Lawmakers
Lawmakers Day (17) 02/08/24
Season 54 Episode 16 | 30mVideo has Closed Captions
On Day 17, legislators debate Mulberry cityhood and future union formation.
The House unanimously passed a series of tax reform bills this morning that will lower Georgia’s income tax rate and increase the homestead exemption and child tax deduction. Representatives were divided over SB 333, a bill proposing a new city of Mulberry in Gwinnett County. In the Senate, debate over SB 362, linking a new business’s future tax exemptions to how their employees can unionize.
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Lawmakers is a local public television program presented by GPB
Lawmakers
Lawmakers Day (17) 02/08/24
Season 54 Episode 16 | 30mVideo has Closed Captions
The House unanimously passed a series of tax reform bills this morning that will lower Georgia’s income tax rate and increase the homestead exemption and child tax deduction. Representatives were divided over SB 333, a bill proposing a new city of Mulberry in Gwinnett County. In the Senate, debate over SB 362, linking a new business’s future tax exemptions to how their employees can unionize.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> HERE WE ARE, CONTEMPLATING A BILL NOT ONLY CONTRADICT FEDERAL LAW BUT ALSO GUARANTEED THEY A LAWSUIT THAT WILL POTENTIALLY CAUSE US HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IF NOT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LEGAL FEES.
WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?
AT A TIME WHEN OUR GOVERNOR WANTS A VIRUS RECESSION, WHY ARE WE CHOOSING TO ENGAGE IN LEGAL BATTLE WE KNOW WE CANNOT WIN.
SENATE BILL 362 IS NOT JUST AN AFFRONT TO WORKERS RIGHTS.
IT'S A GAMBLE WITH OUR STATE ECONOMIC STABILITY AND REPUTATION.
>>> PERCENTS HER ARGUMENT DURING THE CONTENTIOUS DEBATE OVER AND BUILD THE DEMOCRATS A POTENTIALLY LIMITS THE WAY YOU USE THE FORM OF BUSINESSES THAT ACCEPTS ESTATE TAX EXEMPTIONS.
I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.
WE HELP OUT RUN DOWN TODAY IN A MOMENT.
THE SENATE APPROVED THE SPORTS BETTING BILL THAT ALLOWS VOTERS TO DECIDE ON THE ISSUES.
ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, TO REPUBLICAN SENATORS THAT WILL TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATION AND WHY THEY THINK IT'S GOOD FOR THE STATE.
ALSO, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS TODAY ON FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S CHALLENGE OF A COLORADO RULING IS QUALIFYING HIM FROM THE BALLOT IN GEORGIA, DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS FILED SIMILAR LEGISLATION THIS WEEK TO DO THE SAME THING HERE.
IT'S A LONG SHOT GIVEN THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BUT TWO OF THE SPONSORS JOIN US IN THE STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT IT.
FIRST, A ROUND UP OF THE DAY UNDER THE GOLD DOME FROM CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, SARAH KALLIS.
>>> HI, DONNA.
LAWMAKERS DEBATED SEVERAL BILLS IN BOTH CHAMBERS TODAY AND AGREED ON TAX REFORM BILL.
THE HOUSE PASSED A SERIES OF BILLS DEALING WITH TAX REFORM DAY INCLUDING INCOME TAX CUT.
THEY APPROVED 1015 WHICH REDUCES GEORGE'S INCOME TAX FROM 5.49 TO 5.39%.
THEY ALSO OKAYED THE BILL THAT DOUBLES GEORGE'S HOME SET EXEMPTION FROM TO - AND ANOTHER BILL THAT INCREASES THE DEDUCTION FROM $3000 TO $4000.
A BILL SEEKING TO CREATE A NEW CITY AND WHEN IT CALLED MULBERRY SET THE BUILD 333 WILL ALLOW VOTERS IN UNINCORPORATED GWINNETT COUNTY TO FORM A NEW CITY OF MULBERRY.
>> IT WAS NOT PARTISAN AT ALL.
IT WAS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT RESIDENTS CRYING OUT SAYING, WE NEED LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT WILL LISTEN TO US.
WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE BEING HEARD WHERE WE CAN GET RESPONSIVENESS.
