Wednesday, March 19, 2003
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Wednesday, March 19, 2003 |
Westmoreland considering U.S. Senate runBy JOHN
THOMPSON Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Sharpsburg) is heading for Washington next month to further explore the possibilities of running for U.S. Senate. "We're going to have another break at the General Assembly in April and I hope to fly up to Washington then," Westmoreland said. Rumors have been swirling for weeks about Westmoreland possibly running for Zell Miller's Senate seat, and the Sharpsburg representative said he's looking at all his options. Miller has already announced that he will not seek another term in 2004, and Republican U.S. Rep. Johnny Isakson is the only one so far in the race to succeed Miller. "We've been approached by different folks. It's been quite interesting," he said. Back home, Westmoreland said the major issue facing the General Assembly has been the state's budget crunch. The legislators are currently in recess for the next two weeks, and Westmoreland is hopeful the budget can be wrapped up before the session ends in April. "I really don't want to come back for another special session," he said. The budget crunch is being felt locally. Westmoreland said new libraries are planned for Tyrone and Coweta County, but the funds have not been identified yet for the projects. The other major piece of local legislation that has crossed Westmoreland's desk is the creation of a recreation authority in Peachtree City. "We're still studying that issue," he said. Westmoreland said it's been a pretty slow session for local initiatives, but said the budget crunch has changed the main focus of the legislators this session.
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