This episode features a conversation with two Athens lawmakers who share opposing views on immigration policy and the sanctuary jurisdiction label. They discuss the impact of recent legislation, local law enforcement cooperation with federal authorities, and proposals for immigration reform in Georgia.

This week on Lawmakers Huddle: immigration laws have come under increased scrutiny with the arrest and detention by ICE of a 19-year-old college student in Dalton. Donna Lowry spoke with Republican State Representative Kasey Carpenter to discuss his interest in immigration reform.

This episode explores how delays in Georgia’s professional licensing system have kept qualified workers from entering the state’s workforce. New laws taking effect on July 1 aim to streamline the process, helping professionals such as nurses, therapists, and accountants get to work more efficiently.

This episode features two bipartisan bills aimed at protecting vulnerable Georgians. Lawmakers passed new legislation to support survivors of domestic violence during sentencing and to crack down on the unregulated roadside sale of pets.

More than 50 policymakers gathered in Atlanta for the New Deal Forum Idea Summit, focusing on effective governance and leadership development. Georgia lawmakers emphasized the importance of collaboration on key issues, such as healthcare, economic security, and housing, to enhance lives across the state.

Donna Lowry explores the history and legacy of Warm Springs, Georgia—a place of healing for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and a catalyst for modern rehabilitative care. Lawmakers discuss recent efforts to restore its therapeutic pools and reflect on the state's role in the fight against polio.

This week on Lawmakers Huddle, host Donna Lowry recaps the end of Georgia’s 2025 legislative session and explores concerns over the state budget and potential federal funding cuts. The episode also features the swearing-in of Barbara Rivera-Holmes as Georgia’s first female labor commissioner.

As Sine Die arrives, legislators face a packed agenda—including the 2026 state budget—after late-night sessions and surprise protests. From a heated debate over gender-affirming care in prisons to election law changes and efforts to ban DEI programs in schools, tensions run high. Plus, the team celebrates a milestone for longtime GPB photojournalist Wesley Nichols.