>> DON: TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE'LL BE JOINED BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THE SWEEPING GAMBLING BILL THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED, HER PRIVATE LEASE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN, GETTING KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL, AND ABOUT BILLS THAT WOULD CURTAIL THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY.

>> WE‘LL ALSO BE JOINED BY U.S.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE OF AUBURN, WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS VOTE NOT TO CONVICT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR INCITING THE CAPITOL INSURRECTION, ABOUT HIS PHONE CALL WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THAT DAY, AND ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BIG COVID RELIEF PLAN.

>> AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT HOW THIS WEEK'S WINTER WEATHER AFFECTED OUR COVID VACCINATION EFFORTS, AND ABOUT A SPIKE IN OUR VIRUS DEATH RATE.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THIS WEEK'S WINTER STORM LEFT PARTS OF NORTHWEST ALABAMA WITH POWER OUTAGES AND DANGEROUS ROADS AND, IN A BROADER SENSE, IT AFFECTED THE STATE'S EFFORTS TO BOTH RECEIVE AND DISTRIBUTE THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT LOCAL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE BECAUSE OF THE BAD WEATHER, AND THAT RESULTED IN MANY VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS HAVING TO BE RESCHEDULED.

>> ALL OF THE VACCINE THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET, SOME OF IT WON'T BE COMING UNTIL THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK AND THE CLINICS WERE DELAYED.

SO PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET BACK ON THE RIGHT SCHEDULE.

I THINK THE THING THAT WE HEARD A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT IS COMFORTING IS THAT CD DC SAYS BASED ON THE SCIENCE PEOPLE CAN DELAY A SECOND DOSE UP TO 42 TAKES.

>> DON: DR. HARRIS SAYS THE CDC'S GUIDANCE IS ESPECIALLY NOTABLE, GIVEN THAT MOST OF THE CURRENT APPOINTMENTS FOR SHOTS WITH THE STATE ARE FOR SECOND DOSES OF THE VACCINE.

ALABAMA HAS FOR WEEKS GRAPPLED WITH HIGH DEMAND FOR THE CORONAVIRUS SHOTS VERSUS A VERY LIMITED SUPPLY.

BUT DR. HARRIS TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT THERE'S A LITTLE GOOD NEWS ON THAT FRONT, THAT THE STATE WILL SOON BE GETTING A SMALL VACCINE ALLOTMENT INCREASE.

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS ABLE TO COAX OUT ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURING DEFICIENCIES I SUPPOSE BUT THERE'S A 16 OR 18 PERCENT INCREASE NATIONWIDE OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO THAT HAS TRANSLATED TO 10 TO 15,000 ADDITIONAL DOSES FOR ALABAMA SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT.

WE ARE GETTING NOW THIS COMING WEEK, WE WILL BE GETTING CLOSE TO AROUND 90,000 DOSES FOR A WEEK.

THOSE ARE FIRST DOSES WHICH IS THE MOST WE HAVE GOTTEN SO FAR AND THAT ALLOWS US A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY.

DON: DR. HARRIS SAYS HOW THE STATE ALLOTS ITS SUPPLY OF THE VACCINE AROUND ALABAMA IS ALSO EVOLVING.

HERETOFORE, SOME POCKETS OF THE STATE HAVE GOTTEN MORE DOSES BECAUSE THEY WERE HOME TO MORE OF THE GROUPS OF PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO GET THE SHOTS.

NOW, WITH EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY, THE VACCINE ALLOTMENTS WILL BE MORE SPREAD OUT.

DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DON: THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RETURNS TO WORK ON TUESDAY, AFTER TAKING A WEEK OFF FROM THEIR NEW SESSION TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PANDEMIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN THE EARLY GOING.

A GAMBLING BILL WILL AGAIN TAKE CENTER STAGE WHEN LAWMAKERS COME BACK, AFTER BEING DEBATED ON THE SENATE FLOOR BEFORE THE BREAK.

THE LEGISLATION, OF COURSE, WOULD CREATE A LOTTERY AND EXPAND GAMBLING IN THE STATE TO ALLOW FOR CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

HE?

Leslie: WHEN HE HE I ASKED SENATOR DEL MARSH IF HE HAD ENGAGED HIS FELLOW SENATORS FOR THE LOTTERY BILL THIS IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> I THINK I COULD HAVE PASSED THE BILL TODAY.

>> BUT THE SENATOR SAID HE WOULD NOT RUN OVER ANYONE.

>> I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC.

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

>> I TRY TO MAKE SURE THIS PROCESS IS IMPORTANT AND EVERYBODY IS INCLUDED THIS.

>> WHEN THE TOURISM AND MARKETING COMMITTEE DEBATED ON THE SENATE FLOOR LAST WEEK MARSH WAS PEPPERED WITH MONTGOMERY MULTIPLY QUESTIONS WHY THE PUBLIC AND COLLEAGUES.

SO MARSH WENT TIME AT THE ALABAMA STATEHOUSE^ WORKING ON ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS SUCH AS -- >> THE WAY I REREAD THIS CHARITABLE BINGO MAY BE ONLY ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THE COMMISSION.

SO ANYTHING IS THAT OPERATING NOW WOULD BE CLOSED?

>> THAT IS CORRECT, OTHER THAN THOSE FIVE FACILITIES.

NOW, NOW PAY FOR BINGO.

AND CHARITY BINGO.

NO CHANGESES IN THAT.

BUT ELECTRONIC WAY OF BINGO THE WAY THE BILL IS TODAY WOULD BE PROHIBITED UNLESS IT'S ONE OF THE FIVE SITES.

>> MARSH PLANS TO SUBMIT A BILL THAT MAY INCLUDE A REMEDY TO THIS AND OTHER CONCERNS.

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

DON: GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS SAID THAT SHE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ‘OUT FRONT CHAMPION' ON THE GAMBLING ISSUE, BUT THAT SHE'S ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A VOTE ON IT.

TODAY, IVEY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT SHE'S HOPING LAWMAKERS CAN SEND HER A GOOD BILL AND THAT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS TRANSPARENT.

>> IF WE DO THIS RIGHT, AND BY RIGHT I MEAN THAT THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS NOT UP FOR SALE, WE NEED TO HAVE LAWS THAT WE CAN ENFORCE AND CONTROL AND WE GET SOME MONEY BACK TO THE STATE FOR THE USE OF THE PEOPLE, THE SAME TIME, WE WANT TO PUT THE MONEY TO GOOD USE FOR PROJECTS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE PEOPLE BUT WE CAN'T DEPEND ON GAMBLING DOLLARS TO FUND ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

DON: THE GAMBLING BILL WOULD SET UP A LOTTERY TO BENEFIT EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROCEEDS FROM THE PROPOSED CASINOS WOULD GO TOWARDS BROADBAND EXPANSION, RURAL HOSPITALS, MENTAL HEALTH AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

DON: GOVERNOR IVEY IS ALSO SPEAKING OUT ON TWO PROPOSED BILLS THAT WOULD LIMIT HER AUTHORITY.

SHE TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL TODAY THAT WHILE SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT LAWMAKERS WANT TO HAVE THEIR SAY, SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT EITHER BILL IS NECESSARY.

