The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce says to vote no on Prop 2: Always defending the interests of the Capitalist Class

There are several statewide ballot initiatives in Michigan this election cycle, with Proposal 2 being one that has generated a great deal of interest.

According to the Michigan Secretary of State, the language of Prop 2 reads:

A proposed initiated law to prohibit campaign contributions from certain regulated utilities and government contractors and apply campaign finance laws and regulations to additional types of political communications

The proposal would:

Prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them.

Expand laws regulating spending on political communications, including those requiring disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them.

Expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications.

The Michigan-based far right think tank the Mackinac Center for Public Policy says that Prop 2 would, “Increase Government Power to Regulate Political Speech.” In other words, they are against Prop 2. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce states:

Political speech shouldn’t depend on who employs you or does business with government. Michigan should promote transparency and accountability while applying the rules fairly and protecting the ability of individuals and organizations to participate in the political process.

The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce uses a similar argument that the statewide Chamber of Commerce uses, stating:

Proposal 2 would turn around and punish those businesses by limiting their ability to support candidates that they align with politically.

Ultimately, if Prop 2 passes, it will limit the ability of utility companies like Consumers Energy and DTE from influencing lawmakers in Lansing, specifically when these companies have contracts with the state.

GRIID has previously reported on utility rate increases that have been opposed by environmental justice groups like the Urban Core Collective which has stated:

With the progress of climate change, an alarming crisis is growing as the percentage of income that families have to spend on energy surpasses the 6% allocation that is considered affordable. As recently as 2019, close to 14,000 Kent County families living at 50% of the federal poverty level, were spending 33% of their income on energy costs. Spending six percent of household income on energy costs is considered affordable, yet families are spending more than the 30% that they should be spending on housing alone. Since 2019, the Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a total of $274 million in six annual rate hike requests from Consumers Energy.

The fact that the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce opposes Prop 2 should come as no surprise, since they represent the interests of the business class and members of the Capitalist Class. The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce is no friend of working people and never has been. Despite their claims of promoting prosperity for all people, they only look out for business interests and continue to influence public policy that shits on the rest of us.