♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >>> I SEE DISCRIMINATION.

NATIONAL SECURITY.

NOTHING.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DEREK JACKSON OBJECTING TO A BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBIT SOME FOREIGN COUNTRIES FROM BUYING FARMLAND IN SOME AREAS OF GEORGIA.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON DAY 38 OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M DONNA LOWERY IN ATLANTA.

SARAH WILL HAVE MORE ON THE FORM BILL COMING UP IN A MOMENT.

THE PROCESS TO COMPENSATE SOMEONE WRONGLY ACCUSE SIDE LONG AND COMPLICATED.

IN THE STUDIO, TWO MEMBERS FROM THE HOUSE WILL EXPLAIN A BILL LOOKING TO SIMPLIFY THAT PROCESS.

ALSO, IT LOOKS LIKE GEORGIA MIGHT GET AN ANNUAL LIST OF THE STATE'S HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS.

ONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S FLOOR LEADERS IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

PLUS, A LAWMAKER WHO HAS SPENT NEARLY THREE DECADES UNDER THE GOLD DOME TALKS ABOUT HER DECISION TO RETIRE AND REFLECTS ON THE CHANGES OVER THE YEARS, BUT NOW, LET'S GET AN IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAPITOL TODAY FROM SARAH KALAS.

>> HI, DONNA.

BOTH CHAMBERS TOOK UP SEVERAL BILLS DEALING WITH IMMIGRANTS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS ON DAY 38.

>> THE HOUSE GOT STRAIGHT TO BUSINESS TODAY AND PASSED A BILL AIMING TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> SENATE BILL 112 CREATES A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM FOR ADULTS OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE WHO DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL TO OBTAIN A REAL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

THEY WILL MOVE INTO A TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM, APPRENTICESHIPS AND OTHER HIGH-DEMAND FIELDS.

>> IT APPROVED A BILL THAT LIMITS CAMPAIGN DONATIONS FROM FOREIGN RESIDENTS.

THAT BILL PASSED 161 TO 2.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT ENSURES IN GEORGIA, WE HAVE A CLEAR PROHIBITION FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS PARTICIPATING IN OUR ELECTIONS, ELECTION INTEGRITY AND SECURITY IS IMPORTANT AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT THE BALLOT BOX IN GEORGIA IS SACRED AND IT IS THERE FOR CITIZENS AND IT IS NOT CHEAPENED BY FOREIGN INFLUENCE AND MONEY.

>> JUST BEFORE LUNCH, THE HOUSE DEBATED A CONTENTIOUS BILL THAT PROHIBITS CERTAIN FOREIGN NATIONALS FROM BUYING FARMLAND IN MILITARY BASES.

>> IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE TAKE PROACTIVE MEASURES TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY AND SECURITY OF THESE INSTALLATIONS AND THIS BILL IS A CRUCIAL STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS SIMPLE, TO DETER POTENTIAL THREATS TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS.

>> DEMOCRATS OPPOSING THE BILL SAID SB-420 OPENS THE DOOR FOR RACIAL PROFILING.

>> PASSAGE OF THIS BILL WOULD CAST A SHADOW OF SUSPICION ON ANY ASIAN OR HISPANIC-LOOKING PERSON WHO MAY WANT TO PURCHASE AGRICULTURAL LAND OR LAND NEAR A MILITARY INSTALLATION EVEN IF THAT PERSON IS SERVING IN OUR ARMED FORCES.

THAT IS A BILL YOU ALL ARE TRYING TO PUSH THROUGH.

THAT IS THE BILL THAT'S EMANATING AND COMING OUT OF YOUR PARTY TODAY.

WHAT A SHAME.

>> THE BILL PASSED 97-67 IN A PARTY LINE VOTE.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER TROPHY FOR THE SENATE TO HOIST AND RECEIVE THEIR ACCOLADES.

THIS TIME FOR THEIR LIVESTOCK SHOWING SKILLS AS THEY BEAT THE HOUSE IN THE ANNUAL EVENT.

