Who is Behind Anonymous Anti-Hershman RoboCalls?

The calls are being placed from 616-712-1796. If you call the number, you get a recording telling you it is a "leader in automated phone calls." According to 1-800Notes, that number has been used for automated messages from Governor Ed Rendell and Allegheny County Exec Dan Onorato. During last year's Congressional race, that number was used by the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee.

Blue Coyote: LV Legislators Continue Push to Ban Robocalls

During last Fall's municipal elections, many of us witnessed, firsthand, the destructive nature of anonymous robocalls. BethlehemDem and his wife have lived in Lehigh County for the past two years, but still got one over their dinner hour, instructing them NOT to vote for Peg Ferraro. In fact, Peg got a call herself, and was surprised to learn she voted to increase taxes a gazillion per cent. One of Peg's close friends, who has never even voted, was unable to persuade her she had been duped.

In December, three Lehigh Valley legislators - Rich Grucela, Joe Brennan and Craig Dally - became sponsors of legislation that flatly bans political robocalls. "Automated political calls – A person may not use automatic dialing equipment to make a telephone solicitation call on behalf of a political candidate or a political party." Brennan and Dally also signed onto a similar bill that deletes the political exemption from Do-not-call lists.

Blue Coyote reports that the state house government committee today has agreed, nearly unanimously, to send this bill to the full house. "It is expected that the bill will be amended on the House floor. The amendment may extend the Do Not Call opt-out for robo-calls to commercial phone customers as well."

Harrisburg Takes Aim at Negative Robocalls

According to The Express Times, the state senate yesterday approved legislation making clear, yet again, that robocalls must contain a "clear and conspicuous" announcement identifying their funding source. The senate apparently forgot to run this bill by DA John Morganelli. He has consistently winked at anonymous sleaze ads, most of which is done by his own political consultant, Severson Scissorhands.

Over at the state house, three Lehigh Valley legislators - Rich Grucela, Joe Brennan and Craig Dally - are co-sponsors of legislation that flatly bans political robocalls. "Automated political calls – A person may not use automatic dialing equipment to make a telephone solicitation call on behalf of a political candidate or a political party." Brennan and Dally have also signed onto a similar bill that deletes the political exemption from Do-not-call lists.

Isn't It Time to Stop Political Robo Calls?

Tuesday's USA Today includes an op-ed with some encouraging news about political robo-calls. "Half a dozen states have restricted or banned prerecorded or automated political phone calls, and courts so far have upheld the limits."

Will Wisconsin become the seventh? Legislation banning these calls has been proposed, but Citizens for Civil Discourse Founder Shaun Dakin asks this pointed question - "Is this yet another cynical ploy to get voters to believe that legislators actually want to take away a tool in their voter communication toolbox?"

If Northampton County's recent experience is any guide, it's time to drop this useless tool. It might be cheap, but these unsolicited automated calls just annoy people.

Inside word is that someone in the land of midnight payraises is drafting legislation to stop this madness. Stay tuned.