>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT WAS A LONG DAY IN LEGISLATURE AS LAWMAKERS COMPLETED WHAT MIGHT BE THE SECOND TO LAST DAY OF THE SESSION.

THERE ARE TWO MORE LEGISLATIVE DAYS POSSIBLE, BUT WORD AROUND THE STATE HOUSE IS THAT BUSINESS SHOULD BE COMPLETED TOMORROW.

TODAY THE LEGISLATURE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

THE $8.2 BILLION BUDGET FUNDS THE RANGE OF EDUCATION SERVICES, FROM PRE-K TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE BUDGET REPRESENTS A $550 MILLION INCREASE OVER THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND WILL BE A RECORD AMOUNT OF SPENDING FOR THE STATE.

IT INCLUDES AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD 4 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS, EDUCATION WORKERS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKERS.

IT SPENDS $20 MILLION ON MATH COACHES UNDER THE ALABAMA NUMERACY ACT TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S LAGGING MATH SCORES; IT ALSO INCLUDES A $200 DOLLAR INCREASE IN PER- CLASSROOM FUNDING AND NEW INVESTMENTS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

NOW, ON TOP OF THAT 4 PERCENT PAY RAISE, THE BUDGET INCLUDES GREATER PAY INCREASES FOR TEACHERS WITH MORE EXPERIENCE.

THOSE WITH NINE YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM GET A FIVE PERCENT RAISE.

THOSE WITH 15 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM GET A SEVEN PERCENT RAISE.

20 YEARS GETS YOU A 10 PERCENT RAISE, 25 YEARS A 12 PERCENT RAISE, 30 YEARS A 15 PERCENT RAISE AND 35 YEARS GETS YOU A 21 PERCENT PAY RAISE.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WENT TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO WORK OUT SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEIR DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE BILL.

THEY HAD TO DO WITH SOME HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGETING, NATIONAL GUARD SCHOLARSHIPS AND AN EARMARK FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ARTHUR ORR EXPLAINED.

>> AND GAP, THE NATIONAL GUARD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, THERE'S A FUNDING SHORTAGE FOR SUMMER SCHOOL TO GET THEM THROUGH THE REST OF THE FISCAL YEAR SO WE PLUSSED THAT UP 800 PLUGS THOUSAND.

WE HAD A CHANGE FOR THE ALETS PROGRAM, THAT'S CYBERSECURITY FOR THE SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT SUPER SECURITY AUTHORITY FOR 400 PLUS.

WE HAD A CHANGE TO THE JACKSONVILLE STATE INDEBTED ANYTHING ELSE THAT WENT FROM 13 TO 6.5 AS FAR AS THE FORGIVENESS OR THE PAYMENT FOR THAT.

AND THEN WE HAD ONE LAST CHANGE -- OH, WE UNEARMARKED SOME MONEY THAT WAS EARMARKED FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THAT EARMARK WAS TAKEN AWAY.

>> THE HOUSE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO A BILL REQUIRING PEOPLE RECEIVING STATE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO APPLY FOR AT LEAST THREE JOBS PER WEEK.

SENATE BILL 224 FROM STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR IS INTENDED TO GET AVAILABLE WORKERS INTO THE WORKFORCE AND MAKE SURE THOSE ON UNEMPLOYMENT ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR JOBS.

SEVERAL DEMOCRATS SPOKE AGAINST THE BILL CITING CONCERNS FOR A LACK OF EQUALITY IN JOB SEEKING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITY IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT WAS THE SPONSOR IN THE HOUSE.

>> IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO MAKE CONTACTS.

YOU HAVE TO EITHER MAKE A PHONE CALL, GO ONLINE.

YOU CAN GO TO A PLACE OF BUSINESS.

BUT THAT'S ALL IT IS DOING IS MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WORK WHEN YOU'RE UNEMPLOYED, DRAWING BENEFITS, THREE TIMES A WEEK, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SURROUNDING STATES.

>> HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND.

WHEN YOU SAY REASONABLE AND ACTIVE EFFORTS -- WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER REASONABLE AND ACTIVE EFFORTS?

>> IT SAYS HERE IN THE BILL, SHALL BE ENGAGING IN SYSTEMIC AND SUSTAINED EFFORTS TO FIND WORK INCLUDING CONTACTING AT LEAST THREE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS FOR WORK FOR EACH WEEK OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMED.

>> WHAT IS SYSTEMIC AND SUSTAINED?

THESE ARE GOOD WORDS.

>> YEAH.

>> AND SO IT SAYS REASONABLE AND ACTIVE EFFORTS.

MEANING ENGAGING IN SYSTEMIC AND SUSTAINED EFFORTS.

>> SO THREE TIMES A WEEK YOU HAVE TO MAKE A LEGITIMATE EFFORT TO MAKE CONTACT ABOUT A JOB.

>> OK. >> THE SENATE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CODIFY THE EXEMPTION OF GRAIN BINS ON FARMS FROM STATE AD VALOREM TAXES.

ACCORDING TO THE ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION, SUCH FACILITIES HAVE TRADITIONALLY NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH TAXES, BUT RECENTLY SOME AREAS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY AD VALOREM TAXES TO GRAIN BINS.

HOUSE BILL 400 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE WES KITCHENS CLARIFIES THAT EXEMPTION IN THE CODE.

STATE SENATOR LARRY STUTTS CARRIED THE BILL IN THE SENATE.

IT NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> TODAY WAS THE LAST DAY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET AND THE LAST CHANCE FOR LAWMAKERS TO GET THEIR BILLS LINED UP FOR FLOOR CONSIDERATION.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MET TO TAKE UP A FEW PROPOSALS THAT COULD MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR FOR FINAL PASSAGE TOMORROW.

HOUSE BILL 143 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP PETTUS WOULD CHANGE STATE LAW SO THAT CURRENT EARLY RELEASE RULES DON'T APPLY TO THOSE CONVICTED IN KILLINGS.

THE BILL IS NAMED FOR SERGANT NICK RISNER, A SHEFFIELD POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN OCTOBER BY A SUSPECT WHO WAS RELEASED ALMOST SEVEN YEARS EARLY DUE TO ACCRUING GOOD TIME.

SOME DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS OBJECT TO THE BILL SAYING THE GOOD TIME SYSTEM IS KEY TO GETTING SUSPECTS TO PLEAD GUILTY.

THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

AND HOUSE BILL 284 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE MERIKA COLEMAN WOULD EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF COERCION IN THE STATE'S HUMAN TRAFFICKING LAW TO REFLECT HOW CURRENT VICTIMS COULD BE PRESSURED INTO PROSTITUTION.

>> IT ACTUALLY GIVES THAT EXPANDED DEFINITION.

BECAUSE WHAT WE FOUND THROUGH THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING THE 1ST THING IS THAT THOSE PERPETUATORS WERE USING TOOLS SUCH AS KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING THEIR MEDICINE OR THREATENING THEY'RE GOING TO CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN OTHER CAPACITIES SO WE WANTED TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF COERCION.

>> THAT BILL NOW ALSO GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

PERHAPS JUST AS NOTABLE AS THE BILLS THAT DID COME UP TODAY WERE THE BILLS THAT DID NOT COME UP, SPECIFICALLY THE TRANSGENDER BATHROOM BILL AND THE DIVISIVE CONCEPTS BILL.

BOTH ARE AWAITING PASSAGE IN THE SENATE, BUT DID NOT APPEAR ON THE AGENDA TODAY.

WITH TOMORROW LIKELY BEING THE LAST DAY, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAYS THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS STILL WEIGHING THOSE BILLS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION WITH THAT SWELLS ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LEGISLATION FOCUSING ON BATHROOMS FOR BOYS GO TO BOYS BATHROOMS AND GIRLS GO TO GIRLS BATHROOMS.

