>>> WE ARE NOT ASKING MEN WHAT THEY DO WITH THEIR BODY.

IT IS A DECISION THAT WE MAKEFOR OUR BODIES.

>> DEMOCRATICLEGISLATOR HELD APRESS TODAY.

GOOD EVENING ANDWELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON DAY SIXOF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVESESSION.

IF YOU'VE EVER WONDEREDWHYSCHOOL STRUGGLES WITH MONEY TOPROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION, ONEANSWER IS THAT THE STATE SCHOOLFUNDING FORMULA HAS NOT CHANGEDSINCE 1985.

TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO DIG INTOEFFORT TO UPDATE THAT FORMULA.

THE QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION ORQB ACT.

TWO OF THE LAWMAKERS THAT SPENTMONTH IT'S ON THE SENATEREVIEWING WILL JOIN US.

AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THEIMPORTANCE OF LEGISLATORS ONDIFFERENT SIDES OF THE AISLEWORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS COMMONGOALS.

WE WILL HEAR ABOUT HENRY COUNTYLAWMAKERS WHO TOOK THE INSTAGRAMABOUT IT IN A NEWPOLL OFFERSINSIGHT ABOUT HOW GEORGIANSFEEL ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUESTHAT LAWMAKERS WILL TACKLE,LIKE RUNOFF ELECTIONS AND SPORTBEDDING.

THE AGENCY WOULD TELL US MORE.

> >> FIRST, LET'S GET RIGHT DOWNTO THE CAPITAL WELL ARERACHELLE RITCHIE ISSENDING BY.

HI, ROCHELLE.

>> HI, DONNA.

A PRETTY BUSY DAY UNDER THEGOLD DOME, AS LAWMAKERS PUSHTOWARDSBETTER EFFORTS IN THENEVER ENDING BATTLE OF ABORTIONRIGHTS.

>> WHEN PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AREUNDER ATTACK, WHAT DO WE DO?

>> STANDUP.

FIGHT BACK.

>> NO, WE SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

WE ARE GOING TO GET IT DONE.

>> WEARING GREEN BANDANNAS ONTHE REST, THE DESIGNATED COLOROF SUPPORT FOR REPRODUCTIVERIGHTS, SENATE AND HOUSEDEMOCRATS ARE, ONCE AGAIN,FIGHTING FOR A WOMAN'S RIGHT TOCHOOSE.

>> EVERYBODY, WHOEVER THEY ARE,WHEREVER THEY ARE FROM, MUSTHAVE FREEDOM TO MAKE THEIR OWNDECISIONS ABOUT THEIR BODIES,LIVES, AND FUTURES.

>> ON THE SOUTH STEPS OF THECAPITOL, SENATOR SALLY HERRERO,REPRESENTATIVE SHEA ROBERTS,JOINED BY OTHER LAWMAKERSAMOUNTS THEIR FILINGTO REPELHOUSE BILL 41 ANOTHERANTIABORTION RESTRICTIONS.

>> IT GOES BEYOND JUSTREPEALING IT.

IT DEMANDS THATTHE STATECAN'TMANDATE THATINSURANCE COMPANIES ANDMEDICAID CAN'T COVER ABORTION.

THAT'S WHAT OF THE MAIN ISSUES.

YOU KNOW, FOLKS CAN AFFORD TOGO GET AN ABORTION, BUT THEREHAVE BEEN LOTS OF FOLKS ANDBLACK AND BROWNAND OUR MOREVULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WHO HAVENOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORDABORTION EVEN WHEN IT WAS AGIRL, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURETHAT THAT ACCESS IS AVAILABLEFOR EVERYONE.

>> THE LEGISLATION DECLARES THEREPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT WOULDPREVENT DOCTORS AND THEIRPATIENTS FROM BEING PROSECUTEDFOR HAVING OR PERFORMING ANABORTION OR LOSS OF PREGNANCY.

THE ACT WOULD ALSO EXPANDACCESS TO ABORTION CARE ACROSSTHE STATE.

>> 70% OF GEORGIANS SUPPORTACCESS TO SAFE AND COMPLETEABORTION.

THE MAJORITY IS CLEAR.

CRYSTAL CLEAR.

>> IT WAS GEORGIAADDICTIONRECOVERY AWARENESS AT THECAPITAL AND A PRESS CONFERENCEHELD ON THE SOUTH STEPS.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT ASTATEWIDE BUS TOUR WILL TAKEPLACE IN SEPTEMBER TO ENGAGECOMMUNITIES AND CELEBRATERECOVERY.

