Pass Legislation to Neutralize Citizens United Like Hawaii Did

Hawaii just showed the rest of the country how to fight back against Citizens United without waiting for Congress or the Supreme Court. Their new law redefines corporations as entities that simply do not have the power to spend money or contribute anything of value to influence elections — making the 2010 ruling effectively meaningless within state borders. Montana is gathering signatures for a similar measure right now. At least 14 other states, including New York and California, are considering the same approach. This state needs to be next. The legal foundation is rock solid. States have held the authority to define corporations for 200 years — a principle the Supreme Court itself has consistently upheld. Since states create corporations and grant them powers, they can restrict those powers too. Tom Moore at the Center for American Progress calls it "redefinition, not regulation," and it's specifically designed to withstand federal court challenges. Under this model, every dollar spent in our elections would come from individual human beings, be disclosed, and be voluntary. Introduce and pass this legislation now.