>>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT LIVE PICTURES OF THE GEORGIA SENATE, STILL AT WORK.

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE A LONG NIGHT UNDER THE GEORGIA GOLD DOME.

236 ELECTED OFFICIALS, TWO CHAMBERS, HUNDREDS OF BILLS AND IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS FINAL DAY, SINE DIE.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO OUR SPECIAL ONE-HOUR "LAWMAKERS" AS THE 2024 GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WRAPS UP.

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

AS ALWAYS, TONIGHT'S ACTION IN BOTH CHAMBERS COULD LAST WELL INTO THE NIGHT OR EVEN EARLY MORNING.

LOTS OF IMPORTANT LEGISLATION IS ALREADY HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE GOVERNOR WILL JOIN US LIVE FROM THE CAPITOL DURING THE SHOW.

SO WILL HOUSE SPEAKER JON BURNS AND SEVERAL OTHER LAWMAKERS.

IN THE STUDIO, WE'LL HAVE ANALYSIS AND -- ON THIS SESSION AND ON THE EVENTS THAT UNFOLD TONIGHT.

BUT, FIRST, WE GET THE LATEST FROM CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT SARAH KALLIS WHO IS LIVE AT THE CAPITOL.

HI, SARAH.

>> HI, DONNA.

BOTH CHAMBERS ARE STILL HARD AT WORK PASSING BILLS ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION.

>> LONG TIME SECRETARY OF THE SENATE DAVID COOK WAS HONORED TODAY AS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CHAMBER.

>> JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, DAVID CAME TO ME AND HE WANTED TO MEET WITH ME IN MY OFFICE, WHICH YOU ALWAYS KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING -- WHEN SOMEBODY WANTS TO MEET WITH YOU ONE ON ONE, THERE IS SOMETHING THEY GOT ON THEIR HEART THEY NEED TO TELL YOU.

HE SAID, I THINK IT IS TIME FOR ME TO GO DO SOMETHING ELSE, I'M READY TO RETIRE.

♪♪ >> Reporter: A VIDEO TRIBUTE WAS PLAYED FOR COOK, WHO FIRST STARTED IN THE SENATE IN 1973 AS A BILL READER.

>> I WAS REMINDED OF WHAT I WOULD CALL A WISE MAN.

HE SAID, ONE OF LIFE'S MOST UNDERAPPRECIATED TALENTS IS THE ABILITY TO KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON TO LIFE'S NEXT CHAPTER.

AND I THINK THAT TIME HAS COME FOR ME AT THIS POINT.

THANK YOU FOR THE -- GIVING ME THE GREATEST HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF MY LIFE TO SERVE AS YOUR SECRETARY.

FOR IT WAS YOU, THE SENATE, WHO NURTURED ME AND GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT AND WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL.

THANK YOU.

PLDZ PLDZ [ APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: COOK WASN'T THE ONLY ONE TO ANNOUNCE HE WAS LEAVING.

>> I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL THIS DATE, VISIT WITH MOST OF YOU AND ATTEND EVENTS AND HEARINGS THAT WERE NEEDED TO ADDRESS SITUATIONS AND CONCERNS THROUGHOUT GEORGIA.

AND I HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY -- EXCUSE ME -- HONORED TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: HORACENA TATE FIRST TOOK OFFICE IN 1999, SERVING IN THE SAME ATLANTA SENATE DISTRICT AS HER FATHER, HORACE TATE.

THE SENATE THEN STARTED THE PROCESS OF PASSING BILLS ON THE LONG LAST DAY.

A VARIETY OF HOUSE BILLS WERE REMOVED FROM THE DESK FOR CONSIDERATION.

INCLUDING HB 500, WHICH INCREASES THE PUNISHMENT FOR INTENTIONALLY DAMAGING A LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE.

>> THESE CARS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.

NOT JUST TO PURCHASE, BUT ALL THE EQUIPMENT THAT GOES INTO THOSE CARS FROM RADIOS, LIGHTS, SIRENS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT, ET CETERA.

THIS SIMPLY IS GOING TO RAISE THAT OFFENSE UP TO A FINE OF UP TO $100,000 OR BY IMPRISONMENT BETWEEN 5 AND 20 YEARS AND/OR BOTH.

>> Reporter: THAT BILL PASSED 36-18.

A BILL THAT WOULD PRIVATIZE SOME WATER SYSTEMS IN BRYANT COUNTY AS THEY CREATE NEW HOUSING FOR WORKERS AT THE NEW HYUNDAI PLANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION CREATED A LOT OF DEBATE OVER PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS.

>> PRIVATE SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN OUT THERE FOR GENERATIONS.

DECADES.

THIS IS NOT NEW.

THERE ARE OVER A THOUSAND, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THEY ARE IN EVERY COUNTY.

>> Reporter: OPPOSITION TO HB 1146 WAS BIPARTISAN.

>> ALLOWING A PRIVATE WATER COMPANY TO COME IN, IF YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM, YOU'RE TRYING TO GET BLOOD DOWN HERE TO YOUR ARM, AND WE COME IN HERE AND A PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM BUILDS RIGHT HERE, THE REST OF YOUR SYSTEM WILL WORK, BUT THAT PART THAT IS CUT OFF IS NOT GOING TO GET WATER.

>> IT OPENS THE FLOODGATES FOR UNRESTRICTED PRIVATE ACCESS TO PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES, ESSENTIALLY PUTTING THEM UP FOR SALE FOR THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

PRIVATE WATER, WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

>> Reporter: THAT BILL PASSED 32-22.

THE HOUSE STARTED SLOW AND STEADY, PASSING A BILL THAT WOULD RESTRICT SOCIAL MEDIA IN SCHOOLS.

SB 351 CALLED THE PROTECTING GEORGIA'S CHILDREN ON SOCIAL MEDIA ACT WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA AND BLOCK SOCIAL MEDIA ACCESS ON SCHOOL DEVICES AND WI-FI.

IT ALSO REQUIRES PARENTAL APPROVAL FOR MINORS TO JOIN SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> WE HAD A YOUNG STUDENT NOT FAR FROM MY DISTRICT IN JOHN'S CREEK BY THE NAME OF NATHAN COME AND TESTIFY.

AND HE APTLY USED A SONG FROM THE '80s, EVERY ROSE HAS A THORN, AND THAT SOCIAL MEDIA IN THIS GENERATION, IT IS GREAT FOR CONNECTIVITY, ACTIVISM, BUT IT HAS ITS THORNS AND IT REARED ITS UGLY HEAD IN MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: OPPONENTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS IT COULD INHIBIT SCHOOLS FROM USING MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

>> I KNOW SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE RIGHT NOW USE YOUTUBE AND I AM STILL LOOKING FOR THE CARVE OUT AS SOCIAL MEDIA IS THE FINAL LINE, 565 AS ALL -- AS SOCIAL MEDIA IS ANYTHING THAT ALLOWS CONTENT TO BE UPLOADED AND COMMENTED ON, IE YOUTUBE, EXCEPT FOR THE CARVE OUTS.

WHAT THIS MEANS IN A LOT OF SCHOOLS AS PEOPLE TRAVEL THE WORLD THROUGH YOUTUBE VIDEOS TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN, THAT WILL NOW BE FORBIDDEN UNDER THIS BILL.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE HANDICAPPING THE TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSED 120-45.

THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED HR 1022 AND HB 581 TO UPDATE THE HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION.

AND HOUSE BILL 974, WHICH PLACES WATER MARKS ON ELECTION BALLOTS AND ALLOWS ONLINE ACCESS TO VIEW CAST BALLOTS FOLLOWING AN ELECTION.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE CONTINUING TO AMEND LEGISLATION AND BANDY BILLS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN CHAMBERS.

THIS PROCESS IS EXPECTED TO GO ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

THE SENATE ALSO PASSED CONTROVERSIAL PUBERTY BLOCKERS BILL HOUSE BILL 1170.

IT STILL HAS TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR FINAL APPROVAL BEFORE THE END OF THE NIGHT.

THAT'S ALL FROM MY CAPITOL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU, DONNA.

>> THANK YOU, SARAH.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR INTERVIEWS FROM THE CAPITOL THROUGHOUT THE SHOW.

>>> WELL, NOW WITH US IN THE STUDIO, FOR THIS HOUR LONG SHOW, ARE TWO VETERANS OF SINE DIE TO OFFER ANALYSIS.

FIRST, FORMER STATE SENATOR JEN JORDAN, SERVED THE ATLANTA AREA FROM 2017 TO 2023, SHE IS A NATIVE OF RURAL DODGE COUNTY, MIDDLE GEORGIA.

SHE'S AN ATTORNEY WITH THE SUMMERVILLE FIRM.

