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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE MET FOR THE 20TH AND 21ST DAYS OF THE 30-DAY SESSION THIS WEEK.

THAT LEAVES US WITH NINE MORE POSSIBLE LEGISLATIVE DAYS THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN MEET OVER THE NEXT MONTH.

THE BIG NEWS THIS WEEK IS THAT THE BUDGETS ARE MOVING.

WE'LL START IN THE SENATE WHERE THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET WAS TAKEN UP AND PASSED ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

THIS IS THE SPENDING PLAN THAT FUNDS THE RANGE OF NON-EDUCATION STATE AGENCIES.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE HIGH POINTS OF THIS PROPOSED GENERAL FUND NOW ON ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE.

IT TOTALS $3.3 BILLION, A RECORD HIGH AMOUNT.

MOST AGENCIES GOT SLIGHT INCREASES OR LEVEL FUNDING.

$207 MILLION WILL FUND ALABAMA'S COURT SYSTEM, $733 MILLION GOES TOWARDS THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, $128 MILLION WILL FUND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, $140 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, $124 MILLION FOR ALEA, $235 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE BIGGEST EXPENSE - $955 MILLION WILL FUND MEDICAID.

THERE WAS ALSO A SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL TRAVELING ALONGSIDE THE BUDGET.

THIS IS FROM UNANTICIPATED REVENUE THAT CAN BE SPENT THIS FISCAL YEAR.

IT'S $215 MILLION TOTAL, INCLUDING $150 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

THAT'S $50 MILLION MORE THAN GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SUGGESTED IN FEBRUARY.

THERE'S $20 MILLION FOR A PARKING DECK NEAR THE NEW STATE HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

$15 MILLION FOR THE STATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT; THAT'S LESS THAN THE $25 MILLION IVEY PROPOSED.

$5 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, $4 MILLION TO THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND $3 MILLION FOR SECURITY AND BUILDING UPGRADES AT THE CAPITOL.

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

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

WE'VE MADE SOME HARD DECISIONS FROM '11 THROUGH '15, '16.

THE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WE'VE SET UP.

THE PROCEDURES, NOT TRYING TO SPEND EVERY DIME, TRYING TO PUT CAPS ON WHAT WE CAN ADJUST SO WE CAN'T JUST MAKE UP NUMBERS.

WE HAVE MADE HUGE STEPS IN THAT REGARD.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE HAVING SURPLUSES IS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN CAREFUL ON THAT.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T SEE THAT.

BUT WE HAVE GONE BEING BROKE EVERY YEAR TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE EXCESS FUNDS, AND WE ARE CAPABLE OF EXERCISING CONTROL OVER SPENDING THAT.

>> WE'VE GOTTEN TO A GOOD PLACE WITH ALABAMA'S BUDGETS, 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 WELL PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THAT.

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

WE'VE LEARNED A LOT OF INTEREST INCOME.

THAT'S A GREAT BOOST TO THE OVERALL NUMBERS WITHIN THE BUDGET.

HOWEVER, IF INTEREST RATES GO DOWN, THEN THAT WILL NOT BE NEARLY AS ROBUST AS IT'S BEEN.

SO WE HAVE TO BE REAL COGNIZANT OF WHAT IS NOT ONLY MAKING WISE CHOICES BUT KNOWING WHAT'S COMING IN THE FUTURE.

>>> THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET AND RELATED BILLS MOVED THROUGH THE HOUSE EDUCATION WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

THIS IS THE SPENDING PLAN THAT FUNDS THE RANGE OF EDUCATION SERVICES IN ALABAMA, FROM PRE-K TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT THE BUDGET FUNDS.

IT TOTALS $9.3 BILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.

THAT ALSO WOULD BE A RECORD.

OF THAT, $5.3 BILLION IS DEDICATED TOWARD LOCAL K-12 SCHOOLS AS PART WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.

$1.6 BILLION GOES TOWARD THE STATE'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

$586 MILLION GOES TOWARD THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM, $681 MILLION GOES TOWARD THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR ITS VARIOUS PROGRAMS, AND $200 MILLION GOES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, WHICH RUNS THE STATE'S FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO PASSED AN UPDATED SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL.

THIS, AGAIN, IS FROM UNEXPECTED REVENUE THAT WILL GO TOWARD THIS FISCAL YEAR.

THAT BILL TOTALS $651 MILLION.

$109 MILLION GOES TO LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS FOR THINGS LIKE THE STUDENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, NEW BUS PURCHASES, TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES, AND FUNDING FOR SCHOOL NURSES.

$63 MILLION GOES TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR PROGRAMS LIKE SUMMER READING CAMPS AND OTHER LITERACY EFFORTS, COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS GRANTS, AMERICAN VILLAGE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND CHARTER SCHOOL CAPITAL FACILITY GRANTS.

$30 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S K-12 CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM AND $50 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD THE NEW CHOOSE ACT TAX CREDITS FOR EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

AND FINALLY, THE BILL FUNDING THE EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FUND.

THIS IS MONEY DEDICATED TOWARD SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN INCLUDE TECH UPGRADES OR EVEN SECURITY UPGRADES.

THE BILL WAS INCREASED TO TOTAL $1 BILLION.

OF THAT, $726 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD K-12 SCHOOLS AND $273 MILLION WILL GO TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

THOSE BILLS WILL BE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ON TUESDAY >>> MANY WERE WATCHING THE SENATE THIS WEEK TO SEE WHETHER THEY WOULD ACT ON THE REQUEST FROM THE HOUSE TO FORM A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON THE GAMBLING PACKAGE.

THE TWO CHAMBERS PASSED VASTLY DIFFERENT GAMBLING PLANS, AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE 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 AND HOUSE BILL WERE DIFFERENT.

I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE SENATE BILL.

I THINK WE DID SOME THINGS THAT HAVE VERY DIFFERENT AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR MEMBERS WERE LOOKING FOR.

SO I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE BILL BUT I'VE MADE A COMMITMENT ALREADY AND WILL SAY IT AGAIN, THE BILL WILL COME OUT OF THE BASKET.

THERE IS A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE CAN DO ITS WORK AND NEGOTIATE, WHICH IS THE PROCESS AND COME BACK TO BOTH BODIES AND DETERMINE WHERE WE GO NEXT.

>> LOOK, I'M NO GAMBLER, ALL RIGHT.

I THINK IT IS A POOR INVESTMENT, BUT WE HAVE IT EXTENSIVELY IN THE STATE AND WE HAVE TO GET CONTROL OF THIS.

WE HAVE TO GET IT REGULATED BUT EVIDENTLY 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 REGULATION, WE GET NO REVENUE FROM IT AND JUST HAVE TO WATCH IT GROW.

>>> ALSO IN THE SENATE, MORE TALK ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA AMID FRUSTRATION FROM LAWMAKERS OVER THE DELAYS FACING THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" JEFF SANDERS HAS MORE.

>> AMIDST ONGOING LEGAL DISPUTES BETWEEN THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION AND A GROUP OF APPLICANTS VYING FOR A LICENSE, TIM MELSON, THE ARCHITECT BEHIND THE LEGISLATION THREE YEARS AGO, HOPES TO CREATE A SOLUTION TO THE IMPASSE.

>> THIS GOES BACK TO THE OLD JOKE, YOU GOT ONE JOB AND YOU BLEW IT.

THE COMMISSION HAD ONE MISSION AND THEY HAVE NOT EXECUTED.

>> MELSON AND DAVID SESSIONS PASSED SEPARATE MEDICAL CANNABIS BILLS OUT OF COMMITTEE.

