TMA Legislative
News Hotline
Thursday,
Jan. 29, 2009
Legislators Kick Off Smoke-Free Texas Bill
Rep. Myra Crownover (R-Denton) and Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston)
announced their legislation to make Texas smoke-free at a news conference today
at the Capitol. The bill would ban smoking in all public and indoor
workplaces, including restaurants and bars.
Representative Crownover and Senator Ellis were joined at the news
conference by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and Sen. Jane
Nelson (R-Lewisville), chair of the Senate Health and Human Services
Committee.
Texas House Finalized Rules
After a long day, the House approved the rules it will operate under for
this year's session on a 147-1 vote. Some of the major changes include
getting rid of six House committees and merging duties with other existing
committees. It also permits a majority of the chamber's 150 members to get
rid of a speaker in midsession.
TMA Legislative Priority: Make Texas Smoke-Free
Banning smoking in public places is one of the easiest, simplest, and
fastest public health interventions Texas could undertake. Twenty-eight
states have adopted smoking bans in restaurants; 22 of these states also
prohibit smoking in workplaces. TMA believes it is time that Texas joins
these ranks. We are asking lawmakers to pass a statewide ban on smoking in
public places. Employers also should receive tax incentives to reward
nonsmokers and encourage smokers to participate in tobacco cessation
programs.
See all of TMA's legislative issue briefs in
the Governmental Affairs section of the TMA Web site.
TMA Members Headed to Austin
Be sure to sign up for First Tuesdays at the Capitol on
Feb. 3. Don't miss the chance to meet with lawmakers and their staff and
present medicine's case in person. Hundreds of physicians in the galleries
and hearing rooms have a powerful impact on the Texas Legislature. Plus,
organized medicine has a packed legislative agenda, which lawmakers need to
fully understand. Sign up today.
Learn more about TMA's priority issues for
the 81st Texas Legislature.
Physician of the Day
The physician of the day at the Capitol is Michael Dominguez, MD, of San
Antonio. Dr. Dominguez graduated from The University of Texas Health Science
Center at San Antonio in 1994. He is a member of Bexar County Medical
Society.
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