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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE INAUGURATION OF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND OTHER STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS BROUGHT POMP AND PAGEANTRY TO THE CAPITAL CITY.

FROM THE OATHS OF OFFICE TO THE SPEECHES, RECEPTIONS DINNERS AND OF COURSE, THE INAUGURAL GALA ALABAMA RANG IN ANOTHER TERM FOR ITS TOP LEADERS.

IN ADDITION TO IVEY SO SWORN INTO OFFICE FOR A SECOND TERM WERE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH, ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL, TREASURER YOUNG BOOZER AND COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES RICK PATE.

TAKING THE OATH FOR THEIR FIRST TERM WERE SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN AND STATE AUDITOR ANDREW SORRELL.

EACH OF THE OFFICIALS ADDRESSED THE CROWD GATHERED AT THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL, AS WELL AS THOSE WATCHING LIVE ON TELEVISION THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH WAS THERE AND CAPTURED THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SPEECHES.

>> AT ALABAMA GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S INAUGURATION AS THE STATE'S 54th GOVERNOR, MEMBERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, PUBLIC COMMISSION AND ALABAMA'S TOP ELECTED OFFICIALS TOOK THEIR OATH OF OFFICE.

>> I, KAY IVEY, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AS LONG AS I CONTINUE TO BE A CITIZEN THEREOF.

I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES ON THE OFFICE WHICH I'M ABOUT TO ENTER TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

SO HELP ME GOD.

EACH SPOKE TO ALABAMIANS.

I KNOW THE BEST WAY TO THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE OF AUTAUGA, BALDWIN, BARBOUR BIBB, BLOUNT, BULLOCK, BUTLER, CALHOUN, CHAMBERS, CHEROKEE, CHILTON, CHOCTAW, CLARKE, CLAY, CLEBURNE, COFFEE, COLBERT, CONECUH, COOSA, COVINGTON, CRENSHAW, CULLMAN, DALE, DALLAS, DEKALB, ELMORE, ESCAMBIA, ETOWAH, FAYETTE, FRANKLLIN, GENEVA, GREENE, HALE, HENRY, HOUSTON, JACKSON, JEFFERSON, LAMAR, LAUDERDALE, LAWRENCE, LEE, LIMESTONE, LOWNDES, MACON, MADISON, MARENGO, MARION, MARSHALL, MOBILE, MONTGOMERY, MORGAN, PERRY, PICKENS, PIKE, RANDOLPH, RUSSELL, SAINT CLAIR, SHELBY, SUMTER, TALLADEGA, TALLAPOOSA, TUSCALOOSA, WALKER, WASHINGTON, WILCOX, WINSTON.

MANY KNOW MY PHILOSOPHY IS DO THE RIGHT THING, THE RIGHT WAY AND RIGHT AWAY.

EVERYTHING IN OUR OFFICE IS BASED ON THOSE WORDS.

WE INVEST BILLIONS AND MAKE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RICK PATE.

>> I TOLD GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, I WAS ON THE PODIUM WITH HER AND SAID WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT THE THREE PEOPLE WITH THE THREE BEST JOBS IN ALABAMA ARE ON THE PODIUM TOGETHER AND I FEEL THAT WAY.

BEING COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE IS A GREAT AND WONDERFUL JOB AND RESPONSIBILITY.

WES ALLEN SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> MANY SMALL TOWNS ALL OVER THE STATE PEOPLE ARE DREAMING AND PLANNING AND MAKING THEIR DREAM OF OWNING A BUSINESS A REALITY.

I AM HONORED I HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO ASSIST THEM IN THE SMALLEST WAY THROUGH OUR BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION.

AS I WORK TO ENSURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE THE SAFEST, MOST SECURE AND FAIREST IN THE NATION, I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION THAT WE UNDER TAKE WITHIN THE LAWS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE ARE NOT MINOR EVERYDAY TASKS BUT THE BEDROCK OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL PUBLIC AND MUST BE TREATED AS SUCH.

>> ANDREW SORRELL.

>> TO THOSE WHO VOLUNTEERED AND VOTED FOR ME, TO YOU I SAY THANK YOU.

TO THOSE THAT DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME, I HOPE TO EARN YOUR VOTE IN THE FUTURE BY GIVING THIS POSITION THE EFFORT AND ATTENTION IT DESERVES.

I WANT THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO BE SOMETHING WE CAN BE PROUD OF.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL.

>> WE HAVE FOUGHT THE FIGHTS THAT HAD TO BE FOUGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

I TOOK ON OPIOIDS.

WITH A PERSONAL AXE TO GRIND I REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE IN A NATIONWIDE OPIOID SETTLEMENT BECAUSE I WANTED ALABAMA TO GET WHAT IT DESERVED, A MILLION TO USE TO COMBAT THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT OPIOIDS HAVE CAUSED IN OUR STATE.

>> WILL AINSWORTH, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> WE PROTECTED OUR MILITARY BASES BY MAKING THE MOST WELCOMING STATE IF THE COUNTRY FOR ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS, DEPENDENTS AND VETERANS.

WE'VE ENSURED ACCESS TO LONG-LASTING, WELL-PAYING, 21ST CENTURY JOBS BY SUPPORTING THE ALABAMA AEROSPACE INDUSTRY THAT ONCE LAUNCHED MEN TO THE MOON AND ARE DOING SO AGAIN TODAY.

>> AND ALABAMA GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

>> IT IS THE HIGHEST HONOR OF MY LIFE TO SERVE AS YOUR GOVERNOR.

I COMMIT TO YOU TODAY I'LL WORK HARD OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO BUILD ON OUR ROOTS SO WE CAN ADDRESS OUR LONG-STANDING CHALLENGES.

THANK YOU FOR ENTRUSTING US WITH YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT AND IT IS INDEED YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

I ASSURE YOU, OUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL AHEAD.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS EACH OF YOU AND THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> WITH THE INAUGURATION OVER, THERE ARE ABOUT SIX WEEKS UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES FOR ITS FIRST REGULAR SESSION OF THE NEW TERM.

MOST LAWMAKERS ALSO TOOK PART IN THE FESTIVITIES, AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP WAS BUSY PLANNING FOR THE WORK THAT LIES AHEAD IN MARCH.

HERE'S A PHOTO FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, INCLUDING THE BUDGET CHAIRMEN, MEETING WITH GOVERNOR IVEY AND HER TOP STAFF, INCLUDING FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT CAUGHT UP WITH LAWMAKERS TO GET THEIR THOUGHTS ON THIS NEW TERM BEGINNING.

>> DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY IS BUZZING WITH ACTIVITY AS THE INAUGURATION GETS INTO GEAR.

SCORES OF PEOPLE ARE ON HAND TO WATCH NEW STATE OFFICERS GET SWORN INTO OFFICE.

AMONG THEM ARE TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE, WES ALLEN, WHO IS NOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND ANDREW SORRELL WHO IS NOW THE STATE AUDITOR.

THE BIG EVENT IS GOVERNOR KAY IVEY GETTING SWORN IN FOR ANOTHER TERM IN OFFICE.

AMONG THE PEOPLE WATCHING ARE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THEY RECALL WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN AND HEARD DURING THE DAY'S EVENTS.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS WAS VERY POSITIVE.

IT WAS VERY GOOD FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I THINK WE'RE IN A REALLY GOOD SPOT NATIONWIDE.

WE'VE COME THROUGH THE PANDEMIC A LOT STRONGER THAN A LOT OF OTHER STATES, AND A LOT OF THIS IS BY WORKING TOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER FROM RURAL TO URBAN AND ACROSS PARTY LINES.

I THINK HER ADDRESS REFLECTED THAT TODAY.

>> A LOT OF THINGS WERE SAID IN TERMS OF -- SPECIFICALLY THE GOVERNOR AS SHE TALKED ABOUT HER SUCCESSES SHE'S HAD WITH BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL AND THE MONEY WE PUT INTO BROADBAND.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, SOME OF THE THINGS I THOUGHT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AS IMPORTANT IS THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID OR TO MAKE SURE WE INCREASE HEALTHCARE IN THE STATE FOR THOSE CITIZENS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.

>> LAWMAKERS ARE HOPING THE GOOD VIBES OF THE INAUGURATION CARRY OVER FOR STATE BUSINESS WHEN THE REGULAR SESSION STARTS IN MARCH.

>> THAT'S THE FEELING I GET SO FAR IN OUR INITIAL MEETINGS AND ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION.

UNLIKE WASHINGTON, WE ELECTED THE SPEAKER VERY SWIFTLY.

IT WAS A BIPARTISAN ELECTION FOR OUR NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY POSITIVE STEP FORWARD AND A GOOD STEP FOR ALABAMA.

>> WE ARE HOPING IT WILL CARRY ON IN TERMS OF BIPARTISANSHIP AND SEEING SOME LEGISLATION THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON AND WORK TOGETHER, NOT ONLY FOR DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN PARTY BUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE ARE HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC THAT WE ARE GOING INTO THE SESSION AND CAN GET SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

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

>> IN HER FIRST ACT OF HER SECOND TERM, GOVERNOR IVEY SIGNED FOUR EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELATED TO IMPROVING EDUCATION.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 729 PROMOTES EARLY LITERACY BY ESTABLISHING A STATEWIDE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY NETWORK.

IVEY AUTHORIZED $4.1 MILLION TO MAIL FREE BOOKS TO CHILDREN EVERY MONTH.

ORDER NUMBER 730 ESTABLISHES THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON TEACHING AND LEARNING.

IT WILL EXAMINE WAYS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.

ORDER NUMBER 731 DIRECTS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT TO SUBMIT A REPORT OUTLINING PROGRESS ON THE 2019 LITERACY ACT AND 2022 NUMERACY ACT AS WELL AS CHANGES TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.

AND ORDER NUMBER 732 ESTABLISHES A K-12 TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

I'LL SPEAK WITH GOVERNOR IVEY IN MORE DETAIL ABOUT THESE INITIATIVES HERE IN A BIT.

THE LATEST STATE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ARE OUT.

ALABAMA'S JOBLESS RATE FOR DECEMBER WAS 2.8%, UP SLIGHTLY FROM 2.7% IN NOVEMBER.

IT'S DOWN OVER THE YEAR, AS UNEMPLOYMENT WAS 3.1% IN DECEMBER 2021.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, PEOPLE COUNTED AS EMPLOYED ROSE OVER THE YEAR BY 56,418 TO A TOTAL 2,229,259.

BEFORE WE GET TO TONIGHT'S GUESTS, SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT GARNERED LOTS OF ATTENTION ONLINE THIS WEEK WHEN A TWITTER VIDEO OF HER INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS AT DUNBAR MAGNET SCHOOL IN MOBILE WENT VIRAL.

BRITT WAS HIGH FIVING, HUGGING AND TAKING SELFIES WITH A CROWD OF EAGER AND ENTHUSIASTIC STUDENTS.

IT'S REALLY WORTH SEEING.

[ PLAYGROUND CHATTER ] >> YOU DON'T SEE THAT FROM A U.S.

SENATOR EVERYDAY.

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

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

NEXT I'M JOINED BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WE SHOWED THE INAUGURATION SPEECH EARLIER.

YOU HAD THE PARADE AND GALA, BIG WEEK.

CAN YOU BREAK DOWN IN SIMPLE TERMS WHAT YOU WERE TRYING TO CONVEY TO THE PEOPLE IN THIS YOUR FINAL INAUGURATION SPEECH?

>> WELL, TODD, I WANTED TO BE SURE TO EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT OUR GREATEST RESOURCE ARE OUR PEOPLE.

LOOK AT THE TORNADO AND THE DEVASTATION AND SEE WHEN TROUBLE HITS US, OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR GREATEST RESOURCE AS THEY ARE THE GREATEST RESOURCE DURING THE GOOD TIMES.

I WANT OUR PEOPLE TO KNOW I RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE THAT.

THE INAUGURATION WAS A GRAND DAY.

IT WENT FLAWLESS.

A LOT OF GOOD FOLKS PUT A LOT OF HARD WORK INTO THE DETAILS AND IT PAID OFF.

WHEN I WALKED OUT ON THE STEPS AND LOOKED AT THAT CROWD, THEY WERE ENERGIZED AND GAVE ME ENERGY AND IT WAS A TRULY GREAT INAUGURATION AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE.

>> WELL, YOUR FIRST ACT IN THIS NEW TERM WAS TO ISSUE THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELATED TO EDUCATION, FOUR OF THEM.

IT'S INTERESTING TO ME BECAUSE IT KIND OF SENDS A STATEMENT.

YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION IN YOUR STATEMENT BEING THE TOP PRIORITY.

SO IT SHOWS YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT IT, EVEN BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE MEETS THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS ARE OUT.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOU ARE SEEKING TO DO.

>> TODD, WE DID THE FIRST TERM LAYING FOUNDATIONS AND KEY AREAS, EDUCATION ONE OF THEM.

NOW WE WANT TO PUT SOME MEAT ON THE BONE AND BE SPECIFIC.

MY GOAL IS AT THE END OF MY TERM OR THIS TERM FOR THE STATE TO RANK IN THE TOP 30 STATES IN MATH AND READING.

YESTERDAY I WAS AT CHISOLM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND TOOK A STACK OF BOOKS AND WHEN WE PASSED OUT THE BOOKS THEY LIT UP.

THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO HAVE A BOOK OF THEIR OWN AND WE LEFT A BUNCH OF BOOKS WITH THE CHILDREN AT CHISOLM ELEMENTARY AND IT'S REFRESHING TO SEE HOW EXCITED CHILDREN GET WHEN YOU ENCOURAGE THEM TO READ.

THAT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO READ AND TO READ GOOD.

GRADES ONE, TWO AND THREE, WE LEARN TO READ AND AFTER THAT WE READ TO LEARN.

READING IS IMPERATIVE.

>> THAT'S A LOFTY GOAL.

30 -- JUST A FEW YEARS AGO WE WERE SECOND TO LAST IN MATH AND READING.

I KNOW WE -- THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THE LITERACY ACT AND NUMERACY ACT.

ARE THOSE THINGS YOU WANT TO DOUBLE DOWN ON IN THE NEXT TERM, BUILD UPON?

OR ARE THERE OTHER THINGS?

>> WE WILL SURE DOUBLE DOWN ON THOSE AS WELL BECAUSE IMPROVING MATH AND READING ARE TOP PRIORITIES.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE ONE OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS DEALS WITH PARTNERING WITH THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY AND PROVIDE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WHEN THEY ARE BORN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 5 WITH A BOOK OF THEIR OWN EVERY MONTH, PERFECT TO THEIR AGE READING LEVEL TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO READ BECAUSE IT'S THAT IMPORTANT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYBODY TO EVERYBODY TO DOUBLE READ AND IMPROVE READING AND MATH.

>> YOU MAY BE THE FIRST TO REALLY STAKE OUT GROUND ON CHARTER SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL CHOICE MORE BROADLY.

WHAT'S WILL IT LOOK LIKE COME SESSION TIME?

STATE OF THE STATE IS MORE THAN A MONTH AWAY.

ARE WE LOOKING AT POLICY WISE FINALLY OPENING THE LOCAL EQUITY DOLLARS FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS, AN ARIZONA-TYPE LAW.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOU WILL TAKE THE LEAD ON GOING INTO THE SESSION.

>> MOST LIKELY I WILL TAKE THE LEAD AND WORK WITH THE LEGISLATORS TO MAKE IT REALITY.

THE TRUTH IS WE NEED TO PROVIDE CHARTER SCHOOLS WITH START-UP FUNDS.

SO WHEN THEY GET STARTED THEY CAN STAY STARTED AND PROVIDE THE QUALITY EDUCATION.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE NEED IS OUR PARENTS BEING INVOLVED.

WE NOT ONLY SUPPORT OUR PARENTS BEING INVOLVED.

WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD'S CHOICE OF EDUCATION.

AND HELP TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

>> ANOTHER THING WITH YOUR SPEECH WAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE KNOW THESE INCENTIVE LAWS REQUIRE REAUTHORIZATION THIS YEAR.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT TWEAKS TO THEM.

GOVERNOR AINSWORTH HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT TO GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOUR OFFICE WILL TAKE THE LEAD ON AND MIGHT WE SEE A SPECIAL SESSION TO ISOLATE THIS ISSUE?

YOU HAVE DONE THAT IN THE PAST WITH GAS TAX AND ARPA.

IS THIS SOMETHING WE MIGHT SEE AGAIN?

>> WE WILL WAIT AND SEE.

THE CONVERSATION IS CERTAINLY ONGOING BUT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON DOING THE RIGHT THINGS THE RIGHT WAY WITH THE RIGHT FOLKS.

THAT'S IMPORTANT.

SO WHEN WE LAUNCH IT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> INCENTIVES WILL BE A PART.

>> YEAH, WE HAVE TO HAVE INCENTIVES AND IF THEY NEED TWEAKING, WE'LL TWEAK THEM.

>> WE HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON PRISON POLICY, THIS SPECIFICALLY THE ISSUE OF GOOD TIME.

YOU HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK TALKING ABOUT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER YOU ARE CHANGING THE POLICY IS LITTLE BIT.

AND NOW A BILL FROM APRIL WEAVER CHANGING THE LAW ON GOOD TIME MEANING GOOD BEHAVIOR IN PRISON FOR INMATES CAN LEAD TO REDUCED SENTENCE.

WE WILL SEE CHANGES NOT JUST FROM EXECUTIVES BUT MAYBE FROM LAW.

MY QUESTION IS DON'T WE NEED THINGS LIKE GOOD TIME TO INCENTIVIZE GOOD BEHAVIOR?

THE PRISONS ARE VIOLENT ENOUGH.

WE DON'T WE NEED THINGS TO HELP PRISONERS TO HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO BEHAVE AND BE GOOD?

>> YEAH, WE DO.

I'M ALL FOR GOOD TIME AND A WAY TO PROVIDE INCENTIVE FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE PRISON POPULATION IS MADE UP MAINLY OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO GOOD TIME.

THE PURPOSE OF GOOD TIME IS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO REHABILITATE THEMSELVES AND COME OUT AND BE ABLE TO EARN A LIVING AND HAVE A GOOD JOB AND RAISE THEIR FAMILIES.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS THAT WE PROTECT OUR PEOPLE AND NOT LET PEOPLE OUT OF PRISON WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT BE.

WE LOST A DEPUTY RECENTLY BECAUSE HE WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY SOMEBODY WHO SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN LET OUT OF PRISON.

>> RIGHT.

AT THE SAME TIME -- I GUESS THAT'S THE QUESTION.

HE TRIED TO ESCAPE AND ALL OF THIS.

MAYBE FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

MAYBE OUR POLICIES CAN BE BETTER.

CAN WE DO BOTH?

WE ALLOW FOR INCENTIVES TO INCENTIVIZE GOOD BEHAVIOR -- AND KEEP VIOLENT OFFENDERS LOCKED UP?

>> YES, WE CAN.

>> SWITCHING GEARS AGAIN, LOOKING TOWARD THE SESSION, A LOT OF LAWMAKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE BUDGET SURPLUS.

WE KNOW IT IS TEMPORARY BUT THEY ARE TALKING TAX REBATES AND SOME TALKING ABOUT INVESTING IN EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, INFRASTRUCTURE MAYBE.

WHAT'S THE LATEST FROM YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWMAKERS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH TAX REBATE, TAX CUT VERSUS OTHER INVESTMENTS?

>> NO DOUBT WE HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS IN BOTH BUDGETS AND THAT'S A GOOD THING BUT WE HAVE TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE, AS YOU SAY, THIS GOOD TIME WON'T LAST LONG.

WE WANT TO BE PREPARED.

WE ARE WORKING HARD TO BE SURE IF WE DO GIVE SOME REBATES BACK IT'S AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO MAKE PEOPLE REALIZE THEY GOT SOME OF THEIR MONEY BACK.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM A TOKEN AMOUNT.

THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE ONGOING WE HAD A BUDGET MEETING WITH ALL FOUR BUDGET CHAIRS AND THE SPEAKER AND PRO-TEM AND WE WILL HAVE SEVERAL MORE BEFORE THE SESSION STARTS.

>> I KNOW YOU RECENTLY TOURED STORM DAMAGE IN SELMA AND AUTAUGA COUNTY.

WHAT'S THE LATEST FROM YOUR OFFICE ON GETTING RELIEF TO THOSE COMMUNITIES?

>> THE LATEST IS LAST FRIDAY I TOURED THE SITES AND I WAS PROUD TO BE JOINED BY CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL IN DALLAS COUNTY AND KATIE BRITT.

THAT AFTERNOON, I GOT BACK AND CONNECTED WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN TO URGE HIM TO ISSUE AND EXPEDITE MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION.

THE NEXT MORNING AT 1:29 A.M., WE GOT THE CALL HE HAD APPROVED IT.

SO THE MONEYS WOULD BE COMING.

>> THAT'S LIKE THE FIRST STEP.

