>>> THE AMENDED BUDGET WILL MAKE ONE-TIME ADJUSTMENTS AND SOME ARE HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS AND OTHERS ARE WORKLOAD ADJUSTMENTS.

THESE PAST TWO BUDGET CYCLES, AS WE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, HAVE PROVIDED UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE ONE TIME OR TOO INVESTMENTS IN OUR STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE.

VIA TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS OR CAPITAL NEEDS.

>> HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR REPRESENTATIVE MATT TALKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE BUDGET.

AND LEGISLATORS FOCUS ON THEIR MOST IMPORTANT TASK IN THESE DAYS OF THE SESSION.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO DATE 33 OF THE 40 DAY GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I AM DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

PASSING THE BUDGET IS ONLY THINK LEGISLATORS ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE EACH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT IS WHY TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO DEVOTE OUR SHOW TO DISCUSSING THE BUDGET.

INK OF HOW YOU TACKLE YOUR PERSONAL OR FAMILY BUDGET AND SCALE THAT UP TO REACH $36.1 MILLION.

LAST WEEK THE GEORGIA HOUSE APPROVED THE FIRST DRAFT OF THAT $36.1 MILLION SPENDING PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.

IN THE STUDIO TONIGHT THE APPROPRIATION WIZARDS FROM BOTH CHAMBERS WHO WILL DIG UP SOME OF THE FEATURED ATTRACTIONS IN THE BUDGET, WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT JULY 1st.

LET US GET A RUNDOWN OF THE DAY AT THE CAPITAL FROM SARAH KALLIS.

>> Reporter: THE LEGISLATOR FOCUSED ON A RANGE OF ISSUES FROM CRIME TO SPACE BUT A LOCAL CELEBRITY VISITED THE GOLD DOME.

>> THE HOUSE TOOK UP SEVERAL BILLS RELATED TO CRIME PREVENTION TODAY.

SENATE BILL 421 WOULD CRACKDOWN ON SWATTING, WHEN SOMEONE REPORTS UP A CRIME TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

DOES AN EMERGENCY SERVICE TO ANOTHER PERSON'S HOUSE.

THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE EARLY IN THE SESSION AFTER SEVERAL SENATORS WERE SWATTED.

>> THIS BILL CRIMINALIZES SWATTING.

AND IT WILL KEEP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SAFE BUT IT WILL KEEP OUR MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SAFE.

SO THEY WILL NOT GET CALLED OUT TO THESE INCIDENTS, THOSE FOLKS WILL BE BEHIND BARS ARE DOING THE SWATTING.

>> Reporter: THE BILLS AIMS TO HARSHER PENALTIES FOR DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS.

>> DO NOT SHOOT AT A DWELLING YOU DO NOT SHOOT AT A CARPET IT GIVES SOME VERY SPECIFIC LAWS.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED 162-2.

MEMBERS ALSO UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE SAFEGUARDING ADOPTED CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL VIOLENCE ACT IT WOULD ADOPTIVE PARENTS CHARGES.

ANOTHER BILL AIMING TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICES ALSO PASSED EASILY.

>> I HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN ME IN FURTHERING OUR EFFORTS TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OUR STATE.

>> Reporter: AS BP 70 WOULD REQUIRE PHOTOS ON MASSAGE LICENSES AND ALLOW THE GEORGIA BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPIST TO INITIATE ON-SITE VISITS MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICES.

ANOTHER RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT LATE PIRKLE SAID HE WILL NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION AFTER NEARLY A DECADE IN THE HOUSE.

>> IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU.

EACH OF US MAKE SACRIFICES TO PLAY THIS ROLE.

MINE HAS BEEN A SHARED ONE.

MY DAD, FAILED TO GO TOGETHER FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS.

WHILE I SERVED HERE.

MY MOM KEPT ME ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW HOW MOMS DO.

YOU NEED TO BE AT THIS FESTIVAL.

CLAY, YOU NEED TO GO TO THIS MEETING.

CLAY, YOU NEED TO BE INVOLVED.

MY WIFE, SHARON, SHE KEPT OUR HOME INTACT.

LOTS OF SACRIFICE WHILE I WAS UP HERE.

>> Reporter: A MID-DAY START IN THE SENATE WITH A HANDFUL OF BILLS BEING PASSED ARMED FORCES WAS GIVEN THE SAME RETIREMENT BENEFIT AS THE OTHER MILITARY SERVICES.

