>> Don: TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE'RE JOINED BY STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WHO WILL DISCUSS THE GROWING COVID CRISIS IN ALABAMA AND THE MOUNTING STRAINS IT'S PUTTING ON OUR HOSPITALS.

SENATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET CHAIRMAN GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT PRISON CONSTRUCTION NEGOTIATIONS.

HE SAYS THEY'VE BEEN DIFFICULT BUT ARE GOING BETTER THAN MANY THINK.

PRISON REFORM IS THE TOPIC AS WE TALK WITH CARLA CROWDER, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ADVOCACY GROUP ALABAMA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE.

REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND OF MOBILE WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS HER CONCERNS WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY BILLS THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONSIDER NEXT YEAR.

AND REPRESENTATIVE BEN ROBBINS OF SYLACAUGA WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT THE EFFORT TO RECOMPILE THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO REMOVE RACIST LANGUAGE.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

♪ >> Don: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, OFFICIALS WERE URGING ALABAMIANS THIS WEEKEND TO BE ON THEIR GUARD AS HURRICANE IDA MADE ITS WAY ACROSS THE GULF.

THE STORM WAS HEADED TOWARD A SUNDAY LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA, AND COULD REACH CATEGORY 4 STRENGTH.

ALABAMA WAS ON THE STRONG RIGHT SIDE OF THE HURRICANE AND STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DIRECTOR BRIAN HASTINGS TOLD "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT WE COULD SEE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A 3 TO 5, OR MORE, SURGE EVENT ON THE COAST THAT WILL BE PROBLEMATIC BUT NOT CATASTROPHIC.

AS LONG AS THE CURRENT TRACK OF IDA REMAINS THE SAME.

AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RAIN ALONG THE WESTERN SIDE OF THIS STATE SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

>> Don: HASTINGS WARNED THAT FLASH FLOODING COULD BE SERIOUS IN SOME PARTS OF ALABAMA EARLY NEXT WEEK AS THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA MOVE ACROSS OUR STATE.

THE CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES TO RAVAGE ALABAMA AND CAUSE EVEN MORE STRESS ON STATE HOSPITALS.

WITH THE MORE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS DELTA VARIANT, DAILY CASE COUNTS ARE NOT SUBSIDING.

OF PARTICULAR CONCERN IS THE SURGE IN VIRUS DIAGNOSES AMONG SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN ALABAMA: 5500 IN THE LAST WEEK.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THAT IS ABOUT A 700% INCREASE OVER THE SAME WEEK LAST YEAR.

LAST YEAR WHEN SCHOOL STARTED, OF COURSE, A LOT OF THEM WERE VIRTUAL, BUT WE ALSO DIDN'T HAVE THE DELTA VARIANT AT THAT TIME.

SO WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS IN THE 5 TO 17 YEARS OF AGE, AGE GROUP, OVER 5500 KIDS ARE POSITIVE.

>> Don: STATE SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO STAY OPEN AMID COVID OUTBREAKS.

SEVERAL MORE WENT BACK TO VIRTUAL LEARNING THIS WEEK WHILE OTHERS HAVE INCREMENTALLY CONTINUED TO MAKE LOCAL DECISIONS TO REQUIRE MASKING.

MEANWHILE, ALABAMA VIRUS HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO CLIMB.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT WE NOW HAVE AN UNPRECEDENTED NET NEGATIVE OF 40 ICU BEDS.

>> IT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

SO TO TRANSLATE THAT, AT LEAST 40 PATIENTS ARE RECEIVING ICU CARE FROM ICU NURSES, WE HOPE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A BED TO PUT THEM IN.

THEY ARE ON A GURNEY IN THE HALLWAY.

THEY ARE STAYING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR DAYS ON END, MAYBE EVEN ON A VENTILATOR.

WE'RE HAVING TO FIND SPACE IN THE CAFETERIA OR SPACE IN THE HALLWAY TO PUT THE PATIENTS.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A SITUATION LIKE THAT.

>> Don: ANOTHER TEAM OF FEDERAL WORKERS WAS SENT TO A HOUSTON COUNTY HOSPITAL THIS WEEK TO HELP DEAL WITH STAFF SHORTAGES THERE.

AND THE FEDS HAVE ALSO SENT MOBILE MORGUE UNITS TO MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTIES.

THE ALABAMA PANDEMIC RESPONSE COMMISSION MET AT THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK TO LOOK BACK AT OUR VIRUS EFFORTS OVER THE LAST YEAR.

AND THERE WAS SOME POINTED QUESTIONING OF OFFICIALS ABOUT DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE.

SENATOR TIM MELSON OF FLORENCE CO-CHAIRS THAT COMMISSION, AND HE TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS AND ALABAMA LABOR SECRETARY FITZGERALD WASHINGTON WERE AMONG THOSE QUESTIONED.

>> IT'S TOUGH TIMES, SO TOUGH QUESTIONS HAVE TO BE ASKED.

I THINK WHEN YOU TAKE THE POSITION OF STATE HEALTH OFFICER OR YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE EMPLOYED ARE GETTING THEIR CLAIMS DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER, LET'S FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA HAVE A BETTER LIFE AND A MORE STREAMLINED.

>> Don: MEANTIME, THE NEW MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION MET AGAIN THIS WEEK AT THE STATEHOUSE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMELINE FOR MAKING MEDICAL MARIJUANA AVAILABLE IN ALABAMA MAY HAVE TO BE PUSHED BACK.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS IT DOESN'T EXPECT TO BEGIN GRANTING LICENSES TO MEDICAL CANNABIS GROWERS BEFORE SEPTEMBER OF 2022.

THAT COULD MEAN THAT THE PRODUCT WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE UNTIL 2023.

IT WAS A BUSY WEEK AT THE STATEHOUSE AS THE COMMITTEE ON THE RECOMPILATION OF THE ALABAMA CONSTITUTION ALSO MET ON TUESDAY.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, IT'S LOOKING AT REMOVING RACIST LANGUAGE FROM THE 1901 DOCUMENT.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> THIS STATEHOUSE COMMITTEE MEETING FEATURES A COLLECTION OF LEGISLATORS AND CITIZENS PURSUING ONE GOAL: HOW TO MAKE ALABAMA'S STATE CONSTITUTION EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.

>> THE VOTERS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA DECIDED THAT IT WAS TIME TO MAKE OUR DOCUMENT MORE USER FRIENDLY.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE MERIKA COLEMAN CHAIRS THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE RECOMPILATION OF THE CONSTITUTION, A GROUP LOOKING AT WAYS TO SHAPE UP THE STATE'S TOP DOCUMENT.

>> ALABAMA'S CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN AMENDED 950-PLUS TIMES.

A HUGE NUMBER OF THOSE DISPROPORTIONATE TO ANY OTHER STATE OR LOCAL AMENDMENTS.

SO THEY ARE A CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION THAT ONLY APPLIES TO ONE COUNTY OR ONE MUNICIPALITY OR ONE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.

>> TURNOUT MAY BE SMALL, BUT SOME PEOPLE DID PARTICIPATE.

>> IN ORDER TO HAVE PUBLIC INPUT, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE INFORMED.

>> MOBILE RESIDENT JACKIE ANTOLIN PRESENTS IDEAS, INCLUDING INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

ORGANIZERS SAY MORE MEETINGS WILL FOLLOW.

>> THERE IS A WEALTH OF INTEREST IN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR GOVERNMENT, IN OUR LOCAL, STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION IS CRITICAL IN ORDER FOR, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON ANYTHING.

>> MAKE IT USER FRIENDLY TO WHERE YOU CAN SEE BY COUNTY IN ADDITION TO GETTING RID OF THE RACIST LANGUAGE IN THE ALABAMA STATE CONSTITUTION SO THE REST OF THE WORLD CAN KNOW WE ARE A 21st CENTURY ALABAMA AND NOT THE ALABAMA THAT THEY'VE READ ABOUT IN 1955 OR 1965.

WE WANT TO REFLECT WHO WE ARE TODAY.

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

>> Don: FUNERAL SERVICES WERE SET THIS WEEKEND FOR VETERAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE THAD McCLAMMY OF MONTGOMERY.

THE 27-YEAR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE PASSED AWAY LAST SATURDAY IN AN ATLANTA HOSPITAL.

McCLAMMY WAS BEING REMEMBERED AS A STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS IN HOUSE DISTRICT 76.

HE MISSED MOST OF THIS YEAR'S REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION BECAUSE OF ILL HEALTH.

HE HAD SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY LEGISLATION COMMITTEE AND WAS THE RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF BOTH THE HOUSE JUDICIARY, MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEES.

