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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE FIRST WEEK OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S REGULAR SESSION IS IN THE BOOKS AND THERE REALLY WASN'T MUCH LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY.

LAWMAKERS ARE ALMOST TOTALLY FOCUSED ON HOW TO SPEND SOME $772 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IS EXPECTED TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION WITHIN THE REGULAR SESSION NEXT WEEK.

THAT WOULD ALLOW LAWMAKERS TO FOCUS SOLELY ON THE ONE-TIME FEDERAL FUNDS WITHOUT ENTANGLING OTHER ISSUES.

WITH THAT LOOMING, TOP LEADERS HAVE BEEN IN A SERIES OF CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS THIS WEEK TO COME UP WITH A PLAN.

A DRAFT SPREADSHEET SHOWS A PLAN TO PUT $80 MILLION TOWARD HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, $85 MILLION TOWARD BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE, $120 MILLION TOWARD WATER AND SEWER, AND $79 MILLION TO SHORE UP THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND.

TOP SENATE LEADERS ARE IN BASIC AGREEMENT ON THE OUTLINE OF THE PLAN.

>> AN OVERREACHING THEME FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY, AND I HAVE GOTTEN THIS FROM MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AS WELL, IS WE WANT TO DO -- WITH THE ARPA FUNDS, THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO PAY DIVIDENDS TO THINKS AND INVESTMENTS WE CAN MAKE IN ALABAMA LONG TERM, NOT JUST RESOURCES THAT WOULD COME TO US THAT WE WOULD SPEND ON THINGS THAT MAY BE A REQUEST BUT THAT ARE INVESTING IN THINGS THAT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT TO ALABAMA INTO THE FUTURE IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

THERE'S A LOT OF VETTING PROCESS GOING THROUGH, MULTIPLE REQUESTS, THINGS THAT FALL INTO CATEGORIES OF SIGNIFICANCE.

CERTAINLY HEALTH CARE IS SIGNIFICANCE.

CERTAINLY BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IS SIGNIFICANCE.

THERE'S BEEN QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION RELATED TO WATER, SEWER, INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED PROJECTS THAT WOULD BE ALL OVER THE STATE.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN WITH RESOURCES LIKE THIS THAT CAN BE OF BENEFIT TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA FOR DECADES INTO THE FUTURE.

>> IT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO BE SPENT, AND IT WILL HELP THE STATE.

AND I THINK WE JUST NEED TO DO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE THINKS.

WE HELP BUSINESS A LOT.

WE NEED TO HELP PEOPLE NOW.

WE NEED TO DO THINKS FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA WILL FEEL, LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE, WATER AND SEWER, LIKE IN LOWNDES COUNTY.

WE NEED TO HELP SOME OF THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

WE NEED TO HELP PEOPLE WITH THEIR HOUSING.

THOSE ARE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE THINKS THAT WE CAN SEE ONCE THIS PANDEMIC IS OVER, WE CAN LOOK BACK AND SAY STATE OF ALABAMA HELPS TO PEOPLE IN THE STATE IN TIME OF NEED.

>> THE DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL FUNDS DUSTED UP THE ISSUE OF HOW THE LEGISLATURE SPENT THE FIRST TRANCHE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS.

BACK IN SEPTEMBER, LAWMAKERS USED $400 MILLION TO HELP FUND THE MASSIVE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SET TO MOVE FORWARD THIS YEAR.

MANY DEMOCRATS AND ADVOCACY GROUPS OBJECTED TO THAT USE OF FUNDS, BUT REPUBLICANS SAY THE ALLOCATION WAS LEGITIMATE.

>> SO THEREFORE THE STATE ALREADY SPENT THE MONEY, WE NEED TO PAY IT BACK.

SO I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY COME FROM, HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET IT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND ASKING ABOUT THE MONEY.

WE SHOULDN'T NEVER HAVE SPENT THAT MONEY.

BUT Y'ALL TOLD US IT HAD BEEN APPROVED ALREADY.

>> OUR LOST REVENUE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC WAS CALCULATED AT $536 MILLION.

AND WE USED 400 MILLION OF THAT 536 MILLION TO GO TO ANY GOVERNMENTAL SERVICE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

SO WE'RE IN LINE WITH WHAT WE PASSED AND EVERYTHING IS FINE.

>> I'LL SPEAK WITH MR. CLOUSE LATER IN THE SHOW.

WITH A SPECIAL SESSION EXPECTED NEXT WEEK, THE ISSUE OF FEDERAL FUNDING IS DOMINATING THE CONVERSATION IN MONTGOMERY.

STATE LEADERS WANT TO ACT QUICKLY ON USING THE FUNDS SO AS TO GET AHEAD OF OTHER STATES ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

BUT THEY ARE ALSO KEEPING AN EYE ON THE RECORD SETTING STATE BUDGETS TO BE CONSIDERED LATER IN THE SESSION.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THE FULL STORY.

>> IN HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ALABAMA GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID -- >> I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS STRONG.

>> WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY, CURT SAYS A REPORT LISTS ALABAMA AS ONE OF 39 STATES WITH ZERO FISCAL STRESS.

FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE NOTED THAT THE STATE'S 3.1 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 3.9.

AND LAWMAKERS ARE SET TO PASS A RECORD $8.2 BILLION EDUCATION TRUSTED FUND BUDGET AND A RECORD $2.8 BILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

BUT -- >> WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL AS WE CONTEMPLATE THESE BUDGETS THAT WE DON'T MAKE PERMANENT DECISIONS BASED UPON A TEMPORARY CIRCUMSTANCE.

>> THAT TEMPORARY CIRCUMSTANCE IS THE RECENT INFLUX OF BILLIONS IN FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>> THAT WE WILL INVEST, NOT JUST OCCASIONALLY SPEND THESE DOLLARS.

I SAY AGAIN THAT THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE JUST ONE TIME FUNDS.

THIS IS NOT FREE MONEY.

>> RECOGNIZING THAT THE FEDERAL FUNDING WILL DRY UP AT SOME POINT AND THAT THERE APPEARED BY ALL ACCOUNTS TO BE A NUMBER OF ECONOMIC FACTORS ON THE HORIZONTAL THAT COULD HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE BUDGETS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

>> STATED SENATOR ARTHUR ORR TOLD THE ALABAMA SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS -- >> MY ADMONISHMENT WAS DO NOT WITH THESE EXACT FEDERAL DOLLARS, THESE DOLLARS, DO NOT GO GET YOURSELF OBLIGATED LONG-TERM WITH THIS MONEY AND THEN COME DOWN HERE TO MONTGOMERY IN A YEAR OR TWO OR THREE ASKING FOR US TO SUSTAIN IT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DO IT AT A LOCAL LEVEL.

>> AND STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS HAS A ONE-WORD SOLUTION.

>> THE WORD OF THE DAY FOR ME IS "DISCIPLINE."

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

>> A NEW MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WAS SWORN IN THIS WEEK.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE PENNI MCCLAMMY IS THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE HOUSE AND SHE'S FILLING A SEAT THAT HER FATHER, THE LATE THAD MCCLAMMY, HELD FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS.

>> I THANK MY DISTRICT AND MY COMMUNITY FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW AS THE SECOND PERSON ELECTED TO THIS SEAT OF DISTRICT 76.

I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING MY FATHER TO SERVE AMONG ALL OF YOU AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE THAD MCCLAMMY.

I AM HUMBLED AND I AM GRATEFUL AND I AM BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE IN THE LEG LEGACY OF MY FATHER.

>> A NEW BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD CHANGE THE STATE'S INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT PROCESS FOR SOMEONE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

HOUSE BILL 70 FROM REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS OF HUNTSVILLE WOULD ALLOW JUDGES TO CONSIDER A PERSON'S BEHAVIOR OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD WHEN MAKING THAT DECISION.

IT ALSO CHANGES THE DEFINITION OF WHAT TYPES OF BEHAVIOR CAN LEAD TO A PERSON'S COMMITMENT.

REYNOLDS SAYS THE IDEA IS TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HELP IN A TREATMENT FACILITY.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILL.

>> 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 BUG.

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

>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCED THEIR AGENDA AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

MUCH OF IT WAS IN STARK CONTRAST TO THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT HAS THE FULL STORY.

