>>> 56 YEARS AGO THIS APRIL, I MARCHED ACROSS THE EDMOND PETTUS BRIDGE.

I WANT A RESOLUTION TO PLACE STATUE OF HIM IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE AL WILLIAMS PASSIONATELY INTRODUCED BILL TO HONOR THE LATE CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS WITH A STATUE AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

MORE ON WHY, COMING UP.

>>> IT'S DAY THREE OF THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND 38 NEW LAWMAKERS ARE ADJUSTING TO THEIR FIRST DAYS AT THE CAPITOL.

WE'LL TALK TO A FEW OF THEM ABOUT THEIR FIRST IMPRESSION, LEARNING THE R0E7 ROPES AND WHAT THEY HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH DURING THEIR TIME IN OFFICE.

THEY STARTED THEIR NEW JOBS UNDER HEIGHTENED SECURITY AND WILL HEAR WHAT ONE GEORGIA LAWMAKER HAD TO SAY ABOUT LAST WEEK'S STORMING OF THE U.S. CAPITOL.

FIRST, ONE OF THE PREMIERE EVENTS OF THE FIRST WEEK GRABBED ATTENTION ACROSS THE STATE.

THOUSANDS TUNED IN TO FIRST VIRTUAL EGGS AND ISSUES BREAKFAST HOSTED BY THE GEORGIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

OUR LAWMAKERS CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS JOINS US WITH MORE ON THAT.

BRENDA, NO EGGS THIS YEAR BUT LOTS OF ISSUES.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

NO EGGS UNLESS THEY WERE EATING EGGS AS THEY WATCHED VIRTUALLY THIS MORNING, AS THEY WATCHED FROM THEIR HOMES.

THE EVENT ATTRACTS AROUND 2500 PEOPLE.

IT ATTRACTED FEW FROM THEIR DEVICES PRP.

>> Reporter: THE OVERALL GOAL IS TO GENERATE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE STATUS OF GEORGIA'S ECONOMY.

THOSE TAKING PART ARE THE WHO'S WHO IN GEORGIA.

GEORGIA HAS BEEN NAMED THE NUMBER ONE STATE IN WHICH TO DO BUSINESS.

GOVERNOR BRAN KEMP SAYS HE WANTS TO KEEP IT THAT WAY BUT FACED CRITICISM.

>> MY FOCUS REMAINED ON THE HARD WORKING GEORGIANS WHO SPENT YEARS BUILDING THEIR BUSINESSES AND TERRIFIED DAYS AWAY FROM LOSING EVERYTHING.

I KNEW WE HAD TO GIVE THESE BUSINESSES A FIGHTING CHANCE AND I'M GLAD THAT WE DID.

>> Reporter: KEEPING STATE AFLOAT IS ON THE MIND OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON THE PANDEMIC.

WE NEED TO GET AN AMENDED BUDGET OUT THERE FAIRLY SOON TO KEEP STATE OPEN UNTIL THE END OF JUNE.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS A SPECIAL BONUS SESSION WITH TWO MEMBERS OF THE GEORGIA BLACK CAUCUS.

SENATOR TONYA ANDERSON WHO CHAIRS THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JAMES BEVERLY WHO TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY CAN BENEFIT BUSINESSES.

>> USE THE WISDOM OF THE FACT THAT GEORGIA IS DIFFERENT PLACES ARE CHANGING.

DON'T COME TO US AFTER FACT AND SAY, BY THE WAY.

THE BY THE WAY IS NOW BECOMING SOMEWHAT OFFENSIVE BECAUSE WE COULD ADD TO THE CONVERSATION.

>> I'LL SAY THERE ARE RESOURCES, THOSE THINGS WE CAN HELP ASSIST WITH, MAKING BUSINESSES STRONGER.

>> A VIRTUAL AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE TUNED IN FOR EGGS AND ISSUES.

>>> A PROFOUND MOMENT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THIS MORNING WHEN REPRESENTATIVE AL WILLIAMS PRESENTED A RESOLUTION TO PLACE STATUE OF THE LATE U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS IN THE NATIONAL STATUARY HALL.

>> I MARCHED ACROSS THE EDMOND PETTIS BRIDGE WITH JOHN LEWIS.

I INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION, THAT PLACE STATUE OF HIM IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

THIS IS MOVING AND PERSONAL MOMENT FOR ME BUT LET ME THANK THE SPEAKER FOR HIS ASSISTANCE BOTH THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADER, THE DEAN AND THE PAST PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA CAUCUS REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT.

THIS HAS A CHASTENNING ROD.

