In the Headlines
January 22, 2010
Justices shift campaign-finance rules
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Political Law partner Christopher DeLacy was quoted in the article "Justices shift campaign-finance rules" in The Philadelphia Inquirer on January 22.
The article discusses a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared a government ban on political spending by corporations and unions violated the First Amendment. While the ruling will give corporations the right to openly donate money to the political causes of their choosing, Mr. DeLacy indicated that doing so may run the risk of alienating their customers and employees. "Just because you can do it doesn't mean it makes sense," he said.
Mr. DeLacy predicts many organizations will filter spending into other entities to avoid the possibility of damaging their image. "In the end, I think we'll see nonprofit entities like trade associations act as fronts for this type of speech, rather than corporations themselves," DeLacy said. "That gives them cover."
The article discusses a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared a government ban on political spending by corporations and unions violated the First Amendment. While the ruling will give corporations the right to openly donate money to the political causes of their choosing, Mr. DeLacy indicated that doing so may run the risk of alienating their customers and employees. "Just because you can do it doesn't mean it makes sense," he said.
Mr. DeLacy predicts many organizations will filter spending into other entities to avoid the possibility of damaging their image. "In the end, I think we'll see nonprofit entities like trade associations act as fronts for this type of speech, rather than corporations themselves," DeLacy said. "That gives them cover."