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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" WEEK IN REVIEW.

THERE'S A LOT OF NEWS TO COVER, HERE'S WHAT WE HAVE COMING UP IN THE INTERVIEW PORTION OF THE SHOW.

I'LL SIT DOWN WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF TOPICS, INCLUDING HER SUPPORT OF SCHOOL CHOICE AND GAMBLING LEGISLATION, PLUS THE LATEST WITH ALABAMA'S PRISON SITUATION.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON JOINS US TO OFFER THE DEMOCRATS' PERSPECTIVE ON MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING ABSENTEE VOTING RESTRICTIONS AND POSSIBLE GAMBLING REVENUE FOR EXPANDED HEALTH CARE.

I'LL ALSO VISIT WITH MY APT COLLEAGUES J. WHISTON AND T. MARIE KING, THE FILMMAKERS WHO PRODUCED THE DOCUMENTARY "SHUTTLESWORTH, " WHICH WILL BE AIRED NATIONALLY BY PBS NEXT WEEK.

AND FINALLY A SPECIAL TREAT FOR LISTENERS OF THE POPULAR ADVISORY OPINIONS LEGAL PODCAST, HOSTS SARAH ISGUR AND DAVID FRENCH JOIN ME TO TALK ABOUT THEIR UPCOMING LIVE TAPING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF LAW.

SO YOU'LL WANT TO STICK AROUND FOR THOSE INTERVIEWS.

IT HAS BEEN QUITE A WEEK HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

THE LEGISLATURE MET FOR THE FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH LEGISLATIVE DAYS OF THE 30-DAY SESSION.

THAT MEANS WE ARE NOW ONE FIFTH OF THE WAY THOUGH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT WAS AN ACTION PACKED WEEK WITH HIGH PROFILE BILLS MOVING.

WE'LL START IN THE HOUSE, WHERE LAWMAKERS PASSED A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PACKAGE.

THERE HAVE BEEN PASSIONATE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE GAMBLING PACKAGE SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED LAST WEEK, AND THOSE ARGUMENTS SPILLED OUT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> IN ALABAMA, IT'S GAME TIME.

LAWMAKERS IN THE ALABAMA HOUSE ARE TAKING THEIR POSITIONS TO START DEBATE ON HOUSE BILLS 151 AND 152, COVERING THE STATE'S GAMING PROPOSAL.

>> IT REPLACES SECTION 65 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ALABAMA OF 2022, REPEALS ALL LOCAL CAS RELATED TO GAMING AND PROHIBITS ANY FUTURE LOCAL CAS RELATED TO GAMING TO BE PASSED.

>> FOR OVER 20 YEARS, THE TOPIC OF GAMING HAS COME UP FOR DISCUSSION IN THE ALABAMA STATEHOUSE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

IRONICALLY MANY SAY THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON THE TOPIC AND THERE'S A DEBATE GOING ON ABOUT THAT.

AFTER STUDYING THE BILLS, MEMBERS CAME READY TO DEBATE.

>> MY WHOLE THING IS IF WE ARE GOING TO DO IT, LET'S DO IT.

EITHER VOTE IT UP OR DOWN.

I'M TIRED OF OUR PEOPLE BEING PENALIZED FOR A SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN RIGHT.

WE, AS LEGISLATORS, SHOULD ALLOW THE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE TO VOTE.

>> THIS HAS DOCUMENTED FACTS FROM EVERY STATE THAT'S GONE INTO A FULL-SCALE GAMBLING.

IT'S VERIFIED.

WE KNOW THAT THE GAMING INDUSTRY IS SHRINKING EVERY YEAR.

WE ARE GETTING INTO IT, INTO A SHRINKING INDUSTRY BUT COMING IN ON SUPER STEROIDS BECAUSE THIS IS THE STRONGEST GAMBLING BILL I'VE EVER SEEN.

>> HOWEVER, MUCH WE DO WITH GAMBLING IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT ME.

I DON'T DO IT, BUT PEOPLE NEED THE RIGHT TO DECIDE HOW THEY LIVE THEIR LIFE, AND PEOPLE NEED TO DECIDE WHAT THEY DO WITH THEIR OWN MONEY.

AND PEOPLE NEED THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.

I THINK -- I THINK AMENDING THIS CONSTITUTION ANYTIME WE CAN TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT IS A POSITIVE THING.

>> WHEN I LOOK AT THIS SITUATION WE'RE IN WITH AN AMENDMENT, TO PUT ANOTHER ITEM INTO PLAY THAT WOULD BE DAMAGING TO FAMILIES AND TO CHILDREN, IT REALLY CAUSES ME A LOT OF DIFFICULTY TO FIND A WAY TO EVEN CONSIDER SUPPORTING IT.

>> HOUSE BILL 151 AND 152 ARE APPROVED BY THE HOUSE AND NOW HEAD TO THE SENATE.

FROM THE STATEHOUSE, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> LET'S REVIEW ONE MORE TIME WHAT THIS LEGISLATION DOES.

IF APPROVED IT WOULD SCRAP ALL OF ALABAMA'S EXISTING GAMBLING LAWS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING LOCAL BINGO AMENDMENTS.

THEN THE PLAN WOULD INSTITUTE A STATE LOTTERY, EXPAND AND REGULATE CASINO GAMBLING, AND LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING.

IT WOULD SET UP A COMMISSION WITH A STAFF STRUCTURE TO REGULATE THE INDUSTRY WITH COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BUT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

TEN CASINOS WOULD BE ALLOWED UNDER THE PLAN, INCLUDING THE CURRENT THREE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIAN SITES.

OPERATORS COULD BID FOR LICENSES IN MACON, GREENE, MOBILE, JEFFERSON, HOUSTON AND LOWNDES COUNTIES, WHERE OF COURSE THERE ARE EXISTING GAMBLING OPERATIONS.

THERE WOULD ALSO BE AN ADDITIONAL LICENSE AWARDED PENDING APPROVAL OF A COMPACT WITH THE POARCH CREEKS.

CASINOS WOULD BE TAXED AT 24%, WHILE SPORTS BETTING WOULD BE TAXED AT 17%.

PROPONENTS ESTIMATE REVENUE TO THE STATE WOULD BE BETWEEN $800 MILLION AND A BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY.

WHERE WOULD THAT MONEY GO?

LOTTERY PROCEEDS WOULD ALL GO TOWARD A SPECIAL FUND SET ASIDE FOR EDUCATION.

CASINO AND SPORTS BETTING REVENUE WOULD BE PLACED IN A TRUST FUND TO SHORE UP GENERAL FUND ACCOUNTS AND THEN USED FOR EXPENDITURES LIKE HEALTH CARE, MENTAL HEALTH, STATE PARKS, STATE RETIREE BENEFITS, AND OTHER NON-RECCURING EXPENSES.

>>> MOVING NOW TO THE SENATE, WHICH EARLY IN THE WEEK TOOK UP REPUBLICANS' TOP PRIORITY OF CRACKING DOWN ON WHAT THEY CHARACTERIZE AS BALLOT HARVESTING.

SENATE BILL ONE FROM STATE SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER WOULD MAKE IT A MISDEMEANOR TO HANDLE A NON FAMILY MEMBER'S ABSENTEE BALLOT OR TO DISTRIBUTE BALLOT APPLICATIONS WITH PRE-FILLED VOTER INFORMATION.

IT WOULD MAKE IT A FELONY TO PAY SOMEONE OR RECEIVE PAYMENT TO HANDLE SOMEONE ELSE'S ABSENTEE BALLOT OR BALLOT APPLICATION.

DEMOCRATS STRONGLY OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL, SAYING INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITY IS RARE AND THAT THIS WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE TO VOTE.

THAT LED TO A MORE THAN TWO-HOUR FILIBUSTER ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> I'VE HEARD THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THIS BILL THAT LIMITS PEOPLE TO VOTE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS BILL IS ABOUT.

