Silence is golden – especially when the alternative is thepersistent ringing of the telephone followed by the incessant pitchof a take-no-prisoners telemarketer.

Since Mississippi’s do-not-call list took effect in 2003, morethan 200,000 residents have signed up, effectively telling creditcard companies, insurance and magazine salesmen and the like totake a hike. But come July 1, the phones could be ringing off thehook once more, as the Legislature failed to reauthorize thestate’s do-not-call law in the just-concluded 2005 session.

The law, opposed by many businesses but surely favored by a widemajority of the public, fell victim to a House amendment that wouldhave banned “push polling,” the practice of trash talking acandidate under the guise of conducting a legitimate poll. TheSenate balked at the amendment, preferring to keep the lawunchanged.

Unfortunately, the law contained a “sunset” provision, meaningit will expire (in this case on June 30) unless lawmakers pass itagain – the reasoning being that officials can then judge the lawto see how it’s working.

Well, hear us loud and clear on this one – it’s working!Families across the state are thankful to again enjoy dinnerwithout a sales pitch.

The state Public Service Commission asked Gov. Barbour toinclude the do-not-call law in the upcoming special legislativesession during which lawmakers will attempt to try to pass a statebudget for the next fiscal year. We hope he does. To let the lawexpire would be a shame and would again subject thousands ofMississippians to so many unwanted and unwelcome calls.

If the Legislature fails to reauthorize the law, they can restassured that residents’ phones won’t be the only ones ringing offthe hooks come July 1.