>> DON: TONIGHT ON CAPITOL JOURNAL, WE'LL REPORT ON FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN IN BIRMINGHAM TODAY TO PROMOTE THE PRESIDENT'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, ESPECIALLY AS A MEANS TO ADDRESS CHILDHOOD POVERTY.

WE'LL ALSO REPORT ON THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE ENDING TODAY, WITH GOVERNOR IVEY SAYING IT'S TIME FOR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT MASKS AND ABOUT THIS WEEK'S EXPANDED VACCINE ELIGIBILITY.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE WHO'LL DISCUSS A VOTE ON HIS LOTTERY BILL BEING CARRIED OVER TO POSSIBLY NEXT WEEK.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT GAMING AND ABOUT VOTING AND RIOTING LEGISLATION HIS CAUCUS OPPOSES.

AND CONGRESSMAN BARRY MOORE OF ENTERPRISE WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS CAPITOL SECURITY, BORDER SECURITY AND HIS CONCERNS OVER THE PRESIDENT'S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

IT'S ALL NEXT, ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

♪ ♪ DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, IT WAS A BUSY, HECTIC WEEK FOR LAWMAKERS, AS THEY TACKLED ISSUES LIKE A LOTTERY, GUNS AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE ENDED TODAY AND THERE IS A BIG CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL.

WE'LL GET TO IT ALL, BUT WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THE FIRST LADY BEING IN ALABAMA TODAY.

DR. JILL BIDEN VISITED BIRMINGHAM AS PART OF THE "HELP IS HERE TOUR" TO PROMOTE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF AND TO SPECIFICALLY TOUT ITS IMPACT ON HELPING CHILDREN.

SPEAKING AT THE YWCA OF CENTRAL ALABAMA, THE FIRST LADY OFFERED HOPE FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH FINANCIAL BURDENS BROUGHT ON BY THE VIRUS OUTBREAK.

>> FOR THOSE WHO FEEL YOU ARE LIVING DAY AFTER DAY, JUST SORT OF -- HOLDING YOUR BREATH, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS, HELP IS HERE!

[APPLAUSE] >> THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS.

DON: THE FIRST LADY TODAY ALSO VISITED AN EARLY LEARNING CENTER IN THE WOODLAWN AREA OF BIRMINGHAM.

SHE SAID THE PRESIDENT'S 1.9-TRILLION-DOLLAR STIMULUS PLAN WOULD CREATE WHAT SHE CALLED A 'LIFE RAFT' FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE DROWNING FROM ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.

MRS. BIDEN PREDICTED THAT THE MEASURE WOULD ULTIMATELY CUT CHILDHOOD POVERTY IN HALF.

DON: ALABAMA IS NO LONGER UNDER A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE.

IT EXPIRED A 5:00 THIS AFTERNOON, WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAYING THIS WEEK THAT SHE FELT COMFORTABLE ALLOWING THE ORDER TO LAPSE, BUT SHE ALSO URGED STATE RESIDENTS TO EXERCISE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR HEALTH AND FOR THE HEALTH OF OTHERS.

>> I MUST ONCE AGAIN THANK THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

YOU HAVE WORKED WITH US DURING THIS YEAR.

WE ARE FINALLY ROUNDING THE CORNER.

WHILE WE HAVEN'T WHIPPED THIS DEADLY DISEASE YET, IT APPEARS, THANK THE GOOD LORD, WE ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH.

PLEASE PRACTICE GOOD SENSE AND WE'LL SEE THE END OF COVID-19 SOON.

DON: EVEN WITH HER MANDATE ENDING TODAY, GOVERNOR IVEY IS URGING ALABAMIANS TO CONTINUE WEARING MASKS IN LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE OR WHEN AROUND THOSE MOST AT RISK.

SHE SAID THAT SHE WOULD BE DOING THE SAME.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS IS ASKING RESIDENTS TO HEED THE GOVERNOR'S ADVICE.

HE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> THERE IS NOTHING MAGIC HAPPENING AT 5:00 TODAY WHEN THE MANDATE EXPIRES.

WE HAVE, EVEN THOUGH A MUCH BETTER SITUATION THAN THREE MONTHS AGO, WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF CASES IN ALABAMA, WE HAVE DEATHS REPORTED EVERYDAY OR VIRTUALLY EVERYDAY.

FOR THOSE MOST VULNERABLE LIKE SENIORS, TREAT TOMORROW JUST LIKE TODAY.

DON: DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE MASK MANDATE ENDING.

MANY ALABAMA BUSINESSES WILL CONTINUE TO REQUIRE MASKS IN THEIR STORES AND CITIES LIKE MONTGOMERY AND BIRMINGHAM WILL ALSO STILL HAVE MASK ORDERS IN PLACE.

DON: SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT HE WILL NOT BE RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENATE NEXT YEAR OR FOR ANY OTHER ELECTED OFFICE.

THAT AFTER THE MARRIED MERRILL REPORTEDLY ADMITTED TO AN INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER WOMAN.

HE SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED IN HIMSELF AND DISAPPOINTED THAT HE HAD EMBARRASSED HIS FAMILY.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING ITS ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE WHEN A PUBLIC OFFICIAL BETRAYS THE TRUST OF HIS FAMILY AND HIS CONSTITUENTS.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON, WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHEN HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE, WAS ASKED BY A REPORTER ON THURSDAY FOR REACTION TO THE MERRILL CONTROVERSY.

>> I REALLY DON'T HAVE A COMMENT, MIKE, ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT'S -- IT WAS A -- YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST A SAD SITUATION.

YOU KNOW, IT -- HE'S GOING THROUGH THAT WITH HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

I DON'T HAVE A COMMENT.

DON: MEANTIME, REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYNN GIVAN OF BIRMINGHAM WAS ALSO SPEAKING OUT LATE THIS WEEK ON THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE SECRETARY OF STATE, RELATING TO BOTH HIS REPORTED INFIDELITY AND TO ALLEGATIONS FROM THE SO-CALLED 'OTHER WOMAN' THAT HE USED RACIST LANGUAGE.

>> I CAME INTO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH JON MERRILL.

I HAD A LONG STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED.

I FEEL HE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES AND IMMEDIATELY.

IF THERE IS IMPROPRITY OR MALFEASANCE ON HIS BEHALF, HE SHOULD DO AS GOVERNOR BENTLEY.

HE WAS ASKED TO STEP DOWN.

HE SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY.

DON: ALSO THIS WEEK, WADE PERRY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SAID HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES WERE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE ALLEGED RACIST REMARKS THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS SAID TO HAVE MADE AND CONTENDED THAT IF TRUE, HE SHOULD RESIGN.

MERRILL HAS DENIED MAKING SUCH REMARKS AND SAID IN A STATEMENT THIS WEEK THAT HE PLANNED TO SERVE OUT THE REMAINDER OF HIS TERM AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

DON: A PROPOSED STATE LOTTERY MADE A PARTIAL STEP FORWARD THIS WEEK.

