Deal vetoes 2 bills after legislator’s motives questioned | www.myajc.com

Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday vetoed bills that would have abolished the Heart of Georgia Airport Authority and remade the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority after the heads of both bodies accused the bills’ sponsor of abusing his office.

“The governor had some questions and unfortunately failed to get the answers regarding these bills,” said Chris Riley, Deal’s chief of staff.

Rep. Jimmy Pruett, R-Eastman, pushed the bills — House Bills 635 and 636 — through the General Assembly in the final days of the legislative session.

Development authority Chairman Jack Burnham and airport authority Chairman Eddie Driggers both claimed Pruett had personal and financial motives for pushing the legislation, a claim Pruett denied.

“I’m extremely happy and extremely glad we’ve got a governor like Nathan Deal and his staff that will take the time to look over the legislation that these representatives and senators pass on to him to sign,” Burnham said.

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