>> THIS IS TERRIBLE LEGISLATION.

THIS IS UNNECESSARY LEGISLATION.

THIS IS DANGEROUS LEGISLATION.

>> REPUBLICANS AND THE SENATE SLAM A BILL SPONSORED BY A FELLOW REPUBLICAN THAT WOULD ALLOW DRIVERS TO TOUCH THEIR CELL PHONES WHILE STOPPED AT A SPOTLIGHT.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE BILL IN A MOMENT AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT SEVERAL BILLS LAWMAKERS HOPE TO KEEP IN PLAY NEXT TUESDAY.

CROSSOVER DAY IS THE DEADLINE TO HAVE LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF AT LEAST ONE CHAMBER TO HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING A LAW.

AMONG THOSE STILL IN THE WORKS GAMBLING LEGISLATION.

OPPONENTS OF THOSE BILLS JOINED SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS AT THE TO LIST WHY THEY DON'T WANT IT ON THE STATE.

ON THE SHOW LEGISLATORS FROM EACH SIDE OF THE AISLE ON WHY THEY THINK SOME FORMS OF GAMBLING ARE GOOD FOR GEORGIA AND A BREAK TO MILITARY RETIREES FOR CERTAIN TAXABLE INCOME.

AND ANOTHER LAWMAKER WILL TELL US ABOUT A BILL TO COMMEMORATE THE ORIGINAL 33.

THE FREED SLAVES IN GEORGIA WHO BECAME THE FIRST BLACK ELECTED LAWMAKERS IN THE NATION BUT WHY EXPELLED FROM THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

BUT FIRST LET'S HEAD TO WHERE BRENDA WATERS HAS KEPT UP WITH THE BILLS FLOWING THROUGH THE TWO CHAMBERS.

>> A MOVE TO STOP GAMBLING AND TODAY THE COALITION OF LEGISLATORS AND COMMUNITY AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS GATHERED TO TALK ABOUT THE NEED TO PROTECT THE STATE.

>> THE GROUP EXPRESSED CONCERNS CREATE A SLEW OF PROBLEMS.

>> GAMBLING'S BAD FOR OUR ECONOMY.

AND GAMBLE'S BAD FOR OUR FAMILIES.

PARENTS.

THROWING AWAY RENT MONEY, MILK MONEY.

IT'S NOT GOOD.

PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES, CRIME.

>> K.C.

McCLURE SPOKE AGAINST GAMBLING EXPANSION FROM A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, SAYING SHE WAS DRAGGED INTO THE SEX INDUSTRY YEARS AGO.

THROUGH GAMBLING, SHE FOUNDED AN ORGANIZATION TO HELP OTHER GIRLS.

>> IF YOU ALLOW GAMBLING TO CONTINUE AND SET UP SHOP IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, THE SEX INDUSTRY IS GOING TO BOOM.

IT'S ALREADY BOOMING BUT IT'S GOING TO ALLOW TO COME FROM ALABAMA, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK, WHEREVER THEY CAN COME FROM.

THEY'RE GOING TO BRING GIRLS HERE BECAUSE ATLANTA'S GOING TO BE KNOWN AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PIMPS TO EXPLOIT YOUNG GIRLS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE TODD JONES WHO SPONSORED THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AGO, SAYS GAMBLING WOULD DERAIL THOSE HISTORIC EFFORTS.

>> WE KNOW NO MATTER WHAT YOUR OPINION IS ON GAMBLING, ALMOST EVERY FAMILY IN THIS STATE IS IMPACTED BY EITHER MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

TO SUDDENLY PUT IN SOME TYPE OF THIRD ENTITY, MEANING GAMBLING, TO CERTAINLY CAUSE THEM TO COME OFF THE PATH, THAT IS INTELLECTUALLY DISHONEST AND FOR ME THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT SUPPORT.

THANK YOU.

>> OF COURSE, DONAHUE WILL HAVE MORE ON THAT ISSUE LATER IN THE SHOW WITH YOUR GUESTS.

