On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti The Jackpod: Across the panhandle
Nov 7, 2025
Jack Beatty, a seasoned news analyst, dives into Montana's bold ballot initiative aimed at restricting corporate political spending. He discusses how state reforms are a response to federal inaction and explains the historical context of corporate charters. Beatty also tackles the legal implications of the initiative, challenges under the First Amendment, and the potential for a larger movement against the Citizens United ruling. Listeners are encouraged to consider the impact of individual billionaire spending and the strategic importance of Montana's proposal.
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State-Level Workaround To Citizens United
- Montana is pushing a state-level fix to curb corporate election spending after Citizens United.
- The proposal reframes corporate speech by denying corporations the power to spend in politics via state charters.
Chartering Power Is A Forgotten Lever
- States have long-held power to charter and regulate corporations, rooted in 19th-century law.
- Montana's plan revives this dormant state authority to restrict corporate political activity.
Push Through Legal Channels
- Supporters plan to challenge the attorney general's legal ruling in court to keep the initiative alive.
- Use litigation to force judicial review and raise public attention about money in politics.