Pressure Works: The Stop Secret Spending Bill (HB497) Passes through the House!
Patrick Kearns
Are you tired of the endless negative political ads on TV during election season? What if we told you that MarchOnHarrisburg pressured Pennsylvania House representatives to pass a bill to help stop that—by stopping 98% of S&P 500 companies from political spending!
Today we passed HB497, a secret spending transparency bill, through the Pennsylvania State House! This win is a direct result of the pressure we have built across our campaigns through almost a decade of basebuilding, marching, lobbying, and nonviolent direct action. Without the determination from our hardworking team and many volunteers, this anti-secret spending bill would not be so close to becoming law.
“I’m not a U.S. company and I don’t make decisions based on what’s good for the U.S.” —Lee Raymond, Former CEO of Exxon
HB497 bans foreign-influenced corporations from spending money that would defeat or support candidates, ballot measures, nominations, or political parties in Pennsylvania elections. This ban means large corporations like Amazon, Comcast, Uber, Tesla, Shell, Exxon, and Aqua would all be prohibited from spending politically in Pennsylvania elections.
The bill passed through Committee on May 5th—the day after MarchOnHarrisburg’s March to Ban Bribery—showing that our efforts to get money out of Pennsylvania politics are intertwined. Taking these two campaigns together, we can see the disastrous effects that big money has on our politics. In a time where utilities are costly, data centers are threatening our neighborhoods, and faith in government is dwindling, it is important to remind our politicians that they are beholden to us—not wealthy special interest groups. If HB497 passes in the Senate, our elections could revolve around issues that we Pennsylvanians are facing, not whatever giant foreign-influenced corporations are interested in.
Until the end of session, we will fight to pass this bill through the Senate to advance our goal of getting money out of politics. Passing HB497 would get foreign corporate interests out of Pennsylvanian politics, allowing us to build a government that serves people, not profit.
We are celebrating this win in the House, while also recognizing change in one of the most corrupt state legislatures isn’t easy or fast. Elected officials are always the last ones to cross the finish line—and it’s up to us to ensure they do so. It's because of our work that they took action on this bill. It’s because we keep building movement leaders from the bottom up. It’s because we keep taking nonviolent direct action.
Two years ago, when we tried to pass this bill, we got it through the House with bipartisan support. However, the bill died in the Senate because leadership didn’t bring the bill to vote. That’s why it’s crucial that you reach out to your Senator and Senate leadership and tell them that you want to see HB497 passed, to get foreign corporations’ influence out of PA elections.
TAKE ACTION:
Now:
Call your state Senator to urge them to stop foreign influenced corporations from interfering in our elections by voting YES on the FIC bill. Call Senate Leadership to urge them to bring the bill to a vote. You can use this script below:
Hello Senator ____,
My name is _____, and I am a constituent from _(town)_. I am calling to encourage you to co-sponsor and vote “yes” on HB497, a bill that would prohibit foreign-influenced corporate spending in Pennsylvania's state and local elections. This bill has already passed the Pennsylvania House with significant bipartisan support.
Across the country, companies with significant foreign ownership, like Amazon, Shell, Aqua, and Uber, have used their money to influence the outcome of elections and political agendas in their favor.
We deserve a democracy by and for the people of Pennsylvania, not foreign-influenced corporations. I urge you to co-sponsor HB497 and vote “yes.”
Long Term:
Join a MarchOnHarrisburg hub near you, join a statewide working group, and keep an eye on our events calendar to see what's coming up.
Things aren’t going to change unless we organize to change them. Join us as we continue to stand up, choose action over apathy, and work to end the corruption that is causing our communities to suffer.
Donation pitch: We are a scrappy, volunteer-powered organization and we rely on grassroots donations to grow our movement. We rely on individual donations—from fellow Pennsylvanians who are tired of being governed by big money interests and care deeply about democracy.
Simply put, without your support, MarchOnHarrisburg ceases to exist. Please contribute whatever you are able to our growing movement. Every bit counts. We appreciate you, we love you, and everything we accomplish is because of you.