THAT ISSUE IS BEING DISCUSSED.

WE.

WE HAD A CAUCUS MEETING TODAY AND DISCUSSED THOSE ISSUES SO THERE WILL BE MORE REVIEW AND DISCUSSION TOMORROW RELATED TO THOSE PARTICULAR PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY STATED REPRESENTATIVE VICTOR GASTON, SPEAKER PRO TEM OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

DR. GAS TO BE THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I'M DELIGHTED TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU'RE COMING FROM A BILL SIGNING.

GOVERNOR IVEY SIGNED ONE OF YOUR PIECES OF LEGISLATION INTO LAW.

THIS HAS TO DO WITH ELDER ABUSE AND A REGISTRY.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THIS DOES?

>> YEAH.

I HAD A LADY CALL ME FROM WEST MOBILE ONE 1/2 YEARS AGO AND TELL ME ABOUT A SITUATION.

LONG STORY SHORT, SHE AND HER MOTHER HAD BEEN ABUSED AND CONVICTED OF THAT ABUSE -- I BELIEVE IT WAS STEALING FROM HER -- AND WHAT COULD WE DO ABOUT THAT?

SO AFTER WORKING WITH DHR AND OTHER ENTITIES AT THE STATE GOVERNMENT LEVEL, PARTICULARLY WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY WE DEVELOPED LEGISLATION AND WERE ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH THE HOUSE, 100 PERCENT SUPPORT AND TO PASS IT INTO THE SENATE.

SO VERY HAPPY THAT GOVERNOR IVEY WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS LEGISLATION.

AND, YES, TODAY SHE SIGNED IT.

AND THE LADY AND SOME MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY CAME UP FROM MOBILE TODAY TO BE A PART OF THAT BILL SIGNING.

SO WE WERE THE 1ST STATE IN THE UNITED STATES TO DEVELOP SUCH A REGISTRY OF PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF ELDER ABUSE.

WITH THE OBJECTION BEING TO GIVE FAMILIES SOMEWHERE, IS SOME RESOURCE TO DETERMINE WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO EMPLOY SOMEONE THE SECURITY OF BEING ABLE TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THERE THAT IS A RED FLAG.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S A MEANINGFUL BILL, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

>> I KNOW THAT AS SPEAKER PRO TEM OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE, YOU ALSO SERVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL, A LEADER ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

A LOT OF OUR VIEWERS MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DOES.

CAN YOU KIND OF EXPLAIN?

>> THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS MADE UP OF CERTAIN LEADERS, CERTAIN -- CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS IN CERTAIN POSITIONS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELECTED BY THE TWO-CAUCUSES SO YOU HAVE A LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL MADE UP OF 10 HOUSE MEMBERS AND 10 SENATORS THAT -- AND I HAVE CHAIRED THAT -- AS WELL AS CHAIRING THE 10-PERSON HOUSE COUNCILOR.

THERE ARE MANY ISSUES THAT COME BEFORE THE HOUSE COUNSEL AND MANY ISSUES THAT COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL MAINLY HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EXAMINING REGULATIONS THAT STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ADVANCE AS, IN EFFECT, CHANGING THE LAW.

AND IF ANYONE IS OR HAS A QUESTION ABOUT THAT OR DISAGREES WITH IT, THEY CAN ASK FOR THAT REGULATION TO BE HEARD BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SO OVER THE YEARS, THAT'S HAPPENED MANY, MANY YEARS.

I HAVE TRIED IN MY ROLE TO MITIGATE MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND ASK PARTIES TO WORK TOGETHER SO THAT REGULATIONS THAT ARE NEEDED ARE PUT IN PLACE BUT THEY DON'T CAUSE THE PROBLEMS FOR ANY INDUSTRY OR ANY INSTITUTION OR ANY INDIVIDUAL IN OUR STATE.

