Latest campaign finance filings reveal DTE, Consumers handed out $130,000+ to lawmakers in the third quarter

Surging number of lawmakers refuse utility money as 81% of Michiganders pass ballot measure

Lansing – The latest campaign finance filings released by the Secretary of State reveal PACs for the state’s monopoly utilities, DTE Energy Political Action Committee and CMS Energy Corporation Employees for Better Government, gave lawmakers $130,000-plus dollars in the third quarter, bringing the grand total to roughly $395,000 so far this year. 

“Cash from DTE and Consumers was a massive liability in this past election and Michiganders of every partisan stripe roundly rejected their money polluting our politics when they passed Proposal 2 with a commanding 81% – sending a clear message that people want their government back,” said Bob Allison, deputy director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Michiganders are beyond tired of receiving some of the worst service in the country for the highest rates in the Midwest, and are expecting their new lawmakers to reject utility money as promised and pass a Ratepayer Bill of Rights when the new Legislature takes office in January.”

It was notable that legislative candidates who took money from utilities faced stiff headwinds at the polls and lost, including: Mark Huizenga (SD30); Rylee Linting (HD27); Jamie Thompson (HD28); Steve Frisbie (HD44); Kathy Schmaltz (HD46); and Nancy DeBoer (HD86).  DTE also poured $10,000 a piece into the House and Senate Republican caucuses, only to come out on the losing end. 

In a sign of how much utility money became a flashpoint issue, 196 candidates and lawmakers running for office this year took our No Utility Money Challenge, meaning they agreed to refuse money from DTE and Consumers.  For doing so, they receive special recognition on Michigan LCV’s Digital Scorecard, which continues to track utility contributions and allows Michiganders to see how much money their lawmaker is taking from DTE and Consumers Energy (including all publicly-reported campaign finance information and any verifiable dark money contributions).

In the new state Senate Democratic majority that will take office in January, 14 of 23 lawmakers have taken our challenge. In the new House Democratic Majority, 43 of 63 lawmakers have taken our challenge.

Additionally, more than 81% of Michiganders voted in favor of Proposal 2, a ballot initiative that bars companies with large contracts with the state such as DTE and Consumers from making political contributions. 

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