>>> WITH THE EXPANDED CRITERIA WE'RE ANNOUNCING TODAY, I CONTINUE TO ASK GEORGIANS FOR THEIR PATIENCE.

GIVEN THE STEADY INCREASE IN VACCINE SUPPLY AND THE SIGNIFICANT PRODUCT MADE IN GETTING MORE DOSES ADMINISTERED, TODAY WE WILL BE TAKING ANOTHER STEP TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE AND GET GEORGIANS BACK TO NORMAL.

>> A MOVE TO GET ALL CHILDREN BACK IN CLASSROOMS, AS GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP MOVES UP VACCINE ELIGIBILITY FOR THOSE WHO WORK IN EDUCATION.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS" ON THIS LEGISLATIVE DAY 23.

I'M DONNA LAWRIE IN ATLANTA.

WE'LL HAVE THE SPECIFICS ON THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNOUNCEMENT ON VACCINES IN A MOMENT.

ALSO TODAY, GROUPS CAME TOGETHER OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL TO PROTEST THE NEARLY 80 ELECTION BILLS NOW ON FILE.

AND BILLS ON LEGALIZING SPORTS BETTING, CASINOS AND HORSE RACING STILL IN PLAY.

LATER IN THE SHOW, WE TALK WITH PROS AND CONS -- WE TALK ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS WITH TWO GUESTS AND THE HOUSE HONORS FORMER U.S.

SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON.

>>> FIRST LESS HEAD TO THE GOLD DOME AND CAPITOL REPORT FROM CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

THE GOVERNOR OFFERED GOOD NEWS TO EDUCATORS LATE THIS AFTERNOON, BRENDA.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, DONNA, VERY ENCOURAGING.

ENCOURAGING ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP THIS AFTERNOON.

THE NUMBER OF COVID CONTINUES TO DECLINE, THAT IS ONE.

AND MAJOR NEW GROUPS ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

>> EFFECTIVE MARCH 8 PRE-K, K THROUGH 12, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND FACULTY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CARE AND LEARNING EDUCATORS AND STAFF WILL NOW BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

WE CANNOT DELAY FULL IN-PERSON LEARNING ANY LONGER.

OUR CHILDREN CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT UNTIL FALL.

THE COSTS ARE SIMPLY TOO HIGH.

GEORGIANS DESERVE TO RETURN TO NORMAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT SCHOOLHOUSE DOORS OPEN FOR FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION EACH AND EVERY DAY.

>> SEVERAL BILLS SEEKING TO CHANGE THE WAY GEORGIANS VOTE HAVE RAN OUT OPPOSITION AND PROTEST, LIKE THE ONE AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS MORNING, THE ANTI-VOTER SUPPRESSION PROTEST.

THIS GROUP EVEN HAD THE SIDE OF A BOX TRUCK MARKED WITH THE WORDS "GEORGIA REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT BLACK PEOPLE TO VOTE."

>> WE'RE CALLING ON OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO HAVE THE COURAGE OF JOHN LEWIS TO STAND UP AND GET IN THE WAY AND CALL OUT INJUSTICE, AND WHAT WE WANT THEM TO KNOW IS, YEAH, WE HEAR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE GARY FLEMING IS THE SPONSOR OF ONE OF THOSE BILLS THIS GROUP IS PROTESTING, HB-531, A COMPREHENSIVE ELECTION REFORM PACKAGE THAT PROPOSES CHANGES TO EARLY ET VOING, ABSENTEE VOTING AND HOW ELECTIONS ARE RUN.

TO OPPONENTS, THE REPRESENTATIVE SAYS -- >> THEY'RE WRONG.

YOU KNOW, OPPONENTS HAVE MADE COMMENTS WHICH ARE NOT BASED ON IDEAS IN THE BILL.

WE HAVE TWO HOUSES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

MANY THINGS ARE GOING ON IN THE SENATE THAT THEY'RE ASCRIBING TO THE HOUSE BILL WHICH ARE NOT TRUE.