>> IF WE HAD THE LEGISLATIVE LIVESTOCK SHOWDOWN AT THE PERRY FAIR THIS YEAR AND THE SENATOR FROM THE 20th WON BEST IN SHOW.

[ CHEERING ] AND YOUR SENATE COLLEAGUES BEAT THE HOUSE, AND SO -- WE BEAT THE HOUSE!

>> BEAT 'EM GOOD!

>> THEN IT WAS ON TO BUSINESS.

WITH 34 BILLS LISTED ON THE RULES CALENDAR.

TWO OF THE MORE CONTENTIOUS BILLS DEALT WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

HOUSE BILL 301 WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN TO INCREASE PUNISHMENTS FOR ILLEGALLY CRASHING A SCHOOL BUS AND SPEEDING IN SCHOOL ZONES AND THEY SUBSTITUTED THE BILL TO PUNISH COUNTY GOVERNMENTS FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IF YOU WANT TO GO OUT THERE AND BE A SANCTUARY CITY THAT VIOLATES GEORGIA LAW, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT.

WE WILL TAKE FUNDING AWAY FROM YOU, STATE FUNDING AND FEDERAL FUNDING THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR, BUT NONE OF THAT WILL BE THE EMERGENCY FUNDING THAT YOU NEED.

IT'S GOING TO BE THE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO GO OUT THERE AND GET FOR WHAT I CALL THE -- THE ACCESSORIES THAT A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE.

>> DEMOCRATS OBJECTED, CLAIMING THE BILL WAS THE NUCLEAR OPTION IN DEALING WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE GOVERNING BODIES, COSTING TAXPAYERS MILLIONS IN LAWSUITS.

>> ALL THIS BILL DOES IS THREATEN COMPLETE FINANCIAL EXTINCTION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING AND THREATEN REMOVAL OF EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO SERVES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IF THEY DON'T FOLLOW EXISTING LAW, AND IN SO DOING, WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS ELEVATE A SANCTUARY POLICY OR PRACTICE AS A POLICY ISSUE TO THE SAME LEVEL THAT THIS STATE TREATS FELONY CONVICTIONS.

>> THEY SAY THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS COULD ALSO BE AFFECTED.

>> IN FACT, BEYOND FEDERAL LAW, BEYOND COURT CASES THERE ARE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT PROHIBIT SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM DOING WHAT THIS BILL REQUIRES THEM TO DO.

SO WE ARE PUTTING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN A POSITION WHERE THEY EITHER COMPLY WITH THIS STATE LAW OR THEY COMPLY WITH FEDERAL LAW AND VIOLATE THE STATE LAW.

>> THE BILL PASSED 33 TO 18.

ALONG THE SAME LINES HB-1105, THIS BILL WOULD MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CHECK A PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS WHEN THEY ARE DETAINED AND PASS THAT INFORMATION ALONG TO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES.

>> THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, MAKE NO MISTAKE, AND IT SPECIFICALLY DEALS WITH CRIMINALS, AND I WANT TO SAY THAT A FEW TIMES.

CRIMINALS, SO WE DON'T HAVE FOLKS COME UP AFTERWARDS AND SAY THIS IS ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

THIS ABOUT CRIMINALS THAT ARE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL AIL WRENS AND IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY LOCAL OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE TO KNOWINGLY AND WILLINGLY VIOLATE ANY PROVISION OF THIS CODE SECTION.

THAT MEANS PEOPLE WHO MAKE A MISTAKE WE'LL CERTAINLY NEVER CRIMINALIZE THAT, HOWEVER, ANOTHER HANDOUT ON YOUR DESK, YOU WILL SEE FROM THE SHERIFF OF THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTY IN THIS STATE WHO IS ABSOLUTELY KNOWINGLY AND WILLINGLY DISOBEYING THE LAW.

DEMOCRATS AGAIN OBJECTED.

