Mar 25
Mar 25
And gone if not reported out of committee to the floor in one chamber of the West Virginia Legislature by Monday and passed by one of the legislative chambers by Wednesday. The legislature missing this opportunity will keep West Virginia’s tobacco tax as the 8th lowest in the nation.
Failure to pass the tobacco tax this year means tens-of-thousands of kids will not see price as a deterrent and will begin using tobacco products and many will be addicted for what will be a shortened life. The same can be said for the nearly 20,000 current users who would have quit had the tax increase been implemented.
Also lost will be over $100 million in revenue which could have been utilized to prevent and treat chronic disease in West Virginia and expand health coverage to low-income working people in the state.
There’s still time but it is quickly passing.
Contact you legislators and Governor Manchin in the next 24 hours and ask that they meet this deadline and keep the tobacco tax legislation alive by passing the bill from one chamber next week.
If the health impact does not move them then perhaps the full scope of the 4.6% budget cuts the Governor has announced should be fully understood before the tobacco tax is taken off the table this year.
Action now is critical because if not passed by the House or Senate by Wednesday the legislation is dead for this session.
Mar 13
HB2932 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 legislation will politicize every proposed change in local clean indoor air regulations across the state and severely undermine the foundation of public health policy in West Virginia.
This bill was sponsored by Senators Delegates Tim Manchin, Linda Longstreth and Mike Caputo and passed the Political Subdivisions Committee yesterday on a voice vote. It now will be sent to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
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 Judiciary 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 but the priority right now are the following Delegates:
Delegate Webster - Chair - (304) 340-3252
cwebste1@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Miley - Vice-Chair - (304) 340-3248
timmiley@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Ellem - Minority Chair - (304) 340-3394
ellem@wirefire.com
Delegate Lane - Minority Vice-Chair - (304) 340-3275
patlane@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Barker - (304) 340-3149
barker100@verizon.net
Delegate Brown - (304) 340-3106
bbrown1@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Caputo -(304) 340-3249
caputo@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Ferro - (304) 340-3111
mtferro@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Fleischauer - (304) 340-3169
barbaraf@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Frazier - (304) 340-3396
jfrazier@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Hunt - (304) 340-3392
mhunt@markahunt.com
Delegate Hutchins - (304) 340-3270
thutch@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Longstreth - (304) 340-3124
llongstr@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Michael - (304) 340-3340
Harold@hardynet.com
Delegate Moore - (304) 340-3189
cmoore@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Shook - (304) 340-3173
ashook@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Susman - (304) 340-3183
ssusman@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Tabb - (304) 340-3274
rtabb@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Wells - (304) 340-3287
dwells@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Wooton - (304) 340-3164
wrwooton@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Hamilton - (304) 340-3167
bhamilt@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Overington - (304) 340-3148
john@overington.com
Delegate Schadler - (304) 340-3191
rschadler@comcast.net
Delegate Schoen - (304) 340-3141
pschoen@mail.wvnet.edu
Delegate Sobonya - (304) 340-3175
ksobonya@mail.wvnet.edu
You can identify your other members and their Capitol phone number by entering your zip code here. Legislators need to hear there is a large amount of grassroots opposition to this legislation.
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
Mar 04
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
Mar 03
If some members of the West Virginia legislature get their way Smoke Gets in Your Eyes will be much more than a classic record from The Platters - it will be public policy.
For years now, local boards of health in West Virginia have reasonably and responsibly addressed the issue of clean indoor air by establishing local regulations protecting our citizens from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. These regulations have been effective, implemented after examining the health facts and done when the community was prepared. While there are always a minority of vocal opponents who decry each new regulation, the vast majority of West Virginians enjoy and appreciate being able to work, shop and relax in smoke-free establishments.
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.
Already this legislative session one bill has been introduced which would exempt establishments who have a beer or liquor license from any local smoking regulation. Other bills, far more extreme and dangerous, are anticipated to be introduced in the next few days and weeks.
We can not take clean indoor air for granted. Powerful political forces are at work wooing our legislators to ignore the health implications, and public opinion, and reverse the progress West Virginia has made protecting local communities from exposure to tobacco smoke. Now is the time to make certain our voices are heard.
As the legislative session continues be prepared to speak out and respond to action alerts by contacting your legislators. Otherwise, you will have smoke getting in your eyes.
