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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

LEADING THE NEWS THIS WEEK WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL, WHO CALLED A NEWS CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING SITUATION WITH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS CARRYING OUT DEATH SENTENCES VIA LETHAL INJECTIONS.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY LAST WEEK ORDERED A TOP-TO-BOTTOM REVIEW OF THE STATE'S CAPITAL PUNISHMENT PROTOCOL AFTER AN UNPRECEDENTED THIRD FAILED LETHAL INJECTION.

IVEY ALSO ASKED MARSHALL NOT TO SEEK ADDITIONAL EXECUTION DATES FOR ANY OTHER DEATH ROW INMATES UNTIL THE REVIEW IS COMPLETE.

MARSHALL MADE IT CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS AND CALLED FOR THAT REVIEW TO HAPPEN QUICKLY.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT HAS THE FULL STORY.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE STATE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN ALABAMA.

>> I'VE LIKE WISE HEARD VICTIMS' STORIES AFTER THAT VERDICT ABOUT HOW THE DELAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEATH SENTENCE IMPACTS THEM FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> THIS AFTER THE LAST THREE EXECUTIONS IN ALABAMA MADE STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS FOR MISHAPS AND CANCELLATIONS.

>> AS FAR AS I AND MY OFFICE ARE CONCERNED THERE IS NO MORATORIUM, NOR WILL WITH THERE BE ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN ALABAMA.

>> MARSHALL POINTS OUT THE CASE OF DEATH ROW INMATE KENNETH SMITH.

>> WHAT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 17th WAS A TRAGEDY BUT NOT FOR THE REASONS THAT MANY DEATH ROW OPPONENTS AND SYMPATHIZERS WOULD HAVE THE PUBLIC TO LEAVE.

IT WAS A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE NOT FOR KENNY SMITH, THE TWICE-CONVICTED MURDERER SCHEDULED TO BE EXECUTED THAT DAY BUT IT WAS FOR ELIZABETH AND THE MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY.

>> THE LAST THREE ARE SERVING AS A DISCUSSION POINT ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND THE DEATH PENALTY IN THIS STATE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WANTS TO CLEAR UP THE AIR BY BRINGING CLARITY TO THIS DIALOGUE.

>> IN THE CLEAR RECORD IS THE DELAY RELATING TO THESE EXECUTION, WHY IS IT A DEFEAT OF THEIR INMATES AND LAWYERS AND NOT THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL MARSHALL SAID THERE IS AN ORDER FOR EXCUSES IN THE STATE.

>> THE LAST FEW WEEKS I HAVE SEEN PRONOUNCEMENTS THAT WE HAVE A SO-CALLED MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS IN ALABAMA.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT CHARACTERIZATION CAME AS A GREAT SURPRISE TO ME BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY TWO PARTIES INVOLVED IN SETTING AN EXECUTION IN ALABAMA, THAT IS ME AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OUR ALABAMA SUPREME COURT.

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

>> WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE PROCESS BY WHICH STATE LEADERS ARE GOING ABOUT RENEWING AND REVISING ALABAMA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES LAWS.

THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT AND THE GROWING ALABAMA ACT ARE SET TO EXPIRE NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS BY DESIGN TO FORCE LAWMAKERS TO UPDATE THE STATUTES TO REFLECT CURRENT NEEDS.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH IS LEADING THE COMMISSION CHARGED WITH RECOMMENDING WHAT CHANGES ARE NEEDED TO MAKE ALABAMA MORE COMPETITIVE.

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

>> ON MARCH 7, WHEN ALABAMA LAWMAKERS RETURN TO THE ALABAMA STATEHOUSE, ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITIES WILL BE RENEWING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES, THE KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE JOINT LEGISLATION COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC INCENTIVES WILL BE THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE LEGISLATION THEY PROPOSE.

>> THIS WORK IS IMPORTANT AND IT WILL HELP TO TEE UP THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY COME INTO TAKE ON THE ISSUES OF CONTINUED JOB GROWTH AN INVESTMENT IN OUR STATE.

>> AT THE COMMISSION'S LAST MEETING THEY UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED MULTIPLE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING REVISING THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT AND GROWING ALABAMA ACT IS TO REVISE THE CALCULATION OF A JOBS ACT STATUTORY CAP.

>> CURRENT CAP IS 350 MILLION.

THE RECOMMENDATION IS INCREASE THE CAP TO BE DETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE AND LEADERSHIP.

>> THE CAP IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

THE LEGISLATURE DECIDED WE NEEDED TO HAVE A MEASURABLE SYSTEM TO MAKE CERTAIN WE HAVE A CAP, A LIMIT ON THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT WE CAN USE FOR INCENTIVES TO MAKE SURE TO GIVE A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE THE INCENTIVES CAN BE EVALUATED.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS COMMITTEE DID.

THEY EVALUATED THE SUCCESS OF THE INCENTIVES.

I THINK THE FINDINGS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, POSITIVE RETURNS AND NEW REVENUES IN THE STATE AND NEW JOBS FOR ALABAMIANS.

>> EVEN WITH THE BILLIONS GENERATED FOR ALABAMA AND THE THOUSANDS OF JOBS THE INCENTIVES CREATED, BOBBY SINGLETON WANTS TO ENSURE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS NOT COMPROMISED.

>> AS WE TALK, I GOT FROM PEOPLE THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT HOW TO MAKE THE BALANCE AND GET THE BEST RETURN FOR THE DOLLARS BUT I WANT TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT THAT IT IS ALWAYS A CONCERN IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD HOW ARE WE MAKING THIS RETURN AND MAKE IT BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW WELL ALABAMA'S ECONOMY IS DOING AND THE GROWTH AND THE ETF, I'M ENCOURAGED BY ALABAMA -- I'M BULLISH ON OUR ECONOMY AND WHAT OUR DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS DOING AND THE INDUSTRIES COMING IN HERE AND I THINK IT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE.

>> THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, HE NOTES THE COMMITTEE HAS LOOKED AT ECONOMIC GROWTH BY CONSIDERING OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SITES, MORE TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC ON INCENTIVES EFFECTIVENESS AND CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OWNED BY VETERANS, WOMEN AND MINORITIES.

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

>> I'LL SPEAK WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AINSWORTH MORE ON THIS LATER IN THE SHOW.

HOUSE SPEAKER-DESIGNATE NATHANIEL LEDBETTER ANNOUNCED MORE HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRS THIS WEEK.

REPRESENTATIVE RANDALL SHEDD OF FAIRVIEW WILL CHAIR THE TRANSPORTATION, UTILITIES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE.