THE FOCAL POINT OF THE ISSUE LIES IN THE ALLOCATION OF INTEGRATED LICENSES CURRENTLY CAPPED AT FIVE WHICH IS FOR COMPANIES TO CULTIVATE, PROCESS AND DISTRIBUTE MEDICAL CANNABIS.

>> A LOT OF DISCUSSION AMONG REPRESENTATIVES FOR CERTAIN COMPANIES THAT WERE SAYING SOME COMPANIES THAT WERE AWARDED SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN AWARDED.

>> SESSIONS' BILL WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LICENSES TO TEN.

WHILE MELSON'S VERSION WILL CHANGE THE LICENSES ARE AWARDED.

THEY WANT TO INVOLVE SECURITY AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND VETTING APPLICANTS.

>> LET'S START IT AND MAKE SURE IT IS A FAIR PROCESS AGAIN.

THAT'S WHAT WE ALL WANTED FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> THERE IS COMPLICATED DOCUMENTS AND WE BELIEVE THEY ARE BEST TO LOOK THROUGH.

>> I THINK IT IS A GOOD CLEAN WAY TO TRY TO GET THE PROGRAM GOING.

IT'S JUST RIGHT NOW IT'S UNFORTUNATELY -- I HATE TO SAY IT IS JUST A MESS, BUT IT'S JUST A MESS.

THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED A LONG TIME AGO.

SHOULD BE UP AND RUNNING AND I'M TRYING TO GET BACK ON TRACK.

>> BOTH MELSON AND SESSIONS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ON THE ISSUE WITH THE HOPES OF GETTING A VOTE ON A NEW CANNABIS BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M JEFF SANDERS.

> > THE HOUSE THIS WEEK WORKED THROUGH TWO LONG DAYS OF LEGISLATION ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

AS ALWAYS, "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT WAS THERE TO FOLLOW IT ALL AND HAS A REPORT ON THE HIGHLIGHTS.

>> THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS IS KEEPING LAWMAKERS BUSY, ITEMS SUCH AS HOUSE BILL 111 SEEKS TO ADD CLARITY TO THE GENDER IDENTITY CONVERSATION.

>> THIS HB-111 IS A DEFINITIONS BILL.

IT CODIFIES THE TIME-HONORED DEFINITIONS OF MALE, FEMALE, MAN, WOMAN, BOY, GIRL, MOTHER, FATHER AND SEX.

>> WE STILL OUGHT TO HAVE SOME CLARITY IN YOUR BILL AS TO HOW THESE PEOPLE WILL BE DEFINED.

>> IT DOES NOT GO THAT FAR.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE TREATED FAIRLY.

>> DISCUSSION AROUND HOUSE BILL 359 CENTERED ON IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH GUIDELINES IN ALABAMA.

>> THIS BILL WILL DEAL WITH THAT BY ADDING DEFINITIONS TO CO-OCCURRING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND ADDS REFERENCE TO SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH TO THE DEFINITION OF MENTAL HEALTH.

FAR TOO OFTEN WE SEE GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES LIKE COUNTY LINES AS A HINDRANCE TO THE PROCESS FOR PROBATE JUDGES.

THIS BILL WILL ALSO ADDRESS THAT.

>> A SERIES OF AGENDAS WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF BILLS IS WHAT IS FACING THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEK, FROM GENDER DEFINITIONS TO HIGH-TECH CRIME FIGHTING.

THERE'S NO DOWN TIME FOR THE LOWER CHAMBER.

HOUSE BILL 4 ADDRESSES OBSERVING JUNETEENTH AS A HOLIDAY IN ALABAMA.

>> FOR ME TO FINALLY GET IT RECOGNIZED, NUMBER ONE -- SO MANY YEARS IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN RECOGNIZED HERE UP UNTIL GOVERNOR IVEY STARTED TO GIVE THE PROCLAMATION BUT UNDER THE LAW ITSELF.

SO THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON'S HOUSE BILL 345 SETS NEW RULES FOR DRONES OPERATING NEAR PRISONS.

>> IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO STOP THE CONTRABAND FROM BEING DROPPED, THEY THOUGHT THAT WOULD HELP.

IN THE STATEHOUSE, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THE HOUSE TOOK UP LEGISLATION REQUIRING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO REPORT ANY FUNDING THEY RECEIVED FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN OR ENTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE COUNTRIES OF CONCERN.

HOUSE BILL 330 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT WOODS COMES IN RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES FUNDING SPECIAL PROGRAMS OR PROFESSORSHIPS AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES.

SOME HAVE ARGUED THIS HAS LED TO MORE RADICALIZATION ON CAMPUSES TODAY.

>> EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT'S ALREADY REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW TO ANNUALLY REPORT FUNDING RECEIVED FROM CERTAIN FOREIGN SOURCES TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND THINK UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REPORT THE SAME INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNOR AND EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIRS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

THESE ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY REGARDING MONEY RECEIVED FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE COUNTRIES.

>> I KNOW WE'VE INDICATED THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS.

ARE YOU ABLE TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC CONCERNS RELATIVE?

>> YES, MA'AM.

AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, BEFORE WE GOT CALLED DOWN, THERE'S A LOT OF COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BACK A FEW YEARS AGO, WHO WERE NOT COMPLYING.

IT IS MY FEELING THAT COULD BE THE CASE WITH REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT.

>> SO THEY ARE NOT COMPLYING WITH THE REQUEST FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> CORRECT.

>> I'M NOT SAYING THAT ABOUT UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE BUT THERE ARE EXAMPLES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WOULD YOU MIND SHARING WHAT YOU HAVE?

>> ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND EXAMPLES IS THE COUNTRY OF QATAR.

THEY PROVIDED $4.7 BILLION IN FUNDING TO UNIVERSITIES OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS OR SO.

THE COUNTRY IS WELL KNOWN TO BE A PRO-HAMAS, ANTI-SEMITIC COUNTRY.

YALE UNIVERSITY, HARVARD, NORTHWESTERN, TEXAS A&M AND SEVERAL OTHERS TO THE TUNE OF $4.7 BILLION.

>> BILLION?

>> BILLION.

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

>>> NEWS ON THE ELECTION FRONT.

ALABAMA SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN THIS WEEK SEND A LETTER TO 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 DAYS BEFORE BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO BE OFFICIALLY NOMINATED AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

THE STATE HAS BEEN IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE, ACTUALLY.

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

THEN 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 TO ALLOW THAT TO PASS AND ENSURE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

>> I MADE AN ACCOMMODATION TO MAKE SURE THE BILL COULD BE INTRODUCED.

I'VE NOT READ THE BILL AND KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR.

BUT THE IDEA WE WOULD LOOK FOR A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD INVOLVED THIS THE ELECTION PROCESS IS SOMETHING I WOULD SUPPORT.

I THINK IT IS AN ATTITUDE WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF.

AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DETAILS THEY ARE ASKING FOR BUT I WANTED IT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE INTRODUCED TODAY.

>>> THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE ADVANCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ESTABLISH THE ALABAMA SCHOOL FOR HEALTH SCIENCES IN DEMOPOLIS.

THE IDEA IS TO HAVE A >> IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR TEACHERS TO DO THEIR TIME FOR INSTRUCTION TO BE THE FOCUS AND I THINK TEACHER RETENTION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS, AS WELL.

>> I TRIED TO READ THE EDUCATION BUDGET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND I THINK THEY MOVED THE NUMBER TO 300 STUDENTS PER ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING WAS BUT FISCAL NOTE, WHAT YOU WANT IS 54 MILLION.