REPRESENTATIVE WEST CANTRELL CRITICIZED COCA-COLA YESTERDAY AFTER COKE ANNOUNCED THEY WERE CEASING OPERATIONS IN RUSSIA.

CAME BACK I HAD TO TO TOAST THE COMPANY.

>> TODAY I WANT TO RAIDS A BOTTLE FIRST OF ALL FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR CUTTING OFF ALL OIL IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND SECONDLY, TO OUR FRIENDS DOWN THE STREET THAT CERTAIN SOFT DRINK COMPANY FOR ALSO CUTTING OFF ALL BUSINESS WITH RUSSIA.

GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

LET'S CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE COMPANIES TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND TO SUPPORT OUR GOVERNMENT.

THANK YOU.

>> HOUSE BILL 1437 PASSED, 115-52.

THIS IS A MEASURE REPRESENTATIVE SHAW BLACKMAN SAYS WILL KEEP MONEY IN OUR POCKETS.

>> ALSO IT'S BEEN REFERRED TO AS A TAX REDUCTION AND REFORM ACT OF 2022.

A FAMILY OF FOUR, FOR INSTANCE, WILL NOT PAY ONE PENNY, NOT ONE PENNY OF STATE INCOME TAX ON THEIR FIRST $30,000 OF INCOME.

THAT SAME FAMILY OF FOUR AT 50,000 OF INCOME WILL SEE AN OVER $400 REDUCTION IN TAXES, AND OVERALL IT TRANSLATES TO AN ESTIMATED $1 BILLION THAT WE RETURN TO THE TAXPAYERS OF VOTE NO ON HB 1437 AND THE REASON WHY I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO IS BECAUSE I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO ON RAISING TAXES ON OVER 500,000 GEORGIANS.

TO BE CLEAR, HB 1437 IS NOT A TAX CUT FOR ALL.

ANALYSIS DONE BY THE GEORGIA BUDGET AND POLICY INSTITUTE SHOWS THAT THIS BILL WILL ACTUALLY RAISE TAXES ON HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VOTERS.

>> AND IN THE SENATE, A BILL THAT IMPACTS ANYONE WHO DRIVES OR HAS TO DEAL WITH RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC SB 203 WOULD ALLOW DRIVERS TO USE THEIR CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHEN THEY ARE AT A STOP, AS LONG AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO A WINDSHIELD OR DASH MOUNT.

>> WHAT I'M ASKING FOR US TO DO IS REVISIT THE HANDS-FREE LAW TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE DO IS NOT MAKE CRIMINALS OUT OF LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS AND MAKE IT SAFER TO MOVE THE TRAFFIC AND LESS DISTRACTION OF DRIVING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE HAPPEN A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WILL GET A TEXT.

THE PHONE WILL DING AND SO THE FIRST THING THEY'LL DO IS PICK UP THE PHONE.

THAT'S THE PERSON I WANT GOING TO JAIL.

I WANT THAT PERSON LOCKED UP AND PROSECUTED.

IF THEY PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IF THEY STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHILE THE PHONE'S IN A CRADLE, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HIT THAT BUTTON AND TOUCH IT.

>> CRITICS SAY THAT DRIVERS ARE ALREADY TOO DISTRACTED WHEN DRIVING AND THAT STATISTICS SHOW THAT BANNING THE USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER DEVICES WHILE DRIVING HAS DECREASED ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.

>> THE PRIMARY USERS.

TELEPHONES IN VEHICLES TODAY, CELL PHONES AND VEHICLES TODAY ARE YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THEY HAVE A HARD TIME DRIVING WITHOUT A TELEPHONE IN THE CAR.

AND FOR US TO CONFUSE THEM AND CHANGE THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME WHILE THEY'RE TRYING TO LEARN TO DRIVE IS INSANITY.

16.7% OF FATAL LARGE TRUCK CRASHES ARE INVOLVED WHEN PEOPLE AND PASSENGER VEHICLES REAR END LARGE TRUCKS.

