>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE LEGISLATIVE WORK WEEK KICKS OFF TOMORROW WITH THE EDUCATION BUDGET SET FOR HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION AND A BILL TO BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE POSSIBLY UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE SENATE.

WE'LL HAVE THE DETAILS, BUT WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S PRIVATE LEASE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

BLOOMBERG NEWS HAS REPORTED THAT TWO INVESTMENT BANKS INVOLVED IN THE DEAL, BARCLAY'S AND KEYBANC CAPITOL MARKETS HAVE PULLED OUT.

THIS AFTER THE NEWS OUTLET HAD PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THAT BARCLAY'S MEMBERSHIP IN THE AMERICAN SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS COUNCIL WAS TERMINATED BECAUSE OF ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE ALABAMA PRISON DEAL.

BARCLAY'S HAS SAID IT'S A COMPLEX ISSUE AND THAT IN LIGHT OF THE FEEDBACK IT'S GOTTEN THAT IT WAS REVIEWING ITS POLICIES.

IN A STATEMENT TODAY, GOVERNOR IVEY SAID THAT EVEN WITH THE NEWS, SHE WAS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.

SHE SAID... "THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS DISAPPOINTED THAT BARCLAY'S PLC HAS ELECTED TO NO LONGER PARTICIPATE AS AN UNDERWRITER ENTITY IN THE ALABAMA PRISON PROGRAM.

THESE NEW FACILITIES, WHICH WILL BE LEASED, STAFFED AND OPERATED BY THE STATE, ARE CRITICAL TO THE STATE'S PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND WILL BE TRANSFORMATIVE IN ADDRESSING THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS' LONGSTANDING CHALLENGES.'

IN FEBRUARY, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THAT SHE HAD SIGNED LEASES WITH A DEVELOPER ON NEW MEN'S PRISONS IN ESCAMBIA AND ELMORE COUNTIES WITH A PROJECTED ‘FINANCIAL CLOSE' FOR THE DEALS OF JUNE 1ST.

A THIRD PRISON IS PLANNED FOR BIBB COUNTY AND IT WOULD BE BUILT BY A DIFFERENT DEVELOPER.

>> DON: A BUSY WEEK LIES AHEAD FOR THE LEGISLATURE, WITH THE STATE'S RECORD $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET SET FOR COMMITTEE ACTION.

THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS - EDUCATION COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE SCHOOL SPENDING PLAN ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, IT PROVIDES FOR A 2-PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR ALL EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

AND SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET CHAIRMAN ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR PREVIOUSLY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT IT ALSO INCLUDES FURTHER PAY INCREASES FOR TEACHERS.

>> WE RAISED THE AMOUNT FOR STEP RAISES FOR TRADITIONAL TEACHERS.

THE STEP-RAISES HAD BEEN WOEFULLY -- AND CHAIRMAN POOL FROM THE HOUSE, WE'RE LOOKING AT CONTINUING TO MOVE THOSE ALONG.

THAT COST OVER $30 MILLION.

AND TO MAKE THOSE MIDDLE YEARS TEACHERS, AFTER EIGHT, NINE, 10, 12, 15 YEARS, KEEP INCREASING THEIR COMPENSATION SO IT WILL STAY IN EDUCATION AND NOT LOOK ACROSS THE FENCE, AND SAY I CAN MAKE MORE SELLING INSURANCE OR REAL ESTATE OR WHATEVER.

>> DON: THE PROPOSED EDUCATION BUDGET, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WOULD FUND MORE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

AND IT WOULD PROVIDE SOME 29-MILLION DOLLARS TO FURTHER EXPAND PRE-K CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT AS IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ALABAMA'S FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM HAS JUST BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR THE 15TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

DR. BARBARA COOPER IS THE STATE'S SECRETARY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SHE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> THE MORE WE CAN DO FOR CHILDREN IN THOSE FIRST FIVE YEARS, THE MORE PREPARED CHILDREN ARE WHEN THEY GO TO KINDERGARTEN.

OUR PROGRAM IN PRE-K DEMONSTRATES THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN WHO LEAVE OUR PROGRAM ARE MORE PROFICIENT IN READING AND MATH THAT ARE THEIR PEERS AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE CHRONICALLY ABSENT, HAVE DISCIPLINARY REFERRALS OR NEED A REFERRAL FOR SPECIAL ED.

SO THOSE INDICATORS ALONE SPEAK TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM AND WHY WE SHOULD INVEST EARLY.

>> DON: DR. COOPER WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DON: A BILL THAT WOULD BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE COULD BE IN POSITION TO SEE FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL THIS WEEK.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN OF TROY, A FORMER PROBATE JUDGE WHO CONTENDS THAT CURBSIDE VOTING PRESENTS BALLOT CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY SECURITY ISSUES.

HE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> WE'RE HOPING IT'S GOING TO BE UP THIS WEEK OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

JUNE, IT PROTECTS THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, HONEST STEVE OUR ELECTIONS.

THERE WAS A FEDERAL LAWSUIT THAT KIND OF SPURRED THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION FROM LAST YEAR DURING OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO PASSING IT AND GETTING I.T.

DONE.

SENATOR DAN ROB CERTS GOING TO HANDLE IT ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> ALLEN WILL JOIN US TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY APPROVED ALLEN'S LEGISLATION AND IF THE SENATE PASSES IT THIS WEEK WITHOUT AMENDMENTS, IT WOULD GO TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HER SIGNATURE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE LEGISLATION, AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO HAS A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE.

IT'S SET TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

DON: THE NEXT STOP FOR A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN THAT WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE LAST WEEK IS A HOUSE COMMITTEE, BUT SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA SAID LATE LAST WEEK THAT THE HOUSE PROCESS FOR THE LEGISLATION WAS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.

>> WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE BILL NOW.

WE'RE ASSIGNING IT TO COMMITTEES.

WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF ASSIGNING IT TO COMMITTEES BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE ENABLING LEGISLATION ALONG WITH THE LOTTERY BILL ITSELF, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'RE TRYING TO GET COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS BECAUSE THOSE BILLS WILL GO INTO SOME DIFFERENT COMMITTEES.

ALL BILLS WILL NOT JUST GO TO ONE COMMITTEE.

SO BECAUSE OF THAT IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SAY RIGHT NOW EXACTLY WHAT DAY IT MAY BE IN COMMITTEE.

DON: THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN WOULD SET UP A STATE LOTTERY AND ALLOW FOR CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING IN THE STATE.

SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE IS THE LOTTERY BILL'S SPONSOR AND HE TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL LAST WEEK THAT HE DOESN'T THINK THAT A TALKED ABOUT POSSIBLE SPECIAL SESSION ON THE ISSUE WILL BE NECESSARY.

DON: GAMBLING AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA ARE PROBABLY THE TWO HOTTEST TOPICS AT THE STATEHOUSE IN THE CLOSING DAYS OF THE SESSION.

THE BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE MEDICINAL USE OF MARIJUANA IS NEXT HEADED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR, AFTER PASSING TWO COMMITTEES.

THE LOWER CHAMBER IS EXPECTED TO WAIT UNTIL AT LEAST NEXT WEEK TO TAKE UP THE LEGISLATION.

ITS SPONSOR, SENATOR TIM MELSON OF FLORENCE, SAYS IT'LL BE CLOSE BUT THAT HE'S PREDICTING HOUSE PASSAGE OF HIS MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOUSE THAT HAVE TOLD ME THEY SUPPORT THE BILL BUT CAN'T VOTE FOR IT BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN THIS PERSON'S DISTRICT OR THAT PERSON.

BUT YOU NEED TO GET IT OUT.

I KNOW PEOPLE THAT ARE USING IT AND BENEFITING FROM IT.

SO IT'S A TOUGH VOTE FOR PEOPLE YOU KNOW?

SO WE WILL JUST SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

BUT AGAIN, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE SURPRISED AT SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT GO TO THE MICROPHONE AND GIVE THE FAMILY HISTORY OR TESTIMONY AND MAKE COMMENTS THAT YOU WILL BE THINKING, WOW, DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING.

DON: THE SENATE PASSED THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL EARLIER IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, WES ALLEN OF TROY IN BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AGAIN.

>> I WANT GOING TO KNOW WITH CURBSIDE VOTING.

THIS ISSUE IS OUT OF SENATE COMMITTEE AND WAITING FOR CONSIDERATION ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INDICATION THAT IT MIGHT BE UP SOON.

>> WE'RE HOPING IT'S GOING TO BE UP THIS WEEK OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

YOU KNOW IT PROTECT HE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, HONESTY OF OUR ELECTIONS.

THERE WAS A FEDERAL LAWSUIT THAT KIND OF SPURRED THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION FROM LAST YEAR DURING OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO PASSING IT AND GETTING IT DONE.

SENATOR DAN ROBERTS IS GOING TO HANDLE IT ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC OF ITS CHANCES ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> VERY OPTIMISTIC.

>> THIS IS PART OF A A ROOM OF VOTING-RELATED BILLS THIS YEAR.

THE CURBSIDE VOTING ISSUE CAME TO THE FORE HERE IN ALABAMA AT LEAST AND MANY OTHER PLACES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

MANY SAW IT AS AN OPTION, A HEALTHY OPTION DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT YOU COME AT THIS FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

YOU'RE A FORMER PROBATE JUDGE IN PIKE COUNTY AND TO YOU THIS HAS ALL BEEN ABOUT CHAIN OF CUSTODY, SECURITY, RIGHT, WHERE BATTLES ARE CONCERNED?

>> ABSOLUTELY IT IS.

OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, PROBATE JUDGES, THE CIRCUIT CLERKS, THE SHERIFFS, BOARD OF REGISTRARS AND THE POLL WORKERS THAT ADMINISTER OUR ELECTIONS ON ELECTION DAY DO AN IMPORTANT JOB AND THEY DO A GOOD JOB AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CHAIN OF CUSTODY IS PROTECTED BECAUSE IF A BALLOT WALKS OCCUPANT THE DOOR, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO IT.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE FISCAL PRESENCE OF THAT PRECINCT THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSION SET UP.

AND SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

LIKE I SAID, IT PROTECTS THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION AND IT HAS BROAD SUPPORT ON OUR REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE AISLE.

>> ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, SOME PUSH BACK THOUGH, ESPECIALLY FROM SOME OF YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WHO CONTEND ISSUES WITH BILLS LIKE YOURS.

OR VOTER SUPPRESSION.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT CONTENTION?

>> NOT AT ALL.

I THINK -- AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT A PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEF.

WE MUST PROTECT OUR ELECTIONS.

WE'RE NOT ABOUT SUPPRESSING VOTES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE VOTE IS PROTECTED BECAUSE THAT'S PRECIOUS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE TO ALL WE CAN TO PROTECT THAT VOTE.

AND WE BELIEVE IT'S IS A GOOD SOLID BILL.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MATT SIMPSON FOR HANDLING THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR ME ON THE FLOOR WHEN I WAS OUT THAT WEEK.

HE DID A FANTASTIC JOB FOR ME.

>> WHILE YOU PRESS THIS CASE, AND YOU MENTIONED YOU HOPE IT GOES TO THE SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEK, YOU MAY BE AWARE THAT SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO HAS A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR CURBSIDE VOTING AND IT'S IN SENATE COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

>> I SAW THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR THAT WILL MAKE IT.

WE WILL JUST KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

I DON'T AGREE OBVIOUSLY.

WE'RE ON TWO POLAR ENDS OF THAT ISSUE SO WE WILL MONITOR THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> BUT YOU'RE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FINAL PASSAGE.

>> YES, I AM.

