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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WAS BACK IN ACTION TODAY AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET FOR THE 22ND LEGISLATIVE DAY.

THAT LEAVES EIGHT MORE MEETING DAYS IN THIS SESSION, WHICH WILL BE SPREAD OUT OVER THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS.

WE'LL START IN THE HOUSE TONIGHT, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK UP THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

THIS IS THE SPENDING PLAN THAT FUNDS THE RANGE OF EDUCATION SERVICES, FROM FROM PRE-K TO HIGHER EDUCATION WITH A HOST OF RELATED AGENCIES ALSO INCLUDED.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT CHAIRS THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE, WHICH DID THE WORK ON THE ETF THIS YEAR.

HE CREDITED MEMBERS AND STAFF WITH CRAFTING A FAIR AND BALANCED BUDGET.

>> THE BUDGET IS INCREASED FROM $550 MILLION FROM $8 BILLION TO FROM INCREASE OF 6.25%.

THIS IS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED BY THE SECRETARY CAP ADOPTED BY THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR.

AND IN ADDITIONS, WE PASSED TODAY $1 BILLION ADVANCEMENT TECHNOLOGY FUND RELEASE AND 653 MILLION OF FUNDAMENTAL APPROPRIATION RELEASE.

$8.9 BILLION THIS BUDGET, $9.43 BILLION WILL ALLOW ALABAMA'S NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FIRST CLASS PRE K PROGRAM TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL $200 MILLION.

THIS WILL ALLOW 45% OF ELIGIBLE 4-YEAR-OLD TO PARTICIPATE IN PRE K. THE CURRENT GRANT STRUCTURE DOESN'T COVER THE FIRST COSTS OF THE CLASSES OF PRE K. AND WE'RE MAKING CHANGES IN THE BUDGET OVER TIME, PHASE-IN APPROACH, WHEN THE FUNDING PROGRAMS DON'T CHARGE TUITION SO PARENTS DON'T BEAR THE COST OF PRE K. WE'RE ALSO ADDING A NEW LINE ITEM.

AND WE'RE SUPPORTING A PRE K PILOT PROGRAM, 50 PRE K CENTERS IN MONTGOMERY AND THIS IS WHAT'S BEEN REQUESTED BY THE MONTGOMERY DELEGATION.

AND THIS WILL ENABLE READING COACHES IN EVERY SCHOOL, TECHNOLOGY COORDINATORS IN EVERY SYSTEM, MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATORS IN EVERY SYSTEM, NURSES IN EVERY SYSTEM, CAREER COACHES IN EVERY SYSTEM, INCREASES ALABAMA TEACHER PAY THE HIGHEST AMONGST NEIGHBORING STATES.

WILL INCREASE FUNDING, PROVIDE FUNDING TO HIRE 200 NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS FOR SCHOOLS WITH MORE THAN 300 STUDENTS.

>> THE BUDGET PASSED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY.

THE LONE VOTE IN OPPOSITION WAS FROM THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE, REPRESENTATIVE MARILYN LANDS OF HUNTSVILLE.

SHE TOLD ALABAMA DAILY NEWS THAT SHE SUPPORTS MOST OF THE EDUCATION BUDGET, BUT VOTED NO DUE TO THE 18 PERCENT CUT TO THE ALABAMA LIBRARY SERVICE, WHICH SHE CALLED POLITICAL.

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

IT TOTALS $9.3 BILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.

THAT AS CHAIRMAN GARRETT SAID, 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 HOUSE ALSO PASSED AN UPDATED SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL.

THIS IS FROM UNEXPECTED REVENUE THAT WILL GO TOWARD THIS YEAR'S FISCAL BUDGET.

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.

$50 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD THE NEW CHOOSE ACT TAX CREDITS FOR EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

AND A SLIGHT CHANGE FROM WHAT PASSED IN COMMITTEE, THE $30 MILLION THAT WAS EARMARKED TOWARD THE LT.

GOVERNOR'S K-12 CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM WILL NOW BE SPLIT IN HALF, WITH $15 MILLION NOW GOING TO COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANTS, WHICH ARE HANDED OUT BY INDIVIDUAL LAWMAKERS.

