IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT HAS BEEN A BUSY WEEK IN MONTGOMERY AS THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE BEGAN A SPECIAL SESSION ON ALLOCATING FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY.

OF COURSE, THE REGULAR SESSION WAS ALREADY UNDERWAY, BUT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION AND ASKED LAWMAKERS TO PUT OTHER BUSINESS ON HOLD WHILE THEY WORK ON ALLOCATING $772 MILLION FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

IT'S A TACTIC IVEY USED THREE YEARS AGO ON THE GAS TAX AND INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

IT ALLOWS LAWMAKERS TO FOCUS ON ONE ISSUE WITHOUT THE DISTRACTIONS OR HORSE TRADING FROM UNRELATED LEGISLATION.

AND THE PROCESS IS MOVING FAST.

ALREADY THE SPENDING BILLS HAVE PASSED COMMITTEE AND COULD GET FLOOR VOTES NEXT WEEK.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED EARLY ON IS THAT WE DID NOT WANT THESE FUNDS TO BE CONFUSED WITH BUDGET LINE ITEMS AND HAVE CONTINUOUS FUNDING ISSUES.

THESE ARE ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES.

WHEN WE USE, WHATEVER FEDERAL FUNDS WE IT WILL BE GONE.

WE CAN'T TIE IT TO CONTINUOUS FUNDING YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> WITH SUCH A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE DOLLED OUT, THE LIST OF NEEDS AND REQUESTS IS QUITE LONG.

BUDGET WRITERS HEARD FROM STATE AGENCIES AND ADVOCACY GROUPS ABOUT HOW THEY WANT THE MONEY TO BE SPENT.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT HAS THE FULL STORY.

>> REGULAR SESSION STARTS, REGULAR SESSION STOPS.

NOW A SPECIAL SESSION STARTS.

THE CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON HOW TO USE MORE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING TO COVER KEY ITEMS.

>> NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MONEY THAT'S COMING INTO THE STATES FOR BROADBAND AND IN THIS POT OF MONEY IT WILL HELP US MOVE FORWARD.

SOMETHING WE TAKE FOR GRANTED IS JUST CLEAN DRINKING WATER, BUT WE HAVE SOME COMMUNITIES THAT ARE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THAT ONE ISSUE.

THIS WILL BE A HUGE SHOT IN THE ARM TO HELP WITH THAT.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE THE HEALTHCARE ISSUES THAT WE KNOW -- WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THAT.

>> WITH THE 600 OR SO MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE ARPA FUNDS, SOME GOING TO WATER AND SEWAGE WILL HELP LOWNDES COUNTY AND SOME OF OUR MEMBERS, BROADBAND, TALKING OVER $200 MILLION.

SO, THOSE ARE GOOD FIRST STEPS.

>> LAWMAKERS HEAR FROM SEVERAL STATE AGENCIES AND CITIZENS ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS.

>> SO EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE STATE THAT SUBMITTED CLAIMS THAT WERE ELIGIBLE, THAT RECEIVED 70.6% OF THEIR TOTAL CLAIMS SUBMITTED.

SO NO ONE WAS LEFT OUT AND EVERYONE WAS TREATED EQUALLY AND FAIRLY.

SO, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY, AGAIN, TO RECEIVE SOME FUNDING FOR THE HOSPITALS AND THE RURAL HOSPITALS.

>> THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE MEETS ON THURSDAY TO CONSIDER A BILL FOR THE ARPA FUNDS.

IF IT IS APPROVED BY LAWMAKERS IT HEADS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY WENT HAVE THIS POT OF MONEY HERE THAT WE WEREN'T PLANNING TO HAVE THAT CAN ADDRESS A LOT OF THOSE LONG-TIME, ONE-TIME CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT DON'T REQUIRE RECURRING EXPENSES.

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

ABOUT $240 MILLION FROM THE PACKAGE WOULD GO TOWARD BROADBAND.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, OR ADECA, IS CHARGED WITH ADMINISTERING THAT MONEY.

THEY'LL WORK WITH PUBLIC UTILITIES, INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO SEE FIBER OPTIC LINES EXTENDED ALL OVER THE STATE.

IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY CHALLENGE BUT ONE THAT MOST ALL STATE LEADERS SAY IS WORTH PURSUING.

>> YOU HAVE AREAS OF THE STATE THAT HAVE NO INTERNET.

BASICALLY ALL THEY HAVE IS THEIR CELL PHONES.

MAKE SURE IT IS EQUITABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO DEPLOYING EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE HAVING TO LEARN FROM HOME HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS THOSE IN THE METROPOLITAN AND URBAN AREAS.

NOT ONLY THAT BUT HEALTHCARE ITSELF AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS ON THE FOREFRONT OF MAKING SURE THAT OUR CITIZENS IN THE RURAL AREAS HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE TELEMEDICINE, IF YOU WILL.

>> I'LL TALK WITH MR. BOSWELL IN MORE DETAIL LATER IN THE SHOW.

ANOTHER BIG PRIORITY IN THIS FEDERAL FUNDING PACKAGE IS WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.

EVER SINCE "60 MINUTES" HIGHLIGHTED THE UNSANITARY AND DANGEROUS SEWAGE CONDITIONS IN LOWNDES COUNTY STATE LEADERS HAVE BEEN EAGER TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

IT CALLS FOR 225 MILLION IN WATER AND SEWER UPGRADES BUT SOME SAY EVEN THAT MASSIVE AMOUNT WON'T COVER ALL OF THE NEEDS.

>> THIS FUNDING IS FOR A PURPOSE THAT WILL UPGRADE THEM, AS OPPOSED TO JUST REGULATE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE.

IT WILL DEFINITELY BE A CHALLENGE FOR OUR STAFF.

WE WILL BE INCREASING OUR STAFF.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FUNDING.

THIS FUNDING IS GOING TO BE SUPPLEMENTED BY OTHER FUNDING THAT'S COMING DIRECTLY TO THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW.

>> ALSO INCLUDING IN THE SPENDING PLAN IS ABOUT $80 MILLION TO REPLENISH THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.

WHEN THAT FUND RUNS LOW, IT TRIGGERS AN AUTOMATIC TAX INCREASE ON BUSINESSES.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO AVOID THAT AND WITH THE DEADLINE COMING UP ON JANUARY 31st, THEY ARE IN A HURRY TO SHORE UP THE FUND.

I THINK WE WOULD AGREE WE HAVE SORT OF HIT A SWEET SPOT HERE, PARTICULARLY WITH BROADBAND, WATER, SEWER, HEALTHCARE-RELATED NEEDS.

ONE THING IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND, $79.5 MILLION.

THAT'S THE REALTIME-SENSITIVE ISSUE THAT WE REALLY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON.

WE NEED TO HAVE THAT IN PLACE BY JANUARY 31st SO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CAN FIGURE THE RATES FOR BUSINESSES TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES UNEMPLOYMENT TAX.

THIS WILL ENABLE THEM TO LOWER THAT TAX BY ABOUT 30%.

SO, IT WILL REPLENISH THIS FUND WHERE THE FUND WAS IN JANUARY OF 2020 BEFORE ALL OF THE LAYOFFS TOOK PLACE AFTER PEOPLE HAD TO QUARANTINE.

>> SPEAKING OF UNEMPLOYMENT, THE STATE'S NEW JOBLESS RATE IS OUT TODAY.