>> AND THIS HAS BEEN, AS I MENTIONED, ONE OF A PLETHORA OF VET VOTING RELATED BILLS THAT CAME OUT OF LAST YEAR'S VOTING CONTROVERSY HERE IN THE STATE.

IT'S BEEN A VERY DIVISIVE ISSUE TOO.

THERE'S THE SIDE THAT SAYS WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR ELECTION INTEGRITY AT ALL COSTS AND THERE'S THE OTHER SIDE THAT SELF THIS IS JUST A REACTION TO THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION LAST YEAR.

DO YOU THINK IT'S EITHER EXTREME ONE OR THE OTHER?

>> I BELIEVE ALABAMA DOES A FINE JOB AS A FORMER JUDGE WHO USED TO ADMINISTER THE ELECTION LAWS.

I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE ON ELECTION DAY.

AND I DON'T BELIEVE ANY VOTER SUPPRESSION IS TAKING PLACE WITH THESE VOTER BILLS AND ELECTION BILLS.

I THINK THEY'RE GOOD BILLS.

AS YOU CAN SEE, BY THE TURNOUT THAT WE HAD THIS PAST YEAR -- THE PAST PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY SUPPRESSION WHATSOEVER.

>> QUICKLY REPRESENTATIVE YOU HAD A BILL THIS YEAR, AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT MOVED DEALING WITH VOTING AND IT WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED MAIL IN VOTING AND SAY THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM REVISING THE ABSENTEE VOTING METHODS IN AN EMERGENCY METHOD.

IT'S NOT MOVING BUT YOU DID PROPOSE IT.

>> I DID PROPOSE IT.

WE WERE TRYING TO GET IT ON THE CONSTITUTION AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE WHICH I'M VIOLENCE CHAIR OF AND REPRESENTATIVE FINCHER IS THE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE.

WE HAD IT ON THE AGENDA BUT IT WAS JUST BAD TIMING WHEN I GOT ILL WITH COVID, AND SO WE MOVED TO CARRY THAT BILL OVER AND ONCE WE GOT BACK, YOU KNOW, WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET THAT THING MOVING.

>> WERE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THE MOVES THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE MADE IN REVISING OR TWEAKING OUR ABSENTEE VOTING DURING THE ELECTION LAST YEAR?

>> CERTAINLY.

THE ABSENTEE PROCESS WE HAVE NOW IS VERY SOLID AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STILL REQUIRE THE PHOTO ID, WE STILL NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REQUIRE THE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION AND THE THINGS THAT ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE ABSENTEE BALLOT.

>> I WANT TO MOVE ON NOW REPRESENTATIVE, TO LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT CERTAIN MEDICAL PROCEDURES FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH IN THE STATE.

YOU HAD A VERSION OF THIS BILL BUT THE SENATE VERSION SPONSORED BY THE SENATOR FROM TRUSSVILLE IS THE ONE THAT IS MOVING SO YOU HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND THAT VERSION; RIGHT?

>> I HAVE.

>> SENATOR SHELLNUT ON THE FLOOR WAS DOING A LITTLE FILIBUSTERING IN FRUSTRATION THIS WAS BILL HAS NOT MADE IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR WHICH IS ITS NEXT STOP.

DO YOU SHARE THAT FRUSTRATION?

>> CERTAINLY.

I'M READY TO GET THAT BILL BEFORE OUR HOUSE.

AND LET OUR MEMBERS HAVE A VOTE ON IT.

AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO PASSING THE BILL.

I THINK IT HAS GOOD SUPPORT.

LIKE I SAID MY HB1 IS SIMILAR TO SB10, HIS VERSION.

HB1 WENT THROUGH JUDICIARY AND WAS SLIGHTLY AMENDED AND WAS READY TO BE PUT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

BUT SB10 WAS MOVING FASTER AND GOT OFF THE SENATE FLOOR AND GOT DOWN TO THE HOUSE AND IT WAS IN THE HEALTH COMMITTEE AND IT GOT AMENDED SLIGHTLY AND IT'S READY-TO-ON TO BE PUT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND THAT'S THE ONE -- BECAUSE IT'S MOVED FURTHER ALONG DOWN THE TRACKS AND THAT'S THE ONE I'M GOING TO GET BEHIND IS SENATOR SHELLNUT'S BILL, SB10.

