Northern MI business, government, real estate, education, advocacy groups urge NO vote on Con-Con
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Groups that represent business, community colleges, real estate, local government and voters across northern Michigan joined together on Friday to urge Michiganders to vote NO on Proposal 1, which asks voters statewide whether to convene a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, Michigan Realtors®, Michigan Townships Association, Voters Not Politicians and the Michigan Community College Association participated in a press conference on Friday with Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests (PMCFSI). Together, they are urging a NO vote on Proposal 1 on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, ballot that will ask Michiganders whether to convene a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).
A growing, bipartisan coalition of more than 30 prominent policy and advocacy organizations representing a wide range of interests and priorities are working together to raise awareness about the dangers of a Con-Con.
Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance is a coalition of 23 chambers and economic development organizations from across northern Michigan that represents over 7,000 member businesses.
“Michigan businesses need stability, predictability and a strong environment for long-term investment,” said Dakota Baker, director of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. “At a time when our state is competing for talent and job-creating projects, we cannot afford the long-term uncertainty that would come with a Con-Con.”
A Con-Con could cost nearly $80 million, according to a preliminary analysis by the Senate Fiscal Agency. That hefty price tag would waste money that could be used to help solve real problems in our state.
“I work daily with people putting down roots and pursuing their version of the American dream in Northern Michigan,” said Jessica Brutzman, representing the Michigan Realtors®. “I believe in personal property rights, carefully crafted housing policy and the strategic growth of our local communities. In Michigan, we must focus on economic stability, which starts with a stable housing market. Voting NO on Proposal 1 protects that stability and allows us to create appropriate policy that safeguards everything we hold dear as Michiganders.”
About 1,500 people live in Fife Lake Township, which is in the southeast corner of Grand Traverse County.
“Our township, like many small communities across Michigan, makes decisions every day about roads, parks, housing, development, public safety, and the responsible use of taxpayer resources,” said Lisa Radtke, supervisor for Fife Lake Township, representing the Michigan Townships Association. “The strength of local government is that citizens can directly influence the decisions that affect their neighborhoods, families, and tax dollars. Proposal 1 threatens to erode that local authority and could diminish residents’ ability to shape the future of their own communities. We should preserve the voice of local citizens and the ability of locally elected officials to respond to community needs. We can do that by voting NO on Proposal 1.”
The question of whether to convene a Con-Con automatically appears on the Michigan ballot every 16 years. Historically, voters have said no by huge margins every time a Con-Con proposal has come to a vote.
“As a volunteer with Voters Not Politicians and a Michigan voter, I believe political power should belong to the people, not wealthy special interests, partisan delegates or extremist organizations,” said Katy Bean-Larson, volunteer for the Voters Not Politicians coalition. “Michigan voters have decided nearly 90 times on narrow, targeted updates to our constitution. We must keep that power in the hands of everyday Michiganders. In November, voters in our state can keep the power we have by saying NO to a Con-Con.”
The Michigan Community College Association, which represents 31 public community and tribal colleges across the state, helps provide students with affordable pathways to credentials, careers and economic opportunity, while also training young people to fill jobs that meet the needs of employers and communities across the state.
“A Constitutional Convention could change the way Michigan’s colleges and universities are run and funded,” said Mike Rowley, Trustee and Legislative Committee member for the Michigan Community College Association. “We are concerned changes to the constitution could have significant and lasting consequences for the stability, local accountability and resources our community colleges rely on to serve students and their communities.”
Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests is continuing to grow its supporter network. To join the list of supporters and find ways to help, visit protectmiconstitution.com.