The anti-smokers and their media accomplices win support for raising cigarette taxes by spreading the Big Lie that smoking is an economic burden to society, and they win support for smoking bans by deliberately using defective studies that ignore the role of infection in the diseases they blame on smoking. E.g., the known-carcinogenic human papillomavirus is involved in at least 21% of lung cancers (meaning that it's involved in at least ten times as many lung cancers as ETS supposedly is), but the anti-smokers deliberately use defective studies that ignore it in order to exploit higher rates of infection among smokers and passive smokers, and falsely blame cigarette smoke. Every one of the anti-smokers' ETS studies is defective because not one of them has considered the role of infection. Furthermore, their precious "EPA" report was written by anti-smoking activists, not by EPA scientists (who were against calling ETS a human carcinogen), and they used illegal pass-through contracts to conceal their role. Furthermore, on the board of directors of the pass-through company were a business crony of George W. Bush and a big shot of the Democratic Party as well - thus ensuring a political coverup! And the anti-smokers have gotten away with it, over and over again across the country, because their cowardly and inffectual "opponents" in the bar and restaurant associations refuse to expose their wrongoing!
"Caption. A new effort to reduce youth smoking, cut health
care costs, and raise money to help seniors live independently was
launched today at the Iowa Statehouse. A bipartisan group of recently
elected legislators called on leaders to approve an increase in
cigarette taxes, which will be used to repay the Senior Living Trust
Fund. From left to right, Senator Jeff Danielson
(Blackhawk), Representative Walt Tomenga (Johnston), Senator Brian
Schoenjahn (Arlington), Senator Frank Wood (Eldridge), Representative
Tom Schueller (Maquoketa) , Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell
(Ames), Senator Dave Mulder (Sioux Center), Representative Bob Kressig
(Cedar Falls) and Senator Tom Rielly (Oskaloosa). (02/21/06)"
(2006 Photos. Iowa Senate Democrats.)
"The latest tally taken Wednesday showed Democrats with a 54-45
majority in the House and a 30-20 edge in the state Senate." "The Iowa
chapter of the American Cancer Society already was urging lawmakers to
allow local control of smoking restrictions and to raise Iowa’s
cigarette tax by $1. Those measures were blocked by GOP legislative
leaders in the past. 'That change in control makes us very, very
optimistic and energetic for the upcoming session,' said Sandra Quilty,
a lobbyist for the group." The Quad City Times says that "House
Democrats do not appear to have a unified position" on the issue of
raising cigarette taxes. (Dems taking control of Iowa Legislature. By
Charlotte Eby. Quad City Times, Nov. 11, 2006.)
HF 2565 - Tobacco Prevention and Control: "Legislative Intent: To
reduce tobacco use among youth (ages 5-24) and pregnant women and foster a
climate which makes smoking socially unacceptable. There are
four components to this bill: the creation of a Tobacco Use Prevention
& Control Division in the Department of Public Health (DPH); the
establishment of the Commission on Tobacco Use Prevention and Control;
implementation of a Comprehensive Tobacco Use Prevention and Control
Initiative; and the creation of community partnerships." This is a war of
cultural genocide, funded with our tax dollars, by the lie-spewing,
blood-sucking FILTH of the planet earth!
Commission on Tobacco Use Prevention and Control: "The Commission
will address the needs of pregnant women and youth by developing and
directing the tobacco prevention and control initiative. The ten-member
Commission will be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the
Senate (except the youth members). Voting members include: three
members who are active with nonprofit health organizations that
emphasize tobacco use prevention or who are active as local health
service providers; one retailer; three members who are active in health
promotion activities at the local level, specifically working in areas
of youth education, law enforcement, non-profit services, or other
areas related to tobacco use prevention and control; and three young
Iowans who are elected at an annual Youth Summit. Requires two of the
voting commission members to represent racial or ethnic minorities (One
adult, and one youth), and allows vacancies to the Commission to be
appointed by the Governor with the confirmation of the Senate. Also on
the Commission are several non-voting members: two Senators (one each
appointed by the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders); two
Representatives (one each appointed by the Speaker of the House and the
House Minority Leader); the Presiding Officer of the Statewide Youth
Executive Body (selected by the delegates of the Youth Summit); and a
single liaison from the Department of Education; Drug Policy
Coordinator; Attorney General's Office; Department of Human Services;
and the Alcoholic Beverages Division of the Department of Commerce....
The program was originally set to sunset on June 30, 2005, but the
Legislature opted to extend that time period to 2010 to give the
initiative time to complete its initial five-year review and make
adjustments."
Dr. Christopher Squier has been chairman of the Commission since
2003. He is on the board of directors of the Midwest Division of the
American Cancer Society. He is a founding member of CAFE (Clean Air for
Everyone) Johnson County, and served on its board of directors. He is
also a treasurer and member of the board of directors of CAFE CAN (the
state organization for CAFE). Squier is currently secretary and vice
chair of the Iowa Tobacco Control Alliance (ITEPA) and a member of the
Iowa Advisory Council for the American Cancer Society. He received
their Lifetime Award of Excellence in 2004. (Christopher Squier bio,
College of Dentistry News and Events, 2/08/08). Squier is Associate
Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and Associate Provost for the
Health Sciences, Dows Institute for Dental Research, College of
Dentistry, University of Iowa. Dr. Christopher Squier is a corrupt
FRAUD who falsely blames tobacco for oral cancer
that is really caused by human papillomavirus!
