Oregon Resolution

Text on Oregon state website https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2013R1/Measures/Text/HJM6/A-Engrossed

 On July 1, 2013, the Oregon State Legislature passed this Resolution in support:

“‬Corporations are not People and Money is not Speech‭” – ‬The Oregon Legislative Joint Memorial on Amending the Federal Constitution
Whereas the U.S.‭ ‬Constitution does not mention corporations and is intended to guarantee rights for human beings only‭; ‬and Whereas corporations,‭ ‬limited liability companies and partnerships,‭ ‬associations and other entities established under and granted privileges by local,‭ ‬state,‭ ‬and federal laws make important contributions to our society,‭ ‬but are not to be equated with individual persons or granted constitutional rights‭; ‬and Whereas money is property and not speech,‭ ‬Congress,‭ ‬state legislatures and local legislative bodies should have the authority to regulate political contributions and expenditures‭; ‬and Whereas based on the American value of fair play,‭ ‬leveling the playing field and ensuring that all citizens,‭ ‬regardless of wealth,‭ ‬have an opportunity to have their political views heard is a valid rationale for regulating political spending‭; ‬and Whereas Article V of the U.S.‭ ‬Constitution provides for amendments‭ ‬,‭ ‬a process that has occurred‭ ‬27‭ ‬times including seven constitutional amendments that have overturned U.S.‭ ‬Supreme Court decisions‭; ‬and‭ Whereas constitutional amendments should be proposed without a timeline for their adoption‭; ‬now,‭ ‬therefore, Be It Resolved in‭ ‬2013‭ ‬by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: That we,‭ ‬the members of the seventy-seventh Legislative Assembly,‭ ‬urge the Oregon congressional delegation to use its legislative authority to advocate within the Congress of the United States to pass and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment consistent with the findings outlined above to establish that statutory entities do not have constitutional rights and legislatures may regulate money raised and spent for political purposes. A copy of this memorial shall be sent to each member of the Oregon Congressional delegation for inclusion in the Congressional Record.