HB 299 AND HB 385 HB 563 WHAT I'LL A HEARING FOR A DIMINISHING OF JUDGE IN CASES RELATED TO STATE EMPLOYEE JOB COMPLAINTS.

AND HB 11 ANYONE WOULD LIMIT HOW LONG TAXPAYERS COULD CARRY FORWARD A CERTAIN INCOME TAX INCENTIVES.

YOU HAVE THE TAX CREDITS THAT WERE ADDRESSED IN THIS WERE SPECIFICALLY THE ONES THAT HAD BEEN UNDERUTILIZED.

A TOTAL LESS THAN $1 MILLION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 REPORT BY THE GEORGIA STATE FISCAL RESEARCH CENTER.

WE HAVE USED THEM ON MANY OCCASIONS TO DO THESE MEASUREMENTS.

REMEMBER THE GOLDEN ALPHIN WEEK AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE A NEW HOME.

>> I NOTICED THE GOLDEN ELEPHANT HAS BEEN MOVED UP THE SENATOR FROM THE 14th AND THE CENTER FROM THE 20th OF WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> YES, SIR.

NUTRITION IS CHECK THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE ELEPHANT AND HE HAS BEEN UNFED FOR THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

AND HE IS UNDERNOURISHED BUT WE MOVED HIM TO ANOTHER SENATOR'S DESK.

>> OKAY.

FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU ARISE?

NEW IS THAT TRUE BUT I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE THE ALVIN COULD SIT IN THE SKINNY JEANS.

>> [ LAUGHTER ] >> YOU WOULD ONLY KNOW ABOUT THE SKINNY JEANS BETWEEN THOSE TWO.

>> STATE YOUR INQUIRY.

>> I'M NOT SURE WHEN THE ELEPHANT ARRIVED TO THE SENATOR FROM THE 14th DESK, IT WAS HEAVILY OVERWEIGHT.

HE TRIMMED THE PATENT.

THAT MEANS THAT HE EXERCISED GREAT VESSEL CONSERVATISM.

>> Reporter: FINALLY, FORMER ATLANTA FALCONS QUARTERBACK MATT RYAN WAS AT THE CAPITAL THIS MORNING.

HE WAS HERE TO DRIVE SUPPORT WITH ALL K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE DEVICES AS WELL AS TRAINING AND MEDICAL RESPONSE PLANS.

THAT IS ALL FOR MY CAPITAL REPORT.

LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN TO THE CAPITAL ON WEDNESDAY FOR DATE 34.

BACK TO YOU, DONNA.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.

THE STATE BUDGET SHAPED YOUR LIFE IN A VARIETY OF WAYS FROM YOUR SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE, THE COLLEGE EDUCATION.

AND SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS AS THEY AGE.

IT MAINTAINS POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION BEEN IT OPERATES PRISONS AND KEEPS THINGS MOVING FOR EVERYTHING FROM TRANSPORTATION TO COMMERCE.

THERE ARE PARKS AND WILDLIFE, LIBRARIES, ELECTION SYSTEMS AND SO MUCH MORE.

AS WE GET STARTED, QUICK DISCLAIMER.

GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING IS A STATE AGENCY AND WE GET SOME WE WILL BREAK DOWN THE HIGHLIGHTS WITH THE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN.

CHAIRMAN MATT HATCHETT IS FROM DUBLIN IN LAWRENCE COUNTY.

HE HAS SERVED AS HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR SINCE 2022.

FOR THAT HE HAD A RIGHTY OF LEADERSHIP POSITIONS INCLUDING MAJORITY WHIP.

AND IN THE SENATE, CHAIRMAN BLAKE HAS SERVED AS SENATE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR SINCE THE SPRING OF 2020.

HE IS VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND STATE INSTITUTIONS AND PROPERTY.

CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE BUT YOU KNOW I KNOW YOU ARE FROM DUBLIN.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

ONE OF THE STEPS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS IS THE GOVERNOR SETTING THE REVENUE ESTIMATE.

CHAIRMAN TILLERY EXPLAINED THAT INCREDIBLE PIECE OF THE PROCESS AND WHAT TAKES PLACE FROM THERE.

>> IT STARTS FROM THERE AND THE HOUSE PICKS IT UP.

AND THAT IS A WEEK OR TWO LONGER THAN WE THINK YOU SHOULD AND HE SAID THAT OVER AND WE GO FROM THERE.

