First Amendment Rights of Corporations Preclude a State from Limiting Corporate Speech and Expression to Questions that Materially Affect the Property, Business, or Assets of the Corporation

Analyses the United States Supreme Court’s case First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti. The Court in Bellotti overturned a Massachusetts Supreme Court decision and held that corporation’s contributions to influence the outcome of a public vote on issues other than those directly affecting the company is a constitutionally protected form of speech. The author believes this decision requires further development to determine if a state may restrict corporate spending.