ONE OULD CURTAIL THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND GIVE THE LEGISLATURE A SAY, AND IVEY WAS PARTICULARLY STRAIGHTFORWARD ABOUT IT.

>> WELL, THE REASON THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS BEEN GIVING THE AUTHORITY TO ACT IN EMERGENCIES IS BECAUSE IT IS AN EMERGENCY.

IF SABAN HAS A DECISION TO MAKE ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, DOES HE CALL ALL OF THE ASSISTANT COACHES AND TRUSTEES?

NO-NO.

THE COACH MAKES A DECISION.

DON: ANOTHER PROPOSED BILL UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION COULD GIVE LAWMAKERS THE AUTHORITY TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SPECIAL SESSION, SOMETHING THAT, CURRENTLY, ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN DO.

GOVERNOR IVEY WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DON: ALABAMA'S MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT IS STILL EXPECTED TO BE A HOT TOPIC FOR STATE LAWMAKERS AS THEY RESUME THEIR NEW SESSION.

ONE BILL THAT WOULD AMEND THE LAW DEALING WITH MOVING HISTORIC MARKERS AND THE LIKE HAS STALLED IN COMMITTEE, WHILE ANOTHER THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN THE LAW HAS YET TO REACH COMMITTEE.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> A HOT TOPIC FOR LAWMAKERS.

WHAT TO DO NOT ABOUT CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS IN THE STATE.

THERE'S A BILL FOR STIFFER FINES AND PENALTIES FOR ANYONE REMOVING OR DAMAGING MONUMENTS.

REPRESENTATIVE GAVAN IS PRESENTING BILL 8 TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> IF A MONUMENT IS OLDER THAN 40 YEARS OF AGE THEY WOULDN'T ALLOW FOR A WAIVER.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED IN HUNTSVILLE.

SO THEY HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION BY THEMSELVES, TAKE IT DOWN OR HAVE IT REVIEWED.

>> THE IDEA IS TO NOT HANDCUFF MUNICIPALITIES.

>> A LOT OF LEGISLATORS ASKED ME HOW WE CAME UP WITH THIS AMENDMENT.

AND IT WAS TO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T OVER TAX THE COMMITTEE.

>> THIS WAS SENT TO A SUBCOMMITTEE.

>> I'M GOING TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND I WOULD LIKE TO CECE THIS WORKED OUT.

>> AROUND OPTIMISTIC MOVE, SAYS SENATOR MAC MCCUTCHEON.

>> IT PUTS THE LOCAL CONTROL, ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO.

[ROLL CALL] WHAT THEY DO AND THE ENFORCEMENT AND CARRYING OUT THE RESTRICTIONS OR WHATEVER THAT HE DO.

>> THE SPEAKER ADS BOTH MEASURES ARE STILL ON THE STABLE.

>> THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE ANTIS AND OF COURSE THE OTHER BILL IS REPRESENT HOLMES AND HE IS WORKING ON HIS BILL.

>> I'M RANDY SCOTT.

DON: A STATE LAWMAKER FROM BIRMINGHAM SAYS HE WILL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION NEXT WEEK THAT WOULD MAKE RIOTING, LOOTING, AND OTHER VIOLENCE LIKE THAT SEEN IN BIRMINGHAM LAST SUMMER FELONY CRIMES.

REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY, WHO WAS THE CITY'S ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF AT THE TIME OF THAT VIOLENCE, BUT IS NOW RETIRED, IS PROPOSING NEW CRIMES AND PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO INCITE OR PARTICIPATE IN RIOTS.

HE ALSO WANTS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS WHEN SUCH SITUATIONS TAKE PLACE.

>> WE WILL HAVE THIS DIALOGUE AND WE DON'T GET DOWN INTO POINTING FINGERS BUT WE ALL COME TOGETHER AROUND ONE ISSUE.

THAT IS WHEN THESE PEACEFUL PROTESTS ARE PROPOSAL DOWN INTO VITAL RIOTING, LEWDING AND ASSAULTING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WE NEED ZERO TO HAVE A MEANS TO HOLD THEM BEFORE THEY REJOIN THE RIOTERS AND LOOTERS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

DON: REPRESENTATIVE TREADAWAY CONTENDS THAT MANY WHO CARRIED OUT THE VIOLENCE DURING LAST SUMMER'S RIOTS IN BIRMINGHAM WERE NOT LOCAL RESIDENTS, BUT OUTSIDERS WHO CAME IN PREPARED TO DESTROY PROPERTY AND ASSAULT POLICE.

THE RIOTING, OF COURSE, SPRANG FROM ANGER OVER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD AT THE HANDS OF MINNEAPOLIS POLICE LAST YEAR.

TREADAWAY'S LEGISLATION ALSO PROPOSES THAT ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY IN ALABAMA THAT DEFUNDS A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WOULD LOSE ELIGIBILITY FOR ANY STATE FUNDING, GRANTS, REVENUES, OR OTHER FORMS OF AID, AND THAT THEY WOULD BECOME CIVILLY LIABLE FOR ANY VIOLENT CRIME THAT RESULTS FROM THE ACTION.

DON: THE STATE THIS WEEK ASKED A FEDERAL COURT TO DISMISS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE‘S LAWSUIT ALLEGING THAT ALABAMA FAILED TO PROVIDE SAFE CONDITIONS FOR PRISON INMATES AND ADEQUATELY PROTECT THEM FROM VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT THE STATE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT SUCH ABUSES, AS ALLEGED, RISE TO THE LEVEL OF VIOLATING THE INMATES' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, AND THE CASE IS OVERLY BROAD.

YOU.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF THE JUSTICE IS ARGUING THAT WE ARE SYSTEMICALLY ACROSS THE ALL FACILITY IT HAVING CERTAIN ISSUES AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE: SO WHEN WE ARE LITIGATING THIS PART OF THE EFFORT IS TO NARROW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND RESPECT WE WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH ALABAMA IS DOING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM INCLUDING THE BUILDING PROJECT TALKED ABOUT RECENTLY.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT ON BEHALF OF ALABAMA AND INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES TO HIRE GUARDS THAT GO A LONG WAY TO JUSTIFYING ISSUES.

>> DON: PRISON REFORM ADVOCATES HAVE CONTENDED THAT THE CURRENT EFFORT TO BUILD NEW PRIVATE LEASE PRISONS IN THE STATE DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH IN ADDRESSING OUR PROBLEMS, WHICH THEY BELIEVE ARE SYSTEMIC.

DON: ATTORNEYS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ARE ARGUING THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS NO STANDING IN A LEGAL CASE THAT'S TRYING TO STOP THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU FROM INCLUDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THE POPULATION COUNT USED TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF CONGRESSIONAL SEATS IN EACH STATE.

IT'S A REVERSAL OF POLICY UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL AND CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS HAVE PUSHED ALABAMA'S CASE IN THIS MATTER, AND MARSHALL TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE ‘BEGS TO DIFFER' WITH THE STANDING ISSUE.

>> THE STANDING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE CASE AND WHETHER THE ISSUE IS RIGHT OR ARE THERE ENOUGH FACTS TO ALLOW A JUDGE TO BE ABLE TO RENDER A DECISION.

WE HAVE ARGUMENTATIVES TO THOSE AND WE WILL PRESENT THOSE MOVING FORWARD.

