♪♪ ♪♪ >>> THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS STRONG, GROWING, AND PROSPEROUS BECAUSE WE TRUST OUR CITIZENS MORE THAN WE TRUST THE GOVERNMENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP GIVES HIS SIXTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL ONE-HOUR "LAWMAKERS" FOCUSING ON THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

AS IS CUSTOMARY, THE GOVERNOR GAVE HIS ASSESSMENT OF HOW THE STATE IS DOING, LISTING BUDGET GOALS AND LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

WE WILL SHOW YOU HIGHLIGHTS FROM HIS REMARKS AND THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

JOINING ME ARE EXPERTS WHO WILL OFFER ANALYSIS ON BOTH SPEECHES.

BUT FIRST, FROM THE GOLD DOME, CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT SARAH KALLIS GIVES US AN OVERSLEW AND REACTIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO WATCHED THE STATE OF THE STATE.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS WELCOMED GOVERNOR KEMP TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER.

HE GAVE HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

SOME LAWMAKERS PRIZE THE HIS VISION FOR THE YEAR AHEAD AND OTHERS HAD CRITIQUES.

>> IN HIS SPEECH, KEMP EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL VOUCHERS, WHICH SOME CALL SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> I FIRMLY BELIEVE WE CAN TAKE ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH TO EDUCATION WHETHER IT'S PUBLIC, PRIVATE, HOMESCHOOLING, CHARTER OR OTHERWISE.

IT'S TIME FOR ALL PARTIES TO GET AROUND THE TABLE AND AGREE ON THE BEST PATH FORWARD TO PROVIDE OUR KIDS THE BEST EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WE CAN BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO.

>> Reporter: LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE A SCHOOL VOUCHERS PROGRAM PASSED THE SENATE LAST YEAR, BUT FUMBLED IN THE HOUSE ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION.

SOME REPUBLICANS HOPED 2024 IS THE YEAR SCHOOL CHOICE BECOMES LAW.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MESHA MAINOR HAS LONG BEEN A SUPPORTER OF SCHOOL CHOICE.

IT'S HER FIRST SESSION AFTER SWITCHING TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND SHE SAID THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL VOUCHERS FACTOR INTO HER DECISION.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOUR CHILD WILL THRIVE BETTER IN CHARTER SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HOME SCHOOLS, A POD.

CHILDREN NEED TO THRIVE.

CHILDREN NEED TO LEARN AND MY DISTRICT ALONE, YOU HAVE KIDS IN SCHOOLS WHERE IT'S A 2% MATH PROFICIENCY AND A 3% READING PROFICIENCY.

AND THOSE ARE UNACCEPTABLE NUMBERS.

AND I SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR'S INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE LEARNING COMMUNITIES AND -- FOR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: STATE SUPERINTENDENT RICHARD WOODS, WHO ALSO IS A REPUBLICAN, WAS NON-COMMITTAL ABOUT THE SCHOOL VOUCHERS PROGRAM.

>> RIGHT NOW THE BIGGEST QUESTION CONCERNS WHAT DOES THE VOUCHER LOOK LIKE.

THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS IN THE DETAILS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT COMES OUT AND BEING GLAD TO MAKE A MORE FIRMER STAND ON THAT.

BUT AS OF NOW, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC EDUCATION IN OUR 2,300 SCHOOLS IS TOP PRIORITY AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY THAT THEY CAN FUNCTION.

>> Reporter: KEMP ANNOUNCED A $2,500 PAY RAISE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR SCHOOL SAFETY.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN CHOOSE HOW THEY USE THE MONEY.

GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS PRESIDENT LISA MORGAN SAID THE PAY RAISES ARE WELCOME BUT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER PRIORITIES.

>> WE ARE THANKFUL TO HEAR ABOUT MORE RAISES FOR EDUCATORS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR EDUCATORS DO NEED MORE COMPENSATION.

VERY CONCERNED THAT HE HAS COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF VOUCHERS.

THAT TAKE AWAY FUNDING THAT COULD BE USED IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE MICHELLE AU WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR IS INTERESTED IN EXPANDING ACCESS TO MEDICAL SERVICES.

>> ONE THING THAT'S CLEAR BOTH PARTIES REALLY HAVE A FOCUS AND EMPHASIS ON INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, RIGHT.

SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD, HE WASN'T TOO, TOO SPECIFIC ABOUT SOME OF THE NEW MEASURES THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO TAKE ON TO ADDRESS DEFICIENCIES, HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR GEORGIANS.

GEORGIA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST UNINSURED POPULATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

I DIDN'T HEAR SPECIFICS ABOUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS.

I THINK IT'S CLEAR TO EVERYONE IN THE STATE THIS IS A CRITICAL ISSUE WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND I HOPE THAT SINCE WE HAVE AGREED THIS IS A PRIORITY FOR ALL OF US, WE CAN EXAMINE ALL THE OPTIONS THAT ARE ON THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWING THE ADDRESS, DEMOCRATS SHARED THEIR VIEW ON THE STATE OF THE STATE IN A NEWS CONFERENCE.

>> WE COULD NOT EXPECT ANYONE TO ACHIEVE, TO THRIVE, OR TO SHINE.

THAT IS WHY OUR CAUCUS OF WHICH I AM VERY PROUD CAN SAY WITHOUT RESERVATIONS WE BELIEVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT EVERY GEORGIAN SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO MEDICAL CARE, TO A DECENT RESPECTABLE PLACE TO LIVE, TO A QUALITY EDUCATION, AND FREEDOM FROM HUNGER.

>> EACH YEAR THAT KEMP BLOCKS MEDICAID EXPANSION, IT COSTS GEORGIANS, HEAR THIS, $3 BILLION.

THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA ARE BEING MISLED.

THEY ARE FLUSHING LITERALLY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TAXPAYER DOLLARS DOWN THE DRAIN.

>> THIS ISN'T MONOPOLY MONEY.

THIS IS HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS THAT SHOULD BE REINVESTED IN IMPROVING THE LIFE OF EVERY GEORGIAN.

YET HERE WE ARE, ONE OF ONLY TEN STATES STUBBORNLY REFUSING TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

>> ALSO TODAY KEMP UNVEILED HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND THE AMENDED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, INCLUDING RAISES FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND MORE MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>> LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN THE CAPITOL TOMORROW FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE DAY.

NEXT WEEK THERE WILL BE NO FLOOR SESSIONS DUE TO BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

THAT'S ALL MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU TO SARAH KALLIS FOR THAT WRAP-UP OF TODAY 'EVENTS.

AS SARAH MENTIONED, GOVERNOR KEMP HAS FOCUSED ON PRIORITIES, INCLUDING EDUCATION, HE TALKED ABOUT A TAX CUT, PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS, RAISES FOR STATE WORKERS, BOOSTING MENTAL HEALTH AND MORE.

AND OUR GUESTS WILL GIVE US THEIR THOUGHTS ON ALL OF IT.

JOINING ME ARE THE AJC'S GOVERNOR GOVERNMENT REPORTER MARK NIECY, HE HAS BEEN ON THE NEWSPAPER'S EXPANSIVE POLITICS TEAM SINCE 2017 AND COVERS VOTING RIGHTS AND ELECTIONS.

ALSO HERE THE CHAIR OF THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT MERCER UNIVERSITY IN MACON, DR. CHRIS GRANT, AMONG HIS SPECIALTIES IS ELECTORAL POLITICS.

HE IS ALSO AUTHOR OF THE BOOK "ARC OF CONFIDENCE," THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR COMING FROM MACON UP HERE.

