Dan Gilbert
Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert is pushing for a no-fault car insurance initiative to put on the ballot in 2020, a measure that drew skepticism from Democrats on Sunday, The Detroit News reports.
Gilbert is putting together a citizens' initiative similar to a package of reform bills passed by the Republican-controlled Michigan House and Senate in the past couple of weeks, reports Oralandar Brand-Williams of the News. Gilbert believes the high insurance rates in Detroit have made it more challenging to repopulate the city.
Gilbert, who in a relatively short time, has become the real estate development king of downtown Detroit, will need 340,000 over six months. The petitioins will then be submitted to the Legislature for a vote. If the House and Senate approve the initiative with a simple majority, it becomes law without the need for the governor’s signature. If they don’t, the proposal will automatically go on the 2020 fall ballot for voters to decide.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vows to veto the Republicans' version of reform.
State Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, a Democrat, said of Gilbert's initiative:
"His package is very similar to what Republicans [have introduced]. It doesn't remove redlining (or) address fair and equitable rates for Detroiters. It would dismiss the needs of affordable rates for Detroiters."
