>>> MANY REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS SERVING UNDER THIS --DON'T THINK GEORGIA'S TOTAL ABORTION BAN IS ENOUGH.

THEY WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO BAN ALL ABORTIONS WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS FOR INCEST OR TO SAVE THE MOTHER'S LIFE.

THIS IS A FIVE ALARM FIRE AND WE WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT.

>>> ON THIS THE 51st FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ROE VERSUS WADE DECISION PRO-CHOICE ADVOCATES SPEAK OUT THE GEORGIA CAPITAL.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON THIS SIXTH DAY OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE GENERAL FAMILY DID NOT MEET LAST WEEK WORK DID TAKE PLACE UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT LAWMAKERS HEARD ABOUT THE BUDGETS FROM THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND FROM OUR VETERAN MEMBER.

>>> GEORGIA IS TESTING A HOME VISIT PROGRAM TO HELP CURB THE STATES DISMAL MATERNAL AND INFANT MATERNITY RATES.

THE GOVERNOR'S FORMER LEADERS IS HERE WITH AN UPDATE OF THE MATERNAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT HIGHLY PROJECT.

>>> MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS A TEXT AT 4% IN GEORGIA.

MONITOR WILL JOIN US WHO HAS TRIED TO GET THAT REMOVED FOR YEARS.

WILL THIS BE THE YEAR THE LEGISLATOR VOTES TO END OF THE SO-CALLED PERIOD TAX?

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT.

>>> LET'S GET RIGHT DOWN TO THE CAPITAL WHERE SARAH HAS A WRAP OF TODAY'S SESSION.

>> TODAY THE CAPITAL A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM WAS ON THE AGENDA.

AS LAWMAKERS LOOK BACK AT A LANDMARK DECISION.

>> THE 51st ANNIVERSARY OF ROE VERSUS WADE WAS ON THE MINDS OF SENATORS THIS MORNING.

DEMOCRATS USE THE OCCASION TO CALL ATTENTION TO SENATE REGULATION 136.

DEMOCRAT PANDA MENDICK TO THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION.

THERE RECOGNIZES A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

>> THE MORE WE RESTRICT REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM THE MORE WE TELL WOMEN WE DON'T TRUST THEM TO MAKE THE DECISIONS AND PLANS FOR THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

IF INSTEAD OF TREATING WOMEN LIKE ADULTS POLITICIANS HERE AT THE GOLD DOME THINK THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS FOR US.

AS IF WE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF GOOD JUDGMENT.

>> SHOWS MORE -- DO NOT SUPPORT OUR CURRENT ABORTION LAW.

GEORGIAN DO NOT WANT THIS LULL.

GEORGIANS WANT -- PRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS.

LESS GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.

AND THE RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS WITH THEIR DOCTORS.

IT IS OUR DUTY TO ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO MAKE THE BYPASSING SENATE RESOLUTION 136.

>> THE SENATOR USE HIS OWN PERSONAL HISTORY AND HIS COUNSEL.

>> I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS DISCOURAGED THAT REVERSES WEIGHT FOR BROADER TARNATION.

THROUGH THAT WINDOW RIGHT THERE.

I LOOKED THROUGH THOSE WINDOWS I SEE A PUBLIC HOSPITAL MARCH 18th 1970 20-YEAR-OLD MOTHER COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WENT TO COLLEGE RIGHT HERE IN ATLANTA BROUGHT THE END OF THIS WORLD.

BORN TO A SINGLE 20 YEAR OLD MOTHER.

BEFORE ABORTION WAS BROADLY LEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND BECAUSE SHE HAD NO PLANS TO RAISE ME WITH MY BIRTH FATHER, SHEER GRACE AND LAID ME INTO THE HANDS OF A 27-YEAR-OLD PASTOR AND HIS WIFE WHO FOR YEARS AKRIGHT THEMSELVES TO SLEEP AT NIGHT AS THEY COULD NOT HAVE KIDS.

WE ARE NOT PREACHING RELIGION HERE.

WE ARE TEACHING SCIENCE SOLID LAW AND COMMON SENSE.

IN ALL THREE OF THOSE THINGS WE RECOGNIZE THE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES WOMEN FIND THEMSELVES IN.

