House Elections Committee heard a bill that would regulate campaign publications
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House Elections Committee heard a bill that would regulate campaign publications

Date: March 17, 2015
By: Krista Gmelich
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Just two weeks after Senator John Danforth called for an end to political bullying, lawmakers discussed a bill that would prohibit spreading lies in campaign publications.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill would force any candidate who publicizes a lie about an opponent to publicly retract the statement or pay damages.

This is the third year Representative Joe Don McGaugh has sponsored the bill.

McGaugh says the issue isn't new but he welcomes the recent conversations that have stemmed from State Auditor Tom Schweich's death.

Actuality:  MCG1.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: I think Auditor Schweich's death brings us to the forefront like it or not. And I think having a wild west mentality about campaigning is bad for voters, voter turnout and people engaged in the political process.

Opponents of the bill say they worry about its constitutionality.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Krista Gmelich.

Intro: 
One representative is attempting to penalize candidates who publish false statements but some say the attempt is unconstitutional because it violates the first amendment.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Representative Joe Don McGaugh sponsored a bill that would prohibit candidates from knowingly publicizing a false statement about an opponent.

Sarah Rossi with the American Civil Liberties Union says she would like to see lying in political campaigns end but she still opposes the bill.

Actuality:  ROSSI1.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: You can't mandate truthfulness. The government can't decide what is true and false in political ads. It's a free speech issue. It's black and white.

McGaugh says this bill is the first step to cleaning up politics.

A candidate who violates the proposed measure would have to retract their statement publicly or pay damages.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Krista Gmelich.