>>> TODAY, I AM PROUD TO PRESENT THIS ALLOWING A STATUE HONORING THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS ON PLACE OF THE STATE CAPITAL.

>> A CONTROVERSIAL BILL TO CREATE A STATUE HONORING SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS HITS THE SENATE FLOOR FOR A SECOND TIME.

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS", IN LEGISLATIVE BAY 18, I AM DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

I WAS IN MY HOME STUDIO IN ISOLATION AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, AND OUR GREAT GUESTS JOINING US IN OUR STUDIO FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW.

WE ARE GOING TO SPEND SOME TIME TALKING ABOUT SEVERAL HOUSING BILLS FOLLOWED THIS SESSION ON EVERYTHING FROM WORKFORCE ISSUES AND TAXES, TO REGULATION AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS.

WE WILL HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS TRYING TO AFFECT WHERE THEY LIVE, AND HOW MUCH THEY SPEND FOR IT.

DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE, BUT THE SPONSOR OF ONE OF THOSE BILLS WILL TALK ABOUT IT.

ALSO ON THE SHOW, THE AUTHOR OF SEVERAL CRIME BILLS.

BUT, LET'S GET STARTED, AS ALWAYS, WITH OUR REPORT FROM OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT, ROCHELLE RITCHIE.

ROCHELLE?

>> Reporter: HI, DONNA.

THE COURT REPORTERS COULD SOON RECEIVE A PAY RAISE AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL PASSING OF HOUSE BILL 176.

HOUSE BILL 176 ALSO PASSED, AND WOULD REVISE RETRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, AND FAMILY THERAPISTS.

BUT THE BIGGEST NEWS OF THE DAY IS COMING FROM THE SENATE.

SENATE BILL 69 MADE ITS WAY TO THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY FOR A SECOND TIME.

THE CONTROVERSIAL BILL WOULD CREATE A STATUE OF A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE AND GEORGIA NATIVE, CLARENCE THOMAS, ON THE GROUND.

A SIMILAR BILL WAS PASSED LAST YEAR IN THE SENATE, BUT NEVER MADE ITS WAY OUT OF THE HOUSE.

>> THE STATE OF GEORGIA DESERVES A PLACE OF HONOR AND RECOGNITION ON OUR CAPITAL GROUNDS, A PLACE WHERE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF GEORGIANS CAN LEARN VALUABLE LESSONS FROM HIS LEGACY AND GAIN INSPIRATION AND BELIEFS THAT THEIR DREAMS ARE ATTAINABLE, TOO, IN AMERICA, REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY ARE BORN.

>> Reporter: LIKE LAST SESSION, SENATOR MICKEY MERRITT VOTED AGAINST THE BILL, BUT THIS TIME IT INCLUDED HIS WIFE IN HIS OBJECTION.

>> OUR OWN SECRETARY OF STATE, BRAD RAFFENSPERGER, WERE PRESSURED BY MS. THOMAS' ASSOCIATES TO OVERTURN A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION.

INVESTIGATIONS ARE STILL ONGOING.

THIS IS NOT A TIME A PERMANENT MONUMENT TO JUSTICE THOMAS, AND WE SHOULD TAKE A PAUSE HERE MOMENTARILY.

THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF SHEEN WE WANT TO ENSHRINE ON CAPITAL GROUND.

IF ANYTHING, THIS BILL SHOULD BE SET ON THE TABLE AT TIME, THAT JUSTICE THOMAS AND HIS WIFE ARE CLEARED OF COLLABORATION IN THIS DARK CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, SO, IN THE CASE OF ANITA HILL AND THE ALLEGED ACTIVITIES THAT YOU ARE BRINGING HERE TODAY, REGARDING JANUARY 6th, CLARENCE THOMAS HAS NOT BEEN INDICTED, MENTIONED, OR ANYTHING IN RELATION TO ANY WRONGDOING WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OR ANYTHING, IS THAT NOT CORRECT?

>> JUSTICE THOMAS HAS NOT BEEN INDICTED IN THE ANITA HILL INCIDENT, NOR HAVE WE FULLY CLEARED HIM OF HIS WIFE, OR HIS PARTICIPATION, POSSIBLY, IN THE INSURRECTION.

THAT HAS NOT BEEN CLEARED.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS PUT FORWARD AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE BILL ALSO AT A STATUE OF ANOTHER FAMOUS GEORGIAN.

