New bills would block campaign money from Michigan’s power utilities

LANSING, MI – A first-term state representative wants to put an end to big money influence from Michigan’s utilities on decision makers in Lansing.

Michigan Rep. Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City, last week introduced a pair of bills that together would block state-regulated energy utility companies from making donations to political nonprofits or political action committees. He argued companies like DTE Energy and Consumers Energy should invest in upgrading the power grid, trimming trees, burying power lines and such, rather than “trying to buy influence with politicians.”