>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT WAS A BUSY DAY HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE AS THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE GATHERED FOR THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE 2023 REGULAR SESSION.

LEADING THE NEWS OF THE DAY WAS THE FINAL PASSAGE OF A BILL CHANGING THE STATE'S GOOD BEHAVIOR INCENTIVE LAW FOR PRISONERS, BETTER KNOWN AS GOOD TIME.

UNDER CURRENT LAW, CERTAIN INMATES SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS OR FEWER CAN EARN UP TO 75 DAYS OFF THEIR SENTENCE FOR EVERY 30 DAYS OF GOOD BEHAVIOR.

THAT POLICY CAME UNDER SCRUTINY WHEN AN INMATE RELEASED EARLY FOR GOOD TIME ALLEGEDLY SHOT AND KILLED BIBB COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF BRAD JOHNSON LAST YEAR.

SENATE BILL 1 FROM SENATOR APRIL WEAVER WOULD AMEND THE LAW TO ALLOW ONLY 30 DAYS OFF A SENTENCE FOR 30 DAYS OF GOOD BEHAVIOR.

IT WOULD ALSO TIGHTEN UP WHAT QUALIFIES AS GOOD BEHAVIOR AND HOW IT IS ACCRUED.

REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL BEDSOLE CARRIED THE BILL IN THE HOUSE, WHERE IT PASSED ON A PARTLY LINE VOTE OF 78-24.

>> WHEN WE HAD THE TRAGIC EVENTS THAT OCCURRED BACK IN JUNE OF 2022 IN BIB COUNTY DEPUTY BRAD JOHNSON WAS MURDERED FOR SERVING IN HIS COMPUTE.

WHAT IT DID IS, AS WE BEGIN TAKING A LOOK BACK AT THE TRAGEDY AND TRYING TO FIND PAY WITH A TO MAKE SOMETHING GOOD HAPPEN WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS SO TRAGIC WE LOOKED AT THE GOOD TIME, THE CORRECTION LAW IN THE STATE.

AND WHAT WE SAW IS ALABAMA WAS FIVE AND A HALF MORE TIMES LENIENT THAT BE THE NATIONAL AVERAGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IT'S NOT A POSITION WE FELT COMFORTABLE AS ALABAMIANS STANDING.

WE WANT TO BE FIRM ON CRIME.

LET ME SAY THIS.

I THINK IT'S AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY THAT IF WE CAN HAVE THESE INMATES ENTERED INTO THE CORRECTION SYSTEM AND SERVING THE DAYS INSIDE OF OUR FACILITY WE HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT SYSTEM AND DO WHAT WE CAN TO EDUCATE AND REHABILITATE THESE OFFEND.

INCARCERATION ANATOMICAL IS NOT THE ANSWER.

WHAT I'M HOPING THROUGH THE LEGISLATION IS THAT IT ALLOWS THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO RE-EVALUATE THE TIME THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE THERE AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE GOOD USE OF IT AND BEGIN TO EDUCATE AND REHABILITATE BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO RETURN TO THE STREET MORE PRODUCTIVE AND THAT SHOULD BE THE ROLE OF ANY CORRECTION SYSTEM.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL ADVOCATED STRONGLY FOR THE LAW CHANGE.

HE WAS IN THE STATEHOUSE TODAY WATCHING FROM THE GALLERY AS THE BILL WAS PASSED AND SENT ON IT'S WAY TO THE GOVERNOR.

YOU.

>> FIRST IT ACKNOWLEDGES THE LIFE OF BRAN BRAD JOHNSON.

AND IT WAS IMPORTANT TO NAME THE BILL AFTER HIM.

IT WAS HIS DEATH THAT SHOWN THE LIGHT ON MANY DEFICIENCIES IN THIS BILL CHANGES.

NOW GOOD TIME CREDIT WILL BE EXACTLY THAT.

WE'RE KNOT GOING TO REWARD BAD BEHAVIOR.

WE INCENTIVIZE INMATES NOT TO HARM ONE ANOTHER, NOT TO HARM GUARDS AND NOT ESCAPE PRISON AND THEN MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING GOOD TIME WITH REGARD TO THE NUMBER OF DAYS GRANTED TO THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE.

IF IT ADDS TO THE OVER CROWDING PROBLEM IF IT'S BECAUSE INMATES WON'T ABIDE BY THE RULES.