DON: MARSHALL HAS ARGUED THAT ALABAMA COULD LOSE A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IF THE CENSUS BUREAU IS ALLOWED TO COUNT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ATTORNEYS HAVE CONTENDED THAT THAT POSSIBILITY IS SPECULATIVE AND MIGHT NOT BE THE CASE AT ALL.

DON: FORMER ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL JIMMY EVANS PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK.

EVANS SERVED AS AG FROM 1991 TO 1995.

HE IS BEST REMEMBERED FOR THE 1993 PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION OF THEN-GOVERNOR GUY HUNT ON CHARGES THAT HE STOLE 200,000-DOLLARS FROM AN INAUGURAL FUND.

BEFORE HE WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL, EVANS SERVED AS MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DURING WHICH TIME IN 1978 HE SUCCESSFULLY SECURED THE FIRST CONVICTION UNDER THE ALABAMA ETHICS LAW IN A CASE SURROUNDING THEN STATE TREASURER MELBA TILL ALLEN.

JIMMY EVANS WAS 81 YEARS OLD.

FUNERAL SERVICES ARE SET FOR MONDAY.

DON: THE REPUBLICAN STATE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED THAT ALABAMA SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL WILL CO-CHAIR A NEW NATIONAL COMMISSION TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN ELECTIONS.

MICHIGAN STATE SENATOR RUTH JOHNSON WILL LEAD THE GROUP ALONG WITH MERRILL, TO ADDRESS ISSUES IT SAYS WERE RAISED IN THE 2020 ELECTION CONTROVERSY.

MERRILL TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A REPUBLICAN-LED COMMISSION, HE WANTS TO ADOPT BEST PRACTICES FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE.

>> THE THING THAT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER IS VOTER INTEGRITY AND ELECTIONS INTEGRITY IS NEVER ZERO OUT OF SEEN AND YOU HAVE TO WORKS HARD TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PROVIDING THE LEADERSHIP NECESSARY TO HAVE THE BEST PRACTICES ADOPTED AND THAT YOU HAVE SAFE, SECURE AND SAFE ELECTIONS IN THE UNION.

DON: THE NEW COMMISSION IS PLAYING UP ITS MISSION BY USING A SLOGAN OFTEN REPEATED BY SECRETARY OF STATE MERRILL: “MAKING IT EASIER TO VOTE AND HARDER TO CHEAT.”.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, U.S.

SENATOR TOM TOMMY TUBERVILLE OF AUBURN HAS BEEN BACK IN STATE AFTER WHIRLWIND MONTH AND A HALF OPEN THE JOB.

HE HAS BEEN MEETING WITH CONSTITUENTS AND HEARING CONCERNS.

WE CAUGHT UP DURING A VISIT TO DOTHAN.

>> WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

>> THAT YOU THANK YOU.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE IMPEACHMENT VOTE.

THE SONATA QUITTED FOR THE MOST PARTER PRESIDENT TRUMP ON CHARGES HE IN SAID THE RIOT ON JANUARY 6.

YOU WERE ONE OF THE VOTES TO ACQUIT.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING NOW THAT YOU'RE BACK IN THE FIELD ABOUT THE WAY YOU VOTED?

>> THEY'RE GLAD THE WAY I VOTED.

WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAD THE TRIAL.

HE IS NOT IN OFFICE ANYMORE.

AND IT OPENED UP THE PANDORA'S BOX WHEN THE REPUBLICANS ARE IN POWERED OR ARE WE OR THINK GOING TO BEFORE I SOMEBODY BACK THAT WAS A FORMER PRESIDENT SERVANT?

WE DON'T NEED TO DO THAT.

WE SPENT FIVE DAYS WHEN WE COULD HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE COUNTRY BUT WE SAT THERE KNOWING HE WAS NOT GOING TO BE FOUND GUILTY.

THAT'S THE PARTISANSHIP IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND WHOEVER IS IN POWER HAS TO MAKE THINGS AS HARD AS POSSIBLE ON THE OTHER SIDE AS THEY CAN.

>> WAS THE CRUX OF YOUR VOTE NOT TO ACQUIT ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF TRYING A FORMER PRESIDENT AND THAT IS IT AND YOU CAN'T BELIEVE HE WAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE -- >> AT THE TIME HE SAID THINGS HE THINGS SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID.

HE SAID THAT TOO.

DUE PROCESS AND NOT CONSTITUTIONAL.

THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS I LOOKED AT.

YOU HAVE TO ADD YOUR BACKGROUND WORK IN THE HOUSE.

ALL THEY DID WAS RUN IT THROUGH AND RUN IT AT US SAYING Y'ALL TAKE CARE OF IT.

NOW, WE'RE FINDING THINGS THAT ARE COMING ARE OUT THEY WERE SAYING THAT WAS THE FAULT THE PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT WERE NOT AND THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TOO LOOK AT IT THE RIGHT WAY.

I'M JUST GLAAD IT'S OVER WITH BECAUSE NOW WE CAN LOOK AT THE MUST BE ONE THING IN THE COUNTRY WHICH IS THE VIRUS.

>> KENTUCKY MADE HEADLINES SAYING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID IN SAY THE RIOTS WITH HIS WORDS AND THERE'S WITHIN A LAWSUIT FILED ZERO OVER THIS ISSUE.

IT'S NOT A DEAD ISSUE.

>> IT WILL GO BACK AND FORTH: THE MEDIA WILL KEEP IT ALIVE.

YOU WILL HAVE THE DEMOCRATS TO KEEP IT STIRRED UP AND THEY SHOULD LET IT GO.

WE HAD THE TRIAL.

LEADER MCCONNELL WAS SPEAKING AS A SENATOR NOT A LEADER.

AS YOU SAW THE VOTE THAT CAME FROM THE REPUBLICANS WAS 43 PEOPLE VOTE TO ACQUIT.

BUT I GUESS HE THOUGHT HE NEEDED TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

THAT WAS NOT FROM HIS LEADERSHIP ROLE.

THAT WAS HIM BEING A SENATOR OF SOMEBODY THAT HE VOTED TO ACQUIT BUT WANTED TO EXPLAIN WHY HE DID THAT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BROUGHT UP WITH THAT WHEN WE HAD HAVE OUR CAUCUS MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WE NEED TO GO ON WITH IT AND GET THE COUNTRY GOING THE WAY IT SHOULD BE GOING.

>> DO YOU AGREE WITH THE MOVE IN THE HOUSE TO INITIATE A 911 STYLE COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE.

>> WE LOST 3,000 PEOPLE.

THAT WAS HORRIFIC.

THIS WAS A TRAGEDY BUT NOT CLOSE TO WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DAY.

SO I THINK YOU'RE SEE EPIGASTRIC THE DEMOCRATS JUST KIND OF THREING THAT BACK AND SAYING LISTEN, THIS WAS A 9/11 INEVITABLE MEDICARE SON.

THIS WAS NOT CLOSE.

THAT WAS -- I WAS THERE.

YOUR QUESTION IS SET DOES ITING IN THE SEAT THE DAY THIS HAPPENED.

WE HEARD A LITTLE NOISE, EVACUATED AND GONE.

