MANY ISSUES UNRESOLVED AT CAPITOL

ALBANY -- Hopes for a last-minute deal to overhaul the state's drug laws
collapsed Thursday as Republican Gov. George Pataki and the GOP-controlled
Senate remained far from Assembly Democrats on how to do it.

A host of other major issues also remained unresolved on the last scheduled
day of the Legislature's session, including efforts to ban smoking in
restaurants and hike the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.75.

Lawmakers did approve a slew of minor bills and at least one controversial
measure that didn't come up until Thursday. The Assembly approved, and the
Senate was expected to follow suit, a rental-car bill removing a $100 cap
on how much renters must pay for damage to cars that supporters said would
bring down costs but critics said was a loss for consumers.

Different Proposals Pushed

Pataki, the Senate and the Assembly have advanced different reform
proposals. Reform advocates say the plans by Pataki and the Senate don't go
far enough to allow drug defendants who are addicted to get treatment.
Prosecutors say the Assembly proposal, which would give judges more
discretion in sentencing and treatment decisions, would allow too many drug
criminals to avoid prison.

Lawmakers were also stymied on a bill to ban smoking in restaurants. Senate
Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, Rensselaer County, said any bill
must exempt small restaurants with 35 seats or less because otherwise they
would lose customers or have to do expensive renovations. Assembly
Democrats are unwilling to accept that.

"Many of the advocates are defeating their purpose by being so obstinate,"
Bruno said.