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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS IN THE BOOKS.

LAWMAKERS ADJOURNED SINE DIE CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT THURSDAY AFTER AN INTENSE 15 HOUR LEGISLATIVE DAY.

THEY ACTUALLY FINISHED WITH ONE LEGISLATIVE DAY TO SPARE, TO THE GREAT DELIGHT OF LAWMAKERS, LOBBYISTS AND MEDIA ALIKE WHO ARE WORN OUT FROM AN EXCEPTIONALLY FAST-PACED SESSION.

THIS PAST WEEK SAW A LOT OF CONSEQUENTIAL AND CONTROVERSIAL ACTION, ESPECIALLY ON THE LAST DAY.

THAT'S BECAUSE TOPPING THE HOUSE AND SENATE AGENDA THURSDAY WERE HIGH PROFILE TRANSGENDER BILLS.

WE'LL START IN THE HOUSE, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK UP TRANSGENDER TREATMENT LEGISLATION.

SENATE BILL 184 WOULD MAKE IT A FELONY FOR DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE PUBERTY BLOCKERS OR OFFER OTHER GENDER TRANSITION TREATMENTS FOR ANYONE UNDER 18 AND UNDER.

THE BILL ALSO BANS GENDER TRANSITION SURGERIES ON MINORS, BUT DOCTORS SAY THOSE AREN'T PERFORMED IN ALABAMA.

REPUBLICANS SUPPORTING THE BILL SAY IT IS NEEDED TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM LIFE-ALTERING TREATMENTS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN WAS THE HOUSE SPONSOR.

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF HARD WORK, THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF INTRODUCING THAT BILL.

AND WE'RE GLAD THAT THE BILL RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE AND IS HEADED TO GOVERNOR IVEY'S DESK.

IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING THESE MINORS AND IT'S NOT ABOUT ADULTS BUT IT'S ABOUT THOSE MINORS AND ABOUT -- YOU KNOW THEIR MINDS ARE NOT FULLY DEVELOPED TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS ON THESE MEDICATIONS AND SURGERIES AND THAT'S WHAT THE BILL IS ABOUT TO PROTECT MINORS.

>> DEMOCRATS AND TRANSGENDER ADVOCATES STRONGLY OPPOSED THE BILL, SAYING IT COULD LEAD TO PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM FOR TRANS YOUTH AND THAT IT UNNECESSARILY INSERTS TO GOVERNMENT INTO DECISIONS MADE BY DOCTORS, PATIENTS AND PARENTS.

>> IT VERY MUCH FEELS AS THOUGH THIS IS JUST A REHASHING OF THINGS THAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE, AND THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF THOUGHT PUT INTO IT AND THIS IS JUST HAPPENING FOR POLITICAL GAIN, POLITICAL POINTS BECAUSE THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

AND MY CHILD IS NOT A POLITICAL TOOL.

THIS IS NOT A FAIR FIGHT TO PICK ON VULNERABLE CHILDREN, AND IT'S NOT A FAIR FIGHT TO PICK ON THEIR DOCTORS.

IT'S NOT A FAIR FIGHT TO BE PUTTING THEIR PARENTS IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL OF THIS WHEN THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS TRULY ARE AND ARE JUST TRYING TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS FOR A POLITICAL WIN THIS FALL.

>> THE TRANSGENDER YOUTH TREATMENT BILL PASSED 66-28 AND WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TODAY.

THE SENATE TOOK UP A BILL DEALING WITH GENDERED BATHROOM ACCESS.

HOUSE BILL 322 WOULD REQUIRE K-12 STUDENTS TO ONLY USE RESTROOMS AND LOCKER ROOMS CORRESPONDING TO THE SEX ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT STAY-HAGEN WHO SPONSORED THE BILL SAID HE DID SO IN RESPONSE TO CONSTITUENTS TELLING HIM THERE WERE GROWING NUMBER OF INAPPROPRIATE BATHROOM INCIDENTS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE NEIL RAFFERTY ARGUED THAT THE BILL AMOUNTS TO GOVERNMENT OVERREACH AND DISCRIMINATION.

HE SAID A STATE LAW WAS NOT NEEDED TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC LOCAL INCIDENTS.

>> I MET WITH THE PRINCIPLE, AND I'M NOT GOING TO POINT OUT EXACTLY WHO IT WAS BUT THEY WERE IN MY DISTRICT.

AND I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE BILL.

HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID "THANK YOU SO MUCH, I HAVE SIX STUDENTS RIGHT NOW WHO ARE IDENTIFYING AS THE OPPOSITE GENDER AND WANTING TO USE THE OPPOSITE BATHROOM."

WE HAD SEVEN SENATORS ON THE FLOOR WHO SAID THEY HAD BOYS USING FEMALE BATHROOMS WHICH THEY CALLED OUT THE SCHOOL AND EVERYTHING WHICH I DON'T REPRESENT BUT IT JUST SURPRISED ME HOW MUCH THIS IS GOING ON IN OUR SOCIETY IS CHANGING AND I REALLY FELT LIKE THIS WAS A BILL THAT THE STATE NEEDS.

CURRENTLY THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD HAS NO POLICY ON THIS.

OF COURSE WE HAVE NO STATED LAWS ON THIS.

AND THESE EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS NEED SOME GUIDANCE TO GO OFF OF BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY.

>> I KNOW OF MANY SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK AROUND THIS ISSUE WITHOUT EMBARRASSING THE CHILD AND EMBARRASSING THE FAMILY OR, YOU KNOW, OUTING THE KID IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY AND MAKING IT THIS BILL DEAL.

THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH THE BILL IS THAT IT JUST SIMPLY IS UNENFORCEABLE SO HOW IS THIS GOING TO BE DONE.

THAT'S QUESTION THAT HE NEVER WAS ABLE TO ANSWER SO I STILL WOULD WONDER HOW THAT WOULD BE POLICED, MONITORED AND ENFORCED.

I DO KNOW ALABAMA DESERVES BETTER.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND THIS BODY JUST DOESN'T WANT TO ACTUALLY DO IT.

THAT WE HAD RATHER HAVE THESE DIVISIVE WEDGE ISSUES.

>> THE BATHROOM BILL WAS ALREADY CONTROVERSIAL, BUT DURING DEBATE ON THE SENATE FLOOR, SENATOR SHAY SHELLNUTT ADDED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD PROHIBIT TEACHERS FROM INCLUDING INSTRUCTION ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY FOR GRADES K5.

THE LANGUAGE MIRRORS A RECENTLY PASSED FLORIDA LAW KNOWN BY CRITICS AS “DON'T SAY GAY,” EVEN THOUGH THOSE WORDS DON'T APPEAR IN THE TEXT.

SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER, SAID HE WAS OKAY WITH THE ORIGINAL BILL DEALING WITH BATHROOMS BUT SPOKE OUT IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO ADDING THE LANGUAGE ON SCHOOL INSTRUCTION.

HE CHALLENGED SHELLNUTT WITH A HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE OF HOW SUCH A BILL MIGHT BE PROBLEMATIC.

>> YOU CAN'T ANSWER MY QUESTION IS, MR.

TEACHER.

>> WHAT'S YOUR CONVERSION LITTLE JOHNNY?

>> MY QUESTION IS, OKAY -- MY QUESTION IS, I JUST WANT TO KNOW AM I A BOY OR A GIRL.

>> LITTLE JOHN, YOU'RE A BOY.

ALL RIGHT LET'S MOVE ON TO SCIENCE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT MATH TODAY.

>> YOU JUST ANSWERED ON GENDER.

YOU ANSWERED A QUESTION BASED ON GENDER.

NOW YOU'RE TELLING ME THE TEACHER CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION BUT YOU ANSWERED IT THE WAY I THINK A TEACHER SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT.

ACCORDING TO YOUR AMENDMENT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION THAT WAY.

BECAUSE THAT'S A GENDER QUESTION.

AND THAT'S INNOCENT.

YOU ARE TAKING THE INNOCENCE AND THE EDUCATION FROM A TEACHER TO BE ABLE TO TEACH A CHILD IF A CHILD WANTS TO KNOW.

>> THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE 265 AND THEN RECEIVED CONCURRENCE BY THE HOUSE.

GOVERNOR IVEY SIGNED IT INTO LAW THIS AFTERNOON.