>> MY PLEASURE.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO SAY.

HERE IS A SNIPPET ABOUT ELECTIONS.

>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT GEORGIA IS GROWING AND AS A TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS FOR A RECORD TEN YEARS IN A ROW, NEW JOBS ARE HEADED OUR WAY ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS.

EXISTING BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND, AND COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD LOOK TO THE PEACH STATE TO LOCATE THEIR NEXT HEADQUARTERS.

BUT WITH GROWTH COMES THE NEED FOR MORE TRAINED WORKERS TO FILL THESE GOOD -- >> LATER THIS YEAR, THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE WILL ONCE AGAIN FULFILL THEIR SICHK DUTY.

THEY WILL CHOOSE WHO OCCUPIES THESE SEATS OF SERVICE AND THEY WILL DETERMINE WHAT COURSE AMERICA TAKES IN THE YEARS TO COME.

AS THEY HAVE IN YEARS PAST, WHEN THEY GO TO THE BALLOT BOX THEY'LL SEE A STARK DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GEORGIA AND OUR NATION'S CAPITOL.

THEY WILL SEE WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED TOGETHER AT THE STATE LEVEL TO MAKE GEORGIA AN EVEN GREATER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY.

AND THEY'LL SEE THE HARDSHIPS WASHINGTON, D.C., HAS BROUGHT INTO EVERY HOME AND PLACED ON EVERY KITCHEN TABLE ACROSS OUR STATE.

CONGRESS HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH RUNAWAY SPENDING, BLOATED BUDGETS, JOB-KILLING REGULATIONS, GRIDLOCK AND PARTISANSHIP, AND ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN BOTH PARTIES WHO ARE MORE INTERESTED IN GETTING FAMOUS ON CABLE NEWS THAN DELIVERING RESULTS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

ALL THE WHILE ACROSS THE NATION, OVER 60% OF HOUSEHOLDS ARE LIVING PAYCHECK-TO-PAYCHECK.

OVER 8.4 MILLION AMERICANS ARE WORKING TWO JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

MORTGAGE RATES REMANT HIGHS NOT SEEN IN A GENERATION.

AND WHILE THE RATE OF INFLATION MAY HAVE FALLEN, HIGH PRICES ON EVERYTHING FROM GROCERIES TO RENT HAVE NOT.

IN FACT, IT COST AMERICANS OVER $11,000 MORE PER YEAR TO MAINTAIN THE SAME QUALITY OF LIFE THAT THEY HAD JUST A FEW SHORT YEARS AGO.

FOR THE HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS COUNTRY, PAYING $11,000 MORE A CAREER IS NOT A CHOICE BETWEEN THE LUXURIES OF LIFE.

FOR TOO MANY PEOPLE, THAT'S A DECISION BETWEEN PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR THEIR FAMILY, MAKING THEIR CAR PAYMENT, BUYING CLOTHES FOR THEIR KIDS, OR GOING FURTHER INTO DEBT.

FOR RECENT GRADUATES, IT'S ABOUT WHETHER YOU CAN AFFORD TO GET YOUR OWN PLACE AND PAY OFF YOUR STUDENT LOANS.

FOR A SINGLE MOM, IT'S THE DECISION ABOUT TAKING A JOB, A NEW JOB AND A NEW CAREER THAT PAYS BETTER, BUT IT DOESN'T OFFER CHILDCARE.

FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, CAN THEY MAKE ENDS MEET WHEN ALSO SAVING FOR THEIR KIDS' COLLEGE AND TRYING TO PAY THEIR MORTGAGE.

AND FOR OUR SENIORS, ARE THEY ABLE TO STRETCH A FIXED INCOME TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS?

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WASHINGTON, D.C., HAS LEFT BEHIND.

BECAUSE FOR EVERY CHALLENGE OUR NATION FACES, THE FEDERAL RESPONSE IS TO SPEND MORE, REGULATE MORE, TAX MORE, AND COME UP WITH ANOTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAM MEANT TO CURE EVERY ILL.

INSTEAD OF EMPOWERING HARD-WORKING AMERICANS TO INNOVATE, CREATE, SEEK GREATER PROSPERITY, THEIR ANSWER IS SIMPLY MORE GOVERNMENT.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS HERE IN GEORGIA, WE HAVE CHOSEN A DIFFERENT PATH.

BECAUSE WE REALIZE THAT THE SUCCESS OF OUR STATE DOES NOT RELY ON THE ACTIONS OF GOVERNMENT, BUT THE PROSPERITY OF OUR PEOPLE.

WASHINGTON, D.C., FORGOT A LONG TIME AGO IT'S NOT THE BRILLIANCE OF POLITICIANS OR THE GOOD INTENTIONS OF A NEW PROGRAM THAT MAKE OUR NATION GREAT.

IT IS THE RESOLVE, THE INGENUITY, AND THE CHARACTER OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THOSE WERE THE HARD-WORKING GEORGIANS WE HEARD FROM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> THE FIRST PART OF GOVERNOR KEMP'S STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE, CHRIS, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I THINK I WAS STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT HIS TONE WAS RATHER INVITING, EVEN IF THE RHETORIC WAS NOT NECESSARILY BIPARTISAN.

BUT WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT DOING THINGS TOGETHER, I THINK HE WAS INVITING MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CONTINUE TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

AS HE WENT ON, YOU HEARD MORE ABOUT WHAT WASHINGTON WAS, AND THAT WAS CERTAINLY A DEMOCRATIC AGENDA THAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.

BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A SIGN OF A GENTLER KIND OF POLITICS.

IT WAS NOT AN ANGRY GOVERNOR KEMP.

IT WAS A GOVERNOR KEMP PRESENTING HIS BEST SIDE FORWARD.

>> YEAH.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> GOVERNOR KEMP DID DRAW STARK CONTRASTS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND GEORGIA, BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, BETWEEN PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIMSELF.

SO THIS SPEECH WAS HEAVY ON POLITICS AND PARTISANSHIP AND TRYING TO SHOW THAT IN HIS VIEW GEORGIA IS BETTER AND THAT HE IS BETTER AND THAT HIS POLICIES ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE IN WASHINGTON, AND SO THAT'S WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO DO.

IT'S REALLY CREATE THAT CONTRAST.

I AGREE HIS TONE WAS NOT AS FIERY AS THE WORDS MIGHT HAVE SOMETIMES REFLECTED, BUT WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT WASHINGTON BEING BUREAUCRATIC AND BROKEN, HE COMPARES THAT WITH HIS OWN OUTLOOK.

>> OKAY.

LET'S NOW GO TO ANOTHER BIG PART OF HIS REMARKS, AND WE -- SARAH FOCUSED ON IT IN HER REPORT, EDUCATION.

>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT GEORGIA'S GROWING, AND AS A TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS FOR A RECORD TEN YEARS IN A ROW, NEW JOBS ARE HEADED OUR WAY ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS.

EXISTING BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND AND COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD LOOK TO THE PEACH STATE TO LOCATE THEIR NEXT HEADQUARTERS.

BUT WITH GROWTH COMES THE NEED FOR MORE TRAINED WORKERS TO FILL THESE GOOD-PAYING JOBS IN RAPIDLY CHANGING LABOR ENVIRONMENT.

THAT'S WHY I WAS PROUD TO UNVEIL THE GEORGIA MATCH PROGRAM AT LAST YEAR'S WORK FORCE SUMMIT.

THE LARGEST COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM IN THE NATION.

GEORGIA MATCH IS ALREADY DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB LINKING THE UPCOMING GENERATION WITH THE SCHOOLS THAT MEET THEIR NEEDS.