>> THERE ARE STORIES ABOUT IMMIGRANTS DOCUMENTED AND UNDOCUMENTED CHOSE NOT TO SEEK HELP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EVEN AT THE RISK OF THEIR LIVES, AND CONSIDERING THE STORIES OF HOW THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES IS STRETCHED THIN I FIND IT INCONCEIVABLE THAT GEORGIA WOULD BECOME A G7 STATE AND MORE SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT.

>> THE BILL PASSED 34-19.

THIS AFTERNOON, SENATE DEMOCRATS GAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE TO SAY THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE AFTER THEIR EFFORTS TO ONCE AGAIN EXPAND MEDICAID THIS MORNING.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER GLORIA BUTLER ALLOWED A JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROGRAM, PEACH CARE PLUS.

>> PEACH CARE PLUS WOULD CONNECT GEORGIANS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE AND TELL US ALSO CONNECT THEM WITH BADLY NEEDED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES AND NECESSARY CHILD CARE SERVICES.

76% OF GEORGIANS SUPPORT THIS MEASURE INCLUDING 60% OF REPUBLICANS.

>> MINORITY LEADER BUTLER EXPRESSED THE CAUCUS'S COMMITMENT TO GET THE PLAN ON THE BOOKS WHATEVER IT TAKES.

>> WE WILL KEEP FIGHTING.

WE WILL CONTINUE DEMANDING REPUBLICANS PASS PEACH CARE PLUS.

I DON'T CARE IF WE HAVE TO FIGHT UNTIL WE ARE IN THE MAJORITY.

WE HAVE GONE 14 YEARS WE CAN GO A FEW MORE EVEN IF IT TAKES 14 MORE YEARS.

>> THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED A BILL DEALING WITH THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED.

THAT'S ALL FOR MY CAPITOL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU, DONNA.

>> I WANT TO THANK SARAH FOR THAT REPORT.

WE WILL SPEND SOME TIME NOW TALKING ABOUT THE PROCESS TO COMPENSATE THOSE WRONGLY ACCUSED.

JOINING ME ARE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KATIE DEMPSEY OF ROME.

SHE CHAIRS AN APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE AND IS ON SEVEN OTHER COMMITTEES AND DEMOCRATIC RAPTIVE SCOTT HOLCOMB OF ATLANTA AND HE IS ON THE JUDICIARY AND JUVENILE JUSTICE.

THANK YOU TO YOU BOTH.

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.

I KNOW THAT.

THE HOUSE WRAPPED UP AND YOU GUYS RUSHED DOWN HERE TO THE STUDIO.

I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT TOPIC TO TALK ABOUT AND THAT'S PEOPLE WRONGLY ACCUSED AND I WANT TO START WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE REPRESENTING PEOPLE RIGHT NOW TRYING TO HELP TWO MEN WHO WERE WRONGLY ACCUSED GET THE COMPENSATION.

>> WELL, THEY WERE ACTUALLY WRONGLY CONVICTED.

>> RIGHT.

>> THEY SERVED IN OUR CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, TOO.

SO THEY ARE FROM ROME, MY HOMETOWN.

BOTH WERE YOUNG.

ONE WAS 17 YEARS OLD ACCUSED OF MURDER FOUND TO BE GUILTY WITH MANY FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM TO GET THAT.

HE SERVED 25 YEARS.

HE HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE INNOCENT AND IS NOW OUT OF PRISON.

THE OTHER IS -- WAS 18 AT THE TIME OF THE -- THIS HE WAS ACCUSED OF MURDERING SOMEONE.

HE SERVED 22 YEARS.

SO MOST OF THEIR LIVES THEY WERE INCARCERATED.

THEY WERE SERVING IN VERY SERIOUS, NOT JAIL, BUT PRISON AND IT WAS TAKEN AWAY.

YOU THINK OF SOMEONE WHO IS 17 OR 18 AND THEY ARE RETURNED INTO A SOCIETY THAT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND CHANGED, CELL PHONES, ALL KINDS OF THINGS ARE DIFFERENT TODAY.

