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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT WAS ANOTHER ACTION-PACKED WEEK IN THE LEGISLATURE AS THE SESSION HIT ITS HALFWAY POINT.

THE GENERAL FUND PASSED THE SENATE AND IS NOW HEADED TO THE HOUSE.

THE $2.7 BILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET INCLUDES A 4% PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCREASES SPENDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH, STATE PRISONS AND PARDONS AND PAROLES.

STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS SAID THE SUCCESS WITH THIS BUDGET IS DUE TO THE GROUNDWORK LAID BY PREVIOUS STATE LEADERS.

>> IT SHOULD BE NOTED RIGHT HERE THAT WE HAVE JUST FINISHED WELL OVER A DECADE WITHOUT PRORATION IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THAT'S A LOT OF HARD WORK FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE, BOTH IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE AGENCIES, BUT ALSO IN THE LEGISLATURE.

MR. PRO-TEM, I WANTED TO JUST TAKE TIME TO SLOW US DOWN FOR A MINUTE BECAUSE THAT BUDGET THAT CHAIRMAN ALBRITTON SO ABLY PUT BEFORE US TODAY CONTINUES THAT SAME THEME OF BEING SMART WITH OUR MONEY.

WE HAVE TO SPEND MONEY ON MENTAL HEALTH AND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

WE HAVE BEEN LACKING.

THOSE BUDGETS DO THAT AND SETS SOME SMALL PARTS ASIDE FOR A RAINY DAY.

>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK ALABAMIANS DON'T PAY HIGHER STATE INCOME TAXES BECAUSE OF FAMILY TAX CREDITS OFFERED BY CONGRESS LAST YEAR.

THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE THIS WEEK SAID THOSE REFUNDS WILL BE AUTOMATIC FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ALREADY FILED THEIR TAX RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY.

SENATOR DAN ROBERTS, WHO CHAMPIONED THE LEGISLATION, SAID HE'S WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THOSE WHO FILED ON PAPER OR WITH MY ALABAMA TAXES ALSO GET THE AUTOMATIC REFUND.

>> THEY HAVE, ON THEIR OWN T GONE BACK AND THEY WILL GO OVER EVERY ALABAMA TAX RETURN SO THERE WILL NOT BE A NEED TO AMEND FOR CHILDCARE CREDITS.

I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM.

THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL FOR WORKING ALABAMA FAMILIES.

WE HAVE DONE SOME TEST CASES, AND IT'S WORKING PERFECTLY.

>> ONE OF THE MOST CONTENTIOUS ISSUES THIS SESSION IS LEGISLATION REGARDING WITH TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

ONE MEASURE WOULD PROHIBIT DOCTORS FROM PRESCRIBING PUBERTY BLOCKERS OR PERFORMING GENDER TRANSITION SURGERY FOR MINORS.

WE HAVE IN DEPTH COVERAGE OF THIS ISSUE TONIGHT, FIRST FROM KAREN GOLDSMITH, WHO TRACKED THE BILL IN THE SENATE.

>> ON HIS PLAN THAT WILL PREVENT ALABAMA MINORS FROM RECEIVING ANY TREATMENT OR PROCEDURE THAT WILL CHANGE THEIR GENDER, STATE SENATOR HAS CONSISTENTLY STATED.

>> THIS BILL IS STRICTLY ABOUT PROTECTING CHILDREN.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THESE SURGERIES ARE NOT GOING ON IN ALABAMA.

THEY ARE NOT AT THIS TIME.

BUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THE DRUGS, THE HORMONES AND PUBERTY BLOCKERS ARE GOING AND THEN THEY ARE REFERRED TO SURGERY.

>> TO DISCUSS THE BILL ON THE FLOOR WITH RODGER SMITHERMAN.

PARENTAL RIGHTS WAS MENTIONED.

>> IT STOPS THE SURGERIES AND THE DRUGS.

>> THE PARENT COULDN'T DO IT WITH THE BILL.

>> NO, WE JUST DON'T WANT PARENTS TO BE ABUSING THEIR CHILDREN.

WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE THAT AN OPTION BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

IT'S CHILD ABUSE.

IT'S JUST TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN.

>> THE SENATE'S MINORITY LEADER WEIGHED IN.

>> THIS IS NOT A FAMILY-ORIENTED BILL.

THIS IS ANTIFAMILY BILL.

YOU ARE SAYING TO THE FAMILY YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS MEDICALLY FOR YOUR CHILDREN WHEN IT COMES TO PROCEDURES SUCH AS TRANSGENDER PROCEDURES THAT WE, THE STATE OF ALABAMA KNOW BETTER THAN YOU.

THAT IS ASININE TO ME.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM HAS A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

>> IT IS PART OF THE LEGISLATURE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ALL CITIZENRY.

CERTAINLY WE WANT FOLKS TO HAVE AUTONOMY AND MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT A LIFE-LONG DECISION THAT WOULD AFFECT A CHILD, WE HAVE A LOT OF LAWS ON THE BOOKS AND A LOT OF ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND PROTECTING CHILDREN.

I FELT LIKE THIS ISSUE WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE BODY AND YOU SAW A STRONG VOTE.

>> IT PASSED 24-6 AND IS BEFORE THE ALABAMA HOUSE.

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

>> IN THE HOUSE, A SIMILAR BILL WAS THE SUBJECT OF A PUBLIC HEARING, WHERE LAWMAKERS HEARD EMOTIONAL STORIES FROM INDIVIDUALS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

RANDY SCOTT HAS THAT STORY.

>> THIS BILL WILL PROHIBIT THE PERFORMANCE OF A MEDICAL PROCEDURE OR PRESCRIPTION OR ISSUANCE OF MEDICATION UPON OR TO A MINOR CHILD THAT IS INTENDED TO ALTER THE MINOR CHILD'S GENDER OR DELAY PUBERTY WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS.

>> WES ALLEN IS PRESENTING THE BILL TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MEETING.

THE TOPIC IS GENERATING MUCH BUZZ AS THE PUBLIC HAS A CHANCE TO DISCUSS IT.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT IS COME INTO BEING THAT PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK IS A GOOD IDEA BUT IT IS MORE EXPERIMENTATION AND THERE ARE BAD RESULTS.

>> 86% OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH WILL CONTEMPLATE SUICIDE AND HALF ATTEMPT IT.

STUDIES SHOW IF YOU INVALIDATE THE EXPERIENCES OF YOUTH, IT WILL INCREASE THEIR RISK OF SELF HARM.

>> THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIKE ME ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HORMONES AND SURGERY ARE NOT A CURE FOR A PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUE.

I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THIS BILL SO YOU DON'T HAVE CHILDREN GOING THROUGH THIS.

>> I'M ADVOCATING FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO WILL BE FORCED IN TO PSYCHOLOGICAL DISASSOCIATION.

THIS IS THE FINAL LINK IN A LONG CHAIN OF DEHUMANIZATIONS SHE HAS ENDURED ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR YEARS.

HER IDENTITY IS REPEATEDLY DENIGRATED GRATED BY THE IGNORANT AND HATEFUL AND DAMAGED EVERY TIME SHE IS TRUE TO HER NATURE.

>> HOUSE BILL 266 IS APPROVED AND HEADS NOW TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>>> ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL BILL IN THE HOUSE WOULD REDEFINE RIOTS IN STATE LAW AND INCREASE PENALTIES FOR PARTICIPATING IN ONE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY SAYS THE CHANGE IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREVENT VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION.

CRITICS, INCLUDING STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYN GIVAN, SAY THE BILL INFRINGES ON AMERICANS' RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH AND ASSEMBLY.

>> LISTEN, I AGREE.

THAT'S WHY I WORKED HARD ON THE BILL TO TARGET THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE RIOTING AND INCITING RIOTING AND PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER.

