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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT WAS A BUSY WEEK IN THE CAPITAL CITY , AND WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WHICH DISMISSED WHAT IT CALLED "“BOGUS RUMORS"” ABOUT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S HEALTH.

THE STATEMENT CAME AFTER AL.COM'S KYLE WHITMIRE WROTE A COLUMN QUESTIONING IVEY'S HEALTH AMID HER OFFICE'S LACK OF RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES.

THAT ONLY FUELED THE MONTGOMERY RUMOR MILL, LEADING TO COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR GINA MAIOLA TO PUT THE ISSUE TO REST: SHE SAID QUOTE "GOVERNOR IVEY IS DOING GREAT, AND SHE CONTINUES TO THANK THE GOOD LORD FOR KEEPING HER HEALTHY AND CANCER-FREE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HER LEADING THE STATE OF ALABAMA FOR YEARS TO COME."

IVEY WAS TREATED FOR LUNG CANCER IN 2019 AND WAS DECLARED CANCER-FREE IN EARLY 2020.

AND THEN THIS AFTERNOON, IVEY GREETED SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR KRISTI NOEM, WHO IS VISITING THE STATE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S SUMMER DINNER TONIGHT.

PHOTOS OF THE GREETING, PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, SHOW IVEY IN GOOD SPIRITS.

ON TO THE LEGISLATURE - THERE WERE MULTIPLE OVERSIGHT HEARINGS THIS WEEK.

WE'LL START WITH THE ARPA OVERSIGHT MEETING, WHICH INCLUDED REPORTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AS WELL AS THE STATE'S HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME COMMUNITIES.

STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE GAVE LAWMAKERS AN OVERVIEW OF HOW THE FIRST HALF OF ALABAMA'S $2.2 BILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED SO FAR.

>> REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AS IT RELATES TO THE ARPA FUNDS, THEY ARE ONEROUS.

THERE ARE ENORMOUS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

THERE ARE ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY REPORTS ON THESE FUNDS.

THESE FUNDS ARE GOING TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES.

IN OUR MOUS, OUR MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING, WE HAVE TO REPORT IN A COMPLIANT FASHION UP TO THE TREASURER.

AND MAYBE MORE FOR THE AUDIENCE AND THE PUBLIC THE AUDITS WILL COME.

IT WILL BE IMPORTANT THAT THE STATE ADMINISTER THESE FUNDS IN A MANNER THERE ARE CLEAN AUDIT TRAILS.

WE DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A NEGATIVE NOTHINGS THE OUT YEARS.

FINANCE HAS COMPLIED WITH THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON TIME BUT PER THE TIMELINE I HAVE SET FORTH QUARTER THROUGH THE END OF '26 THIS WILL BE A BIG ONGOING PROJECT.

>> POOL ALSO ITEMIZED HOW THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN DISPERSED SO FAR.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK, FIRST AT THE FISCAL RESCUE FUNDS.

$80 MILLION WENT TO REIMBURSE HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, $51 MILLION WENT TO BROADBAND NETWORK ENHANCEMENTS, $225 MILLION WENT TO WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AND $79 MILLION WENT TO SHORE UP THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND TO AVOID A TAX INCREASE ON BUSINESS.

NEXT, THE REVENUE REPLACEMENT FUNDS, OVER WHICH THE STATE HAS MORE FLEXIBILITY.

$400 MILLION WENT TO THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, $34 MILLION WENT TO BROADBAND IMPROVEMENTS, $30 MILLION TO RURAL HOSPITALS AND SO ON.

ANOTHER $192 MILLION IN THE ARPA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS WENT TO RURAL BROADBAND EXPANSION.

ALSO MEETING THIS WEEK WAS THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS BEEN CONDUCTING HEARINGS THIS SUMMER TO SEE HOW INFLATION AND GAS PRICES ARE IMPACTING STATE AGENCIES.

KIRK FULFORD OF THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY SAYS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE STATE'S ECONOMY HAS SET MULTIPLE POSITIVE RECORDS.

HE SAID THERE IS ONE INDICATOR IN PARTICULAR HE'S TRACKING.

>> I WATCH WITHHOLDINGS PAYMENTS DAILY AND MONTHLY.

WITHHOLDINGS PAYMENTS WILL TAKE YOU TO THE STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY.

THAT COMES OUT OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE PAID.

THAT NUMBER, BEING ABOVE 4% IS USUALLY A GOOD INDICATION FOR ME THAT WE ARE IN A POSITIVE TRACK IN TERMS OF OUR ECONOMY.

THE NUMBER 2.5% FOR THE YEAR, ALTHOUGH THE JULY NUMBER WAS BASICALLY FLAT.

10.5% GROWTH FOR THE YEAR IS FAR AND ABOVE GREATER THAN AVERAGE GROWTH FOR WITHHOLDING.

AVERAGE GROWTH SINCE 2001 AND WITHHOLDINGS PAYMENTS IS 3.7%.

2021 WAS 7.5%.

WE'RE AT 10.5% RIGHT NOW.

THOSE TWO NUMBERS ARE ABOVE THE AVERAGE GROWTH AND WITHHOLDINGS PAYMENTS IS AND AN INDICATION OF THE STRENGTH OF OUR CURRENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS FOR ALABAMA.

>> LAWMAKERS HEARD FROM DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER JOHN HAMM, WHO DISCUSSED THE MULTIPLE CHALLENGES FACING HIS AGENCY.

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

>> IN HIS INFORMAL BUDGET PRESENTATION, ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER JON HAMM SHARED HIS AGENCY IS LIKE A 20,000 POPULATION TOWN AND THEY FACE THE SAME ISSUE ANY COMMUNITY FACES.

SO, OF COURSE, THEY ARE FEELING THE AFFECTS OF INFLATION.

HE LISTED NINE CATEGORIES.

FOR EXAMPLE -- >> THE FOOD HAS APPROXIMATELY 23% INFLATION.

FISCAL YEAR 21 IT WAS $2.15 A DAY FOR INMATE RAW FOOD.

FISCAL YEAR '22, $2.42.

>> HE SHARED THAT CLOTHING FOR INMATES AND STAFF HAVE INCREASED $1.3 MILLION AND LIKE MANY EMPLOYERS THEY TOO ARE FACING STAFF SHORTAGES, ESPECIALLY WITH HIRING CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.

>> STARTING SALARY FOR A CORRECTIONAL OFFICE HER, I THINK IS 33,000.

WE ACTUALLY PROBABLY THEM A COUPLE OF STEPS UP THE LADDER, ABOUT STEP THREE.

WE'RE COMPETING WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THIS STATE.

POLICE DEPARTMENTS, SHERIFF'S OFFICES, THAT'S OUR COMPETITION FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO GET INTO THIS LINE OF WORK.

WE HAVE DONE A SURVEY, AND MOST OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS START OFF AROUND THE MID-40s.

>> THE DEPARTMENT HAS A SIX-PRONG EMPLOYEE GROWTH PLAN THAT INCLUDES HIRING PEOPLE PART TIME, WHICH HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN OTHER STATES.

ONE LAWMAKER LIKES THAT IDEA.

>> ABOUT HAVE A COUPLE HUNDRED EMPLOYEES, 50 PART TIME AND IT WORKS FOR THEM AND ME AS WELL.

