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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE BUILDING WAS ABUZZ THIS WEEK AS LAWMAKERS AND STATE AGENCY DIRECTORS GATHERED FOR BUDGET HEARINGS, THE ANNUAL FISCAL MEETINGS PROCEEDING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TUESDAY STARTED WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

WEDNESDAY SAW GENERAL FUND AGENCIES PRESENT THEIR BUDGET REQUESTS AND THURSDAY FOCUSED ON EDUCATION AGENCIES.

WHILE THE STATE'S BUDGET OUTLOOK IS MOSTLY HEALTHY, MOST ALL AGENCY HEADS DESCRIBED DIFFICULTY KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION AND FINDING AVAILABLE EMPLOYEES.

THAT IS A PARTICULAR PROBLEM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH ATTENDED THE BUDGET HEARINGS AND HAS A FULL REPORT.

>> TYPICALLY DURING A LEGISLATIVE SESSION, MORE THAN A THOUSAND BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED AND HUNDREDS WILL PASSED, AND LAWMAKERS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO PASS THE STATE BUDGETS.

HEARING BUDGET REQUESTED SEAS A KEY PART OF THE BUDGET PASSING PROCESS.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS HEARD FROM SEVERAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

SECRETARY HOWELL TAYLOR IS REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL 31 PARKING LOT DOLLARS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

UPDATING THEIR DRONE EQUIPMENT IS ONE OF THE ISSUES HE WANTS TO ADDRESS.

>> THE DRONE PROGRAM FOR US HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

WE USE THE DRONES TO FLY HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS, LOOKING FOR MISSING PEOPLE.

WE USE THEM TO FLY WHEREVER THERE HAS BEEN AN ACCIDENT.

AND WHAT USED TO TAKE TWO OR THREE HOURS TO GO OUT AND INVESTIGATE A HOSPITAL SIDE INVESTIGATION WE CAN GO IN IN FAMILY AND 30 MINUTES AND GO IN AND RECREATE THAT SCENE.

>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WANTS AN ADDITIONAL $95 MILLION.

THE THEIR COMMISSION COMMISSIONER SAID 13 MILLION USE WOULD SHOW USED FOR DID.

>> CELL PHONE FOR THREE IF FACILITIES.

OUTSIDE OF OUR STAFFING THAT IS THE MAIN PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

CELL PHONES AND CONTRABAND RUNS EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO WE DO SEARCHES ON A DAILY BASIS.

WE RECOVER CELL PHONES.

BUT AS FAST AS WE RECOVER THEM THEY REPLACE THEM.

>> GREG ALBRITTON IS ENCOURAGEMENTING HIS COLLEAGUES TO MOVE CAUTIOUSLY.

>> WE HAVE THE DOC WITH AN INCREASE OF $95 MILLION, MEDICAID AND MENTAL HEALTH WITH $41 MILLION INCREASE AND DHR WITH $84 MILLION INCREASE AND THAT'S JUST THE SIX AGENCIING THAT WE HAVE HEAR TODAY.

IN BETWEEN INFLATION AND THE OTHER MATTERS, THE INCREASING DEMANDS OFTEN THE GENERAL FUND IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.

VERY OFTEN WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE ISSUES THAT WE WANT TO DO GOOD FOR PEOPLE AND HELP EVERYBODY AND WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING ELSE.

BUT WHEN WE START HAVING THE ACCUMULATION LIKE WE HAVE THAT'S WHEN WE NEED TO BE CONSCIOUS OR WE MAY BE HEADED ARE WE DON'T WANT TO GO.

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

>>ON THE EDUCATION SIDE, STATE SUPERINTENDENT ERIC MACKEY IS REQUESTING A BUDGET INCREASE OF $984 MILLION FOR K-12 SCHOOLS.

MOST OF THAT FUNDING WOULD BE USED TO INCREASE TEACHER SALARIES AND RECRUIT NEW TEACHERS, AS WELL AS PRINCIPALS AND COUNSELORS.

TEACHER SHORTAGES HAVE PLAGUED ALABAMA'S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR YEARS, WITH THE STATE'S GREATEST SHORTAGE AREAS BEING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ELEMENTARY TEACHERS.

>> MORE TEACHERS, TEACHERS QUALIFIED AND SUPPORTED, AND I TALKED THIS MORNING ABOUT OUR SUCCESSFUL LETTERS PROGRAM, GETTING EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS PREPARED AND READY TO TEACH BETTER LITERACY.

AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS TO US.

WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TRAINING AND PAY TEACHERS TO GO THROUGH IT AND I BELIEVE IN THAT APPROACH.

GIVE THEM A STIPEND FOR COMPLETING THAT.

AND WE WENT ARE MORE THERAPISTS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE NEED AT LEAST ONE IN EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH MEANS WE NEED 150 AND OF THE 97 MULTIPLES ARE IN ONE DISTRICT.

SO WE NEED TO GET IT CERTIFIED LANG WEDGE THERAPISTS OUT THERE IN THE SCHOOLS AND IT'S ABOUT GETTING MONEY IN THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.

DR. BARBARA COOPER, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, DIDN'T MAKE A SPECIFIC BUDGET REQUEST, BUT DID DISCUSS THE GOAL OF INCREASING ACCESS TO THE STATE'S AWARD-WINNING FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM.

COOPER WANTS 70 PERCENT OF 4 YEAR OLDS TO HAVE ACCESS, WHEREAS RIGHT NOW IT'S ABOUT 44 PERCENT.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO TIFFIN EXPANSION UNTIL WE REACH THE STATE GOAL OF 70 PERCENT ACCESS FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN.

THE COUNTIES IN GREEN BEFORE YOU ARE ALREADY AT 70 PERCENT ACCESS.

THE BLUE COUNTIES ARE ABOVE THE STATE AVERAGE OF 44 PERCENT.

