Political Notebook: Newly elected state senator to serve on several committees
After beating five other candidates in a special election earlier this month, state Sen.-elect Larry Walker III will be inaugurated in Atlanta on Friday. The Houston County Republican will represent most of his home county plus all of Bleckley, Laurens and Pulaski counties when the Legislature begins its session in January.
Once in the state Senate, Walker will serve on the committees that handle bills dealing with agriculture, veterans affairs, state property, insurance and labor.
MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL LEAGUE RETURNING
Macon-Bibb County Commissioner Virgil Watkins said that in January a midnight basketball league will return to Macon.
A pilot program of the league will launch at the Bloomfield Recreation Center. The league is designed to provide safe environments for teens and young adults.
Earlier this year, commissioners designated $25,000 for the league.
The goal is to expand the program when more money is available, Watkins said.
MACON-BIBB CREDIT CARD POLICY VOTE
The Macon-Bibb County Commission is expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution that would continue allowing some elected officials to use credit cards when needed.
The change would bring the county into accordance with a state law that goes into effect Jan. 1, said Macon-Bibb spokesman Chris Floore.
The officials that have access to the cards would be the mayor, tax commissioner, Superior Court clerk, district attorney, chief judges of civil and state court, the solicitor general, the Probate Court judge, the coroner and the sheriff. They would be able to expense services, supplies and fuel that are part of a contract and authorized business travel.
Under the resolution, the mayor can spend up to $2,000 per transaction and $20,000 within a month. The limit for the other officials is $1,000 per transaction and $10,000 monthly.
The cards cannot not be used for cash advances, items of personal use, gift cards or non-business-related meals. Receipts have to be provided for any purchase, according to the resolution.
Telegraph writers Maggie Lee and Stanley Dunlap contributed to this report.
This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 10:11 PM with the headline "Political Notebook: Newly elected state senator to serve on several committees ."