HE WILL REPLACE REPRESENTATIVE LYNN GREER WHO DID NOT SEEK REELECTION THIS YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE DANNY CRAWFORD OF ATHENS WILL KEEP HIS SPOT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE.

REPRESENTATIVE JIM CARNS OF VESTAVIA HILLS WILL CHAIR THE COMMERCE AND SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE.

REPRESENTATIVE MARGIE WILCOX OF MOBILE WILL CHAIR THE BOARDS, AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS COMMITTEE.

IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING, REVIEWING, AND RENEWING ABOUT 100 OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE BOARDS AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES.

AND REPRESENTATIVE REED INGRAM OF MONTGOMERY WILL KEEP HIS CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ENTERING THE NEXT TERM.

LAWMAKERS WILL MEET FOR THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION ON JANUARY 10 AND THEN FOR THE REGULAR SESSION BEGINNING MARCH 7.

>>> AN UPDATE ON A STORY WE REPORTED LAST WEEK INVOLVING FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE PERRY HOOPER, WHO WAS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF SEXUAL ABUSE AFTER BEING ARRESTED FOR GROPING A WOMAN AT A DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY RESTAURANT.

THOSE CHARGES HAVE NOW BEEN DROPPED AFTER THE VICTIM, ELIZABETH DALY, ASKED PROSECUTORS NOT TO PURSUE THE CASE AND ASKED HOOPER TO MAKE A PUBLIC APOLOGY.

HE DID JUST THAT THIS WEEK SAYING, QUOTE, "“I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SINCEREST APOLOGIES TO ELIZABETH DALY.

I WAS WRONG AND I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ACTIONS.

MISS DALY IS AN EXEMPLARY PERSON AND MY BEHAVIOR WAS UNACCEPTABLE.

"” END QUOTE.

>>> ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, THE A ALABAMA S.T.E.M.

COUNCIL ANNOUNCED IT WILL DIRECT AN INITIAL $4.5 MILLION TO LAUNCH FOUR NEW S.T.E.M.

TEACHER PREPARATION AND RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS AT ALABAMA COLLEGES.

THE UTEACH INITIATIVE WAS DEVELOPED MORE THAN A DECADE AGO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS IN AUSTIN TO IDENTIFY SCIENCE AND MATH MAJORS AND INTRODUCES THEM TO OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION AFTER COLLEGE.

THE COUNCIL IS LAUNCHING THE INITIATIVE AT ALABAMA A&M, AUBURN, AUBURN MONTGOMERY, ATHENS STATE, THE SOUTH ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA.

UAB WILL ALSO RECEIVE FUNDING TO EXPAND ITS EXISTING UABTEACH PROGRAM.

WHEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED, THE UTEACH PROGRAMS ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE 250 S.T.E.M.

EDUCATORS PER YEAR.

SOME CHANGES COMING TO THE CABINET.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ANNOUNCED THAT ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL ADMINISTRATOR MAC GIPSON WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR AFTER MORE THAN 12 YEARS IN THAT ROLE.

CURTIS STEWART IS IVEY'S CHOICE TO ASSUME LEADERSHIP OF THE ABC BOARD STARTING IN JANUARY.

STEWART IS THE CURRENT DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, WHERE HE HAS BEEN FOR 10 YEARS.

THE ABC ADMINISTRATOR OVERSEES THE AGENCY'S CENTRAL OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE, MORE THAN 170 ABC STORES AND ABOUT 875 EMPLOYEES STATEWIDE.

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

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

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

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

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

KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS GREAT TO BE ON.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> I'M DOING GREAT.

WE'RE JUST MAKING IT THROUGH ANOTHER WEEK.

SPEAKING OF THIS WEEK, YOU WERE BUSY IN THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK WITH THIS MEETING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES.

I REALLY WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS COMMISSION THAT YOU HEAD HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS NOW.

THIS ONE, THE COMMISSION MADE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON RENEWING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES AND SOME REVISIONS, AS WELL.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED?

>> FIRST, THOSE TWO ARE BIG INCENTIVES FOR THE STATE AND THEY EXPIRE THIS COMING SUMMER.

WE GOT TASKED WITH THE LEGISLATURE, HAD A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION, HAD MEMBERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AS WELL.

IT WAS GOVERNMENT.

I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSION FOR THEIR WORK.

IT HAS BEEN HARD WORK AND MONTHS LOOKING INTO THIS AND WE ARE PROUD OF THE PRODUCT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO REAUTHORIZE OUR INCENTIVES AND IT SHOWS THEY ARE WORKING.

WE HAVE TWEAKS AND MODIFICATIONS WE HAVE RECOMMENDED BUT REALLY PROUD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND WHAT OUR STATE IS DOING WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT, LAST YEAR WE HAD 15, 16% GROWTH IN THE ETF.

FOR SO LONG, EVERYBODY TALKED ABOUT HOW OUR POPULATION WAS GOING TO DECLINE.

IT TURNS OUT IT GREW IN ALABAMA.

PEOPLE ARE FLOCKING HERE.

BUSINESSES ARE MOVING HERE AND INCENTIVES ARE A KEY PART OF THAT.

WHAT THIS PROCESS HAS TAUGHT ME IS ALABAMA HAS SOME OF THE BEST INCENTIVES AND WE ARE GETTING A GREAT RETURN ON THAT, AS WELL.

>> YEAH R. A LOT OF THE TALK REVOLVED AROUND THIS CAP THAT WE HAVE.

THE MONETARY CAP THAT I GUESS IS $300 MILLION WE COULD BE LEVERAGING AT ONE TIME.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I HAVE ALSO HEARD TALK ABOUT INCENTIVES WE USE ARE NOT LIKE TEN, 15 YEARS AGO WHEN WE BORROWED A LOT OF MONEY.

THIS IS PAY AS YOU GO.

MEANING WE ARE NOT TAKING OUT A LOAN TO GET THE MONEY.

I'VE HEARD TALK THE CAP SHOULD BE ELIMINATED.

ANY CONSIDERATION THERE?

YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE MAY GIVE IT?

>> ONE RECOMMENDATION IS WE SUGGESTED THE CAP BE INCREASED.

MY OPINION IS IT NEEDS TO BE INCREASED TO 500 MILLION.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOSING POTENTIAL COMPANIES THAT WANT TO COME HERE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY ALABAMA COMPETES AGAINST OTHER STATES.

IF WE ARE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER STATES AND AT THE CAP AND NOT GOING AFTER OTHER COMPANIES WE ARE LOSING OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT WANT TO COME HERE.

IN THAT SITUATION, I GUESS WE ARE A VICTIM OF OUR OWN SUCCESS AND WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND THE COMPANIES ARE LOCATING HERE AND WE ARE USING THAT BUT NOT DONNELL WE NEED TO RAISE IT BUT WHAT TYPE OF RETURN ON WE GETTING ON THAT.

