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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

A LONG DAY IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE RECONVENED FOR THE 20TH LEGISLATIVE DAY.

THAT PUTS US 2/3 OF THE WAY THROUGH THIS 30-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AUTO LEADING THE NEWS TODAY WAS THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET AND RELATED BILLS MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE EDUCATION WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

THIS IS THE SPENDING PLAN THAT FUNDS THE RANGE OF EDUCATION SERVICES IN ALABAMA FROM PRE-K TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DANNY GARRETT SAID HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO PUT TOGETHER A BUDGET THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF ALABAMA SCHOOLS.

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>> I MENTIONED TO YOU LAST WEEK, THERE MAY BE A FEW CHANGES BOTH IN THIS BILL AND IN THE EDUCATION, BUDGET BILL, AND THERE WERE A COUPLE OF CHANGES MADE IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL.

I MENTIONED THOSE.

AND THE FIRST IS THAT YOU RECALL WHERE WE HAD MENTIONED $7.7 MILLION IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL BE APPLIED TOWARD THE HIRING OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS.

THIS IS TECHNICAL BUT BASICALLY WE CHANGE THAT $7.7 MILLION TO GO TO OTHER CURRENT EXPENSES THAT SAYS THIS COULD INCLUDE OTHER SUPPORTING ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND IN THE ACTUAL BUDGET, WE PUT THE TOTAL AMOUNT IN THE BUDGET.

WE'RE IN THE SAME POINT, REDUCING THE CURRENT EXPENSES IN THE BUDGET AND REPLACE WITH IT THE PRINCIPAL APPROPRIATION AND PUT IT IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL AND THAT JUST MAKES IT WORK BETTER BEHIND THE WALL.

I'M AN OLD ACCOUNTANT AND NOT SURE IT MAKES SENSE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

THAT'S THE ONLY CHANGE.

THE OTHER IS THAT WE DID INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST APPROPRIATION AND WE DID PUT IN THERE, $150,000, TAKING THE $270,000, WHICH IS A LEVEL THAT WE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED THAT AND ONLY TWO CHANGES IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL.

>> LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT THE BUDGET FUNDS.

IT TOTALS $9.3 BILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.

THAT WOULD BE A RECORD.

OF THAT, $5.3 BILLION IS DEDICATED TOWARD LOCAL K-12 SCHOOLS AS PART WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.

$1.6 BILLION GOES TOWARD THE STATE'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

$586 MILLION GOES TOWARD THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM, $681 MILLION GOES TOWARD THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR ITS VARIOUS PROGRAMS, AND $200 MILLION GOES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, WHICH RUNS THE STATE'S FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO PASSED AN UPDATED SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL.

THIS IS FROM UNEXPECTED REVENUE THAT WILL GO TOWARD THIS FISCAL YEAR.

THAT BILL TOTALS $651 MILLION.

$109 MILLION GOES TO LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS FOR THINGS LIKE THE STUDENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, NEW BUS PURCHASES, TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES, AND FUNDING FOR SCHOOL NURSES.

$63 MILLION GOES TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR PROGRAMS LIKE SUMMER READING CAMPS AND OTHER LITERACY EFFORTS, COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS GRANTS, AMERICAN VILLAGE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND CHARTER SCHOOL CAPITAL FACILITY GRANTS.

$30 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S K-12 CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM AND $50 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD THE NEW CHOOSE ACT TAX CREDITS FOR EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

AND FINALLY THE BILL FUNDING THE EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FUND.

THIS IS MONEY DEDICATED TOWARD SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN INCLUDE TECH UPGRADES OR EVEN SECURITY UPGRADES.

THE BILL WAS INCREASED TO TOTAL $1 BILLION.

OF THAT, $726 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD K-12 SCHOOLS AND $273 MILLION WILL GO TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

ALL OF THOSE BILLS WILL NOW GO TO THE FULL HOUSE.

WE HAD ANTICIPATED THAT THE EDUCATION BUDGET PACKAGE WOULD BE ON THE FLOOR THURSDAY.

HOWEVER, THE SCHEDULE HAS BEEN CHANGED UP A BIT AND THEY MIGHT NOT BE READY FOR THE FLOOR UNTIL NEXT WEEK.

