Posts in the category Election Reform

Secretary Of State Brunner Announces New Web Resource To Help College Students Get Registered And Vote

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:00:39 EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new resource on the Secretary of State’s Web site now provides college students with the information they need to ensure they can vote, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner announced Wednesday.

The new resource, entitled “College Vote Ohio,” is an all-in-one stop where students, their parents, college administrators and student organizations can find information like voter registration deadlines, how to register to vote or vote absentee, how to decide where they should cast a ballot and a forum for sharing ways to get and keep more young people as active voters.

College Vote Ohio was developed by the Voting Rights Institute in the Secretary of State’s office in collaboration with Ohio college students and administrators.

“Because they often leave home to attend college, students of higher education face unique challenges in participating as voters. College Vote Ohio is a useful tool to help connect college students with their rights to vote as our newest generation of voters. If we can instill familiarity with the process now, they are more likely to be responsible, lifelong voters in our democracy,” Secretary Brunner said.

College Vote Ohio is also a resource for dormitory Resident Assistants (RAs), college administrators and student organizations that assist students with an active campus life, with downloadable fliers to educate students about voting, and an avenue to share ideas about how to better reach young people during their college years and help them become active civic participants by voting.

The new page can be viewed via the following link: www.CollegeVoteOhio.com

SECRETARY BRUNNER OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO SUPREME COURT CAMPAIGN-FINANCE DECISION

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:15:20 EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision allowing corporations to spend money to voice their opinions in candidate campaigns, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner proposed state legislation Wednesday intended to ensure transparency and accountability to prepare Ohio for the decision’s impact on state and local elections this year.

“While it’s clear that most Americans are in strong disagreement with the high court’s decision,” Secretary Brunner said, ”Ohio, like many other affected states cannot change the Supreme Court’s unprecedented actions. The best we can do is to minimize the decision’s negative impact and damage to voter confidence and participation,” continued Secretary Brunner.

“This proposal is our best effort to protect Ohio voters from subterfuge and to give them tools to investigate the deluge and the authenticity of political advertising,” she said.

The proposal applies new responsibilities in line with the newly provided corporate speech in the making of independent expenditures by advertising for and against particular candidates. The proposed legislation recognizes that independent expenditures for or against a candidate (made without coordination or cooperation with the benefited campaign) would now be permitted to be made by:

   1. corporations (for profit and nonprofit),
   2. labor organizations,
   3. political action committees (even those connected to a corporation or labor organization),
   4. legislative caucuses,
   5. political parties.

To ensure transparency and accountability the legislation would apply to all entities making independent expenditures. “Independent expenditures” include both direct payments for advertising and contributing to any one or more of the above entities for the purpose of their making of one or more independent expenditures.

Redrawing the Boundaries: An Ohio Redistricting Discussion

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:30:57 EST

The coming 2010 Census will kick off the next redistricting season, which determines how electoral district lines are drawn and, ultimately, who gets to represent the public in state capitols and Congress.

Please join us next Monday in Columbus for a forum on redistricting reform:

WHEN: Monday, March 1, 2010, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Auditorium - Downtown Columbus Metropolitan Library, 95 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43215
SPONSORS: Ohio Citizen Action, The League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund, Midwest Democracy Network, George Mason University, Brennan Center for Justice
This event is FREE, including lunch.
RSVP: Click here to RSVP for Monday's Forum

Come to this forum to learn more about redistricting and reform options. Speakers include noted experts Justin Levitt from the Brennan Center for Justice, Michael McDonald from George Mason University, The Honorable Mike Stinziano from the Office of the Ohio Secretary of State, and Illinois State Rep. Mike Fortner.

Manipulating the district lines has been a problem since 1789 when Patrick Henry, who opposed the new Constitution, tried to draw district lines to deny a seat in the first Congress to James Madison - the Constitution's primary author. Henry made sure that Madison's district was drawn to include counties that were more likely to oppose him. The attempt failed, and Madison was elected - but the American gerrymander had begun.

Click here to RSVP for Monday's Forum

Secretary Brunner Seeks Okay to Appoint Election Board Member in Absence of Ohio GOP Action to Resolve Local Party Dispute

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:04:04 EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has filed a motion to be heard in contentious Lucas County litigation in Toledo about who can be recommended for an open elections board seat there by the local Republican Party.

Under state law the Secretary of State must appoint one Republican and one Democrat, each recommended by their local party, to the 88 county boards of elections each even-numbered year by March 1st. County parties were required to send their recommendations to the Secretary by February 13th this year. The Lucas County Republican Party sent two names, one each from a faction claiming to be party leadership.

