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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

ALABAMA LAWMAKERS BEGAN A SPECIAL SESSION TODAY WHERE THE FOCUS IS ALLOCATING PART OF THE STATE'S PORTION OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

JUST A WEEK INTO THE REGULAR SESSION, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY CALLED ON LAWMAKERS TO PUT OTHER ISSUE ON HOLD WHILE THEY DEAL WITH THE ONE-TIME FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY FROM CONGRESS.

THE PLAN CALLS FOR SPENDING ABOUT $772 MILLION THIS TIME AROUND.

ANOTHER MILLION FROM THE LAW IS EXPECTED LATER THIS YEAR.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE SPENDING PLAN: BILL WOULD ALLOCATE $80 MILLION TO HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, $225 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS IN COMMUNITIES WHERE SERVICE IS LACKING; $243 MILLION FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET AND $79 MILLION TO SHORE UP THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND IN ORDER TO AVOID AN AUTOMATIC TAX INCREASE ON BUSINESSES.

FROM HEARING A PUBLIC HEARING TOOK PLACE IN THE STATE HOUSE TODAY, OFFERING AGENCIES AND ADVOCATES A CHANCE TO GIVE LAWMAKERS INPUT ON HOW THE FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT.

>> THE DRIVING FORCE IN THE DIFFERENCE OF THESE FUNDS WILL BE A NEEDS-BASED APPROACH.

AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE WILL BE GOING THROUGH A NORMAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT OR NEEDS SURVEY THAT'S DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT EVERY TWO YEARS.

IT ALTERNATES DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER.

WE JUST FINISHED THE WASTEWATER REVIEW IN SEPTEMBER AND WE WILL BE UNDERTAKING THE DRINKING WATER REVIEW, NEEDS REVIEW, BEGINNING IN MARCH AND COMPLETED BY YEAR END.

>> BUT THE BILLS ARE MOVING FAST.

>> THE SENATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW AT 9:00 AM TO CONSIDER TWO ARPA RELATED BILLS.

CHAIRMAN GREG ALBRITTON SAYS THE ONE-TIME REVENUE NEEDS TO GO TO PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE PEOPLE'S LIVES, SUCH AS FIXING SEWER SYSTEMS TO MAKE SURE WATER >> EITHER BECAUSE THE WELLS HAVE GONE CRY OR THE PIPING IS OLD AND ANCIENT OR THEY DON'T HAVE SEWER LINES OR WORKING SEPTIC TANKS.

WE'RE ATTACKING THAT.

WE MAY NOT GET ALL OF IT ACCOMPLISHED BUT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE AS BIG OF A DENT AS WE CAN TO PUT THE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE IN FOR THE NEXT TWO GENERATIONS WE HOPE.

THIS WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU GO TO THE WATER FAUCET TO GET A DRINK OF WATER.

IT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOUR TOILETS ARE FLUSHED.

>> DEMOCRATS ARE RAISING CONCERNS THAT THE FUNDS WILL GO TOWARD PET PROJECTS IN MORE AFFLUENT AREAS INSTEAD OF TO POORER COMMUNITIES.

IN A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THEY CALLED FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE SPENDING PROCESS.

>> EVERY MEMBER IS FIGHTING FOR THEIR COMMUNITY TO RECEIVE THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER OR THE FINDING.

IT'S HARDER TO DO IT WHEN YOU HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE THROUGH YOUR BUDGET PROCESS, THE TRADITIONAL BUDGET PROCESS AND YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE WINNERS AND LOSERS.

THIS PARTICULAR TIME WE'RE ABLE TO EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE FUNDS THROUGHOUT THE STATE BUT ALSO ADDRESS THE NEEDS-BASED COMPONENTS AT THE SAME TIME.

>> REPUBLICANS PUSHED BACK ON THAT CRITICISM, SAYING ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE PROCESS IS BEING STRESSED AND THAT THAT MORE AFFLUENT COMMUNITIES WILL HAVE TO MATCH ANY FUNDS THEY RECEIVE.

