Michigan’s Secretary of State has concluded that groups opposing the state’s renewable energy law may have violated the state’s campaign finance laws.
A group called Our Home Our Voice raised money to fight two renewable energy permit bills in the state Legislature last year. The bill aims to prevent local governments from denying permits to large-scale wind and solar power projects.
The secretary of state said Our Home Our Voices continued to raise money after the bill became law, this time to fund a referendum effort to repeal the law. However, a state investigation found that the group did not form a ballot question committee or submit regular election statements in a timely manner.
“The department has reviewed the evidence presented in this case and has found that sufficient evidence has been presented to support a finding of a possible violation of the MCFA,” the agency’s letter to the organization said. “The department has begun an informal resolution process.”
Our Home Our Voice or its founding members could be found guilty of a misdemeanor and have to pay a fine.
“Our Home Our Voice is always committed to full compliance with all campaign finance laws and believes in full transparency,” the group said in a statement. “We are discussing this matter with the Secretary of State’s Office and look forward to a swift resolution.”