The local dispute can be settled by the state GOP, also involved in the suit, but it so far has declined to do so. Under state law, the seat will be deemed vacant by March 1st, and state law vests the Secretary with the right to appoint a Republican to the vacant seat on or after March 1st.

“I would prefer that the state GOP resolve this matter, and it appears that the court is pushing the political party organizations in this direction as well. However, the elections board needs four members to reorganize and operate fairly and effectively for the benefit of Lucas County voters. If the political party is not going to resolve this, I need clear direction from the court that I may proceed, despite the two leadership factions claiming rights to the board seat,” said Brunner.

The law does not vest Secretary Brunner with authority to settle intra-party matters. In her motion filed Thursday, Secretary Brunner is asking the Lucas County Common Pleas court to declare her moving forward with an appointment process on March 1st is a necessary exercise of her authority as the state’s chief elections officer. The court has already determined that each of the two factions’ recommendations of board members to the Secretary is flawed and invalid.

In past vacant board seat appointments made by the Secretary in Cuyahoga and Franklin Counties, the Secretary has advertised the position to the public and interviewed and selected the board member to fill the vacancy based on merit.

County boards of elections reorganizations by law must occur between March 2 and March 6, 2010. At reorganization, directors and deputy directors of boards of elections are appointed and reappointed, and their appointments require an affirmative 3 votes under state law. Absentee voting begins March 31, 2010 for the May 4, 2010 primary election.

Motion of Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State, to Intervene and File Answer and Counterclaim/Cross-Claim for Declaratory Judgement Instanter (PDF)

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's Answer and Counterclaim/Cross-Claim for Declaratory Judgement (PDF)

SECRETARY BRUNNER OPENS CAMPAIGN-FINANCE INVESTIGATION REGARDING LETOHIOVOTE.ORG

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:39:03 EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio –Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is investigating the source of funding for LetOhioVote.org, the organization behind a proposed referendum to stop Ohio’s racetracks from operating video lottery terminals for the Ohio Lottery Commission.

Secretary Brunner, the state’s chief elections officer is responsible for overseeing campaign finance filings for statewide ballot issues. In opening the investigation she said, “The law is clear that what is spent for proposed ballot issues must be reported. Using a “straw person” out-of-state corporation to hide the real sources of funding not only violates the public trust, it looks like concealment, which is against the law.”

Secretary Brunner has issued subpoenas to LetOhioVote.org and New Models, a Glen Allen, Va.-based corporation, and others reported to be connected to the company to submit to depositions and to produce certain records in connection with the investigation.

According to LetOhioVote.org’s 2009 annual campaign finance report, the group reported raising $1.55 million all from a single source – New Models.

“The public policy behind Ohio’s campaign finance laws is that sunshine is the best disinfectant,” Secretary Brunner said. “Voters are being asked to pay for a statewide election on a ballot issue for November that will increase the length of the ballot and subject voters to all kinds of advertising. The least we can do is require those behind the effort to say who they are, like campaign finance laws require. The public has a right to know.”

LetOhioVote.org currently has a referendum petition before the Secretary of State for the November ballot pending the outcome of signature verification.

Maryellen O'Shaughnessy Announces Candidacy for Secretary of State

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:18:21 EST

Columbus – Today, joined by family and supporters at a press conference at Ohio Democratic Party headquarters, Clerk of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Maryellen O’Shaughnessy announced her candidacy for Secretary of State. O’Shaughnessy was introduced by Governor Ted Strickland.

“We need a Secretary of State who is strong, dedicated, experienced, compassionate, hard-working, courageous, and innovative,” said Governor Strickland. “Maryellen O’Shaughnessy will be that Secretary of State. Maryellen shares my philosophy that nothing is more sacred in our democracy than each individual’s right to vote. She will be a guardian of the integrity of our elections system and implement new ideas to increase voter participation and enhance voter protection.”

O’Shaughnessy said, “I am running for Secretary of State because I am passionate about our state and our democracy. I bring to this race my experience as a small business owner, a Council Member for the nation’s 15th largest city, and a County Clerk with a staff of 231 and budget of $12.5 million. As Ohio’s next Secretary of State, I will advocate for greater participation in our elections process by making it easier for Ohioans to register and vote. And I will work every day to administer elections in a free, open and fair way.”

