|
|
Share/Bookmark this Topic:
|
| Message |
Author |
by Darkseid
on Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:46 pm |
|
Only a few votes short. And Grandhole says she;ll sign one ("I'm chafing at the bit") , with or without exemptions.
Michigan continues to have the worst economy and the highest unemployment of all 50 states.
http://www.freep. com/apps/ pbcs.dll/ article?
AID=/20080924/ NEWS06/809240398 /1008
State House snuffs out statewide smoking ban
Lawmakers fear it would hurt casinos
BY DAWSON BELL • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • September 24, 2008
LANSING -- Concerns about the possible impact on Detroit's casinos
led to the state House's narrow rejection Tuesday of a bill to ban
smoking in all Michigan workplaces.
The ban -- which would affect casinos, bars, restaurants and even
smoke shops -- garnered 50 votes, six short of the number needed for
approval. Forty-nine members voted against it. Eleven were absent or
abstained.
Opposition came primarily from Detroit lawmakers who said a ban would
hurt casino revenue -- the city and state share that money -- and
lawmakers who said the ban was a government overreach into citizens'
lives.
The issue could be revisited later this year, said a spokesman for
House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township. The House and Senate
have both approved versions of a smoking ban this year, but have
failed to come to agreement over what kind of exemptions should be
allowed -- or even if there should be any exemptions.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm said earlier Tuesday that she would sign a
smoking ban, with or without exemptions.
Backers of the total ban said Tuesday the issue was one of protecting
the health of nonsmokers, especially those working in smoke-filled
restaurants and bars.
Smoking would still be legal in Michigan, said Rep. Andy Meisner, D-
Ferndale.
But Rep. George Cushingberry, D-Detroit, said extending the ban to
the Detroit casinos could lead to a steep decline in revenues, jobs
and tax receipts, affecting police and fire protection and state aid
to public schools.
House leaders rejected amendments to exempt businesses operating
within 20 miles of an Indian casino -- where smoking would still be
permitted -- as well as cigar bars, smoke shops, charity events and
bingo halls.
A proposal to suspend implementation until the governor negotiated
smoking bans with Indian tribes that operate casinos also was
rejected.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I used to have compassion, but they legislated it and taxed it out of existence. |
|
|
Darkseid
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1400
Location: Peoples Republik of oHEILo
|
| |
Back to top |
|
|
| |
|
by Darkseid
on Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:57 pm |
|
The MRA continues to oppose a smoking ban, and has also argued that if a smoking ban is passed it should be applied as broadly as possible so as to provide a level playing field. We will continue to closely follow this issue.
We encourage you to contact your lawmaker immediately to express your views on this issue. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the MRA Public Affairs Department at (800) 968-9668.
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 423,000 people and creating more than $12.8 billion in annual sales. For more information please call 800-968-9668. |
|
|
Darkseid
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1400
Location: Peoples Republik of oHEILo
|
| |
Back to top |
| |
|
by snowbird
on Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:42 am |
|
The MRA wants a level playing??
So everybody can lose money??
The MRA should fight the bans,not compromise.
You don't compromise with the anti-smoking cartel.
If you do, they will come back and want more skin off your backs.
Dam it
A smoking ban means: it is against the law to use or permit a legal product on 'private' property.
Is this the American way?? |
|
|
snowbird
Newbie
Joined: Jul 15, 2005
Posts: 25
|
| |
Back to top |
| |
|
by Darkseid
on Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:34 am |
|
| That's the way it ALWAYS works-in EVERY state. They USED to say on their site they were AGAINST a smoker ban. Now , once they feel the republicans have sold them out, and one is inevitible, it is LPF. Was the same thing in oHEILo-the state alcoholic beverage association filed a lawsuit to stop the exemption for private clubs, and went together on the suit with the ACS. Yet....it's always been proved it 'doesn't hurt business.' |
|
|
Darkseid
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1400
Location: Peoples Republik of oHEILo
|
| |
Back to top |
| |
|
by snowbird
on Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:54 pm |
|
|
|
snowbird
Newbie
Joined: Jul 15, 2005
Posts: 25
|
| |
Back to top |
| |
|
by dumpstermcnuggets
on Thu Oct 09, 2008 4:24 pm |
|
snowbird wrote: The MRA should fight the bans,not compromise.
You don't compromise with the anti-smoking cartel.
If you do, they will come back and want more skin off your backs.
Darn right, snowbird! When is that not ever the case with anti groups? |
|
|
dumpstermcnuggets
Enthusiastic Smoker
Joined: Nov 06, 2006
Posts: 258
Location: Health Fascism Capital of the Midwest, Illinois
|
| |
Back to top |
| |
|
by dumpstermcnuggets
on Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:25 am |
|
I continue to be very pleased that the proposed Michigan state ban fell apart in the Mich. State House this year! Now if only the Mich. State Senate had did the same earlier this year, too(officially vote down the ban, as this proposed ban only had a narrow 1 vote majority in the Mich. House in favor(50-49), and thankfully 6 votes short of passing!).
Hopefully, Michigan legislators continue to successfully fight off any future ban proposals that I know will yet again come up for a vote in 2009. Cheers to all Mich. legislators(whether in House or Senate) who said no to a Mich. state ban this year, as I very well have heard too many stories about how the state bans in Illinois and Ohio have greatly hurt businesses that relied on smokers! (can only imagine it's the same in Minnesota and Iowa, and'll also happen in Nebraska once their state ban takes effect in June 2009) |
|
|
dumpstermcnuggets
Enthusiastic Smoker
Joined: Nov 06, 2006
Posts: 258
Location: Health Fascism Capital of the Midwest, Illinois
|
| |
Back to top |
| |
