♪ >>> WE HAVE SEVEN SENATORS IN OUR DELEGATION.

ONE SENATOR IS MAKING THIS DECISION.

ONE.

HE REPRESENTS 10% OF THE GIINATE POPULATION.

>> INTERNAL FIGHT BETWEEN OPPOSING PARTIES IN THE MEM LEGISLATION MAKES IT THROUGH ON THE SENATE FLOOR WITH NON-PARTISAN SCHOOL BOARDS TODAY.

WELCOME ON THE 10th DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'RE NOW A QUARTER OF A WAY INTO THE 42-DAY SESSION AND THE NUMBER OF BILLS CONTINUES TO STACK UP.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE PROGRAM IN THE MOMENT.

THAT AREA'S ISSUES BEGAN BUBBLING UP DURING THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS LAST FALL AND CONTINUES AS COUNTIES SET NEW BOUNDARIES DURING THE SESSION.

COB COUNTY IS DEALING WITH SIMILAR ISSUES.

AND WE'RE JUSTICE AND ONE NOW IN THE SENATE.

AND AT THE GOLD DOME.

BRENDA.

>> IN THIS MORNING GEORGIA'S GROUNDHOG PREDICTED AN EARLY SPRING FOR THE PEACH STATE.

BUT OUR INTREPID EXECUTIVE PRODUCER PREDICTS ANOTHER EIGHT WEEKS OF CONTENTION OVER GUENETTE COUNTY'S DISTRICT AND SCHOOL MAP.

SENATE BILL 369, WHICH WOULD MAKE SCHOOL BOARD COMMISSIONER ELECTIONS NONPARTISAN CAME UP FOR A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

THE VOTE WAS 32-21 IN FAVOR OF SB 369, WHICH TAKES EFFECT FOR THIS YEAR'S SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS.

>> I CARE BECAUSE STUDENTS SHOULD BE THE FOCUS AND NOT PARTISAN POLITICS.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS PARTISANSHIP SHOULD HAVE NO PLACE ON OUR SCHOOL BOARD.

>> SOME MAKING THEM NONPARTISAN IN THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A REPUBLICAN POWER PLAY.

OVERRIDING THE OPPOSITION OF THE MOSTLY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS REPRESENTING GWEN ET.

>> ONE SENATOR IS MAKING THIS DECISION.

HE REPRESENTS 10% OF THE POPULATION.

UNLESS HE CAN PROVE TO US OR SHOW US A SURVEY, SOME TYPE OF DOCUMENT THAT HE HAS OF THOSE WHO ARE IN FAVOR, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT.

BECAUSE AGAIN, HE NEVER WENT THROUGH OUR DELEGATION WITH THAT INFORMATION.

>> THE REASON I STAND AGAINST THIS BILL IS BECAUSE IT DID NOT PAZ THROUGH THE DELEGATION MORE WIDELY SUPPORTED BY THE RESIDENTS OF GUWENET.

>> IF GUINATE PEOPLE WANT, IT'S NOT PARTISAN.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER DON'T GO TO SCHOOL AND TEACH.

WE HAVE GREAT TEACHERS HERE A LOT OF GOOD FOLKS HERE.

THEY TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

THIS IS A SLAP IN THE FACE.

>> THERE WERE TWO AMENDMENTS.

ONE TO HOLD ONE ON A ONE THAT WAS SHOET VOTED DOWN.

THE OTHER ONE WAS SHOT DOWN BECAUSE IT MADE A LOCAL BILL INTO A STATE BILL.

>> REGARDLESS WHICH ROUTE THE LOCAL BILL TAKES.

AND THEREFORE IT'S BECAUSE THE GENERAL BILL, WHICH IS AN OUT OF ORDER PROCESS FOR THE CHAMBER.

SO, AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO IS OUT OF ORDER.

>> SHE ASKED FOR A RECONSIDERATION AFTER THAT VOTE.

MEANTIME, TO PREVENT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS IN GEORGIA.