ALSO HERE IS PHIL KENT, HE IS THE CEO AND PUBLISHER OF JAMES MAGAZINE AND INSIDER ADVANTAGE OF DAILY ONLINE NEWS OUTLET.

A JOURNALIST AND FREQUENT COMMENTATOR ON POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES ON THE GEORGIA GANG.

THANK YOU, BOTH, FOR COMING ON "LAWMAKERS."

APPRECIATE HAVING YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO, IT'S HERE, WE'RE FINALLY WRAPPING THIS ALL UP, IT ALL SEEMS LONG.

BUT LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THIS SESSION.

AND SO, I'LL START WITH YOU, PHIL, WHAT ARE YOUR OVERALL THOUGHTS?

>> A FEW TAKEAWAYS.

NUMBER ONE, THE REPUBLICANS PLEDGED THE STATE INCOME TAX WOULD EVENTUALLY BE GONE, THEY'RE PARTIALLY REDUCING IT, EACH SESSION.

SO EVERY TAXPAYER OUGHT TO BE HAPPY THAT'S GOING ON.

AND THERE WAS CERTIFICATE OF NEED REFORM, HEALTH REFORM IS ALWAYS A BIG ISSUE WITH BOTH PARTIES.

AND SO WITH THE CLN LAW, IT ACTUALLY HELPED RURAL HOSPITALS GET NEW EQUIPMENT OR BE BUILT EASIER BEFORE YOU HEAD TO GO HAT IN HAND TO GET PERMISSION.

AND SO THEN THERE IS IMMIGRATION CONTROL AND A FEW OTHER THINGS WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT.

>> YEAH, SO THERE WAS A LOT.

ACTUALLY, MORE AND EARLY ON THAN I'VE SEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

YOUR OVERALL THOUGHTS?

>> WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF A BIENNIAL.

SO, YOU COME IN THAT SECOND YEAR OF A BIENNIAL, AND YOU HAVE ALL OF THE BACKLOG FROM THE BILLS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT OVER THE YEAR BEFORE.

AND SO THAT'S WHY IT IS KIND OF EASIER TO GET A LOT MORE DONE IN THE BEGINNING, RIGHT?

BUT, THEN THINGS KIND OF SLOW DOWN AND FOLKS KIND OF DO A CHECK.

BUT THIS IS ALSO AN ELECTION YEAR.

THAT'S WHERE IN TERMS OF WHAT I REALLY NOTICE IS THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF CULTURE WAR BILLS THAT WERE BEING FILED AND PUSHED BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY WHO ARE HAVING TO GO HOME AND FIGHT THESE PRIMARY BATTLES.

AND SO THEY NEED TO BE ABLE -- YOU KNOW, TO BE ABLE TO SHOW CERTAIN BASE VOTERS THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET SOME OF THESE CULTURE WARS ISSUES OVER THE LINE.

>> A LOT OF THOSE BILLS CAME OUT AFTER CROSSOVER DAY.

AND, YOU KNOW, IN A WAY WHERE THEY CAME IN ANOTHER BILL, AND I THINK THAT'S BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.

>> WELL, IT IS CONTROVERSIAL, BUT IT IS NOT UNUSUAL.

>> PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> DEMOCRATS USED TO DO IT AND NOW REPUBLICANS DO IT, SO YOU FIND A VEHICLE AND THEN YOU START NEGOTIATING AND HORSE TRADING.

AND SO, WE WERE TALKING -- JEN WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SO-CALLED CULTURAL WARS.

I THINK A LOT OF GEORGIANS, REGARDLESS OF YOUR PARTY LABEL, WANT -- I THINK THEY WANT ACTUALLY MALES IN MALE BATHROOMS AND FEMALES IN FEMALE BATHROOMS AND LOCKER ROOMS.

THAT WAS ONE THING THAT WAS ADDED AFTER CROSSOVER.

>> THAT BILL HAS A LOT IN IT.

IT HAS THAT, IT HAS -- >> TRANSGENDER.

>> ALSO NOT TEACHING SEX EDUCATION UNTIL AFTER SIXTH GRADE.

THERE WAS A LOT IN THERE, AND THE LAWMAKER WHO ORIGINALLY HAD THAT BILL, REPRESENTATIVE OMARI CRAWFORD WAS DISAPPOINTED BY THE CHANGES IN THAT.

>> IT IS CALLED STRIPPING A BILL.

SO WHAT THEY'LL DO IS THEY'LL TAKE A BILL ON THE OTHER SIDE, LIKE, SO IT PASSES OUT OF THE HOUSE, COMES TO THE SENATE, RIGHT.

THEN A SENATOR, A REPUBLICAN SENATOR, BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS THE PARTY IN POWER, WILL STRIP THE BILL OF ALL THAT LANGUAGE AND PUT WHATEVER LANGUAGE THEY WANT TO PUT INTO THAT BILL.

AND THE WHOLE POINT OF THAT IS TO REALLY CIRCUMVENT THE REQUIREMENT OF CROSSOVER, WHICH IS THAT IT IS ACTUALLY BEEN VETTED BY ONE HOUSE BEFORE THE DAY OF CROSSOVER.

AND IT IS ABOUT DUE PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE WORKING THE PROCESS APPROPRIATELY.

SO, WHILE STRIPPING HAPPENS A LOT, IT REALLY ISN'T A GOOD THING IN TERMS OF DEMOCRACY AND PEOPLE REALLY KNOWING WHAT IS GOING DOWN AT THE CAPITOL.

AND, ALSO, THERE IS ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT CAN BE PUT IN THERE.

NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE THE BATHROOM STUFF, BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO REFER TO, YOU KNOW, REPRODUCTION WHEN YOU'RE TEACHING SEX ED TO KIDS.

I MEAN, IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE THAT IF FOLKS KNEW WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON DOWN THERE AT THE CAPITOL, AND WHAT WAS CONTAINED IN A LOT OF THESE BILLS, THEY WOULD BE PRETTY OUTRAGED, I THINK.

>> ANY RESPONSE YOU WANT -- >> I THINK THAT SOMETIMES IT IS STILL GOT TO BE VOTED ON AND AGREED TO BY BOTH CHAMBERS AND THE OPPOSITION PARTY CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT.

YOU'RE STILL HAVING DEBATE, EVEN TONIGHT, ON THESE THINGS.

A LOT OF TIMES THERE IS HORSE TRADING AND IF YOU WERE FRUSTRATED -- SOME OF THE BILLS HAD HEARINGS ALREADY.

EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE PUT ON ANOTHER VEHICLE.

SO I DON'T HAVE THAT BIG A PROBLEM WITH IT LIKE JEN DOES.

>> LOOK, THE PROBLEM IS A LOT OF TIMES THE BILLS HAD A HEARING AND WEREN'T VOTED OUT OF THE COMMITTEES.

THEY WEREN'T CONSIDERED, EVEN BY THE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE LEADING THESE COMMITTEES, TO BE WORTHY OF EVEN GETTING A VOTE ON THE FLOOR.

>> YOU'RE CORRECT.

BUT AS YOU WELL KNOW, HAVING SERVED, THERE IS HORSE TRADING AND PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, DONNA, IF YOU'RE NOT FOR MY BILL, I'M NOT FOR YOURS AND THEY HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT LATER.

USE A VEHICLE TO GET IT THROUGH.

>> A LOT OF THAT TAKING PLACE ALSO.

THERE IS THE -- IT IS PASSED IN THE SENATE.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT NOW THAT IT GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE, SOME THINGS CAN HAPPEN, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE MORE THAT YOU TWEAK WITH THE BILL, THE MORE PROBLEMATIC IT BECOMES IN TERMS OF ACTUALLY GETTING IT OVER.

EVERY TIME IT IS AMENDED, IT HAS TO GO BACK THROUGH THIS MORE EXTENSIVE PROCESS.

AND, LOOK, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THAT THERE IS TENSION BETWEEN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

THE REPUBLICANS, RIGHT, IN TERMS OF THE REPUBLICANS AND THE HOUSE REALLY SEEM TO THINK THAT THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO GET THE BUSINESS DONE AND DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

AND WHILE THEY THINK THAT THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE REALLY ARE JUST TRYING TO THROW THESE BOMBS, THESE POLITICAL BOMBS.

>> HOW LONG CAN IT GO BACK AND FORTH?

FOR INSTANCE, I GUESS UNTIL THE NIGHT ENDS, FOR ONE THING, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE -- IT CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE, AND WENT TO THE SENATE AND IT CHANGED, SO THEY -- IT GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE.

THEY CAN MAKE SOME CHANGES TOO, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

AND THEN -- BUT THE MORE, LIKE I SAID, THEN IT POPS BACK, AND BACK AND FORTH, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST GET TO THE POINT WHERE IT -- >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> FOUR YEARS IT HAS BEEN GOING ON BACK AND FORTH.

