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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

DAY 21 OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS IN THE BOOKS, LEAVIN US NINE MORE POSSIBLE DAYS THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN MEET OVER THE NEXT MONTH.

WE'LL START OUR RUNDOWN OF COVERAGE IN THE SENATE, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK UP THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

IT TOTALS $3.3 BILLION, INCLUDE A 2% PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL TOTALS $210 MILLION INCLUDING $150 MILLION SET ASID FOR THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON, WHO CHAIRS THE SENATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE, CREDITED PROCEDURAL CHANGES AND THE LEGISLATURE'S CONSERVATIVE APPROACH IN RECENT YEARS FOR TH STATE HAVING A HEALTHY BUDGET.

>> IS.

>> WELL, I'M PROUD OF THE WAY ALABAMA HAS HANDLED FUNDS OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS.

WE'VE MADE SOME HARD, HARD DECISIONS, FROM '11 THROUGH '15 AND '16, THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND THE PROCEDURES, NOT TRYING TO SPEND EVERY DIME, PUTTING CAPS ON WHAT WE CAN ADJUST SO WE CAN'T JUST MACH UP NUMBERS AND WE HAVE MADE HUGE STEPS IN THAT REGARD AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HAVING SURPLUSES IS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN CAREFUL ON THAT OF THE MOST PEOPLE WON'T SEW THAT.

BUT WE HAVE GONE FROM BEAK BROKE EVERY AREA TO THE POINT WE HAVE EXCESS FUNDS AND WE ARE CAPABLE OF EXERCISING CONTROL OVER SENDING THAT.

>> WE HAVE GOTTEN TO A GOOD PLACE WITH ALABAMA'S BUDGET AND ALABAMA'S FISCAL HEALTH AS A RESULT OF BEING CONSERVATIVE.

WE CAN'T LOSE THAT MOTION.

BECAUSE DOWN TIMES, DOWN ELEMENTS OF OUR ECONOMY WILL COME EVENTUALLY.

WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THAT.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN VERY POPULAR THAT THE GENERAL FUND HAS HIGHLIGHTED, ALABAMA HAS QUITE A BIT OF RESOURCE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE BANK.

WE'VE EARNED A LAT LOT OF INTEREST INCOME.

THAT'S BEEN A GREAT PLUS TO THE OVERALL NUMBERS IN THE BUDGET.

HOWEVER IF INTEREST RATES GO DOWN, THEN THAT WILL NOT BE NEARLY AS ROBUST AS IT HAS BEEN SO WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF MAKING LIFE CHOICES FOR TODAY AND KNOWING WHAT IS COMING IN THE FUTURE.

>> THE SENATE DID NOT TAKE ACTION ON THE REQUEST FROM THE HOUSE TO FORM CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON THE GAMBLING PACKAGE.

THE TWO CHAMBERS PASSED VASTLY DIFFERENT GAMBLING PLANS, AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID THAT WILL LIKELY HAPPEN WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN ON TUESDAY.

>> THE DEFINITION OF WHERE THE CHAMBERS ARE CAN ONLY BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE TWO BILLS -- THE SENATE BILL AND HOUSE BILL WERE VERY DIFFERENT.

I'M VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THE SENATE BILL.

I THINK WE DID THINGS THAT WERE VERY DIFFERENT AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR MEMBERS WERE LOOKING FOR SO I'M HAPPY WITH THE BILL.

BUT I MA ID A COMMITMENT WILL BE AND WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

THE BILL IS GOING TO COME OUT OF THE BACK THE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND THAT COMMITTEE CAN DO IT'S WORK AND NEGOTIATE, WHICH IS THE PROCESS AND THEN COME BACK TO BOTH BODIES AND DETERMINE WHERE WE GO NEXT.

>> WELL, I'M NO I BELIEVE IN GAMBLER.

I THINK IT'S A POOR INVESTMENT.

BUT WE HAVE IT EXTENSIVELY IN THE STATE AND WE HAVE TO GO IT UNDER CONTROL AND REGULATED.

THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH ME ON THAT.

SO IF WE DON'T HAVE THE REGULATION, THEN WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE TAXATION.

IF WE DON'T HAVE THE TAXATION AND THE REGULATION, WE GET NO REVENUE FROM IT AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH IT GROW.

>> IN THE HOUSE, LAWMAKERS WORKED THROUGH A MOSTLY NON-CONTROVERSIAL AGENDA OF BILLS.

ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS MEANT TO HELP KEEP CONTRABAND OUT OF ALABAMA PRISONS.

HOUSE BILL 345 FROM REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON WOULD PROHIBIT THE FLYING OF DRONES OVER CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

SIMPSON SAID THAT'S ONE WAY DRUGS AND CELL PHONES ARE BEING SMUGGLED BEHIND BARS.

>> IT MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO FLY DRONES OVER STATE PENTAGONS.

WE HAD A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHERE PEOPLE WERE DROPPING CONTRABAND, WEAPONS, PHONES, DRUGS, IN TO INMATES SO THIS BILL WILL PREVENT THAT AND BE ABLE TO ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GO EVERY AFTER THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE DRONES TO BRING CONTRABAND IN OUR PRISONS.

>> THIS IS A DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS BILL.

I'M ON THE JOINT PRISON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

WE HAD HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO SEE WHAT WITH CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INTERIOR IS SAFE, THE ATTACKS, THE CELL PHONE USE GOING ON, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THEM GET WHAT THEY NEED SIS ONE OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP DRONES FROM BEING USED TO DROP THAT CONTRA BAND BEHIND THE LINES OF PRISON.

THIS IS SOMETHING STARTING TO GO ON NATIONWIDE.

IT'S COME UP IN GEORGIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA.

THEIR LEGISLATURES HAVE LOOKED INTO IT.

WE'RE ABLE TO SEE THIS ISN'T JUST A RUN-OF-THE-MILL, A GIRLFRIEND SENDS SOMETHING OVER WITH A BOYFRIEND.

THIS IS AN ORGANIZED, VERY DETAILED, HIGHLY SUFFICIENT OPERATION THAT GOES ON.

WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP DRONES FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE THAT WERE COMING TO THE STATE WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DROPPING INFORMATION THROUGH.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BECOMES, YOU KNOW, AS TECHNOLOGY INCREASES THE CRIMINAL MIND WILL INCREASE AS WELL AND THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW TO GET THINGS IN AND WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH THE TIMES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN STOP THAT.

>> THAT BILL PASSED AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

NEWS ON THE ELECTION FRONT.

ALABAMA SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN THIS WEEK SEND A LETTER T THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE WARNING THAT, IF NOTHING CHANGES, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN COULD BE LEFT OFF THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

THAT'S BECAUSE ALABAMA'S NOMINATION CERTIFICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 15, FOUR DAY BEFORE BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO BE OFFICIALLY NOMINATED AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

THE STATE HAS BEEN IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE, ACTUALLY.

IN 2020 IT WAS REPUBLICAN DONAL TRUMP THAT WAS AT RISK FROM BEING LEFT OFF THE BALLOT BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE.

THE LEGISLATURE INTERVENED AND GRANTED A PROVISIONAL EXCEPTION LEGISLATION HAS NOW BEEN FILED IN THE STATE HOUSE TO DO THE SAME THING IN THIS SITUATION, AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID IT'S ONLY FAIR T ALLOW THAT TO PASS AND ENSURE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

>> I MADE AN ACCOMMODATION AT THE END OF THE DAY TO MAKE SURE THE BILL COULD GET INTRODUCED.

I'VE NOT READ THE BILL.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.

BUT IT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT I WOULD SUPPORT.

I THINK IT'S AN ATTITUDE THAT WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF.

AGAIN I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR BUT I DID WANT IT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE INTRODUCED TODAY.

WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL BE JOINED APT'S 2024 YOUNG HEROES HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS NOMINATED FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACHIEVEMENTS DESPITE SIGNIFICAN PERSONAL ADVERSITY.

AFTER THAT, RHONDA MANN FROM "VOICES FOR ALABAMA'S CHILDREN" WILL JOIN ME TO TALK ABOUT THE KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK THAT WAS RELEASED TODAY.

STAY WITH US.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THIS WEEK ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION IS PROUD TO HONOR THIS YEAR'S YOUNGER HEROS.

THIS YEAR, APT HOPPERS A GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE COURAGE TO PERSEVERE IN THE FACE OF DIVERSITY.

>> PART OF THE MISSION OF ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION IS HIGHLIGHTING THE STORIES THAT DON'T GET TOLD AND SHINING A LIGHT ON FOLKS DOING REMARKABLE THINGS IN THIS STATE.

