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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TOMORROW BEGINS THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES ON THE TABLE IN THIS ELECTION YEAR.

TOPPING THAT LIST ARE THE BUDGETS, THE GENERAL FUND, AND THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

WE WON'T KNOW SPECIFICS UNTIL BUDGET HEARINGS TOMORROW, BUT STATE LEADERS ARE SAYING BOTH BUDGETS WILL HAVE RECORD INCREASES.

>> FROM THE HOUSE PERSPECTIVE, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR TIME AS WE ALWAYS HAVE AND BE A DELIBERATE BODY.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THESE BUDGETS AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT TAKE ON MORE THAN WHAT THE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT THESE REVENUES WILL NOT LAST FOREVER.

THERE WILL BE A TIME TO WHERE WE'RE GOING TO NOT HAVE THE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE DOLLARS TO SPEND.

>> I WILL TALK WITH SPEAKER MCCUTCHEON IN MORE DETAIL LATER IN THE SHOW.

>> LAWMAKERS WILL ALSO BE TASKED WITH ALLOCATING SOME $508 MILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDING.

EXPANDING BROADBAND INTERNET AND WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE ARE AMONG THE SUGGESTED USES FOR THE ONE-TIME FUNDS.

STATE BUDGET EXPERTS ARE STRESSING THE NEED TO KEEP THESE FUNDS SEPARATE FROM THE REGULAR BUDGET PROCESS.

>> ONE THING WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS, THESE FUNDS ARE SO COMPLEX IN TERMS OF REQUIREMENTS FOR SPENDING, REPORTING AS FAR AS WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE MONEY -- I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE -- THIS IS NOT A NORMAL -- THIS IS NOT OUR NORMAL BUDGETING PROCESS, THIS IS NOT OUR NORMAL BUDGETING STREAM OF MONEY.

THIS IS A SEPARATE THING ALTOGETHER.

AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GETTING MORE USED TO SINCE WE HAD SOME CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND MONEY TO SPEND LAST YEAR BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING DIFFERENT >> TODD: IF YOU PLAN ON COMING TO THE STATEHOUSE FOR THIS YEAR'S SESSION, THERE ARE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS TO CONSIDER.

VISITORS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS IN ALL COMMON AREAS INCLUDING THE HOUSE GALLERY.

THE SENATE IS NOT REQUIRING MASKS BUT ASKING VISITORS TO PRACTICE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

>> SOME OF THE MEMBERS MIGHT WANT TO GO BACK UP STAIRS AND BE SEPARATED FROM THE BODY DOWN HERE AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS, AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW, WHO ARE OLDER, AND SOME ARE CORP OF COMPROMISED.

SO SOME OF THEM MAY WANT TO GO BACK UP STAIRS AND VOTE REMOTELY.

THEY CAN LISTEN TO THE DEBATE ASK WATCH THE DEBATE UPSTAIRS FROM A SEPARATE ROOM AND STIM VOTE.

>> THERE ARE SO FEW MEMBERS, AND WE TRY TO SPEND AS LITTLE TIME OUT ON THE FLOOR AS POSSIBLE.

UNLIKE THE HOUSE, WHICH HAS 105 MEMBERS WE ONLY HAVE 35 MEMBERS SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR -- THEY'RE SO COME PACKET AND SO MANY IN THERE AT ONE TIME THAT THEY WOULD -- THE NECESSITY OF WEARING A MASK MAY BE GREAT ARE FOR THEM THAN IT WOULD BE FOR US.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE HAVE HOUSE SPEAKER MACK MCCUTCHEON.

MR. SPEAKER, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL"?

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

AND WELCOME TO YOU AS WELL.

>> THANKS?

>> GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> WELL, HERE WE ARE HERE IN THE STUDIO IN THE STATEHOUSE.

WE'RE ABOUT TO GET STARTED WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT BEGINS TOMORROW.

