♪ ♪ ♪ >>> WE ARE ALL THANKFUL FOR THE PERSEVERANCE AND DEDICATION SHOWN IN GETTING THIS BILL ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO SEND A CLEAR MES MESSAGE AND A UNIFYING MESSAGE.

IN GEORGIA WE STAND WITH OUR JEWISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS TODAY AND EVERY DAY.

>> GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP SIGNS INTO LAW AN OFFICIAL DEAF MISSION OF ANTISEMITISM.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON DAY 13 OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWERY IN ATLANTA.

MORE ON THE BILL SIGNING CEREMONY IN A MOMENT.

CHEESE, SANDWICHES AND MILK THAT'S WHAT A PARENT DISCLOSED THE SCHOOL SERVED CHILDREN FOR WHOSE PARENTS BEINGN'T AFFORD TO BUY LUNCH AND IT'S A CAUSE OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN GEORGIA.

ALSO IN THE STUDIO A HOUSE MEMBER WHO BELIEVES ADDRESSING GEORGIA'S LOW LITERACY RATE BEGINS WITH EARLY LEARNING AND THAT INVOLVES TEACHERS TRAINED TO WORK WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

WE'LL TALK TO HER ABOUT THAT AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE JOINS US TO BREAK DOWN THE CAUCUS PRIORITIES, BUT FIRST LET'S GO DOWN TO THE CAPITAL WITH OUR SARA CALAS.

>> HI, DONNA.

EMOTIONS RAN HIGH AT THE CAPITOL TODAY AS A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS CELEBRATED GOVERNOR KEMP SIGNING A HISTORIC BILL INTO LAW.

HE SIGNED HOUSE BILL 30 WHICH BANS ANTISEMITISM INTO LAW THIS AFTERNOON.

>> THERE'S BEEN A TROUBLING RISE OF ANTISEMITISM IN RECENT YEARS ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING THE HORRIFIC TERRORIST ATTACKS ON ISRAEL ON OCTOBER 7th THAT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF OVER 1200 ISRAELIS.

THESE ACTS OF HATRED HAVE TAKEN ON MANY FORMS INCLUDING HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION AND UNFORTUNATELY, VIOLENCE.

GEORGIA HAS NOT BEEN E MUN TO THAT HORRIBLE REALITY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ESTHER PANICH, GEORGIA'S ONLY JEWISH LAWMAKER SAYS SHE IS ELATED WITH THE BILL SIGNING AND THE BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

>> ANTISEMITISM IS NOT POLITICAL.

IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE AND IT NEEDS TO BE AN ALL HANDS ON DECK APPROACH TO DEFEAT IT AND I COULDN'T BE MORE GRATEFUL TO STAND WITH MY COLLEAGUES OF BOTH PARTIES WHO HELPED US.

I COULDN'T DO IT ALONE.

>> THE ISRAELI CONSULATE GENERAL IN ATLANTA ATTENDED THE SIGNING.

>> THIS STATEMENT HERE, THE ADOPTION OF THIS BILL SENDS A STRONG STATEMENT IN THE FACE OF ANTISEMITISM.

>> IN THE HOUSE, LAWMAKERS REMEMBER THE GEORGIA SOLDIERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES THIS WEEK IN A DRONE ATTACK, SERGEANT WILLIAM RIVERS, SPECIALIST KENNEDY SANDERS AND SPECIALIST BREONNA MOFFETT.

>> EAPE MADE THEEACH MADE THEIR COMMUNITY PROUD, AND THEY CERTAINLY MADE ME PROUD AND I AM PROUD TO STAND HERE AS A GEORGIAN AND AN AMERICAN.

WE OFTENTIMES GET INTO DEBATES HERE.

THIS IS NOT A DEBATE.

EVERYONE IN HERE IS STANDING UP.

EVERYONE IN HERE RECOGNIZES THE SACRIFICE.

PASSING A POSTAL TRUCK WITH LAWS FOR PASSING A GARBAGE TRUCK REDUCING THE SPEED OF 10 MILES PER HOUR BELOW THE POSTED LIMIT.

THE BILL PASSED 165-1.

HOUSE BILL 976 ALSO PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY AND THE BILL WOULD ADD A WATERMARKED BALLOT AND IT WOULD HELP VOTER CONFIDENCE.

>> THE BILL READS AT LEAST ONE SECURITY FEATURES ON THE PAPER MUST BE VISIBLE.

THE CURRENT SECURITY FEATURE WE HAVE IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE HUMAN EYE.

IT REQUIRES A WAND TO VERIFY THE CERAMIC COATING AND THIS IS A VISIBLE SECURITY FEATURE THAT WOULD BE PRINTED ON THE BALLOTS.

>> AND REPRESENTATIVE SHELLY HUTCHINSON PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON THE FOSTER CHILDREN AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION THAT SHE HAS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE.

>> INSTEAD OF INTRODUCING A CHILD AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION, AFTER THE LAST SESSIONS I WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT ALL OF THE CHILDREN I HAVE INTRODUCED OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND I AM HERE TO TELL YOU, NOT ONE SINGLE CHILD IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> HUTCHINSON HAS INTRODUCED AT LEAST ONE CHILD PER WEEK IN THE HOUSE THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AND IT'S DYSLEXIA DAY AT THE CAPITAL.

ONE SENATOR SHARED HIS PERSONAL STORY ABOUT THE CONDITION.

>> THE NEWS WAS SHOCKING TO MY WIFE AND I, BUT HERE'S THE KICKER.

THE CLINICIAN TOLD US THAT EVEN IF WE DID NOTHING AT ALL, OUR SON WAS LIKELY TO BE JUST FINE HOWEVER HIS COMPETENCE AND ENJOYMENT OF SCHOOL WERE SIGNIFICANTLY AT RISK BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO WORK TWICE AS HARD AS OTHER KIDS TO DO THE SAME AMOUNT OF LEARNING ACADEMICALLY.

THAT BROKE OUR HEART.

>> IT'S ESTIMATED THAT AROUND 20% OF GEORGIA'S SCHOOL-AGED KIDS ARE AFFECTED BY SOME FORM OF DYSLEXIA.

>>ESTES HAVE SAYS MAJOR CHANGES HAVE TO TAKE PLACE TO HELP COMBAT THE LEARNING DISABILITY.

>> FIRST, WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE CURRICULUM TO ALIGN WITH THE SCIENCE OF READING.

>> IT MAY SURPRISE YOU, BUT KIDS TODAY ARE NOT LEARNING HOW TO READ THE SAME WAY YOU LEARNED HOW TO READ.

WE HAVE TO TWEAK SOME SUPPORTS INCLUDING SMALLER CLASS SIZES AND RETENTION FOR STUDENTS THAT CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE SO THEY CAN RECEIVE MORE INTENSIVE SUPPORT.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM TEACHES OUR TEACHERS HOW TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO READ BECAUSE THEY ARE ALSO USING CURRICULUM THAT IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE SCIENCE OF READING AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PARENTS AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE EQUIPPED WITH EARLY WARNING TOOLS AND ASSESSMENTS.

>> THE SENATE ALSO PASSED TWO BILLS THAT WOULD SHOULD SOME GEORGIANS' RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

SB 105 WILL BOOST MULTIPLIER RATES FOR THE RETIREMENT PLAN AND SB 328 WOULD ALLOW AN INCREASE IN DUES AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ENROLLED IN THE POLICE OFFICERS' ANNUITY AND BENEFIT FUND, BUT THE BIG NEWS FROM THE SENATE TODAY WAS LICENSE PLATES.

A NEW LICES PLATE WILL BE PRODUCED IN 2026 FOR THE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE REVOLUTION.

UNLIKE OTHERS YOU CAN PURCHASE IN GEORGIA THIS IS ONE OF THREE STANDARD ISSUE PLATES.

>> IT IS NOT A VANITY PLATE.

THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL COST TO GEORGIANS WHO SELECT THIS PLATE.

IT WOULD BE THE PRIMARY PLATE OF GEORGIA BETWEEN 2026 AND 2030.

>> THE LOGO ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PLATE WILL BE DESIGNED BY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND CHOSEN BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> IF YOU KNOW HOW TO GET SEMI QUINN CENTENNIAL.

>> QUINN IS 500 AND SEMI IS HALF OF 500, 250.

>> THE SENATOR YIELD?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IS THERE A REASON WHY WE'RE NOT PUTTING SEMIQUINTENIAL.

>> ABSOLUTELY PT REASON IS I CAN'T SPELL IT.

>> THE SENATE IS TO VOTE ON A BILL THAT WILL LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN GEORGEA.

THAT'S ALL FOR MY REPORT, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SARA, FOR THAT REPORT.

>>> THE CAUCUS ANNOUNCED LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AT A PRESS CONFERENCE.

THE GROUP ANNOUNCED IT'S FINISHED THE DRILL PRIORITIES AND AMONG THEM, TAX RELIEF, PUBLIC SAFETY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TORT REFORM.

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES IS SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM.

AND VICE CHAIR OF THE BANKING AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEES, PLUS HE'S ON ABOUT 12 OTHER COMMITTEES.

YOU STAY BUSY.

WELCOME ONCE AGAIN TO "LAWMAKERS".

>> THANK YOU, DONNA.

>> AS WE BEGIN, I HAD TO ADMIT WHAT FINISH THE DRILL MEANS AND I KNEW IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH FOOTBALL, BUT I FOUND THAT THE PHRASE MEANS YOU DON'T QUIT WHICH THINGS GET TOUGH SO WHY DOES THAT WORK AS THE GOAL FOR THE CAUCUS?

>> WELL, IT WORKED FOR THE CAUCUS BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A SET OF TWO YEARS OF GOALS FOR US, AND SO LAST YEAR WE HAD OUR CAUCUS PRIORITIES THAT WE WORKED ON IN 2023 AND WERE SUCCESSFUL ON SOME OF THOSE, BUT WE HAVE SOME THAT WE HAVE TO FINISH UP ON AND THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES DURING THE OFF SEASON AND SO ME AND MY SENATE COLLEAGUES AND REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES DO THINGS LIKE WE INTERFACE WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS AND WE GO BACK HOME AND LISTEN TO WHAT THE KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES ARE FOR OUR FOLKS BACK HOME AND WE GET TOGETHER AS A CAUCUS AND DECIDE WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON-SENSE, GREATEST NEEDS THAT WE CAN COME TO ATLANTA AND PASS LGSZ AND SERVE OUR CONSTITUENTS WITH?

AND SO THAT IS THE FINISH THE DRILL, IF YOU WILL AND WE HAVE A FEW MORE THINGS WE WANT TO GET DONE THIS YEAR DURING 2024.

>> SO KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES AND THINGS YOU TALK AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE OR THE DINNER TABLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO FAMILIES.

YES.

THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO FAMILIES.

>> RIGHT.

SO LET'S DIG IN TO SOME OF THOSE TOPICS AND THE LIST STARTS WITH EDUCATION AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST CHUNK OF THE BUDGET.

>> LAST YEAR THE SENATE PASSED SB-233 THE GEORGIA PROMISED SCHOLARSHIP ACT AND IT'S A SCHOOL CHOICE OR THE SCHOOL VOUCHER BILL THAT WOULD GIVE PARENTS $6500 TO PAY FOR PRIVATE OR HOME SCHOOLED QUALIFIED STUDENTS AND 16 REPUBLICANS VOTING FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

ARE YOU MORE HOPEFUL THIS YEAR THAT THIS WILL PASS THROUGH IN THE HOUSE?

>> I AM.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND QUITE FRANKLY, MORE EDUCATION THAT'S GOING ON IN THE OFF SEASON AND I'VE HAD HOUSE MEMBERS TELL ME THAT THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT IT AND RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR IT AND THERE'S BEEN A NATIONAL DRUMBEAT FOR SCHOOL CHOICE AND IT OUGHT TO BE CALLED PARENT CHOICE OR CHILD CHOICE BECAUSE WHAT IT DOES IS RECOGNIZES THAT NOT JUST EVERY SCHOOL IS THE BEST SCHOOL TO BE EDUCATING THAT CHILD AND WHEN YOU'VE GOT PARENTS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION AND THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S A BETTER SCHOOL OR BETTER OPPORTUNITY AND PARTICULARLY WHEN THEIR CHILD IS IN A FAILING SCHOOL THERE OUGHT TO BE OPTIONS AND THAT'S WHAT THIS MEASURE RECOGNIZES AND AS YOU SAID, WE PASSED IT IN 2023.

SO OUR FINISH THE DRILL THEME IS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HOUSE PASSES THIS MEASURE THIS YEAR.

THE BILL IS STILL ALIVE SO IT SITS AS IT CAME SUCCESSFULLY OUT OF THE SENATE WITH ALL 33 REPUBLICANS VOTING FOR IT.

IT'S BEFORE THE HOUSE AND WE HOPE AND EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER VOTE ON IT COMING THIS YEAR AND WE HOPE THAT IT WILL PASS AND CHILDREN AND PARENTS ACROSS THE STATE WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF FAILING SCHOOLS.

WHAT MORE IMPORTANTLY CAN WE DO FOR OUR CHILDREN THAN MAKE SURE THEY GET AN EDUCATION AND THE PARENTS THAT WANT TO BE INVOLVED HAVE THOSE KIND OF CHOICES AND SOME OPPORTUNITIES.

>> I'M SURE THERE HAVE BEEN TALKS WITH THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS THAT DID VOTE AGAINST IT AND A LOT OF THEM HAD TO FEEL AS THOUGH THEY DIDN'T HAVE ALTERNATIVES THAT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS VICTIM SMALL AREAS.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S RIGHT.

IN PACK, THAT WAS A HARD CHOICE AND CONTINUES TO BE FOR SOME OF OUR MORE RURAL LEGISLATORS WHERE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM MAY BE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THEIR DISTRICT OR IN THEIR COUNTY WHERE THEY ARE AND ALSO WE HAVE LOTS OF GREAT SCHOOL SYSTEMS, LET ME SAY THIS, THIS IS NOT AN ANTI-PUBLIC SCHOOL BILL IN ANY WAY AND IT'S A RECOGNITION THAT NOT EVERY SCHOOL IS PERFECT FOR EVERY CHILD, SO I THINK WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS YOU HAVE HOUSE MEMBERS THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO LOOK AT THIS AND GO I AM MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE IDEA THAT THIS IS NOT ANTI-PUBLIC SCHOOL ALTHOUGH IT IS CAST THAT WAY AND FOLKS UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE THIS IS IS NOT THE CASE.

THIS IS ABOUT GIVING CHILDREN AND PARENTS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN WHATEVER SCHOOL THAT MAY BE.

>> LET'S GET TO OTHER ISSUES AND THE NEXT ONE IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND IT'S ON THE LIST AND AS WE GET INTO IT, I WANT TO SHOW NUMBERS.

THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS GEORGIA HAS 54 AVAILABLE WORKERS FOR EVERY 100 OPEN JOBS.

ALSO THE GEORGIA BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IS DIVERSE ENCOMPASSING A RICH, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY, NUMEROUS PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM, SEVERAL PROMINENT UNIVERSITIES AND SERVING AS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR SEVERAL FAVORED FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES AND LOTS OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT GEORGIA.

SO WHAT ARE THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS?

>> THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THOSE STATISTICS BECAUSE WHAT THAT TELLS SUS ALL GEORGIANS SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT IT IS SUCH AN ATTRACTIVE STATE FOR BUSINESSES TO COME HERE SO THAT WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE LEGISLATURE STANDPOINT AS THE GOVERNOR IS AS WELL IN MAKING GEORGIA THE BEST PLACE TO WORK, LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY.

SO WHAT YOU SEE IS MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAN WE ACTUALLY HAVE GEORGIANS READY OR THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO DO THOSE JOBS AND THAT IS INCUMBENT UPON US THAT WE HAVE A READY TRAINED WORKFORCE AND THOSE BUSINESSES WILL CONTINUE TO WORK HERE.

THE NUMBERS SAY IF YOU'RE IN THE WORKFORCE OR LOOKING TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE THERE ARE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES AND ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON THIS YEAR IS THE PRODUCT OF SOME SENATE STUDY COMMITTEE WORK LEADING THE EFFORTS ON THIS IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE BEST CHANGE OR MAKE MORE EFFICIENT THE LICENSURE PROCESS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES WHOSE FAMILIES MAUVE MOVE TO GEORGIA RIGHT NOW THERE ARE MILITARY SPOUSES THAT HAVE A TRADE, HAVE A PROFESSION AND THEY ARE LICENSED IN ANOTHER STATE AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PROCESSED IN GEORGIA SO WE'RE TRYING TO FAST TRACK THAT, IF YOU WILL SO THAT THOSE SPOUSES CAN GET THOSE LICENSES MORE QUICKLY AND THEY CAN ENTER THE WORKFORCE.

THAT'S GOOD FOR THE FAMILY.

THAT'S GOOD FOR GEORGIA AND GOOD FOR US ALL OF THE WAY AROUND AND THAT AS WELL AS EFFORTS WITH OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ALL OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IS CENTERED AND WE ARE DIALLED IN AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUE THAT BECAUSE THAT'S THE BEST HOPE FOR THE FAMILIES GOING FORWARD IS GREAT ECONOMIC AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

THAT COUPLED WITH THE EDUCATION WE TALKED ABOUT IS GEORGIA'S PROMISE FOR FAMILIES.

>> OKAY.

LET'S SWITCH GEARS TO TORT REFORM.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME, BUT EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE WHY THAT IS SC SUCH A PRIORITY FOR THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS?

>> IT'S BEEN A GROWING PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE IS WHEN YOU HAVE TOO MANY FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS THAT CLOG OUR COURT SYSTEM, IT DOESN'T JUST IMPACT THE LITIGANTS IN THE CASE.

IT IMPACTS THE REST OF GEORGIANS THAT HAVE ACCESS TO THE COURTHOUSE BECAUSE YOU'RE INVOLVED IN A LAWSUIT AS A DEFENDANT OR IF YOU FIND YOURSELF OR SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS WHETHER IT'S A CRIMINAL-RELATED MANNER OR OTHERWISE.

THE COURTHOUSE OUGHT TO WORK EFFICIENTLY.

THAT PLUS THE FACT THAT THE BUSINESSES HAVE COME TO THE LEGISLATURE AND SAID PLEASE, MAKE SOME CHANGES IN OUR CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SO ONE OF THE THING WE'RE WORKING ON THIS WEEK WILL BE CALLED DIRECT ACTION WHICH IS SIMPLY A WAY THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS INJURED WITH A PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENT THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS NOT NAMED BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT THE PARTY THAT WAS INVOLVED AND THEY'RE NOT THE TRUCKING COMPANY THAT WAS INVOLVED SO THE INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD BE NAMED AND THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SOME SMALL TWEAKS IN THE SYSTEM SO THAT IT IS SIMPLY MORE FAIR SO THOSE CASES CAN BE HEARD EFFICIENTLY AND THE CIVIL LAWSUITS DON'T GUM THINGS UP FOR ALL OF THE CITIZENS BECAUSE EVERYONE NEEDS ACCESS TO THE COURTHOUSE.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS TO TALK ABOUT TAX REFORM WITH WHATEVER YOU GUYS ARE CALLING IT, BUT YOU'VE BEEN DOING A LOT ALREADY.

>> WE HAVE AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THE RETURNING IN ESSENCE OF $2 BILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE IT BELONGS AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT THAT AND WE'LL ROLL BACK THROUGH THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR WITH THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP AND REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE AND THE STATE INCOME TAX FROM 5.49 EVENTUALLY DOWN TO SOMETHING AND WE'LL GET TO 4.99.

WE ARE VERY PLEASED AND THAT'S GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT AND JUST RECOGNIZING THAT TAXPAYER DOLLARS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND WISELY AND IF WE DON'T SPEND THEM WE'LL SEND THEM BACK TO HARDWORKING GEORGIANS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND TALKING ABOUT THOSE PRIORITIES.

YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME BACK.

>> THAW.

?

COMING UP, A LAWMAKER DISCUSSES WHAT GEORGIA IS DOING TO HELP MAKE SURE THOSE WORKING WITH CHILDREN ARE TRAINED TO TEACH EARLY LITERACY.

>>> "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 GEORGIAYA STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA'S LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" I'M DONNA LAW ROW.

WE WILL SPEAK ABOUT SCHOOL LFRNES.

REPRESENTATIVE BECKY EVANS OF ATLANTA.

SHE'S ON THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTATIVE MARNY BARNES OF TUCKER.

SHE'S ON THE HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

I ALMOST FORGOT WHAT OUR NAME WAS.

REPRESENTATIVE EVANS, YOU -- WE HEARD YESTERDAY THE CHAIR OF THE GEORGIA LITERACY COUNCIL AND YOU ARE ON THAT COUNCIL, TOO.

ONE OF 30 ON THIS BIG COUNCIL.

YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH PART OF WHAT'S PART OF THE COUNCIL AND THAT IS COACHES FOR CHILD CARE TEACHERS.

>> RIGHT.

WELL, ACTUALLY -- YES, I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT LITERACY COACHES, BUT THE WORK THAT I DID ON HOUSE BILL 538 WAS RELATED TO TEACHER INSTRUCTION AND CERTIFICATION.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE MADE SURE THAT IN OUR SCHOOLS OF TEACHING THAT TEACHERS WERE LEARNING TO TEACH EVIDENCE-BASED READING AND IN GEORGIA WE'RE A LOCAL CONTROL STATE AND WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO TELL SCHOOL SYSTEMS EXACTLY WHEN THEY HAVE TO TEACH, BUT WE TO HAVE TO -- BUT WE DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE CERTIFIED AND I AM VERY PROUD OF THAT WORK IN THAT BILL, 537 WAS PUT INTO 538 FOR LITERACY CERTIFICATION, WORKING WITH THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMISSION AND WE ADDED IT IN FOR EARLY CHILD CARE WORKERS, TOO, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT LITERACY IS AN ECOSYSTEM FROM ALL OF THE WAY FROM THIRD GRADE TO CRADLE TO CAREER.

>> PEOPLE TEACHING AND WORKING WITH THEM NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TEACHING AND HOW TO TEACH IT TO YOUNG KIDS.

>> WE HAD A PROBLEM AND THIS IS A NATION WIDE PROBLEM.

WE KIND OF WENT IN THE WRONG DIRECTION ABOUT HOW TO TEACH READING TO OUR TEACHERS AND SO NOW WE'RE COURSE CORRECTING THAT AND WE'RE MAKING EXCELLENT PROGRESS.

I AM VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS LITERACY COUNCIL AND I AM HAPPY TO MAKE STRIDES.

>> WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A MOMENT AND I WANT TO MACH KE SURE WE'R NOT IGNORING YOU AND IT'S TO HELP THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO SPAY FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> IT IS CALLED THE HEALTHY START BILL.

IT WOULD GIVE KIDS A HEALTHY START AND IT WOULD PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL MEALS AND THEIR BREAKFAST AND THEIR LUNCH TO OUR FREE AND REDUCED CHILDREN THAT QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH, RIGHT NOW THAT'S NOT HAPPENING AND THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES AND ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS STRUGGLE WITH IT AND I GUESS SOME OF THE PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY HELPED TAKE CARE OF THAT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THE MONEY TO FUND FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES AND FREE SCHOOL MEALS THIS YEAR WAS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

$6.3 MILLION WAS GIVEN TO THE STATE TO PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR OUR NEEDIEST CHILDREN THIS YEAR.

THAT'S OVER -- IT'S OVER AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE FIGHTING FOR OUR YOUTH IN GEORGIA.

>> YEAH.

I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON THAT.

YOU'RE WORKING ON IT.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT'S BIPARTISAN SUPPORTED.

WE ALL FEEL WE NEED TO FEED OUR CHILDREN.

>> YEAH.

OKAY.

GETTING BACK TO YOU, I WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT EDUCATION, BUT THE BUDGET IN PARTICULAR, TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO YOU.

>> OH, GREAT.

I WANT TO SAY I'M VERY PROUD THAT IN GEORGIA WE PASSED TEACHER PAY RAISES.

WE'VE BEEN $7,000 OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND THAT'S VERY GOOD NEWS AND THIS IS A VERY EDUCATION-FRIEND HE BUDGET THTHAT IS BEING PROPOSEDED AND I AM VERY PLEASED AND THERE'S A WORKING GROUP ON EARLY LEARNING AND SO FOR OUR PRE-K CLASSROOMS WE'LL BE DECREASING OUR CLASS SIZE FROM 22 TOPLEAEn((T[ GROUP ON EARLY LEARNING AND SO FOR OUR PRE-K CLASSROOMS WE'LL BE DECREASING OUR CLASS SIZE FROMca6 73 -od Bd WORKING GROUP ON EARLY LEARNING AND SO FOR OUR PRE-K CLASSROOMS WE'LL BE DECREASING OUR CLASS SIZE FROM 22 TO 27 AND WE'LL BE INCREASING SALARIES TO BE LIKE KINDERGARTEN AND INCREASING THE CLASSROOM TO 30,000 AND THE HOUSE BILL 941 WHICH WE JUST PASSED WITH THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE WHERE SCHOOLS CAN BUILD NEW PRE-K CLASSROOMS AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE PENALIZED AND REQUIRED TO BUILD K THROUGH 12 CLASSROOMS AND NOW THEY CAN USE CAPITAL FUNDS TO BUILD PRE-K CLASSROOMS.

>> I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THAT'S BEHIND THE REASON.

THERE AREN'T AS MANY PRE-K SLOTS AVAILABLE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

ONE THING WE STILL NEED TO DO, AND I KNOW IT'S ON THE LIST, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

HALF OF THE PRE-K PROVIDERS ARE PRIVATE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GIVE A LEASE ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT SO WE CAN BORROW THOSE FUNDS ON THE PRIVATE SIDE, AS WELL.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE WILL SEE MORE SLOTS OPEN?

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS SUCH A NEED.

AS FAR AS OUTSTANDING NEED WE NEED TO DO MORE FOR THE INFANT AND CHILDREN CHILD CARE AND THE FEDERAL FUNDING IS COMING TO AN END AND CHILD CARE, YOU CAN ASK ANYONE WITH CHILDREN.

WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM AND A THIRD OF THE FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WERE SAYING THAT THEY HAD TO LEAVE THEIR JOB WE ALSO NEED TO TO PAY AND THEY'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> THERE'S MONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION AND SCHOOL SAFETY AND BOTH OF THOSE THE ALLOTMENTS ARE BEING INCREASED FOR SCHOOL SAFETY AND IT WILL BE ANNUALIZED AND SCHOOLS CAN PAY THEIR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

>> I'M GOING TO SWITCH GEARS ON THAT AGAIN, SO REPRESENTATIVE BARS, I WANT YOU TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER YOUR BILLS AND THE IMPACT OF THE GEORGIA ACT.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT AND WHAT LED TO YOU DRAFTING THE LEGISLATION?

>> THE IMPACT THE GEORGIA ACT WOULD IMPLEMENT IMPACTS UNITS IN OUR EMERGENCY ROOM, THE PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT AND HEALING UNITS.

SO IT'S A MORE HOLISTIC WAY TO TREAT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

IT'S DESIGNED TO TREAT YOU WITHIN 24 HOURS OR YOU'LL SEE SOMEONE WITHIN 24 HOURS INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO TO THE ER AND BE ADMITTED AND GET A BED.

SO IT'S FREEING UP BEDS FOR OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS.

IT WILL GET YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE ADDRESSED FASTER WITH THE PSYCHIATRIC PROFESSIONALS AND PSYCHIATRISTS AND STUDENTS WHO ARE GETTING RED TO BE PSYCHIATRISTS AND THESE IMPACT UNITS ARE IN -- I BELIEVE, 20 OTHER STATES.

>> OH, WOW.

SOUTH CAROLINA GOT A $25 MILLION GRANT TO IMPACT UNITS IN THEIR STATES.

>> SO WHAT IT'S SAYING IS AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM LEVEL, WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND WE START DEALING WITH THAT AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM LEVEL.

>> SPECIFIC STAFF?

ALL OF THAT?

>> YES.

SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO BE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND GO -- AND GO THROUGH THE ER PROCESS ABOUT GETTING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE TAKEN AND YOUR BLOOD TAKEN ASK THEN THEY HAVE TO DYING DIAGNOSE YOU WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND THEN GIVE YOU TREATMENT AND THIS WAY YOU'RE GETTING TREATMENT RIGHT THEN 37 TELL US THE ACRONYM.

>> EM STANDS FOR EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> SO IT'S EM, EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT AND HEALING.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT BILL?

>> IT'S GETTING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

LET'S GET IT DONE.

IT'S PROVEN TO SAVE US MONEY.

IT'S PROVEN TO HAVE FASTER TREATMENT.

IT'S PROVEN TO FREE UP BEDS IN OUR HOSPITALS AND AS WE JUST CLOSED DOWN ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER, I THINK THIS IS IMPERATIVE FOR OUR STATE.

>> YEAH.

I KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT BUDGETS, THERE'S ALWAYS A FISCAL NOTE.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT IDEA?

>> I AM WAITING FOR A FISCAL NOTE.

WE'LL SEE HOW MUCH THIS COSTS THE STATE, BUT GOVERNOR KEMP HAS ALLOTTED OR APPROPRIATED MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET SOME OF THAT ALLOTTED TO THESE EMPATH UNITS.

KEEP UP ON THAT.

ANYTHING THAT YOU WANTED TO ADD.

>> I AM SUPER EXCITED ON THAT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON SCHOOL LUNCHES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I DO WANT WANT TO SAY LITERACY COACHES AND THE STATE DOES HAVE A PLAN TO TRAIN 32 TEACHERS AND THEY'LL BE TLANING THE TRAIN AND THEY'RE DOING A SUR VAE OF THE RESOURCES TO SEE WHAT THEY MIGHT NEED.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.

?

A LOT GOING ON WITH LITERACY.

>> HAD IS FOR FOR FOR LAWMAKERS WHEN THE CITY IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE ON SPORTS BETTING.

SEE YOU THEN.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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