Don: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, A MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL IS ALREADY ON ITS WAY.

ON THIS FIRST FULL DAY OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE APPROVED THE BILL THAT AGAIN BEING SPURNED BY SENATOR TIM MELSON, A FLORENCE PHYSICIAN.

>> THIS IS BILL IS THE MEDICAL CANNABIS BILL THAT PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE LAST YEAR THAT DIED BEFORE IT GOT TO THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SESSION WORKED.

WHAT I DID WAS TAKE THE EXACT SAME BILL THAT WE PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE, ALL OF THE AMENDMENTS ADDED ON IN COMMITTEE, ALL OF AMENDMENTS ADDED ON TO THE FLOOR BY THE BODY ARE IN THIS PARTICULAR BILL.

SO IT'S THE EXACT SAME BILL?

Don: MELSON'S BILL CALLS FOR SETTING UP ON 11-MEMBER ALABAMA MEMORY CANNABIS COMMISSION TO LICENSE GROWERS, IMPLEMENT REGULATIONS AND OVERSEE THE DISPENSING OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO PATIENT WHOSE QUALIFY.

IT NOW MOVES FOR THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> A PRIORITY BILL IN THE EARLY GOING OFF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION CLEARED ITS FIRST HURDLE TODAY.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE APPROVED SENATOR ARTHUR ORR'S PLAN REGARDING THE PANDEMIC-RELATED LEGAL LIABILITY AND ADDRESSED WHAT THE LEGISLATION WOULD AND WOULD NOT DO.

>> THIS BILL DOES NOT PRODUCT BUSINESSES.

IT'S NOT A BLANK WETS IMMUNITY.

IT JUST PROVIDES A SAFE HARBOR FOR THOSE BUSINESSES THAT ACTED IN GOOD FAITH AND PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES AND TOOK PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT THEIR WORKERS OR CUSTOMERS OR WHOMEVER.

>> THE LEGISLATION WOULD COVER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, CAN YOU EVER KNOWS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.

OPPONENTS TEED RAISED CONCERNS OVER WHAT THEY CALLED IN ASSISTANT STANDARDS IN THE BILL AND SO-CALLED WEAK LANGUAGE.

THE LEGISLATION NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY ALSO APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD CURTAIL THE GOVERNOR'S POWER TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY AND IT WOULD FURTHER PRIOR THE GOVERNOR TO APPROVE ANY STATE HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER.

IT'S LEGISLATION THAT IS SPONSORED BY REPUBLICAN SENATOR TOM WHATLEY OF AUBURN.

>> TO LIMIT THE DURATION OF THE EMERGENCY TO 14 DEGREES UNLESS A JOINT RESOLUTION IS PASS BY THE LEGISLATURE.

IF WE'RE NOT IN SESSION, THEN THE PRO TEM SPEAKER CAN MAKE THAT DECISION FOR US.

AND ALSO EXPANDS CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION TO THE PRO TEM AND MAKING THAT FROM THE SPEAKER.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS THE POWER TO DECLARE A 60 STAY OF EMERGENCY WITHOUT THE LEGISLATURE.

A COUPLE OF DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS CALLED THE BILL OVERLY BROAD AND IT MOVES TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE APPROVED LEGISLATION TO REDUCE A BACKLOG OF PAROLE HEARINGS AND HELPED OVER TUB THE PRISON LEGISLATION.

IT'S SPONSORED BY JIM HILL OF MOODY WHO IS A RETIRED CIRCUIT JUDGE.

>> IS THIS IS A SECOND BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES WITH THREE MEMBERS, ONE APPOINTED AS A LT.

GOVERNOR, ONE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND ONE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

IT IS A TWO-YEAR BOARD.

IT STARTS IN THE SUMMER OF 2021 AND ROLLS THROUGH THE SUMMER OF 2023.

>> PAROLE DECISIONS ARE CURRENTLY MADE BY A THREE PERSON BOARD APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR AND CONFIRMED BY THE STATE SENATE.

HILL' BILL HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> ONE LOTTERY BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED FOR LAWMAKER CONSIDERATION IN THE PLANNED NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND AT LEAST 81 MORE IS EXPECTED IN THE COMING WEEKS.

