>>> RIGHT NOW IT IS I WOULD SAY THE WORD FOR DEMOCRATS IS THE LOYAL OPPOSITION TO A REPUBLICAN POWER GRAB.

>> HARSH WORDS FROM REPRESENTATIVE JAMES BEVERLY ON HOW THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IS HANDLING LOCAL REDISTRICTING ISSUES.

GOOD EVENING.

THIS IS DAY 18 OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

MORE FROM HOUSE MINORITY LEADER BEVERLY COMING UP DURING MY INTERVIEW WITH HIM.

IN ADDITION TO THE MAP ISSUES HE ADDRESSES SEVERAL BILLS DEALING WITH SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE SCHOOLS, INCLUDING THE UNMASKING LEGISLATION.

LATER, WE HAVE TWO LAWMAKERS TO TALK ABOUT ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME, INCLUDING VIOLENT SMASH AND GRABS AND ONLINE SALES OF STOLEN MERCHANDISE.

ANOTHER HAS A BILL TO ELIMINATE AN ISSUE THAT MAY PREVENT SOME PEOPLE FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE, CARING FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR ELDERLY RELATIVES.

FIRST, LET'S HEAD TO THE GOLD DOME AND BRENDA WATERS WITH THE DAY'S NEWS, INCLUDING AN EMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

HI, BRENDA.

>> HI, DONNA.

MUCH TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.

FROM THE REVISION OF MAPS TO ANOTHER LEGISLATOR ANNOUNCING HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION.

>> I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PLAN.

JUST NEVER REALLY PLANNED HOW TO DO THIS.

TODAY I'M ANNOUNCING I WILL NOT BE SEEKING RE-ELECTION FOR ANOTHER TERM.

>> AFTER HIS ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR, REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND SPOKE TO ME ABOUT HIS DECISION.

>> IT WAS JUST TIME.

18 YEARS WENT BY IN A FLASH.

HAD NEVER DREAMED THAT I WOULD BE HERE THAT LONG.

I RAN THE FIRST TIME THINKING I WOULD BE LUCKY AND BLESSED IF I GOT SIX OR EIGHT YEARS AND TURN IT OVER TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

IT HAD BEEN 12 YEARS AND IT WAS 18 YEARS.

I'M TIRED AND JUST -- I NEED TO BE HOME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR LEGACY WILL BE.

>> HAVING DONE APPROPRIATIONS, 24 BALANCED BUDGETS.

LEAVING WITH A SUBSTANTIAL RESERVE FUND THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE WHEN I BECAME CHAIRMAN, BECAUSE WE WERE COMING OUT OF THE RECESSION, STILL BATTLING WITH THE RECESSION.

THINGS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE FOR THE NEXT PERSON.

>> SEVERAL CONTENTIOUS BILLS REGARDING DISTRICT MAPS THAT HAD PASSED IN THE SENATE APPEARED IN THE HOUSE TODAY.

SENATE BILL 457 PASSED IN THE HOUSE, 97-63.

IT WOULD REVISE THE DISTRICTS FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

>> THE MAPS ARE JUST.

THE MAPS ARE FAIR.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS AND CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER FOR A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY.

I HOPE YOU WILL THIS.

>> THE FEAR MOTIVATING THIS MAP IS EVIDENCE.

THE WHITE POPULATION IN AUGUSTA, RICHMOND COUNTY, HAS DECREASED AND THE BLACK POPULATION HAS INCREASED.

THEY HAVE PACKED AND CRACKED.

BLACK VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT, MY DISTRICT, AND DISTRICT 5 AND 6 TO APPEASE THE NEED FOR POWER.

THIS MAP IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST THE REPUBLICAN POWER GRAB.

IT'S ABOUT APPEASING A SMALL PORTION OF RESIDENTS WHO ARE AFRAID OF THE GROWING DIVERSITY OF THIS COUNTY.

>> BILL 458 MIRRORS 457'S MAPS.

IT OUTLINES THE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS.

