♪♪ >>> CLEARLY WE ARE TRYING TO HIDE SOMETHING FROM THE PUBLIC.

THE PEOPLE THAT WE ANSWER TO.

THIS GAMESMANSHIP IS UNACCEPTABLE.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE TRYING TO HIDE?

>> DEMOCRATIC SENATOR ELENA PARENT BLASTS HER REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES OVER ACCESS TO EARLY VOTING THIS MORNING ON ELECTION BILLS.

BUT REPUBLICANS PUSHED BACK HARD, CALLING CRITICS DISINGENUOUS AND PART OF A MEDIA SPIN ABOUT LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS LEGISLATIVE DAY 18.

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA.

WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM BOTH SIDES ON THAT ISSUE IN OUR CAPITOL REPORT IN A MOMENT.

>>> ALSO COMING UP, THE GOVERNOR'S TEACHER PIPELINE BILL CAME BEFORE THE SENATE AND RECEIVED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT.

IN OUR INTERVIEW SEGMENTS WE'LL DISCUSS TWO ISSUES THAT WORRY MOTORISTS, DRAG RACING AND DISTRACTED DRIVING.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHY SOME ARE UPSET ABOUT THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT EXPANDING BROADBAND INTO PARTS OF GEORGIA.

>>> AND GEORGIA'S EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA IS DECADES OLD.

ONE LAWMAKER WANTS TO SEE CHANGES SHE SAYS ARE LONG OVERDUE.

>>> WE START AS ALWAYS WITH OUR CAPITOL REPORT FROM CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

ELECTION REFORM, BRENDA, CONTINUES TO SPARK TENSIONS UNDER THAT GOLD DOME, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT, DONNA.

HOT AND HEAVY.

A SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE VOTED 3-2 TO APPROVE TWO BILLS THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN EXCUSE AND AN I.D.

NUMBER FOR ABSENTEE VOTING.

THE VOTE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE PROBLEM FOR SOME, BUT HOW THE MEETING WENT DOWN, FOR ONE SENATOR WAS PRETTY FIRED UP ABOUT IT.

THE MEETING WAS NOT LIVESTREAMED THIS MORNING NOR WAS IT RECORDED.

SENATOR ELENA PARENT HAD THIS TO SAY FROM THE FLOOR.

>> A SITTING SENATOR, NO EMAIL BACK ABOUT WHAT THE PLANS WERE WITH THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL HEARINGS, THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL BILL OF THIS SESSION.

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

THE COMMITTEE ROOMS ALL HAVE A BIG SIGN THAT SAY THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN EVEN GO IN THE ROOM.

THESE HEARINGS WERE AT 7:00 IN THE MORNING.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A HEARING AT 7:00 IN THE MORNING DURING MY ENTIRE TENURE AS A LEGISLATOR OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS.

>> NOW HERE'S A RESPONSE FROM STEVEN TIPPENS JR., THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM.

IT BEGINS WITH THIS.

QUOTE, HERE IS A LESSON IN OUR LEGISLATIVE PROCESS FOR ANYONE WHO IS UPSET.

PROBABLY DISINGENUOUSLY.

THAT SENATE ETHICS DIDN'T LIVESTREAM ITS SUBCOMMITTEE THIS MORNING.

SUBCOMMITTEES DON'T PASS BILLS.

THEY RECOMMEND THEM TO STANDING COMMITTEES.

IN THIS INSTANCE, AS IN OTHERS, THE SENATE'S STANDING COMMITTEE ON ETHICS WILL LIVESTREAM ANY DECISION AND ANY UP OR DOWN VOTE ON THIS MORNING'S BILLS AS IN SENATE POLICY.

THE SENATE POLICY ON LIVESTREAMING IS ON THE WEBSITE.

ANYBODY CAN LOOK AT IT, END OF QUOTE.

NUMBERS SHOW THAT ABOUT HALF OF ALL TEACHERS LEAVE THE PROFESSION IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS.

A SIX-PART BILL PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE TODAY, AND IT'S AIMED AT CHANGING THAT.

>> THE MEASURE WAS CARRIED BY SENATOR RUSS GOODMAN.

IT WILL BOLSTER EDUCATION IN GEORGIA AND FOCUSES ON TRAINING AND RECRUITING TEACHERS BUT ALSO WORKS TO MAKE SURE ASPIRING TEACHERS GET ADDITIONAL HELP WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN COLLEGE.