>> HIGH-RISE WITH AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD SIMPLY ADD A STATUE OF ANOTHER FAMOUS AND VERY CONSEQUENTIAL BLACK GEORGIAN TO THE BILL.

THAT OF THE HONORABLE JOHN LEWIS.

>> MY QUESTION IS, GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CONGRESSMAN LEWIS' WIFE AND HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, WHY HAVEN'T YOU INTRODUCED A SEPARATE BILL?

>> WELL, I HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, LIKE ALL OF US DO, THAT WE ARE ALL WORKING ON EVERY DAY.

WE ALL KNOW HOW IT IS DOWN HERE, IN THIS TIGHT SESSION.

LOTS OF COMMITTEES, LOTS OF IMPORTANT TOPICS.

BUT, WE HAVE TO SORT OF COLLECT WHAT WE ARE PUTTING FORTH.

NOT EVERYTHING GETS DONE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

NOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK THIS FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE BOAT WAS SUDDENLY WITHDRAWN BY SENATOR PERRON, AND THE BILL WAS PASSED 32-20, ON PARTY LINES.

POLICY OF BUDGET HOLDING WOULD HAVE THE STATE TAKE OVER THE HEALTHCARE INSURANCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAM.

>> WHILE ACA RULES AND REGULATIONS, A CHANGE TO THE STATE WOULD GIVE OUR STATE A GREATER DEGREE OF CONTROL OVER THE MARKETPLACE OPERATIONS.

IT WOULD GIVE US THE SPACE AND OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE OPERATIONS.

BETTER COORDINATORS ACROSS THE PROGRAMS, AND IMPROVED CONSUMER OUTREACH.

>> Reporter: AGAIN, THE MINORITY PARTY OBJECTED TO THE BILL.

>> WE ALREADY HAVE HEALTHCARE.GOV.

SO, IF GEORGIA IS AIMING TO MATCH THAT, WE SHOULD BETTER SEND THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS NOT BROKEN.

IT IS WORKING.

WE MIGHT NEED TO SEND SOME DOLLARS TO MAKE IT BETTER, BUT I DO THINK THIS IS RISKY.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED, 32-19.

FORMER SENATOR KELLY LOEFFLER, AS WELL AS HER ORGANIZATION, GREATER GEORGIA ACTION INC., MADE ITS WAY TO THE SENATE FOR THE 42nd TIME.

THE RESOLUTION CAME UP TWO WEEKS AGO, BUT DEMOCRATS OBJECTED IN BOTH CASES.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF IT IS TRULY ABOUT GREATER GEORGIA.

>> THERE IS A LOT ABOUT GREATER GEORGIA IN THIS.

BUT, IN YOUR VIEW, SENATOR, YOU CAN VIEW IT THAT WAY HONORING SENATOR KELLY LOEFFLER.

AND IF, IN FACT, THE NEW YORK STICK IS GOING TO BE BOTH SENATORS FROM THE MINORITY PARTY, IT IS GOING TO BE VIEWED WHETHER OR NOT WE HONOR SOMEONE, AND WHAT THEIR POLITICAL LEANINGS ARE.

THAT MAY BE A SHIFT IN HOW WE HONOR FOLKS.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

THAT IS THE EXACT REASON I RAISED MY QUESTION.

I MEAN, IT SAYS, AGAIN, RECOGNIZING THE WORK AND ACHIEVEMENT THAT GREATER GEORGIA ACTION INKS, AS WELL AS ITS CHAIRWOMAN.

IT IS TRUE THAT, IN MY MIND, THE PERSON, SENATOR LOEFFLER, AND HER COMPETENCE ARE BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE THE POLITICAL SPACE AND THE WORK OF GREATER GEORGIA, WHICH I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE IS A MORE PARTISAN ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, ROCHELLE.

>>> LEGISLATION RELATING TO A WIDE RANGE OF HOUSING ISSUES ARE COMING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THIS SESSION.

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS ARE SENATOR DON DYLAN JAMES OF ATLANTA, CHAIR OF THE SENATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TODD JONES, CHAIR OF THE HOUSE TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS", TO BOTH OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CHAIRMAN JAMES, I WILL START WITH YOU.

YOU HAVE SEVERAL BILLS ABOUT HOUSING.

LET'S START WITH SB 125.

THE RESTRICTIONS MEET REGULATIONS WITH LOCAL LEGISLATION?