>> TO GETTING THE FEDERAL FOLKS TO PUT MONEY IN.

THERE'S A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL BE IMPACTED AND THEY CAN GET RESOURCES TO HELP REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

FROM YOUR TIME ON THE GROUND, WHAT WERE YOU HEARING FROM THOSE IMPACTED?

OBVIOUSLY, IN AUTAUGA, WE HAD UNFORTUNATELY DEATHS.

BUT NO ONE DIED IN SELMA, SURPRISING GIVEN THE DAMAGE.

WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE ON THE GROUND?

>> SHOCK AND AMAZEMENT, DISBELIEF.

MOST HAD NEVER SEEN ANY TRAGEDY OR DEVASTATION.

IT WAS HUGE.

IT WAS FAR GREATER THAN I ANTICIPATED BUT THE PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT AND DETERMINED AND NEIGHBORS WERE HELPING NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE FLOCKING IN FROM ALL OVER TO HELP IN AN ORDERLY FASHION.

IT WAS A GOOD DAY AND I WAS GLAD TO VISIT BEFORE INAUGURATION TO THANK OUR PEOPLE FOR BEING THE STRONG RESOURCE THEY ARE.

>> IT STRUCK ME.

THERE WAS A PHOTO TAKEN I THINK BY CONGRESSWOMAN SEWELL'S OFFICE OF YOU, CONGRESSWOMAN SEWELL AND KATIE BRITT.

THERE IT IS.

IN SELMA.

HERE THE STATE'S TOP LEADERS, THERE IN SELMA, DOING THEIR JOBS AND ALL WOMEN.

WOULD YOU HAVE THOUGHT THAT 20 YEARS AGO?

I MEAN, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THIS WAS A GREAT MOMENT.

I WAS SO PROUD TO BE WITH KATIE AND TERRI AND APPRECIATED THEM JOINING US ON THIS TOUR.

I THINK THE PEOPLE IN THE AREAS WERE PROUD TO SEE THEM, TOO.

>> WELL, WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

ANY OTHER NEWS YOU WANT TO MAKE OR ANY OTHER THOUGHTS YOU HAVE STARTING OUT YOUR FINAL TERM AS GOVERNOR, KIND OF GUNS ABLAZIN'.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW?

>> AS I TOLD FOLKS IN MY INAUGURAL SPEECH, WE WILL HAVE AFTER FULL, PRODUCTIVE AND BUSY FOUR YEARS.

I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE ENGAGED AND FOCUSED ON HELPING THE STATE PROVIDE BETTER GOVERNMENT, MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT SO WE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OUR PEOPLE DESERVE.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING A SECOND TERM.

>> EXCELLENT.

WE WILL LOOK FORWARD FOR MORE SPECIFICS ON THE EDUCATION TOPICS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COVER THE STATE OF THE STATE LIVE HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> VERY GOOD.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TODD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

NEXT, I'M JOINED BY ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR INAUGURAL FESTIVITIES, YOUR SPEECH, YOUR SECOND FULL TERM AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE SHOWED A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR SPEECH EARLIER ON THE SHOW.

IT WAS SHORT, LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES BUT SUBSTANTIAL IN WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY.

I DESCRIBED IT IN MY NEWSLETTER.

WORLD WAR II, TALKED ABOUT BEING THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST AN ADVANCING, PROGRESSIVE AGENDA.

TELL ME WHY YOU CHOSE THAT MESSAGE AND TONE TO BEGIN THIS TERM.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE ROLE ATTORNEY GENERALS HAVE.

IF YOU LOOK HISTORICALLY WHERE WE WERE, WE WERE THE TOP COP IN THE STATE.

FRANKLY, OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS THAT'S BAN TRANSITION.

PARTICULARLY WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION, ONE THING WE HAVE SEEN IT IS THE STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT HAVE BEEN THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR PUSHING BACK.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT BUT WE HAVE SEEN ON MULTIPLE FRONTS WHERE WE HAVE HAD TO ADDRESS WHAT WE BELIEF IS OVERREACH OF THE ADMINISTRATION USING THE TOOLS AND THE COURTS AND HAD SUBSTANTIAL VICTORIES.

AS I ATTEMPTED ON MONDAY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ALABAMA SHOULD EXPECT OF ME, IT'S MORE OF THE SAME.

I'M A CONSERVATIVE FIGHTING ATTORNEY GENERAL AND I'M GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.

WHEN WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION WITH A DIVIDED CONGRESS THAT'S GOING TO STRUGGLE TO GET THEIR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THROUGH, I THINK THEY WILL USE AGENCIES AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS IN TRYING TO DO THINGS THAT OTHERWISE I PROBABLY WILL FALL ON THE SIDE OF SAYING THEY ARE EITHER CONTRARY TO THE LAW, THE CONSTITUTION OR THE AUTHORITY OF THE AGENCY TO ACT.

>> ALSO HEARD IN YOUR SPEECH A BIT OF A MESSAGE OF THE OFFICERS OF THE STATE NEED TO ADHERE TO THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY THE BASICS OF DEMOCRACY BUT THERE ARE LIMITS.

PEOPLE OR THE MOB CAN BE WRONG AND I GO TO VREDENBURGH AND HOW OFFICIALS OWE CONSTITUENTS GOOD JUDGMENT IN OFFICE.

HOW DO WE HAVE A BALANCE BETWEEN YES, I'M LISTENING TO THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE BUT ALSO KNOWING THAT YOU PROBABLY HAVE MORE INFORMATION THAN THEY DO AND OTHERS IN THE LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNOR AND SO ON.

>> MY OWN E PERSONAL EXPERIENCE -- IN THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO'S BEEN A D.A.

IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR A LONG TIME AND NOW AG FOR THE LAST ALMOST SIX YEARS.

I LEARNED MORE IN THE GROCERY STORE FROM PEOPLE THAT STOP ME AND WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THEIR COMMUNITY THAN I DO ANYTHING ELSE.

IN MANY RESPECTS, WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT DURING THAT SPEECH IS WE HAVE A CONSERVATIVE SUPERMAJORITY IN THE STATE.

WE NEED TO GOVERN IN A WAY THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

THE REALITY IS THERE ARE TIMES THAT PEOPLE MAY ASK FOR THAT IS EITHER NOT SOMETHING WE CAN DO AS A MATTER OF LAW OR SOMETHING WE CAN LEGISLATE ABOUT.

CLEARLY THE JUDGMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIVES ARE IN PLAY BUT AS IT RELATES TO THE PRIORITIES OF THE PEOPLE THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE RESPONSIVE ABOUT.

ONE THING THAT RESONATES WITH ME WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE IS THE IDEA WE ARE BATTLING OVER THE DEFINITION OF WHO'S A GIRL AND BOY.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LAW WE ARE DEFENDING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE RIGHT NOW, WHERE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS ATTACKING THAT PARTICULAR LAW ITSELF, BUT IT IS ISSUES LIKE THAT THAT ARE REFLECTIVE OF WHAT THE PEOPLE THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO LISTEN TO.

THE REALITY ALSO IS -- YOU LIVE HERE.

