Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The 10

10 Iowa legislators will try to do what 150 could not: agree on a smoking ban for the state. The ten will start work Thursday as members of a conference committee, charged with coming up with a compromise. The debate would seem not to be on a smoking ban, but rather what exemptions should the ban have. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal has already said the senate won't go for exemptions for bars and restaurants. And since this conference committee is only to consider previous exemptions, that would seem to leave casinos as the center of argument. Gambling only on casino floors seems to be the best bet now.

One guy to watch in all of this is Cedar Rapids Democratic Representative Tyler Olson. He has been the face of the anti-smoking efforts on the house floor. But he has something else to think about. His wife was due to deliver the couple's first child last Saturday in Cedar Rapids. And she still hasn't. So needless to say, he's looking for quick compromise...on the smoking ban, I mean.

Here are the ten legislators involved in the talks for now. Click on their names to email them what you want them to do on this.


Senate

Bill Dotzler (D) His mom owns a bar. Do you think he'll keep fighting to keep an exemption for his mom's place?
Joe Bolkcom (D)
Staci Appel (D) Lead the floor debate to pass the senate's full smoking ban.
Mark Zieman (R)
Ron Wieck (R)

House

Tyler Olson (D) Wants complete ban. But make room for baby.
Janet Peterson (D) Wants complete ban.
Mike Reasoner (D)
Cecil Dolecheck (R) Argued on floor against the ban.
Chuck Soderburg (R)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

If this passes, I sincerely hope the "Government" goes after someone else's personal choice! Because if we let them, they will! That's the way the Liberal/Progressive movement is going! I think it's called Communism! Then we'll all be wearing the same uniform and ratting out your neighbor in the name of the "State"!
Google the word Progressive(what Clinton and Obama are calling themselves) and read extensively! It'll scare the pants off of you! I did and it makes me very nervous about the good old USA if either one gets in and can implement any of their plans!

Anonymous said...

What ever happened to the smoking ban? There hasn't been any news about it for over a week now. Not on TV, radio, or even in the Register. This is making me nervous. The majority of Iowans want an extensive smoking ban to pass. Hopefully lawmakers don't screw up this opportunity to do something really good for Iowa.

Anonymous said...

If the Liberals REALLY want to do something GOOD for Iowa, (1)it would be to stop ecouraging Lawmakers in taking away individual freedoms(one by one), (2)leave the state!

Anonymous said...

It's not just "liberals" who want a smoking ban. It's anyone with common sense, including a lot of conservatives. Smoking is an activity that harms the health of others. This is a public health issue, not a case of individual rights.

Anyway, hope we find something out soon!

Anonymous said...

Looks like you believe every bit of BS the Liberal Politcians and Media are shoving in your ears! Second hand smoke and "Global Warming" are riding in the same truck. And I stress TRUCK because it takes one to carry all that BS that "Fat Boy" Gore has stirred up and a lot of the "facts" that the Media's agenda serves you about second hand smoke! Do a little more research on what is really floating around in the air before you go blaming everything, healthwise, that is wrong. Oh, by the way, check out the facts on Radon Gas. Iowa is one of the leaders in the "production" of this health hazard!

Anonymous said...

Global warming and radon gas have nothing to do with the smoking ban. You're logic in incredibly flawed. For the record, I'm a conservative Republican. And just like many other conservative Republicans, I want an extensive smoking ban, such as the Senate's version, to pass. Banning public smoking is just like requiring people to wear seat belts--it's just good common sense.

Anonymous said...

Global warming and radon gas have nothing to do with the smoking ban. Your logic is incredibly flawed. For the record, I'm a conservative Republican. And just like many other conservative Republicans, I want an extensive smoking ban, such as the Senate's version, to pass. Banning public smoking is just like requiring people to wear seat belts--it's just good common sense.

Anonymous said...

keeping over weight people out of all eating places should also added in the smoking ban bill. maybe stop all the geills down at the state fair.

Anonymous said...

Except sitting near an overweight person won't affect your health. Sitting near a smoker will.

Anonymous said...

To the so called "Conservative Republican": Who are you trying to kid! If you are what you say you are, you'd be for LESS Government not MORE! If you'd done a little more research, the American Lung Association was airing commercials on TV stating that Radon Gas was the leading cause of lung cancer! But they magically disappeared when the big push on the Iowa smoking ban hit the Media. Also they had a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about microscopic soot. They said it's everywhere and poses more of a health hazard than second hand smoke! Oh, by the way, it's produced by every internal combustion engine(cars, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, etc.), fossil fueled electrical generating stations, etc. Shall we ban these too! I wouldn't think so!?!?
The "Fat Boy" Gore thing! It's a bunch hype too! Don't believe all the Media hype your hear, do a lot more research! Just like the "ban"!

Anonymous said...

I did'nt know we had so many scientific GENIUSES!her in Iowa.I did'nt know that we have so many people studying data and information on second-hand smoke WOW!

Anonymous said...

seeing an overweight setting next to me does affect my health. it keeps me up at night worrying how much my they are increasing my insurance rates.