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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION RESUMED TODAY.

AND THE STATEHOUSE WAS STILL ABUZZ WITH REACTIONS TO THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING ON REDISTRICTING.

THE COURT PUT ON HOLD A LOWER COURT'S RULING THAT THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL MAP BE REDRAWN DRAWN WITH TWO DISTRICTS SIGNIFICANT BLACK POPULATION.

REPUBLICANS WERE RELIEVED BY THE RULING WHILE DEMOCRATS WERE DISAPPOINTED.

>> I'M PLEASED WITH THE RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT.

IN REGARDS TO THE STAY ASSOCIATED WITH THE THREE-JUDGE PANEL AND THAT THE LEGISLATURE'S PLAN ON CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING IS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD, PLEASED.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED OR WERE YOU ANTICIPATING THAT THEY WOULD RULE THAT WAY?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAD ANY ANTICIPATIONS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR WHAT THEIR RULING WAS GOING TO BE AND I'M PLEASED WITH IT.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, I HAD NO REAL HOPE THAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD NOT GRANT A STAY BEING THAT, YOU KNOW, JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS WAS HANDLING THE ORIGINAL -- HANDLING THAT CASE.

HOWEVER WE DO HAVE ANOTHER BITE AT THE APPLE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE BASED ON GERRYMANDERING SO THAT'S WHERE I STAND ON THE PRINCIPLE OF THAT AND HOPEFULLY THAT THE COURT WILL PREVAIL AND WE WILL -- WE WILL PLEA VEIL IN THE COURT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE STILL GET THAT SECOND BITE OF THE APPLE BASED ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE.

>> SENATOR SINGLETON FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE PLAINTIFFS WOULD CONTINUE TO PURSUE THE REDISTRICTING LAWSUIT EVEN THOUGH IT WON'T IMPACT THIS ELECTION.

THE SUPREME COURT DIDN'T RULE ON THE MERITS OF THE ORDER, BUT RATHER THAT IT CAME TOO CLOSE TO THE ELECTION.

SINGLETON SAID HE STILL LIKES THEIR CHANCES ONCE THE COURT HEARS THE CASE.

>> THE COURT RULED ON A SECTION 2 VIOLATION OF THE VOTERS RIGHT ACT AND THEY BASICALLY SAID THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HOLD UP THIS ELECTION, IT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE ELECTION TO DEAL WITH THE SECTION 2 CLAIM.

NOW -- AND IT GAVE THEM A STAY ON THAT.

WE FILED A CLAIM BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION SAYING THAT DISTRICT 7 WAS GERRYMANDERED BASED ON RACE.

IT WAS A MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICT.

SO THE COURT ITSELF IN 2011 SAID THAT IT WAS A RACIAL GERRYMANDERED DISTRICT.

SO WE'RE OFFERING THE COURT IS TO GET TWO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS AND TO BE ABLE TO ALLOW FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO BE ABLE TO ELECT OR TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ELECT SOMEONE OF OUR CHOICE IN TWO SEPARATE DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE REPRESENTED BY 26 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS STATE, THAT WE SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST TWO DISTRICTS THAT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THE POPULATION OF THIS STATE.

>> CANDIDATE QUALIFYING ENDED ON JANUARY 28, AND SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL SAID THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING NULLIFIES ANY EXTENSION.

IF ANY CANDIDATE TRIED TO QUALIFY BETWEEN THE DEADLINE AND THE COURT'S RULING, MERRILL SAYS IT WOULD BE UP TO THE PARTIES TO DECIDE THEIR STATUS.

BOTH PARTIES WILL CERTIFY THEIR LIST OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES ON MARCH 9.

TAX CUTS WERE ON THE AGENDA IN THE SENATE TODAY.

A BILL FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR IS MEANT TO OFFER LOW INCOME AND WORKING FAMILIES A TAX BREAK BY RAISING THE THRESHOLD AT WHICH THEY BEGIN TO PAY TAXES.

SENATE BILL 19 WOULD INCREASE THE STANDARD DEDUCTION BY $1,000 FOR MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINTLY AND $500 FOR THOSE SINGLE, OR MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY.

