>> Don: GOOD EVENING FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THERE ARE ONLY A HANDFUL OF DAYS REMAINING IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND HIGH-PROFILE ISSUES REMAIN.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS ONE OF THEM, AND A GROUP OF STATE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS HAS NOW ASKED HOUSE MEMBERS TO VOTE AGAINST A MEASURE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE USE OF THE DRUG FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES.

WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A MOMENT.

BUT FIRST TONIGHT, THE GAMBLING ISSUE.

NONE OF THE BILLS RELATED TO A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WOULD BRING A LOTTERY, CASINOS, AND SPORTS BETTING TO THE STATE HAVE BEGUN MOVING YET IN THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY CARRIED OVER ONE OF THE PIECES OF ENABLING LEGISLATION.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE A.J.

McCAMPBELL OF GALLION IS ONE OF THE HOUSE MEMBERS WORKING WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ON THE ISSUE.

WE ASKED HIM TODAY WHETHER A GAMBLING PLAN CAN MAKE IT OUT IN THIS SESSION.

>> I DO THINK IT HAS TIME.

WE HAVE -- WE SHOULD BE RECEIVING SOMETHING THIS WEEK THAT THE LEGISLATORS WILL HAVE AND BE ABLE TO LOOK AT.

SO HOPEFULLY -- WE HAVE THREE DAYS LEFT.

WITH THREE DAYS, YOU CAN MOVE THE WORLD.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE McCAMPBELL WILL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS SAID THAT SHE IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH HOUSE MEMBERS ON THE GAMBLING ISSUE AND THAT SHE WILL STAY FULLY ENGAGED.

IVEY SAYS SHE TRULY HOPES THAT THE LEGISLATION CAN, AS SHE HAS PUT IT, GET DONE AND GET DONE RIGHT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL ALABAMIANS.

ALSO WATCHING THE MANEUVERINGS OVER GAMBLING WITH INTEREST IS THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS.

THE TRIBE WOULD GET A NEW CASINO UNDER THE LEGISLATION, AND ITS CHAIRMAN WOMAN, STEPHANIE BRYAN, TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT SHE FEELS THE STATE WOULD BENEFIT EVEN MORE.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF HARD WORK THAT'S GONE INTO DEVELOPING THIS COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL.

AND I THINK NOW IS THE TIME AS SENATOR McCLENDON STATED, I THINK ON YOUR SHOW, ACTUALLY, THAT IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN THIS SESSION, THEN IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG TIME BEFORE IT'S DISCUSSED AGAIN.

>> Don: STEPHANIE BRYAN WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE GAMING ISSUE.

A GROUP OF STATE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS IS ASKING THE ALABAMA HOUSE TO VOTE DOWN A BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE.

A LETTER SIGNED BY ABOUT HALF OF ALABAMA'S DAs CALLS MARIJUANA "A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING" AND SAYS THAT TOO MANY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAVE BEEN CONVINCED THAT IT'S HARMLESS.

THAT, THE LETTER CONTENDS, IS THE BIGGEST LIE THAT IS BEING PERPETRATED ON THE ALABAMA PUBLIC TODAY.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS CALL MARIJUANA A GATEWAY DRUG THAT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF SCHIZOPHRENIA.

THE LEGISLATIVE SPONSORS OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL, SENATOR TIM MELSON OF FLORENCE AND REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BALL OF MADISON HAVE REPORTEDLY DISMISSED THE DA'S LETTER CONTENDING THAT IT REHASHES OLD CLAIMS AND DOESN'T REFLECT CURRENT SCIENCE.

THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL HAS NOT YET MADE IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR BUT SPEAKER MAC McCUTCHEON HAS SAID THAT HE EXPECTS A VOTE ON IT BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION.

LEGISLATION THAT SOUGHT TO DECRIMINALIZE THE POSSESSION OF LESS THAN TWO OUNCES OF MARIJUANA HAS DIED IN THE SENATE.

THE MEASURE SPONSORED BY SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO FAILED A PROCEDURAL VOTE ON TUESDAY, WHICH SEALED ITS FATE.

>> LOOKING AT HOW MARIJUANA IS TREATED IN OUR LAWS AND WHERE WE LOOK AT GIVING A CIVIL PENALTY FOR THE FIRST TWO OUNCES VERSUS GIVING A CRIMINAL PENALTY.