>> WELL, SENATE BILL 125 CAME AS A RESULT OF THE CRYING OUT OF CITIZENS ABOUT THE ESCALATING PRICES OF RENT ALL THROUGHOUT GEORGIA, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN AREAS.

RENT IS JUST TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL.

MANY PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT THEY PAY $400 A MONTH FOR A ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT, 10 YEARS AGO.

AND NOW, THAT SAME APARTMENT THAT THEY NEVER MOVED OUT OF IS GOING TO $1500, OR UP TO $3000, DEPENDING ON WHERE IT IS.

AND I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND OUT IT WAS TRUE.

AND THEN, THERE WAS A BIG GROUP OF CITIZENS FROM CITY HALL IN ATLANTA THAT HAD BEEN PROTESTING ABOUT THE RENT AND I WORKED WITH THEM TO SEE IF WE COULD DO RENT CONTROL.

WE HAD RENT CONTROL MANY, MANY YEARS AGO BEFORE WORLD WAR II.

AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON AFTER WORLD WAR II, TO SAY THAT GEORGIA ENACTED A LAW TO BAN RENT CONTROL.

AND WHEN THEY BANNED RENT CONTROL, THAT STOPPED LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES FROM HAVING THE POWER TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ATTENDANCE, OR TO ADJUST THE COST.

AND IN 1974, THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTED ON IT, AGAIN.

THEY MADE IT AGAINST THE LAW TO BAN TWO HOUSE RENT CONTROL.

SO, THEY TOOK THE BAN ON RENT CONTROL AND SAID IT HAS TO BE TAKEN OFF IN ORDER FOR THE CITIES TO HAVE LOCAL CONTROL AGAIN.

>> NOW, I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT, DID YOU WANT TO BRING BACK RENT CONTROL?

>> I WANT TO BRING BACK RENT CONTROL, BECAUSE THIS BILL WILL REPEAL THAT GEORGIA CODE TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO REGULATE THEIR CITIES IN THE SPACE OF GEORGIA.

AND NOT ONLY IS THIS A PROBLEM THROUGHOUT GEORGIA, BUT IT IS A PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

WITHOUT A CAP PLACED ON RENT, COSTS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SKYROCKET AND CAUSE MANY SOCIAL ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE AND THE NATION.

MOST RENT INCREASES COME FROM COMPANIES OUT OF STATE.

THEY DON'T EVEN OWN PROPERTY IN GEORGIA.

AND ALSO, IT IS INTERNATIONAL THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND BOUGHT UP THE LAND.

SO, THEY HAVE NO VESTED INTEREST IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, AND WHAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT.

THEY DON'T LOOK AT THE FACT THAT THEY ARE GOUGING THE PEOPLE AND IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE RENT AND GET PUT OUT, THEN MOST OF THEM ARE BILLIONAIRES AND THEY WILL USE THE EMPTY APARTMENT, IF THEY CAN'T FILL IT, TO WRITE IT OFF ON TAXES.

SO -- >> OKAY.

I WANT TO MOVE ON, BECAUSE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT, I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER ONES THAT YOU HAVE AND I WANT TO GET CHAIRMAN JONES IN, TOO.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT BILL.

YOU COSPONSORED, CARE CHAIRMAN JONES, ON SB 98, A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.

SO, TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT?

>> SURE, DONNA, HAPPY TO DO SO.

IS CRITICAL BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH GREATER CONTROL.

WE WANT TO GIVE THEM FLEXIBILITY, AND WE WANT TO MAKE THEM MORE COMPETITIVE.

TWO EXAMPLES I CAN GIVE YOU IS THAT WE WANT THEM TO BE COMPETITIVE BOTH INSIDE OF GEORGIA, AND ALSO AT THE BORDER STATES.

ONE EXAMPLE COULD BE IF YOU ARE UP IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA, WE WANT TO BE ABLE FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE EXEMPTIONS, NOT JUST ON REAL PROPERTY, BUT HERE, ON RURAL PROPERTY.

CHATTANOOGA, MAINE, MAY HAVE AN EXCEPTION FOR TRAILERS, ET CETERA.

AND NORTHWEST GEORGIA MIGHT SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT?

I DON'T GET THAT SAME EXEMPTION IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GARAGE MY PROPERTY AT CHATTANOOGA SO I CAN GET THAT EXEMPTION, AND IT IS CHEAPER FOR ME.

AND, YOU KNOW, I LIVE VERY CLOSE TO THE LAKE, I COULD PROBABLY IMAGINE A VERY BIG MARINE INDUSTRY.