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 $1 BILLION FROM WHAT THE GOVERNOR ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.

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

THOSE BILLS NOW ALL GO TO THE SENATE.

IN COMMITTEE TODAY WAS LEGISLATION AIMED AT SETTING UP CAREER PATHWAYS TO ENCOURAGE ALABAMA STUDENTS TO PURSUE TRADES AND ALIGN INSTRUCTION TO SUIT THEIR CAREER PATH.

SENATOR DONNIE CHESTEN IS CARRYING THE BILL AND SPOKE ON IT IN COMMITTEE.

>> SENATE BILL 253 ESTABLISHES THE ALABAMA WORK FORCE PATHWAYS.

AND JUST A BIT OF CONTEXT WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR US.

IN 2021, WE HAD 49,000 STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOLS IN ALABAMA.

45% OF THOSE STUDENTS, HAD NO POST SECONDARY OR HIGHER EDUCATION TRAINING.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

45%.

SO, BASICALLY, WE'RE GIVING THESE KIDS A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, GIVING THEM A PAT ON THE BACK AND SAY GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR MINIMUM WAGE JOB.

AND NOW, WHILE THOSE STUDENTS THAT FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY, THEY WILL EARN DIPLOMA WITH TWO LESS MATH AND SCIENCES CREDITS TAKE THE LESS COURSES, AND REPLACED WITH CAREER TECH EDUCATION TO ALLOW THEM FOR A PATHWAY, ONCE THEY MOVE OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL INTO THE WORK FORCE.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MOVE THE LABOR PARTICIPATION NEEDLE AND HELP THESE FOLKS THAT WANT TO GO TO WORK.

.

>> THIS CREATES A LOT OF CHOICES, THIS SESSION WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES, CHOICE, THE SCHOOL DEALT WITH SCHOOL CHOICE AND IT'S A BILL FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO SAY, I MAY WANT MY CHILD TO GO TO AN ELITE FOUR YEAR COLLEGE BUT I MAY WANT MY CHILD TO GO TO A REGIONAL COLLEGE AND THIS PATHWAY OPTS THE CHILD TO GO STRAIGHT, SAY, TO THE WORK FORCE FROM HIGH SCHOOL OR GO TO 2-YEAR COLLEGE IN THE STATE OR GO TO ONE OF OUR REGIONAL 4-YEAR INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE.

SO, THEY HAVE THREE DIFFERENT CHOICES AFTER HIGH SCHOOL WHERE THEY WANT TO GO.

>> THAT BILL WAS APPROVED AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

MANY HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE SENATE 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 TODAY, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED AGREED TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WITH MEMBERS FROM BOTH BODIES TO WORK OUT THE DIFFERENCES.

APPOINTED TO THE COMMITTEE FROM THE SENATE ARE SENATORS GREG ALBRITTON, GARLAN GUDGER AND BOBBY SINGLETON.

APPOINTED FROM THE HOUSE ARE REPRESENTATIVES CHRIS BLACKSHEAR, ANDY WHITT AND SAM JONES.

ALL OF THESE GENTLEMEN HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE GAMBLING CONVERSATION AT SOME LEVEL OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

THERE IS NO CERTAINTY WHEN OR EVEN IF THE COMMITTEE WILL PRODUCE A COMPROMISE, BUT IF IT DOES, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD STILL TAKE A THREE FIFTHS MAJORITY VOTE TO PASS EACH CHAMBER.

THE SENATE ALSO TOOK UP LEGISLATION ON THE ISSUE OF UNIONIZATION.

SENATE BILL 231 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WOULD PROHIBIT ANY ECONOMIC INCENTIVE DOLLARS FROM GOING TO COMPANIES THAT VOLUNTARILY RECOGNIZE A UNION WITHOUT A VOTE AMONG WORKERS.

ORR SAID IT WOULD NOT IMPACT CURRENT COMPANIES WHO ALREADY HAVE A UNION, BUT IT WOULD SERVE AS A DETERRENT TO THOSE WHOSE UNIONIZATION RIGHT NOW, NAMELY MERCEDES AND HYUNDAI.

