>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE STATE LAWMAKER WHO'S SPONSORING THE SWEEPING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD SET UP AN ALABAMA LOTTERY AND ALLOW FOR CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING IN THE STATE SAID TODAY THAT HE IS DELAYING A SENATE VOTE ON IT.

SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON EXPLAINED THE MOVE THIS WAY.

>> WHAT I DECIDED TO DO IS WORK OVER THE NEXT WEEK TO TWO WEEKS ON THE ENABLING LEGISLATION THAT IS GOING TO TRAVEL WITH THE C.A.

AND THE REASON I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE, YOU CAN HAVE THE CA PASS IT, LEGALIZE THE GAMING, APPOINT A STRONG COMMISSION, PUTTING CERTAIN PARAMETERS THERE BUT YOU HAVE TO GET INTO THE FINE PRINT OF THE ENABLING LEGISLATION HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK.

>> DON: MARSH SAYS THAT FINE PRINT WOULD INCLUDE THE NUMBER OF CASINOS THAT COULD OPERATE UNDER HIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND WHO WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS THAT WOULD BE FUNDED BY THE LOTTERY PROCEEDS.

MARSH, WHO HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED ON A FLOOR VOTE ON HIS GAMBLING BILL THIS WEEK, SAYS HE HAD THE VOTES TO PASS IT TODAY.

BUT HE WANTED TO FINE TUNE THE LEGISLATION.

>> IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE RUSHED.

SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I'VE BEEN GETTING HAVE BEEN THE FINE PRINT QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD CHARACTERIZE THE QUESTIONS.

SO, I THINK THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE 21 VOTES TODAY, I WOULD RATHER HAVE 25 VOTES IN TWO WEEKS AND IT SHOW A STRONG, BIPARTISAN CONSENSUS OF THE SENATE.

>> DON: WITH THE TWO WEEK DELAY IN CONSIDERING MARSH'S GAMBLING BILL IN THE UPPER CHAMBER, THAT WOULD OSTENSIBLY PUT IT BACK ON THE SENATE'S CALENDAR DURING THE WEEK OF MARCH 8TH.

THE HOUSE TODAY UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD GRANT JUDGES MORE DISCRETION IN DENYING BAIL TO SUSPECTS CHARGED WITH SOME OF THE MOST VIOLENT OF OFFENSES.

IT'S CALLED ANIAH'S LAW, AND ITS NAMED FOR ANIAH BLANCHARD, AN ALABAMA COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WAS MURDERED IN MACON COUNTY IN 2019.

IBRAHEEM YAZEED, THE SUSPECT IN HER DEATH WAS, AT THAT TIME, OUT ON BAIL FOR OTHER CRIMES.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN OF HOLLINGER'S ISLAND, AND IT WOULD EXPAND BAIL DENIAL BEYOND JUST CAPITAL MURDER TO INCLUDE OTHER VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSES.

HE RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF JUDGES THAT ARE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THIS.

RIGHT NOW, THEIR HANDS ARE TIED.

IF AN INDIVIDUAL THEY KNOW IS GOING TO GO BACK ON THE STREET TO COMMIT A VIOLENT CRIME, BECAUSE OF THEIR HISTORY, AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NOW.

THEY HAVE TO GRANT BOND AND THEY GET OUT ON THE STREETS, REVOLVING DOOR AND BACK OUT ON THE STREETS.

>> DON: ANIAH BLANCHARD'S PARENTS HAVE BEEN VOCAL SUPPORTERS OF REPRESENTATIVE BROWN'S LEGISLATION, BOTH THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR, WHEN IT ALSO PASSED THE HOUSE BUT DIDN'T MAKE OUT OF THE SENATE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

ANGELA HARRIS IS ANIAH'S MOTHER.

SHE WASN'T AT THE STATEHOUSE TODAY TO WITNESS THE HOUSE PASSAGE, BUT SHE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL LAST YEAR AND SHE CONTENDED THAT IF THIS LAW HAD BEEN IN EFFECT IN 2019, SHE BELIEVES HER DAUGHTER WOULD STILL BE ALIVE.