>> THE WAY ITS SET UP, SOME OF THOSE POORER AREAS DON'T HAVE A MATCH.

SOME OF THE AFFLUENT AREAS AND URBAN AREAS BECAUSE OF THE INCOME THEY HAVE COMING IN OFF THE TAX BASE, THEY WILL HAVE A MATCH.

SO IF YOU HAVE $100,000 PROJECT IN A URBAN AREA YOU HAVE SPLAY AT A MATCH IT.

IN THE YOU RECALL AREA, WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE INCOME, THE MECHANISM IN PLACE WHERE IT COULD BE 100% PAID FOR THROUGH THE FUNDS.

IF IT'S $100,000 YOU CAN GET ALL OF IT AND WOULDN'T HAVE TO MATCH IT.

THE MONEY BEING SPENT IS GOING TO BE PUT IN PLACES WHERE ITS NEEDED THE MOST.

>> I'LL SPEAK WITH MAJORITY LEADER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER IN MORE DETAIL WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM, WE'RE JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE NATE LEDBETTER WHO SERVES AS HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER.

MR. LEADER, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, TODD.

>> THE SPECIAL SESSION STARTED TODAY.

HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT IT TO LAST?

>> I THINK WE'VE DONE OUR DON DAILEY TRYING TO GET AS MUCH INFORMATION OUT TO OUR MEMBERS AS WE CAN.

WE HAD A JOINT CAUCUS MEETING WITH THE DEMOCRATS YESTERDAY.

WE HAD ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO COME IN.

ONE BEFORE LUNCH AND ONE AFTER LUNCH, SO THEY COULD ASK ANYWHERE QUESTION THEY HAD AND GET ANY DETERMINATION ABOUT THE FUNDING WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE GOING AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT IS EXACTLY HAPPENING WITH THE ARPA FUNDS SO IT FELT LIKE IT WENT WELL.

WE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

THEY ANSWERED A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD SOME ANSWERS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SO I THINK WE'RE IN A GOOD POSITION TO START TO MOVE IN THE POSITIVE BILL AND I THINK IT WILL MOVE QUICKLY.

MEETING WITH THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP HAS MET WITH THEM FOR A NUMBER OF TIMES AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT BEFORE WE BROUGHT IT TO THE CAUCUSES AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE INPUT AND SEE EVERYTHING THAT'S IN IT.

SO THE PROCESS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE AND EVERYBODY HAS HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE INPUT AND TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE BILL IS.

SO I FEEL GOOD ABOUT MOVING IT FAIRLY QUICK APPLY.

>> JUST LOOKING AT THE DETAILS OF THE BILL, I'VE GOT IT WRITTEN HERE, $80 MILLION TO HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, 225 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS; 243 MILLION FOR BROADBAND, 79 MILLION TO SURE UP THE STATE TRUST FUND, TO AVOID THE BUSINESS TAX.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THOSE FUNDING LEVELS OR DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO CHANGE?

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO STAY PRETTY STABLE.

WE MAY SEE MINOR CHANGES.

I DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING MAJOR.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IS VITAL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

OF COURSE THE DEADLINE IS THE 31 OF THIS MONTH SO WE WHO TO MOVE FAIRLY QUICKLY TO KEEP IT FROM HURTING SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT WAS PART THE REASON FOR ISOLATING IT IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

IT WOULD BE THE ONE SUBJECT THAT YOU COULD TALK ABOUT, ALL OF THE SURROUNDING NOISE WITH OTHER BUDGETS AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINKS GOING ON, IT KIND OF ELIMINATED THAT BUT PUT IT IN A SPECIAL SESSION, SO I THINK THE GOVERNOR DID A RIGHT THING AND APPLAUD HER FOR THAT AND I THINK IT WILL ALLOW TO US GET THE LEGISLATION OUT TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES WITH IT.

>> YOU SERVE A DISTRICT THAT IS LARGELY RURAL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT BROADBAND.

THIS A MASSIVE INVESTMENT INFORM BROADBAND.

SOME SAY IT'S JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF WHAT IS NEEDED IN TERMS OF REACHING THOSE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> IT DOES.