ONE THIRD OF ALL CRASHES IN THE UNITED STATES ARE REAR-END COLLISIONS.

THIS IS TERRIBLE LEGISLATION.

THIS IS UNNECESSARY LEGISLATION.

THIS IS DANGEROUS LEGISLATION.

>> DISTRACTED DRIVING CAUSES PEOPLE THEIR LIVES EVERY SINGLE YEAR, AND IT HAPPENS IN GEORGIA.

THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT SOLUTION.

>> THE BILL FAILED TO PASS 14-35.

ANOTHER BILL ON THE FLOOR TODAY SB 562 WOULD BAN RUSSIAN AND BELORUSSIAN GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR CONTROLLED COMPANIES FROM BIDDING ON GEORGIA STATE CONTRACTS.

>> AS YOU KNOW, ALL THE HORRENDOUS ACTIVITIES GOING ON OVER THERE AND KILLING INNOCENT WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND MEN, THIS HAS TO STOP.

IF WE CAN SEND A MESSAGE, THIS IS ONE OF THEM THAT WE NEED TO SEND.

>> WHILE WE CANNOT DICTATE FOREIGN POLICY IN THIS CHAMBER, WE DO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENSURE THAT TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN THIS STATE DO NOT GO TO FUND THIS BELORUSSIAN OLIGARCHY.

>> IT WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

AN IDENTICAL BILL IN REGARDS TO CHINA PASSED EARLIER IN THE SESSION.

THAT'S MY CAPITAL REPORT AND I WANT ED TO MENTION TODAY IS SCOUTS AT THE CAPITOL DAY AND OUR GIRLS SCOUT LEADER EXTRAORDINARY AIR DONNA KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

I DO THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>> WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A COUPLE OF INTERESTING BILLS.

JOINING ME ARE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TONYA ANDERSON OF LITHONIA, CHAIR OF THE BLACK CAUCUS AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JESSE PETRI OF SAVANNAH, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE AND HOUSE HUMAN RELATIONS AND AGING COMMITTEE.

A LONG TITLE.

WELCOME LAWMAKERS, TO BOTH OF YOU.

YOU HAVE A BILL TO HELP MILITARY RETIREES WITH AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION.

IT'S HB 1064H TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> IT'S AN ISSUE THAT I'VE LONG WORKED ON HERE AND THANKFULLY GOVERNOR KEMP MADE THIS A PRIORITY WHEN HE RAN FOR OFFICE AND THIS IS HIS BILL THAT I'M CARRYING THIS YEAR.

WHAT IT DOES IS IT EXEMPT $17,500 OF MILITARY RETIREMENT INCOME FROM STATE INCOME TAX AND ADDITIONALLY IF THOSE INDIVIDUALS RETIRE AND WORK IN GEORGIA, THEY CAN EXEMPT ANOTHER $17,500 OF THEIR EARNED INCOME FROM STATE INCOME TAX.

IN THE AGGREGATE THEY CAN EXEMPT $35,000 OF THEIR INCOME FROM STATE INCOME TAX.

ALL OF THAT THAT IS EXEMPTED WOULD BE FOR MILITARY RETIREMENT.

BUT THEY HAVE TO WORK IN THE STATE.

THIS MEASURE IS DESIGNED TO DO SEVERAL THINGS.

NUMBER ONE, OF COURSE, TO REWARD THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SACRIFICED THE MOST FOR THIS COUNTRY.

BUT IT'S ALSO TARGETED DIRECTLY AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORK FORCE CHALLENGES.

THE ONE THING WE HEAR FROM ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS BACK AT HOME EVERYWHERE, WE NEED PEOPLE TO TAKE THE SKILLED JOBS THAT WE NEED.

WE NEED A WORK FORCE.

AND SO THIS JOB ENCOURAGES THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ON AVERAGE RETIRE AT 42 TO 47 AND SO THEY'RE READY TO START NEW CAREERS.

