>> I DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE AND OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> NEW SESSION, NEW FACES, NEW ISSUES.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON THIS FIRST DAY OF THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

BEGINNING TONIGHT, WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 55th YEAR OF LAWMAKERS.

THROUGHOUT THE SESSION, WE WILL DIP INTO THE ARCHIVES TO REVISIT MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM PREVIOUS DECADES.

LATER IN THIS SHOW, YOU WILL SEE A SPECIAL CLIP FROM 1979, WHEN THEN-PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER SPOKE BEFORE THE JOINT CHAMBERS AND THEY SHOWED HIM HIS PORTRAIT THAT IS NOW INSIDE THE GOLD DOME.

THIS SESSION MARKS THE START OF A NEW BIENNIAL, A TWO-YEAR TERM THAT CONTINUES THROUGH THE END OF THE 2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE EXPECT A BUSY 40 DAYS.

AND, TO KICK OFF THE PREVIEW OF WHAT TO EXPECT, WE WILL HEAR FROM LEADERS OF BOTH CHAMBERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

JOINING ME ON SITE TYPE, TWO NEWLY MINTED LEADERS, THE REPUBLICAN SENATE PRO TEM AND, IN THE HOUSE, THE DEMOCRATIC MINORITY LEADER.

ALSO TODAY, GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP HELD A LATE AFTERNOON PRESS CONFERENCE AND WE WILL DISCUSS HIS COMMENTS.

FIRST, I AM PLEASED TO HAVE OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT SARAH KALLIS IN THE STUDIO.

THIS IS YOUR 50 YEAR COVERING THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AS GPB'S POLITICAL REPORTER, YOU HAVE HAD A BUSY YEAR SINCE THE LAST SESSION.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THIS FIRST DAY.

>> IT IS GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

THE LEGISLATURE IS BACK IN FULL SWING AS NEW MEMBERS WERE SWORN IN TODAY AND STARTED LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE NEW SESSION.

THE FIRST DAY IN THE SENATE STARTED LOW-KEY WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BRIDGET JONES WELCOMING NEW AND RETURNING SENATORS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE HERE TODAY.

IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE BACK.

WONDERFUL TO BE BACK.

HOW IS EVERYBODY DOING THIS MORNING?

>> FOUR NEW SENATORS, THREE DEMOCRATS AND ONE REPUBLICAN JOINED THE CHAMBER AS THE WHOLE SENATE WAS SWORN IN.

>> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM.

>> Reporter: EVEN WITH THE NEW DEMOCRATS, THE POWER BALANCE WILL REMAIN WITH THE REPUBLICANS, WHO STILL HAVE A 33 TO 23 MAJORITY.

ALSO OF NOTE, THE SENATE CELEBRATED THE START OF SENATOR DAVID LUCAS'S 50th LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> IT HAS BEEN MY PLEASURE, I GOT TO EDUCATE APPEAR, IT HAS BEEN MY PLEASURE TO SERVE.

NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE HERE THIS LONG.

THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE YOU GET REAL LESSONS ABOUT GEORGIA, WHAT GEORGIA IS ABOUT, WHAT IT MEANS FOR US TO DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN FOR OUR GEORGIAN CITIZENS.

IT HAS BEEN A GOOD 50 YEARS.

HOPE I CAN DO ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: WITH THAT, THE SENATE WAS SEATED AND THE NEW SESSION BUSINESS WAS CONDUCTED, INCLUDING ELECTING SENATOR JOHN F. KENNEDY AS THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE FOR A THIRD YEAR.

LONGTIME SECRETARY OF THE SENATE, DAVID COOK'S REPLACEMENT, JAMES TRIPP, WAS ALSO UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED.

BUT, A MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP AS THE SENATE PASSED THE FIRST SIX SENATE RESOLUTIONS SENATE RESOLUTION 5 WOULD REAUTHORIZE THE SENATE INVESTIGATION OF FULTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FANI WILLIS'S APPROPRIATION OF MONEY IN HER CASE AGAINST PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP FOR ELECTION INTERFERENCE.

>> IT IS NOT ONLY THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE THAT REQUIRES US TO CONTINUE BUT IT HAS BEEN THE ACTIONS OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO FIGHT OUR LAWFULLY SUBMITTED SUBPOENA.

