Reform may not hurt much

摘要

Local TV stations can count on $750 million to $1 billion in political advertising to flow into their coffers in 2002, analysts say, after the House last week passed a surprisingly broadcaster-friendly campaign-finance-reform bill. And even better news, the money will probably continue to flow in 2004. Last Wednesday, broadcasters once again proved their power on Capitol Hill when the House voted 327-101 to strip language that would have required local TV stations to sell ad time to federal candidates at bargain-basement prices. The discount-ad language was sponsored by Sen. Robert Torri-celli (D-N.J.) and added by the Senate last summer to the overall campaign-finance-reform package. That bill is authored in the House by Reps. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) and Martin Meehan (D-Mass.).