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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

IT WAS LEGISLATIVE ORIENTATION TIME IN THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

ALL OF THE STATE'S 37 NEWLY-ELECTED LAWMAKERS GATHERED IN MONTGOMERY FOR A SERIES OF MEETINGS AND TRAINING SESSIONS MEANT TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WELCOMED THE NEW MEMBERS AT A LUNCH AND OFFERED THEM ENCOURAGEMENT AND SOME ADVICE FOR THEIR NEW ROLE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, BE ON TIME, SHOW UP AND BE INFORMED.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY COMES WITH A GREAT DEAL OF RESPONSIBILITY.

AND IF THERE'S ONE THING FOR YOU TO TAKE AWAY FROM TODAY NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF IS THAT YOU WERE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA TO SERVE THE PEOPLE NOT YOURSELF.

YOU HAVE ENTIRE COMMUNITIES RELYING TO DO WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THEM.

THEY WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE.

YOU ALL IT TAKES A SPECIAL KIND OF INDIVIDUAL TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LAWMAKER.

THERE ARE MANY, MANY NUANCES TO THE JOB AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR OR THE GOVERNMENT INNER YOU MUST ALWAYS BE WILLING TO LEARN.

AS WE HEAD INTO YOUR FIRST LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN MARCH YOU'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE FOLKS LIKE SENATE PRO TEM GREG REED.

SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON.

ANTHONY DANIELS, AND SOON TO BE SPEAKER LEDBETTER.

AND SO MANY OTHERS WHO'RE THAN WILLING TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR FOOTING.

AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK.

SEVERAL VETERAN LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING THOSE IN HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP, TOOK PART IN THE ORIENTATION MEETINGS TO OFFER THEIR ADVICE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> IN TRYING TO THINK ABOUT LIFE BALANCE, YOU KNOW, NUMBER ONE, YOU'VE -- MANY YOU HAVE GOT A LIVING TO MAKE AS WELL.

YOU'VE GOT A JOB.

YOU'VE GOT FAMILIES YOU NEED TO INVOLVE AND INCLUDE YOUR FAMILIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN WHAT YOU DO.

AS YOU ALL THEY ARE OUR NUMBER ONE SUPPORTERS IN EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE AND I'M A WOMAN OF DEEP SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH.

KEEP GOD FIRST, YOUR FAMILY SECOND, YOUR HEALTH THIRD.

ALTHOUGH THAT'S ALONG WITH YOUR FAMILY, AND THEN YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE LEGISLATURE.

BECAUSE I SAY KEEP GOD FIRST BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO BE YOUR FOCUS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO THE RIGHT THING.

THAT YOU DO THE RIGHT THING ACCORDING TO HIS WORD.

IF WE WOULD LOVE EVERYBODY MY GOD WE WOULD HAVE A MUCH BETTER WORLD.

IT STARTS WITH GOD BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE.

I WANT TO SAY PLAN AHEAD.

ONE OF THE THINGS I DIDN'T PLAN AHEAD.

I DIDN'T PRIORITIZE THE WORK LIFE BALANCE WHICH IT REALLY -- IT KIND OF GREW ON ME LONG-TERM.

I HAVE A FOUR-YEAR-OLD AND A SIX-YEAR-OLD.

BEING ABLE TO ESTABLISH THAT WORK LIFE BALANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOUR FAMILY.

REALLY YOUR FAMILY, YOUR SPOUSE AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE LOANING YOU ON THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK WORKING A CALENDAR IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO ME.

SAY YES, AND SAY NO.

BASED ON YOUR CALENDAR.

>> WE ALSO CAUGHT UP WITH A FEW OF THE NEW MEMBERS TO ASK ABOUT THEIR FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND WHAT THEY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TERM.

EXCITEMENT.

IT'S SORT I'M READY TO GET STARTED.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT PRACTICE AND I'M READY TO START.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES.

EDUCATION, BEING A FORMER TEACHER SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER.

AS WELL AS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> YOU WERE MAYOR WHAT DID YOU LEARN THAT IN ROLE YOU'LL BE EMPLOYING IN YOUR NEW ROLE AS A LAWMAKER.

>> FIRST EXPECTATIONS.

GOVERNMENT MOVES MUCH SLOWER.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING I HAD TO LEARN.

IT'S ALSO A GOOD THING.

SO IT'S GOOD TO BE SLOW.

MAKE SURE YOU COVER ALL OF THE BASES.

I'M OKAY WITH SLOW.

THAT'S MY FIRST EXPECTATION.

WE'RE USED TO SAYING GET THIS AND THAT.

EVERYTHING HAPPENS QUICKLY.

BUT IN GOVERNMENT IT JUST CAN'T.

IT'S MORE DANGEROUS TO DO IT WAY.

IT IS EFFICIENT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOADS OF INFORMATION.

AND IF COMMUNITIES IN RURAL AREAS A LOT OF TIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE CELL PHONE SERVICE.

BROADBAND IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US TO GO TO WORK AND SCHOOL.

IT AFFECTS OUR EDUCATION AND OUR RURAL HOSPITALS AS WELL TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE CRITICAL CARE AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES ALIVE AND HEALTHY.

ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE VERY INTERRELATED AND WE NEED TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL STRIDES IN THEM TO MAKE SURE.

IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE, AND I OUR STATE WILL NOT REACH ITS FULL POTENTIAL UNTIL EVERY CORNER OF THIS STATE HAS THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE AND THRIVE.

HOUSE SPEAKER DESIGNATE NATHANIEL LEDBETTER ANNOUNCED MORE COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN THIS WEEK.