>> HOW CAUCUS MEMBERS ARE READY FOR PROPOSING NOT THAT I'M AWARE PROPOSALS FOR THE LEGISLATION IS OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> WE'RE READY TO FIGHT FOR THE ALABAMA FAMILY, THE POOR, ALL SECTORS OF ALABAMA BY MAKING CERTAIN THAT WE'RE CREATING A MORE PERFECT ALABAMA.

>> LIKE THE REPUBLICAN COUNTERPARTS IN THE LOWER CLAIM INTERSECTION THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IS ANNOUNCING THEIR AGENDA FOR THE 2022 REGULAR SESSION.

BOTH PLANS ARE FULL OF IDEAS BUT THAT'S WHERE THE SIMILARITIES END.

>> AMONG THEIR PROPOSALS, REMOVING THE GROCERY SALES TAX.

>> WE MUST END THE RECESSIVE TAX ON GROCERIES WHICH HURTS THE POOR AND THE FACT MOST DISADVANTAGED MY UNDERSTANDING US.

WE MUST INVEST IN ALABAMA BECAUSE ECONOMIC GROWTH DOES NOT HAPPEN ON ITS OWN.

>> IMPROVING VOTING RIGHTS.

>> ALABAMA HOUSE DEMOCRATS KNOW VOTING SHOULD BE MADE EASIER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL CITIZENS.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND HOURS IN LINE TO HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD, ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC.

>> EXPANDING MEDICAID -- >> TOO MANY AMONG US LACK ACCESS TO THE CARE THEY NEED AND DESERVE.

THAT'S WHY ALABAMA HOUSE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO STAY FOCUSED ON AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.

>> MORE JUSTICE REFORMS.

>> JUSTICE FOR ALL MEANS ACKNOWLEDGING THAT EVERY PERSON HAS VALUE AND ALL PERSONS ARE CREATED EQUAL AND ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS.

>> NEW EDUCATION INNOVATIONS.

>> IT STARTS WITH INVESTING AND EXPANDING PRE-K PROGRAMS, CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP, AND INCREASING DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

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

>> THE REACTION HAS BEEN FAR AND WIDE TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S RULING TO BLOCK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FROM ENFORCING ITS WORKPLACE VACCINE AND TESTING MANDATE.

THE RULE FROM THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, OR OSHA, REQUIRED EMPLOYEES AT LARGE BUSINESSES TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 OR UNDERGO WEEKLY TESTING AND WEAR A MASK.

THE COURT RULED THAT OSHA EXCEEDED ITS LEGAL AUTHORITY IN IMPLEMENTING THE WORKPLACE MANDATE.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE COURT IS ALLOWING THE ADMINISTRATION TO PROCEED WITH A SEPARATE VACCINE MANDATE FOR MOST HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

THE COURT SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WHICH IMPLEMENTED THE HEALTH WORKER MANDATE, WAS WITHIN ITS STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO SET EMERGENCY HEALTH RULES.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS SAYS THIS WILL HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN ALABAMA.

>> WE ARE HEARING FROM DIFFERENT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES THEY MAY HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO JUST AREN'T GOING TO COMPLY WITH THAT.

THE RULE IS IT GOING TO BE GOING TO ALLOW FOR SOME TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GENUINELY UNABLE TO BE VACCINATED OR UNWILLING TO BE VACCINATED FOR REASONS THAT ALABAMA LAW ALLOWS, THERE ARE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

SO IT'S NOT THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO BE VACCINATED NO MATTER WHAT.

THEY HAVE A WAY TO TEST FREQUENTLY, FOR EXAMPLE, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE VACCINATED.

>> I WILL TALK WITH DR.

HARASS IN MORE DETAIL LATE IN THE SHOW.

THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR GOT A NEW ENTRANT THIS WEEK.

TIM JAMES FORMALLY ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY ON THE STEPS OF THE STATE CAPITOL IN SPEECH THAT SOUGHT TO APPEAL TO ALABAMA'S EVANGELICAL VOTERS.

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

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

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 WE WILL BE RULED BY SOME FORM OF GODLESS MARXISM THAT CONTROLS EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES UNDER THE YOKE OF FEAR AND INTIMIDATION.

THIS BATTLE WILL NOT BE EASY BUT WILL PREVAIL.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM WE'RE JOINED BY LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

GOVERNOR, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" GREAT TO BE ON THE SHOW AND CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW ROLE.

EXCITED FOR WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO FOR THE STATE AND VERY EXCITED FOR PEOPLE OF ALABAMA ARE FORTUNE TO HAVE YOU IN THIS ROLE.

>> THAT'S KIND OF YOU TO SAY.

I WAS THINKING YOU KNOW THIS IS YOUR FOURTH YEAR -- FOURTH REGULAR SESSION AS LT.

GOVERNOR, WHICH IS KIND OF HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S PAST THAT QUICKLY.

BUT THIS ROLE IS OF COURSE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN YOUR PREVIOUS ROLE AS A HOUSE MEMBER.

AND I WAS CURIOUS, IN THESE FOUR YEARS, WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT DOING THE JOB OF LT.

GOVERNOR AND HOW TO GO ABOUT IT EFFECTIVELY.

>> THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE NOW OBVIOUSLY -- I'M NOT INTRODUCING LEGISLATION.

SO IN THE HOUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S INTRODUCING LEGISLATION, TRYING TO GET BILLS PASSED, TRYING TO STOP BAD BILLS.

STILL INVOLVED IN THAT AS PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE SENATE BUT I HAVE THE ABILITY NOW TO SHAPE THE CONVERSATION ON BIGGER ISSUES WE TRIED TO TILE IN ON STOPPING MANDATES AND MAKING SURE, WITH MILITARY FAMILIES WE FIGHT FOR THEM, TRY TO BE A CHAMPION FOR AEROSPACE, SMALL BUSINESS ISSUES THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY -- AND WORK FORCE AND TRY TO SHAPE THE CONVERSATION, MAKE SURE THOSE AREAS ARE PROPERLY FUNDED, CAST A VISION.

AND PROBABLY THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IS THE PLATFORM OF THE OFFICE, BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, CAST A VISION FOR THE STATE.

AND YOU KNOW, TRY TO HELP GET THAT DONE.

OBVIOUSLY PRESIDING OFFICER HAD TO LEARN THE RULES AND I HAVEN'T STUDIED THAT MUCH SINCE I WAS BACK AT COLLEGE AT AUBURN.

YOU HAVE TO DIG IN AND YOU HAVE TO KNOW THEM.

AND I'M FORTUNATE TO HAVE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE PAT HARRIS BESIDE ME.

HE'S A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE.

I LOVE BEING LT.

GOVERNOR AND EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE STATE.

ALABAMA IS ON FIRE.

OUR ECONOMY IS ROARING.

THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINKS GOING.

THERE'S PEOPLE MOVING TO OUR STATED.

FOR SO LONG WE HEARD ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOING TO LOSE A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

WE DIDN'T THE REASON WE DIDN'T IS OUR STATE GREW 5 PERCENT AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP IN THE ATE AND THE GREAT PEOPLE AND EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE SENATE.

IT STRIKES MEME THAT THE SENATE HISTORICALLY WAS KIND OF THE DRAMATIC BODY, WHERE A LOT OF THE DRAMA HAPPENED.

I MEAN LONG FILIBUSTERS, SHOUTING MATCHES, A GUY GOT PUNCHED ONE TIME.

IT USED TO BE THE BODY THAT WAS THE CRAZIER ONE.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE ANYMORE.

LATELY IT'S BEEN MY SENSE THERE'S A LOT MORE COOPERATION BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AS THAT PRESIDING OFFICER YOU SEE THAT.

AND I'M CURIOUS, WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT COOPERATION TO?

>> I THINK IT'S LEADERSHIP AND RELATIONSHIPS.

I THINK IT'S STARTED WITH SENATOR MARSH AND THE TONE HE SAID.

SENATOR READ HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AS PRO TEM.

MINORITY LEADER SCHOFIELD AND MINORITY LEADER SINGLETON AND WE WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE MEMBERS' PRIORITIES AND HOW CAN WE HELP IMPROVE OUR STATE.

BUT IT COMES DOWN TO RELATIONSHIPS; RIGHT?

I MEAN PEOPLE ARE A LOT LESS LIKELY TO GET ANGRY AND IF THEY'RE FRIENDS WITH SOMEONE.

SO WE WORK HARD TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS AND FRIENDSHIPS EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE.

YOU CAN DO THAT IN A CLASSY WAY.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT IS MISSING IN WASHINGTON.