THEY BOTH PASSED IN THE HOUSE.

SENATE BILL 369 WOULD MAKE THE SCHOOL BOARD NON-PARTISAN.

THIS MEASURE DREW SOME SPARKS.

>> INJECTING PARTISAN POLITICS INTO THE CLASSROOM DOES NOT SERVE THE BEST PURPOSES OF EDUCATING GEORGIA STUDENTS AND MAKING THE SCHOOL BOARD NON-PARTISAN IS A CLEAR WAY TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> WE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BILL.

I'M ASKING ALL OF YOU ALL TO VOTE NO ON THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

JUDGES SHOULD BE NON-PARTISAN.

SCHOOL BOARDS SHOULD BE WHO THEY ARE.

>> SENATE BILL 369 PASSED.

IT'S ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

TODAY, REPUBLICAN WOMEN LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH CHAMBERS JOINED THE LAUNCH OF A NEW ORGANIZATION AIMED AT MOBILIZING CONSERVATIVE FEMALE VOTERS.

>> CONSERVATIVE WOMEN ARE TOO OFTEN SIDELINED AND EVEN SILENCED IN THE POLITICAL WOMEN'S MOVEMENT OF TODAY.

THAT ENDS NOW WITH WOMEN RIGHTS.

WE ARE A GROUP OF HUNDREDS OF LOCAL GRASS-ROOTS IN-TOWN CONSERVATIVE WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER TO REMIND OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR FRIENDS AND OUR CO-WORKERS THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS THE PARTY THAT LEADS ON THE ISSUES MOST IMPORTANT TO GEORGIA'S WOMEN.

>> THE GROUP IS LOOKING TO WIN BACK THOSE THEY SAY ARE THE RELIABLE FEMALE VOTERS WHO MAY HAVE VOTED FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

IN THE SENATE, SB-346 WAS PASSED.

IT WILL PROHIBIT THE STATE OF GEORGIA FROM ENTERING CONTRACTS WITH BUSINESSES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.

HOUSE BILL 826, WHICH WOULD ALLOW WEST COBB RESIDENTS TO VOTE FOR THE CITY OF LOST MOUNTAIN PASSED.

IT WILL BE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

HE SIGNED THE BILL THAT ALLOWS THE CITIZENS TO VOTE ON THEIR BID FOR CITIHOOD.

I BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THIS.

IT'S NATIONAL CABBAGE DAY.

I LIKE MINE FRIED WITH GREEN PEPPERS.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> STEAMED WITH GREEN PEPPERS.

>> SOUNDS GOOD.

THANK YOU.

>> WE DO LONGER INTERVIEWS WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND AGENCY DEPARTMENT HEADS.

MY CONVERSATION WITH HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JAMES BEVERLY.

I ASKED HIM A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS.

>> RIGHT NOW, IT IS -- I WOULD SAY THE WORK FOR DEMOCRATS IS THE OPPOSITION.

A LOYAL OPPOSITION TO A REPUBLICAN POWER GRAB.

IT'S A REPUBLICAN POWER GRAB.

I WILL TELL YOU EXAMPLES.

ONE IS LOCAL CONTROL OUT THE WINDOW.

WHEN IT COMES TO REDISTRICTING AND REAPPORTIONMENT AND DRAWING LOCAL MAPS, YOU CAN LOOK AT COBB AND LOCAL FOLK ARE SAYING ONE THING.

BUT UP HERE IT'S SAYING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

YOU TAKE A SMALL MINORITY OF FOLK IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO ARE SAY, WE DON'T CARE WHAT THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY IS.

WE WILL THROW THAT OUT.

POWER GRAB NUMBER ONE, LOCAL CONTROL.

POWER GRAB TWO, WHICH I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS, THEY HAVE THROWN THE RULE BOOK OUT.

WHEN YOU HAVE TO DEVELOP LOCAL CONTROL AND WHAT THE INTERESTS ARE FOR A COMMUNITY, WE HAVE AN UNSPOKEN RULE -- IT'S WRITTEN ALSO, BUT IT'S UNSPOKEN BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS IT.

