Action. “DTE and Consumers Energy rake in billions while delivering some of the worst power reliability in the country, charging the highest rates in the Midwest. How do they get away with it? Through political contributions. Health insurers and contractors distribute campaign funds to protect sweetheart deals and undermine reforms before they are even implemented or can be implemented. These corporations aren’t just influencing policy, they’re writing it. And the people of Michigan are being left in the dark, in debt, without a voice. Enough is enough. The initiative is how we take back control.”
Michiganders for Money Out of Politics plans to train thousands of volunteers and coalition staff to collect signatures for the grassroots effort, as well as hosting town halls across the state.
“We plan to use grassroots power to get this initiative moving and bring it across the finish line. Our plan is to appear before the Board of State Canvassers in July, and then as soon as we have the green light with our form and summary approval we’re going to dust our clipboards off and hit the street,” said Kim Murphy-Kovalick, Senior Director of Policy and Programs of Voters Not Politicians. “We plan to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures to give voters the power to decide: in 2026 do we want a government that serves us or a government that is bought and paid for by corporations?”
The Michiganders for Money Out of Politics coalition includes Clean Water Action, Climate Cabinet, Community Change Action, Detroit Action, Emergent Justice, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, MOSES Action, Progress Michigan, and Voters Not Politicians.Those interested in learning more and supporting the ballot initiative should visit michigande2stg.wpenginepowered.com to donate or volunteer.