I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT IN ALABAMA, THE BODY I PLEA SIDE OVER THAT, YOU KNOW, WE GET ALONG AND EVEN WHEN WE HAVE DISAGREEMENTS WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REPRESENT THE STATE WELL AND DO IT WITH CLASS.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SESSION THERE COULD BE SOME CONTENT ISSUES.

YES, I DO HAVE YOU ABORTION, GUNS, GAMBLING COULD COME UP AND PROBABLY WILL.

DO YOU SEE ANY OF THOSE ISSUES AS HOT BUTTON ISSUES THREATENING THE COOPERATION IN THE SENATE?

>> I THINK WHAT WILL HAPPEN, WE DEBATE THOSE ISSUES.

SOME WILL PASS, SOME MIGHT NOT.

BUT I THINK TED END THE DAY AT REPUBLICANS WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR CONSERVATIVE THINKS TO CONTINUE THE PROGRESS IN ALABAMA, AND EVEN IF DEMOCRATS DON'T LIKE THAT, THAT'S OKAY, BUT WE'RE STILL GOING TO DEBATE THOSE ISSUES AND I IMAGINE SOME OF THOSE WILL PROBABLY PASS.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO UPSET THE MOOD OF THE BODY.

ONE THING I LEARNED ABOUT POLITICS, YOU KNOW, YOUR FOE ON THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO BE YOUR FRIEND ON THE NEXT SO YOU JUST HAVE TO GET OVER IT AND MOVES ON TO THE NEXT ISSUE IF YOU DISAGREE WITH SOMEONE.

>> I KNOW OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE, YOU ARE INVOLVED IN MILITARY ISSUES.

YOU MENTIONED THE MILITARY STABILITY COMMISSION, MILITARY FAMILIES, ALSO AEROSPACE AND THE FUTURE OF AEROSPACE.

I WONDER IF YOU HAD AN UPDATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON OUTSIDE OF THE CHAMBER ON THOSE ISSUES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH K PROBABLY THE GREATEST HONOR HANDS DOWN SINCE I HAVE BEEN LT.

GOVERNOR IS GETTING TO FIGHT AND REPRESENTATIVE OUR MILITARY ACTIVE AND VETERANS IN OUR STATE.

WE OBVIOUSLY WOULDN'T HAVE A STATE, WE WOULDN'T HAVE OUR FREEDOM IN THIS COUNTRY IF IT WASN'T FOR OUR MILITARY FAMILY.

IT'S AN HONOR TO DO THAT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE JUST IN SO MANY AREAS, LICENSE RECIPROCITY, WE HAVE -- WE PASSED A LOT OF BILLS LAST TIME AND HIGH PRESSURE IS AN AREA OF COOPERATION, THINK PASSED THE SENATE WITHOUT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WE HAVE ANOTHER PACKAGE OF BEATLES OF BILLS DEALING WITH LICENSE RECIPROCITY, AND THE GOAL IS SIMPLE ON THE MILITARY SIDE.

WE WANT TO BE THE MOST VETERAN AND MILITARY FRIENDLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THERE'S COMING A TIME AGAIN WHEN WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER BASE REALIGNMENT AND THAT CRITERIA IS SO IMPORTANT.

SO EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING IS TO MAKE SURE OUR BASES MOVE UP TO WHERE THEY'RE NOT ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK WHEN WE HAVE ANOTHER BASE REALIGNMENT.

MAXWELL WAS IN SERIOUS DANGER.

WE'RE WORKING ON MOVING THAT NEEDLE TO MOVE THEM UP.

MONTGOMERY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE A MILITARY BASE.

IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO THIS COMPOUND, SO WE'RE WORKING HARD WITH ACTIVE AND CURRENT AS WELL AS RETIRED GENERALS, YOU KNOW, THE CHAMBER HERE, THE CITY, ALL ACROSS THE STATE TO MAKE SURE OUR BASES ARE MEETING THAT CRITERIA.

IT'S PRETTY EASY.

THE MILITARY -- IT'S GREEN, YELLOW RED.

SO ANYTHING THAT IS RED, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS FLUID LEGISLATION OR RULES TO MOVE IT UP.

BUT I'M ENCOURAGED BY THE THAT OUR WHOLE STATE IS WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THAT AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO DO.

ON THE AEROSPACE FRONT -- I KNOW YOU BROUGHT THAT UP -- WOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON IN ALABAMA, SPACE COMMAND IS COMING HERE.

THAT'S A BIG GAME CHANGER FOR ALABAMA.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACT ALL OF THE ROCKETS THAT ARE TAKEN ARE MEN AND WOMEN TO THE MOON, YOU HAVE BLUE ORIGIN THAT'S MAKING THE ENGINE, YOU HAVE ULA MAKING NATURAL ROCKET, THEN YOU HAVE BOEING THAT'S THE TOP PART OF THE CAPSULE THAT CHAIR' GOING TO RIDE IN.

THAT'S ALL PRODUCED RIGHT NEAR IN ALABAMA.

AND SPACE COMMAND IS GOING TO MONITOR WHAT IS IT GOING ON IN SPACE.

SPACE FORCE WILL ATTACK IF ANOTHER COUNTRY TRIES TO THEREIN ANY OF OUR ASSETS IN SPACE.

SO SPACE COMMAND IN ALABAMA AND SPACE FORCE, THE COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE THE ROCKETS THAT WILL SHOOT THAT DOWN -- GUESS WHERE THAT IS PRODUCED?

RIGHT NEAR IN ALABAMA.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK WE HAVE TO DO IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THOSE INDUSTRIES AND HELP THEM GROW, AND IT'S ALL ABOUT TALENT.

WHICH TIES IN WITH THE WORKFORCE AND GETTING PEOPLE JOB READY AND MAKING SURE OUR 55,000 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS A YEAR ARE READY FOR THE FUTURE AND STEM IS A BIG PART OF THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED WORKFORCE, YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMY IS DOING REALLY WELL, ESPECIALLY IN ALABAMA.

AND YET BUSINESSES ARE HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME FINDING EMPLOYEES.

THERE'S A WORKFORCE GAP IN ALABAMA.

AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE BOTH IN THE LEGISLATURE AND AS A STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIAL WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THAT?

HOW CAN THE STATE GET BEYOND THE TROUBLE THEY'RE IN RIGHT NOW WITH FINDING EMPLOYEES?

>> I THINK IT'S SEVERAL THINKS.

FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO IS THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO QUIT INCENTIVIZING PEOPLE TO SIT AT HOME.

WHAT MADE GREAT IS THE FACT THAT YOU CAN GO OUT AND, YOU KNOW, BE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE.

BUT THAT INVOLVES WORK NOT SITTING AT HOME GETTING A CHECK FROM GOVERNMENT.

THERE'S A BILL I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS SESSION THAT WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET BACK TO WORK.

IT DEALS WITH, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY'S WANTING TO GET UNEMPLOYMENT, OBVIOUSLY IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T HAVE A JOB WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TRY TO HELP THEM BUT THEY NEED TO BE OUT LOOKING FOR WORK IF THEY'RE HEALTHY AND CAN ACTUALLY HAVE A JOB.

RIGHT NOW CURRENTLY A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN GAME THE SYSTEM, JUST APPLY ONCE A WEEK.

WE'RE LOOKING AT -- WE HAVE HAD OF WE'VE WORKED WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION, NFIB -- THE NUMBER ONE LIMITING FACTOR TO GROWTH RIGHT NOW IS PEOPLE.

SO THIS TO BILL WOULD SAY, OKAY, YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY APPLY FIVE TIMES.

YOU NEED -- AND THEN DOCUMENT THAT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

WHAT IS GOING ON, THEY APPLY AND DON'T EVEN SHOW UP FOR THE INTERVIEW AND THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENT.

THAT'S NOT REALLY LOOKING FOR A JOB.

IF YOU'RE NOT SHOWING UP FOR AN INTERVIEW, YOU KNOW, IN MY MIND, YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY TRYING TO FIND A JOB SO WE HAVE TO TRY TO FIX THAT.

OTHER THINKS THAT WE HAVE TO DO ON THE WORKFORCE FRONT IS GET PEOPLE TRAINED.

THAT GOES BACK 0K THROUGH 12 GETTING MORE MONEY IN THE CLASSROOM TO ACTUAL TRAIN STUDENTS IN TRADITIONAL SHOP FOR US ABOUT THE JOBS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN THE AREA, COMMUNITY COLLEGE,.COM ENROLLMENT, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING A GOOD JOB ON GETTING PEOPLE TRAINED.

THE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS ARE DOING A GOOD JOB BUT I THINK IT BOILS BACK TO 60 PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS IN THE STATE END UP NOT GETTING A TWO OR FOUR-YEAR DEGREE HOW CAN WE GET THAT BLOCK OF STUDENTS TRAINED FOR THE JOBS IN ALABAMA?

SO A LOT OF IT WILL BOIL DOWN TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

AND I WAS GLAD LAST YEAR WE PUT $8 MILLION IN CAREER COACHES.

THE COACHES SIT DOWN WITH STUDENTS AND SAY, HEY, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE, WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT, WHAT ARE YOUR SKILL SAID.

EVERYBODY HAS A GOD GIVEN ABILITY AND PASSION.

THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION IS TO GET PEOPLE READY FOR A JOB AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT IN ALABAMA.

>> LIST TURN TO POLITICS FOR A MOMENT.

YOU CHOSE NOT TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR THIS TIME AROUND.

INSTEAD, YOU'RE SUPPORTING KAY IVEY IN HER RE-ELECTION EFFORTS.

AND YET NOW WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF CANDIDATES FRANKLY JUMP IN THE RACE TO CHALLENGE HER.

SO I WAS CURIOUS PUTTING YOUR POLITICAL HAT ON FOR A MINUTE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS RACE.

YOU HAVE SEEN THE NUMBERS AND YOU HAVE ANALYZED IT FROM A POTENTIAL STANDPOINT.

DO ANY OF THESE CANDIDATES STAND A CHANCE AGAINST PRETTY POPULAR INCUMBENT GOVERNOR?

>> I THINK IT WAS -- WAS IT BILL CLINTON THAT SAID ABOUT THE ECONOMY, STUDENT ISN'T THAT THE ECONOMY IN ALABAMA IS ON FIRE.

GOV.

IVEY -- CERTAINLY THERE ARE THINKS ID DISAGREE WITH HER ON.

BUT JUST LIKE ANYBODY YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE DISAGREEMENTS BUT SHE'S DONE A GOOD JOB.

SHE WILL BE REELECTED IN A LANDSLIDE IN ALABAMA BECAUSE THE ECONOMY IS DOING WELL, PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO OUR STATE.

OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS IMPROVING IN CERTAIN AREAS AND SHE HAS LAID OUT A GOOD VISION FOR HOW TO IN TO THAT AND I WOULD ENJOYED WORKING WITH HER AND SHE SUPPORTED US IN ALL OF THE AREAS WHETHER IT'S MILITARY FAMILIES AEROSPACE, SMALL BILLS, WORKFORCE ISSUES AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR STATE.

AND YOU KNOW, PROUD TO SUPPORT HER.

BUT I THINK AS FAR AS THE RACE IS SHE GOING TO WIN, I THINK ABSOLUTELY.

AND YOU KNOW I THINK RIGHT NOW HER APPROVAL RATING IS OUT THE ROOF.

THE REASON IS BECAUSE SHE'S DOING A GOOD JOB.

HER AND PRESIDENT TRUMP ARE SIMILAR TYPE APPROVAL RATING IN THE STATE, RIGHT AROUND 08 PERCENT.

TELL ME THE LAST TIME SOMEBODY HAD 80 PERCENT APPROVAL RATING AND THEY GOT BEAT.

SO CERTAINLY PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH SOME OF HER DECISIONS.

I GET THAT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY SHE'S GOING TO WIN AND WIN IN A LANDSLIDE.

>> LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> A PLEASURE TO BE ON.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM, WE'RE JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE.

MR. CHAIRMAN THANK YOU FOR COMING ON I'M.

>> THANKS TODD AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ROLE AS HOST OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

WE'RE HAVING FUN.

WELL, YOUR ROLE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL FUND, THAT PUTS YOU RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ARMA, THE BIG TOPIC DE JURE HERE?

IN THE STATEHOUSE.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS, SOME $580 MILLION TO SPEND JUST THIS SESSION.

WE EXPECT A SPECIAL SESSION, THAT'S BEEN ALL THE TALK.

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TALKS BETWEEN YOU AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

>> WELL, THINKS HAVE BEEN MOVING PRETTY FAST AND FURIOUS THIS WEEK.

A LITTLE BIT OF AHEAD OF WHAT I.

ANTICIPATED THE SCHEDULE.

BEING ON THIS ISSUE.

WE DO HAVE 508 MILLION LEFT FROM THE ORIGINAL 1.1 BILLION THAT WE RECEIVED A FEW MONTHS AGO.

OBVIOUSLY WE SPENT 400 MILLION ON THE LOSS REVENUE PORTION FOR THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

ANOTHER 80 MILLION SPLIT BETWEEN NURSING HOMES AND HOSPITALS BACK DURING THE REDISTRICTING SPECIAL SESSION.

SO WE HAVE 508 MILLION LEFT OF THE AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED, PLUS $192 MILLION FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS PROGRAMS THAT IS BASICALLY A GRANT PROGRAM, AND IT'S PRETTY TIGHTLY DEFINED WHAT WE CAN USE THAT FOR, PRIMARILY FOR BROADBAND.

SO THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF OR RIGHT AT $772 MILLION THAT WE HAVE TO APPROPRIATE HERE AND WEANED TO DO THAT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE'RE COMPETING WITH ALL OF THE OTHER STATES IN THE NATION, BUT PARTICULARLY OUR BORDER STATES, TENNESSEE, GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI, FLORIDA, FOR THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WHICH ARE PRIMARILY WATER AND SUER AND BROADBAND AND THERE'S JUST A FINITE AMOUNT OF MATERIALS, OF CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES, OF EMPLOYEES THAT CAN DO THIS TYPE OF WORK.

SO WE'RE BASICALLY IN A RACE HERE TO TRY TO GET THESE PROJECTS FINISHED.

>> DO YOU EXPECT BOTH THE 508 AND THE CAPITOL PROJECT THAT THOUGHTFUL 700 MILLION TO BE ALLOCATED IN THIS SPECIAL.

>> YES.

IT WILL ALL BE PART OF ONE BILL.

>> WELL, IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU HAVE THE REGULAR BUDGETS; RIGHT?

THAT'S THE ANNUAL JOB.

AND WE'RE SEEING HISTORIC REVENUES FLOWING INTO THE STATE'S COFFERS, THAT MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE RECORD BUDGETS.

I KNOW THAT THE GENERAL FUND STARTS IN THE HOUSE THIS YEAR -- I MEAN IN THE SENATE THIS YEAR RATHER.

BUT WONDERED WHAT WAS THE LATEST TALKS IN TERMS OF YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

>> OBVIOUSLY OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN THE GENERAL FUND IS DEALING WITH FUNDING FOR MEDICAID.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND TO PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE MEDICAID ALL OVER THE STATE.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THE MINIMAL AMOUNT SO THAT WE CAN GET THAT BASICALLY TWO TO ONE MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT HIGHER NOW BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCY SITUATION DEALING WITH COVID HAS REALLY HELPED US IN OUR BOTTOM LINE WITH MEDICAID AND THE GENERAL FUND WITH THOSE REVENUES.

SO FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE HAVE TO IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE WITH MEDICAID AND WE'RE GOING TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE THIS YEAR, WHICH HELPS US WITH ALL OF THE REST OF THE BUDGET FROM PRISONS TO DHR, MENTAL HEALTH, ALEA, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

WE FUND EVERYTHING BESIDES THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

SO WE'VE LOOKED FORWARD TO A HEALTHY BUDGET BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT, YES, WE DO HAVE RECORD REVENUES COMING IN BUT A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE STIMULUS MONEY THAT HAS BEEN COMING FROM WASHINGTON AND THAT'S GOING TO END AT SOME POINT, AND SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN WHAT WE HAVE, MAKE SURE THAT WE FUND ONE-TIME CAPITAL PROJECTS NOT LOAD UP ON THINKS THAT ARE GOING TO REQUIRE RECURRING EXPENSES THAT COULD GET US IN TROUBLE DOWN THE ROAD.

>> WELL, SPEAKING OF HISTORIC BUDGETS, I LOOKED BACK AT THAT POINT SOME OF THAT HISTORY.

I WAS LOOKING AT 2007, 2008 BUDGETS KIND OF BEFORE THE RECESSION.

YOU'RE LOOK AT 1.7 OR 1.8 BILLION.

