The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

State News

Discussion

February 12, 2008

Kansas: Senate committee considers smoking ban bill

The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — Supporters of banning smoking in restaurants, bars, casinos and most other public places got a quick lesson Tuesday in practical politics when they urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to rewrite the bill.

They didn’t like a provision of an anti-smoking bill mandating a Nov. 4 vote in each county on whether residents want to be part of the statewide ban. In counties that opt out, municipal governments still could enact their own smoking bans.

“We can expect millions of dollars in expenditures by the tobacco industry to defeat the initiative county by county,” said Terri Roberts, Kansas State Nurses Association executive director.

Mary Jane Hellebust, director of the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition, said in written testimony that the move was unusual. “Statutes usually passed by the Kansas Legislature do not ask local constituents to ratify matters affecting the public health,” she said.

Leon Vinci, Johnson County public health director, suggested alternatives, such as having the ban become effective statewide when 50 percent of the state’s population votes to approve it.

But Sen. David Wysong, the lead sponsor, said the provision was included out of political necessity.

“We wouldn’t get it out of committee without the county vote,” the Mission Hills Republican said.

He sponsored a smoking ban bill last year that was amended to give counties the option to vote, and many supporters wanting a stronger bill balked. Senate leaders shelved the bill because its passage was doubtful.

Thirty-one states have some type of statewide smoking ban. The National Conference of State Legislatures says 22 states require all public places to be smoke free; an additional six require workplaces and restaurants to be smoke free but exempt bars. Three exempt from their ban restaurants and bars whose customers must be at least age 18 or 21.

Dr. Howard Rodenberg, former state Division of Health director, said a survey last year showed more than 70 percent of Kansans favor clean indoor air laws.

“By placing the issue in the hands of the voters, legislators can demonstrate that they are responsive to the will of the people,” Rodenberg said. “No doubt, come November, there will be significant opposition to this act, and we can expect an orchestrated campaign to kill it.”

Committee Chairman John Vratil said the panel will hear from opponents Wednesday and will debate the bill and vote on it next week. The Leawood Republican said he believes there are enough votes to send the measure to the Senate.

Tim Shallenburger, a former House speaker and lobbyist for Penn National Gaming Inc., said he would testify against the bill. Penn National wants to operate a planned state-owned casino in Cherokee County.

“A business should have an opportunity to set its own rules when it comes to smoking,” he said. “In the case of Penn National, there will be another casino few feet away in Oklahoma where smoking is allowed. People will walk next door, and it will be a revenue loss.”

He also questioned whether the ban applies to private clubs, because the bill says employers shall provide a smoke-free workplace for all employees.

Gilbert Cruz, state long-term care ombudsman, said he’s concerned it would apply to adult care facilities that have designated smoking areas for residents.

“The elderly can’t walk out into the snow and put a coat on, so they have to have a supervised controlled environment,” he said.

Dr. Roy Jensen, University of Kansas Cancer Center director, said about 1,500 Kansans die each year from lung cancer and 89 percent of lung cancer cases are among smokers. He said the annual health care cost in Kansas caused by smoking is $927 million.

Sen. Roger Reitz, a physician, said secondhand smoke also contributes to diseases.

“This cannot be overstated. We are talking about disease, death and heartache by family and friends,” said the Manhattan Republican. “We have an incredible chance in the next election to allow the voters to have a say if they want to do something.”

Text Only
State News
  • Lions climb into share of MIAA men's basketball lead

    Without taking the floor, Missouri Southern has climbed into a first-place tie in the MIAA men’s basketball race.

    February 22, 2012

  • 2.6 magnitude earthquake recorded in Oklahoma

    The U.S. Geological Survey has recorded a 2.6 magnitude earthquake near Wellston in central Oklahoma.
    No injuries or damage is reported.

    January 19, 2011

  • Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.

    Stacy Griffin-Lowery was fired by the Veterans Commission in March 2008 and pleaded guilty three months later to a misdemeanor theft charge. She repaid the state $17,665, the auditor’s office said.

    But Missouri Auditor Susan Montee on Monday accused Griffin-Lowery of swiping an additional $90,192 by getting reimbursed for cash advances and purchases made on her personal credit card.

    April 12, 2010

  • Race in Kansas’ 2nd District could heat up for GOP incumbent TOPEKA, Kan. — A conservative Kansas legislator said Monday he will announce in a few weeks whether he will challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins in the Republican primary.

    State Sen. Dennis Pyle’s actions in recent months suggest the Hiawatha farmer, who’s served in the Legislature since 2001, is running against Jenkins in the Aug. 2 primary. He set up a campaign organization in November and has a Web site featuring a brief video of him on his farm, asking viewers for support.

    April 12, 2010

  • Oklahoma tea party leaders, lawmakers envision militia OKLAHOMA CITY — Frustrated by recent political setbacks, tea party leaders and some conservative members of the Oklahoma Legislature say they would like to create a new volunteer militia to help defend against what they believe are improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.

    Tea party movement leaders say they’ve discussed the idea with several supportive lawmakers and hope to get legislation next year to recognize a new volunteer force

    April 12, 2010

  • Missouri: Senate panel cuts $500 million from proposed budget JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Senate committee declared Thursday that it has sliced more than $500 million from Missouri’s proposed budget for next year — meeting a target set by Gov. Jay Nixon to bring it in balance.

    April 8, 2010

  • Kansas: Wichita-area casino in doubt after governor’s decision TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposed casino south of Wichita was in doubt Thursday after Gov. Mark Parkinson refused to grant its developers a regulatory reprieve. Partners in the $225 million Chisholm Creek project wanted to delay a state board’s decision on their plans.

    April 8, 2010

  • Oklahoma: Groups oppose education spending initiative OKLAHOMA CITY — A coalition of business and labor groups said Thursday it will work to defeat a ballot initiative to dramatically increase spending on public education that coalition members said would devastate the budgets of many other state services and possibly force tax increases.

    April 8, 2010

  • Missouri: Gov. Nixon affirms support for tuition freeze COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has no plans to sit idly while lawmakers consider whether to preserve a tuition freeze deal he assembled before the state’s dire financial status was fully known.

    April 7, 2010

  • Kansas: Agency uses YouTube to illustrate road woes TOPEKA, Kan. — It’s one thing to hear about potholes and state budgets. It’s another to see how the two are connected. That’s part of the thinking behind a new video presentation on YouTube this week from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

    April 7, 2010