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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WAS BACK IN ACTION TODAY AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET FOR THE 24TH LEGISLATIVE DAY.

CONTINUING OUR COUNTDOWN, THAT LEAVES US WITH SIX MORE POSSIBLE LEGISLATIVE DAYS REMAINING IN THE SESSION.

WE'LL START TONIGHT'S COVERAGE WITH RENEWED CALLS FOR HELPING MORE ALABAMA PARENTS AFFORD CHILDCARE AND THUS REMOVING A BARRIER FROM THEM ENTERING THE WORKFORCE.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WERE JOINED BY ADVOCATES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY AS THEY URGED THE SENATE TO PASS LEGISLATION OFFERING TAX INCENTIVES FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE.

>> IT'S AMAZING TO ME, ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH, 50% OF THE MOTHERS CONSIDER LEAVING THE WORK FORCE BECAUSE OF CHILD CARE.

THAT'S AMAZING.

OVER 85,000 FAMILIES IN OUR STATE NEED SOME TYPE OF CHILD CARE SO IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THAT THESE WOMEN ARE WANTING TO GET BACK IN THE WORK FORCE.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE PAYING $12,000 A YEAR OR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THAT, FOR CHILD CARE, AND YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF KIDS.

IT MAKES IT HARD.

YOU ARE TALKING TWO KIDS.

THAT'S $24,000, AND YOU GOT TO PAY FOR UTILITIES, GAS, AND OVERHEAD FOR FAMILIES AND FOR A SINGLE MOM IT'S A LOT.

IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

>> AND IN THE PARTICIPATION RATE, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A WAY, A PATHWAY FOR FAMILIES TO RE-ENTER THE WORK FORCE.

THIS IS THE PERFECT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO REALLY GET US, MAKE US STRONGER THAN WE'VE EVER BEEN BEFORE.

I KNOW THAT WORK FORCE PARTICIPATION HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE STATE AND ACROSS THE NATION.

AND I DO THINK THAT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS GOING TO HELP FAMILIES GET BACK INTO THE WORK FORCE AND HELP BUSINESSES TO BE ABLE TO BUILD OUT A FACILITY ON-SITE OR PARTNER WITH A PROVIDER IN ORDER TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CHILD CARE.

AND THEN, THE CREDITS WILL ALSO HELP THOSE WORKING FAMILIES BE ABLE TO GET SOME MONEY TOWARD PAYING FOR CHILD CARE.

SO, THE ACCESSIBILITY, AFFORDABILITY IS IMPORTANT, AND THEN, THE QUALITY.

>> HOUSE BILL 358, THE CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT HAS PASSED THE HOUSE AND IS NOW AWAITING ACTION IN SENATE COMMITTEE.

I'LL TALK IN MORE DETAIL ON THIS ISSUE WITH SENATE SPONSOR SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER LATER IN THE SHOW.

SPEAKING OF THE WORKFORCE ISSUE, THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES IS ROLLING OUT SEVERAL INITIATIVES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

THESE PROGRAMS TARGET VARIOUS GROUPS, FROM ASPIRING COLLEGE STUDENTS TO CITIZENS WITH PRIOR INCARCERATION, AIMING TO SECURE SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT.

INITIATIVES INCLUDE THE SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, THE CHILD CARE TRAINING PROGRAM, AND TRANSITION TO EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

THE GOAL IS TO BOLSTER ALABAMA'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION AND DECREASE RELIANCE ON STATE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS.

>> TO BEING MORE INVOLVED AS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND WORK FORCE AND SKILLS TRAINING.

IT DOESN'T ALL COME IN SEMESTERS OF THINGS OR LIKE THAT.

SOMETIMES IT'S LONGER, SOMETIMES IT'S LESS THAN A SEMESTER.

WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF FINDING A WAY SO THAT EVERY PERSON CAN BE PREPARED TO SUCCEED IN THE WORK PLACE.

>> GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT IN THE WORLD AS WE ALL KNOW, WHEN THEY GET OUT, OPPORTUNITIES ARE VERY SLIM.

BEING ABLE TO HAVE A SKILL-SET, BEING ABLE TO HAVE A JOB, BEING ABLE TO SUCCEED AND HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND GIVING THEM A PATH TO SUCCESSION.

>> NOW TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , WHERE LAWMAKERS DEBATED THE ISSUE OF UNIONIZATION.

SENATE BILL 231 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WOULD PROHIBIT ANY ECONOMIC INCENTIVE DOLLARS FROM GOING TO COMPANIES THAT VOLUNTARILY RECOGNIZE A UNION WITHOUT A VOTE AMONG WORKERS.

MAJORITY LEADER SCOTT STADTHAGEN CARRIED THE BILL IN THE HOUSE AND ARGUED IT WOULD NOT IMPACT CURRENT COMPANIES WHO ALREADY HAVE A UNION, BUT IT WOULD SERVE AS A DETERRENT TO THOSE WHO'S WORKERS ARE CONSIDERING UNIONIZATION RIGHT NOW NAMELY MERCEDES AND HYUNDAI.

>> SB231.

GIVES THE EMPLOYEES AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON A PRIVATE BALLOT AND DOES NOT EFFECT INDUSTRIES VOTING THE WAY THEY ARE.

IT'S FOR FUTURE, AFTER THE BILL IS SIGNED.

I'M WONDERING, WHAT'S GOING ON THAT'S FORCING TUESDAY GET TO THIS POINT.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK.

WE ALREADY HAVE, YOU SAY, THE OPTION FOR SECRET BALLOTS.

>> YEAH, THE EMPLOYER CAN DECIDE IF IT'S CARD CHECKED OR PRIVATE.

THIS BASICALLY SAYS THE EMPLOYEE HAS A PRIVATE VOTE.

AND DON'T YOU -- I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE EMPLOYEE.

I THINK THEY WOULD LIKE THAT.

>> OKAY.

DO YOU SUPPORT THE UNIONS.

>> THAT'S IRRELEVANT TO THE BILL.

>> IT'S A UNION BILL.

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON UNIONS?

>> MY THOUGHTS.

IT DEPENDS ON THE UNION.

WE'VE HAD UNIONS PART OF THE STATE FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THEY HAVE WORKED VERY WELL.

>> THAT BILL PASSED, BUT WAS AMENDED SO IT WILL GO BACK TO THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE ALSO DEBATED THE ISSUE OF SEXUAL CONTENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

LAST YEAR, THE STATE ENACTED A LAW PROHIBITING CONTENT THAT WAS NOT AGE APPROPRIATE FROM BEING TAUGHT IN GRADES K-5.

HOUSE BILL 130 FROM REPRESENTATIVE MACK BUTLER WOULD PROHIBIT INSTRUCTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION FROM KINDERGARTEN TO TWELFTH GRADE.

THE BILL WAS AMENDED IN COMMITTEE TO ALSO PROHIBIT PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FROM DISPLAYING A FLAG OR OTHER INSIGNIA REPRESENTING A GENDER IDEOLOGY.

.

>> WELL, IT'S EXTENDS THE PROBATION OF TEACHING ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY, OR FROM THE FIFTH GRADE TO THE 12TH GRADE.

AND REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND HAS THIS TO TAKE TO THE EIGHTH GRADE.

WE CONSIDER IT'S A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

SO, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT, K-8.

>> I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TEXTING ME, TWEETING ME OR IGING ME FOR SAYING I VOTED FOR NOTHING CRAZY LIKE THIS.

MY BELIEF IS, YOU CAN PASS WHATEVER BILL YOU WANT TO IN THIS HOUSE, I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE BUT UNTIL WE REGULATE THESE IN THE HANDS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE SCHOOL-AGED, YOU CAN RUN AROUND ANY BILL AROUND ANY EDUCATOR THAT YOU WANT.

AND THE MOST DEADLY WEAPON THAT A CHILD HAS.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT.

>> IS THERE CELL PHONE.

>> AFTER A LENGTHY DEBATE, THAT BILL PASSED AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

ON TO THE THE SENATE, WHERE THE FIRST BILL ON THE AGENDA SAW TROUBLE OUT THE GATE.

SENATE BILL 135, FROM SENATOR ANDREW JONES, WOULD ESTABLISH AN INTEGRATED NETWORK FOR VETERANS HEALTH CARE SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TOWARD MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION.

BUT TWO SENATORS, WHO ARE VETERANS THEMSELVES, OBJECTED TO THE BILL SAYING IT WOULD DUPLICATE SERVICES AND POSSIBLE RUN UP UNSUSTAINABLE COSTS.

THE BILL WAS CARRIED OVER, WHICH ANGERED JONES, BECAUSE HE NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO EXPLAIN IT.

>> YOU CAN'T CREATE OR HELP PEOPLE GET THROUGH THE LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT WHEN YOU ADD ANOTHER LAYER.

