The state Senate Appropriations Committee thinks a campus for a new postsecondary school aimed at veterans should be built in Warner Robins, said state Sen. Ross Tolleson, R-Perry, so its draft budget recommends a $10 million bond sale to finance the so-called Gateway Center.

The bond package also includes financing $16.4 million for Middle Georgia Technical College to build a new health sciences building and financing $1.6 million to renovate the Perry library.

The House agrees with the veterans campus and college outlay, but its draft budget does not direct any bond specifically to the library.

The two chambers have until the end of the annual session, March 28, to decide on a compromise to present to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.

Timber security sought

“A lot of people are abusing timber in the sense of stealing timber,” said state Rep. Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, introducing his successful House Resolution 644 to create a House Study Committee on Timber Security.

Willard plus five representatives chosen by the House speaker will spend this summer and fall researching ways to cut timber theft and will report back to the Legislature in January.

-- Maggie Lee