DEADLINE PASSES
Jump to full article: Hartford (CT) Courant, 2009-05-13
Author: CHRISTOPHER KEATING and DANIELA ALTIMARI * The Hartford Courant
Intro: Two controversial bills -- one proposing the decriminalization of marijuana and another a smoking ban at the state's two casinos -- suffered major blows Tuesday when an influential legislative committee failed to take critical votes on the measures.
The failure of the finance committee to act means the proposals are technically dead, although advocates for both measures said they will keep fighting until the legislative session adjourns June 3. Gov. M. Jodi Rell opposes both measures.
Although Capitol insiders say the decriminalization measure stands a chance to make it back on the agenda, they predicted a tougher fight for the smoking ban. . . .
In another major blow to the smoking ban, Rell signed agreements with the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegans to enact voluntary, partial smoking bans at their casinos. . . .
Despite the bill's failure at the committee level, supporters vowed to continue their fight. The United Auto Workers, which represents some workers at the casino, has pushed hard among their allies in the Democratic caucuses.
"We're not going to quit until we get this bill,"
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