If you're frustrated — watching corporations bankroll politicians while your utility bills go up and your power still goes out — you're not alone. Michiganders have had enough.
For years, DTE and Consumers Energy have raked in billions while delivering some of the worst power reliability in the country — and charging the highest rates in the Midwest. Meanwhile, health insurers and government contractors hand out campaign cash to protect sweetheart deals and kill reforms before they even reach a vote.
In 2024, lawmakers introduced legislation to stop this kind of corruption. In 2025, a bipartisan group re-introduced it. Still nothing.
Why? Because too many of them are hooked on the very corporate money we’re trying to shut down.
We’re not waiting anymore. We’re taking the fight directly to the people.
We’re building a citizen-led ballot initiative to shut down the pipeline of political money from corporations that profit off public trust.
Specifically, this measure would:
- Ban political contributions from regulated monopoly utilities like DTE and Consumers Energy
- Block corporations that hold or seek large state/local contracts (over $250,000) from funding political campaigns — including big players like Blue Cross, UnitedHealth, and Delta Dental
If you profit from the public’s trust, you shouldn’t be bankrolling the politicians who are supposed to regulate or contract with you. Period.
We are Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP) — the ballot question committee formed by the Taking Back Our Power coalition.
Our coalition includes everyday people, grassroots organizers, and statewide advocacy groups fighting to put democracy back in the hands of Michiganders — where it belongs.
Our partner organizations include:
- Clean Water Action
- Climate Cabinet
- Detroit Action
- Emergent Justice
- Michigan League of Conservation Voters
- Michigan United Action
- MOSES Action
- Voters Not Politicians
We’ll need to collect about 500,000 signatures in 180 days once the Board of Canvassers gives us the green light.
Here’s how you can jump in now:
- Take our 15-minute Petition Circulator Training
- Fill out the volunteer commitment form
- Email us at MMOP@miunited.org to get connected faster
Once you’re signed up, an organizer or Justice Captain will reach out for a one-on-one meeting. You’ll get a full signature collection kit, a shift list and invites to volunteer events and meetings.
Want to go further?
You can:
- Train and support other volunteers
- Host town halls or MMOP presentations
- Help with data and quality control
- Join our communications team
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS THERE PUBLIC SUPPORT? Our polling has consistently shown over 80% of Michigan voters, including 90% of Democrats, 84% of independents, and 66% of Republicans, support these policies. This cross-party consensus underscores the broad appeal of reducing corporate influence in state politics, particularly for regulated monopolies and corporations seeking government contracts, making it a unifying issue for voters statewide.
Michiganders across party lines are ready to reduce the influence of corporate money in politics, and make their elected officials more accountable to the people.
WHAT ABOUT FREE SPEECH / CITIZENS UNITED?
This issue is 100% about free speech, and how unchecked spending by these large corporations - who are benefiting from state contracts - is drowning out the speech of both small businesses and every day voters. When corporations who hold state contracts are allowed to spend in politics, everyday people lose. Allowing regulated utilities and corporations with state contracts to spend in politics is an inherent conflict of interest. Let’s make sure our representatives are focused on serving the people of Michigan.
Pay-to-play laws are very normal. In fact, 15 states and the federal government already have laws on the books that restrict corporations that hold or are seeking a contract with the state from spending in politics. This is because there is an inherent conflict of interest when a corporation that is profiting from a government contract is also giving campaign contributions to the very people green-lighting their contracts.
WHO IS INVOLVED?
The Michiganders for Money Out of Politics coalition includes Clean Water Action, Climate Cabinet, Community Change Action, Detroit Action, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, MOSES Action, Progress Michigan, and Voters Not Politicians.
CAN I READ THE PETITION LANGUAGE?
Yes, at mopupmichigan.org/petition-language.
The Money Out of Politics initiative addresses a fundamental issue: the need for elected officials to be accountable to the people, not corporations who are trying to line their own pockets. Michiganders are particularly concerned about the impact of corporate money on kitchen table issues like healthcare costs and utility bills, and this proposal is a critical step toward making our government work for everyone.
Michigan voters want an ethical, accountable, and transparent government that they can trust to work for the people, not special interests. By ending the corporate capture of our elected officials by regulated monopolies and government contractors, Michigan voters can have a stronger voice in our democracy and can hold both politicians and these corporations more accountable.
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Ready to Do Something Now?
Join one of our projects!
Join "Taking Back our Power" and take a stand against money in Michigan politics
We are 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. We can no longer let them buy their way out of accountability and drown out the voice of the people!
Join "Care Over Cost" and help us get people the healthcare coverage promised by their insurers
In Michigan and all across the country, our members are fighting individual care denials and are WINNING people the care they need--and paid fo! Together, we are working to transform our health care system to put Care Over Cost and people over profit.
Become a Relational Organizing Leader
Relational organizing is defined as “preparing & supporting people to bring the power within their existing relationships to affect change.” In actuality is it turning a contact into a conversation and then into a person empowered to create change where they live.