6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS MAKING CHANGE Why DTE faces no consequences for lengthy, widespread power outages People from around the state met with Michigan Representatives and Senators in Lansing on April 27 to discuss campaign finance reform as part of the SHOW MI THE MONEY Lobby Day. There was near unanimous agreement from the 70 offices visited that dark — or secret — money is a problem that is out of control. (Secret money is generally money that is originally donated to an organization and then makes its way to a Super PAC which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on issue advertising, with the original donors being anonymous. Although these ads can’t explicitly say to vote for or against a candidate, they can influence the way voters perceive candidates or ballot proposals.) The amount of money spent in campaigns, especially the amount coming from PACS was also deemed problematic. One example of the outsized power of PAC money mentioned by legislators is that DTE could not be called to account for the lengthy and widespread power outages a couple of months ago because they control enough campaign money to torpedo the re-election of any legislator from a topple incumbents in closely divided districts. He added, "Unchecked power is unacceptable - across the board. They may agree with me today and disagree tomorrow." Other frequently mentioned legislaSUSAN BECKETT Publisher emeritus competitive district who voted for penalties. Representative Carrie Rheingans (representing part of Ann Arbor and western Washtenaw County and southern Jackson County) said that she did not take money from DTE and Consumers Energy. She said the caucus did receive money from power companies that was spent on some races whose campaigns had refused such funds. Jason Morgan, another Ann Arbor/ Washtenaw Representative, said it is hard for some members to stand up against powerful interests in favor of constituents' interests because of the special interest Super PAC threats to tor concerns were so-called issue ads that are really smear campaigns with no discernable or responsible person behind them. Senator Ruth Johnson, the former Secretary of State, offered this hypothetical example: “Tell Representative Joe Shmo to stop torturing puppies.” That advertisement could be credited to and funded by a Super PAC with a name like Michiganders for Decency, but the names of the people, companies and organizations donating to Michiganders for Decency are likely untraceable. The sole donor could be the parent of Joe Shmo’s opponent; if the donation was originally made to another non-profit and then funneled from there to Michiganders for Decency, it would be mingled with other funds and not readily identifiable. Representative Denise Mentzer (Macomb County) said she hates having to make phone calls asking for checks. She is among those who would like to see public financing of elections. She thinks that with limited money to spend, candidates would focus their promotions on themselves and there would be considerably fewer attack ads. Corruption was another legislator concern. Most have Political Action Committees (PACs) to help them cover expenses, since they no longer have government resources to do so. Most use the PAC funds to cover job-related expenses such as tickets to community fundraisers and transportation costs to and from Lansing and around the district. Party leaders and the chairs of powerful committees often have PACs with vast amounts of money that they use to help with election campaigns for themselves and select other members of their party. As recent scandals illustrate, they sometimes also use them for inappropriate purchases, such as luxury automobiles and family vacations. Legislators were also frustrated that even on the rare occasions when see POWER next page MAY 5, 2023 THANK YOU WASHTENAW COUNTY For providing peer SuppoRT VALERIE BASS, PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST, WASHTENAW COUNTY COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH 24/7 CALL FOR MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT 734-544-3050 Brought to you by the 2019 - 2026 Washtenaw County Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage washtenaw.org/millage
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