>>> WE ARE GOING TO MISS HER, WE ARE GOING TO ARE GOING TO GRIEVE.

>> Reporter: THE GEORGIA HOUSE OPENS TODAY'S SESSION BY PAYING RESPECT TO ONE OF ITS OWN, REPRESENTATIVE CHICK McKINSEY WHO PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY.

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON THIS DAY 31.

THE MAJOR NEWS OF THE DAY CAME FROM THE HOUSE.

MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 FOR THE BEGINS JULY FORCED FIRST.

ON THE SHOW WE WILL WALK YOU THROUGH HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BUDGET AND HOW IT WILL REFLECT.

ALSO THIS YEAR, THE GEORGIA SENATE HAS THE GAVEL IN THE SENATE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HE IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER, WHERE HE SPENT 10 YEARS AS A MEMBER.

THE SENATE HAS GENERATED A LOT OF NEWS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND I HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE AN EXTENSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ABOUT A NUMBER OF THOSE ISSUES AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF HIS PRIORITIES.

THAT INTERVIEW HAS OUR LAWMAKERS CAPITAL REPORT.

>> HI, GOOD NEWS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND TEACHERS AS SALARY INCREASES ARE ALL PART OF THIS $32 BILLION BUDGET, AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR STATE UNIVERSITIES.

>> Reporter: BEFORE TACKLING THE BUDGET THE HOUSE STARTED ON A SAD NOTE.

CONDOLENCES WERE GIVEN TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF HOUSE MEMBER TISHMAN KESEY WHO PASSED AWAY AFTER BEING SWORN IN JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO.

>> I WANT TO THANK GOVERNOR KEMP, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JONES, AND OUR FRIENDS IN THE SENATE OR THEIR SYMPATHY IN THIS LOSS.

THE LOSS IN THIS HOUSE.

AS SPEAKER I WANT TO EXTEND OUR PRAYERS AS HUSBAND AND CHILDREN AND TO HAVE KNOWN HER.

>> Reporter: MINORITY LEADER JAMES BEVERLY TEARFULLY HONORING HER MEMORY JOINT OTHER DEMOCRAT MEMBERS.

>> I REMINDED OF A SONG, AND I THINK SHE AND BODY THIS SONG.

IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY, AND IT GOES AS I PASS ALONG, IF I COULD CHASE HIM BODY WITH THE WORD OR SONG, IF I CAN SHOW SOMEONE THE TRAVELING WRONG, AND IN MY LIVING WILL NOT BE IN VAIN.

IF I COULD DO MY DUTY AS A CHRISTIAN, IF I CAN BRING SALVATION OLD ONCE ROBBED, IF I CAN SPREAD LOVE'S ASHES THEN MY LIVING ROOM UP IN VAIN.

PRESENCE.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> HER WORK IS INDELIBLE.

IT HAS MADE A MARK IN SOUTH FULTON, FAYETTE COUNTY THAT WILL NOT BE ERASED.

HER SHOULDERS ARE BIG ENOUGH FOR US TO COME BEHIND AND STAND ON THAT AND DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE.

IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE NAGHISE WAS 59.

WITH HEAVY HEARTS, THE HOUSE CONTINUED WITH TODAY'S BUSINESS BY PASSING HB 19 WHICH COVERED THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND 24.

IT WILL NOW HEAD TO THE SENATE FOR FINALIZATION.

>> THERE WERE A NUMBER OF GREAT INITIATIVES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO INCLUDE IN OUR VERSION OF THE BUDGET THE YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF.

BUT OUR WORK IS NOT DONE.

>> Reporter: THE BILL INCLUDES MORE THAN $1 MILLION TOWARDS ESTABLISHING A GEORGIA STATE PATROL SATELLITE POST IN BUCKHEAD TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF VIOLENT CRIME BY RESIDENTS AND FUNDS TO ADDRESS COLD CASE HOMICIDES.

>> THIS INCLUDES UP TO 20 MOTOR UNIT TROOPERS AS WELL AS A NIGHTHAWK TASK FORCE.

