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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT WAS AN ACTION-PACKED WEEK HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE AS LAWMAKERS MADE UP FOR LOST TIME IN THEIR REGULAR SESSION.

SOME OF THE FIRST BILLS RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE, INCLUDING ONE THAT AFFECTS COLLEGE SPORTS.

THE SENATE GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TO LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REPEAL LAST YEAR'S NAME IMAGE AND LIKENESS LAW IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THE STATE'S COLLEGE ATHLETES AREN'T AT A DISADVANTAGE TO THOSE IN OTHER STATES.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE KYLE SOUTH OF FAYETTE SPONSORED THE BILL THAT IS NOW ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> WE ANTICIPATED THEM MOVING IN ONE DIRECTION WHERE STATE LAW WOULD HAVE UPHELD THEIR RULES BUT INSTEAD ADOPTED A SET OF STANDARDS OF THEIR OWN.

WHERE WE FOUND THE STATE IS THAT THE STATE LAW THAT WE PASSED IS A LITTLE BIT MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE RULES AT THE NCAA LEVEL.

THE LAST THING WE WANT IS OUR INSTITUTIONS TO BE AT A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE WHEN IT COMES TO RECRUITING STUDENT ATHLETES.

>> ANOTHER PRIORITY BILL IS SENATE BILL 152 FROM SENATOR DAN ROBERTS OF BIRMINGHAM.

IT THAT ENSURES WORKING FAMILIES AREN'T PENALIZED ON THEIR STATE INCOME TAXES FOR THE EXPANDED TAX CREDITS OFFERED BY CONGRESS LAST YEAR.

THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

>> THIS IS THE BILL THAT DEALS WITH THE CHILD CARE TAX CREDITS.

THESE ARE DOLLARS THAT STARTED TO ARRIVE WITH ALABAMA FAMILIES JULY 15th OF LAST YEAR AND ENDED DECEMBER 15th.

THIS WAS A ONE-YEAR THING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID.

WE ARE TREATING THESE DOLLARS, IF THIS BILL PASSES, JUST AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING.

WE WILL GIVE CREDITS TO THOSE WHO HAD EARNED INCOME AND THEY WILL GET THE BENEFIT.

>> THIS WEEK ALSO SAW CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION.

ONE IS THE PARENTS CHOICE ACT FROM SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW PARENTS TO TAKE A PORTION OF THEIR STATE TAXES AND USE IT TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO ALTERNATE SCHOOLS OF THEIR CHOICE.

EDUCATION GROUPS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE ESTIMATED $540 MILLION HIT TO THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

MARSH SAYS HE OPEN TO AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS BASICALLY TAKES THE MONEY AWAY FROM BUREAUCRATS AND HANDS IT TO THE PARENTS TO USE THE MONEY TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN IN THE WAY THEY SEE FIT.

RIGHT NOW, THE STATE DOLLARS EQUATE TO $6,800, STATE TAX DOLLARS.

NOW, WE HAVE FEDERAL DOLLARS ADDED TO THAT, BUT THAT'S THE STATE PORTION.

THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW THE PERCENTAGE OF THE STATE DOLLARS, ABOUT $5,500 WORTH TO MOVE WITH THE PARENTS IF THEY CHOOSE TO MOVE THROUGH THE PARENTS' CHOICE BOARD.

IT GIVES FLEXIBILITY TO THE PARENTS TO CREATE THE EDUCATION THEY FEEL IS BEST FOR THEIR CHILD.

>> ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL BILL IS ONE THAT WOULD REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR GUN OWNERS TO PURCHASE PERMITS FOR CONCEALED HANDGUNS.

THERE ARE ACTUALLY MULTIPLE BILLS, AND ONE OF THEM CLEARED A SENATE COMMITTEE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THE STORY.

>> IN ORDER TO CONCEAL CARRY A PISTOL IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, A PERSON MUST APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE A CONCEAL CARRY PERMIT.

>> THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION DOESN'T DO AWAY WITH PERMITS.

I'M GOING TO MAKE IT CLEAR.

>> WHAT THE BILL DOES IS DO AWAY WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO PURCHASE A CONCEAL CARRY PERMIT.

THOSE SUPPORTING THE BILL SAY IT'S TIME TO DO SO.

>> 21 STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT TO CARRY A FIREARM WITHOUT A PERMIT, INCLUDING MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE.

IT IS PAST TIME FOR ALABAMA TO JOIN THE RANKS.

>> SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS DON'T AGREE.

>> NONE OF US A HERE ARE ANTIGUN OR ANTI-SECOND AMENDMENT AND WE DON'T ASCRIBE HUMAN ACTION TO AN INSTRUMENT.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE GUN AND WE'RE NOT ANTIGUN BUT VETTING HUMAN BEINGS THAT WOULD BE THE PEOPLE TO PULL THOSE TRIGGERS.

>> POLICE, SHERIFFS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYs SAY THE LAW IS A TOOL THEY ALL CAN USE TO APPREHEND CRIMINALS, TAKE GUNS OFF THE STREETS, SOLVE AND PREVENT CRIME.

>> I KNOW ONE OF OUR DEPUTY SHERIFFS IN LEE COUNTY USE IT YESTERDAY TO APPREHEND AN INDIVIDUAL.

THE INITIAL CAUSE WAS CARRYING A PISTOL WITHOUT A PERMIT, WHICH IS REQUIRED UNDER CURRENT LAW AND HE WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE EVIDENCE OF ANOTHER CRIME.

>> THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOUND 1700 FIREARMS WITH APPROXIMATELY 200 REPORTED STOLEN.

IN 2021, MONTGOMERY POLICE DEPARTMENT SECURED 160 WARRANTS FOR VIOLATION OF LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED PISTOL PERMIT.

>> THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE PASSED IT 6-4.

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

>> FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING CHANGING THE DEFINITION OF RIOTS IN STATE LAW AND INCREASING PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN ONE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT HAS THAT STORY.

>> MANY OF OUR BUILDS WERE LOOTED, SECOND ON FIRE, OFFICERS UNDER ATTACK AND WE DON'T HAVE THE BILLS SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE THESE ISSUES.

>> HE IS A RETIRED ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF AND DESCRIBED WHAT HE SAW DURING 2020 WHEN PEACEFUL PROTESTS TURNED INTO RIOTS.

SEEKING TO TOUGHEN PENALTIES FOR THOSE CAUSING DESTRUCTION AND INJURIES.

>> IT HOLDS THESE INDIVIDUALS FOR A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS, ALLOW US TO PUT THE FIRES OUT.

GET THE SITUATION UNDER CONTROL, GET ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, IF NEEDED.

>> THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS HOLDING HEARINGS.

CITIZENS ARE HERE TO SPEAK.

>> THIS BILL IS AN ATTEMPT TO SILENT DISSENT AND STRIKE FEAR IN THE RIGHTEOUS PROTESTERS AND SEEKS TO PUNISH CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES WHO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO CITY ISSUES THAT FAR OUT PACE ANYTHING A POLICE OFFICER CAN OFFER.

>> IT IS AIMED AT ANTIRACIST PROTESTS SO IT THREATENS ALL OF IT.

IT IS TO TAMP DOWN PARTICIPATION IN SUCH PROTESTS BY RAISING THE SPECTER OF VIOLENCE IN JAIL.

WE HAVE SUFFICIENT LAWS TO DEAL WITH UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY AND PROTESTS.

