The Louisiana senate on May 28 voted to expand Louisiana's smoking ban to include bars and casinos. The bill now goes to the house for action. It is an undisputed fact that second hand smoke is a danger to people's health and should have been banned in the 2006 legislation but the casino lobby prevailed at that time. There is also no question that casino smoke dangers more people because more people are exposed in a casino and are so tightly together.
Four senators who represent the New Orleans metro area voted against the bill. Alario, Duplessis, Heitmeier and Murray. Alario attempted to exempt casinos from the ban but it was turned back. Their no vote fell in line with the casino lobby. It will be interested to see how those four senators vote on Jindal's plan to cut health care in the proposed budget. Members of the legislature continue to put the demands of the lobby industry ahead of the people's needs.
On another vote that favors common sense, the house shot down a bill that would allow qualified college faculty and students 21 years or older to carry fire arms on campuses. The vote was overwhelming 86-18. The sponsor of the bill Ernest Wooton said he may bring it back next year. Mr. Wooton, a republican blamed the lost support for the bill on politics. Sadly, the bill was about republican politics and their support of everything the NRA wants.
Lobbying in Louisiana should be given the cold shoulder to those that care nothing about the needs and safety of our citizens. Lets see if the full house and senate carry through with its vote to finally ban smoking in casinos. It should have been done a long time ago. The people of Louisiana will have an opportunity to see how the members of the legislature cast their final vote on the subject.
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The House voted down the smoking ban in casinos and bars. Those legislators who cast the negative vote have no balls. The casino lobby has them right where they want them. And to think some people say politics in Louisiana are changing. Think again.
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