WE WEIGH THAT WITH THE BASIC RIGHT TO LIFE OF A CHILD.

I STAND WITH THE LEAST AMONG US.

HELPLESS CHILD.

THAT MEANS THIS LEGISLATURE TO PROTECT THEM.

I'M PROUD THIS LEGISLATURE HAS.

>> ALLEGATIONS ABOUT 40 COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FANI WILLIS AND APPROPRIATE USE OF FUNDS PROTOCOLS FOR HER REMOVAL FROM HER CASE AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

WILLIS IS ACCUSED OF HAVING AN INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE OF HER PROSECUTORS.

WASTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON LAVISH TRIPS.

>> BY BEING IN RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. WADE IN NOT DISCLOSING THIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE GRAND JURY IT IS RESULTED IN FRAUD.

THE TAXPAYERS OF GEORGIA.

IN CLOSING AS WELL AS DO THE RIGHT THING AND DISMISS ALL CHARGES SAVED.

TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND YOU AND MR. WADE ANY MORE EMBARRASSMENT BECAUSE OF YOUR POOR JUDGMENT.

SMART DAVID LUCAS PUSHED BACK.

>> WE ARE NOT --WITH THIS BOWL.

SENATOR WHO TALKED ABOUT FANI WILLIS I SUPPORT HER.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE.

YOU DON'T KNOW -- SCORN IS.

THE REASON THERE IS A CASE IS BECAUSE SOMEBODY DID SOMETHING WRONG.

SO LET'S NOT BRING THAT HERE.

>> THE SENATE PASSED IF YOU BILLS.

SB 159 A BILL WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES.

BEYOND GUIDELINES THAT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

RETURN TO THE SENATE.

BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

BUT A SENATE REJECTED THE HOUSE AMENDED VERSION.

THAT VERSION TOOK AWAY A MANDATORY 10 YEAR SENTENCE FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF BRINGING BAD ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

THE BILL'S AUTHOR IS OPEN TO THE CHANGE.

>> IF WE WANT TO GET REAL SERIOUS ABOUT KEEPING OUR PRISONS SAFE KEEPING OUR JAILS SAFE, NOT ONLY FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WORK THERE.

BUT FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE GEORGIA CITIZENS WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO LIVE IN AND SERVE OUT THEIR SENTENCE OR AWAIT DUE PROCESS THAT THIS IS THE TYPE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL HELP PUSH THAT FORWARD.

>> THE BILL PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT 43-7.

THE SENATE PASSED HB 571 A BILL TO CREATE AN ADVISORY BOARD ON ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER DEMENTIA RELATED ILLNESSES.

THAT WILL REPORT THEIR FINDINGS EVERY FOUR YEARS TO VARIOUS STATE AGENCIES.

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 51-0.

DURING LUNCHTIME BREAK DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE ON A BIT ROE V WADE ANNIVERSARY.

>> WE WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO RESTORE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

THAT MEANS USING EVERY TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX INCLUDING AN SHINING FUNDAMENTAL PROTECTIONS FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND TO GEORGIA LAW REPEALING HARMFUL ABORTION RESTRICTIONS THAT CREATE BARRIERS TO CARE AND MAKING IT EASIER FOR ALL GEORGIANS TO GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

>> THE HIGHLIGHTED TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT THEY SAY WILL INCREASE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN GEORGIA.

THE FIRST IS HOUSE BILL 75 FILED LAST YEAR WHICH EXPANDS ABORTION ACCESS.

A SENATE VERSION OF THE BILL WAS FILED AS WELL.

THE SECOND IS SR 136 WHICH WAS AUTHOR ALSO BROUGHT UP ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> WE SEEK TO UPHOLD THAT LEGACY OF RESPECT AND DIGNITY AND HEALTHCARE BY ALLOWING WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO DECIDE WHAT IS BEST FOR THEMSELVES.

>> EITHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION >>> TOMORROW LEGISLATORS RECOGNIZE THE 49th ANNIVERSARY OF THE JAPANESE CONFLICT GENERAL IN ATLANTA.

I WILL BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ANY JAPANESE THEMED EVENTS.

THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> THANKS.

THAT CAPITAL REPORT.

>>> TO A COUPLE OF HEALTHCARE ISSUES INVOLVING WOMEN.

A PUSH ONCE AGAIN THE SESSION TO ELIMINATE THE TAX ON MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND A PILOT PROGRAM TO TAKE ETERNAL HEALTHCARE INTO RURAL COMMUNITIES.

JOINING ME OUR DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE BUCKNER OF JUNCTION CITY.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE SUE OF LAWRENCEVILLE, THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERS IN THE HOUSE.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT EACH ONE OF YOUR ISSUES SEPARATELY.

REPRESENTATIVE BUCKNER SEVEN YEARS YOU'VE BEEN PUSHING TO ELIMINATE WHAT IS CALLED THE PERIOD TAX.

IT IS NOW HAS A NAME I WANTED TO EXPLAIN THIS.

REFERRED TO NATIONALLY AS THE MISTRAL DISCHARGE COLLECTIONS DEVICES.

THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE CALLED.

OR MB MDS CD.

I WANTED TO EXPLAIN THAT.

AND THEN TALK ABOUT WHY THERE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK UNDER THESE PAST SEVEN YEARS.

>> THERE IS A NATIONAL GROUP KNOWN AS THE STREAMLINED SALES TAX GOVERNING BOARD.

THAT MEETS THEY COME UP WITH POLICIES AND IDEAS FOR ALL OF OUR STATE TO HAVE A MORE UNIFORM APPROACH TO TAXATION.

SO THIS FALL THEY MET AND CAME UP WITH A DEFINITION FOR MENSTRUAL COLLECTION DEVICES.

THAT DEFINITION IS BEING PUT IN PLACE ACROSS THE NATION AS STATES EITHER HAVE ALREADY ELIMINATED THE SALES TAX OR ARE THINKING ABOUT ELIMINATING THE SALES TAX.

SO WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM GEORGIA THERE THAT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE DEFINITION.

AND VOTED IN FAVOR OF THAT VERY LONG NAME MISTRAL DISCHARGE COLLECTION DEVICES.

AND WE HAVE A BILL THAT WILL BE INTRODUCED THAT DOES THE SAME THING AS THE BILL THAT WE'VE INTRODUCED EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

SAYING THAT WE WANT TO REMOVE THE SALES TAX OFF OF THOSE PRODUCTS.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN THE PUSHBACK?

>> I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS PERIOD POVERTY.

FIRST.

AND SO WE HAVE DONE THAT.

GEORGIA HAS LED THE WAY AND A LOT OF THE ACTIVITY THAT IS BEING DONE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE WERE CONCERNED THERE WERE GIRLS IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT WERE MISSING TOO MUCH SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE SUPPLIES THEY NEEDED.

SO THERE IS MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR OUR SCHOOLS TO HAVE SUPPLIES PROVIDED THEY ARE IN THE NURSES OFFICE OR THE COUNSELOR'S OFFICES.

WE ARE ACTUALLY NOW LOOKING AT WHERE WE CAN BE SURE THAT THOSE ARE IN PLACES FOR EASY ACCESS FOR THE STUDENTS.

TO GET WHAT THEY NEED.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT MORE I WANT YOU TO TAKE US BACK TO 1996 WHEN THEY TOOK THE SALES TAX OFF OF THOSE PRODUCTS .

WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?

>> I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR OF BEING ABLE TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THE ROME WHERE IT HAPPENED.

AND BASICALLY THEY WERE ALL MEN.

AND WHEN I ASKED HIM POINT- BLANK WHY WERE PERIOD PRODUCTS LEFT ON THE TAX LIST INSTEAD OF PUT ON THE LIST OF NO TAX THEY SAID IT JUST DID NOT CROSS THEIR MIND.

SO IT WAS NOT A DELIBERATE MEAN- SPIRITED ACTIVITY.

IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT.

WE HAVE TRIED VERY HARD AND WILL CONTINUE TO TO WRITE THAT INIQUITY.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF THINGS IN THE BUDGET TO TRY TO GET OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY BACK TO TAXPAYERS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO FOR 51% OF THE POPULATION.

