CRA News

Jose Oliva Goes to Tallahassee

By Glynn Loope, Executive Director
Cigar Rights of America

Running a business, having a family, being involved in the community and possessing the call for public service is challenging at best -- and, for many, it's impossible. It's when you have the support of family and community, coupled with a cigar company, that the calculus becomes realistic...and it's all in the hands of the voters. This week, that happened for Jose Oliva.

With 43% of the vote in a three-way race, Oliva received the blessing of the voters in the 110 th House Legislative District, enabling him to have a seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

He ran on a platform of less government, lower taxes, relief for the needy and making Florida a business friendly state.

Oliva campaigned seven days a week for the special election, and it paid off on May 24. In addition to being at the helm of the Oliva Cigar Company, he had service on the community Census Board and Hialeah Housing Commission.

We can also have confidence in knowing that this member of the Florida House of Representatives will know what the cigar industry means to the state, and indeed, the nation. He's not alone. Cigar Rights of America has members in elected bodies across the nation, and in the coming weeks, we look forward to profiling their leadership and service.

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Important Updates By State

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Stay Informed On The Proposed Regulation of Cigars By The FDA

H.R. 1639 – ‘Telling FDA to Back Off of Cigars' Picks up New Sponsors

We are pleased to report that the filed federal legislation that would exempt premium/traditional cigars from regulations created by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has picked up new sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.

They include: Mike Pompeo of Kansas ; David Rivera of Florida; Tim Walberg of Michigan ; and Rob Whitman of Virginia.

They join Representatives: Sandy Adams of Florida ; Ken Calvert of California ; Kathy Castor of Florida; Tom Cole of Oklahoma ; John Kline of Minnesota ; Candice Miller of Michigan ; Ron Paul of Texas ; Hal Rogers of Kentucky ; and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida.

We commend the leadership of Representative Bill Posey of Florida for serving as chief patron of this unique and proactive legislation.

Please sign the CRA petition supporting this legislation!

Next week, we'll talk about what the opposition is saying, in their attempt to stop this legislation...

Click the links below to read past CRA release about the FDA:

CRA News Release, Part 1
CRA News Release, Part 2
CRA News Release, Part 3

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CRA Needs Your Help!

In order to be successful in our fight to enjoy cigars without the threat of smoking bans and high taxation, CRA needs your help. Please consider partnering with CRA through two important methods:

Membership
There is strength in numbers! The more members CRA has, the greater voice we have at all levels of legislature. Please help CRA by asking your fellow cigar enthusiasts to join CRA today! Membership starts as low as $35/year.

Donate
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