Posted on 02/13/2004 12:46:00 PM PST by qam1
The Associated Press - ATLANTA
Democrats had sharp words Tuesday for Republicans who want to ban smoking in all public places including restaurants.
Theyre looking to snuff out the plan.
Its an overreach, said House Rules Chairman Calvin Smyre, a Columbus Democrat. People are always talking about intrusion by government, and this is another one. Its another way of denying local rule.
The smoking ban, introduced by Republican Sen. Don Thomas on Tuesday, could set up another battle between the Democrat-controlled House and GOP-controlled Senate.
Twenty-five of the states 56 senators signed on to the bill, but House leaders hinted the measure would have no chance in their chamber. Even Republicans in the House said they had wanted to tread slowly on a measure to ban smoking even in bars and restaurants.
I support public smoke-free places as a general rule, but I want to look at the details before putting my support behind it, House Republican Whip Jerry Keen said.
Thomas, a doctor who is leading the anti-smoking charge in the Senate, concedes it will be a challenge to persuade House members to accept a statewide ban.
We have already talked to a lot of people in the House, Thomas said. I am finding good support over there, but it will be a tough battle.
The Republican rift has surfaced before. Last year, GOP members in the two chambers publicly clashed over a hike in the tobacco tax. Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue and his Senate colleagues endorsed the idea, but House Republicans fought it. The tax eventually passed, largely because House Democrats signed on.
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, former House Republican leader, said he feared his colleagues in the Senate again strayed from their conservative roots.
Im a free-enterprise kind of guy, Westmoreland said. If I want to open a restaurant for cigar smokers or whatever, I ought to be able to do that.
Thomas agrees his ban is broad, covering bars, restaurants, bingo halls, stadiums, convention centers and common areas in apartment buildings.
Private homes would be exempt _ unless they are used as a day care or nursing center _ and hotels and motels would be allowed to keep up 20 percent of their rooms as smoking rooms.
This bill starts out as broad as possible, Thomas said. The model was really to be as aggressive as possible.
The ban would carry a $100 fine for someone smoking in a building where it is prohibited. The second offense would carry a $200 fine and a $500 fine would be assessed on the third offense.
The bill also would ban smoking within 25 feet of a building where it is not allowed.
Not all Democrats oppose the smoking ban. Rep. Kasim Reed, D-Atlanta, is a co-sponsor for the bill and is trying to change the minds of his colleagues.
Its going to be a challenge, Reed said. Were optimistic, but we dont expect it to be easy.
One lawmaker whose home district is in the process of enforcing a smoking ban said it is a good idea, but best done locally. Rep. Ron Borders, D-Valdosta, said he would likely oppose the statewide ban.
Local folks ought to be able to determine what theyre doing in their communities, he said Borders.
Georgia's small government Republicans need to start a riot at their next primary. And if they lose there, vote for the small government Democrats!!!.
To all those "But do you want Rats in charge??" whiners: I say in this case YES.
You see big gov't Republicans, I don't care about your high and mighty positions. I really don't care what team jersey you're wearing. I care about one thing and only one thing - liberty. And if it takes your standing in an unemployment line for a couple terms to figure that out, that's just fine by me.
unless they are used as a day care or nursing center
Its none of the governments damn business if it is a day care center or nursing home... or any other business. Get out of our %^$#@#@ business you scuzbag $%%^^^$ %$%#@&
The free market will decide if a smoking allowed nursing home or day care center gets their business. Keep out of it and it'll take care of itself.
and hotels and motels would be allowed to keep up 20 percent of their rooms as smoking rooms.
They will be allowed?? ALLOWED??? Screw you nosy bastards - a hotel is a privately owned business and if they want to make smoking allowed in 100% of the rooms -and the lobby too, its none of your #$%@@* business.
It is time for massive open defiance of these draconian laws.
And for all you anti smoking fools who supoort this kind of crap, you are absolutley paving the road that will lead to more and more intrusive nanny government horse hockey that will eventually attempt to abolish, restrict or tax some part of YOUR behavior.
(I wonder if this little discovery will grow legs, or will the liberal press over look it? It was on a radio news break after Rush.)
Your team has the ball. The play is in action. The quarterback throws to the reciever, who makes the catch but inexplicibly runs in the opposite direction and scores for the other team!
If the coach let the reciever stay on the field, you'd think him an fool. Georgia Republicans, remember that at your next primary.
No so bizzaro, the matter of "control" transcends party labels. Check it out.
Hey that is a good idea! Why didn't I think of that. Time to fight back in whatever means available. I dislike frivolous lawsuits but its time to fight back.
When you and that mouse in your pocket find something, be sure to report back.
You've never lived in Massachusetts ;-)
Take one big cauldron. Drop in one Constitution, bring to a boil, season liberally with rules and regulations, cook until no one pays attention.
And the final result is a flavor that's vaguely familiar, but marvelously tranformed by the chefs.
Who can remember the original recipe? But hey, it tastes good enough to a majority of the diners, so who cares?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.