>>> WE SHOULD BE DONE TALKING ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION CYCLE, AND WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK POLITICALLY THAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE, THAT BUILDS THE MOST CONSENSUS, THAT HAS BEEN LITIGATED AND RELITIGATED AND I THINK IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.

>> I'VE BEEN TALKING A LOT NOW FOR MONTHS ABOUT IT'S TIME WE START LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD RATHER THAN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR.

>> THOUGHT FROM THE LEADERS OF BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON PUTTING THE PATH BEHIND AND LOOKING FORWARD ON THIS DAY ONE OF THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

GOOD EVENING I'M DONNA LOWRY.

THIS IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE 40-DAY SESSION WHEN 236 ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE WILL HELP DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF GEORGIA THROUGH THE LAWS THEY ENACT UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

WE EXPECT A LIVELY SESSION AND A YEAR WHEN STATE OFFICES ARE UP FOR GRABS.

ON THE AGENDA, EVERYTHING FROM CRIME AND ELECTIONS AND PANDEMIC-RELATED ISSUES.

AND, OF COURSE, THE MANDATED REASON FOR THE SESSION, THE BUDGET.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SESSION WITH JOURNALISTS WHO COVER THE LEGISLATURE.

ANOTHER BIG ISSUE EXPECTED TO DOMINATE THE SESSION, LEGALIZING GAMBLING.

TWO LAWMAKERS INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE REGULATED INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE JOINED THE SHOW.

BUT FIRST I'M HAPPY TO WELCOME BACK OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

HI, BRENDA.

THERE'S A LOT TO PREVIEW FOR THIS SESSION, BUT LET'S START WITH WHAT REALLY HAD EVERYONE EXCITED UNDER THE DOME TODAY.

>> Reporter: HEY, DONNA.

GLAD TO BE BACK.

THERE WAS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT.

BUT FIRST LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE KICKOFF.

AS ALWAYS, THE ANNUAL WILD HOG SUPPER KICKED OFF THE POLITICAL SEASON SUNDAY NIGHT.

NOW, THE SUPPER ALSO SERVED AS A FUNDRAISER THAT HELPS THE GEORGIA FOOD BANK ACCESS FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES GROWN RIGHT HERE IN GEORGIA.

THIS YEAR HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RAHLSTON AND AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER AND U.S. SENATE HOPEFUL GARY BLACK HEADLINE THE EVENT.

>> THIS PAST YEAR, 16 MILLION POUNDS OF GEORGIA-GROWN PRODUCE LEFT THE FARMS OF GEORGIA THAT ORDINARILY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN USED, INSTEAD IT WENT TO FEED HUNGRY FAMILIES IN GEORGIA THROUGH THIS WONDERFUL FOOD BANK.

>> Reporter: THIS INDEED IS DAY ONE OF THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BUT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DAVID RALSTON SAYS IT IS ALSO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DAY, GO DOGS.

♪♪ THEY WERE PUMPED UP, AND THE HOUSE OPENING THE SESSION WITH THE UGA FIGHT SONG BOTH SESSIONS WERE PRETTY SHORT TODAY.

THE HOUSE ADOPTED THREE RESOLUTIONS AS DID THE SUSPECT, WHICH ALSO ASSIGNED LEGISLATORS TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER WEDNESDAY WHEN KEMP MAKES HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ALSO SET UP THEIR CALENDARS FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

BOTH CHAMBERS ARE NOT IN SESSION TOMORROW, BUT WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE ON WEDNESDAY.

NOW, THERE ARE MANY BURNING ISSUES THIS YEAR.

AT THE TOP OF THAT FAR LIST, CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY, BOOK BANNING, DEPOLITICIZING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND WHAT WILL LEGISLATORS DO WITH $3.6 BILLION IN SURPLUS MONEY?

WILL THE MONEY BE USED TO GIVE TEACHERS A RAISE?

WE'LL FIND OUT.

WE'LL LOOK AT ALL OF THAT AND MORE COMING UP.

BUT FIRST LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THE STORIES THAT WENT VIRAL LAST SESSION.

SB-202 CHANGED THE WAY GEORGIANS VOTE, MADE NATIONAL NEWS AND PROMPTED PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP SIGNED THE BILL, WHICH MADE CHANGES TO ABSENTEE VOTING, EARLY VOTING, AND VOTE COUNTING.

