Tuesday, January 31, 2006

State Rep. Brad Last, R-St. George, didn't appreciate it when the House Rules Committee voted to place the bill that would ban smoking in bars and private clubs in the Government Operations Committee instead of the Health and Human Services Committee, which he had requested.

Last is the House sponsor of the bill, which already has passed the Senate under the sponsorship of Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsvile. Last also is chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, which he assumed would get the bill.

But the majority of the members of the Rules Committee are said to be opposed to the bill, whose defeat is being strongly urged by the well-funded tobacco lobby. And the Government Operations Committee is rumored to have a number of opponents, as well, which possibly could mean the demise of the bill before it ever reaches a vote on the House floor.

Last stood on the House floor and requested the bill be moved to Health and Human Services, which it was.

That prompted Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan, to stand on the House floor and complain that his bill to provide more money for Medicaid Services also was sent to Government Operations when it was supposed to go to the friendlier Health and Human Services Committee. He was accommodated as well, and the assignment for his bill was changed to Health and Human Services.

That means that if the Rules Committee purposely tried to funnel both bills to a committee that would defeat them, the members are encouraging more smoking in bars and less money to treat the illnesses second-hand smoke might cause.

Cheers,
Paul Rolly