First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti

A Massachusetts criminal statute barred banks and business corporations from spending money to influence votes on referendum questions, except where the referendum materially affected the corporation's own business. First National Bank of Boston (plaintiff) wanted to publicize its views on a proposed constitutional amendment permitting a graduated income tax, submitted to voters as a ballot question. The Bank sued Massachusetts Attorney General Bellotti and the state (defendants) in state court, claiming the statute violated the First Amendment; the state's highest court upheld the statute, and the Bank appealed.