THE BILL ALSO BRINGS THE ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME RANGE FOR THE MAXIMUM STANDARD DEDUCTION TO $35,000, UP FROM $33,000.

FINALLY, IT INCREASES THE ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME RANGE FOR DEPENDENT EXEMPTIONS TO $50,000, UP FROM $20,000.

ALL TOGETHER, THE TAX BREAKS AMOUNT TO ABOUT $17 MILLION PER YEAR.

>> THIS DOES TWO THINGS.

IT RAISES THE STANDARD DEDUCTION^ AND WILL TARGET MORE OR LESS FAMILIES IN THE(5) 50 TO $55,000 HOUSEHOLD INCOME RANGE THAT USE THE STANDARD DID YOU EXPLAIN.

THE OTHER THING THAT IT DOES, IT RAISE THE DEPENDENT EXEMPTION PROVISIONS AND THAT'S FOR CHILDREN AND THOSE THAT WOULD BE DEPENDENT IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

>> YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

I APPRECIATE AS WE SEE REVENUES RISE IN BOTH THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND AND THE GENERAL FUND THAT WE ARE TAKING A MEASURED STEP TO RETURN SOME OF IT TO ALABAMA TAXPAYERS, AND I EMPHASIZED THE MEASURED STEP.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THIS BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE DO THIS IN A PHYSICALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER, SO I APPRECIATE YOU AND YOU BRINGING THIS LEGISLATION UP BEFORE US.

>> THAT IS BILL 19 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

ORR ALSO HAD A BILL IN THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY DEALING WITH VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

FOR TWO YEARS NOW, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES HAVE HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MEET IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO ACCESS PROCEEDINGS BUT ALSO MAINTAINS SAFETY IN A PANDEMIC.

UNDER THE STATE'S CURRENT OPEN MEETINGS LAW, MEMBERS OF CERTAIN GOVERNMENT BODIES AREN'T COUNTED TOWARD A QUORUM IF THEY JOIN THE MEETING VIRTUALLY.

ORR'S BILL WOULD ALLOW VIRTUAL ATTENDEES TO COUNT TOWARD A QUORUM AND ALLOW THEM TO ATTEND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.

>> THE CURRENT LAW REQUIRES A MAJORITY OF A QUORUM I WHICH IS SOMETIMES HARD TO GET WITH A STATEWIDE BOARD WITH -- SO IT MAKES A MINIMUM OF THREE ASSOCIATION WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR A PHYSICAL LOCATION FOR THE PEOPLE TO MEET AND FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME AND WITNESS.

THE SECOND THING THE BILL DOES IS DOES ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO VIEW AND VISUALIZE THE LINK WOULD BE ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE SO THEY CAN LOG ON AND VISUALIZE AND HEAR THE MEETING BUT THEY CAN'T PARTICIPATE.

THE CONCERN BEING IF SOMEBODY JUST WAKES UP IN THE MORNING AND THEY WANT TO GUM UP THE REALTOR BOARD MEETING THAT DAY, THEY JUST LOG ON OH, I THINK I WILL SIT THERE AND ASK 50 QUESTIONS OF THE REALTOR BOARD JUST TO GUM IT UP, IF THEY WANT TO DO THAT, THEY NEED TO GO TO THE MEETING ITSELF AND ASK TO PARTICIPATE IN THE -- AT THE PHYSICAL LOCATION.

>> IT WAS A SLOW-MOVING DAY IN THE HOUSE, AS LAWMAKERS PLOTTED THROUGH A LIST OF BILLS IN REGULAR ORDER.

ONE OF THOSE BILLS IS AIMED AT IMPROVING RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR STATE TROOPERS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.

HOUSE BILL 69 FIXES A GLITCH IN THE STATE TROOPER RETIREMENT SYSTEM THAT KEPT MORE RECENTLY HIRED TROOPERS FROM RECEIVING FULL TIER II BENEFITS.

IT ALSO ALLOWS THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO RETIRE AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

PETTUS SAYS THE IDEA IS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN MORE TROOPERS.

>> WHETHER THIS SIDE IS FOR OUR TIER TWO REQUIREMENT FOR OUR STATE TROOPERS THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME RETAINING TROOPERS.

WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO IS THEY WILL GET 25 YEAR RETIREMENT INSTEAD OF WORKING UNTIL THEY'RE 56 AND GIVES THEM BONUS YEARS.

IF THEY WORKED 25 YEARS THEY WILL GET 30 YEARS OF CREDIT FOR RETIREMENT PURPOSES.

>> WEDNESDAY WILL BE ANOTHER BUSY ONE AT THE STATE HOUSE.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS START AS EARLY AS 8:00 AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL CONVENE IN THE AFTERNOON.

WE'LL HAVE CONTINUED COVERAGE OF ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

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

>> JOINING ME NEXT ON THE YOU CAN'T MEAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HOLMES FROM WETUMPKA.

MR. HOLMES THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> APPRECIATE YOUR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> 1 OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME AND THAT THE ELIMINATION OF THE GROCERY TAX.

YOU'VE GOT A BILL -- ACTUALLY TWO BILLS -- THAT ADDRESS THIS.

TELL ME WHAT THESE BILLS DO.

>> LET'S START WITH THE ONE I ACTUALLY DRAFTED WITH THE HELP OF LSA, AND IT'S AN AMENDMENT THAT -- EXCUSE ME -- A BILL THAT I REALLY COPIED JOHN KNIGHT, AN OLD COLLEAGUE OF MINE FROM EIGHT OR NINE YEARS AGO THAT WAS A HOUSE MEMBER THAT I LEARNED A LOT FROM, A GREAT LEGISLATOR, BUT HE HAD THIS VERY SIMILAR BILL.

KNACK WE USED A BIG CHUNK OF HIS LANGUAGE IN THIS DRAFT OF THIS BILL.

IT'S A SIMPLE THREE-PAGER.

AND I GOT MOTIVATED -- THE MORE I SEE BILLIONS -- MILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING DUMPED ON ALABAMA BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THEN ALSO THE ORGANIC GROWTH IN THE INCREASED TAXES WE HAVE HAD OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND I HAVE DONE THE MATH, AND OUR REVENUE STREAMS ARE GOING TO BE UP SOMEWHERE IN THIS YEAR HERE IN THE RANGE OF 40 TO 60 PERCENT I JUST THINK IT'S TIME FOR THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA TO HAVE A TAX BREAK -- AND I MEAN A SIGNIFICANT TAX BREAK.

I DON'T MEAN NIGGLY-PIGGLY BUT THIS IS A WAY TO DO IT.

IT'S A POPULAR GRASSROOTS ITEM AND A LOT OF WORKING POOR OUT THERE THIS WOULD MEAN A LOT TO.

AND THIS BILL IS THE SAME TAX BREAK FOR EVERYBODY, WHETHER YOU'RE A MULTI MILLIONAIRE OR WORKING POOR.

IT'S THE SAME.

EVERYBODY GETS THE SAME BREAK FOR WHATEVER GROCERIES YOU BUY IS 4 PERCENT STATE TAX IS WHAT WILL BE REPEALED.

DOESN'T HAVE FIGURE TO DO WITH THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL TAXES.

THEY WILL BE THE SAME UNLESS THEY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MAKING THAT CHANGE AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODY.

>> IF I GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, MY GROCERIES ARE IN ESSENCE 4 PERCENT OF THE SALES TAX GOES AWAY?

>> CORRECT.

>> DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH LOCAL TAX.

>> FOR GROCERY FOOD ITEMS ONLY AS IDENTIFIED BY THE SNAP PROGRAM.

IT'S A WELL DOCUMENTED STANDARD THAT THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT FOOD ITEMS ARE SO THERE'S NO ROOM FOR CHEATING ON IT.

>> IT'S FOOD.

NOT OTHER THINGS YOU CAN GET AT THE GROCERY STORE.

>> YOU CAN GO TO WALMART -- >> AND BUY A SET OF TIRES FROM THE GROCERY STORE NOW.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

>> BUT YOU ALSO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD REPLACE THAT REVENUE OR GIVE VOTERS THE OPTION -- >> THAT'S OPTION TWO.