THIS IS ABOUT PEOPLE TO GET TO THE POLLS, TO BE ABLE TO VOTE AND WHO THEY WANT TO VOTE FOR.

IT SHOULDN'T BE A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT OR INDEPENDENT BILL.

IT IS ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE TO THE VOTE AND MAKING SURE IT IS A FREE AND OPEN AND SECURE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THEIR BALLOT COUNTS.

THE KEY IS RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT ALWAYS SECURE.

THIS BILL DEALS WITH THE LAST LEG OF NATIONAL INTEGRITY LAWS WE NEED IN ALABAMA.

>> I DISAGREE WITH THE FACT, RESPECTFULLY YOU SAY IT IS HAPPENING AND I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT DATA THAT IS PRESENTED ACROSS THE STATE TO SAY IT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE IF IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING, IN TERMS OF HARVESTING BALLOTS, IF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PAYING PEOPLE TO DO THAT, THEN I DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAVEN'T HAD MORE CONVICTIONS.

>> THE BILL EVENTUALLY PASSED ON A 28-7 VOTE AND NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE ALSO TOOK UP A BILL THAT WOULD OVERHAUL THE GOVERNING STRUCTURE OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.

AS "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" JEFF SANDERS REPORTS, THE LEGISLATION FACED STRONG OPPOSITION FROM DEMOCRATS WHO QUESTION THE NECESSITY AND INTENT OF THE BILL.

HERE'S HIS STORY.

>> FROM A CHARGED COMMITTEE MEETING.

>> THIS IS HOW IT IS GOING TO WORK.

WE WILL MAKE A MOTION AND THEN A SECOND.

>> I'M GOING TO LEAVE.

>> TO A HEATED DEBATE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> WE CAN'T BE ON AN EMOTIONAL RIDE HERE.

>> SENATE BILL 77 BY REPUBLICAN SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT PASSED THROUGH THE SENATE THIS WEEK BY A VOTE OF 28-5.

>> BOARDS ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHO ARE THEN ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE.

THE ARCHIVES AND HISTORY BOARD SHOULDN'T BE AN EXEMPTION TO THAT.

HE ARGUES IT AIMS TO IMPOSE STRICTER RULES BY GIVING THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS.

THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER CHALLENGED HIM SUGGESTING THAT ELLIOTT DISAGREES WITH HOW THE DEPARTMENT PORTRAYS THE STATE'S HISTORY.

>> WHY DON'T YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND BAN THE SUBJECT MATTER FROM BEING OVER IN HISTORY AND ARCHIVES.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BOARD.

>> WHAT'S NOT RELEVANT IS WHO SOMEBODY HAD SEX WITH LAST NIGHT.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

IT DOESN'T MATTER FOR YOU.

IT DOESN'T MATTER FOR ME.

WHAT MATTERS IS WHAT WE DO, WHAT WE CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY.

>> STEVE MURRAY, THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVE AND HISTORY DEFENDED THE DEPARTMENT'S APPROACH STATING THEIR LGBTQ FIGURES FROM ALABAMA WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THE INTENDED AUDIENCE.

>> IT HAS SOME CONTENT ABOUT THE PROMINENT MEMBERS PART OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

NOTHING GRAPHIC OR OBJECTIONABLE ABOUT IT.

IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THE GENERAL ADULT AUDIENCES THE PROGRAM WAS PROMOTED TO.

>> MURRAY EMPHASIZED THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMITMENT TO ACCURACY IN PRESENTING THE STATE HISTORY.

>> WHAT CONCERNS US MOST ABOUT THE LEGISLATION MOVING THROUGH THE STATEHOUSE RIGHT NOW IS THE FACT IT CREATES ENTIRELY AT WILL APPOINTMENTS, SO THAT A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE DEPARTMENT COULD BE REMOVED AT ANYTIME BY THEIR APPOINTING AUTHORITIES FOR ANY REASON OR NO REASON.

>> IT'S A SIMPLE MEASURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE TO BE HEARD IF THEY HAVE AN ISSUE.

>> REPORTING FROM THE STATEHOUSE IN MONTGOMERY, I'M JEFF SANDERS FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>>> THE SENATE ALSO TOOK UP LEGISLATION AIMED AT RAISING THE COMPENSATION FOR LOCAL BOARDS OF REGISTRARS, AND IT SPARKED SOME DEBATE.

SPONSORED BY SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON, SENATE BILL 81 SEEKS TO INCREASE THE DAILY PAY FOR REGISTRARS FROM $80 TO $100.

DURING DISCUSSIONS, SOME SENATORS REPORTED RECEIVING PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS URGING THEM TO OPPOSE THE BILL DUE TO CONCERNS OVER LANGUAGE ABOUT RACIAL QUOTAS.

THAT LED TO SOME CLARIFYING CONVERSATIONS ON THE FLOOR.

>> ONE CALLED ME AND SAID SUPPORT, SUPPORT, SUPPORT WE HAVE A SMALL RAISE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO US IN THIS.

AND ANOTHER SAID VOTE NO, VOTE NO.

BECAUSE OF AN ELEMENT WHERE THEY THINK THEY ARE BEING REQUIRED TO DO SOMETHING IN THIS LEGISLATION IN REGARDS TO WHO CAN BE APPOINTED AS A REGISTRAR.

>> WHEREVER POSSIBLE, TO MAKE SURE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF THE STATE.

IT'S NOT THAT THEY HAVE TO DO IT.

IT IS ONLY TO ENSURE WHERE POSSIBLE THAT THEY CAN DO THAT.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOME COUNTIES THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT BUT AT LEAST COORDINATE TOGETHER AND TRY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IT'S LIKE BEING IN A BLACK BELT COUNTY.

BECAUSE WHEN I LOOK AT IT, MR. PRESIDENT, THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS SHOULDN'T BE ABOUT REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATS BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN ELECTORAL PROCESS WHERE EVERYBODY, BLACK, WHITE, CITIZEN, EVERYBODY COMES TO THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND SHOULD BE COMFORTABLE TO GO TO THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS.

>> THE BILL PASSED 15-10 WITH ONE ABSTENTION AND TEN SENATORS NOT VOTING.

MOST OF THOSE WERE ATTORNEYS WHO WANT TO AVOID A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

IT WAS ALSO A BUSY WEEK IN COMMITTEE.

A SCHOOL CHOICE PLAN SUPPORTED BY GOVERNOR IVEY WAS THE SUBJECT OF A PUBLIC HEARING IN THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

SENATE BILL 61, DUBBED THE CHOOSE ACT FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR, WOULD CREATE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, SOMETIMES KNOWN AS VOUCHERS, TO ALLOW FAMILIES A $7,000 TAX CREDIT TO GO TOWARD TUITION AT AN ACCREDITED PRIVATE SCHOOL.

IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW A $2000 TAX CREDIT FOR HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES.

SENATORS HEARD ARGUMENTS FROM PROPONENTS AND OPPONENTS OF THE PROPOSAL, BUT NO VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE BILL.

>> THE TWO MAIN CONCERNS WERE CAPPING THE ESA ACCOUNT, WHICH STARTS AT $100 MILLION BUT IT CAN ROLL FORWARD.

HOW BIG WILL THAT POT BE, THAT WAS A CONCERN OF THEIRS AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT.

THE OTHER WAS THE TRIGGERING MECHANISM FOR ANY GROWTH OF THE 100 MILLION THAT WE START OFF WITH, SHOULD THERE NOT BE A TRIGGERING MECHANISM BEFORE THAT NUMBER INCREASES?

IN PRINCIPLE THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT YESTERDAY IN MY OFFICE.

>> SO THE IDEA IS WE'RE ADDRESSING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THEN ALSO MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE MOST SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS AT OUR DISPOSAL.

