INDIANAPOLIS —
Gov. Mitch Daniels said Wednesday that he hopes legislators will send him a statewide smoking ban bill with a short list of exemptions.
Daniels has been backing the effort to put legal limits on smoking in public places and businesses, but declined to say whether he supported a push by some legislators to continue allowing smoking at bars.
“I’m willing to sign whatever bill the Legislature sends me,” Daniels told reporters at the Statehouse. “I think we probably should keep the exceptions as narrow as possible in the interest of employees.”
A state Senate committee is expected to take action next week on a House-approved bill that gives bars an 18-month exemption to the ban. That proposal would prohibit smoking in nearly all public places and businesses but still allow it at Indiana’s 13 casinos, private clubs, retail tobacco stores, and cigar and hookah bars.
Daniels said he didn’t want to rule anything out since he expected much give and take among legislators on the exemptions.
Anti-smoking advocates have said they will oppose efforts to extend the bar exemption past the September 2013 deadline currently in the bill. Opposition from health advocates last year to a House-approved bill that included a bar exemption without an end date contributed to its defeat in a Senate committee after its chairman argued the provision was needed to win Senate passage.
Senate public policy committee Chairman Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, said last week he believed the current exemptions are needed for the bill to get through the Legislature before this year’s session ends by mid-March. He said adding other exemptions — such as for nursing home residents — could be considered by the committee.
The Indiana House has approved statewide smoking limits six times in recent years, but the Senate has never voted on those proposals.
Clark County
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Mitch Daniels
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Daniels wants few exemptions to smoking ban
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
The Indiana Court of Appeals heard the respective oral arguments on the town of Sellersburg’s effort to annex the Covered Bridge Subdivision and the Willows on Wednesday. Covered Bridge appealed the trial court’s ruling that the town’s annexation preceded the subdivision’s effort to incorporate into an independent town and that, in exchange for sewer service, the residents would agree to not remonstrate against the annexation attempt.
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Redistricting on tap again for Jeffersonville
Though they just did so last year, it’s already time for the Jeffersonville City Council to start thinking about redistricting again.
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JEFF Fest set for June 9
The Jeffersonville Entire Family Fun Festival, better known as JEFF Fest, will
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be held from 11 a.m.. to 4 p.m. June 9 in Jeffersonville’s Preservation Park, 150 W. Market St. -
Charlestown encourages Realtors and developers to help it grow
he city hosted a showcase for about 200 developers and Realtors at Charlestown High School on Tuesday. The purpose of the showcase was to pitch the city as a place that is expected to prosper, especially in light of the continued development at River Ridge Commerce Center.
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Jeffersonville mayor vetoes two council acts
“It’s a meaningless resolution. It carries no weight. I think it’s political posturing and I’d as soon not be a part of it,” Moore said. “I will not be brought into a political discussion that’s already been decided.”
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Bridges project specifics emerging
Valentine outlined that incentives will be part of Kentucky’s contract with the winning bidder.
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He explained that once construction begins, the expected cost of construction per day will total about $80,000 and the contractor can earn incentives for finishing early and penalties for finishing late. A completion date is set for June 30, 2018. - News and Tribune briefs for May 23, 2012
- May 22, 2012
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Gregg picks Simpson for Dems ticket
Gregg got his biggest applause from the crowd Tuesday when he played up their joint support for women’s access to health care, which has become a national talking point for Democrats.
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TARC OKs rate increases
Contrary to its monetary situation, the amount of people riding the public transit system has increased about 10 percent, Barker said.
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But the transportation service had not raised its fares, aside from express routes, in four years. -
Miss Clark County 2012 entrants sought
The contest is based on interview, evening gown and professional wear competition. Any Clark County young woman between the ages of 16 to 21 is eligible to participate.
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Appeals court hears Covered Bridge case