IN 15 STRAIGHT HOURS OF DEBATE THURSDAY, THE HOUSE FLOOR GREW TENSE AT TIMES AS DEBATE OVER THESE AND OTHER CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS GOT HEATED.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT WAS THERE FOR IT ALL AND HAS MORE FOR US TONIGHT.

>> TENSE MOMENTS ON THURSDAY.

BILL 184 DEALS WITH MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR TRANSGENDERED CHILDREN.

>> WE MAKE DECISIONS ALL THE TIME THAT ARE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM MAKING DECISIONS THAT COULD PERMANENTLY HARM THEM BEFORE THEY'RE OLD ENOUGH AND HAVE A BRAIN DEVELOPED ENOUGH TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR DECISIONS.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT PARENTS WHO SEEK TREATMENT FOR THEIR CHILDREN, ARE THEY ABUSING THEM, ABUSING THEIR DINNER?

>> >> HERE IS WHAT I THINK.

I THINK WE MAKE DECISIONS ALL THE TIME IN THIS HOUSE AND IN THIS BODY TO PROTECT CHILDREN.

YOU KNOW -- >> DO YOU THINK THE PARENTS ARE ABUSING -- >> I SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT'S BAN ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION TO PROTECT WINNER.

>> DO YOU THINK PARENTS SEEKING CHILDREN FOR THEIR CHILDREN ARE ABUSING THEM.

>> I'M FOR THAT BILL AND WE SUPPORTED TO MAKE SURE MINORS CAN'T VAPE.

>> SO YOU'RE NOT ANSWERING QUESTIONS.

>> IS NOT BILL 2 DEALS WITH GUN RULES IN ALABAMA.

>> IF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ISSUES AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, WHICH LIMITS OR RESTRICTS THE OWNERSHIP, USE, OR POSSESSION OF FIREARMS ACCESSORIES OR AMMUNITION BY LAW-ABIDING RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE OR OTHERWISE ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE, THE EXECUTIVE ORDER SHALL NOT BE DEEMED -- SHALL BE DEEMED UNENFORCEABLE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF THIS STATE.

>> THE SUPREMACY CLAUSE LITERALLY SAYS -- I WILL EXPLAIN IT.

IF THERE'S CONFLICT BETWEEN FEDERAL LAW AND STATE LAW, WHICH ONE PREVAILS?

WHICH ONE?

FEDERAL LAW.

FEDERAL LAW.

STATE LAW CAN'T SUPERSEDE FEDERAL LAW.

SO IF THAT IS THE CASE, THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS NOT WORTH THE WEIGHT OF THE PAPER THAT ITS WRITTEN ON.

>> BOTH MEASURES WERE APPROVED.

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

>> ALSO RECEIVING FINAL PASSAGE THURSDAY, WAS THE BILL ENSURING THAT THOSE CONVICTED OF KILLING OTHERS WITH A GUN OR A KNIFE WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY RELEASE UNDER THE STATE'S GOOD TIME LAW.

HOUSE BILL 143 RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE IN THE SENATE WHILE THE FAMILY OF SERGEANT NICK RIZNER LOOKED ON.

THE BILL IS NAMED FOR RIZNER WHO WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WAY SUSPECT WHO HAD SERVED THREE YEARS OF A 10-YEAR SENTENCE BECAUSE OF GOOD TIME EARLY RELEASE CREDITS.

EARLIER IN THE DAY RIZNER WAS HONORED WHEN THE STATE'S HIGHEST LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD.

>> HIS WORK TO GET THIS BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THOSE OF YOU THAT WERE AT THE CEREMONY HONORING LAW ENFORCEMENT TODAY IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER YOU ALREADY KNOW THE STORY OF HOW ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HAVE PROTECTED US, WORKED FOR US EVERY DAY, DO THE THINGS THAT MOST OF US WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO DO FOR OUR SAFETY AND PARTICULARLY FOR SERGEANT RIZNER AND HIS FAMILY FOR THE SACRIFICE THAT THEY MADE IN THE SHOALS AREA PROTECTING THE CITIZENS OF THE SHOALS AREA.

>> LEGISLATION AIMED AT STRENGTHENING ALABAMA'S HUMAN TRAFFICKING SLAW NOW ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

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

THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY ON THURSDAY.

>> IT ACTUALLY GIVING THAT EXPANDED DEFINITION BECAUSE WHAT WE FOUND THROUGH THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE IS THAT THOSE PERP OPERATORS WOULD USE TOOLS SUCH AS KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING THEIR MEDICINE OR THREATENING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN OTHER CAPACITIES SO WE WANTED TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF COERCION.

>> THE SENATE ALSO GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO LEGISLATION IS THAT SEEKS TO PREVENT OUTSIDE PRIVATE MONEY FROM BEING USED FOR OFFICIAL ELECTION PURPOSES.

HOUSE BILL 194 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN PROHIBITS STATE AND LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES FROM SOLICITING, ACCEPTING, OR USING CERTAIN DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS OR NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES FOR FUNDING ELECTION-RELATED EXPENSES.

>> TO PROTECT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SAFE, SECURE ELECTIONS AND FURTHER SECURE OUR ELECTIONS, TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T COMMINGLE PRIVATE MONEY WITH PUBLIC MONEY.

RUNNING OUR ELECTION IS A CORE IF YOU EXPLAIN OF OUR GOVERNMENT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT PRIVATE MONEY IS NOT PURCHASING OUR MACHINES, NOT PURCHASING THE BALLOTS OR PAYING SALARIES OF OUR ELECTION OFFICIALS.

>> ALSO RECEIVING FINAL PASSAGE ON THE LAST DAY WAS TAX CUT LEGISLATION KNOW ABOUT OFFER WORKING FAMILIES SOME RELIEF.

HOUSE BILL 163 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GREER INCREASES THE OPTIMAL STANDARD DEDUCTION AND REDUCES THE TAX BURDEN FOR WORKING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.

IT'S ONE OF SEVERAL TAX CUT PROPOSALS THAT PASSED THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

SENATE BILL 152 FROM SENATOR DAN ROBERTS UNTAXES FEDERAL COVID BENEFITS FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

HOUSE BILL 391 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE ELIMINATES THE BUSINESS PRIVILEGE TAX FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

HOUSE BILL 162 ALSO FROM GREER EXEMPTS UP TO $6,000 IN RETIREE TAXABLE INCOME.

AND HOUSE BILL 82 FROM STATED REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT, OFFERS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX-EXEMPTIONS FOR FARMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

ALL TOLD, LAWMAKERS ESTIMATE THE BILLS OFFER A TOTAL TAX SAVINGS OF $160 MILLION ANNUALLY.

THAT WAS ALL JUST WHAT HAPPENED ON THURSDAY.

THE WEEK AS A WHOLE SAW MUCH MORE ACTION.

THE EDUCATION BUDGET RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE THIS WEEK.

THE $8.2 BILLION BUDGET IS A RECORD FOR THE STATE.

THE BUDGET REPRESENTS A $550 MILLION INCREASE OVER THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

FINAL PASSAGE THIS WEEK.

THE $8.2 BILLION BUDGET IS A RECORD FOR THE STATE.

>> THE ADDRESSES THE LAGGING MATH SCORES AND INCLUDES A $200 INCREASE IN PER CLASSROOM FUNDING AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

ALSO RECEIVING FINAL PASSAGE WAS LEGISLATION AIMED TO TACKLE PERIOD POVERTY BY HELPING YOUNG GIRLS IN NEED OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

HOUSE BILL 50 FROM STATED REPRESENTATIVE YOLANDA HOLLIS WOULD PROVIDE SUCH PRODUCTS FOR FREE IN TITLE 1 SCHOOLS.

HOLD LAS WAS BUOYED BY GRASSROOTS SUPPORTERS ADVOCATING FOR THE BILL.

>> MY MONUMENT WORKED AT A SCHOOL AND WE REALIZED THE GIRLS DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR THE PRODUCTS THEY NEEDED TO STAY CLEAN AND HEALTHY ON THEIR MENSTRUAL CYCLE.

SO WHEN WE REALIZED THAT WAS AN ISSUE, WE REALIZED THAT WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

>> I'M SO EXCITED.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TORSO LONG TO HAVE IT PASSED AND WHEN WE 1ST BROUGHT THIS BILL BACK, I WASN'T SO SURE THAT IT WAS GOING TO COME THIS FAR BECAUSE OF HOW MANY TIMES IT HASN'T EVEN MADE IT THIS FAR.