I THINK MOST OF IT HAMMOND ON THE OTHER END.

WHO EVER CAME IN THERE BROKE WINDOWS, WAS DESTRUCTIVE AND GOT INVOLVED.

THAT'S AGAINST THE LAW.

THEY SHOULD GO TO JAIL.

THIS IS NOT IN COMPARISON TO 9/11.

IF THEY WANT TO LOOK INTO IT FINE.

AS LONG AS IT'S BIPARTISAN, LOOK AT IT THE RIGHT WAY.

DON'T AT WASTE A LOT OF MONEY ON IT.

I WAS THERE.

SO CAN A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE.

SO LET'S GET THIS COUNTRY GOING AGAIN.

IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THAT WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT, WHEN I GO TO WORK EASTER DAY, I LIVE ABOUT A MILE FROM OFFICE.

I WALK.

AND I WALK THROUGH BARBED WIRE FENCE WITH RAISER WIRE AND THOUSANDS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD CARRYING M-5'S.

WE'RE NOT UNDER SIEGE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THERE'S NO PROBLEM.

BUT WE'RE SPENDING 2 TO $3 MILLION A DAY TO SHOW THAT WE'RE IN TROUBLE.

WE'RE NOT.

THE TROUBLE WE HAVE THE VIRUS.

>> QUICKLY IN SAYING YOU DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY COMPARE SOVEREIGN IN THIS IF 9/11 WE'RE NOT DOWNPLAYING THE INSURRECTION.

YOU DON'T THEY THINK IT COMPARES IN SCALE.

>> THAT WAS SOMEBODY THAT AGAINST OUR COUNTRY.

THIS WAS A PROTEST THAT TURNED INTO -- JUST WATCHING THE NEWS CLIPS PEOPLE THAT AT THE BOTTOM OUT OF CONTROL.

IF THEY DESTROYED SOMETHING, HURT ANYBODY, DID ANYBODY ANYTHING TO BREAK THE LAW THEY NEED TO GO TO JAIL.

I MEAN IT'S A COMPARISON.

THEY'RE VERY COMPARABLE.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO BEING AMERICANS.

AND NOT DESTROYING THINGS AND POINTING FINGERS AND AT OTHER PEOPLE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS ABOUT.

>> YOUR PHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MADE HIM ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SAID YOU INFORMED THE PRESIDENT THAT VICE PRESIDENT PENCE WAS BEING EVACUATED.

THE HEADLINES SUGGESTED THAT WAS A NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN KEY IN THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT STATEMENT AND WHAT WAS MADE OUT IN THE PRESS?

>> WHAT HAPPENED WAS, AS WE'RE SITTING IN THE SENATE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU HAVE SIX OR SEVEN PEOPLE RUN IN AND GET THE VICE PRESIDENT AND ESCORT HIM OUT VERY FAST.

I'M SITTING THERE GOING -- IT'S MY FIRST DAY HERE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

THAT DIDN'T LOOK RIGHT.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

AND THEN THEY CAME ON STAGE AND SAID PEOPLE WERE GOING TO EVACUATE.

AND MIKE LEE HANDED ME HIS CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND SAID COACH YOU HAVE A PHONE CALL.

I PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> MIKE LU FROM EUTAW.

SO I ANSWERED THE PHONE.

HELLO.

PRESIDENT TRUMP STARTED SAYINGS A FEW WORDS.

AND I SAID MR. WILL THE THEY HAVE JUST TAKEN OUR VICE PRESIDENT OUT.

THEIR THEY'RE TELLING ME TO GO.

I HAVE SAM PROBABLY THE LAST ONE TO HANG UP ON ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE EMPLOYEE TEST OFFER CAME OUT.

WHETHER THEY WERE HOSTILE OAR WHATEVER THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT HAPPENED WITH THAT PHONE CALL.

>> W. WERE YOU EVER IN FEAR FOR YOUR LIFE THAT DAY?

>> NO.

WE'RE INSIDE.

WE DIDN'T SEE THE MILLION PEOPLE OUTSIDE.

WE HAD NO CLUE.

I DID SEE ONE AS THIS IS GOING ON, I GET A -- ONE OF MY SONS SAID DAD ARE YOU OKAY IF AND AND YOU HAVE SEEN THE PICTURE OF THE PEOPLE CLIMBING UP THE WALL.

THAT'S THE ONLY TIME THAT DAY I HAD A VISUAL OF WHAT WAS GOING ON OUTSIDE AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING IN THE CAPITOL.

>> COACH YOU HAVE MENTIONED DURING THIS INTERVIEW THAT THAT WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE PEOPLE PEACE BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY COVID RELIEF.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS INTRODUCED AN AM BENEFITS BILL THAT YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT.

TELL US WHAT YOU HAD FEEL.

>> $2 TRILLION IS A HAD A LOT OF MONEY WE DON'T HAVE.

ONE THING, WE STILL HAVE A TRILLION WE HAVEN'T SPENT THAT IS OUT THERE AND NOT GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE.

IT'S CALLED GOVERNMENT.

IT BOGS DOWN AND WE'RE TURNING AROUND AFTER 900 MILLION AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO JURISPRUDENCE BACK IN TO $2 TRILLION AND WE HAVEN'T SPENT THE OTHER MONEY.

THAT'S A R. THAT'S A KERN OF MINE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED THE MONEY GET IT.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHEN THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO CLOSE THIS COUNTRY DOWN AND HELP OUT THE HOSPITAL AND GO BACK TO WORK.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE NOT GONE BACK TO WORK.

THAT'S THE PEOPLE WE'RE TRYING TO HELPFUL.

THOUSANDS OF GONE UNDER.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE'RE IN THIS COUNTRY AND CAN'T TELL PEOPLE THEY CAN'T OPEN UP A BITS.

WE KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE VIRUS TO PROTECT OURSELVES, WHAT TO WEAR, HOWEVER TO STAY AWAY, WE HAVE THE VACCINE COMINGS.

I ASK ALL THE OVER THE STATE TALKING TO ADMINISTERS AND, DOCTOR,S AND WE KNOW SO MUCH NOW.

WE DIDN'T KNOW TEN, 11 SHOWS AGO.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MASKS OR THE THINGS THAT WE NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.

NOW WE DO.

HOSPITALS HAVE THE MATERIALS AND THEY HAVE THE KNOW-HOW, THEY HAD UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON.

SO WE'RE MUCH FURTHER ALONG WITH IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT $15 AN HOUR.

THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CORONAVIRUS.

THE MINIMUM WAGE.

IT HAS NOTHING.

EVENTUALLY WE MAY NEED TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT LET'S GET PAST THE POINT OF THE VIRUS AND DON'T USE THE VIRUS TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO BE MORE TARGETED.

>> RIGHT.

AND TAKE CARE OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE UNDER.

WE HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> THE PRESIDENT WAS ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK HIS NEW IMMIGRATION INITIATIVES AND PART OF MUCH THAT IS SHORTENNING THE CITIZENS SHIP FROM OTHERS IN OUR COUNTRY.

HOW DO YOU FEEL?

>> IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND YOU'RE ASKING ME FOR MY VOTE, I WOULD SAY I'M ALL FOR PEOPLE COMING HERE THE RIGHT BAY AND BECOMING CITIZENS.