>> WE PUT $100 MILLION OVER.

>> 400.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

SO, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS.

WE ALSO NEED THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TOO TO HELP OUR KIDS BEYOND THIRD GRADE WITH READING, I UNDERSTAND.

SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF SEEING CHILDREN GOING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM NOT GETTING WHAT THEY DESERVED IN THIS STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> NEWS FROM BEYOND THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK, AN IRONDALE MAN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH DETONATING AN EXPLOSIVE OUTSIDE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S BUILDING ACROSS FROM THE CAPITAL.

THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE A FEW MONTHS BACK OVER THE WEEKEND WHEN THE BUILDING WAS UNOCCUPIED.

KYLE CALVERT, A 26 YEAR OLD, WAS INDICTED ON TWO COUNTS OF MALICIOUS USE OF AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE AND POSSESSION OF AN UNREGISTERED DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE.

THESE ARE FEDERAL CHARGES FILED BY THE US ATTORNEY FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL SAID HE AND HIS STAFF ARE BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF THAT THE PERPETRATOR WAS CAUGHT AND THAT HE HOPES JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED.

>>> WE'VE BEEN COVERING THE TOPIC OF ETHICS AND A LEGISLATIVE EFFORT TO REFORM THE STATE'S ETHICS CODE.

IT LOOKS LIKE DISAGREEMENTS OVER THAT LEGISLATION HAS LED TO THE RESIGNATION OF AN ETHICS COMMISSION MEMBER.

STAN MCDONALD ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE ETHICS COMMISSION TODAY AFTER A RECENT RADIO APPEARANCE REVEALED THAT HE HAD INADVERTENTLY BROKEN THE ETHIC LAW BY CONTRIBUTING TO POLITICAL CANDIDATES.

MCDONALD WAS MAKING THE CASE THAT LEGISLATION FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON GOES TOO FAR IN LIMITING THE COMMISSION'S REACH.

MCDONALD APOLOGIZED FOR THE MISTAKE AND RESIGNED, SAYING QUOTE, “MY BREACH WAS UNINTENTIONAL BUT I KNOW IT'S RIGHT TO OWN MY ACTIONS.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SERVED AND I REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE RULE OF LAW AND OUR FINE SYSTEM” END QUOTE.

>>> THIS WEEK, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WAS PROUD TO HONOR THIS YEAR'S YOUNG HEROES.

EACH YEAR, APT HONORS 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 ADVERSITY.

WE HELD A DINNER WEDNESDAY NIGHT WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHERE WE HEAR THE STUDENTS' INCREDIBLE STORIES, AND I HAVE TO SAY, THEY WERE NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING.

THIS YEAR'S YOUNG HEROES ARE MADILYN DOSTER OF ENTERPRISE, PHILIP MOSS OF VESTAVIA HILLS, PATRICIA ORSI AND KATHERINE ORSI OF WETUMPKA, CLARA PARKER OF TUSCALOOSA AND KATELYN SHANEYFELT OF GUNTERSVILLE.

THE STUDENTS RECEIVE A $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE, A LAPTOP COMPUTER AND OTHER PRIZES.

I ACTUALLY WELCOMED THE YOUNG HEROES HERE IN OUR STUDIO ON WEDNESDAY TO TALK ABOUT THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WATCH THAT SEGMENT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

JUST GO TO YOUTUBE AND SEARCH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE STUDENTS AND BEST OF LUCK AS YOU ATTEND COLLEGE THIS FALL.

>>> WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL BE JOINED BY SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON FOR A DISCUSSION ABOUT SEVERAL STATE HOUSE ISSUES, INCLUDING GAMBLING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

LATER IN THE SHOW, I HAVE INTERVIEWS WITH THE TWO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN THE RUNOFF FOR ALABAMA'S 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: DICK BREWBAKER AND CAROLEENE DOBSON.

YOU MAY REMEMBER I INTERVIEWED THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES TWO WEEKS AGO.

YOU CAN FIND THOSE INTERVIEWS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AS WELL.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO.APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE, AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS BOBBY SINGLETON, MINORITY LEADER FOR THE ALABAMA STATE SENATE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE, TODD.

>> IT'S BEEN A QUITE A SESSION SO FAR.

YOU ARE A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY, AND MAN, THE FIRST HALF WAS REALLY SOMETHING.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT, BUT WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS MINORITY LEADER?

YOU ARE ON THE FLOOR A LOT, ON THE MIC A LOT, TRYING TO PLAY DEFENSE A LOT.

WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE SESSION SO FAR?

>> YOU KNOW, OUTSIDE OF THE FIRST HALF, I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING INTO SOME BILLS THAT WE CAN HELP THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I THINK WE ARE NOW FOCUSING ON HOW WE CAN MOVE THE STATE FORWARD.

IT'S BEEN TIRESOME AND HECTIC BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THE GOAL IS TO MOVE THE STATE FORWARD AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO STAY FOCUSED ON.

>> Y'ALL MOVED THE GENERAL FUND THIS WEEK.

DO YOU FEEL GOOD WHERE THE GENERAL FUND IS.

IT HAS MORE MONEY THAN EVER BECAUSE OF THE INTEREST RATES BRINGING IN REVENUE.

>> YES, IT DID.

WE ARE LOOKING AT $955 MILLION WE ARE DEALING WITH MEDICAID.

WE HAVE PRISONS WE ARE DEALING WITH.

AND I THINK WE DID A GREAT JOB IN TERMS OF THE MONEY THAT CAME FROM THE SST TAX COMING IN WITH THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAND THE BUDGET UP WHERE IT USED TO BE IN A DEFICIT.

I THINK THE CHAIRMAN HAS DONE A GREAT JOB NAVIGATING THROUGH THAT AND MAKING SURE THE AGENCIES ARE FUNDED.

SOME PEOPLE GOT CUTS HERE AND THERE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WILL BE ABLE TO FUNCTION IN OUR AGENCIES AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> WELL, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ISSUE OF WORKFORCE.

YOU MENTIONED ISSUES THAT REALLY PARTISAN, REALLY MEANT TO HELP THE WHOLE STATE.

WORKFORCE WOULD PROBABLY FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE WHERE WE HAVE LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, WHICH IS GREAT NEWS BUT ALSO LOW PARTICIPATION.

MEANING FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, FOLKS ARE CHOOSING NOT TO GO LOOK FOR A JOB.

WE TALKED ABOUT BARRIERS, WHAT'S KEEPING YOU FROM GOING AND GETTING THAT JOB.

YOU ALL HAVE A SLATE OF BILLS AIMED AT SORT OF REMOVING THOSE BARRIERS.

>> ALABAMA WORKS IS COMING FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND I WANT TO APPLAUD GOVERNOR IVEY FOR HER VISION IN TERMS OF TRYING TO MOVE IT FORWARD ALONG WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AINSWORTH WORKING WITH SMALL BUSINESS AND WORKFORCE.

WORKFORCE IS PIVOTAL IN THE STATE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER STATES, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A GOOD TRAINED AND EDUCATED WORKFORCE.

SO, WE PUT TOGETHER A GROUP OF BILLS THAT WILL ALLOW OUR WORKFORCE TO COME UNDER ONE UMBRELLA.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE BRINGING WORKFORCE RIGHT HERE.

SO WE CAN TAKE IT AS A CABINET POSITION AND MAKE SURE WE GET A RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT.

WE CAN CAPTURE THAT AND SEE WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.

WE ALSO HAVE IN THOSE BILLS, LIKE CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT, YOU KNOW, FOR THOSE WORKING MOTHERS WHO LEFT FOR COVID, WENT HOME WITH THEIR KIDS AND MAYBE ARE NOT RETURNING.

SO, WE'RE SAYING, HEY, TO THOSE COMPANIES THAT WILL GO OUT AND PUT DAY CARE IN AT WORK SO MOTHERS CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILD, NOT TO PAY AN EXTERNAL DAY CARE BUT PUT IT AT THE JOB SO THEY CAN SEE THEIR BABIES ON A DAILY BASIS.

WE THINK THAT CONCEPT CAN WORK.

THE BILL WILL HELP WITH THAT IN TERMS OF CREDITS THEY CAN GET ALSO.

WE ARE LOOKING AT BILLS THAT WOULD BRING TOGETHER ORGANIZATION UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND COMMERCE, PUT TOGETHER TO ADDRESS WORKFORCE AND HOW WE ARE LOOKING AT BRINGING IN PEOPLE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN THERE THAT WILL ALLOW EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE A CREDENTIAL, ONCE THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO THE WORKFORCE.

ALMOST LIKE HAVING A WORK DEGREE AND CREDENTIAL.

THAT DOESN'T KEEP A KID OFF THE TREK IF THEY WANT TO GO TO TWO-YEAR COLLEGE, OR FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE, MAYBE NOT GO TO THE MILITARY AND GOING TO BE OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A CREDENTIAL THAT THEY CAN GO AND GET TRAINING, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, FORKLIFTING, PLUMBING.

>> IS THAT THE CAREER PATHWAYS?

>> CAREER PATHWAYS PIECE.

WITH THAT, THEY CAN MOVE INTO A JOB AND BE ABLE TO GO AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED.

WE ALSO HAVE WHAT WE CALL INNOVATION DISTRICT.

THAT'S A PIECE I'M -- SO THAT CAME UP THIS WEEK.

IT HAD SOME PUSH BACK ON IT.

>> YES, CITIES AND COUNTIES ORGANIZATIONS HAD PUSH BACK.

IT HAD ISSUES LIKE IMMINENT DOMAIN.

CAN THESE DISTRICTS TAKE OUR PROPERTY?

A CAN THEY TAKE PRIVATE PROPERTY FROM PEOPLE?

IT IS LEGITIMATE CONCERN.

WE WERE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND COME UP WITH A SUBSTITUTE.

WE WILL INTRODUCE IT IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY WHEN IT COMES UP.

WE MAY NOT HAVE ALL OF THE KINKS WORKED OUT.

I THINK WE ARE 90% OF IT WHICH WILL GIVE THE CITIES AND COUNTIES MORE TOOLS IN THEIR TOOL BOX WHEN THEY ARE RECRUITING INDUSTRY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR COUNTY AND CITY.

THIS WILL ALLOW TWO OR MORE COUNTIES OR CITIES TO JOIN TOGETHER TO DO AN INNOVATION DISTRICT TO BRING INDUSTRY IN.

IT HAS TAX IMPLICATIONS, WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN BE ABLE TO DO OUR OWN TAXES.

I THINK A LOT OF THAT WILL BE CLEARED UP.

THERE WAS QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT CAN BIRMINGHAM SET UP AN INNOVATION DISTRICT IN MOBILE.

THEY THOUGHT THE LANGUAGE ALLOWED THEM TO DO THAT.

THAT IS NOT SO.

WE ARE CLEARING IT UP AND GETTING THERE.

WE'RE GETTING THERE, BUT THIS A GREAT TOOL IN THE TOOL BOX THAT CITIES AND COUNTIES CAN BE ABLE TO BRING INDUSTRY IF THEIR AREA WITHOUT ABATING AWAY ALL OF THEIR TAXES.

USUALLY THE COUNTY OR CITY ONLY HAVING A TAX ABATEMENT SO THEY CAN GIVE TO AN INDUSTRY WHEN THEY COME BUT THIS IS ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOL BOX WHERE WE CAN WORK WITH INDUSTRY IF THEY COME TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THE BILLS MOVING THE ISSUE OF WORKFORCE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE -- A LOT OF LEADERS ON THE SAME PAGE ON THIS.

SO, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

WE TALKED ABOUT CHILDCARE AND HOUSING.

OTHER BARRIERS TO THE WORKFORCE.

IT ALWAYS STRIKES ME, WHEN WE ASK FOLKS, BARRIERS TO THE WORKFORCE, THEY OFTEN CITE HEALTHCARE, TOO.

I KNOW THERE IS NOT A SPECIFIC BILL DEALING WITH HEALTHCARE PROBABLY BECAUSE THERE WOULDN'T BE WIDESPREAD AGREEMENT ON THAT.

BUT TALK ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS ALSO A BARRIER TO FOLKS ENTERING THE WORKFORCE.

>> IT REALLY IS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN PEOPLE GO IN THEY ARE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED WITH THESE INDUSTRIES AND HAVE INSURANCE.

HOPEFULLY ALL OF THESE INDUSTRIES GETTING INCENTIVES TO COME TO THE STATE WILL GIVE EMPLOYEES INSURANCE.

IF WE EXPANDED MEDICAID -- THAT IS A BAD WORD AROUND HERE SOMETIMES, EXPANSION OF MEDICAID, 300,000 ALABAMIANS EVERY DAY IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO ARE IN THE WORKFORCE AND WHEN THEY COME BACK TO THE WORKFORCE THEY CAN HAVE IT.

ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, RURAL HOSPITALS ARE CLOSING DOWN.

TELEHEALTH CAN HELP.

HAVING ACCESS TO A DOCTOR WHETHER BY PHONE OR IN VISITS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HEALTHCARE IS A TOP PRIORITY AS WE BRING IN NEW INDUSTRY AND LOOK TO IT.

WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE.

>> I WANT TO MOVE ON TO ONE STICKY ISSUE AND THAT'S GAMBLING.

>> GAMBLING.

>> SO, OKAY.

THE HOUSE PASSED A PRETTY EXPANSIVE COMPREHENSIVE BILL.

THE SENATE PASSED A SCALED BACK VERSION.

THE SENATE HAS NOT AGREED TO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BUT I THINK I HEARD IT'S COMING.

>> YES.

I SPOKE WITH PRESIDENT PRO TEM REED.

HE HAS GIVEN A GUARANTEE IT WILL COME OUT OF THE BASKET.

ONCE IT COMES OUT OF THE BASKET THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY WE WILL APPOINT A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THE COMMITTEE WILL GO AND MEET WITH THE HOUSE CONFERENCE CON CONFERREES AND THE SIX OF US WILL SIT DOWN AND COME UP WITH A BILL.

WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A BILL AND CONCUR WITH A BILL THAT WAS PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE OR COME OUT WITH A HYBRID OF WHAT WAS WITH THIS HOUSE AND SENATE OR SOMETHING NEW AND BRING BACK TO BOTH BODIES, GO BACK TO THE HOUSE BECAUSE THE BILL ORIGINATED IN THE HOUSE FOR THEM TO CONCUR OR NOT TO CONCUR WITH WHAT WE COME OUT OF CONFERENCE, TO ACCEPT OUR CONFERENCE REPORT AND THEN WE WILL HAVE TO COME TO THE SENATE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL ACCEPT OUR CONFERENCE REPORT.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

I THINK WE HAVE TIME.

WE HAVE, WHAT, ABOUT EIGHT LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT.

IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO CONFERENCE, COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE CAN PUT ON THE STREETS AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO VOTE ON.

>> I HAVE SAID BEFORE, CONFERENCE COMMITTEES HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.