HERE'S THE LIST.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE GINNY SHAVER OF LEESBURG WILL CHAIR THE CHILDREN AND SENIOR ADVOCACY COMMITTEE; CHRIS BLACKSHEAR OF PHENIX CITY WILL CHAIR FINANCIAL SERVICES; MATT SIMPSON OF DAPHNE WILL CHAIR ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE; DAVID STANDRIDGE OF HAYDEN WILL CHAIR RURAL AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; CORLEY ELLIS OF COLUMBIANA WILL CHAIR THE INSURANCE COMMITTEE; CHRIS SELLS OF GREENVILLE WILL CHAIR THE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE; ANDY WHITT OF HARVEST WILL CHAIR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM; AND ALLEN TREADAWAY OF MORRIS WILL RETAIN HIS CHAIRMANSHIP OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE BACK IN MONTGOMERY ON JANUARY 10 FOR THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION, WHEN THEY'LL ELECT LEADERSHIP AND ESTABLISH RULES.

THEN THE 2023 REGULAR SESSION WILL BEGIN MARCH 7.

U.S.

SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY GAVE HIS FINAL SPEECH ON THE SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEK.

SHELBY HAS SERVED 44 YEARS IN WASHINGTON, FIRST ELECTED TO THE HOUSE BACK IN 1978 AND THEN ELECTED TO THE SENATE IN 1986.

IN HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS, SHELBY THANKED THE VOTERS FOR ELECTING HIM OVER THE YEARS AND STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATION AND WORKING TOGETHER BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

>> I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, MY HOME STATE.

THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN ME FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

IT'S MORE THAN I COULD HAVE EVER WISHED FOR.

THIS HAS BEEN AN TRULY AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.

SOMETHING I COULD HAVE NEVER DREAMED.

AS I LOOK BACK ON MY SERVICE A LOT OF TIME WHEN WE DID THINGS TOGETHER.

WE ATE TOGETHER.

WE SOCIALIZED TOGETHER.

WE WORKED TOGETHER.

BUT TODAY, I THINK WE'VE BECOME TOO POLARIZED.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS FOR THAT.

WE UNDERSTAND.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS AND PUT THE COUNTRY FIRST.

WE MUST NOT PUT OURSELVES OR OUR STATE FIRST.

THE ALABAMA INNOVATION COMMISSION MET IN MONTGOMERY THIS WEEK.

THE COMMISSION WAS CREATED LAST YEAR TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND POLICIES THAT WILL MAKE ALABAMA MORE RESILIENT, INCLUSIVE AND COMPETITIVE.

THE COMMISSION HEARD A REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES FOR RECRUITING AND RETAINING YOUNG TALENTED RESIDENTS HERE IN THE STATE AND REVERSING THE SO-CALLED BRAIN DRAIN THAT SEES COLLEGE GRADUATES LEAVE FOR OTHER STATES.

TWO COMMISSION MEMBERS STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE AND STATE SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON SAID ONE STRATEGY IS PROMOTING ALABAMA'S OUTDOOR RECREATION FEATURES.

>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE CENTRAL PILLARS WE'RE TRYING TO TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH AND ADDRESS.

KNOWING THAT WE NEED TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN YOUNG TALENT IN THE STATE.

ALL TALENT BUT PARTICULARLY YOUNG TALENT.

TO LEARN WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE WORKING.

HOW SOME OF THE ONES THAT ARE PERFORMING WELL WOULD FIT WELL IN ALABAMA.

I CERTAINLY WILL BE A CRITICAL THEME OF OUR WORK.

>> THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT STARTING OF THE MOUNTAINS OF HUNTSVILLE.

WEST ALABAMA.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST TERRAINS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING AND HIKING THAT THIS COUNTRY CAN OFFER.

WHY NOT ALABAMA?

THE ISSUE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT CONTINUED TO BE A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION THIS WEEK AS ALABAMA'S TOP LEADERS TRY TO RECTIFY THE ISSUES THAT LED TO THREE FAILED LETHAL INJECTION ATTEMPTS IN THE LAST YEAR.

GOVERNOR IVEY SENT A LETTER TO THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT ASKING THEM TO PROVIDE A LONGER WINDOW IN WHICH EXECUTIONS CAN BE CARRIED OUT BY CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS.

SOMETIMES, LAST MINUTE APPEALS TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AREN'T ADJUDICATED UNTIL A FEW HOURS BEFORE THE MIDNIGHT DEADLINE IN DEATH WARRANTS.

IVEY ARGUES THAT HAS CAUSED COMPLICATIONS LEADING THE STATE TO CALL OFF EXECUTIONS RECENTLY.

THERE'S NO SECRECY SEE INVOLVED.

IT'S SIMPLY A REVIEW PROCESS AND PART OF THE REVIEW HAS SENT A LETTER TO THE SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA ASKING FOR TO GIVE THEM MORE TIME.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID HER OFFICE'S REVIEW OF STATE DEATH PENALTY PROCEDURES IS ONGOING AND THAT IT HAS INCLUDED ADVICE FROM MEDICAL EXPERTS ABOUT CONNECTING IV LINES.

>> I KNOW THEY'VE GOTTEN SOME ADDITIONAL MEDICAL PERSONNEL ON BOARD TO EITHER PARTICIPATE OR GIVE ADVICE, ET CETERA.

SO THERE'S CERTAINLY A CONCERN AND THEY'RE WORKING ON IT.

THE CONVERSATION OVER ALABAMA EXECUTIONS HAS ANTI-DEATH PENALTY ADVOCATES CALLING FOR THE STATE TO DO AWAY WITH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

AS RANDY SCOTT REPORTS, THE STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THAT IDEA.

TALK ABOUT EXECUTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN ALABAMA HAS BEEN ON THE RISE.

ONE PERSON WHO HAS SOMETHING TO SAY IS GARY DRINKERT.

I WAS LOCKED UP ON DEATH ROW IN ALABAMA FOR RIGHT AT FIVE YEARS FOR A CRIME I DIDN'T COMMIT.

HIS CASE LANDED HIM ON DEATH ROW.

I REALLY THOUGHT ALABAMA WAS GOING TO KILL ME.

>> HE GOT AN APPEAL AND THE VERDICT WAS OVERTURNED.

