>>> FREEDOM FLEW IN THE GEORGIA STATE HOUSE TODAY.

FREEDOM, THE BALL EAGLE, GEORGIA SOUTHERN'S LIVE MASCOT MADE AN UNPRECEDENTED APPEARANCE AT THE END OF THE SCENE OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

>>> GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO "GPB LAWMAKERS" ON DAY FIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE LAW SESSION.

I AM DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

>>> THEY STARTED WORK ON SOME OF THE ISSUES THEY LEARNED ABOUT LAST WEEK AND OTHER PRIORITIES.

AMONG THEM, ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT LEGISLATION TO DEFINE ANTI- SEMITISM.

WE WILL HAVE TWO LAWMAKERS ON WHAT DOES THE LEGISLATION HAVE ON THE BETTER CHANCE THIS YEAR, IN LIGHT OF ANTI-SEMITISM NATIONWIDE.

>>> ALSO, TWO STRONG SUPPORTERS OF THE GOVERNOR'S BOZO TO INCREASE PAYOUT FOR THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

>>> LET'S GET TO THE CAPITAL, WHERE MICHELLE RITCHIE IS STANDING BY WITH THE CAPITAL REPORT.

>> Reporter: DONNA, SPEAKER JOHN BYRNES IN AN HOUR-LONG PRESS CONFERENCE LATE ON HIS AGENDA FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND TODAY, A SPECIAL VISITOR IN THE SENATE.

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE RICH McCORMICK MADE A QUICK VISIT TO THE SENATE THIS MORNING.

McCORMICK, WHO REPRESENTS GEORGIA'S NEXT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WAS THERE TO PROMOTE HIS VISION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> EVERYTHING AROUND OF YOU, WHEN YOU REPRESENT YOUR DISTRICT ON THE STATE LEVEL, THAT 10th AMENDMENT IS SACRED.

WE MAKE SURE WHEN WE INCLUDE GOVERNMENT, YOU REPRESENT THE ULTIMATE MINORITY, WHICH IS THE INDIVIDUAL.

WE TAKE THAT VERY MUCH TO HEART WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING, EVERY LAW WE MAKE EVERY LAW WE GET RID OF, BUT, THEN WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THAT IN MIND.

>> Reporter: IN THE SAME VEIN, DEMOCRATIC MINORITY LEADER GLORIA BUTLER, READ HER LIST OF PRIORITIES FOR THIS SESSION, BUT STRESSED THE NEED FOR COOPERATION.

>> ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE WAY WE OPERATE AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

THERE THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF ALL OF OUR PRIORITIES AND WE WANT TO WORK ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA WITH THAT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMING TO A CONSENSUS ON MANY ISSUES ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.

OR NOT AND SENATOR JOHN ALBERS TOOK TO THE DAIS AND SPOKE PASSIONATELY AGAINST THE SHOOTING OF A STATE TROOPER LAST WEEK, AND A SUBSEQUENT VIOLENT DEMONSTRATION THAT TOOK PLACE.

>> INTERESTING TO NOTE, ONE PERSON FROM GEORGIA, EVERYONE ARRESTED WAS FROM OUT OF STATE.

THEY DON'T EVEN LIVE HERE.

SO, WE WILL SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO THEM, GO HOME, YOU ARE NOT WELCOME.

IF YOU WANT TO COME TO OUR STATE TO INCITE VIOLENCE AND CAUSE HARM, THEN TURN AROUND BEFORE YOU CAME.

>> Reporter: SADLY, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE ARE SEEING THESE KINDS OF HEADLINES.

IF WE DON'T COME TOGETHER HERE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE, TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO WHAT IS CAUSING AND ENABLING THIS KIND OF RECKLESS BEHAVIOR, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH PEOPLE SHOT AND BUSINESSES VANDALIZED.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUST PROTECT THE RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST, WHICH IS FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: IN THE HOUSE, THINGS GET OFF WITH AN ODE TO AMERICA.

