Starting this school year, school districts will be permitted to accept advertising from politicians and political groups for athletics and other school clubs. It’s a new law which was written by Gonzales Republican Senator Eddie Lambert, who says rural school districts were put at a huge disadvantage under the old law.
“That created a very serious problem for a lot of the booster clubs, because they rely on these advertising fees to run their athletic programs and help support the teams,” Lambert said.
Senator Lambert says rural areas need every source of revenue they can get, and the prohibition under the old law made it more difficult for them to raise the money they needed.
“Especially when you get in rural areas, people may not have the businesses to put up $800 or $1,000 a year to advertise,” Lambert said.
It’s important to note that while the new law permits school districts to accept political advertising, it does not obligate them to do so – they still have the ability to establish rules and guidelines. Lambert says for any political advertisement placed in a facility that may be used as a polling place, electioneering rules still apply.
“Some gyms are used to vote, and you have a sign in the gym that says, “Eddie Lambert: State Senator.” That sign, during the election when people are voting, has to be taken down,” Lambert explained.