RENDERING THIS BILL UNNECESSARY FOR ITS PURPORTED PURPOSE.

>> I KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO PASS THIS BILL OUT.

EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM KNOWS YOU ARE GOING TO PASS THIS BILL OUT.

WHAT'S ALARMING TO ME IS THE TROPES THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE IN THIS STATE ADVANCING OUR GRANDEST STATE TRADITION, THE SUPPRESSION OF BLACK VOICES.

>> THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE COULD REVISIT THE BILL ON FEBRUARY 9th.

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

>> THE HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW TEACHERS ON THE TIER TWO RETIREMENT PLAN TO RETIRE WITH BENEFITS AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE.

A CHANGE MADE SEVERAL YEARS AGO MEANT THAT NEW TEACHERS COULDN'T COLLECT RETIREMENT UNTIL AGE 62.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALAN BAKER SAYS IMPROVING BENEFITS IS IMPORTANT TO ADDRESSING THE STATE'S TEACHER SHORTAGE.

AND WAS GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS TODAY.

THE LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT 467,000 JOBS WERE ADDED IN JANUARY.

THAT BEAT EXPECTATIONS AND GAVE ECONOMISTS OPTIMISM ABOUT THE EFFECT OMICRON HAS HAD ON THE WORKFORCE.

HOWEVER, MANY BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO FIND WORKERS TO FILL AVAILABLE JOBS.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE STILL FEARFUL OF COVID.

THAT'S PART OF IT.

WHEN YOU HAVE SCHOOLS IN ONE WEEK AND OUT THE NEXT WEEK, THEN PARENTS ARE HAVING TO JUGGLE ABOUT GOING TO WORK AND MANY CANNOT WORK REMOTELY.

THAT'S BEEN A REAL CHALLENGE, NOT ONLY FOR THE EMPLOYEE BUT THE EMPLOYER BECAUSE I KNOW EMPLOYERS HAVE REALLY ADAPTED THEIR HOURS TO TRY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF WORKING PARENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE SKILLED AND THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEM AS ONE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE FREE APP.

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

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY DAN ROBERTS OF BIRMINGHAM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.

>> I WAS HOPING TO GET YOU ON THE PROGRAM TO SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS YOUR LEGISLATION ABOUT CHILD TAX CREDITS, OTHER TAX CREDITS, DEALING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE TAXES.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT THE BILL DOES?

>> I CAN, TODD.

IN 2019, I BEGAN -- WE BEGAN A TASK FORCE WITH SEVERAL COLLEAGUES AND WE STARTED TO DELVE INTO THE IMPACT OF THE TRUMP TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT THAT PASSED IN 2017.

SO THE RESULT OF THAT WERE MAJOR IMPLICATIONS ON OUR STATE.

AS YOU MAY REMEMBER, ALABAMA AND LOUISIANA ARE THIS ONLY TWO STATES THAT ALLOW FEDERAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS OF THEIR FEDERAL TAXES ON THEIR STATE RETURN AND STATE RETURN ON FEDERAL RETURN.

THAT RESULTS IN GOING BACK TO JUNIOR HIGH, IF YOU WILL, AND HAVING TO DO A SIMULTANEOUS EQUATION TO DETERMINE WHAT IS THE ACTUAL RATE OF TAX.

FOR INDIVIDUALS, WE SHOW THAT WE TAX 5%.

FOR CORPORATIONS 6.5%.

ALABAMA TAX REVENUE WENT UP 20% AT THAT TIME.

WE BEGAN A COMMITTEE OF GREAT COLLEAGUES WORKING WITH SOME OF THE SMARTEST TAX MINDS, NOT JUST IN ALABAMA BUT AROUND THE SOUTHEAST.

THAT GROUP CAME TOGETHER WITH A BILL THAT WAS THE FIRST BILL THAT GOVERNOR IVEY SIGNED LAST YEAR.

ONCE WE HAD THE CARES AND PPE ACTION TAKEN BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE WERE ABLE TO RESPOND.

SO THE FIRST BILL THAT GOVERNOR IVEY SIGNED IN 2021 WAS OUR BILL THAT HAD THREE COMPONENTS.

ONE, IT DEALT WITH THE STIMULUS DOLLARS THAT EVERYONE RECEIVED IN OUR STATE.

NUMBER TWO, IT DEALT WITH PPE LOANS THAT WERE GIVEN TO BUSINESSES TO KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS AND HOW THOSE WOULD BE TAXED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED LEGISLATION IT WOULD NOT BE TAXED AND WE, AS YOU KNOW, ARE A ROLLING CONFORMITY STATE.

SO WHEN THE FEDS DO SOMETHING WE ROLLINGLY CONFORM, BUT IN THIS CASE, THE STIMULUS DOLLARS AND LOAN FORGIVENESS DOESN'T ROLL WITH OUR TAX CODE.

>> SO ESSENTIALLY, IF I'M A WORKING PARENT AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THOSE CHILD TAX CREDITS OR DEPENDENT CARE TAX CREDITS OR SOME OF THE OTHERS, THAT'S EARNED INCOME.

SO I WOULD PAY STATE TAXES ON THAT FROM MY W-2?

>> YES.

LET ME BACK UP.

THE FIRST ACT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IN 2021 MADE US NOT PAY TAX ON THE STIMULUS DOLLARS THAT CAME TO THE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AND BUSINESSES HAD LOAN FORGIVENESS SO THEY COULD KEEP THEIR DOORS OPENED AND NOT BE SHUTTERED.

SO WE DEALT WITH THAT.

EVERYTHING IN THE CARES ACT, WE DEALT WITH IN THE FIRST ACT WE PASSED IN 2021.

AS YOU KNOW, IN MARCH OF 2021, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED A BILL THAT WAS THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

THIS HAD TWO TENETS THAT REQUIRED US AS A STATE TO TAKE ACTION.

FIRST IS A RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION THAT GAVE $427 MILLION TO COME TO RESTAURANTS.

SO WE PASSED -- WE REALLY AMENDED A HOUSE BILL TO ADD TO THAT.

SO ON THE LAST DAY OF OUR SESSION, LAST TIME, IT ALLOWS THE $427 MILLION TO COME TO RESTAURANTS IN ALABAMA AND NOT BE TAXED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THE COMPONENT WE WERE UNABLE TO GET DONE LAST YEAR WAS THESE DOLLARS COMING TO EVERY FAMILY IN ALABAMA THAT HAS CHILDREN.

THEY WERE DOLLARS TO HELP WITH CHILD CARE AND THEN ADDITIONAL EXPENSES THAT RESULTED FROM THAT.

>> SO, I KNOW YOU WANTED TO GET THIS PASSED DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, BUT IT WASN'T ON THE AGENDA.

WHY WAS THAT?

>> IT WAS ON THE AGENDA.

I BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR HAS ADDRESSED THIS.

IF YOU REMEMBER HER ADDRESS IN DECEMBER OF 20, THE QUOTE BY THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE WILL NOT COLLECT TAXES FROM THOSE WHO RECEIVE BENEFITS FROM THE CARES ACT BECAUSE THEY WERE DESIGNED TO HELP CITIZENS SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC.

AND THE STRAIN ON THE ECONOMY.

IT'S BOTH MY INTENT AND THE WILL OF THE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE THAT CARES ACT PAYMENTS EXTENDED THEIR FULL VALUE TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

THAT'S A QUOTE FROM GOVERNOR IVEY.

