Erpenbach Ramming Through Smoking Ban

There’s not even a pretense of giving a crap about what the citizens think. 

State Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee) has given the public barely 24 hours notice before holding a hearing on a bill to ban smoking that is suddenly racing through the Legislature.

The ban on smoking in workplaces, including restaurants and bars, stalled in recent years but is now on a fast track.

The law requires public hearings to be announced at least 24 hours in advance, and often legislators announce them days or even weeks ahead of time. Erpenbach, who is chairman of the Senate Health Committee, posted a notice about the hearing on the smoking ban 24 hours and 35 minutes in advance.

“Adhering to a 24-hour notice is absolutely ludicrous,” said Peter Fox, executive director of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, noting that people from northern Wisconsin would have almost no chance of attending the forum.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Capitol.