WE HAVE OVER 350,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT SERVED IN ALABAMA WITH BROADBAND.

SO IT'S VASTLY IMPORTANT.

I EQUATE BROADBAND TODAY ZERO TO WHAT ELECTRICITY WAS FOR OUR STATE IN THE '40S BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH THAT WE DO NOW BASED ON THE INTERNET AND THE CONNECTION THAT YOU'VE GOT SO I THINK IT'S HUGELY IMPORTANT FOR OUR ECONOMY AND IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WE SAW A DECREASE IN POPULATION IN RURAL AREAS.

I THINK SOME OF THAT DUE TO THE FACT PEOPLE CAN'T GET BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY.

THEY'RE DOING MORE FROM HOME WITH THE PANDEMIC AND NOT ONLY SCHOOLWORK BUT ALSO WITH BUSINESSES AND IT IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

WE WENT IN AND I SERVED ON THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND I THINK THREE YEARS AGO.

WE START STARTED PUTTING GRANTS OUT AND TRYING TO GET MORE AND MORE COMPANIES TO BUY IN FOR A PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP, PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND THAT'S SEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE BUT ACCORDING TO STATISTICS IT WOULD TAKE BETWEEN 3 AND $6 BILLION TO GET ALABAMA SERVED ACROSS THE STATE.

WHEN FIRST STARTED WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE GAS IT WAS AND WASN'T W THE COMPANIES OUT THERE THEN TO PROPRIETARY AGREEMENTS AND WOULDN'T GIVE US THE INFORMATION.

BUT WE SPENT A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AND ALABAMA TODAY HAS GOT THE BEST BROADBAND MAP PROBABLY IN THE COUNTRY.

SO IT GIVES US A FOOTPRINT OF HOW TO GO AND WHERE WE NEED TO GET TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS JUST A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

ALL TOLD IT WILL BE 2.1 BILLION FROM ARPA FOR THE STATED, MAYBE 2.2.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THIS MONEY IS SPENT IN AN ACCOUNTABLE FASHION AND WE AVOID ABUSE OF THIS TAXPAYER MONEY?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION.

AND I DO BELIEVE MANUFACTURE THOSE QUESTIONS WERE ASKED BECAUSE OF THE DEPARTMENT HEAD YESTERDAY THAT IS GOING TO BE GETTING THE FUNDING AND THERE'S A MECHANISM IN PLACE TO AUDIT AND MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY SPENT IS DONE THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.

IT WAS ALREADY IN PLACE BEFORE WE GOT THIS MONEY.

NOW, THE INFLUX OF THIS MUCH MONEY IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT, AND I THINK THE TIME MANNER THAT THIS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN US GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO GET ALL IN.

WHAT WE HAVE TO REALIZE, IT'S NOT ONLY US TRYING TO REHAB LINES AND PUT IN WATERS LINES.

EVERY STATE IN THE COUNTRY IS DOING THE SAME THING.

SO THE NUMBER OF ENGINEERS AND THE NUMBER OF CONTRACTORS IS DOING THAT WORK, IT'S GOING TO BE LIMITED.

SO I HOPE IN THE PROGRESSION OF GOING THROUGH IT AND DOING WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THE AUDITING AND OF COURSE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE WITH DIRECTOR POOL WILL BE KIND OF OVERSEEING A LOT OF THAT AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB AND YOU KNOW IT'S JUST -- IT'S LIKE EATING A BIG PIECE OF PIE.

JUST TAKE LITTLE BITES AT A TIME.

SO I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT AND WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S A LARGE SUM OF MONEY WE GOT UNTIL 202620 TRY TO GET IT DISPERSED AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T ALLOW US A LITTLE BIT LONGER TIME JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE -- THERE'S JUST A LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK.

SO I FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT AND I THINK WE'VE GOT A MECHANISM SET IN PLACE.

>> THE DEMOCRATS SAY THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED AT THE LINE' SHARE OF THIS ARPA MONEY IS GOING TO GO TO AFFLUENT CITIES, FOR PET PROJECTS.