THIS YEAR IS 2.7 BILLION.

SO WE HAVE SEEN A BILLION DOLLARS IN GROWTH OF THE GENERAL FUND IN 12, 15 YEARS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE HAD SOME TOUGH YEARS THOUGH BACK IN '15 AND '16, $250 MILLION DEFICITS IN OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET JUST TO GET US TO LEVEL FUNDING.

I HAD TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.

OBVIOUSLY WE PASSED THE 25-CENT PACK ON CIGARETTES WHICH RAISED A LITTLE OVER $60 MILLION.

THE BIG THINKS THAT'S HAPPENED TO US IN THE GENERAL FUND THAT HAS REALLY HELPED US IS, NUMBER ONE, UPPING THE AMOUNT THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE USE TAX VERSUS THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

AND EXCUSE ME -- NOW WE HAVE 53 PERCENT THAT GOES TO THE GENERAL FUND AND 47 TO THE EDUCATION BUDGET WHEN IT WAS TRADITIONALLY 50/50.

AND THEN THE SSUT, SIMPLIFIED SELLERS USE TAX, TAX ON INTERNAL SALES.

WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULED ON THAT PARTICULAR CASE -- AND WE WERE SET AND READY TO GO.

WE WERE PART OF A LITTLE CONSORTIUM THERE LED BY THE SAFETY SOUTH DAKOTA THAT FILED THE SUIT IN THE SUPREME COURT AND US AND ABOUT 14 OTHER STATES WERE ALREADY IMPLEMENTING A VOLUNTARY PLAN, AND MANY ONLINE COMPANIES WERE CONTRIBUTING 8 PERCENT TO THAT, AND THEN WHEN AMAZON DID THAT REALLY HELPED SPUR OUR INTERNET SALES AT THAT POINT.

THEN WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULE, THEN IT HAS REALLY HELPED.

SO THAT'S BEEN THE TWO MAIN CATALYSTS RIGHT THERE THAT REALLY HELPED FUNDING IN THE GENERAL FUND.

>> I WAS TALKING WITH STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS THE OTHER DAY AND HE IS THE AUTHOR OF THE ROLLING RESERVE ACCOUNT IN THE GENERAL FUND.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND I KNOW IT'S CAPPED AT A HUNDRED MILLION.

IT LOOK LIKE WE WILL GET THERE THIS YEAR.

HAS THERE EVER BEEN TALK OF RAISING THAT CAP, CONSIDERING THE AMAZING AMOUNTS OF RESOURCES THAT YOU'RE SEEING THIS YEAR ALONE?

>> WELL, NOT RIGHT NOW ON THAT.

AND IT'S NOT REALLY LIKE THE EDUCATION ROLLING RESERVE.

BUT SIMILAR.

I LIKE TO CALL IT THE MINI ROLLING RESERVE, AND CLYDE DID A GOOD JOB OF PUTTING THAT BILL TOGETHER.

AND WE THOUGHT WHEN WE PASSED THAT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AT THIRST POINT WE HAVE 7 OR $8 MILLION.

WE'RE AT 5 MILLION RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK WE WILL GET TO THAT HUNDRED MILLION POINT THIS YEAR.

AT THAT POINT IT HELPS US TO BE ABLE TO PUT FUNDS ASIDE FOR THINGS DOWN THE ROAD LIKE THE RENOVATION FUND THAT WE SET UP IN THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION SPECIAL SESSION TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THOSE RENOVATIONS OF THOSE PRISONS IN LIMESTONE COUNTY AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, BARBOUR COUNTY AND ON DOWN THE ROAD, SO IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL BIG HELP TO US.

BUT I AM LOOKING AT A BILL RIGHT NOW, ALONG THOSE SAME LINES, BUT IT'S SPECIFICALLY DEALING WITH MEDICAID, SINCE WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH MEDICAID.

WE'VE GOT SORT OF AN OVERRIDGE THERE, BECAUSE OF THE FORTUNE EMERGENCY FUNDS THAT WE HAVE HAD DOUG TO COVID AND MEDICAID.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO BUILD A RAINY DAY FUND WITHIN MEDICAID SO HELP US WHEN THAT FUND STARTS HAVING ISSUES AGAIN -- AND IT WILL.

WHEN THEY LOWER THAT AMOUNT THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE FEDS ON THE EMERGENCY ORDER THAT WILL BEGIN TO SHOW IN MEDICAID THEN AND WHEN ENROLLMENT GOES UP, HEALTH CARE COSTS AS ALWAYS GOING UP, WE WILL SEE SOME ADVERSE EFFECTS THERE SO I WOULD LIKE SO HAVE THIS FUND SET UP TO HELP US GET OVER SOME OF THOSE BUMPS.

>> SPEAKING OF MEDICAID, THERE'S ALWAYS THE CONVERSATION ABOUT SHOULD ALABAMA EXPAND, EXPAND HEALTH SERVICES IN MEDICAID.

TODAY, PARCA, BUCK AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNSEL WAS OUT WITH A REPORT SHOWING THAT STATE SAVINGS WOULD ACTUALLY MORE THAN PAY FOR THE NEW COST ASSOCIATED, BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN THE BUGABOO, WITH MORE FEDERAL-MATCHED DOLLARS IS EXPANSION OF MEDICAID A REALITY IN THE NEXT ONE, TWO, THREE YEARS?

IT'S HARD TO SAY ON MEDICAID.

THE RULES CHANGED SO MUCH FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CMS ON MEDICAID.

THERE ARE SOME GOOD POINTS TO THE MEDICAID EXPANSION, PARTICULARLY FOR THE PROVIDERS LIKE PARTICULARLY HOSPITALS THAT HAVE TO TAKE SO MUCH UNCOMPENSATED CARE WHEN PEOPLE GO TO EMERGENCY ROOMS AND THEY DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

BUT THE MAIN THING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ARE THOSE RECURRING COSTS.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS FROM THE RESCUE PLAN THAT PASSED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THERE IS A HEALTH CARE PLAN WITHIN THERE WHERE PEOPLE IN THE HUNDRED TO 138 PERCENT INCOME RANGE, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE MEDICATED POPULATION, CAN GET A FREE POLICY THROUGH THE HEALTH INSURERS, PRIMARILY BLUECROSS AND ALABAMA, IN THAT WILL COVER THEIR HEALTH CARE COSTS.

THAT ENDS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS TEMPORARY.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF TALK THAT IT'S GOING TO BE EXTENDED TO THE END OF '24.

SO WE DO HAVE AN AVENUE RIGHT NOW FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE MAINLY IN THAT INCOME RANGE.

SO IT'S NOT -- NOT ALL IS LOST AS FAR AS THAT RANGE.

BUT IT IS AN ISSUE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO STUDY AS WE GO DOWN THE ROAD, AND WE GET BACK INTO NORMAL TIMES.

WE'RE JUST NOT IN NORMAL TIMES RIGHT NOW AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO STUDY THAT ISSUE.

>> YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> YEP.

>> CHAIRMAN STEVE CLOUSE, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL".

>> THANKS TODD.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM, WE HAVE DR. SCOTT HARRIS, ALABAMA'S PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER.

DR.

HARASS THANK YOU FOR BEING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME DON.

>> WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR UPDATES HERE IN THIS PANDEMIC BECAUSE THERE'S GENERALLY A LOT TO SHARE AND OMICRON IS STILL SPREADING LIKE CRAZY, IT SEEMS LIKE, IN ALABAMA.

WHAT ARE THE LATEST NUMBERS THAT YOU'RE SEEING AT.DEP OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> WE'RE SEEING NUMBERS HIGHER THAN WE HAVE EVER SEEN.

WE HAD A DAY WHERE WE GOT MORE THAN 14,000 CASES IN A SINGLE DAY.

IF YOU WILL RECALL UP UNTIL OMICRON-HIT ALABAMA WE HAD NOVEMBER MORE THAN 5,000 IN A SINGLE DAY AND THAT ONLY HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES.

SO WE'RE SEEING NUMBERS NOW ALMOST THREE TIMES.HIGHEST WE HAVE EVER HAD BEFORE.

IT'S FORTUNATE THAT OMICRON IS LESS SEVERE ON AVERAGE THAN WE WERE SEEING WITH DELTA.

THAT'S A SILVER LINING TO THIS.

BUT JUST BECAUSE OF THE SHEER NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED, WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF WORK ABSENCES AND PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK AND NEEDING TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL.