AND YOU KNOW THESE JANUARY SESSIONS, THESE ELECTION YEAR JANUARY SESSIONS KIND OF SNEAK UP ON US SOMETIMES RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> ARE YOU READY TO GO?

IS YOUR TEAM READY TO GO?

>> YES.

WE'RE READY TO GO.

AND OF COURSE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN AN UNUSUAL YEAR BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD TWO SPECIAL SESSIONS AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE WE HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE WORKING CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

SO THE STAFF IS READY.

THE MEMBERS ARE WORKING GOOD TOGETHER.

ALL OF THE MEETINGS THEY HAVE HAD UP TO THIS POINT HAVE BEEN POSITIVE, AND THE SENATE, I HAVE HAD GREAT MEETINGS WITH THE PRO TEM REED AND THE SENATE LEADERSHIP.

WE'RE READY TO GO.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE USE OF THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, ARPA, THESE SOME $580 MILLION WORTH OF IT.

THERE'S TALK OF A SPECIAL SESSION PERHAPS TO DEAL WITH THAT MONEY SPECIFICALLY TO FOCUS THE LEGISLATURE'S ATTENTION ON IT.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO THE GOVERNOR?

DO YOU EXPECT HER TO CALL THAT?

>> WELL, WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS WEEK WE'RE GOING TO SIT DOWN AGAIN WITH THE GOVERNOR.

AND WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNOR, THE LEADERSHIP AND THE SENATE IN THE HOUSE AND WE'RE GOING TO MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK AND TRY TO MAKE MA DECISION ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO APPROACH IT.

BUT I THINK IT'S SURE THAT WE DO NOT NEED TO CONFUSE THE ARPA FUNDING WITH OUR BUDGETING PROCESS.

THAT'S A VERY DELICATE ISSUE THERE BECAUSE THE ARPA FUNDS IS ONE TIME REVENUE COMING IN.

WE DO NOT WANT IT TO BECOME PART OF A BUDGET LINE ITEM THAT IS CONTINUING EXPENSE.

SO WE'VE GOT TO BE VERY CAREFUL HOW WE APPROACH IT.

AND THERE'S SO MANY NEEDS IN THE STATE THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO SPEND IT ON.

>> SPEAKING OF THE BUDGETS, THE BUDGET HEARINGS WILL BEGIN THIS WEEK, I GUESS, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, WE WILL HAVE THE BUDGET HEARINGS.

THAT'S WHEN THE FINANCE EXPERTS TALK TO THE LAWMAKERS AND THE BUDGET WRITERS ABOUT WHAT REVENUES WE CAN EXPECT.

FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE WAS HERE AND WE WERE TALKING ON FRIDAY ABOUT JUST SOME OF THE EXTRAORDINARY REVENUE THAT THE STATE IS SEEING.

A LOT OF THIS IS FILTERING DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS, THE VARIOUS FUNDS.

HOW MUCH OF A CHALLENGE IS IT GOING TO BE FOR LAWMAKERS TO PUT TOGETHER BUDGETS THAT ARE PRUDENT, RESPONSIBLE, WITHOUT, LIKE YOU SAID, SETTING UP PROGRAMS OR SERVICES THAT HAVE TO BE FUNDED YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT WHEN THOSE FUNDS MIGHT DRY UP IN THE FUTURE?

>> AND I THINK THAT'S THE CHALLENGE.

FROM THE HOUSE PERSPECTIVE, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR TIME AS WE ALWAYS HAVE AND BE A DELIBERATE BODY.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THESE BUDGETS AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT TAKE ON MORE THAN WHAT THE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT THESE REVENUES WILL NOT LAST FOREVER.

THERE WILL BE A TIME WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE DOLLARS TO SPEND.

SO FOR AT THAT TIME REASON ALONE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MINDFUL OF THAT AND SAVE OUR MONEY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE GENERAL FUND, FOR EXAMPLE, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE STRUGGLING FUND, IF YOU WILL.

WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE MAKING ENDS MEET IN A GENERAL FUND.

WE ACTUALLY BEGAN THIS NEW BUDGET YEAR WITH CLOSE TO $400 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND.

THAT'S UNHEARD OF FOR US.

NOW, PART OF THAT MONEY WENT TO THE PRISONS, AND SO SOME OF THAT 400 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT.

EVEN AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN WE START OFF IN THE BUDGET AREAS WE'RE GOING TO BE SOMEWHERE AROUND $200 MILLION THAT WE'VE GOT TO WORK WITH UP AND ABOVE THE BUDGET PROCEEDS.

THAT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THERE WAS -- WHEN YOU GO BACK SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE LEGISLATIVE BODY WORKING TOGETHER ACTUAL STARTED SAVING SOME MONEY FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE -- IN POLITICS THEY SAY IT'S NOT WHAT YOU DID FOR ME, IT'S WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME LATELY.

WELL, LOOP PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THAT BUT YELLOW LIGHT WE DID SAVE SOME MONEY PREPARING US FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR WHICH WE THOUGHT WOULD BE AN INCREASE OF MEDICAID.

WELL, IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT WE SAVED ON MEDICAID.

SO THAT PROPELLED US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH EVEN MORE REF NEWS THAN WE THOUGHT WE HAD.

SO WE'RE AT A POINT NOW, INCREASE OF THE SSU SALES -- THE INTERNET SALES TAX, THOSE REVENUES COMING IN, SO WE'RE IN A GOOD POSITION RIGHT NOW WHERE WE ARE.

>> WELL, TALKING ABOUT THE OLD DAYS, AS IT WERE, PEOPLE REMEMBER THE WORE PROPORTION WHICH IS BASICALLY A CUT THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE TO MEET EXPECTATIONS SO I DO REMEMBER THOSE REFORMS OF ROLLING RESERVE AND RAINY DAY ACCOUNTS TO PREVENT THAT, AND YOU REALLY HAVEN'T HAD PRORATION SINCE, AND I GUESS THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO AVOID FOR THIS BUDGET, RIGHT, DON'T SET UP REVENUES THAT -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN WE PUT THE ROLLING RESERVE WE HAVE NOT HAD PRORATION SINCE THEN.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SUPPOSE LOUD AND CLEAR TO US AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE IN MONTGOMERY, WHEN WE SET UP THE EDUCATION BUDGETS, IT'S THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT REALLY SUFFER WHEN WE HAVE PRORATION.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE HIRED THOSE EMPLOYEES.

THEY HAVE HIRED THE TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATORS, BUS DRIVERS, SUPPORT PERSONNEL, THEY HAVE HIRED ALL OF THIEVES PEOPLE TO COME IN AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU CUT THEIR FUNDING, THEY HAVE TO MAKE THAT SCHOOL YEAR WORK OUT SOME WAY.

>> PINK SLIPS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THEY STRUGGLE.

SO BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'RE IN A GREAT POSITION IF WE CONTINUE, TO BE MINDFUL OF THE REVENUE THAT WE HAVE AND BE WISE IN OUR SPENDING OF IT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE ISSUE THAT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY POPULAR OR WELL, DISCUSSED THIS TIME AROUND.

IT'S THE CONCEALED CARRY BILL.

OF COURSE THIS IS THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW CITIZENS IN ALABAMA TO CARRY CONCEALED PISTOLS WITHOUT HAVING TO GO GET A PERMIT FOR THAT.

NOW, THIS BILL HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

IN FACT IT PASSED THE SENATE A LONG TIME.

IT SEEMS IT GETS BOTTLED UP IN THE HOUSE WHEN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS SHOWN UP TO OPPOSE THE BILL.

BUT THIS YEAR THERE SEEMS MORE MOMENTUM, INCLUDING YOU'RE A CO-SPONSOR ON THE BILL.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE MAKER THIS YEAR WITH ALL OF THE MOMENTUM ON THE BILL?