>> I SEE.

WELL, IT'S NO SECRET.

YOU'RE RETIRING AFTER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE HOUSE.

MANY YEARS.

I KNOW -- WHEN I ASK PEOPLE ABOUT YOU AND ASK THEM TO TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOU, A LOT OF THEM TALK ABOUT YOUR MENTORSHIP.

YOU HAVE PLAYED A ROLE OF MENTORING YOUNGER MEMBERS THROUGHOUT YOUR TENURE.

TELL ME TELL ME ABOUT THE ROLE YOU HAVE PLAYED AND WHAT THAT IS HAT HAS MEANT TO YOU.

>> I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND THE OPPORTUNITY -- AND THERE WAS A TALK IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND BOTH CAUCUSES WHERE WE HAD SOMEONE ASSIGNED TO MENTOR THE NEW MEMBERS.

AND YOU KNOW MEMBERS HAVE SAID THAT I HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO THEM AND RESPONSIVE AND I HOPE THAT'S THE CASE.

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED, LUCKY BLESSED, THANK YOU DISTRICT WEST MOBILE, I HAVE NOT HAD A CAMPAIGN SINCE 1986.

I'M THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL IN THE SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, 15 STATES, WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED EIGHT TIMES IN A ROW WITHOUT AN OPPONENT CURRENT OR ANY TIME IN THE PAST.

>> THAT'S FORTUNE.

>> IT IS FORTUNATE.

MY WIFE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THAT AND MY SONS AND SO MANY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS, UNTIL IT'S STILL BETTER.

SO EIGHT TIMES I WAS ELECTED WITHOUT AN OPPONENT.

SO WITHOUT THE DISTRACTION OF A CAMPAIGN, IT GAVE ME MORE TIME -- PARTICULARLY CAMPAIGN TIME, TO HELP OTHER MEMBERS AS THEY RESPONDED TO ISSUES, KNEW INDIVIDUALS RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

MANY OF THEM MADE CONTACTS WITH ME.

I HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH MANY, MANY AMERICANS OF THE HOUSE OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

PARTICULARLY IN THAT SIX MONTHS OR YEAR OF A CAMPAIGN, WHEN I DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPONENT, AND OTHERS DID.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE SEEN A LOT OVER THE YEARS.

YOU HAVE SEEN SPEAKERS COME AND GO.

YOU HAVE SEEN MAJORITIES CHANGE HANDS OVER THE YEARS.

LOOKING FORWARD, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE -- THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ELECTION THIS YEAR, A TOTALLY NEW HOUSE NEXT YEAR -- WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE GOING FORWARD TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE HOUSE?

>> LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.

THERE ARE ISSUES THAT WE WORKED ON AND WORKED ON THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, MUCH PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, MENTAL HEALTH, MUCH PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE CRUCIAL ISSUES THAT OUR FATE FACES.

BUT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE POLICYMAKERS, FOR ONE THING THERE'S 140 SO NO ONE INDIVIDUAL OR NO TWO INDIVIDUALS GET THEIR WAY.

THERE HAS TO BE AN AGREEMENT AND WORKING WITH THOSE OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

BUT BE CONSCIOUS IN YOUR WORK, LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED YOU TO OFFICE, AND, YOU KNOW, COME TO WORK EVERY DAY AND DO YOUR VERY BEST TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.

>> AS YOU WALK THE HALLS ON -- THIS IS PROBABLY THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SOME OF THE FINAL DAYS OF YOUR LEGISLATIVE SERVICE -- IS IT BITTERSWEET?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S WONDERFUL THE WAY I HAVE BEEN TREAT.

TODAY THE WAY I WAS TREATED ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSES RECOGNIZED AND TODAY AT CAUCUS MEETING, AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO NICE AND HAD SUCH SUPPORTIVE THINGS TO SAY.

SO, NO, IT IS NOT BITTERSWEET.

