skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Five Years Since Citizens United: An Indiana Update

play audio
Play

Wednesday, January 21, 2015   

INDIANAPOLIS - It's been five years since the Supreme Court's decision in the "Citizens United" case paved the way for unlimited corporate spending in elections. The court ruled that restricting campaign spending by outside groups is unconstitutional because it hinders their freedom of speech.

Many states responded by reforming their own political spending and disclosure laws - but not Indiana. Craig Holman, government affairs director for the watchdog group Public Citizen, said the Hoosier State's campaign finance laws are among the weakest in the country.

"There have been 16 states that have passed resolutions asking for Congress to submit to the states a constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United decision," he said, "so we're seeing a lot going on - but sadly in Indiana, we're not seeing much happen."

Holman said there are essentially no limits on outside spending and very little disclosure in Indiana. A recent report of spending on Senate races by the Brennan Center for Justice found that since Citizens United, campaign spending by outside groups has doubled.

With so much money flooding into elections, Holman said, only those with wealth or access to it can successfully run for office. Without adequate disclosure of donation information, he said, voters don't truly know who is funding a candidate.

"Citizens everywhere are pretty disgusted with the Citizens United decision and would like to see it reversed," he said. "That sentiment is just as true in Indiana as it is anywhere else in the country."

On today's fifth anniversary of the decision, demonstrations and educational forums are being held in Indiana and around the nation. On Thursday, some congressional Democrats are expected to announce several new pieces of legislation attempting to limit campaign spending.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021