REPRESENTATIVE CANNON WAS ARRESTED AS THE GOVERNOR SIGNED SB-202.

SHE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR DEMANDING SHE BE ALLOWED INSIDE.

SHE WAS HANDCUFFED AND REMOVED FROM THE STATE CAPITOL.

AND REMEMBER LAST YEAR WE TOLD YOU ABOUT THAT 8-FOOT TALL SECURITY FENCE AND GATES GOING UP AROUND THE STATE CAPITOL?

WELL, THEY'RE BOTH UP.

ERECTED IN RESPONSE TO PROTESTS IN ATLANTA LAST YEAR.

IT ALSO CUT DOWN ON THE NIGHT SECURITY AND PREVENTED HAVING TO DEPLOY NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO PROTECT THE GROUNDS.

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MET WITH REPORTERS BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN TO LAY OUT THEIR PRIORITIES AND WHAT THEY HOPED TO ACCOMPLISH.

SPEAKER RALSTON ADDRESSED CRIME IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA AND SUICIDE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> SIX MONTHS AGO, I ANNOUNCED A $50 MILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL ON TWO CRITICAL PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GEOFF DUNCAN PLANS TO TACKLE CRIME AS WELL WITH THE LESS CRIME ACT, WHICH WILL GENERATE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES USING A DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR STATE TAX CREDIT, AND ALLOWS FUNDS TO GO DIRECTLY BACK INTO COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA.

>> THESE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO ARRIVE AT THEIR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THROUGH THE FOUNDATION OR OTHER MEANS.

THESE ARE GOING TO ALLOW THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS DOLLARS TO EITHER HIRE MORE OFFICERS, PAY THEM MORE, TRAIN THEM BETTER, OR BUY BETTER EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR OFFICERS.

IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR, AND GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP AND GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE DAVID PERDUE WANT TO PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY LAW THAT WOULD ELIMINATE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.

IN THE PAST THE BILL NEVER ADVANCED.

>> YOU'D BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND ANYBODY THAT'S SUPPORTED THE SECOND AMENDMENT THAN I HAVE.

I KNOW THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY NARRATIVE HAS BEEN PLAYED OUT OVER THE LAST YEARS SO I THINK IT'S A WORTHY CONVERSATION TO HAVE.

BUT IT'S ABOUT THE DETAILS AND HOW WE DELIVER IT.

>> IT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT VERSION YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

AS LONG AS WE HAVE A PROCESS BY WHICH WE CAN KNOW WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL HAS THE RESTRICTED BACKGROUND THINGS, YOU KNOW, THE PERMIT'S NOT REALLY -- IS A BIG DEAL TO ME.

>> THERE WAS ALSO A LOT OF CONVERSATION.

SPEAKER RALSTON SAYS HE HAS NOT COME TO A CONCLUSION.

BUT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAYS -- >> I HAVE YET TO SEE SOMEBODY DELIVER ANY SORT OF TANGIBLE INFORMATION TO ME THAT SAYS CREATE THE CITY AND CRIME GOES AWAY ANIGHT.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S AN ISSUE THAT FOLKS HAVE ATTACHED THEMSELVES TO.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME IT'S NOT LIKE WELCOME TO THE CITY OF BUCKHEAD IS GOING TO STOP THE CRIMINALS.

>> THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT.

BUT ONE MORE THING BEFORE I GO.

GO DOGS!

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> WELL, OF COURSE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

WE'RE EXPECTING A ROBUST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF WHAT WE MIGHT EXPECT ARE TWO GPB JOURNALISTS, POLITICAL AND ELECTIONS REPORTER AND A PUBLIC POLICY REPORTER.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "LAWMAKERS," BOTH OF YOU.

LET'S DIG RIGHT INTO SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES.

AND FOR THAT WE HAVE TO START WITH THE EFFORT TO CARVE BUCK ED OUT OF THE CITY OF ATLANTA, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GEOFF DUNCAN TALKED ABOUT IT RECENTLY, SAYING HE FELT THE NEED FOR MORE TANGIBLE INFORMATION BEFORE CONSIDERING A BILL.