THIS IS A TYPICAL DEMOCRATIC PROCESS I WENT THROUGH WITH A SENATOR.

HE WAS SNIFFING DOWN THE SAME TRAIL, AND WE FINALLY DECIDED THAT WE AGREED THAT THIS CAT NEEDED SKINNING AND WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE GROCERY TAX.

HIS APPROACH WAS TO REPLACE THE REVENUE THAT WOULD BE LOST SOMETHING NORTH OF $600 MILLION THAT WOULD COME OUT OF THE REVENUE STREAM AND SO WE AGREED TO -- LET'S START BOTH OF THEM.

WE WILL CO-SPONSOR EACH OTHER'S BILL AND I WILL CARRY HIS BILL DOWN TEARS AND I WILL CARRY HIS UPSTAIRS AND WE WILL GET TO THE FINISH LINE AND SEE WHERE WANT TO ARE AND IF THERE ARE ANY COMPROMISES AND THEN PUSH WHICHEVER BILL IS THE RIGHT ONE TO PUSH FROM THERE.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, TRYING TO GET TWO HORSES IN THE RACE SO WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF WINNING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> INTERESTING.

BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE ISSUE; RIGHT?

I GO BACK 15, 20 YEARS AND YOU MENTIONED JOHN KNIGHT, AND I REMEMBER HIM VERY WELL PUSHING THIS BILL YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT, AND I MEAN THIS IS WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN THE MAJORITY, BUT THE BUGABOO WAS ALWAYS WE'RE GOING TO LOSE REVENUE, 500 MILLION OR $600 MILLION FROM THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, AND THAT WAS UNTOUCHABLE.

KIND OF ALWAYS AN UNTOUCHABLE.

DO YOU SEE THAT BEGINNING TO CHANGE -- >> WELL, IT'S A DIFFERENT WORLD THAN JOHN LIVED IN AND THE FACTS WERE WE WERE IN PRORATION BACK THEN.

WE WERE TRULY OUT OF MONEY.

TODD WE'RE NOT OUT OF MONEY ANYMORE.

JUST DO THE MATH YOURSELF OF ALL OF THE TAXES WE SHUT DOWN, SELLERS USE TAX ON YOUR INTERNET PURCHASES, THE GAS TAX, 300 MILLION OR SO DOLLARS -- SSU TAXES BETWEEN 3 AND $400 MILLION -- OR JUST ORGANIC GROWTH.

WE HAVE GONE IN THE LAST 10 OR 12 YEARS FROM 4 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO 5.1 OR SO NOW AND THAT ORGANIC GROWTH FEEDS FOR REVENUE AND SALES TAX DRIVES EVERYTHING.

JUST FOR THOSE THREE YOU'RE UP TO A BILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE ADDED AND NEW TAXES ESSENTIALLY IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

AND THAT'S -- THAT WAS DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE THAN JOHN NIGHT WAS LIVING IN WHEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE -- WE HAVE MONEY FLOATING FROM OUR STATE, SERVICES.

THE OTHER THING WE HAVE DONE IT AS A REPUBLICAN GROUP AND HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF SETTING UP RAINY DAY FUNDS SAFETY FUNDS AND WE HAVE GOT THREE OR FOUR OF THOSE NOW THAT ARE SOMEWHERE IN THE RANGE OF 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS.

THAT WE HAVE IN THOSE FUNDS AND MY BILL WOULD TURN OUT TO BE A MISTAKE AND THEN WE'RE IN TROUBLE, WITH THE ETF, EDUCATION TRUST FUND AND WE HAVE RESERVES TO GO BACK TO.

EVERYBODY SAYS HOW CAN YOU TAKE THAT KIND OF REVENUE STREAM OUT?

WHY NOT?

WE HAVE IT NOW -- LET'S GIVE THE TAXPAYERS A BREAK THEY DESERVE AFTER ALL OF THESE INCREASES.

>> SO IF THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSED OR WENT TO THE VOTERS.

THE VOTER WOULD GET TO DECIDE ESSENTIALLY THAT CHANGING THE WAY THAT THEY CAN DEDUCT FROM THEIR STATE INCOME TAXES WHAT THEY PAY IN TERRELL -- CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT.