THIS IS IN THE HANDS OF THOSE IN THE FACILITY TO ABIDE BY THEIR RESPONSIBILITY ACTIONS TO DO THE THINGS THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO DO.

THE ONLY WAY THIS CONTRIBUTES TO SOMEBODY BEING LONGER IN PRISON IS IF THEY'RE ELIGIBLE AND DON'T TAKE VAC OF WHAT IS GIVEN TO THEM.

THIS INCENTIVIZES GOOD BEHAVIOR AND DOESN'T CAUSE THEM TO STAY LONGER.

>> IN THE STAT APPROVAL WAS GIVEN TO THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PACKAGE KNOWN AS THE GAME PLAN.

SENATE BILL 165 FROM ARTHUR ORR CREATES AVENUES FOR INDUSTRY READY SITES.

ORR AMENDED THE BILL TO GIVE MORE AREAS OF THE STATE TO OPPORTUNITY TO ATTRACT INDUSTRY.

>> IT ALLOWS FOR THOSE COUNTIES AND AREAS THAT HAVE MORE MOUNTAINOUS TERRITORIES THAT ARE NOT WIDE OPEN, GREEN SPACES TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.

SO WE TOOK THE ACREAGE DOWN FROM 200 ACRES, MINIMUM ACRES DOWN TO 75 MINIMUM ACRES AND ACCORDING TO SECRETARY CANFIELD THAT'S ACCEPTABLE.

THAT IS THE BOTTOM BUT IT WILL HELP MORE MOUNTAINOUS COUNTIES BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM TO DEVELOP SILENTS IN-FOOT PROJECTS!

ANOTHER PART OF THE GAME PLAN IS THE BILL TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY.

BY REQUIRING ALL INDUSTRIAL RECRUITING INCENTIVES TO BE POSTED ONLINE.

SENATE BILL 151 IS SPONSORED BY GARLAND GUDGER.

HE AMENDED THE BILL TO ALLOW JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARDS 1ST ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION.

>> THERE'S A BOARD THAT WAS CREATED FROM THE HOUSE AND FROM THE SENATE, LEGISLATORS ON BOTH SIDES THAT COME TOGETHER AND MEET WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ANYBODY ELSE WE COME IN TO LOOK AT WHERE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS GOING IN THE FUTURE.

AND WE WANTED THE BOARD TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION FROM WHAT WAS GOING TO BE TRANSPARENT ON THE WEBSITE THAT IS LISTED IN THE BILL AND YOU HAVE I BELIEVE 10 THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE LISTED ON THE BILL OF ESTIMATED RETURN ON INVESTMENT, HOW MANY JOBS ARE ESTIMATED THIS INVESTMENT IS GOING TO TREAT AND AS WE WENT FORWARD WE THOUGHT THAT BOARD IF THEY NEEDED MORE INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO IN AND GET THAT INFORMATION BESIDES JUST WHAT IS ALREADY IN THE BILL.

THAT'S ALL.

>> THE SUBCOMMITTEE ALSO ADVANCED LEGISLATION DEALING WITH SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OR SROS.

UNDERCURRENT LAW RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN GO ON TO WORK AS AN S SRO HAVE PAY CAPPED AT $37,000 IN ORDER TO KEEP RECEIVING THAT I EVER STATE RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

SENATE BILL 174, ALSO FROM ORR WOULD IGNORE THAT CAP WHEN AN OFFICE ERROR IS WORKING EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

>> AND THE REASON THAT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME, THE SROS KNOW THE SCHOOLKIDS AND KNOW WHO IS GOOD, WHO IS BAD, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION YOU HAVE TO WATCH, WHO IS TROUBLE AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

AND RIGHT NOW THEY'RE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOBS IN THE SCHOOLS WITH UNDER THE CAP, THE CURRENT CAP.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT WANT TO EXCEED THE CAP SO THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.

SO SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS TO GO OUT AND HIRE PRIVATE SECURITY FORCE OR GET DIFFERENT SROS THAT DON'T KNOW THE KIDS AND DON'T KNOW WHO TO WATCH AND WHO IS TROUBLE AND THEY DON'T KNOW THE LAY OUT OF THE SCHOOL IN CASE THERE IS A PROBLEM THERE.

SO IT SEEMS LIKE LOGICAL SMALL EXCEPTION TO MAKE TO HELP THE SECURITY OF THE SCHOOLS.

