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Municipalities are not sovereign. They are political subdivisions of the state.They have no inherent power.
Perhaps "sovereign" is too strong a word, but municipalities certainly do have power. They do, for example, have the power to establish and enforce zoning restrictions, and to enact and enforce laws such as noise ordinances, business licenses, parking, begging, etc. While this power is granted by the state through the municipal charter, they have the power nonetheless.
In this case the state is attempting to take away local authorities' power to regulate outdoor smoking. Yes, the state has the authority to do that, but my question is why would they want to? Why not let the localities decide what they want? Isn't that what a democratic form of government is all about?
The sponsor of bill probably thought he could ride on coat tails of the recent Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 by restricting local municipalities imposing stronger than state EPA regulations.
The state law say nothing about outdoor spaces from businesses, colleges, parks are making their own rules trumping state law,
Wilson the County the sponsor of the bill is from, is also home of tobacco farms and 3 tobacco manufacturers.
Last edited by SunnyKayak; 05-15-2013 at 03:43 PM..
The sponsor of bill probably thought he could ride on coat tails of the recent Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 by restricting local municipalities imposing stronger than state EPA regulations.
The state law say nothing about outdoor spaces from businesses, colleges, parks are making their own rules trumping state law,
Wilson the County the sponsor of the bill is from, is also home of tobacco farms and 3 tobacco manufacturers.
I'd like to see a total ban on smoking. The idiots that smoke in front of restaurants create a fine stench you must pass through. Real appetizing. Smokers and their residue infringe on personal space and air, daily. Ban the whole lot of them!!!
I don't know if it makes me fickle or enlightened (and frankly don't care, so save your judgements ), but I have come full circle on this issue.
I used to be staunchly "pro smoker", but now I'm staunchly "majority rules". That said, I think that control is most efficiently exerted closer to its source... For the most part.
Towns, cities and counties perform some actions more efficiently than states and Feds. What works for Troy, NC may not work for Raleigh or Charlotte due to factors related to land use and population density. The actions of the current GA are abhorrent in my opinion. It's biting the hand that feeds. The rural majority (in terms of representation) are very much bullying the urban zones and population centers. I could allegorize this mentality across local actions also, but I won't bore you with my dramatic musings.
First of all, I enjoy going to a bar, restaurant, or sporting event and not come home with my clothes reeking of cigarette smoke! I don't understand why this Republican legislature want to take us back to the way things were in the past! This is the 21st century, not the 1970s, they need to understand that times change and society will evolve over time! Do you want to go to a smoke-filled hospital to witness the birth of your child, or go to a school or universiry and the hallways are filled with smoke or walking/jogging thru a park and having to go thru a haze of smoke when it should be a healthy environment! It is obvious this legislature is reactionary and not forward-thinking, they don't think about the consequences of their actions!
Last edited by prwfromnc; 05-17-2013 at 10:36 AM..
First of all, I enjoy going to a bar, restaurant, or sporting event and not come home with my clothes reeking of cigarette smoke! I don't understand why this Republican legislature want to take us back to the way things were in the past! This is the 21st century, not the 1970s, they need to understand that times change and society will evolve over time! Do you want to go to a smoke-filled hospital to witness the birth of your child, or go to a school or universiry and the hallways are filled with smoke or walking/jogging thru a park and having to go thru a haze of smoke when it should be a healthy environment! It is obvious this legislature is reactionary and not forward-thinking, they don't think about the consequences of their actions!
This bill only affects outdoor smoking bans, not indoor ones. Those are still on the books. For now.
This bill only affects outdoor smoking bans, not indoor ones. Those are still on the books. For now.
Thanks for clarifying that!
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), but I have come full circle on this issue. 
