The Supreme Court’s disastrous, misguided Citizens United decision opened the floodgates to corporate political spending. The result is massive corruption, with big money polluting our government and our economy. Dysfunctional Washington, with its gridlock, is not addressing the problem, so the states are stepping into the void.

 

Many states have: transparency laws that fight “dark money” by requiring donor identification; laws limiting corporate spending; laws preventing outside groups from coordinating their strategies with the candidates; and some form of public financing for political campaigns. 

 

The states of Hawaii and Montana have proposed a novel approach to curb corporate political power. Rather than trying to restrict corporate free speech, they are redefining state corporate law. Corporations are artificial entities created by state charters. As such, the states have authority over the privileges those entities possess, and they are declining to grant corporations the legal authority to spend money on elections. We will see whether these state laws withstand expected legal challenges.

 

Pennsylvania ranks among the most corrupt states in the U.S., in part because of its lack of campaign finance laws. We allow unlimited corporate spending. Contact Harrisburg and let them know this must change. We want campaign finance reform, a ban on lobbyists’ gifts, stronger ethics laws, and greater transparency and accountability.

                                                                   Debbie Gaab

 

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