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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

LEADING THE BROADCAST TONIGHT IS NEWS FROM DADEVILLE WHERE EARLIER TODAY AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED TWO ARRESTS IN THE SUNDAY SHOOTING THAT KILLED FOUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND INJURED 32 OTHERS AT A SWEET 16 BIRTHDAY PARTY.

ACCORDING TO THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, 17 YEAR OLD TY REIK MCCOLLOUH AND 16 YEAR OLD TRAVIS MCCOLLOUGH HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH MURDER.

TALLAPOOSA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MIKE SEGREST SAID THE PAIR WOULD BE TRIED AS ADULTS.

THAT'S AUTOMATICALLY REQUIRED IN ALABAMA FOR ANYONE 16 OR OLDER CHARGED WITH MURDER.

TUESDAY, APRIL 18TH AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 P.M. ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION OFFICIALLY ARRESTED AND CHARGED TYREKE MCCOLLOUGH, 17, OF TUSKEGEE AND TRAVIS MCCOLLOUGH, ALSO OF TUSKEGEE, WITH FOUR COUNTS OF RECKLESS MURDER EACH.

THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT IS YET TO BE DONE.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

WE'RE GOING TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH EVERYTHING WE SAY, WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, BECAUSE WE ABSOLUTELY ARE GOING TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE FAMILIES AND THE VICTIMS.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO NEED THE PUBLIC'S HELP.

>> A REMINDER OF THE VICTIMS.

19-YEAR OLD SIAH COLLINS OF OPELIKA, 23 YEAR OLD CORBIN HOLSTON OF DADEVILLE, 17 YEAR OLD KEKE SMITH OF DADEVILLE, AND 18 YEAR OLD PHIL DOWDELL.

SEGREST SAID HIS OFFICE AND POLICE INVESTIGATORS OWE IT TO THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO GATHER EVIDENCE METHODICALLY AND PROSECUTE PROPERLY IN ORDER TO DELIVER JUSTICE.

HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE, NEWS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE HALLS THIS MORNING ABOUT THE ARRESTS BEING MADE IN THE CASE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER WHO REPRESENTS DADEVILLE OFFERED HIS REACTION.

>> I WATCHED THE PRESS RELEASE AND I'M GLAD THEY'RE MAKING PROGRESS BUT AT THIS TIME I'M WAITING TO SEE WHAT ELSE DEVELOPS.

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY IT'S PROGRESS.

BUT AS THE INTERVIEW INDICATED THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO WITH THIS INVESTIGATION.

I'M ENCOURAGED.

OF COURSE I'M STILL VERY DISAPPOINTED BY THE ENTIRE EVENT BUT I'M ENCOURAGED THE INVESTIGATION IS MOVING FORWARD.

>> TODAY WAS THE 12TH LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE REGULAR SESSION, BUT MOST WORK WAS DONE IN COMMITTEE.

THE PACKAGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILLS KNOWN AS THE GAME PLAN WERE IN SENATE COMMITTEES TODAY.

HOUSE BILL 241, WHICH REAUTHORIZES AND REVAMPS THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT AND THE GROWING ALABAMA ACT, WAS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE FINANCE AND TAXATION EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

LAWMAKERS CONSIDERED AMENDING THE BILL TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC INCENTIVES USED FOR TOURISM, BUT THAT PROPOSAL ULTIMATELY FAILED SO THE BILL WILL GO TO THE SENATE FLOOR AS WRITTEN.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED HOUSE BILL 247, WHICH AIMS TO JUMPSTART ALABAMA'S INNOVATION ECONOMY AND BOOST INVESTMENTS IN UNDERREPRESENTED COMPANIES.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT WHO IS SPONSORING THE JOBS ACT BILL, EXPLAINED HOW THIS UPDATE WILL BE AN IMPROVEMENT FROM THE ORIGINAL 2015 LAW.

>> SO IT MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT SOME OF THE BILLS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY UTILIZED BY COMMERCE, FOR EXAMPLE, AN ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.

