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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT WAS A BUSY WEEK IN THE LEGISLATURE AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET FOR THE FIFTH, SIXTH AND SEVENTH LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

THAT MEANS THE 30-DAY SESSION IS NOW ONE FIFTH COMPLETE.

THE BIGGEST NEWS OF THE WEEK WAS THE ENACTMENT OF A BILL AIMED AT CRACKING DOWN ON THE TRAFFICKING OF DEADLY FENTANYL.

HOUSE BILL 1 FROM REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON OF DAPHNE SAILED THROUGH THE SENATE AND WAS QUICKLY SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS MORE ON THE ISSUE.

>> IN HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, ALABAMA GOVERNOR IVEY SAID -- >> TONIGHT I'M URGING YOU, OUR LEGISLATORS TO PASS HOUSE BILL 1 SO I CAN SIGN IT INTO LAW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BY DOING THIS, WE WILL PUT TRAFFICKERS OF THESE DEADLY DRUGS BEHIND BARS AND KEEP THEM THERE.

>> ON THURSDAY, APRIL 6TH, THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE BILL PASSED ON A 31-0 VOTE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON IS THE BILL'S SPONSOR.

>> IT IS CRAFTED TO GO AFTER PURE FENTANYL, THE DEALERS, PEOPLE BRINGING INTO THE COMMUNITY, NOT THE USERS OR THE ADDICTS.

IF YOU HAVE ONE TO TWO GRAMS IT WILL BE THREE YEARS, TWO TO FOUR, MANDATORY MINIMUM OF TEN YEARS AND BETWEEN FOUR AND EIGHT IS MANDATORY MINIMUM OF 25 YEARS AND MORE THAN EIGHT GRAMS IS MANDATORY LIFE IN PRISON.

>> STATE SENATOR SMITHERMAN USUALLY OPPOSES MANDATORY MINIMUMS BUT IN THIS CASE.

>> NOT ONLY THE USE OF THIS BUT YOU HAVE FOLKS THAT DON'T EVEN KNOW THIS IS IN STUFF AND DIED.

WHEN SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT IT COULD BE IN YOUR POCKET AND BECAUSE OF THE PORES OF YOUR SKIN THAT IT COULD GO THROUGH THE PORES OF YOUR SKIN AND YOU DIE.

IN CONTRAST OF MY JUXTAPOSITION, THIS IS A NECESSITY.

>> THE QUESTION I WOULD HAVE IS WHAT REASON WOULD A PERSON HAVE FOR CARRYING FENTANYL ANYWAY?

>> TO BE HONEST THERE IS AN ECONOMIC REASON TO DO IT.

YOU COULD TAKE A KILO OF HEROIN AND BUY IT AND YOU MAKE 60 TO $80,000 BUT WITH FENTANYL YOU CAN TAKE THE SAME KILO AND BUY FOR 5 OR 6,000 AND SELL 1.2 TO $1.6 MILLION.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY SAID THE 100% BIPARTISAN PASSAGE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE IS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE NATION.

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

>> ALSO GOING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK THIS WEEK WAS A BILL THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME VISITATION RIGHTS.

SENATE BILL 113 FROM SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER WAS GIVEN FINAL PASSAGE BY THE HOUSE IN A 100-1 VOTE WITH FOUR ABSTAINING.

SENATOR GUDGER EXPLAINED THE BILL HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THE BILL IN THE END ALLOWS FOR VISITORS TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL AND THE PERSON THAT IS STILL IN CHARGE OF THOSE VISITORS IS STILL THE HOSPITAL AND THEIR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, BUT THIS BILL GOES ONE STEP FURTHER AND DOES AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER.

THE ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER IS DESIGNATED BY THE PATIENT.

WE HAVE IN THE BILL IF THE PATIENT IS UNCONSCIOUS OR NOT ABLE TO DESIGNATE AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER WE HAVE A LIST THROUGH LAW FOR THE POWER OF ATTORNEY, GUARDIAN OR FAMILY MEMBERS.

FROM THAT THEY HAVE AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER THAT CAN BE BY THEIR SIDE TWO HOURS A DAY NO MATTER WHAT AND ALSO WITH VISITING HOURS.

SO VISITING HOURS PLUS TWO HOURS A DAY.

THE VISITORS ARE CONTROLLED BY THE HOSPITAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURE AND THE TREATING PHYSICIAN.

IF THE PHYSICIAN SAYS THIS PERSON IS TOO SICK, FOR EXAMPLE THEY HAVE WHITE LOW BLOOD CELLS FROM CANCER OR SOMETHING.

>> THAT DOES HAPPEN.

>> AND IT DOES.

YOU DON'T NEED PEOPLE IN WITH HAVING THE FLU OR CHILDREN IN THERE.

SO THERE'S NOT ANY VISITORS IN THIS ROOM.

AND WE'RE FINE WITH THAT.

BUT THIS BILL GOES TO THE NEXT STEP AND SAYS YOU CAN DESIGNATE AN ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER THAT WILL BE BY THAT PERSON'S BEDSIDE AT LEAST TWO HOURS A DAY.

>> THE SENATE TOOK UP AND QUICKLY PASSED LEGISLATION DEALING WITH ELECTIONS, IN PARTICULAR EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR SECURITY.

SENATE BILLS 9 AND 10 FROM SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS FROM PRATTVILLE WILL CODIFY AN EXISTING POLICY DEALING WITH PAPER BALLOTS AND ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES.

THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

>> THERE'S TWO BILLS.

ONE SAYS WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE PAPER BALLOTS.

THEY CAN BE COUNTED BY AN ELECTRONIC MACHINE.

THAT'S FINE.

WHAT WE WANT IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN AUDIT TRAIL.

THERE'S THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO AN ELECTRONIC MACHINE, LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE, POWER CAN GO OUT, THAT TYPE OF THING.

NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE A PAPER BALLOT.

THE OTHER BILL PROHIBITS MODEMS FROM BEING PUT INTO VOTING MACHINES SO NO ONE CAN HACK INTO THEM.

WE KNOW IF THERE IS ANY TYPE OF MODEM TECHNOLOGY SOMEONE CAN HACK INTO IT.

THE BEST WAY TO KEEP IT SECURE IS NOT TO HAVE MODEMS IN THE VOTE COUNTING MACHINES.

UNANIMOUSLY THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE IN FAVOR OF SAFE ELECTIONS AND IN ALABAMA WE ARE BLESSED WE DO HAVE SAFE ELECTIONS.

THIS IS A LOOK FORWARD BILL TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE.

>> THE SENATE ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION AIMED AT CREATING MORE EDUCATIONAL AND REENTRY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALABAMA'S FEMALE INMATES WHO ARE AWAITING RELEASE.

SENATE BILL 5 IS SPONSORED BY LINDA COLEMAN MADDISON OF BIRMINGHAM WHO SAID CURRENTLY FEMALE INMATES DON'T HAVE A DEDICATED FACILITY FOR THIS WHILE THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS DO.

>> THIS BILL, PARDONS AND PAROLE, IT ESTABLISHES ONE FEMALE RESIDENTIAL CENTER TO HOUSE THE WOMEN FOR TRAINING.

THIS IS THE SAME MODEL WE HAVE WITH THE PERRY COUNTY FACILITY.

HOUSING UP TO 100 PARTICIPANTS, LOOKING AT A LIMIT OF 90 DAYS.

IT'S A REENTRY PROGRAM TO CUT DOWN ON RECIDIVISM, TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTIAL, TRAINING AND THOSE TYPES OF TRAINING FOR TRANSITION AS THESE WOMEN GET READY TO BE REENTERED INTO SOCIETY.

THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT IT DOES.

IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, I'D LIKE TO MOVE FINAL PASSAGE AS AMENDED.