SENATOR GOODMAN LAYS OUT THE PLAN.

>> THIS BILL HIGHLIGHTS THE COMMITMENT WE ALL HAVE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR TEACHERS AND PRESERVE THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

THIS BILL HAS SIX PARTS THAT FOCUS ON RECRUITING, PREPARING, MENTORING, AND RETAINING GEORGIA'S TEACHERS.

FIRST, THIS BILL ALLOWS THE GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR TO SERVE AS THE ADVISER EX OFFICIO TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE SENATE BILL SUPPORTS A PATH WAIL FOR ARMED FORCES VETERANS TO BECOME CERTIFIED TEACHERS, ENSURING OBSERVATIONAL SUPPORTS ARE REROUTED TO COACH AND MENTOR NEW TEACHERS OR TEACHERS WHO NEED SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: THE BILL IS ALL PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S TEACHER PIPELINE PACKAGE.

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE A HUGE PART OF THIS PLAN.

>> HBCUs PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN TEACHER PREPARATION.

THIS LEGISLATION WILL ENSURE THE GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMISSION WILL WORK WITH HBCUs TO LEAD THE CHARGE TO CREATE INNOVATIVE WAYS TO GET MORE MINORITY TEACHERS IN OUR CLASSROOM.

>> Reporter: THE BILL NOW HEADS OVER TO THE HOUSE.

THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS THAT VAPING IS A PRIMARY PROBLEM IN SCHOOLS, NOT E-CIGARETTES OR TRADITIONAL SMOKING.

RECOGNIZING THAT, THIS MORNING REPRESENT BONNIE RICH INTRODUCED THIS BILL.

>> TODAY I BRING TO YOU HOUSE BILL 287, WHICH IS A CONTINUATION OF MY EFFORT TO CURB THE TEEN VAPE EPIDEMIC THAT WE HAVE BEEN ENDURING FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

HB 287 SIMPLY ADDS VAPE AND TOBACCO TO THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL INSTRUCTION THAT WE ARE ALREADY PROVIDING IN OUR K-12 SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: THE CURRICULUM WILL BE DEVELOPED BY THE STATE.

REPRESENTATIVE BERT REEVES SAYS FEWER PEOPLE ARE GOING INTO FOSTER CARE.

THAT'S A GOOD THING BUT HE WANTS THAT TO BE BETTER.

ENTER HOUSE BILL 154.

>> TRYING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE A FOSTER KID CAN BE MORE EASILY ADOPTED.

THIS BILL HAS BEEN WORKED ON BY THE GEORGIA COUNCIL OF ADOPTION LAWYERS.

IT'S HAD THE INPUT OF THE JUDICIARY, OF PRACTITIONERS, ET CETERA.

ALL OF THE PLAYERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS.

>> Reporter: HOUSE BILL 154 WOULD ALSO LOWER THE AGE OF A PERSON WHO WANTS TO ADOPT A FOSTER CHILD FROM AGE 25 TO 21.

THE GOAL IS TO ALLOW CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS TO ADOPT CHILDREN OUT OF FOSTER CARE.

>>> NOW, BEFORE GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS, THERE WERE MORNING ORDERS FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR.

REPRESENTATIVE CASEY CARPENTER WHO OWNS A RESTAURANT REMINDED EVERYONE THAT TODAY IS STATE RESTAURANT DAY.

THIS IS A TIME WHEN SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES ALIKE RECOGNIZE THE DEDICATION OF THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS AND HOW CRITICAL IT IS TO THE GEORGIA ECONOMY.

>> RESTAURANTS BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC WAS THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WITH OVER $24.9 BILLION WORTH OF REVENUE.

WE'VE SEEN A DECREASE OF ABOUT 20% IN OUR INDUSTRY AND ALMOST 20% OF RESTAURANTS THAT YOU HOLD NEAR AND DEAR ARE CLOSING.

TODAY ON GEORGIA RESTAURANT DAY, WE ASK THAT YOU GO OUT, GET SOMETHING TO EAT, TAKE A FRIEND, BUY A GIFT CARD, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SUPPORT THIS INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> WE NEED TO GO TO A RESTAURANT.

>> Reporter: I'LL MEET YOU THERE.

