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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

WE ARE JUST ONE DAY INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WE ARE LEARNING MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE BUDGETS LAWMAKERS WILL BE DEBATING.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY RELEASED HER TWO PROPOSED BUDGETS TODAY: THE GENERAL FUND AND THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

BOTH WOULD SET RECORDS FOR STATE SPENDING.

THE PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS $2.7 BILLION, ABOUT $300 MILLION MORE THAN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING FOR INCREASES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, STATE TROOPERS AND A FOUR PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

THE EDUCATION BUDGET TOTALS $8.3 BILLION, WHICH IS $627 MILLION MORE THAN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR IS PROPOSING FUNDING INCREASES FOR FIRST CLASS PRE-K, A PROGRAM DIRECTING HELP TO THE STATE'S LOW EST PERFORMING SCHOOLS, AND INCENTIVES TO HELP RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS.

ALL STATE TEACHERS WOULD SEE A FOUR PERCENT PAY RAISE UNDER T HE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

SHE TALKED ABOUT IT IN HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> THE JOB OF TEACHERS IS NO SMALL TASK.

AND DURING THE HEIGHT OF COVID, PARENTS WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE ADJUSTMENTS AND OBSTACLES THAT FACED OUR EDUCATORS.

TO THAT END TONIGHT I AM PROUD TO ONCE AGAIN PROPOSE A WELT-DESERVED 4 PERCENT PAY INCREASE FOR OUR TEACHERS.

THERE WAS A BUDGET HEARING ON GENERAL FUND AGENCIES SET FOR TODAY BUT IT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO WHAT WAS CALLED SCHEDULING CONFLICTS.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE BUSY MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ABOUT A POTENTIAL SPECIAL SESSION TO ALLOCATE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS.

BUT FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE WAS ABLE TO BRIEF THE MEDIA AND EXPLAIN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSALS.

THERE WAS ONE CONSISTENT THEME FROM POOLE WITH BOTH BUDGETS: THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO USE THE CURRENT HISTORIC REVENUE LEVELS TO PAY OFF DEBT AND SET ASIDE FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE.

>> BEGINNING WITH THE EDUCATION BUDGET, THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED TO FULLY FUND THE EDUCATION RAINY DAY ACCOUNT, THE BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND.

WE HAVE PROPOSED TO COMPLETELY PAY OFF AND FULLY SATISFY THE STATE'S ONGOING OBLIGATION TO PAY THE PAC, THE PREPAID COLLEGE TUITION PROGRAM OBLIGATION.

WE'RE ALSO SETTING ASIDE FUNDS TO PAY OFF ALL DEBT SERVICE OWED BY THE EDUCATION BUDGET EXCEPT FOR THE RECENTLY ISSUED PSCA BOND ISSUANCE.

I WILL TURN TO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED TO PREPAY THE GENERAL AND IS REPAYING THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND FOR DOLLARS BORROWED TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND AND PRIOR DIFFICULTY ECONOMIC TIMES.

ALSO PROPOSING TO FULLY FUND THE GENERAL FUND'S RESERVE ACCOUNT.

>> I'LL TALK WITH THE STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS ABOUT THAT RESERVE ACCOUNT LATER IN THE SHOW.

ONE AREA OF FOCUS THAT STANDS OUT IN THE BUDGET IS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH HAD STRUGGLED OVER THE YEARS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SERVICES, BUT THAT TREND IS CHANGING.

THE GOVERNOR IS PROPOSING $12 MILLION FOR TWO NEW MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CARE CENTERS, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO SIX STATEWIDE.

>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO CALL, SOMEONE TO COME TO THEM OAR PLACE TO GO IF THEY'RE IN A BEHAVIOR HEALTH CRISES.

SO A BIG PART OF WHAT WE PLAN TO TALK ABOUT TODAY IS THE ALABAMA CRISES SYSTEM OF CARE.

>> THOUGHTFUL INTERVIEW IS LATER IN THE SHOW.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCED THEIR AGENDA TODAY.

