♪♪ >>> HELLO.

I'M DALE RUSSELL, SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOR FOX 5 NEWS IN ATLANTA.

WELCOME TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK-YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.

NOW, THIS IS THE RUN SWROF DEBATE AMONG DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR LABOR COMMISSIONER.

AND LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS DEBATE.

THEY ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WILLIAM BODDIE IS A GEORGIA STATE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT 62.

NICOLE HORN IS AN ENTREPRENEUR.

NOW LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS.

NICOLE CARR IS A REPORTER FOR PRO PUBLICA.

AND DAVE WILLIAMS IS A REPORTER WITH CAPITAL BEAT.

FOR COMPLETE RULES ON TODAY'S DEBATE PLEASE VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEBSITE.

ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG.

NOW, TO START THE DEBATE EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED ONE QUESTION BY EACH PANELIST.

CANDIDATES HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION.

DAVE WILLIAMS, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION FOR WILLIAM BODDIE.

>> THANK YOU.

AND GOOD AFTERNOON, REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AS A LEGISLATOR THAT YOU BELIEVE WOULD HELP YOU BECOME AN EFFECTIVE LABOR COMMISSIONER?

>> WELL, I LEARNED AS A LEGISLATOR THAT YOU HAVE TO BE COMMITTED TO ADVOCATING FOR POLICIES THAT'S GOING TO HELP ALL GEORGIANS AND JUST NOT THE 1% OR THE BUSINESSES IN THIS STATE.

AND AS A STATE LEGISLATOR I'VE PASSED OVER 27 BILLS TO BENEFIT ALL GEORGIANS.

SOME AND MOST OF COURSE HAVE BEEN BIPARTISAN.

SOME HAVE NOT BEEN BIPARTISAN.

HOWEVER, PASSING LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO BENEFIT ALL GEORGIANS IS THE KEY TO HAVING A BETTER GEORGIA.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE LEARNED IN MY SIX YEARS AS BEING A DEMOCRAT IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND ALSO SERVING IN LEADERSHIP AS THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC WHIP FOR TWO TERMS AND SERVING UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF LEADER ABRAMS AND ALSO UNDER WHIP KELLY HUGHLEY.

>> NICOLE CARR, IT'S YOUR TURN NOW TO ASK A QUESTION TO NICOLE HORN.

>> MISS HORN, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE KNOW THAT JOBLESS CLAIMS HAVE RETURNED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS BUT THERE ARE STILL SO MANY CASES THAT NEED RESOLUTION FROM OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

HOW WOULD YOU EVEN BEGIN TO ADDRESS THOSE CASES?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

I AM READY TO TACKLE OUR SAFETY NET, WHICH IS STILL BROKEN IN GEORGIA.

I HAVE A PLAN, AND I'M GOING IN AS THE NEXT LABOR COMMISSIONER WITH THE MANTRA OF PEOPLE, PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGY.

WE ARE STILL WAITING FOUR TO SIX MONTHS FOR PEOPLE ON AVERAGE TO RECEIVE THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

PART OF THIS IS A PEOPLE PROBLEM.

WE'RE COMPLETELY UNDERSTAFFED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

ONLY 4% OF PHONE CALLS ARE ANSWERED.

THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

THERE ARE ALSO BROKEN PROCESSES THERE.

80% OF PEOPLE WHO APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT ARE INITIALLY TURNED DOWN.

WE NEED TO STREAMLINE AND IMPROVE THAT PROCESS AND MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR GEORGIANS.

AND TECHNOLOGY.

GOSH, THE TECHNOLOGY THAT RUNS OUR UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS BUILT ON COBOL.

I HAVE A PLAN THAT I'M READY TO IMPLEMENT TO STREAMLINE AND IMPROVE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS AND TO GET RID OF THE BACKLOG THAT EXISTS.

>> DAVE, NOW YOUR QUESTION FOR NICOLE HORN.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN YOUR TIME AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER THAT YOU BELIEVE WOULD HELP INFORM YOUR DECISIONS AS LABOR COMMISSIONER?

>> I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION.

THANK YOU.

AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 15-PLUS YEARS WORKING WITH UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND WE WOULD HELP BUILD PROGRAMS FOR ADULT STUDENTS.

I'M THE CANDIDATE WHO'S ACTUALLY HELPED MORE THAN 1,000 GEORGIANS MOVE INTO BETTER PROGRAMS -- BETTER JOBS.