A PARTNERSHIP OF THEGEORGIA COUNCIL FOR RECOVERY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF A BEHAVIORALHEALTH AND DEVELOP A DISABILITYAND THE CLINTON FOUNDATION WILLBE SPONSORING THE TOUR.

THE COALITION BRINGS OVER $1MILLION TO HELP SUPPLY FIRSTRESPONDERS WITH NARCAN TO KEEPTHEIR VEHICLES AND THERE WASMORE GOOD NEWS.

>> THE STATE WILL SOON RECEIVE$636 MILLIONFROM A LAWSUITWITH MANUFACTURERS ANDDISTRIBUTORS OF OPIOIDS.

THAT IS REAL MONEY THAT WILLHELP THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITIESWHO HAVEHAS FELT THEDEVASTATING IMPACT OF THISCRISIS.

THIS MONEY WILL NOT ONLYIMPROVE LIVES, IT WILL SAVELIVES.

>> ON THE SENATE FLOOR, SENATORLEE ANDERSON HE USED THEOCCASION TO TELL THE MOVINGSTORY OF HIS FAMILY STRUGGLEWITH ALCOHOL AND DRUGADDICTION.

HIS DAUGHTER WAS A SUCCESSFULCOLLEGE-EDUCATED ACCOUNTANT.

>> WENT TO MY OWN FAMILYMEMBERS.

WHEN OF MY OWN COUSINSINTRODUCED HER TO METH.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, PATTY LOST HERHOUSE, LOST HER JOB, IN THE ENDSHE WENT TO THE HOPE HOUSETOTURN HER LIFE AROUND.

AT THE SAME TIME, WAGE, WEFOUND OUT THAT KATIE WASPREGNANT.

NOT ONLY PREGNANT,BUT PREGNANT WITH TWINS.

>> BOTH CHILDREN WERE LOSTSHORTLY AFTER BIRTHDUE TOTHEIR MOTHER'S DRUG USE, BUT HEWAS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THATAFTER RECEIVING HELP ATTREATMENT FACILITIES ACROSS THESTATE, BOTH OF HIS CHILDREN ARENOW LIVING PRODUCTIVE,ADDICTION FREE LIVES.

ANDERSON PROBABLY SHOWED OFFTHEIR LATEST SUCCESS, HISNEWEST GRANDDAUGHTER.

>> THIS IS ALLISON.

APRIL 12th OF LAST YEARTHELORD BLESSED US WITH OURGRANDDAUGHTER.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WHEN WEGO EVERY NIGHT, WE HAVE SUPPERALL TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.

WHENWE GET THROUGH WITH SUPPER, WECLEAR THE TABLE,WE PUT HER ONTHE TABLE AND WE LET HERENTERTAIN US.

I WENT TO CLOSE WITH THIS, EACHAND EVERYONE OF US DESERVES ASECOND CHANCE.

THANK YOU.

>> WONDERFUL NEWS FOR HISFAMILY.

ALSO TODAY, SENATOR BRANDON'SOFFICE ANNOUNCED SENATE BILLSEVEN, WHICH IMPOSES AMANDATORY MINIMUM 10 YEARSENTENCE FOR USING A GUN TOCOMMITOR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT AVIOLENT FELONY.

DONNA, THAT IS MY CAPITALREPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ROCHELLE.

> >> HE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THATHE'S CALLING FOR FULLY FUNDINGGEORGE'S QUALITY EDUCATION ORQPE.

A REPUBLICAN SENATOR,MIKEDUGAN OF CARROLLTON, HE'SCHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE CITYCOMMITTEE ON FUNDING ANDDEMOCRATIC SENATOR OF ATLANTA.

MEMBER OF THAT CITY COMMITTEE.

WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS, BOTH OFYOU.

APPRECIATE HAVING YOU HERE.

IT IS A TOUGH QUESTION BECAUSEUNDERSTANDING THE STATESFUNDING FORMULAIS LOCATED.

THERE IS A LOT INVOLVED WITHIT, AND EVEN PEOPLE WHO AREINVOLVED WITH IT, HAVE A HARDTIME COMMENTING.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT IN LAYMAN'STERM?

>> NO, IT IS PRETTY COMPETENT.

IT IS VERY DETAILED.

