>> HELLO.

I'M TODD STACEY.

WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EPISODE OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE'RE HERE ON LOCATION IN POINT CLEAR, ALABAMA, AT THE GRAND HOTEL FOR THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA'S ANNUAL GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS CONFERENCE.

EACH YEAR, THE STATE'S TOP POLITICAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS GATHER HERE AT THE GRAND FOR A SERIES OF MEETINGS, SEMINARS AND PANELS FOCUSED ON VARIOUS STATE POLICIES, MOSTLY THOSE RELATED TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

IT'S THE LARGEST GATHERING OF ITS KIND WHEN EVERYONE FROM THE GOVERNOR, STATE LAWMAKERS, THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND CEO'S FROM ALABAMA'S COMPANIES LARGE AND SMALL ARE ALL IN ONE PLACE SHARING IDEAS.

BCA IS THE STATE'S PREMIER BUSINESS TRAIT ASSOCIATION, LOBBYING THE LEGISLATURE FOR BUSINESS FRIENDLY POLICIES ON BEHALF OF ITS MEMBER COMPANIES.

THEY HAVE ALLOWED US UNIQUE ACCESS TO TAKE VIEWERS INSIDE OF THE ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE STATE'S MOST INFLUENTIAL LEADERS.

COMING UP ON THE SHOW I WILL BE VISITING WITH BCA PRESIDENT AND CEO HELENA DUNCAN, JASON ISBELL, STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR REGIONS BANK; CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS, CONGRESSMAN DALE STRONG, LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER WILL DANIELS AND JIMMY RANE OF SOUTHERN WOOD.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> HERE AT THE ANNUAL BUSINESS COUNSEL OF ALABAMA GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS OFFICE IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS OF POLICY MEETINGS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, A VISIT FROM THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND A SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE SITES AND SOUNDS FROM THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE.

>> WHEN I BECAME GOVERNOR IN 2017, MY GOAL WAS TO MAKE ALABAMA BETTER BY THE TIME I LEFT OFFICE.

I BELIEVE WE'RE WELL OPEN OUR WAY TO ACHIEVING THAT.

HOWEVER, I, LIKE EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THIS ROOM, I BELIEVE IN ALABAMA'S GREATEST POTENTIAL, SO NOT ONLY DO I THINK WE HAVE A BETTER ALABAMA TODAY, WE WILL HAVE THE BEST ALABAMA FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

(APPLAUSE) >> OUR NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE BUSY, PRODUCTIVE, AND VERY FULL, AND THERE WILL BE NO CHALLENGE TOO BIG FOR US TO TAKE HEAD ON.

THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA DESERVE OUR VERY BEST.

AND FUTURE GENERATIONS DESERVE OUR HARDEST WORK TODAY.

SO LET'S WORK TOGETHER, LET'S GO TO WORK.

THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY.

SO LET'S NOT WASTE A MOMENT >> I THINK IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR RELATIONSHIP GROWTH, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE IN A UNIQUE SETTING.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE THEIR FAMILIES AND YOU HAVE A LITTLE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE IN MONTGOMERY.

SO WHEN PEOPLE CAN GET TOGETHER LIKE THAT AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER, YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE, MOST IMPORTANT THING WE HAVE IS RELATIONSHIPS AND THOSE RELATIONSHIPS PAY HUGE DIVIDENDS TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AS WE WORK TOGETHER.

THE MORE WE KNOW ABOUT EACH OTHER, THE MORE WE INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER, THE BETTER WE CAN WORK ON TOPICS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE.

SO AN EVENT LIKE THIS GIVES US A CHANCE TO DO THAT, AND THE BUSINESS COUNCIL AND THE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE STATE HAVE HAD THIS CONFERENCE FOR A LONG TIME AND IT'S BEEN ONE THAT I HAVE ENJOYED PARTICIPATING IN >> WITH JERRY SEWELL BEING ON WAYS AND ME AND ME BEING ON ARMS SERVICES AND THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND OBVIOUSLY WITH SHELBY IN THE 12459 WE HAVE CAPABLE REPLACEMENTS AND WE'RE EXCITE ABOUT THEM BUT A LOT OF THE POWER HAS SHIFTED TO THE HOUSE AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT NEVER GETS TALKED ABOUT MUCH IS THAT MIKE AND I ARE BOTH ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE.

THAT'S A LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE.

THERE'S ONLY 30 MEMBERS.

THAT'S THE COMMITTEE THAT DETERMINES WHO GETS ON A COMMITTEE AND WHO CHAIRS A COMMITTEE.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET JERRY ON APPROPRIATIONS, TAKING THAT SPOT THAT MARTHA ROBY HAD, BRINGING DALE IN, AND IT WAS CRITICAL WE GET HIM ON ARMED SERVICES AND HOME ADDRESS AND ALSO ON NATURAL RESOURCES WHICH -- ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND IF MIKE AND I HAD NOT BEEN ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE I'M NOT IN OUR THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AND THE SAME THING WITH JERRY MOORE GETTING HIM ON COMMITTEE >> LET'S INVEST AND START MINING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

ALL OF THE CHINESE IMPORTS WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT MORE TARIFFS.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO IMPOSE TARIFFS ON AMERICAN GOODS LET'S DO THE SAME FOR CHINESE.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO SUPPLEMENT THE CHINESE MANUFACTURING LET'S LOOK AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO IN AMERICA.

WE'VE GOT TO INVEST IN AMERICA.

>> I THINK WE HAVE A REALLY STRONG ECONOMY IN ALABAMA AS EVIDENCED BY 2.2 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

EVERYWHERE I GO BUSINESSES ARE GROWING.

WE WERE ONE OF THE VERY LAST STATES TO SHUT DOWN, AS YOU KNOW, DURING COVID AND ONE OF THE VERY FIRST TO REOPEN.

AS A RESULT OF THAT WE HAVE A REALLY STRONG BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN ALABAMA AND I THINK WE'VE SEEN BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO PERFORM WELL THROUGH COVID, 2020, 2021 AND 2022 WERE SOME OF THE WEST YEARS THAT BUSINESS HAD FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, AND I THINK THAT'S A REAL TRIBUTE TO THE WAY WE HANDLE OURSELVES OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME >> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR AND ALL OF THE ELECTED LEADERS THAT ARE HERE AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO BE WITH US AS WELL.

WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND FEEL VERY BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO CALL ALABAMA HOME AS OUR ORGANIZATION.

IT IS A BUSINESS FRIENDLY CLIMATE AND THAT IS CREATED BY PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO OPERATE NOT ONLY IN THIS STATE.

WE HAVE MEMBERS IN ALL 50 STATES.

BUT WE HAVE 2 MILLION OF THOSE MEMBERS IN ALABAMA AND IT IS A PRIVILEGE FOR US TO SERVE EACH ONE OF THOSE MEMBERS IN THIS STATE AND THE BUSINESS FRIENDLY CLIMATE AND IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WE HAVE >> JOINING ME NEXT IS LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR MANY DOING ON THE SHOW >> GREAT TO BE ON THE SHOW.

LIKE YOUR NEW STUDIO >> YEAH, THIS IS OUR POINT CLEAR STUDIO.

WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF FUN.

WE'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, BEING PART OF THE BCA CONFERENCE BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TO BRING VIEWERS IN.

BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THIS IS REALLY THE BIGGEST MAYBE GATHERING OF POLITICAL LEADERS, BUSINESS LEADERS REALLY IN ONE PLACE SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KIND OF HIGHLIGHT THAT FOR THE STATE.

AND YOU'VE BEEN TO SEVERAL OF THESE OVER THE YEARS.

WHY DO YOU COME HERE?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO GET OUT OF BCA?

>> YEAH, SO I THINK FIRST OBVIOUSLY NETWORKING AND HEARING FROM BUSINESS OWNERS, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA IS THE LARGE OF THE ORGANIZATION IN OUR STATE ADVOCATING FOR BUSINESS SO HE IS OBVIOUSLY BUSINESSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF AMERICA, THE BACKBONE OF ALABAMA.

SO FIRST I COME HERE TO TALK TO BUSINESS OWNERS SMALL AND LARGE.

AND HEAR THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR STATE.

SECOND I USUALLY GET ASKED TO SPEAK SO TODAY I SPOKE ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TALKED ABOUT REALLY HOW GREAT OUR STATE IS DOING.

WE'VE GOT A GREAT STORY TO TELL RIGHT NOW WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE MOVING HERE, THE GROWTH THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO SEE, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE TO -- IT AMAZES ME, EVEN MY HOME COUNTY OF MARSHALL COUNTY, PEOPLE MOVING FROM OUT OF STATE TO ALABAMA.

AND SO WE'RE DOING A LOT OF THINGS; RIGHT.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND I THINK ONE OF THE GOALS OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BUSINESS FRIENDLY.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, I THINK IT'S -- YOU KNOW LIKE WE HAVE THOUSANDS, I FORGET THE EXACT NUMBER OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR STATE THAT EMPLOYEE SO MANY PEOPLE AND THAT'S REALLY THE BACKBONE OF SMALL TOWN AMERICA, SMALL BUSINESSES.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFUL FROM A GOVERNMENT STANDPOINT?

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I COME TO LEARN >> WELL, ABOUT THIS TIME LAST YEAR AT LAST YEAR'S COMPS, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT -- WE WERE HEARING A LOT ABOUT WE HAVE TO REAUTHORIZE THESE INCENTIVES, OUR INCENTIVE LAWS BECAUSE THEY WERE SET UP TO SUNSET AFTER FIVE YEARS.

IT WAS A BIG THEME LAST YEAR AND Y'ALL DID THAT IN SHORT ORDER.

YOU HAD YOUR COMMISSION WORKING ON SOME OF THOSE IDEAS AND EVERYTHING SO DO YOU THINK THAT THE CONFERENCES LIKE THIS PLAY A DECISIVE ROLE IN REALLY FOCUSING THE ATTENTION OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO?

>> NO DOUBT.

I THINK AND CERTAINLY THE MEMBERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION DO THAT AS WELL AND JUST BUSINESSES.

BUT WE HAD TO REAUTHORIZE OUR INCENTIVES THEY WOULD HAVE EXPIRED IN JULY WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR OUR STATE BUT YOU LOOK AND WE'RE PROUD OF THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

IF YOU REMEMBER WE HEADED UP A COMMISSION LAST YEAR, NOT KIND OF BUTTER WE DID HEAD UP A COMMISSION TO REAUTHORIZE.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IS SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY IT'S CORPORATE WELFARE; RIGHT?

OR WHAT TYPE RETURN IS THE STATE GETTING?

I FEEL LIKE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND WE'RE GETTING A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ONE OF THE THINGS CALLED ALABAMA JOBS ACT OVER 100% RETURN ON THAT.

I THINK IT'S 136 PERCENT RETURN ON THAT TO THE STATE SO FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE'RE GETTING 1.36 BACK.

THAT'S HUGE.

YOU LOOK AT GROWING ALABAMA, 91 PERCENT RETURN.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK A THAT, THAT'S HOW WE'RE ABLE TO CUT PEOPLE'S TAX AND DO THE GROCERY TAX THIS YEAR.

BECAUSE WE CONTINUE TO GROW OUR ECONOMY BY CONTINUING TO HAVE BUSINESSES LOCATE HERE AND EMPLOY PEOPLE.

SO REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE ON GETTING THOSE REAUTHORIZED >> SPEAKING OF THE GROCERY TAX THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY PUSHED BE -- I MEAN YOU REALLY GAVE IT A LOT OF MOMENTUM WHEN YOU CAME OUT FOR IT AND IS HAD ALL OF THE SIGNATURES AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

DO YOU SEE IN THE FUTURE GOING FOR THAT FULL 4 PERCENT?

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE THERE'S AN APPETITE FOR THAT IN THE SENATE AND IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

I THINK RIGHT NOW IT'S GOING TO TAKE OFF ONE CENT AND COULD THE NEXT CENT THE NEXT YEAR ASK CERTAINLY MEET OUR GOALS.

BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING.

I CONTINUE TO HEAR INFLATION IS HURTING PEOPLE AND WE WANT TO HEAR AND TAKING THAT OFF IS A GOAL OF MINE >> ANOTHER GOAL OF YOURS THAT YOU TALK ABOUT OFTEN IS, EXPANDING 65, WIDENING INTERSTATE 65.

OF COURSE WE HAVE SHARED ON TWITTER ABOUT SOME OF THESE THINGS BEING STUCK NORTH OF BIRMINGHAM.

WELL, WE GOT A LITTLE SHOUT OUT THE OTHER NIGHT FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

YOU WERE THERE.

HE SAID, HEY, IF YOU REELECT ME OR ELECT ME AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO WIDEN 65 FROM MOBILE TO HUNTSVILLE.

THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD SHOUT OUT FOR YOUR PLAN >> NO DO YOU.

FIRST LET ME SAY THIS.

NUMBER ONE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT RIGHT NOW IN MY OPINION IS I-65.

WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE IN OUR STATE.

MOST POPULAR ISSUE I HAVE EVER WORKED ON.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

IT WAS JUST A NEED I SAW AND WORKED TO TRY TO RAISE AWARENESS BUT WE NEED TO GET IT ADDRESSED.

I WAS FORTUNE ENOUGH TO WELCOME THE PRESIDENT TO ALABAMA WHEN HE CAME TO THE RENAISSANCE: ME, COACH TUBERVILLE AND JOHN WAUGH AND I WAS ABLE TO TALK TO HIM AND I SAID MR. PRESIDENT THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER.

WENT AND GOT A SPEECHWRITER AND HE TOLD ME TO EXPLAIN WHY WE NEEDED IT, JUST THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING TO THE COAST EVERY YEAR THAT ARE TOURISTS AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET A SPEECHWRITER AND IT HAS STOOD UP WITH A LOT OF APPLAUSE SO A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT WAS THE LOUDEST APPLAUSE HE GOT.

HERE IS THE THING.

I THINK ON TRANSPORTATION, THIS IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO START AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ALLOCATE RESOURCES FROM DOT BASED ON NEED.

NOT ON POLITICS.

FOR TOO LONG IN ALABAMA WE HAVE DONE ROAD PROJECTS ON POLITICS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING STUFF ON NEED.

I-10 HERE ON THE COAST IS A NEED.

I-65 IS A NEED.

I'M GOING TO TURN TO ARGUE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ROUTE 43, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS PROBABLY A GOOD PROJECT?

IT IS.

BUT DOES IT TAKE PRIORITY OVER THESE OTHERS?

IN MY OPINION, NO, IT DOES NOT AND I'M WORKING ON GETTING A LIST THE PROJECTS TOGETHER THAT I THINK FROM TALKING TO LOCAL MAYORS, YOU KNOW, SENATORS, HOUSE MEMBERS, THAT REALLY ARE REAL PROJECTS, AND LET'S GET A 15 OR 20-YEAR PLAN IN ALABAMA AND START KNOCKING THIS STUFF OUT >> IS IT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE?

IT'S A MASSIVE PROJECT AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THE COULD HAVE THAT GO INTO IT?

HE.

WHAT KIND OF COST ARE WE TALKING ABOUT, EVEN IF YOU TOOK THE MOBILE BRIDGE OUT AND YOU'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE CRITICAL AREAS OF 65, WHAT WOULD BE WOULD THE COST BE AND DO WE HAVE THE TAX BASE TO BEGIN PAYING FOR IT?

