Resolution Calls For Public Funding Of All Public Elections

The Common Council will consider a resolution aimed at reducing the corrupting effects of campaign finance donations on government decisions. The resolution has been pushed by a group of Middletown residents who are outraged at last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling which granted corporations the same right as individuals to make campaign donations.

Two of the leaders of the group, John Paganetti and Peter Hildebrand, spoke to the Council at their April 12th Community meeting. Hildebrand said that he wants the Council to pass a resolution condemning the Citizens United ruling.

Hildebrand said that the Middletown effort mirrored those under way in other cities, which are inspired by a national group called united re:public. The resolution is modeled after one suggested at united re:public, although some of the language for Middletown has been toned down. The united re:public draft resolution says, "... hereby instruct our state and federal representatives to end the auction of American democracy ...", while the Middletown resolution states, "... hereby instruct our state and federal representatives to end the corrupting influence of money in politics ..."

The resolution to be considered by the Council reads as follows:

RESOLVED, the People of Middletown, CT, stand with communities across America in protecting our republic from the influencing effects of well-financed interests, by establishing that:

1. Corporations should not enjoy the Constitutional rights by being considered human beings;
2. All public elections shall be publicly funded;
3. Independent political spending shall be limited and made transparent.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the People of Middletown, CT, hereby instruct our state and federal representatives to end the corrupting influence of money in politics by enacting resolutions, legislation and constitutional amendments to advance these principles.

The Common Council meets at 7PM on Monday, May 7th. Any resident is free to speak about items on the agenda during the Public Comment section of the agenda.