♪♪ >>> THIS WHILE BATTERED IS NOT BROKEN, A BETTER BRIGHTER FUTURE IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

THE STATE OF THE STATE IS RESILIENT, AND WE WILL ENDURE?

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP GIVES AN UPDATE HOPEFUL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, IT'S HIS THIRD AND MAYBE HIS MOST IMPORTANT GIVEN IT COMES WITH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO A SPECIAL HOUR LONG LAWMAKERS, I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA, DURING OUR SHOW YOU'LL HEAR SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS AND WE'LL HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

I ALSO HAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GEORGIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

BUT FIRST, WHILE WE CAN'T AIR THE GOVERNOR'S ENTIRE SPEECH BECAUSE IT WAS MORE THAN AN HOUR LONG WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU THE SECOND HALF WHICH FOCUSED ON HIS GOALS FOR THE FUTURE AND THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED HE HAS NO PLANS FOR BUDGET CUTS.

>> OUR CAREFUL PLANNING AND MEASURED APPROACH WAS REWARDED IN SPADES.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC'S EFFORTS AFFECT ON OUR STATE REVENUE PROJECTIONS LOOKED AT WORST, WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH CHAIRMAN ENGLAND, CHAIRMAN TILL ERIE, SPEAKER AUSTIN, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE BUDGET OFFICES TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST.

HOWEVER, THANKS TO THE PASSAGE OF THE CARES ACT, CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING, AND OUR MEASURED REOPENING OF GEORGIA'S ECONOMY, OUR RAINY DAY FUND REMAINS STRONG.

OTHER STATES ARE LOOKING AT FURTHER CUTS TO EMPLOYEES AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

FOR AID THEY'RE NOW FORCED TO TURN TO A DYSFUNCTIONAL AND DISTRACTED WASHINGTON, D.C.

BUT BECAUSE WE ACTED SWIFTLY AND EARLY, THE BUDGETS MY ADMINISTRATION WILL PROPOSE IN THE COMING DAYS INCLUDE NO NEW CUTS TO STATE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS, NO FURLOUGHS, NO WIDESPREAD LAYOFFS TO STATE EMPLOYEES.

AND I MIGHT ADD, NO NEW TAXES TO PAY FOR IT ALL.

THIS SOUND FISCAL MANAGEMENT ENABLED GEORGIA TO MAINTAIN OUR COVETED AAA BOND RATING AND WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE POSITION THAT MANY OTHER STATES SHOULD ENVY, AS ECONOMIC EXPERTS POINT TO GEORGIA'S ABILITY TO WEATHER THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM COVID-19 IS BETTER THAN MOST.

BUT NOW, AS WE BEGIN A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION, OUR STATE STILL FACES HEAD WINDS DUE TO UNCERTAINTY IN THE GLOBAL AND NATIONAL MARKETS.

BUT IT IS OUR JOB TO TILL THE EARTH, PASS BUDGETS THAT PUT HARD WORKING GEORGIANS FIRST AND GET READY FOR PLANNING.

CONTINUING TO INVEST IN SOIL READY TO GROW GEORGIA'S ECONOMY MEANS WE HAVE TO STAY LASER FOCUSED ON PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT IN ALL 159 COUNTIES, NOT JUST OUR CAPITAL CITY.

THIS HAS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY OF MINE SINCE THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, AND I KNOW FOR MANY UNDER THIS GOLD DOME AS WELL.

WE'VE DELIVERED ON THOSE PROMISES BY CHAMPIONING PRO-GROWTH LEGISLATION FOR RURAL GEORGIA AND ESTABLISHING THE RURAL STRIPE TEAM TO BRING LOCAL DEVELOPERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TOGETHER TO BRING PROJECTS OF REASONABLE SIGNIFICANCE TO COMMUNITIES LOOKING TO GROW.

BUT THIS IS NO TIME TO LET UP.

WE KNOW THAT WE CAN LAND MAJOR INVESTMENTS AND JOB CREATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT GEORGIA, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN IF WE DON'T INVEST HEAVILY IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO ENCOURAGE THAT GROWTH.

MANY OF THE ECONOMIC, MEDICAL AND OTHER CHALLENGES THAT ARE FACING RURAL GEORGIA CANNOT BE FIXED WITH A TOP DOWN ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH.

THESE ISSUES ARE BEST ADDRESSED THROUGH TARGETED, INNOVATIVE PUBLIC/PRIVATE SOLUTIONS THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES, NOT JUST TODAY, BUT FIVE, TEN OR 25 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

THAT'S WHY I'VE INCLUDED IN MY BUDGET NEARLY $40 MILLION TO ESTABLISH A RURAL INNOVATION FUND TO PROVIDE A READILY AVAILABLE POOL OF RESOURCES THAT EMPOWERS RURAL GEORGIA BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS TO GET STARTED, EXPAND AND THRIVE.

THIS PANDEMIC HIGHLIGHTED MANY CHALLENGES FOR COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE METRO ATLANTA.

BUT NONE MORE SO THAN THE CRITICAL NEED FOR HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS.

FOR BETTER HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES.

FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

AND SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH LOVED ONES.

THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE'RE INCLUDING $20 MILLION FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, AND $10 MILLION PER YEAR MOVING FORWARD TO BOOST ACCESS TO RURAL BROAD BAND GRANTS SO LOCAL LEADERS CAN CONTINUE A GROWING AND VITAL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

AND QUICKLY IMPROVE INTERNET ACCESS FOR THE PEOPLE OF RURAL GEORGIA.

IN A YEAR WHERE DOCTORS, MEDICAL STAFF AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE SHOWN ITEMS TO BE THE BEST OF GEORGIA AND THE BEST OF AMERICA, THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT WE MUST DIRECT EVERY RESOURCE AVAILABLE TO THE EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS IN GEORGIA?

THROUGH OUR MOST VULNERABLE, THROUGH THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE SEEN THEIR INCOME CUT AND THE HARD WORKING GEORGIANS TRYING THEIR BEST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

WE MADE GREAT STRIDES TOWARD THIS GOAL ALREADY.

PASSING AND SIGNING OVER 50 HEALTH CARE BILLS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS TO EXPAND ACCESS, SPUR INNOVATION, AND CUT COSTS FOR BETTER COVERAGE, INCLUDING THE PATIENTS FIRST ACT.

GEORGIA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST UNINSURED RATES IN THE COUNTRY, AND MANY WHO ARE INSURED ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR CARE.

IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC, THAT IS QUITE HONESTLY UNACCEPTABLE.

MORE ACTION IS NEEDED.

THAT IS WHY MY BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR INCLUDES $76 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT GEORGIA PATHWAYS AND ACCESS TO MAKE HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO THOUSANDS AND AFFORDABLE FOR MILLIONS MORE.

BY SCALING BACK DEPENDENCE ON FAILED PROMISES OF HEALTH CARE.GOV, GIVING LOW-INCOME GEORGIANS A HAND UP AND INCREASING COMPETITION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DRIVE DOWN COSTS WE'LL ALSO MAKE USE OF STATE RESOURCES TO SHORE UP GEORGIA'S HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS, WITH $329 MILLION FOR MEDICAID AND PEACH CARE TO FUND PROJECTED COSTS IN THE COMING YEAR.

WHEN IT COMES TO MEANINGFUL, INNOVATIVE REFORMS IN HEALTH CARE GEORGIA IS LEADING THE NATION.

WE ARE PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE IT TRULY MATTERS, TO PLANT THE SEEDS THAT WE WILL GROW IN OUR STATE FOR YEARS TO COME.