THEY ARE IN THEIR 40s.

THEY'VE LOST SO MUCH OF THEIR LIFE.

TIME TO GET AN EDUCATION, TO HAVE A JOB, TO HAVE A CAREER, TO HAVE A FAMILY, TO BUILD A NEST EGG FOR RETIREMENT ONE DAY, POSSIBLY.

THE VERY LEAST WE CAN DO AS A INNOCENT, TO FINANCIALLY HELP THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> AND THE PROCESS IN GEORGIA IS INTERESTING.

IT TAKES A LAWMAKER LIKE YOU TO HELP THEM AND IT'S LIKE A ONE-ON-ONE TYPE OF THING.

YOU'VE GOT TWO PEOPLE, BUT IT'S NOT A PROCESS WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED.

TALK ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS WORKS A LITTLE BIT.

>> THE PROCESS IS CHALLENGING BECAUSE IT IS A POLITICAL ONE, AND AS YOU MENTIONED, EACH INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED HAS DEFINED THE LEGISLATOR TO HELP WITH THE RESOLUTION AND THEN THAT RESOLUTION HAS TO PASS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND SO, IF THERE'S TWO PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE HELPING, IT HAS TO BE TWO BILLS THAT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND IT'S NOT EASY AND IT'S INHERENTLY POLITICAL.

>> IT'S A ONE-ON-ONE TYPE THING.

SO EACH PERSON HAS TO FIND A DIFFERENT PERSON TO DO IT.

YOU'VE BEEN WORKING FOR A FEW YEARS TO TRY TO CHANGE THAT.

TALK ABOUT HB-264.

>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

JUST IN CONTEXT, I'M A FORMER PROSECUTOR WHICH I THINK IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS.

WHEN WE WRONGFULLY CONVICT SOMEBODY, WE HAVE TO HELP THEM GET STARTED AGAIN.

AS CHAIRWOMAN DEMPSEY SAID, WE CAN'T JUST SAY WE MADE A MISTAKE AND TOOK AWAY THE FREEDOM.

FOR THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS THE BEST DECADES OF THEIR LIVES AND THEIR 20s AND 30s AND THERE'S NO AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT CAN COMPENSATE THEM FOR THAT AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT ABLE TO INVEST IN THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO FURTHER THEIR CAREER SKILLS.

THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PARTES PATE IN SOCIAL SECURITY.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT PEOPLE MAY TAKE FOR GRANTED THEY COME OUT AND THEY REALLY HAVE NOTHING, AND SO THE STATE TOOK THIS ACTION.

THE STATE HAS TO FIX IT.

THE PROPOSAL THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, HB-364 IS TO TRY TO REMOVE THE POLITICS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

IT WOULD SET UP A COMMISSION OF EXPERTS AND THAT COMMISSION WOULD HAVE A JUNG OR RETIRED JUDGE, A PROSECUTOR, DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND TWO PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE AN EXPERTISE IN WRONGFUL CONVICTION.

A LOT OF THE WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS COME ABOUT THROUGH DNA EVIDENCE AND WE WOULD HAVE PEOPLE THAT COULD EXAMINE THE CASES AND THEN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION FOR COMPENSATION.

ONE THING THAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT IS THAT THE BILL REQUIRES INNOCENCE.

THIS WOULDN'T BE FOR SOMEONE THAT JUST THROUGH A TECHNICAL OR PROCEDURAL ISSUE THEY HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY DIDN'T DO IT, AND IF THEY CAN MEET THAT BURDEN, THE STATE REALLY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND COMPENSATE.

>> YOU SUPPORT THIS.

IT'S ACTUALLY BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LAWMAKERS STRUGGLE WITH THIS.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IT'S NOT WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO.

THAT KIND OF JUDGMENT IS REALLY HARSH.

SO I HAD SERVED ON THE PANEL, I BELIEVE, THREE TIMES IN THE HOUSE THROUGH APPROPRIATIONS, A SMALL PANEL OF ABOUT THREE MEMBERS THAT LISTENED TO MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS OVER THE YEARS.

