“Dark Money” Impact In Massachusetts And 5 Other States

Ken O’Brien

So you think the Citizens United case only affected Federal elections?

Think again!

A new study by the Brennan Center for Justice focused on the impact of “dark” and “gray” money on local elections in six states, including Massachusetts. 

Will Citizens United Be Reconsidered?

Ken O’Brien

On January 4^th I reported on a case decided by the Montana Supreme Court that was viewed by many as challenging the infamous Citizens United case.

Last Friday the U. S. Supreme Court blocked enforcement of the Montana decision.

According to the New York Times article, “The court’s action Friday does not mean the justices eventually will hear the case. Their most likely course might be simply reversing the state court ruling.”

While this is the prevailing opinion, it is one not universally shared by informed sources and insiders.

I'll See Your Citizens United Case and Raise You Montana

Ken O'Brien

A surprisingly little noticed tremor rocked the legal world on the Friday before New Year's.

It came from of all places the big sky country of Montana. Montana, one of only a few states with more U. S. Senators than representatives in the U.S. House.

On a five to two vote, the Montana State Supreme Court challenged the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case.

For those who need refreshing on that landmark case, I provide the following summary taken from Wikipedia:

Occupy Wall Street Goes Mainstream

Ken O'Brien

On Tuesday night the Los Angeles City Council went on record as the first major city passing a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment declaring that corporations are not persons and that money is not speech.

The Examiner.com reported, "Thanks to ground work by the U.S. Green Party, the wave of Occupy Wall Street empowerment and Human Rights Alert, today, Los Angeles became the first major U.S. city to vote against corporate personhood and call for a Constitutional Amendment asserting corporations are not entitled to constitutional rights and that money is not free speech. The vote was unanimous."