FOR THE FIFTH MONTH IN A ROW, ALABAMA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HELD AT 3.1%.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, IT INCREASED BY 48,000 JOBS.

WAGES ARE UP, TOO.

MORE THAN $26 OVERALL AND 85 IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.

LABOR SECRETARY FITZGERALD WASHINGTON SAID IT IS THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE SOUTHEAST.

>> WE ANNOUNCED OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FINISHED THE YEAR AT 3.1% AND FOR FIVE MONTHS IN A ROW STAYED STEADY AT 3.1 AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR 13 MONTHS IN A ROW, UP UNTIL NOVEMBER THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS THE LOWEST OF ANY OTHER STATE IN THE SOUTHEAST.

WITH THAT, WE SHOULD ALL BE EXCITED.

>> WE WILL HAVE MY FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE SECRETARY LATER IN THE SHOW.

WITH THE SPENDING PLAN MOVING QUICKLY, SOME ARE TURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO A RELATED ISSUE: MAKING SURE WORKING FAMILIES AREN'T TAXED FOR THE PANDEMIC BENEFITS THEY RECEIVED LAST YEAR.

MANY WORKING FAMILIES SAW AN INCREASED CHILD TAX CREDIT, OR DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT OR EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

BUT UNDER ALABAMA LAW, THAT'S ALL TAXABLE INCOME, MEANING FAMILIES RIGHT NOW OWE TAXES ON THE EXTRA BENEFITS THEY RECEIVED.

STATE SENATOR DAN ROBERTS OF BIRMINGHAM HAS FILED LEGISLATION TO UNTAX THESE BENEFITS SO THAT WORKING FAMILIES AREN'T PENALIZED.

BETWEEN JULY AND DECEMBER 15th, ALABAMA FAMILIES RECEIVED $2 BILLION OVER THAT TIME PERIOD.

THAT WAS FOR EXTRA COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDCARE, INCIDENTALS THEY HAD TO DO FOR CHILDCARE.

IT WAS MEANT TO HELP FAMILIES TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN.

FAMILIES GO THOSE DOLLARS AND THE QUESTION IS WILL ALABAMA TAX THOSE DOLLARS?

I HAVE SUPPORT THAT WE WILL NOT TAX THOSE DOLLARS BUT THE PROBLEM IS W-2s WERE SENT OUT THIS WEEK.

SO ALABAMIANS WILL START TO FILE RETURNS.

IF THEY FILE NOW AND WE DON'T PASS THE BILL THEY WILL BE TAXED ON THE CREDITS.

THAT'S WHY THE URGENCY TO PASS IT IN THIS SPECIAL SESSION SO ALABAMIANS DON'T PAY $87.7 MILLION IN TAX.

>> LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE DECIDED NOT TO ALLOW ROBERTS' BILL TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE SPECIAL SESSION DUE TO THE SINGULAR FOCUS ON SPENDING.

BUT, ROBERTS SAYS HE'LL FILE IT AGAIN WHEN THE REGULAR SESSION RESUMES IN FEBRUARY.

>>> IF YOU'VE NOTICED A TREND OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN THE STATE HOUSE LATELY, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN WORKING HAND IN HAND ON THESE FEDERAL SPENDING ISSUE.

THE BILLS EVEN PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OUT OF COMMITTEE.

IT'S A TREND THAT IS IN STARK CONTRAST TO THE BITTER PARTISANSHIP IN WASHINGTON.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THE FULL STORY.

>> BIPARTISANSHIP, THE ACT OF PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE WORKING TOGETHER.

A TERM OFTEN USED IN POLITICAL CIRCLES, BUT RARELY SEEN.

HOWEVER, IN DISCUSSIONS ON ALABAMA'S USE OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OR ARPA REVENUE, TWO ALABAMA SENATE LEADERS, WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE STATE'S REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY SAY -- >> I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THAT IT HAS BEEN A STRONG BIPARTISAN EFFORT AND WE HAVE WORKED ON ISSUES THAT WERE VERY IMPORTANT TO DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE STATE, DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE STATE, DIFFERENT SEGMENTS.

>> I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE LEFT OUT OF THE DISCUSSIONS.

NOW, HAVING SAID THAT, I'M SURE SOMEBODY WILL COME TO ME, BUT WE HAVE TRIED TO INCLUDE EVERYBODY THAT HAD AN INTEREST TO BE INVOLVED WITH IT.

>> OF THE 35 PEOPLE IN THE ALABAMA SENATE, ONLY SEVEN ARE DEMOCRATS, MAKING THEM THE MINORITY PARTY, BUT THEIR LEADER SAYS WHEN IT CAME TO ARPA DISCUSSIONS THEY WERE TREATED LIKE THE MAJORITY.

>> SENATOR REED HAS INVOLVED ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

WE ARE WORKING HAND IN HAND IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER TO GET IT TO TABLE.

ONCE THESE POTS OF MONEY WERE PUT OUT IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE SEEN THEM TOGETHER.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT.

THEY HAVE BEEN KEEPING ME A STEP AWAY.

AS I TOLD SOME REPORTERS, I DON'T KNOW IF I'M ONE OR TWO, THREE BUT I THINK I'M IN THE TOP FIVE FOR GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT.

I'M WILLING I GIVE IT TO THE LEADERSHIP, EVEN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN KEEPING US INFORMED BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR WANTS IT DONE IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER.

IN OUR LEADERSHIP MEETING SHE SAYS SHE WANTS IT TO BE DONE IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER.

I GIVE IT TO THE GOVERNOR BECAUSE THEY COULD DO IT WITHOUT US.

SO APPLAUD THEM FOR THAT.

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

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

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO 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.

>> JOINING ME NEXT ON THE PROGRAM IS SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE BASICALLY TWO DAYS INTO THIS SPECIAL SESSION.

THE BILLS ARE THROUGH COMMITTEE.

WE WILL PICK IT UP NEXT WEEK.

ARE YOU AND YOUR CAUCUS, ARE YOU ALL PLEASED SO FAR WITH THE PROGRESS?

>> YEAH, THE PROGRESS IS GOOD.

WE ARE HERE TO SPEND $700 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDS ARE THAT CAME FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN AND CONGRESS.

I FEEL GOOD THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS DONE IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER AND SENATOR REED AND MAKING SURE WE WERE AT THE TABLE.

>> DO YOU SEE THE PRIORITIES ARE THEY SHARED PRIORITIES?

YOU SEE BROADBAND, WATER, SEWER, UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND.

ARE YOU ALL IN AGREEMENT ON THOSE PRIORITIES, OR ARE WE GOING TO SEE CHANGES AS IT GOES THROUGH?

>> I THINK EVERYONE IS IN AGREEMENT TO IT.

IT ADDRESSES A LOT OF NEEDS IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

YOU TALK ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT, THE 79 MILLION THAT HAS TO BE SPENT BY JANUARY 31st UNLESS SMALL BUSINESSES WILL BE SEEING A DIFFERENT TAX RATE.

WE ARE HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES.

SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN HURT.

I THINK WHAT WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER, IT TOUCHES EVERYBODY, ACROSS ALL 67 COUNTIES, RURAL, URBAN, RICH, POOR.

IT JUST TOUCHES EVERYBODY ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> I WAS TALKING TO LANCE HE LEFLUER ABOUT THE WATER AND SEWER PACKAGE.

