>>> AFTER 48 YEARS OF SERVING IN THIS CHAMBER, I WILL NOT BE RETURNING.

TO THIS HALLOWED CHAMBER FOR ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> A BITTER/SWEET END TO A NEARLY 50 YEARS IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHERE CALVIN SMYRE BEGINS HIS LAST SPEECH ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON THIS FINAL DAY OF 2022 OF THE GEORGIA SESSION.

IT'S SINE DIE AND WE HAVE A SPECIAL ONE HOUR SESSION.

>>> MORE ON CALVIN SMYRE'S REMARKS COMING UP.

THE CHAMBER IS IN SESSION AND WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE SHOW.

TWO JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE COVERED THIS SESSION AND THOSE IN THE PAST, BUT FIRST LET'S HEAD TO THE CAPITAL FOR THE LATEST ON ALL THE DAY'S NEWS FROM CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

HI, BRENDA.

>> HEY, DONNA, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OVER.

40 DAYS GOES BY SO QUICKLY.

SEVERAL BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE HOUSE TODAY, BUT WHAT EVERYONE IS GOING TO REMEMBER IS DEAN SMYRE'S FAREWELL.

>>> MANY TEARS WERE SHED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

CALVIN SMYRE, THE DEAN OF THE HOUSE IS LEAVING.

>> I'M GOING TO MISS YOU.

>> I'VE CRIED ABOUT TODAY.

I'VE BEEN HACKETTY ABOUT TODAY.

I'VE CRIED BECAUSE OF BEING SELFISH AND KNOWING THAT I WILL NOT HAVE MY FRIEND HERE ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> AFTER NEARLY HALF A CENTURY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DEAN CALVIN SMYRE IS HANGING UP HIS HAT, BUT WILL NOT BE RESTING ON HIS LAURELS.

>> AFTER 48 YEARS OF SERVING IN THIS CHAMBER, I WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO THIS HALLOWED CHAMBER FOR ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M HONORED THAT MY FAMILY, SOME OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE HERE AND MY FATHER WHO IS 96 YEARS OLD.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> CARTER SMYRE.

TURN AROUND SO THEY CAN SEE YOU.

HOW CAN YOU MEASURE A 48-YEAR CAREER IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE?

IS IT BY THE NUMBER OF BILLS YOU INTRODUCE OR PASS?

IS IT BY THE POSITIONS YOU HOLD?

I DON'T THINK SO.

YOU MEASURE YOUR CAREER BY HOW YOU HONOR THIS INSTITUTION.

AND I HONOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THIS INSTITUTION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE SMYRE WAS 27 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WAS SWORN IN IN 1975.

HE HAS BEEN NOMINATED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN TO BECOME THE NEXT U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

HE IS AWAITING SENATE CONFIRMATION.

>> WITH THAT, MR.áSPEAKER, I YIELD THE WELL.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> A PORTRAIT WAS PRESENTED TO DEAN SMYRE.

IT WILL HANG OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF THE HOUSE CHAMBERS WHERE OTHER GEORGIA DIGNITARIES ARE DISPLAYED.

HOUSE BILL 1013 ALSO KNOWN AS THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT IS NOW A LAW SIGNED BY GOVERNOR KEMP THIS AFTERNOON.

>> TODAY WE FULFILL SPEAKER RALSTON'S VISION AND THAT OF SO MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE PARTNERED FOR THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT, TO BRING HOPE TO THE MANY FAMILIES ACROSS GEORGIA WHO HAVE A LOVED ONE SUFFERING FROM SOME FORM OF MENTAL OR BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGE.

>> HOUSE BILL 1013 WAS THE ONLY BILL SIGNED PUBLICLY AT THE CAPITAL TODAY.

>>> IN THE SENATE, IT'S THE BOTTOM OF THE 9th.

BASES ARE LOADED, AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JEFF DUNCAN IS ON THE MOUND AS HE CONTINUED THE TRADITION OF THROWING OUT THE FIRST PITCH OF SINE DIE.

>> HERE WE GO.

GIVE ME THAT BALL.

GIVE ME THAT BALL.

THERE WE GO.

>> THEN THE LEGISLATIVE MARATHON STARTED.

THE SENATE PASSED THE HOUSE AMENDED VERSION OF THE COVID PASSPORT BAN SB 345 WHICH WOULD KEEP STATE AND OTHER ENTITIES FROM ASKING FOR PROOF OF HAVING HAD THE COVID VACCINE.

>>> NEXT UP, STATE INCOME TAX FOR GEORGIANS, THE SENATE AMENDED HOUSE BILL 1437 PROVIDING TIERED TAX RATES BENEFITING LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

BUT WHEN THE HOUSE OBJECTED TO THE CHANGEá-- >> I MOVE THAT THE SENATE INSIST ON THIS SUBSTITUTE TO HOUSE BILL 1437.

>> LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, HOSTETLER ASKED FOR THE ISSUE TO BE SETTLED IN A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THEN THEY PASSED THE 2023 FISCAL BUDGET AFTER COMING TO A COMPROMISE IN THE LAST DAYS OF THE SESSION DURING CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

THE CHANGES INCLUDED LOSING OUT ON A SENATE PRIORITY, FUNDING TO IMPROVE THIRD GRADE READING LEVELS.

>> WE WERE NOT ABLE TO HOLD OUR MONIES IN THAT.

WE WERE ABLE TO START A GREAT DISCUSSION ABOUT QUALITY OVERALL IN EDUCATION, AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT CONVERSATION CONTINUE INTO THE SUMMER AND REALLY APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND HIS STAFF FOR MEETING US ON THAT PRIORITY.

>> BUT SENATOR TILLERY ALSO WARNED EVERYONE THEY NEEDED TO KEEP VIGILANCE WHEN IT CAME TO FUTURE SPENDING.

>> THE STORM CLOUDS ARE ON THE HORIZON CONCERNING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, AND WE NEED TO KNOW THAT AND BE HONEST WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS AS WE APPROACH THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

>> AFTER A LUNCH BREAK, ONE OF THE MANY BILLS THE SENATE TOOK UP WAS AB 1435.

THIS BILL WILL HELP STUDENTS STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY TO FINISH COLLEGE.

>> THIS IS A GAP FUNDING NEEDS-BASED BILL TO ASSIST THOSE STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM THAT HAVE COMPLETED 80% OF THEIR CURRICULUM AND ARE PREPARED TO GRADUATE.

IT FILLS THE GAP THAT ENSURES THAT THESE STUDENTS GRADUATE.

>> THERE'S A BIG, BIG COHORT OF STUDENTS THAT ARE NEEDING ASSISTANCE THAT CAN THRIVE AND FILL THE WORK FORCE AND TAKE PRIDE IN ACHIEVING POST SECONDARY CERTIFICATES AND GRADUATE.

BUT WE NEED TO PUT THE MONEY ON THE TABLE TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

>> THE BILL PASSED 53-1.

AND THAT'S MY CAPITAL REPORT, THE LAST ONE OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THIS IS MY SECOND YEAR COVERING THE LEGISLATURE FOR LAWMAKERS.

I'VE LEARNED MORE ABOUT POLITICS THAN I EVER THOUGHT I COULD, AND IT'S BEEN A THRILL.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> AND WE'VE LOVED HAVING YOU, BUT YOU'RE NOT OVER TONIGHT, RIGHT?

WE'RE COMING BACK TO YOU SEVERAL TIMES.

>> NO, THIS IS NOT BYE.

>> THE SPEAKER IS UP NEXT.

THANK YOU.

>>> WELL, WE BROUGHT BACK A COUPLE OF JOURNALISTS FROM OUR LAWMAKERS TEAM FOR THIS ONE-HOUR SINE DAIEISHO.