$1.06 FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE SPENT IS GOING BACK TO THE ETF.

IT IS NOT CORPORATE WELFARE.

WE ARE NOT GIVING THE MONEY OUT.

TO YOUR POINT PAY AS YOU GO AND THEY WILL USE IT AS LONG AS THEY PROVIDE JOBS.

WHEN THEY DO THAT THE RETURN THE STATE IS GETTING IS A GREAT RETURN.

THAT'S WHY YOU ARE SEEING SO MUCH GROWTH FROM A BUDGET.

>> I HEARD YOU ALL TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS AND RECOMMENDING TO THE LEGISLATURE TO PUT MORE GUARDRAILS ON THERE IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK IN GOVERNMENT I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN BEING TRANSPARENT.

LETTING THE LIGHT SHINE ON EVERYTHING.

WHEN THERE IS AN INCENTIVE WE WANT TO KNOW REALTIME HOW THE COMPANY IS DOING ON REQUESTING WHAT THEY NEED AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WILL PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION.

>> ANOTHER INTERESTING TAKEAWAY I HAD FROM THE MEETING WAS THE BROWN FIELDS SITUATION WHERE -- AS YOU MENTIONED A VICTIM OF OUR OWN SUCCESS.

A LOT OF OUR MEGA SITES ARE TAKEN UP.

SO MAYBE CREATING NEW ONES WHERE WE CAN RECRUIT THIS INDUSTRY, INCLUDING MAYBE SITES PREVIOUSLY I USED FOR INDUSTRY, THESE BROWN FIELDS THAT CAN BE RECLAIMED.

THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS NOVEL.

>> LOOK AT BROWN FIELDS AND MEGA SITES AND FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW IT IS 1,000-ACRE PLUS SITE.

COMPANIES ARE LOOKING AT -- IN ALABAMA WE DON'T HAVE MANY OF THOSE SITES AVAILABLE.

SO WE HAVE TO PUT MONEY INTO DEVELOPING THAT, BE FORWARD THINKING BECAUSE WE KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE INDUSTRY COMING HERE.

HUNTSVILLE IS THE ROCKET CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AND AUBURN, ALABAMA, TUSCALOOSA, MOBILE.

IT'S BOOMING.

BALDWIN IS OUR FASTEST GROWING.

ACROSS THE STATE WE HAVE TREMENDOUS GROWTH.

PROBLEM IS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SITES.

THAT'S WHERE WE MAKE SURE PUTTING MORE MONEY TO HAVE ADDITION AT SITES IS BENEFICIAL.

ONE THING WE DON'T ALWAYS DO WELL IN GOVERNMENT IS REACT.

THE FACT WE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING TO THE FUTURE IS HUGE FOR OUR STATE.

>> THIS IS AN INTERESTING ISSUE AT THIS MOMENT.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE SENATE BECAUSE THERE'S SOME GROUP STARTING TO STIR THE POT ABOUT THIS, CALLING IT CORPORATE WELFARE AS YOU MENTIONED.

ALABAMA IS NOT UNILATERAL IN ITS EXPERIMENT.

THERE ARE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE PROBLEMS.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND WHEN FOLKS CALL IT CORPORATE WELFARE?

>> IF OTHER STATES DIDN'T HAVE INCENTIVES WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO IT BUT ALABAMA IS COMPETING WITH EVERY OTHER STATE.

OUR GOAL WAS TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STATES HAD, HOW DO WE COMPARE?

IT IS IMPORTANT WHAT RETURN ARE WE GETTING BECAUSE IT FUNDS OUR EDUCATION AND STUDENTS WHICH FUNDS OUR FUTURE.

SO I WOULD SAY IT IS WISE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB IN RECRUITING THESE INDUSTRIES.

WE WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE 21ST CENTURY GREAT-PAYING JOB AND BEST COMPANIES LOCATED IN ALABAMA.

ANYBODY WHO SAYS OTHERWISE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT AND HOW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORKS.

>> YOU MENTIONED EDUCATION.

I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS NEXT.

THROUGHOUT THE ELECTION CYCLE, A LOT OF CANDIDATES, THE GOVERNOR, GO DOWN THE LIST OF CANDIDATES AND YOU HEAR A LOT ABOUT IMPROVING EDUCATION.

NAPE SCORES HAD BETTER SCORES.

EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT IMPROVING EDUCATION AND I WOULD ADD WORKFORCE TO THAT.

IT IS PART OF THE SAME PROBLEM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE MIGHT SEE LEGISLATIVE, PROPOSAL WISE, FROM YOUR OFFICE, THE GOVERNOR, TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN HE NEXT TERM?

>> I THINK FIRST -- YOU HEAR A LOT OF CHATTER AND SOMETHING I'M IN SUPPORT OF IS SCHOOL CHOICE.

WHY DOES THAT MATTER?

YOU HAVE STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN IN HISTORICALLY FAILING SCHOOLS AND LOOK AT MONTGOMERY, STATE'S CAPITOL, A LOT OF FAILING SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE TRAPPED.

TO GET THEM TO GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL IS A LIFELINE FOR THOSE STUDENTS AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THAT HISTORICALLY WORKED.

BUT IT BOILS DOWN TO HAVING COMPETITION.

WHEN YOU DO THAT AND GIVE PARENTS A CHOICE ON WHAT IS THE BEST OPTION TO SEND THEIR CHILD, THAT'S NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION BUT 10 TO 20 % SOLVING THE PROBLEM IN ALABAMA.

I THINK CONTINUING AND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GO INTO EDUCATION, TO HAVE BETTER PAY TO ATTRACT MORE TEACHERS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.

ANOTHER INTERESTING THING I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY TALK ABOUT BUT I FOUND OUT IN SURVEYS I WAS LOOKING AT IS ESPECIALLY IN OUR POORER COUNTIES THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THESE STUDENTS FACE IS THEY ARE HUNGRY.

THEY GO HOME HUNGRY.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION OF HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THESE STUDENTS HAVE PROPER NUTRITION?

THEY ARE STRUGGLING THERE AND HAVE CERTAINLY STRUGGLE AT SCHOOL THAT.

IS SOMETHING INTERESTING I FOUND OUT IN THE LAST MONTH.

IT IS SOMETHING I TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT EVERYBODY IS GETTING FED.

>> CAN'T MUCH LEARN IF YOU ARE HUNGRY, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING IN OUR POORER AREAS.

>> IT IS INTERESTING THE WAY YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION, IT REMINDS ME WE HAD NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

HE SAID WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ONE SILVER BULLET BUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEVERS THAT YOU PULL AND EVERYTHING.

YOU MENTIONED MONTGOMERY.

WE DID REPORTING ON THIS CONVERSION CHARTER SCHOOL THEY ARE DOING.

IT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL BUT TAKING OVER AN EXISTING SCHOOL AND HAVING A LOT OF SUCCESS AND THERE'S A LOT OF TALK OF HOW IT COULD BE REPLICATED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

I KNOW YOU ALSO, IN YOUR OFFICE, HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON MILITARY AND VETERANS AND MAKING ALABAMA A MORE HOSPITABLE STATE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS.

TALK ABOUT THE LATEST WITH THIS.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE ALABAMA THE MOST VETERAN FRIENDLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE FOUR OR FIVE BILLS ON THE DOCKET FOR THE NEXT SESSION THAT JEFF SCAGGS WHO DOES A GREAT JOB WITH OUR CHIEF OF STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING WITH MILITARY LEADERS IN THE STATE.

I WAS PROUD OF THE FACT THAT A SURVEY CAME OUT AND IT RANKED ALABAMA AS THE NUMBER TWO STATE IN THE COUNTRY FOR VETERANS.

NUMBER ONE WAS FLORIDA.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING BETTER THAN US TO MOVE TO NUMBER ONE.

OUR GOAL IS NUMBER ONE FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES BUT IT BOILS DOWN TO THIS, WE DON'T HAVE FREEDOM, A COUNTRY, OUR STATE, IF IT WASN'T FOR OUR MILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS.

WE CERTAINLY OWE A GREAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THEM.

IT IS A HUGE HONOR TO REPRESENT THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE THE BEST IT CAN BE.

>> SWITCHING GEARS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT AEROSPACE AND AVIATION.

I KNOW YOUR OFFICE HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE STATE'S EFFORTS IN AEROSPACE AND AVIATION.

IT'S BEEN A BOOMING INDUSTRY IN ALABAMA, NOT JUST FROM THE GOVERNMENT STANDPOINT BUT PRIVATE SECTOR.

WHERE WOULD YOU SAY WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE ARE WE HEADED IN TERMS OF AEROSPACE.

>> I THINK ALABAMA IS THE AEROSPACE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WILL COME IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE ARE IN A REALLY GOOD SPOT.

I'D SAY THAT IS A GREAT INDUSTRY TO BE IN IN A RECESSION.

WE HAVE TO HAVE DEFENSE AND PROTECT OUR ASSETS IN SPACE.

THERE'S MORE PH.D.s AND ENGINEERS IN HUNTSVILLE PER CAPITA THAN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

THE NEXT CLOSEST WAS COLORADO.

THEY CAN CRY AND SAY IT WAS POLITICS BUT THEY DIDN'T GET IT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T PRODUCE AS GOOD OF A PRODUCT.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE AEROSPACE CAPITAL.

>> YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT WILL -- THAT DECISION WILL STAND?

>> ISM GOOD.

TWO INDEPENDENT REPORTS I'VE SEEN HAVE VERIFIED ALABAMA WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY ARE READY TO TAKE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT ON THAT.

>> WE'RE OUT OF AN ELECTION CYCLE.

SO MAYBE THE DUST FROM THE ELECTION IS SETTLED BUT IT IS NEVER EARLY TO TALK ABOUT THE NEXT ONE.

YOU HAVE RUN TWICE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SUCCESSFUL LIMIT KAY IVEY IS TERM LIMITED.

SHOULD WE EXPECT YOU TO SEEK THE TOP JOB NEXT TIME AROUND?

>> I'LL SAY THIS, FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE VOTERS OF ALABAMA FOR ELECTING US TO A SECOND TERM AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND HONORED OF GETTING THE MOST VOTES IN THE STATE WHO HAD AN OPPONENT.

OUR GOAL IS WE WANT TO WORK HARD TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON MILITARY ISSUES, EDUCATION ISSUES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

MAKE SURE TO SOLVE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BRINGING JOBS HERE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I DON'T HAVE A DESIRE TO GO TO DC.

THE ONLY OFFICE I WOULD RUN FOR IS STATE'S GOVERNOR AND WE WILL SEE IN FOUR YEARS.

RIGHT NOW THE PLAN IS TO WORK WITH THE LEADERS WE HAVE GOT.

AND WE WILL MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE BUSINESS CLIMATE AND WORK ON THINGS TO MAKE ALABAMA THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE AND PLAY.

>> AS THEY SAY, FOUR YEARS IS AN ETERNITY IN POLITICS BUT GOES QUICKLY.

YOU, IT DOES.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING US.

>> A PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT 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.

>> MONTGOMERY NATIVE CATHERINE C. THORNTON IS A PHYSICIST AND FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT AND LOGGED 975 HOURS IN SPACE INCLUDING 21 HOURS OF EXTRA VEHICULAR ACTIVITY.

DURING HER TIME WITH NASA SHE SERVED ON THE MAIDEN FLIGHT OF SPACE SHUTTLE "ENDEAVOR," HELPED REPAIR THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE AND CONDUCTED MICROGRAVITY EXPERIMENTS IN SPACE LAB.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY HELENA DUNCAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> I GUESS CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU ARE THE NEW PERMANENT PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BCA.

I GUESS THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS LAST WEEK.

>> YES, ON THURSDAY.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS MAYBE A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU CAME TO BE AT BCA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HAVE A LONG HISTORY HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

I AM A BUSINESSWOMAN AND HAVE 30 YEARS IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY.

MY PREVIOUS JOB I WAS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE REGION FOR LIBERTY BANK AND TRUST.

I JOINED BCA IN 2020 AS THEIR DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC OPERATION AND GROWTH AND THEN I WAS PROMOTED THERE AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS AND INVESTOR RELATIONS.

I'VE SAT ON NUMEROUS BOARDS HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

I SERVED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF ST. JAMES SCHOOL WHERE MY CHILDREN ATTENDED AND A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THEIR COMMITTEE OF 100 AND GOVERNANCE OF THE COMMITTEE OF 100.

I'M ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR DIXIE ELECTRIC.

I'M ALSO ON THE BOARD AND THE YMCA.

>> OH, WOW.

OKAY.

>> BCA HAS HAD TEMPORARY LEADERSHIP FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE KATIE BRITT, THE PREVIOUS CEO STEPPED DOWN TO RUN FOR SENATE AND THE INTERIM DIRECTOR STEPPED DOWN AND NOW YOU ARE THE PERMANENT LEADER.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO BE DIFFERENT?