REPRESENTATIVE BONNY RICH PRESENTED A BILL TO UPDATE THE RULES OF EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES TO MATCH CIVIL CASES.

NOW, BASED ON AN OLD CASE, WIDESPREAD ACCEPTANCE IS THE ONLY STANDARD WE HAVE FOR VETTING EXPERT TESTIMONY.

RICH SAYS THAT LACK OF RELIABILITY IN CRIMINAL TESTIMONY BY EXPERTS HAS LED TO WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

>> THE STANDARD SIMPLY REQUIRES THAT SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE REACH ONLY A VERIFIABLE STAGE OF CERTAINTY, WITHOUT REGARD FOR RELIABILITY.

SADLY, THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE USE OF UNRELIABLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE WHICH HAS RESULTED IN WRONGFUL CONVICTION.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL REGISTRY, WEEVL ARER HAD 39 DOCUMENTED EXONERATIONS IN GEORGIA.

OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS.

AND AT LEAST 25 OF THOSE WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS WERE DUE, AT LEAST IN PART, TO FAULTY SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE ADMITTED UNDER THE HARPER STANDARD.

THAT MEANS 64% OF OUR WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS HAVE BEEN BASED ON FAULTY EVIDENCE.

>> HOUSE BILL PASSED 138-25.

THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT AND I MAY BE PARTISAN.

>> WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND PRISON ISSUES AND A DEMONSTRATION OF THE FORMER ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

ALSO CHAIR OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND HAROLD JONES THE SECOND A FORMER SOLICITOR GENERAL.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

AND IN ADDITION, YOU'RE ON ETHICS IN YOUR RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS.

AS WE GET STARTED, I WANT TO MENTION THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT ASKS FOR $5,000 RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND $7 MILLION WOULD PAY FOR HIRING 42 MORE EMPLOYEES FOR THE CRIME LAB AND MEDICAL EXAMINER AND UPGRADING LAB EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVING THE GBI HEADQUARTERS.

THANKS TO THE BUDGET SURPLUS, IT'S A LOT BUT IS IT ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WITHIN PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS AT THE CRIME LAB, WE'VE HAD A BAD ALOG IN AUGUSTA.

SO, THAT'S GOING TO BE KEY.

BECAUSE SOME OF YOUR MISDEMEANOR CASES HAVE HAD TO TAKE A BACKSEAT, SEE IT SPEAK, TO OTHER CASES BECAUSE OF COVID AND OTHER THINGS.

IT'S IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WHERE WE WANT TO GO.

BUT I'M ENCOURAGED BY THAT AND WE WANT TO TREAT STATE EMPLOYEES WELL BY GIVING THEM THE RACE, THAT HELPS TOO.

>> THERE'S STILL THE TURNOVER WITHIN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WITHIN THE PRISON SYSTEM AND $5,000, IT'S GOOD.

BUT IS IT ENOUGH?

>> WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR IS A REAL PRIORITIZATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THAT ARE MILLIONS IN THE BUDGET FOR RENOVATION OF PRISONS.

THERE ARE INCREASE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SALARIES AND NEW STATE TROOPER CLASS.

A REAL EVIDENCE OF PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY AND THIS IS A STATEWIDE RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNOR KEMP'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATION, I THINK, REFLECTS THE BUDGET SURPLUS THIS YEAR.

>> THE TURNOVERS, IT'S HARD TO DEAL WITH THAT.

LET'S TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT PRISON.

YOU HAVE A BILL, SB-137 AND IT DEALS WITH BANNING PRIVATE PRISONS.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS HAS BEEN TO DEAL WITH EXPENSES.

BUT EXPENSES ARE HIGHER ON THE STATE LEVEL.

SO, YOU HAVE TWO THINGS.

TLRS OTHER PRINCIPAL REASON IS FOR GJ CROWDING.

AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE LESS OF AN OVER CROWDING PROBLEM AND YOU LOOK AT ELIMINATING THE PRIVATE PRIVATE PRISONS ARE CONCERNED.