BOTH ARE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT, IF APPROVED BY LAWMAKERS, WOULD GO UP FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

AND GOVERNOR KAY IVEY REPORTEDLY SAID TODAY THAT UNLESS VOTERS ULTIMATELY APPROVE AN EXPANSION OF GAMBLING IN THE STATE SHE WILL NOT CONSIDER ENTERING INTO A COMPACT WITH THE POARCH BAND OF GREEK INDIANS.

SUCH A DEAL WOULD ALLOW THE TRIBE TO HAVE SLOT MACHINES AND TABLE GAMES AT ITS CASINOS AROUND THE STATE.

THE GOVERNOR'S REMARKS TODAY CAME AFTER SHE ADDRESSED THE ISSUE IN HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LAST NIGHT.

>> I AM CONFIDENT THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE THOUGHTFUL AND DELIBERATE AS THEY DEBATE THESE ISSUES.

LET ME BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR.

THIS MUST BE A TRANSPARENT PROCESS WITH NO DEALS BEING CUT UNDER THE TABLE.

AND IF SOMETHING DOESN'T PASS THE MEDICAL TEST I.

WILL SURELY LET YOU KNOW.

>> THE LEGISLATURE IS EXPECTED TO TACKLE THE LOTTERY AND GAMBLING ISSUES THIS YEAR ARMED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT PUT TOGETHER WHICH A STUDY GROUP THAT GOVERNOR IVEY GOVERNOR RILEY ASSEMBLE LAST YEAR.

IT PROJECTS TO RECOGNIZE $700 MILLION AS AN EXPANSION OF GAMBLING IN THE STATE.

>> STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR KELLY BUTLER TODAY REVIEWED THE MEDIA THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED 2022 BUDGETS.

IT WOULD INCLUDE THE 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS AND PAY RAZE FOR THROWS AND $27 MILLION FOR OUR PLEA K PROGRAM.

ALABAMA EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SECRETARY BARBARA COOPER TALKED UP THAT PROGRAM AT A RECENT BUDGET HEARING.

>> AND I HAVE THE EVALUATION OF THE FIRST PROGRAM CONTINUES TO SHOW THAT CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATE ARE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN, ARE PROFICIENT IN READING AND MATH IN LATER GRADES LESS LIKELY TO BE RETAINED IN A GRADE, LET LIKELY TO BE ABSENT, LESS LIKELY TO NEED SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND LESS LIKELY TO DO DISCIPLINARY ISSUES THROUGHOUT THEIR SCHOOL CAREERS.

>> MEANWHILE GOVERNOR IVEY GOVERNOR RILEY'S PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET NOR NONEDUCATIONAL AGENCIES IS $2.4 BILLION.

IT INCLUDES THE 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR STATED EMPLOYEES AND AN INCREASE FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TWO, AMONG OTHER THINGS TO HELP UPGRADE THE STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE SYSTEM.

ALEA SECRETARY HAL TAYLOR SPOKE TO THAT ISSUE AT THE RECENT BUDGET HEARINGS.

>> WE HAVE HAD THAT -- OF THE SYSTEM WE HAVE IN PLACE SINCE 'ZERO AND WE HAVE MANDATED ON THAT IN SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE AND BACK AND FORTH TO THE POINT IT'S PAST AND IT'S TIME THAT WE HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET AND UPDATE AND MODERNIZE OUR SYSTEM.

THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER AND MAKES THINGS SO MUCH EASIER, QUICKER, HOPEFULLY NOT FEEL DOWN AS MUCH AS WE HAVE HAD.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET PROPOSAL ALSO INCLUDES $27 MILLION MORE FOR THE CORRECTIONS DON'T TO HELP WITH OUR AILING PRISON SYSTEM.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, MIKE HOLMES OF WETUMPKA IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

REPRESENTATIVE, WELCOME BACK IS FOR CORRECT.

>> GREAT TO BE BACK.

IRRELEVANT ALWAYS ENJOY.

>> ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THE SESSION IS OFF AND RUNNING.

IN THE GOING, A LOT OF TALK HAS BEEN OVER THE GOVERNOR'S PRIVATE LEASE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

OF COURSE, SHE, ON MONDAY, ANNOUNCED TWO LEASES FOR TWO NEW REGIONAL MEN'S PRISONS, ONE OF WHICH WOULD BE BUILT IN YOUR DISTRICT, IN TALLASSEE AND ELMORE COUNTY.