AND THE PURPLE COUNTIES ARE BELOW THE STATE AVERAGE.

WE USE THIS DATA TO HELP PRIORITIZE OUR OUTREACH.

SO OF COURSE WE WANT TO GO TO THE PLACE HE THAT HAVE THE LEAST ACCESS.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS ASKED THE DEPARTMENT TO PRIORITY PHASE CREATING PRE-K CLASSROOM.

COUNTIES WHERE MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION FALLS BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES.

APPROXIMATELY 37 CLASSROOMS ARE NEEDED TO REACH FULL ACCESS OF 70 PERCENT IN ALL 19 OF THESE COUNTIES.

>> CAM WARD, DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES GAVE LAWMAKERS AN UPDATE ON THE MANDATORY SUPERVISED RELEASE OF 421 INMATES EARLIER THIS MONTH UNDER A 2021 LAW.

HE SAID THE INMATES UNDER HIS AGENCY'S SUPERVISION ARE EQUIPPED WITH ANKLE MONITORS AS THE LAW REQUIRES.

>> 13 MONITORS HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED BECAUSE THE CLIENT IS NO LONGER IN ALABAMA'S JURISDICTION OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, 421 THAT HAVE COMMITTED A NEW VIOLATION, WE HAD 10 PEOPLE COMMIT NEW OFFENSES AND ELEMENT ALL OF THEM HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH DRUGS AND PARAPHERNALIA.

THAT'S THE STATISTICS THERE.

SO WE HAVE HAD 22.3 PERCENT RE-OFFEND OF THE ALL OF THOSE WERE PAROLE OFFICERS INVOLVED AND MAKING SURE THAT THE PERSON WENT BACK TO PRISON.

AND WE ALSO HAD 14 DEVICES REMOVED BECAUSE THE -- WHEN THE PERSON WAS RELEASED THERE WAS AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT FOR THEM IN A COUNTY JAY.

THEY WERE IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE COUNTY JAIL WHERE THE DEVICE WAS REMOVED AND THEY CAN GO TO THE NEXT CASE IN THE COUNTS OOHY THEY WERE CERTAINTY TO.

>> STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE UPDATED LAWMAKERS ON HOW THE STATE IS SPENDING ITS PORTION OF FEDERALLY ALLOCATED AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OR ARPA FUNDS.

THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED THE FIRST $1.1 BILLION LAST YEAR AND HAS ANOTHER $1.1 BILLION TO APPROPRIATE THIS YEAR.

THE FIRST ROUND OF FUNDS WHEN TO SHORE UP HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, REBUILD WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE, EXPAND BROADBAND INTERNET IN RURAL AREAS AND TO HELP FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO NEW MEN'S PRISONS.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND HER STAFF ABOUT HOW TO SPEND THE SECOND ROUND OF ARPA FUNDS, AND A PLAN IS EXPECTED IN THE COMING WEEKS.

POOLE SAID IT WILL BE KEY TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE STRICT RULES ON USES FOR THE FUNDS SET OUT BY CONGRESS AND THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

>> THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS RECEIVED NO NEGATIVE AUDIT FINDINGS ON ANY AWAY AFUNDS.

THOSE FUNDS WERE ADMINISTERED VERY QUICKLY AND VERY EFFICIENTLY THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE TO THE RECEIVING ENTITY AND OUT TO FIELD.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS HE, WE BELIEVE, HAVE BEEN HELD BELOW 1 PERCENT OF TOTAL FUNDS.

WE BELIEVE WE HAVE OUTPERFORMED STATE IN THE UNIT IN ADMINISTRATIVE COST LIMIT TALKS.

A LOT OF STATES HIRED CONSULTANTS TO COME IN AND ADMINISTER THEIR PROGRAMS.

THEY WERE EQUIPPED EFFICIENTLY FROM FINANCE OUT TO THE ENTITIES: THE REPORT IS REPORTING AND I BELIEVE AT THIS POINT YOU CAN BE PLEASED WITH THE EFFICIENCY AND THE EFFECTIVENESS RELATIVE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS AS WELL AS THE TRANSPARENCY AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE SETTLEMENT.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE ARPA FUNDS, POOL SAID ALABAMA'S MIX FOR FEDERAL DOLLARS FROM THE CAPITOL FUND HAS BEEN APPROVED.

THE STATE HE'S NEARLY $192 MILLION BEEN BAITED IN BROADBAND INTERPRET EXPANSION EFFORTS.

>> BRAD JOHN SOON OF SHON WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHICH A MAN WHO WAS SHUT SHOT UNDER THE ALABAMA GOOD TIME INCENTIVE LAW.

THIS, DESPITE RECOVERING A FEW YEARS AGO.

THIS YEAR, FELL JOHNSON'S FELLOW OFFICER SAID THAT BILL GO FORWARD, WITH HOUSE SPEAKER NATHAN HEAD BETTER WHO SAID THE GOOD TIME SHOULD BE FOCUS ON CENTRALIZE BEAUTIFUL FLAWS.

>> THE LAW OF DEPUTY JOHNSON, THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.

>> OUR HAD STATE AWARDS MORE THAN DOUBLE CREDITS THAT CALIFORNIA DOES.

DELL MARSH SHOULD NOT BE MORE COMFORTABLE THAN CALIFORNIA IN ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY ALLOWING INMATES TO BE FREE BEFORE THEIR SENTENCE ENDS.

>> I WILL SO TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS BILL LATER IN THE SHOW.

IT'S A LONG WAY FROM ENTERPRISE TO TO THE LONG FATES, THAT'S COMPATIBLY HOW FAR HE HAS SEEN.

>> ARE YOU READY?

>> I'M READY.

TODAY, HE IS A VERY SPECIAL STUDENT TO HELP HIS STUDENTS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD.

>> I WAS YOU BETWEEN 1988 AND 1992.

SO TODAY'S PRESENTATION ISN'T ABOUT ME.

