Why Is Jane Fonda Funding a Michigan Ballot Prop From California?

Actress and activist Jane Fonda (JanePAC) a.k.a “Hanoi Jane” wants to “slow the pipeline of money flowing into Michigan politics.”

Fonda’s California-based political operation JanePAC says its objective is to end the “stranglehold” the fossil fuel industry has on our lives and our planet by electing climate champions at the state and local level. Naturally, Fonda, a climate activist with no known connections to Michigan, has donated over $25,000 to Michiganders for Money Out of Politics (MMOP).

MMOP just turned in enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot and would restrict political donations from large corporations and utility companies, specifically Michigan-based DTE and Consumers Energy. While the title suggests the ballot initiative would prevent political contributions from special interest groups, corporations, and other dark money influences, the majority of funding for the proposal comes from out of state progressive advocacy groups like JanePAC.

And what the proposal doesn’t ban is more important.

MMOP does not prohibit union political activity. It does not ban nonprofit political spending. It does not stop out-of-state advocacy groups from bankrolling Michigan ballot campaigns. And it certainly does not eliminate dark money or even corporate political spending.

And nothing is more ironic than a proposal sold as “money out of politics” depending on dark money funded almost entirely from outside Michigan.

MMOP’s largest donor is Massachusetts-based All Hands on Deck Network Inc with two separate contributions totaling $900,000. All Hands on Deck (MVP) is a massive dark money network linked to progressive candidates and causes across America involved in racial equity, climate change, and immigrant rights.

MMOP may be branded as a grassroots effort but is largely funded by coastal elites like Hanoi Jane. Other donors include:

• $645,000 from The Tides Advocacy Fund, whose mission is to “advocate for social justice”
• $250,000 from Working Families Organization Inc., based in Brooklyn, New York, who is“working to build a “multiracial party of people to transform our country”
• $100,000 from Massachusetts-based Pro Democracy Campaign which advocates for a “mutiracial” democracy, voting rights, and “inclusivity” in voting
• $50,000 from Clean and Prosperous America to support groups involved in "progressive issue advocacy"

Passing the proposal will only help coastal elites, Hollywood, and climate activists continue to influence Michigan elections and advance the same radical climate policies like Gretchen Whitmer’s climate mandates that require 100% green energy by the year 2040, driving up energy costs for MIchiganders all while making our grid even less reliable.

California energy mandates are what got Michigan into an energy crisis and they certainly won’t help us get out.

Vote no to keep California money out of Michigan Politics.