>>> HOMES COMPLETELY GONE,
CHICKEN HOUSES COMPLETELY GONE,
BARNS COMPLETELY GONE.
>> NATURE'S FURY LEAVES
ADAIRSVILLE IN A STATE OF SHOCK
AND RUIN.
AS SOME OF GEORGIA'S
LEGISLATORS HEAD HOME TO TAKE
STOCK OF THE DESTRUCTION IN
THEIR DISTRICTS, WE'RE THERE,
TOO, FOR THE LATEST IN THE
DAMAGE AND THE CLEANUP.
THAT'S JUST AHEAD ON
"PRIMETIME LAWMAKERS."
>>> WELCOME TO "PRIMETIME
LAWMAKERS."
IT'S THURSDAY, JANUARY 31ST,
THE EIGHTH LEGISLATIVE DAY OF
THE 2013 SESSION.
I'M SCOTT SLADE WITH GPB'S
LIVE COVERAGE OF THE GEORGIA
ASSEMBLY.
AS WE WENT TO AIR LAST NIGHT,
STORMS WERE STILL WREAKING
HAVOC ACROSS THE STATE.
TODAY, SCORES OF GEORGIANS ARE
NOW HOMELESS OR JOBLESS IN THE
WAKE OF THE DESTRUCTION.
AT LEAST FIVE GEORGIA COUNTIES
REPORTED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.
ALSO TONIGHT, DO THE FALCONS
REALLY NEED A FANCY NEW ROOST?
AND COULD IT BE DONE WITHOUT
THROWING TAXPAYERS FOR A MAJOR
LOSS?
THAT'S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT'S
FAIR DEBATE.
AND SHOULD PUBLIC SCHOOLS BE
PUT INTO THE HANDS OF PARENTS?
THAT'S A REAL POSSIBILITY
THANKS TO A NEW BILL THAT WOULD
ALLOW A PARENT TRIGGER IN
GEORGIA.
BUT FIRST, WE BEGIN WITH THE
RELIEF EFFORTS UNDERWAY RIGHT
NOW IN ADAIRSVILLE, AND
SURROUNDING AREAS IMPACTED BY
THAT TURBULENT STORM SYSTEM,
AND THE BIG QUESTION FOR
LAWMAKERS, WHO FOOTS THE BILL?
CLAIRE SIMMS IS LIVE AT THE
CAPITOL WITH HOW THE RESPONSE
IS GOING AND HOW STATE AND
FEDERAL MONEY CAN HELP.
>> REPORTER: GOOD EVENING,
SCOTT.
TONIGHT THE ADAIRSVILLE CITY
MANAGER ESTIMATES THERE ARE
ANYWHERE FROM 100 TO 200
FAMILIES WITHOUT HOMES, AND
LEGISLATORS HERE AT THE CAPITOL
ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO GET
THEM SOME HELP.
>> WE WERE ONE OF THE FEW
COMMUNITIES ONE OF FEW
COMMUNITY BUILDINGS THAT HAD
ELECTRICITY.
THE ELECTRICITY WENT OFF ABOUT
A MILE HALF A MILE DOWN THE
ROAD.
>> REPORTER: ADAIRSVILLE
CHURCH OF GOD SITS RIGHT AT THE
EDGE OF THE GORDON COUNTY LINE
AND AT THE CENTER OF THE
TORNADO RELIEF EFFORT.
>> ALL THE VOLUNTEER
COORDINATION WILL COME OUT OF
THIS CHURCH.
>> REPORTER: PASTOR KEN AND
HIS WIFE JOYCE OPENING THEIR
DOORS TO SHELTER STORM VICTIMS
AND COLLECT SUPPLIES.
BRAD DRIVING ALL THE WAY FROM
MARIETTA TO DONATE CLOTHING AND
BABY GOODS.
>> ACTUALLY FROM THIS AREA, SO
I'M USED TO SEEING IT SO WHEN I
SAW IT ON THE NEWS AND HOW BAD
IT WAS, I HAVE TO GO UP THERE.
>> REPORTER: AND WHILE THE
FAMILY IS HELPING THE RECOVERY
EFFORT HERE, THEIR SON,
REPRESENTATIVE CHRISTIAN KUMER,
IS DOING HIS PART AT THE STATE
CAPITOL.
>> DEVASTATION IS THE ONLY
WORD I CAN USE TO DESCRIBE IT.
>> REPORTER: TOURING THE
DAMAGE IN HIS HOMETOWN EARLY
THURSDAY AND RETURNING TO THE
FLOOR TO ASK FOR CONTINUED
SUPPORT FOR THOSE AFFECTED.
>> IT IS A HARD BLOW.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE
GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO
GET OVER AND GET THROUGH.
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYWHERE ELSE
I'D RATHER BE THAN IN GEORGIA.
>> REPORTER: MANY LEGISLATORS
TAKING TIME TO THANK GOVERNOR
NATHAN DEAL, WHO QUICKLY
DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WEDNESDAY, FEEDING STATE AID.
NOW, LAWMAKERS WILL BEGIN THE
PROCESS OF BEGINNING THE APPEAL
TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
>> PROTECT PAIRS.
WE DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED.
IF WE LOSE, WE SHOULD BE
REBUILDING WITH OUR
GOVERNMENT'S HELP.
>> REPORTER: THAT FEDERAL
RELIEF MAY NOT COME AS EASILY
AS ONCE EXPECTED.
SOME MEMBERS OF THE U.S.
