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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE 15TH LEGISLATIVE DAY, BRINGING US TO THE HALFWAY POINT OF THIS 2023 REGULAR SESSION.

AND LEADING THE NEWS TONIGHT IS THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW PROPOSAL TO CUT SALES TAXES ON GROCERIES.

STATE SENATOR ANDREW JONES PARTNERED WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH TO INTRODUCE SENATE BILL 257, WHICH WOULD GRADUALLY CUT THE STATE'S 4% SALES TAX ON MOST GROCERY ITEMS TO 2$.

SPECIFICALLY, IT WOULD REDUCE THAT STATE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES BY HALF A PERCENT EACH YEAR BEGINNING THIS FALL UNTIL THE RATE IS 2%.

THE BILL ALSO HAS FISCAL GUARDRAILS.

THE TAX REDUCTION WOULD BE PAUSED IF OVERALL TAX REVENUE GROWTH IN THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, TO WHICH SALES TAX RECEIPTS FLOW, FELL BELOW 2%.

THAT'S TO ENSURE THERE IS NO REVENUE LOSS ON FUNDS GOING TOWARD EDUCATION.

THE BILL IS CO-SPONSORED BY EVERY MEMBER OF THE SENATE, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

>> SO THIS WILL HAVE A BENEFIT FOR EVERYONE ON THIS.

WE ARE ONE OF THREE STATES THAT TAX GROCERIES.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR A WHILE.

IT WILL CUT THE GROCERY TAX IN HALF, $304 MILLION.

A BIG CUT.

IT DOES IT OVER FOUR YEARS AND CERTAINLY SMART TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE GROWTH IN THE ETF AND I THINK PEOPLE REALIZE THE TIME IS NOW TO DO THIS.

WHEN I SERVED IN THE HOUSE WE WANTED TO DO IT AND WE COULDN'T FROM A FISCAL POINT AND NOW WE CAN AND WE WANT TO GIVE EVERYONE IN ALABAMA A TAX RELIEF.

>> I COSPONSORED THE BILL.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TALKED TO ME ABOUT IT.

I HAVE ANOTHER VERSION OF THE BILL.

I'M SUPPORTING IT.

I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IT.

AND I WANT PEOPLE TO GET RELIEF.

I THINK MY VERSION IS BETTER BECAUSE IT'S MORE IMMEDIATE AND WE ARE REPLACING FUNDS AND NOT LOSING FUNDS FROM THE ETF BUT ANY TYPE OF RELIEF THAT THE FOLKS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA CAN GET I WILL SUPPORT AND BE BEHIND.

>> JONES ESTIMATES IT WILL AMOUNT TO SAVINGS OF 250 TO $200 FOR AN AVERAGE ALABAMA FAMILY.

ITEMS THAT QUALIFY ARE THOSE LISTED AS FOOD AS THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PLAN WHICH IS THE GENEROUS DEFINITION.

I'LL SPEAK TO SENATOR JONES LATER IN THE SHOW.

MEANWHILE THE SENATE TOOK UP AND PASSED SENATE BILL 154 DEALING WITH THE STATE'S DOCTOR SHORTAGE.

STATE SENATOR APRIL WEAVER SAID THE STATE'S HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE IS UNDER STRAIN FROM RETIREMENTS, PHYSICIAN BURNOUT AND GROWING HEALTH CARE NEEDS.

THE "“PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE ACT"” STREAMLINES THE LICENSURE PROCESS AT THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND IS MEANT TO HELP RECRUIT MORE DOCTORS AND BETTER UTILIZE ALABAMA'S EXISTING PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE.

>> WE WANT MORE DOCTORS TO PRACTICE IN ALABAMA.

WE NEED TO MAKE OUR STATE MORE WELCOMING TO DOCTORS, AND THIS BILL DOES JUST THAT.

>> THE SENATE HAD A SPECIAL VISITOR TODAY IN AUBURN HEAD BASKETBALL COACH BRUCE PEARL.

PEARL WAS IN THE STATE HOUSE MARKING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.