AND THERE IS A COUNTY THAT WANTS TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION, OBVIOUSLY, THAT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT ENCOURAGES SOMEONE TO DR.

THE BOAT, MAYBE SO, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT CONTROL THAT THEY NEED, THE FLEXIBILITY TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE MARKET.

>> AS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IT WOULD GO TO THE VOTERS IF THIS PASSES, FOR THEM TO MAKE THE DECISION?

>> EXACTLY, 100%.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE ROLLED OVER THEM, THE VOTERS WOULD SAY YES OR NO.

>> CHAIRWOMAN JAMES, YOU ALSO HAVE SR 37, AND THAT DEALS WITH MOTOR AND CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS.

TELL ME WHAT THAT BILL DOES?

>> THAT BILL WILL HELP DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO HAVE HOAs, AND LIVE IN SUBDIVISIONS.

THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND ON THEIR HOAs FEES.

RIGHT NOW, IF THEY GET UP TO $200,000 IN LIENS AGAINST THEM, FROM THEIR AGE AWAY, THEY COULD LOSE THEIR HOMES AND FORECLOSURES ARE HAPPENING.

THIS IS A TRAVESTY FOR ALL OF GEORGIA BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAD THEIR DREAM HOMES, THEY WORKED, AND THEN WE HAD THE PANDEMIC.

AND DURING THE PANDEMIC, MANY WERE NOT WORKING, OR WERE NOT WORKING TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY THEIR MORTGAGE, THEIR INSURANCE, AND THEIR HOAs.

SO, THE AGE AWAY WAS SOMETHING THEY DID NOT PAY.

THEY HAVE RENT CONTROL MANY, ANYTHING TO COME AFTERWARD.

BUT MOST OF THEM DID NOT QUALIFY FOR IT, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE THAT MONEY.

SO, AS A RESULT, THEY DID, ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THEY HAD MORE THAN 2000 LIENS AGAINST THEIR PROPERTY AND MANY ARE SAYING THAT THE LAWYERS THAT WORKED FOR THE HOAs, OR THE AGE AWAY BOARD MEMBERS ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING THE PROPERTY AND BUYING IT.

AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT ARE COMING IN AND PURCHASING ALL OF THESE HOMES, MAKING A BEARD AIRBNB IS OUT OF THEM OR SELLING THEM MUCH MORE.

SO, WE HAVE A REAL SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH HOAs.

WE HAD FIVE HEARINGS IN '22, AND PEOPLE CAME FROM ALL OVER GEORGIA TO EXPRESS THEIR DISDAIN OVER WHAT WAS GOING ON.

AND, OF COURSE, THERE ARE GOOD HOAs WHO DO GOOD THINGS.

SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOK AT THE UNFAIR PRACTICES AND PUT SOMETHING ON IT.

SO, THIS BILL WOULD DO THAT.

AND THEN, THE OTHER BILL, I HAVE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO ACCOMPANY THAT PARTICULAR BILL.

HOPEFULLY, BOTH WILL PASS.

BECAUSE EVEN IF THAT PASSES, WE WILL NEED MORE LEGISLATION AND MORE EXPERIENCE TO MAKE SURE WE SAVE PEOPLES' HOMES.

>> OKAY.

SO, WE WILL KEEP AN EYE ON BOTH OF THOSE.

CHAIRMAN JONES, I WANT TO GO TO YOU, BRIEFLY.

I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE WORKFORCE HOUSING ISSUE THAT WE HAVE HEARD SO MUCH FROM THE GOVERNOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NEW COMPANIES COMING INTO THE STATE.

SO, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BUILT- INS SOLUTIONS WITH THE BILLS WE MIGHT SEE COMING UP?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WHERE THINKING ABOUT IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE MAKING SURE GEORGIA IS A PLACE WHERE THE PUCK IS GOING TO BE, NOT WHERE IT IS AT.

AND WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL-TIME, IN TERMS OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO LEAD.

LEADING HEALTHCARE, IN TERMS OF THE INTERVENTION THERE.

AND HOW IT IS THAT OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY LITERALLY STARTED THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

BUT EVERYTHING I'M TALKING ABOUT REQUIRES WORKFORCE, IT REQUIRES INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO, AS WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE ARE GOING TO HANDLE THAT, WORKFORCE HOUSING, TO US, HAS TWO COMPONENTS.

