It’ll be interesting to see just what the crafted compromise that comes out here looks like.  An important message in this article is that Skelos seeks a commonsense balance that protects both the environment and consumers.  From PressConnects.com:

Since the state first started tacking a nickel onto carbonated beverage bottles in 1982, the call for a “bigger, better bottle bill” has been an annual event. It’s never gone anywhere, crushed by heavy-duty lobbying.

But prospects for expansion of the bill have improved with the naming of Long Island Republican Dean Skelos as the state Senate’s new Republican majority leader, backers believe.

Skelos replaced Sen. Joseph Bruno as majority leader in July. Bruno was a powerful opponent of both the original bill and subsequent enhancements. Skelos, on the other hand, voted for the first bottle bill.

“I’m confident he will at least be willing to discuss it, and I’m hopeful he’ll help us get this bill passed,” said Katie Lawrence, who chairs the 600-member Surfrider Foundation-Central Long Island.

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