>> THERE'S AN ORGANIZATION EFFORT, THEY GOT ENOUGH CARDS TO TRIGGER A VOTE.

THE COMPANY COULD FORFEIT ITS STATE INCENTIVES IF IT DIDN'T HAVE A PRIVATE BALLOT VOTE ON THE UNION ORGANIZATION.

DOESN'T PRECLUDE THE ORGANIZATION, DOESN'T PRECLUDE THE UNION.

BUT TO ME, SENATOR, IT WOULD GET THE EMPLOYEES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DECISION WITHOUT INFLUENCE FROM THE EMPLOYER.

BECAUSE IT CAN COME FROM THE EMPLOYER SAYING DON'T DO THAT.

DON'T VOTE FOR THE UNION.

SUPERVISORS TRYING TO PUSH A NON UNION VOTE.

AND THE ORGANIZERS FOR THE UNION.

IT KEEPS THEM AT BAY SOMEWHAT.

THEY CAN DISTRIBUTE LITERATURE AND DO ALL THE CAMPAIGNING THEY WANT.

>> I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM SOME UNIONS IS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THAT ABILITY TO HAVE THAT NEGOTIATION WITH THE COMPANY WITHOUT THE VOTE JUST SO WE COME TO AN AGREEMENT, COME TO TERMS, NO VOTE, AND WE DECIDED TO COME WITH THE UNION.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND SO, I THINK THAT THEY FEEL THAT THIS BILL, SOME OF THEM FEEL THAT YOUR BILL WOULD TAKE THAT PART OF IT AWAY FROM THEM.

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

THE SENATE ALSO DEBATED THE WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH SALLY SMITH OF THE ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE EDUCATION BUDGET THAT PASSED TODAY.

AND LATER, LINDSAY WARD OF THE ALABAMA RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COST OF LIVING INCREASES FOR RETIREES.

STAY WITH US.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TODD STACY: WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, SALLY SMITH.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, THANKS FOR THE INVITATION.

>> THIS IS A PERFECT WEEK TO HAVE YOU, YOU FOLLOW THE EDUCATION BUDGET VERY CLOSELY AND I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.

BUT FIRST, REMIND THE VIEWERS WHAT THE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARD'S IS IN THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE REPRESENT EVERY SCHOOL BOARD IN THE STATE VOLUNTARILY.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

WE'RE CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF EXISTENCE.

WHAT WE DO, WE PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION, HELPING THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE EDUCATION ADVOCATES THROUGH SERVICES, TRAINING, AND OF COURSE, THROUGH THE STATE LEVEL.

THEY REPRESENT THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND PRO EDUCATION AND WE HELP THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS BETTER.

LIKE I SAID, ETF IS MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE AND IT'S A RECORD BUDGET.

EVERYBODY IS HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

SAVINGS FOR THE RAINY DAY ACCOUNT, THINGS LIKE THAT.

FROM THE SEABOARD LEVEL EXPWOA SCHOOL BOARD.

>> WELL, WE'VE HAD CONSECUTIVE RECORDS AND THAT'S GREAT.

AND WE HAD FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL PRINCIPALS, ON THE ASK LIST.

WE LIKED THE PAY RAISE.

AND WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE MORE FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS, THAT'S PART OF THE SCHOOL DISCIPLINE ISSUES WE'RE DEALING WITH.

AND ONE WE DON'T SEE COLLECT DIRECTLY IN THE BUDGET BUT SUPPLEMENTAL, SAFETY IS TREATED AS ONCE A YEAR APPROPRIATION.

SO, IF WE WANT TO HIRE THINGS LIKE, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, WE NEED TO KNOW THAT THE MONEY IS GOING TO BE THERE.

IF SCHOOL BOARD'S ARE WRITING THE BUDGETS, WE WANT TO MAKE TWEAKS IN THAT AREA.

>> RIGHT, INTERESTING THAT YOU TALK ABOUT SAFETY.