WORKING TO STOP EXECUTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> IT'S SOMETIME FOR A MORATORIUM IN MY PINNA CROSS THE BOARD BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T -- THE REASON THEY GOT AWAY FROM THE ELECTRIC CHAIR IS TO KILL SOMEBODY MORE HUMANELY.

THIS WEEK, THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY >> WHEN MY OFFICE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO OBTAIN VICTORIES BEFORE BOTH THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT AS WELL AS THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT AND THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY OTHER CAPITAL CASES TO BE SIMILARLY POSTPONED.

GENERAL MARSHALL SAYS HIS OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

I STAND WITH THE GREAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THIS STATE.

I WILL NEVER BACK DOWN THAT ULTIMATE JUSTICE IS SERVED.

GARY DRINK-ERT.

THERE'S OF NOW THERE'S BEEN A 168 OR 170 PEOPLE EXONERATED FROM DEATH ROW ACROSS THE AMERICA, ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

THAT OUGHT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING RIGHT THERE.

FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL I'M RANDY SCOTT.

BROADBAND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM KICKED OFF THE FIRST A SERIES OF STATEWIDE MEETINGS.

THE IDEA IS TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC IN ALL 67 COUNTIES TO ENHANCE THE STATE'S BROADBAND EXPANSION EFFORTS.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH WAS AT THE MEETING.

BECAUSE THE INTERNET A HEAVILY RELIED UPON RESOURCE TO ACCESS WORK, ACCESS EDUCATION, AND ACCESS HEALTHCARE TO NAME A FEW IT'S NO LONGER CONSIDERED A LUXURY.

BAM GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

BEING CONNECTED IS ABSOLUTELY A NECESSITY.

ALABAMA'S DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ALSO CALLED HAS BEEN LEADING THE STATE'S EFFORT TO CLOSE THE INTERNET ACCESS GAP.

>> THEY WILL TAKE THE NEXT YEAR TO VISIT EVERY ALABAMA COUNTY TO HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES WITH THEIR BROADBAND EXPANSION PLANS.

>> BECAUSE PLANNING IN MY OPINION ACTUALLY MAKES US BETTER.

>> THE FIRST BROADBAND MEETING WAS HELD THIS WEEKEND IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MONTGOMERY TECH LAB WE WORK EVERY DAY TO MAKE COMMUNITY AND TECH STAKEHOLDERS CAN ACCESS TOOLS AND.

WE DRIVE TO ADD VALUE TO ENTREPRENEURS.

WHICH THEY CAN ADD VALUE TO THE COMMUNITIES WHICH THEY SERVE.

>> THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING THE STATE'S WORK.

WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

TO ANNOUNCE THAT ALABAMA INITIAL GRANTS TOTALING $6 MILLION TO PLAN FOR THE DEPLOYMENT AND ADOPTION OF HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION THIS WEEK HOSTED A PREMIERE FOR "“SHUTTLESWORT"” A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE LIFE OF LEGENDARY CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER FRED SHUTTLESWORTH.

THE DOCUMENTARY IS SET TO AIR THIS COMING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20 AT 8:00 P.M.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

AN ORDINARY MAN WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY CALL ON HIS LIFE.

WHENEVER THERE WAS A STRUGGLE GOING ON ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES, REVEREND SHUTTLESWORTH IS GOING TO BE THERE.

WHEN SOME LEADERS SAYS IT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN.

WHEN FRED SHUTTLESWORTH SAID YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

HE WANTED TO LEAVE THE WORLD BETTER THAN HE FOUND.

DR. KING CAME IN AT THE INVITATION OF DR. SHUTTLESWORTH.

BULL CONNOR THOUGHT THEY HAD BEATEN US DOWN.

RIGHT THERE IN SMITHFIELD PARADE RIGHT DOWN WITH THE POLICE LEADING THE PROCESSION.

WE NEEDED SOMEONE IN BIRMINGHAM WHO WASN'T AFRAID AND WE FOUND THAT MAN IN FRED SHUTTLESWORTH.

WOW.

SET YOUR REMINDERS BECAUSE THAT IS A MUST-WATCH PROGRAM.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS OF HUNTSVILLE THE IN COMING CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE.

DO I CALL YOU MR. CHAIRMAN YET.

>> IT'S NOT OFFICIAL YET.

BUT THE WORK HAS BEGUN.

>> THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

CONGRATULATIONS YOU WERE NAMED BY IN COMING SPEAKER LEDBETTER AS HIS CHOICE OF THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANKS.

THAT I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE THAT ROLE >> IT IS WELL I THINK THAT THE RIGHT WORLD I DIDN'T PURSUE THIS POSITION.

I THINK THAT LEDBETTER HAD APPROACHED ME WITH.

WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION, A LOT OF THOUGHT.

HAD BROUGHT A LOT THE OTHER PEOPLE INTO THE CONVERSATION AS WELL.

I APPRECIATE HIS CONFIDENCE IN STEPPING IN.

THE GOOD NEWS YOU'LL BE INHERITING A SURPLUS.

THERE WAS A TAX RECEIPTS WERE UP IN THE GENERAL FUND MORE THAN 2%.

10%.

IN THAT RANGE.

SO THAT'S GREAT.

BUT YOU'VE GOT INFLATION GOING ON.

IS THAT SURPLUS EATEN UP BY INFLATION.

>> IT IS.

CERTAINLY I'M NOT AN ECONOMIST.

I WENT THROUGH THE RECEIPTS THE OTHER NIGHT THAT CURT SENT OUT OF HIS OFFICE.

I SENSE A SENSE OF COMFORT LEVEL IN SPENDING IN ALABAMA.

LOOKING AT THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES THERE AND I GIVE KUDOS TO THE COLLEAGUES SETTING UP THE SUTT TAX.

AND CERTAINLY THIS WOULD BE A YEAR WE'D WANT TO PLUS THAT NUMBER UP.

>> THERE'S ALSO TALK OF THE R WORD.

