Critics said the incentives were being used to help big businesses rather than lure industries to poor counties, as had originally been envisaged. The question is whether these expenditures were necessary to create these jobs. Supporters of the tax credits countered that tax and other incentives had helped expand industry and jobs in the state, which in turn has yielded revenue in income and sales taxes. The state could not compete with other states without the breaks, they said. The bill would prohibit passengers as well as drivers from drinking or having an open container of alcohol in vehicles.
Current law prohibits only the driver from doing so.
Exceptions to the law would be taxis, buses, recreational vehicles, and motor homes. Habitual drunk drivers as well as new offenders who register a .16 blood alcohol count or more also would be required to have ignition interlocks in all of their cars under new law. These contraptions check the driver's breath for alcohol before the car could be driven. Current state law makes it optional for judges to require the use of ignition interlocks. Before starting the car, the driver must plug in an identification number and then blow into a hose.