Connecticut’s efforts to expand its 26-year old bottle bill to include non-carbonated beverages were once again thwarted by the House of Representatives. Since the proposal sailed though the State Senate in the 2005 legislative session, advocates wanted the bill to be a House bill in 2006, giving it more time to be considered by House members. House Speaker Jim Amann made no secret of his reluctance to take up this contentious issue in the so-called short session. He has stated that he will not stand in the way of an expansion bill in 2007, so long as a majority of his caucus – House Democrats – is in favor of calling the bill for a vote. Advocates and supporters of expansion will have their work cut out for them this summer, as they attempt to make redemption recycling through the bottle bill a campaign issue this election cycle.