BUT PUT THE WALL UP.

WE HAVE 3 TO 4,000 A KAY OF DAY COMING.

WE CAN'T AFFORD THE PEOPLE NOW.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE FILLING UP.

YOU HAVE CAN'T FLY INTO THIS COUNTRY.

BUT YOU CAN COME ACROSS THE BORDER AND NOT EVEN HAVE TO TAKE THE COVID TEST.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE REALITY OF WHAT THEY'RE THINKING WITH THIS.

I'M WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HE TALKS ABOUT.

PUT THE WALL UP.

LET'S LET THE PEOPLE COME IN AT OUR DISCRETION.

>> THE PRESIDENT HAS HALTED THE THE WALL CONSTRUCTION.

YOU'RE URGING HIM TO RESUME THAT.

>> WE'RE NOT THAT FAR AWAY FROM FINISHING IT.

AND THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT TAXPAYERS HAVE SPENT WILL BE WASTED IF WE DON'T FINISH IT.

HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET A WALL UP.

PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE KIDS WE'RE LOSING BECAUSE OF DRUGS AND FENTANYL THAT IS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER AND THE SEX TRAFFICKING.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

BUT WE'RE NOT USING COMMON SENSE.

PROTECT OF THE PEOPLE OF 30S COUNTRY FIRST.

IF WE CAN HELP SOMEBODY ELSE, LET'S HELP THEM.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THAT WAS TOMMY TUBERVILLE OF AUBURN.

JOINING US FOR A CONVERSATION.

WE APPRECIATE HIS TIME FOR A BEING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE WILL BE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO DO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU,TOP?

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH COVID VACCINATIONS.

THAT'S TOP OF MIND FOR ALABAMIANS AND FOLKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BOOM IS NOT UNIQUE IN THE CHALLENGES.

HIGH DEMAND AND LIMITED SUPPLY FOR THE VACCINE.

HOW DO YOU THINK WE'RE DOING?

>> WHEN WE GET TO VACCINATING, WE'RE CLEARLY CAPABLE OF ADMINISTERING THE VACCINATION.

WE HAD EIGHT MEGA SITES LAST WEEK AND THEY EXCEEDED THEIR GOALS LAST WEEK.

WE WANTED AS MANY TO HAVE THE SHOTS AS WILL AND IF WE CAN DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE THE VACCINE WE WILL BE IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> AS FAR AS THE AMOUNT WE HAVE WE ARE DO DOING AS WELL AS WE CAN.

>> WE HAVE GIVEN OUT A BUNCH WITH SHOT NUMBER ONE.

WE'RE HAVING TO HOLD SOME BACK FOR THE FOLKS TO GET IT SECOND SHOT.

WE'RE ON TARGET.

>> I GUESS WE COULD SAY, PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE WHERE WHERE THIS IS CONCERNED.

THIS IS UNCHARTERED TERRITORY IN VACCINATING SO MANY PEOPLE.

>> THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE BEAT THE MORE VACCINE IN THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE THAT RECIPE DOWN PACKET AND PUMPING IT OUT.

WE JUST NEED MORE.

>> HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE GETTING MORE.

>> I THINK WE'RE GETTING 60,000 DOSES A WEEK I BELIEVE IT IS AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE.

>> LET'S TURN TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NOW.

LAWMAKERS RETURN TO MONTGOMERY NEXT WEEK FOR WEEK NUMBER.

IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS, WHICH WENT BY IN A WHIRLWIND, YOU SIGNED THREE BILLS INTO RAW.

THOSE WERE CONSIDERED PRIORITY BILLS, ONE DEALT WITH EXTENDING PRIORITY AND ONE WAS COVID AND ONE WAS SLOWLY LIABILITY FOR BUSINESS QUESTIONS AND ZERO THE OTHER AND YOU SAID MONEY RECEIVED UNDER THE FEDERAL CARES ACT WOULDN'T BE SUBJECT TO STATE TAXES.

YOU CONSIDERED THOSE PRIORITY IN GETTING OUT -- >> I CAN.

AND I WANT TO PRACTICING ON THE LEGISLATURE AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR VERY ASTATUTE ATTENTION TO PASSING ALL THREE BILLS.

I SIGNED THEM AFTER THEY PASSED BOTH HOUSES WHICH THINK THEY DID IN RECORD TIME AND I'M HAPPY THEY SAW THE NEED FOR ALL THREE PRIORITIES.

MY HOST OFF TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> EVERYBODY LIKE YOU IS WATCHING.

WE'RE DEALING WITH EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE CONCERNED.

THE SURE TO ASK THE PAST WEEK OFF TO ASSESS HOW WE TO AND HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE GENERAL CONSENSUS SEEMS TO BE THAT WE WILL COME BACK NEXT WEEK OPERATING UNDER THE SAME PARAMETERS BUST IT SEEMS WE DID OKAY.

>> WE DID.

AND I HOPE WE CAN CONSIDER THAT DILIGENCE AND FOCUS.

THERE'S A LOT ON THE ABLE THAT NEEDS ATTENTION.

AND I HAVE A LOT OF ATTENTION OWN THE HOUSE MEMBERS.

>> THE LOTTERY ISSUED IS -- THE QUALIFICATION IN THE HALLWAYS.

SENATOR DELL MARSH INTRODUCED HIS LOTTERY AND EXPANSION BILL.

YOU SAID IN YOUR STATE-OF-THE-STATE ADDRESS YOU HAD NEVER BEEN AN OUT-FRONT CHAMPION BUT ALWAYS STOOD FIRM IN ALLOWING THE PEOPLE TO HAVE A VOTE.

>> THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA ALWAYS OUGHT TO HAVE THE FINAL SAY.

THIS HAS BEEN A DEBATED BILL FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND THE PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HAD A FINAL SAY.

BUST THEY NEED TO HAVE A SAY AND THEY NEED SO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE VOTING SON.

I WAS PROUD TO COMPLETED A STUDY GROUP OF STILTLAR YOU RIBBON PART TIME PEOPLE TO GET ME THE FULTON COUNTY FACTS AND DRAWBACKS OF EXPANDING GAMBLING.

THEY MADE A THICK REPORT.

I HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT.

IF WE DO THIS RIGHT DAY CARE BY "RIGHT" I MEAN THE STATE OF ALABAMA NOT FOR SALE, AND WE NEED TO HAVE LAWS THAT WE CAN SUPERVISOR AND CONTROL AND GET MONEY BACK TO THE STATE FOR THE USE OF PEOPLE, AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE WANT TO PUT THE MONEY TO USE FOR PROJECTS FOR PEOPLE PUT WE CAN'T DEPEND ON GAMBLING DOLLARS TO FUND SERVICES.

SO, DAY., IF THE BILL IN AND THE LAWS THEIR' PUTTING ON THE BOOK ARE OFTEN, TRANSPARENT, ENFORCEABLE BECAUSE WE HAVE ILLEGAL GAMBLING BEEN IN ON WITH NO CONTROL, NO BENEFITS TO THE STATE AND WE NEED 20 GET OTHER HANDS AROUND IT BUT IT MUST BE DORNE IN AN OPEN, TRANSPARENT NONPOLITICAL INVOLVEMENT, NO SPECIAL INTEREST INFLUENCES.

