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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2008 > November > 20
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Austria elected president of GOP freshman class in Congress
Congressman-elect Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek, was elected president of the Republican Freshmen Class in the 111th Congress. Austria was elected on Nov. 4 and will replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson, R-Springfield, in January.
“I’m excited to be part of a very talented and focused freshman class, which has many good ideas to address the problems we face. The elections are over and our work in Congress has already begun. As the class president, I will work with my colleagues to find commonality and move those important issues forward,” Austria said.
Republican Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, issued the following statement today, Nov. 20, congratulating Austria.
“Representative-elect Steve Austria will be a strong leader for freshman Republicans, and I look forward to working with him. Steve’s work in the Ohio legislature on tax and tort reform will be valuable as House Republicans craft solutions to the serious challenges facing our nation. Steve’s constituents in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District will be well served through this leadership role.”
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Smoking ban may be weakened
A new bill up for debate in the Ohio Senate would gut the indoor smoking ban that Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved two years ago.
If Senate Bill 346 were to become law, family-owned businesses, factories, retail stores, bowling alleys and offices as well as private clubs would be allowed to decide whether to permit smoking in their establishments, according to SmokeFreeOhio, a coalition of public health groups.
“I would vote for it if it were to come up for a vote,” said state Sen. Tom Roberts, D-Dayton.
Roberts, who is one of 13 co-sponsors of the bill, said he has heard from members of private clubs who thought smoking would still be allowed in their VFW halls and the like. And family-owned bars and restaurants have complained that the smoking ban is too burdensome, he said.
American Cancer Society chief lobbyist John Hoctor said a recent survey by Midwest Communications shows that 97 percent of voters who favored the new law knew what they were voting for.
Ohio voters passed Issue 5, an indoor smoking ban for all workplaces, by 59 percent. They defeated a proposed constitutional amendment, supported by Big Tobacco and private clubs, that would have allowed for exemptions for clubs, bars, bowling alleys and bingo halls by 64 percent.
Tracy Sabetta, who worked on the 2006 campaign, said the results clearly showed voters wanted a comprehensive smoking ban and did not want one with exemptions.
Sabetta said she doubts most Ohio voters even know that the lawmakers are considering the bill.
It’s unlikely that the bill will pass this year. But it is expected to be re-introduced next year.
“If this passes, we are prepared to do whatever it takes to remain a smoke free state,” Hoctor said.
Ohio is among two dozen states that have smoking bans. Two more states are on the verge of implementing bans.
Sponsors of the bill include: Robert Schuler, R-Cincinnati, Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond, Steve Buehrer, R-Delta, Capri Cafaro, D-Warren, Gary Cates, R-West Chester, Tim Grendell, R-Chesterland, Larry Mumper, R-Marion, Joy Padgett, R-Cochocton, Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, Shirley Smith, D-Cleveland, Robert Spada, R-North Royalton, and Roberts.