ENCOURAGES THEM TO LIVE AND WORK IN GEORGIA AND TAKE THE JOBS THAT ARE SO DESPERATELY NEEDED HERE BY OUR INDUSTRY AND OUR BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> ABOUT 101,000 MILITARY RETIREES IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CURRENTLY ARE GOING TO BORDER STATES.

SO WHEN YOU REPRESENT A COMMUNITY LIKE SAVANNAH, IT'S VERY EASY FOR PEOPLE TO CROSS A RIVER AND CROSS A LINE AND TO SAVE CURRENTLY 5.75, AS YOU SAW TODAY WE'RE LOWERING THAT TO 5.25.

IT'S EASY TO SAVE THAT MONEY BY GOING TO AN ADJACENT STATE AND WE'RE LOSING OUT ON THOSE WORKERS AND INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE IN GEORGIA RATHER THAN ADJACENT BORDER STATES.

WHO IN EVERY BORDER STATE HAVE ALREADY ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE.

>> AND I KNOW FLORIDA AND WE'VE GOT A MILITARY RETIREE HERE.

21 YEARS IN THE AIR FORCE, RIGHT?

I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT INTERESTS YOU.

BUT I WANT TO GET TO YOUR BILL, THOUGH,.

YOU HAVE DETAILS ON A BILL BEFORE WE GET INTO IT.

I WANT TO GIVE SOME BACKGROUND.

LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT.

1968, THE GEORGIA ELECTED THE FIRST BLACK LAWMAKERS IN THE NATION.

IT HAPPENED IN GEORGIA ON THE GROUNDS OUTSIDE THE STATE CAPITAL RIGHT NOW.

MEMORY OF A MAN.

CALLED THE DOUGLAS REPUBLICANS AND THE STATUE IS CALLED EXPELLED BECAUSE OF COLOR IN 1868 AND THE STATUE WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1976 BY THE BLACK CAUCUS AND UNVEILED IN FEBRUARY OF '78.

FROM THE BOTTOM UP IT SHOWS THE ROLE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, BLACK CHURCH AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

ALL OF THAT IS IN THERE.

YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR INSIDE THE CAPITAL.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO BECAUSE THIS IS A LITTLE KNOWN GEORGIA HISTORY FACT, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND.

ACTUALLY, JUST COMING OUT OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO NOT ONLY CONTRIBUTED BUT SACRIFICED ALSO, THAT OTHER BLACK LAWMAKERS COULD BE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THIS WOULD HONOR THEM FOR THEIR COURAGE, HONOR, BRAVERY, SACRIFICE, FOR JUST STAYING THERE, STICKING TO IT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR.

THIS WILL BE A PLAQUE.

WE DO HAVE A STATUE OUTSIDE, AND A PLACARD ON MARBLE.

BUT THIS WILL BE INSIDE THE CAPITAL.

IF YOU NOTICE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, THERE ARE A LOT OF ARTIFACTS ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR, VOTING AND VOTING BALLOT BOX THERE.

THIS WOULD BE THE GEORGIA BILL AUTHORITY WOULD PUT IT.

BUT THIS WILL BE INSIDE THE CAPITAL BECAUSE VERY FEW PEOPLE, WHILE THE GROUND OF THE CAPITAL, WHEN THEY COME TOá-- STUDENTS COME FOR A SCAVENGER HUNT OR FOR SOME SCHOOL ACTIVITY.

SO THIS WOULD BRING LIGHT TO THIS GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTED, AS I SAID, TO GEORGIA'S HISTORY FOR BLACK AMERICANS.

>> AND DID IT WOULD BE A PLAQUE INSIDE.

SO THE STUDENTS CAN SEE IT, AND I SHOULD SAY THAT THE STATUE IS AT THE CORNER OF CAPITAL AND MLK NEAR THE MLK STATUE.

AND I'LL BE HONEST.

I HAD NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE TODAY SO IT'S VERY INTERESTING.

WELL, YOU'RE FEELING GOOD ABOUT THAT BILL.

>> FEELING GOOD.

>> I WANT TO TURN BACK TO YOU TO TALK ABOUT A BILL YOU HAVE.

