>>> SB 140 IS ABOUT PROTECTING GEORGIA CHILDREN FROM BEING STERILIZED BY IRREVERSIBLE MEDICAL PROCEDURES.

THIS BILL SAFEGUARDS CHILDREN WHO STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND PEDIATRIC GENDER DYSPHORIA.

TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO KNOW THEY ARE BEING DISCUSSED IN SUCH AN INTIMATE WAY, KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED AND VALUED!

KNOW THAT YOU MATTER AND THAT YOUR LIFE MATTERS!

>> AN EMOTIONAL DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OVER THE BILL TO BAN GENDER-AFFIRMING SURGERY FOR MINORS.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS.

I AM DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

UNDER THE GOLDEN DOME, COMING UP.

IN THE STUDIO WITH OUR LAWMAKER GUESTS, WE WILL EXPLORE SEVERAL ISSUES, INCLUDING HELPING STATE WORKERS TO GET INSULIN AT IMPROVED COSTS AND IMPROVING THE ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE AREAS AROUND GEORGIA'S 10 HBCUs.

>>> LATER, WE WILL GET THE PERSPECTIVE OF A COUPLE OF YOUNG JOURNALISTS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT COVERING POLITICS.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE WAY THEY LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING UNDER THE GOLD DOME?

WE WILL FIND OUT.

BUT FIRST, AS ALWAYS, WE HAVE THE NEWS OF THE DAY FROM OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT, MICHELLE RITCHIE.

>> Reporter: OF DONNA, A SAD AND CONTROVERSIAL DAY AT THE CAPITAL.

THE MORNING STARTED WITH A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER CAUCUS TO VICTIMS OF THE ATLANTA SHOOTINGS ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY.

SO TODAY WE HONOR AND REMEMBER THOSE THAT WE LOST, AND WE THEIR BEHALF.

MADE MEMORIES OF THEM CONTINUE TO BE A BLESSING, AND MADE THE INJUSTICE OF THESE SENSELESS LOSSES CONTINUE TO DELIVER THE CHANGE WE NEED TO SAY.

>> Reporter: WITH MEMBERS OF THE AAPI CAUCUS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES AT THEIR SIDE, THEY SAID THE FIGHT CONTINUES FOR MORE COMMON SENSE GUN CONTROL.

>> WE WERE PERSISTENT, WE STAYED AND WE GREW.

THIS PAST YEAR WE ELECTED THE LARGEST LEGISLATIVE AAPI CAUCUS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE PUSH, WE DID NOT BACK DOWN, AND WE MADE SURE THAT WE WERE HEARD.

NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES, BUT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND FURTHERS VOICES NOT ALWAYS HEARD IN BUILDINGS LIKE THIS.

FOR THOSE WE LOST ON MARCH 16th, 2021, THIS MORNING I AM PLEASED TO TELL YOU THAT MR. WEBB AND I JUST WALKED BACK FROM PRESENTING HB 161, THE FIRST SUBSTANTIVE COMMITTEE HEARING FOR A GUN SAFETY BILL THAT WE HAVE HAD SINCE THE TRAGIC EVENTS TWO YEARS AGO TO THIS DAY.

>> Reporter: ROBERT PETERSON, WHOSE MOTHER WAS KILLED IN THE SHOOTING, HOPED THAT HER DEATH WOULD GIVE VOICE TO THE ISSUES THAT THEY AAPI COMMUNITY FACES.

>> MY MOTHER WAS ROBBED OF HER VOICE AND HER LIFE AT 63.

HER LIBERTY AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS WAS TAKEN FROM HER.

IT WAS TAKEN THROUGH A VIOLENT EXPRESSION OF HATRED AND GUN VIOLENCE.

TODAY WE ARE NO LONGER SATISFIED WITH THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

WE ARE DEMANDING SAFETY AND JUSTICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND ADVOCACY FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGES FROM OUR LEADERS.

>> Reporter: ALSO, A RALLY AT A LOCAL DEPOT.

A LOCAL THEATER IS SCREENING A PBS DOCUMENTARY CALLED RISING AGAINST ASIAN HATE, ONE DAY IN MARCH.