A POSSIBLE RECESSION THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO WHAT AS A BUDGET CHAIRMAN WHAT ARE -- INFORMATION ARE YOU GATHERING.

WHERE ARE YOU GETTING YOUR INFORMATION TO HELP YOU DECIDE NEED TO BE MADE IF THERE IS A RECESSION.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

THAT'S WHY I SPENT MY LAST 2 HOURS WITH LSA AND CURT AND HIS TEAM AND NOW TODAY BILL POOLE.

'23, '24 INTO '25 COULD OOH LOOK LIKE.

THERE ARE SOME THIS RECESS MAY BE LIKE A GROWTH RECESSION.

MAYBE WE DON'T DROP BELOW THE LINE WHERE WE'RE AT.

INSTEAD OF HAVING 9% INCREASE IN THE GENERAL FUND MAYBE WE SEE A 1% INCREASE GOING INTO THE '24 SESSION.

THAT IS I THINK ALABAMA IS GOING TO HOLD STRUNG.

YOU MENTIONED SSUT.

THE GENERAL FUND WAS THE UNDER PERFORMER.

THAT WAS KIND OF THE PROBLEM CHILD.

IT WAS ALWAYS NEEDING BAILOUTS BECAUSE MOST OF THE TAX BASE GOES TO THE EDUCATION FUND.

ALL OF THAT CHANGED BACK IN 2015 WHEN THE STATE STARTED ENFORCING SALES TAX ON ONLINE PURCHASES.

TALK ABOUT WHAT A GAME CHANGER ACTUALLY SEEING SOME GROWTH.

IT IS A LARGE GROWTH.

I THINK RECEIPTS WE END THE YEAR AT $232 MILLION.

THAT'S SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH FROM THE 2015 AND I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT THE LEGISLATORS THAT SUPPORTED THAT THOUGHT WE'D SEE THIS KIND OF GROWTH.

I WOULD THOUGHT I WOULD SEE A DECLINE IN OUR IN STORE TAXES.

THOSE ARE NEW DOLLARS COMING INTO THE COFFERS OF THE STATE BUDGET >> IN THINKING OF THESE TWO OFFERS DEPENDING ON HOW BAD COULD LEAD TO PEOPLE SPENDING LESS ONLINE.

NOT AS MUCH AMAZON TIME OR SOMETHING.

COULD THAT LEAD TO FEWER RECEIPTS.

LESS COMING INTO THE GENERAL FUND IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL REVENUE.

>> IT COULD.

THAT'S WHY I'M GIVING SOME WORDS OF CAUTION.

AND I THINK MY COMMENT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE HAVING THEM SIT IN MY SEAT.

BUT BEING ON THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE LAST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS AND UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF SO MANY AGENCIES.

EVEN THOUGH WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PLUS UP PRISONS EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH THERE'S STILL ADDITIONAL NEEDS THAT ARE VIOLATING TO SERVICE TO ALL OF ALABAMIANS.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS WITH THAT I CERTAINLY IF IT'S WISHES OF THE BODY WE DO SOME TYPE OF REBATE.

IT WILL BE A ONE TIME REBATE.

YOU'VE GOT THE MORE DIFFICULT AGENCIES YOU'VE GOT MEDICAID, PRISONS MENTAL HEALTH.

I SENSE A GREATER WILLINGNESS AMONG THE LEGISLATURE TO REALLY SPEND TIME ON THOSE ISSUE.

MENTAL HEALTH IN PARTICULAR.

I THINK THAT USED TO BE AN AGENCY AND AN ISSUE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON.

THAT'S CHANGED IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> IT REALLY HAS.

AND GOVERNOR GOT BEHIND IT.

I SERVED ON THE THREE OR FOUR YEARS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH.

WE BROUGHT ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS OUR PROBATE JUDGES OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR HOSPITALS AND WE BEGAN TO PLUS UP MENTAL HEALTH OVER $18 MILLION A YEAR JUST TO GO TO THESE THE REGIONAL CRITICAL CARE AND WE JUST OPENED OUR WELL STONE IN HUNTSVILLE.

WE'VE GOT THREE ESTABLISHED AND WE'RE WORKING ON FOURTH ONE IN ALABAMA.

IT'S SO POPULAR BECAUSE WE INCREASED THE TRAINING FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS IN THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING.

IT'S WORKING SO WELL NOW WE'RE DEPLOYING MOBILE UNITS.

I GOT VERY INVOLVED WITH IT.

AND THE IMPACT ON OUR COURTS AND OUR JAILS AND OUR HOSPITALS.

BUT THEN ALSO IT'S JUST A WAY TO GET CRITICAL IMMEDIATE CARE TO THOSE THAT NEED IT SO BAD.

>> WELL SWITCHING GEARS TO MEDICAID.

YOU MENTIONED MEDICAID AS AN AGENCY.

EVERY YEAR THERE'S A CONVERSATION WHETHER ALABAMA SHOULD EXPAND MEDICAID.

OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

WHAT'S YOUR POSTURE AS TO AS IN COMING CHAIRMAN WHETHER OR NOT THAT SHOULD OR COULD HAPPEN.

>> I THINK TO ANSWER THAT I LOOK BACK AT MY FIRST QUADRIENNIUM.

BUT I DO NOT SUPPORT A BROAD EXPANSION OF MEDICAID.

SO I'M NOT GOING TO BE AFRAID TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE THE CONVERSATION BUT WE'LL HAVE TO WEIGH THAT OUT CAUTIOUSLY.

>> ALSO PRISONS.

THIS IS A PERENNIAL PROBLEM.

FINDING ENOUGH MONEY TO KEEP THE STAFF GOING.

IS THAT GOING TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE GOING INTO THE NEXT SESSION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I PROBABLY SPENT HALF A DAY WITH THE COMMISSIONER OVER PRISONS UP IN LIMESTONE PRISON AND WE TALKED ABOUT STAFFING CONCERNS.