FURNITURE SERVICES FOR REPRESENTATIVE McCLAMMY WERE SET FOR 1 P.M. SUNDAY AT THE DIVINE TRUE BAPTIST CHURCH IN MONTGOMERY.

THAD McCLAMMY WAS 78 YEARS OLD.

FUNERAL SERVICES ARE SET FOR NEXT WEEKEND FOR THE FATHER OF ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN ROBERT ADERHOLT.

JUDGE BOBBY ADERHOLT SERVED WINSTON AND MARION COUNTIES AS CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR 30 YEARS AND HE WILL LIE IN STATE AT THE WINSTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE IN DOUBLE SPRINGS NEXT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd.

FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN HALEYVILLE.

JUDGE ADERHOLT WAS 85 YEARS OLD.

STATE FLAGS ARE NOW FLYING AT HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF THE 13 AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO WERE KILLED IN THIS WEEK'S SUICIDE BOMBING OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND A HOST OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS HAVE CONVEYED CONDOLENCES.

BUT SOME IN OUR REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ARE ALSO EXPRESSING GROWING FRUSTRATION WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND OTHER TOP DEMOCRATS SINCE THE TALIBAN TOOK OVER AFGHANISTAN AND CHAI I DON'T SAY ENSUED.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS OF SAKS IS LEAD REPUBLICAN ON THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

>> NOW COMES AN ULTIMATELY FROM THE TERRORISTS THAT IF OUR FORCES DON'T WITHDRAW BY NEXT TUESDAY, THEY'LL START SHOOTING.

SO WHAT IS THE RESPONSE FROM THE MAJORITY?

WELL, SPEAKER PELOSI BROUGHT US BACK TO WASHINGTON NOT TO DEAL WITH THIS DIRE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN.

NO, WE'RE HERE TODAY TO VOTE ON A PARTISAN $4 TRILLION GIVEAWAY TO THE RADICAL LEFT, A BILL THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE A SINGLE DOLLAR TO RESCUE AMERICANS OR OUR ALLIES FROM AFGHANISTAN.

>> Don: CONGRESSMAN BARRY MOORE OF ENTERPRISE SAID IN A STATEMENT THIS WEEK THAT HE BELIEVED PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD RESIGN OVER AFGHANISTAN.

CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE ALSO CONTENDED THAT BIDEN SHOULD STEP DOWN OR BE IMPEACHED.

IN AN OP-ED PIECE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH ALSO CALLED FOR THE PRESIDENT TO BE IMPEACHED.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL OF SELMA THIS WEEK WAS PRAISING HOUSE PASSAGE OF HER BILL THAT WOULD RESTORE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT OF CHANGES TO VOTING AND ELECTIONS.

SEWELL SPOKE OF HER LEGISLATION LAST WEEK AT THE FOOT OF THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE, THE SITE OF VIOLENT VOTING RIGHTS MARCHES IN THE 1960s.

>> MANY STATES HAVE HAD A CONCERTED EFFORT TO HAVE MORE RESTRICTIVE VOTING LAWS PUT INTO PLACE.

IN FACT, 18 STATES HAVE ENACTED OVER 30 LAWS JUST THIS YEAR TO BE MORE RESTRICTIVE.

WHAT WE NEED IS FEDERAL OVERSIGHT.

FEDERAL OVERSIGHT SHOULD ONLY BE RESERVED FOR THE MOST EGREGIOUS ACTORS IN THIS CASE.

>> Don: SEWELL'S BILL IS NAMED THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT AFTER THE LATE GEORGIA CONGRESSMAN WHO WAS BEATEN WHILE MARCHING IN SELMA FOR VOTING RIGHTS IN 1965.

REPUBLICAN ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN BARRY MOORE AND MO BROOKS HAVE BOTH CRITICIZED SEWELL'S BILL CALLING IT AN ATTEMPT TO FEDERALIZE ELECTIONS.

REPUBLICAN ALABAMA SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL AGREES WITH THEM.

HE SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THEY HAVE SHIELDED HR-4 IN AN AURA AROUND CONGRESSMAN LEWIS BY NAMING IT AFTER HIM AND YET IT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ONE OF OUR GREAT PARAGON VIRTUE WHEN IT COMES TO VOTER INTEGRITY AND VOTER RIGHTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE NATION.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT WHAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT POWER GRAB FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Don: CONGRESSWOMAN SEWELL'S VOTING RIGHTS BILL NOW GOES TO THE U.S. SENATE WHERE IT'S EXPECTED TO FACE A TOUGHER CHALLENGE.

WHILE A LOT OF FOCUS IS BEING RIGHTFULLY PLACED ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE ALSO EMPHASIZING A MULTIPRONGED INITIATIVE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT HIV AND AIDS.

THIS AS MORE THAN 15,000 STATE RESIDENTS ARE CURRENTLY LIVING WITH EITHER CONDITION.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

>> IT IS OUR BRAND THAT WE USE IN THE OFFICE OF HIV PREVENTION.

>> HER OFFICE NOTES THAT ONE IN FIVE ALABAMIANS ARE INFECTED WITH HIV, BUT DON'T KNOW IT.

SO THE FIRST KEY, KNOW YOUR STATUS.

>> BECAUSE WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS, YOU ARE INFORMED.

YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU'RE NEGATIVE, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY.

IF YOU'RE POSITIVE, THEN YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO SEEK TREATMENT.

>> NEXT, MANAGE YOUR HEALTH.

>> SO IF YOU ARE POSITIVE, WE PROMOTE THAT YOU GET INTO CARE EARLY AND MANAGE YOUR HEALTH CONDITION JUST AS IF IT'S ANY OTHER CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION.

IT IS A MANAGEABLE CONDITION, AND YOU NEED TO BE A PARTNER IN YOUR CARE.

>> THEN SHE SAYS YOU SHOULD LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE.

>> PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER WITH HIV.

AS WE KNOW, IT IS A WELLNESS JOURNEY NOW.

IT'S BEING TREATED AS A CHRONIC DISEASE.

AND THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE THAT YOU CAN ACCESS.

CONTACT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND WE CAN PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH THOSE RESOURCES.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO TAKE CARE OF MEDICATION COSTS.

TAKE CARE OF DOCTORS' VISITS.

>> FOR A LIST OF FREE HIV TESTING SITES, GO TO ALABAMAPUBLICHEALTH.GOV/HIV, THEN CLICK ON HIV TESTING AND SERVICES OR YOU CAN CALL 1-800-228-0469 FOR A LIST OF ALL HIV/AIDS RELATED RESOURCES.

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

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON Facebook, AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT ddailey@aptv.org OR BY MAIL.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE BEN ROBBINS OF SYLACAUGA IS BACK IN STUDIO WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE, NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Don: WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S BEGIN WITH THE COMMITTEE THAT'S LOOKING ON RECOMPILING THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE.

YOU MET AGAIN THIS WEEK.

YOU HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK, WHICH WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THIS PROCESS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

WE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC, AND JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF A BACK STORY, THE VIEWERS SOME INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE, IT'S TO RECOMPILATE THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

BY RECOMPILATE, WE MEAN THERE ARE THREE THINGS WE ARE CHARGED WITH.

ONE IS LOOK AT LOCAL LEGISLATION, RACIST LANGUAGE AND DUPLICATE LANGUAGE WITHIN OUR CONSTITUTION.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, WHAT WE DID IS WE LOOKED AT THE LOCAL LEGISLATION, AND THAT WAS MORE JUST IN TERMS OF WHICH IT'S ORGANIZED WITHIN OUR CONSTITUTION.

NOW IT'S ORGANIZED MORE BY THE COUNTY OR CITY, AND IT'S HARD TO SOMETIMES FIND WHAT APPLIES TO EACH COUNTY AND WHAT APPLIES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT USING WHAT WE'RE CALLING A COMMON TOPIC METHOD, WHEREAS WHEN ANYTHING DEALING WITH A COURT SYSTEM FOR SPECIFIC COUNTIES, THEY'LL ALL JUST FLOW UNDER THAT.

SO IT WILL BE MUCH MORE DIGESTIBLE FOR THE READER OF THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Don: A LOT OF THE ATTENTION SURROUNDING THE EFFORT THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THIS COMMITTEE HAS UNDERTAKEN AS FOCUSED ON REMOVING RACIST LANGUAGE FROM THE CONSTITUTION.

>> A FEW DAYS AGO, WE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING.

SO MORE OF THE PUBLIC COULD GET INPUT.

I ACTUALLY HAD A CONVERSATION AFTERWARDS WITH REPRESENTATIVE GARRETT AND REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN.

REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN IS OUR CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.

