>> DON: TONIGHT ON CAPITOL JOURNAL, WE'LL REPORT ON GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SIGNING INTO LAW A CONTROVERSIAL TRANSGENDER ATHLETES BILL, AND SAYING TODAY THAT SHE'S WILLING TO CONSIDER WHATEVER METHOD NECESSARY TO KEEP HER PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM AFLOAT.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE THAT FUNDS PRISONS.

HE BELIEVES ITS TIME FOR THE GOVERNOR TO WORK WITH LAWMAKERS ON A PRISON BOND ISSUE.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLE DIRECTOR CAM WARD AND INGRAM STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. ANNETTE FUNDERBURK, WHO WILL DISCUSS A NEW COLLABORATION ON INMATE JOB TRAINING AND REDUCING PRISON RECIDIVISM.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS A SLIGHT UPTICK IN COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE VACCINATION RATE SLACKING OFF.

IT'S ALL NEXT, ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE EDUCATION BUDGET, VOTING BILLS, AND RACIAL PROFILING ALL TOOK CENTER STAGE IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK.

WE'LL COVER IT ALL FOR YOU, BUT WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS AFTERNOON SIGNING INTO LAW A CONTROVERSIAL TRANSGENDER ATHLETES BILL.

IT WOULD MANDATE THAT K-12 ATHLETES CAN ONLY COMPETE SPORTS THAT CORRESPOND WITH THE GENDER ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES, AND IVEY'S MOVE CAME RIGHT ON THE HEELS OF THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TODAY ISSUED A STATEMENT CALLING ON HER TO VETO WHAT IT CALLED AN ASSAULT ON TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

IT'S LEGISLATION THAT SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER OF CULLMAN CARRIED IN THE UPPER CHAMBER, WHERE IT FACED STRONG DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> WITHIN THE DEMOCRAT'S VOICE, A HEAVY OBJECTION TO HOUSE BILL 391, STATE SENATOR GRUDGER STOOD BY AND LET THEM HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> I BELIEVE THEY HAD GOOD POINTS.

WE LISTENED TO JOB DEVELOPMENT TO FUTURE GROWTH OF THE STATE.

>> THE NCAA WARNS LAWMAKERS AGAINST LIMITING TRANSGENDER SPORTS PARTICIPATION.

>> SMITHERMAN NOTED THAT THERE WILL BE IN THE FUTURE A REGIONAL COMPETITION.

>> THIS BILL WILL PUT US IN A SITUATION THAT NOT ONLY WE WOULD LOSE THAT, BUT WE'LL ALSO LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST ANY NCAA EVENTS.

>> WAS ANY PROBLEM IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT WARRANTED A BILL OF THIS NATURE?

PARTICULARLY WHEN THIS RULE IS PART OF THE ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

>> GOING FORWARD TO GIVE THE ALABAMA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION SOME PROTECTION ALSO.

>> THE POTENTIAL FOR AN EXCLUSIONARY SPIRIT TO BE PRESENT IN THIS LEGISLATION.

>> THERE IS A GIRL IN NORTHERN STATE WITH HER SKULL CRUSHED IN BECAUSE SHE WENT AGAINST A BOY THAT DECIDED TO BE A GIRL IN A WRESTLING MATCH.

SHE'S IN THE HOSPITAL.

THIS BILL IS ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHT, SAFETY IN ATHLETICS PERIOD.

>> THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL.

FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL, I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> DON: GOVERNOR IVEY'S PRIVATE LEASE PRISON PLAN FACED A SETBACK THIS WEEK, WHEN TWO FINANCIAL UNDERWRITERS PULLED OUT, ONE AFTER IT RECEIVED CRITICISM FOR BREAKING A PROMISE TO STOP SUPPORTING FOR-PROFIT PRISON ENDEAVORS.

THE GOVERNOR TODAY AGAIN VOWED TO CARRY ON WITH HER MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR PLAN.

>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

WE HAVE TO HAVE IMPROVED PRISONS, NEW PRISONS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

SO WE CONTINUE TO WORK AND WORK HARD ESPECIALLY WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE NOW.

>>DON: GOVERNOR IVEY, OF COURSE, EMBARKED ON HER PRIVATE LEASE CONSTRUCTION PLAN AFTER A NUMBER OF PREVIOUS FAILED ATTEMPTS BY THE LEGISLATURE TO AGREE ON A PRISON BOND ISSUE.

THIS WEEK, BOTH GENERAL FUND BUDGET CHAIRS, WHO LEAD THE EFFORTS TO FUND PRISONS, URGED IVEY TO ABANDON HER PRIVATE LEASE PLAN AND AGAIN WORK WITH LAWMAKERS ON A STATE BOND ISSUE.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE OF OZARK CHAIRS THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE A VERY GOOD DEAL FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

WE CAN BUILD THE NEW PRISONS, AND AT THE END OF A 30 YEAR PAYOUT, WE OWN THE PRISONS THEN, FOREVER HOW LONG THEY CAN STAND THE TEST OF TIME, HOPEFULLY 100 YEARS.

WE CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO PUT AN END TO THIS LEASE BILL PLAN AND LET'S GET THE LEGISLATURE TOGETHER.

LET'S GET THE BOND ISSUE PASSED AND BUILD THE PRISONS ON OUR OWN PROPERTY.

>>DON: COMING UP A LITTLE LATER IN THE BROADCAST, WE'LL TALK WITH SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE, THE CHAIRMAN OF SENATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE, ABOUT THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM HITTING A SNAG.

MEANTIME, GOVERNOR IVEY TODAY INDICATED THAT ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE AS SHE WORKS TO PUSH FORWARD WITH BUILDING NEW STATE PRISONS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD TO SOLVE THE PRISON FUNDING PROBLEM WHATEVER METHOD THAT NEEDS TO BE.

WE ARE WORKING HARD ON THAT.

STAY TUNED.

>> DON: MEANTIME, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN OPPONENTS ALL ALONG OF THE GOVERNOR'S PRIVATE LEASE DEAL ARE SAYING THAT THEY AREN'T AT ALL SURPRISED WITH THIS WEEK'S NEWS THAT IT HAD LOST TWO OF ITS FINANCIAL UNDERWRITERS.

REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND OF TUSCALOOSA IS A LONGTIME CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATE AND ALSO SERVES AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> IT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE APPARENT THAT COMPANIES AND PEOPLE THAT PROVIDE FINANCING FOR DEALS LIKE THIS DON'T WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH WAREHOUSING HUMANS.

IT SHOULDN'T BE A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS.

AS A RESULT OF THAT, YOU WILL FIND A HARD TIME FINDING FINANCING FOR IT.

THERE HAS TO BE A POINT WE SAY AS A LEGISLATURE, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>>DON: A HOUSE BILL THAT PROPOSES A STATE BOND ISSUE TO FUND NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION WAS DRAFTED EARLIER THIS YEAR, IN CASE THE PRIVATE LEASE DEAL FELL THROUGH.

AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, IT HAD NOT BEEN FORMALLY INTRODUCED.

>>DON: IT WAS A BUSY WEEK AT THE STATEHOUSE, WITH THE RECORD 7.6-BILLION-DOLLAR EDUCATION BUDGET CLEARING A HOUSE COMMITTEE AND HEADING TO THE FLOOR, PUTTING IT IN POSSIBLE POSITION FOR FINAL LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE NEXT WEEK.

THAT AS A CLOSELY-WATCHED BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW SOME TAX DOLLARS TO FOLLOW CHILDREN TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS FAILED A PROCEDURAL VOTE IN THE LOWER CHAMBER.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> ALL EYES FOLLOW ACTION IN THE ALABAMA HOUSE.

THIS WEEK SENATE BILL 189, THE EDUCATION BUDGET IS IN THE WAYS AND MEANS EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

>> THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO OUTLINE THE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE EDUCATION BUDGET PACKAGE.

>> DISCUSSION FOLLOWS, BUT IT'S A TWO DAY AFFAIR FOR THE BUDGET.

THE NEXT DAY LAWMAKERS PLAN TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL.

>> ARE THERE ANY FINAL QUESTIONS?

HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

OPPOSED, NO.

SB189 IS GIVEN A FAVORABLE REPORT AS SUBSTITUTED.

>> 189 NOW HEADS TO THE FLOOR.

>> THIS IS AN EFFORT TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MATH AND SCIENCE OUTCOMES IF HALF OF THE TEACHERS ARE NOT CERTIFIED.

>> ON THE FLOOR, NEW GUIDELINES FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS IN ALABAMA.

>> CHARTERS GET FEDERAL FUNDING.

THEY ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY GET STATE FUNDING.

THEY ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE NOT GETTING THEIR SHARE OF COUNTY AND LOCAL DISTRICT DOLLARS.

>> ALL WE NEED TO DO IS TO TAKE READING AND INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM FOR EACH STUDENT JUST AS SPECIAL ED DOES.

PROMOTE OUR TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> HOUSE BILL 487 FAILS ON THIS BUDGET ISOLATION RESOLUTION VOTE.

FOR CAPITOL JOURNALISM, I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>>DON: A HIGH-PROFILE BILL THAT WOULD BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE WAS CARRIED OVER IN THE SENATE ON THURSDAY, BUT COULD COME BACK UP FOR CONSIDERATION NEXT WEEK.

SEVERAL OTHER ELECTION-RELATED BILLS DID MAKE IT OUT OF THE UPPER CHAMBER, INCLUDING ONE THAT WOULD BAN SO-CALLED 'DOUBLE VOTING.'

IT WAS CARRIED BY SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE.

>> IF YOU VOTE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND IN THE SAME ELECTION YOU VOTE IN ANOTHER STATE, THEN THAT ALSO IS ILLEGAL.

>> THE QUESTION I RAISE WITH REPRESENT BLACK IS A QUESTION I'LL PUT ON THE FLOOR NOW.

CAN YOU OFFER ME AN APPRECIABLE NUMBER OF ALLEGED VOTER FRAUD ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THIS STATE?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE RESPONSE WAS?

I BET I HAVE THE SAME NUMBER.

TWO.

>>DON: AMONG THE OTHER VOTING BILLS PASSED BY THE SENATE ON THURSDAY WAS ONE THAT WOULD UPDATE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DEADLINES TO ACCOMMODATE FOR POSTAL SERVICE DELAYS.

>>DON: THE SENATE THIS WEEK ALSO PASSED A BILL TO BAN TRAFFIC STOPS BASED ON RACIAL PROFILING.

IT'S LEGISLATION THAT BIRMINGHAM SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN HAS PRESSED FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

>> PROHIBIT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ENGAGING IN CONDUCT THAT REQUIRES THE STATE COUNTY MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO DEVELOP POLICIES TO PROHIBIT RACIAL PROFILING AND OTHER DISPARAGE TREATMENT BASED ON ETHNIC STATUS.

>>DON: UNDER SMITHERMAN'S LEGISLATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO KEEP RECORDS OF TRAFFIC STOPS TO TRACK RACIAL PROFILING.

THIS, AS GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK SIGNED INTO LAW ANOTHER BILL THAT WILL CREATE A DATABASE TO TRACK DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND EXCESSIVE FORCE COMPLAINTS AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, A MEASURE AIMED AT WEEDING OUT SO-CALLED 'BAD APPLES' IN THE PROFESSION.

IT WAS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE A.J.

MCCAMPBELL OF GALLION, A FORMER POLICE OFFICER.

>> DON: THE HOUSE THIS WEEK APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW DRIVE-THROUGH AND WALK-UP SALES OF BEER AND WINE FROM LICENSED RETAILERS.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE GIL ISBELL OF GADSDEN, WHO SAID THE LEGISLATION WAS REQUESTED BY GROUPS REPRESENTING THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY AND CONVENIENCE STORES, TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CONVENIENCE.

THE MEASURE NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY RECENTLY SIGNED INTO LAW ISBELL'S MEASURE THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR HOME DELIVERY OF BEER, WINE AND SPIRTS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL ONLINE, FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER.

CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT D DAILY @APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

>> NEXT UP TWO GUESTS, CAM WARD BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PATROL IN STUDIO WITH US.

ALSO ANNETTE FUNDERBURK PRESIDENT OF THE INGRAM STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DON: TELL US ABOUT PARDON AND PAROLE?

>> WE ARE EXCITED TO COLLABORATE WITH THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLE FOR ADULT BASIC EDUCATION ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

>> DON: INDEED.

INGRAM STATE HAS BEEN INVOLVED SO THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF WHAT YOU DO.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE 20 CAREER PROGRAMS AS WELL AS ADULT BASIC EDUCATION INSIDE THE CORRECTION'S DEPARTMENT IN ALABAMA, EIGHT CAMPUSES.

WE WANT TO GROW AS THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS GROWS, WE WANT TO GROW WITH THEM AND DO THE SAME PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLE.

>> OUR PRISON PROBLEMS ARE NUMBERED BUT RECIDIVISM IS A BIG ONE AND THIS GOES A LONG WAY.

>> WHEN SOMEONE COMES OUT OF PRISON, DO THEY GO BACK.

THAT'S WHAT RECIDIVISM MEANS.

RIGHT NOW, ALABAMA IS IN THE MIDDLE.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT PARDON AND PAROLE CAN OFFER, YOU CAN CUT THE NUMBER IN HALF.

WHEN SOMEONE LEAVES PRISON, WHAT DO WE WANT THEM TO LOOK LIKE?

WE WANT THEM TO BE ON THEIR FEET, HAVE A JOB AND NOT HURT SOMEONE AGAIN.

>> AND HAVING A JOB IS WHERE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.COS IN.

>> WE WORK TO HELP OUR GRADUATES BE PLACED IN A JOB IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH 200 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY AGENCIES THAT ARE WILLING TO HIRE OUR FORMERLY INCARCERATED GRADUATES TO GET THEM JOBS AND FINISH THE CIRCLE TO COLLABORATE, DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

THEY CANNOT ONLY BE ON PAROLE AND SECURE AS WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE ALABAMA TAXPAYERS.

WE WANT TO HELP THE TAXPAYERS.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.

WE CAN DO THAT BY TEACHING THEM VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AMEND REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

>> OUR SHOW HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO VISIT YOUR CAMPUS.

I REMEMBER THINGS LIKE BRICK MASONRY TO COSMETOLOGY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BARBERING, WELDING, CABINET MAKING, UPHOLSTERY, PLUMBING, H-VAC.

WELDING, PLUMBING AND H-VAC ARE THE HIGHEST OPPORTUNITIES.

WE CAN PLACE ANY OF THOSE ANYWAY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE ARE PLEASED TO WORK WITH INDUSTRIES ACROSS THE STATE PARTNERING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS BUREAU TO OFFER MORE INCARCERATED.

>> YOU DEAL WITH THESE PEOPLE COMING OUT OF PRISON.

YOU WANT TO HELP THEM STAY OUT OF PRISON TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

>> THAT'S OUR GOAL.

OUR JOB IS TO SUPERVISE THEM TO TRANSITION THEM BACK TO SOCIETY IN A SAFE MANNER.

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY THAN MAKING SURE THAN TALKING ABOUT, MAKING SURE IF THEY HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS, THEY GET TREATMENT.

IF THEY HAVE AN ADDICTION THEY GET TREATMENT.

IF THEY NEED JOB SKILLS, THEY GET SKILLS.

WE DO THAT, THEY STAY OUT OF PRISON, THEY ARE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

THAT'S A BI-PARTISAN ISSUE IF YOU ASK ME.

>> ARE THEY EAGER PARTICIPANTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY ARE EAGER TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEIR HANDS WHILE INCARCERATED.

MOST WILL BE RELEASED AT SOME POINT.

INGRAM STATE SERVES THOSE TEN YEARS FROM SENTENCE.

EVERYONE INCARCERATED THAT WE SERVE WILL RECEIVE EDUCATION AND LOOKING FOR JOBS ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THEY ARE VERY EAGER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PARTNERING WITH WELDING COMPANIES, AND THEY CAN MAKE 17 OR 18 OR $22 AN HOUR, ALSO RECEIVING BENEFITS, IT'S A WIN.

IT CHANGES GENERATION, NOT ONLY THOSE GETTING JOBS BUT THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN.

>> THE COLLABORATION WITH INGRAM STATE IS A PROVEN ENTITY AND YOU ARE UPPING THE ANTE.

>> WE HAVE A LONG-TERM VISION.

WE HAVE CENTERS PLUS REOPENING THOMASVILLE AND LIFE TECH.

END OF THE DAY, WE SHOULD HAVE THIS AVAILABLE AT EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE SO SOMEONE BASED ON GEOGRAPHY, INCOME LEVEL OR DEMOGRAPHICS SHOULDN'T BE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE PROGRAMS.

IF WE MAKE THIS AVAILABLE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE -- THAT'S A LONG-TERM GOAL, BUT IT WILL REDUCE CRIME IN ALABAMA BY PROVIDING THE PROGRAMS AND MAKES A HEALTHIER POPULATION.

>> DON: AS A FORMER LEGISLATOR THAT FOLLOWED PRISON REFORM YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO SOLVE THEM.

ONE OF THE THEMES THROUGHOUT THE DEBATE IS REHABILITATION AND MAKING PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS OF THE PEOPLE ONCE RELEASED.

GOING IN THIS DIRECTION SEEMS A NATURAL DIRECTION.

>> NONE OF THIS WILL BE THE ANSWER BUT I BELIEVE THE REHABILITATIVE PROCESS AND PROGRAM WE ARE OFFERING IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD TO HELP US IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF ALABAMA.

I THINK DEALING WITH THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, THAT HELPS US A LOT IN REDUCING CRIME RATES.

THAT HELPS OVERALL THE PRISON ISSUER SEEING.

>> STARTING THE TRAINING WHILE INMATES ARE IN PRISON, THEY CAN WALK OUT OF PRISON READY TO WALK INTO A JOB.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE MANY SUCCESS STORIES WE HAVE HELPING THEM PLACE IN A POSITION.

THEY LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ONE DAY AND THEY ARE HIRED IN THEIR JOB THE NEXT DAY.

UNDER CHANCELLOR BAKER'S LEADERSHIP ALL OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE STUDENT FOCUSED.

A ONE STOP SHOP.

THE REPORTING CENTERS ARE ONE STOP.

THEY GO THERE TO RECEIVE EDUCATION, MENTAL HELP, JOB PLACEMENT.

GETTING A JOB AND FINISHING THE CIRCLE WILL BE THE CONNECTION THAT HELPS OUR STUDENTS NOT RETURN TO SEE US AGAIN.

>> DIRECTOR WARD, I THINK IT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO EXPAND ON THE DAY CENTERS.

THESE ARE PLACES THEY GO FOR THE DAY TO RECEIVE TRAINING?

>> WHAT HAPPENS IS, AND THIS IS WHERE THE COLLABORATION COMES IN BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND DEPARTMENT OF PAROLE AND COLLEGE SYSTEM, WE HAVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SO WE IDENTIFY PEOPLE THAT QUALIFY.

NOT EVERYONE QUALIFIES.

SOME ARE NOT AT RISK.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE HIGHEST RISK FOLKS YOU SCORE AND SAY THIS PERSON HAS A HIGH RISK OF RECIDIVISM.

YOU IDENTIFY THEM AND GET THEM IDENTIFIED IN THE PROGRAM.

WE HAVE FIVE IN THE MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS.

WE WANT TO EXPAND THAT TO THE STATE AT SOME POINT.

THIS COLLABORATION OF THE AGENCIES MAKES IT WORK.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT SOMEONE TO GET OUR EYES ON SOMEONE TO SAY, WHAT DO WE DO TO STOP RECIDIVISM HERE.

THAT'S THE MAIN COMPONENT.

>> DO THE INDIVIDUALS COME TO YOU?

I GUESS IT WORKS BOTH WAYS FLT.

IT WORKS BOTH WAYS.

BOTH TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE THREE WILLING AGENCIES.

IN THE PAST YOU DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

THEY DIDN'T SEE EYE TO EYE SO YOU COULDN'T MAKE THE SYSTEM WORK.

>> YOU ARE OFFERING FOLKS HOPE.

HOPE CAN CHANGE A LOT OF THINGS.

>> WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE THE COLLABORATION.

LIKE YOU SAID, ONE PLACE WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE ALL OF THESE THINGS SO THEY ARE NOT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT TRANSPORTATION.

THEY ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT GETTING HERE TO THERE OR WHERE OR WHEN THEY'LL SHOW UP.

WE COME TO THE DAY REPORTING CENTER.

EVERYONE IS THERE.

WE ARE THERE TO FOCUS ON THE NEXT STEP.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.

IT TAKES ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS AS IT TAKES EACH ONE OF US TO BETTER OURSELVES TO BE SURE WE HAVE THE THINGS WE NEED SOME OF THEM RETURN TO SOCIETY WITHOUT A HOME.

WE HAVE A OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A HOME ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM.

SOME NEED TREATMENT.

SOME NEED JOB PLACEMENT.

ALL OF THAT IN ONE PLACE, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND PROVIDE HOPE FOR THEM.

>> DIRECTOR WARD, AS A FORMER LEGISLATOR, I'M SURE YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING CLOSELY.

PRISON REFORM IS GIVEN THE EFFORT TO BUILD NEW PRISONS WHERE REFORM IS CONCERNED, ARE YOU ENCOURAGED WITH THE DIRECTION WE ARE GOING?

>> I DON'T WATCH AS CLOSELY AS I USED TO, BUT I THINK SO.

TWO YEARS AGO THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE, A FIVE OR SIX BILL PACKAGE.

I SERVED ON THE COMMISSION.

IT WAS A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION.

THE PACKAGE OF BILLS I SEE MOVING NOW THAT SHE PUSHED FOR, I THINK THEY ARE A GREAT STEP MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THIS MORNING I HAD CONVERSATION WITH LAWMAKERS BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

BOTH SIDES SEEM OPTIMISTIC TO GET THE BILLS PASSED.

THEY ARE UP FOR FINAL PASSAGE.

I THINK THEY'LL TAKE US IN A GOOD DIRECTION.

BOTH PARTIES ARE PUSHING FOR IT AND THE GOVERNOR'S PACKAGE SEEMS TO BE MOVING FORWARD GOOD.

>> THAT'S IMPORTANT, THE BIPARTISANSHIP.

IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE AN "R" OR "D." >> WE ALL WANT PUBLIC SAFETY AND WE WANT SOMEONE TO GET OUT OF PRISON, NOT BE A SAFETY RISK, GET A JOB AND BE A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

ALL PARTIES AGREE TO THAT.

I THINK IT'S THE ONE BIPARTISANSHIP THAT FOLKS AGREE ON.

THERE WILL BE BUMPS TO GET THERE, THERE ALWAYS IS, BUT WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS ON IT.

>> DON: GOVERNOR IVEY MADE THE BOLD STEP TO EXPLORE A PRIVATE LEASE CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

THERE HAVE BEEN ROAD BUMPS THIS WEEK WITH FINANCIAL UNDERWRITERS PULLING OUT.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS STILL A TRAIN THAT COULD BE HEADED DOWN THE RIGHT TRACK?

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE FINANCING AND HOW THAT WORKS.

I HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED EVEN AS A LEGISLATOR WASN'T INVOLVED, BUT YOU CAN DEBATE THE LOCATIONS OR FINANCING, BUT THE CONCEPT THAT THE THREE PRISONS, ONE THING OVERLOOKED OFTEN IS INCREASING THE SPACE FOR PROGRAMMING SO WE CAN TAKE PROGRAMS LIKE DR. FUNDERBURGS, LIKE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS SERVICING THOSE THAT NEED UNDERLYING ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED.

LIGHT NOW YOU DON'T HAVE THAT IN THE ALABAMA PRISON PROGRAM.

YOU DON'T.

YOU NEED THAT, SO I THINK THE CONCEPT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST DRIVERS PEOPLE OVERLOOK THAT WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT MORE OFTEN.

>> DON: IF WE GOT NEW PRISONS, THAT COULD ONLY FURTHER WHAT YOU DO, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S OUR GOAL TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SPACE THAT WILL BE PROVIDED AS THE PRISON GROWS, INGRAM STATE GROWS AS WELL.

TO BUILD A PRISON TO WORKFORCE PIPELINE WORKING WITH THE ALABAMA CORRECTION INDUSTRIES RIGHT INTO WORK RELEASE AND RIGHT INTO A JOB.

THAT'S THE GOAL TO OFFER HOPE TO EVERYONE AS THEY ENTER THEIR TEN YEARS AWAY FROM END OF SENTENCE THEY RECEIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING, ADULT BASIC EDUCATION, ALL OF THAT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE THE HOPE TO GET A JOB.

>> DON: DIRECTOR WARD, THESE ARE EXCITING TIMES.

>> IT'S EXCITING BECAUSE YOU HAVE THREE AGENCIES, FOUR WITH MENTAL HEALTH ALL BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS.

THERE ARE GOVERNMENT BARRIERS, PERSONALITIES AND AGENCIES IN THE PAST THAT WE LOCKED OURSELVES INTO THE THINKING THAT WE COULDN'T WORK ACROSS GOVERNMENT LINES.

WE HAVE TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS THAT WE ARTIFICIALLY PUT IN PLACE THAT SAYS THIS IS WHAT I DO.

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO.

WE DON'T WORK TOGETHER.

TO SOLVE RECIDIVISM, YOU HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER REGARDLESS WHO GETS THE BUDGET FOR IT.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER.

>> CAM WARD THE BUREAU OF PARDON AND PAROLES, A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU.

DR. FUNDERBURK, A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> DON: NEXT UP SENATOR ALBRIGHT OF ADD MORE IS BACK WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT GOVERNOR IVEY'S PUBLIC PLAN IS MAKING NEWS BECAUSE TWO UNDERWRITERS PULLED OUT AND THERE ARE CALLS TO ABANDON THE PRIVATE LEASE DEAL AND WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON A BOND DEAL.

>> DON, THE LEGISLATURE AS A BODY, NOT JUST INDIVIDUALS BUT AS A BODY HAVE BEEN CONCERNED WITH THIS FOR YEARS.

IN PARTICULARLY WITH THIS PP PRIVATE, PERSONAL -- WHATEVER IT IS -- PUBLIC PRIVATE MATTER.

IT NEVER SEEMS TO ADD UP.

WE HAVE CONCERNS WITH THIS FOR SOME TIME.

WE VOICED THE CONCERNS TO THE GOVERNOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW, WE BELIEVE, IS A RESULT OF THOSE CONCERNS COMING TO FRUITION.

>> DON: I WILL REMIND VIEWERS YOU HAVE A STATE PRISON IN YOUR DISTRICT AND YOU SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE APPROPRIATING MONEY FOR PRISONS.

I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF A HOUSE BILL DRAFTED EARLIER IN THE SESSION DEALING WITH THE PRISON BOND ISSUE IN CASE THE PRIVATE LEASE DEAL FELL APART.

I GUESS THAT BILL MAY BE POSSIBLY TAKING ON A NEW LIFE OR GIVEN NEW SIGNIFICANCE IN LIGHT OF THE EVENTS?

>> IT'S BEEN THERE.

THAT WAS DEVELOPED EARLY ON AS EARLY AS LAST FALL, JUST AS A PREPARATION.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN THE WAY.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO CAUSE DISRUPTION NOR CONCERN.