IT'S ABOUT YOU.

AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO WITH THE TRAINING AND THE EXPERIENCES THAT YOU GET HERE.

>> ELLINGOTN HAS WORKED IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS AND IS NOW AN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR WELLS FARGO PAGE AND THE HEAD OF THE SMALL BUSINESS BANKING DIVISION HANDLING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SMALL BUSINESS CLIENTS.

HE STARTED AS A TELLER AND WORKED HIS WAY UP THE LADDER THANKS TO SUBMITS HE IS COMPARING WITH THE STUDENTS.

>> YOU MUST COMMIT TO BEING A LIFE LONGS STUDENT TO YOUR GRAFT, ALWAYS BEING GREEN AND GROWINGS.

>> THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING TEAM PLAYER.

>> YOU MUST MATTER OPERATING IN A KERMIT ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOP EXCUSE THAT STRENGTHEN THE TEAM ALSO AND ALSO TO OUR YOU NOTES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMPANY.

>> OTHER YESTERDAYS INVOLVE BUILD I GO A GOOD IMAGE.

>> BUILD A PERSONAL PROJECT THAT IS BUILT TO LAST.

WHAT INDEMNIFY BY THAT?

FIRST WE NEED FOR HAVING A POSITIVE DUTY.

>> FOR CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> ENTERPRISE REALLY PUNCHING ABOVE ITS DATE.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> JOINING ME IS SENATOR ARTHUR ORR, SENATOR OF THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK.

YOU HAVE HAD AT THAT REALLY THREE DAYS IF YOU COUNT THE ARPA OVERSIGHT, BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARING, AND THEN GENERAL FUND AGENCIES, EDUCATION AGENCIES.

SENATOR OR RR I WILL START WITH YOU.

WHAT WERE YOUR GENERAL TAKE AWAYS FROM THIS WEEK OF BUDGET TALKS ABOUT.

>> AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED YOUR VIEWERS NOW, THE EDUCATING BUDGET WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL PLUS AND WE WILL NEED TO DISCUSS HOW TO SAVE THAT OR SEND SOME BACK TO THE PEOPLE.

AND THEN THE GENERAL FUND MAYBE THAT AS MUCH BUT TWO VERY DIFFERENT BUDGETS AND SITUATIONS AS FAR AS THE COST.

>> SIDE WITH OF ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS INTERESTING IS 2025 AND WE WILL BE WORKING ON THE 2024 BUDGET BUT THE FEDERAL FUNDS WILL DRY UP RELATED TO COVID SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FILL WITH STATE DOLLARS A ONE OF THEM ABOUT OF THE KETCHES THAT ARE USED IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

SO WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO PUT SOME BACK AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HERE WHEN THE FEDERALS.

>> WHAT WERE YOUR BIG TAKE AWAYS FROM THE YEAR?

>> OF INFLATION AND OTHER MATTERS AND THAT IS QUITE REFLECTIVE IN YESTERDAY'S REPORTS AND TODAY'S REPORTS.

BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THEY GOING UP AND THE USE OF MONIES RUNNING OUT BUT SHOULD A RECESSION HIT, THE REVENUES WILL BE DECLINING.

SO WE COULD BE IN FOR SOME TOUGH TIMES.

AND WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE POVERTY CASE SCENARIO.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE NEW LAWMAKERS, RIGHT, YOU'RE BEGINNING A NEW TERM.

SO YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE 35, 37 NEW MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

DID YOU SEE THEM PARTICIPATE PASTING?

WERE THEY CHARGED IN THE BUDGET TALKS AS WELL.

>> THERAPY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS IMPRESSED OVER THE LAST SUMMIT OF DAYS IS THE ATTENDANCE LEVEL AND THE PARTICIPATION LEVEL.

USUALLY THE PRESENTATIONS ARE MADE AND WE SIT THERE AND SAY THAT MUCH.

BUT THIS PAST TWO DAYS IT WAS VERY ENGAGING AND SOME DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AND EVEN MORE INTERESTING RESPONSES.

>> SENATOR ORR I NOTICED THAT YOU HAD A COUPLE OF NEW ATF COMMITTEE MEMBERS OFTEN THE PANEL TODAY.

>> WE HAVE A FEW KNEW ONES.

THEY WERE UP ON THE STAGE.

MOST WILL OUT IN THE AUDIENCE AND LISTENING AND.

AND TRY TO GUESS PUT THEIR ARMS AROUND THE INTRICACIES OF PLANNING A BUDGET AND LEARNING ALL OF THE KIND OF DIFFICULTIES THAT MAY BE AHEAD.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT -- YOU MENTIONED THE SURPLUS.

IN IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET, SOMETHING AROUND 20 PERCENT.

KIND OF UNHEARD OF.

THERE'S TALKING ABOUT TAX REBATES.

THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED ABOUT IT?

MAYBE NOT A PERMANENT TAX CUT BECAUSE THIS IS A TEMPORARY SITUATION BUT MAYBE A TAX REASON.

WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT GOING INTO THE HEX.

HAVE YOU BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE HOUSE AND WHERE DO WE STAND?

>> I STILL THINK IT'S TO BE DETERMINED.

I SAW WHERE A COUPLE OF MEMBERS HAD SUGGESTED WE JUST PUT IT ASIDE AND PUT IT IN A TRUST FUND AND TRY NOT TO SPEND IT ALL.

FOR ME, AS THE CHAIR AMERICAN I THINK WE CAN DEAL A GOOD PORTION BACKS TO HAVE THE PEOPLE.

ALSO SAVING A GOOD PAINT.

SENATOR ALBRITTON MAKES THE POINT ABOUT THE FUTURE AND THE RECESSION AND THE COMMITTEE AND WHAT DO WE KNOW AND THE EDUCATION BITS PUT BUS PLEA AND I C THOSE ARE VERY ECONOMIC INCREASE RELATING TO DO ECONOMY.

SO I CAN SAY SAVING ACCOUNT, SOME TAX CUTS.

YOU KNOW, WORKING FAMILIES GETTING DONE WITH THEIR TAXES.

SO A LOT OF VOICES OUT THERE BUT TO BE DETERMINED.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT THE FACT AND YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOU SEE THE 20 PERCENT, YOU SEAT HE SEE THE DR.

FIGURE NOW, SO IT'S OKAY, LET'S ABOUT ON THIS RIGHT NOW, IF THERE'S SOME KIND >> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT PRISONS.

WAS IT WAS CAME UP DURING THE GENERAL MEETING.

>> IT ALWAYS DOES.

>> OF COURSE.

WE WORRY WONDERING HOW TO PREPARE IT.

AND I IF YOU NEED HIS COMMENTS INTERESTED.

BECAUSE HE DIDN'T MINTS WORD, THEY'RE HAVING SO MUCH PRETTYING THAT MANDATE.

YOU ASKED, WHAT IS THE END CAME HERE.

HOW -- WHAT DID YOU GREEN FROM HIS RESPONSES?

>> GOOD QUO.

I'M SORRY I REQUESTED IT.

WE CAN'T HIRE PENAL -- WE NOT ONLY HAVE A WORK AND EMPLOYMENT CIRCUMSTANCE IN.

AND ACTIVITY DRY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, IT'S ACTIVELY TO HIRE PEOPLE WITH THAT HE REMEMBER?

>> SURE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COME FROM THEIR 35.

IT'S MODERN CONTAINING THAN ANYTHING YOU CAN GO TO OF AND UNTIL WE MAKE THOSE PLACES SAVERS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO TO HAVE THAT PROBLEM.

WE AND WE INVEST THAT REAR OWN THE RIGHT TRUCKING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION BECAUSE.

IT'S GOING TO MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN GETTING PEOPLE HIRED.

>> LET ME SWITCH GEARS TO MENTAL HEALTH.

THIS IS AN AREA OF THE BUDGET THAT YOU BOTH HAVE SOME OVERSIGHT OVER.

IT STRIKES ME BECAUSE IT WAS ONE OF THE MORE ENGAGED CONVERSATIONS THIS WEEK.

A LOT OF LAWMAKERS ON.

PANEL ASKING QUESTIONS OF COMMISSIONER BOSWELL, A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONAL STORIES AND EVERYTHING AND IT STRIKES ME BECAUSE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE, 10, 15 YEARS AGO, MENTAL HEALTH WAS LIKE THE CHILD AND KIND OF IGNORED OR FOR THEN.

NOW IT'S VERY MUCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

A VERY MUCH A SOURCE OF THE ALERT, WHICH I SUPPOSE A GOOD THING.

THEY ALSO MENTION A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

THEY'RE IS ALREADY SOME ISSUES.

ONCE YOU COMMISSIONER'S BALLOT WELT INSTITUTION STATING WITH SENATOR ORR.

WE WERE LOOKING BACK AT THE DEPRESSION AND THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT SUFFERED A HUGE CUT SEVERAL YEARS RUNNING TO ITS BUDGETS AND PRAYER OPERATIONS.

AND THE REASON THAT IS, WE COULDN'T DISCUSS PRISONS.

HAVE TO KEEP THE MAINTENANCE OF EARLY TO GET THE FEDERAL DOLLARS WEALTH HEALTH.

AND COVID HAS, IT'S THE YOUNG PEOPLE REPORT OF RESORTING ALCOHOL ABUSE OR DRUG ADDERALL ABUSE BUT IT HAS A LOT TO COULD WITH THE INCREASE IN SERVICES OUR STATE.

WHAT I SEE IS A REAL COMMITMENT TO PIT PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE THEIR SOUTHS ARE AND CHAIRMAN WILL HELP ON THE EDUCATION SIDE TO CATCH UP AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS OUR MENTAL HEALTH UNDERNEATH ACROSS THE STATE.

>> SENATOR OR IS CORRECT.

EVERYTHING MADE OUT THERE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE STORE AND WHATEVER INNOCENT SEE WE WANT WE GET.

WE AND IT'S NOT HELPFUL FOR PEOPLE.

>> WE HAVE SOME STRIDES THAT -- LIKE THERE ARE TWO BASIC PROBLEMS.

MOTHERING A MAKING PRO PROBLEMS OF GETTING THE RESULT I GO FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO STREET.

IT'S GOING TO SHOW A TOUGH RECORD ROAD.

WE TALK AOBUT SURPLUS.

GENERAL FUND AS $300 MILLION EXTRA THAT IS WE HAVEN'T SIGNED.

BUT IN BACK WE HAD AROUND CREDIT-- I THINK THERE WERE SIX AGENCIES AND EVERY ONE OF THEM TOOK UP THE 300 MILLION.

SO THAT HE ALL REQUESTED THE AMOUNT OF SURPLUS TOTAL.

>> THE ACCUMULATION WHAT WE HAVE LEFT OVER AND WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE OTHERS YESTERDAY SO THE IDEA THAT WE'RE FLUSH WITH CASH IS NOT ACCURATE.

SO USE A NICE TV TERMINATE.

BUT WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES ALABAMA IS PLAGUED WITH.

AND LAST TIME WE BUILT A PRISON WAS, WHAT, 50 YEARS AGO?

IT'S BEEN A LONG ADVERTISEMENT.

AND NOW WE'RE HAVING TO CATCH UP FOR THAT PAST HALF CENTURY.

IT'S A DIFFICULTY TIME AND THE APPEARANCE OF HOW WELL OFF WE ARE.

>> DIRECTOR CAM WARD WAS TALKING ABOUT THE INCREASED USAGE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

DID YOU HEAR THAT SORT OF ACROSS THE AGENCIES OF -- GAS PRICES AND INFLATION REALLY SPIKING BUDGET COSTS UP.

