"Stand by Your Ad" . . . Back From the Dead

The Virginia Legislature has revived a bill that represents an all-out assault on the First Amendment.

The bill (H.B. 558), known as "Stand by Your Ad," calls for strict disclosure requirements for political advertisements, in all forms, including requiring candidates to put their pictures on campaign television commercials along with mandated statements claiming responsibility for the ads. Radio advertisements would require statements voiced by candidates. Officers for organizations running ads advocating the election or defeat of specific candidates would be required to make the statement of responsibility.

Sponsored by Delegates S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk) and James M. Scott (D-Fairfax), H.B. 558 has strong support from Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, who has made the issue a primary part of his legislative ethics package. The bill has passed the Virginia House of Delegates and recently received unanimous approval in the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections -- the panel that killed the legislation with a 10-3 vote last year. H.B. 558 now heads to the Senate floor, where, despite its apparent constitutional violations, it will conceivably pass, as it carries the label "campaign reform," the politically correct issue of the year.

The Center recently sent a letter of opposition to all members of the Virginia Senate, Governor Mark Warner and Attorney General Kilgore contending (as we did last session when the legislation was killed) H.B. 558 infringes on the constitutional rights of individuals who purchase political ads in Virginia and does not satisfy the First Amendment requirements of the U.S. Constitution. We remain steadfast in that belief . . . and in our opposition.

In the meantime, stand by for more "Stand by Your Ad."

To read the full text of H.B. 558, click here

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