IT'S BEEN THERE.

THAT'S NOT THE ONLY VEHICLE OUT THERE.

THAT'S ONE OF THEM THAT'S NOT BEEN DROPPED, HASN'T BEEN IN PLACE.

IT'S ON THE SIDELINES.

IT'S ON THE BENCH, OKAY?

>> DON: YOU MENTION IT'S NOT THE ONLY VEHICLE OUT THERE.

WHAT ELSE?

>> DIFFERENT TYPE PLANS OF THINGS.

I SUSPECT THAT SHOULD THIS GET TO THE LEGISLATURE IN SOME WAY, THEN THERE WILL BE AN ARGUMENT OVER WHICH ONE TAKES PRECEDENT AND WHICH ONE GOES.

I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE A QUICK DECISION ON TRYING TO MOVE SOMETHING FORWARD.

>> DON: GOVERNOR IVEY SAID SHE WAS PUSHING AHEAD EVEN GIVEN THE ROADBLOCKS PUT UP THIS WEEK.

LATER IN THE WEEK SHE SUGGESTED SHE MIGHT BE OPEN TO WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON A BOND ISSUE.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM HER.

WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH HER ON THIS.

SEVERAL OF US HAVE REACHED OUT AND HAD DISCUSSIONS AND TRIED TO FIND PATHS TO BRING THIS TO A POSITIVE RESOLUTION CERTAINLY.

>> DON: WHERE A PRISON BOND ISSUE IS CONCERNED AUTHORIZED BY THE LEGISLATURE, THIS HAS COME BEFORE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES SEVERAL TIMES BUT NEVER SUCCESSFULLY.

GOVERNOR IVEY TOOK THE BALL AND RAN WITH IT IN A PRIVATE LEASE DEAL.

DO WE EXPECT A DIFFERENT OUTCOME ON THE PRISON BOND ISSUE THIS GO AROUND?

>> WE HOPE SO.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE ARE TWICE THE SENATE PASSED BILLS OUT.

THE SECOND TIME IT WENT TO THE HOUSE AND THE HOUSE PASSED IT, BUT THEY MADE CHANGES SO WE BROUGHT IT TO CONFERENCE AND THE SENATE CONCURRED AND IT WENT TO THE HOUSE AND SAT IN THE BASKET.

WE WERE CLOSE TO COMPLETING IT, BUT THOSE DAYS WERE FRAUGHT WITH OTHER ISSUES AND SUCH THAT PREVENTED OR CAUSED DISTRACTIONS THAT GOT IN THE WAY.

MY POINT THERE IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN CLOSE.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLOSE.

WE CERTAINLY SEE THE NEED.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE AS A WHOLE IS READY TO STEP INTO THIS WHEN THE GOVERNOR INVITES US OR SUGGESTS WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> DON: SHOULD WE STEP INTO THIS SOONER THAN LATER GIVEN THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER OUR PRISON SYSTEM?

>> THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT, HOW THAT WORKS AND DOESN'T WORK, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE A CURE FOR THAT COMPLETELY.

IT MAY BE A STEP.

AS FAR AS THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK WE ARE READY TODAY.

>> DON: I INTERVIEWED YOUR COLLEAGUE SENATOR JONES AND WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE LAST TIME LAW MAY RECOLLECTS WERE PRESENTED A BOND ISSUE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CHANGED, A GROUP OF LAWMAKERS THAT MIGHT APPROACH THIS DIFFERENTLY.

>> SENATOR ANDREW JONES IS A VERY ASTUTE YOUNG MAN.

I WOULD USE DIFFERENT WORDS FOR HIS DESCRIPTION.

>> OTHER THAN PRAGMATIC?

>> YES, SIR.

BUT NOT HERE.

>> DON: OKAY.

BUT YOU THINK -- >> AND I SAY THAT IN A JOVIAL WAY, OF COURSE.

>> DON: YOU THINK IF IT CAME TO IT IF LAWMAKERS WERE TO CONSIDER IT AGAIN, IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE?

>> I'M CERTAIN IT WOULD BE.

THERE IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDING ON MATTERS AND THE DEGREE OF IMMEDIACY IS THERE TOO.

>> DON: THE NEED FOR NEW FACILITIES IN MOST CORNERS WOULDN'T BE DISPUTED.

WE HAVE OLD, RUN DOWN FACILITIES THAT NEED UPDATES IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, THE PHYSICAL PLANT AND SECURITY ISSUES.

>> ALL OF THAT IS TRUE.

SECURITY, HAVING CELL DOORS THAT LOCK.

HAVING TOILETS THAT FLUSH, HAVING WATER, HAVING A KITCHEN THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY PREPARE FOOD SAFELY IN.

ALL OF THOSE ARE MAJOR ISSUES, CERTAINLY.

THERE ARE ELEMENTS OUT THERE THAT DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY CONSTRUCTION AT ALL FOR ANY PRISONS.

THAT WILL BE A BATTLE WE NEED TO DEAL WITH.

>> DON: THAT'S AN ISSUE WHEN YOU TACKLE THIS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY ON PRISONS, IT'S NOT A POPULAR ISSUE.

>> LOWEST ON THE TOTEM POLE.

IT'S NOT POPULAR, BUT IT'S ALWAYS EXPENSIVE.

IT'S NOT JUST THE OVER CROWDING.

ALABAMA HAS GROWN IN POPULATION SIGNIFICANTLY.

WITH THAT POPULATION, NOT EVERYONE IS A CIVIL OBEDIENT INDIVIDUAL.

SO THEREFORE, WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE TO PUT THEM, TO PROTECT THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, TO TRAIN THEM, TO GUIDE THEM AND WE HAVE TO INVEST IN IT.

>> DON: LET'S SPEND THE LAST FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT GAMBLING.

>> DID YOU BRING YOUR DICE?

>> DON: LAST TIME YOU WERE ON THE SHOW WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

SINCE IT HAS MORPHED, A GAMING BILL HAS PASSED AND IS IN THE HOUSE.

YOU SAID ALL ALONG YOU WERE THE BIGGER PROPONENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THAT'S THE ONLY THING I THOUGHT COULD BE PASSED AND SO FAR THAT'S PRISON ACCURATE.

IN DISCUSSION WITH COLLEAGUES THERE, THEY SEE THAT SAME ASPECT THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

BUT THE HOUSE IS HANDLING IT DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DID, AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

TIME IS WASTING, AS THEY SAY.

IT'S A BIG LIFT.

>> DON: THERE ARE TECHNICALLY ENOUGH DAYS TO GET THIS OUT.

DO YOU THINK IT COULD GET OUT?

>> I'M SURE IT COULD GET OUT.

WHETHER IT WILL GET OUT I DO NOT KNOW.

BATTLING THE FORCES TO MOVE THIS ALONG IS DIFFICULT IN THE SENATE AND MORE DIFFICULT IN THE HOUSE.

THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE THERE, MORE PEOPLE TO MAKE A ARGUMENTS AND SUCH.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION.