AS OF TODAY, OVER 10,000 STUDENTS HAVE ALREADY MET THEIR MATCH.

AND WE'LL KEEP WORKING TO REACH EVERY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR IN GEORGIA SO THAT THEY KNOW THERE IS A HIGHER EDUCATION PATH OPEN TO THEM RIGHT HERE IN THE PEACH STATE, NO MATTER THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> SPEAKING OF EDUCATION, MY AMENDED 2024 BUDGET INS FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET PROPOSALS DOUBLED DOWN ON OUR CONTINUED AND HISTORIC SUPPORT OF K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION.

WITH 1.4 $1.4 BILLION IN FUNDS TO MAKE $12.8 BILLION TOTAL.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF DEBATE AROUND DIFFERENT PROPOSALS TO EXPAND OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHEN IT COMES TO FINDING THE EDUCATION THAT BEST FITS THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.

MANY MEMBERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS WORKED HARD ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

AND I WANT TO THANK AND APPLAUD THEM FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

SOME PREFER THE TERM SCHOOL CHOICE OR EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM.

SOME CALL THEM VOUCHERS.

IN MY OPINION, WHAT THOSE SLOGANS FAILS TO MENTION IS THE CHILD.

[ APPLAUSE ] AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR FIRST AND FOREMOST CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE THE FUTURE OF THAT STUDENT.

OUR JOB IS NOT TO DECIDE FOR EVERY FAMILY, BUT TO SUPPORT THEM IN MAKING THE BEST CHOICE FOR THEIR CHILD.

THIS WEEK AS WE BEGIN THE SECOND YEAR OF ANOTHER BIENNIAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE RUN OUT OF NEXT YEARS.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE WE CAN TAKE ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH TO EDUCATION WHETHER IT'S PUBLIC, PRIVATE, HOMESCHOOLING, CHARTER, OR OTHERWISE.

IT'S TIME FOR ALL PARTIES TO GET AROUND THE TABLE AND AGREE ON THE BEST PATH FORWARD TO PROVIDE OUR KIDS THE BEST EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WE CAN BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO.

[ APPLAUSE ] TO THAT END, MY OFFICE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE MEMBERS AND THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH CHAMBERS TO GET A BILL PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW THIS SESSION.

FINALLY, OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS DESERVE TO HAVE A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, NO MATTER THEIR ZIP CODE.

SINCE I TOOK OFFICE, I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD MORE THAN 30 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH EDUCATORS AND SUPERINTENDENTS FROM ALL OVER THIS STATE.

WE HEARD FREQUENTLY THAT OUR SCHOOLS WERE IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO ENHANCE SECURITY.

THAT'S WHY I SINCE 2019, WE PROVIDED MORE THAN $185 MILLION TO ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS TO HELP SECURE THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS.

THIS YEAR I'M PROPOSING WE CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS BY MAKING SCHOOL SECURITY FUNDING PERMANENT.

IN MY BUDGET PROPOSAL, I HAVE INCLUDED A REQUEST FOR $104 MILLION THAT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR SCHOOL SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS.

SCHOOLS WILL DETERMINE HOW TO BEST USE THIS MONEY, WHETHER FOR PERSONNEL LIKE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OR FOR PHYSICAL OR TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS THAT MAKE OUR PLACES OF LEARNING MORE SECURE.

THIS INVESTMENT IS MORE SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT WILL ENABLE SCHOOLS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO PLAN ACCORDINGLY, KNOWING THAT THIS MONEY IS HEADED THEIR WAY FOR THIS SPECIFIC PURPOSE.

I HOPE TO SEE STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS BUDGET ITEM TO KEEP OUR KIDS AND OUR SCHOOLS SAFE.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> LOTS OF THINGS TO SAY ABOUT EDUCATION.

PRETTY STRONG MESSAGE.

MARK?

>> WELL, WE HEARD ABOUT VOUCHERS.

THAT WAS A HUGE ISSUE LAST YEAR'S SESSION AND IT'S COMING BACK THIS YEAR.

AND THIS IS THE IDEA OF GIVING FAMILIES MONEY TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

LAST YEAR IT WAS # $6,500 PROPOSED AND IT NARROWLY FAILED.

WE KNOW THAT'S COMING BACK.

THERE IS A LOT OF LOBBYING, A LOT OF EFFORT TO TRY TO GET THOSE FEW REPUBLICANS WHO WERE AGAINST IT, BECAUSE THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECT ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THEIR DISTRICTS, IN THEIR COUNTIES, AND WHETHER THEY WOULD SUFFER IF MONEY IS INSTEAD GIVEN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR TO HOME-SCHOOLED PEOPLE.

AND THEN WE ALSO HEARD ABOUT PAY RAISES FOR TEACHERS.

$2,500 MORE IN TEACHER PAY RAISES, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M SURE EVERY TEACHER IS GOING TO WELCOME.

>> YEAH.

CHRIS?

>> WELL, I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING.

BACK TO SOME OF THE TONE OF THE SPEECH WHERE HE TALKED ABOUT VOUCHERS AND SCHOOL CHOICE.

TRADITIONALLY, THESE HAVE MEANT VERY DIFFERENT THINGS.

SCHOOL CHOICE HAS BEEN PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE.

YOU CAN SEND YOUR CHILD TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOOSING.

VOUCHERS ARE A DIFFERENT THING ALL TOGETHER.

YOU GET A VOUCHER, ESSENTIALLY THE STATE PAYS AN AMOUNT IF YOU PUT YOUR CHILD IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

VERY FEW PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE $6,500 PER YEAR TUITION.

THEY DON'T NECESSARILY BENEFIT THE FOLKS THAT ARE OFTENTIMES IN THE MOST VULNERABLE POSITIONS IN THE SOCIETY, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY SOUND LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

IT CAN HAVE SOME REAL NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES IN COUCHERS, WHEREAS PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE MEANS YOU'VE JUST GOT TO GET THEM THERE.

>> WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH ALL THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK NOW.

COMING UP, WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO SAY ABOUT TAXES AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WE'LL HAVE THAT FOR YOU AHEAD.

SO STAY WITH US.

>> "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE, AFTER ALL, AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL 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?

>> CIVIL DISCOURSE IS A CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.

>> WE DO AUTHENTIC REPORTING THAT PEOPLE CAN TRUST.

>> WE GIVE TIME SO 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 WHEN THEY WALK AWAY, THEY WILL HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

>> THAT'S WHY THIS MAKES PBS IMPORTANT FOR DAILY LIVE AND IN OUR WORLD.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO THIS SPECIAL ONE-HOUR "LAWMAKERS" ON GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

I'M HERE WITH THE AJC REPORTER MARK NIECY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR CHRIS GRANT FROM MERCER.

ANOTHER PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH, WE WILL LISTEN TO NOW.

HE OFFERED A LIFT FOR GEORGIANS WHEN IT COMES TO TAXES.

LET'S HEAR THAT.

>> WE HAVE DELIVERED REAL RESULTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND UNDER BUDGET.

THANKS TO A STRONG ECONOMY AND CONSERVATIVE FISCAL MANAGEMENT OF STATE REVENUES, WE HAVE PROVIDED NEARLY $5 BILLION OF DIRECT RELIEF TO TAXPAYERS IN TAX REFUNDS, GAS TAX SUSPENSIONS, HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTIONS AND MORE.

