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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

TONIGHT, A SPECIAL EPISODE OF CAPITOL JOURNAL WHERE WE'LL GO ON LOCATION TO BIRMINGHAM FOR THE INNOVATE ALABAMA STATE OF INNOVATION CELEBRATION.

ALABAMA HAD NEVER HAD A STATEWIDE, PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOCUSED ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.

THAT HAS NOW CHANGED WITH INNOVATE ALABAMA, WHICH HAS CELEBRATED ITS FIRST YEAR OF AWARDING GRANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES, NO-PROFITS AND MUNICIPALITIES AIMING TO DEVELOP TALENT AND SPUR GROWTH.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY FIRST ESTABLISHED THE ALABAMA INNOVATION COMMISSION IN JULY OF 2020, TASKING SOME OF ALABAMA'S TOP POLITICAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS WITH PRODUCING A PLAN TO CREATE A MORE RESILIENT, INCLUSIVE AND ROBUST ECONOMY THROUGH INNOVATION.

THE COMMISSION DELIVERED ITS FINAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR IN 2021, AND, WITH THE ENACTMENT OF HOUSE BILL 540 FROM STATE SENATOR GREG REED, INNOVATE ALABAMA WAS ESTABLISHED.

A STANDALONE CORPORATION WORKING TO HELP ENTREPRENEURS GROW ROOTS HERE IN STATE.

FROM THE BEGINNING, ALABAMA PARTNERED WITH THE HOOVER INSTITUTION AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND ITS DIRECTOR, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZA RICE, TO EXAMINE THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM HERE AND RECOMMEND POLICY SOLUTIONS.

IN ITS FIRST YEAR, INNOVATE ALABAMA HAS ALLOCATED $43 MILLION DOLLARS IN CAPITAL, ESTABLISHED 51 NETWORK PARTNERSHIPS, AWARDED 52 SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS AND CREATED 192 JOBS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SOME OF THE STATE'S TOP POLITICAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS RECENTLY GATHERED IN BIRMINGHAM FOR AN AWARDS CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION OF INNOVATE ALABAMA'S FIRST YEAR.

WE WERE GIVEN UNIQUE ACCESS TO THIS SPECIAL EVENT, INCLUDING INTERVIEWS WITH DR. RICE, PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED, STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE AND INNOVATE ALABAMA CEO CYNTHIA CRUTCHFIELD.

THOSE INTERVIEWS LATER IN THE SHOW.

BUT FIRST, LET'S GO TO CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT WHO REPORTED FROM THE EVENT AND CAUGHT UP WITH SOME OF THOSE LEADERS.

>> WELCOME TO THE STATE OF INNOVATION SEMINAR IN BIRMINGHAM.

IT FEATURES A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REPRESENTING ALL FACETS OF ALABAMA FROM BUSINESS TO EDUCATORS TO POLITICIANS.

ALL ARE HERE TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE THROUGH INNOVATION TO IMPROVE THE STATE.

>> SINCE WE APPROVED THE INNOVATION COMMISSION, THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS BEEN MOVING FORWARD.

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE GONE TO SMALL INNOVATIVE BUSINESS, TRYING TO BUILD A NEW ECOSYSTEM ECONOMY FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> A DISCUSSION AND Q&A SESSION FEATURING ALABAMA NATIVE AND FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZA RICE.

SOME WERE HONORED FOR STEPS THEY'VE TAKEN TO BECOME INNOVATIVE LEADERS IN ALABAMA.

>> WHAT I LOVED IS WHEN DR. RICE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INNOVATION, THE IMPORTANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, TO KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY TO THE FUTURE OF EVERY CITIZEN OF ALABAMA AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE CAN INSPIRE EVERY CHILD TO DREAM.

>> GORDON STONE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP OF ALABAMA, AND THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF PIKE ROAD NEAR MONTGOMERY.

BOTH ENTITIES WERE HONORED FOR THE INNOVATIVE WORK TO HELP CITIZENS AND THE STATE MOVE FORWARD.

>> WHETHER IT'S IN OUR TONES AND CITIES, WHETHER IT'S WHAT WE DO AT OUR UNIVERSITIES TO TRY TO FULFILL THOSE DREAMS, AND WHAT AN INSPIRATIONAL DAY TO SEE ALL OF THESE NETWORK RECIPIENTS WE ARE SO HONORED TO RECEIVE AWARDS AND BE A PART OF THIS NETWORK THAT'S GOING TO GO HELP TURN THE DREAMS INTO REALITIES, EDUCATE PEOPLE TO FULFILL THE DREAMS AND MAKE ALABAMA THE BEST POSSIBLE PLACE IT CAN BE.

>> PART OF MOVING FORWARD, WE'LL FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND STATE RESOURCES, A TOPIC DR. RICE AND OTHERS AGREE ON.

>> WHO KNEW THAT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, THE BUTTE OF THE STATE, THE MOUNTAINS, THE BEACHES, THE WATER, THE FOREST, ALL THE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STATE WOULD BE REALLY SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE SO ATTRACTIVE TO THIS ENTREPRENEUR INDUSTRY THAT WANTS TO HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> SEEING HOW WE'RE GOING TO RETAIN STUDENTS, HOW K-12, MATH, SCIENCE, ALL THE THINGS WE NEED TO HAVE A ROBUST SYSTEM FOR INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME TO ALABAMA AND BE PRO-ALABAMA, AND THIS IS A GREAT STEP TO INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY AND CULTIVATE THE THINGS THAT ARE COMING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> NOW IS THE TIME TO GET THE INNOVATION BALL GROWING.

>> THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS TO CREATE POLICY.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CREATING NEW INNOVATION FOR YOUNG MINUS TO BE DEPLOYED, TO BE ABLE TO BRING IT OUT.

SO THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS TAKING A STEP FORWARD TO SAY THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT OUR WINDSHIELD AND NOT IN THE REAR VIEW HER MORE.

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

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE STATE OF INNOVATION CELEBRATION FEATURED A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH ALABAMA NATIVE AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZA RICE.

HERE'S A PORTION OF THAT DISCUSSION FOLLOWED BY MY SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH DR. RICE.

WILL YOU SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS IN TERMS OF HOW YOU'VE BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS EFFORT, THE HOOVER INSTITUTE'S ROLE AND HOW YOU PERCEIVE THIS EFFORT AT THIS POINT.

>> THIS IS NOT JUST GOING TO HAVE LEGS, IT IS GOING TO AND HAS ALREADY GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT.

SO CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

I GREW UP IN MA'AM UNTIL I WAS 12.

WE MOVED TO DENVER.

WHEN I GOT A CALL FROM GOVERNOR IVEY SAYING WE HAVE THIS COMMISSION ON INNOVATION AND WOULD YOU SERVE, I SAID, WELL, YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR, I HAVEN'T LIVED IN ALABAMA FOR A WHILE.

AND SHE SAID, WELL, THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE FROM ALABAMA, YOU'RE ALWAYS FROM ALABAMA.

I THOUGHT, WELL, THAT'S TRUE.

SO I WAS DELIGHTED TO BE A PART OF IT.

AND I HAD JUST ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THAT BECOME DIRECTOR OF THE HOOVER INSTITUTION AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW, THE HOOVER INSTITUTION IS A POLICY INSTITUTE, A POLICY THINK TANK OF ABOUT 40 VERY SENIOR ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS, TENURED FACULTY, ALSO PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM ARE JOINTLY APPOINTED AT STANFORD, AS I AM, FOR INSTANCE.

IT'S THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION IS ABOUT 300 PEOPLE AND WE ARE ACTUALLY A UNIT OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY, BUT WE DO RESEARCH ON POLICY ISSUES.

ONE OF THE INNOVATIONS WE'VE MADE RECENTLY IS TO ADD TO OUR ALREADY CONSIDERABLE WORK ON NATIONAL SECURITY, ON THE ECONOMY, ON K-12 EDUCATION, ON TECHNOLOGY, AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, BECAUSE OF WHERE WE SIT.

A STATE AND LOCAL PRACTICE.

BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THE INNOVATION, A LOT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS TO TAKE PLACE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THERE ARE THINGS WASHINGTON CAN DO, BUT WHAT IT TAKES TO INNOVATE IN ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, TEXAS OR DELAWARE IS DIFFERENT AND, SO, THE STATES ARE GOING TO BE THE LOCALITY, THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT WHICH THAT'S DONE.

>> THIS EFFORT WAS INITIATED IN JULY OF 2020.

IT'S BEEN THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

>> YES.

>> WE HAD THE BENEFIT OF HEARING AN OVERALL BRIEFING OF ALL THE EFFORTS, OUTCOMES AND RESULTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED TO DATE.

I HAVE ENJOYED THE PRESENTATION AND I KNOW OTHERS DID AS WELL.

SHARE WITH US, IF YOU WILL, YOUR THOUGHTS.

WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THAT, YOUR OPINIONS AS TO THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS AND MAYBE THE BIGGEST WINS TO DATE IN YOUR MIND.

>> WELL, I AM JUST PRONE AWAY WHICH -- BLOWN AWAY BY WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED SINCE INNOVATE ALABAMA WAS FORMED.

I AM BLOWN AWAY, TOO, AT THE FOCUS, THE WAY THAT OUT OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN JUST TO KIND OF SEE WHAT THINGS YOU MIGHT DO, THERE'S BEEN A FOCUS ON HOW TO TAKE THE RECOMMENDATION COMMISSIONS AND PUT LEGS UNDER THEM SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE.

WHAT'S REMARKABLE TO ME IS YOU'VE MADE PROGRESS ALONG EVERY ONE OF THEM NOT JUST BY KIND OF STANDING BACK AND SAYING, OKAY, LET'S PUT TOGETHER A PLAN, BUT BY REALLY ENGAGING PARTNERS, REALLY GREAT COLLABORATION, RECOGNIZING, I THINK IT WAS YOU CYNTHIA THAT SAID YOU DON'T HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL, YOU JUST HAVE TO TAKE THE WHEELS AND PULL THEM IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

AND, SO, THAT, TO ME, HAS BEEN PERHAPS THE BIGGEST WIN.

>> ONE THING THAT SURPRISED EVERYBODY DURING THE INNOVATION COMMISSION'S WORK WAS OUTDOOR RECREATION CAME UP EVERY SINGLE MEETING AND NOBODY SAW THAT COMING.

>> YES.

>> NONE OF US THOUGHT WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT TRAILS AND BIKING AND BIRDING AND EVERYTHING ELSE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF INVASION COMMISSION AND CREATING AND RETAINING TALENT.

THAT SOURCED IN LARGE PART FROM STEVE HABER, A FELLOW AT HOOVER INSTITUTION YOU MENTIONED, BUT IT OPENED A LOT OF EYES AND CREATED A LOT OF EXCITEMENT.

WHY DO YOU THINK OUTDOOR RECREATION IS SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY AND ASSET FOR ALABAMA?

>> I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT WHEN STEVE SAID TO ME THAT WAS GOING TO BE HIS CONTRIBUTION, I SAID WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?

BUT HE HAD ACTUALLY DONE WORK ON THIS.

HE'S A CYCLIST.

HE'D DONE WORK ON THIS AND ATTRACTING THE -- I NEVER SAY "YOUNG" ANYMORE, I JUST SAY THAT THEY HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TIME SINCE DEGREE IS THE WAY THAT WE SAY IT NOW TO KEEP FROM BEING AGEIST.

[LAUGHTER] BUT THESE FOLKS REALLY VALUE THEY ARE LIVES AS WELL AS THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

THEY VALUE BEING ABLE TO BE IN THE OUTDOORS AND TO EXPLORE.

THEY HIKE.

YOU KNOW, MY GOD SONS WHO ARE JUST OUT OF COLLEGE, THEY HIKE, THEY FISH, THEY LOVE TO BE IN THE OUT OF DOORS.

AND ALABAMA HAS INCREDIBLE NATURAL ENDOWMENTS, WHETHER IT'S THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE STRUCTURES OR THE BEAUTIFUL HIKING TRAILS OR THE ROCK FORMATIONS, THESE ARE REALLY ATTRACTIVE TO YOUNGER FOLKS WHO WANT TO COME AND OF COURSE THEY WANT GOOD SCHOOLS, THERE'S A LOT THEY WANT, BUT THEY ALSO, ON THE WEEKEND OR FOR VACATION, THEY WANT TO NOT HAVE TO GO FAR BUT TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE NATURAL, BEAUTIFUL ENDOWMENTS.

BUT DEVELOPING THEM, MAKING SURE THEY'RE EASY TO ACCESS, THAT THEY HAVE GOOD MARKINGS.

STEVE MENTIONED HE GOT LOST ALONG ONE OF THE TRAILS, AND HE SAID HE COULD TELL HE WAS VERY FAR AWAY FROM WHERE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THAT WAS.

HE SAID TWO NICE LOOKING PEOPLE CAME ALONG AND SAID, YOU LOOK LOST.

HE SAID THIS BOY IN NEW YORK SUDDENLY REALIZED PEOPLE IN ALABAMA ARE JUST REALLY NICE.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZA RICE.

DR. RICE, THEY'RE APPLAUDING FOR YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> YOU TALKED A LOT ON STAGE ABOUT BEING FROM ALABAMA, BEING FROM BIRMINGHAM.

YOUR CAREER HAS TAKEN YOU LITERALLY ALL OVER THE WORLD TO THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

SO WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO, YOU KNOW, NOW IN YOUR CAREER BE A PART OF INNOVATE ALABAMA AND GIVE BACK IN THE WAY YOU ARE?

>> WELL, ALABAMA WAS SO IMPORTANT IN MY LIFE.

I LEFT AS A CHILD, BUT MY PARENTS WERE BORN HERE.

MY GRANDPARENTS.

SO I FEEL I'M HONORING THEM IN SOME WAY BY HELPING ALABAMA TO BECOME EVEN BETTER THAN IT IS.

IT WAS A PLACE THAT I GREW UP.

IT WAS A PLACE THAT WAS VERY DIFFERENT WHEN I GREW UP HERE IN THE LATE 1950S AND EARLY 1960S.

IT ALSO, FOR ME, IS JUST EVIDENCE OF WHAT -- HOW DIFFERENT A PLACE CAN BE AND HOW IT CAN MOVE FORWARD.

