June 16, 2011 - The California Assembly Labor and Employment Committee is scheduled to consider a bill (SB 575) on June 22 that would expand the existing workplace smoking ban. The measure is opposed by groups such as the Cigar Association of America, Cigar Rights of America, and Commonwealth Brands, Inc.
See table of "Top Recipients of Campaign Contributions from Tobacco-Related Interest Groups to California Assemblymembers (Jan. 1, 2009 - Dec. 31, 2010)" below.
On June 2, the California Senate passed SB 575 by a 25-14 margin to expand the prohibition on smoking in the workplace to include owner-operated businesses and eliminate exemptions for certain work environments, including bars and employee break rooms. All but one Democrat supported the measure, and only one Republican voted for it.
- Over a four year period, tobacco-related interests (Tobacco companies & tobacco product sales and Tobacco & tobacco products) gave 7.2 times as much on average to senators who voted 'NO' ($16,170) as they gave to senators who voted 'YES' ($2,237)
- The lone Democrat who voted against the measure, Gloria Negrete McLeod, was one of only five Democrats to receive money from the tobacco industry. The Republican who voted in favor, Sam Blakeslee, received no money from tobacco interests over the recent four year period.
Top Recipients of Campaign Contributions from Tobacco-Related Interest Groups to California Assemblymembers (Jan. 1, 2009 - Dec. 31, 2010):
| Assemblymember | Party | District | Total Tobacco-Related Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Garrick | Republican | 74 | $15,600 |
| Cameron Smyth | Republican | 38 | $11,700 |
| Curt Hagman | Republican | 60 | $11,300 |
| Connie Conway | Republican | 34 | $10,800 |
| Steve Knight | Republican | 36 | $10,800 |
| Jim Silva | Republican | 67 | $10,800 |
| Diane Harkey | Republican | 73 | $10,800 |
| Dan Logue | Republican | 3 | $10,300 |
| Nathan Fletcher | Republican | 75 | $9,800 |
| Jim Nielsen | Republican | 2 | $9,300 |
| Cathleen Galgiani | Democrat | 17 | $9,300 |
| Bill Berryhill | Republican | 26 | $9,300 |
Methodology: For Senate, a MapLight analysis of contributions to campaign committees of legislators in office on day of vote, from Tobacco companies & tobacco product sales and Tobacco & tobacco products interest groups, January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2010. For Assembly, a MapLight analysis of contributions to candidate campaign committees of current Assemblymembers (as of June 15, 2011), from Tobacco companies & tobacco product sales interest group, January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010. Contributions data provided by the National Institute on Money in State Politics (FollowTheMoney.org) Note: No contributions were given to Assemblymembers from the Tobacco & tobacco products interest group from January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010.
