January 28, 2002 News Feed 
(Please feel free to personalize) 
Greetings, this is Rep. _____________. 
The sixth legislative day brought a relatively feisty hiatus from what has been a low profile session thus far. 
The focus of the debate was a measure dealing with billboard sign regulation. Senate Bill 59 specifically addressed the tri-vision signs capable of containing up to three advertisements displayed in rotation. Current law demands a minimum of 5000 feet between tri-vision signs, and permits those signs to rotate their display advertisements every ten seconds. SB 59 sought to lower those restrictions by allowing for a six-second rotation time, and a 3000-foot gap. 
Proponents of the legislation claimed such signs are a dynamic and effective method of alerting travelers to restaurants, shops, and other businesses located in small towns along Georgia's interstate highways. These signs, they argued, help to boost local economies. Furthermore, they stated, such signs do the job of three regular billboards, thereby reducing the need for more freeway advertising. 
Some worried, however, about the language removing the 5000-foot buffer zone. Noting the competitive nature of the advertising business, they wondered if removing the distance requirement would open a Pandora's box and lead to excessive cluttering on Georgia's roadsides. Additionally, some wondered if the wording of the bill was not specific enough, thereby allowing companies to potentially circumvent the law by placing these multi faced signs on alternating sides of the freeway. 
An amendment was therefore adopted to reinstate the 5000-foot separation language, and the amended measure was subsequently passed by a vote of 98-66. 
 
 Another high profile item, HB 1000, also surfaced today. A supplement to 
 
the FY 2002 spending plan, HB 1000 seeks to allow the sale of more than $620 
 
million in bonds to be used for construction of more than 5000 new classrooms 
 
throughout Georgia. Included in the Governor's `A-plus' education reform 
 
package was a mandated reduction in the student to teacher ratio for Georgia's K- 
 
3, and special needs classrooms. Last session, lawmakers earmarked more than 
 
$400 million to pay for the mandate. However, lean economic times and very 
 
favorable interest rates have persuaded legislators to consider funding new 
 
classroom construction through the sale of state bonds. 
 
Some members expressed concern over the shift to debt obligation. Despite 
 
today's low interest rates, they contended, nothing could be cheaper than paying 
 
cash. Notwithstanding some scattered reservations, a majority of members saw the 
 
need to pass the plan, which will help local school systems with the very expensive 
 
task of building enough classrooms necessary for state compliance. HB 1000 
 
therefore passed by a vote of 171-4, and now goes to the Senate. 
 
Reporting from your state capitol this is Rep._________. If you have any 
 
questions or comments please do not hesitate to call me at (404) 656 ( 
 
).