FOR 31 YEARS, I PROTECTED THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT PEACEFUL PROTEST IN THE COUNTRY BUT PEOPLE ARE COMING IN AND HIJACKING THE SITUATION AND DON'T LIVE IN MANY CASES IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE -- I WORK WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ON WHAT THE DEFINITION OF A RIOT IS.

>> THERE IS A LESS RESTRICTIVE MEANS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO PEACEFULLY PROTEST WITHOUT HAVING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS STRIPPED AWAY FROM THEM.

IF YOU ARE A BAD ACTOR AND THE POLICE IS THERE, OF COURSE THE POLICE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOBS AS LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGHOUT ANY CITY, WHETHER IT IS A MAJOR CITY, RURAL ALABAMA.

BUT I DO BELIEVE TO THIS LEGISLATION IS GOING TO CAUSE MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

>> WE'RE ALSO TRACKING THE LITERACY ACT.

UNDER CURRENT LAW AS IT WAS PASSED IN 2019, THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WHO CANNOT READ PROFICIENTLY WOULD NOT BE PROMOTED TO FOURTH GRADE STARTING THIS SPRING.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND THE LAW'S AUTHOR REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS HAVE SAID A ONE-YEAR DELAY OF THAT HOLDBACK PROVISION IS NEEDED TO GATHER MORE DATA.

BUT RODGER SMITHERMAN, THE POWERFUL SENATOR FROM BIRMINGHAM, IS AGGRESSIVELY PUSHING FOR A TWO-YEAR DELAY.

MOST REPUBLICANS SAY THAT'S TOO LONG AND WOULD ALLOW TOO MANY STUDENTS TO SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS.

THE DELAY ISSUE IS ONE TO WATCH DOWN THE STRETCH OF THE SESSION.

BEYOND THE HOLDBACK PIECE, COLLINS SAYS THE LAW IS WORKING AS INTENDED: HELPING YOUNG STUDENTS LEARN TO READ.

>> IT HAS AN INTENSE FOCUS ON THE BOTTOM 5% OF PERFORMERS IN LITERACY, AND THERE WERE 52 SCHOOLS AND 37 OF THEM MOVED OUT OF THE BOTTOM 5% AFTER THIS LAST YEAR'S TESTING.

SO IT IS WORKING.

IT'S MOVING IN A GREAT DIRECTION.

THE CHILDREN ARE LEARNING TO READ.

OUR TEACHERS ARE DOING AMAZING WORK.

WHAT WE SAW IS EVEN DURING THE TWO YEARS OF COVID, CHILDREN ARE READING AT HIGHER LEVELS THAN THEY WERE BEFORE, AND THAT IS AMAZING.

>> THE SECOND HALF OF THE SESSION MY ALSO SEE A FAMILIAR ISSUE: GAMBLING.

LAWMAKERS LAST YEAR CAME CLOSE TO PASSING A WIDE-RANGING LOTTERY, CASINO AND SPORTS BETTING PACKAGE.

STATE SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON SAYS HE HAS MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF GAMBLING LEGISLATION HE IS PREPARED TO INTRODUCE.

>> I'M TOLD AND HAVE BEEN TOLD CONSTANTLY, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN TWO THINGS.

NUMBER ONE, THE HOUSE IS NOT GOING TO TAKE IT UP.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH IT.

OKAY?

AND THEN THE SECOND THING I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY HOUSE LEADERSHIP IS OKAY, WE'LL SEND YOU A CLEAN PAPER LOTTERY.

OKAY?

I SAID, FINE SEND ME ONE, PLEASE.

THERE'S NOT ONE IN THE HOPPER DOWN THERE.

SO, I MAY BE A LITTLE ON CITY INNOCENT BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE MATTER.

>>GETTING BEYOND THE LEGISLATURE, THIS WEEK I SAT DOWN WITH U.S.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE TO TALK ABOUT A NUMBER OF TOPICS, INCLUDING THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE.

TUBERVILLE, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, AGREED WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN THAT THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT SEND TROOPS TO DEFEND UKRAINE, BUT HE ALSO HAD CRITICISM FOR THE TIMING AND SCOPE OF THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS BIDEN HAS IMPOSED.

>> WE DON'T NEED TO REALLY GET INVOLVED IN THAT.

THAT'S NOT OUR FIGHT.

WE JUST GOT OUT OF A 20-YEAR WAR PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN LEADING FROM BEHIND.

HE HASN'T BEEN OUT FRONT WITH THIS.

I DON'T KNOW WHY.

HE SHOULD HAVE SANCTIONED RUSSIA FIVE, SIX MONTHS AGO.

I VISITED WITH THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE ZELENSKYY IN AUGUST AND HE LOOKED AT ME AND HE SAID, COACH, WE DON'T NEED BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

WE JUST NEED YOU TO HELP FINANCIALLY WITH SOME WEAPONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO DEFEND OURSELVES.

WE'RE A PROUD COUNTRY.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT PUTIN WILL DO.

ONLY ONE GUY KNOWS AND THAT'S HIM.

HE MAY TAKE OVER 200, 300 MILES OF LAND OR MAY GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND TAKE IT ALL OVER.

WE ARE WAY BEHIND ON THIS.

REPUBLICANS, LAST WEEK, BEFORE WE LEFT WE CAME UP WITH A LIST OF SANCTIONS THAT WOULD HURT PUTIN BUT THE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT.

THEY SAID SLAP HIM ON THE WRIST AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

WHEN YOU SANCTION AFTER THE FACT YOU HAVE LOST AND THAT IS WHAT BIDEN IS DOING.

IT IS ALL ABOUT OIL, CONTROLLING THE OIL.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THIS, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BUYS 500,000 BARRELS OF OIL A DAY FROM RUSSIA BECAUSE WE HAVE STOPPED OUR ENERGY SUPPLY.

THAT'S THE REASON WE ARE IN A BLIND INFLATION WISE AS WE SPEAK.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

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

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>>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY STATE SENATOR GREG ALLEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> YOU ALL MOVED THE GENERAL FUND THIS WEEK THROUGH COMMITTEE, ALSO PASSED IT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

IT'S PRETTY EARLY IN THE SESSION TRADITIONALLY TO MOVE THE GENERAL FUND.

WALK ME THROUGH SOME OF THE HIGH POINTS OF WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET.

>> YOU SAID EARLIER, BUT WE HAVE HALF WAY THROUGH THE SESSION NOW.

15 -- I THINK WE ARE OUT OF 30.

SO IT IS NOT ALL THAT EARLY BUT GIVEN THE POINT THAT WE ARE IN AN ELECTION YEAR AND UNSURE WHEN WE MAY END, I THOUGHT IT BEST TO GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER RECORD-SETTING BUDGET.

>> YES, IT IS.

>> THESE REVENUES THAT ARE COMING IN USED TO BE THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

NOW YOU ARE SEEING IT IN THE GENERAL FUND.

WHAT'S THAT ALLOW YOU TO DO?

>> MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STATE.

THE GENERAL FUND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE RED HEADED STEPCHILD.

AND YET IT DEALS WITH MOST OF THE SERVICES OF THE STATE, WHETHER IT BE MEDICAID, PRISONS, COPS, THE COURTS, EVERYBODY HAS THEIR HANDS IN THE GENERAL FUND, AND YET IT WAS THE LEAST FUNDED AND MOST TROUBLESOME, WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF CONTROLS.

WE MADE SIGNIFICANT STEPS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

I HAVE BEEN PREACHING THIS FOR QUITE SOMETIME.