AND A CRIMINAL JUSTICE THAN USING IT FROM A PRIVATE STAND BUSINESS POINT.

AND I THINK A TOTAL EIGHT OR NINE THAT WE HAVE.

AND LINE ITEMS AS FAR AS THAT HE HAS BUDGET THAT HE HAS.

>> AND YOU THINK OUR GOVERNMENT CAN DO THIS CHEAPER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS WE FIND ALL THE OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

PRIVATE PRISONS DON'T TAKE THE MOST VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER ASPECTS OF IT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT.

IT'S NOT JUST TO TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN.

WE'RE TAKING THE MONEY AND REALLOCATING IT TO COVER THINGS ON THE FRONT END, AS FAR AS GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> I WANT TO GET WITH YOU ON SOMETHING ELSE AND THAT IS THE VACCINES FOR PRISONERS.

DO YOU HAVE BILL THAT WOULD DEAL WITH THAT?

>> I'VE BEEN TRACKING THE VACCINATION RATE WITHIN THE STATE PRISONS.

AND CURRENTLY 76% OF PRISONERS HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

68% HAVE HAD TWO DOSES.

VACCINE IS VOLUNTARY FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER ACTUALLY -- TIMOTHY WARD, HE HAD A VIDEO RECEIVING THE VACCINE, WHICH HAS BEEN SHARED WITH PRISONERS AND EMPLOYEES, REALLY SETTING A GREAT EXAMPLE.

AND THE RATE OF VACCINATION IS HIGHER THAN WIDER POPULATION RIGHT NOW.

SO, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS A GREAT RECORD IN THAT REGARD.

>> AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

THEY'RE IN THESE QUARTERS WHERE THEY'RE CLOSE TOGETHER?

THAT MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THAT.

>> THE CHALLENGES FACING THE PRISON SYSTEM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WERE IMMENSE, TO SAY THE LEAST.

THE LEADERSHIP WE'VE SEEN WERE LAUDABLE AND THE RECORD SAID THAT THEY HAVE.

.

>> YOU'RE LOOKING TO POSSIBLY TURN NAT TO LEGISLATION.

>> THERE ARE MANY ISSUED RIGHT NOW IMPACTING THE PRISONS WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

I THINK THE MENTAL HEALTH REFORMS REFERENCED AND THE FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH IS A CRITICAL ASPECT OF THAT.

THE BILL TO COMPREHENSIVELY ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH IN GEORGIA -- AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT AND THE IMPACT MORE BROAD 3 PUBLIC SAFETY, IT'S CLEAR WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVANCER TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> IT WILL DEAL WITH EMERGENCY INVOLUNTARY FREEMT PRISONERS.

AND ULTIMATELY INFORMING LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE PERSON WHO IS GOING TO BE RECEIVING TREATMENT IS HELPFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT COULD OTHERWISE BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IS DEESCALATED.

A CONSTITUENT OF MINE HAS WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH MY BIPARTISAN COSPONSOR IN THIS LEGISLATION AND I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROPOSAL THIS YEAR.

ONE OF MANY BILLS THAT WILL BE LOOKING TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH IN GEORGIA.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF MENTAL HEALTH BILLS OUT THERE.

SO, YOU HAVE A -- YOU -- THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BILLS THAT DEAL WITH SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN PRISON AND YOU'RE A SPONSOR OR SIGNER ON ONE OF THEM.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS YOU FIND IS IT CAN EXACPERATION A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS.

WHEN YOU HAVE SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, IT EXASER BAITS ISSUES THEY ALREADY HAVE AND THE PERSON MAY BECOME WORSE SHAPE AND POSSIBLY MORE VIOLENT TOO.

THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM.

WE WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT.

IT DOESN'T DEAL WITH ANYTHING AS PARAS SAFETY IN THE PRISON IS CONCERN CONCERNED.