THAT'S NOT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

THAT'S KIND OF A -- >> NO, AND LOOK I SERVED A BILL AS A COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TO PUT SPORTS BETTING ON IT, WITH BURT JONES TO TRY TO GET THAT OVER THE LINE THREE YEARS AGO.

AS SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTED THE BRAVES AND MOST OF THE OWNERS -- >> STRIPPING A BILL CAN BE GOOD.

>> IT CAN BE GOOD.

BUT GUESS WHAT HAPPENED, IT DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE THEN.

THE DIFFERENCE IS WHERE IS BURT JONES TODAY?

HE'S NOT JUST A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, BUT HE'S A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND IF HE WANTS THAT BILL AND HE'S PUSHING IT, WE HAVE SEEN KIND OF THE REACTION IN HOW THE DIFFERENT REPUBLICANS ON BOTH SIDES HAVE KIND OF BEEN MUCH MORE SUPPORTIVE THAN THEY WERE EVEN A YEAR OR TWO AGO.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THE THING FOR THE FRESHMEN REPRESENTATIVE WAS THAT HE WAS VERY SINCERE ABOUT HIS BILL, DEALT WITH MENTAL HEALTH FOR ATHLETES, HE ACTUALLY CAME ON THE SHOW AND TALKED ABOUT -- HE SHOWED HIS COACH'S PICTURE AND HOW HIS COACH WAS A BIG INTO MENTAL HEALTH FOR ATHLETES AND THEN HE KIND OF LOST IT.

THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND.

LIKE, OKAY, WHAT HAPPENED?

AND HE TOLD ME -- >> LEARNING CURVE FOR A FRESHMAN.

>> IT CERTAINLY IS.

I TOLD HIM, IT WAS LIKE BAPTISM BY FIRE.

YOU KIND OF FIGURE THAT KIND OF THING OUT.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF LITTLE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE PLACE.

GIVE PEOPLE AN IDEA OF HOW THE NIGHT MIGHT GO IN TERMS OF -- FIRST OF ALL, THE LEGISLATIVE DAY ENDS WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE DAY ENDS.

IT DOESN'T END AT MIDNIGHT.

>> RIGHT.

IT HISTORICALLY IS SUPPOSED TO END AT MIDNIGHT.

THE LAST FEW YEARS IT WILL GO FIVE, TEN.

ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE, THOUGH, IS THAT THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, THEY HAVE TO END AT THE SAME TIME.

SO THERE IS LITERALLY -- THAT'S WHY WHEN YOU GO INTO THE CAPITOL AND OPEN THE DOORS TO THE SENATE GALLERY, AND YOU LOOK ACROSS, YOU CAN OPEN THE DOORS TO THE HOUSE GALLERY AND SO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ARE -- USED TO BE THEY COULD LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND THEN BASICALLY MAKE THE SIGN.

NOW THERE IS AN ACTUAL PHONE CALL THAT COMES ACROSS, SO THAT THEY'LL GAVEL OUT.

>> I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE KNEW THAT.

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING INSIGHT.

I DID READ THAT IN 2017, THOUGH, THE SESSION EXTENDED TO 12:47 A.M. >> YEAH, THEY CAN GO AS LONG AS THEY WANT.

>> YES.

THEY CAN.

BUT IT REALLY IS SUPPOSED TO -- >> BY LAW.

>> BY LAW IT IS SUPPOSED TO END.

SO YOU'RE STARTING TO -- WELL, AND, LOOK, YOU'RE JUST SETTING UP A CHALLENGE FOR A VERY CONTROVERSIAL BILL, MAYBE, THAT MAKES IT OVER THE LINE AFTER 12:00.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE THING THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN YET.

AND THEY HAVE GOT TO -- THE ONE THING THEY HAVE TO DO IS THE BUDGET.

AND IT COMES BACK IN THE HOUSE.

THERE IS -- WE ASSUME SOME THINGS ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH RIGHT NOW BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS, BUT THE -- WE WILL SEE A BUDGET TONIGHT.

>> WELL, WE WILL.

BY LAW.

THAT'S ONE THING THEY HAVE TO DO.

>> THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE TO DO.

>> THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE TO DO AND JEN AND I WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT THIS IS LATER THAN USUAL, AND THERE IS SOME CUTS THAT WANT TO BE MADE IN ONE HOUSE AND THE OTHER HOUSE DOESN'T WANT TO DO THAT, SOME PEOPLE WANT TO DO LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS.

SO THAT'S BEEN GOING ON.

>> YEAH, THE OTHER THING THAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THIS YEAR IS THERE IS MONEY.

AND SO THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK IN YEARS WHEN THERE WERE -- THERE WASN'T ENOUGH MONEY, YOU WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THIS TO BE MORE CONTENTIOUS.

BUT THERE IS MONEY, SO MAYBE THAT -- MAYBE THAT'S THE REASON.

>> WELL, AND IT CAN BE CONTENTIOUS BECAUSE HOW DO YOU SPEND THAT MONEY, RIGHT?

USUALLY WHEN YOU'RE HAVING TO TIGHTEN, YOU KNOW, TIGHTEN UP, PEOPLE REALLY ARE LIKE, OKAY, WE WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE, BUT WHEN THERE IS SURPLUS TO GO AROUND, A LOT OF THESE FOLKS FROM THESE VARIOUS DISTRICTS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MAYBE THAT SURPLUS GOES TO THEIR PEOPLE.

>> IT IS ALL ABOUT PRIORITIES.

>> IT IS.

AND DEFINITELY IS.

WELL WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TALK TO BOTH OF YOU.

BUT WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL BEST RIGHT NOW.

JOINING US NOW FROM THE CAPITOL IS GEORGIA GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW, GOVERNOR.

>> GOOD EVENING, GLAD TO DO IT.

>> I KNOW IT IS A BUSY, BUSY TIME FOR YOU.

SO LET'S GET STARTED IN -- I KNOW IN A FEW MINUTES YOU'RE GOING TO TALK TO BOTH OF THE CHAMBERS.

KIND OF GIVE US A PREVIEW OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT.

>> YEAH, REALLY JUST GOING TO THANK THEM FOR EMBRACING THE BOLD VISION THAT WE LAID OUT IN OUR STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, JUST, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AGO.

THANK THEM FOR RAISING TEACHER PAY AND EDUCATOR PAY.

THANKING THEM FOR ACCELERATING THE LARGEST STATE INCOME TAX CUT THAT WE HAVE DONE IN HISTORY THAT IS GOING TO SAVE GEORGIA TAXPAYERS $3 BILLION OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN THE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, IN THE BUDGET, AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.

REALLY JUST GOING TO SAY THANK YOU.

I KNOW THEY GOT A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO DO, STILL GOT TO PASS THE BUDGET, BUT THEY'RE GETTING THERE.

>> YEAH, I KNOW YOU HAD SOME PRIORITIES.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT SOME OF YOUR PRIORITIES THIS SESSION?

>> YEAH, THANKFULLY WE GOT MOST EVERYTHING THAT WE NEEDED TO DO AND THINGS THAT I HAD MENTIONED IN THE STATE OF THE STATE, WHETHER IT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION, AND OBVIOUSLY OUR FIRST STEP ON HISTORIC TORT REFORM THAT WE PLAN ON DOING DONE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.

SO, REALLY TODAY WE JUST HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME PERCOLATING ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN SOME DISAGREEMENTS ON BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, TRYING TO HELP THEM GET BILLS INTO BETTER PLACE, MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND WHERE WE HAVE ISSUES FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OR THE AGENCY SIDE OF THINGS AND SO WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY DOING THAT TODAY.

AND I'M SURE WE WILL BE THE REST OF THE NIGHT.

>> WELL, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU, A COUPLE OF THE LEADERS THAT HAVE TALKED TO ME AND THEY MENTIONED THEY WISH THEY COULD HAVE DONE MORE WITH TORT REFORM THIS YEAR.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, LISTEN, I TALKED ABOUT THAT BEFORE SESSION STARTED, AND WHERE WE WERE.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY IN THIS BUILDING WORKED REALLY HARD ON TORT REFORM LAST YEAR.

BUT NOTHING COULD GET DONE.

AND WHEN WE TALKED TO EVERYBODY ABOUT WHAT THEY ACTUALLY WANTED, NOBODY COULD REALLY POINT TO WHAT WAS SPECIFICALLY GOING TO HELP STABILIZE OR LOWER COSTS.

AND SO WE CAME UP WITH A PLAN TO PASS A BILL, WHICH WE HAVE GOTTEN PASSED, I LOOK FORWARD TO SIGN, THAT WILL GIVE US THE DATA WE NEED TO COME BACK OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO AND TAKE RIFLE SHOTS AT TORT REFORM.