IT WAS NONPARTISAN.
>> Reporter: NOT EVERYONE SUPPORTED THE MEASURE.
SEVERAL DEMOCRATS REPRESENTING GWINNETT SPOKE IN OPPOSITION OF SB 333.
THEY SAID THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A NEW CITY HAS BUT HAS NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY EXPLORED.
>> I DO BELIEVE THAT BY HEARING THE VOICES OF GWINNETT COUNTY, YOU UNDERSTAND THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
SO WE SHOULD TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO SOME OF THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO SPENT YEARS IN SEVERAL MEETINGS AND PLANNING ON THE DIRECTION ON HOW WE GROW AND HOW WE SUSTAIN THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO OUR CITIZENS.
>> Reporter: THE BILL ENDED UP PASSING, 101-63.
ANOTHER CONTENTIOUS DEBATE, THIS TIME, IN THE SENATE.
AS THE SC 362, AT STAKE, WHAT ARE THE STATE IN CONTROL HOW BUSINESSES WILL NEGOTIATE STATE TAX INCENTIVE DEALS THAT ALLOW LABOR UNIONS TO FORM.
THE BILL WHICH WOULD NOT AFFECT ANY DEALS THE STATE NEGOTIATED UNTIL AFTER MY FIRST, 2025 WOULD REQUIRE BUSINESS KEEP EMPLOYEE INFORMATION PRIVATE AND ONLY ALLOW UNION VOTE BY SECRET BALLOT.
>> IT DOES NOT PROHIBIT COMPANY'S EMPLOYEES FROM UNIONIZING OR REQUIRE EMPLOYER TO OPPOSE UNIONIZATION EFFORTS IN ANY ACTION.
EMPLOYERS ARE FREE TO AGREE TO HOLD UNION ELECTIONS, HOWEVER, EMPLOYERS ONLY LOSE ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE INCENTIVES IF THEY DECIDE TO SKIP SECRET BALLOT ELECTIONS WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE OR IF THEY CHOOSE TO DISSEMINATE EMPLOYEE PERSONAL INFORMATION WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.
>> THEY DID NOT TREAT THIS BILL, THERE'S NOTHING TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER TO OPPOSE UNIONIZATION EFFORT AND ANY ACTION BEFORE THE NLRB OR REQUIRED EMPLOYER TO CAMPAIGN AGAINST ANY SORT OF UNIONIZATION.
>> THAT IS TRUE SENATOR.
>> DEMOCRATS SAY THIS IS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO KEEP UNIONS FROM FORMING.
AND TO VIOLATE FEDERAL LABOR LAWS.
>> WHAT THE BILL SAYS IS THAT IT KNOWS BETTER THAN THE OLD SCHOOL FRAMEWORK.
WE NEED TO PUT OUR THUMB IN THE SCALE AND INCENTIVES IN LAW AND STATE LAW IS GOING TO PUSH THE THUMB DOWN AND SAY, EMPLOYERS, YOU BETTER THINK TWICE POST EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT ABOUT USING VOLUNTARY RECOGNITION AND INSTEAD WE WILL FUNNEL YOU THROUGH THE MOST PAINFUL SECRET BALLOT PROCESS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AWAY ONE OF THE TWO OPTIONS FOR ORGANIZATION THAT SERVED THIS COUNTRY WELL SINCE 1935.
THAT'S ILLEGAL.
IT WILL BE LITIGATED.
THE UNFORTUNATE TRUTH, IS THAT THIS BILL CONTINUES THE TRENDS THAT WE HAVE SEEN OF THE MAJORITY PRIORITIZING BIG BUSINESS OVER THE INTEREST OF EVERY DAY HARD-WORKING GEORGIANS.
>> Reporter: AFTER THREE HOURS OF DEBATE, THE BILL PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES.
WHICH REPUBLICAN SENATOR COLTON MOORE VOTED WITH THE DEMOCRATS.
31-23.
THE CARTER CENTER HOSTED THE FIRST ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH PARITY DAY AT THE CAPITOL.
YEAR-LONG CAMPAIGN TO SPREAD AWARENESS AND IMPLEMENT THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY LAW.
