Legislator's Positions on SB150

In a recent Shepherd Express article, Lisa Kaiser authored an article titled “Enacting a Statewide Smoking Ban”. In preparing that article, she obtained information concerning the position of area representatives which I paraphrased in the following recitation:

In support of the Statewide Ban:

Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) (a co-sponsor): stated support based upon the safety of workers

Rep. David Cullen (D-Milwaukee) inclined to support

Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) (a co-sponsor): no stated position except that which can be assumed given co-sponsorship

Rep. Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington) has strong feelings about health reasons for ban; seeks statewide standard to set level playing field

Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) goes beyond the individual’s right to smoke because employees in bars and restaurants are being victimized

Rep. Peggy Krusick (D-Milwaukee) believes ban would protect public health and level the playing field

Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) (a co-sponsor): a second-hand smoke issue that raises public health care costs

Rep. Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis) we need a uniform statewide policy

Rep. Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee) (a co-sponsor): generally stated that she feels the state has to help change people’s habits

Rep. Sheldon Wasserman (D-Milwaukee) (a co-sponsor): sees the damage exposure to smoke does as physician and legislator


Do not support:

Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) I’m for freedom; I’m not so arrogant as to tell the person paying the mortgage what to do

Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee) occasionally I like a good cigar

Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) believes that government should not interfere in private business decisions

Rep. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) doesn’t support statewide ban in private businesses

Rep. Daniel LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) believes in giving local property owners the right to choose their smoking policy

Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford) believes the business owner should decide

Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) supports ban except in taverns

Rep. Robert Turner (D-Racine) supports except for taverns

Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) an RN but does not support statewide ban; values the property rights of the owner

Rep. Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee) does not support statewide ban since it would disproportionately affect small bars and taverns

Undecided

Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee)

Rep. Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee)

Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield)

Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine)

Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon)

Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale)

Rep. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee)

Rep. Leon Young (D-Milwaukee)

No response

Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee)

Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee)

Rep. Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford)

Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin)

Rep. Sue Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls)

Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall)

Rep. James Kreuser (D-Kenosha)

Sen. John Lehman (D-Racine)

Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee)

Rep. John Steinbrink (D-Pleasant Prairie)

Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend)

Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa)

Rep. Robin Vos (R-Racine)

Rep. Annette Williams (D-Milwaukee)

Sen. Robert Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie)

Rep. Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee)