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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE MET FOR THE 23RD DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE SEVEN MORE POSSIBLE MEETING DAYS LEFT THAT WILL BE SPREAD OUT OVER THE NEX THREE WEEKS.

WE ARE ALMOST HOME.

WE'LL START TONIGHT'S COVERAGE IN THE HOUSE, WHERE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFORMATION WAS THE THEME OF THE DAY.

WE'VE BEEN REPORTING ON THIS PACKAGE OF BILLS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE STATE'S LAGGING WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE AN GETTING MORE ABLE BODIED ALABAMIANS BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

SEVERAL OF THOSE BILLS WERE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY, INCLUDIN HOUSE BILL 163, THE HOUSING TAX CREDIT SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ALMOND.

IT WOULD PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE FOR DEVELOPERS TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FEDERAL GRANT DOLLARS TO DO IT, ALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING SURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISN'T A BARRIER TO SOMEONE PURSUING A JOB.

>> THE GOAL OF THIS PACKAGE OF BILLS IS REALLY TO PROVIDE, IN THE CASE OF THIS BILL, INCENTIVES TO HELP PEOPLE GET AND SO YOU DID INTO THE WORKFORCE.

AND SO THE FIRST BILL IS THE ONE I HAVE HERE.

WHICH IS A WORKFORCE HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

AND, OF COURSE, ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES WITH PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO EITHER LEAVE, SAY THEIR SECTION 8 HOUSING WHERE THEY'RE LIVING OR MOVE TO ANOTHER AREA TO RELOCATE FOR A JOB IS THEIR INABILITY TO AFFORD QUALITY HOUSING.

SO IN GENERAL, THIS BILL CREATES A STATE WORKFORCE HOUSING TAX CREDIT THAT COMPLIMENTS AN EXISTING FEDERAL PROGRAM WHICH WAS -- HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE PRESIDENT REAGAN, HE IS THE ONE WHO INITIATED THIS PROGRAM.

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

I ACTUALLY SPOKE EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THIS BILL WITH REPRESENTATIVE ALMOND LAST NIGHT, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT INTERVIEW ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

JUST GO TO YOUTUBE AND SEARCH CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE NEXT WORKFORCE BILL UP WAS HOUSE BILL 358, THE CHILDCARE TAX CREDIT FROM REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY DANIELS.

IT WOULD INCENTIVIZE EMPLOYERS TO FUND CHILDCARE OPTIONS FOR THEIR WORKERS.

IT ALSO INCENTIVE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TO EXPAND ACCESS AND IMPROVE, ALL TO HELP REMOVE AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AS A BARRIER TO THE WORKFORCE.

REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND CARRIED THE BILL ON THE FLOOR.

>> AS MANY OF US KNOW, CHILDCARE IS AN IMPEDIMENT TO WORKFORCE AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES IN ALABAMA, BUT THE CHANGES TO THE BILL THAT WERE FROM THE INTRODUCED BILL IS THAT, FOR EMPLOYER TAX CREDITS IT WILL BE A NONREFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT.

THERE WILL BE A CAP ON INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES FOR EMPLOYEE TAX CREDIT AT 6 HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR.

IT WILL BE A 75 CENT ON THE DOLLAR TAX CREDIT RATHER THAN A DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR FOR LARGE BUSINESSES.

A DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR FOR BUSINESSES WITH 25 EMPLOYEES OR LESS ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES MUST MAKE BELOW 80K PER YEAR, EXCLUDING OVERTIME OR BONUSES.

THAT WILL BE A GRADUATED CAP INCREASE FOR OVERALL CAP, YEAR ONE 15 MILLION.

YEAR TWO, 17.5 MILLION.

YEAR THREE, 20 MILLION.

FOR NONPROFIT CHILDCARE CENTERS IT IS NOW A GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH DHR.

BUT DUE TO THE LACK OF TABLET LIABILITY OF THESE NONPROFIT CENTERS.

FOR OTHER CHILDCARE CENTERS, IT IS A REFUNDABILITY TAX CREDIT THAT MAY NOT CARRY IT FORWARD FOR FUTURE YEARS.

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

HERE'S THE COMPLETE LIST OF WORKFORCE BILLS THAT PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY.

THEY ALSO PASSED SENATE BILL 24 THE WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION ACT.

THIS WOULD CONSOLIDATE THE STATE'S SOMETIMES DUPLICATIVE WORKFORCE DEPARTMENTS INTO ONE AGENCY WITH A CABINET LEVEL DIRECTOR.