>> WELL, WE WERE ABLE TO -- FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION IN REFERENCE TO THE PISTOL PERMIT PROCESS, BACKGROUND CHECKS ON APPLICANTS FOR PISTOL PERMITS IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES, AND ALSO A LIFETIME PERMIT, AND ALSO WORKING WITH ALEA, STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO HAVE, LIKE, A DATABASE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD USE AS A TOOL OUT THERE ON THE STREET TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WOULD MAY HAVE WEAPONS WITH THEM ARE LEGALLY ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THAT WEAPON.

SO WITH THAT IN MIND, LAST YEAR, WE PASSED A BILL.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT AND ON SENATOR PRICE WORKED VERY HARD TO GET US A BILL PASSED WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO GET A LIFETIME PERMIT IN PLACE.

WE WERE ABLE TO PUT SOME CRITERIA IN PLACE FOR GETTING THOSE PERMITS SO THAT HOPEFULLY WE COULD CLEAN UP THE PERMITTING SYSTEM.

AND ALSO WE PUT TOGETHER IN THAT BILL ABOUT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A DATABASE THROUGH ALEA.

THAT WAY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OUT ON THE STREET, WHEN THEY PULL SOMEONE OVER AND IF THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE A WEAPON IN THE VEHICLE OR WITH THEM, THE OFFICER CAN CHECK THAT PERSON AND FIND OUT IMMEDIATELY ARE THEY FORBIDDEN TO CARRY OR ARE THEY OKAY TO HAVE THAT WEAPON?

THIS WOULD BE A HUGE STEP FORWARD.

IN YEARS PAST WHEN YOU HAD SOMEBODY -- LET'S JUST SAY FROM SOUTH ALABAMA WHO MAY HAVE GOTTEN A PISTOL PERMIT FROM A SHERIFF, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WERE IN NORTH ALABAMA AND THEY WERE CARRYING THAT WEAPON, YOU KNOW -- SOMETIMES THAT INFORMATION WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO THE OFFICER AT 2:00 OR CATEGORY THREE OR 4:00 A.M.

IN THE MORNING AND THIS WAY THE OFFICER WILL HAVE THAT INFORMATION SO THEY CAN USE THAT AS A RESOURCE.

AND I THINK NOW THAT WE'VE GOT THAT IN PLACE, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THE DATABASE IS FUNDED AND UP AND RUNNING AND READY TO GO, AND THEN I THINK THIS CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY LAW BILL WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ADDRESS.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH ESPECIALLY AS IT GETS TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE ALL OF THE DRAMA IS.

WELL, THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR LAST REGULAR SESSION AS PERIOD OF THE HOUSE.

YOU ANNOUNCED THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEEK RE-ELECTION THIS NEXT TIME AROUND.

AND IT'S -- YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS BITTERSWEET I SUPPOSE WHEN YOU GET TO THE END BUT YOU'RE NOT FINISHED.

I WONDERED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING YOU WERE LOOKING TO ACCOMPLISH WHILE YOU STILL ARE IN THE SPEAKER'S CHAIR?

>> WELL, WITH THE REVENUES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US, I WANT TO SEE US PASS SOME GOOD BUDGETS, SOME BUDGETS THAT HAVE SOME LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.

YOU KNOW, LET'S MOVE US FORWARD, LET'S MOVE US INTO THE FUTURE, LET'S NOT PUT BURDEN EDIT ON OUR FAMILIES AND THE WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE STATE.

LET'S BE WISE, YOU KNOW, IN OUR APPROACH TO OUR BUDGETS.

WITH THE ARPA FUNDS THAT WE HAVE, WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYABLE TO DO SOME THINGS LIKE FUND BROADBAND INITIATIVE.