>> THE LEGISLATURE LOOKS LIKE PASSED A BILL GIVING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MORE AUTHORITY AND ENFORCING LED PAINT CLEANUP LAWS.

THE STATE ALREADY HAS A PROCESS FOR CONTRACTORS NOT TO USE WHEN RENOVATING HOMES WITH LED-BASED PAINTED.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS SAID IT HAS LACKED TEETH.

SENATE BILL 158 FROM BOBBY SINGLETON WOULD FINE CONTRACTORS UP TO $5,000 PER DAY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE ALABAMA LED REDUCTION ACT.

THE BILL DOES NOT APPLY TO PEOPLE MAKING RENOVATIONS IN THEIR OWN HOMES.

THE FEES START AT $250 PER DAY FOR A 1ST OFFENSE.

THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILL.

IT NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

OF COURSE WHILE MANY HIGH-PROFILE BILLS PASSED IN THE FINAL WEEK, MANY MORE SAW THEIR DEMISE.

ONE SUCH BILL WAS THE SO-CALLED DIVISIVE CONCEPTS BILL, THAT STIRRED A LOT OF DEBATE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THE STORY.

>> WHEN THE SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE VOTED ON THE DIVISIVE CONSENTS WILL, MORE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS CRITICAL RACE THEORY, NINE REPUBLICANS VOTED YES, WHILE DO YOU KNOW WHO DEMOCRATS VOTED NO ON THE PLAN THAT WOULD BAN THE TEACHING OF CERTAIN CAN SEPTEMBERS RELATED TO RACE, SEX, AND RELIGION.

EVEN THOUGH THE VOTES WERE COMPLETED OPPOSITES, THE REASONS WHY WERE NOT THAT FAR APART.

>> WE'RE GRUMBLING WITH OUR FEARS.

SOME FOLKS ON ONE SIDE ARE SCARED THAT THEIR HISTORY WILL BE COMPLETELY IGNORED AND TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOLS.

>> I DON'T SEE THESE NINE ISSUES THAT ARE PROHIBITED BY THIS THAT STOPS ANYONE FROM TALKING ABOUT SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE TRADE, THAT STOPS ANYONE FROM TALKING ABOUT SEGREGATION, JIM CROW, RECONSTRUCTION, WHATNOT.

>> FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE FEELING LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO BE FORCED TO DIGEST SOME HATEFUL, HATED-BASED HISTORY.

>> ADULTS SHOULD NOT PUSH STUDENTS IN A DIRECTION.

THERE SHOULD BE THIS OPEN DISCUSSION.

THERE SHOULD BE FACTUAL DISCUSSION.

>> WHAT YOU BELIEVE OUGHT TO BE TAUGHT IN YOUR HOME, THAT CHILD SHOULD LEAVE THAT HOUSE WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEIR PARENTS BELIEVE.

AND WHEN THEY GET TO SCHOOL, YES, BEING ABLE TO HAVE INTELLIGENT DISCUSSIONS BY IT.

>> IT WAS NEVER DEBATED BY THE FULL SENATE BEFORE THE SESSION ENDED.

IT DIED.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH AN "IN DEPTH" INTERVIEW WITH TONIGHT'S SPECIAL GUEST: HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY HOUSES SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON.

MR. SPEAKER THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WELL, IT WAS A WILD FINISH TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION LAST NIGHT.

IT WAS -- I COUNTED 15 HOURS -- I THINK Y'ALL WENT IN AT 9:00, AND BASICALLY WENT UNTIL MIDNIGHT.

THAT'S QUITE A LOT OF TIME ON THE FLOOR, NOT EVEN HAVING DINNER BREAKS OR LUNCH BREAKS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S A MARATHON DAY ON THE FLOOR.

>> WELL, IT WAS.

AND I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR THE MEMBERS THAT CONTINUED TO WORK AND GET THROUGH THE CALENDARS.

OF COURSE ALWAYS AT THE END OF THE SESSION, YOU KNOW, THERE'S AN URGENCY TO PASS BILLS AND MEMBERS SAID, OH, I HAVE BEEN WITH ON THIS BILL EVERY SINCE THE SESSION BEGAN AND IT'S ON THE CALENDAR, COULD WE AT LEAST TRY TO GET TO IT AND THEN YOU HAVE LOCAL BILLS THAT ARE LAST MINUTE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN THE LEGISLATOR'S DISTRICT.

SO THERE'S JUST A LOT OF MOVING PARTS THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION.

>> SURE.

WELL, AND YOU HAD SOME CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.

>> YES.

>> RIGHT THERE AT THE TOP OF THE CALENDAR WAS THE TRANSGENDER -- THAT WAS THE TREATMENT BILL.

A LOT OF HEATED RHETORIC FROM DEMOCRATS, REALLY OPPOSING THAT.

AND YET THAT ONE GOT THROUGH.

THE OTHER TRANS BILL, THE BATHROOM BILL THAT HAD THE AMENDMENT FROM THE SENATE.

>> YES.

TWO REALLY CONTROVERSIAL BILLS WHERE DEMOCRATS JUST HAD SOME REALLY HEATED RHETORIC.

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE RESIDUAL PROBLEMS FROM THAT TERMS OF RELATIONSHIPS GOING FORWARD?

>> I DON'T REALLY THINK SO BECAUSE THE PRIORITY IN BOTH OF THOSE ISSUES WAS CHILDREN.

AND ADDRESSING THE BATHROOM ISSUE IN SCHOOL SETTINGS, THE DRUG TREATMENT SURE FOR TRANSGENDER CHILDREN WAS BASED ON THE AGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL BEING TREATED.

IT WASN'T THAT THERE WAS A PUSH TO TOTALLY DO AWAY WITH ANY KIND OF TREATMENT WITH BUT IT WAS SAYING HEY, LET'S LET THESE CHILDREN GET TO AN AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY BEFORE YOU START TRYING TO MAKE A SEX CHANGE OR GIVE THEM SOME KIND OF DRUGS TO ALTER THEIR GROWTH.

SO AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S NOT LIKE IT WAS AN ANTI GAY MOVEMENT OR SOME KIND OF HATE AMONG SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T LIKE GAYS.

IT WAS MORE OF AN ISSUE WITH THE CHILDREN AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE.

AND THE FACT THAT IT'S A GROWING -- IT'S A GROWING NEED IN OUR SOCIETY.

SO I THINK THAT FOR THAT REASON, I THINK THINGS WILL SMOOTH OVER AND THEY WILL GET BETTER.

AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO OPEN UP THE DOOR FOR MORE CONVERSATIONS, WHICH I THINK IS A GOOD THING.

>> I WAS CURIOUS TO ASK YOU.

THERE MAY BE A LOT OF VIEWER WHOSE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND HOW BILLS MAKE THE ON THE CALENDAR LIKE THAT.

RIGHT?

YOU START OUT AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF BILLS SOMETIMES INTRODUCED DURING THE SESSION.

AND YOU ACTUALLY USED TO BE THE RULES CHAIRMAN.

SO COULD YOU EXPLAIN SORT OF SOUP TO NUTS ON HOW BILLS GET ON THAT SPECIAL ORDER LEARNED AND HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS?

>> YES.

AND YOU MAY HAVE OPENED A PANDORA'S BOX ON ME BECAUSE I LOVE THE PROCESS.

I LOVE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

I THINK ONE OF MY -- ONE OF THE BEST JOBS I HAVE EVER HAD IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS BEING RULES CHAIRMAN BECAUSE OF WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

BUT THE BILLS -- LET'S JUST SAY STARTING WITH A BILL, IT HAS TO HAVE THREE READINGS IN EACH CHAMBER.

THE 1ST READING IS WHEN THE BILL IS INTRODUCED.

AND AT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL AND THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL HAS TO BE A LEGISLATOR, AND SO THE LEGISLATOR WORKS THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE, WORKS THROUGH LEGAL TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT AGAINST AN EXISTING LAW OR IF IT IS IT HAS TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE LAW, AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO PREPARING A BILL.

AND ONCE THE BILL IS READY TO COME TO THE FLOOR IT HAS TO BE ON A SESSION DAY, AND THE SPONSOR, THE LEGISLATOR, INTRODUCES THE BILL.

