>> DON: TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE'LL REPORT ON GOV.

KAY IVEY ANNOUNCING TODAY THE EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS TO ALL ADULTS STARTING THIS MONDAY.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS, WHO SAYS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME ALABAMA HAS A LITTLE EXCESS VACCINE ON THE SHELF, BUT THAT THE NEW ELIGIBILITY WILL CHANGE THAT.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON OF BIRMINGHAM, WHO WILL DISCUSS THE RENEWED DEMOCRATIC PUSH FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION IN THE STATE, WHAT WITH BOTH THE PANDEMIC AND NEW FEDERAL INCENTIVES.

CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS HIS BRAND NEW CAMPAIGN FOR THE U.S. SENATE AND THE RESPONSE HE'S GOTTEN SO FAR.

AND TUSCALOOSA MAYOR WALT MADDOX WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS THE FIRST MONTH OF HIS NEW FIFTH TERM IN OFFICE AND WHETHER HE MIGHT HAVE HIGHER POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

AND >> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, AS LAWMAKERS WRAPPED UP A VERY BUSY WEEK, TAKING ACTION ON BILLS DEALING WITH THINGS LIKE SENTENCING REFORM, TRANSGENDER ATHLETES AND EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY ON EMERGENCY ORDERS LIKE THOSE ISSUED IN THE PANDEMIC, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TODAY WAS IN HER HOMETOWN OF CAMDEN TO AGAIN EXPAND VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY.

>> I'M ANNOUNCING THAT EVERY ALABAMIAN 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE STARTING MONDAY APRIL 55.

THIS VACCINE IS OUR TICKET BACK TO NORMAL.

Y'ALL, WE'RE GETTING SO CLOSE TO GETTING COVID-19 IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

UNTIL THEN WE NEED TO KEEP WEARING OUR MASK, USE COMMON SENSE, USE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

>> THE DON: THE GOVERNOR MADE THE ELIGIBILITY EXPANSION ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY WHILE VISITING A NATIONAL GUARD VACCINATION CLINIC IN CAMDEN.

IVEY'S STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE ENDS ONE WEEK FROM TODAY.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT AND ABOUT THE SHOT ELIGIBILITY EXPANSION.

DON: THE STATE SENATE ON THURSDAY PASSED A COUPLE OF CLOSELY WATCHED BILLS THAT WOULD LIMIT THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS.

THEY COME IN THE WAKE OF SOME FRUSTRATION OVER ACTIONS IVEY TOOK DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ONE WOULD REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION OF CERTAIN STATES OF EMERGENCY.

IT'S SPONSORED BY SENATOR TOM WHATLEY OF AUBURN, WHO ACKNOWLEDGED OPPOSITION FROM DEMOCRATS.

I THINK WE HAVE SOMETHING NOT EVERYONE LIKES BUT YOU GET INTO AN 80 PERCENT OR 90 PERCENT AND SOME BETTER THAN THAT SO I THINK YOU HAVE A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WE CAN AT LEAST CONTINUE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

DON: MEANTIME, THE SENATE ON THURSDAY ALSO APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW BUSINESSES AND CHURCHES TO STAY OPEN DURING AN EMERGENCY, PROVIDED THEY FOLLOW THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS DURING A PANDEMIC.

IT WAS CARRIED IN THE UPPER CHAMBER BY SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER OF CULLMAN, WHO HAD CONCERNS ABOUT HOW BUSINESS DECISIONS WERE MADE LAST YEAR.

>> SOME WE'RE OPEN AND SOME WERE CLOSED AND THAT WAS NOT FAIR.

IF I COULD GO AROUND THE CORNER TO A BIG BOX STORE AND SEE THE SAME ITEMS SOLD AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE AND THAT'S THE REASON WE FOUGHT IS HARD FOR IT.

DON: DEMOCRATS IN THE UPPER CHAMBER EXPRESSED SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT GUDGER'S LEGISLATION DEALING WITH BUSINESSES AND CHURCHES AND WITH SENATOR TOM WHATLEY'S EXECUTIVE POWERS BILL.

THAT LED TO LENGTHY FILIBUSTERING ON THURSDAY.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO SPOKE OUT ON BOTH.

>> I THINK TAKEN POWERS AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR AND GIVING IT TO THE LEGISLATURE IS TOO MANY STEPS IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.

I THINK OPENING CHURCH AND HE GOES MAKING SURE RESTAURANTS ARE ALL OPEN FOR SUPER SPREADERS AND WE'RE SEEING IN THIS PANDEMIC EARLY ON IN CHURCHES THEY BECAME THE FIRST SUPER SPREADERS THAT WE KNEW ABOUT.

DON: THE LEGISLATION TO ALLOW BUSINESSES AND CHURCHES TO STAY OPEN DURING AN EMERGENCY NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HER SIGNATURE, AFTER THE HOUSE CONCURRED WITH SOME SENATE CHANGES TO THE BILL.

THE EXECUTIVE POWERS MEASURE NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE.

>> DON: THE SENATE HAS ALSO PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD SET UP A 200-DOLLAR LIFETIME PISTOL CARRY PERMIT.

IT'S SPONSORED BY SENATOR RANDY PRICE OF OPELIKA, WHO SAYS IT WOULD ALSO CREATE A DATABASE OF THOSE PROHIBITED FROM BUYING ANY KIND OF PISTOL.

>> WHEN I GOT INVOLVED IN THIS SITUATION I THINK ONE OF THE MOST BORN THINGS TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT PUT ON THE UNIFORM EVERY KAY TO PRODUCT OUR FAMILIES THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF HERE THAT WE MAKE SURE THEIR LIVES ARE SAFER.

BY PUTTING TOGETHER THIS NETWORK THAT IS GOING TO IDENTIFY THE BAD GUY TO WHERE THAT OFFICER AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING WILL HAVE SOMEONE THEY CAN COMMUNICATE WITH, THIS BILL WILL HELP DO THAT.

(6) >> DON: UNDER PRICE'S BILL, MOST ASPECTS OF THE CURRENT PISTOL PERMITTING PROCESS WOULD NOT CHANGE.

THOSE INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A LIFETIME PERMIT WOULD APPLY AT THEIR LOCAL SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK.

A HOUSE VERSION OF SENATOR PRICE'S LIFETIME GUN PERMIT BILL HAS PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE, BUT IT PROPOSES A $500 FEE.

>> DON: THE HOUSE ON THURSDAY PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO BE DELIVERED TO ALABAMA HOMES.

IT'S A BILL BEING CARRIED IN THE LOWER CHAMBER BY REPRESENTATIVE GIL ISBELL OF GADSDEN, WHO SAID IT'S ABOUT CONVENIENCE FOR STATE RESIDENTS.

HE ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> THERE ARE EXISTING COMPANIES THAT THRIVE FOR GROCERY STORE CHAINS, FOOD OR GROCERIES.

THIS WILL ALLOW COMPANIES FROM ONE TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DELIVER AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DELIVER NOT ONLY THE GROCERIES BUT ALSO BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS COMING FROM THE PACKAGE STORES.

DON: THE LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE A LICENSING PROCESS.

IT WOULD ALSO MANDATE THAT DRIVERS CARRYING ALCOHOL BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD AND THAT THEY UNDERGO A BACKGROUND CHECK.

THE BILL NOW GOES BACK TO THE SENATE BECAUSE OF A FEW CHANGES THE HOUSE MADE TO IT.

DON: THE HOUSE AND A HOUSE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK WERE ALSO FOCUSED ON ISSUES LIKE TEEN VAPING AND HOW COMPLAINTS AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE HANDLED.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> FLORIDA BAIT COVERS SEVERAL PROMISE INCLUDING HOUSE BILL 273 WHICH CALLS FOR CHANGING RELEASE FOR E-CIGARETTE USE IN ALABAMA.

>> THEY CELL THEM IN CONVENIENCE STORES.

THEY'RE VERY EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION WOULD RAISE IT TO 21.

>> YES, SIR CAME UP CONCERNING CONNECTIONS TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

>> ON PAGE FIVE LINE '20 THROUGH 26 CLEARLY SAYS TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

WHAT I'M LOOKING AT.

SO I'M OKAY WITH RAISING THE AGE TO 21 BUT I'M REALLY CONFUSED ON THIS.

>> MORE DISCUSS CLEARS THE CONFUSION AND HOUSE BILL 273 PASSES.

>> IN SEPTEMBER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL CREATE A PREMARKET DIRECTORY FOR ALL OF THOSE IN THE VAPING BUSINESS, WHATEVER PRODUCTS THEY'RE SELLING.

THEY WILL HAVE TO REGISTER THOSE N IN A DIRECTORY.

>> THE HOUSE JUDICIARY HANDLES PROPOSALS INCLUDING SENATE PILL 1558.

>> IT REPORTS COMPLAINTS AGAINST AN OFFICER, BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECK INFORMATION.

>> I REMEMBER ONE GUY I INVESTIGATED HIM.

HE GOT FIRED FROM ONE DEPARTMENT.

I INVESTIGATED HIM AND HE GOT FIRED -- I INVESTIGATED HIM THREE TIMES.

AND KNOB OF THEM WOULD HAVE HIRED HIM IF THIS HAD NOT -- OR IF THIS HAD BEEN IN PLACE.

>> THE BILL IS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M RANDY SCOTT.

DON: THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THIS WEEK APPROVED A MEASURE THAT WOULD REPEAL THE STATE'S SO -CALLED ‘THREE STRIKES' SENTENCING LAW CALLED THE HABITUAL FELONY OFFENDER ACT.

IT GIVES REPEAT OFFENDERS LONGER SENTENCES.

THE MEASURE IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND OF TUSCALOOSA, WHO CONTENDS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE ACT HAS RESULTED IN LIFE SENTENCES FOR SOME WHO NEVER COMMITTED VIOLENT CRIMES.

>> BECAUSE OF A HABITUAL OFFEND EXISTS WE HAVE GOTTEN ADDICTED TO IT AS IF IT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN MANAGE OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

BUT IF YOU WOULD SEE A NUMBER OF JUDGES HAVE REACHED OUT ACROSS THE STATE, SOME PROBABLY TO YOU, AND SAID IT'S NOT ONLY NECESSARY.

THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU COMMIT THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT IF YOU HAVE THREE PRIOR FELONIES AND A LAND TORE LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT PAROLE IF YOU COMMIT A FOURTH CLASS A -- A SECOND CLASS A FELONY OF THOSE FOUR PRIORS.

DON: REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON OF DAPHNE, WHO DEBATED THE BILL WITH ENGLAND THIS WEEK, HAS CONTENDED THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR JUDGES TO BE ABLE TO PUNISH REPEAT OFFENDERS MORE HARSHLY THAN FIRST-TIMERS.

WITH WEDNESDAY'S COMMITTEE APPROVAL, THE BILL TO REPEAL THE HABITUAL OFFENDERS LAW NOW MOVES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

DON: PRISON REFORM HAS BEEN A FAMILIAR REFRAIN THROUGHOUT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND ITS CONSIDERED CRUCIAL, GIVEN AN ONGOING FEDERAL PROBE OF OUR CORRECTIONS SYSTEM.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

IN THE IN THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -- >> YOU WANT TO CHANGE SOMEBODY'S BEHAVIOR INSIDE, GIVE THEM HOPE.

>> AND THE SENATE -- >> REHABILITATION IS ACROSS THE DN THAT HAS BEEN WILLFULLY UNFUNDED.

>> BOTH DEMOCRATS -- >> WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY IN AND KEEP THE FOLKS FROM COMING BAG HERE.

>> AND REPUBLICANS -- >> THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE EMPLOYED, EMPLOYED IN A WAY AT THAT TIME MAKES THEM PERHAPS NOT RETURN TO THE WAY THEY MAY HAVE MADE MONEY BEFORE THEY WENT INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM, A WAY AWAY FROM CRIMINAL ACTIVITY -- >> THEY ALL AGREE GREATER INVESTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE IN REHABILITATING ALABAMA PRISONERS.

>> THE NUMBERS ARE IN THE 95 PERCENT RANGE OF ALL OF THOSE INCARCERATED ARE GOING TO GET OUT.

>> THAT'S CHAT CLYDE CHAMBLISS HAS A BILL TO REDUCE INMATE SENTENCE IF THEY COMPLETE A SPECIFIED REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

>> AND I THINK ONE OF OUR PRIMARY PURPOSES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SHOULD BE TO REHABILITATE -- >> SENATOR CHAMBLISS I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS.

THIS IS A MUCH NEEDED AVENUE.

>> SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON THAT WOULD TAKE HIS BILL A STEP FURTHER.

>> IF THEY WANT TO COME OUT AND BE -- AND TEACH THEM THE BUSINESS OF BRICK MASONRY, HOW TO GET SET UP, HOW TO HIRE MEN, HOW TO GO AND SEEK YOUR JOBS AND YOUR CONTRACTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, TO TEACH THEM HOW TO BE BUSINESSMEN -- >> YES.

>> THE BILLS PASSED THEIR COMMITTEES AND ARE POISED TO BE DEBATED ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

DON: THE SENATE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE THIS WEEK UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, WITH ONE ABSTENTION, LEGISLATION DEALING WITH TRANSGENDER ATHLETES IN STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT STADTHAGEN OF HARTSELLE, WHO RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL ABOUT HIS MEASURE.

>> HB-391 WHERE A GENDER BILL BASED OFF OF YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

IT SAYS IF YOU'RE A MALE, YOU COMPETE IN MALE ATHLETICS X-12 AND IF YOU'RE FEMALE YOU COMPETE IN FEMALE ATHLETICS K-12.

>> HE SAID HIS LEGISLATION IS ABOUT FAIRNESS IN GIRLS ATHLETICS AND HE BELIEVES PRESENTING TRANS ATHLETES WOULD BE UNFAIR.

>> FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE APE WEAVER THIS WEEK WITHIN THE RON DON: FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE APRIL WEAVER OF BRIERFIELD THIS WEEK WON THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR THE OPEN SENATE DISTRICT 14 SEAT VACATED BY CAM WARD, WHO NOW HEADS THE ALABAMA BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLE.

DON: WEAVER DEFEATED TWO OTHER CONTENDERS IN HER GOP RACE FOR THE SEAT WHICH COVERS PARTS OF BIBB, CHILTON AND SHELBY COUNTIES.

SHE WILL GO ON TO FACE DEMOCRAT VIRGINIA APPLEBAUM IN THIS SUMMER'S GENERAL ELECTION.

MEANTIME, LEIGH HULSEY AND KENNETH PASCHAL ARE HEADED TO AN APRIL 27TH RUNOFF FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION IN HOUSE DISTRICT 73.

THE WINNER WILL FACE DEMOCRAT SHERIDAN BLACK IN THE GENERAL ELECTION THIS SUMMER DON: THE HOUSE DISTRICT 73 SEAT WAS LEFT VACANT AFTER MATT FRIDY RESIGNED TO BEGIN SERVING ON THE ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT, LINDA IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> BIG PRIORITIES FOR YOU AND THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS THIS YEAR.

OUR MEDICAID EXPANSION AND PRISON REFORM.

WHY I WANT TO TOUCH ON BOTH.

LET'S BEGIN WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THERE ARE NEW INCENTIVES FOR STATES LIKE ALABAMA THAT DIDN'T EXPAND SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO DO SO THIS YEAR.

DO YOU THINK THAT THOSE BENEFITS ARE SO GREAT THAT IF WE DON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE I THINK YOU SAID WE WILL HAVE MISSED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

THIS IS THE YEAR.

THE MONEY, IF WE DON'T USE IT WE WILL LOSE IT.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO USE IT FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THAT MONEY.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

WE SAID IT WAS AN ISSUE OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY.

HOW WILL WE FUND IT.

FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS WE WILL BE GETTING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 940 MILLION PLUS DOLLARS TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THIS IS A GODSEND DURING TIMES LIKE THIS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE HAD ABOUT 13 HOSPITALS CLOSE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT'S ADVERSELY IMPACTED IN THE RURAL AREAS BUT THAT HAS IMPACTED AS A RIPPLE AFFECT, HOSPITAL IT ACROSS THE STATE.

WE SAW THIS APPROXIMATE WITH THE PANDEMIC, WHERE HOSPITALS WERE OVERCROWDED.

WE HAD PATIENTS AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS -- THE HOPE THES IN MONTGOMERY DID NOT HAVE BED SPACE AND BIRMINGHAM WAS ALMOST OUT.

THAT'S BECAUSE PATIENTS WERE COMING FROM OTHER PLACES.

THAT'S THE PANDEMIC.

BUT JUST LOOK AT THE REGULAR THINGS WITH PEOPLE NEEDING SURGERIES AND THINGS AND TRAVELING GREAT DISTANCES.

SO THIS IS AN EXCELLENT TIME.

THE MONEY IS THERE.

PLUS WE'RE GETTING INCREASED AMOUNT FOR THE F MACHINE MAT SO WE CAN ADD NEW PEOPLE.

THIS WOULD BE A LEGACY THAT GOVERNOR IVEY WOULD BE ABLE TO LEAVE -- IT'S NOT REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT DEMOCRATIC ISSUE.

THIS IS A PEOPLE ISSUE ABOUT DOING THE RIGHT THINGS FOR THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA.

>> GOVERNOR RILEY GOVERNOR IVEY SAID SHE IS OPEN TO THE IDEA AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE FINE PRINT OF THE DETAILS OF COURSE.

LAST WEEKEND ON THE SHOW WE HAD SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON ON WHO CHAIRS THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

I ASKED HIM ABOUT THIS AND HE AGREES WE TO DO SOMETHING BUT IS NOT SURE THAT THE STATE CAN AFFORD TO DO THIS, THE UP-FRONT MONEY THAT THE STATE WOULD NEED TO DRAW DOWN THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>> WELL, I LISTEN TO SENATOR ALBRITTON AS WELL AND HE MADE A RECOMMENDATION OF SOMETHING LIKE A SUBSIDIZED INSURANCE POLICY OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

WELL, WHEN WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS BEFORE DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, WE HANDED DOWN MONEY TO -- FEDERAL MONIES TO STATES AS WELL.

WHY DIDN'T WE EXPAND IT THAT WAY.

WE MISSED THAT OPPORTUNITY AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

EVEN REPUBLICAN STATES, THEY EXPANDED.

I THINK ABOUT ARIZONA WAS ONE OF THOSE STATES THAT DID.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE BUT I THINK NOW IS THE TIME.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AGAIN THIS MAY BE A HYBRID OF SOMETHING WE CAN COME UP WITH.

I THINK BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ARE MORE RECEPTIVE TO WORKING.

DEMOCRATS HAVE ALWAYS HAD THIS AS A PRIORITY.

>> YOU CHAIRED THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AND I KNOW THAT'S YOUR TOP PRIORITY.

>> THAT IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THIS MAY FINALLY BE THE YEAR.

>> WELL, I'M MORE OPTIMISTIC THAN PREVIOUS YEARS.

CERTAINLY I THINK SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE DONE.

IF YOU WILL REMEMBER, WE HAVE HAD THESE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTERS THAT WE TRIED AND WE PUT IN AN AWFUL LOT OF MONEY WITH NO RESULTS.

THAT MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN USED TO PUT DOWN, AGAIN, TOWARDS EXPANSION OF DOING SOMETHING.

BUT WE HAVE NO RESULTS, NO CONCRETE RESULTS OF HOW WE CAN EXPAND AND HELP MORE PEOPLE.

SO I DO THINK THAT THERE'S A MEETING OF THE MINDS AND THERE'S A SERIOUSNESS ABOUT IT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND ALABAMA CAN MOVE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE EACH INSTEAD OF ALWAYS BEING AT THE BOTTOM.

>> LET'S START WITH PRISON REFORM.

YES, I DO HE HAVE A COUPLE OF BILLS THIS VEIN AS DO YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES.

YOU DON'T WANT BEGIN WITH YOUR BILL ABOUT RESTORATION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT ON THE TABLE HERE?

>> OH, WOW.

THAT WAS REALLY A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ON THAT PARTICULAR BILL.

WE HAD A LOT OF AMENDMENTS.

RIGHT NOW IF THE STATE SAYS IF A PERSON WHO IS A FELON OR WHATEVER COMMITTED A CRIME AND YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR RIGHTS RESTORED YOU SO TO APPLY TO THE PATCH BOARD AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, MAYBE THERE ARE OTHER FINES OR RESTITUTIONS AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE FINES AND THINGS APPEARED TO IT AND OF COURSE IF YOU'RE LATE THERE'S ANOTHER FINE THAT MAY BE ADDED TO IT.

SO THIS BILL SAYS -- IT TAKES SCENARIO OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS THAT THE PERP HAS TO APPLY TO THE PARDONS AND PAROLES BEARD.

THE PARDONS AND PAROLES BOARD WILL KEEP RECORDS TO LET THE PERSON KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF YOUR REQUIREMENTS THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR YOUR CERTIFICATE TO RESTORE YOUR VOTING RIGHTS THEY WILL NOTIFY YOU.

>> THEY WILL NOTIFY US.

WE WORKED WITH DIRECTOR CAM WARD WHO SERVED ON THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE AND WORKED ON THESE SIMILAR TYPES OF BILLS.

BUT HE ASSURED US THIS IS SOMETHING PARDONS AND PAROLES COULD IMPLEMENT.

THEY HAVE ALREADY IN PLACE A WAY TO TRACK EVERYTHING THAT THEY OWE AS WELL AS BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH OTHER THAN AGENCIES.

A GOOD SCOPE OF THIS WAS IN DRAFTING THIS BILL, WHAT WE DID WAS ADDED A COMMUNITY SERVICE COMPONENT OF THIS.

WE HAVE, THROUGHOUT OF STATE OF ALABAMA, SOME 75 BATHE-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE PUSHING THIS.

SO IN THIS, THE PERSON CAN, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ABOUT TO PAY OFF ALL OF YOUR FINES YOU CAN DO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THAT AND MAYBE CORD ORDERED SENTENCING OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO ONCE THE PERSON HAS COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCING AND THIS HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY PARDONS AND PAROLES, THEY WILL NOTIFY THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHO WILL CONTACT THE COUNTY WHERE THAT PERSON WAS REGISTERED IN TO HAVE THEM PUT BACK ON THE VOTING ROLES.

I THINK THIS GIVES THE PERSON BACK A SENSE OF DIGNITY SO THEY CAN GO OUT F YOU THINK OF A PERSON WHO HAS CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ELECTIONS COME UP YOU CAN'T VOTE OVER WHO IS ADMINISTERING OVER YOUR CHILD'S ADMINISTRATION SO MANY THINGS ARE TIED TO VOTING AND VOTING RIGHTS AND THIS IS JUST ONE WAY OF HELPING THAT PERSON RESTORE THEIR DIGNITY AND MOVING BACK INTO SOCIETY.

>> AND THIS BILL IS MOVING.

>> THIS BILL IS OUT OF THE SENATE.

IT IS IN THE HOUSE.

>> I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR EXPUNGEMENT BILL FOR A MOMENT.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE ON THE TABLE HERE.

>> AS YOU KNOW THAT BILL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR MANY YEARS.

THERE WERE THREE BILLS THAT WERE DROPPED.

SENATOR SMITHERMAN ALSO ONE THAT WAS DROPPED BY CHRIS ENGLAND AND ALL OF US, I THINK, PREFILED THE BILLS.

THIS LAS BEEN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, AND THEY DECIDED LET'S JUST WORK ON YOUR BILL.

SO EVERYBODY HAS WORKED ON THIS BILL.

LET ME SAY THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE WITH ALMOST A HUNDRED PERIODS OF TIME.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

BECAUSE WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS THAT IT REQUIRES THE PERSON TO PAY BACK THE RESTITUTIONS AND FINES.

IT ACTUAL INCREASES THE FINES.

IT DELINEATES WHERE THE MONEY WILL BE GOING.

BUT THE MAIN THING IS RIGHT NOW THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT WERE ACCUSED OF CRIMES AND THEY HAVE COMMITTED.

A LOVE THESE ARE MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

IT COULD BE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, MAINTENANCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

PEEL DON'T REALIZE THAT STAYS ON YOUR RECORD.

ONCE YOU GO TO GET A JOB AND THEY TO A BACKGROUND CHECK THAT COMES UP.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS LIKE CHECKING THE BOX.

AND THIS IS ONE THAT STAYS ON YOUR RECORD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CANNOT GET JOBS.

I THINK ABOUT COLLEGE STUDENTS.

AND BEING INVOLVED IN A MISDEMEANOR OR WHATEVER AND GOING ON TO COLLEGE AND NOW AN UPSTANDING CITIZEN AND THAT COMES UP.

THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM HAS CONTINUED THEIR OWN ORDINANCE BUT JUST FOR THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM WHERE THEY WILL FORGIVE AND EXPUNGE THESE TYPES OF THINGS BUT ONLY FOR THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM.

YOU MAY LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM BUT MAY HAVE GOTTEN A TICKET IN MIDFIELD.

SO THIS BILL WOULD RELEASE THOSE THINGS AND CERTAIN THINGS THAT CAN BE RELEASED, ESPECIALLY IF IT WAS A CRIME THAT WAS -- WHERE YOU HAD ONE THAT WAS RELATES WITHOUT REGIME DIS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

IF THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE, IF THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS HAS RUN OUT THESE KINDS OF THINGS SHOULD NOT HAVE STAYED ON THE RECORD AFTER ALL BUT THEY ARE STILL THERE.

THIS WOULD ELIMINATE THAT.

>> THIS BILL IS LOOKS LIKE MOVING, IS IT NOT.

>> THE OTHER COMPONENT IS THAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING -- A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CAUGHT IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING BY NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

IF THEY CAN PROVE THEY WERE A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEIR RECORD WILL BE EXPUNGED RATHER THAN BEING A CRIMINAL THEY WILL HAVE THEIR RECORD EXPUNGED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR LIFE.

>> GOOD LUCK WITH THIS LEGISLATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

LINDA COLEMAN MADISON OF BIRMINGHAM.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

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

IS.

>> NEXT UP, CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE IS BACK WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> MY PLEASURE.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD A LOT AS SOON AS YOU ANNOUNCED YOU ARE RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENATE AGAIN.

THIS WILL BE YOUR SECOND GO AROUND IN AN ATTEMPT TO WIN A SEAT IN THE U.S. SENATE AND THIS TIME IT'S FOR WHAT MANY CONSIDER TO BE A LEGACY SEAT AND THAT WILL BE RETIRING RICHARD SHELBY.

DOES THE PROSPECT OF SUCCEEDING RICHARD SHELBY SEEM INTIMIDATING AT ALL.

>> NOT WHATSOEVER.

IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF WHO WAS THERE BEFORE YOU.

IT'S A QUESTION OF WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU GET THERE.

AND WHAT I'M GOING TO DO AS BEST I CAN IS PROTECT THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLALS MAT MADE AMERICA THE GREATEST NATION IN HISTORY AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON.

I'M APPRECIATIVE OF RICHARD SHELBY AND THE SHOES THAT HE BUILD ED FILLED BEFORE HIM.

I'M APPRECIATIVE OF DOUG JONES AND JEFF SESSIONS AND HOWELL HEFFLIN WHO EACH HANDLES THEIR DUTIES IN WASHINGTON IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND I ANTICIPATE IT WILL BE THE SAME WHOEVER WINS THIS SEAT IN 2022.

>> I MENTION YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD.

TELL ME ABOUT THE RECEPTION YOU HAVE BEEN GETTING THAT SUPPORTS YEAR HEARING.

>> THE RECEPTION HAS BEEN EXCELLENT, THE BEST I.

HAVE RECEIVED IN ANY ENDEAVOR OF THIS NATURE.

MY NAME ID IS HIGHER ACROSS THE STATE THAN IT USED TO BE: PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH AGGRESSIVE STANCE TAKEN ON MAJOR PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES AND THEY URNS I'M A FIGHTER AND I WON'T BE INTIMIDATE HEED BY THE ATTACKS THAT YOU GET WHEN YOU'RE A CONSERVATIVE LEADER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND I HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH THE SUPPORT IN TUSCALOOSA, DOTHAN, MONTGOMERY, SPANISH FORT, MOBILE AND THE RATTLESNAKES I'M NOT SURE I GET ALONG WITH IN OPP, ALABAMA BUT IT PEOPLE HANDLING THE SNAKES I DID WELL WITH.

>> YOUR CRITICS CONTEND THEY FEEL YOU'RE TOO POLARIZING.

HOW DO YOU REACT TO THAT SCENARIO?

>> WHEN YOU'RE TALK BE ABOUT THE FIGHT BETWEEN FREE ENTERPRISE AND SOCIALISM YOU BET I AM POLARIZING WITH RESPECT TO SOCIALISTS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE FIGHT BETWEEN MORAL AND AMORAL VALUES.

THE FOLKS WITH AMORAL VALUES CONSIDER ME TO BE POLARIZING.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE IN A MAN AND WOMAN.

WHEN THEY WON'T ALLOW MEN WHO PRETEND TO BE WOMEN TO COMPETE IN WOMEN'S ATHLETICS TAKING SCHOLARSHIPS FROM WOMEN, YEAH, I'M GOING TO BE POLARIZING TO PEOPLE THAT THINK LIKE THAT AND NEW TESTAMENT I'M NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO YOU'RE POLARIZING TOO.

I WANT TO BE AS POLARIZING TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN AMORAL VALUES, HIGHER TAXES, WHO PREFER SOCIALISM WHICH IS DICTATORIAL OVER FREE ENTERPRISE BASED ON FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.

>> YOU TOOK A LOT OF HEATED AFTER YOUR FIERY SPEECH AN JANUARY 6, THE SPEECH DELIVERED BEFORE OF THE CAPITAL VIOLENCE.

YOU HAVE SINCE THEN SAID THAT YOU NEVER INTENDED TO IN SIDE VIOLENCE, AND I THINK IN -- >> I DON'T PERCEIVE ANY HEAT BUT GO AHEAD.

I MEAN IT'S BEEN TREMENDOUS.

I APPRECIATE WHAT SOME OF MY OPPONENTS HAVE DONE.

THE SOCIALISTS, THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA AND OUR ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS.

THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE IS WHETHER I NEED TO DISCLOSE HANDLES ATTACKS ON ME AS IN KIND CONTRIBUTION ON ANY SENATE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION REPORTS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN TREMENDOUSLY BENEFICIAL.

>> YOU HAVE IN RECENT CHASE CALLED SOME OF THOSE RIOTERS AT THE CALE -- I BELIEVE THE WORD YOU USED WAS FOOLS.

CAN YOU ELABORATE?

>> YEAH, THEY MADE A BAD MISTAKE.

I HAVE NEVER IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM WITH MY REMARKS ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN VIOLENT CONDUCT.

IN FACT I HAVE GIVEN SPEECHES GOING ON FOUR DECADES NONE RESULTED IN ANY VIOLENCE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMING DOWN THAT HAVE BEEN SHARED WITH MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS IT'S QUITE CLEAR THAT NOTHING THAT WAS SAID AT THE SPEECHES HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, THAT THEY WERE PLANNED IN ADVANCE OF THE SPEECHES BY MILITANT ELEMENTS OF VARIOUS GROUPS.

SO THAT'S ONE THING THAT I KNEW WAS GOING TO COME OUT AND IT HAS BEEN COMING OUT AND CAUSED THE SOCIALISTS ON CAPITOL HILL TO APOLOGIZE TO SOME REPUBLICANS FOR THE FALSE ALLEGATIONS THEY MADE ABOUT REPUBLICANS.

THAT HAVING BEEN SAID THAT WAS FOOLISH CONDUCT.

IT WAS COUNTER PRODUCTIVE AND UNDER MIND OUR EFFORT TO EXPOSE THE VOTER FRAUD AND ELECTION THEFT THAT OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER 2020 FOR THE PRESIDENT THE UNITED STATES AND A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS SO IT'S COUNTER PRODUCT TO THAT EFFORT.

WHAT DID IT ACHIEVE?

ALL IT'S GOING TO ACHIEVE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL END UP IN JAIL.

AND I WILL SUBMIT THAT THE PEOPLE ENGAGED IN THAT ILLEGAL CONDUCT A GOOD NUMBER OF THEM WOULD CONCUR AND HAVE BEEN APOLOGIZING HANDLES CONDUCT WAS OUT OF CHARACTER, THEY NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN REEF SORTED TO VIOLENCE AND SHOULD HAVE ENGAGED TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PROTEST AND SEEK REDRESS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE WORKED OUT.

UNFORTUNATELY THESE MILITANT ELEMENTS HAD TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT PRO TESTED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE AT THE TRUMP RALLY TO THE DETRIMENT OF OUR CAUSE AND OUR COUNTRY.

>> DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE TO WIN OVER SOME OF THOSE CRITICS OF YOURS WHO HAVE MADE LIGHT OF SOME OF THE THINGS YOU SAID ON JANUARY 6.