>> FOR THE CAMPAIGN, 40% OF WOMEN CITED INSURANCE AS A BARRIER TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE AFTER THE CAMPAIGN, ONLY 10% SAID INSURANCE WAS A BARRIER.
THIS WAS A 75% DROP.
>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS SAY IT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP BUT MORE MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION IS STILL NEEDED.
LAWMAKERS WILL COME IN TOMORROW A SENATE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING FULTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FUNNY WILLIS IS EXPECTED TO FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THAT'S ALL FROM MY CAPITOL REPORT, DONNA, BACK TO YOU.
>>> THANK YOU FOR THAT WRAPUP.
ONCE AGAIN, IT LOOKS LIKE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS HEADED TOWARD APPROVING A BILL TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING.
THE SENATE PASSED THE MASTER LAST WEEK BUT THERE'S STILL A LONG ROAD TO THE POSSIBILITY FOR GAMBLING IN GEORGIA.
TONIGHT, TO PROPONENTS JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT IT, REPUBLICAN SENATOR CLINT DESK DIXON OF, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE HATCHETT OF CORDELIA.
HE IS VICE CHAIR OF THAT SAME COMMITTEE, THE SENATE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMUNITY, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED, SENATOR DIXON, YOU ARE THE SPONSOR IN THE SENATE ON THE CITY OF MULBERRY BILL AND WE JUST HEARD WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HOUSE FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT IT, TELL US WHY YOU SPONSORED THAT BILL?
>> IT'S SIMPLE, MORE LOCAL CONTROL FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA OF MULBERRY.
HEAD OF THE STRONG OUTCRY FROM THE CITIZENS, THEY FELT UNDERREPRESENTED AND WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS THEY HAD A COMMISSIONER IN THE AREA THAT TOOK A STANCE OF 13,000 APARTMENTS IN THAT DISTRICT.
THERE'S A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES MAINLY DEALING WITH TRAFFIC AND EACH OF THE STANDS TO DENY THOSE HIGH DENSITY BUILDING RESIDENTIAL ZONING AND QUITE FRANKLY, HE WAS GETTING OUTVOTED IN HIS OWN DISTRICT BY COMMISSIONERS THAT DON'T REPRESENT THE AREA.
SO THAT'S WHERE THE OUTCRY AND OPS WELL IN THE RESIDENTS FOR MORE CONTROL CAME FROM.
>> SO THAT IT DID PASS IN THE HOUSE, 101-63, IT IS NOW HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AND THERE'S A NEXT STEP, THAT IS THAT PEOPLE IN THE AREA WILL VOTE.
HOW SOON WILL BE SEATED IN THE BALLOT QUESTION MARK >> ME.
>> SO YOU ARE PRETTY PRETTY CONFIDENT IT IS A CHANCE FOR THEM THAT THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA THEY EXPRESS HOW THEY FEEL WHETHER THEY WANT TO BE IN THE CITY?
>> THERE'S NOTHING MORE AMERICAN THAN ALLOWING OUR CONSTITUENTS TO VOTE THEIR OWN DESTINY AND WHAT THAT'S WE ARE DOING AND ALLOWING THEM TO VOTE AND THEY CHOOSE TO INCORPORATE IN THE CITY OF MULBERRY WOULD COME TO FRUITION.
>> OKAY, LET'S GET IN THE SPORTS BETTING, START WITH YOU, LET'S TALK ABOUT HB 386, EXPLAIN WHY YOU BECAME A COSPONSOR ON THIS?
>> I THINK THE WAY SPORTS BETTING IS HANDLED IN GEORGIA RIGHT NOW, IT'S A PROBLEM.
YOU CANNOT REGULATE IT.
IT'S HAPPENING.
IF SOMEONE FROM OUT IS A COMES IN AND IT'S LEGAL IN THEIR STATE, THEY ARE ABLE TO PLACE BETS AND MONEY GOING TO OTHER STATE AND OFFSHORE ACCOUNTS.