THIS IS A COMMON LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

BUT THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

BECAUSE THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE SO FAR APART ON WHAT THEY WANT, AND THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS FEELING -- AT LEAST IN THE SENATE AND REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, IF YOU ADD ANYTHING MORE WE WILL PEEL OFF THE YES VOTES MAKING IT HARD TO PASS.

WHAT'S YOUR SENSE HOW MUCH CAN BE ADDED FROM THE HOUSE?

OBVIOUSLY THE HOUSE WANTS MUCH OF THE BILL ADDED BACK.

HOW MUCH WOULD BE TOO MUCH THAT WOULD END UP NOT PASSING IN THE SENATE?

>> YOU KNOW, TODD, I WISH I COULD REALLY ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR YOU.

I HAVE SOME IDEAS OF THINGS I WANT TO SEE IN THERE, BUT I'M WILLING TO SIT DOWN WITH THE SIX OF US TOGETHER.

LET ME ASSUME, IF I'M ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

>> I'D SAY THERE'S A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF THAT.

>> THE SIX OF US WILL SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND WORK IT OUT AND SEE WHAT WE COME UP.

I THINK WE CAN MOVE THE NEEDLE HERE AND THERE.

I THINK THERE'S SOME ROOM TO BE ABLE TO DO SO.

I'M WILLING TO AT LEAST GIVE IT A TRY, EVEN IF IT COMES BACK AND SENATORS VOTE IT DOWN, I'M WILLING TO, AT LEAST, GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY.

YOU KNOW, THE CONFERENCE IS WHAT I CALL THE SAUSAGE MAKING COMMITTEE.

THIS IS WHERE THE SAUSAGE IS MADE.

A LOT CAN GO ON IN CONFERENCE.

SO I NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PROCESS.

THIS PROCESS, YOU KNOW, THIS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WILL GO DOWN TO THE LAST DAY, THE LAST MINUTE OF THE LAST HOUR.

>> YEP.

>> AND THINGS WILL BREAK AND IT WILL PASS.

I DON'T EVER GIVE UP ON THIS PROCESS.

IN AS MUCH AS PEOPLE SAY TODAY THAT THEY DON'T -- WE MAY COME UP WITH SOMETHING TOMORROW THEY CAN AGREE ON.

UNTIL THEN, I THINK WE CAN CHANGE SOME MINDS AND I WANT TO GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> INTERESTING.

KINDA GOING BACK TO THE HEALTHCARE DISCUSSION, I KNOW ONE THING THAT HOUSE DEMOCRATS AND YOU, SENATE DEMOCRATS WERE HOPEFUL ABOUT IS THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH REVENUE -- MAYBE NOT EARMARKED FOR HEALTHCARE -- BUT ENOUGH REVENUE TO PROP UP THE GENERAL FUND, IF A MEDICAID EXPANSION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, ALL HEALTH THING OR WHATEVER, WERE TO TAKE PLACE.

THAT'S BEEN THE QUESTION, IS THERE ENOUGH FUNDING LONG TERM.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE GOING TO BE PUSHING FOR IN COMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE KIND OF REVENUE THAT WILL MAKE THE GOVERNOR MORE COMFORTABLE WITH EXPANDED MEDICARE?

>> IT IS ONE OF THE BARGAINING CHIPS I WILL PUT ON THE TABLE WHEN WE GO TO CONFERENCE.

I WANT TO LOOK OUT FOR RETIREES, AND RETIRED TEACHERS BECAUSE THEIR NOT HAD A RAISE IN YEARS IN TERMS OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE GIVEN TO THIS STATE AND THIS NATION IN TERMS OF TEACHING.

I THINK THEY DESERVE A COLA.

THAT IS ALSO IN THE BILL.

I WANT TO SEE INFRASTRUCTURE.

I THINK INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY IS IMPORTANT.

ALSO EDUCATION.

EDUCATION LOTTERY IS GOING TO BE A GOOD THING FOR THE STATE, WHETHER IT IS A TWO-YEAR OR FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM.

HOW WILL WE COME TOGETHER?

I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE STATE AND I THINK WE NEED TO PUT SOME MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND ALSO.

I THINK ALL OF THAT CAN HAPPEN.

I THINK THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY, BUT IF WE DON'T DO THESE THINGS WE ARE LEAVING A LOT OF MONEY ON THE TABLE.

RIGHT NOW WITH THE BILL THE SENATE SENT OUT, WE MAY BE LEAVING 5 TO $800 MILLION ON THE TABLE AWE BASED ON THE BILL THE SENATE SIT OUT.

THE HOUSE BILL COULD GO FROM 800 TO A BILLION DOLLARS IN TERMS OF REVENUE OVER THE YEARS TO WHAT WE CAN BRING IN.

I LIKE TO THINK THAT HERE, IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, OUR BUDGETS ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE AS FAT AND JUICY AS THEY ARE.

WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROP US UP BECAUSE MOST OF THE ARPA MONEY AND FEDERAL FUNDS WILL RUN OUT IN 2026.

WE HAVE SOME MONEY FROM THE FENTANYL LAWSUIT BUT THAT IS ONE-TIME MONEY.

SO IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE DOLLARS TO DO STUFF LIKE HEALTHCARE, TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS IN THE GENERAL FUND, TO MAKE SURE EDUCATION CONTINUES TO GET FUNDED SO WHEN WE GET INTO THE LEAN YEARS THEN I THINK WE NEED TO PASS A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

>> WELL, WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT AS THE SESSION ENTERS THE FINAL STRETCH.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME, SENATOR, BUT THANKS FOR COMING ON.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS DICK BREWBAKER, CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS IN ALABAMA'S 2ND DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE HERE.

>> I SHOULD SAY FORMER SENATOR BREWBAKER.

YOU USED TO COME ON IN A DIFFERENT CONTEXT.

WE ARE IN THE PRIMARY RUNOFFS, YOU AND CAROLEENE DOBSON ARE RUNNING ON TUESDAY FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR THE SEAT.

WHAT HAS BEEN -- NOW WE HAVE WHITTLED IT DOWN TO JUST TWO CANDIDATES, WHAT'S YOUR PITCH TO THE REPUBLICAN VOTERS TO NOMINATE YOU FOR CONGRESS?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THE RACE THAT'S ACTUALLY LIVED IN THE DISTRICT.

THAT MATTERS TO PEOPLE.

THE FACT THAT I RAISED FIVE BOYS HERE, RAN A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS AND HAVE MADE MY LIFE IN WHAT IS NOW THE NEW SECOND DISTRICT.

MY OPPONENT DIDN'T GET AN ADDRESS IN THE DISTRICT UNTIL LAST OCTOBER.

IT'S IMPORTANT, IF YOU ARE GOING TO REPRESENT AN AREA OF THE STATE THAT YOU HAVE SOME IDEA WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE GO THROUGH AND WHAT THEIR ECONOMIC NEEDS ARE, WHAT THEIR GOVERNMENTAL NEEDS ARE AND JUST WHAT THEY WANT FROM A REPRESENTATIVE.

IT'S ONE THING TO GROW UP IN A PLACE.

>> SHE SAYS SHE HAS ROOTS IN PIKE COUNTY AND A HOME IN MONTGOMERY.

SO, NOT FROM THE DISTRICT?

>> NOT AT ALL.

I MEAN -- MY OPPONENT LEFT -- WHEN SHE WENT AWAY FROM COLLEGE, SHE STAYED OUT OF DISTRICT 2 UNTIL LAST OCTOBER.