THAT IS THE LOCAL DELEGATION GETS TO DETERMINE WHAT THE TRAJECTORY IS OF THAT LOCAL SPACE.

THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY SUSPENDED THAT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL ANYMORE.

NO MORE HOME RULE.

WE WILL GO TO THE GENERAL BODY TO VOTE ON THINGS THAT SHOULD BE LOCALLY ADMINISTERED.

THAT HAS CREATED ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH DECORUM, ETHICS.

IT'S BEEN BRUTAL.

NO ONE EXPECTED THAT WHEN THE SESSION STARTED.

WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A POLITICAL YEAR.

BUT NOBODY EXPECTED THE RULE BOOK TO BE THROWN OUT AND TO NOT BE ADHERED TO.

THAT'S BEEN A PART OF THEIR POWER GRAB.

>> DO YOU FEEL AS DEMOCRATS YOU ARE TREADING WATER TO KEEP UP WITH IT ALL?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M SORT OF AN OPTIMISTIC GUY.

I REALLY AM.

I DON'T, BECAUSE HERE IS ONE -- THE QUESTION IS, WHY ARE Y'ALL DOING IT?

RIGHT?

THEY SEE THE SAME THING I SEE.

I KNOW THEY DO.

I HAVEN'T TALKED WITH THE SPEAKER OR THE GOVERNOR.

I KNOW YOU SEE IT.

THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF GEORGIA HAVE CHANGED.

OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS, A MILLION PEOPLE MOVED INTO GEORGIA.

A MILLION.

100,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR HAVE MOVED INTO GEORGIA.

94%, 95% ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THOSE PEOPLE ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE SAME RULES AS THEY USED TO BE.

NOT THE SAME TYPE OF STRUCTURE THAT USED TO BE.

THEY BRING IN DIFFERENT IDEAS, DIFFERENT CHALLENGES, DIFFERENT IDEOLOGIES ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE.

REPUBLICANS ARE RECYCLING THE SAME OLD FOOLISHNESS.

DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING, WE SEE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT'S ON THE HORIZON THAT'S COMING.

IT'S DRIVEN BY DEMOGRAPHICS.

THAT'S WHY I'M HOPEFUL.

THEY WILL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR GETTING RID OF THE RULES.

THEY WILL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR GETTING RID OF HOME RULE AND LOCAL CONTROL.

THEY WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO THAT.

THE PUBLIC WILL TELL THEM, I SUSPECT, VERY SOON, WE'VE HAD ENOUGH.

>> DO YOU SEE SOME OF THIS GOING INTO THE COURT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

REAPPORTIONMENT LAST YEAR WAS A BEAR.

FIRST YEAR MINORITY LEADER, NOBODY -- I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IN THIS POSITION.

BECAUSE YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH STUFF.

PEOPLE WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE DISTRICT THAT THEY LIVE IN.

AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT THE SAME I HAD BEFORE?

THIS MILLION PEOPLE CREATED ALL KINDS OF ISSUES FOR US.

MY DISTRICT HAD TO EXPAND BY 6,000 PEOPLE, 7,000 PEOPLE.

STATEHOUSE HAD TO GO BY 20,000.

20,000 MORE PEOPLE, CONGRESSIONAL ALMOST 100,000 PEOPLE THEY PICKED UP.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT, HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THIS NEW ENVIRONMENT?

HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR TRUE NORTH WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY?

THAT FRAYED EDGES, TO SAY THE LEAST.

WE GOTTA FIGURE THAT OUT.

IT'S GOING TO COURT.

>> THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID, TO COUNTER WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN CONTROL, A LOT OF THE SAME STUFF HAPPENED.

THROWING OUT THE PLAYBOOK, ALL OF THAT.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THAT?

>> SOMEBODY ELSE'S LIFETIME AGO.

I'VE BEEN HERE 10, 11 YEARS.

I HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

MAYBE THE HISTORY IS THERE.

ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF BEING AN AMERICAN FOR ME IS THAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THE PAST.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REPEAT IT.

WE'RE NOT IN A SPACE WHERE YOU HAVE RULES THAT ARE NOT ADJUSTED FOR WHAT THE TIME IS NOW.

WE'RE NOT IN A COMMUNIST COUNTRY.

WE'RE IN A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE EVOLVE, IDEAS EVOLVE.

THOSE RULES AND LAWS HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH THE NEW IDEAS AND NEW PEOPLE AND NEW WAYS OF BEING.

THINK ABOUT THIS.

THE TIME THAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE INTERNET PROBABLY DIDN'T EXIST.

IT WASN'T THERE.

RIGHT NOW, I CAN BARELY GET OFF MY PHONE WITHOUT DOING SOMETHING OR SAYING SOMETHING TO SOMEONE ALMOST IN REAL TIME.

THE STUFF THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT HAPPENED GENERATIONS AGO.

THE WORLD HAS EVOLVED.

I'M SURE THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TELL THEM EXACTLY HOW THEY FEEL IN THE NEXT EIGHT MONTHS.

>> ARE YOU GETTING ANY OF YOUR DEMOCRATIC PRIORITY THROUGH AT ALL?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

PART OF BEING IN POWER IS YOU DON'T -- AT LEAST HERE FOR NOW, THEY DON'T RESPECT THE WILL OF THE MINORITY.

WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE.

THERE ARE SMALL THINGS I'M HAPPY ABOUT.

MENTAL HEALTH.

WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

WE CAME OUT OF A PANDEMIC.

GOOD LORD, RIGHT?

THAT WAS TOUGH.

WE ARE STILL IN IT.

I SAY CAME OUT, BUT MENTALLY WE'RE SORT OF GETTING OUT OF IT BUT WE'RE STILL IN IT PHYSICALLY.

PEOPLE HAD TO GO THROUGH STRANGE THINGS DURING THE TWO YEARS.

YOU HAVE TO EVALUATE YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY, IS EVERYBODY OKAY, HOW DO YOU GO OUT, CAN I HAVE DINNER?

THAT'S TOUGH STUFF.

THAT'S JUST OUTSIDE.

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERNAL STUFF?

YOU CAN'T WATCH SO MUCH TV.

PEOPLE HAVE TO PROCESS ALL THIS STUFF.

IT'S CREATED PROBLEMS FOR US.

I THINK THAT MENTAL HEALTH, WE HAVE TO HAVE PARODY.

NOW IS THE TIME.

>> THERE HAS BEEN MORE MONEY COMING INTO THE STATE.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE -- TO GET MORE MONEY.

TEACHERS ARE GOING TO GET MORE MONEY, STATE EMPLOYEES.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE FUNDED, AS YOU MENTIONED IN HEALTH CARE.

IN THAT SENSE, THAT'S FOR EVERYBODY.

RIGHT?

BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> IT IS.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR THAT.

RIGHT?

LISTEN, I KNOW HE WON'T TAKE -- IT'S THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

IT'S THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION MADE SURE WE HAVE THE MONEY WE NEED TO GET US THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

THAT'S NOT LOST ON ANY DEMOCRAT.

NOT YOU BUT THE MEDIA WOULD LIKE TO SAY -- NO.

THE REASON WHY WE HAVE SURPLUS IS BECAUSE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S MONETARY POLICY MADE IT SUCH THAT WE COULD COME IN -- THAT MONEY COULD COME IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO OFFSET WHAT WE HAVE LOST THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

I WOULD APPLAUD DEMOCRATS AT THE TOP FOR THAT.

I THANK REPUBLICANS FOR APPROPRIATING WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN AGREE TO FOR THE MOST PART.

>> I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT ANOTHER THING THAT'S BIG, SOCIAL ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOLS.

BANNING WHAT ARE CONSIDERED OBSCENE BOOKS, THE UNMASKING BILL THAT HAS DROPPED.

