What's New at The Connections Group

Calling Out The Do Not Call List  

The Connections Group stands with the AAPC in fight against a slate of bills currently before Congress that aim to regulate political automatic calls. The AAPC has established the "First Amendment Legal Defense Fund" to finance this advocacy effort and has raised over $20,000 thus far.

One bill, sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) CA and Senator Arlen Specter (R) PA, would force candidates and consultants to abide by the commercial do-not-call list, is of particular concern to members of the AAPC as well as those who are concerned for the sanctity and vitality of the first amendment.

“However well intentioned this [bill] is that it’s bad for democracy” says Brad Chism president of Zata3 Consulting a prominent commercial phone call company.  “At a time when the country is hungry for change, a draconian law to limit calls would have a devastating effect on under-funded, underdog candidates.”

The AAPC is also gearing up for what could be legal fights in a number of states that have passed restrictions on automatic calls.  More than 10 states have passed some restrictions on automated calls with some like Indiana banning the calls outright.  Currently, more states are debating restrictions including New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. 

To date, no bills impacting political automatic calls have been introduced in the Washington State legislature.

For more information on the AAPC  and the First Amendment Legal Defense Fund, log onto www.theaapc.org