TO OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND COMMISSIONER HAMM HAS GOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THAT AREA COMING FROM A LOCAL JAIL.

IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR HIS NEEDS.

WE HAVE BEEN PLUSSING HIM UP.

WE PROVIDE SOME INCENTIVES TO TRY TO RETAIN THE WORKFORCE.

WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THAT.

HE MADE THE COMMENT HE WAS COMPETING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN ALABAMA.

MOSTLY WE AREN'T.

LOOKING AT THE AVERAGE PAY FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS IN ALABAMA IS UP TO $50,000.

I THINK WE'VE GOT TO FOCUS AND WE'VE GOT THE CAPACITY TO HIRE QUALITY EMPLOYEES IN THERE.

AND PART OF IS A BRICKS AND MORTAR FIX.

WE WANT TO DO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WITH THESE INMATES THAT ARE SET TO GET OUT.

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A GOOD CONDUCIVE AREA TO DO THAT TRAINING.

>> WHILE I HAVE YOU HERE.

YOU BROUGHT LEGISLATION THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE SENATE.

I KNOW YOU HAD LEGISLATION THAT WOULD KIND OF STREAMLINE TO ALLOW RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS TO SERVE AS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.

BUT IT DIED IN THE SENATE.

ARE YOU GOING TO BRING IT BACK IN THE NEXT SESSION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE ONLY BILL I'M GOING TO CARRY OUTSIDE OF BUDGET SESSION.

I'M PASSIONATE.

I HEAR FROM OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

EVEN OUR CITIES AND OUR COUNTIES IT'S A RETURN TO WORK DEAL.

IT'S INCREASED IN THE POST RETIREMENT TO WORK SALARY.

IT WOULD CARRY IT TO $52,000.

IT CURRENTLY SITS AT $37,000.

AND FOR A SMALL CITY TO HIRE RETIRING OFFICER FROM SAY A LARGER CITY YOU GET A POST CERTIFIED OFFICER TO COME FOR A QUARTER WHAT YOU WOULD PAY FOR A FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER.

IT'S A GOOD TIME TO INCREASE SROs IN ALABAMA >> I HEAR FROM VIEWERS AND PARENTS THAT'S SCHOOL SAFETY.

IT'S A REAL CONCERN.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SELECTION AND THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS SIR.

APPRECIATE IT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

THANKS FOR COMING ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

WE'RE USUALLY DOING IT BY ZOOM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE IT'S BEEN LEGISLATIVE ORIENTATION FOR NEW MEMBERS.

YOU'VE GOT SOME MEMBERS FOR YOUR CAUCUS.

I THINK THEY'RE VERY EXCITED.

IT'S LIKE DOING SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT IT AND READ ABOUT IT.

THE LOOKS ON THEIR FACES TO TALK ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE AND THINGS THEY SHOULD BE AWARE OF AND LOOK AND HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LEGISLATOR.

YOU CAN SEE THEM ABSORBING.

IT'S LIKE BEING IN FRONT OF A CLASSROOM.

JUST EATING EVERYTHING UP AND WRITING DOWN.

THEY WERE TAKING GREAT NOTES AND I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THAT.

I'LL BE TESTING AND QUIZZING MY GUYS ONCE WE MEET UP IN A FEW WEEKS.

>> IT WAS GOOD TO GO UPSTAIRS AND MEET WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS I NEVER MET.

SAW THE GOVERNOR TALK.

SHE HAD SOME ADVICE TO IMPART.

SHE'S BEEN AROUND FOR STATE GOVERNMENT FOR DECADES AND DECADES.

MAYBE INDIVIDUALLY YOU'VE SHARED WITH NEW MEMBERS BASED ON YOUR ADVICE AND EXPERIENCE BACK WHEN YOU WERE A NEW LAWMAKER.

>> TALK TO THEM BEING EFFECTIVE AND REALLY OBSERVING THE PROCESS.

BEFORE JUMPING INTO THE FIRE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN PLAYING SPORTS.

AND SO I THINK FOR ME AS WE PREPARE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE'RE TAKING THEM THROUGH A NUMBER OF EXERCISE TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THAT MAKING CERTAIN IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT IN CERTAIN AREAS.

MAKE THAT YOUR FOUNDATION BEING WHERE YOUR SWEET SPOT.

MAKE CERTAIN YOU'RE LOOKING AT LEGISLATION THAT ADS IT RELATES TO YOUR SWEET SPOT.

YOU'RE ABLE TO IMPART SOME KNOWLEDGE EVEN FOR SOME OF THE OLD TIMERS.

ALSO BEING HONEST.

DOING WHAT YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO DO.

IF YOU CAN'T DO IT GO BADGE TO THE PERSON I'VE GOT TO CHANGE COURSE.

I'M REFERRING TO THE LOBBIES AND ASSOCIATIONS.

THEY HAVE A JOB.

BY THEM AS LOBBYISTS.

HONESTY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

THE YOUR NAME IS THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE.

AND MAKE SURE YOU PROTECT IT.

I HEARD ONE CONVERSATION ABOUT IT'S GREAT TO PROMISE THINGS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

BUT YOU BETTER LEARN THE RULES TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER ON THOSE PROMISES.

>> THE CAMPAIGN ENDED ON NOVEMBER 9th.

YOU DON'T BRING THE CAMPAIGN INTO THE ACTUAL CHAMBER.

YOUR JOB IS TO REPRESENT ALL PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER DISTRICTS BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU MAY NEED THEM AND THEY MAY NEED YOU.

UNLIKE WASHINGTON, D.C. WE WANT TO MAINTAIN SOME SOME KIND OF DECORUM OR VISIT WITH OUR COLLEAGUES WHETHER THEY'RE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE OR NOT.

>> SPEAKING OF THE CAMPAIGN THE ELECTION HAD SOME CURIOUS.

THE PARTY BALANCE IN THE LEGISLATURE DIDN'T CHANGE AT ALL.

DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS PICKED UP A SEAT.

BUT ALSO LOST A SEAT.