WE DON'T KNOW YET ABOUT DEATHS BECAUSE DEATHS ARE THAT LAGGING INDICATOR AND IT TAKES A FEW WEEKS TO GET THOSE TOTALED UP, BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE DEATHS AS WELL.

>> I WAS LOOKING AT YOUR DASHBOARD TODAY.

WHICH IS REALLY HELPFUL BY THE WAY.

IT SHOWS CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AND METRICS.

WE ALWAYS LOOK AT CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AS THE INDICATORS AND JUST TO MY UNSCIENTIFIC EYE, IT APPEARED THAT IT COULD BE SORT OF PEEKING OR PLATEAUING.

ARE WE CLOSE TO AN OMICRON PEEK OR DO WE JUST NOT KNOW YET?

>> I WOULD SAY I HOPE WE ARE BUT WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NORTHEAST RIGHT NOW, NEW YORK CITY AND WASHINGTON, D.C., THEY ARE HAVING A LOT OF CASES.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL BUT THEY DO SEEM TO HAVE CRUSTED AND AREN'T CONTINUING TO GO UP.

THEY GOT OMICRON AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE WE DID IN REALLY BIG NUMBERS AND THAT'S SIMILAR TO WHAT HAS BEEN REPORTED IN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE UK THAT HAD BEEN OMICRON OUTBREAKS BEFORE THE U.S.

THEY HAD FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS OF REALLY HIGH CASE NUMBERS AND THEN SAW IMPROVEMENT.

SO IF THAT'S ANY GUIDE THAT WE MIGHT EXPECT THAT WE WILL SEE SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE HOPE, BUT THESE NUMBERS SURELY CAN'T KEEP GOING LIKE THIS FOREVER.

THESE ARE ALMOST MIND-BOGGLING.

>> ONE FRUSTRATING THING ABOUT THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS ONCE WE THINK WE'RE OUT OF THE WOODS, ONCE WE THINK WE'RE ALMOST FINISHED, LIKE WITH THE ORAL, THEN AFTER DELTA, AND HERE COMES ANOTHER VARIANT AND ANOTHER WAVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHERS OUT THERE AROUND THE WORLD THAT THE HEALTH COMMUNITY -- THAT ARE ON YOUR RADAR IN TERMS OF THE NEXT WAVE?

>> YEAH, WE WORRY ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

AT THE MOMENT, THE ANSWER IS NO.

I MEAN THERE ARE OTHER VARIANTS THAT ARE RECOGNIZED.

THERE ARE VARIANTS THAT ARE NEWER THAN OMICRON THAT HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AND REPORTED.

THIS HE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE CAUSING THESE TYPE OF OUTBREAKS TO THIS POINT.

GENERALLY SPEAKING THIS IS THE WAY VIRUSES WORK.

SO WE EXPECT THERE WILL BE OTHER VARIANTS THAT POP UP AND MAYBE THEY WILL BE EVEN LESS SERIOUS IN TERMS OF CAUSING ILLNESS.

MAYBE THEY WILL BE LESS TRANSMISSIBLE OR MAYBE MORE.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

BUT A GOOD EXAMPLE OR A GOOD LESSON COMES FROM WHAT WE SEE WITH INFLUENZA.

AND FLU MUTATES ALL THE TIME AND EVERY YEAR WE NEED A DIFFERENT FLU VACCINE BECAUSE THE VIRUS IS DIFFERENT INTEREST YEAR TO YEAR: AND I THINK WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE THAT WITH OMICRON OR WITH COVID IN GENERAL.

AS WELL.

>> WE SEEM TO HAVE DROPPED THE BALL ON TESTING.

PRESIDENT JO-JO BIDEN GETS A LOT OF CRITICISM FOR THAT.

AND THE BOOK BUCK DOES STOP WITH HIM.

BUT IN ANY CASE, WE HAD A REAL LACK OR SHORTAGE OF TESTING RIGHT AS OMICRON WAS GETTING HEAVY.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THAT?

HOW DO WE IMPROVE THAT AND REMEDY THAT SITUATION FOR THE NEXT OUTBREAK?

>> YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

EVERY STATE IS HAVING SHORTAGES OF TESTING RIGHT NOW.

AND IT REALLY HAS LESS TO DO WITH SUDDENLY DECREASED NUMBERS OF MANUFACTURING GOING ON.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE ISSUE.

I THINK THE ISSUE IS JUST DEMAND.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY ANTICIPATED THE DEGREE TO WHICH THIS OMICRON VARIANT WOULD BE TRANSMITTED TO PEOPLE.

IT IS SO EASY TO SPREAD AND SO EASY FOR PEOPLE TO PICK IT UP.

SO WE JUST HAVE A HUGE DEMAND THAT WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE TESTING 25 OR 30,000 PEOPLE A DAY IN ALABAMA, AND THOSE ARE JUST THE ONES THAT WE KNOW ABOUT.

YOU KNOW THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT GET TESTS THAT GET REPORTED TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE TESTS THAT PEOPLE BUY AT THE DRUGSTORE OR YOU KNOW GET ONLINE AND DO AT HOME, AND WE THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA WHEN THEY CAN GET THOSE TO DO THOSE BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE.

SO THE REAL ANSWER TO THE SHORTAGE IS THERE ARE JUST TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY DAY THAT FEEL SICK ENOUGH THEY WANT TO GIVE GET A TEST.

UNTIL THAT NUMBER GOES AWAY I DON'T SEE HOW MANUFACTURING IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP UP.

>> ARE THERE ANY AREAS OF THE STATE THAT ARE SEEING PARTICULAR SPIKES RIGHT NOW?

>> YEAH.

WE ARE PARTICULARLY SEEING PROBLEMS IN EAST ALABAMA AND SOUTHEAST ALABAMA.

WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE HOSPITAL IN OPELIKA.

THEY REALLY HAD A DIFFICULT TIME.

THAT HOSPITAL THERE IS A GREAT HOSPITAL, AND IT HAS BEEN A REFERRAL CENTER FOR THAT PART OF OUR STATE AND SO THEY DO TEND TO GET A LOT OF SICK PATIENTS THERE.

IF YOU REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, EARLY ON IN THE PANDEMIC, ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS ANOTHER AREA THAT REALLY SAW A LOT OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION THERE AND I THINK IT'S JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE A BIG REGIONAL HOSPITAL THAT TRACTS A LOT OF PATIENTS.

DOWN IN THE DOTHAN AREA AS WELL THEY'RE HAVING A REALLY DIFFICULT TIME RIGHT NOW.

HERE IN MONTGOMERY WHERE WE'RE LOCATED THERE ARE NO ICU BEDS AVAILABLE TODAY IN OUR CITY OR IN OUR COUNTY, AND THIS REGION IS BEING HIT FAIRLY HARD AS WELL, ALTHOUGH NOT QUITE AS BAD AS THE OTHERS I MENTIONED.

>> THE LEGISLATURE IS PREPARING TO ALLOCATE SOME $508 MILLION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS, AND THESE HAVE ONE FUNDS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO USE ONE-TIME FUNDS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO USE IT WITH EXPENSES THAT DON'T COME WITH LONGTIME APPROPRIATIONS BUT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT USING IT FOR HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVING ALABAMA'S HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THE LEGISLATURE FOR WHAT BEE NEED TO IMPROVE ALABAMA'S HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY NEEDS AND EVEN BEFORE COVID HIT WE RECOGNIZED THAT WE HAD A LOT OF SHORTFALLS IN ALABAMA.

YOU KNOW, WHAT COVID HAS DONE IS NOT CREATED THESE HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS.

IT'S JUST REVEALED THEM IN A WAY THAT WE DIDN'T EXPECT.

MY UNDERSTANDING FROM TALKING WITH MEMBERS.

LEGISLATURE IS A LOT OF THAT ARPA MONEY IS GOING TO GO TO PLACES LIKE OUR HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, YOU KNOW, SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES.

CERTAINLY THEY'RE VERY DESERVING OF THAT AND THEY REALLY ARE TAKING THAT -- HAD A REALLY TOUGH TIME OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

YOU KNOW IN PUBLIC HEALTH IN PARTICULAR, WITH ADP, THE AGENCY FOR WHICH I WORK WE HAD SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS.

ONE-TIME MONEY IS NOT GOING TO FIX A LOT OF THOSE.

WE STRUGGLE TO HAVE MONEY JUST FOR BASIC OPERATIONS YOU KNOW.