Besides the usual array of charlatans from the health establishment,
"A lobbyist for the Principal Financial Group also urged lawmakers to
adopt a statewide ban, arguing it would make Iowa more attractive to
progressive businesses and cut down on healthcare costs." (Debate
begins on smoking ban. By Darwin Danielson. Radio Iowa News, Jan. 24,
2008.) Directors of the Principal Financial Group include Sandra
L. Helton (since 2001), a director of Covance, Inc., and Northwestern
Memorial Health Care; Richard L. Keyser (since 2002), who is also a
director of W. W. Grainger, Inc. and Rohm and
Haas Company, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare — Research Institute
and the National Merit Scholarship Foundation; and an Advisor for the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Kellogg School of Management,
Northwestern University, and the Division of the Physical Sciences,
University of Chicago; Betsy J. Bernard, a former President of
AT&T; and Gary E. Costley, a former trustee of Ernst L. Wynder's American Health Foundation, who is a co-founder and managing director
of C&G Capital Management, LLC, "which provides capital and
management to health, medical and nutritional products and services
companies." (Principal Financial Group 2007 Proxy.) This
is how health fascist corporations offer 'financial inducements' to
pass smoking bans!
HF 2212 (successor to HSB 537) Feb. 19, 2008, passed House ayes 56,
nays 44. Feb. 25, 2008, Senate: Recommendation: AMEND
AND DO PASS, AS PROVIDED IN AMENDMENT S–5013. Final Vote [of
Committee]: Ayes, 8: Connolly, Horn, Appel, Danielson, Hatch, Kibbie,
Schmitz, and Wood. Nays, none. Present, 7: Zieman, Behn, Black,
Gaskill, Hahn, Kettering, and McKibben. Absent, none. Feb. 27, 2008
Passed Senate, ayes 29, nays 21. Mar. 12, 2008, passed House, ayes 59,
nays 40. As of Mar. 19, 2008, in conference committee.
Also, HF 2054 was introduced and referred to subcommittee, Jan. 24,
2008.
SF 236, Local Regulation of Smoking - referred to subcommittee Jan.
22, 2008.
SF 128 "A bill for an act relating to an increase in the taxes on
cigarettes and tobacco products, imposing an inventory tax on tobacco
products, creating a health care trust fund, providing for a
standing appropriation, and providing an effective date and providing
an applicability provision. (Formerly SSB 1055.)" Passed Senate, ayes
34, nays 14. Passed House, ayes 58, nays 40. Effective
3-15-07. 28% of the wholesale price of tobacco products, except little
cigars and snuff, with the tax on cigars not to exceed fifty cents. It
also imposed a use or storage tax on consumers for not very large
amounts of tobacco products. The first $127,600,000 was to go to a
health care trust fund.
Look at the swarm of anti-smoker lobbyists, most of whom hope
to benefit financially from looting smokers: Lobbyists Declarations - Against: Philip Morris (Toby
Spangler, Cal Hultman, Kimberly Haus; Michael Triplett); Iowa Assn. of
Business and Industry (Anthony Phillips, John Gilliland, Kellie
Paschke, Tess Dickinson); Iowa Grocery Industry Assn. (Brad Epperly,
James West); Iowa Grocery Industry Assn.(Keith Luchtel, Paula
Dierenfeld, Scott Sundstrom); KWIK Starr, Inc. (Larry Blixt); Reynolds
American Inc., IA. Wholesale Distributors Association, Cigar
Association of America, Inc. (Charles Wasker, Craig Schoenfeld, William
Wimmer, Susan Cameron [RJR only]); Iowa Retail Federation (Jim Henter).
For:
Iowa Podiatric Medical Society (Thomas Fey); Iowa Hospital Assn. (Greg
Boattenhamer, Shannon Strickler); Iowa Health System (Julie Smith,
Larry Pope, Ned Chiodo, Sabra Rosener, Scott Newhard); Urban Education
Network of Iowa (Lewis Finch); Iowa Planned Parenthood Affiliate
League, Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa (Judith Rutledge, Kyle
Carlson); American Lung Association (Daniel Ramsey); Child and Family
Policy Center (Sheila Hansen, Tiffany Smith); Iowa Catholic Conference
(Tom Chapman); CAFE Iowa Citizen's Action Network [Clean Air for
Everyone] (Natalie Battles, Threase Harms-Hassoun); AMOS (Liz
Williams-Chaffin, Paul Turner); Iowa Assn. of Area Agencies on Aging
(Mark Hanson); School Administrators of Iowa (Dr. Ben Norman); Iowa
Assn. of School Boards (Emily Piper, Margaret Buckton, Mary Gannon);
Iowa Dept. of Human Services (Alisa OBrien); UST, Inc. (David
Scott); Iowa Dental Assn., Iowa Osteopathic Medical Assn., Polk
County Medical Society (Frank Severino); Iowa Federation of Labor,
AFL-CIO (Janice Laue, Ken Sagar, Mark L. Smith); United Auto Workers
[UAW] (Dennis Walker); Broadlawns Medical Center (Jerry Fitzgerald,
Maggie Fitzgerald, Mark Joyce); American Heart Association (Randall
Yontz); Iowa Nebraska Primary Care Assn. [IA/NEPCA], Polk County (Amy
Campbell); Iowa Nebraska Primary Care Assn. [IA/NEPCA] (Craig
Patterson); Iowa Academy of Family Physicians (Jennifer Harbison);
Orchard Place (Kate Walton); Board of Regents, State of Iowa (Andrew
Baumert, Gary Steinke, Keith Saunders, Mark Braun, Michael Gartner);
Iowa State Education Assn. (Bradley Hudson); AARP Iowa (Amy Campbell,
Anthony Carroll, Craig Patterson); March of
Dimes, Iowa Society for Respiratory Care (Erika Anderson, John
Pederson, Lorelei Heisinger, Matt Eide); League of Women Voters of Iowa
(Judie Hoffman); Blank Childrens Hospital (Kathy Leggett);
Communication Workers of America (CWA) Iowa State Council (Kerry
Bowen); Iowa Nurses Assn., Iowa School Nurses Organization (Linda
Goeldner, Patsy Shors); Iowa Commission on the Status of Women
(Charlotte Nelson); Iowa Medical Society (David Adelman, Karla Fultz);
Iowa Substance Abuse Program Directors Assn. (Deanna Triplett);
American Cancer Society (Sandra Quilty); AFSCME Iowa Council 61 (Marcia
Nichols).
