>>> WHEN WE THINK OF WHAT IS MOST EXPENSIVE, WE MAY THINK OF A LAWYER, WE MAY THINK OF DOCTORS, OR A LEGISLATOR.

THE SACRIFICES EACH OF US MAKE, YOU ARE WRONG, THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING YOU COULD BE IN GEORGIA IS POOR.

>> THE REPRESENTATIVE ARGUES AGAINST THE MEASURE TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES WHICH WOULD REQUIRE A CASH BOND.

GOOD EVENING ON THE SIXTH DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN GEORGIA.

I AM DONNA LOWRY.

>>> LAST SUMMER 40 EMERGENCY ROOMS PEDIATRIC PHYSICIANS WROTE AN LAWMAKERS ASKING FOR HELP REGARDING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO CAME INTO THESE ROOMS WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

>>> WHAT IS THE SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

LAWMAKERS ON THE PANEL ARE WITH US IN THE STUDIO TODAY TO GIVE US AN INSIGHT.

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MOVE TO MAKE VOTERS HAVE A DECISION ON SPORTS BETTING AND IMPROVING URDU EARLY LITERACY FOR CHILDREN.

>> LAWMAKERS DEBATED SEVERAL CONTROVERSIAL BILLS ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN GEORGIA.

THE DEBATE ABOUT THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S QUALIFICATION COMMISSION MEDITATES SENATE FLOOR.

LAST YEAR THE SENATE PASSED THE BILL WHICH WOULD CREATE A COMMISSION WHICH WOULD OVERSEE AND POTENTIALLY PUNISH LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS FAIL TO A WHO FAILED TO UPHOLD GEORGIA LAW.

THE COURT REJECTED THE IDEA SAYING IT DID NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PERFORM THOSE DUTIES SO THE BILL WAS IN THE SENATE AGAIN WITH REQUIREMENT.

>> ALTHOUGH LEGISLATION DOES, THE BILL IS LINE 14 IT TAKES OUT THE STANDARDS AND RULES THAT SHALL BE AFFECTED UPON THE REVIEW OF ADOPTIONS WITHIN THE COURT WHICH ALLOWS THE PROSECUTING --THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S QUALIFICATION COMMISSION TO WORK ALONG WITH PACK TO MAKE THOSE RULES.

>> THAT WOULD OPPOSE THE CREATION OF THE COMMISSION SAYING IT'S A WAY TO PUNISH THE DA WHOSE POLICIES DON'T ALIGN WITH REPUBLICANS.

>> THE BILL FROM LAST YEAR THOSE WERE TRYING TO CLEAN IT UP OUR LAWMAKERS, REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO ARE TRYING TO THEIR PARTICULAR COMMUNITIES NOT REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS WITHIN THE BUILDING.

WHO APPARENTLY ARE DISSATISFIED WITH SOME OF THE DECISIONS THAT THEY'VE MADE.

>> LIKE LAST YEAR'S BILL THIS PAST ALONG PARTY LINES.

29 TO 22.

THE SENATE TOOK UP THE BILL WHICH WOULD CREATE A FIVE-DAY TAX DEDUCTION ON FIREARMS, AMMUNITIONS, GUN SAFES AS WELL AS RELATED ITEMS.

>> THE SECOND AMENDMENTS FOR TAX HOLIDAYS ARE INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE HUNTING, CONSERVATION AND TOURISM IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> THIS BILL EXPLICITLY VALUES SELLING GUNS, AMMUNITION AND GUN SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR FIVE DAYS ONCE A YEAR.

MEANWHILE WE NEED GUN SAFETY YEAR-ROUND.

>> OTHERS POINTED OUT THE HYPOCRISY CITING A TAX DEDUCTION WITH ITEMS BENEFITS.

THAT IS EXEMPTIONS EASING THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF RAISING CHILDREN.

ESSENTIALS LIKE BABY FORMULA AND DIAPERS.

LET'S NOT FORGET THE BILL TO ELIMINATE THE DISCRIMINATORY SALES TAX ON PRODUCT FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS.

WE NEED TO CONSIDER WHERE OUR PRIORITIES LIE TO EASE THE STRUGGLES OF EVERYDAY GEORGIA RESIDENTS.