IT REALLY GOES BACK TO THAT" 60 MINUTES" PROGRAM.

>> YES.

>> THAT HIGHLIGHTED THE PROBLEMS IN LOWNDES COUNTY AND REALLY EVER SINCE THAT AIRED YOU ARE SEEING MORE TALK ABOUT WATER AND SEWER.

DID THAT HELP MAKE YOUR CASE TO YOUR COLLEAGUES THAT THIS IS A BIG NEED?

>> YES.

THAT ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES OUT THERE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIST THAT LOWNDES HAS, THERE ARE SOME COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ABOUT TO BE FORECLOSED ON THEIR WASTE WATER SYSTEMS.

WE JUST NEED TO GIVE THEM HELP.

THAT LOWNDES COUNTY PIECE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME.

ONCE THE OPPORTUNITY SHOWED ITSELF, AVAILED ITSELF TO UTILIZE THE MONEY FOR THAT, THEN, YES, WE WENT TO BAT TO TRY TO MAKE SURE IT DID HAPPEN IN LOWNDES AND OTHER COUNTIES.

>> IN ADDITION TO ARPA, WE HAVE THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN, RIGHT?

THAT'S ADDITIONAL MONEY.

I'M TOLD SOME OF THAT COULD GO TO WATER AND SEWER, AS WELL.

>> YES, IT CAN.

WHEN THAT MONEY COMES DOWN, IT CAN.

WE ARE STILL TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, JUST WITH THE RULES AND KNOWING HOW MUCH WILL BE COMING DOWN TO THE STATES, BUT, YES, WATER, SEWER, INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, TRANSPORTATION, ALL OF THAT MONEY CAN BE USED FOR THOSE THINGS.

>> SPEAKING OF INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU HAVE A PRETTY BIG PROJECT IN YOUR BACKYARD WITH THE WEST ALABAMA CORRIDOR.

HOW'S THE PROGRESS GOING SO FAR ON THAT?

>> WELL, I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THEY HAVE DONE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND THE PUBLIC WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT THE MAPS AND SEE WHERE THE ROAD WAS GOING.

YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO IS GOING TO GRUMBLE ABOUT THE TAKING OF MY PROPERTY OR RUN ACROSS MY PROPERTY, SPLIT MY PROPERTY AND THAT IS PROGRESS.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF PROGRESS.

I THINK WE CAN GET -- WITH DEVELOPMENT CHANGE THE PROSPERITY OF PEOPLE'S LIVES IN THAT AREA.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT PRISONS.

>> OKAY.

>> PART OF THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN PASSED IN SEPTEMBER INCLUDED BRINGING ONLINE THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

>> YES.

>> IT IS TALKED ABOUT A DUAL FACILITY BETWEEN DOC AND PARDONS AND PAROLES AND REENTRY.

HOW FAR ARE WE IN THE PLAN?

IS IT CLOSE TO COMING ONLINE?

>> THE PLAN RIGHT NOW IS BEING PUT TOGETHER BY DIRECTOR WARD AND HIS STAFF.

HOWEVER, AS YOU KNOW, WE WERE ABLE TO PUT THE MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR IT, BUT THE LEGISLATION THAT GOES ALONG WITH WIT, ENABLING LEGISLATION DID NOT GET PASSED ON THE LAST NIGHT OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

WE'RE GOING TO BRING THE BILL BACK SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE CATCH THE LEGISLATION UP WITH THE DOLLARS.

WHAT DIRECTOR WARD HAS ALREADY DONE IS ALREADY SET THE STRUCTURE UP.

SO ONCE WE GET THE BILL PASSED WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD AS SOON AS IT GETS PASSED.

>> HOW LONG HAS THE FACILITY SAT EMPTY, 20 YEARS, ISN'T IT?

>> MAYBE NOT QUITE 20 YEARS.

>> THAT'S A BIG DEAL FOR PERRY COUNTY, IN YOUR DISTRICT.

>> IT IS A HUGE DEAL.

THAT IS 700 BEDS OVER THERE.

I KNOW THE DIRECTOR IS NOT LOOKING TO USE ALL 700 RIGHT NOW CURRENTLY, BUT WITH THE PROGRAM THE WAY HE IS GOING TO RUN IT, I THINK IT WILL BE GREAT FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO WE CAN DEAL WITH THE RECIDIVISM RATE, MAKING SURE WE DON'T HAVE A REVOLVING DOOR IN THE STATE.

>> SO MUCH OF THE RHETORIC ON PRISONS GETS HEATED, ESPECIALLY LATELY.

YOU HAVE SOME FOLKS WHO ARE CONVINCED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COME IN AND TAKE OVER.

OTHERS SAY WE'D LIKE TO DO THIS FROM A STATE LEVEL OVER TIME.

WHERE DO YOU COME DOWN ON THAT?

>> NUMBER ONE, I THINK IT BENEFITS US TO DO IT AT THE STATE LEVEL.

IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO COME AND DO IT, THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE OUR MONEY, WRITE THE CHECK OUT OF OUR DOLLARS TO DO IT.

THEREFORE, ONCE THEY GO INTO THE BUDGET, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT MEDICAID AND MEDICARE OR OUR HOSPITALS, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS.

THEY AREN'T JUST GOING TO WRITE A CHECK TO MAKE IT RIGHT.

WE NEED TO CONTROL THAT NARRATIVE AND HOW WE GET IT DONE.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR MADE A FIRST GOOD STEP IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO GO OUT AND BUILD NEW FACILITIES.

HOWEVER, BUILDING NEW FACILITIES IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE IT.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE CULTURE INSIDE OF OUR FACILITIES.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GO IN AND MAKE SURE WE GET THE RIGHT PERSONNEL, PUT THE RIGHT WARDENS OVER THESE FACILITIES SO WE CAN DEAL WITH THE CULTURE WE HAVE.

CUT DOWN ON THE ASSAULTS AND CRIMES GOING ON.

I THINK WE CAN DO IT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND TRAVELING THE RIGHT PATH TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> YOU ARE KNOWN IN THE SENATE AS A DEAL MAKER.

YOU ARE THE MINORITY LEADER.

IN THE MIDST OF A SUPER MAJORITY REPUBLICAN SENATE, SO IN THEORY THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT WITHOUT YOUR INPUT, AND YET ON MOST OF THESE MAJOR BILLS YOU ARE AT THE ABLE AND GETTING THE WINS YOU NEED.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

WHAT'S YOUR PROCESS LIKE IN THE SENATE ON BEING THAT DEAL MAKER?

>> WELL, DON -- I'M SORRY, TODD.

I APOLOGIZE.

ON A DAILY BASIS, I WAKE UP TO WIN.

THAT'S MY PHILOSOPHY.

I KNOW WHEN I'M AT A TABLE I'M NOT DEALING -- I DON'T SEE THE GENTLEMAN I'M SITTING IN FRONT OF AS REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS, BUT AS OF MEN OF GOOD VALUE AND CONSCIENCE.

SO, WHEN I DEAL WITH THEM AT THAT LEVEL, THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO BE INCLUSIVE OF EVERYBODY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NOT JUST YOUR PARTY AND NOT MY PARTY, NOT MY COMMUNITY OR YOUR COMMUNITY BUT THE ENTIRE STATE.