The Anti-Smokers Control Both Sides! During the 1996 railroad to increase the cigarette tax, "The Chiodos [Frank and Ned] and [Lawrence] Pope also represent Iowa Methodist Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Hutchins and Miller also represent the Iowa Health Care Association. And Schachterle also represents the Iowa Managed Care Association." (Tobacco lobbyists have earned their pay. By Michael Gartner. April 1, 1996.) Also, Iowa lobbyist William Wimmer may be a relative of Wisconsin dual tobacco healthcare/tobacco lobbyist James W. Wimmer Jr. Furthermore, the spin-manufacturing media scum have never informed the American people that the son-in-law of the head of the omnipotent head of the American Cancer Society, the most powerful lobbyist in US history, was a longtime director of Philip Morris! The lobbying interlock has been the same in Wisconsin - and possibly in every state in the union - meaning that the anti-smokers control both sides, and have all along, and the entire hullaballoo about tobacco industry lobbyists supposedly fighting the health lobbyists is nothing but a media-concocted sham, another Big Lie to deceive the public - which explains why the tobacco industry has let the anti-smokers get away with their scientific fraud for all these decades.
House File 907 "A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the healthy Iowans tobacco trust and the tobacco settlement trust fund and providing an effective date." Passed House, April 20, 2007, ayes 56, nays 40. Passed Senate, April 24, 2007, 44-6. Effective 5-23-07. Lobbyists for the bill included Dr. Norman (IA. Community Education Assn.and School Administrators of Iowa); Marc Elcock, Natalie Battles and Threase Harms-Hassoun (CAFE Iowa Citizen's Action Network (Clean Air for Everyone); Epilepsy Foundation); Michael Heller and Paula Feltner (Boys Town USA, Coalition for Children & Family Services, GlaxoSmithKline, Penn National Gaming, Inc., and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Des Moines Affiliate); Brice Oakley, Tom Cope and Don Avenson (Boys & Girls Clubs of America; IA. Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Inc.) No lobbyists opposed it.
House File 907 / Iowa LegislatureChet Culver, Democrat, supports: "I said early on in this campaign
that I would support efforts to improve the health of Iowans by
reducing the demand for tobacco products - particularly among teens.
This is an important health care proposal. I believe we should use the
funds from such an increase to help expand health care for Iowans,
particularly smoking cessation programs and treatment for
tobacco-related illnesses." Culver is an anti-smoking hatemonger who
regurgitates anti-smoking lies ("6,530 smoking-affected
births) and explicitly championed the tax increase, while accusing
his opponent of being a pawn of "Big Tobacco." (Nussle Sides with Big
Tobacco Contributors on Teen Smoking. Culver Press Release, Sep. 13,
2006.) Culver also advocated an "Iowa Senior Wellness Initiative," a
health fascist intrusion into seniors' lives including smoking
cessation. (Honoring an Iowa Treasure. Chet Culver’s Plan for Iowa’s
Seniors. Culver for Governor) Tragically, he was elected.
Jim Nussle, Republican, opposes: "My first priority is to
improve access to affordable health care and wellness across the board.
Our focus must be on providing comprehensive solutions for long-term
health care, not just applying a band-aid. It’s why I’ve championed
fair Medicare payments for Iowa, improved reimbursement rates for
health care providers, and secured affordable prescription drugs for
seniors." In 2005-2006 he received $16,000 from Pfizer.
In 2000, when he was U.S. Representative, Nussle's campaign contributions included $101,014 from the Health field: $54,670 from professional organizations; $23,844 from hospitals/nursing homes; and $20,000 from the pharmaceutical and health care products industry (Pfizer Inc $4,500; Aventis Pasteur USA $2,500 ; Glaxo Wellcome Inc $2,500; Bristol-Myers Squibb $2,000; Bayer Corp $1,500; Merck & Co $1,500; American Home Products $1,000; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals $1,000; Eli Lilly & Co. $1,000; Johnson & Johnson [major funders of anti-smoking persecution] $1,000; SmithKline Beecham $1,000); versus $13,000 from tobacco companies (RJ Reynolds Tobacco $3,500; Philip Morris $3,000; Lorillard Tobacco $2,000; Conwood Co $1,500; Pinkerton Tobacco $1,500; US Tobacco $1,500). (Jim Nussle (R-IA) Detailed Contributor Breakdown, 2000 Election Cycle. Center for Responsive Politics, opensecrets.org).