AND IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MORE VIOLENT TO AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS OUTLAW TO SOME EXTENT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PUNISHMENT IS NOT SOLITARY CONFINEMENT BUT ONE KMISERATE TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

IT'S EXACPER AATING THE ISSUE THAT EXISTS.

WE DON'T NEED HAVE THAT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING.

>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ELIMINATING IT COMPLETELY.

ANY ALTERNATIVES TO THAT?

I GUESS IT'S USED TO CONTROL PRISONERS.

>> THE ALTERNATIVE IS THEY'RE IN PRISON.

IT'S NOT TALKING ABOUT RELEASING A PERSON.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FINDING THE SERVICES THAT CAN HELP THEM OR IF THERE IS PUNISHMENT TO BE DEALT WITH, WE WANT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE ONE ASPECT THAT EXACERBATES WHAT'S ALREADY THERE.

>> A BILL DEALING WITH CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITY.

ALLOWING PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GO AFTER GANGS IN THE SAME TIME.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT THEM.

>> AND GANGS CONTINUE TO BE A REAL ISSUE FOR THEIR STATE.

AND THEY'RE MULTIJURISDICTIONAL AND FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ALSO THEY EXIST IN OUR PRISONS.

I BELIEVE 14,000 PEOPLE HAVE GANG AFFILIATIONS OF SOME SORT.

WHAT WE NEED IS PROSECUTORS WITH THE ABILITY TO PROSECUTE GANG MEMBERS WHO ARE PERPETRATE VIOLENCE ACROSS THE STATE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS MADE THIS A PRIORITY AND WE'RE GOING TO PASS HOUSE BILL 1144 TO GIVE PROSECUTORS THE TOOLS ON THE STATE LEVEL TO PROSECUTOR IN CONCERT WITH LOCAL D.A.S TO ADDRESS THE GANG PROBLEM.

>> AND UNTIL NOW, THEY'VE BEEN SEPARATE.

IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE OF THE JURISDICTIONAL PROBLEMS.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

GANG PROSECUTIONS FALL TO LOCAL PROSECUTORS.

WHEREAS ANTIHUMAN, ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN PROSECUTE THOSE.

WE WANT CONSIST AEJS.

YOU HAVE CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES WORKING ACROSS JURISDICTIONAL LINES AND WE NEED EMPOWER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS.

YOU KNOW YOU NEED THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO MEET THESE CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES AND PROSECUTE ACCORDINGLY.

>> I'M SURPRISED THAT HASN'T COME UP BEFORE.

>> IT'S CLEARLY AN ISSUE.

I THINK THE FUNDING STATEMENTS THE GOVERNORS MADE, INSURING THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO PROSECUTE THESE GANG CRIMES, I THINK ARE HELPFUL.

AS THE GANGS CONTINUE TO ADAPT AND CHANGE WITH THE LAWS, WE HAVE TO UPDATE THE LAWS TO INSURE WE CAN ADDRESS THE GANG PROBLEM.

>> I KNOW THAT'S A CONCERN FOR YOU TOO.

YOU START TALK ABOUT THE GANG ISSUE.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PROTECTING CITIZENS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THEN.

ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE BOTH OF YOU HERE.

YOU'RE ALWAYS GREAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I HOPE YOU COME BACK.

AND WHEN WE RETURN AFTER A BREAK, WE'LL TALK ABOUT CITY ISSUES IN COB COUNTY AND TWO LEGISLATURES WILL JOIN THE SHOW.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>> SIGNA'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, WELL BEING AND PEACE OF MIND OF THOSE WE DESERVE.

SIGNA.COM.

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

AFTERALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

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

THEY WORK TO REPRESENT GEORGIAENS ACROSS THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE RECESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

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

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIA HUMANITIES.ORG.

♪ >> ARE THE SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER.

WE NOT ONLY TAKE ON THE TOUGHEST ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, FORCING THE REMOVE OF 254 MILLION TONS OF TOXIC COAL ASH.