MONEY IS IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY FUND.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU HEAR FROM THE MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> ABSOLUTELY [[TECHNICAL AUDIO DIFFICULTIES] SOME OF THE UPGRADES WE NEED ARE IMPROVING LOCKS, DOORS, BETTER CAMERA SYSTEMS.

AND ALL CONTRIBUTE TO THAT.

BUT THEY ARE ALL EXPENSIVE.

>> AND I'M CUREIUS TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THIS.

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, ANY TIME THERE'S A GOOD PROGRAM THAT SOMEBODY WANTS TO GET FUNDED.

INSTEAD OF PUTTING IT IN THE BUDGET, HERE'S A TAX CREDIT.

YOU CAN THE CREDIT TO GO TOWARD WHATEVER.

TODAY THEY VOTED ON ONE FOR OUTDOOR GEAR, TO ENCOURAGE OUTDOOR PROGRAMS.

TAX CREDIT FOR EVERYTHING.

BUT NOT A BAD IDEA.

BUT IT'S A POPULAR WAY TO FUND THESE SAYING YOU GET A TAX CREDIT FOR IT.

AND ON THE OTHER HAND SIDE, IT COMES FROM THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND SO THAT MEANS LESS MONEY IN.

I'M CURIOUS FROM THE EDUCATOR'S COMMUNITY'S PERSPECTIVE, ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THAT?

DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS.

EVERY LITTLE CUT ADDS UP.

>> WE ARE VERY CONCERNED, FEELS LIKE THERE'S OPEN SEASON FOR THE ETF, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD RECORD BUDGETS WITH THE REVENUE.

FOLKS DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WE HAVE UNMET NEEDS.

ANY TIME THE LEGISLATURE LOOKS AT WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A TAX EXEMPTION, CREDIT, OR EVEN A TAX FREE HOLIDAY.

I KNOW EVERYBODY LIKES THOSE THINGS BUT THERE'S A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.

WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO DO THE TAX CREDIT OR THE HOLIDAY, THAT MEANS YOU ARE CHOOSING TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE ETF.

WE WOULD RATHER SEE THE SCHOOL SAFETY AS A LINE IN THE ETF, LINE ITEM, COULD WE HAVE THE FULL TAX CREDITS AND FULLY FUND SCHOOL SAFETY.

>> WELL, THOSE BILLS COME UP THIS YEAR AND I WANTED TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON IT.

AND ANOTHER THING I WANTED TO ASK YOU, WORKERS COMP.

THE BILL IN THE SENATE, CREATING A NEW WORKERS COMP SYSTEM FOR EDUCATION WORKERS AND TEACHERS.

IT'S A REPUBLICAN BILL, MOVING THROUGH THE SENATE.

WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?

SEEMS LIKE THERE COULD BE HIDDEN COST INS A WORKER'S COMP SITUATION FOR EDUCATORS.

>> FOR YEARS, IT IS A REQUIREMENT THAT WORKER'S COMP BE PROVIDED BUT THERE WAS AN ASTERISK IN THE CODE, SO TO SPEAK SAYING THE STATED TO FUND IT.

BUT THE STATE HAS NOT CHOSEN TO FUND WORKERS COMP FOR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD'S UNTIL NOW.

HOWEVER, I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO THINK THAT THERE'S SOME COVERAGE ASPECTS BEING PROVIDED TO THE TEACHERS AND SEX ABUSE DRIVERS.

AND IF THEY HAVE AN ON THE JOB INJURY, 90 DAYS WITH PAY, AND REALLY THAT'S BETTER THAN WORKERS COMP WHICH IS ONLY ABOUT 2/3 OF THE PAY.

AND THERE ARE PROVISIONS BEING MADE, I THINK THERE'S GAPS AND WE THINK THAT THE SENATE'S VERSION IS A PRETTY EXPENSIVE WAY TO GO, CADILLAC.

AND WE DON'T LIKE TO CREATE MORE BUREAUCRACY IN GOVERNMENT AND WE THINK WE COULD FINE-TUNE THE BILL AND MERGE IT FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE STATE EMPLOYEES GETTING A BETTER RETURN FOR THE ALABAMA TAXPAYERS.

