Judge halts billboard tree-trimming

A judge has ordered the state Department of Transportation to stop allowing billboard companies to cut trees and vegetation along Interstate 185 in west Georgia. It’s a victory for plaintiffs attacking the DOT for issuing cutting permits to billboard companies who want to clear greenery from their signs. Several organizations, including the City of Columbus, are also asking the court to declare I-185 a beautification project so that companies can’t apply for permits to cut vegetation.

Odds and ends from "Crossover Day" in the Senate

Today is "Crossover Day," although it could be called "Make-or-Break Day". According to Senate rules, it's the last day that a bill can pass one chamber and go to the other.

The Senate passed Gov. Sonny Perdue's "HOPE Chest" resolution. It stops lawmakers from spending lottery revenue on anything but the HOPE college scholarship program and pre-kindergarten.

The chamber also approved a bill creating a “Do-Not-Honor” registry to discourage governments from naming buildings or roads after people who don’t want that honor. Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon) sponsored the bill because he doesn’t want to see his name on public property. He admits he may be the only lawmaker who feels that way.

But the Senate headed home before debating several bills. One would have allowed people to keep handguns in their cars while they were at work. Another would have set a height limit on billboards, but allowed their owners to cut down neighboring trees. Senate President ProTem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) says the measures could be revived.

“No bill is dead until the gavel comes down on day 40,” he says.

Lawmakers could add failed proposals as amendments to bills that are further along in the process.