THIS IS ALSO A BILL THAT AS WE GET INTO IT YOU'LL SEE BALANCES THE POLICY CONSIDERATION OF A HOST OF STAKEHOLDERS, THOSE VOCALLY SUPPORTIVE OF UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE AND THOSE THAT WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PRUDENT POLICY, ACADEMIC AND FISCAL MEASURES ON HERE TO MAKE SURE THIS IS IN BALANCE.

>> FROM A SUPERINTENDENT'S PERSPECTIVE, THE REASON THAT'S SO IMPORTANT IS WE ARE CONSTANTLY BEING ATTACKED ON OUR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

SO, IF WE DON'T HAVE A MEASURE YOU ARE TO SAY THEY PUBLICLY REPORT -- AT LEAST PUBLICLY REPORT YOUR SCORES, HOW DO WE COMPETE?

IF COMPETITION BREEDS IMPROVEMENT WE NEED TO KNOW WE'RE IN A HEAD TO HEAD AND WHAT'S THAT LOOK LIKE WHEN MAKING THAT COMPARISON.

>> WE EXPECT THAT LEGISLATION TO BE A PROMINENT TOPIC NEXT WEEK IN COMMITTEE AND POSSIBLY ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>>> THE HOUSE ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMMITTEE MET WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS A DRAFT PROPOSAL TO REVAMP THE STATE'S ETHICS CODE.

WE DISCUSSED THIS PLAN WITH REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON LAST WEEK ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE INTENT IS TO GIVE PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO ARE GOVERNED BY THE ETHICS CODE MORE CLARITY IN HOW TO OBEY THE LAW AND ALSO BETTER ORGANIZE HOW ENFORCEMENT OF CODE IS HANDLED.

ETHICS IS A THORNY ISSUE AND SO MEMBERS WERE CAREFUL TO GET CLARITY ON A NUMBER OF KEY POINTS.

>> YOU GUYS GET BRIEFED ON IT THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND WE WILL MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THE DRAFT.

THE PLAN WILL BE IF ANYONE IS LISTENING ONLINE OR IN THE ROOM, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT TO SEE TO FIX THE BILL, ANYTHING TO MAKE IT BETTER, PLEASE SEND IT TO ME.

THIS IS A WORKING DRAFT.

I HAVE SAT IN THE ROOM WITH THESE PEOPLE HOURS ON HOURS ON HOURS AND SOMETIMES IF YOU ARE DOING A REPORT YOU SOMETIMES GET LOST IN THE TREES THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY TO PUT MORE EYES ON IT.

>> IN THIS DRAFT, THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JURISDICTION IS SEPARATED.

WE HAVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS HANDLING CRIMINAL MATTER AND ETHICS COMMISSION HANDLING CIVIL MATTERS.

IT DEALS WITH JUST NON-CRIMINAL STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT.

REGARDING THE ETHICS COMMISSION, THERE'S A FEW CHANGES TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND ADVISORY OPINIONS.

WE WILL GET INTO THOSE IN A FEW SLIDES.

SOMETHING NOT MENTIONED AGAIN IN THE REST OF THIS OVERVIEW IS -- SOMETHING I WILL DRAW TO YOUR ATTENTION AND THAT IS JUDGES.

JUDGES ARE ALREADY COVERED UNDER THE JUDICIAL CANNON OF ETHICS WILL NOT FALL UNDER THE ETHICS CODE IN THIS DRAFT.

>> THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAD A FULL SLATE OF BILLS TO CONSIDER WHEN THEY MET WEDNESDAY AND THEY ADVANCED ALL OF THEM WITH A FAVORABLE REPORT.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE KEY BILLS THEY REPORTED OUT.

HOUSE BILL 10 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE, ALLOWING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CHARGE THOSE WHO CAUSE DEATH THROUGH FENTANYL TRAFFICKING WITH MANSLAUGHTER.

HOUSE BILL 81 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY - MAKING THOSE CONVICTED OF SEX CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN INELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE.

HOUSE BILL 42 FROM REPRESENTATIVE DONNA GIVENS, ESTABLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY FOR THOSE GUILTY OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HOUSE BILL 78 FROM REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP ENSLER, CREATING THE CRIME OF SWATTING - THAT'S MAKING A FALSE CALL TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOW UP AT SOMEONE'S HOUSE TO CAUSE A DISTURBANCE, AND HOUSE BILL 29 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND, WHICH WOULD ALLOW CERTAIN INMATES CONVICTED UNDER THE STATE'S HABITUAL FELONY LAW TO HAVE THEIR SENTENCES RECONSIDERED IN LINE WITH THE 2015 SENTENCING REFORMS.

>>> THE JOINT STUDY COMMISSION ON GROCERY TAXATION MET THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE GROCERY SALES TAX CUT.

LAWMAKERS LAST YEAR ENACTED A PLAN TO REDUCE STATE SALES TAX ON MOST GROCERY ITEMS FROM 4% TO 3%.

THE LAW ALSO SAID THE TAX COULD DROP FURTHER TO 2% IF REVENUE GROWTH IN THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND GREW BY 3.5%.

BUT RECENT BUDGET ESTIMATES SHOW THAT'S NOT THE CASE, MAKING THAT FURTHER REDUCTION IMPOSSIBLE THIS YEAR.

LEADERS OF THE BIPARTISAN GROUP SAY THEY WANT TO FIND A WAY TO GET THAT FURTHER REDUCTION NEXT YEAR.

>> YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE DIDN'T SAY THAT PROVISION WENT AWAY AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

IT SAYS YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN WHEN WE LOOK AT ESTIMATES NEXT YEAR.

IF AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THEY ARE 3.5 WE CAN LOWER THE RATE.

>> I THINK WE WILL KNOW MORE AS WE INTO THE FALL.

THE FACT THAT GROWTH WAS SO MUCH SMALLER THAN ANTICIPATED THIS YEAR, AROUND 2% OR LITTLE LESS THAN 2%, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY, IN MY MIND, IF WE HAD A LOWER THAN AVERAGE YEAR NEXT YEAR WE WILL BE AT AVERAGE OR ABOVE.

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE ENTITIES.

WE TALK ABOUT THE $100 MILLION BEING FOR SCHOOL CHOICE THAT AFFECT 12,000 STUDENTS.

WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT AND COMPARE IT TO PEOPLE THAT IS LIVING EVERY DAY AND NEED FOOD TO EAT AND NEED RELIEF.

WE ARE STILL SEEING INFLATION IN FOOD COST.

SO I THINK THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

WE'LL TAKE A SHORT BREAK AND BE BACK WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

STAY WITH US.

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

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE 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.

>> WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS ALABAMA GOVERNOR, KAY IVEY.

GOVERNOR, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

ALWAYS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND YOUR VIEWERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE LOVE HAVING YOU ON.

THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

IT HAS BEEN A BUSY TWO WEEKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE HAVE PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT BUT I WANTED TO BACK UP AND TALK ABOUT THE F-35 WHICH WAS LAST WEEK, THIS BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, WHAT, SEVEN, EIGHT YEARS IN THE MAKING AND I REMEMBER WORKING ON THIS ISSUE WHEN I WORKED IN CONGRESS FOR MARTHA ROBY WHO WORKED SO HARD TO GET THESE JETS IN ALABAMA BUT A REAL POINT OF PRIDE FOR OUR STATE.

WE'RE ONE OF TWO SQUADRONS IN THE COUNTRY, NATIONAL GUARD SQUADRONS THAT HAVE THE F-35.

WHAT WAS THAT LIKE TO CELEBRATE IT?

>> IT IS VERY SPECIAL.

THOSE MACHINES ARE JUST AMAZING.

THEY ARE HIGHLY ADVANCED WITH TECHNOLOGY AND THE SKILL IT TAKES TO FLY ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS AMAZING, BUT PROUD, PROUD THAT ALABAMA WAS ONE OF TWO FIELDS CHOSEN FOR THIS, FOR THE F-35.