THIS IS A PART OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AT ONE POINT, AND HOW DO WE KEEP PEOPLE FROM GOING TO JAIL FOR JUST MINOR DRUG CHARGES AND FILLING UP OUR JAILS AND OUR PRISONS.

>> Don: SINGLETON'S LEGISLATION TO DECRIMINALIZE THE POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA PASSED THE SENATE LAST YEAR.

THE HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED A BILL THAT HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND ONE THAT MANY CONSIDER POPULAR AMONG CONSTITUENTS.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS A BILL THAT WOULD MOVE ALABAMA TO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME IF THERE WAS A CHANGE BY THE CONGRESS ALLOWING SUCH TO HAPPEN.

CURRENTLY, THERE IS A PROHIBITION AGAINST THAT.

>> Don: SENATOR STEVE LIVINGSTON OF SCOTTSBORO RECENTLY SPOKE ABOUT HIS LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR OF THE UPPER CHAMBER WHERE IT WAS ULTIMATELY APPROVED BEFORE MOVING TO THE HOUSE.

WITH TODAY'S COMMITTEE APPROVAL, IT STILL TECHNICALLY HAS TIME TO GET FINAL PASSAGE BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS.

BUT EVEN IF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WERE TO SIGN IT INTO LAW, THERE ARE STILL NO GUARANTEES THAT DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME WOULD BECOME PERMANENT.

CONGRESS HAS THE FINAL DAY ON WHETHER TO DO SO.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL THAT WOULD REMOVE ANTIGAY LANGUAGE FROM THE STATE'S SEX EDUCATION LAW.

THE PASSAGE IN QUESTION DATES TO 1992, AND IT SAYS THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT A LIFESTYLE ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THAT HOMOSEXUAL CONDUCT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE.

THE LEGISLATION WAS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE LAURA HALL OF HUNTSVILLE AND IT ALSO ADDS A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR PARENTS TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT INSTRUCTION ON SEX EDUCATION OR HUMAN REPRODUCTION AND ALLOW PARENTS TO REQUEST COPIES OF THE MATERIALS USED UPON REQUEST.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT 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 "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" Facebook PAGE.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE AJ McCAMPBELL OF GALLION IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU ALSO, DON.

>> Don: WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY SIGNING INTO LAW A BILL YOU CARRIED THIS YEAR DEALING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHAT IT WOULD DO, IT WOULD SET UP A DATABASE TO TRACK BOTH THE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS, COMPLAINTS OF EXCESSIVE FORCE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AND I DON'T KNOW FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO PUT IT, MAYBE AN EFFORT TO WEED OUT BAD APPLES IN THE PROFESSION?

>> WELL, I ACTUALLY LOOK AT IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GREAT OFFICERS THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA ARE NOT GETTING A BAD NAME, ARE NOT TARNISHED.

SO WHEN YOU SAID TO WEED OUT THE BAD APPLES, I WANT TO SAY THAT I PREFER USING THE POSITIVE SIDE OF IT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR OFFICERS ARE OFFICERS THAT UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS AND THAT THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, TAKING CARE AND THEIR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS SAFE.

IT'S CALLED PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT'S WHY I ACTUALLY -- IT CAME ABOUT AFTER THE GEORGE FLOYD MURDER LAST YEAR.

WE SPOKE WITH THE GOVERNOR, AND THE GOVERNOR WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN PUTTING TOGETHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO TALK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND OUT OF THOSE INITIAL MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNOR, WE GOT TOGETHER WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ALL SUMMER AND THROUGHOUT THE FALL AND BEGAN WORKING ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

THIS IS THE FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS ACTUALLY COMING OUT OF THAT WORKING GROUP.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO HAVE DATA SHOWING WHAT'S GOING ON.

BUT TO MAKE IT MORE OF A PROFESSION, IN MY OPINION, I THINK ABOUT IT THIS WAY.

YOU HAVE A DATABASE, IF YOU HAVE A LAWYER THAT IS, YOU KNOW, A BAD ACTOR, HAS DONE SOME THINGS, IT'S A SEARCHABLE DATABASE THAT HAS INFORMATION IN IT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT HAD NOTHING LIKE THAT UNTIL NOW.

THAT'S THE REASON YOU HEAR IT BEING TALKED ABOUT ON THE NATIONAL SCENE.

THE PROBLEM THAT WE'VE HAD IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE PAST -- AND I'M A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER -- BUT THE PROBLEM WE'VE HAD, YOU WOULD HAVE A SHERIFF'S OFFICE WOULD WANT TO HIRE SOMEONE.