THIS HAS TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT.

I THINK SENATOR MARSH AND THE OTHER LEGISLATORS ARE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THAT TOMB OF BUILT TO PASS SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA CAN VOTE ON A BILL THEY CAN BE PROUD OF.

>> WHERE THE TRANSPARENCY IS CONCERNED YOU HAD A LINE IN YOUR STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS WHICH IS, "IF IT DOESN'T PASS THE SMELL TEST, I HAVE WILL LET YOU KNOW."

>> YES.

I HAVE A CONFIDENT BELIEVE THAT THE SENATE WILL GIVE A CLEAN BUILT TO VOTE ON A CLEAN BILL TO EXPAND LOTTERY.

IF WE TO IT RIGHT, HIGHLY ETHICAL, GOLD STANDARD OF ETHICS AND OPEN AND APPARENT.

IF I SUSPECT SOMETHING IS NOT ABOVEBOARD, I SEE WILL LET YOU KNOW.

>> THE HASHING OUT OF THIS WILL COME BACK.

BUT UNDER THE SENATOR'S PROPOSAL, WE WOULD HAVE A LOTTERY, AND SPORTS BETTING AND THE PROCEEDS WOULD BENEFIT A NUMBER OF AREAS, AND THE LOTTERY WOULD BENEFIT -- DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD HELP?

>> I THINK THE PEOPLE WANTED TO AND WE NEED MORE BROADBAND AND THIS COULD BE HELPFUL IN THAT REGARD TO.

>> THIS WOULD ULTIMATELY GO UP FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE AND THE JURY IS OUT ON HOW THE PUBLIC MAY ZERO VOTE ON THIS.

IT'S NOT A GUARANTEED THING.

>> BUT I'M HOPEFUL SINCE WE HAVE -- IT'S AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE, THEY WILL GET THE FACTS.

>> TO SUPPORT THIS IF WHAT THE LEGISLATURE PUTS TOGETHER THE SMELL TEST, AS YOU HAVE PUT IT.

>> VERY WELL SAID.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO PRISONS NOW.

THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THERE WAS A LOT OF BUZZ OVER YOU SIGNING TWO DEALS DICE TO BUILD TWO PRISONS.

A THIRD IS STILL OUT THERE.

THIS IS HAS BEEN A HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

CRITICS CONTINUED THE BUILDING MUCH NEW PRISONS WON'T GO IF FAR ENOUGH AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS OVER WHAT THIS WILL COST.

YOU HAVE CONTENDED, AS HAS CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER JEFF DUNN, THIS PAID OFF BY THE SAVINGS THAT WE WITH GENERATE.

>> WE HAVE BORROWED MONEY.

WE'RE NOT RAISING TAXES.

WE'RE GOING TO BUILD THIS AND PAY BACK OUT OF THE SAVES BECAUSE WE CAN CLOSE OVER POISONS DOWN.

HAVE SIGNED THE PAPERS FOR THE FIRMS TO BUILD PRISONS NOW.

WE'RE STILL IN NEGOTIATION WITH THE THYROID BUILDER AND DEVELOPER AND SO IT WAS NEVER EXPENDED ALL THREE WILL BE BILLED AT THE SAME TIME.

IT'S STAGGERED.

NOT ONLY WILL WE HAVE NEW FACILITIES, BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REHABILITATE INMATES AND TEACH THEM TO EARN A JOB AND SUPPORT A FAMILY AND WORKD A PRODUCTIVE JOB.

ONCE THEY GET OUT AND ALL OF THE PRISONERS WILL COME OUT OF PRISON.

SO WE WANT THEM TO BE REHABILITATED AND WE WANT TO HAVE A GOOD MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AS WELL AS MEMORY PROGRAM AND EDUCATIONAL, VOCATION MANY TRAINING SO THEY CAN HAVE A SKILL AND HOLD DOWN A JOB.

YES, WE'RE DOING MORE THAN BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, A CONTRACT JUSTICE STUDY GROUP, AS OF A YEAR OR TWO AGO, DRAFTED A NUMBER OF BILLS CONSIDERED IN THIS IS SIGNIFICANT.

MANY TO DO WITH ASSISTING AND REFORMING AND THOSE COULD BE COMPANION PIECES.

>> THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE, SO I LOOK FORWARDS TO WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT THOSE REFORM TO.

>> THE NEW MEGA PRISONS, AS THEY'RE CALLED, REGIONAL FACILITIES, THERE'S BEEN PUSH BACK ON PEOPLE IN THE AREAS IN WHICH THESE PRISONS WOULD BE BUILT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE TO THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOUSING THESE NEW PRISONS, SO TO SPEAK.

>> I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT NOBODY JUST WANTS TO HAVE A PRISON IN THEIR TRAINED IN BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY'RE GOING TO BE HIGH QUITE BUILDINGS, AND THEY WILL BE WOULD WITH CORRECTION OFFICERS, AND TECHNOLOGY THAT WE DON'T HAVE TODAY AND WE WON'T PAYING MAINTENANCE.

AT THE END OF THE LEASE WE WILL HAVE USEABLE, STRUCTURAL, FACILITIES: IT'S BEEN A LONG AND -- THE SITUATION AS LONG-NEEDED ATTENTION, AND I SIGNED ON TO TACKLE SOME OF THE LONG NEGLECTED ISSUES FACING OUR STATE AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

>> DO YOU PLAN TO SEE THIS THROUGH TO COMPLETION?

I ASK THAT IN THE CONTEXT WE HAVE HEARD THAT THE HOUSES WITH DRAFTING A BILL THAT WOULD PROPOSE A BOND ISSUE FOR ANY PRISONS IF YOUR INITIATIVE FELL THROUGH.

>> ANY INITIATIVE IS UNDER WAY.

WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THEIR BACK UP PLAN OR WHATEVER.

BUT WE'RE MOVING AHEAD AND WE'RE ON TARGET TO COMPLETED THIS PROJECT.

IT'S AN ALABAMA AND WE WILL HAVE AN ALABAMA SOLUTION.

>> QUICKLY, YOU HAVE BEEN A BIG PROPONENT ABOUT GETTING CHILDREN BACK IN THE CLASSROOM PHYSICALLY.

THIS HAS BECOME PART OF THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE RIGHT NOW.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC WITH EFFORTS TO GET OUR KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM ARE CONCERNED.

>> I AM.

AND THE EDUCATORS AND ALL RANKS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE NEXT LEVEL OF ELIGIBILITY FOR GETTING THE COVID VACCINATION SO THAT WILL HELP.

WITHOUT QUESTIONED, I STILL NEED TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM WITH A LIVE INSTRUCTOR, ALAR TEACHER DOING THE WORK.

THAT'S WHERE STUDENTS LEARN.

I'M A FORMER SCHOOLTEACHER, SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND NOTHING REPLACES OF THE PRESENCE OF THE QUALIFIED TEACHER ON DUTY EVERY DAY.

YES, WE NEED OUR STUDENTS BACK IN SCHOOL.

>> DO YOU WORRY -- AND I KNOW YOU HAVE EXPRESSED THE LEARN LEARNING LOSS THE CHIRP ARE EXPERIENCED.

