The votes are in!

Besides the presidential primaries taking place in New Hampshire today, The committee vote on SB 150 (Breathe Fre WI act) took place today. Here's how the committee voted after the amendments (see amendments below):

Carpenter - yes
Coggs - yes
Kreitlow - no
Cowles - yes
Schultz - no

Here are the amendments made:

• Modify the implementation date of the bill to January 1, 2009. Under the original bill, the effective date was the first day of the 7th month beginning after publication. [passed 3-2]
  
  Create a delayed implementation date -- or "phase-in" -- for bars and taverns until January 1, 2010. [passed 3-2].
  
  Create an exemption to the bill for cigar retailers (i.e., cigar shops and cigar bars that earn more than 50% of total revenue from the sale of cigars). [passed 5-0]
  
  Create an exemption to the bill for cigar manufacturers and distributors. [passed 3-2]
  
  Allow lodging establishments (e.g., motels and hotels) with three rooms or less to designate one smoking room. Under the original bill, lodging establishments could designate no more than 25% of guest rooms as smoking rooms. Lodging establishments with three or less rooms would not have been able to meet that requirement.

Good or bad?
In my professional opinion (cause I am a pro at analyzing politics...note: that was sarcasm), it is a start, but not ideal. Cigars are a form of smoking, the emit secondhand smoke, and harm others. I don't understand the reasoning behind the exemption for cigar bars and manufacturers. Also a phase in of 2010 is better than 2011...but the sooner this goes into effect the better. Why drag this out? Although, all things considered, SB 150 may not get passed through the house and senate this year?!?! Let's keep our fingers crossed.

So what happens next? It will go to Senate organization committee. They are the committee responsible for getting this on the agenda for the senate . The members on this committee include:
Senator Dave Hanson (rep. Green Bay area)
Senator Fred Risser (Madison area, co-sponsor of the bill)
Senator Scott Fitzgerald (rep. area between Milwaukee and Madison)
Senator Russ Decker (Chair, rep North Central WI)
Senator Joe Liebham (rep. Sheboygan area)

According to our state partner, the committee members might need some convincing to get it on the Senate floor.