Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
My smoking ban amendment on casinos
During debate today on the state Senate floor about the proposed statewide smoking ban, I offered an amendment that the governor during compact negotiations with the tribes shall request that the smoking ban be implemented in casinos. This is necessary for the casinos to comply with our public health laws.
The compact negotiations are re-opened every five years. That would be the proper time for the governor to address the smoking issue.
Remember, the state is headed down a slippery slope, infringing upon private property rights, regulating a legal product and activity. The fairness issue is of the utmost importance. If the state is going to ban smoking in businesses, establishments and entertainment areas, then it follows if you support a ban that you support a consistent balanced approach by imposing the ban in all businesses, establishments and entertainment areas including casinos.
The Legislature is the lawmaking body of state government. The governor’s office, the executive branch of government, is directed by the legislative branch to administrate our laws. The Legislature would be shirking its responsibilities without a directive on casinos that sends a message about fairness and uniformity.
My casino amendment bolstered the positions of both sides of this issue. Supporters of a ban should embrace a casino amendment if they genuinely are motivated by public health. Opponents of the ban have their concerns about fairness addressed with the amendment.
Unfortunately, my amendment was tabled on a vote of 20-13.
7 COMMENTS
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
I would have liked to seen casinos included too, if for no other reason but for the people who have to work there.
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Except in casinos, right Just1thought?
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Being fat might annoy those who you make uncomfortable by taking up too much space giving of too much B.O., but its not hazardous to their health, so your analogy does not hold.
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Dear Mr. Keller,
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Dear justwondering:
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Dear Mr. Keller,
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Two hundred and forty-one words of NOTHING!
- Share
-
Back to topJust1thought - May 15, 2009 11:22 AM - Report Abuse
What we have now is a start in the right direction. Now find a way to include the casinos if that's what the amendment was really about.
I apologize for the offensive comment. The analogy brought back memories of a bad experience I had on a two hour flight and I reacted before I thought. I would have rather been with a smoker it was that bad. But anyway, sorry, your are right it was out of line.
Kevin Fischer - May 14, 2009 7:06 PM - Report Abuse
By the way, the BO comment....real classy.
Just1thought - May 14, 2009 3:46 PM - Report Abuse
Smoking in public however is a health hazard and needs to be stopped.
justwondering - May 14, 2009 12:53 PM - Report Abuse
What if I didn't feel chubby people had the right to take up more space on a bus or airplane than someone else? Would it be alright to outlaw things that make people chubby? I state this question as a chubby person myself.
What if I didn't feel that people with Tourettes should be around my family and I for fear something they may say or do might offend us. Should we outlaw people from Tourettes from places where people gather?
I believe you are right there are legislative attorney's who advise lawmakers however, if I heard the Assembly Debate correctly last night on Wisconsin Eye, Channel 163, there is a memo saying that the state does have authority over health and safety issues on tribal land.
And aren't those attorney's that your referring to the same ones that are telling the governor its okay to put an oil tax on oil companies as the companies won't be able to pass it on to us the consumers? And aren't those attornies saying this while every other lawyer in what seems like the free-world are saying that the oil companies can and will pass that tax on to consumers?
If I was clever enough I would insert a lawyer joke here
I think comparing Nancy Pelosi to Mary Lazich is like comparing the New York Yankee aka. the evil empire to our beloved Milwaukee Brewers. There really is not a comparison.
Fred Keller - May 14, 2009 10:31 AM - Report Abuse
Ones individual Rights end where another individuals begin.
I don't feel smokers have the right to infringe upon my individual rights by blowing their smoke on me and my family.
And speaking of “smoke,” legislative lawyers advised Wisconsin lawmakers – including Sen. Lazich I imagine – that they had NO AUTHORITY under federal law to impose a smoking ban on Indian tribes, making her “fairness amendment” nothing more that a political stunt.
On the other hand, maybe she’s pulling a “Pelosi” and wasn’t aware that legislative lawyers nixed her idea.
justwondering - May 13, 2009 4:14 PM - Report Abuse
Does this mean that you support smoking in the Indian Gaming Casino's but not in taverns and restaurants around the state.
If a state wide mandate is needed to make for a level playing field shouldn't create a LEVEL PLAYING FIELD? Not rules for some people and not others?
I am against the smoking ban but have seen the writing on the wall that this bill is going to pass. So why not make it applicable to EVERYONE?
Fred Keller - May 13, 2009 3:49 PM - Report Abuse
Mary, the next time you decide to offer a political stunt in the form of an amendment, you may want to first gauge how much support you have for it.