>> I THINK WE DO.

LOOK AT 43.

THAT'S 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BORROW AND SO THE QUESTION IS ARE WE BETTER OFF TO TAKE THAT MONEY AND PUT 3 OR 4 HUNDRED MILLION ON 65 AND PUT SOME TO I-10 AND SOME IN HUNTSVILLE AND TUSCALOOSA AND AUBURN AND MONTGOMERY AND BIRMINGHAM -- MY OPINION IS YES, WE SHOULD DO THAT AND SPREAD THAT OUT OVER PROJECTS AND IT COULD HAVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

WE HAVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS RIGHT NOW ON TRANSPORTATION WHERE AREAS OF OUR STATE ARE GROWING AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STAY AHEAD OF THE GROWTH.

SO THE ANSWER IS I WILL GET YOU AN EXACT NUMBER ON 65.

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL QUOTES BUT IT'S CERTAINLY DOABLE.

I TELL YOU HOW I KNOW.

I DROVE THROUGH COMING BACK THROUGH TENNESSEE ON THE WAY BACK FROM A KENTUCKY BASKETBALL GAME AND THEY WERE SIX-LANING, YOU KNOW, THREE AND THREE, FROM THE KENTUCKY LINE TO NASHVILLE.

SO OTHER STATES ARE DOING IT AND CERTAINLY YOU CAN GET A FEDERAL MATCH.

THE OTHER THING I UNDERSTAND IT'S POSSIBLE ON 43 IS BY THIS NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT COULD GET HELP THROUGH FEDERAL FUNDS SO WHY SPEND STATE MONEY ON THAT?

WE HAVE TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES AND FIND OUT HOW WE CAN GET FEDERAL MATCHES AND THEN START KNOCKING THEM OUT.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

65 SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A LONG TIME AGO.

THE FACT THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PLAN ON HOW TO DO THAT IS A PROBLEM >> I KNOW THAT YOU'RE NOT FINISHED TALKING ABOUT THIS SO WE LEAVE IT THERE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME AND THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND WE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE CONFERENCE >> GREAT TO BE HOME.

THANK YOU >> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY DANIELS, MINORITY LEADER FOR THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MR. LEADER THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODD, ALWAYS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU >> IN OUR UNIQUE LOCATION THIS WEEK.

IT'S INTERESTING.

WE HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE BEING A PART OF THE BCA CONFERENCE.

SO LET ME ASK YOU.

YOU HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL OF THESE OVER THE YEARS.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF THIS YEAR'S GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS CONFERENCE?

>> I TELL YOU THIS IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING CONFERENCES BECAUSE THEY GET INTO THE REAL NUTS AND BOLTS ON ISSUES AS IT RELATES TO BUSINESS, THE ECONOMY, AND HAVING A COMPS WITH BUSINESS LEADERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND IN GENERAL ALL IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME TO HAVE REAL DISCUSSIONS SO THAT IT CAN REALLY HELP US PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.

AND YOU HAVE THE FEDERAL DELEGATION HERE GIVING US A OVERVIEW OF THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND TOMORROW THE STATE'S MOST PERMANENT EXECUTIVES LIKE JIMMY RANE AND OTHERS WILL BE DOING A PANEL TO TALK THROUGH ON THE BUSINESS SIDE SO IT'S AN EXCITING CONFERENCE AND A VERY FAMILY FRIENDLY CONFERENCE.

>> YEAH.

ACTUALLY WE WILL HAVE MR. ARE THEM ANE HERE LATER IN THE SHOW SO WE'RE LOOKING POURED TO THAT CONVERSATION.

LOOKING TO THE ISSUES AND THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IT HERE AT THE CONFERENCE AND YOU'RE HEARING MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT BARRIERS TO THE WORKFORCE.

YOU KNOW WE HAVE A REALLY LOW EMPLOYMENT RATE, HISTORICALLY LOW WE ALSO HAVE A LOW WORKFORCE PARTICIPATES RATE.

ONLY 57.4 PERCENT I THINK IS THE LAST ONE.

THAT'S REALLY LOW AND IT'S REALLY LOW NATIONALLY.

ONE ISSUE I HAVE HEARD TALKED ABOUT IS CHILDCARE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF LEGISLATION ON THE TRYING TO OFFER INCENTIVES FOSTER COMPANIES AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO HAVE CHILDCARE.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING BACK UP WHEN YOU MEET ME NEXT SESSION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND YOU KNOW SINCE THE SESSION THERE HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CONVERSATIONS AROUND IT FROM THE WORKFORCE, EVEN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS, IT SOLVES A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE WANTING TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE PREPARED FOR THE K-12 SYSTEM, MAKE CERTAIN THEY HAVE VERY STRONG FOUNDATION THAT WILL IMPROVE OUR COMPETITORS IN THE LONG-TERM, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAKING CERTAIN THAT PARENTS ARE ABLE TO GO BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN YOU LOOK A THE COST OF CHILDCARE CURRENTLY AND YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT YOU'RE WORKING, AND YOU LOOKING AT YOUR PAY, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU'RE MAKING A DECISION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN 10 WORKING AND CHILDCARE BUT OFTENTIMES FAMILIES ARE STAYING AT HOME WITH THEIR CHILDREN UNTIL THEY REACH SCHOOL AGE AND WE WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND GIVE BUSINESSES AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET ENGAGED IN THE WORKFORCE CONVERSATION, I MEAN THE CHILDCARE CONVERSATION, CONTRACTING PROVIDERS INTO THEIR FACILITIES TO BE ABLE TO TEACH THAT RICH CURRICULUM TO PREPARE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BEING ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE CALL OF HIRING MORE PEOPLE AND BEING MORE FLEXIBLE >> YOU HAD A BILL THIS LAST SESSION ONE OF THE MOST HIGH-PROFILE BILLS OF THE SESSION.

I KNOW IT MADE THIS BUSINESS COMMUNITY PRETTY HAPPY.

ELIMINATING OVER ADVERTISEMENT INCOME TAX FOR THE STATE, PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY, I THINK UNANIMOUSLY.

HOW IS IT GOING WITH IMPLEMENTATION?

I GUESS JANUARY IT GOES INTO EFFECT?

ARE YOU PLEASED SO FAR WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IMPLEMENTING THAT TO MAKE IT ACTUALLY WORK >> LET ME TELL YOU, YOU DO YOU KNOW HAVE A BETTER PARTNER THAN BURNETT.

HE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS EVEN DURING THE PROCESS OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS TO KIND OF HELP ME UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S POINT OF VIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION AND HOW THIS WOULD PLAY OUT AND THE DATA THAT WILL BE COLLECTED AND SO YOU KNOW, FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAD AS BEEN TREMENDOUS.

THE IMPLEMENTATION, WE DID A PANEL PAM ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OVERTIME BILL FOR JANUARY WHERE EMPLOYERS -- HE IS OUT EDUCATING EMPLOYERS ON HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

HE IS MEETING WITH THE COMPANIES THAT ARE THE PAYROLL SERVICE COMPANIES TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE BACK END THEY'RE PREPARED FOR IT AS WELL.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE WORKFORCE IN ALABAMA.

IT'S GOING TO HELP US RECRUIT AND MAINTAIN AND LIKE YOU SAID IT'S GOING TO INCREASE THE PARTICIPATES RATE WHICH EXPANDS OUR TAX RATE IN ALABAMA >> ARE WE THE FIRST?

HAS ANY OTHER STATON SOMETHING SIMILAR >> NO OTHER STATE HAS EVEN HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT.

