"AND THEY'RE OFF..."

That's the traditional announcer's "call" at the start of the Kentucky Derby, but it applies not just to Saturday's horse race, but to the Georgia gubernatorial race as well, which is expected to quickly rise in intensity following last week's conclusion of the annual legislative session.

This year saw lawmakers pass a $17.9 million FY 2011 budget that, due to the recession, included $600 million in education cuts. In other high points of those "40 days and nights" -which actually stretched over a longer time period than any other modern-era law-making session in this state - the Legislature:

* Passed a measure long sought by many metro Atlanta leaders that would provide for a 1 percent sales tax for transportation improvements. The bill still must be approved by voters statewide and would divide the state into regions, each of which could choose whether or not to impose the tax in their area.

* Passed a measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) that, if signed into law by the governor, will require all property owners be sent an annual Notice of Assessment by their county that guarantees them the right to appeal their assessment. It also specifies those notices must include data as to what the property owner's tax will be. The law also expands the period in which an appeal can be filed to 45 days from 30 days.

* Agreed to let licensed gun owners carry them in bars and in the parking lots of colleges, courthouses and jails, and would eliminate the ban on guns within 1,000 feet of schools and colleges.

* Made it illegal to text while driving.

* Made it illegal for teens to talk on cell phones while driving.

* Made it a requirement for pickup truck drivers to wear seatbelts.

Needless to say, there was plenty the Legislature did - or failed to do - that is fodder for candidates in the gubernatorial and other state races that now quickly will begin to heat up.

Like most modern-era gubernatorial races, this one will likely focus on development and education issues, but with the added urgency of a recession of historic proportions and the epic impact it is having on our state and its government. That makes it doubly incumbent on Georgia voters that they focus on this race and the issues in order that they ultimately choose the right man or woman for the job.