ACTION ALERT:

As you may know, Governor Granholm recently released her plan to balance the budget. Among her solutions to the multibillion dollar deficit were increasing the cigarette tax by twenty-five cents and doubling the Other Tobacco Products tax (64% of the wholesale price). Sadly, the Governor’s plan also included a $150-million cut to the Michigan Department of Community Health. (See Free Press article here)

It is important that key political leaders in the state executive and legislative branches hear from us over the next week as we convey the importance of allocating funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The message is: “Raising the cigarette tax and the tax on other tobacco products is essential for saving lives and health care dollars.”

Please thank the Governor and Bob Emerson for proposing the tax increase and urge them to dedicate a portion of the revenue generated to helping people quit smoking and prevent kids from starting.

Governor Granholm: http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21995---,00.html
Bob Emerson: EmersonB@michigan.gov

Please contact the House and Senate leadership, as well as their own legislators, with this additional message: “Raising the cigarette tax and the tax on other tobacco products is essential for saving lives and health care dollars. I urge you to dedicate a portion of the revenue generated to helping people quit smoking and to prevent kids from starting.”

Senator Bishop 517-373-2417; senmbishop@senate.michigan.gov
Find Your Senator: http://senate.mi.gov/
Representative Dillon 517-373-0857; andydillon@house.mi.gov
Find Your Representative: http://house.mi.gov/find_a_rep.asp

Due to the high volume of emails most legislators are receiving daily, it may be more effective to place a phone call.

Top 10 Reasons Andy Dillon Should Bring Up the Smoke Free Bill…Again

Nearly a month ago, the House voted on HB 4377 which would make Michigan workplaces smoke free but exempted casinos, cigar bars, and tobacco shops. Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford) had reportedly told his caucus members that he would allow a vote on a clean bill without exemptions, but when those amendments came up (respectively brought by Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) and Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Haven)), they were quickly gaveled down and no votes were taken. Dillon said he wanted to see what the Senate did with HB 4377.

Despite Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop’s (R-Rochester) previous statements that he would only allow a vote on a clean bill, Dillon seemed optimistic that he could “work something out” between the chambers. However, Speaker Dillon also made some public statements to business owners as well as to members of his caucus that if the Senate failed to act on the smoke free workplaces issue that he would allow for a vote on a comprehensive bill.

As of this writing, twenty-nine full days have passed since the House sent HB 4377 over to the Senate. It’s time for Speaker Dillon to act by sending a comprehensive smoke free bill, such as Rep. Bauer’s HB 4341 or Rep. Scott’s HB 4099 to the floor for a vote.







Here are 10 reasons why Speaker Dillon should take up the smoke free workplaces bill:









10. Leadership. Dillon can take this opportunity to pass comprehensive legislation and become a leader and champion for the state’s public health, rather than being accused of “holding up” Michigan’s health by passing a bill the Senate leadership has refused to address. He can ">“take the lead” in creating public health reform that works.

9. Public Health. As someone who has said he is committed to public health, this would be a big victory for both Dillon and the State of Michigan. States that have gone smoke free report have reported near immediate drops in the heart attack rate. Long term benefits include further drops in heart attack, cancer, and asthma rates.

8. Poker and Politics. Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop has wavered on the idea of even taking up the issue of smoke free air. Bishop has previously said, however, that he would consider allowing a vote on a comprehensive bill. If Speaker Dillon passed a comprehensive bill he would call Bishop’s bluff, leaving him no choice but to allow a vote on smoke free air. Smoke free air can be debated as a public health issue, not a political game.

7. The economy. Research shows that the new economy thrives in areas that provide access to a great quality of life. Quality of life factors can include health care, jobs, and working conditions. States with smoke free workplaces laws have reported less employee absenteeism due to smoking related illnesses and ailments (such as chest colds, bronchitis, asthma, etc). Employees in smoke free states also report a more pleasant working experience (as compared to pre-smoke free status). Employers also generally see a decrease in direct health care costs for insurance, as well as lower maintenance costs (since carpets, furniture, and equipment last longer in smoke free environments).