>> I ARE REACHED OUT AND ASKED SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO IDENTIFY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP PROVIDE EXTRA LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT STUDENTS AFTER HOURS AND DURING THE SUMMER.

THEN THEY HAD CATCH -- THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CAPRIATI CATCH-UP DURING THE REGULAR DAY.

SO WE NEED AFTER SCHOOL HOURS AND ALSO IN THE SUMMER AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT IS GOING TO OCCUR.

>> I HAVE NOTED TO ASK YOU TO WEIGH-IN ON A COUPLE OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED THAT WOULD CURTAIL THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY.

ONE HAS TO DO DO WOULD THE GOVERNOR ISSUING EMERGENCY ORDERS AND ANOTHER HAS TO DO WITH GIVING THE LEGISLATURE THE AUTHORITY TO CALL IT'S SELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION?

>> THE REASON THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS BEEN GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO ACT IN EMERGENCIES IS BECAUSE IT IS AN EMERGENCY.

IF COACH SABAN HAS A DECISION TO MAKE ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD DOES HE CALL ALL ASSISTANT COACHES TRUSTEES AND ADMINISTRATION TOGETHER?

NO.

THE COACH MANGE A DECISION.

CAN YOU MAMMOGRAM TRYING TO GET 140 LEGISLATORS NOT IN TOWN, WHO DON'T WORK FULL-TIME BACK INTO SESSION IN ORDER TO ADOPT AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND SITUATION AND MAKE AN EMERGENCY DECISION?

IT'S QUITE EVIDENT THAT THE THREE PRIORITY BILLS THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THE FIRST TWO WEEKS, THOSE WERE IN MY EMERGENCY DECLARATION TO TIE THEM OVER SO WE WOULDN'T MISS A BEAT.

FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTED OUR BUSINESSES AND ASSURING THE TAX PREPARERS THAT THE STATE WOULD NOT COLLECTING NOT ONE PENNY OF TAX FROM THE CARES FUND MONEY.

>> SO YOU THINK HE THESE BILLS MIGHT BE UNNECESSARY.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY'RE(D) I KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED AND THE LEGISLATURE LIKES TO HAVE THEIR SAY AND TIME.

BUT IN AROUND EMERGENCY YOU DON'T NEED A HUDDLE OF TURTLES GATHERING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DECISION.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> FINALLY IT'S OUR VISITOR WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

THANK YOU.

ALABAMA WAS NOT IMMUNE TO THE WINTER WEATHER THIS WEEK.

WE FAIRED BETTER THAN A LOT OF STATES.

STILL WE HAD TO CANCEL TO VACCINATION EFFORTS OFFICE THE STATE.

I'M WONDERING HOW MUCH OF HAD A DEPARTMENT THAT MADE IN OUR VACCINATION EFFORTS AND DID IT AFFECT AT ALL GETTING OUR NORMAL SHIPMENTS OF THE VACCINE?

>> IT WAS QUITE A SPECTACLE.

WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING IN SUNDAY NIGHT.

STARTING SUNDAY OR OVER THE WEEKEND, WE'RE STARTING MESSAGING THAT SOME COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WERE LIKELY TO BE CLOSED MONDAY AND WE WOULD MOVE THOSE PEOPLE TO THIS COMING SATURDAY WITH THE SAME TIME SO THAT THE PEOPLE WOULD BE CLEAR.

THEN IT TURNED INTO TWO OR THREE DAYS.

THAT'S CREATED A LOT OF TROUBLE.

WE TRIED REACH OUT TO EVERY PERSON AND FIND ANOTHER TIME TO GET THEM IN.

IT'S TRUE THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE SHIPPED INTO OUR STATE HAS BEEN DELAYED BY THE WEATHER.

A LOT OF SHIPMENTS IN ALABAMA TO OUR PROVIDERS ARE DONE BY FEDEX BASED IN MEMPHIS AND THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF WEATHER.

>> HAVE WE MADE UP THE TIME NOW?

>> SO ALL OF THE ADVANTAGEOUS SEEN THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET, WE HAVE GOT.

BOUT THE ADVANTAGEOUS NATION CLINICS WERE DELAYED.

SO PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET BACK ON THE RIGHT SCHEDULE.

I THINK THE THINGS THAT WE HEARD A FEW WEEKS AGO IS THAT CDC SAYS BASED ON THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE PEOPLE CAN POSTPONE A -- ANY TIME WITHIN 6 WEEKS IS ACCEPTABLE.

EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE MAY NOT BE GETTING THEIR VACCINE ON SCHEDULE FOR THE SECOND SHOT THEY SHOULD BE FINE.

>> MOST COUNTY HEALTH APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR FIRST SHOTS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

MOST APPOINTMENTS ARE SECOND SHOTS.

>> IN THE LAST WEEK THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS BROUGHT ABOUT NEW GUIDELINES FOR THE A LOTMENT OF THE VACCINE.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

>> WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF RULING THAT OUT NOW.

WE HAVE NOT CHANGED THE STRATEGY.

THE STRATEGY FOR DISTRIBUTING VACCINE IS BASED ON THE ELIGIBLE POX OF THE AREA OR THE COUNTY THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SEND IT TO.

SO THE FIRST ELIGIBLE POXES THAT BEGAN BACK IN JANUARY OR IN DECEMBER EXCLUDED HEALTH CARE WORKERS, NURSING HOME AND HEALTH-RELATED FIRST RESPONDERS.

SO THOSE VACCINES WERE SENT TO EVERY COUNTY.

BUT THOSE GRIPES ARE CLUSTERED.

HEALTH LOCATIONS ARE WHERE OUR MAJOR MEDICAL SPEAKER CENTERS ARE SO HE IS THOSE COUNTIES LIKE MOBILE OR JEFFERSON AND ZERO OF GOT THE LION'S SHARE OF THOSE VACANCIES.

NOW WE HAVE ADDED MORE GROUPS EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED.

FOLKS OVER 65.

EDUCATORS, GROCERY WORKERS AND SO ON.

SO WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF RECALCULATING ZERO MAKE SURE EACH COUNTY GETS DISTRIBUTION.

>> SO IT WOULDN'T BE GOING JUST TO THE AREAS THAT HOUSE THE MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITIES?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE CLUSTERED IN SEVERAL AREAS BECAUSE OF THE SPECIALIZATION OF THOSE AREAS IN A WAY THAT OTHERS ARE NOT.

>> I HEARD ONTARIO NATIONAL LEVEL THIS WEEK THAT THAT ABOUT 12 PERCENT OF AMERICANS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED SO FAR.

ARE WE PRETTY CLOSE TO THAT FIGURE HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> WE'RE BEYOND 10 PERCENT.

WE'RE NOT AS FAR ALONG AS WE WOULD LIKE TO BE.

WE'RE AHEAD OF OUR SISTER STATES IN THE SOUTH AND FOUR OR FIVE OTHER SITES TOTAL.

WE'RE BEYOND 10 PERCENT AND WANT TO WOULD LIKE TO BE A COUPLE OF WEEKS FROM NOW WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE.

WE GOT OFF TO A SLOWER START AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.

BUT FOR THE LAST IN OUR WEEKS WE HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS WEEK.

THIS PAST WEEK WE GAVE MORE THAN 150,000 DOSES.

NOW, FOR A MONTH WE'RE GIVING OUT EVERY DOSE WE WHY.

>> OUR PROBLEM CONTINUOUS POST OFFICE BOX HIGH DEMAND AND LIMBED AVAILABILITY MUCH VACCINE.

ANY HOPE THAT WE CAN INCREASE OUR VACCINE RAY LOOTMENT.

>> WE'RE SEEING A LITTLE INCREASE NOW.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS ABLE TO COAX OUT SOME DEFICIENCIES BUTTER THERE'S A 16 OR 18 PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO.

THAT HAS TRANSLATED TO 10 TO 15,000 ADDITIONAL DOSES FOR ALABAMA SO WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE THAT.

WE ARE GETTING NOW THIS COMING WEEK, SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO AROUND 90,000 DOSES FOR A WEEK WHICH IS THE MOST WE HAVE GOTTEN.

THAT'S ALLOWING MOTHER FLEXIBILITY.

WE'RE TRY TOCK MAKE SURE^ THAT WE GET IT INTO ALL PARTS OF THE STATE.

THERE ARE MANY PARTS OF THE STATE THAT ARE POORER AND DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO CARE.

SO IT'S OUR GOAL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET VACCINE IN THOSE COUNTIES AS WELL AS ANYWHERE ELSE THEN EVEN THOUGH THEY CAN'T BE AS EFFICIENT IN A SMALL RURAL PRACTICE AS OPPOSED TO GIANT SITE.

>> I KNOW YOU CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THIS PERCEPTION OF WHY AREN'T I -- MEANING, GEORGE Q.

PUBLIC -- FURTHER UP ON THE SCALE THAT I AM?

SOME OF THOSE IN THE CURRENT ELIGIBILITY GROUPS ARE HEALTHY PEOPLE, BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVES THEIR BUMPED UP AND PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE MORE IN NEED ARE FURTHER DOWN.

>> IT'S A DIFFICULT BALANCE.

BUT ALABAMA IS FOLLOWING THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC.

AND WE PRIORITIZE WHO GETS VACCINE BASED ON RISK.

THERE'S THE RISK THAT YOU HAVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE HE HEALTH PROBLEMS OR A CERTAIN AGE THAT PUT YOU AT A RISK FOR DYING.

BUT ALSO PEOPLE AT RISK BECAUSE OF THE JOBS THEY HAVE.

>> THE CHANCES THEY COULD BE EXPOSED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE A DAY OR BE AFFECTED AND EXPOSED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE A DAY.

TO SOW A 25-YEAR-OLD CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE AS RISK BUT THEY MAY HAVE THE ABILITY TO INFECT A HUNDRED PEOPLE A DAY.

IT'S A BALANCE.

WE'RE TRYING TO BALANCE RISK OF INFECTION VERSUS ILLNESS.

>> DO YOU STILL FEEL THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GO FOR ALABAMA.

>> I DO.

WHEN YOU HAVE A SCARCE RESOURCE YOU HAVE TO RATION IT, AND NO WAY EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH IT.

THE MESSAGE FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW IS THERE'S GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

EVERYONE WHO WANTS A VACCINE WILL GET IT.

WE JUST HAVE A LITTLE LONGER TO GO.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT WALMART PHARMACIES ACROSS THE STATE, OFFERING SHOTS ON A FEDERAL ALOTMENT.

INITIAL STORES WERE IDENTIFIED AND MORE STORES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE LIST?

>> WE WERE ADDING 17 MORE LOCATIONS AND THAT VERTEBRAE BRINGS THEM HAD TO 90 PROTECTIONS AROUND STATE.

THEY DID WANT ASK OUR INPUT.

YET WE SOUGHT OUT AND GAVE THEM INPUT.

WE TALKED TO THAT HE MEAN COUPLE TIMES AND WE SAID HE HAD GAPS IN WHETHER WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE VACCINE.

THEY WERE OPEN TO HEARING OUR THOUGHTS.

BUT ULTIMATELY WALMART AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE THE DESIGNATES.

>> THAT WILL BE FROM A FORMER PRESIDENT R. FEDERAL ALLOTMENT.

OTHER MASK CLINICS TIP ON OF A THE STATE'S CLINICS WRAPPED UP.

THESE OTHERS ARE CONDUCTED BY HOSPITALS OR ORE ENTITIES.

>> RIGHT.

THERE ARE STILL SITES THAT GIVE OUT VACCINE IN A MASS SETTING BUT NOT BECAUSE THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL VACCINE.

>> WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT ADP PH AT A WAY TO SUSTAIN THOSE CLINICS.

I WILL TELL YOU THEY'RE NOT THE MOST EQUITABLE WAY TO GET VACCINES HOUSE.

MASS CLINICS WILL MASS PRIORITIZE PEOPLE THAT HAVE A CAR AND THE COMPUTER CHACHERE TO TRACK DOWN WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR EVERYONE.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT RUNS OUR NUMBERS UP BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH FOR SURE EVERYONE IN THE STATE.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, OUR DAILY CORONAVIRUS CASE COULD YOU WANTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE BEEN VERY STABLE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS ALTHOUGH I THINK LATE THIS WEEK WE WEPT BACK OVER A THOUSAND DAILY DAYS INDICATES THAT MAY BE HAD A WRITTEN.

BUTTER THE DEATH RATE HAS SPIKED.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAD TERRIBLE MONTH OF DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

SO WE HAVE SEEN DAYS OF DEATH AND THAT IS A LAGGING INDICATOR.

IT TAKES ARE A FEW WEEKS BEFORE YOU SEE THOSE OR BEFORE WE GET TO THOSE.

OVERALL, TRENDS ARE HEADED THE RIGHT AMP.

THE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE AS LOW AS THOUGH BEEN.

AND BECAUSE THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN WE KNOW THE DEATH NUMBERS ARE GO DOWN.

>> SHOULD WE WORRY WITH THE UK VARIANT ALREADY IN ALABAMA THEY COULD GO BACK UP.

>> WE DON'T THINK IT'S MORE DEADLY AND WE THINK THE VACCINES WORK FOR IT SO IT'S JUST A RACE TO GET AS MANY SHOTS IN ARMS AS WE CAN SO THAT DOESN'T BECOME A PROBLEM.

>> THAT YOU ARE HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> AND CAPCOLIN KAEPERNICK WILL BE RIGHT BACK.NBI B >> DON: AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

WITH THE LEGISLATURE SET TO RESUME ITS NEW SESSION NEXT WEEK, CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL ALSO RESUME ITS NIGHTLY SCHEDULE.

SO PLEASE JOIN US MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30, WHEN WE'LL PREVIEW THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

WE'RE ALSO SCHEDULED BE JOINED BY SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS OF PRATTVILLE, WHO WILL DISCUSS HOW THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS FARING AS THE PANDEMIC CONTINUES, AND ABOUT HIS BILL TO CREATE SEVERAL NEW DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS POSITIONS TO HELP ADDRESS OUR STATE PRISON PROBLEMS.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY JOE GODFREY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA CITIZEN'S ACTION PROGRAM, WHO'LL DISCUSS HIS GROUP'S OPPOSITION TO THE NEW GAMBLING EXPANSION BILL.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.