SO WHEN WE CAN THINK OF IT LIKE THAT, THEN WE CAN WIN.

REGARDLESS, AS LONG AS WE DO IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE THAN EVERYBODY WINS.

THAT'S WHERE I GO WITH THAT PHILOSOPHY.

>> ONE PRETTY CONTENTIOUS ISSUE IS REP DISTRICTING DURING THAT SPECIAL SESSION.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE LAWSUITS, YOU ARE BEING DEPOSED.

EVERYBODY IS GIVING TESTIMONY AND THOSE THINGS.

DO YOU SEE ANY OF THEM BEING SUCCESSFUL AS IT WAS LAST TIME?

>> I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE.

THE LAWSUIT THAT I FILED IS DEALING WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, NOT NECESSARILY THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE DISTRICTS BUT THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

FEELING THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS CAN HAVE MORE THAN ONE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

WE FEEL THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THAT WE DO HAVE CURRENTLY HAS BEEN HELD BY CONGRESSWOMAN THAT IS GERRYMANDERING AND PACKING THE BLACK FOLK INTO ONE AREA.

WE BELIEVE YOU CAN HAVE IT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND BLACK BELT.

WHICH WOULD GIVE US TWO DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.

I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT.

I THINK THE JUDGES WILL RULE ON THAT IN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WE HOPEFULLY WILL GET THE LEGISLATURE TO DO SOMETHING PRIOR TO THE QUALIFYING DATE ON THE 28th BUT WE DON'T THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN NOW.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVEN IF A SPECIAL MAGISTRATE HAS TO STEP IN AND ORDER A SPECIAL ELECTION, I FEEL GOOD ABOUT A WIN IN THAT LAWSUIT.

IN AS MUCH AS THERE WAS NOT AS MUCH INCLUSION AS WE WANTED TO HAPPEN, I MUST SAY THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER HAD SOME INPUT ON HIS OR HER OWN DISTRICT.

HOWEVER, IN THE OVERALL SCHEME, WE DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF INPUT.

SO, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH THE RULES THEY SET THIS TIME AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF A 5% DEVIATION, WHOLE COUNTY PROVISION, THAT BASICALLY GOES ALONG WITH WHAT OUR CONSTITUTION REQUIRES OR SAYS THAT WE SHOULD DO.

MAKING SURE THAT ONE MAN, ONE VOTE IS PROTECTED AND THE VOTER RIGHTS ACT IS PROTECTED.

I THINK A GOOD JOB WAS DONE THERE.

I KNOW THERE WILL BE POSSIBLY A LAWSUIT IN THE HOUSE AND WE ARE STUDYING WHETHER WE WILL FILE ONE IN THE SENATE.

WE HAVE NOT YET BUT WITH LOOKING AT IT.

>> THE SESSION IS YOUNG AND HOPE YOU WILL COME BACK AND THOUGHTS GOING FORWARD.

>> I LOOK FORWARD WITH WORKING FOR YOU AND MAYBE YOU AND I CAN CUT A DEAL.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> 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 LINKING TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM, I'M JOINED BY KENNETH BOSWELL THE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

DIRECTOR BOSWELL, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> TODD, IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> YOU ARE IN A UNIQUE POSITION RIGHT NOW.

ADECA HAS HAD ITS HAND IN MANY POTS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

NOW YOUR AGENCY IS CHARGED WITH ADMINISTERING THIS GIANT TASK OF EXPANDING BROADBAND TO RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THAT DONE?

>> IT'S A CHALLENGE.

BUT THE SHORT ANSWER TO THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

THE ESTIMATION WOULD BE $4.6 BILLION TO LIGHT UP THE WHOLE STATE AND MAKE INTERNET ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE.

WE ARE READY FOR THE TASK.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE 2017.

WE HAVE WORKED ON THE PLAN.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY AN UPDATED MAP.

WE ARE POISED AND READY TO MOVE OUT AND START TO DEPLOY THE DOLLARS INTO THE COMMUNITIES TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR OUR BUCK RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT IT IS ABOUT ADECA, SPECIFICALLY, OPPOSED TO OTHER STATE AGENCIES THAT MAKES YOU UNIQUELY QUALIFIED OR BEST SUITED FOR THIS DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND?

>> WELL, WE ARE AN AGENCY MADE UP OF VERY SMART PEOPLE.

WE KNOW THE GRANT MAKING PROCESS.

WE HAVE OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WE HAVE FORMULATED THAT WE FEEL IT IS NOT ONLY FAIR TO THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS BUT ALSO TO THOSE THAT WILL BE RECEIVING THE BENEFITS OR HAVING ACCESS TO THE BENEFITS.

AND WE ARE VERY SENSITIVE, IF YOU WILL, OF MAKING SURE THAT STATE DOLLARS AS WELL AS FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE DEPLOYED CORRECTLY.

>> I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT OF RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT GO WITH THAT AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT YOUR AGENCY DOES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS ARE LITERALLY SPENT IN A VERY GOOD WAY, EFFICIENT WAY.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS VERY MUCH OF A CONCERN OF NOT ONLY THOSE THAT WORK AT THE AGENCY BUT ALSO TO GOVERNOR IVEY.

SHE'S A CONSERVATIVE PERSON, AS I, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE DOLLARS ARE SPENT CORRECTLY.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE MAP.

THAT WAS A BIG DEAL LAST WEEK, THEY UP DATED MAP.

THAT WAS A FRUSTRATION BEFORE, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS IN THE GRANULAR LEVEL.

WHAT WENT INTO UPDATING THAT MAP?

AND WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM THE UPDATE?

>> WE ACTUALLY INTERFACED A GREAT DEAL WITH THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS.

THEY REALLY CAME TO THE AID IN MAKING SURE THAT WE KNEW WHAT WAS SERVED AND WHAT WAS UNSERVED BY THEIR COMPANIES.

WE HAD TO SIGN A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT, BUT THAT WENT ALONG WAY IN BEING ABLE TO GET DOWN TO THE ADDRESS MAPPING AND MAKING SURE THAT ONCE WE DO START RECEIVING GRANT APPLICATIONS THAT WE DON'T DUPLICATE THOSE SERVICES ALL OTHER THE STATE.

WE NEED TO SPEND THAT DOLLAR ONE TIME AND BE FINISHED WITH IT, SO, THE MAP ITSELF PLAYS A GREAT ROLE.

ALSO, WHAT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THAT IS THE PLAN ITSELF OF HOW WE WILL DEPLOY AND MAKING SURE THE DEPLOYMENT IS IN A SEQUENCE-TYPE BASIS AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE DOLLARS THAT ARE ACTUALLY SPENT ON THE FIBER THAT'S GOING IN THE GROUND IS A ONE-TIME EXPENSIVE.

>> I THINK THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN CITIES, CITY FOLK, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, MAYBE WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED SOMETIMES, THE SPEED OF OUR INTERNET.

I GET UPSET IF MY INTERNET IS SLOW JUST FOR A MOMENT, JUST FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

CAN YOU PAINT A PICTURE OF WHAT IT IS LIKE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY THAT DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND?

ARE WE TALKING LIKE DIAL UP INTERNET?

>> YEAH.

LET'S GO A STEP FARTHER.

NO INTERNET.

YOU HAVE AREAS OF THE STATE THAT THEY HAVE NO INTERNET.

BASICALLY ALL THEY HAVE IS THEIR CELL PHONES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SPEND THESE DOLLARS IN BOTH RURAL AREAS AS WELL AS THE URBAN AND METROPOLITAN AREAS AND THEY ARE EQUITABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO DEPLOYING EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE OUR STUDENTS THAT ARE HAVING TO LEARN FROM HOME HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS THOSE CHILDREN IN A METROPOLITAN AND URBAN AREAS.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT HEALTHCARE ITSELF AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS IN THE FOREFRONT OF MAKING SURE THAT OUR CITIZENS IN THE RURAL AREAS HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE TELEMEDICINE, IF YOU WILL, AND BEING ABLE TO TRANSMIT THOSE MEDICAL RECORDS FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER AND THEN THE LAST WOULD BE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RURAL AREAS HAVE A FAIR AND EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO BRING IN INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THOSE ARE THREE MAJOR FACTIONS THAT PLAY INTO THE INTERNET AND RURAL AREAS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE PAID VERY MUCH ATTENTION TO EARLY ON WAS 25 SPEED AND NOW WE ARE GOING 100/20 AND ANY NEW STATE DOLLARS WILL BE FOCUSED 100/100 SPEED.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, UNLESS NEW TECHNOLOGY IS DEVELOPED, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THE AVAILABILITY TO THE INTERNET THAT WILL SERVE ALL OF THE NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS, WHETHER IT BE RURAL, URBAN OR METROPOLITAN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL AREAS WITHIN THE METROPOLITAN AND URBAN AREAS THAT ARE NOT SERVED EITHER.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

>> WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THOSE, AS WELL.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE WILL BE ALSO LOOKING AT IN THE UPCOMING FUTURE.

>> DID WE LEARN LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC?

YOU MENTIONED EDUCATION, TELEHEALTH, SUDDENLY LAST YEAR, TWO YEARS AGO, WE ARE ALL AT HOME AND STUDENTS ARE ASKED TO LEARN FROM HOME.

IF YOU ARE NOT -- WE HEARD STORIES OF KIDS GOING TO THE LOCAL McDONALD'S BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE THEY HAD INTERNET.

DID WE LEARN LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OUR AGENCY PLAYED A BIG ROLE.

WE WERE THE NATION'S LEADER, IF YOU WILL, WE DEVELOPED THE ABC FOR STUDENTS.

WE WERE ABLE TO DEPLOY INTERNET TO OVER 200,000 CHILDREN THAT WERE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME CHILDREN.

WE PLAYED A BIG PART IN MAKING SURE EDUCATION WAS ABLE -- OUR CHILDREN WITH WERE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS, ESPECIALLY THE LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME CHILDREN AND WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH EDUCATION AS WE SPEAK TO HELP MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HELP AND HOPEFULLY ERADICATE THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE FROM THEN STANDPOINT OF MAKING SURE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET SO THEY CAN DO THEIR LESSONS AT HOME.

>> I GET ASKED ALL THE TIME, WHY DO WE NEED PUBLIC DOLLARS, PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS ON THIS BROADBAND PLAN CONSIDERING AT THE END OF THE DAY WE SIGNED UP FOR AN INTERNET PLAN.

YOU ARE DOING IT THROUGH A PRIVATE COMPANY.

WHY ARE PUBLIC DOLLARS NECESSARY FOR THE DEPLOYMENT?

>> THE BEST WAY I CAN EXPLAIN IT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS OR ANY DIFFERENT THAN BEING ABLE TO EXPLAIN ELECTRICITY.

WHEN IT COMES TO RURAL, IT PLAYS INTO IT A LOT IN THE CAPITAL OUTLAY A COMPANY HAS TO PUT IT TO LAY THE FIBER.

WHEN YOU GET INTO THE RURAL AREAS, YOU HAVE TO GO A LONG WAY BEFORE YOU HOOK UP TO CITIZENS TO MAKE IT A REALLY GOOD INVESTMENT, IF YOU WILL, FOR YOUR STOCKHOLDERS.

SO WE, AS A STATE, I AS I SEE IT.

IT IS AN INVESTMENT, IF YOU WILL, OF BEING ABLE TO ONE INCENTIVIZE COMPANIES TO GET TO THE MIDDLE MILE AND LAST MILE CUSTOMERS BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT DOLLARS, IF YOU WILL, FOR A COMPANY.

IF WE CAN INCENTIVIZE THEM TO GET TO THE RURAL AREAS, IT WILL GIVE THEM ACCESS AND ALSO HELP TO KEEP THE COST DOWN FOR THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE INTERNET FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK AS THIS ARPA MONEY IS BEING TALKED ABOUT.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO PASS THINK BILL PROBABLY NEXT WEEK.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT COMPETITION WITH OTHER STATES.

WE NEED TO GET THIS OUT QUICKLY BECAUSE TENNESSEE MIGHT WANT TO DO THIS, GEORGIA MAY WANT TO DO THE SAME THING WITH BROADBAND.

IS THAT THE CONVERSATION WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES AND OTHER STATES?

ARE OTHER STATES DOING THE SAME THING AS ALABAMA IS?

>> THEY ARE BUT NOT EXACTLY BECAUSE EACH STATE IS DIFFERENT FROM THE STANDPOINT OF TOPOGRAPHY.

BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO GET AHEAD OF ANY OTHER STATE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE LABOR, TO GET THE ACTUAL FIBER INTO THE GROUND.

ALSO SUPPLY CHAIN.

AT THIS POINT GETTING AHEAD OF ANOTHER STATE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE EQUIPMENT AND THE NEEDED FIBER WE WILL NEED TO GO INTO THE GROUND.

>> ONLY SO MUCH FIBER TO GO AROUND, RIGHT?

>> AND YOU CAN ONLY MAKE IT SO FAST.

THE THING IS YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FIBER AND YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE LABOR FORCE TO BE ABLE TO PUT IT IN THE GROUND AND DO IT QUICKER THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

>> IT IS SOMETHING WE WILL BE FOLLOWING GOING FORWARD.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW SO EXPLAIN IT.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM I'M JOINED BY FITZGERALD WASHINGTON, THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

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

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> BY THE WAY, YOU ARE JOINING US REMOTE BUT IT IS ALSO YOUR BIRTHDAY.

SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT?

WHAT A COINCIDENCE.

>> IT IS A BIG DAY.

THE REASON I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON TODAY IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, THE NEW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CAME OUT TODAY, 3.1%.

THAT'S A VERY HEALTHY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND DO I HAVE THIS RIGHT IT HAS BEEN AT THAT LEVEL FOR FIVE MONTHS NOW?

>> YEAH.

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO END THE YEAR IN 2021.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WE ANNOUNCED OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FINISHED THE YEAR AT 3.1% AND FOR FIVE MONTHS IN A ROW IT STAYED STEADY AT 3.1, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR 13 MONTHS IN A ROW, UP UNTIL NOVEMBER, THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS THE LOWEST OF ANY OTHER STATE IN THE SOUTHEAST.

SO, WITH THAT, WE SHOULD ALL BE EXCITED.

>> THAT'S QUITE A JOURNEY CONSIDERING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, TWO YEARS AGO, THE STATE SAW ALMOST 14% UNEMPLOYMENT WITH THE CLOSURES AND QUARANTINES AND ALL OF THAT GOING ON.

