By Maria Saporta
For tree lovers, the crisis has been averted.
House Bill 501, which would have allowed the cutting of trees along interstates and the state’s limited access highways, failed to make it out of the House Rules Committee.
It therefore has died a timely death, at least for this year.
“Whew,” was the reaction of Marcia Bansley, founder of Trees Atlanta.
The news was confirmed by Neill Herring, the lobbyist for the Sierra Club, according to Wilton Rooks of Gainesville.
As reported earlier this week in SaportaReport, Rooks said: “This is a draconian bill that will devastate Georgia highways.”
It had passed the House Transportation Committee in a 7 to 5 vote.
{{“House Bill to cut trees along state highways dies in committee”}}
…As it rightfully should.
{{“For tree lovers, the crisis has been averted….
…House Bill 501, which would have allowed the cutting of trees along interstates and the state’s limited access highways, failed to make it out of the House Rules Committee.
…It therefore has died a timely death, at least for this year.”}}
At least for this year is right as you can rest assured that this type of mass tree-cutting bill is very likely return in the not-too-distant future and probably with a vengeance as some key members of Georgia state government have been trying for years to get their cronies in the tree-cutting industry some work by way of a government contract to cut the trees along the roadsides of Georgia’s highways.
Though this type of narrowly-targeted and blatant special interest-enriching legislation is unfortunately what the people of Georgia have come to expect from their “lawmakers”.
Thanks for the ‘heads-up’ on the tree-cutting bill, Ms. Saporta.