>> THIS SESSION, WE WILL NOT ONLY BUILD ON THE MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE WILL SET GEORGIA ON A PATH FOR GREATNESS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP WITH AN UPBEAT MESSAGE FOR HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS BEFORE THE JOINT SESSION OF THE GEORGIA ASSEMBLY.

>>> NEGATIVELY, WELCOME TO A SPECIAL ONE HOUR "LAWMAKERS" FOCUSING ON THE STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE.

I AM TRYING FOR ON THIS DAY SEVEN OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TONIGHT, WE WILL SHOW YOU HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH AND HAVE ANALYSIS FROM TWO INSIDERS.

>>> WE WILL ALSO REVIEW THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

FIRST, LET'S GET TO THE CAPITAL WHERE RACHELLE RICCI IS STANDING BY.

>> HI, DONNA VERY EXCITING DAY HERE.

THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LASTED FOR ABOUT 41 MINUTES AND FOCUSED HEAVILY ON DROP GROWTH, EDUCATION, CRIME, AND HEALTHCARE THE GOVERNOR DID TAKE TIME TO RECOGNIZE SPECIAL GUESTS, INCLUDING A STATE TROOPER HELICOPTER PILOT WHO HELPED RESCUE A 5-YEAR-OLD BOY.

AND, A UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RECIPIENT OF THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

OF COURSE, WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THE REACTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS LATER IN THE SHOW.

FOR NOW, DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>>> WE WILL START THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS BY HOW HE BEGAN THIS MORNING, BY TOUTING HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB GROWTH.

>> WHEN I DELIVERED MY FIRST STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN THIS CHAMBER FOUR YEARS AGO, LITTLE DID WE KNOW THE UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES THAT NOW, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MY FIRST TERM, WE HAVE OVERCOME EACH OF THOSE CHALLENGES AND WE DID IT TOGETHER.

WE HAVE RISEN TO THE OCCASION EACH TIME THAT CHANGE HAS COME.

SPEAKING OF CHANGE, EACH CHAMBER HAS NEW LEADERSHIP THAN WHEN I FIRST BEGAN MY TURN.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JONES, AND SPEAKER JOHN BYRNES, ON THEIR ELECTION.

[ APPLAUSE ] I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY ELECTED LEADERS AND APPOINTED COMMITTEE CHAIRS IN BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE AGAIN MY FELLOW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ON THEIR RECENT VICTORIES OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, OUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS WERE ACCOMPLISHED WHEN BOTH CHAMBERS WORK HAND AND HAND WITH MY TO PUT THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE FIRST, AHEAD OF THE STATUS QUO .

OUR FUTURE OF THE STATE RELIES ON THAT PARTNERSHIP TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR CITIZENS, EVEN WHEN IT MAY NOT BE EASY.

EACH OF YOU HAS MY COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE THAT WORK AND DO IT TOGETHER .

THAT IS GOOD FOR OUR ENTIRE STATE, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS SESSION WILL BE ONE OF CONSEQUENCE.

I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT BECAUSE OF THE FOUNDATION WE HAVE BUILT TOGETHER OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS BECAUSE OF THE RESILIENCE SHOWN BY THE PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT STATE, BECAUSE OF THE RESOLVE THEY CONTINUE TO SHOW, THE STATE OF OUR STATE HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER, OR MORE RESILIENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU, ALL.

THANK YOU, AND YOU ALL WERE A BIG PART OF THAT.

THIS SESSION WE WILL NOT ONLY BUILD ON THE MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE WILL SET GEORGIA ON A PATH TO GREATNESS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

THIS PAST YEAR IN PARTICULAR WAS UNPRECEDENTED FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE PEACH STATE.

IN LESS THAN 365 DAYS, WE ANNOUNCED FOUR OF THE LARGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE.

THOSE FOUR PROJECTS ALONE WILL BRING OVER 20,000 NEW JOBS, AND OVER $17 BILLION IN INVESTMENT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA.

THOSE GOOD PAYING JOBS WILL DEFINE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MANUFACTURING.

THAT FUTURE WILL BE MADE RIGHT HERE IN GEORGIA.

BUT WE ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN .

JUST LAST WEEK , WE LEARNED THAT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS PHYSICAL YEAR, OUR TOP RANK DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HELPED ANNOUNCE 17,500 NEW JOBS , AND MORE THAN $13 BILLION OF INVESTMENT COMING TO GEORGIA.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD THAT ONCE AGAIN 85% OF THOSE JOBS ARE COMING TO AREAS OUTSIDE METRO ATLANTA.

AND THE GOOD NEWS IS, OUR METRO AREAS CONTINUE TO THRIVE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AS WELL WITH ORGANIC GROWTH, GENERATED BY GOOD POLICIES AND A PRO- BUSINESS APPROACH THAT WE HAVE ALL WORKED ON WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO CREATE.

BUT DESPITE ALL WE HAVE ACHIEVED, THERE IS A GROWING RISK TO THAT NUMBER ONE STATUS, THE NEED FOR MORE WORKERS AND QUALITY HOMES WHERE THEY CAN RAISE A FAMILY IN THE SAME COMMUNITY WHERE THEY WORK.

THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS, GOOD PAYING JOBS, AND NEW INVESTMENTS ARE WORTH LITTLE IF THERE AREN'T OPTIONS FOR HARD- WORKING GEORGIANS TO LIVE WHERE THEY WORK.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN, KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, WHO PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING SUPPORT IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, AND THOSE WHO MAKE THE GOODS AND PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT MAKE A COMMUNITY SUCH A GOOD PLACE TO CALL HOME.

THAT IS WHY I AM CREATING THE RURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING FUND , ENABLING THE STATE DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DEVELOP SITES ACROSS THE STATE FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING.

I AM ALSO EAGER TO SEE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL COME FROM OTHERS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS >> NOW, JOIN ME TO TALK ABOUT STATE ADDRESS ARE TWO TOP JOURNALISTS, POLITICAL REPORTER GREG BLUESTEIN, ALSO AN AUTHOR, HAVE TO GET THAT IN, AND POLITICAL CALL YOU MISSED, PATRICIA MURPHY, WHO WORKED FOR A TIME AS THE COURT REPORTER FOR LAWMAKERS.

WELCOME BACK, THE BOTH OF YOU.

I THINK IT IS FAIR TO CALL THIS THE DATA MYSELF ON THE BACK PART OF THE SPEECH, AND CERTAINLY FITTING FOR HIM TO DO SO, BECAUSE HE HAS HAD A LOT THAT HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> AND DONNA, AS YOU HEARD, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS, BUT THOSE NEW EMPLOYERS WILL NEED WORKFORCE TRAINING, THEY WILL NEED WAYS TO GET TO WORK, SCHOOLS, RECREATION.

THIS WILL BE A BIG CHALLENGE FOR THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO INCORPORATE THOSE NEW WORKERS INTO THE ECONOMY.

I KEYED IN ON THE GOVERNOR'S TALK ABOUT THE PRO-BUSINESS REPUTATION, WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT WORKPLACE HOUSING IN PARTICULAR.