YOU'RE SIGNER ON A BILL CALLED HB 389 AND IT INVOLVES MISCLASSIFICATION OF SOME WORKERS.

WHO ARE THESE WORKERS?

>> A GREAT BILL.

THAT WAS REPRESENTATIVE TODD JONES' BILL AND I WAS A CO-SPONSOR OF THAT.

WHAT HAPPENS IS WE'VE GOT BAD ACTORS IN GEORGIA WHO INTENTIONALLY MISCLASSIFY WORKERS.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY THE NEED ACROSS OUR WORK FORCE FOR EMPLOYEES AND FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

BUT WHEN WE MISCLASSIFY INTENTIONALLY EMPLOYEES AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, WE REALLY CHEAT NOT ONLY THOSE EMPLOYEES.

BUT WE ALSO CHEAT THE COMPETING BUSINESSES WHO ARE DOING IT RIGHT AND FOLLOWING THE LAW.

AND FURTHERMORE, WE CHEAT THE STATE TREASURY AND CHEAT STATE TAXPAYERS.

SO AN EMPLOYEE WHO DOES NOTá-- IS NOTá-- DOES NOT CONTROL WHEN THEY COME TO WORK, WHEN THEY LEAVE AND WHO IS CLEARLY AN EMPLOYEE BY ALL OF THE STANDARD SET BY THE IRS, SHOULD BE TREAT ED IT AS SUCH.

AND SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IS ATTACK BAD ACTORS BY INCREASING PENALTIES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CLARIFY LANGUAGE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO FIND AND HALT THESE KINDS OF PRACTICES, WHICH BY THE WAY, I HAVE TO TELL YOU ARE COMMON PLACE.

>> SO YOU'RE GOING AFTER THE EMPLOYER.

>> WE'RE GOING AFTER EMPLOYERS WHO INTENTIONALLY MISCLASSIFY WORKERS AND IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO CUT CORNERS AND NOT PAYING FICO TAXES, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY, NOT PAYING FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE.

ALL THE THINGS YOU DO TO PROTECT WORKERS AND SOCIETY, THEN YOU'RE CHEATING EVERYBODY IN THE SYSTEM.

AND WHAT IT REALLY DOES.

IT BASTARDIZES THE BEAUTY OF THE FREE MARKET CAPITAL AS A SYSTEM.

SO WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND THAT'S WHY THAT BILL WAS IMPORTANT TO ME WHAT TYPE OF WORKERS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WORKERS REALLY IN ANY SECTOR YOU MIGHT IMAGINE.

YOU SEE THIS A LOT IN CONSTRUCTION TRADES, WELDERS, PIPE FITTERS, ET CETERA.

BUT FAR BEYOND THAT.

I MEAN, THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF TYPES OF OCCUPATIONS.

WHERE SOME EMPLOYERS, A MINORITY OF THEM, THAT WILL CUT CORNERS AND HEAT AND THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR SOCIETY AND EMPLOYEES AND I THINK THIS IS A GREAT BIPARTISAN MEASURE THAT IS GOOD TO SEE, THAT WE ALL AGREE THIS IS NOT GOOD PRACTICE AND NOT GOOD FOR SOCIETY.

>> AND NOT RIDE SHARE WORKERS.

>> THOSE ARE SOLIDLYá-- AN UBER DRIVER WORKS WHEN HE FEELS LIKE IT AND HE GOES HOME WHEN HE FEELS LIKE IT.

THAT'S AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN TODAY.

FASCINATING.

WHAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ON.

>> ALWAYS GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'RE FOCUS ON EFFORTS TO PASS A BILL TO LET VOTERS DECIDE WHETHER TO EXPAND GAMBLING IN GEORGIA AND MORE.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

♪♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS".

JOINING ME ARE REPUBLICAN SENATOR BILLY HICKMAN OF STATESBORO AND BILLY MITCHELL OF STONE MOUNTAIN.

BUT TWO BILLIES.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" TO BOTH OF YOU.

