Rep. Lynn Westmoreland

(R-Sharpsburg) is heading for Washington next month to further explore

the possibilities of running for U.S. Senate.

"We're

going to have another break at the General Assembly in April and I hope

to fly up to Washington then," Westmoreland said.

Rumors have

been swirling for weeks about Westmoreland possibly running for Zell Miller's

Senate seat, and the Sharpsburg representative said he's looking at all

his options.

Miller has

already announced that he will not seek another term in 2004, and Republican

U.S. Rep. Johnny Isakson is the only one so far in the race to succeed

Miller.

"We've

been approached by different folks. It's been quite interesting,"

he said.

Back home,

Westmoreland said the major issue facing the General Assembly has been

the state's budget crunch. The legislators are currently in recess for

the next two weeks, and Westmoreland is hopeful the budget can be wrapped

up before the session ends in April.

"I really

don't want to come back for another special session," he said.

The budget

crunch is being felt locally. Westmoreland said new libraries are planned

for Tyrone and Coweta County, but the funds have not been identified yet

for the projects.

The other major

piece of local legislation that has crossed Westmoreland's desk is the

creation of a recreation authority in Peachtree City.

"We're

still studying that issue," he said.

Westmoreland

said it's been a pretty slow session for local initiatives, but said the

budget crunch has changed the main focus of the legislators this session.