LANSING — State Representative Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) has introduced a proposal that would restrict fundraising for candidate committees to election years only. If passed into law, it would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to end the practice of never-ending fundraising by politicians and push them to focus their energies on policy making in non-election years.
“The problem with politics isn’t that there’s not enough money in it — it’s that money plays such a dominant role in politics,” Rep. Moss said. “I’m hopeful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will agree and work with me to see this proposal passed into law.”
If passed, Michigan would join 29 other states that currently limit campaign contributions during the legislative session. The time spent on the phones, in fundraising receptions or meeting with donors in non-election years would be better spent crafting workable solutions for the challenges facing Michigan.
The current leadership in the 98th Legislature has been criticized for scheduling fewer session days than other terms, while fundraising keeps up at record pace. In 2015, political action committees raised a record amount of money – $22 million – in the non-election year, which is used to fund legislators’ re-election prospects.
“When I talk to people around my district and around the state, they’ve made one thing clear to me: They want their elected officials to focus on policy and leadership, not fundraising,” Rep. Moss said. “They’re dismayed that fundraising occupies so much of a legislator’s time, and they want us to make serving the state our priority. My proposal moves us in that direction.”