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The Texas Blue
Advancing Progressive Ideas

Bill Tracker: HB 515 - "No-Call" List for Campaigns

Robocalls have become an integral part of GOTV efforts for both parties. They are becoming an increasingly popular and effective way to accomplish two distinct objectives. First, they are helpful in getting your base to the polls. Second and more controversial, nefarious "push poll" calls successfully repress voter turnout. Several companies advertise that they can set up and make millions of calls for campaigns.

HB 515, sponsored by Rep. Farabee (D - Wichita Falls), seeks to eliminate calls to anyone on the Texas no-call list. Of particular importance is the definition of an "automated campaign call." It is defined as a "call made by an automated telephone dialing system that conveys a prerecorded or synthesized voice message to the number called for the purpose of encouraging or discouraging voting for or otherwise supporting a candidate or measure."

The bill was discussed on February 13, 2007 before the Business and Industry Committee.

Tele-Town-Hall calls included?

The so-called "Tele-Town-Hall" calls paid for at taxpayer expense, and used extensively by Rep. Michael Burgess would have to be included in this.

In my personal opinion, the Tele-Town-Hall should only be allowed no later than 3 months prior to the election, and political phone calls should be covered by 1st amendment rights, provided that the caller discloses who is paying for the message.

Steve Southwell
WhosPlayin? Blog: http://www.whosplayin.com

Oh Burgess.

I've gotten a couple of these. I think its an interesting concept, but I also think Do Not Call means Do Not Call.

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