>>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL"'S WEEK IN REVIEW.

LEADING, THE PASSAGE OF GENERAL FUND THROUGH THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES.

IT TOTALED JUST OVER $3 BILLION AND FUNDS THE STATE'S NON-EDUCATION AGENCIES.

THE HOUSE PASSED BUDGETS IS $15 MILLION MORE THAN WHAT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL IS $13 MILLION MORE THAN THE GOVERNOR REQUESTED.

HOUSE GENERAL FUND CHAIRMAN REX REYNOLDS CALLED THE PLAN A STRONG BUDGET FOR ALABAMA.

>> FROM THE GOVERNOR TRANSMITTED THE BUDGET, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE A COUPLE MORE MONTHS IN RECEIPTS IN REVENUE, SO WE PLUSSED THAT UP ABOUT 28 MILLION ABOVE WHAT SHE ALLOCATED AND ABOUT ONLY FOUR LINE ITEM CHANGES TO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

A GOOD BUDGET.

WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND PROUD OF THE MEMBERS SUPPORTING US.

>> AS I MENTIONED, THIS HOUSE VERSION THAT WAS AMENDED IN COMMITTEE IS $15 MILLION MORE THAN IVEY'S ORIGINAL BUDGET AND THERE WERE SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

COMPARING THE TWO VERSIONS, THIS HOUSE-PASSED BUDGET HAS $1 MILLION LESS FOR THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE GRANT PROGRAM, BUT $2 MILLION MORE FOR THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

BOTH THOSE ARE HOUSED IN ADECA.

THERE IS $325 THOUSAND MORE FOR THE ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION, $1.76 MILLION MORE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, MOST OF WHICH IS FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOOLS AT HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL.

THERE'S $1.3 MILLION MORE FOR TOURISM SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

$2.5 MILLION MORE FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PISTOL PERMIT REVENUE LOSS FUND -- THIS IS THE FUND SET UP BY THE PERMIT-LESS CARRY LEGISLATION LAST YEAR.

FINALLY THE BIGGEST PLUS UP IS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, WITH A $4.45 MILLION INCREASE.

THAT INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION FOR CRISIS CENTERS, $2 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY PROVIDERS, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ISSUE THIS PAST WEEKEND, AND $450,000 MORE FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING.

OUR OWN RANDY SCOTT WAS THERE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TO SEE THE GENERAL FUND MOVE PLUS OTHER KEY LEGISLATION.

HE REPORTS FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> WITH THE SESSION AT FULL SPEED, HOUSE MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND SOME OF ITS SUPPORTING BILLS.

UNDER THE MEDICAID AGENCY, AN INCREASE FOR PHYSICIAN CARE, NURSING HOMES AND PHARMACY $69,468,299.

UNDER MENTAL HEALTH FOR CRISIS CARE AN INCREASE OF $10,000,996.

UNDER PARDONS AND PAROLE FOR MERIT RAISES, BENEFITS AND EQUIPMENT, $4.9 MILLION.

>> H.B.-154 IS THIS BILL WOULD PROVIDE A 2% COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1 IN 2023.

THIS BILL IS A 2% INCREASE COST OF LIVING RAISE.

>> BOTH PROPOSALS PASS.

LAW,S ARE DEALING WITH DISMISSAL OF ALABAMA EARLY CHILDHOOD SECRETARY BARBARA COOPER, THIS AFTER STATE OFFICIALS FOUND HER OFFICE DISTRIBUTING TRAINING MANUALS CONTAINING QUESTIONABLE WOKE CONCEPTS.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU HEAR PEOPLE ON THE LEFT SAY, WELL, THERE IS NONE OF THIS MATERIAL IN OUR SCHOOLS K-12.

SO WE NOW KNOW THAT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT TRUE.

I ALSO SUPPORT IS IT GOVERNOR'S DECISION BECAUSE I AGREE WITH HER, THERE'S NO PLACE, PARTICULARLY IN KINDERGARTEN FOR THIS TYPE OF MATERIAL.

>> IT'S SACRIFICING PUBLIC EDUCATION.

A GOOD EMPLOYEE THAT YOU PRAISED LAST YEAR JUST FOR SOME POLITICAL END.

BUT THE OVERALL PROBLEM, THOUGH, IS THE CHILLING EFFECT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS ACROSS THE BOARD WHO ARE REALLY TRYING TO BEST TO DO THEIR JOB TO MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD IN THEIR CLASSROOM FEELS VALUED, INCLUDED AND NOT SEPARATE FROM THE GROUP OVERALL.

>> THE LOWER CHAMBER APPROVED A RESOLUTION HONORING HARRY BELAFONTE, CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE, WHO PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK.

>> ENTERTAINER, SINGER, ACTOR, MOST IMPORTANTLY WAS HE PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, HE MARCHED FROM SELMA TO MONTGOMERY.

HE PROVIDED AND BROUGHT IN ENTERTAINERS AND CELEBRITIES TO KEEP THE SPIRITS UPLIFTED OF THE MARCHERS.

SO I WOULD ASK THAT WE JUST PASS A RESOLUTION HONORING HIM AND HIS WORKING COMMITMENT TO ALABAMA, AND I HOPE THAT WE'RE INSPIRED BY HIS WORK TO CONTINUE TO MAKE ALABAMA MORE FAIR, EQUAL, EQUITABLE AND A JUST PLACE FOR ALL PEOPLE.

>>> A BIG DEVELOPMENT ON THE GROCERY SALES TAX ISSUE.

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

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

AINSWORTH SIGNALED THAT THIS WOULD BE THE VEHICLE BY WHICH LAWMAKERS ACHIEVE A GROCERY TAX CUT, AND WHILE DEMOCRATS HAD OTHER PROPOSALS, THEY SEEM TO BE ON BOARD WITH THIS ONE FOR NOW.

>> SO THIS IS GOING TO PRODUCE A REDUCTION IN EVERYBODY'S BILLS.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BENEFIT FROM THIS.

WE'RE ONE OF THREE STATES THAT STILL TAXES GROCERY.

IT'S TIME TO END THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ISSUE FOR A WHILE.

FIRST I THINK IT'S GOING TO CUT THE GROCERY TAX IN HALF.

IT DOES IT IN FOUR YEARS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE GROWTH IN THE E.T.F.

IT'S TIME TO DO THIS.

WE COULDN'T DO IT IN THE HOUSE WHEN I STARTED FROM A FISCAL POINT.

WE CAN NOW.

>> I CO-SPONSORED THE BILL, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DID TALK TO ME ABOUT IT.

I HAVE ANOTHER VERSION OF THE BILL.

I'M SUPPORTING IT, I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR IT AND I JUST WANT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO GET SOME TYPE OF RELIEF.

OF COURSE, I THINK MY VERSION OF THE BILL IS BETTER BECAUSE IT'S MORE IMMEDIATE, AND ALSO WE ARE REPLACING THOUGH FUNDS AND NOT LOSING FUNDS FROM THE E.T.F.

AGAIN, ANY TYPE OF RELIEF THAT THE FOLKS FROM THERE STATE OF ALABAMA CAN GET I'M GOING TO SUPPORT AND BE BEHIND.

>> ONCE COMPLETELY IMPLEMENTED, JONES ESTIMATES HIS PLAN WOULD AMOUNT TO ANNUAL SAVINGS OF $200 TO $250 FOR AN AVERAGE ALABAMA FAMILY.

ITEMS THAT QUALIFY WOULD BE THOSE LISTED AS FOOD BASED ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PLAN DEFINITION, WHICH IS THE MORE GENEROUS DEFINITION.