[ APPLAUSE ] LAST MONTH I JUND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JONES, SPEAKER BURNS, AND OTHERS TO ANNOUNCE A PLAN TO SPEED UP IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LARGEST STATE TAX CUT IN HISTORY.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT, I LOOK FORWARD TO SIGNING LEGISLATION THAT DECREASES OUR STATE INCOME TAX TO 5.39% STARTING THIS YEAR.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS MATTERS.

IT MATTERS BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS SAVINGS OF $3 BILLION FOR GEORGIA TAXPAYERS OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

MR. SPEAKER, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHILE PRESIDENT BIDEN HIRES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW IRS AGENTS, MY VOTE WE JUST KEEP CUTTING TAXES HERE IN GEORGIA.

PLUS [ APPLAUSE ] >> OKAY.

TAXES.

CERTAINLY A VERY POPULAR TOPIC.

WITH EVERYBODY.

>> WE ALL LIKE TAX CUTS, AND WE ALL LIKE RAISES.

AND THE GOVERNOR IS FORTUNATE TO BE IN A STATE THAT'S GROWING AND RAPIDLY EXPANDING, AND AS SUCH, HAS MORE AND MORE BUDGET TEAR POWER AND ABLE TO PULL REVENUE INTO THE STATE.

SO HE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPERATE IN A LARGEESS.

NOT EVERY GOVERNOR HAS THAT OPPORTUNITY.

SOME MAY QUESTION WHETHER THIS WAS THE RIGHT PLAN, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING VERY POPULAR.

>> CERTAINLY WE HAD A PREVIEW LAST MONTH THAT THIS WAS COMING IN TERMS OF ACCELERATING THE TAX CUTS, THE WAY HE IS ACCELERATING THE WAY TAXES ARE DONE.

IT'S A LITTLE COMPLICATED.

PEEP ARE HAPPY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A STATE WITH $16 BILLION IN RESERVES.

YOU GET TO DECIDE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND SOME OF THAT RESERVE MONEY, AND IN THIS CASE IT'S TAX CUTS.

WE HEARD THE GOVERNOR CONTRAST GEORGIA WITH WASHINGTON AGAIN.

THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT WASHINGTON HAS A DEFICIT, WHEREAS HERE IN GEORGIA WE HAVE A SURPLUS.

AND SO WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS PLANNING DO THIS INCOME TAX CUT WAS GRADUALLY, WAS APPROVED TO GRADUALLY DECREASE AND AS THE GOVERNOR SAID WOULD SPEED UP THE DECREASE A LITTLE BIT, AND SAVE TAXPAYERS A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY ON THEIR STATE INCOME TAXES.

>> THAT'S THE THING.

SPEEDING UP THE DECREASE.

OKAY.

WE GOT TO STRAIGHT.

THANKS.

I WANT TO GET TO ANOTHER TOPIC THE GOVERNOR SPENT TIME ON, AND THAT WAS PUBLIC SAFETY.

HE RECOGNIZED DURING HIS SPEECH ATLANTA MAYOR DICKENS AND ATLANTA POLICE CHIEF DARREN SHORE BOMB AND HE THANKED THEM FOR, QUOTE, MAKING THE CAPITAL CITY SAFER.

THEN HE FOCUSED ON SOMETHING THEY ALL AGREED ON AND THAT'S THE POLICE TRAINING CENTER.

OPPONENTS HAVE DUBBED THAT COP CITY.

>> BIPARTISAN MAJORITIES OF BOTH CHAMBERS, THE MAYOR AND MYSELF, ALL AGREE ON THE CRITICAL NEED FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE ATLANTA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER.

THIS FACILITY -- [ APPLAUSE ] THIS FACILITY WILL PROVIDE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND ADDITIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS THE CRITICAL TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE AS WELL AS THE SKILLS NEEDED TO KEEP THEMSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

ONE OF OUR BRAVE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS IS HERE WITH US THIS MORNING.

EXACTLY A YEAR AGO THIS WEEK, THIS DEDICATED TROOPER WAS SHOT AND SEVERELY WOUNDED NEAR THE SITE OF THE FUTURE TRAINING CENTER.

HE SPENT WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE.

HE ENDURED MULTIPLE SURGERIES AND SPENT THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR IN RECOVERY WHILE HIS FAMILY STOOD STRONG BESIDES HIM.

MARTY AND I WERE HONORED TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM WHILE HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AND I WAS HONORED WHO HE GAVE ME ONE OF MY MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS.

HIS S.W.A.T.

CHALLENGE COIN BEARING HIS BADGE NUMBER.

HE HAD THAT COIN ON HIM WHEN HE WAS SHOT THAT HORRIBLE DAY AND IT IS A CONSTANT REMINDER FOR THE PRICE PAID BY MEN AND WOMEN LIKE HIM ALL OVER THIS STATE WHO KEEP OUR CHILDREN, OUR HOMES, OUR BUSINESSES, AND OUR STREETS SAFE.

TROOPER FIRST CLASS JERRY PARRISH, WILL YOU PLEASE STAND WITH YOUR WIFE KELLY AND LET US THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT SERVICE?

[ APPLAUSE ] AS LONG AS I'M YOUR GOVERNOR, THERE WILL BE NO GRAY AREA OR POLITICAL DOUBLE-TALK.

WE WILL SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

SUPPORT OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE ATLANTA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER NEEDS TO BE BUILT, PERIOD.

[ APPLAUSE ] ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1, PARAGRAPH 2 OF THE GEORGIA CONSTITUTION STATES, PROTECTION TO PERSON AND PROPERTY IS THE PARAMOUNT DUTY OF GOVERNMENT, AND SHALL BE IMPARTIAL AND COMPLETE.

TO FULFILL THAT PARAMOUNT DUTY, WE MUST DO MORE THAN SHOW OUR SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN WORDS.

WE HAVE TO SHOW IT THROUGH ACTION.

THAT IS WHY LAST YEAR THANKS TO THE WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, I WAS PROUD TO SIGN A BUDGET THAT INCLUDED A $6,000 PAY RAISE FOR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

THAT PAY RAISE WAS A RECOGNITION OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN MAKE AS THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

THIS YEAR I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU TO ONCE AGAIN PROVIDE ANOTHER PAY RAISE FOR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] WITHIN MY BUDGET PROPOSAL ARE PAY INCREASES OF AN ADDITIONAL $3,000 FOR STATE PATROL OFFICERS LIKE TROOPER PARRISH AS WELL AS OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND OTHER STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

THESE INVESTMENTS WILL NOT ONLY SERVE AS A RENEWAL OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, BUT WILL ALSO SUPPORT OUR ONGOING RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS.

I'M URGING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO COMPLETE WHAT WE STARTED LAST YEAR AND GIVE FINAL PASSAGE TO THE PEACE OFFICER LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

BECAUSE DESPITE WHAT SOME MAY SAY, WE NEED MORE POLICE OFFICERS, NOT FEWER.

>> SO THE GOVERNOR BROUGHT IN SOME EMOTION, BRINGING IN THE TROOPER WHO HAD BEEN SHOT.

TROOPER PARRISH.

ALSO, TYING HIMSELF TO ATLANTA MAYOR DICKENS WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT PEOPLE CALL COP CITY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

HE SAID A FULL-THROATED ENDORSEMENT OF BUILDING THE PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER, WHICH IS A CITY OF ATLANTA ISSUE RATHER THAN A STATE ISSUE, BUT WE HEARD THE GOVERNOR TIE IT TO THE BROADER THEME OF NEEDING PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MAYOR DICKENS HAS BEEN SUPPORTING.

HE IS A DEMOCRAT, OBVIOUSLY.

KEMP IS A REPUBLICAN.