WE MUST ADD IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS AND STRENGTHEN VITAL LIFE SAVING PROGRAMS AND INVEST OUR RESOURCES IN KEEPING GEORGIA HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

OUR OLDEST DAUGHTER IS IN SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA TO BECOME A TEACHER.

EARLIER THIS WEEK SHE ACTUALLY STARTED HER STUDENT TEACHING ASSIGNMENT.

MARTY, HER SISTERS AND I ARE SO PROUD SHE HAS CHOSEN THIS PATH AND HER PASSION FOR EDUCATING HAS ONLY STRENGTHENED MY COMMITMENT TO THE TEACHERS OF OUR STATE.

THE STATE WAS PROACTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE IN EASING THE OVERWHELMING CHALLENGES THAT FACED TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS LAST YEAR, INCLUDING ALLOCATING $30 MILLION TO HELP ENSTUDENT CONNECTIVITY, SLASHING THE REQUIREMENTS ON TESTING, ALLOCATING $19 MILLION TO SUPPORT CHILD CARE FOR WORKING PARENTS, AND PROVIDING OVER 8.3 MILLION UNITS OF PPE TO SCHOOLS ACROSS OUR STATE.

BUT THE DAUNTING TASK OF TEACHING GEORGIA'S NEXT GENERATION IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19 HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT EASY.

SO MANY EDUCATORS WENT THE EXTRA MILE TO HELP THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CLASSROOM WHO DON'T HAVE THE BEST HOME LIFE, OR MAYBE IT WAS TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS HAD MEALS TO LAST THEM THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

IN A DAY AND AGE WHERE SO MUCH IS THROWN AT THOSE INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN ON THE FRONT LINES, THE ADDITIONAL BURDENS OF REMOTE LEARNING, SOCIAL DISTANCING, WEARING A MASK, ADAPTING TO THE NEW NORMAL, HONESTLY MADE EDUCATING OVERWHELMING.

BUT THE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN RUNNING GEORGIA SCHOOLS DIDN'T MISS A BEAT.

FROM PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, CUSTODIANS, BUS DRIVERS AND SUPPORT STAFF ON DOWN, THEIR ACTIONS HAVE INSPIRED US ALL.

AND TODAY I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WORKING CLOSELY WITH STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT RICHARD WOODS THE STATE WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO SCHOOL SYSTEM REOPENING EFFORTS, EQUATING TO A ONE-TIME SUPPLEMENT OF $1,000 PER TEACHER AND OTHER EMPLOYEES.

RICHARD WOODS AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEEN TIRELESS CHAMPIONS FOR OUR SCHOOLS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND I APPRECIATE HIS FRIENDSHIP, AND HIS LEADERSHIP.

AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO ASK ALL THOSE IN THE CHAMBER, AND THOSE JOINING US VIA LIVE STREAM, TO JOIN ME IN THANKING OUR EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, CAFETERIA WORKERS AND SCHOOL STAFF WHO FACED COVID-19 WITH HEART, PASSION AND PERSEVERANCE.

THANK YOU ALL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I BELIEVE IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL OF THOSE SERVING UNDER THIS GOLD DOME THE CLEAR MESSAGE THAT WE SUPPORT OUR EDUCATORS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

THAT'S WHY FOR THIS YEAR'S AMENDED I'M RECOMMENDING $647 MILLION TO RESTORE FUNDING TO SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS OUR STATE.

FULLY FUND ENROLLMENT GROWTH, AND HOLD SCHOOLS HARMLESS FOR ENROLLMENT REDUCTIONS WITH $573 MILLION ALLOCATED TO CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET AS WELL.

THOSE FUNDS MEAN SCHOOLS WILL BE ABLE TO PRIORITIZE OUR STUDENTS' SAFETY, ENSURE QUALITY INSTRUCTION CONTINUES, AND STAND WITH OUR EDUCATORS IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS TO COME.

IN A YEAR WHEN OTHER STATES MAY FACE NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO SLASH EDUCATION DOLLARS, FURLOUGH TEACHERS, AND CUT BACK ON ESSENTIAL STUDENT PROGRAMS, GEORGIA'S RESTORING FUNDING TO SCHOOLS, BACKING OUR TEACHERS, AND LAUNCHING NEW INITIATIVES TO KEEP KIDS ENROLLED.

LIKE MANY FAMILIES, OUR THREE DAUGHTERS HAVE HAD TO GET USED TO DISTANCE LEARNING.

HAVING SEEN THIS FIRSTHAND AS A DAD I THINK I SPEAK FOR MANY PARENTS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHEN I SAY THAT HAVING A CLASS THROUGH A COMPUTER SCREEN IS LEAVING TOO MANY KIDS BEHIND.

EXPERTS IN EDUCATION AND PEDIATRICS HAVE BEEN SOUNDING THE ALARM FOR MONTHS AND I BELIEVE THE TOLL ON THE PANDEMIC IS TAKING THE NEXT GENERATION TO A CRISIS POINT.

THESE CHALLENGES ARE MOST CONCERNING FOR OUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WHOSE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING HAVE BEEN SEVERELY IMPACTED.

TO PRIORITIZE ASSISTANCE FOR THESE AT RISK STUDENTS AND FAMILIES MY OFFICE WILL BE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SET ASIDE $10 MILLION IN GOVERNORS EMERGENCY EDUCATION RELIEF FUNDS TO REIMBURSE EXPENSES PARENTS AND GUARDIANS HAVE INCURRED WHILE PROVIDING A QUALITY EDUCATION TO THEIR LOVED ONES DURING COVID-19.

PANDEMIC OR NOT, IT IS MY COMMITMENT THAT WE WILL MAKE EVERY RESOURCE AVAILABLE TO GIVE EACH AND EVERY STUDENT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

AS MANY OF YOU HAVE READ IN THE NEWS REPORTS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS COVID-19 HAS ALSO HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON ENROLLMENT IN SOME OF OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THE INSTITUTIONS HIT THE HARDEST HAVE OFTEN BEEN THOSE SERVING MINORITY STUDENTS.

WITH AN ADDITIONAL $5 MILLION A PILOT PROGRAM THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA, WE CAN KEEP 10,000 JUNIORS AND SENIORS WITH UNMET OBLIGATIONS ENROLLED IN COLLEGE.

THESE HARD WORKING GEORGIANS HAVE NEARLY CROSSED THE FINISH LINE OF THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION, AND I BELIEVE THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS ENSURE THAT FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AT THE HANDS OF COVID-19 DOES NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF THEM ACHIEVING THEIR DREAMS.

THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF OUR STATE, IN ANY HARVEST WE HOPE TO ENJOY IN THE YEARS TO COME, WILL BE DETERMINED BY OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION, TO STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF.

AS YOUR 83rd GOVERNOR THAT COMMITMENT WILL NEVER WAVER.

[ APPLAUSE ] >>> IN ADDITION TO THE PANDEMIC OUR COUNTRY FACED ANOTHER CRISIS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL OF 2020.

IN THE TRAGIC DEATHS OF GEORGE FLOYD AND AHMAUD ARBERY.

THE ENTIRE NATION WITNESSED INJUSTICE WITH OUR OWN EYES AND I WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT PEACEFUL PROTESTS THAT DREW THE WORLD'S ATTENTION TO THESE TERRIBLE ACTS.

AND THOSE VOICES DEMANDED CHANGE TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF EVERY GEORGIAN REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED OR POLITICAL PREFERENCE.

IN A BIPARTISAN WAY LEADERS UNDER THIS GOLD DOME STOOD SIDE BY SIDE AND ANSWERED THAT CALL.