AND, SO, FOR ALL THOSE REASONS, I AM JUST EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THIS EFFORT.

>> IT IS AN EXCITING EFFORT.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE HOOVER INSTITUTION.

I SHOULD HAVE INTRODUCED YOU AS DIRECTOR OF THE HOOVER INSTITUTION AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY.

I KNOW WHEN INNOVATE ALABAMA GOT STARTED, AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED, ALSO THE HOOVER INSTITUTION INVOLVEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED.

IT WAS REALLY EXCITING.

IT WAS A SIGNAL OF HOW SERIOUS THIS EFFORT IS.

TALK ABOUT THE HOOVER INSTITUTION, ITS ORIGINS AND MISSION.

>> THE HOOVER INSTITUTION IS AN INSTITUTION WITHIN STANFORD UNIVERSITY, SO IT'S THE POLICY INSTITUTE AT STANFORD.

IT HAS ABOUT 300-PLUS PEOPLE, 40 OF WHOM ARE VERY SENIOR ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS, WHO WORK ON EDUCATION, THEY WORK ON THE ECONOMY, THEY WORK ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND INCREASINGLY WE WORK ON STATE AND LOCAL ISSUES.

WHEN GOVERNOR IVEY ASKED ME TO WORK WITH THE COMMISSION, SHE RECOGNIZED I HAD BECOME DIRECTOR OF THE HOOVER INSTITUTION, AND, SO, WE WERE ABLE TO DRAW ON THE RESEARCH THAT'S BEEN DONE ABOUT HOW YOU ATTRACT INNOVATION TO A LOCALITY OR TO A STATE, WHAT KINDS OF TAX POLICIES, WHAT KINDS OF BUSINESS INCENTIVES, WHAT KIND OF EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND, AS IT TURNS OUT, WHAT KIND OF OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE DO YOU NEED TO DO THAT.

SO, AT HOOVER, WE LIKE TO THINK OUR SOUND ACADEMIC RESEARCH CAN CONTRIBUTE AS PRESIDENT HERBERT HOOVER, OUR FOUNDER, SAID, TO THE BETTERMENT TO HAVE THE HUMAN CONDITION.

HE BELIEVED A PLACE DEDICATED TO LIMITED GOVERNMENT, INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND, SO, WE GO FROM THOSE VALUES TO DO THE BEST RESEARCH THAT WE CAN TO DEAL WITH THE WORLD'S MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEMS.

>> SO WHEN YOU SEE THE WORK OF INNOVATE ALABAMA, THE BOARD TODAY, HOW WOULD YOU RATE ITS PROGRESS SO FAR, MEASURING IT KIND OF AGAINST THE HOOVER INSTITUTION'S ORIGINAL REPORT?

>> WELL, I AM BLOWN AWAY BY HOW MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, REALLY, BECAUSE THE COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS, OF COURSE, THEN CREATED INNOVATE ALABAMA TO GIVE IT LEGS, TO GIVE IT STAYING POWER.

I'VE SAID I HAVE BEEN ON A LOT OF COMMISSIONS WHERE THE REPORT ENDED UP ON SOMEBODY'S DUSTY BOOKSHELF.

THIS IS CLEARLY NOT THE CASE HERE.

UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS BOARD AND CYNTHIA CRUTCHFIELD, WHAT YOU'VE GOTTEN IS PROGRAMS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE, THEY'RE ALREADY MOVING OUT, AND IT'S JUST GOING TO BE AMAZING TO SEE WHAT THEY DO IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY DONE.

AND THE CENTERING AROUND IMPORTANT PILLARS LIKE TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND THEN, FINALLY, THE LIFESTYLE ATTRACT PEOPLE TO ALABAMA BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, THIS IS GOING TO BE A SET OF INITIATIVES THAT WILL LAST FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

>> WELL, YEAH.

IT'S FUN TO THINK ABOUT THE YEARS IN THE FUTURE, WHAT WILL BE, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT A.I., AND WE WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT 18 MONTHS AGO.

IT'S FUN TO IMAGINE WHAT THE NEW THINGS ARE GOING TO BE ABOUT TOMORROW.

>> IT IS.

AND I IMAGINE ALABAMA RIGHT AT THE CENTER OF IT.

THIS IS A PLACE THAT HAS TREMENDOUS ENGINEERING TALENT, FOR INSTANCE IN HUNTSVILLE, OR A TREMENDOUS BIOTECH.

YOU LOOK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM, WE'RE SITTING NOT TOO FAR FROM THERE NOW.

>> MM-HMM.

>> SO THE TALENT IS HERE ON THE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SIDE.

IT'S ORGANIZING THE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM AROUND THAT SO K-12 EDUCATION IS PRODUCING KIDS WHO CAN DO STEM WORK WHEN THEY GO TO COLLEGE, SO THE UNIVERSITIES ARE TRAINING THE STUDENTS BUT KEEPING THEM HERE IN ALABAMA, THAT YOU'RE GETTING, FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT EVEN DO A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE, REALLY GOOD SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN TRAINING, AND ANOTHER POINT THAT I ALWAYS MAKE IS THOSE SKILLS ARE GOING TO KEEP CHANGING OVER TIME.

THE SKILLS OF 2023 ARE NOT GOING TO BE THE SKILLS OF EVEN 2026, SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRAINING PEOPLE AND UPSCALING THEM.

WHAT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE HERE AT INNOVATE ALABAMA IS THE DEGREE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIETY.

IT'S VERY, VERY EXCITING.

>> WELL, WHILE I HAVE YOU, AS THE FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE, I HAVE TO HAVE SOME FOREIGN AFFAIRS QUESTIONS.

>> YEAH.

>> IT'S A DANGEROUS WORLD OUT THERE.

>> YES, IT IS.

>> YOU'VE DESCRIBED YOURSELF AS A STUDENT OF RUSSIA.

WHEN YOU WERE, YOU KNOW, IN THE WHITE HOUSE, AT STATE, THAT IS WHEN THE ISRAEL-GAZA DEAL WAS BROKERED.

>> I AM A VETERAN OF CONFLICT.

>> YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OF BOTH THESE CONFLICTS.

>> YES.

>> YOU WERE TALKING ON STAGE ABOUT NOT NECESSARILY NEEDING TO FOCUS ON THAT SO MUCH AS OURSELVES.

>> YES.

>> TALK ABOUT THAT.

HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT THIS INTERNATIONAL SITUATION AND DO WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE MORE ON AMERICA?

>> I BELIEVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS ESSENTIAL TO A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS WORLD.

IS THERE ANY OTHER COUNTRY YOU WOULD RATHER HAVE LEADING IN THE WORLD?

SO WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR LEADERSHIP ROLE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE WILL TO STAND BY OUR ALLIES AND HELP UKRAINE AFTER THE HORRIBLE ATTACK BY A COUNTRY WHO WANTED TO EXTINGUISH UKRAINE.

WE CAN'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO BE A CONFIDENT COUNTRY, TOO, AND THAT COMES FROM EVERY AMERICAN BELIEVING THEY HAVE GOT A PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, A PART OF A FUTURE WITH A GOOD JOB AND A PART OF THE INNOVATION ECONOMY.

SO THE TWO ARE CONNECTED, IN MY MIND.

