Jan. 21 marks the 12th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, in which the federal campaign finance law was struck a major blow and independent expenditure groups were given free rein to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence political campaigns.
When polled, 72% of Alaskans support an amendment to limit campaign spending. Yet our congressional delegation remains silent on this issue. Until they speak out, we can only assume that they do not support any changes to the current status quo.
Most recently, our own state of Alaska campaign finance law was found largely unconstitutional by the courts and gutted. Our Legislature has an opportunity to fix our state’s campaign finance law; several bills are already pre-filled to address it. There are at least two bills introduced in Congress to address it. The people are speaking, some elected officials are answering, but many more are silent on the issue, and sit on their hands, seemingly happy to take the ever-increasing amounts of money and watch as independent groups (PACs) scoop up the dough and pay lavishly for staffers and advertisers to drown us in phone calls and flyers.
As another campaign season looms, take a moment to let your elected officials know you want them to act; Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young at the national level to amend the U.S. Constitution, and state legislators at the state level, to pass legislation rectifying what they can of our laws limiting undue influence over our state elections
Come join us this Friday, Jan. 21, starting at 4:15 p.m. in front of the Peterson Tower where we will speak out and demand our U.S. senators take action. It is our democracy for, by and of the people, and it works only if the people work it.
Beverly Churchill
Alaska Move to Amend
Anchorage
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