IN A STATE HOUSE PRESS CONFERENCE, DEMOCRATS SAID THEY WOULD PUSH FOR EXPANDING MEDICAID, OFFERING MORE ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO RURAL COMMUNITIES AND PREPARING THE STATE TO HANDLE FUTURE PANDEMICS BETTER.

THEY'RE CALLING IT THE “PRO GROWTH, PRO INNOVATION, PRO ALABAMA AGENDA” >> WE HAVE TO MS.

THIS CRISES BECAUSE ECONOMICALLY CLEAR WE'RE GOING TO FACE CHALLENGES LONG-TERM.

BUSINESSES ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK ONLINE.

WE HAVE SEEN AS A RESULT OF THIS PANDEMIC, APPROXIMATELY 40 PERCENT OF MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES ARE NOT ABLE TO COME BACK BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC HAS REALLY EVAPORATED THOSE BUSINESSES.

SO WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE HELP THESE BUSINESSES SURVIVE BUT ALSO IN A PANDEMIC PROOF WAY?

AND WE'VE NOT DISCUSSED ANY OF THAT.

>> AMAZON WORKERS IN BESSEMER WILL VOTE BY MAIL IN A RE-DO ELECTION TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO UNIONIZE.

THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD SAID TUESDAY THAT THE BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED OUT FEBRUARY 4 AND MUST BE RETURNED MARCH 28.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER THE BOARD ORDERED A NEW UNION ELECTION FOR AMAZON WORKERS BASED ON OBJECTIONS TO THE FIRST VOTE THAT TOOK PLACE LAST APRIL.

THAT VOTE WAS OVERWHELMINGLY AGAINST UNIONIZING THE FACILITY THAT EMPLOYS MORE THAN 6,000 PEOPLE IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA .

STARTING SATURDAY, PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO COVER UP TO EIGHT HOME COVID TESTS PER MONTH.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THE CHANGE THIS WEEK AS IT LOOKS TO LOWER COSTS AND MAKE TESTING FOR MORE CONVENIENT.

AMERICANS CAN PURCHASE HOME TESTING KITS USING THEIR INSURANCE OR SUBMIT RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FACED CRITICISM OVER THE SHORTAGE OF AT-HOME RAPID TESTS AMID THE SPREAD OF THE OMICRON VARIANT.

THERE'S NEWS FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL TODAY AS TIM JAMES HAS FORMALLY LAUNCHED HIS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR.

JAMES IS OF COURSE THE SON OF TWO TIME FORMER GOVERNOR FOB JAMES AND HE HAS TWICE RUN FOR THE OFFICE H IMSELF.

JAMES SAID HE WANTS THE STATE TO FOCUS MORE ON UPHOLDING CHRISTIAN VALUES.

HE REFERENCED SCRIPTURE AND WARNED OF QUOTE “GODLESS MARXISM.” >> WE'VE REACHED THE TIPPING POINT AND WE WILL TURN BACK TO OUR JUDEO-CHRISTIAN HERITAGE, OR WE WILL BE RULED BY SOME FORM OF GODLESS MARXISM THAT CONTROLS EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIFESTYLES UNDER THE YOKE OF FEAR AND SWIM INTIMIDATION.

THIS BATTLE WILL NOT BE EASY.

BUT WE WILL PREVAIL.

>> JAMES IS JOINING A CROWDED FIELD OF LINDY BLANCHARD, LEW BURDETTE, STACY LEE GEORGE AND DEAN ODLE IN CHALLENGING KAY IVEY IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

THAT ELECTION IS MAY 24.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT ON THE PROGRAM IS KIM BOSWELL, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

COMMISSIONER, THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR THE INVITATION.

>> WELL, YOU WERE SCHEDULED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE TODAY IN BUDGET HEARINGS.

IN FACT, YOU WERE FIRST UP ON THE SCHEDULE, BUT THEY GOT CANCELED.

BUT I MEANT TO ASK YOU, IF YOU GIVE US THE ELEVATOR PITCH OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT KIND OF BUDGET REQUEST MIGHT YOU MADE TO THE COMMITTEE TODAY?

>> SURE.

