Political Notebook: Walker sworn in as state senator
ATLANTA --
With about three weeks to go before the state Legislature gavels to order in 2016, Larry Walker III is officially a Middle Georgia state senator. His swearing-in was Friday in Atlanta.
"It's humbling and exciting and an honor," Walker said after the ceremony in the Senate chamber. His district covers all of Bleckley, Laurens and Pulaski counties and most of Houston County.
A few dozen of Walker's friends, family and fellow lawmakers attended the ceremony. Among them was his father, former state House Majority Leader Larry Walker Jr., who is a current Board of Regents member.
The new senator thanked God, his family and his supporters.
"I appreciate so much the trust placed in me. ... I take it very seriously, and I promise that I will work steadfastly to serve Senate District 20," Walker said.
The Houston County Republican won a special election this month to fill the roughly one year remaining in the term of former state Sen. Ross Tolleson, who retired for medical reasons.
Walker ran on a fairly center-right platform of a simpler tax code, less red tape and support for Robins Air Force Base.
PEAKE DEPARTS LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Bibb County's senior state representative has departed Republican Gov. Nathan Deal's House leadership team, in a split over medical marijuana.
State Rep. Allen Peake was appointed to the role only a few months ago. Being a governor's floor leader involves helping carry the chief executive's legislation through the House. It also involves staying on the same policy page with the governor.
However, the two disagree on Peake's No. 1 priority. The Macon Republican is the Legislature's chief cheerleader for medical cannabis and authored this year's new state law that allows possession of certain liquid medical marijuana. Now he wants in-state cultivation and manufacture of the liquid.
Deal is not willing to go that far and has said he is not confident that Georgia can control a medical marijuana industry.
Peake, who owns several restaurants, said he is stepping aside because of the business obligations of opening three new restaurants next year and a "passionate desire" to move forward with cultivation legislation.
He said Deal deserves someone totally focused on his agenda, and "I look forward to supporting his initiatives in the House this next session, when I can."
MACON REVITALIZATION EFFORT FEATURED ON YOUTUBE
An initiative that partners with Macon-Bibb County government has released videos detailing progress and the future of the organization.
The YouTube videos feature interviews with the coordinator of the Macon-Bibb County Shalom Zones, Frank Austin, and representatives from the districts. The zones are designated areas where revitalization efforts are led by churches, community leaders, businesses and local government.
To watch the videos go to YouTube and type "Macon Shalom Zones" and "City Chat" into the search bar.
Telegraph reporters Maggie Lee and Stanley Dunlap contributed to this report.
This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 9:03 PM with the headline "Political Notebook: Walker sworn in as state senator ."