CONGRESS VOTED AGAINST $9.7
BILLION IN FEDERAL MONEY FOR
HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS.
ONE OF THE DISSENTING VOTES
CAME FROM GEORGIA CONGRESSMAN
TOM GRAVES, WHO REPRESENTS THE
AREAS DEVASTATED BY YESTERDAY'S
TORNADO.
I REACHED OUT TO GRAVES FOR A
COMMENT, BUT SO FAR, HE'S NOT
GOTTEN BACK TO ME.
SCOTT?
>> NOW, CLAIRE, YOU HAD A
CHANCE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH
LAWMAKERS TODAY.
WERE MOST OF THE LEGISLATORS
WHO TALKED ABOUT THE TORNADO
TODAY ACTUALLY FROM THE
AFFECTED AREA?
>> WELL, BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
SCOTT, THIS STORM SEEMS TO HAVE
AFFECTED EVERYONE AT THE
CAPITOL, AND THAT WAS VERY
EVIDENT, NO MATTER WHAT
DISTRICT A LAWMAKER REPRESENTS.
>> IMAGINE IF YOU LEFT YOUR
HOME YESTERDAY MORNING, THE DAY
WAS A NORMAL DAY, YOU WENT TO
WORK, AND AROUND NOONTIME, YOU
HEARD THE EMERGENCY SIRENS
SOUND, AND WHEN YOU RETURNED
HOME ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS A
DRIVEWAY, AND A CONCRETE SLAB.
>> IT WAS PRETTY WIDESPREAD.
ABOUT 300 HOMES DAMAGED OR
DESTROYED.
SEVERAL BUSINESSES, OF COURSE
WE HAD ONE FATALITY, WHICH OUR
HEARTS JUST GO OUT TO THAT
FAMILY.
>> KEEP THE PEOPLE OF GORDON
COUNTY IN YOUR PRAYERS.
>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW,
EVERYBODY'S GOT IT ON THEIR
MIND, AND TODAY, EVERYONE'S
JUST HAPPY THAT THEY'RE OKAY.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME FOLKS
THAT WERE INJURED, AND OUR
HEARTS GO OUT TO THEM, AND OUR
PRAYERS, AND THE FOLKS, WE HAD
ONE LOSS OF LIFE, AS I
UNDERSTAND IT, AND THERE MAY BE
MORE, BUT THAT, TODAY, WE
CELEBRATE THE HUMAN SUCCESSES
AND SURVIVAL, AND THEN WE HAVE
TO START THE PROCESS OF
CLEANING UP.
>> NOW, THAT WAS SENATOR JASON
CARTER WHO REPRESENTS DECATUR,
BUT HE'S ORIGINALLY FROM THE
CALHOUN AREA AND SAID EVEN HIS
FAMILY'S FARM THERE SUFFERED
DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THAT TORNADO.
SCOTT?
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CLAIRE.
WE KNEW LAST NIGHT THE DAMAGE
WAS SEVERE, BUT WHEN THE SUN
CAME OUT TODAY IN ADAIRSVILLE,
THE REALITY WAS ALMOST
UNBELIEVABLE.
GEORGIA'S INSURANCE
COMMISSIONER, RALPH HUDGENS GOT
AN EYE LEVEL VIEW OF THE
DEVASTATION TODAY, AND ONE FROM
ABOVE.
>> IT'S VERY BAD.
IT STARTS HERE, AND IT GOES
FOR ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN MILES.
WE TOOK AN AIR TOUR IN A
HELICOPTER AND LOOKED AT IT,
AND I WAS STUNNED AT HOW LONG
THIS STORM STAYED ON THE GROUND.
>> TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAP HERE
OF THAT STORM.
AS WE SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED IN
ADAIRSVILLE, GEORGIA, SIX,
SEVEN MILE SWATH OF
DESTRUCTION, A QUARTER TO A
HALF A MILE WIDE.
SOME OF THE ESTIMATES CALL IT
AN EF 4.
THAT IS THE NEXT TO THE MOST
VIOLENT TORNADO THAT IS
MEASURED ON THE SCALE.
>>> THE HE ESTIMATES THE
DAMAGE IN ADAIRSVILLE ALONE AT
$75 MILLION.
AND ANNUAL BATTLE PLAYED OUT
ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE TODAY.
COULD WE CALL IT A FLASHBACK?
LAWMAKERS TRIED TO CATCH UP
WITH THE MAKERS OF SYNTHETIC
DRUGS AGAIN.
FAKE MARIJUANA IS MADE BY
SPRAYING COMBINATIONS OF
CHEMICALS AND DRIED HERBS OFTEN
SOLD AT GAS STATIONS OR
CONVENIENCE STORES AND MAY BE
MARKETED AS INCENSE OR
POTPOURRI.
THE SUBSTANCES ARE NOT
TECHNICALLY ILLEGAL, BUT HAVE
THE EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA AND
ARE TECHNICALLY VERY DANGEROUS
OR EVEN LETHAL.
GEORGIA LAWMAKERS HAVE TO
REGULARLY PASS THESE BILLS IN
AN EFFORT JUST TO KEEP UP WITH
THE CHEMISTS.
>>> THERE'S A NEW PUSH FOR
SCHOOL CHOICE.
RAHUL BALI WAS THERE.
HI, RAHUL.
>> REPORTER: HI, SCOTT, AS
ADVOCATES MARK NATIONAL SCHOOL
WEEK, HOUSE MEMBERS ROLLED OUT
LEGISLATION INTENDED TO EMPOWER
BOTH PARENTS AND TEACHERS.
