FERLO EXPLAINS ‘NO’ VOTE ON ROBO-CALL BILL

            HARRISBURG, April 30 – Legislation (Senate Bill 820) that would ban the use of political robo-calls in political campaigns passed Senate today by a vote of  48-1. The lone ‘no’ vote was by state Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh).

            Ferlo offered the following explanation for his ‘no’ vote:

            "The robo-call ban legislation passed by the Senate may be well intentioned, but I opposed the bill because free speech should trump personal annoyance and inconvenience except in the limited case of personal cell phones which cost the owner minutes and money.

            “Political campaigns are becoming ever more costly with expensive mailings of printed materials, television and radio advertising as opposed to the lower cost of automated calls to voters for candidate support, issue focus or voter turn out efforts.

            “I also opposed the bill because it would infringe upon the rights of private organizations and unions to use automated phone calls to their respective constituencies. I believe more voters are rightfully upset with nasty and trashy political brochures sent through bulk mail to their private homes typically employed by both major parties, but no one would propose banning this form of free speech."