ON HOW WE CAN ADVERTISE THIS BETTER BECAUSE IT IS SUCH IMPORTANT WORK ON ADDRESSING SOME OF THE RACIST LANGUAGE WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION AND REMOVING IT.

AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT THAT WE HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THE PUBLIC IS WHO THE CONSTITUTION IS FOR AND HOW THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH IT'S WRITTEN, HOW IT AFFECTS THEM.

WE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND THEN WE ARE OPENING IT UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT EVEN.

SO IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE, YOU CAN WRITE DIRECTLY TO THE COMMITTEE OR WRITE TO US AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> Don: I'LL REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE DOING WAS MANDATED BY A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT PASSED LAST YEAR.

AND WHAT YOU END UP PRODUCING OR SUGGESTING, RECOMMENDING AS FAR AS CHANGES WILL ALSO BE THE SUBJECT OF ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> CORRECT.

WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS WE ARE DOING THE WORK ON MAKING SUGGESTIONS AND CHANGES, AS YOU SAID.

YOU KNOW, OUR THREE TOPICS, WE WILL MAKE SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO ORGANIZE THE LOCAL LEGISLATION, WHAT RACIST LANGUAGE TO REMOVE, AND THEN WHAT PARTS OF THE CONSTITUTION ARE DUPLICATIVE, AND THEN WE DELETE THOSE.

WE THEN WILL TAKE THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE IN THIS COMMITTEE, PROPOSE IT TO THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE FOR UP-OR-DOWN VOTE, MEANING THEY EITHER AGREE WITH IT COMPLETELY OR THEY VOTE IT DOWN AND IT DOESN'T MOVE FORWARD.

IF THEY AGREE WITH THE WORK WE'VE DONE, IT WILL THEN GO TO THE PEOPLE FOR A VOTE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

SO THERE ARE STILL A FEW MORE STEPS TO DO THAT.

BUT, YES, THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW US TO ADDRESS THESE VERY SPECIFIC PARTS OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND CORRECT THEM.

>> Don: AND ULTIMATELY YOU WANT THE VOTERS' SAY IN ALL OF THIS BECAUSE THEY WILL ALSO, AS YOU POINT OUT, HAVE A SAY ON THE FINAL PRODUCT, SO TO SPEAK.

>> CORRECT.

THAT'S WHY THE PUBLIC HEARING PORTION AND EVEN RECEIVING PUBLIC COMMENT IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> Don: INDEED.

THIS WILL TAKE -- I KNOW YOU'VE GOT MEETINGS SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE FALL, BUT YOU'RE HOPING TO HAVE SOMETHING TO PRESENT TO LAWMAKERS EARLY NEXT YEAR, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE SOMETHING IN WORKABLE FORM BY NOVEMBER.

SO IT WILL HAVE TIME TO BE VETTED A LITTLE BIT MORE BEFORE WE GO INTO SESSION AND PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE VOTING ON AS OPPOSED TO JUST FINISHING IT RIGHT DURING SESSION.

WE'LL HAVE IT FINISHED THIS FALL AND HAVE IT PROVIDED TO SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE, I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS HERE FOR A MOMENT AND TALK ABOUT AN EFFORT UNDERWAY IN YOUR DISTRICT.

GOVERNOR IVEY RECENTLY VISITED SYLACAUGA, LAST WEEK, AS A MATTER OF FACT.

THEY TOURED THE OLD AVONDALE MILLS HEADQUARTERS.

WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH THE BUILDING NOW IS TURNING IT INTO AN EDUCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER.

AND GOVERNOR IVEY WAS APPARENTLY VERY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT SHE SAW.

>> YES.

WELL, GOVERNOR IVEY, WHICH WE WERE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE HER IN TOWN, SHE CAME BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TURN THE AVONDALE MILLS, IT WAS HEADQUARTERED IN SYLACAUGA.

THE LARGEST MILL WAS IN SYLACAUGA.

IT CLOSED YEARS AND YEARS AGO.

AND THEN IN 2011 IT WAS ACTUALLY STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

IT BURNED TO THE GROUND.

THERE ARE STILL REMNANTS OF IT.

IT LOOKS AS IF IT IS A POST-WORLD WAR II GERMAN BOMB SITE.

IT LOOKS HORRIBLE, AND IT IS THE DEFINITION OF BLIGHT.

AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THE BLIGHT ISSUE WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN KIND OF THE EAST ALABAMA REGION.

AND WE'RE WORKING TO CREATE WHAT IS CALLED THE EAST ALABAMA RURAL INNOVATION AND TRAINING HUB.

WHAT THAT IS IS PART INCUBATION CENTER WITH THE INNOVATION LANGUAGE.

IT'S TO ALLOW PEOPLE IN THE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE TO GROW AND INCUBATE BUSINESSES WITHOUT HAVING TO MOVE TO LARGER COMMUNITIES THAT WE WILL GIVE YOU THE RESOURCES YOU NEED LOCALLY TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS.

AND THE OTHER PART OF THE TRAINING PART IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S GOING TO BE ADAPTABLE AND CAN EVOLVE.

SO IT WILL TRAIN PEOPLE FOR THE JOBS THAT ARE HERE NOW, THE JOBS IN FIVE YEARS AND IN TEN YEARS.

AND IT'S A VERY INTERESTING PARTNERSHIP THAT WE'VE KIND OF PUT TOGETHER.

WE HAVE THE SYLACAUGA ALLIANCE FOR FAMILY ENRICHMENT, S.A.F.E.

THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

AND WE HAVE THE CENTRAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE AS A PARTNER ALONG WITH LOCAL INDUSTRY.

SO WE HAVE A CENTER THAT CAN HELP MOLD PEOPLE FROM BASICALLY CHILDHOOD ALL THE WAY THROUGH A COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATES DEGREE.

AND SO WE ARE HOPING WE WANT TO RAISE THE BAR FOR OUR WORKFORCE IN EAST ALABAMA.

>> Don: HOW HAS THE ECONOMY FARED IN YOUR PART OF THE STATE GIVEN THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC OVER THE LAST YEAR?

I MEAN, I'D SAY, YOU KNOW, WE -- WE HAVE HONDA AND LINCOLN, IT HELPS US BY HAVING SUCH A LARGER EMPLOYER.

HOWEVER, THE RECENT CENSUS, WE LOST POPULATION.

WE ARE KIND OF MORE OF A LITTLE BIT OF A STAGNANT ECONOMY, I WOULD SAY.

WE'RE NOT REALLY BLOWING AND GOING, BUT WE'RE NOT JUST CRASHING AND BURNING AT THE SAME TIME.

THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

THAT'S WHY I THINK THIS -- THE EAST ALABAMA REGIONAL INNOVATION AND TRAINING HUB IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO IMPROVE, ONE, OUR LEVEL OF SKILLED WORKERS.

AND THE MORE SKILLED WORKERS THAT WE HAVE, THE MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT THAT WILL FLOW FOR US BECAUSE THEN, FOR INSTANCE, IF A CAR MANUFACTURER OR SOMEONE THAT'S A SUPPLIER IS LOOKING TO MOVE TO A NEW AREA, THEY WILL SAY, "WELL, LOOK AT ALL THE QUALITY WORKFORCE THAT THEY HAVE HERE."

AND OUR PEOPLE WILL ATTAIN HIGHER WAGES, WHICH MEANS THAT WE'LL BENEFIT OUR SERVICE INDUSTRY AND EVERY OTHER SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY.

>> Don: YEAH, IF YOU WANT TO RECRUIT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, THE FIRST THING THEY LOOK AT IS THE AVAILABLE WORKFORCE.

AND THIS WILL GO A LONG, LONG WAY.

>> CORRECT.

AND THAT'S THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS THE RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL SHIPS AND WE'RE TRYING TO RISE THE TIDE.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE BEN ROBBINS OF SYLACAUGA, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Don: YOU BET.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL 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.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND OF MOBILE IS BACK IN STUDIO WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE, IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> Don: WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE, I WANT TO BEGIN ON A SOMBER NOTE AND THAT IS THE LOSS OF YOUR COLLEAGUE IN THE HOUSE AND FELLOW DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE THAD McCLAMMY OF MONTGOMERY.

YOU WERE ONE OF AMONG MANY WHO WERE ATTENDING HIS FUNERAL THIS WEEKEND.

TOWERING MAN IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

I THINK HE SERVED A TOTAL OF 27 YEARS.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE THAD McCLAMMY IS ONE OF THOSE MEN THAT I CALL A GIANT, NOT OF JUST A POLITICIAN, BUT A GIANT OF A SERVANT BECAUSE IT WAS OBVIOUS TO ME.

I GOT THE GREAT FORTUNE OF SERVING WITH HIM DURING MY FIRST TERM AS WELL AS IN THE LAST OF MY SECOND TERM.