AS YOU HAVE PROBABLY HEARD, IN DECEMBER, JUDGE INGRAM RULED WE WERE INDEED CORRECT AND WE DO HAVE THE POWER UNDER THE GEORGIA CONSTITUTION TO SUBPOENA HER FOR THIS WORK.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS PUSHED BACK, CALLING THE CONTINUATION OF THE INVESTIGATION "PURELY POLITICAL. "

>> THIS IS A FIXATION ON THE PAST.

WORSE THAN THAT, IT IS A FIXATION ON THE PAST BUT IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY THE OBSESSIONS OF ONE MAN.

>> Reporter: THE RESOLUTION WAS PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES, 33 TO 23.

> >> MEANWHILE, THE HOUSE KICKED OFF THE 2025 SESSION BY SWEARING-IN MEMBERS, INCLUDING 18 NEW REPRESENTATIVES.

SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA CHIEF JUSTICE MICHAEL P. BOGGS ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE.

>> I HOPE YOU FIND YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE AS ENJOYABLE AS I HAVE MINE.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS ALSO REELECTED JON BURNS AS A SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN A 153 TO 21 VOTE.

SPEAK WITH PRO TEMPORE JAN JONES IN A 158 TO 19 VOTE.

>> TOGETHER, WE WILL PRIORITIZE THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF OUR STATE BY FULLY FUNDING QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION.

EXPANDING FUNDING FOR PK PROGRAMS, INCREASING LITERACY INITIATIVES, AND PROVIDING PAY RAISES FOR OUR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS ACROSS GEORGIA.

AND, TOGETHER, WE WILL CONTINUE CHAMPIONING EVERY CITIZEN, BUSINESS, AND FAMILY THAT CALLS OUR STATE HOME.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED STRENGTHENING THE MEDICAL WORKFORCE, PROTECTING IVF, AND BANNING TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM PARTICIPATING IN GIRLS SPORTS, AS OTHER PRIORITIES.

ONE CLICK OF THE HOUSE, BILL RILEY, AS WELL AS TRIM I'M, HEAD DOORKEEPER, AND BETTY THEROUX, HOUSE MESSENGER, WERE REELECTED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE HOUSE APPROVED NEW RULES FOR THE CHAMBER, WHICH INCLUDED LIMITING HOW MANY BILLS A MEMBER CAN INTRODUCE.

>> THIS WOULD MAKE IT CLEAR IN NUMBER DURING EACH SESSION SHALL NOT INTRODUCE MORE THAN 10 BILLS.

I JUST WANT TO PROVIDE SOME CLARITY ON THIS.

CERTAINLY TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS WITH RESPECT TO LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE, WHEN THEY ARE PROCESSING THE AMOUNT OF LEGISLATION THAT HAS TO COME THROUGH.

IT IS VERY HELPFUL FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO PROCESS THAT IN A TIMELY MANNER SO THAT WE HAVE COPIES OUT ON OUR DESK THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION IN COMMITTEE.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSE APPROVED THE SCHEDULE FOR THE FULL 40 DAYS BEFORE DABBLING OUT.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL RECONVENE TOMORROW FOR DAY TWO AFTER THE ANNUAL GEORGIA CHAMBER BREAKFAST, EGGS AND ISSUES.

DONNA.

>> SARAH, LOTS OF FORMALITIES ON THE FIRST DAY, AS ALWAYS.

YOU COVERED THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE, WHERE HE FOCUSED ON EDUCATION.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THAT.

>> GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP ANNOUNCED A ONE-TIME ADDITION TO THE SCHOOL SAFETY GRANT.

>> EVERY YEAR, EACH SCHOOL WILL RECEIVE $40,000 --$47,000 TO SPEND ON OR STAFFING.

AS ALL OF US REMEMBER THE HORRIFIC TRAGEDY LAST YEAR BUT THESE INVESTMENTS TO TEST AND HAD THOSE SUPPORTS FOR SCHOOL SECURITY NOT BEEN MADE, THAT FATEFUL DAY IN OCTOBER COULD HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE TRAGIC.

WITH THAT IN MIND, I AM PROPOSING AN ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION IN ONE-TIME SCHOOL SECURITY GRANTS.

>> HE ALSO ANNOUNCED PLANS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION AND TO INCREASE THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST TO STUDENT RATIO.

>> OKAY.