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE YOU.

WERE YOU HAPPY CONSIDERING IT'S AFTER REDISTRICTING.

>> I WAS PRETTY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LOSS OF GRIMSLEY.

SO SOMETIMES NATIONAL POLITICS AND ALL OF THE NOISE FROM THE OUTSIDE END UP HURTING GOOD PEOPLE.

VERY DISAPPOINTED.

I THOUGHT HE RAN A PHENOMENAL RACE.

I THINK INFRASTRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT.

HAVING LOCAL PARTY INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND HAVING A BROAD MATURE INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU CAN AS A CANDIDATE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU GOT TO HAVE HELP.

THE CANDIDATE THEMSELVES THAT'S NOT A RECIPE FOR A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS.

THE NUMBERS FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL CYCLE WHERE DONALD TRUMP GOT 55% TO 47% OF THE VOTE.

WHAT YOU SAW WAS A SIMILAR VOTE.

DEXTER'S DISTRICT WAS REDRAWN WHERE HE HAD A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HIM.

THAT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING.

BUT HIS BODY OF WORK SPOKE FOR ITSELF.

I WAS DISAPPOINTED.

OF COURSE NORTH ALABAMA THERE WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT THERE.

SOME OF OUR FOLKS FELL SHORT BUT THEY RAN STRONG RACES AND SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE RACES THAT THEY RAN.

AND LOOK FORWARD TO REALLY ENGAGING THEM LONG-TERM.

ALL IN ALL A LOT OF THE MONEY AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

WE'RE PROBABLY THE ONLY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES THAT DID NOT GET WIPED OUT.

DIDN'T LOSE ANY SEATS AS A NET LOSS TO THE SEATS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT DON'T HAVE THOSE STRUCTURES IN PLACE AND DIDN'T HAVE A COMPETITIVE STATEWIDE RACE.

SO WE'RE IN ARKANSAS AND OTHER PLACES THEY LOST SEATS.

FLORIDA LOST SEATS.

WE'RE FORTUNATE TO BREAK EVEN AS A RESULT OF THE ELECTION.

WHILE THAT'S NOT THE BEST NEWS FOR ME BECAUSE WE WORKED EXTREMELY AND OUR MEMBERS WORKED EXTREMELY HARD.

THAT WAS TELLING FOR US.

>> WELL LET'S SWITCH GEARS AND TALK ABOUT THE UPCOMING SESSION.

IT'S GOING TO BE IN MARCH WHICH SOUNDS A LONG WAY AWAY.

IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CAUCUS'S PRIORITIES LOOKING AHEAD TO MARCH.

>> HEALTHCARE IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

YOU KNOW WE ARE CERTAINLY IN FAVOR OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WE HOPE TO EDUCATE THE ELECTORATE WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT'S NOT.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT MISUNDERSTANDING AS TO WHAT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WE'VE ALLOWED IT TO BECOME MORE PARTISAN IN NATURE INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT IT AND DEALING WITH ON ITS MERITS.

AND SO HEALTHCARE IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES FOR US EXPANDING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

THIS WILL LEND SUPPORT TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

BUT THE MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID IT'S A WORKING CLASS MEDICAID.

IT'S HEALTHCARE FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE WORKING.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT FOLKS DON'T UNDERSTAND.

THE OTHER PIECE WHEN IT COMES TO BEING A HEALTHIER BAM.

NUTRITIONISTS AND DIETITIANS ARE NOT BEING REIMBURSED FROM A MEDICAID STANDPOINT.

IF WE'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON THE PREVENTIVE SIDE OF HEALTHCARE THOSE ITEMS SHOULD BE REIMBURSABLE.

AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE HEALTHIER ALABAMA.

LONG-TERM WE'LL START SEEING THE FRUITS OF THOSE INVESTMENTS.

EDUCATION IS ONE.

WE WANT TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF ACCESS TO CRADLE TO PRE-K ENCOURAGING MORE CRADLE TO PRE-K INVESTMENT BUT EXPAND THE NUMBER OF PRE-K CLASSROOMS WE HAVE.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST PRE-K PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES.

HOWEVER NOT A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE BENEFITTING FROM THEM.

WE WANT TO BE A PARTNER BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN NEED THAT EXPOSURE EARLY ON.

IF WE'RE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MAKING THOSE INVESTMENTS.

ALSO IT TAKES CARE OF CHILD CARE.

THAT HAVE HAD TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN AND WORKING.

BUT SOMETIMES IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILD.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT NOT TO HAVE ACCESS TO CHILD CARE.

CHILD CARE IS A HUGE BARRIER.

WE'RE HOPING TO PUSH MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILD CARE SO THAT THOSE MOTHERS AND FATHERS AT HOME WITH THEIR CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO GET BACK IN THE WORKFORCE.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST WE'RE LOOKING AT A TAX BREAK REIMBURSEMENT IN SOME WILL SAY REIMBURSEMENT.

SOME WILL SAY MORE MONEY FOR THE WORKING CLASS INDIVIDUAL.

SO IF YOU'RE WORKING AT A COMPANY 40 HOURS THESE ARE NOT SALARY THESE ARE HOURLY EMPLOYEES.

IF YOU'RE WORKING A 40 HOUR WORKWEEK THE STATE SHOULD NOT BE TAXING YOU FOR IT.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN INTERESTING PROPOSAL.

WHILE I HAVE YOU HERE I ALSO KNOW YOU SAID ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES THE COMMISSION CHARGED WITH RECOMMENDING THE CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO BE MADE FOR THE RENEWAL OF THE ALABAMA JOBS.

DO YOU SEE THAT PASSING IN THE LEGISLATURE.

DO YOU SEE ANY TROUBLE -- BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO RENEW THEM.

BUT YOU ALSO RECOMMENDED SOME POSSIBLE REVISIONS TO BRING THEM TO MODERN DAY TO UPDATE THEM.