YOU'RE BOTH PROPONENTS OF EXTENDING GAMBLING, BUT FIRST LET'S HEAR FROM THOSE THAT ARE STRONGLY ANYTHING THAT INCREASES GAMBLING.

THIS MORNING A COALITION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY CITIZEN IMPACT, FRONTLINE POLICY COUNCIL, AND THE GEORGIA MISSION BOARD.

HERE IS SOME OF WHAT "LAWMAKERS" AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE HAD TO SAY.

>> ALL BUSINESS IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION AND THE GAMBLING ARENA IS A WIN-LOSE SITUATION.

THERE HAS TO BE A LOSER FOR THERE TO BE A WINNER.

THERE IS NO WAY FOR IT TO BE BENEFICIAL.

WE WILL HAVE TO INCREASE THE STAFFING THAT WE HAVE FOR COUNSELING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GAMBLING, AND IT JUST DOES NOT HAPPEN AND WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING IS NUMBER ONE BECAUSE WE ARE A GREAT PLACE AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE WORKERS TO PLACES THAT NEED WORKERS THAT BENEFIT US.

>> WE KNOW THAT ADDICTION IS A REAL POSSIBILITY WHEN IT HAPPENS.

AND THAT KIND OF THING AFFECTS YOUR COMMUNITIES.

IT CERTAINLY AFFECTS YOUR NEIGHBORS AND YOUR FAMILY, AND IT CAN AFFECT YOUR BUSINESSES AS WELL.

AND THOSE THAT ARE WORKING IN YOUR BUSINESSES.

SO I HAVE A REAL PASSION TO AVOID BRINGING THIS HERE.

I THINK THERE IS ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND PEOPLE WANT TO GAMBLE, WE HAVE ALL THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TELL WHERE.

BUT GEORGIA DOES NOT NEED TO BE THE SITE FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT COME ALONG WITH IT.

>> CASINO GAMBLING WILL COMPROMISE OUR VALUES.

OUR FIRST LADY AND LEGISLATORS STANDING WITH ME FOR YEARS HAVE BEEN WORKING TO SHUT DOWN THE EPIDEMIC OF SEX TRAFFICKING HERE IN ATLANTA.

ATLANTA'S BEEN A SEX TRAFFICKING CAPITAL IN SOUTHEAST FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AND WE'RE MAKING TREMENDOUS STRIDES TO STOP THAT.

WE BRING IN A DESTINATION CASINOS THAT COMPETE WITH LAS VEGAS, WHERE PROSTITUTION'S OPENLY LEGAL, WHERE CLIENTELE COMING TO THESE CASINOS ARE USED TO GOING TO PLACES WHERE PROSTITUTION IS OPENLY LEGAL.

THE CLIENTELE AND THE GAMBLING ATTENDEES CASINOS EXPECT THAT IF WE BRING IN CASINOS, IT'S GOING TO BE ROCKET FUEL, ROCKET FUEL FOR SEX TRAFFICKING.

>> BEING THE NUMBER ONE STATE FOR DOING BUSINESS EIGHT YEARS IN A ROW PUT THE STATE OF GEORGIA IN A POSITION WHERE WE CAN PICK AND CHOOSE THE INDUSTRIES, THE COMPANY, THE WE WANT TO DOCUMENT OUR STATE.

WE ARE IN NO POSITION TO NEED THIS.

THE SECOND QUESTION IS IS IT WORTH IT?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I'LL ECHO THE REFRAIN OF MY DO THE PROS OUTWEIGH THE CONS AND ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THE IMPACT THAT IT WOULD HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS STATE WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY DOCTRINAL.

AND TO WHAT END?

TO WHAT END?

DETRIMENTAL?

HOW MUCH MORE THAN NUMBER ONE CAN WE GET?

WE'RE NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION FOR DOING BUSINESS AS A STATE.

SO WHEN WE ASK OURSELVES THESE FEW QUESTIONS, DO WE NEED IT?

NO.

AND IS IT WORTH IT?

NO.