WE KNOW HE HAS ALREADY TALKED ABOUT SCALING BACK LOCAL ZONING REGULATIONS TO MAKE IT EASIER HE DID NOT GO INTO VERY BIG DETAIL ABOUT THAT.

THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST BATTLES OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHEN A MAYOR IS WORRIED ABOUT SCALING BACK LOCAL ZONING RESTRICTIONS.

>> I THINK THERE MAY BE A BIT OF A FIGHT THERE WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

WHAT STRUCK YOU ABOUT THAT FIRST PART?

>> TO YOUR POINT, THAT WAS SORT OF THE PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT PORTION .

THIS TO ME REPRESENTED SORT OF THE PERIOD AT THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN THAT GOVERNOR KEMP JUST RAN, RUNNING SO HEAVILY ON ECONOMIC ISSUES.

IN EVERY POLL WE HAD 60 PLUS PERCENT OF GEORGIANS EVERY TIME, JOBS, ECONOMY, INFLATION WHERE THEIR NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

THERE WAS NO WAY THAT BRIAN KEMP WOULD PAY BIT FROM THE BIG WHEN HE HAD FROM THE ELECTION AND NOT MAKE THAT THE TOP FOCUS.

ALSO, SINCE HE IS A FORMER BUSINESS MAN, WHERE HE IS MOST INTERESTED IN.

HE HAS HAD SOME BIG ACCESSES TO GREG'S POINT.

NOW, WE HAVE GOT THESE BIG FACTORIES COMING IN.

THEY ARE GOING INTO HAYFIELD'S BASICALLY.

NOW, THEY NEED TO STAND UP SMALL CITIES AROUND EVERY ONE OF THESE HUGE FACTORIES WITH HOUSING, SCHOOLS, INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, BRIDGES ALL OF THESE THINGS TO MAKE A COMMUNITY HAPPEN AROUND THESE BIG WINS.

THESE LAWMAKERS, WHILE THEY CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE SUCCESSES , THEY HAVE A TON OF WORK TO DO AND A LOT OF THAT WILL REQUIRE LEGISLATION OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

>> A BIG LIFT.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO TALKED TODAY ABOUT EDUCATION ISSUES.

>> WE ARE PUTTING PRESSURE STATE DOLLARS WHERE OUR PRIORITIES ARE, INCLUDING EVERY LEVEL OF EDUCATION TO GROW A GENERATION OF HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS.

IN FACT, BETWEEN BOTH BUDGETS ME WE WILL DEVOTE AN ADDITIONAL $1.9 MILLION TO EDUCATION AND FULLY FUND THE QB FORMULA.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE EXPANDING AND REINFORCING THE WORKFORCE PIPELINE AT EVERY LEVEL, INCLUDING WHERE IT BEGINS IN OUR K-12 CLASSROOMS TO KEEP OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN THE CLASSROOM.

WHEN I FIRST RAN FOR GOVERNOR, I PROMISED TO RAISE TEACHER PAY BY $5000.

WITH YOUR HELP, WE FULLY DELIVERED ON THAT PLEDGE TO REWARD THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE AFTER THE HARDSHIPS OF THE PANDEMIC, MY FY 2024 BUDGET PROPOSES YET ANOTHER $2000 PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS LIKE LAUREN.

[ APPLAUSE ] WHILE SOME POLITICIANS HAVE CONTINUED TO GRUMBLE ABOUT TEACHER PAY IN GEORGIA, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THE FACTS.

IN TOTAL, WE WILL HAVE GIVEN HARD-WORKING EDUCATORS A $7000 PAY RAISE IN JUST FIVE YEARS.

NO OTHER GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OR GOVERNOR, WILL HAVE RAISED QUICKLY IN STATE HISTORY, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THAT.

[ APPLAUSE ] WITH THE PASSAGE OF THIS BUDGET, THE AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY IN GEORGIA WILL ALSO NOW BE OVER $7000 HIGHER THAN THE SOUTHEAST REGIONAL AVERAGE.

BUT WE KNOW THAT TEACHERS DON'T JUST NEED MORE PAY AND RESOURCES, THEY ALSO NEED REINFORCEMENT.

THAT IS WHY I AM FURTHERING THE TEACHER WORKFORCE PIPELINE MEASURES WE PUT INTO PLACE DURING MY FIRST TERM.

THROUGH THE CERTIFICATION GRANT THAT WILL HELP PARAPROFESSIONALS BECOME TEACHERS, WITH HIS ONE INVESTMENT, WE WILL ADD CLOSE TO 5000 NEW TEACHERS TO OUR EDUCATION WORK FORCE.

[ APPLAUSE ] BUT WE ALSO KNOW INTO OUR WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITIES AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

THAT IS WHY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A DECADE, AND IN THE 30th YEAR OF THIS PROGRAM AND THE GEORGIA LOTTERY, WE ARE ONCE AGAIN FULFILLING GOVERNOR ZELL MILLER'S VISION AND RETURNING THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANTS AWARD TO 100% OF TUITION.

>> SO, EDUCATION.

LOTS TO UNPACK THERE.

THAT LAST ONE, A BIG ONE, POPULAR WITH EVERYBODY.

>> FULLY FUNDING THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE A HOMERUN WITH HIS ENTIRE LEGISLATION.

IT IS ALSO INTERESTING THE WAY HE APPROACHED EDUCATION TODAY, HE REALLY CONNECTED TO HIS TOP PRIORITY OF CREATING NEW JOBS, BUILDING A WORKFORCE.

TO BUILD A WORKFORCE, YOU HAVE TO FIRST OF ALL HAVE EXCELLENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TELEWORKERS COMING INTO THE STATE WE CAN EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN, YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

HIGHLY SKILLED TEACHERS TO MAKE THOSE SCHOOLS EXCELLENT.

GEORGIA IS COMPETING WITH TENNESSEE, NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA.

GEORGIA NEEDS TO REALLY RAISE THE HEAD AND BE ABLE TO TELL ALL OF THESE COMPANIES, FAMILIES, AND TEACHERS , GEORGIA IS GOING TO BE THE BEST PLACE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO ME BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOL, NOT DESPITE THE SCHOOL.

>> THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP CHANGE IS MONUMENTAL.

DEMOCRATS WERE SAYING, HALLELUJAH.

THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST VOTES I'VE EVER SEEN THE STATE LEGISLATION HAVE TO MAKE.

THIS WAS 12 YEARS AGO, 2011, THEN GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL SAID, LOOK ME HOPE SCHOLARSHIP MONEY IS RUNNING DRY .

THE PROGRAM CAN'T SUSTAIN ITSELF, UNLESS THERE ARE CUTS BEING MADE.

LAWMAKERS HAD TO CUT THE PROMISE OF THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP, NOW IT IS BEING RESTORED.

>> IT IS AMAZING TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN.

HE IS GOING TO GET A LOT OF CACHET FROM THAT.