WEAVER ONLY GOING TO GIVE THE ACTUAL CREDIT ON THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT ACTUALLY RESIDE IN ALABAMA.

A COMPANY CAN HAVE ALABAMA EMPLOYEES THAT LIVE ACROSS STATE LINES AND THAT NUMBER WOULD QUALIFY THEM FOR THE CREDIT BUT THE ACTUALLY COMPUTATION WILL BE BASED ONLY ON THOSE THAT LIVE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

HE CLARIFIED THAT.

IT INCREASES THE CAP OF THE CREDITS FROM 375 MILLION TO 400 MILLION OVER A FIVE YEARS PERIOD AND CREATES A $35 MILLION CAP AND THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT CREDIT HELPS US DEVELOP SITES AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE RUNNINGS LOW ON-SITE INVENTORY IN THE STATE.

RENEWABLE ENERGY IS A NEW CATEGORY.

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE SEEN A RENEWMENT OF THAT IN THE INDUSTRY.

WE'RE ADDING THAT AS A COMPONENT TO MAKE SURE IT'S PART OF THAT GROUP AS WELL.

OVER IN THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, THE OTHER TWO INCENTIVES BILLS WERE ON THE AGENDA.

HOUSE BILL 257, KNOWN AS THE SEEDS ACT, IS INTENDED TO HELP IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP MORE INDUSTRIAL SITES THAT CAN BE USED TO RECRUIT PROJECTS.

HOUSE BILL 240 ENSURES TRANSPARENCY BY REQUIRING ALL INCENTIVE MONEY USED BE POSTED ONLINE.

BOTH BILLS PASSED COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY.

THAT MEANS THE ENTIRE PACKAGE OF GAME PLAN BILLS ARE READY FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION ON THURSDAY.

SO BY THIS TIME TOMORROW, THE BILLS COULD BE ON GOV.

KAY IVEY'S DESK.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN STEADILY DRUMMING UP SUPPORT FOR THE GAME PLAN PACKAGE, AND TODAY SHE SPOKE TO THE MONTGOMERY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ABOUT TAKING ALABAMA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

HOWEVER, AS MUCH AS SHE PLUGGED HER INCENTIVES PACKAGE, SHE ALSO SAID THAT CRITICAL TO THE STATE'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS IS IMPROVING PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SHE POINTED TO EFFORTS IN LITERACY AND NUMERACY THAT ARE AIMED AT IMPROVING READING AND MATH PROFICIENCY, ESPECIALLY IN STRUGGLING SCHOOLS.

>> LAST YEAR I CHALLENGE OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO BAND TOGETHER, TO PLEDGE THAT WE WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT THE EXISTENCE OF FAILING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE.

NO LONGER ARE WE LETTING FAMILY INCOME OR ANY OTHER BARRIERS DEFINE A CHILD'S ABILITY TO OBTAIN THE QUALITY EDUCATION THEY SO DESERVE.

THROUGH THE NUMERACY AND ALABAMA LITERACY ACTS, WE'RE PUTTING A RENEWED INTEREST ON THE FUNDAMENTAL FUNDAMENTALS OF EDUCATION, READING AND MATH.

>> ADDRESSING CRIME IS A CONTINUING THEME THIS SESSION, AS SEVERAL MEASURES TO CRACK DOWN ON CRIME IN DIFFERENT WAYS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.

TODAY, THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TOOK UP AND DEBATE A BILL SEEKING TO ADDRESS GANG RELATED CRIME.

STATE SENATOR WILL BARFOOT, WHO REPRESENTS MONTGOMERY, IS SPONSORING SENATE BILL 143, WHICH SEEKS TO BETTER DEFINE GANGS AND ENACT ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT BENEFITS, PROMOTES OR FURTHERS THE INTERESTS OF A GANG.

BUT BARFOOT SAW PUSHBACK FROM COMMITTEE DEMOCRATS WHO HAD CONCERNS ABOUT DEFINITIONS WITHIN THE BILL AND POTENTIAL UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

>> MIND YOU THAT YOUR DEFINITION CALLS FOR PROFILING.

IT DOES THAT BECAUSE IT SAYS THAT THESE OFFICERS SEE PEOPLE DRESSED A CERTAIN WAY, WEARING CERTAIN THINGS AND NOW THEY'RE ACTUALLY PROFILING.

AND ALSO ON LINE 160 YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GOT IT FOR POSSESSION OF A WEAPON.

MANY OF YOU AROUND THIS TABLE VOTED FOR US TO BE ABLE TO CARRY A GUN LEGALLY WITHOUT A PERMIT.

SO IT'S NOT ILLEGAL TO HAVE A GUN IN YOUR POSSESSION.

IF YOU'RE STANDING ON THAT STREET CORNER.

IT'S NOT ILLEGAL.

SO EVEN IF THE PERSON HAS A GUN ON THEM AND THEY NEVER USE IT, THEN IS IT THAT -- THEN WE WANTED TO ELEVATE A CRIME JUST FOR HAVING POSSESSION OF A WEAPON WHERE POSSESSION OF A WEAPON IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS LEGAL.

NOW THOSE OF YOU -- VERY CLEAR.

THAT NEEDED TO BE REMOVED OUT OF THIS BILL.

THE POSSESSION OF A WEAPON.

UNLESS THEY USE THAT WEAPON IN THE FURTHERANCE OF THAT CRIME.

THAT'S WHERE -- OTHER THAN JUST HAVING THAT POSSESSION NEEDS TO TAKE AWAY AND WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS DEFINITION BECAUSE I THINK IT'S ALL ABOUT LEGAL PROFILING.

THANK YOU.

>> AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO MAKE THIS BILL A BETTER BILL.

THE COMMITTEE ADVANCED THE BILL ON A VOTE OF 83 AND IT NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

I'LL SPEAK WITH SENATOR BARFOOT IN MORE DETAIL ABOUT THIS GANG BILL AND SOME OTHERS WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR WILL BARFOOT FROM PIKE GROVE.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

I APPRECIATE THE VISION.

>> WELL, YOU'VE BEEN BUSY.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF BILLS, A LOT OF ISSUES THAT YOU'RE INVOLVED IN.

I WANTED TO START WITH THE GANG VIOLENCE BILL THAT YOU ARE SPONSORING OF IT WENT THROUGH COMMITTEE TODAY, YOUR JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

WALK ME THROUGH -- I UNDERSTAND THE POINT AND YOU ALSO REPRESENT MONTGOMERY.

THERE HAVE BEEN BIG CONCERNS ABOUT GANG VIOLENCE HERE IN THE CAPITOL CITY BUT ALL CITIES THROUGH THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOUR BILL DOES.

>> 3 MAIN THINGS.

1ST OF ALL THERE'S BEEN SOME MISINFORMATION OUT THERE.

THIS IS NOT JUST ARRESTING PEOPLE JUST FOR SAKE OF THEM BEING IDENTIFIED OR A MEMBER OF A GANG.

THEY HAVE TO BE ARRESTED AND CONVICTED OF AN UNDERLYING CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

AN UNDERLYING FELONY FENCE.

THE BILL DOES THREE THINGS, THOUGH.

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED AND IDENTIFIED AS A FOR-CRIMINAL EVENT OR BREACH OF CRIMINAL STATUTE, STATE OF ALABAMA, THAT'S A FELONY, A CLASS D FELONY.

YOU ARE PROVEN BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT YOU COMMITTED THAT CRIME, AND THEN, IF YOU'RE PROVEN I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA A ROBERTSDALE THAT YOU ARE A GANG MEMBER WHICH THE BILL LAYS OUT THAT CRITERIA, THEN THAT FELONY THAT YOU'RE CONVICTED OF WOULD BE UP SENTENCED FROM A D TO A C OR IF THE UNDERLYING EVENT WAS A CLASS C FELONY, YOU WOULD BE SENTENCED LIKE IT WAS A CLASS B AND SO FORTH.

