Candidates Can Still Reach Out and Touch Everyone
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The politicians have decided not to restrain themselves. A Senate committee has killed a bill that would prohibit the automated campaign phone calls that many voters find so irritating.
The Senate Finance Committee voted 9 to 2 last week against a bill that would have banned almost all noncommercial "robo calls" to people who have signed up for the federal do-not-call telemarketing list.
Politicians or candidates would have been fined $1,000 for a first offense of the law and $5,000 for subsequent violations.
"I'm incredibly disappointed," said James Brochin (D-Baltimore County), the bill sponsor. "I think the people were behind us."
Sen. Robert J. Garagiola (D-Montgomery) said he voted against the bill because politicians sometimes need to use the automated calls during campaigning. He said he used them last year when his opponent sent out a false mailing just before Election Day.
"How do you respond to that?" Garagiola said. "I couldn't afford to go on television or do a radio ad."
Sens. George W. Della Jr. (D-Baltimore) and Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard) voted in favor of the bill.
-- Ovetta Wiggins
GOP Delegates Back Death Penalty
The House Republican Caucus announced its opposition yesterday to the effort to repeal the death penalty.
"The death penalty needs to be available when prosecuting the most heinous crimes," said Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert), the House minority leader. "It is the supreme punishment and should not be entirely removed from the justice system."
