Corporations are not people, and they shouldn't have the same rights as living, breathing human beings when it comes to supporting candidates and influencing elections.

But in Vermont, corporations are afforded the same rights as people to make political contributions. It's time for Vermont to join the 22 other states that already prohibit corporations from making contributions to candidates.  

If enacted, S.51 would strengthen our democracy and help lift the voices of everyday Vermonters who rarely make political contributions. Under the legislation, only individuals, political committees, and political parties would be allowed make political contributions to candidates. The bill would also increase transparency in campaign finance by requiring political committees (aka PACs) to include the name of any connected organization or corporation in the name of the PAC. Finally, the bill calls for a study to identify ways of improving Vermont's public financing system.