>> AFTER MUCH ANTICIPATION, THIS WEEK WE FINALLY SAW THE DETAILS OF THE SWEEPING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE SUPPORTED BY GOVERNOR IVEY AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

THE BILLS INSTITUTING WHAT THEY ARE CALLING THE GAME PLAN WERE INTRODUCED AND BEGAN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THIS WEEK.

EACH OF THE BILLS HAVE A HOUSE SPONSOR AND A SENATE SPONSOR.

THE PRIMARY LEGISLATION IS THE ENHANCING ALABAMA'S ECONOMIC PROGRESS ACT.

HOUSE BILL 240 FROM REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT AND SENATE BILL 164 FROM SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED.

IT WOULD RENEW THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT, THE STATE'S PRIMARY INDUSTRIAL RECRUITING STATURE WHICH IS SET TO EXPIRE IN JULY.

IT WOULD INCREASE THE CAP THE STATE CAN LEVERAGE TOWARD PROJECTS BY $25 MILLION EACH YEAR TOPPING OUT AT $475 MILLION IN 2027.

IT ALSO INCREASES THE GROWING ALABAMA SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FROM $20 MILLION TO $30 MILLION.

THOSE ARE THE DOLLARS USED TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES IMPROVE SITES TO ATTRACT INDUSTRY.

THE SITE EVALUATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ACT OR SEEDS.

HOUSE BILL 257 ALSO FROM GARRETT AND SENATE BILL 165 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR.

IT WOULD ALLOW THE STATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY-READY SITES.

IT WOULD ALSO CREATE THE ALABAMA SITE DEVELOPMENT FUND TO ALLOW UP TO $2 MILLION TO PAY FOR SITE ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

THAT'S WHERE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARDS COULD APPLY TO HAVE A SITE EITHER ASSESSED OR FURTHER DEVELOPED.

THE INNOVATION AND SMALL BUSINESS ACT.

HOUSE BILL 247 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY DANIELS AND SENATE BILL 152 FROM SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON.

THESE BILLS AIM TO GROW THE STATE'S INNOVATION ECONOMY AND SUPPORT UNDERREPRESENTED BUSINESSES AND ENTERPRISES IN RURAL AREAS.

IT WOULD ALLOW UP TO $25 MILLION IN INNOVATE ALABAMA GRANTS THROUGH THE ALABAMA INNOVATION CORPORATION.

AND FINALLY, THE ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY ACT.

HOUSE BILL 240 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ALMOND AND SENATE BILL 151 FROM SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER.

IT WOULD AMEND THE JOBS ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO PUBLISH INCENTIVIZED PROJECT INFORMATION ONLINE.

THAT INFORMATION WILL INCLUDE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FROM INCENTIVES USED.

THESE BILLS WERE DEVELOPED AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A SPECIAL COMMISSION LED BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

I SPOKE WITH HIM ABOUT THE FINAL PRODUCT OF HIS PANEL'S WORK EARLIER THIS WEEK.

>> YEAH, VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS.

WE GOT TASKED WITH THE LEGISLATURE LOOKING AT OUR INCENTIVES AND GIVING RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT WE SHOULD DO GOING FORWARD.

YOU LOOK AT THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT, IT'S WORKING.

OTHER STATES ARE LOOKING AT WHAT WE ARE DOING AND TRYING TO COPY THAT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK TO OVER STATES, COMPETITORS AND TURNS OUT OUR INCENTIVE PROGRAM IS WORKING.

WE ARE GETTING A 168% RETURN.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT ON THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT, IT'S A PAY-AS-YOU-GO AND LOOK AT GROWING ALABAMA.

WE REALIZE WE NEED MORE SITES IN ALABAMA THAT ARE SHOVEL READY FOR PROJECTS AND WE'RE A VICTIM OF OUR OWN SUCCESS WHERE COMPANIES ARE CONTINUING TO LOCATE HERE.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO STOP.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE FROM A STATE WE ARE INVESTING IN FUTURE SITES AND BEING FORWARD THINKING.

WITH THAT, WE ARE GOING TO.

BOTH THINGS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

YOU SEE WHAT GOES ON IN DC, YESTERDAY AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, MINORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE, PRO-TEM, SPEAKER, ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

THE REASON WHY IS THIS IS WORKING.

I USED THE ANALOGY YESTERDAY ABOUT THE SAME THING AS RECRUITING IN FOOTBALL.

IF ALABAMA AND AUBURN COULDN'T RECRUIT IN FOOTBALL OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T COMPETE AGAINST OTHER SEC SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE INCENTIVES IF WE ARE GOING TO COMPETE WITH OTHER STATES.

>> ONE ISSUE THAT CONTINUES TO GAIN STEAM IN THE LEGISLATURE IS CUTTING STATE SALES TAXES ON ESSENTIAL GROCERIES.

MULTIPLE PIECES OF LEGISLATION ARE IN DEVELOPMENT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN DIFFERENT WAYS, SOME SPONSORED BY REPUBLICANS, SOME SPONSORED BY DEMOCRATS AND SOME WORKING IN BIPARTISAN FASHION.

I SPOKE WITH SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT HOW THE GROCERY TAX HAS SUDDENLY BECOME A TOP ISSUE THIS SESSION.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, IT'S $600 MILLION THAT GOES TO OUR EDUCATION BUDGET FROM THE GROCERY TAX.

AGAIN, ALABAMA, WE HAVE SEEN THE STATISTICAL DATA.

ALABAMA HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST TAX BURDENS ON HER CITIZENRY OF ANY STATE IN THE NATION.

OTHER STATES DON'T TAX GROCERIES.

ALABAMA CHOOSES TO DO THAT.

IS THERE A WAY, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE LOWEST TAX BURDEN ALREADY, ARE THERE WAYS TO MODIFY SOME OF THE TAXES ON FOOD?

I JUST THINK THAT IS AN ORGANIC CONVERSATION.

IT IMPACTS AND AFFECTS EVERYONE, EVERY AREA OF THE STATE, WHETHER RURAL OR URBAN.

I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE BEGUN TO SEE IT AS A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AND I'VE ENCOURAGED IT WITHIN THE SENATE TO CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT IT, LOOK AT IT, RECOGNIZE WE CAN'T ELIMINATE SIGNIFICANT FUNDING WITHIN OUR EDUCATION BUDGET OF COURSE LONG TERM BUT IF THERE ARE WAYS TO USE SOME OF THE FUNDS WE CURRENTLY HAVE TO MODERATE SOME OF THOSE TAXES OVER TIME THAN IT IS SMART FOR US TO LOOK AT IT AND IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

>> CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATES FROM ACROSS ALABAMA DESCENDED ON THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK URGING LAWMAKERS TO REVIVE AND PASS LEGISLATION MAKING CHANGES AT THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

THEY ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE LOW PERCENTAGE OF PAROLES THE BOARD IS GRANTING.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARS FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND ABOUT HIS HOUSE BILL 16, A PROPOSAL TO REVAMP THE STATE'S BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

>> IT CREATES AN EIGHT-MEMBER CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLLS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL THAT WILL HELP CREATE GUIDELINES FOR THE PAROLE BOARD.

IT WILL UPDATE THE INMATE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, ADOPT A VALIDATED RISK AND NEEDS ASSESS FOR FELONY OFFENDERS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE BEST BEGINNING IN OCTOBER OF 2023.

>> LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING JERRY STARNES EXPRESSED HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE BILL PLACED IN A SUBCOMMITTEE.

>> I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE ANOTHER BOARD LOOK AT THE PAROLE BOARD.

THERE'S OTHER FORMS OF GOVERNMENT THAT DO OVERSEE THE PAROLE BOARD.

WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

I DIDN'T SEE ANOTHER BOARD THAT NEEDED TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

>> THE NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DAY, THE ACLU OF ALABAMA CAME TO THE STATEHOUSE TO TALK TO CITIZENS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

>> WE HAVE A CRISIS RIGHT NOW.

