GNB Weekend Update

Once again, the weekend is here...And now here's the news...

A major restructuring of Georgia's transportation system is underway.

Lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday that calls for the state's two transportation agencies to be merged into one: the State Transportation Agency. Governor Sonny Perdue says the merger because the transportation system is "broken". He blames mismanagement and gridlock for Georgia's money woes. The current Department of Transportation is currently in millions of dollars in debt. That means multiple projects still aren't finished.

In the wake of the recent investigation of the salmonella outbreak, the Georgia Senate recently passed that requires food manufacturers to notify state inspectors within 24 hours if there's contamination. Occupational Health and Safety magazine reports that the passage of the legislation is in response to the salmonella outbreak that happened at the now-defunct Peanut Corporation of America plant in Blakely. That bill passed with a unaminous 50-0 vote.

Finally, some food for thought this weekend from middle Georgia. Charles Richardson of the Macon Telegraph and Macon.com says that Governor Perdue is not an "education governor". He says that 2.5 billion has been taken out of the state's funding for grades K-12. Richardson also says in his column that school systems must choose between raising taxes locally, or cutting programs.

That's the news. Remember, you can visit GNB online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com. In the meantime, have a good weekend.