THIS, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

>> MOTION TO CARRY OVER.

>> TALK TO THE FISCAL OFFICER.

.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NO.

I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP DISCUSSING.

>> THE AYES HAVE IT AND IT'S CARRIED OVER.

>> FRANKLY, I'M APPALLED THAT MY COLLEAGUES WOULD USE THE TACTICS TO CARRY IT OVER.

>> SENATOR JONES -- HOLD ON, WE DON'T HAVE A DISCUSSION ON POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GO TO THE NEXT BILL.

>> CAN I FINISH MY POINT?

>> WELL, WE CAN'T ATTACK OTHER SENATORS ON THE FLOOR.

RIGHT?

ALL RIGHT.

>> I JUST ASKED IF ANYBODY HAS CONCERNS, PLEASE COME TO ME AND TALK ABOUT THEM.

BECAUSE THIS WAS A BILL THAT WAS WORKED OUT AND AGREED TO BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, BY ALL OF THE PROVIDERS; AND THE HOUSE SPONSOR AND I.

>> THE BILL COULD COME BACK UP, BUT IT WOULD TAKE UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE SENATE BODY.

THE SENATE ALSO TOOK UP AND QUICKLY PASSED A BILL TO ADJUST ALABAMA'S ELECTION QUALIFICATION DEADLINE SO THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DOESN'T GET LEFT OF THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

THE ISSUE IS THAT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION WON'T OFFICIALLY NOMINATE BIDEN UNTIL AFTER ALABAMA'S STATUTORY QUALIFICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED.

BUT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SEEM TO ALL AGREE ON SENATE BILL 324 FROM SENATOR MERIKA COLEMAN THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.

>> WE WOULD NOT EVEN BE ABLE TO DROP THE BILL TO MAKE SURE THE ENTIRE CAUCUS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE COSPONSOR.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THAT.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO GET A CHANCE TO TO SUPPORT THE CANDIDATE OF YOUR CHOICE.

>> I THINK THAT WE HAVE OPEN AND TRUE AND SOLID DEBATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY IN ALABAMA, BUT IN AMERICA.

AND THE IDEA THAT WE WOULD MAKE SURE, AS HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST, IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, REPUBLICANS NEEDED SUPPORT ON A PARTICULAR THEME RELATED TO ALLOWING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO MAKE THE APPROPRIATE TIMING, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I SUPPORT THIS.

I KNOW THAT I HAVE GOTTEN WORD FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AT THE STATE LEVEL, THEY SUPPORT IT AS WELL.

I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE THIS QUICKLY.

>> WHEN WE COME BACK, MY INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER ABOUT CHILDCARE TAX CREDITS, THE GAMBLING ISSUE, AND WHAT'S NEXT ON OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING.

STAY WITH US.

>> TODD STACY: WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER FROM ANNISTON.

WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUE HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE, ESPECIALLY THIS SESSION.

WE WANTED TO START WITH THE CHILD CARE TAX CREDITS.

YOU SPONSORED THIS ALONGSIDE WITH ANTHONY DANIELS.

IT'S A BROADER AGENDA OF WORK FORCE BILLS.

AND THIS REALLY SEEMS TO HIT HOME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND AFTER, CHILD CARE REALLY CAME INTO FOCUS AS TERMS OF A BARRIER TO THE WORK FORCE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK, AND THEY GO BACK TO WORK AND THEY GET THEIR PAYCHECK AND WHAT THEY DO IS PAY FOR CHILD CARE.

SO, WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE A TAX CREDIT SO THEY CAN GO TO WORK, GET A PAYCHECK AND STILL PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND FOOD ON THE TABLE.

YOU SHOULDN'T, HAVING BE AN ALABAMIAN IN TODAY'S SOCIETY GOING TO WORK VERSUS BEING ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

SO I KNOW THIS IS A TAX CREDIT SYSTEM?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> WELL, THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT, A NUMBER OF THEM LICENSED THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THEN TO THE EMPLOYER, EMPLOYERS AND SUCH BUILDING FROM THAT.

THAT GIVES DIFFERENT WAYS TO GIVE THE DIFFERENT TAX CREDITS BACK TO HELP THE ALABAMIANS TRYING TO GET BACK TO WORK.

ESPECIALLY WOMEN.

WHAT WE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF HB-838 WOMEN WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK AND ARE NOT ABLE, ESPECIALLY SINGLE WOMEN.

AND THIS IS A WAY FOR THEM TO GET BACK INTO THE WORK FORCE.

SOUNDS LIKE OVERWHELMINGLY THEY WANT TO.

AND INTERESTING TO US, YOU CAN SEE THE NEED, IF YOU GO TO INDUSTRY, SMALL BUSINESS, EVEN BIG BOX.

NUMBER ONE THING WE HEAR, WE NEED MORE WORKERS, MORE SKILLED WORKERS.

AND SO, WOMEN NEED TO BE THERE.

AND THIS BILL BRINGS A WHOLE NEW SET OF WORKERS INTO THE SCENE.

AND THAT'S THE WHOLE THING THEN.

>> WELL, IF THERE WAS A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE, YEAH, WE'LL INVEST IN CHILD CARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

ARE THEY RESPENTIVE TO THAT IN TERMS OF THE IDEA?

>> RIGHT, YES.

THEY UNDERSTAND THAT INVESTING IN THAT, THEY HAVE BETTER QUALITY OF WORKERS AND PRODUCTS COMING OUT AND GIVING PEACE OF MIND TO THE MOTHERS AND FATHERS ALLOWING THEIR CHILDREN TO BE AT A LICENSED DAY CARE WHERE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT IN THE PAST.

SO, NOT ONLY PROVIDING FOR THE FAMILY, GET A PAYCHECK, TAKING CARE OF THE BASIC NEEDS FOR THE FAMILY BUT THEY KNOW THAT THEIR CHILD IS TAKEN CARE OF IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT EACH DAY WHEN THEY COME BACK TO WORK.

>> SO, IT'S MR. DANIELS BILL MOVED IN THE HOUSE, THE HOUSE PASSED THAT LATE LAST WEEK.

AND NOW IN THE SENATE.

WE ARE WE IN THE PROCESS?

WE ONLY HAVE SIX DAYS LEFT.

>> WELL, PROBABLY TWO TO THREE WEEKS DEPENDING ON HOW WE USE THE DAYS.

AND SENATOR ARTHUR ORR COMMITTEE AND WE'RE PASSING THE BUDGET THIS WEEK.

CHANCES ARE, NEXT WEEK.

BUT THERE'S AN ARMY OF PEOPLE IN THE SENATE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S GETS ON THE SENATE FLOOR FOR NEXT WEEK.

>> IT PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY IN THE HOUSE.

THIS IDEA HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

I KNOW YOU WORKED ON IT.

THERE WAS SOME PUSH BACK JUST ON TAX CREDITS IN GENERAL.

SO MANY THINGS GET WRAPPED UP INTO THE TAX CREDITS.

LITTLE THINGS AND SO THERE'S AN IDEA FROM SOME THAT, OH, WE'RE GETTING LOW ON THE SKIS IN OFFERING TAX CREDIT.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE CRITICISM THAT WEIGHS IN ON THIS?

DO YOU THINK IT'S A BARRIER TO GET IT PASSED?

>> WELL, YEAH, PART OF OUR JOB IS THE MONEY WE SPEND, WORKING IN A WISE DIRECTION.

SO, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT 30,000-FOOT VIEW, WHERE'S ALABAMA, WHERE'S OUR BUDGET.

NUMBER TWO, WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED MORE WORKERS IN THE WORK FORCE AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GO AHEAD AND PLACE THE TAX CREDIT IN.

WE TRY TO MAKE A BALANCE WHERE ONE OF THE LARGEST TAX CREDITS ON THE BOOKS WILL COME OFF IN A YEAR AND A HALF.

SO, WE'RE NOT DUPLICATING ON TOP OF ONE IN PLACE, HURTING THE FINANCIAL STRESS THAT'S ON ALABAMA OR COULD BE FINANCIAL STRESS ON ALABAMA.

BUT WAITING UNTIL THAT TAKES OFF BEFORE THE BILL IS IMPLEMENTED SO WE'RE NOT DOUBLING UP INTO THE TAX CREDITS.

>> OBVIOUSLY, YOU PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THAT TIMELINE.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE OPIOID COMMISSION.

YOU HAVE CO-CHAIRED THAT AND YOU HAVE HAD LOTS OF LONG MEETINGS WHERE FROM THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS.

OF COURSE, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE 250 MILLION, MAYBE MORE THAN THAT NOW.

>> MORE THAN THAN THAT.

>> 350 OR MORE MILLION THEN.

AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS NEGOTIATED FROM THE OPIOID PRODUCERS AND IT'S MEANT TO GO TOWARD A LOT OF THINGS, PREVENTION, MITIGATION, AND ALL OF THESE THINGS.

BUT ANOTHER COMMITTEE IS WORKING AND NOW A BILL HAS BEEN FILED BY YOUR COLLEAGUE, YOUR CO-CHAIR REX REYNOLDS.

TALK ABOUT THIS AND WHAT YOU AGREED ON IN TERMS OF WHERE TO GO.

>> EACH YEAR, THE PARTICULAR MONEY THAT YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT, WE'VE HAD VERY, VERY LONG MEETINGS, FOUR OR FIVE HOURS AT A TIME LISTENING TO EVERYBODY THAT HAS COME TO WANT TO PRESENT FROM UAB SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO AUBURN, ALABAMA, AND TONS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT CAME TO TALK TO US ABOUT PREVENTION AND TREATMENT IN THEIR OWN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS.

THROUGH THAT, WE SAID WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT.

IT EFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH.

AND WE'VE CREATED A FUND WITHIN MENTAL HEALTH AND LOTS OF THE SMALLER AGENCIES WOULD HAVE THAT MONEY TO GO THROUGH AND APPLY FOR GRANTS TO APPLY FOR THE TREATMENT.

THE MONEY YOU TALKED ABOUT IS GOING TO BE SPREAD OUT OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD.

EACH YEAR WE TRY TO SPEND $30 MILLION AND THAT GOES AGAIN FOR EACH YEAR AS RECURRING COSTS COME UP.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN PRODUCTIVE AND YOU HAVE A RETURN ON THE RATE OF THE MONEY WE'VE GIVEN YOU, HOW YOU TOOK IT AND IMPLEMENT IT INTO THE STATE PLAN THEN YOU CAN COME BACK THE FOLLOWING YEAR FOR MORE MONEY.

IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD WORK AND DIDN'T, WE'LL TAKE THAT MONEY AND PUT IT IN ANOTHER AREA, MENTAL HEALTH OR SUICIDE PREVENTION OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> TODD STACY: IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE DID A WHOLE SHOW ABOUT PREVENTION AND TREATMENT.

AND WHAT I LEARNED FROM THAT, THIS IS AS Y'ALL'S MEETINGS WERE GETTING STARTED.

A LOT OF MONEY HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS HOW THE RESOURCES ARE APPLIED.

A LITTLE BIT OF ACCOUNTABILITY IS IMPORTANT.

AND THEY USED THAT OLD TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEY ALL AT ONCE AND NOT ON RELATED THINGS.

MAYBE YOU ARE TRYING TO AVOID THAT HISTORICAL MESS.

>> I THINK IT'S PART OF NEEDS IN 10 YEARS FROM NOW WHAT THEY WERE 10 YEARS AGO, VERSUS TODAY AND IN 10 YEARS.

I THINK IT WAS SMART FOR REX REYNOLDS, GENERAL CHAIR IN THE HOUSE, YOU KNOW, SPREAD IT OUT, TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF FUNDING AND HAVE A PLAN THAT WE IMPLEMENT FROM GOING RIGHT NOW FORWARD 10 YEARS AND SPREAD THE MONEY OUT, SEE WHAT WORKS PUT THE MONEY THERE, AND WHAT DOESN'T WORK, READJUST AND MAKING SURE OUR MONEY GETS A RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT.

INTO THE RURAL AND URBAN SETTINGS, LIKE I SAID, EVERY ASPECT OF PREVENTION AND TREATMENT.

>> WHOLE POINT OF THE MONEY, ISN'T THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND ANOTHER ISSUE, YOU ARE ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TASKED WITH COMING UP WITH A COMPROMISE -- >> IN MY SPARE TIME.

>> AND THE GAMBLING ISSUE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE TWO BODIES, CHAMBERS, LAN HAD FAR APART IN TERMS OF WHAT'S PASSIBLE BY BOTH BODIES AND NOT AN EASY TASK FOR THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

MEMBERS FROM THE HOUSE, MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE.

YOU ARE ONE OF THEM.

CAN WE EXPECT SOMEBODY TO REPORT OUT ON THAT AND WHAT'S THE TIMELINE?

>> I'M OPTIMISTIC ON IT.

WE'VE DRAFTED TWO BILLS, OBVIOUSLY, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND THE ENABLING AND WE'VE ASKED THEM TO DO THAT ON BOTH BILLS AND WE'RE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THE HOUSE PLACED IN VERSUS WHAT THE SENATE PLACED IN.

