Legislation Would Allow State Level Super PACs

Legislation to allow Super PACs on the state level cleared a Senate committee Tuesday.

Supporters of the bill say it would bring Michigan in line with the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed campaign contributions free speech, allowing for corporations and unions to contribute to political action committees.

Lansing-based lawyer John Pirich says the legislation doesn’t change how contributions have been done in Michigan, it simply puts into state statute the right of corporations and unions to engage in political activities without restriction.

But Senate Democrat Morris Hood, the lone committee no vote, says the bill would make the campaign finance system less transparent.

The federal decision is widely attributed for the creation of Super PACs, which can take in unlimited contributions because they aren’t directly connected to candidates or parties.

The measure now heads to the full Senate.