Alabama
Representative Mary Sue McClurkin, R- Pelham, has introduced a comprehensive statewide smoking ban proposal in the State of Alabama. This is a stringent piece of legislation, seeking to reach into private clubs, and the means by which she defines "business" could clearly reach into cigar and specialty tobacco shops. In fact, she makes no clear exemption for cigar shops. It also clearly bans smoking in all restaurants and bars throughout Alabama. The legislation also has strict rules for outdoor smoking. No more cigars at the Alabama and Auburn tailgate parties.
The legislation has been assigned to the House Health Committee. It has to be defeated in the House, whereas in years past, such legislation has passed in the Senate, and died in the House. Below are the contacts for the House Health Committee, and links to contact your member of the Alabama House and Senate. Call and write your member, TODAY!
Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama Senate
Alabama House Health Committee
Jim McClendon , Chair ; Mike Millican , Vice Chair, Johnny Mack Morrow , Ranking Minority Member ; Elaine Beech , Donnie Chesteen , Berry Forte , Laura Hall , Ed Henry , Ron Johnson , John Knight , Paul Lee , Becky Nordgren , James Patterson , Allen Treadaway , April Weaver .
Connecticut
Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy has proposed over $1.5 billion in new taxes for the citizens and businesses of Connecticut.
Nothing is left untouched. He wants to tax yoga sessions, haircuts, pet grooming, car washes, much less raise the sales tax. Oh, and for good measure, he throws in new taxes on plastic surgery and boating support services (obviously an important industry to the state); toss in increased taxes on beer, gas, hotel rooms, rental cars, as well as a new slate of "luxury taxes." And then, there is tobacco.
He wants to raise the tax on cigars from 27.5% to 50% of the wholesale price.
This bill is being heard in the joint Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.
Send them a message.
1) They will send Connecticut tax revenue to lower cost alternatives, such as surrounding states and the Internet.
2) They will irreparably harm Connecticut small businesses, with lost jobs, and closed shops.
3) This type of regressive taxation results in the same budget hole they began with, and an expanded black market for illegal products.
This, indeed, is one of the worst pieces of tax legislation in the nation.
Cigar Rights of America stands with such groups as the 10,000 member Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Connecticut Package Stores Association, the Distilled Spirits Council, and the Connecticut Retail Merchant's Association in opposition to this package from Governor Malloy.
More so, however, we stand with the Great American Cigar Shops™ of Connecticut.
CRA's growing Connecticut membership needs to voice its opposition to this regressive piece of legislation.
A Wall Street Journal editorial has noted the “point of no return,” for such tax increases. The message: In fact the state will not collect as much revenue, sales will be driven to lower cost border-states and sources, the legislature will fuel the black market, and they will have the same budget hole with which they began. Call them TODAY!
FIND YOUR MEMBER OF THE CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE
Read more about the comprehensive nature of this tax package, and how legislators and concerned groups view this package here.
Read the Governor's Complete Tax Increase Package here.
Additionaly, Representative Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin has introduced H.B. 5286 in the Connecticut legislature that would also ban smoking in private clubs. He said “to insure the public is protected.”
Maryland
Four members of the Maryland Senate and fourteen members of the Maryland House want to raise the tax on cigars by 533.3%!
Senate Bill 654 is being heard by the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee.
Send them a message.
1) They will send Maryland tax revenue to lower cost alternatives, such as surrounding states and the internet.
2) They will irreparably harm Maryland small businesses, with lost jobs, and closed shops.
3) This type of regressive taxation results in the same budget hole they began with, and an expanded black market for illegal products.
SB 654 and HB 853 aims to increase the OTP tax from 15 percent to 95 percent of the wholesale price, an overall increase of 533.3%. This, indeed, is one of the worst pieces of tax legislation in the nation.
CRA stands with the Premium Cigar Retailers Association of Maryland, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association and the Maryland Great American Cigar Shops™.
CRA's growing Maryland membership needs to voice its opposition to this regressive piece of legislation. Several years ago, Maryland was the subject of a Wall Street Journal editorial, noting the “point of no return,” for such tax increases. The message: In fact the state will not collect as much revenue, sales will be driven to lower cost border-states and sources, you'll fuel the black market, and you'll end up with the same budget hole with which you began. Call them TODAY!
Maryland House of Representatives
Maryland Senate
Illinois
More Progress in the Land of Lincoln We previously noted the positive movement in Illinois with legislation to allow smoking in state owned casinos (HB 171).
Now, we can again look to Illinois with a positive note on the introduction of House Bill 1310 . Sponsored by Representative Anthony DeLuca , D-Cook County, and Representative Randy Ramey , R-DuPage County.
This week , HB 1310 advanced from the House Executive Committee on a voice vote, allowing it to be considered by the full Chamber, and enter a second reading. In addition, we are pleased to announce (and commend!) that the legislation has picked up new sponsors.
CRA wishes to thank Representatives Daniel Burke, Robert Rita, and Rita Mayfield for signing on as patrons of this progressive legislation for cigar enthusiasts in Illinois. Even to date, it's a national model in the making.
This legislation would allow for the issuing of a ‘smoking license' if certain criteria are met, such as: employee acknowledgment, establishment already holds a valid liquor license, and notable public signage.
We commend Representatives DeLuca and Ramey for their leadership on this issue, and now their colleagues Rep. Burke, Rita and Mayfield for their support . We're asking CRA's Illinois membership from the retail tobacconist to the cigar enthusiast to support this legislation, along with the casino exemption, to bring some liberty back to the Land of Lincoln. Also, please thank these patrons of such great legislation. They need to know they have friends that appreciate their efforts.
Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois Senate
Rep. Daniel Burke - http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=97&MemberID=1587
Rep. Robert Rita - http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=97&MemberID=1673
Rep. Rita Mayfield - http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=97&MemberID=1761
Washington
The State of Washington Still Needs Our Help!
Positive Legislation has been Introduced to Restore some Cigar Freedom. The motto for the State of Washington is a Chinook Indian word Alki, which means "Hope for the Future."
Based upon the introduction of House Bill 1683 by nine members of the House of Representatives, and Senate Bill 5542 by seven members of the Washington State Senate, there could indeed, be "hope for the future" - at least in terms of enjoying a cigar.
CRA joins the Cigar Association of Washington and IPCPR in supporting this legislation. We also believe it could be a model for other states that have stringent anti-smoking laws.
The legislation calls for upgraded and distinct ventilation, a fee structure that would prevent wide spread awarding of a limited number of licenses, is for cigars only, employee waiver language, signage requirements, and an age 18 restriction. In other words, it's a well thought out piece of legislation. So naturally, the state and local Health Departments are fighting it. We need to do our part.
The Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection referred the bill to the Senate Ways & Means Committee, and the House Committee on Business & Financial Services recently advanced the bill (on a 10-3 vote) also referring the legislation to the House Committee on Ways & Means.
Voice your support to these respective committees for HB 1683 and SB 5542!
Washington House of Representatives
Washington Senate |
