I'M DANA LAWRY IN ATLANTA.

TODAY MARKS THE 20th SEASON OFTHE SHOWAND WE'RE EXCITED TO BRINGINGCONTINUE TO BRINGINGYOU ALL OF THE ACTIONFROM THEGLASS DOME AND WHATIT ALL MEANS TO YOU.

A SESSION EXPECTED TO COVER AWIDE RANGEOF ISSUES OVER THE 40 DAYSESSION.

PLUS IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR FORALL STATESENATORS AND REPRESENT IS.

WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU AN IDEAOF WHAT TOEXPECT FROM LEADERS AND BOTHTHE HOUSE AND THESENATE WHO WILL JOIN US IN THESTUDIO AND LAY OUTTHEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE COMINGWEEKS.

BUT WE BEGIN WITHOUR CAPITALREPORT ASALWAYS WITH OUR NEW CAPITALCORRESPONDENT SARAHCALLI SURBGS.

--CALLIS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO BE ACORRESPONDENTAGAIN BUTFIRST TALK ABOUT WHATHAPPENED.

>> REPRESENTATIVES REMEMBEREDTHREE LIVESLOST THIS YEAR.

BRANDON HARRIS DIED IN ASHOOTING INFOREST PARK ON FRIDAY.

SCOTT CALLED UPON LAWMAKERS TOPASS GUNSAFE TIFF LAWS THIS SESSION.

>> AS AFAMILY MEMBER, I'MHURT.

AND AS ALAWMAKER, I'MFRUSTRATED, ANGRY.

AND JUST WANTED GEORGIA TO DOSOMETHING.

COME UP WITH SOME KINDOFSENTENCE GUNLEGISLATION.

BECAUSE WE MUST HAVE SOME.

I KNOW WE CAN'T STOP WHAT'SGOING ONAROUND THE WORLD, BUT GEORGIA,IT IS TIME FOR US ANDTHE STATE OF GEORGIA TO COME UPWITH SOME COMMONSENSE GUN LEGISLATION.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVESALSO HONOREDCOWITA COUNTY SHERIFF'SINVESTIGATOR.

HE WAS KILLED IN A CAR CHASE.

>> WE RISE TODAYALONG WITHCHAIRMANCOLLINS TO HONORONE OFCALWITA'SFINEST.

REPRESENTATIVE KELLYREMEMBEREDSCOTTY WHO DIEDAFTER BATTLING AN ILLNESS.

>> HIS FINGERPRINTS ARE LEFTALL OVERCEDAR TOWN AND POLK COUNTY.

>> Reporter: IN THE SENATE, ABIPARTISANCALL FOR UNITY AND EMPATHY OFTHOSE WHO HAVE BEENVICTIMSOF RECENT S. W. A. T. INGPRANKS.

>> IF SOMEBODY DOESN'TUNDERSTANDWHATSWATHS.

W. A. T. ING IS.

WHEN SOMEONE CALLSAND SAYSTHAT THEY'RE AVICTIM OFA CRIME ANDHUNGINGUP THE PHONE.

CAUSING A NUMBER OFPOLICE CARSORS.

W. A. T. MEMBERS TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE.

FOR THOSE WHO THINK THIS IS APRANK, IT ISACTUALLY A CRIME.

I WANT TO THANK FOR LEADING UPLEGISLATIONTHAT WILL ADD CRIMINAL ANDCIVIL PENALTIES ON TOP OFWHAT ALREADY EXISTS TODAY.

>> I THINK WEFACE A REALCHALLENGE WITHTHIS ELECTION YEAR WHERE THERISK OF CULTURE WAR ISAT ITS HIGHEST.

THAT IS WHEN ITCOMES TO THEVERY BASICSOF GOVERNMENT.

ARE WE GOING TO DO WHAT'S NEXTTO PROTECTOUR MEMBERS FROM A LAWENFORCEMENT AND THE PUBLIC ATLARGE.

OR ARE WE GOINGTO PROTECT OURSHAREDCOMMITMENT TO GOVERN FOREVERYBODY AND NOT ASSUMETHE WORSE OF EACH OTHER AT SOMEOF THE MOSTDIFFICULTVULNERABLEMOMENTSTH AT WE FACE.

>> Reporter:SENATOR HOPBURNALSO ROSE TOREMEMBER A HISTORICANNIVERSARY.