SINCE JANUARY 1ST, THE PAROLE BOARD DENY 97% OF PEOPLE WHO WENT UP FOR PAROLE, EVEN THOUGH THEIR GUIDELINES SAY 87% OF THOSE PEOPLE WOULDN'T BE A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND COULD GO HOME.

WE HAVE 200 PEOPLE ON WORK RELEASE THAT GO TO THE COMMUNITY EVERY DAY SAFELY DENIED PAROLE AND WE ARE URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO HAVE ACCOUNTABLE THERE.

>> ALABAMA'S SYSTEM IS NOT ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY BY KEEPING PEOPLE INCARCERATED MUCH LONGER THAN THEY PERHAPS NEED TO BE AND MUCH LONGER THAN PERHAPS THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A POSITIVE TRANSITION INTO THE COMMUNITY.

THE WAY THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING RIGHT NOW IS NOT ONE THAT IS A REPRESENTATION OF JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS, LIKE THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM ARE CALLING FOR TODAY.

>> JOINING THE ACLU IS THE ALABAMA JUSTICE INITIATIVE BRINGING CITIZENS AND STUDENTS TO GET A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT LEGISLATION IN MOTION.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, THE COUNTY IN WHICH THEY COME FROM, JEFFERSON COUNTY, HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST INCARCERATION RATES IN THE STATE.

MOST OF US ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED IN SOME TYPE OF WAY BY THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, AS WELL AS THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO SEE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND HOW IT WORKS AND WHAT, IF ANYTHING, THEM, AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS, CAN DO TO MAKE CHANGES WITHIN THE SYSTEM.

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

>> LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK, HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER SAID HE EXPECTS ANOTHER THREE-DAY LEGISLATIVE WEEK, THOUGH THAT MIDDLE DAY MIGHT NOT HAVE A LOT OF FLOOR ACTION.

LEADERSHIP IS TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR TIME LOST DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION.

>> WE'LL SEE A THREE-DAY WEEK.

WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE UP TIME WE LOST DURING THE SPECIAL.

BECAUSE WE STARTED LATER, IT BEING AN ELECTION YEAR PUT US BACK IN WHAT WOULD BE SOME PEOPLE'S VACATION TIME.

WE MAY TRY TO END IT QUICKER BUT WE WANT TO GET ALL OF THE DAYS IN.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THE 30 DAYS WE'RE ALLOWED WE GET THEM IN.

I THINK THIS HAS HELPED OUR PROCESS AND ONCE WE START ON TUESDAY AND COME IN PROBABLY WEDNESDAY TO OPEN THE JOURNAL TO MOVE SOME BILLS.

AND HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THURSDAY AND ANOTHER FULL DAY LIKE WE DID TODAY.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH THIS WEEK'S GUESTS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYMORE AT APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS CARLA CROWDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALABAMA APPLESEED.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I KNOW IT'S AN IMPORTANT WEEK FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION BECAUSE YOU HAVE COME OUT WITH THIS NEW REPORT, VERY LENGTHY REPORT.

IT IS ESSENTIALLY CHRONICLING, IT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS SINCE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAD ITS REPORT REALLY DAMMING REPORT ABOUT THE STATE OF THE ALABAMA PRISONS.

HERE WE ARE FOUR YEARS LATER AND YOU HAVE DONE A STATE OF PLAY.

I TRIED TO PRINT IT OUT AND IT IS TOO LONG.

IT IS VERY LENGTHY.

WALK ME THROUGH THE BASICS OF THIS REPORT AND THE FINDINGS.

>> SURE.

A LOT OF US WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, REPRESENTING INCARCERATED PEOPLE WERE RELIEVED BACK IN 2019 WHEN WE FINALLY SAW, IN BLACK AND WHITE, THESE FINDINGS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THEY HAD BEEN INVESTIGATING 2 1/2 YEARS.

WHAT THEY FOUND WAS SHOCKING.

IT WAS EMBARRASSING FOR THE STATE.

THERE WERE NEWS REPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS USED WORDS LIKE "THIS IS HUMILIATING" AND GOVERNOR IVEY PROMISED ACCOUNTABILITY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I HEARD SOMEBODY IN STATE LEADERSHIP SAY "WE ARE NOT KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD ANYMORE."

THERE IS A PALPABLE SENSE AS HORRIFIC AS THESE CONDITIONS WERE, ALWAYS OF THE LIVES LOST AND VIOLENCE PERSISTING, WE WERE AT A MOMENT WHERE THE STATE WAS GOING TO STOP AND RECOGNIZE THE ERROR OF ITS WAYS AND BEGIN TO REPAIR THE HARM.

I FELT A SENSE OF HOPEFULNESS AND A LOT OF ADVOCATES DID.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN FOUR YEARS IS NOTHING, NOTHING HAS IMPROVED.

EVERYTHING, ALL OF THE INDICATORS OF ISSUES RAISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OVERCROWDING, UNDERSTAFFING, DEATH, VIOLENCE, SUICIDE, CONTRABAND, MISMANAGEMENT HAVE GONE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE BUT FOUR YEARS AND NO REAL IMPROVEMENT IS I THINK SHOCKING.

THE FACT THAT NOW WE ARE IN A LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE SAME PEOPLE WHO SAID WE CAN'T LET THIS GO ON, WE HAVE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES ARE COMPLETELY SILENT.

SO, JUST IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, I DUG AROUND ON THE DOC WEBSITE AND WE HAVE SEEN ALMOST 700 DEATHS OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE IN THESE FOUR YEARS.

THAT'S UNPRECEDENTED.

ONE THING THE DOJ SAID IS THAT ALABAMA'S PRISON HOMICIDE RATE IS ABOUT EIGHT TIMES THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN 2019.

THAT'S ONLY GONE UP.

SO, WE'RE LOOKING AT PERSISTENT CONDITIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED THAT ARE RESULTING IN MASSIVE LOSS OF LIFE IN OUR PRISONS.

>> I THINK EVERYBODY RECOGNIZES THIS.

WE HAVE SEEN THE HEADLINES AND MAYBE WE HAVE BECOME TOO NUMB TO IT.

WHAT DO WE DO?

WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION AND MAYBE SOME OTHERS, WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?

I THINK IN THIS BUILDING YOU HAVE SOME STATE LEADERS THAT WANT TO SEE SOME PROGRESS.

IT IS HARD TO HIRE PRISON GUARDS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS YOU HAVE PUT FORWARD OR OTHERS HAVE TO ACTUALLY GET AT THIS PROBLEM AND REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> SURE.

THERE'S NO WAY THAT ALABAMA WILL SOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT RECOGNIZING WE INCARCERATE TOO MANY PEOPLE.

WE CAN'T CONSTITUTIONALLY KEEP IN CUSTODY 20,000 PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

WHAT WE HAVE SAID IS UNTIL WE INVEST IN DRUG COURT, REVERSION, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES ON THE FRONT END TO PROVIDE THOSE PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY SAFETY SERVICES THAT KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF PRISON IN THE FIRST PLACE WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS.

AND THEN WHAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT ON THE BACK END IS BECAUSE OF DRACONIAN LAWS THAT PASSED IN THE '80S AND '90S THAT HAVE NOT KEPT US SAFER, WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF OLDER PEOPLE IN PRISON.

AROUND 7,000 PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 50.

ALMOST 3,000 OVER THE AGE OF 60.

THEY HAVE OUTGROWN CRIMINALITY.

WE HAVE PUT FORTH PROPOSALS TO LOOK AT THESE CASES.