I WORKED VERY HARD TO EXPAND BROADBAND FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WE WENT FROM A TAX CREDIT SYSTEM TO A GRANT SYSTEM.

ADECA HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB IN PUTTING TOGETHER A PROCESS BY WHICH YOU CAN APPLY TO GET GRANTS TO TRY TO HELP EXTEND OUR BROADBAND CAPABILITIES.

SO WITH THIS MONEY COMING IN, I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN REALLY SILT DOWN AND DO A DEEP DIVE ON OUR BROADBAND AND SEE SOME EXPANSION AND TRY TO GET BROADBAND TO THE UNSERVED AREAS OF THE STATE.

WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF AREAS THAT ARE UNSERVED.

AND INK THIS PANDEMIC THAT BEGAN IN 2020 WAS WHAT WAS NEEDED WHEN WE COMES TO EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN AND MEDICAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN A LOT OF COUNTIES WHERE YOU HAVE THREE OUR FOUR COUNTIES AND ONLY ONE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, TO ADMINISTER HELP TO THOSE PEOPLE.

THE BROADBAND AND THAT CONNECTIVITY IS SO IMPORTANT NOW, AND SO I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN -- THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH SOME OF THAT IN MY LAST SESSION.

>> WELL, WE WILL CERTAINLY WANT TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE PROGRAM AS THE SESSION GOES FORWARD FOR UPDATES ON ALL OF THOSE ISSUES.

>> BE GLAD TO COME BACK ANY TIME.

>> MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL"?

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

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

>> JOINING US NEXT ON THE PROGRAM IS SEAN STRICKLER, VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE ALABAMA RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION.

SEAN, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> TODD, THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANKS VERY MUCH.

WELL, THE SUBJECT IS BROADBAND.

BROADBAND INTERNAL.

I KNOW THAT'S THE SUBJECT DE JURE.

THERE WAS A MEETING ON THAT TODAY AND I WILL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

>> THE REASON I WANT TO TALK TO YOU, ALABAMA'S RURAL OPERATIVES ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE BROADBAND EXPANSION EFFORT.

HOW ARE THE COOPERATIVES WORKING TO GET BROADBAND HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO RURAL AREAS?

>> TODD IT'S SOMETHING EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO OUR COOPERATIVES.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE FOUND OUT, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY, WE ACTUALLY SAW FEWER PEOPLE IN RURAL COUNTIES.

WE LOST POPULATION.

IT WASN'T THAT WE WEREN'T GROWING AS FAST IF OTHER METROPOLITAN SUBURBAN COUNTIES, WE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY LOST POPULATION AND WE'RE SCRATCHING OUR HEADS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY AND ONE OF THE THINGS IS THE QUALITY OF LIFE WITH THE IN YOU DIGITAL LIFE TILE THAT WE HAVE.

BROADBAND IS THIS TERM THAT EVERYONE LIKES TO THROW AROUND AND BASICALLY IT'S COMMUNICATIONS.

IT'S THE NEW FORM OF COMMUNICATIONS.

IT'S VERY COMMUNICATIONS,.

WAY PEOPLE SEE YOUR SHOW.

YOU CAN'T GET THAT WITHOUT HIGH-SPEED INTERNET.

YOU CAN'T GET THE THINGS PEOPLE HAVE IN THE CITIES.

THE CO-OP SAW THE NEED FOR IT AND SAW THE CURRENT MODEL OF DOING THIS FOR PROFIT WASN'T BRINGING IT OUT IN THE RURAL AREAS SO THEY GOT DRUG INTO THIS KICKING AND STREAMING FOR THE MOST PART.

WE'RE THERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE, OUR MEMBERS.

WE'RE CONSUMER OWNED.

SO WE SAW THE NEED AND SEVEN OF MY COOPERATIVES STEPPED UP TO FILL THAT NEED IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SOME OF THEM HAVE SUBSIDIARIES.