FIRST PATRICIA MURPHY WHO SERVED AS CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT IN 2020.

SHE COVERED STATE AND NATIONAL POLITICS.

SHE IS NOW THE POLITICAL COLUMNIST FOR THE AJC.

WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HER.

ALSO RETURNING IS RAUL VALLE WHO HELPED PRODUCE THIS SHOW FOR YEARS.

HE IS NOW THE POLITICS REPORTER FOR WAB RADIO.

WELCOME BACK TO BOTH OF YOU.

I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES UNTIL PATRICIA INTERVIEWS THE SPEAKER.

SO I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU OVERALL COMINGá-- THIS TO ME FELT LIKE A DIFFERENT SINE DIE, LIKE TODAY WENT KIND OF SLOW.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

IT FEELS LIKE THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM A LITTLE BIT.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF GOOD-BYES, A LOT OF REALLY FRIENDLY REMEMBRANCES AMONG MEMBERS.

A LOT OF SIDE CONVERSATIONS AND BACK DOOR CONVERSATIONS, BUT A LOT OF BIG TICKET ITEMS THAT WE ARE ALL STILL WAITING FOR.

AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

I MEAN, THERE ARE FIVE HOURS LEFT OF THIS NIGHT AND WE HAVE MAJOR LEGISLATION THAT WE ARE STILL LOOKING TO SEE PASSED.

>> BIG TICKET ITEMS STILL LEFT TO GO AND WE'RE STILL ALSO WAITING ON A LOT OF BILLS.

LIKE I KIND OF FELT THERE WAS GOING TO BE THIS FLURRY OF BILLS TODAY, AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

>> WHAT WAS DIFFERENT IS IT'S JUST SUCH A SLOW START, YOU KNOW.

IN THE HOUSE WE HAD THE FAREWELL FOR CALVIN SMYRE.

THEN 1:30-ISH, WE HAD THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY SIGNING.

THEN WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?

>> THERE WAS ANOTHER BREAK.

>> THE TAX REFORM IS IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

MEDICAL CANNABIS, CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS WRAPPING UP.

THESE THINGS ARE WRAPPING UP.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE'RE ALREADY UNDER FIVE HOURS TO GO AT THIS POINT.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

MIDNIGHT COMES SO FAST.

>>> WE'LL RETURN TO THE CAPITAL AND DONNA HAS SPEAKER RALSTON.

>> HEY, SPEAKER.

I'VE HEARD THIS IN YOUR VOICE.

HAVE ALL MEMBERS VOTED?

NOT ONLY DID THEY VOTE IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, BUT THEY PASSED A BILL 1013.

WHAT'S GOING THROUGH YOUR HEART AND YOUR HEAD RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S BEEN A GOOD DAY, BEEN A GOOD SESSION.

WE WORKED VERY HARD OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO GET THAT BILL PASSED.

AND IT WASN'T JUST ME.

IT WAS SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE.

MARY MARGARET OLIVER, TODD JONES, SHARON COOPER, BEN WATSON FROM THE SENATE AND DEAN BURKE, BRIAN STRICKLAND.

I MEAN, JUST SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE.

KEVIN TANNER, WHO IS A FORMER MEMBER HERE.

I COULD GO ON AND ON AND ON.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT, YOU KNOW, IT WASá-- IT GOT A LITTLE BIT CRAZY THERE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT, YOU KNOW, I TOLD THEM THAT TRUTH IS A POWERFUL THING.

IT WIPES OUT A LOT OF FICTION, AND SO TODAY'S BEEN A GREAT DAY WITH THE BILL SIGNING.

I MET WITH A LOT OF THE ADVOCATES.

IT WAS JUST KIND OF AN OVERWHELMING EXPERIENCE TODAY.

>> AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR WIFE KIND OF PUSHED THIS ALONG WITH YOU.

>> SHE DID, SHE DID.

>> YOU'RE A HUSBAND WHO LISTENS TO HIS WIFE.

>> I AM, I AM.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK LIVES WILL CHANGE BECAUSE OF THIS LAW NOW?

>> I THINK, FIRST OF ALL, IN A VERY GENERAL WAY, I THINK THAT GEORGIANS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S MANY, MANY FAMILIES, ALMOST ALL FAMILIES IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN TOUCHED IN SOME WAY BY MENTAL ILLNESS.

SO IN A GENERAL WAY, THEY KNOW WE CARE ABOUT THEM NOW, AND THAT WE'VE HEARD THEIR CRY AND WE'VE HEARD THEIR CALLS FOR HELP, AND WE KIND OF FELT THEIR FRUSTRATION.

IN A SPECIFIC WAY NOW, WE HAVE MORE TREATMENT OPTIONS, MORE BED SPACE.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AND THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO WORK TOGETHER ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT'S CERTAINLY OVERWHELMED THE LAW COMMUNITY.

WE PUT IN A PIECE TO DEVELOP A WORK FORCE HERE IN THE STATE.

SO GIVING PEOPLE SOME OPTIONS AND GIVING THEMá-- AND MOST OF ALL, I GUESS I LEFT OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE, IS THE PARITY PIECE, SO THAT PEOPLE THROUGH BOTH THEIR PRIVATE AS WELL AS THEIR PUBLIC INSURANCE CARRIER WILL HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THESE TYPE OF ILLNESSES.

>> WELL, THANK YOU, SIR.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

>> HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

>>> DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> SO, WE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKER.

THIS WAS HIS BABY, THIS 1013, THIS HUGE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY BILL.

NOW IT GOES TO THE NEXT LEVEL, AND THAT IS STANDING IT UP.

MAKING SURE IT GOES TO THE PEOPLE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

HE'S SAYING WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT THIS BEING THE SPEAKER'S BABY, BUT THE TWO REAL FORCES, WHO HE JUST MENTIONED ON THE AIR, STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARY MARGARET OLIVER AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE TODD JONES, THEY WERE REALLY THE AUTHORS OF THIS LEGISLATION.

I TALKED TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARY MARGARET OLIVER.

THAT WAS MY QUESTION, HOW QUICKLY WILL SOME OF THIS START?

SHE GOES, THIS SUMMER.

THERE'S ABOUT $189 MILLION INSIDE THIS PACKAGE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING FOR OUTPATIENT, INCREASED NUMBER OF BEDS FOR CRISES.

THERE'S GOING TO BE PAYMENTS GOING OUT TO PROVIDERS.

AND FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD THERE IS THIS CANCELLABLE LOAN PROGRAM FOR NEW PROVIDERS, NEW MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS AND ALSO MONEY TO FUND BRAND-NEW CO-RESPONDER TEAMS.

THEY'RE A MIX OF POLICE OFFICERS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO GO OUT, AND THOSE TEAMSá-- THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PILOTS, LIKE IN FORSYTHE COUNTY, AND THEY HAVE HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH THESE WHERE THEY'VE SEEN A SICK REDUCTION WHEN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPEN, FEWER ARRESTS AND PEOPLE GETTING HELP.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MARY MARGARET OLIVER, CHAIRMAN, ON IN A FEW MINUTES.

WE'LL TALK SOME MORE.

FIRST, BRENDA IS BACK TO THE GOLD DOME WITH HER.

SHE HAS SOMEONE ELSE WITH HER.

BRENDA.

>> I DO.

CHAIRMAN JEFF MULLIS WHO IS LEAVING US AFTER 22 YEARS.

>> BRENDA, HATE IT.

IT'S A SAD, BITTER/SWEET SITUATION.

>> WHY ARE YOU SMILING?

>> I'M HAPPY.

>> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MISS THE MOST, YOU THINK?