IN NEAR FREEZING WEATHER,
HUNDREDS OF PARENTS, TEACHERS
AND STUDENTS PACKED THE STEPS
OF THE STATE CAPITOL TODAY.
THEY'RE ADVOCATING FOR
EDUCATION OPTIONS, INCLUDING
CHARTER, HOME AND ONLINE SCHOOL.
INSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL,
HOUSE MEMBERS OF HAVE
INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT
LETS PARENTS AND TEACHERS
PETITION THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL
BOARDS FOR CHANGE, ALSO KNOWN
AS A PARENT TRIGGER.
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MIKE
DUDGEON OF JOHN'S CREEK IS ONE
OF THE SPONSORS OF THE
LEGISLATION.
>> BASICALLY, IT IS A
MECHANISM WHERE AN UNRESPONSIVE
SCHOOL BOARD CAN BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE BY A GROUP OF
PARENTS, THAT HAS TO BE THE
MAJORITY, AT THE SCHOOL IN
ORDER TO GET THEM TO TAKE SOME
ACTION.
>> REPORTER: ONE OF THOSE
ACTIONS WOULD BE CONVERTING A
SCHOOL INTO A CHARTER SCHOOL,
BUT FELLOW SPONSOR, DEMOCRATIC
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE GLANTON OF
JONESBORO SAID THERE WOULD BE
OTHER OPTIONS, TOO.
>> IT HAS SIX OTHER OPTIONS
THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD CAN TAKE
IN CONJUNCTION AND
COLLABORATION WITH STUDENTS,
PARENTS AND TEACHERS.
>> REPORTER: REPRESENTATIVES
DUDGEON SAYS THE SCHOOL BOARD
DOES GET THE FINAL SAY, BUT
>> THE GOAL OF THE LEGISLATION
IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SCHOOL
BOARD CAN'T DUCK OR DODGE OR
NOT DEAL WITH THE ISSUE.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
REALLY, UNLESS THEY CAN PROVE
THAT THERE'S REASON NOT TO MAKE
AN ACTION, THEY'RE GOING TO
NEED TO MAKE AN ACTION.
>> REPORTER: HOUSE MINORITY
LEADER STACEY ABRAMS SAYS THE
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAS NOT TAKEN
A POSITION ON THE BILL, BUT
SHE'S CONCERNED IT DOESN'T
SPECIFY WHO CAN PETITION FOR
CHANGE.
>> ONE OF THE CONCERNS RAISED
IN THIS BILL IS WHETHER OR NOT
WHETHER CHILDREN HAVE TO BE
ATTENDING THE SCHOOL OR SIMPLY
BE IN THE CATCH AREA.
>> THE PARENT TRIGGER
LEGISLATION, HOUSE BILL 123, IS
CURRENTLY BEING REVIEWED BY THE
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
SCOTT?
>> RAHUL, ARE THERE ANY OTHER
BILLS PENDING THAT DEAL WITH
SCHOOL CHOICE?
>> REPORTER: ACTUALLY, THERE
IS, AND WE ACTUALLY PROFILED IT
EARLIER THIS WEEK.
BILL NUMBER 140 OVER IN THE
HOUSE, AND THAT TAKES A LOOK AT
THE SPECIAL SCHOOL TAX CREDITS.
THAT'S WHERE HE'S LOOKING TO
EXPAND THOSE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AND ADD MORE MONEY TO THE
BUDGET.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RAHUL.
GOOD WORK.
>>> TIME TO CONTINUE OUR
SERIES PROFILES IN POWER ABOUT
THE PEOPLE YOU PUT INTO OFFICE
AND TONIGHT WE WELCOME SENATOR
DAVID SHAFER OF DULUTH, ALSO
PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE STATE
SENATE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING
TIME TO VISIT US ON "PRIMETIME
LAWMAKERS," SENATOR.
>> GREAT TO BE HERE.
>> GIVE US AN IDEA ON WHAT THE
PRESIDENT PRO TEM DOES.
WHAT'S THAT JOB?
>> WELL, PRO TEM IS A LATIN
JOB THAT MEANS IN THE MEANTIME
OR FOR THE TIME BEING SO MY
ONLY TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY
IS TO PRESIDE OVER THE SENATE
IN THE ABSENCE OF THE
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
BUT MORE BROADLY, TO MAKE SURE
THE SENATE RUNS PROPERLY, THAT
THE COMMITTEES FUNCTION, THAT
ALL SIDES ARE HEARD AND THAT
THE ISSUES ARE DECIDED ON THE
MERITS.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE
TRY TO FIND OUT IS WHAT GOT YOU
INTO POLITICS IN THE FIRST
PLACE.
WHY DID YOU GET IN?
>> YOU KNOW, HISTORY WAS MY
FAVORITE SUBJECT GROWING UP,
AND I WAS ALWAYS STRUCK BY HOW
DIFFERENT AMERICAN HISTORY WAS
FROM WORLD HISTORY, YOU KNOW,
IF YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF
ANY OTHER COUNTRY, IT WAS
REALLY STORIES ABOUT KINGS AND
EMPERORS AND GENERALS AND
DICTATORS, AND AMERICAN HISTORY
WAS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT,
YOU KNOW, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
FIGURED OUT A WAY TO DO
GOVERNMENT DIFFERENTLY.
AND I'M NOT SAYING I DECIDED
TO RUN FOR OFFICE, YOU KNOW,
BECAUSE OF THAT, BUT THAT'S
WHAT REALLY BEGAN MY INTEREST
IN GOVERNMENT, AND MY
FASCINATION WITH DEMOCRACY.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY POLITICAL
HEROES?
