Green tree frogs back for a shot at legislature

<p>The green tree frogs are back at the state Capitol.</p><p>For the third year in a row, Georgia lawmakers will attempt to get the tiny animal designated as the official state amphibian.</p><p>The idea originally came from a group of fourth-graders studying civics at Armuchee Elementary School in Rome.</p><p>"They learned Georgia doesn't have an official amphibian, and they decided to try to change that," said Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, whose bill was introduced in the Senate on Monday.</p><p>Last year, the plan passed in the House _ despite some complaints it was frivolous and at least one lawmaker croaking "Ribbit! Ribbit!" as his colleagues voted.</p><p>But it died in the Senate, where the tiny amphibians may be in for another uphill climb if comments from the head of the committee that allows bills onto the Senate floor are any indication.</p><p>"I haven't thought about it and I don't think I will be thinking about it any time soon," said Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, who heads the Senate Rules Committee. "There are a lot more important issues we need to get to."</p><p>Smith's bill was assigned directly to Balfour's committee on Monday.</p><p>The American green tree frog is native to Florida, South Carolina, Arkansas and southern Georgia. Green with cream-colored stripes, the frog lives on a typical amphibian diet of flies, moths and crickets.</p><p>If its fates change, the green tree frog would join 43 other official state symbols _ including "Georgia on my Mind," the state song, and the Vidalia sweet onion, the state vegetable.</p><p>Georgia already has an official reptile, possum and pork cook off _ the Slosheye Trail Big Pig Jig in Dooly County.</p>

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