>> I'M NOT TRYING TO WIN OVER THE SOCIALISTS.

I'M KNOT TRYING TO WIN OVER THE PEOPLE IN THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA.

THEY HAVE TO EXAGGERATE.

YOU KNOW PEOPLE EXAGGERATE IN THAT BUSINESS AND TELL THINGS NOT TRUE OR HAVE NOT DONE HANDLES HOMEWORK TO TERM IF THEY'RE TRUE TO INCREASE THE HITS SORE THE RATINGS WHICH INCREASES THE MONITARY RETURN TO SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WHO GO ON THE INTERPRET AND THOSE FOLKS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON TV AND WHATNOT.

I'M NOT TRYING TO GET THE VOTES OF THOSE PEOPLE.

I'M TRYING TO GET THE VOTES OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE FOUNDATION MANY PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE COMBINED TO MAKE AMERICA THE GREATEST AMERICA IN HISTORY AND FORTUNATELY IN ALABAMA THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF THE CITIZENSHIP.

THOSE ARE THE VOTES THAT YOU NEED.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE'S ENOUGH OF THOSE OF PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE THOUGH THAT MIGHT HURT YOUR CHANCES OR ARE YOU NOT FOCUSING ON THAT.

>> I DON'T FOCUS -- LOOK THERE HAVE BEEN LOST OF FIGHTS BETWEEN FLEE ENTERPRISE AND SOCIALLY I OWE OVER THE LAST CENTURY SINCE KARL MA MARK X AND SOCIALISM THE COMMUNIST CHINA AND NORTH KOREA RIGHT NOW, CUBA, JUST GO DOWN THE LIST, GERMANY UNDER HITLER IN THE 1920S AND I INTENT ON BEATING THE SOCIALISTS.

I'M NOT GOING I'M NOT GOING TO BE COMPROMISING.

WHAT THAT HE BELIEVE IN IS DICTATORIAL TOP DOWN GOVERNMENT AND FREE IS AN ANATHEMA TO DICTATORIAL TOP DOWN GOVERNMENT AND I BELIEVE IN THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND CITIZENS TO DO WHAT THEY THINK IS IN HANDLES BEST INTEREST IN LET THEM MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT CONTROL HANDLES OWN LIVES AND THE LIVES OF HANDLES FAMILIES.

I'M TRYING TO BEAT THEM.

PEOPLE WHO ARE CONFUSED AND THERE ARE SOME CONFUSED ABOUT THE MERITS FREE ENTERPRISE VERSUS SOCIALISM YES I DON'T WANT TO EXPLAIN TO THIS MY FREE ENTERPRISE WORKS AND SOCIALISM DOESN'T SO THEY WILL BE PERSUADED TO JOIN OUR CAUSE IN THE FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY!

HOW IMPORTANT IS FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SUPPORT OF YOU IN THIS ELECTION?

IT WAS AN ISSUE IN THE LAST RACE.

>> WELL, SINCE THEN DONALD TRUMP HAS ENDORSED ME TWICE.

I'M THE ONLY IN THIS RACE ENDORSED BY TRUMP IN 2018 AND 2020 AND THE PRESIDENT ASKED ME TOBACCO CHAIRMAN OF HIS STATEWIDE ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN 200020 AND I ACCEPTED.

I THOUGHT WAS A HIGH HONOR TO RECEIVE THAT KIND OF REQUEST FROM THE PRESIDENT'S ORGANIZATION.

IN THIS INSTANCE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THE PAST DATA INDICATES THAT GETTING AN ENDORSEMENT FROM DONALD TRUMP IS HITTING A GOLDMINE.

DONALD TRUMP IS WELL RECEIVED IN THIS STATED.

HE WON THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

BY IS A VERY LARGE MARGIN IN 2020.

IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY THE POLLING DATA WE'RE SEEING SUGGESTS AN ENDORSEMENT FROM TRUMP ABOUT 70 PERCENT OR SO PERCEIVE THAT FAVOR AND 10 PERCENT UNFAVORABLE.

7 TO ONE RATIO IS GOOD.

>> STEVEN MILLIARY TOP AIDE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP STOOD WITH YOU WHEN YOU MADE YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT IN HUNTSVILLE RECENTLY AND ENDORSED YOU.

DO YOU SEE THAT AS A PRELUDE TO FRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT I WOULD HAZARD -- LET'S SAY IT'S NOT WISE FOR ME TO DISCLOSE ANY OF OUR CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS.

DONALD TRUMP WILL SPEAK FOR HIMSELF AT WHATEVER TIME HE CHOOSES AND WHATEVER MANNER HE CHOOSES.

IF HE'S GOING TO ENDORSE OR NOT HE WILL MAKE THAT STATEMENT KNOWN AT SOME POINT IN TIME.

STEPHEN MILLER BEING ONE OF DONALD TRUMP'S CLOSEST CONFIDENTS, EXTREMELY STRONG ON BORDER SECURITY, DONALD TRUMP'S SPEECHWRITER, SERVED UNDER THE DONALD TRUMP WHITE HOUSE FOR FOUR YEARS THAT'S HAD A HUGE SYMBOLIC GESTURE AND THIS COMMENT THAT MO BROOKS HAS BEEN NUMBER ONE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS HAVING THE PRESIDENT'S BACK THAT'S HUGE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

IN 60 SECONDS DID SPITE YOUR LIGHTNING ROD REPUTATION YOU DON'T SEE THAT AS A DETERRENT?

>> SEEING WHAT AS A DETERRENT.

>> YOUR LIGHTNING ROD REPUTATION.

>> NO.

RIGHT NOW THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA WANT FOLKS WHO WILL FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY AGAINST THE A MORAL SOCIALIST EFFORT THAT WE SEE ALL TOO OFTEN.

>> I ASSUME THAT AS.

STOPS AT YOU HAVE MADE ALREADY YOU WILL BE MAKING A LOT MORE STOPS BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT YEAR.

>> WE HAVE CLOSE TO 400 DAYS AND I WILL BE MAKING ROUNDS ON A REGULAR BASIS, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE FOR THEMSELVES THAT I'M ONE OF THESE FOLKS IF YOU WANT A PRINCIPLE CONSERVATIVE I HAVE THE TRACK RECORD THAT PROVES THAT'S WHAT I AM AND I WON'T BACK DOWN IN TERMS OF WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> MO BROOKS CANDIDATE FOR THE U.S. SENATE THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

ER.

>> NEXT UP, HE WALT MADDUX IS BACK WITH US.

MAYOR, WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> NICE SO HE YOU AS WELLS.

>> GOOD TO BE BACK HERE IN MONTGOMERY IT WAS IT WAS ONE MOW AGO TODAY THAT YOU WERE LIKED TO YOUR FIFTH TERM HE AS MAYOR OF TUSCALOOSA.

BY ALL ACCOUNTS IT WAS A MANDATED VOTE AND YOU AVOID ADD RUNOFF.

HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING ELECTED TO A FIFTH TERM.

>> IT TEAMS GREAT.

AS ANYONE WHO SERVED AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU REALIZE THAT EACH TIME IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE IF YOU'RE BEING BOLD AND TRYING TO MOVE YOUR COMMUNITY FORWARD IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY AND SIMPLE ESPECIALLY IN A POST -- REALLY IN A COVID ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'RE IN NOW.

I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH IT AND IT SPEAKS TO THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN TUSCALOOSA AND I'M COMMUTED ABOUT THE FUTURE.

I'M MORE FIRED UP THAN I WAS FIRST IN 2005.

IT'S -- YAWN DURING MY TIME AS MAYOR WE HAVE HAD THE GREAT RECESSION, A TORNADO THAT DESTROYED 12 PERCENT OF OUR CITY AND NOW COVID.

COMING OUT OF THAT WE SEE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TUSCALOOSA AND WE THINK WE CAN DOMINATE THIS DECADE.

>> WELL, .

.

.

JUST HAVING COME OUT OF AN ELECTION I'M SURE YOU'RE GETTING ASKED NOW ARE THERE ANY OTHER ELECTION PLANS IN YOUR FUTURE?

YOU RAN FOR GOVERNOR FOUR YEARS AGO, THE GOVERNOR'S RACE WILL BE BACK ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.

HAVE YOU GIVEN ANY CONSIDERATION TO ARE YOU JUST FOR GOVERNOR AGAIN?

>> I HAVE GIVEN ABSOLUTELY NO CONSIDERATION.

I AM NOT HAD A CANDIDATE FOR ANY OFFICE IN 2000 TOO.

WE ARE HAPPIER THAN WE HAVE BEEN IN OUR LIFE.

MY DAUGHTER TAYLOR IS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA.

MY SON ELI IS 7 YEARS OLD.

AND IT'S NOT -- IT WOULDN'T THE RIGHT TIME FOR OUR FAMILY RIGHT NOW.

PLUS I REALLY ENJOY BEING MAYOR.

I ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF RUNNING STATEWIDE.

IN A YEAR AND A HALF BEING THE PARTY'S NOMINEE WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

I CERTAINLY LEARNED A LOT.

RIGHT NOW IN MY LIFE I THINK I DID DO MORE FOR THE CITY OF TUSCALOOSA THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> YOU ARE OF COURSE THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOUR YEARS AGO.

DO YOU SEE DEMOCRATS AT A WHOLE MAKING ANY END ROADS STATE WIDE WHERE THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR OR ANY OFFICE IS CONCERNED.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE DEFINITELY MOVING FORWARD.

CERTAINLY REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND HAS TAKEN OUR PARTY AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE NEXT LEAVE.

IN 2018 WE HAD TO HALF MILLION DOLLARS JUST TO SUPPORT THE STATE PARTY.

THIS TIME SENATOR JONES DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION HE A STATE PARTY APPARATUS BECAUSE WADE PERRY AND CHRIS ENGLAND AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE COME TOGETHER.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN JUDGE THE STRENGTH OF THE PARTY BY 2000 TOO.

IT WILL PROBABLY BE A STEP BACK YEAR.

BUT I THINK BEGINNING IN 2024, 28, AND 32 ALABAMA WILL DEVELOP MORE OF A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S SUCH A NATIONAL TENT TO STATE AND EVEN LOCAL ELECTIONS THAT I DON'T I DON'T SEE THAT RECEDING BEFORE 2022 TOO.

>> WHAT ABOUT A VIABLE DEMOCRATIC APPROXIMATE SENATE?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE -- CERTAINLY THERE'S A LOT OF DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE OUT THERE AND YOU'RE FINDING MORE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, LIKE MAYOR REED AND WOODLAND.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULTY IN THAT MIDTERM ELECTION I THINK TO FIND SOMEONE WHO SO GOING TO WANT TO PUPPET THEMSELVES UP.

WE DID OVER A THOUSAND CAMPAIGN STOPS.

WE GOT NEARLY 700,000 VOTES WHICH WAS -- WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE TARGETED TOWARDS BEING CLOSE IN A RACE FOR GOVERNOR AND WE GOT 41 PERCENT.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO TAKE TIME TO OVERCOME.

BUT I THINK HERE IS THE GOOD SYNCHRONIZE IS THAT THE STATE PARTY IS DOING THE STEPS NECESSARY TO BUILD A PARTY.

WHEN YOU BUILD HAD A PARTY WHAT THE WHAT THE REPUBLICANS DID IN THE '60S, '70S, AND '80S.

THERE WERE OUTLIER ELECTIONS WHERE YOU CAN MAKE GAINS BUT THEY BUILT THE PARTY FROM THE GROUND UP.

THAT'S HAPPENS IN MADISON, MOBILE COUNTY AND SHELL IT DEPENDS ON BALDWIN COUNTY ARE GETTING STRONG GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS BUT THOSE WILL TAKE TIME.

I THINK YOU WILL AGAIN SO SEE THE FRUITS OF THAT IN 26, 28 AND 30.

>> DO YOU SEE A REBUILDING OF THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY UNDER CHRIS ENGLUND'S LEADERSHIP?

MANY SAW A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU WERE RUNNING AS GOVERNOR AND IT WAS IN DISARRAY.

WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> DIS DISARRAY WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVING IT TOO MUCH CREDIT.

AS THE NOMINEE DURING THAT TIME THERE WAS NO PARTY INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAD SENATOR JONES WHO PROVIDE OF THE SOME HELP BUT THERE WAS NO MATTER TO HELP US.

GIVEN, YOU KNOW, WE RAISED ALMOST $4 MILLION AND HAD TO PUT A HALF MILLION TO PARTY OPERATIONS.

CHRIS ENGLAND HAS CHANGED THAT DYNAMIC.

THOSE ARE SMALL STEPS THAT DON'T GET LOOKED AT BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC BUT I THINK WILL GO A LONG WAY BUILDING THE PARTY IN THE FUTURE.

LET ME BE BLUNT.

WHETHER YOU'RE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT WE NEED A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM.

ONE PARTY DIDN'T WORK FOR US UP TO 2010 AND A DOMINANT ONE PARTY SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK IN THE FUTURE.

HAVING A COMPETITION OF IDEAS AND VALUES AND BELIEFS IS GOOD FOR GOVERNMENT.

AND HOPEFULLY ALABAMA WILL AGAIN TO BECOME THAT.

YOU KNOW IN TUSCALOOSA WE'RE A PURPLE CITY.

I COME FROM A CITY SPLIT BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

IT'S GOOD TO THAT HAVES AND OF IDEAS M IT MAKES YOU SHARPER.

IRONS SHARPENS IRON.

>> MAYOR ARE YOU AND OTHER MAYORS LOOKING PARTICULARLY AT ANY ISSUE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW THIS IS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE FAIRING WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IS CONCERNED.

>> I THINK WE'RE DOING PRETTY WELL.

>> YOU HAVE TO GIVE GREENVILLE CREDIT FOR HOW SHE HAS SHE SAID CITIES AND DIDN'T SAY UNDER THE REBUILD ALABAMA ACT AND HEAP DESERVES HIGH MARKS AND PRAISE FOR BEING ABLE TO DO THAT.

THIS SESSION HAS BEEN MORE ABOUT PLAYING DEFENSE ON CERTAIN REVENUE ISSUES OR ZONING ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO MUNICIPALITIES BUT OVERALL WE FEEL VERY GOOD.

WHAT COMES OUT OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT THAT WAS RECENTLY PASSED AND WHAT THE STATE DECIDES TO DO WITH THOSE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE OF INTEREST.

AND I THINK CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON THE SIMPLIFIED SELLERS USE TAX IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER ISSUE THAT THE MAYORS ARE GOING TO LOOK AT.

LET ME SAY THIS.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BIPARTISAN EFFORT THAT WORKS?

BIG 10 MAYORS.

REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, BLACKS, WHITES, YOUNG AND OLD FROM URBAN AREAS TO SUBURBAN AREAS WE'RE A COALITION OF MAYORS THAT WORK TOGETHER IN THE BENEFIT OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> SPEAKING OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT, CITIES AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT STAND TO GAIN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS MUCH DOLLARS WHICH COULD BE TRANSFORMATIONAL TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY TRANSFORMATIONAL ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING MOST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN ACROSS ALABAMA.

SO WHEN WE SAY INFRASTRUCTURE, WE GO BACK OR DEFAULT TO ROADS, WATER, SEWER FIBER, BROADBAND -- ALL OF THOSE ELEMENTS COME TOGETHER TO HELP OUR MAJOR YOU ARE BAFFIN AREAS GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

BUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS LED BY I THE URBAN AREAS HUNTSVILLE, TUSCALOOSA, MOBILE, MONTGOMERY, HUNTSVILLE, HOOVER -- ON AND ON.

VOLCANO THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO HELP US GO OUT AND RECRUIT THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> LET'S CONCLUDE BY TALKING ABOUT COVID.

TUSCALOOSA MADE A LOT OF HEADLINES DURING THE EARLY GOING OF THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE YOU ARE OF COURSE HOME TO THE MUST NOT OF ALABAMA WHICH PRESENTED ITS OWN UNIQUE SET OF CHALLENGES IN DEALING WITH COVID.

HOW IS TUSCALOOSA FAIRING NOW.

>> AS I CAME DOWN HERE TODAY WE HAD LESS THAN 10 PEOPLE IN OUTER SYSTEM WITH COVID-19.

WE WERE AS HIGH AS TWO HUNDRED AT ONE POINTED AND RESOURCE STRETCHED.

WE MADE EARLY DECISIONS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY IN TERMS MUCH HEALTH BUT KEPT OUR ECONOMY MOVING.

WE'RE A CITY THAT LOST 1/3 OF OUR POPULATION IN MARCH WHEN THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM HAD TO CLOSE.