WE HAD TWO GENERAL ELECTIONS IN A ROW WHERE GEORGIANS HAD DOUBTS ABOUT OUR ELECTION PROCESS.

THE GOAL OF THIS BILL IS TO RESTORE SOME OF THE THAT CONFIDENCE TO GEORGIANS IN THE PROCESS OF ELECTING PEOPLE TO PUBLIC OFFICE IN GEORGIA.

>> HOUSE BILL 531 IS NOW IN THE RULES COMMITTEE BUT SINCE IT'S NOT BEEN VOTED ON YET, PROTESTERS SAY THEY'LL BE BACK FRIDAY.

>> THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS WITH ITS ALLIES STOOD IN OPPOSITION TO HELP 531 AND SENATE BILL 241, WE'RE IN A NEW GEORGIA, AND JIM CROW MUST GO.

>> AND NOW ON TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 200,000 PEOPLE ON PROBATION IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

SENATOR BRIAN STRICKLAND PRESENTED SENATE BILL 105 TODAY, TELLING SENATORS IT IS THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL BILL THEY VOTED ON THIS SESSION, NEXT TO THE BUDGET, OF COURSE.

>> GEORGIA HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER CAPITA AND ALSO TOTAL IN THE COUNTRY ON PROBATION.

WITH SENATE BILL 105, WE'RE TAKING THE MULTIPLE PATHWAYS FOR PROBATION TERMINATION PROVIDING CONSISTENCY AS TO WHAT IS REQUIRED AND STREAMLINING THE PROCESS SO INDIVIDUALS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY TERMINATION CAN ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL WITHOUT WAITING ON A COURT TO TAKE ACTION.

IN GEORGIA, WE SHOULD INCENTIVIZE INDIVIDUALS WHO MICK MISTAKES AND SERVE THEIR TIME, PAY THEIR RESTITUTION AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.

WE SHOULD BE HELPING GEORGIANS THAT HAVE EARNED A SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE TO GET A JOB, BUY A HOUSE, START A FAMILY OR ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING ELSE THEY DREAM OF DOING IN HAD THE STATE WITHOUT THE STIGMA OF PROBATION HANGING OVER THEIR HEADS.

>> WITH EACH PATHWAY, A PERSON MUST HAVE PAID RESITUTION, NOT HAVE HAD PROBATION REVOKED FOR TWO YEARS AND NO MAJOR ARRESTS.

SENATE BILL PASSED 53-0.

THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 43 SAYS IT COULD VERY WELL PREVENT SERIOUS OR TRAGIC TRAFFIC STOPS IN THE FUTURE.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS VERY SIMPLE, IT ALLOWS A CAR OWNER WHEN THEY'RE REGISTERING THEIR LICENSE PLATE, IT GIVES THEM THE OPTION, THAT'S OPTION, NOT MANDATED, TO ENTER IN INFORMATION IF THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE MIGHT HAVE A PHYSICAL MENTAL OR NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION WHICH MIGHT IMPEDE THEIR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IF THEY WERE TO GET PULLED OVER.

>> THE BILL IS CALLED WALKER'S LAW, NAMED AFTER THE 16-YEAR-OLD SON OF A WOMAN IN LA GRANGE WHO FEARED HER DIABETIC SON MIGHT BE PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE BUT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM BECAUSE OF HIS ILLNESS.

THE BILL PASSED 169-0.

ALSO ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, A RESOLUTION TO HONOR FORMER U.S.

SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON, WHO ONCE SERVED IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1999 TO 2005.

>> IT'S A REAL HONOR FOR ME TODAY TO PRESENT TO YOU HOUSE RESOLUTION 119, A RESOLUTION WHICH HONORS FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON BY DEDICATING A BRIDGE IN CHATHAM COUNTY IN HIS HONOR.

THIS BRIDGE, WHICH WOULD BECOME THE SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON BRIDGE, IS ON STATE ROUTE 307 AND SITS OVER A PORTION OF THE GARDEN CITY TERMINAL AT OUR PORT OF SAVANNAH, JUST OUTSIDE THE MAIN GATE.