HE DISCUSSED THE PLAN IN DETAIL HERE ON CAPITOL JOURNAL THIS WEEK.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT AND DREAMED ABOUT FOR DECADES NOW.

WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS REDUCE THE STATE PORTION ON GROCERY TAXES FROM 4% DOWN TO 2 THROUGH A GRADUAL PHASEOUT, AND THAT PHASEOUT WOULD NOT OCCUR IF THERE WAS NOT 2% ANNUAL GROWTH IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET EACH YEAR FOR THE DRAWDOWN.

SO WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT THE EDUCATION BUDGET, OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION, IS PROTECTED THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

SO THAT'S THE KEY MAKEUP OF THE BILL.

IT'S A GRADUAL DRAWDOWN COGNIZANT OF THE ECONOMIC TIMES WE'RE LIVING IN.

>> A HIGH PROFILE CRIME BILL WAS BEFORE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES THIS WEEK.

IT'S A MEASURE TO FIGHT RETAIL THEFT.

THE SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCED THE MEASURE, BUT THE HOUSE PANEL WANTS TO STUDY IT MORE.

KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THAT STORY.

>> THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSED THE RETAIL THEFT CRIME PREVENTION ACT.

>> MOST OF THESE PEOPLE ARE NEVER BEING CHARGED ANYWAY, WHETHER THEY GO THROUGH THE SELF-CASH REGISTER OR NOT, BASED ON THE INTENT OF HIDING THE STUFF ON THEIR PERSON, IN THEIR POCKETS, THINGS OF NATURE.

>> COLLIDE CHAMBLISS IS SPONSORING THE BILL TO IDENTIFY S.E.C.

TECHNIQUES SUCH AS TAG SWITCHING AND CONSIDERS TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS TO BAR CODES AND REGISTERS.

>> SO, WE FEEL, I FEEL A NEED, AS SUGGESTED BY THE POLICE CHIEFS IN MY AREA THAT WE HAVE A CODE SPECIFICALLY DEALING WITH SHOPLIFTING.

>> MOST OF THEM ARE OUR OWN CITIZENS AND PEOPLE LIVING CLOSE BY.

IT CHANGES SOME THINGS AND GIVES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT WEAPON.

>> DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN AND REPUBLICAN STATE SENATE SAM GAVAN SUPPORT THE BILL BUT SHARE THE SIMILAR CONCERN.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, YOU COME OUT OF THERE, GO INTO THE GUARD.

THE CASH REGISTER IS SITTING THERE.

THE NOW YEARS, PLANTS, POTTERY, ALL THAT IS ON THE OUTSIDE.

IF I PUSH THE BUTTON AND PASS THAT CASH REGISTER, I AM GUILTY.

>> SENATOR, YOU MAKE ME THINK ABOUT THIS, I HAVE TWO CANS OF TUNA IN THE BACK OF THE BUGGY, GO THROUGH THE CASH REGISTER -- I HATE THE SELF-CHECKOUTS.

>> I DO, TOO.

>> I DIDN'T SEE IT, FORGET ABOUT IT, GOT IN THE CAR, AND THEY WEREN'T IN THE BAG.

I SAID WHAT'S GOING ON?

I WENT BACK AND PAID FOR THEM.

SHE SAID THIS HAPPENS MORE THAN YOU THINK IT HAPPENS.

>> I THINK THERE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE ROOM THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE POINT OF SALE PAST THE CASH REGISTER FOR ISSUES LAKE YOU SAID, LIKE THE GARDEN CENTER, LIKE THE ICE BIN BEING BEYOND THE CASH REGISTER, SO, YES, THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

>> THE BILL ALSO ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT, WHICH IS THEFT BY TWO OR MORE PEOPLE.

IT LEVIES PENALTIES FOR THE MULTIPLE WAYS THIS TYPE OF THEFT OCCURS AND FOR THE WAYS THIEVES PROFIT FROM IT.

ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT COSTS U.S.

RETAILERS $100 BILLION ANNUALLY, AND IT LEADS TO THE CLOSURE OF SOME BUSINESSES, INCLUDING BUSINESSES HERE IN ALABAMA.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>>> THERE WAS REACTION IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK TO THE OUSTER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SECRETARY BARBARA COOPER OVER A PRE-K TRAINING MANUAL GOVERNOR KAY IVEY DESCRIBED AS "WOKE AND INAPPROPRIATE."

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, IN A PRESS RELEASE, CITED TWO EXAMPLES FROM THE BOOK - ONE DISCUSSING WHITE PRIVILEGE AND THAT "THE UNITED STATES IS BUILT ON SYSTEMIC AND STRUCTURAL RACISM" AND ANOTHER THAT IVEY'S OFFICE CLAIMED TEACHES LGBTQ+ INCLUSION TO 4-YEAR-OLDS.

STATE SENATOR MERIKA COLEMAN, WHO CHAIRS THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS, EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE DECISION.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE LOVED ABOUT BEING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS THAT, FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN CAUGHT UP THIS SOME OF THAT NATIONAL STUFF.

THAT'S HOW WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER.

THIS FEELS LIKE SOME OF THE NATIONAL STUFF.

AND THEN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PAMPHLET THAT WAS REFERRED TO, IT'S THE SAME PAMPHLET THEY HAVE BEEN USING ALL THESE YEARS, WHY WAS IT NOT A CONCERN PRIOR TO.

DR. COOPER HAS AMAZING CREDENTIALS.

SHE'S BEEN A PART OF MAKING OUR PRE-K PROGRAM ONE OF THE TOP PROGRAMS IN THE NATION, THE MODEL OTHER PEOPLE ARE COMING TO LOOK AT.

AND I WOULD JUST REALLY HATE NOW THAT WE'RE LOSING HER TO ANOTHER STATE AND THAT SOMEBODY WOULD USE A POLITICAL ISSUE TO GET RID OF SOMEONE THAT, AGAIN, HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> THE SENATE HAD A SPECIAL VISIT THIS WEEK FROM 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 RESOLUTION HONORING THAT MILESTONE AND CELEBRATING ITS 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.

>> WAR EAGLE.

>> WAR EAGLE.

>> AND, 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 JUST 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 HAS ALWAYS BEEN 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.

>>> SPEAKING OF MILESTONES, LAWMAKERS MARKED A SPECIAL ONE FOR ONE OF THEIR OWN: STATE SENATOR JABO WAGGONER THIS WEEK CELEBRATED 50 YEARS IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

HE WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE HOUSE IN 1967 WHERE HE SERVED FOR 17 YEARS AND LATER WAS ELECTED TO THE STATE SENATE IN 1990 WHERE HE HAS SERVED EVER SINCE REPRESENTING SUBURBAN BIRMINGHAM.

HIS COLLEAGUES THREW A SPECIAL RECEPTION HONORING THE VETERAN LAWMAKER, AND WE WERE THERE TO CAPTURE SOME OF THE CELEBRATION.

>> SO MUCH HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT JABO.

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN HERE.

ANDREW JACKSON WAS TELLING HIM STORIES.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SAY ANYTHING DIFFERENT.

HE'S GOOD TO BE AROUND, GOOD TO WORK WITH, AND HE'S A MENTOR TO EVERY LEGISLATOR THAT HAS EVER BEEN IN ALABAMA, I THINK.

>> I REMEMBER GOING UP TO HIS OFFICE.

MICHAEL, WHO IS PHENOMENAL, AS HIS ASSISTANCE, AND SITTING AT HIS OFFICE, AND WE STARTED TO HUM AND SING "SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT."

IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE HYMNS FROM THE GAITHER FAMILY.