>> SOUNDS GOOD, BRENDA.

>>> WE NOW TURN TO DRAG RACING AND DISTRACTED DRIVING, TWO ISSUES THAT GRAB THE ATTENTION OF MOTORISTS ACROSS GEORGIA.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT ABOUT THOSE TOPICS ARE DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR EMANUEL JONES AND REPUBLICAN FROM MARIETTA.

SENATOR JONES, AMONG THOSE WHO TESTIFIED, THE MOTHER-IN-LAW OF A TEENAGED DAUGHTER WHO LEFT A STORE, DROVE ON COLUMBIA DRIVE.

A CAR BELIEVED INVOLVED IN STREET RACING HIT THE CAR HEAD ON, KILLING MS. STANFORD.

>> THERE WERE GENTLEMEN DRAG RACING, STREET RACING DOWN COLUMBIA DRIVE.

AND IN THE SPLIT SECOND, MY DAUGHTER WHO LOVES LIFE WAS TAKEN.

AND OUR 16-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS THERE TO WITNESS THAT.

WE MUST DO SOMETHING.

NO FAMILY IS IMMUNE TO THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE.

>> IT'S SO SAD, REALLY SAD.

YOU HAVE A BILL TO ADDRESS THAT.

TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT, SENATE BILL 10 WAS INSPIRED BY MS. BOBBI SANFORD.

IT IS A BILL THAT'S DESIGNED TO TAX THE INDUSTRY AND THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ACTIVITY BY NOT JUST PUNISHING THE DRIVERS BUT IT PUNISHES THOSE WHO ORGANIZE THESE EVENTS AND THOSE THAT ARE OUT THERE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING, BETTING AND WAGERING ON THESE EVENTS.

>> WHEN WE'RE TALKING DRAG RACING, WE'RE TALKING IN THE STREETS BUT ALSO IN PARKING LOTS.

EXPLAIN HOW WIDESPREAD THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT REALIZE THAT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND THIS ACTIVITY, I CALL IT AN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, IT'S NOT A SPORT.

IT'S GROWN IN POPULARITY OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS.

AND MS. SANFORD BEING IN THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS OWNS A LARGE PARKING LOT.

SHE DESCRIBES HOW EVERY SINGLE WEEK THERE ARE CARS OUT THERE DOING DOUGHNUTS, LAYING TRACKS.

AND THEY ARE RACING TO SEE WHO CAN LAY THE LONGEST TRACKS.

AND MY BILL ADDRESSES ALL THOSE CONCERNS.

>> AND THE PENALTIES, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

FINES, EVERYTHING.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

RIGHT NOW WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS ON THE BOOKS AS IT PERTAINS TO STREET RACING.

I INCREASE THE PENALTIES FROM JUST A MISDEMEANOR TO AN AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANOR.

THE DIFFERENCE IS THE FINES ARE MORE, WITH HIGH AND AGGRAVATED MISDEMEANORS.

AND BY -- WE ALSO INCREASE POINTS PEOPLE LOSE ON THEIR LICENSES, IT ALMOST DOUBLES.

THIS IS THE KIND OF ACTIVITY THAT WE HAVE TO CURB AND IT'S JUST GROWN PROPORTIONATELY, DISPROPORTIONATELY, IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> YOU FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THE BILL?

>> I DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL KEEP UP WITH THAT.

WE'LL STICK WITH TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT GOES ON WHEN WE'RE ON THE ROADS AND TALK ABOUT DISTRACTED DRIVING WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT.

YOU HAVE A BILL DEALING WITH THAT, AND IT'S HOUSE BILL 247.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> SURE.

SO YOU REMEMBER BACK IN 2018, WE PASSED THE HANDS FREE LAW.

WE'VE SEEN SOME SUCCESS FROM THAT.

ONE OF THE MEASURES -- ONE OF THE ITEMS IN THE HANDS FREE LAW WAS TO CREATE A FIRST TIME WAIVER.

AND THIS IS BASICALLY WHERE IF YOU WERE TO BE PULLED OVER IN VIOLATION OF THE HANDS FREE LAW, YOU COULD GO INTO COURT AND SAY, I HAVE A RECEIPT FOR A BLUETOOTH DEVICE OR I HAVE A HANDS FREE BRACKET OR WHAT HAVE YOU AND YOU SHOULD BE FOUND NOT GUILTY.

