Panel funds "Boni" bill, "socialist" wage increase passes, and "fire safe" smokes!

The House Health and Welfare Committee added $2.5 million to the needed "Boni" bill. The money will be used to: create secure parent/child visitation centers around the state in abuse/neglect cases; upgrade safety at social service locations, as well buy emergency communications equipment for social workers. The bill now makes its way through the Legislature where it needs to be passed. The House also passed a "socialist" bill, according to my Legislator, Rep. Jim Decesare, that will increase the minimum wage by about $.50 an hour over the next two years. Its fate in the Senate is unclear, though the idea that the issue is federal in nature, seems to me controlling and supported. And the House debates requiring "fire safe" cigarettes, but not how to curb its use. Go figure.