Some Democrats are saying when the legislature meets in special session tomorrow members must pass legislation aimed at taxing the roll-your-own tobacco industry because of the related scandal embroiling Speaker Chris Donovan’s, D-Meriden, congressional campaign.
Some Republicans are saying they must oppose the bill because it hurts small businesses.
Both sides are oversimplifying.
As we reported Sunday, the roll-your-own issue is a complex one, playing out not only in Connecticut but nationwide. Congress and other states’ lawmakers are grappling with the issue.
It involves biiiiiiiiiiiig money – far more than the $20,000 opponents allegedly donated Donovan’s campaign to kill the bill, landing the Speaker in hot political water.
And for every roll-your-own shop claiming the bill will put them out of business, there are mom-and-pop convenience stores arguing if the legislation is not passed, they will be the