WHATEVER YOU NEED, I THINK THAT'S SOME OF WHAT YOU SHOULD PRESENT AND LET US KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE SAFETY OF THE EMPLOYEES.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR THE SAFETY OF THE INMATES, TOO AND MAKING SURE WE MEET ALL OF THE NEEDS THAT THE LAW REQUIRES.

>> THE COURT IS UNDER ORDER MORE.

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

>> HAMM ALSO GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE STATE'S PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

HE SAID SITE PREP WORK IS BEING DONE AND THAT CONSTRUCTION COULD START ON THE FIRST FACILITY AS SOON AS NOVEMBER.

>> THEY HAD TO DO LAND CLEARING, THEY ARE BUILDING ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND AS THE TIMELINE HAS BEEN FOR SOMETIME, THE COMPLETION DATE, THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE IS JANUARY 2026 FOR THE ELMORE FACILITY.

WE'RE ALSO PLANNING, EVEN THOUGH 2026 SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME OFF, WE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE PLANNING PROCESS NOW OF TRANSITIONING INTO NEW FACILITIES BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST FOOD, CLOTHING, STAFF, HOUSING, SUPPLIES, IT WILL BE A MONUMENTAL TASK OF TRANSFERRING INMATES TO THE NEW FACILITY IN ELMORE AND ESCAMBIA.

SO WE ARE PLANNING NOW.

YOU JUST DON'T MOVE 4,000 INMATES AT ONE TIME INTO THE FACILITIES.

>> ALSO MEETING THIS WEEK WAS THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION, WHICH ADOPTED FINAL REGULATIONS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA LICENSING.

COMPANIES SEEKING LICENSES TO GROW, PROCESS, TEST, TRANSPORT OR SELL MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAN REQUEST AN APPLICATION ON SEPTEMBER 1.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS DECEMBER 31.

COMMISSION DIRECTOR JOHN MCMILLAN CALLED THE MEETING PRODUCTIVE.

>> EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MEETING BECAUSE WE ADOPTED THE FINAL VERSION OF THE RULES AND REGULATION FOR GOVERNING THE WHOLE PROCESS, LICENSING AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH MOVING FORWARD WITH GETTING THIS AGENCY UP AND RUNNING.

>> THE FACT WE CAN TAKE THIS PRODUCT, MEDICAL CANNABIS, MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA ARE AT THE FOREFRONT AND ENSURE THIS PRODUCT IS SAFE IS GOING TO HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THAT NEED MEDICATIONS FOR HIV, PEOPLE THAT NEED MEDICATIONS FOR EPILEPSY, PEOPLE THAT NEED MEDICATIONS FOR PARKINSON'S, PEOPLE THAT NEED MEDICATION FOR SEIZURES.

>> ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSION, THE EARLIEST THE PRODUCTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS IS LATE '23.

>>> IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME IN ALABAMA AND THANKFULLY WE ARE NO LONGER IN A COVID-19 EMERGENCY.

HOWEVER, THE PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED OUR DAILY LIVES IN WAYS WE MAY NOT REALIZE, INCLUDING IN THE CLASSROOM.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORT.

>> IT IS BACK TO SCHOOL FOR THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND GETTING READY ISN'T JUST GETTING PENCILS, PAPER AND NOTEBOOKS.

>> THIS IS OUR BUSY SEASON FOR THE PEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF KIDS COMING IN.

THEY NEED VACCINATIONS, AND SUPPORTS PHYSICALS.

THEY ARE READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> THE MARKETING DIRECTOR SAID HER AGENCY AND OTHER MEDICAL FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE ARE BUSY HELPING PARENTS GET THEIR CHILDREN HEALTH READY FOR SCHOOL.

>> WE PARTICIPATE IN A LOT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIRS AND WHERE THEY ARE GIVING OUT BOOK BAGS AND GIVE INFORMATION ON HOW TO COME AND RECEIVE CARE WITH US.

WE HAVE FOUR SCHOOL-BASED CLINICS WITH THE MONTGOMERY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> MAKING SURE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.

>> THOSE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO A MEDICAL PROVIDER IF THEY DON'T FEEL GOOD OR HAVE AN APPOINTMENT OR NEED A PHYSICAL.

THEY ARE ABLE TO BE RECEIVE THOSE SERVICES THROUGH US AT THEIR SCHOOL.

>> THE GOAL -- TAKING SOME PRESSURE OFF PARENTS BY MAKING SURE STUDENTS GET CHECKUPS AND VACCINES, IF NEEDED, TO ATTEND SCHOOL.

>> SOME OF THEM HAVE A LOT GOING ON TRYING TO MANEUVER THROUGH THEIR NORMAL WORK DAY AND THEIR KIDS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE BEEN HOME ALL SUMMER OR IN THEIR PERSPECTIVE SUMMER CAMPS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO ADJUST AND RESCHEDULE AND GET BACK TO THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NORMAL FOR THEM.

A LOT OF SCHOOLS ARE GOING BACK IN PERSON.

WE ARE STILL VACCINATING THE CHILDREN, AS NEEDED, AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE A HEALTHY SCHOOL YEAR.

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

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>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY CAM WARD, DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

CAM, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK AGAIN, TODD.

GREAT TO BE BACK ON.

>> GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

YOUR AGENCY IS IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK.

THE CASE OF JIMMY O'NEILL SPENCER.

OF COURSE, THIS WAS THE PERSON WHO WAS OUT ON PAROLE AND COMMITTED, I GUESS, THREE HOMICIDES WHILE ON PAROLE.

IT WAS A HUGE SCANDAL.

A BIG CASE THAT ROCKED THE STATE I GUESS ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, OR BACK IN 2018/19 TIME FRAME.

HE WAS NOT PAROLED.

THAT WAS EXPECTED.

NO ONE EXPECTED HIM TO BE PAROLED BUT THE CASE CAME UP.

IS THAT WHAT YOU EXPECTED?

>> YEAH.

SO JIMMY SPENCER WAS A TRAGIC CASE.

IN 2018, HE HAD BEEN OUT ON PAROLE.

THE BOARD AT THAT TIME PAROLED HIM.

HE GOT OUT AND A FEW MONTHS LATER MURDERED THREE PEOPLE IN MARSHALL COUNTY.

HE HASN'T BEEN TRIED OR CONVICTED OF THAT BUT HE WAS AUTOMATICALLY REVOKED FROM HIS PAROLE DURING THAT TIME.

SINCE THEN, HE'S BEEN AWAITING A PAROLE HEARING AGAIN.

I THINK THE BOARD THOUGHT MAYBE HE WILL GO TO TRIAL, BE CONVICTED AGAIN AND THEN HE WON'T COME BACK.

HE WON'T BE ABLE TO HAVE A PAROLE HEARING.

BUT HE WAS NEVER CONVICTED OR TRIED.

SO HE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR A HEARING BUT NO ONE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE GRANTED PAROLE.

IT WAS A NO-BRAINER.

BY HIS LEGAL RIGHTS HE WAS ENTITLED TO A HEARING AND THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY AGAINST HIM GETTING PAROLE AND THAT WAS EXPECTED.

THAT'S WHY THEY PASSED LEGISLATION IN 2019 TO OVERHAUL THE PARDON AND PAROLE BOARD AND BUREAU TO CHANGE THE STRUCTURE SO SOMEONE LIKE SPENCER COULDN'T GET OUT AGAIN.