>> THE FACT IT HAS NOT MADE IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR IS THAT INDICATIVE OF TROUBLE AHEAD FOR THIS LEGISLATION?

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT READ IT THAT WAY.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

OUR STATE FACES A LOT OF BIG ISSUES.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF BIG ISSUES OUT THERE IN FRONT OF US.

WE STILL HAVE TO PASS THE BUDGETS, THERE'S BROADBAND LEGISLATION STILL OUT THERE AND OTHER PROPOSALS THAT ARE DEMANDING OF OUR TIME.

I JUST THINK IT'S PART OF ANY LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE LATE WEEKS LIKE WE ARE, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE END, WITH BIG LEGISLATION LIKE THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET, THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND THE LIKE, EVERYTHING STARTS STACKING UP SO I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING IT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> THIS HAS BEEN ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE BUT YOU HAVE SAID ALL ALONG TO YOU IT'S ABOUT DELAYING DECISIONS THAT YOU FEEL COULD BE PERMANENTLY LIFE ALTERING FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH UNTIL THEY ARE OF AGE, 19.

>> RIGHT.

IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING OUR MINORS AND OUR YOUTH AND OUR CHILDREN.

IT'S ABOUT PUTTING ON HOLD THESE POWERFUL MEDICATIONS THAT HAVE SIDE EFFECTS THAT WE REALLY HAVEN'T STUDIED VIGOROUSLY YET AND NOT ABOUT WHAT IS MORALLY RIGHT BUT LEGALLY RIGHT TO DO.

WE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

MINORS CAN'T BE ALCOHOL.

MINOR HE CAN'T BE CIGARETTES.

MINORS CAN'T BUY VAPING PRODUCTS LEGALLY.

THEY CAN'T GET A TATTOO WITHOUT A PARENT'S PERMISSION SO WE ARE ABOUT PROTECTING THE KIDS.

AND THESE POWERFUL DRUGS THAT ARE USED OFF LABEL, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THAT ON HOLD AND MAKE SURE THAT CHILD IS GET THE HELP THEY NEED, THE MENTAL HEALTH THEY NEED AND JUST PROTECT THOSE KIDS.

>> TIME IS SHORT.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, YOUR FATHER, SENATOR GERALD ALLEN OF TUSCALOOSA GOT OUT OF THE?

AT BILL THAT SAYS ALABAMA WOULDN'T ENFORCE CERTAIN FEDERAL GUN CONTROL MANDATES.

YES, I DO HAD YOU A SIMILAR BILL THAT YOU INTRODUCED THIS YEAR.

IT HAS NOT MOVED YET BUT I SUPPOSE YOU'RE SUPPORTING IT SENATE VERSION FROM YOUR FATHER.

>> SURE.

I'M SUPPORTING DAD AND HIS LEGISLATION.

I THINK THAT'S SB358.

THERE WERE THREE GUYS IN THE HOUSE THAT HAD SIMILAR LEGISLATION.

>> SENATOR STRINGER IS ONE.

>> AND TOMMY HAYNES FROM NORTH ALABAMA AND MYSELF HAD THREE SIMILAR PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

SO I THINK WE'RE COALESCING AROUND HB -- SB-358, SENATOR ALLEN'S VERSION AND WE WILL MOVE TO MOVE THAT AS SOON AS WE CAN AND GET THAT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> WOOFER HE CLOSE, IS IT MADE TOUGHER THAT KIND OF LEGISLATION GIVEN ALL OF THE MASS SHOOTINGS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE COUNTRY, IT'S RENEWING THE DEBATE OVER GUN CONTROL IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME PROPOSALS AND SOME THINGS COME OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT MAKES EVERY LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN WHO CHERISHES THAT SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEIR HOME AND FAMILIES AND PROPERTY, THEY HEAR THAT LANGUAGE AND THEY SEE THOSE THINGS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SECOND AMENDMENT IS PROTECTED AND THAT'S ONE THING WE WANT TO DO HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I KNOW THOSE MASS SHOOTINGS ARE TRAGIC AND WE DON'T WANT ANY OF THAT TO HAPPEN BUT WE'RE ABOUT PROTECTING LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THEIR RIGHT TO DEFEND THEIR HOMES AND THEMSELVES.

>> WES ALLEN OF TROY, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> YOU BET.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, THE SECRETARY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION HERE IN ALABAMA, DR. BARBARA COOPER IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> NICE TO IS HAVE YOU ON SUCH A BIG DAY FOR YOUR AND YOUR COLLEAGUES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR THE 15TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR EARLY EDUCATION RESEARCH HAS RANKED ALABAMA'S FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM AS THE BEST STATE PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT IS QUITE SOMETHING.

>> YES, IT IS.

FOR CERTAIN.

>> WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR KIDS THIS AGE WITH PRE-K PROGRAMS CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED, CAN IT NOT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S CRITICAL IN ALABAMA.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK IS OUR SECRET TO SUCCESS IN BEING RANKED BEST IN THE COUNTRY FOR 15 CONSECUTIVE YEARS NOW?

>> CERTAINLY TO BE RANKED 15 CONSECUTIVE YEARS FOR ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME STRUCTURES IN PLACE THAT ARE WINNING BEST PRACTICES MODELS WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN ALABAMA.

WE HAVE GUBERNATORIAL SUPPORT, WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE, BUSINESS COUNCIL SUPPORT AND WE HAVE STAKEHOLDERS THAT ARE VERY MUCH ADMITTED AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROGRAM IN ALABAMA HAS STRUCTURES IN PLACE THAT HAVE ALLOWED US TO BE NUMBER ONE FOR 15 CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND WE DO NOT VEER FROM THIS MODEL.

THE ONLY WAY WE MAKE CHANGES IS IF OUR DATA TELLS US THAT THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO BETTER, WHICH HAS LED TO THIS SUCCESS.

>> YOU MENTIONED GUBERNATORIAL SUPPORT.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IS A CHAMPION MUCH PRE-K IN THE STATE.

SHE HAS CONSISTENTLY PUSHED FOR MORE MONEY FOR PRE-K AND EACH STATE BUDGET.

I KNOW IN THE CURRENT EDUCATION BUDGET WHICH, BY THE WAY, WILL BE IN HOUSE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK, IT'S PROPOSED 29 PERCENT INCREASE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND MOST OF THAT WOULD GO -- CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO EXPAND PRE-K CLASSROOMS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE HAVE A WAITLIST FOR THE PRE-K PROGRAMS AND 25 MILLION WILL GO TO JUST THAT TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM, TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR 44 PERCENT OF ALABAMA 4-YEAR-OLDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM THIS YEAR.

>> OUR GOAL AS WE EXPAND PRE-K CLASSROOMS IN THE STATE IS TO REACH EVERY SYSTEM AND EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE THAT WANTS AND/OR NEEDS THIS KIND OF PROGRAM.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

CURRENTLY, WE ARE IN ALL 67 COUNTIES.

HOWEVER, OUR GOAL IS, AS YOU STATED, TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY FAMILY WHO WANTS PRE-K WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THAT YOUR 4-YEAR-OLD IN ONE OF THESE HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS THAT ABSOLUTELY LEND THEMSELVES TO MAKING SURE CHILDREN ARE KINDERGARTEN READY WHEN THEY ENTER OUR SYSTEM.

>> BEING "KINDERGARTEN READY" IS KEY.

WE'RE BATTLING A LOT OF PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO RIGHT THE SHIP IN MANY RESPECTS IS TO STRENGTHEN IT AT ITS FOUNDATION WHICH IS PRE-K; CORRECT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE MORE WE CAN DO FOR CHILDREN IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS THE MORE PREPARED CHILDREN ARE WHEN THEY GO TO KINDERGARTEN.

OUR PROGRAM IN PRE-K DEMONSTRATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN WHO LEAVE OUR PROGRAM ARE MORE PRO INITIATE IN READING AND MATH THAN THEIR PEERS ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE CHRONICALLY ABSENT, HAVE DISCIPLINARY REFERRALS OR NEED A REFERRAL FOR SPECIAL ED.

SO THOSE INDICATORS ALONE SPEAK TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM AND WHY WE SHOULD INVEST EARLY.

>> NOW, PRE-K IS OPTIONAL IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I SAY A LOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS AN OPTIONAL PROGRAM.

BUT MANY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> AND MANY ARE CONTACTING US SEEKING -- WE ALREADY HAVE ALMOST 20,000 CHILDREN REGISTERED FOR NEXT YEAR'S PROGRAM.

>> SO HOW LONG WOULD WE NEED TO CONTINUE ON THE TRACK THAT WE ARE NOW IN EXPANDING THESE CLASSROOMS UNTIL PROBABLY -- I SAY WHEN MOST WHO NEED IT ARE SERVED.

THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE THOSE WHO WOULD WANT IT AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OUR GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND INCREMENTALLY AS I INDICATED, NEXT YEAR WE WOULD WANT TO GET THE NUMBER TO 44 PERCENT BUT IN ORDER TO GET IT TO THE POINT WHERE WE BELIEVE WE WILL BE PRETTY MUCH SATURATED AROUND 2025, IF WE COULD GET TO AT LEAST 70 PERCENT OF THE 4-YEAR-OLDS WE BELIEVE WE WOULD MEET THE MAJORITY OF FAMILY BLOWS WANT AN OPTION FOR THEIR 4-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IT.

>> CERTAINLY SEEMS DOABLE GIVEN THE TRENDS OF THE LAST FOUR YEAR WHERE SO MUCH PRIORITY HAS BEEN PUT ON THIS BUT AS YOU MENTIONED THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL THAT MUST BE ENCOURAGING AS YOU CONTINUE THIS PROCESS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AS I SPEAK TO MY PEERS ACROSS THE STATE IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS, EARLY CHILDHOOD AGENCIES THEY HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE SAME TYPES OF TRENDS SO IF ALABAMA CONTINUES ON THE TREND WE HAVE STARTED WE CERTAINLY HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT WE WILL NOT MEET AND EXCEED THAT GOAL BY 2025.

>> BEING THE PREMIER PROGRAM THAT IT IS, OUR FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM IS THERE ANY PRESSURE ON YOU WHEN YOU GO OUT AND SPEAK TO PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE HIKE TO KEEP THAT TREND GOING YEAR AFTER YEAR?

>> WELL, I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY THERE'S GOOD PRESSURE.

BECAUSE TO BE NUN NUMBER ONE, YOU CERTAINLY HAVE MAKE SURE YOU'RE KEEPING THOSE STRUCTURES IN PLACE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO REMAIN THERE SO IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO COME TO OUR DEPARTMENT AND SEE MEMBERS OF OUR DEPARTMENT ACTIVELY ENGAGED AROUND THIS TYPE OF DATA AND HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND WE GO OUT AND WE SPEAK TO OTHERS.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE SPEAKING TO ALL OF OUR MAYORS ABOUT THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO LOCALLY TO INVEST EARLY AND CONTINUE TO MAKE US A PRIORITY.

SO THE PRESSURE IS ALWAYS ON TO CONTINUE TO STRIVE TOWARDS GREATNESS IN OUR FIRST-CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM AND AS WELL AS ALL OF THE PROGRAMS IN THE DEPARTMENT.

>> WE TALK ABOUT EXPANDING THESE CLASSROOMS.

WHERE DO THEY LIVE?

DO THEY LIVE WITHIN TRADITIONAL SCHOOL SYSTEM?

CITIES AND COUNTS?