LAST NIGHT, YOU AND I BOTH ATTENDED THE WILD HOG SUPPER, WHICH IS THE UNOFFICIAL KICKOFF OF THE SESSION AND WAS HELD AT THE GEORGIA FREIGHT DEPOT.

IT IS AN EVENT PUT ON BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INTO THE FOOD BANKS OF GEORGIA.

OF COURSE, THE DEVASTATION OF HURRICANE HELENE THROUGHOUT GEORGE'S FARM AND TIMBER INDUSTRIES WAS A TOP PRIORITY.

YOU TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE ABOUT THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HURRICANE HELENE WAS TOP OF MIND FOR MANY LEGISLATORS.

>> WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS AND THROUGH THE GEORGIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT HAVE INVESTED ABOUT $100 MILLION IN OUR FARM FAMILIES, HELPING THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

CONGRESS HAS PASSED A DISASTER PACKAGE, WHICH WILL START BEING DISPERSED GEORGIA FARM FAMILIES AS WELL.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE JORDAN WE HAVE THE RIGHT POLICY AND THE RIGHT INVESTMENT TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW THE FARM FAMILIES TO SUCCEED.

OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IMPACTS EVERY GEORGIAN EVERY DAY AND ITS SUCCESS IS TIED TO OUR STATE BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS ON THOSE POLICIES THAT ALLOW AGRICULTURE TO CONTINUE TO SUCCEED AND WE WILL HELP DO THAT AND THAT IS THE FOCUS OF MINE AS THE COMMISSIONER THE SESSION AS WE WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATORS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> NUMBER ONE IS HURRICANE RELIEF AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TO HELP THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED FROM HURRICANE HELENE.

YOU KNOW WHERE I LIVE.

OUR FAMILY SUFFERED A GENERATIONAL LOSS.

IT IS THAT WAY FOR COMMUNITIES ALL OVER WHERE I LIVE.

WE WENT TO SLEEP AND I SAY WENT TO SLEEP BUT THE SUN WENT DOWN AND WHEN IT CAME BACK UP, A THIRD OF OUR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WAS GONE.

AGRICULTURE IS OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.

LITERALLY TO THINK ABOUT IT IN THOSE TERMS, $6.

5 BILLION WORTH OF DAMAGE IN 12 HOURS.

>> LAWMAKERS TOLD ME TO EXPECT RELIEF LEGISLATION EARLY IN THE SESSION.

>> IN ADDITION TO HURRICANE RELIEF, AND TRAINING TO DEAL WITH THAT DEVASTATION, I SPOKE TO A FEW LAWMAKERS WHO TALKED ABOUT WHAT THEY HOPE OUR PRIORITIES FOR THIS SESSION.

>> TWO OF THE TOP ISSUES I CONTINUE TO WORK ON OUR GUN SAFETY AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS.

>> IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 20 YEARS SINCE WE HAVE HAD A MAJOR LEGAL REFORM IN GEORGIA.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON THAT ISSUE THIS YEAR.

>> I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO REDUCE COSTS FOR EVERYDAY GEORGIANS AND TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES AND WORKING FAMILIES, TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A BUSY SESSION, A PRODUCTIVE SESSION WHERE WE FOCUS ON THOSE ECONOMIC KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES AND NOT SO MUCH ON THE DIVISIVE CULTURAL ISSUES THAT TEND TO POP UP EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

>> I AM TRYING TO PROTECT FARMLAND.

WE ARE LOSING FARMLAND IN THIS STATE AT A RAPID RATE.

WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THAT ASSET IN OUR STATE AND TRYING TO PROTECT IT.

>> GEORGIA IS LOSING FARMLAND TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING, ACCORDING TO REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT DICKEY.

HE SAYS SOLAR FACILITIES ARE ALSO REPLACING FARMLAND.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ALL OF THOSE ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE SESSION AND BRING ON THE SHOW, THE LEGISLATORS ARE SPONSORING THE LEGISLATION TO TALK ABOUT THEM.

OF COURSE, SARAH, YOU WILL REPORT FROM THE CAPITAL.

IT HAS BEEN GOOD TO HAVE HIM HERE.

HE WILL KEEP US UPDATED ON EVERYTHING.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE, THANK YOU.

>> I AM GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

> >> COMING UP, A LOOK AT WHAT A COUPLE OF THE LEADERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE CS PRIORITIES.

WE WILL TALK SCHOOL SAFETY, TAX RELIEF, TORT REFORM, AND MORE, AFTER A BREAK.

