Ohio Senate Bill SR180

Ohio 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/3/23

Caption

Support amendment re corporate personhood, money as speech

Impact

If successful, SR180 would signal a significant shift in the relationship between corporate entities and electoral politics. It seeks to challenge the status quo as established by landmark Supreme Court cases, such as Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allowed for unlimited corporate spending in political campaigns. By proposing this amendment, the resolution positions itself to contribute to restoring political equality, aiming to ensure that all votes carry equal weight and that wealthy corporations do not dictate policy outcomes through extensive financial influence.

Summary

Senate Resolution 180 (SR180), introduced in the 135th General Assembly, calls for a constitutional amendment aimed at abolishing corporate personhood and the doctrine of money as speech. The resolution reflects a growing movement among citizens and municipalities advocating for a system where corporations do not hold the same rights as individuals, particularly in the context of electoral influence and governance. The sponsors of SR180 highlight the belief that the current framework allows corporations to overshadow the voice of individual citizens in the political sphere, further entrenching inequality within the democratic process.

Contention

The resolution has sparked discussions regarding the implications of corporate influence on governance and individuals' rights. Proponents argue that it is essential to reclaim democracy for the people, reaffirming that corporations are not individuals and should not possess electoral rights that surpass those of citizens. However, detractors may contend that limiting corporate political activity could have adverse effects on freedom of speech and economic engagement. SR180 ultimately embodies a significant ideological debate over the foundations of democracy and the role of money in politics.