>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE LEGISLATURE IS ENTERING INTO THE FINAL STRETCH OF ITS REGULAR SESSION.

LAWMAKERS WILL MEET FOR TWO DAYS NEXT WEEK, THEN TAKE A WEEK OFF BEFORE RETURNING FOR ONE FINAL DAY ON MONDAY, MAY 17TH.

BIG TICKET ITEMS LIKE GAMBLING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND A TRANSGENDER YOUTH MEDICAL BILL ALL HANG IN THE BALANCE, AS DOES THE STATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

BUT LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK DID GIVE FINAL PASSAGE TO THE RECORD $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET.

IT CONTAINS PAY RAISES, A RESTRUCTURING OF STEP-RAISES FOR TEACHERS, AND MONEY FOR HIRING MORE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS AND FOR FURTHER EXPANDING PRE-K CLASSROOMS.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

[GAVEL SOUNDS] >> HOUSE MEMBERS PERCEIVE THE HOUSE BUDGET, SENATE BILL 189 AND IMMEDIATELY GO TO WORK.

AT THE CENTER OF THE DISCUSSION IS REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

>> YOU HAVE VOTED TODAY FOR A 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR ALL EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

THAT'S CLEARLY PROVIDED FOR THE FUNDING IN THIS BUDGET.

WE HAVE ALSO ADJUSTED THE SALARY MATRIX TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY STEP GETS AT LEAST -- >> LAWMAKERS PRAISE REPRESENTATIVE POOL FOR HIS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR TEACHERS.

>> I WORK AS A TEAM LEADER OF SEVERAL TEACHERS.

WE WILL TAKE OUR OWN FUND, OUR TO SUPPLEMENT THE THINGS THOSE CHILDREN NEEDED BECAUSE THEY WASN'T GETTING THEM FROM HOME.

AND THE SCHOOLS DID NOT INCLUDE THEM IN THEIR BUDGET.

AND THE STATE WAS SHORTCHANGED.

THE ONLY THING THAT WE GOT IS WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SENT DOWN.

>> IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT.

THEY HAVE HAD -- WE HAD TO WEAR A LOT OF DIFFERENT HATS AND HAVE A LOT OF ADJUSTMENTS AND IT'S GOING TO BE MORE DIFFICULT WHEN GO BACK BECAUSE THEN YOU HAVE KIDS THAT HAVE GAPS AND KIDS WITH ALL SORTS OF ISSUES SO I THINK THIS IS WELL DESERVED.

>> THE HOUSE MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PROPOSAL BEFORE FINALLY PROVING SENATE BILL 189.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ITEMS IN THERE TO SUPPORT EDUCATORS BUT THE ONE I'M EXCITED ABOUT IS A DIFFERENTIATED PAY SCALE FOR MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

WE HAVE AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS IN ALABAMA.

THIS WILL ALLOW TO US PAY MORE FOR MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS THAT ARE WILLING TO GET EXTRA LEVELS OF CREDENTIALS TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> THE STATE'S RECORD $2.4 BILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR NONEDUCATION STATE AGENCY SAYS HEADED TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AFTER THE SENATE ON THURSDAY APPROVED IT WITH SOME CHANGES AND THE HOUSE DID NOT CONCUR WITH THOSE CHANGES.

THE CONFERENCE WILL WORK OUT THE DIFFERENCES AND FINAL PASSAGE COULD COME EARLY NEXT WEEK.

GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE GOT A LOT OF PRAISE FROM HIS SENATE COLLEAGUES AFTER THE SENATE PASSED THE UPPER CHAMBER ON THURSDAY.

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

>> THIS WORK WAS DONE BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE WORK DONE BY THIS BODY AND THE LEGISLATURE OVERALL IN THE LAST 10, 12 YEARS WHEN WE HAVE TAKEN CHARGE OF OUR FINANCES AND TAKEN CHARGE OF THINGS AND MADE CHANGE SO HE IS THAT WE NOW ARE 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 ARE A LOT OF STATES IN THIS COUNTRY ENVIOUS OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> AMONG OTHER THINGS THE RECORD GOING FORWARD BUDGET CONTAINS 2 PERCENT FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

IT'S EXPECTED TO GO TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO WORK OUT DIFFERENCES WITH THE HOUSE VERSION ON TUESDAY.

>> SEVERAL LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK STOOD WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO CALL FOR CONTINUED STATE FUNDING FOR THE ALABAMA MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE.

SPECIFICALLY THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE GROUP CARRYING ON WORK INVESTIGATING WHY STATE MOTHERS DIE FROM CHILDBIRTH AND PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS AT MORE THAN DID YOU BELIEVE THE RATE OF WOMEN NATIONALLY.

SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON OF BIRMINGHAM WAS AMONG THE LAWMAKERS WHO SPOKE OUT.

>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS CREATED IN 2018.

BUT THE STATE DID NOT REALLY PUT ANY MONEY INTO IT UNTIL 2020.

THIS IS AN ALL VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE.

AND RIGHT NOW IT IS A LINE-ITEM IN OUR BUDGET.

A $478,000 THAT GOES TO OUR PUBLIC HEALTH TO STAFF AND OVERSEE THIS.

>> THE COMMITTEE HAS MADE MORE THAN A HUNDRED RECOMMENDATIONS ON WAYS TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH IN THE STATE.

INCLUDING EXPANDING MEDICAID.

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

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

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

SO MAYBE, IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THE SENATE PASSED THAT TODAY, AND IT WAS THE SUBSTITUTE.

IT WAS A HARD-WORKED BILL.

SO I DEFINITELY PLAN ON CONCURRING ONCE IT GETS BACK TO THE HOUSE.

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

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

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

DON: GOVERNOR IVEY HAS SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL THAT WOULD REMOVE ANTI-GAY LANGUAGE FROM THE STATE'S SEX EDUCATION LAW.

THE PASSAGE IN QUESTION DATES TO 1992 AND IT SAYS THAT ‘HOMOSEXUALTIY 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 TO REMOVE THAT LANGUAGE 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 WILL ALLOW PARENTS TO REQUEST COPIES OF THE MATERIALS USED IN SEX EDUCATION COURSES.

DON: THE FATE OF HIGH-PROFILE BILLS DEALING WITH GAMBLING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, A PROPOSED BAN ON CERTAIN MEDICAL PROCEDURES FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH, AND A PROPOSED CURBSIDE VOTING BAN ALL HANG IN THE BALANCE NEXT WEEK.

THE MEASURE THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE IS CURRENTLY NOT ON THE HOUSE'S AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, BUT SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON HAS SAID THAT HE EXPECTS A VOTE ON IT BEFORE THE SESSION ENDS.

IT'S SPONSORED BY SENATOR TIM MELSON OF FLORENCE, WHO TOLD "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THIS WEEK THAT HE BELIEVES THAT HE'S SLOWLY BEEN WINNING ENOUGH VOTES IN THE LOWER CHAMBER TO GET HIS BILL PASSED.

>> I THINK IT'S EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS AND TALKING TO THEM AND HEARING STORIES AND FINDING OUT THAT JUST BECAUSE THERE'S AN EVIL ASSOCIATION OR NEGATIVE ASSOCIATION WITH SOMETHING DOES NOT MEAN THERE'S NOT BENEFITS AND I THINK FINAL LAY LOT OF PEOPLE ARE REALIZING THAT.

>> STILL DON: STILL, A HOUSE VOTE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA COULD BE CLOSE, WITH OPPONENTS RAISING A NUMBER OF CONCERNS.

DR. KEN FINN IS A COLORADO PAIN MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST WHO HAS EXTENSIVELY WRITTEN AND CONSULTED ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

HE SPOKE WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ABOUT HIS CONCERNS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION REGARDING THE SCIENCE.

I CONSIDER MYSELF A SCIENCE BASED AND EVIDENCE-BASED PROVIDER.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A FOUNTAIN OF PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE OUTLINING POTENTIAL HARMS WITH A PRODUCT THAT HAS NOT BEEN WELL, STUDIED OR TESTED FOR SAFETY MEASURES.

DON: WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA NT CURRENTLY ON THE HOUSE'S AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, IT COULD BE CONSIDERED NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 6TH.

DON: SEVERAL BILLS RELATED TO THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN ARE SET FOR HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION NEXT WEEK.