DEFEATING ATTEMPTS TO BRING OFF SHORE DRILLING TO THE COAST AND INSURING CLEAN AIR AND WATER PROTECTIONS FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR REGION.

YOUR MOST POWERFUL ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER IS ROOTED RIGHT HERE IN THE SOUTH.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT COBB COUNTY CITY HOOD AND JOINING ME IS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE SHARON COOPER.

AND WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

I LOVE HAVING YOU LADIES ON.

FIRST AN UPDATE AIMED AT ASKING VOTERS IF THEY WANT TO BECOME CITIES IN COBB COUNTY.

THEY MOVE FORWARD TODAY.

HOUSE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS PASSED THEM OUT OF THE COMMITTEE AND EARLIER EAST COBB FALSED A VOTE IN THE HOUSE AND WILL IN THE SENATE.

AND THE MAPLETEN BILL IS STILL IN COMMITTEE.

THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT ON HERE.

LET'S START WITH YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE WHOLE CITY MOVEMENT.

>> I STARTED ON THE SMURMAU CITY COUNSEL AND CAME WITH A STRONG BACKGROUND AND LOVE FOR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

I KNOW WE HAVE A STRUCTURE.

YOU CAN CHECK CERTAIN BOXES AND YOUR COMMUNITY HAVE A FEASIBILITY STUDY.

YOU MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.

THEN YOU HAVE A SPOT FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND YOU CAN CHOOSE TO HAVE A REFERENDUM.

I HAVE NO OPPOSITION TO THAT WHATSOEVER.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR, WHEN THE PROCESS IS HAPPENING, FOR EVERY RESIDENT WHO WILL BE VOTING ON THIS TO GO INTO THE PROCESS WITH THEIR EYES WIDE OPEN.

AND UNDERSTAND ALL THE NUANCES AND ALL OF WHAT YOU'RE TAKING ON.

A CITY IS SO MUCH MORE THAN CODE ENFORCEMENT, SO MUCH MORE THAN ZONING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES I'M SEEING WITH THE CITIES TAKING ON AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THERE ISSUES ARE BEING DOCTOR'SED.

SO WHEN THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS, THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE VOTING FOR.

>> AND YOU UNDERSTAND CITIES.

YOU'RE SAYING THERE ARE A LOT MORE ISSUES THAN PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF.

>> WHEN I RAN FOR CITY COUNSEL AND MY COLLEAGUES AND YOU MIGHT RUN BECAUSE THERE'S ONE OR TWO ISSUES THAT SO IMPORTANT TO YOU.

AND YOU GET ON AND REALIZE YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE ONE OR TWO ISSUES AND YOU'RE DEALING WITH EMPLOYEES SALARIES AND PENSION PACKAGES.

AND SMERMA IS WHAT I CALL A LEGACY CITY.

IT TURNS 150 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.

IT'S BEEN A ROUND A LONG TIME.

POLICE, FIRE, ROADS, PUBLIC SAFETY, A LIBRARY.

A WHOLE RANGE OF SERVICES.

MOST OF THE NEW CITIES THAT HAVE SOME ONLINE IN RECENT YEARS DO NOT OFFER ALL OF THOSE SERVICES.

IT'S INACCURATE IF THEY SAY WHY SHOULDN'T SOMEONE LIVABLE IN A CITY LIKE SMERMA?

THEY NEVER WILL BECAUSE NONE OF THE NEW CITIES OFFER THE ARRAY OF SERVICES.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE CLEAR OF ALSO.

>> YOU'RE A SIGNER ON THE EAST COBB CITY HOOD BILL.

TELL ME WHY YOU WANT TO DO THAT.

>> I AM A SIGNER AND I SIGNED IT BECAUSE, LIKE TERRY, STATE LAW SAYS IF A GROUP OF CITIZENS WANT TO PROPOSE A NEW CITY, IF THEY FOLLOW CERTAIN THINGS, LIKE THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND IT'S APPROVED, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.