>> I FEEL THAT WITH MY WHOLE HEART, IF THIS LAW WOULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE, THE JUDGES, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, PROSECUTORS WHO WERE PROSECUTING WOULD SAY, HEY, LOOK, HE'S ALREADY BEEN OUT ON BOND FOR A VIOLENT OFFENSE AND THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

AND IF SO, HE WOULDN'T BE LET OUT AND IF SO, MY DAUGHTER WOULD BE ALIVE TODAY.

>> DON: WITH TODAY'S HOUSE PASSAGE, ANIAH'S LAW NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE.

AMONG THE OTHER ITEMS ON THE HOUSE AGENDA TODAY WAS A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE KINDERGARTEN MANDATORY IN THE STATE.

IT'S LEGISLATION THAT'S BACK THIS YEAR AND IT'S AGAIN SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE PEBBLIN WARREN OF TUSKEGEE.

SHE RECENTLY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HER BILL COULD GO A LONG WAY IN CREATING A MORE LEVEL EDUCATIONAL PLAYING FIELD.

>> IT'S JUST A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROPERLY PREPARING OUR KIDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE CANNOT HAVE A KID IN PRE K, KINDERGARTEN AND GO TO FIRST GRADE AND THERE'S A KID LEFT OUT HERE, HADN'T HAD PRE K OR KINDERGARTEN AND EXPECTING HIM TO BE ON THE SAME LEVEL.

SO, THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING THE KIDS AND MAKING SURE WHEN THEY START OFF, THEY HAVE SOLID FOUNDATIONS, EQUAL SOLID FOUNDATIONS.

>> DON: REPRESENTATIVE WARREN'S BILL, AS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN, WOULD GO INTO EFFECT AT THE BEGINNING OF 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR.

TWO FORMER NORTH ALABAMA SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS ARE AMONG SIX PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED IN WHAT PROSECUTORS ARE CALLING A YEARS-LONG, LUCRATIVE FRAUD AND CONSPIRACY SCHEME INVOLVING VIRTUAL SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED TODAY THE CASE SURROUNDING FORMER ATHENS CITY SUPERINTENDENT TREY HOLLIDAY AND FORMER LIMESTONE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT TOM SISK.

ALSO NAMED IS HOLLIDAY'S WIFE, RETIRED TEACHER DEBORAH HOLLIDAY, ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL WILLIAM CARTER JR., FORMER MARENGO ACADEMY FOOTBALL COACH DAVID WEBB TUTT, AND RETIRED TEACHER GREG CORKREN.

ALL ARE ACCUSED OF CONSPIRING TO GET MORE STATE FUNDING BY PRETENDING TO ENROLL FULL-TIME PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS' VIRTUAL CLASSES.

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS FOR SOME OF THE ACCUSED HAVE CALLED THE CHARGES UNFOUNDED AND SAY THEY WILL MOUNT A VIGOROUS DEFENSE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TUSKEEGEE UNIVERSITY IS THE SECOND OLDEST, HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE IN ALABAMA AND ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES.

FOUNDED IN 1881, A NORMAL SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS AT TUSKEGEE BECAME A DRIVING FORCE IN THE INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION MOVEMENT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF NOTED EDUCATOR BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, FIRST PRESIDENT.

THEY MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF RURAL BLACK FARMERS.

TUSKEEGEE SERVED AS SCHOOL FOR THE AIRMAN AND THE SCHOOL WAS INVOLVED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

AND IT WAS THE FIRST HBU TO HAVE A MARCHING BAND.

RECENTLY, NAMED THE TOP BLACK COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE SIXTH NATIONALLY.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, RITCHIE WHORTON.

NOW, YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE VACCINATIONS AND WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING THAT THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT MANDATE THAT SOMEONE RECEIVE THE VACCINATION OR ANY VACCINATION, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, YOU ARE.

I FEEL LIKE FOLKS IN ALABAMA NEED TO MAKE THE CHOICE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO GET VACCINATED.

THAT'S MY STANCE.

>> NOW, IT'S NOT CURRENTLY MANDATED BUT IN CODIFYING IT, YOU COULD SAY THAT IT COULD NEVER BE MANDATED IN THE FUTURE.

>> EXACTLY.

THE FOLKS OF ALABAMA NEED TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO BE VACCINATED OR NOT.

I DON'T WANT A MANDATE.

AND I DON'T THINK FOLKS IN ALABAMA WANT THE MANDATE.

>> WHEN YOU FLOATED THE BILL, I'M SURE YOU TALKED TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND OTHERS IN YOUR DISTRICT.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ON THE STREET ABOUT THIS.

WERE THERE ENOUGH CONCERNS BROUGHT TO YOU THAT YOU DECIDED TO DRAFT THE LEGISLATION.

>> YEAH, I HAD CONSTITUENTS TO REACH OUT TO ME AND I RECEIVED TONS AND TONS OF EMAIL SAYING BASICALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CHOICE TO GET VACCINATED OR NOT.

I AGREE WITH THAT.

IT'S EVERY PERSON'S DECISION AND I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD MANDATE THE VACCINE.

>> NOW, THERE MAY BE REASONS WHY SOMEBODY CHOOSES NOT TO GET VACCINATED, MAYBE NOT FOR COVID BUT RELIGIOUS REASONS, PERSONAL CHOICE, MEDICAL REASONS, ALL OF THAT HAS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, CORRECT?

>> YES, AND AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING THAT I'M FOR THEM OR AGAINST, I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE A CHOICE.

>> WELL, THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, I DON'T HAVE DOCUMENTED FINGERS AT MY FINGER TIPS HERE BUT PRETTY WELL KNOWN THAT THERE'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE CHOSEN NOT TO GET THE CURRENT COVID VACCINE.

FOR WHATEVER REASON.

AND SOME HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND OTHERS FROM DIFFERENT SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION.

SO, YOU ARE SEEKING TO PROTECT THAT RIGHT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THINGS THAT DOCTOR HARRIS AND GOVERNOR HAS DONE WITH THE VACCINES, I THINK IT'S DOWN REALLY WITH THE NUMBERS OF COVID HERE.

THE BIGGEST THING ABOUT THE CASES IS, IF YOU LOOK AT THE CDC WEB SITE, THERE'S BEEN A LITTLE OVER 500 DEATHS.

I'M NOT SAYING THE VACCINE CAUSED THE DEATHS BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S ENOUGH RESEARCH OUT THERE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS BAD.

SO, WE KIND OF JUMPED AND STARTED THIS VACCINE PRETTY QUICK.

I JUST WANT IT TO BE SAFE.

LIKE DOCTOR HARRIS AND THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE, LET'S BE SAFE AND NOT JUMP INTO SOMETHING WE'RE NOT SURE ABOUT >> Don: I GUESS WHEN YOU PROPOSE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU HAVE TO ANSWER THOSE WHO MAY SAY, ARE YOU DISCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

AND YOU ARE NOT DOING THAT, YOU ARE SAYING, IT'S YOUR CHOICE?

>> RIGHT.

AGAIN I'M NOT ADVOCATING FOR OR AGAINST IT.

BUT I'M SAYING, THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA DESERVE A CHOICE AND THAT'S ALL THE BILL DOES.

>> WOULD YOU GET THE VACCINE?

DO YOU MIND ME ASKING THAT?

>> NO, I DON'T MIND YOU ASKING ME AT ALL.

BUT PERSONALLY, NO, I DON'T TAKE FLU SHOT OR ANY OF THE VACCINES REALLY.

SO, NO, I WOULD NOT.

>> AND THE ARGUMENT, ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE VACCINE AND MOVING IN A LARGE PART OF THE POPULATION.

