Raising and spending money in politics became considerably easier under the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling that gave corporation and unions unfettered access to the political process. The Supreme Court’s decision gave rise to increased involvement by 501(c)4 non-profit advocacy organization, political action committees, and Super PACs in the political process. The results were over $1 billion ere raised by each Presidential candidate and almost $375 million was spend on just the state propositions alone in California.

Is this merely the exercise of free speech or are our polics becoming hijacked by special interests?

Kevin Yamamura, political reporter for the Sacramento Bee; Ann Ravel, Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission; John Myers, Political Editor for News 10 in Sacramento; and Dan Walters, political columnist for the Sacramento Bee comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.

Commentary provided by Mike Villines, former Assembly Minority Leader; Juan Arambula, formerly on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and a Member of the State Assembly; and John Ellis, political reporter for the Fresno Bee.

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2013

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