>> FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY I'M TODD STACEY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE ARE ENTERING THE HOME STRETC OF THIS 2024 REGULAR SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

THERE ARE JUST FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT - THAT MEANS DAYS WHE THEY CONVENE IN CHAMBERS AND CONSIDER LEGISLATION, SO IT DOESN'T INCLUDE COMMITTEE DAYS.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE EXPECTED TO SPREAD THOSE FIVE DAYS OUT OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEK WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SAVING THE FINAL DAY LATER IN MAY.

WE'LL KNOW MORE FOR SURE WHEN THEY COME IN TOMORROW.

THE HOUSE IS SCHEDULED TO CONVENE AT 1:00 AND THE SENATE DOESN'T COME IN UNTIL 4:00.

THAT 4:00 START TIME IS PRETTY LATE FOR THE SENATE ON A TUESDA LATE IN SESSION, BUT KEEP IN MIND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMMITTE MEETINGS TOMORROW - THAT INCLUDES THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE WHICH IS TAKIN UP THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND AND RELATED BILLS.

SHOULD THEY ADVANCE IN COMMITTE TOMORROW THEY'LL BE READY FOR PASSAGE ON THE FLOOR AND PERHAP FINAL PASSAGE BY THURSDAY.

LET'S TAKE A REFRESHER ON HOW THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND LOOKED AS IT PASSED THE HOUSE A FEW WEEKS AGO.

IT TOTALS $9.3 BILLION DOLLARS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.

THAT WOULD BE A RECORD.

OF THAT, $5.3 BILLION IS DEDICATED TOWARD LOCAL K-12 SCHOOLS AS PART WHAT IS KNOWN A THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.

$1.6 BILLION GOES TOWARD THE STATE'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

$586 MILLION GOES TOWARD THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM, $6 MILLION GOES TOWARD THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR ITS VARIOUS PROGRAMS, AND $200 MILLION GOES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, WHICH RUNS THE STATE'S FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM.

TRAVELING ALONGSIDE THE ETF IS AND SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION ALSO SPENDING BILL.

THIS IS FROM UNEXPECTED REVENUE THAT WILL GO TOWARD THIS FISCAL YEAR.

THAT BILL TOTALS $651 MILLION DOLLARS.

$109 MILLION GOES TO LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS FOR THINGS LIKE NEW BUS PURCHASES, TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES, AND FUNDING FOR SCHOOL NURSES.

$63 MILLION GOES TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR PROGRAMS LIKE SUMMER READING CAMPS AND OTHER LITERACY EFFORTS, COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS GRANTS, AMERICAN VILLAGE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND.

$50 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD THE NEW CHOOSE ACT TAX CREDITS FOR EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

$15 MILLION WITH GO TOWARD THE LT.

GOVERNOR'S K-12 CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM AND $15 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD COMMUNITY SERVIC GRANTS, WHICH ARE HANDED OUT BY INDIVIDUAL LAWMAKERS.

END GRAPHICS SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WHO CHAIRS THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE, SAID THERE COULD BE SOME CHANGES TO WHAT PASSED THE HOUSE, BUT HE'S WORKED CLOSELY WITH HIS LOWER CHAMBER COUNTERPART TO TALK THROUGH ANY AMENDMENTS.

ONE ITEM THE COMMITTEE IS LOOKING AT IS TRYING TO FIND AROUND $10 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM AND DRAW DOWN AS MUCH O $80 MILLION IN FEDERAL DOLLARS TO PREVENT CHILD HUNGER OVER TH SUMMER.

>> THE EDUCATION BUDGET IN COMMITTEE NEXT TUESDAY AND HAVE SOME CHANGES TO THE HOUSE-PASSED VERSION.

BUT CHAIRMAN GARRETT AND MYSELF WORKED ON THE HOUSE PASSED VERSION VERY CLOSELY AND I WILL DO THE SAME WITH THE SENATE VERSION THAT WE ARE HAVING CONSIDERATION FOR THE COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY.