AND THINK THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT HERD IMMUNITY.

AND NOT NECESSARY FOR EVERYBODY TO GET THE VACCINE BUT HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGING THEM TO TAKE IT.

>> RIGHT.

THE NUMBERS ARE DOWN AND IT'S A GOOD THING FOR OUR STATE AND FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> AND NEW VACCINES COME ONLINE, SEVERAL APPROVED AND BEING USED NOW, JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE COULD COME ONLINE AT ANY TIME GIVING US YET ANOTHER OPTION.

BUT YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT EACH VACCINE AS IT COMES ON BECAUSE YOU ARE WORRIED PERSONALLY BECAUSE, HAS ENOUGH BEEN DONE TO MAKE SURE THESE ARE SAFE?

IS THAT WHAT I HEAR YOU SAY?

>> YEAH, THAT'S MY CONCERN.

PFIZER AND MODERNA, YOU GET TWO SHOTS.

AND JOHNSON AND JOHNSON IS ONLY ONE SHOT.

AND FROM THE REPORTS I HAVE SEEN, IT'S 67% EFFECTIVE.

BUT PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE THEIR MINDS UP.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

>> WELL, IT'S UP TO THE FOLKS, YOUR PEOPLE.

>> AND I SAY, WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THEM, TWO OF THEM ASKING THE QUESTION IN CONTEXT OF HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT YOUR LEGISLATION, WOULD THEY SUPPORT IT ULTIMATELY?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

I HAVE IT IN COMMITTEE AND I HOPE I CAN GET IT OUT.

WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BILL AS IT GOES ALONG.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, THE TOPIC DUE JOUR RIGHT NOW IN THE HALLS OF THE STATE HOUSE, LOTTERY, GAMING AND BIG SWEEPING BILL PROPOSED.

EVERYBODY IS WEIGHING IN IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THIS IS THE MOST EXPANSIVE BILL WE'VE SEEN SO FAR BECAUSE IT NOT ONLY SETS UP A STATE LOTTERY BUT ALLOWS CASINOS AROUND THE STATE AND SPORTS BETTING.

HOW DO YOU WEIGH IN?

>> I WANT TO LOOK AT THE BILL AND I WANT TO SEE WHERE MOST OF THE MONEY IS GOING TO GO.

I KNOW THERE'S THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO WITH PRISONS AND SUCH.

BUT WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE BILL IS AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

>> ARE YOU A I MONG THOSE THAT YOU FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE A SLOW AND DELIBERATE PROCESS AND WE SHOULDN'T RUSH IT.

OTHER LAWMAKERS HAVE SAID IN RECENT DAYS, BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A TRANSFORMATIVE BILL, WOULD WRITE THE LEGALIZATION OF GAMBLING INTO OUR CONSTITUTION, WE NEED TO TAKE OUR TIME.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT, TAKE OUR TIME AND DO WHAT'S BEST.

>> BASED GOING FORWARD, THE LOTTERY WOULD HAVE MONEY FROM BROADBAND, RURAL HOSPITALS, MENTAL HEALTH AND THE LIKE.

DO YOU AT LEAST LIKE HOW IT'S BEING INITIALLY SET UP?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT MOST OF MY CONSTITUENTS WOULD LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THE BILL.

SO, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THAT SEEMS TO BE THE CORE OF WHAT I AM HEARING FROM MOST OF THE COLLEAGUES, THEY WANT TO GIVE AT LEAST CONSTITUENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS.

I GUESS THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION THAT ALABAMA IS READY FOR IT AND VOTERS MAY APPROVE IT.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW VOTERS WILL REACT ULTIMATE ULTIMATELY?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

WE DON'T KNOW.

BUT I THINK THEY WANT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> HAVE YOU HEARD FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> RIGHT, MY CONSTITUENTS MOST WANT A CHANCE TO VOTE.

>> WHEN WE SPEAK OF YOUR CONSTITUENCY, REMIND OUR AUDIENCE WHERE YOUR DISTRICT IS.