MY BUDGET PRESENTATION TODAY REALLY HAD TITLE OF LAUNCHING A NEW STATE OF MIND, AND HONESTLY ALMOST EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING IN MENTAL HEALTH RIGHT NOW, WE'RE REDESIGNING OUR SYSTEM.

AND SO WE WERE REALLY GOING TO START WITH LAUNCHING A NEW STATE OF MIND AND HOW WE'RE REDESIGNING MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN ALABAMA.

AND TO KIND OF BOIL IT DOWN TO REALLY SORT OF THREE SIMPLE IDEAS, WE WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO CALL, SOMEONE TO COME TO THEM, OR A PLACE TO GO IF THEY'RE IN A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISES.

SO A BIG PART OF WHAT WE PLAN TO TALK ABOUT TODAY IS THE ALABAMA CRISES SYSTEM OF CARE.

AND OF COURSE AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TWO CRISES CENTERS THAT HOPEFULLY WILL BE FUNDED IN THE BUDGET.

IT WAS PART OF THE SHOUTOUT FROM THE GOVERNOR LAST NIGHT ABOUT THE TWO NEW CRISES CENTERS, WHICH ARE A BIG PART OF THE ALABAMA CRISES SYSTEM OF CARE.

WE ALSO HAD SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN FOR CONSTITUTION TREATMENT RECOVERY PROGRAMS.

WE REALLY HAVEN'T ADDED ANY TREATMENT BEDS IN OUR STATE SINCE 1970 AND WE'RE IN A DESPERATE NEED TO ADD TREATMENT BEDS FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS AND ALSO SPECIALTY HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S SHOUT OUT WITH $12 MILLION -- I THINK I HEARD THAT CORRECTLY -- FOR THE NEW CRISES CENTERS.

>> RIGHT.

>> GIVEN THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND THE HIRING SITUATION, THE UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION, HOW DIFFICULTY IS IT FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT TO SPIN UP A NEW CRISES CENTER PERSONNEL-WIDE, RESOURCE-WISE, IN THIS ECONOMY?

>> YOU KNOW, IT REALLY IS A CHALLENGE.

STANDING UP 24/7 SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER SAYS A PRETTY HEAVY LIFT AND WE'RE PROUD OF THE THREE CENTERS THAT WERE FUNDED IN 2021.

WHAT WE KNEW GOING INTO THE SESSION IS THAT WE WERE IN A SIGNIFICANT WORKFORCE CRISES THAT WOULD MAKE IT REALLY, REALLY CHALLENGING TO RECRUIT STAFF FOR THE CRISES CENTERS.

AND SO WE ASKED FOR TWO CRISES CENTERS TO BE FUNDED THIS YEAR.

THE WORKFORCE CRISES REALLY HIT US IN A LOT OF WAYS MUCH HARDER THAN IT DID A LOT OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

WE WENT INTO THE WORKFORCE CRISES BEING PRETTY FAR BEHIND IN WAGES COMPARED TO MARKET VALUE FOR WAGES.

AND SO WE'RE REALLY HAVING TO PLAY A GAME OF CATCH UP TO REALLY BE ABLE TO COMPETE IN THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT.

SO WORKFORCE IS A HUGE, HUGE CHALLENGE FOR US.

>> IS THAT CONVERSATION -- IS THAT A CONVERSATION THAT YOU HAVE WITH LAWMAKERS IN YOUR BUDGET SAYING, HEY, WE'VE GOT CATCH UP SALARY-WISE IF WE CAN STAFF OUR CENTERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE DID PUT INTO OUR GENERAL FUND REQUEST $17.5 MILLION FOR WHAT WE CALL THE MENTAL HEALTH SAFETY NET.

THAT 17.5 MILLION WOULD HELP US BEGIN TO BRING UP SALARIES AND WAGES FOR THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORK FOR OUR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND OUR OTHER COMMUNITY PROVIDERS.

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDES OVER $40 MILLION IN WHAT WE CALLED MENTAL HEALTH SAFETY SERVICES WHICH ARE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDER INSURED OR HAVE NO ABILITY TO PAY.