A MAJOR FOCUS AREA ALSO, THE STATE OF THE STATE IN THE STATE OF THE STATE WAS THE PRIME CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURE >> INCREASING PENALTIES FOR THOSE ORGANIZATIONS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE RESOURCES ON HOW TO SPOT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND WHAT ACTIONS ARE NEEDED TO STOP IT, BUT WHO UNFORTUNATELY FAILED TO DO SO.

LIKE THE PRIOR LEGISLATION, I AM SURE IT WILL RECEIVE OVERWHELMING, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE RECEIVING CENTERS WHERE VICTIMS ARE NOW FINDING HELP AND HOPE.

THIS IS CERTAINLY A RESOURCE THAT IS AND IS STILL IN CRITICAL NEED.

WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO TAKE VIOLENT OFFENDERS OUT OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

FOR FAR TOO MANY GEORGIANS, THE SAFETY OF THEIR FAMILIES AND HOMES IS PUT AT RISK BY THE UNCHECKED CRIMES OF STREET GANGS EARLY IN MY FIRST TERM, WE CREATED THE GPI'S ANTI-TASK FORCE TO TAKE THE FIGHT TO THESE CRIMINALS.

LAST YEAR, YOU GAVE THE STATE A NEW TOOL TO ENSURE JUSTICE, THE GANG PROSECUTION UNIT AND OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL CHRIS CARR.

I AM GRATEFUL THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND HIS TEAM HAVE ALREADY INDICTED OVER 50 GANG MEMBERS IN JUST THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF STANDING UP THIS UNIT.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND THEY HAVE MORE ON THE WAY.

WHERE LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ARE UNWILLING TO CONFRONT THESE VIOLENT OFFENDERS, THE GANG PROSECUTION UNIT WILL.

TODAY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS JOINED BY THE HEAD OF HIS PROSECUTION DIVISION, JOHN FOWLER IS THE HEAD OF THE GANG PROSECUTION UNIT, CAROL PROSECUTION TRAFFIC UNIT, AND ACCOMPLICE.

I HOPE YOU ALL WILL STAND AND LET US THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR GREAT WORK.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN CURBING CRIME, BUT NOW THIS FIGHT IS ENTERING A NEW PHASE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS.

IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR STATE, GANGS ARE ACTIVELY RECRUITING CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS INTO A LIFE OF CRIME.

THEY ARE TARGETING THE MOST INNOCENT AMONG US, PULLING THEM DOWN A DARK PATH, THAT OFTEN LEADS TO A PRISON CELL OR CEMETERY.

THAT IS WHY, ALONG WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, I AM PROPOSING LEGISLATION TO TRYING TO RECRUIT OUR CHILDREN INTO A GANG.

LET ME BE CLEAR, YOU COME AFTER OUR CHILDREN, WE WILL BE COMING AFTER YOU.

THIS PAST WEEKEND, WHEN OUT-OF- STATE RIDERS TRY TO BRING VIOLENCE TO THE STREETS OF OUR CAPITAL CITY, STATE PATROL, SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, AND ATLANTA POLICE QUICKLY BROUGHT PEACE AND ORDER.

THAT IS JUST THE LATEST EXAMPLE.

WHILE HERE IN GEORGIA, WE WILL ALWAYS BACK THE BLUE.

IN LIGHT OF THIS WEEKEND'S EVENTS WHEN MEN AND WOMEN ARE IN UNIFORM, PUTTING THEMSELVES IN HARMS WAY, AND LITERALLY IN THE LINE OF FIRE, YOU CAN IMAGINE THEIR FRUSTRATION WHEN ONE OF THESE CRIMINALS ENDS RIGHT BACK ON THE STREET IN A MATTER OF HOURS, JUST TO TERRORIZE THEIR STREETS FURTHER.

I APPRECIATE THE FULTON COUNTY JUDGE DENIED BOND TO RIDERS THIS LAST SATURDAY GAVE THE OTHER TWO BONDS OF OVER $55,000, ALONG WITH A 24 HOUR CURFEW AND ANKLE MONITORS.

[ APPLAUSE ] UNFORTUNATELY, THIS APPROACH IS NOT UNIVERSAL ACROSS THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

WHILE SOME MAY NOT TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I DO.

WE CAN AND WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE REVOLVING DOOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THIS LEGISLATOR TO GET IT DONE.

>> ALL RIGHT, GREG ME WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THAT?

CRIME, BIPARTISAN, LOTS TO SUPPORT.

>> LOTS OF ISSUES THAT HAVE PASSED WITH OVERWHELMING MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATOR.

THE KEY PHRASE WE JUST HEARD, THE GOVERNOR SAYING, REVOLVING DOOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

NOT SURE HOW HE INTENDS TO TACKLE THE ISSUES HE SEES AS SO PRESSING IN THE STATE.

WE NOTE LEGISLATION HE IS LOOKING AT, TOUGHER CRACKDOWNS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND NEW WAYS FOR OVERSIGHT OVER PROSECUTORS HE FEELS DON'T ACT URGENTLY ENOUGH >> WE HAVEN'T HEARD HOW THAT IS GOING TO ROLLOUT, HAVE WE?

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

WHILE THERE IS INSISTENCE IN THE CAPITAL TO DO QUITE A BIT OF FOR CRIME, ESPECIALLY IN THE CAPITAL, THERE IS QUITE A BIT AROUND ATTORNEYS IN THE STATE.

YOU HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT THE GANG PROSECUTION WILL GO IN IF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS FAILED TO ACT, AND OTHER WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT JUDGES ARE USING APPROPRIATE BOND GUIDELINES TO KEEP PEOPLE IN JAIL, YOU CAN FEEL THE GOVERNOR STARTING TO CIRCLE AROUND THIS ISSUE.

HE HAS NOT DELIVERED A LOT OF DETAILS THAT HE KNOWS WILL BE A MAJOR FOCUS BECAUSE HE KNOWS IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR FRUSTRATION FOR HIM IN THE PAST.

HE REALLY HAS BEEN USING ALSO THE GEORGIA STATE PATROL TO GET INVOLVED IN SOME OF THESE EVENTS AND SITUATIONS, WHEN HE WANTED TO SORT OF FLEX HIS OWN MUSCLES HE AT THE GEORGIA STATE PATROL IN ATLANTA OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE SAW HIM OUT IN DeKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA STATE PATROL ACTING THERE AS WELL.

I THINK WE SEE THE GOVERNOR EXTREMELY INTERESTED IN FINDING ALL THE LEVERS HE CAN TO DEAL WITH THE CRIME ISSUE HIMSELF.

>> INTERESTING.

LET'S GET TO THE FOURTH MAJOR AREA OF PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR IN THIS BEACH.

FOCUSED ON HEALTHCARE ISSUES.

>> IN ADDITION TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS, WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR HEALTHCARE HEROES .

SIMPLY PUT, WE NEED MORE OF THEM .

RIGHT NOW, THERE IS 67 COUNTIES WITH LESS THAN 10 POSITIONS.

GEORGIA'S NEED FOR MORE NURSES IS WELL DOCUMENTED, THAT IS WHY I AM PROPOSING OVER 4.4 MILLION IN LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS TO GROW THE NUMBER OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN GEORGIA.

