Kaine says he’ll sign smoking curbs into law

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine yesterday did little to cheer people who want to smoke in restaurants, people who want to take concealed weapons into bars, or payday lenders.

During his monthly call-in radio show on WRVA in Richmond, the governor reiterated his intention to sign recently passed legislation to impose a statewide ban on smoking in public restaurants that do not have separately ventilated areas for those wishing to light up.

Kaine also said he would veto legislation passed by the General Assembly that would allow holders of concealed-weapons permits to bring their hidden guns into establishments that serve alcohol.

"I'm very nervous about the public-safety impact of that bill," he said.

And the governor signaled he would endorse a further legislative crackdown on the payday-lending industry. Payday lenders sidestepped a law passed last year that was supposed to rein in lending practices and reaped large profits while allowing borrowers to dig themselves deeper into debt.

"I think we made a mistake in 2002 or 2003 when we lifted the interest-rate ban [of 36 percent] and created a system where payday lenders were allowed to come in and actually flourish -- I think that was an error," Kaine said.

"They passed a law last year that wasn't everything I hoped, but they said this is the best bill we can pass and get it to you, so I said, 'OK, we sign it,'" Kaine said.

"But then just within a few weeks, the industry figured out ways to get around all the restrictions. And I think that should cause people some real concerns."

Kaine said he would look at the most recent payday-lending reform bill to clear the legislature "with a very careful eye" to make sure it is regulating the industry effectively.

Later in the day, Kaine celebrated his 51st birthday in his office with a homemade layer cake baked by the wife of one of his Cabinet secretaries.

In the spirit of budget cutting -- and keeping the boss in a good mood -- the tasty confection did not have all 51 candles.

Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or .