Student senators kicked off the New Year with a few resolutions of their own Tuesday night at the first Senate meeting of spring semester.
Talk turned to booze and cigarettes as senators decided to put two pieces of legislation on hold during the meeting.
One of the resolutions dropped from the meeting's agenda opposed the proposed Gainesville City Commission ordinance that would penalize bars and restaurants with excessive underage drinking violations by prohibiting them from admitting people under 21 years of age after 9 p.m.
The resolution, which presents an opinion but takes no action, aimed "to protect students' nightlife from a long term prospective."
Senate President Jordan Johnson, who sponsored the bill, said the legislation was put on hold after he learned he was not fully informed on the issue.
Johnson said he plans to attend Thursday's City Commission meeting, where the bill will be presented for first time, to learn further details.
"The key thing there is that we do have time," he said.
Senators also declined to discuss a resolution that encourages the passage of a new law by the Florida Legislature that would raise the state's cigarette tax by $1.
The resolution states Student Senate's support of the bill and similar legislation regarding the increased cigarette fees.
The bill was introduced to the Florida Legislature during the January Special Session, said Orange and Blue Sen. Ben Cavataro.
If senators approve the resolution, copies will be sent to public representatives such as Gov. Charlie Crist to show Senate's support of the tax increase, Cavataro said.
The increased cigarette tax would benefit UF because the money generated would help soothe the state's budget woes, Cavataro said.
Senators did approve a resolution in support of American jobs and industry, though some felt it went beyond Senate's ability to do so.
"We have no jurisdiction. We have no expertise," said Orange and Blue Party Sen. Sam Miorelli.
Orange and Blue Sen. Mark McShera disagreed.
"A lot of people are hurting, and we need to pass this bill," he said.
Earlier in the meeting, senators passed legislation declaring Jan. 20, 2009, as Barack Obama Day.
Members of UF's Black Student Union will carry the resolution with them when they take their SG-funded trip to the Inauguration, according to an SG press release.
Alligator Writer Jackie Weiner contributed to this report.
