Here’s Your Legislature at Work
January 6th, 2007 | by Craig |Gazoo Headline: Senator wants paper towels in restrooms
“I went in, took care of things, went out, and I washed my hands, and that was just fine, there was soap there. And when I was done washing my hands, I turned to look.” Ryan said. “And there were no paper towels.”
<Made Up Quote Alert>”So, I sez to my self, ‘Self! There oughta be a law!’”</Made Up Quote Alert>
And some of you wonder why we smaller government types pray for gridlock.
Great Falls is surely standing proud today.
10 Responses to “Here’s Your Legislature at Work”
By david on Jan 6, 2007 | Reply
*cringe*
By Ayn Rand on Jan 6, 2007 | Reply
And we wonder why there is so much rancor at the legislature…I would think that there would be more important stuff to deal with.But having listened to Sen Ryan before…he is the most partisan person I have ever..ever..seen over there.
By Gman on Jan 6, 2007 | Reply
When you consider that there were about 2200 bill draft requests submitted, it’s not surprising that there are a few wacky ones in the mix. It’s good to know that a legislator can spot a real problem when he sees it. And, of course, no matter how ridiculous the legislation is, there is some interest group on hand to support it.
By Shane C. Mason on Jan 6, 2007 | Reply
Ayn, are clean hands a partisan thing?
By david on Jan 6, 2007 | Reply
Clean hands aren’t, Shane — but MANDATING them via unnecessary legislation surely is!
By Craig on Jan 7, 2007 | Reply
Personally, I think TP is more important than paper towels.
By Kirk Dooley on Jan 7, 2007 | Reply
I have found that the blow dryers in rest rooms often fail to get my hands dry. (And they never dry my spectacles.) Paper towels work much better.
That said, I don’t think this is a matter for legislation (nor are bills for the state fossil and/or butterfly, which have come up in both the MT and AZ legislatures in years past). But then, some wag once said many years ago, “No one’s life, liberty or property is safe when the legislature is in session.” (Montana may have more members in the loony bin than Arizona — 150 to our 90 — but at least they only meet every two years for 90 days. Our legislators — most of which sound as if they reside the rest of the time at 2600 E. Van Buren in Phoenix, which is the address of the state nuthouse — meet every year, and have yet to ajourn before Father’s Day.)
By James on Jan 8, 2007 | Reply
RE: Post 2..
“..And here’s the funny part: The lone witness in support of (the legislation) was Jason Todhunter of the Montana Logging Association. Wait a minute: a logger paper towels?”
The IR’s same article also contains an interesting quote from the bureau chief of communicable disease control and prevention for the state health department…
“The department is not aware of any evidence that paper towels are superior to any other method of hand drying,†McCarthy said after the hearing. But, she added, “the department thoroughly supports hand drying.â€
… That’s Kathleen McCarthy, and a recent DPHHS release sums up her distinguished resume… “Please welcome Kathleen McCarthy, MS, to the Public Health & Safety Division of DPHHS as the Chief of the Communicable Disease Prevention & Control Bureau. Kathy started on Nov 21st and comes to DPHHS with 25 plus years of experience in communicable disease control, particularly laboratory services, and extensive management experience. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in laboratory sciences and has worked in hospital, university and Indian Health Services settings. She most recently served as director of the laboratory at St. Peter’s Community Hospital.”
The only substantial difference in the states Administrative Rules of Montana, Department of Health and Human Services Chapter 110 - Food and Drug Stances…. 37.110.221 “Hand Washing Facilities” and 37.106.321 “Minimum Standards For All Health Care Facilities Env Control” Sec (2)…. involve the dreaded “..hand drying device providing heated air..”.
Where are the enviro’s on this one and why the obvious hush from DPHHS in that towels are ‘cleaner’? I’m guessing worlds collide… and that’s one debate that the DPHHS doesn’t want to be involved in.
James
By Rocky Smith on Jan 8, 2007 | Reply
I’m with Craig on this one. If you don’t check towel options before diving your hands in the sink, then you must be one of those whom are occasionally even more disappointed in the stall.