APPROVAL THERE COULD POSITION THEM FOR HOUSE CONSIDERATION NEXT THURSDAY.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE A.J.

MCCAMPBELL OF GALLION IS ONE OF THE HOUSE MEMBERS WHO'VE BEEN WORKING WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ON THE ISSUE.

WE ASKED HIM THIS WEEK 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 LEGISLATORS WILL HAVE AND BE ABLE TO LOOK AT.

SO HOPEFULLY IT WILL -- WE HAVE THREE DAYS LEFT.

WITH THREE DAYS YOU CAN MOVE THE WORLD.

DON: GOVERNOR IVEY HAS SAID THAT SHE TRULY HOPES THAT THE GAMBLING 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 CHAIRWOMAN, STEPHANIE BRYAN, TOLD "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THIS WEEK 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: THE POARCH CREEKS SAY THEY'RE ALSO OPEN TO NEGOTIATING A COMPACT WITH THE STATE, IF THE GAMBLING PLAN IS PASSED.

UNDER SUCH A COMPACT, THE TRIBE WOULD SHARE ITS CASINO REVENUES WITH THE STATE.

DON: A CLOSELY-WATCHED BILL THAT WOULD BAR TRANSGENDER YOUTH IN THE STATE FROM RECEIVING PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND HORMONE THERAPIES ALSO HANGS IN THE BALANCE IN THE LEGISLATURE'S LAST DAYS.

IT'S PASSED THE SENATE AND A HOUSE COMMITTEE, BUT IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE HOUSE AGENDA FOR TUESDAY.

IT COULD RECEIVE FLOOR CONSIDERATION ON THURSDAY.

MEANTIME, A HIGH-PROFILE BILL THAT WOULD BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE HAS PASSED THE HOUSE HAS BEEN DEBATED IN THE SENATE, BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN PUT TO A VOTE IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.?

Reporter: OUR LAWS THAT ARE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROVEN, THAT HAVE ALREADY WEATHERED THE STORM AND WE'RE NOW GOING TO CHANGE RAINCOATS?

I WOULD ONLY SUGGEST, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT WE NEED TO BE PARTICULAR AND METICULOUS WITH WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> THE MOST CONTESTED OF THE 26 VOTING BILLS IS THE ONE TO BAN CURBSIDE VOTING.

>> OF ALL OF THE ELECTION BILLS WE HAD ON THERE, THIS IS ONE I SAID TO THE PRO TEM, WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH, ONE THAT COULD BE A STICKING POINT.

SO I THINK WE'RE AT A STICKING POINT.

AND AT A PROPER TIME, IF HE'S GOING TO GIVE UP THE MIC, I WILL START MY FIRST HOUR -- >> IN OTHER WORDS, FILIBUSTER.

SENATE REPUBLICANS SAY THE MOVE IS TO SECURE THE BALLOT.

>> BY KEEPING A BALLOT IN THE HANDS OF THE VOTER WHO THEN INSERTS IT IN THE MACHINE WE'RE ENSURING EACH VOTE IS COUNTED ACCURATELY, INDEPENDENTLY FROM MY POLL WORKER OR THIRD-PARTY.

>> THE SENATE DEMOCRATS SAY THE CURBSIDE PROCESS IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE USED FOR ABSENTEE BATTLES CAN I CAN BE RETURNED VIA THE MAIL AND IT'S SECURE.

>> IT'S SEALED IN WHATEVER ENVELOPE.

THE PERSON WHO IS VOTING GOING TO PUT IT IN THIS BOX.

THE ELECTED OFFICIAL IS STANDING THERE BY THE BOX.

YOUR POLL WATCHER, MINE, HIS AND HIS IS STANDING BY THERE I BOX, TELL ME WHAT IS UNSECURE ABOUT THAT.

>> THEY ALSO SAY IT'S AN ACCESSIBILITY ISSUE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DISABILITIES.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE INFIRMITIES: I WANT US TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MAKE THE VOTING PROCESS OPEN AND MORE ACCESSIBLE.

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

DON: KENNETH PASCHAL THIS WEEK WON THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR THE VACANT STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 73 SEAT.

HE DEFEATED LEIGH HULSEY IN A TUESDAY SPECIAL RUNOFF ELECTION BY A SLIM 64 VOTES IN THE UNOFFICIAL RETURNS.

THE SEAT WAS FORMERLY HELD BY MATT FRIDY, WHO LEFT IT AFTER BEING ELECTED TO A SEAT ON THE ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS.

PASCHAL GOES ON TO FACE DEMOCRAT SHERIDAN BLACK IN THE JULY 13TH GENERAL ELECTION.

IF HE ULTIMATELY WINS THE SEAT, PASCHAL WOULD BE THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTED TO THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE AS A REPUBLICAN IN MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

FORMER STATE REP. JOHNNY FORD WAS ELECTED AS A DEMOCRAT BUT SWITCHED TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN 2003.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER LEDBETTER IS WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE JUST SPOKE WITH MINORITY LEADER DANIELS ABOUT THE LAST FEW DAYS OF THE SESSION.

WE TALKED ABOUT VOTING BILLS.

THERE WAS A BIG EMPHASIZE THIS YEAR ON ELECTION AND VOTING-RELATED BILLS DEPENDING ON WHO YOU TALKED TO, YOU CAN JUDGE ON WHETHER THESE WERE GOOD THINGS OR BAD THINGS.

THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAD PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE VOTING BILLS THAT GOT OUT.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE BILLS.

>> MOST CLEAN UP LANGUAGE AND GIVES US THE ABILITY TO GO -- ALABAMA, I THINK THE VOTING LAWS AND THE THINGS WE DID IN THE STATE PROVED THEMSELVES OUT.

I BELIEVE THE BILLS THAT PASSED THIS SESSION MADE THAT STRONGER.

EVERYBODY HAS HAD A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

THAT'S WHY WE DO THIS.

BUT IN MY OPINION I THINK FOR THE VOTERS OF THE STATE IT GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO KNOW WHEN THEY GO VOTE, THEIR VOTE IS GOING TO BE COUNTED.

>> TO THE CONTENTION FROM THE OTHER SIDE THAT SOME OF THEM MAKE IT HARDER TO VOTE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT ARGUMENT?

>> I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

BOTH SIDES HAVE THE SAME LAWS.

THEY BOTH HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH THE SAME HOOPS TO VOTE IF IT'S VOTER ID OR HOWEVER WE FILL OUT AN ABSENTEE APPLICATION FOR A BALLOT, BOTH SIDES HAVE TO DO IT THE SAME WAY SO IT DOESN'T BENEFIT ONE OR THE OTHER.

IT JUST CLEANS UP SOME OF THE VOTING LAWS THAT WE HAVE.

>> AS I ASKED THE MINORITY LEADER, I WILL ASK YOU AS WELL, WHAT ARE CAUCUS PRIORITIES HERE IN THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> IT'S BEEN A TOUGH SESSION.

A VERY UNUSUAL SESSION.

WE COME OUT BEHIND THE PANDEMIC, DIDN'T HAVE MUCH COMING OUT LAST YEAR AND WE HAD A GROUP OF FRESHMEN THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET MANY BILLS OUT.

AS OF TODAY WE HAD OVER A THOUSAND BILLS FILED AND WE WON'T GOAT MOST OUT BUT WE TRIED TO WORK IN AS MANY AS WE CAN.

AND IT'S COMING DOWN TO THE END.

THERE'S A LOT OF BIG ISSUES THAT'S GOING TO BE AT THE END OF THE SESSION AND GAMING IS ONE OF THEM.

THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL IS TALKED ABOUT.

AND THERE'S OTHER ISSUES THAT WILL BE BROUGHT UP.

SO THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT WE WILL SEE HOW IT UNFOLDS.

AND NOT MUCH TIME LEFT.

SO OUR GOAL ON THE HOUSE SIDE IS TO TRY TO GET AS MUCH ACCOMPLISHED AS WE CAN BEFORE THE TIME RUNS OUT.

>> WITH SUCH AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM TYPE OF ISSUES LIKE GAMING AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA, IT DOES BEG THE QUESTION CAN EITHER OF THEM GET OUT IN THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME.

YET HE HEAR YOU SAYING IT'S CERTAINLY POSSIBLE.