>> A PROPOSAL TO END THE STATE, "SALES TAX ON GROCERIES GAINED MOMENTUM TODAY IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

1ST A NEW POLE SHOWS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE IDEA ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

THE POLE 1ST REPORTED BY ALABAMA DAILY NEWS AND CONDUCTED BY THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY SHOWS 83 PERCENT OF ALL VOTERS SUPPORT CUTTING THE STATE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

THE ISSUE WAS JUXTAPOSED TO THE IDEA OF SENDING TAX PAIRS A ONE-TIME INCOME TAX REBATE CHECK.

ASKED WHICH THEY PREFER 82 PERCENT CHOSE THE GROCERY TAX CUT AND 18 PERCENT CHOSE THE TAX REBATE.

THE POLL WAS CONDUCTED BY THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY AND SURVEYED 1610 REGISTER CENTERED VOTERS.

THEN TODAY AT NOON, DOZENS OF ALABAMIANS GATHERED ON THE STATEHOUSE STEMS ADVOCATING FOR ELIMINATING THE STATE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

ORGANIZED BY ARISE, THE RALLY CONCLUDED WITH ADVOCATES GOING INTO THE STATEHOUSE TO ENCOURAGE LAWMAKERS TO ACT THIS YEAR.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE PENNY MCCLAMMY AND MERIKA COLEMAN TOLD THE GROUP THEY PLAN TO INTRODUCE ELECTION IN THE COMING DAYS.

>> SO WE WANT TO SEE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ASAP UNTAX THE GROCERIES.

A POLL CAME OF CAME OUT THIS MORNING, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS 78 PERCENT AGREE WE NEED TO UNTAX GROCERIES AND 80 PERCENT SAID THEY WOULD PREFER THAT TO A ONE-TIME REBATE.

(APPLAUSE) SO, Y'ALL, THERE'S NO EXCUSE.

THE TIME IS NOW.

NUMBER 2, WE WOULD LIKE TO PROTECT THE LEGACY OF OUR EDUCATION AND OUR KIDS' FUTURE.

THAT MEANS WE CAN'T AFFORD TO CUT $600 MILLION WITH NO REPLACEMENT.

SO OVER TIME WE MUST SEE, YOU KNOW, WE CAN AFFORD IT RYE NOW.

BUT IN THE FUTURE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS.

AS YOU HAVE SAID SENATOR COLEMAN THERE ARE MORE FAIR WAYS TO FUND EDUCATION THAN FUNDED OUT OF PEOPLE'S MOUTHS.

TAXING THE FOOD OUT OF PEOPLE'S MOUTHS.

NUMBER 3, WE WANT THE BROADEST PROPOSAL FORWARD.

WE DON'T WANT THE GOVERNOR SAYING WE ONLY WANT TO UNTAX HEALTHY FOOD.

WE WANT TO BUY THE FOOD THAT WE NEED THAT WE KNOW IS GOOD FOR US AND OUR FAMILIES >> ALSO AT THE STATEHOUSE TODAY WAS A GROUP ADVOCATING FOR SCHOOL CHOICE T LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE PRICE ACT WAS FILED TODAY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

PRICE STANDS FOR PARENTAL RIGHTS IN CHIRPS EDUCATION.

THE BILLS WOULD ALLOW PARENTS TO SET ASIDE A PORTION THEIR INCOME TAXES THAT WOULD FLOW TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND AND USE IT TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO A SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE, INCLUDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS CHARTER SCHOOLS OR A DIFFERENT DISTRICT SCHOOL.

STATE SENATOR LARRY STUTZ AND ERNIE YARBOROUGH ARE THE SPONSORS.

>> THE COMPETITION MAKES EVERYBODY BETTER.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA FROM OTHER STATES, YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE ARE SATISFIED WITH THEIR SCHOOL.

THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A MASS EXODUS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO THIS.

APPROXIMATELY 2 PERCENT OF STUDENTS USUALLY MOVE WHEN A FREEDOM BILL LIKE THIS IS PASSED SO WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT A MASS EXODUS FROM ONE SCHOOL TO ANOTHER BUT GIVES THE PARENTS THE FREEDOM TO DO THAT.

PARENTS ALREADY MAKING THAT CHOICE IT GIVES THEM ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

THIS WON'T TURN INTO SOME BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARE WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTROLLING WHAT HAPPENS WITH PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND HOME SCHOOLS.

THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE USING THE PROGRAM ACTUALLY HAVE A VOICE AND WILL BE HELPING THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE RUN THIS PROGRAM.

IN ALABAMA WE HAVE WONDERFUL LAWS THAT REGULATE HOMESCHOOLING IN ALABAMA.

WE HAVE LAWS THAT REGULATE PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN ALABAMA.

EIGHT TIMES IN THIS BILL IT REIT RATES THAT THOSE LAWS REMAIN UNCHANGED AND THIS IS JUST A FUNDING BILL THAT HELMS PUT THE PARENT'S MONEY THAT THE STATE HAS ALREADY TAKEN FROM THEM TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILD, IT NOW DEVOTION BACK INTO AN ACCOUNT TO BE USED FOR THAT CHILD.

>> AND THOSE ARE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS FROM LEGISLATIVE ACTION TODAY.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE PENNY MCCLAMMY.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE PENNY MCCLAMMY FROM MONTGOMERY.

REPRESENTATIVE THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" >> THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION >> IT'S BEEN A BIG DAY FOR YOUR SIGNATURE IS ISSUE THIS YEAR, THAT IS CUTTING THE STATED SALES TAX ON GROSS REESE.

YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR MONTHS IF NOT LONGER >> ACTUALLY THAT WAS PART OF MY -- WHEN I WAS 1ST ELECTED NOVEMBER 2021 THAT WAS PART OF MY CAMPAIGN SPEECH, MY ELECTION SPEECH, THAT THAT WOULD BE ONE OF MY FOLKS CAL WINDOWS ON REPEALING THE TAX REBATE OFF THE GROCERIES >> FOR YEARS.

BUT THIS MORNING WE REPORT OF THE ON THIS POLL THAT CAME OUT FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SAYING OVERWHELM SUPPORT, EIGHT PERCENT OF ALL VOTERS SUPPORTING ENDING THE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES AND THEN TODAY, AT NOON, YOU WERE BIG PART OF THIS RALLY AT THE STATEHOUSE WHERE DOZEN EARNS OF FOCUS CAME TOGETHER TO ASK THE LEGISLATURE PLEASE MAKE THIS THE YEAR TO END THE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

TELL ME WHAT KIND OF DAY HAS IT BEEN?

DOES IT GIVE YOU HOPE FOR YOUR BILL?

>> I'M EXCITED.

I AM EXCITED.

YOU KNOW, I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME WHEN I GO OUT TO SPEAK WITH THEM THAT YOU ELECT US TO BE YOUR MOUTHPIECE.

BUT WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

YOU KNOW, WE NEED FOR YOU TO COME OUT, COME DOWN TO THE STATEHOUSE, LOOK AT THE LEGISLATORS IN THEIR EYES AND TELL THEM WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, AND THAT'S WHY I APPRECIATE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS ALABAMA ARISE AND OTHERS BECAUSE THEY HAD THAT RALLY, THIS IS NOT THE 1ST YEAR THEY'VE BEEN HERE, THEY WERE HERE BEFORE, THEY HAVE BEEN HERE FOR YEARS.

AS THAT MESSAGE CONTINUES TO BE PUT OUT BY ALLOWING US TO COME ON YOUR SHOW AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT STATE TAX.

EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT US BEING ONE OF THREE STATES THAT STILL HAVE A TAX ON OUR GROCERIES.

AND DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF YOU ALL LETTING US PUT THAT MESSAGE OUT THERE, I THINK THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT REPEAL GET STATE -- AT LEAST THE STATE PORTION OF THE TAX ON GROCERIES >> WHEN I WAS OUT THERE FOR SOME OF THE RALLY AND YOU'RE RIGHT -- THIS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

THERE'S A RALLY >> I WAS THERE LAST YEAR >> THIS YEAR WAS DIFFERENT BECAUSE I THINK IN YEARS PAST, SURE, THEY CAME TO THE STATEHOUSE BUT I DON'T THINK THERE WAS EVER A REAL HOPE, AT LEAST LAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN: THERE WERE SMILES ON THOSE FACES.

I THINK THEY FEEL A MOMENTUM THAT WASN'T THERE YOU'RE WORKING WITH A REPUBLICAN WHO IS A BIPARTISAN THING.

IT SEEMS TO HAVE SOME LEGS.

SO TALK ABOUT THAT IN TERMS OF DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?

>> IT DOES.

YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS HAVE TO START OFF AND SAY 1ST I'M STANDING ON THE STEPS OF OTHERS BEFORE ME.

I JUST CAME IN NOVEMBER 2021.

THIS ISSUE NOT ONLY ON THE NEWS BUT AT THE DINNER TABLE >> WITH YOUR FATHER >> RIGHT.

FORMER REPRESENTATIVE JOHN KNIGHT.

HE INTRODUCED THIS BILL YEARS AGO AND THIS HASS BEEN A CONVERSATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

MY FATHER, REMEMBER.

THAT HAD MCCLAMMY, THEY HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND EVERYONE WAS FOR IT BUT YOU KNOW, THEN WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE MOORE FROM BIRMINGHAM, THE JEFFERSON COUNTY AREA AND SYMPATHY BROUGHT LEGISLATION FORTH.

SO I'M STANDING ON THE STEMS OF OTHERS BEFORE ME THAT KEPT PUSHING THIS ISSUE INTO THE COMMUNITY, KEPT PUSHING THIS ISSUE HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE AND IT'S EXCITING.

IT'S EXCITING TO BE HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE, TO SEE THE PUBLIC HEARS US.

THEY HEAR IT.

I THINK THEY FELT IT DURING THE TIMES WE HAD DURING COVID AND THAT WAS A POINT WHERE NOT ONLY CERTAIN LEVELS OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY FELT IT BUT EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO FEEL -- I DON'T CARE IF IT'S $5, $10, OR 10-CENT MORE ON YOUR GROCERY BILL THAT WE FELT THAT PINCH DURING THOSE TIMES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS, ESPECIALLY NOW GOING THROUGH INFLATION.

>> SO WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE HALF DOZEN DIFFERENT TAX BILL PROPOSALS.

I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING WITH SENATOR ANDRUW JONES.

IT'S NOT FINAL, NO FINISHED LEGISLATION BUT WALK ME THROUGH THE HEIGHTS OF WHAT YOU WANT LEGISLATION TO LOOK LIKE.

>> WHAT I WANT LEGISLATION TO LOOK LIKE IS 1ST OF ALL I WANT TO SEE SOME TYPE OF RELEASE IMMEDIATELY YOU KNOW, I WANT TO WEIGH INTO NEXT YEAR IF WE DON'T HAVE TO: YOU TOLD US ABOUT THE POLLS AND ABOUT THEM BEING OUT THERE.

THE CITIZENS HAVE SPOKE ABOUT.

SO I THINK THE SOONER THE BETTER.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME TYPE OF ROLL BACK ON THE TAX ON GROCERIES FROM THE STATE SIDE.

2NDLY, WE ALSO KNOW THAT ONE ISSUE THAT HAS COME UP EVERY YEAR IS HOW DO WE REPLACE THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE SALES TAX FROM THE GROCERIES SALES GOES INTO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND SO OF COURSE WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL WHEN IT COMES TO THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND THE NECESSITIES THAT THEY NEED.

SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING ON THE SURPLUS.

I KNOW, YOU HEARD IT AROUND THE STATEHOUSE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE AND THAT'S GOOD >> $2.8 MILLION >> WITH THAT SURPLUS WE DO NOT WANT TO ASK FOR SURPLUS.

BUT WE WANT TO WORK TOWARDS ONE WHEN THE TIME IS READY >> THAT'S INTERESTING USING SOME OF THAT SUR PLUS FOR THE IMMEDIATE -- LIKE YOU SAID YOU WANTED AN IMMEDIATE BENEFIT, NOT NECESSARILY WORRYING ABOUT THAT HIT TO THE ETF BUT PERHAPS IN THE FUTURE FINDING A SOLUTION >> AND THAT COULD BE 6 MOLES DOWN THE ROAD.

BUT I DO WANT TO FIND IMMEDIATE RELIEF NOW.

WE BUY GROCERY EVERY DAY.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BUY GREASE REESE STARTING NEXT YEAR AND THEN START TAKING TAXES OFF NEXT YEAR.

WE BUY THEM NOW.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY.

>> WELL, TO YOUR POINT, WHEN PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT AND STILL ARE, I SUPPOSE, ABOUT TAX REBATES, THEY SAID THE SAME THING; WE WANT THESE CHECKS TO GO OUT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH INFLATION AND ALL OF THAT.

BUT THE SAME PRINCIPLE DEALING WITH GROCERY TAX.

YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR.

YOU WANT IT RIGHT AWAY >> 1 THINGS I DO WANT TO SEE.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE AN IMMEDIATE HIT OF SOME TYPE OF REPEAL ON THE SALES TAX.

I WANT IT TO BE CONTINUOUS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT REBATES, THAT'S A ONE-THAT TIME THING.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE BUY GROCERIES EVERY DAY.

WE HAVE TO HAVE FOOD TO LIVE.

SO MY POINT THAT I ALWAYS SAY IS, >> ARE WE TAXING THE VERY SUBSTANCE THAT IS -- THAT WE HAVE TO PURCHASE.

>> AND I WANT TO GET TO THAT IN MORE DETAIL IN A SECOND.

LET'S GO BACK TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

THAT'S BEEN THE REASON ALL OF THESE YEARS FOR CONNECTS THAT -- IT'S KIND OF GROWN AS THE ETF HAS AGAIN BUT THEY'RE ESTIMATING $600 MILLION LESS WOULD FLOW INTO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

I HEAR PEOPLE SAYING BECAUSE OF THE SURPLUSES AND BECAUSE THE BUDGETS HAVE GONE UP AND UP OVER THE YEARS THAT $600 MILLION HIT ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THE ACTUAL EFFECT ON SCHOOLS AND THE POLITICAL EFFECT THAT EVERYBODY TAKING THAT VOTE WOULD, YOU KNOW, WOULD FEEL.

SO DO YOU FEEL LIKE THERE'S A POLITICAL NECESSITY FOR THAT REPLACEMENT OR IS THERE WIGGLE ROOM.

>> I THINK WE HAVE WIGGLE ROOM RIGHT NOW TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> INTERESTING.

>> WELL, YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE NEED FOR THIS.

YOU SAID ONE OF ONLY THREE STATES.

>> 1 OF ONLY THREE.

>> AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE CLEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, THE STATE SALES TAX ISN'T EVERYTHING.

>> NO, IT'S NOT.

IT'S 4 PERCENT.

FOR INSTANCE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY WHERE I LIVE, IT'S 120 PERCENT RIGHT NOW.

>> BECAUSE THAT'S CITY -- >> CITY AND COUNTY.

>> SO THAT'S 4 PERCENT OF THE 10.

4-CENT OFF OF 10-CENT.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE OFF STATED TAX WHICH IS THE 4-CENT.

>> DO YOU FEAR THAT SOME COUNTIES AND CITIES OUT THERE WOULD GO AND TRY TO HIKE THEIR SALES TAX UP 4 PERCENT TO OFFSET IT AND MAYBE THINK NOBODY WOULD NOTICE BECAUSE THE PRICES WOULDN'T REALLY CHANGE?

>> THAT'S ONE OF THING THAT WE HAVE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION SINCE DAY ONE WHEN WE'RE WORKING ON THIS BILL TO TRY TO PUT SOME TYPE OF SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

RIGHT NOW IT IS CONSTITUTIONALLY KNOWN THAT LOCAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT GO ABOVE WHERE OUR STATE TAX IS SO IT SHOULD NOT GO PAST WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE SET NOW.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF STATUTORY TERMS IN THERE AND WE DO WANT TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE DO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WE DON'T SEE AN INCREASE IN LOCAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

SO WHEN WE TAKE THE 4-CENT OFF IT COMES UP IN ANOTHER LOCAL OR COUNTY TAX IN ANOTHER CAPACITY.

>> IF SOMEONE TRIED THAT YOU WOULD HAVE CITY COUNCILORS AND COUNSEL MEDICINE IN HOT WATER THEMSELVES.

>> I ALWAYS SAY, YOU GO TO THE POLICY AND YOU HAVE YOUR VOICE.

>> DURING YOUR REMARKS TODAY ON THE STEMS, YOU TALKED ABOUT PERSONALLY FEELING THIS ISSUE, PERSONALLY IN YOUR ROLE AS A CAREGIVER.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> OK. AS I STATED EARLIER, I MOVED BACK NEAR 2006.

I ALWAYS HAD A LAW PRACTICE HERE BUT I WAS ALSO IN SCHOOL AND TEACHING AT FLORIDA STATE DOWN IN TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA.

IN 20006 I MOVED BACK TO MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA.

MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER WERE VERY ILL AT THE TIME.

SO I WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH BUT I PERMANENTLY MOVED BACK I SHOULD SAY.

THROUGHOUT THAT TIME OF 16 PLUS YEARS I HAVE TAKEN CARE OF 16 FAMILY OF FAMILY MEMBERS, GRANDPARENTS, GREAT-AUNTS AND MY PARENTS.

DURING THAT TIME, MY PARENTS AND MY GRANDPARENTS WERE EDUCATORS.

AND WHEN THEY REQUIRED, THEIR RETIREMENT THEY BROUGHT HOME EACH MONTH WAS LESS THAN WHAT THEY MADE WHEN THEY WERE WORKING.

SO YOU ARE ALREADY -- MOST EDUCATORS AND OTHERS ARE WORKING OWN A BUDGET THAT IS LESS THAN THEY MAKE WHEN THINK REQUIRE.

>> IT'S A FIXED INSURANCE COMPANY?

>> THAT'S WHY A LOT OF TIMES YOU SEE T-SHIRTS.

MY FAMILY WAS SICK AND UNABLE TO GET PART-TIME JOBS.

WE WERE THE ON A FIXED INCOME.

AND THERE WERE DECISIONS THAT HAD TO BE MADE IN THE HOME.

DO HE BUY DEPENDS?

WE HAVE TO BUY ENSURE.

THOUGH I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM, THERE WERE TIMES BECAUSE I HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB I MAY HAVE TO HIRE A SITTER TO BE THERE.

SOMETIMES I HAD TO HIRE SOMEONE JUST SO I COULD GO TO SLEEP AND GET SOME REST.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE THOSE THINGS -- BECAUSE IF YOU MAKE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF INCOME YOU MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID AND GET EXTRA BENEFITS THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO RECEIVE.

SO IT'S A FINANCIAL HURT ARE STRAIN I SHOULD SAY ON THE FAMILY.

SO DURING THIS, MY FAMILY AND I WE HAD TO POOL OUR INCOMES TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT WE HAD EVERYTHING FOR OUR FAMILY MEMBERS AS THEY WERE SICK.

I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ALSO TRAVEL TO DIFFERENT FACILITIES OUT OF STATE.

THAT WAS A COST.

AND SO WHEN YOU SIT THERE EACH MONTH AND YOU MAKE DECISION, BUYING DEPENDS, PAYING UTILITIES, BUYING YOUR ENSURE, BUYING YOUR PADDING, BUYING YOUR -- EVEN LIKE ASPIRIN BECAUSE THE DOCTOR PRESCRIBES ASPIRIN FOR BLOOD THINNERS.

THAT'S A COST AND THAT'S A TAX.

THEN YOU AS A RULE PAY FOR FOOD.

LIKE WE SAID EARLIER, THE NUMBERS THAT WE RECEIVE 600,000 A YEAR, A HOUSE OF FOUR PAYS ON SALES TAX.

DOESN'T SEEM LIKE MUCH TO MANY BUT THAT IS FOR US BECAUSE THAT'S THE AMOUNT THAT WE DO SPEND ON A SITTER FOR A WEEK.

>> I APPRECIATE THE REAL WORLD AS SPECK OF IT.

WE SEEM TO GET LOST IN THE LINE ITEMS AND ALL OF THIS STUFF, BUT THE REAL WORLD APPROACH IS IMPORTANT.

I MEANT TO ASKING YOU THERE'S A CONVERSATION BETWEEN WHETHER WE MAKE THE WIC, THE WOMEN INFANT AND CHILDREN OR SNAP.

SNATCH WOULD OFFER MORE GROSS AND WIC A LIT MORE INFORMATION.

WHICH IS YOUR BILL?

>> WE WERE MOST DEFINITELY FOR SNAP.

IT'S IMPORTANT AS OUR DOCTORS TELL US, EXERCISING AND EATING HEALTHY FOODS.

BUT WHEN YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND MAKE THOSE HEALTHY CHOICES SOMETIMES THOSE ARE THE MOST OSTENSIVE CHOICES TO MAKE IN THE GROCERY STORE THEN ON TOP OF THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT ATTACK FUNDS ON TORNADO WATCH OF IT SO WE WANT TO SUGAR THAT WE HAVE A BROAD RANGE CONCLUDE.

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE DECISION POINTS AS THIS BILL GUESS FORWARD.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S HOUR SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ATTEMPT, I'M TODD STACEY.