AND HE WAS A MAN THAT YOU TRULY KNEW WHO WAS A SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE.

HE HAD A WAY OF CUTTING THROUGH THE ISSUES TO SEE WHAT ISSUES WERE AFFECTING PEOPLE.

I KNOW THAT IT'S A GREAT LOSS TO THOSE THAT LIVE IN HIS DISTRICT AND TO HIS FAMILY, BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO A GREAT LOSS TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA BECAUSE HE WAS SOMEONE WHO EPITOMIZED GREATNESS AND A CARING SPIRIT FOR ALL THAT HE SERVED.

>> Don: ONE OF THE MOST STRIKING THINGS ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE McCLAMMY THAT I'VE HEARD REPEATED A LOT SINCE HIS PASSING WAS THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, HE ALWAYS CUT TO THE CHASE OF HOW DOES THIS AFFECT MY CONSTITUENTS?

HE WAS ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE THAT HE SERVED.

>> EXACTLY.

I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT PRISON REFORM, BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST DEBATES THAT I HEARD REPRESENTATIVE McCLAMMY TALKED ABOUT, AND HE TALKED ABOUT IT IN A WAY, NOT ONLY HOW IT WAS GOING TO AFFECT HIS CONSTITUENTS, BUT HOW IT WAS GOING TO AFFECT THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN I SAT AND LISTENED TO HIM ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE -- AND I THINK IT'S REAL TIMELY NOW -- AND HIS ADVICE IS STILL REVERBERATING IN MY BRAIN, THAT HE TALKED ABOUT SECOND CHANCES, THAT WE'RE IN THE TROUBLE THAT ALABAMA IS IN RIGHT NOW NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF OVERCROWDING, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE WERE CITED FOR, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, ASSAULT ISSUES, AND OVERCROWDING, AND HE SAID, "WE'VE GOT TO BECOME A STATE OF USING SECOND CHANCES, TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE CITIZENS."

AND HE TALKED ABOUT USING THOSE INMATES TO HELP SUPPLEMENT THE WORKFORCE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA BECAUSE HE TALKED ABOUT WE DON'T HAVE A SKILLED WORKFORCE.

WE'RE A GREAT STATE.

WE'RE BRINGING IN GREAT INDUSTRY, BUT WE'RE HAVING TO BRING PEOPLE IN FROM THE OUTSIDE.

AND HE SAYS, WE NEED TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RETRAIN AND TO GIVE THESE INMATES A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE, YOU BRING UP PRISONS.

I WANT TO GO THERE VERY BRIEFLY.

THERE IS AN ONGOING EFFORT TO PUT TOGETHER A PLAN TO BUILD NEW PRISONS IN THE STATE.

IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE SUBJECT OF A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION VERSUS PRISON REFORM?

SHOULD THEY BE TIED TOGETHER?

HOW DO YOU FEEL?

>> I THINK THAT THEY ARE TIED TOGETHER.

THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE CAN BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT REFORM, NOT ONLY REFORM FROM THE POLICY SIDE OF LAWS, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT REENTRY PROGRAMS ON HOW WE CAN REDUCE THE POPULATION IN OUR PRISONS.

BECAUSE IF WE SIMPLY JUST BUILD, THAT'S NOT GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE SAYING "I'VE GOT A BIG RAGGEDLY HOUSE AND TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD I'LL SLAP PAINT ON IT AND NOT GET RID OF THE DEAD WOOD."

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF DEAD WOOD IN OUR PRISON SYSTEM, AND IT IS REFORM AS WELL AS BUILDING NEW FACILITIES.

IF YOU DO ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER, WE WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL.

THAT'S THE WAY THAT I LOOK AT IT.

AND I GO BACK TO WHAT I SAID ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE McCLAMMY.

WE'VE GOT TO START LOOKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX ON HOW DO WE FIX ALABAMA'S PRISON SYSTEM.

IT GOES FROM PARDONS AND PAROLE, WHICH WE'RE NOT HAVING VERY MANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO COME UP FOR PAROLES THAT ARE BEING PAROLED.

WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT POLICY ISSUES AND LAWS AND SENTENCING LAWS THAT CAN HELP US TO MAKE THESE PEOPLE MUCH MORE REFORMABLE AND TO MAKE THEM MUCH MORE SUSTAINABLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT WE CAN BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF IT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SESSION, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT I'M HEARING WHAT'S ON THE TABLE, BUT IF YOU COME WITH ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER, IT WILL NOT WORK.

>> Don: VERY BRIEFLY, TOO, I WANT TO TOUCH ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

IT WILL PROBABLY BE ONE OF THE BIGGER ISSUES YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WILL TACKLE IN THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DEBATE THAT'S GOING ON?

>> I'M VERY TROUBLED BY THE DEBATE BECAUSE IT'S REALLY A NON-DEBATE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HISTORY AND TRUTH BEING ON ATTACK.

I'M AN OLD BAPTIST GIRL, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.

YOU CAN'T TAINT IT.

YOU CAN'T CHANGE IT.

YOU CANNOT MAKE IT A TALKING POINT POLITICALLY.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU SEE WHERE THE ISSUE IS POPPING UP, IT'S NOT EVEN BEING TAUGHT THERE.

AND I FIND IT VERY TROUBLING THAT WE'RE LEADING PEOPLE TO THINK THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WHEN IT REALLY IS NOT AN ISSUE.

BECAUSE WE CAN'T CHANGE HISTORY.

WE CAN'T CHANGE THE TRUTH.

>> Don: WE HAVE SEVERAL BILLS PREFILED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION NEXT YEAR WHERE CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS CONCERNED.

ARE YOU OPPOSED TO THOSE?

>> I HAVE READ ALL THREE OF THEM, AND I AM ASSESSING THEM VERY, VERY CLOSELY.

AGAIN, I SAY THAT WHEN I LOOK AT THE ISSUE, IT'S VERY TROUBLING BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A DOG WHISTLE, A DOG WHISTLE THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY MERITS BEHIND IT.

>> Don: WE HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME LEFT, BUT I WANT TO SPEND THESE LAST TWO MINUTES TALKING ABOUT COVID IN YOUR DISTRICT.

IT IS RAMPANT.

IT IS PROBABLY THE HIGHEST RATE OF INFECTION IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW IS THE GREATER MOBILE AREA.

>> WELL, THE GREATER MOBILE BALDWIN COUNTY AREA WHICH IS RATHER TROUBLING.

I MYSELF, I KNOW 44 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DIED AS IT RELATES TO COVID OR COVID SYMPTOMS.

SO IT'S VERY TROUBLING, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE SIT, WE'RE A BIG TOURISM MARKET RIGHT ON I-10 AND I-65, AND SO WE HAVE A LOT OF POPULATION THAT IS COMING INTO OUR AREA FROM OUTSIDE.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S THE ONLY ISSUE, BUT THE ANSWER HERE, AND THAT'S WHAT I TELL PEOPLE, WE PRAYED FOR AN ANSWER, AND WE HAVE AN ANSWER.

AND MY SONG AND DANCE IS ALWAYS AND WILL BE THAT PEOPLE NEED TO GET VACCINATED AND TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND WEAR A MASK.

BUT MORE SO AND MORE IMPORTANT, BE VACCINATED AND THEN ALSO LET THE TRUTH DICTATE YOUR DECISION.

DON'T LET SOCIAL MEDIA OR THE HYPE THAT IS NOT TRUTHFUL DICTATE THE DECISION THAT YOU'RE MAKING NOT ONLY FOR YOURSELF BUT YOUR FAMILY AND ALSO FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S REAL TROUBLING WHEN I SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MY AREA BECAUSE THESE ARE PEOPLE, REAL PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOW.

I TOLD SOMEBODY THE OTHER DAY JUST BEFORE DRIVING UP HERE, I HAD A FRIEND WHO JUST LOST HIS WIFE, AND SHE HAD A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM FROM ANOTHER DISEASE AND CONTRACTED COVID, AND SHE NOW IS GONE.

AND SO WE'VE GOT TO START THINKING REALISTICALLY SO WE CAN STOP THIS VIRUS.

THIS VIRUS HAS NOT A POLITICAL AFFILIATION ATTACHED TO IT NOR DOES IT HAVE A RACE ATTACHED TO IT.

AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, I TELL PEOPLE, IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A DOLLAR SIGN BECAUSE IT'S ATTACKING THE POOR AS WELL AS THE RICH, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

WE ARE IN THIS ALL TOGETHER.

SO WE'VE GOT TO FIGHT THIS DISEASE TOGETHER AND BE RESPONSIBLE AND GET VACCINATED.