WE HAVE A COUNTY IN ALABAMA THAT DO YOU NOT HAVE A COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

WE'RE WORKING ON THAT.

WE HAVE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS THAT MAY HAVE A NURSE ONE DAY A MONTH.

SOME THAT MAY HAVE A NURSE ONE DAY A WEEK.

SO THEY'RE OPEN, IF YOU WILL, EVERY DAY BUT DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE EVERY DAY.

AND YOU KNOW, MY VIEW IS, THAT'S JUST NOT THE BEST WE COULD BE.

I REALLY THINK THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OUGHT TO BE THERE IN THEIR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY AND HAVE THE SERVICES AVAILABLE THAT PEOPLE NEED AND EXPECT AND WE'RE A LONG WAY FROM EVER BEING THERE.

>> THE SUPREME COURT HAS RULED BLOCKING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S WORKPLACE VACCINE MANDATED BUT UPHELD AND ARE ALLOWING THE HEALTH CARE WORKER VACCINE MANDATE.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE MANY THOUSAND HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN ALABAMA.

I WAS WONDERING WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK YOU'RE HEARING FROM HOSPITAL GROUPS ABOUT THE WILLINGNESS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE -- WHEN WE LISTEN TO THE ARGUMENTS THAT WERE MADE WITH THE SUPREME COURT, IT SEEMED PRETTY CLEAR AT THE TIME AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CONFIRMED THAT THE CMS MANDATE WOULD BE UPHELD.

CMS HAS LONG MADE RULES FOR HEALTH CARE IF I MEAN TOES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS SO IT'S NOT SURPRISING AT ALL.

WE ARE HEARING FROM DIFFERENT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES THAT THEY MAY HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO JUST AREN'T GOING TO COMPLY WITH THAT.

THE RULE IS GOING TO ALLOW FOR SOME TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION, YOU KNOW FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GENUINELY UNABLE TO BE VACCINATED OR UNWILLING TO BE VACCINATED FOR REASONS THAT ALABAMA ALLOW ALLOWS.

THERE ARE ACCOMMODATIONS SO IT'S NOT THAT PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED TO BE VACCINATED NO MATTER WHAT.

THEY HAVE A WAY TO TEST FREQUENTLY, FOR EXAMPLE, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE VACCINATED.

I THINK THERE'S A SENSE THOUGH IN WHICH IT KIND OF LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

SOME HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ALREADY ANNOUNCED THEIR EMPLOYEES NEEDED TO BE VACCINATED.

SOME HAD NOT TAKEN THAT STEP, AND I THINK THERE WAS CONCERN THAT WORKERS AT ONE PLACE MAY QUIT AND GO TO ANOTHER ONE THAT IS DOING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, AT LEAST THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE RIGHT NOW SINCE IT APPLIES EVENLY TO EVERYONE.

>> COULD YOU SEE A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE A HOSPITAL STAFFING PROBLEM BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GET VACCINATED?

>> I WOULD SAY RIGHT NOW.HOSPITAL STAFFING PROBLEM IS SO ACUTE THAT ANY EXTRA WOULD BE THAT MUCH WORSE.

WE ALREADY HAVE A REAL SERIOUS STAFFING PROBLEM.

THE CMS MANDATE FOR VACCINATE A-- VACCINATION APPLIES TO PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH OUR AGENCY.

>> SO YOU COULD HAVE A STAFFING SITUATION I'M TRYING TO.

>> WEE COULD.

WE DON'T HAVE REAL GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT WHO IS VACCINATED AND WHO IS NOT.

BUT I THINK AS WE TRY TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT CMS IS REQUIRING OF US WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DIG INTO THAT.

>> DR. HARRIS, REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT ON THE PROGRAM IS "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH AND RANDY SCOTT FOR A LITTLE POLITICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS AND OUR FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'RE FINALLY THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK.

NOT A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATION OUT THERE BUT A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE BUDGETS.

WE WILL GET TO THE FEDERAL FUNDING.

KAREN I KNOW YOU WERE IN THE BUDGET HEARINGS.

YOU TALKED WITH FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE ABOUT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SPENDING CHOICES THEY HAVE TO MAKE.

WHAT WERE YOUR TAKE AWAYS.

>> FIRST OF ALL I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH YOU, SECOND TIME IN ONE WEEK AND EXCITED TO HAVE YOU ON BOARD AS PART OF OUR TEAM.

YOU'RE A GREAT LEADER.

>> THANKS.

>> WHEN I WAS LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION ON THE BUDGET, ONE THING I KEPT HEARING IS FORMER STATE SENATOR TRIP PIT MAN.

HE WOULD ALWAYS SAY WHATEVER WE DO WITH THE BUDGETS IT HAS TO BE SUSTAINABLE AND THAT THEME RESONATED WHETHER IT WAS FROM ALABAMA GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE, SENATORS GREG ALBRITTON, ARTHUR ORR, DANNY GARRETT, SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, SENATOR GREG REED -- THIS THEME CONSTANTLY RESONATED AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER WEE DO WITH THE MONEY IS SUSTAINABLE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I READ THESE CORRECTLY.

SO FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE SAID THE REVENUES ARE HISTORICAL THAT WE RECEIVED BUT THEY ARE NOT SUSTAINABLE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T OVERBUDGET, THAT WE DON'T BUDGET IN A WAY THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THIS RECURRING DEBT THAT WE CANNOT MAINTAIN DOWN THE ROAD.

A WANT TO SAY HE HEARD IN MY MESSAGE I DON'T EVEN RECALL SENATOR ARTHUR ORR SAID TO THE EDUCATORS UNFORTUNATELY WHEN DR. EVERYTHING MACKEY, OUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION SPOKE BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE HE DID ADMIT THAT SOME OF THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE SO THAT'S SOMETHING THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MENTION THAT HE REIGNED IN AND WE WANTED TO BE REALLY SMART WITH THE MONEY THAT WE RECEIVE.

OUR COFFERS ARE HEALTHY.

SO WHAT THEY ARE DOING, THEY'RE PRIORITIZING AND PUTTING MONEY INTO PAYING OFF DEBTS AND BUILDING UP OUR RAINY DAY ACCOUNTS STARTING WITH THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND.

STATED SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS WHEN WE BECAME A SENATOR?

2014 OUR STATE'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET HAD A $250 MILLION HOLE IN IT.

AND THROUGH HIS INSISTENCE AND THROUGH HIS PERSISTENCE HE ESTABLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME A RAINY DAY ACCOUNT FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

THAT ACCOUNT WAS SET UP MAYBE ONE 1/2 YEARS AGO.

NOW THAT ACCOUNT HAS $75 MILLION IN IT.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

THAT HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN SO MANY STATES -- NOT ALABAMA -- BUT SO MANY STATES WESTERN STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY BECAUSE OF CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING PRACTICES, MAKING SURE WHAT TEE DO WITH OUR MONEY IS SUSTAINABLE, WE DON'T SPEND IT ALL AND PUT SOMETHING ASIDE.

WE CREATED A BRAND NEW SAVING ACCOUNT FOR OUR GENERAL FUND WHICH IS THE FUND THAT FUNDS NONEDUCATION STATE ENTITIES.

WE HAVE $75 MILLION IN IT AND THAT BUDGET IS CONSIDERED FULLY FUNDED OR WHOLE WHAT HAVE YOU AND THAT COULD BE A RELATIVE TERM BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE STATUTE WHEN IT REACHES $100 MILLION.

SO EMPTY BUDGET FOR THE $2,023,000,000 THEY'RE GOING TO PUT 25 MILLION INTO THAT ACCOUNT TO GET IT TO THE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS THRESHOLD.

ON THE OTHER SIDE WITH THE TRUST FUND BUDGET, THE BUDGET THAT FUNDS PRE-K THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION THERE ARE SEVERAL ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE RAINY DAY ACCOUNT.

THEY'RE GOING TO PUT $111 MILLION IN THERE TO GET THAT ACCOUNT FULLY FUNDED.

THE DEBT WITH THE PLEA PAID AFFORDABLE COLLEGE TUITION POLICEMAN IS GOING TO REQUIRE $177 MILLION TO PAY OFF THAT DEBT.

THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE NEXT BUDGET.

THEN THE DEBT SERVICE TO THE ETF WHICH IS $230 MILLION THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THAT MONEY INTO THAT.