O’Shaughnessy outlined several programs and initiatives that she will advocate, including:

Assured registration of driver’s license and services applicant, unless they opt-out
Secure online voter registration
Enhancing programs targeted at increasing voter participation among young people
Cracking down on petition circulation fraud
Reapportionment reform that requires competitiveness and partisan fairness

View More Images Of The Announcement Here

Video: Sen. Brown Gives More Details On His Bill To Limit Corporate Influence

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:45:56 EST

The recent 5-4 Supreme Court decision lifted campaign spending limits for corporations. Now if the big banks on Wall Street don't like what Congress proposes, they can DIRECTLY try to buy a legislature more to their liking.

Stand with me to demand no corporation may spend from its treasury without the express approval of its owners. If the Supreme Court is going to treat corporations as persons with full First Amendment rights, then you and I need to make sure real people are making those decisions.

Sign the petition!

Video: Sen. Brown Introduces The Citizens Right to Know Act

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:13:37 EST

Sen. Brown Introduces The Citizens Right to Know Act

The Supreme Court dealt a body blow to democracy when it ruled, 5-4, that corporations can spend their huge profits to influence American elections. In a stunning display of judicial activism, the radical majority invented a case that was not before it so it could toss out a century of precedent and give corporations license to spend billions of dollars to influence political campaigns.

Well, this extreme corporate power grab will not go unanswered on my watch. I'm going to work to make sure that corporations:

FULLY DISCLOSE when they spend from their treasuries to protect special interest cronies in Washington
REQUIRE CONSENT from shareholders in the form of a majority vote before they advocate for or against candidates
PROTECT OUR ELECTIONS from the influence of foreign-owned corporations spending freely on American politics

The big banks, pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies have enough power -- click here to help me curtail the influence of corporations to spend their massive profits to buy elections!

Even with 60 votes in the Senate, health care reform was hanging in the balance, clean energy legislation was imperiled, and reining in Wall Street excesses looked to be an uphill fight. Now if the big banks on Wall Street don't like what Congress proposes, they can DIRECTLY try to buy a legislature more to their liking.

In the last election, the most expensive in our history, candidates, parties, and outside groups spent $5 billion on the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and the historic election of President Obama. That's a huge amount of money, no doubt. But consider this comparison -- Goldman Sachs recently announced it would spend $16 billion on bonuses this year.

SIGN MY PETITION TO PASS COMMON SENSE REGULATIONS FOR CORPORATE CASH SPENT ON ELECTIONS

If corporations are going to play an outsized role in our democracy, then democracy needs to play at least some role in corporations. And if the Supreme Court is going to treat corporations as persons with full First Amendment rights, then you and I need to make sure real people are making those decisions. Join me today, and share our effort with your family and friends on Facebook.

Repost: How The American People Can Defeat Unlimited Corporate Money and Influence in Elections

Nation Of Gandhis — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:07:10 EST

http://www.opednews.com/articles/How-The-American-People-Ca-by-Kathleen-Wynne-Wi-100127-930.html

"It is important to note that American election integrity advocates haven't been the only ones protesting the use of electronic voting machines counting their votes in secret. Citizens of other democratic republics, such as, Ireland, The Netherlands and India, are but a few of the growing number of countries that have either banned e-voting or are presently fighting to ban them and demanding a return to hand counts and the kind of voting every citizen can oversee and understand. The most recent has been Germany."

"Therefore, the most effective and pro-active action we, the People, can take in the wake of this horrendous decision by our U.S. Supreme Court is to immediately demand a return to publicly hand-counted paper ballots at the precinct level on election night and to posting the results at the precinct - before any ballots are moved - so the results can be publicly documented by citizens which will protect the integrity of the final tally at local, state and federal levels."

Stand With Senator Brown Against Pay-to-Play Electioneering

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:12:07 EST

Well, this extreme corporate power grab will not go unanswered on my watch. I'm going to work to make sure that corporations:

FULLY DISCLOSE when they spend from their treasuries to protect special interest cronies in Washington
REQUIRE CONSENT from shareholders in the form of a majority vote before they advocate for or against candidates
PROTECT OUR ELECTIONS from the influence of foreign-owned corporations spending freely on American politics

PLEASE SIGN MY PETITION FOR COMMON SENSE REGULATIONS TO KEEP CORPORATIONS HONEST NOW

Bush v. Gore was a brazen decision by the Court to decide a Presidential election for George Bush. It turns out that wasn't a rogue decision -- it was a road map for interference in the political process. The Citizens United v. FEC decision is an even more dangerous attack on our democracy. It could decide election after election as the people's voice is drowned out by a chorus of corporate causes, not just in Washington, DC, but in state capitals and city halls across the country for generations.