[ APPLAUSE ] I AM ALSO CALLING FOR AN ADDITIONAL 102 RESIDENCY SLOTS THROUGH AN INVESTMENT OF $1.7 MILLION.

WITH THESE ADDITIONS , WE WILL EXCEED THE INITIAL GOAL NUMBER OF THIS PROGRAM.

I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT THE INNOVATIVE COMMISSIONS WE BROUGHT TO GEORGIA CONTINUES TO BRING GREAT RESULTS.

WHEN I FIRST SIGNED THE BIPARTISAN PATRIOTS FIRST ACT IN 2019, NO COUNTIES HAD MORE THAN TWO HEALTH INSURANCE CARRIERS .

TODAY, 86% OF GEORGIA COUNTIES HAVE THREE OR MORE.

WHILE OTHERS HAVE CALLED FOR EXPANDING A ONE SIZE FITS NONE MASSIVE GOVERNMENT HEALTH PROGRAM, THANKS TO OUR POLICIES, ENROLLING IN INDIVIDUAL MARKETS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE 2019 TO OVER 700,000 GEORGIANS THANKS TO OUR REASSURANCE PROGRAM, WE ARE ALSO SAVING HARD-WORKING FAMILIES MORE AND MORE IN THEIR WALLETS.

IN FACT, WE HAVE REDUCED PREMIUMS BY AN AVERAGE OF 12.4% ACROSS THE STATE.

PREMIUM REDUCTION OF ALMOST $1000 A YEAR.

IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, WHERE PREMIUM PRICES WERE THE LEAST AFFORDABLE WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, THE REASSURANCE PROGRAM HAS REDUCED PREMIUMS FROM 25 TO 40% .

IN ADDITION TO THESE INNOVATIONS, AND WITH YOUR HELP , WE EXPANDED MEDICAID COVERAGE TO A FULL YEAR AFTER A MOTHER GIVES BIRTH.

TO SUPPORT NEW MOTHERS EVEN MORE, MY TEAM IS PROPOSING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW PREGNANT WOMEN WHO QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE TENANT BENEFITS.

PREVIOUSLY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO APPLY FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE, UNTIL AFTER A CHILD WAS BORN.

I KNOW THAT THIS MEASURE , SUPPORTED BY MANY IN THIS CHAMBER, AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR BACKING.

[ APPLAUSE ] SINCE 2018, OUR STATE HAS SPENT OVER $20 3.15 AND MEDICAID, WITH A 9% SPENDING IN THAT TIME.

WHILE THE STATE SPENDS MORE AND MORE, GEORGIANS AREN'T SEEING IMPROVEMENT IN THE CARE THEY RECEIVE.

HERE IN GEORGIA, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE APPROACH .

THE GEORGIA PATHWAYS TO COVERAGE PROGRAM WAS NEGOTIATED IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SO WE CAN EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST, WHILE ALSO SUSTAINING THE QUALITY OF COVERAGE .

BUT IT WAS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THAT DELAYED ITS LAUNCH FOR OVER A YEAR, UNTIL THANKFULLY, A JUDGE THROUGHOUT THEIR BIASED OBJECTIONS TO THIS INNOVATIVE APPROACH.

THOSE ARE THE FACTS.

WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE FOR HARD-WORKING GEORGIANS, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WOULD RATHER PLAY PARTISAN POLITICS THEN GET PEOPLE INSURED AND LOWER COSTS.

FOLKS, WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO WAIT ON WASHINGTON, AND I DON'T HAVE MUCH PATIENCE FOR D.C. POSTURING.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AND WE ARE ON TARGET FOR A LAUNCH DATE OF JULY 1st OF THIS YEAR.

TO ME THAT GO, I AM ALLOCATING $40 MILLION TO CONNECT THOSE IN NEED TO ITS BENEFIT.

HERE'S ANOTHER FACT, UPWARDS OF 345,000 GEORGIANS COULD QUALIFY FOR THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM AND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH NO CHANGES TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR REGULAR MEDICAID.

UNLIKE MEDICAID EXPANSION , GEORGIA PATHWAYS WILL NOT KICK 200,000 GEORGIANS OF THEIR PRIVATE-SECTOR INSURANCE.

IN OUR STATE , WE WANT MORE PEOPLE TO BE COVERED AT A LOWER COST WITH MORE OPTIONS FOR PATIENTS.

I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT BOTH GEORGIA PATHWAYS AND ACCESS ACCOMPLISHED THAT GOAL .

>> OKAY, PATRICIA, YOUR TAKE ON WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT HEALTHCARE ISSUES.

>> THAT WAS A VERY LONG, FIVE- MINUTE PASSAGE, GOING INTO GREAT DETAIL ABOUT WHAT HE IS NOT GOING TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

WE ARE MORE THAN A DOZEN DIFFERENT FOCUSED, TARGETED WAYS TO BRING DOWN THE COST OF MEDICARE, THE COST GENERALLY, TO RURAL HOSPITALS, URBAN HOSPITALS, MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN TO ACCESS BENEFITS, SORT OF ONE, TWO, THREE, ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT IDEAS THAT HE CALLED INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE.

UNLIKE MEDICAID .

ON AFTERWARD, WE HEARD THE ANSWER, THEY SAID, MEDICAID.

EXPAND MEDICAID AND YOU WILL SEE ALL OF THESE RESULTS IN ONE SINGLE SOLUTION WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PICKING UP 90% OF THE BILL.

THAT WILL BE AN ONGOING CONVERSATION BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND GOVERNOR KEMP FOR AS LONG AS HE IS THE GOVERNOR.

>> AND AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR DEMOCRATS TO GET HIM TO GO FURTHER THAN WHAT HE IS DOING.

>> THAT IS ABOUT AS PARTISAN AS THAT SPEECH GOT.

I THINK WE CAN CLOSE THE DOOR ON ANY SPECULATION THAT GOVERNOR KEMP, EDDIE FISHER, WILL EMBRACE EXPANSION.

HE HAS MADE IT CLEAR, HE SUPPORTS LIMITED EXPANSION.

A FEDERAL JUDGE IS ALLOWING IT TO GO FURTHER.

WE WILL SEE WHAT THIS DOES.

>> DO YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO HEAR HIM TRY TO DO MORE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO MAKE EVERYBODY SWALLOW THIS ?

BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF HEALTHCARE ISSUES IN THE STATE >> I THINK YOU HAVE TO GO.

WE HAVE SEEN THE ATLANTA LAST TIME THE LEGISLATION WAS IN SESSION.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE ROW HOSPITALS.

THE ONES LEFT ARE STILL STRUGGLING .

THEY JUST CAN'T PAY THEIR BILLS WITH THE POPULATION THEY HAVE.

THERE HAS TO BE A STATEWIDE SOLUTION .

THAT IS WHAT GOVERNOR KEMP IS GETTING TO.

IT IS A VERY PIECEMEAL APPROACH, AND THE DEMOCRATS WANT A ONE AND DONE.

>> OF THE BIG THING IS ACKNOWLEDGING WORKFORCE ISSUES AND HEALTHCARE THAT EXIST.