OFTENTIMES YOU HEAR ABOUT IDEAS AND, YOU KNOW, YOU SEE PIECES OF LEGISLATION BEING INTRODUCED BUT THERE'S NO STATE THAT HAS EVER PASSED THIS LEGISLATION.

WE'RE THE FIRST TO DO IT.

THERE ARE OTHER STATES AT THAT TIME ARE CALLING US ABOUT DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR BECAUSE IT INCENTIVIZES THE PROTECTIVE, INCREASES PROTECTIVE FOR INDUSTRIES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES PRODUCED AT A -- AT OR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE WITH THE EXPERIENCE WORKFORCE BY THE TIME IT EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES TO RECRUIT MORE PEOPLE TO THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING 5 PERCENT BACK ON THE OVERTIME >> IT'S SO RARE TO FIND AN ISSUE THAT BOTH LABOR AND MANAGEMENT ARE REALLY HAPPY ABOUT ON SAME PAGE.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT SPACE COMMAND.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR WEEKS NOW EVER SINCE THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO NOT FOLLOW-THROUGH WITH THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO BASE IT PERMANENTLY IN HUNTSVILLE.

VERY DISAPPOINTING OBVIOUSLY FOR HUNTSVILLE AND FOR THE STATE.

BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOUR PERSPECTIVE SINCE YOU REPRESENT HUNTSVILLE, YOU HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE DEVELOP OVER TIME.

WHAT WAS YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

>> WELL, MY FIRST THOUGHT, TODD, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I SAID HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE LOSE A SPACE COMMAND TO LAUREN BOW BART, SOMEONE WHO MONITORS HERSELF AS BEING HIGHLY PARTISAN?

FOR ME I THINK OUR DELEGATION PROBABLY DID ALL THEY COULD DO, OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO TRY TO LAND SPACE COMMAND.

WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT POLITICS HAS CONSEQUENCES.

RICHARD SHELBY WAS IN OFFICE AND FROM THE IT SHOW IF HE WAS IN OFFICE THERE NO WAY THAT WE WOULD HAVE LOST SPACE COMMAND.

I THINK OUR SENATOR BEFORE IT HAS TON A PHENOMENAL JOB STAYING OUT OF THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT AND DEALING WITH ISSUES THAT DOESN'T BRING THE BACON HOME SO WE APPRECIATE HER EFFORTS BUT I THINK OUR OTHER SENATOR, SENATOR TUBERVILLE CAN LEARN A LITTLE BIT FROM HOW DICK SHELBY OPERATED BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE TAKE WE HAVE LOST OVER 3 HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN APPROPRIATIONS FROM -- FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE GOT TO REFOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THE EARMARKS.

WE LOST A LOT OF MONEY ON EARMARKS SO WE JUST HAVE TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

BUT LOOK FOR THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY.

THERE'S CONVERSATIONS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE FBI AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES LONG-TERM, AND I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO BE READY FOR THAT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE GOT TO PLAY -- WE HAVE TO PLAY BALL AT A VARSITY LEVEL.

RIGHT NOW WEAVER PLAYING AT THE JUNIOR VARSITY LEVEL >> I GUESS IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE SENATOR BEFORE IT A LITTLE WHILE TO GET THAT SAME KIND OF SENIORITY THAT HER PREDECESSOR HAD.

BUT LOOK WE'RE OUT OF TIME AND WE WILL SEE YOU AROUND THE CONFERENCE BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING AND SITTING DOWN AND INTERVIEW REVIEWING FOR THE SHOW >> ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

THANK YOU AND THANK YOU YOUR VIEWERS FORE KEEPING US UP TO DATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON IN ALABAMA >> ALL RIGHT >> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS CONGRESSMAN DALE STRONG OF ALABAMA'S FIFTH DISTRICT AND MIKE ROGERS OF ALABAMA'S THIRD DISTRICT.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" >> GLAD TO BE WITH YOU >> SO YOU JUST FINISHED YOUR PANEL DISCUSSION HERE A THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS CONFERENCE.

TALK ABOUT WHAT MENTALLY YOU WANTED TO CONVEY TO THE CROWD OF BUSINESS LEADERS BUT ALSO STATE POLITICAL LEADERS I WILL START WITH YOU >> YOU KNOW, WE JUST WANTED TO GIVE THEM AN UPDATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON IN WASHINGTON SO WE RESPONDED MORE QUESTIONS AND TOPICS THAN WE DID BRING A MESSAGE >> OF COURSE THE TOPIC OF SPACE COMMAND CAME UP.

THIS HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTING DECISION COMING DOWN FROM WASHINGTON FOR THE ENTIRE DELEGATION.

I IMAGINE IN PARTICULAR HOLY THERE IN HUNTSVILLE WHAT HAS BEEN THE LOCAL REACTION THERE IN YOUR DISTRICT?

>> WELL, I THINK DISAPPOINTMENT IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST.

BUT I TELL YOU THIS PROCESS ISN'T OVER.

THE BIG THING I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT WE WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR NATIONAL SECURITY.

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

IT'S OBVIOUS WITH A 21 CATEGORY PROCESS THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH TWICE ALREADY, IT SHOWS THAT REDSTONE ARSENAL IS THE NUMBER ONE PLACE TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE, THE PLACE TO HOST SPACE COMMAND SO WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE.

I DON'T THINK THE PROCESS IS OVER YET AND IT'S TIME TO BRING SOME FOLKS IN AND ASK SOME MORE QUESTIONS, WHY THEY SELECTED THE FIFTH MOST QUALIFIED FOR THIS COMMAND >> IN THE WAKE OF THE DECISION YOU HAD SOME PRETTY STRONG WORDS.

AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE SAYING THIS IS NOT GOING TO COLORADO SPRINGS, WALK US THROUGH WHAT KIND OF RECOURSE Y'ALL HAVE AS A DELEGATION, WE HAVE AS A STATE?

>> AND THAT WAS THE BASIC MENTALLY I BROUGHT TO THE AUDIENCE TODAY WAS JUST TO JUST PAUSE AND THINK THROUGH WHAT IS GOING ON HERE, JUST BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT'S' ANNOUNCED SOMETHING DOESN'T MAKE IT SO.

AND I USE THE EXAMPLE OF THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCING DEBT RELIEF FOR 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ANY STUDENT THAT HAD LOAN DEBT IN AMERICA AND AS YOU SAW THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCED THREE YEARS AGO SPACE COMMAND WAS COMING TO HUNTSVILLE THAT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

SO WE DON'T LIVE IN A MONARCHY.

PRONUNCIATIONS OR PRONOUNCEMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING TO BE SO WE HAVE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, IF EQUAL BRANCHES.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS GOING TO DO ALL OF THIS DEBT RELIEF THE SUPREME COURT INFORMED HIM YOU DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO INFORM HIM AS THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE THE ALL RIGHT TO DO WHAT HE'S DONE WITH SPACE COMMAND.

AND LET ME EXPLAIN THE BACKGROUND ON THIS.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS GOVERNED BY TITLE 10 OF THE U.S. CODE.

TITLE 10 VERY SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT SERVICE SECRETARY OF EACH DEPARTMENT HAS THE SOLE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE BASING LOCATIONS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ARMY, BASING, SELECTIONS, IT'S THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY THAT HAS THE FINAL SAY-SO.

NOT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, NOT THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY.

IF YOU'RE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY WHERE THEY HAVE THE NAVY AND THE MARINES, THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY HAS THAT.

AND THEN WHETHER YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AIR FORCE OR SPACE FORCE THEY'RE UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE SO THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE HAS THAT STATUTORY AUTHORITY.

WELL, DID YOU KNOW THE LAST SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE UNDER TRUMP, BARBARA BARRETT WENT THROUGH TWO COMPETITIONS?

