May 20, 2019 •
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Corporate Contribution Case
United States Supreme Court Building
On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States announced it would decline to hear a challenge to a Massachusetts law.
The law in question bans corporate contributions to campaigns, parties and candidate-focused political action committees.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously rejected the challenge, brought by 1A Auto Inc. and 126 Self Storage Inc., in September.
The suit claimed disparate treatment by banning for-profit corporate contributions while allowing significant contributions by unions and nonprofits.
After the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United, state law was updated to allow corporate spending for independent expenditures but not political contributions.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey applauded Monday’s decision not to hear the case for the integrity of state elections.
Opponents of the law are hopeful the Supreme Court will take up the issue in another case.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
