The new Speaker of the state Assembly is hinting that a transition period for bars may be needed in order to pass a statewide smoking ban.
Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) says there's "tremendous momentum" for a statewide smoking ban. However, he says lawmakers can't turn their backs on small businesses that would be impacted by such a measure.
The Janesville Democrat says bars and taverns should be given some time to adapt to the massive changes a statewide ban would require. He says lawmakers need to be sensitive to those issues as they weigh the possibility of passing a ban in the upcoming months.