>> INTERESTING THAT'S EVEN COMING UP BECAUSE APPARENTLY THERE'S TORT REFORM ON THE WAY WHICH THIS WOULD BE ANOTHER ISSUE.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND I HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK ON WHEN THE EDUCATION BUDGET COMES UP.

AND THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> THANKS FOR THE INVITE.

>> TODD STACY: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TODD STACY: WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT UP IS LINDSEY WARD, DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA RETIREE STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT WITH ALL THE ORGANIZATION IS INVOLVED IN.

FIRST, LET'S GET A REFRESHER, MAYBE THE VIEWERS DON'T REMEMBER, ARESEA, AND I KNOW THAT KELLY WAS THE LONG TIME DIRECTOR AND YOU ARE THE SUCCESSOR.

TALK ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS ROLE IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE WERE FORMED IN 1980.

BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

REPRESENTING RETIRED STATE RETIRED EMPLOYEES AND ACTIVE STATE EMPLOYEES.

AND NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE REALIZE, BUT RETIRING APRIL 1 AFTER BEING THERE FOR 30 YEARS, WAS DIRECTOR FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS AND SHE'S STILL AROUND FOR A LITTLE WHILE PART-TIME.

WE WANT TO USE HER AS LONG AS WE CAN!

>> EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN STATE GOVERNMENT KNOWS HER AND WE WISH HER WELL IN RETIREMENT.

YOU'RE RIGHT, BIG SHOES TO FILL.

I KNOW YOU ARE OFF TO A FAST START.

YOU ARE INVOLVED IN LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING THE STATE RETIREES WITH THE INCREASED COST, FROM INFLATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATION AND WHERE IT IS.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO PROTECT THE CURRENT RETIREE BENEFITS AND IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE OUR RETIREES HAVE GOTTEN A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.

THE LAST COLA THEY RECEIVED 2007.

THAT'S ALMOST 20 YEARS.

AND WE NEED TO PLAN IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, GREEN, VERY INVOLVED IN OUR ORGANIZATION, FISCAL OFFICER, HE CAME UP WITH A PLAN FOR A NEW WAY TO GRANT CEASES FOR THAT, AND FUNDED THROUGH THE BUDGET SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUES IN THE PAST.

IF IT IS GIVEN COLA, THEY WERE UNFUNDED AND IT HURT.

THERE WAS NO MONEY GIVEN TO RSA, AND NOW THEY HAD MORE DIFFICULTIES.

SO, EVERY YEAR THEY PASS A COLA, THE RETIREMENT RATE IS PUT IN THE BUDGET.

SO THERE'S NO MONEY OR THE LEGISLATURE DIDN'T WANT IT TO GO INTO EFFECT FOR THAT YEAR FOR WHATEVER REASON AND WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET FOR THAT YEAR.

SO, IT'S A NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS.

WE'VE HAD BONUSES BUT NOT COLAS.

>> THAT'S THE ONE TIME MONEY?

>> RIGHT, THERE WAS SOME FRUSTRATION WITH US HAVING TO COME EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND TRY TO GET A BONUS.

SO IT WAS SUGGESTED WITHIN THE LEADERSHIP, IF Y'ALL COULD COME UP WITH A PLAN AND NOT TO COME BACK EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND ASK FOR A BONUS.

THIS IS SOVEREIGNTY BRAIN CHILD OF THAT.

>> INTERESTING.

WHEN YOU SAY 20 YEARS, IT'S NICE THERE WERE ONE TIME BONUSES ALONG THE WAY BUT I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, EVERYTHING HAS INCREASED IN PRICES.

SO, PROBABLY WIDESPREAD AGREEMENT WE OUGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RETIREES ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

BUT WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT RESOURCES.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND RESOURCES THAT ARE SOMETIMES SCARCE.

HOW DID THAT CONVERSATION GO WITH THE LAWMAKERS WHO ARE PROTECTIVE OF THE GENERAL FUND?

>> WELL, IN A LOT OF CASES, IT GETS TO EXPLAINING HOW THIS WOULD WORK.

RETIREMENT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

I ONLY UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE I WORKED IN THE FISCAL OFFICE FOR YEARS AND SERVED ON THE ERS BOARD.