TO BE BACK AT 3.1 IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU LOOK PRE-PANDEMIC IN FEBRUARY OF 2020, THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS AT A HISTORIC LEE AT 2.6%.

AND THEN THE SILVER TSUNAMI OR THE PANDEMIC HIT AND WE WENT FROM 2.6% TO 13.2% IN APRIL.

THE GOOD NEWS IS SINCE THEN OUR ECONOMY HAS REBOUNDED WELL AND RIGHT NOW WE ANNOUNCED TODAY THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 3.1%, WHICH IS A HALF PERCENT AWAY FROM WHERE WE WERE PRE-PANDEMIC.

>> I NOTICED GOOD NEWS ON WAGE GROWTH IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I'M READING HERE.

IT IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

WHAT'S DRIVING WAGE GROWTH?

>> WE'RE SO ENCOURAGED WITH THE NUMBERS.

IF YOU LOOK AT MANUFACTURING, LEISURE, HOSPITALITY, CONSTRUCTION, ALL OF THOSE SECTORS ARE EXPERIENCING HIGH INCREASE IN WAGES.

I BRING UP LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY FOR A REASON.

WE KNOW THAT THAT INDUSTRY, THAT SECTOR HAS BEEN STRUGGLING DURING THE PANDEMIC FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

SO, TO SEE THEM HAVING HIGHER WAGES, AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGES IS ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK IS THE LEGISLATURE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH SOME OF THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS, RIGHT?

THEY ARE PUTTING $80 MILLION OF IT INTO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND TO SHORE IT UP.

THIS IS TO AVOID A TAX ON BUSINESS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN?

>> YEAH.

SO, LET ME TAKE YOU BACK IN TIME.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST HIT, EMPLOYERS WERE FORCED TO LAY PEOPLE OFF IN MASS NUMBERS.

THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, THEY HAD TO DO THAT, ALONG WITH EMPLOYEES BEING LAID OFF THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

WE KNEW WE COULD NOT ALLOW THE EMPLOYERS TO HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT BECAUSE THIS WAS OUT OF THEIR CONTROL.

SO WE DID NOT EVEN FLINCH.

THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN OUR AGENCY AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WE PUT IN THE A WAIVER.

AND IT STAYED IN PLACE APRIL TO OCTOBER.

WE LIFTED IT BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY WAS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IN THE MEANTIME, THOSE CHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH PUTTING THAT WAIVER IN PLACE ACCRUED $400 MILLION.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO LET US TAKE FROM THE CARES ACT TO PUT IN THE TRUST FUND TO LIMIT THE INCREASE TO 72% FOR 2021.

NOW WE NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE.

SO THE ASK RIGHT NOW IS TO HAVE $79.5 MILLION PUT IN THE FUND TO PUT IT BACK WHERE IT WAS PRE-PANDEMIC.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS NOT ONLY TO AVOID A TAX INCREASE, THIS MONEY WILL MEAN BUSINESSES COULD SEE A SLIGHT DECREASE.

>> TO PUT IT QUITE SIMPLY, IF WE GET APPROVAL TO PUT THE $79.5 MILLION BACK INTO THE TRUST FUND, THE EMPLOYERS WILL HAVE AFTER 29% DECREASE IN EMPLOYMENT TAXES.

IF WE DO NOTHING, THE EMPLOYERS WILL HAVE SOMEWHERE AROUND A 3% INCREASE.

IT SORT OF BOILS DOWN TO A TAX CUT VERSUS A TAX INCREASE.

>> I THINK I KNOW WHAT THE CHOICE WILL BE ON THAT ONE EVERY TIME.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY OVERALL.

WE HAVE AN INTERESTING ECONOMY.

THE PANDEMIC ECONOMY.

ALL THE TRADITIONAL INDICATORS, UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, WAGE GROWTH, THEY SHOW A BOOMING ECONOMY IN ALABAMA AND YET HERE IN ALABAMA AND NATIONALLY A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING EMPLOYEES.

THERE'S BEEN THIS CHANGE, THIS RESET.

A LOT OF WORKERS HAVE CHOSEN TO LEAVE THE WORKFORCE.

THAT'S REALLY PUTTING BUSINESSES IN A TOUGH SPOT.

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S PERSPECTIVE, HAVE YOU ALL STUDIED JUST WHAT DRIVES THAT DECISION?

WHY PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO LEAVE THE WORKFORCE FROM A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE?

>> WE KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF SECTORS IN OUR WORKFORCE, THEY HAVE REBOUNDED SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND HELP.

I MENTIONED ABOUT THE LEISURE, HOSPITALITY AND RESTAURANT SECTOR.

THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND HELP.

WE WANT TO RAISE AWARENESS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE.

USDOL RELEASED A REPORT THAT TALKED ABOUT 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE QUITTING THEIR JOBS AND A LARGE PERCENTAGE QUIT THEIR JOBS IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER BECAUSE OF COVID.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR AS WELL AS CHILD CARE, DAY CARE AND TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES THAT ARE DISCOURAGING SOME PEOPLE FROM GETTING BACK IN THE WORKFORCE.

THERE'S NO ONE SILVER BULLET ANSWER TO THAT, BUT IN OUR OPINION THERE'S A COMBINATION OF THINGS, THAT IS DISCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM GETTING BACK IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> FOLKS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, SAID EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WILL BRING PEOPLE BACK TO THE WORKFORCE.

THE BENEFITS ENDED AND FOLKS STAYED ON THE SIDELINES.

WHAT GIVES WITH THAT SITUATION?

>> WELL, THE NEEDLE DID MOVE, BUT AGAIN, US, WHEN -- LET'S SAY FEDERAL BENEFITS THAT WE MANAGE ENDED IT DID MOVE MORE BACK TO THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE EMPLOYERS WERE STILL OUT THERE ACTIVELY LOOKING TO HIRE PEOPLE.

BUT THAT WAS JUST ONE METRIC.

THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE ALSO, AGAIN, DISINCENTIVIZING PEOPLE TO GET BACK IN THE WORKFORCE BUT I'M ENCOURAGED WHERE WE ARE GOING RIGHT NOW IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE JOB NUMBERS.

>> I KNOW YOUR DEPARTMENT DOES A LOT OF WORK PUTTING ON JOB FAIRS AROUND THE STATE.

HAS THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED THAT?

ARE YOU ALL ABLE TO HAVE IN-PERSON JOB FAIRS LIKE YOU DID?

>> I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT UP.

WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL HOSTING JOB FAIRS.

WE MANAGE 53 STATEWIDE.

WE TOUCHED ALL 67 COUNTIES.

WE ARE CONNECTING JOB SEEKERS WITH EMPLOYERS.

WE KNOW THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE.

IF YOU LOOK AT DECEMBER OF 2021 -- SORRY, 2020, THERE WERE 105,000 PEOPLE WE REPORT AS UNEMPLOYED AND NOW THAT NUMBER IS 68,000 PEOPLE.

SO THAT SHOWS THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING BACK IN THE WORKFORCE, WHICH IS GALVANIZING OUR ECONOMY.

>> A LOT OF GOOD NEWS TO SHARE.

FUN TO HAVE GOOD NEWS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT FRONT GIVEN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

MR. SECRETARY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND WE'LL TALK TO YOU AGAIN SOON.

>> THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR HAVING ME.