AND TALK ABOUT EACH ONE, SEE ONE IS BEST.

WE'RE HAVING THE PUBLIC FORUM TOMORROW AND WE'LL GO THROUGH IT WITH THE LSA AND SEE WHAT WE AGREE UPON, DISAGREE UPON.

AND WHAT WE AGREE UPON, WE'VE GOT THAT HANDLED.

WHAT WE DISAGREE ON IS WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD AND WE'LL HAVE GOOD DISCUSSION.

I THINK PEOPLE WANT IT TO COME OUT 0.

I THINK PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE ON A LOTTERY AND PART OF THAT IS WHAT'S ATTACHED TO THE LOTTERY.

IS IT SPORTS BETTING, CASINOS, IS IT NEITHER ONE.

AND ALL IN THE DISTRICTS ARE CALLING THE LEGISLATORS TELLING THEM WHAT THEY WANT.

AND SO WIRE LISTENING AND OUR JOB IS TO LISTEN AND TRY TO MERGE THAT ALL TOGETHER.

>> WELL, CONFRERE AND IT'S JUST THREE OF YOU, SENATE BODY AND YOU ARE REALLY HAVING TO SPEAK TO THEM AND GO BACK AND FORTH SEEING, IS THIS TOO MUCH, IS THIS TOO FAR.

SEEMS LIKE A PROCESS, MAYBE A LOT OF TRUST INVOLVED IN YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS TO YOU AS A CONFRERE.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT FOR ME TO BE A CONFRERE AND I BELIEVE THERE'S WORK BACK AND FORTH, MY COLLEAGUES, IN THE BACK BELT, WIRE GRASS OR SANDY BEACHES OF THE COAST OR NORTH ALABAMA OR NASA FOR THAT MATTER.

BUT FROM THAT, EVERYBODY HAS A OPINION TO AGREE UPON.

AND HOW CAN WE MAKE IT FOR THE BEST BILL AND ONCE WE CREATED THE BILL, CHANCES ARE, IT'S NOT COMING BACK UP BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S SET UP, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, NOT JUST IN THE PAST, TO CHANGE THIS.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THE BEST RESULTS FOR ALABAMA, ALL ALABAMIANS THAT ARE GOING TO BE USING THIS OR NOT USING THIS.

>> WHILE I HAVE, I ALSO WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING.

YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS AS WELL WITH SENATOR ELLIOTT WHO BROUGHT HIS BIG MASSIVE BILL.

WE TALK ABOUT THAT, IT'S THE WAY THING, YOU HAVE TO SAY THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND TAKES A WHILE.

BUT IT WOULD BE A MASSIVE CHANGE IN STATE GOVERNMENT ARGUABLY IN TERMS OF DUPLICATION AND WHAT YOU STUMBLED UPON IN YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THIS SORT OF COTTAGE INDUSTRY OF LOBBYISTS AND WHAT NOT.

GOT CARRIED OVER ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

ANY CHANCE OF THAT COMING BACK?

OR DO YOU HAVE TO LOOK FOR NEXT YEAR?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR FOR FINAL PASSAGE.

SENATOR ELLIOTT FIRST OF ALL, DESERVES A LOT OF PATS ON THE BACK HOW MUCH HE BROUGHT TO THE TABLE, KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HE DUG IN THE BILL.

I BELIEVE ON THE BILL AND I'M ON SUNSET.

THAT GOES THROUGH THE BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES AND ONE BY ONE THEY HAVE TO COME AT LEAST ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS.

AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

BUT ANYBODY THAT HAS A JOB IN ALABAMA, WHATEVER OCCUPATION THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE FOR THAT PARTICULAR JOB.

AND SOME LICENSING BOARDS SAY THEY ARE STATE GOVERNMENT BUT THEY ARE SO FAR REMOVED NO ONE IS TAKE PAYING ATTENTION TO THEM.

SOME GET $40 MILLION AND THEY ARE GOING UP 5% ON THE LICENSES.

AND THEN YOU HAVE SOME WORKING OUT OF THEIR HOUSE ON A SHOE BOX.

SO, THE KEY FOR US IS CONSISTENCY AND INTEGRITY AND KNOWING THAT IT'S PART OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NOT A THIRD PART MAKING MONEY.

>> NO SHORTAGE OF ISSUES FOR SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW!

>> I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME.

>> TODD STACY: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TODD STACY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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