>> THAT CASE WAS THE IMPETUS BEHIND THE FUNDAMENTAL REFORMS TO THE BUREAU AND THE BOARD THAT WAS PASSED BACK THEN.

HAS THAT CULTURE CHANGED?

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN THERE MORE THAN A YEAR NOW.

>> DECEMBER WILL BE TWO YEARS FOR ME.

>> WOULD YOU SAY THAT CULTURE HAS CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THOSE REFORMS PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR IVEY AND PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE?

>> THIS IS AN AGENCY THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE CONTROVERSY.

IT IS A PENDULUM AGENCY.

IN 2019, THE LEGISLATION THAT PASSED SAID THE BUREAU DIRECTOR, MY JOB, WILL NO LONGER WORK FOR THE BOARD.

I DON'T WORK FOR THE BOARD AND DON'T HAVE SAY IN WHO IS GRANTED OR DENIED PAROLE BUT I WORK FOR THE GOVERNOR.

WE HANDLE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET OUT.

THAT WAS A BIG CHANGE IN IT.

ANOTHER CHANGE WAS THE BOARD WAS REQUIRED -- THEY HAVE A SET OF PROCEDURE AND POLICIES THAT THE LAW PUT IN PLACE THAT THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW.

THERE'S BEEN A DRAMATIC CHANGE.

SOME WOULD SAY GOOD.

SAYING, LOOK, THERE'S A LOT LESS JIMMY SPENCERS GETTING OUT AND OTHERS WOULD SAY YOU HAVE A LOWER PARDON OR PAROLE GRANT RATE.

BUT I THINK THE REFORMS HAVE WORKED.

CAN WE TWEAK IT SOME, SURE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I THINK IT IS WORKING HOW WE ARE DOING IT NOW.

>> I KNOW YOU ARE GETTING BUREAU OFFICERS TRAINED ON NARCAN.

THIS IS A DRUG USED IN TREATING AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

TELL ME WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING -- WE HAVE SEEN IT IN RURAL AREAS PARTICULARLY WHERE YOU SEE A HUGE INCREASE IN OVERDOSES FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOOKED ON OPIOIDS.

NOT ONLY THAT -- BECAUSE WE HAVE NEARLY 500 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO WORK FOR US, BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS A NUMBER OF OFFICERS EXPOSED TO FENTANYL BECAUSE IT IS INVOLVED IN THE CRIME SCENE THEY COME UP ON AND THAT CAN LEAD TO AN IMMEDIATE OVERDOSE.

IT KILLS PEOPLE.

NARCAN ALLOWS FOR ALMOST LIKE A NASAL SPRAY, THROUGH THE NOSE AND CAN PREVENT YOU FROM DYING FROM AN OVERDOSE.

WE USE IT FOR PEOPLE USING THE DRUGS AND OFFICERS EXPOSED TO IT.

THROUGH A GRANT PROCESS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH WE WILL USE IT WITH EVERY OFFICER IN THE STATE.

I THINK IT WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY IN PREVENTING OVERDOSE CASES.

>> HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM IS OPIOID IN TERMS OF CONTRIBUTING TO RECIDIVISM?

>> IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO RECIDIVATE IN ALABAMA AND FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, RECIDIVISM IS THOSE WHO WERE IN PRISON AND THEN THEY GOT OUT AND THEN GO BACK.

IN ALABAMA WE ARE 25th IN THE COUNTRY.

NOT THE TOP OR BOTTOM BUT IN THE MIDDLE ON THOSE WHO COMMIT CRIMES AND END UP AGAIN IN PRISON BUT THE BIGGEST THING IS THOSE THAT HAVE DRUG ADDICTION AND IN ADDITION COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME, LIKE BURGLARY, THEFT OR ANOTHER CRIME.

IT IS A HUGE KILLER.

>> TALK ABOUT ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

THE LEGISLATURE PASSED REQUIREMENTS ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING FOR SOME, THOSE THAT YOU ALL MONITOR.

YOU HAVE BEEN WRAPPING THIS UP.

WHAT'S THE LATEST.

>> THE LEGISLATURE SAID THEY WANTED TO SEE US ELECTRONICALLY MONITOR MORE PEOPLE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S A PROGRAM WHERE PEOPLE ARE ON MANDATORY SUPERVISION.

THEY ARE OUT SIX MONTHS BEFORE THEIR SENTENCE ENDS AND THEY HAVE TO BE -- THEY ARE UNDER OUR JURISDICTION.

THE LEGISLATURE SAID WE WANT YOU TO MONITOR MORE AND MORE PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE SOMEONE ON PAROLE WHO COMMITS A NEW CRIME.

THE CHARGE TO US IS MONITOR THOSE ON MANDATORY SUPERVISION, WHICH WILL BE ABOUT 400 PEOPLE.

HOWEVER, WE FEEL LIKE WITH THE MONEY THEY GAVE US, WE CAN MONITOR UP TO 4,000 PEOPLE.

WE THINK IT WILL BE A HUGE TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO AS ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE AND MAKING SURE SOMEONE ON PROBATION AND PAROLE FOLLOWS THE GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN, DRUG TREATMENT, JOB PLACEMENT, WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AND WHERE THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS A TOOL TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE LAW.

>> WE HAD ANOTHER BUDGET HEARING THIS WEEK.

THERE WAS MORE TALK ABOUT INFLATION AND ITS IMPACT ON STATE AGENCIES.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A FEW WEEKS BUT YOU TESTIFIED ABOUT INFLATION AND HOW GAS PRICES WERE IMPACTING YOUR BUREAU OF PARDON ANDS A PAROLES SPECIFICALLY.

>> WHEN GAS PRICES GO UP, OUR AGENCY, BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, ALEA, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE FIELD WHO HAVE TO CHECK IN ON SOMEONE ON PAROLE, OR PROBATION.

WE HAVE TO PHYSICALLY GO OUT AND DRIVE OUT AND FIND THEM.

WE HAVE A LARGE FLEET.

WHEN YOU HAVE A LARGE FLEET IT COST MONEY, GAS AND TIME AND WHEN GAS PRICES GO UP IT CHEWS INTO THE BUDGET.

IT WASN'T AS BAD AS THREE OR FOUR MONTHS AGO WHEN I TESTIFIED BUT STILL A PROBLEM.

WE HOPE TO AVOID, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT OFF THE TABLE HAVING TO PARK AUTOMOBILES.

WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, DUE TO GAS PRICES AND INFLATIONS IT CREATES A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD.

ONE OF OUR BIGGEST FUNCTIONS, WE HAVE NOT QUITE 800 EMPLOYEES, MOST PEOPLE ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, LIKE WE HAVE, YOUR JOB IS IN THE FIELD NOT BEHIND THE DESK.

WHEN YOU DO THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE GAS TO GET OUT THERE TO SEE THEM.

>> IS IT SOMETHING YOU WILL TRY TO PREPARE FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET AS YOU GET READY FOR THE NEXT SESSION?

>> THE GOOD THING THEY DON'T GO BACK IN SESSION UNTIL MARCH SO WE WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA WHERE THE GAS PRICE SITUATION IS.

IF THE CURRENT PRICES CONTINUE TO GO DOWN AS THEY HAVE THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE WEEKS WE MAY BE OKAY.