>> 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 CONNECT TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON THE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY THE REST OF THE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, RANDY SCOTT AND KAREN GOLDSMITH.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, BY THE WAY.

EVERYBODY LOVED OUR CONVERSATION LAST WEEK.

I WANTED YOUR INPUT.

WE ARE IN A SPECIAL SESSION AND YOU ARE ON THE GROUND IN THE CHAMBERS, FOLLOWING THE EVERY MOVE, THE COMMITTEE ROOMS AND EVERYTHING.

SO YOU ALL HAVE THE BEST LAY OF THE LAND.

RANDY, I'LL START WITH YOU.

WE ARE TWO DAYS INTO THIS SPECIAL SESSION WITHIN THE REGULAR.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND WITH THIS ARPA MONEY?

>> THE ARPA MONEY IS SERVING AS A UNIFICATION TOOL FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

IT IS ACTUALLY BRINGING FOLKS TOGETHER, BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

EVERYONE HAS IDEAS ABOUT HOW THE MONEY IS TO BE SPENT OR SHOULD BE SPENT, WHICH IS GOOD BUT EVERYBODY WANTS TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND AND CHAIRMAN STEVE CLOUSE OF THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE SAID THIS, WILL IS A FINITE MONEY WITH FINITE TIME TO USE IT.

THEY HAVE TO GET THEIR DUCKS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE EVERYTHING ALIGNED TO HAVE IT DIVVIED OUT AND USED.

SO EVERYONE IS MAKING PROGRESS IN TERMS OF SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE NEED IT FOR, WHETHER IT IS SEWER AND WATER CONCERNS, WHETHER IT IS HOSPITAL CONCERNS IN THE METROPOLITAN OR RURAL AREAS OR EDUCATION NEEDS.

EVERYONE IS COMING TO THE TABLE WITH IDEAS.

AND EVERYONE IS TALKING TO EACH OTHER ABOUT THOSE IDEAS.

SO IT IS ACTUALLY UNIFYING THINGS IN THE HOUSE AND I'M SURE THE SENATE, TOO, AS KAREN WILL PROBABLY TALK ABOUT.

BUT IT IS ACTUALLY GETTING THEM TALKING AND WORKING TOGETHER.

THERE'S A BUZZ IN THE LOWER CHAMBER, OF GETTING THINGS DONE AND WORKING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF PEOPLE WITH THE ARPA FUND WHICH MR. CLOUSE SAID IT IS A GIFT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE NEED TO BE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE AND DELIBERATE ABOUT HOW IT WILL BE SPENT.

>> IT DID STRIKE ME AS INTERESTING, KAREN, THE COMMITTEE VOTE, BOTH OF THEM, HOUSE AND SENATE.

THEY PASSED THE BILL THROUGH UNANIMOUSLY, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, EVERYBODY VOTED FOR IT.

IN THIS TYPIER PARTISAN DAY AND AGE YOU DON'T SEE THAT A LOT.

WHAT GIVES?

>> THAT'S THE QUESTION I HAD, WHAT GIVES.

I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE COMMITTEE LASTED IN THE HOUSE BUT IN THE SENATE IF IT WAS SEVEN MINUTES I WOULD BE SURPRISED.

I ASKED SENATOR ALBRITTON, THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE AND TAXATION GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE, WERE WE HERE TEN MINUTES AND HE SAID, KAREN, I DIDN'T KEEP COUNT.

IT WAS THAT UNANIMOUS.

THERE WERE TWO QUESTIONS, ONE HOW WE WERE GOING TO BE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MONEY.

IT IS SO ODD THAT I'M SURE SENATORS ALBRITTON AND SINGLETON ARE TIRED OF ME ASKING AND THE PRESS ASKING ABOUT THIS BIPARTISANSHIP.

I LITERALLY WAS INTERVIEWING BOBBY SINGLETON, THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER AND SAID WERE YOU AT THE TABLE DURING THE DISCUSSIONS AND HE -- AS YOU HEARD IN MY PACKAGE EARLIER, HE QUICKLY SAID, YES, WE WERE, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

I SAID THIS IS ODD.

I SAID YOU ARE TELLING ME THESE CONVERSATIONS AND DECISIONS ON THIS MONEY REPRESENTS THE WITH WILL OF NOT JUST ONE SECTOR OF ALABAMA BUT ALL OF ALABAMA AND HE SAID YES.

>> SIGNIFICANT.

>> VERY SIGNIFICANT.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY -- WELL, A COUPLE OF REASONS WHY.

FROM EVERYBODY I HAVE TALKED TO, LAWMAKERS, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THERE HAVE BEEN MEETINGS ON TOP OF MEETINGS ON TOP OF MEETINGS, DAYS AND DAY, HOURS AND HOURS, SEEKING INPUT FROM EVERYBODY WHO WANTED TO HAVE INPUT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S VOICE AND CONCERN WAS HEARD.

THE OTHER THING, THIS IS FEDERAL MONEY.

THIS MONEY COMES WITH FEDERAL GUIDELINES.

I KNOW THE PUBLIC IS WONDERING, WHY DO THEY PICK PUBLIC HEALTH, WATER, SEWER AND BROADBAND.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GAVE A LIST OF CATEGORIES IN WHICH THE MONEY COULD BE USED AND FROM THOSE THEY POLLED LAWMAKERS AND OF COURSE LAWMAKERS ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY SAID THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT MY PEOPLE ARE MOST INTERESTED IN, AND IT WAS UNIFICATION, WATER, BROADBAND, SEWER, HEALTHCARE, THOSE THINGS.

AND THEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID YOU CAN NOT PUT IT INTO RAINY DAY ACCOUNTS.

IT HAS TO BE ALLOCATED BY DECEMBER 31st, 2024, SPENT BY DECEMBER 31st, 2025, THE STATE HAS TO GIVE QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE MONEY THROUGH 2027.

IT IS LIKE, AS RANDY SAID EARLIER, IT IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST THAT EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME PAGE.

EVEN INCLUDING OUR FINANCE OFFICE.

OUR EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

OUR STATE'S FINANCE OFFICE HAS TO GIVE THESE REPORTS.

THE FIRST WAS DUE AUGUST 31st OF THIS YEAR.

THEY MET THE DEADLINE BUT THEY SAID IT TAKES DAYS, LIKE DAYS TO GET THIS REPORT TOGETHER AND THAT IS BEFORE WE ALLOCATED THE FIRST 400 MILLION FOR PRISONS.

THAT HAPPENED OVER THE SUMMER.

WE DIDN'T MAKE THAT INITIAL DECISION UNTIL THE FALL.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A COMPLICATED PROCESS THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> IT IS ALL KUMBAYA IS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM Y'ALL.

RANDY, YOU COVERED THE DEMOCRATS' AGENDA ARE THEY GOING TO GET BACK TO PARTISAN STUFF IN THE REGULAR SESSION?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

JUST AS THEY ARE DOWN HERE TO MAKE SURE BOTH BUDGETS ARE TOGETHER.

THEY ARE HERE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED THEM TO OFFICE.

SO, THERE ARE SOME DIVIDES, IF YOU WILL, OVER ISSUES WHERE THEY DON'T AGREE ON, WHICH IS NATURAL.

THE THING IS WILL WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE ARPA FUNDS IN THIS SPECIAL SESSION, WILL THAT EFFECT CARRY OVER TO THE REGULAR SESSION?

