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SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29 OF 2014
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A “WE THE PEOPLE AMENDMENT” TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
WHEREAS, in an Opinion Question mailed by the City to all registered voters in September 2013, of the 19,607 ballots that were returned, more than 89% favored the propositions that (1) artificial entities do not have inalienable rights under the Constitution and therefore can be regulated, and (2) money is not speech and therefore can be regulated to ensure no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure; and
WHEREAS, free and fair elections are essential to democracy and effective self-governance; and
WHEREAS, large campaign contributions in modern American elections give an unfair advantage to such contributors and increase the possibility of corrupting recipients; and
WHEREAS, corporations are artificial legal entities and not natural persons; and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, allowing the spending of money in political campaigns as speech, permits those with the most money to have an unfair advantage in a political system that should be about ensuring all citizens have equal access to the political process and to influencing the outcome of elections.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
The Salt Lake City Mayor and Salt Lake City Council urge Salt Lake City's State and Congressional delegations to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution for the States’ consideration to affirm that:
•The rights protected by the
Constitution of the United States are the rights of natural persons only.
Artificial entities such as corporations established by the laws of any State,
the United States, or any foreign state shall have no inalienable rights under
this Constitution and are subject to regulation by the People, through Federal,
State, or local law.
•Money is not speech and can be regulated. Federal, State, and local government shall regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures, including a candidate’s own contributions and expenditures, to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, have access to the political process, and that no person gains, as a result of their money, substantially more access or ability to influence in any way the election of any candidate for public office or any ballot measure. Federal, State, and local government shall require that any permissible contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed. The judiciary shall not construe the spending of money to influence elections to be speech under the 1st Amendment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
The Salt Lake City government encourages other municipalities in the State of Utah to adopt similar resolutions.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this 9th day of December, 2014.