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND OF MOBILE, IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> Don: ABSOLUTELY.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU'RE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE ALABAMA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE, CARLA CROWDER IS IN STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ATTENTION ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUE.

>> Don: YES, THE ISSUE IS PRISONS, OF COURSE.

YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS LONG BEEN ENTRENCHED IN ADVOCACY, ESPECIALLY FOR PRISON REFORM.

I'M WONDERING HOW YOU FEEL NOW ABOUT THE ONGOING EFFORTS WHERE NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION IS CONCERNED.

I THINK THERE'S A RECOGNITION ABOUT THE NEEDS FOR OUR PHYSICAL FACILITIES, BUT YOU'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN ALSO KEEP THE FOCUS ON REFORM DURING THIS DEBATE AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES WE CAN'T BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM.

WE GOT HERE BECAUSE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THEY ARE NOW ACTIVELY SUING THE STATE OVER PRISON CONDITIONS.

THOSE LAWYERS IN FEDERAL COURT HAVE BEEN REALLY CLEAR THAT NEW CONSTRUCTION IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF VIOLENCE AND MISMANAGEMENT, PERVASIVE DRUGS AND CONTRABAND, UNDERSTAFFING IN THE PRISONS.

SO WHAT WE HAVE WANTED TO REALLY FOCUS ON IS WHAT DOES THE STATE OF ALABAMA NEED TO DO OUTSIDE OF THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM TO SUPPORT PEOPLE, TO PREVENT CRIME, TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, WITH MENTAL ILLNESS?

BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE KIND OF INVESTMENTS ARE GOING TO KEEP FEWER PEOPLE FROM GOING INTO THOSE UNCONSTITUTIONAL PRISONS.

>> Don: THE LEGISLATURE, OF COURSE, HAS INCREMENTALLY ADDRESSED CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ISSUES.

A COUPLE OF MORE GOT OUT THIS YEAR.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE PACE AT WHICH THOSE BILLS ARE MAKING IT OUT?

>> I TELL YOU WHAT, THE LEGISLATURE DID GREAT WORK YEARS AGO.

IN 2006 AND 2013 AND 2015, THEY PASSED SENTENCING REFORM, SENTENCING GUIDELINES, AND THOSE HAVE WORKED, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE.

SO WHEN THOSE SENTENCING GUIDELINES TOOK EFFECT, AND IT KIND OF STANDARDIZED SENTENCES FOR ALL CRIMES, OUR PRISON POPULATION STARTED DROPPING.

RIGHT NOW, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE AGE 15 TO 30 DEMOGRAPHIC, SO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TEND TO COMMIT THE MOST CRIMES, HAS BEEN CUT IN HALF BECAUSE OF REFORMS THAT HAPPENED YEARS AGO, WHICH IS REALLY ENCOURAGING.

THE PROBLEM IS, THOSE REFORMS AFFECTED PEOPLE GOING FORWARD AND NOT OLDER PEOPLE, RIGHT, WHOSE CASES HAVE BEEN FINALIZED.

SO NOW WE HAVE PRISONS FULL OF OLDER PEOPLE, 6,000 PEOPLE IN OUR PRISON SYSTEM ARE OVER THE AGE OF 50.

SO LEAST LIKELY TO COMMIT CRIME, MOST LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IF THEY GET OUT.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON.

LET'S MAKE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE OLDER PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE SAME SENTENCES AS YOUNGER PEOPLE TO GET ANOTHER CHANCE.

>> Don: AS SEVERAL BILLS I MENTIONED GOT OUT THIS YEAR, ARE YOU HOPEFUL THAT EVEN MORE MIGHT BE ON THE TABLE IN THE NEXT REGULAR SESSION?

>> WE'RE HEARING SOME GOOD THINGS ABOUT INTEREST IN REFORM.

WE NEED SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN PAROLE, THE OVERSIGHT BILL SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND ALREADY PASSED.

THAT WAS A GREAT STEP.

THERE'S SOME SENTENCING WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

BUT I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT BILL THAT LAWMAKERS NEED TO LOOK AT IS SOMETHING CALLED "SAME CRIME, SAME TIME."

THAT'S WHERE IF YOU ARE IN THE OLDER DEMOGRAPHIC AND YOUR CASE HAPPENED LONG BEFORE THE REFORMS, YOU GET A SECOND LOOK, BECAUSE THOSE GUYS HAVE OFTEN BEEN IN HONOR DORMS.

THEY HAVE DEVELOPED A HISTORY OF REHABILITATION.

AND IF WE LET SOME OF THEM OUT WE'RE GOING TO SAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY ON HEALTH CARE COSTS.

WE'RE GOING TO CLEAR OUT SOME OF THE OVERCROWDING, AND WE'RE GOING TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STATE TO INVEST IN ACTUAL CRIME PREVENTION AND SERVICES OUTSIDE OF PRISON.

SAME CRIME SAME TIME.

>> Don: WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SENTENCING REFORM, DECRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA OFTEN GETS BROUGHT UP IN THIS CONVERSATION, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ASPECTS OF THIS.

HOW DOES THE ORGANIZATION FEEL ABOUT IT?

>> APPLESEED HAS DONE A LOT OF INVESTIGATION IN THIS AREA.

WE ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT DECRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA, BUT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND, THAT'S NOT THE SAME AS THE FULL LEGALIZATION THAT WE'VE SEEN IN A LOT OF STATES.

OKAY, RIGHT NOW, HALF OF AMERICANS LIVE IN STATES WHERE MARIJUANA HAS BEEN DECRIMINALIZED WHICH MEANS WE DON'T USE OUR PRECIOUS CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESOURCES TO ARREST, PROSECUTE AND IMPRISON PEOPLE FOR MARIJUANA CRIMES.

IT MAKES SENSE FROM A FISCAL STANDPOINT FOR ALABAMA TO DECRIMINALIZE.

WE REALLY HOPE THE LEGISLATURE WILL LOOK AT THIS AGAIN SOON.

THEY MADE GREAT PROGRESS WITH MEDICAL.

HOPEFULLY SOME OTHER MARIJUANA REFORM IS ON THE HORIZON.

>> Don: DO YOU AGREE, THOUGH, THAT IT IS A RATHER TOUGH SELL?

>> PROBABLY, BUT, YOU KNOW, THREE YEARS AGO, OR LONGER, PEOPLE WOULD HAVE SAID MEDICAL MARIJUANA WAS A REALLY TOUGH SALE.

I THINK OUR LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING AT -- THEY ARE LOOKING AT EVIDENCE.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT RESOURCES, AND THEY ARE MAKING SMARTER DECISIONS AROUND DRUG POLICY.

>> Don: YOU MENTIONED THAT THINGS LIKE NEW PRISONS REALLY DON'T ADDRESS VIOLENCE AND REHABILITATION TO A GREAT DEGREE.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS BEEN PRETTY ADAMANT ABOUT HER POSITION THAT WE NEED NEW PRISONS AS A STARTING POINT.

SHE SAYS NEW PRISONS, FOR INSTANCE, COULD OFFER IMPROVED SECURITY WHICH COULD HELP CUT DOWN ON SOME OF THE VIOLENCE BEHIND BARS AND WE'D HAVE MORE SPACE FOR MORE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS IN PRISONS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I THINK, ONE, WE NEED TO LOOK AT TUTWILER PRISON AND WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

THEY WERE UNDER A SIMILAR FEDERAL INVESTIGATION SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT ABUSIVE FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY BROUGHT IN EXPERTS FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS.

CHANGED LEADERSHIP.

THEY ADDED CAMERAS.

THEY ADDED SOME ACTIVITY SPACE.

YOU DON'T HEAR ABOUT PROBLEMS AT TUTWILER ANYMORE, AND THAT WAS THE OLDEST PRISON IN THE STATE, RIGHT?

SO WE AGREE.

YOU NEED PROGRAMMING SPACE.

YOU NEED MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE SPACE.

BUT AS I SAID BEFORE, WE CAN'T BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF THIS BECAUSE THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM IS MANAGEMENT ISSUES, CORRUPTION ISSUES, DRUGS GETTING INTO THE PRISONS, EVEN WHEN VISITORS AREN'T ALLOWED.

AND A LACK OF STAFFING.

I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING ALABAMA PRISONS OVER 20 YEARS, AND EVERY -- EVERY YEAR THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PROBLEMS HIRING STAFF.

AND I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND HOW NEW PRISONS ARE GOING TO ALLEVIATE THOSE PROBLEMS.

>> Don: THERE IS, YOU MAY BE AWARE, A DRAFT BILL CONCERNING NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

NOW, IT'S ONLY A DRAFT.

IT'S STILL VERY MUCH IN FLUX.

BUT IT DOES MENTION A NEW WOMEN'S PRISON.