SO WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE THEM.

>> GOT THOSE RED TAILS ON THEM, TOO.

THAT'S GREAT.

>> YES.

>> LET'S TALK SCHOOL CHOICE.

YOU SAID DURING THE STATE OF THE STATE IT IS YOUR TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY AND NOW WE GOT THE TEXT OF THE BILL THAT IS MOVING IN THE SENATE.

WE WILL SEE HOW THAT PROCEEDS BUT I'M CURIOUS HOW WE GOT HERE.

IT ISN'T THE SAME BILL WE SAW LAST YEAR.

IT IS MEASURED, IT IS INCREMENTAL.

IT IS -- I'M CURIOUS, HOW -- YOUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVE GARRETT AND SENATOR ORR, HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THIS PARTICULAR POLICY?

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING MONTHS ON THIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET IT RIGHT.

THIS CAN MAKE ALABAMA THE MOST SCHOOL FRIENDLY SCHOOL CHOICE FRIENDLY STATE IN THE NATION AND WILL GO A WRONG WAY TOWARD MY GOAL OF HAVING ALABAMA IN THE TOP 30 OF EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES.

SO EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ARE TRULY MY TOP PRIORITY.

IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE MOST AT NEED, LIKE 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

NOW THE TWO YEARS, ALL FAMILIES WILL BE ELIGIBLE.

THE NICE THING ABOUT THIS, IT'S GOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE.

NOT ONLY GET IT STARTED BUT IT WILL BE SUSTAINABLE FOR YEARS TO COME AND THAT'S A REAL GOOD SIGN.

I APPLAUD SENATOR ORR AND REPRESENTATIVE GARRETT FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS, TOO.

SPEAKER LEDBETTER HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE.

I APPRECIATE WORKING WITH LEGISLATORS ON MATTERS LIKE THIS THAT CAN REALLY MOVE OUR STATE FORWARD.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH CONCERNS, THOUGH, RIGHT?

THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH CONCERNS ABOUT USING PUBLIC TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO ESSENTIALLY SEND TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

A LOT OF FOLKS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OPPONENTS OF THE BILL?

>> WELSHING THOSE OPPONENTS JUST PROBABLY HAVEN'T READ THE WHOLE BILL.

IT IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT ALL.

THEY WILL STILL CONTINUE.

I THINK BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE THE HIGHER SALARY FOR OUR STARTING TEACHERS IN THE SOUTHEAST THAT WILL HELP TO STRENGTHEN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AS WELL.

I'M CONFIDENT THE BILL IS A GOOD, SOLID, WELL THOUGHT OUT BILL THAT CAN PASS, SHOULD PASS AND MAKE OUR SYSTEM MORE EDUCATION FREE.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO GAMBLING.

YOU ALSO MADE WAVES DURING YOUR STATE OF THE STATE BY ENDORSING THIS HOUSE PLAN THAT'S MOVING, PRETTY QUICKLY ACTUALLY.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO.

WE WERE TALKING DURING OR AFTER YOUR SPEECH AND YOU COULD HAVE SAID PASSIVELY I SUPPORT THIS, OR COULD HAVE SAID NOTHING AT ALL BUT YOU SAID I SUPPORT WHAT THE HOUSE IS DOING AND ENDORSE THE BILL.

WHAT WON YOU OVER?

WHAT ABOUT THIS GAMBLING PLAN WON YOU OVER TO EARN YOUR SUPPORT?

>> WELL, TODD, I MAY NEVER BUY A LOTTERY TICKET OR CAST A BET ON A FOOTBALL GAME, BUT MY INTEREST IN THIS BILL IS TO FIND -- FIX THE BROKEN SYSTEM THE RIGHT WAY.

AND HAVE FAMILIAR THING THAT IS AVAILABLE TO FOLKS BUT IT IS LIMITED, REGULATED AND CONTROLLED.

WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE GAMBLING SO IT IS -- ILLEGAL GAMBLING IS RIGHT NOW RAMPANT IN OUR STATE AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING.

THIS MEASURE WILL FIX THAT AND GO A LONG WAY TOWARD IMPROVING OUR WHOLE SYSTEM.

>> THERE ARE AGAIN FOLKS WITH CONCERNS, OPPONENTS THAT ARE FIERCELY ADVOCATING AGAINST THE BILL.

SAYING IT LEADS TO THINGS LIKE CORRUPTION.

LEADS TO ADDICTION AND FAMILY BREAKDOWN.

A LOT OF FOLKS WITH POLICY CONCERNS.

HEY, THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE ARGUMENTS FROM OPPONENTS PASSIONATELY AGAINST THE EXPANDED GAMBLING?

>> WELL, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GAMBLE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE IDEA IS TO GIVE PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO HAVE A VOTE AND LET THEM HAVE A SAY IN THE MEASURE.

I BELIEVE IF WE LIMIT, REGULATE AND CONTROL AND ENFORCE WE CAN HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND MOST IMPORTANT IS A GOOD DEAL FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO, I'M WORKING HARD ON THIS.

>> LET'S MOVE TO THE SUBJECT OF PRISONS.

NEVER A FUN TOPIC BECAUSE IT'S JUST -- IT'S A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

BUT RECENTLY YOU PROBABLY READ SOME OF OUR REPORTING, THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS IN THIS BUILDING THAT BECAUSE THE COST HAVE BALLOONED, REALLY SKYROCKETED OUT AT THE ELMORE SITE, THAT THE ESCAMBIA, THE SECOND PRISON IN THE PLAN MIGHT NOT BE POSSIBLE, MIGHT NOT BE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THAT.

WHAT'S THE LATEST?

HOW WILL WE FUND THE SECOND NEW PRISON?

IT IS CRITICAL IN TERMS OF SHUTTING DOWN OLD PRISONS AND HAVING THESE NEW PRISONS.

>> I'M WORKING CLOSELY WITH LEGISLATORS ON THIS ISSUE.

I'VE COMMITTED $100 MILLION OUT OF MY BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND TO GO THROUGH THE ESCAMBIA COUNTY PRISON.

WE ALSO WANT THE SECOND -- WE CAN'T DO WITHOUT IT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE SECOND.

>> IT'S IN THE LAW.

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE THE PRISON.

WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATORS MAY TAKE SOME MORE TIME BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE.

>> IS THERE A CONCERN -- I GET INFLATION.

I GET COSTS GOING UP AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SOME UNFORESEEN.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE SPENDING SO MUCH MORE MONEY THAN WE ANTICIPATED ON THIS PRISON CONSTRUCTION STUFF.

MAYBE EVEN GOING FORWARD THEY WANTED A BIG BUDGET INCREASE AS WELL, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

I'M CURIOUS, THE AMOUNT WE ARE SPENDING ON PRISON CONSTRUCTION AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CURRENT ONE, IS IT EATING UP THIS GENERAL FUND MONEY THAT COULD GO TO OTHER PRIORITIES LIKE HEALTHCARE, LIKE DHR AND OTHER IMPORTANT PRIORITIES.

ARE WE EATING UP TOO MUCH FROM PRISONS.

>> WE MONITORING THAT CAREFULLY.

WE ALL KNOW WE NEED A SECOND PRISON AND WE WILL FIND A WAY TO FUND IT BUT MAY TAKE MORE TIME THAN WE PLANNED ON.

>> YOU EXPRESSED A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PRISON COMMISSIONER JOHN HAMM.

WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM.

HE HAS A TOUGH JOB, MAYBE THE TOUGHEST IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

IT'S NO SECRET WE HAVE A VIOLENT SITUATION IN OUR PRISONS.

WE HAVE A REAL HARD TIME RECRUITING OFFICERS, HEALTHCARE STAFF, THINGS LIKE THAT TO MEET THESE FEDERAL DEMANDS.

IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM, WHAT GIVES YOU THE CONFIDENCE THAT HE IS THE RIGHT ONE FOR THE JOB AND THERE'S A PLAN TO GET TO A RESOLUTION AND AVOID A FEDERAL TAKEOVER.

>> WE ARE WORKING NOT ONLY WITH JOHN HAMM BUT WITH LEGISLATORS TO GET THEIR INPUT AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE.

WE ALL ARE FACING THE FACTS.

THE COSTS HAVE ESCALATED AND CHANGE ORDERS HAVE GONE UP AND SO IT'S A BIG NUT TO CRACK, BUT WE ARE GOING TO STICK WITH IT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE TWO MODERN PRISONS.

>> WELL, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THE SESSION AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL VISIT AGAIN TOWARD THE END OF THE INVESTIGATION.

>> HAVER GOOD, TODD.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, MINORITY LEADER OF THE ALABAMA SENATE.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

>> YOU HAVE HAD A BUSY WEEK IN THE SENATE.

YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME AT THE MICROPHONE.

SO I KNOW YOU ARE PROBABLY TIRED.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

THERE WERE TWO DAYS YOU SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME AT THE MICROPHONE.

FIRST ON BALLOT HARVESTING.

PLACING RESTRICTIONS ON ABSENTEE VOTING AND WHO CAN HANDLE BALLOT APPLICATIONS.

WALK ME THROUGH YOUR MAIN OBJECTIONS TO THAT BILL AS AMENDED.

>> NUMBER ONE, IT'S ALWAYS MY INTENTION TO MAKE SURE THERE IS FREE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

WHEN YOU START TO PUT ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS ON PEOPLE, WHETHER OR NOT WHO CAN HANDLE THEM, AND NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE ASSISTANCE.

USUALLY PEOPLE WHO HANDLE ABSENTEES ARE PEOPLE DISABLED, STUDENTS WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY OR GO TO COLLEGE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY, MILITARY PEOPLE, AND THOSE WHO ARE WORKING OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL COUNTIES WHERE I LIVE.

I HAVE A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE OF MY COUNTY EVERY DAY TO HAVE A JOB TO SUSTAIN, WORKING MORE THAN TEN HOURS IN TERMS OF TRAVEL AND HOURS OF WORK AND COMING BACK.

THEREFORE, THEY DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE POLLS LIKE MOST PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE COUNTY.

THEREFORE, ABSENTEES ARE IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> HE HAS DATA SHOWING MASS COLLECTIONS OF BALLOTS.

IF SO, SHOULDN'T WE CRACK DOWN ON PAID EFFORTS TO COLLECT BALLOTS.

>> I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT DATA AND HOW WOULD THEY RECEIVE IT FROM PEOPLE THAT COLLECTED.

SOMEONE WAS COUNTING WITH THEM AND SAW THE ILLEGAL ACT AND DIDN'T REPORT IT?

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT.

I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY -- THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT A PERCENTAGE ON THE NUMBER OF ABSENTEES THAT THEY THINK SHOULD BE VOTED IN A COUNTY AND THAT IS PRESUMPTUOUS.

LIKE I SAID, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WORK OUTSIDE OF MY COUNTY, WHEN THERE ARE NO JOBS IN COMMUNITIES, THE MAJORITY OF THE WORKFORCE HAS TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY AND YOU HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF VOTING ABSENTEE THE NUMBERS MAY LOOK HIGHER THAN A COUNTY WHERE THERE ARE JOBS AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE.

>> I GUESS IT PASSED AND IT GOES TO THE HOUSE.

WE WILL SEE THE ARGUMENT DOWN THERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT GAMBLING.

THAT'S THE BIG ISSUE THIS WEEK.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE NOW.

THAT WAS ALWAYS THE HURDLE.

IT PASSED THE SENATE BEFORE BUT ALWAYS DIED IN THE HOUSE.

IT IS PASSED THE HOUSE AND GOING UPSTAIRS TO THE SENATE.

IN PAST GAMBLING DEBATES, YOUR PRIORITY HAS BEEN LOOKING OUT FOR GREENE COUNTY AND OTHER RURAL CASINOS.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH WHAT YOU SEE IN THE BILL SO FAR BASED ON YOUR PRIORITIES AND GAMBLING?

>> I THINK THE OFFICE OF THE BILL TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH INSTEAD OF HAVING IT AT THE TRACKS AS THEY USED TO.

WE HAVE ALREADY HAD GAMBLING BUT ALLOWING IT TO BE IN THOSE COUNTIES WHERE GAMING HAS BEEN.

WITH THAT, I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THERE IS PARTICIPATION BY PEOPLE IN THAT RURAL AREA.

>> NOT A GUARANTEE NECESSARILY BUT IN GREENE COUNTY.

>> IN GREENE COUNTY.

GIVES OPPORTUNITY, YES.

>> IT IS COMING UPSTAIRS AT SOME POINT, I WOULD IMAGINE.

I KNOW IT IS EARLY BUT IT IS A DIFFERENT SENATE THAN IN 2021, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT IS EARLY, WHAT KIND OF CHANCE -- ODDS, IF YOU WILL, WOULD YOU GIVE THE GAMBLING PACKAGE TO PASS THE SENATE.

>> 70-30 AT THIS POINT, JUST OFF THE BAT.

I THINK BECAUSE IT IS A DIFFERENT SENATE, I LOOK AT THE MEMBERS WHO I AM WORKING WITH NOW.

I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE POLITICS AND HOW IT WORKS AND JUST KNOWING WHO THEY ARE.

I THINK THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE IT A CHANCE.

IT HAS PASSED THE SENATE IN THE PAST.

I FEEL REAL COMFORTABLE AND GOOD ABOUT MY MEMBERSHIP AND COLLEAGUES TAKING THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

WE'RE NOT JUST PASSING GAMING BUT GIVING PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON IT AND THE PEOPLE WILL BE THE FINAL AUTHORS OF THIS.

WITH THAT, THAT'S DEMOCRACY AT ITS BEST, WHEN PEOPLE GET A CHANCE TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT.

>> CERTAINLY PLENTY OF TIME LEFT.

THAT'S BEEN THE PROBLEM IN PAST YEARS, THE TIME RUNS OUT.

PLENTY OF SESSION LEFT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT GIVES MORE TIME ALSO TO THE OPPOSITION.

THEY PASSED SO QUICKLY IN THE HOUSE, THERE WAS BARELY ANY TIME FOR THEM TO MAKE OPPOSITION.

AND NOW THEY MAY HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE ADDICTION, ESPECIALLY ON THE SPORTS BETTING SIDE, AND CORRUPTION AND HOW YOU SET IT UP AND EVERYTHING.

HOW DO YOU THINK THOSE ARGUMENTS MAY PLAY WITH SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES UPSTAIRS?

>> I'M SURE THEY WILL LISTEN TO THE CONSTITUENCIES AND YOU HEAR THE PASTOR AND EVERYBODY CALLING.

I THINK THE SENATE IS WHERE THE SAUSAGE IS MADE.

WE WILL TAKE OUR TIMES AND LOOK AT THE BILL.

SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT.

AND WE MAY ADD AMENDMENTS OR KEEP IT CLEAN AS IT COMES TO US.

BUT I FEEL THAT THE SENATORS THAT I WORK WITH ARE GOING TO LOOK AT IT OBJECTIVELY AND GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY TO PASS.

WE HAVE PASSED IT BEFORE AND I DON'T SEE WHY WE WOULDN'T GO OUT WITH IT AGAIN THIS TIME.

>> THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE FILIBUSTERS AND THINGS SO A TOTALLY DIFFERENT GAME IN THE SENATE.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT.

RELATED IS THE ISSUE OF MEDICAID, OR EXPANDED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

IN THIS BILL, AS IN PAST BILLS, WHERE IT IS NOT EARMARKED NECESSARILY, THERE'S TALK OF PROVISIONS SAYING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE REVENUE GOES TO EXPANDED HEALTHCARE OPTIONS, NOT NECESSARILY MEDICAID.