THE CHANGES THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS MADE IN THE PROCESS HAS BROUGHT ABOUT THE ASPECT THAT WE HAVE AVOIDED THE TROUBLES THAT HAVE PLAGUED US IN THE PAST -- GAPS, SHORTFALLS, TRYING TO USE ONE-TIME MONEY, COBBLING TOGETHER AND PRORATION.

WE HAVEN'T HAD THAT IN THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS.

AS I STATED ON THE FLOOR THIS MORNING, WHEN THE REPUBLICANS TOOK OVER, CHANGES BEGAN TO BE MADE AND THOSE WERE VERY DIFFICULT CHANGES, BUT WE DID THEM.

IT TOOK ABOUT FIVE YEARS TO RECOVER, FIVE TO SIX YEARS TO RECOVER AND FOR THOSE CHANGES TO TAKE -- HAVE AN AFFECT ON THIS REVENUE FLOW, MADE CHANGES WITH THE SSUT, CHANGES WITH THE BUDGETING PROCESS AS FAR AS HOW MUCH WE COULD SPEND.

WE PUT LIMITATIONS SO WE DON'T SPEND EVERY STINKIN' DIME OF EVERY STINKIN' BUDGET.

WE LIMIT OURSELVES AND WE TRY TO BE CONSERVATIVE IN WHAT WE DO.

THAT HAS RESULTED IN THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS I'D SAY, MAYBE SIX, WHERE WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY OF THOSE.

WE HAVEN'T HAD PRORATION IN TEN OR 12 YEARS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE HAVEN'T HAD SHORTFALLS.

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO DO THIS.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE ON A TRAJECTORY THAT IF WE CONTINUE THIS PROCESS WE WILL BE FINE.

>> ONE AREA OF THE BUDGET THAT ALWAYS IS A TOUGH, DIFFICULT SITUATION IS MEDICAID, HOW TO FUND MEDICAID.

HOW'S THAT LOOKING THIS YEAR?

>> IT'S LOOKING WELL.

PART OF THAT IS THE WAY THE FEDS HAVE CHANGED THE CALCULATIONS THAT THEY USE, WHICH IS UNKNOWN TO MOST SANE PEOPLE, TO FIGURE OUT HOW AND WHO THEY WILL PAY AND HOW MUCH THEY WILL PAY.

IN ANY CASE, THAT'S THE REIMBURSEMENTS THE STATE RECEIVES FROM THE FEDS.

THAT'S BEEN MORE FAVORABLE THAN IN THIS PAST AND THAT'S BEEN HELPFUL.

>> I NOTICED A $17 MILLION INCREASE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

THAT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE -- I'M JUST THINKING OF YEARS BACK, MENTAL HEALTH WAS ONE OF THOSE AGENCIES THAT WAS AN AFTER THOUGHT.

YOU TALK ABOUT A RED-HEAD STEPCHILD, AND IS THAT A MIND CHANGE?

>> IT IS.

WE HAVE RECOGNIZED WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IN CARING FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

I DON'T JUST MEAN THE TRADITIONAL MENTAL ILL, I MEAN THOSE HAVING EMOTIONAL AND OTHER ISSUES THAT CAUSE THEM TO GO OFF THE RAILS.

THERE'S NO PLACE THAT WE CAN HOW'S THEM.

THERE'S NO PLACE THEY CAN GO.

THERE'S NO PLACE TO TREAT THEM.

THERE'S NO TRAINING FOR PEOPLE.

WE KILL THAT AGENCY OFF A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO FRANKLY.

NOW WE ARE TRYING TO REBUILD IT.

WE RECOGNIZED THE NEED.

WE HAVE DONE OTHER THINGS.

WE HAVE THE PRISONS AND I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT LATER BUT WE HAVE THE PRISONS MOVING ALONG PRETTY WELL, WHICH WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM.

WE GOT THE FINANCING IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE AT THIS POINT, BUT MENTAL HEALTH IS STILL WAY DOWN THERE.

IT STILL NEEDS HELP.

WE GAVE A 4% RAISE TODAY TO STATE EMPLOYEES, BUT IN MENTAL HEALTH MOST OF THOSE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY CONTRACT EMPLOYEES.

THEY DON'T GET THAT 4% RAISE.

WE WILL HAVE TO FIND AN ADDITIONAL $10 MILLION TO DO THAT AT SOME POINT TO PAY THOSE FOLKS AN AMOUNT THAT WILL FOSTER AND ALLOW US TO HAVE PEOPLE TO TRAIN.

WE CREATED A BIGGER PROBLEM BECAUSE ALSO IN DOING THIS WE SHIFTED OUR SCHOOLS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO MENTAL HEALTH.

GUESS WHAT?

THEY ARE HIRING FOLKS WE ALREADY HAVE.

WE ARE CANNIBALIZING OURSELF.

SO WE HAVE TO FIND THE ANSWER TO THAT.

>> SWITCHING GEARS REAL QUICK TO GAMBLING.

IT IS A PERENNIAL ISSUE.

LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A WIDE-RANGING GAMBLING BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE A COUPLE OF TIMES.

ALMOST GOT THERE IN THE HOUSE.

I ALWAYS SAID THEY PROBABLY HAD THE VOTES, JUST PROBABLY RAN OUT OF TIME BECAUSE IT WAS AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

YOU HAVE HINTED ON POSSIBLE GAMBLING LEGISLATION.

WHERE ARE YOU AT ON THAT?

>> I HAVE THREE BILLS I'M READY TO DROP.

THEY ARE SEPARATE BILLS, NOT PACKAGES.

WE HAVE THE BILLS.

WE HAVE THE VEHICLE, IF YOU WILL, TO MOVE THIS ALONG.

WE HAVE THE VOTES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO PASS THESE BILLS.

THE PROBLEM IS GETTING THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS.

THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE FALLEN SHORT IN THE HOUSE EACH AND EVERY TIME AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY HOUSE LEADERSHIP DON'T BRING IT UP.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH IT THIS YEAR.

THAT'S A HURDLE TO OVERCOME.

I'M STRUGGLING WITH HOW I'M GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT.

IT NEEDS TO BE ATTACKED AND DONE.

GAMBLING IS ALREADY PRESENT IN ALL OF THE PROBLEMS AND ILLS AND ISSUES RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT.

IT'S WILD WEST OUT THERE.

ALABAMA HAS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THIS INDUSTRY.

THAT'S WHERE I'M HEADED TOWARD.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

OPPONENTS TO GAMBLING BRING UP THE ILLS SAYING IT HAS A SOCIETAL COST.

>> THEY ARE ALREADY PRESENT.

WE HAVE THEM.

PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THAT INDUSTRY NOW IN ALABAMA.

AND WE HAVE THOSE SAME ILLS NOW, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE MEANS AND WE'RE NOT RECOGNIZING THE POINT THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THEM.

>> WOULD YOU LEAN MORE TOWARD A LOTTERY, THE CASINO PLAN, THE WIDE-RANGING PLAN?

THE POLLING SAYS, SURE, LOTTERY.

EVERYBODY SUPPORTS IT BECAUSE WE ARE SURROUNDED BY LOTTERIES.

THE POLLING IS STRONG ALSO FOR CASINO AND SPORTS BETTING THING.

SO WIDE-RANGING VERSUS LOTTERY?

>> BOTH, ALL THREE.

WHATEVER.

THE BILL THAT I HAVE ENVISIONED FIRST SETS THE COMMISSION UP AND ALLOWS IT TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE GAMING THAT'S ALREADY OCCURRING.

NOT ONLY ON THE GROUND IN COUNTIES WHERE IT IS ALREADY EXISTING.

WE HAVE 20 CAs DEALING WITH GAMING IN THE STATE.

NOT ONLY WILL THE STATE TAKE CONTROL OF THAT BUT ALSO CONTROL THE GAMING ONLINE, ALSO CONTROL THE SPORTS GAMING AND ALSO CONTROL THE FANTASY GAMING.

CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MUCH MONEY WAS WON AND LOST IN THE LAST THREE MINUTES OF THE IRON BOWL, PLAYED IN ALABAMA BY ALABAMA PLAYERS, AUBURN AND ALABAMA AND THE MONEY THAT WENT TO LAS VEGAS AND WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT WAS.

ANYWAY, WE HAVE THAT.

WE CAN DEAL WITH THE COMPACT OF THE PORCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS AND THEN GO THE LOTTERY.

THE LOTTERY IS PROBABLY OF THOSE WE TALKED ABOUT THE MOST EGREGIOUS AND THE GREATEST EXPANSION THAT COULD HAPPEN IN GAMING IN ALABAMA BUT THAT'S WHAT THE POPULAR INSTANCE IF WE ARE DOING THE LOTTERY.

WE NEED TO GET CONTROL OF ALL OF IT.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS IT IN A GAMBLING PACKAGE TO HAVE STRICT ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT OF GAMBLING OPERATIONS AND TO INCLUDE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS?

I KNOW THAT'S BEEN AN ISSUE.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

AND THAT'S BEEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF BILLS THAT WERE PRESENTED.

IT'S CRUCIAL.

UNLESS WE GET CONTROL OF THIS, UNLESS THE STATE EXERCISES CAN SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY OVER THAT INDUSTRY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES AND IT WILL BE WILD WEST.

WE HAVE TO CONTROL IT.

>> IT IS SOMETHING WE WILL FOLLOW AND WE WILL SEE WHICH BILL YOU DROP.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE PAGE.

YOU CAN LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STEVE MURRAY, THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, TODD.

>> CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT ARCHIVES AND HISTORY AND WHAT YOUR DEPARTMENT DOES THEY ARE THE STATE?

>> WE ARE A STATE AGENCY LOCATED IN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX ACROSS FROM THE CAPITOL.

WE SERVE AS THE REPOSITORY FOR THE RECORDS.

MOST GOVERNMENT RECORDS THAT ARE DEEMED TO BE HISTORICAL VALUE WILL COME TO US AT SOME POINT.

WE ARE THE STATE'S HISTORY MUSEUM AND POPULAR DESTINATION FOR FAMILIES AND SCHOOL CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY ON FIELD TRIPS, OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 8:30 TO 4:30 AND FREE ADMISSION ALWAYS.

IT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE ARTIFACTS AND THE STORIES THAT ALABAMA'S HISTORY.

WE ARE THE AGENCY THAT WORKS WITH OTHER STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS IN HELPING THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RECORDS UNDER STATE LAW.

NOT EVERY RECORD UNDER GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE KEPT PERMANENTLY BECAUSE WE COULD NEVER ABSORB THE VOLUME AND NO PUBLIC GOVERNMENT -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECORD OFFICE COULD EVER HANDLE THOSE.

SO IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO BE DESTROYED IN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME UNDER CERTAIN POLICIES AND GUIDELINES, AND WE HELP OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICES UNDERSTAND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THAT LAW.

>> THE ARCHIVES BUILDING REALLY IS A TREASURE FOR OUR STATE.

WHAT WITH EXHIBITS DO YOU HAVE GOING ON THAT PEOPLE MAYBE INTERESTED IN?

>> WE HAVE TERRIFIC PERMANENT EXHIBITS BUT RIGHT NOW IN COMMEMORATION OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE, WE HAVE A GREAT EXHIBIT CALLED ALABAMA WOMEN AND THE VOTE.

IT EXPLORES THE STORY OF THE ROLES THAT ALABAMA WOMEN TOOK IN PROMOTING WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE, GOING BACK TO THE LATE 1800s AND UP UNTIL THE 19th AMENDMENT WAS ACTUALLY RATIFIED, AS WELL AS POSITIONS TAKEN BY SOME ALABAMA WOMEN IN OPPOSITION TO EFFORTS TO SECURE SUFFRAGE FOR WOMEN AT THE STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT'S A FASCINATING STORY WITH A LOT OF COMPETING MOTIVATIONS IN TERMS OF WHY PEOPLE TOOK THE POSITIONS THEY DID OVER TIME.

WE BRING IT TO THE PRESENT ALSO TALKING ABOUT ALABAMA WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

PATH BREAKERS, HOLDING CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE, THE TWO WOMEN GOVERNORS WE HAVE HAD AND THE ACTIVITY LIKE THE EQUAL PAY LEGISLATION THAT PASSED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER GREAT PROJECT RIGHT NOW THAT'S BEING CO-CON SPORED WITH THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, MENTAL HEALTH AND THE ALABAMA PRISON ARTS AND EDUCATION PROJECT AND INGRAM STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

THIS IS A GREAT EXHIBIT UP THROUGH MID APRIL.

IT IS CALLED CHANGING THE COURSE.

ART BY THE CURRENTLY AND FORM EARLY INCARCERATED AND IT'S A DISPLAY OF EVERYTHING FROM PAINTINGS TO SKETCHES AND SCULPTURE AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL WORK BY INCARCERATED ALABAMIANS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN ARTS PROGRAMS THAT HELP THEM TO THINK CREATIVELY AND TO FOCUS THEIR ENERGY IN A POSITIVE AND CREATIVE WAY AS PART OF THE STATE'S EFFORT, THAT I THINK IS SO IMPORTANT, IN LOOKING TO REFORM OUR CORRECTIONS SYSTEM IN THE STATE.

THIS GIVES FOLKS WHO ARE LOOKING TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES TO BE PREPARED FOR LIFE OF INCARCERATION.

IT GIVES THEM A GREAT WAY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES CREATIVELY.

IT IS A GREAT EXHIBIT.

WE'RE GLAD TO WORK WITH OTHER PARTNER AGENCIES.

THAT WILL BE ON DISPLAY THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF APRIL.

>> CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO SEE THAT.

I MIGHT WANT TO GO MYSELF.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU HAVE A TOUGH JOB.

HISTORY IS TOUGH IN ALABAMA.

WE HAVE THIS DUALITY, CRADLE OF CONFEDERACY AND BIRTHPLACE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

IN THIS MOMENT IN TIME, SO MANY PEOPLE WANT THEIR PREFERRED VERSION OF HISTORY TO PREVAIL.

HOW DO YOU, AS A HISTORIAN, AS AN ARCHIVIST BALANCE THAT?

>> IT IS TOUGH.

HISTORY IS GETTING MORE ATTENTION THESE DAYS BECAUSE IT'S BECOME A POLITICAL LIGHTNING ROD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT IS SO TIED IN WITH OTHER ISSUES OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONCERN IN OUR COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

OUR ROLE, AS AN AGENCY, IS TO SERVE AS AN HONEST BROKER.

AS A GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS TRAINED IN HISTORY AND MUSEUM CURATOR SHOP TO TAKE THE EVIDENCE BEFORE US.

USE A CLEAR-EYED EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO HISTORY AND USE THAT TO PRESENT THE HISTORY TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR MUSEUMS AND SERVICES TO K-12 EDUCATORS IN A WAY THAT TRIES TO BE FAIR TO ALL OF OUR AUDIENCES.

WE WORK VERY HARD AS AN ORGANIZATION TO MAKE SURE THAT NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE WHEN YOU WALK IN THE DOORS OF OUR BUILDING, WHATEVER YOUR RACE, CREED, COLOR, POLITICAL PERSUASION, YOU FIND AN ALABAMA STORY THAT REFLECTS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY'S EXPERIENCES.

WE TAKE THAT PART OF OUR MISSION VERY SERIOUSLY.