>> THE WEIGHT OF THIS REALLY RESTS IN THE DETAILS.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO EDUCATE KIDS IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA?

IS THAT AGREEMENT ALREADY MADE?

THE ANSWER'S NO.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HANDLE THE FISCAL FALLOUT FROM CREATING A CITY WITH BOND PACKAGES AND SEWER PACKAGES AND WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES?

>> SO, RILEY, I WANT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS AND WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

AND IT ALSO SOUNDS LIKE NEITHER HE NOR THE SPEAKER ARE REALLY VERY INTERESTED IN GOING ANYWHERE WITH THIS.

>> SO, THERE ARE A LOT OF LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS WHEN THIS ISSUE COMES UP THAT PROPONENTS AREN'T ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT OR LEADING WITH.

SO THERE IS THE QUESTION ABOUT HOW WILL THEY HANDLE SCHOOLS.

HOW WILL THEY HANDLE CITY SERVICES.

AND THIS IS A POINT THAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GEOFF DUNCAN IS BRINGING UP.

AND HE HAS BEEN ADAMANT THAT HE IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS.

RALSTON HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT QUIETER BUT HASN'T SHOWN A LOT OF INTEREST.

SO YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE FISCAL IMPACT AS WELL.

AND THESE ARE GOING TO COME UP DURING COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON BILLS ABOUT THIS.

>> SO IT'S GOING TO BE BIG, BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF DISCUSSION TO TAKE PLACE.

AND PART OF IT WILL BE YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT BUCKHEAD CITY POSSIBILITY WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT CRIME BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE PROPONENTS SAY IS THE REASON BEHIND IT.

SO, STEPHEN, WHAT ARE WE EXPECTING WHEN IT COMES TO BILLS DEALING WITH CRIME STATEWIDE?

>> BUCKHEAD IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE THAT IS SEEING A SPIKE IN VIOLENT CRIME SO THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS THAT THE LEGISLATURES ARE LOOKING AT.

ONE THING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GEOFF DUNCAN IS TALKING ABOUT IS SOMETHING THAT IS BASICALLY LIKE THE RURAL HOSPITAL TAX CREDIT BUT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SO PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO DONATE TO HELP FUND THE POLICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES TO HELP THEM FIGHT CRIME.

ALSO GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP AND THE GBI HAVE LONG BEEN TRYING TO TACKLE GANG VIOLENCE IN ATLANTA AND OTHER MAJOR METROPOLITAN CITIES.

SO EXPECT TO SEE THAT IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IN THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED ABOUT THE GANG ISSUE IN THE PAST, AND HE'S LIKELY TO BRING THAT UP AGAIN.

AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT, AN ISSUE TIED TO REDUCING CRIME IS OF COURSE ONE OF THE SPEAKER'S MAIN PRIORITIES.

AND THAT'S SHORING UP MENTAL HEALTH.

MENTAL HEALTH CARE, I SHOULD SAY IN THIS STATE.

AND HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY IN A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOME BUDGET PROPOSALS TO EXPAND THE CAPACITY FOR TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND TO ADD SOME ADDITIONAL BED SPACE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO WANT TO BE TRAINED PROFESSIONALLY IN THAT.

FRANKLY, WE'VE GOT A SHORTAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THIS STATE.

>> THE PANDEMIC CERTAINLY BROUGHT TO THE FORE A LOT OF THINGS DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, HAS GROWN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT THIS PROPOSAL MIGHT ALL BE ABOUT?

>> WELL, THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT RALSTON HAS BEEN VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.

HE ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS AND THINGS HE WANTS TO DO FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND I THINK, LIKE YOU SAID, DONNA, IT'S BEEN SPOTLIGHTED WITH THE PANDEMIC.

WE UNDERSTAND NOW HOW CRITICAL THESE RESOURCES ARE.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS HE TALKS ABOUT IS ADDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO AGENCIES THAT DEAL WITH THIS NEEDY POPULATION IN GEORGIA AND ADDING BED SPACE FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED IT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND I THINK THERE'S ALSO A NEW RELATIONSHIP THAT'S BEING SPOTLIGHTED THIS SESSION AS WELL IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

RALSTON BROUGHT THIS UP THAT HE WANTED TO CREATE KIND OF A NEW SERVICE WHERE A DIFFERENT AGENCY OTHER THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN RESPOND TO MENTAL HEALTH CALLS LIKE THIS TO FREE UP PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS.

SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL ALSO SEE IN RELATION TO THE CRIME ISSUE THIS SESSION.

>> YEAH.

AND THE OTHER THING HE BROUGHT UP WAS THE FACT THAT IT'S HARD TO FIND PEOPLE FOR THOSE JOBS.

LIKE EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY THAT THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSION IS SUFFERING FROM, PEOPLE WHO JUST AREN'T IN THAT PROFESSION ANYMORE, FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE, INCENTIVIZING IT, HE SAID.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THINK ABOUT THE TURNOVER IN HEALTHCARE IN GENERAL, AND THE PEOPLE THAT DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THEY NEED THIS CARE.

IT'S HARD, AND THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO DO IT.

SO INCENTIVIZING PEOPLE TO GO INTO THAT WORKFORCE IS SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT.

>> YEAH.

AND THE ONLY OTHER THING IS DEALING WITH SCHOOLS.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, THE TEENS THAT WE'VE SEEN, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO'VE COMMITTED SUICIDE.

THAT REALLY TOUCHED HIM.

>> WELL, IT'S HORRIBLE TO THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT SCHOOLS ARE OPENING AND CLOSING, AND YOU'RE NOT SURE IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY.

AND FOR A YOUNG PERSON GOING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, IT'S REALLY HARD TO KIND OF KEEP UP WITH THIS VIRTUAL SCHOOLING, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE BY THEMSELVES AND KIND OF PROMOTING THIS FOR THEMSELVES.

SO, DEFINITELY THE YOUNG POPULATION OF GEORGIANS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT.

>> SO THERE'S A LOT ON MENTAL HEALTH THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT.

AND, STEPHEN, LET'S STICK WITH YOU ON GOVERNOR KEMP.

HIS BIG ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK, YOU WERE THERE WHEN HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN.

>> RIGHT.

SO GEORGIA HAS PRETTY RELAXED GUN LAWS COMPARED TO MANY OTHER STATES.

BUT WHAT GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP IS SUPPORTING IS A CONCEPT CALLED CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY THAT 21 OTHER STATES HAVE.

AND BASICALLY WHAT THAT WOULD DO IS IT WOULD BE A LAW THAT WOULD ALLOW GUN OWNERS TO CARRY FIREARMS EITHER OPENLY OR CONCEALED WITHOUT A PERMIT.

RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE A WEAPONS CARRY LICENSE TO BE ABLE TO CONCEAL CARRY A WEAPON.

THAT'S ABOUT 40 TO $70 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE STATE.

IT GOES TO THE PROBATE COURT, AND IT'S A PIECE OF PAPER THAT GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP SAYS ISN'T NEEDED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.

>> YEAH.

SO, CAN YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

IS THERE A BRIEF WAY OF SAYING IT?

>> YEAH, SO BASICALLY THE SECOND AMENDMENT, THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, IS THE ONLY PAPERWORK THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO CARRY A WEAPON, IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS.

>> AND FOR SOME PEOPLE THAT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING BECAUSE IT MEANS NO PERMITS, NOTHING ELSE, THAT'S THE ONLY THING YOU WOULD NEED.

THERE ARE STILL SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, GETTING BACK TO THAT.

>> THERE ARE 21 DIFFERENT STATES THAT HAVE THIS.

EACH STATE HAS THEIR OWN RULES AND LAWS.

AND THE GOVERNOR DID NOT HAVE SPECIFIC LEGISLATION THAT HE SUPPORTED.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BILLS OUT THERE.

BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, DONNA, THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIGURED OUT THERE ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, VERIFYING THAT SOMEBODY'S A LEGAL GUN OWNER AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WILL HAVE TO BE IRONED OUT IN COMMITTEES BEFORE IT GETS TO HIS DESK.

BUT IF THERE IS A BILL THAT GETS TO HIS DESK, GOVERNOR KEMP SAID HE'LL SIGN IT.

>> WELL, LET'S MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE, AND THAT'S PANDEMIC RELATED BILL.

DO YOU EXPECT ANY THIS TIME?

>> I THINK THAT THE PANDEMIC IS SOMETHING THAT IS KIND OF BACK OF MIND.

WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IT SO SO LONG, LAWMAKERS ARE STILL BEING TESTED TWICE WEEKLY AT THE CAPITOL.

AND WE'RE STILL WEARING MASKS.

IT'S STILL THIS HUGE FACTOR IN HOW THE GOLD DOME IS WORKING RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF THE THINGS WE'LL SEE PANDEMIC-RELATED ARE GOING TO BE APPROPRIATIONS IN THE BUDGET.

YOU KNOW, WHERE DO WE NEED EXTRA MONEY, EXTRA FUNDS FOR TESTING IS SOMETHING RALSTON BROUGHT UP AS WELL BECAUSE IT'S SO HARD TO GET A TEST RIGHT NOW.

AND OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IT REALLY, REALLY NEEDS THOSE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN TERMS OF LEGISLATION, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DUNCAN MENTIONED EXTENDING THE COVID LIABILITY PROTECTIONS FOR BUSINESSES.

SO IF SOMEONE COMES IN AND GETS COVID, THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR THAT PERSON'S HEALTH AND WHAT THEY GO THROUGH.

SO I THINK THOSE ARE THE BIG THINGS WE ARE GOING TO SEE PANDEMIC RELATED.

BUT WE'RE STILL GOING THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

THE LAWMAKERS ARE STILL DEALING WITH THIS UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

>> EVERY SINGLE DAY WE'RE ALL DEALING WITH IT.

SO, STEPHEN, LET'S CHANGE GEARS A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE YOU'RE THE GO-TO GUY WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTION ISSUES.

WE'RE SO HAPPY ABOUT THAT WITH GPB THAT YOU'RE DOING ALL OF THAT.

WE KNOW WE'RE EXPECTING A BILL ABOLISHING BALLOT BOXES, RIGHT?

AT THE VERY LEAST.

>> WELL, SINCE 2019, GEORGIA HAS SEEN NOT ONE BUT TWO MASSIVE ELECTION OVERHAULS THAT HAVE GIVEN US THE NEW BALLOT-MARKING DEVICE SYSTEM THAT HAVE OVERHAULED ABSENTEE VOTING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND LAWMAKERS ARE STILL NOT DONE CHANGING HOW WE VOTE.

THIS BEING AN ELECTION YEAR.

YOU HAVE SEVERAL MEMBERS ESPECIALLY IN THE STATE SENATE THAT ARE GUNNING FOR HIGHER OFFICE AND ARE TRYING TO PROVE THEY'RE BONA FIDE TO THEIR BASE BY EITHER CALLING FOR AN EXPANSION VOTING OR IN THIS CASE CRACKING DOWN ON IT.

AND DROPBOXES ARE THINGS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT MADE VOTING EASIER FOR PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T WANT TO STAND IN LONG LINES OR BE AROUND PEOPLE.

IT WAS USED A LOT, AND PRIMARILY DEMOCRATIC METRO AREAS, AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS MOVED BACK ON THOSE.

AND NOW WE HAVE CANDIDATES FOR HIGHER OFFICE SAYING THAT IT SHOULD BE ROLLED BACK EVEN FURTHER, AND THE ONLY DROP BOX YOU NEED IS AT THE END OF YOUR DRIVEWAY.

>> SO THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON THAT.

I CAN'T LET YOU GUYS LEAVE.

WHILE WE'RE STILL HERE, WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT THE MAIN REASON THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS MEETING RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE BUDGET ISSUES THAT YOU EXPECT TO BE BIG THIS TIME.

>> WE JOKED THAT THE BUDGET IS THE ONE THING LAWMAKERS ARE REQUIRED TO DO.

AND I THINK THIS SESSION WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT TONE BECAUSE WE'VE HAD REALLY GREAT TAX REVENUE AND TAX INCOME NUMBERS FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

SO WE HAVE THIS EXTRA SURPLUS THAT WE CAN USE, AND PEOPLE ARE KIND OF BATTLING BACK AND FORTH, WHERE IS IT GOING TO GO, KEMP HAS HIS PRIORITIES.

HE IS ASKING LAWMAKERS TO APPROVE A TEACHER PAY RAISE.