SO IN ORDER TO MANAGE THAT PRE-CARE, OUR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS HAVE HAD TO ESTABLISH LONG WAITING LISTS AND ALSO PAY VERY LOW WAGES IN COMPARISON TO MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THE FREE CARE THAT WE OFFER TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER WAY TO PAY FOR SERVICES.

>> OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WE'VE SEEN BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT DEAL WITH HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HANDLE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISES SITUATION.

HOW THEY'RE PROCESSED, WHERE THEY GO, THAT KIND OF THING.

AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A COUPLE MORE BILLS THIS YEAR.

HOW ARE YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE BEST WAY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HANDLE THOSE DIFFICULTY SITUATIONS?

>> WE HAVE HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS.

OUR MENTAL HEALTH ROUNDTABLE THAT WE ACTUALLY HAD LAST WEEK WITH REPRESENTATIVE LEDBETTER AND REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS -- REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS AS YOU KNOW HAS KIND OF BEEN A CHAMPION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT HE SEE MAY INCLUDE SOME MONEY FOR WHAT WE CALL CIT TRAINING OR CRISES INTERVENTION TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE INCLUDING SOME OF THAT FUNDING FROM OUR ARPA BUCKET, AS WE CALL IT.

WE DO HAVE MONEY COMING DIRECTLY TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT IS ONE TIME MONEY THAT WILL DEAD INDICT CIT TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AS WELL.

SO THAT'S KIND OF AN ONGOING CONVERSATION.

YOU ALSO HEARD THE GOVERNOR MENTION A PROGRAM CALLED CULTURE CITY THAT ALL OF OUR STATE TROOPERS HAVE NOW BEEN TRAINED IN.

IT'S A WONDERFUL PROGRAM THAT TRIES TO ADDRESS SORT OF SENSORY ISSUES, IF A POLICE OFFICER IS NOT AWARE THAT SOMEONE MAY RESPOND NEGATIVELY TO A LLOYD VOICE OR A LOUD SOUND, THAT PROGRAM REALLY TRAINS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE SITUATIONS.

AND, OF COURSE, ALABAMA IS THE FIRST IN THE NATION.

SECRETARIAL, THEY'RE THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO TRAIN ALL OF THEIR STATE TROOPERS IN THAT CULTURE CITY MODEL.

>> IT'S BEEN MY OBSERVATION OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IN THE STATEHOUSE -- WELL, A LONG TIME AGO LAWMAKERS DIDN'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH A LOT AND CERTAINLY NOT INVEST A LOT IN THE DEPARTMENT.

IT'S A LOT MORE FOUND BUILD ROADS AND SCHOOLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT I HAVE OBSERVED THAT HAS CHANGED.

THE CONVERSATION.

I MEAN LAWMAKERS SEEM A LOT MORE WILLING TO FIND SOLUTIONS INCLUDING FUNDING.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN A LONG TIME AGO AND NOW IN TERMS OF THE CONVERSATION AROUND MENTAL HEALTH?

>> I THINK PROBABLY AROUND THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO WE SAW A MAJOR SHIFT IN THE CONVERSATION.

AND REALLY IT STARTED WITH REALLY THIS GROUP OF LAWMAKERS WHO WORRY REALLY CONNECTED TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS WHO WERE REALLY LISTENING TO WHAT FOLKS HAD TO SAY IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THEY WERE BRINGING UP THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE WHETHER IT WAS THEIR SHERIFF OR POLICE CHIEF OR THEIR LOCAL HOSPITALIZED.

IT ALL STARTED TO BUBBLE UP REALLY FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

AND SO WHEN EVERYONE CAME BACK TO THE STATEHOUSE, IT BECAME A BIG PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

AND I REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, WE GOT A PHONE CALL, ALL OF A SUDDEN WE WERE ASKED WITH A NEW GROUP OF SENATOR SO COME OVER AND DO MENTAL HEALTH 101, AND I'M LIKE, THAT'S UNHEARD OF, YOU KNOW, NEVER BEFORE, AT LEAST NOT IN THE YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEPARTMENT DID WE GET A PHONE CALL SAYING CAN YOU COME AND GIVE US, YOU KNOW, MENTAL HEALTH 101 TRAINING BECAUSE WE REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTANDING BETTER WHAT THE SYSTEM OF CARE IS AND WHERE THE GAPS ARE AND WHERE WE NEED TO FUND THINGS.