>> PEOPLE.

I ENJOY SERVING AND WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE HERE TO MAKE SURE WE PRODUCE GOOD LEGISLATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA.

SO, I'VE BEEN HERE 22 YEARS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING HOME.

>> GOING HOME, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

>> I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON MY JOB, MAYBE A LITTLE FARMING A LITTLE BIT.

NOT ANYTHING MAJOR.

AND SEE HOW I CAN HELP WORK IN MY COMMUNITY.

>> OKAY.

YOU'RE A PROPONENT OF HORSE RACING.

>> I AM.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> DIDN'T DO TOO WELL THIS YEAR.

>> DIDN'T DO TOO WELL.

ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED?

>> I AM, BUT IT'S OKAY.

NEXT YEAR IS A NON-ELECTION YEAR.

MAYBE THEY'LL HAVE MORE SUCCESS.

>> YOU WON'T BE HERE, THOUGH.

>> THEY'LL JUST HAVE TO DO IT WITHOUT ME.

BUT THAT'S OKAY.

>> WHAT WAS MOST AMAZING ABOUT YOUR 22 YEARS, AND WHAT WAS MOST DISAPPOINTING?

>> WELL, MY JOURNEY WAS AMAZING.

ALL THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT HAVE BEEN A PART OF MY LIFE HERE AND BEEN INSPIRATIONAL.

SO I KNEW THAT THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE.

OCCASIONALLY WHEN YOU RUN INTO THE DITCH, THERE'S SOMEBODY TO HELP PULL YOU OUT AND MAKE THE LEGISLATION WIN.

AND I'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND ONLY BY THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT I HAVE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HERE.

SO I'M GOING TO MISS THAT, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING HOME.

>> WAS IT A HARD DECISION FOR YOUá-- >> OH, YEAH, IT WAS.

IN JANUARY, TIME FOR ME TO MOVE ON.

NO MAJOR REASON.

22 YEARS SEEMED LONG ENOUGH.

I NEVER INTENDED TO BE HERE 22 YEARS.

THOUGHT I'D STAY TEN, AND I GOT BETTER AT BEING EFFECTIVE AND MAKING THINGS HAPPEN.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR WHEN I LEAVE, THAT I COULD GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.

>> ANY ADVICE FOR THE PERSON WHO WILL BE TAKING YOUR SEAT?

>> YEAH, TAKE WHAT YOU DO SERIOUSLY, BUT NOT YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.

ENJOY THE MOMENT, ENJOY YOUR COLLEAGUES.

TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS FOR THE CONSTITUENTS YOU REPRESENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S BEEN A GOOD RIDE.

>> A GOOD JOURNEY.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

HE'S SO WELL KNOWN FOR THE MUSIC HE HAS DURING THE COMMITTEE.

>> THIS IS AN ERA.

HE IS THE LAST REPUBLICAN WHO SERVED IN THE MINORITY IN THE SENATE IF I'M CORRECT.

SO THAT'S, AGAIN, END OF AN ERA.

MORE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE WALKING OUT THE DOOR.

>> WALKING OUT THE DOOR.

I DID WANT TO ASK YOU, PATRICIA, ONE OF THE THINGS HE PUSHED DOWN TO THE LAST MINUTE WAS TO GET BUCKHEAD CITY TO HAVE THE CITY OF BUCKHEAD COME OUT OF THE CITY OF ATLANTA.

IT DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

>> IT DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE LARGELY BECAUSE IT DIDN'T BROADEN ITS COALITION BEYOND JEFF MULLIS AND RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

THEY NEVER GOT ANY LAWMAKERS FROM BUCKHEAD ON BOARD, ANY LAWMAKERS FROM ATLANTA ON BOARD AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN TO THE REST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IF WE SPLIT HALF OF ATLANTA AWAY, WHAT PREVENTS US FROM DOING THE SAME THING TO YOUR CITY NEXT TIME.

SO THERE WERE TONS OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

IF ANYBODY COULD MOVE A BILL, IT WOULD BE JEFF MULLIS.

EVEN HE COULDN'T GET THIS THING OUT OF THE GATE.

>> IT WAS AMAZING.

WE STARTED OFF THIS SESSION THICK THAT WOULD BE A BIG BILL.

IT FIZZLED OUT EARLY ON.

SO, I'M TOLD BRENDA HAS SOMEBODY ELSE AT THE GOLD DOME WITH AN INTERVIEW.

BRENDA, TELL US WHO YOU HAVE NOW.

>> I HAVE SENATOR KAMM JACKSON.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> HI.

>> YOU LIKE MY LITTLE PHRASING, PIGGYBACK.

ONE OF YOUR BILLS, YOU WANTED SUICIDE TO BE TREATED AS WORK-RELATED WHEN A POLICE OFFICER COMMITS SUICIDE, SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN ON THE JOB OR BECAUSE OF THE JOB.

HOW IS THAT GOING?

I KNOW IT'S PIGGYBACKING ON SOMETHING ELSE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I'D LIKE TO SAY CAUGHT A RIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE.

IT'S OVER IN THE HOUSE WAITING FOR AN AGREE.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THIS FOR ALL PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS.

ANY PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER DIES BY SUICIDE, THEIR FAMILIES WOULD RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE INDEMNIFICATION FUND.

>> THIS IS A BIG DEAL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL, A WIFE WAS TALKING ABOUT HER HUSBAND WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE, SHE'S GETTING NOTHING, HASN'T GOTTEN ANY PHONE CALLS.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS TO FOLKS?

>> THIS IS IMPORTANT.

IT'S REDUCING THE STIGMA AROUND SUICIDE.

THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IS SUICIDE.

FOR ME THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE FAMILIES ARE TAKEN CARE OF WHILE ALSO PASSING THE MENTAL HEALTH BILL AND DOING OTHER THINGS TO MAKE SURE SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE.

FOR THOSE WHO SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS, WE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY.

>> YOU'RE JUST ENDING YOUR FIRST TWO-YEAR TERM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT TERM?

>> YOU KNOWá-- >> GOOD THOUGHTS, BAD THOUGHTS?

>> I'VE HAD GREAT THOUGHTS.

MOSTLY I FEEL LIKE I'VE TAKEN A MASTER CLASS IN PUBLIC POLICY.

AND I'VE BEEN DRICHGING FROM A FIRE HOSE.

I'VE LEARNED A LOT.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS YEAR.

>> WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

>> I'M AN EPISCOPAL PRIEST AND AN URBAN FARMER.

>> HAVE YOU USED THAT HERE?

>> I HAVE TALKED ABOUT BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

THERE'S PLENTY MORE TO COME ON THIS SPECIAL HOUR LONG SINE DIE SHOW.

STAY TUNED.

>> Announcer: A PROUD PARTNER OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS SPECIAL HOUR LONG "SINE DIE" SHOW.

WITH ME IN THE STUDIO IS THE POLITICS REPORTER FOR WAB RADIO, AND PATRICIA MURPHY, THE POLITICAL INSIDER COLUMNIST FOR THE AJC.

SO, LOTS TO TALK ABOUT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S STILL OUT THERE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S MIDNIGHT WILL BE COMING, BUT WE STILL HAVE TIME TO SEE SOME THINGS.

WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS, THOSE BIG BILLS THAT YOU EXPECT?

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THOSE BIG TICKET ITEMS WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR RESULTS FOR WEEKS ON SOME OF THESE BILLS.

HERE WE ARE PRACTICALLY AT THE 11th HOUR.

WE'RE AT THE 9th HOUR OR SO.

THE ELECTIONS BILL, I'M WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT.