TAKING ACTION FOR SALES TAX HOLIDAYS ON GUNS.

>> THE BILL WAS PASSED 30-22.

ANOTHER BILL SB 189 WAS ALSO PASSED ON THE FLOOR WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE THE QR CODE ON PALLETS AND LEAD TO PRINTED CHOICES INSTEAD.

>> THE VOTER COULD ACTUALLY READ WHO THEY VOTED FOR OR HOW THEY VOTED.

NO QR CODES OR BARCODES.

NO MARKS THAT ARE NON-READABLE.

THIS DOES A COUPLE OF THINGS.

CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR VOTE WAS ACCURATELY RECORDED.

THIS ENSURES WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR BALLOT THAT YOU CAN SEE HOW IT WAS MARKED.

>> DESPITE THE DEMOCRAT OBJECTS INCLUDING THE COST TO IMPLEMENT THIS NEW BALLOT READING SYSTEM THE BILL WAS PASSED, 31-22.

>>> LAWMAKERS APPROVED THE BILLS THAT EXPAND THE NUMBER OF CRIMES THAT REQUIRE A CASH BOND INCLUDING MORE MISDEMEANORS.

SENATE BILL 63 LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF TIMES YOU COULD BAIL SOMEONE OUT OF JAIL TO THREE PER YEAR.

THIS IS TAKING AIM AT LOW- INCOME GEORGIANS ACCORDING TO SOME REPRESENTATIVES.

>> SB-63 PICKS ON THE POOR.

PLEASE VOTE NO, THANK YOU.

>> IT AFFECTS CHURCHES AND OTHER NONPROFITS WHICH >> GO TO SECTION 4, LINE 192, NO MORE THAN THREE CASH BONDS MAY BE POSTED BY ANY INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATION, ORGANIZATION, CHARITY, NONPROFIT CORPORATION, OR APPROVED IN ANY JURISDICTION.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME, THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY CRIMINALIZE CHURCHES, THOSE WHO RAISE MONEY TO GET THEIR MEMBERS OUT OF JAIL.

>> SUPPORTERS SAY THE MEASURE REAFFIRMS DIRECTORS COMMISSION TO THE LAW.

>> THIS LEGISLATION IS ABOUT ADDRESSING REPEAT OFFENDERS AND RESPECTING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

WE'VE HEARD FROM COUNTLESS OFFICERS WHO GO OUT EVERY DAY TO DO THEIR JOB AND ARREST CRIMINALS.

WHEN THEY GET INTO JAIL THEY ARE TAKEN RIGHT OUT.

>> THE BILL PASSED, 97-69.

IT NOW ADVANCES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>>> CANCER SURVIVORS AND ONCOLOGISTS ACROSS THE STATE ADVOCATED FOR EXPANSION TO MEDICAID.

>> GEORGIANS WHO COULD AFFORD AND FOLLOW- UPS LIVE LONGER THAN THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE CARE.

GEORGIANS FIGHTING CANCER SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN LIFESAVING MEDICAL CARE AND PAYING THE RENT.

GEORGE THE GEORGIA LAWMAKERS ARE DISCUSSING THIS.

>> THEY WILL COME BACK WHERE THEY WILL HEAR THE GEORGIA SUPREME COURT JUSTICES DELIVER THEIR STATE OF THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS.

THAT IS ALL FOR MY CAPITAL REPORT.

DONNA LOWRY BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SARAH KALLIS FOR THAT REPORT.

>>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOOK TIME OFF YESTERDAY TO SAY GOODBYE TO A FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE.

>> LEADERS AS WELL AS A LARGE CONTINGENT OF LEGISLATORS JOINED FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT A SERVICE MONDAY TO HONOR THE LATE STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND HOUSE RULE CHAIRMAN RICHARD SMITH.

HE PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK DUE TO COMPLICATIONS WITH THE FLU.

THE SERVICE WAS HELD AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN COLUMBUS WERE SMITH AND HIS FAMILY ATTENDED.

EVERY PERSON WHO SPOKE ABOUT SMITH WAS SERVED IN THE STATEHOUSE THE LAST 20 YEARS AND AS A COUNCILMAN BEFORE THAT USED THE SAME TERM.