>> I THINK IT IS.

THE THING I THINK THAT WE HAVE DONE FROM A CAUCUS STANDPOINT, WE HAVE TRIED TO EDUCATE EVERY MEMBER AS MUCH AS WE COULD.

WE HAVE BROKEN DOWN IN SMALL GROUPS SO THEY CAN ASK EVERY QUESTION THEY WANT TO ASK, AND WE HAVE GIVEN AS MUCH INFORMATION AS THEY COULD GET AND THEY HAVE TO MAKE THEIR DECISION SIS NOT -- NEITHER ONE OF THESE ARE SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO FORCE A VOTE ON.

IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE OUT THERE AND THEY HAVE TO VOTE THEIR DISTRICTS AND HOW THE PEOPLE WANT.

I THINK AS A WHOLE, PEOPLE WANT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE LOTTERY THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO.

WE CAN'T PASS ANY KIND OF GAMING PER SE LEGISLATION.

WE CAN PUT THE ENABLING TOGETHER AND THE C CA TOGETHER BUT WHEN IT COMES TO IT, THE PEOPLE HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT IT OR NOT SO IT WILL BE A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

>> IS THERE ANY ADDED PRESSURE HERE WHERE THE GAMBLING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS CONCERNED GIVEN THAT NEXT YEAR IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND THAT THE LEGISLATURE WERE TO APPROVE THIS IT COULD GO BEFORE VOTERS AS EARLY AS NEXT YEAR.

>> IT COULD.

I DON'T THINK SO.

IT'S GOING TO BE -- THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT IS ALWAYS GOING TO DRAW A LOT OF ATTENTION AND POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS CONTROVERSIAL.

YOU EITHER SUPPORT IT OR DON'T.

I GET THAT.

AND PEOPLE HAVE VARIOUS REASONS.

THAT'S WHY I TRY TO EMPHASIZE TO OUR CAUCUS IS IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND THAT IS NOT FAR, YOU KNOW, DON'T PATRONIZE THEM, TRY TO BE -- WE ARE A CAUCUS AND WE WILL STICK TOGETHER.

WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE.

THAT'S FINE.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD ALWAYS AGREE BUT LET'S BE FAVORABLE TO OUR MEMBERS AND THAT'S WHAT WANT TO HAVE RIDE TO DO AND WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF FOLKS AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB AND I'M CERTIFIED MAIL HONORED TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS THEIR MAJORITY LEADER.

>> THE GAMING ISSUE WAS GOING DOWN TO THE WIRE IN RESPECT OF A LOT OF BEHIND THE SCENES NEGOTIATIONS.

I ASSUME YOU'RE ONE OF THE GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OVER THIS ISSUE.

>> I HAVE.

YOU WILL SEE A BILL COME OUT PROBABLY AS EARLY AS THIS WEEKEND THAT IS GOING TO HAVE SOME DIFFERENT LOOKS ANYTIME.

I MEAN, AND THE GOVERNOR, I THINK, HAT HAS BEEN IN LOCK STEP WITH A LOT A THAT WE HAVE DONE.

I APPRECIATE HER LEADERSHIP.

SHE PUT THE GAMING COMMISSION TOGETHER.

IT TOOK 17 MONTHS.

IT'S A NINE HUNDRED PAGE REPORT.

THEY GAVE US A SUMMARY AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THAT REPORT WILL BE -- WE WILL BE LOOKING AT.

SO IT'S STILL A WORK IN PROCESS BUT I THINK BY THIS WEEK'S END WE WILL HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE ON WHAT IT'S GOING LOOK LIKE.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED THE PLAN SAW A SECOND LIFE AFTER BEING REJECTED EARLIER AND THEN BEING RESURRECTED.

>> NOT REALLY.

I KIND OF FELT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY: THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES OUT THERE.

FIRST IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO REGULATE GAMING.

AND IT WOULD CUT DOWN WHAT IS 25 DIFFERENT FACILITIES IN OUR STATE TO ABOUT NINE.

IT PUTS ENFORCEMENT -- THE ENFORCEMENT THAT IS GOING TO COME OUT OF THE HOUSE GOING TO BE SOME OF THE STRONGEST IN THE COUNTRY.

RIGHTFULLY SO: BUT ALL OF THE THINGS GOING ON IN OUR STATE, OUR TAXPAYERS ARE NOT GETTING A DIME OFF OF IT.

SO FOR THE FIRST TIME, THIS GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MONEY ALREADY BEING SPEND IN OUR STATE AND A LOT OF SIT GOING OUT OF OUR STATE BUT A LOT OF IT NOW IN WE COULD PASS THIS BILL WOULD STAY IN OUR STATE.

SO WHETHER YOU'RE FOR IT OR AGAINST IT, I.T.

CLEANS IT UP.

IT PUTS TEETH INTO AS FAR AS THE OVERSIGHT ON IT AND IT REALLY CUTS IT DOWN TO A SMALLER AREA.

SO I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND A LOT OF CONVERSATION WILL GO ON.

AND WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> AS IF GAMING WEREN'T DECISIVE ENOUGH, THERE'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA STILL OUT THERE, TOO, WHICH HAS BEEN DIVISIVE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

BUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA HAS GOTTEN AS FAR THIS YEAR AS IT HAS GOTTEN IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AS IT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY LAWMAKERS.

>> IT HAS.

WE WILL PROBABLY SEE IT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I THINK IT WILL COME UP FOR A VOTE.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE THAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE TO VOTE THEIR CONVICTION AND THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WANT TO DO.

IT'S NOT CAUCUS POSITION WE'RE GOING TO TAKE.

I KNOW THE SENATE SPONSOR THAT BROUGHT THE BILL HAS WORKED EXTREMELY HARD AND TRIED TO TALK TO EVERYBODY FOR IT OR AGAINST IT.

I JUST HAVE LEFT THEM.

HE ASKED ME ABOUT IT.

SO I THINK HE'S BEEN AS TRANSPARENT AS ANYBODY COULD BE AND HE'S TRIED TO ANSWER EVERY QUESTION.

AS WELL AS THE GAMING BILL.

OUR MEMBERS HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN GO THROUGH IT THOROUGHLY.

SO WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> IT YOU MENTIONED THE CAUCUS NOT TAKING A POSITION ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

IT SEEMS THAT THOSE THAT SUPPORT IT DO SO IN A LARGE LIT BIPARTISAN WAY.

>> I THINK.

SO I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK IT IS BIPARTISAN.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES OUT THERE THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO PEOPLE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT I THINK SOME OF THE STICKING POINTS IS ALSO IT'S NOT FEDERALLY APPROVED.

DOESN'T MATTER WHEN THE WE DO, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STILL DOES NOT APPROVE IT.

SO -- AND I KNOW A LOT OF STATES ARE DOING IT AND IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, BUT THE REGULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT OUT THERE IN THIS BILL IS STRONGER THAN PROBABLY ANY OTHER STATE, AND IT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF THC.

I THINK THE SPONSOR HAS LOOKED AT EVERYTHING HE POSSIBLY COULD.

I COMMEND HIM FOR HIS HARD WORK.

>> REFERRING TO SENATOR TIM MELSON OF FLORENCE AND ANOTHER BILL WILL BE CARRIED IN THE HOUSE BY MIKE BALL OF MADISON WHO IS IN THE PAST ATTEMPTED TO CHAMPION THIS VERY ISSUE.

IT SEEMS TO ME, MR. LEADER, SEE IF YOU AGREE WITH ME, WHERE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONCERNS IT COMES DOWN TO PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, KNOWING SOMEONE WHO MAY HAVE BENEFITED FROM IT.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

I HAD A GENTLEMAN IN MY OFFICE YESTERDAY THAT HAS BEEN IN THE FARMING INDUSTRY GENERATIONAL AND HE -- HE WAS TELLING ME, YOU KNOW, HE KNOWS WHAT TO THE DO ON THE FARM AND HE KNOWS HOW EVERYTHING IS SUPPOSED TO GO AND SO HE CALLED HIS WIFE ONE KAY BECAUSE SAID YOU HAVE TO GET HOME IMMEDIATELY.

I JUST FOUND OUT I HAVE CANCER.

HE SAID FROM THAT POINT ON, HIS DISCUSSION OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CHANGED.

