Lame-duck session to discuss voting, smoking

Publication Date: 2008-11-30

• Author:Jon Craig
• Publication:Cincinnati (OH) Enquirer

State legislators have just eight voting days left in December before a Christmas recess and the end of the 128th Ohio General Assembly.

The Senate returns Tuesday and the House on Wednesday.

Keith Dailey, a spokesman for Gov. Ted Strickland, said the Democratic governor prefers the Republican-led legislature doesn't rush to pass any wide-ranging, complex measures that might gut the indoor smoking ban or state election procedures...

Senate Bill 346, sponsored by Sen. Robert Schuler, R-Sycamore Township, would relax the state's indoor smoking ban that took effect in May 2007 and allow people to light up in more private clubs and family-owned businesses and on more outdoor patios, with certain restrictions.

Under the current smoking ban, approved by Ohio voters in 2006, smoking is not allowed in bars, restaurants, workplaces and most indoor public places.