IT CARRIED MUCH OF THE TRUCK TRAFFIC INTO AND OUT OF THE PORT OF SAVANNAH.

>> U.S.

SENATOR ISAKSON WAS CALLED A CHAMPION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION.

HE RETIRED IN 2019 DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES.

AND THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT.

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TIME NOW TO TALK ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS UNDER CONSIDERATION THAT ARE AREAS OF PASSION FOR OUR GUESTS.

JOINING ME ARE REPRESENTATIVE ANGELIKA KAUSCHE OF JOHNS CREEK AND REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM BODE OF EAST POINT.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE ON "LAWMAKERS" TODAY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BILL THAT I THOUGHT YOU WERE SPONSORING -- HB-143, THAT WOULD CREATE A DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OVERSIGHT COMMISSION, REPRESENTATIVE BODE.

AND YOU HAVE SIGNED ONTO.

BUT YOU'RE TELLING ME IT MAY NOT EVEN BE NEEDED RIGHT NOW.

SO TALK ABOUT THAT A MINUTE.

>> WELL, SOMETIMES WE CAN RESOLVE THINGS WITH LEGISLATION, AND WE CAN RESOLVE THINGS WITH DISCUSSION.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO THE D.A.s, SOLICITORS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND THEY HAVE DECIDED TO EMPANEL A TASK FORCE OR COMMITTEE THAT'S CHAIRED BY D.A.

-- DeKALB COUNTY D.A.

SHERRY BOSTON TO CREATE WAYS OF HOW D.A.

AND SOLICITORS CAN BASICALLY HAVE THE OVERSIGHT THROUGH THE STATE BAR OF GEORGIA.

THEY HAVE LOOKED AT REVISING RULE .3 .8, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE BAR TO IMPOSE DISBARMENT IF HAVING FOUND TO ACTED IN CONDUCT FRAUD.

RIGHT NOW 3.8 ONLY ALLOWS FOR PUBLIC REPRIMAND.

SO THAT IS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK LEGISLATORS CAN STEP AWAY FROM THAT ISSUE AND IS LOOKING TO BE PASSED THROUGH THE GEORGIA BAR.

IT'S UP FOR A VOTE IN COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESSION NOW OF THE ACTIONS OF THE D.A.s THEMSELVES, ACTING ON THEIR OWN ACCORD TO GET THIS DONE.

>> NO NEED FOR A LAW, THAT'S ONE LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY WE DON'T HAVE.

I DO HAVE TO ASK ABOUT THE REASONS FOR IT THROUGH, THE OUTGROWTH OF WHAT HAPPENED FROM AHMAUD ARBERY?

>> YES, AHMAUD ARBERY WAS MY INITIAL RATIONAL FOR PUSHING FOR IT WITH THE OVERSIGHT BILL.

ALSO SOME OF THE ACTIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE SITTING D.A.

AND IT WAS JUST TIME FOR US TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF OVERSIGHT OR EXAMINING THAT ISSUE BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT JUDGES IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THEY HAVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, ALL LAWYERS PRETTY MUCH AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THROUGH THE STATE BAR OF GEORGIA, AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF D.A.s WERE ACTING WITH MISCONDUCT THERE COULD BE SOME OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT COULD LOOK AT IT AND EXAMINE IT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AND RECOMMEND TO STATE BAR GEORGIA AND SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA THE APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT IF NEEDED.

>> YES.

THE OTHER BILL YOU HAVE THAT'S ALONG THE SAME LINES HAS TO DO WITH CHANGING THE VENUE.

>> YES.

>> TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH AHMAUD ARBERY.

IT WAS A SITUATION WHERE IF WE ALL KNOW THAT TWO PRIOR D.A.s IN THIS CASE, ONE, D.A.

BARN AYHAN BASICALLY TAINTED THE JUROR POOL WITH THE LETTER HE SENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SAYING THERE WAS NO NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CASE BECAUSE THE SUSPECTS, THE DEFENDANTS IN THAT CASE, WERE GOING TO UTILIZE CITIZENS ARREST.