AND HE SAID I HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER STATE TO GET THIS FOR HER JUST SO SHE CAN CANNOT BE SICK WHEN SHE TAKES HER TREATMENT OR SO SHE CAN SLEEP AT NIGHT.

HE SAID IT CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

I CAN SEE THAT.

I GOT A VERY CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE THAT HAS CHRONIC PAIN, HAD IT MOST OF HIS LIFE AND HE'S TELLING ME HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP HIM.

SO THERE ARE THOSE OUT THERE THAT'S GOT LEGITIMATE REASONS FOR WANTING TO SEE THIS PASSED.

>> AS SENATOR MELSON OFTEN STATED THIS IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE A FIRST ALTERNATIVE FOR FOLKS.

IT'S DESIGNED TO BE A LOWER TIER ALTERNATIVE, WHEN OTHER THINGS DON'T WORK, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I THINK THAT IS ONE THING THAT HE HAS MADE SURE OF, THAT IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION, YOU GO THROUGH THE RIGHT CHANNELS AND IF YOU CAN'T GET WHAT HELPS YOU AND THEY HAVE IT SPELLED OUT IN THE BILL, WHAT YOU CAN USE IT FOR AND CAN'T, SO I THINK HE HAS COVERED IT VERY WELL.

>> LET'S SPEND THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES TALKING ABOUT ONE OF THE BILLS YOU CARRIED THIS YEAR DEALING WITH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

IT HAS GOTTEN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PRESS.

TELL US YOUR PHILOSOPHY HERE.

>> THE THING WE'RE RUNNING INTO, BECAUSE OF THE BUREAUCRACY AND THE RED TAPE, SCHOOLS IN ANY DISTRICT, WE HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE ONE OF THE SCHOOLS HAD A LEAK IN THEIR ROOF AND THEY HAD TO PUT A NEW ROOF ON BUT THEY HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THAT GOT THE BLUEPRINTS BACK AND EVERYTHING WAS APPROVED.

IT WAS IN THE GYM AND IT RUINED THE SUBFLOOR.

SO A $12,000 FIX WENT TO $350,000.

SO HE CALLED HE JUST THIS WEEK.

HE HAD A 1500-FOOT SCIENCE LAB WITH A LEAK UNDER THE FLOOR AND THEY WOULDN'T LET THEM CUT THE FLOOR AND FIX IT AND DECIDED TO BUILD A NEW ONE.

ARCHITECTS CAME IN AND GOT THE ENGINEER TO WORK ON IT.

HE SAID THIS THING YOU CAN BUILD FOR $250,000 AND IT CAME BACK AT $450,000.

SO IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE W WE CAN'T FIX OUR EXISTING BUILD AND GOES WE HAVE SCHOOL ROOMS IN OUR COUNTY THAT'S STILL TRAILERS BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH IN A PARTICULAR AREA.

I MEAN IT'S PROHIBITING US FROM CHANGING OUT THOSE TRAILERS AND PUTTING SCHOOLING CLASSROOMS IN THE BRICK AND MORTAR BECAUSE IT'S TAKING SO MUCH FOR CONSTRUCTION.

WE HAD ONE PROJECT WITH THE SYSTEM.

THAT'S JUST IN ONE COUNTY AND THIS IS HAPPENING IN ALL 67 COUNTIES.

WE HAD OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM -- THEY GOT THE BIDS IN AND COME BACK FROM D DCM AT $2.4 MILLION.

THEY LET THE CITY DO IT INSTEAD OF THEM.

SAME ARCHITECT, SAME PLAN, AND THEY BUILT IT FOR 1.7.

SO WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE BIGGER CONTRACTORS DON'T LIKE THIS.

I GOT IT.

BUT THE SAME MONEY IS GOING TO BE OUT THERE EXACTLY.

THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE MONEY.

THE TWO YEAR COLLEGE SYSTEM THINKS THIS WILL SAFE THEM AS MUCH AS 20 PERCENT ON CONSTRUCTION.

THEY'RE CERTAINLY NOT ONLY ABLE TO DO THIS BUT ALREADY HAVE THE PEOPLE ON STAFF AND I THINK THEY WOULD DO A BETTER JOB IN THE LONG RUN WORKING ON THEIR OWN FACILITY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LETTING PEOPLE WORK ON THEIR OWN FACILITIES INSTEAD OF HAVING A THIRD-PARTY, SO THAT WAS THE REASON FOR IT.

AND IT'S GOING TO SAVE THE TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND GO BACK TO THE CLASSROOMS FOR KIDS.

>> THE GENESIS OF THIS WAS REMOVING THE BUREAUCRACY TO HELP THE LOCAL FOLKS.

I KNOW, AS YOU MENTIONED, SOME CONCERNS WERE BROUGHT UP ABOUT SAFETY, AND AUTHENTICITY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I FULLY AGREE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.

WHEN I CAN'T BUILD A CLASSROOM BUT I CAN PUT THE MONEY IN TO REMOVE A PORTABLE CLASSROOM, A TRAILER, THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THAT AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE ADDRESSING IT.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE THERE'S THE PROSPECT THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WILL HAVE TO COME BACK IN ESSENTIAL SESSION LATER THIS YEAR IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN TO ADDRESS REAPPORTIONMENT.

>> WE WILL.

I THINK WE WILL SEE THAT PROBABLY IN THE FALL.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT OUR NUMBERS WOULD HAVE COME OUT SOONER THAN THEY HAVE.

LUCKILY WE ARE ABLE TO KEEP ALL OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHICH IS A BIG THING FOR THE STATE MONETARILY AND I THINK THAT WAS IMPORTANT.

AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET THIS DONE PRETTY RAPIDLY WHEN WE COME BACK IN.

I FOR SURE SEE US COMING BACK, AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME AND THERE'S A PROBABILITY WE COULD COME BACK MORE THAN THAT.

>> REALLY?

FOR OUR REASONS?

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK -- THE THING IS I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS LOOKING AT THIS GAMING ISSUE.

SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE I.T.

GET OUT KNOW.

IF IT'S APPROACHED THE RIGHT WAY SHE'S WANTING TO LET THE PEOPLE VOTE.

SHE HAS DONE THE STATE FOR 17 MONTHS AND THEY WENT THROUGH WHAT IS THE BEST CASE SCENARIO.

IF WE DON'T GET THAT OUT THERE MAY BE HAD A POSSIBILITY FOR THAT AND THEN WE HAVE THE PRISON ISSUE.

I MEAN SHE'S STILL MONITORING THAT AND WORKING ON IT AND WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES, TOO.

>> A LOT OF WORK STILL LIES AHEAD AS I.T.

DRAWS TO A CLOSE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> NATE LEDBETTER OF RAINSVILLE, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> MY PLEASURE DON.

>> YOU BET.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, HOUSE MINORITY LITER ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME DON.

US A PLEASURE.

>> YOU BET.

>> WELL, MR. LEADER, WHERE WE HAVE TWO DAYS NEXT WEEK LEFT IN THE SESSION, AND THEN LAWMAKERS ARE PLANNING TO TAKE A WEEK OFF AND THEN COME BACK FOR THE FINAL DAY ON MAY 17TH.

AS WE WIND THINGS DOWN HERE, WHAT IS THE CAUCUS THINK MOST IMPORTANT IN THESE FINAL DAYS.

>> WELL, THE CAUCUS -- THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES.

THE CAUCUS -- WE'RE DEALING WITH AS IT RELATES TO THE FINAL STRETCH.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS THAT WANT TO MAKE SIRE CERTAIN THEY GET THEIR BILLS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

BILLS THAT DEAL WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, BILLS THAT DEAL WITH ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR MINORITY-OWNED AND RURAL BUSINESSES, BILLS THAT DEAL WITH PROCUREMENT, YOU KNOW, AND OF COURSE WE HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND GAMING AS SOME OF THE THINGS BEING TALKED ABOUT NOW FOR THE CLOSING PART OF THE SESSION.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO THINK ABOUT AND A LOT OF THINGS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT.

>> I WANT TO GET TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND GAMING.

BEFORE WE DO, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT VOTING FOR A MINUTE.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF VOTING AND ELECTION RELATED LEGISLATION IN THIS SESSION.

