Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

ATHENS, GA (AP) -- Georgia lawmakers are meeting in Athens to prepare for the coming legislative session.

The 236 legislators - some veterans and some newly elected - are gathering for the biennial conference sponsored by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. The three-day training session is designed to help elected officials prepare for the busy session, which is set to begin Jan. 10.

Monday will kick off with a look at the economic picture. There will also be sessions on the state's ongoing water wars and the
mental health settlement with federal officials. Tuesday will feature a meeting of a panel considering an overhaul to the state's tax code and a speech by Gov.-elect Nathan Deal.
   

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)