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City of Sturgeon Bay Supports Overturning Citizens United Decision

On March 21, the City of Sturgeon Bay joined a growing list of Wisconsin municipalities as well as communities across the nation that have passed either a resolution or referendum in favor of overturning the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision.

That decision recognized money as free speech and provided constitutional rights intended for individuals to corporations, unions and nonprofits, resulting in an unprecedented amount of “dark money” flowing into and influencing political campaigns. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council unanimously approved a resolution to amend the U.S. Constitution so that organizations are not considered people, money isn’t speech, and that the public good requires regulation of campaign financing.

Dan Powers, co-founder of United to Amend – Door County, introduced the resolution and explained at both the March 6 and March 21 common council meetings why this nonpartisan campaign to amend the constitution is necessary, saying that “Even the appearance of buying influence and power hurts our democracy.” He said if the city approved the resolution, it would be an important first step in getting the entire county on board.

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