I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
Democratic Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson issued a list of her six priorities for campaign finance reform today and she criticized Senate Republicans and GOP Secretary of State candidates for failing to support a campaign finance reform package in the House.
Yesterday, in a public letter, State Sen. Michelle McManus challenged Benson to debate campaign finance issues and to explain her ideas on the subject.
Benson responded by stating that she supports legislation to promote greater disclosure and transparency requirements, more consistent and non-partisan enforcement of campaign finance violations, shareholders bill of rights, prohibiting foreign money in Michigan’s elections, and eliminating potential for quid pro quo corruption.
She said:
“In the wake of the changing landscape of campaign finance requirements that followed United States Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United, our state must enact needed reforms to ensure that the voices of everyday people are not drowned out by millions of dollars of unaccountable spending by large corporations. Citizens need to know their elected officials work for them, and not powerful special interests.
As Secretary of State, I will protect the democratic process from corruption. Democracy and government work best when public servants truly serve the public, not big corporations that spend the most to help them win elections. When a corporation buys an ad to try to influence voters, citizens need to know who’s paying for it. Transparency is key to limiting corruption, promoting accountability, and ensuring a healthy democracy.”
Benson criticized McManus and other Republicans in the Senate for failing to even hold hearings on campaign finance reform legislation passed by the House.
“Some needed reforms, such as a disclosure requirement for robo-calls, were enacted in the House over one year ago,” she said, “but have languished from inaction in the Senate.
Benson said that she looks forward to debating her general election opponent this fall.
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