Edmondson says he won't seek additional state funding to enforce proposed law

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Attorney General Drew Edmondson says he will not seek additional state funding to enforce a proposed anti-telemarketing law. <br><br>``That's how important I think it is,''

Saturday, March 16th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Attorney General Drew Edmondson says he will not seek additional state funding to enforce a proposed anti-telemarketing law.

``That's how important I think it is,'' Edmondson said Friday. ``That's how good I think it will be for the consumers in Oklahoma.''

Revenue shortfalls have threatened to derail efforts to create a state ``Do Not Call List,'' which would allow Oklahoma residents to register with the Attorney General's Office. Telemarketers would risk paying fines if they call anyone on that list.

Edmondson made the pledge during a meeting with a Tulsa chapter of the AARP, which also included state Rep. Jim Newport, R-Ponca City, the sponsor of the bipartisan ``Oklahoma No-Call List Act.''

Members of the state House have passed the measure and the Senate is considering it.

``This is an idea whose time has come,'' Edmondson said, noting that more than 20 other states have enacted similar laws.

``People are tired of having the peace and quiet taken out of their own homes.''

Presently, the bill would not cover telemarketing calls from political campaigns, nonprofit organizations or religious groups. Companies could still continue calling existing customers, even if those customers put themselves on the ``Do Not Call'' list.

Edmondson warned against watering down the measure.

``What we don't want to do is let the exceptions swallow the rule,'' Edmondson said. ``Let's pass this bill, and let's pass it right. Let's not have to come back next year to sew up the loopholes.''

Newport said he would prefer the bill without any exceptions, but said compromise has been necessary.

``The hard cold truth is, I have to have a bill that my fellow lawmakers will vote for,'' he said. ``And there are a lot of business lobbyists walking the hallways of the state Capitol,'' he said.