IN THE HOUSE, EMOTIONS RAN HIGH OVER SB 140, A CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT PROHIBITS HOSPITALS AND OTHER FACILITIES FROM PERFORMING GENDER-AFFIRMING SURGICAL PROCEDURES AND TRANSITIONAL HORMONAL TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE UNDER 18.

>> TO THE CHILDREN OUT THERE AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO KNOW THEY ARE BEING DISCUSSED IN SUCH AN INTIMATE WAY, KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED!

KNOW THAT YOU ARE VALUED!

KNOW THAT YOU MATTER AND THAT YOUR LIFE MATTERS TO EVERYONE WHO LOVES YOU!

TRIGGERING A NUMBER OF PASSIONATE WORDS FROM HOUSE MEMBERS TODAY, THOSE FOR -- >> SB140 IS ABOUT PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM BEING STERILIZED AND HURT BY IRREVERSIBLE MEDICAL PROCEDURES.

THIS BILL SAFEGUARDS CHILDREN WHO STRUGGLE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER KNOWN AS PEDIATRIC GENDER DYSPHORIA.

>> Reporter: AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, THOSE ADAMANTLY AGAINST.

>> GENDER DYSPHORIA IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS MULTIDISCIPLINARY ATTENTION.

SO NOW WE, AS A BODY, A VERY DISTINGUISHED BODY, THAT HAS LESS THAN 3% DOCTORS, ARE GOING TO NOW VOTE ON A BILL THAT IS GOING TO HAVE SUCH A NEGATIVE IMPACT?

WE ARE NOT DOCTORS!

>> Reporter: SB140 WAS FIRST SUPPORTED AND HAS SEEN A CONTENTIOUS DEBATE SENSE.

THE SENATOR EXPLAINED HIS OPINION.

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT A LOT OF FOLKS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

MOST REASONABLE PEOPLE AGREE THAT RESTRICTING OR PROHIBITING SURGERIES AND HORMONAL THERAPY TO THOSE UNDER 18 IS A VERY REASONABLE APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS WORRY THAT THE BILL WILL FORCE SOME TO TURN TO DANGEROUS ALTERNATIVES.

>> WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT OF THIS BILL?

I WANT TO SHOW YOU.

YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

THESE ARE BLACK-MARKET DRUGS FOR GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE.

THIS IS WHAT PARENTS WILL HAVE TO START GIVING THEIR CHILDREN!

SIMILAR TO THE THC ISSUE, WHEN WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT PARENTS TRYING TO HELP THEIR KIDS IN MEDICAL INSTANCES WHO NEED SUPPORT, INSTEAD OF HAVING TROUBLE STATE LINES, GO ON THE BLACK MARKET AND GET IT IN BLACK BAGS!

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE RISKS, CONCERNS AND OBJECTIONS, SB140 PASSED 96-75.

BOTH SIDES REACTED SWIFTLY.

>> AT AS A MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ALLOWING IDEOLOGIES TO BE PUSHED DOWN TOO SOON, WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE A DECISION THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY LIFE-ALTERING.

THE NEED TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THE TRUE RISKS AND NOT, YOU KNOW, PUSHED TOO SOON INTO A DECISION THAT WOULD BECOME PERMANENT.

>> THEY ARE ATTACKING TRANSGENDER CHILDREN TO RILE UP THEIR BASE FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL PURPOSES, AND IT IS DISGUSTING, QUITE FRANKLY.

IT IS DISGUSTING AND HARMFUL AND GEORGIANS DESERVE SO MUCH BETTER.

>> DONNA, THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO LOOK NOW AT SEVERAL TOPICS.

INSULIN, CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS AND HBCUs.

JOINING US ARE SENATOR SONIA HALPERIN OF ATLANTA AND SENATOR OF GWINNETT COUNTY.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR.

THE SENATE VOTED IN FAVOR OF YOUR BILL, SB76 , WHICH HELPS TO REDUCE THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND INSULIN.

TELL US MORE.

>> YES, DONNA.

MORE THAN 1 MILLION GEORGIANS SUFFER FROM DIABETES.

I COME FROM A FAMILY OF DIABETICS.

MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER AND MY MOM.

I DON'T HAVE IT YET, BUT IT IS IN MY FAMILY.

AS WE HAVE SEEN, THE COST OF INSULIN HAS BEEN RISING.

IT HAS BEEN ADJUSTED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS ENCOURAGED INSULIN MAKERS AND MANUFACTURERS TO LOWER THOSE COSTS.

THE PURPOSE OF MY BILL WAS JUST TO EXTEND INSULIN OPTIONS AS MUCH AS WE COULD.

I WOULD LOVE TO DO IT FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF GEORGIA, BUT WHY NOT START WITH OUR STATE WORKERS?

WE ARE TRYING TO RETAIN WORKERS AND MAKE OUR STATE JOBS MORE ATTRACTIVE, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO SURE THAT WE ARE OFFERING INSULIN AT A LOWER COST SO THAT WE CAN KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY.

WE WANT OUR WORKERS TO BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY.

>> AND YOU HAVE BIPARTISAN INTEREST IN THIS.

>> YES, OUR LAWMAKERS SEE THE VALUE IN MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE EXTENDING THAT OUT.

>> YEAH, YOU ARE A SIGNER ON THAT BILL!

>> ABSOLUTELY, YES!

>> SO IT IS ALMOST A NO-BRAINER FOR YOU?

>> YES, FOR ALL THE REASONS THAT SENATOR MERRITT JUST NAMED.

DIABETES IS ALL AROUND.

SUDDENLY PEOPLE SUFFER FROM IT OR HOW ARE YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE.

FOR US TO DO SOMETHING SPECIFIC AND SAY THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING AND TAKE THE STEPS TO DO IT, IT IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH DOING.

IT STARTS WITH OUR STATE BENEFIT EMPLOYEES, BUT HOPEFULLY BEING ABLE TO REALLY EXPAND IT FROM THERE.

I BELIEVE THAT SENATOR MERRITT DID NOT SAY THIS YET, BUT SHE ACTUALLY INTRODUCED A STUDY COMMITTEE, ALSO, AROUND US THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS ON INSULIN.

>> SO THE PARTNER ON THIS BILL WANTS TO EXTEND THIS AROUND THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR OUR WORKERS, AND IT WOULD GIVE US ANOTHER MARKET, BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY THREE MAJOR INSULIN PROVIDERS RIGHT NOW.

EVEN THOUGH ELI LILLY HAS SAID HEY, WE ARE REDUCING THAT, THEIR COMPANY AND PROFITS , WE HAVE THE BEST UNIVERSITY IN BUSINESSES HERE.

I THINK WE SHOULD EXPLORE THESE OPTIONS.

>> WE HAVE DEFINITELY HEARD LEVEL.

AND YOU CHAIRED AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE, A SENATE STUDY COMMITTEE.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING ABLE TO CHAIR THAT STUDY COMMITTEE OVER THE FALL AND WINTER OF LAST YEAR.

REALLY, WHAT WE DID IS WE HEARD FROM BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADERS AND WE HEARD FROM HBCU PRESIDENTS AND NONPROFIT EDUCATION LEADERS TO THINK ABOUT NEW WAYS THAT THE STATE CAN BETTER SUPPORT THE STATE AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR 10 HBCUs THAT WE HAD IN THE STATE.

WE REALLY LEARNED FROM THAT PROCESS ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT THESE SCHOOLS HAVE, THE $1.3 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT TO OUR STATE.

WE LEARNED ABOUT ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT IS HAPPENING AT THE SCHOOLS.

WE ALSO HEARD ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AROUND INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENDOWMENTS.

MANY OF THESE SCHOOLS HAVE FAR LOWER ENDOWMENTS THAN PEER INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE STATE.

SO FROM THAT, WE ACTUALLY CAME UP WITH FOUR SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS, ONLY ONE OF WHICH IS A LEGISLATIVE MOVE.

SO SENATE BILL 235 IS LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OUT OF THE COMMITTEE , TO REALLY TRY TO CATALYZE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN AND AROUND THOSE SCHOOLS.

SO IT IS A VERY UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE APPROACH, AND GEORGIA COULD BE A REAL MODEL.