THAT WAS HARD, BUT I WILL TELL YOU IT'S MUCH MORE HEARTFELT AND EMOTIONAL TO GET TO KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS ALSO FIGHTING FOR THIS CHALLENGE TO BE MADE WHOLE, TO STEP FORWARD, TO BUILD THEIR LIFE AGAIN AND IT'S JUST SUCH A HARD SPACE TO GO TO.

THE HOUSE DID A GREAT JOB.

WE ALWAYS SEEM TO, OF PASSING THESE RESOLUTIONS AND THEY HAVE RESTED IN THE SENATE NOW.

NOT ONLY THESE TWO, BUT FOUR FROM LAST YEAR, THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN ACTION ON.

>> YEAH.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE FOUR LAST YEAR, BIPARTISAN.

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING THESE YOUNG MEN?

>> THEY'RE AMAZING.

I'VE BEEN SO ENCOURAGED BY HOW THEY LEFT WITHOUT JUDGMENT ON OTHERS FOR IT.

THEY REALLY HAVE VERY HUMBLE HEARTS.

ONE LITERALLY IS WORKING NOW IN INDUSTRY IN ROME.

THE OTHER, JOEY, WANTS TO REBUILD HIS FAMILY'S USED CAR PRACTICE, BUT THEY BOTH FACE CHALLENGES.

FOR LEE, THE WAGES ARE NOT VERY HIGH.

IT'S VERY HARD TO GET AHEAD.

IT'S HARD TO PAY RENT.

IT'S HARD TO -- HE SAID I'LL PROBABLY NEVER HAVE A FAMILY.

I COULDN'T AFFORD A CHILD AND THEN FOR JOEY, HE DOESN'T HAVE YEARS OF TAX RETURNS SO HE CAN'T GET A LOAN TO START THAT BUSINESS.

>> YEAH.

>> IT'S VERY CHALLENGING FOR THEM, BUT THEY ARE -- THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR IF WE CAN DO THIS.

THEY WERE AT THE CAPITAL YESTERDAY, AND IT'S JUST VERY ENCOURAGING TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY CARE.

THEY BECAME FRIEND, ACTUALLY AND THEY CARE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER AND WANT TO SEE US DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> YEAH.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND?

LAST YEAR YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IT STALLED IN THE SENATE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IN.

>> THE SYSTEM FAIL THESE INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORST WAY IMAGINABLE.

I HOPE THE POLITICAL SYSTEM DOESN'T FAIL THEM AS WELL AND SO WE'LL KEEP PUSHING UNTIL MIDNIGHT NEXT THURSDAY, AND I'M REALLY HOPEFUL THAT FOLKS WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE THAT WE'VE IMPACTED AND IT'S THEIR FAMILIES, TOO AND IT'S ONLY US.

IT'S ONLY US THAT CAN FIX IT AND WE NEED TO.

>> ONLY A FEW DAYS TO HAVE THIS COME THROUGH SO WE'LL KEEP UP WITH THIS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING DOWN.

AGAIN, I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY SO I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

COMING UP, WE HAVE A LAWMAKER WHO WILL JOIN US WHO WANTS TO SEE AN ANNUAL LIST OF THE STATE'S HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS AND A VETERAN SENATOR TALKS ABOUT WHY SHE'S RETIRING.

STAY WITH US.

>> "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.

REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION IN GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY AND IT WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITAL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>> PEOPLE PUT THEIR FAITH IN PBS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT IT IS CONSTANTLY DELIVERING QUALITY.

>> IT COVERS THE WHOLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S A FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA.

>> WE GO WHERE THE VIEWERS ARE.

>> WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?

WE HEAR CIVIL DISCOURSE IS A CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND WHAT WE DO IS AUTHENTIC REPORTING OF THE PEOPLE WE TRUST.