SO WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THE TALK ABOUT WE'RE GOING TO PAY ALL OF THESE DEBTS, FULLY FUND THINKS AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PAY RAISES FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND TEACHERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME INCENTIVES BECAUSE YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR PEOPLE HAPPY.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE.

BECAUSE IF THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT 95 OF US ANYTHING YOU NEED SO HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING IN YOUR SAVINGS.

YOU DON'T IMMEDIATE TO SPEND IT ALL.

I KNOW AND MY HUSBAND WILL TELL YOU I'M THE SHOPPER IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

I LOVE OF LOVE HAD A GOOD ONLINE SHOPPING DEAL AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE WE TAPED.

I HAVE TO BE MORE CONSIDERABLE CONSIDERATE ABOUT PUTTING BACK MORE BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHEN OUR REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY CAME INTO PLACE IN 2009 -- DON'T QUOTE ME -- THOSE YEARS AGO -- 2011 -- THANK YOU -- THOSE YEARS AGO, THEY REALLY LOOKED AT HOW WE WERE SPENDING OUR REVENUES, AND THAT WAS -- HOW FAR WE SPENT OUR REVENUES AND THAT WAS THE OVERCHARGE ARCHING THING.

LET'S KNOT SPEND IT ALL.

>> RANDY YOU COVERED THIS WEEK AND LAST WEEK THE COMPETING AGENDAS.

YOU HAD THE REPUBLICANS COME OUT OF THE GATE FIRST WITH A LOT OF RED MEAT AND THEN THE DEMOCRATS THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED THEIR AGENDA THAT WAS IN STARK CRAFT IN MANY WAYS TO THE REPUBLICANS.

WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM THE COMPETING AGENDAS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SECOND THING, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE SESSION WAS STARTING.

AND I LIKE TO USE A LINE FROM A TV SHOW THAT IS A REBOOT OF AN OLD TV AND IT'S CALLED "AND JUST LIKE THAT."

AND JUST LIKE THAT WE'RE BACK IN FULL FLEDGE SESSION MODE.

AND I'M GOING TO BACKTRACK A LITTLE BIT.

OF COURSE YOU TALKED ABOUT EARLIER A NEW MEMBER OF THE HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE PENNY MCCLAMMY WHO IS SUCCEEDING HER FATHER THAT HAD WHO PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR.

SHE WAS SWORN IN.

NOT LONG AFTER THAT THINKS TOOK A TURN OF BEING TENSE IN THE ALABAMA HOUSE -- IMAGINE THAT.

THERE WAS A QUESTION, JOHN ROGERS HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ARPA FUNDS -- SORRY, THE AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDS AND NOW IT WAS BEING USED HERE IN THE STATE PRIMARILY TO HELP DO WORK WITH THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM.

REPRESENTATIVE TEACH KLAUS CAME ON BOARD AND TALKED WITH REPRESENTATIVE ROGERS.

THE SUCCESSION DIDN'T GET TENSE BUT LOUD.

>> A LITTLE TESTY.

>> AND IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A SHOCK, BECAUSE EVERYBODY WAS THINKING OKAY, WE'RE JUST COMING NO TO SAY, HEY, LET'S WELCOME IN THE NEW MEMBER, LET'S GET THE PROCEEDINGS STARTED BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE OTHER THINKS TO DO, PRIMARILY GET TO EVERYONE'S AGENDA -- WHICH LAST WEEK THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ANNOUNCED THEIRS -- STAND TALL FOR ALABAMA WAS THEIR AGENDA.

THIS WEEK IT WAS THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS TURN AND THEY ARE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO DO THINKS TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

A LOT OF THINKS THAT THEY WERE PAYING ATTENTION TO -- AND THEY SAID THIS IS STUFF WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR YEARS NOW AND WE FEEL LIKE THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN A FAIR SHERIFF -- FOR INSTANCE REMOVING THE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

A LONG RUNNING ISSUE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA PEOPLE FEEL NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH.

ALSO FINDING WAYS TO IMPROVE SCHOLASTIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE STATE, HELPING THE STUDENTS BASICALLY IN THE END, GETTING THEM WHAT THEY NEED.

ALSO TALKING ABOUT JUSTICE REFORM AND DEPARTMENT CORRECTIONS REFORM WITH WHAT IS GOING ON HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO AND REALLY HAVEN'T SEEN THE END OF AS OF YET.

SO THEY GOT TO THEIR AGENDA.

OF COURSE THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ANNOUNCED THEIRS LAST WEEK.

AND ONCE THE SESSION GETS STARTED IN EARNEST, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF WORKING ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE BOTH SIDES ARE GOING TO HAVE THEIR TEAMS TO PUSH THEIR AGENDAS AND GET THINKS DONE.

>> WELL, PART OF THAT IS, IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR; RIGHT?

THEY'RE ALL UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

SHE GAVE HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS THIS WEEK WHICH WAS A BIG PLATFORM, AN ADVANTAGE FROM AN INCUMBENT.

AND YET THERE'S A CROWDED FIELD OF CANDIDATES WHO ARE CHALLENGING HER THIS YEAR.

GIVEN THOSE -- THAT POLITICAL LANDSCAPE I WANTED TO ASK WHAT YOUR TAKE WAS GENERALLY ON GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, HER POLITICAL SITUATION AND HER CHANCES OF GETTING REELECTED.

>> CAN WE GO LADIES FIRST?

>> LADIES FIRST.

>> ANYBODY WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS I'M A HUGE FAN OF THE NFL.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT HER POPULARITY IN THIS CROWDED FIELD AND ALL OF THAT, I THINK ABOUT THE IF HE DID -- ANY GIVEN SUNDAY AND TRAP GAME, WHICH MEANS BASICALLY ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY ANYBODY CAN COULD COME UP AND BE THE BIG WINNER.

AND THE TRAP GAME AND YOU'RE EXPECTED TO WIN BECAUSE YOU PLAY A LESSER OPPONENT AND DON'T WIN IT.

SO WHO KNOWS?

GOVERNOR IVEY IS HUGELY POPULAR.

HER STATE OF THE STATE WAS POPULAR.

I WAS LOOKING AT THE APPLAUSE THROUGHOUT THE SPEECH.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, SHE MADE A LOT OF DECISIONS THAT -- YOU KNOW SHE FELT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALABAMA'S HEALTH.

SHE DIDN'T NECESSARILY GO WITH HER PARTY LINE BUT MADE DECISIONS THINKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THE DECISIONS A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T LIKE SHE NEVER LOST HER POPULARITY.

SHE CAME BACK AND SAID I MADE A MISTAKE WITH SOME OF THE CLOSURES.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU HEAR A POLITICIAN ADMIT THEY DID SOMETHING WRONG?

NOT THAT OFTEN.

>> RANDY, WHAT ARE WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE?

>> FIRST MY COWORKER IS AN NFL FAN, SHE SHOULD DISCLOSE SHE'S A NEW YORK GIANTS FAN.

>> AND I'M A DALLAS COWBOY FAN.

I WILL PUT IT OUT THERE.

>> AFTER 10 YEARS OF WORKING WITH YOU I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

>> SHE DIDN'T KNOW.

BUT, YEAH, IT'S A CROWDED FIELD FOR GOVERNOR IVEY, FOOTBALL OR NOT.

THE FIELD HAS GROWN AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXCITED TO GET THEIR TOE HOLD IN THIS RACE.

ALSO YOU CAN'T MENTION A RAILS OF THIS CALIBER IN THIS STATE OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITHOUT NOT MENTIONING THE TRUMP FACTOR.

SO THAT'S GOING TO HAVE MUCH TO DO WITH IT.

SOME OF HER OPPONENTS IF YOU WILL THINK THEY HAVE MORE OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FORMER PRESIDENT THAN SHE DOES SO THE SO THAT'S GOING TO PLAY A LOT INTO HOW THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IS GOING TO AIR OUT.

HE IS CONFIDENT AND GOING IN FULL SPEED AHEAD.

AND IS READY TO TAKE ON ALL CHALLENGERS.

>> WELL, IT'S A LOT TO COVER, A LOT TO FOLLOW, AND WE WILL BE DOING THAT EVERY NIGHT AND EACH WEEK HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THANKS FOR THE FUN.

WE WILL DO IT AGAIN SOMETIME SOON.

>> CAN WE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> OK. >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK STARTING TUESDAY WITH OUR NIGHTLY COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT 10:30 PM.

FOR RANDY AND KAREN AND THE WHOLE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

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