Tuesday Data Cloud

The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a statewide smoking ban. (P-G, Tom Barnes)

Mr. Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) has been fighting for smoke-free workplaces for 10 years. Getting a full Senate vote on the issue is the most progress he has made so far. "I am concerned about broad amendments that would basically gut the bill," he said. "There are three important lobbying groups [against the bill] -- the tobacco industry, casinos and bars."

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Locally, the casino scene is a little choppy. (P-G, Team Effort)

Members of the city-county Gaming Task Force yesterday agreed to improve communication between subcommittees by becoming more familiar with who is doing what and exchanging, via e-mail, the minutes of their meetings.

Across the Commonwealth, people are getting psyched about Texas Hold'em. (P-G, Team Effort)

Now that Wheeling, W.Va., has legalized table games, Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese is forging ahead with a bill to legalize blackjack, poker and roulette in the Keystone State.

DeWeese also wants to switch out your property taxes in favor of sales taxes. Nice guy.

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The Mon-Fayette Expressway: Dead? Hooray?? (Trib, Jim Ritchie)

Getting a private company to build the rest of the 100-mile toll highway between Interstate 68 near Morgantown, W.Va., and Pittsburgh appeared to be the project's last hope.

The Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce and Regional Business Alliance is/are still thinking. We see this one ending like a David Chase series.