>> ONE THING I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM MEMBERS IS A REAL CONCERN ABOUT THE SUMMER OF YOUTH FEEDING PROGRAM, AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE WORKING TO TRY TO GET THAT CONCERN ADDRESSED.

THE NUMBER WE'RE DEALING WITH IS 10 TO 14 PARKING LOT DOLLARS FOR THE STATE TO MANAGE THAT PROGRAM.

THAT'S THE COST THAT DHR INFORMS ME THEY WILL INCUR IF WE ARE TO DO THE PROGRAM.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR, MY RECOLLECTION, 80 MILLION DOLLARS OR 90 MILLION DOLLARS OF ENHANCED SNAP BENEFITS FOR THE SUMMER FEEDING OF CHILDREN.

>> AS THE SENATE IS CONSIDERING THE EDUCATION BUDGET THIS WEEK, IT'S NOW THE HOUSE'S TURN TO TAKE UP THE GENERAL FUND.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW IT CAM DOWN FROM THE SENATE.

IT TOTALS $3.3 BILLION DOLLARS, ALSO A RECORD HIGH AMOUNT.

MOST AGENCIES GOT SLIGHT INCREASES OR LEVEL FUNDING.

$207 MILLION WILL FUND ALABAMA' COURT SYSTEM, $733 MILLION GOES TOWARDS THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, $128 MILLION WILL FUND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, $140 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, $124 MILLION FOR ALEA, $235 MILLION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE BIGGEST EXPENSE - $955 MILLION WILL FUN MEDICAID.

THERE WAS ALSO A SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL TRAVELING ALONGSIDE THIS BUDGET.

THIS IS FROM UNANTICIPATED REVENUE THAT CAN BE SPENT THIS FISCAL YEAR.

IT'S $215 MILLION TOTAL, INCLUDING $150 MILLION SET ASID FOR THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

THERE'S $20 MILLION FOR A PARKING DECK NEAR THE NEW STATE HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

$15 MILLION FOR THE STATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORIT FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT; $5 MILLIO FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, $4 MILLION TO THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND $3 MILLION FOR SECURITY AND BUILDING UPGRADES AT THE CAPITOL.

THESE GENERAL FUND BILLS ARE SE TO BE TAKEN UP IN HOUSE COMMITTEE TOMORROW MORNING.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN REX REYNOLDS SAYS THERE WILL BE SLIGHT CHANGES TO WHAT THE SENATE PASSED BUT THAT HE HOPES IT IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO AVOID A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND RECEIV FINAL PASSAGE WITH LESS TROUBLE THAN LAST YEAR.

ALSO, TRAVELING WITH THE BUDGET BILLS IS REYNOLDS LEGISLATION ALLOCATING A PORTION OF ALABAMA'S OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS.

>> MEMBERS THIS BODY DIRECTOR THE WITH THE PASSAGE OF HR-21 CREATING THE OVERSIGHT ON ALABAMA OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR USE OF THESE FUNDS, TODAY WE, THE COMMISSION, SUBMIT THAT STATEWIDE PLAN AS A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE, TO YOU.

THE PLAN, WE FETAL LIKE, OUTLINES ABATEMENT STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE FUNDED EITHER DIRECT ALLOCATIONS FROM THIS BODY, WHICH YOU WILL SEE NEXT WEEK TRAVELING WITH THE BUDGET BILLS.

WE DROPPED THAT BUILT TODAY.

IT IS HB-479.

THAT'S THE ACTUAL APPROPRIATIONS THAT THE COMMISSION FELT LIKE THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO COME BACK TO THIS BODY, BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, TO APPROPRIATE THOSE FUNDS AND WE'RE GOING TO CARRY THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

AND THOSE GRANTS CAN BE ALLOCATED THROUGH BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

THROUGH OUR VETERANS AFFAIRS OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

WHEN WE COME BACK, I'M JOINED B CAM WARD, DIRECTOR OF THE BUREA OF PARDONS AND PAROLES TO TALK ABOUT SECOND CHANCES MONTH.