SO THERE'S THAT PORTION OF IT, AND THAT RELATES TO SPECIFICALLY HAVING TO PROVE, NUMBER 1, THAT THERE WAS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE THAT YOU COMMITTED BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT AND THAT YOU ARE, NUMBER 2, THE GANGS MEMBERS OUTLINED IN THE BILL.

THE 2ND THING THE BILL DUDS IS, IF, DURING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME, THAT YOU HAVE A FIREARM DURING THE COMMISSION OF THAT CRIME, AND THAT CRIME IS TO BENEFIT OR PROMOTE GANG ACTIVITY FOR WHICH YOU'RE CONVICTED, AGAIN, BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, THE POSSESSION OF THAT FIRE ARM DURING THE COMMISSION OF THAT FELONY OFFENSE, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, WOULD CARRY A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS OR -- EXCUSE ME -- FIVE YEARS CONSECUTIVE SENTENCE ON THERE.

IF DURING THE COURSE OF THAT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY FOR BY YOU'RE CONVICTED BRANDISHED IT, THERE WOULD BE A MANDATORY SEVEN YEAR SENTENCE.

AND IF YOU USE THE FIREARM DURING THE COMMISSION OF THAT FELONY THAT BENEFITED A GANG OR GANGS ACTIVITY, THERE WOULD BE A 10 YEAR ENHANCEMENT TO IT.

AND THAT STATUTE OR THOSE STATUTES ARE NOT UNSIMILAR TO WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE ALREADY HAD IN PLACE FOR A WHILE.

AS IT RELATES TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS -- YOU KNOW, IS SENTENCING ENHANCEMENTS FOR THE USE OR CARRYING OR DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM DURING CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.

>> HEARING YOU HAVE DESCRIBE IT, IT WILL THEM SOUNDS LIKE AN AGGRAVATING FACTOR THAT WE HEAR ABOUT SOMETIMES WHEN CRIMES ARE COMMITTED.

WHILE THE SENTENCING, BECAUSE THERE'S AN AGGRAVATING FACTOR -- IS THAT SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?

>> IT IS.

AT LEAST OWN THE SECOND PORTION WITH THE GUN ENHANCEMENTS THERE.

THAT IS CERTAINLY THE ENHANCEMENTS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> BUT A CRIME HAS TO BE COMMITTED AND THEN, SECONDARY TO THAT, THE GANGS PORTION COMES IN.

YOU HAD SOME PUSH BACK FROM DEMOCRATS TODAY, WHO TALKED ABOUT MAYBE SOME NUANCES OF THE BILL, MAYBE SOME VAGARIES.

THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF GANGS BEING MISINTERPRETED AND BEING TOO BROAD.

IS THERE GOING TO BE MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT FINE-TUNING THE BILL.

>> SO VALID POINTS ON SOME OF THOSE THAT WERE MADE EVEN BEFORE COMMITTEE AND HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS ALONG THOSE LINES AND WE'RE CERTAINLY WILLING TO LOOK.

WE DON'T WANT ANY UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES BUT WE DO THINK THAT, THERE'S A VALID REASON FOR THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION OUT THERE.

WE'VE GOT PROBLEMS WITH GANGS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

NOT JUST STATE OF ALABAMA ISSUE BUT NATIONWIDE.

SO I THINK WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THAT AS IT RELATES TO THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OF THE GANG.

>> ALSO IN COMMITTEE WAS YOUR SUPERVISION BILL MEANS FOCUS THAT ARE OUT ON BOND FOR, YOU KNOW, BEING ACCUSED OF CRIMES.

BUT GIVING THE STATE THE ABILITY TO SUPERVISE THEM.

AND WE HAD CAM WARD ON HERE THE OTHER DAY SAYING SUPERVISION IS PROVEN TO REDUCE THE, YOU KNOW, COMMISSION OF A NEW CRIME.

IS THAT SORT OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO.