SO THAT RIGHT -- THAT WAS A REASON FOR US TO LOOK AT THE CODE IN ALLOWING CERTAIN SITUATIONS FOR D.A.s TO PETITION THE COURT TO MOVE THE CASE OUT OF THAT PARTICULAR VENUE TO ACHIEVE A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL TRIAL, JURY TRIAL.

>> AND THAT DOESN'T EXIST RIGHT NOW?

>> NO, IT DOES NOT.

>> THAT COMES FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE OR IN SITUATIONS WHERE ACCORDING TO THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY, THEY WANT THE MOTION OF THE COURT TO REMOVE THE CASE OUT OF A PARTICULAR VENUE AND THAT HAS TO GO BEFORE HARING BEFORE THE TRIAL COURT AND THE TRIAL COURT WOULD MAKE A DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO GRANT THAT CHANGE OF VENUE OR NOT.

DOESN'T HAPPEN MUCH.

>> YOU FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THAT ONE GOING THROUGH?

>> WE'RE ACTUALLY STILL TRYING TO WORK WITH THE PROSECUTOR ASSOCIATION AND COUNSEL TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THE LEGISLATIVE STATUTORY LANGUAGE IN A WAY THAT EVERYONE IS HAPPY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT MORE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES WITH YOU IN A MOMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH, I'M SORRY, TO TALK ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

SO REPRESENTATIVE KAUSCHE, I KNOW THAT'S A PASSION FOR YOU.

AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, ONE OF THE AREAS YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT HAS TO DO WITH COLE ASH.

>> YES, I HAVE A PERSONAL PASSION ISSUE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND THAT GOES FROM MY COUNTRY, I'M ORIGINALLY FROM GERMANY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY STRONG THERE.

SO WHEN I MOVED TO THE U.S., I FOUND WE HERE IN THE U.S.

APPROACH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY, SO WHEN I CAME TO THE CAPITOL AND GOT ELECTED, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE APPOINTED TO THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE, WHERE WE FOLLOW UP WITH THOSE ISSUES.

AND WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING THERE IS COAL ASH, WHICH WAS A BIG ISSUE IN GEORGIA.

I LIVED IN NORTH CAROLINA BEFORE WE MOVED TO GEORGIA AND WAS IN NORTH CAROLINA WHEN THE BIG DUKE ENERGY SPILL IN THE DAM HAPPENED AND I REALLY SAW WITH MY OWN EYES THE DEVASTATION THAT IT CAUSED.

SO WE HAVE A SITUATION HERE IN GEORGIA WHERE WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS, BUT WE STILL HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THE COAL ASH, WHICH IS GOING TO BE PHASED OUT AND IS SUPPOSED TO BE -- GEORGIA POWER WILL REMOVE GEORGIA COAL ASH FROM SOME PITS BUT SOME COAL ASH WILL STAY IN SOME OF THE PONDS AND WHAT WE LIKE TO SEE THAT IS HOUSE BILL 176, I AM CO-SIGNER ON THAT, REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE BUCKNER, AND WE ARE ASKING FOR THE COAL ASH TO BE REMOVED AND PUT IN LINED PITS, SAFE LINED PITS.

BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE ASKING IS THAT COAL ASH SHOULD BE TREATED AT MINIMUM THE SAME AS REGULAR HOUSEHOLD WASTE.

SO THERE ARE MORE REGULATIONS FOR DEPOSING OF A BANANA PEEL, THAN COAL ASH, WHICH IS HIGHLY TOXIC, THEN I FEEL THERE'S A DISCONNECT AND THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN FIX WITH A LAW OR CHANGING SOMETHING HOW WE DO THINGS IN GEORGIA.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING I FEEL VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT AND PEOPLE IN MY CAUCUS ALSO.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE ALSO SPONSORING THE GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACT.

>> YES.

THAT'S A BILL I CO-SPONSORED WITH MY COLLEAGUE COLLEEN BRENNA AND THAT GOES TO ADDRESS SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT MORE AND MORE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY AFFECTS MINORITY COMMUNITIES MUCH HARDER THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES.