I WILL BE OBSERVING IT.

>> DON: INDEED.

FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS INVOLVES SENDING THIS TO VOTE ON.

WHILE MANY ENJOY GAMBLING THEMSELVES, THEY WOULD SUPPORT HAVING THE FOLKS BACK HOME HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS.

>> WE HOPE THAT CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT.

WE HOPE IT DOES.

VOTING ON IS TO ALLOW LEGAL GAMBLING IN ALABAMA.

WE NOW HAVE A LOT OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING, AND NO ENFORCEMENT, HENCE THE COMPREHENSIVE BILL TO CAPTURE IT, CONTROL IT, REGULATE IT AND TAX IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> DON: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VERSION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL REJECTED BY THE SENATE EARLIER IN THE SESSION VERSUS THE ONE THAT PASSED, THERE ARE A FEW SUBTLE DIFFERENCES.

>> CORRECT.

>> DON: ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE DIFFERENCES?

>> I'M HAPPY THAT WE PASSED IT.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO ARE AS YOU SAID SUBTLE, MINIMAL.

THE DIFFERENCE WAS THAT WE DID A BETTER JOB IN SELLING IT.

WE DID A BETTER JOB IN EXPLAINING IT.

WE DID A BETTER JOB OUTLINING WHERE THIS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE STATE.

>> WE HAVE ALSO TALKED ABOUT, SENATOR, AND I THINK IT BEARS REPEATING IN THIS CONVERSATION, THAT GAMING EXISTS ALREADY TO SOME EXTENT IN THIS STATE.

GOING WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE STATE COULD REGULATE IT ALL AND PROFIT FROM IT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

GAMING IS ALL OVER THE STATE.

EVERY WEEK YOU SEE A REPORT WHERE SOME ILLEGAL MACHINES HAVE BEEN CONFISCATED, CAPTURED, SHUTDOWN.

THAT'S JUST THE ONES THAT MAKE THE NEWS.

WE HAVE GAMING ONLINE, WE HAVE GAMING ON THE PHONES -- EVERYWHERE.

THIS BILL WILL PUT THE STATE IN CONTROL OF ALL OF THAT, THE MEANS TO REGULATE IT, CONTROL IT, ARREST PEOPLE WHEN NEED BE.

SOMEONE LOOKED AT THE INCREASE AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL CURRENT MISDEMEANORS HAVE BEEN BUMPED UP TO FELONIES IN THIS BILL.

IT'S A MATTER OF LAW AND ORDER TAKING CONTROL AND TAXING IT.

>> YOU ARE FROM AT MORE, HOME TO A BIG INDIAN CASINO OPERATION.

THE PORCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF THE GAMING CONVERSATION AND REMAIN SO BECAUSE THEIR CASINOS ARE PART OF THE PLAN AND STIPULATION IN THE LEGISLATION THAT THE TRIBE COULD BUILD A NEW FACILITY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA AND THE STATE MIGHT ENTER INTO A COMPACT WITH THE TRIBE TO SHARE REVENUE.

>> CORRECT.

THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD STEWARDS AND EXCELLENT CONSTITUENTS AND BENEFIT TO THE STATE.

FOR THEM TO ENTER INTO THE MATTER TO BE REGULATED BY FEDS AND BY THE STATE AND TO BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN STATE REVENUE IS HUGE.

>> DON: YES, THEY HAVE SAID THROUGHOUT VARIOUS ITERATIONS OF THE ISSUE OVER THE YEARS THAT THEY WERE WILLING IF THE TERMS WERE SUITABLE TO ENTER IN WHICH THEY WOULD SHARE IN THOSE REVENUES FROM THE FEDERALLY PROTECTED REGULATIONS.

>> ONE OF THE BIG DIFFERENCES FROM THIS BILL FROM PREVIOUS YEAR'S BILL, WE HAVE PARTIES FIGHTING AGAINST EACH OTHER TOGETHER AT THE SAME TABLE AND HAVE HAMMERED OUT A SOLUTION FOR THOSE, NOT FOR EVERYBODY.

ACTUAL NUMBERS DECREASE WHEN IT COMES TO THE SITE.

WE HAVE -- I THINK WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB GETTING THIS TO THE PEOPLE, WE HOPE.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, IT ALSO BEARS REPEATING THAT THERE A NUMBER OF COUNTIES WITH LOCAL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS DEALING WITH GAMBLING -- >> 18 OF THEM.

>> DON: MOST OF THEM ARE MORE FAVORABLE TOWARD A EXCELLENCIVE PLAN.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN.

WITHOUT THAT, MOST WILL BE DECLARED ILLEGAL WAITING FOR THE LAW TO STEP IN.

THIS WILL CURE THAT.

IT WILL GIVE THEM RELIABILITY, PROTECTION OF LAW AND CONTROL OF LAW.

>> DON: LOOK INTO YOUR CRYSTAL BALL.

WILL THIS PASS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE?

>> OF COURSE IT WILL.

IT'S A GOOD BILL THAT'S BEEN WORKED ON.

THE HOUSE UNDERSTANDS THIS IS A DIFFICULT PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN DONE.

WE DON'T WANT TO REVISIT OR REDO IT.

>> SENATOR, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> DON: CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WATCH PAST EPISODES OF CAPITOL JOURNAL AT APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

CONNECT WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL AND LINKS TO PAST EPISODES ON THE CAPITOL JOURNAL FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> FINALLY IT'S THE WEEKLY VISIT WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. HARRIS.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

WE HAVE HEARD THAT THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE FOR COVID-19 KICKED UP 10 OR 15% FOR THE STATE.

>> IT HAS INCREASED A BIT.

WE ARE MONITORING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NOT NEW OUTBREAKS GOING ON THAT WE MISSED OR SO ON.

IT DOESN'T SEEM RELATED TO ONE PARTICULAR THING, ALL PARTS OF THE STATE OVER ALL.

10 TO 15% INCREASE PUTS US AT 300 TO 350 INPATIENTS ANY GIVEN DAY.

THAT'S WELL BELOW WHERE WE WERE EVEN DECEMBER OR JANUARY.

IT'S WORTH FOLLOWING.

WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE MORE AND MORE OF THE U.K.

VARIANT CIRCULATING IN THE STATE.

WE KNOW WHILE THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY CAUSE WORST DISEASE, IT'S EASIER TO TRANSMIT.

WE HAVE A RACE AGAINST TIME OF GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED BEFORE THE VARIANT SPREADS MORE WIDELY.

>> DON: THE HOSPITALIZATIONS, THE NEW ONES ARE SKEWING AMONG YOUNGER FOLKS.

>> THE DATA SHOWS YOUNGER.

OUR OLDER PEOPLE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB GETTING VACCINATED.

WELL OVER 2/3 OF PEOPLE 75 AND UP ARE VACCINATED AND 60% OF 65 AND UP HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

THEY HAVE PROTECTION ONBOARD.