>> THEY LIVE EVERYWHERE.

THE MAJORITY ARE IN OUR LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES BUT WE HAVE FAITH BASED, WE HAVE UNIVERSITY, WE HAVE PUBLIC PROGRAMS, WE HAVE PRIVATE PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS IN THE YMCA SO WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL PLACES SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO EXPAND SO THAT WE CAN REACH HAT 70 PERCENT ACCESS FOR OUR PRE-K PROGRAMS.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE THAT DIVERSITY OF LOCATION MIGHT OWE A LOT TO YOUR OVERALL SUCCESS BECAUSE YOU ARE IN SO MANY VENUES AND AVAILABLE TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

>> YES.

BECAUSE IT GIVES PEOPLE CHOICE, TOO, BECAUSE MANY OF OUR FAMILIES MIGHT NOT DESIRE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SETTING FOR THEIR CHILD.

SO THEY WANT THAT CHILD TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE AND THAT CHILDCARE CENTER THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE GONE THROUGH FROM BIRTH ALL THE WAY TO THE AGE OF FOUR AND THE MIXED DELIVERY SYSTEM IS A WINNING MODEL IN THAT IT ALLOWS TO US REACH SO MANY MORE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND MEET THEIR NEEDS.

>> WE'VE COME A LONG WAY FROM THE YEARS WHEN PEOPLE THOUGHT PUTTING A 4-YEAR-OLD IN A CLASSROOM WAS TOO YOUNG.

I THINK WE HAVE PROVEN OTHERWISE NOW; RIGHT.

>> I THINK I ABSOLUTELY THINK WE HAVE.

AS YOU WILL LEARN ZERO IN OUR DEPARTMENT WE'RE PUSH, IT DOWN EVEN YOUNGER BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE QUALITY THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IN OUR PRE-K CLASSROOM IS ALSO BEING FELT BIRTH ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PRE-K PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S CRITICAL THAT CHILDREN ARE RECEIVING THESE EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF LIFE WHEN WE KNOW THE MAJORITY OF THE BRAIN IS BEING FORMED THROUGH THIS CRITICAL PERIOD.

>> THIS PERIOD REALLY SETS THEM ON THE PATH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND EVEN INTO COLLEGE; RIGHT.

>> ABSOLUTELY F WE CAN GET IT RIGHT IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS THEN WE KNOW THAT CHILDREN ARE GOING TO WALK INTO THAT K-IS IT SETTING PREPARED AND READY TO HEAD ON TO THE TRAJECTORY FOR SUCCESS.

>> OBVIOUSLY, THIS BEING THE 15TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, YOU ARE AWARE OF OUR NATIONAL RECOGNITION.

WE MUST BE DOING IT RIGHT?

>> BUT, AGAIN, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DETERMINE WAYS TO MAKE THE EVEN BETTER.

WE'RE ALL ABOUT CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

>> CHRONICS TO YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR PA JOB WELL DONE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH THE WORK YOU'RE DOING ON BEHALF OF OUR WINNER.

>> THANK YOU FOR THINKING OPPORTUNITY AND UP WILL CERTAINLY PASS THAT CONGRATULATIONS ON TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

>> DR. BARBARA COOPER, SECRETARY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> YOU BET.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

IF.

>> AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING POSSIBLE SENATE FLOOR ACTION ON A BILL THAT WOULD BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE.

THAT AS A SENATE COMMITTEE IS SET TO CONSIDER A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR CURBSIDE VOTING.

WE'RE SET TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE PRINCE CHESTNUT OF SELMA, WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS BILLS TO BOTH ALLOW AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION AND INCREASE JUDICIAL PAY.

AND WE'RE ALSO SET TO BE JOINED BY SENATOR ANDREW JONES OF CENTRE, WHO WILL TALK ABOUT HIS HEADLINE-MAKING BILL DEALING WITH ANIMAL BYPRODUCT PROCESSING FACILITIES, LIKE ONE IN HIS DISTRICT.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.