IF YOU ARE SERVING A LONG SENTENCE, LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR A CASE WHERE YOU NEVER PHYSICALLY INJURED ANYBODY AND YOU ARE AT LEAST 50 YEARS OLD, LET'S REVIEW AND SEE IF IT MAKES SENSE TO SPEND, YOU KNOW, 50, 60 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR TO KEEP YOU LOCKED UP.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT OTHER CONSERVATIVE STATES HAVE HAD TO DO.

TEXAS WAS LOOKING AT BUILDING THREE NEW PRISONS A FEW YEARS AGO.

GOVERNOR RICK PERRY DEFINITELY TOUGH ON CRIME, CONSERVATIVE CREDENTIALS SAID WHY ARE WE GOING TO WASTE ALL OF THIS MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T WORK.

THEY INVESTED IN REENTRY AND DRUG TREATMENT AND FAMILY SERVICES.

CRIME WENT DOWN BECAUSE OUT-OF-CONTROL PRISONS DON'T CREATE PUBLIC SAFETY.

THEY CREATE PEOPLE WHO GET OUT AND DON'T HAVE GOOD OPTIONS.

>> I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND I'D LOVE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE PROPOSALS AND I HAVE HEARD OF SOME OF THEM AT THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

WHAT I HEAR FROM MOST REPUBLICANS IS THE OPPOSITE.

THEY WANT TO LENGTHEN SENTENCES AND TAKE AWAY OPPORTUNITIES TO GET OUT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I'M REMINDED OF THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE WARDEN'S LINE IN THERE WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO WRITE THE STATE LEGISLATURE, HE SAID ALL THE LEGISLATURE CARES ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO PRISON IS MORE WALLS, MORE BARS AND MORE GUARDS.

I'M NOT TRYING TO BE GLIB BUT IT IS A REALITY, A POLITICAL REALITY THAT IT IS EASIER TO RUN IN THIS ENVIRONMENT ON TOUGH ON CRIME.

YOU RARELY GET PENALIZED FOR THAT.

WHEREAS YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF THEM, REPUBLICANS AT LEAST, COMING FORWARD WITH PROPOSALS THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT -- START THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE ONES WHO ARE IN CONTROL?

>> RIGHT.

I THINK A LOT OF OUR REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP UNDERSTANDS THAT THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN SOLVED.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO HELP VOTERS AND HELP LAWMAKERS AND OTHER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IS THIS CASE IS GOING TO TRIAL IN A YEAR AND A HALF.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

DOJ, THE LAWSUIT ACTUALLY.

>> RIGHT.

A TRIAL IS SCHEDULED IN FEDERAL COURT.

THESE BILLS THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW, THAT ARE MOVING THE STATE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, MORE OVERCROWDING, LONGER SENTENCES, ARE NOT GOING TO TURN THE TIDE WHEN THE STATE IS FACING A FEDERAL JUDGE.

NOBODY SEEMS TO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE'S A REALLY GOOD CHANCE THAT THE STATE WILL NOT PREVAIL.

NOBODY'S TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE LOSE?

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE POPULATION OF COUNTY JAILS IF STATE PRISONS CANNOT ACCEPT PRISONERS FROM COUNTY JAILS WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED IN CALIFORNIA WHEN THE SAME SITUATION HAPPENED, THE CASE THAT WAS DECIDED IN 2011.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE FEDERAL COURT SAID NO, THE BILLION DOLLAR NEW PRISON WASN'T ENOUGH.

YOU HAVE TO DO X, Y AND Z THAT WILL COST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

WHERE'S THAT MONEY COMING FROM?

I HOPE VOTERS, WHO WANT TO SAY THEY SUPPORT LAW AND ORDER AND TOUGH ON CRIME REALIZE THAT A LOT OF THESE DECISIONS MAY BE OUT OF OUR HANDS UNLESS WE TAKE CONTROL OF THE SITUATION NOW.

AND WE'RE NOT DOING IT BY BILLS THAT LENGTHEN SENTENCES.

>> I THINK IN 2019 THAT WAS PART OF THE MOTIVATION FOR THE RHETORIC, OH, MAN, ARE WE GOING TO BE TAKEN OVER?

THAT WAS PART OF IT.

THAT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.

LET ME MOVE TO THE ISSUE OF CONTRABAND.

AS I READ THE REPORT THIS STUCK OUT TO ME.

YOU NAMED IT AS MAYBE THE TOP ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S DRUGS, IT'S WEAPONS, THINGS LIKE THIS, BUT IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT THIS STUFF IS GETTING IN THROUGH GUARDS OR STAFF AT THE PRISONS, ESPECIALLY THROUGHOUT COVID WHEN NO VISITORS WERE ALLOWED IN AND STUFF STILL GOT IN.

IT IS AN INTERESTING PROBLEM TO READ ABOUT.

IT IS FASCINATING AND KIND OF TERRIFYING, BUT MY QUESTION IS WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

I MEAN, HAVE OTHER STATES ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM WITH CONTRABAND AND FOUND WAYS TO ACTUALLY COMBAT IT AND SUCCESSFULLY COMBAT IT?

>> WELL, THERE'S A PRISON RIGHT HERE IN ALABAMA THAT'S ADDRESSED IT.

TUTWILER PRISON FOR WOMEN WAS UNDER FEDERAL OVERSIGHT A DECADE AGO.

THERE WERE A LOT OF PROBLEMS THERE.

THE STATE WORKED TOGETHER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO IMPLEMENT -- THEY REMOVED A LOT OF THE PROBLEMATIC STAFF.

THEY BROUGHT IN BETTER CAMERAS, THEY DID SOME FACILITY IMPROVEMENT.

THEY DIDN'T BUILD A NEW PRISON AND YOU NEVER HEAR ABOUT OVERDOSES OR GUARDS GETTING FIRED FOR CORRUPTION AT TUTWILER.

IT CAN BE DONE.

WHAT I SEE WHEN I VISIT THE PRISONS AS A LAWYER GOING TO SEE CLIENTS, SOMETIMES I WALK THROUGH AND THERE IS NO SECURITY WHATSOEVER.

I FACED MORE SECURITY COMING INTO THE STATEHOUSE THAN I FACE WALKING INTO A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TAKING IT SERIOUSLY AND THE REPERCUSSIONS ARE HORRIFIC.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE DEATHS, MANY HOMICIDES AND OVERDOSES AND ALSO YOUNG PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO PRISON FOR MINOR CASES COMING OUT IN WHEELCHAIRS, COMING OUT PARALYZED FROM STABBINGS, FROM BEATINGS.

JUST LIFE-LONG CONSEQUENCES TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE BEING AROUND THIS CORRUPT, VIOLENT ENVIRONMENT, DRIVEN BY THE CONTRABAND IS REALLY SHAMEFUL FOR THIS STATE.

I THINK OTHER STATES HAVE ADDRESSED IT.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LACK OF SERIOUS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE YOU KNOW IF IT IS DRIVEN BY GUARDS AND YOU HAVE HALF OF THE GUARDS YOU NEED -- THAT.

>> THAT'S THE WHOLE THING.

THEY ARE TRYING TO HIRE MORE.

>> IT IS A VICIOUS CYCLE.

DO YOU ROOT OUT THE CORRUPTION AND LOSE 40 STAFF OR KIND OF -- >> THAT'S DIFFICULT.

YOU MENTIONED THE NEW PRISONS A COUPLE OF TIMES.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THIS.

THIS THING IS GOING UP IN ATMORE COUNTY.

ESCAMBIA IS ON HOLD.

I AM CURIOUS ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT DANGEROUS PRISONS AND DANGEROUS FACILITIES, THE PROPONENTS OF BUILDING NEW -- THAT'S PART OF THE ISSUE IS WE HAVE DILAPIDATED FACILITIES.

CONDITION YOU CAN'T JUST DO REPAIRS AND IT'S OKAY.