Both candidates said that they wanted local rather than state
lawmakers to control where smoking is permitted. "Iowa cities currently
are prohibited from implementing smoking bans, and the issue has been a
contentious one at the State Capitol in recent years... An Iowa Supreme
Court ruling in 2003 threw out a local ordinance in Ames that
restricted smoking in bars and restaurants. The court said that
municipalities do not have the authority to enact bans stricter than
those in state law." Anti-smoker Herman Quirmbach, who was on the Ames
City Council when it passed the ban, is now a State Senator.(Culver,
Nussle want local control on smoking bans. By Charlotte Eby. Sioux City
Journal, Oct. 12, 2006.)
Senate District 1 - Steve Warnstadt, Democrat - Sioux City. Warnstadt voted against SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 2 - Dave Mulder, R-Sioux. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Absent on SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, said that he would have voted yea. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 3 - David Johnson, Republican - Ocheyedan. Johnson voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 4 - John P. "Jack" Kibbie, D-Palo Alto. He got $1,500 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Kibbie voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 5 - James Kurtenbach, Republican - Nevada, no response to 2006 AARP cigarette tax question. Rich Olive, Democrat - Story City, supports. Kurtenbach opposed raising the cigarette tax. (Tax reform, development mark candidates. The Tribune, Ames, Iowa, Oct. 29, 2006.) Olive won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 6 - E. Thurman Gaskill, R-Hancock. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 7 - Amanda Ragan, Democrat - Mason City. Ragan voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) She got $1,600 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 8 - Mark Zieman, R-Allamakee. He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 9 - Bill Heckroth, Democrat - Waverly, and Tom Hoogestraat, Republican - Parkersburg, both supported the 2006 tax increase. Heckroth won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 10 - Jeff Danielson, D-Black Hawk. He got $650 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 11 - Bill A. Dotzler Jr, Democrat -Waterloo
(incumbent).
Dotzler voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax
Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) He got $100 from
Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File
907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers,
2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF
2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 12 -Brian Schoenjahn, D-Fayette. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 13 - Roger Tabor Stewart, Democrat - Preston (incumbent). He got $250 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Stewart voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 14 - Michael Connolly, D-Dubuque. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 15 - Robert E. Dvorsky, Democrat - Coralville (incumbent). Dvorsky voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 16 - Tom Hancock, D-Dubuque. He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 17 - Wally E. Horn, Democrat - Cedar Rapids (incumbent). Horn voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 18 - Mary Lundby, R-Linn. She got $1,000 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 19 - Robert M. Hogg, Democrat - Cedar Rapids, supported the 2006 cigarette tax increase: "As a state representative, I have supported raising the tobacco tax because it will encourage public health and reduce long-term health care costs by discouraging people, especially teenagers and pregnant women, from using tobacco. In 2006, I proposed a 64 cent increase in the tobacco tax to fund the state's share of Medicaid without the budget raid on the Senior Living Trust Fund, but the Speaker prevented a vote on the amendment (H-8170 to HF2734). I would prefer that revenue from the tobacco tax be used to improve tobacco prevention and cessation and expand access to affordable health care." Hogg told the Cedar Rapids Gazette, "I support raising the tobacco tax to promote public health, especially to discourage teenagers and pregnant women from smoking, and to reduce long-term health care costs. Iowa's tobacco tax has not been increased since 1991, and is now one of the lowest in the nation. All revenue from the tobacco tax should go to health care, including tobacco cessation, prevention, cancer research, and access to affordable health insurance. In 2006, I proposed raising the tobacco tax by 64 cents per pack to pay for state health care programs, which were paid for instead by raiding the Senior Living Trust Fund (H-8170)." (Robb Hogg. Legislative - Senate 19. Cedar Rapids Gazette, ? date, 2006.) Renee Schulte, Republican, no position for AARP. However, she told the Cedar Rapids Gazette, "I am supportive of an increase in the cigarette tax. If an increase would prevent one teenager from smoking it is worth it. I want the increase, however, high enough to really make a difference. If we are going to increase taxes to deter people from smoking, the revenue should go towards tobacco related prevention and reducing healthcare costs." (Renee Schulte. Legislative - Senate 19. Cedar Rapids Gazette, ? date, 2006.) Hogg won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 20 - John Putney, R-Tama. He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 21 - Dennis Black, Democrat - Grinnell (incumbent). Black voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Tim Morgan, Republican - Newton. Black won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 22 - Larry McKibben, R-Marshall. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 23 - Herman C. Quirmbach, Democrat - Ames (incumbent). Quirmbach voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Led by state Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, anti-smoker state legislators gloated at the prospect of raising cigarette taxes and passing smoking bans. "Quirmbach, who opposes smoking, advised anti-tobacco activists on strategy during a recent meeting of the state Tobacco Use and Prevention Commission. He warned them not to get overconfident because bar owners and cigarette smokers vote, too." "State Rep. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, favors a statewide ban. She says businesses are more likely to oppose local bans, which could leave them open to competitors in other cities without bans. But she said she has asked legislative staff members to draw up versions of both types of bills for legislators to consider." (State Democrats renew anti-tobacco focus. By Tony Leys. Des Moines Register, Nov. 27, 2006.) Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008 x2.