THE BILL THEN GOES TO THE -- FROM THE CLERK'S PAPERWORK.

IT MOVE UP TO THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE, AND THE SPEAKER WILL ACTUALLY SIT THERE AND ASSIGN THAT BILL TO A COMMITTEE THAT IS GERMANE, IF YOU WILL, TO WHAT THAT COMMITTEE DOES.

THAT'S GOOD WAY TO SAY IT.

IF IT'S DEALING WITH SOMETHING, DEALING WITH TRAFFIC SAFETY THEN THAT BILL WOULD GO TO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

OR IF IT'S DEALING WITH TAX REVENUES, IT MAY GO TO THE EDUCATION WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

SO THE BILL THEN HAS A COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT, AND IT'S READY NOW TO GO BEFORE A COMMITTEE.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THOSE COMMITTEES TAKE ALL OF THE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO HIM OR HER AND REVIEW THOSE BILLS AND THEN THEY HAVE TO ADVERTISE A COMMITTEE HEARING DATE WITH A LIST OF BILLS THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THERE.

AND THERE HAS TO BE A TIME, A 24-HOUR TIME PERIOD, THAT WAY IF SOMEBODY IS INTERESTED IN A BILL THAT'S NOT A PART OF THE LEGISLATURE OR COULD BE PARTICIPANT OF THE LEGISLATURE, THEY HAVE AN AGENDA THAT EACH COMMITTEE GOES BY, AND THEN THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN FOLLOWING THAT BILL.

IT GOALS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.

THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AND DEBATE THE BILL.

THEY MAY TAKE AMENDMENTS ON THE BILL.

AND THEN AT THE END OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING ON THE BILL, THEY TAKE VOTE.

IF IT GETS A FAVORABLE REPORT, THEN IT COMES BACK TO THE HOUSE AND IT COMES THROUGH THE CLERK'S OFFICE THROUGH THE TRAIL OF PAPERWORK.

IT COMES THROUGH THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

IT COMES THROUGH THE FLOOR AND GETS ITS SECOND READING.

ONCE THE BILL HAS A SECOND READING AND ITS IN THE FORMAT THAT WAS SET UP BY THE COMMITTEE, THEN FROM THERE, THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL HAS AN OBLIGATION TO FILL OUT A REQUEST SHEET TO THE RULES COMMITTEE.

>> SO THIS IS WHERE IT GETS TO THE RULES COMMITTEE AND THIS IS I THINK WHERE THE SECRET SAUCE COMES IN?

THAT'S RIGHT.

IT COMES TO THE RULE'S COMMITTEE AND NOW IT'S BEEN REQUESTED.

THE BILL MOVES TO THE RULES COMMITTEE.

AND THEN FROM THERE, THERE'S A PICK LIST THAT IS PUT TOGETHER OF ALL OF THE BILLS THAT HAVE GOTTEN SECOND READINGS, HAVEN'T BEEN REQUESTED.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES MEMBERS MAY WORK ON A BILL BUT THEY MAY SAY THAT THE BILL IS NOT NECESSARILY DOING WHAT IT SHOULD BE DOING OR THERE'S ANOTHER BILL OUT THERE THAT MAY HAVE BETTER CONTENT, AND SOMETIMES A MEMBER MAY GET A SECOND READING ON THE BILL BUT MAY NOT CHOOSE TO MOVE THAT BILL TO THE RULES COMMITTEE.

THAT'S WHY THAT SHEET IS SO IMPORTANT AND THE PICK LIST MADE FROM ALL OF THE REQUESTS THAT ARE MADE.

THEN THE RULES COMMITTEE SITS DOWN WITH ALL OF THE BILLS ON THE PICK LIST, GIVERS COPIES TO ALL OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE AND THEY SIT DOWN AND THEY PICK A CALENDAR.

NOW, THE SPEAKER HAS A LITTLE BIT OF LEVERAGE IN THE RULES COMMITTEE FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT HE GETS WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RULES COMMITTEE AND THE SPEAKER CAN HAVE THE 1ST ONE, TWO, THREE PICKS ON THAT CALENDAR.

MANY TIMES AS SPEAKER WHAT I HAVE DONE I HAVE LISTENED TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE SENATE AND THE MEMBERS AND THAT BILL HAS GOOD SUPPORT AND THE MEMBERS ARE TALKING ABOUT IT AND IT HAS GOOD INTENT AND GOOD SUBSTANCE ANYTIME, THEN I USE THOSE STANDARDS TO PICK A BILL.

AND I GIVE MY CHOICE OF PICKS FROM THE PICK LIST TO THE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND THEN THEY GO IN COMMITTEE AND THEN THE OTHER MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE GETS A PICK.

AND THAT PUTS TOGETHER THE SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR, AND THAT'S WHERE THE BILL GETS ITS 3RD READING BEFORE THE BODY.

>> AND I'M GLAD YOU EXPLAINED ALL OF THAT PROCESS BECAUSE IF PEOPLE MIGHT WONDER HOW DO BILLS GET TO THE POP OF THE LIST.

WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING LIKE WE SAW YESTERDAY WITH THE TRANS ISSUE, THAT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT THE CAUCUS REALLY WANTED TO TACKLE AND SO THEY'RE ASKING YOU, MR. SPEAKER, CAN YOU PUT THIS ON THE CALENDAR SO WE CAN GET TO IT 1ST.

>> ANY BILL THAT THAT -- AND THERE AGAIN I GO BACK AND THIS IS MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

BUT ANY BILL THAT I MAY PICK OR THAT GOES ON THAT PICK LIST, I HAVE ENCOURAGED THE SPONSOR, AND I HAVE LISTENED TO THE MEMBERS TO SEE WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT IT GETS.

YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST BILL SINCE SLICED BREAD.

BUT IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT 53 SUPPORTING MEMBERS IN THAT CHAMBER TO SUPPORT THAT BILL OR AT LEAST ALLOW THAT BILL, THEY HAVE GOT INTENTIONS OF -- I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THIS BILL, THIS IS A GOOD BILL, THEN THAT BILL FALLS DOWN LOWER ON THE PRIORITY LIST AND THAT'S HOW THAT WORKS.

AND ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL, THE DRUG -- CHILD DRUG STRENGTHEN TRANSGENDER ISSUE, IF YOU WILL REMEMBER, THAT BILL HAS BEEN MOVING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW.

>> MR. ALLEN.

>> YES.

>> AND THEN SENATOR SHELLNUT HAS HAD THAT A BILL.

THAT BILL HAS BEEN MOVING FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

SO THIS WAS NOT THE 1ST TIME THAT WE LOOKED AT IT.

AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO MEMBERS OVER THE SEVERAL YEARS AND IT WAS NOT UNTIL THIS YEAR THAT IT HAD A SOLID VOTE COUNT TO BE PASSED.

>> I SEE.

>> AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, THEN I DECIDED WELL, LET'S PUT IT ON THE FLOOR AND GET A DEBATE GOING SEE WHERE WE ARE.

>> STEPPING BACK A BIT, YESTERDAY WAS A BUSY DAY BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG SESSION.

HOW WOULD YOU JUST GRADE THE SESSION OVERALL.

Y'ALL HAVE TON QUITE A BIT.

>> WE HAVE HAD A GREAT SESSION.

AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HAD A SESSION LIKE WE HAVE HAD IN AN ELECTION YEAR MAKES IT EVEN MOTHER SIGNIFICANT: A LOT TIMES?

AN YEAR, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF BILLS THAT'S MOVING AROUND.

SERVE STRUGGLING TO JUST GET THEIR CAMPAIGNS GOING.

THEY'RE RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND THEY'RE CONCENTRATING MORE ON RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND THE NEXT SESSION.

TO SAY NOTHING OF THE SPECIAL SESSION THAT HAPPENED.

IT FEELS LIKE A YEAR AGO OR MORE.

TO BEGIN THIS REGULAR SESSION THERE WAS A SPECIAL SESSION TO FOCUS ON THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT MONEY.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT MONTHS AGO BUT YOU HAVE TO FACTOR THAT IN TOO.

THAT'S $1.2 BILLION, WELL BETWEEN PRISONS AND THE BROADBAND, THE WATER, SEWER AND CLEAN WATER AND SEWER ISSUES.