>> IN JUST A FEW MINUTEOVER INCITY HALL,THEY WILL ALSO BE DOING ACELEBRATION OF THIS.

BUT IWANTED TO SAY HERE THATMANERDJACKSON'S LEGACY NOT JUSTNEARLY A CHAPTER INATLANTA'S HISTORY.

IT'S A TESTIMONY TOTHEENDURING POWER OFLEADERSHIP AND THE PROFOUNDIMPACT ONE INDIVIDUALCAN HAVE ON A COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter:LAST NIGHT ATTHEANNUAL WILDHOG SUPPER, LAWMAKERS RAISEDFUNDS.

THEY ALSOTOUTED THE ROLLTHATTHE GEORGIALEGISLATURE TAKES IN STOCKINGUP THOSE FOODPANTRIES.

>> TO CELEBRATE AGRICULTURE,TOCELEBRATEFARM TO FOOD BANK PROGRAMS THATHAVE BEEN REMARKABLEIN PROVIDING 30 MILLION POUNDSOF OUR FARMERS TOFOOD BANKS ALL ACROSS THESTATE.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS WILLCONTINUE THEIRSESSIONTOMORROW WITH TWO DAY.

THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT,DONNA.

>> YOU DID SUCH A SPECTACULARJOB.

I'M SO GLAD YOU WEREPART OFTHIS.

YOU MENTIONED IN THE STORY,S.

W. A. T. ING.

TWO OF THEVICTIMS, TWOLAWMAKERS THATWERE VICTIMS OF S. W. A. T. ING.

TODAY YOU'VE DONE YOUR TV BUTYOU'VE DONERADIO, PRINT, AND YOU'VE BEENDOING THAT FOR AWHILE.

AND IT INVOLVES POLITIC AND THEGEORGIACAPITAL.

SO TELL ME ABOUT THAT A LITTLEBIT.

>>SO I'VE BEEN WORKING BEHINDTHE SCENESBOOKING GUESTS FOR THE SHOW ANDWRITING THE DIGITALSTORIES.

BEFORE THEN IWAS A JOURNALISTWHERE ICOVERED THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONAND ELECTIONS.

I'MEXCITED TO CONTINUECOVERING THESESSIONS.

>> YOU DO A LOT WITH POLITICS.

YOU LIKE POLITICS SO YOU'REINTO IT.

WE HAVE A GREAT SESSION AHEADOF US.

WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE GOING TO BE APART OFTHAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCHFOR BEINGHERE.

YOU'LL BE AT THE GOLD DOME MOREOFTEN.

YOU WON'T BE NEXT TO ME BUTI'LL HAVE ACHANCE TO SAY HI TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING USSARAH.

SARAH MENTIONED THEWILD HOGSUPPER.

I WAS THERE ALSO, ASKINGLAWMAKERS ABOUTWHAT'S ON THEIR AGENDA.

I BEGAN WITH CHUCK EPSTRATIAN.

>> I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THELEGISLATIVESESSION.

WE HAVE GREAT ISSUES THAT ITHINK AREGOING TO BE DEBATED THIS YEAR.

PUBLIC SAFETY CONTINUES TO BEATOPPRAOEUP --PRIORITY.

MAKING SURE OFFICERSARECOMPENSATED FORKEEPING US SAFE.

GEORGIANS DESERVE TO BE SAFE.

WE'VE HADSOME GREATLEGISLATIONS LASTYEAR.

WE WANT EDUCATORS ALSO TOCONTINUE TO DOTHE JOB THEY DO IN THECLASSROOM.

WEHAVE SOME TERRIFIC MEMBERS.

>> WE HAVE POLICE FIRE AND EMS.

I FEEL THAT'S A FUNCTION THATSHOULD BEADDRESSED BY GOVERNMENT.

MANY ARENONPROFIT, FOR PROFIT.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN YOUCALL 911ANDCALLFOR ANEMERGENCY, IT'SNOT SOMEONESTAFFING.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORKTO ADDRESSTHE NEEDS FOR MORE HOUSING,WHAT THE STATE CANDO TOGETCREATIVE WITH STATE FORHOUSING.

