Rep. Lynn Westmoreland

is calling in a local connection to help interpret one of Gov. Roy Barnes'

initiatives.

Westmoreland

believes some of Barnes' proposed legislation would actually weaken the

state's DUI laws and has asked Fayette County Solicitor Steve Harris to

research Barnes' teen driving proposal.

One part of

the governor's bill that Westmoreland believes will not pass is the ban

on 16-year-olds driving in an 18-county Atlanta region.

"I just

don't think that's going to make it. That actually may be something they've

thrown in there as a bargaining chip," he said.

As the session

reaches its halfway point, Westmoreland is generally happy with some of

the legislation passed. The session has been dominated by the governor's

bills, including the changing of the flag, which has slowed the session

down.

"That's

a good thing. The less we do up here, the better it is for the people

of Georgia," he said.

Westmoreland

has also been busy authoring and co-authoring legislation. Several of

his bills revolve around the way judges are selected.

The Sharpsburg

legislator wants all judges elected, instead of some of them being appointed

"I just

believe it would take some of the politics out of the process," he

said.

Westmoreland

also is sponsoring a bill that would give citizens the right of choosing

whether their case is heard before an appointed or elected judge.

The representative

also wants judges to have the ability to discuss issues.

"Right

now, judges may be asked about DUIs, but say they can't talk about it

because they may have a DUI case. I want them to be accountable just like

we are," he said.