ALABAMA WON BOTH.

AND SHE STATUTORILY EXERCISED HER AUTHORITY AND INFORMED PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT SHE HAD SELECTED REDSTONE ARSENAL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AS ONLY HE CAN DO TOOK CREDIT FOR IT -- >> I REMEMBER THE BIG CEREMONY, YEAH >> WELL, HE WENT ON BECAUSE I CAN BUBBA AND SAID I SENT IT TO ALABAMA, WELL, HE DID AFTER THE SECRETARY PICKED ALABAMA.

AND THAT'S A BIG POINT TO MAKE SURE.

BECAUSE NOW THE BIDEN SECRETARY HAS PICKED ALABAMA.

AND BIDEN DID WHAT HE ACCUSED TRUMP OF DOING AND THAT IS INTERFERING IN PICKING ANOTHER STATE >> I WHICH MAKES IT SEEM VERY POLITICAL; RIGHT?

>> WHICH IT IS BUT WATT I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IS IT'S NOT LAWFUL.

THEY MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RIGHT AFTER WE LEFT TOWN THINKING IT WOULD JUST GO AWAY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

BUT I HAVE -- I WAS IN EUROPE WHEN I GOT THE CALL FROM THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE INFORMING ME OF THIS.

I JUST GOT BACK THE NEXT WEEK AND THERE WERE A LOT OF INTENSE CONVERSATIONS GOING ON.

AND I'M GOING TO GIVE THE PRESIDENT THE CHANCE TO CORRECT THIS AND DO THE RIGHT THING.

BUT IF HE DOESN'T THIS FALL, WE WILL START HEARINGS AND POINT OUT HE THE INAPPROPRIATENESS OF THIS AND IT COULD GET UGLY BUT IT DOESN'T NEED TO DO THAT.

THE FACT IS -- AND I DO WANT YOUR LISTENERS TO DO THIS, THAT ASSUMING EVERYTHING GOES WRONG AND THE PRESIDENT JUST WON'T WORK AND CLEAN THIS UP, EVERYTHING IN COLORADO SPRINGS THAT HOUSES THE SPACE COMMAND, U.S. SPACE COMMAND, WHICH WAS JUST STOOD UP UNDER TRUMP IS IN LEASED FACILITIES.

IN ORDER TO EXTEND THOSE LEASES OR TO REPLACE THEM WITH NEW BUILDINGS, IT TAKES A NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT, AUTHORIZING LANGUAGE AND AN APPROPRIATIONS BILL.

I HAVE PUT A HOLD ON ANY NEW LEASES OR AUTHORIZED MILL CON IN COLORADO SPRINGS.

ROBERT ADERHOLT HAS PUT A HOLD ON ANY NEW LEASES IN COLORADO SPRINGS.

SO FOR THE NEXT 16 MONTHS OF THIS PRESIDENCY IF HE WON'T CORRECT IT WE WILL MAKE SURE NO PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE IS PUT IN PLACE IN COLORADO SPRINGS >> IT'S INTERESTING THAT YOU MENTIONED FACILITIES BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT AND HIS JUSTIFICATION FOR SOME OF THIS WAS, HEY, IT'S THERE ANYWAY.

IT'S RIGHT NOW TEMPORARILY IN COLORADO SPRINGS.

AND I KEPT HEARING ABOUT THAT A COMMUNITY REALLY TRYING TO BUILD UP THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE AND EVERYTHING SORT OF DURING THIS INTERIM TIME.

DO YOU THINK THAT WAS A FACTOR IN THIS HUNTSVILLE AND REDSTONE NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO CATCH UP WITH THAT?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DO.

I THINK THAT THIS PROCESS CLEARLY SHOWED THAT REDSTONE WAS THE BEST POSSIBILITY WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

THE THING THAT YOU WATCHED, EVEN THEIR LANGUAGE, SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AND THEIR PROCESS, IT SAID THAT ONE AND TWO WERE CLOSE.

ONE WAS REDSTONE, TWO WAS NEBRASKA, AND THEN THERE WAS A LARGE SEPARATION BETWEEN TWO AND THREE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THE SEPARATION IS BETWEEN TWO AND FIVE?

SO THAT'S THE THING.

COLORADO IS NOT PERFECTLY POSITIONED.

IT WAS ALL TO BE A TEMPORARY LOCATION.

AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS JUST CONTINUE TO EXPOSE THIS AND BE SURE THAT WE DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY >> TODD, YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT.

PRESIDENT THE PRESIDENT MADE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT I HAD ANNOUNCED AN INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT YOU JUST CITED, AND THAT IS, THERE HAS BEEN AN 18-MONTH THEY FROM THE TIME THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND THAT THE GAO CAME OUT AND SAID TRUMP HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SELECTION PROCESS.

IT WAS ALL LEGITIMATE AND SHOULD MOVE FORWARD UNTIL THEY MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

IN THAT INTERIM WE FIND OUT THEY HAD BEEN SPENDING HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY IN COLORADO SPRINGS TO TRY TO BUILD UP THAT TEMPORARY INFRASTRUCTURE TO GIVE IT MORE CAPABILITY.

THAT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED AND I HAD ALREADY STARTED AN INVESTIGATION ON THAT >> THIS IS FEDERAL MONEY BEING SPENT >> ABSOLUTELY.

WITHOUT AUTHORS AND WITHOUT APPROPRIATIONS APPROVED FOR THAT.

SO WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON THAT INVESTIGATION BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.

THAT INVESTIGATION IS GOING TO CONTINUE, SEPARATE AND APART FROM WHAT I.

JUST DESCRIBED ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S NOW HERE >> WELL, I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE REALLY ANXIOUS TO SEE THIS PROCESS PROSECUTE PLAY OUT BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE WHILE >> IT MAY NOT.

I LITERALLY HAVE HAD VERY INTENSE CONVERSATIONS THIS WEEK WITH THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND THE CHAIRMAN AND JOIN CHIEF AND OTHER FOLKS.

I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO ALL OF THE MOVING PARTS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I DO WANT THE PRESIDENT TO RECOGNIZE THIS WAS AN ERROR IN JUDGMENT.

WHEN HE ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE'S RECOMMENDATION AND INSTEAD SEND IT TO COLORADO SPRINGS OR ANNOUNCED COLORADO SPRINGS, HE CITED THIS AS THE BASIS, THAT, ACCORDING TO THE BATON COMMANDER AT U.S. SPACE COMMAND THIS WOULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION IN OPERATIONAL READINESS.

WELL, OBVIOUSLY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE TALKED TO THAT COMBAT COMMANDER AND TOOK THAT INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE ANNOUNCING HUNTSVILLE.

BUT THE FACT IS THAT ALL OPERATIONAL READINESS WITH REGARD TO SPACE OPERATIONS OCCUR IN THE SPACE OPERATIONS CENTER IN COLORADO SPRINGS WHICH IS NOT BEING MOVED.

IT IS GOING TO STAY THERE.

WHERE YOU MOVE THE HEADQUARTERS FACILITIES HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

WHAT I TOLD THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND I TOLD THE CHAIRMAN TO COMMUNICATE TO THE PRESIDENT IS, IF HE DOUBTS ME, CALL THE CHIEF BASE OF OPERATIONS OR COMMANDER OF SPACE OPERATIONS CENTER AND ASK THEM, WOULD MOVING HEADQUARTERS AFFECT OPERATIONS?

AND IT WOULD NOT.

SO THE WHOLE PREMISE OF HIM SUPERSEDING OR USURPING THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE IS FALSE.

DEMONSTRABLY CLOSE AND I WANT THE PRESIDENT TO HAVE A CHANCE TO CLEAN THIS UP AND SAY I GOT BAD INFORMATION, I'M GOING TO DO WHAT THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE SAID AND MAKE THIS GO AWAY.