SO IT'S KIND OF SHOCKING AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN AROUND STATE GOVERNMENT FOR ALMOST 27 YEARS, A GOOD SHOCK, THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN PEOPLE WANTED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

THEN OF COURSE THE COVID PANDEMIC CAME ALONG, AND WE ALL HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH.

SO NO LONGER COULD ANYBODY TAKE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH FOR GRANTED.

AND SO ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT CHANGED THE CONVERSATION, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S ANY UPSIDE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC, IT DID OPEN UP A CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

AND HONESTLY WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO HAVE BEFORE.

>> WELL, WE WILL CERTAINLY BE FOLLOWING THAT CONVERSATION HERE IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS, THE FLOOR LEADER FOR THE SENATE REPUBLICANS.

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

>> THANK YOU.

LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> IT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BIT'S BUDGET SEASON.

GOVERNOR RILEY RELEASED HER BUDGETS TODAY, $2.7 BILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND AND $8.3 BILLION IN THE EDUCATION TRUSTED FUND.

THOSE ARE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

SO HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATURE GOING ABOUT THIS UNPRECEDENTED BUDGET PROCESS.

>> WELL, IT'S ALWAYS GOOD WHEN YOU HAVE GROWTH IN THE BUDGET AND YOU ARE ABLE TO DO THINGS THAT YOU NEED DO AS A STATE.

MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO BEFORE AND MEET THOSE NEEDS.

HOWEVER, I SAY THAT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CAUTION ON THESE BUDGETS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THESE BUDGETS HAVE MONEYS THAT HAVE COME IN DURING THE COVID -- YOU KNOW THE MONIES COMING DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE THERE LONG-TERM.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT THE RECURRING MONEY THAT WE HAVE COMING IN THAT WE UTILIZE THOSE FOR RECURRING EXPENDITURES, AND THEN THOSE MONIES THAT COMING IN ONE TIME, IF YOU WILL, FOR ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES.

SO THAT'S THE PROCESS WE'RE TRYING TO GO THROUGH NOW IS TRYING TO SEPARATE THOSE TWO, NOT OVERCOMMIT ON THE NONRECURRING FUNDS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SUSTAINABLE BUDGETS FROM HERE ON OUT.

>> I KNOW THEY JUST CAME OUT, BUT JUST FROM THE TOP LEVEL STANDPOINT DO IT EXPECT TO STAY PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH WHAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED?

I KNOW THEY ALWAYS DO CHANGES.

>> WELL, CERTAINLY WE ALWAYS TAKE OUR THOUGHTS AND WISHES AND PUT INTO THE PROCESS AS WELL, AND WE WILL DO THE SAME THING THIS TIME, NO DOUBT.

BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND WHAT I UNDERSTAND SO FAR AS USUAL THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN US A CONSERVATIVE BUDGET, A DISCIPLINED BUDGET, IF YOU WILL, AND I HOPE WE MAINTAIN THAT.

I THINK WE WILL.

BUT THERE WILL BE ADJUSTMENTS.

THERE WILL BE THINGS AND NEEDS THAT CERTAINLY WE SEE THAT SHE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF FROM OUR SPECIFIC DISTRICTS OR PORTIONS OF THE STATE, SO I SEE EXPECT THOSE ADJUSTMENTS.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR TO PROBABLY WHAT SHE HAS PROPOSED.

>> THERE'S AN OLD SAYING IN THE STATEHOUSE THAT THE BAD BUDGET YEARS ARE SOMETIMES EASIER TO MANAGE THAN THE GOOD BUDGET YEARS BECAUSE FEWER FOLKS ARE ASKING FOR ALL OF THE MONEY.

HOW ARE Y'ALL GOING TO HANDLE THAT THIS YEAR?

THERE HAS TO BE AN ONSLAUGHT OF FOLKS, AGENCIES, GROUPS, ASKING FOR MORE MONEY SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE MONEY IS THERE?