>> RONALD REAGAN WAS A HERO TO
ME.
I WAS A TEENAGER IN THE LATE
1970S, BUT I REMEMBER THE TOUGH
ECONOMIC TIMES.
MY DAD WAS IN REAL ESTATE.
WE HAD DOUBLE DIGIT INFLATION,
DOUBLE DIGIT INTEREST RATES.
AMERICA WAS BEING HUMILIATED
BY THE IRANIANS WHO WERE
HOLDING OUR EMBASSY PERSONNEL
HOSTAGE.
THE SOVIET UNION WAS
THREATENING US, AND I REMEMBER
WHEN RONALD REAGAN WAS ELECTED,
HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THINGS
AROUND.
THE ECONOMY GOT GOING AGAIN,
YOU KNOW, THE EXPANSION OF
COMMUNISM IN THE THIRD WORLD
STOPPED, SO HE WAS A HERO TO ME.
>> WITH THAT SAID, WHAT WOULD
YOU LIKE YOUR POLITICAL LEGACY
TO BE?
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M
PROUDEST OF IS LEGISLATION THAT
I WORKED ON FOR TEN YEARS, AND
THAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY
GOVERNOR DEAL LAST YEAR TO MOVE
US TO A SYSTEM OF ZERO BASED
BUDGETING.
YOU KNOW, UNDER THE OLD
BUDGETING SYSTEM, CONTINUATION
BUDGETING, WHEN A NEW PROGRAM
WAS APPROVED, IT WAS
AUTOMATICALLY ROLLED OVER INTO
EACH SUCCEEDING BUDGET OF THE
STATE UNDER A SINGLE LINE ITEM
CONTINUATION.
AND UNDER ZERO BASED
BUDGETING, WE'RE ACTUALLY
REBUILDING A PORTION OF THE
BUDGET BY SCRATCH EACH YEAR.
I THINK IT HELPS US BE BETTER
STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYERS'
DOLLARS.
>> I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT
BECAUSE THE WHOLE TEMPTATION IS
IF YOU'VE GOT A BUDGET, YOU'RE
TEMPTED TO SPEND IT EVERY YEAR
SO YOU GET IT NEXT YEAR, AND
THIS AVOIDS THAT AND YOU WIND
UP SAVING TAXPAYERS MONEY?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YOU KNOW, WITH THE BUDGET,
EVERY BUDGET I'VE GOTTEN UNTIL
THIS YEAR WAS A DOCUMENT THREE
OR FOUR INCHES THICK THAT ALL
THE LEGISLATORS GOT AND ALMOST
BEFORE WE WERE ASKED TO VOTE ON
IT AND IT ACTUALLY ONLY
DETAILED 3 OR 4% OF THE STATE
SPENDING TO NEW PROGRAMS.
EVERYTHING ELSE WAS CARRIED
OVER UNDER SINGLE LINE ITEM SO
THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT GIVES US
MORE INFORMATION AND HELPS US
DO A BETTER JOB OF MAKING SURE
THE TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT
WISELY.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK JOB
NUMBER ONE IS FOR LEGISLATOR?
>> WELL, THE MOST IMPORTANT
THING THAT WE DO AND THE ONLY
THING WE'RE CONSTITUTIONALLY
REQUIRED TO DO IS PASS A BUDGET
THAT'S BALANCED.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD TOUGH
ECONOMIC TIMES.
THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WE'VE
HAD DECLINING REVENUES, AND,
YOU KNOW, INCREASED DEMAND FOR
GOVERNMENT SERVICES, AND THAT'S
REQUIRED US TO MAKE SOME VERY
TOUGH CHOICES.
AND FRANKLY, I THINK ZERO
BASED BUDGETING WILL HELP US
MAKE WISER CHOICES.
I THINK THAT IN AN EFFORT TO,
YOU KNOW I THINK THAT IF WE
HAD ZERO BASED BUDGETING, WE
WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO FURLOUGH
TEACHERS BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO FERRET OUT THE
WASTE MORE EFFECTIVELY.
>> THAT'S IT.
WHAT ARE YOUR LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES FOR THE COMING YEAR?
>> BALANCING THE BUDGET I
THINK IS IMPORTANT.
I THINK WE'VE GOT TO, YOU
KNOW, I THINK THE PEOPLE HAVE
BEEN LOUD AND CLEAR THAT WE
NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT
ETHICS REFORM.
ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF THE
SESSION, THE SENATE PASSED THE
RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYIST GIFTS
THAT I THINK HAVE SET A NEW
TONE.
UNDER THE GOLD DOME, THE
SPEAKER HAS MADE SOME PROPOSALS.
>> WOULD YOU LOOK AT TOUGHER
PROPOSALS IN THE SENATE RULE?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SPEAKERS MAKE PROPOSALS THAT I
WELCOME, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
I KNOW ALL OF US LOOK FORWARD
TO WORKING WITH THE HOUSE IN
TERMS OF DEVELOPING LEGISLATION
THAT'S WORKABLE.
>> A COUPLE OF ISSUES WHILE WE
HAVE YOU HERE.
BREAKING NEWS IN ATLANTA TODAY.
ONE MIDDLE SCHOOLER SHOT
ANOTHER, POLICE SAY, ON THE
CAMPUS OF JONES PRICE MIDDLE
SCHOOL.
