Posted on 02/28/2005 5:43:14 PM PST by trumandogz
Voters will get to decide whether Austin should have stricter smoking laws.
A group petitioning to get a smoking ban referendum on the May 7 ballot has gathered enough valid signatures, City Clerk Shirley Brown said Monday.
The group, Onward Austin, was required to collect signatures from 10 percent of Austin's registered voters, or 36,764. Onward Austin submitted 41,499 names. The clerk's office took a random sample of the names, as it is required by law to do, and found that there were more than 37,978 valid signatures from Austin voters.
Onward Austin wants to ban smoking everywhere except restaurants that have separate, ventilated smoking sections. A few spots, such as bingo parlors, still could have smoking. The rules would be tougher than the current law, which took effect in June.
The current law say that only bars and restaurants that make at least 70 percent of their revenue from alcohol sales or have separate smoking sections can allow smoking. Also, businesses such as pool halls and bowling alleys currently can have smoking.
Restaurants, bars and live music venues have said a smoking ban would hurt their businesses.
Here's another one.
I guess it never occured to these micromanaging busibodies that they can find a non-smoking restaurant or get off their fat butts and learn to cook if they don't think the local bar and grill has a healthy enough environment.
keep austin stupid
+
on the democrat plantation.
At least they get to vote on it in Austin. That's better than other jurisdictions where such laws are just enacted by fiat.
Still, I'm opposed to government setting smoking policy on private property. I think a lot of people, even those who oppose smoking, have this view.
republicans like democrats are addicted to taxes.
remember bob dope?
he was a big tax and spend guy.
That'll keep-em screaming.
That it one of the best thoughts on the subject of taxcrazed antismokin nazis I've seen in a long time.
FMCDH(BITS)
Here we go again! Damn it! The people who own the establishments should be able to make their own rules! If people don't want to be around smokers, then, by gawd, don't patronize those establishments that allow smoking. Pretty simple. Leave the government out of it! The tail wagging the dog, yet again!
Well, when are we going to hear them bitchin' about it? Screw em and don't patronize their business.
Let me guess. Smokers are against ballot initiatives as well as representative government ONLY when the subject is smoking.
"Austinians" "Austinites"
Just seem like such contrived, awkward expressions.
Why can't we stick with the traditional, common-usage term:
"WIERDOS!"
Let me guess. Smokers are against ballot initiatives as well as representative government ONLY when the subject is smoking.
The number of smoking and non-smoking bars and restaurants should reflect the make up of the community. If there are lots of smokers, it should not be hard to find a smoking bar. If the reverse, then I will just have to look around more. But get the government out of the picture.
What about the Ferrites and Cementites?
Aren't they registered voters too?
And I'm sure the Pearlites and Ledeburites will want a voice on this issue as well.
If the state did what you say, I'd simply move on to do something else.
If the state did what you say, I'd simply move on to do something else.
Same place they go, I imagine.
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