THE FIRST COMPONENT IS, HOW IS IT THAT WE CAN DEVELOP HOMES IN A MORE EFFICIENT MANNER AND A MORE TIMELY MANNER?

LOOK AT IS THE 3-D PRINTED HOMES.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT GEORGE JETSON.

BUT RIGHT NOW, IT IS POSSIBLE.

WE ARE SEEING IT IN EUROPE.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO GET THAT PROCESS IN GEORGIA, TO ACCOMMODATE THAT TYPE OF OFF SPACE BUILD OR PRINT, AND WE CAN TRULY SAVE, I BELIEVE, A HUGE COST AND GIVE THE ABILITY FOR MORE PEOPLE TO BE IN HOMES.

THE OTHER THING WE NEED TO DO IS UNDERSTAND THIS, THAT WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT WORKFORCE HOUSING, WE CAN JUST LOOK AT HOW HOUSING WOULD BECOME CHEAPER OR MORE AFFORDABLE, BUT RATHER, HOW IS IT THAT WE CAN UPSCALE ARE WORKERS?

SO, AS WE ARE LOOKING INTO THE NEXT STAGE OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES.

THINGS THAT WE KNOW ARE GOING TO BE SKILLS IN DEMAND IN 2030, 2040, TO LIST THEIR ABILITIES AND THEIR GREATER COMPENSATION.

WE BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE REAL CHOICES IN THEIR LIVES WHEN IT COMES TO WORK.

>> OKAY.

WELL, LOTS OF HOUSING ISSUES, AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THIS SESSION.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON "LAWMAKERS" TO TALK ABOUT THEM.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>>> COMING UP, WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES DEALING WITH THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED, AND THE PUSH TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE IN GEORGIA.

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

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

AFTER ALL, THAT IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

PROVEN FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 74 MILLION IN GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA DURING THIS SESSION AND YEAR-ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU --THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

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

YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT SEVERAL BILLS ON TOPICS SUCH AS MINIMUM WAGE, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC SAFETY NOW.

JOINING US ARE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TODD HELTON OF PETRIE CORONER, AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE JULIE McLEAN OF LAWRENCEVILLE.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS", GENTLEMEN.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE McLEAN, WHAT'S START WITH YOU.

YOU PUT A BILL TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE IN GEORGIA, TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> HB 241 IS JUST SOMETHING WE ARE TRYING TO STAY IN GEORGIA.

$15 MINIMUM WAGE IS WHAT WE 10 YEARS AGO, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT BILL.

RIGHT NOW, I THINK WE NEED TO UP IT A LITTLE BIT.

BUT, WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT THE STATISTICS SAYS, IS THAT AT ONE POINT IN GEORGIA, YOU KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT HEALTHCARE, WE TALKED ABOUT HOMES, WE TALK ABOUT FOOD.

-- SO, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT MOVING TO $15 AN HOUR, THAT IS $31,200 PER YEAR.

YOU KNOW, YOU THINK ABOUT RENTING AN APARTMENT, OR YOU HAVE TO MAKE THREE TIMES AS MUCH TO RENT AN APARTMENT, SO ALL I'M TRYING TO SAY IS WE JUST HAVE TO DO SOMETHING IN GEORGIA.

FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP DOING BUSINESS, WE HAVE TO BE THE NUMBER ONE PLACE TO MAKE WORKERS.

>> I KNOW IT IS A DEMOCRATIC BILL.

BUT, ARE YOU GETTING SUPPORT, AT ALL, FROM THE REPUBLICANS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SAY THAT I'M NOT GETTING AS MUCH TRACTION AS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FROM MY COLLEAGUES.

BUT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SURVEYS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE, AT LEAST 50% OF REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THAT GEORGIA NEEDS TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

YOU HAVE 75% OF DEMOCRATS SAYING THAT, AND ALMOST 50% OF INDEPENDENCE.

SO, THEY ARE IN FAVOR OF RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

BUT, I AM JUST NOT GETTING THAT TRACTION HERE.

I AM HEARING A LOT FROM SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SAYING THAT THEY WILL LOSE MONEY, THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT, ANY STATE THAT HAS RAISED THEIR MINIMUM WAGE TO $15, THEY HADN'T LOST ANY JOBS, AND YOU REALIZE PEOPLE ARE ALSO SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY, AND THEY TURN THE MONEY OVER.

AND I JUST THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> OKAY.

WELL, WE WILL KEEP AN I.D.

