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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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LOCAL LEGISLATOR TO SERVE ON "FREEDOM TO BREATHE" CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
ST. PAUL Rep. Kim Norton (DFL Rochester) is one of only a handful of freshman legislators who have been named to serve on a conference committee this session. Her appointment to the conference committee on the "Freedom To Breathe" legislation came Friday in an announcement from Speaker Margaret Anderson-Kelliher on the House floor. The committee is scheduled to begin its work hammering out the details of the House and Senate proposals sometime this week.
"I am honored to have been chosen to play such a key role in this important work," said Rep. Norton. "This is a bill whose time has come. I am looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues in the House and Senate to craft a fair and effective final proposal that will ultimately be in the best interest of our state."
After several hours of debate on the House floor, the Freedom To Breathe Act passed on the House floor last Thursday by a vote of 85 to 45. As a co-author of the legislation, Rep. Kim Norton voted in support of the bill. The bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 41 to 24 in March. If signed into law by the Governor, the legislation would protect employees and the public from second-hand smoke.
A survey conducted in December of 2006 by the American Cancer Society and Clear Way Minnesota showed that 69 percent of Minnesotans support a statewide smoking ban that includes bars and restaurants.
According to Norton, these figures hold true.
"I had a significant number of constituents contact me in support of this legislation, and a survey of residents in my district showed 74% support for such a plan of those responding," said Norton. "In the interest of achieving and sustaining a more healthy society, lowering health care costs, and preventing needless illness and deaths, the majority of Minnesotans want to see this legislation become law. I am glad to represent the viewpoint of the vast majority of my constituents on this issue."
A smoke free workplace ordinance including bars and restaurants has already been approved in Olmsted County. The legislation passed in the House would enact a similar policy statewide.
Rep. Norton went on to say, "Statewide smoke-free legislation will make certain that all bars, restaurants, and other establishments are on a level playing field. I am hopeful that the conference report will enact regulations statewide that will keep all business establishments and public places on equal footing and protect workers as well."
Governor Pawlenty has indicated he will sign the legislation into law when the final version of the bill arrives at his desk.
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- Its Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
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