STEWARDSHIP IS AT THE CORE OF WHAT WE DO AS AN AGENCY.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO WORK IN THAT BEAUTIFUL BUILDING EVERY DAY AND SURROUNDED BY THESE AMAZING COLLECTIONS.

WE ARE ALWAYS MIAMI WE ARE THERE ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA THAT ULTIMATELY OWN THIS AMAZING HISTORY.

>> THERE IS AN ISSUE OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS.

FIVE YEARS AGO THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THE LAW PROHIBITING THE REMOVAL OF MONUMENTS OR THE DESTRUCTION OF MONUMENTS BUT THAT CAME BEFORE THE BIG PUSH TO REMOVE SOME OF THESE RELATED TO THE SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT WE ARE SEEING NOW.

NOW, I UNDERSTAND, THERE'S LEGISLATION TO REVISE THAT LAW TO ALLOW SOMEWHAT OF A PROCESS FOR THE REMOVAL OF STATE MONUMENTS.

TALK ME THROUGH THIS.

>> SURE.

WE HAVE SEEN -- THIS HAS BEEN A CONFLICTED EXPERIENCE IN ALABAMA SINCE 2017 AND ESPECIALLY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF PERENNIAL DISCUSSION BY THE LEGISLATURE EVER SINCE TRYING TO FINE TUNE THAT LAW IN A WAY THAT ADDRESSES DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES CONCERNS.

LAST YEAR, A REPRESENTATIVE DURING THE COMMITTEE MEETING ASKED ME A STRAIGHT-FORWARD QUESTION WHEN THERE WAS A LOT OF DISAGREEMENT WHERE TO HEAD WITH THIS.

HE ASKED WHAT CAN WE DO TO THIS LAW SO IT STILL PROMOTES PRESERVATION AND AT THE SAME TIME ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SO THEY CAN RESPOND TO CONCERNS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES?

SO I WORKED WITH HER AND NOW REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BALL IN DRAFTING A BILL THAT WILL TRY TO DO THAT.

IT GOES BACK TO THE EXISTING LAW, SHRINKS ITS SCOPE BECAUSE THE LAW GREW IN 2017 TO INCLUDE NOT ONLY MEMORIALS, NOT JUST MONUMENTS BUT MEMORIAL BUILDINGS, STREET NAMES AND THE NAMES OF BUILDINGS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES AND SOME OF THE DIFFICULT WE HAVE SEEN IS THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW, ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW SINCE 2020 HAS BEEN COMPLICATED.

SO THE PROPOSAL IN THIS LEGISLATION IS TO REDUCE THE SCOPE BACK DOWN TO COVER JUST THE MONUMENTS, WHICH IS WHERE I THINK THE HEART OF THE CONCERN LAY WHEN THE BILL WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2017 AND THEN TO CREATE A PROCESS THAT ACTUALLY CAN WORK WHERE LOCAL ENTITIES, STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAN SUBMIT A WAIVER APPLICATION TO A STATE COMMITTEE THAT CAN ACTUALLY THEN MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER A MONUMENT COULD BE RELOCATED OR REMOVED AND THE CRITERIA, THIS IS NOT JUST UP OR DOWN, YES/NO VOTE.

IT ACTUALLY REQUIRES A PROCESS, WHICH IS AN APPROPRIATE ROLE FOR THE STATE TO PLAY, AS IN SAYING, ANYTIME THESE DECISIONS COME UP, LET'S CREATE A RULE BOOK THAT SAYS THIS IS THE RULE, RULES THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW.

IT DOESN'T PRE-DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF DECISION BUT EVERYBODY WILL PLAY BY THE SAME RULES AND THE RULES WOULD INCLUDE BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT ENTITY BRINGS A WAIVER PETITION TO THE STATE COMMITTEE, IT ACTUALLY WRITES AND HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH ANOTHER ENTITY, WHETHER IT IS A SUBDIVISION OF THE SAME GOVERNMENT OR A DIFFERENT COUNTY OR CITY OR MAYBE EVEN A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION WHERE THERE'S AN AGREEMENT IN PLACE THAT SAYS IF THIS MONUMENT IS RELOCATED, WHERE IS IT GOING TO GO?

WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR THE RELOCATION, WHAT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND WHAT PROVISION IS THERE FOR ONGOING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE MONUMENT.

IT HELPS TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS ABOUT THESE MONUMENTS THAT CAN BE QUITE DIVISIVE IN COMMUNITIES BEING IN PLACES WHERE JUSTICE IS ADMINISTERED, IN FRONT OF COUNTY COURTHOUSES FOR EXAMPLE.

AND ALLOWS FLEXIBILITY TO MOVE IT TO EITHER ANOTHER LOCAL PARK, CEMETERY OR ANOTHER LOCATION THAT IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BE A SUITABLE RELOCATION OF THAT PIECE, BUT AGAIN, IT HAS TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE SET OUT UNDER STATE LAW IN ORDER FOR THAT TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> LIKE YOU SAID, IT IS A PERENNIAL ISSUE AND WILL BE A BIG ONE AGAIN THIS SESSION AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON TO EXPLAIN THE DETAILS.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

NEXT I'M JOINED BY DR. SCOTT HARRIS, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

DOC, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> I WAS LOOKING AT THE COVID DASHBOARD, THE PUBLIC HEALTH COVID DASHBOARD AND SAW HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO DECLINE.

WE ARE UNDER A THOUSAND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

CAN WE OFFICIALLY SAY WE HAVE MADE IT THROUGH OMICRON?

>> I THINK WE CAN PROBABLY SAY THAT.

WE'RE STILL SEEING NEW CASES EVERY DAY OF AROUND 1,000, 1200 NEW CASES A DAY BUT THE HOSPITAL NUMBERS ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT.

MOST PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO WELL WITH COVID ARE THE PEOPLE THAT END UP GOING TO THE HOSPITAL THE FIRST AND THEN THEY LINGER A WHILE AND MAY NOT SURVIVE.

AS LONG AS THE HOSPITAL NUMBERS ARE DECREASING THAT'S A REALLY GOOD SIGN AND HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

CERTAINLY AROUND THE COUNTRY, IN JUST ABOUT EVERY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY WE ARE SEEING NUMBERS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I WAS LOOKING AT DATA ABOUT TRANSMISSION AND DEATHS.

THIS IS THE LAST FOUR WEEKS, SO THIS IS OMICRON.

I SHOWED THE LARGEST COHORT OF CASES WAS 25-49 YEARS OLD AT 32%.

THAT'S MOST OF THE CASES AND YET THAT COHORT HAS THE LOWEST DEATH RATE AT 4% AND CONVERSELY THE 75 AND OLDER COHORT HAD THE FEWEST CASES AT 9% BUT THE MOST DEATHS AT 49%.

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE IT TO?

>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE RECOGNIZE REALLY THROUGHOUT COVID AND PARTICULARLY THE LAST YEAR SINCE VACCINES HAVE BECOME AVAILABLE.

PEOPLE IN THAT AGE GROUP UNDER 50 AND PEOPLE OVER 75 HAVE A LOT OF FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES.

THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE VIRUS ITSELF IS DEADLIER FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY THAT IS BUT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY THE CASE, BUT PEOPLE IN THE OLDER AGE GROUP ARE THE MOST VACCINATED GROUP, AS WELL.

WE KNOW, JUST FROM OUR OWN INTERNAL DATA, DURING OMICRON, PEOPLE WHO WERE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED WERE 30 TIMES, 30 TIMES LESS LIKELY TO DIE THAN PEOPLE UNVACCINATED.

SO THAT OLDER GROUP IS THE MOST VACCINATED GROUP.

THERE'S ALSO SOME OTHER DIFFERENCES IN BEHAVIOR.

PEOPLE IN THEIR 30s AND 40s, IN MOST CASE ARE PROBABLY GETTING UP EVERY DAY AND GOING TO WORK AND IN THE PUBLIC AND MAYBE GOING TO THEIR KIDS' SCHOOL AND ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES.

PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER MAY DO A LOT OF THAT BUT MAY NOT NECESSARILY DO THAT.

THEY MAY HAVE MORE ABILITY TO CONTROL WHO THEY ARE AROUND.

>> MORE CAUTIOUS.

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

SO, THOSE GROUPS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

I'D SAY WE'RE NOT SURPRISED THAT WE ARE SEEING MORE CASES IN YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE VACCINATED, LESS CASES BUT MORE SEVERITY OF ILLNESS IN PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER.

>> THIS NEW VARIANT, THEY ARE CALLING IT BA 2.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN ALABAMA.

HOW MUCH DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS VIRUS OR THIS NEW VARIANT, HOW CONTAGIOUS AND DEADLY IT IS?

>> SO BA-2 IS A FORM OF OMICRON.

IT IS NOT A BRAND NEW VARIANT BUT A MUTATION OF OMICRON ITSELF.

IT IS PROBABLY NOT ANYMORE DEADLY THAN OMICRON, WHICH IS GOOD.

WE KNOW OMICRON IS MILDER OVERALL PROBABLY THAN WHAT WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE WITH DELTA AND OTHER STRAINS, NOT MILD BUT MILDER.

SO IT'S NOT WORSE IN TERMS OF CAUSING DISEASE.

IT IS SEVERAL TIMES MORE INFECTIOUS.

THERE ARE A FEW COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD THAT HAVE SEEN BA-2 BEFORE WE HAVE HERE THAT HAVE NOW IDENTIFIED IT AS THE PREDOMINANT VARIANT CIRCULATING IN THE COUNTRY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT A SURPRISE THAT THE VERSION OF THE VIRUS THAT IS EASIEST TO TRANSMIT IS THE ONE THAT IS MOST COMMON.

WE SAW THAT EARLIER WITH DELTA, WHICH OUT COMPETED THE PREVIOUS STRAINS AND WITH OMICRON WHICH HAS OUTCOMPETED DELTA.

THERE IS VERY LITTLE DELTA IN THE COUNTRY NOW BECAUSE IT IS ALL OMICRON.

IT SEEMS LIKELY WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR WITH THIS BA-2 VARIANT.

>> SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED?

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER HOSPITAL SPIKE AND THINGS LIKE THAT?

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED RECENTLY THEY WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE SOME PROTECTION ON BOARD, AT LEAST FOR A FEW WEEKS OR MAYBE A FEW MONTHS.

WE CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE VACCINE AND VACCINE STILL SEEMS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO PREVENT SERIOUS ILLNESS AND DEATH.

THE VACCINES DON'T WORK AS WELL IN TERMS OF PREVENTING INFECTION AGAINST OMICRON OR BA-2, YOU STILL CAN GET INFECTED BUT AGAIN MOST OF THE TIME THOSE PEOPLE DON'T GET SERIOUSLY ILL AND DIE.

IF BA-2 IS STILL CIRCULATING THREE, FOUR, SIX MONTHS FROM NOW AND WE HAVEN'T DONE A BETTER JOB GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN WE COULD SEE A SURGE AGAIN.

>> SPEAKING OF VACCINES, I SAW THERE WAS UPDATED GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC CONCERNING VACCINES.

WHAT'S THE GUIDANCE?

>> THERE IS INTERESTING DATA THAT'S BEEN MADE AVAILABLE IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO THAT LOOKS AT THE HEART INFLAMMATION THAT CAN SOMETIMES OCCUR IN PEOPLE THAT GET THESE MRNA VACCINES LIKE THE PFIZER VACCINE OR THE MODERNA VACCINE.

THAT'S USUALLY AN ISSUE THAT IS SHOWING UP IN YOUNG MALES.

SO MEN UNDER AGE 35 OR SO CAN RARELY GET THIS HEART INFLAMMATION.

IT TURNS OUT THE HEART INFLAMMATION IS MORE COMMON IF YOU GET INFECTED WITH COVID.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WITH INFECTION.

IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO GET VACCINATED BECAUSE YOU ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET INFECTED AND HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

BUT WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED IF YOU DELAY THE TIME BETWEEN THE FIRST TWO SHOTS, INSTEAD OF THE SECOND SHOT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS LATER, IF YOU WAIT UNTIL EIGHT WEEKS TO GET THE SECOND SHOT PEOPLE ARE FAIRLY WELL PROTECTED IN THE INTERIM AND THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE THIS HEART INFLAMMATION.

IT IS NOT A NEW RECOMMENDATION BUT TELLS PROVIDERS THAT'S ANOTHER THING YOU CAN CONSIDER.

>> I SEE.

I KNOW THE VACCINE MANDATE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

HAS THIS IMPACTED YOUR DEPARTMENT OR HOSPITALS?

>> WE HAVE HEARD STORIES FROM HOSPITALS THAT ARE HAVING TO IMPLEMENT THAT THEY HAVE SOME RESISTANCE IN SOME CASES.

IN OUR DEPARTMENT IT HAS GONE SMOOTHLY.

WE CERTAINLY DO ALLOW ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ABLE OR UNWILLING TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

WE HAVE NOT HAD ANYBODY LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT, AT LEAST THAT I'M AWARE OF.

I THINK EVERYONE HAS AGREED TO BE VACCINATED OR AGREED TO ACCEPT ONE OF THESE ACCOMMODATIONS.

SO FAR IT SEEMS TO BE GOING PRETTY WELL.

YOU KNOW, FOR PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY CAN'T OR WON'T BE VACCINATED, CERTAINLY YOU CAN CONTINUE TO DO YOUR JOB IN MOST CASES BUT THERE ARE SOME EXTRA STEPS WE HAVE TO TAKE.

>> YOU STARTED THE -- THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH STARTED A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN CALLED ALABAMA UNITS AGAINST COVID.

IT IS ON BILLBOARDS AND TV AND THE VIDEO.

HOW HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN TO THIS CAMPAIGN?

>> WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF POSITIVE COMMENTS ON IT.

OVERALL, THE GOAL WAS TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE PROGRAM WAS FIRST ROLLING OUT WE HAD HONESTLY A LOT MORE SUPPORT THAN WE ULTIMATELY DID.

BY THE TIME WE GOT AROUND TO FILMING THESE BITS, WE WERE WELL INTO CAMPAIGN SEASON AND THINGS GOT MORE POLARIZED AND WE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DROPPED OUT AND WHO ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO PARTICIPATE AND DIDN'T.

ULTIMATELY, WE HAVE BIPARTISAN PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO ARE IN THERE.

WE APPRECIATE THEM STANDING UP AND SUPPORTING VACCINE.

ULTIMATELY THE QUESTION IS, ARE WE VACCINATING MORE THAN WE WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE?

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT WE CERTAINLY AREN'T VACCINATING AS MANY AS WE WOULD LIKE TO.

>> LET'S SWITCH GEARS AND TALK ABOUT FENTANYL.

THIS DEADLY DRUG THAT'S BEEN -- IT INFILTRATES A LOT OF HEROIN AND OTHER OPIOIDS.

THERE'S A BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THESE TESTING STRIPS.

SO IF YOU HAD DRUGS YOU COULD USE A TESTING STRIP TO SEE IF THIS DEADLY FENTANYL WAS AN INGREDIENT.

I KNOW YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE LEGISLATION.

COULD THIS POTENTIALLY SAVE LIVES?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

WE COMPLETELY SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN CHAMPIONED BY DR. MARK WILSON IN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR SOME TIME IT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN MOST STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

FENTANYL IS A SYNTHETIC OPIOID.

