Jocelyn Benson, the 2010 Democratic candidate for Secretary
of State, is criticizing state Attorney General Bill Schuette for failing to join
with 22 other states that are waging a court fight to maintain their
individual campaign finance laws.
of State, is criticizing state Attorney General Bill Schuette for failing to join
with 22 other states that are waging a court fight to maintain their
individual campaign finance laws.
In the wake of the controversial 2010 Supreme Court decision
in the Citizens United case, states are hoping to preserve their restrictions
on corporate campaign spending. The Citizens United ruling allows unlimited
campaign donations by corporations and wealthy individuals, but the states are
arguing that the law that was struck down in that case only applies to
campaigns for Congress and the president.
in the Citizens United case, states are hoping to preserve their restrictions
on corporate campaign spending. The Citizens United ruling allows unlimited
campaign donations by corporations and wealthy individuals, but the states are
arguing that the law that was struck down in that case only applies to
campaigns for Congress and the president.
Benson, director of the Michigan Center for Election Law,
wants to know why Michigan is not among those 22 states. Why wouldn’t Schuette
want to join in a fight against campaign corruption, she asks.
wants to know why Michigan is not among those 22 states. Why wouldn’t Schuette
want to join in a fight against campaign corruption, she asks.
It should be noted that the list of states is not exactly a
lineup of liberal Blue states. The case was started by Montana, which has
suffered from spectacular political corruption in the past, and those joining
the fight include Kentucky, Mississippi, Utah, West Virginia and Idaho.
lineup of liberal Blue states. The case was started by Montana, which has
suffered from spectacular political corruption in the past, and those joining
the fight include Kentucky, Mississippi, Utah, West Virginia and Idaho.
What’s more, Schuette has used his position as a pulpit for
conservative causes. His agenda ranges from medical marijuana to Obamacare to
smart meters that monitor home electricity.
conservative causes. His agenda ranges from medical marijuana to Obamacare to
smart meters that monitor home electricity.
But campaign ethics are apparently not on his list, though
Michigan’s lack of strong campaign finance laws is already apparent.
Michigan’s lack of strong campaign finance laws is already apparent.
The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to reverse a state
court’s decision to uphold the Montana law, which bans corporate contributions.
Virginia-based American Tradition Partnership is asking the nation’s high court
to rule without a hearing because the group says the state law conflicts
directly with the Citizens United decision that removed the federal ban on
corporate campaign spending.
court’s decision to uphold the Montana law, which bans corporate contributions.
Virginia-based American Tradition Partnership is asking the nation’s high court
to rule without a hearing because the group says the state law conflicts
directly with the Citizens United decision that removed the federal ban on
corporate campaign spending.
According to the Associated Press, legal experts predict the court would not reverse Citizens
United, but it could open the door a bit by upholding Montana’s law, which
could signal that corporate restrictions are still allowed in state and local
elections.
United, but it could open the door a bit by upholding Montana’s law, which
could signal that corporate restrictions are still allowed in state and local
elections.
On Friday, Montana’s case was given a boost when U.S. Sens.
John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., signed on in support. The
senators argue evidence following the Citizens United decision, where millions
in unregulated money has poured into presidential elections, shows that large
independent expenditures can lead to corruption.
John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., signed on in support. The
senators argue evidence following the Citizens United decision, where millions
in unregulated money has poured into presidential elections, shows that large
independent expenditures can lead to corruption.
