>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, LAWMAKERS HAVE ONLY ONE MORE FULL WEEK LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE ISSUES REMAIN BEFORE THEM.

BUT IT WAS BOTH STATE BUDGETS THAT TOOK CENTER STAGE TODAY.

THE SENATE CONCURRED WITH THE RECORD $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET, GIVING IT FINAL PASSAGE AND SENDING IT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HER SIGNATURE.

SENATE BUDGET CHAIR ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR TOLD HIS COLLEAGUES THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE WAS $3 MILLION FOR SCHOOL CAPITAL EXPENSES.

>> YEAH, IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM AND THAT'S LOOKING FORWARD.

>> IT WAS PARTICULARLY FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT DON'T HAVE A LOT OF LOCAL MONEY, IT CAN BE A REAL GOD SEND.

>> I KNOW IN MY DISTRICT.

>> AND WE DID PUT A $250,000 CAP ON IT.

BUT MY THOUGHTS WERE, THAT'S ENOUGH TO BUY A NEW AIR CONDITIONER FOR THE GYM.

IT'S ENOUGH TO BE SIGNIFICANT BUT NOT ENOUGH WHERE THE STATE IS CARRYING THE WATER FOR SOME SYSTEM THAT DIDN'T MANAGE THEIR MONEY VERY WELL.

>> DON: THE EDUCATION BUDGET CONTAINS TWO PERCENT PAY RAISES FOR ALL EDUCATION EMPLOYEES, MORE MONEY FOR STEP RAISES FOR TEACHERS, MORE MONEY TO HIRE MORE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO CONTINUE EXPANDING OUR PRE-K CLASSROOMS.

THE SENATE TODAY APPROVED A RECORD $2.4 BILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR NON-EDUCATION STATE AGENCIES.

SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE IS THE BUDGET CHAIR AND HE RECEIVED PRAISE FROM HIS COLLEAGUES TODAY FOR SHEPHERDING THROUGH A GOOD SPENDING PLAN.

>> I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE TRIED TO DO IN THIS PROCESS.

>> BUT THIS WORK WAS DONE BECAUSE OF ALL THE WORK DONE BY THIS BODY AND THE LEGISLATURE ONLY ALL IN THE LAST 10, 12 YEARS WHEN WE TOOK CHARGE OF OUR FINANCES AND TAKEN CHARGE AND MADE CHANGES SO NOW WE'RE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STATE.

>> I THANK YOU, SENATOR, I THANK EVERY MEMBER OF THIS BODY THAT WE'RE IN THAT POSITION.

THERE'S A LOT OF STATES IN THIS COUNTRY ENVIOUS OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> DON: THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET CONTAINS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A TWO PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

BECAUSE OF SOME CHANGES THAT THE SENATE MADE, THE HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON VOTED NOT TO CONCUR, SO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET WILL GO TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO WORK OUT THE DIFFERENCES.

A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW DIRECT SHIPMENT OF WINE TO ALABAMA RESIDENTS RECEIVED FINAL LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE TODAY.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS OF DECATUR, WHO SAID SHE WAS PLEASED THAT THE LEGISLATION GOT OUT.

>> RIGHT NOW, IF YOU ARE IN ALABAMA, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO, IF YOU ARE TRAVELING AND YOU WANT TO SEND A CASE OF WINE FROM A WINERY THAT YOU VISIT TO HOME, YOU DON'T DO THAT IN ALABAMA.

BUT MAYBE IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THE SENATE PASSED IT TODAY AND IT WAS A SUBSTITUTE.

IT WAS A HARD-WORKED BILL AND I DEFINITELY CONCURRING ONCE IT GETS BACK TO THE HOUSE.

>> DON: AND THE HOUSE DID CONCUR THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE SENATE CHANGES TO COLLINS' BILL, WHICH SENDS IT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HER SIGNATURE.

THE BILL MANDATES THAT CUSTOMERS WOULD HAVE TO BE AT HOME TO RECEIVE WINE DELIVERIES AND WILL HAVE TO SIGN FOR THEM.

THEY COULD HAVE TO TWELVE CASES OF WINE SHIPPED TO THEIR HOMES EACH YEAR.

THE HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE THAT STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS TO STUDENTS.

IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE ROLANDA HOLLIS OF BIRMINGHAM, WHO RECENTLY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HER BILL WAS INSPIRED BY GIRLS WHO COULDN'T AFFORD TO BUY THE PRODUCTS.