AFTER THAT, STEPHEN STETSON WIT PLANNED PARENTHOOD TALKS ABOUT HIS ORGANIZATION'S SUPPORT FOR TAX RELIEF LEGISLATION TARGETIN WOMEN AND YOUNG MOTHERS.

STAY WITH US.

>> WELCOME BACK-TO-"CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS CAM WARD, DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

DOCTOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK TODD.

>> SOMETIMES THERE'S A TEMPTATION TO DUAL YOU SENATOR WARD BUT THAT'S LONG IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR.

>> ABOUT THREE AND A HALF YEARS >> I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.

AND I KNOW THAT APRIL -- WE'RE GETTING TOWARDS THE END OF APRIL BUT APRIL IS SECOND-CHANCE MONTH.

RIGHT?

TALK ABOUT THAT, ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL ARE ABOUT SOMETIMES IS IT TRYING TO REHABILITATE AND CREATE THOSE SECOND CHANCES.

>> THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, WE SUPERVISE ABOUT 44 THOUSAND PEOPLE TODAY THAT ARE EITHER ON PROBATION OR PAROLE.

AND MY NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T COME BACK TO PRISON.

THEY CAME OUT OR HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME, ON PROBATION, WE DON'T WANT THEM GOING BACK TO PRISON OR JAIL.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

WE HAVE AN INTENSIVE FOCUS WITH DAILY REPORTING ON MENTAL HEALTH, DRUG TREATMENT AND NOW LATELY A VERY BIG EMPHASIS ON JOB TRAINING.

>> WELL, TALK ABOUT THAT.

I KNOW YOU'VE GOT THESE MOBILE VEHICLES USING AI AND THINGS LIKE THIS.

>> INCREDIBLE.

WE HAD A PROGRAM UP IN HUNTSVILLE, AND I'M GOING TO THANK ALABAMA POWER AND TECHNICAL FOR PARTNERING WITH US.

IT'S A MOBILE TRAILER THAT COMES UP AND THEY USE IPADS, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS HEADSET AI THAT LITERALLY TRAIN YOU ON JOBS RIGHT THERE INSIDE THE TRAILER VIRTUALLY WHETHER IT BE CONSTRUCTION, WHETHER IT BE INVENTORYING, ANY OTHER SKILL TRADE THAT IS REQUIRED.

WE HAVE NOW ABOUT 14 TRADES THAT WE PARTNER ON TRAINING PEOPLE IN.

WHEN THEY LEAVE THOSE PROGRAMS AND SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATE, YOU HAVE MANY PEOPLE MAKING OVER $100,000 A YEAR STARTING OFF.

THAT PERSON, PROPERLY SUPERVISED AND THEIR ADDICTION IS GONE, MENTAL HEALTH IS DEALT WITH AND A GOOD JOB THE ODDS SHOW THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO BACK TO PRISON.

THAT'S A GOAL WOE ALL WANT, PUBLIC SAFETY 101.

>> THAT STANDS TO REASON.

HOW MUCH CONVERSATION HAS THERE BEEN ABOUT WORKFORCE AND THE STRUGGLE THAT WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE SIDE LINED.

PEOPLE NEED WORKERS IN THIS ECONOMY.

JOBS ARE AVAILABLE.

I THINK THAT HAS TO BE PART OF IT TOO.

>> WE HAD 15 PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS APPROACH US AND SAY THAT WE REALLY NEED MORE PEOPLE.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN THE JOB MARKET AS THE SECRETARY OF LABOR TALKED ABOUT SEVERAL TIMES.

THIS IS GAP THAT CAN HELP FILL THIS GAP.

AND WE HAD EMPLOYERS LIKE I SAY COME TO US AND ASKING FOR EMPLOYEES.

IT'S A GREAT PROCESS.