TWO OF THEM HAVE GOT PARTNERSHIPS AND MORE ARE LOOKING AT WORKING WITH DIFFERENT PROVIDERS, INTERSTATE SERVICE PROVIDERS OR CABLE COMPANIES SO HIGH SPEED BROADBAND GETS OUT TO RURAL AREAS.

>> SEW WANT TO TALKED LAST YEAR AND YOU HEARD THE TERM PIGGYBACKING.

PIGGYBACKING FIBEROPTIC LINES WITH THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

IS THAT LITERAL WHAT HAPPENS?

IS IT GOING THE SAME PLACE AT ELECTRIC POWER LINES ARE?

>> WIN THING THAT YOU IS THERE TO LOOK AT WITH THE ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY IS IT IS ALSO A TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ITSELF.

FOR OUR -- AND THIS IS WAY OVER MY HEAD, STUFF THE ENGINEERS KNOW ABOUT -- BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ALL YOU DID TECHNICAL THINGS WE HAVE OUT ON A TECHNICAL UTILITY SYSTEM, WHETHER IT'S THE METERS THAT ARE SENDING IN THE USAGE SO WE KNOW HOW MUCH TO CHARGE SOMEONE, WHETHER IT'S LOOKING AT SHORTS ON THE SYSTEM, LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE USE OUR SUBSTATIONS, THERE'S CONSTANT COMMUNICATION THAT IS GOING ON INSIDE OF THE COOPERATIVE OR INSIDE ANY ELECTRIC UTILITY.

WE'RE STRINGING FIBER AMONGST ALL OF OUR SUBSTATIONS SO WE CAN HAVE THAT STUDENT COMMUNICATION SO IT DID PIGGYBACK ON THAT TO WHERE THEY WENT ZERO OH, WE HAVE THIS COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT IF WE REACHED OUT AND LOOKED AT RETAIL.

WHAT IF WE LOOKED AT PROVIDING THIS FOR OUR MEMBERS OUT THERE ON THE LINE.

SO YES WHEN WE DID HOUSE BILL 400 WHICH RANDALL SAID WAS OUR SPONSOR IN THE HOUSE AND GUIDED US IN THE HOUSE AND CLAY SCOFIELD UP IN THE SENATE WORKING TOGETHER, WHAT THIS DOES, IT OPENED OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO BE ABLE TO USE OUR EASEMENTS AND OUR FACILITIES TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE RETAIL BROADBAND.

WE COULD USE IT INTERNALLY OR WE COULD LEASE IT OUT TO THIRD PARTIES.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ARPA, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

THERE'S A LOT OF TALK -- THE STATE RIGHT NOW, JUST IN THIS SESSION IS LOOKING AT $580 MILLION OF THIS ONE TIME MONEY.

BECAUSE IT'S ONE-TIME MONEY THERE'S A LOT OF TALK, OKAY, BROADBAND IS A PERFECT USE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE LEGISLATURE HAD TO DO WITH BROADBAND IN TERM OF THIS ARPA FUNDING.

>> THE RUMORS THAT I HAVE HEARD OUT THERE IS ANYWHERE FROM 200 TO $350 MILLION OF THIS ARPA MONEY COULD GO TO BROADBAND, AND THE EXCITING PART ABOUT THAT, IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF THE PROJECTIONS ON WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST TO GET HIGH-SPEED INTERNET -- AND HIGH SPEED INTERNAL, INTERNET, NOW IF YOU LOOK THE NEW PROGRAMS IS CYLINDRICAL UP AND DOWN.

SO 1200 MEGS UP AND DOWN MEANS YOU NEED TO USE FINER AND THAT'S GETTING FINE TORE EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

IT COULD BE 4 TO $6 BILLION.

LET'S GO CRAZY AND SAY THEY PEND ALL OF IT, AND WE FOE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER NEEDS THE STATE HAS.