TOGETHER WE PASSED MEANINGFUL HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION THAT REAFFIRMED GEORGIA'S COMMITMENT TO BE A WELCOMING STATE, THAT VALUES THE LIFE OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF ITS CITIZENS.

I'D LIKE TO THANK SPEAKER RALSTON, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DUNCAN, DEAN SMIRY, SENATOR KOWZER, SENATOR HAROLD JONES AND OTHERS ON THEIR WORK FOR THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

OFTENTIMES THE BEST OF WHAT IS ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS BUILDING IS ACHIEVED WHEN WE PUT POLITICS ASIDE AND SIMPLY DO WHAT IS BEST.

WHEN I SIGNED HB-426 INTO LAW LAST YEAR, I CALLED IT A SIGN OF PROGRESS AND A MILESTONE WORTH APPLAUDING.

BUT WE KNOW, THANKS TO THE EXAMPLE SET FOR US ALL BY TITANS LIKE CT VIVIAN AND JOHN LEWIS, THAT WORK IS FAR FROM FINISHED.

ON MAY 5th, 2020 A VIRAL VIDEO SHOCKED THE WORLD.

THE HORRIFIC KILLING OF AHMAUD ARBERY SHOOK A GEORGIA COMMUNITY TO ITS VERY CORE.

WE ALL FELT ANGER, DISBELIEF AND A DEEP SORROW, BUT NONE MORE THAN AHMAUD'S FAMILY AND LOVED ONES.

HE WAS A VICTIM OF VIGILANTE VIOLENCE.

EXCUSED AWAY BECAUSE OF A LAW THAT IS RIGHT FOR ABUSE AND ENABLES SINISTER, EVIL MOTIVES.

THAT'S WHY MY ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO INTRODUCE SIGNIFICANT REFORMS TO OUR STATE'S CITIZENS ARREST STATUTE AND WORKING WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES.

I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARD A BETTER, SAFER AND MORE JUST FUTURE FOR OUR STATE.

WE CAN, AGAIN, SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE, GEORGIA IS A STATE THAT PROTECTS ALL OF ITS PEOPLE, AND FIGHTS FOR INJUSTICE, WHEREVER IT IS FOUND.

[ APPLAUSE ] >>> PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS OUR STATE IN HONOR OF AHMAUD, GEORGE FLOYD AND OTHERS WERE MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THEY WORKED LONG HOURS TO PROTECT PROTESTERS TO ENSURE IN ANYONE HAD A DIFFERENT MOTIVE INVOLVING VIOLENCE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES AND STREETS REMAIN SAFE.

UNFORTUNATELY MANY OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WERE FACED WITH EVENTS THAT TURNED DESTRUCTIVE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS OF 2020.

I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S EVER BEEN TOUGHER, MORE DANGEROUS, MORE CHALLENGING TO WEAR A LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIFORM.

BUT POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE MADE US PROUD.

OUR STATE CANNOT PROSPER OR REAP A GOOD HARVEST WITHOUT SAFE COMMUNITIES, SAFE STREETS AND SAFE FAMILIES.

[ APPLAUSE ] >>> IN A DAY AND AGE WHERE MANY VILIFY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROTECTED OUR COMMUNITIES EACH AND EVERY DAY MY MESSAGE IS VERY CLEAR, IN GEORGIA AS LONG AS I'M GOVERNOR WE BACK THE BLUE.

>> ATLANTA POLICE OFFICER MAX BREWER IS AN 18-YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT VETERAN AND A SELF-DESCRIBED MOTOR MAN FOR LIFE AND SERVES IN THE ATLANTA POLICE MOTORCYCLE UNIT.

ON SATURDAY, MAY 30th MAX WAS ON DUTY IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA ON THE CORNER OF MARIETTE AND SPRING STREETS ASSISTING IN TRAFFIC FLOW AND ENSURING DEMONSTRATORS WERE KEPT SAFE.

AROUND 10:30 THAT NIGHT OFFICER BREWER WAS STRUCK BY A DRUNK MANIAC ON AN ATV AND SUFFERED SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

GOING IN AND OUT OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND LOSING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BLOOD, OFFICER BREWER'S NEED WAS CRITICAL.

THE CALL WENT OUT FOR HELP.

THE CLOSEST AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE WAS A GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD UNIT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SERGEANT FIRST CLASS JUSTIN RUSTEN, THE SERGEANT'S TEAM SPOPDED QUICKLY, APPLYING A TOURNIQUET TO HIS LEG AND PROVIDING MEDICAL TREATMENT AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE.

THE ACTIONS SAVED OFFICER BREWER'S LIFE.

ONCE STABLE BUT IN CRITICAL CONDITION MAX WAS TRANSPORTED BY THE GUARD UNIT TO GRADY, WHERE HEALTH CARE HEROES CONTINUED TO SAVE HIS LEGS AND HIS LIFE.

THESE TWO GENTLEMEN AND COUNTLESS OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS ANSWERED THE CALL TO DUTY IN 2020.

BOTH SERGEANT RUSTEN AND OFFICER BREWER WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT CALL AND FOR THAT MY FAMILY AND OUR STATE ARE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL.

OFFICER BREWER WANTED TO JOIN US TODAY, BUT HE'S STILL RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR HIS INJURIES.

TODAY SERGEANT RUSTEN IS IN THE CHAMBER WITH US.

I WANT TO THANK THEM BOTH.

THANK YOU, SIR.

>>> AS STATE LEADERS WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT GEORGIA'S STATUS AS THE BEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.

WE TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE FOR SO MANY GEORGIANS THAT PHRASE REFLECT IT IS REALITY OF HOW BLESSED WE ARE TO LIVE IN THE PEACH STATE.

GEORGIA IS RICH WITH GOOD SOIL.

BUT IT IS OUR JOB TO WEED OUT THE EVILS WHICH SEEK TO STEAL THAT PROMISE FROM ALL OF THOSE WHO CALL OUR STATE HOME.

IT IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT NO INDUSTRY EMBODIES THAT THEFT OF INNOCENCE, CHILDHOOD AND OPPORTUNITY MORE THAN THE SINISTER ENTERPRISE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

DURING OUR FIRST DAYS IN OFFICE WE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING TO CRACK DOWN ON TRAFFICKERS, CARE FOR VICTIMS AND ERADICATE MODERN DAY SLAVERY IN OUR STATE.

AND BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

I DON'T THINK, AND I KNOW, NO FIRST LADY IN THE COUNTRY HAS DONE MORE TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING THAN OUR FIRST LADY MARTY KEMP.

AND THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA, MYSELF INCLUDING, ARE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> MARTY AND THE GRACE COMMISSION HAVE DONE INCREDIBLE WORK THESE FIRST TWO YEARS, IMPLEMENTING STATEWIDE TRAINING PROGRAMS SO GEORGIANS KNOW THE SIGNS AND HOW TO REPORT INSTANCES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

PASSING BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION, MEANINGFUL LEGISLATION, THAT TOUGHENS PENALTIES ON THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE SALE OF A PERSON'S INNOCENCE FOR PROFIT, AND WORKING WITH ORGANIZATIONS ON THE FRONT LINES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT GEORGIA TO ENSURE SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING FIND THEIR VOICE AND THEIR TRANSITION BACK INTO SOCIETY.

BUT AS MARTY AND ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING TOOTH AND NAIL TO END THAT INDUSTRY WILL TELL YOU, THERE IS FAR MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

ON THE HEELS OF THE YEAR THAT SOWED SO MUCH DIVISION AMONG PARTY LINES MORE THAN ANY IN RECENT HISTORY I'M ASKING MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO UNITE ONCE AGAIN.