IT'S THE CITIZENS THAT GET TO DECIDE.

I SIGNED IT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE CITIZENS THAT WOULD LIVE IN THE PROPOSED CITY HAVE A RIGHT TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN DESTINY AND DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT THE CITY OR NOT.

I AGREE WITH TARRY THEY NEED TO BE WELL INFORMED.

HEALTH CARE IS MY ISSUE.

I HAVE THE BIG HEALTH CARE TO DEAL WITH.

I HAVE SAT BACK.

I SIGNED ON BECAUSE I WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO VOTE TO SFA THEY WANT IT OR NOT.

BUT I HAVE TO SAY I'VE BEEN DISAPPOINTED ABOUT A LOT OF THE INFORMATION THAT'S NOT CLEAR THAT'S BEING PUT OUT.

I MEAN, INFORMATION LIKE YOU'LL HAVE TO CHANGE ALL OF YOUR DEEDS WITH A NEW CITY ON IT.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

AND I'VE BEEN UPSET A LITTLE BIT AND DISCOURAGED ABOUT HOW THE SIDE THAT'S AGAINST IT DOESN'T WANT THE OTHER SIDE TO EVEN HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT.

IT'S LIKE WE'VE DECIDED WE'RE AGAINST IT.

SO, IF WE'VE DECIDED WE'RE AGAINST IT, THAT SHOULD BE IT.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S SORT OF LIKE THE COUNTRY THESE DAYS.

IT'S THAT KIND OF DIVISION.

AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PUSHING THE CITY TO GET THEIR MESSAGE OUT AND TO SHOW THE CITIZENS WHY THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR IT AND IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THE GROUPS THAT AGAINST IT TO PUT OUT THEIR INFORMATION OF WHY SOMEONE SHOULD NOT VOTE AGAINST IT.

I HAVE ONE VOTE.

I TRUST THE PEOPLE OF EAST COBB.

THEY ARE VERY SMART.

I BELIEVE THEY'RE GOING TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE LOOKING AT THIS AND WHATEVER DECISION THEY GO WITH, I'M GOING TO BE OKAY WITH.

>> YOU'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT AND ALLOW THEM TO HAVE THE VOTE.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> WHY IS THAT NOT OKAY?

JUST PUT IT BEFORE THEM AND SAY THIS SL THE INFORMATION?

>> MY HESITATION IS I FEEL LIKE DURING THE HEARING PROCESS, A LOT OF QUESTIONS WERE NOT, AS FARES A I FELT, WERE NOT ADEQUATELY ANSWERED.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CONCERNED ME IS THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE CITY CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.

DURING THE HEARING PROCESS.

THE ORIGINAL BILL THAT WENT BEFORE THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WAS GOING TO HAVE A CITY STRUCTURED UNLIKE ANY CITY IN COBB COUNTY OR METRO ATLANTA.

SIX CITY COUNSEL MEMBERS.

THREE WOULD HAVE TO LIVE IN THEIR DISTRICT AND THREE WOULDN'T.

YOU COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY OF COUNSEL MEMBERS ALL ON THE SAME STREET.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE KIND OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WOULD GET WITH EAST COBB.

BETWEEN WHEN THE BILL WENT BEFR THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS HEARING AND WENT FOR A VOTE, THERE WAS A COMPLETE OVERHALL OF HOW THE CITY WAS GOING TO BE STRUCTURED.

I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS OF THE SEMANTICS OF THE BILL.

IS IT REALLY DOING WHAT PEOPLE THINK IT'S DOING?

I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE CLARIFIED AS WORKS ITS WAY THROUGH THE SENATE.

WHY DID THEY WANT THE SERVICES THEY WANTED?

WHAT WAS THE INTENT?

AND AGAIN, I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS.

DOES IT HAVE THE TAX BASE -- THE FEASIBILITY STUDY SAYS TEIS BUT THE BOUNDARIES HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WAS ORIGINALLY DONE.