BUT THEY SUPPORT THE PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER WHICH HAS BEEN DIVISIVE.

POLLING SHOWS GENERAL SUPPORT, BUT THERE IS SIZABLE OPPOSITION AS WELL.

AND WE SEE THE GOVERNOR LATCHING ON TO THAT.

>> CHRIS?

>> WELL, I'D SAY THAT TROOPER PARRISH'S CASE, THERE IS NO ONE WHO WOULD ARGUE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SHOOT SOMEBODY BECAUSE YOU DISAGREE WITH THE BUILDING OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE STILL ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE DEVELOPED IN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO ACCEPT THE BUILDING OF THAT BUILDING, AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE CONCERNING THAT THERE IS NO DIRECT COMMENT THAT WILL GIVE US A WAY FORWARD, A VENUE FOR BEING ABLE TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

AND WORK FORWARD IN A WAY THAT'S MORE UNIFIED.

SO HE TOOK A SIDE IN THAT, AND I DON'T BLAME HIM.

I THINK IT WAS GOOD POLITICS FOR HIM.

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT'S THE BUILDING OF THE COMMUNITY AS MUCH, AND THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE REAL QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THAT SHOULD BE DONE.

>> YEAH.

SO HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT RAISES.

SO WE WILL GET TO A LITTLE BIT MORE WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT THAT AND THEN HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> IT IS NO SECRET THAT MOST STATE GOVERNMENT JOBS PAY LESS THAN PRIVATE SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SAME LINE OF WORK.

BUT FOR MANY OUR EMPLOYEES THEY FEEL A SENSE OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND WANT OUR STATE TO SUCCEED.

BUT FOR STATE GOVERNMENT TO STAY EFFICIENT AND STAY AHEAD OF GEORGIA'S CONTINUED GROWTH, WE MUST BE ABLE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES WHO PERFORM THESE VITALLY IMPORTANT JOBS.

THAT IS WHY MY BUDGET PROPOSAL PROVIDES A PAY INCREASE FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING OUR TEACHERS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS WILL BUILD ON THE HISTORIC RAISES WE PROVIDED FOR EDUCATORS OVER RECENT YEARS, AND WILL INCREASE EVERY STATE WORKERS' PAY BY 4%.

MY PROPOSAL ALSO REWARDS THOSE WHO GAVE DECADES OF THEIR LIVES AND CAREERS TO SERVING OTHERS BY ALLOCATING $500 MILLION TO SHORE UP OUR STATE RETIREE FUND ENSURING OUR STATE -- [ APPLAUSE ] THIS WILL ENSURE THAT OUR STATE KEEPS ITS PROMISES FOR OUR RETIREES AND ALSO STAYS ON SOLID FINANCIAL FOOTING.

INSTEAD OF EXPANDING THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT, WE'RE PUTTING STATE DOLLARS TO WORK IN TARGETED EFFICIENT WAYS TO RECRUIT, RETAIN, AND THANK EMPLOYEES IN VITAL ROLES FROM CORRECTION OFFICERS TO CASE WORKERS.

WE ARE WISELY USING EVERY PENNE TAXPAYERS SEND US FROM STATE AGENCY PERSONNEL TO OUR SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THE HEALTH CARE MARKETPLACE.

MY BUDGET PROPOSAL CALLS FOR AN INCREASE OF $205 MILLION FOR DBHDD AND OTHER ENTITIES THAT ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH.

THIS NEW FUNDING WILL ENABLE DBHDD TO EXPAND SERVICES FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CRISIS BEDS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT WILL FURTHER CRISIS INTERVENTION RESOURCES IT IN ALL COMMUNITIES AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OVERALL.

ONCE PASSED, WE WILL BE SPENDING $1.6 BILLION ON MENTAL HEALTH, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

[ APPLAUSE ] I'M PROUD OF WHAT THESE AND OTHER AGENCIES ARE DOING TO HELP THEIR FELLOW GEORGIANS AND KEEPING US THE BEST STATE TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.

>> CERTAINLY VERY POPULAR, MENTAL HEALTH.

ALSO, THE RAISES.

CHRIS, AGAIN, MORE MONEY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR THE PAST WHEN STATE EMPLOYEES GOT TREATED PRETTY STINGILY BY THE STATE.

I WORKED FOR THE STATE SYSTEM BEFORE I WENT TO MERCER.

I REMEMBER THE DARK DAYS WHEN WE WERE GETTING NO RAISES AND THERE WAS NOTHING GOING ON POSITIVELY IN THE BUDGET.

STATE EMPLOYEES HAVE TAKEN SOME HITS OVER TIME.

HE IS MAKING UP SOME OF THAT WITH WHAT HE IS DOING NOW.

AND I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THE VALUES THAT HE IS PUTTING OUT WITH THESE BUDGET PRIORITIES.

YES, DOING A TAX CUT AND ACCELERATING A TAX CUT, BUT HE IS ALSO TAKING CARE OF STATE EMPLOYEES.

PEOPLE THAT HAVE TAKEN CUTS AND KEPT ON GOING, AND SHORED UP RETIREMENT, TOO, WHICH STATE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT.

SO THERE IS A BALANCE TO WHAT HE IS DOING, WHICH I GIVE HIM SOME REAL CREDIT FOR.

HE SET THE STATE ON A FIRMER FINANCIAL GROUND.

EASIER WHEN YOU HAVE GOT MONEY THAT'S IN SURPLUS THAN IN A DEFICIT.

>> YEAH.

HE MADE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAPPY WITH THOSE REMARKS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

AND WITH MENTAL HEALTH, WHAT WE HEARD IS THIS IS THE NEXT STEP IN A MULTIYEAR EFFORT TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES GOING BACK FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

WE HAD A VERY CONTENTIOUS BILL THAT EVENTUALLY DID PASS, AND IT WAS DESIGNED TO TREAT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SIMILAR TO OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE COVERED SERVICES.

AND NOW TODAY WE'RE HEARING ABOUT MORE MONEY FOR GOVERNMENT MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING AND PROGRAMS THAT COULD, AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, REACH FUNDING TO BASICALLY RECORD HIGH LEVELS IN GEORGIA.

>> YEAH, AMAZING.

OVERALL, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SPEECH?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHERE GOVERNOR KEMP HAS GROWN THE LAST SIX YEARS.

IT WAS A BETTER DELIVERED SPEECH THAN I HAVE HEARD FROM HIM IN OTHER YEARS, AND I DEFINITELY THINK HE IS CONTEMPLATING, IF NOT ALREADY PLANNING, TO RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE IN 2026.

>> YOU HEARD THAT IN THE SPEECH?

>> I HEARD THAT IN THE SPEECH.

>> OKAY.

>> I HEARD HIM REACHING OUT TO THE MIDDLE AND SAYING I AM YOUR MODERATE GOVERNOR, I AM GEORGIA, I CAN DO THINGS COMMON SENSE-WISE.

>> WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> THIS IS GOVERNOR KEMP'S SIXTH STATE OF THE STATE.

HIS SECOND SINCE HE WAS RE-ELECTED.

HE IS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, I BELIEVE.

I THINK HE HAS HIS EYES PERHAPS ON A U.S. SENATE RUN, MAYBE SOMETHING ELSE.

WE DON'T KNOW.

HE HASN'T SAID.

BUT HE IS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AND PERHAPS WITH GEORGIA BEING A GROWING AND COMPETITIVE AND IMPORTANT STATE, HE IS LOOKING TO SEE WHERE HE CAN NEXT SERVE.

>> AND IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR.

OKAY.

SO NOW WE HAVE JUST BROKEN DOWN THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH FOR YOU PIECE BY PIECE.