>> WE HAVE YOUNG LADIES ACTUALLY MAKING THEIR HYGIENE PRODUCTS OUT OF FACE RAGS, SOCKS, PAPER TOWELS, ALL OF THAT.

SO, THIS IS JUST THE TIME TO, LET'S TRY TO GET RID OF WHAT WE CALL PERIOD POVERTY.

>> DON: HOLLIS' LEGISLATION NEXT MOVES TO THE SENATE, WHERE IT MAY OR MAY NOT RECEIVE APPROVAL IN THE LIMITED TIME LEFT IN THE SESSION.

HOUSE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN INFORMATION ON THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN TO TAKE HOME AND STUDY OVER THE WEEKEND.

IT REPORTEDLY WOULD CONSOLIDATE THE ENABLING LEGISLATION INTO TWO BILLS AND REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN FARLEY OF MCCALLA, A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT THE GAMBLING MEASURE WILL ALSO INCLUDE A LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT.

>> THERE IS THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT DRAFTS PUT TOGETHER OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS.

REPRESENTATIVE CONNIE ROWE IS LEADING THE CHARGE AND THANKFULLY SHE IS DOING SO.

I SPOKE TO HER YESTERDAY.

AND OVER THE WEEKEND, WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THINGS SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER HOPEFULLY TO ADD TO THIS LEGISLATION TO PUT SOME TYPE LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUP IN THERE TO WATCH WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> DON: REPRESENTATIVE CONNIE ROWE IS ALSO A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

FARLEY SAYS THERE IS STILL TECHNICALLY TIME FOR THE HOUSE TO PASS A GAMBLING PLAN.

HE'LL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST NEXT TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE PROD CAST, BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN FARLEY.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THIS LAST WEEK WAS END UP WITH HEAVY LIFTING OUT OF THE WAY, WITH THE BUDGETS.

I KNOW THAT'S A RELIEF NOT TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE LAST MINUTE TO GET THOSE DONE.

>> YEAH, IT IS.

>> AND EDUCATION, RECORD $7.6 BILLION AND BUDGET WAS -- >> BOTH OF THEM ARE RECORD-SETTING.

WHAT I LIKE TO TELL MY CONSTITUENTS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 7.6, WHEN I CAME DOWN HERE 11 YEARS AGO, IT WAS 6.9 OR $6.9 BILLION, WITH A B.

AND NOW, WE'RE UP TWO AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS ON THE GENERAL FUND.

AND STATE OF ALABAMA, AS YOU KNOW, AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO SPEND WITH THE STATE BUDGET AND THE FEDERAL BUDGET COMBINED THIS STATE IS GOING TO SPEND A LITTLE OVER $35 BILLION THIS YEAR.

AND WHEN PEOPLE SAY, OH, WE HAVE $7.6 BILLION, THAT'S JUST THE STATE REVENUE SIDE.

ADD THE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO IT AND IT JUMPS TO 35-POINT SOMETHING.

SO, BASICALLY, WE COME CLOSE TO SPENDING ABOUT $3 BILLION, WITH A B, A MONTH.

IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

>> Don: INDEED IT IS.

AND IT'S AMAZING LOOK BEING BACK IN RETROSPECT, THE PANDEMIC YEAR, AND OUR BUDGETS HAVE SURVIVED AS WELL AS THEY HAVE.

THEY HAVE HAD THEIR CHALLENGES AS ALL-STATE BUDGETS HAVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT WE'RE LUCKY IN MANY RESPECTS.

>> DON, WE'RE BLESSED.

WE HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR LEADERSHIP, STEVE CLOUSE FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND BILL POOLE ON THE EDUCATION FUND, I'M TALKING HOUSE MEMBERS, CAN'T SPEAK TO THE SENATE.

BUT THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS I KNOW, I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW THEM FAIRLY WELL OVER THE LAST 11 YEARS.

AND THIS IS NOT JUST A THREE, THREE AND A HALF MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR THING FOR THEM.

THEY LIVE IT.

AND THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA GET THEIR MONEY'S WORTH.

>> Don: WITH THE BUDGETS OUT OF THE WAY NOW, LAWMAKERS COME BACK FOR TWO MORE DAYS BEFORE TAKING A WEEK OFF AND RETURNING FOR THE FINAL DAY OF THE SESSION.

YOU GOT MORE HEAVY LIFTING TO DO.

>> WE'RE GOING TO NEED THAT WEEK OFF, AREN'T WE?

>> YOU PROBABLY WILL.

BECAUSE THE HOUSE, NEXT WEEK IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE UP GAMBLING AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

SO, LET'S START WITH GAMBLING.

YOU WERE BEING SENT HOME THIS WEEKEND WITH NEW GAMBLING LEGISLATION TO LOOK AT.

>> AND THAT'S SCARY.

BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THREE DIFFERENT POSSIBLE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME BACK.

AND ONE DAY NEXT WEEK, DECIDE THE FATE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS TO COME POSSIBLY.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, WHERE YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNOR IVEY HAS, A YEAR OR SO AGO, PUT TOGETHER A TASK FORCE AND STUDIED THIS.

I UNDERSTAND SOMETHING LIKE AN 800 PAGE DOCUMENT RENDERED FROM THIS STUDY GROUP.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

NOBODY HAS OFFERED THAT TO ME.

AND I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR ME.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT DOCUMENT.

I HEARD RUMORS WHAT'S IN IT AND WHAT'S NOT IN IT.

BUT NOW WE'RE HERE AT THE LAST WEEK OF THE SESSION, NEXT TO THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE SESSION.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE GIVEN THESE THREE DOCUMENTS AND COME BACK AND VOTE ON TUESDAY.

SO, YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE A BUSY WEEKEND FOR ALL OF US.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PUTTING OUR HIGHLIGHTERS OUT AND MARKING THINGS UP AND TEXTING BACK AND FORTH, I'M SURE.

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> Don: IS IT TOO BIG OF AN ASK, DO YOU THINK?

>> IT COULD BE.

COULD BE.

BUT I DON'T THINK OUR CONSTITUENCY, AND EVERY YEAR, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT GAMBLING, LOTTERY AND WE'RE SEEING MONEY GOING OVER TO GEORGIA AND GOING OVER TO THE OTHER STATES, WHY DON'T WE DO THIS, DO THAT.

WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WHY DON'T WE LET THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA VOTE ON IT.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WELL, IF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA VOTE ON IT, THEN IT BECOMES PART OF THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

SO THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS, THAT MEANS THAT IT'S MORE SET IN STONE THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE DO DOWN HERE.

IF WE PASS A BILL TODAY, NEXT SESSION WE COME BACK AND WE MIGHT REALIZE, WE MADE A MISTAKE AND WE CAN BRING IT UP AS THE FIRST BILL OF THE SESSION, PASS IT, AND REPEAL IT.

NOT ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

PUT IT OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE OF ALABAMA TO VOTE ON IT, YEAH, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

WELL, THEY SEND OUT STUFF TO THE MAILBOX TO THEM, AND THEN IT BECOMES PART OF THE ALABAMA CONSTITUTIONAL.

AND THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE IT ALTERED OR DELETED.

>> Don: ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO REVIEW SOMETHING IN, SAY, THREE DAYS OR FOUR DAYS THAT COULD HAVE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA LOCKED INTO SOMETHING FOR YEARS TO COME.

AND IT MAY BE SOMETHING, WHOA, WE MADE A MISTAKE.

WELL, YOU GOT TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR AND A HALF FOR THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION.

>> NOW,, YOU SOUND A LITTLE HESITANT BUT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE IT THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT READING OVER IT THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

>> WELL, I HAVE.

OF COURSE, YES, I HAVE.

I SPENT 34 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BEFORE I CAME DOWN HERE.

AND I CAME DOWN HERE BECAUSE OF THE CERTAIN DISPARITIES IN THE COMMUNITIES OF JEFFERSON COUNTY AND WHEREAS, GENERATION AFTER GENERATION SENDING THE SAME YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE COUNTY JAILS THAT I WAS PART OF, ON THROUGH THE STATE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM.

AND I CAM DOWN HERE TO TRY TO HELP, MAKE THOSE COMMUNITIES STRONGER TO SAVE SOME OF THOSE FUTURE GENERATIONS WHICH THAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO, ACTING LIKE A CHRISTIAN AND WANTING TO ACT LIKE A CHRISTIAN.

BUT IF YOU TAKE THAT HAT OFF, AND THE HAT DOESN'T REALLY COME OFF, BUT YOU LOOK AT A CONSERVATIVE, THE MONEY SAVED IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, SAY, IS MONEY LEFT TO BE SPENT IN OTHER COMMUNITIES FOR OTHER THINGS.

AND I LOOK AT, WHEN I WAS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, THE LAST 37 YEARS AS ASSISTANT SHERIFF, WE HAD BINGO PARLORS THAT WAS A TREMENDOUS BUSINESS.

AND PEOPLE THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND, SOME OF THESE BINGO PARLORS HAD 200 TO 300 TO 400 MACHINES IN THERE, PUT THEM UP OVERNIGHT, JUST A BUTLER-TYPE BUILDING.

AND THOSE MACHINES AVERAGE, SOME IN OTHER COUNTIES, LEGALLY, BUT EACH MACHINE BRINGS IN ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS A WEEK.

AND YOU GOT A BUTLER BUILDING, 450 MACHINES IN THERE, EACH MACHINE BRINGING IN A THOUSAND DOLLARS A WEEK, DO THE MATH.

SO, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS LEGISLATION WITH CASINOS FAR, FAR OUTWEIGHS ANY OF THOSE NUMBERS.

IT'S TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY.

AND WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY BRINGS CORRUPTION.

I HAVE SEEN A DOCUMENT THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER BY OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR LEGISLATURE THAT HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND THAT WILL DEAL WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITY OF THIS BUDGET.

BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, UP UNTIL THE FIRST OF THE WEEK, THERE WAS NOT A LAW ENFORCEMENT SECTION IN THE BUDGET.

IT'S AMAZING!

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT, WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO DECIDE WHO IS GOING TO BID ON THESE DIFFERENT CASINOS, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT HOW IT'S GOING TO BE OVERSEEN.

>> Don: NOW SOMETHING IS IN THERE?

>> NOT YET.

IT'S BEING WORKED ON AND THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT DRAFTS HAVE BEEN PUT TOGETHER OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS.

REPRESENTATIVE CONNIE ROWE IS LEADING THAT CHARGE.

AND THANKFULLY.

SHE'S DOING SO.

I SPOKE TO HER YESTERDAY.

AND OVER THE WEEKEND, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THINGS THAT SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER TO HOPEFULLY ADD TO THIS LEGISLATION, TO PUT SOME TYPE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUP IN THERE TO WATCH WHAT'S GOING ON.

SO, WHEN YOU ARE TALKING, ANY TIME YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT NOT JUST TENS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS COMING RIGHT INTO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

YOU BETTER WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

AND IF WE GET IT RIGHT, THEN WE'LL LOOK AT IT.

IF WE GET IT RIGHT, MY LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE, IN LOOKING AT WHAT CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, WHAT THE BINGO DID TO THOSE COMMUNITIES, MY LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE WOULD SAY NO.

AND MY CHRISTIAN BACKGROUND WOULD SAY, THIS IS GOING TO HURT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY BEEN HURT THE WORST.

SO, WHAT DO I DO.

I WAS TELLING RICH WINGO, EARLIER TODAY, IT'S ALMOST ONE OF THOSE THINGS, I LOOK BACK IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IN THE BIBLE -- AND I DIDN'T COME HERE TO PREACH -- BUT SOMETIMES I THINK THE LORD LAYS THINGS OUT THERE TO LET YOU GO THROUGH IT.

BUT I THINK IT MAY BE, IF THERE'S ENOUGH VOTES IN THE LEGISLATURE AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE I'VE EVER BEEN AROUND.

LET ME BE SURE THAT'S CLEAR.

AND THEY COME FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, NOT THE WALK THAT I HAD.

AND THAT'S THE REASON WE'RE SO GOOD DOWN HERE TOGETHER.

IF THIS BODY CHOOSES TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, TO LET PEOPLE CHOOSE, THAT MAY BE JUST EXACTLY WHAT THE LORD HAS IN STORE FOR THE CHURCHES.

IF THEY ARE CONVINCED THAT THIS WILL HURT THESE COMMUNITIES AND HURT THE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING CARE OF, THEN IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO STAND UP, GET OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH HOUSE AND LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD.

SO, THERE'S TWO SIDES TO THIS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN FARLEY FROM MCCALLA, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> IT'S MY PLEASURE, DON.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT BACK ON THE BROADCAST.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Don: AND WE'RE WINDING DOWN ON THE LEGISLATION, HEAVY LIFTING WHERE THE BUDGETS ARE CONCERNED HAS PASSED US NOW AND WE'RE TURNING TO SOME OF OUR HEAVY HITTING ISSUES IN THE FINAL TWO DAYS OF THE SESSION.