DONNA, IN LATE 2018, THE STATE HAD 98% AWARENESS OF THE HANDS FREE LAW.

AND SOME MEASURES, IT WAS 99%.

IT'S TIME FOR THIS WAIVER TO GO SO WE CAN KEEP TRACK OF THESE CITATIONS AND SO FORTH AND ULTIMATELY CREATE MORE OF A DETERRENT SO PEOPLE CAN DRIVE SAFELY AND SAVE LIVES.

>> BASICALLY IT WAS A LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOWED PEOPLE TO KEEP SAYING, OH, I'M TAKING CARE OF IT, BUT THEN THEY WOULD BE BACK.

>> THEY WOULD HOLD UP A ONE-PAGE PIECE OF PAPER, AFFIDAVIT, SAYING IT WAS THEIR FIRST TIME BEING PULLED OVER FOR THE HANDS FREE LAW, THEY WOULD SHOW IT IN A COURT AND THE COURT STORES THAT.

THE PROBLEM IS IF I'M PULLED OVER IN COBB COUNTY COURT AND I DO THAT, THEY DON'T COMMUNICATE WITH THE MACON AREA OR THE COLUMBUS AREA.

THE COURT JURISDICTIONS DON'T TALK TO EACH OTHER, THEY'RE NOT DESIGNED TO, UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHICH IS ADDRESSED IN THE WAIVER.

>> AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE ON CELLPHONES.

>> MY DAUGHTER ELIZABETH AND SON JACK ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

YES, WHEN WE'RE DRIVING AROUND IN OUR AREA, WHOEVER SEES ONE PERSON OR THE OTHER SEES ANOTHER DRIVER ON THEIR PHONE, HOLDING THEIR PHONE, THAT PERSON GETS TEN CENTS.

SO I OWE MY KIDS MONEY OR THEY OWE ME MONEY.

RIGHT NOW I OWE MY SON ABOUT $1.80.

WE'RE CHANGING THE CULTURE TO SAY THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I REMEMBER IN THE 1980s, IN HIGH SCHOOL, DUI WAS THE REAL ISSUE.

TO ME THIS IS THE DUI OF OUR GENERATION.

>> OKAY.

I'VE GOT TO SWITCH GEARS AGAIN AND WE'LL TALK WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT VOTING AND ELECTION BILLS.

YOU HAVE SENATE BILL 36.

WE ARE HEARING A LOT ABOUT THE DIFFERENT BILLS.

WHAT DOES THAT DO?

>> SENATE BILL 36 IS NOTHING MORE THAN SUPPRESS THE VOTES.

IT'S AN EFFORT TO CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEONE NEEDS AN I.D.

TO VOTE ABSENTEE.

YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T.

YOU KNOW THE PROCESS OF GETTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, YOU HAVE TO MAKE AN APPLICATION AND THEN THE BALLOT THAT'S SENT TO YOU IS CODED.

THERE ARE PROTECTIONS BUILT IN ALREADY.

ASIDE FROM THAT, THERE'S BEEN NO EVIDENCE IN THIS MOST RECENT ELECTION THAT ABSENTEE BALLOTS CONTRIBUTED IN ANY WAY TO ANY KIND OF FRAUDULENT BALLOTS.

>> SO YOU'RE TOTALLY AGAINST IT.

ANYTHING YOU'RE DOING TO FIGHT THIS?

>> OH, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE TO NETWORK IN THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE TO NETWORK WITH EACH OTHER.

AND WE HAVE TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THE IMPACT THAT THIS WILL HAVE ON SUPPRESSING THE VOTE.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE CANNOT TOLERATE IN THIS GREAT STATE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT IT EVERY NIGHT, SO WE'LL KEEP THAT UP, THEN.

SWITCHING GEARS AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR.

YOU HAVE A BILL, THE LEAD SPONSOR, HOUSE BILL 383, WHICH DEALS WITH STATE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS IN ISRAEL.

SO EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT.

AND THE FACT THAT ONE OF YOUR SPONSORS IS THE ONLY JEWISH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> STATE REPRESENTED MIKE WOLENSKY.