SO WHAT WE LIKE TO DO, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BILLS THAT COEXIST, ONE IS BUILDING A COMMISSION AND THE OTHER ONE IS BUILDING A STUDY COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS LIKE HOW WE BETTER CAN SERVE OR UNDO THE INJUSTICES DONE TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

FOR EXAMPLE, THEY LIVE CLOSER TO LANDFILLS THERE AND THINGS LIKE THIS, EXPOSED TO ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS LIKE ETHYLENE DIOXIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND LIVE CLOSER TO A LANDFILL.

SO WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS AND WE NEED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DO JUSTICE IN EVERY WAY TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES IN GEORGIA.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'LL GET BACK TO SOME OF YOUR BILL.

YOU HAVE ONE THAT DEALS WITH NO-KNOCK WARRANTS.

>> YES.

>> TELL US ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS AN OUTGROWTH, OF COURSE, WHAT IS GOING ON IN KENTUCKY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND THEY'RE LOOKING AT CERTAINLY, NO-KNOCK WARRANTS WITH THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE.

TELL US ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY AN ORIGINAL THOUGHT OF MINE EVEN BEFORE THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE.

YOU REMEMBER THE KATHY JOHNSON CASE IN 2006 WHEN THREE OFFICERS WENT INTO MISS JOHNSON'S HOUSE AND ACTUALLY SHOT HER, KILLED HER AND USED NO-KNOCK WARRANT AS THE PREMISE TO GO INTO A HOME AND BASICALLY FALSIFY THE REASONING FOR THE NEED -- FOR THE NO-KNOCK WARRANT.

SO THEY'RE VERY DANGEROUS.

IN THE BREONNA TAYLOR CASE, THESE WARRANTS ARE BEING UTILIZED AT NIGHT WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE SLEEPING.

AND SO LIKE BREONNA TAYLOR, LIKE KATHERINE JOHNSON, I DON'T EVEN THINK THEY REALIZE IT WAS THE POLICE THAT WERE COMING INTO THEIR HOMES.

AND NOW WE LOST TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT SHOULD BE HERE TODAY.

RIGHT NOW THE STATE OF VIRGINIA HAS BRIANNA'S LAW.

THAT SHOULD PASS NO-KNOCK WARRANT LEGISLATION BACK IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, AND I THINK IT'S JUST TIME.

TWO OTHER STATES, INCLUDING THE STATE OF FLORIDA, HAS NO-KNOCK WARRANT PROVISIONS.

THAT IS BASED ON, I THINK, A FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CASE AND I THINK ALSO THE STATE OF OREGON HAS NO-KNOCK WARRANTS BY STATUTORY LANGUAGE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CHANCES ARE HERE?

>> I THINK IT'S AN INTEREST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

IF WE HAVE THE TEMPERAMENT WITH ALL OF THE ELECTION BILLS RIGHT NOW TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT IS -- IT IS SOME INTEREST IN THE LEGISLATION.

>> WHILE I HAVE YOU HERE, REPRESENT KAUSCHE, I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE FACT YOU SAID TO ME YOU NEVER THOUGHT AS SOMEONE BORN IN GERMANY, YOU WOULD BE A LAWMAKER IN GEORGIA IN THE U.S. >> YES, THIS IS TRUE.

THIS IS PART OF MY STORY.

WE EMIGRATED TO THE U.S.

IN 1997, AND LIVED IN SEVERAL STATES BEFORE IN MICHIGAN AND NORTH CAROLINA BEFORE I CAME TO GEORGIA IN 2015.

I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, IF SOMEONE TOLD ME 23 YEARS AGO WHEN WE CAME TO THE U.S. THAT I WOULD ONE DAY BE A LAWMAKER IN GEORGIA, I WOULD TELL THEM, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

SO I CAME TO THIS, BUT FILE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT I DO, AND I ALSO FEEL LIKE, IF AN IMMIGRANT, WE NOW, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE 10% IMMIGRANTS IN FLORIDA SO I REPRESENT IN PART SOME OF THOSE 10% AND I WISH WE HAD MORE IMMIGRANT LAWMAKERS IN GEORGIA.