THE SENATE ON WEDNESDAY APPROVED THE ENABLING LEGISLATION FOR A LOTTERY, BUT DELAYED A VOTE ON A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD MAKE AN EXCEPTION IN STATE LAW FOR THE LOTTERY.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> STATE SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON'S BILL WOULD GIVE THE DETAIL ON HOW AN ALABAMA LOTTERY WOULD OPERATE PAST THE SENATE WEDNESDAY WITH 30 YES VOTES AND 2 NO VOTES.

>> IF PEOPLE ARE DRIVING TO MISSISSIPPI GETTING SCRATCHOFFS, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO SPEND THEIR MONEY ON, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO DO THE SAME THING WITHOUT DRIVING TO MISSISSIPPI.

DO IT IN ALABAMA.

>> MCCLENDON HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES OF THE LOTTERY INCLUDING PLAYING IT ON A MOBILE DEVICE WHICH HE SAYS SHOULD BE ATTRACTIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> THEY BUY LUNCH ON THEIR PHONE.

THEY CALL CABS -- NOT CABS, THEY CALL UBER ON THE PHONE.

THEY MEET THE GIRLFRIENDS AND BOYFRIENDS ON THEIR PHONE.

THIS GENERATION OF PEOPLE -- THEY WILL NOT STAND IN LINE AT A HANDY MART TO BUY A TICKET.

THEY WANT TO BUY A LOTTERY TICKET ON THE PHONE.

>> DEBATE ON THE BILL LASTED THREE HOURS AND INCLUDED A FILIBUSTER BY SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS.

>> I HAVE 11 AMENDMENTS.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE OUR TIME.

>> AND GREG ALBRIGHTEN.

>> THE STATE OF ALABAMA NEEDS TO BE IN CHARGE OF EVERY GAME IN ALABAMA.

DON: SENATOR MCCLENDON SAYS HE HOPES TO BRING HIS LOTTERY PLAN BACK TO THE FLOOR NEXT WEEK AND THAT HE BELIEVES HE HAS THE VOTES TO PASS IT IN ITS ENTIRETY.

HE'LL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DON: THE SENATE THIS WEEK PASSED A CLOSELY WATCHED BILL THAT WOULD GIVE STATE JUDGES MORE DISCRETION IN DENYING BAIL TO THOSE ACCUSED OF SOME OF THE MORE VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSES.

IT'S CALLED 'ANIAH'S LAW,' AND ITS NAMED AFTER ANIAH BLANCHARD, AN ALABAMA COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WAS MURDERED IN 2019.

THE SUSPECT IN HER DEATH WAS OUT ON BAIL FOR ANOTHER CRIME AT THE TIME OF HER MURDER.

THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY PASSED THE MEASURE, BUT THE SENATE AMENDED IT ON TUESDAY, SO IT WAS HEADED BACK TO THE LOWER CHAMBER.

DON: THE HOUSE ON THURSDAY GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SET UP A LIFETIME CONCEALED CARRY PISTOL PERMIT IN THE STATE.

SUCH PERMITS ARE CURRENTLY LIMITED TO FIVE YEARS.

THE LEGISLATION WAS SPONSORED IN THE LOWER CHAMBER BY REPRESENTATIVE PRONCEY ROBERTSON OF MOUNT HOPE, WHO SAYS IT ALSO SETS UP A STATEWIDE DATABASE OF PEOPLE PROHIBITED FROM HOLDING THE GUN PERMITS.

>> ONCE YOU PURCHASE THE PERMIT, THE LIFETIME CONCEPT, ONCE YOU HAVE THAT, THE LOCAL SHERIFF BECOMES RESPONSIBLE TO ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS TO DO A BACKGROUND.

HE CAN DO IT MORE OFTEN IF HE CHOOSES TO.

THE LAW DOESN'T RESTRICT HIM TO THAT, IF HE CHOSE TO DO IT MORE OFTEN, WE ENCOURAGE THAT.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE HAS THE BACK UP OF KNOWING IF THERE IS A CONVICTION IN ANOTHER COUNTY OR STATE, HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT, THAT PERSON IS NOW ON THE PROHIBITED LIST.

DON: REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTSON'S LEGISLATION SETS A FEE OF 300-DOLLARS FOR THE LIFETIME CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT, 150-DOLLARS FOR THOSE 60 YEARS OLD AND OLDER.

SUCH A FEE WOULD BE WAIVED FOR ACTIVE OR RETIRED MILITARY OR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WITH THURSDAY'S FINAL PASSAGE IN THE HOUSE, THE BILL NOW GOES TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY FOR HER SIGNATURE.

DON: THE HOUSE THIS WEEK ALSO DEFEATED A DISTRACTED DRIVING BILL THAT SOUGHT TO BAN HOLDING A CELL PHONE WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL.

MEANTIME, A HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVED CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> A FAMILIAR PROPOSAL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IN SENATE BILL 46, THE MEDICINAL MARIJUANA BILL.

>> MET WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY REPUTATION AND TRIAL LAWYERS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TAKING EMPLOYERS AND PATIENTS AND CAME TO A COMPROMISE ON THAT.

>> THEY HAD AMENDMENTS TO DEBATE COVERING THE PROPOSAL.

>> THE DISPENSARIES ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO SELL ONE PRODUCT.

DOES YOUR BILL NOT LIMIT WHAT A DISPENSARY CAN SELL?

CAN THEY SELL A BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF?

>> IT'S A SINGLE SPECIALTY.

>> IT HAS BEEN APPROVED AND HEADS TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> IT'S A GOOD CHANCE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> A RARE MOMENT IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER AS MEMBERS DEBATE HOUSE BILL 90 SEEKING TO TOUGHEN RULES FOR CELLPHONES WHILE DRIVING.

>> I HAVE GOTTEN EMERGENCY CALLS IN THIS CHAMBER.

WILL YOU BE PENALIZED FOR THAT?

>> IF YOU PICK YOUR PHONE UP, YOU CAN BE FINED FOR HOLDING YOUR PHONE.

THAT'S WHAT THE BILL IS, A HAND'S FREE BILL.

FIRST OFFENSE IS $100.

THE SECOND IS TWO AND THE THIRD IS THREE.

>> AFTER A LENGTHY DEBATE AND VOTE, HOUSE BILL 90 FAILS TO PASS.

FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL, I'M RANDY SCOTT.

DON: IT WAS A VERY ACTIVE WEEK IN LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES.

AMONG THE OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: THE SENATE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW STUDENTS TO ENROLL IN SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THEIR DISTRICTS, FOR A FEE EQUAL TO THE PER-STUDENT SHARE OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL TAX, AND, IT WOULD GIVE PRIORITY TO UNDER-PERFORMING STUDENTS IN FAILING SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

THE LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON.

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A MASS EXIT TO A MOBILE SCHOOL, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT IT GIVES SOME PARENTS AN OPTION THEY HAVEN'T HAD IN THE PAST.

THE OPTION THEY CAN GO TO THE ADJOINING SYSTEM.

THEY MAY WANT THEIR CHILD -- IS THERE A POLICY MY CHILD COULD COME HERE.

IT PROVIDES HOPE FOR FAMILIES THAT DON'T HAVE HOPE.

DON: SENATOR MARSH SAYS HE SEES HIS OPEN ENROLLMENT SCHOOL BILL AS AN INCREMENTAL STEP TOWARD EXPANDING SCHOOL CHOICE FOR FAMILIES IN RESPONSE TO ALABAMA RANKING AT THE BOTTOM IN CERTAIN EDUCATION BENCHMARKS.

COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF THE SO-CALLED 'OPEN SCHOOLS ACT' NEXT SENDS IT TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

CONNECT WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON THE CAPITOL JOURNAL FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> NEXT UP, SENATOR MCCLENDON.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK WITH THE LOTTERY BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR WEDNESDAY.

THE ENABLING LEGISLATION PART PASSED.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT YOU CARRIED OVER.

YOU SAID YOU WANT TO ALLOW THOSE WITH CONCERNS MORE TIME TO GET THE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

DO YOU THINK THE LOTTERY BILL BACK ON THE FLOOR NEXT WEEK?

>> SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

I'M NOT GOING TO PICK A DAY, BUT I'M WORKING ON A VOTE NEXT WEEK TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS, GET BOTH PARTS PUT TOGETHER AND SEND THEM OUT TO THE HOUSE SO THE HOUSE CAN GET TO WORK.

MAYBE WE CAN RESPOND TO OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO SAY THEY WANT TO VOTE ON THE LOTTERY.

ALMOST 80% OF THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WOULD LIKE THAT RIGHT.

WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.

>> THAT'S THE OVERRIDING SENTIMENT I HEAR FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES.

EVEN IF THEY DON'T PERSONALLY LIKE A LOTTERY, THEY WANT THEIR CONSTITUENTS TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON THE LOTTERY.

ENABLING LEGISLATION IS THE FINE PRINT OF THE BILL.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PART SENDS IT TO THE VOTERS OF THE STATE.

>> CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS REQUIRED, AND IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS.

WHAT THAT DOES, IT DEALS WITH THE PROHIBITION IN OUR CONSTITUTION AGAINST GAMBLING.

WHAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DOES, IT SAYS, OKAY, WE'LL MAKE AN EXCEPTION TO THE PROHIBITION AND ALLOW LOTTERY IN ALABAMA.

THE ONLY WAY YOU CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION, YOU GIVE IT TO THE PEOPLE TO VOTE ON IT.

>> SENATOR, YOU CARRIED OVER THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO NEXT WEEK TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, ADDRESS CONCERNS.

WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS YOU ARE HEARING AND WHAT MIGHT NEED TWEAKING IN THE BILL?

>> THE SENATE AND HOUSE HAS CERTAIN FACTIONS.

THOSE FACTIONS, THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THE LOTTERY.

THEY'LL VOTE AGAINST ANY KIND OF GAMBLING.

THAT'S AN IDENTIFIABLE GROUP.

I CAN TELL YOU THE NAMES OF WHO THEY ARE.

THERE ARE OTHERS, PORCH CREEK INDIANS RUN CASINOS HERE IN ALABAMA.

THEY DON'T WANT TO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

WE HAVE MACON COUNTY, GREEN COUNTY, MOBILE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, A FORM OF GAMBLING.

THEY DON'T WANT TO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.

WE HAVE SENATORS A PLAIN STRAIGHTFORWARD LOTTERY.

WE HAVE OTHER SENATORS, CASINOS, WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANOTHER CASINO IN NORTH ALABAMA.

WE HAVE A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT FOLKS.

IT'S AN ISSUE TO GET THEM TOGETHER ENOUGH TO GET THE NECESSARY VOTE.

>> SENATOR, YOUR LOTTERY ONLY BILL GAME AFTER A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL FAILED IN THE SENATE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

SINCE CARRYING OVER THE LOTTERY BILL WEDNESDAY, YOU SAID YOU ARE NOT ADVERSE TO ATTACHING THE TWO.

>> HERE'S THE DEAL.

THE FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR, AND AROUND THE STATE, THEY WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON A LOTTERY.

MY PLAN IS, I'M STARTING OUT WITH A SIMPLE LOTTERY BILL.

IF I CAN GET THE VOTES, THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO PASS.

IF I CAN'T GET THE VOTES AND I HAVE TO AMEND IT IN SOME WAY AND MAKE IT COMPREHENSIVE, I'M WILLING TO DO THAT IN ORDER TO GET THE LOTTERY.

>> CAN YOU GET THE VOTES?

>> YES.

>> YOU BELIEVE SO.

>> I THINK SO.

I'M PRETTY SURE.

NOW, I'M NOT SURE I WOULD PUT ANY MONEY ON IT.

I REALLY DO THINK WE HAVE A CHANCE.

NOW, REMEMBER, WE GET IT OUT OF THE SENATE, IT GOES TO THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE TO GET THE HOUSE ONBOARD IF WE GET SOMETHING TO THEM.

STEP A, GET SOMETHING TO THE HOUSE TO DEAL WITH.

>> THOSE THAT SUPPORT A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PLAN POINTED TO A LOT OF THINGS.

A, WE HAVE GAMING TO SOME EXTENT IN THE STATE AND WE NEED TO REGULATE IT.

AS SENATOR GREG ALBRIGHTEN PUT IT, TAX THE DEVIL OUT OF IT.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THOSE SENTIMENTS?

>> IT WOULD BE NICE.

THAT'S ANOTHER SOURCE OF INCOME.

MY MOTIVATE IS NOT RAISING MONEY.

MY MOTIVATE IS ALLOWING PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BUY A TICKET TO GO DOWN THE STREET INSTEAD OF ANOTHER STATE.

YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR MONEY BEHIND AND GET A LOTTERY TICKET.

MY GOAL IS TO ALLOW THEM TO GET A LOTTERY TICKET DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT LEAVING.

WE'LL MAKE MONEY OUT OF IT.

THAT'S TRUE.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN RUN YOUR GOVERNMENT BASED ON GAMBLING INCOME.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET IT.

WE HAVE PEOPLE DOING BINGO AND SLOT MACHINE THINGS, STATE IS NOT MAKING A DIME OFF OF IT.

THAT WOULD BE NICE INCOME BUT I'M NOT COUNTING ON IT TO RUN THE STATE.

>> YOU SAID INITIALLY, PROFITS AND PROCEEDS FROM THE LOTTERY WOULD BE SPLIT BETWEEN THE TWO STATE BUDGET?

>> YES, 50/50.

HALF TO THE STATE EDUCATION FUND AND HALF TO THE GENERAL FUND TO PAY FOR PRISONS AND HEALTHCARE FOR THE POOR AND CHILD SERVICES AND SO ON.

YOU TALKED ABOUT AFFORDING ALABAMA THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THINGS THEY ARE DOING IN OTHER STATES, GEORGIA, FLORIDA, MISSISSIPPI, TENNESSEE.

THAT'S BUYING LOTTERY TICKETS.

YOU WANT TO ALLOW THEM THE ALABAMA LOTTERY AND THE STATE LOTTERY.

>> WE GET EXCITED ABOUT POWERBALL AND WE HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER STATE.

I WANT US TO PARTICIPATE IN POWERBALL.

IF THEY CAN GO TO GEORGIA AND BUY A LOTTERY TICKET OUT OF A KIOSK OR DISPENSING MACHINE, I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN ALABAMA.

>> YOU AND OTHER LEADERS MET WITH GOVERNOR IVEY.

IT'S REPORTED SHE IS LEANING TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE SHE'S LEANING?

>> SHE'S MADE IT VERY CLEAR SHE WOULD LIKE TO GET EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL.

THIS HAS ALL -- ALL THE GAMBLING IN ALABAMA HAS BEEN PUT IN A PIECEMEAL FASHION OVER 30 OR 40 YEARS.

THE GOVERNOR WOULD LIKE TO GET CONTROL OVER IT, STATE CONTROL OVER IT AND MAKE SOME MONEY.

I WELCOME GOVERNOR IVEY GETTING IN THE FRAY AND HELPING US GET SOMETHING DONE.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON WHICH DIRECTION SHE WOULD LIKE TO GO AND HOW TO HELP US GET THERE.

>> DO YOU THINK HER SUPPORT OF WHATEVER COMES OUT IS CRUCIAL TO ITS SUCCESS?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S CRUCIAL, BUT IT SURE IS HELPFUL.

IT WILL BE JUST FINE.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE VOTES.

I'M CLOSE ON THE VOTES.

IF SHE CAN COME IN THERE AND PICK UP A COUPLE OF VOTES HERE AND THERE, THAT'S WHAT I NEED TO GET THIS BILL PASSED.

>> SHE HAS SHOWN A COMMITMENT TO THIS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IN THE STUDY GROUP SHE PUT TOGETHER LAST YEAR GIVING LAWMAKERS FACTS AND FIGURES TO WORK WITH DURING THE DEBATE.

>> THEY DID.

THEY REPORTED WHAT A LOT OF US THOUGHT WE KNEW ALREADY.

WHAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WAS GO FORWARD WITH PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

>> THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS IN THE DETAILS, RIGHT?

>> AMEN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DETAILS TOO.

IT'S COMPLICATED.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GO TO A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DEALING WITH MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS.

SPORTS BETTING -- THAT'S A WHOLE NEW WORLD FOR ALABAMA.

THAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS.

>> WE ARE ABOUT OUT OF TIME, SENATOR.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, CRITICS LOOK AT THE LOTTERY AS A TAX ON THE POOR, THAT IT PREYS ON THOSE THAT CAN LEAST AFFORD TO PLAY THE LOTTERY.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

IT COULD BE.

IF IT IS A TAX, IT'S VOLUNTARY.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY A TICKET, DON'T BUY A TICKET.

THERE WILL BE GOOD THAT COMES FROM IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS PART OF THIS IS HELP FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE GAMBLING ADDICTIONS, THIS PROBLEM ALREADY EXISTS, EXCEPT THEY ARE GAMBLING OUT OF STATE.

THEY ARE GETTING THE MONEY.

IN THIS CASE, THEY'LL GAMBLE IN ALABAMA, WE'LL COLLECT THE MONEY AND PART WILL BE USED TO DEAL WITH ADDICTION.

>> AS THIS MAY GO BACK TO THE FLOOR NEXT WEEK, FINAL ANALYSIS, IT'S CLOSE, BUT YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE VOTES.

>> I DO.

>> YOU ARE POLLING YOUR COLLEAGUES?

>> EVERYDAY.

>> DOES THE MOOD CHANGE DAILY?

>> IT'S A NEW STORY EVERYDAY.

WE ARE WATCHING THEM CLOSE.

I THINK -- WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR YEARS.

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL BILLS.

IF WE DON'T GET IT THIS YEAR, IT WILL BE BACK NEXT, IT WILL BE BACK NEXT.

THE PEOPLE, ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS BUY A LOTTERY TICKET.

>> SENATOR MCCLENDON, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S BEEN MY PLEASURE.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ ♪ >> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SPRINGSFIELD IS BACK WITH US.

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

>> WE WERE TALKING WITH SENATOR MCCLENDON ABOUT LOTTERY.

THE ENABLING LEGISLATION GOT OUT OF THE SENATE.

DEBATE HAS BEEN DELAYED.

IT WAS STRIKING TO OBSERVERS THIS WEEK, SENATOR, THAT DEMOCRATS WERE BY AND LARGE SITTING BY AND WATCHING AS REPUBLICANS WERE THE ONES FILIBUSTERING AND HAVING HEATED DEBATES OVER THIS.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THIS?

>> IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE IT GO UP LIKE THAT.

IT WAS GOOD TO SIT IN THE BACKSEAT AND WATCH THE PROCESS.

SENATOR MCCLENDON BILL -- WE DIDN'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE BILL EITHER.

I FELT THERE WAS A LOT OF MONEY ON THE TABLE AS TO WHERE THE MONEY SHOULD GO.

THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HAD PROBLEMS.

>> DO YOU LEAN TOWARD THE MORE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WITH GREEN TRACK IN YOUR DISTRICT?

>> OF COURSE I DO.

WHERE WE ARE NOW WITH THE LOTTERY, GAMING AND SPORTS BETTING, YOU KNOW, IF WE GO TO DO A COMPREHENSIVE BILL, WE CAN GET RID OF THIS ISSUE ALL AT ONCE.

I THINK THE BODY IS READY FOR THAT.

THE STATE IS READY FOR THAT.

>> YOU THINK THE BODY IS READY.

IT WASN'T READY FOR IT SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

YOU THINK THE MOOD IS CHANGING?

>> I THINK THE MOOD IS CHANGING.

IT DIDN'T MOVE BECAUSE THERE WERE MEMBERS THAT WANTED ENABLING LEGISLATION WITH IT.

THE ENABLING LEGISLATION WAS READY BUT THEY DIDN'T PUT IT UP.

THEY HAVE SINCE PUT IT UP.

THERE ARE MEMBERS THAT FELT THEY WERE DISINGENUOUS.

I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PAUSED ON THE VOTE AT THAT TIME.

SINCE THEN WE HAVE TALKED AND EVERYONE IS GETTING AROUND THE TABLE TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

THERE ARE AMENDMENTS ADDED.

PEOPLE ARE READY TO GO.

>> THE ENABLING LEGISLATION IS ESSENTIALLY THE FINE PRINT OF THE LAW AS IT ULTIMATELY WOULD BE PASSED.

DO YOU SEE THIS EVOLVING FROM A LOTTERY ONLY PIECE TO A MORE COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PIECE?

>> YES, I THINK THE MEMBERS ARE AT THAT POINT TO WHERE, YEAH, THE PEOPLE IN THE STREETS ARE ASKING FOR A LOTTERY.

WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A LOTTERY.

