Good Work Tim Kaine!!

From the WaPo:

"RICHMOND, Aug. 29 -- Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) said Tuesday that he is "actively considering" ordering a ban on smoking in state government buildings and vehicles, a move that would affect 100,000 employees and inch the Commonwealth closer to a growing national consensus about the dangers of secondhand smoke."

Great first step from Governor Tim Kaine. 

Let's hope this goes forward ASAP.

Comments

[egregious]

This could save a LOT of lives.

Hey, I just got a robocall from Gerry Connolly, inviting me to the September 2nd Democratic kick-off to support our Senatorial nominee Jim Webb and all of our congressional candidates. The robocall was paid for by Jim Webb!

Good for Gerry Connolly! Should be a good day for all Fairfax County Democrats, united and focused.

I am surprised because I heard through the vine that Connolly was scheduled to have surgery this week. Yet he is still going to the rally and he will speak for a united party.

A potential nomination of Warner of the Week? Don't worry, NLS, I won't get my hopes up.

[Not Frank Hargrove]

I always enjoyed lighting up in the State Capitol. I guess that ban won't cover that; JLARC controls the Capitol. The ghost of Senator Holland fires up a butt to mark the passing of an era.

[pitin]

I'm a smoker and against most bans...but this one just makes sense.

Good for Kaine.

Anon 7:06, I'm excited about the rally too, I never thought Robo-Calls worked, glad to hear that they do.

Wait - you can still smoke in state buildings? WTF?

[Mason Conservative]

This is a good move. People are free to smoke, but the government is also free to not take part in enabling it. Good for Kaine.

[hirons]

Great - this is just what we need a tired snow plow driver who's ticked off because he can't light up a cigarette at 2 AM out plowing my neighborhood.

Brilliant move Governor! You've done so much to move Virginia forward.

Thanks for nothing.

[Southern Democrat]

The ghost of A.L. Philpott will still be puffin' on that old pipe!

[NotLarrySabato'sLawnboy]

Yo Holmes lets just ban cigarette.... cigars are awesome....

Wait - you can still smoke in state buildings? WTF?

941 anon- Welcome to Virginia.

[Mason Conservative]

The Washington Post has it, and it seems Kaine has a mixed record on anti-smoking, as the Post points out. He says banning smoking in private workplaces is wrong. Interesting . . .you can't smoke in doors if you work for the state, but you can if you don't?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/29/AR2006082900896.html

[michael]

Mason Conservative --

Whew, I am reassured. When I first read this I thought "Hey, that's cool, but I hope he's not about to go all 'nanny state' on us."

You know, because I'm a firm believer that business owner's should have the right to offer "no smoking" sections, or simply say, "You don't like smoke? Go somewhere else."

So I was reassured by your comment, knowing that Kaine doesn't intend to take that right from anyone. That said, I don't think the government should take the "Don't like it? Go someplace else" approach. Many organizations have banned smoking to make more people feel more welcome, and I'm glad the Governor is considering doing the same.

[William Jackson]

How can we be sure it'll affect 100,000 employees if we're not exactly sure how many people are employed by the Commonwealth, as Delegate Saxman has pointed out...?

[Informed Patriot]

I believe the Capitol grounds are under the pervue of the legislature and that the Gov's policy shift would not effect the Capitol or the GAB. So continue to light it up where ya can and help the economy of southside.

[David]

I wish he would have waited until after the elections. The Republicans will claim it is another example of the Democrats taking rights away from individuals.