Controversy Over Language in Lansing City Charter Proposal

In recent developments, the Lansing City Charter Commission has made changes to the language on its website regarding the proposed City Charter following a complaint by City Council President Ryan Kost. Kost filed the complaint with state officials, accusing the original phrasing of being overly persuasive about the benefits of the new charter.

The Root of the Complaint

Council President Ryan Kost, alongside Councilmember Brian T. Jackson, raised concerns during the City Council meeting on September 29. They argued that a mailer distributed by the Charter Commission to Lansing residents, which included a QR code generator linking to the commission's website, was designed to influence public opinion in favor of the charter proposal. Specifically, Kost and Jackson took issue with phrases claiming the charter "improves transparency" and "increases accountability." The website has since been updated to say the charter "seeks to improve transparency" and "seeks to increase accountability."

The mailer in question was funded by the Charter Commission, a body sponsored by the city, and reportedly cost over $6,000. During the City Council session, Jackson expressed his disapproval, questioning the appropriateness of distributing material that seemed to push voters toward a particular decision.

Public Reaction

The language used in the mailer and on the website has been criticized by some Lansing residents. Loretta Stanaway, speaking during the public comment section of the council meeting, described the mailer as "propaganda," suggesting it was designed to sway voters rather than simply inform them.

Despite these changes, other parts of the website remain unchanged. Specifically, the wording around maintaining a strong mayoral system to ensure accountability to voters has not been altered. This suggests an ongoing debate about the balance between informative and persuasive communication in election-related materials.

Awaiting Official Determination

As of now, the Michigan Department of State has not made a determination on the complaint regarding potential campaign finance violations. The absence of any listing about the complaint on the department's website indicates that the investigation is still in progress.

Brian Jeffries, the chair of the Charter Commission, and Kristen Rewa, the commission's attorney, have not yet provided comments on this issue. Similarly, City Clerk Chris Swope, who also functions as the commission's clerk, has opted not to comment on the adjustments made to the website’s language.

Understanding the Context

This situation highlights the delicate nature of language in public communications, especially when it pertains to elections and voter influence. The concerns raised by Kost and Jackson underscore the responsibility of publicly funded bodies to offer neutral, fact-based information, allowing voters to make informed decisions without undue influence.

As the Lansing community awaits further developments, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability not only in governance but also in the ways such information is communicated to the public.