Nessel Thinks MMOP Proposal Is 'Good Idea'

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 07/28/2025) Attorney General Dana Nessel said Monday that, in theory, she believes "it's a good idea" to prevent the state's two major utility companies from making political contributions, along with anyone who has a state contract valued at more than $250,000.

However, with the Michiganders for Money Out Of Politics (MMOP) drive to put these reforms on the 2026 ballot on the horizon, the term-limited AG said she's going to "work hard not to sign any petitions to encourage people one way or the other."

The Attorney General said she's staying at arm's length just in case her department ends up defending any state agencies in a possible lawsuit involving this ballot proposal.

Having voiced that caveat, she goes on saying, "but theoretically do I support that as a policy move? Then yes."

Referring to Consumers Energy and DTE, but not by name, she reflects, "They are behemoths when it comes to their ability to donate. They are a regulated monopoly. They don't have competition like normal companies. Like normal industries or businesses do."

At the end of the day, she argued that the only way to see progress on utility rates and service is to "just take them out completely" from being able to give to political figures or, at a minimum, forcing them to disclose how much they give through their dark money PACs.

The utilities counter that they are not using ratepayer money, and they have a right to participate in the political process and pick the candidates they favor.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce last week released a statement reading, in part, "Efforts to restrict free speech have repeatedly been deemed unacceptable – and this is no different. Michiganders deserve fair, open debate on issues that impact every community, every business and every worker in our state, not selective censorship that shuts out the voices of those who create jobs, drive economic growth and invest in our communities."