THIS IS LAWMAKERS ON GPB.

>> GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PRESERVING GEORGIA AGRICULTURE.

FARM BUREAU ADVOCATES FOR ALL GEORGIA FARMERS AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR-ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> IT IS GOOD TO HAVE EVERYONE BACK TOGETHER.

>> GOOD NEWS INDEED.

>> PUT YOUR FEET UP A MINUTE.

>> IT IS A BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT IS WHAT I LOVE DOING.

>> I WAS THINKING MORE A DOUBLE WHISKEY.

>> FRESHLY BAKED MUSKETS.

>> THIS IS ALL PROVEN LEATHER COZY, ISN'T IT?

?

>> UNDERSTANDING THE PAST GIVES A SENSE OF THE FUTURE.

?

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANYONE HAS SEEN THIS IN 2000 YEARS.

>> THIS IS AMAZING.

>> I AM EXCITED NOW.

>> POMPEII IS A BATTLE AGAINST TIME.

>> YOU THINK I'M JOKING BUT LOOK AT THIS.

IT DID REALLY HAPPEN.

>> DON'T LET ANYBODY TELL YOU WHO ARE.

>> HISTORY TELLS US WHO, HOW TO HONOR THE PAST.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK BACK, THAT WAS PRETTY SPECIAL.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING ALTERING THE COURSE OF HISTORY.

>> YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF KEEPING THESE STORIES ALIVE.

> >> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

WHAT A BETTER WAY TO START THE NEW GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEN WITH LEADERS WHO KEEP ABREAST OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEIR PARTIES.

JOINING US IN THE STUDIO IS A REPUBLICAN WHO THE SENATE TODAY VOTED TO ONCE AGAIN SERVE AS SENATE PRO TEM, SENATOR JOHN F. KENNEDY OF MACON, GEORGIA.

HE WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2014 AND SERVED AS THE GOVERNOR'S FLOOR LEADER.

HE CONTINUED HIS RISE IN LEADERSHIP SINCE THEN.

ALSO HERE IS DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES CAROLYN HUGLEY OF COLUMBUS, WHO, LAST FALL, BECAME THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER.

THIS IS HER 32nd YEAR AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE.

HER PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP INCLUDES SERVING AS MINORITY WHIP OF THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SO MUCH MORE.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

LET'S GET DOWN TO THE PRIORITIES WITH EACH ONE OF YOU.

I KNOW SCHOOL SAFETY IS A TOP ISSUE AND, WITH YOU, PRESIDENT PRO TEM, I KNOW THE SENATE IS LOOKING AT MAKING SCHOOLS SAFER.

SO, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT AND ESPECIALLY GIVEN WHAT, THE TRAGEDY WE HAD HERE IN GEORGIA AT APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL?

>> DONNA, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

THE TRAGEDY THAT WE HAVE SEEN VISITED ELSEWHERE CAME HOME TO GEORGIA THIS YEAR WITH THE SHOOTING AT APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL.

IT HAS CERTAINLY BROUGHT OUR ATTENTION FULLY FOCUSED THE SAME AND DETERMINE WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOLS ARE SAFE SO THAT CHILDREN ARE THERE, THEY FEEL SAFE SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN, PARENTS FEEL THAT THEY ARE DROPPING THEIR CHILDREN OFF AT A STATE SCHOOL AND THE TEACHERS AND STAFF THAT ARE THERE FEEL SAFE AS WELL.

WE APPROPRIATED $109 MILLION FOR SCHOOL SAFETY LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET.

AND SO I THINK WE HAVE SEEN LEADERSHIP FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WELL AS FROM THE SENATE REPUBLICANS ON THIS ISSUE.

I WAS VERY PLEASED, THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD COVERAGE ON GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP'S ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY OF AN ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION FOR SCHOOL SAFETY.

THAT IS GOING TO BE DEPLOYED TO THE LOCAL FOLKS SO THAT THEY CAN DETERMINE HOW BEST TO, SCHOOLS, WHETHER THAT MEANS MORE SAFETY RESOURCE OFFICERS OR IF THEY NEED MORE METAL DETECTORS OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE , THEY CAN MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AND TAILOR THE NEEDS SO THAT SCHOOLS ARE MADE MORE SAFE.