SO YOU HAVE THE HEALTH ISSUE AND THEN YOU HAD THE 1ST RESPONDERS SECTION THAT WAS PUT IN THERE.

YEAH, TO START THE SESSION, YOU KNOW, THE LEADERSHIP AND THE SENATE AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, WE SAT AND WE TALKED ABOUT SO YOU CARVE OUT SO MANY DAYS FOR A SPECIAL SESSION AND EVERYBODY HAS TO -- YOU HAVE THE TRAIN MOVING AND NOW YOU HAVE TO.

>> THERE ARE A LOT ISSUES ON OUR STATE THAT SUFFERED THROUGH THE COVID.

AND WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESSED THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID, WE WERE ABLE TO GET MONEY AND PUT IT BACK IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND.

THAT WAS HUGE FOR BUSINESSES BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING AT A DEFICIT AND THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY MORE THROUGH THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT.

>> THE COMPENSATION FUNDS GOES DOWN.

>> AND THE TAXES GO UP.

>> SO WE WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AND YOU HAD NOT HEARD A LOT ABOUT THAT, BUT THAT WAS HUGE DEAL FOR LOWELL BUSINESSES WHO HIRE PEOPLE.

>> AND WE'RE NOT DONE WITH ARPA; RIGHT?

>> NO.

AS FAR AS WE KNOW.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER TRANCH OF MONEY, BUT IT MIGHT REQUIRE ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION.

HAVE YOU BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE GOVERNOR?

PEOPLE HAVE SAID AUGUST MAYBE?

>> WELL, I THINK AUGUST -- FROM WHAT WE KNOW, AUGUST SEEMS TO BE A DATE THAT'S BEING DISCUSSED FOR TWO REASONS.

ONE IS THAT SOME OF THE INDICATIONS FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. WAS THAT THE MONEY MAY COME IN TO US AROUND JUNE.

THEN THE OTHER ISSUE THAT'S BEING DISCUSSED IS THE FACT THAT THIS MONEY -- WE DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF STRINGS ARE GOING TO BE ATTACHED TO IT AT THIS POINT.

THEY'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THE MONEY WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO BE SPENT BEFORE WE GET INTO THE NEXT SESSION YEAR WHICH WOULD BE 2023.

AND THAT'S THE CASE THEN WEEP WANT TO TRY TO DO THIS BEFORE WE GO INTO THE NEW FISCAL YEAR INTO THE NEW BUDGET OF OCTOBER.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL, YOU KNOW, SOMETIME THAT TIMELINE OF END OF AUGUST TO 1ST -- I'M SORRY -- LAST THE JULY 1ST OF AUGUST SOMEWHERE IN THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNE TIME.

>> INTERESTING.

AND MAYBE WAIT UNTIL SCHOOL STARTS TO HELP OUT THE STAFF THAT HAS KIDS.

IT'S YOUR LAST REGULAR SESSION AT LEAST AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

YOU HAVE BEEN SPEAKER NOW FOR FIX YEARS.

SIX REGULAR SESSIONS, PLENTY OF SPECIAL SESSIONS INVOLVED IN THAT.

HOW DOES IT FEEL?

THERE WAS A LOT OF EMOTION ON THE FLOOR LAST NIGHT.

YOU HAVE HAD TIME TO REFLECT.

IS IT BITTERSWEET?

ARE YOU GLAD YOU HAVE MADE THIS DECISION?

ANY REGRETS?

>> NO.

I DON'T HAVE ANY REGRETS AT ALL.

IT'S LIKE I TOLD THE MEMBERS LAST NIGHT ON THE FLOOR, I HAVE TO PINCH MYSELF SOMETIMES AND REALIZE THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS HONOR TO SERVE AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

BUT IT IS BITTERSWEET.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND THAT CHAMBER AND YOU LOOK AT THE MEMBERSHIP IN THERE, YOU BECOME VERY CLOSE WITH MEMBERS BECAUSE YOU SEE THEM, YOU KNOW, IN TIMES OF FRUSTRATION, YOU SEE THEM IN TIMES OF VICTORY, YOU WORK WITH EACH OTHER ON KEY ISSUES.

AND YOU CAN'T BE IN THAT TYPE OF SETTING AS MANY DAYS AS WE SPEND TOGETHER AND NOT HAVE PERSONAL FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER.

AND I CARE ABOUT EVERY ONE OF THE MEMBERS.

ONE THING THAT I ALWAYS STRIVE FOR AS SPEAKER WAS, ONCE THE ELECTION DAY WAS OVER, REFER MEMBER IN THAT CHAMBER REPRESENTS SOMEWHERE 45, 55,000 PEOPLE AND THEY'RE THE VOICE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

AND I DON'T LIKE TO JUST RUN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LIKE DICTATORSHIP.

I LOOK AT IT LIKE A DEMOCRACY.

SO I HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO TRY TO BE FAIR.

I WORKED VERY HARD TO 42 KEEP THINGS MOVING.

AND THERE AGAIN, I LOOK AT THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTES.

IT'S ABOUT THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTES.

SO WHERE ARE THE VOTES ON ANY ISSUE?

THAT MOVES THE ISSUES UP AND DOWN THE CHART OF PRIVACY.

BUT IT IS BITTERSWEET.

LIKE I SAY, IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE BEST HONORS OF MY LIFE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE.

WHEN YOU SIT IN THAT CHAIR IN THAT CHAMBER AND YOU WATCH THE MEMBERS, AND IT LOOK LIKE CHAOS TO SOMEBODY NOT FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IS GOING ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE SERVE MOVING AND SERVE TALKING.

BUT WHEN I LISTEN TO THE DEBATE ON A BILL ON THE FLOOR, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I KNOW -- I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD FEEL FOR THE WAY THE MEMBERS FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUE, BECAUSE I HAVE TALKED TO THEM AND LISTENED TO WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THE HALLS OF THIS BUILDING, YOU WATCH THEM AND YOU WILL SEE ONE THAT IS IT MAYBE ON THE FENCE.

THEY SEE GOOD THINGS IN THE BILL BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THEY DON'T LIKE.

AND YOU WILL SEE ONE OVER HERE THAT YOU KNOW IS JUST IS A SOLID YES.

ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN THOSE TWO PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND THEY'VE GOT A COPY OF THE BILL IN THEIR HAND AND THEY'RE SITTING THERE TALKING TO EACH OTHER AS THE DEBATE IS GOING ON, THAT'S VERY REWARDING.

BECAUSE THAT IS THE PROCESS WORKING THE WAY IT SHOULD.

TWO MEN AND/OR WOMEN STANDING THERE TALKING TO EACH OTHER REPRESENTING OVER 80,000 PEOPLE COMING UP WITH WAYS TO MAKE A PEELS OF LEGISLATION FOR THOSE PEOPLE BETTER.

THAT'S VERY REWORDING.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE NEXT SESSION.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEW SPEAKER, MAYBE A NEW MAJORITY LEADER CONSIDERING THE PEOPLE RUNNING AND EVERYTHING.

WE HAVE A NEW EDUCATION BUDGET CHAIRMAN THIS YEAR.

MIGHT HAVE A NEW GENERAL FUND CHAIRMAN NEXT YEAR, RULES CHAIR -- GO DOWN THE LIST.

BUT THERE WILL BE A NEW SPEAKER.

WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING THAT ROLE?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, BE FAIR.

BE FAIR TO THE MEX.

HONOR THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU RESPECT THAT PROCESS AND YOU HONOR THAT PROCESS MOVING FORWARD.

AND THE OTHER THING IS NEVER LET THE MEMBERS FORGET WHERE THEY SEE CAME FROM AND THE FACT THAT THIS IS A POSITION OF SERVANT HOOD.

SO MANY TIMES -- AND I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN IN THIS LONG ENOUGH AND BEEN AROUND THE STATE GOVERNMENT LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW, SOMETIMES PEOPLE CAN COME DOWN LOWER TO MONTGOMERY AND THEY GET INVOLVED IN ALL OF THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE AND THEY DISCONNECT FROM THEIR DISTRICT.

AND I'M CONSTANTLY, WHEN I'M TALKING WITH MEMBERS IN BOTH CAUCUSES I'M CONSTANTLY TELL TELLING WHAT DOES YOUR DISTRICT SAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

IF THEY BRING SOMETHING TO MY OFFICE, AND SOMETIMES MEMBERS WILL -- THEY WILL REALLY BE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR BILL AND COME INTO MY OFFICE AND SAY, MR. SPEAKER, THIS BILL BARROW REALLY NEEDS PASS.

AND IF YOU WOULD JUST SIGN ON OR IF WOULD YOU HELP ME, WE COULD JUST GET THIS BILL THROUGH THERE.

MY QUESTION BACK TO THEM IS, I SAID, WHAT DOES YOUR DISTRICT SAY ABOUT THE BILL?

WHEN WE WERE DOING REBUILD ALABAMA, MANY OF THE MEMBERS COME THROUGH -- BECAUSE THAT WAS A TOUGH VOTED.

IT WAS A VERY TOUGH VOTE.

AND WE HAD 27 BRAND-NEW MEMBERS COMING IN AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE 1ST VOTES THEY TOOK.

AND IT WAS A TOUGH TIME.

AND WE TRIED TO EDUCATE THEM AND GAVE THEM ALL OF THE RESOURCES SO THEY WOULD KNOW.

BUT WHEN THEY WOULD COME IN AND THEY WOULD ASK THEM, MY QUESTION BACK TO THEM WAS, I SAID, I'M NOT -- WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE A CAUCUS POSITION ON THIS.

WE'RE NOT FRYING TO FORCE ANYBODY IN THAT CHAMBER TO VOTE A CERTAIN WAY.

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS THAT, KNOWING WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, WHAT DOES YOUR DISTRICT SAY ABOUT IT?

I SAID GO BACK AND TALK TO YOUR PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT.

BECAUSE I SAID YOU'RE THEIR SERVANT DOWN HERE.

AND I THINK FOR A SPEAKER TO BE SUCCESSFUL, I THINK AS LONG AS THEY WILL KEEP THOSE THINGS IN MIND, I THINK THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> WHETHER IT'S BEEN IN THE SPEAKER'S CHAIR OR JUST FROM YOUR TIME AS A REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT ARE THINGS YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF YOUR LEGISLATIVE SERVICE.

>> I THINK THE REBUILD ALABAMA WAS ONE THING THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE COMING FROM MY DISTRICT, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT DOES YOUR DISTRICT SAY, COMING FROM MY DISTRICT INFRASTRUCTURE, WAS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

AND THE DEEPER I DUG INTO THE FACTS AND THE FIGURES, HERE WE HAVE WERE IN ALABAMA, A GROWING STATE, OUR AUTO INDUSTRY WAS GROWING, THERE WERE AREAS HE -- THE PORT, YOU KNOW, WE ALL DEPENDED ON EACH OTHER FROM NORTH TO SOUTH -- HUNTSVILLE ESPECIALLY IS JUST GROWING LIKE CRAZY.

>> AND I SAW THE VALUE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND I BEGAN TO LOOK AT THE REVENUES AND WHERE IT COME FROM AND I REALIZE DIZZY WE'RE FRYING TO OPERATE OFF OF 1992 REVENUE STREAMS.

AND I THOUGHT, WE HAVE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES.

BUT IT WAS A TOUGH BATTLE.

BUT I'M PROUD THAT WE NOT GOING TO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE COMING IN AND WE'RE DOING PROJECTS ALL OVER THE STATE THAT WE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO IF WE DIDN'T HAVE ADDITIONAL REVENUE SO I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT.

I'M ALSO VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT I THINK WE HAVE PUT SOME INTEGRITY BACK INTO THE LEGISLATURE.

BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND EVERYTHING IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN I TOOK OVER AS SPEAKER, WE HAD A SPEAKER THAT HAD BEEN INDICTED AND THIN CONVICTED.

WE HAD AN IMPEACHMENT FOR A GOVERNOR THAT HAD BEEN SENT TO THE RULES COMMITTEE OF WHICH AT THAT TIME I WAS CHAIRMAN AND I WAS SITTING ON A RESOLUTION TO IMPEACH THE GOVERNOR.

>> I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT.

>> YES.

AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, WE HAD THE CAN CHIEF JUSTICE HAD BEEN REMOVED.

WE ALSO HAD AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON THE CAUCUS LEADER, WHICH ENDED UP BEING A CONVICTION.

AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT WE HAD THE ISSUE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SENATE RACE.

THOSE ISSUES WERE COMING DOWN THE LINE.

I MEAN ALL OF THIS STUFF WAS GOING ON, AND I -- I TOLD MY WIFE, IF I WAS JUST A CONSTITUENT AND A VOTER FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA MY THOUGHTS WOULD BE ALL THOSE PEOPLE DOWN THERE ARE JUST CORRUPT.

THEY'RE ALL I COULDN'T WANT.

>> AFTER WE ALL RAN ON ETHICS REFORM IN 2000EN.

>> YES.

AND I DON'T SEE THAT TO SHED A LIGHT ON ANY OF THE MEN INVOLVED IN SOME OF THAT STUFF BUT I SAY THAT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE FOLKS TRYING TO HAVE SOME INTEGRITY IN OUR LEGISLATURE AND THIS STATE.

SO I REALLY FELT LIKE THAT GOING INTO THIS, I WANTED TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER AND I WANTED TO ADD A SENSE OF RESPECT FOR THE OFFICE AGAIN.

>> WELL, WHAT'S NEXT IN YOUR CAREER?

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF FREE TIME?

>> YEAH.

MAYBE I CAN WAKE UP WHEN I WANT I WANT TO AND GO FISHING A LITTLE BIT MAYBE.

I WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'D LIKE TO SLEEP IN MY OWN BED MORE AT NIGHT WHICH WOULD BE GOOD: BUT I'M NOT GOING TO QUIT SERVING BECAUSE I LOVE IT.

I DO IT -- I DON'T DO IT OUT OF OBLIGATION.

I DO IT BECAUSE I JUST LOVE PEOPLE.

AND I TOLD MY WIFE, I SAID, I MAY GET A JOB AT CRACKER BARREL AND WAIT TABLES 3 DAYS A WEEK.

I WOULD MEET ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE THERE IN THE DISTRICT AND I LIKE THE FOOD, YOU KNOW -- >> A LITTLE HASH BROWN CASSEROLE.

>> A LITTLE PLUG THERE FOR CRACKER BARREL.

I SAY THAT JOKINGLY.

BUT I WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.

USING SOME OF THE INFORMATION AND CONTACTS I HAVE MADE DOWN HERE OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS AND HELP WITH INFRASTRUCTURE, HELP OUR LOCAL CITIES, OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND I WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED WITH CHILDREN'S GROUP HOMES.

AND I JUST LIKE TO DO SOME PROJECTS LIKE THAT AROUND MY BACK DOOR.

>> WELL, GOOD LUCK.

WE'LL BE WATCHING AND I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP US UPDATED.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY YOU'VE BEEN SO KIND TO ME IN MY BEGINNINGS HERE AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.

>> EASTER THE YEARS THE TEAM TELLS ME YOU HAVE BEEN SO AVAILABLE AND YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO US SO THAT YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVE TO THIS STATE.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

I REALLY DO.

THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH.

GUYS, WE MADE IT TO THE END OF THE SESSION.

>> YAY!

>> I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE TOGETHER NOW AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

WE FINAL ONE I WILL.

WE MADE IT TO SINE DIE.

>> CAN YOU SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME -- THE END?

THE END OF THE SESSION.

>> SEEMS LIKE WE JUST GOT HERE.

>> IT REALLY DOES.

>> IT WAS A WHIRLWIND.

>> AS LONG AS IT SEEMS, YOU KNOW, IT DOES GO BY IN A FLASH AND IT WAS SO FAST PACED.

WE HAD AT THE VERY BEGINNING THIS SPECIAL SESSION WITHIN THE REGULAR FOCUSED ON ARPA, AND THAT SEEMS LIKE FOREVER AGO, BUT FROM THEN ON YOU HAD THESE THREE-DAY WEEKS WHERE, YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY THEY'RE IN SESSION, THEY'RE IN COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY AND IN SESSION SO IT JUST WENT REALLY FAST.

BUT I WANTED TO 1ST FOCUS ON THIS WEEK AND ESPECIALLY THIS LAST DAY THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

RANDY I WILL START WITH YOU.

THERE WAS -- I MEAN I THINK I COUNTED A 15 HOUR DAY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN TAKE A LUNCH BREAK, DIDN'T TAKE DINNER BREAK.