THE HOUSE PASSED A RELATIVELY EXPANSIVE BILL THAT INCLUDES INVESTIGATION FOR GBI AND A NUMBER OF OTHER CHANGES TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION.

THE SENATE PASSED A TWO-PAGE BILL AND STRIPPED ALMOST ALL OF THAT LANGUAGE OUT OF IT.

NOW WE HAVE THESE TWO EXTREMELY DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE BILL AND A GOP BASE WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS DELIVERED TO THEM NEXT.

AND SO I DO THINK REPUBLICANS FEEL A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET AN ELECTIONS BILL OUT OF THE CAPITAL THIS YEAR, BUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS EXTREMELY UNCLEAR RIGHT NOW.

I COUPLE OTHER BILLS WE'RE WAITING FOR, THE BILL ON TRANSGENDER SPORTS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS REALLY STALLED.

IT GOT THROUGH THE SENATE, BUT WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY ACTION ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

SOMEBODY TRIED TO ACTUALLY PUSH IT THROUGH THE SENATE SIDE AGAIN AS AN AMENDMENT.

THAT DIDN'T WORK EARLIER TODAY.

AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING EVEN GOVERNOR KEMP MENTIONED IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS THAT HAS NOT GOTTEN THE WHEELS ON IT WE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE HAVING GOTTEN THE NOD FROM THE GOVERNOR.

THAT'S WHAT I'M WATCHING.

>> WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?

>> MEDICAL CANNABIS.

FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO DON'T KNOW, THERE ARE 23,000 PATIENTS WHO ARE ON GEORGIA'S MEDICAL CANNABIS REGISTRY, ANOTHER 16,000 CARE GIVERS.

THIS IS FROM LEGISLATION A FEW YEARS AGO WHERE YOU COULD LEGALIZE POSSESSION OF LOW THC OIL FOR 17 MEDICAL CONDITIONS, BUT YOU COULDN'T LEGALLY BUY IT IN GEORGIA.

THAT WAS THE CATCH.

AND THE WAY THAT THAT WAS GOING TO BE FIXED IN GEORGIA WAS TO GIVE THESE LICENSES FOR OPERATION TO HOME GROW, AND THEN PRODUCE THIS LOW THC OIL.

AND THE PROCESS HAS BEEN JUST REALLY, REALLY SLOW.

YOU HEAR THE FRUSTRATION.

YOU SEE THE FRUSTRATION.

THERE WERE SIX LICENSES AWARDED, NOT FINALIZED, BUT AWARDED.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S CHARGING TOWARD LEGAL ACTION.

YOU HAD SO MANY LAWMAKERS JUMP IN AND TRY TO FILE A BILL.

THERE IS A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT AND I GOT NOTES ON IT.

THE SIX COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED, NOT FINALIZED, BUT AWARDED, THEIR APPLICATIONS WOULD BE REVIEWED.

THEN EVERYBODY ELSE WHO DID NOT GET A LICENSE, THEY WOULD BE BIDDING FOR THREE BRAND-NEW LICENSES.

HERE'S THE LAST PART THAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING.

IF ANY OTHER FURTHER PROTESTER LAWSUITS WOULD NOT GO TO FULTON COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT OR ANOTHER COURT, IT WOULD GO TO THE STATE'S BRAND-NEW STATEWIDE BUSINESS COURT.

AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS.

A LOT OF FORCES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.

MY UNDERSTANDING, WHAT WE HOPE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR IN A FEW MINUTES, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THIS.

>> WE KNEW THAT SPEAKER MURPHY WAS INVOLVED.

THIS IS HUGE BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THE STATE HAS FOUGHT FOR FOR A LONG TIME.

IT'S BEEN IN PLACE TWO YEARS.

BUT ALL THIS LITIGATION AS YOU MENTIONED.

>> THAT'S THE CONCERN.

EARLY IN THE SESSION, STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALAN POWELL SAID I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS TIED UP IN COURT FOR TWO, THREE, FOUR YEARS.

FULTON COUNTY COURTS DON'T MOVE THAT FAST IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TIED UP FOR YEARS.

I FIND KIND OF THAT COMPROMISE VERY INTERESTING.

>> OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR.

JOINING OUR SHOW NOW FROM THE STATE CAPITAL IS GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, SIR.

>> GOOD EVENING.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU GUYS.

>> I'M HERE WITH PATRICIA MURPHY OF THE AJC AND RAUL VALLE OF WAB RADIO.

WE KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BOTH CHAMBERS TONIGHT TO TALK TO THEM A LITTLE BIT.

CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE IDEA WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE TALKING WITH THEM ABOUT?

>> WELL, REALLY JUST GOING TO THANK THEM, NUMBER ONE, FOR THEIR SERVICE, BUT ALSO TALK ABOUT WHAT A HISTORIC SESSION IT'S BEEN.

I MEAN, I KNOW THE HOUSE STILL HAS PASSED THE BUDGET, BUT THE WORK THE SENATE'S ALREADY DONE TO GET THAT DONE, WE JUST GOT A GREAT BUDGET FOR EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH CARE, OUR ECONOMY, TRANSPORTATION, THE MENTAL HEALTH BILL PASSED TODAY.

SO WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GREAT ELECTRICITY I HAVE ACHIEVEMENTS.

A LOT OF MY PRIORITIES WE'VE DONE WITH TEACHER PAY RAISES AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, REALLY GOING TO THANK THEM, BUT REMIND THEM WE HAVE A FEW ISSUES LEFT WE GOT TO GET DONE TONIGHT.

>> GOVERNOR, RAUL FROM WAB.

CAN YOU NEIGHBOR ONE OF THOSE TWO ISSUES YOU WANT TO SEE GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE TONIGHT?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN REAL INVOLVED IN SAVING GIRLS' SPORTS.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING FOR DAYS NOW ABOUT A POTENTIAL INCOME TAX CUT.

WE'VE GOT DIVISIVE CONCEPTS LEGISLATION THAT'S STILL OUT THERE.

NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL ISSUES.

SO WE'LL BE CONTINUING TO PUSH ON THOSE TONIGHT.

I KNOW A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE AS WELL.

WE'VE BEEN MEETING, TOO, THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS WITH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ON THE POTENTIAL CANNABIS LEGISLATION.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS PUT OUT THERE AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET TOGETHER, WE'RE INVOLVED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS AS WELL.

>> GOVERNOR, ONE QUICK FOLLOW-UP.

WHY DID YOU FEEL IT WAS NECESSARY TO STEP IN THIS PROCESS?

YOU LET THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WORK TOUT.

WHY DID YOU FEEL IT WAS NECESSARY TO STEP IN THE MEDICAL CANNABIS DEBATE?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN LETTING THE LEGISLATORS WORK THINGS OUT.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR ATTORNEYS TO BE INVOLVED.

WE'RE INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THE FIRST BILL PASSED THAT SET UP THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION THAT HAS DONE THEIR WORK.

OF COURSE, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF LEGAL ISSUES, ATTORNEYS GENERAL WEIGHED IN ON THAT.

THERE IS FRUSTRATION IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE ALL WANT TO GET OIL TO THE CITIZENS THAT NEED IT.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE INVOLVED.

WE WANT TO HELP DO THAT.

IF THERE'S WAYS WE CAN BRING INFORMATION TO EITHER SIDE AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO, ALL ABOUT THE PATIENTS.

>> GOVERNOR, IT'S PATRICIA MURPHY.

ANOTHER THING WE HAVE NOT SEEN RESOLVED TONIGHT IS A POSSIBLE ACROSS THE BOARD TAX CUT.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO COME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE AND IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD SIGN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR THAT.

