Welfare smoking proposal to be softened-Bill's GOP sponsor is dropping penalties

Pioneer Press ^ | 3-18-05 | MARTIGA LOHN

[Rakkasan1]

A nonsmoking lawmaker who wanted to penalize welfare recipients for smoking backed off the toughest parts of his plan Thursday.

Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, said he will drop provisions to cut income and raise medical co-payments for smokers on public assistance and government health care programs. He aims to win Democrats' support with pilot programs helping pregnant welfare recipients quit smoking.

"I have to have something that passes," Seifert said after presenting his bill to the House Jobs and Economic Development Committee. "The penalties aren't going to pass."

[Rakkasan1]

darn. I was having fun hearing about how unfair it was.

[CSM]

"I have to have something that passes," Seifert said...

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And the mind of a politician is put on display!

[Gabz]

DUH.....................

[EagleUSA]

And the mind of a politician is put on display!
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Clearly, the qualifications to be a "lawmaker" in the Congress are lacking (understatement). If smoking is so bad, BAN TOBACCO SALES....(ha!)....the goose that lays HUGE GOLDEN TAX EGGS will never have its neck wrung....could someone remind this fool that our contry is being invaded (sucsessfully) on a daily basis -- maybe he just might want to do something about a REAL ISSUE for a change...

[drt1]

CSM you've got that about right. If this jerk is so dedicated to saving money on entitlements perhaps he can also go after the Viagra coverage in Medicare. Jeeesh.

[CSM]

Or simply reduce the spending on these programs.

[sierrahome]

"Or simply reduce the spending on these programs"

Let's not cloud the issue with an intelligent idea

[massgopguy]

Only people who work and pay taxes can be forced to quit smoking. But on Big Rock Candy Mountain a bum can live like a king.