THIS BILL WAS BROUGHT TO US BY OUR FRIENDS IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, IN 2015 OR 2016, WE PASSED A STATUTE SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO DISCRIMINATE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO CONTRACT -- WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW THE STATE TO CONTRACT WITH GROUPS THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL.

THIS BILL REALLY CLARIFIES THAT TO ONLY BE CONTRACTS OR APPLY TO CONTRACTS OVER $100,000 IN VALUE AS WELL AS TIGHTENS UP SOME OF THE LEGAL SPECIFICS WITH REGARD TO ISRAEL AND HER INTERESTS AND SO FORTH.

>> SO A COMPANY, WHEN IT COMES TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY, $100,000, IF THEY ARE POLITICAL, IT'S A PROBLEM?

>> IF IT'S A LARGE COMPANY WHO WANTS TO BID ON A LARGE CONTRACT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THAT LARGE COMPANY CANNOT BE ENGAGED IN BDS, BOYCOTT, DEINVESTMENT, OR SANCTIONS, EMBRACING OR ENDORSING SANCTIONS AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL.

WE'RE GOING TO STAND WITH OUR FRIENDS IN ISRAEL.

>> FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT IT?

>> FEEL PRETTY GOOD, YES.

>> ALL RIGHTY.

SENATOR JONES, ONE OF YOUR BILLS IS DEALING WITH CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS.

YOU WANT A LET FREEDOM RING MONUMENT ON STONE MOUNTAIN.

>> AND IT'S PAST TIME THAT WE DO THAT.

I CHAIR THE COUNCIL FOR THE GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA.

IT'S A PROJECT WE'VE UNDERTAKEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE'VE FINALLY GOT SOME TRACTION IN THE STATE SENATE WITH A POWERFUL, INFLUENTIAL CO-SPONSOR.

THE INTENT IS TO BUILD A MONUMENT WHICH INCLUDES A FREEDOM BILL IN HONOR OF DR. KING.

STONE MOUNTAIN WAS MADE FAMOUS BY DR. KING'S "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH.

WE WANT TO PUT MORE THAN CREATE A BELL UP THERE.

WE WANT TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

WE WANT A MUSEUM BUT ALSO A FREEDOM BELL ON TOP OF IT.

>> THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GETTING RID OF ANYTHING THAT'S THERE, BUT ADDING SOMETHING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE'S OTHER LEGISLATION DEALING WITH GETTING RID OF WHAT'S ALREADY THERE.

>> NOT THIS BILL.

AND THEN REPRESENTATIVE CARSON, YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIPS.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM VOUCHERS.

>> IT'S NOT A VOUCHER.

IT'S A TASK CREDIT THAT IS A VERY POPULAR PROGRAM.

SOME PEOPLE CALL IT THE SSO PROGRAM OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

THIS IS PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS, AND THE SCHOLARSHIP ENDS UP BEING LESS THAN WHAT THE STATE WOULD PAY WITH QB FUNDING.

IT ALLOWS PARENTS TO HAVE A CHOICE, PARTICULARLY IN THE TIMES OF COVID-19, THIS PROGRAM ENABLES PARTICULARLY PEOPLE OF LESS MEANS, LOWER INCOME AND SO FORTH.

WHAT MY BILL DOES IS ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMPLIANCE ITEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN AN AUDIT DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS AS WELL AS IT RAISES SOME OF THE TAX CREDIT LIMITS, NOT THE OVERALL CAP ON THE PROGRAM, BUT JUST HOW MUCH AN INDIVIDUAL OR THEIR FAMILY CAN CONTRIBUTE.

I CAN'T SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, ABOUT HOW IT IS LITERALLY CHANGING LIVES FOR THE BETTER FOR THESE KIDS.

>> YOU HAVE SOME TEACHERS GROUPS WHO ARE AGAINST IT, THOUGH.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WOULD BE AGAINST IT.

MORE DISCLOSURE AND IMPLEMENTING THE COMPLIANCE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS.

THAT'S FOR THOSE TEACHERS GROUPS TO EXPLAIN, I PRESUME.

THE PROGRAM IS HERE TO STAY, I'M GOING TO STAND WITH KIDS AND WITH PARENTS FOR THEIR CHOICE.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON TO TALK ABOUT IT.

I THINK WE GOT A LOT IN, GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU.

>>> COMING UP ON "LAWMAKERS," WHY THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO EXPAND BROADBAND IN GEORGIA WILL TOUCH SOME COUNTIES BUT NOT OTHERS.