IF THEY REMAIN ABNORMALLY HIGH WE WILL HAVE TO PREPARE FOR IT IN THE BUDGET.

IT IS HARD BECAUSE IT IS DIFFERENT BY AGENCY.

SOME AGENCIES YOU MAY HAVE AN AUTOMOBILE FLEET BUT YOU CAN DO THINGS TELEWORK OR YOU CAN DO THINGS REMOTELY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IN PERSON.

WHEN YOU ARE A PAROLE OFFICER, THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS HAVE TO DRIVE AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT AND DAY TO GO SEE THE PERSON THEY ARE OVERSEEING.

WHEN THEY DO THAT, THE GAS, IT JUST COSTS MONEY.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR.

WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES.

I THINK OTHER AGENCIES ARE DEALING WITH INFLATION ISSUES.

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT THE PERRY COUNTY FACILITY.

WHERE ARE WE IN -- I KNOW THAT IS A BIG PART IN THE OVERALL VISION.

HOW IS THAT PROCEEDING?

>> PERRY COUNTY IS INTERESTING.

I CAME ABOUT BASED ON THE 2021 SPECIAL SESSION ON THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION WHEN THEY BUILT THE TWO NEW PRISONS.

ONE THING THEY WANTED TO DO IS FIND OUT WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THAT PERRY COUNTY PRISON?

IT IS EMPTY.

DOC SAID AT THE TIME, LOOK, WE CAN'T STAFF IT.

SO WE DON'T WANT IT.

NO ONE WANTED IT BUT SEVERAL FOLKS SAID WHY DO WE HAVE AN EMPTY BUILDING AND CAN'T USE IT?

THAT'S WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO US.

THE LEGISLATURE PAID FOR IT.

WE WILL USE IT FOR A MEGA DAY REPORTING CENTER.

IT IS -- WE HAVE 11 CENTERS THAT SUPPORT 25 TO 30 PEOPLE IN EACH FACILITY.

IT DOES DRUG REHABILITATION, MENTAL HEALTH AND JOB TRAINING.

WHAT PERRY COUNTY WILL DO IS BE A DAY REPORTING CENTER ON STEROIDS.

IT WILL BE 250 PEOPLE AND ALL IT WILL BE IS A RESIDENTIAL CENTER FOR THOSE COMING OUT OF PRISON TO GET A REENTRY PLAN, DRUG REHABILITATION, MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, JOB TRAINING, TO HELP THEM GO BACK INTO SOCIETY AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

IT GOES BACK TO WHAT WE SAID EARLIER.

SOMEONE GETS A JOB.

WE REDUCE THE MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS AND HELP THEM COPE WITH ADDICTION.

THE RECIDIVISM DROPS FROM 30 TO 3%.

THEY JUST DON'T COMMIT CRIMES AGAIN.

PERRY COUNTY IS HOW YOU DEAL WITH REENTRY IN ALABAMA.

>> HOW SOON CAN WE EXPECT IT TO OPEN?

>> FIRST CLIENTS THE END OF NOVEMBER AND SLOWLY BUILD FROM THERE.

WE WILL HAVE 40 EMPLOYEES OUT THERE.

WE HAVEN'T HAD TROUBLE HIRING SECURITY OFFICERS OR THE TREATMENT STAFF.

WE ARE FINISHING ON THE CONTRACTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE HEALTHCARE WE HAVE TO PROVIDE UNDER LAW BUT I THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT PLAN AND A HUGE, HUGE PLUS FOR US AS A STATE REDUCING RECIDIVISM.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE SINCE IT IS UNIQUE AND NOT IN AND OTHER WISE PRISON SETTING THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

YOU ARE NOT HOUSING MAXIMUM SECURITY INMATES.

>> IT WILL BE A SLIGHT POPULATION.

ONLY THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY VIOLENT VERSUS NONVIOLENT.

IS IT SOMEONE WHO NEEDS THE TREATMENT, THE TRAINING.

NOT EVERYONE CAN GO THERE BUT IF WE CAN MAKE THAT KIND OF PROGRAM AVAILABLE AND REPLICATE IT AROUND THE STATE IT WOULD BE A HUGE STUDENT FOR ALABAMA TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

THE NEXT STEP IS WE HAVE A FACILITY IN THOMASVILLE, ALABAMA.

WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE BUT I'LL SAY IT HERE, I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT WHY DON'T WE HAVE A WOMEN'S FACILITY?

PERRY COUNTY IS A MEN'S FACILITY.

WE NEED A WOMEN'S FACILITY THAT PROVIDES REENTRY PROGRAMMING.

I THINK THOMASVILLE, ALABAMA COULD FILL THAT ROLE.

IT HELPS TO ADDRESS THE WOMEN POPULATION, AS WELL.

>> BEFORE I LET YOU GO, I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AT LEAST ONE NEW EMPLOYEE BECAUSE YOU HAVE JERRY STARNES WHO LOOKS LIKE HE IS HEADING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR MANY YEARS.

HAVE YOU OFFERED HIM ADVICE?

>> LEARN THE RULES AND FIND A COUPLE OF GREAT MENTORS.

I HAD MENTORS AND LEARNED THE RULES EVENTUALLY BUT I WILL SAY LEARN FROM THE STUMBLES YOU MAKE BECAUSE YOU WILL MAKE STUMBLES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

HE IS A GREAT GUY AND WOULD DO A GREAT JOB IN THE HOUSE.

I LEARNED FROM MY MISTAKES.

>> MARCH WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON AGAIN, TODD, THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE SENATOR ALBRITTON.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

DO WE SHAKE HANDS?

>> WE CERTAINLY CAN.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEWEST COVID PROTOCOLS ARE.

>> YEAH, WHATEVER.

>> A LOT OF BUDGET MEETINGS TODAY AND THIS WEEK.

YOU HAD BUDGET UPDATE HEARINGS FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND ARPA.

WE WILL GET TO ARPA LATER.

THIS WAS A PRETTY LONG PRESENTATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM THE BUDGET HEARING?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

THE MAIN TAKEAWAY IS WE DON'T HAVE THE COMPLETE ANSWER OF HOW TO HIRE PEOPLE, BUT THAT TRANSCENDS DOC.

THAT'S THE STATE, IN GENERAL.

WE CAN'T HIRE PEOPLE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS.

WE HAVE SOMETHING IN OUR ECONOMY THAT DOES NOT DRAW PEOPLE TO BE HIRED AT THIS POINT.

THAT'S A PROBLEM.

AS WE DISCUSSED, WE HAVE DONE BONUSES AND OVERTIME.

WE HAVE DONE RESTRUCTURING OF LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SUCH.

WE HAVE TRIED A LOT OF THINGS AND PUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WE HAVE FEWER PEOPLE THAN FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> IT CERTAINLY SEEMED PRETTY DIRE LOOKING AT THOSE NUMBERS AS THE DIRECTOR WAS PUTTING THEM UP THERE.

MORE THAN 500 VACANCIES.

>> YEAH.

>> THAT DOESN'T EVEN COUNT THE INCREASES WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE.

>> PRECISELY.

>> OR UNDER THE FEDERAL COURT ORDER, CORRECT?

>> EXACTLY.

IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION TO BE IN.

COMMISSIONER HAMM IS WORKING ON IT.

