HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-2012 Public Comment Hafemeister RacouillatJuly 8, 2012
To: San Luis Obispo City Council
Mayor Jan Marx, Vice -Mayor Dan Carpenter,
Council Members John Ashbaugh, Andrew Carter, and Kathy Smith
From: David fe � ister, Rick Racouil al t2R-
Re: Citizen United vs. the Federal Election Commission
We respectfully understand that national political issues are not generally part of local
governance. However, we are concerned that the United States Supreme Court decision in
Citizen United vs. the Federal Election Commission decided in 2010 will have a negative and
pervasive impact on elections at all levels of government. In that decision, and as extended by
later Supreme Court decisions, Federal regulations limiting corporate, union and non - profit
organization contributions and expenditures in Federal elections were declared unconstitutional.
On June 25, 2012, the US Supreme Court struck down a century -old Montana state campaign
finance law that limits corporate political spending, effectively applying the Court's controversial
2010 Citizen United ruling to state laws.
The Supreme Court decision in Citizens United and its progeny now allow companies, unions,
committees, Super Pacs and individuals to spend unlimited amounts of money to support or
oppose political candidates in both Federal and State elections. The prospect of the corrosive
distortion of the political process through a torrent of corporate spending is deeply troubling, and
a clear threat to our democracy.
The California Legislature memorialized its opposition to Citizen United by passing Assembly
Joint Resolution 22 this past Friday, resolving that:
"The Legislature of the State of California respectfully disagrees with the majority opinion
and decision ... in Citizens United ... and calls upon the United States Congress to propose
and send to the States for ratification a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens
United ... and to restore constitutional rights and fair elections to the people ...."
We ask that the San Luis Obispo City Council join the California Legislature, more than 20
California cities, six States and innumerable cities and organizations throughout the United
States, to formally register its opposition to the Citizens United decision, and to call on the US
Congress to pass a constitutional amendment restoring to our local, State and Federal governing
bodies, the power to regulate contributions and expenditures in Federal, State and local elections.