[Eala]

The ordinance allows smoking in public places as long as the owner gets an annual $300 permit.

And that $300 relates to smoking... how?

Looks like another government money grab. Next year, when they need want more money, watch that fee go up.

[SheLion]

Looks like another government money grab. Next year, when they need want more money, watch that fee go up.

Oh yes! Now they figured out how to get in the back door and still make more money. I sometimes wonder what these people are smoking?

[Arrowhead1952]

Looks like another government money grab.

posted a similar article from the Austin paper yesterday. The corrupt city council Austin had when the original ordinance passed was comprised of several left leaning, power hungry liberals. This is not the end of this smoking ban, by any means.

They (along with Capital Metro) tried to force light rail onto Austinites. Fortunately, it was voted down. Now they (Capital Metro) are trying to bring it up again. They said "the voters don't know what's good for them, so we will have a PR campaign for two years and put it back on the ballot".

Only in Austin. The city with the slogan "KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD" and it fits.

[unixfox]

And that $300 relates to smoking... how?

It doesn't, and it seems to me this is TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION to the nth degree.

I hope to hell the bar owners file a lawsuit against these frikkin socialists.

[mtbopfuyn]

Yeah, that's what I thought too when it was first announced. The tax, um pay off, um permit is to go to yet more studies on smoking. Whatever.