$2.7 MILLION FOR NEW COKE A SPECIALTY UNIT IN THE DVI.

THE NEW UNIT INCLUDES 13 AGENTS, TWO CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE AGENTS, AND TWO DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE INVESTIGATORS TO ADDRESS NEARLY 570 COLD HOMICIDE CASES THAT THE AGENCY IS WILLING TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH THEIR COLD CASE AS EXPECTED.

>> Reporter: AS MENTAL HEALTH CARE EFFORTS REMAIN A MAJOR INITIATIVE FOR THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, THE PROPOSED BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES $10 MILLION TO INCREASE WAGES OF STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS.

A TOTAL OF $13 BILLION IS EXPECTED TO BE SPENT ON SCHOOLS IN THE NEXT THAT INCLUDES A $2000 BUMP IN PAY FOR UNIVERSITY TEACHERS AND WORKERS.

>> THE MOST STATE FUNDS EVER PROVIDED TO K-12 EDUCATION.

KIDS ARE NOT ABLE TO LEARN IF THEY ARE HUNGRY.

THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE BUDGET INCLUDES $6.3 BILLION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BUDGET TO COVER THE COST OF REQUEST AND LUNCH FOR REDUCED PRICE STUDENTS.

THIS IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE FREE BRECHT LIST FOR 32,000 CHILDREN AND FREE LUNCH FOR 64,000.

>> ALSO GETTING A PAY INCREASE, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CAN SEE A $4000 WAGE HIKE.

>> THIS IS DESIGNED TO ENFORCE COMPETITIVENESS BETWEEN OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, BUT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THE INHERENT AGERS OF THE JOB AND THE INCREASING CALL TO STEP UP IN TURBULENT TIMES.

>> Reporter: FINALLY, SECRETARY OF STATE HOLDING A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY ANNOUNCING A NEW VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR THE STATE, NICK NAMED JARVIS FOR THE GEORGIA REGISTRY VOTER REGISTRATION SERVICE.

>> LAST YEAR WE WERE LAUNCHING THIS NEW VOTER REGISTRATION SERVICE.

NOW IT ONLY 15 MONTHS WE HAVE EXECUTED THE LARGEST, FASTEST ROLLOUT OF A TOP- DOWN STATEWIDE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM.

THAT IS THE LARGEST AND FASTEST IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> Reporter: WHILE OFFICIALS SAY THE NEW SYSTEM WILL NOT CHANGE THE VOTING EXPERIENCE FOR MOST GEORGIANS, IT WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP BETTER TRACK OF VOTERS MOVING IN AND OUT OF THE STATE AND UPDATE VOTING ROLLS FASTER AND MORE ACCURATELY.

>> I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT MENTION THAT TODAY IS AT THE CAPITAL.

THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> EVERYTHING THAT MAKES GEORGIA FUNCTION, THE SCHOOLS, THE ROADS, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND SO MUCH MORE, ON THE BUDGET GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS MANDATED BY THE CONSTITUTION TO PASS EACH YEAR.

WE HAVE SEEN LOTS OF LEAN BUDGET YEARS WITH LOTS OF ANGST OVER WHERE TO MAKE CUTS, BUT THIS YEAR, LIKE IN 2022, THERE IS A STATE SURPLUS.

AND LOTS OF PEOPLE SCRAMBLING.

STATE AGENCIES, LAWMAKERS, TO TRY AND GET THEIR PRIORITIES FUNDED.

JOINING ME IS ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE WHO LIKE ME KNOWS THE INS AND OUTS OF THE STATE BUDGET BETTER THAN JUST ABOUT ANYONE.

THE ATLANTA JOURNAL- CONSTITUTION DEAN SALZER.

HE HAS COVERED THE POLICIES IN GEORGIA SINCE 1990.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

OUR ANNUAL ONE HOUR BUDGET SHOW WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, THAT ON MONDAY.

I MET WITH HIM YESTERDAY TO PREP THE SHOW.

I MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE JOINING ME TODAY AND THEY ASKED IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE ON THEM, I JUST THINK THAT IS QUITE A COMPLIMENT.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN A NUMBERS GUY?

>> YEAH, PRETTY MUCH.

WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL MATH WAS THE ONE THING I COULD DO WELL.

NOT NECESSARILY WRITING.

I DECIDED TO BE A STATISTICS MAJOR IN COLLEGE AND CHANGED TO JOURNALISM AT SOME POINT.

>> I THINK THAT IS GREAT BECAUSE YOU TOOK THAT KNOWLEDGE AND BROUGHT IT INTO JOURNALISM.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

LET'S START BY LOOKING AT THE REVENUE SIDE OF THE BUDGET.

GEORGIA HAS A $6.6 BILLION SURPLUS, AND AS I MENTIONED, IT IS THE SECOND YEAR FOR WHAT SOME CONSIDER A CASH COW FOR THE STATE.

TALK ABOUT HOW WE GOT HERE.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING THAT AT THE TIME OF THE START OF THE COVERED PANDEMIC, THE FEAR WAS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A MASSIVE RESECTION.

AS YOU REMEMBER THEY WERE CUTTING SPENDING.

RIGHT BEFORE COVID HIT THEY PASSED A LAW THAT MADE IT SO THAT MORE INTERNET SALES WERE TAXED.

I FORGOT THE EXACT TITLE OF THE BILL, BUT IT WAS A LITTLE COMPLICATED FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON UNDERSTAND.

IT WAS ESSENTIALLY THAT IF YOU BROUGHT STUFF ONLINE YOU ARE GOING TO GET TAXED FOR IT.

IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT EVERYONE WAS BUYING ONLINE, INCLUDING MYSELF.

SO THAT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

THAT DID BETTER THAN THEY DREAMED IT WAS GOING TO DO IN TERMS OF BRINGING IN REVENUE.

ALSO FEDERAL FUNDING STARTED UP.

THAT FIRST YEAR AND A HALF AFTER THE PANDEMIC HIT, FEDERAL FUNDING REALLY BOOSTED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY WERE RECEIVING.

I THINK IT 1.3 $.8 BILLION SURPLUS THAT YEAR.

NEXT YEAR, 2021 TO 2022, IN PART BECAUSE OF CAPITAL GAINS IT WAS A GREAT STOCK MARKET.

WITH 2022 WHEN PEOPLE DID THEIR TAXES THEY WERE PAYING MUCH HIGHER INCOME TAXES, RIGHT?

SO SALES TAXES HAVE CONTINUED TO BE GOOD, CAPITAL GAINS TAXES, AND INCOME IN GENERAL, PEOPLE ARE MAKING MORE MONEY.

MORE PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED, THEY ARE GETTING RAISES AS WE JUST HEARD.

SO FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS MONEY IS JUST FLOWING IN.

IT IS THE CONCERN I THINK THEY HAVE THIS YEAR THAT THE STOCK MARKET DID NOT DO TOO WELL LAST YEAR, AS YOU REMEMBER.

WHEN PEOPLE START PAYING THEIR TAXES, THEY HAVE STARTED, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, AND APRIL, THE ORIGINAL PROJECTIONS WERE THAT CAPITAL GAINS INCOME TAXES WOULD BE DOWN $3 BILLION.

SO IT WOULD BE HUGE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, THE DEATH OF THEIR PROJECTING.

>> EVEN LAST YEAR THE TALK WAS WHEN ONE IS DONE IN TERMS OF THAT BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WE ARE HERE AGAIN THIS YEAR, IT IS JUST A MATTER OF CAN IT LAST?

>> RIGHT.

ALL THE DISCUSSION ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS IF THERE IS A DECENT CHANCE, A FAIR CHANCE WE ARE HITTING A RECESSION.

IT PROBABLY CAN'T LAST.

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS GEORGIANS WILL GET SOME OF THAT MONEY.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> SO LAST YEAR GOVERNOR KEMP AND THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED, ESSENTIALLY REBATING $1 BILLION TO PEOPLE WHO PAY TAXES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

$500 FOR A COUPLE, 250 FOR SINGLE, 354 HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD.