IS THAT ENCOURAGING TO YOU?

>> I HONESTLY DON'T THINK WE NEED A NEW WOMEN'S PRISON.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE LENGTH OF SENTENCES AND WHAT WOMEN ARE INCARCERATED FOR.

WE STILL LOCK UP THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN ALABAMA FOR DRUG-RELATED CRIMES, DISPROPORTIONATELY WOMEN ARE INCARCERATED FOR DRUG-RELATED CRIMES.

IF WE USE THAT MONEY FOR MORE ROBUST DRUG TREATMENT -- RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NO IMMEDIATE DETOXIFICATION SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES WHO ARE READY TO TAKE THAT STEP.

THERE IS A WAIT FOR THAT.

WHAT IF WE ACTUALLY PROVIDED THOSE SERVICES WHEN PEOPLE NEEDED DETOX AND OTHER DRUG TREATMENT?

SO I THINK THERE ARE JUST SMARTER THINGS WE CAN DO WITH OUR RESOURCES THAN BUILD NEW BRICKS AND MORTAR THAT ARE REALLY GOING TO BE MISTAKES OF THE PAST.

>> Don: DO YOU WORRY THAT THE FEDS' CLOCK IS TICKING, SO TO SPEAK, WHERE THE LAWSUIT IS CONCERNED IN ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE ISSUES?

>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY IS.

THE ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION WAS ACTUALLY RELEASED ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO WHERE THE FEDS DECLARED ALL OF OUR MALE PRISONS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND THINGS HAVE JUST GOTTEN WORSE SINCE THEN.

WE LOOKED AT SOME NUMBERS, AND I THINK IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN 110 PEOPLE KILLED IN ALABAMA'S MEN'S PRISONS FOR VIOLENT REASONS.

SO PREVENTABLE DEATHS, HOMICIDES, SUICIDE, OVERDOSE, SO THOSE ARE ONGOING PROBLEMS.

WE KNOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN THIS VERY SERIOUSLY, BUT LITIGATION TAKES A REALLY LONG TIME.

SO WE JUST HOPE THAT THE STATE CAN RECOGNIZE THAT THOSE NEW BUILDINGS AREN'T GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED BY THE FEDS.

AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN IS WE INVEST IN NEW BUILDINGS, OUR PROBLEMS DON'T GO AWAY AND THEN WHERE ARE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THOSE OUTSIDE THE PRISON WALL SERVICES, THE TREATMENT, THE EDUCATION, ALL THE THINGS THAT COULD REALLY PREVENT CRIME IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Don: CARLA CROWDER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE.

IT WAS A PLEASURE HAVING YOU ON THE SHOW TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Don: YOU BET.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON Facebook, AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT ddailey@aptv.org OR BY MAIL.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE IS BACK IN STUDIO WITH US.

SENATOR, WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> HEY.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> Don: NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> YOU TOO.

GOOD TO SHAKE HANDS.

>> Don: INDEED.

HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO SO.

>> AMEN.

>> Don: SENATOR, IT'S BEEN A BUSY SUMMER FOR YOU.

YOU'VE BEEN AMONG THE LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE THICK OF THE NEGOTIATIONS OVER NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

AND I KNOW THIS IS AN ONGOING PROCESS.

SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP SOME THINGS CLOSE TO THE VEST, BUT, GENERALLY SPEAKING, HOW ARE WE DOING WHERE THOSE NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONCERNED?

>> BETTER THAN MOST PEOPLE THINK AND PROBABLY BETTER THAN THOSE OF US INVOLVED THINK.

>> Don: REALLY?

>> YEAH.

>> Don: WHY DO YOU SAY THAT, BETTER THAN EVEN YOU THINK?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> BECAUSE YOU GO IN, AND THE MEETINGS ARE ADULT AND THEY ARE STRESSFUL AND THEY ARE DIFFICULT.

BUT WHEN YOU COME OUT, YOU COME AWAY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU'VE MADE PROGRESS.

>> Don: UM-HUM.

>> UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU'RE CLOSER THAN YOU WERE, AND THEN WHEN YOU FIRST CAME IN, YOU WEREN'T THAT FAR APART.

SO, YEAH, IT'S -- IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT.

BUT I THINK IT'S COMING -- IT'S COMING ALONG.

>> Don: WE'VE NOW REACHED THE POINT WHERE THERE'S A DRAFT BILL.

IS THAT AN ENCOURAGING BENCHMARK FOR YOU?

I KNOW IT'S STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Don: IT WAS REPORTED LAST WEEK THAT THERE WAS A DRAFT BILL.

IT WAS STILL EVOLVING, BUT IT PROPOSED NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION IN ELMORE AND ESCAMBIA COUNTIES AND SOME OF THE PROPOSED THINGS WOULD BE IN YOUR DISTRICT.

>> DID YOU NOTICE THAT EVERYTHING IN THAT PROPOSAL HAD BEEN SEEN BEFORE?

>> Don: UM-HUM.

>> OKAY.

ONE THING ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS THERE'S VERY LITTLE NEW TO IT.

IT'S A MATTER OF TRYING TO GET THE PACKAGE TOGETHER THAT FITS, THAT WE CAN GET PASSED.

>> Don: ARE YOU SATISFIED OR ARE YOU HAPPY WITH HOW MANY VOICES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE TABLE?

I KNOW THIS IS A COMPLEX ISSUE.

I KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR TRIED TO BRING TOGETHER A VARIETY OF VOICES ON THIS ISSUE.

>> AND SHE HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH THAT.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF VOICES.

OUTSIDE, INSIDE GOVERNMENT, HOUSE, SENATE, STAFF, VENDORS, YES, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF VOICES.

AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN HEARD.

>> Don: THE GOVERNOR, OF COURSE, HAS SAID SHE IS NOT GOING TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION ON THIS ISSUE UNTIL THERE IS AN AGREEMENT.

DO YOU FORESEE THAT SPECIAL SESSION STILL TAKING PLACE BEFORE YEAR'S END?

>> WELL, WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL SEE.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT WORKS.

>> Don: THE SENSE OF URGENCY SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER IT, DOES THAT ADD ANY MORE PRESSURE TO YOUR TALKS?

>> TO A DEGREE.

EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT.

AND I DON'T MEAN TO SPEAK LESS OF THAT.

THAT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT'S GOING ON HERE, IN MY MIND.

WE HAVE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK IN, NOT TO MENTION LIVE IN.

WE CAN AND SHOULD DO BETTER THAN THIS.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER THAN THAT.

THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, TO APPROACH THIS IN A HOLISTIC WAY.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> Don: DO YOU AGREE, THOUGH, THERE ARE SOME WHO SAY WE SHOULD BE ADDRESSING PRISON REFORM FIRST BEFORE WE ADDRESS PRISON CONSTRUCTION, THAT REFORM -- >> THOSE VOICES HAVE BEEN THERE, AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY VOCAL.

WE DID PRISON REFORM SUBSTANTIALLY BACK IN 2015.

AND WE HAVE DONE OTHER THINGS ALONG THAT LINE DEALING WITH DIPS AND DUNKS AND OTHER THINGS.

WE HAVE DONE PRISON REFORM ASPECTS.

JUST THIS PAST SESSION, WE PASSED AT LEAST THREE BILLS THAT DEALT WITH PRISON REFORM.

THAT'S AN ONGOING MATTER.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO TRY TO GET ALL THAT STRAIGHT AND RIGHT IN THE WAY THAT SOME FOLKS WANT.

WE'VE DONE THAT.

WE'VE GOT TO GET CONSTRUCTION DONE.

WE'VE GOT TO GET THE FACILITIES SO THAT THE TOILETS FLUSH AND SO THAT THE DOORS LOCK.

THAT'S THE SIMPLISTIC WAY WE'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> Don: AND YOU ARE OPTIMISTIC WE WILL GET IT DONE.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR DUTY.

I HOPE SO.

>> Don: CAN WE TOUCH BRIEFLY, SENATOR, ON GAMBLING?

>> OH, PLEASE.

[ LAUGHTER ] A BRIGHT, CHEERFUL SUBJECT, YES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Don: GAMBLING DID NOT MAKE IT OUT LAST YEAR, BUT THERE'S EVERY EXPECTATION THAT IT WILL BE BACK BEFORE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES -- >> IT ALWAYS IS.

>> Don: -- IN THE NEW REGULAR SESSION NEXT YEAR.

>> YES, SIR.

>> Don: AGAIN, I BRING IN THE TERM "URGENCY" BECAUSE THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF URGENCY SURROUNDING IT GIVEN THAT NEXT YEAR IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> CORRECT.