I KNOW THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEMS, AND THAT'S ONE THING WE TOOK FROM TODAY.

HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT THE CHALLENGES ARE.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND THE SOLUTIONS.

HE'S WILLING TO DO THAT.

THAT'S KIND OF MY TAKEAWAY.

WHEN YOU ARE PLOWING A FIELD AND -- YOU HAVE NEVER DONE THIS.

YOU ARE TOO YOUNG.

BUT YOU ARE HEADING DOWN THE FURROWS AND THE END IS SO FAR AWAY.

YOU WILL EVENTUALLY GET TO IT.

JUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

THAT'S THE SAME THING HERE.

>> I KNOW DURING THE TALK OF THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN THAT WAS -- IT WAS DISCUSSED THAT, OKAY, WE GET THESE THINGS ONLINE.

THEY WILL BE SAFER FACILITIES.

>> CORRECT.

>> REQUIRE FEWER STAFFING TO BEGIN WITH BUT MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO GO TO WORK, COMPARED TO THE CURRENT THAT ARE JUST, FRANKLY, DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE IN MANY WAYS, BUT THOSE FACILITIES AREN'T COMING ON UNTIL 2026.

>> 30 MONTHS ONCE WE GET GOOD AND STARTED.

2 1/2 YEARS.

>> SO, ARE WE WORRIED, AT ALL, ABOUT FEDERAL INTERVENTION BEFORE THE NEW PRISONS OPEN?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

WE'RE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN AND ALL THAT WE KNOW HOW.

I'M NOT CONVINCED -- BECAUSE THE TIMES THAT THE FEDS DID TAKEOVER IT DIDN'T HELP.

THEY HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO SO.

THEY CAN DO THAT.

I HOPE THEY DON'T.

TY DO NOT BELIEVE THEY WILL.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN, RIGHT NOW, TO MAKE THING TALLAHASSEE BETTER.

I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

WE HAVE TO KEEP, AS I SAID, PLOWING THE FURROW, HEADING TO THE END OF THE ROAD.

>> THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WERE PLANNED TO COME TODAY BUT THAT DIDN'T, RESCHEDULING FOR THE FUTURE.

>> ONE OF THE MAIN GUYS INVOLVED IN THE PRESENTATION WOUND UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND SO, WE NEEDED TO PUSH THAT AROUND.

PLUS, THEY HAVE ANOTHER REPORT THAT IS DUE AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT.

THEY WILL HAVE THAT READY NEXT MONTH.

WE WILL BE READY FOR IT AT THAT POINT.

>> THESE BUDGET HEARINGS HAVE BEEN INTERESTING.

>> I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> NOT JUST FOR THOSE IN THE NEWS WHO NEED THINGS TO REPORT ON BUT NORMALLY IN THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER WE DON'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT STATE BUDGETS AND STUFF LIKE THIS.

BUT THESE ARE EXTRAORDINARY ECONOMIC TIMES.

IT'S BEEN -- I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM ATTENDING.

LET ME ASK YOU, HAVE THEY ACCOMPLISHED WHAT YOU WANTED, THAT YOU SET OUT TO DO IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET HEARINGS.

>> I BELIEVE SO.

WE HAVEN'T FINISHED YET AND WE MAY HAVE TO DO MORE AFTER SEPTEMBER.

THE IMPORTANT PART IS TO BRING TO THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE -- NOT JUST TO LEGISLATORS AND MY COMMITTEE BUT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE AGENCIES AND THE STATE EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS THAT ARE AFFECTED EVERY DAY BY THIS OF HOW INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY IS AFFECTING US AND WHAT'S THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

YOU CAN LISTEN TO TV ALL DAY LONG.

THE NATIONAL NEWS GIVES YOU A PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

WE HERE IN ALABAMA THINK WE HAVE A GOOD HANDLE WHERE WE ARE HEADING AND WHAT WE BELIEVE WILL HAPPEN.

WE ARE MORE PREPARED THAN WE HAVE EVER BEEN AND WE WILL KEEP DOING WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING AND I WANTED EVERYONE TO BE AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT'S COMING FORWARD AND THE PATHS WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE TO BE READY FOR IT AND TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> UH-HUH.

DO YOU THINK IT HELPS LAWMAKERS TO PREPARE MORE FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEN THEY ARE IN MONTGOMERY TAKING PART IN THESE THINGS IN THE OFF SEASON?

DO YOU THINK IT HELPS THE MEMBERS THEMSELVES?

>> OF COURSE.

ANYTIME YOU ARE AWAY FROM SOMETHING, IT DOESN'T MEAN THE GRASS STOPS GROWING.

IT JUST MEANS BY THE TIME YOU COME BACK IT IS TOO HIGH TO CUT.

THAT'S THE SAME THING WITH LEGISLATURE.

WE STAY GONE IN THE OFF SEASON AND WHEN YOU COME HERE IT IS ANOTHER LEARNING CURVE.

A WHAT I'M TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IS TO KEEP THE LEARNING CURVE ON A MORE EVEN KEEL TO HAVE A BETTER ABILITY TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> NOTICED A NEW INCOMING FRESHMEN ATTENDING THE MEETINGS.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

>> EXACTLY.

I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD SHOW.

THAT IS AN INDICATION OF AN INTEREST AND LEARNING BEGINS.

>> LET'S SWITCH GEARS TO ARPA, ANOTHER OVERSIGHT HEARING FOR THESE ARPA FUNDS.

YOU HEARD FROM ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER, FINANCE DIRECTOR, HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES.

THESE REPRESENT PRETTY MUCH WHAT ARPA ONE WAS SPENT ON.

WHAT WERE -- WERE YOU PLEASED WITH WHAT YOU HEARD IN TERMS OF HOW THE AGENCIES ARE SPENDING THE MONEY?

>> WELL, I HAVE MY OWN ISSUES ALONG THAT LINE.

I'M A LITTLE BIT IMPATIENT.

I'D LOVE TO HAVE SEEN MORE OF THE MONEY ALREADY IN THE GROUND.

FOR INSTANCE, THE WATER PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE APPROPRIATED THIS BACK IN JANUARY.

NOW WE ARE IN AUGUST.

WHILE THERE'S BEEN SELECTIONS AND DECISIONS MADE, NONE OF THE MONEY HAS GONE OUT.

NOTHING HAS GOTTEN IN THE GROUND YET.

I KNOW THERE'S A PROCESS AND I KNOW IT TAKES TIME AND I KNOW THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE SAME BUREAUCRATIC STRUCTURE THEY ALWAYS HAD, MEANING THEY HAVEN'T HIRED ANYONE ADDITIONAL AND HAVE THREE TIMES THE WORK.

I'M SENSITIVE TO THAT BUT A BIT IMPATIENT THE MONEY REMAINS IN THE BANK.

>> ARE YOU THINKING ENGINEERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, HAVING TO APPROVE THESE THINGS.

COULD THEY HIRE THOSE TYPE OF FOLKS, PEOPLE ON PART-TIME BASIS WITH THIS TEMPORARY MONEY?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE THOUGHT ABOUT.

ALL OF US HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT, BUT IN ALABAMA WHETHER IT IS THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE AGENCIES NONE OF THEM HAVE TAKEN THAT STEP.

NONE OF THEM HAVE GONE OUT AND HIRED NEW PEOPLE TO COME IN AND ASSIST AND HELP ON THIS.

THEY ARE ALL TRYING TO DO IT WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE THEY HAVE.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

I DO.

I THINK IT SHOWS A FRUGALITY THAT IS RARE IN GOVERNMENT.

IT SHOWS A DETERMINATION TO WORK AND TO GET THE JOB DONE WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE.

I THINK THAT IS A MESSAGE IN ITSELF.

BUT DOG GONE IT IS FRUSTRATING.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT -- THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS IN MARCH.

I ASSUME ARPA 2 WILL HAPPEN AROUND THE SAME TIME, MAYBE WITHIN THE SESSION, WHATEVER.

IS IT TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT Y'ALL ARE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF ARPA 2 AND HOW THE NEXT $1.1 BILLION WILL BE SPENT?

>> IT IS TOO EARLY.

WE DID HAVE A MEETING TODAY.

MOSTLY AN INFORMAL GATHERING OF A FEW TO DISCUSS WHAT DIRECTIONS -- GENERAL DIRECTIONS WE NEEDED TO GO IN.

NO DECISIONS WERE MADE.

NOTHING WAS WRITTEN ON PAPER OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE TO, IN CONCRETE.

WE WANTED TO FIND OUT HOW WE ARE THINKING IN LINES OF WHETHER WE WANT TO REDO WHAT WE HAVE DONE, GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

ALL OF US ARE GETTING CALLS AND DEMANDS AND PRESENTATIONS OF WHAT NEEDS ARE, AND WE ARE TRYING TO DIGEST THAT TO GET A DIRECTION WHERE WE CAN GO AND WHAT'S AHEAD.

>> THE ARPA 2 MONEY WILL BE APPROPRIATED IN 2023.

>> CORRECT.

>> REALLY THREE YEARS AFTER THE COVID EMERGENCY HAPPENED.

IT IS OSTENSIBLY COVID MONEY?

>> CORRECT.

>> PRIORITIES HAVE CHANGED.

WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME EMERGENCY STATE WE DID AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

I WONDER IF CONGRESS MAY GET MORE FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY.

>> MAYBE.

THAT'S ONE THING WE ARE WAITING TO SEE.

WE DON'T KNOW THAT.

THERE WAS A CONCERN, FRANKLY, ABOUT WHAT DIRECTION THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE WITH THAT MONEY.

IN PARTICULAR THE MONEY THAT HASN'T GONE OUT YET.

I THINK WE ARE FAIRLY COMFORTABLE AT THIS POINT THAT WE WILL HAVE THE 1.067 BILLION I THINK IT IS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO APPROPRIATE AND SEND OUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALABAMIANS.

I THINK WE ARE ALSO IN THE SAME MODE THAT WE WANT THIS TO BE ONE-TIME MONEY, MONEYS THAT WILL BUILD FOR THE FUTURE AND NOT THE PAST.

COVID HAS ALREADY BEEN, WHAT, THREE YEARS AWAY, YOU SAID.

WE NEED TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE TO TEN YEARS AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO FOCUS ON.

>> SOMETHING TO WATCH MOVING FORWARD.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> IS THAT ALL THE TIME I GET.

>> THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK SOON.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY DANIELS, MINORITY LEADER FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> YOU TOO.

IT WAS A BUSY STATEHOUSE AS A LOT OF BUDGET HEARINGS WERE HAPPENING.

YOU PARTICIPATED IN ONE SPECIFIC TO ARPA.

YOU ALL ARE HAVING OVERSIGHT ON HOW THE STATE AGENCIES ARE SPENDING THE ARPA FUNDS YOU ALL APPROPRIATED.

WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY?

>> MY TAKEAWAYS IS THERE IS A LOT OF NEED OUT THERE.

WE ARE SCRATCHING THE SURFACE ON THEM.

HEARING THE REPORT FROM THE NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION, THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, ADEM AND ADECA, OPENED MY EYES TO HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT.

THERE ARE ALWAYS QUESTIONS AND THINGS ARE NOT MOVING FAST ENOUGH FOR SOME OF US BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE NOT NECESSARILY ON THE TOP PRIORITY LIST BUT THE WAY THAT THE DIRECTORS EXPLAIN HOW THEY ARE MAKING THE FIRST FUNDING FROM THEIR OFFICES, DISBURSEMENTS MAKES SENSE TO ME.

FOLKS ON THE CRITICAL NEED AREAS FIRST.

THEY ARE NOT DONE WITH THE PROCESS AND THERE ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE CONSIDERED BUT THEY WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THOSE WHO ARE IN DIRE NEED MORE AMONG THE HIGHEST PRIORITY THEY NEED TO GET TO RIGHT AWAY.

I WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THAT REPORT.

>> YEAH.

THERE WAS THIS BACK AND FORTH ABOUT FAST-GROWING AREAS, BECAUSE THAT'S A NEED.

IF YOU ARE GROWING FAST, YOU NEED WATER AND SEWER, VERSUS EXISTING RURAL COMMUNITIES, LIKE IN THE BLACK BELT, WHERE THERE IS CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU REPRESENT ONE OF THE FASTEST AREAS IN THE STATE, FASTEST GROWING AREAS IN THE STATE.

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT?

>> TO THE SENATOR'S POINT EARLIER, THERE ARE COMMUNITIES, LIKE THE COMMUNITY I LIVE IN, THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS AND THEY ARE GROWING WITH INDIVIDUALS MOVING IN EVERY DAY.

THERE'S A POINT THERE.

WE STILL CANNOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT MANY OF THESE RURAL COMMUNITIES AND I GREW UP IN A RURAL COMMUNITY, MIDWAY, ALABAMA, 40 MINUTES FROM HERE.

I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN THOSE COMMUNITY AND THEY HAVE NOT NECESSARILY HAD THE RESOURCES TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING AND GET AN OPPORTUNITY.

HOPEFULLY THIS IS A JUMP START WITH DEVELOPING THOSE INFRASTRUCTURES AND HELPING THOSE COMMUNITIES SUSTAIN THEMSELVES LONG TERM.

ALSO, PAYING ATTENTION TO OUR LARGER COMMUNITIES THAT IS TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH.

THERE ARE TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR MORE NEEDS AND BUILDING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE LONG TERM.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OF THESE PROJECTS GET OFF THE GROUND IN NORTH ALABAMA, WHETHER WATER, SEWER, BROADBAND I KNOW WAS A BIG ONE AND ROADS.

>> OF COURSE ROADS, THOSE PROJECTS ARE GOING ALONG PRETTY WELL IN NORTH ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE STATE.

I HAVE SEEN IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS, TALK ABOUT REBUILD ALABAMA AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

HAPPY TO SEE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OVER IN LOWNDES COUNTY AND PRATTVILLE AREA AND SAME IN CLARK COUNTY AND OTHER PLACES IN THE STATE WHERE OUR LEGISLATURES REPRESENT THOSE COMMUNITY.

THOSE COMMUNITIES SHOULD BE PROUD OF THEIR LEGISLATORS AND THE WORK TO SECURE THE FUNDING FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> SWITCHING GEARS REAL QUICK.

I HAVEN'T CAUGHT UP WITH YOU SINCE THE PRIMARY RUNOFF AND OF COURSE THE ELECTIONS ARE CONTINUING.

WE HAVE A GENERAL COMING UP.