SO THIS YEAR ESSENTIALLY, THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING.

1.1 BILLION IN INCOME TAX REBATE, THAT BILL PASSED IN FINANCE YESTERDAY.

SO PROBABLY COMING OUT NEXT WEEK, AND THAT WILL BE A BIG DEAL.

THEN IN THE BIG YOUR BUDGET THEY JUST PASS THIS WEEK, $950 MILLION PROPERTY TAX CUT.

THEY WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT HOME, THEY WILL PRODUCE IT AND YOU PAY LESS AND PROPERTY TAX.

>> I WILL MAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAPPY.

THE AMENDED BUDGET GOES THROUGH THE END OF JUNE SO PEOPLE KNOW THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT FISCAL 2024 BUDGET A LITTLE MORE PRESENTED BY HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN AS WE SAW EARLIER.

LET'S GET INTO SOME OF THE SPECIFICS, BEGINNING WITH THE LARGEST CHUNK, WHICH IS EDUCATION.

GOOD NEWS FOR TEACHERS, BUT NOT JUST TEACHERS.

>> NO, IT IS A $2000 PAY RAISE.

TEACHERS HAVE BEEN GETTING PEREZ THE LAST FEW YEARS, SO ESSENTIALLY THE EMPLOYEES WILL GET THE SAME KIND OF PAY RAISE.

SHERMAN HATCHETT SAID $13 BILLION IS THE MOST OUR STATE IS EVER SPENT ON EDUCATION.

THEY ARE FULLY FUNDING THE FORMULA THAT IS USED TO PAY FOR SCHOOLS.

IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE DONE THAT WE ARE LIKE NO, THAT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.

BUT WE REMEMBER FIVE, SIX, SEVEN EVERY YEAR THERE WAS A GOOD BIT OF MONEY THAT WAS CUT.

THAT DATES BACK TO I BELIEVE GOVERNOR PERDUE'S FIRST TERM WHEN THEY START HITTING BACK.

IT ACTUALLY IS SIGNIFICANT, AS YOU SAW, THE GUEST PLOT LINE TODAY WAS BY FAR THE FACT THAT THEY PUT MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE IT SO THAT CHILDREN ON REDUCED BREAKFAST IN SCHOOL LUNCH DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING.

I THINK IT SAID 32,000 CHILDREN >> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAID FOR THAT AND IT WAS GOING TO GO AWAY.

THEY WERE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT.

>> THAT'S THE QUESTION.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BOOST IN PAPER WORKFORCE ISSUES, BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE STATE.

WE HAVE SEEN SALARIES TO TRY TO ATTRACT PEOPLE, RETAIN PEOPLE, ATTRACT THEM.

>> SOMETHING ON THIS SINCE THE SIGNIFICANT THINGS GOVERNOR KEMP HAS DONE ON THAT ISSUE, IN THE PAST IF THEY GAVE A PAY RAISE IT WAS A 2% PAY RAISE.

SOME OF THESE CONFERENCING ARE MAKING $35,000 A YEAR, 2% PAY RAISE IS NOT A LOT.

IT MEANS A LOT MORE TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD MAKING $150,000 A YEAR.

THEY ARE GETTING MORE MONEY OUT OF THAT THAN THE PRISON GUARD.

SO LAST YEAR THEY GAVE 5000 ON THE PAY RAISE THIS YEAR A $2000 PAY RAISE.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, THAT IS LIKE A 20% INCREASE IN THEIR PAY FOR THAT PRISON GUARD, WHEREAS $7000 IS $150,000 A YEAR PERCENTAGE.

THE PERCENTAGEWISE IS NOT A BIG DEAL.

THE IDEA IS THAT A LOT OF THIS IS BOOSTING PEOPLE IN THE $30- $60,000 RANGE.

THOSE OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE.

>> RIGHT, INCLUDING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT IS A BIG AREA.

>> THE SENATE NOW GETS THE BUDGET.

WILL WE SEE CHANGES?