>> MY FAMILY DOES NOT USE THIS PHRASE VERY OFTEN, THAT'S SAYING SOMEONE WAS A GOOD MAN.

I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT RICHARD SMITH WHO WAS A GOOD- GOOD MAN.

HE WAS A MAN OF THE PEOPLE.

HE CARED ABOUT EVERYONE THAT CAME BEFORE HIM AND EVERYONE THAT HE MET.

HIS LIFE AND HIS LEGACY IS EVIDENT.

THE TURNOUT HERE TODAY IS EVIDENT.

>> I AM BRIAN KEMP, RICHARD SMITH WAS MY FRIEND.

>> GOVERNOR KEMP WHO SHARED A 20 YEAR FRIENDSHIP WITH SMITH JOKED THAT THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE PERSON WHO THE VETERAN POLITICIAN LIKED BETTER THAN HIMSELF.

>> IF THERE WAS ONE THING RICHARD LIKED MORE THAN ME, THAT WAS MARTY KEMP .

HE HAPPILY TOLD ANYONE WHO HE WAS NEAR, ANYONE OF MARTY'S BILLS WHO CAME BEFORE HIS RULING COMMITTEE WOULD QUICKLY BE PASSED AND SENT TO THE FULL CHAMBER FOR CONSIDERATION.

HE DIDN'T DO THIS WITH MY LEGISLATION BY THE WAY.

>> THEY SPOKE AT THE PULPIT AND AGREED THAT HE WAS A STRAIGHT SHOOTER WHO TOLD IT LIKE IT WAS.

UNIVERSALLY THEY ALL SAID WHEN HE CALLED YOU A FRIEND THAT HE WAS A FRIEND FOR LIFE.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHARE THE STORY OF ONE OF THEIR FIRST MEETINGS WHEN JONES, A BRAND- NEW LEGISLATOR WENT TO SMITH FOR ADVICE ON A BILL THAT HE WAS TRYING TO GET PAST.

>> IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A 10 MINUTE MEETING BUT TURNED INTO AN HOUR WITH CONVERSATION AND WHEN WE GOT DONE I WAS WALKING OUT THE DOOR AND I SAID, BY THE WAY, WHAT ABOUT WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT BEING HERE FOR?

THE BILL THAT I HAD AND HE SIMPLY SAID, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE I'VE GOT IT TAKEN CARE OF.

I JUST WANTED TO SIZE YOU UP REAL QUICK.

YOU KNOW?

EVER SINCE THEN, HE WAS SOMEBODY I COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON FOR ADVICE OR GUIDANCE.

I COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON HIM AS SOMEONE WHO WOULD ALWAYS BE LOYAL, FIERCELY LOYAL TO HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> RICHARD HERBERT SMITH WAS LAID TO REST AT PARK HILL CEMETERY IN COLUMBUS.

>> CHAIRMAN RICHARD SMITH CERTAINLY LEFT A MARK ON GEORGIA IN HIS 20 YEARS SERVING THE STATE.

LAWMAKERS UNDER THE GOLD DOME ARE LEAVING A LEGACY EVERY SESSION.

JOINING US NOW IS A LAWMAKER LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION WITH THE BILLS THAT SHE WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS AGAIN WE LIKE HAVING YOU HERE.

LET ME BEGIN WITH THIS, THE EMERGENCY ROOM PEDIATRIC PHYSICIANS WROTE AND OPEN LETTER TO LAWMAKERS DESCRIBING THEIR ALARM OVER THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN THE SCENE WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

LET'S BEGIN WITH A COUPLE OF BILLS INVOLVING THE GUNS, YOU'RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.

ONE DEALS WITH SAFETY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.

>> THANK YOU, THE LETTER FROM THE PEDIATRICIANS SHOWS HOW IMPORTANT OF AN ISSUE THIS IS.

NOT ONLY JUST TO THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY BUT THE FAMILIES AT LARGE IN GEORGIA.

