Citizens United (H 6051)

In May, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee in opposition to a proposed state constitutional amendment responding to the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial Citizens United decision.  The legislation sought to strip corporations of any rights under the Constitution, severely limit contributions and expenditures in political campaigns, and bar the consideration of money as speech protected by the Constitution under any circumstances. The ACLU testified that this unconstitutional legislation would have serious unintended consequences for many non-profit organizations, and would make it nearly impossible for anyone but an incumbent to be elected to office.  The bill did not receive a committee vote.