THEY COME IN AND ALREADY A POST TRAINED AND A POST CERTIFIED.

THEY COULD CALL THE FORMER EMPLOYER AND THE FORMER EMPLOYER COULD NOT GIVE INFORMATION ON THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

THIS NOW, AND IT WAS A LIABILITY ISSUE IN TERMS OF THEM BEING SUED -- >> Don: SURE.

>> -- YOU KNOW, BUT NOW THEY ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT IT TO THE SEARCHABLE DATABASE, AND THE ONLY ONES THAT WILL BE ABLE TO SEARCH IT ARE THOSE THAT WOULD HAVE A REASON TO SEARCH IT OR A NEED TO SEARCH IT.

>> Don: THAT'S CLEARLY SPELLED OUT IN THE LEGISLATION.

>> THAT'S CLEARLY SPELLED OUT IN THE LEGISLATION.

SO SOMEONE JUST WANTING TO KNOW ABOUT THIS OFFICER COULD NOT SEARCH THAT DATABASE.

YOUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS, YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE WOULD HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> Don: MAYBE IT WOULD BE BETTER SERVED TO CHARACTERIZE IT THIS WAY, REPRESENTATIVE.

IT'S DESIGNED, I GUESS, TO KEEP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS.

>> I THINK IT IS TO HELP KEEP THEM ACCOUNTABLE, BUT IT'S ALSO TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

AND THAT'S WHY I SAID YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO HIRE, DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE TRYING TO HIRE TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT THE CHARACTER OF THIS OR INFORMATION ON THIS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT IS ALREADY A POST CERTIFIED, BUT, YOU KNOW, MAY HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS AT THE PAST PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DID WAS TO MAKE SURE IF INDEED THE PERSON DECIDES TO RESIGN PRIOR TO SOME DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS BEING FILED OR TAKEN, THEY HAVE 15 DAYS TO REPORT RESIGNATION INTO THIS DATABASE.

THE REASON WE WANT TO DO THAT IS BECAUSE SOMEONE FIRED HERE IN MONTGOMERY FOR ACTIONS THAT UNBECOMING OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND ABUSE OF FORCE, SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE MAY WANT TO GO DOWN THE STREET TO AUBURN, ALABAMA AND GET A JOB.

NOW -- AND I USED AUBURN, BUT IT'S MORE YOUR SMALL COMMUNITIES WOULDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY OF RESOURCES TO DO A FULL BACKGROUND SEARCH.

BUT THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM TO AT LEAST BE ABLE TO HAVE THE INFORMATION THEY WOULD NEED TO ASK THE QUESTION.

YOU JUST LEFT THIS POSITION.

WHY ARE YOU LEAVING?

SO NOW THEY HAVE THE RESOURCE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A QUESTION THAT YOU NEED TO ASK REGARDING THE FORMER EMPLOYMENT.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE, THIS NEW LAW COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE NATION IS LOOKING AT POLICE REFORM VERY CLOSELY.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A BIG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR ALABAMA?

>> I THINK IT IS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR ALABAMA.

THE NATION -- THE GEORGE FLOYD BILL THAT'S BEING INTRODUCED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

RIGHT NOW HAS THIS COMPONENT IN IT.

SO -- AND THIS WAS A DATABASE ACTUALLY THAT WAS RECOGNIZED AND UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION.

SO IT BEGAN IN THAT TIME.

BUT NOW IT'S BECOMING A PART OF THIS WHOLE CHANGE IN POLICING IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Don: WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE GOVERNOR SIGNING THIS INTO LAW.

>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I WAS EXCITED AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED ON IT ALL SUMMER WERE VERY EXCITED.

>> Don: TIME IS SHORT, BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE, REPRESENTATIVE, I KNOW YOU'RE ALREADY PART OF A GROUP OF LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNOR ON THE GAMBLING ISSUE AND ALL EYES ARE ON THIS IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE.

>> YES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Don: CAN YOU GIVE US ANY INSIGHT AS TO WHERE THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE?

>> ALL I CAN SAY IS JUST STAY TUNED.

WE ARE WORKING ON IT.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PUTTING OUT A PRODUCT THAT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON, AND THAT THIS PRODUCT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WILL DO THE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR WANT TO DO IN THIS ARENA, BUT IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LOT OF NEEDED RESOURCES FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO WE ARE LOOKING TO -- JUST STAY TUNED.

IT'S ON THE WAY.