HE'S ASKING ALSO FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, $5,000 FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

AND WE'LL ALSO SEE, LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT EARLY IN THE SHOW, MENTAL HEALTH AND CRIME ARE GOING TO GET A LOT OF THESE DOLLARS, TOO.

>> WE'LL HEAR MORE AT STATE OF THE STATE.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO ADD THAT YOU THINK WE'LL HEAR ABOUT?

>> IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN THINKING ABOUT THE STATE'S REVENUE THAT THE GOVERNMENT LATELY HAS ALWAYS RUN LIGHT AND LEAN, HAVING MORE OF A SURPLUS, ONLY FUNDING WHAT IS NECESSARY.

AND EVEN WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN TO HELP FIGHT THE COVID PANDEMIC, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOT GET TOO BIG OF A DOLLAR SIGN IN YOUR EYES BECAUSE THAT MONEY THAT'S HERE THIS YEAR MIGHT NOT BE THERE NEXT YEAR, AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRS HAVE TO WEIGH.

>> AND ONE OF THE TALK IS OF ELIMINATING THE INCOME TAX.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHERE THAT'S GOING TO GO.

I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE BOTH ABLE TO BE WITH ME TODAY.

I HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK.

DO YOU THINK YOU WILL?

>> OH, YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "LAWMAKERS."

WE'RE GOING TO STOP NOW AND HAVE A BREAK AND TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE WHEN WE COME BACK, EXPECTED TO GAIN TRACTION DURING THE SESSION, AND THAT IS LEGALIZING GAMBLING IN GEORGIA.

TWO LAWMAKERS JOIN ME TO TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF SOMETHING PASSING IN 2022.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> SIGNA IS A PROUD PARTNER OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND GEORGIA LAWMAKERS.

THEIR MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND PEACE OF MIND OF THOSE WE SERVE.

GO TO SIGNA.COM.

>>> "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE, AFTER ALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE SESSION AND YEARROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> GEORGIA HUMANITIES, CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION, EDUCATION, AND UNDERSTANDING.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

ON THIS DAY ONE OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SINCE THE MID-1990s, WHEN GEORGIA LEGALIZED THE LOTTERY, THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS TO LEGALIZE OTHER FORMS OF GAMBLING IN THE STATE.

COULD THIS BE THE YEAR?

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND MORE ARE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE POWELL OF HARDWELL AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE BILLY MITCHELL OF STONE MOUNTAIN.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON "LAWMAKERS" AND WEARING YOUR RED TOO.

YOU'RE BOTH ON THE HOUSE REGULATED INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE, AND OF COURSE, REPRESENTATIVE POWELL.

SPEAKER RALSTON TOLD REPORTERS HE SEES AN APPETITE FOR SOMETHING DEALING WITH GAMBLING COMING UP THIS TIME.

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

>> DONNA, WE'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THIS FOR A LOT OF YEARS.

AND THE POLLS HAVE BEEN RUN, AND IT GOES ON THREE YEARS AGO, SPEAKER APPOINTED A SPECIAL STUDY COMMITTEE TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT IT.

WE SPENT THE SUMMER GOING AROUND THE STATE AND TALKING TO PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE AND ANALYZING THIS.

AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF IT CAME OUT, BUT THERE WAS STILL A LOT OF -- THERE WAS A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT GROUPS FROM THE SPORTS TEAMS TO THE CASINOS TO ALL THE OTHER ACTIVITIES.

THEY JUST COULDN'T QUITE WRAP THEIR HANDS AROUND WHAT THEY WANTED.

THEY WANTED WHAT THEY WANTED BUT NOT WHAT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF GEORGIA.

SINCE THAT TIME OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

I THINK THE POLLS SHOW RIGHT NOW RUN ANYWHERE FROM 68 TO 72%.

PEOPLE OF GEORGIA SAY THEY WANT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

SO I THINK THE SPEAKERS ARE LOOKING AT THAT FROM THE STANDPOINT OF WHAT DO THE PEOPLE WANT.

AND WHEN WE DISCUSS THE CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT, THAT'S A COMPLETELY UNIQUE SITUATION.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> WHY DON'T YOU EXPLAIN IT A LITTLE BIT, WHAT IT WOULD MEAN.