OUT, WE WILL KEEP OUT WITH HOW THAT DOES.

SO, I'M GOING TO SWITCH TO EDUCATION NOW, FOR BOTH OF YOU, ACTUALLY.

BUT, I WILL START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE HILTON.

YOU SERVE AS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

ONE OF YOUR BILLS IS TO RE- ESTABLISH THE BILL OF CHARTER SCHOOL COMPLIANCE.

WHAT IS BEHIND YOUR INTEREST IN THAT?

WHAT WOULD IT DO?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION, DONNA.

FIRST AND FOREMOST ON THIS VALENTINE'S DAY, I WANT TO RISK MY BEAUTIFUL BRIDE AT HOME A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TODAY.

EARNING SOME BROWNIE POINTS THERE.

WE LEARNED TWO THINGS FROM COVID.

NUMBER ONE, OUR CHILDREN ARE BEHIND AND WE NEED TO GET THEM CAUGHT UP.

NUMBER TWO, PARENTS WANT CHOICE IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

SO, THAT IS WHY I'M SO PROUD TO SPONSOR THIS BILL ON CHARTER SCHOOLS, TO GIVE OUR PARENTS MORE SAY IN THE CHILD'S EDUCATION, TO GIVE THEM MORE FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICE.

SO, THIS BILL WOULD ENCOURAGE DEVELOP MORE INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS THAT OUR PARENTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO.

SO, I LOOK FORWARD AS VICE CHAIRMAN OF EDUCATION, CHAMPIONING THAT BILL POINT AND GIVING PARENTS MORE POWER FOR THEIR CHILDREN HERE IN GEORGIA.

>> CAN YOU TELL US WHY YOU ARE RE-ESTABLISHING THAT?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT OFFICE IN THE PAST?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

TRADITIONALLY, THAT OFFICE HAS BEEN UNDERNEATH --REALLY, WE ARE JUST TRANSFERRING OVER TO NO BUDGET IMPACT, PER SE.

REALLY MEANT TO BE UNDER THE OFFICE WHERE IT SHOULD BE, AN OFFICE WHERE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WORK COLLECTIVELY WITH THE LOCALS TO GIVE THEM THE HELP THEY NEED, THE PLATFORM THEY NEED, TO SEE MORE SCHOOLS, MORE CHARTER SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT HAVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN HOW THEY TEACH KIDS.

A LITTLE BIT LESS RESTRICTIONS IN WHAT THEY DO.

BUT, OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER AGAIN, WE SEE SUCH GREAT SUCCESS WITH OUR CHARTER SCHOOLS, SOME OF THE HIGHEST TEST SCORES IN THE STATE COME FROM OUR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SO, I WOULD LOVE TO OFFER PARENTS THAT OPPORTUNITY AND ACCOMPLISH THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, REPRESENTATIVE McLEAN.

YOU HAVE TURNED ONTO AN EDUCATION BILL.

BUT FIRST, SOME BACKGROUND ON THERE FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT KNOW, YOU ARE A FORMER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER THAT PLAYED WITH THE FALCONS FOR FIVE YEARS.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, YOU ALSO SERVED AS A FOUNDING MEMBER AND PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION THAT YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE CHAPTER.

SO, NOW, TO THE LEGISLATION.

>> THAT WAS SO GOOD.

>> IT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM LEGISLATION.

HB 32, IT WOULD REQUIRE HIGH SCHOOLS TO UTILIZE INSTANT REPLAY IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES, OR POSSIBLY LOSE FUNDING?

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

AND I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE VICE CHAIR THAT HE CAME OUT OF SUBCOMMITTEE TODAY, SO, I FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THAT.

BUT WHEN I LEFT PRO FOOTBALL, I BECAME A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH FOR 20 YEARS.

AND IF YOU CAN GET THAT TO DO SOMETHING OVER AND READ THROUGH IT, IT HELPS.

YOU DON'T WANT TO CHEAT THE CHILDREN, YOU DON'T WANT TO CHEAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND SAYING THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS, WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS.

BUT I THINK AS LAWMAKERS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THIS.

SO, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, BABY.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU A LITTLE LATER, AND I HOPE YOU FIND SOMETHING THAT IS SPECIAL.

>> OKAY, PROMISES, PROMISES.

I THINK IT IS INTERESTING WITH THE INSTANT REPLAY.

SO, WE WILL KEEP UP WITH THAT BILL OUT OF THE COMMITTEE.