I WORRY ABOUT US BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'RE DELIVERING FOR TOO MANY OF OUR CITIZENS, BUT WE CAN.

WE KNOW HOW TO DO IT, WE KNOW HOW TO GIVE PEOPLE SKILLS, WE KNOW HOW TO EDUCATE PEOPLE, WE KNOW HOW TO CREATE GOOD JOBS.

THAT'S WHY AN EFFORT LIKE INNOVATE ALABAMA IS NOT JUST IMPORTANT FOR ALABAMA, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA.

>> WE RECENTLY LOST A GIANT IN THE, YOU KNOW, FOREIGN AFFAIRS FACE HENRY KISSINGER.

>> YES.

>> I WONDER ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT HIM.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HENRY KISSINGER STORY IN EVERYBODY'S GOT SOME.

>> WELL, HENRY WAS A GREAT FRIEND AS WELL AS A MENTOR, COLLEAGUE AND A PATRIOT WHO I THINK WILL STAND AS ONE OF THE GREATEST SECRETARIES OF STATE OF ALL TIME.

HE HAD THE MOST WONDERFUL SENSE OF HUMOR.

HE LOVED HIS ADOPTED COUNTRY.

HE WAS BORN, OF COURSE, IN GERMANY.

BUT ONE THING I WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT HENRY KISSINGER IS, AT 100 YEARS OLD, WHEN HE TURNED 100 YEARS OLD, UNTIL JUST A FEW WEEKS BEFORE HIS DEATH, HE WAS STILL TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD, IN CHINA.

I SAW HIM IN TOKYO A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BECAUSE HE LOVED BEING OUT THERE AND KNOWING PEOPLE.

HE ALSO KEPT LEARNING.

HENRY KISSINGER WROTE A BOOK WITH ERIC SCHMIDT ABOUT A.I.

AND THE FUTURE OF A.I.

>> AT CLOSE TO 100 YEARS OLD.

>> I THINK HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 98 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WROTE THAT BOOK.

WHAT SET HIM APART AS WELL AS MY GREAT FRIEND GEORGE HOTZ IS THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO CAME OUT OF THE GREATEST GENERATION THAT WON WORLD WAR II, BUT THEY NEVER STOPPED CARING, WORKING AND LEARNING, AND THAT'S A LESSON FOR US ALL.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT EFFORT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FROM NURTURING HOMEGROWN TALENT TO ATTRACTING OUT OF STATE BUSINESSES AND INVESTORS, ALABAMA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES, AND IT IS IN LARGE PART THANKS TO YOU.

SO I SAY AGAIN, THANK YOU.

AND YOUR WORK ISN'T JUST ABOUT SOME FAR-OFF FUTURE.

YOU'RE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN RIGHT HERE AND NOW.

YOU'RE PROMOTING STEM EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND HBCUS, SUPPORTING STARTUPS AND ACCELERATORS.

IN FACT, THAT HAPPENS HEIGHT HERE AT INNOVATION DEPOT.

YOU'RE DEVELOPING VIBRANT TICK HUBS WITH ALL THE RIGHT RESOURCES.

YOU'RE ENSURING ALABAMA IS A PLACE WHERE ALABAMIANS CANNOT ONLY DREAM, BUT THEY CAN ACHIEVE THESE DREAMS.

I'M IMMENSELY PROUD OF THE COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR INNOVATE ALABAMA OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

NOW, AS WE MOVE INTO 2024, I AM PROUD TODAY TO PROCLAIM THAT TODAY, DECEMBER 14TH, 2023, IS INNOVATE ALABAMA DAY.

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT THERE ARE FOLKS IN THIS ROOM WHO HAVEN'T CONSIDERED THE CHOIR.

WE KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BUZZ WORD INNOVATION.

IF I'M BEING HONEST, HERE IN BIRMINGHAM, INNOVATION IS NOT JUST A BUZZ WORD, IT'S PART OF OUR DNA.

WE HAVE WELL-ESTABLISHED ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS ROOM WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THE CAUSE OF HELPING EMERGING COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES AND RISK-TAKERS AND ENTREPRENEURS REALIZE AND GROW THEIR POTENTIAL.

BUT THAT CAN WORK, AND THAT CAN BE ACCELERATED WITH THE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT OF INNOVATE ALABAMA.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN TO HAVE THE BOARD OF INNOVATE ALABAMA.

BILL, THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING US BE A PART OF THIS EVENT.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING AND GREAT TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE.

I WANTED TO FIRST ASK YOU ABOUT INNOVATE ALABAMA, JUST THE GENESIS.

HOW DID WHAT EXISTS NOW GET STARTED?

>> I THINK IT GOES BACK TO ABOUT 2018 OR 2019.

WE WERE ALL AT THAT TIME THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE ECONOMY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE ALABAMA MORE COMPETITIVE, AND FIRST SOME CONVERSATIONS AMONGST LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNOR IVEY'S OFFICE.

GOVERNOR IVEY REALLY LED THE CHARGE AND UNDERSTOOD THE NECESSITY AND IMPORTANCE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE HAVE A STRATEGY TO GROW OUR TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY?

WE HAVE A LOT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLS ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA BUT WE REALLY DON'T FOCUS ON THAT AREA.

AND IT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN OUR INDUSTRIAL RECRUITMENT MECHANISMS, VERY DIFFERENT ANIMAL ALTOGETHER.

SO SHE CREATED, IN JULY OF 2020, THE INNOVATION COMMISSION, WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, BUT WE ALSO FORMED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF ALABAMIANS WHO ARE LEADERS ELSEWHERE IN OUR COUNTRY.

SO WE HEARD TONIGHT FROM ONE OF THOSE, CONDI RICE, WHO'S JUST A PHENOMENAL LEADER WHO HAS BEEN INTEGRAL TO OUR EFFORT.

BUT THROUGH THOSE CONVERSATIONS, A FINAL REPORT WAS ISSUED THAT MADE A NUMBER OF I THINK REALLY WELL THOUGHT OUT AND RESEARCHED RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE LEGISLATURE UNDERSTOOD AND SAW THE RECOMMENDATIONS, WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE, AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION TO CREATE INNOVATE ALABAMA TO BRING THE RECOMMENDATIONS INTO FRUITION.

IT'S A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

WE HAVE PRIVATE SECTOR MEMBERS PARTNERED WITH PUBLIC LEADERS TO CARRY FORWARD THIS MISSION, AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A LOT OF PROGRESS.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, BUT THIS IS AN AREA THAT'S CRITICAL FOR THE STATE'S FUTURE.

>> IT HAS TO BE GRATIFYING TO NIGHTS LIKE TONIGHT TO SEE THESE AWARDS AND SEE THESE GRANTEES TALKING ABOUT THEIR SUCCESS STORIES AND SEEING SOME FRUITS, YOU KNOW, BORNE OUT OF THOSE YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT.

>> YEAH.

WELL, AND THESE GRANTEES ARE RURAL TOWNS.

THEY ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

THEY ARE ALABAMIANS WHO HAVE GREAT IDEAS WHO HAVE PROVEN TO HAVE COMMERCIAL VALUE.

THEY ARE INNOVATORS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER ED.

SO THESE AWARDEES REPRESENT THE FABRIC OF ALABAMA AND, WITHIN THIS CONTEXT, THE FABRIC OF OUR INNOVATION NETWORK.

THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE IS A NETWORK OF COLLABORATION AND AN ECOSYSTEM FOR THE SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY TO BE SUCCESSFUL, NOT ONLY IN BIRMINGHAM AND HUNTSVILLE, BUT IN EVERY OTHER CORNER OF THE STATE.

IN DOTHAN, MOBILE, YOU NAME THE COMMUNITY -- GADSDEN, MUSCLE SHOALS.

THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY AND THIS IS THE FUTURE OF ECONOMIC THAT ECONOMY WILL ACCELERATED, EXISTING INDUSTRIES AND JOB BASES WILL BE DISRUPTED.

HOW IS ALABAMA POSITIONED IN THAT REGARD?

ARE WE GOING TO BE A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER AS THOSE ECONOMIES SHIFT?

>> WELL, YOU PUT ON YOUR REPORTER HAT EARLIER TONIGHT AND INTERVIEWED CONDOLEEZA RICE AS PRETTY EXCITING.

WE HAD HER HERE ON THE SET AS WELL.

IT WAS TOUGH FOR ME TO PREPARE FROM MY INTERVIEW BUT YOU SEEM COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP.

IS THAT FROM TIME SPENT ON THE BOARD AND HER BEING BACK HERE IN THE STATE?

>> CONDI AGREED EARLY ON TO BE A PART OF THE INNOVATION COMMISSION.

SHE WAS ONE OF OUR ADVISORY MEMBERS.

SHE PARTICIPATED DIRECTLY AND ATTENDED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS AND SHE TOLD ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND I WAS REALLY PROUD OF HER FOR SAYING IT BUT MORE PROUD OF HER FOR DOING IT THAT SHE WAS GOING TO STAY ENGAGED THROUGHOUT THE INNOVATION COMMISSION'S WORK BUT THAT SHE WAS GOING TO STAY ENGAGED EVEN AFTER THAT AND SHE STAYED ENGAGED IN ALABAMA IN A LOT OF WAYS BUT THIS IS A WAY SHE CAN REALLY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR THOUGHT PROCESS SO SHE CAN BRING WAREHOUSE RESOURCES AND PERSPECTIVES TO THE TABLE, SHE CAN BRING ENCOURAGEMENT AND GUIDANCE AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO THAT.

IT IS A REAL HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO HAVE HER PARTICIPATE.

ALSO, SHE IS SOMEBODY THAT CAN VALIDATE WHAT WE'RE DOING TO MOVE ALABAMA FORWARD THROUGH THIS EFFORT, AND I THINK THAT MAY BE KIND OF THE ICING ON THE CAKE.

>> WE'RE HERE AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY, THE RECEPTION, THE FIRESIDE CHAT, BUT I KNOW YOU HAD A BIG DATE AT THE INNOVATION DEPOT WITH THE BOARD MEETING.

TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER TODAY IN INNOVATE ALABAMA.

>> WE PULLED BACK THE ORIGINAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE OWN VIOLATION AN ADVISORY COUNCIL BECAUSE WHEN THE REPORT WAS ISSUED IN I GUESS ABOUT OCTOBER OF '21, THAT ENDED THE WORK OF THE INNOVATION COMMISSION AS THE EXECUTIVE ORDER DICTATED, THE COMMISSION DISBANDED EFFECTIVELY AT THAT POINT.

SO THE INNOVATE ALABAMA AS AN ENTITY WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CREATED A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WAS FORMED.

BUT THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BACK THOSE ORIGINAL MEMBERS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOUNDATION FOR THIS EFFORT TO NOT ONLY THANK THEM BUT TO BRIEF THEM EXTENSIVELY OR WHAT HAS HAPPENED, WHAT HAS OCCURRED TODAY AND WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON.

SO IT'S REALLY EXCITING TO SEE SOME OF THEM AND, HERE AGAIN, TO RECEIVE THEIR THOUGHTS AND INPUTS IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE AND THE SUCCESSES BUT ALSO IT'S TIME TO KEEP WORKING.

>> YEAH.

WELL, YOU'VE GOT SOME OF ALABAMA'S LARGEST COMPANIES AS SPONSORS OF INNOVATE ALABAMA AND EVENTS LIKE THIS.

IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR THE C.E.O.

PROTECTIVE LIFE TO TALK ABOUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM AS A CORPORATE CITIZEN TO SUPPORT THIS.

TALK ABOUT THE CORPORATE SUPPORT AND WHY THAT'S SO IMPORTANT?

>> NOT JUST CORPORATE SUPPORT, BUT WITHIN THIS CONTEXT, IT'S THE RECOGNITION THAT A RISING TIDE DOES LIFT OFF THOSE AND THE COMPETITION OF THE FUTURE IS GOING TO BE OVER TALENT.

WHERE ARE THE TALENT BASES AROUND OUR COUNTRY THAT COMPANIES CAN ACCESS TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

AND WHAT THAT ALSO CREATES IS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS AND THIS TALENTED ALABAMIANS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

SO I THINK IT'S A RECOGNITION THAT WE HAVE TO RETAIN TALENT AND WE HAVE TO REVIEWED TALENT AND WE HAVE TO GROW OUR ECONOMY -- >> SO IT MAKES BUSINESS SENSE.

>> IT DOES MAKE BUSINESS SENSE, BUT IT MAKES BUSINESS SENSE NOT ONLY IN BIRMINGHAM AND HUNTSVILLE, AS I MENTIONED, IT MAKES SENSE ACROSS OUR STATE.

>> YEAH, WE ARE COMING UP ON THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT'S REALLY JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AWAY, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

PUTTING YOUR FINANCE DIRECTOR HAT ON FOR A MINUTE, WHEN MIGHT WE SEE SOME BUDGET PROPOSALS?

YOU'RE TALKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU'RE PREPARING ESSENTIALLY A BUDGET PROPOSAL TO PROSE A SECOND DAY OF SESSION.

>> SO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

AS SOON AS THAT FISCAL YEAR TURNS, A LOT OF WORK BEGINS IN EARNEST.

SO WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED, MET WITH EVERY STATE, AGENCY, WORD COMMISSION TO RECEIVE THEIR REQUESTS.

WE MET WITH THE CHAIRMAN IN BOTH HOUSES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE PRIORITIES IN EVERYBODY'S EYES BECAUSE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE MORE THE LEADER OF OUR STATE COLLABORATE AND SHARE THOSE PERSPECTIVE, IT WILL LEAD TO BETTER OUTCOMES FOR OUR CITIZENS, SO THE BUDGETING PROCESS FROM A FORMATION STANDPOINT FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IS WELL UNDERWAY BUT IN CONCERT AND COLLABORATION WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WHEN THE SESSION BEGINS, THE GOVERNOR WILL INTRODUCE HER PROPOSED BUDGETS TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LEGISLATURE WILL TAKE THOSE UP FOR CONSIDERATION AND WE'LL INSERT ADDITIONAL ITEMS AND PRIORITIES OF MEMBERS AS THEY SHOULD AND I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THAT PROCESS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PROCESS AS ALWAYS.

>> LAST YEAR WAS A CRAZY BUDGET YEAR.

YOU HAD A LOT OF RECEIPTS FROM THE FEDERAL MONEY UNPRECEDENTED.

