WTP Files Suit to Protect Free Speech
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 8, 2010
WTP files suit to protect free speech in Montana
Citizens’ lobby and small businessman seek to overturn political speech ban
BOZEMAN, MT – Citing a Supreme Court decision upholding Americans’ First Amendment rights, Western Tradition Partnership (WTP) and a local employer filed suit Friday in Montana state court seeking to overturn state laws prohibiting political speech by employers.
WTP and Bozeman small business Champion Painting filed the suit in state district court in Helena Mar. 5.
With rising spending, taxes and regulation threatening his business, Champion Painting owner Ken Champion would like to use his business’ financial resources to exercise First Amendment rights. Montana state code (Title 13, Chapter 35) prohibits a corporation from “mak(ing) a contribution or an expenditure in connection with a candidate or a political committee that supports or opposes a candidate or a political party” unless it gets permission from the state through the establishment of a segregated fund.
“Just as you do not lose your right to religious expression when you freely assemble as a church, you do not lose your right to political expression when you assemble with others under a corporation. Speaking out about issues of taxation and regulation that threaten employers are central to creating jobs and prosperity,” said Donny Ferguson, WTP Director of Media and Public Relations. “Our republic and democratic process are only healthy when all sides can speak freely. One side of the argument, namely government officials, should not have a legally-enforced monopoly on speech.”
The plaintiffs are represented by Margot Barg of Bozeman’s Wittich Law Firm. Attorney General Steve Bullock and Political Practices Commissioner Dennis Unsworth are named as defendants.
The suit comes after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld First Amendment protections in a suit brought by the non-profit group Citizens United. The group was threatened by the Federal Election Commission with prosecution for distributing a movie, funded with corporate contributions, about former First Lady and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. The federal government admitted in court that laws prohibiting corporate expenditures on political speech could be used to go so far as to ban books if they contain a mention of an individual who later became a candidate for public office.
WTP is a fast-growing, Denver-based, grassroots-supported non-profit organization advocating rational, responsible natural resource development and land use policy.
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Past WTP Free Speech Exclusives
On February 3, 2010, Foley & Lardner LLC hosted an in-depth discussion of the implications of the Supreme Court's decision on the use of corporate funds in political campaigns, presented by Cleta Mitchell, Political Law Partner and Dick Riley, Jr., Tax & Employee Benefits Partner.
To listen to the conference call, please enter your name and email address below, and you will be automatically redirected to the call recording.
WTP will occasionally update you on issues pertinent to free speech and our issue mix. Every email will have an "unsubscribe" link, and we will never sell or share your information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 8, 2010
WTP files suit to protect free speech in Montana
Citizens’ lobby and small businessman seek to overturn political speech ban
BOZEMAN, MT – Citing a Supreme Court decision upholding Americans’ First Amendment rights, Western Tradition Partnership (WTP) and a local employer filed suit Friday in Montana state court seeking to overturn state laws prohibiting political speech by employers.
WTP and Bozeman small business Champion Painting filed the suit in state district court in Helena Mar. 5.
With rising spending, taxes and regulation threatening his business, Champion Painting owner Ken Champion would like to use his business’ financial resources to exercise First Amendment rights. Montana state code (Title 13, Chapter 35) prohibits a corporation from “mak(ing) a contribution or an expenditure in connection with a candidate or a political committee that supports or opposes a candidate or a political party” unless it gets permission from the state through the establishment of a segregated fund.
“Just as you do not lose your right to religious expression when you freely assemble as a church, you do not lose your right to political expression when you assemble with others under a corporation. Speaking out about issues of taxation and regulation that threaten employers are central to creating jobs and prosperity,” said Donny Ferguson, WTP Director of Media and Public Relations. “Our republic and democratic process are only healthy when all sides can speak freely. One side of the argument, namely government officials, should not have a legally-enforced monopoly on speech.”
The plaintiffs are represented by Margot Barg of Bozeman’s Wittich Law Firm. Attorney General Steve Bullock and Political Practices Commissioner Dennis Unsworth are named as defendants.
The suit comes after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld First Amendment protections in a suit brought by the non-profit group Citizens United. The group was threatened by the Federal Election Commission with prosecution for distributing a movie, funded with corporate contributions, about former First Lady and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. The federal government admitted in court that laws prohibiting corporate expenditures on political speech could be used to go so far as to ban books if they contain a mention of an individual who later became a candidate for public office.
WTP is a fast-growing, Denver-based, grassroots-supported non-profit organization advocating rational, responsible natural resource development and land use policy.
# # #
Past WTP Free Speech Exclusives
On February 3, 2010, Foley & Lardner LLC hosted an in-depth discussion of the implications of the Supreme Court's decision on the use of corporate funds in political campaigns, presented by Cleta Mitchell, Political Law Partner and Dick Riley, Jr., Tax & Employee Benefits Partner.
To listen to the conference call, please enter your name and email address below, and you will be automatically redirected to the call recording.
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