Bean Counter

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State lawmakers consider a bill that would make water and juice bottles recyclable. Since 2002, Massachusetts liquid consumers have doubled their intake of bottled water. But now you won't have to feel guilty about picking Perrier over Boston municipal ...except, you know, you'll still look like a tool. PLUS 4

House Speaker Sal DiMasi awarded state contracts to companies and lobbyists who contributed generously to his charity golf tournament (he's kind of like Ted Knight's character in Caddyshack). One such contract, for $13 million, was awarded so quickly it violated state bidding laws. If DiMasi knew about the connection, it's in violation of the conflict of interest law. If he was ignorant of it, then it's a small world after all. MINUS 3

In an effort to lower a smoking rate that's 50 percent higher than the rate statewide, Lowell authorities are giving out nicotine patches ... for free! PLUS 1

Thirty-nine percent of state troopers are eligible to retire (meaning they've been on the force at least 20 years), and more than 90 percent of them are white, so the staties are trying to recruit some younger people of color. As things stand now, the state police are a bunch of old white dudes. MINUS 1

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Boston, is looking to decriminalize weed federally, leaving individual states to decide whether to legalize or penalize the drug. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts legislature considers a bill to reduce marijuana possession penalties to a fine. Oh man, Hempfest this year is going to be ... pretty much the same as it is every year. PLUS 2

A MassVote report released last Thursday predicted that allowing for election-day voter registration could increase voter turnout by 225,000. The report didn't do a cost-analysis, but in the past, it's been estimated at $550,000 (that's $2.50 a pop). PLUS 5

A legislative committee narrowly opposed Gov. Deval Patrick's casino proposal. And a Florida court dropped sexual battery charges against Stanley McGee, Patrick's former economic policy aide, who helped draft the casino proposal. McGee also helped with the Patrick administration's Life Sciences bill, which passed in the Senate last week. So $1 billion life sciences bill - 3 resort casinos + no sex scandal = EVEN for the Patrick administration. We think. You'll have to check our math.

Simon Properties, owner of the Copley Place Mall, wants to build a 47-story condo and retail tower over the existing building. Neighborhood activists are worried that the monstrousity would cast shadows over Copley Square and Comm. Ave. But who needs sunlight when you can have a bigger Neiman Marcus, right? MINUS 3

THIS WEEK'S TOTAL: PLUS 5

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL: MINUS 3