IS HAVING PERMANENCY HELPED YOU TO MAKE SOLID PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WERE FORTUNATE TO GET ROBIN STONE TO STEP IN WITH HIS MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AROUND BCA AND HELP US THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE FOR BCA.

ALTHOUGH I WASN'T AWARE AI WOULD BE IN THIS ROLE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN A LOT FROM ROBIN.

BCA IS BUILT ON ITS MEMBERS.

OUR MEMBERS NEEDS HAVE BEEN OUR TOP PRY I DON'T THINKER AND THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE.

WE HAVE AN EGGER DEDICATED STAFF WHO WORKS TO FIND WAYS TO SERVE MEMBERS IN A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY.

WE HAVE A DEDICATED LEADERSHIP TEAM.

THEY HAVE WORKED OVER THE YEARS TO BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR BCA AND MY GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT FIRM FOUNDATION.

YOU KNOW, WHILE WE ARE LEAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE PRO BUSINESS, PRO GROWTH FOR THE ALABAMA BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THOSE THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, A LOT OF THAT COMINGS DOWN TO ADVOCACY HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE, IN WASHINGTON, BUT SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATEHOUSE H. IT STRIKES ME THAT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS, LEADERS OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS ARE, THE CEOs, SOMETIMES THERE IS A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

SOME MAY SAY I'M THE ONE IN THE STATEHOUSE, PHYSICALLY THERE, TAKING THE ROLE AND OTHERS STEP BACK AND ALLOW THEIR TEAM TO GO TO THE STATEHOUSE AND MANAGE THEIR -- THEIR LOBBYISTS TO GENE MANAGE.

I KNOW YOU ARE STILL NEW BUT WHAT MIGHT BE YOUR APPROACH IN MANAGING ADVOCACY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

BCA'S POLICY HAS ALWAYS BEEN SAID AND DRIVEN BY MEMBERS.

WE HAVE A VERY EXTENSIVE PROCESS FOR OUR BC POLICY COMMITTEES WHERE WE ARE AVAILABLE TO LISTEN TO OUR MEMBERS, AS WE DEVELOP POLICIES FOR OUR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

WE HAVE A VERY STRONG ADVOCACY GROUP LED BY DAVID COLE WHO'S ONE OF THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS, AS YOU KNOW.

WE HAVE TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN HIM DOING THAT.

ONE THING I WAS CHARGED WITH IS DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL OF THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

I WILL GROW THE RESTAURANTS AND DEVELOP NEW ONES ALONG THE WAY.

>> SPEAKING OF POLLS, WE ARE IN A PERIOD OF HISTORICALLY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT IN ALABAMA.

AT THE SAME TIME WE HEAR ABOUT BUSINESSES CONTINUING TO HAVE TROUBLE FINDING WORKERS IN THIS ECONOMY.

THERE'S MANY REASONS FOR IT.

IN TERMS OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK FROM THE IVEY ADMINISTRATION ABOUT IN THE NEXT YEAR AND NEXT TERM FOCUSING ON IMPROVING EDUCATION, A RE-EMPHASIS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE WORKERS TO FULL FULFILL THE JOBS.

WHAT ARE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SAYING ABOUT THE NEEDS?

>> OUR MEMBERS, THAT'S A TOP PRIORITY FOR THEM.

THAT'S ONE OF THEIR MAIN CONCERNS.

BECAUSE OF THAT IT IS A BIG CONCERN OF OURS.

BCA IS PREPARED TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR IN WHATEVER CAPACITY SHE NEEDS TO HELP ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> A RELATED ISSUE THIS WEEK, THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES.

THESE ARE ALABAMA JOBS ACT, THE GROWING ALABAMA ACT, MAY BE NAMED SOMETHING DIFFERENT NEXT TIME AROUND BUT THE KEY IS WITH THEM EXPIRING THIS YEAR THERE'S AN INITIATIVE TO REAUTHORIZE, MAYBE REVISE SOME OF THEM BUT FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT THE STATE ALLOW ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO REMAIN TO RECRUIT INDUSTRY?

>> YOU CAN IMAGINE FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IT IS A TOP PRIORITY.

IT IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR OUR LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF 2023.

WE ARE HAVING MEETINGS AND SITTING ON COMMITTEES TO GET IT PASSED IN 23.

>> WHILE I HAVE YOU, I DID HEAR THAT -- WE'RE STILL IN THIS COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON.

I HEARD YOU HAVE A SON THAT PLAYS COLLEGE FOOTBALL, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BOTH OF MY SONS PLAY COLLEGE BOB.

MY OLDEST SIGNED WITH THE CARDINALS AND ONCE WE LEASED HE IS SERVING IN THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ARENA IN TENNESSEE.

AND MY OTHER SON IS PLAYING FOR MISSISSIPPI STATE, A THREE-YEAR STARTER FOR MISSISSIPPI STATE AND HE WILL PLAY LAST GAME ON JANUARY 2nd IN THE BOWL GAME.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT.

FOOTBALL AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS RUNS IN THE FAMILY.

>> YES.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT'S A PREMIER JOB HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

BEST WISHES AND THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

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

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

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

KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AROUND THE STATE GATHERED IN MONTGOMERY THIS WEEK FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONS.

JOINING ME IS SONNY BRASFIELD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

SONNY, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A BUSY WEEK, A THREE-DAY CONFERENCE?

>> THE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE WAS ONE AFTERNOON AND THE NEXT DAY.

WE ALSO HAVE AN ORIENTATION FOR BRAND NEW COMMISSIONERS.

THERE ARE 45 NEWLY ELECTED COMMISSIONERS THAT TOOK OFFICE THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER.

WE HAD THEM IN MONTGOMERY, AS WELL, TO TELL THEM WHAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN THEMSELVES INTO.

>> I'M SURE THAT IS IMPORTANT.

I WAS PLEASED TO BE A PART OF IT, SPEAKING FOR A LITTLE BIT OF A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

ONE THING I NOTICED WHEN I WAS SPEAKING IS WHEN I BROUGHT UP ARPA, THE SECOND ROUND OF ARPA MONEY THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL DEAL WITH NEXT TIME, WHEN THE SESSION STARTS.

I SAW HEADS COME UP AND EYES GET WIDE.

OBVIOUSLY COUNTIES REALLY CARE ABOUT THE SITUATION.

WHAT'S THE CONVERSATION SURROUNDING ARPA FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF MONEY?

>> SURE.

IN THE END, COUNTIES WILL GET IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF A BILLION DOLLARS.

THAT'S WHY THE HEADS MOVE UP, ESPECIALLY IN THE SMALLER COUNTIES WHERE THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO GET FEDERAL FUNDS TO DO WHAT WE CALL TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

THE ASSOCIATION ACTUALLY STOOD UP A PROGRAM.