THE DAY WHEN HOPE UNBORN HAD DIED YET WITH A STEADY BEAT HAVE NOT OUR WAYWARD FEET.

COME TO THE PLACE FOR WHICH OUR FATHERS SIGN IN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SIGNATURES AND I HOPE IT'S 100% IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

>> THE JOHN LEWIS STATUE WOULD REPLACE THAT ONE OF ALEXANDER STEPHENS WHO SERVED AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES FROM 1861 UNTIL 1865.

HE WAS LATER THIS 50th GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA.

>>> THOSE VIVID IMAGES OF ATTACKS ON THE U.S. CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6th ARE STILL MAJOR CONCERNS AND ON MINDS OF LEGISLATURES.

THEY ARE CALLING FOR ACTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVID DWYER SPOKE FROM THE HEART THIS MORNING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> THESE ACTIONS WERE PRECIPITATED BY THOUSANDS UPON ELECTION SYSTEM.

MOST BY THE CURRENT PRESIDENT BUT AIDED AND ABETTED BY ACCOMPLICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND OUR GOVERNMENT AND SOME RIGHT HERE IN GEORGIA.

THE CALL FOR UNITY SHOULD HAPPEN BUT THEY CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF THERE IS THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH IS EXPOSED AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE ARE HELD ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> AS WE TOLD YOU AT THE START OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THERE WILL BE COVID TESTING ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY FOR HOUSE MEMBERS AND STAFF.

YESTERDAY HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID WALSTON WAS APPALLED AT THE 74 MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT YET BEEN TESTED.

TODAY IT WAS BACK THE SCHOOL FROM THE FLOOR.

SPEAKER RALSTON WAS THE TEACHER AT THE PODIUM.

>> WHAT DO WE DO ON THURSDAY?

BLESS YOU.

7:00 A.M. TO 11:00 A.M.

TESTING.

HERE IN THIS BUILDING.

>> WHAT DO WE DO ON THURSDAY, WHICH IS TOMORROW?

WELL, COVID TESTING DAY.

THAT'S ALL FROM MY REPORT TODAY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> I THINK IT'S A LESSON WELL LEARNED.

>> THANK YOU, BRENDA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO GET TO KNOW A FEW OF THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

NEW LAWMAKERS WHO WERE SWORN IN ON MONDAY.

WE'LL MEET TWO SENATORS NOW AND TWO REPRESENTATIVES IN OUR NEXT SEGMENT.

I'M PLEASED TO WELCOME REPUBLICAN SENATOR MAX BURNS FROM NEWINGTON, GEORGIA SOUTHEAST OF AUGUSTA AND DEMOCRATIC SENATOR OF GRAYSON.

I SHOULD SAY REPUBLICAN SENATOR.

SENATORS, THANK YOU SO NUCH FOR BEING HERE.

HOW WOULD YOU EACH DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST WEEK UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

WE'LL START WITH YOU SENATOR MERRICK.

>> IT'S BEEN AMAZING.

IT'S BEEN AT TIMES OVERWHELMING BUT EXTREMELY EXCITING I TAKE GREAT HONOR AND PLEASURE IN SERVING MY CONSTITUENTS.

HAPPY TO BE THERE AND EVEN WITH THE INFLUX OF ALL THE INFORMATION, I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WORK AHEAD AND DOING GOOD WORK FOR THE PEOPLE IN GEORGIA.

>> HASN'T BEEN OVERWHELMING THEN?

>> I'M JUST EXCITED ABOUT IT.

READY TO GET GOING.

>> I APPRECIATE AND AGREE WITH THE SENATOR'S POSITION.

JUST SIMPLE THINGS LIKE OFFICE ALLOCATIONS, COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING BUT I TOO LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVING THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA AND SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THE 23rd SENATE DISTRICT.

I'M READY.

LET'S GO TO WORK.

>> OKAY.

>> WE WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU.

I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT JUST BRIEFLY WHY YOU DECIDED TO RUN.

>> I JUST WANTED TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER.

I SAW WHERE WE HAD A GAP IN LEADERSHIP IN MY DISTRICT.

I FELT LIKE I COULD DO BETTER.

I COULD SERVE BETTER AND OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE, OUR LEGISLATURE SHOULD REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHY I JUMPED IN.

>> YOU'RE A FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU WERE PRESIDENT OF GORDON COLLEGE AND NOW YOU'RE A STATE SENATOR SO TELL ME WHY YOU WANTED TO DO THAT.

I LOOKED AT OPPORTUNITIES AND SAID HOW CAN I SERVE.

CANDIDLY I WENT TO SCHOOL IN ATLANTA.