IF WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS BACK TO NORMAL IN TERMS OF GROWTH?

>> WE'RE SEEING A RETURN TO NORMAL.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

A LOT OF ARTIFICIAL FACTORS ARE PROPPING UP REVENUES.

I DON'T LIKE THAT IN A LOT OF WAYS.

BUT I THINK WHAT IT CALLS FOR IS CALM, DISCIPLINE AND CONSERVATIVE APPROACHES TO BUDGETS BECAUSE -- >> A LOT OF RAINY DAY ACCOUNTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> BUT WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE AS REVENUES RETURN TO NORMAL GROWTH LEVELS, WE CANNOT HAVE MADE MISTAKES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PAST WHICH IS CREATE NEW PROGRAMMING WE CAN'T SUSTAIN IN FUTURE BUDGETS, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT THING.

A LOT OF AGENCIES, THE FEDERAL PANDEMIC MONEY IS WINDING DOWN SO A LOT OF FUNDING IS DRYING UP AND THE STATE CAN'T STEP INTO THOSE SHOES.

WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY, NOR CAN WE SUSTAIN IT.

SO A LOT OF CHALLENGES ARE DRIVEN BY THE ART OFFICIAL FACTORS IN OUR ECONOMY BUT WE ARE RETURNING TO MORE NORMALCY WAS WILL STABILIZE BUDGETS AND CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FROM A SUSTAINABILITY STANDPOINT?

WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS EVENT AND ON THE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATE ALABAMA, AND THANKS FOR LETTING US BE PART OF THE EVENT.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT EFFORT FOR THE FUTURE OF ALABAMA, AND I THINK IT'S A VERY UNIQUE EFFORT.

I COMMEND THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE FOR EMBRACING THIS AND SUPPORTING IT AND LEADING IT.

SO I THINK EVERYBODY HAS A LOT TO BE PROUD OF.

>> THERE YOU HAVE IT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT STATE SENATOR GREG REED, PRESIDENT PRO TEM TO HAVE THE ALABAMA SENATE.

SENATOR, THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> THANKS, TODD.

A DIFFERENT SETTING THAN OUR NORMAL VISIT.

>> WE'RE DOING "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ON LOCATION.

THIS IS FUN.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT EVENTS LIKE THIS AND DIVE DEEP INTO ISSUES.

WE ENJOYED IT.

GOT TO INTERVIEW CONDOLEEZA RICE, SO THAT'S COOL.

>> OH, WOW.

>> TALK ABOUT IMPORTANCE OF EVENTS LIKE THIS, YOU GOT A FRONT ROW SEAT FROM THE FIRESIDE CHAT.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR TAKEAWAYS?

>> FIRST, DR. RICE AND HER DEDICATION AS A DAUGHTER OF ALABAMA TO BE BACK IN ALABAMA AND ALL THE THINGS SHE'S DONE TO HELP SUPPORT US WITH THE COMMISSION, THE ADVISORY COUNSEL, HER TIME HERE TODAY, SHE'S DEDICATED TO ALABAMA'S GROWTH AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, AND I JUST COULD NOT BE MORE PLEASED WITH HER INVOLVEMENT.

SHE'S A WONDERFUL LADY, SO INCREDIBLY ACCOMPLISHED.

SO I'M EXCITED TO BE WITH HER TODAY TO HELP US CELEBRATE WHAT INNOVATE ALABAMA IS DOING.

>> YEAH.

>> WHEN SHE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THE ISSUES BROUGHT UP BY DIRECTOR POOLE, YOU COULD TELL SHE'S SO LEARNED AND SUCH A TREASURE FOR AMERICA IN WHAT SHE KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, INTERNATIONAL POLITICS AND WORLD AFFAIRS, AT THE SAME TIME ALL OF WHAT SHE DESCRIBED IS KIND OF THE DNA OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND LOOKING AT INNOVATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH, SILICON VALLEY AND WHAT ALL HAS HAPPENED AND THE FACT SHE CAN RELATE MUCH OF THAT AND THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN AND HAVE HAPPENED TO INNOVATE ALABAMA RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN STATE.

>> YOU WERE THE AUTHOR OF THE LEGISLATION THAT CREATED THE INNOVATION COMMISSION, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN BACK IN 2018, 2019?

>> THAT'S RIGHT?

SO IT'S GOT TO BE INTERESTING FOR YOU TO, THESE YEARS LATER, SEE IT BEAR FRUIT WITH INNOVATE ALABAMA.

TALK ABOUT THAT PERSPECTIVE OF SEEING IT GROW.

>> WELL, IT'S A WONDERFUL THING.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

A LOT OF TIMES WE WORK ON LEGISLATION OR PROJECTS AND WE REALLY DON'T SEE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS IN THE END WITH A LOT OF THEM.

SOMETIMES WE DO.

BUT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TONIGHT, AS WE'RE CELEBRATING.

WE SAW ALL THESE COMPANIES ONE AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER THAT WERE ALL RECEIVING AWARDS THAT WERE A PART OF THE NETWORK, TELLING STORIES TODAY.

WE'VE HEARD STORIES ALL DAY TODAY ON I HEARD TEN PEOPLE AND FIVE PEOPLE.

WE GOT A $20 MILLION CONTRACT FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

THIS HAPPENED, THAT HAPPENED, ALL AS A RESULT OF WHAT INNOVATE ALABAMA HAS BEEN WORKING ON, THE GRANT PROGRAMS WHICH ARE JUST SMALL GRANTS IN COMPARISON BUT TO HELP THESE ENTREPRENEURS BRIDGE FROM ONE SPOT TO THE NEXT IN BEING ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE GROWTH OF THEIR BUSINESS, AND THAT WAS ONE OF OUR GOALS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

TO SEE ALL OF THAT COME TO PASS, IT'S A LOT OF FUN TONIGHT.

>> YEAH, WELL, WHEN PEOPLE TUNE IN TO POLITICS, SO MUCH OF IT IS PARTISAN, RIGHT, WHEN THEY TURN ON CABLE NEWS OR WHATEVER.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, I'VE NOTICED IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, IT IS A VERY BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

Y'ALL SEEM TO WORK VERY WELL TOGETHER.

YOU HAD A GAME PLAN LAST YEAR, YOU HAD THIS INNOVATION.

TALK ABOUT THE NATURE OF BIPARTISANSHIP WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION AND WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALL THE LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO ALABAMA.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE'LL DISAGREE ON, WE'LL HAVE LEGISLATIVE TOPICS THAT, YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICANS DON'T AGREE WITH THE REPUBLICANS A LOT OF TIMES, OR CERTAINLY THE REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMOCRATS, AND NORTH AND SOUTH, AND ALL OF THAT IS PART OF THE PROCESS, AND THAT'S FINE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WAYS TO GROW ALABAMA'S ECONOMY, THAT IMPACTS EVERY LEGISLATURE, IT IMPACTS EVERY PERSON IN ALABAMA.

