>>DON: TONIGHT ON CAPITOL JOURNAL, WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE, WHO'LL DISCUSS SUBSTITUTING HIS LOTTERY BILL WITH A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN AND GETTING IT OUT OF THE SENATE THIS WEEK.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY ROBBIE MCGHEE WITH THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS, WHO SAYS THE TRIBE IS HAPPY THAT A MORE COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PLAN IS BACK ON THE TABLE, ALONG WITH THE PROSPECT OF A COMPACT WITH THE STATE.

SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN OF BIRMINGHAM WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS HIS VOTING FOR THE GAMBLING PLAN, AND ABOUT HIS BILL THAT WOULD DELAY THE 'HOLD BACK' CLAUSE IN THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS PAUSING THE USE OF THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VIRUS VACCINE WHILE THE FEDS LOOK INTO A HANDFUL OF BLOOD CLOT ISSUES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE SHOTS.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, GAMBLING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, GUN RIGHTS AND TRANSGENDER ATHLETES ALL FIGURED PROMINENTLY IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK.

WE'LL GET TO IT ALL, BUT FIRST TONIGHT, THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL.

AL.COM REPORTED TODAY THAT CESAIRE MCPHERSON, THE WOMAN WHO SAYS SHE HAD AN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR WITH MERRILL, NOW SAYS THAT A POLITICAL CONSULTANT REFERRED TO HER BY CALEB MOORE, THE SON OF FORMER ALABAMA CHIEF JUSTICE ROY MOORE, HELPED GET HER STORY OUT.

THE NEWS OUTLET REPORTS THAT NOEL FRITSCH ONCE CONSULTED ON ROY MOORE'S 2017 U.S. SENATE CAMPAIGN.

CALEB MOORE CONFIRMED TO AL.COM THAT HE DID CONNECT FRITSCH WITH MCPHERSON, BUT SAID THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW THE PARTICULARS OF HER STORY.

MCPHERSON CONTENDS OTHERWISE, AND ALSO ALLEGES THAT THERE WAS 'POLITICAL BAD BLOOD' BETWEEN JOHN MERRILL AND ROY MOORE.

CALEB MOORE TOLD AL.COM THAT THERE WAS NOT.

ALL OF THIS COMES AMIDST A CALL FROM AN OFFICIAL WITH THE ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR A STATE INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER MERRILL MIGHT HAVE USED STATE RESOURCES TO HELP FACILITATE THE EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT THIS WEEK.

>> WE DON'T COMMENT ON POSSIBLE CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS OR INVESTIGATIONS HERE.

I CAN TELL YOU WE HAVE A TEAM THAT REVIEWS ANY CRIMINAL COMPLAINT THAT COMES TO OUR ATTENTION AND WE'LL GIVE IT DUE DILIGENCE.

>> DON: JOHN MERRILL HAS ADMITTED TO THE EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR AND HAS SAID THAT HE WON'T RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE OR FOR ANY ELECTED OFFICE NEXT YEAR.

HE HAS SAID HE'S DISAPPOINTED IN HIS BEHAVIOR AND REGRETS EMBARRASSING HIS FAMILY.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE TOLD AL.COM IN TODAY'S STORY THAT HE IS CONCERNED THAT THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN POLITICAL REASONS BEHIND THE AFFAIR COMING TO LIGHT, BUT THAT HE TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OWN ACTIONS.

>>DON: A BILL TO CREATE A STATE LOTTERY TOOK A BIG TURN THIS WEEK WHEN IT WAS SUBSTITUTED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN THAT WOULD INCLUDE CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING, SIMILAR TO THE ONE THE SENATE REJECTED LAST MONTH.

THE UPPER CHAMBER'S MOOD APPARENTLY CHANGED SINCE THEN AND IT APPROVED THE NEW MEASURE THIS ON TUESDAY.

LOTTERY SPONSOR, SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE, SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> THE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON THIS, AND THE SENATE HAS STEPPED FORWARD, PRESENTED A PACKAGE -- A GAMBLING PACKAGE.

WE ARE READY TO GIVE IT TO THE PEOPLE IT'S NOW RESTING IN THE HOUSE.

IT'S THE HOUSE'S JOB TO GET THAT BILL OUT SO THE PEOPLE HAVE A SAY SO ON THIS PROCESS.

>>DON: SENATOR MCCLENDON WILL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON SAID ON THURSDAY THAT THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE DECISION ON WHICH HOUSE COMMITTEES WOULD VET BOTH THE PROPOSED GAMBLING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND THE ENABLING LEGISLATION.

HE WAS ASKED WHETHER THE MEASURES WOULD EVENTUALLY COME UP FOR A VOTE IN HIS CHAMBER.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET ONE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR BEFORE WE ADJOURN.

THAT IS A PRIORITY OF OURS AT THIS POINT.

THE HOUSE IS KNOWN FOR TAKING OUR TIME ON LEGISLATION, NOT TRYING TO RUSH SOMETHING THROUGH FOR THE SAKE OF GETTING IT PASSED.

BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT HEY, WE ARE GOING TO RUSH A BILL THROUGH.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE OUR TIME AND WORK THROUGH THE BILL.

>> DON: THERE ARE SEVEN DAYS REMAINING IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH IS TECHNICALLY ENOUGH TIME TO PASS THE GAMBLING MEASURES.

SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE PREDICTED A POSSIBLE SPECIAL SESSION ON THE ISSUE.

>>DON: A BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE IS HEADED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR, AFTER BEING APPROVED BY A SECOND HOUSE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

AND LAWMAKERS HAVE GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL TO A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD GIVE STATE JUDGES MORE DISCRETION IN GRANTING BAIL TO THOSE ACCUSED OF SOME OF THE MORE VIOLENT CRIMES.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> SAME BILL.

NEW EXITTY.

SENATOR TIM NELSON BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE WITH HIS MEDICINAL MARIJUANA PROPOSAL.

LAST WEEK IT PASSED THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THIS WEEK, THE WORK CONTINUES.

WE'LL ADD, TAKE AWAY WHATEVER AMENDMENTS PLACED ON OR TAKEN OFF OF AS A SINGLE BILL.

THE PUBLIC WILL BE ON HAND TO COMMENT ON THE BILL.

>> THERE ARE NO CREDIBLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT MARIJUANA IS PROFOUND WITH PAIN.

YOU HAVE FOUND IN STATES INCREASED USE, ABUSE AND DEATH FROM OPIATES.

>> THE NEXT DAY THE SENATE MEETS AGAIN, IT'S APPROVED AND HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> IT'S NOT YOUR FIRST CHOICE OF TREATMENT, BUT IF YOU HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE AND THIS IS AN OPTION FOR THAT PARTICULAR DISEASE OR ILLNESS, IT WILL BE OUT THERE AND PEOPLE WILLING TO TRY IT.

>> THE ACTION ACONCLUDES MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE AMONG THEM CHANGES TO HOUSE BILL 130 KNOWN AS ANIAH'S LAW.

>> IT'S SPELLED OUT, THE OFFENSES BUT NOT AS BROAD.