I FEEL LIKE I CAN BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE WITH A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE WHEN WE LOOK AT ISSUES.

FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, BECAUSE I DID GROW UP WITH A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "LAWMAKERS," BOTH OF YOU.

I HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>>> AFTER THE BREAK, WE'LL TALK GAMBLING AND WHY SOME THINK THE PROSPECTS MAY BE PRETTY GOOD THIS SESSION.

WHILE THOSE FIGHTING THE MOVE ARE NOT GIVING UP.

"LAWMAKERS" ON GPB WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LAWRIE.

SEVERAL BILLS TO LEGALIZE GAMBLING REMAIN IN PLAY THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ONLINE SPORTS BETTING HAS GAINED THE MOST ATTENTION BECAUSE SUPPORTERS WANT TO PUT IT UNDER THE GEORGIA LOTTERY UMBRELLA.

BUT THERE'S STILL A PUSH FOR LAWMAKERS TO LEGALIZE ALL GAMBLING THROUGH A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD GO BEFORE VOTERS IN 2022.

IT WOULD REQUIRE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE BY BOTH CHAMBERS.

MEANTIME, IN THE ANTICIPATION OF THAT POSSIBILITY, THE ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY IN HENRY COUNTY HOPES TO BUILD A $1 BILLION CASINO RESORT AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER.

I RECENTLY TALKED TO THE FORMER LONGTIME PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE SPEEDWAY, ED CLARK.

HE'S WORKING TO CONVINCE LAWMAKERS GAMBLING IS GOOD FOR GEORGIA.

>> ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY IS ALREADY AN INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN FACILITY DOWN IN HAMPTON AND WE HAVE THIS VISION OF EXPANDING THAT THROUGH A DESTINATION RESORT PROJECT THAT WOULD YOU INCLUDE A HOTEL, CONVENTION SPACE, A CASINO AND A LOT OF AMUSEMENT ACTIVITIES TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE, EVERYTHING FROM SHOPPING, WATER PARKS, AMUSEMENT RIDES, QUITE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE TO DO WHEN THEY COME THERE.

NOT ONLY JUST -- JUST SKEWING TO THE GAMBLING CROWD BUT ALSO FAMILIES.

A LOT OF THESE ACTIVITIES WE PLAN AND WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THIS DEVELOPMENT ARE FAMILY ACTIVITIES WHERE A FAMILY COULD COME, SPEND FOUR, FIVE DAYS AND BE TOTALLY ENTERTAINED.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SURPRISING TO ME, WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW STATES, MAYBE TEN, THAT DON'T HAVE SOME TYPE OF GAMBLING OR SOMETHING OF THE SORT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> WELL, WE'RE IN THE CONSERVATIVE SOUTH.

I THINK THAT IS THE REASON WE DON'T HAVE GAMING HERE IN GEORGIA ALREADY.

OUR NEIGHBOR STATES, FLORIDA, ALABAMA, NORTH CAROLINA DO ALREADY HAVE SOME FORM AND DO VERY WELL WITH IT.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, A LOT OF OUR GEORGIA CITIZENS TEND TO SPEND SOME TIME IN SOME OF THESE PLACES.

SO WE THINK THE TIME IS NOW TO DEVELOP THIS TYPE PROJECT IN THE STATE.

>> RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THAT WE'RE STRUGGLING COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC FINANCIALLY.

TALK ABOUT THE BENEFITS THE STATE MIGHT REAP BECAUSE OF HAVING A RESORT LIKE YOURS.

>> CERTAINLY, THE STATE IS A BIT BEHIND IN REVENUE.

FACILITIES LIKE THIS CREATE QUITE A BIT OF REVENUE, TAX REVENUE, FOR THE STATE WITH NO CASH COMMITMENT FROM THE STATE.