>> THAT'S THE TYPICAL QUANDARY.

IN MY BACKGROUND IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THAT WAS THE REALITY.

WHEN YOU HAVE A GOOD GROWTH IN YOUR BUDGET, THOSE BUDGETS ARE ALWAYS HARDER.

BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT THE GROWTH IS, THE REQUESTS ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN THE GROWTH THAT YOU HAVE.

AND WE WILL HAVE THAT SAME ISSUE THIS YEAR WITH THE BUDGETS.

THERE'S SO MUCH NEED OUTDOOR THERE THAT IN WE WERE JUST ABLE TO SATISFY EVERYONE'S NEED, THAT WOULD BE A LARGE, LARGE NUMBER, EVEN LARGER THAN THE BIG NUMBERS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOW.

SO YOU KNOW, WHEN THE ANSWER IS "NO "TO THE QUESTIONS BEFORE THE QUESTIONS ARE ASKED, SOMETIMES THAT'S EASIER.

MOST OF THE TIME THAT IS EASIER.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE HAVING TO PICK BETWEEN THIS ONE WHO NEEDS 60 MILLION AND THIS ONE WHO NEEDS 40 MILLION AND BALANCING THAT OUT, THAT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULTY.

>> YOU WERE THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL THAT CREATED THE ROLLING RESERVE ACCOUNT FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

NOW I THINK I HAVE IT RIGHT THERE'S SOME $75 MILLION THAT THE BEEN BUDGETED IN THIS ACCOUNT.

THIS IS ESSENTIALLY WHERE, IN TIMES OF PLENTY AND BIG BUDGET YEARS, A CERTAIN PORTION OF THAT MONEY, INSTEAD OF BEING SPENT, ALLOCATED, GOES TO BASICALLY A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

>> EXACTLY.

>> WHAT ABOUT THIS YEAR?

I MEAN SPEAKING OF BIG BUDGET NUMBERS HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE EXPECT TO PUT TOWARD THAT ROLLING RESERVE ACCOUNT?

>> WELL, THE WAY THAT ACCOUNT IS SET UP, IT HAS A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS CAP ON IT.

SO WE'RE AT $75 MILLION NOW.

I HOPE THAT WE DEFINITELY GET TO THAT CAP.

MY FIRST YEAR HERE, SOME EIGHT YEARS AGO, WE HAD A $250 MILLION HOPEFUL IN THE GENERAL FUND.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS RESERVE, THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT THE GENERAL FUND IS, NOT MAYBE MY OR YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES.

WE HAD A 250-MILLIMETER DOLLAR HOLE IN THE GENERAL FUND.

SO WE HAD TO DO THINGS TO REPLACE OR FILL THAT HOLE.

SO THE HOPE IS -- AND YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT OUR ECONOMY IS CYCLICAL, WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN AT SOME POINT IN TIME.

SO, INSTEAD OF SPENDING ALL THE GOOD IN THE GOOD TIMES, WE SHAVE OFF SOME OF THAT SO THAT WE SAVE IT FOR WHEN WE HAVE THE DOWNTURN AND WE HAVE THE BAD TIME, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE IS TAKEN DISCIPLINE TO DO THAT, OUR BUDGET CHAIRS HAVE JUST BEEN PHENOMENAL TO WORK WITH, DISCIPLINE, STEVE CLOUSE AND GREG ALBRITTON ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, AND HERE WE ARE WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ALL THE WORK THEY PUT INTO IT AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST STABLE ECONOMIC SITUATIONS IN THE NATION.

AND THAT IS A TESTAMENT HAD TO THEIR HARD WORK, TO OUR STAFF'S HARD WORK, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THEIR HARD WORK.

HERE WE ARE.

WE'RE IN A GOOD POSITION.

SO DOWN THE ROAD WHEN WE HAVE THAT DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY AND WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE THE PAYROLL AND THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO, WE HAVE A SET-ASIDE AMOUNT OF MONEY, JUST LIKE YOU DO AT YOUR HOUSE, I DO AT MY HOUSE -- IT'S THE PRUDENT THING TO DO.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE THAT IN THE GENERAL FUND.