AND NOT TO POORER COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE AS GOOD OF A TAX BASE, MAYBE THEY NEED IT MORE.

IS THAT FAIR?

IS THAT TRUE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

THE WAY IT IS SET UP, SOME OF THOSE RURAL AREAS OR POOR AREAS, THEY DON'T HAVE A MATCH.

SOME OF THE URBAN AREAS BECAUSE OF THE INCOME THEY HAVE COMING IN OFF THE TAX BASE THEY WILL HAVE A MATCH.

IF YOU HAVE $100,000 IN ABOUT YOU URBAN AREA WHERE IT'S MATCHED YOU MAY HAVE $100,000.

BUT IN A RURAL AREA IT COULD BE A HUNDRED PERCENT PAID FOR THROUGH THE FUNDS.

IF IT'S A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS PROJECT THEN YOU WOULD GET ALL OF IT AND WOULDN'T HAVE TO MATCH I.

AND I DO THINK, TO BE HONEST, I BELIEVE OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH WATER AND SEWER IS IN RURAL AREAS.

IT'S IN THE AREAS THAT YOU SPEAK.

THE ONES THAT NEEDED LIFTING UP THE MOST.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT IN LOWNDES COUNTY.

THAT'S BEEN POPULAR WITH THE MEDIA IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SENATOR TUBERVILLE'S OFFICE AND WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE ISSUES.

PART OF THE FUNDS, IF YOU NOTICE THIS BILL, GOES TO THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW FAR WE DID MOVE IT DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE THE NEXT TRANCH OF MONIES COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THAT WILL ALLOW US TO SEE WHERE WE NEED TO PUT IT AGAIN.

SO I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK THAT THE MONEY THAT IS BEING SPENT IS GOING TO BE PUT INTO PLACES IT'S NEEDED THE MOST, AND I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE THAT GOING FORWARD.

>> SWITCHING GEARS FOR A MINUTE TO MENTAL HEALTH.

THIS IS AN AREA OF STATE GOVERNMENT THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING IN AND CHAMPIONING IN YOUR TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED TWO NEW CRISES CENTERS STATEWIDE BRINGING THEM UP TO SIX.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE COMING DOWN THE PIKE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THIS SESSION.

>> WE WILL SEE SOME THINKS COME.

WE STARTED.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR ASKED ME TO LOOK INTO SOUR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE AND SEE WHAT WE DO, I APPLAUD BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, MINORITY AND MAJORITY BOTH AND OF COURSE THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GOVERNOR HAS HELPED US MOVE THE NEEDLE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT, JUST IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, IT WENT FROM THE FUNDING MECHANISM WAS VERY SMALL AND WE HAVE INCREASED IT OVER $50 MILLION.

OF COURSE AS YOU SAID WE WILLED A TWO MORE CRISES CENTERS AND THE MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATORS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR SCHOOL, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY THAT WAS PAID FOR BY STATE MONEY.

TODAY WE HAVE 114 AND THIS BUDGET WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT ONE IN EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE WILL SEE THAT COME OUT OF THIS BUDGET, A PEER TO PEER PROGRAM THAT HELPS TEACH CHILDREN IN SCHOOL HOW TO REACT TO EACH OTHER WHEN ISSUES ARE GOING ON.

WE HAVE A CIT PROGRAM THAT WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE, AND REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS HAS HELPED SPEARHEAD SOME OF THAT AND DONE A GREAT JOB.

WE MET THE WEAK BEFORE LAST WITH OUR COMMITTEES THAT FIRST STARTED THIS WHOLE CONCEPT, AND TO SEE WHERE WE HAVE COME FROM IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME IS TO BE COMMENDABLE FOR EVERYBODY THAT'S WORKED ON IT AND I COMMEND COMMISSIONER BOSWELL AND WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING AND THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING FROM WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS AND WE WILL SEE MORE OF THAT COMING OUT THIS SESSION.

>> I WAS TALKING TO COMMISSIONER BOSWELL AND NOTING THAT MENTAL HEALTH TRADITIONALLY AND HISTORICALLY IN THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE THAT PEOPLE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT A LOT.