I KNEW HERE IS A GENTLEMAN WHO, FIRST OF ALL, UNDERSTANDS SERVING LEADERSHIP, BUT WHO UNDERSTANDS IT AS TO WHAT IT MEANS WHEN WE SAY TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED.

>> I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING SENATOR WAGGONER'S HOUSE MEMBER FOR 14 YEARS.

WE DEALT WITH CONTINUE -- CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.

I WOULD SAY SENATOR WAGONER AND I TALKED ABOUT IT AND SAID THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THEY SAID, I'M SURE YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.

>> I'M ABOUT TO TURN 50 IN SEPTEMBER AND I'M THINKING ABOUT LEGACY.

WHAT AM I GOING TO LEAVE TO THIS EARTH.

SURELY CHISHOLM SAID SERVICE IS THE RENT FOR THE TIME WE SPEND ON THIS EARTH.

HE'S PAID THAT RENT.

I SEE THE CONNECTION WITH THE COLLEAGUES AND HIM BEING SO HUMBLE, RIGHT, BECAUSE GREAT LEADERS TO ME ARE ALSO THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE HUMBLE, THAT PROP OTHER PEOPLE UP.

SO WE HEARD OTHER MEMBERS OF LEADERSHIP TONIGHT SAY THE ROLE HE PLAYED IN THEM BECOMING LEADERS.

SO THAT'S A SIGN OF A GREAT LEADER.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM.

>> I DON'T THINK I WOULD SWAP MY LIFE AND WHAT I'VE DONE AND WHAT I'VE ACCOMPLISHED FOR ANY OTHER PROFESSION.

I HAVE BEEN TOTALLY HAPPY AND PLEADS -- PLEASED AND MY FAMILY HAS ALLOWED ME TO DO WHAT I DO, AND I HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, THE PEOPLE I'VE MET, THE PEOPLE I'VE INFLUENCED, THE PROJECTS I HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL ON, YOU KNOW, AND I HAVE THREE AND A HALF MORE YEARS, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING FOR 50 YEARS.

YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE I'VE MET, THE GOOD FRIENDS THAT I'VE HAD THROUGH THE YEARS, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST BEEN A WONDERFUL LIFE, YOU KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY EXCEPT I'VE ENJOYED WHAT I'VE DONE.

I THINK I HAVE BEEN REASONABLY GOOD AT WHAT I'VE DONE.

I'VE MET SOME BIG PEOPLE, I'VE MET PEOPLE ON THE STREET, AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE HAVE INFLUENCED MY LIFE AND MADE ME WHO I AM AND WHAT I AM TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, TO ROD RICHARDSON AND JACK WILLIAMS FOR BEING THERE TO CAPTURE THE MOMENT.

I'LL SPEAK WITH SENATOR WAGGONER AT LENGTH ABOUT HIS CAREER LATER IN THE SHOW, BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT.

COMING UP NEXT, I'LL SPEAK WITH HOUSE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN REX REYNOLDS AND AFTER THAT DARLENE HUTCHINSON OF THE ALABAMA VICTIMS COMPENSATION COMMISSION.

GOTTA SAVE JABO FOR THE END TO KEEP YOU WATCHING.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS FROM HUNTSVILLE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME.

>> BIG WEEK FOR YOU AND THE COMMITTEE.

THE GENERAL FUN BUDGET WAS ON THE FLOOR, NOT JUST THE BUDGET BUT THE SUPPLEMENTAL, ALL THE VARIOUS BILLS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT.

YOU'RE SITTING AT THE DIAS FOR ALL OF IT.

SEEMED TO GO PRETTY SMOOTHLY.

>> I FEEL IT DID.

WE WENT TO WORK BACK IN LATE DECEMBER, I REMEMBER AFTER NOW SPEAKER LEDBETTER GAVE PUBLIC INDICATION HE WANTED ME TO BE HIS BUDGET CHAIR IN EARLY NOVEMBER.

BY EARLY DECEMBER I WAS GETTING CALLS FROM CHAIRMAN ALBRITTON AND DIRECTOR POOLE.

THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH.

WE HAD MEETINGS THROUGH DECEMBER, BY THE TIME JANUARY GOT HERE MY CALENDAR WAS PRETTY FULL EVERY WEEK, AN, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, BOTH BUDGETS WERE PLUSSED-UP THIS YEAR, SO THAT PROMPTED A LOT OF MEETINGS, PEOPLE WANTED TO GET TO THE TABLE, SHARE THEIR STORY AND TELL ME OF THEIR NEEDS.

>> SURE.

IT'S YOUR FIRST YEAR AS BUDGETARY, AS YOU MENTIONED.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE, YOU KIND OF GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN WHEN THE GENERAL FUND STARTS IN THE HOUSE VERSUS THE SENATE.

THIS YEAR THE SENATE HAS THE EDUCATION BUDGET STARTING AND Y'ALL ARE FLIP-FLOPPING.

YOU DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO WATCH THE PROCESS.

YOU HAD TO GO FIRST.

WAS THAT A BIT OF A CHALLENGE IS THIS.

>> IT WAS.

WE HAD THE ARPA THERE IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

APPRECIATED THE GOVERNOR DOING THAT NOT ONLY FOR THE BUDGET CHAIR BUT 31 FRESHMEN, JUST FELT LIKE WE NEEDED TIME TO FOCUS ON THAT.

I'LL TELL YOU THAT A LOT OF THEM REALLY PARTICIPATED IN THE PROCESS.

A LOT OF THE SENIOR MEMBERS WERE THERE THROUGHOUT JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, BRINGING IN COMMUNITY LEADERS, INDUSTRY LEADERS AND, REALLY, I KNOW, I REALIZE EDUCATING ME ON WHAT THEY DO, WHAT THEIR ORGANIZATION DOES AND THE FUNDING NEEDS THEY HAVE.

SO CERTAINLY GOING INTO THE ARPA FUNDS.

SPEAKER LEDBETTER SET A JOINT CAUCUS MEETING, SO WE HAD REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE ROOM, THEY ALL HEARD THE SAME STORY, SAME BRIEFING.

I HAD OUR PHYSICAL OFFICE THERE, JUST THE EXPERTS ABOUT THE ECONOMY TO HEAR KIND OF WHERE WE SIT ON THE ARPA FUNDS AND JUST THE OVERALL STABILITY OF ALABAMA RIGHT NOW.

SO I THINK THAT WENT REALLY WELL.

ARPA MOVED FAST, SO WE REPLICATED THAT WITH THE GENERAL FUND.

AGAIN, HAD A JOINT CAUCUS MEETING AND HAD EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM TOGETHER AS I WENT THROUGH THE BRIEFINGS AND I THINK IT REALLY PAID OFF WHEN IT CAME TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

>> BOTH ARPA AND THE GENERAL FUND WERE UNANIMOUS IN THE HOUSE.

>> GENERAL FUND WAS 105 TO 0, I DON'T THINK ARPA WAS.

>> I GUESS IT WAS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS -- >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I WAS TALKING ON THE RADIO ABOUT HOW INTERESTING THAT IS.

A GENERAL FUND BUDGET PASSING UNANIMOUSLY, ALL REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

AROUND THE COUNTRY, A LOT OF RANCOR BETWEEN THE PARTIES, CERTAINLY WASHINGTON.

NOTHING HAPPENS ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

IT'S CURIOUS YOU WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE JOINT MEETINGS?

YOU MUST MAKE AN EVIDENT TO TRULY WANT TO GET EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY WANTS IN THERE.

>> I DID, TODD, THAT WAS IMPORTANT.

AND BECAUSE OF ALABAMIANS, YOU KNOW, I CALL IT A CONFIDENCE IN SPENDING, THE DOLLARS ARE THERE FOR ME TO ACCOMPLISH THATCH MY DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO MEMBERS.

THEY GET TOP PRIORITY.

MY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DIANE HARPER KNOWS THAT.

IF THERE'S A SCHEDULING CONFLICT, THE MEMBER COMES FIRST, AND I DON'T RESTRICT THAT TO JUST REPUBLICANS.

IT'S REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

I BEGAN A SPREAD -- SPREADSHEET PROCESS AND EVERY MEMBER THAT CAME IN, I DOCUMENTED THEIR NEEDS AND PUT THEIR NAME NEXT TO IT AND WORKED THAT INTO THE BUDGET.

>> SO THERE WERE CHANGES BETWEEN WHAT THE GOVERNOR SENT OVER AND WHAT YOU AS A HOUSE VOTED OUT.

WE INTENT THROUGH THESE EARLIER, BUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES -- MORE MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SPECIFICALLY THE CRISIS CENTERS, SOME TRAINING IN THAT AREA.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR WORKFORCE NEEDS ESPECIALLY HUNTSVILLE AREA, A GROWING AREA WHERE YOU'RE FROM.

TALK ABOUT THE PLUS-UPS AS COMPARED TO THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET THAT YOU WILL ANNOUNCE IN THE SENATE.

>> HAVE BEEN IN A VERY IMPORTANT POSITION TO DO THAT.

I HAVE BEEN ON THE GENERAL FUND FOR FOUR YEARS BUT DIDN'T DO WHAT CHAIRMAN CLAUSE DID ON THE FRONT END.

I DISRUPTED A STRONG BUDGET WHICH GAME FROM THE GOVERNOR.

WE PULLED A MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE EV LINE ITEM.

AGAIN, WHEN I HAD TO LOOK FOR FUNDING FOR THESE OTHER AREAS, I LOOKED AT AREAS THAT SAW A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.

SO WE PULLED THAT.

THE GOVERNOR PLUSSED-UP THE EXPANSION IN PROGRAMS AND COST TO MENTAL HEALTH, AND SHE PUT A LITTLE OVER $5 MILLION INTO IT AND I WAS ABLE TO PLUS THAT UP AN ADDITIONAL 2 MILLION IN TWO DIFFERENT AREAS BOTH FOR THE CRISIS CENTERS AND THE INDIVIDUAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT ALABAMA.

AND, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE HOSPITAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THAT'S AN AREA THAT'S TYPICALLY BEEN IN THE BUDGET AND GOT ZEROED OUT.

WENT BACK IN AND PUT THAT IN THERE.

JUST THIS YEAR AT THE OPENING OF A NEW CENTER WHERE HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL IS PARTNERED WITH DRAKE TECH TO TRAIN OUR NURSES.

THE PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING WIDE OPEN, AND CERTAINLY NEED TO CONTINUE TO SEE THAT FUNDING STAY THERE.

>> AND, YOU KNOW, FOLKS, IF THEY HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS FOR A LONG TIME, PAYING ATTENTION TO ALABAMA POLITICS FOR A LONG TIME, THEY KNOW IT'S RARE WE'RE TALKING IN SUCH POSITIVE WAYS ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND.

YOU GO BACK SO TEN, 20 YEARS, IT WAS ALWAYS A PROBLEMATIC FUND BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF GROWTH REVENUE IN IT.

THAT CHANGED WITH THE ONLINE SALES TAX.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THE REASON WHY YOU CAN HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR FOLKS WHEN THEY COME TO YOUR OFFICE.

TALK ABOUT THAT TAX, THAT REVENUE TREATMENT AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE GOING FORWARD.

>> THE THREE TOP CONTRIBUTES TO THE GENERAL FUND, THE INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX, THE USE TAX AND THE SSUT TAX, WERE ALL UP.

I GAVE A BRIEF OF THAT ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE ON TUESDAY BECAUSE I WANTED P MEMBERS TO FEEL THE CONFIDENCE I DID IN EXPENDING THE EXTRA REVENUE THAT WE RECOGNIZED HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT DID NOT COME OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, AND THAT'S SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAD AN EXTRA TWO MONTHS' OF RECEIPTS TO LOOK AT.

WE FINISHED LAST YEAR OVER 227 MILLION WITH SSUT, AND THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, WE'RE ALREADY SEEING AS MUCH AS A 20% INCREASE.

SO, AGAIN, IT'S WHAT I CALL CONFIDENCE IN SPENDING KIND OF GOING FORWARD.

THAT MADE IT STRONGER.

ANOTHER THING, TOO, WITH THE INTEREST RATES BEING UP, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ME SAY THAT ON THE FLOOR TUESDAY.

SO OUR INTEREST ON STATE DEPOSITS COMES TO THE GENERAL FUND, AND WE TYPICALLY ARE AT A 30-$31 MILLION LINE ITEM THERE AND WE WERE AS HIGH AS 157 MILLION ON THAT INTEREST BY THE TIME I BROUGHT THAT BUDGET TO THE FLOOR TUESDAY.

>> WOW, LOTS OF DIFFERENT ECONOMIC FACTORS TO CONSIDER.

>> YES.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, IF I CAN.

I HAD THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER ON HERE EARLIER THIS WEEK TALKING ABOUT THE 988 PROGRAM.

SHE WAS DESCRIBING IT.

IT'S BEEN AROUND A LITTLE WHILE.

TRYING TO EDUCATE FOLKS ON, LOOK, THIS IS JUST LIKE 911, EXCEPT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, AND JUST TRYING TO GET OUT THE WORD ABOUT THIS.

NOW SHE HAS LEGISLATION.

THERE IS LEGISLATION DEALING WITH THIS, MAYBE FINDING WAYS TO FUND IT THROUGH THOSE FEES, TELEPHONE FEES.

TALK ABOUT THIS IN TERMS OF THE IMPORTANCE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE POLICY REALM ON MENTAL HEALTH FOR A WHILE.

TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THIS LINE CAN MAKE.

>> WELL, COMMISSIONER BOSWELL AND HER TEAM, THEY'RE MY HEROES, I CALL THEM MY HEROES ALL THE TIME FOR THE WORK THEY'RE DOING IN MENTAL HEALTH.

YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO THEN LEADER LEDBETTER WHEN HE LED THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEE ON MALE, AND THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THESE PROGRAMS KIND OF GREW FROM.

I THINK I HAD A COUPLE OF BILLS INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HOURS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING.

WE HAD TO GET THAT RIGHT BEFORE WE MOVED INTO THE CRISIS CENTERS MENTAL HEALTH WAS ALREADY WORKING ON.

WE OPENED THE FIRST I THINK HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND AT THE SAME TIME HAD ONE COMING OPEN IN HUNTSVILLE THERE WITH WELLSTONE.

WE CHANGED THE INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT LAW TO MAKE IT SMOOTHER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TRANSITION THAT PERSON IN NEED TO THAT CARE CENTER, AND WITHOUT HAVING TO LOCK THEM UP OVERNIGHT OR MAYBE THEM SITTING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, WE'RE GETTING THEM THE CRITICAL CARE THAT THEY NEED.

THE PROGRAM'S BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL, WE'RE FIXING TO OPEN UP CRISIS CENTER FIVE AND SIX, ONE IN TUSCALOOSA AND ONE IN DOTHAN, AND NOW WE HAVE THEM ESTABLISHED IN HUNTSVILLE, BIRMINGHAM, MONTGOMERY AND MOBILE.

SPEAKER LEDBETTER, I WENT WITH HIM AT ATLANTA TO SPEAK AT A LARGE SYMPOSIUM ON MENTAL HEALTH, AND HE SAID IT BEST.