>> YES.

IF YOU'RE A SINGLE TAXPAYER FILING SINGLE, YOU'RE LIMITED TO 4,000, AND THEN IF YOU'RE MARRIED FILING JOINTLY, THEN THERE'S $8,000 IS WHERE THE CUTOFF WOULD BE.

SO ESSENTIALLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS TAKING THAT SAME $600 MILLION AND TAKING IT AWAY FROM THE WORKING POOR AND THE POVERTY LEVEL AND UP THROUGH THE MIDDLE CLASS TAKING MOST OF IT AWAY AND PASSING THIS ON TO MIDDLE CLASS TO UPPER VERY WEALTHY PEOPLE WORKS PICK UP THAT 600 MILLION.

SO TO ME THAT'S NOT A TAX CUT.

YOU'RE JUST MOVING THE DOMINOS AROUND ON THE TABLE.

IT'S JUST -- IT'S THE SAME ANSWER WHEN YOU COME OUT -- I DON'T SEE THAT AS A TAX CUT.

>> WHICH APPROACH DO YOU SEE GETTING MORE MOMENTUM THIS SESSION?

>> I REALLY AM PLEASED WITH THE GRASSROOTS RECEPTION I'M GETTING.

CALLS COMING FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND EMAILS AND TEXTS AND A LOT OF THE CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS ARE PICKING IT UP, API, EAGLE FORUM, A LOT OF THEM ARE ENDORSING IT WITH THEIR MEMBERSHIP GOING FULL STEAM AHEAD SAYING WE NEED TO GIVE THIS SERIOUS CONSIDERATION SO I'M PLEASED WITH THE GRASSROOTS SUPPORT.

TIME WILL TELL.

>> DEMOCRATS TOO.

>> WE HAVE GOOD SUPPORT ACROSS THE ISLE.

19 OR 20 CO-SPONSORS AND THAT WAS A HURRIED HELP.

I.

ONLY WORKED ON THAT ABOUT 90 MINUTES ONE AFTERNOON AND I WAS SHOCKED AT THE RESPONSE I GET FROM PEOPLE TO CO-SPONSOR THE BILL, AND 7 TO 9 DEMOCRATS ON THERE.

AND I DISCUSSED WITH THEM, MOST OF THOSE THAT SIGNED ON REMEMBER JON KNIGHT AND ALL OF THE YEAR THEY FOUGHT FOR THAT.

AND IT'S TIME, THAT WAS HAIR ANSWER SO I GOT GOOD SUPPORT ACROSS THE AISLE.

>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT INFLATION HAS INCREASED THE COST OF GROCERIES.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS PLAYING A ROLE?

>> I THINK ANYTHING THAT MAKES OUR COST OF LIVING GOING UP IS REALLY HURTING THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WHAT I CALL WORKING POOR AND PURE POVERTY LEVEL.

THEIR DOLLARS ARE BUYING ABOUT HALF OF WHAT IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE HAD THAT INFLATION AND THE BASIC NEEDS WHETHER IT'S GASOLINE TO GET YOU BACK AND FORTH TO WORK OR GROCERIES ON THE TABLE OR ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

IT'S AMAZING INFLATION.

IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO GIVE IN THE SHORT-TERM.

>> WHILE I'VE GOT YOU I WANTED TO ASK YOU, YOU HAVE DECIDED NO TO THE RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> WHY THE DECISION TO RETIRE?

>> WELL, THIS IS MY 3RD RETIREMENT I'M WORKING ON NOW.

I HAD A CORPORATE CAREER, A PRIVATE ENTERPRISE CAREER WITH MY OWN COMPANY, VERY SUCCESSFUL FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THEN WHEN I RETIRED FROM THAT I GOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS AND THAT WAS MY 3RD CAREER I WOULD CALL IT.

BUT I'M A TERM LIMITS GUY.

THIS IS THE END OF MY SECOND TERM AND I THINK THAT'S TIME.

PLUS NEXT MONTH I WILL BE 80 YEARS OLD SO I THINK AGE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.

I'M TIRED AND I'VE LOST A STEP AS SOME OF THE PRO FOOTBALL PLAYERS WOULD SAY.

