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Revenue Concerns Keep Michigan Smoke Nazis from Casinos
LANSING, MICHIGAN --
The Michigan House approved a bill this week to outlaw smoking in restaurants, bars, and public places, but exempted the three licensed state casinos in Detroit. Some lawmakers had said the need to protect public revenue sources caused them to continue to allow casino smoking.
The bill, which is virtually a duplicate of a version passed last year by the state House, advanced on a vote of 73 to 71. The previous year's measure had died when the Senate passed a bill with no exemptions, and negotiators between the two legislative bodies had been unable to forge a compromise.
"By voting yes, we are putting health first and preventing thousands of needless death," said the bill's sponsor, Representative Lee Gonzalez. "The public overwhelmingly supports this,"
Anti-smoking groups say no exemption should be allowed, as they describe the issue as one of workplace health. But realistic legislators have warned the Detroit casinos, not always the picture of financial health under current conditions, would lose significant business to tribal casinos.
Tribal gaming venues are not under the jurisdiction of state law. While some tribes have entered into state compacts surrendering smoking rights, the passage of bills like Michigan's has no binding effect on the Indian gambling spots.
Budget-conscious officials warned a drop in state gaming revenues could mean a cutback in social essential services.
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Recent Comments
| Posted by James MacLoclainn on 06/03/2009 08:08:14 AM EST |
| But I thought they said that the ban would be GOOD for business. |
| Posted by Scott Ewing on 06/03/2009 05:34:33 PM EST |
| The nico- Nazis have no business in anyones business. They are paid thugs for the pharmacutical industry. If they ever come up with an over the counter 'stop drinking' patch, prohibition 2 here we come. |
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