JACKSON, Miss. — A bill has cleared the Mississippi Senate that would put a stop to elected politicians from appearing in advertisements funded by your tax dollars. Even though the ads are usually meant to get the word out about new programs, some lawmakers think when elected officials appear in those ads, it gives them an unfair advantage in upcoming elections.
Currently, Secretary of State Delbert Hoseman can been seen in Voter ID ads paid for by public money. His name is not said, but his recognizable voice and face are in the commercials. Also, back when Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves was Treasure, he endorsed an ad for College Savings Mississippi which was also funded by Mississippi tax dollars.
According to the Sun Herald, former Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd, who is no longer sheriff after pleading guilty to federal charges, used tax payer money to pay for anti-drug billboards during an election year, which happened to include a big picture of his face.
The bill still needs to pass the House.
