The PPA bill was approved by the finance committee and is headed to a vote on Tuesday...

The state Senate is expected to vote on the bill as early as Tuesday. The state Assembly must approve an identical version before it goes to Doyle, who can sign the bill into the law or veto it.

Passage in the Legislature is all but assured - Republicans control both houses - but Doyle vetoed a similar bill in 2003.

Looks like we will have this on Doyles desk before Christmas. Now I know what to ask Santa for Christmas.

For me, this is the best news.

Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire, one of the bill's main sponsors, said he doesn't like many of the changes. He said he particularly doesn't want to prohibit concealed weapons in day cares and hospitals; he's heard of workers at such facilities getting attacked in parking ramps.

But he said he hopes the amendments might persuade Doyle to sign the bill.

If not, they should improve the chances of the Legislature overriding a veto, he said.

Some of the changes could be removed later, he added.

"When it does become law, we'll tinker with it," Zien said.

Additional Links:
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=4186249
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/13296540.htm

Update:
The assembly hopes to be in session on Dec. 9th. Maybe a vote then?