SO THAT IS WHY WE WILL CONTINUE THAT FIGHT TO KEEP THIS OUT OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA FOR AS LONG AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> SO WE HEARD AGAIN AND NOW GOING TO HEAR AND I WANT TO START WITH YOU, SENATOR HICKMAN.

YOU HAVE TWO BILLS.

THE SR 131 AND SB 212 DEALING WITH IT.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> S B212.

AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO CLEAR UP FIRST OF ALL IS THAT IN SB 212.

CASINOS ARE NOT A PART.

HISTORIC RACING MACHINES.

THERE IS NO SLOT MACHINES, ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN THIS BILL.

I'M A CPA.

I UNDERSTAND NUMBERS VERY WELL, AND I'M ALSO A BIG HORSE RACING FAN.

WHEN WE STARTED THIS, I TOLD OUR LEADERSHIP.

I SAID UNLESS IT MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE FOR GEORGIA, I DIDN'T WANT TO BE A PART OF IT AND I UNDERSTAND THEY HAD TO CREATE JOBS AND BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE.

WE HIRED GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY TO DO AN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY ON HORSE RACING IN GEORGIA AND WE FOUND OUT THE THAT IT WILL CREATE MORE THAN 8,000 JOBS IN GEORGIA AND BE ALMOST $1.2 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT.

THAT'S MORE JOBS THAN GEORGIA POWER HAS IN GEORGIA AND MORE JOBS THAN KEN USA STATE HAS, CHICK-FIL-A.

LOCKHEED MARTIN.

AND THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANY TAX INCENTIVES FOR THESE RACETRACKS.

THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE TAX CREDITS AND ALL GOING TO BE PRIVATE DOLLARS.

AND THE MAIN THING IS I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THERE IS NO CASINOS INVOLVED IN THE HORSE RACING.

>> AND THE MONEY WOULD GO TOWARD EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE, RIGHT?

IS THAT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WITH YOUR BILL?

>> YES, MA'AM.

IT WOULD GO TO EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE BROADBAND AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR RURAL AREAS.

>> AND IT COVERS A LOT OF AREAS.

REPRESENTATIVE MITCHELL, WE'VE HAD YOU ON THE SHOW BEFORE.

YOU FAVOR EXPANDING GAMBLING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS WE HEARD ABOUT THAT WILL BRING IN ORGANIZED CRIME, IT WILL BRING IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

ALL OF THAT INTO GEORGIA.

>> WELL, LET ME JUST, A DONNA.

MY FRIEND WHO ARE OPPOSED TO THIS LEGISLATION, AND I THINK THEY'RE WELL-INTENTIONED.

STATISTICS THAT WOULD SUGGEST THAT THERE WOULD BE ANY MORE CRIME THAN THERE IS NOW.

LET ME PUT IT OUT FRONT.

IF EVERYONE GAMBLED LIKE I DO, THE INDUSTRY WOULD BE IN TROUBLE, AND CERTAINLY IT WOULDN'T LAST.

THAT MODEL WOULD NOT LAST.

BUT NO ONE CAN DENY WHAT THE LOTTERY, WHICH IS GAMBLING, HAS DONE FOR THE WHOLE SCHOLARSHIP INTO OUR UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN GEORGIA.

WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO DO HERE.

MY FEELING IS THAT GEORGIANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHAT GEORGIANS DO FOR THE BENEFIT OF GEORGIANS REGULATED BY GEORGIANS.

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT, THE CONVERSE OF THAT IS TRUE, WHICH MEANS YOU FEEL THAT GEORGIANS SHOULD GO TO OTHER STATES WHERE THEY WOULD BE REGULATED BY THE STATES FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHER STATES.

AND I JUST BELIEVE THAT THIS SUGGESTS THAT THEY'RE DOING IT NOW IN ANY EVENT.