AND WITH THE AMOUNT OF FRAUDHAPPENINGACROSS THE COUNTRY WITHPEOPLE'S IDENTITIES, I THINKWE SHOULD BE OKAY IF SOMEONEWANTED TO COME INTO ANESTABLISHMENT TO PAY WITH CASH.

IT'S LEGAL TENDER.

>> I'VE BEEN WORKING ONPROPERTY TAXREFORM.

HOPEFULLY IT'S GOING TO BEHELPING OUT.

I HAD A COUPLE OF BILLSI'MPUSHING WEACTUALLY DROPPED LAST YEAR.

ONE OF THEM BEING OUR AMERICANFIRST BILLSFOR INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE HEALTHCARE IN MINISTRIESINSTEAD OF THEIR STANDARDINSURANCE FOR A NUMBER OFREASONS.

TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT ASAPOTENTIAL TAXCREDIT.

AND LET'S SEE, ALSO WORKING ONMOBILE HOMEBILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE.

MOBILE HOMES IN THE STATE OFGEORGIA ARETAXED.

THIS BILL THAT PASSED THEHOUSE, ACTUALLYWOULD TAX THEMMORE LIKE REALPROPERTY.

SO IT WOULD MAKE THEM FORAFFORDABLE.

THEY COULD BE CREATED IN AMATTER OFMONTHS INSTEAD OF A MATTER OFYEARS.

OUTSIDE THE METROAREA,MOBILEHOMES MAKEUP MORE OF OUR POPULATION.

MOBILEHOMES HAVE SHEET ROCKWALLS, TILEDSHOWERS, GRANITE COUNTING TOPS,THEY HAVE FRONTPORCHES AND GARAGES.

YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THEY'RE AMOBILEHOME.

AND THEY WERE MADE INA MATTEROF MONTHS.

SO THERE ARE, IT'SJUST A GREATOPPORTUNITY.

THEY ARE MADE IN GEORGIA.

THEY ARE BROUGHT TO WHERE THEYNEED TO GO.

SO, I DON'T THINK WE CAN GETBETTER ACROSSTHE FINISH LINE.

IT WOULD SAVE PEOPLE SEVERALTHOUSANDDOLLARS ON THE PURCHASE OFTHEIR MANUFACTURED HOME.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST WE WANTTO MAKE SUREWE'RE SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS.

WE WANT TO HOPEFULLYWORK ONTHE FUNDINGFORMULAS FOR GEORGIA.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RESUPPORTING OURTEACHERS.

AND WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHINGTHAT WE CANTHAT WE DON'T FIGHT FOR MONEYOUT OF THE BUDGET TOGO TO PRIVATE SCHOOL.

SO I THINK THAT'S, WEWORKEDREALLY HARDAND WE DEFEATED SB32 I THINK ITWAS LAST YEAR.

WE KNOW THAT, IT WAS BEINGRECONSIDERED.

ANDWE'RE HOPEFUL THATOURSOUTHERNREPRESENTATIVES IN SOUTHGEORGIA WILL REMEMBER THATTHE STUDENTS ARE OUR PRIORITY.

SO THAT INSTEAD OF FIGHTINGAGAINST TAKINGMONEY OUT OF THE BUDGET, LET'SDO EVERYTHING THAT WECAN TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS.

BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF GEORGIASTUDENTSARE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT IFWE REALLY WORKED HARD,I BELIEVE WE CAN REALLYTRANSFORM GEORGIA'SDESIGNATION.

>> THIS YEAR I'M FOCUSEDONWHAT I BELIEVEMATTERS THE MOST.

MAKING SURE WE STRENGTHENPUBLICEDUCATION.

TO MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE ANDACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ANDCARING FOR OUR SENIORS.

OF COURSE MAKINGSURE THATTHERE ARE JOBSAND PARTICULARLY SUPPORTING OURSMALL BUSINESSES.

MORE THAN 80% OF OUR JOBSCOMEFROM SMALLBUSINESSES.

AND TOO OFTEN WE HAVE THESTATESUPPORTTHESE REALLY BIG COMPANIES ANDTHESE BIGDEVELOPMENTS.

WHEN THEY REALLY SHOULD BEFOCUSED ON THEBACKBONE OF THE STATE AS ASMALL BUSINESS.

>> WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE TOCHANGE THE UISYSTEM.

IT WAS BUILT IN 1982.