EARLY ON I SAID I'D WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO GET DONE ALL THROUGH THE WEEKEND, EVEN AS LATE AS LAST NIGHT.

I FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A FEW LAST-MINUTE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN SOME ISSUES AT THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE HAS HAD.

LOOK, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROPOSAL.

WE JUST GOT TO GET IT TO THE FLOOR AND VOTE ON IT.

THAT'S WHAT I'M URGING THEM TO DO.

>> GOVERNOR, IT'S DONNA LOWRY AGAIN.

YOU MENTIONED A COUPLE PRIORITIES.

ONE WE'RE WAITING ON IS DIVISIVE I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THAT IN YOUR STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, DONNA.

IT'S NOT ABOUT TEACHING RACE IN SCHOOL.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE OUR KIDS ARE NOT INDOCTRINATED.

WE CERTAINLY SUPPORT TEACHING HISTORY.

WE JUST DON'T WANT IT TO BE SOMEBODY'S VERSION OF HISTORY OR SOMEBODY TRYING TO TAKE THEIR VIEW POINTS AND PUSHING IT DOWN ON OUR KIDS.

WE JUST WANT PEOPLE TO LEARN THE FACTS AND LEARN FROM HISTORY, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY OF IT AND NOT HAVING SOMEONE'S AGENDA PUSHED ON OUR SCHOOLCHILDREN.

WE ALSO DON'T WANT THEM HAVING ACCESS TO OBSCENE MATERIALS AND A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES.

SO WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD ON THAT.

WE'RE HOPING THAT WILL GET DONE.

THAT CERTAINLY HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF MY ADMINISTRATION.

>> JUST ONE OTHER QUICK QUESTION.

THE BUDGET SURPLUS GAME CHANGER THIS SESSION.

IS THIS SUSTAINABLE TO KEEP UP THE REVENUES?

>> AS YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE MONEY WE HAD IN THE AMEND THE BUDGET, WE KEPT OUR ECONOMY OPEN AND PEOPLE WERE CRITICAL.

I APPRECIATE THE LEGISLATURE PUTTING THAT MONEY TO GOOD USE.

NUMBER ONE, SENDING IT BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS IN THE FORM OF A CREDIT FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT FILED A TAX RETURN, $250 PER PERSON, $500 FOR FAMILIES, NOT JUST PORK BARREL PROJECTS.

WE'RE SETTING OFF DISASTROUS POLICIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT CREATED 40-YEAR HIGH INFLATION.

BECAUSE OF THAT CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING WE'VE DONE IN THE CAPITAL UNDER THE LEADERSHIP, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SUSPEND THE GAS TAX TWO MONTHS.

RIGHT NOW YOU NEED IT.

GAS TAXES ARE OUT THE ROOF.

I'VE HEARD FROM SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN FLORIDA FOR SPRING BREAK.

MAN, GAS PRICES ARE SO MUCH CHEAPER IN GEORGIA.

WE'RE HELPING GEORGIANS SET OFF RAMPANT INFLATION BECAUSE OF POLICIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT'S WHAT THE BUDGETS THIS YEAR ARE ABOUT, FULFILLING OUR PROMISES LIKE THE LARGEST TEACHER PAY RAISE IN STATE HISTORY AND BUILDING ON THAT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 TO HELP OUR EDUCATORS.

WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING WITH OUR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER HARD WORK WITH GEORGIANS IN OUR STATE.

THIS HAS BEEN AN UNPRECEDENTED BUDGET YEAR.

WE'VE DONE GREAT THINGS POLICY WISE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOVERNOR, FOR TALKING WITH US.

IT WILL BE QUIETER IN THE CAPITAL AFTER TODAY I KNOW FOR YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US ON "SINE DIE."

>> HAVE A GOOD REST OF THE NIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SO, A THOUGHT ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HEARD.

DID YOU HEAR WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR IN TERMS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

>> CONFIRMING THAT HE HAD GOTTEN INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, AND WE WERE HEARING THAT AROUND THE CAPITAL.

A WEEK AGO WE WERE HEARING FOLKS SAY THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO STEP IN BECAUSE YOU HAD SO MANYá-- YOU HAD THREE COMPETING BILLS BETWEEN CHAIRMAN AND THE HOUSE, THE SPEAKER STEPPED IN.

THEN THE SENATE HAD A WHOLE DIFFERENT IDEA.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES I WAS LOOKING FOR.

IT DID ALSO JUMP OUT TO ME THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED HE'S TRYING TO WORK ON A GIRLS SPORTS BILL.

>> ED'S DID BRING THAT UP.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT EARLIER.

LOOKS LIKE IT MAY NOT GO ANYWHERE.

HE'S PUSHING FOR THAT.

>> IT'S SO INTERESTING.

HE TALKED ABOUT IT IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THAT IS ONE ISSUE THAT HAS NOT HAD TONS OF MOMENTUM.

PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES WERE FEELING THE GOVERNOR HASN'T BEEN PUSHING IT AS HARD AS SOME OF HIS OTHER PRIORITIES.

FOR HIM TO MENTION IT TONIGHT AND NAME IT IN HIS TOP TWO PRIORITIES THAT HE'S STILL LOOKING TO PASS, THAT CAME AS A SURPRISE TO ME AND IT IS CERTAINLY A SIGNAL TO LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE MORE SERIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNOR THAN THEY REALIZED.

>> I GET THE IMPRESSION HE'S GOING INTO THOSE CHAMBERS AND HE MAY BE PUSHING THESE PRIORITIES.

HE'S SAYING, THIS IS THE LAST MINUTE, THANK YOU, BUT HE'S GOING TO FINISH IT OFF.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING IF HE DOES A MORE THANKFUL SPEECH, THANK YOU FOR SERVING.

OR IF HE DOES A SPECIFIC WHETHER IT'S HEY, LET'S GET THESE THINGS DUNZ.

>> HE'S BEEN TICKING OFF QUITE A FEW THINGS.

HE STILL HAS A WAY TO GO ON ALL THIS.

>> LET'S THINK ABOUT WHERE ALL THESE LAWMAKERS ARE GOING FROM HERE TONIGHT.

GOVERNOR KEMP IS HEADING OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS WEEK.

HE HAS MULTIPLE CAMPAIGN STOPS IN NORTH GEORGIA TO GO TELL VOTERS WHAT HE BROUGHT HOME.

HE HAS A BIG PRIMARY IN FRONT OF HIM.

AND HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE CHALLENGES FROM THEIR RIGHT, AND THEY KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING.

MAYBE SLEEP IN A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A LATE NIGHT.

THEY'RE GOING TO START CAMPAIGNING TOMORROW THEY NEED TO TELL THE VOTERS PARTICULARLY IF THEY HAVE A PRIMARY ON THE RIGHT, THEY NEED TO TELL THEIR BASE VOTERS.

DEMOCRATS ARE FEELING MORE PRESSURE THAN JUST GETTING BILLS PASSED TONIGHT.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THEY ALWAYS FINISH BEFORE THE MASTERS.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET ON THE ROAD.

I DID TALK TO A LAWMAKER TODAY.

ENJOY YOUR POST SESSION TIME.

HE SAID, OH, NO, I HAVE WORK TO DO BUZZ I'M RUNNING.

YOU'RE RIGHT, PATRICIA, I THINK THIS IS A TIME WHERE THEY ARE REALLYá-- THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE AFTER THEY FINISH.

IF THEY'RE RUNNING FOR ANOTHER OFFICE.

THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM.

HIGHER OFFICE, ALMA THE SEATS ARE UP.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO COMMENT.

JUST GOING TO SHAKE YOUR HEAD?

>> I'M TAKING FOUR DAYS OFF.