LET'S BUILD ON THE GREAT WORK DONE BY THE GRACE COMMISSION.

BY IMPLEMENTING MORE TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT EQUIP GEORGIANS TO RECOGNIZE AND PREVENT INSTANCES OF SEX SLAVERY.

LET'S MAKE COMMON SENSE REFORM TO OUR LAWS SO SURVIVORS SEEKING A NAME CHANGE TO BUILD A NEW LIFE NO LONGER HAVE TO TAKE OUT AN AD IN THE PAPER THAT PUTS THEIR SAFETY AT RISK.

AND LET'S STRENGTHEN OUR STATUTES TO ADD A CIVIL REMEDY THAT ALLOWS VICTIMS TO SEEK COURT ACTION AGAINST THEIR TRAFFICKER OR THOSE WHO KNOWINGLY AID IN THEIR TRAFFICKING.

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF ISSUES -- [ APPLAUSE ] >>> THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF ISSUES ON POLICY OR POLITICS TO DEBATE THIS YEAR BUT TAKING COMMON SENSE STEPS TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND BRING AN END TO MODERN DAY SLAVERY IS A GOAL THAT EACH OF US CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE.

YOU SEE, THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAT UNITES US THAN DIVIDES US AND WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN CONTINUE TO TAKE NECESSARY, BIPARTISAN ACTION TO CHAMPION THE VOICES OF THE VULNERABLE HERE IN GEORGIA.

PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

IMPLEMENT ADOPTION REFORMS THAT MAKE IT EASIER TO PUT THEM IN A SAFE, LOVING HOME.

AND ULTIMATELY SECURE THE PROMISE OF GEORGIA FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

AS I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY MY MEMORIES OF 2020 WILL NOT JUST BE THE STRUGGLES, THE MANY CHALLENGES I SPOKE ABOUT TODAY, THE COUNTLESS TOUGH DECISIONS FOR THE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.

LIKE MANY OF YOU, I WILL REMEMBER TIME SPENT WITH MY FAMILY, THAT OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.

I WILL REMEMBER STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER -- WELL, SIX FEET APART -- WITH THE BEST PRIVATE SECTOR, POLITICAL AND CIVIC LEADERS IN OUR STATE TO FACE A ONCE IN A LIFETIME PANDEMIC.

I WILL REMEMBER MY TRAVELS ACROSS THE STATE TO VISIT GEORGIA COMPANIES AND WORKERS WHO PROVED INNOVATION AND HARD WORK ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY AND WELL-BEING AS A PEOPLE.

I WILL REMEMBER THE COUNTLESS SACRIFICES AND HARDSHIPS FACED BY THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE, AND HOW WE PULLED THROUGH, HOW WE WEATHERED THE STORM.

HOW WE EMERGED RESILIENT AND STRONGER THAN EVER.

THE REASON YOU BUILD A HOUSE WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION IS NOT FOR THE GOOD TIMES, NOT FOR THE SUNNY DAYS.

YOU DO IT TO WEATHER THE STORM WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH.

I SPENT MY SUMMERS WORKING ON A FARM.

IT'S HOT.

IT'S HARD WORK.

BUT IT'S ALSO REWARDING.

WATCHING THE SEEDS YOU PLANTED GROW OVER THE DAYS, WEEKS AND MONTHS LITERALLY ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR.

I KNOW THAT MANY IN THIS ROOM, AND THOSE WATCHING ARE WORN OUT, TIRED AND BURDENED.

IT'S A NEW YEAR, BUT IT ALL FEELS THE SAME.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THIS NEW NORMAL ISN'T REALLY NORMAL.

AND FRANKLY, IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN THINGS WILL RETURN TO BUSINESS AS USUAL.

BUT MY FELLOW GEORGIANS, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE STRATEGIC DECISIONS NOW THAT WILL IMPACT GENERATIONS TO COME.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACT AND ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE WERE SENT HERE TO DO.

IN FIVE YEARS, TEN YEARS, OR 20 YEARS, WE CAN LOOK BACK AND TELL OUR KIDS, OUR GRAND KIDS AND THEIR KIDS THAT WE INVESTED IN HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE UPHELD OUR SWORN OATH AND STOOD UP FOR WHAT WAS RIGHT EVEN WHEN IT WASN'T POPULAR.

WE PRIORITIZED JOBS AND PROSPERITY IN ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE.

WE CHAMPIONED LEGISLATION TO MAKE OUR STATE A MORE WELCOMING PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.

WE PROTECTED THE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS OF WHAT MAKES GEORGIA GREAT, OUR PEOPLE.

IT'S TIME TO PUT DIFFERENCES ASIDE.

PUT 2020 IN THE REAR VIEW.

LET'S STAND TOGETHER AS GEORGIANS AND CLEAR THE DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY THE STORMS OF LIFE.

LET'S CLEAR AWAY THIS CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND THE DIVISION, LET'S FOCUS ON THE BOUNTIFUL HARVEST TO COME, LET'S FIND THAT GOOD SOIL TOGETHER AND START PLANTING.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU, AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP, AND JOINING ME THIS EVENING AND NOT FROM THE STATE CAPITOL AS USUAL, IS OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

>> THANK YOU, GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> YOU CAME TO US FROM PITTSBURGH, AND YEARS IN THAT, IN PENNSYLVANIA BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE HEARD A STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN GEORGIA.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> IT WAS -- IT WAS AMAZING.

I COVERED TWO PRESS CONFERENCES WITH THE GOVERNOR BEFORE, AND I FOUND HIM TO BE VERY SERIOUS AND STOIC.

AND NO OFFENSE, GOVERNOR, NONE AT ALL.

BUT TODAY I SAW YOU SPEAK FROM YOUR HEART.

HE WAS OPEN, HE WAS HONEST.

HE THANKED SO MANY PEOPLE.

IN ADDITION TO THE BIG THINGS, LIKE THE BUDGET, NO FURLOUGHS, NO LAYOFFS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

HE THANKED THE FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS, HE THANKED THE NATIONAL GUARD FOR DELIVERING 948,000 MEALS TO KIDS WHO WERE AT HOME, AND COULDN'T EAT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT IN SCHOOL.

HE THANKED ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE, SO TODAY HE SPOKE TO HIS CONSTITUENTS AND HE SPOKE FROM THE HEART AND I SAW HIM OPEN UP.

>> YEAH, AND HE HAD SOME GREAT THINGS TO SAY FOR EDUCATION WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHERS AND THOSE WHO ARE ON THE STAFF IN SCHOOLS, THEY'LL GET A ONE-TIME $1,000 BONUS, ALL K-12 AND THEN $617 MILLION IN RESTORING SOME OF THOSE CRUCIAL BUDGET CUTS.

TALKED ABOUT THAT AND ALSO THINGS WHEN IT CAME TO MEDICAID.

HE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT $329 MILLION FOR MEDICAID AND PEACH CARE, WITH SOME GOOD THINGS FOR US TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND THE BIG THING, NO BUDGET CUTS -- >> AND NO -- >> NO TAX INCREASES.

>> YEAH, AGAIN, HE'S SPEAKING FROM THE HEART, LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT HE DOES CARE.

DURING THIS WAR.

AND THIS IS A WAR ON COVID, AND HE'S THE GENERAL KIND OF LEADING US THROUGH IT ALL.

>> HE CALLED IT A BATTLE, ALL RIGHT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> WE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR, NEXT ON "LAWMAKERS," WE'LL HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE FROM THE NEW SENATE MINORITY LEADER.