THERE HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF GOOD THINGS THAT HAVE PASSED THIS YEAR, SO WE MADE A FIRST STEP THERE, BUT WE GOT MORE WORK TO DO AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO TAKING THE LEAD ON THAT NEXT YEAR.

>> OKAY, SO WE'LL SEE SOME MORE NEXT YEAR THEN.

THERE WAS SOME MOVEMENT THIS SESSION EVEN AMONG REPUBLICANS FOR SOME TYPE OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS GIVEN THAT YOU ADVOCATED FOR YOUR PATIENTS FIRST ACT?

>> WELL, WE'RE CONTINUING TO HAVE GREAT SUCCESS IN THE TWO WAVERS THAT WE HAVE DESPITE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TRYING TO BLOCK OUR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THIS IS A CONSERVATIVE EXPANSION THAT GOES ALONG WITH WORK REQUIREMENTS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE THINK IS REALLY THE WAY TO GO IN OUR STATE.

BRINGING MEDICAID EXPANSION UP TWO OR THREE DAYS TO GO IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IN MY OPINION, IS NOT VERY GOOD LEGISLATING AND IS QUITE HONESTLY A TERRIBLE IDEA.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE ARKANSAS PLAN, AND THESE OTHER PLANS.

THE FACT IS THE PLAN THAT WAS PROPOSED WOULD TAKE OVER 700,000 PEOPLE OFF OF PRIVATE SECTOR HEALTH INSURANCE AND PUT THEM ON THE GOVERNMENT ROLE.

NOBODY EVER TALKED ABOUT WHAT THAT IS GOING TO COST.

NOBODY EVER ASKED PEOPLE THAT ARE ON PRIVATE SECTOR HEALTH INSURANCE WHETHER THEY WANTED TO GO TO, YOU KNOW, A SINGLE PAYER GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTHCARE.

MANY PEOPLE DO NOT.

SO, I THINK THAT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA.

WE HAVE BEEN GLAD TO CONTINUE TO TALK WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON THESE ISSUES, LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR, WHEN WE EXPANDED MEDICAID UP TO 12 MONTHS FOR BIRTHING MOTHERS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF OUR MORE MATERNAL MORTALITY ISSUES.

AND THE OTHER SIDE TALKS LIKE WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING, DONNA, AND WE HAVE DONE A LOT.

WE GOT A LOT IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR DEALING WITH THOSE THINGS AS WELL.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING HARD ON THOSE ISSUES.

>> I KNOW PATIENTS FIRST ACT GOT ROLLING LAST YEAR, DIDN'T IT, SIR?

>> YEAH, THE PRIVATE SECTOR SIDE OF THAT, OPENING UP THE MARKETS TO HARD WORKING GEORGIANS ACROSS THE STATE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

WE HAVE PUT OVER 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE ON THE ROLES, WE REDUCED PREMIUMS ANYWHERE FROM 11% UP TO 25% IN RURAL MARKETS WHERE THERE WAS ONLY ONE MARKET OR ONE COMPANY AVAILABLE TO PRICE A MARKET.

YOU KNOW, OUR MEDICAID SIDE OF THINGS DID GET SLOWED DOWN BECAUSE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS FOUGHT US TOOTH AND NAIL EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

WE ACTUALLY HAD TO SUE THEM TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVED.

SO, IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING DEALING WITH THAT SIDE OF THINGS.

WE'RE OFF AND ROLLING NOW AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK ON THAT ISSUE.

AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THE LEGISLATURE ON THAT AS WELL.

>> WELL, I KNOW YOU SPENT SEVERAL YEARS EXPERIENCING SINE DIE IN THE CHAMBER.

SO, HERE IT IS.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE IT A LITTLE BIT FOR PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WHO HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE, WHAT IT IS LIKE, AND DO YOU MISS IT AT ALL, SIR?

>> WELL, I'M VERY HAPPY WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW.

IT IS ORGANIZED CHAOS DOWN HERE.

THIS IS A DAY WHERE WE REALLY HAVE TO BE ON OUR TOES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW WHAT'S PASSED AND WHAT'S NOT AND TRYING TO MAKE -- KEEP BAD THINGS FROM HAPPENING, BUT HELP SUPPORT GOOD THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO HAVE A FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT, HAVE LESS GOVERNMENT IN OUR STATE, HAVE LESS REGULATION AND SOMETIMES ON CRAZY DAYS LIKE THIS, THINGS THAT DO THE OPPOSITE WILL HAPPEN.

SO, WE ARE VERY FOCUSED ON FIGHTING THAT FIGHT TONIGHT AND WORKING WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

REGARDLESS OF THE WORK PART OF IT, IT CERTAINLY IS AN EXCITING EVENING.

THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD AS OUR PEOPLE HAVE FOR OVER THREE MONTHS AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE AND IN THAT WAY, IT IS A GREAT AND FUN NIGHT TO BE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> YEAH, I HEAR SOME BELLS RINGING BEHIND YOU.

SO THEY'RE BUSY.

THEY REALLY VERY MUCH ARE WORKING VERY MUCH TONIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR, FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT TO TALK WITH US TONIGHT.

AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> YOU TOO.

GREAT TO BE BACK WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> ALL RIGHT, SO, WE HEARD A LOT FROM THE GOVERNOR THERE ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS HE TALKED ABOUT WAS, OF COURSE, THE -- THERE IS MONEY GOING BACK TO TAXPAYERS, THE TAX CUT WAS A BIG PRIORITY OF HIS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I THINK EVERYBODY -- THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS HE'S SO POPULAR IN THE POLLS.

I THINK HE KEPT THE STATE OPEN AS WE KNOW DURING COVID AND ALSO HE'S BEEN CHAMPIONING TAX REFORM.

AND HE MENTIONED SOME OF THE MONEY THAT IS GOING TO BE GOING OUT -- LET'S TAKE TRANSPORTATION, FOR EXAMPLE, I THINK BOTH PARTIES ARE IN FAVOR OF TARGETED INFRASTRUCTURE AND I THINK, GOSH, OVER $2 BILLION IS GOING TO BE ALLOCATED FOR BRIDGES, HIGHWAYS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IS GOOD.

AND HE'S RIGHT.

I THINK WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION, THE DEMOCRATS -- IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE AND AT LAST MINUTE TRYING TO GET IT THROUGH WAS THE WRONG THING TO DO.

>> ALL RIGHT, JEN?

>> IT NEVER HAS BEEN LAST MINUTE, PHIL.

I FILED IT, WE FILED IT, THEY FILED IT AT THE BEGINNING, THEY FILE IT EVERY SESSION, AND THEY TRIED TO PUSH, THEY REALLY DID THINK THEY COULD GET IT OVER THE LINE THIS TIME BECAUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE SEEMED TO FINALLY SEE THE LIGHT IN TERMS OF THE ECONOMICS AROUND IT.

AND THE FACT THAT IT COULD GROW BUSINESS IN TERMS OF RURAL HOSPITALS IN THE STATE.

BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE IT OVER THE LINE AND REALLY THAT'S A DISAPPOINTMENT AND A REAL LOSS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.

>> I THINK PHILOSOPHICALLY THE GOVERNOR LAID IT OUT, THOUGH, MOST REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES AND EVEN INDEPENDENTS LIKE PRIVATE SECTOR HEALTH INSURANCE AND, YOU DON'T WANT SOME SORT OF SOCIALIST, YOU KNOW, SINGLE PAYER PROGRAM, WHICH COULD COST BILLIONS OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

>> YEAH, NOBODY LIKES SOCIALIST SINGLE PAYER PROGRAMS UNLESS IT IS MEDICARE, RIGHT?

SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THIS COULD DO IN TERMS OF THE COVERAGE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE STATE THAT NEED COVERAGE THAT CAN'T AFFORD PRIVATE HEALTHCARE.

IT WOULD HAVE DONE SOME AMAZING INCREDIBLE THINGS AND, AGAIN, I KNOW A LOT OF REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THIS TOO.

IT IS A REAL LOSS FOR THE STATE, AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A REAL FEATHER IN THE GOVERNOR'S CAP IF HE WOULD HAVE HELPED CHAMPION THIS AND PUSH IT OVER THE LINE.

>> LET'S GIVE HIS PROGRAM A CHANCE.

IT IS STILL NEW, AND THAT'S ALSO HELPING LOW INCOME PEOPLE.

>> OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT MORE IN A MOMENT.

I HEAR THAT SARAH HAS A GUEST RIGHT NOW.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO THE GOLD DOME AND, SARAH, WHO ARE YOU TALKING WITH?

>> THANKS, DONNA.

WE'RE HERE WITH SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE JAN JONES.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE HOURS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHAT BILLS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PASSED?

>> WELL, NUMBER ONE IS THE BUDGET.

AND THE CONFERREES, WE JUST SIGNED IT.