SO WE ARE USING THE SAME LOGIC THERE TO HANDLE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT DOLLARS THAT ARE TWO COMPONENTS WE HAVE TO ACT ON, THE RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION THAT WE TOOK CARE OF AND ALLOWED $427 MILLION TO COME TO RESTAURANTS, WHICH THEY DESPERATELY NEED.

YOU ARE STILL SEEING RESTAURANTS SHUTTERED AND IT BREAKS OUR HEARTS TO SEE HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR STATE WHO HAVE THESE RESTAURANTS.

WHEN WE STOPPED GOING THEY COULDN'T KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

THE SECOND PART OF THAT IS DOLLARS THAT WERE MEANT AS TAX CREDITS THAT ALABAMA CITIZENS CAN USE SO THEY WON'T HAVE TO PAY TAX ON THE STIMULUS DOLLARS.

IT IS ROUGHLY 250 TO $260 PER CHILD PER MONTH THROUGH NO ACTION OF OUR OWN STARTED TO ARRIVE ON JULY 15th, 2021 AND WENT UNTIL DECEMBER 2021.

>> W 2s HAVE GONE OUT.

>> THEY HAVE.

>> AND I'M JUST WONDERING WHY WAS IT NOT ALLOWED TO COME UP DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION?

I KNOW THEY SAID WE'RE ONLY GOING TO STILL TO THE ARPA BILL, ONLY ARPA RELATED THINGS.

THIS SEEMS VERY MUCH ARPA RELATED.

>> IT DID TO ME ALSO.

I OFFERED THAT BUT THE DECISION WAS MADE NOT TO BECAUSE THERE WERE ENOUGH COMPLICATIONS THAT HAD TO BE DEALT WITH IN A FIVE-DAYTIME PERIOD OVER TWO WEEKS.

SO THE WISDOM OF THE GOVERNOR AND LEADERSHIP IS LET'S DEAL WITH THIS BUT IT IS A PRIORITY BILL FOR OUR LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR NOW.

SO WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH IT.

I SAID, IF THAT'S THE DECISION OF OUR LEADERSHIP, I WILL FOLLOW.

PART OF ME WANTED TO PUSH BACK AND I ENCOURAGED BUT REALIZE WE HAVE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS AND WE HAVE TO KEEP TRAINING MOVES IN OUR STATE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO.

SO I FILED THIS BILL YESTERDAY.

IT WAS IN COMMITTEE JUST NOW IN THE SENATE.

IT ANTICIPATE IT BEING ON THE FLOOR TOMORROW AND PASSING AND TRANSMITTED TO THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE CARNES HAS THIS BILL IN THE HOUSE.

SO ONE OF THESE WILL PASS, I BELIEVE, ON FEBRUARY 10th.

>> WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO WORKING FAMILIES WHO ARE GETTING READY TO FILE TAXES?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I GOT A HAIR CUT ON SATURDAY AND MY BARBER CAME AND I ASKED HER, HAVE YOU ALREADY FILED YOUR TAXES AND SHE SAID, YES.

I FILED THE MOMENT I GOT MY W-2 AND SHE TOLD ME THIS IS HOW MUCH I GOT EVERY MONTH.

SHE GOT $250 A MONTH JULY TO DECEMBER.

I SAID, WAIT A SECOND.

YOU HAVE TO AMEND THAT RETURN OR IN HER CASE 90 TO $100 SHE WILL PAY IN TAX THAT SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO.

AND SHE SAID, THAT IS FIVE HAIR CUTS AT THE GROSS AMOUNT.

WHAT HER NET IS I DIDN'T ASK.

I'M ENCOURAGING EVERY ALABAMA FAMILY TO WAIT UNTIL WE PASS THIS BILL TO FILE THEIR TAX RETURNS FOR THIS REASON.

IF NOT, YOU WILL HAVE TO AMEND YOUR TAX RETURN AND REFILE IT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS, BUT ONLY IF YOU RECEIVED THESE DOLLARS.

ALL OF MY CHILDREN ARE GROWN.

WE DIDN'T RECEIVE THEM.

I CAN FILE WITH NO PROBLEM.

ANYONE THAT RECEIVES THE CHILD CARE MONEYS, JULY 15th TO DECEMBER 15th, SHOULD WAIT UNTIL WE PASS THIS BILL AND FILE THEIR RETURNS.

>> YOU MENTIONED GOING TO THE CARES ACT.

THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE TRUMP TAX CUTS, MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE WE HAVE HAD TO PASS LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO UNTAX SOME KIND OF FEDERAL BENEFIT.

IS THERE ANY VIRTUE IN MAKING SOME OF THAT PERMANENT?

IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE DOING THIS EVERY YEAR.

>> YES.

NUMBER ONE, I'M NOT ANTICIPATING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF STIMULUS DOLLARS CONTINUING TO COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> RIGHT.

>> I SAW WE HIT A $30 TRILLION MARK ON THE DEFICIT RIGHT NOW AND IF I WERE ADVISING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE DON'T NEED TO CONTINUE TO SPEND BEYOND OUR MEANS, NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, I BELIEVE WE'RE IN A SITUATION THAT AT SOME POINT WE WILL HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS, BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU HAVE TO -- I'VE GOT IT WORKED OUT FOR CORPORATIONS.

INDIVIDUALS IS WHERE IT IS MUCH MORE COMPLICATED.

WE WOULD DO LIKE THE OTHER 48 STATES HAVE DONE AND THEY NO LONGER ALLOW FEDERAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS AGAINST YOUR FEDERAL TAX DEDUCTIONS AGAINST YOUR STATE TAX PAYMENTS, BUT THE POINT TO THAT, WE HAVE TO LOWER E OUR RATES.

AS YOU KNOW, THE CORPORATE RATE IS SET CONSTITUTIONALLY.

I THINK WE CAN LAND SOMEWHERE BELOW 5% AND MAKE THIS WORK.

MAYBE A HAIR ABOVE 5 BUT RIGHT AROUND 5% IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

CORPORATELY AND INDIVIDUALLY IT IS LOWER THAN 5%.

IN DOING THAT, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO ROLLINGLY CONFORM.

THE OTHER 48 STATES AREN'T TAKING THESE ACTIONS, ONLY LOUISIANA AND ALABAMA ARE BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS.

IT IS AS IF YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND GET A REVERSE IMAGE.

THIS WILL PROTECT OUR EDUCATION TRUST FUND WHICH WE ALL THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR STATE.

IT EXPERIENCED A WINDCHILL SINCE THE TRUMP TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT AND WHEN THEY RAISE, THEY HAVEN'T RAISED YET BUT WHEN THEY RAISE FEDERAL TAXES OUR STATE REVENUE WILL DECLINE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF OUR EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

>> WE'LL BE WATCHING IT GOING FORWARD.

I KNOW YOU HAVE TO GO BUT I WANTED TO MENTION WE HAVE BEEN THINKING AND PRAYING ABOUT YOUR WIFE AND FAMILY.

HOW IS SHE DOING?

>> SHE'S DOING WELL.

YESTERDAY, THE NEPHROLOGIST USED THREE ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE CRITICALLY ILL. SHE IS ON A VENTILATOR, SHE IS ON ECHO CIRCUIT THAT THEY ADDED DIALYSIS TO.

SHE IS CRITICALLY ILL.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU SHE IS A CHRISTIAN EARLY IN LIFE AND HER LIFE MOTTO IS JESUS IS ENOUGH AND WE TRUST THE LORD GOD WITH MY WIFE.

>> SENATOR, SHE IS CERTAINLY IN OUR PRAYERS.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY SENATOR ARTHUR ORR, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE BUDGET EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

WELCOME TO APTV.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME.

WE'LL GET TO EDUCATION IN A MINUTE BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BILL ON THE FLOOR THIS WEEK.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES, I DON'T KNOW OF ANY ALABAMA SITUATIONS BUT LET'S TAKE AN EXAMPLE.

A PERSON GOES INTO A LIQUOR STORE AND THERE'S A ROBBERY AND THERE'S A CLOSED CIRCUIT TV OR VIDEO OF THE ROBBER.

WELL, WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS DONE OR WILL DO, IN OTHER STATES, THEY WILL MATCH THE IMAGES FROM THAT VIDEO WITH ALL OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSES OF PEOPLE IN THAT STATE TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET A MATCH USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

LET THE COMPUTER DECIDE IF THE PERSON THAT HELD UP THE LIQUOR STORE IN THE VIDEO IS THE SAME AS SOMEBODY WHO MAY POP UP WITH THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE PHOTO AS A MATCH.

SO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, IT MAY BE OKAY BUT PARTICULARLY FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS, INDIAN AMERICANS, AMERICAN INDIANS, DARK-SKINNED TYPE INDIVIDUALS, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FALSE POSITIVES.

SO, LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD GO OUT AND ARREST SOMEBODY BASED ON WHAT THE COMPUTER TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS THE PERSON THAT HELD UP THE STORE, THE LIQUOR STORE.

AND SOMEBODY HAS AN ARREST ON THEIR RECORD AND THEY SAY I WAS TWO STATES OVER OR HOME WITH THEIR CHILD AND WIFE.

SO IT REQUIRES SOME CORROBORATING EVIDENCE THAT MATCHES THE INDIVIDUAL THAT THE COMPUTER MATCHES TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.

YOU CAN'T JUST GO ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OR THE COMPUTER BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET AN ARREST ON YOUR RECORD THAT CAN PERHAPS ENDANGER YOUR JOB OR OTHER THINGS AND TAKES A WHILE TO EXONERATE YOURSELF.

LET'S GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND NOT RELY ON THE COMPUTERS AND NOT GO OUT MAKING ARRESTS MORE THAN JUST A COMPUTER SAYING WE SHOULD.

>> WHAT'S BEEN THE REACTION FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?

>> THEY WERE GENERALLY RECEPTIVE.

THEY UNDERSTOOD THE PROBLEM.

THE BILL PASSED REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT AN EARTH SHATTERING BILL BUT AN IMPORTANT BILL.

I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD FOR US TO PUT IT ON THE BOOKS, JUST AS TECHNOLOGY EVOLVES THAT WE MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

>> YOU HAVE SPONSORED SEVERAL MEASURES OVER THE YEARS THAT HAVE THE SAME RESTRAINT ON GOVERNMENT POWER.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, WHEN YOU SAY THAT, I THINK OF CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE AND OTHER PIECES OF LEGISLATION THE VACCINE PASSPORT LEGISLATION.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL, PARTICULARLY WITH TECHNOLOGY.

AS TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS THE GOVERNMENT MORE AND MORE POWER, IF YOU WILL, WITH KNOWING MORE ABOUT OUR LIVES, OUR MOVEMENTS OR WHATEVER.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH THAT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HERE IN ALABAMA THAT WE PRESERVE OUR FREEDOMS AND OUR LIBERTIES AND DON'T JUST ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN OVER INDIVIDUALS JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION.

>> IN OUR MOTTO, I BELIEVE.

>> DEFENDING OUR RIGHTS.

>> RIGHT.

LET'S GET TO THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

YOU WERE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

IS IT STARTING IN THE SENATE THIS YEAR?

>> NO, IT WILL BE STARTING IN THE HOUSE WITH NEW CHAIRMAN GARRETT WHO REPLACED FORMER CHAIRMAN POOLE.

>> IT IS A SIGNIFICANT REVENUE INCREASE.

WE ARE SEEING RECORD REVENUES, NOT JUST IN THE GENERAL FUND BUT THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

DOES THAT PRESENT A CHALLENGE ON HOW TO SPEND AND PRESERVE IT, MAYBE SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HAVE TOLD PEOPLE BEFORE, IT IS MORE SIMPLE WHEN YOU HAVE LESS MONEY BECAUSE EVERYONE'S NOT AS GRAB BY.

AND YOU WOULD EXPECT THEM TO.

I DON'T SAY THAT IN AN UGLY MANNER, BUT IT DOES CREATE MORE PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

LET'S TAKE FOR EXAMPLE HIGHER EDUCATION.

IF WE TILT THE SCALES OR TRY TO HELP ONE INSTITUTION, THE OTHERS HAVE NEEDS AS WELL AND THEY ARE SAYING WHAT ABOUT US AND THEIR LEGISLATORS ARE ASKING.

SO WHAT YOU DO FOR ONE YOU MAY HAVE TO ASSUME YOU HAVE TO DO FOR ALL.

IT CREATES MORE PROBLEMS BUT AGAIN HAVING MONEY IN EDUCATION WHICH IS CERTAINLY THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE THAT WE CAN IMPROVE OUR STATE WITH AND HOPEFULLY COUPLED WITH ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOSE FUNDS, WHICH WE HAVE DONE, REQUIRING REPORTING, REQUIRING SHOW US HOW YOU ARE SPENDING THE MONEY AND WHETHER WE ARE GETTING THE BANG FOR THE BUCK THAT WE EXPECT OR THAT WAS REPRESENTED TO US.

SO ALL OF THOSE MEASURES WE PUT INTO PLACE AND HOPE THAT AGAIN IT WILL CREATE AT BETTER ALABAMA FOR TOMORROW.

>> IF YOU GO BACK TEN OR 12 YEARS AGO, PRORATION WAS AN ALMOST ANNUAL OCCURRENCE WHERE A BUDGET WAS PASSED, PROMISING THIS AMOUNT, BUT REVENUE DIDN'T MATCH IT.

SO PRORATION OCCURS.

PINK SLIPS WOULD HAPPEN.

I HAVE WAS A PAINFUL THING.

YOU ALL PASSED ROLLING RESERVE AND THERE'S NOT BEEN PRORATION SINCE BECAUSE OF MORE CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING.

IS THAT NOW A THING OF THE PAST?

>> THIS TABLE IS NOT MADE OUT OF WOOD AND I DON'T SEE ANY AROUND HERE WITHIN REACH.

I WOULD BE KNOCKING ON WOOD.

BUT HOPEFULLY IT IS A THING OF THE PAST.

ONE THING THAT GOVERNOR IVEY AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE DID WE WILL USE IT AS A PIGGY BANK.

WE HAVE FILLED UP OUR RAINY DAY FUNDS IN PREPARATION FOR PERHAPS A RAINY DAY REVENUE WISE THAT MAY BE COMING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAINTAIN OUR FISCAL DISCIPLINE, WHICH CAN BE TOUGH, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT BY AND LARGE MOST LEGISLATURES ARE INTERESTED IN DOING AND DON'T JUST SPEND IT BECAUSE WE HAVE IT.

WE HAVE TO BE CONSERVATIVE ABOUT IT.

>> WHAT'S THE TIMELINE LOOKING LIKE?

WHEN WILL WE SEE DRAFTS OF THE EDUCATION BUDGET?

>> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR CHAIRMAN GARRETT BUT I WOULD THINK AROUND THE MIDDLE OF MARCH HE WILL BE BRINGING TO HIS COMMITTEE A BUDGET PROPOSAL.

IT WILL PROBABLY BE VERY CLOSE TO THE GOVERNOR'S.

HE WILL MAKE SOME CHANGES, BUT THEN BY THE 1st OF APRIL OR END OF MARCH IT OUGHT TO BE IN THE SENATE AND WE WILL TAKE IT UP.

>> ON THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION, SENATOR MARSH HAS HIS PARENTS' CHOICE ACT, EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

IT HAS A REAL FISCAL IMPACT.

IN FACT THE FISCAL NOTE CAME OUT THIS WEEK SHOWING A POSSIBLE $537 MILLION IMPACT ON THE ETF.

HAVE YOU TAKEN A LOOK AT THAT BILL?

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON IT?

>> THAT'S ONE WE ARE STUDYING.

THE FISCAL NOTE WENT UP, EVEN IN THE LAST DAY OR SO.

THERE WERE SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THOSE.

I DON'T SIT ON THAT PARTICULAR COMMITTEE.

IT IS CERTAINLY ONE WE HAVE TO LOOK AT AND ASSESS WHAT'S THE IMPACT.

ONE ARGUMENT IS THIS MONEY BELONGS TO ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS, AND PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO HAVE CHILDREN AND SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND OUGHT TO BE SHARED BY ALL.

THAT'S THE ARGUMENT FOR THE PROPONENTS AND THE OTHER OPPONENTS IS THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT CHILDREN THAT REMAIN IN PUBLIC SCHOOL BECAUSE THERE WILL BE LESS MONEY TO SPEND BECAUSE IT IS 400, 500, 600 MILLION, WHATEVER THE NUMBER IS NOW OUTSIDE OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, THE PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

>> ALSO ON EDUCATION, YOU WERE A CO-SPONSOR OF THE LITERACY ACT IN 2019.

THERE'S TALK THIS YEAR OF DELAYING IT.

THE GOVERNOR SAID SHE IS FOR A ONE-YEAR DELAY.

REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS, YOUR COLLEAGUE SAID SHE IS OKAY WITH A ONE-YEAR DELAY.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THAT?

>> I SERVE AS A SENATE SPONSOR OF THE BILL AND HANDLED IT IN THE SENATE.

IF REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS IS FINE WITH A DELAY, I GET IT, I UNDERSTAND.

I HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS, WANT TO SEE IF THERE ARE SOME THINGS TO RATCHET DOWN THE PAPERWORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE LITERACY ACT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS I GET FROM EDUCATORS BACK HOME, IF THERE IS A WAY TO REDUCE THE BUREAUCRATIC PAPERWORK IN THE -- ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAW.

MOST OF IT DONE BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL NEED TO LOOK AT WHEN IT COMES UP TO THE SENATE.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHO SAY, WELL, WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND IMPLEMENT IT.

DON'T DELAY IT.

YOU ARE JUST KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

>> THAT'S ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED, TODD, IN EDUCATION, HOW IMPORTANT A YEAR IS.

WE ADULTS SEEM TO THINK WE CAN WORK ON THAT.

BUT EVERY YEAR THAT WE LET A COHORT OR A CLASS OF CHILDREN GRADUATE OR MOVE ON IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND WE ARE NOT DOING ALL WE CAN TO IMPACT THEIR LIVES IN THAT YEAR THEY ARE IN THE FIFTH OR EIGHTH GRADE, WHATEVER IT IS, THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING BECAUSE WE'RE CHEATING THOSE CHILDREN TO A SOLID EDUCATION.

>> WHILE I HAVE GOT YOU, YOU PROPOSED DOING A LOT SIMILAR TO THE LITERACY ACT ON THE MATH SIDE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I WILL BE FILING THAT TODAY.

>> OH, REALLY.

TELL ME ABOUT IT.

>> WE ARE 52nd IN THE LATEST SCORES IN MATHEMATICS.

WE ARE BEHIND DC AND ALL OF THE MILITARY SCHOOLS, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MATH PROFESSIONALS ON THIS BILL.

WE WILL BE FILING IT, AS I SAID, TODAY.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A GOOD COMMITMENT FROM THE STATE BUT ALSO HAS ACCOUNTABILITY.

THAT IS SOMETHING THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO DEMAND OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BUT THEY HAVE, WITH COVID, BEEN VERY, VERY CHALLENGED.

SO I'M SYMPATHETIC TO THAT, BUT WE HAVE TO GET GOING ON MATH, LIKE WE DID WITH LITERACY.

>> CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE WILL BE FOLLOWING.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU, MY PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON FROM BIRMINGHAM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

IT IS MY PLEASURE, TODD.

>> YOU HAD SOME STRONG WORDS IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THIS WEEK ABOUT THE CONCEALED CARRY BILL.

THIS IS THE BILL THAT WOULD BASICALLY TAKE AWAY THE REQUIREMENT THAT PEOPLE PURCHASE PERMITS TO HAVE CONCEALED WEAPONS.

WHAT'S YOUR MAIN OBJECTIONS?

>> THE MAIN OBJECTION IS WE SAY WE SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THE ROOM WAS FILLED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM AROUND THE STATE.

THEIR HANDS ARE BEING TIED.

WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE CRIMES THAT ARE BEING COMMITTED ARE COMMITTED BY STOLEN GUNS OR WEAPONS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

SO, IF A PERSON -- ONE WAY OF IDENTIFYING WHO IT WRONGS TO IS A PERMIT.

IF THE PERSON IS ALLOWED TO CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON, NO HAVE TO HAVE A PERMIT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THEN HOW ARE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE THE LAW?

THE OTHER THING IS YOU GET STOPPED ON BASICALLY WE HAVE SUSPICIOUS OR REASONABLE DOUBT, BUT YOU COULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND HAVE AN AK, WHATEVER IT IS IN YOUR CAR AND HANDGUNS.

THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ASK IF THIS BILL PASSES.

SO, I DO THINK THAT IT IS TYING THE HANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT IS NOT ALLOWING THEM TO BE ABLE TO ASSUME AND PERFORM THEIR DUTIES.

ONE OF THE SHERIFFS -- MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT GAVE AN EXAMPLE THAT HE HAD STOPPED A PERSON.

OF COURSE, THEY HAD SOME GUNS AND THINGS IN THE BACKSEAT.

AND BECAUSE HE WAS ABLE TO ASK THAT QUESTION, ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION, ASK DO YOU HAVE A GUN PERMIT AND FOUND THAT -- ONCE HE DID BACKGROUND CHECKS ON THIS PERSON, HE FOUND THAT PERSON HAD COMMITTED A MOST HEINOUS CRIME AS A RESULT OF THAT STOP.

BUT NOW, IF THIS BILL PASSES, I THINK IT IS GOING TO TIE THE HANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PUT US ALL IN DANGER.

>> IT WAS A CLOSE VOTE IN THE COMMITTEE.

WHAT WASN'T CLOSE, IN FACT IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IS THE DRIVER'S LICENSE BILL.

IT WOULD TAKE AWAY -- STOP THE STATE FROM SUSPENDING DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR FOLKS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THEIR FINES ON PARKING TICKETS OR FAIL TO APPEAR IN COURT.

YOU VOTED FOR THAT.

WHY IS THAT BILL IMPORTANT?

>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN EXCELLENT BILL.