IT COVERS A WIDE ARRAY OF AREASTHAT ARE CRITICAL TO EDUCATINGOUR CHILDREN.

WHEN OF THEREASONS IT HASN'T BEEN CHANGEDSIGNIFICANTLY AND I THINKTHATSHE HEARD ME SAY SEVERAL TIMESNOW, WE ARE NOT ATTEMPTINGTODUMP, BUT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TOBRING IT UP TODAY TO MEET THENEEDS OF STAFF THAT IS NOT ASPREVALENT IN THE 80sWHEN ITFIRST CAME OUT.

THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD TO IT.

THERE IS A LOT OF POSITIVES TOTHE QBE AS WRITTEN AND I THINKTHE SENATOR WAS A PART OF THATWHEN IT ORIGINALLY CAME OUT.

MY HATS OFF TO THEM TO BE ASFORWARD THINKING AS THEY WEREWITHA LOT OF THE PROCESS THEYPUT TOGETHER.

>> S, 40 YEARS AGO, WE DIDN'THAVE THE INTERNET OR A WHOLELOT.

>> RIGHT.

>> RIGHT.

SO YOU CAME INTO THE HOUSE IN1987.

TWO YEARS AFTER THE FOUR CAMEINTO PLAY, SO WHAT HAS BEEN THEPROBLEM OVER THE YEARS INGETTING THOSE CHANGES IN ASTIME HAS CHANGED?

>> WELL, I THINK WE ARE GOINGTO MAKE PROGRESS BY TACKLINGSOME HIGH PROFILE ISSUES.

WHENYOU ATTEMPT ATARGET INTO ANEFFORT, IT TAKES MULTIPLE YEARSAND WESEEN THOSE EFFORTS THEFRUIT.

THE GOVERNOR HAD A EDUCATIONALREFORM COMMISSION.

SPENTMUCH,MUCH TIME AND MADE SOMEGREATRECOMMENDATIONS.

THEY WERE NOT ALL INCORPORATED.

IT IS VERY TOUGH IN THAT CLIMATEWITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THISGREAT STATE AND WITH DIFFERENTPOINTS OF VIEW AND DIFFERENTLIFE EXPERIENCES TO COME TO THEPLACE OF PUSHING THE BUTTONTODO A GREAT, HUGE COMPREHENSIVE.

SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BEWORKING ON THINGS THAT WEIDENTIFIED IN THE STUDYCOMMITTEE.

HIGH NEEDS AND WE, FRANKLY,NEED TO GET READY TO PUT THEMONEY INTHAT HAS NOT BEEN PUTIN.

WE ARE NOT FULLY FUNDING QBERIGHT NOW.

IT IS, SIMPLY, BROUGHT US BACKUP TO THE CUTS THAT GOVERNORPERDUE MADE IN HIS TERM, BUT WEWEREN'T FULLY FUNDING QBE THEN.

WE ARE DOWELL TO HAVE CLARITYON THAT.

>> THOSE CUTS FROM 2008 AND 2009, SCHOOLS ARE STILL KIND OFSUFFERING BECAUSE THEY DIDN'TGET ALL OF THAT BUT FUNDING ITTO THE DEGREE WE CAN RIGHT NOW.

>>WE PUT 52% OF THE BUDGET WASEDUCATION AND THAT ISRIGHTFULLY SO.

WE ARE MANDATED TO PROVIDE AQUALITY EDUCATION FOR THE YOUTHOF THE STATE.

SO IF YOU TALK TOANY OF THE SUPERINTENDENTSAROUND THE STATE RIGHT NOW,THEY ARE NOT SHORT OF MONEY.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE OFTHE QBE FORMULA.

IT IS BECAUSE THE FEDERALDOLLARS HAVE COME IN OVER THELAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF THEPANDEMIC.

IF THEY LOOK YOU IN THE EYE ANDTHEY ARE FLIGHT HONEST WITHYOU, WHICH ALL OF THEM ARE,THEY WILL SAY, HAVING MONEYRIGHT NOW IS NOT OUR ISSUE.

HAVING MONEY GOING FORWARDON ACONTINUAL BASIS IS SOMETHINGTHAT WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OFBUT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT ANDI THINK IT IS IN OUR REFERENCETOO, ISTHAT THERE ARE TWOAREAS, RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

YOU TALK ABOUT SCHOOLCOUNSELORS AND YOU TALK ABOUTSCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST ANDEVERYBODY THINKS ABOUT SCHOOLCOUNSELORS AS PROVIDINGSUPPORT, MEDICAL SUPPORT, FOROUR CHILDREN.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THEY DO.

