The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) is reinstalling bus advertisements paid for by a local political action committee, reversing a prior decision to take down the ads because they were deemed politically controversial.
The transportation agency's move comes after Duluth BizPac, which supports candidates it considers pro-business, threatened to sue the DTA and City of Duluth in late July, arguing the removal of the ads constituted a First Amendment violation.
BizPac and the DTA reached a settlement that would allow the ads — which question local leadership and highlight issues ahead of November's municipal elections — to go back up for the month of October.
DTA general manager Phil Pumphrey said though the agency considers the ads "disparaging" and in violation of its advertising policy, it reached an agreement with BizPac "to avoid threatened litigation."
"The Duluth Transit Authority accepts advertising to help fund the bus service for the citizens of the Twin Ports area," Pumphrey said. "We do not wish or intend to be in the middle of political debate for accepting advertising."
The PAC sent out a news release Tuesday saying it was "pleased" to have reached an agreement allowing BizPac to "continue to voice opinions regarding issues facing everyone in our city."
The colorful graphics, in large block letters, ask one of three questions: Is anyone ever going to fix our streets? Are you tired of our city's lack of priorities? Can't find housing to fit your needs?
Back in March, BizPac signed an agreement with the DTA's third-party advertising contractor to purchase 11 ads on public buses for almost $15,000.
