Casino Smoking Ban Passes Connecticut Senate
The Connecticut Senate passed a proposal late Friday evening placing a smoking ban on casinos controlled by the state's two tribes. After a lengthy debate, the vote was 24-11 in favor of extending the existing smoking ban for bars and restaurants to include Indian casinos.
However, the bill must first pass the state House and then be signed by the Governor before it becomes law, and neither of those events appear likely. House Speaker James Amann said the House would probably not even bring the bill up for a vote, and Governor Jodi Rell indicated a veto would be probable if the measure did make its way through the House.
Proponents of the bill see it as a simple need to protect workers from second-hand smoke. The United Auto Workers have pushed hard for the measure as part of their attempt to organize the casino dealers at Foxwoods Casino.
But more complicated matters are involved. There is the practical question for the state, which concerns the possible effect on revenue. Connecticut took in $430 million in taxes from the casinos last fiscal year, money that was desperately needed in a state already facing an $80 million shortfall. Experts have estimated a drop in income under a smoking ban may reach as high as 15%.
Perhaps the most important issue is one of legality. By attempting to place state laws on the sovereign territory of the Mohegans and Pequot, Connecticut would surely find itself in a major federal lawsuit. The ability of states to regulate Indian land is severely limited, and this bill would face harsh challenges.
Furthermore, other damages would be caused. The Mohegan tribe estimated as many as 1700 jobs could be lost, as gamblers seek locations elsewhere that permit smoking.
The tribes have promised to negotiate with the legislature, if the bill is rejected. This seems the obvious route to pursue, avoiding the complex issue of sovereignity, and preventing fully confrontational tactics. Hopefully the Connecticut lawmakers see clearly and adopt this avenue to tackle their conundrum.
Recent Comments
| Posted by: Tony F | When: 05/04/2008 11:04:51 PM EST |
| The Speaker of the house, Jim Amann, stated in the newspaper that he won't bring the casino smoking ban to the floor of the house for a vote. He promised us a few weeks ago that if the senate acted on the bill, he would bring it up on the house floor for a vote. Well, it seems that he was lying to us. What a surprise. Are the Connecticut laws and its politicians now for sale to the highest bidder? Is the health and well-being of every employee and every customer who sets foot in Foxwoods less important than the enormous profits they pocket? Everyone should be infuriated and call his office. We started this morning by calling his house, I guess he got upset at all of the phone calls. The office phone# 1-800-842-1902, is on his website. He lied to the press, the public and to us all! We are trying to protect more people from being exposed to this unhealthy environment. This is not a new law. It merely removes the exemption to the current Connecticut smoking ban, which has been in place for over four years. We need this bill to be brought up for an honest Democratic vote. We need people to call their Democratic leadership at 1-800-842-1902 starting today and continue each day until they vote on the bill. You will get a voicemail box until Monday when they are back in session. Tell them to bring S 419 to the house floor for a vote. We also need people at the State Capital on Monday and Tuesday. People should also email Amann daily at, Jim.Amann@cga.ct.gov Type your zipcode into this site and it will tell you who your representative is, so that you may call and email them as well. www.votesmart.org People should also know that Amann will be running for governor. You might want to mention during your calls and emails, that WE, the nonsmoking majority can make or break his election chances!! Thanks, A cancer survivor | |