A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF AMERICAN REPRESENTATION.

SUNDAY MARKED THE ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V. WADE, AND THEY WASTED NO TIME HONORING ITS PASSAGE 50 YEARS AGO.

>> ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF PROTECTION UNDER ROBY.

WADE, WE STAND HERE DEFENDING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, AND CONTINUING OUR NATION'S PROGRESS TOWARD EQUALITY FOR ALL >> Reporter: THE RECOGNITION COUNTERED BY REPUBLICANS.

>> WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT UNBORN CHILDREN ARE LIVING, UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS WHY SHOULD THIS VULNERABLE GROUP NOT DESERVE THE SAME HUMAN RIGHTS THE REST OF US ENJOY?

>> REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS WILL BE FRONT AND CENTER THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND HOUSE BILL FOR 81 NOW SITS ON THE DESK OF A GEORGIA SUPREME COURT AN ISSUE ON WHICH SPEAKER BURNS MAKE CLEAR HE HAS NOT WAVERED.

>> WE ADDRESS TO PROTECT THE ON I SUPPORTED THAT LEGISLATION, CONTINUE TO STAND BY IT.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS.

>> Reporter: THE SPEAKER, DURING AN HOUR-LONG PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, LAID OUT HIS PLANS TO ADDRESS FUNDING, ELECTIONS, AND CRIME >> I AM COMMITTED TO DOING THAT, NO MATTER WHICH SIDE OF THE AISLE YOU SIT ON.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A PUSH BY REPRESENTATIVE JASMINE CLARK TO EXTEND A FULL RUNOFF FROM FOUR WEEKS TO SIX WEEKS >> I HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION AS FAR AS RUNOFFS GO, AS FAR AS PERSONALLY, OR WORKING WITH LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE VERY TALENTED PEOPLE WHO KNOW A LOT ABOUT ELECTION LAW.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: SENATOR KAREN IS EXPECTED TO DELIVER THE RESPONSE FROM SENATE DEMOCRATS TO THE STATE ADDRESS ON WEDNESDAY.

THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT, DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>>> THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE IN DOCUMENTED, ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS INVOLVING EVERYTHING FROM HARASSMENT, VANDALISM, TO VIOLENCE >>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY, YOU ARE THE FIRST FEMALE?

>> NO, I AM NOT.

I THINK IT WAS KAREN STEINBERG, WHO I MET RECENTLY.

WE HOSTED A SHABBAT DINNER FOR MY SYNAGOGUE TO A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LEGISLATORS.

I WAS HOPING TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATORS, IF I WAS ELECTED, AT MY HOME, WITH MY HUSBAND FOR SHABBAT DINNERS ON FRIDAY NIGHT, TO GET TO KNOW OTHER LEGISLATORS, AND HAVE THEM GET TO KNOW ME AND OTHER JEWISH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE PEOPLE, NOT NECESSARILY IN THE METRO AREA, BUT IN RURAL GEORGIA, SOME PEOPLE HAVE NEVER MET A JEWISH PERSON.

THEY DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW.

SOME THINGS THEY MIGHT SAY MAYBE OUT OF IGNORANCE, NOT HATE.

THERE ARE TEACHABLE MOMENTS THAT WE CAN USE.

INSTEAD, THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY, DOUG WILKER, SUGGESTED A SHABBAT DINNER.

WE HAD ABOUT 30 TO 40 LEGISLATORS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND 200 PEOPLE CAME TO THE EVENT.

IT WAS REALLY SUCCESSFUL KIND OF BLEW US ALL AWAY.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED HAD NEVER ATTENDED A JEWISH EVENT BEFORE.

IT WAS REALLY EDUCATIONAL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND WE ARE HOPING TO CONTINUE THAT, NOT JUST IN OTHER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, THE JUDICIARY HAS TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, BUT AROUND THE STATE.

PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THEIR TEACH OTHERS ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

>> I WANT TO GET BACK TO THE BILL A LITTLE BIT.

HB 30 WOULD GIVE LEGAL TEETH TO IF THERE WAS A HATE CRIME, OR ANY ANTI-SEMITIC BEHAVIOR?

>> IN 2020, THE GEORGIA ASSEMBLY PASSED THE ANTI-HATE CRIMES LAW.

I ACTUALLY WAS A SPONSOR OF THAT LEGISLATION REALLY, IN THE YEARS SINCE THEN, WE HAVE SEEN AN IMPORTANT NEED TO CONTINUE THAT EFFORT, FIRST WITH THE APPEAL TO THE CITIZENS ARREST THE LAW, SUPPORTED BY GOVERNOR KEMP.

MORE RECENTLY, WITH CHAIRMAN JOHN CARSON, WHO REALLY BROUGHT THIS ISSUE INITIALLY UP, ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVE LEWINSKY, THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A DEFINITION OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN OUR CODE THAT CAN THEN BE UTILIZED BY STATE OFFICIALS TO DEFINE POTENTIAL HATE SPEECH THAT A DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER CRIMES PERPETRATED SHOULD BE PROSECUTED UNDER A HATE CRIMES CLASSIFICATION.

IT IS REALLY A HELPFUL MEANS FOR THESE PROSECUTORS AND OFFICIALS, THE STANDARD THAT IS USED, THE DEFINITION IN THIS LEGISLATION, IS A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARD.

SO, WE HAVE GREAT COMMONALITY WITH SIMILAR LEGISLATION IN OTHER STATES.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU MENTIONED EARLIER TO ME, YOUR INTEREST IN THIS GOES BACK TO A FAMILY MEMBER.

IS >> SO, WE WERE TALKING EARLIER, I THINK YOU ASKED ME ABOUT FOLKS WHO MAY TRY TO DENY THAT THE HOLOCAUST OCCURRED.

GROWING UP, MY GRANDFATHER, WHO WAS IN THE BIG RED ONE FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION, TALKED ABOUT LIBERATING A CONCENTRATION CAMP IN EUROPE AS A U.S.

SOLDIER HEARING FROM HIM BE DIRECT, IN- PERSON TESTIMONY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IS VERY PERSONALLY IMPORTANT TO ME, AND IMPACTFUL IN MY LIFE I THINK THE IMPORTANCE OF ACKNOWLEDGING HATE THAT HAS OCCURRED, AND THE ATTACK IT IS ON ALL OF US, WHEN HATEFUL ACTS, OR HATEFUL MEANS OF INTIMIDATION ARE PERPETRATED MAKES IT ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A DEFINITION FOR ANTI-SEMITISM IN OUR LAW.

SEGMENT AND YOU HAVE HAD PRETTY GOOD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT OF THIS, WHAT YOU HAVE DONE SO FAR, DEFINITELY IN THE HOUSE?

STATEMENT ABSOLUTELY.

THE LEGISLATION PASSED LAST YEAR WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I AM VERY HOPEFUL THE BILL WILL PASS THE HOUSE AND SENATE THIS YEAR AND BE SENT TO GOVERNOR KEMP FOR HIS CONSIDERATION.

>> ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO ADD WHEN IT COMES TO THIS LEGISLATION?

I KNOW YOU ARE HAPPY TO REALLY PUSH FOR THIS.

>> I AM GRATEFUL TO MIKE LEWINSKY, JOHN CARSON, AND THE MAJORITY LEADER FOR CONTINUING TO PUSH THIS.

OBVIOUSLY, WE NEED ALLIES IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE CANNOT DO THIS ALONE.

I CERTAINLY COULD NOT--I DID NOT DO THIS.

THIS GOT STARTED BEFORE ME AND I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE TO HELP PUSH THIS ALONE.

