Public safety tackles Keno repeal, mixed martial arts, movie theater noise levels

By Hugh McQuaid

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Public Safety Committee reached its deadline to raise bills Thursday, but not before raising proposals that could repeal keno, tweak last year’s mixed martial arts law, and regulate noise levels in movie theaters.

The panel had until Feb. 20 to raise concepts for action during this short legislative session and during their Thursday meeting they created a legislative vehicle to undo the legislature’s last-minute 2013 decision to legalize the bingo-style game, keno. At this stage the bills are only concepts without specific language.

That proposal comes in the wake of growing support from legislative leaders to stop implementation of the game. House Speaker Brendan Sharkey signaled Wednesday he wanted to repeal the law and Senate President Donald Williams suggested he was open to discussing the concept. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has said keno was not his idea and has left the game’s future up to lawmakers.

Public Safety Co-Chairs Sen. Joan Hartley and Rep. Stephen Dargan were critical Thursday of the process that legalized the game in the first place. The concept never received a public hearing.

See the complete story at CT News Junkie.