>> DISTRICT 22, PART OF JACKSON COUNTY.

I HAVE A LOT OF BIG, RURAL AREA AND I TRY TO PROTECT MY PEOPLE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE RITCHIE WHORTON ON THE SHOW TODAY.

>> THANKS FOR ASKING ME TO BE ON THE SHOW TODAY.

>> AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY OF MORRIS IS IN THE STUDIO TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU INTRODUCED A BILL MAKING HEADLINES IN THE LAST WEEK.

NOW, THIS IS A BILL LIKE OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS, GEORGE FLOYD, DYING AT THE HANDS OF A POLICE OFFICER.

I REMIND FOLKS THAT THE RIOTING TOOK A DANGEROUS TURN THERE IN BIRMINGHAM AND YOU WANTED TO HELP GUARD AGAINST THAT HAPPENING AGAIN IN THE STATE BY TOUGHENING UP OUR LAWS AND CREATING NEW CRIMES.

>> RIGHT.

AFTER 34 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, I RETIRED FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT IN BIRMINGHAM ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF.

>> AT THE TIME OF THE RIOTS?

>> RIGHT, SO, I'VE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES OF THESE TYPE ARRESTS.

WHAT I SEEN IS VERY DISTURBING, AND I SEEN A CITY UNDER SIEGE FROM FOLKS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CITY.

AND WE SAW INDIVIDUALS THAT CAME INTO THE CITY, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE PROTEST, THEY PLANTED BRICKS, SHOVELS, INCENDIARY DEVICES AND SOMEBODY IS BEHIND THAT AND FUNDING IT.

AND THERE WERE INDIVIDUALS IN THE CITY TO BOND FOLKS OUT OF JAIL.

AND IT PUT OUR POLICE OFFICERS IN DANGER, THE PEACEFUL PROTESTORS WERE PUT IN DANGER AND THEY WERE HELL BENT AND THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF DESTRUCTION AND THANK GOD WE GOT OUT OF IT WITHOUT ANYBODY BEING HURT BADLY NOR DYING.

>> AND YOU ARRESTED AND CHARGED THEM, BUT TO BE ABLE TO HOLD THEM.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE HOLDING ASPECT.

>> CORRECT.

THAT'S KEY.

WHAT'S HAPPENING, WE'RE PUTTING PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS LIVES IN DANGER.

IF WE DON'T HOLD THESE INDIVIDUALS, HELL BENT ON DESTRUCTION AND COMING INTO OUR CITY, HOLDING THEMSELVES AT LEAST 24 HOURS, THEY ARE MAKING BOND AND JOINING THE FRAY, JUST COMING RIGHT BACK.

AND IT'S PUTTING LIVES AND THE COMMUNITY IN DANGER.

THAT'S A KEY COMPONENT OF THE BILL, HOLDING THEM FOR 24 HOURS SO THEY CAN'T REJOIN THE FIGHT.

>> UNDER CURRENT PROCEDURE, HOW LONG DO YOU HOLD THEM.

>> THEY GET A CASH BOND AND THEY MAKE IT, AND THEY ARE RIGHT BACK OUT.

WHEN YOU HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL FROM OUT OF TOWN, COMES INTO THE CITY WITH A SACK FULL OF CASH -- AND I'M SURE THAT IT HAPPENED IN OTHER CITIES, LIKE MOBILE AND HUNTSVILLE -- THEY WERE THERE READY TO BOND FOLKS OUT WITH CASH BEFORE THEY EVEN GOT TO THE JAIL.

THAT'S A DISTURBING ASPECT OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND I DON'T THINK THE MEDIA IS ACTUALLY REPORTING ON THIS.

IT'S PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER, DEMORALIZING THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO KEEP OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS SAFE.

IT HAS MINIMUM JAIL SENTENCES THAT WE'RE GOING TO RATCHET UP.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PERSON THROWING A BRICK AT A POLICE OFFICER, AND CAUSING AN INJURY, THAT'S GOING TO RATCHET THAT TYPE OF CRIME UP.

AND YOU KNOW, THROWING THEM IN THE WINDOWS OF THE BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN, THEY WERE LOOTED OR SET ON FIRE.

AND WE'RE NOT TALKING PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LAW BREAKERS AND WE'D HAVE TO HAVE THE TOOLS IN PLACE AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> AND THERE'S A NEW CRIME, I THINK YOU CALL IT AGGRAVATED RIOT?

TELL US THE DISTINCTION.

>> WELL, IF YOU ARE INCITING A RIOT, PARTICIPATING IN IT AND IT ESCALATES THAT CAUSES A BODILY INJURY TO ANYONE, ESPECIALLY A POLICE OFFICER, OR DESTRUCTION TO A BUILDING, THAT RATCHETS IT UP TO A FELONY.

IT'S GOING TO INCLUDE FINES INCLUDING RESTITUTION.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED RATCHETING UP PENALTIES, FOR INCITING A RIOT AND THOSE SORT OF THINGS, TO BE A GREATER DETERRENT AS WELL?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

LOTS OF FOLKS SAID, WHY DO WE NEED TO DO LAWS.

LAWS ARE ON THE BOOKS.

WELL, NO, THEY ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

FOLKS GET RIGHT BACK OUT AND INTO THE RIOTING SITUATION, RIGHT BACK INTO THE MOB.

AND WE NEED TO STOP THAT, NUMBER ONE.

AND WE GOT TO HAVE A DETERRENT.

THESE FOLKS, WE'VE WATCHED THEM ASSAULT POLICE OFFICERS, DESTROY BUILDINGS AND ENOUGH IS NOT BEING DONE.

I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY A SIMPLE BILL.

IT'S WHEN A PEACEFUL PROTEST BREAKS DOWN, AND THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT EMBED THEMSELVES IN THIS TYPE OF PEACEFUL PROTEST, IT'S FINANCED BY SOMEBODY.

AND IN MANY CASES, THESE PEOPLE ARE FROM OUT OF TOWN.

AND IN MANY CASES, THEY ARE COLLEGE-AGED, WHITE KIDS.

THIS IS NOT A BLACK-WHITE ISSUE.

THIS IS A LAW AND ORDER ISSUE AND WE NEED TO SEE IT FOR WHAT IT IS AND ADDRESS IT.

76 WERE ARRESTED AND ONLY 26 WERE LOCAL.

WHERE'S THE OTHER ONES COMING FROM?

THEY CAME FROM OUT OF STATE, MANY ARE COLLEGE-AGED AND MANY WERE WHITE.

THE BIRMINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT IS VERY DIVERSE AND THE VAST MAJORITY IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

I'VE WORKED WITH POLICE OFFICERS FROM ALL RACES AND ALL -- IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL CAREER.

BUT WHAT I SEE HAPPENING TO THESE OFFICERS HAS TO STOP.

FOLKS ARE NOT ENTERING THE PROFESSION NOW.

THE ONES THAT ARE IN THE PROFESSION NOW ARE LEAVING IT.

AND THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT.

YOU SEE IT HAPPENING IN MINNEAPOLIS.

ALL OF THE ANTIPOLICE RHETORIC GOING ON, AND THEY ARE BEGGING, MOVING $8.5 MILLION, I READ IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS, TO TRY TO GET OFFICERS IN THAT CITY.

PAYING HALF MILLION DOLLARS JUST TO COME IN AND PROTECT CITIZENS.

WE HAVE TO QUIT THIS DEMEANING OF POLICE OFFICERS.

WE HAVE TO QUIT IT IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND WE'VE GOT TO SUPPORT THEM FOR THE JOB THEY DO.

>> Don: AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT THE BILL DOES, I BELIEVE IT WOULD SAY IT MAKES A FELONY BLOCKING THE INTERSTATE WHICH IS DONE IN SOME OF THESE THINGS GOING ON.

>> RIGHT.

YEAH, YOU MAY HAVE SOMEBODY WITH A STROKE, OR NEEDING TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL, AN EMERGENCY, SAY, AND YOU GET THERE AND THE INTERSTATE IS CLOSED DOWN.

PEACEFUL PROTEST, I'M GOOD WITH.

BUT YOU CAN'T GET A LOVED ONE OR VICTIMS OF A CRIME OR ACCIDENT TO A HOSPITAL BECAUSE THEY CLOSE DOWN THE INTERSTATE, YEAH, WE'RE ADDING THAT.

SAME THING WITH YOUR FAMILY IN A RESTAURANT, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SIT THERE AND HAVE A DINNER WITH YOUR FAMILY.

AND IF YOU COME IN THERE AND YOU HARASS FOLKS, WE'RE GOING TO RACHET THAT UP FROM CLASS C MISDEMEANOR TO CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.

LET FOLKS HAVE DINNER WITH THEIR FAMILY AND DON'T NEED TO BE HARASSED AND PEOPLE SITTING AT THE SAME TABLE, MOVING THINGS AROUND, HARASSING THEM AND THREATENING THEM.

SO, I THINK THE THINGS IN THE BILL ARE REFLECTIVE OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE SOCIETY.

>> AND BRIEFLY, THERE'S A CAVEAT IN YOUR LEGISLATION ABOUT DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH WE SAW IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY, WHERE THERE'S PENALTIES FOR ENTITIES THAT SEEK TO DEFUND POLICE.

>> RIGHT, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFUND THE DEPARTMENT BY 10%.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT MOVING IT INTO HOMELESS, MENTAL ILLNESS OR SOCIAL PROGRAMS.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU HAD AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN TURN IN THE CITY.

NO.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BLATANT ATTEMPT TO DEFUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, YEAH, YOU CAN LOSE FUNDS FROM THE STATE.

BUT PEOPLE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THAT BECAUSE THEY SEE HOW DISASTROUS THAT RHETORIC HAS BEEN.

YEAH, IF YOU DEFUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, YOU CAN LOSE STATE FUNDING.

>> NOW BEFORE WE CLOSE.

CHRIS ENGLAND, CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ISSUED A STATEMENT.

ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT THINGS HE SAID MAYBE WE SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE PROTESTS RATHER THAN TRYING TO QUELL THEM.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M DOING.

LET'S LOOK AT THE FACTS, AND THE ROOT CAUSE.

AND I THINK REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND, I RESPECT AND WE SEE EYE TO EYE ON A LOT OF THINGS.

WE'RE GOING TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOLKS COMING IN AND HIGHJACKING A PEACEFUL PROTEST, THEY ARE ORGANIZED AND BEING PAID TO COME INTO THE CITY.

THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS SAYING AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT THIS BILL IS ADDRESSING THE LAW BREAKERS COMING IN, AND HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CAUSE, JUST BEING FINANCED BY SOMEONE, AND SENT TO CERTAIN CITIES FOR THIS TYPE OF A PROTEST TO HAPPEN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE CITY OF CULLMAN WAS FOUND BY BAVARIAN NATIVE IN 1873 WHEN HE CONVINCED 15 OTHER GERMAN FAMILIES IN OHIO TO MOVE WITH HIM TO NEW LAND HE PURCHASED IN ALABAMA.

WITHIN A FEW SHORT YEARS, THOUSANDS OF GERMANS CAME TO THE NEWLY SETTLED TOWN.

EVERY YEAR, THE CITY OF CULLMAN CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE GERMAN ROOTS WITH A WEEK LONG OCTOBER ATTORNEY FEST CELEBRATION.

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

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON OF DAPHNE, WHO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT HIS BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO REIMBURSE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS FOR INSURANCE COPAYMENTS FOR TREATMENT OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

HE'LL ALSO SHARE HIS THOUGHTS ON THE BIG GAMBLING EXPANSION BILL THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.