THIS COMMUNITY HAS NEVER SEEN A RISE IN ANTI- SEMITISM IN THIS COUNTRY LIKE WE ARE RIGHT NOW ANYWHERE WE GO TO PRAY, WE HAVE TO HAVE ARMED GUARDS AT ALL TIMES.

NOT JUST FOR HIGH HOLIDAYS COME UP WITH WE HAVE TO HAVE THEM EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAYS AT OUR SERVICES.

IT IS A REAL THREAT THAT WE LIVE WITH.

ANYTHING THAT CAN HELP REDUCE THE THREAT, OR PUNISH ANY CONDUCT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE BECAUSE WE ARE BEING TARGETED BECAUSE WE ARE JEWS HELPS US, HELPS US STAY SAFE.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP THAT WE ARE GETTING.

SEGMENT AS AN ATTORNEY, DID YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING IN LAW FOR ANY OF THE CRIMES THAT MIGHT BE COMMITTED >> PS.

I AM ALSO CONSCIOUS THAT THIS DOES NOT VIOLATE THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

THIS DOES NOT CRIMINALIZE SPEECH, IT CRIMINALIZES CONDUCT THIS GIVES SOME DARK GUIDANCE WITH THE DEFINITION IN THE GENERAL DEFINITION SECTION OF WHAT IS, AND IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY INTENT, OR WOULD BE VIOLATIVE OF STATE LAW IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS DEALS WITH CONDUCT AND HOW TO ADDRESS THE INTENT OF THAT CONDUCT.

>> SO, YOU CAN'T TOUCH CONDUCT WHEN IT COMES TO THIS.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE REALIZES THAT THE DEFINITION IS SO IMPORTANT.

IT IS A DEFINITION OF--AND EXPLAIN A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT THAT ENTAILS.

>> IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT FOR PROSECUTORS TO CLASSIFY WHAT WOULD MEET THE THRESHOLD FOR A HATE CRIMES OFFENSE.

>> GIVE US AN EXAMPLE.

>> SURE.

IF A SWASTIKA IS POSTED DEFINITION, WOULD BE THE QUESTION.

THIS WOULD MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THAT WAS SATISFIED THAT DEFINITION.

THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE, ACTS LIKE THAT ARE DONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTIMIDATION.

IT IS NOT ONLY TARGETING A SPECIFIC GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS BUT IT IS TARGETING LAW AND ORDER IN ALL SOCIETIES AND MUST BE ADDRESSED IN OUR LAWS.

THAT IS WHY, I AM PROUD TO BE A COSPONSOR OF THIS LEGISLATION I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT NEXT STEP, CONTINUING FROM THE ANTIHATE CRIMES LAW PASSED SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

>> IN DEALING WITH HARASSMENT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE PROBABLY DON'T EVEN THINK OF, THAT YOU PROBABLY HAVE HEARD ABOUT, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, ASSAULT, BASICALLY ANY HATE CRIME AGAINST SOMEBODY WHO IS GAY, SOMEBODY WHO IS BLACK, THESE ARE ALREADY PROTECTED AREAS AND DEFINED AREAS, WE NEED TO DEFINE THEM FOR JEWS AS WELL.

>> I THINK THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO DID NOT REALIZE THIS LAW DID NOT EXIST AND THEY ARE ROOTING FOR YOU WHEN IT COMES TO THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO BOTH OF THE FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

WE APPRECIATE THAT.

I HOPE YOU COME BACK AND TELL US MORE ABOUT IT.

>>> COMING UP, WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS ON THE HORIZON WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT IS PLANNED ON THEIR JOURNEY TO GET HERE.

YOU ARE WATCHING "GPB LAWMAKERS" ON GPB TV.

>> LAWMAKERS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

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

AFTER ALL, AND IT IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER REPRESENTS OVER 74.4 BILLION OF A STRONG GEORGIA OUTPUT ECONOMY.

THE LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT ACROSS THE STATE CAPITAL, DURING THE SESSION, AND YEAR-ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE >>> WELCOME BACK, I AM DONNA LOWRY.

>>> THE LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP IN THE EARLY 1990s IS ARGUABLY, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EDUCATION LAWS THAT COMES OUT OF THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

NOW, GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP IS SUPPORTING AN EXPANSION OF THE ELIGIBILITY AND IS RECEIVING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> I RISE TO BRIEFLY SHED LIGHT ON SOMETHING WONDERFULLY POSITIVE THAT CAME OUT DURING BUDGET WEEK, OUR GOVERNOR ANNOUNCING THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 11 YEARS, WE WILL FULLY FUND GEORGIA 'S PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR THOSE IN THE HOPE GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP.

IT IS A BIG DEAL IT MAKES A BIG CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND OUR WORKFORCE AND I COULD NOT BE MORE THRILLED.

>> THAT MESSAGE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THIS MORNING WITH ALL THAT APPLIES FOR ONE OF OUR GUEST TONIGHT, STACY EVANS OF ATLANTA.

ALSO HAPPY TO HAVE WITH US THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE, CHUCK MARTIN.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS CHAIRMAN MARTIN, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCING EXPANDING THE SCHOLARSHIP, WHEN HE SUBMITTED HIS PLAN DURING THE VIDEOCONFERENCING LAST WEEK WHEN HE WAS IN SWITZERLAND AND HE ANNOUNCED THIS PRETTY BIG NEWS.

TELL US MORE ABOUT IT.

>> THE GOVERNOR AND HIS BUDGET PLAN WILL MOVE TO 100%, FROM THE CURRENT YEAR, THE FUNDING THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP OR THE HOPE GRANT.

I THINK LAST YEAR, WE MOVED IT TO 90, BASELINE 90, SOME WERE ALREADY ABOVE 90.

THIS IS NEWS FOR EVERYONE, SOME PERCENTAGE POINTS, AT THE MAX, 10% ACTUALLY, THIS IS A GREAT STEP, BUT NOT THE END.

WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WITH NOT ONLY DOES THAT HAVE HOPE NOW THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIP, WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WITH OUR WORKFORCE.

I SEE THIS AS A STEP THAT WE MAKE AND I APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR WORKING TOWARDS THAT.

WE MUST REMEMBER THAT STUDENTS THAT PUT SKIN IN THE GAME, WHETHER IT WAS 90% OR 6% OF THE HOPE, THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE ALL PART OF THE PLAN, IF YOU WILL, AND WE HAVE OTHER STUDENTS THAT WE NEED TO DRIVE DAYS ARE GONE WHERE A SIMPLE DEGREE IS ALL YOU NEEDED TO MAKE IT IN THIS ENVIRONMENT NOW.

YOU NEED THE RIGHT DEGREE TO DO THAT.

THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.

YOU'VE CHAMPIONED THAT A LONG TIME THERE ARE DEFINITIONS WE NEED TO GET OUT, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP AND THE HOPE GRANT, SOME PEOPLE AREN'T CLEAR ON WHAT THEY ARE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE HOPE WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN THE EARLY 1990s, THERE WAS TWO PIECES TO IT, THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP IS TO HELP STUDENTS GOING TO FOUR YEAR PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, ALL FUNDING AVAILABLE TO GO TO GEORGIA PUBLIC OR PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THE HOPE GRANT WAS GIVEN A DIFFERENT NAME FOR REASON.

IT WAS NOT A SCHOLARSHIP, IT WAS A GREAT HE NEVER HAD A GPA REQUIREMENT.

IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS SOMETHING YOU NEEDED TO MAINTAIN OUT OF A YEARLY PROGRESS, IF YOU DID SO, YOU GEORGIA'S TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

ONE OF THE BEST SYSTEMS WE HAVE GOING IN THE STATE ARE TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

>> SO COME OF THE GRANT STILL EXISTED, BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY?