>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE.

IT FEELS LIKE -- JIM CROW 2.0, YEAH.

SOME OF THE SOCIAL ISSUES ARE BEING RECYCLED.

ONE IS, YOU ARE TELLING TEACHERS, WE CAN'T TEACH STUDENTS HISTORY.

YOU WANT TO MAKE IT THIS KIND OF HISTORY.

IT'S HISTORY.

IT IS WHAT BROUGHT US TO THIS MOMENT.

TO SAY THAT YOU CAN'T TEACH A CERTAIN SUBJECT MATTER IN SCHOOL TIME AND TIME AGAIN IS AN COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY AS PARENTS -- I HAVE THREE KIDS WHO WENT THROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

TWO FINISHED COLLEGE.

ONE MORE TO GO.

THAT'S GOOD THIS YEAR.

HOPEFULLY -- JACOB, DO YOUR WORK.

HE WILL BE DONE SOON.

THE REALITY IS THAT PARENTS HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER HOW THEIR KIDS DO WHAT THEY DO AT HOME.

WE SHOULD HAVE A GENERAL APPROACH TO EDUCATION.

GIVE OUR KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SELF-SELECT INTO WHAT THEY MAY WANT TO BECOME BY GIVING THEM A COMPLETE HISTORY WHERE WE COME FROM.

THEY'RE NOT DOING THAT.

IT'S A BROADER ISSUE THAT'S AFFECTING US ALL.

THAT'S ON SCHOOLS.

YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND GETTING RID OF THAT.

THAT'S SOMETHING FOR THE PEOPLE IN LAW SCHOOL, HARVARD TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE ADJUDICATE MONEY TO GO TO PEOPLE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IN GEORGIA.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, HOW DO YOU EDUCATE KIDS WITH OUR TRUE HISTORY?

MANDATES.

MASK MANDATES, ANOTHER PROBLEM.

I'M NOT A GUY, ALL THESE PROBLEMS.

I'M NOT THAT GUY.

IT'S A PROBLEM WHEN THEY PUSH IT POLITICALLY AS FAR AS MANDATES.

IN THE CAPITOL, YOU CAN'T WALK INTO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITHOUT HAVING A MASK ON.

YOU JUST CAN'T.

IT IS A MANDATE.

FOR GROWN FOLK TO GO INTO THE HOUSE WITH A MASK ON.

WE HAVE TO BE TESTED TWICE A WEEK.

YOU CAN'T EVEN COME IN THERE IF YOU ARE NOT TESTED.

HOW DO WE SAY TO US, RIGHT, THE REPRESENTATIVES, YOU HAVE TO DO THIS FOR THE GENERAL GOOD FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR OUR REPRESENTATIVES.

IN SCHOOLS, YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

IT'S HYPOCRISY AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

IT'S A POLITICAL YEAR.

PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS.

I GET IT.

NOT AT THE RISK OF THE GENERAL POPULATION.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.

THAT'S WHEN POLICIES BECOME BAD.

THAT'S WHY I HOPE THAT THE GEORGIANS ARE WATCHING.

WE WILL GET RID OF THIS FOOLISHNESS.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> HOUSE MINORITY REPRESENTATIVE JAMES BEVERLY.

FIND MORE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH HIM ON GPB.ORG.

HE TALKS ABOUT MEDICAID, UNEMPLOYMENT AND WHAT DEMOCRATS MAY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IF THEIR CANDIDATE BECOMES THE NEXT GOVERNOR.

COMING UP, TWO LEGISLATORS TALK ABOUT BILLS DEALING WITH CRIME AND RETAIL SALES AND REMOVING SOME OF THE OBSTACLES THAT MAY KEEP PEOPLE FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

YOU ARE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> WELCOME BACK.

WE ARE GOING TO SPEND TIME TALKING ABOUT SEVERAL ISSUES, INCLUDING CRIME AND THE RESELLING OF STOLEN MERCHANDISE AND ALLOWING CANDIDATES TO USE CAMPAIGN FUNDS IN A WAY THAT MAY ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

JOINING ME ARE REPRESENTATIVE HOUSTON GAINS AND NIKI MERIT.