>> GAS PRICES AND PERSONNEL COST WITH THE INFLATION OF BOTH OF THOSE IS EATING US UP.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION.

WE JUST HEARD FROM JUDGMENT PURCELL FROM ACHE ABILITY HIS BUDGET PRESENTATION.

BUT IT STRUCK ME TALKING TO YOU EARLIER ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN TUITION THAT IS REALLY SPIKED.

WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL REPORTS ABOUT NOT JUST ONE OR TWO BUT A LOT OF COLLEGES ACROSS THE STATE REALLY INCREASED TUITION BUT AS A STATE WE'RE NOT AT THE BOTTOM FOR HOW MUCH WE CONTRIBUTE TO UNIT UNITED STATES.

IS THERE AN IMBALANCE THERE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE IMBALANCE COMES WHAT IS FROM THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS COMING OUT OF THE GREAT RECESSION AGAIN AS I SAID WITH MENTAL HEALTH WE UNDER FUNDED COMPARED TO OTHER STATES HIGHER ED.

AND I THINK THEY SURVIVED WITH INCREASES TO TUITION RATES AND THAT CONTRIBUTED TO US BEING ONE OF THE HIGHER STATES WHEN IT COMES TO STATE COLLEGES AND UNITED STATES AND CHARGING TUITION HE PER FTE BUT THE STATED SUPPORT HAS NOT CAUGHT UP TO REDUCE THE TUITION AMOUNTS.

I THINK PARENTS AND PEOPLE PAYING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ACROSS THE STATE DEMAND A LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY, THE DOLLARS THEY'RE PAYING OR GOING TO AN EFFICIENTLY OR WELL RUN COLLEGE AND HE WANT TO DON'T NEED TO BE FURTHERING ADMINISTRATIVE BLOAT ACROSS THE UNDER THES AND COLLEGES IN THE STATE SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE JUST NEED TO HAVE BEEN MINDFUL OF AND NOT HAVE A LOT OF STATE SUPPORT AND HIGH TUITION.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

SO SO AS THE STATE SUPPORT RAMPS UP I WOULD EXPECT TUITION TO MODERATE SUBSTANTIALLY.

>> YOU MENTION MENTIONED ADMINISTRATIVE.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING WAY TO PUT IT.

YOU READ A LOT ABOUT THAT.

THAT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY NEW PROFESSORS.

IT'S A LOT OF ADMINISTRATION AND IS THERE A WAY THAT HE THE STATE KEEPS TRACK OF THAT SO WE CAN KEEP TRACK OF WHERE UNIVERSITIES ARE GOING?

>> WELL, THE TRACKING IS COMPARED THEM TO INSTITUTIONS IN OTHER STATES AND SEEING WHAT THEIR ACCOSTING AND HOW WE RATE COMPARED TO THE OTHER STATES AND THOSE COLLEGES AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T CONTINUE TO PERHAPS BAD HABITS AND I'LL NOT SAYING THEY'RE THERE BUT WE WANT TO BE MINDFUL IF THEY'RE CHARGING SUBSTANTIAL TUITION COMPARED TO OTHER STATES IF THAT COMES DOWN AS WE SEE MORE STATE SUPPORT.

>> SURE.

>> SENATOR, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE INTERPRET SALES TAX.

THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE BOON FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

>> SSUS.

>> SSUT; RIGHT.

AND THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WE AIL SHOPPED ONLINE MORE.

WE ALL MAYBE EACH CREATED SOME HALF OBJECTION.

HOW IS THAT LOOKING GOING FORWARD?

IS THAT GOING TO CONTINUE INCREASING AS A SHARE OF THE GENERAL FUND?

>> WELL, IF THE TRENDS ARE ACCURATE AND BEING RELATIVELY NEW REVENUE SOURCE WE DON'T HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF THAT BUT IT LOOK LIKE I WILL ROCKY MOUNTAIN A SUBSTANTIAL SOURCE FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND MY INTEND IS TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

>> YOU MIGHT GET SOME MORE ASKS FOR HAVING SAID THAT.

>> I KNOW.

>> YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE FEDERAL FUNDS DIALOGUING UP AND THIS CAME UP IN THE CONVERSATION WITH DR. MACKEY.

WE HAVE THE LITERACY ACT.

IT'S SEEING SUCCESS WHICH IS GRATIFYING TO SEEING THE SUCCESS FROM THE SCORES AND NAPE SCORES.

YOU JUST PASSED THE ACT LAST YEAR.

BUT IT'S A LITTLE CONCERNING TO HEAR THE SUPERINTENDENT SAY SOME OF THESE FUNDS THAT, YOU KNOW, DEDICATED COULD DRY UP.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

>> THOSE ARE THE FEDERAL FUNDS.

>> WE COMMITTED WHEN WE PASSED THE LEGISLATION THAT THE STATE WAS MIND THE SUPPORTING OF BOTH THE LITERACY AND THE NUMERACY AGENT.

SO WE'RE PREPARED TO PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTHS ARE, MUCH LIKE PRE-K. WE HAVE PRE-K ROOMS THAT WE HAVE TO FILL.

THERE'S A LOT OF NEED.

AND IF WE'RE EVER GOING TO TRANSFORM THE STATE IT'S GOING TO BE THROUGH EDUCATION.

I DON'T KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT WOULD ARGUE WITH THAT POINT.

SO PARTICULARLY FOCUSING ON THE EARLY GRADES AND GETTING THESE CHILDREN ABLE TO READ, ABLE TO DO BASIC MATH GETTING THEM PREPARED AND HAVING THAT SOLID FOUNDATION'S WHEN THEY GO INTO THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND THE HIGH SCHOOLS BUT WHAT WE FIND IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE SOCIALLY PROMOTED AND GO ON TO MIDDLE SCHOOL THEY GET FRUSTRATED AND SCHOOL IS A CHALLENGE AND THEY START SKIPPING SCHOOLS AND PROBLEMS DEVELOP AND HIGH SCHOOL THEY'RE EVEN WORSE.

>> WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT CHOICE, DIFFERENT SORT OF -- I ALWAYS SAY PEOPLE MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS WHEN THEY SAY SCHOOL CHOICE BUT THERE'S DRAFT LEGISLATION ABILITY EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTS AND ALLOWING PARENTS TO TAKE A, POSITIVE OF THEIR TAX DOLLARS AND GO ACROSS THE STREET OR WHEREVER THEY WANT.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THAT?

ARE Y'ALL -- IS THIS A SERIOUS CONSIDERATION?

OR IS THIS KIND OF LIKES LAST YEAR, MORE OF A -- >> I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVE NOT TALKED TO THE PROPONENTS.

I'M SURE WE WILL BE MEETING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

SCHOOL CHOICE MEANS A LOT TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THE DIFFICULTIES PROPOSED BY TRANSPORTATION OR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND CAN THEY BE ACCOMMODATED IF THEY BRING A SIX OR $7,000 VOUCHER AND THE PERSONAL AID AND THOSE THINGS THEY GET IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- THERE'S JUST A LOT OF SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN ANY SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATION.

>> SENATOR ALBRITTON, I MEANT TO ASK YOU EARLIER BUT IN THE AWAY ACAN U.S.

DISCUSSIONS IT CAME UP.

WATER AND SEWER, THE DEMAND FAR EXCEEDED THE SUPPLY OF FUND TYPICAL?

>> I THINK SO BUT IT WAS A TRAUMATIC OVERAGE.

SO WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ABOUT HOUR WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE?

THE AWAY AIR FUNDS AREN'T GOING TO SHOW AROUND FOREVER.

DO WE NEED MORE INVESTMENTS IN STATE INVESTMENTS OR LOCAL INVESTMENTS?

THERE WAS SOME TALK OF FEES ACROSS THE STATE THAT NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTED.

>> AS FAR AS THE AWAY FUNDS IT'S BEEN THE STATED'S POSITION PREDOMINANTLY THAT WE WANTED THE ARPA, ONE TIME MONEY TO GO TO THE FUTURE OF ALABAMA., NOT THE PIRATES BUT TO MOVE TOWARD EDIT FUTURE.

WATER AND SEWER LINES, THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, IF WE CAN GET THAT IN THE GROUND THAT WILL GIVE US A GOOD GENERATION OR TWO THAT WILL BE A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT.

JUST FOR THE AREAS THAT HAVE LITTLE OR NONE OF THIS BUT THOSE AREAS THAT ARE GROWING AND NEED MORE.

SO I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A CONTINUED EFFORT TO PUT MORE OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IN ALABAMA TO ALLOW FOR THE GROWTH AND PREVENT 21ST CENTURY SERVICES.

I THINK THAT'S THE OVERALL GOAL.

WHETHER WE GET THERE OR NOT, WE WILL SEE.

LAST YEAR'S HAS GOV.

BENTLEY WELL.

>> THERE WERE IN THE STATE, EVERY COUNTY RECEIVED -- I SHOULD RETRACT THAT.

I THINK THERE WERE FOUR COUNTIES THAT DID NOT RECEIVE FUNDING THROUGH THE ARPA.

THEY MAY HAVE WHY FUNDING NOR SOME OTHER OTHERWISE ORR THEMSELVES BUT AS FAR AS ARC A, MOST 18 COUNTY WAS TOUCHED.

IF HE WANT TO -- WE INTEND TO CORRECT THAT AND ALSO FOCUS ON WHERE THE GROWTH NEEDS ARE OCCURRING.

>> I HAVE TO ASK YOU BOTH, WHERE ARE WE ON SPECIAL SESSION?

WHAT IS THE CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR I?

>> IF I HAD TO DEBT, I WOULD SO SAY IT'S MONTH THE BEGINNING AS OPPOSED TO -- >> OKAY.

>> -- SO IT'S BOUNCED AROUND SO THAT WOULD SHOW THE PROM SHOULD BUT IT COULD CHANGE.

>> I THINK YOU SAID YOU WERE BOTH HEADING OFF TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR YET ANOTHER MEETING.

I'VE TAKEN TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING US NEXT IS CLYDE CHAMBLISS, FROM PRATTVILLE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING ME AND IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD TIME.

>> WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO SESSION, SO ALL OF THE TALK OF LEGISLATION IS GETTING REAL.

YOU'VE GOT TWO BILLS RECENTLY FILED HAVING TO DO WITH ELECTIONS.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THE BILLS RELATED TO ELECTRONIC VERSION AND PAPER BALLOTS.

>> I WAS ON THE COMMITTEE THAT APPROVES COLLECTION MACHINES FOR THE STATE.

AS WE WERE TALKING AND DISCUSSING, I ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT PAPER BALLOTS, IS THERE A REQUIREMENT?

THE ANSWER WITH WAS, NO, WE JUST DO THAT BUT THERE'S NO RIGHT FOR THAT.

>> LATER WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MODEM TECHNOLOGY AND CONNECTING TO THE CELL PHONE TOWERS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

AGAIN THE ANSWER WAS, NO, THAT'S JUST WHAT WE DO.

AND IT JUST DAWNED ON ME THAT WE PROBABLY NOT TO BE PRE-CONSISTED IN THIS REGARD.

SAY SOMETHING HAPPENED AND THE COMMISSION SO HAPPENED IN ONE OF OUR ELECTIONS.

THOSE PEOPLE COULD NOT BE PROSECUTED BECAUSE IT'S NOT CONSEQUENCE THE LAW.

SO FOR WANTS WE WANT STATE GOVERNMENT TO BE PROACTIVE AND TO PUT THESE TWO BILLS INTO LAW SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE FUTURE PROBLEMS.

>> SO WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THEY DO INDIVIDUALLY.

>> THE PAPER BALLOT LOT BILL BASICALLY REQUIRED US TO ALL ALWAYS USE A PAPER BALLOT.

SO WHEN WE GO TO THE POLLS WE MARK ON THE BALLOT AND IT GOES INTO A VOTED COUNTING MACHINE -- A COMPUTER -- AND THEN THAT BALLOT IS STORED AT THE BOTTOM.

LET'S SAY AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT MACHINE IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING OR JUST, YOU KNOW, GOES RACE AND THE DEBT LEND.

WE PULL THE BALANCE OUT.

THE PAPER BALLOT IS THE COOL TO ALWAYS HAVING AN AUDIT TRAIL NO NOT INCLUDING THOSE VOTES, CLOSE ELECTION LET'S VERY, VERY FORWARD.

>> WE HAVE BEEN A FEW EXACTLY.

>> THE 1ST THE OTHER PEOPLE NOT ALLOWING ANY PART OF THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT.

IF SOMEBODY WAS TO DO SOMETHING NEVER AIR JUSTICE IN THE FUTURE THERE'S NO WAY THAT I THAT WILL WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WE'RE FORWARD THINKING AND YOU HAVE SCATTER AND -- AND LOOK TO FUTURE PROBLEMS AND TRY TO AVOID THEM IF WE CAN.

>> I VOTED IN A DIFFERENT STATED WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND IT WAS ASTOUNDING.

AND THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT DIFFERENT PUSHING MY SUPPORT WENT SCHOOL BUT THERE'S MY FAVORITE OF YOU FILED THIS BOILS IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES, DOWN THAT YOU HAVE THE SORT TO IMMEDIATE IT QUICKLY?

I DO.

WE ACTUALLY MOVED BECAUSE OF THESE BILLS THROUGH THE SENATE LEGISLATION THEY SAYING.

AND THEM.

HOWEVER, I HAD PERSONAL INJURIES WITH A FAMILY MEMBER THAT WICK WITH COVID AND EVENTUALLY MY PARENTS TOOK ME FROM AWAY THAT.

AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET AT PUSH THROUGH IN THE SESSION AND THE HOUSE.

SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE BECAUSE IT IT FORMED AT LEAST AND HOPEFULLY BECOMES LAW.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE YOUR LEADERSHIP.

YOU'RE THE MAJORITY WHIP, FOR FOR THE SENATE.

WHAT DOES THAT JOB ENTAIL.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE BELATED OF AN EXPANSION OF WHAT I HAD BEEN DOING AS FLOOR REQUIRED.

SO I WILL BE DOING OF THAT CAME STATION AND NOT THE PRETELL ME THAT THE MAKE THROUGH THAT THE THINGS ON THE FLOOR FLOW SMOOTHLY.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY'RE INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS AND TRYING TO WORK THINGS OUT.

THAT'S MY JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T FALL THAT YOU CONSTRUCTS -- >> IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

>> BUT THE TOPIC OF THESE TWO NEW PRISONS, ONE YOU ARE IN YOUR DOCUMENT, SHOWING PICTURES OF SOME OF THE PROGRESS.

CAN YOU UPDATE IT UP ON HOW THAT PROJECT IS GOING.

>> DON'T REMEMBER AT GENERAL FUND, THE PSYCH WORK AND THE MOVING OF THE EARTHWORK IS COMPLETE, AND THAT WAS A MONUMENTAL TASK.

I THINK IT'S SOME 300 ACRES AND ALL OF THESE WAS BEEN LABELED WHERE THE BUILD REHABILITATION GOING TO BE.

THAT'S ALL.

THAT'S A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

THEY'RE PRETESTING THE CONCRETE CELLS AND DOING THAT ON-SITE AND STACK PILING THEM.

YOU HAVE TO LET THEM CURE BEFORE YOU CAN MOVE THEM AND THAT KIND OF THING AND THEY HAVE GOTTEN A HEAD START ON THAT.

THOSE TWO THINGS ARE ONGOING RIGHT NOW.

THERE WILL BE SOME TIME PROBABLY THIS LATE SPRING OR SUMMER PROBABLY A THOUSAND DIFFERENT EMPLOYEES OR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS OUT THERE WORKING SO IT'S MOVING ALONG REALLY WELL.

>> THAT WAS A LOT OF TALK OF THAT THIS WEEK BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE PRINT SYSTEM IS JUST HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME FINDING EMPLOYEES, FINDING PRISON GUARDS SPECIALLY.

THEY HAVE RAISED PAY.

PRISONMENT COMMISSIONER WAS SAYING, I LOVE ANY OF YOUR IDEAS, BUT A NEWER MORE IMPORTANT FACILITATE WILL HELP THAT IN TERMS OF BEING SAFER.

>> I PERSONAL.

>> WHAT EVER POSITION THEY'RE IN THE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ARE IN THE SAME POSITIONS.

YOU MAY A COURTROOM 3/4 THE SIDES OF A BASKETBALL COURT AND ARE SLOW INMATES 234 THEREIN UP ON BUNK BEDS AND YOU'RE ASKING STAFF TO GO INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND IT'S DIFFICULT.

SO WHEN WE FILED THESE PRISONS BEES WILL GO FROM PREDOMINANTLY DORMTATION TO GAME CHANGER WHEN IT COMES TO SECURITY.

THERE WILL BE ELECTRONIC THAT BE ACCOUNT PROBLEMS WITH TOTALLY DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE SIGNED OF OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS.

THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE KEY TO HELPING US GET THE STAFFINGS LEVEL WHERE WE NEED IT TO SHOW.

>> WHILE I HAVE YOU I WANTED TO GET AN UPDATE ON HIGHWAY 82.

I DERIVED IT WHEN I GO SEE MY PARENTS BECAUSE ID HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PROGRESS BEING MADE.

SOUNDS LIKE IT'S REALLY GOOD.

>> I THINK MAYBE A MONTH, A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE OF GETTING THE TWO EXPANDED COMPLETED.

AND REPLACE THE TWO OLD BRIDGES ON THERE THAT ARE OLD VERY NARROW.

SO THAT WILL TAKE ANOTHER PROBABLY YEAR OR TWO TO GET THAT COMPLETED.

THEN WE WILL HAVE ALL FOUR LANES, AND ALL CLOSE TO A $30 MILLION PROJECT.

>> LONG OVERDUE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW, WILL IN THIS TERM AS IT STARTS NEXT WEEK.

YOU HAVE REPRESENTATIVES IN YOUR EDUCATIONAL.

SHE HOW THEY DID ANYBODY -- HOW ARE YOU FINDING YOUR NEW BEGS.

>> AND FORTUNATELY I HAVE BEEN TALK TO WORK WITH THEM EVERY YEAR.

>> WE'RE OUT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND I APPRECIATE YOU GOING ON THE SHOW.

>> IT GOES SO FAST.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JOINING US BIBB COUNTY SHERIFF JODY WADE AND DEPUTY CHRIS POOL.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> Y'ALL ARE IN THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK ADVOCATING FOR THE DEPUTY JOHNSON ACT, HAS TO DO WITH REVIEWING THE GOOD TIME PRISON LAW, SPONSORED BY APRIL WEAVER AND RUSSELL BEDSON.

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT I WILL START WITH YOU.

TALKS TO ME ABOUT WHERE THIS BUILT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND MAYBE STRIPED EVENTS THAT LED TO THE NAMING OF THIS BETTER.

>> YOU WERE OBVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN THE STATE?

YES, SIR.

SO MY DEPUTY JOHNSON, WE RECEIVED A CALL.

WE RESPONDED TO TO THE CALL LIKE WE WOULD ALONE ANY OFFER.

I WAS IMMEDIATELY SHOT.

I CAN'T KNOW EXACT THAT PIRATE ALSO ALREADY SHOT.

>> YOU LOST A COLLEAGUE, A FELLOW OFFICER, AND I KNOW THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU -- BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S EMOTIONAL AND DIFFICULT.

BUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THAT, WAS THIS PERSON, THIS SHOOTER WHO WAS AN ESCAPED INMATE, CORRECT?

AND HAD WHO HAD ABOUT CAROTID PEOPLE CAN ANOTHER PEOPLE -- THAT BEING DRAWN INTO QUESTION.

WHEREAS IT REALLY?

HE CLUED THIS -- WOULD YOU LIKE TO NOTE HOW THAT IS -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEN, TO NIGHT IT WAS -- I SENT ACTIVE TO PROVE THEMSELVES SO THAT HE CAN COME OUT ON THE BETTER SIDE A BETTER PERSON.

I KNOW CROSS GOT A SECRETARY CHANNEL CHANCE AND I KNOW, HATE.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A POLICY THAT IS WHILE.

WE WANT TO I NEVER LEVEL IS LIFE CAPE BOTH OF THOSE INNER EARLIER AND I WAS ASKING--IT'S JUST REFORMED TO MAKE SURE IT'S TRULY GOOD BEHAVIOR NOT JUST -- NOT BAD BEHAVIOR.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

WHEN THEY'RE LOOKED UP, THAT'S FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC.

SO WHEN YOU'RE OUT ROUGHLY THREE YEARS INTO A 10 YEAR, AND WITHIN THREE DAYS OF BEING RELEASED, YOU SHOT ONE OFFICERS AND MARRIED ANOTHER.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE STATEHOUSE TODAY INTERACTING WITH THE STATE'S TOP POLITICIANS, TOP OFFICIALS.

I SAW YOU HAD THE SPEAKER, YOU HAD THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR REACTION OR WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION FROM THOSE THAT YOU HAVE INTERACTED WITH TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

>> EVERYONE SEEMS EXTREMELY SERIOUS.

IN TRYING TO MAKE THIS BILL PASS.

SENATOR WEAVER HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOBBING TRYING TO GET THIS BILL PASSED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE SOON NOTHING BUT SUPPORT FROM THE OFFICIALS AND WE HAVE THE STATE AND HOW CAN GET THEM ONBOARD TO MAKE TOUR THIS IS DONE.

SHE DID SHE TELL THEN, AS FAR AS THE PERSONAL INJURY, SHE LOVES >> THERE ARE SOME CERTAINS DO ANTICIPATE INCREASE.

>> WHEN THOSE PEOPLE RE-OFFEND, THEY COME TO OUR JAILS AND WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED.

>> WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF ADVERTISEMENT.

BUT DEPUTY I WANTED TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER CHANCE TO SAY WHAT DEPUTY JOHNSON MEANT TO YOU AND MAYBE YOUR MESSAGES TO TO THE LEGISLATURE WHO MAY BE WATCHING THIS PROGRAM?

I REMEMBER WATCHING BRAD.

HE WAS ALWAYS AN AMAZING DUDE.

HE ALWAYS SEEN THE GOOD IN EVERY SITUATION.

HE WANTED TO HELP MEME.

AND I REMEMBER WANTING EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING.

SO I PROCEEDED -- HE GOT ME ON AS A RESERVE, AND I JUST WANTED TO SHOW ABLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT BRAD HAD DONE.

EVEN WHEN HEAT DIED, HE CONTINUED GIVE HIS ORGANS TO OTHER PEOPLE, SO THAT AMERICAN HERO.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

WE WILL BE FALLING THIS BILLING WHEN THE SESSION IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT A DIFFERENT TIME, 30 MINUTES LATER AT 8:00 P.M., AFTER THE HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS, HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

>> WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.