HOW -- WERE YOU PLEASED ABOUT THE TURNOUT, THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR CAUCUS AND THE PRIMARIES?

HOW DID THEY FAIR?

>> I THINK MY CAUCUS MEMBERS DID EXTREMELY WELL IN THEIR PRIMARIES.

OFTEN WHEN WE TALK DURING THE SESSION AND I ENCOURAGE US TO PARTICIPATE IN TOWN HALL MEETING AND ENGAGE CONSTITUENTS, IT APPEARED IT PAID OFF.

SO MY CAUCUS MEMBERS WERE -- A LOT OF THEM WERE GREAT.

THEIR PERFORMANCE WAS HIGH AND IT SHOWED ME THEY ARE IN TUNE AND IN TOUCH WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

THAT'S ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE WORKING HARD, FOLLOWING THE PLAY BOOK, THEY ALWAYS DO WELL.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE NEW FACES WHEN THE LEGISLATURE COMES BACK IN MARCH.

HOW DOES THAT WORK FROM A LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE?

YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF NEW FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> IT IS EXCITING BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE NEW COMING IN, THEY BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN YOU ARE OUT RECRUITING OR SEEKING CANDIDATES TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, YOU WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT BRING DIVERSITY IN THOUGHT, CAREERS, GENDER AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY TO THE TABLE SO IT CAN MAKE FOR BETTER LAWMAKERS.

WE NEED SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

MANY OF US KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS BUT HAVING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS YOU CAN DEPEND ON IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

>> THERE'S ALL OF THIS TALK ABOUT CLOSED PRIMARIES.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL NEAT WEEKEND AND PROBABLY PASS A RESOLUTION.

ALTHOUGH IT WOULD TAKE AN ACTION BY THE LEGISLATURE TO GO TO THIS.

ONLY PEOPLE REGISTERED FOR REPUBLICANS CAN VOTE ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WHAT'S YOUR CHAIRMAN AS A DEMOCRAT?

>> I'M AGAINST CLOSED PRIMARIES.

YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY THAT DON'T IDENTIFY WITH EITHER PARTY.

THOSE IN THE MIDDLE THAT ARE INDEPENDENT OR APOLITICAL, THAT HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED WITH A PARTY BUT UNDERSTAND AND LIKE CERTAIN ASPECTS OR ATTRIBUTES FOR EACH OF THE PARTY AND THEY WANT TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO TO VOTE FOR SHOULDN'T BE LIMITED TO A PRIMARY, TO BEING IN ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER IN A PRIMARY BECAUSE IF THERE IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND THEY LEAN DEMOCRAT, THEY MAY SEE SOMEONE THEY MAY LIKE ON THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY BUT THEY WON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

FOR ME, I CAN TELL YOU POLITICALLY IT IS DAMAGING TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IF THERE ARE CLOSED PRIMARIES.

I'LL TELL YOU, YOU THINK YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT PRETEND TO BE PARTY BOSSES NOW, A PERSON CAN SINGLE-HANDEDLY CONTROL EVERY PRIMARY IF YOU CLOSE PRIMARIES BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE THOSE LOYAL PARTY PEOPLE THAT WILL BE THE ONLY ONES VOTING IN THOSE PRIMARIES.

AND OFTENTIMES YOU SURFACE THE MOST EXTREME CANDIDATE AND THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR ALABAMA OR GROWTH AND NOT GOOD FOR OPPORTUNITY LONG TERM.

>> I ASSUME YOU WILL RESIST THIS IF IT BECOMES LEGISLATION NEXT SESSION?

>> YES, I WILL BE AGAINST IT.

PRINCIPLE WISE I WILL BE AGAINST IT.

I WAS REALLY AGAINST ACTUALLY HAVING INDIVIDUALS THAT COULDN'T VOTE, ONLY VOTE IN ONE PRIMARY ANYWAY.

I WAS AGAINST THAT EVEN WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

SO, IT IS JUST SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN OPPOSED TO.

I THINK INDIVIDUALS SHOULD HAVE THE FREEDOM TO VOTE FOR WHO THEY CHOOSE TO VOTE FOR.

I THINK THAT THIS IS SETTING A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

IF THIS HAPPENS, I WILL TELL YOU, LOOK FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO BE BACK IN CHARGE IN ABOUT 20 YEARS.

>> MARCH IS A LONG WAY OFF.

THAT'S WHEN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS BUT THERE IS ALREADY TALK ABOUT TAX CUTS AND TAX BREAKS, SPECIFICALLY ON THE GROCERY TAX.

THERE WAS A PROPOSAL, KIND OF LATE IN THE SESSION, LAST SESSION, THERE IS USUALLY ONE EVERY YEAR ABOUT ENDING THE STATE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

GIVEN THE FACT THAT INFLATION IS HERE, PRICES HAVE RISEN, DO YOU THINK IT GIVES MORE MOMENTUM TO A PROPOSAL LIKE THAT FOR THE NEXT SESSION?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT YOU WILL SEE FROM BUDGET CHAIRMANS AND INDIVIDUALS ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEES, THEY WILL BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF REVENUE COMING IN AS A RESULT.

A RIGHT NOW I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME GROCERY TAX HOLIDAYS TO TEST IT OUT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FEAR AT THE END OF THE DAY IS REMOVAL OF THE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES IS SOMETHING I FEEL SHOULD HAPPEN.

BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS TO RECOUP SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS.

I THINK YOU START WITH A HOLIDAY WHILE WE ARE IN BETWEEN SESSION AND THEN YOU GO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO GENERATE ENOUGH REVENUE TO ELIMINATE IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE MUST LOOK AT IS WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE INDIVIDUALS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE PRICES TO MAKE UP FOR THE REVENUE THAT THE STATE IS LOSING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> RIGHT.

THEN YOU START TO SEE THERE IS MUNICIPALITY OR PRICES, OTHER PRODUCTS GO UP.

>> TO MAKE UP FOR IT.

>> TO MAKE UP FOR IT.

AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA BECOMES THE LOSERS.

YOU HAVE TO MONITOR THOSE THINGS.

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T TAX ANYWAY.

WHEN WE DEFINE GROCERY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS THE SNAP DEFINITION OF GROCERY.

WE START THERE AND WE START WITH GROCERY TAX HOLIDAY.

I DO BELIEVE, ADAMANTLY BELIEVE BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED AND NOT A WANT AND FOLKS NEED NOURISHMENT TO SURVIVE, I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.

I HAVE BEEN FOR IT AND WILL STILL SUPPORT IT.

>> SOMETHING TO WATCH AS THE SESSION COMES.

IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> MR. DANIELS, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

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

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

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

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY DR. STEVE MURRAY, DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, TODD.

>> I READ YOUR DEPARTMENT THIS WEEK IS DOING SOMETHING SPECIAL.

GIVING BACK -- RETURNING TO TRIBES, THESE ARTIFACTS, THESE OBJECTS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN BURIALS AND THINGS LIKE THIS.

TELL US WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?

>> WE ARE BEGINNING A NEW PHASE OF THE PROCESS REQUIRED UNDER FEDERAL LAW CALLED THE NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION ACT AND IT AFFECTS MOST MUSEUMS IN THE COUNTRY AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

IT SAYS IF THERE ARE NATIVE AMERICAN ANCESTRAL REMAINS AND FUNERAL OBJECTS WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO IDENTIFY WHO IS MOST CLOSELY RELATED TO THOSE MATERIALS THAT ARE HISTORICAL AND WORK WITH THEM IN RETURNING THEM TO A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE.