I WISH I HAD THOUGHT OF IT MYSELF.

THE BILL -- I THINK IT TAKES AWAY THE PENALTY OF A PERSON WHO GETS ARRESTED FOR A VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC -- OR MAY NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A TRAFFIC VIOLATION.

IT MAYBE FOR LACK OF PAYMENT OF A UTILITY BILL OR ANYTHING.

AND YOU GET TO COURT AND THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE AWAY YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

MOST OF THE INSTANCES THAT WERE CITED WHERE A PERSON'S LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF SOMETHING NOT RELATED TO DRIVING AT ALL.

>> A FINE.

>> A FINE OR TICKETS AND THAT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.

THE GOAL OR OBJECTIVE IS THAT THE PERSON PAYS THE FINE, IT IS SELF DEFEATING WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY A PERSON'S ABILITY TO GET TO WORK, WHICH IS BY DRIVING THE CAR.

I THOUGHT IT WAS AN EXCELLENT BILL.

I WAS GLAD THE SENATOR BOUGHT IT AND IT HAD 100% SUPPORT OF IT.

SO I'M HOPING AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE BILL PASSING THE SENATE AND MOVING TO THE HOUSE.

>> MOVING ON TO THE FEDERAL RELIEF PACKAGE THAT Y'ALL PASSED IN SPECIAL SESSION.

IT ALSO PASSED UNANIMOUSLY WITH NO DISSENTING VOTES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO SEE BIPARTISAN COOPERATION IN THAT.

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

>> I THINK WE LOOK -- FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE BECAME STATESMEN AND STATES WOMEN.

WE LOOKED AT THE NEEDS.

THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY.

I KNOW THE MOST WE HAVE EVER SPENT IN SUCH A QUICK TIME LIKE THAT, BUT I'M THANKFUL, FIRST OF ALL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT WE HAD THIS HUGE WIND FALL TO TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF OUR STATE.

WHILE I MOSTLY REPRESENT URBANIZED AREA, THE MAJORITY OF THE MONEY WENT TO COUNTIES THAT ARE RURAL.

LOOKING AT INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS SANITARY, SEWER, WATER NEEDS, BROADBAND, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO EXPAND BROADBAND, TELECOMMUNICATION IS ANOTHER ONE BUT BRAND BROADBAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF WATER AND SEWER IN PARTICULAR WERE BIG WINNERS.

WE FELT IT WAS A NEED.

ALL OF US HAVE RELATIVES THAT LIVE IN RURAL AREAS.

I REPRESENT AND LIVE IN AN URBANIZED AREA BUT I'M VERY CONCERNED.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS BUT NEVER HAD THE MONEY.

A LOT OF THOSE RURAL WATER SYSTEMS, AS A MATTER OF FACT, ARE ABOUT TO REALLY GO DEFUNCT OR EXTINCT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO REVITALIZE OR FIX THE WATER SYSTEM AND CLEAN WATER IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THE OTHER THING I THINK ABOUT THIS, TODD, IS IT WILL HELP -- OVERALL HELP CLEAN WATER, ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, THE ACCESS TO SANITARY SEWERS ARE IMPORTANT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DISEASE AND HEALTH ISSUES.

>> I KNOW THAT YOU AND SENATOR SMITHERMAN WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW -- AS YOU MENTIONED, A LOT OF THIS IS -- THE CURRENT ROUND OF SPENDING IS BASED ON RURAL NEEDS.

THE NEXT ROUND COMING IN MAY OR JUNE OR LATER THIS YEAR, YOU ALL WANT MORE FOCUS ON URBAN NEEDS.

>> RIGHT.

THERE WAS NOT A BALANCE.

OF COURSE WE DIDN'T INTEND FOR THE FIRST ONE TO BE A BALANCE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT -- NOW WE ARE GETTING ANOTHER ROUND OF FUNDS -- FOR INSTANCE, IN THE URBANIZED AREAS, NOT JUST JEFFERSON COUNTY BUT JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS A HUGE PROBLEM, BUT IN THE AREA I REPRESENT, AS FAR AS STORM WATER.

NOW, WITH WHEN THE BUCKET OF THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY ON, WE LOOKED AT IT, AS FAR AS SENATOR SMITHERMAN AND I, OUR BUCKETS WERE NOT INCLUDED WHERE WE CAN PLACE THE MONEY.

IF THESE ARE OUR CHOICES THESE ARE NOT THE PRIORITIES WE HAVE IN URBANIZED AREA.

STORM SEWERS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING IS VERY IMPORTANT.

OTHER ISSUES AS FAR AS SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE OF MITIGATION OF CRIME AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS AS FAR AS DIVERSIONS.

THOSE ARE ISSUES.

FOR INSTANCE IN THE AREA OF -- I WILL SAY HOMEWOOD AREAS, WE HAVE A LOT OF FLOODING.

SO MUCH SO THAT A LOT OF BUSINESSES HAVE HAD TO CLOSE AND BIRMINGHAM IS IN A BOWL, AS YOU KNOW.

SO ALL OF THAT WATER COMES OFF THE MOUNTAIN.

IN MY OWN DISTRICT, I HAVE AN AREA CALLED VILLAGE CREEK.

THERE WERE A LOT OF HOUSES ALONG THAT CREEK, THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS CAME IN AND HAD TO RELOCATE THOSE PEOPLE.

WELL, WE ARE TRYING TO RECLAIM THAT NOW BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE STILL LIVE IN THE AREA BUT THERE'S STILL A FLOODING PROBLEM THERE.

SO STORM WATER ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT.

>> WE WILL BE WATCHING THAT.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU, I KNOW YOU FILED A BILL ABOUT THE RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> I'M VERY HAPPY TO SAY THAT THAT IS A BILL THAT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT LAST SESSION.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I DON'T THINK WE HAD ONE DISSENTING VOTE.

THE BILL REALLY -- RIGHT NOW, LET ME SAY, IF YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR TIME AND RELEASED BY PARDONS AND PAROLES, YOU HAVE TO APPLY TO HAVE YOUR VOTING RIGHTS RESTORED.

MOST PEOPLE -- OF COURSE, A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVE WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH YOU MAKE APPLICATIONS, RESTITUTION, VICTIMS RIGHTS, CERTAIN PAYMENTS OF FEES AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

BUT WHEN A PERSON GETS OUT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND HOUSING, GET BACK IN THE JOB MARKET, BEING REACCLIMATED INTO SOCIETY AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

SO THEY DON'T HAVE TIME AND A LOT OF THEM DON'T KNOW ALL OF THE FINES THEY OWE BECAUSE OF ADDITIONAL FEES THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED ON TO IT.

SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES SAYS THAT -- IT TAKES AWAY THE REQUIREMENT A PERSON HAS TO APPLY.

WE HAVE ALREADY VETTED THIS BILL WITH PARDONS AND PAROLES.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE COLLABORATED WITH THEM ON THIS.

COMMISSIONER WARD SAID THEY KEEP UP WITH HOW MANY HOURS THEY HAVE DONE OR WHAT THEIR REQUIREMENTS ARE.

SO THEY ALREADY KNOW WHAT IT IS.

SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS TAKE AWAY THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PERSON HAS TO APPLY.

IT ALSO GIVES AN OPTION FOR PERSONS WHO ARE INDIGENT.

YOU CAN'T GET BLOOD OUT OF A TURNIP.