THAT'S ALREADY UNDER WAY WITHFEDERALFUNDING BUT WE'RE GOING TOHAVETO HAVE ANAPPROPRIATION.

WE SEND $250 MILLION OVER TOTHE STATETREASURY EVERY YEAR.

WE NEED AT LEAST 8 TO 10 TOMAKE SUREWE'RE ADEQUATELY SERVING THEPEOPLE.

AND PREPARING TO PROTECT THETRUST FUND.

OUR TRUSTFUND RIGHT NOW IT'SNOT WHERE ITNEEDS TO BE AND WE NEED TO BEBUILDING IT FOR THEDAY WE'RE REALLY GOING TO LEANINTO IT.

WE NEED TO BUILD UP THE FUND UPFOR A GOODDAY LIKE WE ARE NOW.

AND IT HAS TO BECOME SOLVENT.

WE'RE NOT THERE NOW.

WE'RE RUNNING 1.

5 BILLION.

IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE CLOSER TO2 BILLION.

AND THE WAY TO BE ABLE TO DOTHAT IS TOMITIGATE THE FRAUD.

AND TO MAKESURE CLAIMS IN ANEXPEDITIOUSWAY.

>> THE FUNDS DEAL WITHUNEMPLOYMENTINSURANCE AND QUITE A FEWGEORGIANS APPLIED FOR ITDURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THEPANDEMIC.

WE'LL HAVE COMMISSIONERTHOMPSON ONLAWMAKERS IN THE COMING WEEKSTO TALK MORE ABOUTTHAT AND OTHER INITIATIVES INHIS OFFICE.

YOU WILL ALSO SEE ALLOF THEOTHERLAWMAKERS I INTERVIEWED ON OURSHOWS TO TELL US MOREABOUT THEIR BILLS.

> >> RIGHT NOW, COMING UP, WEHEAR FROMLEADERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THEAISLE.

THEY'LL TELL US THEIRPRIORITIES FOR THISSESSION.

YOU'RE WATCHINGLAWMAKERS ONGPB TV.

>>LAWMAKERS IS MADE POSSIBLEBY GEORGIAFARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPINGEVERYONEUNDERSTAND THE AGRICULTURE INOUR STATE.

AFTER ALL, AGIS GEORGIA'SNUMBER ONEINDUSTRY.

FOOD ANDFIBER PRODUCTIONREPRESENTS82 BILLION OF GEORGIA OUTPITCOMMITTEE.

THE LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS ATTHE STATECAPITAL DURING THE SESSION ANDYEAR ROUND.

GEORGIAFARMBUREAU, THE VOICEOF GEORGIAFARMERS.

> >> PEOPLE COUNTON PBSBECAUSES THEY KNOWIT'S CONSTANTLY DELIVERINGQUALITY.

IT COVERS THE WHOLE OF THEUNITED STATES.

IT'SA FREE AND INDEPENDENTMEDIA.

>> WE GO WHERE THE VIEWERS ARE.

>> WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONSTHAT AREHAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> CIVIL DISCOURSE IS A CIVILRESPONSIBLE.

>> WHAT WEDO IS AUTHENTICREPORT PEOPLETRUST.

>> WE GIVE TIME SO YOU CAN HEARVOICES ONALL SIDES OF THE ISSUES.

>> THIS IS THE PLACE WHEREPEOPLE TURN TOWHERE STORIES THAT MATTER.

>> THEY KNOW WHEN THEY WALKAWAY THEYWOULD HAVELEARNED SOMETHINGABOUTTHE WORLD AROUNDTHEM.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> COMMUNITY,LEARNING,WORKING, PLAYING.

CELEBRATING, DOING LIFE ISALWAYS BETTER TOGETHER.

AT GPB WE AIM TOPROVIDE YOUWITH THE TOOLS TO BEABLE TO DO LIFEWELL.

OUR MISSION TO EDUCATE, INFORMFROM OUR PROGRAMMINGTO OUR STIMULATING RADIOCONVERSATIONS TO OUR FUNDIN PERSON EVENTS.

WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

WELCOME GPB.

ORG/COMMUNITY TOLEARN MORE ABOUT OURUPCOMING EVENTS.

> >>WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS,I'M DANA LAWRY.

ON THIS THE FIRST DAYOF OURGENERAL ASSEMBLY WECONTINUE TO SPEAK ABOUTWHAT WECAN EXPECT.