HE MENTIONED THE LACK OF POSITIONS >> $1 MILLION SPENT OPENING RESIDENCY SLOTS, ENCOURAGING MORE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENTER THE FIELD.

THERE IS A WORK HORSE SHORTAGE.

THAT IS A BIG CRISIS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE WORKPLACE CRISIS OF TRAINING IN THE WORKFORCE TO WORK IN THESE GIANT FACTORIES, WHILE WE ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GETTING UP TO SPEED ON HEALTHCARE AS WELL.

COMING UP, RACHELLE RITCHIE RETURNS WITH REACTION FROM THOSE AT THE CAPITAL TO THE STATE OF THE STATE.

PLUS, THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO ME AS OUR SPECIAL ONE HOUR "LAWMAKERS" CONTINUES.

>>> "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

AFTER ALL, AGATE IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD REPRESENTS OVER 74 BILLION IN OUTPUT IN THE GEORGIA ECONOMY.

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

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> IT IS UNFORTUNATE, RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE 500,000 GEORGIANS WHO HAVE NO HEALTHCARE THAT HE NEVER MENTIONED.

HE BLAMES BIDEN FOR A WAIVER PROGRAM, NOT DOING IT.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RIGHTLY KICKED THAT WAIVER PROGRAM OUT BECAUSE IT COVERED LESS PEOPLE AND COSTS MORE MONEY.

THE GOVERNOR TOUTED NINE YEARS THAT GEORGE IS THE NUMBER ONE STATE TO DO BUSINESS.

FOR 10 YEARS, AS MANY HOSPITALS HAVE CLOSED, 10 YEARS, 10 HOSPITALS UNDER HIS WATCH.

SO, PART OF THE SPEECH WAS GOOD, BUT THE REST OF US ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO BECAUSE WE ARE STRUGGLING.

>> YESTERDAY, I ACTUALLY PUT ON MEMBER OF THE HOUSE, A WONDERFUL PIECE THAT ACTUALLY EXPLAINS THE SITUATION THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO GO THROUGH WITH THE UNWINDING OF MEDICARE AND REENROLLMENT, AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OF PATHWAYS, LIKE THE GOVERNOR SAID, TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE THAT SHOULD BE ON IT IS THERE, AND THOSE WHO SHOULD NOT, AND WHO HAVE HAD SUCCESS ARE ABLE TO STAND UP AND TAKE CARE OF NOT ONLY THEMSELVES, BUT THEIR FAMILIES.

THE KEY TO IT ALL IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL PROVIDERS AS WELL.

>> TELL ME, WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO SAY IN REGARD TO TEACHER SALARIES AND RESOURCES?

>> WE ARE OBVIOUSLY HAPPY TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR ONCE AGAIN PROPOSE AN INCREASE TO THE GEORGIA TEACHER SALARY SCALE AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE NOTE THAT THIS APPLIES ONLY TO OUR TEACHERS .

OUR CONCERN IS FOR THE OTHER EDUCATORS, OUR COLLEAGUES DAY THAT WILL NOT BE INCLUDED, FOR EXAMPLE, PARAPROFESSIONALS THAT HELP IN THE CLASSROOM, BUS DRIVERS THAT TRANSPORT OUR STUDENTS, SCHOOL NUTRITION WORKERS, CUSTODIANS, FRONT OFFICE PERSONNEL , ALL OF THOSE EDUCATORS ARE IMPORTANT TO THE EDUCATION PROCESS.

>> WILL COME OUT OF THE MANY SUCCESSES WE HAVE HAD IN GEORGIA, CRIME AND SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS IS ONE THAT STILL NEEDS A GOOD BIT OF WORK DONE.

HE IS PUTTING A LOT OF RESOURCES INTO IT.

I THINK OUR MAYOR IN ATLANTA IS FOCUSED ON IT AS WELL .

IT IS SOMETHING WE'VE GOT TO DO.

ALL OF OUR CITIZENS, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS WANT D AND I AM GLAD THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON IT.

>> DONNA , THE GOVERNOR ALSO HAD A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE FOR THOSE THAT RECRUITS, OR EVEN ATTEMPT TO RECRUIT CHILDREN TO GANG SAYING, IF YOU COME AFTER OUR KIDS, WE WILL COME AFTER YOU.

ADDITIONALLY, THE GOVERNOR IS PROPOSING HARSHER SENTENCES TO THOSE THAT DO.

THAT IS MY CAPITAL REPORT, BACK TO YOU.

>>> THE BUDGET SURPLUS IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR FOCUS FOR DEMOCRATS ON ALL OF THIS.

ACTUALLY, RIGHT NOW, WE WANT TO GET TO WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND THAT IS THAT WE WILL SHOW YOU THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE STATE, PRESENTED BY SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CHAIR.

>> HELLO, I AM SENATOR ALAYNA PARENT .

I AM PROUD TO SERVE MY CONSTITUENTS IN HIS SENATE DISTRICT 42 AND THE PEOPLE OF THE GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA AS THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS .

IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO WORK ALONGSIDE MY DEDICATED COLLEAGUES TOWARD CREATING A BETTER GEORGIA.

THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD ON OUR SUCCESSES, SUCCESSES LIKE THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ACT, AND THE EXPANSION OF POSTPARTUM HEALTHCARE COVERAGE THAT WE PASSED INTO LAW IN 2022.

WHILE WE AGREE WITH GOVERNOR KEMP THAT GEORGIA'S BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD, THIS IS NOT A FOREGONE CONCLUSION, OR A GUARANTEED OUTCOME.

WE CAN MAKE THIS VISION A REALITY ONLY IF WE DEPLOY OUR BUDGET EFFECTIVELY, AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT BUILD AN ECONOMY AND A WORKFORCE FOR A FUTURE THAT INCLUDES EVERY GEORGIAN .

WE ALL AGREE ON THE DESIRED OUTCOME, BUT WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT THE PAST THAT WILL TAKE US THERE.

IT SURELY WON'T BE BY PUTTING RELATIVELY FEW DOLLARS IN GEORGIANS ' POCKETS.

WITH TAX CUTS FOR SOME AND ONE- TIME REFUNDS .

THIS IS LIKE EXPECTING A CAR TO DRIVE SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES WHEN IT IS RUNNING ON FUMES.

THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS A NECESSARY PARTNER FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR .

INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE ROADS AND TRANSIT, AND PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATION MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE IT IS ONLY GOVERNMENT THAT CAN LEVERAGE OUR COMBINED TAX DOLLARS TO GROW THE ECONOMY AND CREATE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL GEORGIANS.

WE MUST STRENGTHEN OUR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES , AND THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE NEGLECTED FOR TOO LONG, SO THAT THEY CAN ADEQUATELY SERVE ALL GEORGIANS , BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT ALL GEORGIANS NEED AND DESERVE.

GEORGIA MAY BE RANKED THE NUMBER ONE STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO DO BUSINESS, BUT STILL, TOO MANY GEORGIANS LACK LIVABLE WAGES, ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE , AND QUALITY EDUCATION WE ARE SIMPLY NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT ALL GEORGIANS SHARE IN THIS PROSPERITY THAT OUR SUCCESS IS MEANT TO BRING .

