| 1 | 1 | | 1.1 A resolution |
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| 2 | 2 | | 1.2 memorializing Congress to propose the For Our Freedom Amendment |
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| 3 | 3 | | 1.3 WHEREAS, the Minnesota Constitution recognizes that "all political power is inherent" in |
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| 4 | 4 | | 1.4the People, and that we may "modify or reform government whenever required by the public good"; |
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| 5 | 5 | | 1.5and |
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| 6 | 6 | | 1.6 WHEREAS, the People of Minnesota have compelling sovereign interests in fostering robust |
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| 7 | 7 | | 1.7political debate and self-government, protecting the free speech interests of all individuals, securing |
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| 8 | 8 | | 1.8the liberty and political equality of our citizens, guarding against corruption, and advancing |
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| 9 | 9 | | 1.9federalism and the interests of the several States; and |
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| 10 | 10 | | 1.10 WHEREAS, Section 9 of Article VII of the Minnesota Constitution recognizes the public's |
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| 11 | 11 | | 1.11compelling interest in campaign spending limits, providing that "the amount that may be spent by |
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| 12 | 12 | | 1.12candidates for constitutional and legislative offices to campaign for nomination or election shall |
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| 13 | 13 | | 1.13be limited by law. The legislature shall provide by law for disclosure of contributions and |
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| 14 | 14 | | 1.14expenditures made to support or oppose candidates for state elective offices"; and |
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| 15 | 15 | | 1.15 WHEREAS, reasonable limits on how money is used to influence the outcomes of elections |
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| 16 | 16 | | 1.16may be wise (1) to secure the interests of all citizens of our State to be represented and participate |
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| 17 | 17 | | 1.17in elections and self-government; (2) to protect the integrity of elections and government against |
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| 18 | 18 | | 1.18out-of-state and foreign interests and undue influence of wealthy special interests, whether of |
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| 19 | 19 | | 1.19corporations, unions, or other artificial entities; and (3) to ensure that elected representatives are |
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| 20 | 20 | | 1.20aligned with the interests of actual constituents; and |
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| 21 | 21 | | 1.21 WHEREAS, over the past five decades, the Supreme Court has gradually come to equate |
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| 22 | 22 | | 1.22unlimited election spending with "free speech," contrary to the original public meaning of the First |
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| 23 | 23 | | 1.23Amendment. This unlimited spending is drowning out the free speech interests of actual constituents, |
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| 24 | 24 | | 1.24narrowing debate, weakening federalism and self-governance in the States, and increasing the risk |
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| 25 | 25 | | 1.25of systemic corruption; and |
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| 26 | 26 | | 1 |
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| 27 | 27 | | 25-02290 as introduced02/03/25 REVISOR JFK/KR |
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| 28 | 28 | | SENATE |
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| 29 | 29 | | STATE OF MINNESOTA |
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| 30 | 30 | | S.F. No. 2517NINETY-FOURTH SESSION |
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| 31 | 31 | | (SENATE AUTHORS: PORT, Bahr, Carlson and Boldon) |
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| 32 | 32 | | OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE |
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| 33 | 33 | | Introduction and first reading03/13/2025 |
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| 34 | 34 | | Referred to State and Local Government 2.1 WHEREAS, the Framers wisely granted the States the power to amend the United States |
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| 35 | 35 | | 2.2Constitution when necessary to make the Constitution, and our Union, ever more perfect and to |
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| 36 | 36 | | 2.3protect and preserve self-government and liberty; NOW, THEREFORE, |
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| 37 | 37 | | 2.4 BE IT RESOLVED that the legislature of the State of Minnesota hereby calls upon the United |
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| 38 | 38 | | 2.5States Congress to propose and send to the States for ratification a Constitutional amendment to |
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| 39 | 39 | | 2.6clarify that the States and Congress, within their respective jurisdictions, may set reasonable limits |
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| 40 | 40 | | 2.7on the spending of money to influence elections, and that in so doing the States and Congress may |
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| 41 | 41 | | 2.8distinguish between natural persons and artificial entities, such as corporations, unions, and artificial |
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| 42 | 42 | | 2.9intelligences; and |
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| 43 | 43 | | 2.10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is directed |
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| 44 | 44 | | 2.11to prepare an enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by his signature, and transmit it |
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| 45 | 45 | | 2.12to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the United |
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| 46 | 46 | | 2.13States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Minority |
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| 47 | 47 | | 2.14Leader of the United States Senate, and to each member of the Minnesota Congressional delegation. |
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| 48 | 48 | | 2 |
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| 49 | 49 | | 25-02290 as introduced02/03/25 REVISOR JFK/KR |
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