Three dozen House members, including a number of Republicans, have added their names to legislation (HB 1348) that would prohibit so-called "issue and advocacy ads" in the last days before elections (but would allow them earlier in the election cycle).They'd outlaw issue ads funded by undisclosed contributors and narrow the definitions of how money donated by unions and corporations could be spent in politics. Those organizations would also be prohibited from giving to political action committees that aren't directly associated with the donors. Reps. Todd Smith, R-Bedford, and Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, were the first on board. Now they've signed up more members and are trying to get a hearing for the bill, which was last seen waiting for attention from a subcommittee.
The new co-sponsors, grouped by party:
Democrats: Rafael Anchia, Dallas; David Farabee, Wichita Falls; Scott Hochberg, Houston; Mark Homer, Paris; Elliott Naishtat, Austin; Aaron Peña, Edinburg; Eddie Rodriguez, Austin; and Mark Strama, Austin.
Republicans: Fred Brown, College Station; Dennis Bonnen, Angleton; Scott Campbell, San Angelo; Carter Casteel, New Braunfels; Warren Chisum, Pampa; John Davis, Houston; Joe Driver, Garland; Gary Elkins, Houston; Dan Flynn, Van Horn; Charlie Geren, Fort Worth; Toby Goodman, Arlington; Tony Goolsby, Dallas; Bob Griggs, North Richland Hills; Pat Haggerty, El Paso; Rick Hardcastle, Vernon; Charlie Howard, Sugar Land; Delwin Jones, Lubbock; Terry Keel, Austin; Jim Keffer, Eastland; Edmund Kuempel, Seguin; Brian McCall, Plano; Tommy Merritt, Longview; Jim Pitts, Waxahachie; Wayne Smith, Baytown; John Smithee, Amarillo; and Vicki Truitt, Keller.