JOBS WITH LIVING WAGES.

I HAVE ALSO, AND THIS IS ALSO WHAT WE REALLY NEED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, STREAMLINED AND IMPROVED PROCESSES IN LARGE SLOW-MOVING ORGANIZATIONS.

OVERSEEING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TECHNOLOGY.

THESE ARE THE EXACT SKILLS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR NEEDS SO THAT WE CAN TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT AND ADDRESS UNDEREMPLOYMENT, CREATING BETTER PATHWAYS TO BETTER JOBS.

THAT IS WHAT I HAVE DONE AS THE LEADER OF MY COMPANY, AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO AS THE LEADER OF GEORGIA'S DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

>> AND NICOLE, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND FOR WILLIAM BODDIE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE, I'LL POSE THE SAME QUESTION WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS BACKLOG.

AND ALTHOUGH THOSE JOBLESS CLAIMS HAVE RETURNED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, WE STILL KNOW THAT THE CASES ARE IN A BACKLOG FROM THE PANDEMIC.

HOW WOULD YOU BEGIN TO ADDRESS THIS?

>> WELL, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD CREATE A TASK FORCE WITHIN THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WITH STAFF FROM ALL OVER THE DEPARTMENT TO GO THROUGH THE CASES AND CLAIMS THAT ARE OVER SOME -- OVER TWO YEARS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN HEARD ON APPEAL.

THOSE APPEALS RIGHT NOW ARE IN FEDERAL COURT WITH A LAWSUIT.

A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED BY THE SOUTHERN LAW POVERTY CENTER TO ADDRESS CASES AND APPEALS OVER 20 -- OVER TWO YEARS OLD.

SO WHAT I WOULD DO IS TAKE THAT TASK FORCE AND GO THROUGH EACH ONE OF THOSE CLAIMS TO MAKE SURE THAT GEORGIANS THAT WERE DUE WORK UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION GET THE FUNDS THEY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A YEAR, OVER TWO YEARS AGO.

AND WITH THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS LAWSUIT AND TO STAND WITH THOSE PLAINTIFFS THAT ARE FIGHTING FOR THE MONEY THAT THEY DESERVE AND THAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO GET TODAY.

>> MR. BODDIE, THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF THE DEBATE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO THEIR OPPONENT.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THE QUESTION, 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

AND THE CANDIDATE WHO ASKS THE QUESTION WILL HAVE ANOTHER 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.

NOW, EACH CANDIDATE WILL GET TWO QUESTIONS IN THIS ROUND.

AND BY RANDOM SELECTION NICOLE HORN, YOU MAY ASK THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE.

>> YES.

>> WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF THE GREAT RESIGNATION, AND WE KNOW OF GEORGIANS LEAVING THEIR JOBS IN RECORD NUMBERS.

AS YOU KNOW, I'M A WORKING MOM, AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL ABOUT CHILDCARE AS A BARRIER FOR PEOPLE TO RETURN TO WORK OR MORE FULLY ENGAGE IN THE WORKPLACE.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO COMBAT THE GREAT RESIGNATION?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WHAT I WOULD DO AS FAR AS OUR PARENTS ARE CONCERNED AND OUR MOTHERS, I'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE ADVOCATE THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PASS LEGISLATION TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTAL -- MORE PARENTAL LEAVE.

AND SO RIGHT NOW THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY LAST SESSION PASSED -- OR TWO SESSIONS AGO PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW PARENTAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES AND TEACHERS.

I WOULD EXPAND THAT TO ALL GEORGIANS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED.

ALSO WORKING MOMS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FROM HOME IF THEY CAN AND HAVE MORE HYBRID SITUATIONS WHERE THEY CAN DO THAT.

I WOULD WORK WITH OUR SMALL BUSINESSES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WE CAN HAVE HYBRID PROGRAMS AND ALSO TAX INITIATIVES THAT WILL BE DONE BY THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ENCOURAGE THOSE EMPLOYERS TO HAVE CHILDCARE AND ALSO HYBRID WORK FROM HOME TELEWORKING AS MEANS OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, THE PARENTS, THE MOTHERS, AND THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE SAME TIME.

>> MISS BODDIE, DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

>> YES.

>> I'M SORRY.

MISS HORN.

DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

>> I THINK HIS WIFE WOULD BE UPSET IF I WAS NAMED MISS BODDIE.

AND SO WOULD MY HUSBAND.

BUT YES, I DO.

THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE, FOR THAT.

I WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON CHILDCARE.

A MOST RECENT STUDY SAID THAT IN GEORGIA $1.7 BILLION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IS BEING LEFT ON THE TABLE.

THAT'S $110 MILLION IN TAX MONEY.

WE NEED WORKING PARENTS TO BE EMBRACED BY OUR COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN CHILDCARE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AND THAT WILL BE A TOP PRIORITY OF MINE.

>> WILLIAM BODDIE, YOU GET THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> THANKS.

MISS HORN, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT PRO-WORKER LEGISLATION HAVE YOU CHAMPIONED AT THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND WHAT STATE SENATOR OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE YOU HAVE WORKED WITH TO CHAMPION THAT LEGISLATION AND TO GET THAT LEGISLATION PASSED INTO LAW.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION, REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE.

I AM NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN.

I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEGISLATE AS OF YET.

WHAT I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IS WORK TO BUILD A SMALL BUSINESS.

AND I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMPLOY MORE THAN 50 GEORGIANS IN MY COMPANY AND TO HELP LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS THROUGH THE WORK THAT I'VE DONE MOVE INTO BETTER JOBS, MOVE INTO JOBS WITH LIVING WAGES.

I AM PROUD OF THE WORK THAT I'VE DONE, AND I KNOW THAT THAT WORK I WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AS WE BUILD APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, BOTH WORKING WITH UNIONS AND WORKING TO CREATE WHITE-COLLAR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

NORTH CAROLINA'S HBCUs HAVE COME TOGETHER TO CREATE A CYBERSECURITY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

WE NEED TO DO THAT KIND OF THING HERE IN GEORGIA.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE A FATHER WHO IS A LIFETIME UNION MEMBER.

I AM PRO WORKER, WHICH ALL OF MY POLICIES WILL SHOW.

THANK YOU.

>> AND MR. BODDIE, A REBUTTAL.

>> YES.

I'M NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN.

I WAS JUST ELECTED IN 2017.

BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PASS MANY PIECES OF LEGISLATION, INCLUDING HB-1390 LAST SESSION, A BIPARTISAN PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW A LEGAL CAUSE OF ACTION FOR ANY CITY OR COUNTY EMPLOYEE THAT HAS A SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIM.

AND THEY CAN HAVE THAT CLAIM AND FILE IT IN COURT, LAWSUIT IN COURT AGAINST THAT COUNTY OR CITY EMPLOYER.

ALSO I PASSED HB-1391 WHICH INCREASES THE PAY FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

THAT IS THE WORK I'VE DONE AT THE GOLD DOME.

>> NICOLE HORN, PLEASE ASK YOUR SECOND QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE, WE'RE SEEING ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND IN GEORGIA AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORKING WITHIN THE GIG ECONOMY AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

HOW SHOULD THE LABOR COMMISSIONER PROTECT GIG WORKERS?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE CLASSIFY GIG WORKERS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC IS THAT BACK IN MAY OF 2020 DURING THE PRIME PARTS OF THE PANDEMIC, THE EARLY DAYS, WE HAD OVER 123 -- 28,000 GIG WORKERS TO LOSE THEIR JOB.

BUT FOR THE FEDERAL RELIEF THAT CAME FROM CONGRESS, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TRADITIONAL UI -- UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE CLASSIFY SO WHEN THE NEXT RECESSION COMES, I HOPE IT DOESN'T, OR THE NEXT PANDEMIC WE CAN PROTECT THESE GIG WORKERS SO IF THEY LOSE THEIR JOB THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN THEY WILL HAVE A RECOURSE AND A WAY OF HAVING A SAFETY NET AT THE STATE LEVEL AND NOT ALWAYS HAVING TO RELY ON CONGRESS TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT OUR CITIZENS, OUR GEORGIA WORKING FAMILIES AND WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF GEORGIA WHO PROTECT AND FIGHT FOR US AND PROVIDE THE GOODS AND SERVICES THAT WE NEED ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> MISS HORN, REBUTTAL?

>> THANK YOU.

I AGREE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE APPROPRIATELY CLASSIFIED.