THIS WOULD BE A FIRST IN THE NATION KIND OF APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE, BUT ULTIMATELY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR 10 HBCUs, WHETHER THEY ARE RIGHT HERE AT THE CENTER OR IN AUGUSTA OR ALL FIT IN WHAT ARE VERY INVESTED COMMUNITIES, AND THEY ALL HAVE NEEDS, EVEN JUST AS BASIC AS UPGRADING BROADBAND.

SO THE IDEA BEHIND THESE PROSPERITY PLANNING DISTRICTS IS THAT YOU USE THE SCHOOL AS AN ANCHOR INSTITUTION AND CREATE A VEHICLE WHERE DOLLARS CAN BE PUT DOWN.

WHETHER THEY ARE STATE DOLLARS, PRIVATE DOLLARS, THIS GIVES THEM A PLACE TO ACTUALLY FOCUS.

IF YOU GET A MASTER PLAN SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS AND THE KINDS OF GROWTH AREAS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DERIVE, THEN YOU LET THOSE DOLLARS SLOW DOWN THERE.

UNDERSTANDING THAT THE UNIVERSITY OR THE SCHOOL ITSELF REALLY IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING IN AND AROUND THE CAMPUS, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SCHOOL BUT ALSO THE STUDENTS, THEN PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> IT LIFTS EVERYBODY UP.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT HAS VERY BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AS WELL.

SO CONTINUING TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THAT BILL.

>> WE WILL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR BILL THAT DEALS WITH CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS OR RENTALS.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> SO THIS IS ONE PIECE OF A LARGER ISSUE THAT I'M TRYING TO ADDRESS.

THE PROBLEM IS PROTECTIONS, HABITABILITY ISSUES , WHEN PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN POOR CONDITIONS AS RENTERS.

SO I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE A BILL FOR CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS.

CARBON MONOXIDE CAN BE A DEADLY KILLER, AND I THINK THERE IS A REQUIREMENT FOR THOSE RIGHT NOW.

SO THIS IS JUST ANOTHER LEVEL OF PROTECTION.

WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH RENTAL IN GENERAL, AS WE ARE SEEING MORE OF THESE --WE HAVE TWO PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE A BUILD TO RENT MARKET RIGHT NOW, WHERE IT IS LOCKING OUT A LOT OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS FROM HOMEOWNERSHIP.

THAT IS THE FIRST THING.

WALL STREET IS BUYING UP PROPERTIES AND RENTING THEM OUT.

SO THEY ARE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR JUST RENTAL ONLY .

EVEN IN THOSE RENTALS, THEY ARE NOT KEEPING UP THOSE PROPERTIES.

AGAIN, THEY ARE LEAVING A LOT OF OUR RENTERS IN DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS.

SO WE NEED TENANT PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE RENTERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT --THEY ARE PAYING ENORMOUS PRICES FOR RENT ALREADY, THEN YOU ARE PAYING ENORMOUS RENTS SOMEWHERE THAT IS NOT EVEN KEPT UP IN A LIVABLE SITUATION.

SO THERE ARE THREE AREAS IN THIS HOUSING CRISIS, WHICH I THINK IS A GROWING CRISIS.

I AM CONCERNED THAT WE ARE GOING TO CREATE A FUTURE OF ONLY RENTERS, AND THE IMPLICATIONS THAT WOULD HAVE FOR OUR MARKETS AND OUR WE KNOW THAT OWNING A HOME IS THE AMERICAN DREAM.

THAT IS HOW YOU BUILD WEALTH.

SO NOW WE ARE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THAT MIGHT BE A MISSING PIECE.

SO THE THREE AREAS THAT WE COULD WORK ON, AND WHERE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE POLICIES AND MORE TENANT PROTECTIONS, MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EVEN HAVING THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SO THERE NEEDS TO BE BETTER SUPPORT AND INCENTIVES.

THE OTHER ONE ARE THESE BILLED TO RENT COMPANIES THAT ARE COMING IN.

I THINK THAT IF WE CAN SLOW THEM DOWN AND RAIN AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING, WE CAN STABILIZE THE MARKET.

