State Representative proposes 'do not call list' for political ads

MADISON (WITI) -- The race for Wisconsin governor is just eight months away and residents are already seeing television ads. The dreaded political phone calls, however, may soon be a thing of the past.

A new proposal in Madison could make a permanent change to election campaigns in Wisconsin.

"The one loophole is that we protect politicians who like to harass people every election season," said State Representative Gordy Hintz,

Hintz, a democrat from Oshkosh, wants to put an end to political robocalls. Last year, over a two-day period, Hintz says he received 18 messages on his phone.

"We may not be able to fix the commercial, but we can fix the unsolicited, harassing, really nuisance phone calls we're receiving," said Hintz.

Hintz's plan would make sure anyone who signed up for the state's "do not call" list would no longer receive prerecorded political messages.

"Unlike most issues here in the capital, we had an impossible time trying to find someone against this bill," said Hintz. "Both democrats and republicans tell us it's a bipartisan effort."

A republican-led companion bill found unanimous support during a State Senate hearing last spring.

Many Wisconsin voters has expressed support for the proposal. And according to Hintz, it would cost taxpayers absolutely nothing.

With bipartisan backing, it is now up to party leaders to bring the issue up for a vote. Hintz is encouraging voters on board with the idea to call lawmakers about the issue.