NEXT, WE ARE GOING TO BRING YOU THE DEMOCRATIC REACTION TO KEMP'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT THAT AND THE OTHER SIDE OF EVERYTHING.

STAY WITH US.

>> "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUROY.

OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF A.G.

IN OUR STATE.

AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS 74 BILLION IN GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> PEOPLE PUT THEIR FAITH IN PBS BECAUSE THEY KNOW 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 FEEL THAT CIVIL DISCOURSE IS A CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.

>> WE DO AUTHENTIC REPORTING THAT PEOPLE CAN TRUST.

>> WE GIVE TIME SO 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.

SNU WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

WE HAVE JUST SPENT TIME LOOKING AT GOVERNOR KEMP'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, HEARING HIM TALK ABOUT EDUCATION PRIORITIES, PUBLIC SAFETY, RAISES, AND THINGS WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SO MUCH MORE.

AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE MINORITY PARTY.

FIRST, I WANT TO REINTRODUCE OUR GUESTS.

WITH ME IS THE AJC'S GEORGIA REPORTER FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA GOVERNMENT AND THAT'S MARK NIECY, AND FROM MERCER UNIVERSITY, THERE IS -- HERE IS DR. CHRIS GRANT.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP FROM MACON TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE ARE GOING TO HEAR WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAD TO SAY IN RESPONSE, AND GIVEN THAT REPORT IS HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JAMES BEVERLY.

>> MY FELLOW GEORGIANS, AS MINORITY LEADER FOR THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I AM HONORED TO OFFER THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS THIS MORNING.

FRANKLY, ONE WORD COMES TO MIND.

FRUSTRATED.

I COME TO YOU TODAY FRUSTRATED BY THE LACK OF PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE AS A STATE.

I LAY THAT FRUSTRATION AT THE GOVERNOR'S FEET.

THIS MORNING AFTER WE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR AT OUR CAPITOL BUILDING, I KEPT THINKING TO MYSELF, HOW DOES HE GET AWAY WITH THIS?

ALL I HEARD TODAY WAS POLITICAL PROPAGANDA.

THESE ARE JUST SHINY POLITICAL MOVES TO PLACATE GEORGIANS WHO ARE FED UP AND TIRED OF POOR HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES, SKYROCKETING RENTS AND MORTGAGES, THE MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS, SENSELESS GUN VIOLENCE, ABORTION BANS.

WHAT IS SO FRUSTRATING IS THAT WE HAVE THE MEANS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WE FACE, TO INVEST IN GEORGIA'S FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES, HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, SCHOOLS, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND SO MUCH MORE.

BUT WE'VE YET TO SEE THE LEVEL OF INVESTMENT REQUIRED TO ENSURE ALL GEORGIANS CAN THRIVE.

WHEN I STOOD BEFORE YOU A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE HAD A $6.6 BILLION SURPLUS.

TODAY OUR SURPLUS IS $10 BILLION HIGHER, $16 BILLION.

LET ME REPEAT THAT AGAIN.

INSTEAD OF INVESTING IN GEORGIA'S HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS AND TO SOLVING THE PROBLEMS WE FACE, THE GOVERNOR IS CURRENTLY SITTING ON A $16 BILLION SURPLUS.

YOU HEARD ME RIGHT.

BILLION WITH A B.

WE HAVE SEEN ONE OF GEORGIA'S ONLY LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTERS SHUTTER.

WE SAW OUR MATERNITY MORE IT WILLTALITY RISE IN THE WAKE OF THIS RECKLESS DECISION TO NEARLY TOTALLY BAN ABORTIONS AND WE CONTINUE TO UNDERFUND OUR SCHOOLS.

HIS BIG EMPTY PLANS ARE COVERED -- ARE COVERING JUST THIS ABJECT NEGLIGENCE.

IT SOUNDS NICE, BUT THEY DO NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE CHALLENGES MANY GEORGIANS FACE.

HEALTH CARE.

WHEN I THINK OF CHALLENGES THAT THIS STATE FACES, THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

WE LIVE IN A STATE WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST NUMBERS OF UNINSURED PEOPLE IN THE NATION.

SIMPLY PUT, THE PATHWAYS TO COVERAGE PROGRAM IS A PARKWAY TO FAILURE.

IT'S JUST SMOKE AND MIRRORS.

INSTEAD OF EXPANDING MEDICAID AND COVERING THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS LIVING IN THE MEDICAID GAP, THE GOVERNOR IS OPTING TO INVEST IN IN COSTLY AND INEFFICIENT STATE-BASED HEALTH CARE PLAN.

EACH YEAR THE GOVERNOR KEMP PASSES UP ON MEDICAID EXPANSION WE LOSE OUT ON $3 BILLION.

THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA ARE BEING SCAMMED.

WE ARE BEING RIPPED OFF AND WE'RE BEING SERVED THE BILL FOR IT.

HAVE Y'ALL BEEN KEEPING UP?

UNDER THE CURRENT GOVERNOR, THOUSANDS OF GEORGIA CHILDREN WERE KICKED OFF THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN LAST YEAR.

THIS PAST YEAR, OVER 100,000 GEORGIA KIDS LOST ACCESS TO THEIR DOCTOR.

GEORGIA WAS NUMBER THREE IN THE NATION FOR THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN DROPPED FROM MEDICAID.

THIS IS SHAMEFUL.

THE STATE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THE UNWINDING SAYING CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE WAS TERMINATED FOR, QUOTE, PERSONAL PROCEDURAL REASONS.

PROCEDURAL REASONS?

DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU?

IT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME.

THIS PATHWAYS PROGRAM THE GOVERNOR VOWED TO ENROLL AS MANY AS 100,000 GEORGIANS.

AS OF A MONTH AGO, GEORGIA'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH HAS REVEALED THAT IT HAS ONLY ENROLLED ROUGHLY 2,000 GEORGIANS.

THAT IS ONLY 1% OF THE 100,000 GEORGIANS KEMP ESTIMATED IT WOULD ENROLL IN THE FIRST YEAR OF ENROLLMENT.

TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SQUANDERED.

THIS PROGRAM IS AN OUTRIGHT FAILURE.

HARD WORKING GEORGIA FAMILIES INSTEAD ARE BEING CONNECTED WITH LIFE-SAVING PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES, ARE BEING TIED UP IN PAPERWORK AND ASKED TO JUMP THROUGH HOOP AFTER HOOP TO GAIN CARE.

THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA ARE GETTING CRUMBS AND BEING ASKED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR IT.

AND IT DOESN'T WORK FOR GEORGIANS ACROSS THE STATE.

KEMP AND REPUBLICAN POLL POLITICIANS ARE DOING NOTHING TO RESTORE THIS LOST COVERAGE.

THEY ARE CONTENT TO IGNORE THE SOLUTION ON THE TABLE.

FULLY EXPANDING MEDICAID CAN ENSURE GEORGIA'S YOUNG PEOPLE CAN COUNT ON ACCESS TO THEIR DOCTOR.

LISTEN.

I HEARD AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.

EXPAND MEDICAID NOW.

RIGHT NOW THE FUNDING IS ON THE TABLE TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE TO 500,000 GEORGIANS.

IT'S BEEN THERE FOR YEARS.

UNLESS THE GOVERNOR ACTS TO EXPAND MEDICAID, GEORGIA WILL FEDERAL FUNDING.

LET ME PAUSE AND SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME.

IF WE FAIL TO EXPAND MEDICAID AGAIN THIS YEAR, GEORGIA WILL ONCE AGAIN DECLINE $3 BILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDING.