WE IN ALABAMA HAVE SPENT PLUS OVER $130 MILLION IN MENTAL HEALTH TO DEVELOP THESE CENTERS.

WE'VE GOT THE FOUR CENTERS OPEN NOW.

WE'VE GOT, LIKE, 30 MOBILE CRISIS CENTERS.

SO WE'VE GOT A HUGE INVESTMENT.

SO I THINK THIS BILL, 998 BILL, PUTS STABILITY IN THE FUNDING TO CARRY THE CRISIS CENTERS THROUGH MANY BUDGET CYCLES, REGARDLESS OF THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE LEGISLATURE OR THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF ALABAMA'S BUDGET, BECAUSE THAT MONEY WILL BE MOVED TO THE TREASURY AND BE FUNDING THAT DIRECTLY OUT OF THE TREASURY.

>> I KNOW IT'S JUST BEEN FILED, BUT TALKING WITH COLLEAGUES, DO YOU SEE SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE FOR THIS BILL?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT IS AN INCREASE.

IT'S AN INCREASE, BUT IT'S JUST IN THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THAT THE 998 DATELINE HAS BEEN UP.

OVER 18,000 CALLS JUST RELATED TO SUICIDE.

THAT'S IDENTIFYING A HUGE PROBLEM.

YOU CAN ALSO TIE THAT TO A LOT OF THE TRAGEDY WE'RE SEEING IN ALABAMA.

JUST HAD THE TERRIBLE EPISODE IN DADEVILLE, AND YOU COULD JUST GO ON AND ON.

SO IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE GOT TO FOCUS ON AND ENSURE WE HAVE FUNDING MOVING FORWARD.

THIS MORNING, I FACILITATED A VERY LARGE MEETING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WITH SOME OF THE TELECOM PROVIDERS.

THEY'RE HAVING INPUT.

THE SPEAKERS ASKED ME TO FETE THIS BILL RIGHT AND DON'T BE IN A RUSH, OPEN IT UP, WORK WITH EVERYBODY, AND THAT PROCESS BEGAN TODAY.

SO WE'LL WORK WITH OUR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND PARTNERS, CERTAINLY AT SOME POINT I HOPE THEY CAN STAND UP AND SUPPORT IT.

A LOT OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY SUPPORT 988, THEY HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE PUBLIC AND SEE THE KNEEL FOR IT.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE IN COMMITTEE THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY.

>> APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE FIRST BUDGET CYCLE.

NOT FINISHED YET.

>> APPRECIATE THAT.

NO, IT'S NOT.

>> THANKS AGAIN.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS DARLENE HUTCHINSON OF THE ALABAMA CRIMES COMMISSION.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN ALABAMA.

WE SPOKE WITH ALABAMA ADVOCACY ABOUT SOME OF THEIR REPORTING ON THIS, BUT YOU'RE WITH THE COMMISSION HERE IN THE STATE, AND I KNOW THAT -- I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU TO MAYBE GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES AND ITS ROLE HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> FIRST ON VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO PARTICIPATE WITH A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES AROUND THE STATE, A LOT OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS HOST EVENT.

I WAS UP IN FLORENCE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO SPEAKING AT THE VIGIL THAT THEY HAVE UP THERE THAT PAYS HONOR TO HOMICIDE VICTIMS AND ALSO GIVES A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO'VE SURVIVED VIOLENCE.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

FRIDAY NIGHT, THERE'S ALSO PROBABLY SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE SHOW, THERE'S A VIGIL IN MONTGOMERY ACROSS FROM THE CAPITOL AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SEE THE CROSSES UP THERE.

IT'S SIGNIFICANT TIME TO PAY TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS.

CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION IS SUCH A VITAL AGENCY.

IT WAS A STATE AGENCY ESTABLISHED IN 1984 BY THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE FUNDING IS RATHER PECULIAR.

A LOT OF STATES WERE DEVELOPING COMPENSATION PROGRAMS RIGHT AROUND THAT TIME IN THE LATE '70S, EARLY '80S.

A LOT OF THIS CAME OUT OF THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION, WHO WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST TO PROCLAIM A VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK, AND THEN HAD A STUDY THAT WENT AROUND THE COUNTRY LOOKING AT WHAT VICTIMS NEEDED, AND VICTIM CORP. SAYINGS PROGRAMS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THEY HAD.

SO THE FUNDING IN ALABAMA COMES $2 FROM A TRAFFIC INFRACTION, FOR INSTANCE, AND A FEW DOLLARS FROM FELONY CONVICTIONS AND A FEW FROM MISDEMEANORS, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT'S BEEN DECREASING SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE YEARS.

12 YEARS AGO, COMPARED TO TODAY.

TODAY WE'RE GETTING 61% OF WHAT WE GOT 12 YEARS AGO, WHEN INFLATION'S GONE UP, 28%.

AND WE'RE THE AGENCY THAT HELPS PAY FOR THE FUNERALS OR COUNSELING, TRANSPORTATION WHERE WE TRAVEL TO COURT FOR VICTIMS.

WE'RE THE PAYER OF LAST RESORT, SO WHEN A VICK HAS NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN, WE'RE THE AGENCY THEY TURN TO, AND WITH THE FUNDING WE'VE HAD RECENTLY, WE'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MEET OR MANDATE.

>> MY MIND GOES TO DADEVILLE, THE PASS SHOOTING UP THERE.

>> RIGHT.

>> I MEAN, YES, FOUR DEAD, BUT 32 INJURED, DOZENS PROBABLY AFFECTED BY THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND, SO, IF ONE OF THOSE VICTIMS JUST CAN'T PAY FOR A FUNERAL EXPENSE, CAN'T PAY FOR THE COUNSELING THEY NEED, THAT'S WHERE YOUR COMPENSATION FUND COMES IN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT SERVICES.

THERE ARE GREAT PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE COUNSELING TO CERTAIN VICTIMS, BUT SOMETIMES YOU WANT TO SEEK COUNSELING ELSEWHERE.

SOMETIMES IMMEDIATE FAMILY MAY NOT LIVE IN THE AREA OR THEY NEED TO TRAVEL TO THE TRIAL OR STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE PROSECUTORS.

I MEAN, WE'VE GOT NUMEROUS OFFENDERS IN THAT CASE THAT WILL BE GOING TO TRIAL, AND, SO, THAT JUST COMPOUNDS THE DIFFICULTY AND THE EXPENSES, AND YOU THINK ABOUT THESE PEOPLE WERE LIVING THEIR LIVES.

THEY WERE NEVER ANTICIPATING SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THEN YOU'RE SUDDENLY HIT NOT JUST WITH THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL TRAUMA SOMETIMES, BECAUSE SOME ARE STILL EVEN IN THE HOSPITAL, BUT THEN YOU HAVE THAT FINANCIAL ON TOP OF EVERYTHING.

AND I'VE KNOWN VICTIMS THAT END UP IN COLLECTIONS BECAUSE OF MEDICAL BILLS OR BECAUSE OF A FUNERAL EXPENSE, AND IT'S JUST TERRIBLE.

IT'S NOT THE WAY WE SHOULD BE TREATING VICTIM.

>> WHEN THE WHOLE REASON FOR IT IS THEY WERE A VICTIM OF A CRIME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO, YEAH, I MEAN, IT TOTALLY MAKES SENSE.

I THINK EVERYBODY SORT OF UNDERSTANDS IT.

BUT WHEN YOUR FUNDING DECLINES, IT PUTS A BACKLOG ON THINGS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> LIAM NELSON TALKED ABOUT THAT WITH A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES.

I LIKE HOW YOU POINTED IT OUT, IT'S A LOT OF FEES AND AS THE FEES DECLINE.