WE NEED A NEW, MODERN FACILITY WHERE FEWER GUARDS ARE NEEDED AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

IS THAT NOT PART OF A SAFER ENVIRONMENT AND MODERN FACILITY.

>> NEW CONSTRUCTION COULD BE PART OF A SAFER ENVIRONMENT BUT IT'S NOT THE EXCLUSIVE SOLUTION.

RIGHT NOW THAT'S BEEN THE STATE OF ALABAMA'S ONLY SOLUTION.

WE ARE THROWING A BILLION DOLLARS INTO THE NEW PRISON ON TOP OF THE DOC $700 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET SWALLOWING UP 25% OF THE GENERAL FUND.

IF YOU WANT TO BUILD MORE HOUSING AND PROGRAM SPACE ON A LIMITED BASIS AND COMBINED WITH ADDRESSING THE ISSUES AROUND LACK OF SERVICES, LACK OF SECURITY, TOO MUCH CONTRABAND, NO INVESTIGATION, IT CAN BE PART OF A SOLUTION BUT IT CAN'T BE THE ONLY SOLUTION.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S WAY TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE STATE TO SPEND MONEY ON OTHER THINGS.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE HOPING TO GET 500,000 TO DO REENTRY HOUSING, WHICH IS A TINY FRACTION OF WHAT THE STATE IS SPENDING ON PRISONS AND WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THAT MONEY SO PEOPLE COMING OUT OF PRISON CAN HAVE A SOLID START AND A PLACE TO LIVE, $500,000 THE STATE DOESN'T WANT TO SPEND.

WE HAVE NEVER SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'RE AGAINST ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION, WE'RE AGAINST SUCH AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF STATE FUNDING TO GO TOWARD BUILDINGS ONLY.

BUILDINGS AREN'T KILLING PEOPLE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON.

WE WILL PUT A LINK TO THE REPORT SO EVERYBODY CAN GO AND READ IT.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO TACKLE THIS TOUGH TOPIC.

>> CARLA CROWDER OF ALABAMA APPLESEED.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS MARK DIXON, PRESIDENT OF THE A PLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP.

MARK, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," AND I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS ABOUT THE A PLUS ORGANIZATION AND YOUR ROLE IN THE EDUCATION SPACE IN THIS STATE.

>> A PLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN AROUND 30 YEARS.

WE'RE A STATE-WIDE ADVOCATE FOR CREATING GREAT SCHOOLS FOR EVERY CHILD REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCE.

OUR GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE STATE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN ALABAMA AND BE AN ADVOCATE FOR STUDENTS, AN ADVISOR TO STATE LEADERS AROUND POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS THAT WILL MOVE THE NEEDLE FOR KIDS.

THAT'S OUR GOAL.

WE OPERATE TWO PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS, THE BEST PRACTICES CENTER THAT PROVIDES DEVELOPMENT TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOL LEADERS AND A PLUS COLLEGE READY, A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AS WELL AS WORKING WITH MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO RAISE THAT RIGOR SO MORE KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO AP.

ONE FOOT IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE AND ONE FOOT IN THE STATEHOUSE.

>> I LIKE THAT.

YOU HAVE A SUMMIT COMING UP.

YOU ARE WORKING WITH OTHER EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT THE SUMMIT.

TELL ME ABOUT IT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

NEXT WEEK IN BIRMINGHAM, NEXT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, APRIL 14-15, WE ARE HOSTING THE ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT WITH TEACH FOR AMERICA ALABAMA WHO'S A GREAT PARTNER OF OURS.

TEACH FOR AMERICA HAS HOSTED THE SUMMIT FOR SEVEN YEARS AS A RESOURCE FOR EDUCATORS TO GET TRAINING.

THERE'S A JOB FAIR AND BOOTHS SET UP TO REALLY BE A RESOURCE FOR EDUCATORS.

THIS YEAR, THEY ASKED US TO PARTNER WITH THEM TO EXPAND THAT FOCUS MORE TO STATEWIDE POLICY.

HOW DO WE BRING PARENTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, TEACHERS, BUSINESS FOLKS TO THE TABLE TO SAY, HOW DO WE BRING GREATER FOCUS ON IMPROVING SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE SO THAT WE ARE BUILDING AN ALABAMA WHERE KIDS CAN LEAD, ACHIEVE AND REALLY THRIVE.

THAT'S THE GOAL OF THE SUMMIT IS TO REALLY BROADEN THAT.

THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.

>> FOR THOSE WATCHING, WHO WOULD BE THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT WOULD LIKELY -- WHO'S YOUR AUDIENCE YOU ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FOR THE FULL COMMUNITY AT LARGE, THIS IS ANYBODY SITTING AT HOME, WE WILL HAVE THE GOVERNOR THERE ON FRIDAY TO BRING WELCOME REMARKS AT LUNCH AND TALK ABOUT HER AGENDA FOR EDUCATION IN THE STATE.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO HAVE DR. MACKEY IN THE AFTERNOON, STATE SUPERINTENDENT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND INTRODUCTION.

WE WILL HAVE THE SECRETARY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD BARBARA COOPER TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON OUR PRE-K PROGRAM AND WAYS TO ENGAGE THERE.

WE ALSO WILL HAVE A GREAT PANEL OF THE FOLKS FROM TENNESSEE WHO ACTUALLY RECENTLY PASSED A HUGE SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM IN THE STATE.

WE WILL HAVE THE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER FROM TENNESSEE TO BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT THAT CHANGE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR TENNESSEE STUDENTS AND WHAT WE COULD LEARN IN ALABAMA TO UPDATE OUR FUNDING FORMULA HERE AND THEN CHRIS CRANE WITH THE ALABAMA LAB IS BRINGING SCHOOLS THAT HAVE OUTPERFORMED PEERS AROUND THE STATE AND HOW CAN FAMILIES AND TEACHERS LEARN FROM THEM AND OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE THAT HOME.

>> SOUNDS LIKE AN INTERESTING SUMMIT.

WE WILL SHARE THE INFORMATION ON THE SCREEN OF HOW TO ATTEND AND EVERYTHING.

THANKS FOR HIGHLIGHTING THAT HERE.

WELL, WE ARE HERE IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF ISSUES GOING AROUND.

WE WILL GET TO SOME OF THOSE LATER.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT PREVIOUS LAWS THAT YOU ALL ARE INVOLVED IN, LITERACY ACT, NUMERACY ACT.

TWO LAWS YOU HAVE A BIG ROLE IN CRAFTING AND IN PASSING.

BUT NOW THEY ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED.

START WITH LITERACY BECAUSE THAT WAS IN 2019.

HOW'S IT GOING?

ARE YOU PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS THE STATE HAS MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE LITERACY ACT AND ARE WE SEEING RESULTS?

>> WITH LITERACY WE HAVE MADE A GREAT START.

THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT FUNDS FOR TRAINING IN THE SCIENCE OF READING FOR TEACHER AND CORE READING PROGRAMS, INTERVENTIONS, ASSESSMENTS, ALL OF THE TOOLS TEACHERS NEED TO EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT TO STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR STRUGGLING READERS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME GROWING PAINS WITH THAT.

I THINK IT'S UP TO STATE LEADERS NOW TO STAY THE COURSE.

TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MAINTAINING THE RIGOR AND FOCUSED ON WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS AND MAKING SURE WE CONTINUE TO INVEST AND PROVIDING THOSE SUPPORTS BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.

I WILL SAY, WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN PROGRESS.

WHEN THE NATIONAL DATA CAME DOWN FROM THE NATION'S REPORT CARD IN 2022, WE WERE ONE OF THREE STATES TO GO UP IN READING SCORES AND THAT WAS OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE POLICY SUPPORTS AND THE SUPPORTS DIRECTLY FOR TEACHER AND SCHOOLS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND IS WORKING.

>> NOW, WILL THIS BE THE FIRST YEAR OF THAT ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISION?

>> THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISIONS WOULD BE NEXT YEAR.

>> NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

>> OKAY.

>> IF YOU ARE NOT READING PRO-OFFICIALLY AT THE THIRD GRADE LEVEL, YOU COULD GET HELD BACK BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF SUPPORTS FOR GETTING THAT STUDENT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE OVER SUMMER, RIGHT.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THIRD GRADE TO FOURTH GRADE IS THAT TRANSITION WHERE WE MOVE FROM KIDS LEARNING TO READ TO READING TO LEARN.

THEY NEED THE FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORT OR WE SEE THERE IS LITTLE CHANCE THEY GRADUATE.

>> HOW ABOUT NUMERACY.

THAT WAS THE MORE RECENT ONE, 2022.

IT PASSED LAST YEAR.

IT IS EARLY IN THE WORK THERE.

I THINK WE ARE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES.

WE WILL SEE INVESTMENT IN COACHES THIS YEAR I THINK.

WE ALSO -- THERE'S AN EARLY MATH TASK FORCE THAT'S WORKING REALLY HARD TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT PROGRAMS ARE IN SCHOOLS.

AGAIN, WITH THE MOST EFFECTIVE, KIND OF CORE MATH PROGRAMS AND THE CIRRICULA IN TEACHERS HANDS AND THE ASSESSMENTS ARE IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO DO THE HARD WORK NOW SO IT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED MORE QUICKLY AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT TO LEARN FROM THE LITERACY ACT TO MAKE IT MORE SUCCESSFUL.

AS WE ALWAYS DO.

>> THE GOVERNOR CAME OUT WITH FUNDING.

A LOT FOR NUMERACY AND LITERACY.

THE BUDGET WILL CHANGE BUT YOU ARE ENGAGED IF TO SEE THEM REMAIN OR INCREASE UNTIL THE FINISH LINE.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD STUFF IN THE BUDGET.

WE SEE AN INCREASE IN PRE-K ONE OF OUR TOP PROGRAMS IN THE STATE AND THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE WHICH SUPPORTS THE HIGH-QUALITY PRE-K PROGRAMS.

MAKING SURE TO ADD MORE SITES.

WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE.

INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE NUMERACY ACT TO FOCUS ON ADDING MATH COACHES TO SCHOOLS.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON BUDGETARILY AS WELL.

>> GOING INTO THE SESSION REALLY FROM LATE LAST YEAR INTO THE INAUGURATION PROCEEDING THE SESSION, SCHOOL CHOICE WAS THE BUZZ WORD.

EVERYONE WAS FOR IT DURING THE ELECTION SEASON.

GOVERNOR MENTIONED IT IN HER INAUGURAL ADDRESS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE.

FOUR WEEKS INTO THE SESSION WE HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH MOVEMENT IN THAT DIRECTION.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY AND WHAT ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE HAPPEN ON THE SCHOOL CHOICE FRONT THIS SESSION?

>> I EXPECT WE WILL SEE SOMETHING ON EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, VOUCHERS POSSIBLY.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE CHOICE WE HAVE.

WE HAVE A STRONG CHARTER LAW PASSED IN 2015 TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE SUPPORTED THAT LAW.

WE ARE FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE BELIEVE CHARTERS ARE ONE TOOL IN THE TOOL BOX TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS THAT NEED IT MOST HAVE ACCESS TO GO TO A GREAT SCHOOL.

THERE ARE SOME UPDATES THAT COULD BE MADE.

WE EXPECT TO SEE A BILL THIS SESSION AS THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT IN HER STATE OF THE STATE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE STREAMLINING THE PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THOSE SCHOOLS ARE SET UP FOR SUCCESS AND THEY HAVE THE FUNDING THEY NEED TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

AND YOU HAVE ALSO GOT, YOU KNOW, SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS THAT POTENTIALLY THAT COULD START AT SOME FAILING SCHOOLS.

THAT IS ONLY $30 MILLION OUT OF THE BUDGET, NOT VERY BIG BUT IT HELPS A SMALL NUMBER OF KIDS BUT THERE MAYBE ABLE TO EXPAND THAT ON A SMALL LEVEL AND GIVE IT AS ANOTHER OPTION, TOO.

>> I KEEP HEARING THAT.

THE TALK HAD BEEN AROUND THE GO BIG ON THIS VOUCHER, PARENTS CAN KEEP THEIR TAX DOLLARS AND SEND KIDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOL OR WHATEVER SCHOOL.

THAT SEEMS TO HAVE NOT TAKEN OFF BECAUSE I KEEP HEARING WE HAVE CHOICE OPTIONS.

WE HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, WE HAVE THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND ALL OF THIS.

WHY DON'T WE USE EXISTING LAWS, EXISTING TOOLS AND MAYBE MAKE THEM BETTER A RATHER THAN GO WHOLE HOG INTO THE VOUCHER BUSINESS.

DOES THAT LINE UP?

>> I'D SAY SO.

I WOULD SAY START SMALL.

TEST THE IDEA WITH STUDENTS THAT NEED IT MOST, WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WHO MAY NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND SEE HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS AND EXPAND OVERTIME.

>> I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN YOU TOOK OVER AT A PLUS.

CAROLYN NOVAK WHO RETIRED AND YOU TOOK OVER.

PART OF YOUR JOB WAS TO REINTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE LEGISLATURE, TO THIS POLITICAL SPACE.

HAVING WORKED IN THE RALEIGH ADMINISTRATION A WHILE BACK.

NOW WE HAVE A BUNCH OF NEW LEGISLATORS, I THINK 37 NEW FRESHMEN LEGISLATORS.

DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT ALL OVER?

ARE YOU REINTRODUCING YOURSELF AND A PLUS, THE ORGANIZATION TO PEOPLE THAT MAYBE AREN'T REALLY AWARE OF WHAT YOU DO?

>> I THINK THAT IS PART OF WHAT WE ARE DOING IS REINTRODUCTION.

ALSO, WE WANT TO BE A TRUSTED SOURCE FOR INFORMATION.

WE ARE GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT THE DATA SAYS AND WHAT WE BELIEVE BASED ON THE EVIDENCE IS THE BEST POLICY FOR KIDS.

WE ARE GOING TO TELL YOU WHEN WE AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH YOU BUT IT IS REALLY THAT PHONE CALL, I'M THINKING THROUGH THIS.

BE A THOUGHT PARTNER.

LET US HELP YOU.

WE WANT TO BE A RESOURCE.

THAT'S OUR GOAL AND WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN THIS NEW CLASS ABOUT MAKING A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION AND THERE'S A LOT OF LEGISLATORS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME THAT WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THINGS.

OUR GOAL IS TO SAY WE HAVE SOME STRONG FOUNDATIONAL PIECES LIKE THE LITERACY AND NUMERACY ACTS THAT WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT AND SOMETIMES THAT'S THE HARD THING IS WAITING A YEAR OR TWO AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THE FUNDING AND RESOURCES THEY NEED BEFORE MAKING WHOLESALE CHANGES BEFORE WE HAVE SEEN THE ACTUAL RESULT.

SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE WHILE WE GO FAST WITH IMPLEMENTATION.

>> LAST THING I'LL ASK YOU ABOUT IS WE SPENT SO MUCH TIME TALKING ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE ULTIMATELY THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF THE FUNDING AND POLICY.

WE ALSO HAVE A STATE SCHOOL BOARD WHO'S TASKED WITH POLICY ON THE EDUCATION FRONT.

MAYBE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

RECENTLY THEY HAVE TRIED TO HAVE BETTER COMMUNICATION WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND EVERYTHING.

YOU ARE ALL ENGAGED IN THE SCHOOL BOARD LEVEL.

DO WE NEED TO FOCUS MORE OR DO THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE MORE ON POLICY AS IT PERTAINS TO SCHOOLS?

