Hawai'i is extremely close to passing a historic bill that would take a transformative approach to getting money out of politics. But yesterday, with less than 36 hours left until the deadline, House conferees announced that they are considering an "alternative approach" to SB 2471, the bill to end Citizens United in Hawai'i.
The approach they are considering wouldn't go as far in ending the influence of corporate money in politics. Instead, it would try to put a cap on these contributions, an approach that has been repeatedly rejected by courts across the country since the Citizens United ruling. Moreover, this dramatically new bill was not heard by the legislature this year, and runs the risk of being considered a "gut and replace" which could be deemed unconstitutional by our own courts. This latest move by the House jeopardizes our entire effort to get corporate money out of politics this year.
We need your help! Please take a moment to write your legislators and ask them to "hold the line on SB 2471!" We've already drafted a sample email for you.
This critical action is essential in helping us deliver real change to protect our democracy from the influence of unlimited corporate spending. Mahalo for being a part of our movement!