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What to know about states' efforts to limit corporate donations in politics
Supporters say the measures could curb $4 billion in outside spending, while critics say they would face major constitutional challenges.
- On Friday, Hawaii lawmakers sent a bill to Governor Josh Green that would redefine corporations to preclude election spending, while volunteers in Montana gather signatures for 'The Montana Plan' ballot initiative.
- Following the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling, supporters seek to curb corporate influence as 'dark money' groups have spent unlimited amounts on politics since the ban on independent spending was struck down.
- OpenSecrets tracked more than $4 billion in outside political spending during the 2024 elections, nearly 12 times the 2008 figure, while similar legislative efforts have appeared in at least 14 states.
- Bradley Smith, a Republican former member of the Federal Election Commission, argues these measures will likely fail in court as attempts to circumvent Supreme Court precedent, though Montana's Supreme Court allowed the ballot initiative to proceed.
- Testing this approach in just one state could force the Supreme Court to revisit Citizens United, says Tom Moore, a former Federal Election Commission lawyer, though companies might withdraw from states rather than alter political spending.
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23 Articles
23 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left10Leaning Right4Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 30%
R 20%
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