More Heat than Light...

The Senate Committee hearing yesterday on SB150 generated a lot of heat according to reports. Senator Risser, D-Madison, and Rep. Wieckert, R-Appleton, were the heavy lifters for this proposed bill that would eliminate smoking in all workplaces, including the smoking lounges of tobacconists.

Risser stated that “society” had the obligation of protecting workers from second-hand smoke, and Wieckert pushed the theme of helping to curtail health care costs as being an important result of this bill.

These hearings tend to be lopsided in favor of the proponents, so this theater was not totally unexpected.

Much work remains to be done if we are to save our smoking lounges so we can enjoy “first-hand smoke” when and where we choose. There can be little doubt that incremental change will simply continue to occur until one day we find ourselves on the outside looking in. The absurdity is borne out by the fact that California is now considering banning smoking in apartments, condominiums and so forth to protect the non-smoking occupants from second-hand smoke. The day could come when we’ll not be permitted to smoke anywhere other than in the middle of the woods…and that isn’t even assured since the animals would be adversely affected in the minds of many who would protect “society” from itself.

Cigar Freedom Petition...

Please take a couple of minutes to read and electronically sign our petition to be sent to the members of Wisconsin’s Senate and Assembly concerning SB150. If not properly amended and passed, SB150 would eliminate smoking lounges in tobacconists’ locations across the state. Click on the link under "Favorite Links".

The first hearing on this Bill occurs on Thursday, May 31st. Testimony will be taken before the Committee with limits of five minutes and begins following an Executive Session that commences at 9:30AM.

If you are able to attend (Room S411), please take a few minutes to add your comments to this blog for everyone’s benefit.

One Last Smoke for OB...

You need to read this. Click on the link.

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)

SB150 Hearing Date Set - May 31

The Senate Committee involved with SB150 that would ban smoking in cigar lounges offered by tobacconists will conduct a hearing on May 31st.

The Public Health, Senior Issues, Long Term Care and Privacy Committee will convene in Executive Session at 9:30AM in Room 411-S. Upon conclusion or at 1:00PM they will hear testimony on SB150. Testimony will be limited to 5 minutes.

The Committee members and their contact information follows:

Sen. Carpenter (D), Chair
Telephone: 608-266-8535 or 800-249-8173
E-mail: Sen.Carpenter@legis.wisconsin.gov

Sen. Coggs (D), Vice Chair
Telephone: 608-266-2500 or 877-474-2000
E-mail: Sen.Coggs@legis.wisconsin.gov

Sen. Kreitlow (D)
Telephone: 608-266-7511 or 888-437-9436
E-mail: Sen.Kreitlow@legis.wisconsin.gov

Sen. Schultz (R)
Telephone: 608-266-0703 or 800-978-8008
E-mail: Sen.Schultz@legis.wisconsin.gov

Sen. Cowles (R)
Telephone: 608-266-0484 or 800-334-1465
E-mail: Sen.Cowles@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Coggs is a co-sponsor of SB150.

We believe that inclusion of smoking lounges in the bill's language is an "unintended consequence" since they would be so designated because they have employees and not because of what they do as their primary business.

We believe that an amendment to SB150 is in order to assure that this unintended consequence can be removed prior to being accidentally codified.

Please communicate with your representatives and the Committee members to share your concerns.