HomeMy WebLinkAboutr10395cityofslosupportingconstitutionalamendmentrestrictingcorpspendinginelectoralprocessRESOLUTION NO . 10395 (2012 Series )
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO SUPPORTING A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RESTRICTING CORPORATE SPENDING I N
THE ELECTORAL PROCES S
WHEREAS,the 2010 U .S . Supreme Court decision Citizens United v . Federal Election
Commission extended individual free speech rights to corporations by holding that corporation s
have the same First Amendment rights to free speech as individual persons ; and
WHEREAS,the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment prohibits governmen t
from restricting political expenditures by corporations ; and
WHEREAS,the prohibition against legal restrictions on political expenditures b y
corporations has an overwhelming impact on the electoral process allowing unlimited spendin g
by corporations to influence elections, candidates, and policies ; and
WHEREAS,the Citizens United decision supersedes state and local efforts to regulat e
corporate activity in their elections ; and
WHEREAS,the City of San Luis Obispo recognizes the importance of fair an d
democratic elections .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Lui s
Obispo that the City join with other cities across the country seeking an amendment to the Unite d
States Constitution to limit the individual rights of corporations and restrict corporate spending i n
the electoral process .
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, an d
Congressperson Lois Capps receive a copy of this resolution .
Upon motion of Council Member Carter, seconded by Council Member Ashbaugh, an d
on the following roll call vote :
AYES :
Council Members Ashbaugh, Carter and Smith, Vice Mayor Carpenter an d
Mayor Mar x
NOES :
None
ABSENT : None
R 10395
Resolution No . 10395 (2012 Series )
Page 2
ATTEST :
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 2 5th day of September 2012 .
Ma- l e Kenne s Grime s
City Clerk