AND REVAMPING GEORGIA'S SCHOOL FUNDING LAW.

>> Announcer: "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

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

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

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER $74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL, DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR UNDER.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS FIGHT, FROM THE 7,000 CLINICIANS SUPPORTING DOCTORS AND NURSES.

FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PRESSING QUESTIONS AT CIGNA.COM/COVID19.

>>> FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

>>> JOIN GBP AS WE CELEBRATE "AMERICAN PORTRAIT."

>> I HAVE A GREAT TRADITION IN MY FAMILY, WE GO TO "STAR WARS" MOVIES EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY COME OUT.

>> HALF AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HALF SOUTH ASIAN EDUCATED INDIVIDUAL.

I'VE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME RETHINKING MY CHOICE TO CELEBRATE THIS HOLIDAY.

WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER, I HOPE TO GO BACK TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY.

>> SHARE YOUR STORY AT GPB.ORG/AMERICANPORTRAITS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SEVERAL ISSUES IMPORTANT TO OUR GUESTS TONIGHT.

DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE DONNA McCLOUD OF LAWRENCEVILLE.

REPRESENTATIVE WASHBURN, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

I WAS AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, BIG ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT BRINGING HIGH SPEED FIBER INTERNET TO 80,000 HOMES, 18 COUNTIES, INCLUDING YOUR AREA.

YOU JOINED THE GOVERNOR FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

TELL US ABOUT IT FOR PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO LEARN WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.

>> IT WAS GREAT NEWS FOR GEORGIA AND OF COURSE GREAT NEWS FOR THOSE COUNTIES.

WE PASSED SENATE BILL 2 IN 2019 THAT AUTHORIZED THE EMCs, THE ELECTRICAL MEMBERSHIP COOPERATIVES, TO START PROVIDING BROADBAND SERVICE.

AND OF COURSE THAT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE DID TO PASS THAT.

AND THEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COMBINING THE DMCs, CENTRAL GEORGIA EMC AND SOUTHERN ENERGY'S AND MONROE COUNTY'S, IN MY DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR, MONROE COUNTY THEN CONTRIBUTED $1.3 MILLION TO THAT EFFORT WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST IN GETTING THE SERVICE QUICKLY.

BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COUNTIES THAT ARE GOING TO BENEFIT FROM IT.

OF COURSE THAT'S BEEN A MAJOR, MAJOR PROBLEM FOR GEORGIANS AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THE PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING.

>> BUT YOU DO HAVE COUNTIES SAYING, WHY NOT US?

AND WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY TO THEM, FIRST OF ALL, AGAIN, MONROE COUNTY, I SPOKE WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF OUR COUNTY COMMISSION AGAIN TODAY TO BE SURE I WAS CORRECT ABOUT THAT.

THEY PUT IN, CONTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF $1.3 MILLION THAT CAME FROM THE MONROE COUNTY COMMISSION AS WELL AS THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

SO THEY MADE SOME CONTRIBUTIONS.

OF COURSE WE'RE NOT INVOLVED IN THE DETAILS OF HOW ALL THIS WORKED OUT IN TERMS OF THE PRIVATE COMPANY THAT IS DOING IT.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS WITHIN FOUR YEARS, ALL OF THOSE COUNTIES WILL BE SERVED.

>> SO IF MORE COUNTIES WOULD PUT IN MONEY, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF FINDING SOME WAY FOR THEM TO -- >> I ASSUME THAT WOULD BE THE CASE.

I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THOSE NEGOTIATIONS.

>> OKAY.

>> BUT I DO KNOW THAT MONROE COUNTY DID CONTRIBUTE, AND I THINK THAT IS THE REASON THEY'RE GETTING IT SO QUICKLY.

>> OKAY.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT, I'M SURE, IN THE COMING WEEKS, MONTHS, AND YEARS, EVEN, WITH THAT.

REPRESENTATIVE McCLOUD, LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE OF YOUR BILLS.

YOU WANT TO UPDATE SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME, AND THAT'S THE QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION, QBE, WHICH IS THE FORMULA FOR FUNDING OUR SCHOOLS.

IT HASN'T BEEN UPDATED IN YEARS.