THEY DO DO THAT, BUT THAT ISNOT THEIR JOB.

THEIR JOB IS FOR TESTING ANDACADEMIC ADVANCEMENT THROUGHTHE SCHOOL.

THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AREFOR MENTAL HEALTH.

REGARDLESS, BOTH OF THEM AREWOEFULLY INADEQUATE BETWEEN THENUMBERS OF THOSE POSITIONS THATARE IN THE QBE AND THE NUMBEROF STUDENTS THAT THEY ARESUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF.

>> WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT,IT SOUNDS LIKE, IS CHUNKS.

NOT REDOING ALL OF QB, BUTFINDING THE CHUNKS THAT ARENEEDED THAT YOU NEED TO BRINGUP TO DATE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE ARE IN A STATE WHERE THEREIS POVERTY OF POPULATIONS THATWHEN OF THE THINGS THATWASREALLY BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTIONWAS THATSO MANY STATES HAVEPUT IN A WAIT AND THEIR FORMULATO PROVIDE MORE MONEYWHEN THEHIGH POVERTY POPULATIONS ARE INSCHOOL BECAUSE THEY COME TOSCHOOL LESS EQUIPPED AND THEYTEST POORLY.

STUDENTSFROM HIGHINCOME FAMILIES AND WHEN YOUINVEST MONEY IN THE POPULATION,YOU GIVE THEM THE LATTER TOMOVE FORWARD.

>> I THINK A PART OF IT IS, ANDI WORKED WITHIN THE SCHOOLDISTRICT FOR A WHILE IN ACOVERED EDUCATION FOR YEARS.

PART OF IT IS THAT THE STATE ISSO DIFFERENT.

ALL OVER THE STATE WHEN ITCOMES TO THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLPOPULATIONS, TO HAVE ROLE,URBAN AND SUBURBAN AND ALL OFTHEIR NEEDS ARE DIFFERENT ANDTHE FORMULA,WAS THAT THEPURPOSE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUARE EQUALIZING THAT AROUND THESTATE?

INITIALLY.

ISN'T THAT WHAT THE GOAL WAS?

>> YES.

>> MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODYGETS THEIR FAIR SHARE.

>> YES, IT STILL IS.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.

YOU WILL HEAR IT REFERRED TO ASTHE POVERTY INDEX WE ARE STILLWITH THE DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION AND STILL COMING UPWITH IDEAS ON HOW WE CANESTIMATE THAT ACROSS THE STATE.

BECAUSE SHE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS 40, BUTIT IS RIGHT UP TO THAT NUMBER.

THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT.

WHICH FORMULA IS THEMOSTAPPROPRIATE FOR GEORGIA?

HOW DO WE MAKE THIS SPECIFIC TOMEET THE NEEDS OF WHAT YOU ARETALKING ABOUT?

BECAUSE WE ARE A VERY DIVERSESTATE, GEOGRAPHICALLYBETWEENTHE SUBURBAN, URBAN, ROLE,MOUNTAIN, FARMING.

IT IS ALL OVER.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES US GREAT,BUT ALSO PRESENT CHALLENGES.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING TO DO WITHTHE TECHNOLOGY PIECE THAT YOUMENTIONED?

>> THAT'S THE FOURTH LIKE.

THE FOURTH I GUESS, NOWHERE INTHE QBE IS TECHNOLOGY TAKENINTO ACCOUNT.

>>IT DOESN'T EXIST.

>> NO.

>> I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN WE GOTEMAIL.

DIDN'T EXIST THEN.

>> 40 YEARS IS A LONG TIME.

>> IT IS.

>> MASSIVE, MASSIVE PROGRESS INTECHNOLOGY AND THE MODERN WORLDWE LIVE IN AND, AGAIN, THAT ISA PLACE THAT THERE WASDASHTHAT LANGUAGE DOES NOT APPEARIN THE QBE 40 YEARS AGO, SOSCHOOLS HAVE TO SHOULDER THATAND FIGURE OUT WAYS TO PIECETOGETHER THE MONEYAND, FRANKLY,WE STAYED ON OUR BUSTRANSPORTATION.