THE VOTERS WILL KNOW WHAT IT DOES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN SAYS THE BILL IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO BEING REALITY.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS.

IT'S BEEN A TEAM EFFORT.

MARIKA COLEMAN HAS BEEN INVOLVED.

IT'S A BIPARTISAN EFFORT FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE TO GET THIS DONE.

>> FROM CAPITOL JOURNAL, I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>>DON: THE SENATE ON THURSDAY APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BLOCK FEDERAL GUN CONTROL LAWS IN ALABAMA.

IT COMES AS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ISSUES CALLS FOR NEW GUN RESTRICTIONS, IN THE WAKE OF A COUPLE OF MASS SHOOTINGS.

THE MEASURE IS SPONSORED BY TUSCALOOSA SENATOR GERALD ALLEN.

>> THIS BILL WOULD EXPAND FREEDOM AND LIBERTY FOR ALABAMA CITIZENS ENSURING THAT CERTAIN FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS WOULD NOT BE SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OF ALABAMA.

>> WE WANT EVERYTHING ELSE COMING FROM THE FEDS IN TERMS OF DOLLARS.

AS MUCH AS THE STATE LIVES ON FEDERAL DOLLAR, WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE ON FEDERAL RULES.

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THIS IS CONSTITUTIONAL THAT YOU CAN PREEMPT THE FEDERAL LAW.

>> DON: ALLEN'S SO-CALLED 'ALABAMA SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT' WOULD APPLY TO ANY FEDERAL GUN LAWS IMPOSED AFTER JANUARY 1ST OF THIS YEAR.

IT NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE.

>> DON: THE LEGISLATURE ON THURSDAY GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TO >>DON: THE SENATE ON THURSDAY APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT K-12 SCHOOLS FROM ALLOWING TRANSGENDER YOUTH TO COMPETE ON FEMALE SPORTS TEAMS.

IT WAS CARRIED IN THE UPPER CHAMBER BY SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER OF CULLMAN, AND WAS OPPOSED BY, AMONG OTHERS, SENATOR KIRK HATCHER OF MONTGOMERY.

>> THIS BILL IS ABOUT SAFETY IN WOMEN'S ATHLETICS, PERIOD.

IF I HAD A DAUGHTER, I WOULD WANT HER TO HAVE A FAIR PLAYING GROUND.

THIS BILL ADDRESSES THAT ONLY.

>> I WILL NEVER, EVER VOTE FOR ANY LEGISLATION THAT EVEN HINTS AT ANY POSSIBILITY OF MARGINALIZING PEOPLE.

I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T AS A MARGINALIZED PERSON.

>>DON: THE SENATE MADE MINOR CHANGES TO THE TRANSGENDER ATHLETES BILL, BUT THE HOUSE CONCURRED WITH THOSE CHANGES AND THE MEASURE HAS NOW GONE TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY FOR HER SIGNATURE.

>>DON: THE SENATE THIS WEEK APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DELAY THE SO-CALLED 'HOLD BACK' CLAUSE IN THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT, A DELAY SUPPORTERS SAY IS NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> WE HAVE OUR KIDS SITTING BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, TEACHER ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION WITH THEM, GOING OVER WHAT THESE LETTERS MEAN AND HOW TO PUT THEM TOGETHER AND PRONOUNCE THEM.

THIS CAN'T BE DONE BY A SOUND BITE ON A COMPUTER.

>> THAT IS WHY STATE SENATOR SMITHERMAN WANTS TO PAUSE AN ALABAMA LITERACY ENACTMENT TO TEST THIRD GRADERS.

DEBATE ON THE BILL LASTED AN HOUR WITH NINE LAWMAKERS VOTING AGAINST THE PLAN.

>> THE BILL GIVES ME GREAT CONCERN.

I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU BROUGHT IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED IN EDUCATION IS THAT EVERY YEAR COUNTS.

EVERY YEAR WE DON'T DO WHAT WE COULD DO, WE LOSE A WHOLE CLASS.

>> I WAS TOLD THE OTHER DAY, IF YOU WERE TO GIVE THE TEST AT 40% OF THE STUDENTS WOULD NOT PASS.

TO YOUR ISSUE, IF THEY ARE NOT PASSING, THEY ARE FLUNKED OR FAILED.

MY WORRY IS, AS OTHERS, IT'S NOT THAT WE WANT THEM TO FAIL.

WE DON'T WANT TO PUSH THEM FORWARD TO FAIL IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THEY ARE UNPREPARED.

>> 23 SENATORS SAID, YES.

>> NOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH COVID FOR OVER A YEAR, AND THE WAY SCHOOL HAS GONE, HAS NOT GONE, CHILDREN HAVE NOT BEEN GETTING THEIR USUAL INSTRUCTION, I HAVE HEARD THAT SOME KIDS HAVEN'T EVEN OPENED A COMPUTER OR BOOK SINCE ALL OF IT STARTED HAPPENING.

>> THE BILL NOW MOVES TO THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL, KAY RAIN GOLDSMITH.

>>DON: THE HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE THIS WEEK HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON A CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE THE FINES FOR MOVING HISTORICAL MONUMENTS TO 10,000-DOLLARS A DAY, UNTIL VIOLATIONS ARE RECTIFIED.

THE CURRENT FINE IS A FLAT 25,000-DOLLARS.

THE LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HOLMES OF WETUMPKA, WHO PREVIOUSLY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE WAS WELL AWARE THAT HIS PLAN HAS VEHEMENT CRITICS.

>> SOME OF THOSE MONUMENTS ARE SEEN AS RACIST.

I DON'T.

THEY ARE RECOGNITION OF A HERO OR EVENT THAT IS HISTORY, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH IT OR DISAGREE WITH IT, YOU CAN WALK BY AND IGNORE IT, WALK BY AND CURSE IT OR WALK BY AND LEAVE IT ALONE.

THAT'S WHAT THE BILL ASKS.

LEAVE IT ALONE.

>>DON: SEVERAL AFRICAN AMERICAN LAWMAKERS PASSIONATELY PUSHED BACK AGAINST HOLMES' LEGISLATION THIS WEEK.

NO COMMITTEE VOTE ON THE BILL HAS BEEN SET.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WATCH PAST EPISODES AT APTV.ORG.

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

LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF CAPITOL JOURNAL DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL.

NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATOR MCCLENDON IS WITH US.

>> SO NICE.

I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME BACK.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK.

WE PACKED IN A LOT OF ACTION, GOT A LOT OF RESULTS.

>> YOU TOLD US ON THE SHOW LAST WEEK IF YOU FELT YOU NEEDED TO YOU WOULD COMPROMISE ON YOUR LOTTERY ONLY BILL AND OFFER A SUBSTITUTE WITH A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PACKAGE.

THAT ENDED UP BEING THE CASE.

YOU SAID ON THE FLOOR THIS WEEK THAT YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU HAD THE VOTES FOR THE LOTTERY ONLY BILL AND YOU HAD TO EXPAND IT.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

I PREFER A SIMPLE LOTTERY BILL, EASIER FOR THE SENATE TO DEAL WITH, EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND.