>> Don: IS IT SOMETHING THAT STILL HAS TIME DURING THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME LEFT IN THIS SESSION?

>> I DO THINK IT HAS TIME.

WE SHOULD BE RECEIVING SOMETHING THIS WEEK THAT THE LEGISLATORS WILL HAVE AND BE ABLE TO LOOK AT.

SO HOPEFULLY -- WE HAVE THREE DAYS LEFT.

WITH THREE DAYS, YOU CAN MOVE THE WORLD.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Don: WE SHALL SEE.

>> YEAH.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE AJ McCAMPBELL OF GALLION, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE, AND IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO COME AND BE WITH YOU.

>> Don: YOU BET.

>> THANK YOU, NOW.

>> Don: SURE.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY@APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS.

STEPHANIE BRYAN IS IN STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS, DON, FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

>> Don: YOUR FIRST APPEARANCE ON OUR SHOW.

BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BEING THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE TRIBE, TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE THERE.

>> SO BEING THE CHAIRWOMAN AND CEO REALLY OVER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE GROWTH OF THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS AND JUST BEING THE LEADER THAT GIVES DIRECTION FOR OUR GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION WITHIN THE TRIBE AS WELL AS THE WELL-BEING OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS.

>> Don: WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING.

WE HOPE IT IS THE FIRST OF MANY VISITS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Don: A FREQUENT GUEST ON OUR PROGRAM HAS BEEN YOUR COUNTERPART, ROBBIE McGHEE, THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ADVISOR FOR THE TRIBE, AND WE'VE OFTEN TALKED ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN THAT WAS BEFORE LAWMAKERS THIS YEAR.

I KNOW THE TRIBE HAS BEEN SORT OF ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, BUT HAPPY THAT THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN HAS BEEN BACK ON THE TABLE, RIGHT?

>> WE SUPPORT THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL.

ROBBIE, THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM, THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AS WELL AS THE PCI GAMING MANAGEMENT TEAM, LEGISLATORS, COUNTLESS LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS EFFORT.

WE SUPPORT A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL, AND THIS COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL CREATES A REGULATORY BODY TO REGULATE GAMING.

IT LIMITS GAMING WITHIN THE STATE TO CERTAIN LOCATIONS.

IT ALSO CREATES REVENUE TO MEET THE ESSENTIAL NEEDS OF ALL ALABAMIANS.

IT ALSO ALLOWS THE GOVERNOR THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE A COMPACT WITH THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS.

SO THIS IS ONE BILL THAT I REALLY THINK THAT I HOPE THAT LEGISLATORS CAN GET BEHIND AND SUPPORT FOR THE STATE.

>> Don: THAT COMPACT WITH THE STATE THAT THE TRIBE IS WILLING TO NEGOTIATE AND HAS BEEN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IS A CRITICAL ELEMENT OF ALL OF THIS BECAUSE IF YOU WERE TO NEGOTIATE THIS COMPACT WITH THE STATE, THE STATE WOULD BE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE REVENUES OF YOUR FACILITIES, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

YES, THAT WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNOR AND MYSELF TO SIT DOWN WITH THE TRIBAL LEADERSHIP TO NEGOTIATE A COMPACT FOR CASINO-STYLE GAMING AT THE CURRENT THREE PROPERTIES.

SO THE TRIBE HAS TRIED FOR OVER TWO DECADES TO COMPACT WITH THE STATE AND THE STATE GARNER REVENUE FROM THOSE GAMING FACILITIES.

AND SO THIS PART OF THE NEGOTIATION WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

IT WILL BE HISTORICAL FOR THE TRIBE AS WELL AS THE STATE.

WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN PARTNERS HERE IN THE STATE AND CREATED EVEN JOBS OUTSIDE OF GAMING.

WE HAVE OVER 40 BUSINESSES THAT WE'VE DIVERSIFIED OUTSIDE OF GAMING TO CREATE STABLE JOBS WITHIN THE STATE.

SO I'M EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR IF THIS LEGISLATION PASSES.

AND WE'RE OPTIMISTIC THAT NOW IS THE TIME.

OF COURSE, TIME IS OF ESSENCE.

>> Don: IT CERTAINLY IS.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ARE YOU -- I DON'T KNOW -- APPREHENSIVE AT ALL THAT THIS MAY OR MAY NOT GET DONE BEFORE LAWMAKERS ARE DONE?

>> I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT THERE'S A LOT OF HARD WORK THAT'S GONE INTO DEVELOPING THIS COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL.

