10th Anniversary of Citizens United

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 6:30pm
Food available from Chef Richard at The Kumquat Kitchen

This is a FREE event, no ticket purchase necessary.

Husband and wife Karen Lieberman and Bruce Nissen were instrumental in the
campaign finance reform movement in St Pete. The Defend our Democracy
ordinance was passed in Oct 2017.

There are two specific donor prohibitions in the ordinance. Both of the
following are barred from contributing to St. Petersburg electoral candidates:
(1) Super PACs (political action committees formed by hidden donors that
are allowed to spend unlimited sums in elections) and
(2) Significantly foreign-influenced corporations (those with five percent or
more foreign ownership — most large U.S. corporations).

If the ordinance is challenged, it will be heard at the US Court of Appeals for the
Eleventh Circuit. If it passes and then is challenged again, it will go to the US
Supreme Court. It can, potentially, take an enormous bite out of the notorious
Citizens United decision.

Karen and Bruce will share an 11-minute video showcasing the 2014-2017
organizing movement. They will discuss their strategy and share organizing tips as
well as update the group on the other cities, counties, and states that have been
working on the same or similar ordinances

Cory Hutchinson is a candidate for Sarasota County Commission, where he is introducing campaign finance reform as part of his platform. Cory has advocated for stricter campaign finance laws since 2016, when he ran in North Port for North Port City Commission. As a member of the North Port Charter Review Advisory Board, Cory has advocated for strict  contribution limits for City Commission campaign. Cory believes that campaign finance regulations are at the heart of preserving fair and ethical elections. Sarasota County’s elections have had heavy influence from PACs and special interests. Special interests and corporations should not decide elections. Citizen voters should decide elections. Cory will continue to advocate for campaign finance reform with a focus on clean and fair elections.