THERE'S A BUBBLE THAT EXISTS AROUND THE CAPITOL.

IF I STAYED INS OF THIS TWO-MILE RADIUS, THE REALITY IS I WON'T BE A VERY GOOD ATTORNEY GENERAL.

BECAUSE I WON'T HEAR WHAT THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED ME, THE ALMOST MILLION PEOPLE THAT CAST THEIR VOTE ON MY BEHALF ON ELECTION DAY WANT ME TO DO.

IF I'M NOT LISTENING AND OUR LEGISLATURE IS NOT LISTENING AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS AREN'T LISTENING, I DON'T THINK WE ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE PUBLIC THAT PUT US HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> WHERE IS THAT CASE, BY THE WAY, THE TRANSGENDER BATHROOM CASE?

>> RIGHT NOW THERE'S ACTIVE DISCOVERY BEFORE JUDGE BURKE.

HE'S ENTERED -- FEDERAL COURT, JUDGE BURKE.

ACTUALLY THE ACTING JUDGE IN THE MIDDLE DISTRICT IS THE WAY IT IS POSTURED AND A PENDING CASE IN THE 1 IS 1th DISTRICT TO SET ASIDE THE INJUNCTIONS THAT JUDGE BURKE ISSUED.

IT IS SET FOR LATE AUGUST AND OUR TEAM IS WORKING HARD TO GET READY.

>> DO YOU THINK IT WILL END UP IN THE SUPREME COURT?

>> IT COULD.

SOME OF THE ISSUES RELEVANT IN THAT CASE ARE BROADER THAN THE DISCREET QUESTION BEFORE THE COURT.

WOULD IT SURPRISE ME?

NO.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO CREATE A RECORD THAT ALLOWS US TO DEFEND OUR POSITION ON APPEAL.

>> THEY HAVE HAD A BUSY DOCKET AT THE SUPREME COURT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> THEY HAVE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT EXECUTIONS.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT ALTERED THE LEGAL PROTOCOLS OF HOW THAT PROCESS GOES FORWARD.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

YOU SAID THESE WERE NECESSARY.

YOU SAID CHANGES TO THAT PROTOCOL WERE NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THE CHANGES ARE AND WHAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT NEXT TIME YOU GO FORWARD WITH A WARRANT FOR EXECUTION?

>> I THINK TWO THINGS ARE RELEVANT.

NUMBER ONE IS THE COURT CHANGED WHO SETS THE DATE.

THAT IS SHIFTED FROM THE SUPREME COURT TO THE GOVERNOR HERSELF.

THAT'S THE FIRST CHANGE.

THE OTHER IS -- I THINK I HEARD YOU TALK ME TALK ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

BASED ON THE RULE CHANGE FROM THE SUPREME COURT, THE NARROW LIMITATION NO LONGER EXISTS AND THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE THE ABILITY THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF HER DECREE AS TO WHEN THAT EXECUTION CAN TAKE PLACE AND WILL GIVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY THAT WE ARE NOT GOING AGAINST THE CLOCK, IF YOU WILL, AND TRYING TO COMPLETE WHAT WE HAVE TO DO WITH PROTOCOL AND MAKE SURE WE CAN FULLY CARRY OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR EXECUTIONS.

>> I CAN UNDERSTAND SOMEONE ON THE OH SIDE SAYING THERE ARE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO PLAY.

YOU ARE RIGHT TO, I GUESS APPEAL AND APPEAL AND APPEAL.

IT GOT TO WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO MIDNIGHT OR 11:00 AND SORT OF MAYBE MEANT TO CAUSE A DELAY.

>> IT WAS TACTICAL FOR SURE.

STRATEGIC EFFORT OF THOSE DEFENDING DEATH ROW ADVOCATES WAS TO PRO-LOCK THE CLOCK AS LONG AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF TIME THE STATE COULD BEGIN THE PROTOCOL ITSELF.

>> WHAT'S THE BALANCE?

YOU WANT TO BE SURE TO EXHAUST YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES, BUT ALSO GO FORWARD.

>> REMEMBER ONE THING, WE CAN'T SEEK AN EXECUTION DATE UNTIL THOSE HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED.

BEFORE WE CAN PETITION THE SUPREME COURT THAT'S BEGUN.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN ARE LAST - MINUTE APPEALS, NOT OVER THE QUESTION OF INNOCENCE BUT A SEPARATE ISSUE, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE WAS DID I SIGN THE FORM OR NOT.

NOT WHETHER SOMEONE COMMITTED THE CRIME AND THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE IMPOSED.

IT'S THAT TYPE OF LITIGATION THAT HAS BEEN USED TO RUN OUT THE CLOCK ON THE STATE.

NOW IT WILL NOT CHANGE THEIR ABILITY TO FILE WHATEVER PLEADINGS THEY HAVE.

IT'S GOING TO ALLOW THE CLOCK NOT TO BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR WHETHER THE EXECUTION CAN TAKE PLACE.

>> SWITCHING GEARS.

THERE'S A REPORT FROM PARDONS AND PAROLES SHOWING A NEW LOW FOR PAROLES BEING GRANTED TO INMATES.

90% WERE DENIED BY THE BOARD LAST YEAR, LAST FISCAL YEAR.

USED TO BE 70% IN 2019.

THAT SEEMS LIKE DRASTIC CHANGE.

IS THAT WHERE WE NEED TO BE?

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AT ALL?

>> INDIVIDUALIZED EVALUATIONS ARE WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

IF YOU LUMP EVERYBODY TOGETHER YOU DON'T HAVE A PICTURE OF WHAT THEY WERE DECIDING.

LET'S GO BACK A SECOND.

80-PLUS PERCENT ARE THERE FOR VIOLENT OFFENSES I THINK AS A PRACTICAL MATTER YOU WOULD BELIEVE THEY NEED TO BE GIVEN SIGNIFICANT SCRUTINY BEFORE EVER RELEASED.

IF, IN FACT, THE NUMBER OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS HAS INCREASED FOR PAROLE CONSIDERATION, NATURALLY YOU WOULD ASSUME THE NUMBER OF DENIES WOULD GO UP.

IT IS NOT SOMEONE FOR THE POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

THEY HAVE OR THEFT OF A SECOND DEGREE BUT A VIOLENT OFFENSE IN ALABAMA THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE A VIOLENT CRIMINAL.

SECONDLY, YOU HAVE TO SOMEHOW ASSUME THE OTHER PAROLE BOARD WAS DOING IT RIGHT.

THE QUESTION BECOMES JUST BECAUSE PRIOR PRECEDENCE SHOWS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE, WERE THEY USING THE RIGHT CRITERIA?

WE MADE A WHOLESALE CHANGE TO PAROLES YEARS AGO AND PART OF THE REASON WAS DURING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PAROLE BOARD AND ASKING WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, THE OLD BOARD SAID WE SEE OURSELVES TRYING TO REGULATE THE PRISON POPULATION.

THAT'S NOT THEIR ROLE.

THEIR ROLE IS TO CONSIDER FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY SITUATION IS IT SAFE FOR SOMEBODY TO BE RELEASED.