AND I THINK NOW IS THE TIME AS SENATOR McCLENDON STATED, I THINK ON YOUR SHOW, ACTUALLY, THAT IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN THIS SESSION, THEN IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG TIME BEFORE IT'S DISCUSSED AGAIN.

I KNOW I'VE BEEN IN LEADERSHIP FOR THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS SINCE 2006 AS THE VICE-CHAIR.

I ACTUALLY SERVED AS THE CHAIR OF OUR TRIBAL GAMING COMMISSION.

AND A GAMING COMMISSION PROTECTS THE INTERESTS OF GAMING AND THE INTEGRITY OF GAMING.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THAT PART OF THIS BILL IS -- CREATES A GAMING COMMISSION.

SO WE ARE EXCITED, AND I DO KNOW THAT TIME IS OF ESSENCE.

BUT THE TRIBE IS WILLING TO DO OUR PART TO STEP UP AND PARTNER WITH THE STATE.

>> Don: ALSO, UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE PLAN AS PROPOSED WOULD BE A NEW FACILITY THAT THE TRIBE WOULD BUILD IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE STATE, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS NUMEROUS YEARS IN REFERENCE TO THAT SITE.

THIS SITE WOULD ACTUALLY CREATE -- IT WOULD BE AN INVESTMENT FOR THE TRIBE.

ALMOST A HALF A BILLION DOLLARS INVESTMENT.

IT WILL CREATE A LOT OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES, SUSTAINABLE JOBS WITH GREAT BENEFITS FOR THAT AREA.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT NORTHEAST CORNER.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE BUSINESSES RIGHT NOW IN HUNTSVILLE.

WE HAVE PCI AVIATION.

WE HAVE MEDIA FUSION.

WE ARE VERY DIVERSIFIED.

PARTNERS IN A COUPLE OF HOTELS IN HUNTSVILLE.

SO OUR DIVERSIFICATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS.

I BECAME THE CHAIR IN 2014, AND OUR LEADERSHIP TALKED ABOUT DIVERSIFICATION OUTSIDE OF GAMING.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

AND WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CREATING OTHER BUSINESSES.

WE JUST WANT TO DO OUR PART.

WE'RE A PART OF THIS STATE, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO HELP THE STATE GROW AND MAKE IT A BETTER STATE TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL ALABAMIANS.

>> Don: YOU MENTIONED AVIATION AND I THINK PCI FUSION IN HUNTSVILLE.

IS THAT THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG WHERE YOUR DIVERSIFICATION IS CONCERNED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LOOK AT OWA IN BALDWIN COUNTY.

THAT WAS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TRIBE, THE CITY AND THE STATE.

>> Don: REMIND FOLKS WHAT THAT IS.

>> IT IS AN AMUSEMENT PARK IN FOLEY, ALABAMA.

NOW WE'RE ADDING AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR WATER PARK AS WELL.

AND THERE IS SOME TALK TO PARTNER WITH OTHER ENTITIES WITHIN THE STATE TO DEVELOP MAYBE A CONFERENCE CENTER.

SO THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.

THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE TAKING PLACE.

THERE'S A HUGE SOCCER FIELD THERE THAT THE CITY MANAGES.

AND SO IT WAS A GREAT EFFORT TO SHOW THE WORK WITH THE TRIBE, THE STATE AS WELL AS THE CITY.

>> Don: UM-HUM.

YOUR HEADQUARTERS, SO TO SPEAK, IS RIGHT OUTSIDE ATMORE.

>> WE WOULD LOVE FOR EVERYONE WITHIN THE STATE TO COME VISIT THE POARCH CREEK RESERVATION.

I WAS RAISED THERE AND I ACTUALLY WATCHED THIS COMMUNITY, THE TRANSITION OF THE COMMUNITY GO FROM POVERTY TO PROSPERITY.

BUT WE'RE VERY HUMBLE PEOPLE.

IT KEEPS US GROUNDED, AND WE'RE SO PROUD OF THE TRANSITION.

SO WE'RE HOPING TO GET SOME INFORMATION OUT, JUST STATEWIDE, TO SHOW THE TRANSITION OF THE COMMUNITY AND TRULY WHAT THOSE GAMING DOLLARS HAVE DONE FOR HEALTH CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY, EDUCATION.

WE SERVICE OVER 500 CHILDREN AT OUR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

AND SO I AM SO PROUD OF THOSE THINGS.

