The State College Borough Council approved a resolution Monday night expressing support for a U.S. Constitution amendment that would stop unlimited campaign contributions from corporations.
At issue is a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows corporations to be recognized as individuals when it comes to campaign contributions. That means large corporations do not face financial limits when endorsing political candidates.
Council approved the resolution with a 5-to-0 vote. Council members Catherine Dauler and Sarah Klinetob were absent. Council approved the resolution at a time when the U.S. Senate is set to take up the issue.
State College officials now join local, county and state officials across the country who have approved resolutions to symbolically endorse a constitutional amendment that would stop corporations from being recognized as individuals.
The resolution says in part that large campaign contributions by corporations create opportunity for corruption and that without such safeguards there is “potential for harm” for American citizens, including in State College.
Council member Peter Morris says the resolution “expresses our outrage” regarding corporations being considered individuals.
“It’s becoming the stuff of comedy. … It’s just absurd and it’s dangerous,” says Morris. “This is the future of democracy we’re talking about here.”
Council member Theresa Lafer says she understands council does not have direct input into the deliberations of Congress, but “if they do not hear from us they do not know what we’re thinking. … I think just ignoring this is not sufficient.”
Council President Jim Rosenberger says he doesn’t believe residents elect council members to weigh in on national issues; however, he supports the resolution because it’s aligned with his personal views.
Council member Evan Myers says the issue does impact State College residents as voters because the matter influences who is elected.
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