The big banks, pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies have enough power -- click here to help me curtail the influence of corporations to spend their massive profits to buy elections!

SIGN MY PETITION TO PASS COMMON SENSE REGULATIONS FOR CORPORATE CASH SPENT ON ELECTIONS

GARRISON ANNOUNCES EXIT FROM SECRETARY OF STATE RACE

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:15:31 EST

(Marietta, OH) State Representative Jennifer Garrison, announced today she will not seek the Democratic nomination for Ohio Secretary of State.

“I have truly enjoyed meeting Ohioans from all walks of life during the 6 month campaign. Ohio is blessed to have a diverse landscape and people. I feel thankful and humbled by the support I have received from my colleagues, labor and Ohioans.” Garrison said.

“While I have determined this is not the right time for me and my family to seek this office, my utmost hope is that the voters will challenge all Secretary of State Candidates to explain how they will increase voter participation and facilitate business growth in Ohio.”

Garrison continued by saying, “I ask the next Secretary of State to be committed to the principles of transparent and fair elections and to concentrate on increasing voter participation. House Bill 260, otherwise known as the Elections Enhancement Bill is a good start. This legislation requires automatic voter registration every time an Ohioan touches state government, whether through renewing a driver’s license or applying for state benefits. This bill goes a long way toward increasing voter participation and reducing allegations of fraud within the voter registration process. I ask both Republican and Democratic candidates to commit their support for this bill.”

Garrison does not plan to seek re-election to the Ohio House of Representatives.

Supreme Court Ruling Spurs First Corporation To Run for Congress

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:24:44 EST

Following the recent Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to allow unlimited corporate funding of federal campaigns, Murray Hill Inc. today announced it was filing to run for U.S. Congress and released its first campaign video.

Watch It:

“Until now,” Murray Hill Inc. said in a statement, “corporate interests had to rely on campaign contributions and influence peddling to achieve their goals in Washington. But thanks to an enlightened Supreme Court, now we can eliminate the middle-man and run for office ourselves.”

Murray Hill Inc. is believed to be the first “corporate person” to exercise its constitutional right to run for office. As Supreme Court observer Lyle Denniston wrote in his SCOTUSblog, “If anything, the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission conferred new dignity on corporate “persons,” treating them — under the First Amendment free-speech clause — as the equal of human beings.”

Murray Hill Inc. agrees. “The strength of America,” Murray Hill Inc. says, “is in the boardrooms, country clubs and Lear jets of America’s great corporations. We’re saying to Wal-Mart, AIG and Pfizer, if not you, who? If not now, when?”

Murray Hill Inc. plans on spending “top dollar” to protect its investment. “It’s our democracy,” Murray Hill Inc. says, “We bought it, we paid for it, and we’re going to keep it.”

Video: Obama Calls Out Supreme Court About Finance Ruling - Judge Alito Not Happy

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:35:54 EST

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito shooked his head no, and mouthed "not true," while President Obama criticized the Supreme Court for their recent decision permitting lobbyists and corporations to exert more influence on elections. This is highly inappropriate of a Supreme Court justice - they don't even clap at the State of the Union, they're supposed to be so impartial

Watch It:

Rep. Grayson Puts Forth “Save Our Democracy” Reform Package In Response to Supreme Court "Corpocracy" Decision

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:43:09 EST

Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-8) has introduced legislation to prevent a corporate takeover of government in America. His “Save Our Democracy” Reform Package (H.R. 4431-4435) aims to stave off the threat of "corpocracy" arising from today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision.

The Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission legalizes the use of corporate funds in political campaigns, striking down campaign finance laws that date back more than a century. Congressman Grayson introduced the bills on January 13th, in anticipation of the Supreme Court's ruling. Each of the five Grayson bills is clear and concise; none is longer than four pages.

“The Supreme Court in essence has ruled that corporations can buy elections. If that happens, democracy in America is over. We cannot put the law up for sale, and award government to the highest bidder.” Congressman Grayson said.

“By gutting the 100-year-old Tillman Act ban on corporate contributions, the U.S. Supreme Court has opened the door to political bribery and corruption on the largest scale imaginable. As Teddy Roosevelt said at the time, 'property belongs to man, and not man to property.' That's why we have federal election laws, and that's why we need them, both then and now,” Congressman Grayson said.

