Sunday sales bill to return

Legislation to allow the Sunday sales of alcohol in Georgia is making a comeback. State Sen. Seth Harp said he will reintroduce the measure for the coming legislative session. And, with the state's economy slumping, he'll argue that it could bring in millions of dollars in additional tax revenue. Sunday sales has failed to win legislative approval for the last two sessions. Georgia is one of only three states that ban stores from selling any kind of alcohol on Sundays. The bill would give local governments the option on whether to permit Sunday alcohol sales. Opponents say they will fight the bill again this year arguing it would create more problems by increasing alcohol use.

(Associated Press)

Lawmaker suggests merging black public schools

A state lawmaker told Georgia college leaders today they need to look at merging public historically black colleges with nearby white-majority schools to help meet budget cuts. Midland Republican Seth Harp suggested combining historically black Savannah State University with nearby Armstrong Atlantic University, and historically black Albany State University would merge with Darton College. Like most state agencies and departments, Georgia's public colleges are facing budget cuts of up to 10 percent this year. University system Chancellor Erroll Davis told lawmakers that such move would face strong opposition.

(Associated Press)

Budget cuts may close GBI crime labs

Law-enforcement officials confer near a Georgia Bureau of Investigation mobile lab in the parking lot of Doctors Hospital, Columbus, GA., after a shooting rampage there on March 27, 2008. (Dave Bender)

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation may close two of its eight crime labs. Forensics labs in Midland near Columbus, and Moultrie, in South Georgia are on the chopping block.

The move comes after Governor Sonny Perdue asked all state agencies to cut their budgets by six percent.

The GBI’s John Bankhead says he’s still not sure what will happen to the employees:

"I don't know at this point how many it's going to affect. There will be some that will be offered transfers to headquarters lab, and maybe a regional lab, but at this point we'll have to make that decision once it gets closer to the date it would be effective – if it goes into effect."

The two labs cover a 46 county area. Evidence would be sent to the six remaining GBI labs in other parts of the state.

The legislature will vote on the proposed cuts in January. If approved, the labs would close by next July.

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