>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, ALABAMA WAS POISED THIS EVENING TO BE THE FIRST STATE TO CARRY OUT AN EXECUTION THIS NEW YEAR, AS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FROM ALABAMA TO LIFT A STAY ISSUED BY A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT.

WILLIE B. SMITH WAS FACING LETHAL INJECTION FOR THE 1991 SHOTGUN SLAYING OF SHARMA RUTH JOHNSON.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGED SMITH ABDUCTED HER FROM A BIRMINGHAM ATM, FORCED HER INTO HIS CAR TRUNK, USED HER BANK CARD TO WITHDRAW $80, TOOK JOHNSON TO A CEMETERY WHERE HE SHOT HER TO DEATH, THEN SET HER CAR ON FIRE.

THE APPELLATE COURT ISSUED THE STAY WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO CONSIDER CLAIMS THAT THE STATE FAILED TO GIVE JOHNSON, WHO HAS AN IQ BELOW 75, REQUIRED ASSISTANCE WITH PAPERWORK RELATED TO HIS EXECUTION.

THE APPELLATE COURT ALSO ISSUED A SEPARATE RULING SAYING ALABAMA COULDN'T PUT SMITH TO DEATH UNLESS IT ALLOWED HIS PERSONAL PASTOR IN THE EXECUTION CHAMBER.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL HAD ASKED THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO LIFT THE STAY AND ALLOW THIS EVENING'S EXECUTION TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE STATE SENATE TODAY BEGAN DEBATE ON A SWEEPING GAMBLING EXPANSION BILL.

IT'S LEGISLATION THAT WAS INTRODUCED ON TUESDAY, RECEIVED COMMITTEE APPROVAL ON WEDNESDAY AND WAS ALREADY ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY.

THE BILL IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON, AND IT WOULD CREATE A LOTTERY AND ALLOW FOR FIVE CASINOS AROUND THE STATE.

FOUR OF THOSE WOULD BE AT EXISTING DOG TRACKS AND THE FIFTH WOULD BE BUILT BY THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA.

SOME LAWMAKERS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THOSE LOCATIONS, BUT THERE ALSO WAS A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR MARSH'S LEGISLATION.

>> I DO NOT INTEND IN PASSING EITHER OF THESE BILLS TODAY.

MY INTENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S FULL INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROCESS AND THAT THE PUBLIC HAS FULL KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.

>> I THINK THAT THIS IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ENHANCE OUR STATE TREMENDOUSLY.

>> DON: SENATOR MARSH'S GAMBLING PLAN WOULD OSTENSIBLY GO UP FOR A FULL VOTE OF THE SENATE AFTER THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE BREAK.

THE STATE HOUSE TODAY GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO A THIRD BILL CONSIDERED PRIORITY IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT WOULD GIVE LIMITED IMMUNITY TO BUSINESSES AND OTHER ENTITIES AGAINST COVID-19-RELATED LAWSUITS, IF THEY ACTED IN GOOD FAITH TO GUARD AGAINST THE VIRUS.

IT WAS SPONSORED IN THE LOWER CHAMBER BY REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FAULKNER OF BIRMINGHAM.

>> BY GIVING THESE ENTITIES AND THEIR WORKERS, PROTECTION AGAINST CIVIL LIABILITY AND CERTAIN DAMAGES CLAIMED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO ALLEGED THAT THEY CONTRACTED OR WERE EXPOSED TO COVID-19 DUE TO AN ACT OR OMISSION OF A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER OR THEIR EMPLOYEES, WE GIVE THEM THE BACKING THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER >> DON: WITH TODAY'S FINAL PASSAGE, THE COVID LIABILITY LEGISLATION WENT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HER SIGNATURE.

TWO OTHER PRIORITY BILLS, DEALING WITH EXEMPTING STIMULUS MONEY FROM STATE TAXES AND EXTENDING CERTAIN ECONOMIC INCENTIVES, ALSO RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE THIS WEEK AND WENT TO THE GOVERNOR.

THOSE INCENTIVE EXTENSIONS HAD LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE STRESSING THEIR IMPORTANCE TODAY.

AT A STATEHOUSE NEWS CONFERENCE, REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE, WHO LED THE EFFORT TO RENEW THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT AND THE GROWING ALABAMA TAX CREDITS, WAS JOINED BY COLLEAGUES LIKE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE, IN HERALDING THE LEGISLATION.

>> THIS IS A RENEWAL OF WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY THE STATE'S PRIMARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE.

BUT WE HAVE REVISED, SHARPENED IT, RENEWED IT AND INCREASED MODESTLY, THE FUNDING FOR THE SAME.

AND IN THE EFFORT TO PRESENT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE AND NUMBER OF KEY INDUSTRY SECTORS.

>> YOU ARE COMPETING FOR JOBS AND ATTRACTING INDUSTRY AND ASKING INDUSTRY TO RELOCATE TO A CERTAIN AREA, YOU GOT TO HAVE TOOLS IN THE TOOL BELT TO MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE.

THIS IS A TREMENDOUS TOOL THAT WE HAVE HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> DON: SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER, WHO CARRIED THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES BILL IN THE UPPER CHAMBER, AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON ALSO STOOD WITH POOLE AND DANIELS TODAY TO CELEBRATE ITS FINAL PASSAGE.

AFTER A FAST AND FURIOUS OPENING TWO WEEKS, THE LEGISLATURE IS NOW ON A SHORT BREAK TO ASSESS HOW THINGS WENT WITH CORONAVIRUS HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA SAID THIS AFTERNOON THAT HE ANTICIPATES MORE OF THE SAME WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN.

>> I FULLY EXPECT US TO COME BACK IN, ON THE FOURTH WEEK, WHICH PUTS US BACK ON THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 23.

AND WE'LL DO TESTING ON THE MEMBERS THAT DAY, AS WE DID WHEN WE FIRST STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO.

AND WE'LL DO TESTING ON THE MEMBERS THEN.

WE'LL USE THE SAME PROCEDURES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE AS FAR AS MEETINGS, PUBLIC ACCESS, COMMITTEE ROOMS.

ALL OF THAT IS GOING TO STAY THE SAME AS WE MOVE INTO THAT WEEK.

AND WE'LL MAKE A DECISION, ARE WE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER BREAK OR JUST START WORKING.

DO TWO DAY WEEKS, THREE DAY WEEKS.

WE NEED TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IN THE MEETINGS WHERE THE SENATE.

>> ONE MEMBER TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS UPON RETURNING TO MONTGOMERY AND WAS SENT HOME TO QUARANTINE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE BECKY NORDGREN IS HERE IN THE STUDIO.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS, DON.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE LOTTERY LEGISLATION.

SENATOR DEL MARSH DROPPED THE LOTTERY AND EXPANSION BILL.

THEY MADE QUICK WORK OF IT IN THE SENATE TOURISM COMMITTEE.

IT WAS BEING DISCUSSED ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY ALTHOUGH A VOTE IS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE BREAK.

ONCE IT RECEIVES THE SENATE PASSAGE, IT HEADS TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE WHICH YOU CHAIR IS WHICH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM.

NO PRESSURE THERE, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

YES, WE EXPECT A LOT OF DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S SO NEW THAT WE'VE BEEN REAL BUSY WITH OUR COMMITTEES THIS WEEK HERE IN THE HOUSE.

AND I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE THE BILL AND KIND OF DIVE INTO IT, DO A DEEP DIVE AS THEY SAY.

BUT WE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE DONE THAT PRIOR TO GETTING TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> WHAT DO YOU HEAR BACK HOME ABOUT THIS TYPE OF LEGISLATION?

>> MIXED EMOTIONS.

I HAVE SEVERAL FOR LESS OF A COMPREHENSIVE TYPE OF LEGISLATION THAT JUST WANT TO ZONE IN ON THE LOTTERY.

THEY JUST WANT TO FIGURE THAT OUT FIRST BEFORE ANY OTHER GAMING ISSUES.

DEL, YOU KNOW, HE'S COVERED A LOT IN HIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND THAT MAY BE GREAT.

MIGHT BE GOOD AND THEY MAY COME AROUND TO REALLY LIKING IT, WITHOUT DOING THE DEEP DIVE, I'M NOT SURE WHERE THERE MAY BE SOURCES OF CONTENTION WITH SOME OF MY CONSTITUENTS.

BUT NOBODY CAN EVER AGREE ON EVERYTHING.

>> DO YOU AGREE THAT VOTERS SHOULD HAVE A SAY ON THIS, A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?

>> I DO.

ABSOLUTELY.

THAT WAS IN THE PAST WHEN THE VOTERS WERE NOT READY FOR ANY KIND OF LOTTERY OR GAMBLING ENTITY IN THE STATE, AND IN THE STATE, THEY STEPPED UP AND VOTED IT DOWN.

AND THEY WILL STEP UP ON THE DECISION MAKING ON THE MERITS.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE ON IT.

I'M GLAD THEY ARE VOTING ON IT.

IT'S NOT A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE MAKING THE DECISION, EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE REPRESENTATION HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

I THINK IT'S A HOT TOPIC AND ISSUE.

AND I THINK THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS HAVING A SAY IN IT IS GOING TO BE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

>> Don: SPEAKING OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, REPRESENTATIVE, YOU ARE SPONSORING ONE OF YOUR OWN IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND IT GOT A FAIR AMOUNT OF PUBLICITY.

AND IT SAYS THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

TELL US ABOUT THE PHILOSOPHY HERE.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEVER OCCURRED TO ANY OF US IN THE LAW-MAKING BODY.

ANY TIME A SPECIAL SESSION WAS CALLED SINCE I'VE BEEN ELECTED, IT WAS MERITED AND CAME AT THE PROPER TIME.

BUT SINCE COVID HAS HIT, MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS SAID, HOW IS ONE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT GETTING TO TELL EVERYBODY JUST WHAT TO DO AND WHEN TO DO IT.

>> THAT BEING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> THAT BEING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

BECAUSE WE ALL LIKE GOVERNOR IVEY, WE WERE NOT WORRIED ABOUT HER AND WHAT SHE WAS DOING.

BUT THEN I GOT TO WATCHING GOVERNORS IN OTHER STATES.

YOU KNOW, OUR GOVERNORS HAVE TERM LIMITS AND YOU NEVER KNOW, DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN THERE MAY BE SOMEONE WHO GETS A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVE WITH THEIR ABILITY OR EXECUTIVE POWER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SOMETHING DURING A PANDEMIC THAT MAY GO AGAINST THE GRAIN OF THE CITIZENRY OF ALABAMA.

WE HAD NO PROVISION, YOU KNOW, IN OUR CODE OR OUR CONSTITUTION TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR CALLING IT.

AND IN THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS GOING TO ALLOW THE SENATE PROTEM, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, TO, BY PROCLAMATION, CALL A SPECIAL SESSION IF 2/3 OF BOTH BODIES HAVE CONSENTED, AGREE TO HAVE IT.

IF YOU DON'T GET 2/3 VOTE FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION IN THE HOUSE OR IN THE SENATE, THEN YOU WOULD JUST ADJOURN, SIGN AND DIE.

THERE'S NOT A SPECIAL SESSION THAT WOULD CONTINUE ON.

>> Don: I GUESS THE CONCERN AMONGST SOME, THE LEGISLATURE COULD JUST DO WILLY-NILLY.

I MEAN, THAT WOULD NEVER BE THE CASE, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A PRESSING MATTER.

>> IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A PRESSING MATTER.

AND THAT'S THE REASON FOR 2/3 IN BOTH BODIES, HOUSE AND SENATE.

IT'S NOT JUST SOMETHING WILLY-NILLY.

I DON'T THINK YOU COULD GET 2/3 OF THE VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT WAS FRIVOLOUS.

>> THE GOVERNOR, OF COURSE, IN HAVING THE SOLE AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION ISSUES THE CALL.

WHAT LEGISLATORS WOULD CONSIDER.

LEGISLATORS CAN VOTE ON OTHER MATTERS OUTSIDE OF THE CALL IF IT'S 2/3 MAJORITY.

>> RIGHT, 2/3 MAJORITY HAS TO TAKE IT UP IN ADDITION TO WHAT SHE'S IN THE CALL TO.

>> AND WERE THOSE SAME PARAMETERS PLACED UNDER YOUR LEGISLATION?

>> WELL, IT STATES THAT IT GOES, THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS JUST LIKE WHEN THE GOVERNOR CALLS A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THAT WOULD APPLY.

>> YOU SAID YOU WERE INSPIRED BY CALLS FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS, CONCERNED ABOUT THE MASKING ORDERS AND GOVERNOR ISSUED AND RENEWED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THEY SAID TO YOU THAT THEY WISHED YOU, AS THEIR ELECTED LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE, ALSO HAD A SAY IN THE MATTER.

>> RIGHT.

THEY WANTED THEIR REPRESENTATION FOR THESE DECISIONS.

THERE WERE SEVERAL OF MY CONSTITUENTS WHO WERE GLAD FOR THE MASK ORDERS AND THEN SEVERAL WHO WEREN'T.

IRREGARDLESS, THEIR POINT WAS, HOW IS JUST ONE PERSON MAKING US DO THIS?

WHERE IS OUR REPRESENTATION.

AT FIRST IT WAS NOT A BIG CONCERN.

BUT AS THE MONTHS TICKED ON, THEY THOUGHT, NOW WAIT.

THIS IS GETTING A LITTLE BIT ONE-SIDED.

AND THEY VOICED THEIR CONCERNS WITH IT MANY TIMES.

>> Don: AND OF COURSE, THE LAST TIME THAT GOVERNOR IVEY RENEWED THE MASK ORDER, I BELIEVE IT WAS THE FIFTH TIME THAT SHE EXTENDED THAT.

AND I ASSUMED THAT AS THIS HAS RACHETED UP, YOU HAVE HEARD FROM MORE CONSTITUENTS.

>> RIGHT.

A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE SAID MASK ORDERS.

I GUESS THEY ARE KIND OF REBELLING.

I'M NOT SURE.

BUT I HAVE MINE RIGHT HERE.

>> Don: YES, INDEED.

LISTEN, DURING THE SESSION, LAWMAKERS HAVE HAD THEM IN THEIR LAP OR ON THE DESK WHILE WE'RE CHATTING.

I BELIEVE THERE'S A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT THIS.

YOU ARE NOT SAYING DON'T WEAR A MASK.

>> OH, NO, NOT AT ALL.

>> YOU ARE JUST SAYING, MAYBE THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD HAVE MORE OF A SAY IN THESE MATTERS.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT JUST THE MASK.

THE OTHER STATES HAD STAY AT HOME ORDER FOR SIX MONTHS, MAYBE I'M EXAGGERATING HERE BUT IT WAS A LONG TIME THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS AND THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO DO A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE ALLOWED TO DO IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO, YOU WONDER, IF THERE WAS SOMEBODY ELSE'S GOVERNOR, WOULD THEY HAVE REACTED MUCH LIKE THE OTHER STATE'S GOVERNORS WHO HELD THEIR CITIZENRY AT HOME FOR MULTIPLE MONTHS.

FORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT MADE TO DO THAT AS SEVERAL OTHER STATES.

BUT YOU WORRY, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE FUTURE GOVERNOR.

>> THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

REPRESENTATIVE BECKY NORDGREN OF GADSDEN, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK!

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE PEBBLIN WARREN BACK ON THE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU AND GREAT TO BE BACK AND IN THE NUMBERS.

GREAT TO BE IN THE NUMBERS NOWADAYS!

>> Don: REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S START WITH THE SWEEPING EXPANSION BILL THAT WAS INTRODUCED THIS WEEK.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE BINGO ASPECTS OF IT BECAUSE THAT EFFECTS YOUR DISTRICT HAVING A LOCAL BINGO AMENDMENT THERE.

IT WOULD PROTECT CHARITABLE BINGO BUT LIMITS ELECTRONIC BINGO.

SO, TELL ME HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS.

>> WELL, AS LONG AS WE CAN DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO SUPPORT OUR CHARITIES, THAT'S WHERE WE STARTED AND THAT'S OUR WHOLE PURPOSE IS DEALING WITH THE CHARITIES.

BUT I THINK THAT WHAT THIS BILL DOES, IT GIVES ONLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY PAPER BINGO.

AND WHEN WE LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE WITH VICTORYLAND AND THE FACILITY AND WHAT IT CAN ACTUALLY DO, IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT BETTER BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO GIVE US OPEN-STYLE CASINOS.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET TO.

ONCE TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO FULL FORCE AND OPEN-STYLE CASINOS, MACON COUNTY IS GOING TO BE DOING GOOD.

>> YOU ARE OKAY WITH THE BINGO ASPECT, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.

BUT THE BIGGER THING IS THE VICTORY LAND, GREYHOUND TRACKS IS GOING TO GET CASINO LEGISLATION.

HOW HUGE IS THAT FOR MACON COUNTY?

>> WELL, THAT WILL BE IT.

THAT WILL BE THE DREAM THAT MILTON MCGREGOR HAD THAT WILL COME TRUE.

THAT'S WHAT HE FOUGHT FOR SO LONG TO GET THE FULL BLOWN CASINO STYLE GAMING AND EVEN DEALING WITH THE NATIVE AMERICANS AND TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THERE.

I THINK THAT WILL BE GOOD.

THE ONLY RESERVATION THAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW WITH THE BILL IS THAT THEY HAVE LICENSE FEE, THEN THEY HAVE THE TAX FEE.

AND THINK RIGHT NOW, I DON'T REALLY AGREE WITH THE 20%, ESPECIALLY NOT FOR MACON COUNTY.

AND THE REASON I DON'T AGREE WITH IT -- >> THE 20% TAX?

>> RIGHT.

YEAH, WE CAN LIVE WITH 15% BUT THE 20% IS GOING A LITTLE OVERBOARD.

THE REASON I SAY THAT, BECAUSE FOR VICTORYLAND TO OPEN UP AND BE AT THE LEVEL IT SHOULD BE, THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE A LOT OF INVESTMENTS ON VICTORYLAND'S PART.

SO, WHAT I SAY, IF WE CAN LEAVE IT AT 15%, THAT'S GOING TO LEAVE THEM THE FREEDOM TO GO IN AND GET THE REVENUE NEEDED TO BRING THEIR POSITION, THE FACILITY UP TO PAR.

BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, THE MAIN COMPETITION FOR VICTORY LAND ARE THE NATIVE AMERICANS.

THOSE ARE OUR COMPETITORS IN THIS AREA.

THEY HAVE ONLY HAD TO CLOSE FOR COVID.

WE'VE HAD TO CLOSE FOR SEVERAL TIMES.

WE'VE BEEN IN COURT.

WE'VE GOT LEGAL FEES.

WE'VE INCURRED A LOT.

SO, IN ORDER TO BE REALLY COMPETITIVE AGAIN, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE A MAJOR INVESTMENT INTO VICTORYLAND AND IF WE CAN LOWER THAT TAX RATE TO 15%, THAT'S GOING TO GIVE THEM THE FLEXIBILITY.

AND ALSO, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE LENGTH OF THE LICENSE.

WHEN YOU GO TO A FINANCIAL ENTITY TO BORROW MONEY, THEY ARE NOT LOOKING AT SHORT TERM.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT LONG TERM.

AND BECAUSE OF THE, SOME OF THE SHORT TERM THINGS THERE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS THERE.

BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, DON.

WHEN VICTORYLAND CLOSED, THAT'S WHEN THE STATE SAW THE DECREASE IN THE TAX REVENUE.

IF WE CAN OPEN UP AND FULLY OPERATE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE INCOME TAX.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SALES TAX.

ALCOHOL TAX.

TOBACCO TAX.

LEASING TAX.

SO, I FEEL AS THOUGH ALL OF THOSE COMBINED WILL FAR EXCEED WHAT THEY WOULD GET WITH THE 20%.

>> YOU THINK THAT CAN BE NEGOTIATED DURING THE PROCESS?

>> OH, YEAH, YEAH.

IN TALKING TO SENATOR MARSH, THAT'S WHY HE'S INTRODUCING IT SO EARLY, PUTTING IT OUT THERE SO EVERYBODY CAN HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD AND SIT DOWN AND COMPROMISE, COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY CAN LIVE WITH.

AND THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AMENABLE BECAUSE IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING WHEN THE OWNERS AND EVERYBODY GOT TOGETHER, THEY ALL AGREED THAT THEY COULD WORK WITH THE 15, NOT THE 20%.

AND I THINK THAT AS LEGISLATORS, WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE EVER GONE INTO FULL-BLOWN, GAMING CASINOS.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN.

THE BEST WAY TO LEARN IS LEARNING FROM OTHER STATES.

AND I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS.

ONCE YOU LOOK AROUND MISSISSIPPI, FLORIDA, AND THEY ARE NOT ASKING 20% FROM THEIR FEES.

I THINK AS WE'RE LOOKING IN THE SURROUNDING STATES, WE CAN DO SOMETHING THAT'S COMFORTABLE TO START ON.

WE CAN SUN SUNSET, THE 15, AFTER FIVE OR 10, 15 YEARS.

CONSIDER ANOTHER ONE.

BUT WE GOT TO BE MINDFUL OF WHERE WE ARE FINANCIALLY AT VICTORY LAND FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE HAD TO GO THROUGH.

WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF IT.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE LET ME TELL YOU.

THIS IS THE WAY THE GAMES ARE PLAYED DOWN HERE, OKAY.

THAT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

AND IN THE HOUSE, WE NEED 63 VOTES.

I DON'T THINK COMFORTABLY NOW THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE 63 VOTES.

SO, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND COMPROMISE WITH US TO COME UP WITH A BILL THAT THEY CAN GET THE 63 VOTES.

I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC.

I THINK GIVEN THE TIMES AS WE'RE STARTING EARLY IN THE SESSION, AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO GO WITH COVID, BUT I THINK THAT IT'S GOOD WE'RE STARTING OFF WITH THIS NOW SO EVERYBODY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS OPINIONS, GIVING THEIR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

I DO KNOW FOR THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AND THE BLACK CAUCUS, WE'RE GOING TO STAND FIRM AND MAKE SURE, THE EQUALITY SPREADS ACROSS.

WE HAVE NOTHING AGAINST NATIVE AMERICANS BECAUSE I SAID, AND I STATED IT, I'M GOING TO TRY TO MEET WITH MCGHEE, WE STARTED THE WHOLE THING IN MACON COUNTY THAT MADE IT ACCESSIBLE TO THEM.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL COME TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY IS GETTING A FAIR SHARE OUT OF THIS DEAL.

I'M REMAINING VERY, VERY OPTIMISTIC, WHERE WE ARE NOW, THIS IS THE TIME AND THIS IS THE YEAR TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WE'RE OUT OF TIME, BRIEFLY BEFORE WE CLOSE, YOU WERE BACK THIS YEAR WITH THE MANDATORY KINDERGARTEN BILL AND IT GOT OUT OF COMMITTEE AND HEADED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AFTER LEGISLATIVE BREAK.

>> RIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE AGENDA WHEN WE COME BACK, WHATEVER THAT TUESDAY IS.

>> TELL US BRIEFLY, YOUR PHILOSOPHY WITH THE MANDATORY KINDERGARTEN.

>> WELL, TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE PROPERLY PREPARING OUR KIDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE CAN'T HAVE A KID IN PRE K, KINDERGARTEN AND GO TO FIRST GRADE AND THEN WE GOT KIDS OUT HERE THAT HAVEN'T BEEN TO PRE K OR KINDERGARTEN AND YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THEY ARE ALL WITH SOLID FOUNDATION, STARTING OFF WITH EQUAL STARTING FOUNDATIONS AND FAIR TO THE STUDENT IN THE SITUATION, AND FAIR TO THE ONES ADVANCED.

AND ALSO, FAIR TO THE TEACHERS THAT ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE STUDENTS.

I'M HOPING THAT THINGS WILL GO.

SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THE WORD MANDATE.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE IN EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE COVID SITUATION, TO BE HONEST, DON, WE PROBABLY HAVE KIDS THAT HAVEN'T OPENED A BOOK SINCE MARCH OF LAST YEAR.

OKAY?

AND TO THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO BRING ALL OF THOSE KIDS BACK AND THEY ARE READY TO BE SUCCESSFUL TOGETHER IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

IF THERE'S EVER A TIME THAT I SAID BEFORE THE CHILD GOATS TO FIRST GRADE, THEY NEED TO GO TO KINDERGARTEN AND IT'S NOW.

HOPEFULLY I'LL FIGHT THE FIGHT AND GET MY SENATORS UPSTAIRS AND CONVINCED THE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

IT MAKES US LOOK GOOD.

THERE WERE 50 STATES AND THAT SAYS, WE'RE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TOTEM POLL.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT BETTER, TRULY I'M IN FOR IT.

AND IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT, ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

>> Don: ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU DURING THE SESSION.

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

>> THE WORLD WAR II AIRMEN, FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PILOTS IN THE U.S. MILITARY SERVICE.

BECAUSE TUSKEGEE WAS THE ONLY TRAINING FACILITY FOR BLACK PILOTS IN WORLD WAR II, POTENTIAL PILOTS CAME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

AND THE FIRST ONE FLYING WAS THE 99TH FIGHTER SQUADRON AND IT EARNED SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR FLYING MISSIONS OVER ITALY.

AND THE SECOND ONE, 332 AND P51 FIGHTERS HAD DISTINCTIVELY PAINTED RED TAILS EARNING THE NICKNAME RED TAILS.

IN 1948, PRESIDENT SHUMAN ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDER MANDATING THE COMPLETING OF SEGREGATION OF ALL OF THE MILITARY BRANCHES.

AND PRESIDENT BUSH ISSUED CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS OF HONOR FOR THEM TOO.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 ON CAPITOL JOURNAL: WEEK IN REVIEW.

WE'LL HAVE A COMPETE WRAP-UP OF THE LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THE SWEEPING GAMBLING EXPANSION BILL THAT HE GOT PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

HE'LL DISCUSS THE LOTTERY, GAMING AND SPORTS BETTING ASPECTS.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL, WHO'LL DISCUSS HIS POSSIBLE CANDIDACY FOR THE U.S. SENATE, AS WELL AS ELECTION INTEGRITY AND HOW IT FIGURED PROMINENTLY IN THIS WEEK'S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN WASHINGTON.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT VACCINATION EFFORTS AND THE PANDEMIC.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.