Citing power outages and high profits, a state representative from Wayne County has introduced legislation that would prohibit DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, and other electric companies from funding political campaigns or lobbying lawmakers.
Garden City Democrat Dylan Wegala sponsored the bills, saying some of his constituents have lost thousands of dollars in food as a result of power outages.
“State regulated utilities in Michigan are overseen by the Michigan Public Service Commission,” Wegala said. “The MPSC gets their directives from us in the Legislature. Each year, these companies pour millions of dollars into campaigns and lobbying efforts, almost daring a legislator to enact regulations that would improve services but cut into their corporate profits.”
Wegala said residents need to break the stranglehold the utility companies have on lawmakers.