HATCHETT HAS BEEN A GREAT CHAIRMAN.

WITHOUT GOOD PEOPLE, THERE IS NO WAY A PROCESS THIS BIG CAN GET DONE.

>> HE DOES THAT PROCESS AND THAT IT MOVES ON I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME JOKING.

THE SENATE WAS WAITING ON THE 2025 BUDGET.

>> ANXIOUSLY.

>> JUST WAITING.

NOW YOU HAVE IT AND IT IS ALL IN YOUR COURT.

LET US LOOK AT THE BUDGET FROM THE REVENUE SIDE.

LET US FIND OUT WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING IN.

WITH THAT, WE KNOW THAT THERE IS -- I AM SORRY, LET US LOOK AT THE BUDGET FROM THE REVENUE SIDE.

THIS IS A PIE CHART.

BASED ON THE AMENDED BUDGET FOR FISCAL 2024, WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED IT SHOWS WHERE THE FUNDS COME FROM.

THE LONGEST CHUNK COMES FROM INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES.

THE BIG GREEN SLIDES, 41.3%, SALES TAXES.

THERE ALSO CORPORATE TAXES ON THE BOTTOM.

AND THE REST FROM THESE AND IF YOU WILL TAX PRINTABLE WATER AND OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME.

CHAIRMAN TILLERY, THAT IS WHERE IT ALL COMES IN WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT.

THOSE NUMBERS HAVE NOT CHANGED A WHOLE LOT OVER THE YEARS, HAVE A?

>> NOT A LOT BUT YOU HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE EXCESS OVERALL.

THE INCOME TAX, A LOT MORE PEOPLE PAYING IN AND DOING WITHHOLDINGS.

AS I'M SURE WE WILL TALK ABOUT LATER ON.

THE PASSAGE OF THE MARKETPLACE FACILITATOR ACT THAT WAS CHAMPIONED BY SENATOR JOHN ALBERS FROM RALSTON WELL AND AFTER ANOTHER.

>> I JUST WANT TO -- I'M THINKING A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE HAS DONE WELL WITH REVENUE.

THINGS ARE SLOWING DOWN A BIT.

TODAY, THIS MORNING, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED THAT NET TAX COLLECTION OUT 4.3% WITH THE ADJUSTED YEAR TO DATE DOWN MORE THAN 3%.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS?

AND WERE ANY TRENDS ARE.

>> I THINK WILL YOU SEE FROM CHAIRMAN HATCHETT AND MYSELF THAT SOME FOLKS CALL US THE ETERNAL TEST STATE GOVERNMENT BUT WE ARE ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT WHEN THE NEXT DEFAULT.

YOU ARE ARE SEEING A SLOWDOWN THAT IS AFTER THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF RECORD-BREAKING TAX COLLECTIONS ON THE STATE LEVEL.

WHEN OUR STATE DECIDES TO OPEN THESE TWO GOVERNOR KEMP, OUR REVENUES RESPONDED.

THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA RESPONDED.

WHILE THESE ARE SLOWDOWN COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE.

IF YOU LOOK OVER THE PAST THREE OR FOUR, YOU'D SEE THAT THERE IS QUITE MONUMENTAL INCREASES.

>> WE WILL SEE A TREND WITH THE MONEY NOT COMING IN AS ROBUSTLY AS A YEAR AGO OR A COUPLE YEARS.

>> YOU WILL STEER LIKELY NEGATIVE AS YOU COMPARE THIS MONTH TO 23.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE IT LEVEL OUT OVER THE NEXT 12 TO 24 MONTHS.

>> NOW, LET US LOOK AT THE AMENDED -- WE TALKED ABOUT THE AMENDED BUDGET.

LET US TALK ABOUT MORE ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.

WE WILL LOOK AT ANOTHER PIE CHART.

THIS IS FROM YOUR OFFICE.

THIS SHOWS THAT EDUCATION GETS ABOUT HALF THE MONEY.

THAT INCLUDES HIGHER EDUCATION HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES NEXT TO 21%.

10% FOR TRANSPORTATION AND THE REST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND CAPITAL PROJECTS.

AND THE 7% FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

LET US TALK A LITTLE ABOUT ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS.

>> YOU COULD SEE THAT EDUCATION WAS 48%.

>> PUT THAT BACK UP ON THE SCREEN.