THEY HAVE EXCITING FUTURES AHEAD OF THEM AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BE PART OF HELPING THEM GET TO THE NEXT STEP.

>> WE RECOGNIZE YOUNG HEROS AND THOSE ARE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT RESTRAINING ORDER THRIVING IN OUR STATE AND THRIVING IN THEIR EDUCATION AND THEIR GOALS AND WHERE THEY'RE GOING DESPITE SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, SOME DIFFICULTIES THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, WE HAD THE DINNER LAST NIGHT AND WE HAD TO GO AND MEET THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND I AM CONSTANTLY ENCOURAGED IN MY POSITION OF WHEN I MEET AND WE GET TO MEET THESE TYPE GROUPS FROM TIME TO TIME OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND IT GIVES ME HOPE IN OUR FUTURE THAT OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

>> THIS YEAR'S YOUNG HEROS ARE MADELINE DOSTER OF ENTERPRISE, PHILLIP MOSS OF VESTAVIA HILLS, LAURA PARKER OF TUSCALOOSA AND CAITLIN GUNTER OF SHADSVILLE.

STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A LAPTOP COMPUTER AND OTHER PRIZES.

WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE THESE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS IN THE STUDIO.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR YOUNG HEROS.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

LET ME JUST ASK.

WE HAD THE DINNER LAST NIGHT WHERE YOU -- WE TOLD YOUR STORIES AND IT WAS JUST A REALLY SPECIAL EVENING.

SO LET ME ASK, WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE TO BE NAMED A YOUNG HERO AND TO BE HONORED FOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

>> I MEAN, IT'S HAS BEEN AN HONOR BECAUSE WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN AND YOU DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING TO COME FROM IT AND TO HAVE SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUNG INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO THEM, IT FEELS GOOD TO BE SEEN.

>> PHILLIP I REMEMBER YOU TALKING ABOUT THAT TOO.

YOU WERE FIRST UP TO SPEAK TALKING ABOUT DIVERSITY AND OVERCOMING IT AND ACTUALLY ACHIEVING A LOT AND THRIVING?

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> SO I DON'T REALLY THINK OF MUCH OF EVERYTHING I GO THROUGH REALLY.

I LIKE TO SAY I HAVE NF-1 BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE 1 BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE ME.

I JUST MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT I HAVE.

>> CLAIR, I REMEMBER LAST NIGHT, YOU SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT FEELING SEEN AND YOU SAID ALL TOO OFTEN MAYBE ADULTS, OLD FOLKS LIKE ME CAN BE DISMISSIVE OF YOUNG FOLK'S PROBLEMS SAYING YOU'RE YOUNG, YOU WILL GET OVER IT.

AND YOU SAID YOU SHOULDN'T BE DISMISSIVE AND FELT SEEN.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE BECAUSE WE'RE YUCK PEOPLE DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T FACE DIVERSITY AND I THINK APT HAVING THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS NOT ONLY LIFE CHANGING IN THAT WE CAN PICKET WHAT UNIVERSITY WE WANT TO GO TO BECAUSE OF THE MONEY BUT JUST THE RECOGNITION THAT YOUNG PEOPLE DO FACE DIVERSITY.

AND IT TAKES STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH THAT.

MATTIE LET ME ASK YOU.

WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE TO FOLKS YOUNGER THAN YOURSELF.

MAYBE THEY'RE IN GRADE SCHOOL OR JUNIOR HIGH FACING DIVERSITY, UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES ABOUT HOW TO WITHSTAND THAT INTO PURSUE ACHIEVEMENTS.

>> MY ADVICE SHOULD BE EVERYONE IS GOING TO GO THROUGH CHALLENGES AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE YOUR GOALS SET AND THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU GO THROUGH YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR MIND RIGHT AND KEEP PUSHING TOWARDS YOUR GOALS NO MATTER WHAT.

>> I KNOW YOU VISITED THE LEGISLATURE TODAY; RIGHT?

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO SEE THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE GOVERNMENT AT WORK?

>> I THINK IT WAS REALLY COOL.

AND KIND OF EYE-OPENING IN THE SENSE OF LIKE WHAT OUR STATE GOES THROUGH AND STUFF.

>> DID Y'ALL MEET SOME OF YOUR OWN STATE LAWMAKERS?

I THINK CLYDE CHAMBLISS WAS THERE LAST NIGHT.

WELL, LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

YOU TALK ABOUT COLLEGE COULD AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE WILL GO DOWN THE LINE.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?

YOU HAVE A HEAD START WITH 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS SCHOLARSHIP NOW.

CAN I IS THAT RIGHT WITH YOU?

>> I'M GOING TO GO TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO AND MAJOR IN ART AND EDUCATION.

>> WOW, THAT'S GREAT.

PHIL?

>> I'M GOING TO GO TO MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY AND MY MAJOR IS ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.

>> I'M GOING TO AUBURN.

RIGHT NOW MY MAJOR IS BIOLOGY AND I PLAN TO GO PRE-MED.

>> OK. >> AND I'M GOING TO GO UAB AND MAJORING IN NEUROSCIENCE SCIENCE AND ALSO ON A PRE-MED TRACK.

>> I'M ALSO STILL DECIDING BUT BETWEEN SAMFORD UNIVERSITY AND CALVIN UNIVERSITY.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT.

>> I'M GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA FOR SOCIAL WORK.

>> THAT'S GREAT.

THAT IS FANTASTIC.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO FOLLOW YOUR CAREER PATHS AND EVERYTHING.

I'M JUST GLAD NONE OF YOU ARE MAJORING IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM AND YOU WON'T TAKE MY JOB.

IT'S CLEAR YOU'RE HIGH ACHIEVERS IN THE FACE OF DIVERSITY AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES US ADMIRE YOU SO MUCH AND SO PROUD TO HONOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

SO CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND ALLOWING US TO SHOWCASE YOU AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CAREERS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

IS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS RON DHA MANN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VOICES FOR ALABAMA'S CHILDREN.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE YOUR HAVING ME.

>> I WANT TO GET TO THE KIDS ACCOUNT DATA BOOK AND ALL OF THE THING TO TALK ABOUT BUT I WANT YOU TO REMIND THE VIEWERS ABOUT VOICES AND ITS MISSION IN THE STATE.

>> VOICES FOR ALABAMA'S CHILDREN WAS FOUNDED IN 1992 IN RESPONSE TO NATIONAL DATA THAT RANKED ALABAMA 48 IN THE OVERALL CHILD WELL BEING.

SO YOU COULD SAY AT THE VERY HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS DATA.

OUR MISSION IS TO SPEAK FOR ALABAMA'S CHILDREN THROUGH RESEARCH, PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND ADVOCACY.

>> OK.

SO SPEAKING OF THAT, TODAY WAS THE RELEASE OF THE ALWAYS-ANTICIPATED KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK.

WALK US THROUGH THIS.

WE HAVE A REPORTED EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S GOOD BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE BENCHMARKS.

WHAT DID THIS YEAR'S REPORT SHOW?

WHAT ARE THE TOP LINES?

>> I WANTED TO MENTION THIS YEAR'S BOOK IS THE 30 EDITION OF OUR KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK.

IT'S A YEAR THAT WE TOOK A LOOK BACK.

WE INVITED OUR STATE AGENCY HEADS TO HELP US REFLECT OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS OF WHAT WAS CHILD WELL BEING LIKE FOR THE AREA THAT YOU WORKED?

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT YOU NO LONGER HAVE TO DEAL WITH?

WHAT ARE NEW AND EMERGING ISSUES?

AND WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT GOING FORWARD.

SO THAT PART IS VERY INTERESTING.

I'M GOING TO GO SHARE ANY OF THAT WITH EVERYBODY BECAUSE I'D LIKE YOU SO TO HAVING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

>> WE WILL PUT THE LINK UP SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT.

>> OUR DEMOGRAPHICS, WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS IS THAT OUR TOTAL POPULATION IS GROWING.

AND IT GREW BY ABOUT 750 THOUSAND PEOPLE SO WE'RE OVER 5 MILLION PEOPLE IN OUR STATE NOW.

BUT OUR CHILD HOMES POPULATION IS GROWING AT SO MUCH GLOW SLOWER A PACE AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL POPULATION THAT'S WHERE WE'RE SEEING IT NOT DEEP UP SO WERE ABOUT FOUR PERSONALITY PAINT OF POINTS BEHIND WHERE WE WERE TEN YEARS AGO.

>> IN RATE OF GROWTH.

>> INNERS TO OF THE CHILD POPULATION AS A PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION.

RIGHT.

SO THE CHILD POPULATION GREW BY ABOUT 250 THOUSAND.

