By J.D. Davidson
Centre Square
Two Ohio senators want federal lawmakers to amend the U.S. Constitution to eliminate the notion that money equates to free speech.
Senate Democratic leaders, Sens. Nikki Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid), want to push federal action through Senate Resolution 180 to abolish so-called corporate status and end or limit dark money in politics.
“The Citizens United decision has given the wealthy and well-connected people unfair and disproportionate influence over our democracy,” Antonio said. “Our government was established by the people, for the people, and their voices must be listened to. It’s time for Ohio to join the call to end dark money and the culture of corruption.”
The resolution is a continuation of ongoing efforts by House and Senate Democrats to curb or eliminate dark money donations following the passage of House Bill 6, the largest political corruption scandal in state history.
As previously reported by The Center Square, FirstEnergy has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in the wake of the scandal. The company admitted to conspiring with public officials, others and entities to pay millions of dollars to public officials in exchange for specific public actions to help FirstEnergy.
FirstEnergy admitted to prosecutors that it funneled millions of dollars to public officials through nonprofit and dark money groups in order to pass the $1 billion nuclear bailout bill that led to the arrest, removal from office, conviction and sentencing of former House Speaker Larry Householder.
Antonio and Smith said the amendment references the Citizens United decision, which lifted legal limits on corporate spending in elections.
“The ongoing FirstEnergy bribery and money laundering scandal shows the urgent need for this legislation,” Smith said. “This resolution seeks to remove the corrupting concentrated influence of money from our elections and politics. Just as litigants have a right to a fair trial, the public should have a right to senators who look out for the interests of all their constituents, not just rich corporations.”
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