IT'S A HARD THING TO UNDERSTAND AND LOTS OF TIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DIG INTO IT BECAUSE IT'S A VERY SPECIFIC ISSUE.

THE WAY THAT RETIREMENT IS FUNDED IN THE STATE, IT'S NOT A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET.

STATE AGENCIES PAY, SAY, A RETIREMENT RATE BASED ON A PERCENTAGE OF PAYROLL BASICALLY, EASIEST WAY TO SAY IT.

AND THIS WOULD BE FUNDED AS AN EXTRA PART OF THAT RATE.

SO, IT'S NOT LIKE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SEPARATE LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET JUST FOR THE INCREASE.

IT COMES OUT OF THE AGENCY BUDGETS JUST LIKE RETIREMENT IS FUNDED NOW.

YEAH, IT'S A COST.

BUT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO COME UP WITH A ONE PERCENT INCREASE COSTS ABOUT 5 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT 5 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET YOU CAN ADD IT TO THE RETIREMENT RATE.

IT'S SPREAD OUT, NOT COMING FROM ALL ZERO FUNDED DOLLARS HOWEVER THE AGENCY IS FUNDED.

SAY, DOT, LOTS OF THERE'S IS FEDERAL FUNDS AND YOU SPREAD IT THROUGH THE FUNDS SO IT'S NOT JUST A BIG GENERAL FUND ITEM.

>> SO, THE BIG BUDGET HIT IS NOT REALLY TOO SCARY.

>> RIGHT, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT AND TALK THROUGH IT SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS.

BECAUSE IT IS CONFUSING.

>> NO, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND THINK I'M BROUGHT UP TO SPEED.

THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

EVEN A $5 MILLION LINE ITEM, THAT'S A TOUGH SALE SOMETIME AND MAKING IT PART OF WHAT'S ALREADY THE FORMULA MAKES SENSE.

LOOK.

Y'ALL SHOWED ME POLLING ON, THIS YOU ARE SMART TO DO THIS, ANY TIME YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE BUDGET, FOLKS GET WORRIED ABOUT, IS IT GOING TO BE UNPOPULAR THIS WAY, THAT WAY.

AND YOU HAVE POLLING SHOWING THAT SUPPORTING THE RETIREES AND SUPPORTING THE BENEFITS IS POPULAR.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> I THINK THIS WAS POLLED SEVERAL YEARS BACK BY OUR ORGANIZATION.

NOW THAT WE'RE REALLY PUSHING FOR IT AGAIN WE WANTED TO SEE THE UPDATED NUMBERS AND DO A POLL OF G.O.P.

PRIMARY VOTERS.

NOT BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY PEOPLE VOTING BUT BECAUSE THE LEADERSHIP IS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW.

WE WANT TO SEE HOW THEY FELT ABOUT IT TURNS OUT THEY WERE 70% OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE POLLED WERE VERY SUPPORTIVE.

SUPPORTIVE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WERE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS KIND OF ISSUE.

SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE GOTTEN ADJUSTMENTS EVERY YEAR, ACTIVE STATE EMPLOYEES.

THAT'S GREAT.

BUT KNOWING THAT THE RETIREES HAVEN'T GOTTEN THAT TO KEEP UP WITH INCREASED COSTS, THAT REALLY HIT HOME FOR A LOT OF THEM THAT TOOK THE POLL AND THEY SAY, THEY DESERVE THE SAME CONSIDERATION AS THE ACTIVE STATE EMPLOYEES.

I THINK IT WAS RIGHT AROUND 71%.

IT WAS A GOOD POLLING NUMBER FOR US.

>> AND LOOK, WE TALKED GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE HOUSE WE'RE AND EVERYTHING GOES BACK TO POLITICS WHEN YOU ARE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, YOU YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW THE PRIMARY VOTERS ARE VOTING.

THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR YOU.

AND WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

WE'LL SHARES THOSE POLLING NUMBERS AND YOU KEEP US UPDATED ON HOW THAT GOES.

>> I WILL.

THANK YOU.

>> TODD STACY: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK!

>> TODD STACY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

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