Lawmakers: Spotlight

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.