Barrow Journal

BY REP. TERRY ENGLAND The 2008 Legislative Session is now behind us and the pundits have already begun to analyze our accomplishments, critique our work, and pass judgment on many of the bills we adopted. So I wanted to take some time and tell you myself about the most important things we did and why we did them. We adopted a statewide water plan and we made it easier for communities to build new water reservoirs. We adopted several measures to bring greater accountability to the State Department of Transportation and created a new funding mechanism to help local communities with local road projects. We adopted several measures to give Georgians must needed tax relief, opened the door to reform education in Georgia and enacted tough new measures to protect our children from dangerous predators. And we also passed a few new ‘sunshine’ laws and two fiscally conservative budgets. [ Full Story » ] 

BY REP. TERRY ENGLAND
Tuesday of this week marked the 30th day of our 40 day legislative session. This is a crucial day because it is the day that a bill must have passed at least one body in order to have a chance of becoming law. This is always a busy day as we rush to get key legislation passed in time to be considered by the Senate before the session ends.

Before I get to the tax cut, I would like to comment on a piece of legislation that I have been criticized locally for sponsoring. HB 1281 deals with outdoor watering restrictions that are placed by local authorities, whether it is cities or counties. [ Full Story » ] 

Public Works Director Terry Darragh told the Barrow County Board of Commissioners at Tuesday night’s meeting that the county’s water situation has improved.

But at least one commissioner voiced opposition to state efforts led by local legislator Rep. Terry England that would override local government decisions on water restrictions.

Darragh said the Bear Creek Reservoir is now full and drought conditions have improved to Level 3. Limited outdoor watering and the filling and maintenance of pools will be allowed under the lesser restrictions. [ Full Story » ] 

BY REP. TERRY ENGLAND
(R-Auburn)

The House convened this week on Tuesday, February 26th, for the 23rd day of our 40 day legislative session. On the floor, we adopted legislation addressing our continued transportation funding problems, education and local school boards and an adoption tax credit.

[ Full Story » ]