Billionaires, Dark Money, and Corporate Giants Bankroll Proposed $570 Million Transit Tax
- Matthew Wilk
- Jul 27
- 2 min read
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Billionaires, Dark Money, and Corporate Giants Bankroll Proposed $570 Million Transit Tax
Press conference:
Wednesday, July 29 @ 11am
Residence Inn Livonia, 17250 Fox Drive, Livonia MI 48152
WAYNE COUNTY, MI — Campaign finance records reveal that wealthy donors, corporate interests, and a dark money organization have contributed more than $1.1 million to support a proposed transit tax expected to generate approximately $570 million from taxpayers, raising serious questions about who stands to benefit from the measure and why such powerful interests are spending heavily to influence voters.
According to campaign finance filings for “Wayne County Transit for All”, major contributors include:
$300,000 from Dan Gilbert
$250,000 from the Ilitch Family
$250,000 from Michigan Energy First, a 501(c)(4) organization reportedly funded by DTE Energy
$100,000 from Tenet Health, owner of the Detroit Medical Center
$50,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Critics say the sheer scale of the financial backing raises important questions about the true motivations behind the campaign.
"Whenever billionaires, large corporations, and dark money organizations spend over a million dollars promoting a tax increase, voters have every right to ask why," said Matt Wilk, a longtime advocate for government transparency and co-organizer of the grassroots ballot question committee Not SMART Wayne. "The average taxpayer doesn't have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend influencing elections. Residents deserve complete transparency about who is funding this effort, what they expect in return, and whether taxpayers are truly the primary beneficiaries."
The campaign's donor list has sparked concerns among residents who question why some of Michigan's wealthiest individuals and largest corporations are investing so heavily in a tax proposal that would be paid by ordinary homeowners, renters, and businesses.
Opponents are calling for greater public scrutiny and asking a series of questions that they believe remain unanswered:
Why are billionaires and major corporations investing so heavily in a campaign to raise taxes?
What benefits do these donors expect to receive if the proposal passes?
Why is a dark money organization involved in funding the campaign?
Are public resources being used to advocate for a tax increase?
Were all campaign finance and election laws followed?
Why should taxpayers trust a campaign funded largely by wealthy special interests?
"Voters deserve facts, transparency, and accountability before being asked to approve hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes," Wilk said. "The public should know exactly who is behind this effort and why."
As debate over the transit tax continues, residents are encouraged to review campaign finance records, ask questions, and carefully evaluate who is funding the campaign before casting their ballots.
Organizers and grassroots opponents of the tax will be available for questions.
About Not SMART Wayne
Not SMART Wayne is a ballot question committee formed to ensure transparency, accountability, and honest communication regarding transit taxation in Wayne County. The committee advocates for residents’ rights to clear information and lawful public process.
-END-
Media contact: Matthew J. Wilk Email: matt@notsmartwayne.org
Phone: 734-751-0328
Scott Lorenz, Westwind Book Marketing
Phone: 248-705-2214
@abookpublicist
Comments