SO WE MAY AS WELL LET IT BE FOR GEORGIANS AND IT'S HAPPENING NOW AND THE MONEY WOULD COME INTO GEORGIA AND THAT THEY DON'T GO TO OTHER STATE, I GUESS, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

I EVEN HAD A CONSTITUENT WRITE TO ME ABOUT THE NOTION OF BEING ADDICTED TO GAMBLING, AND THEY SAID THERE IS MONIES THAT ARE PUT IN PLACE TO DEAL WITH GAMBLING ADDICTIONS.

IF IT WERE NOT FOR THAT, SHE CLAIMED, HER HUSBAND WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE KIND OF HELP AND RESOURCES THAT HE NEEDED.

THEREFORE, IF HE WAS GAMBLING OUT OF STATE, HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THOSE KINDS OF RESOURCES AND HELP THAT HE NEEDED.

SO I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH TO TELL FOLK THAT THEY CANNOT ENJOY GAMING WITHIN THE STATE.

>> AND NOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS GETTING IT TO THE POINT WHERE THE VOTERS MAKE A DECISION, RIGHT?

ON YOUR BILL AND ANYTHING ELSE DEALING WITH GAMBLING, RIGHT?

>> YES, MA'AM.

IT WOULD BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WE VOTE ON IN NOVEMBER AND THEN AT THE MOST IT WOULD BE FIVE STRIKES IN GEORGIA AND THAT WOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF THOSE TRACKS.

AND IT WOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS OF THOSE AREAS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THAT TRACK WOULD BE IN THAT AREA OR NOT.

>> AND HAVE YOU DETERMINED WHERE THOSE TRACKS WILL GO?

>> NO, MA'AM.

>> WILL THERE TO BE A COMMISSION?

>> I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE A PRIVATE TRACK.

SO THERE WILL BE AN IMPACT ECONOMY STUDY DONE BY THE COMPANY TO DETERMINE THE MOST VIABLE LOCATIONS ARE.

>> SO FIVE IS WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AND SOMETHING WOULD BE DETERMINED BASED ON WHOEVER WOULD BRING THEM IN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WHERE IS THERE PARAMUTUALLY RACING AROUND US IN OTHER STATES?

>> FLORIDA, KENTUCKY, ALABAMA, LOUISIANA, TEXAS, IOWA, NEW YORK, ILLINOIS.

CALIFORNIA.

ARKANSAS.

>> SO WE'RE SEEING IT ALL OVER.

>> AND YOU SEEM TO THINK THAT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM GAMBLING WHEN IT COMES TO CASINOS.

ARE YOU LOOKING AT IT SIMILAR TO THE LOTTERY AS GAMBLING?

>> WELL, IN FACT, IT'S NOT A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE JUST GO IN AND YOU PULL A LEVER AND YOU'VE GOT TO STUDY A RACING FORM IN ORDER TO MAKE THE BET AND ALSO IT'S NOTá-- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT CASINOS AND THIS IS NO PART OF CASINOS.

>> YEAH.

I HAVE TO SAY WE USUALLY HAVE A SESSION WHERE THINGS MOVE ALONG AND RIGHT BEFORE CROSSOVER DAY, GAMBLING BECOMES A BIG DEAL.

THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT.

HOW DO YOU FEEL GOING INTO TUESDAY?

>> WELL, I MUST SAY THAT WHEN YOU BALANCE THE ARGUMENTS TO THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT GEORGIANS CAN REALIZE, THE JOBS THAT GEORGIANS CAN REALIZE, AND THAT'S WHAT BALANCE IS FOR ME.

WHEN FOLKS ARE FACED WITH GREAT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING JOBS, IT CAN TURN A AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD THING FOR GEORGIA.

>> WE'LL SEE HOW IT DOES.

WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE YOU COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT IT.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> ENJOYED IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LAWMAKERS".

LOOKING FOR OUR "LAWMAKERS" CAPITAL REPORT ON FRIDAY AT THE END OF THE PBS NEWSHOUR AND WE'LL SEE YOU ON TUESDAY FOR OUR SPECIAL ONE-HOUR-LONG CROSSOVER DAY EDITION OF "LAWMAKERS".

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

♪♪