I'M BEING JOINED BY PRESIDENTPRO TEM OF THIS SENATEJOHN F. KENNEDY REPRESENTINGDISTRICT 18.

HE'S A REPUBLICAN FIRST ELECTEDIN 2014.

HE SERVED AS FLOOR LEADERTOFORMER GOVERNOR NATHANDEAL AS A FORMER LAWMAKERS.

PLUS CAUCUS MAKER FORSEVERALYEARS.

HE'S ALSO A FORMER CHAIRMANOFTHE REDISTRICTINGCOMMITTEE.

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JAMESBEVERLY REPRESENTINGDISTRICT 143.

HE'S A DEMOCRAT.

FIRST ELECTED IN 2011.

AND BECAME HOUSE MINORITYLEADER IN 2021.

HISECONOMIES HAVE INCLUDEDROLES, APPROPRIATIONS,ETHICS AND SMALL BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

YOU'VE BEEN MAKING AIKEN PROUDRIGHT NOW.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

I WANT TO DIVE RIGHT IN.

LET'S START WITH THOSEPRIORITIES.

LET'S START WITH YOU.

WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIESFORTHIS SESSION PRESIDENTPROTEM.

>> THANK YOU FORHAVING US ANDTHANK YOU FORHAVINGHOUSE MINORITY LEADER BEVERLY.

WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INCOMETAX RELIEF FORGEORGIANS.

REROLLED BACK THE 5.

75.

WE PUT THAT ON ATRAJECTORY TOHIT 5.

49.

AND WITH THE PRESS RELEASE THATGOVERNOR KEMP HADWITH SEVERAL OF US BEING WITHHIM.

WE LOOK THAT TO TAKETHAT TO3.

5 TO EVENTUALLY LEADTO 5.

5.

THAT'S GOING TO LEADTO THEPOCKETS OF GEORIGANS.

WORKING ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES.

WE MADE SOME REALLY GOODDECISIONS AND OBSERVATIONSOTHER THE LAST COUPLE OFYEARSTHAT SAW SOMELEGISLATION REGARDING LITERACYRATES INGEORGIA.

WHILE WE'VE BEEN FOCUSING ONLEGISLATION RATES.

IN THE SENATE AND SOME EFFORTSIN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE FOCUSED ON LITERACYRATES AND ONE OF THETHINGS I'VE SEEN THAT A LOT OFFOLKS AND WHERE JAMESAND I ARE FROM, WE HAVE APROGRAM CALLED LEADER INME.

WHICHTAKES THE SEVEN HABITS OFHIGHLYEFFECTIVEPEOPLE AND PUTIT IN THEELEMENTARY AND MIDDLESCHOOL STUDENTS.

SO THAT CHILDREN REALLY CANHAVE THE SKILL SET THEYNEED NOT ONLY TO BE SUCCESSFULIN SCHOOL BUTTO BESUCCESS.

FUL INLIFE AND BESUCCESSFUL AS GEORGIANS.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TOSEE WHAT YOU'REDOING WITH LITERACY IN CHILDRENIN GEORGIA.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEETHAT.

>> WE'RE GOINGTO FOCUS ON HOWTO INCREASE LITERACYIN GEORGIA.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THERE'S ANALARMING RATE OF FOLKSFOR CHILDREN THAT DON'T READ INTHAT LEVEL THAT WINDUP IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.

THAT'S VERY DISTURBING ANDSOMETHING WE NEED TO DOSOMETHING ABOUT.

TO GIVE THOSE CHILDRENNOT ONLYTHE GEORGIAN DREAMBUT THE AMERICAN DREAM.

AND THAT STARTS WITH THEIRABILITY TO READ.

>> I WANT TO GET INTO YOURPRIORITIES.

TALK ABOUT THEM.

>> I THINK WE'VE BEEN TOGETHERFOR THE LAST WEEK.

THREE OR FOUR TIMES.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

BUT ANY WAY I'M GLAD TO BEHERE.

MY PRIORITIES FIVE.

WE STARTED WITH MATERNALMORTALITY.

THERE'S NO REASON FOR WOMEN TOBE SUFFERING THE WAYTHEY AREIN THE STATE OFGEORGIA WITH MATERNALMORTALITY.

AND SECONDLY WENEED TO IMPROVEHEALTH INSURANCE.

150,000 KIDS UNROUND FROMMEDICAID LAST YEAR.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUTTHAT.

THIRDTHING, ASTHE ANNIVERSARYOF ROE V. WADECOMING UP.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

AND WE HAVE TO DEAL WITHGUNSAFETY.

WE HAVE TODEAL WITH THAT THISYEAR.

>> AS SARAH MENTIONED PRETTYSOMBER TO HEAR ABOUTALL THE DEATHS.

WE WILL GET INTO THAT A LITTLEBIT MORE.

WE WANT TO FOCUS ON ONE THING,EXPANSION OFMEDICAID.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FEELINGSARE.

I'VE HEARD THERE'S MOREINTEREST ON THATPOSSIBILITY.

WHAT DO ARE YOU HEARINGABOUTTHE EXPANSION OFMEDICAID.

>> I THINK THERE'S AN INTEREST.

WHAT WE REALLY HAVE TO DO ISFIND ASMART WAYTODELIVER AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARETO GEORGIANS.

THAT'S SOMETHING GOVERNOR KEMPLED WITH A MEDICAIDPATHWAY.

HE WORKED DILIGENTLY AND ONLYJUST THIS PAST JULYDID THE GREEN LIGHT COME FROMWASHINGTON TO ALLOW USTO IMPLEMENT THAT PROGRAM.

I THINK FROM OUR SIDE WHATWE'RE LOOKING AT IS LET'STAKE THAT PROGRAM IN WHICHTHERE'S A LOT OFEXCITEMENT ABOUT AND LET IT GETLEGS.

LET IT DEVELOP, LET IT DO WHATIT'S INTENDED TO DO.

THEN WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AND SEEWHAT ELSE MIGHT NEEDTO BE DONE.

BUT I THINKYOU'RE RIGHT.

THERE IS A GROWING AWARENESSAND CONSIDERATION OFOTHER OPTIONS ABOUT HOW DO WEMAKE SURE WE GETAFFORDABLE GOOD HEALTH CAREDELIVERED NOT JUST INOUR STATE BUT IN THE RURALAREAS.

>> IS THIS A POSSIBILITY THATTHERE MAY BE SOMETHINGTHAT WILL DEAL WITHCERTIFICATES OF NEED.

FOR PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND ITREGULATE HOSPITALS.

THAT THERE MAY BE SOME TYPE OFDISCUSSIONS TO KINDOF LOSEN THAT A LITTLE BIT INEXCHANGE FOR SOMETHINGWHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAIDEXPANSION?

>> IN A RELATIONSHIP OF THOSETWO.

WE'LL SEE HOW THE SESSIONUNFOLDS.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE PASSED A CERTIFICATE OF NEEDBILL AND SENT ITOVER TO THE HOUSE.

THAT IS VIEWED AND UNDERSTOODTO BEAN IMPEDIMENT TOBE ABLE TO DELIVER EFFECTIVEHEALTH CARE.

TODAY WAS DAY ONE AND A LOT CANHAPPEN AND WILLHAPPEN OVER THE NEXT 39 DAYS.

>> WHAT AREYOUR THOUGHTS ONWHAT YOU JUST HEARD.

>> I THINKTHE WORK REQUIREMENTTHAT GOVERNOR PLACEDON YOU HAVE TO HAVE A JOB INORDER TO HAVE HEALTHCARE IS WRONG.

THE RESULTS HAVE SHOWN.

29,000 PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR ITALREADY.

QUALIFIED.

THERE'S A SENSIBLE WAY TO DO ITAND THAT IS TAKE THEFEDERAL MONEY AND EXPANDMEDICAID TO ALL.

IF WEDO THAT WECOVER 500,000GEORGIANS TOMORROW.

LET'S BESENSIBLE AND MOVE ITFORWARD.

>> I SEE WE'RE GOING TO TALKALOT ABOUT THATTHISCOMING WEEKS.

SB233, SCHOOL VOUCHERS PASSEDSOUNDLY IN THE SENATEALONG PARTY LINES BUT THEMEASURE DIED IN THE HOUSEBECAUSE REPUBLICANS IN SOMERURAL AREAS JOINEDDEMOCRATS INVOTING AGAINST THEBILL.

PROTEM KENNEDY TELL US ABOUTTHAT.

IT IS SOMETHING I UNDERSTANDTHE REPUBLICANS LIKEBECAUSE WE'VE HAD IT COME UPBEFORE.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE IT COME UPIN WHAT CAPACITYMAYBE?

>> GREAT QUESTION, DONNA.

IN FACT, THE BILL THAT WEPASSED OUT OF THE SENATELAST YEAR AND WENT TO THE HOUSEAND FAILED ON ACLOSE VOTE IS STILL ALIVE.

IT IS THERE FOR ANOTHER VOTEAND TO BE CONSIDEREDTHIS SESSION.

WE HOPE THAT THE HOUSE WILLCONTINUE TO CONSIDERTHATAND MOVE ITFORWARD.

FAMILIES SHOULD NOT BE HANDSTRONG BY HAVING A CHILDIN A FAILING SCHOOL AND NOTHAVING ACTIONS AND BEINGABLE TO DO SOMETHING.

THAT'S WHATTHIS IS ABOUT.

IT'S CALLED SCHOOL CHOICE BUTIT'S ACTUALLY PARENTCHOICE.

IT'S GIVING CHILDREN BETTEROPPORTUNITIES.

THIS IS NOT ANTI PUBLIC SCHOOLBY ANY MEANS.

IT'S LETTING THOSE FAMILIES WHOHAS A CHILD FORCEDINTO A FAILING SCHOOL TO HAVEAN AL ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.

THE STATUTE ALSO ONLYIMPACTSTHE LOWER 25% OF THENONPERFORMING SCHOOLS,PREVIOUSLY REFERRED TO ASAFAILING SCHOOL.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANTOPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE WANTFAMILIES TO HAVE THAT, TO GIVETHEM AN ALTERNATIVE.

BECAUSE THAT CHILD'S FUTURETHAT SHOULD NOT HINGEUPON THE HEALTH CARE THEY LIVEIN.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS IT DIDNOT PASS IN THE HOUSEIS SOME OF THE RURALREPUBLICANS JOINED WITHDEMOCRATS IN DECIDING THATTHEY, VOTING AGAINST IT.

PART OF IT WAS THE FEELING THATTHEY MAY NOT BENEFITAS WELL FROM THE VOUCHERS INTHEIR AREA BECAUSETHERE MAY NOT BE ALTERNATIVES.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I THINK PART OF THAT AND ASI SAID ALL POLITICSIS LOCAL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF RURAL AREASWHERE OUR SENATORS ANDHOUSE MEMBERS COME FROM.

WHERE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM MAY BETHE LARGEST EMPLOYERIN THE COUNTY.

AND THAT'S A POLITICAL, AND ASIGNIFICANT POLITICALFORCE ON FOLKS.

IT ALSO I THINK IS ONE OF THOSETHINGS THAT FOR ALOT OF AREAS AND A LOT OFSCHOOLS IN GEORGIA THATAREN'T FAILING.

THAT ARE DOING A GREAT JOB INEDUCATING THE SCHOOLS.

EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN.

DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND ANDMAYBE HAVE A GRASP FORSOME OF THE FAILING SCHOOLS ANDTHE PLIGHT THESEFAMILIES ARE IN AND THE PARENTSWHO ARE TRYING TOGET THEIR CHILD IN A DIFFERENTSCHOOL.

BUT I THINK THERE'S A GROWINGRECOGNITION OF IT.

NOT ONLY IN GEORGIA BUT ACROSSTHE COUNTRY AND SOWITH THAT, I HOPE AND I HAVE ARENEWED HOPE THAT THEHOUSE WILL GIVE THIS ADDITIONALAND NEWCONSIDERATION AND HOPE IT WILLBE PASSED THISSOMETIME AND GOVERNOR KEMP SAYSHE SUPPORTS IT ANDWE WILL GETIT TO HIS DESK.

>> THAT'S ANOTHER LEGISLATIONTHAT WE'LL BEWATCHING.

YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUETOFIGHT AGAINST SCHOOLVOUCHERS, RIGHT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE REASON, YOU HAVE TO HAVEWRAP AROUND SERVICES TOGIVE KIDS A VOUCHER AND SAY YOUCAN THEN GO TO THISSCHOOL BUT YOU DON'T PROVIDETRANSPORTATION.

