Georgia

Governor wants vote on Confederate symbol

In a move that is certain to inflame race relations in Georgia, the new governor on Wednesday proposed a referendum next year on whether to bring back the old state flag with its big Confederate emblem.

Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue said he wants the nonbinding vote to take place the same day as the state’s presidential primary in March 2004.

The state NAACP immediately threatened an economic boycott of Georgia if the state goes back to the flag with the prominent Confederate emblem.

“If they think we’re playing, they should try us. They’ll see,” state NAACP president Walter Butler warned as several hundred NAACP members gathered at the Capitol.

The NAACP has been boycotting South Carolina for the past three years over a Confederate banner that flies on the Statehouse grounds. The Confederate emblem is not part of the South Carolina flag.

New York

‘Preppy Killer’ to be freed Friday

Robert Chambers will walk out of prison after 15 years on Valentine’s Day with his debt to society paid in full.

But not his debt to Jennifer Levin.

The “Preppy Killer” will still have to toil under a court order to pay $25 million to the family of Levin, the college-bound girl he was convicted of killing in Central Park on Aug. 26, 1986.

If Chambers lands a book or movie deal, he will be forced to turn over the proceeds to the Levin family. If he gets a job, his wages could be siphoned to help pay the civil judgment against him.

Chambers declined, through his lawyer, to discuss his plans after prison. But the lawyer, Brian O’Dwyer, said Chambers, now 36, is committed to becoming a productive member of society.

While in the Auburn Correctional Facility, Chambers assaulted a guard, possessed drugs and a weapon, and refused orders. He has spent more than 1,600 days in solitary confinement. He has been kept in protective custody for his own safety since May.

New York City

Day-care workers stage one-day strike

Teachers and directors at 358 city-funded day-care centers walked off the job in a one-day strike Wednesday, forcing parents of some 50,000 children to either take time off themselves or make other arrangements.

District Council 1707 and the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, which represents the centers’ directors and assistant directors, are demanding a 4 percent annual raise, comparable to what other municipal workers have received in recent contracts.

Union officials said the day-care teachers and administrators earn about $27,000 to $39,000 a year. Public school teachers start at $39,000.

The day-care teachers and administrators have been without a contract for two years.

Massachusetts

State to cut SUVs from fleet

Already under fire for their fuel efficiency and safety records, sport utility vehicles now may face elimination from public service in Massachusetts and other states.

Gov. Mitt Romney is considering slashing most of the 428 SUVs in the state fleet, a move expected both to save money and score political points among environmentalists.

“We see absolutely no reason why administrators or field reps at the Lottery need to have SUVs,” said Eric Fehrnstrom, a top Romney adviser.

Fehrnstrom said the move has not been finalized, and no decision has been made on what types of cars will replace the SUVs. In all, there are 3,385 passenger vehicles, trucks and vans registered to state government.