>>> GEORGIA FARM BUREAU MEMBERS STAND TOGETHER FOR THE VALUES THAT MAKE OUR STATE SPECIAL.

WE STAND FOR FAITH AND FAMILY, WE STAND FOR PROTECTING GEORGIA'S AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.

WE STAND FOR FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES, WE STAND FOR PRODUCTS GROWN IN GEORGIA.

WE STAND FOR KEEPING OUR PROMISE.

WE STAND TOGETHER.

♪ WE ARE ALL FARM BUREAU ♪ >>> WE'RE ALL IN THIS FIGHT, ALL THE WAY, FROM THE 7,000 CIGNA CLINICIANS SUPPORTING FRONTLINE DOCTORS AND NURSES TO EVERYONE STAYING HOME TO PROTECT OTHERS, FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PRESSING QUESTIONS.

AT CIGNA.COM/COVID-19.

>>> GEORGIA HUMANITIES, CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS GEORGIA TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION, EDUCATION, AND UNDERSTANDING.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.GEORGIAHUMANITIES.ORG.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB, I'M DONNA LOWRY.

WE NOW BRING YOU THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS PRESENTED BY SENATE MINORITY LEADER GLORIA BUTLER.

>> GOOD EVENING, I AM SENATOR GLORIA BUTLER, AND I AM THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER OF THE GEORGIA STATE SENATE.

I BEGIN BY WISHING YOU, EVERYONE, A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

EACH NEW YEAR OPENS WITH PROMISE AND 2021 IS NO DIFFERENT.

LAST YEAR TESTED US IN WAYS MOST OF US HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED IN OUR LIFETIME.

AT TIMES IT BROUGHT OUR STATE AND COUNTRY TO THE BRINK.

THE DEADLY COVID VIRUS TOOK THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF FAMILY MEMBERS, AND FRIENDS.

REAP FINANCIAL -- TO OUR COMMUNITIES, DEVASTATED OUR ECONOMY AND SHUTTERED BUSINESSES.

THE OVERLAY OF THE 2020 ELECTION'S HEIGHTENED FEAR, AND ADDED A LAYER OF VITRIOL THAT TESTED THE THEMES OF DEMOCRACY.

2021 USHERS IN THE PROMISE OF CHANGE THAT WILL HELP US STAND BACK UP AS FAMILIES, AS A STATE, AND AS A NATION.

GEORGIA HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF NATIONAL CHANGE.

CHEERS HAVE GONE UP ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY TO CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES OF U.S.

SENATORS RAPHAEL WARNOCH, AND JON OSSOFF.

ENSURING EQUITY FOR ALL.

I AM PROUD TO LIVE IN GEORGIA, AND TO SERVE THIS GREAT STATE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

THEY SHARE MY COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, ALONG WITH THE VISION OF WHAT GEORGIA CAN AND SHOULD BECOME.

I AGREE WITH GOVERNOR KEMP WHEN HE SAYS WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO OUR FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

THEY HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE, AND YET STOOD STRONG FOR ALL OF US.

BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS FAR MORE WE COULD DO TO HELP ENSURE THE GOOD HEALTH OF GEORGIANS, CREATE BETTER PATHWAYS TO DISTRIBUTE THE VACCINE, AND TO REBUILD OUR STATE.

FOR DEMOCRATS, TRANSPARENCY AND EQUITY SIT ATOP EVERY POLICY INITIATIVE WE INTRODUCE.

YOU SEE, WE CANNOT MOVE FORWARD UNLESS ALL OUR CITIZENS MOVE FORWARD.

AND WE DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS OPEN, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT.

TO THAT END DEMOCRATS HAVE CREATED A POLICY STRATEGY WE CALL THE 4 E'S, EQUITY, ECONOMY, EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT.

EACH OF OUR 2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES HAS A CHAIN OF PRIORITIES AT THE CENTER OF GEORGIA'S RECOVERY AND ADVANCEMENT.

POLICY INITIATIVES THAT TOP OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA INCLUDE FAIR ELECTIONS AND REDISTRICTING.

IN 2021 NEW VOTING DISTRICTS WILL BE DRAWN BASED ON THE CENSUS FIGURES FROM 2020.

WE ARE INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO CREATE A THIRD PARTY, REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, THAT WILL REMOVE A GOOD DEAL OF THE POLITICS FROM THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

YOU SEE, VOTERS SHOULD CHOOSE THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

WHEN VOTERS' VOICES ARE -- BY GERRYMANDERING, IT IS NOT DEMOCRACY, WHEN A BLUE STATE HAS A RED LEGISLATURE, THERE'S A PROBLEM.

DISTRICT LINES SHOULD NOT BE DRAWN BY PARTISAN POLITICIANS.

DEMOCRATS WILL FIGHT HARD TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO THE BALLOT BOX.

WE WILL FIGHT AGAINST THOSE WHO HAVE ONE GOAL, TO RETAIN POWER.

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING WAS ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED BY REPUBLICANS, AND IT HAS PROVEN TO INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION AND BE SECURE.

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING SAVED COUNTLESS TIME AND MONEY BY REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS, IT IS CONVENIENT.

AND IF 2020 SHOWED US NOTHING ELSE, ABSENTEE VOTING PROTECTS OUR HEALTH.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, ATTEMPTS TO CURTAIL GEORGIA'S NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING IS AN ATTEMPT TO BLOCK SOME FROM VOTING.

THAT IS NOT EQUITABLE.

AND WE WILL FIGHT THOSE ATTEMPTS.

ADDITIONALLY, DEMOCRATS WILL WORK TO ADVANCE SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION, AND BLOCK ATTEMPTS TO PLACE UNDUE ID BURDENS ON VOTERS.

WE REALIZE THERE ARE PLACES WITHIN THE VOTING SYSTEMS THAT CAN BE IMPROVED.

MOST OF THESE ISSUES ARE PRACTICES, NOT STATUTE PROBLEMS.

WE WILL WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES TO FIX THOSE PRACTICES THAT DON'T WORK WELL.

BUT WE WILL DRAW THE LINE AT CURTAILING VOTER PARTICIPATION.

IF THE PAST YEAR HAS SHOWN US NOTHING ELSE, IT IS THE NEED FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

GEORGIA DEMOCRATS WORK WITH REPUBLICANS LAST YEAR TO PASS A HATE CRIMES BILL, AND WE WILL WORK WITH GOVERNOR KEMP AND OUR COLLEAGUES THIS YEAR TO REPEAL CITIZENS ARRESTS AND TO REFORM OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

BUT THE WORK IS FAR FROM OVER, DEMOCRATS WILL INTRODUCE THE GEORGIA JUSTICE ACT, A PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CITIZENS FROM UNEQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW, AND AT THE HANDS OF POLICE.

WE CANNOT HAVE TWO SETS OF RULES DEPENDING ON THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN, WHERE YOU WERE BORN, WHO YOU LOVE, OR THE RELIGION YOU PRACTICE.

OUR REFORM PACKAGE WILL INCLUDE BODY CAMERAS, BETTER TRAINING, DEMILLE TARIZATION AND A REPEAL OF GEORGIA'S CITIZEN ARREST.

2020 WAS FINANCIALLY DEVASTATING FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES.

MANY LOST THEIR JOBS, THEIR HOMES, AND THEIR BUSINESSES.

WHILE WE BELIEVE OUR ECONOMY WILL SPRING BACK ONCE WE HAVE CONTAINED THE CORONAVIRUS, MANY GEORGIANS WILL HAVE DIFFICULT DEMOCRATS BELIEVE WE CAN AND SHOULD HELP GEORGIANS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

ONE WAY TO HELP IS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 AN HOUR.