GOVERNOR IVEY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS CONTENDED THESE NEW STATE OF THE ART PRISONS WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN ADDRESSING OVERCROWDING AND COULD BE EQUIPPED WITH STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY TO DEAL WITH THE SECURITY ISSUES BEHIND BARS.

AS A LAWMAKER WHO HAS PROPOSED NEW PRISON IN HIS DISTRICT, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHAT IS ON THE TABLE?

>> I'M NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY ON THE TABLE AND THE STRUCTURE OF IT.

I HAVE SOME CONCERNS THAT THE PHYSICAL SIDE OF THIS HAS NOT BEEN FULLY VETTED.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS HAD VIRTUALLY NO INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, AND GENERALLY, OUR BIGGEST JOB SO TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR JOBS LIKE THIS.

IT'S GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE.

$88 MILLION A YEAR AT LEAST FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE OURS WHEN THIS THIRST 30 YEARS IS UP.

IT'S GOING TO BE A PRIVATE PRISON OPERATORS.

>> THERE WERE REPORTS THAT THE PRICE TAG WAS GOING TO BE EVEN MORE THAN OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAD ORIGINALLY LIVE ESTIMATED.

DOES THAT ADD TO YOUR CONCERN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HAD NO HEARD THAT.

YOU ARE THE NEWS BEARER.

ABSOLUTELY IT DOES.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOND MARKET TODAY AND WHAT WE COULD DO WITH BOND DEBT, IF WE WANTED TO BUILD TWO MEGA PRISONS AND I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT.

SO LET'S GO TO THE BOND MARKET AND SAVE MONEY AND INTEREST PAYMENTS OVER THAT 30 YEARS TO NOT ONLY COVER THIS COST AND THEN HAVE -- WE ACTUALLY COULD BUILD A WOMEN'S PRISON FOR ABOUT 5 OR 600 MILLION AND STILL HAVE $300 MILLION LEFT OVER FOR THE SAVINGS.

TO ME IT SEEMS FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE BUT SEEMS IT'S GOING FORWARD.

ME, AS AN ELMORE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE OF THAT AREA, WE HAVE BEEN DEPENDENT AND WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTIES THAT RAISED OUR HAND AND SAID WE WANT THESE PRISONS WHEN NOBODY ELSE WOULD TAKE THEM 50 YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE A STRUGGLING ECONOMY, FARM LAND AREA THAT PEOPLE WITH SUBSISTENCE ECONOMY WHEN IT CAME IN AND THAT THE COUNTY STILL SUPPORTS THAT CONCEPT SO WE'RE PLEASED TO INVITED AND WE THINK ELMORE COUNTY IS THE RIGHT PLACE TO PUT IT.

MAJOR ACCESS TO THE HIGHWAYS AND ALL OF THAT SO IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO PUT IT IS ELMORE COUNTY.

THERE'S CONTROVERSY ABOUT WHERE IN ELMORE.

WE SEWN TWO TO THREE THOUSAND ACRES OPPOSITE OF WHERE THEY'RE PLANS ON PUTTING THIS AND THERE'S AN INFRASTRUCTURE THERE AND IT ALREADY HAS TRAINED WORKFORCE AND THE PEOPLE OVER THERE.

ON THE OTHER END, IT'S GETTING QUITE AN UPROAR OF PEOPLE IN THE TALLASSEE AREA WHERE THE PRISON IS SCHEDULED TO GO IN.

THEY'RE QUITE UPSET OVER THE IDEA OF HAVING IT WHERE THEY'RE PLANNING ON PUTTING IT.

IT'S CONTROVERSIAL AT BEST.

I STILL HAVE A LOT OF HEARTBURN WITH -- WE CAN'T GET ENOUGH ANSWERS TO REALLY MAKE US FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

>> YOUR SENTIMENTS HAVE BEEN ECHOED BY A NUMBER OF COLLEAGUES IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO.

THERE WERE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARINGS HERE LAST WEEK AND SEVERAL COLLEAGUES RAISED THE SAME POINTS THAT YOU DID.