WE'LL BE HERE TO COVER IT EITHER WAY.

IN THE SENATE TODAY, LAWMAKERS WORKED THROUGH THE LENGTHIEST AGENDA OF BILLS ANYONE CAN REMEMBER.

IN FACT, SENATOR JABO WAGGONER, THE DEAN OF THE LEGISLATURE, SAID IT WAS THE LONGEST CALENDAR HE'D EVER SEEN.

LEADING THE LIST WAS PART OF A PACKAGE OF BILLS AIMED TO IMPROVE ALABAMA'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

SENATE BILL 252, THE ALABAMA GROWTH ALLIANCE ACT, SENATE BILL 247, THE WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION ACT, AND SENATE BILL 253, THE WORKFORCE PATHWAYS ACT, ALL PASSED.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID IT WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD GETTING MORE ALABAMIANS OFF THE SIDELINES AND PREPARED FOR THE WORKFORCE.

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>> WELL, THINK THE WORK FORCE TOPIC IS VERY IMPORTANT, OBVIOUSLY TO THE LEADERSHIP.

THE SENATE IS ENGAGED IN THIS AND EXCITED ABOUT MOVING IT FORWARD.

IT'S A PACKAGE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS WORKED ON, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS WORKED ON IT.

A LOT OF EFFORT ALREADY TO GET US TO THIS POINT.

NOW, MOVING FORWARD COMING TO THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY, WE HAD A LOT OF COLLABORATION, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, NORTH ALABAMA, SOUTH ALABAMA, THOSE INTERESTED IN INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THOSE INTERESTED IN EDUCATIONAL ELEMENT, JOB TRAINING AND ALL OF THAT.

ALL OF THESE GROUPS GAME TOGETHER TO COALESCE AROUND THE WORK FORCE LEGISLATION.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE TO WORK AND SEE THINGS MOVING FORWARD.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE LEG RACIAL GOING TO THE HOUSE AND THEM GETTING BUSY.

LET'S SEE HOW WE CAN IMPLEMENT AND INCREASE ALABAMA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

PROHIBITED SMOKING AND SENATORS PASSED THE BILL AND FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVES VIVIAN FIGURES ENSURE THAT VAPING IS INCLUDED AS PROHIBITED SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES.

SENATORS PASSED THE BILL AND THEN MOVED TO NAME IT FOR STATE SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES, WHO HAS LONG CALLED FOR RESTRICTIONS ON SMOKING AND VAPING IN PUBLIC.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU, THANK YOU SENATOR WAGNER FOR BRINGING THE AMENDMENT.

SENATOR WAGNER AND SMITHERMAN WERE THE ONLY TWO SENATORS HERE AT THE TIME WITNESSING US WORKING ON THAT BILL.

WELL, Y'ALL HAVE HEARD THE STORIES OVER TIME.

THAT I TOLD IN GETTING THE BILL PASSED.

IT TOOK ME SIX YEARS TO GET THE CLEAN INDOOR ACT ON THE CALENDAR AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT TO ME THAT ALL ALABAMIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR.

AND IT DOESN'T HURT ANYONE, FOR ANYONE NOT TO SMOKE; BUT IT HURTS EVERY ONE WITHIN BREATHING DISTANCE FOR SOMEBODY TO SMOKE WITH SECONDHAND AND THIRD HAND SMOKE.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, TO ALL OF YOU, FOR GIVING ME THIS HONOR.

IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.

I LOVE ALL OF YOU.

AND THANK YOU.

>> ANOTHER BILL DROPS ON THE ISSUE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

SENATOR TIM MELSON, THE AUTHOR OF ALABAMA'S CURRENT CANNABIS LAW, HAS FILED LEGISLATION HE SAYS WILL ADDRESS SOME OF THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCE BY THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION.

SENATE BILL 306 WOULD BRING TWO NEW AGENCIES INTO THE MIX OF REGULATING MEDICAL MARIJUANA, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES AND THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

IT WOULD THEN SET UP A THREE- STEP PROCESS FOR APPROVING INTEGRATED CANNABIS LICENSES.