>> I KNOW THAT YOU AGREE WITH ALL OF THAT AND EDUCATION IS A BIG PART OF YOUR PRIORITIES ALSO WITH THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

>> YES, BUT, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 55th YEAR.

AS WE LOOK AT SCHOOL SAFETY, I THINK WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THE EXTERNAL THREATS BUT ALSO THE INTERNAL THREATS AS WELL.

ALL OF THE THINGS THE SENATOR SAYS, WE AGREE WITH BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS FEEL SAFE WITHIN THEIR BUILDINGS AND THAT INCLUDES HAVING THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS TO HELP OUR FAMILIES WITH THE THINGS THAT THEY BRING INTO THE SCHOOL AND THE PROBLEMS THE CHILDREN HAVE AND IT ALSO REQUIRES US TO DO MORE IN MENTAL HEALTH.

OF THESE THINGS REQUIRE US TO LOOK AT BOTH WAYS, INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

IT HAS TO BE MORE THAN HARDENING OUR SCHOOLS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT TAKES CARE OF THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

>> I THINK CERTAINLY SOMETHING EVERYBODY IS LOOKING AT.

ANOTHER ISSUE, ABSENTEEISM THAT WE MAY HEAR TALK ABOUT THIS YEAR.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> DONNA, THANK YOU.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS COME ON OUR RADAR SCREEN FAIRLY RECENTLY AND WE HAVE A CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM PROBLEM WITH OUR SCHOOL STUDENTS HERE IN GEORGIA.

IT WAS A PROBLEM BEFORE COVID-19.

THE NUMBERS SPIKED INTO THE 21, 22%.

FORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE NOT RECEDED SINCE COVID-19.

WE TOOK A LOOK AS LAWMAKERS AND CERTAINLY PEOPLE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND FOCUSED ON GRADUATION RATES.

THEN WE FOCUS ON LITERACY RATES .

SENATOR BILL HICKMAN IN OUR CHAMBER DID A LOT OF WORK AND PASSED SOME GOOD LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS LITERACY RATE ISSUES AND THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE THERE.

THE TRUTH IS IF THE KIDS ARE NOT IN THEIR SEATS LEARNING, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO THE LITERACY LEVEL THEY NEED AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GRADUATE AND IF THEY DON'T GRADUATE, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT GREAT DREAM OF BEING INDEPENDENT AND THAT WE WE WANT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

TO PUT ONE MORE NUMBER ON IT, TO SHOW YOU HOW SIGNIFICANT IT IS, THE 21% NUMBER EQUATES TO 360,000 GEORGIA STUDENTS THAT ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT, MEANING THAT THEY ARE MISSING 10% OR MORE OF THE SCHOOLDAYS WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN SCHOOL.

IT IS A PROBLEM, IT IS SOMETHING TO LOOK AT, WE ARE TO FOCUS ON.

NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE SOLUTIONS ARE BUT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> WE WERE HERE TO TALK ABOUT IT THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

I WANT TO GET INTO SOME OTHER ISSUES.

I KNOW MATERNAL HEALTH IS ANOTHER ISSUE YOU PLAN TO FOCUS ON.

>> YES.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, IN GEORGIA, OUR STATISTICS IN TERMS OF MATERNAL HEALTH ARE VERY, VERY POOR.

WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM, AS IT RELATES TO THAT.

AND, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.

AND, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WOMEN IN GEORGIA CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND THEY CAN HAVE CHILDREN AND BE SAFE DOING SO.

PART OF IT IS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE PHYSICIANS ACROSS OUR STATE TO TAKE CARE OF THESE FAMILIES.

AND, ANOTHER REASON IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T GET INTO HEALTH CARE EARLY ENOUGH IN PREGNANCY IN ORDER FOR THEM TO HAVE A SAFE OUTCOME AT THE END.

SO, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR CAUCUS HAS LOOKED AT AND HAS WORKED ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

BUT, THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO.

THE GEORGIA CAN DO BETTER BY THE WOMEN OF OUR STATE AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PRESS THAT ISSUE AND HOPE THAT OUR FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WILL HELP US.

>> I WANT TO GET INTO A LOT OF ISSUES.

SWITCHING IT AROUND.

I WANT TO GET INTO TAX RELIEF.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE MAY SEE THIS YEAR.

