Legislative Advertising by Texas Eagle Forum, P.O. Box 795354, Dallas, TX 75379.

House Campaign Reform Bill Would Ban Voter Guides

A campaign reform bill authored by Representative Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) has recently been exposed as a censorious Trojan Horse. Buried deep within the 70+ pages of HB2 are blanket restrictions on "express advocacy" conducted by non-profit groups such as Texas Eagle Forum. In practice, this means that non-partisan voter guides, scorecards, and anything else that is mailed, e-mailed, broadcast, or posted on a web site within 60 days of an election would be punishable by law. Naturally, the news media is exempted from this prohibition, as are candidates, PACs, and current officeholders.

These restrictions would tie the hands and stifle the voices of conservative pro-family organizations across the state. Although it is not surprising that some lawmakers dread the thought of being exposed for their liberal ways, one is still taken aback by the flagrant abuse of free speech represented in this latest effort to stymie the efforts of groups striving to educate the public on issues of vital importance. The express advocacy restrictions found in HB2 are an unacceptable and unconstitutional infringement of the First Amendment right to free speech, and should not be allowed to pass the state legislature.

**ACTION ITEM**

1. Please contact your representative and ask him to oppose the speech restrictions found in HB2:
   Capitol Switchboard: (512) 463-4630
   
   
2. Please contact these key representatives and ask them to oppose the speech restrictions found in HB2:

Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-Carrolton)	(512) 463-0468
Rep. Mary Denny (R- Aubrey)	(512) 463-0688
Rep. Jerry Madden (R- Richardson)	(512) 463-0544