JUST SITTING THERE, THIS IS AN OUTRIGHT NEGLECT OF THE PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT STATE.

WE WILL NOT STAND FOR IT.

DIGNITY OF WORK.

NOT TO MENTION THIS WEEK, KEMP ANNOUNCED HE WANTS TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR WORKING GEORGIANS TO GAIN PROTECTIONS THEY NEED AT WORK.

IN A RIGHT-TO-WORK STATE LIKE GEORGIA, WE HAVE SEEN WORKERS' RIGHTS FALL BY THE WAYSIDE.

KEMP MADE IT A PRIORITY TO CHEAPEN AND WEAKEN PROTECTIONS FOR THE DIGNITY OF WORK.

MANY GEORGIANS WORK MORE THAN 40 HOURS A WEEK AND STILL DON'T EARN A LIVING WAGE.

GEORGIA IS ATTRACTING NEW EMPLOYERS EVERY YEAR, AND I'M PROUD OF THE GEORGIA DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS'S WORK TO KEEP GEORGIA THE NUMBER ONE STATE TO DO BUSINESS, WHICH, BY THE WAY, THIS WEEK SLID TO NUMBER FOUR.

FAILED POLICIES.

WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY WE MUST UPHOLD WITH THIS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FROM THE WORKERS ACTUALLY PUTTING IN THE WORK.

WE ALL BENEFIT WHEN WE PROTECT GEORGIA'S WORKERS.

THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED THAT THE EXAMPLE OF NEHEMIAH.

THE BOOK TELLS US TO STAND IN THE GAP ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE.

THIS GOVERNOR AND HIS REPUBLICAN ALLIES ARE SELLING OUT GEORGIA FAMILIES.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO STAND IN THE GAP.

EDUCATION.

FOR YEARS GEORGIA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS FAILED STUDENTS.

I THINK CURRENT LEADERSHIP IS READY FOR THE REPORT CARD.

ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS, F. SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS, F. TUITION COSTS, F. BILLION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.

KEMP TALKS A BIG GAME ABOUT SUPPORTING TEACHERS.

SOME MAY HAVE SEEN THE NEWS THAT HE WAS GIVING OUT A ONE TIME RETENTION BONUS.

WHAT DOES THAT DO WHEN YOU ARE ACTIVELY WORKING TO DEFUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE?

KEMP IS WAVING AROUND A ONE-TIME RETENTION PAYMENT WHILE HIS REPUBLICAN ALLIES ARE APPLAUDING, ONCE AGAIN, TO PUSH A VOUCHER SCAM THROUGH THIS CHAMBER.

A VOUCHER SCAM THAT WOULD TAKE EVEN MORE MONEY AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT NEED IT MOST.

THIS IS DECEPTIVE.

IT IS NOT THE WAY WE DO THINGS HERE IN GEORGIA.

IF THE GOVERNOR REALLY CARED ABOUT OUR STUDENTS, OUR TEACHERS, HARD WORKING GEORGIA FAMILIES, HE WOULD INVEST IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

FOR MACON TO MADISON, STATESBORO TO STUART COUNTY, WE MUST INVEST IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

INSTEAD OF HIS SMOKE AND MIRRORS APPROACH, PAY RAISES TO DISTRACT FROM HIS PLAN TO DEFUND OUR SCHOOLS.

WE, DEMOCRATS, ARE ADVOCATING FOR TEACHER PAY RAISES.

MORE THAN THAT, WE MUST REVAMP OUR QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION FORMULA TO FINALLY ADEQUATELY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GET TEACHERS THE SUPPORT THEY DESERVE.

WHILE REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SQUABBLE OVER BANNING BOOKS AND CENSORING TEACHERS, DEMOCRATS KEEP PUSHING TO ENSURE GEORGIA STUDENTS GAIN AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO INTRODUCE AND CHAMPION BILLS THAT EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL GEORGIA STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF RACE, INCOME, OR ZIP CODE.

ALONG THOSE LINES, WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT GUN CONTROL.

TEACHERS IN GEORGIA SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADEQUATELY GET A RAISE WITH WHILE ADDING TO THEIR JOB POSITION A LONG LIST OF AND GUN PROTECTION.

REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS WANT TO ASK TEACHERS TO NOT ONLY TEACH, BUT TO ACT AS SECURITY PERSONNEL FOR YOUR CHILDREN'S CLASSROOMS.

TO HELP OUR TEACHERS, WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT KEEPING GUNS OUT OF OUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS.

REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION, WE SHOULD ALL COME TOGETHER TO DO SOMETHING TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE WRONG HANDS.

DEMOCRATS ARE SETTING AN AMBITIOUS AGENDA TO PUSH FOR UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, RED FLAG LAWS, AND SAFE STORAGE MEASURES THIS SESSION.

THESE ARE COMMON SENSE GUN CONTROL MEASURES THAT HAVE WIDE APPROVAL WHETHER YOU OWN A GUN OR NOT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS ABOUT KEEPING OUR KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

THIS IS THE DEMOCRATS' GOAL AND OUR AGENDA HEADING INTO THE 2024 SESSION.

MATERNAL MORTALITY, AN ISSUE DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING TO SOLVE, HARMING WOMEN IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

AND DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING WOMEN OF COLOR, SPECIFICALLY BLACK WOMEN.

IN 2024, WITH THE STANDARD OF CARE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO US, THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON, NO REASON FOR WOMEN TO DIE DURING CHILDBIRTH.

IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE.

AND KEMP'S PLAN TO EXTEND ACCESS TO MEDICAID TO A WOMAN A YEAR AFTER THEY GIVE BIRTH WON'T CUT IT.

ALL WOMEN IN GEORGIA NEED ACCESS TO RELIABLE, ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE ALL 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR.

THE MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS CONTINUES TO WORSEN HERE IN GEORGIA NOT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF POLITICAL IMAGINATION, BUT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF POLITICAL WILL.

THE TREATMENTS REQUIRED TO PREVENT MATERNAL DEATH ARE INEXPENSIVE.

THIS CARE FOR GEORGIAN MOTHERS IS NOT JUST A PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICANS IN LEADERSHIP.

AND IN THIS MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THE DEMOCRATS IN THIS CHAMBER.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO CHAMPION LEGISLATION THAT WILL INVEST IN PROTECTING HEALTH CARE FOR MOMS IN GEORGIA.

REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IS SOMETHING WE CANNOT BYPASS.

I BELIEVE THAT A WOMAN HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHEN, WHERE, AND WITH WHOM TO HAVE A BABY.

WOMEN SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS.

AFTER ROE WAS OVERTURNED, GEORGIA WOMEN HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN.

I HAVE HEARD UNBELIEVABLE STORIES OF WOMEN WHO ARE NOT GIVEN PROPER CARE BECAUSE OF THESE POLITICAL GAMES.

REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THEY SHOULD MAKE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE DECISIONS.

WE BELIEVE WOMEN CAN MAKE THOSE DECISIONS THEMSELVES.

MAKE NO MISTAKE.

DEMOCRATS WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO RESTORE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR SHOWS US WHO HE REALLY IS.

TODAY'S STATE OF THE STATE PUT ON DISPLAY KEMP'S WILLING TONS NEGLECT THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO CONTINUE TO PUT POLITICS AHEAD OF ACTUAL NEEDS OF GEORGIA FAMILIES.

WE WILL NOT BE DISTRACTED OR DETERRED.

YOU CAN COUNT ON US, OUR CAUCUS, AND THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE, TO GO FULL STEAM AHEAD.