Mar 03
The following tobacco-related bills were introduced today, Tuesday, March 3rd, in the West Virginia Legislature:
SB420 - Raising excise tax on tobacco products
Bills are listed here for informational purposes only and no endorsement is to be implied. Clear the Air will review bills more in depth as they begin to move. To track these bills yourself visit the West Virginia Legislative website Bill Status page.
Tags: 2009 Session, bills introduced, West Virginia Legislature
Feb 26
HB2855, introduced today, would allow any bar or restaurant that serves alcohol in West Virginia to ignore local clean indoor regulations and permit smoking in their establishments. Passage of this legislation would remove protections in place already in every county in the state.
The proposed legislation has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Opponents of this bill should contact House Judiciary Committee members NOW by telephone urging them to vote NO on HB2855. Committee members are:
Delegate Webster - Chair
Delegate Miley - Vice-Chair
Delegate Ellem - Minority Chair
Delegate Lane - Minority Vice-Chair
Delegate Barker
Delegate Brown
Delegate Caputo
Delegate Ferro
Delegate Fleischauer
Delegate Frazier
Delegate Hunt
Delegate Hutchins
Delegate Longstreth
Delegate Michael
Delegate Moore
Delegate Shook
Delegate Susman
Delegate Tabb
Delegate Wells
Delegate Wooton
Delegate Hamilton
Delegate Overington
Delegate Schadler
Delegate Schoen
Delegate Sobonya
You can identify your members and their Capitol phone number by entering your zip code here. Legislators need to hear there is a large amount of grassroots opposition to this legislation.
Please make your phone call today - even if you do not personally reach your legislators leave them a message requesting that they OPPOSE HB2855.
Tags: 2009 Session, Action Alert, clean indoor air, West Virginia Legislature
Feb 26
Today the West Virginia House of Delegates passed out Committee Substitute for HB2360 which prohibits the sale of cigarettes in anything other than its original factory wrapped packaging and only in packs of no fewer than twenty.
This bill previously had been amended by the House Judiciary Committee to remove all tobacco products other than cigarettes. While the bill has merit by addressing the issue of single cigarette sales the exclusion of other tobacco products from coverage under this legislation is disappointing. This is particularly true as the tobacco industry works to establish new products.
The bill now goes to the West Virginia Senate for consideration.
Tags: tobacco control, West Virginia Legislature, youth access
Feb 21
On Monday, February 23rd, the tobacco tax bill which was recommended by an interim committee will be introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates. The bill will call for a 65 cent per pack increase in the excise tax on cigarettes and a raise from 7 percent of the wholesale price to 14 percent for all other tobacco products.
The proposed legislation will be referred to the Health and Human Resources Committee and then to Finance.
The tax legislation is part of a package of bills recommended by Select Committee D after a year-long study of health care in West Virginia. Passage of the tax is essential to funding other proposed pieces of this package.
More importantly, raising the tobacco excise tax in West Virginia will reduce the number of young people who begin using tobacco products and will serve as a huge incentive for current tobacco users to quit. Research shows an overall 4 percent reduction in tobacco use with every ten percent increase in the price of the product.
Supporters of this bill should contact House members on Monday by telephone urging their support of the tobacco tax legislation (HB2746). You can identify your members and their Capitol phone number by entering your zip code here. Legislators need to hear there is a large amount of grassroots support to provide this important legislation the momentum it will need to be considered.
Please make your phone call today - even if you do not personally reach your legislators leave them a message requesting that they support the tobacco tax bill (HB2746).
Tags: 2009 Session, Action Alert, tobacco tax, West Virginia Legislature
Feb 20
The following tobacco-related bills were introduced today, Friday, February 20th, in the West Virginia Legislature:
SB312 - Requiring smoke-free medical facilities
HB2681 - Eliminating the food tax, increase the tax on nonintoxicating beer per barrel from $5.50 to $6.35, increase the tax on cigarettes to $1.35, increase the tax on noncigarette tobacco products from seven percent to fourteen percent, and to dedicate the first $5 million of revenue to the Department of Agriculture’s crop transition program.
Bills are listed here for informational purposes only and no endorsement is to be implied. Clear the Air will review bills more in depth as they begin to move. To track these bills yourself visit the West Virginia Legislative website Bill Status page.
Tags: 2009 Session, bills introduced, tobacco, West Virginia Legislature
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