6. The economy. Michigan residents spend 1.1 billion Medicaid dollars on smoking related health care. Each Michigan resident spends at least $306 annually to address smoking related health care costs. In addition, the state loses $3.95 billion in production costs due to tobacco use.

5. Constituency. It is what the people want. Over 2/3 of Michigan voters have indicated that they support smoke free laws. Give the people what they want.

4. Bipartisan cooperation. During his Opening Day Remarks, Dillon said, “While we may never end the partisanship that has divided this Capitol in the past, we can focus our energies in areas where we share common ground.” The smoke free workplaces law epitomizes an area where there is common ground. Legislators on both sides of the aisle support comprehensive smoke free air, and Speaker Dillon would do well to unite the parties on this issue.

3. Integrity. If Speaker Dillon took a vote on comprehensive smoke free air, it would add to his reputation as a politician who keeps his word. Following the failed vote on HB 4163 last session, Dillon assured smoke free advocates that the issue would be taken up again during 2009. On opening day, he prioritized the smoke free air issue and challenged his colleagues to finish working on the issue.

2. Future prospects. Speaker Dillon is term limited in 2010. Following a long and successful political career in the House, it’s hard to imagine that either Dillon or his constituents want to see him go anywhere. In a run for Governor, Attorney General, or other office, having this law’s passage on his list of accomplishments will stand out. (See also Reasons 3-5).

1. This really is a life or death issue. The Surgeon General has concluded that there is NO safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. Following the implementation of smoke free laws, heart attack rates go down significantly. Within two months of going smoke free, states have reported 60% drops in complaints about respiratory difficulty (such as shortness of breath, asthma attacks, bronchitis, etc). Passing a smoke free workplaces law is an efficient, economical way to help our struggling public health system.

Michigan's people have waited for too long. The evidence is in, the support is overwhelming, the time is NOW.

Contact Speaker Dillon and ask him to do the right thing, keep his word, and call for a vote on comprehensive smoke free air.

CALL: 888-737-3455
FAX: 517-373-5976
EMAIL: andydillon@house.mi.gov
ADDRESS:
26284 Graham Rd.
Redford Township, MI 48239

Good But Not Good Enough

On Tuesday, May 26, the House passed HB 4377 by a vote of 73-31. The bill makes workplaces smoke free with exemptions for casino gaming floors, cigar bars and tobacco specialty shops. An amendment requiring that a cigar bar or tobacco shop be in existence by December 31, 2009; makes all casinos smoke free after all lower peninsula tribal casinos go smoke free; and gives the Michigan Gaming Commission the power to define the term “gaming floor” was substituted for the bill.

Those of you who have followed this saga will no doubt see the striking similarities to last year’s smoke free debate. Despite pressure from thousands of constituents across the state, the House leadership still did not see the wisdom in supporting a full ban. According to the subscription only MIRS news, Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford, and Representative Bert Johnson, D-Highland Park, “engineered” the vote; “basically by getting the 69-member House Democratic Caucus to go along.”

Dillon maneuvered the floor so that the caucus-preferred version of HB 4377, complete with exemptions, was the one that passed. All amendments offered on the floor, with the exception of the amendment mentioned above, were quick-gaveled down without any roll call votes.

Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, and Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, each offered their own amendments to change HB 4377 to a comprehensive bill. Unfortunately, as with the other amendments, Rep. Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit, followed the leadership’s directives and gaveled voice votes a split second after Bauer and Scott spoke.

In a press release from the Campaign for Smokefree Air (a group which TFM is affiliated with), spokesperson Judy Stewart expressed her disappointment. “This is a weak attempt to provide smokefree protection to Michigan workers. Though we’re happy that the House has moved legislation, we still feel that all workers deserve to breathe smokefree air. We’re disappointed that amendments to make the legislation stronger were not considered.”