>> SO CURRENT LAW ALLOWS, IF YOU ARE ARRESTED FOR OR CHARGED WITH A NONVIOLENT OFFENSE, THE JUDGE CAN MAKE A CONDITION OF YOUR BOND THAT YOU ARE MONITORED OR SUPERVISED PENDING YOUR TRIAL, PRIOR TO YOUR TRIAL, BY COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS.

FORTUNATELY THE STATUTE DIDN'T ALLOW COMMUNITY ACTION ON VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

SO THIS IS SAYS A VIOLENT A OR B INDIVIDUAL WHO IS CHARGED WITH A OR B CRIME, A JUDGE, AS A CONDITION OF THEIR BOND, NOT TO EXCLUDE THEIR BOND, BUT AS A CONDITION OF THEIR BOND, COULD MANDATED THAT THEY ARE SUPERVISED BY THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES PENDING THAT TRIAL.

AGAIN INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

IT JUST MEANS THAT'S AN EXTRA CONDITION THAT THE JUDGE CAN PUT -- NOT MANDATORY BUT WITH JUDICIAL DISCRETION.

>> DO YOU SEE THAT BILL GATHERINGS SUPPORT?

>> I HOPE SO.

YOU KNOW LAST YEAR WE GOT IT THROUGH THE SENATE.

I THINK IT WAS UNANIMOUS.

AT THE BOTTOM TO THE HOUSE AND THROUGH THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, AND THEN THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION, WE DIDN'T -- UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE OUT OF TIME AND DIDN'T GET A VOTE ON IT SO I'M HOPEFUL.

>> SPEAKING OF BILLS THAT RAN OUT OF TIME, YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE BILL IS BACK.

THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALLY LIMITING HOW THE STATE GOES ABOUT SUSPENDING DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR NONMOVING VIOLATIONS, MISSED COURT DATES, FEES THAT PILE UP, THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT YOU HAVE MADE SOME MODIFICATIONS THIS YEAR AND IT WENT THROUGH COMMITTEE UNANIMOUS LAST WEEK.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THE BILL DOES AND WHAT THE CHANGER WERE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT ISN'T A GET-OUT-OF-JAIL-FREE CARD.

THERE'S A PERSON OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ALL COURT COSTS FINES AND FEES HAVE TO BE PAID.

THERE'S NO DIMINISHING VALUING OF THAT.

IF YOU MISS A COURT APPEARANCE DATE PRIOR TO THE TRIAL DATE, THE COURTS CAN STILL SUSPEND YOUR LICENSE AND CAN STILL ISSUE A WARRANT.

ALL OF THAT -- NONE OF THAT HAS CHANGED.

THE BILL DOES TWO BASIC THINGS -- OR THREE THINGS.

IT ACTUAL IS DEALING WITH ONLY POST ADJUDICATION.

SO TO DO IF YOU GOT A -- TO TODD IF YOU GOT A TICKET AND YOU WERE FOUND GUILTY AND THE JUDGE SET YOU UP ON A PAYMENT PLAN -- MAYBE $25 A MONTH, THEY MAY SET A REVIEW DATE FOR YOU TO COME BACK TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE PAYING YOUR COST AND FINES THAT THEY'VE ORDERED TO.

UNDER CURRENT LAW IF YOU MISS ONE COURT DATE THEY CAN SUSPEND YOUR LICENSE.

WE WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF GRACES OUT THERE.

THIS BILL SAYS HEY, IF YOU MISS ONE POST ADJUDICATION COURT DATE YOU CAN STILL ISSUE A WARRANT FOR THE ARREST AND MAKE THEM APPEAR BUT NOT GOING TO SUSPEND THEIR LICENSE BECAUSE THEY MISSED ONE ADJUDICATION COURT DATE.

