Six groups representing range of interests, regions join growing coalition to warn of dangers of a Con-Con
Six new organizations representing a range of interests and areas of the state are joining the campaign to urge a NO vote on a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), representing the growing breadth of opposition to a ballot question that Michigan voters will face in November.
Groups including the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA), the Michigan Council of Carpenters & Millwrights, Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU), Voters Not Politicians, and the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce are working with Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests (PMCFSI) to encourage a NO vote on Proposal 1.
Quotes from organizations that announced their participation in this growing coalition on Thursday are below.
“Construction projects that improve sewers and roads across Michigan take years of planning and preparation and the uncertainty and chaos caused by a Constitutional Convention will not be helpful to Michiganders who want our roads fixed. Our message to the more than 500 Michigan companies we represent, policymakers and voters is simple: Vote NO on Proposal 1 and reject attempts by special interests to tear apart our state constitution,” said Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president for MITA.
“The uncertainty that comes with a Con-Con would make it harder for small businesses across our region to make decisions about adding jobs and future growth. We’re working to make sure everyone – from business owners to hourly workers – understands the danger of a Con-Con to our thriving local business community,” said Eugene Seals, Jr., president and CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber
“As a nonpartisan organization, our role is to support a strong, stable environment where businesses and communities can thrive. The current amendment process within the Michigan Constitution allows for thoughtful, transparent change over time. A constitutional convention introduces too much uncertainty, and we do not believe it is the right approach for Michigan,” said Jodi Owczarski, president and CEO of the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce.
“A Constitutional Convention would open the door to wealthy special interests who want to
rewrite our state constitution to promote their own agendas and silence the voices of working families,” said Tom Lutz, Executive Secretary Treasurer, Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters.
“A Constitutional Convention would put Michigan's world-class public universities and their students at risk of partisan political interference. We urge residents to vote no and protect the academic independence Michigan has worked so hard to build,” said Daniel Hurley, CEO, Michigan Association of State Universities.
“The Michigan Constitution already has a fair and proven process to make changes, and we can’t let it be hijacked by a partisan Con-Con. A NO vote on Proposal 1 would prevent Lansing politicians from rewriting the state constitution behind closed doors, undermining voters’ rights, reducing access to our elections and rewriting the rules to favor politicians, not voters,” said Christy McGillivray, executive director of Voters Not Politicians.
The groups that announced their participation in the coalition on Thursday are joining a prominent lineup of organizations that signed on to the coalition in recent weeks, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Education Association (MEA), the Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), the Michigan AFL-CIO, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters (MLCV) and the League of Women Voters of Michigan (LWVMI).
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.
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