SO THERE'S ABOUT A 500 THOUSAND ARE PERSON DIFFERENCE.

AND NOT ONLY ARE WE A GRAIN SOCIETY, BUT A GRAIN TSUNAMI, AND THAT MEANS THOSE THAT ARE COMING UP, THE WORKFORCE IS GOING TO BE SMALLER AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE MORE BABY BOOMERS AND OLDER PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF.

ASK SO THAT'S AN ACTUAL WAIT ON THEIR SHOULDERS.

WE HAVE MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD IS PREPARED TO FEEL SOME KIND OF ROLE IN HELPING OUR COMMITTEE CONTINUE AND TAKE CARE OF OUR OLDER POPULATION.

>> THE MAKEUP OF OUR CHILD POPULATION, IT IS NOT AT 50 PERCENT YET FOR CHILDREN OF COLOR, BUT OUR WHITE POPULATION IS RIGHT AROUND 47 PERCENT.

I'M SORRY.

53 MEASURE.

SO WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO CHILDREN OF COLOR BEING THE MAJORITY OF OUR POPULATION.

>> INTERESTING.

>> AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT, WHAT FACTORS IN THAT IS SO IMPORTANT ARE THE OUTCOMES THAT DON'T KEEP UP WITH THE REST OF THE CHILD POPULATION THAT CHILDREN OF COLOR AND CHILDREN IN POVERTY ARE IMPACTED AT A GREATER DEGREE THAN OTHER CHILDREN.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

HISTORICALLY WE HAVE SEEN THAT, THE OUTCOMES AND THE DISPARITY.

IT'S GEOGRAPHIC IN TERMS OF RURAL AND SUBURBAN AND RURAL, AND DEMOGRAPHIC IN TERMS OF CHILDREN OF COLOR.

TALK ABOUT THAT DISPARITY AND WHAT WE LEARNED THIS YEAR FROM THE DATA.

>> IN OUR STATE WE HAVE 97 PERCENT OF OUR CHILDREN COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE.

THAT'S GREAT.

WE WANT TO BE THERE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE 100% BUT IT'S HARD TO GET TO SOME OF THE CHILDREN IN THE RURAL AREAS.

THE PROBLEM IS ACCESS TO RESOURCES SO WE HAVE A HUGE MAJORITY OF OUR CHILDREN THAT ARE ON MEDICAID AND IF SURVIVORS TOP -- MANY OF OUR FAMILIES WON'T HAVE RESOURCES.

THEY WON'T HAVE A DOCTOR TO GO TO.

SO THE HEALTH INSURANCE IS ONLY ONE PIECE OF THE ANSWER.

WE HAVE TO HAVE PROVIDERS THAT WILL ACCEPT THAT INSURANCE.

AND THEY'RE NOT ALL COVERED BY MEDICAID.

BUT A LARGE MAJORITY ARE.

SO THAT'S A CONCERN NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN BUT ALSO BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF CLOSING THE GAP IN INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR WORKING ALABAMIANS.

AND SO A LOT OF PEOPLE CALL IT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

IT COULD BE ANY KIND OF INSURANCE SOLUTION.

BUT IF PROVIDERS WON'T ACCEPT IT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE FINDING THE RESOURCES.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S WHAT I ACTUALLY FIND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS WHOLE ALL-HEALTH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THING THAT IS BEING DISCUSSED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T BE A MEDICAID CARD.

IT COULD BE A BLUECROSS CARD OR SOMETHING WHICH MIGHT MORE OPEN DOORS IN TERMS OF DOCTORS.

>> IT MIGHT.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, HERE IS A NEW BIT OF INFORMATION THAT WE ADDED THIS YEAR.

25 COUNTIES OFFER NO OBSTETRICAL CARE.

25 COUNTIES.

SO NEARLY 28 PERCENT OF WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE HAVE NO BIRTHING HOSPITAL WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF WHERE THEY LIVE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT AND YOU ALSO THINK ABOUT OUR INFANT MORTALITY RATE, YOU KNOW, WE DID SEE A SLIGHT RATE INCREASE BY LIKE HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER PREVIOUS YEARS.

THAT'S 443 BABIES.

SO LET ME PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE FOR YOU.

THAT IS 24 CLASSROOMS OF PRE-K CHILDREN THAT WILL NEVER GO TO SCHOOL.

HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT IS MEANINGFUL WHEN YOU THINK OF IT IN THAT TERMS.