IF I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY AND I'M NOT ABLE TO GET A JOB, IT ALLOWS THE PERSON TO PAY WHAT THEY CAN ON THEIR FEES BUT LET ME SAY IT DOESN'T FORGIVE RESTITUTION TO THE VICTIMS.

YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY THAT.

IF I'M TRYING TO PAY FINES AND FEES THINGS LIKE THAT, IT GIVES YOU OPTIONS TO DO COMMUNITY WORK AND PAYMENT OF WHATEVER YOU CAN.

SO, WE THINK THAT THIS WAY IT HELPS A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE AND THERE WAS ONE OTHER ISSUE.

THE OTHER THING IS THERE ARE CERTAIN CRIMES THAT DOES NOT APPLY, SEXUAL OFFENSE, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS AGAINST CHILDREN.

>> YOU CAN NEVER VOTE AGAIN.

>> YOU WON'T GET YOUR RIGHTS BACK BASED ON THAT.

>> THIS BILL DOESN'T CHANGE THOSE CRIMES?

>> NO, IT DOESN'T.

ONE THING WE ARE TWEAKING THE BILL A LITTLE BIT.

IF A PERSON IS DOING END OF SENTENCE, IT IS ONE THING THAT YOU ARE OUT ON PAROLE.

SO YOU PROBABLY ESTABLISHED A HOME AND GOT AN ADDRESS.

BUT AT THE END OF SENTENCE, WHAT THEY CALL EOS, THEY ARE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY.

WELSHINGS YOU DON'T HAVE A HOME.

THE BILL REQUIRES THAT THE PARDONS AND PAROLES NOTIFY THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHO WILL NOTIFY THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS IN COUNTY THE PERSON REGISTERED IN AND WILL SEND THEM NOTIFICATION THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR TIME OR YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND YOUR NAME IS PUT BACK ON THE ROLL.

BUT IF A PERSON DOESN'T HAVE AN ADDRESS, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE JUST BEEN RELEASED, AND SO WE ARE TWEAKING THAT TO MAKE SURE.

RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS PUTTING THIS ON A WEBSITE AND THE BILL IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE LOOKING AT.

THE PERSON HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HECK CHECKING TO MAKE SURE THEIR NAME IS ON THERE.

>> INTERESTING.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT ISSUE.

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

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH SHOSHONE AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

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

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

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> I WAS LOOKING AT THOUGH PUBLIC HEALTH COVID DASHBOARD WHICH IS A REALLY HELPFUL TOOL AND I SAW SOME ENCOURAGING SIGNS.

THE HOSPITALIZATIONS, WHICH IS THAT REALLY IMPORTANT METRIC, WAS DECLINING.

ABOUT 400 IN THE LAST WEEK, 400 FEWER HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID THIS LAST WEEK.

ARE WE FINALLY ON THE DOWNSLOPE FROM OMICRON?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE.

THANKFULLY.

WE HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATING OR AT LEAST HOPING WE WOULD SEE IT.

BASED ON WHAT WE SAW IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

ALL ALONG WE HAVE OBSERVED WHEN WE SEE BIG CASE NUMBERS, IT TAKES A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO SEE IT REFLECTED THIS THE HOSPITAL NUMBERS AND SOMETIMES A WEEK OR SO LATER TO SEE IT REFLECTED IN DEATH NUMBERS BUT THE CASE COUNT IN ALABAMA HAS BEEN GOING DOWN THE LAST WEEK OR TEN DAYS, OR TRENDING THAT WAY.

WE ARE JUST NOW SEEING THAT REFLECTED THIS THE HOSPITAL NUMBERS.

WE ARE WELL AHEAD OF WHERE WE WERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

THIS MORNING WE HAD 2400 OR SO INPATIENT COMBINED AROUND THE STATE.

THAT'S NOWHERE NEAR THE 3,000 MARK WE HIT BEFORE.

IT IS STILL HEADING THE RIGHT WAY.

>> STILL QUITE A FEW CASES IN THE HOSPITAL.

I KNOW THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDICATIONS, THERAPIES, ANTIBODIES, BUT THERE'S A VARIETY OUT THERE.

WHAT'S THE LATEST ON THERAPEUTICS?

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD THERAPEUTICS.

THE THERAPEUTIC ACTS ARE THE REASON WE AREN'T SEEING MORE WITH COVID-19 THAN IN THE PAST.

IN SOME CASES OMICRON IS LESS SEVERE BUT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE MORE TOOLS IN THEIR ARSENAL TO WORK.

WE DO HAVE NOW TWO DIFFERENT ORAL MEDICATIONS THAT CAN BE USED FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH COVID AND THESE ARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR BEING HOSPITALIZED.

IF YOU ARE A SENIOR OR CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS YOU ARE AT HIGH RISK AND IF YOU GET THE ORAL MEDICATIONS WITHIN THE FIRST A FEW DAYS OF GETTING INFECTION THEY HAVE GREAT RATES OF KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE ONE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY MADE BY GLAXO THAT IS IN SHORT SUPPLY.

WE ARE GETTING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOSES PER WEEK.

AS WE SAID A MINUTE AGO WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF CASES A DAY SO THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT ANOTHER MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY PRODUCT THAT'S MEANT TO BE USED FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE BEFORE THEY ARE INFECTED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T RESPOND WELL TO VACCINES, PEOPLE ON CERTAIN CHEMOTHERAPY, TRANSPLANT PATIENTS, ON POWERFUL DRUGS TO SUPPRESS THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEMS.

WE KNOW VACCINES DON'T WORK WELL IN THOSE PATIENTS.

SO THERE IS A MONOCLONAL PRODUCT THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE ADMINISTERED EVERY SIX MONTHS AND IT KEEPS ANTIBODIES ON BOARD, THE SAME WAY A VACCINE WOULD AND HELPS PREVENT PEOPLE FROM GETTING INFECTIONS.

WE ARE ROLLING THAT OUT THE LAST MONTH OR SO AND ENCOURAGING PROVIDERS TO ACCESS AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THAT DRUG.

>> IT'S GREAT NEWS TO BE ON THE DOWNLOAD.

WE'D RATHER BE ON THE DOWNSLOPE THAN THE UPSLOPE.

SOMETIMES NEWS LIKE THAT CAN GIVE PEOPLE FALSE CONFIDENCE, SPECIFICALLY IF I'VE NOT GOTTEN THE VACCINE I COULD SAY I HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR, WHY GET THE SHOT NOW.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THAT PERSON?

>> THE REASON TO GET THE SHOT IS BECAUSE IT REDUCES YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING SERIOUSLY ILL OR DYING.

PERIOD.

THAT'S THE REASON.

WHETHER YOU HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY INFECTED OR NOT, VACCINE REDUCES YOUR RISK OF DYING AND THAT'S TRUE IN EVERY AGE GROUP.

IT IS CERTAINLY TRUE THAT YOUNGER PEOPLE DON'T DIE AS OFTEN AS OLDER PEOPLE BUT VACCINE PREVENTS YOU FROM DYING AT A HIGHER RATE AT EVERY AGE GROUP.

THAT'S REALLY THE REASON.

WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE EPISODES OF INFECTION.

WITH EACH OF THOSE EPISODES THERE'S A CERTAIN RISK OF DYING AND A RISK OF TRANSMITTING THE DISEASE TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

SO WE WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED BECAUSE IT REDUCES YOUR RISK OF BEING SICK, MAKINGS IT LESS LIKELY TO SPREAD THE DISEASE TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN DIFFERENT ABOUT THE SPREAD OF OMICRON HERE AS COMPARED TO DELTA OR THE ORIGINAL COVID VARIANT IS THAT IT HAPPENED -- IT SPREAD AS WE WERE PRETTY MUCH LIVING NORMALLY.