IT WAS SOMETIMES SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.

BUT THAT HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS AS YOU HAVE NOTED.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE DIFFERENCE?

WHY IS IT NOW SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WANT TO TACKLE AS AN ISSUE?

>> THE THING THAT KIND OF GOT ME THINKING ABOUT IT -- I HAD A LADY COME TO MY OFFICE AND TALK ABOUT AN ISSUE SHE HAD WITH HER SON.

WE HAD A CHANCE DURING REGULAR TIMES, OF COURSE WE MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR ONCE A WEEK DURING SESSION.

USUALLY AT THE END OF THAT EVERYBODY GOES AROUND THE TABLE -- AND THIS WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND OUR ECONOMY WAS MOVING AT A PACE I HAVE NEVER SEEN IN OUR TIME, OUR JOBS WERE GREAT AND THE BUDGETS WERE GREAT.

SHE ASKED ME ONE DAY WHAT I THOUGHT.

SHE CAME AROUND TO ME, AND I SAID, GOVERNOR, EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH THE STATE AND THE ECONOMY IS AWESOME.

BUT WE'RE FAILING MISERABLY WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

WE'RE FAILING THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.

SHE ASKED ME THEN IF I WOULD OVERSEE IT.

AND I THINK BY BRINGING PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN IT FROM PROBATE JUDGE TO TEACHERS TO EDUCATORS ALTHOUGH ACROSS THE SPECTRUM AND TO SLAUGHTERS SENATE AND HOUSE AND SITTING DOWN AT THE TABLE AND SEEING WHAT CAN WE DO, AND THAT'S WHERE ALL IDEAS COME FROM.

AND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN NOW THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT ASTIGMATISM WE NEED TO HIDE.

IT'S SOMETHING THEY NEED TO GET OUT IN FRONT.

THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR PEOPLE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE PHYSICAL HEALTH.

AND I THINK WE'RE LEARNING THAT MORE AND MORE AND I THINK ONE THING TOO TODD THAT'S HELPED IS THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE SEEN PRO ATHLETES, AND I LIKE FLEETS THAT HAVE COME OUT AND SAID I HAVE HAD ISSUES AND HAD TO WORK THROUGH THEM AND I THINK THAT HAS HELPED.

I THINK WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT JUST LIKE WE DO OUR HEALTH ISSUES IN THE STATE.

BECAUSE THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE.

YOU KNOW IF WE WANT TO BE HAPPY AND PROTECTIVE IN LIFE WE HAVE TO BE HEALTHY MENTALLY AS WELL AS PHYSICALLY.

>> WELL, WE WILL BE CERTAINLY TALKING ABOUT THAT MORE GOING FORWARD.

NATE LEDBETTER THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I APPRECIATE IT, TODD, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM, WE'RE JOINED BY JEREMY WALKER CEO OF THE ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.

JEREMY, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL"?

>> TODD, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HERE AND REALLY EXCITED FOR YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

>> THANKS.

WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF FUN.

YOU SEE YESTERDAY HOSTED REALTOR DAY HERE IN THE CAPITOL CITY WHERE HUNDREDS OF REALTORS FROM AROUND THE CERTIFICATE CONVERGED HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE AND THE CAPITOL.

HOW DID IT GO?

WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

>> WITH WE HAD A GREAT DAY.

OUR MEMBERS WERE REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE.

THIS IS OUR DAY WHERE THEY GET TO COME TO THE STATEHOUSE AND SPEAK TO THEIR LIKED OFFICIALS ABOUT ISSUES IMPORTANT TO THEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND SO WE'VE MISSED THAT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AS YOU KNOW, THE STATE HOUSE HAS LARGELY BEEN CLOSED DUE TO PANDEMIC PRECAUTIONS SO IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO SEE THEM BACK IN THE STATEHOUSE INTERACTING WITH LEGISLATORS.

SO THAT'S REALLY BEEN MISSED.

>> YEAH.

WELL, CERTAINLY IT'S NICE TO HAVE THE STATEHOUSE BACK OPEN WITH THE PUBLIC INVITED.

