Change the No Call Law

To the editor:The headline on your Nov. 28 editorial ("Enforce No Call List") would be better titled "Change the No Call Law." My office has been aggressive in enforcing the law, collecting more than $1.7 million from telemarketers who violated the law, including $50,000 last month from DirecTV. Missourians continue to contact my office online at ago.mo.gov or toll-free at (866) NOCALL1 to file complaints, and we act quickly on those complaints.

Our program -- free to Missourians -- has been held up as a model for other states. Dinnertime has gotten quieter for the 2.4 million Missouri families on the no-call team in the five years since the law took effect, and telemarketing fraud complaints have dropped significantly.

Many of the calls still made to those on the list are from businesses and organizations our legislators exempted. I've repeatedly submitted legislation to close loopholes that include banks and telephone companies, but those bills have been stymied. Undeterred by legislative inaction, my office has reached agreements with the four largest telephone service providers to not call those on the No Call List.

As you noted, I'm now asking legislators to ban -- with limited exceptions -- political and other "robo calls," as well as give Missourians the option to include their cell phone and fax numbers on the No Call List. Missourians should contact their legislators to let them know how they feel about strengthening the No Call Law. As always, my office will be able, ready and willing to enforce that law.

JAY NIXON, Missouri Attorney General, Jefferson City, Mo.