GETTING SOMEONE A GOOD JOB AND BACK ON THEIR FEET REALLY ENSURES THAT MAYBE THAT SECOND CHANCE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COMMIT A CRIME AGAIN.

>> WELL, AS ALWAYS, WE CLARIFY THAT YOU'RE THE DOCTOR OF THE BUREAU.

>> CORRECT.

>> NOT IN CHARGE OF THE BOARD.

IT'S A SEPARATE, YOU KNOW, GOVERNING STRUCTURE THERE BECAUSE OF THAT QUESTION COMES UP A LOT.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE WHO HAVE QUESTIONED GOODNESS THE PAROLES HAVE REALLY DRIED UP, REALLY A SHARP DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF PAROLES BEING OFFERED.

DOES THAT MAKE A CHALLENGE?

BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE NOT INVOLVED IN THOSE DECISIONS BUT ONCE THAT DECISION MADE IT'S UP TO YOU YES, I DO TO ADJUDICATE IT.

>> LAST YEAR THERE WAS HAD A 7 PERCENT OVERALL GRANT RATE BY THE PATROL BOARD.

THIS YEAR THEY'RE RIGHT AT 30 PERCENT SO THE NUMBER HAS GONE UP.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT I.

SUPERVISE FOR THE BUREAU HAS GONE UP A PRETTY GOOD BIT.

THE REASON IT HAS IS BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF JUDGES WHO ARE SENDING PROBATION TO OUR SUPERVISOR.

IF YOU'RE PUT ON PROBATION IN ALABAMA YOU WILL BE UNDER ANY SUPERVISION SO THAT NUMBER HAS GONE UP A LOT.

>> I SEE.

WE TALKED A LOT IN THIS SESSION AND PREVIOUS SESSIONS ABOUT END OF SENTENCE VERSUS PAROLE OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF EARLY SUPERVISED RELEASE.

BECAUSE IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ONCE YOU REACH THE END OF YOUR SENTENCE, WHOEVER CRIME YOU COMMITTED IT'S THE END, OF THE LONGEST YOU CAN SERVE, THERE'S NO SUPERVISOR.

YOU'RE GONE.

WHERE IS IF THERE IS EARLY SUPERVISED RELEASE, AT LEAST WE KNOW WHERE SOMEBODY IS AND THEY'RE MONITORED; RIGHT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE, THAT'S A CONFUSING SUBJECT UNLESS YOU'RE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

FIRST AND FOREMOST NUMBER ONE RULE IS THIS WHAT IS BEST FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT'S A GIVEN.

HOWEVER, WHEN SOMEONE -- IF THEY DON'T GET PAROLE AND GO TO THE END OF THE SENTENCE SOMETIMES IT MAKES US FEEL GOOD BUT THEY WALK OUT OF THE DOOR OF THE PRISON WITH A LITTLE CASH IN THEIR POCKET AND A BUS TICKET AND HAVE ZERO SUPERVISION.

THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ALLOWED TO SUPERVISE THEM.

CONSTITUTIONALLY THEY COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCE.

THEN THAT PERSON IS HIGHLY LIKELY TO GO OUT AND COMMIT A CRIME AND PROBABLY WORSE THAN WHEN THEY WENT IN.

THAT'S WHY EOS, THE END OF SENTENCE SOUNDS GOOD.

YOU NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND MAKE SURE IF SOMEONE IS GOING TO EOS THAT'S FOR A DEFINITE PUBLIC SAFETY PURCHASE PURPOSE.

>> IS LIKE A STAIR STEP IN SOCIETY, INSTEAD OF THROWING THEM OFF IN THE DEEP END WITH A SUPERVISED RELEASE MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE EASIER TO MONITOR, MAYBE IT'S EASIER FOR THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT TRY TO RE-ACCUMULATE THEM SO THEY DON'T RE-OFFEND?