YOU WERE TALKING WITH SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AT YOUR CONFERENCE ABOUT THIS INTERESTING ECONOMY.

ALL OF THE TRADITIONAL INDICATORS, UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, THINGS LIKE THAT, SAY THAT IT'S BOOMING.

AND YET THERE'S THIS OTHER TREND WHERE A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING WORKERS.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE ARE, FROM THE REALTOR'S PERSPECTIVE HOW IS THIS ECONOMY GOING AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO IMPROVE IT?

>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE THE ECONOMY IN 2020 WAS A RECORD YEAR.

REAL ESTATE ACCOUNTED FOR 15 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S GDP, A LITTLE OVER $33 BILLION IN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SPIN OFF LAST YEAR.

SO THAT WAS VERY POSITIVE.

WE'RE HEARING GREAT REPORTS IN EVERY MARKET FORECLOSURES RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, RURAL LAND, AND OUR SECOND HOME, INVESTMENT COMMUNITY.

SO THAT'S BEEN EXTREMELY POSITIVE.

WE THINK THAT'S BEEN DRIVEN BY WITH A NUMBER OF FACTORS BUT WE'RE BENEFITING FROM A NUMBER OF AMERICANS MOVING TO ALABAMA FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

PART OF THAT IS DUE TO REMOTE WORK OPTIONS WHERE THEY'RE SEEKING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES, BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE HERE AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE BENEFICIARIES OF THAT.

OUR STATE IS GROWING.

AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT WHERE THINKS ARE GROWING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY HERE.

WE HAVE A GREAT STORY TO TELL.

AND IN 2030, WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT HOW MANY CONGRESSIONAL SEATS WE PICK UP AND NOT HOW MANY WE LOSE.

>> IS THAT KIND OF WHAT YOU BRING THE MULTIPLE TO MONTGOMERY TO SHARE TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL LAWMAKERS, TO THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP ON REALTOR DAY?

>> THAT AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

TWO THINGS THAT WE ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT AND WATCHING WITH A WEARY EYE NEXT YEAR ARE GOING TO BE INFLATION AND RISING INTEREST RATES.

THAT'S AFFECTING A NUMBER OF OTHER FACTORS FROM AFFORDABILITY TO INVENTORY TO MATERIAL SHORTAGES, SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTION AND THAT FEEDS INTO THE WORKFORCE ELEMENT THAT YOU HAVE DISCUSSED.

IT'S A BIG CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

>> LAST YEAR, THE ALABAMA REALTORS HAD A BIG WIN AT THE SUPREME COURT.

THIS WAS A NATIONAL CASE, DEALING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORITY, COVID RULES, EVICTION, MORATORIUM -- TELL ME ABOUT THAT CASE, WHY YOU GOT INVOLVED AND WHY IT WAS SUCH A BIG DEAL?

>> WELL, IT WAS A BIG DAYS.

AND OUR MEMBERS HAD A LOT OF COURAGE TO PURSUE IT.

IT WASN'T EASY.

I CAN TELL YOU OUR MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS WERE ATTACKED AND VILIFIED FROM DAY ONE.

BUT TO OUR MEMBERS IT WAS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVELY CAME IN AND SEIZED PRIVATE PROPERTY.

THEY NATIONALIZED THE NATIONAL RENTAL MARKET ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

FROM OUR STANDPOINT THE SCARY THING WAS IF THEY CAN DO IT TO PRIVATE RENTAL PROPERTY THEY CAN DO IT TO YOUR HOME, YOUR FARM AND BUSINESS SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO TAKE A STAND.

IT WAS ALSO ABOUT RENTAL INCOME, TO MANY OF OUR MOM AND POP LANDLORDS.

THERE'S BEEN A MISPERCEPTION IN THE MEDIA THEY'RE ARE WEALTHY OR BIG CORPORATE ENTITIES.