IF HE DOESN'T THIS FALL IT WILL GET UGLY >> LET'S QUICKLY TALK ABOUT NDAA.

I HAVE THE CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE ARMED SERVICES ONE OF THE NEWEST MEMBERS SO KIND OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THERE BUT I KNOW IT WAS A VLOG GETTING THAT BILL TO THE FLOOR, THROUGH THE COMMITTEE AND TO THE FLOOR AND ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS AND EVERYTHING WHAT DOES THE PROSPECT LOOK FOR NDAA?

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A PRODUCT >> THE HARD PART WAS GETTING THROUGH THE HOUSE VOTE BASS THE LEADERSHIP WAS DETERMINED TO BE A PART LINE VOTE BASED ON STRIPE I COULDN'T SAY EFFORTS AND NOW THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN TRUE THAT, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WE'RE SEEING EXACTLY THE SAME WAY WE WILL COME BACK WITH A CONFERENCE REPORT THAT WILL GET OVERWHELMING SUPPORT >> YOU LOOK AT IT AND IT COMES BACK TO LEADERSHIP.

WE ARE FORTUNE TO HAVE THE CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE ARMED SERVICES MIKE ROGERS RIGHT HERE FROM ALABAMA BUT HE DID SOME HEAVY LIFTING DURR THIS PROCESS, THE TRUST THAT HE HAS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS UNBELIEVABLE IN THAT HE HAS LED THIS COMMITTEE IN UNIQUE FASHION.

THE 21 YEARS OF SERVICE HAVE TRULY PAID OFF NOT ONLY FOR OUR COUNTRY BUT ALSO FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> WOW, WELL, WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO DO SEEING YOU AGAIN >> THANK YOU >> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

ED OF >> JOINING ME NEXT IS JIMMY RANE, FOUNDER AND CEO OF GREAT SOUTHERN WOOD.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" >> THANK YOU.

NICE BEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR ASKING ME >> I ENJOYED YOUR COMMENTS DURING THE CEO ROUNDTABLE, CANDID COMMENTS ABOUT SELECTING SERIOUS PEOPLE.

THE PHRASE WAS GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT ABOUT WHAT LEADERS -- THE IMPORTANCE OF SENDING SERIOUS HEEDERS TO PLACES LIKE CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATURE.

WHY DID YOU FEEL LIKE THAT WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE?

>> WELL, MY GOOD FRIEND PAT DYE USED TO ALWAYS SAY PLAIN TALK IS SELDOM MISUNDERSTOOD.

SO THAT'S WHY.

IT'S A SERIOUS BUSINESS OF SENDING SOMEBODY TO RUN OUR GOVERNMENT AND WE NEED TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT THAT AND WE NEED TO BE INVOLVED.

IT AFFECTS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US AND, WHILE I SERVED AS A COUNTY JUDGE FOR FIVE YEARS I CAN TELL YOU THAT PUBLIC SERVICE IS DIFFICULT.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

AND IT'S A GREAT SACRIFICE TO THE IMPORTANT THAT DOES IT AND TO HIS FAMILY.

AND SO YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO IS VERY COMMITTED AND INTELLIGENT, SOMBER, IS GOING TO BE VERY CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT THE DECISIONS THAT THEY MAKE AND DO WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP THE STATE OR THE COUNTRY PROSPER.

SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING >> SO WE'RE HERE AT BCA, THE CONFERENCE, IT'S THE INTERSECTION OF BUSINESS AND POLITICS RIGHT AND WE HAVE SPOKEN TO A LOT OF POLITICIANS, OFFICIALS HERE AT THE TABLE BUT YOU ARE -- THE EMBODIMENT OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, ONE OF ALABAMA'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE BRANDS AND COMPANIES BUT I MEAN YOU HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR DECADES.

I READ THAT IT'S IN 12 STATES NOW SO YOU HAVE SEEN DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS, DIFFICULT LEADERS AND EVERYTHING.

I IMAGINE YOU HAVE SEEN SOME GOOD ONES AND SOME NOT SO GOOD ONES TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FORMING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BUSINESS FRIENDLY GOVERNMENT AND MAYBE ONE NOT SO FRIENDLY >> YOU'RE CORRECT.

WE HAVE FACILITIES IN 12 STATES BUT WE OPERATE IN 30.

SO WE'RE INTERACTING WITH LEADERSHIP IN 30 STATES AND I CAN PROMISE YOU WE SEE A BIG, BIG DIFFERENCE.

FORTUNATELY WERE FOR THE MOST PART ALABAMA IS VERY FORTUNE LEADERSHIP FOR THE MOST PART HAS BEEN HIGH QUALITY, DEDICATED HIGH QUALITY PEOPLE THERE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE EVERYWHERE.

>> YOU MENTIONED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT SITES AND THIS PAST YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE, THEY PASSED WHAT WAS CALLED THE SEEDS ACT ABOUT REALLY HELPING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WHETHER IT'S A COUNTY OR CITY OR INDUSTRIAL BOARD, HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR SITES TO DO ATTRACT INDUSTRY.

YOU SEE IT FROM NOT NECESSARILY THE STATE PERSPECTIVE PUT THE BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE OF YOU'RE LOOKING AT SITES.

SO TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL INDUSTRY SITES FOR THOSE BUSINESSES LOOKING.

>> WELL, WE CAN EQUATE IT TO A BUSINESS SEEING A MARKET.

AND SEEING THE MAN DEVELOPING FOR WHAT THEY'RE DEVELOPING.

AND MAYBE TODAY THEY WERE SELLING 50 WIDGETS.

BUT THEY HAD DEMAND FOR MORE THAN 50.

SO HOW DO THEY GET MORE?

THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH MANUFACTURING COMPANIES MOVING THEIR MANUFACTURING SITES FROM OVERSEAS BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.

SO THERE'S A MARKET.

THERE'S HAD A DEMAND FOR SPACE FOR THESE BUSINESSES WHO WANT TO COME HOME.

THE STATES THAT ARE GOING TO GET THESE BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO BE THE ONES THAT HAVE THE SITES READY FOR THEM TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE IT'S LIKE ANYTHING IN BUSINESS YOU HAVE TO STRIKE WHILE THE EUROPE IS HOT.

AND HAVING THE SITE AND SHOWING IT TO A BUSINESS OR MANUFACTURER AND SAYING HERE WE HAVE THIS AND IT'S READY TO GO, YOU CAN GO TO WORK TOMORROW, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> LAST TIME I SAW YOU IT WAS ACTUALLY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

IT WAS DURING THE OPENING OF THE SAWMILL.

AND IT JUST STRUCK ME, ENDED UP WRITING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE LOOKS ON THE FACES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE THE FIRST TO BE HIRED THERE IN ABBEVILLE AND THE TESTIMONIALS ABOUT -- I GUESS THAT WAS THE OLD PEPPERILL MILL BRINGING IT BACK TO LIFE AND WHAT THAT MEANT FOR THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, THE FOCUS HAVING JOBS JUST REVITALIZING THE COMMUNITY, TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND WHY IT WAS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE SAWMILL AND ALL YOU HAVE DONE IN ABBEVILLE AND WHY YOU CHOSE TO REALLY DOUBLE DOWN IN YOUR HOMETOWN BECAUSE IT IS MY HOMETOWN AND I LOVE ABBEVILLE.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED THERE AND HAVE GREAT MEMORIES.

I WENT TO SCHOOL THIS.

MY SCHOOLTEACHERS, MY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS, MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND MY FATHER HELPED BRING PEPPERILL THERE IN 1950 >> YOU TOLD THAT STORY ABOUT THE SPAGHETTI SUPPER; RIGHT?

>> ;RIGHT.