WE WANT TO WORK FOR TOPICS IN RURAL ALABAMA, ISSUES FOR URBAN ALABAMA, BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS THAT GIVES YOU OPTIONS FOR THE ECONOMY TO CONTINUE TO GROW.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT INNOVATE ALABAMA IS DOING FOR OUR STATE, HIGH-TECH OPPORTUNITIES, RETAINING TALENT, BEING ABLE TO HAVE SUPER, WELL-TRAINED WORKERS, ALL THOSE THINGS ARE BENEFICIAL FOR EVERY AREA OF THE STATE AND ALL LEGISLATORS ARE INTERESTED AND IT MAKES IT GREAT TO WHERE WE CAN WORK ON A COMMON THEME.

WE MAY NOT AGREE ON EVERY PIECE OF IT, AN THAT'S HEALTHY.

YOU GET A BETTER PRODUCT WHEN YOU LISTEN TO EVERYBODY AND GET THEIR INPUT, BUT I THINK WE'VE SEEN A TRUE BIPARTISAN APPROACH ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOPICS FOR YEARS NOW, AND IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> WELL, DOES IT HELP TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, SUCCESS LIKE THIS?

BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT VOTE ON LEGISLATION, MAYBE A YOUNGER LAW-MAKER OR NEW LAW-MAKER TRYING TO VOTE ON LEGISLATION, WHAT IS THIS GOING TO DO, BUT DOES IT HELP TO POINT TO SUCCESS LIKE THIS AND SAY, SEE, YOU CAN'T SEE IT NOW BUT FIVE YEARS FROM NOW IT WILL BEAR FRUIT AND BE VERY IMPORTANT.

DOES SUCCESS LIKE THIS HELP YOU SELL OTHER PROPOSALS?

>> WELL, IT DOES.

WHAT DO LEGISLATORS WANT?

WHAT DO I WANT AS A LEGISLATOR?

NUMBER ONE, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO ALLOCATE AND APPROPRIATE RESOURCES AND STANDUP PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND THE WHOLE STATE AND I WANT AN ACCOUNTABILITY TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND, WHEN THEY ARE, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH INNOVATE ALABAMA.

WE HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS PUT ITS MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS.

THEY'VE ALLOCATED RESOURCES TO ALLOW US TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES LIKE THIS AND GROW THIS PROGRAM, AND NOW WE'RE SEEING GREAT RESULTS OUT OF THE PROGRAM IN JUST A THREE AND A HALF YEAR WINDOW.

AND WHEN YOU'RE ABLE TO GO BACK TO YOUR COLLEAGUES AND SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, I KNOW THAT THAT WAS AN IDEA THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT, BUT YOU WERE WILLING TO LISTEN TO ME AND, NOW, AS A RESULT, HERE ARE THE STATISTICS, IT WORKED AND IT'S GOING TO BE BETTER AS TIME GOES ALONG, THAT MAKES IT REAL EASY THE NEXT TIME YOU'RE LOOKING TO OFFER A REQUEST FOR ALLOCATION FOR TOPICS LIKE INNOVATE ALABAMA, THE LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS ARE GOING TO BE WILLING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S HAD SUCCESS.

>> WELL WE'VE GOT A LEGISLATIVELY SESSION COMING UP THAT WILL BE HERE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

HOW HAVE Y'ALL'S MEETINGS BEEN WITH THE CAUCUS?

WHAT ISSUES COULD WE EXPECT MAYBE EARLY ON IN THE SESSION TO SEE LEGISLATION MOVING ON?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT WE'VE DONE A LOT OF PREPARATION.

YOU KNOW, I'M PLEASED TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MAJORITY LEADER AND OTHERS.

TALKING ABOUT OUR PLANNING HAS BEEN SOONER THIS YEAR.

IF YOU THINK BACK TO THE FIRST YEAR, LAST YEAR, A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON AND WE WERE READY FOR THE NEW SESSION OF THE FIRST QUADRENNIUM.

I THINK THERE ARE IS GOING TO BE LEGISLATION WELL THOUGHT OUT.

THERE HAVE BEEN ELEMENTS IMPORTANT TO LEGISLATORS THAT WE DID NOT DEAL WITH LAST YEAR THAT MAY IN SOME WAYS BE DEEMED CONTROVERSIAL, BUT SOME TOPICS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTIONS, ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOL CHOICE, SOME OF THESE ISSUES WE MAY HEAR ABOUT AGAIN.

THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS, MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO WHERE WE'RE ADDING THINGS TO THE GAME PLAN, BEING ABLE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP, AND A LOT OF THAT'S BEING DEVELOPED NOW, AND I THINK THE THOUGHT THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT, AGAIN MORE OF A BIPARTISAN KIND OF APPROACH.

WE HAVE ADDITIONAL SURPLUSES AND CARRY-FORWARDS IN THE BUDGET, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THOSE, SO THAT'S GOING TO BE REAL IMPORTANT.

SO IT WILL BE A VERY BUSY SESSION WITH A LOT GOING OBSERVE RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE NEW MAJORITY LEADER, AND WE HAD MR. LIVINGSTON ON THE SHOW A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

YOU HAD THE DEPARTURE OF CLAY SCOFFIELD TO CBA.

CONGRATULATIONS THERE.

BUT THAT CREATES NEW LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHERS.

OBVIOUSLY MR. LIVINGSTON RUNS AND WINS MAJORITY LEADER BUT HAD COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS THAT YOU HAVE TO HELP OTHER SENATORS WITH THEIR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, WE HAD SEVERAL OPENINGS THAT WERE CREATED BY SOME OF THAT MOVING AROUND.

I CERTAINLY CONGRATULATE SENATOR LIVINGSTON.

STEVE'S A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND WE WORK GREAT TOGETHER AND HAVE BEEN WORKING, PLANNING ON A LOT OF THINGS FOR THE SESSION.

YOU WOUND UP WITH AN OPENING IN CONFIRMATIONS WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE.

APRIL WEAVER IS GOING TO BE THE CHAIR OF CONFIRMATIONS.

YOU'VE GOT SOME THINGS MOVING ON REDISTRICTING.

WE'RE GOING TO BE NEEDING TO MAKE A CHANGE THERE, AND WE'VE GOT A SENATOR IN MIND, HE WILL HAVE TO BE ELECTED BY THE BODY THAT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT ROLE NOW THAT SENATOR LIVINGSTON IS MOVED ON TO BE THE LEADER.

YOU'VE GOT OTHER COMMITTEES.

WE'VE GOT ANOTHER SENATOR KELLY ADDED TO THE RULES COMMITTEE.

SENATOR GIVAN ADDED TO THE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE MEMBERS MOVING AROUND.

WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF SENATORS, A GREAT GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN DEDICATED FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS TO SERVING GOVERNMENT AND TO GIVE THEM MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND TO HAVE THE ABILITY AS PRESIDENT TO GIVE THEM MORE CHANCES TO DO THE THINGS THAT THEY DO SO WELL IS REWARDING, AND I KNOW THEY WILL DO A GREAT JOB.

WE ARE BETTER PREPARED THAN WE WERE BEFORE WITH THEM IN THESE NEW ROLES, YOU KNOW, MOVING FORWARD, THINGS CHANGE, THAT'S THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE.

SO BE READY TO DEAL WITH IT.

MAKE PROPER ADJUSTMENTS, AND WE HAVE, AND ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD TO HAVE A GREAT SESSION.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN MINORITY LEADER BEFORE.

TID YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR SENATOR LIVINGSTON?