WHAT THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW US TO DO IS PUT SOME GUARDRAILS ON THE SPORTS BETTING PROCESS AND ALSO ALLOW THE STATE TO GENERATE SOME REVENUE, THERE'S PROJECTIONS THERE'S OVER $100 MILLION THAT WE ARE MISSING OUT ON EVERY YEAR ON THAT SECTOR BEING PLACED RIGHT NOW WITHIN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
>> WHAT IS IT, 20% OF THAT TAKE AFTER THE PEOPLE WHO WIN?
RIGHT?
AND THE MONEY, THE MONEY WOULD GO UNDER THE GEORGIA LOTTERY UMBRELLA?
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> TELL US WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU?
>> EDUCATION CHAIRMAN UNDERSTANDING LAST YEAR, WE FULLY FUND HOPE AND SCHOLARSHIP WE MOVED FROM COVERING 80% OF TUITION FOR STUDENTS, UP TO 100% SO THE DEMAND ON THAT PROGRAM IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW ESPECIALLY AS OUR STATE APPELLATION CONTINUES TO GROW AND MORE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO COLLEGE.
AND THEN AS FAR AS PRE-K PORTION OF IT, WE GOT A LONG WAITING LIST FOR KIDS THAT SOMETIMES DON'T EVER GET IN TO THE GEORGIA PRE-K PROGRAM, A LOT OF REASONS OF HAVING THE STAFFING AND ALSO CLASSROOMS.
WE DEFINITELY NEED MORE DOLLARS GOING TO BOTH THE PROGRAMS.
THIS MEASURE WOULD SEND SENATOR HATCHETT SAID, $100 MILLION A YEAR TO HELP THAT.
>> WE KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE, LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO PASS.
LET'S HEAR FROM WHO IS OPPOSED THE MEASURE, MIKE GRIFFIN WITH THE GEORGIA BAPTIST MISSION BOARD.
>> THE USE OF THE PLACEBO OF THE CHILDREN.
AND I REALLY, LEGALIZING AND EXTENDING MORAL VICES HAS ITS GREATEST NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR CHILDREN.
AND I THINK LAST YEAR, THE LOTTERY RAISED, 1.5 BILLION?
OUR STATE?
SO IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE LACKING ANY MONEY.
THE FUND EDUCATION.
AND TO HELP OUR CHILDREN ALREADY.
>> SENATOR HATCHETT, YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT.
>> MY MIKE IT DOES A GREAT JOB ADVOCATING FOR HIS BAPTIST MINISTRY.
HE AND I AGREE WITH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.
I UNDERSTAND HIS ARGUMENT, BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THIS IS, WE ARE REALLY PUTTING GUARDRAILS AROUND THE SPORTS BETTING PROCESS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REGULATED WHICH IS SOMETHING WE CAN'T DO NOW.
I THINK THE MONEY THAT'S BEING SPENT RIGHT NOW IN STATE OF GEORGIA ON SPORTS BETTING THAT IS GOING OUTSIDE THE STATE, IF WE ARE ABLE TO CAPTURE THAT, IT IS GOING TO HELP WITH PRE-K PROGRAMS AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.
IF WE CAN CAPTURE THAT AND AT THE SAME TIME REGULATING AN OUT- OF-CONTROL INDUSTRY IN THE STATE, I THINK IT'S POSITIVE THING FOR GEORGIA.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS THAT SHE IF IT PASSES, THERE ARE LICENSES.
WHEN, THERE ARE EIGHT OTHERS, WHAT ARE THOSE LICENSES?
WHO GETS THEM?
>> TOTAL, THERE ARE 16 LICENSES, ONE GOES TO THE LOTTERY, YOU HAVE WHAT WE CALL SEVEN UNFETTERED, THOSE WOULD GO TO SPORTS BETTING COMPANIES.
THERE ARE SEVERAL PARAMETERS TO QUALIFY THE LICENSE.
THE APPLICATION FEE IS $100,000 AND IF YOU OBTAIN A LICENSE IT'S $1 MILLION A YEAR THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY LICENSING FEES, YOU HAVE TO BE A SPORTS BETTING COMPANY OPERATING AND OTHER STATES AND SEVERAL OTHER SAFE THAT IT'S ABOUT BIBLE COMPANY AND THE OTHER EIGHT LICENSES GO TO A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS.