>> OUR OFFICERS GO INTO THE PRISON AND ACTUALLY EVALUATE SOMEONE BEFORE THEY GET PAROLED AND THEY DETERMINE ARE THEY A HIGH RISKS, ARE THEY A MEDIUM RISK OR LOW RISKS AND THAT GOVERNS THE SUPERVISOR THEY HAVE SO WE CAN I'M NOT AWARELY TAYLOR IT AND MAKER THEM DO DRUG REHABILITATION.

MAYBE THEY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH THEN WE CAN TACKLE THAT.

IF THE EOS, ANY ISSUES THEY'RE OFF THE TABLE.

>> I REMEMBER FAULKING ABOUT THE THREE LEGGED HE STOOL, PART OF THE REHABILITATION.

TALK ABOUT THAT, THE THINGS THAT REALLY GO INTO BEING CONFIDENT THAT SOMEBODY IS NOT GOING TO -- >> I TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

I MET WITH EACH ONE OF THEM LAST WEEK IN OUR OFFICE.

INCLUDING CONGRESSMAN MOORE WHO SECONDED THE SECOND CHANCE BILL IN CONGRESS.

IN SHORT ITS THIS: I EXPLAINED THIS TO THEM.

IF YOU TACKLE MENTAL HEALTH, IF YOU TACKLE MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND JOB TRAINING, IF YOU TACKLE ALL THREE OF THOSE THE CHANCE OF ONE COMING BACK TO PRISON DROPS DRAMATICALLY.

TO GIVE YOU HAVE AN EXAMPLE IN ALABAMA OUR RECIDIVISM IS 29 PERCENT, PUTS US 25 IN THE COUNTRY.

HOWEVER IF YOU COMPLETE ONE OF THE DRC PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH, HAS DRUG ABUSE AND JOB TRAINING, YOU GREET THESE AREAS THE RECIDIVISM RATE GOES DOWN TO 4 PERCENT.

IF WE HAD THAT KIND OF RECIDIVISM RATE IN OUR STATE WE WOULD BE HANDS DOWN THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY OF THE LOWEST RIGHT NOW IS ONLY 10 PERCENT.

SO WE COULD DO THIS AS PART OF OUR EFFORT TO REJOIN FROM 2020 AND THE NATIONAL EFFORT, THAT'S OUR BIGGEST GOAL IS TO CUT OUR RECIDIVISM IN HALF.

>> IT'S HARD TO TURN THE ARICRAFT CARRIER AROUND OVERNIGHT THE REFORMS TAKE A TIME TO GET UP TO SPEED.

WE'RE LOOKING TO MAYBE FINALITY EYES THE BUDGET THIS WEEK.

I KNOW YOU'RE IN THE GENERAL FUND.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR BUDGET LINE ITEMS GOING INTO THE SENATE COMMITTEE.

>> YES.

THIS YEAR WE ASKED FOR ROUGHLY 3 AND A HALF TO 4 PERCENT INCREASE, MODEST INCREASE, PRIMARILY BECAUSE 80 PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET ARE SALARIES AND WE HAVE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE STAFF AND I FEEL HAPPY WHERE THE BUDGET IS.

WE DO A HEAVY EMPHASIS ON MONITORING OFFENDERS WHO ARE OUT AND ALSO DOING THE REHABILITATION HAS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

>> WELL, LOOKS LIKE I SPOKE 0 TO CHAIRMAN REYNOLDS THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THIS OPIOIDS.

I SAW YOUR DEPARTMENT LISTED AMONG THAT.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR PART OF THOSE FUNDS ARE GOING TO BE USED FOR.

>> WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND OUR DAILY REPORTING CENTERS.

WE HAVE 12.

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND TO 12 INCLUDING ONE JUST FOR WOMEN.

THAT WOULD BE IN THOMASVILLE THAT WE OWN BUT HAVEN'T STAFFED IN A WHILE.

THEN WE ALSO PLAN ON INVESTING MORE IN DRUG TREATMENT AND MORE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND CONTINUING TO EXPAND ON THAT PARTNERSHIP ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

ANOTHER PORTION OF THAT MONEY WILL GO TO A NEW DATABASE DEALING WITH OFFENDER TRACKING.