JUST ALL OF THAT TIME ON THE FLOOR AND IT SEEMED TO GET PRETTY HEATED AT TIMES AS YOU COVERED IN YOUR STORY.

>> I THINK IT WAS HEATED FROM THE START WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS WEEK POSSIBLY BEING A FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK BECAUSE SOME WERE JUST BESIDES THEMSELVES BY THAT MERE CONCEPT.

BUT YESTERDAY DEFINITELY WAS ONE THAT WAS TENSE.

YOU HAD SEVERAL BILLS THAT WERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE THAT LAST DAY AND PEOPLE WONDERING WHY ARE WE SEEING THESE BILLS BECAUSE IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO WRAP UP EVERYTHING ON THIS DAY, THESE AREN'T THE PASSAGES YOU WANT TO TAKE UP BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE US HERE FOR A LONG TIME, IN PARTICULAR ONE DEALING WITH TRANSGENDER CHILDREN TREATMENT FOR TRANSGENDER AND ALSO A GUN RIGHTS BILL THAT ALSO GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION AS WELL.

SO FROM THE START OF THIS SESSION TO THE LAST DAY, LAST NIGHT, IT STARTED WITH A BANG, AND PEOPLE DID NOT MIND GETTING ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND DOING WORK.

OF COURSE UNTIL CLOTURE VOTES WERE TAKEN AND ENDED DISCUSSION ABOUT CERTAIN DISCUSSIONS THAT WERE GOING ON ABOUT CERTAIN BILLS.

BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY TENSE.

THERE WERE SOME LAWMAKERS WHO ARE FRUSTRATED, WHO WERE ANGRY AT SOME THINGS THAT WERE DONE.

THERE WERE ARGUMENTS OVER THE CLOTURE MOMENT ITSELF, 23 IT WAS BEING USED PROPERLY OR PERHAPS SOMEBODY OR SOME FOLKS WERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE BEING CLOTURED HAVE ALWAYS SAID WHEN YOU CLOTURE US, YOU CLOTURE MY 33,000 PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT JUST LIKE YOU HAVE 33,000 PEOPLE TO REPRESENT.

WE DON'T GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK FOR THEM.

SO WHEN YOU CLOTURE US IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT WE'RE SAYING YOU WANT US TO BE SILENCED BECAUSE YOU'RE DOING THAT, REMEMBER YOU'RE ALSO SILENCING THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE, AND A LOT OF THEM PUT EMPHASIZE ON WE SERVE PEOPLE -- NOT ONE SEGMENT OF PEOPLE BUT THE PEOPLE.

SO KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU CLOTURE US YOU'RE SILENCING NOT JUST US ON THE FLOOR BUT PEOPLE WHO WANT SO HAVE THEIR SAY HEARD ANT PARTICULAR ITEMS SUCH AS SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS, SUCH AS TRANSGENDER ISSUES, SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL ISSUES, SUCH AS ECONOMIC ISSUES.

SO, YEAH, THEY WERE INVEST TENSE.

ONE THING IN PARTICULAR I DIDN'T MENTION TO YOU BEFORE IN TALKING TO YOU THERE WAS EVEN SOME DISSENSION AMONG THE RANKS.

ONE REPRESENTATIVE, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE, MIKE BALL FROM THE HUNTSVILLE AREA, THERE WAS A BILL THAT WAS DEALING WITH A GUN ISSUE THAT HE TOOK ISSUE WITH BECAUSE IT CAME UNDER A CLOTURE MOTION AND THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE SAYING WHY ARE WEE TAKING UP THIS BILL -- THIS BILL ON THE LAST DAY, IF YOU WANT THIS TO BE THE ACTUAL LAST DAY, WHY ARE WEE TAKING THIS UP?

AND THERE WAS A CLOTURE MOTION.

AND THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE HEATED UNDER THE COLOR BY THAT BILL.

HE WAS ONE OF THEM.

HE EVEN MADE REFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT WILL I MAY NOT GET A LOT OF CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM MY FELLOW REPUBLICAN HOUSEMATES BECAUSE I'M TAILING THIS MOVE BUT I DON'T FEEL HOW WE'RE HANDLING THIS ISSUE IS THE RIGHT WAY TO HANDLE IT SO IT WAS VERY TENSE YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE.

>> WELL, KAREN, STEPPING BACK IN THE SENATE, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF CLOTURE MOTIONS THERE TOO BUT KIND OF STEPPING BACK NOT JUST FROM YESTERDAY BOUGHT THIS WEEK AS A WHOLE, THIS SESSION AS A WHOLE, THERE'S BEEN A LOT THAT'S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

YOU HAD RECORD EDUCATION BUDGET, RECORD GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS SESSION, WHAT ARE YOUR TAKE AWAYS ON THAT?

>> I THINK -- I THINK FIRST OF ALL BEFORE I ANSWER THAT, IT MIGHT BE WORTHY OF ME PLAYING, YOU MENTIONED A THREE DAY WEEK AND RANDY MENTIONED A FOUR DAY WEEK, WHEN WE SAY THAT, WHEN THE LEGISLATURE MEETS THEY TYPICALLY COME IN ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY ARE WHAT THAT HE CULL MEETING DAYS, DAYS ON THE FLOOR DEBATE BILLS.

WEDNESDAY TYPICALLY EXCLUSIVELY IS DEDICATED TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

SO THAT'S NORMAL, A TWO MEETING DAYS ON THE FLOOR.

BUT WHEN YOU THROW IN THAT WEDNESDAY AND YOU'RE ALSO HAVING COMMITTEE MEETINGS ALL DAY STARTING AT 8:30 IN THE AFTERNOON AND COME TO THE DISPATCHER DEBATE, THAT'S THAT 3RD -- THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT A THREE-DAY WEEK BECAUSE THEY'RE DEBATING 3 DAYS A WEEK AND WE THOUGHT THIS WEEK THEY WOULD GO THROUGH FRIDAY AND MAKE IT A FOUR-DAY WEEK.

THAT'S EXHAUSTING BUT LIKE YOU SAID WHAT IT ALLOWED US TO DOTE DO IS GET A LOT OF WORK DONE AND DONE QUICKLY AND STILL BE MEANINGFUL AND THEREBY ACTIVE, PARTICULARLY IN THE SENATE WITH THE WORK DONE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT BOTH THE EDUCATION BUDGET, $8.2 BILLION OF RECORD EDUCATION BUDGET, THAT WAS BECAUSE OF SOME VERY STRATEGIC AND CAREFUL AND METHODICAL PLANNING PREVIOUS 10 YEARS OR SO, AND HOW WE HANDLED OUR STATE'S MONEY, SO WE COULD GET TO THE POINT TO HAVE A RECORD BUDGET THAT INCLUDED SIGNIFICANT PAY RAISES FOR TEACHERS.

IT'S CRITICAL IN MAINTAINING AND IN RECRUITING TEACHERS.

VERY SIGNIFICANT PAY RAISES FOR TEACHERS AND I TELL PUTS US ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WITH OTHER STATES, EVEN PROBABLY ABOVE OTHER STATES.

THEN YOU SAW THESE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AS SENATOR ORR SAID WE WILL SEE MORE NEXT YEAR IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

THE LITERACY ACT, THE ALABAMA NUMERACY ACT.

THEY'RE FOCUSING ON GRABBING OUR CHILDREN'S MINDS EARLY WHILE THEY'RE STILL?

FORMATIVE STATE AND EXCITED ABOUT SCHOOL GETTING THEM OFF TO A GREAT START.

WE SAW SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN THE MATH AND SCIENCE PROGRAM.

AS WE KNOW WITH ALL OF THE IMPETUS ON STEM PROGRAMMING GETTING AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN CAN BE MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE SCIENCES AND MATH AND ENGINEERING TYPE FIELDS WE'RE MAKING THESE HUGE INVESTMENTS.

PARTICULARLY WITH THE NUMERACY ACT, THIS YEAR $15 MILLION AND THAT WILL GROW TO A $92 MILLION INVESTMENT AND IT'S GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER PARTICULARLY FOR KIDS IN SCHOOLS THAT ARE LOW PERFORMING BECAUSE NOW ALL OF THESE SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO SEE MATH COACHES.