>> Don: IF YOU'RE GOING TO PASS A GAMBLING BILL, YOU NEED TO DO IT IN A TIMELY MANNER TO GET IT ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.

>> YOU ARE CORRECT.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

ALL OF THAT IS CORRECT.

>> Don: ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?

>> UHHH ... NOT NEARLY SO.

>> Don: REALLY?

>> NO.

I THINK THAT'S A LEFT LIFT.

I DON'T KNOW.

WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT DIFFERENT WAYS AND METHODS TO HANDLE THIS.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE GAMBLING RUNNING RAMPANT IN THE STATE ALREADY.

WE'VE GOT FANTASY GAMBLING, FANTASY SPORTS GAMBLING, I SHOULD SAY.

WE HAVE SPORTS GAMING GOING ON LIKE CRAZY AND NO CONTROLS OR LIMITATIONS OR BENEFITS FROM IT COMING.

OTHER THAN FROM THOSE WINNERS THAT ARE THERE, IF THERE ARE ANY.

AND WE'VE GOT CASINOS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE'VE GOT ONLINE GAMING OF ALL KINDS OF SORTS GOING ON AND NONE OF THAT IS CONTROLLED.

NONE OF THAT IS REGULATED, AND THE STATE IS NOT BENEFITING FROM IT IN ANY WAY.

WE'VE GOT TO CHANGE THAT.

THE STATE NEEDS TO CONTROL THIS INDUSTRY, AND WE NEED TO BENEFIT FROM IT.

>> Don: THAT'S BEEN SORT OF THE UNDERCURRENT OF YOUR POSITION ON THIS FROM THE GET-GO, IS A CENTRALIZED FORM OF REGULATING ALL OF THIS.

>> CORRECT.

>> Don: AND THE STATE BENEFITING FROM IT.

>> CORRECT.

EXACTLY.

EXACTLY.

THERE'S ARGUMENTS NOW OF WHAT'S LEGAL AND WHAT ISN'T LEGAL.

RECENTLY, ONE COURT DECISION MADE AT THE APPELLATE LEVEL, I THINK, THAT WENT IN THE FAVOR OF THE OPERATOR.

I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST OR HOW LONG THAT WILL STAND.

BUT, AGAIN, THAT'S THE LEGISLATOR'S DUTY IS TO DECIDE WHAT IS LEGAL AND WHAT ISN'T.

AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON THAT.

>> Don: BUT YOU'RE NOT SURE AT THIS POINT HOW TO CALL IT FOR WHAT THE CHANCES ARE CONCERNED NEXT YEAR.

>> WELL, I KNOW.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Don: YOU HOPE SOMETHING DOES GET OUT.

>> YES, I DO.

AND THERE WILL BE GAMING BILLS, I'M SURE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE ONLINE GAMING BILLS.

SPORTS GAMBLING BILLS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE BILLS OUT THERE.

WE'LL SEE HOW WE DEAL WITH EACH ONE.

>> Don: BEFORE WE CLOSE, A SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT IS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION THIS FALL.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT CAN WE PULL THIS OFF IN THE MIDST OF COVID.

OF COURSE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SITUATION WILL BE LIKE IN PROBABLY OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER WHEN THE SESSION IS LIKELY.

DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ALL THE COVID PROTOCOLS WE ALREADY HAD IN PLACE?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE HAVE TO.

I THINK WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE.

AND I THINK WE CAN DO IT AGAIN.

I DON'T WANT TO DO IT AGAIN, BUT IF NEEDFUL, WE CAN DO IT.

PLUS, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, WE'VE GOT THE TREATMENTS FOR THIS PRETTY WELL DOWN.

WE HAVE THE SUPPLIES IN HAND.

WE HAVE THE VACCINES ALREADY AVAILABLE AND DISPERSED.

AS MANY OF THOSE THAT WILL HAVE IT.

AND SO WE ARE MUCH, MUCH, MUCH MORE PREPARED NOW THAN WE WERE.

I'M READY TO COME IN AND GO TO WORK, YES.

>> Don: SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE IS THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE.

IT'S A PLEASURE AS ALWAYS TO HAVE YOU ON THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Don: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> ANYTIME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> Don: AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

>> Don: FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST TONIGHT, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

DR. HARRIS, WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, DON.

>> Don: DR. HARRIS, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU WITH US AND WE HAVE A LOT OF SERIOUS THINGS NEED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.

BEFORE WE GO THERE, I HAVE TO BEGIN ON A LIGHT NOTE.

THIS IS THE FIRST ON TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU AND I ARE DRESSED ALIKE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IT'S AMAZING.

I GUESS THIS IS THE STANDARD ISSUE FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> Don: WE BOTH HAVE ON BLUE SUITS.

NOT THE SAME SHADE, BUT THE EXACT SAME TIE AND THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

>> YOU HAVE GREAT TASTE.

>> Don: FOLKS AT HOME, IF YOU THINK YOU ARE SEEING DOUBLE, YOU MAY BE.

[ LAUGHTER ] DR. HARRIS, THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO MOVE IN THE WRONG WAY.

OUR DAILY CASE COUNTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

OUR HOSPITALS CONTINUE TO BE STRESSED EVEN MORE SO THAN THEY HAVE BEEN.

AND I KNOW OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO YOU IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO HAS BEEN THE GROWING NUMBER OF CHILDHOOD COVID CASES.

I BELIEVE I SAW THAT 5500 SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT A 700% INCREASE OVER THE SAME WEEK LAST YEAR.

NOW, LAST YEAR, WHEN SCHOOL STARTED, OF COURSE, A LOT OF THEM WERE VIRTUAL, BUT WE ALSO DIDN'T HAVE THE DELTA VARIANT AT THAT TIME.

SO WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW IS IN THE 5 TO 17 AGE GROUP, 5 YEARS TO 17 YEARS OF AGE, AGE GROUP, OVER 5500 KIDS ARE POSITIVE.

WE'RE NOT SAYING THEY CAUGHT THAT IN THE CLASSROOM SETTING NECESSARILY.

SOME OF THEM MAY HAVE; MANY OF THEM MAY NOT HAVE.

IT GOES TO SHOW YOU THE IMPACT THIS DISEASE IS HAVING ON OUR CHILDREN RIGHT NOW.

>> Don: INDEED BECAUSE THE DELTA VARIANT IS SO MUCH MORE INFECTIOUS AND THAT COULD EXPLAIN A LOT OF THIS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

IT IS SO MUCH MORE INFECTIOUS AND I THINK THAT IS THE EXPLANATION.

YOU KNOW, CLEARLY WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT KIDS FOR THE MOST PART DO WELL COMPARED TO ADULTS WITH COVID.

THAT'S THE ONE GOOD THING THAT WE'VE LEARNED OUT OF ALL OF THIS, I GUESS.

BUT STILL, THERE ARE CERTAIN LONG-TERM EFFECTS THAT MANY KIDS SUFFER FROM THIS.

WE HAVE OVER 40 KIDS IN THE HOSPITAL TODAY.

WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE ON VENTILATORS RIGHT NOW AT THIS MOMENT.

OF COURSE, WHEN YOU HAVE CASES IN THE CLASSROOM, THOSE CLASSROOM CONTACTS HAVE TO GO HOME.

SO YOU END UP WITH A LOT OF KIDS GOING VIRTUAL.

A LOT OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE ALREADY GONE VIRTUAL FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS JUST BECAUSE OF THE CASE NUMBERS.

>> Don: YEAH, SCHOOLS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING TO STAY OPEN FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING RIGHT NOW GIVEN THESE OUTBREAKS, BUT THEY ARE FAIRLY LOCALIZED RIGHT NOW, ARE THEY NOT?

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK THE THING WE FIND FRUSTRATING IS THAT A LOT OF THIS COULD BE PREVENTABLE.

CERTAINLY FOR KIDS AGE 12 AND UP, A VACCINE IS AVAILABLE FOR THEM, SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VACCINE, AND WE KNOW THAT IT PREVENTS A LOT OF THESE CASES.

EVEN FOR YOUNGER KIDS, THOUGH, IF THEY ARE ABLE TO BE CONSISTENTLY MASKED AND CAN MAINTAIN AT LEAST THREE FEET OF DISTANCE, THEY DON'T COUNT AS CLOSE CONTACT.

EVEN IF YOU GET A CASE, THE OTHER CHILDREN CAN REMAIN IN THE CLASSROOM SETTING AND DON'T HAVE TO GO HOME.

SO MUCH OF THIS FEELS PREVENTABLE.

>> Don: MASKING REMAINS A LOCAL DECISION RESTING WITH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, BUT WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREMENTAL INCREASE OF LOCAL MASK MANDATES, HAVE WE NOT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I DON'T HAVE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN ESTIMATES IS OVER HALF OF ALABAMA SCHOOLS DO HAVE MASK REQUIREMENTS IN PLACE.