MOST IS NEED CHINA AND SOLD AS A STREET DRUG.

THERE IS PRESCRIPTION FENTANYL USED IN HOSPITAL AND FOR ANESTHESIA BUT MANY DRUG DEALERS WILL ADULTERATE THEIR PRODUCT WITH FENTANYL BECAUSE IT MAKES IT MORE POTENT AND THEY CAN CUT IT MORE WAYS AND SELL SOMETHING THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HEROIN BUT IT IS REALLY MANY TIMES STRONGER.

PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS AREN'T -- THEY DON'T INVESTIGATE TOO MUCH WHAT THEY ARE PUTTING IN THEIR BODY IN A LOT OF CASES.

SO THEY JUST BUY FROM SOMEBODY AND USE IT.

IF THERE'S ANY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FENTANYL IN THERE, THEY OFTEN WILL DIE.

SO RIGHT NOW FENTANYL TEST STRIPS ARE CONSIDERED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, BUT THIS BILL WOULD MAKE THOSE LEGAL SO PEOPLE CAN TEST THE PRODUCT BEFORE THEY PUT IT INTO THEIR BODY.

IT'S A STRATEGY THAT WE CALL HARM REDUCTION.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY SAY THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT.

YOU ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO USE DRUGS BUT IN FACT IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY ADDICTED TO DRUGS TO NOT DIE, WHICH ULTIMATELY IS OUR GOAL.

WE CAN'T GET ANYBODY HELP OR TO REHAB.

WE CAN'T WORK WITH THEM AT ALL IF THEY HAVEN'T SURVIVED.

SO WE WANT TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE LONG ENOUGH THAT WE CAN REACH THEM AND TRY TO GET THEM TO A BETTER PLACE.

>> HARD TO IMAGINE SOMETHING BEING MUCH MORE POTENT THAN HEROIN.

THAT BLOWS THE MIND.

>> FENTANYL IS INCREDIBLY POTENT.

THERE ARE VARIANTS OF THAT, LIKE A DRUG CALLED CARFENTANIL.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF IT BY THE COMMON TERM ELEPHANT TRANQUILIZERS BECAUSE A TINY AMOUNT CAN ANESTHETIZE AN ELEPHANT.

THAT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION.

WHEN THESE PRODUCTS END UP IN HEROIN OR ANY OTHER OPIOID THAT'S BEING ABUSED PEOPLE DON'T SURVIVE THAT.

THERE ARE MANY STORIES THAT YOU PROBABLY SEEN IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA OF KIDS WHO BUY SOME PILL ON THE INTERNET OR GET ONE FROM A FRIEND, JUST EXPERIMENTING AND THEY TRY A DRUG ONCE AND THEY NEVER GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY.

SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THAT IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO.

>> WE WILL FOLLOW THAT BILL AND ALSO THE ONGOING CRISIS OF FENTANYL.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME BUT DOCTOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> NEXT, I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY MIKE CASON AND BRIAN LYMAN OF THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

REPORTERS HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON THE ALABAMA SESSION BECAUSE YOU ARE RIGHT THERE, INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY.

BUT AREN'T BURDENED, LIKE THE POLITICIANS, WITH THE OUTCOMES.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING TO SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

LET ME START WITH YOU, BRIAN.

THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS AT THE HALF WAY POINT.

WHAT'S YOUR TOP TAKEAWAYS THIS FAR?

>> THE TRUISM DURING AN ELECTION YEAR IS THE LEGISLATORS JUST WANT TO PASS THE BUDGETS AND GO HOME.

SO FAR, WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF THINGS THAT GO WAY BEYOND THAT.

JUST THIS WEEK ALONE, WE HAVE SEEN A PERMITLESS CARRY BILL PASS, RIOT BILL, LITERACY ACT DELAY.

YOU GET THE SENSE THESE LEGISLATORS ARE WILLING TO DO SOMETHING A LOT MORE THAN JUST THE BUDGETS THIS YEAR.

WHY THAT IS -- I GUESS IT IS HARD FOR ME TO SAY.

REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE NO MATTER WHAT.

ONLY HALF OF THEM HAVE PRIMARY OPPOSITION.

IT'S NOT CLEAR THERE WILL BE A LOT OF THREATS TO INCUMBENTS THIS YEAR, CERTAINLY NOT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

SO RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS LIKE YOU WOULD JUST SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING THIS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO AND CAN DO IT.

>> MIKE, THEY ARE ALSO MOVING FAST.

THESE THREE DAY WEEKS, TYPICALLY IN THE LEGISLATURE IT IS MEET ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.

BUT NOW IT IS THREE-DAY WEEKS.

THEY ARE SPEEDING THROUGH THIS SESSION.

>> THEY REALLY ARE.

FOR EXAMPLE, I THINK TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY THEY HAD THE THREE CONTROVERSIAL BILLS ON THE CALENDAR.

THEY CHANGED THE RULES TO LIMIT DEBATES TO TWO HOURS TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOCKED THE THREE BILLS HOW.

THE PERMITLESS CARRY BILL THAT BRIAN MENTIONED AND ANTIRIOT BILL.

THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY, WHICH IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL, THEY PRETTY MUCH SIGNALED WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO THIS SECTION, INCLUDING THE PERMITLESS CARRY BILKER THE ANTIRIOT BILL AND SOME OTHERS AND THEY MARCHED RIGHT ALONG WITH THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED CHANGING THE RULES.

DEMOCRATS WERE OBVIOUSLY INCENSED BY THAT.

THEY SPOKE OUT LOUDLY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES TO THAT?

DO YOU THINK THEY WILL TRY TO SLOW DOWN THE REST OF THE SESSION BECAUSE OF THAT?

>> THEY MAY TRY TO DO THAT FOR A WHILE BUT THOSE THINGS -- THOSE THINGS SEEM TO BLOW OVER AFTER A FEW DAY A's HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE.

>> YEAH.

I AGREE WITH MIKE.

WHEN THAT STUFF HAPPENS IT IS USUALLY TELEGRAPHED IN ADVANCE.

I THINK WE WERE BOTH HERE FOR THE ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT PASSAGE WHERE THAT REALLY, REALLY GOT DEMOCRATS ANGRY THE WAY IT WAS HANDLED.

THEY MADE IT CLEAR THEY WERE GOING TO STOP EVERYTHING FOR THE REST OF THE SESSION.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE VERY ANGRY ABOUT HOW THINGS WERE HANDLED ON TUESDAY NIGHT BUT THEY ARE NOT, AT LEAST AT THIS POINT, SIGNALING THEY ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

AT THIS POINT THERE IS NOT MUCH THEY CAN DO EXCEPT REGISTER THEIR OBJECTIONS TO WHATEVER IS PASSING AND HOPE PEOPLE ARE LISTENING TO THAT.

>> I FIND IT INTERESTING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

BECAUSE THE SENATE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A DELIBERATIVE BODY AND TAKE A LONG TIME TO DO EVERYTHING, BUT THEY ARE PRETTY QUICK WITH THEIR ACTION THESE DAYS.

IT'S THE HOUSE THAT GETS BOGGED DOWN IN THESE DEEP ARGUMENTS AND EVERYTHING.

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO?

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE IN RECENT YEARS?

>> SO, THIS IS COMPLETE OBSERVATION.

I'D SAY THAT IN SOME WAYS THE SENATE IS A BIT MORE COLLEGIAL AT THIS POINT.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT IN THE HOUSE THERE'S AN ONGOING RIOT HAPPENING.

IN THE SENATE, PRO-TEM REID AND SINGLETON HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP AND BOTH KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

I THINK REPUBLICANS UP THERE HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING TO DEMOCRATS.

