Bannister testifies on transportation
Chairman Charles Bannister returned to
the Gold Dome, where he spent nearly two
decades of his political career.
But this time, Bannister was testifying
before the House Transportation
Committee,
lobbying for some help to solve
Gwinnett's and metro Atlanta's traffic
problems.
While the county has collected more than
$1.7 billion for transportation projects
over
several sales tax programs, Bannister
said he's interested in proposals to
allow the
state, counties or regions to create
another sales tax.
"We can build roads in Gwinnett. But we
can't take them to DeKalb, Hall or
Jackson,"
Bannister said during the hearing
Wednesday. "We need that togetherness.
These bills
would offer that."
Legislators are considering a Senate
proposal to allow counties to set up
individual
regions for a sales tax, or a House
version, which sets up the 1 percent tax
statewide
with the money distributed by region.
In the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's
first legislative newsletter, an
official praised
Bannister's appearance at the committee
hearing.
For the first time, the business
organization is actively lobbying the
legislature. According
to the letter, the group's focus this
session will be on approval of a
statewide water plan
and funding for transportation.
Local to serve national GOP
organization
A Buford woman has been named a leader
for the National Federation of
Republican
Women.
Bettye Chambers, who is a key player
with the Greater Gwinnett Republican
Women,
was named to the national group's board
of directors, and she will serve as
chairwoman
of the group's Web site Assistance
Committee.
"With the 2008 election just months
away, the NFRW is gearing up to help
Republicans
across the country win races at the
local, state and national levels," said
the organization's president, Shirley
Sadler. "We are pleased that Bettye is
going to play a key role in this
effort by sharing her talents and ideas
with our members across the nation."
Chambers said she was ready for the
challenge.
"I look forward to serving NFRW for the
next two years as chairman of the Web
site
Assistance Committee and working with
dedicated Republican women across the
country," she said.
Political Notebook appears in the
Thursday and Sunday editions of the
Gwinnett Daily Post.
State reporter Dave Williams contributed
to this report.
Camie Young can be reached via e-mail at
camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com .
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Sunday, February 24, 2008