>> I THINK LEADERSHIP AT THE STATE LEVEL IS CRITICAL ON ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE LIKE THE ONE WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IN EDUCATION OVER THE LONG HAUL.

ALIGNMENT OF LEADERS IS CRITICAL, NOW, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY WILL ALWAYS AGREE BUT HAVING CONVERSATIONS BACK AND FORTH AND UNDERSTANDING HOW THE PIECES FIT TOGETHER IS CRITICAL.

WE SUPPORT THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

I THINK GOING FORWARD, IT'S TO OPEN IT UP AND MAKE SURE WE CAN BRING NEW IDEAS INTO THE SPACE BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> THAT'S AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT MARKS, PRESIDENT OF A PLUS, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

I HOPE EVERYONE COMES TO THE ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT NEXT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IN BIRMINGHAM.

>> WE WILL PUT IT ON THE WEBSITE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

JOINING ME NEXT IS ABE HARPER, PRESIDENT OF HARPER TECHNOLOGIES AND A BOARD MEMBER OF INNOVATE ALABAMA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> ALABAMA INNOVATION CORPORATION, THIS IS WHY YOU ARE HERE AND WHY I WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT ORGANIZATION AND ITS MISSION IN THE STATE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S A MISSION WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND SPREADING THE WORD AND GETTING PEOPLE AWARE OF IT.

THE CORPORATION, IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHERE IT CAME FROM, WE HAVE TO STEP BACK TO 2020.

GOVERNOR IVEY APPOINTED AND COMMISSIONED SEVERAL LEGISLATORS AND LOCAL PRIVATE STAKEHOLDERS TO COME TOGETHER UNDER THE ASSUMPTION OF CREATING AND UNDERSTANDING ALABAMA'S ECOSYSTEM AND ECONOMY BETTER TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES.

WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS YOU GET THE HOOVER INSTITUTION WITH DR. CONDOLEEZZA RICE AND SEVERAL PARTNERS LOOKING AT EVERYTHING FROM POLICIES TO INITIATIVES TO WHAT MAKES ALABAMA GREAT, WHAT MAKES IT WHERE SOMEONE WANTS TO COME HERE, RUN A BUSINESS, STAY HERE, SOW THEIR TALENT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND BUILD ON TOP OF THAT AND HOW DO WE TAKE THAT AND ACCELERATE IT FORWARD.

ALL OF THESE IDEAS COME TOGETHER IN A NICE REPORT THAT WAS HANDED TO THE GOVERNOR IN LATE 2020.

ONE THING THAT CAME OUT OF IT -- I'M SORRY, LATE 2021.

ONE THING THAT CAME OUT OF IT WAS A MIDTERM RECOMMENDATION THAT WITH ALL OF THESE SUGGESTIONS OF HOW TO IMPROVE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS OR IMPROVE POLICIES THAT MAY IMPAIR BUSINESSES, WHO'S GOING TO BE THE OVERSIGHT AFTER THE COMMISSION HAS DONE ITS WORK?

SO, THE CORPORATION WAS BIRTHED THROUGH A BILL -- I THINK HB 240 OR 540.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT NUMBER BUT THE CORPORATION WAS BUILT AS A MECHANISM TO CONTINUE THAT SUPPORT.

>> SO THE RECOMMENDATIONS DON'T JUST STOP AT RECOMMENDATIONS.

THERE'S A BODY OUT THERE THAT CAN ACTUALLY DO IT.

>> THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AND ACTION.

I'M PRIVILEGED TO BE ONE OF THE MEMBERS THAT WAS ACTUALLY PART OF THE COMMISSION AND NOW A MEMBER OF THE CORPORATION.

AND TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT GO FROM AN IDEA TO AN ACTION IS REALLY COOL.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 11 MEMBERS TOTAL.

GOVERNOR IVEY, FIVE EX OFFICIO LEGISLATORS THAT SERVE AND FIVE PRIVATE SECTOR CITIZENS THAT SERVE.

IT'S A FOCUSED EFFORT TO TAKE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE COMMISSION AND PUT THEM INTO ACTION BUT ALSO TO FIND NEW WAYS TO HELP INNOVATORS GROW ROOTS WITHIN ALABAMA.

MOST RECENTLY, WE HAVE HIRED A CEO, MS. CYNTHIA CRUTCHFIELD.

>> I MET HER.

I WAS HOPING TO HAVE HER ON THE SHOW, TOO.

>> SHE DRINKING FROM THE FIRE HYDRANT AND HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING AND TAKEN THE YOKE.

LAST YEAR THE BOARD DID MUCH OF THE WORK TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING AND GETTING US SOMEBODY TO BE AT THE HELM AND NOW WE HAVE HER THE BOARD GETS TO DO STUFF LIKE THIS, LIKE SHARE THE MISSION AND TELL EVERYONE WHERE WE ARE HEADING.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE A POSTER CHILD FOR INNOVATION OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO GROW.

TELL US ABOUT HARPER TECHNOLOGIES.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT IS TRUE, A MODEL OF WHAT YOU ARE SEEKING ELSEWHERE?

>> OUR COMPANY IS AN IT COMPANY, IT IS 20 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.

IT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO ME TO SEE INNOVATE ALABAMA, VERY MUCH WHY I LIKE TO SERVE.

I KNOW THE STRUGGLES AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER TO FIND GOOD PEOPLE AND CAPITAL AND GET PEOPLE TO STAY HERE.

>> YOU ARE BASED IN MOBILE.

>> CORRECT.

>> OUR COMPANY FOCUSES ON COMPUTER MANAGEMENT, FIBER, COPPER, WIRELESS, DATA SERVICES, EXPERT WITNESSING AND CYBERSECURITY.

I TELL PEOPLE AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE NERDS THAT SPEAK GEEK AND ENGLISH.

>> THE ALABAMA JOURNAL IS IN THE NEWS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE ONE OF THESE GAME PLAN BILLS, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP HAS TO DO WITH THE INNOVATION CORPORATION GRANTS.

I GUESS IT IS HOUSE BILL 247.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> INNOVATION GRANTS BUT NOT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BUT THROUGH IN THE INNOVATION CORPORATION, WHICH IS A PRETTY BIG SHIFT.

>> YOU HAVE TWO COMPONENTS OF THE BILL COMING OUT OF INNOVATE ALABAMA.

THE SBIR, SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT RECOMMENDATION FOR RESIDENCY.

I'LL DIG INTO THAT IN A SECOND A LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEN THE GROWING ALABAMA TAX CREDIT THAT RESIDES UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CURRENTLY.

IT IS COMING UP FOR EXPIRING THAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS RENEWING IT.

IT ENCOMPASSES THREE SEGMENTS, SITE DEVELOPMENT, BUSINESS OR TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATORS, INNOVATION ACCELERATORS AND THEN UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITY BUSINESSES.

UNDER THE REVISION, AS IT IS BEING WRITTEN WITH COMMERCE, THE UNDERSTANDING IS THOSE LATTER TWO SEGMENTS WON'T BE INCLUDED.

IT WILL BE SITE DEVELOPMENT EXCLUSIVELY.

THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LEGISLATION THAT ALABAMA PUT FORWARD IS TO TAKE A SEGMENT OF THE TAX CREDIT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND THEN BE ABLE TO USE THAT TO FURTHER THE UNDERREPRESENTED BUSINESS SEGMENT AS WELL AS THE INNOVATION ACCELERATOR SPACE.

THERE'S SOME NUANCE TO HOW IT IS BEING REWRITTEN BECAUSE CURRENTLY THE UNDERREPRESENT ED BUSINESS SEGMENT LEAVES A LOT ON THE TABLE FOR KIND OF AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE.

IT BASICALLY SAYS FEMALE-OWNED AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES MORE THAN A 51%.