THE GEORGIANS HAVEN'T SEEN THAT FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> WE HAVE, THAT IS SOMETHING FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DOWN TO THE OTHER LEADERSHIP IN BOTH CHAMBERS FOR THE REPUBLICANS HAVE REALLY LEAD ON THIS ISSUE.

WE BUDGETED CONSERVATIVELY, WE HAVE BEEN SMART AND THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE SPEND THE TAXPAYER MONEY AND THAT HAS RESULTED, IN PART, ALONG WITH A GOOD ECONOMY, OF A $12 MILLION SURPLUS.

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP HAS STATED ONE OF HIS INTENSE IS TO TAKE $1 BILLION OF THAT SURPLUS AND RETURN IT BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS.

I WHOLE HEARTEDLY SUPPORT THAT APPROACH.

THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE HAVE TRIED TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF.

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ROLLING BACK THE ACTUAL INCOME TAX RATE, WHICH WE HAVE DONE FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW.

I EXPECT WE WILL DO THAT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> SWITCHING AGAIN, LET'S TALK ABOUT MORE OF YOUR PRIORITIES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> FOR US, IT IS ALL ABOUT THREE THINGS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE, TO LEARN, AND TO EARN.

OF THOSE THREE THINGS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE IT IS PART OF US PURSUING THE AMERICAN DREAM.

GEORGIA HAS LONG BEEN THE STATE THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE PLACE FOR BUSINESS.

BUT, WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CITIZENS TO THRIVE AS WELL.

WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF HOUSING.

WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EDUCATION MUST'VE BEEN WITH EARLY EDUCATION.

WE WANT UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO START WITH THEM EARLY IN ORDER FOR THEM TO MAKE THE GAMES THAT WILL BE SO IMPORTANT TO THEM.

WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOK AT HOPE AGAIN.

WE REALLY WANT TO GIVE THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA HOPE, WANTING TO RETURN IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN.

WE MAY CHANGE, WE MADE CHANGES WHEN THERE WERE SHORTAGES IN HOPE THOSE SHORTAGES NO LONGER EXIST AND WE NEED TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISE THAT WE TOLD THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA THAT IF YOU PLAY THE LOTTERY, IF YOU GO IN WITH A DOLLAR AND A DREAM, YOU WILL BE HELPING DESERVING STUDENTS FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO SUCCEED.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE EARLY 90s AND IT HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT RETURN TO WHERE IT WAS TOLD IT WAS, REMIND PEOPLE.

>> SO, WHEN WE ORIGINALLY STARTED TALKING ABOUT HOPE, I CAN REMEMBER THE GOVERNOR TALKING ABOUT IF WE HAVE TWO TEACHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL.

IT WAS REALLY FOR MIDDLE AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS TO GO TO SCHOOL AND BE ABLE TO PROGRESS.

WE WANTED TO KEEP DESERVING AND BRIGHT STUDENTS IN GEORGIA.

THAT IS WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THAT AND ENCOURAGE MORE OF THOSE STUDENTS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HOPE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, LOOK AT THE PEOPLE PLAYING THE LOTTERY, WHO ARE FUNDING THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THOSE COMMUNITIES SHOULD HAVE MORE BENEFIT AS A RESULT OF THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S SWITCH TO ANOTHER TOPIC.

THAT IS TORT REFORM, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY UNDERSTAND.

THAT IS DEALING WITH THE WORDS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT RECEIVE FROM LAWSUITS IN THE CIVIL SYSTEM.

EXPLAIN IT AND THEN WHAT YOU ARE THINKING OF DOING.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PUSHING THIS.

>> A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T KNOW.

SOME ARE CALLING IT TOWARD RELIEF, SOME ARE CALLING IT LAWSUIT ABUSE RELIEF.

WHATEVER THE NAME IS, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS ADDRESS THE FACT THAT IN OUR CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHERE FOLKS NEED TO BE AND SHOULD BE FAIRLY AND ADEQUATELY COMPENSATED, WE FIND OUT THAT SOMETIMES BECAUSE OF THE RULES BEING A LITTLE IMBALANCED, THAT IT TURNS INTO MORE OF A GAMBLING SORT OF SCENARIO WHERE IT IS A DESIRE TO GET AN AWARD THAT WAS NOT FAIR TO ALL OF THE PARTIES.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO LOOK AT DOING, YOU ARE RIGHT, THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN SPEAKING ABOUT THIS FOR TWO YEARS NOW, IS SIMPLY A REBALANCING OF SOME OF THE WAYS IN OUR CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKS AND IT IS NOT A WHOLESALE CHANGE IN THE WAY CIVIL LAWSUITS ARE TRIED.

