Posted on 04/27/2009 7:32:53 PM PDT by Eric Blair 2084
Sex. Smoking. Alcohol.
These are among the so-called sins the Texas Legislature is considering regulating -- for better or worse -- this session.
From a statewide smoking ban to a 10 percent tax on entry fees to sexually oriented businesses, lawmakers are looking at tightening restrictions.
"They are always looking at sins," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University. "There’s a heavy Baptist presence in Texas and the Legislature.
"They are very attuned to sins," he said. "And they always want to be 'agin’ it."
Maybe somewhere along the way, their actions can affect what some Texans do, said Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at Texas Christian University.
"Governments try to both change behavior and produce revenue from it," Riddlesperger said. "These are all behaviors that do not contribute to the wholesome growth of society."
With just weeks remaining in the 81st Legislature, time is dwindling for lawmakers to weigh in on the 2009 Sin Agenda.
Here’s a look at some of their efforts.
Smoking
Lawmakers are considering a statewide smoking ban in public places, including bars and restaurants.
Cities such as Fort Worth and Dallas already have local ordinances, but this one would create a uniform policy throughout Texas.
Supporters say it would help reduce lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases. Opponents say it would infringe on business and property owners’ rights.
Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is one of several co-sponsors of the bill, and she said it’s about protecting Texans.
"It’s a public-health issue," Davis said. "It’s not about the person who makes a choice to go into these places but about protecting the people who work in those businesses. They have a dramatically increased risk of having cancer.
(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...
Shame on me... I had no idea you were being snarky.
:)
Hit the state capitol and the executive office buildings with RPG's, simultaneously light the Houston shipyards on fire, then go to sacrificing virgin cheerleaders in the streets?
While all that was going on, these control freaks would be banning bubblegum and fireworks.
Disgusting.
The only solution I have come up with is to just stay home. I’ll go to work to make the obscene amount of money that the American Dream has provided me for my family.
I won’t spend a dime going to bars, restaurants, stadiums.
Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.
Still used to like to go to Texas to relive the old days, though.
Hate to see it pass.
Well, maybe snarky isn’t the right word, but I thought as I was typing that maybe it wasn’t the most helpful thing to say to somebody who’s trying to quit.
>.It’s not about the person who makes a choice to go into these places but about protecting the people who work in those businesses.
Well, yes, of course. Good for you.
Expect that in Texas, like in other states with Hitlerian Tabak Bans, the QOL indicators all rise - happiness up, less crime, less violence of all kinds, respiratory diseases down, tax revenues from all the increased customers up......
Inshallah, and a key tenet of sharia makes another inroad!
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