WHAT'S THE FIX TO THAT?

DO WE NEED TO APPROPRIATE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS FOR THIS?

>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.

I WAS ASKED TO BE A COMMISSIONER FOR THE COMMISSION LAST YEAR AND WE DECIDE CASES AND ACTUALLY NOW ARE DOING APPEALS MORE AND WE ALSO SET POLICY FOR THE OFFICE AND HIRE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WHICH WE RECENTLY HAIRED A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BUT, AFTER I WAS APPOINTED, I STARTED DIGGING INTO SOME OF THE NUMBERS SOME, AND I HAVE BEEN VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE AGENCY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, SINCE ABOUT 1988.

I STARTED DIGGING INTO THE FIGURES AND STAFF WAS HELPING ME UNEARTH WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WHY WE WERE HAVING A HARD TIME SERVING THE VICTIMS.

THAT'S WHERE WE WITNESS HOW UNFORTUNATE THIS TREND HAS BEEN, AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON AT LEAST 12 YEARS.

THAT'S AS FAR BACK AS WE'VE GONE.

WE'RE STARTING TO PRESENT THIS DATA TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ABOUT IT.

WE'RE FORTUNATE AND HAPPY THAT THE HOUSE, WHICH HAS PASSED THEIR GENERAL FUND BUDGET, OF COURSE, DID INSERT US INTO THE 2024 BUDGET FOR A LINE ITEM WHICH WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN THERE BEFORE GETTING OUR OWN TUNING, AND WE'RE IN THERE FOR 400,000, WHICH WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE, BUT WE'RE REALLY HOPEFUL WE CAN GET SUPPLEMENTAL EMERGENCY FUNDING TO HELP US GET OUT OF THE BACKLOG WE'VE ACCUMULATED, BECAUSE THE STATUTE WE OPERATE UNDER LIMITS OUR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, AND, SO, THEREFORE, AS STAFF AS LEFT, WHO ARE THE RID WHO WORK THE CLAIMS AND GET DATA FROM THE VICTIMS THAT ARE FILING FOR COMPENSATION, AS THEY'VE LEFT, WE'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS SO THAT'S HELPED CREATE THE BACKLOG.

WE HAVE 2,000 CASES NOW THAT WE'RE BACKLOGGED.

VICTIMS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE, AND WE'RE NOT ABLE TO GIVE THAT TO THEM.

SO WE HAVE FIGURED OUT WHAT WE THINK THAT LIABILITY WOULD BE IN DOLLARS, WHICH IS A LITTLE UNDER 4 MILLION.

WE'VE EXTRAPOLATED USING HISTORICAL DATA OF HOW MANY ARE APPROVED AND DENIED AND WHAT THE DOLLAR LEVELS USUALLY ARE.

SO WE HAVE BEEN APPROACHING THE LEGISLATURE AND ASKING FOR THIS EMERGENCY ONE-TIME FUNDING THAT COMES, AND IT WOULD BE IMMEDIATE, AS YOU KNOW, HOW THE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING WORKS.

IT'S ON THE 2023 BUDGET THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IN.

SO THAT WOULD BE A LIFELINE FOR US TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO HELP THESE VICTIMS WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO US.

LIKE YOU MENTIONED THE DADEVILLE CASE.

WE'VE SENT A TEAM UP THERE AND THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THOSE FOLKS, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE 1,900 IN FRONT OF THEM, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE TERRIBLE SITUATION IN OZARK WHERE WE FINALLY HAVE A CONVICTION AFTER 20-PLUS YEARS, AND THINK OF ALL THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN THROUGH OVER THE YEARS.

AND THE COST OF CRIME IS SIGNIFICANT, AND PEOPLE REALLY DON'T REALIZE THE EMOTIONAL COST BUT THEN THE FINANCIAL COST.

>> WELL, I KNOW A LOT OF LAWMAKERS WATCH THE SHOW, SO IT'S GOOD TO MAKE THAT APPEAL.

IT KIND OF REMINDS ME OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SITUATION WHERE THAT WAS SO UNDERFUNDED FOR SO LONG.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND THEN IT TOOK YEARS FOR ADVOCATES TO SAY, HEY, PAY ATTENTION, THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, AND NOW IT'S BEGINNING TO TURN AROUND.

MAYBE A SIMILAR SITUATION.

>> IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME, YOU'RE RIGHT, TODD, BECAUSE IT IS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE AND, YOU KNOW, YOU HEAR A LOT ABOUT REENTRY WITH PRISONERS AND INMATES.

SOMETIMES VICTIMS, YOU KNOW, THEY GO INTO THEIR CACOON AND THEY'RE READY TO REENTER SOCIETY BUT WE DON'T HAVE PROGRAMS WITH THEM.

I WAS IN COLLEGE WHEN I WAS KIDNAPPED AND BECAME A CRIME VICTIM.

NOBODY WAS GIVING ME A FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION.

I WAS PAYING FOR THAT.

THANKFULLY, BECAUSE OF CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION, I WAS ABLE TO GET A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS REIMBURSEMENT ON SOME OF THE EXPENSES I WAS OUT AND THE FEW WEEKS I WAS UNABLE TO WORK AND THAT HELPED ME STAY IN COLLEGE.

IT REALLY CAN BE A LIFELINE.

THE THREE 3-, 4-, $5 MILLION WE'RE ASKING FOR, WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO OTHER THINGS THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET BUT ALL NECESSARY AND IMPORTANT, THIS COULD BE THE MOST IMPACTFUL 3-, 4-, $5 MILLION THAT THE LEGISLATURE SPENDS IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR.

IT'S SO VITAL FOR A VICTIM TO FEEL LIKE SOMEBODY IS RESPONDING TO THEM.

I CAN'T IMAGINE BEING ON THE OTHER END OF THIS WHERE YOU FILE A CLAIM AND ARE DESPERATE AND YOU'RE NOT HEARING ANYTHING BACK.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THIS IS CERTAINLY AN ISSUE WE WANT TO FOLLOW.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR JABO WAGGONER.

SENATOR, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, TODD.

>> I SHOULD SAY RULES CHAIRMAN.

WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ARE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE POWERFUL RULES CHITTY.

WE WANT TO HAVE YOU ON THIS WEEK BECAUSE IT'S A SPECIAL WEEK FOR YOU.

YOU WERE HONORED OBSERVE THE FLOOR, AND THERE WAS A SPECIAL RECEPTION MARKING 50 YEARS IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

>> CORRECT.

>> SO I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU, WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE PEOPLE FUSSING OVER YOU THIS WEEK, BUT, ALSO, YOU MARKING YOURSELF.

50 YEARS IS QUITE A MILESTONE TO HAVE SERVED THIS LONG IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> IT REALLY IS, AND THIS WEEK HAS BEEN VERY SPECIAL IN MY LIFE BECAUSE OF THE CONVERSATION OF SERVING 50 YEARS, WHICH IS, I UNDERSTAND, THE FIRST IN ALABAMA'S HISTORY TO SERVE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE FOR 50 YEARS.

SO THERE WAS A BIG FUNCTION, PARTY LAST NIGHT, ATTENDED BY A LOT OF HOUSE MEMBERS AND SENATE MEMBERS.

WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT CAUSES YOU TO REMINISCE, WONDER.

IT REMINDS YOU OF HOW IT WAS, HOW WAS IT WHEN YOU GOT HERE IN 1967, AND THE WAY IT IS TODAY.

I COULD WRITE A BOOK -- IN FACT, I'M THINKING ABOUT IT.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES OVER THE 50 YEARS.

>> YEAH.

WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THAT.

BECAUSE, YEAH, I MEAN, THE STATE HAS CHANGED SO MUCH POLITICALLY, CULTURALLY.

YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF THAT.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE DIFFERENCES ARE AND SEEING THE HISTORY UNFOLD, NOT JUST AS AN OBSERVER BUT AS A PARTICIPANT.

>> WHEN I CAME TO MONTGOMERY IN JANUARY OF 1967 -- AS A SIDE NOTE, WHEN I CAME TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE STATE CAPITOL, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HAD EVER BEEN IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> OH, REALLY?

>> THE ONLY TIMES IN MY CHILDHOOD WHEN I CAME TO MONTGOMERY, I PLAYED IN AN 11-YEAR-OLD BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN THE DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY YMCA AND AGAIN WHEN I WAS 13.

THAT WAS MY LAST TIME TO BE IN MONTGOMERY UNTIL I TOOK A SEAT IN THE STATE CAPITOL AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SO I'VE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES OVER THE YEARS, BUT, WHEN I KIM TO MONTGOMERY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, IT WAS AN ALL-WHITE BODY, ALL 105.

IT WAS ALL MALE EXCEPT FOR ONE FEMALE NAMED CLARA STONE COLLINS FROM MOBILE, AND SHE WAS THE LONE REPUBLICAN AND LONE WOMAN.

EVERYBODY ELSE WAS MALE, OKAY.

AND THEY WERE ALL DEMOCRATS EXCEPT CLARA STONE COLLINS.

AND ACROSS THE HALLWAY, ACROSS THE CREDENZA, IN THE STATE SENATE, IT WAS, YOU KNOW, ALL DEMOCRAT EXCEPT ONE REPUBLICAN NAMED LELAND GILES, WHO HAD BEEN A RADIO GUY IN BIRMINGHAM, AND HE WAS THE LONE REPUBLICAN.

SO I'VE SEEN TOTAL CHANGES FROM THE WAY IT WAS TO THE WAY IT IS, AND THIS IS THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE, BASED ON PARTY AFFILIATION, RACE, YOU KNOW, MALE, FEMALE.

SO I'VE SEEN THE TOTAL TRANSITION.

>> YEAH.

1967, I MEAN, THAT WAS ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER VOTING RIGHTS WAS PASSED BY THE CONGRESS.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> SO STANDS TO REASON.

LOOKING BACK AT THOSE YEARS, I HAVE BEEN REPRESENTING THE BIRMINGHAM AREA, STAYED AROUND THERE FOR A LONG TIME, AND JUST A PART OF THAT BIRMINGHAM DELEGATION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, LOOKING BACK, SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE FROM YOUR SERVICE?

>> PROBABLY THE BIGGEST, MOST SIGNIFICANT, AND IT STANDS OUT AS MY NUMBER ONE ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND IT WAS IN 1975, THE PRESIDENT OF U.A.B., DR. JOSEPH VOLKER CALLED ME TO HIS OFFICE.

AND I HAD KNOWN HIM CASUALLY THROUGH THE YEARS, BUT HE WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF U.A.B.

AND HE SAID, I'VE GOT A BILL THAT I'D LIKE TO SHOW YOU AND I WANT YOU TO INTRODUCE IT INTO THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THIS WAS 1975, OKAY.

AND IT WAS AN $8.5 MILLION APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE EDUCATION BUDGET, $8.5 MILLION TO BUY 40 SQUARE BLOCKS OF PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE 15 SQUARE BLOCK UNIVERSITY PROPERTY.

THAT'S HOW LARGE U.A.B.

WAS IN 1975, 15 SQUARE BLOCKS.

THIS WOULD ADD 40 SQUARE BLOCKS AND IT WAS AN $8.5 MILLION APPROPRIATION.

I TOLD DR. VOLKER, I CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

THIS IS PROBABLY TOO BIG A PROJECT FOR ME.

HE SAID, NO, YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT.

THEY HAD A LOBBYIST, DR. RUDOLPH DAVIDSON, WHO TAUGHT ECONOMICS, AND HE WAS THE LOBBYIST AND WAS IN THE MEETING.

SO THEY GAVE ME THE BILL, AND I TOOK IT TO MONTGOMERY, AND GOT MAYBE 15 CO-SPONSORS.

I REALLY THOUGHT I HAD A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT INTRODUCING THIS BIG OF A PROJECT, BUT WE WERE PLAYING WHAT WE CALL BASEBALL WHERE EVERY HOUSE MEMBER GOT A TIME AT BAT FOR THEIR FAVORITE BILL, OKAY?

SO I INTRODUCED THE BILL, AND, LO AND BEHOLD, IT PASSED PRETTY EASY IN THE HOUSE.

AND IT GOT OVER TO THE SENATE, AND RICHARD SHELBY WAS THE STATE SENATOR FROM TUSCALOOSA, AND I NEVER HAVE BEEN COMFORTABLE KNOWING WAS RICHARD FOR THE BILL, DID HE WANT THE MONEY TO GO TO TUSCALOOSA, OR DID HE ALLOW IT TO COME TO U.A.B.?

WELL, HE STARTED FILIBUSTERING A LITTLE BIT, BUT HE GOT A TELEPHONE CALL, HE HAD TO LEAVE THE FLOOR.

I THINK IT MAYBE WAS THE PRESIDENT FROM TUSCALOOSA CAMPUS.

BUT JOE FINE GOT UP ON THE MIC AND PASSED THE BILL THROUGH THE SENATE, SO IT BECAME LAW.

AND THAT 15 SQUARE BLOCK CAMPUS BECAME 55 SQUARE BLOCKS WITH THAT LEGISLATION.

IT WAS URBAN RENEWAL LAND, AND IT WAS A ROUGH 40 SQUARE BLOCKS, ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT THE BILL PASSED AND BECAME LAW, AND, TODAY, I WOULD SAY ALL OF THE ACADEMIC BUILDINGS, THE BASEBALL STADIUM, THE FOOTBALL FIELD, THE ARENA, ALL OF THAT IS IN THAT 40-SQUARE BLOCK AREA OFF-- AREA.

TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE.

I HEARD IT WAS URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AND I WAS GOING ON THE BLOCK TO BE SOLD.

TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE, SO WE PASSED IT AND U.A.B.

GREW.

>> IT WOULDN'T BE THE U.A.B.

WE KNOW TODAY INCLUDING ALL THE INCREDIBLE MEDICAL RESEARCH.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN A BIG PROPONENT THAT AS WELL AND FROM THE NATIONAL LEVEL OF REALLY GROWING IT INTO A NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM.

>> RIGHT.

I TOLD THAT STORY, WHEN RICHARD SHELBY WAS DOWN A FEW WEEKS AGO AT A JOINT SESSION IN THE OLD HOUSE CHAMBER, AND I TOLD THAT STORY.

IT GOT KIND OF A BIG -- A LOT OF ATTENTION, WHEN I TOLD THAT STORY.

AND SHELBY WAS SITTING THERE LISTENING TO IT.

>> WAS JOE FINE LISTENING, TOO?

>> I THINK HE WAS PROBABLY IN THE AUDIENCE.

>> THAT'S FUNNY.

ALSO, NOT JUST U.A.B., BUT THE CONVENTION CENTER CHANGED SO MUCH.

LOOKING AT WHAT THE STADIUM LOOKS LAKE THOUSAND AND THE INCREDIBLE LEGACY ARENA.

IT TOOK A LONG TIME.

THERE WERE SO MANY EFFORTS TO GET IT WHERE IT IS, AND FINALLY SEEING IT WHERE THE FOOTBALL STADIUM, SEEING FINALLY THE N.C.A.

