GOP may block appointment over smoking ban
By Dan Gearino Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Friday, March 07, 2008
DES MOINES -- Objections to an anti-smoking ad campaign may sink the Iowa Senate confirmation of the man who heads the agency behind the ads.
Senate Republicans said Thursday that Tom Newton, the Iowa Department of Public Health director, doesn't have enough support to remain in the job.
"I would doubt there are any (Republican) votes right now to approve him," said Senate Minority Leader Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City.
Republicans are upset over the health department's sponsorship of a $596,000 ad campaign that encourages smoke-free workplaces. GOP legislators say the campaign is a thinly veiled endorsement of proposals to ban public smoking.
"A governmental department shouldn't be activist when it comes to issues being dealt with in the Legislature," Wieck said.
Senate Democrats hold a 30-20 majority, an edge large enough to easily pass legislation, but not large enough to get the two-thirds vote needed to confirm appointees to state offices.
Newton needs 34 votes, so he will need the help of four Republicans. He has begun meeting with Republicans to ask for their support.
"This is a matter of principle, not personality," said Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, after he met with Newton.
Gov. Chet Culver appointed Newton in late April of last year, too late for him to face Senate confirmation during last year's session. Newton is serving as director while he awaits a confirmation vote.
Democrats have said they unanimously support Newton and will continue to work with Republicans on the issue.
Last month, in response to concerns from legislators, Newton sent a letter explaining the ad campaign. He said the campaign is part of his agency's mission to discourage smoking. He noted that the ads were cleared by the Attorney General's Office.
"The advertisements do not reference a specific piece of legislation or make a call to action of any kind," Newton said.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
Senate Republicans said Thursday that Tom Newton, the Iowa Department of Public Health director, doesn't have enough support to remain in the job.
"I would doubt there are any (Republican) votes right now to approve him," said Senate Minority Leader Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City.
Republicans are upset over the health department's sponsorship of a $596,000 ad campaign that encourages smoke-free workplaces. GOP legislators say the campaign is a thinly veiled endorsement of proposals to ban public smoking.
"A governmental department shouldn't be activist when it comes to issues being dealt with in the Legislature," Wieck said.
Senate Democrats hold a 30-20 majority, an edge large enough to easily pass legislation, but not large enough to get the two-thirds vote needed to confirm appointees to state offices.
Newton needs 34 votes, so he will need the help of four Republicans. He has begun meeting with Republicans to ask for their support.
"This is a matter of principle, not personality," said Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, after he met with Newton.
Gov. Chet Culver appointed Newton in late April of last year, too late for him to face Senate confirmation during last year's session. Newton is serving as director while he awaits a confirmation vote.
Democrats have said they unanimously support Newton and will continue to work with Republicans on the issue.
Last month, in response to concerns from legislators, Newton sent a letter explaining the ad campaign. He said the campaign is part of his agency's mission to discourage smoking. He noted that the ads were cleared by the Attorney General's Office.
"The advertisements do not reference a specific piece of legislation or make a call to action of any kind," Newton said.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
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ER wrote on Mar 7, 2008 10:12 PM:
Scrapper wrote on Mar 7, 2008 12:02 PM:
Dick wrote on Mar 7, 2008 4:07 AM: