Missouri Senators Versus EPA

Missouri businesses need to back up our Missouri senators in their stand against new EPA ozone rules. I am proud of Senator Bond's fighting spirit when he says:

"This administration must be realizing that its job-killing, big-government agenda isn't what the voters want. But I want to ensure these EPA regulations are stopped, not just delayed until a more convenient time after the election."

I am calling the offices of Bond and McCaskill tomorrow and am encouraging everyone possible to do the same.

These new ozone standards would threaten many Missouri businesses. In the paint business, for example, voc restrictions due to these new rules could outlaw many of the oil-based paints necessary to preserve traditional architecture in St. Louis. If these rules go through, I hope the paint companies challenge this ruling in court the way the tobacco companies successfully challenged the 1992 EPA Report.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/article_4766e5b8-aee7-11df-bf0b-0017a4a78c22.html

How could Brentwood aldermen vote yes after watching this?

 

Brentwood Smoking Ban Passes

It will be interesting to see if Mayor Kelly and the Brentwood Board of Aldermen have violated the Special Laws Clause of the Missouri Constitution by writing and passing a special law they freely admit was only intended to equally hinder three Brentwood businesses. Donna mentioned to the press tonight that she is exploring such a challenge.

Margaret Gillerman once again does a really fair article about the ban in the Post-Dispatch.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_c9f50f9d-44e0-5883-b4ba-fd0b83468df2.html?mode=story

Brentwood Board of Alderman Votes Tonight

Gallup Poll: Brentwood Smoking Ban Too Strict!

Dear Brentwood Board of Aldermen:

A Gallup Poll released last Friday found that only 31 percent of Americans favor a complete ban on smoking in bars.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/141809/Americans-Smoking-Off-Menu-Restaurants.aspx

This new Gallup Poll backs up a 2007 survey by the Missouri Department Health and Senior Services which found that only 30 percent of St. Louis County residents favor a ban on smoking in all bars.

http://www.dhss.mo.gov/County_level_study/header.php?cnty=929&profile_type=2&chkBox=C

Clearly voters, including Brentwood voters, believe the proposed Brentwood smoking ban is too strict.

Furthermore, the proposed smoking ban will put a new burden on the Brentwood police and fire departments who will be charged with the costly enforcement of the Brentwood smoking ban in all Brentwood businesses, independent of the County smoking ban. Is it really necessary for Brentwood police and fire departments to duplicate and supercede the costly smoking ban enforcement of St. Louis County Department of Health? Especially since the proposed Brentwood smoking ban would only include two bars and an American Legion Hall not currently included in the County ban!

The "over 21" Double D Lounge has spent a great deal of money installing the most effective air purification system of any bar in St. Louis City or County. Don't they deserve an exemption? Sidelines is an old-timer's bar not bothering anyone. Why bother them? And can't the war veterans at the American Legion Hall make their own decisions? Why put Brentwood through all this trouble and expense just to restrict three adult establishments?

Sincerely,

Bill Hannegan

Gallup Smoking Ban Poll Just Released

A Gallup Poll was released last Friday which found that only 31 percent of Americans favor a complete ban on smoking in bars.

Gallup sums up the finding:

"Currently, half of U.S. states have broad bans on smoking in enclosed public places, including workplaces, restaurants, and bars. The rest have more limited restrictions, such as requiring designated smoking areas in restaurants and workplaces, or prohibiting smoking only in government buildings and schools. A careful review of these laws could reveal that some states go further in restricting smoking than the American public would prefer, while others don't go nearly far enough."

http://www.gallup.com/poll/141809/Americans-Smoking-Off-Menu-Restaurants.aspx

The Brentwood Board of Aldermen votes on a smoking ban the includes all Brentwood "over 21" bars and private clubs, including the American Legion Hall, on Monday night. Most Americans don't want a ban that strict!

Vote YES on Proposition C

Tomorrow Missouri voters will be the first in the nation to weigh in on the subject of government mandated health insurance. The Show Me state will have the opportunity to show Washington and the rest of the country that it is NOT acceptable to force Missouri citizens to purchase something that they do not want, that it is not the role of Congress to determine for each individual what product is necessary for his or her well-being. Essentially, Proposition C is an issue of freedom: whether or not Missourians will have the freedom to discern for themselves what is in their best interests.

Please vote for freedom by voting YES on C!