I COULDN'T GET THE VOTES.

THEY WEREN'T THERE.

THERE ARE OTHER ENTITIES IN ALABAMA DOING GAMBLING.

THEY WANTED SOMETHING TO INCLUDE THEIR FACILITIES, AND ESSENTIALLY LEGITIMIZED THEM.

THEY ARE ON THE EDGE, IF YOU RECALL, NOT MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A RAID ON ONE OF THE PLACES.

THEY TOOK THEIR MACHINES.

MANY OF THE EXISTING FACILITIES, THEY ARE AFRAID TO DO CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS.

THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY'LL BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS.

WE HAD TO INCLUDE THEM IN THE BILL, THE CASINO OPERATIONS.

>> YOU ARE REFERRING TO GREENE, MACON AND -- >> GENE, MACON, JEFFERSON, MOBILE -- I FEEL LIKE I'M FORGETTING SOMEBODY.

WE CREATED A NEW LOCATION THAT WE'LL SELL A LICENSE TO IN NORTH ALABAMA.

THERE ARE SIX TOTAL, WHATEVER I LEFT OUT.

THERE ARE SIX OF THEM.

>> YOUR AIM IS TO COMPROMISE TO GET THE LOTTERY.

>> PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR.

THEY WANT A LOTTERY.

I TRIED TO GET A LOTTERY.

I COULDN'T DO IT.

WE OPENED IT UP, PICKED UP THE NECESSARY VOTES.

THE SENATE PASSED THE BILL OUT.

WE HAVE HAD POLLING DATA AFTER POLLING DATA SHOW THE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON THIS.

THE SENATE HAS STEPPED FORWARD, PRESENTED A PACKAGE, A GAMBLING PACKAGE.

WE ARE READY TO GIVE IT TO THE PEOPLE.

IT'S NOW RESTING IN THE HOUSE.

IT'S THE HOUSE'S JOB TO GET THE BILL OUT SO THE PEOPLE HAVE A SAY SO ON THE PROCESS.

>> DOES THE HOUSE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET IT OUT?

>> THERE ARE SEVEN DAYS LEFT -- SEVEN LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

>> THE HOUSE HAS PLENTY OF TIME.

I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN TRACKING THIS.

THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME TO GET THIS DONE.

REMEMBER, ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THE PART I'M CARRYING, IT DOESN'T GO TO THE GOVERNOR.

ONCE THE HOUSE AND SENATE SIGN OFF ON THE ARRANGEMENT, IT'S DONE.

IT GOES TO THE POLL.

THAT GOES BEFORE THE VOTERS NOVEMBER 2022.

>> I'M GLAD YOU POINTED OUT, YOU ARE CARRYING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

SENATOR MARSH IS CARRYING THE LEGISLATIVE PART, THE FINE PRINT.

>> IT'S THE DETAILS, THE INSIDE DETAILS ON HOW IT'S DONE.

IT'S JUST THE WAY YOU DO IT.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS THE IMPORTANT PART.

THAT'S WHERE THE PEOPLE COME AND SAY, OKAY, IN SPITE OF OUR CONSTITUTION SAYING WE DON'T HAVE GAMBLING, WE MAKE AN EXCEPTION.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.

>> THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS WHAT DIDN'T PASS AT THE SENATE A MONTH AGO.

WHAT'S CHANGED?

>> A NUMBER OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

ONE THING THAT CHANGED WAS THE LICENSE URE ARRANGEMENT.

THE CASINO OPERATIONS HAVE TO BUY A LICENSE FROM THE STATE.

BEFORE A PRICE WAS SET FOR WHAT THEY WOULD PAY.

THE FEEDBACK FROM THE SENATE, THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BID PROCESS LIKE WE DO EVERYTHING ELSE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE HAVE INSTITUTED A BID PROCESS.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BID ON IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THIS BECAUSE IT'S NOT RESTRICTED TO ALABAMA.

ANYBODY WITH MONEY CAN COME IN HERE.

IF THEY MEET THE CRITERIA, FINANCIAL STABILITY, PASS ALL OF OUR SECURITY TESTS, THEY ARE GOING TO BE BIDDING FOR THE LICENSES.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SELL THEM.

THERE IS A MINIMUM TOO, BY THE WAY.

IF YOU HAVE ONE BIDDER FOR $5, THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE MET A LOT WITH GOVERNOR IVEY ON THIS ISSUE.

CAN YOU TELL US HOW SHE'S FEELING?

>> SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING BILL TO BRING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF GAMING TOGETHER UNDER ONE BILL AND GET IT UNDER CONTROL AND AUTHORITY OF THE STATE.

NOT ONLY WILL WE REGULATE IT AS FAR AS DEALING WITH CORRUPTION, WE ARE GOING TO TAX IT.

WHAT GOOD MONEY THIS IS.

WE BRING IT TO THE STATE.

WE DON'T FORCE PEOPLE TO PAY A TAX.

WE DON'T FORCE THEM TO GAMBLE OR BUY A LOTTERY TICKET.

IF THEY WANT TO DO THAT, THE STATE IS GOING TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF IT.

WE ARE NOT MAKING THEM PAY IT.

>> WHERE THIS IS IN THIS SESSION, YOU THINK IT CAN GET OUT IN THIS SESSION.

I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO YOUR COLLEAGUES WITH A SPECIAL SESSION, WE MIGHT NOT GET IT OUT OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I CAN'T SEE THE NEED FOR THAT.

WE HAVE THE -- THE SENATE GOT THE JUMP ON THE TALK ABOUT HAVING A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE HAD THE BALL ROLLING WHEN THE DISCUSSION CAME UP, AND IF THE HOUSE DOES ITS JOB AND APPROVES OR RECOMMENDS A BILL, WORKS ON THE ONE WE SENT THEM, WE DON'T NEED A SPECIAL SESSION, WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH.

A SPECIAL SESSION AT THIS POINT IS NOT NEEDED.

>> WHERE THE REVENUE IS CONCERNED FROM THE BILL, I KNOW YOUR LOTTERY ONLY BILL PROPOSED A SPLIT OF LOTTERY REVENUE BETWEEN GENERAL FUND AND EDUCATION, NOW YOU ARE GOING ALL EDUCATION.

>> THE PEOPLE I TALKED TO, NO TELLING HOW MANY E-MAILS SAID, YOU HAVE TO PUT THE MONEY IN EDUCATION.

THE LOTTERY MONEY IS GOING IN EDUCATION, 100% OF IT.

THERE IS OTHER MONEY COMING IN.

WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO AUTHORIZE SPORTS BETTING -- EVENTUALLY.

WE'LL HAVE A COMMISSION TO DO THAT.

THAT MONEY WILL BE ROUTED AROUND.

WE ALSO HAVE GAMING MONEY.

AS FAR AS PEOPLE GOING TO THE CASINOS, THERE IS GOING TO BE GOOD MONEY COMING IN THERE.

THAT MONEY IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING AN INFRASTRUCTURE, INTERNET SERVICE THROUGHOUT ALABAMA, PARTICULARLY RURAL AREAS.

PART OF THAT MONEY IS TO BE USED FOR RURAL HEALTH ISSUES, PART OF THAT FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

THEN THERE'S ALSO A SPORTS BETTING MONEY.

WE USE THAT TO PAY OFF DEBT THAT WE CREATED BEFORE, AND USE IT TO BUILD UP A RESERVE FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

THE MONEY IS COMING FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, GOING DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

HERE'S THE TAKE AWAY, LOTTERY MONEY IS GOING TO EDUCATION.

>> THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE IN HOUSE COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK.

IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING?

>> THE HOUSE OPERATES ON THEIR WHICH HE WILL.

IT COULD BE NEXT WEEK.

IT SURE COULD.

WE SENT IT TO THEM A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.

>> THE SOONER THE BETTER, RIGHT?

>> THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON THE SESSION.

>> WHEN THIS GOES UP FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, YOU HAVE OFTEN CITED HUGE CALLS FROM PEOPLE BACK HOME WANTING A VOTE ON THE ISSUE.

THERE IS A QUESTION MARK ON WHETHER VOTERS APPROVE THIS AT THE POLLS?

>> THERE IS.

THAT'S THE BEST PART OF THE DEAL.

THE VOTERS GET THE FINAL SAY.

FOLKS OUT THERE, CITIZENS OF ALABAMA WANT TO LEGITIMIZE THE GAMBLING, AND IT'S ALREADY GOING ON, LET'S MAKE MONEY AT IT, LET'S REGULATE IT.

IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT, THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS, DON, THE VOTERS, IT WOULD SURPRISE ME IF THEY VOTED IT DOWN, IF THEY DID, THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT.

>> YOU THINK THIS IS THE LAST BEST CHANCE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> IF IT'S VOTED DOWN IN THE HOUSE AND DOESN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE OR IT'S VOTED DOWN BY THE CITIZENS, I CAN SEE IT BEING A LONG TIME BEFORE THERE'S ANOTHER SHOT AT THERE.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, HOUSE MEMBERS SAID THIS WAS A BIG PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND THEY HAD A LOT OF READING TO DO.

>> YOU CAN READ IT OVERNIGHT.

YOU NEED A HIGHLIGHTER AND RED BALLPOINT PEN AND A COUPLE OF HOURS AND YOU CAN READ THE BILL.

THERE ARE FOUR BILLS.

THERE IS A LOT OF READING.

THERE IS A LOT OF DETAIL, THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE.

IT'S COMPREHENSIVE.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?

>> I AM OPTIMISTIC.

I'M DEFINITELY OPTIMISTIC.

I'M PLEASED.

I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THIS OUT OF THE WAY OF THE SENATE AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE THINGS WE SHOULD BE DOING.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> IN THE CASE UP ON THE BROADCAST, ROBBY MCGHEE IS ADVISER TO THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS.

HE'S IN STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

>> THE PLANS DOMINATING HERE THIS WEEK.

THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN IS BACK ON THE TABLE, OUT OF THE SENATE.

THE TRIBE'S INPUT AND OPINION, I GUESS, OF THIS FIGURES PREDOMINANTLY IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS.

I ASSUME THE TRIBE IS HAPPY THIS IS ON THE TABLE NOW?

>> DEFINITELY.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THE TRIBE IS TRYING TO SAY, IT'S TIME TO GET A GAMING BILL TOGETHER ONE THAT'S GOOD FOR THE STATE, COMMISSION MANY PLACE, THE LOTTERY, A COMPETITIVE TAX RATE AND IT'S LIMITED.

IT'S LIMITED WITHIN THE STATE OF ALABAMA MEANING THE SITES AND SUCH.

IT'S SOMETHING EVERYONE, THE HOUSE CAN BE BEHIND IT AND THE PUBLIC WHEN IT GOES TO VOTE.

>> THE NEXT BIG CHALLENGE IS THE HOUSE.

DO YOU HAVE OPTIMISM THERE?

>> I DO.

WE ARE TRYING TO BE TRANSPARENT AND MEET WITH LEGISLATORS AND HOUSE MEMBERS AND SAY WHAT CAN WE DO?

HOW CAN WE HELP?

THESE ARE THINGS WE HAVE HEARD, THESE ARE THINGS PEOPLE WANT TO SEE OUT OF THE BILL.

SENATOR MCCLENDON AND MARSH AND ALBRIGHTEN DID A GREAT JOB OF TRYING TO GET FEEDBACK AND SUCH AND PUT IT INTO ONE PACKAGE.

NOW, HEAD TO THE HOUSE AND HOPEFULLY, I THINK THEY'LL STAND BEHIND THAT.

>> THE TRIBAL CHAIR ISSUED A STATEMENT THIS WEEK IN SUPPORT OF THIS.

I KNOW IT WAS VIEWED AS IMPORTANT IN THE OVERALL DEBATE.

>> THE CHAIRWOMAN IS INVOLVED AND WANTING SOMETHING TO COME TO FRUITION.

SHE'S BEEN CHAIR FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

WE HAVE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND SUCH.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH FOR YEARS.

YOU KNOW THAT.

SO TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT WE THINK, THIS LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING THAT THE TRIBES SUPPORT AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA CAN SUPPORT, WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT IT.

>> WHERE THE TRIBE'S VOICE BEING INTEGRAL TO THE DEBATE IS CONCERNED, LET'S START WITH THE NEW CASINO BUILT IN NORTH ALABAMA UNDER THIS COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PLAN THAT THE TRIBE WOULD BUILD, RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR.

THAT'S WHAT THIS -- IN ORDER -- WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS IN THE PAST REGARDING THE COMPACT TO GIVE AND TO GET.

WE LOOK AT THE NORTHEAST PROPERTY AS THE GIVE, TO GIVE THE LOCATION TO THE TRIBE AND WE'LL MAKE SURE DURING THE COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS WE HAVE THE REVENUE SHARING AGREEMENT ON THE FACILITY AND SUCH.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE LOCATION.

WE FEEL IT WILL TAP INTO A NEW MARKET.

WE TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE IT A TOURIST DESTINATION AND WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN THE AREA, HOPEFULLY EVERYONE WILL BE PROUD OF AND CARRY THE WIND CREEK BRAND UP NORTH.

>> HAVE YOU NAILED IT DOWN SPECIFICALLY, YET?

>> NO, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU WANT THE BUY IN FROM THE COMMUNITY AND COUNTY AND SUCH.

IT'S COMING DOWN TO ECONOMIC STUDIES TO DETERMINE THE BEST LOCATION.

IN THE END, YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE TO BRING IN THE MOST REVENUE TO THE STATE.

IT'S TAXED AND SUCH.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE TO TAKE TIME TO DO DUE DILIGENCE TO DETERMINE WHERE THAT IS.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE COMPACT.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A COMPACT BETWEEN THE STATE AND TRIBE.

THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN ALLOWS FOR THAT.