>> AND THEY CAME TO UP TO WITH 25 WORKERS AND THAT PLANT GREW TO OVER 14 HUNDRED AND IT WAS IT WAS THE ABSOLUTE BACKPACK BONE LIFEBLOOD OF THAT -- YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW MANY LOCAL CITIZEN WERE WORKING THERE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER PEOPLE CAME OFF OF THE FARM AND HAD A JOB.

CERTAINLY THE WIVES WHO HAD ALWAYS BEEN JUST AT HOME WORKING ON THE FARM.

IT REVOLUTIONIZED THE TOWN AND WHEN THEY PASSED NAFTA AND WE LOST IT, 14 HUNDRED SOMETHING JOBS, THE EQUIVALENT TO A BOMB GOING OFF IN ABBEVILLE, AND A MASSIVE DECLINE.

IF YOU HAD RIDDEN THROUGH ABBEVILLE ALABAMA IN 1994, YOU WOULD HAVE LOCKED YOUR DOORS AND KEPT GOING, BURNED OUT BUILDINGS, BROKEN SIDEWALKS, NO TREE -- IT WAS HORRIBLE.

AND I JUST -- I JUST -- MY PARTNERS ARE UPSET AND I HAD TO GO BY AND I SAID I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO BUT I'M GOING TO I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING.

AND WE STARTED.

NOW WHEN YOU RIDE THROUGH THERE, IT IS A LOVELY LITTLE TOWN, AND WE BROUGHT THAT BUSINESS BACK TO HIVE WITH THE SAWMILL AND NOW HAVE 130 PEOPLE OUT THERE, AVERAGE WAGES OVER 22 DOLLARS AN HOUR.

SO YES, IT IS REVITALIZED AND IT IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN REVITALIZE OUR COMMUNITIES WITH GOOD PAYING JOBS AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT >> WHILE I HAVE YOU, I HAVE TO IS IT YOU ABOUT -- WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY, MIGHTY, THAT'S COMING OUT SEPTEMBER25 I BELIEVE AND WE WILL BE SURE TO UPDATE PEOPLE BUT IT'S THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT PAT DYE THAT YOU REFERENCED, A GOOD FRIEND, AND I KNOW YOU'RE UNDERWRITING THIS DOCUMENTARY AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND ON BEHALF OF ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, BUT TALK ABOUT THAT AND HOW THIS SORT OF DEVELOPED AND THE STORY THAT IT TELLS >> PAT DIE WAS AN IMPORTANT FIGURE IF MY LIFE I SAY ALL THE TIME THE PERSON ARE THAT I RESPECTED THE MOST WAS MY FATHER BUT PAT AND I FORMED A RELATIONSHIP WHEN HE WAS FIRST AT ALABAMA AND I WAS A COACH, A HIGH SCHOOL COACH AND I COACHED PEEWEE, JUNIOR VARSITY, AND SOME VARSITY >> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT >> YEP.

22 YEARS.

WE HAD A PLAYER IN ABBEVILLE, LEROY COOK, FIRST TIME THE BOY PUT A FOOTBALL UNIFORM ON WAS FOR ME IN THE 8 GRADE AND HE TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT FOOTBALL PLAYER AND IN HIS HIGH SCHOOL YEARS HE WAS BEING RECRUITED BY EVERYBODY, ALABAMA, AUBURN, SO PAT CAME DOWN RECRUITING HIM FOSTER BEAR AND THAT'S WHERE WE MET BECAUSE HE IS ODD.

WHEN HE WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL HE WAS MARRIED AND HIS SECRETARY WORKED FOR ME SO I WAS URGING HIM TO GO TO AUBURN.

PAT WAS MORE PERSUASIVE AND WHEN PAT CAME BACK FROM AUBURN IN 81 WE RENEWED OUR FRIENDSHIP AND WE ABOUT THE SAME TIME VERY CLOSE FRIENDS AND WE BOTH DID A LOT OF THINGS ON AND OFF THE FIELD AND WENT THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES NOT ATHLETICALLY BUT PERSONALLY TOGETHER.

HE WOUND UP ON MY BOARD AND SERVED MY BOARD FOR 6 YEARS UNTIL HE PASSED AWAY BUT I KNEW THE SOUL OF THE MAN AND WHO HE WAS OF THE WHEN HE WENT AWAY I WANTED HIS STORY TO BE TOLD.

WE SPENT TWO YEARS MAKING THAT FILM AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF IT >> WE'RE EAGER TO RUN IT AGAIN.

IT'S GOING TO AIR IN HE WENT IS.

WE WILL BE DOING A LOT OF PROMOS RUNNINGS UP TO IT, AND THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND SHARING AND WE WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DOCUMENTARY AND THAT YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT SERIOUS GOVERNMENT AND ELECTING SERIOUS PEOPLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

I THINK IT WAS A MESSAGE THAT NEEDED TO BE HEARD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MY HONOR TO BE WITH YOU >> APPRECIATE WHAT YOU TO, TODD >> THANK YOU >> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT, SELENA DUNCAN, AND JASON ISBELL OF STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR REGIONS BANK.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US >> I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE AT BC -- THIS IS THE FIRST FOR US.

WE HAVE ENJOYED BEING AT THE CONFERENCE AND SHARING WITH OUR VIEWERS WHAT GOES ON HERE.

IT'S REALLY THE PREMIER GATHERING OF POLITICAL LEADERS AND BUSINESS LEADERS FOR THE WHOLE STATE.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US ACCESS.

>> YES AND THIS IS OUR LARGEST ONE IN HISTORY.

OVER 1650 ATTENDEES REGISTERED TO COME TO THIS EVENT >> SO YOUR' KIND OF FINISHED NOW.

IT'S BEEN QUITE A -- ARE YOU PLEASED WITH -- NOTICE THE TURNOUT BUT PRETTY AMBITIOUS PROGRAM?

>> WE ARE.

WE SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME IT IS A THOUGHT PROCESS AND OBVIOUSLY YOU CANNOT HAVE AN EVENT LIKE WE PUT ON OVER THIS WEEKEND.

AND NOT A LOT OF THOUGHT AND MANNING AND PREPARATION THAT HAPPENS.

WE DECIDED WHAT WE THAT YOU THE MESSAGE SHOULD BE THIS YEAR AND WE START FROM THAT POINT.

AND SO EVERY ONE THAT YOU SAW PARTICIPATE WAS VERY GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME, NEVER A QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THEY WOULD DO IT.

IT WAS A MATTER OF IF THEY COULD DO IT.

AND ALL OF US IN THAT ROOM, INCLUDING THOSE THAT WERE WATCHING THE PANELS THIS MORNING HAVE JUST ONE GOAL AND THAT'S HOW DO WE ADVANCE ALABAMA FORWARD?

HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO CREATE JOBS AND WORK TOWARDS GETTING A STRONGER WORKFORCE AND THOSE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US AND SO I FEEL LIKE OUR MISSION WAS COMPLETE.

I FELT LIKE PEOPLE HEARD FROM THE EMPLOYERS.

THEY HEARD FROM THE EMPLOYEES.

THEY HEARD FROM THE LEGISLATORS THEY HEARD FROM POLE CENTERS AND I FELT LIKE THEY HAD A COMPLETE VIEW OF ALABAMA.

AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE UNITED STATES >> AND JASON, YOU LED THAT PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE POLLSTERS WHICH EVERYONE WAS EAGER TO SEE.

IT WAS A REMINDER TO ME, AS MUCH AS SO MUCH POLICY WAS DISCUSSED THIS WEEKEND THERE'S ALSO A POLITICAL SIDE >> SURE >> AND BCS PLAYS ON THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.