JUST TO REFRESH OUR AUDIENCE'S MEMORY, A PRIVATE LEASE DEAL ACCOMPLISHED OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> WELL, THAT'S THE GOVERNOR'S FEELING AND ROUTE.

THAT'S THE WAY HAVE GONE.

AND WE TRIED TO PUT TOGETHER A BOND DEBTEDNESS DEAL IN THE PREVIOUS COUPLE OF SESSIONS.

IT WAS CONTROVERSIAL AGAIN BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET ENOUGH ANSWERS ON HOW THIS WAS GOING TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS.

BEEF HAD ONE OR TWO FROM THAT POINT FROM THE FEDS AND NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE.

SO, WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, THAT EVEN BACK THEN.

THAT IT WAS -- THERE WAS UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEGA PRISONS AND HOW THEY WERE GOING TO PAY FOR THEMSELVES.

BACK THEN ALL OF THE DISCUSSION WAS WAS WITH DOING IT WITH BONDS.

AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD LOW PRESSURE BOND RATES THAN NOW.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO BONDS THIS IS THE TIME TO DO THEM.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE GONE THE BOND ROUTE HERE?

"Q WE SHOULD HAVE, AND WINDS UP WITH SAVINGS AND A NEW WOMEN'S PRISON AS WELL.

>> IT WILL REMIND OUR VIEWERS THE LEASE DEAL OUR GOVERNOR SIGNED THIS WEEK FOR A NEW PRISON IN ELMORE COUNTY AND ALSO IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN SOUTH ALABAMA THERE WILL STILL BE A THIRD LEASE DEAL FOR A PROPOSED NEW PRISON IN BIBB COUNTY.

I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE A LOT OF ADVOCACY GROUPS HAVE COME FORWARD WITH MAJOR CONCERNS ABOUT THE PRIVATE LEASE DEAL THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS UNDERTAKEN HERE.

THAT ECHOS YOUR SENTIMENT IT WOULDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH TO SOLVE THE MAJOR ISSUES OUTLINE THE IN THE LITIGATION AGAINST THIS.

>> IT DOESN'T TARGET THEM IN ANY WAY THAT WE HAVE SEEN.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING THAT TARGETS THOSE CONCERNS IN THE LAWSUITS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSUMPTION THAT NEW PRISONS WOULD AT LEAST ETCH HELP US ADDRESS THE OVERCROWDING HUH AND HELP SOMEWHAT WITH THE SECURITY ISSUES WITH THE INSTALLATION OF NEW STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY.

>> YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD DO THAT.

BUT WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY DATA ON THAT.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANYBODY ELSE THAT HAS DONE IT TO PROVE IT SO IT'S UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS THAT THEY CAN DO THAT.

WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THEM ADDRESSED AS A, B, C, D, E, GOING DOWN THE LIST OF FEDERAL CLAIMS AGAINST THE SYSTEM.

>> WHAT DO YOU HEAR FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS OVER THERE ABOUT IN THE.

>> ELMORE COUNTY PEOPLE ARE PLEASED WE'RE IN THE DISCUSSION IN ELMORE COUNTY.

THAT'S A PLUS.

AND I THINK RANK AND FILE VOTE REHEARSE GOING TO SUPPORT IT EXCEPT FOR THE VOTERS FROM THAT END OF THE COUNTY, EASTERN TALL TALLASSEE AND EASTERN MAY CON COUNTY LINE IN THAT CORNER, THEY'RE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THOSE, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PERCENTAGE ARE.

I HAVE NOT SEEN POLLING DATA.

BUT THERE'S A MAJOR GROUP WITH A CONSENSUS THERE THEY DON'T WANT IT.

SO IT'S A ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE.

OTHER THAN THAT I THINK MAT MAJORITY OF ELMORE COUNTY CITIZENS AND VOTERS WILL BE GLAD TO HEAR IT'S GOING TO BE TO PROJECT LIKE THAT.

IT WILL BE A LOT OF JOBS IN ELMORE COUNTY.

IT HAS TO BE OF INTEREST.

>> IT'S A SALIENT POINT.

AS THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED THERE WERE CONCERNS IN THE AREA HOW EXISTING PRISONS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF JOBS, UNLESS THESE REGIONAL FACILITIES WERE CONSTRUCTED IN FAIRLY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXISTING PRISON ELVES.