>> $6 MILLION.

>> IT IS $6 MILLION.

WE MET LAST WEEK FOR APPROPRIATIONS.

I'M ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND THE FIRST PRESENTATION WAS WE HAVE 5.6 BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL DOLLARS I MEAN DOLLARS TO APPROPRIATE IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.

THAT IS FOR 6 MONTHS FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SO IF WE'VE GOT THAT MUCH MONEY IN HAND, A $5 MILLION OR EIGHT LESS THAN 1% OF THE BUDGET WOULD GO TO PAYING FOR THIS TAX EXEMPTION.

LESS THAN 1%.

>> I WANT TO GET TO A COUPLE DEFINITIONS YOU SENT ME BEFORE WE WRAP UP.

THE AFFORDABILITY THE ACCESSIBILITY AND THE SAFETY OF MISTRAL PRODUCTS INCLUDING LAWS AND POLICIES THAT ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONSIDER MENSTRUATION AND PERIOD POVERTY IS THE LIMITED OR INADEQUATE ACCESS TO MISTRAL PRODUCTS OR MISTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION AS RESULT OF FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS ARE NEGATIVE SOCIO-CULTURAL STIGMAS ASSOCIATED WITH MENSTRUATION.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS BEEN PART OF THE PROBLEM THERE ARE PEOPLE YOU'RE CONCERNED THE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE TAX.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

THESE TWO THINGS KEEP GETTING MIXED UP.

IN THE MINDS OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BUT THE EQUITY PIECE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TAX EXEMPTION.

WE TALK ABOUT HAVING FAIR AND EQUITABLE TAX LAWS IN GEORGIA.

IT IS NOT EQUITABLE FOR US TO CHARGE A TAX ON SOMETHING THAT WOMEN DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE.

THEY HAVE TO USE THESE PRODUCTS.

THERE IS NOT A MALE EQUIVALENT.

THERE IS NOTHING THAT MEN HAVE TO BUY EVERY MONTH THAT IS BEING TAXED.

IT IS WOMEN MAKE UP TWO THIRDS OF THE MINORITY I MEAN OF THE MINIMUM WAGE JOBS IN OUR STATE.

SO THEY MAKE LESS MONEY THAN MEN.

AND YET THEY HAVE TO PAY THIS TAX ON THIS PRODUCT THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE EVERY SINGLE MONTH.

SO IT IS UNFAIR AND WHEN WE THINK ABOUT GIVING BACK ALL THE TAX MONEY THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GIVING BACK FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS AND TAKING CARE OF THE TAXPAYER THIS IS A WAY TO TAKE CARE OF A LARGE NUMBER OF TAXPAYERS IN A WAY THAT IS MEANINGFUL FOR THEM.

ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS.

>> WE WILL KEEP TRACK ON THAT AND MAYBE HAVE YOU BACK ON ESTES BILL GOES ALONG.

WE WOULD CHANGE TOPICS.

WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF EMPHASIS ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR IN THE HOUSE ABOUT HOW GEORGIA IS RANKED ONE OF THE WORST STATES IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO MATERNAL MORTALITY.

LEGISLATURE PASSED HOUSE SENATE BILL 106.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT.

IT IS A PILOT PROGRAM FOR SOMETHING CALLED THE MATERNAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PILOT PROJECT.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THE GOVERNOR HAS FOCUSED ON MATERNAL HEALTH IN GEORGIA AND AS YOU MENTIONED SB 106 IS A THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM.

WHAT IT DOES IT WILL PROVIDE IN- HOME VISITS FOR AT RISK AND UNDERSERVED RURAL COMMUNITIES DURING PREGNANCY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD.

THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.

16 COUNTIES.

118 WOMEN HAVE ENROLLED SO FAR IN THE PROGRAM .

FIVE MORE COUNTIES THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN FIVE MORE COUNTIES IN DECEMBER.

AND OUTREACH IS STILL GOING.

AND GOVERNOR KEMP HAS INCREASED THE BUDGET TO $1 MILLION FOR THIS PROGRAM .

THE TOTAL PROGRAM BUDGET IS ALMOST $2.7 MILLION.