TAKING CARE OF THE ELDERS, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE INSTILL IN THE YOUNGER GENERATION SOME GREAT MORALS AND VALUES, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

>> Don: I KNOW IT'S BUILT INTO THE CURRENT LEGISLATION TO BENEFIT SOME OF THOSE VERY SAME THINGS STATEWIDE -- RURAL HEALTH CARE, FOR INSTANCE, BROADBAND EXPANSION WOULD BENEFIT FROM SOME OF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS GAMING LEGISLATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK THAT IS GREAT.

I THINK THAT THIS LEGISLATION PROVIDES A REVENUE SOURCE TO MEET THE ESSENTIAL NEEDS OF ALL ALABAMIANS, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, INFRASTRUCTURE.

LAST YEAR, WE ALL EXPERIENCED AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR, BUT WE WERE ALL IN IT TOGETHER.

AND WE ACTUALLY SAW HOSPITALS SUFFERING TO GET THE NEEDS MET OF THOSE COMMUNITIES.

WE ALSO SAW BROADBAND.

WE HAD CHILDREN AT HOME TRYING TO LEARN, AND THE CONNECTIVITY ISSUES THAT I HEARD IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WAS JUST ASTOUNDING, THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE WERE GETTING.

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THE CONNECTIVITY FOR OUR CHILDREN SO THEY CAN GET THEIR EDUCATION?

SO I DO THINK THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WITH TODAY'S SOCIETY AND WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT WE DO PUT DOLLARS TO MEET THE ESSENTIAL NEEDS OF ALL ALABAMIANS.

>> Don: TIME IS UP, BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE, AGAIN, I GUESS WHAT WE WOULD SAY TO LAWMAKERS FROM THE TRIBE IS YOU'RE READY, WILLING, AND ABLE TO WORK, AND YOU HOPE THAT IN THESE FINAL DAYS THEY CAN PUT A DEAL TOGETHER.

>> EXACTLY.

AND I DO HOPE THAT ALL ALABAMIANS SEE THIS AS A RESOURCE -- A REVENUE RESOURCE TO MEET THEIR ESSENTIAL NEEDS WITHOUT INCREASING THEIR TAXES.

ALABAMIANS ARE SPENDING DOLLARS TO ALL OF THESE NEIGHBORING STATES AND MAKING THEIR SCHOOLS BETTER, THEIR ROADS BETTER, MAKING THEIR HEALTH CARE BETTER.

SO I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO VOTE ON THIS LEGISLATION.

I JUST WANT TO SAY PERSONALLY, ON BEHALF OF THE TRIBE AND ON BEHALF OF THE STATE, I'M A CONSTITUENT OF THIS STATE, I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WITH THE STAFF THERE, THE LEGISLATORS, AND THAT WAS A GOAL FOR ME PERSONALLY WHEN I BECAME THE CHAIR IS TO DEVELOP THOSE RELATIONSHIPS SO THAT WE CAN WORK COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER.

WE ARE A PART OF THE STATE, AND WE WANT TO DO OUR PART TO HELP MAKE THIS STATE EVEN BETTER.

>> Don: STEPHANIE BRYAN IS CHAIRWOMAN OF THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS.

IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S AN HONOR.

>> Don: ABSOLUTELY.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY WAS FOUNDED IN 1901.

BECOMING THE NATION'S FIRST PUBLICLY FUNDED INDEPENDENT STATE ARCHIVES AGENCY.

THE ARCHIVES IDENTIFIES, PRESERVES, AND MAKES ACCESSIBLE RECORDS AND ARTIFACTS OF ENDURING HISTORICAL VALUE TO THE STATE.

THOMAS OWEN FOUNDED THE AGENCY AND SERVED AS ITS FIRST DIRECTOR.

HE WAS SUCCEEDED BY HIS WIFE, MARIE BANKHEAD OWEN WHO HEADED THE ARCHIVES FOR 35 YEARS AND WAS THE SECOND WOMAN TO LEAD A STATE AGENCY.

>> Don: AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING POSSIBLE SENATE ACTION ON A BILL THAT WOULD BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT OF FAIRHOPE WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS PANDEMIC AND VOTING RELATED BILLS AND WHO WILL LOOK AHEAD TO THE FEW DAYS REMAINING IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN FARLEY OF McCALLA WHO WILL TALK ABOUT AN ELECTION BILL THAT HE'S CARRIED THIS YEAR AND ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF EXPECTED HOUSE VOTE ON A GAMBLING MEASURE AND ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.