SJR 13-AMEND U.S. CONST RE CAMPAIGN MONEY  2:43:31 PM CHAIR FRENCH announced the consideration of SJR 13. SENATOR BILL WIELECHOWSKI, sponsor of SJR 13, introduced the resolution speaking to the following sponsor statement: Many Americans recognize that the ability of large contributions from corporations, wealthy individuals and organizations to political candidates harms the ability of citizens to have a voice in their own government. Prior to the landmark United States Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 130 S. Ct. 876 (2010), unlimited independent expenditures from corporations and unions was prohibited. Now, corporations and unions can make unlimited independent expenditures supporting or opposing a candidate for public office. This directly goes against the American idea of one person one vote, when one corporation can spend more than thousands. This decision only made the cynicism most Americans feel about politics stronger. If people feel as if their vote does not matter, then voter participation will continue to decline. The massive amount of money in politics following this decision is exploding the expense of campaigns, making it difficult for new or unknown candidates to enter a race. More and more, the money spent by corporations and unions is going to negative attack ads that often misinform voters rather than promote productive discussion. Allowing unlimited campaign donations by corporations and unions takes the focus for candidates away from individual voters to those whose money can afford to sway hundreds of votes. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said there are only two ways to fix this problem. Either the Supreme Court reverses itself or Congress amends the U.S. Constitution. The first option is unlikely at this point. Thus, SJR 13 urges Congress and the President to work to amend the constitution to prohibit corporations, wealthy individuals and unions from making unlimited independent expenditures in elections. CHAIR FRENCH stated that he couldn't agree more. 2:46:14 PM CHRISTINA MOUNCE, representing the Juneau chapter of Move to Amend, explained that the mission of this nationwide organization was to amend the U.S. Constitution to limit the amount that corporations can spend in elections. After the Citizens United decision nearly $4 billion was spent during the 2010 congressional election, and according to the Center for Responsive Politics, 85 percent of House seats and 83 percent of Senate seats went to the candidate that spent the most money in that election cycle. She said the playing field is no longer level but in passing the resolution Alaska would be asserting itself in support of fair campaigns and representation of average Americans. She submitted a letter that was signed by 10 Juneau residents who were unable to attend the hearing but supported SJR 13. 2:48:27 PM LARRY HURLOCK, representing himself, said he was testifying to highlight the harm that the Citizens United decision had done to investors. He spoke of his expectations as a shareholder and his fear of large bureaucracies hiding expenditures from shareholders. Archer Daniel Midland (ADM), for example, reports aggregated amounts for campaign contributions. The political activism is hidden in plain view, he stated. Although ADM says information about its spending is publicly available, shareholders do not get an itemized accounting. He concluded by stating support for SJR 13. 2:52:01 PM ROBERT BUSCH, representing himself, stated that the Citizens United opinion gave corporate personhood the green light to use money as speech. Corporations now have the ability to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence local, state, and federal elections. According to Stephen Wayne, author of "The Road to the White House 2012," 94 percent of candidates with the most money were elected to Congress. The decision expanded the divide between rich and poor by adding weight to the political influence that overwhelmingly favors corporations. It will make it increasingly difficult for the middle class to maintain housing, get jobs, and deal with debt. He concluded by stating that SJR 13 was a good vehicle to inform the public and those in Washington D.C. 2:55:05 PM KATE VEH, representing herself, Kenai, AK, stated emphatic support for SJR 13. She asserted that her voice was being drowned out by corporations, unions, and enormously wealthy individuals who were donating vast amounts of money to politicians. She maintained that this was corruption. As a proud American she said she wanted three things: political leaders who listen, political leaders who can manage money without relying on global corporations, and a government that Americans can be proud of. SCOTT SHAW, representing himself, Soldotna, AK, stated support for SJR 13. "We all believe corporations and unions are not people and money is not speech." This notion has huge grassroots support, he stated. PATRICK COYAVISTO, representing himself, Kenai, AK, stated support for SJR 13. He agreed with a recent statement by Representative Les Gara that politicians should be elected on their ideas, not the size of their own or their supporters' pocketbooks. He maintained that more people would participate in politics if corporations weren't so heavily involved. 3:00:18 PM MARK HAYES, campaign coordinator, Public Citizens Democracy is for People, said this organization is working to build public support for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision and challenge corporate power in this democracy. Taking the step to amend the constitution is timely, relevant and impactful. Independent expenditures by special interests have skyrocketed since the Supreme Court ruling, so it is timely. It is taking away the state's ability to regulate campaign spending, so it is relevant. With regard to impact, he said that taking action on this resolution is a way to show concrete political support at the state level for a constitutional amendment. Congress is starting to move in this direction, but without state support it won't go anywhere. CHAIR FRENCH closed public testimony on SJR 13. 3:04:24 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report SJR 13 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR FRENCH announced that without objection, SJR 13 moved from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.