>> YOU CAN HEAR VOICES ON ALL SIDES OF AN ISSUE.

THIS IS THE PLACE THAT PEOPLE TURN TO FOR STORIES THAT MATTER.

>> AND THEY KNOW THAT WHEN THEY WALK AWAY, THEY WILL HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

>> THAT'S WHY THIS MAKES PBS IMPORTANT FOR DAILY LIFE AND IN THE END, OUR WORLD.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> COMMUNITY, WORKING, LEARNING, WORKING, PLAYING.

DOING LIFE IS ALWAYS BETTER TOGETHER.

AT GPB WE AIM TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO DID LIFE TOGETHER WELL AND IT INSPIRES EVERYTHING FROM OUR WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMING TO OUR STIMULATING RADIO CONVERSATIONS TO OUR FUN IN-PERSON EVENTS.

WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

VISIT GPB.ORG/COMMUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR UPCOMING EVENTS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWERY.

WE WILL DIVE INTO WORKFORCE ISSUES INCLUDING WHEN IT INVOLVES RETIRING FROM POLITICAL OFFICE.

EARLIER TODAY I SPOKE TO DEMOCRATIC SENATOR VALENCIA C. OF RIVERDALE.

SHE WAS FIRST SWORN IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE IN 2001 AND BEFORE, FOR A WHILE AT THE HOUSE AND THEN TWO YEARS LATER SHE BECAME A SENATOR.

SHE IS RETIRING FROM POLITICS.

I ASKED HER TODAY HOW SHE FELT ABOUT IT.

>> REJOICING.

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT BEING AT THE END.

I TELL YOU, THESE YEARS HAVE JUST FLOWN BY, BUT IT'S TIME FOR ME TO DO SOMETHING ELSE, SOMETHING I TRULY ENJOY AND THAT'S BEING WITH THESE GRANDKIDS WHO LITERALLY GREW UP IN THIS BUILDING, AND NOW THAT THEY ARE IN COLLEGE IT'S A JOY TO GO WITH THEM AND SEE WHEN THEY'RE DOING AND KEEP THEIR EYES ON THE PRIZE.

>> AS YOU LOOK BACK ON YOUR TIME WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES?

>> THINK THE FONDEST OF MY MEMORIES HAVE BEEN WHEN I WAS GLBC AND I WAS CHAIR AND BRINGING THEM TO THE CAPITAL WITH ME SO THEY LITERALLY HAVE GROWN UP HERE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE DISPLAY ABOUT AGRICULTURE PUT IN THE CAPITAL UP ON THE FOURTH FLOOR THAT'S INTERACTIVE EVEN PORTRAYING A DRONE, THAT'S WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO HAVE HAPPEN.

THE REASON BEING, IT WAS ALWAYS OFFENSIVE TO ME PERSONALLY WHEN PEOPLE MAKE A JOKE ABOUT THEY ASK INNER CITY KIDS WHERE DOES MILK COME FROM AND THEY SAY COW.

WE ARE AN AGRICULTURE STATE AND WE CAN DO BETTER SO THAT INTERACTIVE PLAY ON IT MADE IT A JOY FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO TEACH AGRICULTURE THROUGH INTERACTION AND HAVE THAT DISPLAY RIGHT HERE IN THIS GEORGIA CAPITAL.

>> SO LONG AFTER YOU'RE GONE STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO COME HERE AND SEE THAT.

>> IT WILL BE, HOPEFULLY, I DECLARE I REALLY WANT IT TO CONTINUE TO BE HERE LIKE ALL OF THE OTHER ARTIFACTS IN THIS BUILDING, THAT ONE, I'M HOPING WILL STAY LONG AFTER I'M GONE BECAUSE MY PICTURE IS INSIDE AND IT WILL BE REMEMBERED AS SOMETHING ME AND THE GRANDKIDS WERE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS.

YOU TALKED ABOUT BEING CHAIR OF THAT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU FEEL PROUD ABOUT THAT ORGANIZATION?