AGAIN, THE SECOND THINGS IT DOES, WITH THE PAYMENT PLAN IF YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PAYING $25 A MONTH, THE BILL AS WRITTEN SAYS YOU CAN SEE STILL BRING SOMEBODY IN, ASK THEM WHY THEY'RE NOT PAYING, HOLD THEM IN CONTEMPT IF THERE'S NOT A LEGITIMATE REASON BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE MISSED SIX OR MORE PAYMENTS BEFORE YOU CAN SUSPEND THEIR POLITICAL SCIENCE.

SO IT STILL GIVES THE JUDGES THE ABILITY TO SUSPEND LICENSES POST ADJUDICATIONS BUT IT JUST ALLOWS FOR A LITTLE BIT OF GRACE FOR MISSING ONE COURT DATE, WE GET BUSY, WE DON'T PUT THINGS ON OUR CALENDAR, MAYBE WE CAN'T GET OUT OF WORK OR MAYBE WE MISSED A COUPLE OF PAYMENTS.

>> AND YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS ALSO IN TERMS OF THE WORKFORCE.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE -- YOU USED ME AS AN EXAMPLE.

IF MY LICENSE GETS SUSPENDED I'M GOING TO THINK TWICE ABOUT DRIVING TO WORK.

IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE FOCUS OUT THERE THAT MAY BE ON THE SLIDE LINES NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE WORKFORCE, NOT HAVING A DRIVER'S LICENSE IS A BIG REASON WHY.

>> IT IS.

AND YOU KNOW WE DO HAVE WORKFORCE ISSUE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND I HOPE THIS WILL FREE UP SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WHO MAYBE HAD THEIR LICENSE SUSPENDED BECAUSE THEY MISSED A COURT DATE POST ADJUDICATION COURT DATE.

>> IT PASSED THE SENATE LAST YEAR AND GOT HUNG UP IN THE HOUSE.

DO YOU SEE IT -- BECAUSE OF THE MODIFICATIONS DO YOU SEE IT GATHERINGS MORE SUPPORT?

>> I HOPE SO.

>> I HAVEN'T HAD A BROADER CONVERSATION WITH HOUSE MEMBERS.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE WADSWORTH IS CARRYING THAT IN THE HOUSE AND VERY SUPPORTIVE OF IT AND THE EFFORTS THAT WE HAVE.

I BELIEVE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT OUT OF THE SENATE AND GET IT THROUGH THE HOUSE AND WE WILL WAIT ON THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

>> OK. WELL, WE WILL BE FOLLOWING ALL OF THOSE.

SO MOVING ON TO A DIFFERENT SUBJECT IN EDUCATION.

YOU DON'T HAVE A BILL YET BUT YOU'VE TALKED AROUND THE EDGES OF CHARTER SCHOOLS AND JUST THE ISSUE.

AND POSSIBLE LEGISLATION MODIFYING OUR LAW, IMPROVING OUR ALLOW.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL HERE AND HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO ACTUALLY INTRODUCING LEGISLATION?

>> SO I'M HOPEFUL BY THE END OF THE WEEK THAT WE WILL HAVE A BILL IN FINAL FORMAT AS IT RELATES TO THE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS IS JUST A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE OF A LARGER TOPIC OF PARENTAL CHOICE IN EDUCATION WHICH I SUPPORT.

CURRENTLY, YOU KNOW THE CHARTER SCHOOLS -- THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN EXISTENCE AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB BEING ABLE TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

AND KEEPING IN MIND, AND I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS BUT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY'RE NOT PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THEY'RE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

FOR INSTANCE HERE IN MONTGOMERY, MONTGOMERY HAS THE ONLY THREE CONVERSION CHARTER SCHOOLS THERE ARE IN THE STATE.

THE DIFFERENCE IS, IS THAT THOSE THREE CONVERSION CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM; RIGHT?

AND THE CURRENT MODEL IS THEY'RE NOT BEING FULLY FUNDED TO THE LEVEL OF OTHER KIDS AND OTHER SCHOOLS WITHIN THE SAME DISTRICT WHICH IS A MAJOR WILL BE.

