High court restores ban on corporate political money

HELENA — The Montana Supreme Court is setting up a possible challenge to aspects of the high profile U.S. Supreme Court decision that granted political speech rights to corporations.

The state court decided Friday to restore Montana's century-old ban on direct spending by corporations on political candidates or committees.

The lawsuit was prompted by U.S. Supreme Court decision from last year granting political speech rights to corporations. The Montana Supreme Court says the state has a "compelling interest" to uphold campaign finance laws that include a combination of restrictions and disclosure requirements.

The corporation trying to undo the Montana law ban by piggybacking on the Citizens United decision argues that the Montana ban unconstitutionally blocks political speech by corporations.