RIGHT ACROSS THE WAY AT GEORGIA TECH AND GEORGIA STATE.

SPENT A DECADE AND A HALF HERE IN MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

MY ROOTS ARE IN SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE DIRT OF MY HERITAGE FAMILY FARM, MY GRANDFATHER, MY FATHER, MYSELF AND MY SON AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS ON MY AGENDA IS PROVIDING THOSE CORE RURAL VALUES IN THE GEORGIA STATE SENATE.

I'M DELIGHTED TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

>> WE'LL TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.

WITH YOU SENATOR, YOU BEAT REPUBLICAN SENATOR PK MARTIN WHO SERVED SINCE 2014 AND SHARED THE IMPORTANT EDUCATION AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MEANS YOU WON IN GWINETT COUNTY.

>> IT WAS A HUGE WIN.

WE COULD DO IT.

WE LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS.

WE LOOKED AT OUR DISTRICT.

I WENT IN AND TALKED ABOUT IT.

GREAT IDEA.

AFTER THAT, IT WAS JUST OUR MESSAGE.

KEEPING WITH YOUR STRATEGY, WE STAYED ON OUR MESSAGE AND KEPT WITH OUR STRATEGY.

HAVING JUST REACHING VOTERS THAT FELT LIKE THEY WEREN'T BEING HEARD.

I WORKED IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF 3204.

SOMEONE LIKE ME.

I FELT LIKE MY CONSTITUENCY.

SOMEONE THEY CAN RELATE TO AND THAT HAS SHARED VALUES.

I THINK THAT CONNECTED WITH A LOT OF MY CONSTITUENTS OUT THERE.

>> SOUND LIKE YOU'RE READY TO WORK IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> EXCITING WEEK FOR YOU.

YOU GOT A CHAIRMANSHIP.

YOURS IS ETHICS.

>> I CAME WITH A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

I'M NEW TO SENATE.

AS CHAIRMAN OF ETHICS, MY GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THE LEGISLATION HAS THE OPPORTUNITY FROM ALL SIDES.

IT NEEDS TO BE OBSERVED.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO.

>> I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT VOTER PROTECTION AND SECURE, BUT VOTER PROTECTION AND MAKING SURE WE'RE EXPANDING VOTING.

THINGS LIKE MAKING SURE OUR BALLOT BOXES.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN AUTOMATIC ABSENTEE SYSTEM TO WHERE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP APPLYING FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT.

WE WANT THEM TO GET THAT.

EXPANDING VOTING LOCATIONS.

COUNTING MILL -- MAIL BALLOTS.

>> WE MIGHT HAVE SOME BATTLES.

>> SENATOR BURNS.

>> WE HAVE A UNUSUAL OF ISSUES.

YOU HAVE TO DO WITH COVID IS A CRITICAL NEED AND A CRITICAL PROBLEM HERE IN GEORGIA.

EVERY GEORGIAN NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE NEXT SIX MONTHS OR LESS.

WE GOT TO DO THAT.

THE BUDGET IS OUT THERE.

IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT THE STATE MUST DO IS TO ENSURE WE HAVE BALANCED BUDGET.

THAT WILL HAPPEN.

I CAN GUARANTEE YOU IT WILL BE BALANCED.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE.

WE HAVE ISSUES WITH REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES.

THE BUDGET, WHOLE ELECTION REFORM TO THE END BECAUSE I WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT.

AS WE LOOK AT THE DISTRICT LINE FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

SIGN UNTIL THE REGULAR SESSION.

FAIR ELECTIONS WHERE EVERY LEGITIMATE VOTER HAS THAT PRIVILEGE AND THEIR BALLOTS ARE SECURE.

>> WE DON'T HAVE LOT OF TIME LEFT IT'S PARAMOUNT.

WE CANNOT FIX OUR EDUCATION.

WE NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH.

WE'RE HAVING LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS AND WE ALSO NEED TO EDUCATE OUR VOTERS BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR VOTERS ARE VERY FEARFUL STILL OF TAKING THE VIRUS.

>> THAT IT WILL BE IT.

>> HE'S DONE A GOOD JOB OF BALANCING LIVELY HOOD AND THE HELP OF OUR CITIZENS.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR MER RECEIPT.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE AND MOVE FASTER AND MAKE SURE EVERY GEORGIAN IS PROTECTED.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

>>> COMING UP, CHANCE TO KNOW TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE REPRESENTATIVES.

YOU'RE WATCHING LAWMAKERS ON GPB.

>>> WELCOME BACK THE LAWMAKERS.

WE'RE CONTINUING OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE NEWBIES AT THE CAPITOL.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS IS FROM THE CITY OF SOUTH FUL TON AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE IS FROM GRANTVILLE.

