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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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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

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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.


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