WE'RE TALKING TO REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN FARLEY FROM MCCALLA AND TALKING ABOUT THE GAMBLING ISSUE BEFORE THE LOWER CHAMBER NEXT WEEK AS WELL AS MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE EARLIER IN THE SENATE AND YOU WERE A YES VOTE ON THAT, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> I WAS.

AND I FOUND THAT A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT HAD REALLY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH FOLKS THAT ARE IN A MEDICAL SITUATION, SUFFERING CANCER OR OTHER END OF LIFE SITUATION, REALLY COULD RELATE TO WHAT FOLKS WERE GOING THROUGH.

AND I FOUND THAT IMPACTED THEIR DECISION.

WHAT SENATOR MELSON WITH THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS VERY WELL REGULATED, VERY TIGHTLY CONTROLLED, BUT I THINK COULD REALLY PROVIDE RELIEF TO FOLKS THAT ARE HAVING A HARD TIME WITH OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES AND COULD EASE THEIR SUFFERING.

>> THIRD YEAR FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO BE BEFORE THE LAWMAKERS AND ALWAYS A FAIRLY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

AND THE WORD MARIJUANA ITSELF HAS CERTAIN CONNOTATIONS FOR FOLKS.

BUT AS YOU ELUDED TO, FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, COMING DOWN TO PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

NOBODY SOMEBODY WHO HAS BENEFITTED FROM USING IT OR COULD BENEFIT.

>> AND TO GIVE DOCTORS THAT'S A NON NARCOTIC, NON OPIOID SOLUTION WHERE A PATIENT MAY NOT BE RESPONDING TO OR HAVE SIGNIFICANT SIDE EFFECTS FROM THOSE MORE TRADITIONAL FORMS OF EDUCATION.

AND UNDER A DOCTOR'S CONTROL, WHERE A PATIENT MAY SEEK SOME RELIEF, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD PUT IN A DOCTOR'S TOOLBOX.

NOT SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS GOING TO LEAD TO THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA OR RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA IN ALABAMA, NO MORE THAN IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD END UP WITH RECREATIONAL USE OF OPIOIDS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THIS IS MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR THAT STATED PURPOSE AND UNDER TIGHT CONTROLS.

>> FOR THOSE WHO SAY THEY FEEL LIKE THE ARGUMENT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS BASED ON FAULTY SCIENCE, YOU DISAGREE WITH THAT, I THINK I HEAR YOU SAY?

>> WELL, I DO.

THERE'S DIFFERING SCIENTIFIC OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION.

BUT AGAIN, YOU LOOK AT THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF PEOPLE AND THE STORIES OF FOLKS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL.

AND YOU HAVE TO WONDER, WHY WOULD WE, ESPECIALLY SOMEBODY SUFFERING, MAYBE IN AN END OF LIFE SCENARIO WHERE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR RELIEF FROM SOME, MAYBE A TERMINAL SITUATION.

WHY WOULD YOU NOT ALLOW THEM TO HAVE THE RELIEF.

AND I CAN'T MAKE THAT WORK IN MY MIND SO I'M PROUD OF MY SUPPORT OF THAT LEGISLATION AND I HOPE THE HOUSE MOVES IT ALONG.

>> IT CERTAINLY HAS GOTTEN A DOUBLE VETTING IN THE HOUSE.

IT WENT TO THE UNUSUAL STEP IN THE LOWER HOUSE GOING THROUGH TWO COMMITTEES.

>> CORRECT.

AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, IT HAS GONE THROUGH THE UPPER CHAMBER SEVERAL YEARS IN A ROW.

BEEN CONSIDERED IN THE HOUSE BEFORE.

NOT BEEN PASSED THERE BEFORE OBVIOUSLY, BUT THE SAME WITH A LOT OF LEGISLATION, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME AT THE DANCE.

WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE.

SO, MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE, WHILE WE PUT A LOT ON THEM AT THE END, THE SENATE HAS, I THINK SHOULD BE WELL FAMILIAR WITH THESE ISSUES.

>> LET'S SPEND THESE LAST FEW MINUTES, ONE OF THE BILLS THAT YOU CARRIED THIS SESSION, DEALING WITH GROWING SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND HOW THEY ARE FUNDED.

>> WE LOOKED BACK AT THIS SITUATION IN THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM AND FOUND IN 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR, THAT 6,500 STUDENTS, STATEWIDE WERE SIMPLY RECEIVING NO STATE OR FEDERAL MONEY OUT OF THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.

IN 58 DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE, THAT'S JUST UNACCEPTABLE.

THOSE STILL GROWING ARE GETTING FUNDED BASED ON LAST YEAR'S NUMBERS.

AND THOSE STUDENTS DIDN'T GET THE FUNDING.

AND I WORKED WITH MY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD CFO AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO FIX THAT ISSUE, AND TO MOVE THAT MECHANISM FOR DEALING WITH FAST-GROWING SCHOOLS FROM THE EDUCATION BUDGET BACK UNDER THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.

AND IT WILL GUARANTEE THAT WE'LL HAVE FULLY FUNDED SCHOOL UNITS IN THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.

I'M THRILLED WITH THE PASSAGE, BIG, COMPLICATED PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND ONE THAT WAS ULTIMATELY IMPACTFUL FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> AND I GUESS WHEN YOU DEAL WITH THIS, YOU DEAL WITH CERTAIN SENTIMENT, MAYBE SOME SCHOOL SYSTEMS SUFFER, MAY SUFFER AS A RESULT OF THIS TYPE OF MECHANISM.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD OF.

YOU DON'T FIND THE SCENARIOS VERY OFTEN.

IT WAS NOT GIVE AND TAKE SCENARIO.

LITERALLY EVERYBODY WINS IN THIS SCENARIO.

AND WHAT WE SEE, THE BUDGET FUND EDUCATION, YEAR AFTER YEAR, GOING TO COST TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND THE MONEY WAS THERE TO SPEND IT AND IT WAS FOR THE STEW DEBTS.

AND WE DIDN'T PENALIZE THE SCHOOLS DECREASING IN ENROLLMENT YEAR AFTER YEAR.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING BACK TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THOSE DECLINING IN ENROLLMENT.

THEY WON'T SEE ANY PENALTY.

IT'S A RARE INSTANCE WHERE YOU HAVE THE WIN-WIN SCENARIO.

>> AND THE EDUCATION BUDGET GOT PASSAGE, RECORD $7.6 BILLION, WERE YOU HAPPY WITH WHAT GOT OUT?

>> I AM.

THE ECONOMY IS HUMMING ALONG.

AND THE REALLY GOOD FISCAL MANAGEMENT THIS REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE HAS SEEN OVER THE YEARS HAS SEEN A LACK OF PRORATION.

WE DON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT THAT ANY MORE.

AND THE BUDGET STABILIZATION IN THE MIDDLE OF COVID WHEN OTHER STATES ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IN THE WORLD THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP THINGS GOING.

AND WE DREW DOWN THE RESERVE FUNDS WHEN WE NEEDED IT AND PUT IT BACK.

AND IT'S WORK VERY, VERY WELL.

AND THE FOLKS BEFORE ME, AND THE FOLKS I WORK WITH, ARE MAKING SURE WE'RE ON GOOD FINANCIAL FOOTING.

>> AND GOOD LUCK TO THE COLLEAGUES.

YOU MEET TWO DAYS NEXT WEEK, TAKE A WEEK OFF AND COMING BACK FOR THE FINAL DAY ON THE 17TH.

>> A FEW MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO GET PASSED AND THEN WE'LL GET OUT OF TOWN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> YOU BET, DON.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FEW INDIVIDUALS IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN SPORT HAVE HAD BETTER THAN ATHLETIC, BO JACKSON, THREE TIME ALL SEC, AND JACKSON IS THE ONLY RUNNING BACK IN AUBURN HISTORY AND BREAKING IT.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AND KANSAS STATE ROYALS DRAFTED JACKSON DECIDING NOT TO PLAY FOR THE BUCCANEERS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT HIM TO PLAY BASEBALL.

AND HE SIGNED HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT WITH THE ROYALS.

AND THEY DRAFTED JACKSON WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT HE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PLAY BASEBALL MAKING JACKSON ONE OF THE FEW ATHLETES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL AND PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL.

AND HE WAS NAMED GREATEST ATHLETE OF ALL TIME, INDUCTED IN THE ALABAMA SPORTS HALL OF FAME 1996 AND ALABAMA FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME IN 1998.

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

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 ON CAPITOL JOURNAL: WEEK IN REVIEW.

WE'LL HAVE A COMPLETE WRAP-UP OF THE LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER OF RAINSVILLE, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THE HOUSE PREPARING TO TAKE UP BOTH GAMBLING AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE, WHO'LL TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD IN THE LEGISLATURE'S FINAL DAYS.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS AN UPTICK IN ALABAMA CORONAVIRUS CASES AND THE RESUMPTION OF USE OF THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.