WE ARE WORKING ON A DAILY BASIS WITH 41 COUNTIES TO HELP ADMINISTER THEIR PROJECTS EFFECTIVELY, IDENTIFY ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS AND ELIGIBILITY EXPENDITURES THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, HELPING THEM WITH COMPLIANCE, RECORDKEEPING, THAT KIND OF THING.

EVERY COUNTY IN ALABAMA HAS ALREADY DOWNLOADED, MUCH AS THE STATE HAS, THE SECOND ALLOCATION.

WE HAVE AN INVESTMENT PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTIES THAT THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED LAST SESSION AND COUNTIES ARE ABLE TO INVEST THE MONEY RIGHT NOW AND ARE MAKING 4%.

THAT IS ADDITIONAL MONEY TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT IS NOT UNTIL MARCH BUT IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW.

>> IT IS HERE ALREADY.

>> YOU SAY 67 COUNTIES AND ONE VOICE.

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS, OUR FOLKS HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT A NUMBER OF ISSUES THAT RELATE TO THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS.

OF COURSE, WE SAW THAT IN A COUPLE OF LEGISLATIVE RACES WHERE WE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING THE LINES FOR DISTRICTS ADJUSTED PROPERLY.

WE PLAN TO BRING SOME LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE BOARD OF REGISTRAR'S PROCESS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE OPEN WHENEVER THE COURTHOUSE IS OPEN.

I TRIED TO HAVE THE APPOINTMENTS BE REFLECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY.

MOST CITIZENS DON'T KNOW THE THREE-MEMBER A PANEL IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE AUDITOR AND THE STATE AG COMMISSIONER.

IT'S A PROCESS THAT SURVIVES WAY BACK BEFORE YOU AND I WERE BORN, IN 1920.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER ISSUES.

WE'D LIKE TO SHIFT TO ELECTRONIC ADVERTISING OF THE BALLOT INFORMATION AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

WE STILL DO THAT BY NEWSPAPER.

IN 2023, WE DON'T REACH THE PUBLIC USING THAT METHODOLOGY.

WE'D LIKE TO SHIFT THERE, AS WELL.

AND WE ARE GOING TO SPEND, WE HOPE, SOME TIME WITH THE LEGISLATURE TALKING ABOUT PERHAPS SHIFTING OUR BROAD INCENTIVE.

WE'D LIKE TO IDENTIFY PROJECTS AND USE STATE AND LOCAL MONEY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE IN PLACES THAT ARE PRIORITY BECAUSE OF THE LOCAL LEADERSHIP IDENTIFYING THOSE AREAS.

RIGHT NOW OUR STATE PROGRAM IS DRIVEN BY APPLICATION THAT CAN BE FILED ONLY BY THE BROADBAND COMPANIES.

WE THINK IT WOULD REALLY HELP THE PUBLIC.

>> IS THAT POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT JUST PASSED?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

NOT TO GET IN THE WEEDS TOO FAR BUT THE CONSTITUTION OF ALABAMA PROHIBITS A THING OF VALUE TO A PERSON OR ENTITY.

THE VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN NOVEMBER SPECIFICALLY ALLOWING THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR BROADBAND EXPANSION WHICH WE KNOW IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING ALABAMA RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

JUST ABOUT EVERY INTERVIEW IT COMES UP IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER FROM EDUCATION TO HEALTHCARE AND TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

>> QUALITY OF LIFE, ECONOMIC RECRUITMENT.

THERE WAS WITH A DAY WHEN THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WAS WHERE ARE THE ROADS.

THAT'S NOT SO IMPORTANT ANYMORE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION RECENTLY AIRED A DOCUMENTARY TITLED THE FORGOTTEN CREEKS.

HERE'S A CLIP.

>> THERE ARE CIVILIZATIONS THAT DIDN'T STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

THEY DIED OUT.

OUR PEOPLE WALKED THIS LAND FAR BEFORE ANYBODY EVER TOUCHED IT.

>> OVER 560 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES IN NORTH AMERICA.

NO TWO ARE THE SAME.

>> ANDREW JACKSON WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT IN 1829.

THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE CONGRESS PASSES THE INDIAN REMOVAL ACT, WHICH JACKSON SIGNED.

>> A FORCED MARCH FROM THE SOUTHEAST TO NEW LANDS IN PRESENT DAY OKLAHOMA, BOTH OF MY GRANDMOTHERS DID NOT GET THEIR GED UNTIL THEY WERE IN THEIR 50s.

THINK OF THE STRUGGLINGS THEY HAD GROWING UP THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO SCHOOL.

>> I THINK IT MADE THEM FEEL INFERIOR.

IT DID FOR ME.

THAT YOU WERE LESSER.

>> CULTURE IS NOT JUST LANGUAGE AND NOT JUST HISTORY, BUT IT'S ALSO A WAY OF BEING.

>> WAS IT GOOD TO BE NATIVE AMERICAN?

NO, IT WASN'T.

>> YOU GOT DOCUMENT THROUGHOUT TIME THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HERE, THAT YOU HAVE HAD LEADERSHIP.

THAT YOU HAVE HAD PROPERTY.

THAT YOU HAVE DONE THINGS AS A TRIBAL GROUP.

>> DON'T GIVE UP.

WE BELIEVE IN YOU.

YOU BELIEVE IN YOU.

>> FOR A LONG TIME WE WERE MADE TO FEEL BAD.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE INDIAN NOW.

>> WHEN YOU BELONG TO SOMETHING, WHEN IT BELONGS TO YOU, YOU DON'T WANT TO LET GO OF IT.

>> JOINING ME FROM THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS ARE ROBBIE MCGHEE AND ARTHUR MOTHERSHED.

I WATCHED THE DOCUMENTARY AND LEARNED A LOT.

TELL ME HOW IT CAME ABOUT?

>> WE'RE EXCITED.

THEY CAME TO US A YEAR AND A HALF AND SAID THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE TWO TYPE OF DOCUMENTARIES THEY ACTUALLY FUND AND DO IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AFTER SOME DISCUSSION AND THINGS LIKE THAT THEY SAID WE NEED TO DO ONE ON THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS.

AT FIRST YOU ARE HESITANT.

WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM US?

HOW WILL IT IMPACT THE TRIBE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AFTER WORKING WITH THEM AND TRYING TO GET EVERYBODY INVOLVED ON THE SAME PAGE, I HAVE TO ADMIT IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

BUT IT WAS ALSO SOMETHING THAT TELLS A GREAT STORY, ONE WE ARE PROUD OF.