THEY ARE NOT SURPRISED BY ANYTHING THAT COMES UP THERE OR REALLY OUTRAGES THEM.

I WOULD SAY IN THE HOUSE, AND I COULD BE COMPLETELY OFF ON THIS BUT I'D SAY THERE MIGHT BE SOME MORE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THERE MIGHT BE SOME MORE CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS THAN THERE MAYBE IN THE OTHER CHAMBER.

PERHAPS MORE FRESHMAN AS WELL.

IT NEEDS TO BE MORE OF A CAUTIOUS YOU HAVE TO MANAGE DOWN THERE.

EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE MOVING, I'D SAY THE HOUSE IS STILL MOVING PRETTY -- IT MAY NOT BE MOVING AS SMOOTHLY AS THE SENATE BUT THE HOUSE IS MOVING A LOT OF BILLS THIS YEAR.

>> MIKE, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT GAMBLING.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COMES UP EVERY YEAR.

I WAS JUST TALKING TO SENATOR ALBRITTON AND HE IS HINTING AT DROPPING LEGISLATION ON GAMBLING.

IT PASSED THIS SENATE MANY TIMES.

THE PROBLEM IS IN THE HOUSE.

DO YOU SENSE THE APPETITE TO TAKE IT UP THIS YEAR?

I DIDN'T TALK TO MANY ABOUT IT BUT I TALKED TO THE SPEAKER AND HE WAS NOT OPTIMISTIC.

HE WAS LESS OPTIMISTIC THAN SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM REED.

I GUESS THAT IS NOT SURPRISING CONSIDERING LAST YEAR THEY PASSED THE SENATE AND NOT THE HOUSE.

IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG SHOT THIS YEAR BECAUSE LAST YEAR YOU HAD GOVERNOR IVEY BEHIND IT.

YOU HAD MORE TIME TO WORK ON IT.

THEY WERE JUST COMING OFF OF THE GAMBLING COMMISSION STUDY REPORT AND SEEMED TO HAVE A LOT OF MOMENTUM AND STILL COULDN'T MAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE.

IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A LONG SHOT THIS YEAR I WOULD THINK.

>> ALSO LAST YEAR YOU HAD DEL MARSH WORKING ON THE PLAN FOR MONTHS AND GETTING BUY-IN FROM THE DOG TRACKS AND THE PORCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS.

AS FAR AS I KNOW THAT HASN'T HAPPENED THIS YEAR AND EVEN WITH ALL OF THE PLANNING LAST YEAR THE BILL RAN ON THE SHOALS.

THIS YEAR, WITH 15 DAYS LEFT, IT WOULD BE AN AWFULLY HARD LIFT UNLESS THEY ARE JUST LET'S JUST DO IT MODE.

>> YOU MENTIONED DEL MARSH, THIS YEAR'S BIG BILL IS SCHOOL CHOICE.

HE HAS RUN INTO OPPOSITION.

DO YOU SEE A FUTURE FOR THE BILL OR THINK IT IS DEAD?

>> SENATOR CLAY SCOFIELD, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TALKED ABOUT THAT A BIT TODAY.

HE SAID, AS THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED, THERE'S A GROUP OF LEGISLATORS WORKING ON A BIG PLAN FOR THAT AND ARE TRYING TO GET THAT BILL READY.

TODAY HE SAID THEY ARE GOING TO GO INTO MORE ISSUES THAN WHAT IS IN SENATOR MARSH'S BILL WHICH LED ME TO BELIEVE IT WILL BE A SLOW PROCESS.

HE DIDN'T SAY A SLOW PROCESS BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE A LOT TO TAKE ON AT THIS POINT TO TRY TO GET IT READY IN THE LAST 15 DAYS OF THE SESSION.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU COULD GET THE BUY-IN FROM RURAL REPUBLICANS ON THAT BILL.

RURAL REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID CONSISTENTLY WITH ALL OF THESE BILLS THEY CAN'T SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE THE CHOICES CAN SIMPLY DON'T EXIST IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

THIS KIND OF STUFF GIVES THEM HEARTBURN.

IF YOU CAN CONVINCE THEM TO COME ON, I THINK YOU COULD GET SOMETHING BUT I DON'T THINK THE BILL IN ITS CURRENT FORM IS GOING TO PASS THE LEGISLATURE.

>> REAL QUICK, WHILE I HAVE YOU ALL, I WANT TO TURN TO POLITICS FOR A MINUTE.

THESE RACES ARE HEATING UP.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

ALL THE LATEST POLLING SHOWS THAT KAY IVEY REMAINS POPULAR AND WELL AHEAD IN THE PRIMARY RACE.

BUT THEY ARE UP ON TV AND RAMPING UP ADVERTISING.

CAN THEY MAKE ENOUGH OF A DENT TO FORCE A RUNOFF IN THIS RACE?

MIKE, I'LL START WITH YOU?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

AS YOU SAID, THEY ARE UP ON TV.

PEOPLE WILL GET TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW WHO TIM JAMES IS BECAUSE HE HAS RUN BEFORE.

AND I THINK THERE IS A TOTAL OF NINE CANDIDATES COUNTING THE GOVERNOR.

THAT WILL SPLIT THE VOTE UP A LITTLE FURTHER.

I DON'T KNOW.

YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO FORCE A RUNOFF BUT GOVERNOR IVEY HAD THREE STRONG REPUBLICAN -- REASONABLY STRONG REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS LAST TIME AND WENT WITHOUT A RUNOFF.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> BRIAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> AT THIS POINT, I THINK WHAT BLANCHARD AND JAMES NEED TO DO IS GIVE REPUBLICAN VOTERS COMPELLING REASONS NOS TO VOTE FOR KAY IVEY.

THERE WAS SOME POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES FOR HER AMONG CERTAIN REPUBLICAN VOTERS WITH THE EARLY HANDLING OF THE COVID PANDEMIC BUT I THINK SHE NEUTRALIZED THAT.

HER ADS ARE LEANING HARD IN THOUGH REPUBLICAN ISSUES.

THE ONLY THING AT THIS POINT I COULD SEE UP ENDING THE RACE IS A DONALD TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

OBVIOUSLY WENDY BLANCHARD IS PUSHING HARD TO GET THAT.

I'M SURE TIM JAMES WOULD ALSO LOVE THAT.

THAT, TO ME, IS THE ONE THING THAT COULD UP END THE RACE, BUT I HAVE ALSO LEARNED FROM 15 YEARS OF DOING THAT MAKING PREDICATIONS IN ALABAMA PUBLICS IS A VERY DUMB IDEA.

>> FAIR ENOUGH.

FOR NOW THEY ARE ALL ON THEIR TV ADS RUNNING AGAINST JOE BIDEN.

WE WILL WAIT AND SEE IF THAT CHANGES.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

WE LOVE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TODD.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE HAS BEEN THE HEART OF THE SPACE PROGRAM SINCE THE BEGINNINGS IN THE 1950s.

IT WAS DESIGNATED AS THE PROPULSION CENTER.

MARSHALL HELPED TO MAKE HISTORY IN 1961 WHEN THE MERCURY RED STONE ROCKET POWERED ALLEN SHEPHERD INTO FLIGHT MAKING HIM THE FIRST AMERICAN IN SPACE.

THEY DROPPED THE SATURN ROCKETS USED IN THE APOLLO MOON MISSION.

THEY AIMED TO PERFORM THE CHALLENGE TO NASA TO EXECUTE A MOON LANDING BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

MARSHALL DEVELOPED A PROPULSION FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM AND IS INTEGRAL TO THE SCIENCE LIFE SYSTEMS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND THE LEAD CENTER FOR THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30 PM WITH OUR NIGHTLY COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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