IN ELMORE COUNTY'S CASE THAT WILL BE.

>> YES.

>> THAT ENSURES CONSTITUENTS WHERE JOBS ARE CONCERNED AND THE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY, THE POSITIVE EXACT -- IT SHOULD BE A POSITIVE RESULT.

IT WILL BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE ALABAMA TAXPAYERS.

FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WHOLE STATE BUT YES IF IT'S GOING TO BE BUILT THEY SHOULD BE PLEASED IT'S IN ELMORE COUNTY.

>> IS THE NATURE OF A PRIVATE DEAL LIKE THE GOVERNOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS EMBARKED UPON BY, IT'S VERY SOUL, IT -- ACCOMPLISHED OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND THAT REALTY GOES AGAINST THE GRIND SO TO SPEAK OF LAWMAKERS LIKE YOURSELF?

"Q YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY; RIGHT.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT IS, MOVING FORWARD AS MORE DETAILS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES THAT IS YOU MIGHT CHANGE YOUR MINDS.

>> SURE.

OFTEN TO HEARING THE REASONS.

ALWAYS.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO OTHER ISSUES IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, REPRESENT.

YOU WERE INTRODUCING A BILL THIS WEEK DEALING WITH THE MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT WHICH HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

IT WAS MADE ALL OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL DUE TO THE RACIAL UNREST ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE MOVING OTHER TEARING DOWN OF CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS AND OTHER MONUMENTS.

THERE'S A MOVE IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO REPEAL THE MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT.

YOU ARE PROPOSING A BILL THIS WEEK THAT WOULD DO JUST THE OPPOSITE.

YOU WANT TO STRENGTHEN IT.

>> I DO WANT TO STRENGTHEN IT AND I THINK IT'S SUPPORTED BY THE TAXPAYERS OF ALABAMA, PULLING DATA THAT WAS INDEPENDENT.

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO AND NATIONAL PUBLIC TELEVISION DIDN'T WANT -- IN 2017 THE YEAR THIS BILL WAS PASSED THAT SHOWED 63 PERCENT OF MENTION NATIONWIDE SUPPORTED IDEA OF PRESERVING AND TAKING CARE OF OUR MONUMENTS AND MAKING THEM A CONTINUED PART OF OUR VALUED HISTORY.

IN ANOTHER POLL WAS DONE HERE IN 2020 LATE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, 60 DAYS AGO THAT SHOWED THIS ONE WAS NOT ONLY IN ALABAMA.

SO IT SHOWED 86 PERCENT.

THAT'S 86 PERCENT FAVORED PRESERVING AND PROTECTING OUR STATE'S MONUMENTS.

>> WHEN WE SAY PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE MONUMENTS THAT COULD MEAN A LOT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I KNOW IN THE REPEAL EFFORT, AT LEAST ONE OF THEM THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN THE NEW SESSION, THESE MONUMENTS, STATUTES OR MEMORIAL, WOULD BE MOVED FROM PUBLIC SQUARES TO OTHER MUSEUMS OR DESIGNATED AREAS.

AND IT WOULD FAIL UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY FOR INSTANCE.

BUST THE GOAL WOULD BE TO REMOVE THEM FROM QUOTE/UNQUOTE THE PUBLIC SQUARE.

YOUR GOAL HERE IS TO KEEP THEM IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OFTEN THESE SITES ARE TIED TO THE VERY MEANING OF THOSE MONUMENTS WHEN THEY WERE BUILT, WHETHER IT'S 150 OR 200 OR 50 YEARS AGO OR 5 YEARS AGO THAT HE ARE TIED TO THE SITE THEY'RE PLACED AND MEANINGFUL BECAUSE OF THAT SITE.

SO I VIGOROUSLY OPPOSE MOVING THEM AT ALL.

BUT THE IDEA OF MOVING THEM TO A PRIVATE MUSEUM -- YOU LIMIT THE AUDIENCE THAT IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON.

AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN'T CHANGE OUR HISTORY.

HOWEVER, WE CAN AND SHOULD LEARN FROM OUR HISTORY AND MAKE OUR FUTURE A BRIGHTER BETTER PLACE TO LIVE BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM OUR HISTORY.