TOURNAMENT COME TO BIRMINGHAM, THAT'S A BIG FEATHER IN YOUR CAP AS WELL.

>> WELL, THERE'S A LITTLE HISTORY THERE.

WE HAD A -- THEY DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUILD THE STADIUM NOR IMPROVE THE B.J.C.C.

AT THE TIME.

SO THERE WAS LEGISLATION BROUGHT TO ME THAT WOULD ADD A ONE-CENT OR ONE PERCENT SALES TAX TO CAR RENTALS.

AND I SPONSORED IT, AND IT PASSED.

AND I HEARD -- THIS IS NOT MY STORY, BUT I HEARD THAT'S WHAT PUT THE FUNDING OVER THE TOP WAS THAT 1% SALES TAX ON AUTOMOBILE RENTALS AT THE AIRPORT.

SO I'VE GOTTEN A LITTLE CREDIT FOR THAT.

WHETHER IT WAS JUSTIFIED OR NOT, THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD.

>> BOTH OF THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU'RE BEING PRETTY MODEST.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS -- YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF MEMBERS, COLLEAGUES, SENATORS, HOUSE MEMBERS COME AND GO.

BUT WHEN I ASK AROUND ABOUT YOU AND YOUR LEGACY, A LOT OF THEM TALK ABOUT YOU MENTORING YOUNGER MEMBERS.

EVEN IF THEY FIRST GOT STARTED OR IF THEY HAVE BEEN HEAR A COUPLE OF TERMS, MAKING SURE THEY UNDERSTAND HOW THE SENATE OPERATES, WHAT REALLY LEADS TO SUCCESS.

TALK ABOUT THAT ROLE IN HELPING OTHERS LEARN HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> BECAUSE OF MY TENURE AND MANY YEARS OF SERVICE, I AM ASKED A LOT BY NEW MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

WHO DO I NEED TO TALK TO -- TALK TO?

SO I DO GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS, BECAUSE THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I WAS ASKING THE SAME QUESTIONS WHEN I SAME MY FIRST TERM.

I TALKED TO THE OLD HEADS DOWN HERE, YOU KNOW.

IT'S A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

I MEAN, THIS IS NOT A PROCESS WHERE YOU CAN COME DOWN ONE DAY AND BE EFFECTIVE.

AND IT'S A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL NEW HOUSE MEMBERS AND SENATE MEMBERS, AND I'M VERY SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE THAT ASK ME QUESTIONS.

BECAUSE THERE WAS ONE DAY, WHEN I WAS ASKING THE SAME QUESTION.

YES, I'VE MENTORED A LOT OF NEW GUYS, AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE, AND I'M ALWAYS HAPPY TO DO IT.

>> YOU'VE ALSO SEEN GOVERNORS COME AND GO.

I'M CURIOUS IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL MEMORIES FROM THE DIFFERENT GOVERNORS YOU'VE WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL.

>> I'VE SERVED WITH 11 GOVERNORS GOING BACK TO LURLEEN WALLACE, WHO SERVED TWO YEARS AND PASSED AWAY.

THEN ALBERT BREWER BECAME THE GOVERNOR SINCE HE MOVED UP FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

FOR SEVERAL YEARS, I WOULD SAY THAT ALBERT BREWER, WHO'S A DEMOCRAT, WAS MY FAVORITE GOVERNOR.

YOU KNOW, HE'D USE ME AND HE'D CALL ME, AND WE WERE GOOD FRIENDS.

YOU KNOW, I HATE TO PIT ONE GOVERNOR AGAINST THE OTHER, BUT BOB RILEY BECAME A VERY CLOSE FRIEND, AND HE USED ME AND ASKED ME ADVICE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS WITH ALL GOVERNORS AND WORKED WITH THEM, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS, OF COURSE.

BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG, EXTENSIVE SERVICE.

I'VE MET SOME BIG PEOPLE.

19LE 4, I RAN -- 1984, I RAN FOR CONGRESS, AND I WAS RUNNING AGAINST A DEMOCRAT FROM MOUNTAIN BROOK AND I WAS DEFEATED.

DURING THAT RACE I GOT TO MEET RONALD REAGAN, BOTH BUSHES, GERALD FORD.

GERALD FORD CAME TO BIRMINGHAM, TO VESTAVIA FOR MY CAMPAIGN, CAME TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.

SO THOSE ARE FOND MEMORIES OF MY TENURE IN MONTGOMERY, GETTING TO MEET PEOPLE LIKE, YOU KNOW, RONALD REAGAN.

NOT EVERYBODY GETS TO DO THAT.

>> NOT EVERYBODY GETS THE PRESIDENT TO CAMPAIGN FOR HIM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHILE I'VE GOT YOU, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT, BUT A CURRENT ISSUE, BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN, YOU KNOW, THE BIRMINGHAM DELEGATION IS DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.

STARTED WITH ASKING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

I UNDERSTAND IT'S MOVED TO A MORE LOAN ASK, WHICH IS MAYBE MORE DO BELIEVE.

WHAT'S THE MESSAGE FROM BIRMINGHAM AND MAYBE THE REST OF THE DELEGATION, THE LEGISLATURE, ABOUT THE NEED TO SUPPORT THEM?

>> THERE'S A GUY NAMED DR. DERAVI, WHO IS PROBABLY THE FOREMOST PERSON IN ALABAMA THAT YOU CAN TELL YOU THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ANY BUSINESS OR ANY SCHOOL, AND HE'S DONE A STUDY AT BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THAT CAMPUS BEING IN BIRMINGHAM.

AND IT'S A $97 MILLION ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT.

AND THAT'S HUGE.

AND THE WORD DOWN HERE, WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND STATE MONEY ON A PRIVATE INSTITUTION.

WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE EDUCATION BUDGET, THERE ARE SEVERAL EXAMPLES IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET OF PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES RECEIVING STATE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

SO THIS IS NOT ANYTHING NEW AS FAR AS GIVING STATE MONEY TO A PRIVATE COMPANY OR PRIVATE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION.

AND THAT'S WHAT BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN IS ASKING FOR.

THERE WAS A PRESIDENT, THREE OR FOUR PRESIDENTS AGO, AT BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE THAT SPENT THEM INTO THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE BAILING OUT.

IT'S A CAMPUS WITH A LITTLE OVER 1,000 STUDENTS.

IT'S IN THE WEST SIDE OF BIRMINGHAM.

IT'S A 200-ACRE CAMPUS, VERY VALUABLE PROPERTY CLOSE TO I-59.

59, 20 GOING THROUGH BIRMINGHAM.

SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT A LOAN SITUATION TO KEEP THE COLLEGE ALIVE.

I WENT TO AUBURN TWO YEARS, THEN I TRANSFERRED TO BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN WHERE I GOT A BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIP.

SO MY DEGREE IS FROM BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN.

I AM STILL VERY CLOSE TO THE CAMPUS, AND I WANT THEM TO SURVIVE THIS, AND I'M DOING WHAT I CAN.

OF COURSE, THERE'S A LOT OF OPPOSITION, BUT I'M DOING WHAT I CAN TO KEEP BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN ALIVE.

>> WELL, WE'RE OUT OF TIME, BUT THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THAT SITUATION.

BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING SOME OF THE GREAT PERMS MANY THAT -- MEMORIES THAT YOU'VE HAD.

YOU KNOW, JUST GREAT FOR OUR AUDIENCE TO LEARN ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF, AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE KIND OF POLITICAL JUNKIES HEARING ABOUT SOME OF THE FUN STORIES.

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> QUITE A MILESTONE, WE LOOK TO MORE CONVERSATIONS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

>> SAME HERE.

>> THANK YOU.