>> YOU ARE?

I'M SHOCKED.

>> IT'S OFF TO THE RACES ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU'RE HEARING.

I WANT TO TAKE A COUPLE DAYS OFF, OR I'M HITTING THE TRAIL IMMEDIATELY.

IT'S THE REPORTERS OR THE LAWMAKERS.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK AND COME BACK WITH MORE, MUCH MORE ON THIS "SINE DIE."

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>> I REPRESENTED FOR THE LAST DECADE.

I'VE SEEN MY GOOD HOUSE REP FROM GREEN COUNTY HERE, TREY RHODES.

AND I HAD JUST A OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCEá-- >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS SPECIAL OUR LONG "SINE DIE" SHOW.

I'M HERE WITH PATRICIA MURPHY, INSIDER COLUMNIST WITH AJC, AND REPORTER FOR WAB RADIO.

AND WE WANT TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT THE TEACHERS AND SOME OF THE THINGS GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM.

I ASKED HIM THE QUESTION ABOUT DIVISIVE CONCEPTS.

BUT HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE MONEY THE TEACHERS ARE GETTING.

SO, MIXED BAG.

>> YES, I THINK IF YOU'RE A TEACHER IN GEORGIA RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF WHIPLASH.

BECAUSE YOU ARE HEARING LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR PRAISE THESE TEACHERS ALL AROUND THE STATE FOR THE HEROIC WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE DURING COVID, AND THE GOVERNOR USED THAT TERM HEROIC IN HIS OWN STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

AND, THEREFORE, WE NEED TO RAISE TEACHERS PAY AGAIN.

THERE IS A $2,000 PAY RAISE ON TOP OF $2,000 BONUS.

PARAPROFESSIONALS.

ANYBODY WHO WORKS IN THE SCHOOL IS GOING TO GET A BONUS AS WELL.

AT THE SAME TIME, THIS LEGISLATURE HAS GONE IN AND ON MULTIPLE BILLS TALKED ABOUT WHAT TEACHERS CAN SAY, WHAT THEY SHOULD SAY, AND ALMOST CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT OF SUSPICION AROUND TEACHERS.

CAN WE TRUST TEACHERS AND WHAT THEY ARE PUSHING ONTO YOUR KIDS?

AND SO TO ME IT'S BEEN A REAL MIXED MESSAGE TOWARD TEACHERS ABOUT THE AMOUNT THAT THEY ARE APPRECIATED AND HOW GRATEFUL PEOPLE ARE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, CAN WE REALLY TRUST YOU?

AND THAT IS WHAT THE MESSAGE BEHIND SOME OF THESE BILLS, THOSE ARE TAILORMADE FOR THE GOVERNOR'S BASE.

THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR WHEN THE GOVERNOR WON ON EDUCATION ISSUES, THE IDEA OF GIVING PARENTS MORE VISIBILITY OVER SCHOOLS AND SAY THAT IS ALMOST A CARBON COPY OF WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN GEORGIA.

I'M SURE WE'LL BE GOING AROUND TO TEACHING GROUPS AND SEE HOW THIS SESSION HAS GONE FOR THEM.

>> I THINK THEY'RE WORRIED THERE'S PARENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS, IT'S PARENTS ARE GETTING MORE RIGHTS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

TEACHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO.

>> I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE THINGS ARE IMPLEMENTED.

HOW DO THESE THINGS LOOK IN PRACTICE.

IF IT'S SMOOTH, ESPECIALLY THE SUBURBAN COUNTY AND COULD BE, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SEE.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE CAPITAL WHERE BRENDA WATERS HAS ANOTHER GUEST.

>> HEY, DONNA.

REPRESENTATIVE STACEY EDWIN IS WITH US.

>>> LET'S TALK ABOUT LOW POINTS IN THIS SESSION.

>> LOW POINTS ARE BRINGING TO LIGHT HOW WE TREAT MEN AND WYNN IN THE STATE THROUGH THE WORKERS' COMP SYSTEM.

WOMEN ARE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL.

WE ARE ONE OF TWO STATES IN THE COUNTRY THAT DOESN'T INDEX TO THE AVERAGE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD IN GEORGIA.

THAT WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT WHEN THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO BRING THIS UP IN LINE WITH OUR BROTHER AND SISTER STATE.

ALL WE COULD MANAGE TO COME UP WITH WAS $50.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT HOW YOU TREAT PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT THAT GET HURT ON THE JOB.

THAT WOULD BE THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE NEGATIVE PEOPLE THEETING PEOPLE BATHER.

>> WHAT PASSED THAT BOTHERED YOU THE PASSED?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT I COULD TELL YOU ONE THING.

WHAT I AM DISAPPOINTED IN IS HOW WE THREW LOCAL CONTROL OUT OF THE WINDOW THIS YEAR.

WE REALLY DENIED LOCAL COMMUNITIES THE RIGHT TO CONTROL LOCAL LEGISLATION THAT AFFECTS WHAT I CALL BUMPER STICKER CAMPAIGN LEGISLATION.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO LET PARENTS COME IN AND TELL US WHAT VACCINE PASSPORT.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WOMEN CAN'T GET ABORTION PILLS THROUGH THE MAIL THAT IS REALLY MEANT TO GIVE FODDER FOR CAMPAIGN SEASON.

WE HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO DOWN HERE THAN THAT.

DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REGULATE HOW THEY FUNCTION?

>> WHAT I THINK WE NEED TO DO IS ALLOW THEM TO CONTROL EMPLOYMENT LAWS IN THEIR STATE.

WE DON'T LET THE CITY OF ATLANTA SET MINIMUM WAGE IN THEIR JURISDICTION.

WE DON'T LET THEM PAY HOW MUCH THEY PAY.

WE WON'T EVEN LET LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAVE PREDICT ABILITY.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOMEBODY ON CALL IN A RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, WHAT HAVE YOU, THEY'RE NOT PAID, AND THERE ARE SOME LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT TRY TO PROTECT THEIR WORKERS.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP PEOPLE ON THE HOOK, IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE ON CALL, YOU NEED TO PAY THEM OR GUARANTEE THEM A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS.

BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT PAYING PEOPLE THE WAY THEY DESERVE.

THEY'RE NOT GIVING THEM PREDICTABLE HOURS.

NOT ONLY ARE THEY GETTING PAID FOR IT, THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO GET A SECOND JOB TO MAKE UP FOR THE INCOME THEY'RE HAVING.

WE SHOULD LET LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TAKE CARE OF THEIR PEOPLE.

I THINK IT'S HATEFUL THE STATE DECIDED IT NEEDED TO STEP IN AND SAY NOT ONLY ARE WE NOT GOING TO HELP LOCAL MEN AND WOMEN, WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET YOU LOCAL GOVERNMENT HELP WORKING MEN AND WOMEN.

DISGRACEFUL.

>> ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN, HOW DO YOU RATE THE SESSION?

>> FOUR.

>> FOUR?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M GOING TO GIVE IT A SIX JUST FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY BILL.

OTHERWISE I GIVE IT A FOUR.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BRENDA.

IT'S INTERESTING TO FIND OUT, TO HEAR FROM A DEMOCRAT ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS, YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY.

AS SHE MENTIONED MENTAL HEALTH PARITY.

THAT WAS BIPARTISAN.

THERE ARE THINGS DEMOCRATS ARE NOT FEELING GOOD ABOUT.

>> LOCAL CONTROL, THAT WHOLE DISCUSSION, STARTING WITH REDISTRICTING, YOU KNOW, AND THEN CONTINUING WITH OTHER ISSUES OF WHAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN DO.

THAT MADE AN INTERESTING BIGGER TOPIC DURING THE ELECTION SEASON.