FIGHTING TO LOWER COSTS FOR GEORGIA FAMILIES AND INVESTING IN OUR STATE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS, KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, AND RESTORING A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO HER OWN BODY AUTONOMY.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO HONOR AND SERVE.

THANK YOU.

GOD BLESS OUR GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> THAT WAS HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JAMES BEVERLY WITH THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

AND MARK AND CHRIS, BEVERLY BROKE DOWN THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE INTO THE AREAS OF HEALTH CARE, DIGNITY OF WORK, EDUCATION, GUN CONTROL, MATERNAL MORTALITY, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM, ABORTION, AND ENDED WITH THIS CALL FOR ACTION.

SO I WANT TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT, MARK, AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW MEDICAID HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE PUSHED FOR, FOR QUITE A WHILE.

WE NEVER HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

BUT THIS YEAR THERE MAYBE IS A CHANCE OF PROGRESS ON MEDICAID EXPANSION.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR IT, FOR YEARS.

BUT SOME REPUBLICANS ARE COMING AROUND ON THE IDEA THAT PERHAPS THERE COULD BE A DEAL BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE MONEY FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION THAT.

WOULD HELP PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS WHO CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE IT IN GEORGIA.

WE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PREVIOUSLY HE DIDN'T SAY NO, HE DIDN'T SAY YES, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE ON THE TABLE.

AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT ON BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SIDE.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THEY ARE THE ONES HAVING THE MAJORITY WHO WOULD HAVE TO AGREE TO IT, AND REMEMBER THAT THIS CAME OUT OF OB/GYN /á OBAMACARE, WHICH IS ONE THE REASONS FOR REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION.

40 STATES HAVE EXPANDED MEDICAID, INCLUDING ARKANSAS AND KENTUCKY AND WE ARE STARTING TO HEAR REPUBLICANS TALK ABOUT THE ARKANSAS MODEL AND APPLYING IT TO GEORGIA.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THERE COULD BE AN AGREEMENT PERHAPS RELATED TO RELAXING CERTIFICATE OF NEED RULES FOR BUILDING NEW HOSPITALS.

>> COULD BE A TRADE-OFF WITH THAT BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS REALLY WANT SOME OF THAT RELAXATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED, WHICH REGULATES HOSPITALS.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> PARTICULARLY ASPECTS OF MATERNAL MORTALITY AND OTHER THINGS HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECT ON RURAL AREAS.

WHERE IT'S NOT EASY TO GET TO A HOSPITAL, NOT EASY TO GET HEALTH CARE.

AND WHERE YOU MAY NOT HAVE SPECIALISTS THAT ARE TRAINED IN AN ARRAY OF SERVICES.

AND SO I THINK THAT THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REPRESENTATIVE BEVERLY WAS GETTING AT.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN GEORGIA, HE POINTED OUT IT'S RULE AREAS, BACK TO WHAT MARK WAS SAYING, I THINK THAT MAKES IT EASIER FOR RURAL REPUBLICANS TO COME BEHIND MEDICAID EXPANSION AND WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ABOUT HALF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ARE REPRESENTING COUNTIES WITH RURAL CONSTITUENCIES.

THERE IS SOME REASONS TO BELIEVE THERE COULD BE ROOM TO FIND A COMPROMISE THERE.

I ALSO THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING HE BROUGHT UP REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT GOVERNOR DID NOT BRING UP.

BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR'S POSITION IS NOT A POPULAR ONE.

HE IS THE SIGNER OF THE SIX-WEEK ABRAMS BAN IN GEORGIA AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD THE ONE ISSUE THAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO OVERCOME IN CONTEMPLATING FUTURE POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN THE STATE.

SO HE SET DOWN THE BAR TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> AND I THINK WE WILL HEAR THE DEMOCRATS TALK ABOUT IT A LOT.

THE OTHER THINGS THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IS GUN CONTROL AND IN PARTICULAR HE TALKED ABOUT THEIR PUSH FOR UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, FOR RED FLAG LAWS, SAFE GUN STORAGE.

WE HEARD THAT SAFE GUN STORAGE MIGHT MOVE ALONG A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

I BELIEVE IT'S HAD A HEARING OR THERE IS TALK OF HAVING A HEARD.

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD?

>> RIGHT.

THERE IS TALK OF IT.

THE IDEA WOULD BE TO INCENTIVIZE SAFE GUN STORAGE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT SOME DEMOCRATS ALSO SUPPORT AS WELL.

SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY FALLING ALONG PARTISAN LINES.

WE'VE ALSO HEARD PROPOSALS ABOUT ARMING TEACHERS, AND THAT IS MORE PARTISAN.

SO WE'LL SEE.

YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT COMES TO OTHER ISSUES LIKE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND RED FLAG LAWS, THOSE FACE DIFFICULT PATHS FORWARD.

>> THE REPUBLICANS HAVE FOUGHT THOSE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

>> THEY HAVE.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL FIGHTING THEM.

AND I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL FIGHTING THEM AS LONG AS THEY HAVE CONTROL OF THE MAJORITY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> YEAH.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE -- SO THE EDUCATION PART OF IT, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR DID TALK A LOT ABOUT EDUCATION TODAY, THE DEMOCRATS SEEM TO STILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FEELING HE STILL HASN'T DONE ENOUGH, AND THE VOUCHER ISSUE OF COURSE.

>> EDUCATION BUDGETING IS A COMPLEX TERM.

WE HAVE A FORMULA THAT WAS SET IN 1980s.

I WROTE A MASTERS THESIS ON THE POLITICS OF THE GWE.

AND IT IS A SOMEWHAT ARCANE AND OUTDATED MECHANISM THAT HAS BEEN UBDS SOME BUT NOT FULLY UPDATED.

WHILE THE GOVERNOR CONTENDS HE IS FULLY FUNDING IT, I THINK THE DEMOCRATS ARGUE IT IS NOT AN UPDATED FORMULA THAT NEEDS TO BE APPLIED.

SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT.

I THINK MOST OF US WHO HAVE KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I DO, WE SEE THE NEEDS THAT GO ON FOR HAVING WELL PAID TEACHERS AND THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOLS TO DELIVER QUALITY SERVICES TO ALL STUDENTS.

>>> LAID IT OUT FOR US FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO PAY ATTENTION TO.

DAY FOUR, HERE WE GO.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

MARK AND CHRIS.

AND OF COURSE, WE WANT TO MENTION THAT YOU CAN LOOK FOR MARK'S REPORTS ON AJC AND THEN CHRIS, YOUR BOOK "ARC CONFIDENCE."

IT'S AVAILABLE FREE, TOO.

>> FREE DOWNLOAD FROM THE GEORGIA COMMUNITIES COUNCIL.

>> I LOVE THAT.

THAT'S IT FOR TODAY'S SHOW, OUR "LAWMAKERS" SHOW.

THIS IS DAY FOUR, OF COURSE, OF THE SESSION.

I WANT TO PASS ALONG PROGRAMMING NOTES.

OUR CAPITOL REPORT ABOUT TOMORROW'S DAY FIVE AT THE GOLD DOME.

IT WILL BE AT THE END OF PBS NEWS HOUR.

AND ON GPB.ORG.

AS FOR "LAWMAKERS," WE WON'T SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY SHOWS.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE BUDGET HEARINGS TAKE PLACE AT THE CAPITOL NEXT WEEK AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WON'T RECONVENE UNTIL MONDAY, JANUARY 22.

THAT'S WHEN WE WILL BE BACK.

FOR NOW, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪♪ ♪♪