Title
Agenda Item:
Resolution Concerning Corporate Spending to Influence Elections (Citizens United)
Body
Issue:
Do you wish to adopt the recommended Resolution?
Committee Recommendation:
General Government Committee unanimously recommends adopting the attached Resolution.
City Manager's Recommendation:
As recommended by General Government Committee, move to adopt a Resolution concerning corporate spending to influence elections.
Staff Contact:
Cathie Butler, Communications Manager, 360.753.8361
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar item
Background and Analysis:
In July and September, General Government Committee met with representatives of the Olympia Chapter of Move to Amend, which is affiliated with a national effort to amend federal and state constitutions to declare that corporations are not persons and do not have the constutionally afforded and protected righs of persons.
After reviewing background information and meeting with local Move to Amend representatives, General Government Committee asked staff to draft a more narrowly focused Resolution than requested. The Resolution which is unanimously recommended by General Government focuses on the influence of corporate spending on elections and encourages the State Legislature and the United States Congress to take necessary measures, including a constitutional amendment, to address the impacts of Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission on the amounts corporations are allowed to spend to influence elections.
If adopted, staff will transmit copies of the signed Resolution to Olympia's federal congressional and state legislative representatives and post a copy of the Resolution on the City's website.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
In December 2010, the Olympia Chapter of Move to Amend presented a petition with about 1,400 signatures to the City Council requesting that the Council adopt a Resolution affirming that only living persons have rights and protections and supporting an effort to amend the U.S. Constitution.
Options:
1. Move to adopt the Resolution as recommended by General Government Comittee
2. Do not adopt the Resolution.
Financial Impact:
None.