The Casino bill advanced in the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, even after residents expressed concerns over the chair's impartiality. Pearl River resident Lisa Clayton spoke against the bill and questioned committee chair State Senator Gary Smith about his fairness, asking how he can impartial when his wife is one of the lobbyists for the casino company. "Senator Smith, I'm very concerned with your wife's connection with the casino people. I find that's an ethical consideration many of us are concerned about your voting on this and your impartiality," said Clayton. State Senator Smith responded by saying he and his wife are professional. "My wife was a lobbyist long before I met her. I've been voting on gambling issues the last 20 years which well exceeds our time together, and I've been a consistent vote for the last 20 years on that, and she has a separate career that's separate from me and we keep it professional so thank you," said Smith. The bill now heads to a finance committee before reaching the full senate. Peninsula Pacific Entertainment is proposing a $250 million casino in Slidell. While some say the casino will bring jobs to the area, many residents are opposed to the idea, saying it will only attract crime, addiction, sex trafficking and other social problems.