I WILL BE CREATING AN INVESTIGATIVE UNIT THAT WILL FOLLOW UP TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU'RE ACTUALLY AN EMPLOYEE YOU'RE BEING PAID AND TREATED AS AN EMPLOYEE.

BUT THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS WANT TO STAY AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

THERE'S NOT A STATE IN THE UNITED STATES THAT PROVIDES UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS TO PEOPLE IN THAT PLACE.

AS LABOR COMMISSIONER I WILL CREATE -- I WILL MAKE SURE GEORGIA LEADS THE WAY IN CREATING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR GIG WORKERS.

>> AND WILLIAM BODDIE, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> THANK YOU.

SO MISS HORN, MY MOM HAS ALWAYS TAUGHT ME WHAT YOU DO IN THE DARK WHEN NOBODY'S WATCHING IS THE ESSENCE OF WHO YOU TRULY ARE.

SO PRIOR TO LAUNCHING YOUR CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR WHAT COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES HAVE YOU CHAMPIONED AND WHAT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS OR ADVOCACY GROUPS YOU HAVE WORKED WITH TO CHAMPION THOSE COMMUNITY, NOT POLITICAL BUT COMMUNITY EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING.

THE -- WELL, AGAIN, I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO BEING A WORKING MOM.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M MOST PROUD OF, I HAVE A 13-YEAR-OLD WHO SWEARS SHE'S 25 AND A 16-YEAR-OLD SON, AND I'VE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS PTO PRESIDENT AND AS PART OF THE STRATEGIC TEAM.

I'VE WORKED WITH OUR CIVIC ASSOCIATION.

PUBLIC EDUCATION IS CORE TO -- OF IMPORTANCE TO ME.

AND I'VE BEEN A BOARD MEMBER FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION MATTERS GEORGIA, WHICH PURPOSELY WORKS TO GET OUT AND ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION TO MAKE SURE THAT EDUCATION IS BEING FUNDED.

I ALSO WORKED WITH THIS AMERICAN HOUSE AS A BOARD MEMBER.

THAT IS A NON-PROFIT THAT HELPED HOMELESS MEN AND WOMEN IN GEORGIA MOVE INTO JOBS.

AND THAT'S THE KIND OF WORK I AM PROUD TO HAVE DONE AS WELL AS BEING AN ACTIVIST AND A FOUNDER OF AN INDIVISIBLE GROUP THAT WORKED AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S AGENDA.

THANK YOU.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE, REBUTTAL.

>> THANK YOU.

INDIVISIBLE IS A GREAT ORGANIZATION, A GREAT POLITICAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION.

INDIVISIBLE HAS ENDORSED ME FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

I ACTUALLY GOT 9 % ON THEIR SCORECARD COMPARED TO MISS HORN, 74.

BUT AS FAR AS WORK I'VE DONE, I'VE DONE WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'VE BEEN A PART OF ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS 100 BLACK MEN IN ATLANTA, THEIR MENTORING PROGRAM, PROJECT SUCCESS.

ALSO LETTERS MADE MAN.

AND -- SO I KNEW ABOUT COMMUNITY WORK.

AND I HOSTED WORKING MOMS ADVOCACY DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

SO I KNOW HOW TO DO THE WORK AS WELL.

>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND.

AND FOR THOSE JUST JOINING US, THIS IS THE RUNOFF DEBATE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR LABOR COMMISSIONER.

WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO THE PANEL TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF TIME.

AS A POINT OF MODERATOR PRIVILEGE I MIGHT ALSO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES, AND I WILL DETERMINE IF AND WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

NICOLE CARR, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> SURE.

REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE, BOTH CANDIDATES ACTUALLY HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT SOLUTIONS THAT ARE DEPENDENT ON A STRONG WORKFORCE.

DURING THE PANDEMIC THE CURRENT LABOR DEPARTMENT HEAD TALKED ABOUT CHALLENGES IN LOSING PERSONNEL EITHER RELATED TO COVID OR THE GREAT RESIGNATION AS WE'VE HEARD ABOUT.

THEY CAME UNDER SCRUTINY FOR HOW MUCH MONEY THEY SPENT PROVIDING LUNCHES FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO WORK WITH THE D.O.L.

HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO NOT ONLY RETAIN PERSONNEL, AND THESE ARE SPECIALIZED JOBS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT ALSO TO RECRUIT FOR THIS DEPARTMENT?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

FOR THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR I'D MAKE SURE WE GO OUT AND GET THE BEST TALENT THAT WE CAN HAVE.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT TALENT IN THIS STATE.