THEY NEGOTIATE WITH THE TRIBE TO SHARE IN THE REVENUE OF THE EXISTING AND FUTURE CASINOS.

>> THAT'S THE CONCERN A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEING ON TRUST LAND.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS NOT TAXED.

ALLOWING THE TRIBE TO DO CASINO STYLE GAMING IS LEGAL WITHIN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

NOW LET'S SIT DOWN AND DETERMINE THE NEGOTIATED FEE AND SUCH.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT -- I THINK THE STATE WILL BE EXCITED ABOUT.

FINALLY, YOU HAVE THE COMPACT.

YOU HAVE A REGULATORY BODY IN PLACE.

YOU HAVE A LOTTERY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE ALABAMA DESTINATION ADD TO THE EXISTENCE HERE.

>> THE TRIBE HAS BEEN OPEN TO THE IDEA OF A COMPACT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS DURING VARIOUS ITERATIONS OF A GAMBLING BILL.

NOW WE ARE DOWN TO THIS ONE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE ONE YET CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATION.

THAT MUST BE ENCOURAGING?

>> IT IS.

LIKE YOU SAID WE ALWAYS WANT TO BE AT THE TABLE FOR A COMPACT THROUGH VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS SAID SHE SUPPORTS A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL GIVING THE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

THAT'S WHAT THIS DOES.

IT'S SOMETHING I BELIEVE SHE SUPPORTS, THE HOUSE WILL SUPPORT, AND HOPEFULLY, SOMETHING WE GET OUT SOON.

WE ARE RUNNING ON A TIGHT DEADLINE WITH THE NUMBER OF DAYS LEFT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD ALL TRY TO GET BEHIND AND HOPEFULLY GIVE THE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

>> I THINK IT BEARS CLARIFYING FOR FOLKS THAT DON'T FOLLOW THE DEBATE CLOSELY AS YOU AND I DO.

YOU TALKED ABOUT FEDERAL LAND.

TRIBAL FACILITIES DO SO ON TRIBAL LAND AND ARE FOLLOWED BY FEDERAL LAND.

THAT'S TRIBAL FACILITIES VERSUS OFFICERS THAT COME TO THE STATE UNDER THE LEGISLATION.

>> YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

YOU HAVE TALKED TO ME A LOT ABOUT IT.

YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE THREE FACILITIES ARE ON WHAT CAN CONSIDERED TRIBAL LAND SO IT'S UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION NOT THE STATE.

THE STATE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY, THE REGULATORY COMMISSION WILL ALSO HAVE THE REGULATORY COMMISSION OVER THE CASINO STYLE GAMES AS WELL.

THERE IS THAT NEGOTIATED -- HOW THAT WORKS AND SUCH.

THERE WILL BE SOME TYPE OF AUTHORITY OVER JUST THE STYLE OF GAMES AND SUCH BUT NOT THE LAND ITSELF OR FACILITY.

>> WHERE PROCEEDS FROM CASINOS ARE CONCERNED, THE STATE WOULD TAX THE CASINOS.

IT'S BEEN PROPOSED THAT THE REVENUE FROM THOSE TAXES WOULD GO TO THINGS LIKE BROADBAND EXPANSION AND RURAL HEALTHCARE AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE.

THAT PERKS EARS OF A LOT OF FOLKS WHEN THEY HEAR WHERE THE MONEY WOULD GO.

THOSE ARE ALL GREAT NEED AREAS.

>> THE TRIBE HASN'T BEEN PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

HOPEFULLY THEY LISTEN TO THE NEEDS OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND NEEDS OF THE STATE.

IN COVID THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF WHERE BROADBAND IS IMPORTANT FOR INDIVIDUALS TO CONNECT AND DO THEIR JOBS AND RURAL MEDICAL CARE, THAT'S A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW MUCH IT'S BEEN NEEDED OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF AND THE OTHER THING IS EDUCATION.

THIS LEGISLATION IS GOING TO CHANGE THE OUT LOOK FOR THE STATE IN A LOT OF AREAS WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> SENATOR MCCLENDON WAS ON BEFORE YOU AND WE ASKED HIM ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF THIS GOING TO THE VOTERS OF ALABAMA.

THERE IS A QUESTION MARK THERE.

WILL VOTERS OF ALABAMA APPROVE THIS?

THEY HAVE CLAMORED FOR MANY YEARS TO VOTE ON THE ISSUE AGAIN.

IF THEY GET IT NEXT YEAR, WOULD THEY ACTUALLY APPROVE IT?

DOES THAT MAKE YOU NERVOUS OR ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?

>> I'M OPTIMISTIC.

WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THEY ARE GOING TO COME OUT AND VOTE.

THEY CANNOT SUPPORT OR WHAT.

OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE DONE POLLING, FOCUS GROUPS, THAT THE PEOPLE WANT THIS AND THEY ARE READY TO DEAL WITH THIS AND THEY ARE READY TO PUT IT BEHIND THEM.

THEY ARE TIRED OF A LOT OF INCOME GOING OUT OF THE STATE TO THE LOTTERY.

PEOPLE GO TO OTHER STATES TO DO GAMING AND SUCH.

IT'S TIME TO BRING PEOPLE INTO THE STATE AND MAKE SURE THEY SPEND THE DOLLARS HERE AND SUCH.

PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THEY WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PROGRESSIVE.

IT SHOWS WE ARE READY TO BE A PROGRESSIVE STATE.

>> WAS THE TRIBE FRUSTRATED WHEN THE PLAN WAS INITIALLY REJECTED IN THE SENATE AND NOW IT'S COME BACK TO BE APPROVED BY THE SENATE?

>> WE TRIED OUR BEST TO STAY OPTIMISTIC.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE WHAT THEY DO HERE IS AMAZING TO ME.

THE AMAZING WORK THEY HAVE TO DO AND SEE WHO SUPPORTS WHAT AND WHAT ARE THE REASONS WHY OR TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHER LEGISLATORS AND TRY TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS, IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME.

YOU KNOW THIS.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED, WE NEEDED MORE TIME.

AFTER SENATOR MCCLENDON AND MARSH AND ALBRIGHT AND OFFICERS GOT TOGETHER THEY SAID WE HAVE TO TRY TO GET THIS DONE.

YOU HAD THE GOVERNOR MAKING STATEMENTS ABOUT -- I WANT COMPREHENSIVE GAMING.

I WANT THE PEOPLE TO VOTE.

THAT HELPS A LOT WHEN SHE MAKES THOSE TYPE OF STATEMENTS SAYING, IT'S TIME TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

>> ROBBIE MCGHEE ADVISER TO THE POARCH BAND OF INDIANS.

NICE TO HAVE YOU.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH ONLINE, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT D DAILY @APT.ORG OR BY MAIL.

♪ ♪ >> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST SENATOR ROGER SMITHINGTON.

LET'S START WITH THE GAMBLING PLAN.

THE SENATE APPROVED IT THIS WEEK AFTER REJECTING IT A MONTH AGO.

YOU WERE A YES VOTE.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT, I WAS.

>> YOU FEEL THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS THE BETTER WAY TO GO?