EXPLAIN WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING THAT WILL HELP THE GRANT PART OF THIS >> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN THE GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP WERE FIRST ESTABLISHED IN THE 90s, THEY WERE PROVIDING FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS OR GRANTS FOR THOSE THAT AREN'T THOUGH SCHOLARSHIP OR THE GRANT.

IN 2011, THOSE PROGRAMS WERE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE HOPE GRANT GAINED A GPA REQUIREMENT, WHICH CUT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF TECHNICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS OFF COMPLETELY, ABOUT 25%.

WE SAW A 25% DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT.

THE SCHOLARSHIP CHANGED IN THAT, IT WOULD NO LONGER BE ENOUGH TO GET A FULL SCHOLARSHIP, IF YOU HAD A 3.0 GPA.

YOU NOW HAVE TO HAVE A 34.7 AND EIGHT 2400 MATH A.C.T.

SCORE, WHICH IS VERY HIGH.

A LOT OF STUDENTS NO LONGER MET BE RECEIVING WHAT WE STARTED CALLING HOPE LIGHT, A PERCENTAGE TUITION THAT COULD CHANGE.

THE WORST PART OF THAT, STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY FOR LOWER INCOMES COULD NOT PLANT.

THEY DID NOT KNOW FROM YEAR TO YEAR WHAT IT WOULD BE COVERING.

THAT WAS A PARTICULARLY BIG DEAL AT OUR TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM, WHERE YOU HAD MORE FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE FROM HOUSEHOLDS OF LESS THAN 40,000.

EVEN IF IT WERE LESS THAN 20%, OR 15% YOU HAD TO PAY, IT COULD BE MORE THAN YOU HAVE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, EVEN IF IT IS 1 MILLION FOUR HUNDRED, YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

CHAIRMAN MARTIN, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY THINGS CHANGED.

A PART OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE MONEY THAT COMES FROM THE LOTTERY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE MONEY FROM THE GEORGIA LOTTERY FUNDS THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

THERE WAS A WORRY THAT WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH IN THAT POT.

>> THERE WAS SIMPLY NOT, REALLY, ONLY ABOUT 15, MAYBE 20 AT THE MOST HOUSE MEMBERS THAT STILL WERE THERE FOR THAT TIME IN 2011.

I THINK STACY WAS THERE AS WELL.

IT WAS A HARD THING TO DO, BUT WE WANTED TO PRESERVE THAT.

I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SHARE THE EXCITEMENT OF 100%.

ALSO GOING BACK TO THE GRANT, $100 AN CREDIT HOUR.

WE GOT THE FUNDING BACK TO 90% LAST YEAR.

A FULL LOAD IF YOU WERE TO TAKE IT AT A TECHNICAL COLLEGE WOULD BE $1200, YOU'RE TALKING 10%, $120 A SEMESTER THIS IS ADDING.

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS, MOST CERTAINLY IT DOES, BUT ACTUALLY, WHAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON HIS REASONS PEOPLE STARTED THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE CAN'T STAY.

WHETHER LIFE GETS IN THE WAY, WE GET A LOT OF THAT.

STACY, AND MANY IN THE HOUSE LAST YEAR SUPPORTED 1435, A COMPLETION GRANT FOR TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND THE UNIVERSITY.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE WANT TO STAY LASER FOCUSED ON, LOOKING TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, IMPROVE THEIR OUTCOMES, THEIR EARNING ABILITY, CAN DO THAT.

CERTAINLY, WE CAN BE EXCITED ABOUT THE 90 TO 100%, BUT WE HAVE TO GO REMEMBER THAT SOME SKIN IN THE GAME, $120 A SEMESTER THAT THIS WILL MAKE UP IS A SMALL PORTION, THINGS IN THE WAY THAT WE'VE GOT TO WORK WITH, FOCUS ON CAREERS THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, MAKE THEM THE WAGE EARNERS THAT CAN SUPPORT FAMILIES HERE IN GEORGIA.

