A conservative Arizona think-tank and two Bay State businesses filed suit yesterday to change a state campaign finance law that allows unions to contribute up to $15,000, but blocks businesses from doing the same.
"I don't have the same voice, the same horse in the race, as my friends in the unions," said Michael Kane, who owns 126 Self Storage in Ashland and is a director of the conservative Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. "It's really about fairness and equity. We're not asking for anything more."
The Arizona-based Goldwater Institute filed suit in Suffolk Superior Court on behalf of 126 Self Storage and 1A Auto in Pepperell.
"There is no legitimate justification for allowing unions to contribute thousands of dollars to candidates, parties and political committees, while completely banning any contributions from businesses," the lawsuit says. "This lopsided ban on political contributions violates Plaintiffs' rights of equal protection, free speech, and free association protected by the Massachusetts and United States constitutions."
State law allows certain groups that do not have any corporate money, including unions, to donate up to $15,000 to candidates, but corporations are banned from making any campaign contributions.
Jason Tait, a spokesman for the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, declined to comment on pending litigation.
Steven Tolman, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, said businesses already have enough power and influence.
"It's shocking that a right-wing funded group would want to come up in Massachusetts and challenge or try to make an argument that corporations don't have enough political juice," Tolman said. "It's absolutely outrageous."
Massachusetts is one of seven states that allow union donations, but bar business contributions, Goldwater attorney James Manley said.
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