THE NEW BOARD HAS THAT PERSPECTIVE GOING IN AND I THINK THAT CAN EXPLAIN PART OF THE REASON WHY THERE'S A DIFFERENCE.

>> I WANT TO GET THE LATEST ON GAMBLING.

THE LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE, WE TALKED ABOUT -- I GUESS YOU BEGAN A LEGAL PROCESS TO GO THROUGH VICTORYLAND AND SOME OTHERS.

>> THE LAST TIME WE WERE HERE IS WHEN WE WON.

IT HAS BEEN FOUR YEARS SINCE THAT POINT.

IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

ONE MOST RECENTLY IS ON FRIDAY.

THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT RULED IN OUR FAVOR INVOLVING GAMBLING TAKING PLACE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND ESTABLISHED WE WERE RIGHT TO SHUT DOWN THOSE FACILITIES AND IT'S WHY I ENCOURAGED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY TO ACT ON WHAT IS UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY TAKING PLACE THERE.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT AND THE SUPREME COURT MADE IT CLEAR.

AS TO THE LARGER FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN, IN MACON AND LOWNDES COUNTY AND GREENE COUNTY, THE CIRCUIT COURTS HAVE ENTERED THE ORDER AS DIRECTED BY THE SUPREME COURT.

DIRECTING THOSE FACILITIES TO SHUT DOWN.

THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN A TIME PERIOD THAT IS NOT EXPIRED BUT SHOULD SOON.

WE'D EXPECT FOR THEM TO NO LONGER BE OPEN.

IN GREENE COUNTY, IT IS DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE ACTIONS THERE BUT NOT GOTTEN A FINAL ORDER FROM THE JUDGE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS AS TO WATCHING THIS PROCESS PLAY OUT.

I WILL BE EAGER FOR UPDATES FROM OUR OFFICE.

>> WILL DO.

>> APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE, APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE SENATOR GREG REED, PRESIDENT PRO-TEM OF THE ALABAMA SENATE.

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

>> THANK YOU, TODD, ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A WINDCHILL WIND COUPLE OF WEEKS.

YOU THINK ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION, I GUESS LAST WEEK.

THIS WEEK THE INAUGURATION AND ALL OF THE FESTIVITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH BOTH.

WE HAD THE BREAKFAST.

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE BREAKFAST.

IS THERE A LITTLE TIME FOR EVERYBODY TO CATCH THEIR BREATH BEFORE YOU COME BACK IN MARCH?

>> I HOPE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.

WE STILL HAVE A LOT ON OUR AGENDA, OF COURSE, AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO MARCH.

THINKING OVER WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED, I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE STATE SENATE AND MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ELECTED ME TO THE POST IS A GREAT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME.

I HOPE TO SERVE THEM AND THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND SERVE DISTRICT 5, MY HOME DISTRICT AS BEST I CAN, GIVE MY BEST TO THE TASKS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION HAD MORE TO IT THAN JUST MY ELECTION AS PRESIDENT.

WE HAD A LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT TOPICS WE WENT THROUGH.

THE RULES OF THE BODY, HOW WE OPERATE.

SO, A LOT OF THINGS THAT WENT ON THERE.

JOINT RULES, HOW WE OPERATE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE TOGETHER WHEN WE HAVE JOINT SESSIONS OR WHATEVER.

THOSE ARE ALL IMPORTANT THINGS WE DID AND FAST FORWARD TO THE INAUGURAL.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS I HAD, A LOT GOING TO THIS RECEPTION AND THAT EVENT AND OF COURSE THE INAUGURAL DETAILS.

I HAD A LOT OF FUN AT THE PARADE.

JASPER HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS FROM MY HOMETOWN OF JASPER WHERE MY LIFE AND I LIVE AND OUR SONS WENT THERE.

THEIR LOCAL BAND WAS IN THE PARADE.

I GOT TO VISIT WITH THEM.

THAT WAS A FUN THING.

THE EVENTS OF THE INAUGURAL DETAIL, CONGRATULATIONS TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS SWORN IN ON THE STEPS OF THE STATE CAPITOL.

IT'S A GOOD TRADITIONAL TOPIC, A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT.

IT'S ONE THAT IS DONE WITH POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE AND THAT IS A HEALTHY THING FOR ALL OF US.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, BY THE WAY, ON YOUR RE-ELECTION AS PRO TEM.

THIS WILL BE YOUR FIRST FULL TERM, I SUPPOSE.

YOU KIND OF CAME IN HALF WAY THROUGH THE LAST TERM, AM I CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT STRUCK ME BECAUSE IT WAS YOUR ELECTION, RE-ELECTION AS PRO TEM AND THE SPEAKERS ELECTION, BOTH WERE BIPARTISAN AND UNANIMOUS.

OF COURSE, PER TRADITION, OF COURSE IF THE DEMOCRATS HAD THE MAJORITY THE OUTCOME WOULD BE DIFFERENT BUT IT IS AN INTERESTING TRADITION.

YOU CONTRAST THAT WITH WASHINGTON WHEN WE WATCHED THE HOUSE JUST, GOODNESS, ALL THE MESS THAT HAPPENED THAT WEEK, ELECTING THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, BUT GENERALLY PARTISANSHIP RUN AMOK.

THERE SEEMS TO BE AN INTERESTING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND HERE IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

>> I THINK THERE IS A DIFFERENCE AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO SEE WHAT TRANSPIRED IN WASHINGTON.

I TALKED TO SEVERAL MEMBERS.

IT'S A PROCESS.

THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH IT.

IT'S A LOT MORE DIFFICULT THAN WHAT HAS BEEN THE CASE IN ALABAMA.

I'M GLAD THEY HAVE IT BEHIND THEM NOW.

THIS ISSUE IN REGARD TO GETTING ALONG IN THE BODY AND TRYING TO BE FOCUSED ON SOMETHING THAT IS BIGGER, BETTER AND BROADER THAN YOU, WHICH IS THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THE ISSUES WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IS SOMETHING THAT I APPLAUD THE MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, IN PARTICULAR MY MEMBERS IN THE SENATE FOR HAVING THAT ATTITUDE.

THEY ELECTED ME AS THEIR PRESIDENT PRO TEM.

I'M HONORED AND PRIVILEGED.

WE HAD A LOT OF TOPICS THAT WE DISCUSSED.

WITH COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AND EVERYONE'S INPUT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE YOU GET TO THE FLOOR.

THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHTS AND PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO AND YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE.

MEMBERS HAD SEEN THAT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND OBVIOUSLY SEEM TO BE PLEASED WITH IT.

BUT THE RELATIONSHIPS ARE DEEP IN THE STATE SENATE.

WE HAVE NEW MEMBERS, OF COURSE, THAT ARE GOING TO BE STRONG MEMBERS AND WE ARE LOOKING TO BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.

MANY OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, I'VE SERVED WITH DURING TENURE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE WILL DISAGREE AND FIGHT IT ON THE FLOOR SOMETIMES.

THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.

I WANT EVERYBODY'S VOICE TO BE HEARD.

I THINK IT IS HEALTHY.