ALABAMA IS FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE IT IS AN EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY IN THE SMALL BUSINESS SEGMENT, TOO SO THERE IS LANGUAGE TO MORE ALIGN IT WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS SEGMENT OR BUSINESS SEGMENT THE CORPORATION FOCUSES ON.

>> INTERESTING.

WE WERE TALKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH SENATOR SINGLETON ABOUT THAT I GUESS HE IS SPONSORING IT IN THE SENATE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> ABOUT WHY THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ALABAMA HASN'T HISTORICALLY BEEN GOOD AT, AT ASSISTANCE FOR UNDERREPRESENTED.

TALK ABOUT WHY IT IS IMPORTANT IN THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY MAYBE IN A WAY WE DON'T TALK ABOUT A LOT.

>> YOU ARE SPOT ON.

ONE OF THE NARRATIVES AND ONE THING THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED OVER AND OVER IS HOW DO WE TELL OUR STORY AS A STATE AS A WHOLE?

THAT MEANS REPRESENTING EVERY BUSINESS, EVERY CITIZEN, EVERY PARADIGM THAT GOES INTO CREATING THE ALABAMA BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM?

TRANSPARENTLY AS A STATE T I DON'T THINK WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF BRINGING THOSE MARGINS TOGETHER AND FINDING A WAY TO UNIFORMLY DO IT.

THERE IS AN EMPHASIS AT THE CORPORATION LEVEL TO FOCUS ON THINGS SUCH AS THE HBCUS THAT ARE A HUGE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITY.

>> BEHAVE MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

>> 14.

THAT THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE DIVERSITY OF THE STATE.

THAT LENDS ITSELF TO A LOT OF CREDIBILITY ON WHY THIS IS A HUGE COMPONENT OF WHERE WE ARE GOING AND WHAT WE ARE DOING.

SOME OF IT IS TRULY CHANGING THE NARRATIVE SO PEOPLE CAN SEE, ALL BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO RELOCATE TO ALABAMA HAVE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO AND THERE'S A MEASURE TO HELP YOU GET INTO DOING IT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING.

OKAY, IF MOBILE OR BIRMINGHAM OR HUNTSVILLE IS OUT THERE ATTRACTING THESE COMPANIES THAT WE WANT, STARTUPS, INNOVATORS AND EVERYTHING, THOSE TYPE OF FOLKS ARE GOING TO WANT TO COME TO A PLACE THAT HAS SUPPORT FOR THESE EXACT KIND OF THINGS, RATHER THAN THE OPPOSITE.

YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME SOME HISTORICAL NARRATIVE THERE.

>> THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IN ALL THINGS, DIVERSITY BREEDS A WONDERFUL GROUND FOR -- WHEN IT IS IN A HEALTHY CONTEXT, CIVIL DISCOURSE WHICH YIELDS GROWTH.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HAVING DIFFERENT SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT, NOT JUST IN GENDER AND RACE BUT AGE AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, TOO, THAT BRINGS ON AN ABILITY FOR PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS TO GROW IN A HEALTHY CONTEXT BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MUCH DIFFERENCE OF THOUGHT COMING TO THE TABLE TO FOCUS ON THE SAME GOAL.

I THINK THAT IS THE REAL WIN.

THE SEGMENT IS THE UNDERREPRESENTED BUSINESS SEGMENT IN SPECIFIC ON THAT ONE.

>> THE LAST CENSUS, EVERYBODY WAS EXPECTING ALABAMA TO MAYBE NOT LOSE POPULATION BUT BE STAGNANT AND MAYBE LOSE A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

WE DIDN'T.

WE ACTUALLY GREW.

IT WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD NEWS.

I WAS GOING TO ASK DO YOU SEE ALABAMA, ESPECIALLY THE CITIES, MOBILES, BIRMINGHAM, HUNTSVILLE.

WE ALL KNOW HUNTSVILLE IS BLOWING UP.

DO YOU SEE THOSE AREAS AS ATTRACTIVE PLACES FOR INNOVATORS AND PEOPLE LIKE THAT TO COME HERE OR DOES MORE WORK NEED TO BE DONE TO GIVE THOSE AREAS -- AND I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE OUT MONTGOMERY.

MONTGOMERY, TOO, MORE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO ATTRACT THOSE PEOPLE.

I'M THINKING OF PLACES LIKE NASHVILLE AND AUSTIN WHERE PEOPLE ARE FLOCKING TO.

WHAT'S THE SECRET SAUCE TO SEE THAT KIND OF GROWTH?

>> ONE OF THE MISSIONS OF THE COMMISSION THAT YIELDED A RETURN IN THE REPORT WAS TO ASSESS WHAT IT WAS THAT ATTRACTED AND RETAINED TALENT IN ALABAMA.

THERE IS A WELL-KNOWN INNOVATOR IN ALABAMA, I WON'T NAME HIM HERE BUT HE HAS OPENLY MADE THE COMMENT BEFORE, IF I CAN GET SOMEONE TO COME HERE, THEY WILL SAY.

THERE'S A LOT TO BE SAID ABOUT THAT.

WE WERE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE UNDER THE COMMISSION'S REPORT AN ASSESSMENT THAT POINTED OUT AND SAID THE OUTDOOR RESOURCE AND RECREATION LIFESTYLE QUALITY, THE COST OF LIVING BEING -- WE DON'T WANT TO DIMINISH WHAT THE VALUE OF IT IS AND CALL IT LOW COST BUT IT IS AFFORDABLE.

>> BIG DIFFERENCE.

HAVING MOVED BACK FROM DC FIVE YEARS AGO, IT'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> RIGHT.

THOSE ARE REAL ENVIRONMENTAL DRAWS TO GET PEOPLE TO COME TO ALABAMA AND STAY.

WE ARE SEEING IT ON THE COAST.

WE LOVE IT THERE.

I'M A BOOMERANG EXAMPLE.

I MOVED AWAY TO FLORIDA FOR A YEAR.

WAS LANDLOCKED IN A CITY INLAND, DID NOT LIKE IT AT ALL.

CAME RIGHT BACK TO THE MOBILE AREA WHERE I SPENT ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO IN SCHOOL AND STARTED MY BUSINESS.

I LOVE THE COST OF LIVING AND THE ECOSYSTEM.

IF I NEED A RESET, I CAN GO FIND THE BEACH AND THE SAME DAY DRIVE NORTH TO THE MOUNTAINS.

I DON'T WANT TO OVER ROMANTICIZE IT BUT THERE IS SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL ABOUT IT INSIDE THE STATE.

THAT IS WHAT HELPS US TO GET TALENT TO STAY HERE AND THE REPORT SHOWS A LOT OF THE TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THE TALENT WE ARE SEEKING, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR QUALITY OF LIFESTYLE, OUTDOOR RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT.

THAT PLAYS A BIG PART INTO I THINK ALL OF THE CITIES THAT ARE GROWING.

YOU NAILED IT.

NASHVILLE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF BLENDING BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT.

THEY HAVE CREATED A COMMERCE ON BOTH SIDES OF IT.

WE ARE FINDING WAYS TO DO THAT IN OUR OWN SENSE.

WE ARE ONE OF THE -- ONE THING WE TALKED ABOUT OPENLY IN THE CORPORATION IS WE ARE NOT TRYING TO BE ANOTHER CITY OR STATE.

WE HAVE OUR OWN IDENTITY.

WE JUST HAVE TO WALK INTO IT WITH A WHOLENESS AND FULLNESS THAT REPRESENTS US ACCURATELY.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME FOR THIS INTERVIEW BUT I WANT TO HAVE YOU BACK BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL GET LEGS.

WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT IT FOR MANY YEARS.

SO IT IS FUN TO SEE IT FROM THE GROUND LEVEL.

ABE HARPER THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30 P.M. WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.