SOME THINGS THAT THE CAUCUS WAS HAPPY ABOUT AND SOME THINGS THAT YOU WEREN'T SO HAPPY ANT.

HOW HAVE YOU FELT ABOUT WHAT HAS COME OUT SO FAR.

>> WELL, OF COURSE I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT MANY OF OUR MEMBERS' BILLS LIKE EARLY VOTING AND MAKING -- EXPANDING ACCESS TO VOTING HAVE NOT REALLY CLEARED THE COMMITTEE HURDLE.

THERE HAVE BEEN HEARINGS ON THEM, YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE HALL HAD A BILL THAT DEALT WITH UNEXCUSED ABSENTEE VOTING SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE AN EXCUSE.

IT JUST -- EXPANDING ACCESS.

AND SO A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT FOR ALABAMA, WHETHER IT'S A PANDEMIC YEAR OR NOT, EXPANDING ACCESS IS ALWAYS GOOD, WE HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE BILLS THAT REALLY -- I WOULD CALL THEM BASE BILLS ON THE OTHER SIDE, VERY DISAPPOINTED SOME OF THOSE BILLS.

THOSE BILLS KIND OF GET THE CAUCUS -- GET FOLKS UP IN ARMS WHENEVER YOU'RE DOING ANYTHING TO IMPEDE UPON THE EXPANSION OF ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX.

WE SHOULD BE MAKING IT EASIER NOT HARDER.

SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE CERTAINLY CONCERNED ABOUT AND HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT FOR SOME TIME.

>> SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE REFERRED TO SOME OF THOSE REPUBLICAN VOTING BILLS AT CONSTITUTING VOTER SUPPRESSION.

DO YOU FEEL THAT WAY?

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO GO THAT FAR?

>> I THINK IT CERTAINLY LIMITS -- OUR PURPOSE AND OUR PLAN IS ALWAYS TO EXPAND ACCESS.

SO SOME OF THOSE BILLS DO THE OPPOSITE.

AND SOME OF THE BILLS ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT DON'T EXIST WITHIN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO IT'S REALLY PLAYING TO THE WHOLE NATIONAL NARRATIVE OF SOMEHOW THE PRESIDENT WAS CHEATED OUT OF THE -- THE FORMER PRESIDENT WAS CHEATED OUT OF THE ELECTION WHEN THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF THAT.

SO THESE ARE JUST BILLS THAT ARE APPEALING TO THE BASE.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S TIME OUT FOR THAT.

WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING AS REPRESENTATIVES, WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO EXPAND ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR ALABAMIANS.

AND SO I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED IN SOME OF THOSE BILLS.

AND I WOULD THINK THERE ARE ATTEMPTS TO NOT EXPAND THE ACCESS.

SO I WOULDN'T GO SO FAR AS SUPPRESSION, WHICH I KNOW IT'S A COMMON TERM, AND I THINK THAT SOME OF THE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED ARE CERTAINLY IN LINE WITH THAT TERMINOLOGY AND SOME THAT ARE PASSED MAY BE IN LINE WITH THAT.

SO FOR RIGHT NOW I WANT TO DO -- WE'RE GOING TO DO A REVIEW AT THE END OF THE SESSION AND I WILL TELL YOU WHETHER OR NOT -- WHAT I IDENTIFY AS VOTER SUPPRESSION BILLS.

>> I HAVE ALSO HEARD SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES REFER TO SOME OF THESE BILLS AS SOLUTIONS LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AS I INDICATED BEFORE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE FOCUSING ON THINGS THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

WE HAVEN'T HAD THE MASS VOTER FRAUD THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WOULD THINK.

OR CURBSIDE VOTING, PROHIBITING INDIVIDUALS FROM BEING THAT ARE DISABLED FROM BEING ABLE TO GET THEIR BALLOT OR TURN THEIR BALLOT IN THE CURBSIDE AND GIVING THEM OPPORTUNITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN ALL OF YOUR -- WHEN THERE ARE LONG LINES AND THERE ARE ACCESS PROBLEMS AND THE YOU DIDN'T THINK A LOT FURTHER FROM THE PARKING LOT OR WHERE A PERSON PARKS.

SO YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT.

AND THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A PROBLEM IN ALABAMA, AND YOU'RE RIGHT.

THERE THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST WITHIN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON WHAT IS GOING TO HELP US EXPAND THE ACCESS.

>> I DON'T WANT TO TURN TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM NOW.

YOU MENTIONED THAT IN YOUR OPENING REMARKS, I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN ANOTHER PRIORITY THIS SESSION.

OUR PRISON NEEDS ARE GREAT IN THIS STATE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WE HAVE DONE WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN THIS SESSION?

>> I THINK WE'RE AT A C, IS A C .

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF BILLS THAT DID NOT GO THROUGH BOTH HOUSES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

THERE WERE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION AND TASK FORMS ON THE PRISON REFORM CAN AND LOOKING AT OUR PRISON ISSUES IN GENERAL.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE GONE FAR ENOUGH ON SOME OF THE REFORM, THE SENTENCING REFORM AND ALL OF THOSE PARTICULAR THINGS, HABITUAL OFFENDERS AS WELL, AND SO SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE STILL OUT THERE.

I DON'T -- I DON'T THINK THAT THE ONES THAT ARE PASSED, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE GONE FAR ENOUGH BUT WE HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US REALLY PRIORITIZE BEING ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

BASS WE CAN'T BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF IT AND I HAVE SAID THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN WORKERS HE CAN'T BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM.

AND THERE'S A MISINTERPRETATION FROM WHAT THE ZERO ARE FEDERAL COURT SAID TO ALABAMA ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

I DON'T THINK CONSTRUCTION WAS THE ONLY ISSUES ISSUE THAT WE HAD.

SO IT'S MUCH BROADER THAN MEETS THE EYE.

>> THE PRIVATE RELEASE PRISON PLAN THAT GREENVILLE HAS PROPAGATED RECENTLY RAN INTO A SNAG AND THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FOR HER TO WORK WITH LAWMAKERS NOW ON A STAND BOND ISSUE VERSUS CONTINUING WITH THE PRIVATE LEASE PLAN.

WHICH OF THOSE DO YOU THINK IS MORE PREFERABLE OR DO YOU THINK EITHER IS?

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, HAVING A LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION IS IMPORTANT.

BUT I THINK BEFORE WE START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE MENS FACILITY, TO DR.

BOW IT'S POINT, SHE HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR TUTWILER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND SHE HAS SEEN THINGS MANY OF OUR COLLEAGUES -- WE JUST READ ABOUT IT IN THE NEWSPAPER BUT HE HAS BEEN INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS SO TO HER POINT, TUT-WIDE WHILER -- AND I HAVE VISITED TUTWILER.

SO I THINK THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A FACILITY, I THINK THAT BUILDING A NEW TUTWILER SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND FOR FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK WANT TO SAY WE FOCUS ON PRISON REFORM WE HAVE TO EVALUATE WHERE WE ARE.

WE HAVE TO EVALUATE WHAT IMPACT WOULD THESIS BILLS FOR THE PRISON REFORM MEASURE LESS HAVE ON OUR PRISON POPULATION.

BECAUSE YOU DON'T BUILD A PRISON WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT YOU ANTICIPATE GOING TO PRISON, BECAUSE THERE ARE LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATING THIS PIPE PIPELINE FROM SCHOOL TO PRISON FOR SOME TIME THAT ARE ARCHAIC LAWS AND HE FOUND ADDRESSED THOSE LAWS AND WE HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE CORRUPTION THAT EXISTS IN THE SYSTEM IN GENERAL SO WE JUST HAVE HAD TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP US MOVE FORWARD AS A STATE BEFORE FOCUSING ON CONSTRUCTION.

AND SO THAT'S JUST BEEN MY POSITION THE ENTIRE TIME.

>> MR. LEADER, THE CAUCUS WAS VERY BIG THIS WE'RE YEAR WANT TO A RENEWED PUSH FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION GIVEN THE NEW INSTEAD OF INCENTIVES THAT HAVE CAM DOWN.

IT ISN'T SEEN MUCH MOVEMENT.

ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED?

>> ALWAYS DISAPPOINTED.

