Skip to main content

Online political ad bill to be law without Gov. Hogan’s signature

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland measure setting a new standard for how states deal with foreign interference in local elections on social media will go into law without Gov. Larry Hogan’s signature.

The bill was passed after alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race, and Hogan said Friday that the measure seeks to achieve “a number of laudable goals” he strongly supports. But he says serious constitutional concerns have been raised.

Hogan noted opposition from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association, which criticized the bill for forcing news websites to publish ad purchases. The association says forcing media organizations to do that violates the First Amendment.

The law requires platforms to create a public database identifying ad purchasers. It extends disclosure rules applying to political ads for radio, television and print to social media.

Completing the FAFSA: Everything you should know

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which opens by Dec. 31, is one of the most important steps students and their families can take to pay for college. Some states now make completing the FAFSA a high school graduation requirement. The U.S. Department of Education awarded about $111.6 billion in federal grants, loans and work-study funds in fiscal year 2022, according to the most recent Federal Student Aid annual report. Those federal funds will assist roughly 9.8 million students in completing their education.
Read Next Story