>> I'M NOT SAYING THAT ANYBODY DID ANYTHING QUESTIONABLE AS FAR AS ETHICS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT OBVIOUSLY, THE LAW WAS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD, THE PROCESS, I DON'T BELIEVE WAS EXECUTED PROPERLY AND IT'S JUST TIME TO GO THROUGH THE REAPPLICATION.

THE PREVIOUS PEOPLE THAT APPLIED OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT LOST IT, WHY WERE THEY QUALIFIED ONE TIME AND NOT THE SECOND TIME OR THIRD.

YOU KNOW, SO WHAT I'M DOING IS TAKING THE HUMAN FACTOR OF THE COMMISSION OUT.

IF YOU GET AN APPLICATION READY AND YOU HAD ONE WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TIMELINE OR GUIDELINES, REAPPLY, GOING THROUGH THE STATE SECURITIES BOARD AND THEY WILL REVIEW AND MAKE SURE IT'S ACCURATE.

NO BIAS.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD CLEAN WAY TO GET THIS PROGRAM GOING.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S UNFORTUNATELY, I HATE TO SAY IT, IT'S JUST A MESS.

BUT IT'S JUST A MESS.

I MEAN, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED A LONG TIME AGO, UP AND RUNNING.

AND I'M JUST TRYING TO GET IT BACK ON TRACK.

>> THAT BILL WILL BE IN THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

ONE NOTE FOR THOSE FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING.

THE SENATE TODAY DID NOT ACT ON THE HOUSE'S REQUEST TO GO TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO WORK OUT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE BILLS.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID CONVERSATIONS WERE ONGOING BEHIND THE SCENES ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED.

ON THE THE HOUSE SIDE, WHICH ALSO HAD A BUSY DAY.

WE'LL START WITH HOUSE BILL 327 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ALAN BAKER.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW CERTAIN LOCATIONS IN ALABAMA WITH THE RIGHT GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS TO DEVELOP CARBON DIOXIDE STORAGE FACILITIES UNDERGROUND, BUT ONLY AFTER APPROVAL FROM THE STATE OIL AND GAS BOARD.

IT'S A BURGEONING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY THAT SOME PLACES IN ALABAMA CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, BAKER SAID.

>> UNDER EXISTING LAW, SUB SURFACE MINERALS MAY BE CONVEYED, TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PROPERTY OWNER TO ANOTHER TO THE OVERLYING LAND AND WATERS.

AND THE BILL HAS POSSESSORY RIGHTS TO HAVE THE SPACE, VESTED IN THE SURFACE OWNERS AND MAY BE SEPARATELY CONVEYED.

ALSO EXISTING WOULD BE THE STATE OIL AND GAS BOARD WOULD REGULATE THE UNDERGROUND STORAGE OF CARBON OXIDES INCLUDING CARBON DIOXIDE.

THE BILL FURTHER PROVIDES CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH CARBON DIOXIDE STORAGE FACILITY MAY RECEIVE THE BORED'S APPROVAL TO OPERATE.

THIS, FIVE AND SIX DEALS WITH -- LET'S GO WITH FIVE.

FIVE PROVIDES THAT THE BOARD MAY AMALGAMATE STORAGE RIGHTS FOR CARBON DIOXIDE STORING FACILITY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

AMALGAMATE, MEANS TO MERGE, INTO ONE BODY.

AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUND WOULD CREATE UNDERGROUND CARBON DIOXIDE FACILITY TRUST FUND AND HAVE ENCLOSURE AND COMPLETION.

FINALLY, THEN, THE COMMISSIONER OF CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES, WHO ALREADY HAS THE POWER TO LEASE CERTAIN STATE LANDS FOR OIL AND GAS USES WOULD BE AUTHORIZED TO LEASE LANDS FOR CERTAIN STATE LANDS AS WELL.

>> THAT BILL PASSED AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

HOUSE BILL 330 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT WOODS WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO REPORT ANY FUNDING THEY RECEIVED FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN OR ENTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE COUNTRIES OF CONCERN.

IT COMES IN RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES FUNDING SPECIAL PROGRAMS OR PROFESSORSHIPS AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES.