EVEN IF THEY SPENT ALL OF IT WE'RE LOOKING AT A VERY SMALL PORTION OF WHAT THE STATE NEEDS TO PROVIDE FIBER EVERYWHERE.

BUT IT'S NOT THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO COVER OF THE ENTIRE COST.

IT HAS TO BE A COST -- IT HAS TO BE A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT PROVIDERS OUT THERE, AND THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS FIBER OUT INTO RURAL AREAS.

>> YOU KNOW ALABAMA IS NOT THE ONLY STATE THAT RECEIVED ARPA MONEY.

EVERY STATE D AND WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS WITH BILL POOLE AND THE SPEAKER AND OTHERS.

YOU KNOW, THEY MIGHT WANT TO BUILD BROADBAND IN GEORGIA.

THEY MIGHT WANT TO BUILD BROADBAND IN TEXAS.

SO IS THERE A CONCERN THERE COULD BE A RESOURCE PROBLEM, MAYBE EVEN A SUPPLY PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO FIBER AND OTHER RESOURCES THAT ARE DEPLOYED AS A RESULT OF THIS EFFORT?

IT'S NOT A "COULD BE."

IT ALREADY IS.

THERE ARE LOT OF PEOPLE DEPLOYING BROADBAND RIGHT NOW.

RURAL BROADBAND HAS GOT AN LOT OF SUPPORT FROM OUR LAWYER.

WE TALK ABOUT ARPA AND ALL THAT IS GOING ON AND WE HAVE TO HAND OUR KUDOS TO THE LEGISLATURE TO THE PIONEERS AND THE GUYS OUT THERE LEADING THE CHARGE ON GETTING BROADBAND IN THE DIFFERENT GRANT PROGRAMS, DIGITAL EXPANSION AUTHORITY THAT WAS CREATED.

THERE'S A LOT OF BROADBAND GOING ON IN ALABAMA.

BUT MISSISSIPPI HAS GONE TO PROBABLY 10-FOLD OF WHAT ALABAMA HAS IN GRANT DOLLARS.

TENNESSEE, NORTH CAROLINA, TEXAS -- ALL OF THIEVES PLACES, THEY'RE DEPLOYING FIBER THROUGH THESE GRANT PROGRAMS AND YOU'RE ALREADY SEEING SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO WITH THE ARPA FUNDS, WHEN THEY COME IN DOWN THE PIPELINE OH, YEAH, IT'S GOING TO MULTIPLE.

SO THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT THING BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT AND WORK AROUND AND FIND INVENTIVE WAYS TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER AND MAKE SURE SEVERAL READY PROJECTS ARE READY TO GO.

>> THAT'S WHY YOU'RE HEARING THE SPEAKER, BILL POOLE, THE GOVERNOR IN THE STATE OF THE STATE SAYING LET'S DO THIS RIGHT NOW, LET'S DO THIS ON THE FRONT END OF THE SESSION, NOT WAIT -- MAYBE EVEN A SPECIAL SESSION -- WE DON'T NEED TO WAIT UNTIL APRIL TO HAVE THIS DONE.

LET'S DO IT RIGHT AWAY.

>> AND I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HEAR FROM ALL OF THESE LEGISLATORS, AND I HOPE THE GOVERNOR WOULD SAY IS THAT WE HAVE TO COME WITH A PLAN.

LET'S NOT PUT $300 MILLION INTO THIS BROADBAND ACCOUNT AND NOT HAVE REAL CONCRETE PLANS TO GET IT DONE IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO IT ON THE FRONT END.

IF WE'RE GOING TO DO A SPECIAL SESSION.

PEOPLE NEED TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO DEPLOY TOMORROW.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE BIG PROJECTS THAT CAN BE DONE IN THE NEXT 24 MONTHS.

>> SPEAKING OF A PLAN, I KNOW THAT THE DIGITAL AUTHORITY DID MEET TODAY.

YOU WERE A PART OF THAT FROM YOUR ASSOCIATION'S INVOLVEMENT.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MEET.

>> THEY ADOPTED THEIR PLAN.

AND KUDOS TO MAUREEN NEIGHBORS AT ADECA, DIRECTOR OF THE DIGITAL EXPANSION AGENCY, I THINK IS WHAT THEY'RE CALLING IT INSIDE OF ADECA.

THE DIRECTOR ARE BOSWELL HAS DONE A GREAT JOB EVEN BEFORE ADECA WAS PUT TOGETHER.

THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB AND ONE THING THAT IS PROBABLY THE MOST EXCITING THING THAT THEY HAVE DONE IS THE INTERACTIVE MAPS.

IF YOU CAN TO ADECA'S WEBSITE AND LOOKING A THE MAP, YOU CAN TYPE YOUR ADDRESS IN THERE.

AND I HOPE EVERYONE DOES.

I HOPE ALL OF THE VIEWERS GO TO THE ADECA WEBSITE AND DO THAT BECAUSE THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF INTERNET THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE.

IT MAY BE REAL OR NOT.

BUT LET ADECA KNOW IF IT'S ACCURATE.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DOWN TO THE ADDRESS MAP VERY ACCURATE OF WHAT WE HAD.

SEE, THE OLD MAPS WERE TERRIBLE.

THE FCC MAP WAS ONE PERSON IN A CENSUS BLOCK HAD DECENT INTERNET, THAT WHOLE CENSUS BLOCK GOT COLORED IN AND SO THERE WAS SERVICE.

IT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS NO ONE KNEW HOW MUCH BRAND BAND WAS OUT THERE IN RURAL AREAS.

ADECA HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB AND THEIR CONTRACTOR PUT TOGETHER A GOOD PLAN.

IT'S ABOUT THAT THICK THEY PUT TOGETHER TODAY AND GAVE TO THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ARE IN THAT TO GET THE PROLIFERATION OUT THERE.

THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE HAVE TO OVERCOME AND THE FREE MARKET MODEL HAS WORKED TO IT'S FULLEST IN ALABAMA WHICH MEANS WHERE IT'S POSSIBLE PROVIDE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET HAS HIGH-SPEED INTERNET.

SO EVERYTHING THAT IS LEFT OUT THERE, THERE IS NO BUSINESS MODEL.

YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO PROVIDE IT OUT THERE WHERE YOU GET SIX CONSUMERS PER MILE OF LINE.

THAT'S WHAT MY CO-OPPOSITES PROVIDE ENERGY TO AND THE REASON MY CO-OPPOSITE WERE CREATED IS THERE'S NO PROFIT MODEL OUT THERE TO PROVIDE ENERGY.

SO THE SAME HOLDS TRUE WITH INTERNET.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A VERY HIGH TAKE RATE FOR THOSE FOLKS WITH INTERNET THAT ARE IN THE RURAL AREAS OR IT'S DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO WORK BECAUSE THOSE POPULATION CENTERS ALREADY HAVE SERVICE.

WHERE YOU CAN MAKE MONEY.

IN THOSE AREAS WHERE YOU CAN MAKE MONEY THOSE PLACES SUBSIDIZE IF PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GO OUT INTO AREAS THAT DON'T MAKING MONEY, IF YOU FOLLOW WHAT I'M SAYING.

SO WHEN ALL OF THOSE ARE COVERED UP AND ALL THAT IS LEFT ARE THE RURAL AREAS THAT WE KNOW YOU CAN'T SERVE, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A GRANT POLICEMAN THAT IS GOING TO HELP THOSE AREAS AND THAT'S WHETHER WE ARE NOW.

>> WELL, WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING THE EXCITING DAYS AHEAD FOR THE BROADBAND PUSH.

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

>> TODD, THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

DON'T FORGET WE'LL HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S STATE-OF-THE-STATE ADDRESS LIVE HERE ON APT TOMORROW NIGHT, BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M. FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.