>> I THINK THIS PLAN WILL BRING IN THE MOST COLLEAGUES IN TERMS OF SUPPORT AND THE BILL HAVING A REASONABLE CHANCE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS WHAT WE HEARD MANY PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER.

THAT'S WHAT WE WORK TOWARD.

YOUR COLLEAGUE, SENATOR GREG ALBRIGHT SAID ON THIS SHOW AND ELSEWHERE MANY TIMES THAT WE NEED TO REGULATE EVERYTHING OUT THERE, AND WE NEED TO TAX THE DEVIL OUT OF IT, AS HE PUT IT.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO REGULATE.

OF COURSE, THE MAIN PURPOSE FOR HAVING THE BILL IS SO THAT WE CAN GENERATE REVENUE IN TERMS OF THE LOTTERY AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EDUCATION AND TERMS OF THE GAMBLING AS YOU CALL IT TO PROVIDE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, BROADBAND OVER THE STATE, OPENING RURAL HOSPITALS AND ASSIST IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AS WELL.

THAT'S THE WAY TO GET PLENTY OF REVENUE TO DO THOSE THINGS.

>> TIME IS LIMITED IN THIS SESSION.

>> IT IS.

WE ARE WINDING DOWN TO THE LAST FEW DAYS.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IT GETS MOVING IN THE HOUSE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO GET THROUGH THE DEBATE AND PROCESS.

YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

>> SENATOR, I WANT TO TURN TO LEGISLATION YOU GOT OUT OF THE SENATE THIS WEEK.

IT DEALS WITH THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

IT WOULD DELAY THE HOLDING THIRD GRADERS BACK PROVISION OF THE LITERACY ACT IF THEY ARE NOT UP TO GRADE READING LEVEL.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PHILOSOPHY?

>> WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE COVID 19 CRISIS FOR GOING ON A YEAR AND A HALF.

THIS WAS RIGHT AFTER WE PASSED THE BILL.

YOU HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE AT HOME WHO STAY HOME AND GO TO SCHOOL VIRTUAL.

THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN EXPECT THEM TO GET THE ASSISTANCE AND HELP THEY NEED TO BE IN A POSITION TO PASS THAT KIND OF TEST.

IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

MANY SITUATIONS YOU HAVE RELATIVES AT HOME -- LACK OF BETTER WORD, BABY SITTING WHILE THE KIDS LOOK AT SCHOOL AND TRYING TO SORT THROUGH ALL OF THE THINGS.

THE TEACHERS ARE TRYING, BUT IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO HAVE REFERENCE AND TUTORING AND FOLLOW UP AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

WE ARE SETTING THEM UP IN A SITUATION TO FAIL.

WE NEED TO EXTEND THE TIME SO OUR TEACHERS CAN BE FULLY PREPARED SO STUDENTS CAN GET ALL OF THE HANDS ON THEY NEED, AND THEN WE CAN HAVE A SERIES OF PRETESTING.

I PUT AN AMENDMENT THAT AFTER EACH GRADING PERIOD THAT YOU CAN PRETEST, WHERE THE STUDENT WAS AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

IN THE SITUATION WE ARE IN NOW, WE NEED TO LOOK AT IN OUR BUDGETS INCREASING THE AT RISK MONEY SO WE ADDED ALL OF THE HELP THESE STUDENTS NEED TO BE ABLE TO PASS.

THE CRY THAT I HEARD FROM ALL -- JUST ABOUT ALL OF MY SUPERINTENDENTS, SO MANY TEACHERS, WE NEED MORE TIME TO GET PREPARED AND TO GET THE STUDENTS PREPARED.

>> GET BACK TO INPERSON LEARNING.

GET THEM BACK INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S BEEN SAID DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT VIRTUAL LEARNING CAN NEVER REPLACE THE QUALITY OF INPERSON LEARNING.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOLLOW UP ON THINGS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.

IF YOU DON'T, YOU START GOING DOWN THE WRONG PATH, THINKING YOU UNDERSTAND SOMETHING.

NOW YOU HAVE TO UNTEACH THEM THE RIGHT THING AND TRY TO INSTILL THE RIGHT.

IN-PERSON LEARNING WILL ELIMINATE THAT.

THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS WORK THROUGH THE SITUATION WITH COVID-19.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE STUDENTS READY.

>> WE ARE NOT DOING AWAY WITH THE PROVISION TO HOLD BACK THIRD GRADERS THAT CAN'T READ.

WE ARE DELAYING IT UNTIL AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I HAVE HAD A CHANCE -- I'M ONE OF YOUR VIEWERS.

I'M FOLLOWING UP ON COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE WELL, WE CAN GO THROUGH THE NEXT YEAR AND GET THERE AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO.

IF TESTING IS SUPPOSED TO START NEXT MAY, APRIL OR WHENEVER IT'S SUPPOSED TO START.

WE DON'T COME INTO THE SESSION UNTIL JANUARY.

THE SCHOOLS ARE GEARING UP FOR THE TESTING.

HOW IN THE WORLD ARE WE GOING TO AT THAT POINT, HOPEFULLY WE PASS SOMETHING THAT THE LAST MINUTE WHEN EVERYONE IS GEARED UP RUNNING TO THE END, BY THE WAY, WE PASSED IT NOW.

YOU STOP.

THAT TIME COULD HAVE BEEN SPENT PREPARING PEOPLE AND GETTING READY AND CATCHING UP ON WHAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO, NOT IN A CRISIS MODE.

IT'S ONE THING TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DO, BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOU PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SUCCEED AND NOT TO FAIL.

>> SENATOR, LET'S SPEND THE LAST FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT A BILL DEBATED ON THE SENATE FLOOR THURSDAY DEALING WITH THE K-12 ATHLETIC COMPETITION.

BOTH TEAMS HAVE TO BE MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF THE SAME GENDER UNLESS THE EVENT IS DESIGNATED AS COED.

YOU AND YOUR MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN YOU IN PARTICULAR ABOUT HOW THIS MIGHT AFFECT ATTRACTING SPORTS TOURNAMENTS TO THE STATE.

BIRMINGHAM IS ON THE CUSP OF HOLDING WORLD GAMES.

>> WHEN THE BILL WAS IN COMMITTEE, A LOT OF THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT MADE KNOWN TO ME AND SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES.

IN FACT, MONDAY OF THIS WEEK, THE NCAA MADE A STATEMENT REGARDING THAT AND REGARDING EVENTS IN STATES THAT PASSED THOSE BILLS.

ONCE RECEIVING THE INFORMATION, THEN IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT WE STAND A CHANCE TO LOSE A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS STATE.

FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

YOU SAY WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

SUCH AS, WE HAVE A NEW ARENA REMODELING OF THE ARENA, A NEW STADIUM BEING BUILT.

THAT'S GOING TO BRING MILLIONS OF ECONOMIC DOLLARS TO THE REGION AND TO THE STATE IN TERMS OF TAXES.

IT'S GOING TO BRING MANY JOBS.

TEMPORARY OR SOME MAY BE PERMANENT.

