MONROE - Green County United to Amend was granted its request by the Monroe Common Council last week when aldermen approved placing an advisory referendum on the city's April ballot.
Green County United to Amend is opposed to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision which says corporations have the same constitutional rights as people and their donations to campaigns should not be limited because money is defined as free speech. The referendum, which is a means of gaining voters' opinions on the issue, is a way to bypass legislators the group has seen as stagnant in its efforts to shift away from "the expansion of corporate personhood rights and the corrupting influence of unlimited political contributions" by proposing a direct amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The advisory question was brought to the city during a previous meeting, and was evaluated by Rex Ewald, city attorney. Ewald suggested a referendum he had drafted himself, which echoed the sentiment of a joint resolution currently proposed to Congress. He said the wording avoids unintended consequences which could occur through the group's proposed resolution. Green County United to Amend refused the wording. The council agreed to vote on the resolution proposed by the group. It was approved for the city ballot by a 6-2 vote.
- Bridget Cooke
Green County United to Amend is opposed to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision which says corporations have the same constitutional rights as people and their donations to campaigns should not be limited because money is defined as free speech. The referendum, which is a means of gaining voters' opinions on the issue, is a way to bypass legislators the group has seen as stagnant in its efforts to shift away from "the expansion of corporate personhood rights and the corrupting influence of unlimited political contributions" by proposing a direct amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The advisory question was brought to the city during a previous meeting, and was evaluated by Rex Ewald, city attorney. Ewald suggested a referendum he had drafted himself, which echoed the sentiment of a joint resolution currently proposed to Congress. He said the wording avoids unintended consequences which could occur through the group's proposed resolution. Green County United to Amend refused the wording. The council agreed to vote on the resolution proposed by the group. It was approved for the city ballot by a 6-2 vote.
- Bridget Cooke