THE TRUTH IS, IF YOU ASK EVERYBODY TELL ME HOW YOU ARE DOING WITH YOUR AUTO INSURANCE POLICY OR YOUR HOMEOWNERS POLICY OR YOUR IS THIS POLICY, THEY WILL TELL YOU THE RATES ARE CONTINUING TO SKYROCKET HERE IN GEORGIA.

THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT AND THAT IS RELATED TO THESE NUCLEAR VERDICT OR EXCESSIVELY LARGE VERDICTS THAT ARE COMING DOWN THAT ARE SIMPLY OUT OF SCALE AND OUT OF SENSE WITH WHATEVER THE INTENDED DESIRE FOR THE RECOVERY, FOR THE PLAINTIFF.

THIS IS A WAY TO TRY TO GET THINGS REBALANCED.

SO, WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THAT AND TRYING TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT THIS YEAR.

IT HAS BEEN COMING, A LONG TIME COMING AND I'M GLAD THE GOVERNOR HAS SPOKEN SO MANY TIMES ABOUT THIS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS LEADERSHIP ON THIS.

I KNOW MANY OF THE FOLKS IN MY CHAMBER ARE ANXIOUS TO GET SOMETHING DONE AS WELL.

IT IS NOT JUST A BUSINESS ISSUE, IT IS THOSE FOLKS THAT PAY INSURANCE AS WELL.

AND, FOLKS NEED SOME RELIEF.

>> OKAY.

I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO TALK A LOT ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME.

IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO MENTION?

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT FOR ONE SECOND.

INSURANCE RATES HAVE GONE UP BUT IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE VERDICT.

THE THINGS THAT INSURANCE PAYS FOR HAVE GONE UP.

IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CAR INSURANCE, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE COST FOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING HAS GONE THAT INSURANCE PAYS FOR AND I THINK IT IS AN OVERSIMPLIFICATION TO SAY THIS IS THE ONLY REASON.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE BALANCE BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT FAIRLY AND WITH CLEAR EYES.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE GOVERNOR'S PACKAGE YET.

>> THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS IS THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A DEBATE WE WILL TALK ABOUT THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

SORRY WE RAN OUT OF TIME.

WE WILL TALK MORE LATER.

WE WILL BE BACK WITH, ACTUALLY, WE WILL BE CELEBRATING LAWMAKERS THIS WHOLE MONTH.

AS WE CELEBRATE, AS WE END THE SHOW, WE WANT TO BRING YOU A CLIP FROM THE SHOW ON FEBRUARY 20th, 1979 WHEN THEN PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER RETURNED TO THE CAPITAL ON THE DAY OF HIS PORTRAIT BEING SHOWN TO HIM.

HE GOT A CHANCE TO SEE IT THE FIRST TIME ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE OLD DOME.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> NOW, A GREAT PERSON OF WHOM WE ARE ALL PROUD, A FORMER MEMBER OF THIS DISTINGUISHED BODY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> PLEASE BE SEATED.

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW NICE IT IS TO SEE A PICTURE OF YOURSELF THAT IS NOT 80% TEETH.

IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY OF YOU TO KNOW THE DEEP FEELINGS OF SENTIMENT AND EMOTION THAT I FEEL STANDING HERE AT THIS PODIUM.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST DAY I CAME TO THE SENATE, WITH A FIVE OR SIX OF YOU STILL MEMBERS AND WITH MANY OF THOSE WHO STAND ON MY LEFT.

CARL SANDERS WAS GOVERNOR.

I WAS EAGER TO LEARN ABOUT THE DUTIES OF MY FIRST ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE.

I MADE FRIENDS THEN THAT HAVE STOOD ME IN GOOD STEAD EVER SINCE.

MANY OF YOU A GREAT DEAL IN THE EARLY DAYS AS A SENATOR.

AS A CANDIDATE, AS THE GOVERNOR, CANDIDATE AGAIN AND NOW AS PRESIDENT.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT OF A SURPRISE TO MANY OF YOU I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN THE ELECTIONS.

AS I LOOK AROUND, I HAVE TO ADMIT IT IS A SURPRISE TO ME SOME OF YOU WERE REELECTED SO MANY TIMES RESULTS.