THE SENATE PASSED A SPECIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THAT MILESTONE AND CELEBRATING IS CONNECTION TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

PEARL LAST YEAR TOOK HIS TEAM TO ISRAEL TO EXPERIENCE THE HOLY LAND.

INVITED TO SPEAK ON THE SENATE FLOOR, THE COACH SPOKE OF THE SPECIAL BOND BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

>> BY THE WAY, YES, WE DID PLAY THE ISRAELI NATIONAL TEAM AND WE DID ALMOST BEAT THEM.

THE PROBLEM WAS THE OFFICIALS WERE ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB, AND WE COULDN'T GET A CALL.

HERE'S WHY I TOOK MY TEAM TO ISRAEL.

I BROUGHT MY TEAM THERE BECAUSE I WANTED THEM TO SEE WHERE JESUS WALKED.

I WANTED THEM TO SEE THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE WHERE HE WAS BETRAYED.

AS A BASKETBALL COACH, MY JOB IS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT I DO.

I LOOK AT ISRAEL AS THE GREATEST PLACE WE CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

GRATEFUL THAT THE CAPITAL JERUSALEM IS NOW A PLACE WHERE ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY CAN GO AND PRAY AND VISIT AND GET CLOSER TO OUR FATHER GOD.

IT'S TRULY AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE HERE.

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY WITH ALL OF MY HEART.

I LOVE THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> DOWN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THERE WAS LOTS OF DISCUSSION ABOUT PROPOSAL TO EXPAND ALABAMA'S MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE TO APPLY TO THOSE WHO SELL OR DISTRIBUTE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE THAT RESULTS IN A FATAL OVERDOSE.

HOUSE BILL 82 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE WOULD EXPAND THE CLASS B FELONY CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER - WHICH CARRIES WITH IT A SENTENCE OF 2-20 YEARS IMPRISONMENT - TO INCLUDE THOSE WHO "“RECKLESSLY"” CAUSE THE DEATH OF ANOTHER PERSON BY SELLING OR DISTRIBUTING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NAMES 30 DRUGS AS BEING CONSIDERED CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, WITH SOME OF THE MORE COMMON EXAMPLES BEING AMPHETAMINES, FENTANYL, COCAINE AND OXYCODONE.

>> WHAT THIS BILL SAYS IS IF YOU ARE SELLING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, OXYCODONE OR ANY NARCOTIC AND YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST AND YOU KILL SOMEBODY, YOU CAN BE CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER.

>> WE JUST PASSED A BILL THAT DEALS WITH THE FACT THAT FENTANYL KILLS PEOPLE.

WE OUGHT TO ALSO KNOW THERE ARE OTHER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THAT DO LIKE WISE.

THIS IS NOT AN EASY BILL FOR A DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO PROVE.

YOU HAVE TO PROVE THE INDIVIDUAL DIED.

YOU HAVE TO PROVE THE INDIVIDUAL DIED BY VIRTUE OF INGESTING THIS PARTICULAR MATERIAL AND THEN YOU HAVE TO PROVE WHO GAVE IT TO HIM.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO PROVE.

MURDER, MANSLAUGHTER CASES SHOULD NOT BE EASY TO PROVE.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

NEVERTHELESS, I SUPPORT THE BILL BECAUSE I THINK THAT IT IS A REASONABLE CONSEQUENCE AND A REASONABLE EXTENSIONS OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AROUND HERE, WHICH IS PREVENT PEOPLE FROM DYING.

>> THE BILL PASSED BY A VOTE OF 88-11.

THE HOUSE ALSO MARKED A SIGNIFICANT DAY IN ALABAMA HISTORY.

IT WAS ON APRIL 27, 2011 THAT AN OUTBREAK OF TORNADOES STRUCK THE STATE KILLING 253 PEOPLE.

BEFORE ADJOURNMENT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYN GIVAN ASKED FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF THOSE LIVES LOST.

>> 2011, MANY OF US HERE WERE ACTUALLY DEBATING AN OCCUPATIONAL TAX BILL AT THAT TIME.