TALK ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS USUALLY WORKS.

>> THE WAY USUALLY WORKS IS THAT THE HOUSE TAKES THE FIRST CRACK, THEY PUT IN ALL THEIR PRIORITIES.

THEIR PRIORITIES THIS YEAR BESIDES EDUCATION WERE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE POLICE ENTITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH.

THEY PUT AN ASTONISHING AMOUNT IN THE INTERMEDIARY BUDGET THIS YEAR THEY PUT AN ASTONISHING AMOUNT IN IN TERMS OF INCREASE IN MENTAL HEALTH, AND AS CHAIRMAN HATCHETT SAID, THEY WILL HOPEFULLY DO A LOT MORE.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

IT IS NEVER GOING TO BE ENOUGH.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH RIGHT NOW, AT LEAST.

SO I THINK THOSE ARE NOT RINGS THAT THE SENATE ARE GOING TO, THE SENATE ALSO, AS YOU MENTIONED, ALL INTO CRIME BILLS RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COME BACK AT IT, I DON'T THINK.

YES, THERE WILL BE CHANGES.

THERE ALWAYS ARE.

>> OKAY, YOU WILL BE KEEPING UP WITH US.

WE MAY HAVE TO SEE YOU ON MONDAY A LITTLE BIT.

WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW, WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE IT.

>>> COMING UP ON MY ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BERT IS ON HIS PRIORITIES AND MORE.

>> LAWMAKERS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, WITH 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

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

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION OF GEORGIA STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA LEGISLATION WORKS TO HELP PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA IN THE STATE CAPITAL DURING RECESSION AND YEAR-ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

IT IS A TIME OF TRANSITION IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LEADERS OF EACH CHAMBER.

EARLIER TODAY I TALKED TO TENANT GOVERNOR BERT JONES ABOUT HOW HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE ADJUSTING TO THE NEW ROLE AND HIS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE SESSION.

I STARTED BY ASKING HIM ABOUT THE AMOUNT AFTER THE DEFEAT OF THE BUCKHEAD CITY HOOD BILL.

HE JOINS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND SUPPORTING PLANS FOR A $1.2 MILLION SATELLITE POST IN BUCKHEAD FOR THE GEORGIA STATE PATROL.

>> WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE CRIME ISSUE.

WE HAVE TO BRING ALL THE PEOPLE TO THE TABLE ON THIS, AND I WAS VERY MUCH BEHIND US PUTTING THE NECESSARY FUNDS IN TO CREATE OR OPEN THE STATE PATROL PRECINCT THAT WILL HELP PATROL AND BE A SPOT THAT OUR TROOPERS CAN HEADQUARTER WRITE UP AND ALSO HELP POLICE THE AREA OF THERE.

IT IS IMPORTANT, IT IS IMPORTANT TO THE SYSTEMS THAT LIVE IN THE AREA OF BUCKHEAD.

IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO THE CITY AS A WHOLE IN ATLANTA AND THE STATE.

SO I WAS VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF WHAT THE SPEAKER AND GOVERNOR WERE PUTTING FORWARD.

LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING GREAT TOGETHER RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE REALLY BEEN WORKING WELL TOGETHER ON PUBLIC SAFETY TYPE ISSUES.

AND SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT.

YOU ARE PROBABLY THINGS THAT WE DO TO TRY TO HELP OUT THE CITIZENS FOR THE ENTIRE CITY OF ATLANTA.

>> DO YOU THINK THIS SATELLITE OFFICE WILL HELP SATISFY SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT CRIME IN THAT AREA?

>> I MEAN, IT IS A STEP TOWARD, WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO SATISFY THOSE ISSUES BY GETTING A VIOLENT OFFENDERS OFF THE STREETS AND TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED WITH.

BUT THAT IS JUST ONE STEP TOWARDS I'M SURE MANY WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IN THE FUTURE HERE.

>> LET'S STICK WITH PUBLIC SAFETY A LITTLE BIT.

