Candidate Lutz says Hunter bill creates black market for cigarettes Rep. Hunter's bill specifically removes non-commercial shipping clause

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Ray Lutz for Congress 2010
www.VoteRayLutz.com

Media Contact: Brennan Purtzer, Media Director
619-447-3246 / brennan@VoteRayLutz.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Candidate Lutz says Hunter bill creates black market for cigarettes

Rep. Hunter's bill specifically removes non-commercial shipping clause

San Diego County, Calif. (August 5, 2010) "This isn't about disrespecting or denying the troops, this is a policy goof-up," said Democratic Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz. "Hunter's attempt is honorable but misguided. There's a better way to solve this problem that doesn't fund a black market that may support terrorists."

Lutz, 52, was responding to a bill introduced last week by freshman Republican Congressman Duncan D. Hunter. Lutz is campaigning for Hunter's 52nd Congressional District seat.

Hunter's bill (HR 6037) amends a Senate bill, known as "PACT-act," which went into effect June 17, 2010 (S.1147). The Hunter bill allows tobacco products to be shipped to soldiers serving in combat zones unconditionally, which Lutz says is overly-broad and creates the opportunity for abuse. The PACT-act currently allows up to ten shipments per month a maximum of ten ounces per shipment (totaling about 100 packs per month) shipped Express Mail only, for age verification purposes.

"Part of the goal of the act was to end illegal trafficking in cigarettes, which, along with the opium trade, is believed to be fueling the insurgency," Lutz said. "Lifting the weight, frequency and non-commercial requirements of PACT kicks opens the dangerous door it took Senator Kohl (D-Wis.) eight years to shut."

Lutz continued, "Many legislators complain that there are too many laws, too many loopholes and exemptions, but now, instead of simply getting the United States Postal Service to change their requirements, Congressman Hunter is actually writing legislation to exempt black market trade."

Lutz says the problem lies with the U.S. Postal Service's regulations and is not something we need to create new federal legislation to correct.

Postal regulations require that tobacco products be mailed using Express postage -- so that a signature is required when delivered -- to help ensure that the package is not delivered into the hands of children. However, Express Mail service does not deliver to the combat theaters of Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving combat soldiers unable to receive such shipments.

A legislative aid who worked on the original PACT-act, said the solution was simple: amend the U.S. Postal Service requirements to allow such care packages to be shipped as International Priority Mail with a signature option. Such an arrangement would satisfy PACT's goals, and would cost families less to ship.

Another Senate legislative aid said that the Pentagon, which has been strongly discouraging smoking among its servicemen for decades, hadn't expressed any concern over the PACT-act whatsoever. "Buying cigarettes over there is cheaper anyway," the aid said.

"A simple, non-legislative solution is available, yet Hunter's proposal opens the door for unbridled tobacco trafficking," Lutz said. "It makes you wonder why Hunter would provide a means for terrorists to raise money on tobacco along with opium and other drugs. Has he switched sides? That's what I want to know."

Authors Website: http://www.voteraylutz.com/

Authors Bio:
Biography: Who is Ray Lutz?
The proof of Ray Lutz's total commitment to honesty, integrity and hard work aren't in what he says. They're in what he's already done -" the record of accomplishment he's achieved.
The community of Potrero knows Raymond well. He's been a tireless worker to help them make a stand against one of the most notorious soldier-of-fortune companies, Blackwater Worldwide, and their huge private training camp proposal. He established the website, StopBlackwater.net and pulled together groups in the area from Veterans for Peace, the Peace Resource Center, and Activist San Diego to conduct a Rally and build support for the community. Raymond worked with Rep. Bob Filner (CA-51) to get federal legislation proposed to make mercenary training on private property illegal, in an attempt to block the project.
In 2006, Raymond founded Citizens' Oversight Projects (COPs) after watching the absurdities of the El Cajon City Council He put a stop to their violations of our Constitution with their partisan and religious videos played on the Government Access Channel -- using public money. They spent nearly $20,000 over four years to play those videos until Raymond raised the issue. Knowing this was wrong, they immediately pulled the videos. Ray knew then that such misuse of public money would continue unless we, the public, keep a close eye on these unethical officials.
Raymond has a Master of Science degree in Electronics Engineering from San Diego State University and worked at the Naval Ocean Systems Center while in school. Then, he worked for a number of firms, from start-ups to fortune 100 firms, eventually specializing in office equipment technology such as laser printers, facsimile, scanners, and "all-in-one" devices. In the 1990s, he founded the Multifunction Products Association (MPFA) which held annual industry conferences until the events of September 11, 2001, which effectively ended the conferences.
More recently, Raymond has been involved in the neurofeedback industry, which treats ADD, autism, and other mental ailments through the use of drug-free feedback techniques. His company, Cognisys, Inc. sells electronic products to psychologists and other practitioners.
Raymond's current interests include election integrity, and he has proposed the Open Canvass Method to provide a means of public and redundant tallying of the vote, and has completed an extensive review of the operations of the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office, and the report is now available for review. He released a novel, entitled Coils of the Serpent which details astounding ties between the pattern of life as described by science and the pattern as found in ancient literature, basically asking the question if DNA is found in biblical literature.
Raymond's wife Jill runs Chase Ranch Montessori School, a private preschool and kindergarten located within the El Cajon City limits, and Raymond assists with the administration of the school when necessary. He has founded numerous for-profit and nonprofit organizations and is well aware of the challenges faced by small business owners in this challenging economic climate. Raymond has two sons, aged 20 and 17.
The diverse and robust background gives Raymond the ability to effectively serve the public good, reduce the overhead of our government, and ensure that our economy gets back on track.