WE KNOW THAT GEORGIANS ARE WORKING HARD .

WHILE UNEMPLOYMENT IN GEORGIA WAS AT A RECORD LOW IN 2022, AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT, TOO MANY GEORGIANS ARE STILL WORKING MORE HOURS FOR LESS PAY, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO MEET BASIC NEEDS.

MANY PEOPLE ARE TELLING US THAT THEY ARE BARELY HANGING ON IN SOME PARTS OF OUR STATE , UTILITY BILLS ARE SKYROCKETING THERE IS NO TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO SCHOOL, WORK, OR A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT.

ACCESS TO ROUTINE OR EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE IS DANGEROUSLY LIMITED, OR NONEXISTENT.

CHILDREN STRUGGLE IN UNDER RESOURCED SCHOOLS , AND THE LIKE AND COST OF CHILDCARE OPTIONS FORCES GEORGIA FAMILIES TO GO WITHOUT GEORGIA MUST BE THE BEST PLACE TO DO BUSINESS , AND THE BEST PLACE TO CALL HOME .

AT TIMES, IN PURSUIT OF THE GLORY OF BUSINESS INVESTMENT WE NEGLECT TO INVEST IN THE VERY PEOPLE WE NEED SO THAT THESE BUSINESSES CAN SUCCEED .

FAILING TO FIND HEALTHCARE, CHILDCARE, AND TRANSPORTATION PUNCTURES THE WHEELS THAT DRIVE OUR PRIVATE SECTOR.

GEORGIA, WE MUST DO BETTER .

I DEMOCRATS, OUR PRIORITIES ARE LASER FOCUSED ON INTRODUCING POLICY INITIATIVES THAT INVEST IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ALL GEORGIANS, AND IN BUILDING THE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES WE ENVISION FOR THE FUTURE .

IT IS GREAT.

GEORGIA HAS RECOVERED WELL FROM THE GREAT RECESSION AND HAVE A HEALTHY AND ROBUST BUDGET BUT AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF BUDGET CUTS, OUR STATE IS STILL BELEAGUERED BY PERSISTENT PROBLEMS.

IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNETHICAL TO NOT MARSHAL OUR COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY TAX DOLLARS FOR GEORGIANS IN PLACES WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED, AND HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR ALL.

TO ACHIEVE THE FUTURE WE ENVISION , WE MUST INVEST IN OUR WORKFORCE ACROSS THE STATE AND FUND A PLAN FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION .

IF OUR NEWFOUND REACHED A FEW IN METRO ATLANTA, CAN WE REALLY CALL THAT SUCCESS?

WE MUST WORK ALONGSIDE GEORGIANS ACROSS THE STATE TO CODESIGN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND SUPPORT INVESTMENTS IN BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY, AND S.T.E.M.

JOBS THAT WORK FOR GEORGIANS IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE SIMPLY NOT MEETING THAT CALL .

WE CURRENTLY HAVE A DANGEROUS SHORTFALL OF PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, NURSES, COUNSELORS, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, QUALIFIED TEACHERS , STAFF FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND TRAINED WORKERS TO BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ADVANCEMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES BROUGHT BY BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGICAL GROWTH .

AND WE KNOW THAT THESE SHORTAGES AND HIGH JOB TURNOVER RATES ARE IN NO SMALL PART DUE TO THE FACT THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT PAID FOR THE VALUE OF THEIR WORK , AND THE CONTRIBUTION THEY MAKE TO OUR ECONOMIC ECOSYSTEM IT IS WONDERFUL THAT GOVERNOR KEMP IS TALKING ABOUT GOOD PAYING JOBS, SOMETHING DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN CHAMPIONING FOR YEARS BUT THE REALITY IS, THAT WITHOUT PASSING LIVING WAGE LEGISLATION, AND SIGNIFICANT WAGE INCREASES FOR STATE EMPLOYEES TO COMBAT DECADES LONG WAGE STAGNATION, THIS TALKING POINT OF GOOD PAYING JOBS IS NEAR MERE LIP SERVICE.

THERE ARE SOME STATE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CURRENTLY BEING PAID SO POORLY , THEY QUALIFY FOR THE VERY SAME ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THEY ARE TAXED WITH HELPING PEOPLE ACCESS.

THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE, UNCONSCIONABLE, AND CONTRIBUTES DIRECTLY TO THE HIGH TURNOVER, AND UNFILLED JOBS ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT.

IF PEOPLE ARE BARELY KEEPING UP HOW CAN WE EXPECT THEM TO GET AHEAD?

GEORGIA, WE MUST DO BETTER.

I AM PLEASED THAT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES A $2000 WAGE INCREASE FOR TEACHERS, BUT WE HAVE THE FINANCES TO DO BETTER.

AND IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE AN EDUCATION SYSTEM IN CRISIS.

DEMOCRATS PROPOSE A $10,000 INCREASE FOR TEACHERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, PLUS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULAR INCREASES MOVING FORWARD.

IT IS WHAT THESE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS DESERVE.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ALSO ROBS PETER TO PAY PAUL BY, FOR EXAMPLE, COVERING A SHRINKING PERCENTAGE OF SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THEN HAVE TO GO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES TO COVER THE SHORTFALL CREATED BY FEWER STATE DOLLARS WE MUST REVAMP THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA, INVESTING MORE TRANSPORTATION, AND EXPAND BROADBAND INTERNET.

WE CANNOT KEEP SHIFTING EDUCATION COSTS TO LOCAL DISTRICTS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO SHOULDER THAT BURDEN FROM PRE-K TO HIGHER ED, GEORGIANS NEED AND DESERVE ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION, BECAUSE IT IS THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR STATE TODAY AND TOMORROW.

WITHOUT A POOL, AN EDUCATED POOL OF WORKERS, WE WILL HAVE TO GO COMPETE HARDER TO ATTRACT QUALIFIED PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES THAT ARE DOING A BETTER JOB OF TEACHING AND TRAINING.

HOW CAN WE EXPECT TO SUPPORT A STRONG AND RESILIENT WORKFORCE, IF WE AREN'T INVESTING IN THE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES REQUIRED TO GET THERE?

I AM GRATEFUL THAT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, MORE GEORGIANS THAN EVER BEFORE HAVE HAD ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE , AND THAT WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY, BUT WE ARE FACING A DIRE SITUATION NOW , AS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ARE ON THE BRINK OF LOSING THE MEDICAID COVERAGE THEY QUALIFIED FOR DURING THE PANDEMIC .

THAT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE WILL NOW BE YANKED AWAY AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OFFICIALLY ENDS IN A FEW SHORT MONTHS.

ANOTHER ONGOING PROBLEM IS THE CONTINUED THREAT OF HOSPITAL CLOSURES , PARTICULARLY IN RURAL GEORGIA COUNTIES.

