A compromise has been reached on a proposal to make businesses in the Madison suburb of Monona go "smoke free."
Monona Mayor Robb Kahl says he's reached an agreement with the group BreatheFree Monona that will delay a ban until July of 2009. Kahl says he would have preferred the issue to be decided on the state level, but blames the Legislature for dragging its feet on the issue and putting it in the laps of local government. Lawmakers failed to advance a statewide smoking ban during the recent session.
Kahl says the compromise should give local businesses more time to prepare. Especially when compared to a proposed referendum that would have required them to go smoke free by November.
Monona's City Council still has to approve the deal, which it will take up at its next meeting this coming Monday.