THE SENATE HAS FOCUSED ON WHAT I CALL TOUGH ON CRIME ISSUES, INCLUDING MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR ANYONE CONVICTED OF GANG-RELATED CRIME.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON THOSE BILLS?

>> I WOULD SAY IT HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF MINE, I THINK THE PRIORITY OF THE SENATE, AS WELL.

SENDER RANDY ROBINSON HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF BRINGING IT BEFORE LAW ENFORCEMENT HIMSELF.

AND HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF BRINGING SOME OF THOSE ISSUES TO LIGHT.

YOU CANNOT HAVE PEOPLE WHO CONTINUE TO COMMIT CRIMES BEING JUST PROCESSED AND PUT BACK ON THE STREET, BECAUSE THEY END UP USUALLY COMMITTING ANOTHER CRIME.

THAT IS REASON WHY WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS AND GET RID OF THE SIGNATURE BILL ISSUE, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS ALMOST LIKE AN I.O.U.

NOTE.

ALL THEY DO IS SIGN THEIR NAME TO A PIECE OF PAPER AND THEY ARE ASKED TO SHOW BACK UP TO COURT WITH NO SKIN IN THE GAME WHATSOEVER.

AND IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT MOST ARE IGNORING THAT.

SO WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A REASON TO NOT SHOW UP TO A COURT DATE, BUT ALSO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME MANDATORY MINIMUM ON PEOPLE WHO ARE REPEAT VIOLENT GANG-RELATED CRIMINALS.

>> THERE ARE SOME THAT BELIEVE THIS KIND OF AROSE WITH WHAT THE FORMER GOVERNOR DID WHEN IT CAME TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

>> I WAS HERE IN THE SENATE WHEN WE PASS THOSE INITIATIVES.

I VOTED FOR THOSE INITIATIVES.

IT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT, SOMETIMES YOU LOOK BACK ON THINGS AND THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD THAT WE DID IN THOSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS.

BUT THERE ARE SOME THAT I THINK NEED TO BE REASSESSED, AND THAT'S ALL WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW.

BUT I WAS FULLY IN SUPPORT OF THOSE INITIATIVES BACK THEN, BECAUSE I THINK THEY WERE WELL INTENDED.

BUT WE HAVE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO LOOK AT HOW SOME OF THEM, WE MIGHT'VE GONE A COUPLE STEPS TO FOUR.

REASSESS ON THAT.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF YOUR PRIORITIES.

ONE IS BRINGING BACK HIS CONSTITUENT SERVICES PROGRAM.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> I HAVE ALWAYS, WHEN I CAME INTO THIS ROLE I TOLD PEOPLE THAT I WOULD HIRE, LOOK, WE WANT TO HAVE A CHICK-FIL-A MENTALITY TO APPROACH OUR PUBLIC RELATIONS.

WE WANT TO HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE FIELD TO OUR OFFICE.

THAT IS OBVIOUSLY THE PEOPLE WE SERVE ARE THE CONSTITUENTS.

AND I TELL FOLKS IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO CALLED YOU, IT DOES NOT MATTER PARTY AFFILIATION OR WHERE THEY LIVE IN THE STATE, WHATEVER IT IS.

IF THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WE WANT TO TRY TO ADDRESS IT IF WE CAN.

SO I MADE SURE THAT WE HAD WHAT WE CALLED FIELD REPRESENTATIVES, WE HAVE THREE RIGHT NOW AND THEY ARE GOING TO COVER DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE STATE.

AND WE WANT THEM TO BE VISIBLE AT FUNCTIONS AND WE WANT THEM TO BE VISIBLE.

THEIR FIRST TASK IS I WANT YOU TO CALL EVERY SHERIFF, EVERY POLICE CHIEF, EVERY COUNTY CHAIRMAN AROUND THE STATE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE A SERVICE FOR THEM IN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

AND THAT SAME THING HERE AT THE CAPITAL, I REALLY STRESS THAT WE WANT TO TREAT EVERYBODY LIKE WE ALL WANT TO BE TREATED.

AND SO IT DOES NOT MATTER WHEN THEY COME TO OUR OFFICE.