I'M NOT AS QUICK ON THE DRAW AS I WAS.

SO I JUST LOOKING AT ALL OF THOSE REALTY OF REALITIES I THINK IT'S TIME.

>> WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ALL THESE YEARS.

>> I ENJOYED IT ALWAYS DO.

AND PLEASE HAVE ME BACK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK >> TODAY IS FFA DAY IN THE CAPITOL CITY ASK I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY KAYLEIGH MCGREW, VICE PRESIDENT OF ALABAMA FFA.

WELCOME TO.

>> HOW MANY THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE BLUE JACKETS WALKING AROUND TOWN, THE FAMILIAR BLUE JACKETS FROM FFA.

WHAT ALL HAVE YOU BEEN DOING ON CAPITOL HILL.

>> WE GOT TO TAKE OUR ANNUAL PICTURE WITH GOVERNOR IVEY AND A LOT OF OUR CHAPTERS GOT TO LISTEN TO A LOT OF LEGISLATORS SPEAK AND TALK ABOUT THEIR FFA EXPERIENCE AND HOW IT GOT THEM WHERE THEY ARE TODAY AND GOT TO MEET THEM AS WELL.

>> WHAT KIND OF MESSAGES DID YOU HEAR FROM THE TOP LAWMAKERS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE IN FFA?

>> HOW IT -- A LOT OF THEIR COMPETITION THAT THEY COMPETED IN AND HOW THEIR EXPERIENCES AND LEADERSHIP AND ALSO THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR MEMBERS BROUGHT THEM TO THEIR POSITIONS NOW AND HOW THEY TRULY LOVE THEIR FFA EXPERIENCE.

>> NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A BILL -- THERE'S LEGISLATION BEING BROUGHT BY REPRESENTATIVE LEDBETTER THAT WOULD TREAT FFA EVENTS LIKE SPORTING EVENTS IN TERMS OF ABSENCES, MEANING, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE EXCUSED FOR AN ABSENCE FOR SPORTS THAT'S PRETTY COMMON BUT YOU COULD BE EXCUSED FOR AN ABSENCE WITH FFA EVENTS.

WOULD THAT HELP INCREASE MEMBERSHIP IN FFA?

>> YES, SIR.

FFA -- WHEN YOU ARE TRULY TRAVELING WITH FFA, IT CAN BE A LOT.

YOU CAN MISS UP TO A WEEK IN SCHOOL WHEN YOU GO TO INDIANAPOLIS SO WITH THIS STUDENTS HAVE A CHANCE TO MAYBE NOT TAKE EXAMS, LET'S SAY AT MY SCHOOL, IF YOU MISS A DAY AND HAVE AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE YOU HAVE TO TAKE EXAMS.

THIS WOULD LET STUDENTS BE ABLE TO STEP ON OUT THERE AND DO MORE WITH FFA AND GET THE BENEFITS OF JOINING FFA WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE THOSE EXAMS OR GET THOSE -- >> TELL ME WHAT GOT YOU INVOLVED IN FFA.

>> I HAVE A REALLY, REALLY, REALLY AMAZING VISOR.

I CAN'T REALLY MENTION IT ENOUGH.

SHE TRULY INSPIRED ME TO JOIN SHE SEE CAME UP TO ME AND ASKED IF I WANTED TO JOIN PERSONALLY AND COMPETE IN A CONTEST.

I DON'T COME FROM AN AGRICULTURALLY FOCUSED BACKGROUND SO IT WAS MOST DEFINITELY A STEP OUT OF THE BOX FOR ME.

AND SHE REALLY TOOK A CHANCE ON ME AND I'M SO GLAD SHE DID.

NOW I CAN BE MORE INVOLVED.

>> WHAT WAS THAT COMPETITION.

>> IT WAS PREPARED PUBLIC SPEAKING.

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED PUBLIC SPEAKING.

AND ENJOYED THE RUSH AND FEELING IT.

WITH THAT I THINK SHE KNEW WHERE TO GET ME AND THE THREE CIRCLE MONO -- IT GOT ME HOOK LINE AND SINKER AND I HAVE BEEN HERE EVER SINCE.

