Gov. Rick Snyder (WJBK)
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Legislation to block school districts and municipalities from informing the public about local ballot measures within two months of an election has left opponents pressuring Gov. Rick Snyder to veto it.
Local officials say the bill would keep voters in the dark about taxes and other issues.
Conservatives say some informational campaigns are biased and cross the line into improper advocacy.
In the final hours of the Legislature’s 2015 session, majority Republicans added the provision to campaign-finance legislation with no explanation and passed it over Democrats’ objections.
Groups representing schools, cities and libraries are lobbying the governor for a veto. He has until Jan. 11 to decide.
Michigan law prohibits the use of public funds to advocate for or against ballot questions, but governments can spend money disseminating factual information.
