Q: The AJC reported that a Georgia Senate committee recently approved a watered-down landfill bill. Who is on that Senate committee?
— Marty Eldridge, Winston
A: The Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee includes Chairman Ross Tolleson, R-Perry, Vice Chairman Rick Jeffares, R-McDonough, Secretary Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, and members Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville, Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, Tyler Harper, R-Ocilla, Steve Henson, D-Tucker, Jack Hill, R-Reidsville, Freddie Powell Sims, D-Dawson, Curt Thompson, D-Tucker and Tommie Williams, R-Lyons. The committee passed House Bill 276, which "renewed until 2018 landfill and other fees that are supposed to go to the state's Hazardous Waste Trust Fund," the AJC reported. The bill passed the House with the limits, but the Senate committee "stripped away provisions designed to force lawmakers to spend that money — and the $1 tire fee — where it's supposed to be spent," which is cleaning up hazardous waste sites and dumps.
Q: I haven’t heard anything about what’s going to happen to the Georgia Dome after the new one is built. If it’s not destroyed, who will foot the bill of maintaining it?
— Carol Murphy, Woodstock
A: The Georgia Dome, which opened in 1992, would be demolished after the new stadium is built and the site converted to parking. The cost of demolition is estimated at $9 million and would come from the new stadium construction budget. The new stadium, which could cost from $948 million to $1.03 billion, would be built just south of the Georgia Dome, if the property can be acquired. If that plan doesn't work, the new stadium could be built just north of the Georgia Dome. It's projected to open in 2017.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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