A GEORGIA RESIDENT MAKING THE CURRENT STATE MINIMUM WAGE OF $5.15 BRING HOME ABOUT $1,000 PER MONTH AFTER TAXES.

THE AVERAGE RENT FOR A ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT IN ATLANTA IS $1,450.

MORE THAN 90% OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS ARE OLDER THAN 20, AND TWO-THIRDS OF MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS ARE WOMEN.

THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS CONTINUE TO LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, AND FINANCIAL SECURITY HAS PROVEN MORE AND MORE ELUSIVE FOR AVERAGE GEORGIANS.

GEORGIA'S NEED TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR BASIC NECESSITIES WITHOUT GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.

AND WE ARE ONE OF ONLY TWO STATES WITH THE MINIMUM WAGE BELOW THE FEDERAL STANDARDS.

COMPANIES THAT UNDERPAY WORKERS ARE FORCING THEM TO RELY ON GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, WHICH IN TURN MEANS TAXPAYERS PAY THE PRICE.

IT'S SOCIALIZING COSTS AND PRIVATIZING PROFIT.

AT NO TIME IN OUR HISTORY HAVE HEALTH CARE AND THE ECONOMY BEEN MORE TIED TOGETHER.

THE COVID PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN A SPOTLIGHT ON THIS.

OUR HOSPITALS ARE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS.

OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE STRAINED.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN US THAT WHEN WE HAVE INEQUALITY IN HEALTH CARE, IT IMPACTS EVERYONE.

IF ONE AMONG US LACKS ACCESS TO A DOCTOR, A TREATMENT OR A TEST, IT PUTS ALL OF US AT RISK.

GEORGIA RANKS IN THE BOTTOM FIVE STATES FOR PROVIDING OUR CITIZENS WITH HEALTH CARE.

GEORGIA FELL FROM 45th TO 48th ON ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND 37 OTHER STATES EXPANDED MEDICAID AND HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBERS OF CITIZENS WITH HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.

IT IS CLEAR, GEORGIA HAS FALLEN BEHIND.

TODAY 1.2 MILLION GEORGIANS REMAIN UNINSURED AND MANY MORE ARE UNDERINSURED.

THE STATE OF HEALTH CARE IN RURAL COUNTIES HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY MORE DIRE.

EIGHT RURAL HOSPITALS HAVE CLOSED SINCE 2013.

THOSE THAT REMAIN ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT.

THE NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION HAS CALLED GEORGIA GROUND ZERO FOR RURAL HOSPITAL CLOSURES.

FOUR MEDICAID EXPANSION IS THE PATH FORWARD FOR GEORGIA.

HALF A MILLION GEORGIANS WOULD GAIN COVERAGE, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ININSURED BY HALF, AND BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS WOULD RETURN TO GEORGIA, SAVING LIVES, KEEPS RURAL HOSPITALS OPEN, AND REDUCING COSTS SHIFTING TO THOSE NOT ON MEDICAID.

LAST YEAR THIS SIMPLE SOLUTION, WHICH WOULD HAVE GUARANTEED BETTER COVERAGE TO MORE GEORGIANS WAS MET WITH WHAT WE BELIEVE WAS POLITICS, NOT COMMON SENSE.

REPUBLICANS ARGUED THAT THESE WAVERS ALLOW THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EXPERIMENT WITH NEW HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEMES.

IN REALITY, HOWEVER, THESE WAVERS ALLOW US TO COVER FEWER GEORGIANS AND PROVIDE LESS COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE.

GEORGIANS DESERVE THE BEST.

MOST AFFORDABLE, AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE.

DEMOCRATS WILL CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION.

AND WE WILL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE, REQUIRE PROPER VENTILATION IN OPERATING ROOMS.

EXPAND TELEMEDICINE, AND EXPAND BROAD BAND FOR THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED TELEMEDICINE THE MOST CAN HAVE ACCESS.

WE ARE AT A HISTORICAL MOMENT WHEN GEORGIA MUST DEDICATE ITSELF TO COMBATTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

AS GLOBAL IT HAPPENS AND SEA LEVELS RISE, COUNTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD LOOK TO THE U.S. TO LEAD THE EFFORTS TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE, CARBON NEUTRAL SOCIETY.

AND GEORGIA HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE INNOVATIVE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THIS THREAT.

THAT'S WHY.

DEMOCRATS PLAN TO PROTECT AIR QUALITY AND LIMIT VEHICLE POLLUTION, RESTORE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TAX CREDITS, ENSURE THAT NEW BUILDING PROJECTS ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY SMART, AND HELP FARMERS IMPLEMENT WATER EFFICIENCY BEST PRACTICES SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS OF GEORGIANS CAN THRIVE.

LAST YEAR, YOU SAW DEMOCRATS LEAD IN THE CHANGE TO PROTECT GEORGIANS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE EMISSIONS AND COAL ASH.

FINALLY, GEORGIA'S FUTURE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS HOW WELL WE EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN FOR THE FUTURE.

THE PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN ALL OF US HOW CRITICAL OUR EDUCATORS ARE, AND EDUCATIONAL DREAMS WILL REMAIN DREAMS FOR YOUNG GEORGIANS UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THE RISING COSTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

SKYROCKETING COLLEGE TUITION, COST PREVENT MANY FAMILIES FROM SENDING THEIR KIDS TO COLLEGE.

IF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS REMAIN UNDERFUNDED, FUTURE GENERATIONS OF GEORGIA'S CHILDREN WILL BE UNABLE TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND SECURE THE OPPORTUNITIES NECESSARY TO CREATE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

WE APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR PUTTING ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THE STATE BUDGET TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS.

DEMOCRATS WILL UPHOLD THE TAX ON PUBLIC EDUCATION, SUCH AS SCHOOL VOUCHERS, AND ATTEMPT TO PUNISH SCHOOLS FOR OPERATING VIRTUALLY DURING A PANDEMIC.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO RAISE TEACHER PAY BY IMPLEMENTING A TOBACCO TAX TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING AND FUND RAISING.

DEMOCRATS BELIEVE IN PUTTING COMMON SENSE OVER POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY IN ORDER TO PRESERVE AND EXPAND ESSENTIAL SERVICES, IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND BUILD A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES AND I ENVISION A FUTURE IN WHICH HARD WORKING FAMILIES CAN AFFORD TO LIVE WITHOUT RELYING ON GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.

WE BELIEVE IT IS.

>>> SHE STARTED BY SAYING 2021 USHERS IN PROMISE OF CHANGE AND THAT CHANGE INCLUDED THE VICTORIES OF WARNOCK AND OSSOFF AND THAT WAS SORT OF A REMINDER THAT THE STATE IS NOT SO RED ANYMORE.

SO I WAS WONDERING WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ON THAT.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS SHE WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR.

>> WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.

YOU KNOW, THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO GEORGIA EVERY YEAR.

AND THEY HAVE THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS, THEIR DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL VIEWS PACKED IN THEIR SUITCASES.

SO THE GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA IS CHANGING RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES.

AND YOU DON'T NEED 2020 VISION TO SEE THAT.

IT'S HAPPENING.

SHE'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

>> AND WE HAVE REDISTRICTING IN GEORGIA COMING UP IN 2021.

SHE CALLED FOR A THIRD PARTY COMMISSION ON THAT, WHICH MEANS THAT SHE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE THE REPUBLICANS DETERMINING HOW THE LINES SHOULD BE DRAWN, OR THE DEMOCRATS, THE THIRD PARTY.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WILL GO OVER?