JOHN MERRILL WAS STILL IN THE HOUSE AND REPRESENTATIVE HILL WHO IS NOW IN THE BANKING DIVISION, WE USED IT AS A STALL FACTOR TO ADJOURN OR RECESS FOR THE DAY, THE WEATHER.

ONLY TO REALIZE IT WAS -- ACTUALLY I SEE FOLKS IN HERE REMEMBERING, SHAKING THEIR HEADS, ONLY TO GET TO A POINT BY THE TIME WE GOT TO OUR HOTELS ONE OF THE MOST DEVASTATING TORNADOES TOUCHED DOWN IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND ULTIMATELY KILLED 250 ALABAMIANS, HITTING TUSCALOOSA AND PRATT CITY, CAMPBELL AND OTHERS WITH COMPLETE DEVASTATION.

SO, IF YOU WOULD IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 2011, APRIL 27TH STORM, JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO REMEMBER THOSE VICTIMS AND LIVES LOST.

[ SILENCE ] THANK YOU, MEMBERS.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

>> SURE.

THANKS.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

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KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS ANDREW JONES FROM GADSDEN.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, TODD.

>> BIG DAY FOR YOU.

WE HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATING THE BILL YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON GROCERY SALES TAX DROPPING.

IT DROPPED TODAY.

YOU HAVE LEGISLATION WITH 35 COSPONSORS -- I GUESS 34 COSPONSORS, A TOTAL OF 35 SPONSORS ON A BILL AIMED TO CUT SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

IN TRUTH, I HAVEN'T READ YOUR BILL, ONLY SEEN THE HIGHLIGHTS.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT IT DOES.

>> IT IS A BIG DAY FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN TALKED AND DREAMED ABOUT FOR DECADES.

IT WOULD REDUCE THE TAX FROM 4% TO 2 THROUGH A GRADUAL PHASEOUT.

IT WOULD NOT OCCUR IF THERE WAS NOT 2% ANNUAL GROWTH IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET EACH YEAR FOR THE DRAWDOWN.

WE ARE MAKING SURE THE EDUCATION BUDGET, THE CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION IS PROTECTED THROUGH THE PROCESS.

THAT'S THE KEY MAKEUP OF THE BILL.

IT IS A GRADUAL DRAW DOWN THAT IS COGNIZANT OF THE ECONOMIC TIMES WE ARE LIVING IN.

>> PREVIOUS GROCERY TAX PROPOSALS HAVE SOT SOME REVENUE REPLACEMENT.

THAT'S THE WHOLE GAIN.

THESE SALES TAXES EVEN ON GROCERIES GO TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

THAT'S THE REASON SALES TAX HASN'T PASSED THE LAST 20 YEARS.

PREVIOUS PROPOSALS HAVE SAID, OKAY IF IT WILL COST 400 MILLION, 500 MILLION, HOWEVER MUCH FROM THE ETF WE WILL MAKE IT UP IN OTHER WAYS.

SOMETIMES THE ELIMINATION OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS AND OTHER WAYS TO MAKE IT UP.

THIS DOESN'T DO THAT.

THIS IS BASICALLY SAYING THE ETF CAN ABSORB IT AS LONG AS THERE IS GROWTH.

IS THAT A FAIR WAY TO CHARACTERIZE IT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WHEN I BEGAN WORKING ON THIS IN 2020 HAD A REVENUE REPLACEMENT MECHANISM BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED PARTLY DUE TO INFLATION AND THE COST OF GROCERIES AND OTHER PRODUCTS.

THE SALES TAX RATES HAVE REMAINED THE SAME BUT REVENUES ARE AT RECORD HIGHS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE PAYING MORE ON THE COST OF GOODS AND THEREFORE THERE ARE MORE REVENUES.

SO THE TIMING IS RIGHT, IN MY OPINION, TO DO THIS WITHOUT REVENUE REPLACEMENT.

DO IT IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE PEOPLE PAYING MORE BECAUSE OF INCREASED TAXES SO THEY NEED RELIEF FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> TO PUT THAT 2% IN CONTEXT, THIS LAST BUDGET YEAR WE SAW A 20% GROWTH IN THE ETF.

NOW, OF COURSE, A LOT OF THAT WAS FEDERAL FUNDS.

IT WAS CLEARLY AN ANOMALY BUT THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL YEARS NOW OF CONSISTENT PATTERNS OF GROWTH IN THE ETF.

YET THERE IS TALK OF A RECESSION.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE SIGNS NECESSARILY HERE IN THE STATE BUT NATIONALLY LOOKING AT A RECESSION.

ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL IF THERE IS A RECESSION AND WE DON'T GET GROWTH THAN FOLKS DON'T GET THAT RELIEF?

>> WELL, WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT AS A LEGISLATURE.

WE MAY BUDGET FOR LEAN TIMES THAT MAY POSSIBLY COME.

I THINK THIS BILL IS COGNIZANT OF THAT.

THE DRAW DOWN WOULD OWN ONLY OCCUR IF THERE IS POSITIVE GROWTH.

OTHERWISE THERE WOULD BE A PAUSE AND IT WILL DO IT IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY THAT PROTECTS THAT BUDGET FOR OUR NEEDS IN AN UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC FUTURE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT WIC VERSUS SNAP.

THIS IS A BIG DETAIL OF THE BILL.

MAYBE A SMALL DETAIL IN TEXT BUT HUGE DETAIL IN SCOPE.

WIC, WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN, THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF CERTAIN POT OF FEDERAL MONEY AND CERTAIN GROUP OF PRODUCTS IN THE GROCERY STORE THAT IS A LOT MORE NARROW.

SNAP, BETTER KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS, IS A LOT MORE GENEROUS.

MORE GROCERIES WOULD APPLY TO THE SNAP MODEL AND THAT LIST OF GROCERIES THAT YOU CAN BUY.

WHICH MODEL DOES YOUR BILL USE?

>> WE USE THE SNAP DEFINITION OF FOOD BECAUSE, TO US, IT IS THE ONLY REAL RELIEF FOR FAMILIES.

IT COVERS EVERY EDIBLE PRODUCT IN A GROCERY STORE EXCEPT HOT, PREPARED FOODS LIKE AT YOUR DELI, GETTING A PLATE AT THE DELI OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT DOESN'T INCLUDE BEER AND TOBACCO, GUM, TOOTHPICKS, TOOTHPASTE THAT YOU MAY FIND IN A GROCERY STORE.

THE PROBLEM WITH WIC IT IS MUCH MORE RESTRICTED.

ONE IN FOUR ITEMS IN A SHOPPING CART AND NO RHYME OR REASON OTHER THAN IT IS MEANT FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN.

FOR EXAMPLE, UNDER WIC CANNED FISH IS ALLOWED BUT FRESH IS NOT.

FRESH MEAT IS NOT ALLOWED BUT FRESH VEGETABLES ARE.

IT IS A WEIRD RUBIK'S CUBE OF ITEMS.

THEY ARE BROUGHT FOR A SUBSET GROUP OF PEOPLE AND NOT DESIGNED FOR ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

I HAVE PEOPLE SAY WHY NOT HAVE A NEW CODING SYSTEM OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE?

THAT IS TEDIOUS BECAUSE YOU GET NEW PRODUCTS EVERY DAY COMING TO THE MARKET AND WHO IS GOING TO DEFINE WHAT IS OR ISN'T.

WE'RE SAYING IF IT IS EDIBLE, IT IS COVERED UNDER THE SNAP DEFINITION.

THAT'S THE REAL RELIEF FOR FAMILIES.

>> GROCERY STORES ARE ALREADY SET UP LIKE YOU SAID, THE CODING SYSTEM, THEY KNOW WHAT A SNAP PRODUCT IS.

I'M SURE THAT IT EASIER TO DO THAT.

BRAND NEW SYSTEM IS ASKING A LOT OF THE GROCERY STORES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

BASED ON OUR RESEARCH AND TALKING TO GROCERS AND OTHERS THERE ARE FOUR TIMES AS MANY SNAP LOCATIONS AS WIC LOCATIONS IN THE STATE.

TO US THE CHOICE WAS OF COURSE, WE HAVE TO GO WITH SNAP.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS, COMING INTO THE SESSION THERE WAS TALK OF ALL KIND OF TAX RELIEF.

MAYBE IT'S NOT NECESSARILY MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE BUT IT HAS COME OUT, OKAY, SHOULD WE DO A GROCERY TAX CUT OR A TAX REBATE?

EVERYTHING I'M HEARING IS MORE GOING TO THE GROCERY TAX CUT.

MAYBE THEY ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE BUT WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE ABOUT THE TAX REBATE IDEA, THE ONE-TIME CHECKS TO PEOPLE?

ARE PEOPLE MORE HESITANT NOW THAT THE GROCERY TAX HAS TAKEN SHAPE.

>> I'M HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS, LET'S HAVE A REBATE EVERY YEAR ON OUR GROCERY TAX RATHER THAN A ONE-TIME REBATE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING FROM MY FOLKS BACK HOME.

THEY WANT RELIEF AT THE KITCHEN TABLE BECAUSE FOLKS ARE PAYING FOR AN ESSENTIAL ITEM THEIR FAMILIES HAVE TO HAVE.

THIS TO THEM IS A MORE GENUINE FORM OF RELIEF.

>> THERE IS ALSO TALK OF WELL, IF YOU SAVE $200 A YEAR, $300 A YEAR AT THE GROCERY STORE, IT IS PART OF YOUR FAMILY BUDGET, PERHAPS IT IS SPENT ELSEWHERE ON OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE TAXED AT THE FULL PERCENTAGE, WHICH, AGAIN, MOST OF THAT GOES TO THE ETF.

IS THERE SOME CONSIDERATION THERE THAT MAYBE THIS WON'T BE THE BUDGET HIT FOLKS THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

>> DEFINITELY.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HAVING A TASK FORCE, NOT IN THIS BILL BUT A SEPARATE RESOLUTION TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THIS ISSUE ON HOW TO GO FROM THE REMAINING 2% FROM 2 TO ZERO ON THE GROCERY TAX AND PART OF THAT IS LOOKING AT HOW REVENUES ARE EFFECTING THE ETF.

AS YOU MENTIONED, FOLKS WILL LIKELY SPEND THE MONEY ON SOMETHING ELSE TAXED AND THOSE TAXES WILL GO BACK TO THE ETF.

THERE'S THE THOUGHT THAT THE HIT TO THE ETF OR IMPACT WILL NOT BE AS DIRE AS PREDICTED.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE WE WILL WATCH GOING FORWARD.

35 SPONSORS, 34, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

I WANT TO MENTION THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WE HEARD HIM SPEAK EARLIER, HAS HIS WEIGHT BEHIND IT WHICH IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT.

SENATOR ANDREW JONES, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA.

PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE NAPOLEON BRACEY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAD FOR GENERAL FUND BUDGET ON THE FLOOR THIS WEEK.

YOU ARE ON THAT COMMITTEE.

>> YES, SIR.

>> YOU ACTUALLY CARRIED THE STATE EMPLOYEE PAY RAISE.

COST OF LIVING RAISE THAT GOES TO ALL STATE EMPLOYEES.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT IN TERMS OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO DO ANNUALLY.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE CAN'T BUT WE KNOW THAT THE COST OF LIVING IN OUR COUNTRY IS CONTINUING TO RISE.

THE COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES ARE CONTINUING TO RISE.

YOU NOTICE THAT YOU CAN'T GO ANYWHERE JUST ABOUT RIGHT NOW WITHOUT GETTING A RECEIPT TO ASK YOU FOR A TIP.

>> EVEN IF IT IS NOT A SIT DOWN.

>> SIT DOWN SERVICE TYPE OF DEAL.