Here are the bills that Congressman Grayson has introduced, and what they aim to accomplish:

1) The Business Should Mind Its Own Business Act (H.R. 4431): Implements a 500% excise tax on corporate contributions to political committees, and on corporate expenditures on political advocacy campaigns.
2) The Public Company Responsibility Act (H.R. 4435): Prevents companies making political contributions and expenditures from trading their stock on national exchanges.
3) The End Political Kickbacks Act (H.R. 4434): Prevents for-profit corporations that receive money from the government from making political contributions, and limits the amount that employees of those companies can contribute.
4) The Corporate Propaganda Sunshine Act (H.R. 4432): Requires publicly-traded companies to disclose in SEC filings money used for the purpose of influencing public opinion, rather than to promoting their products and services.
5) The Ending Corporate Collusion Act (H.R. 4433): Applies antitrust law to industry PACs.

Sign Rep. Grayson's petition today, and show your support for saving our democracy. Together, we will move these bills forward and prevent the sale of our government to the highest bidder.m

Ohio needs a Green Party Governor

Dennis Spisak — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:30:06 EST

Why Ohio Needs A Liberal Green Candidate for Governor

Ohio needs a liberal Green candidate for Governor in order to restore the middle class society we once had. We must defend old social programs and new social programs such as the Health Care for All Ohioans Act, something Ted Strickland does not support.

A Liberal Green Party Governor would defend the small working man, not the corporate lobbyists Ted Strickland defends. A Liberal Green Party Governor would support to clean up Ohio's air and water, not support dirty coal plants and lobbysists like Ted Strickland does. A Liberal Green Party Governor would support moving Ohio forward towards vast Blue-Green manufacturing jobs for Ohio, unlike Ted Strickland who still supports Nuke Power as a "Green" Jobs program.

A Liberal Green Party Governor would work to give working Ohioans real political power and ending the dominant position of the wealthy elite, while Ted Strickland bows down big Health Insurance companies and lobbyists.

A Liberal Green Party Governor will enfranchise voters, unlike the Democrats and Republicans who limit third party and independent candidates from running in Ohio.

A Green Party Governor would believe in a relatively equal society thats has institutions that limts extremes of wealth and poverty, something the Democrats and Republicans currently support, also now as keeping the status quo.

This is why Ohio needs to elect Green Party candidate Dennis Spisak for Governor in 2010.

Http://www.votespisak.org

for more info contact 330-503-1407.

AFTERSHOCKS SINK REDISTRICTING REFORM?

David Lore, Licking County Pro-Active Citizens — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:02:03 EST

Any chance that a legislative redistricting reform measure would make the May 4 ballot likely has disappeared given the aftershocks from last week's political earthquakes in Massachusetts and Washington.

Newspaper editorial writers across Ohio have for months been badgering legislative leaders to act by the Feb. 3 filing deadline to place such a constitutional amendment before voters this spring. Proponents say this is the best - and possibly only - time to bring fairness and equity to the process of redrawing state House and Senate districts since neither party can be assured it will emerge from the 2010 elections with control of the state apportionment board, the panel which redraws the political map on the basis of the 2010 census.

Redistricting reform is all very complicated and hopelessly infected by partisan maneuvering -- but no need to give it much thought now.

Given the Republican senatorial victory in Massachusetts and the Supreme Court's grant of enormous electoral clout to corporate America, there's no reason to think that either Democratic or Republican party leaders here are left with any appetite for bipartisan cooperation.

Statehouse Republicans opposed such reforms when they were on the ballot in 2005.

They were only showing interest this year because Democrats seemed to be in a strong position to control the reapportionment board after this year's balloting for governor, auditor and secretary of state. Even then, party support was far from assured - and that was before Republican prospects for this November spiked given the evident public anger at the Obama administration and the predicted flood of corporate cash now unleashed by the high court in favor of Republican candidates.

Democrats - namely party leader Chris Redfern and House Speaker Armond Budish - have been even more skeptical that redistricting reform at this time serves their interests.

Even before last week's events, Budish was flatly predicting the matter would not be on this year's ballot.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2010/01/12/speaker_budish_redistricting_r.html?cxtype=feedbot

Neither was labor on board.

Reform proponents might now argue that it makes even more sense for Democrats to back redistricting reform and thus minimize the political damage if Republicans do come back strongly this November. But so far, the Democratic battle plan appear to be to go back on the offense rather than call for a truce.

So much for "leveling the playing field" in 2010.