Senate District 24 - Jerry Behn, R-Boone, voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 25 - Daryl Beall, Democrat - Fort Dodge (incumbent). Beall voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) He got $100 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 26 - Steve Kettering, R-Sac. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 27 - Ron Wieck, Republican - Sioux City (incumbent). Wieck voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 28 - James A. Seymour, R-Harrison. She got $400 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 29 - Nancy J. Boettger, Republican - Harlan (incumbent). Boettger voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 30 - Pat Ward, R-Polk. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 31 - Matt McCoy, Democrat - Des Moines (incumbent); Nicholas Van Patten, Republican - Des Moines. McCoy got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. "McCoy said his goals if reelected include pumping an extra $100 million a year into early childhood development, which he says could be paid with an extra $1 sales tax on cigarettes." (2006 State House and Senate races (Des Moines metro area). Des Moines Register, ? date, 2006). McCoy voted for SF 416, the Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (District 1. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Sen. Matt McCoy and Rep. Janet Petersen, both D-Des Moines, announced that they plan to introduce a bill that would ban smoking in public places. (Lawmakers push public smoking ban. Des Moines Register, Jan. 17, 2006.) Petersen and claimed they have the necessary support from politicians and the public to outlaw smoking in Iowa bars and restaurants. (IowaPolitics.com: Smoking Ban, Bullying Bill on Legislators' Radar. By Chris Dorsey. IowaPolitics.com, Jan. 29, 2007.) Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 32 - Brad Zaun, R-Polk. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 33 - Jack Hatch, Democrat - Des Moines (incumbent); unopposed. Hatch voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (Iowa Senate District 33. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) He got $550 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 34 - Dick L. Dearden, D-Polk. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 35 - Merle O. Johnson, Democrat - Ankeny, supported the 2006 cigarette tax increase. Larry L. Noble, Republican - Ankeny, no position. Noble won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 36 - Paul McKinley, R-Lucas. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 37 - Staci Appel, Democrat - Ackworth, supports.
Julian B.
Garrett,
Republican - Indianola, supported the 2006 cigarette tax increase: "I
am committed to oppose tax
increases in
general so any increase in this tax would have to be accompanied by a
cut in some other tax." Appel received $200 from Pfizer in
2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of
tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128,
the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, statewide smoking ban
in 2008.
Senate District 38 - Tom Rielly, D-Mahaska. He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Rielly voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 39 - Joe Bolkcom, Democrat - Iowa City (incumbent). Bolkcom voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (Iowa Senate District 33. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 40 - James F. Hahn, R-Muscatine. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 41 - David Hartsuch, Republican. He got $200 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 42 - Frank Wood, D-Scott. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 43 - Joe M. Seng, Democrat - Davenport (incumbent). Seng voted for SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (Iowa Senate District 33. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 44 - Thomas G. Courtney, D-Des Moines. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 45 - Becky Schmitz, Democrat. She got $200 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 46 - Gene Fraise, D-Lee, voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 47 - Keith Kreiman, Democrat - Bloomfield (incumbent). Kreiman voted against SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (Iowa Senate District 33. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) He got $450 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 48 - Jeff Angelo, R-Union. He got $100 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Absent or no vote on SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 49 - Hubert Houser, Republican - Carson (incumbent). Houser voted against SF 416, the 2005 Cigarette Tax Increase/Property Tax Shift. (Iowa Senate District 33. The Iowa Prosperity Project.) Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
Senate District 50 - Michael E. Gronstal, D-Pottawattomie. He got $2,000 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike. Voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban in 2008.
House District 1 - Wesley E. Whitead, Democrat - Sioux City (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 2 - Roger Wendt, Democrat - Sioux City (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 3 - Chuck Soderberg, Republican - LeMars (incumbent).
He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 4 - Dwayne Alons, Republican - Hull. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 5 - Royd Chambers, Republican - Sheldon (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 6 - Mike May, Republican - Spirit Lake (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 7 - Marcella R. Frevert, Democrat - Emmetsburg (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 8 - Dolores M. Mertz, Democrat - Ottosen (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time, but for it the second time.
House District 9 - Mckinley Bailey, Democrat. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 10 - Dave Deyoe, Republican, opposed the 2006 cigarette tax increase: "Raising the cigarette tax for on-going expenses means the state would become even more addicted to the revenue from that tax. As it is, the state has a vested interest in making sure that people continue to smoke. We shouldn’t want a situation where the government profits more from the sale of cigarettes than even the tobacco companies. If an increased tax successfully lowered consumption, revenue would also fall, thereby endangering funding for vital state programs. Iowans do not need more taxes, especially for taxes like the cigarette tax which hit poor people the hardest." Susan R. Radke, Democrat, no position. Deyoe won. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 11 - Henry V. Rayhons, Republican - Garner (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time, and against it the second time.
House District 12 - Linda Upmeyer, Republican - Garner. She got
$1600 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted
against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen
from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike,
and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 13 - Bill Schickel, Republican - Mason City (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time, but for it the second time.
House District 14 - Mark Kuhn, Democrat - Charles City (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 15 - Brian Quirk, Democrat - New Hampton (incumbent).
He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time,
but for it the second time.
House District 16 - Chuck Gipp, Republican - Decorah (incumbent).
He got $1000 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House File 907,
the giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Absent or no vote on SF 128, the 2007
cigarette tax hike; voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 17 - Pat Grassley, Republican. Grassley got
$150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers,
2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF
2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 18 - Andrew Wenthe, Democrat - Hawkeye defeated Rep. David Lalk, R-Westgate. Wenthe voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 19 - Bob Kressig, Democrat - Cedar Falls (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 20 - Doris J. Kelley, Democrat -Waterloo, no position on 2006 AARP cigarette tax question; David Wieland, Republican -Waterloo, no position. Kelley won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 21 - Tami Wiencek, Republican, a former television
news
anchor, defeated Don Shoultz, D - Waterloo. She got $200 from
Pfizer in 2005-2006. Wiencek voted for House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers,
2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF
2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time, and for it the second
time.
