Iowa’s state agencies have had the opportunity to buy issue-based advertising in various mediums over the years. Most recently, the anti-smoking ads seen on television and heard on the radio ran throughout Iowa before and into this legislative session. These ads preceded a controversial smoking ban that the Iowa Legislature passed. The money ($600,000) for those ads came from the pockets of Iowa taxpayers.

All this will change as Governor Culver signed a bill passed this week in the Iowa Senate limiting state agency advertising. The bill will prohibit state agencies from using taxpayer-financed, issue-based advertisements at least 30 days before the beginning of the legislative session. The ads would also be banned while the legislative session takes place.

The bill easily made it through the Iowa House of Representatives and was signed by the Governor this week. It sends a clear message to state agencies – that they may purchase ads and public service announcements, but they may not advocate for any specific issue. Teaching Iowa’s youth not to smoke or take drugs, as well as their negative effects on a person is one thing, but advocating for specific legislation with taxpayer money is not the wish of average Iowans.

This is a positive piece of useful legislation that passed through the Senate chambers this year. It restored some semblance of common sense that Iowans look for in their elected officials. It provides hope that both parties can work together to get things done for the betterment of all.