It's beginning to look more and more like a statewide smoking ban is doomed.
State Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker says SmokeFree Wisconsin "turned him down flat" in his attempt to compromise on a smoking ban. The Wausau-area Democrat wants to give taverns until 2011 to comply, so they have time to adapt to the changes.
Decker says he's dissapointed that both sides of the issue are creating reasons not to compromise. He believes a compromise he's pushing would give both sides "85 percent of what they're asking for."
Decker also warns time is running out on the legislative session, especially if lawmakers need to take up a budget repair bill before they adjourn next month.