>> I THINK THERE'S SOME BENEFITS IN THE ACTUAL REPORT.

I THINK TRANSPARENCY PIECE THAT'S EMBEDDED IN THE REPORT.

TO MAKE CERTAIN WE'RE TRANSPARENT.

EVEN LEGISLATURES WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL SITES.

BUT ALSO EXPANDING THE INDUSTRIAL SITES.

I THINK THAT OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL STATE AND SO MANY GREAT THINGS WITH THE OUTDOORS AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT MAKE OUR STATE ATTRACTIVE.

BUT THE AVERAGE PERSON OR OUTSIDE THE STATE DON'T REALLY KNOW.

WE HAVE A LOT OF ASSETS WITHIN THE STATE OF ALABAMA WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT PLACES THAT HAVE NOT HAD THE ATTENTION.

WE'RE BUILDING AN INTERSTATE OVER IN WEST ALABAMA WHERE THERE WILL BE AN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WENDALL HORNE PART OF THE STATE WHICH IS VERY NEEDED.

I SUPPORT US LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE SITES -- LOOKING AT AREAS IN WEST ALABAMA THAT HAVEN'T NECESSARILY BEEN CONSIDERED IN THE PAST.

I THINK WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SPECIAL THINGS HAPPEN IN THE STATE OF BAM.

IT'S ALL GOING TO DEPEND ON US WORKING TOGETHER.

EXPANDING THAT REACH TO GIVE I'M ABLE TO DELIVER THIS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EXPANDING THE REACH TO FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH.

ALL IN ALL I SUPPORT A LOT OF AREAS BEING REPRESENTED.

HOWEVER, I THINK FROM A DETAIL AND TRANSPARENCY STANDPOINT WHERE I'LL STOP AND SEE.

BEFORE A COMMITMENT I'D LIKE TO SEE WHERE WE ARE THERE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE GETS AN REGIONALISM.

WHILE I REPRESENT NORTH ALABAMA I ORIGINALLY GREW UP IN BULLIET COUNTY >> DETAILS MATTER.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON SHOW.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK IN SESSION.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

NEXT I'M JOINED BY PAT HARRIS SECRETARY OF THE ALABAMA SENATE.

PAT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

I ALWAYS ENJOY WATCHING THE PROGRAM.

FOR OUR VIEWERS CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE.

SECRETARY OF THE SENATE IS A NONPARTISAN ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION.

I'M BASICALLY THE THIRD ONE IN 100 YEARS.

SO OUR RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN DELEGATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO HANDLE ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENATE BODY, BUDGETS, EMPLOYEES, COMMITTEES THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES.

WE ALSO SEE YOU UP ON THE DAIS OFTEN ADVISING THE GOVERNOR.

WHICH CAN BE COMPLICATED.

ALABAMA IS ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT DO NOT THEY WRITE THEIR OWN RULES EVER QUADRIENNIUM.

>> AND SO SO OFTEN THERE'S QUESTIONS HOW PROCEDURE WORKS.

AND THE ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF SENATE TO ADVISE THE PRESIDING OFFICERS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE ON HOW THOSE RULES ARE APPLIED.

>> WELL THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CONSEQUENTIAL RULES OF THE CHAIR OVER THE YEARS.

>> YES.

>> WE'VE JUST HAD LEGISLATIVE ORIENTATION.

THEY WERE GETTING LEARNED UP IF YOU WILL ON PROCEDURE, ON THE BUILDING ITSELF ON HOW TO INTERACT.

YOU'VE GOT FIVE NEW SENATORS UPSTAIRS.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT ORIENTATION WENT.

>> I THINK IT WENT WELL.

AND IT'S JUST A SIMPLE AS KNOWING WHERE THEIR OFFICES ARE KNOWING WHERE THE BATHROOMS ARE.

PLUS IT ALSO LET'S OTHER AGENCIES STATE AGENCIES LEGISLATIVE AGENCIES AND ALL OF THE AGENCY AND LSA, FISCAL OFFICE AND THE DRAFTING OFFICE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WHILE WE'RE ALL HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

>> THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE GIVING THEM THE REPORTS AND WRITING THE BILLS.

VERY IMPORTANT TO GET ACQUAINTED.

YOU'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

YOU'VE SEEN SENATORS COME AND GO.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE KEY TO BEING SUCCESSFUL.

WHAT TRAITS HAVE YOU OBSERVED IN SUCCESSFUL SENATORS OVER THE YEARS THAT MAYBE YOU WOULD ADVISE THESE NEW GUYS TO HAVE.

I THINK THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR BEST HOW THE RULES OPERATE AND HOW THEY APPLY TO THE BODY ITSELF.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO WATCH AND LISTEN AND PAY ATTENTION SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND.

IT'S NOT DESIGNED TO BE FAST.

IT'S ALSO NOT DESIGNED TO MAKE IMMEDIATE DECISIONS.

IT'S A -- OUR SYSTEM THE LEGISLATURE IS BASED ON COMPROMISE.

IT'S A SYSTEM BUILT SO THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT AND ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING BASED ON COMPROMISE.

BUT THAT'S HOW GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK.

>> WELL WE HAD SOME DRAMA AROUND THE STATEHOUSE.

YOU HAD A FEW BLOCKS THAT THE SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE AT DOC.

JUST BEHIND THE BUILDING WE HAD THIS CAR ON FIRE.

IS THAT WHEN WE SAW AN INCREASED SECURITY PRESENCE.

>> IT IS.

I THINK SOMETHING WENT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THEN THE FIRE UP THE STREET.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT WAS A DAY THAT WE NEEDED TO INCREASE SECURITY AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCATION WE'RE IN NOW IS HOW TO APPLY THAT SECURITY ON A DAILY BASIS.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THESE THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT.

THIS BUILDING WE HAVE A THIS LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMETIMES.

A FEW WEEKS AGO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOOK THE FIRST OF MANY STEPS POTENTIALLY 6 BUILDING A NEW STATEHOUSE.