I WENT TO START WITH YOU BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH CHAIRMAN ENGLAND DECIDING TO LEAVE.

IT AFFECTS YOU IN THE WAY YOU HAVE BEEN CLOSE.

YOU SHARE DISTRICTS NEXT TO EACH OTHER.

TELL ME HOW YOU ARE FEELING.

>> UNBELIEVABLE PERSON AND A GREAT FRIEND, A MENTOR TO ME WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED TO THE HOUSE.

HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.

I'VE BEEN TO VISIT WITH HIM SEVERAL TIMES.

WE LIVE UP THE ROAD FROM ONE ANOTHER.

HIM AND CINDY, THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE.

HE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS LEADER FOR OUR STATE AND WILL BE MISSED AS WE CONTINUE FORWARD.

24 BALANCED BUDGETS.

DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB.

>> IT WAS EMOTIONAL.

SO MUCH SO, THE HOUSE -- THE SPEAKER HAD TO RECESS FOR A LITTLE BIT AND COME BACK SO EVERYBODY COULD CONGRATULATE HIM AND WISH HIM WELL.

I WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU TALKING ABOUT ISSUES.

YOU ARE THE SPONSOR OF THE INFORMED CONSUMERS ACT.

WE SHOULD SAY SB-332.

IT'S HEADED FOR A HOUSE VOTE AFTER RECEIVING UNANIMOUS SUPPORT IN THE SENATE.

THERE'S A LOT TO IT.

LET'S BREAK IT DOWN.

ONE PART OF IT DEALS WITH RETAIL CRIME AND EXPLAIN THAT PIECE OF IT.

>> SURE.

GOT A UNANIMOUS VOTE IN THE SENATE.

WE HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO TALK ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT UPTICK IN ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME.

IN 2019, RIGHT BEFORE COVID, NEARLY $70 BILLION IN STOLEN GOODS FROM RETAILERS IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT'S A MAJOR ISSUE THAT WE HAVE SEEN, WHETHER IT'S GANG ACTIVITY.

THEY ARE GOING AND STEALING PRODUCTS FROM RETAILS AND GOING ONLINE AND RESELLING, MAKING A PROFIT, WHICH THEY USE TO FUND OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.

SOMETHING WE FEEL LIKE IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE SHINE A LIGHT ON THAT.

PART OF THIS LEGISLATION IS MAKING SURE CONSUMERS KNOW WHO THEY ARE DEALING WITH AND THAT ONLINE MARKETPLACES, SITES WE GO TO EVERY DAY, AMAZON, EMAIL, THEY COLLECT INFORMATION FROM THE RESELLERS ON THE WEBSITE.

>> I HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO OF THE SMASH AND GRABS.

30 SECONDS, THEY ARE IN, THEY BRING THE STUFF OUT.

DIDN'T THINK ABOUT WHAT ESPECIALLY HAPPENS TO THE MERCHANDISE.

IT'S SIMILAR TO THE WAY THE BILL IS TREATING THEM LIKE PAWNSHOP OWNERS WHEN IT COMES TO AMAZON AND EBAY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE ASSEMBLY PASSED LEGISLATION TO MAKE IT A FELONY WHEN YOU RESELL OVER $25,000.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP MOVING FORWARD.

CRIMINALS, WE HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH THEM.

THEY ARE USING THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE TO RESELL THOSE GOODS.

THIS LEGISLATION IS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE CONSUMERS AND FOLKS ONLINE AS THEY GO TO SHOPPING THAT THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE DEALING WITH.

WE ARE TRACK DOWN CRIMINALS THAT ARE PERPETRATING THIS ONLINE -- THE ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIMES THEY ARE COMMITTING.

>> THERE'S AN EFFORT TO DO THIS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THERE'S A VERY SIMILAR 98% SIMILAR BILL TRAVELING THROUGH CONGRESS.

