S. Georgia lawmaker to head transportation funding panel

The sponsor of last year’s “campus carry” gun bill was named the new chairman of the House Higher Education Committee on Wednesday, one of a number of moves announced to fill vacant committee chairs.

Rep. Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper, who is again expected to introduce a bill to allow licensed weapons permit holders to carry firearms on the state's public college campuses, will lead the panel that oversees college and university policy.

Among other key appointments announced Wednesday:

Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, is the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee, replacing Rep. Christian Coomer, R-Cartersville, who was elected to a House Republican Caucus leadership post.

Rep. Jason Shaw, R-Lakeland, will also lead a newly created transportation funding subcommittee.

Other new chairs include:

Code Revision: Rep. Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville
Ethics: Rep. Randy Nix, R-LaGrange
Industry and Labor: Rep. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough
Juvenile Justice: Rep. Mandi Ballinger, R-Canton
Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment: Rep. Johnnie Caldwell, R-Thomaston
Motor Vehicles: Rep. Bubber Epps, R-Dry Branch
State Properties: Rep. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert
Special Rules: Rep. Buddy Harden, R-Cordele

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Aaron Gould Sheinin

Lawmakers debate eliminating Georgia’s income tax

Supporters and opponents of eliminating Georgia’s income tax on Monday aired competing visions of what would happen if the state gave up its largest source of revenue.