SO THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE WILL DO TONIGHT AND WE'LL GET THAT.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ELECTIONS BILLS TO CONTINUE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ON ELECTION INTEGRITY THAT I THINK WILL TRY TO GET TO.

WE GOT AN IMMIGRATION, COUPLE OF IMMIGRATION MEASURES THAT WE'LL TRY TO FINISH UP BEFORE THE END OF -- BEFORE THE END OF THE NIGHT.

THOSE ARE REALLY THE MAIN ONES.

AND THE BUDGET PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT RAISE FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES THAT I VERY MUCH WANT TO SEE GET DONE.

>> AND SO YOU'VE BEEN BUSY THIS SESSION.

WHAT BILLS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF HAVING PASSED?

>> I PERSONALLY WORKED ON PRE-K.

I LED A STUDY COMMITTEE OVER THE SUMMER AND WE'RE MAKING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROGRAM SO THAT WE CAN EXPAND ACCESS AND QUALITY.

WE DID PART OF THAT THROUGH LEGISLATION.

BUT IT IS ALSO THE GOVERNOR JUST APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL $48 MILLION TO GO INTO PRE-K SO WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THOSE OBJECTIVES.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THE BILL THAT WE -- THAT WE PASSED ON SCHOOL CHOICE AND I WORKED VERY HARD ON THAT TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE -- WHO JUST NEED MORE OPTIONS AND THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL DOESN'T MEET THEIR NEEDS.

WHAT ELSE AM I -- WELL, I PERSONALLY AUTHORED A BILL THAT WILL DOUBLE THE PARENTAL LEAVE TIME, PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES.

GEORGIA -- MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE GEORGIA IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE STATE, AND TWO-THIRDS OF STATE EMPLOYEES ARE WOMEN.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THEM.

AND THEY WILL NOW HAVE SIX WEEKS OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE INSTEAD OF JUST THREE WEEKS.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN PARTICULARLY PROUD OF TO WORK ON THIS SESSION.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, DONNA.

BACK TO YOU AND THE GUESTS IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, SARAH, I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND COMING UP, WE CONTINUE OUR HOUR LONG "LAWMAKERS" WITH MORE LIVE INTERVIEWS FROM THE CAPITOL ON THIS SINE DIE, THE FINAL DAY OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> "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 OUTPUT OF GEORGIA STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU 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.

>>> WE'RE LOOKING AT LIVE PICTURES OF THE GEORGIA HOUSE, WHERE THEY ARE BUSY WORKING THROUGH THE NIGHT TO FINISH UP ON THIS 40th DAY OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THIS IS SINE DIE.

WE'RE -- THIS IS -- WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

THIS IS OUR ONE-HOUR SHOW AND WE'RE SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.

WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE PHIL KENT AND JEN JORDAN WITH US, TALKING ABOUT THINGS.

BEFORE WE WENT TO THE BREAK, WE HEARD FROM SPEAKER PRO TEM JAN JONES A LITTLE BIT ABOUT A FEW THINGS.

WANTED TO GET YOUR COMMENTS ON SOME OF THE THINGS SHE TALKED ABOUT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, AND SHE'S RIGHT, GEORGIA IS THE STATE OF GEORGIA IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN THE STATE.

BUT SHE TALKED ABOUT HOW SHE WAS ABLE TO DOUBLE THE PARENTAL LEAVE TIME FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND THEN SHE WENT ON TO SAY FROM THREE WEEKS TO SIX WEEKS.

SO, MY LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE ACTUALLY FINALLY PASSED JUST FOR THREE WEEKS, PRIOR TO THAT THERE WAS NOT EVEN ANY MATERNITY LEAVE, PERIOD ACROSS THE BOARD FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE.

SO THE FACT THAT AT LEAST THERE IS -- WE'RE MOVING THE BALL A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT SOUNDED GREAT, RIGHT?

LIKE I DOUBLED THE TIME!

AND IT IS, LIKE, THAT'S AMAZING!

AND THEN IT IS JUST, LIKE, FROM THREE WEEKS TO SIX WEEKS AFTER YOU HAVE A BABY OR IF YOU'RE CARING FOR A LOVED ONE OR SOMETHING.

WE CAN KIND OF KEEP PUSHING THAT DOWN THE ROAD.

>> 2023 YOU'RE SAYING THAT THAT'S WHEN IT WENT TO THREE WEEKS?

>> I THINK IT WAS '22 MAYBE.

'22 OR '23.

BEFORE THAT, BECAUSE I WAS PUSHING, LIKE, HEY, WHAT IS MATERNITY LEAVE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES?

AND THEN I FIGURED OUT, WE DON'T HAVE IT.

IF YOU WORK AT THE CAPITOL, YOU DID NOT HAVE MATERNITY LEAVE.

IF YOU WORKED FOR ONE OF THESE AGENCIES, YOU DID NOT.

YOU HAD TO BASICALLY BANK SICK LEAVE IN ORDER TO TAKE THAT TIME, THEN TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BABY.

IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ALL ABOUT FAMILIES AND PRIORITIZING, YOU KNOW, US BEING ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN, I THINK WE NEED TO KIND OF PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS.

>> A LOT OF FOCUS ON STATE EMPLOYEES THIS SESSION IN TERMS OF MORE MONEY IN THE BUDGET, FOR THEIR SALARIES AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT IF YOU'RE A STATE EMPLOYEE.

>> THERE IS.

THERE IS ONE AREA OF CONCERN THAT SHOULD CONCERN EVERYBODY AND THAT'S THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, WHICH IS IN CRISIS.

I WAS HOPING THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE MONEY, THEY'RE HAVING A STAFFING CRISIS, YOU JUST HAD A WARDEN SHANKED THE OTHER DAY, WE HAVE GANGS, OUR STATE PRISON SYSTEM, WHICH IS TERRIBLE, AND I THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE MORE FOCUS ON IT, ESPECIALLY NEXT YEAR.

I WAS HOPING FOR RAISING THE PAY OF THOSE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.

THAT'S A THANKLESS TASK.

>> THEY ALREADY STARTED TO RAISE THE PAY.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS SO MUCH CORRUPTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM.

AND IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE HOMICIDE RATES, EVEN PRISON UPON PRISONER VIOLENCE AND DEATHS, IT HAS QUADRUPLED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND IT IS REALLY AT A CRISIS LEVEL.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS DOWN HERE LOOKING INTO IT.

AND WE GOT A SITUATION WHERE REALLY THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD AND HAVE THEM THERE BECAUSE IT IS SO OUT OF CONTROL.

>> I WOULDN'T DISAGREE WITH THAT.

WE CAN'T GET OUR CELL PHONES BLOCKED IN THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM.

THE FEDERAL SYSTEM BLOCKS THE CELL PHONES.

I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T DO THAT HERE AND THESE DRONES ARE A REAL PROBLEM.

DROPPING WHO KNOWS WHAT WITHIN PRISON WALLS.

I AGREE WITH YOU.

>> IT IS AMAZING TO THINK ABOUT THOSE DRONES TOO.

WE WANT TO -- WE GOT LIVE PICTURES OF -- WE SPOKE TO THE GOVERNOR EARLIER.

HE'S WALKING IN RIGHT NOW INTO THE HOUSE.

AND SO THEY WILL BE HEARING FROM HIM.

BUT WE GOT AN IDEA OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AHEAD OF TIME.

SO, HE TOLD US WHAT HE'S GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE BIT.

SHE TALKED ALSO, SPEAKER PRO TEM JONES, TALKED A LITTLE BIT ELECTION INTEGRITY, IMMIGRATION BILLS, SOME THINGS THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE, YOU KNOW, GO OVER THE LINE TONIGHT.

SO, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THOSE ISSUES.

LET'S TALK ELECTION INTEGRITY FIRST.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I'M SURE THERE IS TWEAKS AROUND DIFFERENT AREAS WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTION STUFF.

BUT THE REALITY IS IS THERE DOESN'T NECESSARILY NEED TO BE A LOT DONE.

AND WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT ELECTION INTEGRITY.

AND WE KIND OF KEEP USING THAT CODE LANGUAGE AND I THINK PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO TRUST THE SYSTEM AND THINK THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS AND THE MORE THAT WE TALK ABOUT IT IN THIS WAY, I THINK IT REALLY DOES UNDERMINE PEOPLE'S TRUST AND REALLY MAKES THEM NOT THINK THAT THE SYSTEM IS LEGITIMATE.

>> SOME BILLS PASSED THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO TRUST THE SYSTEM MORE.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, IT IS THE -- THE PUBLIC BEING ABLE TO SEE THE BALLOTS AFTERWARDS.

>> WELL, YEAH, ONE OF THE BILLS IS TO REMOVE THE QR CODE AND I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.

AND WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER.

WE ALWAYS SHOULD BE QUESTIONING THE SYSTEM AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER.