SHE LIVED IN TEXAS, WHERE SHE PRACTICED LAW, WHERE SHE HAD HER KIDS, AND THEN SHE MOVED TO VESTAVIA WHEN SHE GOT A JOB AT AN ALABAMA LAW FIRM AND DIDN'T GET HER MONTGOMERY ADDRESS UNTIL LAST OCTOBER.

SO, IT'S ONE THING -- LIKE, I WAS BORN IN TEXAS AND I SUPPOSE I COULD GO BACK TO CAMERON COUNTY, TEXAS AND SAY I HAVE ROOTS HERE, ELECT ME.

BUT THE FACT I HAVE LIVED ALL OF MY ADULT LIFE AND RAISE MY KIDS AND RUN MY BUSINESS IN ALABAMA MAY MAKE THE CLAIM RING A LITTLE BIT HOLLOW.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT MATTERS WHERE YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE.

>> WELL, WE ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH HERE.

SO IT MAKES SENSE YOU ARE GETTING CHIPPY IN TERMS OF POINTING OUT DIFFERENCES IN YOUR OPPONENT.

>> YOU ASKED ME.

>> WHAT'S YOUR PITCH.

I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT.

WHAT'S YOUR PITCH TO VOTERS IN TERMS OF WHY THEY SHOULD CHOOSE YOU.

>> I KNOW HOW.

I HAVE SERVED.

AS YOU KNOW WHEN I RAN FOR THE STATE SENATE I SAID I WOULD SERVE TWO TERMS AND GET OUT.

AND SO I SERVED TWO TERMS AND GOT OUT.

WHAT I LEARNED IS -- AND I HAVE PROVEN I KNOW HOW TO MOVE LEGISLATION THROUGH A LEGISLATIVE BODY AND GET APPROPRIATIONS PASSED WHEN THE POWERS THAT BE ARE HOSTILE TO THE APPROPRIATION.

YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO WORK IN A LEGISLATIVE BODY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

THE LEARNING CURVE IS PRETTY STEEP.

FOR DISTRICT 2, ESPECIALLY THE WAY THE DISTRICT IS NOW.

>> PRETTY EXPANSIVE.

>> IT IS EXPANSIVE AND THE NEEDS ARE DIVERSE.

THE NEW DISTRICT HAS A LOT MORE NEEDS AND MUCH MORE DIVERSE.

LIKE FOR MOBILE, THEY HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT HAVE GOT TO GET DONE AND DONE SOON.

MONTGOMERY JUST SPENT $110 MILLION BUILDING A CONTAINER PORT.

THAT CONTAINER SPORT GOING TO BE PRETTY USELESS IF WE CAN'T GET THE CONTAINERS OUT OF MOBILE.

WE NEED TO SEND SOMEBODY TO CONGRESS WHO KNOWS HOW TO MOVE THOSE APPROPRIATIONS THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE BODY AND GET THEM DONE SOON.

I KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

ALSO, I MEAN, LET'S -- IF YOU LOOK AT MY LEGISLATIVE RECORD, I PASSED A LOT OF DIFFICULT LEGISLATION.

I PASSED LEGISLATION THAT MADE GOVERNMENT SMALLER AND ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION THAT MADE PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER.

THE AUTISM INSURANCE BILL WOULD BE ONE, THE FOSTERS HOPE SCHOLARSHIP ACT.

I PASSED THE FIRST CHARTER BILL THAT EVER PASSED IN THE STATE SENATE.

DOZENS OF SCHOOL CHOICE INITIATIVE, SCHOOL GOVERNANCE ACT, THE ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY, THE FIRST WE HAD IN ALABAMA I WROTE AND PASSED.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF OPPOSITION TO SOME OF THOSE BILLS.

>> I REMEMBER.

>> BUT WE GOT THEM PASSED AND THEY MADE SCHOOLS BETTER.

FOR PEOPLE DEALING WITH AUTISM, IT PUT A LOT OF ALABAMA FAMILIES IN A LOT BETTER POSITION THAN THEY WERE BEFORE WE GOT THAT LEGISLATION THROUGH.

THOSE FIGHTS ARE -- ONE THING I'M PROUD OF IS ON SOME OF THOSE FIGHTS, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO HAD FINANCED MY LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGNS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THOSE ISSUES.

>> REALLY?

>> AND THE REASON.

>> USUALLY YOU DON'T LIKE TO MAKE DONORS UNHAPPY.

>> NO, YOU DON'T BUT ON THE AUTISM BILL IT WAS A MATTER OF RIGHT AND WRONG.

I KNEW IF THEY WERE GOING TO BE MAD AT ME FOR GIVING ALABAMA FAMILIES THE SAME SORT OF BENEFITS THAT PEOPLE IN EVERY STATE THAT TOUCHED US WERE GETTING, THEY WERE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BE MAD AT ME BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND FOR FAMILIES DEALING WITH DISABILITY IT WAS IMPORTANT.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE ISSUE OF ABORTION.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A CAMPAIGN ISSUE BECAUSE, BUT AFTER DOBBS.

>> RIGHT.

>> AFTER THE ALABAMA'S SUPREME COURT DECISION WITH THE IVF.

SO REALLY ABORTION HAS BEEN THROWN INTO THE FOREFRONT.

YOU HAD FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO FELT NECESSARY TO COME OUT WITH A STATEMENT SORT OF TRYING TO POSTURE HIMSELF.

SO YOU KNOW THIS WILL BE AN ISSUE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

I'VE TALKED TO BOTH CANDIDATES ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

THEY PLAN TO MAKE IT AN ISSUE.

>> I'M SURE THEY WILL.

>> BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY HAVE A FOOTHOLD THERE.

>> WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE ABOUT WHAT CONGRESS AND STATES SHOULD DO AND WHAT LIMITS SHOULD BE THERE.

WHAT'S YOUR POSTURE ON ABORTION?

>> THE GREAT THING ABOUT DOBBS IS IT PUT THE ABORTION ISSUE BACK WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALL ALONG IN STATE LEGISLATURES, NOT IN THE FEDERAL ARENA.

THE CONSTITUTION IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT ROLES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO PLAY AND WHAT POWERS ARE RESERVED FOR THE STATES.

MOVING THE ABORTION ISSUE, THE SUPREME COURT JUST PUTT IT BACK WHERE IT HAD BEEN BEFORE ROE, IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, THAT'S WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

BUT AS FAR AS THE WHOLE PRO LIFE ISSUE, PRO LIFE IS A LOT MORE THAN JUST ABORTION.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT HAVING A PRO-LIFE RECORD, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FOSTERING HOPE SCHOLARSHIP THAT I PASSED IN 2016 THAT PROVIDED FOSTER CHILDREN WITH A CHANCE TO GO TO COLLEGE.

THE AUTISM INSURANCE BILL THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

THAT'S A PRO-LIFE BILL.

FINDING WAYS TO MAKE SCHOOL CHOICE ACCESSIBLE TO PARENTS WHO AREN'T WEALTHY AND TRYING TO GIVE THEIR KIDS THE SAME EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT PREVIOUSLY WERE ONLY OPEN TO FAMILIES WITH ENOUGH DISPOSABLE INCOME TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

ALL OF THOSE BILLS ARE PART OF BEING PRO LIFE.

THE APPEALING JUDICIAL OVERRIDE WAS A PRO-LIFE BILL.

TRYING TO MAKE A SYSTEM MORE JUST AND THAT ACTUALLY AFFECTS REGULAR PEOPLE BUT IN A WAY THAT SUPPORTS LIFE.

IT'S A LOT MORE THAN JUST -- I THINK A LOT OF REPUBLICANS VIEW IT AS JUST AN ABORTION ISSUE AND THAT'S IT BUT PRO LIFE IS MORE THAN THAT.

>> THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO POINT TO STATE LAWS, LIKE ALABAMA'S THAT IS BASICALLY NO RESTRICTIONS.

I THINK LIFE OF THE MOTHER IS THE ONLY ONE.

SO, THEY ARE GOING TO POINT TO THAT AND SAY THIS IS EXTREME.

THIS IS REPUBLICANS BEING EXTREME.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO RESPOND TO THOSE KIND OF THINGS?

>> I'M GOING TO SAY WHAT THE TRUTH IS.

THE TRUTH IS THAT EXCEPT, IN MY VIEW, RAPE, INCEST, LIFE OF THE MOTHER, TO KILL AN UNBORN CHILD IS WRONG.

BECAUSE IT'S WRONG -- YOU KNOW, ANOTHER THING THAT DEMOCRATS ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY IS YOU CAN'T LEGISLATE MORALITY.

I WOULD ARGUE THAT ALL WE LEGISLATE IS MORALITY.

ALL OF OUR VALUES ARE REFLECTED IN OUR LAW, WHETHER YOU TALK ABOUT CONTRACTS OR ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH.

THOSE ARE ALL ISSUES THAT HAVE SOME BASIS IN THE MORAL UNIVERSE.

AND, YES, I'M PRO LIFE.

I DON'T THINK ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL THAT KILLING AN UNBORN CHILD IS A MORAL ACT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE A POSITION LIKE THAT YOU HAVE GOT TO DO THINGS, YOUTH SERVICES AND FOSTER CARE AND EDUCATION THAT GIVE THESE KIDS A CHANCE ONCE THEY ARE BORN.

MY LEGISLATIVE RECORD SHOWS THAT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THOSE ISSUES.

LIKE I SAY, IT IS A LOT MORE THAN JUST ABORTION.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT IS A VALID CRITICISM TO SAY THAT IF ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS ABORTION YOU ARE NOT REALLY PRO LIFE BECAUSE YOU ARE CARVING OUT ONE THING TO HAVE A PROHIBITION ON AND THEN YOU JUST LEAVE IT THERE.

WELL, THAT'S NOT A CRITICISM I THINK THAT CAN BE LEVELED AT ME, AT LEAST NOT FAIRLY IF PEOPLE LOOK AT MY RECORD.

>> SURE.

I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT.

IT IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE.

THERE ARE DOZENS BUT IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN THE GENERAL ELECTION WHICH IS WHY I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE -- WHEN YOU LOOK AT -- IT'S HARD FOR DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY OR TO TALK ABOUT INFLATION BECAUSE IT'S DEMOCRAT POLICIES THAT ARE DRIVING INFLATION.

RUNAWAY GOVERNMENT SPENDING, THE DEMOCRATIC POLICY ON FOSSIL FUELS.

THE REASON FOOD PRICES ARE SO HIGH.

EGGS ARE TWICE AS EXPENSIVE AS A YEAR AGO.

EGGS, SUGAR AND BUTTER UP 20%.

AND THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM ON THE SUPPLY SIDE BUT FUEL COST BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE TO TRANSPORT COMMODITIES LIKE GROCERIES.

THAT'S WHY PRICES ARE UP IN THE GROCERY STORES.

FOSSIL FUELS -- GAS WAS 1.85 WHEN BIDEN TOOK OFFICE.

IT IS 3.65 NOW FOR REGULAR.

FEDERAL POLICIES THAT HAVE RESTRICTED OUR ENERGY PRODUCTION IS THE PRIMARY REASON FOOD COSTS ARE HIGHER IN THE GROCERY STORES.

SO IF A DEMOCRAT IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT INFLATION, HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO ARGUE FOR REVERSAL OF DEMOCRAT POLICIES BECAUSE I DON'T SEE MANY OF THE PEOPLE ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE OF THE AISLE ARGUING WE NEED TO CONTROL INFLATION BY CUTTING SPENDING.

>> I HATE TO SAY WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THE ELECTION IS ON TUESDAY.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT CLOSELY AND I GUESS WE WILL KNOW THAT NIGHT WHO THE NOMINEE IS.

>> AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GO VOTE.

PARTICIPATE IN YOUR DEMOCRACY.

>> THERE YOU GO.

COULDN'T SAY IT BETTER MYSELF.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME COME.

I'VE ENJOYED IT.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS CAROLEENE DOBSON, REPUBLICAN KINDERGARTEN FOR CONGRESS IN ALABAMA'S SECOND DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE HAD YOU BACK WHEN IT WAS THE PRIMARY, BACK WHEN THERE WERE 19, 20 CANDIDATES.

BEEN A WHILE SINCE THEN.

WE HAVE WHITTLED THE RACE DOWN TO THE FINAL FOUR.

YOU ARE IN A RACE AGAINST DICK BREWBAKER.

WHAT'S YOUR PITCH IN THE PRIMARY RUNOFF?

>> JUST THE FACT THAT I'M SITTING IN THIS CHAIR WITH YOU IS LARGELY INDICATIVE OF THE FACT THAT PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WANT AN ADVOCATE FOR THEM.

I'M RUNNING TO FIGHT FOR ALABAMA FAMILIES.

I'M A MOM, WIFE, DAUGHTER, LAWYER.

UNTIL 4 1/2 MONTHS AGO I WAS A TOTALLY PRIVATE CITIZEN BUT MY HUSBAND AND I RAISING OUR DAUGHTERS IN THIS DISTRICT WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THE COUNTRY IS HEADED AND ABOUT OPEN BORDERS.

THE FACT THAT THE AVERAGE FAMILY OF FOUR IN AMERICA IS PAYING $950 MORE FOR BASIC LIVING COST WHEN THREE YEARS AGO, ALMOST $12,000 A YEAR MORE IN THREE YEARS.

THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR CHILDREN CANNOT WORSHIP GOD FREELY, I'M JUST A MOM WHO'S CONCERNED ABOUT ALABAMA FAMILIES AND I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS STUDENT THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO SO MANY CONCERNED VOTERS IN THIS CITY.

I THINK THE FACT THAT I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN.

I GREW UP IN A TOWN OF LESS THAN 200 IS RESONATING WITH A LOT OF VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT.

A LOT OF THE DISTRICT IS RURAL COMMUNITY AND SMALL TOWNS.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOICES IN WASHINGTON WHO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT SO MANY OF THESE ECONOMIC POLICIES AND TRADE POLICIES CAN HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON OUR SMALL TOWNS.

SO, I'M RUNNING TO FIGHT FOR ALABAMA FAMILIES HERE IN MONTGOMERY, IN MOBILE AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN, AND I JUST AM COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT OUR KIDS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN THIS DISTRICT.

>> YEAH, MONTGOMERY TO MOBILE, TO PHOENIX CITY, IT'S AN EXPANSIVE DISTRICT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THAT'S WHY WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS.

WE CAN'T DO EVERY DISTRICT IN ALABAMA BUT IT IS A BRAND NEW DISTRICT.

NOBODY HAS-CAMPAIGNED IN THIS DISTRICT.

NOBODY HAS EVER VOTED IN THIS DISTRICT.

SO IT'S BEEN IMPORTANT.

OKAY.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM YOUR CANDIDATE DICK BREWBAKER?

>> I'M NOT A CAREER POSITION FIRST OF ALL.

AS I SAID, I'M A REAL PERSON AND THERE ARE REAL PROBLEMS WE NEED TO SOLVE AND WE NEED FOLKS WHO DO HAVE TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE DAY IN AND DAY OUT, ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT REPUBLICANS KEEP CONTROL OF THE HOUSE.