>> I TOLD SENATOR LIVINGSTON HIS TELEPHONE WAS GOING TO RING QUITE A BIT MORE, AND HE HAS ALREADY LET ME KNOW THAT I WAS EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> I BET THAT IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SESSION AND TALK MORE AS IT APPROACHES.

THANKS AGAIN FOR TAKING THE TIME.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME, TODD.

GLAD TO DO IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT CYNTHIA CRUTCHFIELD, C.E.O.

OF INNOVATE ALABAMA.

CYNTHIA, THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANKS FOR ALLOWING US TO BE A PART OF THIS EVENT.

IT'S A NEAT EVENT TO BE A PART OF.

GOT TO INTERVIEW CONDOLEEZA RICE.

THANKS FOR LETTING US COME.

YOU HAVE BEEN C.E.O.

NOW FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> FOR JUST OVER A YEAR.

I STARTED THE 1ST OF DECEMBER IN 2022.

>> TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF TAKING ON THIS C.E.O.

ROLE BECAUSE THIS IS A BRAND-NEW ORGANIZATION.

I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHERS LIKE IT NATIONALLY, BUT IT'S A BRAND-NEW ORGANIZATION THAT HAD TO BE A CHALLENGE TO BE THE FIRST, YOU KNOW, LEADER OF THE INNOVATE ALABAMA.

>> ITSELF A HUGE CHALLENGE IN TERMS OF THE FACT THAT THE TRAIN HAD ALREADY SORT OF LEFT THE STATION.

THE ORGANIZATION REALLY DID GET STARTED PROBABLY ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF TO TWO YEARS BEFORE I CAME ON BOARD.

SO CATCHING UP TO THE TRAIN WHILE IT WAS MOVING WAS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT, BUT I THINK HAVING THE COMMISSION REPORT REALLY DID SET THE STAGE AND GAVE US THE BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO FOR THE FIRST YEAR.

FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, IT WAS A LOT EASIER THAN JUST A NEW START.

>> RIGHT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE PLENTY OF FOLKS OUT THERE THAT REALLY DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT INNOVATE ALABAMA.

SO WHEN YOU ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF GIVE THE ELEVATOR PITCH ABOUT WHAT INNOVATE ALABAMA IS, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> WELL, I TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT OUR MISSION IS TO REALLY POSITION THE STATE FOR THE FEATURE ECONOMY AND, IN DOING THAT, WE ARE SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, WE ARE SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL, ACCESS TO RELATIONSHIPS, COLLABORATION THAT WE REALLY NEED TO MOVE OUR COMPANIES AND FOUNDERS FORWARD.

>> YEAH.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WERE SOME KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THIS LAST YEAR?

I'M ASKING YOU TO BRAG ON YOURSELF.

>> NOT JUST BRAGGING ON MYSELF, I'M BRAGGING ON THE TEAM BECAUSE THEY DID A HERCULEAN JOB TO GET THE PROGRAMS ROLLED OUT.

>> I WOULD SAY THE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IS WHAT WE ARE CELEBRATING TONIGHT, THE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM, THE NETWORK DESIGNATION PROGRAM, FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND THEN I THINK GETTING THE STATE THROUGH THE PROCESS OF SSBCI AND GETTING THAT APPLICATION COMMITTED TO U.S. TREASURY WAS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE TEAM.

>> TALK MORE ABOUT THAT?

WHAT IS THAT?

>> SO SSBCI IS A PROGRAM ESTABLISHED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT THE STATES IN BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GROW AND SUSTAIN THEMSELVES DURING COVID.

SO ALABAMA, OUR PORTION OF THAT PROGRAM, IS ABOUT 97, $98 MILLION.

WE HAD TO DESIGN A PROGRAM THAT TREASURY THOUGHT WOULD, NUMBER ONE, FIT INTO OUR ECOSYSTEM, BUT, THEN, NUMBER TWO, BE ABLE TO REALLY GET THAT RETURN ON INVESTMENT THAT WE NEED TO MAKE A SUSTAINING FUND SO THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO FUND OUR BUSINESSES.

OKAY.

SO IT'S AN APPLICATION PROCESS AND THAT'S FINISHED?

>> YES, THE APPLICATION IS FINISHED, AND WE HOPE TO KICK OFF DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE FUNDS AROUND -- IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL -- IN FEBRUARY.

>> WOW, OKAY.

WELL, LOOKING INTO NEXT YEAR, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST NEW YEAR'S SEASON, SO PEOPLE ARE SETTING RESOLUTIONS, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOALS FOR INNOVATE ALABAMA IN 2024?

>> CERTAINLY, WE WANT TO DO ADDITIONAL OUTREACH WITH OUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PROFESSORS AT UNIVERSITIES ARE MOVING THEIR INVENTIONS TO COMMERCIALIZATION, SO THAT'S A HUGE FOCUS FOR US NEXT YEAR.

BUT I WOULD SAY THE NEXT REALLY LARGE PRIORITY FOR US IS REALLY ENGAGING OUR RURAL SPACES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE DESIGNING PROGRAMS THAT THEY CAN SEE THEMSELVES PARTICIPATING IN.

>> UH-HUH.

THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK EARLIER ABOUT THE NATURAL RESOURCES PART, AND LEVERAGING ALABAMA'S TRAILS AND BEACHES AND -- >> WATERWAYS, YES.

>> -- OUTDOOR RECREATION, BASICALLY.

IT WAS BROUGHT UP IN A WAY THAT IT SURPRISED SOME PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KIND OF TENET.

TALK ABOUT HOW THOSE DISCUSSIONS HAVE GONE AND WHY THAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO THE OVERALL MISSION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT SURPRISED ME AS WELL.

I DIDN'T REALLY CONNECT ORIGINALLY OUTDOOR RECREATION WITH INNOVATION, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THE LENS OF TALENT DEVELOPMENT, ATTRACTION AND RETENTION, IT STARTS TO MAKE SENSE BECAUSE, REALLY, ENTREPRENEURS, STUDENTS, THEY DON'T WANT TO JUST GO TO WORK AND DO THEIR NINE TO FIVE AND RUN THEIR BUSINESS, THEY WANT TO BECOME A PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND ENJOY THE RESOURCES WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

SO IT REALLY IS A NATURAL FIT EVEN THOUGH IT MAY SEEM AN UNNATURAL FIT.

IT REALLY DOES FIT WELL.

>> SO WHETHER HIKING, COUP NUKING -- >> BIKING, CLIMBING, ALL OF THAT.

>> THAT IS INTERESTING.

LOOK, CONGRATULATIONS ON A FANTASTIC EVENT.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR LETTING US BE A PART OF IT AND FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW THIS WEEK AND OUR LAST FOR THE YEAR.

ON BEHALF OF OUR CAPITOL JOURNAL TEAM -- RANDY SCOTT, JOHN HOLMAN AND ROD RICHARDSON -- THANK YOU FOR WATCHING CAPITOL JOURNAL AND FOR TRUSTING US TO BRING YOU THE LATEST ON WHAT'S HAPPENING INSIDE STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT 2024 AND ESPECIALLY THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT BEGINS FEBRUARY 6TH.

THERE'S NO BETTER WAY TO KEEP UP WITH THE LEGISLATURE THAN BY WATCHING CAPITOL JOURNAL HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

WITH THAT, HAPPY NEW YEAR AND