THEY KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE MET WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS WANTING TO HELP.

REALLY THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ALL HERE OR, THAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

>> IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A STATE ISSUE, NECESSARILY.

>> IF IT IS NOT A STATE ISSUE IT IS A FEDERAL ISSUE.

WE WILL PROBABLY PUT IT IN THE APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES FOR EITHER ONE OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE OFFICES.

>> AND THAT JONES WEBSITE, THERE IS A FULL DESCRIPTION ON WHO YOU CAN CONTACT AND WHO YOUR STATE SENATOR IS, WHO YOUR HOUSE REP IS AND CONTACT INFORMATION IF THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET SOME OF THEIR LOCAL REPRESENTATION.

THEY CAN GET OUR FOLKS TO HELP THEM OUT WITH THAT.

>> ANY OTHER INITIATIVES THE SESSION?

I KNOW YOU ARE JUST GETTING YOUR FEET WET, INNOCENCE.

>> THERE IS ONE INITIATIVE THAT I HAVE BEEN REALLY PROUD OF THAT IS NOT GOTTEN A LOT OF PRESS.

WE STARTED A CHILDREN'S AND FAMILY COMMITTEE THAT WAS PURELY FOCUSED ON FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, ON ADOPTIONS AND HOW WE GO , TRYING TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE RED TAPE WHEN IT COMES TO ADOPTING CHILDREN.

REALLY FOCUS ON OUR DEFECTS AND TRYING TO IMPROVE THE DEFECTS.

BECAUSE TO ME ABOUT CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND AROUND THE STATE AND HOTELS AT NIGHT FOR WEEKS AT A TIME, AND WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT KIDS BEING MOVED FROM ONE FOSTER FAMILY TO THE OTHER AND ALSO THE WORKLOAD THAT A LOT OF THOSE SOCIAL WORKERS WORKING ON THE DEFECTS ARE HAVING.

I KNEW IT NEEDED SOME ATTENTION.

BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE OVER THERE THAT WERE TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE A LOT OF THESE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE OUT THERE WITH FOSTER CHILDREN, REALLY.

AND IT IS NOT A LACK OF TRYING.

IT WAS RESOURCES AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO FULFILL A LOT OF THOSE OBLIGATIONS.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH THAT COMMITTEE AND WORKING WITH THE HEAD OF THAT DEPARTMENT THERE AND HER TEAM TO FIND OUT WHAT EXACTLY, I ALWAYS SAY YOU CAN'T FIX SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

AND SO THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUES ARE IS TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RIGHT THERE WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH, AND SENATOR KATE KIRKPATRICK IS CHAIRING THAT COMMITTEE, AND SHE HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL.

THAT WHOLE COMMITTEE HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF WRINGING THESE ISSUES TO LIGHT AND ALSO COMING UP WITH A PLAN TO TACKLE THEM.

>> YOU ARE STILL GETTING SETTLED IN, I NOTICE YOU BROUGHT SOME PICTURES IN.

TELL US ABOUT THAT PROCESS AND HOW YOUR FAMILY IS ADJUSTING TO THE SESSION FOR YOU?

>> YOU KNOW, MY FAMILY HAS BEEN GREAT.

THEY ARE PROBABLY ADJUSTED BETTER THAN I HAVE, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

I HAVE A 13 AND A 10-YEAR-OLD, THEY ARE JUST, THEY JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE DADDY MAKES GAMES, WHICH I DO.

MY WIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, AND SHE HERSELF HAS HER OWN INITIATIVES.

SHE IS BIG INTO THE DOG RESCUE WORLD.

SHE STARTED A 501(C) FOUNDATION SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

SO SHE UNDERSTANDS WHEN YOU HAVE A HEART FOR SERVICE YOU NEED TO TRY TO BE INVOLVED IN IT AND TRY TO FULFILL THOSE GOALS.

>> I WANT TO THANK THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

THAT DOESN'T FOR LAWMAKERS TODAY.

WE WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY, MARCH 13th FOR DAY 32.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.