YOU MENTIONED IMMIGRATION, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION CONTROL.

THERE IS TWO BILLS THAT THE SPEAKER PRO TEM TALKED ABOUT, WHICH I THINK ARE NECESSARY.

AND ESPECIALLY AFTER THE GRISLY MURDER OF LAKEN RILEY, LET'S HAVE THE SHERIFFS IN THE STATE BE ACCOUNTABLE.

UNDER GEORGIA LAW, THE JURISDICTIONS ARE ILLEGAL BUT THERE IS NO ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM.

ONE LAW, HAVE AN ENFORCEMENT SECTION WHERE YOU WOULD PENALIZE SHERIFFS AND JAILERS THAT REFUSE TO OBEY THE LAW.

>> WELL, AND, LOOK, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SHERIFFS AREN'T BEHIND IT.

THEY'RE ALREADY STRETCHED TO THE MAX IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND I KNOW THAT A LOT OF FOLKS CAME OUT AND SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T PUT THIS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU'RE ALREADY MAKING -- >> THEY JUST ASKED FOR A DETAINER AND LET THE FEDS GET SOMEBODY WHO IS A VIOLENT ILLEGAL -- >> IT IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE LIKE WE HAVE DONE TIME AFTER TIME AND THE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS, THEY ARE REALLY GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CANNOT DO IT ANYMORE.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE SHERIFFS THAT ARE WILLING TO STAND UP AND SAY THAT, YOU KNOW THAT THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING PROBLEMATIC IN THAT AND THAT JUST PASSING A LAW IS JUST NOT GOING TO GET YOU THERE.

>> THERE IS 12 SHERIFFS WHO DON'T ASK THE CITIZENSHIP STATUS OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY CAN DO THAT SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHO IS HERE.

>> SO THE WHOLE IDEA OF SANCTUARY CITIES, THAT HAS -- THERE IS STILL A CONTROVERSY AS TO WHETHER THEY ACTUALLY EXIST.

>> THEY DON'T.

>> THEY DO.

>> NOT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA THEY DON'T.

>> ATHENS, CLARK COUNTY IT WAS A PRIME EXAMPLE.

WHEN THE MAYOR THERE SAYS, OH, WE'RE NOT GOING TO ASK THE CITIZENSHIP STATUS OF WHOEVER COMES IN HERE, LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO LAKEN RILEY.

>> THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MAYOR ASKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S CITIZENSHIP STATUS.

>> IT WAS RIGHT IN CAHOOTS WITH THE MAYOR IN ATHENS, CLARK COUNTY.

>> DID NOT HAPPEN.

>> I'LL PUT A PIN IN ALL THIS DISCUSSION TO TALK ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE.

SHE TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL IN THE HOUSE.

SHE IS VERY -- SHE REALLY WANTED THAT TO PASS.

IT WAS CLOSE.

BUT IT HAPPENED.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> WELL, THIS TYPE OF PARENTAL CHOICE BILL FOR SCHOOLS ACTUALLY IS TO TARGET THE LONE PRODUCING SCHOOLS IN THE STATE, WHICH I THINK IS GOOD.

AND INTERESTINGLY, IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT POLLING, A LOT OF MINORITY AND DEMOCRAT VOTERS FRANKLY ARE IN FAVOR OF THIS, IT IS A BIPARTISAN THING AND SO I THINK WE NEEDED TO HAVE THIS, THERE IS CERTAIN STIPULATIONS OF THE PARENTAL CHOICE BILL, BUT I THINK PARENTS AND ESPECIALLY IN A LOW PERFORMING SCHOOL OUGHT TO HAVE A WAY TO GET OUT OF THERE.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THE PROBLEM IS MOST OF THE AREAS IN THE STATE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

AND THIS PROVIDES $6,000 TOWARD THAT TUITION.

AND THE REALITY IS YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY USE THE ALLOCATION AND THAT'S KIND OF THE BACK DOOR HERE.

IF NOT EVERYONE USES ALL OF THE MONEY, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT IS OFFERED UP TO EVERYBODY.

AND THAT'S WHEN YOU START TO SAY THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY, NOBODY IS ACTUALLY CHECKING -- >> CERTAINLY ACCEPTED METRO ATLANTA, WHERE THERE ARE CHOICES AND TRYING TO GET LOW INCOME STUDENTS OUT OF THE LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS.

>> LISTEN, IF $30,000 IS THE AVERAGE COST OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL IN METRO ATLANTA.

IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO IS MAKING MINIMUM WAGE AND BARELY MAKING IT AND TRYING TO FEED YOUR KIDS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA GIVES YOU 6,000 TOWARD THAT $30,000, YOU DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF THE -- >> MAYBE GO TO A CHARTER SCHOOL OR SOMETHING LIKE A MAGNATE SCHOOL.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT A PIN IN THIS TOO.

WE GOT SOMEBODY ELSE AT THE CAPITOL.

WE'RE BACK AT THE CAPITOL WHERE SARAH HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH I BELIEVE HOUSE SPEAKER -- HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JAMES BEVERLY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, DONNA.

I'M HERE WITH HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JAMES BEVERLY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

YOU'RE HOPEFUL THIS WOULD BE THE SESSION THAT MEDICAID EXPANSION PASSED.

BUT IT NEVER MADE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED?

>> YEAH, THE GOVERNOR.

THEY COULD HAVE JUST CHANGED ONE -- TWO NUMBERS ON THE POVERTY LEVEL FOR FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL FROM 100 TO 138% AND IT WOULD HAVE CHANGED IT AND WE WOULD BE PULLING DOWN $1.2 BILLION RIGHT NOW FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THE GOVERNOR JUST IN HIS, YOU KNOW, HIS DECISION.

HE DECIDED NO, WE'RE NOT DOING IT.

>> AND SO WHAT ARE YOU HOPING THAT NEXT YEAR'S LEADERS DO TO HELP THIS CAUSE?

>> WHAT I HOPE HAPPENS IS THEY PICK UP MEDICAID AGAIN AND THAT THEY REALLY HAVE A ROBUST CONVERSATION OVER THE SUMMER ABOUT HOW TO EXPAND IT, AND BEYOND THAT, WE'LL SEE.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS ARE GOING TO COME IN AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE WORK IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

AND SO WE'LL SEE WHERE THEY ARE NEXT YEAR.

>> SO THIS IS YOUR LAST YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE HERE.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU LEARNED?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST LESSON I LEARNED IS STAY FOCUSED ON THE WORK.

THERE ARE SO MANY DISTRACTIONS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN UP HERE.

BUT YOU GOT TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE WORK.

WHATEVER THE WORK IS IN THE MOMENT, STAY FOCUSED ON IT.

THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO GET YOU THROUGH.

NO MATTER WHAT THE DISTRACTIONS ARE, STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT IS THE WORK TO MOVE GEORGIA FORWARD, WHAT IS THE PROGRESS WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE HAPPEN.

>> WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK THEN DURING YOUR DECADE HERE?

>> OH, WOW, PROBABLY ADDRESSING POVERTY.

REALLY LEANING INTO WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE AND HOW DO WE TRY TO ERADICATE POVERTY, NOT JUST IN BIB COUNTY, BUT THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND FOCUSING ON THAT.

THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS I HAD.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU AND THE GUESTS IN IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU, SARAH.

SO IT IS AMAZING TO THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW MINORITY PARTY LEADER IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BECAUSE IN THE SENATE, LEADER BUT THERER IS LEAVING, GLORIA BUTLER.

IT IS GOING TO CHANGE THINGS A LITTLE BIT, DON'T YOU THINK?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT IS KIND OF A SAD -- BITTERSWEET DAY I HAVE TO SAY.

YOU HAVE DAVID COOK, THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE LEAVING, HE'S BEEN THERE FOREVER.

AND HE REALLY IS THE THING THAT NEVER CHANGES, RIGHT?

HE'S THE PERSON WHO MAKES SURE THE RULES ARE FOLLOWED, THAT THE BILLS ARE COPIED APPROPRIATELY, THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

HE'S NOT GOING TO BE THERE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE GLORIA BUTLER LEAVING, YOU HAVE HORACENA TATE LEAVING, YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE, VALENCIA SEAY, ALL THE FOLKS THAT WERE THERE EVEN WHEN DEMOCRATS WERE IN THE MAJORITY, RIGHT?

SO LONG AGO.

SO THAT'S HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN.

SO WE'RE REALLY SEEING A BIT OF A SEA CHANGE IN THE SENATE WITH RESPECT TO THAT.

>> A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE COMING IN.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO SARAH RIGHT NOW.

SHE HAS SOMEBODY WITH HER.

>> THANKS, DONNA.