UNFORTUNATELY OUR BLACK BABIES STILL CONTINUE TO DIE AT A RATE TWICE AS HIGH AS ANY OTHER RAILS OR ETHNICITY.

>> THIS IS JUST -- IT'S INFORMATION THAT WE NEED AND IT CAN BE TOUGH BUT WE HAVE TO KNOW THE INFORMATION IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANY KIND OF SOLUTION.

SO WHEN PEOPLE GO ONLINE AND SEE THE KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF THIS IS THE INFORMATION WE CAN USE TO GUIDE POLICIES FOR SOLUTIONS?

>> WELL, IT IS TO IDENTIFY ISSUES AND GUIDE POLICIES AND SOLUTIONS BUT IT'S ALSO TO TRACK THE SAME POLICIES AND SOLUTIONS, ARE WE HAVING THE DESIRED OUTCOMES?

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND FIRST CLASS PRE-K IS ONE OF THOSE PROGRAMS THAT WE SORT OF HUNG OUR HAT ON AND IT'S A PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED HIGH QUALITY MARKS FOR 17 YEARS IN A ROW AND WE FEEL LIKE IT'S A GREAT FIX FOR KIDS BEING READY TO LEARN.

BUT WE'RE SERVING LESS THAN 50 PERCENT OF OUR CHILDREN.

SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, IF IT'S HAD A PROGRAM, WHEN THE PROGRAM WENT INTO EFFECT, HOW MANY CHILDREN WERE EXPOSED TO IT, AND WHEN CAN YOU REASONABLY EXPECT TO SEE OUTCOMES IMPACTED BY THAT.

BUT YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE DATA TO CATCH UP WITH HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE BEING IMPACTED.

>> WELL, WHILE I HAVE YOU, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS CHILDCARE ROAD MAP.

A ROAD MAP TO SUPPORT ALABAMA'S PARENTS CHILDREN, EMPLOYERS AND THE ECONOMY.

THIS IS THE NEW REPORT THAT Y'ALL CAME OUT WITH TODAY.

YOU HAVE PARTNERS INVOLVED TOO.

>> THAT ONE CAME OUT IN FEBRUARY.

>> WELL, KNOW THERE WAS AN EVENT THIS WEEK.

TALK ABOUT THIS CHILDCARE ROAD MAP AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM IT.

>> SO WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT OUR ECONOMY IS DEPENDENT ON CHILDCARE.

WITHOUT PARENTS THAT ARE WORKING, BEING ABLE TO FIND CHILDCARE THEN THEY DON'T WORK.

IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF LAST YEAR OUR RESEARCH SHOWED THAT PARENTS -- WORKING PARENTS ON AVERAGE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN MISSED 46 HOURS OF WORK.

JUST BECAUSE OF CHILDCARE.

CHILDCARE IS OPERATING AT ABOUT 72 TO 75 PERCENT OF CAPACITY BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF WORKERS.

WE PAY ON AVERAGE, OUR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, LESS THAN 11 DOLLARS AN HOUR, AND 38 PERCENT HAVE A BS DEGREE IN EARLY EDUCATION.

>> AND YET IT'S REALLY EXPENSIVE FOR PARENTS.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE.

AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

IS THAT MOST CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE NOT EVEN CHARGING WHAT IT COSTS THEM TO RUN A CHILDCARE CENTER.

>> I KNOW THERE'S LEGISLATION IN THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

ARE Y'ALL SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.

>> WE ARE.

IT'S A CHILDCARE TAX CREDIT BILL.

IT WOULD INCENTIVIZE EMPLOYERS TO HELP OFFSET THE COST OF THEIR EMPLOYEES' CHILDCARE, THROUGH ON-SITE CHILDCARE OR OFFERING IT AS A CASH BENEFIT TOWARDS THE COST OF CHILDCARE.

THERE'S HOOT PART OF THAT BILL THAT WOULD GIVE MONEY TO OUR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS BASED ON THEIR QUALITY, RATING QRS PROGRAM AND THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN THAT THEY ARE TAKING IN THAT ARE ON CHILDCARE SUBSIDY, SO LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

>> I HATE WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT I WILL ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY -- WE WILL PUT THE LINK UP -- TO GO ON AND CHECK OUT THIS ROAD MAP AS WELL AS THE KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK.

IT'S IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING THIS INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT FOR OUR "WEEK IN REVIEW" EPISODE.

THAT'S 7:30, HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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