For Immediate Release:
May 18, 2016
Contact: [email protected]
“Whenever we see a state loosen campaign finance laws, a flood of anonymous money follows,” said Tiffany Muller, Executive Director for End Citizens United. “By striking down voter-approved contribution limits in Montana, the federal district court has opened yet another avenue for shadowy billionaires and special interests to exert influence at the detriment of the middle class.”
The 1994 ballot measure Montana approved set contribution limits for state-level elections, including governor and state legislature. The ruling striking down those limits comes only weeks before Montana’s June 7th gubernatorial primary.
In 2012, the federal district court briefly removed contributions limits in Montana. In the week before they were reinstated, more than $500,000 was funneled to then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Hill.
“We have all the evidence we need to show eliminating contribution limits leads directly to more influence for wealthy corporate interests,” Muller added. “This is why End Citizens United is working with campaign finance advocates all over the country to restore sanity to our campaign finance system.”
End Citizens United PAC was established in March 2015 to counter the disastrous effects of Citizens United and reform our campaign finance system. To date, more than three million grassroots supporters have taken action to fight big money in politics.
Read more on End Citizens United from Roll Call: Campaign Finance Reform PAC Wants to Be a Player in 2016.