>> FOR ONE, THAT WE HAVE IT.

THAT'S NUMBER ONE, AND THE OTHER PART IS WE GET A CHANCE TO MINGLE WITH CAUCUSES ALL OVER THE NATION AND GET A CHANCE TO MEET PEOPLE ALL OVER THE NATION AND TO ME THAT'S A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT OUR INNER CITY KIDS WHO GREW UP NOT TRAVELING AND DOING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS TO BE ABLE TO GO TO IOWA AND SEE ROWS OF AGRICULTURE GROWING UP.

THOSE TYPE THINGS AWESOME TO ME BECAUSE WE'VE GOTTEN OUT OF GEORGIA AND WE'RE SEEING MORE OF WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD DOES.

>> THINK OF THE HISTORY YOU'VE MADE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT COM PLAYERING THIS SESSION TO OTHERS.

>> THIS SESSION IS MORE OF A JOY BECAUSE I CAN SEE THE END.

IT REALLY HAS BEEN AN AWESOME JOURNEY, BUT IT HAS CHANGED TREMENDOUSLY.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE COULD ALL COMMUNICATE, TALK AND WORK TOGETHER.

NOW IT FEELS MORE LIKE A BOYS' CLUB.

IT'S NOT AS FAMILY ORIENTED AS IT ONCE WAS.

THE NEW GROUPS HAVE COME IN WITH A WHOLE OTHER MINDSET AND IT'S NOT REALLY ONE OF THE ATMOSPHERES THAT I HAVE ENJOYED BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE MEAN SPIRITED.

>> I'M SURPRISED TO HEAR YOU SAY BOYS' CLUB BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE FEMALES AND THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> IN THE SENATE?

NO.

I DISAGREE.

IN THE SENATE, WHERE I SERVE, I CAN ONLY TALK ABOUT THAT.

HOWEVER, I AM SO PROUD TO HAVE GOTTEN MY START IN THE HOUSE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS UNDER SPEAKER MURPHY AND ALL IT WAS REALLY AN AWESOME, AWESOME PINCH-ME MOMENT.

HERE I AM IN THIS CHAMBER, IN THE GOLD DOME BEING A PART OF THE BIG GROUP.

I WAS SO OVERWHELMED, BUT THE CHAMBER TYPES FROM BACK HOME IN CLAYTON COUNTY ASKED ME TO RUN FOR THE OPEN SENATE SEAT, THAT STAR WAS VACATING AND HE HAD BEEN THE FACE OF CLAYTON COUNTY FOR SO LONG, AND WHEN I TOOK THAT SEAT IN THE SENATE, HADN'T LOOKED BACK AND IT'S BEEN AN AWESOME RIDE.

>> I WANT TO THANK SENATOR C. FOR TALKING TO ME, AND I WISH HER ALL OF THE BEST IN RETIREMENT.

>> JOINING ME NOW VIA ZOOM IS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MATTHEW GAMBLE OF CARTERSVILLE.

HI THERE.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW YOU'RE ONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S FLOOR LEADERS AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM COMMITTEE.

I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE HOUSE JUST FINISHED, SO I KNOW THAT IT'S TOUGH, SO I APPRECIATE YOU BEING ON.

I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE GAMBLE ON A BILL THAT'S ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THAT DEALS WITH HIGHLIGHTING HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> RIGHT.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, DONNA, WE CREATED THE HIGH-DEMAND CAREER INITIATIVE THAT WAS CHAMPIONED BY THEN GOVERNOR NATHAN DILL, AND WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT BUILDS OFF THE GREAT FOUNDATION THAT WAS LAID TO CREATE ONE UNIFIED LIST FOR WHAT ARE HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS.

THEY'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD CAREERS AND END CAREERS AS TRENDS CHANGE ECONOMICALLY IN OUR STATE.

RIGHT NOW THERE WAS A BIT OF CONFUSION AND THERE WERE SEVERAL LISTS THAT WERE SHARED BY DIFFERENT AGENCIES, STATE AGENCIES AND EVEN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE METRO ATLANTA CHAIN CHASE MANHATTAN GER.

