Category — State

Old Hickory Democrat and portly blowhard Mike Turner is calling out smokers who want coverage under the state’s health insurance plan. According to the Nashville Post Politics Blog (and Cara Kumari at WSMV), State Representative Mike Turner is moving to prohibit new hires to the state who smoke from being covered under the state’s health insurance. From the story:

State Rep. Mike Turner, a Democrat from Old Hickory, has introduced a plan to prohibit any new state employee who is hired from joining the state health care plan if they use tobacco products.

“People who use tobacco products are risking their health and causing more expense to the plan, so this is the attempt to try and hold down some of those costs,” said Turner.

The cost of health care for state employees continues to increase. Each smoker costs the state about $3,400 a year in health care costs and lost productivity.

“This is kind of a starting point to start the debate, and hopefully we can do something to hold down the cost and still offer good coverage to employees,” said Turner.

If this is where the debate starts, then where does it end?

Now, Turner’s colleague and conservative firebrand Representative Stacey Campfield was nicer than I am. He just called Turner fluffy. Conservatives aren’t the only ones who are upset, though. Aunt B., of Tiny Cat Pants fame, doesn’t like the idea one bit.

UPDATE: Apparently, Mike Turner isn’t fat.

I checked out Memphis State Senator Jim Kyle’s gubernatorial campaign site today, and it looks as though he’s got a Murfreesboro connection. Check it out – former State Senator Any Womack will serve as his Treasurer. Should be interesting.

I want to convey just how humbled I am by Representative Mumpower’s resolution and how honored I am to be recognized by the Tennessee House of Representatives. At the state level, I interact with some of the most fascinating people – most of whom debate important issues regularly in the House chamber. I hope that one day I am able to contribute to this body what so many Democrats and Republicans have given in the past: my time, my committment, and my willingness to one day serve the great people of Tennessee.