14 YEAR OLDS INVOLVED.
THANK GOODNESS THE 14 YEAR OLD
WOUND UP BEING MINOR, AND HE
WOUND UP GOING HOME FROM THE
HOSPITAL TONIGHT.
HE WAS ARRESTED, THE SHOOTER,
BY A RESOURCE OFFICER ON THE
CAMPUS.
THAT SAID, WHAT DO YOU THINK
THE GUN DEBATE NEEDS TO BE?
>> THAT'S CLEARLY A TRAGEDY,
AND, YOU KNOW, I'M RELIEVED
THAT THE LITTLE BOY WHO WAS
SHOT IS GOING TO RECOVER.
WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO MAKE OUR
SCHOOLS SAFE.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT DISARMING
THE GENERAL POPULATION MAKES
ANYONE SAFER.
I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WE
NEED TO FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM OF
PROTECTING SCHOOLS.
IF YOU LOOK AT MOST OF THE
SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, THE SHOOTINGS
WERE DONE BY PEOPLE WHO HAD,
YOU KNOW, WHO ARE CLEARLY
TROUBLED, WHO HAD MENTAL HEALTH
PROBLEMS, AND I THINK THAT'S
WHAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS IN
TERMS OF USING THAT AS AN
EXCUSE TO SIMPLY TAKE PEOPLE'S
WEAPONS AWAY.
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A
LITTLE DEBATE LATER TONIGHT ON
WHETHER OR NOT THE STATE OR THE
CITY OF ATLANTA NEEDS TO BE
INVOLVED IN BUILDING A NEW
FALCONS STADIUM.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE'S
INVOLVEMENT OUGHT TO BE?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE STATE
AUTHORIZED THE CITY OF ATLANTA
TO LEVY A HOTEL/MOTEL TAX.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE NEEDS
TO BE ANY INVOLVEMENT BEYOND
THAT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT
THE, YOU KNOW, MY UNDERSTANDING
OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, THEY'RE
MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONS,
THE FALCONS HAVE AGREED TO PUT
MORE MONEY INTO THE BUILDING OF
THE STADIUM.
YOU KNOW, CLEARLY WE NEED, YOU
KNOW, CLEARLY ALL OF US WANT
THE ATLANTA FALCONS TO REMAIN
IN ATLANTA.
YOU KNOW, BUT I THINK THE
STATE HAS DONE PRETTY MUCH ALL
THAT IT NEEDS TO DO THAT THE
FALCONS AND THE HOTEL/MOTEL TAX
THAT THE CITY HAS THE AUTHORITY
TO LEVY, I THINK THAT, YOU
KNOW, THAT THAT OUGHT TO BE
ENOUGH TO BUILD A FIRST
CLASS STADIUM FOR ATLANTA.
>> GET YOU TO DO ONE MORE
THING WHILE YOU'RE HERE?
>> SURE.
>> DRAW A NAME OF A FUTURE
PROFILE.
ALL THE NAMES ARE HERE.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, PULL A NAME
OUT AND READ IT FOR US AND
WE'RE GOING TO DO A PROFILE ON
THAT LAWMAKER IN THE FUTURE.
>> SENATOR JESSE STONE.
>> SENATOR, NICE TO SEE YOU.
THANKS FOR COMING DOWN.
>> THANKS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
ARE YOU SIGNED UP FOR OUR E
MAIL BLAST?
IF NOT YOU'RE MISSING OUT.
WHEN LAST NIGHT'S SHOW WAS
OVER, OUR SHOWS KEPT ROLLING ON
AN ANIMATED DISCUSSION ABOUT
THE MOVIE BUSINESS IN GEORGIA.
>> THERE ARE 49 BUSINESSES
TODAY.
WHERE THERE WERE SEVEN SIX
YEARS AGO.
SHOW ME ANYWHERE IN THE
COUNTRY THAT THAT HAS OCCURRED.
>> THEY DID TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
ADDED TOURISM DOLLARS BECAUSE
TOURISTS CAME TO THAT STATE TO
SEE THE SITES WHERE THESE
THINGS WERE MADE.
SO
>> WITH ALL DO YOU RESPECT,
I'VE NEVER SEEN A STUDY, AND
WE'VE SEEN THEM ALL, NEVER SEEN
A STUDY DONE BY SOMEONE WHO
TRULY UNDERSTOOD THE FILM
INDUSTRY.
>> AND THE TAX CREDITS PAY OFF.
THERE WAS MUCH MORE THAT'S
STILL AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB
SITE, GPB.ORG/POLITICS.
MAKE SURE YOU CATCH ALL THE
NEWS, NOT JUST THE PART THAT WE
CAN PACK INTO OUR 30 MINUTE
BROADCAST.
GO TO SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY E
MAIL BLAST.
WHILE YOU'RE THERE, DON'T
FORGET TO "LIKE" US ON FACEBOOK
AND SIGN UP TO FOLLOW US ON
TWITTER.
COMING UP NEXT, IT'S CAUSING A
LOT OF BUZZ OVER AT THE GOLD
DOME.
DOES ATLANTA NEED A NEW
FOOTBALL STADIUM?
THE FALCONS SAY THEY WANT A
RETRACTABLE ROOF, BUT AT LEAST
ONE GEORGIA SENATOR IS READY TO
HIT THE ROOF.
>> DOES ARTHUR BLANK HAVE A
BLANK CHECK FROM THE CITY OF
ATLANTA?
LET ME TELL YOU THIS, YOU
DON'T NEGOTIATE WITH A GUN TO
YOUR HEAD.