THESE THREE SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT ARE PART OF THE CONVERSION CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE IN MONTGOMERY OR CHARTER SCHOOLS IN MONTGOMERY, WERE SOME OF THE LOWEST PERFORMING SCHOOLS IN THE STATE, AND TO NOT FULLY FUND THEM, TO GIVE THOSE KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED IS JUST, YOU KNOW, ABOMINABLE TO ME.

SO THAT THAT LEGISLATION WILL DO, AT LEAST IN PART, EXACTLY THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET THE FUNDING FOR THE LOCAL CONVERSIONS AND MAKE THE CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN ALABAMA ACTUALLY ABLE TO WORK AS THEY SHOULD.

>> WELL, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT ON THIS SHOW FOR A WHILE.

WE'VE ACTUALLY HIGHLIGHTED THOSE CONVERSION CHARTERS.

WE HAVE GONE TO THEM AND IT'S REALLY AMAZING BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S THE SAME BUILDING.

IT'S THE SAME STUDENTS.

IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES THE SAME TEACHERS.

BUT DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP, DIFFERENT ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS AND REALLY A DIFFERENT CULTURE.

AND IT'S -- YOU KNOW AT LEAST INITIALLY GETTING SOME RESULTS.

BUT ALSO THE ISSUE OF FUNDING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC CHARTERS RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT FALLS ON STUDENTS AND STATE FUNDING THAT FALLS ON STUDENTS BUT THE LOCAL DOLLARS IT'S A CHOICE ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

WOULD YOUR BILL MAKE IT MORE MANDATORY?

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT BUT ONE OF THE ISSUES IS WHETHER OR NOT, FOR INSTANCE, IN KIND SERVICES FROM THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM TO THE CONVERSION CHARTERS -- SO THE CONVERSION CHARTERS MAY SAY WE HAVE A DIFFERENT READING STANDARD OR WE MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT WAY TO TEACH READING OR ENGLISH, AND SO WE DON'T WANT TO USE THE MATERIALS THAT THE LOCAL MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS.

WE DON'T WANT AN IN KIND CONTRIBUTION.

WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SELECT OUR OWN WAY OF MAKING SURE THAT THE KIDS UNDER THIS NEW PROCEDURE AND POLICIES AND QUITE HONESTLY TEACHING METHODS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO INSTILL IN FOLKS.

>> WELL, IT'S -- THE MOMENT MODEL IS REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOME -- ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WHO ARE JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT IT.

BUT THEN YOU ALSO HAVE SOME -- JUST CALL IT LIKE THAT EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENT THAT DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CHANGES GOING ON.

WHEREAS THE WAY I SEE IT WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE STATE COME IN AND IT COULD ACTUALLY BE A POINT OF PRIDE, AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER CITIES BECAUSE THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION STRUGGLES IT'S MORE -- IT'S ACUTE IN CERTAIN AREAS AND CERTAIN POCKETS OF THE STATE.

THIS COULD BE ONE OF THOSE MODELS THAT OTHER STATES EMULATE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I WOULD LIKE FOR MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS, THOSE CONVERSION CHARTERS THAT ARE A PART OF THAT MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM TO BE THE SHINING LIGHT.

LOOK WHAT WE COULD DO.

WE DIDN'T TAKE KIDS WHO WERE EXCELLING IN ALL AREAS.

WE HAVE TAKEN CHILDREN AND THOSE CLASSROOMS AS YOU SAID, THE SAME CHILDREN, SAME BUILDINGS AND WE HAVE A DIFFERENT MODEL, RIGHT, PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THOSE PUBLIC CHARTERS SCHOOLS AND LOOK WHAT WE HAVE TO ADD THE ABILITY TO DO BASED ON THAT DIFFERENT MODEL SO I'M HOPEFUL.

>> IT'S AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

CONSIDERING ALL OF THE EDUCATION AROUND EDUCATION AND CHOICE.

THIS IS ONE WORTH HAVING.

WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR BILL BEING FILED.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ENJOYED IT.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW AT 10:30 WITH MORE COVERING OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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