THE KIND OF LEGISLATION WE ARE ADVANCING IN THE ISSUES PEDIATRICIANS ARE TAKING ON IS IN RESPONSE TO THIS LATEST SET OF DATA SHOWING GUN VIOLENCE IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT'S A SHOCKING STATISTIC BUT IT FORCES US TO ACT, RIGHT?

ESPECIALLY AS LAWMAKERS, THIS IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN SO WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY AND POWER?

>> YOU'VE GOT HOUSE BILL 161.

>> CORRECT, THIS IS A BILL WE DROPPED LAST SESSION.

IT WAS HEARD IN THE HOUSE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE WHICH IN ITSELF WAS HISTORIC.

I'M TOLD BY SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES IT'S THE FIRST PIECE OF GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION THAT'S BEEN HEARD AND AT LEAST SIX YEARS WHICH IS A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO PRIORITIZE THE ISSUE.

THEY TOLD REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE AND WE NEED TO ACT ON IT.

>> SO THIS IS A BILL WE WILL CONTINUE TO CHAMPION MOVING THROUGH THE SESSION.

THE GOAL IS QUITE MODEST.

WE WOULD LIKE THE BILL, THE PEDIATRIC HEALTH BILL TO BE REASSIGNED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE WHERE I THINK THAT THIS COULD BE FAIRLY HEARD AND VOTED IN.

>> THERE'S ALSO A PARTNER BILL.

HB 855.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> A BILL I PRE-FILED IN THE SPECIAL SESSION.

A COMPANION PIECE TO HB 161.

IT SEEKS TO OFFER A TAX CREDIT FOR PURCHASE OF SAFE STORAGE.

IT PRIORITIZES SAFE STORAGE AND INCENTIVIZES RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP BEHAVIOR.

IT DOES NOT PUNISH ORBAN BUT OFFERS A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE FOR THE PEOPLE LOOKING TO PURCHASE FOR EXAMPLE A GUN SAFE.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, A BILL THAT NEARLY EVERY REPUBLICAN SENATOR IS SPONSORING.

SENATE BILL 344 MAKING THE GUNS SAFE AND GUN SAFE.

ACCESSORIES AMMUNITION AND FREE FOR A FEW DAYS.

HERE'S WHAT SENATOR JASON TOLD US AFTER THE VOTE.

>> WITH THIS BILL IS DOING IS PROMOTING CONSERVATION.

DOING THIS, WE CAN HAVE A SALES TAX BREAK ON THESE ITEMS, IT'S FOR HUNTING SEASON ON OCTOBER.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> AFTER WE PREFILED THE BILL, THE TAX CREDIT BILL FOR SAFE GEORGIA EQUIPMENT WAS ENDORSED BY AN ACTIVE PRO-GUN GROUP IN GEORGIA.

AT THAT POINT WE HAD A LOT OF ATTENTION ON THE BILL BECAUSE OF IT GAVE COVER FOR WORKING ON SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY SO WHEN I SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WITH A NUMBER OF BILLS WITH VARIANCE ON THIS ISSUE, I'M GRATIFIED THAT REPUBLICANS ARE COMING TO THE AGREEMENT THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY.

PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM THE SCORCH OF GUN VIOLENCE WHICH IS WITH THE VARIOUS BILLS IN DIFFERENT AFFECT, A GUN BILL LIKE THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED TODAY, THAT ALLOWS MORE GUNS TO BE PURCHASED, THE PURCHASE OF STATES SAFE STORAGE EQUIPMENT THIS COULD BE THE MARK OF THE GOAL OF SAFE STORAGE LEGISLATION WHICH IS TO INCREASE THE PURCHASE OF SAFE STORAGE SO THAT THEY DON'T NEED MORE GUN VIOLENCE.

I APPRECIATE THE FACT WE CAN'T AGREE THAT SAFE STORAGE IS A PRIORITY.

THIS IS HOW WE GO ABOUT THAT.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR BILL IS , DO YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THESE BILLS AT THIS POINT?

YOU HAD THE SUBCOMMITTEE LOOK AT THIS LAST YEAR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I CONTINUE TO BE HOPEFUL THAT WE COULD GET IT REASSIGNED TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

IT'S THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE TO BE HEARD BECAUSE IT WAS BASED OFF OF CDC DATA AND IN TERMS OF THE TAX CREDIT BILL BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY VARIANCE ON THE BILL, I'D BE HAPPY TO SUPPORT MANY OF THEM INCLUDING THE VARIANT OF THAT IS HB 971, WHAT WE HEARD ON THE HOUSE SIDE TODAY WHICH IS VERY SIMILAR TO OUR BILL.

