State Rep. Pavlov 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 proposal, which was initiated after hundreds of thousands of Michiganders signed a petition urging the Legislature to adopt the policies reflected in the MMOP proposal. 

“Michigan families already pay enough each month for necessities like electricity and healthcare. They shouldn’t have to worry that some of that money is being turned around and used to influence the very people making decisions about their rates,” said Pavlov (R-Kimball). “This proposal helps keep the focus where it belongs: on serving Michigan residents, not protecting the interests of powerful corporations.” 

Pavlov and House Republicans have been fighting to lower energy rates and healthcare bills for the entire legislative term. With the adoption of the MMOP proposal, the largest corporations most impacted by efforts to lower rates will be blocked from launching massive dark money campaigns to try and put their thumb on the scale to sway regulators who should be independent. 

“Michigan residents deserve to know that decisions affecting their household budgets are being made on the merits, not because a corporation has the deepest pockets,” said Pavlov. “Putting reasonable limits on this kind of political spending is an important step toward a more transparent and accountable government.” 

The citizen-initiated proposal still needs to be approved by the state Senate, which did not hold session last week. The proposal must be approved in the coming days, or the decision will be pushed to the November election for the public to decide whether the state should implement the proposal.