THE MEMORIES ARE WONDERFUL.

I HAVE RECORDS OF SO MANY THINGS THAT HAPPENED, JOURNALS THAT WERE PUBLISHED BY THE COMPANY THAT KEEPS A RECORD OF WHAT WE DO.

THERE ARE SO MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT I WILL STAY IN TOUCH WITH.

SO I GUESS IT IS BITTERSWEET.

BUT I FEEL LIKE I'M ENDING ON A STRONG NOTE.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE GIVEN IT MY ALL.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE DONE THE BEST I COULD TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE IN WEST MOBILE AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> WELL, LET ME JUST SAY PERSONALLY YOU HAVE MEANT A LOT TO ME AS PREVIOUSLY A YOUNG STAFFER AND UP THROUGH THE YEARS, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY KIND TO ME, OUR STAFF AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND EVERYONE I KNOW IN THE BUILDING SO CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE STATE.

>> YOU'RE VERY KIND.

I THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YES, SIR.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FLEX I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE NAPOLEON BRACY FROM MOBILE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS ISSUE THAT HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IN PRICHARD, THE PRICHARD WATER BOARD.

IT'S BEEN CONTROVERSIAL FOR A LOT OF YEARS.

WITH WALK ME THROUGH THE PROBLEM AND WHAT YOU HAVE UNCOVERED.

>> THIS HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A SITUATION SINCE MY CHILDHOOD.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN PLAYING THAT COMMUNITY FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU HAVE OVERPRICED WATER BILLS IN THE CITY.

PEOPLE HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY'RE GOING TO PAY THESE WATER BILLS OR THEIR MEDICINE.

MOST OF THE COMMUNITY IS ON A FIXED INCOME.

VERY POOR COMMUNITY.

AND THEY'RE JUST BEING PRICED OUT.

AND RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THE BOARD MANAGER AND POSSIBLY OTHERS HAVE BEEN STEALING FUNDS FROM THE BOARD, POSSIBLY NORTH OF A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS.

AND IT'S JUST A HORRIBLE SITUATION AND THE CITIZENS ARE HAVING TO PAY FOR IT.

BACK IN 2012, SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES AND I FILED LEGISLATION TO DISSOLVE THE PRICHARD WATER BOARD AND TURN IT OVER TO THE MOBILE WATER BOARD HOPING TO BRING RELIEF TO THE CITIZENS WITH HIGH WATER BILLS.

THE LEGISLATION PASSED.

IT WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

689 CITIZENS VOTED ON IT AND IT PASSED ABOUT 80 PERCENT BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAD TO HAPPEN WAS MOBILE WATER HAD TO PASS A RESOLUTION TO ABSORB THE DEBTS OF THE PRICHARD SYSTEM.

SO THE MEDIA CALLED IT A POISON PILL BEFORE MOBILE WATER COULD APPROVE THE RESOLUTION, AND PRICHARD WATER WENT TO A $25 MILLION CONTRACT WITH A COMPANY CALLED SERVANT TRENT.

AND BY DOING THAT MAWWS STEPPED BACK FROM THE SITUATION BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THAT CONTRACT FOR SERVICES THEY COULD PROVIDE ON THEIR OWN.

SO IT WAS JUST A REALLY SABOTAGE DAMAGED SITUATION THAT THAT CURRENT BOARD AT THAT TIME DID TO JUST CONTINUE TO KEEP A STRONGHOLD ON THE PRICHARD CITIZENS AND CHICKASAW CITIZENS BY KEEPING THE WATER OPPOSED BOARD.

AND I THINK SOME OF IT WAS PROBABLY TO KEEP FROM ALLOWING SOME OF THE MISCONDUCT HAT HAS BEEN UNCOVERED NOW TO BE UNCOVERED.

IT JUST SHOWS THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME.

>> THAT HAS TO BE FRUSTRATING YOU.