>> IT IS USUALLY OVER 50%.

THE REASON IT IS SHOWING THAT OVER 50% IS IN THE AMENDED BUDGET THAT WE JUST PASSED, THERE WAS A $1.5 BILLION CONFUSION INTO TRANSPORTATION, WHICH IS A SEPARATE PIE HERE.

IT IS USUALLY A LITTLE OVER 50%.

THAT IS WHY YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW.

IT WAS SO MUCH MONEY THAT WE PUT OVER $5 BILLION IN THE ORIGINAL '24 BUDGET AMENDMENT.

AND PUT SOME LARGE NUMBERS IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RETIREMENT, THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN.

IT MADE THOSE PERCENTAGES A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THEY ARE.

EDUCATION IS STILL THE LARGEST PORTION >> I THINK IT WAS 53% LAST YEAR.

THANKS FOR EXPLAINING WHY THE DIFFERENCE.

WITH THESE PERCENTAGES, LET US TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT STATE EMPLOYEES WILL GET.

WE WILL PUT UP ANOTHER GRAPHIC HERE.

ALLSTATE EMPLOYEES WILL GET A COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF 4%.

THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL $3000 IN THE HOUSE BUDGET AND ADJUSTMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTION OFFICERS.

THAT IS ABOVE THE 4% PLUS ADDITIONAL SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AGRICULTURE AND THE DBI.

AND THEY RANGE FROM CASEWORKERS TO INSPECTORS, TO CRIME LABS AND TECHNICIANS.

TALK A LITTLE BIT, CHAIRMAN HATCHETT, ABOUT WHAT YOU CALL THE HIGH TURN OVER, DIFFICULT TO FILL POSITIONS.

>> THAT IS WE HAVE SOLELY BEEN DOING THESE RAISES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THE RECRUITMENT AND ATTRITION OF OUR STATE IS POISED.

WE ARE HAVING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE COMPARABLE OR COMPATIBLE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.

WE HAVE HAD TO DO THIS.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN CONSERVATIVE OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS AND WE HAVE BUILT UP A NICE SURPLUS THAT WE CAN DO A LOT OF THE DISCUSSION, SINCE I HAVE BEEN CHAIRMAN AND EVEN BEFORE, IT WAS AFTER COVID AND BEFORE COVID.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE NEW NORM?

I THINK YOU ARE SEEING THAT NOW.

YOU ARE SEEING WHERE WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO LAND IN THIS, YOU KNOW, BUDGET WORLD AND WHERE WE ARE.

EVERYTHING IS KIND OF CALMING BACK DOWN.

I KNOW A LOT -- WE HAVE A LOT OF INFLATION GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH THINGS BEING SLOW.

I THINK YOU ARE SEEING A NEW NORMAL, WHERE WE WILL BE.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL STABILIZE AND MAKE THINGS ROLL OFF.

>> THE KEY HAS BEEN THAT OVER THE YEARS, AND WHEN WE LISTENED TO ALL THE AGENCY HEADS COME IN, THEY TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A HARD TIME FILLING A LOT OF THESE POSITIONS.

THE STATE THAT IS THE STATE TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY WHEN IT COMES TO SALARIES?

>> I THINK YOU'RE SEEING THE CATCH UP.

ALSO, THE TURN OVER.

WE ARE GETTING EMPLOYEES AND THEN THEY ARE LEAVING BEFORE 10 YEARS.

WE ARE DOING THINGS -- WE HAVE GOT TO DO THINGS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PAYING ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM.

>> I THINK THAT LIKE DID YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT?

I THINK WHAT WE ARE SEEING, IT USED TO BE SOME OF US STAYED IN JOBS FOREVER.

WE HAVE A YOUNGER GENERATION THAT STAY IN A JOB MAYBE A FEW YEARS AND MOVE ON.

YOU PUT THAT TRAINING INTO THEM.

>> TRAINING WAS A BIG TURN OVER ITEM.

FROM THE SENATE SIDE, WE HAVE BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL AND AS IT RELATES TO CASEWORKERS.

THERE IS A YOU HAVE OTHERS WITH DJ JAY, WITH CORRECTIONS.

WE KNOW WE HAVE PROBLEMS LONG- TERM.

>> OKAY.

WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED ALL OF THIS.

YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

COMING UP, MORE ON THE BUDGET AS WE LOOK AT EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH.

PLUS, THE AVAILABILITY TO SURVIVE JUSTICE BUT WE LOOK PAST BUT THE HOUSE BUDGET HAS CARVED OUT FOR THE STATE COURTS.

MORE ON THAT IN A MOMENT.

STAY WITH US.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I AM DONNA LOWRY.

THIS IS OUR SPECIAL BUDGET SHOW WITH MATT HATCHETT AND SENATOR BLAKE TILLERY.

CHAIRMAN HATCHETT, LET US DIG FURTHER INTO THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION.

WE WILL PUT UP $9.5 MILLION GRANT FROM THE STATE LOTTERY FUNDS WILL ALLOW FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PRE-K CLASSES BY 582 BUT REDUCE CLASS SIZES FOR EACH ONE FROM 22 STUDENTS TO 20.

THERE IS $6.3 MILLION FOR LITERACY COACHES.

AND $104 MILLION FOR SCHOOL SAFETY.

ALL OF THOSE PRIORITIES AMONG MANY MEMBERS.

>> ESPECIALLY THE $104 MILLION FOR SCHOOL SECURITY.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE WORKED ON THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT HAS BEEN PUT AS A PART OF THE FORMULA THAT WILL BE THERE FROM NOW ON.

IT IS $45,000 PER SCHOOL AND IT CAN BE USED FOR CONTRACT PERSONNEL, TO HIRE SECURITY, TO DO OTHER SECURITY MEASURES.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

ANOTHER THING THAT WAS NOT ON THE LAST WAS THIS YEAR BE UPPED THE FUNDING FOR PEOPLE TRANSPORTATION ROUTE $204 MILLION.

THAT HAS TAKEN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING, SHARING WITH LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

IT IS A BEEN ABOUT 20% OF THE TOTAL COST TO 40% OF THE TOTAL COST.

IT IS SHOWING THAT NUMBER A LOT CLOSER TO WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

>> I DO NOT THINK PEOPLE REALIZE HOW BIG THE COST IS PAID NOT ONLY IS IT THE BUSES BUT IT IS THE FUEL AND MAINTENANCE AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

>> AND THE DRIVERS.

>> OF COURSE.

THERE IS MONEY FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES.

I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN CONCERN THAT SOME OF THE STUDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT.

>> WE HAD IT THIS YEAR AND AT IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

$6.3 MILLION TO PAY FOR THE STUDENTS THAT RECEIVE REDUCED RATE LUNCH AND BREAKFAST BUT IT PAYS FOR BEAR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

>> THAT WILL BE A YEAR-TO-YEAR THING THAT YOU LOOK AT CUBIC >> YES.

>> EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS HELPING WITH THAT.

>> WE ASKED AND CHOSE TO DO THAT LAST YEAR BUT THE SENATE DID AGREE.

THE STATE BOARD CAME IN AND DID FUND IT.

>> THERE ARE A FEW AREAS WHERE THERE WILL BE LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR A FEW JOBS.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE?

THERE IS SOME JOBS THAT YOU THINK ARE CRITICAL AND YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO GO TO COLLEGE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING SEVERAL PROGRAMS OVER THE LAST YEAR.

THEY ARE BEING SUCCESSFUL AND WE ARE EXPANDING AND THE SENATE ACTED -- ADDED SOME FOR NURSING STUDENTS.

>> LET US TALK ABOUT HEALTHCARE A LITTLE BIT.

THE HOUSE BUDGET INCLUDES MONEY TO INCLUDE BASIC DENTAL CARE AS PART OF MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR THAT IS DUE.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN PUSHING THIS.

BILLION-DOLLAR ADD TO THE BUDGET.

WE PAID FOR THIS FOR ADULTS THAT ARE ON MEDICAID IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

AND IT BEING THE SON OF A DENTIST, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, ALSO FOR ROUTINE CARE.

I THINK IT WILL BEHOOVE US TO DO THAT AND PROVIDE ROUTINE CARE AND WHO KNOWS, YOU MAY HAVE SAVINGS BUT YOU DON'T HAVE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

>> OVERALL HEALTH SITUATIONS FOR PEOPLE.

>> ORAL HEALTH IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> YOU HAVE A BIG APPLAUSE ON ANOTHER THING.

YOU ANNOUNCE THAT THE HEALTH BUDGET INCLUDES $1.5 MILLION TO ESTABLISH THE DAVID RALSTON CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOP MENTAL DISABILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO SEVERAL MEMBERS AND TO HIS FAMILY, HIS PASSION, ESPECIALLY TOWARD THE END OF HIS TERM.

IT WAS HELPING WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

HE SHEPHERDED THAT HUGE LEGISLATION THROUGH.

I THINK IT IS A WAY TO HONOR HIM AND MEMORIALIZE HIM AND HELP THAT PROFESSION TO GET MORE PEOPLE RECRUITED INTO THE FIELD AND GET PROPER TRAINING.

IT WAS AN HONOR TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> OVERALL, NOT A BIG PUSH, LIKE WHEN HE PUSHED 1013 -- HB 10 TO 13 YEARS AGO.

MENTAL HEALTH, SLOWLY, VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET THAT WILL HELP IN MENTAL HEALTH.

>> I KNOW THE GOVERNOR ADDED ALMOST $150 MILLION WORTH OF FUNDING AND DIFFERENT RATE INCREASES FOR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

WE ADDED NOT A LOT BUT SOME TO THAT TOO.

MENTAL HEALTH IS BEING DISCUSSED, BEING TALKED ABOUT MORE.

IT WAS DEFINITELY EXAGGERATED MORE DURING COVID.

THE MENTAL HEALTH IS SO IMPORTANT.

MOST EVERYONE, ALMOST EVERY FAMILY HAS BEEN AFFECTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

THEY ARE HAVING CHALLENGING TIMES.

>> I'M SURE THAT HE IS SMILING DOWN THAT YOU GUYS ARE CONTINUING TO DO THAT.

>> HE IS PROBABLY FUSSING.

>> A LITTLE BIT.

NECK -- LET US MOVE ON TO THE COURTS.

WE HAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ATTACK TO RETAIN ATTORNEYS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND INCREASE SALARIES TO BETWEEN $78,000-$80,000.

AND THE NEW FUNDING FOR JUDICIAL SALARIES RESTRUCTURING BUT TELL US ABOUT THOSE PRIORITIES.

YOU TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE COURT SYSTEM GIMMICK THAT IS WHERE THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS TAKING AWAY LAWYERS?

>> THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE JUSTICES IN THE SUPREME COURT AND SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES, THAT IS A BILL THAT IS ACTIVE IN THE SENATE NOW.

THERE WAS AN OVERALL NUMBER AND MY PLAN WAS TO FACE THAT IN EVERY TWO YEARS.

WE WILL SEE WHERE THE BILL ENDS UP IN THE SENATE.

THE OTHER IS ADDITIONAL RAISES FOR ASSISTED DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND OTHER ATTORNEYS AND STAFF THAT WORK WITH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND ALL THE JUDGES AND JUSTICES AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

MOST OF IT IS FOR THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S TO GET THERE STARTING PAY, RIGHT NOW IS $58,000 AND GET UP TO $71,000.

THIS IS TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH THE PRIVATE MARKET.

EVERYONE THINKS LAWYERS MAKE A LOT OF MONEY BUT WE CAN HAVE ANYTHING ACROSS THE TABLE.

TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT ONE FOR $50,000, I THINK THAT WAS VERY WE GRANTED THAT AND WE WILL SEE WHERE IT ENDS UP.

>> HIGH TURNOVER WHEN IT COMES TO ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

>> WE MAY HAVE SUBTLY DIFFERENT POSITION ON THE SENATE SIDE.

I WENT HOME TO SOUTHEAST GEORGIA 10 YEARS AGO OR $42,000 AND THE STARTING PAY FOR AN ATTORNEY IN ATHENS IS ABOUT $60,000-$80,000.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE THAT FAR OUT OF LINE.

ONE OF THE HARDEST PARTS OF MINE AND CHAIRMAN HATCHET'S JOB IS YOU HAVE TO SAY, NO.

PART OF THE TIME WE HAVE TO BE THE TWO IS A NOTES OF THE OTHER ONES CAN SAY YES.

THAT MAY NOT BE THE FUN PART OF THE JOB BUT AT THE END THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY AND PEOPLE COUNT ON US TO DO THAT BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY ANY MORE IN TAXES.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANOTHER AREA AND THAT DEALS WITH THE UNHOUSED.

THERE IS HELP IN THE HOUSE BUDGET FOR THE UNHOUSED, FOR >> TOTAL IS ABOUT $14 MILLION.

