Several news outlets are reporting a series of setbacks to smoking ban efforts across the state. At the state level, a comprehensive smoking ban has stalled in Senate committee, and is unlikely to move anytime soon due to a conflicting set of priorities between the Senate Democratic leadership and the Governor's office.
JSOnline, STEVEN WALTERS and PATRICK MARLEY
Posted: Oct. 24, 2007
[Decker] said he did not expect to let the Senate vote on a bill banning smoking in public places until a compromise can be reached between Senate President Fred Risser (D-Madison), the bill's sponsor, and Sen. Roger Breske (D-Eland), the bill's chief opponent. The smoking ban is a priority of Doyle and Robson.
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Wisconsin State Journal, 11/5/07
Gov. Jim Doyle said he supports a statewide smoking ban, saying it's virtually inevitable.
"It seems to me we ought to move forward (with) a complete ban," the governor said, in response to reporters' questions Wednesday. "It's happening all across the country, all over the world."
A bill that would prohibit smoking in all workplaces in Wisconsin stalled in the Senate this week after Sen. Roger Breske, D-Eland, said he did not want taverns included. Doyle said he would not accept an exemption, but he might go along with a "reasonable phase-in" period.
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At the county level, the Board of Supervisors has sent back to committee a bill which would have banned smoking in County Government Buildings.