ALABAMA GETS A BETTER PRODUCT WHEN WE LISTEN TO EVERYONE'S THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCE AND WHEN IT IS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE.

BUT I HAVE GOOD FRIENDSHIPS WITH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE SENATE.

AS A RESULT OF WORKING ON THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, I THINK IT PUTS US IN A PLACE WHERE WE CAN FOCUS ON WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AND IT'S NOT PARTISANSHIP.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ARE ISSUES THAT AFFECT 5 MILLION PEOPLE THAT SENT US HERE THAT LIVE IN GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA.

THAT'S THE ATTITUDE I APPLAUD THE STATE SENATE ON AND WANT TO CONTINUE AND I THINK THE BEST ATTITUDE AND APPROACH FOR THE BEST OUTCOMES FOR THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.

>> WE ALL WATCHED THE INAUGURAL, ALL OF THE SPEECHES.

THE GOVERNOR, HER SPEECH, TALKED ABOUT -- A LOT ABOUT EDUCATION AND EXPANDING SCHOOL CHOICE, CHARTER SCHOOLS, DOUBLING DOWN ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GAINS.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING AND A PRETTY LONG LIST.

BASED ON YOUR OBSERVATION AND YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR CAUCUS, DOES IT SOUND LIKE HER AGENDA IS MORE LESS LINING UP WITH WHAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT LOOKING TO THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?

>> I THINK THERE'S GOOD ALIGNMENT.

I HAVE HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY EVEN WHEN SHE WAS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WE WORKED ON WHAT THE AGENDA WAS GOING TO BE IN THE SENATE.

I HAVE ENJOYED A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I JUST HAD A MEETING TODAY WITH THE GOVERNOR AND BUDGET CHAIRS AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS TRYING TO HONE IN ON WHAT ARE THE TOPICS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND ISSUES THAT ARE PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA, THINGS SHE MENTIONED IN THE INAUGURATION SPEECH.

I THINK WE WILL BE IN GOOD ALIGNMENT ON THE TOPICS.

WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HUGE ISSUE.

WE, AT THE MOMENT, DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE THE CORRECT TRAINING IN ALABAMA TO FILL THE JOBS WE NEED AND THAT'S SOMETHING I HEAR FROM BUSINESS OWNERS EVERY DAY.

HELP US FIND MORE EMPLOYEES.

HOW CAN THE TWO-YEAR, FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE SYSTEM HELP US TO TRAIN THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA IN THE PLACES THAT WE NEED THEIR HELP TO FILL THE JOBS.

TOPICS ON EDUCATION, SUPER IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT LIKE THE TEAMS ACT, FOCUSING ON MATH AND SCIENCE, AND THE NUMERACY AND LITERACY ACT, AND FOCUSING ON TEACHERS REWARDING TEACHERS, BEING ABLE TO PAY THEM MORE.

A LOT OF THOSE WERE TOPICS WE WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR ON.

WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH THAT.

I THINK SCHOOL CHOICE IS A TOPIC WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS.

CERTAINLY THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PARENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

HOW CAN THEY GET INFORMATION ON WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL OR WHAT THE AGENDAS WILL BE.

WHAT'S THE CRITERIA?

WHAT'S THE CURRICULUM THAT'S GOING ON FOR THEIR KIDS?

THOSE KIND OF TOPICS ARE IMPORTANT THINGS.

WE PASS LEGISLATION ON CHARTER SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE NOT HAD AS MANY CHARTER SCHOOLS AS MANY WOULD HAVE EXPECTED.

THERE'S A GOOD PLACE FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THEY OFFER A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE STATE.

IN AREAS OF SPECIFIC TRAINING THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO STUDENTS.

I CERTAINLY SUPPORT THAT.

AS WE LOOK AT THOSE IDEAS, I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS SOME IDEAS THAT LINE UP ON TOPICS IMPORTANT TO LEGISLATURE.

ONE OF THE OVERREACHING THINGS IS THE BUDGET RESOURCES AND ARPA FUNDS.

>> GOT TO TALK ABOUT THAT, RIGHT?

>> HOW DO WE SPEND THOSE?

ALABAMA'S ECONOMY, EVEN THOUGH INFLATION IS UPON US AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND THERE'S POTENTIALLY A COMING RECESSION OF WHICH WE ALL RECOGNIZE BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE BUDGET WE ARE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW HADN'T BEEN STRONG IN REGARD TORE ALABAMA'S ECONOMY.

PEOPLE ARE DOING GREAT AND THERE ARE TAX RESOURCES IN AN OVERAGE, SURPLUS.

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THOSE RESOURCES?

HOW DO WE MANAGE THAT?

DO WE SEND SOME OF THAT BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA?

DO WE USE IT ON SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION?

ARE THERE ISSUES THERE WE HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO DO IN THE PAST THAT WE NEED TO USE IT FOR?

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS FOR US TO FOCUS THOSE RESOURCES.

THOSE ARE BIG QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE GOOD ANSWERS.

>> LET'S TALK A BIT ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES.

THIS WAS BIG FOCUS 06 OUR BREAKFAST THE OTHER DAY.

IT'S BEEN BIG FOCUS OF MEDIA ATTENTION.

REALLY GOING INTO THE SESSION, MAYBE BESIDES ARPA ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES, REAUTHORIZING ECONOMIC INCENTIVES AND CHANGING OR ALTERING THEM IN SOME WAY.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE NEW LAWMAKERS, THE ONES THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE BRAND NEW TO THIS.

AND MAYBE DIDN'T RUN ON THE VERY SPECIFIC ISSUE OF INCENTIVES.

MAYBE THEY ARE LEARNING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING FROM THEM?

ANY FEEDBACK ON REAUTHORIZING INCENTIVES AND THE NEED TO DO THIS AND WHY THIS PROCESS?

I HAVE HEARD A GOOD BIT.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT 31 NEW HOUSE MEMBERS WE HAVE SIX NEW SNORES.

THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WEREN'T WHERE I WAS IN YEARS PAST, WORKING ON THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT, RENEWAL OF THE JOBS ACT AND THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE TRANSPIRED THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

THEY HEAR THE STATISTICAL DETAIL OF HOW ALABAMA BENEFITED FROM THE GROWTH IN MANUFACTURING, INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND THE LIKE AS A RESULT OF THE INCENTIVES.

BUT WHAT'S THE SPECIFIC OF THE INCENTIVES?

HOW DO THEY WORK?

HOW DID THEY WORK BEFORE?

AND NOW HOW DO THEY WORK IN THE NEW LAW?

AND IF WE LOOK TO RENEW THAT, WHAT ARE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WORKED GREAT BUT WHAT ARE THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT THAT WE WANT TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

THEY HAVE ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS, RIGHTFULLY SO, ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

THEY NEED TO BE CHANGING.

THEY NEED TO BE RE-EVALUATED.

I MEAN, OUR COMPETITION WITH LOUISIANA, MICHIGAN, SOUTH CAROLINA, IT IS HOT DAILY.

THEY ARE TRYING TO DO ANYTHING THEY CAN TO WIN THE OPPORTUNITIES.