>> I'M CURIOUS, HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY FEEDBACK FROM FOLKS THAT WATCHED THE DOCUMENTARY THAT MAYBE DIDN'T BEFORE KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE HISTORY THERE?

DID YOU GET ANY FEEDBACK?

>> I CAN THINK OF TWO CALLS.

ONE WAS A TEXT.

I THINK IT WAS THE SECOND TIME IT AIRED.

FROM SOMEONE WHO I SIT ON A BOARD WITH HERE IN MONTGOMERY ACTUALLY AND SAID, I'M IN TEARS.

I THINK THIS IS AN AMAZING DOCUMENTARY AND I WASN'T AWARE OF THIS.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT.

ANOTHER WAS A LEGISLATURE THAT SAID I WATCHED IT AND SENT IT TO EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY AND SAID I NEED YOU TO WATCH THIS BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

>> THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

IT'S ONLINE.

WE'LL POST THE VIDEO ONLINE ON APTV.ORG.

IT ENDS WITH A SUCCESS STORY -- THAT'S THE WORDS THEY USE.

IT IS, OBVIOUSLY A SUCCESS STORY BECAUSE THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK HAVE -- CASINO INDUSTRY, HOW'S IT GOING?

I KNOW YOU ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ACQUIRING CASINOS IN SEVERAL STATES?

>> WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH OUR CORE PROPERTIES IN ALABAMA.

THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE DID REALIZE WE WANT TO GROW AND EXPAND OUR FOOTPRINT AND HAD TO LOOK OUTSIDE OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE ALTHOUGH WE WORK WITH THE STATE ABOUT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

EARLY 2013 WE PARTNERED WITH A COUPLE OF TRIBES ON SMALL VENTURES AND STARTED TO MOVE INTO MORE COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS IN 2015/16.

ACTUALLY CLOSED ON THE FIRST COMMERCIAL OPERATION IN 2017 AND JUST SO HAPPENED, NOT BEING IN THE UNITED STATES BUT IN THE CARIBBEAN IN ARUBA.

AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER WE CLOSED ON A SECOND PROPERTY WHICH IS PART OF THE ABC ISLANDS.

A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER, WE HEARD THE BETHLEHEM WAS ON THE MARKET.

WE TOOK A LOOK.

THAT IS OUR BIGGEST IN BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA.

SINCE THEN, WE WERE INVOLVED IN A LICENSING BID FOR A CASINO IN THE SOUTHLANDS OF CHICAGO.

IT IS TWO VILLAGES, EAST HAZELCREST AND HOMEWOOD AND WE WON THAT BID.

I GUESS IT HAS BEEN EIGHT MONTHS NOW.

WE ARE STARTING CONSTRUCTION THERE AND HOPING TO HAVE THAT CASINO OPEN IN 2024.

WE CONTINUE TO LOOK BOTH INTERNATIONALLY AND DOMESTICALLY FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

>> INTERESTING.

HERE IN ALABAMA, IT'S NO SECRET, GAMBLING CAN BE A TOUCHY SUBJECT.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE, I THINK.

THE MOST RECENT THINGS GOING ON ARE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, STEVE MARSHALL, RECENTLY WON THE SUPREME COURT VICTORY THAT HE BELIEVES IS GOING TO ALLOW HIM TO CLOSE DOWN DOG TRACK CASINOS, VICTORYLAND, AND THE REST.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

BUT CASINOS ARE DIFFERENT, FEDERALLY REGULATED.

I WAS HOPING YOU CAN EXPLAIN YOUR LEGAL STANDING VERSUS THE DOG TRACKS?

>> THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS BECAUSE WE FOLLOW FEDERAL LAW.

THERE IS THE INDIAN GAMING LAW PASSED THAT SAID THIS IS HOW GAMING CAN BE DONE ON LANDS HELD IN TRUST FOR NATIVE AMERICANS.

IT ALLOWS THE FEDERAL DEFINITION OF WHAT GAMING IS.

WE HAVE A BINGO DEFINITION THAT IS TRADITIONAL DEFINITION BUT THE FEDERAL LAW SAYS THE TRIBE CAN DO BINGO BUT ALSO UNTIL THIS FORM, IN VARIOUS FORMS.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAY FEDERAL LAW ON THIS ISSUE AND COMPARED TO STATE LAW, THERE ARE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT DO ALLOW FOR BINGO WITHIN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WHAT HAS COME TO BE NOW IS TO SAY, OKAY, WHAT'S THAT LOOK LIKE?

AND WHAT IS TAKING PLACE -- WE CAN'T JUST PIGEON THE TRACKS.

IT IS HAPPENING IN PLACES THAT AREN'T -- DON'T EVEN HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

>> ETOWAH COUNTY HAD A RAID.

>> AND OTHER PLACES.

YOU HAVE TO SEE WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND ARE THEY FOLLOWING THAT?

THAT'S THE QUESTION.

THAT'S WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS TRYING TO DETERMINE.

>> RIGHT.

I WENT THROUGH THE GAMBLING, BINGO WARS IN THE EARLY -- MID 2000S.

THERE'S ALWAYS TALK OF GAMBLING LEGISLATION EVERY TIME THE SESSION GETS CLOSE.

IT WILL BE HERE IN MARCH.

IT IS ANNUAL THING.

THEY GOT CLOSE IN 2021.

THIS WAS THE BIG EXPANSIVE BILL FROM DEL MARSH WITH OBVIOUSLY CASINOS BUT I THINK YOU ALL WERE INVOLVED IN TERMS OF EXPANDING IN TO NORTH ALABAMA AND SPORTS BETTING AND THE LOTTERY.

IT GOT REALLY CLOSE TOWARD THE END.

JUST RAN OUT OF TIME IN THE HOUSE.

LET ME ASK YOU, LOOKING TO THE NEW TERM, DO YOU EXPECT ANOTHER BILL LIKE THAT, ALL EXPANSIVE, IN THIS LEGISLATURE?

>> I HOPE SO.

AT LEAST OUR INTENT WOULD BE TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL.

THE GOVERNOR HERSELF DID A STUDY -- I GUESS IT WAS 19, MIGHT BE BEEN 20 BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE WE HAD TO DO EVERYTHING REMOTE SO IT WAS PROBABLY DURING COVID.

IT SHOWS A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL WILL -- BETWEEN 500 AND $700 MILLION A YEAR TO THE STATE COVERS AND THAT IS NOTWITHSTANDING THE INITIAL LICENSE FEES OUT THERE.

WE THINK IT IS IN THE STATE'S BEST INTEREST TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MONEY ON THEM TABLE.

AS ROB JUST POINTED OUT, THERE IS GAMING IN THE STATE.

