Rep. Richard A. Smith has an idea for how the cash-starved state can generate revenue: start selling ads on state websites.
"We're in a budget nightmare,'' said Smith, a Republican freshman from New Fairfield. People are accustomed to seeing ads when they go to websites; his bill would allow the state to start cashing in.
"We're trying to look at new and unique ways to raise revenue without taxing people,'' Smith said. "This might be a way to raise money for the state without reaching into people's pocketbooks.''
How much money is unclear. Smith says he's asked the state Office of Legislative Research to look into what such advertising could be expected to generate.