THEN WE NEED A BALANCE BETWEEN REGULATION --WE DON'T WANT TO ELIMINATE LOCAL REGULATION, BUT THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE.

>> SO THERE HAS BEEN WORK ON ALL OF THOSE AREAS.

I KNOW THAT CHAIRMAN CARPENTER COMPREHENSIVE BILL.

IT PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND WE WILL SEE HOW IT DOES IN THE SENATE.

YOU GUYS WILL BE PART OF ALL THAT.

SO RIGHT NOW YOU ARE AT LEAST GETTING THE ENGINE GOING WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ISSUE.

>> THIS IS A GREAT BILL AND A GREAT START, BUT I THINK THAT WE CAN PUSH IT A LOT FURTHER.

GEORGE UNFORTUNATELY HAS SOME OF THE WORST PROTECTION LAWS, AND I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER AND SERVE GEORGIA BETTER, ESPECIALLY AS WE SEE THIS INCREASE IN THE RENTAL MARKET.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY!

>>> COMING UP, A CONVERSATION WITH YOUNG JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE A PASSION FOR REPORTING AND POLITICS AND PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

>> LAWMAKERS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

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

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

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU TEAM WORKS REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGE AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THIS SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEXT SEGMENT.

WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF TWO YOUNG JOURNALISTS.

THEY ARE GEN-Z AND LOVE COVERING POLITICS, AND THE FIRST BECAME INTERESTED WHEN THEY WERE MUCH YOUNGER.

JOINING US ARE SARAH CALLIS, WHO IS A DIGITAL REPORTER AND CONTENT PRODUCER FOR GPB NEWS!

SHE ALSO HELPS TO BOOK THE GUESTS ON LAWMAKERS AND SO MUCH MORE .

AND MILES FRANCIS IS THE PRODUCER OF PEACH STATE POLITICS WITH MILES FRANCIS, WHICH IS BOTH A WEBSITE, A PODCAST, NEWSLETTER, AND SO MUCH MORE!

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS, BOTH OF YOU.

SO NOW I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

SO YOU ARE ON SPRING BREAK FROM GEORGIA SOUTHERN, AND WHILE A LOT OF PEOPLE YOUR AGE ARE OUT IN FLORIDA OR SOMEWHERE HAVING FUN , YOU ARE FINALLY COMING TO THE CAPITAL TO COVER THE ACTIONS AND ASKING TO COME ON THE SHOW!

SO WHEN DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN POLITICS?

>> MY INTEREST IN POLITICS BEGAN WHEN I WAS FIVE OR SIX YEARS OLD.

BY THAT TIME I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO MEMORIZE EVERY AMERICAN PRESIDENT FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON TO, AT THAT TIME, BARACK OBAMA.

I GUESS YOU COULD SAY MY INTERESTS, WHAT I LIKE TO DO NOW BY COVERING THE STATE CAPITAL, I GUESS THAT BEGAN DURING THE 2020 PANDEMIC WHEN EVERYBODY WAS STUCK AT HOME AND I HAD NOTHING TO DO, BUT I WAS TAKING MY COLLEGE CLASSES ONLINE AND WATCHING THE NEWS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO START FOLLOWING ELECTORAL POLITICS, AND HERE I AM!

>> A NEWSLETTER, WEBSITE, PODCAST.

YOU WERE YOUNG, TOO, RIGHT, SARAH?

YOU WERE COVERING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LATE.

YOU INTERNED WITH THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

YOU HAVE BEEN WITH US LAWMAKERS FOR TWO YEARS.

BUT YOU STARTED AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME SPEAKING ABOUT POLITICS!

>> AND THE FIRST THING I DID WAS I ASKED MY PARENTS ABOUT THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, SO THAT WAS DEFINITELY VERY EARLY, BUT ME WAS THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

AT THAT POINT I HAD ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AND INFORMATION, AND I WAS REALLY HEARING A LOT ABOUT DIFFERENT POLITICS , BUT NOT REALLY KNOWING MY OWN FEELINGS TOWARDS THAT.

SO I RESEARCHED A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT TOPICS.

WHAT I REALLY LIKED ABOUT THAT WAS IT ALLOWED ME TO LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT SO MANY DIFFERENT TOPICS.