>> YOU WERE ALSO ONE OF THE CHIEF SPONSORS OF THE GAS TAX AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT PASSED THREE YEARS AGO.

IT'S KIND OF HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO.

BUT NOW WE SEE DIRT MOVING ON PROJECTS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

I WANTED -- INCLUDING HIGHWAY 82 IN PRATTVILLE IN YOUR DISTRICT IS A REALLY BIG PROJECT.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE IN THE LEGISLATURE, ARE YOU PLEASED WITH THE ROLLOUT OF THAT PLAN?

I MEAN I KNOW COVID HAS HAPPENED, WE HAVE HAD SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

HOW IS THE REBUILD EFFORT GOING THREE YEARS INTO IT?

>> WELL, ON THE LOCAL SIDE, I THINK IT'S GOING REALLY WELL.

THE LOCAL ENTITIES WERE GEARED UP AND HAVE SMALLER PROJECTS, AND IT'S EASIER TO GET THOSE GOING.

ON THE STATE SIDE IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT SLOWER BECAUSE THE PROJECTS ARE SO BIG AND THEY TAKE A LOT MORE TOASTER GET THEM TO THAT POINT.

WE HAVE THE FEDERAL SIDE OF THE EQUATION THAT ENTERS IN ON TO THE STATE SIDE.

HOWEVER, EVEN WITH ALL OF THAT, EVEN WITH COVID, ALL OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, WE HAVE HAD TREMENDOUS PROGRESS, AND HIGHWAY 823 IN PRATTVILLE IS ONE OF THOSE TESTAMENT.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DIRT MOVED.

A LOT MORE TO GO.

BUT THE BRIDGES ARE NEARLY COMPLETE.

THAT'S A PROJECT THAT ALSO BEEN SITTING THERE READY AND NEEDING FINANCES FOR GENERATIONS.

AND IT JUST WASN'T ABLE TO BE DONE WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE.

AND WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT IN THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION, WE HAVE LOG TRUCKS EVERY DAY GOING TO THE MILL IN AND OUT OF PRATTVILLE THERE.

WE HAVE JAMES HEARTY THERE ON THE INDUSTRIAL PARK AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF TRUCKS COMING IN AND OUT SO IT REALLY INCREASES THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNE, NOT ONLY PRATTVILLE BUT ALL OF THOSE WHO TRAVEL BETWEEN PRATTVILLE AND MONTGOMERY, IT'S A HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD.

SO I'M VERY PLEASED.

ARE WE FINISHED?

DO WE HAVE ALL OF THE WORK COMPLETE?

NO.

BUT IT'S IN THE PROCESS AND IT'S COMING AND IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT THING FOR THE STATE DOWN THE ROAD.

>> STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ ♪ BORN MELVIN ALLEN ISRAEL, JEFFERSON COUNTY NATIVE ALLEN GAVE PLAY BY PLAY AND ONE WAS ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE VOICES IN BROADCASTING FOR SIX DECADES.

HE STARTED IN 1935, BROADCASTING ALABAMA AND AUBURN FOOTBALL GAMES.

AS THE VOICE OF THE YANKEES, MEL'S GAME CALLING STYLE WAS A MODEL FOR PRESENT BASEBALL DAY ANNOUNCERS WITH PHRASES LIKE "HOW ABOUT THAT?"

AND GOING, GOING, GONE, BECOMING PART OF THE SPORTS LEXICON N1977, HE WAS INTRODUCED TO A NEW GENERATION OF BASEBALL FANS AS THE HOST OF THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL.

THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE, MEL ALLEN EMBRACED HIS ALABAMA HERITAGE, RETURNING TO THE STATE FREQUENTLY.

HE ALWAYS CREDITED HIS EARLY EXPERIENCES IN BROADCASTING IN ALABAMA FOR HIS SUBSEQUENT SUCCESS AS ONE OF SPORTS BROADCASTING'S MOST INFLUENTIAL ANNOUNCERS.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK AT THE SAME TIME TOMORROW AS WE CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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