IT WOULD BE THE SINGLE SOLE SOURCE FOR DETERMINING HIGH-DEMAND CAREERS.

TELL ME WHY YOU THOUGHT THAT LIST WAS SO IMPORTANT AND WHAT KIND OF CAREERS ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> WE HAVE A SHORTAGE ESPECIALLY IN CERTAIN FIELDS AROUND THE STATE WHETHER IT'S HEALTHCARE, CONSTRUCTION, WELDING AND THOSE TYPES OF CAREERS AND THIS WAS DONE BECAUSE THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR GOVERNOR RECOGNIZED THAT WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE HOW THOSE CAREERS ARE SELECTED AND ENCOURAGING OUR YOUNG STUDENTS IN THE K-12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION PIPELINE TO PURSUE THOSE CAREERS AND IF THEY CHOOSE TO GO INTO ONE OF THESE CAREERS THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BASICALLY RECEIVE FREE TUITION FROM OUR TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO GET A TWO-YEAR OR IN SOME CASES A CERTIFICATE IN ONE OF THESE HIGH-DEMAND CAREER AREAS.

>> SO THIS IS A CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO SAY, HEY, LISTEN, THESE ARE THE CAREERS AND THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR ESPECIALLY IF YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO BE EMPLOYED BECAUSE IT'S HIGH DEMAND.

>> THAT IS CORRECT, AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STUDY COMMITTEE THAT MET LAST YEAR THAT WAS CHAIRED BY SENATE RULES CHAIRMAN MATT BRASS AND CHAIRMAN MATT DUBNICK FROM THE HOUSE.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME FROM THAT STUDY COMMITTEE AND SO THE GOVERNOR RECOGNIZED IT, AND WE DECIDED THAT THIS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO GET DONE.

THE STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD ALSO HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE FROM VARIOUS BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY INTERESTS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPRESENTATIVES AND FOLKS FROM EDUCATION, BOTH THE K-12 AND POST-SECONDARY AREAS.

SO IT IS A VERY DIVERSE GROUP THAT WILL DETERMINE THIS LIST.

>> OKAY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR BILLS.

HB-130.

IT DEALS WITH STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT AGREEMENTS.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> SO HOUSE BILL 130 IS THE SERVICE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM, AGAIN, ANOTHER PRIORITY FOR GOVERNOR KEMP AND OUR GOVERNOR'S FLOOR LEADER TEAM.

THIS IS ONE THEY CARRIED THAT WILL ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO PURSUE CAREERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE ABOUT 5,000 OPENINGS WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT STATE PATROL AND LOCAL POLICE AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

SO THIS ANOTHER SEGMENT THAT CAN RECRUIT ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL THAT CAN GO INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT THEIR CAVEAT IS THEY HAVE TO WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN FIVE YEARS YEARS, WHERE THEY CAN EITHER PAY OFF, CERTIFY STUDENT LOAN DEBT OR TO PAY TOWARDS A DEGREE CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND SO THAT'S INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN GOING INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR IT MAY BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT IS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AND IS INTERESTED IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS, BUT AGAIN, THEY HAVE TO STAY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS IN ORDER TO EARN THE FULL $20,000 AMOUNT.

>> SO WHERE IS THIS BILL RIGHT NOW?

>> THIS BILL, ACTUALLY BOTH BILLS HAVE PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THEY NOW AWAIT THE SIGNATURE OF THE GOVERNOR.

>> OKAY.

>> WELL, I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TELLING US ABOUT IT AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM, AND GET SOME REST.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR IT'S BEEN AN HONOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE GAMBLE.

WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

"LAWMAKERS" WILL NOT BE GAVELING IN IN THE NEXT TWO DAYS, NOT TOMORROW OR MONDAY.

WE'LL BE BACK ON TUESDAY FOR THE FINAL DAY BEFORE SINE DIE.

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

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