I THINK IF WE ARE LOOKING AT BROADBAND, A BILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD BROADBAND ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA SO EVERY HOME, EVERY CHILD CAN HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HEALTHCARE ISSUES, THE ABILITY TO EXPAND MEDICAID OR KEEP RURAL HEALTHCARE OPEN, A LOTTERY ALONE WON'T DO THAT, SO IF WE CAN BRING IN NEW DOLLAR, WE NEED TO DO ALL THREE IN A COMPREHENSIVE BILL.

>> SENATOR, LET'S TALK ABOUT CAUCUS CONCERNS AS WE MOVE TO THE FINAL STRETCH OF LEGISLATION.

THERE ARE THINGS COMING TO THE SENATE FOR DEBATE I KNOW CONCERN YOU AND YOUR FELLOW DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH STIFFENING PENALTIES FOR RIOTING.

>> WE'LL HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LEADERSHIP TO TALK ABOUT HOW THAT'S GOING TO LOOK WHEN THIS BILL COMES UP.

WE HAVE AMENDMENTS WE WANT TO OFFER TO THE BILL.

WE WANT TO HAVE DEBATE ABOUT IT.

SOME MEMBERS ON THE RIGHT WANT TO GET THIS BILL PASSED.

WHAT I SAID TO LEADER REED AND THE GOVERNOR, I DON'T WANT ALABAMA TO BE A REACTIONARY STATE LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE NATION AND TRYING TO DO SOMETHING TO SOMEONE ELSE.

IF YOU LOOK AT ALABAMA, WE DIDN'T HAVE A RIOT.

IN BIRMINGHAM, NO BURNING, NO RIOT.

PEOPLE WERE EXPRESSING THEIR FREEDOM TO PROTEST.

THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT JUST AS THE PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON ON THE 6TH.

THEY HAD THE RIGHT TO BE THERE.

WHEN THEY CROSSED WALL, THAT'S WHEN THINGS WENT WRONG.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT HERE.

>> THERE WAS DESTRUCTION IN BIRMINGHAM.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU DIDN'T HAVE PEOPLE TEARING UP BUILDINGS OR BURNING DOWN BUILDINGS OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.

>> WE HAD PEOPLE WITH SLEDGE HAMMERS BREAKING WINDOWS.

>> I DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF THAT.

IF IT DID HAPPEN, I'M NOT HERE TO SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE BY ANY MEANS.

I DON'T THINK THIS BILL IS NECESSARY IN ALABAMA JUST BECAUSE IT'S POPULAR IN GEORGIA OR SOMEWHERE ELSE.

ALL OF THE BILLS THAT COME UP TO MAKE CHANGES, WE IN ALABAMA DON'T NEED TO GET THE BLACK EYE ACROSS THE NATION.

WE SEE CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP LEAVE GEORGIA AND OTHER STATES.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WITH INNOVATION WE HAVE HERE IN ALABAMA, THE GROWTH WE ARE HAVING AND THE TECHNOLOGY FIELDS AND THE TECHNOLOGY JOBS COMING, APPLE, GOOGLE AND ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE SAYING NO TO THESE BILLS.

IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN OUR STATE, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OUR MESSAGE WE SEND TO THE WORLD.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP VOTING BILLS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF VOTING BILLS OVER THE ELECTION CONTROVERSY LAST YEAR.

MANY IN YOUR CAUCUS FEEL THIS IS VOTER SUPPRESSION.

DO YOU FEEL THAT WAY?

>> I DO.

SOME OF THE BILLS, AT THIS TIME, STAGE OF OUR LIVES, DON, WE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO MAKE VOTING ACCESSIBLE AS WE CAN MAKE IT INSTEAD OF SUPPRESSING PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO VOTE OR MAKING IT HARD FOR THEM.

THERE IS A BILL FOR CURB SIDE VOTING, WANT TO TAKE AWAY CURB SIDE VOTING.

HERE IN ALABAMA WE DON'T HAVE A CURB SIDE VOTING RULE.

THAT IS A NATIONAL ISSUE FOR GROUPS THE FAR RIGHT HAVE AS THEIR AGENDA.

ALL I'M SAYING TO THEM, IF WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR VOTING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA LET'S LOOK AT IT IN A BI-PARTISAN MANNER AND FIX IT TOGETHER.

NOT TO SUPPRESS THE RIGHT OF VOTING.

LET'S GIVE PEOPLE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

>> THERE ARE THOSE THAT FEEL IN YOUR CAUCUS THAT THE DEFINITION OF RIOT UNDER THIS DEFINITION IS WAY TOO BROAD AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES CAN BE STIFLING FREE SPEECH.

>> EXACTLY.

THIS IS A BAD PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THE BROADER -- YOU WILL SEE US COMING IN WITH AN AMENDMENT TO TRY TO NARROW THE SCOPE.

IF THE BILL WILL PASS, WE WANT IT TO BE PALATABLE SO PEOPLE CAN LIVE WITH IT.

WE DON'T WANT THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESS TO SEE US RIOT.

IF I'M ARGUING UNDER THE RIOT ACT, WE HAVE TO SPEND TIME IN JAIL.

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT.

WE'LL TRY TO MAKE IT A BETTER BILL IF IT HAS TO PASS.

END OF THE DAY, WE'LL TRY NOT TO LET IT GET PASSED IF WE CAN.

>> OUR TIME IS SHORT.

I WANT TO WRAP UP A DEAL IN THE SENATE, DEALING WITH TRAINING FOR INMATES AFTER GETTING OUT OF PRISON TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.

>> WE DO A LOT WITH JUNIOR COLLEGES THAT OFFER A LOT OF CERTIFICATION FOR PRISONS AND MASONRY, ELECTRICIAN AND THOSE THINGS.

WE ARE SAYING IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMS WHILE YOU ARE THERE AND WHILE YOU ARE PAROLED OUT, LOOKING AT WHERE YOU ARE, WE WANT TO BRING YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL TO SET UP YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

A LOT OF OUR INMATES TRY TO GET A JOB BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP, THEY ARE REFUSED BECAUSE OF A FELONY.

WE ARE TRYING TO TEACH THEM SOFT SKILLS, HARD SKILLS, APPLY FOR A LICENSE, MAKE SURE THEY KNOW HOW TO BID ON JOBS, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS TO PROVIDE A LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND BE -- NOT JUST FOR THE STATE TO GIVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE, BUT FOR THEM TO GIVE THEMSELVES A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE.

>> AS A RESULT OF THAT, CUT DOWN ON PRISON RECIDIVISM.

>> IT WILL.

WE FEEL IT WILL BE BIG ON THAT.

I'M PROUD OF THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

I WANT TO THANK SENATOR MARSH.

HE AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT.

HOW DO WE LOOK AT THE NEXT LEVEL OF INMATES WALKING OUT THE DOOR TO KEEP THE REVOLVING DOOR FROM REVOLVING.

WE PULLED IT TOGETHER.

WE SPONSORED THIS TOGETHER.

WE ARE ON TARGET TO HELP INMATES GET THEIR LIVES TOGETHER ONCE THEY DID THEIR TIME.

>> BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO, GLAD TO HAVE YOU.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH ONLINE, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

D DAILY @APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, CONGRESSMAN BARRY MOORE IN STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> GREAT TO BE HOME.

>> INDEED, CONGRESSMAN, I WANT TO START WITH MORE TRAGEDY AT THE CAPITOL WHERE ANOTHER CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER LOST HIS LIFE, ANOTHER WOUNDED.

THIS CAME AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE STARTING TO EASE SECURITY RESTRICTIONS AROUND THE CAPITOL.

IT'S RENEWED TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH SECURITY DOES THERE NEED TO BE AROUND THE CAPITOL?

YOU WERE ONE OF THOSE THAT THOUGHT THE FENCING PUT UP AROUND THE CAPITOL AFTER JANUARY 6TH STAYED UP TOO LONG.

THIS IS RENEWED TALK.

HOW SECURE DO YOU FEEL AT THE CAPITOL?

>> I FEEL SECURE.

EVEN ON JANUARY 6TH, I NEVER FELT THREATENED.

THE FENCES WENT UP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

IT'S THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

THE TIMING OF THIS IS TERRIBLY BAD.

THE BARRICADES WORKED.

END OF THE DAY, IT'S THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

WE HAVE SECURITY.

I THINK IT'S TIME TO OPEN THE CAPITOL, ALLOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE COME IN AND OBSERVE WHAT WE DO AND HAVE INPUT IN THE PROCESS.

>> EVEN IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT VIOLENCE?

>> WITH FREEDOM THERE IS RISK, BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE THE RISK.

WE HAVE SECURITY AT ALL OF THE DOORS AND ENTRYWAYS.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM I SEE GOING FORWARD.

WE NEED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN D.C., AT THE CAPITOL INTERACTING WITH THEIR CONGRESSMEN.

>> THERE ARE OPTICS OF THE SECURITY UP.

YOU MENTIONED THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

HAVING THE FENCING UP SENDS A MESSAGE AROUND THE WORLD IN MANY RESPECTS.

>> IT DOES.

TO ME, IT DOESN'T SAY A LOT ABOUT FREEDOM.

THE DEMOCRATS PUSH FOR FREEDOM AROUND THE CAPITOL BUT WE HAVE OPEN BORDERS AT THE SOUTHERN U.S.

IT'S THE HYPOCRISY ON THE HILL.

YOU SEE IT TALL.

WE HAVE TO HAVE SECURE MEASURES BUT TO SAY A WALL DOESN'T WORK AND PUT ONE UP AT THE CAPITOL, IT'S HYPOCRISY YOU SEE ALL THE TIME IN D.C. >> YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES SAY SIMILAR THINGS.

DEMOCRATS PUSHBACK ON THAT NOTION.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS OR THE WALL?

>> THE WALL.

>> I WENT TO THE WALL.

I VISITED A FEW WEEKS AGO.

IN 2017 WE HAD 700 ARRESTS.

NOW THE MEXICAN DRUG CONTROL CONTROLS THEE SOUTHERN BORDER.

YOU PAYPASS AGE BY SMUGGLING DRUGS, HEROIN OR FENTANYL OR COME ACROSS AS AN INDENTURED SERVANT.

AN OPEN BORDER CREATES DRUG SMUGGLERS, BREAKING THE LAW TO COME HERE AND SMUGGLING DRUGS, OR YOU BECOME AN INDENTURED SERVANT.

WE ARE ARRESTING TERRORISTS.

20 GRAND TO COME FROM AFGHANISTAN.

WE HAVE A SERIOUS ISSUE AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

>> THE SMUGGLERS WE SAW THEM DROPPING CHILDREN OVER THE BORDER WALL FALLING 18 FEET OR SO.

THAT ALONE IN MANY PEOPLE'S MINDS, INCLUDING YOURS, POINTS TO THE DESPERATION OF THE SCENARIO WE SEE ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

WHERE CHILDREN ARE CONCERNED, WE ARE AT A CRISIS WITH THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.

I ASSUME THAT WAS AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE FOR YOU.

>> IT WAS.

WE SAW CHILDREN IN A BREAK IN THE WALL.

THEY ARE UNACCOMPANIED, WE DON'T KNOW WHY THEY ARE COMING HERE BUT TO SEE THE CARTEL DROP A THREE-YEAR-OLD AND FIVE YEAR OLD AN WATCH THEM HIT THE GROUND, AND THEY ARE CHILDREN ABANDONED, TOSSED OVER A WALL, MY HEART WENT OUT TO THEM.

WE ARE AT 700% CAPACITY AT SOME OF THESE FACILITIES.

WE HAVE NO WAY TO SHOWER THEM OR FEED THEM.

THEY BECOME DEPENDENTS ON AMERICA.

IT WILL BE DETRIMENTAL FOR US FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> IT'S VIEWED AS A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

IT'S LARGELY PARENTS ARE SENDING THEM ACROSS THE BORDER BECAUSE OF BAD CIRCUMSTANCES IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES, MEXICO OR CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES.

IS THAT HOW YOU SEE THAT?

>> NOTE AT ALL.

THE LEFT PORTRAYS AMERICA AS AN AWFUL PLACE, IT'S HORRIBLE BUT PEOPLE ARE DROPPING CHILDREN OVER THE WALLS TO GET THEM HERE.

WE NEED TO EXPORT FREE MARKET AND CAPITALISM.

INSTEAD OF TRYING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME IN HERE IN MASS NUMBERS AND TAKE TAKE CARE OF THEM LONG-TERM, WE NEED TO EXPORT PRINCIPLES THAT MADE THIS NATION GREAT INSTEAD OF WONDERING WHY PEOPLE ARE BREAKING IN.

>> IS THERE ANY SOLUTION?

>> BUILDING A WALL.

THE WALL SLOWED THE FLOW.

WE WERE DOWN TO 8,000 BY 2017.

DON'T ADVERTISE CATCH AND RELEASE.

IF YOU COME HERE AND GIVE US AN ADDRESS WE'LL GIVE YOU A BUS TICKET AND PUT YOU UP IN THE HOTEL.

IT'S TO MUCH FOR US MANPOWER WISE TO MANAGE.

>> ADDRESSING THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS ASPECT, I GO BACK TO HELPING THE COUNTRIES FROM WHICH THE PEOPLE ARE FLEEING BECOME BETTER COUNTRIES, MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT.

>> THE CONSTITUTION ALLOWS US THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURR SUITED OF HAPPINESS.

WE NEED TO HELP OTHER NATIONS ENJOY THE FREEDOMS WE ENJOY AND THEN PEOPLE WON'T COME HERE TO ENJOY THAT.

>> I WANT TO TURN TO THE BIG INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT'S AMBITIOUS.

IT PROPOSES A MASS BUILDING OUT OF THE NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD BE FUNDED UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN BY TAX INCREASES ON CORPORATIONS AND THE WEALTHY.

LET'S START THERE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT ASPECT OF IT?

>> I HAVE BEEN AN ANTITAX PERSON.

THE CORPORATIONS ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THE LOSSES.

IF YOU RAISE THEIR TAXES THE GOODS PRICES WILL INCREASE.

END OF THE DAY, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TAXING THE RICH.

THEY WON'T TAKE THE LOSS.

IT WILL BE THE WORKING FAMILIES THAT TAKE THE TAX.

THE DEMOCRATS SELL IT LIKE THAT BUT IT DOESN'T WORK OUT LIKE THAT.

THEY PASS IT ALONG.

>> DO YOU AGREE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN NEED OF DESPERATE ATTENTION THAT THIS PLAN COULD BE TWEAKED OR DO YOU THINK IT COULD BE TWEAKED TO THE SATISFACTORY.

>> WE NEED TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENTS TO STREAMLINE IT, GET IT OUT OF THE BUREAUCRACY.

IT ALWAYS COSTS US MONEY.

FUNDING STATE LEVEL 40% GOES TO THE MANAGEMENT AND NEVER TO THE PROJECT ITSELF.

THERE ARE PROJECTS WE COULD EMBRACE AS REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES, BUT NOT THIS PLAN.

IT'S GREEN NEW DEALS, MOVING THINGS AWAY FROM NORMAL TRANSPORTATION AND PRESSURING THE LEFT AGENDA FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> IT'S BEEN SAID REPUBLICAN SUPPORT WILL BE ESSENTIAL FOR IT TO GET OFF THE GROUND.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS HOPEFUL FOR BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE?

>> I REALLY DON'T.

THIS, ANOTHER $2.3 TRILLION IS A TREMENDOUS UNDERTAKING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY.

WE SPENT MORE ON COVID IN THE LAST MONTH THAN WORLD WAR II.

AS WE PRINT THE MONEY, THE TAXPAYER DOWN THE ROAD, THE NEXT FEW GENERATIONS HAVE TO COVER THE BILL.

WE NEED TO THINK FURTHER AHEAD THAN THE NEXT NEW DEAL.

>> WE HAVE 60 SECONDS LEFT.

THE LAST COVID PLAN, I HAVE HEARD REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES FELT IT NEEDED TO BE MORE TARGETED IN SPENDING.

I HEAR YOU SAYING YOU AGREE WITH THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE TARGETED WAS 600,000,000 FOR SAN FRANCISCO.

IT WAS TARGETED, BUT 9% WENT TO COVID.

THE REST WENT TO PET PROJECTS OF THE DEMOCRATS.

>> AS WE WRAP UP, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHERE WE ARE MOVING AS FAR AS COVID IS CONCERNED?

SHOTS IN ARMS?

>> I THINK IT'S TIME TO OPEN UP.

I THINK VACCINES ARE A GOOD THING.

IT'S TIME TO OPEN UP.

WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS DOWN THE ROAD.

I HOPE AS A NATION, WE HAVE LEARNED WE CAN'T HAVE ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA.

IT NEEDS TO BE HERE.

>> APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

>> AND CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF CAPITOL JOURNAL ONLINE ANYTIME, 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 FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE EXPIREDDED.

GOVERNOR IVEY WENT THROUGH WITH NOT RENEWING IT THIS WEEK.

SHE AND YOU AND OTHERS ARE URGING FOLKS TO EXERCISE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FROM HERE ON OUT.

IT'S NOT TO SAY WE SHOULDN'T STILL WEAR MASKS.

>> AND IN FACT WE SHOULD STILL WEAR MASKS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF BALANCING THE DECISION.

I APPRECIATE HER DEDICATION TO DOING WHAT SHE'S DONE.

NOTHING MAGIC IS HAPPENING AT 5:00 TODAY WHEN THE MANDATE EXPIRES.

WE HAVE A BETTER SITUATION THAN THREE MONTHS AGO.

WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF CASES EVERYDAY IN ALABAMA.

WE HAVE DEATHS REPORTED EVERYDAY OR VIRTUALLY EVERYDAY IN ALABAMA.

FOR THOSE VULNERABLE LIKE SENIORS OR THOSE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TREAT TOMORROW LIKE YOU DID TODAY.

STAY HOME IF YOU CAN, IF YOU CAN'T, STAY AWAY FROM GROUPS AND WEAR MASKS.

>> ESPECIALLY IF LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED.

I KEEP MY MASK IN MY POCKET BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOU WILL ENCOUNTER A LARGER GROUP OF PEOPLE AROUND.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO LEARN TO CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR.

PEOPLE KEEP A MASK IN THEIR POCKET OR EXTRA ONE IN THE CAR.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL NEED IT.

SOMETIMES MY WIFE AND I WALK FOR EXERCISE.

EVEN THOUGH A MASK ISN'T REQUIRED, WE CARRY ONE ANYWAY.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL STOP TO TALK TO SOMEONE OR GO TO AN INDOOR ENVIRONMENT.

WE ARE CLOSER TO THE END OF THE PANDEMIC THAN WE EVER HAVE BEEN.

WE'LL BE THERE SOON, BUT WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

>> ANNOUNCING THAT SHE WOULD END THE MASK MANDATE TODAY THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED A SLIMMED DOWN HEALTH ORDER CALLED SAFER APART.

>> WE BELIEVE ALABAMIANS CAN MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT THE STATE TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO.

IT'S CLEAR THERE ARE SMART DECISIONS AND OTHERS.

WE HOPE PEOPLE MAKE THE SMART ONES.

THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS TO SPEAK OF ON BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, SCHOOLS OR ANYTHING ELSE.

THERE IS GUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

OUR BEST GUIDANCE HASN'T CHANGED.

WE BELIEVE PEOPLE SHOULD STAY SIX FEET APART WHEN POSSIBLE, PEOPLE SHOULD WEAR MASKS, PEOPLE SHOULD WASH THEIR HANDS, PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID GROUPS.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED, BUT WE HOPE PEOPLE WILL MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE WERE TWO THINGS OF NOTE THAT STOOD OUT TO ME.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE YOU NEED TO QUARANTINE.

TWO, THERE ARE STILL RESTRICTIONS ON HOSPITAL VISITATIONS, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE QUARANTINE ORDER IS NOT NEW.

IT'S BEEN IN THE HEALTH ORDER THE WHOLE TIME.

IT HAS TO DO WITH THE VOLUME OF PEOPLE WE SEE.

TYPICALLY IN THE PAST, SOMEONE WITH A DISEASE THAT REQUIRED QUARANTINE, ATTORNEYS DRAFTED A LETTER AND TOOK IT TO THE PERSON AND DELIVERED IT AND SO ON.

WE HAVE HAD 550,000 PEOPLE, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE ONE AT A TIME PROCESS TO CONTINUE.

THE QUARANTINE ORDER IS IN THE HEALTH ORDER AS A STANDING ORDER.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE BEFORE BUT IT'S WRITTEN OUT THERE EXPLICITLY.

IN TERMS OF VISITING HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, VISITORS ARE ALLOWED WITH SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS, HOWEVER, REMEMBER HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES ARE UNDER FEDERAL GUIDELINES ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO.

I IMAGINE ALL OF THEM REQUIRE MASKS FOR ALL VISITORS, FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY HAVE VISITATION SUSPENDED AT CERTAIN TIMES.

THEY'LL CONTINUE BUSINESS AS USUAL BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE OUR MOST VULNERABLE ALABAMIANS ARE LOCATED.

>> WHERE MASKS ARE CONCERNED, BUSINESSES CAN DECIDE WHAT THE RULES ARE INSIDE THEIR OWN PREMISES.

MANY BUSINESSES HAVE MASK RULES THAT CONTINUE.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF CITIES THAT MAINTAIN MASK RULES, FOR INSTANCE MONTGOMERY AND BIRMINGHAM.

>> WE THINK THE PEOPLE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IS THE WAY TO PROCEED FROM HERE.

BUSINESSES HAVE ALWAYS MADE RULES ABOUT WEARING MASKS AND ANYTHING ELSE, NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO SERVICE.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES ON THE FRONT LINES DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC ALL DAY LONG DEPENDING ON WHAT YOUR BUSINESS IS.

THEY ARE AT RISK BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE AND CAN'T SOCIALLY DISTANCE.

IN PUBLIC HEALTH, WE'LL ASK OUR STAFF TO WEAR MASKS DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC AS WELL, NOT WHEN THEY COME TO SEE US BUT STAFF DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC.

>> WHERE GETTING SHOTS IN ARMS IS CONCERNED, WE OPENED ELIGIBILITY TO ADULTS, EVERYONE 16 AND OLDER.

I ASSUME THAT MADE CLINICS AND THE LIKE BUSY PLACES THIS WEEK.

>> THEY WERE BUSY.

THEY WERE NOT AS BUSY AS YOU WOULD THINK.

WE HAVE SOMEWHERE NOW ON THE ORDER OF 3.9 MILLION ALABAMIANS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE.

WE HAVE GIVEN SHOTS TO 1.2 OR 1.3 MILLION ALABAMIANS.

WE HAVE GIVEN A COUPLE OF MILLION SHOTS, 1.3 MILLION INDIVIDUALS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO REACH.

SOME CLINIC SITES ARE GOING AT A BRISK CLIP.

WE HAVE OPEN APPOINTMENTS IN SOME PLACES.

WE ARE SEEING VACCINES ACCUMULATE AS THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE INCREASED.

WE ARE RUNNING UP AGAINST HESITANCY RESISTANCE OUT THERE.

>> THE NATIONAL GUARD CLINICS ARE WRAPPING UP FIRST ROUND CLINICS AND GETTING READY FOR SECOND ROUND CLINICS.

>> THEY WENT TO 24 COUNTIES IN PARTS OF THE BLACK BELT OF THE STATE.

THESE ARE OUR MOST SOCIALLY VULNERABLE COUNTIES WITH ACCESS TO CARE AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS.

WE HAVE GIVEN 10,000 SHOTS OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS.

STARTING NEXT WEEK THEY'LL GO BACK FOR THE SECOND SHOTS.

THEY ARE ON A SCHEDULE OF EVERY THREE WEEKS.

WE ARE GOING TO EQUIP THE NATIONAL GUARD TEAMS WITH THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON VACCINE, A ONE SHOT VACCINE.

IF THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO GET A SHOT THE FIRST TIME THEY GET THE COMPLETE REGIMEN WITH THE SHOT FOR A SECOND TIME.

>> WHERE JOHNSON&JOHNSON IS CONCERNED, THERE WERE NEWS REPORTS OF REACTIONS IN A FEW STATES, NORTH CAROLINA WAS ONE OF THEM.

IS THERE ANYTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT WITH THE JOHNSON&JOHNSON PRODUCT?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

WE ARE MONITORING THAT.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF CLINICS SHUT DOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA AND ALSO GEORGIA, I BELIEVE.

THERE WERE SIDE EFFECTS REPORTED.

THEY WERE NOT CLASSIC ALLERGIC REACTIONS.

THEY WERE NAUSEA AND THOSE SORT OF THINGS.

THEY ARE JUST PAUSING TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

OVER ALL, WE HAVE LESS ALLERGIC REACTIONS THAN WITH THE PFIZER AND MODERNA PRODUCTS.

>> ARE STAFF STILL COUNTING?

>> WE HAVE THE LOWEST WEEKLY COUNT SINCE MARCH OF 2020.

THE NUMBERS ARE WHERE WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE.

WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE OUR TESTING IS NOT HIGH AS IT WAS.

WE WONDER IF WE ARE MISSING CASES SOMEWHERE.

HOSPITALIZATION NUMBERS ARE ALSO DOWN.

DEATHS THOUGH THEY CONTINUE, ARE DOWN.

WE FEEL THE NUMBER OF TRUE CASES ARE DOWN.

WE HOPE TO GET ENOUGH PEOPLE IMMUNE BY VACCINATION BEFORE WE WORRY ABOUT VARIANTS OR INCREASED SPREAD FOR ANOTHER REASON.

>> WE ARE IN A POSTURE SO TO SPEAK AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY BETWEEN A RACE OF SHOTS IN ARMS AND KEEPING A POSSIBLE SPIKE AT BAY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS NOT TIME FOR A VICTORY LAP.

THE MASK MANDATE IS GOING AWAY, THAT'S NOT MEANT TO SIGNAL TO PEOPLE, BUSINESS AS USUAL.

IT'S NOT TIME TO BE BACK TO NORMAL YET.

WE HAVE WEEKS OR MONTHS TO REACH THE HERD IMMUNITY TO STOP THE DISEASE FROM CIRCULATING.

>> AS PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID, IF WE BE CAREFUL WE MIGHT HAVE A NORMAL FOURTH OF JULY.

>> THAT'S A REASONABLE GOAL.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A NICE FOURTH OF JULY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND NOT HAVE THIS TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, WE HAVE EXCESS VACCINE ON THE SHELF.

FOLKS, APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE.

>> GO TO VACCINE FUNDER.ORG TO LOOK FOR VACCINES AS WELL AS THE ADPH WEBSITE, ALABAMA PUBLIC HEALTH.GOV, YOU CAN FIND VACCINE IN MOST PART OF THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

IT CAN TAKE EFFORT TO FIND THE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT THERE'S PLENTY OF VACCINE OUT THERE.

>> SCOTT HARRIS, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL ONLINE, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER, D DAILY APT.ORG OR BY MAIL.

DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE A PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE.

AND WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS OF PRATTVILLE, WHO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT WITH US ABOUT HIS CONCERNS OVER A LOTTERY BILL THAT COULD COME BACK UP FOR A VOTE IN THE UPPER CHAMBER NEXT WEEK.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY ALABAMA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD ADMINISTRATOR MAC GIPSON, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW ALCOHOL TO BE DELIVERED TO STATE HOMES, A BILL THAT HAS RECEIVED FINAL LEGISLATIVE PASSAGE AND WAS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HER SIGNATURE.

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

I'M DON DAILEY, GOOD NIGHT.

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