WE COULDN'T HAVE THAT AGAIN.

SO WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAVE LIVES AND SAVE JOBS AND I'M PROUD OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR MAKING THE HARD DECISIONS BECAUSE IN THE END I.T.

PROVED TO BE RIGHT FOR OURSELVES AND FOR THE PEOPLE THE I WORK FOR EVERY DAY.

>> YOU HAPPY HOW TUSCALOOSA HAS COME BACK FROM THE CHALLENGING TIMES?

>> WE'RE CIVIL WORKING TO COME BACK.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN SAY IT'S THROUGH.

BUT I'M PROUD OF WHERE WE ARE AND I ALSO LIKE WHERE WE'RE ABOUT TO GO, BETWEEN OUR ELEVATE TUSCALOOSA PLAN, OUR STRONG FINANCIAL MOBILE COUNTY AND NOW THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PASSED BY CONGRESS AND WHO KNOWS WITH THE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE BILL BEING PROPOSED WE'RE GOING TO DOMINATE THIS DECADE IN TUSCALOOSA ECONOMICALLY AND FROM A QUALITY OF LIFE STANDPOINT.

>> TUSCALOOSA'S ECONOMY DEPENDS ON THAT STUDENT POPULATION.

WHEN THE STUDENTS AREN'T THERE YOU COULD SUFFER MIGHTILY.

>> THE UNIVERSITY IS A $2 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT.

IT'S MORE THAN THE 8 FOOTBALL GAMES A YEAR.

WHICH THAT DID HURT ECONOMICALLY.

BUT THE UNIVERSITY DRIVES KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY BASED JOBS AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH MERCEDES-BENZ AS WELL.

TUSCALOOSA'S FUTURE IS BRIGHT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO OVER THIS DECADE.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC WE WILL HAVE IN PERSON FOOTBALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA THIS FALL.

>> I FEEL CONFIDENT.

NONE OF US KNOW WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON WITH THE POTENTIAL VARIANTS BUT THE WAY THE VACCINES ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED I FEEL CONFIDENT WE WILL HAVE IN PERSON AND UP TO 50,000 ALLOWED IN THE STADIUM FOR A DAY AND I THINK WE'RE ALL OF LOOK ARE FORWARD TO IT.

>> WHEN I SAY IN PERSON I MEAN FULL CAPACITY.

WE HAD SOME PEOPLE BUT VERY FEW.

>> WHEN YOU WENT TO THE GAME YOU COULD TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

BUT OUR HOTELLIERS COULD SEE A DIFFERENCE.

THE HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS WERE NOT FULL.

IT REALLY WAS A NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITY?

>>SO GETTING THAT BACKING WILL BE HUGE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE IN TUSCALOOSA BEYOND WHAT HAPPENS ON THE GRIDIRON.

>> WALLET MADDOX A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU TODAY.

>> YOU BET.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

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

>> NEXT UP, STATE HEALTH OFFICER SCOTT HARRIS IS BACK WITH US.

DR. HARRIS BACKING.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING KNEE.

>> A BUSY DAY FOR YOU.

YOU WANT TO WILCOX COUNTY WITH THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER OFFICIALS TO ANNOUNCE THAT COMING THIS MONDAY THE FIFTH, THE STATE WILL EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE TO ALL ADULTS 16 AND OLDER.

>> YEAH, THAT'S EXACTLY LIZ; RIGHT.

THAT'S VERY EXCITED.

ALL ALABAMAS STARTING THIS MONDAY WILL BE ELIGIBLE, ALL ADULTS THAT IS, SO THAT'S SAGE 16 AND UP.

WE HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY GETTING INCREASED AMOUNTS OF VACCINES SHIPPED EACH WEEK.

THIS COMING WEEK WE WILL HAVE THE HIGHEST AMOUNT, MORE THAN 160,000 FIRST DOSES COMING INTO THE STATE.

WE PUSHED OUT MORE VACCINE TO PROVIDERS THAN BEFORE.

MORE THAN 700 PROVIDERS IN THE STATE ARE GOING TO GET VACCINE THIS WEEK, AS WELL AS -- NOT EVEN COUNTING THOSE GETTING VACCINE THROUGH THE FEDERAL RETAIL PHARMACY PROGRAM, CVS AND WALGREEN AND WALMART AND SO ON SO WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF VACCINE IN LOCATIONS.

WE ARE SEEING VACCINE ACCUMULATING AND UNFILED APPOINTMENTS ZERO YOU DID THERE.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE.

>> THAT'S A NEW NOON FOR US SO A GREAT TIME ZERO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN ASKED ALL STATES TO BE READY TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY TO ALL ADULTS COME MAY 1.

ALABAMA WAS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF STATES THAT HAD NOT GIVEN A DATE CERTAIN YET BUT NOW WE HAVE THAT IN THIS MONDAY THE 5TH.

>> IT SEEMED IN MY MIND A LITTLE ARTIFICIAL TO SET SOME DATE THREE OR FOUR WEEKS IN THE FUTURE SAYING WE ARE CHANGE ON THIS DATE.

WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING IT DAY BY DAY TO WATCH HOW MUCH VACCINE WE HAVE.

WE ONLY LEARN OF A FEW OF DAYS IN ADVANCE HOW MUCH VACCINE WE WILL GET.

WHEN WE SEE WE HAVE UNFILLED APPOINTMENT OR VACCINE ON THE SHELF THAT'S OF THE TIME TO EXPAND.

SO WE KNEW WE WOULD EXPAND BEFORE MAY 1 BUT IT WAS NOT CLEAR HOW SOON WE COULD DO THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED WE HAVE VACCINE ON THE SHELF, OBVIOUSLY OPENING ELIGIBILITY TO ALL ADULTS.

THAT EXCESS WILL DISAPPEAR QUICK QUICKLY.

>> WE HOPE SO.

WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON IS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE JUST RESISTANT TO TAKING IT PERIOD.

THERE'S HESITANCY OUTS THERE.

WE HAVE DONE POLLING TO GET AN IDEA BUT WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MEASURE IT DIRECTLY BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SUCH A SCARCITY OF VACCINE.

NOW THAT THERE'S ALMOST ENOUGH TO GO AROUND AND THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IS ELIGIBLE WE WILL FIND OUT HOW MUCH RESISTANCE THERE'S AND WE'RE SURE THERE IS SOME AT LEAST.

>> I MENTIONED THAT YOU WERE WITH THE GOVERNOR OF WILCOX COUNTY WHEN SHE MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

THAT IS HOME TO GOVERNOR IVEY WHO WAS RAISED IN CAMDEN SO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN THIS LOCATION HAD SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO HER.

BUT YOU STOOD WITH HER AT ONE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD CLINICS IN CAMDEN TODAY.

GOVERNOR IVEY SAID THE NATIONAL GUARD CLINICS ARE GET AGENCY LOT OF SHOTS IN ARMS.

>> THEY'RE DOINGS QUITE A BIT.

THROUGH THIS WEEK OR INTO THIS WEEK THEY HAVE GIVEN MOTHER 7,000 SHOTS SINCE STARTED THIS IS PREVIOUS WEEK.

LAST WEEK WHEN WE FIRST BEGAN THERE WAS THERE WERE TWO OR THREE CHASE WHEN SHE GOT HAMPERED OUR EFFORTS BUT THE CLINICS ARE GOING VERY WELL AND THE NATIONAL GUARD ARE TREMENDOUS PARTNERS, GENERAL GORDON AND SHORE HER STAFF HAVE DONE A TERRIFIC JOB AND STAND THERE HALL DAY EVERY DAY AND GIVE SHOTS TO WHOEVER MOVES UP.

THEY'RE MOVING COUNTY TO COUNTY AND WE'RE TARGETING THOSE WHAT WE CALL SOCIALLY VULNERABLE COUNTIES THOSE WITH THE GREATEST NEED AND THEY'RE MOVING DAY TO DAY AND WE HAVE ABOUT 24 COUNTIES IN ALL THIS WILL REACH AND THEN GO BACK AND START SECOND CHECK CLINIC AND GO THROUGH AGAIN AND IT'S GOING REALLY WELL AND WE'RE APPRECIATE ACTIVE.