OFTENTIMES, WE HAVE SOMEONE THAT COMES ON PROBATION AND PAROLE.

WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THEIR PAROLE PICTURE AND LIFELONG, IT'S IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THIS NEW DATABASE WILL ALLOW TO US DO THAT SO WE COULD SEE WHAT ALL OF THE ISSUES ARE INSTEAD OF GETTING PIECES HERE AND THERE AND PUT IT UNDER ONE DATABASE AND IT WILL HELP US BETTER MONITOR PEOPLE ON PAROLE.

>> WE ARE MONITORING THE BILLS THROUGH THE PROCESS.

WE'RE GETTING READY FOR SOME LATE NIGHTS HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE WHICH YOU REMEMBER WELL.

>> I DON'T MISS THOSE.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I BET YOU DON'T MISS THOSE.

>> I I HAVE LATE NIGHTS AT HOME >> THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK AS WE TRACK THIS ISSUE OVER RECIDIVISM.

>> THANKS, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

REPORTER: WAR, TOO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STEPHEN STETSON, ALABAMA STATE DIRECTOR FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

STEPHEN THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING EON.

>> I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A BILL OR A COUPLE OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

IT HAS TO DO WITH WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING AS THE PINK TAX.

YOU HAVE AN OP ED OUT THERE EXPLAINING WHAT THAT MEANS BUT ABOUT PRODUCTS RELATED TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS, BABY DIAPERS, FORMULA, THINGS LIKE THAT.

YOU CAN PROBABLY DO A BETTER JOB OF EXPLAINING WHAT THINK LEGISLATION DOES AND ALSO EXPLAIN WHY Y'ALL ARE SO SUPPORTIVE.

>> YOU HIT THREE OF THE BIG FOUR.

THIS IS A PRO FAMILY FAX CUT SO IT OUGHT TO BE POPULAR WITH BOTH PARTIES.

IT'S MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS LIKE TAMPONS AND PADS.

YOU HAVE BABY FORMULA, DIAPERS AND THEN MATERNITY CLOTHING AS WELL.

ALL THINGS A YOUNG GROWING FAMILY WOULD HAVE THAT GIVES THEM RELIEF WHEN THEY GO TO THE CASH REGISTER IN THE GROCERY STORE.

>> THIS WOULD TAKE A STATE SALES TAX, 4 PERCENT, LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT WITH GROCERIES AND EVERYTHING LAST YEAR, OFF OF THOSE PRODUCTS?

>> I THINK THIS COULD HAVE COME OUT OF THE GROCERY TAX MOMENTUM.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT LUXURY ITEMS MUCH THESE ARE THINGS YOU HAVE TO HAVE.

I THINK THAT MOMENTUM MAY HAVE CAUSED LAWMAKERS TO LOOK AT OTHER ITEMS IN THE SUPPORT TO THE THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE AND IT COULD PUT MONEY BACK IN THEIR POCKETBOOKS.

>> I'M NOT A PARENT BUT I HAVE HEARD PLENTY OF PARENTS TALK ABOUT DIAPERS, THIS HUGE EXPENSE THAT CATCH'S LOT OF PEOPLE OFF-GUARD, FORMULA, ANOTHER ONE, WE HAD THE BIG FORMULA SHORTAGE THAT EVERYONE WAS FREAKING OUT ABOUT.

AGAIN YOU GO TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS.

IT'S NOT A CHOICE; RIGHT?

IT'S NOT A LUXURY.

SO THE IMPORTANCE -- BECAUSE I REMEMBER GOING BACK TO REPRESENTATIVE HOLLIS' BILL HAVING TO DO -- IT'S REALLY MORE TO DO WITH IN SCHOOLS, MAKING SURE SCHOOLS ARE PREPARED WHERE THE TAMPONS AND OTHER MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS SO THAT LOW INCOME STUDENTS DIDN'T GO WITHOUT.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.