IT IS LESS VAGUE THERE.

BUT THERE'S TALK OF THIS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT COULD USE MEDICAID EXPANSION DOLLARS BUT NOT EXACTLY MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THERE'S SORT OF TALK ABOUT THAT GOING ON.

SO, IS THAT A PRIORITY FOR YOU?

DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS GAMBLING REVENUE DOES GO TO GIVE MORE HEALTHCARE OPTIONS TO PEOPLE, EVEN IF IT IS NOT TRADITIONAL MEDICAID EXPANSION?

>> OF COURSE I AM.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

IF WE ARE GOING TO LOOK IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE TO OUR CITIZENS, MAKE SURE THERE IS ACCESS AND PEOPLE HAVE THE ACCESS AND CAN GET GOOD MEDICAL CARE.

WHETHER WE CALL IT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WE CAN TALK IT KAY CARE.

DOESN'T MATTER.

>> BE CAREFUL THERE.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY I WANT TO SEE ACCESS.

THAT'S WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

WHETHER THAT IS THROUGH TELEMEDICINE, MORE PHYSICAL HOSPITALS, RURAL HOSPITALS, KEEPING RURAL HOSPITALS FROM CLOSING, EXPANDING ON URBAN HOSPITALS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE PAY DOCTORS MORE MONEY TO SEE CERTAIN PATIENTS.

I'M OPEN TO ALL OF THAT.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

IT IS -- FOR ME IT IS ABOUT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

>> INTERESTING BECAUSE IT'S BECOME PART OF THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION TOPIC.

THAT'S WHY IT HAS MORE CONVERSATION GOING ON.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS HAVING ME.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> 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.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND PBS IS PLANNING SPECIAL PROGRAMMING THAT WE AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION ARE EXCITED ABOUT.

THE NATIONAL NETWORK WILL AIR THE APT DOCUMENTARY "SHUTTLESWORTH" THIS THURSDAY AT 8:00.

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT IT ARE THE FILMMAKERS J. WHITSON WITH T. MARIE KING.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

"SHUTTLESWORTH," THE DOCUMENTARY, WE'RE ALL REALLY PROUD OF IS GOING TO BE AIRING ON PBS NATIONALLY.

THAT'S REALLY EXCITING.

IT IS CHRONICLING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FRED SHUTTLESWORTH, THE CIVIL RIGHTS LEGEND.

TALK ABOUT "SHUTTLESWORTH," THE FILM AND THE GENESIS OF HOW IT CAME ABOUT.

>> WELL, WE INTERVIEWED REVEREND SHUTTLESWORTH IN 2007 FOR A DOCUMENTARY THAT DIDN'T GET MADE AND THE INTERVIEW SAT ON THE SHELF FOR YEARS AND I THOUGHT WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING WITH IT.

IN 2018 I STARTED TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT IT AND IN 2019, WE STARTED TO DEVELOP IT AND THEN I GOT IN TOUCH WITH T. MARIE KING WHO I KNEW FROM DIFFERENT CIRCLES IN BIRMINGHAM AND WE STARTED TO WORK TOGETHER AND LEARNING MORE ABOUT REVEREND SHUTTLESWORTH AND SHE HAS AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS IN BIRMINGHAM AND WAS SUITED TO FILL IN THE BLANKS OF ALL THE STUFF I DIDN'T KNOW AND SHE KNOWS EVERYBODY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SHOW A CLIP HERE IN A MINUTE, BUT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOME REALLY DIFFICULT SUBJECT MATTER, RIGHT?

Y'ALL DON'T SCRIMP ON IT OR GLOSS OVER IT.

TALK ABOUT IT.

TALK ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY OF WORKING WITH THAT SUBJECT MATTER AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REALLY TELLING THE TRUTH.

>> YOU WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW SERIOUS THAT TIME WAS AND HIGHLIGHTING THE STRENGTH OF A COMMUNITY.

YOU HAVE A MAN WHO WAS EXTREMELY COURAGEOUS, REVEREND SHUTTLESWORTH AND TO LEAD A COMMUNITY AND THEN UTILIZE THE CHILDREN, AND THAT BIRMINGHAM CRUSADE.

I THINK IT WAS A GOOD BALANCE OF HIGHLIGHTING THE TIME, THE HARDSHIP BUT ALSO THE COURAGE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO, BUT ALSO BE A BEACON OF LIGHT TO THE ENTIRE WORLD.

THAT CHANGE CAN BEGIN WITH ONE PERSON.

>> YEAH.

TAKE US INSIDE THE FILM-MAKING PROCESS.

HERE AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE ARE DOING NEWS SHOWS.

WE'RE DOING INTERVIEWS AND THE NEWS, BUT FILM MAKING IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BEAST.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE PROCESS.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PLANNING OUT WHAT IS IN THE FILM?

>> WELL, WE HAD SORT OF THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF COVID HAPPENING, THE PANDEMIC HAPPENING WILE WE WERE REALLY ABOUT TO START SHOOTING THIS, BUT WE USED THAT TIME TO REALLY -- TO STILL DO MORE RESEARCH AND A LOT OF PRE-INTERVIEWS WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE.

A BIG PART OF THE FILM MAKING PROCESS, AT LEAST FROM A DOCUMENTARY STANDPOINT IS A LOT OF TIMES WE DO PREINTERVIEWS TO A, KNOW WHAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT AND YOU LEARN SO MUCH TALKING TO THEM ABOUT THE STORY THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN ANYWAY.

SO YOU HAVE A BETTER IDEA WHAT TO DISCUSS IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA OR BEHIND THE CAMERA WITH THEM IN FRONT.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID FOR MOST OF 2020 AND A GOOD PORTION OF 2021, BUT THEN WE FINALLY GOT INTO PRINCIPAL FILMING AND ALSO WHILE WE WERE DOING THAT DID A LOT OF RESEARCH WITH THE STATE ARCHIVES.

THEY LET US HAVE ACCESS TO BIRMINGHAM NEWS ARCHIVES, ALL OF THEIR PICTURES GOING BACK TO THEN.

SO WE FOUND EXTRA THINGS THAT NOBODY HAD REALLY SEEN BEFORE.

>> I THINK PARTNERING WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE AND BEING ABLE TO BE INCLUDED, REVEREND SHUTTLESWORTH IN THE TELLING OF HIS OWN STORY AND TAKING THEIR ORAL HISTORY OF HIM I THINK WAS ALSO WHAT MADE THE FILM SO SPECIAL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU HAVE TO DOCUMENT THAT.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE ARE SO PROUD THAT THE WHOLE COUNTRY WILL SEE Y'ALL'S WORK AND EVERYTHING.

I KNOW THERE IS A LOT BUT WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE FILM WHEN THEY SEE IT NEXT THURSDAY ON PBS?

>> THERE'S SO MANY JEWELS IN IT.

I THINK IT WILL BE A HISTORY LESSON FOR SOME.

I HOPE IT IS A BEACON OF HOPE FOR OTHERS WHEN WE THINK OF THINGS WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN SOCIETY, IN GENERAL.

FOR ME WHAT STANDS OUT IS ONE PERSON'S VOICE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND I HOPE PEOPLE CAN SEE HOW THEY CAN SHIFT, MOVE AND CHANGE THEIR COMMUNITIES, AS WELL.

>> SO WE HAVE A CLIP THAT WE WILL AIR HERE IN A SECOND.

CAN YOU SET UP THE CONTEXT OF THIS?

WHAT ARE WE SEEING IN THIS CLIP WE'RE ABOUT TO AIR?

>> SO, THERE'S A PART OF BIRMINGHAM CALLED SMITHFIELD AND SMITHFIELD DEVELOPED A REPRESENTATION KNOWN AS DYNAMITE HILL BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY HOUSES BOMBED FROM THE '40S AND INTO THE '50S AND THEN SOME OF THE BOMBINGS RESUMED.