SOME HAVE ARGUED THIS HAS LED TO MORE RADICALIZATION ON CAMPUSES TODAY.

>> EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW TO REPORT FUNDING FROM CERTAIN FOREIGN SCIENCE TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REPORT THE SAME INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNOR AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE POLICY CHAIRS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

THESE REPORTS ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE TRANSFERENCE FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES OF CONCERN AND CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE COUNTRIES.

>> I KNOW WE HAVE INDICATED THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS.

ARE YOU ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY SPECIFIC CONCERNS RELATIVE TO -- >> YES, MA'AM.

AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER BEFORE, WE GOT CALLED DOWN.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BACK A FEW YEARS AGO, WHO WERE NOT COMPLYING AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT STILL COULD BE THE CASE WITH FEDERAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT.

>> SO, THEY ARE NOT COMPLYING WITH THE REQUEST FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> CORRECT.

AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT ABOUT UNIVERSITIES HERE IN THE STATE.

BUT THERE ARE EXAMPLES WHERE IT HAPPENED BACK IN 2020 SPECIFICALLY I CAN GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

>> YEAH, WOULD YOU MIND SHARING WITH ME WHAT YOU HAVE?

>> SURE.

ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND EXAMPLES I CAME ACROSS, THE COUNTRY OF CUTTER PROVIDED $4.7 BILLION TO UNIVERSITIES, AND THAT COUNTRY IS KNOWN TO BE AN ANTI-SEMITIC COUNTRY, HAMAS AND FUNDED YALE, HARVARD, NORTHWESTERN, TEXAS A&M AND TO THE TUNE OF $4.7 BILLION.

>> BILLION DOLLARS?

>> BILLION.

>> THAT BILL PASSED AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

LIKE I SAID, A LONG DAY IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL SPEAK WITH ALLISON KING OF THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ABOUT THE EDUCATION SPENDING BILLS MOVING IN THE HOUSE.

STAY WITH US.

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>> WELCOME BACK.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW DOCTOR ALLISON KING, AND WE'RE CALLING SOMEBODY DOCTOR KING, SOMEBODY I'VE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME.

THE REASON I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON, TD EDUCATION TRUST FUND IS MOVING THIS WEEK, MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE TODAY.

STILL UNCLEAR WHETHER OR NOT IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE FLOOR ON THURSDAY.

BUT THIS BUDGET, HISTORIC BUDGET IS GOING TO BE MOVING WITH THE BILLS ALONG WITH IT.

AND I KNOW YOU PAID CLOSE ATTENTION TO THAT, TEACHER AND EDUCATION WORKERS WITH THAT, WHAT WERE YOUR GENERAL THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT WE SAW, RECORD BUDGET.

>> IT'S A RECORD BUDGET, $9.3 BILLION AND WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPPLEMENTAL, $50 MILLION AND GOING BACK TO THE AET ALLOCATION, BRINGING BACK THINGS FROM -- RAISE IT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, $300 MILLION AND ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS ALLOCATED OUT FOR THE DISTRICTS BASED ON THE FORMULA FOR THAT.

LOTS OF RECORD MONEY GOING INTO EDUCATION.

MOST OF THE PROGRAMS WE'RE SEEING HAVE LEVEL FUNDING OR INCREASED FUNDING.

>> THE LITERACY ACT THAT PASSED, I GUESS BACK IN 2019, INCREASED FUNDING FOR THAT.

AND THE PRINCIPAL PROGRAM WE'RE SEEING TAKE HOLD AND SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES MEANT TO DRIVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE THOSE GET FUNDED.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT SALARIES.

I KNOW THE BIG PRIORITY OF AEA AND LOTS OF FOLKS, RAISING TEACHER SALARIES, MAKING US NOT JUST COMPETITIVE BUT MAYBE A LEADER AGAINST THE PEER OF THE SOUTHEAST STATES.

WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF THAT GOAL AND WHAT DOES THIS BUDGET DO.

>> YEAH, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED A STARTING SALARY OF $476,000 AND IT'S COMPETITIVE NOT AT THE TOP OF THE STATES IN SOUTHEASTERN STATES BUT DOES PUT IT NEAR THE TOP.