AT THIS POINT.

WHAT THIS PROGRAM WILL DO IS ESSENTIALLY IMPROVE BIRTH OUTCOMES REDUCE PRETERM DELIVERIES AND IT WILL DECREASE AND FIN AND MATERNAL MORTALITY IT IS GOING TO FOCUS ON NOT JUST THE PHYSICAL.

OBVIOUSLY LOOKING AT WARNING SIGNS.

BUT ALSO MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL FOR WOMEN DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW IT WORKS.

IS IT A MOBILE LIKE A BUS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ?

IS IT INDIVIDUALS GOING INTO THE HOMES?

>> IT IS AN IN-HOME VISIT.

THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS.

WOMEN WHO ARE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM THEY ARE GOING TO BE VISITED AT THEIR HOME.

AGAIN IT WILL BE CHECKING FOR ANY TYPE OF PHYSICAL WARNING SIGNS.

OR ANY TYPE OF MENTAL HEALTH THAT THEY MAY NEED.

SO IT IS VERY DIRECTED.

THIS WILL HELP WOMEN WHO REALLY NEED IT.

AND WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HEALTHY THROUGHOUT THEIR PREGNANCY AND ALSO AFTER.

>> CHECK IN ON THE BABY AND CHECKING ON THE MOMS.

A CHECK IN ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.

16 COUNTIES.

$1 MILLION MORE LISTED IN THE BUDGET.

IS THAT GOING TO EXPAND INTO MORE COUNTIES?

>> THE PROGRAM IS SUPPOSED WE ARE TRYING TO EXPANDED IN OTHER COUNTIES.

IT IS 16 COUNTIES.

WE HAVE FIVE MORE COUNTIES THAT WAS LAUNCHED IN DECEMBER.

THERE IS CONTINUAL OUTREACH AND OTHER COUNTIES.

SO WE ARE SEEING WHICH COUNTIES REALLY NEED IT THE MOST.

SO FAR AS I MENTIONED HUNDRED 18 WOMEN HAVE ENROLLED IN THOSE 16 COUNTIES.

>> WE WILL SEE AS IT GOES ALONG.

THREE-YEAR PILOT AT THIS POINT.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

JUST AS LEGISLATORS WE HAVE FOCUSED ON MATERNAL HEALTH.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL BILLS ONE THAT I CARRY FOR THE GOVERNOR LAST SESSION.

WHICH I CAME ON HERE ON THE SHOW TO TALK ABOUT WHICH WAS HOUSE BILL 129.

THAT EXTENDED BENEFITS AND IF GOT A LOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THAT.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP WITH MATERNAL HEALTH IN GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND TALKING ABOUT THAT.

WE WILL KEEP UP WITH BOTH OF THESE MEASURES AND KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED ON IT.

I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>>> NOW WE WILL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE STATE BUDGET IN OUR NEXT SEGMENT MY INTERVIEW WITH SYNOD APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN.

THAT IS AHEAD.

>>> >>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

THE ONLY CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED REASON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MEET EACH YEAR IS THE BUDGET.

THEY SPENT LAST WEEK ON THE EARLY STAGES OF THAT PROCESS.

THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HELD BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARINGS OVER THREE DAYS.

NEARLY 40 STATE AGENCY HEADS REPRESENTING EDUCATION TO AGRICULTURAL CORRECTIONS TRANSPORTATION AND MORE PRESENTED THEIR REQUESTS FOR THE AMENDED 2024 FISCAL BUDGET AND THE FY 25 BUDGET.

THAT BEGINS ON JULY 1st.

TODAY I ASKED SENATOR APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN TILLERY FOR HIS TAKEAWAYS ON THE HEARINGS.

>> FIRST OF ALL I THINK THAT YOU START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S NUMBERS.

37 1/2 BILLION IN THE AMENDED.

36 AND THE GENERAL BUDGET.

INVESTING IN THINGS THAT WILL SAVE THE STATE MONEY OVER TIME.

WHETHER THAT BE PEOPLE TURNOVER IS A BIG ISSUE IT COST A LOT OF MONEY.