SENATE BILL 325, THE ALABAMA GROWTH ALLIANCE ACT.

THIS WOULD ESTABLISH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOCUSED ON THE STATE'S LONG-TER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS.

AND SENATE BILL 253, THE CAREER PATHWAYS ACT.

THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE ALABAMA STUDENTS TO PURSUE TRADES AND ALIGN INSTRUCTION TO SUIT THEIR CAREER PATH.

>> IN THE SENATE TODAY, LAWMAKERS TOOK UP AND PASSED LEGISLATION SEEKING TO IMPROVE ALABAMA'S OPEN RECORDS LAW.

RIGHT NOW, CITIZENS AND THE NEW MEDIA HAVE THE RIGHT OBTAIN A COPY OF PUBLIC RECORDS FROM STATE AGENCIES, WITHIN CERTAIN PARAMETERS.

BUT THERE ARE NO REQUIRED DEADLINES FOR RESPONSES.

UNDER SENATE BILL 270 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR, A PUBLIC OFFICER MUST ACKNOWLEDGE A RECORDS REQUEST WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS AND MUST PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE FULFILLING OR DENYING IT WITHIN 15 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THAT.

THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE AND NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

MORE TALK ABOUT GAMBLING LEGISLATION AS THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WITH DELEGATES FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE HELD INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS THIS AFTERNOON.

THEY ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE IF A COMPROMISE CAN BE REACHED BETWEEN THE TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS PASSED BUT THE TWO CHAMBERS.

TWO MEMBERS OF THAT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SEEMED TO HAVE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF OPTIMISM.

>> WHEN WE PASSED IT, WE PASSED WITH 22 VOTES.

WHEN WE HAD THE QUESTION FOR THE CONFERENCE WE HAD 19 VOTES AND TWO WERE NEW SO WOE LOST FIVE VOTES AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW DID WE LOSE THOSE AND HOW DO WE REGAIN THEM.

WE'RE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION THAT WAY.

THAT'S ONE THING I KNOW.

AS FAR AS THE WHAC-A-MOLE GAME, ONCE YOU LOSE ONE THING YOU LOSE THIS AND SUCH, THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY OF WHAT EACH SIDE WANTS -- AND BY THAT I MEAN HOUSE AND SENATE, IS VERY, VERY SMALL.

THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO FIND A PATH.

BUT TO GET TO THAT PATH WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE VOTES AND RIGHT NOW I DON'T SEE 63 IN IN THE HOUSE NOR DO I SEE 23 IN THE SENATE.

>> I'M OPTIMISTIC AND I FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT WHAT COULD COME OUT.

AND I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT COULD BE WORKED OUT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE NOT SAT DOWN AND TALKED ANY STRATEGY, NOT TALKED ABOUT ANYTHING THAT COULD BE WHERE IT IS.

THE ONLY THING WE WOULD BE DOING IS LOOKING AT WHAT BOTH BILLS SAID AND COMPARING THE TWO BILLS AND SEEING WHAT THE COMPARISONS ARE.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE PACKAGE WILL COME OUT, THAT THOSE 19 WILL GROW AND WE WILL LOOK AT THE NUMBER THAT WE NEED.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THAT.

>> IS.

>> ALSO MOVING IN THE LEGISLATURE IS A BILL TO ADD JUST ALABAMA'S ELECTION QUALIFICATIO DEADLINE SO THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DOESN'T GET LEFT OF THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

THE ISSUE IS THAT THE DEMOCRATI NATIONAL CONVENTION WON'T OFFICIALLY NOMINATE BIDEN UNTIL AFTER ALABAMA'S STATUTORY QUALIFICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED.

BUT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SEEM TO ALL AGREE ON LEGISLATIO THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM, JUS AS THEY HAD TO DO IN 2020 WHEN IT WAS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP A RISK OF BEING LEFT OFF THE BALLOT.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S HIGHLY, YOU KNOW, IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO LEAVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OFF.

I COULD SEE IF IT WAS JUST A CANDIDATE OR SOMETHING.

BUT THE SITTING PRESIDENT -- AND I DON'T THINK THE STATE OF ALABAMA WANTS THAT EMBARRASSMENT.

SO BOTH PARTIES HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THIS HAPPENS.

>> BIG NEWS TODAY FOR ALABAMA'S COAST AND ALL OF THOSE WHO VISIT BALDWIN COUNTY BEACHES.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HA AGREED TO PURCHASE THE FOLEY BRACH EXPRESS TOLL BRIDGE IN ORANGE BEACH.