UNFORTUNATELY, CONGRESS MOVE AS QUICKLY AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IN CONGRESS, IT TAKES FOREVER.

IT'S IMPORTANT WE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AT A STATE LEVEL.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON THIS LEGISLATION NOW.

CONGRESS WE HOPE OVER TIME WILL ADDRESS THIS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES.

>> DOES IT ADDRESS A PUNISHMENT?

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS ALLOWS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GO IN, IF THE MARKETPLACES AREN'T COLLECTING THIS INFORMATION, TO MAKE SURE THAT ONLINE MARKETPLACES ARE DOING SO.

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT YOUR BILL.

SB-523.

IT DEALS WITH CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS.

CHANGING IT TO MAKE SURE IT ENCOURAGES MORE PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S EXACTLY IT.

WHAT WE FOUND IS SOMETIMES HAVING A YOUNG FAMILY OR HAVING DEPENDENT CARE CAN INFLUENCE YOUR ABILITY TO RUN.

A LOT OF TIMES -- WE DO KNOW THIS.

WOMEN ARE 15 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE THE MAJORITY SPONSOR FOR DEPENDENT CARE AND CHILDCARE.

THAT CAN BE A BARRIER FOR THEM WITH RUNNING.

CHILDCARE COSTS ARE VERY HIGH RIGHT NOW.

WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING A CAMPAIGN, YOU CAN'T DRAW A SALARY WHILE YOU ARE RUNNING THE CAMPAIGN.

THAT IMPACTS YOUR CHILDCARE OR IF YOU TAKE CARE OF A DEPENDENT.

HOW DOES THAT GET PAID FOR?

THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO BE USED FOR CHILDCARE BUT ALSO FOR DEPENDENT CARE, SOMEONE THAT YOU ARE CARING FOR WITH A DISABILITY OR MEDICAL CARE.

I KNOW WE HAVE SOME LEGISLATORS WITH AGING PARENTS.

THIS WOULD COVER -- THIS LEGISLATION WOULD COVER THAT AS WELL.

>> FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND, WHAT DO -- WHAT CAN YOU USE CAMPAIGN FINANCE MONEY FOR?

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

RIGHT NOW, IT IS JUST NECESSARY EXPENSES.

LODGING, EQUIPMENT, TRAVEL, POSTAGE, STAFF SALARY.

IF WE ARE THINKING STAFF SALARY AND SOMEONE IS RUNNING FOR A CAMPAIGN, THEN YOUR CHILDCARE PERSON OR YOUR DEPENDENT CARE PERSON IS AN EXTENSION OF YOUR STAFF.

THAT SHOULD BE COVERED.

I DON'T SEE WHY IT SHOULDN'T BE AT THIS TIME.

WE ARE ALREADY USING IT FOR THOSE SPECIFIC CASES I'M TELLING YOU.

>> IT MENTIONED IN THE BILL, CAREGIVING SERVICES AND ORDINARY AND NECESSARY EXPENSES.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU THINK THAT YOU -- YOU BELIEVE THAT FALLS ALONG THE LINES OF THIS CARE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE ARE YOU GETTING?

>> IT'S BIPARTISAN, ACTUALLY.

WE GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

A LOT OF -- WHAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT JUST FOR YOUNG MOTHERS.

WE HAVE YOUNG FATHERS IN OUR SENATE RIGHT NOW.

THEY WERE VERY OPEN TO THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

WE HAVE, AGAIN, LEGISLATORS THAT ARE CARING FOR ELDERLY PARENTS.

THEY WERE VERY INTERESTED AND OPEN TO THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

IT'S BEEN KIND OF LIKE, LET ME GET MORE INFORMATION.

THIS SOUNDS GOOD.

I REALLY SEE WHERE I WOULD BE ABLE TO BENEFIT BY USING THOSE CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO PAY FOR THOSE SERVICES.

>> HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO WHETHER OR NOT OTHER STATES ARE DOING THIS?