THEN ABOUT $250 MILLION INVESTING AND PENSION SYSTEMS AND OTHER INSURANCE SYSTEMS THAT PAY OFF THINGS -- WE DON'T HAVE A BOND PACKAGE THIS YEAR.

THAT IS A BIG SAVINGS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

A LOT OF INVESTMENT TODAY TO SAVE MONEY TOMORROW.

>> I DID HEAR A LOT FROM DIFFERENT AGENCIES IN NEED OF STAFFING.

>> YOU'VE SEEN RECORD HIGH INFLATION.

SOME FOLKS SAY 6% TO 7% OR 8%.

RAISE THEIR PRICES 20%.

I TEND TO TAKE THE CHIK-FIL-A NOTION AS TO INFLATION.

THE RACES WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GIVE OUT BECAUSE OF STRONG TAX RETURNS OF THE PAST FEW YEARS WILLIE WERE EATEN UP BY JUST UNEQUIVOCAL DECADE HIGH INFLATION.

PROBABLY CENTURY HIGH INFLATION.

WE HAVE TO PROBABLY GO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AGAIN.

TURNOVER BEING AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TO RESOLVE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD DO IT.

>> MORE POSITIONS.

>> WE PROBABLY WON'T DO THAT IN THE AMENDED.

WE REALLY DO.

WE DO WANT TO LOOK AT PROGRAMS EVERY YEAR AND MAKE SURE REMEMBERING IT IS NOT OUR MONEY WE ARE SPENDING.

IT IS GEORGIA TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING A RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT.

>> POSSIBLY A MILD RECESSION.

>> THAT IS WHAT THEY SAID.

AFTER FIVE YEARS OF DOING THIS I THINK I HURT EVERY SINGLE PROGNOSTICATION.

SOMETIMES THEY ARE RIGHT AND SOMETIMES HOW THE BUDGET PROCESS IS GOING AT THIS POINT?

>> OF THE PAST FEW YEARS WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TENSION.

IT IS MOVING LITTLE BIT SMOOTHER THIS YEAR.

THERE'S PLENTY OF TIMES FOR THAT TO CHANGE .

WE WILL WAIT AND SEE.

WHAT THE HOUSES PROPOSALS ARE.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO BE EXTREMELY STRONG STEWART OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

DEFINITELY EASIER TO PASS A BUDGET AND LEAN TIMES.

A LOT OF FOLKS ARE ASKING AND THEY WILL PROBABLY BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE DISAPPOINTED.

THE TIMES BRING OUT A LOT MORE ASKS THAN BAD TIMES.

>>> THE BUDGET SURPLUS.

THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK ABOUT.

WOULD YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW?

>> $16-$17 BILLION IN SURPLUS.

I WANT FOLKS TO REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE A $36 BILLION BUDGET THAT IS ONLY SIX MONTH RESERVES.

MOST BUSINESSES WANT TO HAVE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS RETURNS ON HAND.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

WHILE THAT IS A LARGE NUMBER WHEN YOU HAVE A LARGE BUDGET PERCENTAGEWISE IT IS JUST NOT AS LARGE AS FOLKS MAY THINK IT IS.

>> WE ARE COMFORTABLE RIGHT NOW AS A STATE.

>> WE ARE EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE.

WE'VE HAD EXTREMELY STRONG FISCAL'S CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN VERY WISE WITH THE INVESTMENTS HE'S MADE.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS BACKED HIM AND THOSE INVESTMENTS.

WE OR ANY POSITION THAT IS ENVIED BY MANY.

THAT CAN ERODE OVERNIGHT AS WE HAVE SEEN THE REAL CHANGE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> YOU'VE BEEN GETTING YOUR HEARTBURN AT THIS POINT.

>> DOES A LOT OF THINGS GIVING ME HEARTBURN AT THIS POINT.

I THINK IN SOME WAYS THE POSITION THAT WE ARE IN WITH STRONG RETURNS AS YOU MENTIONED HAVE MAYBE MADE FOLKS FEEL A LITTLE BIT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH LARGER ASKS AND NOT REALIZE WE ARE NOT SPENDING OUR MONEY WE ARE SPENDING SOMEONE ELSE'S.

WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT.

