3:00 pm A press conference to release the results of our online petition is about to begin. The AHA and Smoke-Free Texas coalition collected almost 10,000 signatures in just two days in support of smoke-free air.
Native Texan and Former AHA CEO Cass Wheeler (pictured above) will emcee the press conference.
3:10 Cass opens the press conference. "We set an ambitious goal of 5,000 signatures, but underestimated the widespread support for smoke-free air and nearly doubled our goal with close to 10,000 signatures..."
3:15 Cass introduces Senate author Rodney Ellis. "In a year or two after we pass this bill we will be asking ourselves what were we smoking for this to take so long"
3:26 Hyde Park Bar and Grill owner Bick Brown is now speaking. His establishment went smoke-free before he was required to. Said his decision was made when a long time employee came to him and said, "I shouldn't have to risk my health to work for you".
3:28 Flower Mound Mayor talks about passing a strong smoke-free ordinance a few months ago. "After four months I'm getting calls from restaurant owners who opposed the ordinance saying 'Thank You' for passing this ordinance."
3:32 Cass is back at the podium.
"This is not about Republicans, it is not about Democrats, and its not about politics. This is about public health and saving lives. Let's get these bills out of the political process and into the public health process and let's save those lives."
3:10 Cass opens the press conference. "We set an ambitious goal of 5,000 signatures, but underestimated the widespread support for smoke-free air and nearly doubled our goal with close to 10,000 signatures..."
3:15 Cass introduces Senate author Rodney Ellis. "In a year or two after we pass this bill we will be asking ourselves what were we smoking for this to take so long"
3:26 Hyde Park Bar and Grill owner Bick Brown is now speaking. His establishment went smoke-free before he was required to. Said his decision was made when a long time employee came to him and said, "I shouldn't have to risk my health to work for you".
3:28 Flower Mound Mayor talks about passing a strong smoke-free ordinance a few months ago. "After four months I'm getting calls from restaurant owners who opposed the ordinance saying 'Thank You' for passing this ordinance."
3:32 Cass is back at the podium.
"This is not about Republicans, it is not about Democrats, and its not about politics. This is about public health and saving lives. Let's get these bills out of the political process and into the public health process and let's save those lives."
2 comments:
Hi Brian -- are you doing twitter or yammer updates once the hearing begins? Good luck to everyone on our team at the Capitol today!
Midge
Yes. I believe Terri will be tweeting during the State Affairs hearing and I will blog.
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