THERE'S NO INCENTIVES, PUBLIC GROUPS LIKE OURS WOULD GET TOGETHER AND BUILD THESE FACILITIES AND THE STATE WOULD GET A PERCENTAGE OF THE REVENUE.

ALSO THE CITIZENS WOULD BENEFIT BY GETTING A JOB, OR EVEN CONSTRUCTION COMING TO WORK.

WE ESTIMATE 4,000-PLUS PEOPLE EMPLOYED, THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WE TALKED TO, THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING.

MANY OF THEM, 70% OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN HENRY COUNTY DRIVE OUT OF OUR COUNTY NORTH MOSTLY TO WORK EVERY DAY.

AND THEY WANT TO WORK AT HOME AND HAVE A COMPETITIVE RATE WITH THE JOBS THEY HAVE HERE IN ATLANTA AND WE CAN OFFER THAT.

>> I KNOW YOU HAD A HEARING DOWN THERE.

IT WENT VERY WELL, DIDN'T IT?

>> WE DID.

WE HAD A LEGISLATIVE HEARING LAST FALL TO TAKE INPUT FROM THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE STANDING ROOM-ONLY CROWD SHOW UP.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, ONE OF THE LEGISLATORS SAID, WHEN YOU GET A CROWD LIKE THAT, BOY, WE'RE GOING TO BE IN FOR IT, THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE AGAINST IT.

EVERYBODY WAS FOR IT.

THEY TALKED ABOUT JOBS.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WOULD BE BROUGHT TO OUR COMMUNITY, POSITIVE THINGS THAT WOULD COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY AS A RESULT OF THE REVENUES PRODUCED.

NOT ONLY THE STATE GETS REVENUE, THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WOULD BENEFIT IN MANY WAYS AS WELL.

>> TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO SEE IT.

WE ALWAYS HEAR PEOPLE FROM THE FAITH COMMUNITY DON'T WANT IT, PEOPLE WORRYING ABOUT CRIME COMING IN.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS?

>> WE CERTAINLY VALUE THEIR OPINIONS AS WELL.

ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF BEING A CITIZEN IN THE STATE IS WE ALL GET A VOICE.

IF WE CAN GET THIS IN THE ELECTION BALLOT IN NOVEMBER OF '22, THAT WOULD GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY YES OR NO, WE WANT THIS.

CERTAINLY, WE KNOW THOSE CONCERNS, IT'S OUR JOB TO PUT THOSE CONCERNS AT EASE.

AGAIN, AS I SAID, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FIRST CLASS FACILITY WITH ALL OF THE SECURITY ELEMENTS AND EVERYTHING IN PLACE THAT WOULD EASE ANY CONCERNS THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD HAVE.

BUT THAT IS STILL TO SAY WE DON'T HAVE OUR WORK TO DO AND THE PROGRAMS WE WILL PUT IN PLACE AND EASE ANY CONCERNS THEY HAVE.

THAT'S A JOB WE HAVE AHEAD OF US.

>> WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE ARE YOU GETTING HERE AT THE GOLD DOME?

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN VERY POSITIVE.

OF COURSE, THEY'RE TELLING US WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR.

THE REAL RESPONSE IS GETTING A VOTE, GETTING A CONSTITUTIONAL DONE THAT ALLOWS THE MEMBERS OF THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THIS.

HOPEFULLY, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT HAPPEN THIS SESSION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RESOLUTIONS AND BILLS AND CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT TALK UP IN THERE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S KIND OF GO TIME WHEN THESE LAST FEW DAYS WILL CROSS OVER AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE SOMETHING DONE THIS YEAR AND I SAID THERE ARE MANY STEPS TO IT AND THAT'S THE NEXT ONE.

WE'RE ENCOURAGING AND PUSHING IT AT EVERY TURN.

>> I WANT TO THANK ED CLARK FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

NOW LET'S HEAR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GAMBLING ISSUE FROM THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GEORGIA BAPTIST MISSION, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS IDEA OF RESORT ENTERTAINMENT, JUST A WAY TO BRING GAMBLING IN?

