Pennsylvania generated $1.2 billion in political advertising in 2024. State Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Armbridge, thinks the state should get a piece of that action.

Matzie is circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum for legislation he is drafting that would levy a sales tax on the purchase price of political advertisements in Pennsylvania during election seasons. The “”End the Free Ride for Annoying Political Ads” Act of 2025 would apply the sales tax to television, radio, cable, print and social media advertising spending. Applying the state’s 6% sales tax rate to the $1.2 billion in political spending in 2024 would have raised $72 million in revenue for the state – though that type of revenue would likely only be seen in presidential election years.

“These ads make it excruciating to get the news, enjoy the game, or solve the puzzle before the contestant – but the bigger insult to injury is those out-of-state political action committees aren’t paying a dime in sales tax on the ads you hate,” Matzie wrote in his co-sponsorship memorandum. “We’ll never stop the ads, but we can at least let the people know those ads are helping to pay for schools, build roads and bridges, keep fire engines rolling and actually help our communities.”

It’s unknown if other states levy sales taxes on political advertising, but the state’s status as a key swing state in presidential politics indicates the state isn’t likely to see a decrease in political ad spending anytime soon.

According to AdImpact, a Virginia-based organization that tracks political spending, Pennsylvania received 32% more spending than the next highest state in 2024, Michigan. The difference alone, $374 million, between Pennsylvania and Michigan, is more than the overall total advertising dollars spent in 41 states. The Erie market, which includes Warren County, saw $15 million in political ad spending in 2024. The most money ($298.8 million) was spent in the Philadelphia market, followed by the Pittsburgh market ($191.8 million).

AdImpact wrote that Kamala Harris aired 71,000 commercials on broadcast television in 2024, followed by 52,000 by MAGA Inc., 44,000 by President Donald Trump and 31,000 by the Keystone Renewal PAC. Bob Case aired 31,000 commercials as well.

The Pennsylvania Senate campaign generated $344.9 million, the second most in the country behind Ohio. Down ballot elections for state offices generated $100 million – including $23.8 million for attorney general, $37 million for the state House of Representatives and $17.6 million for the state Senate.

While Matzie foresees continued spending in Pennsylvania on political advertising, AdImpact officials weren’t so sure.

“As for 2028, who knows what the Presidential battleground map will look like four years from now,” AdImpact posted in December. “While it would be unlikely for Pennsylvania to fall too far from its place on the campaign trail, it wouldn’t be unprecedented. As we wrote about previously, Florida led all states in 2020 presidential general election spending and saw less than 1% of that amount in 2024.”