THAT WILL RESULT IN THE TOLL COMING OFF FOR TRAVELERS AND COMMUTERS ONCE THE DEAL IS COMPLETE.

YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT THE STATE HAS BEEN TIED UP IN LITIGATION OVER ALDOT'S PLANNED ADDITIONAL BRIDGE OVER THE INTERCOSTAL WATERWAY ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM THE TOLL BRIDGE.

CONSTRUCTION WILL CONTINUE ON THAT BRIDGE AND THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THE WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH EACH OTHER ONCE COMPLETE.

THE ENTIRE ROUTE FROM INTERSTAT 10 TO THE ISLAND WILL BECOME A STATE HIGHWAY TO BE NAMED STATE ROUTE 161.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH STATE SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT OF BALDWIN COUNTY TO TALK ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT PLUS OTHER ISSUES.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

IS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME IS STATE SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOT OF BALDWIN COUNTY.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WELL, BIG NEWS TODAY.

WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

BIG NEWS TODAY IS THE BRIDGE SITUATION.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ANNOUNCING THAT THE STATE -- THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IS PURCHASING THE FOLEY BEACH EXPRESS TOLL ROAD -- THE WHOLE ROAD OR JUST THE BRIDGE?

>> IT'S THE BRIDGE AND A PORTION OF THE ROAD CLOSE TO THE BRIDGE ITSELF.

>> SO THERE WILL NO LONGER BE A TOLL ON IT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> TELL ME.

I DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING.

HAS THIS CONVERSATION BEEN ONGOING FOR A WHILE?

>> IT HAS BEEN.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE THIS IS LIKELY -- AND I HAVEN'T SEEN THE DOCUMENTS YET -- BUT LIKELY PART OF A SETTLEMENT FOR A LAWSUIT THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW ABOUT INVERSE CONDEMNATION.

YOU RECALL THE STATE IS BUILDING A BRIDGE VERY CLOSE TO THE EXISTING BRIDGE, AND THERE'S A LAWSUIT GOING ON.

I WOULD IMAGINE, AND I'M SPECULATING A LITTLE BIT BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THIS PURCHASE IS PART OF A SETTLEMENT OF THAT LAWSUIT AND ALSO A PURCHASE OF A REAL ASSET THAT WILL HELP MOVE TRAFFIC.

SO I COMMEND THE GOVERNOR AND DIRECTOR COOPER FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS.

IT'S ABOUT 60 MILLION DOLLARS DEVELOPMENT IN MY DISTRICT, IN COASTAL ALABAMA, RIGHT NEXT TO A 65 MILLION DOLLARS DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL NEED AN ADDITIONAL 10 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS OR SO TO ACTUALLY CONNECT ALL OF THAT AND SO YOU DID TOGETHER.

SO BIG NEWS, BIG INVESTMENT, AND GOOD NEWS FOR THE OVER 8 MILLION VISITORS THAT WE HAVE TO ALABAMA'S BEACHES.

AND THE HUNDRED THOUSAND OR SO A WEEKEND THAT COME TO THE ISLAND.

>> SO WE'RE GETTING INTO THE TOURIST SEASON; RIGHT.

>> WE'RE THERE.

WE'RE THERE.

>> I WAS I'M GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT OTHER BRIDGE.

BECAUSE THAT WILL STILT GO FORWARD; RIGHT.

>> IT WILL STILL GO FORWARD.

THE PRESS RELEASE THAT I SAW TODAY AND CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH THE GOVERN'S OFFICE AND CABINET OFFICIALS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE NEW BRIDGE THAT THEY'RE BUILDING NOW WILL BE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ONLY AND THAT THE TOLL BRIDGE WILL BE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ONLY.

SO ONE WAY ON THE NEW BRIDGE AND ONE WAY ON THE OLD TOLL BRIDGE AND SO YOU DID NORTH.

NOW I'VE GOT SOME LOCAL AREAS THAT HAVE THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THAT IS GOING TO AFFECT THE LOCAL TRAFFIC.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHILE WE HAVE THE HUNDRED THOUSAND IS THERE A PEOPLE THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO STILL CROSS THAT BRIDGE TO GO TO SCHOOL OR GO TO WORK.

SO WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE TAKING INTO THE LOCAL TRAFFIC AS WELL SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS HOW THAT FLESHES OUT BUT THE BIG NEWS TODAY SHOULD BE AND IS THE REMOVAL OF THE TOLL ON THAT BRIDGE PURCHASED BY ALDOT AND, AGAIN, A GOOD MOVE BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> WELL, I REMEMBER LOOKING AT THE PLANS OF THAT SECOND BRIDGE AERIALLY, AND IT KIND OF GOES INTO THE SAME CANAL BRIDGE ROAD THAT THE OTHER BRIDGE CONNECTS TO SO IS THERE ANY PLAN THAT FUTURE TO HAVE MORE ROADS GOING, I GUESS, SOUTH BECAUSE THAT ROAD IS SO CONGESTED RIGHT THERE?

>> IT IS.

IT WOULD MAKE SENSE IF WE'RE GOING TO THE GULF, GOING TO THE BEACH, THAT YOU WOULD GET THERE AS DIRECTLY AS POSSIBLE.

ANOTHER PART OF ALDOT'S PRESS RELEASE TODAY WAS ADDITIONAL WIDENING OF CANAL ROAD, AND ALSO A REDESIGN, IF YOU WILL, OF THE INTERSECTION OF 161 AND 81, WHERE THE TOM THUMB GAS STATION IS THERE.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN DO YOU HAVE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE CANAL ROAD YOU SIT AT THAT LIGHT AND THERE ARE PLANS TO MAKE THAT EASY CURVE.

THIS WOULDN'T BE A STATEWIDE STORY IF WE DIDN'T HAVE ALMOST EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN THE STATE THERE.

SO IT'S A BIG DEAL ON HOW WE WILL GET THERE AND HOW WE GET AND SO YOU DID OUT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HURRICANE EVACUATIONS.

BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION CORRECTLY ABILITY GOING ACROSS THE ISLAND, A CROSS-ISLAND CONNECTOR THAT GOES ACROSS THE STATE PARK.

SO THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT THERE'S A FEDERAL COURT ORDER THAT PROHIBITS THE STATE FROM BUILDING THAT ROAD EVEN IF IT WANTED TO.

IT WAS PART OF THE SETTLEMENT TO WILLED THE NEW GULF STATE PARK OR THE LODGE AT GULF STATE PARK WITH THE RESTORE MONEY.

SO THERE'S A MORATORIUM ON THAT PROBABLY FOR ANOTHER EIGHT-PLUS YEARS OR SO AT WHICH POINT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONSIDER THAT.

THAT IS SOMETHING IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS WE NEED TO PROBABLY LOOK AT.

>> SO NOT ANYTIME SOON.

>> NO.

IN.

>> THIS IS REALLY MAKING ME WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH.

>> ME TOO!

>> I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR OVER BILL.

HAVING TO DO WITH BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE A 500 PAGE BILL.

>> 525.

>> GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

BUT A REALLY IMPORTANT TOPIC.

YOU HAVE CONTENDED THAT THIS -- SOME OF THE WAY THAT THE STATE'S BOARDS AND LICENSURE BOARDS OF COMMISSIONS HAVE ESSENTIALLY BECOME LIKE A COTTAGE INDUSTRY, A FOR-PROFIT COTTAGE INDUSTRY FOR A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE.

SO YOU'RE WANTING TO REFORM THAT PROCESS, GET THE STATE INVOLVED, AND SO KIND OF WALK THROUGH WHAT YOUR BILL DOES.

>> YEAH, WE HAVE OVER THE YEARS, THE LEGISLATURE HAS ESTABLISHED THESE BOARDS, OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS FOR LICENSING OF CERTAIN OCCUPATIONS EVERYTHING FROM AUCTIONEERS TO -- YOU GET THE IDEA.

AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN.

IS OFTEN TIMES THE SMALLER BOARDS DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED FINANCIALLY TO HAVE THEIR OWN STAFFS.

SO WHAT THEY END UP DOING IS THEY CONTRACT OUT THESE SERVICES TO SOMEBODY WHO MAY DO THEM PART TIME.

AND THESE PRIVATE FOLKS HAVE MADE ESSENTIALLY A COTTAGE INDUSTRY OUT OF THIS.

YOU ALSO HAVE SOME LOBBYISTS THAT HAVE SEEN A PROFIT CENTER THERE, SO THEY'VE GOTTEN INVOLVED IN THE GAME, TOO.

AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN MY MIND IS REALLY KIND OF PERVERTED THAT PROCESS WHERE YOU END UP WITH FOLKS FINDING OR HAVING LAYERS OF EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER PROFIT CENTERS ON TOP OF WHAT IS A SIMPLE LICENSE TO GAIN MORE MONEY OUT OF THAT SYSTEM.

THEY ALSO, ACCORDING TO THE REPORTS THAT WE SHE IN THE SUNSET COMMITTEE AND THE CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE, DON'T DO A GREAT JOB ADMINISTERING THESE BOARDS.

SO YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE SUBSTANTIAL FINDINGS YEAR-OVER-YEAR OVER YEAR THAT STACK UP.

YOU SAW HE PUT THOSE UP ON THE DAIS TODAY ON THE FLOOR.

SO THEY'RE REALLY -- THEY'RE JUST NOT GREAT OPERATORS.

SO WHAT I'M ARE TRYING TO DO IS SET UP AN ORGANIZATION UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WHICH WILL BE THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE AND LABOR BY THE TIME THIS IS OVER WITH, TO PROVIDE JUST THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES THAT THESE BOARDS NEED TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION.

WE SHOULDN'T SPECK EXPECT THESE FOLKS WHO ARE VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ON THE MIDWIFERY BOARD FOR INSTANCE, TO BECOME EXPERTS IN STATED PRE-CONSUMER LAW OR ACCOUNTING OR ANYTHING ELSE.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO THEM IF THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO SAY, HEY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE A BOARD AND OPERATED THIS.

BUT SOME OF THESE BOARDS ARE OPERATING OUT OF SOMEONE'S HOUSE.

THEY'RE KEEPING RECORDS IN A SHOEBOX.

THIS IS NOT HOW WE SHOULD RUN ESSENTIALLY A STATE AGENCY.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

THERE'S STILL TIME FOR THE BILL TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> I WAS I'M GOING TO ASK YOU IT GOT CARRIED OVER.

MEANING IT CAN COME AND SO YOU DID.

BUT WHAT WAS THE ISSUE THERE.

>> I THINK SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAD NOT HAD TIME TO DIGEST THINKS LEGISLATION.

IT IS A BIG PEELS OF LEGISLATION.

IT IS COMPLICATED.

IT IS DEALING WITH ESSENTIALLY 20 DIFFERENT PLUS STATE AGENCIES AT THIS POINT.

BUT IT'S GOOD GOVERNMENT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S WORTH DOING.

IT'S JUST NOT INTRIGUING OR SEXY.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE OF THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO REALLY WASN'T TO DO GOOD GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER THINGS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

SO I HAD COMMITMENT FROM SENATOR SMITHERMAN TODAY TO LOOK DEEPER INTO THAT AND FOCUS ON THAT OVER THE WEEKEND SO AND IT'S MY HOPE TO CONTINUE TO BRING THIS ISSUE BACKS UP.

AND I THINK THE SENATE IS KEEN TO TAKE ACTION ON IT.

I MEAN, THEY HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE PROBLEMS FIRSTHAND, IN SUNSET AND CONTRACT REVIEW AND ET CETERA.

AND THEY HAVE HEARD FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE LICENSEES WHO SAY THIS IS OUT OF CONTROL.

>> BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WORKERS, THIS IS FOLKS JOBS DEPENDS ON THESE THINGS.

SO I'M CURIOUS, THAT, IN YOUR DEEP DIVE INTO THIS ISSUE, YOU KNOW, YOU AND SENATOR GRUDGER AND OTHERS WORKING ON THIS, DID Y'ALL COME ACROSS ANY LICENSURE BOARDS OR DO WE HAVE TOO MUCH OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING?

BE OF.

>> WE DO.

THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES THAT SHOW IT'S A BARRIER OF ENTRY INTO THE WORKFORCES SO YOU STARTED ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT WE HAVE LOCKSMITHS AND WE HAVE GOT THIS ONE BOARD AND IT'S GOT SOME SORT OF ATHLETIC NAME BUT IT MEANS WRESTLING AND AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU START HAVING TO -- HOLD ON IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO BE DOING?

IF WE DO, FINE.

LET'S NOT SET UP AS ITS EVERYONE DIFFERENT I STATE AGENCY THAT THEY KNOW GOES OUT AND CONTRACTS WITH THE FOLKS WE DON'T HAVE.

WE LEFT THEM WITH ANOTHER OPTION AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO HIRE THEIR OWN STAFF.

SO LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

BECAUSE AFTER WE LET THESE VOLUNTEER BOARDS OPERATE AND ENFORCE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

BUT WE PROVIDE NOTHING AND THAT WE SAY GOOD LUCK, THEN WE AUDIT THEM AND SLAP THEM ON THE HANDS FOR THAT DOING IT RIGHT AND THAT'S JUST NOT FAIR.