WE ARE GOING TO LOSE ALL OF THAT, AND NOT JUST NCAA.

RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE, IF NOT THIS WEEK, SOON, THE NCAA BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT AT THE SHORES AND THAT PART OF THE STATE.

THEY WILL LOSE THAT.

ANY OF THESE EVENTS THAT THE NCAA PROVIDES -- >> YOU THINK THEY WON'T LOOK FAVORABLY ON THIS BILL?

>> ANY STATE THAT PASSES THAT SORT OF BILLS.

THEY HAVE A PROCESS THEY GO THROUGH DEALING WITH THOSE TYPE OF ATHLETES.

IT STRETCHES OUT TO THE POINT THEY WORK THROUGH THAT TO HAVE INCLUSION.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS.

ALSO, OUR HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION HAS A RULE THAT YOU CAN'T PLAY THAT WAY.

>> UNLESS IT'S SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED AS A COED EVENT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S REALLY UNNECESSARY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT HAPPENING ON A CONTINUED BASIS OF ANY FORM IN THE STATE BASED ON THE ALABAMA ATHLETIC RULES.

>> YOUR COLLEAGUE SAID ON THURSDAY, IT WAS A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM.

>> I CONCUR ABSOLUTELY.

WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM AT THAT LEVEL AT ALL AS IT RELATES TO THAT.

HE STATED IT ACCURATELY.

>> SUPPORTERS SAY IT'S ABOUT FAIRNESS IN WOMEN'S ATHLETICS AND PITTING BOYS AGAINST GIRLS IN COMPETITIVE K-12 SPORTS, SOME VIEW IT AS A PREEMPTIVE STRIKE.

DO YOU THINK THERE IS MERIT TO THAT ARGUMENT?

>> I LOOKED AT THAT WHEN IT WAS IN COMMITTEE.

THAT WAS A CONCERN, BUT AS I HAVE MOVED FORWARD IN THE PROCESS AND REALIZE THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION HAS A RULE, AND AS SUCH WE ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE THAT COMPETITION IN TERMS OF NOT BEING THE SAME GENDER, THEN IT BECOMES LIKE YOU SAID, A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM, A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM AND CREATING ANOTHER PROBLEM.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH THE NCAA.

>> SENATOR ROGER SMITHERMAN OF BIRMINGHAM, GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> OUR PLEASURE.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WATCH PAST EPISODES ANYTIME AT ALABAMA TELEVISION'S WEBSITE.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

CONNECT WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON CAPITOL JOURNAL'S FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

OUR PAUSE OF USE OF THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON CONTINUES WHILE THE GOVERNMENT LOOKS INTO A HANDFUL OF INCIDENTS, BLOOD CLOTS CAME ABOUT.

ONE PERSON DIED AND ANOTHER PERSON SERIOUSLY ILL. WE ARE TRYING TO PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER.

WAS THIS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE USE OF THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON PRODUCT OR SOMETHING ELSE?

>> IT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

THE FOLKS IN CHARGE DECIDED IT WAS SMART TO PAUSE TEMPORARILY SO SCIENTISTS CAN REVIEW THE DATA.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A CONDITION, CVST THE NEW ACRONYM YOU HAVE TO LEARN.

IT'S A RARE BLOOD CLOT IN THE BRAIN CREATING STROKE SYMPTOMS.

IT OCCURS RARELY IN PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT SMOKE OR WOMEN PREGNANT OR USE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, BUT THEY SAW SIX CASES OCCUR IN WOMEN OUT OF 7,000,000 DOSES OVER THE PAST MONTH AND A HALF OR SO WITH THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON VACCINE.

IT WAS SIMILAR ENOUGH TO THINGS SEEN IN THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE IN EUROPE THAT CAUSED CONCERN THERE THAT THE FDA DECIDED TO PAUSE THE PROGRAM, NOT SHUT DOWN THE PROGRAM, UNTIL WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION.

>> WE ARE HOPING TO KNOW MORE NEXT WEEK, ARE WE NOT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS OCCURRED IN THE TWO WEEK PERIOD.

BEFORE THE PAUSE HAPPENED, 4,000,000 PEOPLE GOT SHOTS OF THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON VACCINE.

WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE GROUP OF 4,000,000 PEOPLE VACCINATED WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, NOW THAT OUR LEVEL OF SUSPICION IS RAISED, PEOPLE WILL LOOK FOR THIS.

>> HOW DID THIS AFFECT US IN THE TERMS OF THE PAUSE?

>> IT DIDN'T AFFECT US MUCH.

WE DIDN'T RECEIVE MUCH JOHNSON&JOHNSON VACCINE COMPARED TO MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINE.

FOR US IN ALABAMA, 4% OF THE SHOTS.

IN THE GRAND SCHEME, IT'S NOT A LOT OF VACCINE.

BECAUSE IT'S A ONE SHOT VACCINE, WE WERE ABLE TO PUT IT IN LOCATIONS THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO BEFORE.

MAKE THINGS LESS CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE WON'T BE AS MANY LOCATIONS WITH VACCINE BUT THE OVERALL TOTAL NUMBER OF SHOTS WON'T BE AFFECTED THAT MUCH.

>> DO YOU AGREE THAT IT'S TOO EARLY TO BLAME SOLELY THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON PRODUCT FOR THIS INCIDENT?

>> IT'S TOO SOON TO SAY.

IT'S NOT SAYING IT'S NOT RELATED, BUT IT'S A STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION.

YOU HAVE TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS CAUSE INVOLVED OR NOT.

IF YOU LOOK AT 7,000,000 RANDOM PEOPLE IN AMERICA WITH COMMON FINDING AT ALL, YOU WILL FIND MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN COMMON.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO FIND SIX PEOPLE WITH THIS TYPE OF BLOOD CLOT, A ONE IN MILLION OCCURRENCE.

IT'S VERY RARE.

THE QUESTION IS, WAS THIS CAUSED BY THE VACCINE.

THAT'S WHAT WE DON'T KNOW RIGHT NOW.

>> THIS WOULD RAISE QUESTIONS IN PEOPLE'S MINDS AS TO WHETHER THEY SHOULD GO FORWARD WITH PLANS TO GET A SHOT.

YOU SAID THIS WEEK DON'T LET IT HAMPER YOUR PLANS TO GET A SHOT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE BELIEVE THERE IS A HIGHER RISK OF GETTING A BLOOD CLOT IF YOU ARE INFECTED BY COVID ITSELF.

IT CAUSES BLOOD CLOTS IN PEOPLE.

IF THERE IS A ASSOCIATION, IT'S LESS THAN A ONE IN A MILLION OCCURRENCE.

THERE IS A ONE IN HALF A MILLION OCCURRENCE THAT YOU WILL BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING TODAY IF THAT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF THE SCOPE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IT'S EXTRAORDINARILY RARE.

AT SOME POINT, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT EVEN IF THEY SHOW A ASSOCIATION HERE, THE VACCINE MAY BE REAUTHORIZED AGAIN WITH PRECAUTIONS.