TO GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, REALLY.

THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BILL WITH OUR NAME ON IT BUT IT HAS TO HAVE THE INTENT AND GOALS THAT WE LOOK TO CHAMPION.

>> OKAY SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THAT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON OUR SHOW.

>>> LAWMAKERS HERE ARE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION AND SPORTS BETTING.

THAT DISCUSSION IS AHEAD.

STAY WITH US.

>> LAWMAKERS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

THIS IS OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER $74 BILLION IN OUT PORT OF GEORGE'S COMPANY.

THEY WORKED TO REPRESENT STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YOUR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS I AM DONNA LOWRY.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION, SPORTS BETTING AND MORE.

JOINING US IS OUR --.

OUR DEMOCRATIC SENATOR FROM ATLANTA.

THE COMMITTEES WHICH INCLUDE CHILDREN AND FAMILY AND STATE AND LOCAL OPERATIONS.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

CHAIRMAN I WILL START WITH THIS, LAST WEEK THE GEORGIA SENATE PASSED A MEASURE TO ALLOW SPORTS BETTING UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE GEORGIA LOTTERY.

YOU ADDED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> THE ISSUE HAS BEEN BEFORE US OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

I'VE ALWAYS INTENDED THAT THIS REQUIRES A CONSTITUTIONAL NUMBER.

WHEN IT WAS THE LOTTERY AND 90 10 90 TO THE PROBLEMS WOULD BE NO FURTHER EXPANSION OF GAMBLING WITHOUT A CONSTITUTIONAL MEMBER.

THE LOTTERY AMENDMENT INCLUDED LINES THAT PROHIBITED OTHER FORMS OF GAMBLING.

SPORTS BETTING AT THE TIME WAS ILLEGAL NATIONWIDE BY FEDERAL LAW SO THERE WAS NO WAY THAT ANYONE WOULD HAVE REASONABLY BELIEVED THE LOTTERY COULD HAVE HOSTED SPORTS BETTING AS A LOTTERY GAME.

I FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO HAVE THE PEOPLE HAVE A SAY IN.

IF WE WILL MAKE THIS BIG OF A POLICY CHANGE WE NEED TO OBEY THE CONSTITUTION AND AMENDED PROPERLY WITH TWO THIRDS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

I INSISTED THAT BE INCLUDED IN THE BILL.

WE PASSED ONE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

I KNOW THAT IT COULD BE DONE.

>> THIS WAS A SURPRISE TO SOME PEOPLE THAT YOU ADDED THAT.

IT WOULD GO OVER TO THE HOUSE.

YOU WOULD VOTE HOW ON THAT PARTICULAR BILL?

>> I VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THAT.

>> TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> SPORTS BETTING IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHETHER IT'S REGULATED OR LEGAL IN GEORGIA OR NOT.

FOR ME, IN ORDER FOR GEORGIA TO JOIN THE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE REGULATED THE INDUSTRY AND ARE GETTING REVENUE FOR IT, WE HAVE MANY NEEDS IN OUR STATE.

ESPECIALLY AROUND EDUCATION.

I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS LATER BUT THOSE NEEDS HAVE TO BE FUNDED.

THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO FUND THE GAPS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN EDUCATION.

>> AND GOING FOR THE AMENDMENT IS GOOD AS FAR AS YOU'RE CONCERNED?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT US FOR US TO REGULATE THE INDUSTRY AND BRING IT TO LIGHT AND TO GET THE RIGHT REVENUE FROM IT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE OF YOUR EDUCATION BILLS, YOU SERVED AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD IN ATLANTA AND HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN EDUCATION FOR A WHILE.

AMONG THE EDUCATION BILLS A BIPARTISAN BILL WOULD CREATE THE SENATE EXPANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, TELL US ABOUT THIS.