>> THAT AMAZES ME.

YOU SAID THAT YOU STARTED READING NEWSPAPERS, SO YOU WERE NOT JUST AN ONLINE PERSON IN THE BEGINNING.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU THINK HAVE SHAPED YOUR GENERATION WHEN IT COMES TO THINKING ABOUT POLITICAL THINGS?

>> MY GENERATION, THE WAY IT SHAPED US WAS, MOST OF US WERE TOO YOUNG TO UNDERSTAND OR NOT BORN YET DURING THE SEPTEMBER 11th ATTACKS IN 2001.

I WAS ALIVE FOR IT BUT I DIDN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON.

I THINK THAT SHAPED OUR CHILDHOOD IN WAYS THAT I DON'T KNOW WE CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND, ALSO, OUR GENERATION WAS REALLY SHAPED BY THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS.

A LOT OF US SAW OUR PARENTS IN HIGH STRESS SITUATIONS BECAUSE OF THAT.

I THINK THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WE SAW PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ELECTED AS THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT.

SO I THINK THAT WAS REALLY COOL.

IN 2011, OR 2012, THE SANDY HOOK SHOOTING, I REMEMBER SEEING THAT.

THAT WAS SORT OF THE FIRST TIME WHERE I CONSIDERED WHETHER I WAS SAFE AT SCHOOL.

IT WAS MY INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM, BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST STORY THAT I EVER WROTE FOR MY MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSPAPER.

SO I THINK THAT WAS A BIG TURNING POINT.

AND THEN THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WE SAW A LOT OF YOUNGER PEOPLE START TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS.

WE SAW PROTESTS TO THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY GENERATION STARTED CARING THEN.

>> YEAH.

YOU GUYS ARE THE FIRST TO REALLY HAVE TERRORISM DRILLS DURING HER SCHOOL DAYS!

THAT HAD TO SHAPES AND THINGS FOR YOU, WHEN THINKING ABOUT THAT.

THE LORD WAS A LITTLE MORE SCARY FOR YOU, I GUESS.

>> YEAH, LIKE THE IDEA OF GOING TO SCHOOL AND NOT KNOWING WHETHER OR NOT I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT HOME SAFE AND IT IS TERRORIZING TO ME AND MANY PARENTS AND FAMILIES.

SCHOOL IS SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR SAFE PLACE AWAY FROM HOME, FOR MANY FAMILIES.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO FEEL LIKE A SAFE PLACE AWAY FROM HOME.

MY PARENTS DON'T WANT TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL AND HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL MAKE IT HOME SAFELY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOLD DOME STUFF.

YOU WERE DOWN THERE PULLING LAWMAKERS ASIDE.

SO WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE DEBATE OVER THE GENDER- AFFIRMING BILL THAT WAS IN THE HOUSE TODAY?

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

IT SEEMS TO ME FROM SOME LAWMAKERS THAT I WAS TALKING WITH THAT THEY SEEM TO THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR IS PUSHING THIS BILL BECAUSE HE IS TRYING TO ANGLE FOR HIGHER OFFICE.

THEY SEEM TO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU HAVE OTHER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS PUSHING SIMILAR BILLS AND OTHER STATES, AND MANY OF THOSE GOVERNORS ARE AIMING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT OR THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR KEMP, HE IS GOING TO BE TERM- LIMITED IN 2026.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE HE COULD RUN FOR SENATE OR PRESIDENT IN 2026 OR BE SELECTED FOR VICE PRESIDENT ON SOMEBODY THIS TICKET.

SO BILLS LIKE THIS WILL BOLSTER THE REPUBLICAN BASE AND BOOST THE NATIONAL PROFILE FOR HIGHER OFFICE.

>> SARAH, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> IT IS VERY EMOTIONAL DAY TODAY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT CHILDREN AND THEIR LIVES ON BOTH SIDES.

I THINK WE SAW THAT FROM LAWMAKERS.

I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVE HEARD FROM SOME YOUTH ACTIVISTS QUITE A BIT DURING THE PROCESS OF THIS BILL, AND I THINK THAT THEY ARE VERY SCARED AND VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.