YOU'RE GOING TO TRY IT.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> SO MY DAUGHTER IS 34 NOW, SHE WAS BORN IN '86, SO IT'S PRETTY OLD.

I KNOW MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN RUNNING AROUND SAYING THEY FULLY FUNDED THE QBE FORMULA.

THE PROBLEM IS THERE WAS A STUDY DONE IN 2015 THAT SAYS IT WASN'T -- IT'S NOT MEETING ALL THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN GWINNETT COUNTY.

I REPRESENT GWINNETT COUNTY.

GWINNETT COUNTY IN 1986 OR '87 DIDN'T LOOK LIKE GWINNETT COUNTY TODAY.

WE'VE PROBABLY -- WE'RE MAYBE FIVE TIMES THE POPULATION TODAY.

IT'S JUST NOT MEETING THE NEED FOR TRANSPORTATION, CAFETERIA REQUIREMENTS, EVEN SOME OF THE BASIC EDUCATION, BECAUSE WE'VE ALWAYS HAD FEEDBACK FROM THE COUNTY THAT THE QBE FORMULA IS NOT MEETING THE REQUIREMENT.

NOT ONLY THAT, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, UNDERSERVED STUDENTS.

WE SHOULD BE MAKING SURE THAT THIS MONEY THAT WE COLLECT FROM TAXES FROM OUR TAXPAYERS REALLY BENEFITS THE STUDENTS, SINCE IT'S THE EDUCATION -- THE HIGHEST DEPARTMENT WE FUND IS EDUCATION.

IT'S NOT DOING ALL THAT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE'VE RECENTLY TAKEN AWAY -- WE INITIALLY TOOK A BILLION DOLLARS OUT OF EDUCATION LAST YEAR, WE PUT SOME 600-SOME MILLION DOLLARS.

WE'RE STILL SHORT IN EDUCATION.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO PLAY WITH OUR KIDS.

IF KIDS AREN'T READING BY GRADE THREE, THEY'RE GOING TO END UP IN ANOTHER PLACE, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DO THIS RIGHT.

>> WHAT WOULD YOUR BILL DO?

>> SO IT LOOKS AT -- IT'S A PILOT PROGRAM TO LOOK AT PUTTING PRE-K AS PART OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR EDUCATION, AND MAKING IT A PART OF OUR SYSTEM, BECAUSE AGAIN, IF OUR KIDS ARE NOT READING BY GRADE THREE, READING AND WRITING BY GRADE THREE, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO END UP IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.

SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS TO PREVENT STUFF, NOT JUST REACT TO THINGS.

I THINK THIS IS THE ONE WAY WE CAN DO THAT.

>> SO WE WANT TO TALK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOUR PRISON -- YOUR SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE IN JUST A MINUTE.

I WANTED TO GET BACK TO YOU, REPRESENTATIVE WASHBURN, WE WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE STORY AROUND A COAL-FIRED PLANT IN JULIETTE.

RESIDENTS WOULD BE CONNECTED TO THE CITY WATER AND NOT HAVE TO USE THEIR WELL WATER.

TALK ABOUT THAT AND WHAT IT TOOK TO GET THERE.

>> IT'S THE LARGEST COAL BURNING POWER PLANT IN NORTH AMERICA, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DISTRICT.

LAST YEAR, EARLY 2019, I BEGAN TO LEARN AN AWFUL LOT ABOUT COAL ASH.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY ON THAT.

SO I TOLD THEM FROM THE START, WHEN WE BEGAN TO HEAR ABOUT THESE ISSUES, THAT WE HAD TO HAVE TWO THINGS.

WE HAD TO HAVE SOME INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION THAT THERE WERE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WELLS, AND ALSO THAT WE HAD TO GET THEM PUBLIC WATER, BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD TAKE 15 YEARS TO REMOVE THAT COAL ASH ANYWAY.

AND SO THE COUNTY COMMISSION, I COMMEND THEM, THEY GOT BUSY AND CREATED SOME FINANCING TO GET THAT DONE.

SO WE'RE VERY PLEASED ABOUT THE PUBLIC WATER BEING THERE, IT'S A GREAT THING TO RELIEVE THE MENTAL ANGUISH THAT'S THERE AS VERIFICATION OF THE ISSUES REMAINS TO BE SEEN, OF COURSE.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY IS PUTTING IN MONEY.