WE ARE OBVIOUSLY DOING IT AND OTHER FACILITIES ARE DOING IT AND THE STATE SHOULD CAPITALIZE ON IT INSTEAD OF IGNORING IT AND PUSHING IT DOWN THE ROAD.

>> SURE.

SO, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT BILL WOULD HAVE ALLOW TABLE GAMES.

RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE JUST MACHINES?

>> YEAH, WE FOLLOW THE DEFINITION, ELECTRONIC BINGO.

>> RIGHT.

IF NEXT YEAR YOU SUDDENLY WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE TABLE GAMES, DOES THAT INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN COMING?

IS THAT GOOD FOR BUSINESS OR WHAT?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT -- SO, WHAT THAT BILL DID IS PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CASINO-STYLE GAMING TO EVERYBODY LISTED WITHIN THE BILL.

IT WASN'T JUST THE TRIBE.

THE TRIBE -- OUR THREE LOCATIONS WOULD FALL UNDER THE COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS.

WHAT WOULD OCCUR THEN IS IF YOU PROVIDED US AND WE CALL IT WITHIN THE FEDERAL REALM, CLASS 3 GAMING WE COULD PAY REVENUE OFF OF THOSE GAMES TO THE STATE.

BECAUSE YOU ARE GIVING US SOMETHING IN RETURN.

THAT'S WHAT WE WERE THINKING FROM THAT EXCHANGE HAVING THE NORTHEAST PROPERTY.

BECAUSE SINCE YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE GAMING TO THE OTHER ENTITIES THAT WERE IN THAT BILL, THEN WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY GET?

SO WE SAID, WE WILL LOOK AT THE NORTHEAST PROPERTY AND THEN WE WILL LOOK AT A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND PAY WHATEVER THE TAX IS WITHIN THE LEGISLATION.

SO -- WE ALREADY HAVE -- PEOPLE FORGET WE OWN THE MOBILE GREYHOUND TRACK.

SO, YOU HAVE THE OTHER TRACKS, US AND THEN THE ONLY OTHER IS, AS I POINTED OUT, JUST THE COME PACT FOR THE THREE SITES IN THE STATE.

>> EVEN IF THERE WASN'T LEGISLATION, ARE YOU STILL INTERESTED IN COMPACT WITH THE STATE?

I THINK THE GOVERNOR CAN JUST NEGOTIATE THAT ON HER OWN?

>> I THINK WHAT WE HAVE RUN INTO IS YOU HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS.

WITHIN FEDERAL LAW IT CLEARLY STATES THE GOVERNOR HAS THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE A COMPACT WITH THE TRIBE.

I THINK THERE'S SOME ARGUMENTS DOES SHE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE SCOPE OF THE CONSTITUTION AND YOU ARE TAKING, YOU KNOW, GAMING AND EXPANDING IT, THE DEFINITION ITSELF.

WE BELIEVE WE ONLY NEED TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR ENABLING LEGISLATION, DIRECTING THE GOVERNOR TO NEGOTIATE A COMPACT.

IT IS A FINE LINE.

I BELIEVE SHE DOES.

ARTHUR MAY BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY.

>> I BELIEVE SHE DOES.

I DON'T KNOW THAT HER OR ANY OTHER GOVERNOR WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK BECAUSE THERE IS A QUESTION OUT THERE.

THERE'S DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF THE LAW AND DIFFERENT IN EACH STATE AND HOW IT IS APPLIED.

THE RISK FOR THE SIT, THE SITTING GOVERNOR AND PREVIOUS GOVERNORS HAS BEEN IF I DO IT IS IT GOING TO BE OVERTURNED AND CHALLENGED AND IF SO WHY NOT GO THE LEGISLATIVE ROUTE?

>> YEP.

SWITCHING GEARS REAL QUICK.

I UNDERSTAND YOU HAD A BIG POWWOW ON THANKSGIVING DAY ATMORE.

I THINK WE MAY HAVE SOME PHOTOS.

TELL US ABOUT THE HISTORY AND WHAT HAPPENED.

>> HOPEFULLY, IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY, IT TALKS ABOUT THIS GATHERING THAT WE STARTED.

THIS WAS OUR 50th POWWOW.

THAT'S WHY IT WAS SPECIAL.

OF COURSE -- >> SHOULD HAVE BEEN 52.

>> BECAUSE OF COVID WE COULDN'T HAVE IT A COUPLE OF YEARS AND SUCH.

IT WAS A HOMECOMING.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS, HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING A LOT OF TRIBAL MEMBERS HOME AND THEIR FAMILIES AND A LOT OF NATIVE AMERICANS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THAT WERE COMING OUT AND DOING VARIOUS COMPETITION STYLE DANCING.

YOU HAD DRUMMERS -- I WANT TO SAY SIX DRUM GROUPS WERE ALL OVER THE U.S. COMING AND DOING COMPETITIVE DRUMMING AND SUCH.

ROUGHLY LOOKING AT 10 TO 12,000 PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATED ON THANKSGIVING DAY AND THE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY THAT FOLLOWS.

IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

AND I THINK WE HAVE PUT COVID BEHIND US AND GOING FORWARD.

NEXT YEAR WE SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED A PAVILION.

NOW IT WILL BE COVERED.

AND BEFORE IT HAS BEEN OUT IN THE ELEMENTS.

PRETTY EXCITING.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE?

>> WE HAVEN'T GOT THE OFFICIAL COUNT, 10 TO 12 THOUSAND PEOPLE ATTENDED.

>> A BIG PAVILION TO COVER.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THAT IS COOL.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME FOR DRIVING UP FROM ATMORE TO DO THIS INTERVIEW BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FROM ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1969 BY THE MUSCLE SHOALS RHYTHM SECTION KNOWN AS THE SWAMPERS UNTIL THE MID '80s IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER RECORDING STUDIOS IN THE NATION.

MUSCLE SHOALS PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC AS A PRODUCTION FACILITY AND STYLISTIC EMBODIMENT OF SOUTHERN REGIONAL MUSIC.

THE STUDIO HELD A UNIQUE PLACE OF MUSIC.

FROM THE ROLLING STONES TO ARETHA FRANKLIN, PERFORMERS REPRESENT THE MOST NOTABLE AND POPULAR ARTISTS OF THE TIME.

THE REMARKABLE CONSISTENCY OF THE MUSIC CREATED BY THE SWAMPERS IS A TESTAMENT TO THE SYNERGY OF THE PLAYERS AND THEIR DEDICATION TO THE ART OF RECORDING.

THE LEGACY IS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AND TESTIFIES TO THE ABILITY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

IT WAS PLACED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES ON JUNE 2, 2006.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK, FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 AND SUNDAY AT NOON RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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