WE HAVE EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS IN THIS AREA THAT DEVELOPED OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR DECADES IN THE EARLY 1900s.

THEY WERE COLLECTED IN THE CENTRAL ALABAMA AREA BY MEN WHO WERE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ENTHUSIASTS TRYING TO COLLECT AS MUCH AS THEY COULD ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE.

THEY BELIEVED AT THE TIME THAT NATIVE AMERICANS HAD DISAPPEARED OR WERE DISAPPEARING FROM THE SCENE.

THEY WERE TRYING TO PRESERVE WHAT THEY COULD ABOUT THAT HISTORY AND CULTURE.

WE KNOW TODAY THAT NATIVE AMERICANS DIDN'T DISAPPEAR.

THEY ARE ALIVE.

THEIR CULTURE IS VIBRANT AND THEY WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ABOUT THE WAY THAT THE BURIALS, MANY OF THEIR ANCESTORS WERE DISTURBED IN THE PAST AND THOSE MATERIALS BROUGHT MANY TO THE COLLECTIONS OF INSTITUTIONS.

>> WOW.

HERE IN CENTRAL ALABAMA THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF THOSE KIND OF ARTIFACTS AND EVERYTHING.

TELL ME ABOUT THIS PROCESS.

I KNOW THERE'S A DISPLAY RIGHT NOW AT ARCHIVES.

YOU ARE ALL IN THE BEGINNING OF TAKING IT DOWN.

>> WE ARE.

WE STARTED IN 2018 AND WORKING TO ATTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS LAW.

IT HAS REQUIRED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK BY OUR STAFF TO RESEARCH THE COLLECTIONS AND BE PREPARED TO ENTER THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE TRIBES IN DETERMINING WHICH TRIBES ARE MOST APPROPRIATELY AFFILIATED WITH THAT MATERIAL.

THIS WEEK, OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES TOOK THE STEP TO DEESCALATE THE FIRST SET FROM OUR COLLECTION.

THEY WERE REMOVED FROM OUR CATALOG OF COLLECTIONS AND PUTS THEM IN A QUEUE TO BE RETURNED TO A TRIBE AND WE MADE THE DECISION THAT THE APPROPRIATE THING FOR US TO DO IS REMOVE FROM DISPLAY A LARGE NUMBER OF OBJECTS THAT ARE PART OF OUR EXHIBITS THAT INCLUDES THE FIRST ALABAMIANS, THE LARGE STAND-ALONE EXHIBIT THAT COVERS NATIVE AMERICAN.

IT IS POPULATED WITH MATERIALS THAT ARE DOCUMENTED.

NATIVE PEOPLE HAVE STRONG OBJECTIONS THAT THEY WERE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION AND PUT ON DISPLAY.

IT'S THE KIND OF THING, WHEN WE PAUSE AND THINK OF THAT TODAY IT IS HARD NOT TO AGREE WITH THAT POSITION.

WE WOULDN'T WANT THAT DONE TO OUR ANCESTORS BURIALS.

SO, IN THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP, AS AN INDICATION OF OUR RESPECT FOR NATIVE PEOPLES WE WILL TAKE THEM OFF DISPLAY AND ALREADY WE HAVE BEGUN TO DESIGN UPDATES TO THOSE EXHIBITS.

SO IN A FEW YEARS WE CAN BUILD AND IMPROVE ON WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY BUT DO IT WITH MATERIALS THAT AREN'T SOURCED FROM BURIALS.

>> WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO GO TO THE ARCHIVES AND EXPERIENCE THAT RICH HISTORY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE AS A CENTRAL COMPONENT OF THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BUT WHAT WE WILL HAVE IN THE END ARE EXHIBITS IN WHICH ALL ALABAMIANS OR THE DESCENDANTS OF FORMER ALABAMIANS CAN TAKE PRIDE.

>> WHILE I HAVE GOT YOU, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THIS GENEALOGY WORKSHOP.

IT SOUNDS REALLY INTERESTING.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE COMING UP ON THE 20th.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE A FANTASTIC REFERENCE STAFF THAT LEADS WORKSHOPS PERIODICALLY.

YOU CAN GO ON OUR WEBSITE AND LEARN HOW TO REGISTER FOR THAT.

THEY TAKE PLACE ON A SATURDAY.

IT IS FORMATTED SO THAT ON SATURDAY MORNING YOU SPEND TIME IN THE CLASSROOM WITH OUR STAFF LEARNING ABOUT HOW TO USE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESOURCES IN OUR COLLECTIONS, OR PERHAPS ONLINE, TO GET STARTED OR TO SOLVE PARTICULAR CHALLENGES IN YOUR GENEALOGY QUEST.

OUR NEXT ONE COMING UP IS ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY WHICH HAS SOME SPECIAL CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY IN OUR COUNTRY.

THE MORNING IS SPENT IN CLASSROOM TIME AND THEN A LUNCH AND IN THE AFTERNOON YOU HAVE TIME TO GO INTO THE RESEARCH ROOM AND EXPLORE YOUR OWN FAMILY'S HISTORY.

THEN LATER IN THE FALL WE WILL HAVE A THIRD IN THE SERIES.

EACH HAS A DIFFERENT POINT OF FOCUS.

SOMETIMES THEY TALK ABOUT LAND RECORDS.

SOMETIMES THEY FOCUS ON CENSUS RECORDS OR OTHER SPECIAL TOPICS LIKE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES.

>> THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

HOW DO PEOPLE SIGN UP, ON THE WEBSITE, RIGHT?

THIS BRAND NEW UPDATED WEBSITE?

>> WE ARE SO PROUD OF THE WEBSITE THAT LAUNCHED LAST WEEK.

IT IS ARCHIVES.ALABAMA.GOV.

YOU ARE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS AND REGISTER THERE AND EXPLORE UPDATED DATABASE AND OTHER INFORMATION WE ARE SHARING THERE.

THERE'S GREAT INFORMATION FOR K-12 EDUCATORS.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.

>> I CAN'T WAIT TO CHECK IT OUT.

>> GREAT.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE USS ALABAMA IS A WORLD WAR II ERA BATTLESHIP THAT SERVED IN THE ATLANTIC THEATER BUT BETTER KNOWN FOR TAKING JAPANESE OFF THE ISLANDS IN THE PACIFIC BETWEEN '43 AND '45, DURING THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA, THE RADAR ALERTED THE FLEET TO INCOMING AIRCRAFT PROVIDING THE AMERICANS ENOUGH TIME TO SCRAMBLE FIGHTER AND DECIMATE THE ATTACKING FORCE.

LATER, THE ALABAMA SERVED DURING A BATTLE ANCHORED IN TOKYO BAY TO UNLOAD ALLIED OCCUPATION FORCES.

IN 1964, THE STATE OF ALABAMA TOOK POSSESSION OF THE SHIP.

SCHOOL CHILDREN RAISED $100,000 IN NICKELS AND DIMES TO BRING IT TO THE FIELD AND CREATE THE PARK.

BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK IS ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST VISITED ATTRACTIONS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT 7:30 RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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