Latest Developments

Our Model Corporate Charter Revocation Act
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Corporate Abuse of Power

What is corporate charter revocation? Corporations are created by state law when the state government issues a corporate charter. A corporate charter provides special benefits that are not available to citizens, such as limited liability and perpetual life. In general, grant of these privileges through a corporate charter serves the public interest because corporations promote
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Watch Ron Fein And Kent Greenfield Debate Corporate Personhood On Democracy Now!
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This morning, the independent news program, Democracy NOW!, hosted our Legal Director Ron Fein and Boston College Law Professor Kent Greenfield for a vigorous debate on corporate claims of constitutional rights. The debate spotlighted how major corporations like McDonald’s and Monsanto are trying to strike down public interest laws on the claim that they are people with constitutional rights.

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Ronald McDonald And Friends Sue Seattle To Stop Minimum Wage Hike
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Last summer, Seattle passed a law to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. Sounds great, except McDonald’s and other members of the International Franchise Association are suing the city, claiming that the law violates the Equal Protection Clause under the Fourteenth Amendment.
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Let Californians Instruct Their Elected Representatives
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Do Californians have the right to “instruct” their elected representatives through the ballot?

Our amicus brief filed before the California Supreme Court, points to the California Constitution and argues “yes”. A new op-ed published in the L.A. Daily News, by Ron Fein and Congressman Ted Lieu contines, “it is not enough for the legislator to speak to and for the people once she is elected. The people must have access to diverse tools in order to express their political sentiments.”
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Will SCOTUS Make The “Right Ruling For The Wrong Reason”? Ron Fein Explains To The Sacramento Bee
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In a new piece published today in the Sacramento Bee, Ron Fein provides analysis on the upcoming case Los Angeles v. Patel.

A case before the Supreme Court about hotel guest registers and the Fourth Amendment has gained the attention of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other corporate heavy hitters, who believe the protection of the Fourth Amendment should extend to all business records. The case involves a Los Angeles ordinance that makes hotels keep detailed guests registers, and make those registers available to the Police department at any time.

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How Citizens United Has Changed Washington Lawmaking
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Paul Blumenthal and Ryan Grim tell Huffington Post “The Inside Story Of How Citizens United Has Changed Washington Lawmaking.” In this important piece, we learn the direct impact the Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling has had on the flow of money in Washington and its influence on decision making.
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Victory In Chicago!
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Democracy Amendments

Yesterday, on February 24, Chicagoans went to the polls and 80% of voters (and counting) took a stand against the corrupting influence of big money. Voters in Chicago voted “YES”, in favor of small-donor focused reform that would put the power of politics back in the hands of the people.
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