Baytown Sun Nixes Proposed Smoking Ban

The Baytown Sun ^ | 9/05/06 | Unsigned Editorial

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Sunday, November 5, 2006 | Serving Baytown and the Surrounding Areas Past Week Past Month Advanced | Browse | Help Register | Sign In | Subscribe

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Our choices

From staff reports Baytown Sun

Published November 5, 2006

Should individuals expect their government to protect their health by banning smoking in bars and restaurants? Or should it be up to each individual to decide whether to smoke, whether to go to a bar that permits smoking, or whether to permit smoking on his own property?

These questions are the heart of the debate over the city of Baytown’s proposed smoking ban.

While well-intentioned, the proposed ordinance is poorly written and could open the city up to all sorts of legal wrangling and confusion. That is why we recommend voters reject the proposal. Further, we would also urge the doctors who wrote the ordinance to rework it and bring it back to voters at a later date.

Supporters can’t expect us to endorse, or voters to pass, an ordinance that is well intentioned but badly written and that could make things worse.

U.S. Senate: Kay Bailey Hutchison, R (I)

As the first female U.S. senator from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison's accomplishments are unparalleled. Her work for Texas in the Senate has improved the quality of life in our state for all of her constituents.

With Hutchison's leadership in the Senate, the greater Baytown area's interests and those of all Texas will be well served.

U.S. House, District 2: Ted Poe, R (I)

Voters should re-elect Ted Poe. After one term, the former Harris County district judge has proven he is the right man to represent the 2nd Congressional District that includes the eastern portion of Baytown within Harris County.

A Texas conservative, Poe is no party-line dancer, quickly criticizing stances that are out of line with his home district's values.

U.S House, District 29: Gene Green, D (I)

Democratic incumbent Gene Green is our choice. Green doubles our benefit with broad legislative experience and knowledge of Baytown derived from previous stints representing us in the Texas House, and then in Congress when the 29th District originally included Baytown in the early 90s. During his terms in the U.S. House, Congressman Green has been a champion of education, labor, and health issues.

U.S. House, District 14: Ron Paul (I)

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul gets our nod for re-election.

Paul, a former Libertarian candidate for president, is the leading spokesman in Washington for limited constitutional government, low taxes, and free markets Paul makes it clear that his principles will never be compromised. There are few people in Washington who stick to their principles.

Texas Governor: Anyone but Rick

Although each major challenger has strengths and weaknesses, in the final analysis, it comes down to a rather simple conclusion for the majority of The Sun editorial board: anyone but Rick. Based on his track record, Perry does not deserve re-election. It's time to let someone else to take a shot at it.

Texas Lieutenant Governor: David Dewhurst

Dewhurst is Texas' brightest hope for true leadership, considering the likelihood Gov. Rick Perry is re-elected. He will offset another term of lackluster performance by Perry.

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Baytown Smoking Ordinance PDF A proposed Baytown ordinance would ban smoking in public buildings and workplaces.

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[BnBlFlag]

A local newspaper gets it (pretty much) right.

[weegee]

Houston PING

We didn't even get to vote on the Houston's smoking ban which is being revised to eliminate smoking in the same bars that the restaurant association promised would always be exempt from such legislation in exchange for their support...

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Smoking bans like other bans are NOT well intentioned as they are there just to invoke political correctness and control people.NO BAN IS CONSTITUTIONAL!

[GulfBreeze]

I don't know how DewWorst slipped in there.

I held my nose and voted for him...

[BaylorDad]

With Hutchison's leadership in the Senate, the greater Baytown area's interests and those of all Texas will be well served.

Kay Baily Hutchison is a RINO. She is pro choice, anti gun, and she turned her back on her fellow Republicans in there effort to get rid of the most amoral president in the history of the United States.

I voted Republican but took the "X" off of her name. I promised her I wouldn't vote for her again and didn't.

[BnBlFlag]

I agree with you about Kay.