Resolution No. 5055 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I. Prior to the Citizens United decision, unlimited independent campaign expenditures could be made by individuals and associations, though such committees operated under federal contribution limits. J. Given that the Citizens United decision "rejected the argument that political speech of corporations or other associations should be treated differently" because the First Amendment "generally prohibits the suppression of political speech based on the speaker's identity," there is a need to consider other reasons in addition to corruption or the perception of corruption regulating independent expenditures far .or against a candidate. K. The opinion of the four dissenting justices in Citizens United noted that corporations have special advantages not enjoyed by natural persons, such as limited liability, perpetual life, and favorable treatment of the accumulation and distribution of assets. L. Corporations often put profits for shareholders ahead of concerns for the greatest good of society. M. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Oregon Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, and Kurt Schrader are pursuing campaign finance reform legislation with a focus on addressing the Citizens United decision through an amendment to the United States Constitution. N. Addressing both the Citizens United decision and corporate personhood' . is necessary. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows: Section 1 . Corporations, unions and special interests should not have the constitutional rights that natural persons possess. Section 2 . Given its impact on free and fair elections and effective ' self- governance, the Eugene City Council determines that the most urgent action needed to address the negative impacts of United States Supreme Court Citizens United (2010) decision is to stop unlimited independent campaign expenditures by corporations, unions and special interest groups. Section 3 . The City of Eugene hereby includes in its 2012 Federal Legislative Agenda support for. an Amendment to the United States Constitution which reverses the impacts of Citizens United, including, but not limited to the provisions of the current drafts of S.J. Res. 29 introduced by Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico and Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and H.J. Res. 72 introduced by Representative Kurt Schrader of Oregon and co- sponsored by Representative Earl Blumenauer and Peter DeFazio of Oregon; and, respectfully urges Oregon's Congressional delegation to prioritize congressional proposal of an amendment to the United States Constitution addressing the threats to representative government 'Identified In this Resolution so that the states may ratify it. Resolution - Page 2 of 3