WELCOME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "LAWMAKERS."

THREE DAYS IN.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

I'LL START WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS.

>> I'M FEELING FANTASTIC.

I'M FEELING FANTASTIC.

I'VE BEEN AT THE CAPITOL FOR THE LAST TWO SESSIONS.

I WILL HAVE TO SAY IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT WHEN YOU'RE SWORN IN AS AN ACTUAL LEGISLATURE.

IT'S COMING FAST BUT I'M ENJOYING IT.

>> I'M GLAD.

WHAT ABOUT YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

GOVERNMENT IS ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS AND SO I'M CERTAINLY ENJOYED BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THIS WEEK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE SESSION AHEAD.

>> LET'S DIG IN A BIT MORE.

THE HEAVY LIFT WILL BE LEARNING THE ROPE, THE PROCEDURES AND THE PRACTICES.

HOW DO YOU LEARN WHAT TO DO, WHATNOT TO DO, THAT KIND OF THING?

>> YOU'RE ASSIGNED A MENTOR.

I'M UNSEATED A 28-YEAR INCUMBENT.

I'M A QUICK STUDY AND I'M CATCHING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS VERY QUICKLY.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT SHARON BEASLEY TEAGUE WHO WAS THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER.

A LOT WAS PUT INTO HIS CAMPAIGN.

A LOT WAS PUT IN YOUR CAMPAIGN, NATIONALLY.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT REPRESENTING YOUR AREA RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, AGAIN, IT'S GREAT HONOR.

THE DISTRICT WHERE I LIVE AT THE 132nd HAS CHANGED.

WE'RE A GROWING AREA.

>> EXPLAIN WHERE THAT IS.

IT'S GROWING.

IT GOT TO A POINT WHERE THERE WERE BASICALLY CONSERVATIVE VOTES.

WE'RE VOTING FOR BOB AND I RETIRED FROM THE MILITARY JUST RECENTLY WHEN I MOVED HOME.

>> WHAT BRANCH?

>> THE ARMY.

WHEN MY WIFE AND I DECIDED TO GO LIVE IN OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER COMMUNITY, WE LOOKED FOR PLACE TO SERVE.

WE GOT INVOLVED AND THAT'S THE JOURNEY THAT LED ME HERE.

>> WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

>> I'M AN AIR AMBULANCE HELICOPTER PILOT.

I WAS A PILOT IN THE ARMY.

RETIRED FROM DOING THAT.

I NOW FLY FOR AN AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE THAT SERVES MY DISTRICT OUT OF THE NOONAN BASE.

WE FLY ALL OVER ATLANTA.

ALL OVER GEORGIA REALLY.

>> ANOTHER PILOT UNDER THE GOLD DOME.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES TO TELL US WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW.

YOUR BACKGROUND THAT YOU BRING INTO THIS.

>> SURE.

I CREATE POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR HEALTH CARE AGENCIES.

I GET THEM LICENSED THROUGH THE STATE, HOSPICE, PERSONAL CARE HOME, HEALTH CARE AGENCY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.

HOUSING ISSUES WE'RE HEARING ABOUT THE GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION.

EVICTIONS ARE ON THE RISE.

PEOPLE TRYING TO STAY IN THEIR HOUSE.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE HOUSING CRISIS MANAGED?

>> WELL, THERE IS ANOTHER POPULATION THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY WORKING BUT NEED HOME -- THEN THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING THAT NEED HOMEOWNERSHIP.

I CREATE A PROGRAM CALLED LIVING WAGE AND OWNERSHIP.

WE ARE TALKING WITH GMA TO COME ON BOARD.

WHAT WE'RE WORKING TO DO IS PUSH A $15 MINIMUM WAGE BUT ALSO PROVIDE HOMEOWNERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE OWNING THE LAND.

>> THAT SOUNDS GREAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.

I UNDERSTAND WITH THIS PANDEMIC, YOU HAVE SOME AREAS YOU'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON.

>> RIGHT.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN 2021, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS STILL THE PRIMARY ISSUE THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON.

THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE IS THE VACCINATION OF EVERY GEORGIAN.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT ROLL OUT JUST RECENTLY AND AS WE PERFECT OUR SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT STAYS ON TRACK.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

WITH AS OUR ECONOMY MOVES FORWARD, THERE'S BEEN AREAS OF OUR ECONOMY UNAFFECTED BUT THERE'S BEEN SOME AREAS PARTICULARLY OUR HOSPITALITY AND TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY THAT'S BEEN DEVASTATED BY THIS.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THE INDUSTRIES SURVIVE THIS AND THEY ENJOY THE SAME RECOVERY ONCE THIS COMES TO A CLOSE AND WE MOVE FORWARD TO WHAT'S NEXT.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THE VACCINE ROLL OUT IS GOING IN YOUR AREA?