TALK ABOUT THAT WENT BECAUSE YOU'RE A PART OF THAT AND TALK ABOUT WHAT GOES INTO DECIDING WHAT CANDIDATES TO SUPPORT AND HOW TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THEM?

>> WELL, YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF POLITICS.

TO THE POLICY AND THE SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAVE AT THIS COMPS ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

BUT THAT ROOM HAS AS MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS AS THE STATEHOUSE ON A LEGISLATIVE DAY.

THERE'S MEMBERS OF THE CABINET, JUDICIARY, LEGISLATURE, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND DELEGATION MEMBERS.

OBVIOUSLY TALKING ABOUT POLITICIAN IS A GOOD THING TO ADD TO THE AGENDA, AND WE HAD REALLY TWO NATIONAL EXPERTS IN REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC POLITICS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY SEE, MOSTLY FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE MOSTLY WHAT THE COUNCIL DOES HERE IN ALABAMA, IT'S A RIGOROUS PROCESS.

PROGRESS PAC HAS REGIONAL ADVISORY GROUPS ALL OVER THE STATE AND THEY'RE REALLY THE FIRST LINE OF TRYING TO VET AND EVALUATE CANDIDATE IT FOR OFFICE.

IT'S NO AUTOMATIC THAT BCS IS GOING TO ENDORSE A CANDIDATE BECAUSE THEY'RE AN INCUMBENT FOR RE-ELECTION.

I IT'S NO AUTOMATIC THAT BCS WILL ENDORSE A CANDIDATE BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONLY ONE IN THE RACE.

THERE'S A RIGOROUS SYSTEM OF INTERVIEWS.

PROGRESS PAC, FOR EXAMPLE, HAD A LENGTHY ENTER WITH SOME OF THE JUDICIAL CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT IN 24, YET MORNING REALLY SOME HARD QUESTIONS BUT I THINK THAT CONTRIBUTES TO BETTER CANDIDATES, CANDIDATES THAT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PRO BUSINESS POLICIES WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO BE SITTING ON THE BENCH OR SITTING IN THE LEGISLATURE, UNDERSTAND THAT REALLY BCA IS THE STATE'S LOUD AND THE FACT BEST VOICE FOR CHAMPIONING BUSINESS ISSUES.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO US THEY'RE IMPORTANT TO US AND BY THE NUMBER OF FOLKS HERE IT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM TOO >> HELENA, I NOTICED IN THE WAKE OF THE SESSION THERE WERE ALL OF THESE BILLBOARDS POPPING UP AND A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND EVERYTHING BUT Y'ALL WERE KIND OF BRAGGING ON CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE I THINK IT WAS RELATED TO THE GAME PLAN AND JUST -- AND I GUESS IS THAT -- KIND OF A THANK YOU TO CERTAIN PEOPLE THAT WERE SUPPORTIVE OF THE AGENDA?

WHAT WENT INTO THIS CAMPAIGN?

>> SO IT TIES INTO WHAT JASON WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT IT STARTS THERE WE FOCUS ON TRYING TO HELP ELECT PRO POSITIVE JOBS, PRO ECONOMIC GROWTH CANDIDATES FOR THESE POSITIONS: SO THROUGH THE GAME PLAN AND THROUGH THE WHOLE SESSION, WE HAD A GROUP OF LEGISLATORS THAT REALLY WENT OVER AND BEYOND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

AND WE CALLED THEM OUR "JOB CHAMPIONS" BECAUSE THEY ARE LITERALLY WORKING AROUND-THE-CLOCK AND THINKING ABOUT EVERY DECISION THEY MAKE AND WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AND LET THEIR CONSTITUENTS UNDERSTAND THEY ARE HERE IN MONTGOMERY DOING WHAT YOU SENT THEM TO DO WHICH IS TO PROTECT JOBS AND GROW THE ECONOMY AND HELP MOVE ALABAMA FORWARD SO THEY'RE DOING THAT AND WE WANT TOE SUPPORT THAT AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S WHO THEY ARE.

WE GAVE GOVERNOR IVEY THIS MORNING A SHOVEL FOR BEING A JOB CHAMPION.

THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US.

TO HAVE A GOVERNOR IN THIS STATE THAT GETS IT AND UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND IT HELPS US IN OUR JOB THAT WE ARE THE UMBRELLA FOR ALL BUSINESSES AND IT HELPS US TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING A JOB CHAMPION TO HELP US FULFILL OUR MISSION TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THERE'S NOT A TIME THAT WE PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THESE FOLKS IF THEY DON'T ANSWER.

SO THAT WAS JUST OUR OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU >> WE WERE JUST TALKING WITH JIMMY RANE WHO HAD SOME REALLY INTERESTING WORDS NOT THAT I REMEMBER THIS UNIQUE CROWD.

AND SOMEBODY OF HIS GRAVITAS, I GUESS, HAS THE ABILITY TO CHALLENGE THE STATE'S MOST POWERFUL LEADERS AND BUSINESS AND TALKING ABOUT LOOK, IT'S IMPORTANT WHO WE ELECT AND THAT WE ELECT SERIOUS PEOPLE.

TALK ABOUT THE FEELING THAT WAS IN THAT ROOM WHEN THOSE KIND OF SERIOUS WORDS WERE SPOKEN, AGAIN TO THE STATE'S MOST POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE >> SURE.

IT WAS -- JIMMY RANE IS A GIVER.

YOU KNOW, AND HE TAKES VERY LITTLE.

SO WHEN HE SPEAKS, PEOPLE LISTEN.

AND I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING HIS FRIEND FOR YEARS: AND AS I MENTIONED TODAY ON THE PANEL, SITTING ON THE SIDELINE, WATCHING HIM GROW HIS BUSINESS OVER THE YEARS TO BE WHO HE IS TODAY, WHICH IS A THING ALL BY ITSELF, RIGHT, AND SO -- BUT JUST FOR THEM TO HEAR HIS TAKE ON WHY HE IS DOING BUSINESS IN ALABAMA AND OTHER STATES REALLY SHOULD BRING HOME TO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

HE IS NOT SAYING GO DO THIS.

HE IS SAYING COUNT ME IN; RIGHT?

AND EVERYBODY ON THAT STAGE WAS SAYING THAT TODAY.

THEY WEREN'T JUST BARKING ORDERS.

LOOK AT WHAT JEFF PEOPLES SET ALABAMA POWER IS DOING AND LOOK THE A THE CONCESSIONS TIM VINE NOTED ON HEALTH CARE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY AND WHAT REGION SEAS DOING THROUGH ASSISTING BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES AND OTHER THINGS.

EVERYBODY ON THAT STAGE HAD SOME CONCESSIONS THEY WERE MAKING TO HELP OUR ECONOMY, TO CREATE JOBS AND HELP WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ALL OF THOSE THICKS.

THEY'RE SAYING COUNT ME IN, COACH, I WANT TO BE PART OF TEAM.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE.

AND LOOKING AROUND THAT ROOM, IT WAS JUST -- PEOPLE WERE JUST IN AWE, BECAUSE EVERYONE COULD HAVE TURNED THEIR BACK AND PROCEED ON WITH THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY BUT NOT FOR ALABAMA.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE HOPED THAT PEOPLE TOOK AWAY, THAT THESE FOLKS ARE VERY INTERESTED ON DOING THINGS OUTSIDE OF THEIR OWN LITTLE BUBBLE TO DO THEIR PART OF MAKING ALABAMA GREAT >> WELL, I HAVE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON AN EXCELLENT CONFERENCE.

IT IS TELLING THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE ROOM PARTICIPATING IN THE PANELS AND ALL OF THIS, NOT SITTING OUT AND GOING TO THE POOL OR WHATEVER.

SO IT REALLY WAS ENGAGING.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR LETTING US BE A PART OF IT AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US >> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT OUR REGULAR TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.