Rantings Diversified

Both the House and the Senate of the state of Pennsylvania are today discussing the compromised bill on banning smoking.
The bill states that smoking will be banned in all public buildings, restaurants,  offices and gub’mint buildings.  The exemptions are taverns with less than 20% food sales, private clubs, casinos except for the two casinos in Philadelphia.  There will be a non-preemption clause for Philly.
In other words the law will apply to everywhere but Philly.  You see there are two things going on here.  First off Philly has for generations enacted laws contrary to the laws of the state.  They got away with it for years until Governor Tom Ridge, in the 1990’s, pushed through a preemption law.  This means that state law trumps local law and cities and towns cannot pass laws that go against state law.
The case that caused this was the law covering the carrying of handguns.  The state passed a law expanding on this right and then promptly sued Philly for disallowing it and won.  Then Governor Ridge signed the preemption law.
Secondly, our current governor, Commandant ‘Fast Eddy’ Rendell is a long time gangster from Philly so he continually tries to override any and all state laws in the favor of Philly creating their own laws.  He of course does not allow any other city or town to do this.
I am listening to our Senate debate this issue while I write this (http://www.pasen.gov/Video/SenateVideo.cfm) and their main concern is that once again Philly gets to do what ever they want to while the rest of the state does not.
If what I have been listening to is any indication then I’m happy in that it appears nothing will ever get accomplished.
FLASH :  The Senate just voted 31 to 19 to reject the bill.  This is only the first vote and it will come up again next Monday.
Now as far as I am concerned the whole thing is stupid.  I feel that the state should not have a right to tell a business if they can allow or disallow smoking.