THIS IS NOT A VACCINE FOR WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE, MAYBE NOT A VACCINE FOR THOSE THAT SMOKE OR OTHER RISK OF CLOTTING DISORDERS.

IT MAY BE THAT EVEN IF THERE IS ASSOCIATION, WE'LL HAVE ACCESS TO IT AT SOME POINT.

>> THERE IS TALK FROM THE GIT GO THAT THERE MAY BE AN ANNUAL SHOT LIKE THE FLU SHOT.

THE MAKERS OF PFIZER SAID THIS WEEK THERE MIGHT BE NEED FOR A BOOSTER BEFORE THE YEAR IS UP.

>> THAT'S REGULATION CAME FROM PFIZER AND REPEATED BY THE WHITE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

WE THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING.

WE KNOW WITH RESPIRATORY VIRUSES MUTATION OCCURS.

IT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE NEW VACCINES.

THE FLU VACCINE CHANGES EVERY YEAR YEAR-TO-YEAR, DEPENDING ON THE FLU STRAINS CIRCULATING.

WITH ALL VACCINES OR MOST, IMMUNITY CAN WANE AFTER ALL.

IF YOU GET A TETANUS SHOT, YOU NEED ANOTHER IN TEN YEARS.

OR BOOSTER SHOTS WHEN YOU ARE CHILDREN.

WE HAVE ABOUT SIX MONTHSWORTH OF INFORMATION ON THE VACCINE.

THEY ARE GOOD SIX MONTHS.

BEYOND THAT, WE DON'T KNOW YET.

>> HOW ARE WE DOING GETTING SHOTS IN ARMS IN ALABAMA.

>> WE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB, 40 TO 50 TO 60,000 DOSES A DAY DEPENDING ON THE WEEK.

APPROACHING 1.2 MILLION ALABAMIANS HAVE RECEIVED ONE SHOT SO FAR, APPROACHING 900,000 ALABAMIANS COMPLETELY VACCINATED.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE SEEING THE PACE SLOW DOWN.

THERE IS LESS DEMAND.

WE WISH THERE WAS MORE BUT WE THOUGHT WE MIGHT ENCOUNTER HESITANCY AND WE ARE SEEING THAT NOW.

>> SUPPLY OF VACCINE ON THE SHELF?

>> WE HAVE MORE THAN WE LIKE RIGHT NOW.

MOST STATES HAVE A BIT BECAUSE WE GET A NEW ALLOCATION EVERY WEEK.

WE HAVE A BIT WE HAVEN'T PULLED DOWN BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE PROVIDERS ABLE TO HANDLE IT RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT ABOUT STATS?

DAILY CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE THEY STABLE?

>> THEY LOOK AS GOOD AS A YEAR AGO.

WE HAVE 300 INPATIENTS ON ANY GIVEN DAY DIAGNOSED WITH COVID.

NEW CASES 200 TO 300, 400 OR 500, MAYBE.

THE PACE OF DEATH HAS SLOWED DOWN CONSIDERABLY.

WE SEE DEATHS EVERYDAY, BUT MOST OF THE TIME, LOW NUMBERS.

WE HAVE LOST NOW 10,800 ALABAMIANS SINCE THIS BEGAN A YEAR AGO.

OUR WORST MONTHS WERE THIS PAST DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

IT'S IMPROVED SINCE THAT TIME.

SO MANY HOT SPOTS POPPING UP AROUND THE COUNTRY, THIS BEARS WATCHING CLOSELY.

>> WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

EVERYONE IS SEEING WHAT'S GOING ON IN MICHIGAN.

THEY HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME NOW.

CASE NUMBERS HAVE GONE UP IN OVER HALF OF THE STATES.

HERE IN THE SOUTHEAST WE HAVE DONE OKAY.

WE ARE SEEING INCREASING NUMBERS OF VIRAL VARIANTS EASIER TO SPREAD.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM IN ALABAMA, LARGE NUMBERS IN STATES DOING A LOT OF TESTING, GEORGIA AMEND FLORIDA FOR EXAMPLE REPORTED LARGE NUMBERS OF VARIANTS.

>> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FEMA PLANNING CLINICS AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND ONE IN ALABAMA.

IT WAS REPORTED TODAY THERE WILL BE A CLINIC IN BESSMER.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM FOR A FEW WEEKS TRYING TO ACHIEVE THAT FOR ALABAMA.

IT'S OUT.

WE ARE GLAD IT'S OUT.

THE CLINIC IS GOING TO OPEN THIS WEEK ON WEDNESDAY, THE 21ST, I BELIEVE.

IT WILL BE LOCATED IN THE BESSMER AREA.

IT'S GOING TO BE NEAR THE WATERPARK THERE.

IT HAS A CAPACITY TO DO A THOUSAND SHOTS A DAY.

IT'S EXPECTED TO RUN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

WE'LL USE THE ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD TO STAFF THAT WITH HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

THE FEDS ARE BRINGING RESOURCES AS WELL.

THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OVER THE TIME PERIOD THEY ARE THERE, 45,000 ADDITIONAL VACCINATIONS THERE A FEDERAL ALLOCATION.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THAT.

WE HOPE PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

>> THIS IS A FEDERAL EFFORT.

FEMA IS THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SHEPHERDING THE CLINIC.

>> FEMA IS A GOOD PARTNER FOR US.

WE THINK OF FEMA WITH NATURAL DISASTERS, TORNADOES OR ICE STORMS.

THEY WORK WITH THE STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AS WELL.

THEY HAVE BEEN PART AND PARCEL WITH THE EPIDEMIC SINCE THE SUMMERTIME.

NOW THEY ARE BRINGING THIS VACCINE CLINIC TO BESSMER.

WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE IT.

>> IT CAN ONLY HELP, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE VACCINE GOING UNUSED BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET FOLKS TO TAKE IT.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICER, THANK YOU.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> APTV.ORG.

BASEBALL ICON HANK AARON HONED BASEBALL SKILLS GROWING UP IN ALABAMA.

HE BROKE BABE RUTH'S RECORD HITTING 755, A RECORD FROM 1974 TO 2007.

HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE MILWAUKEE AND THEN ATLANTA BRAVES 21 SEASONS AND MADE THE ALL STAR TEAM EVERY YEAR FROM 1955 TO 1974.

HE WON THREE AWARDS FOR OUTFIELD AND LIFETIME RECORD FOR MOST BATS BATTED IN AND BASE HITS STILL STAND.

HE WAS ELECTED TO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN 1982 WITH 98% OF THE VOTES CAST.

IN 1982 HE RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM, THE NATION'S HIGHEST HONOR.

♪ ♪ >>DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING A PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE WEEK, A WEEK THAT COULD INCLUDE HOUSE COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION OF THE SENATE-PASSED GAMBLING PLAN.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE ALABAMA SECRETARY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DR. BARBARA COOPER, WHO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT PROPOSED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE STATE'S PREMIERE PRE-K PROGRAM, HOW MORE MONEY WILL HELP EXPAND CLASSROOMS, AND HOW THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GARNER NATIONAL RECOGNITION.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.