IT'S NOT THAT GEORGIA LAWMAKERS MAKE THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT GAMBLING -- >> I TOLD PEOPLE THAT WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE'S GOING TO LEGALIZE GAMBLING, THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T LEGALIZE GAMBLING.

THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN DO THAT ARE THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA BECAUSE IT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT GAMBLING IS PROHIBITED WITH EXCEPTION OF STATE LOTTERY THAT WAS CHANGED 30 YEARS AGO.

IT WOULD TAKE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA WOULD HAVE TO VOTE ON THAT.

AND IT TAKES -- IT'S NOT AN EASY PROCESS.

IT TAKES TWO-THIRDS OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TO PASS A BILL TO PUT IT ON THERE.

NOW, FROM MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE LATE GOVERNOR MILLER ON THE LOTTERY A FEW YEARS AGO, THAT WAS NOT AN EASY PROCESS THEN.

AND IT WON'T BE AN EASY PROCESS NOW BECAUSE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

ONE WOULD BE, AS ALWAYS IS, WHERE WILL THE MONEY BE SPENT THAT COMES IN, IN THE REVENUE.

AND THEN WHAT OTHER CRITERIA WOULD BE AROUND THAT, SUCH AS IF IT HAPPENS I'D LIKE TO SEE A SECOND REFERENDUM FOR THOSE COUNTIES WHO DON'T WANT IT IN THEIR COUNTY OR THEY DON'T WANT A CASINO OR HORSE RACING OR WHATEVER, AND THAT WOULD BE LEFT UP TO THEM HOPEFULLY.

>> YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATURE AT THE TIME IN THE MID-1990s WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I WAS COVERING IT AND ALL.

AND IT IS A LONG PROCESS TO GO THROUGH.

SO PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

I'M GOING TO TURN TO YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MITCHELL, IN TERMS OF TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GAMBLING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT SPORTS BETTING IS ONE OF THEM.

EXPLAIN SOME OF THE THINGS.

>> WELL, CERTAINLY.

THERE IS A PLETHORA, IF YOU WILL, OF OPPORTUNITIES.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT -- I THINK WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF GAMBLING IN THE STATE, THEY THINK OF CASINOS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE DON'T EVEN CALL THEM CASINOS ANYMORE.

WE CALL THEM DESTINATION RESORTS.

CERTAINLY THERE'S ONLINE SPORTS BETTING WHERE YOU LITERALLY CAN GO ONLINE AND VOTE WHOLE CATEGORY OF SPORTS.

THEN EVEN THERE'S HORSE RACING EVEN.

AND THESE GIVE THE CONSUMER AN OPPORTUNITY TO BET WHICHEVER INTERESTS THEM.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE CHAIRMAN IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

I BELIEVE THAT THESE KINDS OF BILLS ARE VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE, AS CHAIR OF MY CAUCUS, I TELL YOU, THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

BUT THE COMMON DENOMINATOR IS WHAT'S GOOD ECONOMICALLY FOR THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE.

AND THAT'S WHERE I COME ON.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT IF EVERYONE GAMBLED LIKE I DO AND PLAYING THE LOTTERY IS GAMBLING, IT WOULD BE A FAILED BUSINESS.

THE ONLY TIME I PLAY THE LOTTERY IS WHEN IT'S UP TO CHAIRMAN POWELL'S LEVEL, YOU KNOW, HALF A BILLION DOLLARS OR SOMETHING AND I HAVE TO BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

BUT I CAN'T DENY THAT WHAT IT HAS DONE, THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP HAS DONE FOR GEORGIA IS PHENOMENAL.

IT HAS KEPT SOME OF OUR BEST AND OUR BRIGHTEST AT HOME.

EVERY NOW AND THEN, I'M ASKED TO ASSIST A STUDENT GETTING INTO OUR FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITIES WITH A LETTER OF REFERENCE.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS THAT YOU CAN GET INTO OUR FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITIES IS THAT YOU HAVE TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY HOPE SCHOLAR OR AN OUTSTANDING ATHLETE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP HAS DONE FOR GEORGIA.

>> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FUNDING AREAS.

IS IT TOO SOON TO TALK ABOUT WHERE SOME OF THE MONEY WOULD GO IN GEORGIA?

>> DONNA, THE GOVERNOR HASN'T WEIGHED IN ON THIS.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO, THE HOPE HAS BEEN SO EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY NEEDS TO GO.