House District 22 - Deborah L. Berry, Democrat - Waterloo (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 23 - Dan Rasmussen, R-Buchanan, voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike x2.
House District 24 - Roger Thomas, Democrat - Elkader (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 25 - Thomas J. Schueller, Democrat - Maquoketa (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time, but for it the second time.
House District 26 - Polly Bukta, Democrat - Clinton (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 27 - Pam Jochum, Democrat - Dubuque (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 28 - Pat Murphy, Democrat - Dubuque (incumbent), on
the 2006 AARP cigarette tax question: "I will support
efforts to improve the health of Iowans. As the Iowa economy continues
to improve, it is my hope that we can do it by using increases in
general fund revenue rather than by tax increases. I believe that this
is a more reliable and stable source of funding. I would also support
increased funding for teen prevention and smoking cessation programs
out of the general fund." Murphy got $1000 from Pfizer in 2005-2006.
Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of
tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128,
the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban
x2.
House District 29 - Ro H. Foege, Democrat - Mt. Vernon (incumbent).
Foege got $650 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 30 - Dave Jacoby, Democrat - Coralville (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 31 - Ray Zirkelbach, Democrat - Monticello (incumbent). Absent or no vote on House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Absent or no vote on SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and voted for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 32 - Steve Lukan, Republican - New Vienna. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 33 - Dick Taylor, Democrat - Cedar Rapids (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 34 - Todd Taylor, Democrat - Cedar Rapids (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 35 - Kraig Paulsen, Republican - Hiawatha
(incumbent). He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the
2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban
x2.
House District 36 - Swati Dandekar, Democrat - Marion (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 37 - Andy Anderson, Republican, supported the 2006 cigarette tax increase. Art Staed, Democrat, no position. Staed won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 38 - Tyler Olson, Democrat: "Tobacco-related illnesses are a health issue in Iowa. I believe directing resources toward expanding tobacco cessation and control programs and expanding access to quality and affordable health care is a wise investment in Iowa's future." Don Palmer, Republican, supported the 2006 cigarette tax increase: "Expanding access to quality and affordable health coverage is a top priority." Olson won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 39 - Dawn Pettengill, Democrat - Mount Auburn
(incumbent). She got $500 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for
House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the
2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban
x2.
House District 40 - Lance Horbach, Republican - Tama (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 41 - Paul Bell, Democrat - Newton (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 42 - Geri Huser, Democrat - Altoona (incumbent); unopposed. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban.
House District 43 - Mark Smith, Democrat - Marshalltown (incumbent).
He got $600 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 44 - Polly Granzow, Republican - Eldora (incumbent). Absent on House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007; said she would have voted nay. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 45 - Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, Democrat - Ames (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 46 - Lisa Heddens, Democrat - Ames (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 47 - Ralph Watts, Republican - Adel (incumbent); Russ Wiesley, Democrat - Waukee. Watts won. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 48 - Donovan Olson, Democrat - Boone (incumbent); Charles Braun, Republican - Boone. Olson won. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 49 - Helen Miller, Democrat - Fort Dodge (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 50 - David Tjepkes, Republican - Gowrie (incumbent).
He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 51 - Rod Roberts, Republican - Carroll (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 52 - Gary Worthan, R-Buena Vista, voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 53 - Dan Huseman, Republican - Aurelia (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban.
House District 54 - Christopher Rants, Republican - Sioux City: "I
live in
a border
community, and this action would push sales to neighboring states. For
this reason, I do not support raising this tax. I have advocated for
and supported smoking cessation programs, especially those for Iowa’s
youth. I worked to find additional resources for these programs this
past legislative session. Raising this tax would make the state even
more addicted to cigarette tax revenue. As a result, raising the tax to
spend the revenue would mean we need Iowans to continue smoking. This
is a counter-productive method of obtaining tax revenues if we truly
want to cut down on smokers." In 2005, Rants blocked the cigarette tax
increase, and was predictably denounced as a stooge of "Big
Tobacco." (Iowa House Speaker's Connections to Political Group
Raises Eyebrows. Quad City Times, Feb. 15, 2006.) He got $1000
from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers,
2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF
2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 55 - Clarence C. Hoffman, Republican - Denison
(incumbent). He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the
2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the
first time, and against it the second time.
House District 56 - Matt Windschitl, Republican. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 57 - Jack Drake, Republican - Lewis (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 58 - Clel Baudler, Republican - Greenfield
(incumbent). He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007
cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 59 - Dan Clute, Republican - Clive, supports: "Our goal should be to reduce the number of Iowans that smoke. If I can be convinced that an increase in this tax could help to achieve this goal, then I would be supportive of an increase. Since achieving our goal will mean a declining amount of revenue over time, I believe that this money should only be spent on smoking cessation and other items that will improve the health of Iowans, and not counted on as a continuing source of revenue." Jim Sammler, Democrat - West Des Moines, no position. Clute won. Clute voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 60 - Libby Jacobs, Republican - West Des Moines (incumbent); unopposed. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 61 - Jo Oldson, Democrat - Des Moines (incumbent);
David
Payer, Republican - Des Moines. Oldson won. Oldson got $150 from
Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907,
the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007.
Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the
statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 62 - Bruce Hunter, Democrat - Des Moines (incumbent); unopposed. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban.
House District 63 - J. Scott Raecker, Republican - Urbandale
(incumbent);
unopposed. He got $500 from Pfizer in
2005-2006. Absent on House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement
money stolen from smokers, 2007; said he would have voted nay. Voted
against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the
statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 64 - Janet Petersen, Democrat - Des Moines
(incumbent);
unopposed. She is "an advocate for smoke-free workplaces and improving
maternal health care in Iowa." (2006 State House and Senate races (Des
Moines metro area). Des Moines Register, ? date, 2006). Led by state
Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, anti-smoker state
legislators gloated at the prospect of raising cigarette taxes and
passing smoking bans. "Quirmbach, who opposes smoking, advised
anti-tobacco activists on strategy during a recent meeting of the state
Tobacco Use and Prevention Commission. He warned them not to get
overconfident because bar owners and cigarette smokers vote, too."
"State Rep. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, favors a statewide ban. She
says businesses are more likely to oppose local bans, which could leave
them open to competitors in other cities without bans. But she said she
has asked legislative staff members to draw up versions of both types
of bills for legislators to consider." (State Democrats renew
anti-tobacco focus. By Tony Leys. Des Moines Register, Nov. 27, 2006.)
Sen. Matt McCoy
and Rep. Janet Petersen, both D-Des Moines, announced that they plan to
introduce a bill that would ban smoking in public places. Petersen is a
former lobbyist for the American Heart Association. (Lawmakers push
public smoking ban. Des Moines Register, Jan. 17, 2006.) She got $150
from
Pfizer in 2005-2006. Petersen and
McCoy claimed they have the necessary support from politicians and the
public to outlaw smoking in Iowa bars and restaurants.
(IowaPolitics.com: Smoking Ban, Bullying Bill on Legislators' Radar. By
Chris Dorsey. IowaPolitics.com, Jan. 29, 2007.) She voted for House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers,
2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212,
the statewide smoking ban.
House District 65 - Wayne Ford, Democrat - Des Moines (incumbent); unopposed. Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 66 - Ako Abdul-Samad, Democrat - Des Moines; Brett Blanchfield, Libertarian - Des Moines; Jeff Johannsen, independent - Des Moines; Jack Whitver, Republican - Des Moines. Abdul-Samad won; Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 67 - Kevin McCarthy, Democrat - Des Moines
(incumbent):
"McCarthy received his law degree from Drake University after earning
his bachelor’s in sociology and political science from Wartburg
College. Before working for Polk County, he was an assistant attorney
general for the state of Iowa and worked in Washington, D.C., as part
of the lawsuit against big tobacco." (2006 State House and Senate races
(Des Moines metro area). Des Moines Register, ? date, 2006). Steve
Inman, Republican - Des Moines; Brian McLain, independent - Des Moines.
McCarthy won. He got $250 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007
cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 68 - Rick Olson, Democrat (incumbent); unopposed.
He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time, and
against it the second time.
House District 69 - Walt Tomenga, Republican - Johnston
(incumbent):
"The money the government has borrowed from itself — about $400 million
— needs to be paid back, Tomenga said. A 50-cent increase in the
cigarette tax is one way Tomenga said he’d like to pay back the debt."
(2006 State House and Senate races (Des Moines metro area). Des Moines
Register, ? date, 2006). John Calhoun, Democrat - Polk City. Tomenga
won. He got $450 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907,
the giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 70 - Carmine Boal, Republican - Ankeny (incumbent); unopposed. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 71 - Jim Van Engelenhoven, Republican - Pella (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 72 - Richard Arnold, Republican - Russell (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 73 - Jodi Tymeson, Republican - Winterset (incumbent); Maxine Bussanmas, Democrat - Bevington. Tymeson won. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 74 - Mark Davitt, Democrat - Indianola (incumbent);
Doug
Shull, Republican - Indianola. Davitt won. He got $250 from Pfizer
in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907,
the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007.
Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the
statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 75 - Eric Palmer, Democrat - Oskaloosa, defeated
House
Speaker Pro-tem Danny Carroll, Republican - Grinnell. Palmer got
$200 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Palmer voted for
House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from
smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for
HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 76 - Betty DeBoef, Republican - What Cheer (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 77 - Mary Mascher, Democrat - Iowa City (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 78 - Vicki Lensing, Democrat - Iowa City (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 79 - Jeff Kaufmann, Republican - Wilton (incumbent).
He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 80 - Nathan Reichert, Democrat - Muscatine (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 81 - Jamie Van Fossen, Republican - Davenport (incumbent). Absent on House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007; said he would have voted nay. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 82 - Linda Miller, Republican - Bettendorf
(incumbent). She got $200 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007
cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 83 - Steven N. Olson, Republican - De Witt (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 84 - Elesha Gayman, Democrat - Davenport, defeated
incumbent Jim Van Fossen, R-Davenport. Gayman got $200 from
Pfizer in 2005-2006. Gayman voted for House File 907,
the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007.
Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the
statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 85 - Jim Lykam, Democrat - Davenport (incumbent).
He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time,
but for it the second time.
House District 86 - Cindy Winckler, Democrat - Davenport (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 87 - Tom Sands, Republican - Columbus Junction
(incumbent). He got $200 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the
2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban
x2.
