By David Swanson
The damage from the Supreme Court's decision in "Citizens United v. FEC" continues to spread as feared. Newly emboldened corporations are suing to overturn state laws that restrict corporate spending on politics:
Blogs
Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing Wednesday on Citizens United
“We the People? Corporate Spending in American Elections after Citizens United”
Senate Judiciary Committee
Iowa State Sen. Matt McCoy Pushes Partial Reform Bill Forward
Iowa State Sen. Matt McCoy has a good column in the DesMoines Register:
Will Thousands of Corporations Be Banned from Political "Spending" Because Defined as Foreign?
While Congress may be restrained, to put it politely, in its efforts to clean up corruption for its own sake, xenophobia may come to the rescue. The LA Times reports that the Democratic party's legislation in both houses is "now considering a broad definition of foreign corporations -- companies that are more than 20% owned by non-American entities. That could end up banning thousands of corporations from contributing to political activities."
Rep. Linda Sanchez Amendment Says Corporations Not People
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4729
To clarify the situations in which a corporation may be treated as a person under Federal law.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 2, 2010
Can Corporations Now Tell Employees Whom to Vote and Canvass For?
Businesses Can Now Legally Pressure Workers on Political Issues?
By Michael J. Wilson, National director of Americans for Democratic Action
Iowa Senate Passes Legislation on Foreign Ownership, Disclosure, Etc
Iowa Senate: Iowa Senate passes first-in-the-nation reforms to protect elections from unfettered corporate spending
Sen. Jeff Danielson: 319-231-7192
From IowaPolitics.com
DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate voted today to make Iowa the first state in the nation to protect citizens from unregulated campaign spending by big corporations and shadowy organizations.
Senate File 2354 * was approved by an overwhelming, bipartisan margin, 49 to 1.
The goals of landmark legislation include: ·
WV House Passes Shareholder Approval Bill
House Bill Raises Another Red Flag
By State Journal
Some members of the Legislature want to do what the U.S. Supreme Court has already declared to be unacceptable.
All too often, the state Legislature has a habit of raising red flags that show West Virginia is prepared to stand apart when it comes to its relationships with corporations.
Take House Bill 4646, for example.
O'Connor: Campaign Ruling A Concern In Judge Races
By BRIAN WITTE, Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) ― Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said Wednesday the high court's ruling on campaign finance earlier this year and a separate ruling on campaign funds received by a judge "ought to be a concern to every state that still elects judges."
O'Connor, who is taking part in a nationwide push across state legislatures this year to end the practice of electing judges, contends partisan elections and the fundraising that comes with it damages the ability of judges to be impartial in court.
Leahy to Hold Hearing on Citizens United
Citizens United Supreme Court Case
Senate Judiciary Committee
Full Committee Hearing
Senate Judiciary Committee (Chairman Leahy, D-Vt.) will hold a hearing titled "We the People? Corporate Spending in American Elections after Citizens United."
Contact: Bruce Cohen - Democratic Chief Counsel at 202-224-7703
Wednesday, March 10, 10 a.m.
Place 226 Dirksen Bldg.
Witnesses Scheduled:
Jeffrey Rosen, professor, The George Washington University Law School
Doug Kendall, founder and president, Constitutional Accountability Center