>> COMING UP, A FAIR DEBATE
ABOUT A REAL POLITICAL FOOTBALL.
"PRIMETIME LAWMAKERS" WILL BE
RIGHT BACK.
>>> WELCOME BACK TO "PRIMETIME
LAWMAKERS."
YOUR DAILY SOURCE FOR ALL THE
NEWS AT THE GEORGIA STATE
CAPITOL.
THE IDEA'S BEEN KICKING AROUND
FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND IT
GOT A LOT MORE PLAY DURING THIS
YEAR.
THIS CLOSE TO THE SUPER BOWL
SEASON.
TONIGHT OUR FAIR DEBATE
FOCUSES ON WHETHER THE ATLANTA
FALCONS GET A NEW DOME.
AND JOINING THE VERBAL
SCRIMMAGE THIS EVENING, WE'VE
GOT AN ALL STAR PANEL.
FIRST OF ALL, VINCENT FORT OF
ATLANTA.
NO, THAT'S NOT VINCENT FORT.
THAT IS ATLANTA CITY
COUNCILMAN IVORY LEE YOUNG, THE
PROPOSED NEW STADIUM IS IN HIS
DISTRICT.
GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US THIS
EVENING.
AND SENATOR VINCENT FORT IS
WITH US.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN,
SENATOR.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> AND WE ALSO HAVE ATLANTA
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MICHAEL
BOND.
IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US
TONIGHT.
>> GOOD TO BE HERE.
>> AND WE'RE GOING TO BAT THIS
AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES HERE.
A LITTLE TOUCH FOOTBALL HERE.
NO FULL TACKLING ALLOWED.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
LET'S START WITH YOU, IF YOU
DON'T MIND, COUNCILMAN YOUNG.
ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF A NEW
STADIUM WITH CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS?
IS THAT FAIR?
>> THAT'S VERY FAIR, YOU KNOW,
IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD AN
ASSET, IT SHOULD BE JUST THAT,
AN ASSET, AND NO ONE WHO KNOWS
THE SPECIFICS OF THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL
DOME SITS EASY WHEN THEY THINK
ABOUT A NEW STADIUM.
IT LED TO THE ENTIRE
ELIMINATION OF A WHOLE
NEIGHBORHOOD CALLED LIGHTNING.
BUT I'M HERE TO SAY THAT THERE
IS A SITE THAT I AM VERY
SUPPORTIVE OF, IF IT'S DONE
CORRECTLY, AND THAT IS THE SITE
THAT'S BEING PROPOSED JUST
SOUTH OF THE EXISTING DOME.
THERE ARE INGRESS AND EGRESS
OPTIONS THERE THAT FAR SURPASS
WHAT THE EXISTING DOME
PRESENTLY DOES NOT TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF, AND THERE'S
MINIMAL IMPACT TO THE ADJACENT
STAKE HOLDERS.
I SUBMIT, THOUGH, WE'VE GOTTA
SEE THE PLANS.
WE'VE GOTTA SEE WE GOT A
LOT OF DETAILS TO COVER,
BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE YOU HAVE
CHURCHES THERE.
YOU HAVE A COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR
ALONG NORTHSIDE DRIVE THAT
REALLY HAS TO BE REDEVELOPED TO
MAKE THE DOME A REAL
DESTINATION.
BUT LASTLY, AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY, THAT WE NOT LIMIT
THE CONVERSATION ABOUT JUST A
STADIUM.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF
CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE IN
NORTHWEST ATLANTA, NOT THE
LEAST OF WHICH IS OUR DROPOUT
RATE AND OUR RESPONSE TO YOUTH
AND ADULT SERVICES, AND THE
CONDITION OF OUR COMMUNITY.
SO THIS LEGISLATOR, THIS
COUNCIL MEMBER, CERTAINLY
SUPPORTS THE STADIUM WITH SOME
CONDITIONS, BUT ABSOLUTELY
DEMANDS THAT WE HAVE SOME
ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WILL HELP
US TO REVITALIZE NORTHWEST
ATLANTA NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK.
I THINK WE HAVE A MAP THAT
SHOWS AT LEAST ONE OF THE
PROPOSED SITES FOR THE STADIUM
AT THIS POINT.
TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, COUNCILMAN.
I CAN'T TELL IF THAT'S NORTH
OR SOUTH OF THE CURRENT DOME.
WE SEE THE DOME RIGHT THERE?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> OKAY.
>> THAT IS ACTUALLY NORTH OF
THE DOME, AND MY RECOMMENDATION
WOULD BE VOTE NO.
>> OKAY.
>> THAT SITE ITSELF
>> THAT ADJACENT YOU DON'T
LIKE THAT ONE?
>> NO.
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE
PEOPLE AND VEHICLES WILL CAUSE
SUCH A DISRUPTION TO THE
ADJACENT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IT'S
SIMPLY NOT WORTH IT.
>> SENATOR FORT, WE HAD A NICE
SOUND BITE FROM YOU HEADING
INTO THIS.
WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ABOUT
THIS?
>> I THINK IT'S A BAD IDEA.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS ONE,
IT'S NOT NEEDED, YOU KNOW,
THERE'S A SUPER BOWL THAT'S
GOING TO BE PLAYED THIS WEEKEND
IN THE SUPER DOME IN NEW
ORLEANS.
VERY OLD STADIUM.
MIAMI, VERY OLD STADIUM.
I THINK THEY'VE BOTH HOSTED
ABOUT TEN SUPER BOWLS.