YOU KNOW, INFLATION, YOU KNOW, JUST EVERYTHING IS CONTINUING TO GO UP.

I KNOW WE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH INFLATION BUT WE CAN DO OUR PART TO MAKE SURE WE DO SOMETHING ANNUALLY FOR OUR STATE EMPLOYEES.

I WAS JUST REALLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPONSOR THE LEGISLATION TO GIVE OUR STATE EMPLOYEES 2% RAISE TO COME IN EFFECT OCTOBER 1.

>> YEAH.

I'M OFTEN VEXED BY THAT TIP THING.

LIKE GO AND GET A CUP OF COFFEE AND TIP 20%.

I WANT TO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY BUT THAT IS A NEW THING.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THESE WERE UNANIMOUS BILLS.

THE GENERAL FUND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

THERE WAS NOT MUCH ARGUMENT BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

I WAS TALKING TO CHAIRMAN REYNOLDS AND HE SAID YOU ALL HAD A JOINT MEETING WHERE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS GOT TO COME WITH THEIR OWN NEEDS AND CHANGES MAYBE TO THE BUDGET.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IS RARE.

YOU SEE A LOT OF RANCOR ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN WASHINGTON BUT YOU ALL SEEMED TO HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON THIS THING.

>> WE REALLY DID.

WE HAD BUDGET HEARINGS THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE THE BUDGET PRESENTATIONS, SPEAK TO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT HEADS.

IT WAS A REAL TRANSPARENT PROCESS.

RIGHT BEFORE THE BUDGET CAME OUT, WE HAD A JOINT MEETING OF BOTH CAUCUSES WHERE PEOPLE COULD ASK QUESTIONS AND PEOPLE COULD SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING.

I THINK THAT REALLY HELPED THE PROCESS.

IF YOU NOTICE, GENERAL FUND BUDGET PASSED IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

IT WAS ONE OF THE FASTEST TIMES I HAVE SEEN THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET PASS IN MY FOUR TERMS HERE.

>> IT HELPS WHEN THERE'S A SURPLUS, RIGHT, IT HELPS WHEN YOU ARE IN GOOD BUDGET NUMBERS.

FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE AS LONG AS YOU AND THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING THAT PAID ATTENTION FOR YEARS OR DECADES, THIS IS KIND OF A NEW THING.

YOU GO BACK TEN, 20 YEARS, THE GENERAL FUND WAS ALWAYS THE ONE THAT WAS PROBLEMATIC.

NEVER ENOUGH MONEY BUT THAT STARTED TO CHANGE WITH THE ONLINE SALES TAX.

>> THE SSUT WAS A BIG DEAL.

YOU THINK OF A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SHOPPING FROM HOME, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID.

THAT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A LOT MORE INCOME INTO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND IT'S DEFINITELY GIVEN US THE SURPLUS WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS LIKE THESE PAY RAISES FOR OUR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THEY ARE WELL DESERVING AND IT JUST GAVE US AN AVENUE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR THEM.

>> DO YOU FEEL CONFIDENT THE REVENUE WILL BE MORE STABLE?

PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT RECESSION.

WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN THAT HERE IN ALABAMA BUT THAT'S THE CONCERN THAT RECESSION HAPPENS AND MAYBE THOSE SPENDING HABITS CHANGE.

IN YOUR DEALINGS WITH KIRK FULFORD, IS THERE CONFIDENCE IT WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEAR TERM?

>> I THINK SO.

THE SSUT IS CONTINUING TO GROW.

YOU KNOW, WE THOUGHT IT WOULD KIND OF STABILIZE OR MAYBE TAKE A DIP BUT IT'S BEEN STRONG.

IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BENEFITED FROM.

IF YOU THINK BACK A FEW YEARS AGO, WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

IT IS DEFINITELY BEEN A PLUS FOR US.

IT WAS ALMOST LIKE TAX-FREE SHOPPING ONLINE.

NOW WE ARE ABLE TO COLLECT THAT.