THERE'S AN ECONOMIC ARGUMENT TO BE MADE ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

AND I THINK EVEN LOOKING AT SMALL BUSINESSES, SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE LOOKING AT RETAINING THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND SOME OF THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE BASICALLY THE WORKING POOR.

SO WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION, WILL COVER THOSE INDIVIDUALS AS WELL THAT ARE WORKING -- THAT WOULD I CONSIDER THE WORKING POOR THAT WORKED FOR SOME OF THESE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE JUST, YOU KNOW, HAVING TO TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS EVERY DAY AND THEN IN LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, MANY OF THEM ARE NOT EVEN ABLE TO REOPEN THEIR DOORS.

SO THIS REDUCES THEIR BURDEN AND THEIR OVERHEAD AS WELL, AND GIVING THEM -- GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS MORE ON RETENTION AND RETAINING EMPLOYEES LONG-TERM.

SO IT'S A WIN-WIN SITUATION.

ECONOMICALLY IT BRINGS ABOUT A LOT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, THE STATES THAT IS A HAVE EXPANDED MEDICAID ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THEIR BUDGETS.

SO I THINK THAT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT MEDICAID, WE'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT THE PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ON MEDICAID.

THIS IS NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE -- THERE'S NO ONE SITTING IN FRONT OF A TELEVISION FLIPPING THROUGH THE CHANNELS ON THE COUCH EVERY DAY THAT DOESN'T WANT A JOB.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN ALABAMA.

ANYONE THAT THINKS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN A FALSE NARRATIVE.

PEOPLE IN ALABAMA WORK HARD AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THERE ARE 300 -- WELL, 348,000 PEOPLE THAT WILL QUALIFY AND MANY OF THEM ARE AT LEAST 138 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS, MANY WOULD NOT REALIZE THE LEVEL OF POVERTY THAT EXISTS WITHIN OUR STATE.

AND IT'S ASTOUNDING.

THESE ARE FOLKS THAT EVERY DAY PEOPLE THAT WANT BETTER -- THAT WANT TO DO BETTER FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND I THINK THAT WE DESERVE TO REALLY ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES HEAD ON.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT, MR. LEADER N THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES.

THE HOUSE WILL GET PARTICULAR ATTENTION IN THE FINAL WEEK, NEXT WEEK, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO TACKLE SUPPOSEDLY TWO HEAVYWEIGHT ISSUES, GAMBLING AND MEDICAL MARION.

A, WHAT IS THE CAUCUS THINKING ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLANS.

>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE STILL IN CONVERSATION.

NO MOVEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR ME WITHOUT THE DIRECTION FROM OUR CAUCUS.

OUR CAUCUS HAS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS ON A NUMBER OF FRONTS SO WE'RE STILL HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND THEN IN THE NEGOTIATING PHASES AND HE PUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE LEFT OUT MAY HOLD AND WE WANT TO CREATE A PROCESS WHERE ALL OF OUR CAUCUS COULD BE PROUD TO GET BEHIND A BILL THAT WE ALL COULD BE PROUD TO GET BEHIND SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO THAT POINT.

WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE WORK TO DO AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET TO THAT POINT BY NEXT WEDNESDAY OR US.

>> YOU DO YOU THINK A GAMBLING BILL COULD GET OUT THIS YEAR?

>> I DO.

I DO BELIEVE A GAMBLING BILL COULD GET OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS YEAR WHEN IT GETS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I CAN'T TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT I THINK THAT YOU KNOW, WHILE WE'RE DEALING WITH THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, I THINK THAT IT'S AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND WE'RE FINALLY AT THE POINT TO WHERE WE'RE FINALLY SAYING, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

WE VOTE IT UP OR DOWN AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE REGARDING GAMING.

AND WE WILL SEE HOW THE NEGOTIATIONS G. >> WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

>> THERE ARE BILLS WE WANT TO SEE MOVEMENT ON, BUT THE BILL IN THE CURRENT FORM IS BETTER THAN THE BILL FROM OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR; SO WE WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF ANTIS ADDED IN COMMITTEE AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE'RE EXPANDING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THE BILL EVEN BETTER TO PEOPLE ONES WE HIT THE FLOOR.

>> SENATOR TIM MELSON IS CHAMPION.

THE BILL WILL BE CARRIED IN THE HOUSE BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BALL OF MADISON.

SENATOR MELSON TOLD US ON THE SHOW EARLIER IN THE WEEK THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD THE VOTES IN THE THOUSANDS PASS THIS?

>> I THINK SO.

AND THAT'S NOT SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL IF SOME OF THE THINGS DON'T HAPPEN.

WHAT WE'RE STAYING IS THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE THEIR NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

AND I'M CERTAIN THOSE AMENDMENTS WILL BE COMING ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND I THINK THAT THE SPONSOR WILL BE -- WILL CONSIDER THOSE FRIENDLY ANTIS AND I HOPE THAT ONCE WE GET TO THAT POINT -- FOR US WE WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE THIS ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AND NOT JUST FOR A SELECT FUSE.

>> LOOKING AT BACK AS A WHOLE WOULD YOU WHO WOULD YOU SAY THE CAUCUS FAIRED WITH ITS PRIORITIES?

>> I THINK A LOT OF PRIORITIES ARE BEING CARRIED OUT THAT YOU DON'T SEE ON THE SURFACE.

THEY'RE OF COURSE ATTACHED TO CERTAIN BILLS AND SO WHETHER IT'S THE ACCESS TO CAPITAL BILL OR HB-473, WHETHER IT'S THE PROCUREMENT BILL THAT DEALS WITH ALLOWING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITIES TO BE ABLE TO A PART OF SOME OF THE STATE CONTRACTS AND OPPORTUNITIES AND THE VARIOUS AGENCIES OR WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE JOBS BILL, JOBS ACT, WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU ADDED A PERCENTAGE -- A HIGHER MERGE IN FOR MINORITY OWNED COMPANIES THAT ARE COMING FROM -- THAT MAZE BE ATTRACTED TO ALABAMA, GIVING THEM A BETTER INCENTIVE PERCENTAGE-WISE TO RELOCATE TO ALABAMA.

SO I THINK THERE ARE THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS GOING ON.

I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE -- A COUPLE OF THE PRISON REFORM BILLS THAT ARE PASSED SO I WOULD SAY THAT SO FAR THAT THE SESSION GETS A B.

BUT I THINK THAT WE CAN FINISH -- I THINK IF WE FINISH OFF WITH ANOTHER LETTER GRADE -- A HIGHER LETTER GRADE IF WE CAN REACH AGREEMENTS ON THE BILLS THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER.

>> HOW MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS ALWAYS A PLEASURE ZERO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING SNOW.

>> ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> DR. HARRIS OUR VAX FACE RATE CONTINUES TO CONCERN YOU, DOES IT NOT?

IT HAS REALLY FLATTENED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS AND THE OF SHOWS NO SIGN OF GOING BACK UP.

>> YEAH, THAT UNFORTUNATELY IS A TREND NATIONWIDE, EVEN IN THOSE STATES THAT WERE WAY AHEAD OF US IN TERMS OF WHO THAT VACCINATED.

MANY STATES INCLUDING ALABAMA ARE REALLY COMING UP AGAINST HESITANCY FULL FORCE.

WE ARE REALLY BEGINNING TO SEE THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST, YOU KNOW, MAY BE OPPOSED TO VACCINATION BUT AT LEAST I THINK I COULD SAY THEY'RE IN DIFFERENT TO IT.

SO WE'RE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH HOW WE COMMUNICATE WITH THEM AND GET THE BEST INFORMATION TO THEM AND WE SPEND MOST OF OUR TIME NOW TRYING TO REACH THAT GROUP.

>> WOULD IT BE ACCURATE TO SAY WE HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE MOST IF NOT ALL PEOPLE WHO WANT A SHOT HAVE GOTTEN ONE NOW?

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK THERE ARE THERE WAS A LOT OF PENT UP DEMAND.

AS YOU KNOW, WE REMEMBER THE LONG LINES AND ALL OF THE JAMMED PHONE LINES AND SO ON WHEN THE VACCINE FIRST ARRIVE.

MANY PEOPLE WERE REALLY DESPERATE TO GET THE VACCINE BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN COOPED UP FOR A YEAR AND SAW THIS AS A WAY TO GET OUT.

MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE IF YOU NEED VACCINE NOW.

AND I THINK IT'S -- I THINK IT'S CORRECT TO SAY THAT IF YOU WANT A VACCINE TODAY YOU CAN EASILY FIND ONE ANYWHERE.

I DON'T WANT TO -- ARE I DON'T WANT TO DISCOUNT THE PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE BARRIERS.

SOME PEOPLE SOMETIMES DON'T HAVE A RIDE OR CAN'T TAKE OFF FROM WORK OR JUST DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER THAT MAKES GETTING A VACCINE EASY BUT IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS, THE NUMBER OF SHOTS THAT WE HAVE AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE'RE TRYING TO REACH THERE'S PLENTY OF VACCINE IN ALABAMA.

>> I HAVE ASKED BEFORE AND I WILL AGAIN, GIVEN ALL OF THIS THAT THE VACCINATION RATE SEEMS TO HAVE PLATEAUED, HOW CONCERNING TO IS THAT TO YOU AND TO PUBLIC HEALTH IN GENERAL IN OUR MOVE TOWARD A RETURN TO NORMALCY.

>> THE ONLY WAY TO GET BACK TO NORMAL IS FOR PEOPLE TO BE VACCINATED.

THAT'S THE WAY WE WANT TO DO IT.

IF ALABAMIANS WANT TO HAVE A NORMAL SUMMER AND A BIG -- IF THEY WANT TO COME BACK TO SCHOOL AS NORMAL IN THE FALL AND GO TO FOOTBALL GAMES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE ENJOY DOING, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE WILLING TO BE VACCINATED OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE OUTBREAKS AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUTBREAKS IN WORKPLACE OTHERS IN SCHOOLS OR IN PLACES THAT ARE GOING TO DISRUPT OUR LIFE LIKE WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR THE PAST 14 MONTHS.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF THE DRIVE THROUGH CLINICS IN THE STATE HAVE SEEN MARKED DECLINES IN THE NUMBERS WHO VISIT THEM ON A DAILY BASIS.

AND LET'S JUST USE ONE AS AN EXAMPLE.

WE HAVE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW RECENTLY THAT FEMA SET UP A DRIVE THROUGH CLINIC IN BESSEMER, ALABAMA, AND THEY WERE HOPING TO GET OUT, WHAT, A THOUSAND SHOTS HAD A DAY AND THEY'RE AVERAGING WHAT A HUNDRED 50.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO A THOUSAND SHOTS A DAY.

WHEN THEY FIRST OPENED, WE HAD SOME DAYS WHERE WE WERE OVER 200 SHOTS A DAY, 180, 190 SHOTS IS A DAY.

THEY'RE AVERAGING ABOUT 120 TO 130 SHOOTS DAY.

THAT'S FAR BELOW WHAT WE LIKE FOR THEM HAD TO DO.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY USED THE RESOURCES AT THAT FEMA CLINIC TO GO TO OTHER LOCATIONS.

SO THAT SITE CONTINUES TO OPERATE.

BUT, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAD A TEAM GO TO A HIGH SCHOOL IN THE BESSEMER AREA THIS WEEK, FOR EXAMPLE, TO VACCINATE THOSE KIDS 16 AND UP WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO BE VACCINATED AND SO ON.

SO WE CLEARLY HAVE PLENTY OF VACCINATION CAPACITY.

WE REALIZED THE LARGE SCALE DRIVE THROUGH CLINIC DOESN'T WORK FOR EVERYONE.

THERE ARE CERTAINLY PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET THERE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE HAD A RIGHT OR DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO THAT.

BUT IT STILL IS A LITTLE BIT DISCOURAGING WHEN YOU SEE THAT MUCH CAPACITY THERE THAT IS NOT BEING USED.

>> IT SEEMS WE'RE AT A POINT NOW WHERE IF WE WERE IN AN ELECTION YEAR WE WOULD SAY HAD GET OUT THE VOTE.

HERE WE NEED TO SAY GET OUT THE SHOTS.

>> YEAH, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD, AS WE SAID MANY TIMES ON THE SHOW, WITH HOW WEE COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE.

AND WE HAVE A COMMUNICATIONS TEAM THAT IS REACHING OUT IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A TEAM THAT IS A IS DOING DOOR TO DOOR CANVASSING AND WE HAVE A GOAL TO REACHED REACH ABOUT 21,000 HOMES BY WRETCH OF KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, SO 21,000 HOMES IN 21 DAYS IS THE GOAL FOR THAT RAM.

WE CONTINUE TO DO SOCIAL MEDIA, ADVERTISING, RADIO, AND PRINT.

AND TELEVISION.

AND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING, YOU KNOW, BILLBOARDS AND GAS TANK TOPPERS AND YARD SIGNS -- ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

AT ONE POINT, IN EDUCATION BUDGET THERE WAS A PLANE FLYING AROUND WITH A BAN TORE ADVERTISE THE SITE.

AND WE HAVE PEOPLE DOING TIKTOK CONTEST, IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THAT SINCERELY.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO BUT IT'S NOT MY FORTE BUT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO REACH PEOPLE EVERY WAY THAT WE CAN: I THINK AT THIS POINT THERE ARE A LOT OF ALABAMIANS WHOM KNOWLEDGE OF THE EXISTENCE OF VACCINE IS NOT AN ISSUE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE VACCINE'S SPONSOR NOT SO MUCH OF AN ISSUE.

BUT WHAT WE HOPE IS THAT THEY CAN TAKE THEM FROM SOMEONE THEY TRUST AND GET A MESSAGE FROM THEIR OWN DOCTOR, FOR EXAMPLE, OR SOMEONE THIS THEIR COMMUNITY WHO IS A TRUSTED VOICE FOR THEM.

AND THEN YOU KNOW, MAKE UP THEIR OWN MIND.

WEED OBVIOUSLY THINK THERE'S A CORRECT WAY HOPEFULLY TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND.

WE HOPE THEY WILL CHOOSE TOCK VAX NATURE BUT WE WANT THEM TO HAVE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION BEFORE THEY DECIDE.

>> YOU HAVE PROBABLY HEARD THE STORY OUT OF WEST VIRGINIA THAT THE GOVERNOR WENT AS FAR AS TO OFFER SAVINGS BONDS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT MAY COME IN AND GET VAX NATURE.

I THINK IT'S JUST ILLUSTRATIVE OF WHERE WE ARE.

>> A NUMBER OF STATES ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO INCENTIVE EYES PEOPLE TO GET THE SHOT.

WE HAD CONVERSATIONS IN ALABAMA ABOUT WHETHER IT MAKES SENSE TO OFFER MONETARY INCENTIVE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS THAT WE'RE THINKING CAREFULLY ABOUT THAT BEFORE TAKING THAT STEP.

I THINK THAT THE FIRST ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS THAT IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT AREN'T SURE ABOUT HOW TO MAKE MEDICAL DECISION, YOU KNOW, GIVEN THEM MONEY TO MAKE THE CHOICE YOU WANT MAKE MAY NOT BE THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE THAT.

WE WOULD RATHER THEM HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION AND THEN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION AS OPPOSED TO RESPONDING TO MONEY.

AND REALLY CERTAINLY THERE ARE LOWER-INCOME PEOPLE WHO, YOU KNOW, REALIZE NEED EVEN SMALL PAYMENTS OF MONEY AND WHO MIGHT BE TRAPPED IN A WAY INTO DOING SOMETHING THEY OTHERWISE WOULDN'T DO.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE VAX NATURED.

I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO INCENTIVE EYES PEOPLE WITHOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LOWER INCOME, BY, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, YOU MAKE ADMISSION TO CHEAPER TO AN EVENT IF YOU'RE VACCINATED THAN NOT OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT IN TERMS OF JUST PAYING CASH DIRECTLY WE'RE NOT REALLY CONSIDERING THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> WE HAVE TALKED HE PREVIOUSLY ABOUT HERD IMMUNITY AND WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN HERE IN ALABAMA.

AGAIN WE WILL REMIND FOLKS THERE'S NO MAGIC THRESHOLD FOR HERD IMMUNITY HERE BUT AS A GENERAL TERM IN THIS CONVERSATION, DOES IT MAKE REACHING HEARD IMMUNITY MORE DIFFICULTY, OUR VAX MEDICATION PLATEAU?