IT'S AN EXCITING THING AND SOMETHING WE'RE IN FULL SUPPORT OF.

THERE WERE CHANGES MADE TO THE SALARY MATE TRIX A FEW YEARS AGO AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THOSE INITIATIVES FOR A LATE AND MID CAREER EDUCATORS AS WELL.

>> I REMEMBER THAT, YES, LET'S GET THE STARTING SALARIES UP.

$47,000 FOR A FIRST YEAR TEACHER THAT'S GETTING THERE.

BUT I DO REMEMBER THAT.

THE THOUGHT WAS, WE'VE GOT SOME VETERAN TEACHERS THAT MAY CONSIDER EARLY RETIREMENT, LET'S DO THIS.

AND LIKE I SAID, MID CAREER TEACHERS, WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM AND NOT PURSUE OTHER CAREERS BUT KIND OF A WORK FORCE THING.

BUT THAT'S STILL IN PLACE AND YOU ARE SAYING IT NEEDS TO BE REMAINING IN PLACE?

>> IT DOES.

BUT THE CURRENT PROPOSAL ASKS FOR 2% FOR EACH OF THEM, AND A LITTLE HIGHER ON THE STARTING, AND WE WANT TO SEE CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE MATE TRIX FOR THAT.

>> IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER IT'S ON THE FLOOR THIS WEEK OR NOT.

BUT IN ANY CASE, EDUCATION BUDGET IS MOVING AND MEANS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWING IT.

AND WE WILL TOO.

WHEN IT COMES TO ETF, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ISSUE OF TAX CREDITS.

OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE SEE A LOT OF TAX CREDITS ATTACHED TO WHATEVER KIND OF POLICY PROGRAMS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY, CHOICE ACT, CHOOSE ACT WHICH MAKES IT ABOUT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL EDUCATION BUT IT CAN BE USED FOR ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

YOU HEARD ABOUT TAX CREDITS FOR TAX HOLIDAYS ON HUNTING GEAR AND FISHING GEAR AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF, ATTACHED TO ALL KIND OF THINGS.

BUT IT'S A POPULAR WAY TO PROVIDE RELIEF OR MONEY FOR WHATEVER YOUR GOAL IS.

THINK SOMETIMES FOLKS FORGET, WHEN THOSE TAX CREDITS ARE IMPLEMENTED IT ENDS UP COSTING THE TRUST FUND MONEY, NOT MUCH BUT IT CAN ADD UP.

I WONDER ABOUT YOUR TAX CREDITS AND IF THEY ARE GETTING A LITTLE OUT OF HAFNED.

>> IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT, AS MUCH AS WE LOVE TAX CREDITS AND EVERYBODY ELSE, THERE ARE IDEAS THAT MIGHT GIVE THE CITIZENS RELIEF, THAT'S WONDERFUL BUT IT COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TRUST EDUCATION BUDGET AND IT'S NEEDED DOLLARS FOR OUR SYSTEMS.

WE HAVE A SPREADSHEET THAT WE KEEP, WHERE THOSE TAX CREDITS ARE GOING AND I THINK IN THE NEXT FEW FISCAL YEARS WE HAVE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS COMING OUT OF THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND AND JUST IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, AND PAIRING IT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE THIS YEAR.

AND WE HAVE TO SEE HOW THOSE THINGS WOULD NEGATIVE IMPACT THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

THAT'S IF IT WAS REMAINING AT A LEVEL FUNDING BUT IT'S NOT.

AND BECAUSE OF THE COVID RELIEF DOLLARS RUNNING OUT, AS A STATE WE HAVE TO TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE THINGS PAID WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS.

THOSE THINGS DON'T ALIGN.

WHEN LIABILITIES DECLINE AND REVENUES ALIGN, AND AT THE SAME TIME CUTTING DOLLARS FOR FUNDING AND IT'S PUTTING US IN A HARD PLACE.

WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE ARE AND HOW IT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE RETIREES, COMING BACK TO THE STATE HOUSE AND I WARNEDDERED INTO MORE THAN A HUNDRED, MAYBE I GUESS, OVER A HUNDRED STATE RETIRED EDUCATION AND WANTING FUNDING, STATE OF LIVING COST INCREASES.