SO I'M VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED TO TRYING TO MUSCLE OR DESTROY OUR HISTORY, PARTICULARLY HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> THERE WAS OF THE EXPECTATION AT THE VERY LEAST IN THE NEW SESSION GIVEN THE UNREST OF THE LAST YEAR AND THE MOVING OF MONUMENTS, THE THAT I RECOGNIZE DOWN OF MONUMENTS THE MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT WOULD AT LEAST BE TWEAKED BUT YOU'RE LOOKING AT MAKING IT STRONGER.

>> IT'S TWEAKED BUT IT'S STRONGER.

THAT WAS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE FIRST ONE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOUND THEIR HANDS WERE TIED ON A LOT OF CASE AND HE GOES COULDN'T ENFORCE THE LAW AND THE MONUMENTS WERE SUCH THAT BY BIG ORGANIZATION WITH PLENTY OF FUNDING JUST IGNORED THE FINES AT $25,000.

SO WHAT.

OUR TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO PAY IT'S AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT.

SO WE DECIDED TO GO A LITTLE BIT OF DIFFERENT ROUTE SO IT IS A 10,000-DOLLAR FINE PER DAY UNTIL THE MONUMENT IS RESTORED OR REPLACED.

SO THAT CAN TURN INTO SERIOUS MONEY QUICKLY YOU HAVE ALSO PROPOSED HAVE YOU NOT STRENGTHENING AND TOUGHENING UP THE LOVE ITS WHICH ENTITIES SEEK WAIVERS TO MOVE STATUTES.

>> I WOULDN'T SAY THAT IS TOUGHENED UP.

THAT PRESERVES THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE AND THERE'S MORE DEFINITIONS AND DEFINITIONS THE WORDS IN FROM AND SOME MORE CLASSES IDENTIFIED THAT WE DIDN'T IDENTIFY BEFORE THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A DESTRUCTION OR HARMING A MONUMENT.

A LOT OF THIS RESTS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE MONUMENT COMMITTEE.

SEEMS LIKE IT'S 10 OR 12.

>> THAT COMMITTEE THAT DECIDES TO GRANT THESE WAFERS.

>> EXACT.

SO THEY HAVE A BIG JOB AND AN IMPORTANT JOB TO CONSIDER WAIVERS WHERE APPROPRIATE.

SOME OF THE MONUMENTS ARE PROTECTED NO MATTER WHAT.

THOSE ARE -- YOU CAN APPLY FOR WAIVERS ON SOME OF THOSE.

THE COMMITTEE WILL GIVE THAT DUE CONSIDERATION.

IT'S A BALANCED COMMITTEE.

IT'S NOT HEAVILY LOADED WITH WAIVERS AND I THINK THERE'S ONLY TWO ON THERE SO IT'S MORE HEAVY LIVE TO OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUNICIPAL COUNTY OFFICERS ELECTED OFFICIALS, POINTED OFFICIALS SOME OF THEM.

SO IT'S A BROAD COMMITTEE THAT SHOULD BE DIVERSE AND HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY CAN BE HAPPY WITH THEIR DECISIONS WHEN THEY START HEARING REQUESTS.

>> A LOT OF STOCK IN THAT POLLING DATA.

>> IT'S VERY POPULAR CLEARLY.

MORE SO NATION NATIONWIDE THAN I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT.

I WOULD THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NATIONWIDE PLURALITY BUT I FAR EXCEEDED IT 63 PERCENT IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

>> SOME PEOPLE MIGHT QUESTION THE POLLING DATA GIVEN WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN OUR COUNTRY IN THE LAST YEAR.

HAS THE MOOD ABOUT THIS SUBJECT CHANGED AT ALL WITH THE RACIAL UNREST, THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT?

>> I THINK IT HAS, BUT I THINK IT'S MORE DEMANDING THAT WE PRESERVE OUR MONUMENTS.

THAT POLL FROM ALABAMA POSSIBLY SHOWS THAT.

IT'S A REFLECTION OF WHAT YOU WOULD GET IF YOU POLLED PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY LIKE NPR AND NATIONAL PUBLIC TELEVISION DID IN 2017.

I THINK YOU WOULD PROBABLY GET A LARGER PLURALITY THAT FAVORED LOCATING IT.

THAT'S ME.