>> I HAVE FOLLOWED THE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING ISSUE NATIONALLY SO I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT IT'S REALLY COMING TO A HEAD HERE IN THE STATE.

SPEAKING OF THE AWE OTHER THINGS GOING ON, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT GAMBLING.

IT'S GOING TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THREE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, THREE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

ALL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE AT SOME POINT.

YOU'RE NOT ON THE COMMITTEE BUT IF IT COMES AND SO YOU DID TO THE SENATE YOU WILL HAVE A VOTE ON IT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING?

DO YOU THINK THE HOUSE AND SENATE CAN COME TO ANY KIND OF COMPROMISE?

THEY SEEM PRETTY FAR APART RIGHT NOW.

>> THEY DO SEEM PRETTY FAR APART.

THAT'S BEEN THE CASE REALLY FOR THE WHOLE TIME.

YOU KNOW, IT IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO WHAT IS IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT.

I THINK THAT THE SENATE WENT ABOUT AS FAR AS IT WAS GOING TO GO.

I MADE THOSE STATEMENTS BEFORE.

>> I HAVE SEEN MY HOUSE COLLEAGUES MAKES STATEMENTS, YOU KNOW, A WE'RE NOT GOING TO COMPROMISE ON THAT OR WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ON THIS, THAT OR THE OTHER, AND I JUST -- I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS GOING TO WORK HARD AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE IN THAT REPORT.

MYSELF COLLEAGUES OTHER THAN THE CONFER RES DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE IN THAT REPORT AND WE WILL JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT IS THERE AND WHETHER THE SUPPORT IS THERE.

THE PROBLEM WITH THINKS IS, AS WITH SO MANY OTHER THINGS IS THAT THERE'S SO MUCH MONEY INVOLVED AND SO MANY LOBBYISTS INVOLVED, AND SO MUCH PRESSURE, THAT JUST THE SMALLEST CAN TIP IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

AND WITH A VOTE TOTAL THAT IS AS TIGHT AS IT WAS ON PASS INCH AND ONLY 19 VOTES ON THE VOTE TO GO TO CONFERENCE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT -- >> I SAW THAT.

>> THAT'S -- WE DON'T HAVE TEST VOTES LIKE THEY DO IN CONGRESS.

BUT IF WE DID, THAT WAS ONE.

SO I THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT AND REALIZE WE ARE A ONE OR TWO-VOTE MARGIN IN EITHER WAY IN MY OPINION.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS A LOT?

I'M THINKING BE ABLE TO, YOU'RE A BORDER COUNTY, WITH THE BOARDER THERE AND MISS THIS NOT FAR AWAY.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT CONSTITUENTS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN AND TALKING TO YOU ABOUT?

>> MY CONSTITUENTS WANT TO VOTE ON A LOTTERY.

THEY'RE KEEN ON THAT AND DEMANDING ON THAT AND THE SENATE BILL PROVIDED THAT.

THE HOUSE DIDN'T VOTE -- BILLED IT TOO BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE AFTER.

>> CASINOS, SPORTS BET.

>> MY CONSTITUENTS ARE UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE BALANCE OF THAT.

THEY WANT A LOTTERY.

THE CASINO ISSUE IS NOT AN ISSUE, EXCEPT FOR THEY DON'T WANT IT ANYWHERE NEAR BALDWIN COUNTY OR OUR BEACHES AND THAT'S ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THAT'S REGULAR FOLKS.

THAT'S EVERYBODY.

SO DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF A LOTTERY TO KEEP ANY CASINOS OR OTHER GAMING OUT OF OUR AREA.

>> THEY DON'T WANT BILOXI TO HAVE BEEN ORANGE BEACH.

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY DO NOT.

WE HAVE -- THE MAYORS IN ORANGE BEACH AND GULF SHORES AND FOLEY WORKED REALLY HARD TO MAKE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENT VERY FAMILY FRIENDLY.

FAIRHOPE AND DAPHNE HAVE THEIR OWN FEEL TO THEM.

AND NOBODY WANTS TO INJECT CASINOS INTO THAT ATMOSPHERE.

>> INTERESTING POINT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND EXPLAINING THESIS ISSUES.

>> WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> I'LL BE HERE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT AND SO YOU DID.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE AND SO YOU DID TOMORROW NIGHT FOR OUR WEEK IN WILL HAVE EPISODE AT 7:30 HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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