AND BEYOND THAT, BEYOND THE
FACT THAT IT'S NOT NEEDED, I
JUST THINK IT'S OBSCENE.
WORST ECONOMIC TIMES IN 80
YEARS, FURLOUGHING TEACHERS,
CUTTING BLOOD PRESSURE
MEDICINES TO SICK FOLKS.
CUTTING MEDICAID, NOT
ACCEPTING MEDICAID EXPANSION
MONEY FOR 650,000 GEORGIANS.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY OBSCENE
THAT WE ARE EVEN CONSIDERING
USING $500 MILLION, $300
MILLION OF CITY HOTEL/MOTEL TAX
AND ANOTHER 200 MILLION, I
ASSUME, FROM THE CITY TO PAY
FOR A BILLIONAIRE'S PLAYGROUND.
>> WELL, LET ME ASK YOU THIS
BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH
MONEY, CAN THAT HOTEL/MOTEL TAX
ACTUALLY BE USED FOR SOME OF
THE THINGS YOU'RE TALKING
ABOUT?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT'S TO
BE DETERMINED BY THE
LEGISLATURE, YOU KNOW, I JUST
THINK IT'S A WRONG USE OF THAT
MONEY.
I'D BE MORE COMFORTED IF THE
HISTORY OF THE GEORGIA DOME HAD
BROUGHT SOME PROSPERITY TO THE
NEARBY COMMUNITY, IF HISTORY'S
ANY LESSON, THE GEORGIA DOME
DID NOT HAVE THE IMPACT ON THE
COMMUNITY THAT IT WOULD THAT
PEOPLE SAID IT WOULD 20 YEARS
AGO.
SO I THINK IT'S A BAD IDEA.
I THINK WE NEED TO MAINTAIN
THIS DOME AS IT IS.
$500 MILLION.
WHAT COULD IT DO?
I WOULD LIKE A HUNDRED MILLION
DOLLARS TO PUT ON SIMPSON ROAD,
A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS TO
PUT ON BANKHEAD HIGHWAY OR
CASCADE ROAD AS OPPOSED TO
PUTTING IT IN ARTHUR BLANK'S
POCKET.
>> COUNCILMAN MICHAEL BOND, DO
YOU SUPPORT THE IDEA OF A NEW
STADIUM, AND WHY?
>> WELL, I SUPPORT THE IDEA OF
A NEW STADIUM, YOU KNOW, THE
TOURISM BUSINESS TO ATLANTA IS
LIKE THE FINANCIAL BUSINESS IN
NEW YORK.
ATLANTA'S GOT TO COMPETE
GLOBALLY FOR CONVENTION
BUSINESS AND TOURISM, TO
CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR CITY GROW.
AND TO ANSWER THE QUESTION
ABOUT THE HOTEL/MOTEL TAX, AS
IT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN, THOSE
FUNDS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR
IT SAYS SPECIFICALLY IN THE
LAW, FOR TOURISM, CONVENTION
CENTERS, OR A DOME STADIUM.
IT ACTUALLY SAYS THAT
SPECIFICALLY UNDER THE GEORGIA
CODE.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF
MISCONCEPTION ABOUT WHAT THESE
FUNDS CAN ACTUALLY BE USED FOR,
AND THIS FUND HAS BEEN AROUND
SINCE 1989.
NOW, I AGREE WITH THE SENATOR.
I WENT OVER SOME OF THE
DOCUMENTS TODAY FROM THE
ORIGINAL PACKAGE, AND THERE WAS
ACTUALLY A LETTER FROM THEN
GOVERNOR JOE FRANK HARRIS
COMMITTING TO SOME $31 MILLION
THAT WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE GEORGIA
WORLD CONGRESS CENTER
AUTHORITY, THE STATE AND THE
CITY, THAT WASN'T EVER
MATERIALIZED.
IT ENDED UP BEING THE HOUSING
TRUST FUND, TO THE TUNE OF $8
MILLION.
SO AS WE LOOK AT HOW WE'RE
GOING TO DO THIS NOW, WE HAVE
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT
REPEAT THE MISTAKES OF THE
PAST, THAT THE DOME IS NOT AN
EDIFICE UNTO ITSELF, AND THAT
THE CITY IS PUT INTO A POSITION
WHERE IT CAN ACTUALLY LEVERAGE
THIS LARGE CAPITAL PROJECT.
>> CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
WE'RE REALLY PLAYING IN A
BALLPARK WITH $100 MILLION HERE
BECAUSE THE GEORGIA WORLD
CONGRESS CENTER AUTHORITY
ALREADY HAS THE BONDING
AUTHORITY FOR $200 MILLION, AND
IF MR. BLANK WANTS TO COME IN
AND SAY OKAY, WE'LL FRONT ALL
THE COSTS AND WE'LL GO AHEAD
AND PUT THE 100 MILLION ON TOP
OF IT, THEN IT'S OUT OF
EVERYBODY'S HANDS AND IT GETS
DONE, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S TRUE, EXCEPT FOR ONE
THING.
I'M GLAD TO HEAR TALKING ABOUT
ARTHUR BLANK PAYING THAT $100
MILLION SHORTFALL.
I'M NOT SURE EVEN SITTING HERE
THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE THE
CASE, BUT THE ISSUE STILL
REMAINS THE CITY, AND I KNOW
THE MAYOR HAS TALKED TO CITY
COUNCIL.
I WISH HE WOULD TALK TO THE
CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF ATLANTA
ABOUT HOW MUCH THE CITY IS
GOING TO FORK OVER TO MR. BLANK.