>> I THINK IT SHOULD GO OVER WELL BECAUSE SHE ALSO SAID THAT THE VOTERS SHOULD DECIDE, NOT THE PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, THE VOTERS SHOULD MAKE THEIR DETERMINATION AS TO HOW THEY WANT TO VOTE AND THE OTHER THING I LOVED ABOUT SENATOR BUTLER IS THAT SHE BROKE DOWN THE NUMBERS.

IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE THAT GEORGIA HAS FALLEN BEHIND IN PEOPLE BEING UNDERINSURED AND NOT INSURED, YOU KNOW NOW.

SHE WANTS TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE, $15 AN HOUR.

THAT'S THERE, YOU KNOW.

IT'S HITTING YOU IN THE POCKETBOOK AND YOU KNOW.

>> OKAY, WE'VE GOT A LOT MORE TO HEAR FROM HER AND OTHERS IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>>> WELL, THE PANDEMIC HIT GEORGIA BUSINESSES HARD, AND YESTERDAY THE GEORGIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GAVE US AN IDEA OF THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT MIGHT HELP.

THE CHAMBER'S ANNUAL EGGS AND ISSUES BREAKFAST BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 3,000 OF GEORGIA'S BUSINESS AND POLITICAL LEADERS, AFTERWARDS I SPOKE WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, CHRIS CLARK, I ASKED HIM TO DESCRIBE THE BUSINESS CLIMATE AT THIS POINT IN THE PANDEMIC.

HE CALLED IT A "K" SHAPED RECESSION.

>> THE "K" SHAPED RECESSION CONCEPT FROM THE ECONOMISTS THAT ARE MUCH SMARTER THAN I AM SAY THAT FOR PART OF THE ECONOMY, THOSE LARGER COMPANIES THAT ARE PART OF THE ESSENTIAL ECONOMY, THEY RECOVERED ALREADY AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY GROWING AND WE'RE SEEING THAT BUT THEN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WHO CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE RECESSION, IT'S ACTUALLY GONE DOWN.

SO YOU ACTUALLY HAVE KIND OF TWO PARTS OF AN ECONOMIC TREND, SO FOR THE LARGER COMPANIES, THE ESSENTIAL WORKER COMPANIES WE'RE STILL SEEING INCREDIBLE GROWTH.

GOVERNOR KEMP HAS TALKED ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HAS TALKED ABOUT THE PIPELINE OF THOSE LARGE BUSINESSES LOOKING AT GEORGIA, IT IS AS FULL AS IT'S EVER BEEN.

THAT IS IN GREAT, YOU KNOW, ACCOLADES TO GOVERNOR KEMP, FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE STAYED OPEN, THAT WE STAYED FRIENDLY TO BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND SO THOSE COMPANIES ARE COMING IN, THAT PART OF THE ECONOMY IS DOING VERY WELL.

WE'RE STILL SEEING THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES IN GEORGIA STRUGGLE AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE VERY PROUD THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PASSED THIS LATEST VERSION OF THE CARES ACT.

WE'RE HOPING THAT PARTICULARLY MINORITY BUSINESSES GET ACCESS TO THOSE PPP FUNDS THAT ARE COMING OUT HOPEFULLY THIS WEEK.

YOU CAN START APPLYING FOR THOSE FUNDS AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE GEORGIA HISPANIC CHAMBER AND OTHER BLACK CHAMBERS AND OTHER PARTNERS, TO MAKE SURE THOSE BUSINESSES ARE AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE THIS TIME AND FIGURE OUT WHAT ELSE THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

BUT THE GOVERNOR DID, THIS MORNING, MAKE AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT A BIG NEW INVESTMENT IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY, MARKETING FUNDING WHICH, I THINK IS CRITICAL BECAUSE THAT SECTOR IS STILL -- THEY'RE PROBABLY THE SECTOR STRUGGLING THE MOST RIGHT NOW, OUR HOTELS I'VE TALKED TO, OR MAYBE AT 30% OCCUPANCY, WE STILL HAVE 24% OF GEORGIA RESTAURANTS THAT HAVEN'T REOPENED, 40% OF GEORGIA BARS THAT HAVEN'T REOPENED, SO MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> RIGHT.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT GIVEN ALL OF THAT, LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

>> SURE.

SO DONNA, IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE PANDEMIC STRUCK WE SET UP A TASK FORCE MADE UP OF ABOUT 70 BUSINESS LEADERS FROM ALL OVER GEORGIA, LED BY TERESA WHITE, OUR CHAIRMAN FROM AFLAC, AND WE LITERALLY SPENT THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS LISTENING TO BUSINESSES ABOUT HOW TO RECOVER, AND ALSO HOW TO BE MORE RESILIENT IN THE LONG RUN.

WE'LL GET OVER THIS RECESSION QUICKLY, WE HOPE, BECAUSE OF GEORGIA'S POSITION IN THE ECONOMY BUT HOW DO WE HELP BUSINESSES BE MORE RESILIENT FOR WHATEVER COMES NEXT.

WE RELEASED LAST WEEK A RECOVER AND RESILIENCY SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS, GIVEN IT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THAT ADDRESSES EVERYTHING FROM UPSCALING OUR WORKERS, ALL OF THOSE FOLKS WHO STILL ANTHEM EMPLOYED BECAUSE THEIR JOBS HAVEN'T COME BACK.

SOME OF THEIR JOBS WON'T COME BACK.

WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

WE TALKED ABOUT INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE, THE GOVERNOR MADE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT THIS MORNING TOO, INVESTMENT IN RURAL BROAD BAND, INVEST IN FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS, WE TALK ABOUT CYBERSECURITY, GETTING PREPARED FOR THAT NEXT THING THAT COMES ALONG.

SO WE HAVE A VERY AGGRESSIVE AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HOPE THEY'LL GO THROUGH AND PICK OUT SOME THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND THAT'S GOING TO BE OUR FOCUS FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR, LEGISLATIVE YEAR, IS TO PASS THOSE BILLS TO HELP THE ECONOMY RECOVER QUICKLY AND HELP BUSINESSES BE MORE RESILIENT IN THE LONG RUN.

>> ANOTHER AREA.

RURAL BROAD BAND KR REALLY BECAME AN EVEN BIGGER ISSUE, OF COURSE, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS, FOR YEARS.

IT'S THAT LAST MILE.

IF YOU LOOK AT AT&T AND COMCAST, THEY'VE USED EVERY BILL THAT'S BEEN PASSED, A BILL A YEAR NOW THAT'S BEEN SINGLES AND DOUBLES, BABY STEPS AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE GROWTH OUT THERE BUT THERE'S STILL THAT LAST MILE SO GMA AND OUR PARTNERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAVE MADE THIS A PRIORITY, THE GOVERNOR'S MADE A PRIORITY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SECRETARY PERDUE GOT A BIG GRANT TO DO THAT.

OUR FRIENDS AT WIND STREAM BUILD OUT IN NORTH GEORGIA.

THERE'S PROGRESS BEING MADE.

IT MIGHT NOT BE EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT, AS FAST AS WE WANT IT BUT I HOPE THAT THE MOMENTUM IS THERE THAT WE CAN SEE REAL SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND WHAT WE'VE ADVOCATED IS FOR A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

GO THE LAST MILE, INCENTIVIZE US TO WORK FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND IF THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN'T GO IN AN AREA BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MAKE FINANCIAL # SENSE LET THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DO THE LAST MILE.

WE'RE OPEN FOR IN AND ALL SOLUTIONS, WE HEARD ALL THREE OF OUR LEADERS SAY IT WAS A PRIORITY THIS YEAR.

