State Rep. Ann Bollin today voted to get money out of politics by blocking public-backed utilities and other large corporations from donating to political campaigns and candidates. The state House overwhelmingly approved the Michiganders for Money out of Politics (MMOP) citizen-initiated law after more than half a million Michiganders signed petitions urging the Legislature to adopt the reforms.

Bollin noted that the MMOP petition submitted more than 562,000 signatures to the Bureau of Elections, far exceeding the 356,958 valid signatures required for a citizen-initiated law proposal to be considered by the Legislature.

“People across Michigan came together to put this proposal before the Legislature because they want a government that is transparent, accountable, and independent,” said Bollin, R-Brighton Township. “No one should have a louder voice simply because they have deeper pockets. This vote helps protect the integrity of the decisions being made on behalf of taxpayers.”

Bollin has been working hard to lower costs for families by pushing back against utility rate hikes, ending corporate welfare programs, and pursuing reforms to rein in healthcare costs. Under the proposal approved by the House, large corporations that could be affected by those reforms would no longer be able to use political donations to influence candidates, campaigns, or decisions made by government officials and regulators.

“We’ve been taking on special interests all year, whether it’s utilities seeking higher rates, healthcare giants fighting reforms, or companies benefiting from government handouts,” Bollin said. “I am serious about standing up for taxpayers and consumers, and that means we also need to make sure political operatives can’t use money to protect the status quo or gain an unfair advantage in Lansing.”

Bollin said the proposal is a commonsense step toward ensuring government decisions are made in the public interest rather than for those with the largest checkbooks.

“Michigan families expect a government that works for them, not for the most powerful special interests,” Bollin said. “This vote answers that call.”

Bollin said the Legislature should not ignore citizen-led efforts that demonstrate overwhelming public support. She pointed to Americans for Citizen Voting initiative, which submitted 709,841 signatures but was recently prevented from reaching the ballot.

“Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders spoke up and they deserve to have their voices heard,” Bollin said. “I heard the people and I listened.”

The MMOP citizen-initiated proposal still needs approval from the state Senate, which did not hold votes this week. The proposal must be approved in the coming days, or the decision will be pushed to the November election.