I HEAR IT'S ABOUT $200 MILLION.
HE'S TALKING TO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
HE NEEDS TO TALK TO THE PUBLIC
AND TELL US, IN ADDITION TO THE
300 MILLION OR 200 MILLION, IS
THE CITY REALLY GOING TO GIVE
ARTHUR BLANK, AS I SAID, A
BLANK CHECK, ANOTHER $200
MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
AROUND THE NEW STADIUM?
IT JUST WITH ALL THE DEEDS
OF THE CITY, ALL THE DEEDS IN
THE REGION, $500 MILLION FOR A
NEW STADIUM IS THE LAST THING
WE NEED TO BE SPENDING THIS
MONEY FOR.
>> COUNCILMEN, BOTH OF YOU,
HAVE YOU BEEN APPROACHED BY THE
MAYOR WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF
THE FALCONS LEAVING TO NFL
HUNGRY LOS ANGELES?
>> THAT'S RUMOR.
RUMOR AND INNUENDO, AND
CERTAINLY, I'M SURE THERE'S A
LOT OF INTEREST.
BUT SPEAKING TO SENATOR FORT'S
LAST POINT, IF WE WERE HAVING A
CONVERSATION ABOUT USING THE
PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS OF ATLANTA
CITIZENS, AND WE WERE HAVING
THE CONVERSATION ABOUT USING
GENERAL FUND DOLLARS THAT ARE A
PART OF OUR REGULAR BUDGET, AND
IF WE WERE HAVING A
CONVERSATION ABOUT USING OUR
TAX ALLOCATION DISTRICT DOLLARS
THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY TARGETED
FOR NEIGHBORHOOD
REVITALIZATION, I'D HAVE SOME
CHALLENGES.
BUT WHAT THE FALCONS ARE
SAYING, WHAT THE WORLD CONGRESS
CENTER IS SAYING, WHAT OUR
MAYOR IS SAYING, AND WHAT I
SUPPORT IS THE USE OF WHAT
WE'VE ALWAYS KNOWN, THAT THIS
NEW STADIUM WILL BE PAID FOR
WITH HOTEL/MOTEL TAX, AND A
CONTRIBUTION FROM THE ATLANTA
FALCONS AND ARTHUR BLANK, AND
SO AS LONG AS THAT IS THE CASE,
I'LL REMAIN IN SUPPORT, AND AS
FAR AS WE KNOW, THE DEFICITS
THAT ARE MOST RECENTLY BEEN
DISCUSSED HAVE BEEN VALIDATED
AND FOUND TO BE TRUE THAT YES,
THE ATLANTA FALCONS AND ARTHUR
BLANK ARE WILLING TO PAY A
LARGER DOLLAR BECAUSE THEY HAVE
PROVEN NOT JUST WITH A STADIUM,
AND NOT JUST WITH THEIR
PHILANTHROPY, NOT JUST WITH
THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE, THAT THEY
ARE ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED AS A
MAJOR STAKE HOLDER IN ATLANTA
AND IN GEORGIA.
THE FALCONS, WE CAN'T LET THEM
LEAVE.
$200 MILLION OF REGIONAL
ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THE ATLANTA
AREA IS NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT.
>> COUNCILMAN
>> IT HASN'T AFFECTED THE
COMMUNITIES NEARBY.
>> BUT IN THE END, I MEAN
COUNCILMAN, WON'T THIS BE A
HUGE CASH REGISTER, TOURISM
DOLLARS, THE REST OF IT COMING
IN, THE ATTRACTION, WON'T THAT
IMPROVE?
VERSUS, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU'D
HAVE, WHICH WOULD BE THE SAME
OLD THING.
>> WELL, YES. I MEAN, THE
CITY OF ATLANTA CANNOT CONTINUE
TO REST ON ITS LAURELS.
I MEAN, WE HIT THE PEAK IN
1996 WITH THE OLYMPICS, AND
FRANKLY, I THINK ATLANTA'S BEEN
COASTING KIND OF EVER SINCE,
AND WE ARE SOLELY DEPENDENT, AS
A CITY, ON THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
AND AGAIN, WE DON'T JUST
COMPETE WITH MACON.
WE DON'T JUST COMPETE WITH
AUGUSTA, YOU KNOW, WE'RE
COMPETING THE JACKSONVILLE,
DALLAS, NEW YORK, CHICAGO, YOU
KNOW, ATLANTA PROMOTES ITSELF
AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY, SO,
YOU KNOW, WE'RE AT THE
WORLD'S DOORSTEP, SO WE'VE GOT
TO HAVE WORLD CLASS FACILITIES
ABLE TO HOST THE POTENTIAL
SOCCER TEAM PERHAPS ONE DAY OR
THE WORLD CUP.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THESE TYPE OF
FACILITIES IF WE'RE GOING TO BE
SERIOUS ABOUT KEEPING ATLANTA
AT THE FOREFRONT.
>> GOOD POINTS, AND GOOD ITEMS
FOR DEBATE ALL AROUND.
AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR WEIGHING
IN.
YOU GAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT THIS
EVENING.
SEE YOU AGAIN SOON.
OKAY?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED
THAT WE DID REPEATEDLY REACH
OUT TO THE FALCONS
ADMINISTRATION TO JOIN US BUT
OUR CALLS WERE NOT RETURNED FOR
ALL OF THIS THIS EVENING.
WELL, THAT JUST ABOUT DOES IT
HERE FOR THIS SESSION OF
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