SOME OF THEM HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND THEY HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO THESE TRANSGENDER CHILDREN IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE GENDER- AFFIRMING CARE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE.

YOU SAID TO ME AT THE CAPITAL LAWMAKER TO TALK ABOUT IT.

IT HAS GAINED A LOT OF NATIONAL ATTENTION.

IT IS A BILL DEALING WITH STATE AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

SO TELL US MORE ABOUT IT, AND IN PARTICULAR, THIS OVERSIGHT COMMISSION FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THAT.

>> SO FIRST OF ALL, THE BILL IS VIEWED AS KIND OF LIKE IT, YOU KNOW, ON NATIONAL TELEVISION OR SOCIAL MEDIA, IT IS KIND OF VIEWED AS RETALIATION FOR FANI WILLIS'S INVESTIGATION INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS CAMPAIGN FOR TRYING TO OVERTURN THE 2020 ELECTION, BUT IT IS ACTUALLY, I LIKE TO VIEW IT AS SORT OF LIKE HOUSTON GAIN'S RETALIATION TOWARDS DEBORAH GONZALES, THE ATTORNEY OUT IN ATHENS.

THEY DO NOT HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP, SO I GUESS THIS IS, YOU CAN SAY THAT IT IS HOUSTON GAINS TRYING TO ONE UP DEBORAH GONZALES HERE.

BUT THE BILL IS INTERESTING.

IT BASICALLY CREATES AN OVERSIGHT COMMISSION THAT WOULD OVERSEE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ACROSS THE STATE.

WOULD HAVE THE STATE SUPREME COURT PICK THE MEMBERS OF THAT PANEL, THEN IN ANOTHER VERSION IT WOULD HAVE THE GOVERNOR, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, ALL OF WHOM ARE REPUBLICANS, PICK THE MEMBERS OF THAT COMMISSION.

SO WE DON'T KNOW WHICH VERSION IS GOING TO ULTIMATELY BECOME LAW, BUT LIKE I SAID, I THINK IT IS LIKE WITH HOUSTON GAINES TRYING TO ONE UP GONZALES.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE WATCHED THIS SESSION THAT HAVE REALLY INTERESTED YOU?

>> SO WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER ABOUT SB140 , WHICH IS THE BAN ON GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE.

THE SPORTS BETTING LEGISLATION HAS ALWAYS REALLY INTERESTED ME, AND I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT DIED WHEN THE BILL MANAGED TO MAKE IT INTO THE OTHER CHAMBER.

BUT AS WE KNOW NOW, THE SENATE COMMITTEE HAS ALLOWED FOR A CLAUSE THAT WOULD PUT THIS INTO A SOAP BOX DERBY IN COMMITTEE.

SO I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

TO SEE ABOUT THAT.

SOME PEOPLE ARE CALLING THAT FRANKENSTEIN.

YOU MENTIONED MENTAL HEALTH A LITTLE BIT.

YOUR GENERATION IS ALSO THE FIRST TO REALLY ADMIT THAT YOU HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

IT MADE IT OKAY TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> I THINK IN MY GENERATION, IT IS VERY NORMALIZED TO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL TALK OPENLY ABOUT GOING TO THERAPY.

I THINK THE INTERNET HAS PLAYED A BIG PART IN THAT.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES.

IT REMOVES THE STIGMA A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT HAS ALSO OPENED A LOT MORE DISCUSSION, AND I THINK THERE CAN BE SOME CONCERN THAT PEOPLE ARE REVEALING A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH ONLINE.

SO I THINK BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE ARE VERY INTERESTING.

>> DO YOU AGREE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK AFTER THIS WEEK WE ONLY HAVE ONE JIK MONTH LEFT IN FINALS.

I AGREE THAT IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR HAVING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS , HELP IS OUT THERE FOR YOU.

>> SO THIRD-YEAR STUDENT, AND YOU JUST GRADUATED FROM GEORGIA TECH.

SO WHILE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

THANK YOU!

AND THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

YOU HAVE A GREAT VOICE, TOO!

AND THAT DOES IT FOR LAWMAKERS TODAY.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW.

JUST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT.

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.