>> WHAT IS DIFFERENT NOW, GEORGIA IS DIFFERENT.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS A WORKFORCE ISSUE.

YOU MENTIONED THAT ALSO.

ALSO, MORE MONEY COMING IN IN THE GEORGIA LOTTERY, RIGHT?

>> THERE IS MORE MONEY COMING INTO THE GEORGIA LOTTERY TODAY, ACTUALLY REDUCTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHICH PROVIDES A DIFFERENT INTO THE RESERVE, THE RESERVE HAS A LITTLE MORE MONEY THAN IN THE PAST.

UP, THAT IS THE TALK WE ARE HEARING YOUR COLLEAGUES, REALLY PUSHING FOR SPORTS BETTING AND OTHER GAMBLING THAT WOULD HAVE THE MONEY GO INTO THAT SAME POT.

I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT LEGALIZING GAMBLING SPORTS BETTING, SOME VERSION OF IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I SUPPORT EFFORTS TO BRING SPORTS BETTING, HORSERACING, AND PERHAPS EVENTUALLY CASINO STYLE GAMBLING.

WE KNOW THAT GEORGIANS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES, RAISING REVENUE FOR OTHER STATES.

HERE IN GEORGIA, I THINK PARTICULARLY STARTING WITH SPORTS BETTING, IT IS VERY PALATABLE FOR THE LEGISLATOR RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO ADDRESS, WE DO HAVE VERY HEALTHY AMOUNT OF DOLLARS COMING INTO OUR LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION FUNDS, WHICH ALLOWS THIS MOVE.

I WOULD ARGUE THAT WE COULD HAVE AFFORDED IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND PERHAPS EVEN IN 2011, IF WE HAD PRIORITIZED CORRECTLY.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE NEARLY $2 BILLION WITH A B, SITTING IN THE LOTTERY FOR EDUCATION RESERVE FUND.

ONLY 600 MILLION OF THAT IS REQUIRED TO BE HELD.

UNDER LAW, WE HAVE TO HOLD 200 MILLION.

THERE IS A FORMULA THAT GETS US THERE.

MEANING, WE ARE SITTING ON RIGHT NOW $1.3 BILLION THAT WE COULD USE FOR HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS PRE-K, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS I AGREE WITH CHAIRMAN MARTIN THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO MORE BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN SEGMENTS OF OUR SOCIETY THAT ARE NOT GETTING INTO HIGHER ED, AND I WOULD SUBMIT IT IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY BUT I HAVE TO SAY THIS ONE THING, STUDENTS WILL ALWAYS HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME, WHETHER WE ARE COVERING 90% OR 100% OF TUITION, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BEAT THEMSELVES, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE, AND THEY WILL ALWAYS PAY FOR THOSE MANDATORY FEES.

>> A QUICK RESPONSE TO THAT.

>> FIRSTLY, TO THAT, YOU ASKED ABOUT THE REVENUE SOURCES, THOSE ARE ALL SEPARATE THINGS.

I THINK THIS YEAR, SPORTS BETTING COULD PROBABLY BE DONE WITHOUT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IF IT IS NOT THE PROPER WAY, AND IF THE MONEY IS FOCUSED INTO THAT SCHOLARSHIP, CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

I DO THINK WE WOULD BE FOCUSED- -I WOULD AGREE AND DISAGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE EVANS ON THE SAME THING ABOUT THE $2 BILLION.

WE ARE SPENDING OVER $1.3 BILLION ON HOPE FUNDING ALLEGATION.

WHEN YOU ARE SPENDING OVER HALF OF THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO FUND HOPE, ONE HAS TO BE CAREFUL.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL HAVE TO END IT THERE.

WE ONLY HAVE TIME TO SAY GOODBYE AND WE WILL RETURN TOMORROW FOR DAY SIX OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>>> HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.