THEY HAVE BEENPUTTING IN THE SEMINAR FOR THELAST 20 YEARS, BUT THE SCHOOLSYSTEMS WHO HAD A TRANSFER THECHILDREN AND ARE MANDATEDTOTRANSPORTED, IT'S MORE THAN AMILE AND HALF FROM THE SCHOOLAND DRAWER AREAS --WE HEARDSTUDENTS COME IN AND SAY, ANDTEACHERS AS WELL, THAT YOU HAVETO RUN THE BUSESIN TWOSHIFTSBECAUSE THEIR BUSES ARE INLIMITED NUMBER OF BREAKINGDOWN.

WE HAVE REAL OLD BUSES AND NOTENOUGH OF THEM.

WE WANT TO BE GOOD DECISION-MAKERS OF THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS,BUT WE ALSO NEED IT TO INVESTIN EDUCATION TO THE LEVEL THATIS NEEDED AND WHEN WE HEARDTHELESS TESTIMONY ABOUT THESITUATION SCHOOL BUSES, ITCRIES OUT FOR ATTENTION.

>> YOU HAVE SCHOOL BUSES NOWTHAT ARE CLEAN ENERGY, RIGHT?

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT NOBODYTHOUGHT ABOUTAND THAT HAS TOBE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

THOSE KINDS OF THINGS THAT AREDIFFERENT THAN THEY WERE 40YEARS AGO.

>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A POSITIVE.

CLEAN ENERGY.

THERE ARE SEVERAL IN MYDISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT,THERE IS AHIGHER FRONT COST,BUT THE MAINTENANCE COST TOKEEP THEM RUNNING ISSIGNIFICANTLY LOWER.

THAT WILL BE A POSITIVE GOINGFORWARD.

THE ONE THINK THAT WE HAVE TOKEEP IN MIND THOUGH, WE CAN PUTAS MUCH MONEY IN THIS ASPOSSIBLE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE BUSDRIVERS.

THE BUSES AREPROBLEMATIC IN SOME AREAS, BUTPART OF THE PROBLEM IS NOT THATTHERE IS NOT ENOUGH BUSES.

THAT'S NOT WHY THEY ARE ALWAYSRUNNING TWO SHIFTS.

PART OF IT IS BECAUSE THEYDON'T HAVE ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS,SO WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TOINCENTIVIZE THOSE THAT COMEBACK IN AND ANOTHER GROUPISTAKEN UP THAT ISSUE TO LOOK ATTHAT.

HOW TO BRING THEM BACK TOACTUALLY SUPPORT THE KIDS,SOTHAT WE CAN ALLEVIATE SOME OFTHE ISSUES.

>> OUR FIRST ISSUE SEEMS TOBE-- >> TOP OF THE LINE.

>> ON THE GENERAL END OF THISSECTION.

EVERYTHING.

>> FRANKLY, THERE HAVE BEENRECENT RAISES AND BUDGET FORTEACHERS, SALARIES.

WE ARE NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

TEACHERS, AS A GROUP, THEEDUCATION THEY HAVE HAVE TO BEIN THE CLASSROOM, OTHERPROFESSIONALS WITH THE SAMEKIND OF EDUCATIONALQUALIFICATION ARE GETTING PAIDMORE.

WE USED TO SAY,WE WILL GET AGREAT RETIREMENT.

THAT GOTTAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET.

EVERYTHING, AS THE OLD SONGGOES, THE HIP BONE IS CONNECTEDTO THE THIGH BONE AND IT'S ALLTRUE.

IT'S ALL CONNECTED AND YOU HAVETO LOOK AT IT AND IF WE AREPAYING, PEOPLE WILL COME BACK.

>> RIGHT.

>> I'M GLADTHAT YOU SPENT TIMELOOKING AT THIS AND WE WILL SEEWHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON ANDTALKING ABOUT IT.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

>> IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUEIN VOTERS CARE MIGHTILY AND WECAN DO BETTER.

>> OKAY.

WE WILL SEE YOU.

I KNOW YOU WILL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

> >> COMING UP, WE WILL TELL YOUHOW GEORGIANS RESPONDED ABOUTAN ACC POLL ABOUT ISSUES LIKERUNOFF ELECTIONS AND SPORTSBETTING.

> >> WELCOME BACK.

WE ARE GOINGTO SPEND TIME NOW TALKING ABOUTA VARIETY OF TOPICS EXPECTED TOCOME UP DURING THE GENERALASSEMBLY AND JOINING US NOW ISTHE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVEOF STOCKBRIDGE AND THE GEORGIAGOVERNMENT REPORTER.

THANK YOU FOR BOTH COMING HERE.

WE HAVE LOTS TO COVER ANDREPRESENT A POLLY, I WANT TOSTART WITH YOU.

>> HEY, EVERYONE.

I'M THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

IAM THE CHAIR.

>> I'M THE VICE CHAIR.

>> OF THE HENRY COUNTYLEGISLATIVE ALLEGATION.

>> EVEN THOUGH I AM, YES, THEDEMOCRAT.

>> AND I AM AREPORTER.

>> WE ACTUALLY WORK TOGETHER TOGET THINGS DONE FOR OUR COUNTY,BUT WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS ANDYOUR SUPPORT AS WE WORK IN THISNEW YEAR.

>> LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DOTO HELP SERVE YOU AND YOURREPRESENTATIVES.

>> GREAT JOB.

TICKTOCK STARSNOW OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ONINSTAGRAMSTARS.

DID YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE A LOT?

>> ACTUALLY, WHEN YOU ARERUNNING FOR OFFICE, DEFINITELYGIVES YOU A LOT OF PRACTICE.

>> I BET.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THEISSUESTHAT YOU WILL BE GETTINGTOGETHER WITH IN A BIPARTISANMANNER AND HENRY COUNTY, THESECOND LARGEST, FASTEST GROWINGCOUNTY IN THE STATE.

THERE IS BIG ISSUES.

>> YES, THERE ARE A LOT OF BIGISSUES.

EVEN OVER THE SUMMER, BELIEVETHAT WE MAY HAVE EVEN ECLIPSED,IN TERMS OF THE FASTESTGROWING.

NOT THE POPULATION SIZE, BUT ALOT OF GROWTH.

I CERTAINLY THINK THAT IF YOUTRAVEL ON I-75, WHETHER YOU ARELEAVING WERE GOING, I JOKINGLYTELL FOLKS, YOU WILL STOP ANDHENRY COUNTY, BUT, FORTUNATELY,WE SEE THAT ACROSS THE BOARD.

THERE IS A LOT OF POSITIVE PUSHTO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVEEXPENSIVE ROADWAYS TO MAKE SURETHAT WE HAVE A LEVEL OFMOBILITY THAT IS AVAILABLE FOREVERYONE BECAUSE WE KNOW WHENYOU STAND AND TRAFFICAND YOUARE SITTING THERE IN FRONT OF ASTOPLIGHT, THE STOP SIGN, ASTOPLIGHT, DOES NOT CARE WHEREYOU ARE, YOU ARE JUST GOING TOBE SITTING, BUT WE UNDERSTANDAS WELL, AND WE HAVE A LOT OFOPPORTUNITIES COMING THROUGHHENRY COUNTY BECAUSE WE ARE AONE-DAY DROP OFF FROM THE PORTOF SAVANNAH AND BECAUSE THEREIS SO MUCH AND FOR STRUCTURENEEDED TO BE BUILT THERETO BEABLE TO ACCOMMODATE AS PEOPLEARE COMING IN, WE REALIZE THATTHAT IS GOING TO BE ALL HANDSON DECK NEED AND IS GOING TOREQUIRE A LOT OF PARTICIPATIONFROM MY DEPARTMENT.

>> I LOVE THE FACT THATYOU SEELEGISLATIVE DELEGATIONS COMINGTOGETHER.

I WANTED HER TO YOU FOR SOMEISSUES THAT MAY SPARK SOMEDISAGREEMENTS.

THE AJC SURVEYEDGEORGIANS ON THEIR PRIORITIES ASLEGISLATORS CRAFTED NEW LAWS INTHE STATE AND LET'S START WITHHOW THE POLL WAS CONDUCTEDRECENTLY.

WHO WAS OLD?

>> THE CONTRACT WITH THEUNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA TOCONDUCT THE POLL, I BELIEVETHAT THIS ONE WAS SOMEWHERE INTHE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 830REGISTERED VOTERS.

THE CONVERSATION OF LANDLINEAND CELL PHONES AND, YOU KNOW,JUST HAD PEOPLEHOLD CALL THEMAND GET ENOUGH RESPONSES THATCREATED A REPRESENTATIVESAMPLE.

>> PEOPLE WHO REALLY WANT TOTALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

NOW, SOME SPECIFIC AREAS.

WHEN OF THEM DEALS WITH HOUSINGAND TELL US ABOUT THE RESPONSE.

IT WAS RENTAL HOUSING, PART.

WE WERE DIGGING INTO THE RENTALHOUSING CRISIS IN THE STATE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE POLL SHOWED THAT 90% OFPEOPLE WHO TOOK THE POST OFTHAT ORDER SHOULD HAVE MINIMUMSTANDARDS FOR APARTMENTS ANDTENANTS AND PROTECTIONS FORPEOPLE WHO LIVE IN APARTMENTSBECAUSE AFTER THE SERIESSHOWED, IT'S CALLED DANGEROUSDWELLINGS, IT IS ABOUT SOME OFTHESE APARTMENTS, ABOUT 250 APERMIT COMPLEXES THAT REALLYARE THE WORST, THEY REALLY DOSEEM TO FOSTER A CRIME AND POORLIVING CONDITIONS WHERE YOU HAVEAPARTMENTS ANDRESIDENCES WHERETHE LANDLORDS DON'T TAKE CAREOF THEIR PROPERTY AND WHATHAPPENS, YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIVINGIN POVERTY AND THAT ATTRACTSCRIME AND IT CREATES THE CYCLETHAT DOES MAKE SOCIETY ANDCOMMUNITIES WORSE.

I THINK THERE IS ARECOMMENDATION AMONG GEORGIAVOTERS THAT, PERHAPS, IT'S TIMETO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> YES, WE MAY SEE SOMETHING.

WHEN I ASK YOU ABOUT HENRYCOUNTY JUST BRIEFLY.

YOU HAVE ABUILDING WITHTOWNHOMES AND APARTMENTS ANDNOT JUST BECAUSE OF DANGERSITUATIONS, BUT BECAUSE OFGROWTH.

>> BECAUSE OF GROWTH AND IBELIEVE THAT A LOT OF RESIDENTSUNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE WE HAVECOMPACTED ROADWAYS AND, OFTENTIMES, THAT IS STATIONS REALLYCREATING A PROBLEM BECAUSE YOUHAVE EXITING AMOUNT OF PEOPLECOMING IN AND YOU HAVE GROWTHTHAT IS RAPIDLY TAKING SHAPE.

THAT IS GOING TO PUT MOREPEOPLE ONTO THE ROADWAY'S AND,GRANTED, WHEN YOU HAVEA STRONGECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THEPLACE OF BEING ABLE TO CREATEMORE APARTMENTS AND TOWNHOMES,PEOPLE OFTEN DON'T THINK ABOUTTHE INFLUX OF CARS THAT AREGOING TO BE ON OUR ROADWAYS, SOI BELIEVE THAT THIS NEW MEASUREWAS REALLY OUR COUNTYCOMMISSION SAYING, HEY, LET'SJUST POSIT FOR A WHILE UNTIL WEARE ABLE TO MATCH WITHDEVELOPMENT THAT OUR ROADWAYSNEED BUT WHEN I LOOK BACK, JUSTFOR THE PREVIOUS SESSION, IREMEMBER AS A BIPARTISAN BILL,THAT WAS ACTUALLY SPONSOREDSTATION COSPONSORED BY THECURRENT VICE CHAIR OF THE HENRYCOUNTY LOCAL DELEGATIONREPRESENTATIVE HOUSE BILL 1405,WHICH ALLOWED FOR ZONINGRESTRICTIONS, SOMEREFORMSTHERE, TO ALLOW FOR, NOT ONLYFOR THAT HOME RULE, THAT DOCTORTHAT ALLOWS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGSTO MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOK ATTHOSE AND ZONING RESTRICTIONSIN PLACE, SO THAT WE CANPROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FORAFFORDABLE HOUSING.

YOU KNOW, THAT IS SOMETHINGTHAT DID GET PAST, BUT WE JUSTWANT TO SEE THAT IS GOING TOALLOW FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE ALLEYES ON HOW WE DO OUR ZONINGRESTRICTIONSAND MAKING SURETHAT WE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSINGAVAILABLE TO PEOPLE.

>> OKAY.

I'M GOING TO SWITCH GEARS NOW.

RUNOFF ELECTIONS.

WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY?

>> MOST GEORGIA VOTERS WHO WERESURVEYED, ONCE RUNOFF ELECTIONSTO END.

>> ALTOGETHER.

>> ALTOGETHER.

NOW, WITHIN ASK HOW THEY WOULDEND AND THERE ARE A LOT OFOPTIONS FOR DOING THAT.

ITCOULD BE WHOEVER GETS THEMOST VOTES IS, WHO IS ELECTED,BUT 50% OF VOTERSIN OUR SURVEYSAID, THEY'VE HAD ENOUGH OFRUNOFF ELECTIONS.

WE'VE HAD SO MANY, ESPECIALLYIN RECENT ELECTION AND IT JUSTCAUSES A DRAWNOUT CAMPAIGNANDMOST OF THE TIME, THE CANDIDATEWHO IS WINNING IN THE FIRSTELECTION, WEDNESDAY RUNOFFANYWAY.

>> IT IS THIS FATIGUE.

LET'SGET ANOTHER ONE AND QUICK.

BUDGET SURPLUS AND WHAT TO DOABOUT IT.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY?

>> IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

WE HAD A $6.

6 BILLION SURPLUSIN THE 2022 FISCAL YEAR INGEORGIA, SO WHAT ARE WE GOINGTO DO WITH THAT MONEY?

WELL, WHAT WEFOUND IS THATALMOST 50% OF VOTERS WOULDRATHER THE MONEY BE SPENT ONTHINGS LIKE EDUCATION ANDHEALTHCARE, RATHER THAN TAXREBATES, WHICH CAME IN AROUND41%, WHICH IS COMPELLING.

MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THEGOVERNMENT HAS EXTRA MONEY, YOUHEAR TAXPAYERS SAY, WELL, THATIS OUR MONEY.

GIVE SOME OF IT BACK TO US ANDI THINK A LOT OF VOTERS DO WANTTHAT THERE IS A RECOGNITION OFTHE NEED FORMORE FUNDING FORTHINGS LIKE HEALTH ANDEDUCATION.

>> OKAY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT GAMBLING.

GAMBLING SPORTS BETTING, INPARTICULAR.

YOU ASKED ABOUT THAT.

RIGHT?

>> SPORTS BETTING WILL BE ANISSUE THIS SESSION.

49%, NOT QUITE A MAJORITY, BUTMORE WANTED IT TO BE ALLOWED ATTHE NOT.

IT WAS 49 TO 41%, THERE ABOUTTHAT WHEN IT SPORTS BETTING TOBE A LEGAL AND GEORGIA, THAT ISDOWN FROM THE LAST TIME WE PUTON THIS ISSUE, BUT STILL, MOREPEOPLE THAN NOT WOULD PREFERTHAT SPORTS BETTING IS LEGAL INGEORGIA.

>> IT'S ALWAYS GOOD INFORMATIONFOR YOUWHO ARE DOWN AT THECAPITAL MAKING THESE DECISIONS.

NOT ALWAYS GOING TO AGREEACROSS THE AISLE THOUGH.

>> YOU KNOW, WE FOUND THAT MOSTPEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT FOR THEMOST OF OUR LEGISLATION AROUND,MAYBE I WOULD SAY THAT 80% OFIT, WE ACTUALLY AGREE ON.

ITHINK THAT OVERALL, OUR SOCIETYIS VERY FOCUSED ON SEEING THETENSIONS BETWEEN PEOPLETHROUGHTHE DRAMATIC SENSATION.

>> EXACTLY.

WHAT I TRY TO TELL PEOPLE ISTHAT OUR GOVERNMENTTHAT IS SOCLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH YOURLOCAL TAXES THAT YOU PAY, ISYOUR STATE GOVERNMENTAND THEREIS A LOT OF PRIORITIES THAT WEHAVE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I'M GOING TOHAVE TO LEAVE IT AT THATBECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TOWRAP IT UP.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FORBEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THESHOW AND WHEN WE RETURNTOMORROW FOR DAY SEVEN OF THEGEORGE'S LEGISLATIVE SESSIONAND PBB WILL CARRY THE STATEDTHE ADDRESS LIVE TOMORROWBEGINNING AT 11:00 A. M. ON YOUR RADIO STATION.

LIVE STREAM IT.

WE WILL ALSOBROADCAST THE DEMOCRATICRESPONSE LATER IN THE DAY ANDIN CASE YOU MISSED IT, TUNE INTOMORROW NIGHT HERE FOR OUR ONEHOUR LONG SPECIAL.

WE WILL REPLY EVERYTHING.

SEE YOU LATER.

BYE BYE.