>> OTHER STATES ARE DOING IT.

THERE ARE 25 STATES THAT HAVE BROUGHT THE STATUTE IN LINE.

IT'S FEDERAL REGULATION.

THIS BILL COMES FROM THE FOUNDER OF VOTE MAMA.

IN 2018, SHE RAN FOR CONGRESS.

SHE HAD SMALL CHILDREN DURING THAT TIME.

SHE PETITIONED TO USE HER CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR CHILDCARE.

THEY GRANTED THAT PETITION.

SINCE 2018, THAT LANDMARK DECISION, THERE ARE 50 CANDIDATES, MOMS, DADS, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, CONGRESSIONAL, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES THAT ARE USING THOSE FUNDS TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE NOW.

AGAIN, 25 STATES HAVE BROUGHT THE STATUTE UP.

IT'S TIME FOR GEORGIA TO CODIFY IT AS WELL.

>> DOES THIS AFFECT YOU PERSONALLY IN TERMS OF ANYTHING, RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

IS THAT ONE REASON YOU CAME UP WITH THIS?

>> MY KIDS ARE OLDER NOW.

IT WOULDN'T APPLY TO ME NOW THAT THEY ARE IN COLLEGE.

I HAVE AGING PARENTS.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE IN THEIR 70s.

THERE MIGHT BE A TIME I WILL HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND TAKE SOME TIME FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE YOU THINK WOULD RUN FOR OFFICE IF SOME OF THESE BARRIERS WERE TAKEN AWAY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT IT WOULD BRING -- IT WOULD BRING -- THOSE BARRIERS THAT IT WOULD KIND OF BREAK WOULD GIVE US CANDIDATES THAT WOULD BRING MORE DIVERSITY TO OUR LEGISLATURE.

WE MIGHT HEAR FROM VOICES WE DON'T NORMALLY HEAR FROM.

WE MIGHT HAVE SOME CANDIDATES THAT CAN -- THAT ARE REPRESENTING SHARED EXPERIENCES AND WORKING CLASS -- MORE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE THAT FEEL LIKE, I THINK I CAN RUN.

WE NEED THAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM MORE DIVERSE VOICES, THOSE VOICES THAT ARE ABLE TO REPRESENT OUR VOTERS AND OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CONSTITUENCY WE HAVE.

>> OKAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER WAS THAT SOMETHING PASSED LAST YEAR THAT DEALT WITH GANGS THAT YOU FEEL IS MAYBE MAKING A DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS -- AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION WE PASSED EARLIER THIS WEEK OR LAST WEEK -- IT'S RUNNING TOGETHER.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT DAY WE ARE.

>> I THINK 18.

>> WE ARE MOVING ALONG QUICKLY.

WE PASSED IMPORTANT LEGISLATION TO ALLOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO HAVE CONCURRENT PROSECUTING TO GO AFTER GANGS.

CERTAIN D.A.

'S ARE NOT GOING AFTER GANG CRIMES.

THIS GIVES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT HE HAS A ROLE.

GANGS CROSS JURISDICTIONAL LINES.

THIS ALLOWS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GO AFTER GANG CRIMES IN THE STATE.

I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT MEASURE THAT WILL PROTECT FAMILIES IN THE STATE.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK SOME OF THE AREAS AREN'T GOING AFTER THE GANGS?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY A D.A.

WOULD CHOOSE TO NOT DO THEIR JOB AND PROSECUTE CRIMES.

WE HAVE SEEN D.A.s IN THE STATE CHOOSING NOT TO PROSECUTE CLASSES OF JOBS.

THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT WE PASS MEASURES LIKE THIS TO KEEP FAMILIES SAFE.

>> IT'S A -- YOU NEED A LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORTING YOU.

>> WELL, EMPOWERING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES.

IT'S CONCURRENT.

IT'S NOT TAKING POWER AWAY FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS BUT GIVING ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> INTERESTING BILLS FROM BOTH OF YOU.

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