WHERE DO REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS STAND ON LOCAL CONTROL AND WHAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN DO.

AND THAT'S EVEN MORE INTERESTING IN THE BIGGER IDEA OF ALL THE CITY HOOD INITIATIVES.

THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS AN INTERESTING, BIGGER PHILOSOPHICAL DISCUSSION ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> SO, CITY HOOD INITIATIVES.

SO, WE HAD MAPLETON LOST MOUNTAIN FINDINGS AND EAST COPP, RIGHT.

LOST MOUNTAIN VININGS AND EAST COBB, MAY 24th, THEY'RE GOING TOá-- THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO DECIDE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF TURN AROUND UNTIL THEN IN TERMS OF GUESTING OUT THE VOTE.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

WE'RE SEEING MAJOR PUSHES, PUBLIC PUSHES FOR AND AGAINST CITY HOOD IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS.

ANYBODY WATCHING IN COBB COUNTY, IT'S TIME TO THINK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES.

WHICH SERVICES ARE YOUR NEW CITY GOING TO PROVIDE?

HOW ARE THOSE GOING TO BE PAID FOR?

WHO IS GOING TO BE THE LEADERSHIP OF YOUR NEW CITY?

THOSE THINGS ARE REALLYá-- NOW IS THE TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT WILL BE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE BY THE VOTERS IN THOSE DISTRICTS, ONLY IN THOSE DISTRICTS.

ONLY COBB COUNTY GET TO DECIDE WHO IS AFFECTED.

THAT COULD INCREASE TURNOUT IN A LOT OF THOSE AREAS AS WELL BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE A SAY ON THE FUTURE OF THEIR DISTRICTS.

AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING, TO ME THAT WAS LIKE AN EMOTIONAL LOW OF THIS SESSION WHEN WE SAW THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS REDISTRICTING AND VOTING ON LOCAL MAPS AND SPECIFICALLY GWINNETT COUNTY AND COBB COUNTY CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS.

REPUBLICANS TRUMPING WITH THEIR STATEWIDE POWER OVER THE LOCAL POWER JURISDICTION.

YOU COULD FEEL THE HURT FEELINGS AND THE ANIMOSITY AND THE BITTERNESS IN THE BUILDING.

TODAY, A BRIGHT SPOT NOW THAT THEY HAVE PASSED THAT MENTAL HEALTH PARITY BILL UNANIMOUSLY.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT TODAY, AND THERE WAS THIS HUGE SIGNING CEREMONY WITH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

SO IT WAS SORT OF A NICE WAY TO END THE SESSION THAT REALLY BEGAN ON A LOW NOTE.

>> YEAH, AND I THINK SOME OF THAT BITTERNESS STILL EXISTS.

I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU HEARD REPRESENTATIVE EVANS START OFF, I'LL GIVE IT A FOUR.

OKAY, TODAY I CAN GIVE IT A SIX.

THERE WAS A LOT OF HURT COMING OUT OF THAT REDISTRICTING SESSION, AND THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL FEELING IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS SECTION.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN JANUARY WHEN WE'RE GOING TO SEE SIGNIFICANT, SIGNIFICANT TURNOVER AT THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY 50 TO 60 TO 70á-- DEPENDING ON HOW RACES SHAKE OUT, THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF NEW FACES AT THE CAPITAL, FRESH FACES.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE KIND OF WHAT FEELINGS OF THOSE ARE LEFT HUNG OVER FROM THAT, ALONG WITH THE NEW PEOPLE AND HOW THEY GET INTEGRATED INTO IT.

>> THEY'LL COME IN FIRED UP, READY TO DO SOMEá-- MAYBE MAKE SOME CHANGES AND RUN INTO SOME ROADBLOCKS AS THEY ALWAYS DO.

BUT I THINK THE OTHER THING, YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOSING A LOT OF THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.

WE CAN GET INTO THAT A LITTLE MORE.

BUT RIGHT NOW BACK TO THE CAPITAL.

AND, BRENDA, YOU HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE FOR US.

>> I HAVE ONE FINAL GUEST AND THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE MARY MARGARET OLIVER, AND SHE IS WITH ME NOW.

OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT 1013.

YOU WERE ON THE COMMITTEE THAT GOT THIS FROM THE DRAWING BOARD TO REALITY.

WHAT DO YOU WANT GEORGIANS TO KNOW ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH BILL?

>> IT'S POSSIBLE TO DO GOOD WORK DOWN HERE IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO REALLY SERVE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CRISIS BASED ON PSYCHIATRIC DISASTERS THAT EVERY FAMILY HAS TO FACE.

I'M SO DELIGHTED WE HAD SO MANY ADVOCATES HERE FOR THE BILL.

IT'S REALLY A THRILL THAT WE CAN SERVE PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP.

WE HAVE MONEY TO DO IT.

AND WE WERE ABLE, OVER ABOUT SIX MONTHS WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF KEVIN TANNER, A FORMER REP, TO PUT TOGETHER A BILL THAT CAME REALLY FROM SUB-EXPERTS.

THERE WEREN'T POLITICIANS INVOLVED.

USUALLY I WAS THE ONLY ELECTED PERSON IN THE ROOM.

THEN WHEN THE SPEAKER MADE HIS PIVOTAL DECISION TO MAKE THIS BILL HAPPEN WITH HIS AUTHORITY, AND TO MAKE IT BIPARTISAN, AND TO NAME CHAIRMAN TODD JONES AND MYSELF, WHAT THE SPEAKER CALLED HIS COPILOT, IT'S REALLY BEEN A REMARKABLE, A REMARKABLE JOURNEY.

EVEN WITH THE LONG POLITICAL CAREER I'VE HAD.

IT'S A VERY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PASS A SUBSTANTIVE, BROAD, BROADLY IMPACTFUL BILL FOR GEORGIA CITIZENS.

>> IT HELPS SO MANY PEOPLE.

>> IT HELPS SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

IT HAS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO CANCEL STUDENT LOAN SO PEOPLE CAN SERVE UNDER SERVED AREAS BECAUSE WE HAVE BIG WORK FORCE ISSUES.

IT SUPPORTS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE CORRESPONDER PROGRAM AND THE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM.

IT REALLY ENFORCES FOR THE FIRST TIME, GIVES US LEGISLATIVE TOOLS TO ENFORCE THE PRINCIPLE OF PARITY.

THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY CAN NO LONGER DODGE THAT.

THEY HAVE TO IMPLEMENT THE HEALTH SERVICES THEY HAVE TO PAY.

I'M GLAD WE HAD A VARIETY OF PARTICIPANTS AND I NEVER ANTICIPATED A UNANIMOUS VOTE FROM THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

>> YOU HAVE SERVED IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR 28 YEARS, RIGHT.

HOW IS THIS SESSION DIFFERENT?

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHERS?

>> WE ARE, AGAIN, GEORGIA.

WE ARE IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT POLITICALLY.

WHAT GEORGIA HAS DONE IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF IN THE SWITCH FROM REPUBLICAN TO DEMOCRAT SELECTSEDá-- SELECTED, IT MADE GEORGIA NATIONALLY NOTICED.

WE HAD A CONTESTED PRIMARY THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN IT.

WE HAD AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WILL BE COMING TO GEORGIA FROM BOTH PARTIES.

SO IT'S UNIQUELY POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND THAT'S WHY I'M SO THRILLED THAT A BILL THAT WAS BIPARTISAN AND WILL POLITICS WERE ALL POSITIVE, TO PASS A MENTAL HEALTH REFORM BILL THAT HAS MEANINGFUL RELIEF FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS.

