You from our state House studio in Montgomery.

I'm Todd Stacy, welcome to Capitol Journal.

Today was the 27th da of the Alabama Legislature 2026 regular session, leaving just three days left.

We expect those three days to be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week.

More on the legislature in a moment.

But first an update on Governor Kay Ivey.

She is back at the governor's mansion after a brief hospital stay earlier in the week.

Her office says doctor at Baptist Medical Center South successfully removed fluid that had been pressing against her lung, and she is not expected to face any more complications.

They say the governo remain engaged in state business during her hospital stay, and is now working from the mansion as she recovers.

In a statement released by her office, communications Director Gina Maiola says the governor is grateful for the care she received and from the support of Alabamians.

Quote, Governo Ivey thanks the doctors, nurses and staff at Baptist South for they're capable, efficient, and professional work.

The governor is also extremely grateful to the people of Alabama for their outpouring of support.

She is thankful for their prayers and enjoyed their many messages of well-wishes.

End quote.

The state's education budget is now one step away from final passage.

The Senate today unanimously approved the Education Trust Fund budget of more than $10 billion spending plan that funds K-12 schools, colleges an universities across the state.

The budget includes pay raises for teachers and increased funding for key programs.

While largely mirroring the version that previously passed the House with only minor changes.

Lawmakers say that alignment between the two chambers helps smooth the process this year, with broad, bipartisan support and limited debate on the Senate floor.

Senate Education Budget Chairman Arthur Or says that that cooperation is exactly how the process is supposed to work.

Chairman Garrett, I've worked through a lot of issues.

Most all of our changes, most all of our requests were reflected in the House pass version.

Therefore, you know, it may be boring for you.

Not a lot of high drama in the Senate, bu there were very modest changes in the Senate version of the of the budget bill.

And I think that's a good thing.

And so I think it shows bot chambers working well together.

I think you see Republicans and Democrats both pleased out here, unlike our situation in Washingto when it comes to appropriations.

So the Democrats were very amenable to the proposals and substitutes they were offered today.

We're clued in, dialed in.

And I think it was a, you know, healthy process.

They working for their districts, just like the Republicans.

So it's, the way the process hopefully should work when we can do that because some small changes were made.

The ATF will now need to go back down to the House for its approval for final passage.

The Senate is making significant shifts in how it governs itself.

Lawmakers today unanimously approved a package of rule changes that reduce the power of the lieutenant governor and shift more control to the Senate's presiding officer.

The president pro tem.

The new rules allow the pro tem to preside if the lieutenant governor is not present.

They also remove the lieutenant governor from deciding key committee assignments and give senators more direct control over the flow of legislation.

Senators say the move is about reinforcing the separation of powers and making the Senate operate more like the Alabama House, where lawmakers maintai full control over their chamber.

Senator Arthur Ore and Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton bot say the goal is to keep control of the legislative proces within the legislative branch.

You get back t the separation of powers issue, and there's just a desire to for senators to control things in the Senate as best they could.

Now, we appreciate the certainly the job governor he's worth has done for us.

Done an excellent job.

No criticisms there.

No.

No worries about the future and future, lieutenant governors.

But there is a sense that senators need to control the process as best they can.

This is how the lieutenant governor is really someone who just call balls and strikes.

I think that we've given a lot of power to the lieutenant governor in the legislative branch, when they are part of the executive branch.

I think that we need to harness that power as much as we possibly can insid of our own branch of government.

And those rules changes go into effect immediately in the House.

Lawmakers today took up a proposal from State Representative Terri Collins of Decatur, aimed at raising accountability standards in public schools.

Collins originally propose raising those standards directly through legislation, bu received pushback in committee.

Her new bill would create an advisory panel to make recommendations for just how those standards should be raised.

Tell me about your bill.

It sets up an accountability council that will look at the data to make sure that the indicators we're using, like owner A through F grading are actually preparing or not.

We didn't really hear that or no.

So how have we been captured.

We have an A through F report card.

Okay.

I was wanting to strengthen it, but it really doesn't need to be specifically strengthened within legislation because it may need the flexibility of movement.

And so this sets up an accountability council that works with workforce and works with higher education to make sure that we're preparing our students.

So will this be a council that's created or is it structure where you were hired outside entities to do it?

It's a council that will be created within, that will look at the actual data and make recommendation to the board and the department.

And the board is the stat school board and superintendent.

Correct.

Does he get it, or he or she or whomever is in a position to get an appointment?

Yes.

I and that bill passed the House and now goes to the Senate each year.

The House and Senate paused their legislative business to convene a joint session honoring law enforcement officers with a medal of honor ceremony.

This year's recipient is Lieutenant Robert Hopkins of the Houston County Sheriff's Department, who was instrumental in keeping residents and fellow deputies safe during a shooting at the Dothan Mall last year.

With highest respect and most sincere admiration.

We commend Houston County Sheriff's Lieutenant Robert Hopkins for earning the Legislative Medal of Honor for law enforcement officers, and Whereas Lieutenant Hopkins was nominated for this honor by Houston County Sheriff Donald J. Valenza.

He has consistently demonstrated extraordinary courage, professionalism, and dedication to public service.

But on October 12th, 2025 he displayed exceptional bravery and selflessness during a critical incident that occurred while he was working an of duty detail in Dothan, Alabama.

And Whereas on that afternoon, Lieutenant Hopkins heard gunshots emanating from the mall entrance of Dillard's.

As he exited the store, he observed a mal who had been shot and was lying in front of the barbershop entrance.

Several bystanders informed Lieutenant Hopkins that the gunman had fled into the barbershop after relaying this information and his location had dispatch, Lieutenant Hopkins pulled the injured man away from the entrance.

United State Army veteran offered assistance, so Lieutenant Hopkins instructed him to retrieve the first aid bag from his patrol car and rest.

Shortly after, a Dothan police officer arrived and Lieutenant Hopkins provided cover for the barbershop entrance while the officer relocated the injured man.

As they reached cover, several additional Dothan police officers arrived.

Return to Hopkins gathered backup, and the group proceeded to clear the barbershop, ensuring the safety of its occupants.

And whereas the actions demonstrated by Lieutenant Hopkins embody the core values of courage, honor, and sacrifice, despite significant personal risk, he acted decisively to protec the lives and safety of others, exemplifying the very highest standards of law enforcement.

Service.

And whereas, beyond this heroic act, Lieutenant Hopkins has maintained an outstanding record of service with the Houston County Sheriff's Office, earning the respect of peers, supervisors, and community members alike.

Now, therefore, be resolve by the Legislature of Alabama, both houses thereof.

Concurring that Houston County Sheriff's Lieutenant Robert Hopkins is duly recognized with a Legislative Medal of Honor for law enforcement officer for his integrity, compassion, and commitment to duty, as these attribute reflect credit not only upon him but upon the entire law enforcement profession, we have further resolved that this resolution be entered into the official record as a lasting tribute to Lieutenant Robert Hopkins exemplary leadership and enduring impact on the residents of Houston County.

Ladies and gentlemen, Lieutenant Robert Hawk Hopkins.

Just want to say it's an honor to be in the same rank as the previous and future recipients of this award.

It does mean a lot.

And thank you for that.

I also want to say to thank you to each and every single one of you for your support to us and the community that we provide for.

They'll do a great job here.

Thank you.

The fight.

Thank you all for everything that you do.

Your diligent work here.

Thank you.

We'll be right back with tonight's guests.

You can watch past episodes of Capital Journal online any time at Alabama Public Television's website.

aptv.. org.

Click on the online video tab on the main page.

You can also connect with Capital Journal and link to past episodes on Capital Journal's Facebook page.

James Withers started the Sloss Furnace Company in 1880 to take advantage of the mineral wealth of the Jones Valley.

He built Sloss his first blast furnace, the following year.

A second furnace soon followed, and Sloss Furnaces produced 24,000 tons of iro in its first year of operation.

Sloss furnaces was an industr leader in innovation and design.

Its superintendent of construction, James Pickering Davout, led Sloss through a period of modernization in the 1920s that resulted in Sloss becoming the second largest producer of pig iron in the Birmingham district.

A slump in the iro market took shape in the 1950s.

Business began to decline and pig iron was basically obsolete by the 1960s.

Higher pollution standards finally closed the furnaces in 1970.

In 1981, Sloss Furnaces was designated a National Historic Landmark and today hosts events, concerts, and a metal arts program.

The site continues to stand as a testament to Birmingham's industrial past.

Welcome back to Capitol Journal.

Joining me next is State Representative Rex Reynolds of Huntsville, chairman of the House General Fund.

Budget Committee.

Mr.

chairman thanks for coming on the show.

Thank you for having me.

Long week, long session.

Yeah, a long session.

And, it's been a long few weeks preparing for what we did yesterday.

And proud to get by by that milestone.

And certainly hope that the sentence in a position to concur with the budget.

Right.

So let's talk about that.

General fund starts in the Senate this year and then but changes along the way.

Y'all passed it you know through your committee and on the House floor yesterday.

What are some of the high points of the budget that people need to know.

Yeah So so very conservative budget.

First of all, we are less than 1%, proposed for the 2027 budget over the 26 budget.

And as I told my colleagues yesterday during caucus, is that, you know, this is the message we've been trying to send all along is that you're going to see some areas where we have good revenue.

We've got some cash in hand, but we absolutely got to hold on to that money and push i to the 28 and 29 budget cycle, and that's exactly what we did.

We only used, between myself and Senator Albright.

And we worked very close together at this time.

We set a number, of revenue that we were going to stay beneath and between here.

And, we did that.

They increased it about 37 million, in the Senate.

But 10 million o that was the general fund side of the first one time fee per, annual fee on the, new state House.

And so that was increased a little bit.

The proposed budget yesterday that we sent back to the Senate hopefully for concurrence today.

It was, it was about 14.2 million.

So for what they had, you know, what they had done and that was going back and insuring up some of the line items, you know, the seeds program, which is critical, you know, to our economic growth in Alabama was zeroed out.

And we wanted we wanted to set that up.

So 2 million went back into it.

You know, our airport grant funding has been just been being great.

We've done that.

We've been consisten for the last three budget cycles for counting this one.

We were at $15 million that this is critical for our airports.

I mean, that's pavement on the ground that's been bases that they need to do.

With the growth of Alabama and the North Alabama embassy in south Alabama as well.

So we plug that up, you know, and there's there's some hidden in there.

You don't see a big plus up for, corrections or law enforcement.

But there is some fundin that we left in those accounts.

From last year, we had some reversions back to some of our agencies.

So, you know, between the Executive Budget Office and our office as well, we communicated with each of the agencies to ensure they continue t deliver services at that level, even with what seems to be, level funding.

But to say level funding is usually good news, for state agencies.

Well, it really is.

And you've heard me say this sometimes I hate to say, level funding because I still thin we've got some federal dollars, standing up some of these budgets.

And it would be okay to have those, drop, drop down just a little bit.

And then certainly, you know, we the governor came with a 2% Cola for ou our full time state employees.

And that was about a $16 million line on the general fund.

We were able to keep that in there.

So certainly proud of that.

And then kind of last minute, the ETF began to move wit a bonus for, for our retirees.

We felt like that we went to the membership, seemed like it was overwhelming.

They want to do something for the retirees.

And we we amended the budget bill yesterday to allow that to occur to.

That's only about $2.

million hit to the general fund.

So one time bonus.

One time bonus, not a cola.

I do want to get to the forecast in a minute, but let me specifically ask you about mental health, because if you just look at the spreadsheet, it looks like they got us all a cut.

What was that all?

Yeah.

The Senate cut, 3.5 million out of mental health.

But, if you if you really look at it, they at the same time, during this budget cycle in 2026, they've got an additional $8.5 million to the middle line.

And that was related to some, legislation that was passe last year on some online fees.

So they're actually while they been cut 3.5, they actually went up because that additional money in the middle column.

Okay Let's talk about this forecast.

Because every time we talk about the general fund really the education trust fund two and you, you reference the federal money, the era of Covid dollars is it's coming to an end and specifically the influx into your budget from this interest.

Right.

Because all that money got got to sit in those trust funds and just gather interest and in general fund benefits from that.

Yeah.

So what is it going to look like when those interest payments go from, what, $250 million dow to the normal 30, $40 million?

Yeah.

That's right.

We have already seen some months where we've had a decline in interest on site accounts.

You know, all the all the Treasury account interest comes to the general fund, with the exception of one education, Treasury account.

So we you know, a year ago, I told my colleagues we were going to be in trouble by this time, and it just didn't happen.

You know, we didn't see the interest rates fall like we thought they were.

We didn't see the mone out of the out of the, accounts is the Arpa money was still in our accoun as a as of, first part of March.

We still had over $500 million in those Arpa accounts.

So we're still we're still doing good.

But we know that's goin to be gone by December of 2026.

And, and certainly you know, looking back at 2023, the timing of the deposit of that over on $1 billion into those accounts, and then the interest rate started going up.

Yeah, it was feeding additional $45 millio a month into the general fund.

So but you know, the the month so far, knock on wood, that we have seen a decline.

Our top three contributors t the general fund have been up.

You know, we've seen, insurance premium taxes up, we've seen sucked up and also used tax, which I think it kind of contributes to the strong economy that Alabama has.

Yeah.

Interest rates are a bummer for consumers sometimes when you have a state account like that.

That's right, that's right.

Well, will we be in trouble?

Because I mean, you mentioned, you know, eventually it's going to go away.

Are we relying on that?

Will there be cuts or are we going to be able to find other ways to replace that money?

Well, you know, we absolutely do not rely on that.

We did not grow government.

So it's not like we added additional personnel or additional services.

You know, we put over 229 million of cash into the new state House and that dropped our debt service down to $20 million per year.

So that was drastically, lower than the first numbers we thought it would be going into that.

So that was huge to do that.

We did a lot of capital projects for state agencies that we otherwise couldn't afford, and so we're not going to miss that.

I mean, it's going to it's going to tighten things down a little bit.

But we're going to work through it again.

Our, you know, to be able to do everything we just did and passed this budget last night an still be less than 1% over 2026.

That's where we need to be going forward.

Anyway.

You mentioned, corrections.

I wanted to ask you, because we're anticipating the opening of this new prison and Elmore County.

I know it's been delayed a little bit, but where are we i terms of that facility opening?

Because that's a big deal.

I mean, the whole, idea was for that to be able to close other prisons that are costing the state quite a bit of money So how are things progressing?

Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, we're paying huge maintenance dollars on the, on those facilities.

You know, besides, you know, the lawsuit and the pressures tha that puts on and the conditions of Alabama prisons, you know, we we saw a delay and, you know, we approved that delay, as it was supposed to be May 15th.

It was going to be the opening for that that got pushed out to October the 15th.

We were able to captur some, some, some change orders in there.

And so that is not going to cost the state any additional money.

The contractor is going to tak those on because of the delays in lieu of cash payment.

So we're working closely with them.

Jon Hamm and his team are working with them.

And, we will, you know, certainly hope to see it open by the 15th of October.

And will we see those cost saving?

Because I remembe from the very beginning, that's kind of one of the big pitches was look where all these deferred maintenance and all this, you know, these dilapidated facilities and it's costing money and, you know yeah, it's it's a big price tag.

But over, over the long term it'll save the state money.

Are we going to be able to see those kind of savings.

Sure.

Absolutely.

You know there wha the Governor Colby Institute is.

You'll see two, two of our oldest prisons come down right there.

And we've we've, I've seen some significant bills related over the winter related to water leaks and things like that.

So all that goes away, in fact you know, even with this delay, because of the delay, you know, we we the general fund, we've been sticking back about 1.8 million a year for ongoing maintenance for our new facilities.

So we've already started that line at them.

And we were able to pause at this tim so that with we're doing that, I was able to capture another 1.8 million instead of going into our reserves and to the revenue and the reserves.

Another thing, I mean, looking out here, if we can stay was certainly help with season March numbers before I came in here today.

But, continue to be to be t be positive about the numbers.

In fact, we've got I put some language in the back of the budget to where if, if, revenue exceeds 300 million over what we budgeted by, by the end of September, 20 million would automatically go into the general fund reserve.

And that'll put us at 170 million in reserve on the general fund.

And then 20th May you know, go into the Medicaid reserve, not post at 120 million in reserve there.

So we're we're cautiously doing some things that, harden up the budget moving forward.

Yeah, I get it.

And look this is the nuts and bolts.

The state government.

It's not easy.

It's it's complicated, but it's it's it's, Anyway, congratulations.

Appreciate that.

And we'll watch the Senate.

Yeah.

We have what, 13 bills yesterday and and passed them in a little over two but a little over two hours.

And of course, you know, spent a lot of time with my colleagues, a lot of time with my committee, and they've been awesome.

And, and then was able to brief both caucuses yesterda before we walked onto the floor at 3:00 to pass those.

So 104 to 0.

So very well.

One that's what's really notable.

And in the recent years, because it wasn't always like that.

I mean, years ago you would have, you know, really budgets pass on a part line vote and things like that.

I think it's really interesting how on the general fund side and the education side, you all do so much work off the floor, you know, getting input from, from both parties and everything.

So when it reaches the floor, everybody feels like they've had their say and it passes unanimously.

I mean, that Congress, you know, they can't agree on a lunch order, you know.

Yeah.

Right.

Right.

It's yeah, we're very blessed.

And I probably spent almost an hour at the Democratic caucus yesterday and then about 30 minutes with Republicans.

Of course, a lot a lot of thos had already been in our meeting.

So, very, very blessed to have colleagues that really come to the table and pay attention to, to what we're doing with the budgets and they feel confident when they walk on that floor.

Yeah.

Well, I've got you.

I wanted to ask you about this, Montgomery police bill, say Montgomery, because it's obviously sponsored by Senator Barfoot from here.

But originally it was written that it would have included Huntsville because it was written as class three municipalities, essentially saying that if they don't get their staffing levels up to a certain threshold, the state could come in and tak over operational control over, the police department.

It's basically a stick asking, but Huntsville's essentially been written out of it, raising that threshold.

The reason I want to ask you about it, it's not your bill.

Yeah.

Huntsville still in it.

Oh.

Is it?

Yeah, it's still in there.

We just change the ratio okay.

So it would just have to it could apply at some point.

It could.

And I've talked to Senator Barfoot and he talked to me in the offseason about it.

And certainly I, I would prefer Huntsville not being in that bill.

It's amazing the work that Huntsville PD does.

On recruiting officers.

We already meet the criteria that set aside in there.

And I even discussed today maybe I would love to see that wher if Huntsville met that criteria.

That said, in that bil for for 24 months in a row that they'd be taken out of the bill.

So we'll see how that goes.

You know, going forward.

And certainly as a general fund chair, I've got to be cautious about legislation like that, about state taking over.

Last one, I want to ask you.

So you're not just general fund chair, you're the former police chief of Huntsville.

So for that perspective, I mean, is it a I mean, it's not your bill, but is it an appropriate use of state power to do that kind of thing, to intervene in cities?

I get the point about crime, but is it appropriate for the state, to kind of intervene like that?

You know, I think we've already seen that occur in Alabama where where state government got involved in, in bad police administration in a town and and facilitate a change there.

And certainly that to me is a better way to do it, you know, and you can say in bills like that that it would be the city' responsibility to pay for that.

But if the state came in and took over that responsibility and virally officers in there, then we would have a responsibility to ensure they have adequate budget to perform the duties.

Yeah, well, we'll see how it goes.

I mean, it's past the Senate.

I guess y'all might be considering it in the final days.

Coming up next week.

I have not seen it yet, so we'll see.

Okay.

Well, look, we're almost there.

Almost there to the end.

Three more days.

I appreciate you coming dow and explain to the general fund, and we will watch for the Senate to concur.

Very good.

But we'll see you next week.

Thank you.

John.

Yeah, we'll be right back.

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Hugo Black served in the US Senate and on the US Supreme Court for 34 years.

He was appointed and confirmed to the Court in August 1937.

Shortly after his appointment, he survived a national uproar over his prior brief membership in the Ku Klux Klan.

Black explained that he abhorred racial and religious intolerance, even though he had once been a member.

He went on to be the earliest proponent of the judicial revolution that established a national bill of rights for all person subject to the US Constitution, and in 1954, black joined in the Supreme Court's unanimous opinion outlawing racial segregation in public educatio in Brown v Board of Education.

In effect destroying the legal basis of segregated America.

Today, Justice Black is remembered as one of the nation's foremost champions of the First Amendment and, in his words, the rights of the weak, helpless, and outnumbered.

That's our show for tonight.

Thanks for watching.

We'll be back to wrap it all u for our Capital Journal Weekend Review episode.

That's tomorrow night at 730 right here on apt for our Capital Journal team.

I'm Todd Stacy.

We'll see you next time.