>> WHAT WE'VE LEARNED ABOUT EDUCATION WHICH IS UNSURPRISING IS THAT THE EARLIER START, THE MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT YOU ARE WITH SPENDING YOUR MONEY.

HEARING A PRESENTATION FROM A STATE ECONOMIST TALKING ABOUT HOW EXPENSIVE EDUCATION IS IN OUR STATE, HE WAS WONDERING HOW TO MAKE IT LESS EXPENSIVE.

MY IMMEDIATE THOUGHT WAS YOU BEGIN SOONER BECAUSE OUR CURRENT SYSTEM IS SET UP TO TRY TO PLAY CATCH-UP OR REMEDIATE THIS.

BY THIRD GRADE 60% OF OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT READING AT GRADE LEVEL.

THE EARLIER YOU START, STARTING PRE-K OR WITH THREE-YEAR-OLDS OR AT FIRST WITH LITERACY, THIS COULD REALLY HAVE OUR THIRD- GRADERS READING AT GRADE LEVEL SO FOR ME THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO STUDY HOW WE COULD EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES NOT ONLY TO FULLY FUND PRE-K BUT EXPANDED FOR OUR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE NEWBORNS, 1 TO 2- YEAR-OLDS .

>> THEY SAY THAT THEY COULD READ EARLY.

>> THEY CAN.

>> I KNOW THAT LITERACY IS A BIG GOAL FOR THE CAUCUS AND THIS FALLS UNDER THAT DOESN'T IT?

>> IT DOES.

IT'S ONE OF THE MANY ATTEMPTS WE ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE EDUCATION WITHIN THE STATE.

ANOTHER THING ABOUT SPORTS BETTING, THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRE-K PROGRAMS.

ONE OF THE OTHER PROCEEDS OR USES OF THE MONEY IS TIME TO TREAT AND CURE THAT.

WE NEED TO SET ASIDE THE RESOURCES TO TAKE CARE OF THIS.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS THE ONLY METHOD YOU COULD DEDICATE FUNDING WITH THAT.

WE WANTED TO GO TO THE KIDS AND PREVENT ANY PROBLEMS THAT COULD BE CREATED.

>> DEDICATED FUNDING, THAT'S ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES, THE AMENDMENT ALLOWS THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

TRYING TO BOLSTER THE HOPE AND PRE-K PROGRAMS WITH REVENUES.

>> I WANT TO GET INTO ANOTHER AREA THAT YOU ARE BOTH ON THE THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS.

TELL ME WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT OR THE AUDIENCE.

>> EVERYONE'S HEARD ABOUT THE WIDELY PUBLICIZED ISSUES HERE POSSIBLE IMPROPER RELATIONSHIPS IN THE MISUSE OF FEDERAL FUNDING AND STATE FUNDING.

THERE'S A LOT OF TROUBLING ALLEGATIONS.

OUR MISSION IS TO INVESTIGATE AND FIND OUT WHAT THE FACTS ARE.

I SPOKE TO SENATOR ESTEVEZ.

WE WILL INVESTIGATE AND LOOK FOR THE TRUTH.

WE WILL SEE WHERE THIS LEADS US.

I THINK THAT EVERYONE IS NOTICING NOW THERE'S A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AND A FEAR THAT THIS IS NOT FAIR TO THOSE INVOLVED AND THAT IS UNDERMINING OUR SOCIETY SO WE WILL LOOK AND SEE IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS OR CHANGES WE COULD MAKE TO THE LAW TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.

MAYBE WE LOOK AT THE SPECIAL ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR PROCESS AND LOOK AT THE FUNDING PROCESS.

WHAT TYPE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE PREVENTED?

WE AREN'T TRYING TO TARGET ANYONE OR REMOVE THEM FROM OFFICE.

WE ARE TRYING TO INTERFERE WITH ANYONE'S PROSECUTIONS, THAT'S NOT THE ROLE OF THE SENATE BUT TO INVESTIGATE THESE TROUBLING ALLEGATIONS AND SEE IF THERE'S TRUTH TO THEM AND WHAT WE COULD DO TO SOLVE THEM.

>> WHAT KIND OF POWERS DOES THE COMMITTEE HAVE?

>> WE WILL HAVE THE POWER TO SUBPOENA THE WITNESSES.