WE CAN DO GOOD WORK IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

WE JUST HAVE TO WORK HARD, AND WE HAVE TO BE INCLUSIVE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I COULD LISTEN TO YOU ALL NIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BILL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE MARGARET OLIVER TALKED ABOUT IT WAS A UNIQUELY POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND IT REALLY WAS.

WE SAW A LOT OF THAT.

>> WITH IT.

AND SHE KNOWS FROM POLITICS BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN IN THAT BUILDING FOR DECADES, EVEN RAN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HERSELF.

AND SOMETHING ELSE THAT HAS STRUCK ME.

ALONG WITH THE RETIREMENTS WE ARE SEEING THIS SESSION, A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS WILL NOT BE BACK BECAUSE THEY'RE RUNNING FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE.

AND THOSE ARE REALLY SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST STARS IN THEIR PARTY WHO ARE EITHER GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF SOMETHING OR GONE NEXT TIME AROUND.

BUT THAT HAS ALSO MADE THESE BILLS AND THIS SESSION MUCH MORE POLITICAL BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE LAWMAKERS RUNNING STATEWIDE HAVE THEIR EYES ON SOMETHING ELSE.

THEIR MOTIVATIONS HAVE CHANGED AND THEIR GOALS HAVE CHANGED.

YOU LOOK AT SOMEBODY LIKE BURT JONES WHO IS RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SENATE PRO TEM BUTCH MILLER.

THEY ARE HIGH PROFILE SENATORS BATTLING IT OUT.

THE ONE RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, SHE GAVE HER FAREWELL SPEECH.

SHE WON'T BE IN THE STATE SENATE NEXT YEAR EITHER.

YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE LIST, TYLER HARPER WAS GIVING HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS.

HE IS RUNNING FOR AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER, A STATEWIDE POST.

THAT HAS MADE THE SENATE MORE POLITICAL THIS YEAR THAN I THINK I'VE SEEN THEM IN THE PAST, MORE COMBATIVE, MORE PARTISAN.

SO YOU REALLY FELT THE NEED ON THE HOUSE SIDE FOR HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON AND SOMEBODY LIKE CALVIN SMYRE TO COOL IT DOWN TO GET LEGISLATION THROUGH ON THEIR SIDE.

IT HAS BEENá-- IT HAS FELT DIFFERENT.

THE 2020 ELECTION, IN TRUTH, NEVER ENDED AND SO A LOT OF THESE ELECTION BILLS ARE STILL ALL ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION.

AND SO IT'S JUST BEEN THIS ONGOING CONVERSATION AND THE POLITICS HAVE REALLY NEVER STOPPED.

>> A LOT OF THE PEOPLE, AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, ARE RUNNING AGAINST OTHER REPUBLICANS.

A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ARE RUNNING AGAINST OTHER REPUBLICANS.

SO THAT MAKES THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENT, TOO.

>>> I KNOW YOU'VE GOT SOME INFORMATION YOU CAN PASS ALONG.

>> SO, MY COLLEAGUE IS IN THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE, AND WHAT HE'S TEXTED ME SO FAR IS THE PROVISIONá-- THE ELECTIONS PROVISION INVOLVING THE GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO A JUDICIARY BILL AND IS NOW SET FOR A VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

AND FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO DON'T KNOW, WHAT THAT LEGISLATION DOES IS ALLOWS THE GBI TO BEGIN ITS OWN INVESTIGATIONS OF ELECTIONS ISSUES.

RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE TO BE CALLED IN.

SO THIS IS WHAT'S CALLED ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.

THE OTHER THING IS JUST MOMENTS AGO, SANTA BARBARA 456, THE ABORTION BILL IS UP FOR A VOTE.

SO WE ARE NOW SETTING UP FOR A VERY, VERY INTERESTING NIGHT TONIGHT.

SO FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW THAT LEGISLATION BANS THE MAILING INá-- THE MAILING OF ABORTION PILLS.

THE OTHER INTERESTING THING I HAVE NOT HEARD AS MUCH IS THE IDEA OF PUBLIC COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS NOT BEING ABLE TO DISPENSE THOSE PILLS ON THEIR PROPERTIES.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HEARá-- I GOT THE SAME WORD, SB 456 IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO THE HOUSE TONIGHT.

SO THAT WAS A BIG ONE WE WERE LOOKING AT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE STATE OF GEORGIA HAS ALREADY PASSED AN EXTREMELY RESTRICTIVE ABORTION BILL.

THAT IS TIED UP IN THE COURTS.

THE HOUSE AND STATE SENATE HERE HAVE CONTINUED TO PUSH MORE SMALLER, TARGETED MEASURES.

THIS IS THE BIG ONE, THE QUESTION ON ABORTION MEDICATION, CAN IT BE MAILED, CAN IT EVEN BE RECEIVED IN STATE IF IT IS FROM OUT OF STATE.

THAT WILL BE ANOTHER RESTRICTION LIMIT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

NO MATTER AT WHAT POINT IN THEIR PREGNANCY WE'RE TALKING.

>> THAT COULD TAKE SOME TIME TONIGHT FOR DEBATE ON THAT.

I DID GET WORD SUNNY PURDUE IS IN THE SENATE.

INCOMING CHANCELLORá-- >> CURRENT CHANCELLOR.

SWORN IN ON APRIL 1ST.

>> HE'S IN.

THAT'S KIND OF INTERESTING.

WE'VE GOT FINAL THOUGHTS?

WE'RE WRAPPING IT UP HERE.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A WILD FINISH.

>> REALLY?

AFTER MIDNIGHT.

>> ABORTION, ELECTIONS.

IT'S GOING TO BE FUN.

>> MOST PEOPLE THINK IT HAS TO END AT MIDNIGHT.

IT DOES NOT.

IT DOES NOT.

>> IT DOES NOT.

I WILL BE STOPPING AT STARBUCKS ON MY WAY DOWN TO THE CAPITAL.

AND ALSO, I MEAN, LISTEN, STRANGER THINGS COULD HAPPEN.

IT COULD BE GOVERNOR KEMP'S LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THERE ARE TWISTS AND TURNS THAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

AS WE KNOW SURPRISES ARE WHAT WE CAN COUNT ON AROUND HERE.

>> FINAL THOUGHTS, ANYTHING MORE YOU WANT TO SAY?

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHOEVER'S INAUGURATION, REINAUGURATION WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE IN A COUPLE MONTHS, SEE ALL THE NEW LAWMAKERS, THE NEW CHAIR PEOPLE.

IT'S EXCITING.

WE GEEK OUT.

>> YOU LIKE THIS STUFF?

HE A WE LOVE THIS STUFF.

>> WE HANG OUT AND TALK ABOUT IT.

>> WE DO.

YOU CAN'T HANG OUT WITH US ANY LONGER.

WE HAVE A HARD WORKING TEAM DEDICATE TODAY BRINGING YOU THE SHOW.

I WANT TO EXTEND MY PERSONAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF THEM.

WHILE WE'RE ENDING THE SHOW YOU CAN GO ON TWITTER FOR GPB NEWS FOR UPDATES AND TUNE IN TO POLITICAL REWIND.

BILL NIGUT TO WRAP UP THE SESSION.

FROM ALL OF US AT "LAWMAKERS," GOOD NIGHT.

>> AND MY MOTHER DORIS MULLIS, SHE WAS A CHOIR DIRECTOR OR OVER THE KIDS THAT WENT TO THE CHANCELLOR CHOIR.

I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS BY MY SINGING VOICE.

SHE WAS OVER THE LADIES AUXILIARY FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION AND PTA PRESIDENT.

SO MY FAMILY GAVE ME A SENSE OF DUTY.