According to reform proponents, there is no Plan B if the reform measure isn't on the ballot this year.

Other than to revisit the issue come 2020.

"Third parties" secure access to May primary ballot in Ohio

One Oar in the Water — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:26:18 EST

Libertarian, Green, Socialist and Constitution parties secure access to May primary ballot in Ohio; Columbus Government Examiner

The Republican and Democratic Parties in Ohio will no longer have a lock on access to the ballot now that state election officials, making good on a court decision in the fall of 2006 that found the laws for political party formation and ballot access were unconstitutional, have enabled candidates running under the party name of Libertarian, Green, Socialist and Constitutional to join in the fun that is our representative system of government.

The good news for these outsider parties came in a state directive to all 88 county Boards of Election (BOE) that given that the General Assembly has not yet enacted a new ballot access statute following the September 6, 2006 court decision, and given the high likelihood of success on the merits of any new lawsuit to obtain ballot access, they are "hereby instructed to continue to recognize these political parties and to grant candidates of these political parties ballot access in the 2010 election cycle."

This decision now gives candidates of these four minor parties to qualify for the ballot under their party labels, an accomplishment the two major political parties -- Republicans and Democrats -- do not necessarily consider good for them or their candidates. ...

This is great news for those of us that want real government change and to finally break the strangle hold the two main parties have on the throat of our state.

WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Vows to Continue Standing Up to the Special Interests on Behalf of the American People

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 06:50:08 EST

In this week’s address, President Barack Obama vowed to continue fighting for the American people to ensure their voices are heard over the special interests and lobbyists in Washington, despite this week’s Supreme Court decision to further empower corporations to use their financial clout to directly influence elections.

Watch It:

Full Transcript of the President's Remarks Below:

Ted Strickland: The Governor Big Money Can Buy

Dennis Spisak — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:12:00 EST

Green Party candidate for Governor Dennis Spisak says Ted Strickland should be happy over today's U.S. Supreme Court decision which allows corporations unlimted campaign funding of candidates, since Ted Strickland loves raking in big money from health care, drug companies, insurance companies, and power companies.

Ted Strickland has never met a major donor he didn't accept from. From the Secretary of State's office, Ted Strickland's Donor list looks like a Who's Who's list from a Republican candidate's donor list:

Medical Mutual: $10,000
Liberty Mutual: $6,000
Western Southern and Life: $6,000
Grange Mutual: $5,000
National City Bank: $5,000
Americal Mutual: $2,000
Ohio Bankers PAC: $1,000
Pfizer: $1,000
Eli Lilly: $1,000
United Mine Workers: $5,000
Duke Energy: $3,395
Dayton Power and Light PAC: $1,000

Green Party Candidates do not accept donations from Lobbyists or Political Action Committees! Ted Strickland and the Democrats are no different than the Republicans. Big Business speaks louder than the people.

It's time to put people first! Time to put people ahead of corporations. Something Ted Strickland or John Kasich will never do.

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

for more info: contact 330-503-1407

Supreme Court Rules Corporations May Spend Freely To Support Or Oppose Candidates For President And Congress

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:26:59 EST

In a ruling with huge consequences for the 2010 elections and American politics at large, the Supreme Court rules that corporations can spend freely on elections.

Scotusblog's Tom Goldstein calls it "a small revolution in campaign finance law," and notes that it the end of a distinction between corporate and individual contributions will also apply to state elections.

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court has ruled that corporations may spend freely to support or oppose candidates for president and Congress, easing decades-old limits on their participation in federal campaigns.

By a 5-4 vote, the court on Thursday overturned a 20-year-old ruling that said corporations can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to pay for campaign ads. The decision, which almost certainly will also allow labor unions to participate more freely in campaigns, threatens similar limits imposed by 24 states.

The justices also struck down part of the landmark McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill that barred union- and corporate-paid issue ads in the closing days of election campaigns.

Advocates of strong campaign finance regulations have predicted that a court ruling against the limits would lead to a flood of corporate and union money in federal campaigns as early as this year's midterm congressional elections.

The decision, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, removes limits on independent expenditures that are not coordinated with candidates' campaigns.

It leaves in place a prohibition on direct contributions to candidates from corporations and unions.

The case also does not affect political action committees, which mushroomed after post-Watergate laws set the first limits on contributions by individuals to candidates. Corporations, unions and others may create PACs to contribute directly to candidates, but they must be funded with voluntary contributions from employees, members and other individuals, not by corporate or union treasuries.