>> WHATEVER LEVEL WE NEED GET TO DO HAVE HERD IMMUNITY, THE WAY WE GET THERE IS WITH VACCINATION AND YOU KNOW, AGAIN, IT'S HARD TO DEFINE "HERD IMMUNITY," NO ONE IS ABLE TO DO THAT RIGHT NOW.

HERD IMMUNITY WILL BE WHEN WE STOP SAYING CASES OCCUR AND SEE WHAT THE VACCINATION S WE PREFER TO JUST TALK ABOUT VACCINATION RATES AS OPPOSED TO THE NEBULOUS CONCEPT OF HERD IMMUNITY.

WE NEED THE VACCINATION RIGHTS TO BE HIGHER.

SOME COUNTIES ARE DOING WELL.

SOME NOT AS WELL.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GET VAX NATURE IF THEY CAN.

>> THE STATE IS ABOUT TO START ADMINISTERING THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE AGAIN, AFTER GETTING THE ALL CLEAR SO TO SPEAK FROM FEDERAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES.

THERE'S STILL THAT SMALL RISK OF BLOOD CLOTS BUT IT'S CONSIDER SOD SMALL THAT JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS CONSIDERED SAFE FOR MASS CONSUMPTION.

I BELIEVE WE'RE ABOUT TO GET ANOTHER SHIPMENT OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON?

>> WE'RE GETTING ABOUT 11,000 DOSES THIS WEEK THAT IS A TRICKLE COMPARED TO THE OTHER VACCINE THAT WE GET.

WE SOMEWHERE AROUND 130,000 FIRST DOSES THIS WEEK OF PHASER AND MODERNA COMBINED AND ONLY 11,000 OF J AND J.

WE BELIEVE THE J AND J IS SAFE IS AND EFFECTIVE.

I ACTUALLY PERSONALLY AM ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A PAUSE IN THE J AND J PROGRAM.

THAT TELLS ME THAT SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE IN EFFECT, THAT PEOPLE NOTICE THESE VERY FEW NUMBERS OF VERY RARE EVENTS AND PICK THAT UP AND TOOK THE TIME TOO INVESTIGATE THAT.

SO YOU KNOW, BASED ON THE BEST INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE NOW, IF YOU'RE A WOMAN UNDER AGE 50, YOU KNOW, THERE'S KIND OF A ONE IN A MILLION CHANCE THAT YOU CAN HAVE A RARE OCCURRENCE.

FOR OTHER -- FOR MEN OR FOR OTHER AGE GROUPS THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A RISK AT ALL I HAVE TO REMIND YOU THE RISK OF DYING FROM COVID IS ABOUT TWO PEOPLE OUT OF EVERY HUNDRED CASES.

YOU KNOW WE STILL ARE HAVING THREE HUNDRED A DAY.

ABOUT 2 PERCENT ARE NOT GOING TO SURVIVE AS COMPARED WITH THE ONE IN A MILLION THING WITH THE J AND J VACCINE.

CLEARLY IN OUR MIND THE BENEFIT EXCEEDS THE RISK.

>> GIVEN THE CASE NUMBERS AND THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE CONTINUE TO BE RELATIVELY STABLE, I DO KNOW THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NOTED THIS WEEK IN THE LAST WEEK TO 10 DAYS THAT OUR POSITIVITY RATE WENT UP SLIGHTLY.

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE FOR US BETWEEN CASE COUNT AND POSITIVITY RATE.

>> SO THE NUMBER OF CASES OR THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE DIAGNOSED WITH INFECTION.

THAT'S SOMEONE WHO HAS GOTTEN A TEST AND THE TEST IS POSITIVE AND MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE THEY HAD SYMPTOMS OR THEY WERE SCREENED FOR SOME OTHER REASON.

THE POSITIVITY RATE IS THE PERCENTAGE OF TESTS THAT ARE BEING DONE THAT COME BACK POSITIVE.

SO BACK WHEN WE WERE REALLY IN OUR TOUGHEST TIMES, BACK IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY, ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF ALL OF THE TESTS BEING DONE IN THE STATE RETURNED AS POSITIVE.

SO ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE WHO WENT TO GET A TEST WERE FOUND TO ACTUALLY BE INFECTED.

THAT RATE NOW IS ABOUT FIVE PERCENT, ONE OUT OF 20 MEME GETTING TEST REASONABLE DOUBT RETURNING AS POSITIVE.

FIVE PERCENT IS ACTUALLY A REALLY GOOD NUMBER, AND FOR MOST OF THE PAST YEAR, WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE BEEN AT FIVE PERCENT.

BUT IN FACT FOR THE PAST MONTH WE HAVE BEEN AROUND FOUR AND A HALF PERCENT, FOR THE PAST THREE OR FOUR WEEKS.

SO TICKING UP JUST A LITTLE TO JUST OVER FIVE PERCENT.

WE'RE AWARE OF THAT AND MONITORING THAT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A CAUSE FOR ALARM BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING CLOSELY.

>> IS IT BASICALLY TOO SOON TO TELL IF IT MEANS ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK BECAUSE OUR CASE NUMBERS AND OUR HOSPITAL PAYMENTS AND FORTUNATELY OUR NUMBERS OF PAYMENTS ARE REMAINING FLAT, THEIR HE NOT GOING UP, I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT TO MAKE OF THE PERCENT POSITIVE AT THIS RATE GOING UP BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR IT.

>> AS WE CLOSE, WE HERD HEARD IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, INSTANCES OF BREAK THROUGH CASES.

THAT'S WHERE SOMEBODY WHO IS VACCINATED ACTUALLY STILL COMES DOWN WITH COVID.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY BREAK THROUGH CASES IN ALABAMA HAVE WE?

>> THAT DOCUMENT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF HUNDRED SO FAR THAT WE KNOW ABOUT.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT ANY OF THOSE CASES BEING SEVERE ILLNESS OR HOSPITALPAYMENTS OR DEATH.

WE DON'T THINK THAT OCCURS.

THE BREAK THROUGH CASES THAT HAVE BEEN SEEN AROUND THE COUNTRY OR ALMOST YOU ALWAYS ARE VERY MINOR ILLNESS OR EVEN PEOPLE WHO ARE ASYMPTOMATIC AND JUST MANAGE TO GET INFECTED IN SPITE OF BEING VAX NATURED SO CLEARLY THE VACCINE PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM SEVERE ILLNESS AND HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH, ABOUT 95 PERCENT OF THE TIME, IT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM BECOMING INFECTED BUT AS WE KNOW IT'S NOT 100% EFFECTIVE.

IT'S STILL POSSIBLE TO GET INFECTED EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN FULLY-- >> GIVEN THAT WE HAVE HAD BREAK THROUGH CASES DON'T LET THAT BE A REASON NOT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> JUST A COUPLE OF HUNDRED OUT OF 1.1 MILLION ALABAMIANS WHO ARE FULLY VAX NATURED TELLS YOU HOW EFFECTIVE THE VACCINE R AGAIN, NO VACCINE IS PERFECT WHETHER IT'S THE MEASLES OR YOUR TETANUS SHOT OR FLU SHOT OR ANYTHING ELSE.

BUT AS WITH MANY OTHER VACCINE IT SEEMS THIS PREVENTS YES, I DO FROM YOU GETTING SICK EVEN IF YOU SHOULD BE AS UNLUCKY ACROSS TO GET INFECTED AFTER BEING VACCINATED.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU BET.

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

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

COMING UP MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING A PREVIEW OF THE FINAL FULL WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, A WEEK THAT INCLUDE FINAL ACTION ON GAMBLING, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, AND PROPOSED BANS ON CERTAIN MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR TRANSGENDER MINORS AND ON CURBSIDE VOTING.

AND WE'LL BE JOINED BY ALABAMA LABOR SECRETARY FITZGERALD WASHINGTON, WHO'LL DISCUSS JOBLESS NUMBERS CONTINUING TO DECLINE AND SOME BUSINESSES HAVING TROUBLE FINDING WORKERS.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DIRECTOR KENNETH BOSWELL, WHO'LL DISCUSS THE STATE'S SUCCESSFUL CENSUS INITIATIVE AND HOW IT HELPED US AVOID LOSING A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.

GOOD NIGHT.

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