I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE DO JOB FAIRS, RECRUITMENT ACROSS THE STATE.

ALSO I WOULD WORK WITH THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO GET MORE MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO BE APPROPRIATED TO MAKE SURE WE CAN STAFF UP THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

CEO MICHAEL THURMAN WHO'S THE LAST DEMOCRATIC LABOR COMMISSIONER, LEFT HIS POSITION IN 2010, WE HAD OVER 4,000 EMPLOYEES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

THIS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WAS NEVER SET UP TO HANDLE CLAIMS ON A DAILY BASIS WITHOUT A PANDEMIC OR ECONOMIC RECESSION.

SO WE NEED TO STAFF UP.

ALSO WE NEED TO MODERNIZE THE TECHNOLOGY AS WELL.

SO I'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE BEST STAFF.

AND ONE THING THAT CEO MICHAEL THURMAN DID IS HAVE A TWO-YEAR MANAGERIAL TRAINING PROGRAM.

I WILL BRING THAT BACK BECAUSE IT ENCOURAGES EMPLOYEES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE UP WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND MAKE MORE MONEY, HAVE MORE RESPONSIBILITY, AND WE'RE PROMOTING FROM WITHIN.

I THINK THAT SHOULD BE A MODEL FOR EVERYONE, IN ALL COMPANIES AND CORPORATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> AND DAVE WILLIAMS, IT'S YOUR TURN.

>> WELL, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.

WE'LL START WITH MISS HORN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT CAME UP ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

AT THAT TIME AT GOVERNOR KEMP'S URGING THE LABOR DEPARTMENT CUT OFF EXPANDED FEDERAL PANDEMIC-RELATED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, AND THEY DID SO THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ENDED THAT PROGRAM AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE HANDLED THAT SITUATION IF YOU WERE LABOR COMMISSIONER AT THAT TIME?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

I ACTUALLY SLEPT OUT IN FRONT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AS PART OF A PROTEST WITH UNION MEMBERS AND OTHER ACTIVISTS IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROTEST THAT.

I WOULD NOT HAVE ENDED BENEFITS EARLY.

THE EXCUSE THAT WAS USED WAS OH, WELL, PEOPLE NEED TO GO BACK TO WORK.

BUT THE REALITY IS WHEN YOU LOOKED SIX MONTHS LATER, WHAT WE SAW IS THAT THE STATES THAT ENDED THOSE FEDERAL BENEFITS EARLY ACTUALLY HAD LOWER LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT IN THEIR WORKFORCE.

CUTTING OFF THOSE BENEFITS HARMED PARTICULARLY CONTRACTORS.

IT WAS HUGE NUMBERS.

IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS OH, GO BACK TO WORK.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE BETTER PATHWAYS TO BETTER JOBS.

WE NEED A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FIGHTING FOR GEORGIA WORKERS.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE SLEPT OUT IN FRONT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO PROTEST THAT DECISION.

IT'S CLEARLY A DECISION THAT WAS PRO BUSINESS AND ANTI-WORKER.

>> MR. BODDIE, I BELIEVE THAT WAS A QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU.

>> YES.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT WHAT I -- AND WHAT I DID DO.

THE GEORGIA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, WE HAD A TASK FORCE AND WE WERE ON ZOOM CALLS EVERY DAY MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY, HEARING AND SPEAKING WITH CITIZENS AND DIRECTORS AND EXPERTS.

ALSO I HAVE BEEN ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA ADVOCATING WITH ORGANIZED LABOR, FAITH-BASED LEADERS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, AND THIS LABOR COMMISSION JUST OPENED THE DOORS.

SO BEING THE DOORS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR OVER TWO YEARS, THAT'S A PROBLEM IN AND OF ITSELF.

ALL OF THE RESOURCES BEHIND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S CLOSED DOORS COULD HAVE BEEN UTILIZED FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, JOB OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL.

SUCH AS INTERVIEW WRITING, INTERVIEW SKILLS.

OTHER SOFT SKILLS AS WELL.

SO WHEN THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT -- OR THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE REPUBLICANS PASSED A BILL TO NOT PROTECT GEORGIA WORKERS, I WENT TO THE WELL OF THE HOUSE TO ARGUE AGAINST THAT LEGISLATION.