WE HAVE THE TRUST RUN ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO $6 MILLION A YEAR.

IT BRINGS DOWN A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

THERE IS ANOTHER BILL THAT IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT WE DID PASS AND WE PUT $1 MILLION IN THERE FOR THAT.

IT IS AN ACCOUNTABILITY HOUSING PROGRAM THAT OTHER FOR PROFIT COMPANIES CAN ACTUALLY DONATE TO AND PUT MONEY IN.

THERE IS DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WOULD BE PARTICIPATING IN THOSE SHELTERS AND THEY WOULD HAVE CRITERIA THEY WOULD HAVE TO NEED TO BE THERE.

>> YOU HAVE GIVEN US SOME HIGHLIGHTS AND NOW IT IS ONTO YOUR SIDE.

THE PROCESS HAS BEGUN FOR HEARINGS.

I KNOW THERE ARE QUITE A FEW TOMORROW BUT I AM LOOKING AT ALL OF THIS.

EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS AT THIS >> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR BUT CHAIRMAN HATCHET HAS TO SAY.

>> THEY JUST PERFECT.

THAT IS WHAT HE SAYS BUT IT IS A PERFECT BUDGET.

THEY JUST NEED TO REVIEW AND LOOK AT AND SAY IT IS OKAY AND SEND IT BACK.

THAT IS WHY WE TOOK A LITTLE LONGER BECAUSE WE MADE SURE IT WAS PERFECT.

>> IT IS PERFECT?

>> WE KEEP ON THE SCHEDULE WE CAN GET IT BACK ABOUT DAY 39 BUT WE HOPE WE CAN DO IT QUICKER.

>> SOMETIMES YOU GOT TO GET TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE YOU AGREE?

>> AT THE END -- >> WE WILL GET TOGETHER.

>> WE WILL.

WORKING WITH GOOD PEOPLE IS WHAT MAKES IT WORK OUT.

I APPRECIATE CHAIRMAN HATCHET AND ALL THAT HE BRINGS TO THE TABLE.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS.

THE FACT THAT YOU CAN SIT HERE AND BRING THESE NUMBERS INTO YOUR HEAD AMAZES ME.

I HAVE TO TALK TO YOU BECAUSE ST. PATRICK'S DAY IS COMING UP AND YOU ARE FROM DUBLIN.

I WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> THIS IS A BUSY MONTH FOR EVERYONE IN DUBLIN.

WE HAD A HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND.

DID NOT GO TOO GREAT BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.

THE WIND IS AS BAD AS RAIN.

THIS IS SUPER WEEKEND.

SATURDAY, WE HAVE A PARADE OF A ROAD RACE.

AND WE HAVE -- I DON'T THINK THEY CALL IT MAINSTREET MUNCHIES.

WE CLOSE DOWN MAIN STREET SATURDAY NIGHT AND HAVE FOOD AND FUN.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON, FRIDAY LUNCH IS OUR JOINT CIVIC LUNCH.

WE WILL HAVE ABOUT 1000 PEOPLE THE GOVERNOR IS SPEAKING THIS YEAR.

GOVERNOR KEMP WILL BE THERE.

AND FIRST LADY KEMP.

AND SOME OF THE FAMILY.

WE WILL HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> YOU PAINT THE TOWN GREEN.

>> THE TOWN HAS ALREADY BEEN PAINTED GREEN AND IT STAYS GREEN ALL YEAR ROUND.

>> IT IS DUBLIN.

THAT IS IT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET AND WHAT WE DO IT IS EVERYBODY DOWN THERE.

ESPECIALLY, WE BOTH HAVE TWO OFFICES THAT WE CANNOT WORK WITHOUT THEM.

CHRISTINE MURDOCH IN THE HOUSE BUDGET AND RESEARCH OFFICE.

I WILL LET YOU -- THOSE TEAMS ARE GREAT.

WE CANNOT DO WITHOUT.

>> THAT IS ALL WE HAVE TIME FOR.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

I'M GLAD YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS."

TOMORROW IS PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION DAY BUT THEY ARE COMMITTEE HEARINGS BUT THE CHAMBERS WILL NOT GO IN BUT WE WILL NOT HAVE A SHOW AND WILL RETURN ON WEDNESDAY TO TALK ABOUT AN UPDATE TO THE 911 AMNESTY LAW.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.