WE THINK THAT'S ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS BESIDES THE VACCINE TO PREVENT DISEASE SPREAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER WE'RE STILL ARGUING OVER WHETHER YOU CAN PREVENT A RESPIRATORY TRANSMITTED DISEASE BY WEARING A MASK.

I MEAN, THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR ON THAT.

NOBODY RATIONAL SERIOUSLY DISPUTES THAT AND YET WE'RE SPENDING A LOT MORE TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT THAN I COULD IMAGINE.

>> Don: THIS IS PRIMARILY A DISEASE OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

I THINK THE AVERAGE AGE FOR A COVID PATIENT IS 40.

>> IT'S MOVED DOWN 10 TO 15 YEARS FROM WHAT WE WERE SEEING A YEAR AGO AND EVEN SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

OUR SENIORS HAVE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF BEING VACCINATED.

OVER 75%, APPROACHING 80% OF ALL PEOPLE OVER 65 HAVE BEEN VACCINATED IN OUR STATE.

SOMETIMES WE SEE BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS IN THOSE FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE, BUT NOT THAT MUCH.

SO WE HAVE THIS NEW INCREDIBLY TRANSMISSIBLE VARIANT OUT THERE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST EASILY INFECTED ARE THE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

AND THAT TENDS TO BE OUR YOUNGER ALABAMIANS.

>> Don: THE PLEAS TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED CONTINUES TO BE HEARD.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE AN UPTICK IN THE NUMBER OF VACCINATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

IT NEEDS TO BE MUCH LARGER THAN IT IS.

ONE BIG AREA OF CONCERN FOR YOU I KNOW IS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY ADOLESCENT AGE KIDS 15-17, ARE NOT GETTING THE SHOT IN LARGE NUMBERS.

>> YEAH, VERY SMALL NUMBER OF THOSE KIDS ARE DOING THAT.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY THAT IS, EXCEPT I GUESS YOUNGER ADULTS IN ALABAMA TEND TO BE LESS VACCINATED THAN OTHER PEOPLE.

IT'S THOSE YOUNGER ADULTS THAT HAVE SCHOOL-AGE KIDS, I GUESS, IN MOST CASES.

PERHAPS YOU'RE JUST SEEING THE ATTITUDES OF THE PARENTS REFLECTED UPON WHETHER TO VACCINATE THE KIDS THERE.

WE COULD DO SO MUCH BETTER JOB.

KIDS WHO ARE VACCINATED ALSO ARE NOT COUNTED AS CLOSE CONTACTS.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO HOME IF YOU HAVE A CASE IN YOUR CLASSROOM.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS WE COULD BE DOING TO KEEP KIDS IN OUR SCHOOL FOR FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION.

AND WE JUST CAN'T SEEM TO CONVINCE ALABAMIANS TO DO THAT IN SOME CASES.

>> Don: THE PFIZER VACCINE, OF COURSE, GOT FULL FDA APPROVAL THIS WEEK.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL THAT MIGHT TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL WHERE VACCINATIONS ARE CONCERNED?

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE PUSHED BACK AGAINST A VACCINE THAT DID NOT HAVE FULL APPROVAL?

>> SURE.

I HOPE SO.

WE HEARD THAT REASON FROM PEOPLE FOR MANY, MANY MONTHS NOW.

IT'S NOT AN UNREASONABLE THING TO ASK.

THIS ISN'T APPROVED YET.

MAYBE I'LL WAIT AND SEE.

LISTEN, THERE'S MORE SAFETY DATA AVAILABLE ON THIS VACCINE THAN ANY VACCINE EVER APPROVED IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, ANY MEDICATION, ANY MEDICAL DEVICE, ANYTHING THE FDA HAS EVER APPROVED.

IT'S NEVER BEEN GIVEN TO PEOPLE 300 MILLION TIMES BEFORE THE SAFETY DATA WAS FINALLY REVIEWED AND THE FINAL APPROVAL GIVEN.

THIS IS A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VACCINE.

IT HAS A TINY NUMBER OF SIDE EFFECTS THAT ARE ALMOST NEVER SERIOUS.

WE UNDERSTAND VERY WELL THAT IT IS SO MUCH SAFER AND SO MUCH BETTER THAN ACTUALLY GETTING COVID.

SO HOPEFULLY SOME PEOPLE WILL HEAR THAT MESSAGE AND MAKE A DECISION TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Don: TIME IS SHORT, BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CRISIS IN OUR HOSPITALS.

WE ARE AT A NET NEGATIVE OF 40 ICU BEDS RIGHT NOW IN ALABAMA.

THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, HAS IT?

>> NO, IT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

TO TRANSLATE THAT, AT LEAST 40 PATIENTS ARE RECEIVING ICU CARE FROM ICU NURSES, WE HOPE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A BED TO PUT THEM IN.

THEY ARE ON A GURNEY IN THE HALLWAY.

THEY ARE STAYING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR DAYS ON END, MAYBE EVEN ON A VENTILATOR.

WE'RE HAVING TO FIND SPACE IN THE CAFETERIA OR SPACE IN THE HALLWAY TO PUT THESE PATIENTS.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A SITUATION LIKE THAT.

EVEN THOUGH WE'RE A HUNDRED OR SO CASES LESS THAN OUR TOTAL HOSPITAL MAXIMUM THAT WE REACHED IN JANUARY, WE'VE NOT HAD THIS MANY ICU PATIENTS EVER BEFORE.

>> Don: FEDERAL TEAMS CONTINUE TO COME TO SOME ALABAMA HOSPITALS TO HELP WITH STAFF SHORTAGES TO HELP TREAT COVID PATIENTS.

WE MENTIONED RECENTLY A FEDERAL TEAM CAME TO BALDWIN COUNTY.

I THINK ANOTHER ONE CAME TO HOUSTON COUNTY AND I THINK A THIRD TO DALE COUNTY.

>> WE HAVE A TEAM DOING AN ASSESSMENT IN DALE COUNTY.

WE'RE NOT SURE IF OR WHEN WE'LL GET A TEAM.

WE ARE HOPEFUL WE WILL.

THE HOUSTON TEAM ARRIVES THIS WEEKEND.

THEY'LL START I THINK WORK FULL-TIME THIS COMING MONDAY.

BUT THE TEAM HAS BEEN IN SOUTH BALDWIN NOW FOR ABOUT A WEEK.

THAT WAS ACTUALLY VERY HELPFUL.

THE FEDS HAVE INDICATED THAT WE'RE ELIGIBLE FOR A LOT OF THE TEAMS BUT THERE JUST AREN'T PEOPLE OUT THERE FOR THEM TO BRING.

JUST NO ONE AVAILABLE.

>> Don: A GRIM SIGN OF THE TIMES, THE FEDS ALSO BROUGHT IN MOBILE MORGUE UNITS TO BE USED AT ONE SOUTH ALABAMA HOSPITAL.

>> YEAH, IN FACT, WE SENT ONE TO MOBILE COUNTY AND ONE TO BALDWIN COUNTY AT THE REQUEST OF THE CORONERS DOWN THERE.

THEIR LOCAL MORTUARY FACILITIES AREN'T ABLE TO HANDLE THE NUMBERS AND THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> Don: DOES THE COASTAL AREA REMAIN THE HOTTEST SPOT IN THE STATE FOR COVID?

>> IT IS, BUT NOT FAR BEHIND FROM THE REST OF SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

GOING ALL THE WAY OVER TO SOUTHEASTERN BORDER IN DOTHAN, WE HAVE HUGE NUMBERS OF PATIENTS THERE.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE CREEPING NORTHWARD.

BEGINNING TO SEE IN TUSCALOOSA, MONTGOMERY AND BIRMINGHAM AS WELL.

>> Don: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, DR. HARRIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Don: STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANKS, DON.

>> Don: GREAT TASTE IN TIES.

>> THANK YOU.

SAME TO YOU.

>> Don: AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON Facebook AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT ddailey@aptv.org OR BY MAIL.

>> Don: AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE SET TO INCLUDE SENATOR JIM McCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE WHO WILL DISCUSS THE START OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON STATE REAPPORTIONMENT PLANS.

HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MIKE JONES OF ANDALUSIA IS SET TO BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS OVER NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

SENATOR BILLY BEASLEY OF CLAYTON WILL BE HERE TO DISCUSS THE NEW WAVE OF COVID AND HIS PUSH AS A PHARMACIST FOR MORE VACCINATIONS.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK AGAIN TO TALK WITH US ABOUT THE SPREAD OF COVID AND THE STRESS IT'S PUTTING ON OUR HOSPITALS.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.