PEOPLE WERE GOING TO BASKETBALL GAMES AND THE GROCERY STORE AND OUT TO RESTAURANTS.

SO, GOING FORWARD, WHAT'S THAT TELL US ABOUT HOW WE CAN LIVE WITH COVID?

>> I MEAN, CLEARLY WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH COVID.

AS YOU SAY, PEOPLE ARE DOING THAT.

I WORRY SOMETIMES THAT PEOPLE AREN'T CONSCIOUSLY MAKING DELIBERATE DECISION TO LIVE WITH IT.

THEY ARE IGNORING WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THEM SOMETIMES.

I WILL SAY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND THOSE WHO ARE BOOSTED, I THINK YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

YOU NEED TO EXERCISE SOME COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE AN OLDER PERSON AND AROUND UNVACCINATED PEOPLE OR PEOPLE WHOSE VACCINE STATUS YOU DON'T KNOW.

ON THE OTHER HAND, FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED, I DON'T THINK IT IS TIME TO RETURN TO NORMAL.

I KNOW THEY ARE DOING THAT ALREADY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS STILL A DISEASE THAT IS KILLING DOZENS OF PEOPLE EVERY DAY.

WE'RE GETTING THOUSANDS OF CASES EVERY DAY.

THERE ARE NO RULES OR RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE.

NO HEALTH ORDERS IN PLACE.

PEOPLE ARE FREE TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT BUT THIS IS KIND OF WHAT NORMAL LOOKS LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF INFECTED A DAY.

WE WISH WE COULD GET TO A DIFFERENT NORMAL LIKE WE USED TO REMEMBER.

>> I KNOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MADE AVAILABLE FREE COVID TESTS, I THINK TWO FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD.

IS IT STILL A GOOD IDEA FOR TOKES TO ORDER THE TESTS AND SAVE THEM FOR THE NEXT WAVE?

>> I THINK YOU SHOULD.

THEY ARE MADE AVAILABLE FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD UNTIL THE COUNTRY.

I ORDERED MINE THE FIRST DAY THEY WERE AVAILABLE AND CAME IN YESTERDAY.

IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET THEM BUT MY WIFE AND I HAVE FOUR TESTS AT OUR HOME NOW TO USE IF WE NEED THEM.

I THINK IT WILL BECOME A LITTLE MORE ROUTINE PART OF WHAT PEOPLE DO IF THEY -- ARE JUST CAREFUL AND THINK THROUGH IT.

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS, OF COURSE, TALK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BUT MAYBE YOU CAN TEST YOURSELF OR SEE YOUR PROVIDER.

BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE AROUND PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE, SEEING GRANDPARENTS, PEOPLE IN A NURSING HOME OR PEOPLE AT RISK, THOSE ARE GOOD TIMES TO BE TESTED AS WELL AND THAT'S PARTICULARLY TRUE IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS.

>> I KNOW COVID DOMINATES THE CONVERSATION EVERY TIME.

IT IS NOT THE DEPARTMENT OF COVID BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, YOU HAVE OTHER MISSIONS.

I WONDER WHAT OTHER ITEMS ARE YOU DEALING WITH AT THE DEPARTMENT?

>> WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE CONTINUED THE LAST TWO YEARS OR AT LEAST TO THE EXTENT WE CAN.

MOST OF OUR POPULATION PROGRAMS HAVE CONTINUED.

WE HAVE PEOPLE DOING FULL-TIME JOBS AND ALSO WORKING ON THOSE AS WELL.

WE MONITOR THINGS LIKE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE, TUBERCULOSIS, AND THOSE ISSUES WHICH ARE NOT ONLY GONE AWAY BUT WORSENED THE PANDEMIC.

WE CONTINUE TO DO INJURY PREVENTION, ANTIVIOLENCE PROGRAMS WHICH HAVE WORSENED.

WE'RE NOT THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH BUT WE HAVE SOME SMALL PROGRAMS DIRECTED AT SUICIDE PREVENTION AND OTHER THINGS AND THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE COME TO THE FOREFRONT DURING THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND THEN THE ROUTINE THINGS THAT WE DO IN OUR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, OUR FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES, ROUTINE VACCINES AND THINGS STILL CONTINUE.

WE ARE TRYING TO OUR BEST TO GET BACK TO NORMAL BUT LIKE OTHER ALABAMA EMPLOYERS WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INFECTED, A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPOSED AND HAVE TO MISS WORK.

SO IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.

>> THE LEGISLATURE HAS SPENT THE FIRST ROUND OF FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY, WATER, SEWER, BROADBAND, HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

THOSE ARE THE PRIORITIES BUT THERE'S A SECOND ROUND LATER THIS YEAR.

I WONDER IF THERE WERE ANY PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES THAT YOU MIGHT BRING UP TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR THAT SECOND ROUND?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE ALWAYS WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF A DISCUSSION ABOUT THOSE RESOURCES CERTAINLY.

THERE WILL BE A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY ON THE TABLE THAT A LOT OF INTERESTS WILL EXPRESS INTEREST IN.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDING RIGHT NOW WE ARE ACCESSING FOR THE COVID RESPONSE ITSELF BUT WE STILL HAVE MANY OTHER NEEDS IN PUBLIC HEALTH, AS WELL.

WE STILL STRUGGLE TO FIND OUR LOCAL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT ONE COUNTY IS GETTING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT REOPENED AFTER CLOSED SEVERAL YEARS.

WE WILL NOW BE ABLE TO SAY WE HAVE A HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE.

THAT'S BEEN AN IMPORTANT GOAL FOR US TO SAY THAT.

WE SUPPORT THE MONEY THAT WAS GIVEN TO SEWAGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AS WELL AND HOPE IT WILL CONTINUE.

WE HAVE SPENT TIME ON WASTE WATER PROJECTS IN THE BLACK BELT.

A THEY HAVE BEEN FAMOUS OVER THEIR ISSUES THERE.

IT WOULD BE TERRIFIC TO SEE RESOURCES THAT WAY AS WELL.

>> WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE PROGRAM AND GIVING OUR VIEWERS AN UPDATE ON THE THINGS GOING ON IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> 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 MAIN PAGE.

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

>> FORMER BASKETBALL PLAYER AND HALL OF FAMER CHARLES BARKLEY IS ONE OF ALABAMA'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE SPORTS STARS.

NICKNAMED THE ROUND MOUND OF REBOUND, SIR CHARLES HAD A REMARKABLE BASKETBALL CAREER WITH THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY TIGERS BEFORE EMBARKING ON A CAREER IN THE NBA.

BARKLEY PLAYED FOR THE U.S. OLYMPIC BASKETBALL TEAM IN THE 19892 AND 1996 SUMMER GAMES.

SINCE HIS RETIREMENT IN 2000, HE HAS CARVED OUT A NICHE AS A BASKETBALL ANALYST, COMMENTATOR AND POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUE.

SINCE 2001, AUBURN UNIVERSITY, THE PHILADELPHIA 76ers AND THE PHOENIX SUNS HAVE RETIRED HIS JERSEY.

IN 2006, HE WAS INDUCTED IN THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK MONDAY WITH OUR NIGHTLY LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE AT 10:30 HERE ON APT.

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