47% OF THE 70 RURAL HOSPITALS IN OUR STATE ARE AT RISK OF CLOSING DO TO FINANCIAL STRESS EXPANDING MEDICAID HERE IN GEORGIA, AS RORTY STATES HAVE ALREADY DONE, WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO BY UTILIZING FEDERAL DOLLARS AND SAVING GEORGIA RESOURCES GEORGIA CONSISTENTLY RANKS AMONG THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY FOR HEALTHCARE ACCESS, MENTAL HEALTH, MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY, AND ELDERLY CARE .

THIS IS COSTING US LIVES AND IT IS THE EXPRESS RESULTS OF THE ACTIONS AND INACTIONS OF THOSE WHO HOLD THE MAJORITY IN THIS CAPITAL .

GEORGIA, WE MUST DO BETTER.

DEMOCRATS HAVE PLANNED TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE COVERAGE AND ACCESS, REDUCE COST , AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND DEFEND THE RIGHT TO MAKE OUR OWN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS.

AS DEMOCRATS, WE ARE ALSO PRIORITIZING AFFORDABLE, SAFE HOUSING , BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO GO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING FOR FOOD , OR A PLACE TO LAY THEIR HEAD AT NIGHT.

WE MUST PROTECT PEOPLE FROM EVICTION AND NEGLIGENT LANDLORDS, AND EXPAND HOUSING OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TRYING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, THOSE WHO ARE WORKING HARD TO SIMPLY STAY AFLOAT .

WE ARE PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY , AND COMMONSENSE MEASURES TO REDUCE THE VIOLENCE THAT THE FLOOD OF GUNS IN OUR STREETS CREATE AND THAT THREATENS US AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DAILY.

GOVERNOR KEMP IS RIGHT ABOUT GANG RECRUITMENT BUT MANY YOUTH ARE VULNERABLE BECAUSE HE HAS UNDERFUNDED EDUCATION AT AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS IN AFFECTED COMMUNITIES.

MORE SCHOOL COUNSELORS , AND BROADER ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT INITIATIVES WE SUPPORT, YET, THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

GOVERNOR KEMP TALKS ABOUT THE CRIME AND VIOLENCE ON OUR STREETS, BUT LET'S BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON.

GEORGIANS CAN NOW CARRY A GUN WITHOUT A PERMIT , BECAUSE OF A BILL THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY PAST.

WE NEED POLICIES AND LAWS THAT REQUIRE COMMONSENSE USE OF THESE WEAPONS .

GUNS SHOULD BE LOCKED IN THE PRESENCE OF MINORS THIS WAY, THEY CAN'T TAKE THEM TO KINDERGARTEN HIGH SCHOOL, OR IN OUR STREETS TO SETTLE SOME SCORE.

WE ALSO NEED TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY-BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION MOTHERS MEASURES TO PROTECT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE ARE PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SO THAT OUR CHILDREN AND CHILDREN'S CHILDREN CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL STATE TO LIVE IN.

LAST YEAR, YOU SAW DEMOCRATS LEADING THE CHARGE TO PROTECT GEORGIANS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE EMISSION .

THAT IS WHY DEMOCRATS PLAN TO PROTECT AIR QUALITY ENSURE THAT NEW BUILDING PROJECTS ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPLEMENT WATER EFFICIENCY BEST PRACTICES , SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS OF GEORGIANS CAN THRIVE .

GEORGIA, IT IS TIME TO PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS.

THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT, WE HAVE $7 BILLION IN UNDESIGNATED CASH ON HAND.

HOW WE ALLOCATE THESE FUNDS WILL DETERMINE GEORGIA'S FUTURE.

WE ARE PREPARED TO WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A GEORGIA WHERE THRIVING IS A REALITY, NO MATTER WHAT COMMUNITY YOU LIVE IN .

WE ARE READY TO FIGHT FOR YOU , AND FOR YOUR RIGHTS , WHETHER YOU LIVE NEAR AND FAR, WHETHER YOU WERE BORN HERE OR NOT , NO MATTER WHEN YOU DECIDE TO START A FAMILY, NO MATTER WHO YOU VOTE FOR, NO MATTER YOUR INCOME , AGE, GENDER, RACE, RELIGION, OR CREED , WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU AND THE GEORGIA WE ALL DESERVE , A GEORGIA WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE.

LET'S GET TO WORK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?

>> THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE WAS MORE ABOUT WHAT WAS NOT IN GOVERNOR KEMP'S SPEECH THAN WHAT WAS IN IT, ESPECIALLY MINIMUM WAGE, MEDICAL EXPANSION, TEACHER PAY RAISE, MORE ROBUST TEACHER PAY RAISE THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING FOR $10,000.

THE CRUX OF THIS IS HOW YOU SPEND THAT SURPLUS TOPPING $6 BILLION.

THE GOVERNOR HAS A MORE MEASURED I GUESS MORE CONSERVATIVE VIEW OF HOW TO SPEND THAT MONEY, $2 BILLION IN REFUNDS, HOLDING BACK MORE OF IT.

DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING, LOOK ME THIS IS A ONE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST.

A POLL THAT CAME OUT JUST THIS WEEK SHOWS THAT VOTERS ARE SOMEWHAT MIXED ON THIS.

48% SUPPORT REINVESTING IN HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION HERE AT 41%, GIVING IT BACK TO TAXPAYERS, AND THE REST AGREE WITH BOTH.

YOUR TAKE ON WHAT YOU HEARD.

>> DEFINITELY THE SCENE OF TRYING TO DO SOMETHING FOR ALL GEORGIANS.

ELENA, THE STATE SENATOR, ALSO THE HEAD OF THE CAUCUS FOR THE STATE SENATE SAID, EVERY GEORGIAN, ALL GEORGIANS, MORE THAN HALF A DOZEN TIMES, REALLY TRYING TO PAINT THE PICTURE OF REPUBLICANS CATERING TO BUSINESSES, SPECIAL INTERESTS, AND DEMOCRATS WANTING TO DO SOMETHING FOR EVERY PERSON IN THE STATE.

SHE SAID, WE HAVE THE SAME GOALS THAT WE WANT TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES, WE WANT TO STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT AT THE EXPENSE OF GEORGIANS HAVING TO PUT THESE BILLS.

REALLY, THIS VERY UNIQUE SITUATION OF $6 BILLION TO SPEND HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

WE HAVE ALL COVERED THESE STATE BUDGETS VERY RECENTLY.

THE GOVERNOR CAME IN AND SAID, I WANT YOU ALL TO CUT.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL CUT, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY ALL OF OUR BILLS THIS YEAR.

DEMOCRATS ARE ARGUING FOR ME THIS IS THE CHANCE FOR GENERATIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE STATE, EXPAND MEDICAID, EXPAND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, REALLY PUMP THAT MONEY INTO LONG-TERM PROGRAMS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO THROW OFF BENEFITS REPUBLICANS ARE ARGUING, THIS IS NOT THE STATE'S MONEY, THIS IS GEORGIANS ' MONEY.