THAT GIVES EVERY CHILD A BETTER CHANCE -- IF YOUR CHILD IS IN A RURAL AREA AND MAY NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES OF SOME OF THE MORE SUBURBAN OR URBAN AREAS LIKE MOUNTAIN BROOK VERSUS WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE IN GREENE COUNTY, THAT GIVES THE CHILD IN GREENE COUNTY A BETTER CHANCE TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE WITH A CHILD IN MOUNTAIN BROOK WHICH IS A MORE AFFLUENT AREA IN OUR CERTIFICATE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LITERACY ACT, THERE WAS A HOLD BACK PROVISION THAT WE FOCUSED SO MUCH ON.

RIGHTFULLY SO.

BUT THAT'S BEEN DELAYED FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

NOT ONLY DOES IT GIVE OUR CHILDREN TIME TO BE BETTER PREPARED TO BE AT A 3RD GRADE REEDING LEVEL BUT HELPS OUR TEACHERS.

ONE THING THAT WE HAVEN'T TALKED A LOT ABOUT IS THAT TEACHER TRAINING IS A CRUCIAL PART OF THE LITERACY ACT.

THERE'S A TRAINING PROGRAM CALLED LETTERS THAT IS VERY INTENSIVE.

DID A STORY ON IT ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND IT REALLY GIVES TEACHERS THE TOOLS -- THE EXTRA FOOLS THEY NODE TO MAKE SURE ALABAMA'S CHILDREN ARE LITERATE READERS.

SO OVER ALL MY IMPRESSION HE OF THIS SESSION, YOU KNOW, I'M A POLICY PERSON.

AND I TELL PEOPLE WHAT I DO AND THEY WANT TO GO INTO THE POLITICS.

I'M NOT -- I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE POLITICS.

I CARE ABOUT THE POLICY.

AND FROM THE POLICIES THAT I SAW COME THROUGH THIS SESSION, THERE WAS A LOT OF COMPASSION, A LOT OF CARE AND A LOT OF FOCUS -- A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE REFLECTIVE OF OUR TIME WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES INVOLVING OUR TRANSGENDER YOUTH, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THINGS SUCH AS CRITICAL RACE THEORY, THOSE VERY SOCIAL HOT TOPIC ELECTION TYPE ISSUES WERE PREVALENT THIS SESSION BUT THERE WAS A HUGE FOCUS ON LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE OFTEN BEEN OVERLOOKED.

>> WELL, RANDY, LET ME ASK YOU.

BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT THE HEATED RHETORIC ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, DO YOU THINK THAT ANY OF THAT WILL BE RESIDUAL GOING INTO NEXT YEAR, HURT FEELINGS OR DO THEY COME BACK AFTER THE ELECTION AND IT'S ALL HUNKY-DORY AND NO LOVE LOST?

>> IT'S INTERESTING THAT YOU SHOULD MENTION THAT AND BANKING OFF OF WHAT KAREN SAID, YEAH, THERE WERE AGENDAS PEOPLE DEFINITELY WANTED TO SEE TAKEN CARE OF AND PUSHED THROUGH.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SAYING THAT TOO MANY OF THOSE ISSUES TOOK PRECEDENT OVER WHAT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE NEEDED A LOT OF THIS POSTURING WAS DONE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE MINORITY, SAYING A LOT OF THIS POSTURING WAS DONE FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

THERE ARE BILLS THAT TOOK UP A LOT OF TIME AND TOOK UP A LOT OF RESOURCES AND ATTENTION AWAY FROM ITEMS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE REALLY NEEDED TO LOOK AT, MEDICAID EXPANSION, THOUSAND HELP SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS IN RURAL AREAS.

BUT TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT GUN ISSUES, TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT CRITICAL RACE AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES -- UP UNTIL LAST NIGHT MADE A LOT OF PEOPLE UPSET.

THAT WAS PART OF THE REASON WHY THERE WAS TENSION IN THE HOUSE FLOOR.

YOU ASK SO WILL THIS BE RESIDUAL GOING INTO NEXT YEAR?

I THINK THE ATTITUDE OF A LOT OF PEOPLE IS YEAH, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF MEAT ON THE BONE, STILL IS A LOT OF RESIDUAL BUSINESS AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS SO IT STANDS TO REASON THAT YEAH THERE MAY BE SOME ITEMS THAT YOU WILL SEE AGAIN, AND THERE MAY BE SOME SIDE-EYE ACTION AS THEY SAY GOING FROM SOME PEOPLE TO OTHER PEOPLE, BUT I THINK THIS SESSION HAS DEFINITELY GOTTEN THE ATTENTION OF A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ALWAYS WATCH WHAT LAWMAKERS DO BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT HAPPENS HERE AFFECTS NOT JUST MONTGOMERY, NOT JUST BIRMINGHAM, NOT JUST HUNTSVILLE, NOT JUST MOBILE, THE ENTIRE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE IN THE UPPER CHAMBER OR LOWER CHAMBER, THEY HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND SOMETIMES THEY GET THEIR TOES STEPPED ON AND SOMETIMES THEY GET UPSET, HIGHER THAN YOU WILL EVER IMAGINE.

BUT THEY DO IT FOR A REASON THEY SAY AND THAT'S FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE AND THEN THERE'S BUSINESS THAT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF, THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT FROM HERE ON.

>> 100.

>> WE ARE NOT THE KIDS.

>> SPEAK FOR YOURSELF.

>> I WOULD GO.

AND MY TAKE AWAY IS SIMILAR TO YEARS.

I WAS SPEAKING TO A GROUP ON THURSDAY MORNING AND I SAID YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR HAD A LOT ABOUT THE TRANSGENDER STUFF AND IT'S GOING TO COME THEY WANT THE LAST DAY.

LOOK AT ALL OF THE HEADLINES THAT HAVE COME OUT.

AND IT'S NEWS, HOW LONG NEWS AND IT'S IMPORTANT AND WE HAVE TO COVER IT.

HOWEVER THIS IS BASICALLY ONE DAY OF THE SESSION.

THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER STUFF.

I THINK BACK TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE, BROADBAND, WATER AND SEWER AND THE SPECIAL -- AS YOU MENTIONED ALL OF THESE EDUCATION INITIATIVES.

I HEARD TERRY COLLINS SAY FIVE, SIX YEARS DOWN THE LINE THESE THINGS WILL START PAYING DIVIDENDS SO I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF POSITIVE THAT DOES GET A LITTLE OVERLOOKED.

BUT AS YOU SAID, THE POLITICS RATHER THAN THE POLICY.

SO MAYBE WHEN THE DUST SUBTLES AND YOU KNOW WE ALL GET A LITTLE SLEEP, THAT CAN BE SOME PERSPECTIVE.

WELL, I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL.

Y'ALL HAVE WORKED SO HARD THIS SESSION, JUST COVERING EVERY MINUTE OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND REALLY JUST KEEPING VIEWERS UP TO DATE ON ALL THAT IS GOING ON.

AND OUR VIEWERS MAY NOT SEE ALL OF THE WORK THAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" BUT DURING THE SESSION IT'S A TON OF WORK AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE IN SUPPORTING ME AND, YOU KNOW, I WAS A NEWBIE HERE, BUT REALLY MORE FOR OUR VIEWERS AND KEEPING THEM WELL-INFORMED.

SO THANK YOU.

>> AND I JUST SAY, I HAVE A BRAG ON US A LITTLE BIT QUICKLY.

THAT'S WHAT "CAPITOL JOURNAL" IS HERE FOR.

WE REPORT ALL OF THE NEWS VERY NONBIASED SO THAT ALL OF THE GOOD AND THE NOT QUITE SO GOOD STORIES CAN BE HEARD AND WE HAVE TO THINK OUR TECH TEAM, THEY AND MAKE US LOOK REALLY GOOD SO I'M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL.

>> DARE I BREAK THE ICE AND JUST SAY WE ANYWAY NOT BE DONE.

EVEN YESTERDAY THAT WORD WAS FLOATING AROUND -- SPECIAL SESSION.

>> I'M SAYING EARLY JUNE, AFTER MY CRUISE.

>> THAT'S WHAT SHE SAYS.

>> WELL, MAYBE WE WILL SEE YOU IN AUGUST.

THANKS GUYS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THROUGH THIS ENTIRE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE WILL RETURN TO OUR WEEKLY PROGRAMMING MEANING WEEKLY SHOWS FRIDAY AT 7:30 HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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