CAN YOU WALKTHROUGH WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT.

WHY WE NEED A NEW STATEHOUSE.

I THINK THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THE ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPARENCY HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS.

THIS IS NOT AN OFFICE BUILDING FOR LEGISLATORS.

IT'S A STATE CAPITOL AND IT'S WHERE THE LEGISLATOR MEETS.

ALL OF THAT SHOULD BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS.

IN THE BUILDING WHICH IS AN A SAD OLD BUILDING, THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THE PEOPLE.

WHETHER IT'S THE FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE OR THE SILVER HAIRED LEGISLATURE OR YOUTH LEGISLATURE IT'S JUST A DIFFICULT THING TO DO AND DIFFICULT FOR GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH IN A THE PROPER MANNER.

>> THAT FIRST STEP WAS TAKEN.

THEY'VE BEGUN A CONVERSATION WITH THE RSA WITH THE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.

THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS.

WHAT OTHER STEPS ARE NECESSARY IN THAT PROCESS OF GETTING A NEW STATEHOUSE?

>> WELL, THEY DO BUILD NICE BUILDINGS.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING IS A VERY UNIQUE BUILDING.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE OPENNESS OF THE BUILDING FOR THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS.

BUT ALSO THE PRIVACY OF THE OFFICES AND THE CHAMBERS WHICH THE MEMBERS MEET.

SECURITY AND SO ALL THAT HAS TO BE FIGURED IN.

SO THIS IS ONE OF VERY FEW NEW BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED.

VIRGINIA THEY BUILT A NEW OFFICE BUILDING.

REBUILT THEIR CAPITOL.

CUMMINGS HAS DONE SOME THINGS.

IT'S A UNIQUE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

>> CAN I ASSUME THAT A NEW OFFICE BUILDING WHILE RETURNING TO THE OLD CHAMBERS IS PROBABLY NOT AN OPTION.

>> IT'S NOT AN OPTION.

FOR NO OTHER REASON YOU CAN'T WIRE FOR ALL OF THE I.T.

AND ALL OF THE ADVANCES WE'VE MADE IN THE PROCESS.

IT'S NOT AVAILABLE IN THE OLD CAPITOL BUILDING.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD MAKE SENSE LOCATE WISE.

THERE'S A PARKING LOT BEHIND US AND IN FRONT.

>> I THINK IF THAT WOULD BE KIND OF A DECISION THAT RSA WOULD MAKE.

WITHIN THIS CAPITOL COMPLEX WHERE WE WANT TO BE.

WE WOULD NOT NOT OFF-CAMPUS BECAUSE WE FEEL THIS IS THE SEAT OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY OF THE MONTGOMERY.

>> ANYTIME THIS SUBJECT COMES UP IT'S POLITICALLY FRAUGHT.

I BLAME MYSELF FOR A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.

I BROKE THE NEWS FOR THE STATEHOUSE BEING IN THE COVID PLAN THE CARES ACT PLAN WHICH IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN.

IT KIND OF DUSTED UP THE POLITICAL ISSUE AGAIN.

NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE THE VOTE TO SPEND MONEY ON A NEW STATEHOUSE.

THERE'S THAT PER SENSE THEY'RE BUILDING A TAJ MAHAL FOR THEMSELVES.

WITH THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CAN WE POSSIBLY AVOID THAT ONE VOTE WHERE PEOPLE ARE WORRIED GETTING BEAT IN THE ELECTION BECAUSE IT TRULY IS A NEED.

CAN WE DISPEL WITH THE POLITICALISH.

>> IT'S A GOOD RED MEAT ISSUE.

BUILDING THEMSELVES SOME KIND OF FANCY OFFICES.

BECAUSE THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S BUILDING.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT WILL USE THIS BUILDING HAVE NOT BEEN ELECTED YET.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A TWO, 3, FOUR-YEAR PROJECT.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE ALSO TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE.

THEY'RE NOT BUILDING THEMSELVES A NEW OFFICE.

IT'S A PEOPLE'S BUILDING.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO BUILD.

BUT OF COURSE IT -- IT'S A RED MEAT ISSUE.

PEOPLE LIKE TO POINT AND LIKE TO SAY YOU'RE DOING THIS YOURSELVES.

THAT'S POLITICS.

AND THAT'S THE ATMOSPHERE WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

THE WAY THEY BUILT THAT VISITOR'S CENTER.

IT'S SUPER EASY TO ACCESS THAT BUILDING.

SUPER HARD HERE.

I WOULD INVITE ANYBODY THAT WOULD BE A CRITIC OF THE PLANNING A BUILDING A NEW STATEHOUSE COME DOWN AND SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

>> TODD, WE HAVE PROBABLY 14,000 SCHOOL KIDS A YEAR.

WHEN WE'RE IN SESSION IT AVERAGES 3,000 A MONTH.

THEY'RE IN THE STAIR WELLS.

THEY'RE CROWDED UNDER THE CHAMBERS.

ALL TOGETHER THERE'S NO WAY FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN THERE.

BECAUSE THE TOUR GUIDES CAN'T DO IT IN THAT ATMOSPHERE.

SO IT'S ALL A MATTER OF BEING ABLE TO THE ACCESSIBILITY OF SEEING GOVERNMENT WORK.

WE'VE GOT ALL THOSE OLDER PEOPLE AND WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT HAVE NOWHERE TO PARK.

IT'S HARD FOR US TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THEM TO COME IN AND OUT.

IT'S NOT A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATOR'S OFFICE WE'RE CONSTRUCTING.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

BUT I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW AND EXPLAINING THESE ISSUES.

>> APPRECIATE IT TODD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING CAPITOL JOURNAL AS A VIEWER FOR MY FIRST YEAR AS HOST.

WE WON'T HAVE A SHOW THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS, BUT WE WILL RETURN FRIDAY, JANUARY 6 AT 7:30 RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

ON BEHALF OF OUR CAPITOL JOURNAL TEAM HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON