POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Governor can stay on TV after Cadman bill fails
Colorado Springs Republican state Sen. Bill Cadman argued unsuccessfully Wednesday that state lawmakers should quit appearing in public service advertisements for state services.
Cadman’s SB105 would have banned Gov. Bill Ritter and other elected officials from promoting state-funded programs with appearances on television, in print or on the Internet. He said the advertising for programs from medical care to taxation can allow politicians to campaign on the public dime by associating themselves with popular state efforts.
“If we're going to run commercials, it should be on behalf of the state,” Cadman told the Senate’s State Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. “It shouldn’t promote you.”
Gov. Bill Ritter and others have been targeted by Republicans for advertising state programs. The Republicans are deeply in the minority and are fighting for gains in November’s election and don't like seeing their opponents getting air time.
“We all have campaign money,” Cadman said. “If you’re going to promote yourself, spend your own money.”
Democrats argued that the ads connect a name to a face, and that promoting state programs should be a priority.
“It just doesn’t trouble me,” said Sen. Rollie Heath, a Democrat who heads the committee.
The bill failed 3-2.