I MEAN, THERE WAS A FUND CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE BUT HASN'T HAD ANY MONEY PUT INTO IT.

>> CORRECT.

CURRENTLY THAT FUND DOESN'T HAVE ANY DOLLARS CURRENTLY IN IT OR AS WE'RE LOOKING FOR MONEY TO BE PLACED FROM THE BUDGET, SUPPLEMENTAL TO BE PLACED IN THERE, IT WOULD BE PRE FUNDED DOLLARS AND ONCE WE GET THEM FUNDING, THOSE DOLLARS ARE EXPENDED AND DOESN'T INCREASE THE LIABILITIES ON THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

IT'S JUST DOLLARS PUT IN ESSENTIALLY TO A SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND WHEN THE MONEY IS AVAILABLE TO PAY OUT FOR THE COLA, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE OVER 60,000 EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO A FULL CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICES AS EDUCATORS LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL AS RETIREES.

>> 60,000 ARE LIVING BELOW.

>> EDUCATION RETIREES CURRENTLY LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL.

IT'S CHALLENGING WE HAVE PEOPLE MAKING DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO BUY GROCERIES OR BUY MEDICATION.

AND WE HAVE PEOPLE HAVING TO MAKE THOSE.

THE PART I SAW, IT WAS VERY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

>> IT WAS, IT WAS EXCELLENT.

WE HAD GREAT MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION WITH THE LEGISLATORS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO FUND THROUGH THE BUDGET WITH THEM AS WELL.

>> AND YOU SAY, WHEN IT REACHES A CERTAIN AMOUNT, THEY WOULD GET A COST OF LIVING INCREASE, IS THAT A ONE TIME PAYMENT?

A BONUS OR IS IT MORE GOING FORWARD HERE'S WHAT YOU GET.

>> CAN BE DONE SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS, LOTS OF CONVERSATION CENTERING AROUND THAT.

YOU CAN DO A ONE YEAR COLA AND ANYWHERE FROM, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU CUT IT OFF AT INCOME LEVELS AND BENEFIT LEVELS, ANYWHERE FROM $5 MILLION TO $25 MILLION FOR ONE PERCENT COLA FOR THIS YEAR.

BUT IF YOU TALK ABOUT IT IN PERPETUITY, ALL WAIT THROUGH, IT'S A LOT MORE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.

>> OKAY.

ONE MORE THING BEFORE I LET YOU GO.

BUSES.

WHEN YOU AND I RODE ON BUSES, THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS THE WINDOW.

AND I KNOW THAT Y'ALL WANT TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT ANY NEW BUSES ARE AIR CONDITIONED AND HAVE CLIMATE CONTROL.

TELL US WHAT'S THE FEEDBACK BEEN ON THAT REQUEST FROM THE LAWMAKERS.

>> WE'VE GOTTEN GOOD FEEDBACK FROM THEM, CURRENTLY LITTLE LESS THAN 50% OF BUSES STATEWIDE ARE AIR CONDITIONED.

SOME DISTRICTS ALL ARE AIR CONDITIONED AND OTHERS, UNDER A FEW OF THEM ONLY ARE.

AND UNDER CURRENT STATE LAW, ONLY THE ONES THAT HAVE TO BE AIR CONDITIONED ARE FOR SPECIAL TO YOU DENTS.

AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR IT DURING FLEET RENEWAL, PURCHASING BUSES THAT HAVE SCHOOL BUSES AND OUR STUDENTS HAVE MORE MEDICAL NEEDS AND REALLY IS A CHALLENGE.

AND WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT NEW BUSES PURCHASED IN THE STATE ARE AIR CONDITIONED.

>> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE!

WELL, LOOK, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS FOR COMING ON AND WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THE ETF AS IT FOLLOWS ALONG THE PROCESS.

THANKS FOR COMING ON, DOCTOR ALLISON KING.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE RIGHT HERE TOMORROW AT THE SAME TIME WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

I'M TODD STACY, AND FOR THE ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, WE'LL