BUT THIS ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE HAD A LABOR COMMISSION THAT STOOD UP TO THE GOVERNMENT AND SAID NO, THIS IS WRONG, DON'T DO IT, LET THE BENEFITS CONTINUE TO GO TO SEPTEMBER 2021.

>> MR. BODDIE, THAT'S TIME.

MISS CARR, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> YES.

AND I SHOULD HAVE POSED THE QUESTION TO YOU, MISS HORN, AS WELL, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR PLANS FOR RECRUITING AND RETAINING THE PERSONNEL WITHIN THE COMMISSION TO PULL OFF SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT YOU'VE SPOKEN ABOUT TODAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, A CONCERN THAT I HAVE HEARD BECAUSE I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, AND THEY TALK ABOUT TWO THINGS, THEY TALK ABOUT THE PAY NOT BEING -- NOT BEING WHAT IT SHOULD BE GIVEN SO I WILL BE ADVOCATING FOR AN INCREASE IN PAY.

AND THEY ALSO TALK ABOUT CULTURE, THAT THERE IS A CULTURE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT IF YOU'RE APLAYING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS YOU'RE PROBABLY TRYING TO SCAM GEORGIA.

AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THE TRUTH IS THAT WHEN YOU APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS YOU'RE AT A MOMENT OF PROBABLY ONE OF THE SCARIEST MOMENTS THAT YOU'VE HAD IN RECENT TIMES.

SO WE NEED TO BE THERE AND BE CREATING A CULTURE OF HELPING GEORGIANS, OF LIFTING THEM UP AND MOVING THEM INTO WHAT THEIR NEXT CAREER OR NEXT JOB WILL BE.

I WILL BE CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT IS DIVERSE.

I WILL HAVE A CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER ON DAY ONE.

AND WE WILL RECRUIT FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND HAVE GREAT PEOPLE IN PLACE.

>> AND NICOLE, WAS THAT QUESTION FOR BOTH CANDIDATES OR WERE YOU -- >> JUST FOR MS. HORN.

I'D POSED IT TO REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE.

>> OKAY.

DAVE.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LAST YEAR PASSED A BILL, AND THIS REALLY CAME OUT OF ALL THE BACKLOG AND THE PROBLEMS WITH THE AGENCY.

IT WAS MOTIVATED BY THAT.

TO CREATE A POSITION OF CHIEF LABOR OFFICER TO REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR.

GOVERNOR KEMP VETOED THAT.

HE SAID IT WAS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL INTRUSION ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER, LABOR COMMISSIONER MARK BUTLER.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THAT IDEA?

>> I THINK THAT WAS AN IDEA THAT THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BIPARTISAN PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT I VOTED FOR, PRETTY MUCH EVERY DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

IT WAS GOING TO CREATE A -- BASICALLY A LABOR CZAR TO OVERSEE THIS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COMMISSIONER DO HIS JOB, BASICALLY.

AND HE WOULD HAVE TO -- AND I SAY HE.

MARK BUTLER, COMMISSIONER MARK BUTLER WOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS THE CLAIMS THAT HAD BEEN FILED THE PRIOR WEEK EVERY MONDAY WITH THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WHAT CLAIMS WERE OUTSTANDING, WHAT APPEALS HAD BEEN FILED AND WHAT MONEY HAD BEEN PAID OUT TO GEORGIA WORKERS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, IF GOVERNOR KEMP BELIEVED IN THIS, WHY WOULD HE INFRINGE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WITH SB-202?

SO IF IT WAS SUCH AN INTRUSION BY THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SB-202 IS AN INTRUSION BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO BE ABLE TO DO HIS DUTIES OR HER DUTIES AND BY TAKING AWAY THEIR POWER THAT WAS NOT RIGHT EITHER.

AND I'LL END WITH THAT.

>> AND NICOLE, WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE LAST QUESTION AND A 30-SECOND ANSWER FOR WHOMEVER YOU CHOOSE.

>> SURE.

REPRESENTATIVE BODDIE, WE KNOW AT THE END OF THE DAY THE LABOR DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLIC RELATION ISSUES, THAT THE REPUTATION NEEDS TO BE REVAMPED, TRUST NEEDS TO BE REBUILT.

WHERE WOULD YOU START WITH THAT?