WHEN WE SEE CASE NUMBERS AS WE HAVE SAID ALL ALONG, 10% OF THEM ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL, IT TENDS TO BE YOUNGER PEOPLE NOW MORE OFTEN INFECTED THAN OLDER PEOPLE.

>> HOW ABOUT THE CASE COUNTS AND DEATH RATES?

>> CASE COULD WANTS AND DEATH RATES ARE FAIRLY STABLE.

THEY PLATEAUED.

WE HAVE A FEW HUNDRED CASES A DAY.

DEATHS EVERYDAY, DOUBLE DIGITS NOT ALWAYS EVERYDAY.

THIS DISEASE HAS NOT GONE AWAY BY ANY MEANS.

WE ARE BETTER OFF THAN THREE MONTHS AGO.

MOST OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES IS SEEING NUMBERS THAT ARE DOING OKAY LIKE THIS.

THE BIGGEST INCREASES ARE OCCURRING IN THE UPPER MIDWEST AND NORTHEAST.

OVER HALF OF THE STATES HAVE CASE NUMBERS GOING THE WRONG WAY.

WE ARE SPARED TO THIS POINT.

>> DON: HOW ENCOURAGED ARE YOU THAT THE NUMBERS ARE STABLE EVEN THAT THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE EXPIRED.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN EXPECTATION THAT THE NUMBERS WOULD GO UP AFTER THE MASK MANDATE EXPIRED?

>> FOR THOSE FOLKS VULNERABLE, IT'S THE SAME SITUATION WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE LAST YEAR.

IF YOU ARE A SENIOR, GET VACCINATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

YOU WANT TO USE CAUTION IN LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT AREN'T MASKED, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE NOT IN YOUR OWN HOUSEHOLD.

WE HAVE DISEASE EVERYDAY IN EVERY COUNTY OF THE STATE.

WE WANT TO PROTECT THOSE MOST VULNERABLE.

>> MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL WEARING MASKS.

MANY ARE NOT.

>> WE WEAR THEM.

CDC HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THERE ARE SITUATIONS PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO WEAR MASKS.

WE WANT THAT MESSAGE TO BE OUT THERE.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE INCENTIVIZED TO GET VACCINATED.

THERE ARE GOOD THINGS TO COME FROM BEING VACCINATED, NOT WEARING THE MASK ALL THE TIME.

UNTIL WE SEE A DECLINE IN THE DISEASE, IT MAKES SENSE TO WEAR IT IN CERTAIN SETTING, IN GROUPS OF PEOPLE INDOORS.

>> DON: IT'S WIDELY REPORTED THAT SOUTHERN STATES ARE SEEING STEEP DECLINES IN VACCINATION RATES.

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE ELUDED TO FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT ALABAMA'S STATS FOR VACCINATIONS?

>> IT'S CONCERNING.

WE REACHED THE POINT WE HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE.

NOT EVERY PERSON WATCHING THE SHOW MAY FEEL THAT WAY.

THEY HAVE VACCINATION, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING THERE IS ENOUGH VACCINE.

IF YOU NEED A SHOT, YOU CAN FIND IT FAIRLY EASILY IN EVERY COUNTY AND ALL COMMUNITIES THAT TEND TO HAVE THAT.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW THAT THERE IS LESS DEMAND THAN THERE WAS.

THERE WAS A PENT UP DEMAND THAT LED TO LONG LINES AND PEOPLE FOR A FEW MONTHS.

WE DON'T SEE THAT NOW.

WE HAVE OPEN APPOINTMENTS IN MANY RURAL LOCATIONS.

A LOT OF POLLING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THAT NATIONALLY, TRYING TO MAKE A DETERMINATION.

WE SEE UNFORTUNATELY A PARTISAN DIVIDE LIKE WE HAVE SEEN IN THINGS IN OUR COUNTRY IN THE LAST YEAR.

PEOPLE THAT IDENTIFY MORE AS CONSERVATIVE VOTERS INDICATE THEY ARE LESS WILLING TO TAKE A VACCINE.

WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE THE BEST INFORMATION THEY CAN AND MAKE THEM MAKE THE BEST DECISION THEY CAN.

>> SPEAKING OF STATISTICAL BREAKDOWNS, YOU MENTIONED A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT HAVE EXPRESSED THEY DON'T WANT SHOTS ARE SKEW POLITICALLY, WHITE AND RURAL RESIDENTS, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S A WIDELY RECOGNIZED PHENOMENON.

PEOPLE OF ANY DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP SKEPTICAL OF THE VACCINE, WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME GIVEN OUR HISTORY OF RACE RELATIONS IN THE STATE, SEEING HESITANCY IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, EXPECTING THEY MAY NOT TRUST STATE GOVERNMENT OR HEALTH IS SAYING ABOUT THE VACCINE.

WE WORKED TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT ON THAT.

I DON'T THINK WE THOUGHT ABOUT THE DEGREE ISSUE IN WHITE COMMUNITIES.

THAT WAS UNEXPECTED.

WE ARE TRYING TO WORK ON THE MESSAGING FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES AS WELL.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE POSITION OF TELLING PEOPLE WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO ABOUT A VACCINE.

PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THEMSELVES.

OUR MESSAGE IS PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

THERE IS POLLING THAT SAYS 90% OF DOCTORS THAT HAD THE VACCINE HAVE TAKEN IT THEMSELVES.

THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE A SAFE VACCINE.

FOR THOSE THAT FEEL IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR THEM, PLEASE TALK TO YOUR OWN DOCTOR TO FIND IF IT'S RIGHT FOR YOU.

>> DON: VACCINATION RATES, ALABAMA NOW HAS BEEN RANKED TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF STATES, AND THE RATE OF VACCINATIONS.

THE LAST NUMBERS I SAW HAD US RANKED SECOND TO THE BOTTOM AFTER GEORGIA.

I KNOW THE NUMBERS TAKE A LOT OF THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION OR THOSE THAT CONTEND IN NUMBERS IN STUDIES LIKE THAT ARE OVER SIMPLISTIC.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE FOLKS?

ALABAMA IS NEAR THE BOTTOM IN THE VACCINATION RATES.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

ALABAMA HAS NOT GOTTEN VACCINES OUT AS THOSE IN THE NORTHEAST AND THE STATES IN THE NORTH COAST.

THAT IS TRUE FOR THE U.S. STATES.

WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY RANKED WITH MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA AND LOUISIANA.

THOSE FIVE STATES TEND TO MAKE UP THE BOTTOM FIVE HOWEVER YOU WANT TO RANK THAT.

THIS IS NOT NEW WITH COVID VACCINATION?

THIS IS A HEALTH DISPARITY WE SEE WITH HEALTH INDICATORS.

THESE ARE THE FIVE OR SIX STATES RANKING NEAR THE BOTTOM WITH ANY OTHER HEALTH MEASUREMENT YOU CAN THINK OF.

IT'S TIED UP WITH THINGS WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE LESS ACCESS TO CARE IN RURAL AREAS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN POVERTY, PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A HIGH EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT MAKING THINGS GO TOGETHER TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN HEALTHCARE.

IN ONE SENSE, WE ARE NOT SURPRISED TO SEE WHERE WE RANK, THOUGH WE ARE TO DO BETTER.

>> YOU MENTIONED HESITANCY AROUND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

THINGS WERE GOING WELL ABOUT GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT AND THEIR RESPONSE.

>> WE ARE PLEASED WITH HOW THAT HAS GONE.

THE TOP SIX OR SEVEN COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE VACCINATED ARE IN THE ALABAMA BLACK BELT.

WE PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY.

NOT EVERYONE THAT DOESN'T SHOW UP FOR A VACCINE, SOMETIMES IT'S ACCESS TO CARE ISSUES.

YOU LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND DON'T HAVE A CAR, YOU CAN'T GET TO A CLINIC OR WAIT ALL DAY IN A VACCINATION CENTER.

THOSE ARE REASONS PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET A VACCINE.

WE ARE OVERCOMING A LOT OF THAT, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE HAVE VACCINE AVAILABLE.

WE BELIEVE ACCESS TO CARE IS LESS OF AN ISSUE THAN IT WAS.

>> DON: DOES IT CONCERN YOU THAT BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING LIKELIHOOD THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT THE SHOTS, MIGHT DELAY THE HERD IMMUNITY WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO?

>> IT'S NOT A MAGIC NUMBER WE HAVE TO HIT.

IT'S NOT LIKE WE HIT 3,000,000 SHOTS AND IT GOES AWAY.

IT'S SEEING THE DISEASE STOPPING BEING TRANSMITTED.

REALLY, THE CONSIDERATION WE HAVE IS, WE NEED TO GIVE SHOTS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

THE MORE PEOPLE WE GET VACCINATED THE QUICKER WE GET TO THE POINT, WHATEVER THE POINT IS.

>> WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON PRODUCT.

ALABAMA FOLLOWED THE LEAD OF MOST OTHER STATES PAUSING THE VACCINE.

MORE AND MORE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD ARE MOVING BACK TO IT NOW.

WE DON'T UNDERSTAND ESTIMATE THE HANDFUL OF CASES THAT CROPPED UP IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE BLOOD CLOTS WERE CONCERNED.

THE INSTANCE OF THAT IS STATISTICALLY RARE, SO MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE MOVING BACK TO IT AROUND THE WORLD, THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON PRODUCT.

AT THE SAME TIME, JOHNSON&JOHNSON WAS A SMALL PART OF OUR OVERALL VACCINE STRATEGY IN ALABAMA.

MAYBE IT DIDN'T PUT A HUGE DENT IN OUR EFFORT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAD GIVEN UNDER 4% OF THE VACCINES USING THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON PRODUCT.

WE PUSHED THAT TO A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS, THE PAUSE DELAYED THE NUMBER OF SITES AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO GET A VACCINE.

IT DIDN'T AFFECT THE OVERALL NUMBERS SO MUCH.

AS WE AWAIT THE FINAL GUIDANCE ABOUT WHERE THE VACCINE WILL FIT IN, IT'S CLEAR THAT IT WILL BE AVAILABLE.

IT WILL COME WITH WARNINGS AS OTHER VACCINES DO AS WELL.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION TALKING WITH THEIR MEDICAL PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING IT.

>> DO YOU THINK WHEN IT'S MORE WIDESPREAD THE WARNING LABEL MIGHT MAKE PEOPLE HESITATE?

>> I THINK IT WILL.

THE PUBLICITY DOES THAT.

THE CHANCE OF HAVING AN ADVERSE EVENT FROM JOHNSON&JOHNSON IS HALF OF THE CHANCE OF GETTING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING TODAY.

IT'S A RARE, UNCOMMON PHENOMENON, WE KNOW OF HALF A DOZEN MILLION SHOTS.

IT'S EXTRAORDINARILY UNLIKELY.

WE HOPE PEOPLE HEAR THAT PART AND NOT JUST THAT IT'S A RARE BUT REAL CHANCE OF CAUSING A PROBLEM.

>> JOHNSON&JOHNSON WAS ALWAYS ATTRACTIVE TO SOME PEOPLE BECAUSE I REQUIRED ONE SHOT.

>> THE PAUSE WAS DIFFICULT FOR US BECAUSE IT'S PART OF THE STRATEGY TO REACH POPULATIONS LIKE HOME BOUND PERSONS WHERE YOU ARE SENDING A TEAM FROM ONE HOUSE TO VACCINATE ONE PERSON ONE AT A TIME.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE A ONE SHOT PRODUCT.

WE HOPE THAT WE'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE THAT AGAIN.

IF WE CAN'T, WE'LL FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE DUE WITH THE OTHER PRODUCTS WE HAVE.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, WE CONTINUE TO SEE HOT SPOTS AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH COVID FLAIRUPS CONCERNED.

ALABAMA IS STILL LUCKY SO FAR.

>> WE ARE.

HALF OF THE COUNTRY IS SEEING CASES GO THEIR OWN WAY.

UPPER MIDWEST, MICHIGAN HIT HARD.

PARTS OF NEW ENGLAND ARE HIT HARD RIGHT NOW.

THE NUMBERS ARE NOT THE SAME AS A FEW MONTHS AGO FOR MOST OF US, BUT NOT HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK THE EMERGENCE OF VARIANTS IS THE THING WE EXPECTED TO SEE BUT WE ARE NOT READY TO PREDICT HOW WIDELY WE SEE THEM.

THEY ARE CAUSING A LOT OF CASES NOW.

>> I GUESS IT BEGS THE QUESTION, WILL OUR LUCK HOLD OUT?

THAT'S SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW.

>> IT'S A RACE AGAINST TIME.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO BE VACCINATED QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

WE NEED TO STOP WORRYING ABOUT GETTING THROUGH.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> DON: YOU BET.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> BIRMINGHAM NATIVE FANNIE FLAG KNOWN FOR HER NOVEL "FRIED GREEN TOMATOES" HAD A LONG CAREER IN ACTING BEFORE DEDICATING HERSELF TO WRITING.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES RESONATED WITH AUDIENCES.

THE NOVEL STAYED ON THE BEST SELLER LIST 36 WEEKS AND WAS ADAPTED INTO A MOVIE.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE A PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE WEEK, INCLUDING SCHEDULED HOUSE ACTION ON THE RECORD 7.6-BILLION-DOLLAR EDUCATION BUDGET ON TUESDAY, AND EXPECTED HOUSE ACTION LATER IN THE WEEK IN A MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL.

AND WE'LL BE JOINED BY THAT BILL'S SPONSOR, SENATOR TIM MELSON OF FLORENCE, WHO'LL DISCUSS THE BENEFITS, AS HE SEES THEM, OF MEDICINAL USE OF THE DRUG.

AND WE'LL BE JOINED BY DR. KEN FINN, A COLORADO PHYSICIAN AND OUTSPOKEN OPPONENT OF LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.