House District 88 - Dennis Cohoon, Democrat - Burlington (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 89 - Sandy Greiner, Republican - Keota (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time, and was absent or didn't vote the second time.
House District 90 - John Whitaker, Democrat - Hillsboro (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 91 - Dave Heaton, Republican - Mount Pleasant
(incumbent). He got $500 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File
907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the
2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban
x2.
House District 92 - Phil Wise, Democrat - Keokuk (incumbent). He
got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted
for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen
from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and
for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 93 - Mary Gaskill, Democrat - Ottumwa (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 94 - Kurt Swaim, Democrat - Bloomfield (incumbent).
He got $100 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted for House File 907, the
giveaway of tobacco settlement money
stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax
hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 95 - Michael Reasoner, Democrat - Creston (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 96 - Cecil Dolecheck, Republican - Mount Ayr (incumbent). Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban the first time, but for it the second time.
House District 97 - Richard Anderson, Republican - Clarinda
(incumbent). He got $150 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the
2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 98 - Greg Forristall, Republican, opposed the 2006 cigarette tax increase: "Since I am convinced Iowans will drastically curtail their smoking in coming years, I would be concerned with depending on revenue from tobacco taxes." Sally Vitamvas, Democrat, supported it: "There is an argument that says that such a tax will cause cigarette smuggling from other states, and/or the loss of revenue for merchants located near state borders; but smoking is a direct cause of deadly illnesses, the costs of which burden not only the smoker, but also society at large in many ways, and second-hand smoke, we’re now learning, is perhaps even more dangerous than smoking itself. While raising the tobacco tax might not stop current adult smokers, the revenue raised could be used to offset some of the societal costs, and might well discourage underage smoking by making it both more expensive and also more difficult for minors to obtain tobacco products." Forristall won. Voted against House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
House District 99 - Doug Struyk, Republican - Council Bluffs
(incumbent). He got $500 from Pfizer in 2005-2006. Voted against House
File 907, the giveaway of tobacco
settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted against SF 128, the
2007 cigarette tax hike, and against HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban
x2.
House District 100 - Paul Shomshor, Democrat - Council Bluffs (incumbent). Voted for House File 907, the giveaway of tobacco settlement money stolen from smokers, 2007. Voted for SF 128, the 2007 cigarette tax hike, and for HF 2212, the statewide smoking ban x2.
Sen. Tom
Harkin, Democrat, is Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on
Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations. That means that
he can blackmail scientists into silence with the implicit threat of
cutting off their funding! Harkin is a co-sponsor of S-625, the
Kennedy-Cornyn/Waxman
bill for FDA regulation of tobacco. He also
introduced S. 1753, the Healthy Workforce Act
of 2007, for taxpayer-subsidized brainwashing with health fascist
scientific fraud, in the inherently coercive environment of a
workplace; S 1342, the so-called Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention
(HeLP)
America Act of 2007; S 1013, the Smoke Free Mothers and Babies Act; and
the
Harkin Wellness Grants program, a chunk of pork from the Centers for
Disease Control which shoveled out $2.7 million in 2005
to Iowa cities; school districts, and community-based nonprofit
organizations to spread health fascism. (Health and Wellness. Citizens
for Harkin, accessed 10/7/07.) Harkin received $2,000 from Johnson & Johnson in 2006, and $3,000 from
Pfizer.
In 1987, Harkin was a co-sponsor of the Hatch Bill, S. 51, to prohibit smoking in public conveyances. (Tobacco Institute Federal Relations Report, May 29, 1987.)
TI Federal Relations Report, May 29, 1987 / tobacco documentDistrict 1, Rep. Bruce L. Braley, Democrat, is a co-sponsor of HR-1108, the Kennedy-Cornyn/Waxman bill for FDA regulation of tobacco.
District 2, Rep. David Loebsack, Democrat, is a co-sponsor of HR-1108, the Kennedy-Cornyn/Waxman bill for FDA regulation of tobacco.
District 3, Rep. Leonard Boswell, Democrat, is a co-sponsor of HR-1108, the Kennedy-Cornyn/Waxman bill for FDA regulation of tobacco.
District 4, Rep. Tom Latham, Republican. In 2006, Latham received $5,000 from Eli Lilly & Co.
District 5, Steve
King, Republican. In 2006, King received $1,000 from Eli Lilly & Co.
"Vilsack, when asked to comment on the death of his former chief of
staff, used his trademark style of weaving this unrelated tragedy into
a political message directed at giving the cigarette tax a media boost.
Vilsack tied his friend’s suicide brought on by the abuse of
prescription drugs to increasing the tobacco tax. The string of logic
on this one: tobacco products are a “gateway” drug." Vilsack said,
"Steve Gleason was a good man, but he had his challenges and his
addictions which he had difficulties coping with," "The legislature has
before it a tobacco tax increase which many look at in the context of
the politics of the day and some look at in terms of revenues that can
do good. For me, it's about trying to save lives. "Steve Gleason was a
good man, but he had his challenges and his addictions which he had
difficulties coping with," Vilsack said. "The legislature has before it
a tobacco tax increase which many look at in the context of the
politics of the day and some look at in terms of revenues that can do
good. For me, it's about trying to save lives." (Political Mileage
Awards. Things Going Round and Round, Mar. 27, 2006, by Iowa Ennui.)
Vilsack proposed raising the cigarette tax by 80 cents in 2005.
cast 03-23-08
Carol AS Thompson, Madison, Wisconsin
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