It has been brought to the attention of the KBA that the office of Sen. Damon Thayer may be miss-leading broadcasters who have contacted his office regarding HB 151. Apparently some of you have been told “the matter has been taken care of by moving it to another bill”.  This is NOT TRUE.  Some callers have been told that HB 151 has been “moved” to HB 288 to ensure its passage.  THIS IS INCORRECT.  The language in HB 151 (our bill) was put in HB 288 last year and it failed to win approval in the legislature.  HB 288 has been brought back this year for another attempt at passage.  It is a lengthy bill that would make numerous changes in the states election regulations. It is controversial and does not have the support of most legislators and is doomed to fail in its present form.  HB 151 is a very simple bill that will do away with outdated regulations that require broadcasters and other advertising mediums to file expensive and burdensome reports with the State Registry of Election Finance.  HB 151 has no opposition and carries the support of the KBA, the Kentucky Press Association and the Registry of Election Finance.

We now have a NEW CALL FOR ACTION.  Please call (502) 564-8100  and ask for Sen. Damon Thayer’s office.  The message you want to leave is: “Your constituents request you pass HB 151 in its present form, with no changes or additions to the bill.” 

The sooner you can make this call the quicker we can get this bill passed in the legislature.

What does the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs. FEC mean for your station?  Will Congress act to reinstate the spending ban?  Have there been any changes to the political broadcasting rules?  When does the Lowest Unit Charge window open?  How can I prepare for the 2010 elections?

Answers to these and any more questions at the KBA’s 2010 Political Broadcasting Seminars. Sessions will be held in Louisville, Madisonville and Frankfort (see schedule below)

Louisville - Tuesday, March 23 3 -5 pm (edt) Crowne Plaza Hotel, 830 Phillips Lane (near airport)

Madisonville - Wednesday, March 24 9 - 11 (cdt) Hopkins County Extension , 75 Cornwall drive

Frankfort - Thursday, March 25 1 - 3 pm (edt) KBA Headquarters, 101 Enterprise Drive

The KBA is offering member stations the opportunity to participate at NO COST. The fees for participation in this session have been paid by the KBA with funds provided by our Public Education Partnership (PEP) sponsors.

Please let us know which location you will be attending by contact the KBA
1-888-843-5211 or e-Mail: kba@kba.org

Has your station scheduled an ABIP inspection this year?
Call the KBA office (888) 843-5221 for details.
A timely and inexpensive inspection service that could save you thousands of dollars in FCC fines.