Introduced today in the West Virginia House of Delegates was HB2932 which would require smoking regulations by local boards of health to gain approval from county commissions, and in some cases city councils, in order to become effective. This bill is sponsored by Senators Delegates Tim Manchin, Linda Longstreth and Mike Caputo.
The proposed legislation has been referred to the Political Subdivisions Committee and then to the Judiciary Committee.
This bill will politicize every proposed change in local clean indoor air regulations across the state and severely undermines the foundation of public health policy in West Virginia.
As stated in the post here yesterday:
Boards of health are unique. As regulatory bodies they combine use of scientific data, local administration of public health policy, inclusion of experts and citizens, and a structure that sets the board one degree apart from the political establishment. This last point is critical - decisions regarding the prevention of disease and protecting the community from serious public health threats are too important to be mired in political battles.
If you are concerned with protecting public health in West Virginia should contact House Political Subdivision Committee members by telephone or email urging them to OPPOSE HB2932. It’s best to do both - place a phone call and a follow-up email. You may contact your other members as well.
House Political Subdivision Members:
Delegate Manchin - Chair - (304) 340-3166
tmanchin@manchin-aloi.com
Delegate Beach - Vice-Chair - (304) 340-3153
rbeach@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Sumner - Minority Chair - (304) 340-3180
lsumner@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Cowles - Minority Vice-Chair - (304) 340-3177
dcowles@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Cann - (304) 340-3118
whocann@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Doyle - (304) 340-3184
jhndoyle@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Fragale - (304) 340-3114
rfragale@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Hartman - (304) 340-3178
whartman@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Lawrence - (304) 340-3152
lawrencefordelegate@hotmail.com
Delegate Longstreth - (304) 340-3124
llongstr@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Louisos - (304) 340-3170
tlouisos@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Miley - (304) 340-3248
timmiley@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Poling, D. - (304) 340-3137
dpoling@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Ross - (304) 340-3145
mikeross@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Susman - (304) 340-3183
ssusman@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Tabb - (304) 340-3274
rtabb@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Varner - (304) 340-3187
svarner@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Williams - (304) 340-3160
lwillia1@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Anderson - (304) 340-3168
eanders1@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Duke - (304) 340-3151
waltduke47@aol.com
Delegate Ellem - (304) 340-3394
ellem@wirefire.com
Delegate Miller, J. - (304) 340-3147
jonathan@delegatejmiller.com
Delegate Overington - (304) 340-3148
john@overington.com
Delegate Schadler - (304) 340-3191
rschadler@comcast.net
Delegate Shott - (304) 340-3179
jhshott@mail.wvnet.edu
Please make your phone call today - even if you do not personally reach your legislators leave them a message requesting that they OPPOSE HB2932.
Tags: 2009 Session, Action Alert, clean indoor air, West Virginia Legislature
March 7th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Charleston Gazette calls this bill “foolish”…
http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/Editorials/200903050086
March 10th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
This is a ‘health’ bill… CORRECT?? Isn’t there some legislative rule that says it must be reviewed by the appropriate Health Committee???
March 12th, 2009 at 7:16 am
To vote for HB2932 would set public health back 20 years!! And it would certainly send a message to voters about who we choose to represent our health issues. WE must fight against making this a political issue!!!
March 12th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
HB2932 would make WV Local Board’s of Health more vulnerable to legal challenges from ANY special interest groups that want the same political interference before the enactment of other protective regulations!
March 12th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
so how close was the vote? WHO IS THE MAIN FORCE BEHIND THIS BILL?? what are the proponents saying about it?? this makes absolutely no sense….WHAT AM I MISSING???
March 13th, 2009 at 8:42 am
The purpose of this bill is to prevent and remove provisions in county regulations that protect bar and gaming workers!
March 13th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Everyday you see another example of our failed public health and safety polices due to the influence of big money and special interests. Boards of health are intentionally appointed to shield them from political influence. Local Boards of Health across the country remain the safety net for ensuring the protection of the public’s health above all else! Boards of health are credited for establishing the foundation for many of state and federal public health and safety laws. It took 3 board of health adopting local regulations that cleaned up trans fatty acids out of our national food supply!
The most protective and effective laws start from the bottom up and lay the foundation for many state and federal laws. This tobacco industry bill is designed to stifle our boards of health ability to protect and promote public health with their communities.
If the ultimate consideration and protection of the public health doesn’t happen through appointed boards, mandated to protect us, it will never happen at any other level of government! LOCAL CONTROL WORTH PROTECTING!