WE'RE DOWN TO A ONE-SEAT MAJORITY.

WE NEED SOMEONE WHO IS A STRONG CONSERVATIVE, A HARD WORKER AND STRONG FIGHTER, NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN.

SOMEBODY WHO WILL STAND WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GET CONTROL OF THE SENATE BUT IF WE LOSE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SCALE BACK THE DAMAGE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS CAUSED.

WE HAVE TO CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING SO WE CAN TURN THE TIDE ON INFLATION.

WE HAVE TO CLOSE OUR BORDERS AND WE NEED UNIFICATION TO DO THAT.

FINALLY, I'M THE CANDIDATE THAT REPUBLICANS CAN COUNT ON THAT WON'T RAISE THEIR TAXES AND THAT WILL TAKE VOTER FRAUD SERIOUSLY.

>> ONE THING YOUR OPPONENT MENTIONED AS A CRITICISM OF YOU, HE BASICALLY SAYS YOU ARE NOT TRULY FROM THE DISTRICT AND ONLY MOVED HERE RECENTLY.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> IT IS NOT TRUE.

I GREW UP IN MONROE COUNTY.

I GREW UP ON A FARM THERE.

I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL OUT OF STATE.

I AM GRATEFUL I GREW UP IN ALABAMA.

I MET MY HUSBAND IN TEXAS.

WHEN IT CAME TIME TO START A FAMILY I WANTED TO BE IN ALABAMA.

I HAVE BEEN BACK SINCE 2019.

MY HUSBAND AND I LIVE IN MONTGOMERY.

BOTH OF MY DAUGHTERS WERE BORN IN ALABAMA AND I'M GRATEFUL TO RAISE THEM IN THE DISTRICT.

I THINK I HAVE A BETTER GRASP OF THE DISTRICT BECAUSE I'VE LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN AND A CITY IN THIS DISTRICT.

I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHAT A LOT OF THE DISTRICT, RURAL COMMUNITIES AND SMALL TOWNS IS FACING IN THIS ECONOMY.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU RESPONDING TO THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF ABORTION.

WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEMOCRATS, IF YOU WIN THE PRIMARY YOU'LL BE FIGURES SHOMARI FIGURES OR ANTHONY DANIELS IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

NO MATTER WHO IT IS THEY WILL FOCUS ON ABORTION AS AN ISSUE, LIKE DEMOCRATS ARE NATIONALLY.

BECAUSE OF THE IVF SITUATION, THE OTHER -- BECAUSE OF DOBBS AND ALL OF THAT, THEY FEEL THEY HAVE A REAL FOOTHOLD ELECTORALLY ON THAT.

HOW DO YOU POSTURE -- I KNOW YOU ARE PRO LIFE.

HOW DO YOU POSTURE YOURSELF IN ON THAT ISSUE IN THAT THEY WILL BE AGGRESSIVE ON THAT ISSUE.

>> I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPREME COURT STANDING UP FOR LIFE AND STATES RIGHTS WITH THE DOBBS DECISION.

I BELIEVE ABORTION IS A STATES RIGHTS ISSUE.

I'M GRATEFUL THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE HAS SPOKEN AND SO EMPHATICALLY PROTECTED LIFE WITH THE PRO-LIFE MEASURES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN ALABAMA.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE HAS, YOU KNOW, PROTECTED IVF.

I THINK INHERENTLY THAT IS PRO LIFE.

I'M PRO LIFE AND PRO FAMILY.

ONE IN SIX BABIES IN ALABAMA IS BORN THROUGH THE IVF PROCESS.

I TRULY BELIEVE GOD HAS GIVEN DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS THAT WHEREWITH ALL TO ALLOW COUPLES WHO NEVER THOUGHT COULD HAVE A CHILD THAT MIRACLE.

I THINK AS REPUBLICANS, WE HAVE TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE ON THIS ISSUE.

THERE ARE DEMOCRATS IN STATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THAT ARE PROMOTING ABORTION LAWS THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR ABORTIONS UP TO THE MINUTE BEFORE BIRTH.

THE BORN ALIVE ACT IN THE SENATE WAS UP FOR A VOTE IN 2019 AND IT SAID IF A BABY WAS BORN ALIVE IN A HOSPITAL FOR ANY REASON IT WAS ENTITLED TO MEDICAL CARE.

SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER.

ALL BUT TWO SENATORS VOTED AGAINST THE BORN ALIVE ACT.

WE IN THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT NEED TO STOP ALLOWING THE DEMOCRATS TO PAINT US AS EXTREME.

WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT GOD-GIVEN MIRACLES.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THE POLITIC AWARE THAT DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO PROMOTE LEGISLATIONS IN STATES THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR CHILDREN TO BE ABORTED A MINUTE BEFORE BIRTH.

>> YOU USED THE WORD EXTREME.

THEY WANT TO PAINT REPUBLICANS AS EXTREME BUT DON'T THEY HAVE AN ARGUMENT LIKE IN ALABAMA WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, EXCEPT FOR LIFE OF A MOTHER, NO RAPE OR INCEST, THINGS THAT TRUMP SAYS HE SUPPORTS.

COULD ALABAMA HAVE MORE LENIENT LAWS WHEN IT COMES TO ABORTION.

YOU SAID IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE STATES BUT DOESN'T IT HELP DEMOCRATS PAINT REPUBLICANS AS EXTREME?

>> NO.

THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO LOOK TO THE DOBBS DECISION IN ALLOWING STATES TO MAKE THAT CALL ON THE AMOUNT OF PROTECTION THEY WANT TO PROVIDE FOR LIFE.

AGAIN, I THINK, WE HAVE TO START TO TALK ABOUT WHAT DEMOCRAT STATES ARE DOING.

LEGISLATURES ARE CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS AND THE MEASURES THEY ARE TRYING TO PROMOTE THAT ARE REALLY MURDER OF CHILDREN.

>> UM, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NATURE OF CONGRESS.

LOOKING AT WASHINGTON, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WHICH YOU ARE TRYING TO GO AND REPRESENT, IT'S JUST BROKEN.

PART OF THAT IS THE SLIM MAJORITY BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A SLIM MAJORITY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GOVERN.

THERE'S A LOT OF KIND OF UPSIDE DOWN INCENTIVES.

THERE'S MORE REWARD FOR FIGHTING, FOR GRIDLOCK, FOR CREATING SPECTACLES TO GET VIRAL AND SEND FUNDRAISING EMAILS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I KNOW ONE PERSON ALONE CAN'T FIX IT ALL BUT HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT TRYING TO BE A PART OF REPAIRING CONGRESS TO WHERE IT FUNCTION?

>> THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT REPUBLICANS PREVAIL IN THIS SEAT.

WE HAVE TO INCREASE OUR MAJORITY.

SO THAT STRONG CONSERVATIVES CAN DEMONSTRATE THEIR BACKBONE AND STAND UP AND SAY WE HAVE TO CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

WE WILL NEVER GET INFLATION UNDER CONTROL UNTIL WE CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

AGAIN, THE FACT THAT I'M NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN IS HUGE.

I'M ACCOUNTABLE TO BE THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT AND I'M GOING TO REPRESENT THEM.

I'M GOING TO FIGHT AND WORK HARD.

I'M NOT GOING UP THERE TO TWEET IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA BUT DELIVER RESULTS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT.

>> OKAY.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

GOOD LUCK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND REMINDING EVERYBODY TO VOTE ON TUESDAY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, APRIL 16TH.

THANK YOU VERY HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK STARTING ON MONDAY AT 10:30 WITH COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

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