THAT'S JUST SPECULATING.

BECAUSE I TALK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND MY DISTRICT AND OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT AND ACROSS THE STATE AND EVER WHERE I GO PEOPLE TELL ME, WE CAN'T LET THIS DESTRUCTION KIN.

IT'S LAWLESS AND VIOLENT AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE DON'T STAND FOR.

>> FOR MANY THIS ISSUE FALLS ALONG POLITICAL PARTY LINES AND RACIAL LINES.

HAVE YOU REACHED ACROSS THE ISLE AT AWL ON THIS LEGISLATION.

>> I HAVE.

AND I HAVE GOTTEN GOOD DISCUSSIONS ACROSS THE LINE.

IN FACT I THINK WE MAY GET SUPPORT.

A GOOD REASON FOR THAT, THIS REDO OF THE ACT THAT WAS 2017, WE STARTED WITH THAT SKELETON AND BUILT OUT FROM THAT.

BUT IT'S NOW DESIGNED TO COVER RECENT MONUMENTS THAT ARE PRESSURIZATION TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MINORITIES OR NOT, PRECIOUS TO ME.

THE ROSA PARKS MONUMENT IN DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY WHICH IS THREE OR FOUR YEARS OLD AT THE MOST.

IT NOW PROTECTS THAT ONE.

NEW ONES ARE PROTECTED TOO.

SO THERE'S A REASON -- THAT HISTORY IS VALUABLE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY WE HAVE OF THE BLACK HEROS IN OUR STATE, BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, JUST ON AND ON AND ON, HANK AARON, JUST KEEP GOING, MICHAEL JORDAN, PEOPLE LIKE THAT WE HAVE STATUTES ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY TO THAT ARE BLACK HEROS.

AND THAT HERITAGE NEEDS TO BE PRESERVED REQUIRING WITH ALL OF THE OTHERS.

THERE'S NO RACIAL COMPENSATE TO THAT TO ME.

>> DO YOU SEE THIS AS BEING OVERLY DECISIVE?

>> I DO NOT.

I THINK IT WILL BE HEATED -- NOT HEATED.

THEY GENERALLY TURN THAT WAY.

BUT I EXPECT A LIVELY DEBATE.

HOW ABOUT THAT WORD.

AND HOPEFULLY INFORMATIVE DEBATE.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TORE THIS VOTE TO BE PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT VERSUS STRICTLY PARTY LINE VOTING.

>> I WOULD LIKE IT.

I CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT.

I'M TRYING.

WE SEE WHETHER WE CAN GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> IS IT A TOUGH SELL, SELLING IT TO THE DEMOCRATS?

>> WELL THEIR ANTENNA WILL GO UP SUSPICIOUS IMMEDIATELY, SOME OF THEM.

IT SEEMS SOME OF THOSE MONUMENTS AS RACIST.

I DON'T.

THEIR RECOGNITION OF A HERO OR AN EVENT THAT IS HISTORY, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH IT OR DISAGREE WITH IT.

YOU CAN WALK BY AND IGNORE IT AND OR WALK BY AND CURSE IT OR WALK BY AND LEAVE IT ALONE.

THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL IS ASKING.

LET'S JUST LEAVE THEM ALONE.

THEY'RE THERE TO PLEASURE OUR HISTORY, RESPECT OUR HISTORY, LET'S LEAVE THEM ALONE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HOLMES OF WETUMPKA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND GOOD LUCK IN THE NEW SESSION.

>> THANK YOU.

I'M GOING TO NEED IT I'M SURE.

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

>> AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, IT LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE INCLUDING THE FIRST PASSAGE OF BILLS ON THE HOUSE FLAT FLOORS AND JOINED BY CHIP BROWN OF HOLLINGER ISLAND, WHO WILL DISCUSS BRINGING BACK HIS BAIL REFORM LEGISLATION, AS WELL AS HIS BILL THAT WOULD BAR DISCRIMINATION AGAINST STATE RESIDENTS WHO OPT NOT TO GET A CORONAVIRUS VAC NATION.

AND BROWN WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT HIS LEGISLATION TO WITHHOLD ECONOMIC INCENTIVES FROM WEBSITES, AND SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES THAT SENSOR THE FREE SPEECH OF USERS.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M DON DAILEY.