BUT THE LOTTERY AND THE HOPE, WE HAVE A MAJOR SHORTFALL RESERVE FUND, AND THE LOTTERY OF GEORGIA HAS A UNIQUE LOTTERY, AND IT JUST CONTINUES TO BRING IN RECORD AMOUNTS EVERY YEAR.

SO WE'VE LOOKED AT IT, AND I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE THAT ANY OF THIS NEW REVENUE WOULD BE DEDICATED TO THE NUMBER ONE HOLE IN THE STATE BUDGET, AND THAT'S HEALTHCARE, WHETHER IT BE MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL HEALTH, MEDICAID, WHEREVER IT MAY BE.

NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I'D LIKE TO SEE THIS MONEY IF THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA DECIDE THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT, I'D LIKE TO SEE IT GO TO THAT PURPOSE BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BENEFIT EVERY GEORGIAN REGARDLESS OF PARTY OR ANYTHING ELSE.

>> I WANT TO GET TO A COUPLE OTHER ISSUES WHILE I HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE MITCHELL, YOU ARE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BLACK CAUCUS, LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS OF STATE LEGISLATORS.

TELL US WHAT THAT ORGANIZATION IS ABOUT AND WHAT PRIORITIES WE MIGHT SEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> WE REPRESENT THE INTEREST OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATORS NATIONWIDE.

THERE ARE SOME 717 SUCH LEGISLATORS.

WE HAD A CONFERENCE RECENTLY FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER.

I'M GLAD TO SAY THAT THE STATE EVEN SUPPORTED IT WHERE WE HAD 517 IN THE ROOM.

ONE OF OUR -- AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE 44th PRESIDENT WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION.

AND I TELL FOLKS ALL THE TIME, IF I HAD KNOWN THAT HE WOULD BECOME THE BARACK OBAMA, I WOULD HAVE BUILT A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

BUT THE REALITY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS STARTING A PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, WHICH WOULD SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR LEGISLATORS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES ALL OVER THIS NATION.

>> SO IT'S KIND OF A WAY OF EDUCATING PEOPLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MUCH LIKE THE CONSERVATIVE GROUPS OF HERITAGE FOUNDATION.

WE WISH TO HAVE THE SAME.

>> OKAY.

AND CHAIRMAN POWELL, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME, BUT I DID WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON OVER THE YEARS, AND THAT DEALS WITH MEDICAL CANNABIS.

WHERE ARE WE RIGHT NOW?

LIKE I SAID, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WE PASSED TWO YEARS AGO, MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR SICK CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WHO WERE DESERVING AND NEEDED THIS.

IT'S BEEN PROVEN IT HELPS THEM.

WE PASSED IT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

AND TODAY THEY STILL ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GRANTING LICENSES.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE OR A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THAT, FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN.

WE HAD HEARINGS OF THE COMMITTEE, REGULATED INDUSTRIES HAD COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THIS?

NOVEMBER.

WE THINK THERE ARE SOME CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE TO RAMP THIS UP, TO GET THEM STARTED AND GET MOVING.

THERE HAVE BEEN SIX LICENSE APPLICATIONS THAT'S BEEN TENTATIVELY APPROVED.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE -- AND I REALLY THINK THAT QUITE HONESTLY THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN WAS THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF DUE PROCESS IN HOW THE LICENSES WERE REVIEWED.

YOU HAD SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, EACH OF THEM LOOKED AT A PART OF IT.

THEY DID NOT MONEY TO HIRE CONSULTANTS WHO COULD ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE INDUSTRY.

SO HOPEFULLY WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE YOU BACK ON TO TALK ABOUT PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY, FOR COMING ON "LAWMAKERS."

I HOPE YOU BOTH WILL COME BACK.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "LAWMAKERS."

YOU CAN JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER @GPB NEWS, USING THE #GPBLAWMAKERS.

AND TUNE INTO YOUR GPB POLITICAL STATION.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 BECAUSE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TAKES TOMORROW OFF TO CONTINUE CELEBRATING GEORGIA'S COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WIN.

AND, FINALLY, I'M THE MOTHER OF A UGA STUDENT AND SO I HAVE TO SAY GO DOGS.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