AND THEN THEY WOULD PARTNER WITH WE CALL THOSE TETHERED LICENSES AND THOSE WILL GO TO THE SPORTS TEAMS AND PARTNER WITH ONE COMPANY TO SEPARATE WHETHER THEY ARE NOT HANDLING THE SPORTS BETTING.
>> SAY THE HOUSE GOES PASSES IT AND THEN THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT, YOU STILL HAVE SOMETHING THAT WAS ADDED AND THAT WAS AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION, SO IT GOES AS A REFERENCE INTO THE VOTERS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT, THE VOTERS WILL GET TO DECIDE.
>> I KNOW THAT'S NOT HOW YOU ORIGINALLY WROTE IT, HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THAT?
>> LIKE I SAID, WITH THE CITY OF MULBERRY, ANYTIME THAT YOU PUT A MEASURE OUT TO THE VOTERS TO VOTE, I THINK IT'S THE MOST AMERICAN WAY YOU COULD EVER CREATE LEGISLATION, ALLOWING FOLKS TO DECIDE THEIR OWN DESTINIES OR THE ISSUES.
IT'S ALWAYS BEST.
IN THIS MEASURE, I DID NOT THINK IT WAS NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE FUNDING GOING TO EDUCATION AND GOING TO LOTTERY.
IT'S REALLY NATIVE, IT'S A BUCKET OF $100 MILLION PLUS EVERY YEAR WE ARE MISSING OUT ON AND WE DON'T HAVE TO RAISE TAXES FOR THAT AND THAT COULD GO AS A NEW REVENUE STREAM TO EDUCATION WHERE IT'S VASTLY NEEDED AND BEING CHAIRMAN OF EDUCATION, THAT'S WHERE MY HEART IS.
>> THERE WILL BE A LOT OF MARKETING IF IT IS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.
TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT ON ALL THIS.
BEFORE WE FORGET, I WANT TO GET TO A BILL YOU HAVE, SB 466, YOU HAVE A BILL THAT FOCUSES ON AI LOOPHOLE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
IT'S BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION FROM THE GENERAL OFFICE.
RIGHT NOW, IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THERE'S A NEW DEFENSE THAT'S BECOMING POPULAR WHEN SOMEONE IS CAUGHT WITH A I GENERATED CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, AND THEY ARE SAYING BECAUSE AI GENERATED, IT'S A DEFENSE TO THE CRIME AND ABLE TO GET OFF AND WHAT WE SEE HERE IS THE COMMON TECHNOLOGY OUTPACING LEGISLATION AND WHEN LEGISLATION WAS ORIGINALLY DRAFTED, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WAS NOT CONTEMPLATED.
AWAY THAT ABILITY TO USE THAT DEFENSE, AN OUTLAW ESSENTIALLY.
SOMETHING THAT'S GOING RIGHT NOW THAT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED.
>> WE WILL HAVE A SHOW NEXT WEEK THAT TALKS ABOUT AI.
THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF LOOPHOLES OUT THERE IN TERMS OF LEGAL MATTERS THAT AI, WE CAN EVEN IMAGINE.
WHAT'S OUT THERE.
SO THIS IS SPECIFIC FOR PORNOGRAPHY AND PEOPLE USING AI AS A DEFENSE.
>> EXPORTATION OF A CHILD.
IT JUST LOOKS LIKE THE CHILD IS NOT ACTUALLY THE CHILD.
AND THAT LOOPHOLE IS BECOMING A PROBLEM.
HOPEFULLY, THIS BILL WILL PASS AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO CLOSE THAT LOOP AND LOOK FOR MORE THAN NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AS WELL.
>> YOU SAID YOU JUST DROP THAT ONE.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT GO INTO COMMITTEE AT.
>> WE DROPPED IT YESTERDAY.
SENATE FOR 66 AND HOPEFULLY WE GET A COMMITTEE HEARING NEXT.
>> WE WILL KEEP UP TO DATE FOR I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU I APPRECIATE IT.
>> COMING UP, DEMOCRAT IT OUT LAWMAKERS DISCUSS THEIR TRYING TO KEEP PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP OFF THE BALLOT.
STAY WITH US.
>>> 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, ADD IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.
FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGE'S STRONG ECONOMY.
THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT REDUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.
GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.
THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.
>>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.
THE U.S. SUPREME COURT FOCUS TODAY ON THE COLORADO CASE IN GEORGIA, DEMOCRATS ALSO WANT TO KEEP FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP OFF THE BALLOT HERE IN GEORGIA.
JOINING ME ARE TO HOUSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE FILED LEGISLATION DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ROGER BRUCE OF ATLANTA, HE IS IN HIS 21st YEAR IN THE HOUSE, WOW.
AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE DEREK JACKSON OF CAROL, A RETIRED MILITARY OFFICER WITH THE U.S. NAVY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE COMING TO THE SHOW.
YOU EACH HAVE LEGISLATION, ONE IS THE RESOLUTION AND ONE IS DESIGNED TO HAVE THE POWER OF LAW.
REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE, TELL US ABOUT YOUR VESSEL RESOLUTION DEALING WITH KEEPING THE FORMER PRESIDENTS NAME OFF THE GEORGIA BALLOT >> THE WHOLE IDEA OF ELECTION IS TO PUT PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED IN THE ROLES.
AND MY BACKGROUND IS HUMAN RESOURCES.
I NEVER INTERVIEWED ANYBODY THAT I THOUGHT WAS UNQUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.
IT WAS KIND OF A WASTE OF TIME.
THAT'S HOW I SEE THIS.
DONALD TRUMP IS VIOLATED ALL PARTS OF THE 14th AMENDMENT.
HE HAS CALLED THE SECRETARY OF STATE HERE IN GEORGIA AND ASKED THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO DO SOMETHING THAT WAS ILLEGAL, TO WIN THE ELECTION.
HE'S JUST NOT QUALIFIED, TO HOLD THAT OFFICE.
SO THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO TAKE HIM OFF THE BALLOT.
>> THE RESOLUTION IS DIFFERENT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER OF THE LAW.
>> IT ASKS THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO BASICALLY DECLARE THAT HE IS NOT QUALIFIED TO HOLD THAT OFFICE AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE BALLOT >> SO HOW IS THE LEGISLATION DIFFERENT QUESTION >> HOUSE BILL 1159, IT GOES TO THE HEART OF SECTION 3 OF THE 14th AMENDMENT, IT IS SIMPLY SAYING THAT IF YOU VIOLATED THE OLD THAT YOU TOOK AND SWORN TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THIS COUNTRY AND YOU'VE OVULATED THAT BECAUSE YOU PARTICIPATED IN INSURRECTION, YOU SHOULD BE DISQUALIFIED FOREVERMORE.
>> SO THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING A LOT NATIONALLY, CERTAINLY, TODAY WITH THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, ORAL ARGUMENTS WITH SOME OF THE STATES TRIED TO DO.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE DISCOVERED, DONNA, WHEN WE ALL RAISED OUR RIGHT HAND AND PUT OUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE, WE ARE TELLING THE PUBLIC THAT WE TAKE THE PLEDGE, NOT TO A PERSON AND NOT TO A PARTY, BUT THAT THE CONSTITUTION AND THE SET OF LAWS WE ARE IN.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 14th AMENDMENT OF SECTION 3, THAT WHY DID THEY DO THAT?
BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE CONFEDERATES WOULD NEVER HAVE POWER TO DO WHAT THEY DID DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
SO THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WOULD NEVER BE ELECTED THAT'S THE REASON WHY SECTION 3 OF THE 14th AMENDMENT WAS RATIFIED AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.
>> YOU TOLD ME EARLIER, I MENTIONED YOUR MILITARY SERVICE, YOU TOOK YOUR OATH WITH THE MILITARY SERIOUSLY.
THAT'S WHY THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO YOU IN TERMS OF THIS?
>> ABSOLUTELY, IS A RETIRED OFFICER, ALL THE OTHER MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE ALSO SUPPORTING AND DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION, THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE HEART OF THE OATH, IT'S THE SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
IT'S REALLY EASY TO DESCRIBE A FOREIGN ENEMY.
BUT WHAT IS A DOMESTIC ENEMY?
