Michigan's power players are closing ranks against Proposal 1, the constitutional convention question headed for the November ballot. A broad coalition of business, labor and civic groups says a so-called Con-Con could throw the state charter wide open to sweeping changes and years of uncertainty that would make companies think twice about big investments.
Wendy Block, senior vice president of business advocacy at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, warned that a convention "risks years of uncertainty and gridlock" and could slow investment and job growth, according to the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber says most policy problems can be handled without reopening the entire constitution and is pitching the vote as a choice about stability for employers and communities.
Who’s joining the 'No' campaign
The coalition lining up against Proposal 1 includes the Michigan Chamber, Business Leaders For Michigan, the Michigan Education Association, the Michigan AFL-CIO, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the League of Women Voters of Michigan, according to Crain's Detroit Business. In a political era where these groups often clash, the mix of business, labor and civic organizations makes this alliance unusually broad.
Why businesses say no
Business and civic leaders argue a convention could be hijacked by single-issue activists or out-of-state interests and that core rules on taxes, voting and redistricting could all end up on the chopping block, complicating long-term planning. "Opening the constitution risks companies pausing major investments," Business Leaders For Michigan said in the coalition release, per the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Money and politics
The fight is already drawing serious outside money. Protect MI Constitution From Special Interests has reported about $560,000 this year from two national nonprofit funds, while other ballot committees have taken industry-linked donations tied to Comcast, Delta Dental and a Waste Management employees PAC. Those campaign finance filings show how quickly well-funded interests are moving to shape messaging and outreach around next fall's ballot, according to Bridge Michigan.
What a Con-Con would mean
If voters approve Proposal 1, it would trigger the election of delegates and a full constitutional convention. Under current law, that convention could convene in October 2027 and seat 148 elected delegates to draft a new constitution. Any changes they propose would then go back to voters for final approval. The Citizens Research Council of Michigan notes there is no legal limit on what issues delegates could tackle and estimates the convention could cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, depending on how long the convention runs, according to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.
Bottom line for voters
Opponents of Proposal 1 stress that Michigan voters have repeatedly rejected a Con-Con in past decades and argue the state is better off making targeted constitutional tweaks instead of authorizing a wholesale rewrite. "Voters have said no to a Con-Con by huge margins every time it has come to a vote," Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters said in the coalition release, per Protect MI Constitution From Special Interests.