AGAIN, LIKE CHAIRMAN COOPER SAID, THE VOTERS ARE ULTIMATELY GOING TO BE THE ONES TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES IF THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT.

BUT I FELT A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER CLARIFIED DURING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WEREN'T AS CLEAR.

>> IT IS PART OF THE PROCESS AND THERE'S AN UPDATED FEASIBILITY STUDY.

PEOPLE CAN GO TO EAST COBB GA.COM.

THIS IS THE UPDATED VERSION ON THEIR WEBSITE.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I GOT WAS IT DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING FOR A CITY MANAGER AND HOW ABOUT THEIR RETIREMENT HOME?

IT'S ON PAGE 16.

SO, IN THIS UPDATED FEASIBILITY STUDY.

AND NOT ME BECAUSE I WASN'T AT THE MEETING.

BUT THEY DID REALIZE THAT PEOPLE COULD BE -- TOO MANY COULD BE ELECTED FROM THE SAME AREA.

SO, THEY DID WHAT THEY DID IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND THEY AMEND BILLS.

SO, THEY AMENDED IT SO NO MORE THAN TWO CAN COME FROM THE SAME AREA AND THE MAYOR WILL BE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.

SO, THAT'S THE BILL WAS IMPROVED.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO ON ALL BILLS GOING THROUGH.

BUT PEOPLE NEED TO GO TO THEIR WEBSITE, ASK QUESTIONS AND LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

ON THE WEBSITE, ISSUES AND WHETHER WE KEEP THE RADIO.

AND IT'S WHAT IS PREDICTED FOR EAST COBB.

SOME PEOPLE ARE FEELING LIKE WE CAN'T HAVE GOOD FIRE COVERAGE IF IT'S A CITY.

BUT FIRE COMPANIES HAVE RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS AND WE'RE SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO SANDY SPRINGS AND I'M SURE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A RECIPROCAL THING.

IT'S THE PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, THEY ALWAYS SAY YOU DON'T WANT TO WATCH SAUSAGE BEING MADE OR LEGISLATION AND IT CAN BE MESSY, LIKE TERRI SAID.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE SIMPLE PROCESS BUT IT REALLY ISN'T.

>> WHEN YOUCOME A CITY, AND THIS IS WHAT THE VOTERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WITH ALL THE CITIES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

ARE YOU SURE THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT BECAUSE IT'S NOT EVER GOING TO BE JUST PLANNING AND ZONING.

IT'S NOT EVER JUST GOING TO BE PARKS.

AGAIN ALL THE RETIREE BENEFITS, HEALTH INSURANCE.

SITRIES NOT INEXPENSIVE AND I HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED IN BUYING A FIRE TRUCK IN THE LAST EIGHT OR NINE YEARS.

EQUIPPING IT WAS 360,000 AND THEN YOU HAD TO TRAIN THEM AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

IT'S REAL MONEY AND AGAIN, I THINK PEOPLE NEED HAVE THEIR EYES WIDE OPEN AND THE ONUS IS ON US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SUSOUT ANY POTENTIAL UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES AND MAKE SURE ALL QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED.

>> WE KNOW OTHER COUNTIES HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS.

>> AND THEY'RE DOING WELL.

I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN TEN IN THE CITIES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND SITTING NEXT TO EAST COBB IS SANDY SPRINGS AND THE PEOPLE SEEM SATISFIED WITH WHAT THEY DECIDED TO DO.

SO, HERE AGAIN -- >> WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT.

>> AND DON'T FORGET MAPLETON.

THEY WANT TO BE ON THE BALLOT TOO.

THE >> AND I THINK THEY'RE GETTING THEIR HEARING NEXT WEEK.

>> WHEN WE FIND OUT MORE, LET YOU KNOW.

AND WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

WE'RE USING THE #GPB LAWMAKERS.

DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR POLITICAL REWIND.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

LEGISLATIVE DAY 11.

♪ GINT GIN ET.