Chaotic, paralyzing state budget stalemate is a preview if voters approve a Con-Con in 2026
Proposal 1 approval would allow dangerous rewrite of the state constitution, slam brakes on business investment, cause political gridlock for years
LANSING, Mich. – Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests (PMCFSI) is warning that the growing uncertainty and concern across Michigan caused by the ongoing state budget stalemate could be just a preview of what’s to come if voters approve Proposal 1 on the November ballot next year.
The current state budget snarl, which has everyone from school leaders across Michigan worried about their ability to cover costs at the start of a new academic year to skilled trades workers concerned about their jobs that depend on critical funding for road projects, could look like child’s play with a yes vote for Proposal 1 on the 2026 ballot.
That’s because a Constitutional Convention, commonly known as a Con-Con, is a long-drawn-out process that would create gridlock in Michigan for at least two years. This lengthy process includes everything from selecting convention delegates in costly, divisive and highly partisan special elections to opening up each word of the Michigan Constitution to changes.
“A Con‑Con ultimately creates years of economic and regulatory uncertainty, triggering what could be years of litigation that will paralyze the Michigan economy,” said Jeff Timmer, former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party. “This drawn-out process prevents businesses from making decisions about future growth, deters industries from investing in Michigan and keeps small mom-and-pop shops from deciding whether to hire more workers.”
If voters approve Proposal 1 on the Nov. 6, 2026, ballot, the state constitution requires delegates to be elected within six months of certification. Those delegates do not convene until the following year — the first Tuesday in October 2027. Michiganders would have to go back to the voting booth again to approve any proposed constitutional changes or amendments at least 90 days after delegates finish their work and adjourn.
That kind of drawn-out process will ultimately cost Michigan long-term developments and opportunities for job growth.
“It’s common these days to hear, ‘We’ll get to that after we figure out the budget,’” said Dianne Byrum, founding partner of Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications and former Michigan House Democratic leader. "Now multiply that by 24 months and untold millions – perhaps even billions – of dollars of lost economic activity, and that will be Michigan’s immediate future without voters soundly rejecting Proposal 1 next year.”
With a no vote on Proposal 1, voters will refuse to open the door for special interests, lobbyists and Lansing insiders to bring a wrecking ball to the Michigan Constitution.
“Whether efforts to rewrite the Michigan Constitution come from the radical right or the far left, it is a bad idea that will lead to long-term confusion, chaos and crisis,” Timmer said.
A Con-Con would cost tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, taking away money from efforts and programs that solve real problems for everyday Michiganders. Historically, voters have said no by huge margins every time a Con-Con proposal has come to a vote.
Byrum and Timmer are working with the group Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests to grow its supporter network to prevent wealthy special interest groups from taking away power from Michigan voters by holding a Con-Con and locking voters out of the process.
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