Deal needs to come out strong against offshore drilling plan, newspaper says
Editorial writers with The Augusta Chronicle are urging Gov. Nathan Deal to do more than just express concern about the Trump administration's plan to open most coastal waters to offshore oil drilling and gas exploration. They want him to come out against the idea — just as the newspaper has — in the strongest terms possible. The writers want the entire plan deep-sixed, but they say at minimum Georgia and South Carolina should be able to opt out of offshore drilling just as Florida has. Coastal tourism — the biggest argument against offshore drilling — "may not be the 800-pound gorilla in Georgia that it is in South Carolina, but it's huge," the editorial states, adding: "There is no way this can stand if we all rise up against it."
Ralston: state willing to help with safety check at bus wreck site
House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, is offering state help on safety concerns arising from a recent close-to-home school bus accident that sent 16 children to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. The bus overturned on Yukon Road, a county-maintained road in Gilmer County. "I'm willing to discuss state involvement in addressing any safety concerns with the road if the county feels that state involvement would be helpful," Ralston said in a prepared statement published late last week.
Lawmaker wants bigger raise for Rockdale school board
Rockdalenewtoncitizen.com is reporting that members of the county school board could be receiving larger raises than requested due to state Rep. Vernon Jones. The board originally requested members receive a raise to $850 a month, but, at a special meeting, it was revealed that a legislator — identified as Jones — had changed the proposal to up school board members' monthly pay to $1,000. Wales Barksdale, the school board's vice chairman, voiced concern that a "legislator only representing part of the county" was making decisions about the board and going over the board members' heads. "It could create some ramifications down the road," Barksdale said. State lawmakers must approve any salary change. Earlier reports said the local school board members are paid $75 per event, an amount unchanged in about 30 years.
Rome, Floyd County hit harder than most by opioid crisis
North Georgia's Floyd County is being hit harder by the opioid epidemic than all but four other Georgia counties, The Rome News-Tribune is reporting. The paper cites an early statistical analysis from Rome attorney Bob Finnell, whose law firm is preparing a class-action lawsuit for cities against manufacturers of the pain medication. The analysis shows South Georgia's Ware County hit hardest by the opioid crisis, followed by Clarke, Coffee, Crisp and then Floyd counties.
Green-car industry follows proposal to revive tax credit in Georgia
The green-car business is watching to see what happens with a Georgia proposal to bring back a tax incentive on electric car purchases. Greencarreports.com took note Monday of the announcement last week by state Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, and others that they'll be pushing legislation to give a $2,500 tax credit on new electric car purchases, which would be half the credit the state offered until July 2015. The website article notes that when the $5,000 tax credit was in effect, Nissan frequently cited the Greater Atlanta area as one of the top regions for sales of its Leaf electric car.
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