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News Articles: Lawmakers: Spotlight

Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Inside Jan Jones’ Historic Tenure in the Georgia General Assembly

Outgoing Georgia Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones delivers a heartfelt farewell after more than two decades in the Georgia House. Jones reflects on her unlikely path into politics, the lessons she learned navigating legislation, and her commitment to expanding opportunities for Georgia’s future generations. This episode offers insight into leadership, public service, and the evolving culture of the Georgia General Assembly.

April 01, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
Lawmakers: Spotlight Logo

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Fentanyl Laws, NIL Reform, and Tenant Rights

Georgia lawmakers Dewey McClain and Josh McLaurin join us to break down major legislative issues, from fentanyl trafficking laws to student athlete NIL protections and housing policy. McLaurin discusses efforts to ensure drug laws target traffickers without criminalizing addiction, while McClain shares his work on fair pay and protections for young athletes. This episode offers a closer look at how decisions at the Capitol impact your daily life across Georgia.

March 27, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
Lawmakers: Spotlight Logo

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Lawmakers: Spotlight - The Fight to Support Rural Georgia Communities

Georgia lawmakers Bill Werkheiser and Carden Summers join us to discuss the challenges facing rural communities, from hospital closures to economic incentives aimed at keeping young people local. They share insights into proposed legislation, including the Rural Incentive Act and efforts to stabilize struggling hospitals. This conversation offers a closer look at how policy decisions under the Gold Dome impact rural Georgia and your community.

March 26, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
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Tagged as: 

  • News

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Georgia Budget Explained: Tax Cuts, Surplus Spending, & What It Means for You

Georgia lawmakers break down the state’s amended and upcoming budgets, explaining how billions in tax revenue are allocated and what proposed income tax cuts could mean for your wallet. You’ll hear how education, mental health, and property tax relief are shaping spending priorities, along with insights into surplus funds and economic pressures. This episode helps you understand how state budget decisions directly impact your daily life in Georgia.

March 24, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
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Tagged as: 

  • News

Lawmakers: Spotlight - New Georgia Bills on Hidden Fees, Hotel Scams, and Voting Rights

This episode breaks down new Georgia legislation focused on consumer protection and voting access. Senator Sonya Halpern discusses bills targeting hotel booking scams and hidden fees, while Senator Randall Mangham outlines proposals to expand voter participation. This episode of Lawmakers: Spotlight explains how these policies could impact your money, your vote, and Georgia’s economic fairness.

March 21, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
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Tagged as: 

  • News

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Economic Uncertainty in Georgia: Tariffs, Taxes, and Small Business Impact

Donna sits down with Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark to examine the state’s economic outlook, from rising costs and global conflict to legislative decisions shaping business growth. This episode explores how policy changes, innovation, and workforce development are impacting Georgia businesses. You will hear how small businesses are navigating uncertainty and what leaders are watching under the Gold Dome.

March 20, 2026
|
By:
  • Jeremy Powell
A Hand Holding a Cellphone. The Georgia Senate passed legislation to make doxxing a criminal offense in Georgia on Crossover Day, Thursday, March 6, 2025. Credit: Pexels

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Inside Georgia’s Push to Regulate Social Media and AI for Kids

Georgia lawmakers are confronting the growing impact of social media and artificial intelligence on children’s mental health. In this episode, we hear powerful testimony from families and explore proposed legislation aimed at reducing addictive platform design and improving online safety. Learn how these policies could shape the digital experiences of kids and families across Georgia.

March 17, 2026
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By:
  • Donna Lowry
A working robot pulls a cart while walking in a facility.

Tagged as: 

  • News

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Georgia Lawmaker Todd Jones on AI, Robots, and the Future of Work

Georgia Representative Todd Jones, chairman of the House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation, joins the show to discuss how artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, and automation could reshape Georgia’s workforce, education system, transportation, and agriculture. Jones discusses the need for rapid workforce upskilling, emerging technologies like autonomous transit and air taxis, and how the state hopes to lead the nation in innovation.

March 12, 2026
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By:
  • Donna Lowry
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Tagged as: 

  • News

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Rep. Casey Carpenter on Homelessness Prevention and Free Speech in Music

Homelessness is rising across Georgia, and lawmakers are debating new ways to address the crisis before people lose their housing. In this episode, Representative Casey Carpenter discusses a proposal to prevent homelessness by helping families stay in their homes. The conversation also explores a bill addressing whether song lyrics and other artistic expressions should be used as evidence in criminal trials.

March 11, 2026
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By:
  • Donna Lowry
(Photo Courtesy of capl@washjeff.edu.)

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Lawmakers: Spotlight - School Discipline, Financial Literacy, and Juvenile Justice Reform

Georgia lawmakers discuss legislation that could reshape the experience of students and teachers across the state. Senator Chuck Payne and Representative Miriam Paris explore proposals to address school discipline policies, financial literacy education starting in the early grades, and changes to how 17-year-olds are treated in the justice system. 

March 10, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones speaks at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Burt Jones Discusses Taxes, Schools, and Mental Health Funding

Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones discusses major policy priorities, including eliminating the state income tax, expanding student political speech protections, and investing in mental health services. This episode explores new legislation inspired by the legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that aims to promote civic engagement and political expression among students. The conversation highlights Georgia’s ongoing debates over taxes, education policy, and mental health funding.

March 05, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
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Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Georgia Legislators Discuss Domestic Violence Safety Act and Education Bills

Georgia lawmakers are introducing legislation aimed at preventing human trafficking, supporting domestic violence survivors, and improving literacy in schools. On this episode, Representatives Deborah Bazemore and Mary Ann Santos discuss proposals including hotel training requirements to identify trafficking, temporary firearm restrictions tied to protective orders, and a writing program designed to boost literacy among elementary students.

March 04, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
Lawmakers: Spotlight Logo

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Georgia Lawmakers Suggest Death Penalty for Human Trafficking

Georgia lawmakers are considering new legislation aimed at combating human trafficking and strengthening criminal penalties. In this episode of Lawmakers Spotlight, Representatives David Clark and Johnny Chastain discuss proposals ranging from the death penalty for convicted traffickers to closing loopholes in Georgia’s pimping laws. The conversation explores how these policies could affect victims, law enforcement, and the justice system across the state.

March 03, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
Teacher Pay, Criminal Rights, and Raffensperger Interview | 2026 Lawmakers Day 25: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Tagged as: 

  • News

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Brad Raffensperger on election security, QR code ballots, $140M Fraud Probe

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger discusses election security, the push to eliminate QR codes from ballots, and an ongoing $140 million Ponzi scheme investigation tied to First Liberty. In this in-depth interview with Donna Lowry, Raffensperger addresses Georgia’s national election rankings, funding challenges from the General Assembly, and what reforms could mean for voters across the state. 

February 27, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
FILE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers wait to detain a person, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Tagged as: 

  • News

Lawmakers: Spotlight - Proposed ICE Body Camera and Identification Requirements in Georgia

Georgia Senate Democrats are introducing a package of bills aimed at increasing transparency and accountability for ICE agents operating in Georgia. In this episode, we discuss proposals requiring body cameras, visible identification, judicial warrants for sensitive locations, and new legal pathways for constitutional accountability. The conversation also turns to state income tax reform and refundable tax credits designed to address affordability and child poverty in Georgia.

February 26, 2026
|
By:
  • Donna Lowry
  • Load More
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