NOT ONLY THAT BUT SOME OF THOSE FUNDS ARE GOING TO THE COUNTIES AND CITIES TO HELP WITH ROAD PROJECTS, THEY CAN FLOAT BONDS AND DO SERIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

I THINK THAT'S BEEN A REAL BENEFIT TO EVERYBODY.

>> I REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING WHEN THEY STARTED TO DO THE SSUT, ONLINE SALES TAX, PEOPLE WERE UPSET SAYING I DON'T WANT TO PAY THE SALES TAX.

I THINK THAT IS CHANGED.

I THINK EVERYBODY EXPECTS, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE TO PAY STATE AND LOCAL SALES TAX.

>> I THINK IT IS ONLY THE FAIR WAY TO DO IT.

NOBODY WANTS TO PAY MORE TAXES, BUT WE CAN'T CREATE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE FOR SOME PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OUT OF STATE OVER OUR MOM AND POP AND BRICK AND MORTAR ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ARE HERE THAT ARE STARTING TO HAVE TO CLOSE DOWN BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SHOPPING MORE ONLINE BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT COMPETITIVE FOR THEM.

>> YEAH.

>> TO MAKE SURE IF PEOPLE HAVE PAYING TAXES, THEY NEED TO PAY THEM IN THIS AREA OR IN BOTH AREAS.

>> SWITCHING GEARS.

I JUST SPOKE WITH SENATOR ANDREW JONES.

HE'S CARRYING THIS GROCERY SALES TAX CUT.

IT'S NOT THE SAME AS IN THE PAST BUT HE HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE SENATE UP THERE, ALL CO-SPONSORS, PRETTY RARE.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN THE HOUSE?

DO YOU THINK THIS WILL BE THE YEAR THAT SOMETHING ON THE GROCERY TAX ACTUALLY PASSES?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN MAJOR CONCERNS FROM DIFFERENT AREAS AND HOPEFULLY THOSE WILL BE WORKED OUT.

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE DEFINITION OF SNAP AND WIC HAS BEEN A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE IT TAKES AWAY SOME OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE TAX FREE.

SO I GUESS DEPENDING ON THE DEFINITION, THAT IS THE FINAL DEFINITION OF THE BILL WILL DEPEND ON THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT THAT IT GETS.

>> I AGREE.

I HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT WE HAVE SEEN THREE OR FOUR, WE MAY SEE A HALF DOZEN DIFFERENT GROCERY TAX BILLS.

SO, I'M CURIOUS, AS IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS, WHICH ONE ACTUALLY EMERGES OR IF EVERYBODY STARTS TO DISAGREE AND NOTHING HAPPENS.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED IN YEARS PAST.

>> RIGHT.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL DISAGREE AND NOTHING HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES YOU MAY HAVE A DISAGREEMENT AND FORCE PEOPLE IN TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND YOU HAVE SIX PEOPLE THAT HAS TO COME OUT WITH SOMETHING.

AN UP-OR-DOWN SITUATION.

THAT COULD BE THE ROUTE THIS IS GOING.

>> ONE OF THOSE BIG ISSUES TO WATCH.

>> MR. BRACEY, I KNOW YOU HAVE TO GET SOUTH TO MOBILE.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU HAVE ALWAYS OPENED THE DOOR FOR ME AND GIVEN ME A PLATFORM TO SPEAK TO THE CONSTITUENTS OF ALABAMA AND APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND IF YOU EVER NEED ME AGAIN LET ME KNOW.

>> WE WILL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> MOBILE NATIVE LEROY SATCHEL PAIGE WAS ONE OF THE FINEST PITCHERS IN BASEBALL.

HE WOULD PITCH IN 2500 GAMES, THROW MORE THAN 100 NO HITTER AND PLAY PROFESSIONAL BALL IN TO HIS 50S MAKING A ONE-GAME APPEARANCE FOR THE KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS IN 1965.

HE WAS INDUCTED IN THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN '71, THE FIRST NEGRO PLAYER SO HONORED.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 FOR OUR WEEK IN REVIEW SHOW HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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