HAVE YOU A SOLUTION AND YOU PRESENT THE SOLUTION AND SOMEHOW THEY WIGGLE OUT OF IT.

SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE YOU NOW?

IS THERE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THIS GOING FORWARD?

WHAT IS THE NEXT APPROACH?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO KIND OF TAKE A PAUSE.

BECAUSE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE AG'S OFFICE, ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE INVESTIGATING AT THIS POINT AND JUST KIND OF SEE WHERE THIS THING TURNS.

I THINK WE DO NEED TO TAKE SOME APPROACH OF LOOKING AT LEGISLATION TO SEE WHAT WE NEED TO DO, WHETHER IT'S PUTTING THEM UNDER THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO KIND OF DICTATE WHEN THESE RATES CAN BE APPROVED.

WE NEED SOME POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN PLACE.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS SHOULD BE IN PLACE THROUGH THE BOARD AND NOT THROUGH LEGISLATION SO I THINK IN THE OFF-SEASON THIS YEAR WE WILL HAVE SO TAKE A STRONG LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THIS BOARD RUN MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE AND LOWER THE RATES FOR THE CITIZENS OF PRICHARD AND CHICKASAW.

>> IT SOUNDS FAMILIAR FROM THE BIRMINGHAM SITUATION; RIGHT?

THAT WATER AND SEWER BOARD UP THERE, YOU HAD CONVICTIONS AND PEOPLE WENT TO JAIL -- IT WAS A HUGE -- LISTEN A NATIONAL SCANDAL AS THERE HAVE BEEN TALKS OF COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO?

>> THERE'S BEEN SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT IT.

AND I THINK PEOPLE WILL GO TO JAIL IN THIS INSTANCE.

IT'S JUST A TOTAL MISS TRUST OF PUBLIC DEFECTIVE OF A PUBLIC UTILITY THAT'S DESIGNED TO SERVICE THE CITIZENS AND THEY'VE TAKEN TOTAL ADVANTAGE OF IT.

I DON'T HAVE ANY -- I DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR THEM AT ALL BECAUSE I'M SURE THERE ARE SOME SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE SERVICED BY THE WATER SERVICE WHOSE WATER IS TURNED OFF BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY IT AND YET ALL OF THESE PEOPLE STOLE FROM IT BUT I HOPE JUSTICE WILL BE SWIFT IN THIS SITUATION.

>> HERE WE ARE IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THE EDUCATION BUDGET IS ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK, RECORD SPENDING AND FOLKS ARE HAPPY WITH THE BUDGETS PASSED FOR RECORD SPENDING.

AND YET Y'ALL FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS' STANDPOINT YOU STILL HAVE ISSUES THAT DIDN'T GET ADDRESSED THIS SIGNIFICANCE.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO DO, LIKE YOU SAID, DURING THE OFF-SEASON AND DURING THE CAMPAIGN SEASON TO BRING BACK NEXT YEAR AS PRIORITIES?

>> I THINK WE ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP A PRIORITY ON A LIVING WAGE.

I THINK THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF OUR CONVERSATION.

I THINK EXPANDING HEALTH CARE ACCESS IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE SO MANY RURAL HOSPITALS CLOSING IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE TO DO SOME THINGS ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE PEOPLE TRAVELING LONG DISTANCES JUST TO BE ABLE TO GO TO EMERGENCY ROOMS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STEP UP IN THOSE AREAS.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A THING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TRYING TO REMOVE THE SALES TAX OFF OF GROCERIES.

I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN REALISTICALLY LOOK AT.

I KNOW THE LOTTERY BILL OR CASINO BILL, THINGS NEVER REALLY GOT LEGS THIS YEAR BUT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE MORE REALISTIC CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT, MAKING SURE THAT WE DO THE RIGHT THING, GIVE THE CITIZENS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON IT AND THEN MAKING SURE THAT WE PROTECT DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT ALREADY HAVE ESTABLISHMENTS HERE IN THE STATED AND SUPPORT THE EXPANSION AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO VOTE ON WHETHER THEY WANT TOE DO IT OR NOT.