AGAIN, YOU ARE SEEING PROGRESS MADE AT LIGHTNING SPEED, SCARY LIGHTNING SPEED BECAUSE WE ARE THINKING, WAIT A MINUTE, IS THAT GOING -- YES, IT IS.

THEY ARE COMING TO AGREEMENTS AFTER DISCUSSING THINGS, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THEY COME TOGETHER IN MEETINGS.

THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

AND LO AND BEHOLD, THEY'D LIKE TO SEE THAT CONTINUE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GET THE PROGRESS REPORT TO THE VOTERS BACK HOME, OKAY, THEY ARE ARGUING AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.

THEY WANT TO SEE THINGS DONE.

EVEN IF IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR, WHICH IT IS, THEY STILL WANT TO PUT THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD, GET WORK DONE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT ARE STILL ON THE TABLE IN THE REGULAR SESSION THAT THEY WANT TO ADDRESS ELECTIONS OR NOT.

SO, I THINK THIS -- WHAT YOU ARE SEEING RADIO IT NOW WITH THE SPECIAL SESSION SHOULD HAVE SOME KIND OF POST-EFFECT GOING BACK TO THE REGULAR SESSION, WHEREAS I NOW SAY WE RETURN TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM.

>> TODD, CAN I ADD TO THAT?

>> SURE.

>> CAN I BE THE GRINCH?

>> OH, BOY.

GET THE LUMP OF COAL.

>> I WILL SAY, AS MUCH AS I WOULD LOVE THE KUMBAYA MOMENTS TO CONTINUE BECAUSE IT MAKES OUR DAYS EASIER.

OUR DAYS ARE NOT AS LONG AND WE GET HOME AT A DECENT HOUR.

I'M NOT AS OPTIMISTIC.

WE HAVE SOME ISSUES THAT COULD BE CONTENTIOUS, CRITICAL RACE THEORY, GAMING.

WE MIGHT HAVE SOME REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LEGISLATION.

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT COULD PLAY IN THE FAVOR OR AGAINST THEM AS THEY GO OUT AND CAMPAIGN.

WE KNOW THESE ISSUES ARE COMING.

WE KNOW THEY CAN BE DIVISIVE.

SO, WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LITTLE DISHARMONY, I WOULD SUSPECT.

I WOULD LOVE FOR THESE WONDERFUL MOMENTS TO CONTINUE BUT THIS IS POLITICS.

>> IT IS THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

>> NOT THE LOVE BOAT WHEN THEY COME BACK BUT IT IS NO ILLUSION.

WE WILL HAVE A GOOD TIME NOW.

IT LIKE A BASKETBALL GAME AND YOU SEE FOLKS AT THE FREE THROW LINE.

>> THAT'S A FILE, I KNOW SPORTS.

>> I'M TRYING TO GIVE MY POSITION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WELL, YEAH.

IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND ACTUALLY NEXT WEEK, VERY SOON WILL BE THE QUALIFYING DEADLINE, MEANING THAT'S -- YOU CANNOT SIGN UP AFTER THAT.

EVERYBODY IS LOOKING AND PAYING ATTENTION AT WHO WILL SIGN UP.

RANDY, DO YOU EXPECT ANY SURPRISES OR DO YOU THINK THE RACES ARE SOMEWHAT SETTLED?

>> I KNOW ONE RACE THAT EVERYONE IS PAYING ATTENTION TO IS THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

IT IS CHOCK FULL OF CANDIDATES.

OF COURSE GOVERNOR IVEY, THE INCUMBENT, SHE'S RUNNING BUT THERE ARE A SLEW OF OTHER POLITICIANS WHO HAVE THROWN THEIR HAT INTO THE RING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, GIVING HER A RACE FOR HER RACE.

FOR THE MOST PART I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY DARK HORSES COMING OUT YET BUT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, TOO, ZEIGLER WHO HAS RUN FOR SEVERAL OFFICE UNLESS THE STATE.

THERE'S QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL SEEK ANOTHER OFFICE HIMSELF BECAUSE HE'S TERM LIMIT FOR THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

>> HE'S BEEN FLIRTING WITH IT, RIGHT?

>> THERE'S STILL TIME.

IT'S FRIDAY AND IT'S NOT 5:00 JUST YET.

SOMEBODY MAY COME IN AT 4:58:36 AND SAY I'M THROWING MY HAT IN FOR AN OFFICE AND THEN WE WILL SCRAMBLE AND SAY THIS PERSON IS DOING THIS AND DO THE SEARCH AND RESEARCH AND TRY TO PUT UP THIS PERSON AND THEIR INFORMATION AND TRY TO CALCULATE, OKAY, HOW WILL THIS HAVE AN AFFECT ON THIS RACE.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, MUCH LIKE THE SPECIAL SESSION IS PRETTY MUCH DOMINATING THE NEWS WITH ARPA FUNDS, EVERYTHING IS PEACEFUL.

THE WATER IS CALM.

WILL THERE BE SOMEONE JUMP IN AT THE LAST MINUTE AND SAY, I'M HERE.

I'M JUMPING IN.

I'M NOT GOING TO THE KID POOL, I'M GOING TO THE DEEP END.

LET ME GET INTO THIS RACE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK, TODD, ANY EXPECTATIONS OR THOUGHTS FROM YOU ON THAT?

>> I THINK THE FIELD IS PROBABLY SETTLED.

I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF ANYBODY JUMPED IN, INCLUDING ZEIGLER.

IF BLANCHARD AND JAMES DIDN'T RUN, MAYBE JIM ZEIGLER WOULD HAVE BUT I DOUBT IT NOW.

THE SENATE RACE IS REALLY HEATING UP, TOO.

ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, WHAT I SENSE IS YOU ARE SEEING TWO WELL-FUNDED CANDIDATES IN TIM JAMES AND LINDA BLANCHARD AND THEIR CAMPAIGNS THEY ARE RUNNING AGAINST THE NATIONAL SORT OF PROBLEMS, THE WOKISM AND LIBERALS NATIONALLY FORGETTING THE REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A DISCONNECT AND MAY HAVE TROUBLE LANDING THAT.

THE SENATE RACE IS HEATING UP.

I'M FASCINATED BY THIS FIELD MO BROOKS, KATIE BRITT, MIKE DURANT, ALL PRETTY CLOSE IN THE POLLING.

I THINK YOU HAVE TWO BIG HIGH-PROFILE TOP OF THE TICKET RACES, BUT OF COURSE THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

SOME RETIRING, SOME WATCHING VERY CLOSELY TO SEE IF ANYBODY JUMPS IN THE RACE FOR THEM.

IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN WEEK.

>> AFTER ALL ALABAMA ONE OF THEIR LOGANS HAS BEEN THE STATE OF SURPRISES.

>> YEAH, WHO KNOWS.

WE WILL BE WATCHING.

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON THE PANEL.

>> THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL PRE-BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

TOMORROW I WILL BE 51.

SO YOU GUYS GAVE A NICE INTEREST TO MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND.

I'M EXCITED AND MY GRAND DAUGHTER WILL BE 1 TOMORROW.

IT IS A GREAT PRE-PARTY WITH YOU HERE TONIGHT.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> AND SHE IS STILL A NEW YORK GIANTS FAN.

>> UNTIL THE DAY I DIE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH OUR NIGHTLY LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE AT 10:30 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.