IT IS TIME TO GIVE IT BACK THROUGH A $500 ONE TIME TAX REFUND, THE GOVERNOR HAS SUGGESTED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR GEORGIANS WHO WILL BE STRUGGLING WITH BILLS .

ONCE THEY SEE THE MATCHUP WITH THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILLS, IT IS JUST A LITTLE TOPICAL DIFFERENCE OF WHAT TO DO WITH HIS VERY UNIQUE SITUATION OF HAVING EXTRA MONEY ON HAND.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRIKES ME, THE STATE ECONOMIST, JEFFREY DORFMAN , SAID THAT HE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE, WE HAVE HAD THIS NICE WINDFALL, BUT WE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO SEE IT, CAPITAL GAINS TAX WILL GO DOWN DRAMATICALLY.

>> THE STORM CLOUDS ARE BREWING.

WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL BE A LOWERCASE R RECESSION , OR A DOWNTURN .

HE SAID WHEN HE WAS MEETING WITH INTERNATIONAL LEADERS ME THAT WAS THE BIG CONCERN FOR THEM AS WELL.

THEY WANT A MARKET THAT CAN OFFER THEM CERTAINTY.

THIS IS HOLDING BACK AT LEAST $2 BILLION , ECONOMIC TURBULENCE IS ON THE ROAD.

WHILE WE HAVE GOT THIS MONEY, THIS OPPORTUNITY, LET'S TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

A CORE, PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE THAT REALLY HELPED SHAPE LAST YEAR'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

>> AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

IT REALLY COMES RIGHT DOWN TO BUSINESS IS, VERSUS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE DEMOCRATS FEEL SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH PEOPLE.

>> LET'S TALK EDUCATION .

WE HEARD DURING THE CAMPAIGN OF COURSE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OPPONENT, STACEY ABRAMS, $10,000 RAISE FOR TEACHERS, RATHER THAN THE $2000.

>> WE ARE HEARING DEMOCRATS ECHOING MANY OF THE THINGS STACEY ABRAMS WAS SOUNDING OFF IN HER CAMPAIGN, INCLUDING MEDICAID EXPANSION, AND THIS $10,000 TEACHER PAY RAISE , ALSO FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISE SOMETHING WE HEARD FROM ALAYNA PARENT, AND WE DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY FROM GOVERNOR KEMP .

IT REFLECTS THE REALITY THAT ALL DEMOCRATS HAVE RIGHT NOW IS THEIR MESSAGE.

THEY DO NOT HAVE THEIR VOTE IN THE STATE HOUSE OR STATE SENATE TO INFLUENCE ANY OF THESE DECISIONS.

THAT IS THE REALITY IF THE REPUBLICANS STAY UNITED.

THEY TYPICALLY DO ON A LOT OF THESE BIGGER, BROADER, STRICT ISSUES, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID TO ME THIS IS MY PRIORITY, I AM YOUR GOVERNOR.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE VOTES , THE DEMOCRATS WANT TO CREATE THE CONTRACT AND SHOW GEORGIA VOTERS OVER AND OVER THE CONTRACT AND ALTERNATIVE , SO THAT THE NEXT TIME WHEN AN ELECTION COMES AROUND, THIS IS THE ALTERNATIVE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE.

>> THE CRIME ISSUE, TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON CERTAIN ISSUES, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DEFINITELY A BIPARTISAN APPROACH THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.

>> IT IS HARD FOR DEMOCRATS TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL THAT FULLY FUNDS THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP THAT OFFERS TEACHERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES $2000 PAY RAISES.

IT WILL BE HARD TO VOTE AGAINST NEW CRACKDOWNS OF VIOLENT CRIMINALS.

OR VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

WE HEARD FROM DEMOCRATS SAYING, THE WORRY IS, WE DON'T WANT TO FORGET ABOUT POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

THERE NEEDS TO BE STIPULATIONS THAT CALL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE CAN'T OVER CRIMINALIZE.

THIS IS A SHIFT.

EIGHT YEARS UNDER GOVERNOR NATHAN BILL , WE TALKED ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS, DIVERTING LOW-LEVEL OFFENDERS AWAY FROM PRISON SENTENCES.

GOVERNOR 10 KEMP IS KEEPING THOSE INTACT.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH SORT OF A CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY HERE IN GEORGIA.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE WAY THIS SESSION IS GOING SO FAR?

>> I WOULD SAY , IT IS A SLOW ROLL SO FAR.

BECAUSE THERE IS NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE STATE HOUSE AND STATE SENATE, WE HAVE A NEW STATE HOUSE SPEAKER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DOZEN YEARS, AND A BRAND-NEW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AN ENTIRELY NEW LEADERSHIP SLATE, WITH ONE EXCEPTION IN BOTH CHAMBERS, IT SEEMS LIKE THESE CHAMBERS ARE TRYING TO GET THEIR LEGS UNDERNEATH THEM.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR, WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES, BECAUSE HE IS LEADING THE CHARGE ON A LOT OF THE ISSUES AND THE STATE HOUSE AND SENATE SEEM TO BE SAYING WHERE WILL WE FILL IN THE BLANKS?

WE DON'T KNOW WHO HAS GOT ALL THE CARDS, WAS CALLING THE SHOTS OVER THERE, HOW MUCH POWER IS THE NEW STATEHOUSE ARE GOING TO HAVE?

HE SEEMS TO HAVE IMMENSE GOODWILL IN THE CHAMBER.

RIGHT NOW, EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE CHECKING OUT THE LAY OF THE LAND, WHAT CAN WE GET DONE IT IS A SLOW START TO THE SESSION.

>> THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO PUT IT.

I WAS TALKING TO A FRESHMAN LAWMAKER TODAY, WHEN IS THINGS GOING TO GET INTERESTING HERE?

>> [ LAUGHTER ] >> IMAGINE A LITTLE MORE THAN A DECADE AGO WHEN THE FIRST MAJOR BOTH A LOT OF THESE LAWMAKERS TOOK WAS TO GUT THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP , OR VOTES ON KEEPING HOSPITAL BED TAXES ON, ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAPPENED IN PASSAGE .

WE HAVE PLENTY OF MAJOR ISSUES TO DEAL WITH.

WE DON'T HAVE AN ENORMOUS CRISIS THAT WE HAVE HAD AT THE BEGINNING OF OTHER LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS .

THEY SHOULD COUNT THEMSELVES MORE FORTUNATE.

>> IT IS STRANGE NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT, ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND THINGS SEEM LIKE THEY ARE DOING WELL IN THE STATE.

>> THE CAPITAL HAS BEEN IN CRISIS MODE FOR YEARS.

IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR THE FIRST SHOE TO DROP.

ALSO, A FIFTH OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE NEW.

THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS AND THEY ARE JUST NOW FINDING OUT WHAT THEIR COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS ARE, WHAT THEIR DECORATE THEIR OFFICES.

IT IS A LOT OF EARLY HOUSEKEEPING.

>> I LOVED HAVING YOU BOTH HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT IS IF FOR OUR SHOW .

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW.

DAY EIGHT OF THE GEORGIA LAWMAKERS SESSION.

GOOD NIGHT.