I THINK IT'S SAD THAT THE OTHER DAY WE HAD HIGHER EDUCATION DAY AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THE STUDENTS IN GENTLEMAN ARE FREE TO GO ON HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS SO I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK SAT HOW WE CAN HELP STUDENTS WITH THE EDUCATION PART OF THAT LOTTERY.

>> ON THE EDUCATION EXPANSION PIECE AND THIS IS RELATED TO GAMBLING TO BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT REVENUE BEING USED TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE AFTER THE ELECTION -- I DON'T FIND IT SURPRISING AT ALL THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD BE RESISTANT TO THAT IN AN ELECTION YEAR WITH PRIMARIES.

ONCE THAT IS OVER INTO A SPECIAL SESSION OR NEXT YEAR, DO YOU THINK IT'S MORE LIKELY THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD COME TO THE TABLE ON A MEDICAID PLAN THAN HERE BEFORE AN ELECTION?

>> I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.

THEY HAVEN'T DONE IT IN IT PAST SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY DO.

I THINK -- I ALWAYS THINK THAT WE'RE CLOSER TO GETTING A LOTTERY OR A CASINO BILL DONE EVERY YEAR.

I THINK WE GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.

I KNOW A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I FELT VERY CONFIDENT AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

BUT I THINK THAT THE CONVERSATION IS STARTING TO BE HAD MORE AND MORE, AND I THINK IF PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AND DON'T REALLY LOOK AT WELL, THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR -- ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE A RATE TO VOTE ON THIS.

THEY'RE NOT SAYING 80 PERCENT OF REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS.

THEY'RE SAYING 80 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION THEY WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS, AND I THINK WE -- WE'RE HERE.

WE'RE 140 PEOPLE.

OUT OF OVER 5 MILLION.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO ALLOW THE CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO VOTE IF THEY WANT THIS OR NOT.

>> BEFORE I LET YOU GO, I KNOW YOU HAD SOME STUDENTS WITH YOU.

WHO WERE THESE STUDENTS?

>> WE HAD STUDENTS FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN PRICHARD.

THEY WERE 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS, ALL BLACK MALE STUDENTS.

THESE STUDENTS ARE FROM A GROUP THAT WE CALL THE GENTLEMAN'S ACADEMY.

THEY ALL HAD THEIR SHIRTS AND TIES ON, WELL REPRESENTED.

THEY COME FROM A VERY STRUGGLING IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITY WHERE I GREW UP.

I WANTED TO EXPOSE THEM TO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TODAY SO I WANTED TOMORROW COME TO THE LEGISLATURE, SEE US IN ACTION, KIND OF GET AN IDEA HOW STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS AND ALSO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO AS OUR DAY JOBS.

MORE LEGISLATORS HAVE DAY JOBS.

AND WE ALSO SPONSORED THEM TO GO TO THE EQUAL JUST MUSEUM AS WELL.

I JUST WANTED THEM TO GET SOME OTHER EXPOSURE OUTSIDE OF THAT COMMUNITY AND LET THEM SEE SOME OTHER POSITIVE THINGS HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

YELLOW I WAS REALLY FORTUNATE FOR THEM TO COME UP TODAY.

>> MAYBE IF YOU FUTURE LAWMAKERS ARE A GOVERNOR IN THAT GROUP.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> I TOLD THEM I WASN'T GOING TO DO THIS FOREVER.

AND I KNOW THERE ARE GOOD YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE.

WE DEVELOPED A GREAT SECESSION PLAN AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN DO THAT AND TAKE CARE OF US.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING INTO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BRACY WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY TOMORROW IS WE TIE DAY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PER TRADITION.

SO CONSIDER YOURSELF REMINDED.

WITH THAT, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEE:30 HERE ON APT FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M TODD STACY.