THAT'S A TRAGEDY.

THESE KIDS ARE NOTFAILING NOTJUST BECAUSE THEY'RELIVING IN COMMUNITIES WHERETHEY CAN'T HAVETRANSPORTATION.

WHEN A KID IS POOR AND THEYNEED A BELT AND AN EXTRAMELT, AND YOU JUST GIVETHEM AVOUCHER TO GO TOSCHOOL.

YOU HAVE TO PROVIDES KIDS TOGET ACCESS TO THESERVICE INORDER TO MAKE ITWORK AND THEY HAVEN'TTALKED ABOUT THAT YET.

>> THEY'RE ALREADY TELLING MEWE ARE RUNNING OUT OFTIME.

LAST YEAR THE SENATE DIDN'TTAKE UP THE ANTISEMITISM BILL.

DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO HAPPENTHIS YEAR, WHAT ARE THECHANCES WE MIGHT SEE A FLOORVOTE.

IT WAS VOTED ON.

IT'S A HOUSE BILL AND SO HOW DOYOU THINK IT'S GOINGTO DO IN THE SENATE THIS YEAR.

>> ABSOLUTELY DONNA.

I'M GLAD YOU ASKED ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE UNFORTUNATE LITTLE WEDIDN'T HAVE THE TIMETO TAKE UP THAT BILL UP IN2023.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY A PRIORITY.

IT IS A DEFINITE PRIORITYAND APRIORITY OF MYOFFICE TO GET AN ANTISEMITISMOUT TO THE GOVERNOR'SDESK.

WE KNEW THAT LAST YEAR BUTIT'SBECOME CRYSTAL CLEARBY WHAT HAPPENEDOCTOBER 6 ANDWHAT HAPPENED ON THENATIONAL STAGE.

AS WE CLOSE OUT THE SESSION, WEWILL WORK TO HAVE ANANTI SEMITISM BILL THAT WE'REPROUD OF AND PROVIDEPROTECTIONS THAT ARE VERYNEEDED.

>> I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT ONEOF THE THINGS YOUMENTIONED OF YOUR FIVE.

THE LAST ONE, DEALT WITH GUNS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE SPECIFICSARE ABOUT THAT.

>> SPECIFICALLY,YOU HAVE TOHAVE, SO WHEN WE TODAYREPRESENTATIVE SCOTT SAID LAYIT OUT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE SAFETY MEASURESFOR GUNS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOINGTO GET GUNS AND WESHOULD HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKSON.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO GO INTOA STORE, GET GUNSAND WALK OUT.

THAT'S NONSENSE.

WHEN YOU SEE THAT KIDS AREHARMING THEMSELVESBECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE SAFETYMEASURES IN THEIR HOMEAND KIDS ARE PICKING UP GUNSAND ACCIDENTALLYSHOOTING SOMEONE OR SHOOTINGTHEMSELVES IT'S ATRAGEDY.

THOSE THINGS WE CAN DEAL WITHRIGHT AWAY AND WE NEEDTO.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE'LL BE ANYROOM FOR ANY GUNLEGISLATION?

>> I THINK WHAT THE ACTS THATOFTEN ARE ATTRIBUTEDTO THE NEED FOR GUNLEGISLATION, REALLY POINT TO ANEED FOR GREATER MENTAL HEALTHSERVICES.

AND THAT'SWHAT WE'RE WORKINGON.

WE PASSED HB1031 THAT WAS AGREAT INITIATIVE IN THEHOUSE BILL 520 CAME OVER TO US.

WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.

A LOT OF OUR SENATORS AND OURCAUCUS HAVE BEENWORKING ON THAT IN THEOFFSEASON.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDRESSINGTHAT AND MAKING SUREWE GET BETTER MENTAL HEALTHSERVICES OUT TO GEORGIA.

GEORGIA HAS BEEN BEHIND ON THATAND WE'RE TRYING TOCATCH UP.

>> I'M SORRY TO CUT YOU OFF ANDTHERE'S NEVER ENOUGHTIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO OURFIRST SHOW OUR51st YEAR.

YOU CAN MARK THAT DOWN ON YOURCALENDAR.

THAT DOES IT FOR LAWMAKERSTODAY.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR DAYTWO OF THE GEORGIALEGISLATIVESESSION.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.