BUT ANYTIME IT IS DISCUSSED IN THE CLIP AND ANYTIME SOMEONE WOULD TRY TO MOVE TO THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET, THEY WOULD -- NO MATTER IF THEY WERE LEGALLY ABLE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, THE KLAN WOULD BLOW THEIR HOUSE UP.

IT BECAME A THING WHERE PEOPLE ALL OVER TOWN WOULD HEAR REGULAR BOMBINGS AND KNOW THERE WAS ANOTHER BOMBING ON DYNAMITE HILL.

>> IT IS SHOCKING.

HERE IS A CLIP FROM THE DOCUMENTARY "SHUTTLESWORTH."

♪ >> BIRMINGHAM GOT ITS NICKNAME OF BOMBINGHAM STARTING IN 1947.

THERE WAS NO HOUSING STOCK FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICANS STARTED TO BUILD HOUSES ON THE BLACK ZONE SIDE OF THE STREET WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE WHITES.

>> IF A BLACK PERSON HAD MADE A DEPOSIT ON A HOUSE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF CENTER STREET YOU COULD EXPECT THAT HOUSE TO BE BURNED OR BOMBED OR SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER VANDALIZED.

>> A LOT OF THESE FOLKS WERE UPSTANDING AME BISHOP, BUSINESS FOLKS.

EVERY TIME THEY WOULD WIN THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN HOUSE THEY HAD BOUGHT IT WOULD BE DYNAMITED.

>> THIS IS A CITY AND THE USE OF DYNAMITE IS STRICTLY RESTRICTED AND SUPERVISED BY OFFICIALS.

AND IF IT IS, THEN WHY IS IT SO EASY FOR CERTAIN GROUPS TO OBTAIN AND USE IT?

>> DYNAMITE WAS USED TO BLAST COAL FROM THE COAL MINES.

ASKING THEM HOW THEY KNOW HOW TO USE DYNAMITE OR MAKE A BOMB IS LIKE ASKING A FARMER HOW THEY KNOW TO USE A TRACTOR.

IT IS JUST IN THEM.

>> THE SCARIEST MOMENT ON THE FIRST BOMB, AFTER THE HORRIFIC BLAST THERE MUST HAVE BEEN 300 PEOPLE DOWN THERE IN THAT INTERSECTION.

THE COP PULLED HIS POLICE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND PULLED THE SHOTGUN AND BLEW THE LIGHT OUT.

THE NEXT BLAST HE SHOT WERE OVER OUR HEADS BUT WE SCATTERED BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING READY TO BE KILLED.

THAT WAS A TERRIFYING MOMENT FOR THIS ENTIRE SMITHFIELD COMMUNITY.

WE KNEW THEN, NO QUESTION, THAT THE POLICE WERE THE ENEMY.

>> WOW.

REALLY POWERFUL STUFF.

KIND OF DIFFICULT TO WATCH.

>> YEAH.

>> CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE EXPOSED TO.

I'M SO GLAD THAT OUR NATIONAL AUDIENCE WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH "SHUTTLESWORTH."

SO THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NATIONAL RECOGNITION OVER THIS PROJECT AND THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> REMEMBER, THAT'S NEXT THURSDAY, THE 22ND ON PBS, "SHUTTLESWORTH" WILL AIR AT 8:00.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE 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.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS WEEK, THE WORLD OF PODCASTING ALLOWS LISTENERS TO GET NEWS, COMMENTARY OR JUST INTERESTING INFORMATION FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES.

THOSE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION OR JUST PEOPLE LIKE ME INTERESTED IN IT HAVE FOUND A NEW MUST FOLLOW PODCAST CALLED ADVISORY OPINIONS FEATURING BREAKDOWNS OF COMPLICATED CASES AND HOW THE MOST PRESSING MATTERS MAY PLAY OUT.

NEXT WEEK ADVISORY OPINION IS COMING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF LAW FOR A TAPING OF THE PODCAST.

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT IT ARE THE HOSTS, SARAH ISGUR AND DAVID FRENCH.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TODD.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'M A LISTENER.

I'VE REALLY ENJOYED THE PODCAST.

I'VE LEARNED A LOT AS A NON-LAWYER FROM THE PODCAST.

ADVISORY OPINIONS HAS GROWN IN REACH AND IN INFLUENCE LATELY.

TAKE ME BACK TO THE ORIGINS.

HOW DID THE PODCAST FIRST COME ABOUT?

>> YEAH.

IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

STEVE HAYES AND GENERAL GOLDBERG WERE STARTING THE DISPATCH.

I WAS BROUGHT ON EARLY AND I REMEMBER SITTING IN A RESTAURANT IN DC WITH THEM AND WE WERE TALKING THROUGH OUR PLANS FOR THE DISPATCH.

STEVE SAID WE HAVE JUST HIRED SOMEBODY.

I SAID WHO, AND HE SAID SARAH ISGUR.

FOR SOME REASON, IT IMMEDIATELY POPPED INTO MY MIND, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO DO A PODCAST WITH SARAH.

I HAD MET HER A FEW YEARS BEFORE AND GOTTEN TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HER SINCE.

AND WHAT'S THE PHRASE IN BASEBALL, A FIVE TOOL OUTFIELDER LIKE SOMEBODY WHO HAS A LOT OF SKILLS AND CAN TALK ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO, I THOUGHT, THIS IS EXACTLY THE TALENTED PERSON TO DO -- TO START A PODCAST WITH.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO BE POLITICS, LAW AND CULTURE AND IT ORGANICALLY INVOLVED TO ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY LAW AND PLUS DATING ADVICE.

I'LL NEVER FORGET, WE LAUNCHED THE FIRST PODCAST AND OUR RECORDING EQUIPMENT WAS SO PRIMITIVE WE SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE IN AN AIRPORT BATHROOM.

>> YOU DID.

>> YES, I DID.

I SOUNDED TERRIBLE.

BUT IT IS ORGANICALLY TAKEN OFF SINCE THEN.

>> SO THERE IS A GREAT NEW YORKER ARTICLE ABOUT THE PODCAST -- REALLY IT IS A PROFILE OF YOU, SARAH BUT ALSO THE PODCAST IN GENERAL.

BUT ONE THING IT MENTIONS IS HIGH-LEVEL JUDGES, DISTRICT R CIRCUIT AND SUPREME COURT JUSTICES LISTEN TO ADVISORY OPINION.

I MEAN THAT OBVIOUSLY SPEAKS VERY HIGHLY OF YOUR WORK, BUT I'M CURIOUS, ALSO, IF IT IS A BIT INTIMIDATING.

IS IT A CHALLENGE TO PUT THAT OUT OF YOUR MIND?

THESE TOP-LEVEL JUDGES ARE LISTENING.

PUT IT OUT OF YOUR MIND SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DO THE SHOW AS YOU ALWAYS HAVE?

>> YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

I TRY HARD NOT TO THINK OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS ANYONE LISTENING OR ELSE YOU WOULD BE IN YOUR OWN HEAD.

ON THE PAGE IT IS EQUIVALENT OF PICTURING EVERYONE IN OUR UNDERWEAR, BUT IN A PODCAST YOU PRETEND YOU ARE JUST TALKING TO DAVID AND THIS ISN'T RECORDED AT ALL.

I'VE ASKED THE JUDGES AND EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME THEY ARE LISTENING IT IS HORRIFYING TO ME AND I TRY TO FIND OUT WHY.

THE ANSWER IS YOU THINK ABOUT IT BUT IF YOU ARE A CIRCUIT JUDGE ON THE 19TH CIRCUIT OUT IN CALIFORNIA YOU HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB AND DON'T HAVE TIME TO LISTEN TO THE ORAL ARGUMENTS OF THE SUPREME COURT, READ EVERY OPINION THE SECOND IT COMES OUT.

YOU MAY GET TO IT THE NEXT MONTH.