>>> I WANT TO THANK APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR TILLERY FOR OFFERING HIS OVERVIEW.

JOINING ME IS SOMEONE WHO HAS LOTS OF BUDGET HEARINGS.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR --OF ATLANTA WHO HAS SERVED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SINCE 1986.

FIRST IN THE HOUSE THAN THE SENATE.

HE WAS ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

HE TOLD ME YOU THINK IT HAS BEEN 15 YEARS.

>> A DOZEN OR SO.

GIVE OR TAKE.

TALK ABOUT YOU HEARD WITH THE CHAIRMAN TILLERY HAD TO SAY.

WHAT ARE YOUR TAKEAWAYS WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF NEEDS THAT WE FACE THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE MET.

I THINK THE SURPLUS HAS MEANT THAT WE HAD A TIGHT BELT AND HAD A REVENUE ESTIMATE THAT REALLY UNDER SHOOTS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IN.

THEY SAY AGAIN THIS NEXT BUDGET YEAR THAT WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER $3 BILLION IN SURPLUS.

UNLESS WE BEGIN WORKING ON SPENDING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF GEORGIANS IN A FULLER WAY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REVENUE ESTIMATE.

TALK TO ME OVER HERE ABOUT HOW THAT ESTIMATE HOW YOU FEEL THAT ESTIMATE STILL IS A PROBLEM AT THIS POINT.

IS IT UNDER OVER ?

>> WHEN YOU HAVE $16 BILLION AND WE ALSO HAVE A RAINY DAY FUND THAT IS FILLED TO THE TOP.

WE HAVE A LOTTERY THAT IS MASSIVELY FUNDED.

WE NEED TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDED FOR SOME TIME.

WE KEEP A WAITING LIST OF 7000 PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

THEIR PARENTS ARE PETRIFIED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE STILL BE ON THAT WAITING LIST WHEN THEIR PARENTS ARE TOO OLD TO SEE ABOUT THEM.

THAT IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

WE KEPT OUR SCHOOL BUS FUNDING THE SAME LEVEL FOR 20 YEARS.

IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS HAD TO PICK UP THE PIECES TO KEEP BUSES ON THE ROAD.

THIS YEAR FINALLY WE ARE AT ANOTHER 20 MILLION.

BUT THAT SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION.

HAS BEEN VERY COSTLY THE STATE NOT FULLY FUNDING IT.

I COULD GO ON AND ON.

ABOUT THE NEEDS WE HAVE AROUND HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING.

AROUND SO MANY STUDENTS THAT DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THERE HIGHER EDUCATION INVESTMENT OR TO GET TRAINING.

WE COULD PUT MORE MONEY INTO THAT.

WE ARE ONLY THERE ONLY TWO STATES IN THE COUNTRY AND WE ARE ONE OF THEM THAT DON'T FIND NEEDY STUDENTS HIGHER EDUCATION NEEDS.

>> YOU THINK MORE SHOULD BE DONE WITH THAT SURPLUS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

OUR DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

IS REPORTED I BELIEVE THEIR WORKFORCE IS ONLY TWO THIRDS OF WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE.

A LOT OF FOLKS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE GOING ON IN OUR STATE PRISONS WITH THE DEATHS AND MURDERS PEOPLE DYING.

IT IS A TOUGH PLACE TO WORK IN A TOUGH PLACE TO BE A PRISONER.

WE NEED TO BE INVESTING.

WE NEED TO BE PAYING STATE EMPLOYEES MORE.

WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT OUR RETIREES WHO HAVE LABORED FOR 20 TO 40 YEARS AND THEY ARE RETIRED.

THEY DID NOT HAVE A COST-OF- LIVING INCREASE FOR 11 YEARS.

>> SO WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT NEEDS.

I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT OUR SITUATION WITH HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS.

>> A BETTER BUDGET THAN WE'VE SEEN IN YEARS IN TERMS OF THE MONEY THAT HAS COME AND PICK AT LEAST SOME THINGS ARE BEING WE MAY HAVE TO HAPPY TO COME BACK TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> THE BUDGET LIKE YOU SAID THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT ANOTHER TIME.

>>> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

THAT DOES IT FOR LAWMAKERS.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.