LocalMichigan

Group clears step to advance ballot drive to curb lobbying

FILE- In a Dec. 12, 2012 file photo, the state capitol building is seen in Lansing, Mich. Braced for a new era of divided government, lame-duck Republicans who have long controlled two upper Midwest states are priming last-ditch laws to advance their conservative agenda or to weaken the influence of Democratic governors-elect. The moves, which may spark lawsuits if they come to pass, would follow midterm elections in which Democrats swept statewide offices in Michigan and Wisconsin for the first time in decades but fell short of taking over gerrymandered legislatures(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, FILE)

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Organizers of a ballot drive to overhaul Michigan’s lobbying rules say they will begin gathering signatures right away after clearing a procedural step.

The Board of State Canvassers on Wednesday approved a summary of the proposed constitutional amendment to appear on the heading of a petition sponsored by the Coalition to Close Lansing Loopholes.

The panel also OK’d the petition form.

The proposal would ban free food and drink for state elected officials and require former lawmakers to wait two years to become lobbyists.

The group has until July to submit 425,000 voter signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

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