ALABAMA IS IN THE SAME PLACE.

OUR DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND OTHERS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB IN USING THE INCENTIVES WISELY TO BE ABLE TO GOOD OPPORTUNITIES COME TO OUR STATE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT TOMORROW THAN TODAY.

A LOT OF THE FEEDBACK, A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS ASKED BY NEW LEGISLATORS OR IF WE ARE USING THEM WISELY WHY, WHAT DOES THE LAW REALLY DO?

HOW DID WE DO IT BEFORE?

WE ARE DOING IT DIFFERENT NOW.

OBVIOUSLY IT IS PAYING DIVIDENDS BUT WHAT DO WE WANT TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE?

WHAT IS THE LANDSCAPE OF THE WAY THINGS ARE DIFFERENT IN COMPETITION WITH OTHER STATES MOVING FORWARD AND HOW TO BEST POSITION THAT?

I HAVE GOTTEN GOOD QUESTIONS FROM SENATORS THAT WANT TO KNOW THE DETAIL OF THAT.

THAT WILL BE A PART OF WHAT WE WANT TO DISCUSSION DISCUSS WHEN THE GET TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN REGARD TO RENEWAL OF INCENTIVES.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORY.

THAT'S FASCINATING BECAUSE I REMEMBER GOING BACK TO THE LARGER PROJECTS AND IT WAS ESSENTIALLY A LOAN, RIGHT, A BOND, THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO BORROW MONEY EVERY TIME A HUGE PROJECT WOULD COME ALONG.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE ANYMORE.

IT IS VERY MUCH STRUCTURED, PAY AS YOU GO.

IF I WAS A LAWMAKER, LEARNING THAT HISTORY WOULD BE IMPORTANT, ASSUMING THEY HADN'T BEEN IMMERSED IN ALABAMA FOR 20 YEARS.

>> MOST HAVE NOT BEEN AND CERTAINLY NOT IN THIS AREA.

I ENJOY TALKING TO THEM ABOUT IT.

AS YOU AND I DISCUSSED AT THE BREAKFAST YOU AND YOUR TEAM HOSTED I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS QUIT A BITE AND I CARRIED THE JOBS ACT, GROWING ALABAMA ACT, THOSE HAVE BEEN MY LEGISLATION IN THE STATE SENATE.

I HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS PRETTY DEEPLY DURING MY TENURE.

IN TRYING TO LOOK AT WHERE WE GO NEXT, WHAT WE DO NEXT, BEFORE, TO YOUR POINT, ALABAMA WENT AND BORROWED MONEY, GAVE IT TO COMPANIES THAT CAME TO ALABAMA AND THEN WOULD HAVE TO PAY OFF THE BONDS AT A LATER TIME.

WE CHANGED THAT WITH THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT WHICH BASICALLY SAID WE WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME TO ALABAMA.

ONCE YOU COME TO ALABAMA AS A COMPANY WE'RE RECRUITING AND YOU DO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE AGREE IN THE CONTRACT YOU ARE GOING TO DO THEN WE WILL REBATE YOU THOSE TAXES, THOSE INCENTIVES AND GIVE YOU REBATES BACK AS A BUSINESS AND YOU CAN USE THEM IN WHATEVER WAYS ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR BUSINESS.

THAT WAS A MUCH BETTER WAY FOR ALABAMA TO MANAGE THAT.

THERE WERE BENEFITS TO COMPANIES, TOO, IN THE METHODOLOGY.

THEY LIKED THAT IDEA BUT IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO DO ON THE FRONT END.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU GET THE RESULT OF THE CONTRACT.

SO, THAT'S PROVEN TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

>> WHILE I HAVE GOT YOU, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT COMMITTEES.

YOU ALL MADE YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEES, SOME OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THOSE?

SOME NEW LEADERS ON COMMITTEES STEPPING INTO LEADERSHIP ROLES.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT GOING ABOUT AND HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT ASSIGNING COMMITTEE CHAIRS?

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT A THAT.

WE HAVE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN IN THE SENATE READY TO SERVE AND BRING A LOT OF EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE SIX NEW SENATORS.

YOU'LL RECALL FOUR YEARS AGO WE HAD A ALMOST DOUBLE CLASS OF SENATORS THAT CAME THAT WERE FRESHMEN SENATORS.

THEY HAVE ALL HAVE THE DETAIL AND HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

THEY HAVE A LOT TO OFFER.

AND WE HAVE MOVED SEVERAL OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN INTO DIFFERENT POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP, WHETHER IT IS CHAIRS OR VICE CHAIRS OF COMMITTEES, SERVING ON DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, CERTAINLY THE BUDGET COMMITTEES ARE IMPORTANT COMMITTEES, THE RULES COMMITTEE IS AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF PUSHING AND PULLING.

THE WAY I DID THAT PROCESS WAS WENT TO THE MEMBERS AND SAID WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES?

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU FIT IN?

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE TO HELP YOU WITH THIS ASSIGNMENT?

THEY SENT ME INFORMATION BACK.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THEY ALL SAID WE WANT TO DO THESE THINGS.

>> THEY ARE ALL YOUR FAVORITES.

>> EXACTLY.

YOU HAD A COUPLE OF AREAS WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY FOLKS WEIGHING IN.

I WENT BACK TO THE GROUP AND SAID, NUMBER ONE, LET ME GIVE YOU AS MANY OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE ASKED FOR AS POSSIBLE AND LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU TO SERVE IN STANDING AND NON-STANDING COMMITTEES THAT ARE TOPICS YOU MAY NOT HAVE ASKED FOR BUT IN AREAS I THINK YOU CAN DO GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN POSITIVE FROM THE MEMBERS.

THAT AGREEMENT, THAT IDEA, ONCE WE GET EVERYTHING LAID OUT MOVING THROUGH IN OUR RULES A COMMITTEE ON ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH IS A GROUP OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT SAYS, OKAY, WE WILL APPROVE WHAT THE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM HAS POSITIONED FOR US AND THEN THAT GOES TO THE FULL BODY FOR APPROVAL WHICH IS PART OF WHAT WE DID IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION.

NOW ALL OF THAT IS SET FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THOSE COMMITTEES, WE HAVE 17 STANDING COMMITTEES AND THEY ARE ALL SET, THE CHAIRS, VICE CHAIRS, ALL THE MEMBERSHIP IS SET AND READY TO GO TO WORK COME MARCH 7th.

>> INTERESTING.

IT IS LIKE IN CONGRESS, NOT EVERYBODY CAN BE ON APPROPRIATIONS.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN MARCH.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO IT, AS WELL.

THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY WAS FOUNDED 1901 BECOMING THE FIRST PUBLICLY FUNDED INDEPENDENT STATE ARCHIVES INDUSTRY.

THE ARCHIVES IDENTIFIES, PRESERVES AND MAKES ACCESSIBLE ARTIFACTS AND PRESERVES THE ARTICLES OF THE STATE.

THE FIRST DIRECTOR WAS SUCCEEDED BY HIS WIFE WHO HEADED THE ARCHIVES FOR 35 YEARS AND THE SECOND WOMAN TO LEAD THE STATE AGENCY.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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