The bill is set to advance to the Senate next Tuesday, June 2. The Republican-controlled Senate has previously said that they will support nothing less than a full ban. This year, however, there is word circulating that Senate Majority Leader, Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, has been getting a lot of pressure from smoke free proponents. Bishop’s spokesperson has said that the majority leader won't stand in the way of what the caucus wants to do in regard to passing a bill with exemptions.

“We have faith that in the end Michigan lawmakers will do the right thing and protect the health of all Michigan workers,” said Stewart. “No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck.”

Thank you again for all of your calls and emails to your Representatives and to the Speaker of the House. Although we are disappointed to see a bill with exemptions and will continue to advocate for a comprehensive bill, we are happy to see that some progress has been made toward smoke free air in Michigan. We will be sending out and posting an action alert within the next week with the next steps in this campaign.

A Glimmer of Hope

Two and a half weeks after Regulatory Reform Committee Chair Bert Johnson delayed the much anticipated vote on a smoke free workplaces bill, he has scheduled another hearing on the matter. The bill is sandwiched in with a mess of other items on the agenda from a bill allowing a restaurant on Wayne State’s campus to sell liquor to a bill regulating hearing aid dealer license fees.

The number of bills on the Committee’s to-do list suggests that HB 4377 will be voted on and may just make it to the House floor. There is little doubt that this hearing is happening because of the furious flurry of calls and emails that have been logged on the Speaker’s and House Majority Leader’s lines.

For over a month, everyday people from around the state have voiced their support of smoke free air…loudly. Here’s hoping that our legislative leadership has woken up to smell the smoke free air.

The hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 20th at 12:00 p.m. at 326 House Office Building in Lansing.

Individuals who wish to bring written testimony need to supply a minimum of thirty copies for distribution. Individuals needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting may contact the Chair's office.
Committee Clerk: Eric Esch
Phone: 517-373-0070

Hearing on Smoke Free Workplaces Bill tomorrow

Speak up for smoke free workplaces in Michigan! There will be a hearing tomorrow and the Regulatory Reform Committee will be taking testimony on both sides of the issue. Here's the info:

Regulatory Reform, Rep. Bert Johnson, Chair

Date: 04/01/2009Time: 12:00 PM

Place: 326 House Office Building, Lansing, MI

Agenda:Continuing testimony on a statewide smoking ban.HB 4377 (Gonzales) Health; smoking; smoke-free workplace and food service establishments; require.

To view text of legislation go tohttp://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.asp?page=Bills

Individuals who wish to bring written testimony need to supply a minimum of thirty copies for distribution.

Let the Reps know that YOU support Smoke Free Laws TOMORROW!

Do you think smoking sections in restaurants should be a thing of the past? Are you shocked that Michigan hasn't passed a smoke free regulation yet? Are you wondering what the hold up is on this darn law?

Well...find out! Join us tomorrow for a meeting at the Michigan House Office Building for a committee hearing about smoke free legislation. That's right the MI House Regulatory Reform Committee will be meeting tomorrow to hear testimony on Smoke Free Legislation. This is the second in a series of hearings that will (hopefully) culminate in a vote on April 1, 2009.

So if you're shocked and appalled, or even just mildly irked that Michigan is still NOT smoke free, unlike 35 other states, go to the hearing and tell these Representatives what YOU think. Doctors will testify, advocates will testify, victims of tobacco related illnesses will testify, and YOU can testify. Some of the most powerful testimony comes from ordinary citizens because it's the ordinary citizens who elect, and re-elect these politicians.

These Representatives really need to hear from some of their younger constituents, i.e. high school and college students. A lot of politicians have no idea what their younger constituents want, some of them don't even seem to care. We at TFM urge you to MAKE THEM CARE. During our last election cycle, the youth movement turned out in masses to vote for change. Let's keep this momentum going and register our voices once again.

So if you've got something to say, say it tomorrow at the Regulatory Reform Committee Meeting:

12:00 PM
326 House Office Building, Lansing, MI
Agenda
Discussion on a statewide smoking ban
Chair
Representative Bert Johnson

If you can't make it to the meeting, you can also watch the hearing via webcast and stay tuned for information about future hearings.