>> IT WAS A SUBCOMMITTEE, NOT A COMMITTEE.

>> A SUBCOMMITTEE?

>> YES.

>> OKAY, WE WILL KEEP UP WITH THAT ONE.

SO, SOME OF YOUR REPUBLICAN SAFETY BILLS, YOU HAVE SEVERAL OF THEM.

ONE OF THESE IS HB 218.

>> YES, MA'AM.

A LOT OF LOVE ON THIS STAGE, I LOVE IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS BY CONSTITUENTS TOLD ME DIRECTLY WHEN I RAN FOR OFFICE, GOD, WE CARE ABOUT THE ECONOMY, WE CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, AND WE CARE ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS.

KEEPING KIDS SAFE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT IS GETTING A VOICE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT, AND STANDING UP FOR OUR STATE'S MOST VULNERABLE, THAT INCLUDES OUR STATES ELDERS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.

SPECIFICALLY, HOUSE BILL 218, IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF ELDER ABUSE OR ANY SORT OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN OUR STATE, AND YOU ARE UNABLE, YOU HAVE A DISABILITY OF SOME KIND, EITHER MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO SPEAK UP, IF YOU ALLOW SOMEBODY TO TESTIFY IN COURT ON YOUR BEHALF SO THAT YOU CAN RECEIVE THE JUSTICE YOU DESERVE.

SO, IT IS A COMMONSENSE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT I AM EXCITED TO CHAMPION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

WE NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE LOUD AND CARE THAT WE CARE ABOUT OUR ELDERS IN THE STATE, WE CARE ABOUT THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, AND PROBABLY CARRY THAT LEGISLATION HERE IN THE STATE.

>> SO, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT ANOTHER ONE, HB 219 FOCUSES ON BANKS AND MONEY LAUNDERING.

TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK EVERYBODY WATCHING THIS PROGRAM TONIGHT WILL UNDERSTAND, IT HAS BECOME ALL TOO COMMON --WE GET THE EMAIL, WE CLICK ON THE WRONG LINK, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MONEY GOES FROM MY BANK ACCOUNT TO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

ONCE THAT HAPPENS, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE TO REFER THAT CASE TO WHEREVER THE STATE IS, THE PERPETRATOR THAT TOOK YOUR MONEY.

SO, THIS IS A CHANGE IN JURISDICTION THAT, ONCE AGAIN, GIVES JUSTICE TO OUR VICTIMS HERE IN GEORGIA.

IT SAYS, OKAY, CRIMINAL, IF YOU ARE GOING TO STEAL MONEY AND TAKE IT ELSEWHERE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROSECUTE YOU HERE IN GEORGIA.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A CASE SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE, AND THERE IS REALLY NOT MUCH OF A CHANCE TO RECEIVE JUSTICE.

THIS BILL WILL TURN THAT COIN OVER AND SAY, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PROSECUTE YOU HERE IN GEORGIA.

SO, VICTIMS OF FINANCIAL FRAUD WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO GET JUSTICE HERE IN GEORGIA.

>> OKAY.

SO, LOTS COMING OUT DEALING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, AND AN INTERESTING BILL FROM BOTH OF YOU.

ON LEGISLATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND DEALING WITH THE MINIMUM WAGE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON "LAWMAKERS" TODAY, GIVING YOUR SHOUT OUT FOR WE ARE SO GLAD YOU WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.

SO, APPRECIATE THAT.

I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU, TOO, DO YOU HAVE PLANS?

ARE YOU LEAVING THE SHOW, EITHER ONE OF YOU, AND HAVE VALENTINE'S DAY PLANS?

WE HAVE A REALLY QUICK SECOND FOR THAT.

>> WELL, I CAN ONLY SAY THIS, MY VALENTINE'S DAY PLANS, I WILL PROBABLY STOP BY AND PICK UP SOME DINNER, GO HOME, AND RELAX, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A 10:00 SCOUT TIME TOMORROW.

AND I AM THINKING I HAVE AN 8:00 COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW.

>> OKAY.

>> SO ALL I CAN SAY IS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING HOME AND RELAXING.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HILTON, REALLY QUICK?

>> DONNA, I'M GOING TO GO HOME AND DO SOME WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 48, AND THEN THE BEST GIFT I'M GOING TO GIVE MY WIFE TONIGHT, IS I WILL PUT MY THREE KIDS TO BED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY, WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY 19.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.