>> WELL, I CAN SAY THAT BY TALKING TO THE PEOPLE, JUST TALKING TO THE PEOPLE.

I'VE BEEN AROUND THIS STATE TALKING TO CITIZENS IN EVERY FOUR CORNERS OF THIS STATE.

THEY WANT ACCESSIBILITY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

THEY WANT TRUST FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

YOU HAVE TO REGAIN THAT.

AND I WOULD REGAIN THAT BY GOING OUT AND SPEAKING TO CITIZENS ACROSS THE STATE.

I'VE BEEN ENTRUSTED BY OVER 200 ELECTED OFFICIALS TO GET THE JOB DONE AT THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BECAUSE THEY SEE THIS POLITICAL SWEAT EQUITY THAT I'VE PUT IN.

AND ALSO EQUITY THAT I'VE PUT IN WITHIN MY COMMUNITY ITSELF.

>> MR. BODDIE, I HATE TO INTERRUPT YOU BUT WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR THAT PART OF THE QUESTION.

WE NOW HAVE TIME FOR EACH CANDIDATE, WHO WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

MR. BODDIE, YOU GET THE FIRST CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> YES.

AS THE NEXT GEORGIA LABOR COMMISSIONER I'M GOING TO OPEN THE DOORS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

I'M GOING TO MODERNIZE THE TECHNOLOGY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

AND ALSO I'M GOING TO CREATE A CALL CENTER SO YOU CAN HAVE A LIVE HUMAN BEING ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU CALL THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

ALSO I'M GOING TO WORK WITH ORGANIZED LABOR TO RAMP UP OUR WORKFORCE.

BY PARTNERING WITH ORGANIZED LABOR TO FOCUS ON OUR RETURNING CITIZENS FROM INCARCERATION, TO FOCUS ON OUR RESIDENTS OF RURAL GEORGIA, AND ALSO TO FOCUS ON OUR -- SO THEY CAN HAVE LIVING WAGE PAYING JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

I HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY SOME AMAZING DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE STATE INCLUDING LEADER STACEY ABRAMS, ALSO GOVERNOR ROY BURNS AND FORMER LABOR COMMISSIONER MICHAEL THURMAN.

RUNOFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

I NEED EVERYONE TO COME BACK TO THE POLLS TO VOTE.

AND LAST YEAR, LAST JANUARY WE HAD TWO U.S. CITIES SELECTED THAT CHANGED THE SHIFT OF POWER IN THIS COUNTRY.

LET'S CHANGE THE SHIFT OF POWER FOR GEORGIA WORKERS BY ELECTING ME ON JUNE THE 21st.

>> AND NICOLE HORN, PLEASE GIVE US YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> MY NAME IS NICOLE HORN, AND I AM RUNNING TO BE YOUR NEXT LABOR COMMISSIONER.

I AM AN ACTIVIST.

I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR.

AND I AM A WORKING MOM.

AND I'M RUNNING TO FIGHT FOR GEORGIA WORKERS.

I HAVE A PLAN TO OPEN UP THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN REACH PEOPLE AND RECEIVE YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS THAT YOU EARNED QUICKLY.

BUT I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT UNDEREMPLOYMENT IN GEORGIA.

WE NEED BETTER PATHWAYS TO BETTER JOBS, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE THROUGH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

BOTH WORKING WITH UNIONS AND WORKING WITH BUSINESS, OUR PUBLIC, PRIVATE COLLEGES, NOT FOR PROFIT COLLEGES, AND OUR TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

I ALSO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT IMPACT OF RECIDIVISM AND I WILL BE PUTTING IN PLACE A TEAM THAT WORKS WITH OUR PRISON SYSTEM TO HELP RETURNING CITIZENS FIND JOBS.

AGAIN, I'M A WORKING MOM.

I'M GOING TO KNOCK DOWN THE BARRIERS TO CHILDCARE.

AND I AM READY WITH GOVERNOR ABRAMS BY MY SIDE TO RETURN THE TRUST IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE.

WE'D LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS THAT ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY JUNE 21st.

OUR THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES AND TO THE PANEL OF JOURNALISTS.

WE'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S DEBATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEBATES THAT THEY WILL HOST THIS ELECTION SEASON PLEASE VISIT ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORGANIZATION.

I'M DALE RUSSELL.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK-YOUNG DEBATE SERIES.

♪♪