THE DOMESTIC ENEMY IS VERY CLEAR IN SECTION 3 OF THE 14th AMENDMENT.
DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT?
>> HE IS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE POSITION, THAT'S WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO.
I ASKED A SIMPLE QUESTION, AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT EARLIER.
YOU PROBABLY TOLD SOMEBODY IN YOUR LIFE THAT WHEN YOU GROW UP, YOU GO TO SCHOOL, YOU STUDY AND WORK HARD, ONE DAY YOU CAN GROW UP TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
I DID NOT WANT MY CHILDREN TO GROW UP LIKE DONALD TRUMP.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MAN IS NOT QUALIFIED AND SHOULD NOT BE ON THE BALLOT IN SHOULD NOT BE VOTING FOR HIM.
>> THIS IS A REPUBLICAN- CONTROLLED STATE THOUGH.
YOU PUT IT OUT THERE, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CHANCES ARE OF IT PASSING OR GETTING ANYWHERE?
>> BOTH BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE RESOLUTION AND MY BILL, WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S GOING TO WORK THROUGH THE LEGISLATION FOR THE REASON THAT YOU MENTIONED.
BUT IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS WHETHER THE REPUBLICANS STAND.
ARE WE GOING TO HIRE SOMEONE WITH 91 FELONIES?
91 FELONIES FOR INDICTMENT AND TWO IMPEACHMENTS.
WOULD ANYBODY HIRE THIS PERSON TO WORK AT THEIR CORPORATION?
THE ANSWER IS, NO.
WHY WOULD WE DO THE SAME THING FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA?
I ENCOURAGE MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO SAY WHERE DO YOU STAND?
DO YOU PROTECT AND DEFEND THIS CONSTITUTION?
ARE WE GOING TO PUT COUNTRY OVER PARTY?
ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE TO PARTY OVER COUNTRY?
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE REPUBLICANS ON HOW THEY STAND ON THE RESOLUTION AND MY BILL.
>> THEY HAVE A CONTROL WHETHER OR NOT IT MAKES IT.
>> I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR, IT IS NOT ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS, FOR ME IT IS PURELY ABOUT DONALD TRUMP, PERIOD.
HE'S NOT QUALIFIED TO HOLD THE POSITION AND THAT'S WHY WE PUT THE LEGISLATION IN.
>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE STANDING ON A PRINCIPAL.
>> I WANT TO MENTION A BIT OF GEORGIA HISTORY ON THIS TOPIC.
IT'S APPROPRIATE BECAUSE BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
GPB IS BLANKENSHIP HAS A EXPENSIVE STORY ABOUT IT THAT YOU CAN READ ON GPB.ORG.
THE FIRST BLACK PERSON THAT SERVED IN THE U.S. CONGRESS FROM GEORGIA WAS JEFFERSON FRANKLIN LONG FROM MEGAN.
HE WAS ELECT DID IN 1870 FIVE YEARS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR ENDED.
WHILE THERE, HE MADE HISTORY AGAIN IN 1871 WHEN HE BECAME THE FIRST BLACK PERSON TO SPEAK ON THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. HOUSE.
HE ARGUED AGAINST THE BILL DESIGNED TO GRANT AMNESTY TO CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
THE LEGISLATION OPPOSED SECTION 3 OF THE 14th AMENDMENT WHICH IS UNDER DEBATE IN THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
HE SAID IN HIS SPEECH, QUOTE I THINK I AM DOING MY DUTY TO MY COUNTRY WHEN I VOTE AGAINST ANY SUCH PROPOSITION.
IN THE END, THE AMNESTY BILL DID PASS.
AGAIN, YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT GRANTS ARTICLE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STORY ON GPB.ORG AND THE TUBMAN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM WHICH IS LOCATED IN MACON.
YOU DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT HISTORY WHEN YOU CAME IN HERE TODAY.
SAME SECTION.
>> SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE CHANNELING HIS SPIRIT.
>> I WANT TO TALK TO SENATOR BRUCE ABOUT ANOTHER BILL YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE LEGISLATION, THE FAIRNESS COMMISSION ACT.
YOU WANT TO CREATE A REPARATIONS TASK FORCE TELL US ABOUT IT.