I'M HERE WITH SENATE MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIR ELENA PARENT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU'RE AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF HOUSE BILL THAT PLACES BANS ON SEX ED BEFORE SIXTH GRADE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE BILL.

>> I HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM.

FROM EVERYTHING FROM THE WAY THE PROCESS UNFOLDED, WITH AMALGAMATING SIX CULTURE WAR BILLS OR MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE ON TO A BILL THAT DEALT WITH STUDENT ATHLETE MENTAL HEALTH, SOME OF THOSE BILLS DIDN'T EVEN GET OUT OF COMMITTEE THE FIRST TIME.

WERE NEVER EVEN HEARD.

THEY WEREN'T VETTED.

AND I, FIRST OF ALL, WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA HAVE ENTRUSTED US TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT MAKING LAWS ON THEIR BEHALF.

AND THE PROCESS THAT UNFOLDED WITH THAT BILL WAS ANYTHING BUT THOUGHTFUL AND SERIOUS.

AND MOREOVER,DIVISIVE, CULTURE WAR BILLS THAT RESTRICTED A LOT OF PEOPLE'S RIGHTS.

I REALLY OBJECTED TO THE NO SEX ED PART OF THE BILL, WHICH I REFERRED TO AS INCREASED GEORGIA'S TEEN PREGNANCY RATE BILL BECAUSE IT REQUIRES AN OPT IN TO SEX EDUCATION, IT REQUIRES SCHOOL BOARDS TO GO THROUGH A VERY BURDENSOME AND LENGTHY PROCESS IF THEY EVEN WANTED TO TRY TO OFFER A SEX ED CURRICULUM TO THEIR STUDENTS.

AND IT SAYS THAT YOU WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT A FEW THINGS LIKE CHILD ABUSE TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE AWARE OF THEIR ABILITY TO SAY NO AND PREVENT SEXUAL ABUSE.

AND ALSO TO EXPLAIN TO GIRLS ABOUT MENSTRUATION.

BUT THE REALITY IS, YOU CAN'T REALLY DO THOSE THINGS IT SAYS YOU CAN DO WITHOUT TOUCHING ON TOPICS THAT ARE EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN UNDER THE BILL.

SO THE WHOLE THING IS AN UNHOLY MESS, FRANKLY.

>> AND SO, A SIMILAR BILL, HOUSE BILL 1170 JUST PASSED THE SENATE.

AND SO THAT WOULD RESTRICT PUBERTY BLOCKERS FOR TRANSGENDER ADOLESCENTS.

WHAT ARE YOUR STANCES ON THE BILL?

>> THAT BILL IS REALLY DIFFICULT.

THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT BY SENATOR KAY KIRKPATRICK TO TRY TO AT LEAST GRANDFATHER IN THE YOUNG GEORGIANS WHO ALREADY ARE ON PUBERTY BLOCKERS SO YOU DON'T FORCE THEM TO CUT OFF MEDICATION COLD TURKEY WHICH NO DOCTOR WOULD EVER RECOMMEND AND THOSE FAILED, UNFORTUNATELY.

SO WE'RE IN THE POSITION WHERE WE'RE LITERALLY TELLING GEORGIANS ON A MEDICATION THAT THEY CAN'T BE ON IT ANYMORE, NO MATTER WHAT, WITH NO CONSIDERATION ABOUT WHAT MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES THAT MIGHT HAVE TO SAY NOTHING OF WHAT THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE FOR THAT YOUNG PERSON AND THEIR FAMILY THAT IS WORKING WITH THEM.

SO IT IS JUST A TERRIBLE IDEA.

IT IS ANOTHER SORT OF CULTURE WAR BILL THAT ITSELF PASSED COMMITTEE IN A VERY SHADY WAY.

AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT WE'RE PLAYING SUCH GAMES SO CAVALIERLY WITH GEORGIANS' LIVES.

>> THAT BILL STILL HAS TO PASS THE HOUSE.

>> IT DOES.

BUT IT WON'T.

>> WE JUST SPOKE TO LEADER BEVERLY ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT YOU WERE CLOSE TO GETTING MEDICAID EXPANSION BUT IT SEEMED TO FALL APART AT THE LAST MINUTE.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> I AM VERY GRATIFIED THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THERE WAS A FULL COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE TOPIC OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

PEACH CARE PLUS IS WHAT WE WERE CALLING THE PLAN IN THE BILL.

IT GOT A BIPARTISAN VOTE IN SUPPORT, EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN'T GO OVER THE FINISH LINE.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS.

I THINK GOVERNOR KEMP WASN'T READY TO THROW HIS WEIGHT BEHIND THE MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM.

HE STILL HAD SOME HOPES PINNED ON HIS FAR MORE LIMITED PATHWAYS PROGRAM.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT IT HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH A DISMAL FAILURE IN TERMS OF SIGNING GEORGIANS UP.

THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 2900 GEORGIANS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP AND IT CAUSED $26 MILLION.

IT IS A NO BRAINER.

IT IS INCREDIBLY CLEAR WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND EXPAND MEDICAID.

HE WASN'T WILLING TO DO THAT.

AS A GOVERNOR, HE CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT WITH OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, SO WE WILL BE CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR THE 15th YEAR IN A ROW.

I AM GRATIFIED WE GOT ONE STEP CLOSER THIS YEAR.

EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SHAME THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO NOT DO THIS COMMON SENSE HEALTHCARE PROGRAM FOR OUR GEORGIANS.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT NEXT YEAR HOLDS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU AND THE GUESTS IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

>> AS YOU TALK ABOUT QUITE A FEW THINGS, THE ONE THING THAT WE HADN'T TALKED ABOUT WAS THE PUBERTY BLOCKERS BILL.

1170.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT -- THE HOUSE WILL LOOK AT IT AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

ANY THOUGHTS?

>> I THINK THAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE AMENDMENT BY SENATOR KIRKPATRICK WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A GOOD AMENDMENT.

THOUGH, YOU KNOW, THIS CLICHE THAT THE DEMOCRATS ALWAYS USE CULTURE WARS, CULTURE WARS, THIS IS SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE TO EVERY CITIZEN.

JUST TAKE -- THERE IS A LOT TO UNPACK IN WHAT SHE SAID.

TAKE WOMEN'S SPORTS, WHICH IS UNDER ATTACK, I THINK THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE BIOLOGICAL MALES AND BIOLOGICAL FEMALES, FOR EXAMPLE, OUT TO BE SEPARATED WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS.

WE FOUGHT IN THE 1970s TO GET FEMALE SPORTS AND NOW LOOK WHAT IS HAPPENING.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING -- I WOULD SAY THE VAST MAJORITY OF GEORGIANS, YOU KNOW, WANT SEPARATE SPORTS.

>> OKAY.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> TO BE QUITE FRANK, I WISH PHIL WOULD BRING THAT KIND OF FEROCITY TO ACTUALLY FIGHTING FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

IN THE 1970s, WE FOUGHT AS WOMEN FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND TO HAVE CONTROLS OF OUR BODIES AND LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE LET'S TALK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE REALLY CARE ABOUT THE STATE, LET'S FIGHT FOR THOSE THINGS, AND THESE KIND OF SIDE ISSUES WHERE REPUBLICANS THINK THEY CAN ATTACK CHILDREN, OR KIND OF THESE MORE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES BECAUSE IT WILL GET THEM VOTES.

WE REALLY -- WE SHOULDN'T CONDONE THAT, WE SHOULDN'T SAY THAT'S OKAY.

>> OKAY, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO SARAH NOW AND I BELIEVE SHE HAS A SENATOR WITH HER.

SARAH?

>> HI, DONNA.

WE'RE HERE WITH SENATOR CLINT DIXON, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE EDUCATION AND YOUTH COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, SENATOR DIXON.

>> THANK YOU.

GRATEFUL TO BE HERE.

>> SO, HB 1104, WHICH YOU SPONSORED, PASSED THE SENATE ON TUESDAY.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO SPONSOR THIS BILL?

>> THE CRUX OF THE BILL, WHAT IT DOES IS IT EMPOWERS PARENTS, INFORMS THEM ON THE CURRICULUM, THEIR KIDS ARE BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS, IT ALSO GIVES THEM NOTIFICATION WHEN THE CHILD CHECKS A BOOK OUT OF SCHOOL AND IT PROTECTS KIDS.

>> HOW YOU FEELING ABOUT THE PROSPECTS IN THE HOUSE?

>> I'M FEELING GOOD.

THE SPEAKER IS TAKING IT UP.

THEY MAY BE MAKING CHANGES TO IT.

I BELIEVE THE SAVE GIRL SPORTS PORTION OF IT AND DEALING WITH THE SEX ED PORTION, THAT'S STILL IN THE BILL.

>> AND SO ANOTHER BILL OF YOURS, SB 421 PASSED EARLIER THIS SESSION.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT BILL DOES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO WHAT IT DOES IS IT -- IT INCREASES THE PENALTIES ON SWATTING, WHICH HAPPENED TO MYSELF TWICE, THE FIRST DAY WAS -- FIRST TIME ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

AND ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OF MY OTHER SENATE COLLEAGUES, A BIPARTISAN BILL, A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, MY GOOD FRIEND AND SEAT MATE IN THE SENATE, KIM JACKSON, WAS AT HOME WITH THEIR 3-YEAR-OLD THAT THEY HAD ADOPTED AND IT WAS THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TOGETHER WHEN THEY GOT SWATTED AND IT WAS A HORRIFYING SITUATION FOR HER FAMILY AS WELL.

WHAT IT DOES CURRENTLY, THE FIRST OFFENSE IS A MISDEMEANOR AND WE ELEVATED THAT.

>> IT IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> IT DOES.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE SENATE TAKES UP ON THE REST OF THE NIGHT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SARAH.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SWATTING BILL.

WE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS.

SWATTING BILL WAS IMPORTANT IN THE SENATE IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE NOT ONLY WAS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SWATTED, BUT SEVERAL MEMBERS.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF POLITICIANS WHO SWATTED OR NOT.

AND FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE -- HAVEN'T HEARD, THEY CALL IT SWATTED BECAUSE BASICALLY A S.W.A.T.

TEAM GETS CALLED IN.

AND USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS THERE IS A FAKE CALL THAT SAYS THERE IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, A GUNMAN, WHATEVER, AND THE POLICE SHOW UP, SURROUND, ARMED, AND YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY STRESSFUL, BUT IF ARMED PEOPLE SHOW UP AT YOUR DOOR, AND YOU HAVE A GUN, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THIS REALLY COULD CAUSE FOLKS TO GET HURT.

>> PRETTY DANGEROUS.

>> JEN IS RIGHT.

IT IS PAST TIME WE DO THIS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE POLARIZATION AND ALL TOO MANY AREAS OF LEGISLATION WHERE SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE SOMETHING, THEY TRY TO TARGET SOMEBODY WITH A S.W.A.T.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO HEAD BACK TO SARAH AT THE CAPITOL.

WHO DO YOU HAVE NOW, SARAH?

>> I'M HERE WITH REPRESENTATIVE SHEA ROBERTS.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS, YOU'VE BEEN A BIG PROPONENT IN INCREASING ABORTION ACCESS.

WHAT DO YOU WISH THE LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE DONE FOR THE CAUSE?

>> IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET A HEARING ON SB 475.

WE KNOW ACROSS THE STATE, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THAT WOMEN ARE TIRED OF THEIR RIGHTS BEING TAKEN AWAY, REPRODUCTIVE CARE IS HEALTHCARE, AND IT IS DANGEROUS FOR WOMEN.

AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STAY OUT OF OUR BODIES.

>> AND SO WHAT FUTURE ACTIONS ARE YOU PLANNING ON ABORTION ACCESS?

>> WELL, WE WILL KEEP BRINGING THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT.

I THINK WE'RE ALL WAITING FOR THE COURT IN GEORGIA TO DECIDE SOMETHING, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE LOUD AND, YOU KNOW, I FILED THE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY ENFORCEMENT ACT WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN US THE RIGHT TO DO A BALLOT INITIATIVE ON ANYTHING BUT THAT DIDN'T GET A HEARING EITHER.

SO WE'RE TRYING EVERYTHING WE CAN, BUT I WILL SAY ALABAMA, THE SPECIAL ELECTION TWO NIGHTS AGO, WHERE SHE WON BY 25% AFTER LOSING BY 7 POINTS IN 2022 GAVE US GREAT HOPE THAT GOING INTO THESE ELECTIONS WOMEN ARE READY TO VOTE FOR PRO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM CANDIDATES.

>> ARE THERE ANY BILLS YOU'RE HOPING TO SEE PASSED BY THE END OF THE NIGHT?

>> WELL, WE GOT TO GET THE BUDGET PASSED, THAT'S REQUIRED.

I THINK WE'RE JUST AT THIS POINT HOPING TO HOLD BACK SOME OF THE MORE HARMFUL BILLS THAT WE HAVE SEEN COME THROUGH.

>> YEAH.

>> SO -- >> GOTCHA.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE REST OF THE NIGHT HAS IN STORE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANKS SO MUCH, SARAH.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE -- WE DID NOT SEE THE -- AS SHE MENTIONED -- ANYTHING DEALING WITH ABORTION COME UP THIS SESSION.

IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR, SO NOT A REAL SURPRISE THERE.

HOW WILL IT FACTOR IN TO POSSIBLY THE POLLS?

WHEN PEOPLE GO TO THE POLLS?

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU ACTUALLY SEE A BIPARTISAN EFFORT COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE TERRY NULOWITZ, SCOTT HILTON, THE REPUBLICAN, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SPEAKER BURNS TOO, WHICH IS A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ACCESS TO IVF.

I THINK FERTILITY ISSUES AND ACCESS TO IVF IS REALLY GOING TO BE TOP OF MIND, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT CAME OUT AND SAID, BASICALLY, EMBRYOS ARE EXTRA UTERINE PEOPLE WITH RIGHTS.

AND THERE IS A REAL CONCERN OF FOLKS TRYING TO EXPAND THEIR FAMILIES, RIGHT, AND TRYING TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN THAT SOMEHOW THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY GEORGIA'S ABORTION BAN.

>> YEAH, SO, WE EXPECT THAT IVF BILL MAYBE TO HIT THE FLOOR TONIGHT.

WE'RE THINKING SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN WITH THAT, I THINK.

>> IT IS CONCEIVABLE.

THERE IS A LOT OF BILLS, DOZENS AND DOZENS THAT MAKE IT OR WON'T MAKE IT.

A COUPLE OF COMMENTS QUICKLY ON THE OVERALL SITUATION.

I THINK ABORTION IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE AN ISSUE, BUT JUST ONE ISSUE.

I THINK WHEN YOU TALK TO VOTERS, LOOK AT THE REAL CLEAR POLITICS POLLING, THE AVERAGE OF ALL THE POLLS IN THE COUNTRY, AND WHY IS PRESIDENT TRUMP DOING SO WELL OVER BIDEN, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE CRAZY OPEN BORDERS POLICY, IT IS DANGEROUS, AND BECAUSE OF INFLATION, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, AND SO THOSE ARE THE ISSUES.

THE POCKETBOOK ISSUES ARE STILL GOING TO BE SUPER IMPORTANT.

AND ALSO, ALL POLITICS CAN BE LOCAL.

AND SO, YOU HAVE TO FACTOR IN WITH THE -- WITH THE DEMISE OF ROE BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, ABORTION, A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS, THIS IS STILL NOW UP TO THE -- ALL 50 STATE LEGISLATURES.

YOU CAN DO BILLS AND TWEAK WHATEVER YOU WANT, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BACK IN 1973, WHEN THE COURT DID ROE AND NOW IT HAS BEEN OVERTURNED.

>> WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE ISSUES?

YOU MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, ABORTION, BUT ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I THINK IT IS INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS, I THINK IT IS ABOUT POCKETBOOK ISSUES, I THINK IT IS ABOUT PEOPLE WANTING GOVERNMENT TO STAY OUT OF THEIR LIVES AND JUST LETTING THEM RAISE THEIR CHILDREN, HAVING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES, HAVING SAFE COMMUNITIES.

I MEAN, THAT'S THE THING.

IF WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THINGS IN A VERY IDEOLOGICAL WAY, I THINK WHAT WE REALIZE IS THAT WE REALLY DO HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME PRIORITIES, WE MAY HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF GETTING THERE, BUT IF WE CAN ALL JUST SIT DOWN, TALK TO EACH OTHER AND SAY, WHAT IS YOUR PRIORITY IN TERMS OF HOW DO YOU WANT TO LIVE AND WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY DO YOU WANT TO LIVE IN, I THINK MOST OF THE TIME REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WANT THE SAME THING.

>> OKAY.

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

IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

GREAT CONVERSATION.

I LOVE IT.

THAT DOES IT FOR "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

AND FOR THIS SESSION.

SO WE WILL BE HAVING OUR BREAK, BUT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE TEAM.

WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM OF PEOPLE, PROFESSIONALS WHO BRING YOU THIS SHOW.

YOU'RE SEEING SOME OF THE PICTURES UP ON THE SCREEN.

PICTURES OF PEOPLE AT THE CAPITOL, IN THE STUDIO.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THEM FOR BEING A PART OF THIS.

BUT FOR THE LATEST IN GEORGIA NEWS, GO TO GPB.ORG AND LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO STATION TOO.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING US ON "LAWMAKERS."

WE ENJOYED BRINGING YOU THE SHOW.