AND THE TRUTH IS, AT LEAST HALF OF THE PRIVATE RENTAL MARKET ARE MADE OF MOM AND POP INVESTORS SO THEY WERE CRUSHED WITH A LOT OF THESE FEDERAL MANDATES NOT ONLY THE TAKINGS ELEMENT BUT THERE WAS ALSO A CONCERN OVER -- YOU COULDN'T EVEN GO INTO COURT TO SEEK REDRESS.

AND IF YOU DID THERE WERE THREATS OF FINES AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION WHICH WE FOUND VERY FLAME FORE.

WE TOOK A STAND AND TOOK IT TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE OUTCOME WITH THAT AND THE PRECEDENT THAT IT CREATED.

AND AS A MATTER OF FACT WE JUST SAW IT IN THE VACCINE MANDATE RULING THAT CAME DOWN FROM THE SUPREME COURT LAST WEEK.

ESSENTIALLY, THE SUPREME COURT SAID CONGRESS DICTATES WHAT A FEDERAL AGENCY CAN AND CANNOT DO.

IF A FEDERAL AGENCY EXCEEDS THAT AUTHORITY, YOU KNOW IT SHALL NOT EXCEED THAT AUTHORITY.

>> AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU -- THINKING ABOUT THE EVICTION MORATORIUM, THE STATE HAD A ROUGH TIME -- OR IT WAS DELAYED IN GETTING OUT THIS RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

THAT HAD TO BE FRUSTRATING FROM A STANDPOINT OF YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO EVICT ANYBODY AND AT THE SAME TIME THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE WASN'T GETTING OUT IN A TIMELY MANNER.

WAS THAT FRUSTRATING TO REALTORS?

>> IT WAS EXTREMELY.

EARLY ON I WILL GIVE GOVERNOR IVEY A LOT OF CREDIT.

WE HAD A SHORT EVICTION MORATORIUM IN ALABAMA, 30 TO 60 DAYS AS STATED LEADERS GRAPPLED WITH THE PANDEMIC THAT WE PHASED.

IT WAS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME ISSUE AND IT WAS SHORT AND LIMITED AS IT WAS EXPENDED TO BE.

AFTER THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR HOUSING PROVIDERS AND TO TENANTS TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS BOTCHED PROBABLY FROM THE BEGINNING, JUST TO BE HONEST.

THE PROGRAM FROM THE U.S. TREASURE DEPARTMENT WAS ROLLED OUT AROUND JANUARY 6 MUCH LAST YEAR.

SO IF WE RECALL THERE WAS A LOT GOING ON AT THE STATE CAPITOL WITH THE STORMING OF THE CAPITOL WHEN THAT HAPPENED AND A LOT OF CONFUSION.

SO WE GIVE THE ALABAMA HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY A GRAIL OF CREDIT FOR RECEIVING ALMOST $300 MILLION FROM WASHINGTON IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND STANDING UP A VERY HUGE PROGRAM IN A SPAN OF ANT SIX MONTHS.

OBVIOUSLY WE WERE FRUSTRATED.

WE WISH THE MONEY COULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT SOONER, BUT THEY DID AS GOOD OF A JOB AS THEY COULD HAVE UNDER OF UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> WE'RE AT THE START THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES HERE IN 2022.

>> WE WILL BE INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF ISSUES AS EVERY YEAR.

WE ARE SECURE TO THE COAT THAT IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO KILL BAD BILLS THAN PASS GOOD ONES BUT WE WILL HAVE ONE IMPORTANT INITIATIVE CALL THE ONE TIME HOMEBUYER'S SAVINGS ACCOUNT THAT WE WILL TRY TO RENEW.

WE TRIED IN 2018.

IT CREATES A TAX SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS WHERE THEY CAN SAVE FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR OR $10,000 PER COUPLE TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A HOME.

AND SO THAT HAS A FIVE-YEAR SUNSET WHICH COMES UP NEXT YEAR.

WE BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THAT EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.

ESPECIALLY AS AFFORDABILITY HAS CONTINUED TO BECOME AN ISSUE ACROSS THIS STATE.

>> I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP US UPDATED AS THIS COMES ALONG.

JEREMY WALKER THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW WITH MORE COVERAGE FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

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

SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

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