Fayette state

Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, R-Sharpsburg, may get his wish to dedicate funds

from Georgia's motor vehicle fuel sales tax revenues to fixing the state's

roads.

His bill addressing

the issue has been mirrored in a House bill proposed by House Speaker

Tom Murphy, a Democrat. Seabaugh has agreed to a concession that the measure

won't take affect until the 2005 fiscal year, and because of that he expects

the House bill to be approved soon.

"This

means road maintenance, like fixing pot holes," Seabaugh said. The

funds would be dedicated to the Local Road Assistance Program, which is

currently administered by the state Department of Transportation.

Seabaugh added

that the overwhelming support for the legislation coming from county,

city and transportation officials gave the measure a significant nudge

toward passage.

"To me

it is an encouraging example of the people's voice being heard in the

state Legislature," Seabaugh said.

The same cannot

be said for Seabaugh's proposal to give a $100 refund