Corporate Political Accountability
The People find and declare
WHEREAS, Corporations make significant political contributions and expenditures to support and oppose political candidates, political parties and political causes; and
WHEREAS, Corporations acting through their boards and executives are obligated to conduct business for the best interests of their owners, whose interests are not necessarily in the public’s best interest; and
WHEREAS, the public has no means of addressing the political activities of corporations and the corporate boards and executives that use corporation funds to support and oppose political candidates, and other actions that effect the best interests of the public; and,
WHEREAS, Corporations should be accountable for their public actions affecting the larger community; and,
WHEREAS, Political candidates, parties and causes should not accept corporate contributions and expenditures as they are in the business of supporting, regulating and governing the common good and the rights of the public:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
- The Washington State legislature shall enact laws making it unlawful for a for-profit corporation to, directly or indirectly, make any political contribution or expenditure for political activities or for an officer or director of a corporation to consent to any political contribution or expenditure by a corporation; and
- It shall be made unlawful for any candidate, political party, committee, or other person knowingly to accept or receive any political contribution or expenditure from a for-profit corporation or its directors.
(Date Passed 04/08/2006 by Whatcom County Democrats)