IT IS A SHORT HAND WAY TO KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN OTHER CIRCUITS AND AT THE SUPREME COURT.

WE TRY TO PROVIDE SORT OF WHAT THE OPINIONS ARE, WHAT THE ARGUMENTS ARE IN AS STRAIGHT OF A FASHION AS WE CAN.

IF WE HAVE AN OPINION WE TRY TO PROVIDE THE OTHER SIDE'S BEST ARGUMENTS AND THEN ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY.

IT CAN BE HELPFUL IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

WE TRY TO PROVIDE THAT TOO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING EVENT IN TUSCALOOSA.

I KNOW YOU HAVE DONE OTHER ON-LOCATION SHOWS AT OTHER LAW SCHOOLS.

WHY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF LAW?

>> WE TRY TO DO TWO A SEMESTER.

WE TRY TO DO LIVE SHOWS TWICE PER SEMESTER AND IT IS THE WHITE BARBECUE SAUCE.

I'M FROM TEXAS.

I'M PRETTY SNOBBY ABOUT BARBECUE AND I THINK ALABAMA HAS THE SECOND BEST BARBECUE.

TEXAS IS NOT A PORK STATE.

YES, WE STARTED TO DO SOME PORK BUT WE ARE BEEF BARBECUE BASED STATE AND ALABAMA IS THE OPPOSITE OF THAT.

THEY WILL SPECIALIZE IN THE PORK.

I LIKE THE WHITE BARBECUE SAUCE.

THAT'S THE MAIN DRIVER.

>> I THINK IT'S FUN TO GET OUT IN THE WORLD.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS WE DON'T JUST TALK ABOUT THE LAW BUT INTERACT WITH THE LEGAL COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE JUDGES ON THE PODCAST.

WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE FROM ALL DIFFERENT WALKS OF LEGAL LIFE ON THE PODCAST, BUT IT IS ALSO FUN TO GET OUT INTO LAW SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND TAKE THE TEMPERATURE OF LAW STUDENTS.

IT'S FUN TO HEAR WHAT THEY ARE THINKING, WHAT'S ON THEIR MIND.

I THINK IT REALLY HELPS TO KEEP THE PODCAST GROUNDED.

WE'RE IN A CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR AUDIENCE.

WE RESPOND TO EMAILS.

SARAH IS PHENOMENAL ABOUT RESPONDING TO THE COMMENTS, BUT A PODCAST IS DIFFERENT FROM A RADIO SHOW IN SOME WAYS.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU FORM A KIND OF RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR LISTENERS AND YOU KIND OF WANT TO MEET THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO LISTEN.

SO, IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

>> IT SHOULD BE WORTH NOTING ALSO, WE HAVE TWO SPECIAL GUESTS JOINING US AT THE ALABAMA EVENT.

ONE U.S. ATTORNEY WILL BE THERE, WHICH IS REALLY FUN AND TWO FORM PER ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STEVEN BOYD IS GOING TO FLY DOWN FROM DC WITH ME TO DO THIS EVENT BECAUSE HE IS AN ALUM ALSO.

>> LOOK, MANY OF YOUR ALABAMA LISTENERS, ME INCLUDED, ARE STILL WAITING FOR A JUDGE BILL PRYOR GUEST APPEARANCE.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL EVER GET THERE.

BUT WE DID GET A HILARIOUS BILL PRYOR COMMENT.

I WAS SITTING IN MY TRUCK LAUGHING OUT LOUD LISTENING TO THAT ANTIDOTE.

WE CAN'T GO INTO IT NOW BUT I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LISTEN TO THAT EPISODE IF THEY HAVEN'T HEARD IT.

THINK ABOUT THESE ALABAMIANS.

JEFF SESSIONS, BILL PRYOR, JUDGE NEWSOM, ANDREW BRASHEAR, SO MANY PROMINENT.

AND PLUS THE LEGAL ARGUMENTS THAT GERMINATE FROM ALABAMA, REDISTRICTING TO CIVIL RIGHTS.

THIS STATE SEEMS TO PLAY AN OUTSIZED ROLE IN THE JUDICIAL AM.

AM I RIGHT?

>> THE LIST YOU GAVE IS AN INCREDIBLE LIST.

DON'T FORGET CHUCK COOPER GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA WENT OF THE TOP SUPREME COURT ADVOCATES IN THE COUNTRY AS WELL.

SO, YEAH, YOU WILL DEFINITELY OUT TICK THE AVERAGE ON THIS STUFF.

YOU MENTIONED THE PODCAST WITH JUDGE NEWSOM WHO IS ON THE 11TH CIRCUIT AND HE TOLD A STORY ABOUT A PING-PONG GAME ON THAT EPISODE ABOUT ANOTHER JUDGE.

THAT JUDGE HAS RESPONDED AND I BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE THAT JUDGE ON THE PODCAST TO GIVE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE KEVIN NEWSOM PING-PONG STORY.

>> WE LIKE TO BE FAIR, TODD, WE LIKE TO BE FAIR, BOTH SIDES, BOTH SIDES.

>> DAVID, MANY OF OUR VIEWERS HAVE PROBABLY FOLLOWED YOUR WORK OVER THE YEARS FROM NATIONAL REVIEW TO THE DISPATCH.

I'M A SUBSCRIBER TO THE DISPATCH AND I LOVE WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING, BUT I WAS A LITTLE SAD.

ALSO EXCITED TO HEAR THE NEWS WHEN YOU WERE HIRED BY THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AS AN OPINION COLUMNIST.

TALK ABOUT AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME.

WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE FOR YOUR WRITING TO REACH THE LARGEST AUDIENCE THERE IS?

CERTAINLY THE LARGEST AUDIENCE YOU HAVE EVER HAD?

>> YEAH, IT'S A HUMBLING THING.

MORE THAN A LITTLE TERRIFYING SOMETIMES.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST YOUR -- I CAN REMEMBER WHEN I WAS FIRST MOVING INTO THIS WORLD AND SHARING IDEAS ON EMAIL WITH FRIENDS AND SENDING LITTLE OP-EDS VIA EMAIL TO FRIENDS AND PEOPLE SAYING YOU SHOULD DO THIS AS A LIVING AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT IS MY LIVING AND IT IS A VERY HUMBLING THING AND A SOBERING THING TO HAVE -- TO BE ABLE TO REACH THAT MANY PEOPLE.

IT IS A REAL RESPONSIBILITY.

YOU WANT TO DO IT RIGHT.

IT HAS TO BE YOUR BEST EFFORT.

YOU ARE NOT OFFERING YOUR HOT TAKE.

YOU ARE NOT OFFERING YOUR SIZZLING INFLAMMATORY IDEA.

YOU ARE TRYING TO CONTRIBUTE TO PUBLICS CONVERSATION.

WHAT I'LL SAY IS THE TIMES IS REALLY GOOD ABOUT SURROUNDING YOU WITH A TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT HELP YOU.

WE TAKE FACT CHECKING VERY SERIOUSLY AND WE HAVE SEVERAL SETS OF EYES SO WHEN I'M ADDRESSING SOMETHING BIG AND CONTROVERSIAL, YOU CAN HAVE A REAL SENSE WE HAVE REALLY RUN THE TRACKS ON THIS AND ARE PUTTING FORWARD THE BEST ANALYSIS WE CAN.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE AND GIANT RESPONSIBILITY.

SO FAR I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED WORKING WITH THE FOLKS THERE.

>> WELL, LOOK, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND GOOD LUCK ON THE TAPING.

EVERYBODY KNOWS, THAT IS THURSDAY THE 22ND AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF LAW.

WE WILL BE LISTENING FOR THE PODCAST TO DROP IN THE DAYS AFTER.

THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

LICK 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.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK ON MONDAY WITH MORE NIGHTLY COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WITH SHOWS AIRING A 10:30 HERE ON APT.

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

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.