WITH INFORMATION TO ASK PEOPLE TO COME TESTIFY WITH ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK TO GET OUR RULES TOGETHER FOR THE COMMITTEE AND THIS IS BIPARTISAN.

THE SENATOR IS ON THE COMMITTEE.

HAROLD JONES USED TO BE A IS ALSO ON THEIR SO WE WILL GET A BUY IN FROM BOTH PARTIES.

I'VE ASSURED EVERYBODY THIS WILL BE FAIR.

WE WILL BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AND IT'S NOT ANY KIND OF PRECONCEIVED WITCHHUNT.

>> SENATOR ESTEVEZ YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I INITIALLY VOTED AGAINST THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE I FELT THERE WERE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO VOTE OUR TIME FOCUS OUR TIME ON BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR DEMOCRATS TO BE PART OF THE COMMITTEE NOT ONLY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S FAIR BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING OUR JOB AND I WAS HEARTENED BY WHO WAS APPOINTED AND HAVE CONFIDENCE AND THOSE WHO WERE APPOINTED BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I'LL DO MY PART TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS A FAIR PROCESS ESPECIALLY FOR THE FULTON COUNTY TAXPAYER THAT WE SEE THIS THROUGH.

>> YOU SPOKE AGAINST THIS ON THE FLOOR I BELIEVE BUT THIS ENDED UP ON THE COMMITTEE.

>> BINGO.

>> FUNNY HOW THESE THINGS WORK.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT.

WITH THE STATE OF THE JUDICIARY ANY THOUGHTS ON WHERE YOU THINK WE ARE OR WHERE DO YOU THINK THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS?

>> ALL SAY I'VE DONE A LOT OF TRIAL WORK ON THE CIVIL SIDE.

AND I WAS PICKING A JURY IN THE COUNTY AND I ASKED A QUESTION, IS THERE ANY REASON ANY OF YOU WOULDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THE JURY?

ONE GUY WENT OFF AND SAID I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

I'VE LOST TOTAL FAITH, IT'S A RIGGED SYSTEM AND HE WENT ON AND ON.

OBVIOUSLY HE WASN'T PICKED ON THE JURY BUT WE HAD TO RESTORE THE CONFIDENCE IN OUR PUBLIC AND IN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND WHAT THE JUSTICE WILL SAY TOMORROW.

HE'S A WONDERFUL PERSON AND A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE BUT I AM INTERESTED TO HEAR IF THE COURTS ARE HEARING THAT ALL OVER THE STATE OR WHAT IS THEIR EXPERIENCE.

>> IS THERE ANY ISSUE THAT YOU SEE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING TO SEE WHAT JUSTICE BOGGS HAS TO SAY.

IF HE'S GOT ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS.

WE WILL ALSO BE LOOKING AT THE LEGAL PARAMETERS ON THE SYSTEM.

TYPICALLY CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS AND WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS IF WE COULD FIND THEM.

>> WE WILL GIVE YOU THE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> OUR INSTITUTIONS BY THOSE WHO ARE CALLING INTO QUESTION INSTITUTIONS AND VALUES THAT WE HOLD NEAR AND DEAR AS A COUNTRY FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

IT'S ON US TO MAKE SURE THAT WHILE WE WANT TO HOLD EACH OTHER IN THESE INSTITUTIONS ACCOUNTABLE THAT WE DON'T SET OFF THIS SENSE OF HYSTERIA WERE SUDDENLY EVERYTHING FEEDS INTO THE CONSPIRACY THEORY.

MY CONCERN IS THAT SOME OF THE LEGISLATION WE'VE TAKEN UP IN THE SENATE AND IN THE LEGISLATURE GENERALLY, FEEDING INTO THOSE CONSPIRACY THEORIES.

>> WE WILL WAIT TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW.

I THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING HERE AND WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BILL AND THE COMMITTEE.

THAT DOES IT FOR LAWMAKERS TONIGHT.

TOMORROW IS GEORGE'S CHIEF JUSTICE MICHAEL BOGGS WILL GIVE THE JUDICIARY ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON WHAT HE SAID AS WELL AS REACTION.

GOOD NIGHT.