>> I HEARD YOU MENTION A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BUSINESSES THAT WON'T COME BACK.

>> IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES WE NEED MORE MAKER SPACES AND INCAUSE R -- THE FASTEST GROWING SECTOR IN GEORGIA IS A MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

BUT THE HIGHEST FAILURE RATE IS MINORITY BUSINESSES AS WELL AND WE'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH HERE, DONNA, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE SEEN THREE KEY FACTORS THERE.

ONE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WEAVE GOT PERSONAL INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, THAT WE TRAIN PEOPLE, THEY KNOW HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS.

NUMBER TWO, TO HAVE ACCESS TO FINANCIAL CAPITAL, THAT WE BANK THEM BETTER, GIVE THEM BETTER ACCESS SO THEY'RE NOT USING THEIR CREDIT CARDS OR FAMILY DEBT TO STAND UP.

THIRD IS SOCIETAL CAPITAL, HOW DO WE CONNECT THEM TO BUSINESSES TO BE SUPPLIERS OR BIGGER NETWORKS, WE'RE WORKING ON ALL THREE OF THOSE EFFORTS WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS AROUND GEORGIA.

IF WE CAN DO THAT WE'LL SEE THIS JUST EXPLOSION OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

A LOT OF IT IS SERVICE SECTOR, DELIVERY, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS OUT THERE, YOU SEE MORE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT OUT THERE AND THAT'S GOING TO REPLACE A LOT OF THE JOBS THAT WE LOST, AND A LOT OF THOSE ARE MOM AND POP RETAIL, MOM AND POPS THAT DIDN'T PIVOT TO DIGITAL PLATFORM OR DIDN'T HAVE A DIGITAL PLATFORM, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT REALLY SUFFERED.

I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITY IN THOSE RETAIL.

I THINK ANOTHER AREA THAT'S REALLY -- I'VE SEEN GROW OUT OF COVID, IS THIS IDEA THAT BUSINESSES OR CUSTOMERS WANT TO KNOW, WHERE THEIR GOODS AND PRODUCTS COME FROM, RIGHT, THEY WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE FOOD CAME FROM.

THAT'S WHY THEY'VE DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB.

THEY WANT TO KNOW STUFF IS MADE HERE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PUT MORE ATTENTION, LIKE THEY DID ON MICROBREWERIES FOR SO LONG AND TAKING PRIDE IN IT TO KNOWING THIS PRODUCT CAME FROM A FACILITY IN MULL TREE GEORGIA OR SOMEWHERE IN SAVANNAH.

>> THINGS LOOK BRIGHTER, IT SOUNDS LIKE.

>> I THINK GEORGIA IS BETTER POSITIONED BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE STATE OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS TO WEATHER THIS STORM.

THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT RECESSION THAN WE HAD TEN YEARS AGO, RIGHT.

AND I THINK WE'RE BETTER ABLE TO RECOVER FROM IT.

I AM WORRIED ABOUT RURAL GEORGIA AND THEIR ABILITY TO RECOVER.

THEY WERE JUST -- WE WERE JUST GETTING OUR FEET UP UNDER US THROUGH THE LAST RECESSION AND NOW THIS HIT.

BUT I DO THINK THE FACT THAT THIS RECESSION HIT EVERY ECONOMIC SECTOR, GIVES US A BETTER FOOTING LONG TERM AND OUR ECONOMY IS MUCH MORE DIVERSE THAN IT WAS A DECADE AGO.

YEAH, I'M MORE OPTIMISTICS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF -- THERE'S A LOT TO BE DONE IN '21.

>> ONE LAST THING, YOU TALKED ABOUT INCLUSIVITY, EXPLAIN WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT THAT.

>> WE STARTED YEARS AGO, DONNA, I REMEMBER THE MEETING IN MY OFFICE AND WE HAD EVERYBODY FROM THE JUNIOR LEAGUE TO THE GEORGIA HISPANIC CHAMBER TO THE RAINBOW PUSH COALITION, WE BROUGHT EVERYBODY TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS WE HAVE IN COMMON, WHERE CAN WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER?

AND IT WAS FASCINATING.

WE GOT TO A POINT WHERE ALL TALKING ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS BUT USING DIFFERENT TERMS AND WE ALL KIND OF FINALLY AGREED WE REALLY NEED TO USE THIS TERM SO EVERY GROUP OUT THERE KNOWS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

AND THAT LED US TO BRING THE GEORGIA HISPANIC CHAMBER IN CITIZEN OUR PARTNER, DOWN THE HALL WITH ME TODAY.

LED TO THE CREATION OF OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COUNCIL IN A SUMMIT NOW THAT THIS YEAR HAD 600 ATTENDEES AT, TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE STATE IS BECOMING MORE DIVERSE, BUT HOW WE BECOME MORE INCLUSIVE AND THEN BASED UPON WHAT HAPPENED THIS SUMMER, WHEN WE SAW THE SOCIAL UNREST, WE KIND OF PIVOTED, WE STARTED SOME -- THESE MONTHLY VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS TO NOT JUST TALK ABOUT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, RIGHT, I THINK MAYBE WE'VE MOVED PAST THAT TERMINOLOGY, IT'S REALLY ABOUT EQUALITY AND JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

>> GEORGIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT CHRIS CLARK.

AND BRENDA, ANOTHER FORWARD THINKING MESSAGE WHERE HE TALKED ABOUT GEORGIA'S BUSINESS CLIMATE CONTINUING TO CHURN DESPITE SOME OF THE LOSSES THEY'VE SUFFERED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK GEORGIA SHOULD TEACH LESSONS ON HOW TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER SOMETHING LIKE COVID-19.

I MEAN, THIS IS STILL, FOR EIGHT YEARS IN A ROW IT'S BEEN THE NUMBER ONE STATE TO DO BUSINESS IN.

AND EVEN THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF TALKS ABOUT THE NUMBERS, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HERE IS SHATTERING NUMBERS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CREATION OF 16,000 NEW JOBS.

AND $6 MILLION IN NEW INVESTMENTS.

SO GEORGIA IS THRIVING.

WE SMA HAVE BEEN KNOCKED DOWN A LITTLE BIT, BUT WE'RE NOT DOWN AND OUT.

>> YEAH, CHRIS CLARK TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT'S REALLY SUFFERING RIGHT NOW AND THAT'S THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

THAT ONE IS HAVING A HARDER TIME COMING BACK, HE SAID ABOUT 30% NOW AND THAT WAS BIG IN GEORGIA.

BUT GOVERNOR KEMP REVEALED TODAY THAT IN HIS 2022 BUDGET THAT HE PROPOSES $1 MILLION FOR TOURISM MARKETING TO BUILD THE STATE'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

THEY'RE SEEING WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE AND TRYING TO SOLVE IT.

>> TRYING TO RECTIFY IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

>> I ENJOYED HAVING YOU HERE.

WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT SENATOR GLORIA BUTLER, THE FIRST TIME SHE'D DONE THAT, THE FIRST TIME A FAMILY HAS THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "LAWMAKERS" TONIGHT, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS TAKING A HOLIDAY BREAK BEGINNING TOMORROW AND NEXT WEEK THEY WILL HAVE BUDGET HEARINGS.

OUR SHOW WILL RETURN ON DAY FIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND THAT'S SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 26th.

UNTIL THEN, YOU CAN TRACK US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AT GPB NEWS, USE THE HASHTAG GPB LAWMAKERS TO JOIN.

AND JOIN OUR POLITICS PAGE, GPB.ORG/POLITICS AND TUNE IN TOMORROW TO POLITICAL REWIND WITH BILL NIGUT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