>> I CAN TELL YOU HAVE GREAT PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING YOU SAY YOU DON'T COME FROM AN AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUND.

I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS WOULD ASSUME MOST FFA MEMBERS HAD A FAMILY FARM OF SORTS BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> YES, SIR.

I CANNOT BE MORE COMPLETELY FROM THE OPPOSITE.

I USED TO HUNT FOR EASTER EGGS INSIDE AT KIDS.

WE WERE COMPLETELY INSIDE CHILDREN.

AND WITH THAT, STEPPING OUT AND GOING TO FFA, IT REALLY -- IT REALLY SHOWS A DIFFERENT SIDE OF THE WORLD.

YOU DON'T REALLY SEE THESE THINGS WHEN YOU TAKE THAT MENTORING CLASS IN 8TH GRADE, NOT MANY STUDENTS DIG DEEP INTO IT BUT WITH FFA IT HELPS PUSH AND IT YOU LEARN A LOT MORE WITH IT.

A LOT OF STUDENTS FREELY JOIN FFA BECAUSE IT REALLY BRINGS THEM CLOSER TOGETHER AND TEACHES THEM SOMETHING NEW.

>> SURE.

I UNDERSTAND IN ADDITION TO COMING TO MONTGOMERY YOU GET TO GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TELL ME WHAT THAT WAS LIKE.

>> THIS SUMMER I GOT TRAVEL.

MY 1ST TIME EVER BEING ON A PLANE SO IT WAS QUITE THE EXPERIENCE.

SO WHEN WE WENT TO D.C., WE GOT TO TRAVEL THE CITY AND MEET WITH ALL STATE PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS FROM ALL 50 STATES.

AND MEET TOGETHER AND DISCUSS LEADERSHIP TACTICS AND REALLY GET PROPER TRAINING TO BE STATE OFFICERS AND MEET WITH THE LEGISLATORS AND WITH THIS TRAINING, WE ARE NOW ABLE TO FOCUS ON OUR STATES AND WE ALSO WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER STATES AS WELL SINCE WE ALL MET UP TOGETHER: WELL, DO YOU HAVE ANY -- WHAT DOES THE REST OF THE DAY RIGHT LANE FOR FFA MEMBERS HERE IN MONTGOMERY?

>> WELL, WE WILL ALL MEET TOGETHER.

OTHER CHAPTERS CAN MEET WITH OTHER CHAPTERS AND EVENTUALLY COME TOGETHER AGAIN, AND A LOT OF CHAPTERS ARE GOING TO MEET WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS EVEN AFTER THE DAY IS OVER.

>> THEIR INDIVIDUAL HOME LEGISLATORS.

WELL, TELL ME, KAYLEIGH, MIGHT WE EVER SEE YOU IN THE HALLS OF MONTGOMERY OR THE HALLS OF WASHINGTON AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL ONE DAY?

>> PERHAPS, MAYBE.

>> WELL, IT ALL STARTED HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," KAYLEIGH MCGREW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHIRE WITH OUR AUDIENCE MORE ABOUT FFA AND YOUR EXPERIENCE AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE USS ALABAMA IS A WORLD WAR II ERA BATTLE SHIP THAT 1ST SERVED IN THE ATLANTIC THEATER BUT WAS BETTER KNOWN FOR TAKING JAPANESE HELD ISLANDS IN THE PACIFIC BETWEEN 1943 AND 1945.

DURING THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA THE ALABAMA STATE THE ART RADAR ALERTED THE FLEET TO INCOMING AIRCRAFT PROVIDING THE AMERICANS ENOUGH TIME TOE SCRAMBLE FIGHTERS AND DECIMATE THE ATTACKING FORCE.

LATER, THE ALABAMA SERVED DURING THE BATTLE AND IN 1964 THE STATE OF ALABAMA TOOK POSSESSION OF THE SHIP.

ALABAMA SCHOOL CHILDREN RACED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO CREATE BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK WHICH FEATURES THE ALABAMA, THE WORLD WAR II SUBMARINE USS DRUM AND AN AMERICAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT COLLECTION.

BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK IS ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST VISITED TRACTIONS.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30 FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

♪