>> OPENING UP THE ELIGIBILITY TO ALL ADULTS STARTING MONDAY IS GREAT BUT I GUESS IT WOULD BEAR REMINDING VIEWERS THAT THEY SENT MAKE MOMENTS AND THE APPOINTMENTS WILL BE GOING FAST AND FEWER JUSTICE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A MIX OF PLACES THAT REQUIRE APPOINTMENTS AND THERE ARE STILL DRIVEUPS AS WELL.

THE NATIONAL GUARD CLINICS ARE NOT APPOINTMENT CLINICS.

THEY'RE FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE OR DRIVE UP OR WALK UP OR SO ON.

THERE ARE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS STILL TAKING WALK UP APPOINTMENTS TO SOME DEGREE AND YOU CAN CHECK THAT ON THE ADPH WEBSITE.

MOST ARE REQUIRING APPOINTMENTS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHAIN PHARMACIES THEY'RE REQUIRING APPOINTMENTS AND MANY OTHER PROVIDERS LIKE DRESS OFFICES AND SO ON.

THERE IS A SITE THAT THE FEDS HAVE CREATED, VACCINEFINDER.ORG, AND WHICH LISTS ALL OF THE FEDERAL SAFETY AND THE STATE SITES THAT SUBMIT HANDLES INFORMATION.

SO ANY PERSON CAN GO TO THAT ONE SITE LOOK FOR A VACCINE IN HANDLES AREA, AND THEY CAN SET HOW FAR AWAY THEY'RE WILLING TO TRAVEL AND EVEN SELECT THE PRODUCT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.

FOR EXAMPLE, PFIZER IS THE PROBABLY PRODUCT WE CAN GIVE TO 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS AND ALL OF THEM ARE APPROVED FOR 18 AND UP.

SO VACCINE FOUNDER.ORG IS A GREAT PLACE TO LOOK AND FIND A LOCATION TO GET AN APPOINTMENT.

>> DR. HARRIS, DIRECTOR OF THE CDC SAID THIS WEEK SHE WAS REALLY SCARED HOW COVID NUMBERS ARE TRENDING IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND WE'RE WORRIED YET ABOUT ANOTHER WAVE OF THIS.

DO YOU SHARE HER CONCERNS?

>> I THINK WE'RE CERTAINLY CAUTIOUS AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MONITORING THIS AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE STATES IN THE COUNTRY ARE SEEING CASES THAT ARE GOING UP.

SOME ARE NOT GOING UP AT A REALLY FAST CLIP BUT A FEW OF THEM ARE.

SO YOU KNOW, THE REAL BALANCE IS TRYING TO GET SHOTS IN ARMS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHILE WE'RE MONITORING THE VIRAL VARIANTS THAT ARE EASY TO SPREAD.

ONE THING THAT WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE PAST YEAR THAT IS WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO PREDICT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

AT THE MOMENT OF CASE NUMBERS ARE DO WELL.

BECAUSE HOUR HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE DOWN AND THE NUMBERS OF DEATH ARE DOWN AND WE FEEL LIKE HOUR ACTUAL CASE NUMBERS ARE DOWN AND WE'RE WATCHING CLOSE APPLY.

>> SOME PEOPLE WOULD ASK BECAUSE THE CASE LOADS HAVE REMAINED DOWN ARE WE DOING ENOUGH TESTING?

YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT TESTING IN BIRMINGHAM IS FUTURE DOWN?

>> THAT'S CONCERNING FOR US.

THE AMOUNT OF TESTING THAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS NO MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF WHAT WE WERE DOING THREE MONTHS AGO.

THAT'S TREND NATIONALLY.

IN ONE SINCE BECAUSE THERE ARE LESS SICK PEOPLE REQUESTING TESTS AND THAT'S HAD A GOOD THING.

ALSO MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR TESTING, HOSPITALS AND CS OFFICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE FULLY ENGAGED IN THE VACCINE EFFORT AND IT'S AUTHORITY DO BOTH WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE CAPACITY TO DO BOTH.

SO WE DO WANT TO DO MORE TESTING OF.

THE FEDS HAVE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH CDC A LARGE AMOUNT OF GRANT MONEY TO ALL STATES TO PROMOTE TESTING, HANDLES INITIAL IF I WAS AS FAR AS TESTING IN SCHOOLS AND TESTING IN OTHER AREAS.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT WE MAY HAVE A FEDERAL FEMA FUNDED SIDE HERE IN ALABAMA SOMETIME LATER THIS MONTH THAT WILL BE DOING TESTING AS WELL AS VACCINATIONS BOTH.

SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING ENOUGH TESTING OF BUT AGAIN WE THINK THE NUMBERS REALLY ARE TRULY DOWN AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE BIGGEST EXPLANATION OF WHY WE'RE NOT TESTING AS MUCH.

>> DR. HARRIS, ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, FRIDAY, SAME NINTH OF THE STATE WAIVED MASKING OF MANDATE EXPIRES.

BUT AS YOU HAVE HAMMERED HOPE AND GOVERNOR RILEY HAS HAMMERED HOME AND MANY OTHER HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE HAMMERED HOME THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD LET OUR GUARD DOWN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE'S NOTHING MAGIC ABOUT APRIL 9TH IN TERMS OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO KEEP OURSELVES SAFE AND THOSE AROUND US.

THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB OF BALANCING THIS IDEA OF THE STATE MANDATING AND THEN ALLOWING PEOPLE TO MAKE YOU ARE HANDLES OWN DECISIONS AND EXERCISE HANDLES OWN RESPONSIBILITY.

I DON'T THINK SHEET COULD HAVE HANDLED THAT ANY BETTER.

SHE HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT THE MASK MANDATE IS GOING TO END ON THE NINTH, AND SHE HAS ALSO SAID THAT PEOPLE STILL NEED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND WEAR MASKS IN SITTINGS WHERE THEY'RE MIXING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, WASH HANDS, AVOID GROUPS, STAY HOME WHERE YOU CAN.

THERE ARE MORE OPPORTUNITIES NOW TO GET OUT AND MIX WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED WRITE IS GREAT, BUT WE'RE NOT QUITE DONE WITH THIS YET.

WE STILL HAVE A FEW MORE WEEKS OF HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS.

>> SPEAKING OF BEING FULLY VACCINATED LET'S GO THERE BEFORE WE CLOSE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED FEEL VERY EMPOWERED.

SHOULD FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE BE VERY CAUTIOUS?

>> REMEMBER THEY'RE NOT PERFECT.

MODERNA AND PFIZER ARE MORE THAN 90 PERCENT EFFECTIVE BUT NOT 100%.

SO THE CDC SAID YOU CAN MIX TOGETHER WITHOUT MASKS AND THAT'S A WELCOME CHANGE TO THE GUIDANCE.

THE CDC DID ANNOUNCE JUST TODAY THAT VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN FLY EITHER DOMESTICALLY OR INTERNATIONALLY WITHOUT CONCERN ABOUT BEAK INFECTED BUT THINK RECOMMEND YOU STILL WEAR MASKS WHEN YOU'RE ON TRANSPORTATION LIKE THAT.

SO VACCINATION HELPS A LOT BUT WE'RE STILL NOT QUITE DONE WITH ALL OF THIS.

>> IT WAS HEARTENING TO HEAR ABOUT A STUDY THAT SAID PEOPLE WHO HAD THE PFIZER OR MODERNA EVEN WITH ONE SHOT HAD 80 PERCENT COURAGE.

WITH ONE SHOT THERE WAS 80 PERCENT COVERAGE.

>> THE BEST EVIDENCE SAYS YOU SHOULD GET BOTH SHOTS BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE STUDIES WERE DESIGNED AND THAT'S THE END POINTS THEY WERE LOOKING AT BUT ONE SHOT IS PROTECTIVE.

WE DO KNOW SOME PEOPLE GET ONE SHOT AND DON'T COME BACK BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE THE SHOT AND DON'T WANT TO GET STUCK AGAIN BUT WE FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE SOME PROTECTION FROM THE SHOT.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICER SCOTT HARRIS THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

APPRECIATE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> 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.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE TASHINA MORRIS OF MONTGOMERY, WHO WILL DISCUSS HER BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING FOR K-12 SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY DR. ILEEIA SMITH WITH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, WHO WILL TALK ABOUT THE ALABAMA APART TOGETHER HELPLINE, WHICH IS OFFERING PANDEMIC-RELATED MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE.

AND ALABAMA TOURISM DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR LEE SENTELL WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS THE PANDEMIC'S EFFECTS ON THE SPRING AND SUMMER TOURISM SEASON.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.