John,

Across the country, utility monopolies are charging higher prices for worse service―padding the pockets of investors while residents experience power outages during extreme heat and cold. The vast majority of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and can’t afford skyrocketing rates for essential services.

Michigan’s investor-owned utility monopoly DTE has some of the worst service in the nation, and some of the highest rates. DTE recently requested an additional rate hike that would cost our residents $450 million.

Utilities are able to get away with these outrageous rate hikes because they use their profits to buy political favors rather than improve service for customers. For example, DTE has donated to a whopping 93% of Michigan state lawmakers.

I’m proud to have endorsed one of Michigan’s lawmakers who does not take money from DTE. State Representative Dylan Wegela has introduced legislation in the Michigan legislature that bans utilities, monopoly corporations, and corporations seeking government contracts from making political contributions.

Add your name calling on Congress to pass identical legislation and hold greedy monopoly corporations and utilities accountable. This is how we make sure more people can afford life-sustaining utility services and stay in their homes.

Millions of people have fallen behind on ever-increasing utility bills and face possible shutoffs of their power, water, and gas. Utility companies treat these life-sustaining needs as commodities, which disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-wealth communities, who spend a greater portion of their income on energy bills.

I’m leading efforts in Congress to stop utility shutoffs, including introducing legislation with Reps. Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman to assert that affordable and reliable utilities are a human right, and to demand an end to utility shutoffs for nonpayment, as well as cancellation of household utility debt.

Until utility companies are banned from making political contributions, politicians will continue to do their bidding, putting corporate and shareholder profits ahead of the rights of everyday people.

Add your name urging Congress to pass legislation that bans utilities, monopoly corporations, and corporations seeking government contracts from making political contributions.

Thank you for taking action to protect our communities from corporate greed.

Always serving you,

Rashida