>> WELL, I KNOW IN MY DISTRICT IS WHERE I HAVE A PERSPECTIVE.

I'M SPEAKING TO THE COUNTY MANAGERS AND THE FIRST PHASE WAS PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS AND THERE WAS SOME RELUCTANCE ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS TO TAKE THE VACCINE AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

WE HAD SOME VACCINES THAT WEREN'T UTILIZED THE FIRST WEEK.

NOW THAT WE'RE INTO THE SECOND PHASE WHERE WE'RE DOING 65 AND OLDER, THAT WILL END.

WE SHOULD HAVE 100%.

I KNOW THERE'S ALSO SOME LAG IN THE REPORTING THAT HAS SOME LATENCY BUT I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT AND I'VE HAD A BRIEFING TODAY.

I'M VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THE GEORGIA PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND HOW THEY WILL CONTINUE TO RAMP UP THIS VACCINE ROLL OUT.

>> OKAY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS, I WANTED TO TALK A BIT ABOUT YOU.

YOU MENTIONED THE HOMELESS AND FOOD INSECURITY IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

WHAT'S SOME OF THE LEGISLATION YOU'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE, IF YOU CAN?

>> I DEFINITELY WANT TO LOOK AT OUR AGRICULTURE.

I'M HOPING TO BE ON THAT COMMITTEE.

>> ANY OTHER COMMITTEES?

>> ALONG WITH TRANSPORTATION.

THERE'S A SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IN SOUTH FULTON AND THAT INCLUDES TRANSIT JUSTICE AND FOOD INSECURITIES.

IT'S IRONIC BECAUSE GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IS AGRICULTURE BUT THE CITY IN SOUTH FULTON ARE FOOD DESERTS.

WHAT I'M CREATING IS A PROGRAM CALLED AG WORK FORCE.

IT'S A PROGRAM I'M WORKING WITH THE ATLANTA METRO COLLEGE WITH.

THEY WILL WRITE THE CURRICULUM AND TRAIN YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 19 ON AGRICULTURE JOBS.

THIS IS BETWEEN 50 AND $124,000.

>> AG IS OUR BIG BUSINESS.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO?

>> WHEN WE DISCUSS THIS COVID PANDEMIC, IT REALLY HIGHLIGHTED SOME ISSUES IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

RURAL HEALTH CARE IS A VERY BIG CONCERN.

HAVING LIVED OVERSEAS AND EXPAT I CAN ATTEST TO AMERICAN HEALTH CARE IS BEST.

AS WE LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE AND MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE, WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYE ON THE BALL AND REALIZE THAT WE DON'T NEED TO PULL THE WRONG LEVER.

WE DEFINITELY NEED TO EXPAND RURAL HEALTH CARE.

I THINK ONE WAY THAT CAN BE DONE IS WITH EXPANDED PRACTICE AUTHORITY FOR NURSE PRACTICTIONERS.

ULTIMATELY WE NEED MORE HEALTH CARE.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS BROAD BAND ACCESS WHICH WAS VERY MUCH BROUGHT TO THE FORE FRONT BY THIS PANDEMIC AS WE TRIED TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN AND PEOPLE TELECOMMUTED.

IN ORDER FOR RULE GEORGIA TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ECONOMIC EXPANSION THAT GEORGIA ENJOYING, WE HAVE GOT TO BROAD BAND ACCESS.

IT'S THE EXPRESSWAY OF THE 21st CENTURY.

IN OUR GRANDPARENTS COULD BUILD THE NETWORK THAT CONNECTED THIS COUNTRY 60 YEARS AGO OR 70 YEARS AGO, IT COULD DO THIS.

IT'S DOABLE AND IT MUST BE DONE.

>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU BOTH ARE READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

READY TO DO IT.

VERY GLAD YOU'RE ABLE TO BE ON "LAWMAKERS" THE TALK ABOUT IT.

I HOPE YOU WILL COME BACK.

THERE'S MORE TO TALK ABOUT.

THANK YOU, AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT ON "LAWMAKERS."

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR LEGISLATIVE DAY FOUR AND HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE.

WE'LL HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE BY STATE SENATOR GLORIA BUTLER.

YOU CAN TRACK US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

TUNE IN TO POLITICAL RERUN HOSTED BY PHIL TOMORROW MORNING AT 9:00.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.