>> WELL, LET ME TELL YOU ONE THING ABOUT IT, IT'S GAMBLING.

I SAID TODAY IN A COMMITTEE HEARING, THERE ARE THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE GAMBLING -- MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.

IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY.

AND WE'RE JUST NOT ENCOURAGED BY THIS.

WE REALLY BELIEVE SINCE THE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT IS RAISED FOR TAX REVENUE ON GAMBLING, IT COST ANOTHER $3 FOR SOCIAL EXPENSE, ECONOMIC EXPENSE, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE A BENEFIT OR BLESSING TO THE STATE.

>> YOU ALSO TALK ABOUT WHAT TENNESSEE HAS HAD, GAMBLING FOR A YEAR NOW AND THEY'RE SEEING NEGATIVES IN TERMS OF PEOPLE ADDICTED.

>> YES, THERE WAS A RECENT NEWS REPORT SHOWING OVER 800% INCREASE IN PHONE CALLS TO THIS ADDICTION LINE THAT THEY HAVE WITH ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THERE, JUST A TREMENDOUS INCREASE ALREADY.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT USING THE PHONE, THAT'S A VERY EASY THING TO GET TO.

AND ACTUALLY STUDIES HAVE ALSO SHOWN THE ADDICTION RATES ARE MUCH HIGHER AMONG THOSE IN SPORTS BETTING, EVEN THAN CASINOS.

>> WHY IS THAT, BECAUSE IT'S SO -- >> BECAUSE OF THE ACCESSIBILITY TO IT, IT CREATES A HEIGHTENED PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THAT.

AND THE ABILITY TO SPEND SO VERY FAST.

I MEAN, THE MONEY IS, POOF, IT'S GONE.

GAMBLING IS ALL ABOUT LOSING MONEY, IT'S NOT ABOUT MAKING MONEY.

AND SO IT'S ALWAYS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PLAYING.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HAVING TO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IT'S NOT JUST LIKE ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

IT'S BASICALLY LEGALIZED FRAUD, BECAUSE IT'S FINDING A WAY TO BEAT PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MONEY, THAT TAKES MONEY OUT OF THE ECONOMY.

IT'S JUST VERY DETRIMENTAL.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT, THOUGH, GO BEFORE THE VOTERS?

>> MY CONCERN ABOUT THE VOTERS IS NOT THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE A RIGHT TO DO IT BUT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT.

THE CONCERN IS THE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE'RE GOING TO SPEND TO SAY WE SHOULD NOT HAVE IT, THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND $250.

SO 250-1 AND I DON'T KNOW OF ANYBODY, EVEN AN INCUMBENT TRYING TO BE RE-ELECTED CAN WIN IF HE'S OUTSPENT 250-1.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD BUT THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE IT LOOK THAT WAY AND IT'S GOING TO BE HARD BECAUSE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE 3-1 RATIO I'M TALKING ABOUT, LIKE PEOPLE SAY THE SPORTS BETTING, WE'RE GOING TO PUT $50 MILLION INTO THE HOME AND ACCORDING TO THE RATIOS STUDIED THROUGH PROFESSORS AT BAYLOR, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, WE'VE GOT PROFESSOR JOHN KENT, FOR THAT $50 MILLION, IT WILL COST THE STATE $150 MILLION IN SOCIAL EXPENSE.

I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HEAR PEOPLE SAY THE FAMILIES THAT GAMBLE TOGETHER STAY TOGETHER.

I THINK IT GOES THE OTHER WAY, PRAY TOGETHER, NOT GAMBLING.

>> LAST YEAR I TALKED TO YOU ON CROSSOVER DAY.

I THINK WE WILL BE TALKING THIS YEAR TO SEE HOW THINGS GO.

>> ABSOLUTELY, WOULD LOVE TO.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "LAWMAKERS."

TOMORROW LOOK FOR BRENDA WATERS IN OUR "LAWMAKERS" CAPITOL REPORT ON DAY 24 AT THE END OF THE PBS NEWSHOUR WITH JUDY WOOD WOODRUFF.

GOOD NIGHT.