>> I WANT THE STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO LOOK AT THE EFFECT SLAVERY HAD ON AFRICAN- AMERICANS.
WE OFTEN ARE TOLD THAT PUT YOURSELF BY YOUR BOOTSTRAPS BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE BOOTS TO DO THAT.
THE PLAYING FIELD IS JUST NOT LEVELED.
SO THIS BILL ESTABLISH A COMMISSION THAT WOULD LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF SLAVERY AND DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF REMEDY SHOULD BE PUT IN PLACE.
THEY TOLD US ABOUT THE 40 ACRES AND A MULE BACK IN THE DAY.
I TAKE THE 40 ACRES, I DON'T WANT THE MULE.
BUT THE REALITY IS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE IMPACT IS THEN AND HOW DO WE LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.
IT IS REALLY GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.
NOT JUST GOOD FOR AFRICAN- AMERICANS.
OUR ECONOMY IS BASED ON PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY.
INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER.
AND IF WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS, THE BETTER OUR ECONOMY IS GOING TO BE.
NOT AS MANY PEOPLE WOULD NEED GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, IF THEY HAD IT THE ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE WAY THINGS WERE SET UP, ON ONE SIDE, YOU HAD THE SLAVEOWNERS THAT PASSED GENERATION OF WEALTH.
ALL THE WAY DOWN.
ON THE SLAVE SIDE, THEY PASSED DOWN DEPENDENCY.
I WANT TO STOP THAT.
I DON'T WANT US TO BE DEPENDENT.
I WANT US TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE EQUITABLY AND BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AS A SOCIETY.
>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.
DID YOU MODEL YOUR BILL AFTER ANYTHING?
>> WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER STATES.
WE LOOKED AT OTHER PEOPLE DOING IT IN THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL.
EVERY IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING.
WE'RE TRYING TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.
AND THIS IS A METHOD OF TRYING TO DO IT IN GEORGIA.
>> IS IT MONEY YOU ARE LOOKING TO GET QUESTION >> IT COULD BE MONEY, COULD BE, THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF HAVING A COMMISSION.
LOOK AT THE IMPACT AND DETERMINE SEVERAL THINGS.
MONEY MAYBE ONE PIECE OF IT BUT IT MAY BE OTHER THINGS TOO.
THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE COMMISSION.
TO COME UP WITH FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT WAYS TO DETERMINE HOW TO THE PLAYING FIELD.
>> HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE BILL TO DO?
>> AS YOU POINTED OUT, IT IS NOT.
WE ARE NOT IN THE MAJORITY.
BUT IF YOU DON'T TRY, IT DEFINITELY WON'T HAPPEN.
MY THOUGHT PROCESS IS, YOU TRY AND TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT JUST A BILL FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS, IT IS FOR EVERYBODY BECAUSE IF WE LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD, THE MORE PEOPLE CAN PURCHASE A PATENT PROCESS, AND A FEW WILL PEOPLE COULD DEPEND ON THE GOVERNMENT.
>> I THINK YOU ARE SHAKING YOUR HEAD.
>> I AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE BILL, AND I COSPONSORED THE BILL.
AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT REPARATIONS, I KNOW EVERYBODY, WHEN YOU HEAR THAT WORD, THEY CRINGE.
REPARATION WORD WAS DONE BY ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN 1862.
APRIL 1862, ABRAHAM LINK CODE REALIZE THAT HE HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP HIS EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION THAT HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO SIGN.
WHAT HE ENDED UP DOING, HE GAVE SLAVEOWNERS $300 PER SLAVE AND THEN LATER ON, THAT SAME YEAR, DONNA, IN AUGUST OF 1862, >> WE HAVE TO HOLD IT THERE.
I WILL HAVE YOU TO COME BACK AND GIVE US THE HISTORY.
WITH YOUR MILITARY BACKYARD, YOU KNOW HISTORY.
I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.
THAT DOES IT TODAY FOR OUR LAWMAKERS.
TOMORROW, LOOK FOR OUR CAPITOL REPORT AT THE END OF PBS NEWS HOUR AND LAWMAKERS RETURN ON MONDAY AND WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIPARTISAN FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION BILL.
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
>>>

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