WHAT ABOUT GEORGIA POWER OR THE STATE?

>> AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE STATE IS NOT FUNDING ANYTHING.

IT WAS DONE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

THEY DID IT, THEY CREATED THAT?

>> AND GEORGIA POWER, NO INVOLVEMENT AT THIS POINT?

>> I AM NOT AWARE THAT GEORGIA POWER IS CONTRIBUTING.

>> WE'RE GOING BACK AND FORTH, ONE OF YOUR CONCERNS IS THIS SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SEE CHANGED, OF COURSE.

WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS ON THAT?

>> SO MY FIRST PROBLEM IS THAT OUR BUDGET CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT $127 MILLION IN IT THAT FUNDS PRIVATE PRISONS.

I DON'T THINK TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD BE USED TO FUND THAT PRIVATE ENTITY.

AND SO IF YOUR BUDGET IS A REFLECTION OF WHO YOU ARE, YOUR VALUES, THEN WE SHOULD NOT BE FUNDING SOMETHING THAT WOULD INCARCERATE OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.

WE SHOULD TRY TO PREVENT THAT FROM BEING A PART OF OUR BUDGETARY ITEM.

IF YOU'RE IN ANY BUSINESS THAT IS IN BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY, THEN THEY SHOULD FIGURE OUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY GET THEIR CLIENTELE.

THE STATE SHOULD NOT BE FUNDED.

OUR TAX DOLLARS, THE 75% OF THE $27 BILLION THAT WE HAVE AS OUR BUDGET IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, WE SHOULDN'T SPEND A PENNY GIVING IT TO ANY PRIVATE PRISONS BECAUSE IT ENCOURAGES THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE.

>> THERE'S A BILL THAT DEALS WITH THAT AND YOU'RE ONE OF THE CO-SPONSORS OF THAT BILL.

>> YES.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO COME BACK AND TALK MORE ABOUT COAL ASH, BECAUSE THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT.

SOMETHING YOU'RE LOOKING TO.

WE KNOW ABOUT THE SPECIAL OPTION SALES TAX, THE ONE PENNY SALES TAX FOR EDUCATION, THE TRANSPORTATION.

YOU WANT AN OLOST, WHAT IS THAT?

IT WOULD BE A PENNY SALES TAX OR SOME TYPE OF TAX?

>> THE CODE ALLOWS FOR CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENTS TO IMPOSE A SALES TAX LIKE THAT.

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE HAD A MEETING TODAY ABOUT IT FOR MACON AND BIB COUNTY.

THE VOTERS WOULD VOTE ON IT IN A REFERENDUM, IT WOULD ADD A PENNY SALES TAX AND PROVIDE SOME UP FRONT CASH FOR THE COUNTY TO USE.

BUT THE BIG DEAL IS, IT WOULD ROLL BACK PROPERTY TAXES IN THE FUTURE, IN THE THIRD YEAR.

THE DETAILS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT.

SO IT IS -- THAT PART OF THE CODE ALLOWS THAT FOR CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENTS ONLY.

BUT THIS PLAN IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WAS DONE IN COLUMBUS AND THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENCES THERE.

BUT IT'S A CREATIVE WAY TO DO SOME THINGS TO HELP THEM AND TO HELP GIVE SOME RELIEF TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

AND SO WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD TO TRY TO WORK THE DETAILS.

>> WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT ARE YOU GETTING?

>> WELL, THE COUNTY COMMISSION THERE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SEND US A RESOLUTION TO ASK US TO DO IT.

AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD WITH THE BIB COUNTY DELEGATION TO COME UP WITH AN ACCEPTABLE PLAN.

>> SO THIS WOULD BE INDIVIDUAL MUNICIPALITIES WOULD BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH -- >> WELL, NOT EXACTLY, BECAUSE THE CODE ALLOWS THIS ONLY FOR CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENTS.

>> I SEE.

>> AND SO RIGHT NOW ONLY A CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT CAN DO THAT.

BUT WE ARE WORKING HARD TO TRY TO WORK THIS OUT FOR MACON/BIB COUNTY.

>> THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO EVERYTHING SO WE'LL HAVE TO GET YOU BOTH BACK HERE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE, INTERESTING ISSUES, THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>>> AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LAWMAKERS" TONIGHT.

TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY 19.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.