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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

ALABAMA WAS THE FOCUS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK AS THE PLANNED EXECUTION OF KENNETH EUGENE SMITH MOVED FORWARD.

THE DEATH ROW INMATE WAS CONVICTED MORE THAN 35 YEARS AGO OF KILLING ELIZABETH SENNETT IN A MURDER FOR HIRE SCHEME.

THE STATE HAD ATTEMPTED TO CARRY OUR SMITH'S DEATH SENTENCE TWO YEARS AGO BUT THE LETHAL INJECTION WAS CALLED OFF DUE TO COMPLICATIONS.

SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN A PROLONGED LEGAL BATTLE, PARTLY OVER THE STATE'S USE OF NITROGEN HYPOXIA TO CARRY OUT THE EXECUTION - THE FIRST TIME IT HAS EVER BEEN USED.

BOTH THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THAT THE EXECUTION COULD MOVE FORWARD THURSDAY, AND SMITH WAS PUT TO DEATH.

REPORTERS IN THE DEATH CHAMBER VIEWING DESCRIBED SEEING SMITH WRITHING, SHAKING AND BREATHING HEAVILY FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES ON THE GURNEY, LEADING MANY TO SPECULATE THAT THE METHOD IS NOT PAINLESS AS PROPONENTS CLAIMED.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL CALLED THE EXECUTION SUCCESSFUL.

HE SAID MORE ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE PAID TO SMITH'S VICTIM, ELIZABETH SENNETT, AND THAT JUSTICE FOR HER FAMILY WAS TOO LONG DELAYED.

>> I CAN HARDLY CALL THIS EXECUTION JUSTICE FOR THE SENNETT FAMILY BECAUSE IT TOOK OVER 3 1/2 DECADES FOR THE SENTENCE TO BE CARRIED OUT.

I WANT TO TELL THE FAMILY, ESPECIALLY THE VICTIM'S SONS, MIKE AND CHUCK, HOW GENUINELY SORRY I AM FOR THE HORRIFIC MANNER IN WHICH THEIR MOTHER LOST HER LIFE, BUT I ALSO WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO THEM FOR HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR THIS SENTENCE TO BE CARRIED OUT.

OUR CAPITAL LITIGATORS HAVE HANDLED THIS CASE FOR MORE THAN 30-PLUS YEARS.

THEY COULD HAVE FOLLOWED THE PATH OF OTHER STATES AND GONE THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE, AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER.

I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER GROUP OF LAWYERS TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THIS CASE.

AS THE NUMBERS PROVE, THEY ARE THE BEST TEAM OF CAPITAL LITIGATORS IN THE COUNTRY BAR NONE AND I COULD NOT BE PROUDER OF THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE.

A TREMENDOUS THANKS TO COMMISSIONER HAMM AND HIS DEDICATED TEAM AT THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THEY ARE THE FIRST TEAM IN THE COUNTRY TO CARRY OUT A NITROGEN EXECUTION AND WHAT OCCURRED LAST NIGHT WAS TEXTBOOK.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH THIS WEEK RELEASED AN AMBITIOUS PLAN TO TRANSFORM ALABAMA'S WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM.

THE PLAN, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED BY AINSWORTH'S COMMISSION ON A 21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE, WOULD CONSOLIDATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND ALIGN THEM MORE CLOSELY WITH THE STATE'S OVERALL INDUSTRIAL RECRUITING STRATEGY.

IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE CREATING A CABINET LEVEL POSITION TO OVERSEE ALL OF THESE EFFORTS.

AINSWORTH SAID HE HOPES TO BRING LEGISLATION EARLY IN THE SESSION WITH THE HOPES OF IMPROVING ALABAMA'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

>> TO MAINTAIN OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER STATES, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS.

OUR COMMISSION HAS WORKED HARD AND CREATED A PLAN TO ALIGN OUR JOB TRAINING EFFORTS SO ALABAMIANS CAN SEIZE NEW EFFORTS AND CONNECT ALL ALABAMIANS WITH 21ST CENTURY EMPLOYMENT.

WITH THESE REFORMS, ALABAMA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CAN BE THE ENVY OF THE NATION.

>> I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN I FACE AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IS A READY WORKFORCE.

EVER SINCE COVID HAS CAME, IT HAS KIND OF DECIMATED OUR WORKFORCE.

I THINK HAVING THIS COMMISSION IN PLACE TO ACTUALLY PUT FORTH POLICIES AND EFFORTS THAT WILL MAKE SURE WE HAVE A TRAINED WORKFORCE MOVING FORTH IN THE 21ST CENTURY IS GREAT.

>> TAKE THOSE STEPS FORWARD TO MAKE SURE WE CAN ANSWER THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION WHICH IS -- IF I'M COMING TO BUILD MY FACTORY OR PLANT IN YOUR COMMUNITY, FOLKS IN ALABAMA, HOW CAN YOU GIVE ME ASSURANCES THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE A TRAINED WORKFORCE, NOT ONLY TODAY WHEN I INVEST THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN YOUR STATE BUT ALSO IN THE FUTURE.

>> A COALITION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS THIS WEEK CALLED ON LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THEY TOUTED A NEW POLL SHOWING STRONG SUPPORT FOR IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND FOR THE LEGISLATURE ENACTING A SMALL SURCHARGE ON PHONE LINES TO EXPAND 988 CRISIS HELP LINE SERVICES.

HOLLY MCCORKLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA COUNCIL ON BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, SAID THE POLL SHOWS ALABAMIANS SUPPORT SOLUTIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> CLOSE TO HALF SAID THEY OR SOMEONE CLOSE TO THEM HAD EXPERIENCED A MENTAL CRISIS, A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR ATTEMPTED SELF HARM.

ALABAMIANS WANT TO SEE MORE RESOURCES DEVOTED TO MENTAL HEALTH WITH OVERWHELMING MAJORITIES.

THE POLL ALSO CONFIRMED WHAT WE KNEW THAT MORE HELP IS NEEDED.

47% OF THE ALABAMIANS INDICATED THAT THEIR PERCEPTION IS THAT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE GENERALLY INACCESSIBLE.

OF THOSE THAT REPORTED, A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, 44% SAID THEY COULDN'T GET IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> I'M LIVING PROOF OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET THE HELP THAT YOU NEED, AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE -- I COME FROM A RURAL AREA.

I WAS LUCKY THAT WE HAD SERVICES.

I WILL SAY THAT I WAS BORN AND RAISED THERE AND DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD A MENTAL HEALTH CENTER UNTIL THEN.

WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SERVICES, BUT SO MANY PLACES AROUND THE STATE DON'T, OR IF THEY DO THEY ARE NOT STAFFED WELL ENOUGH BECAUSE OF FUNDING.

I MEAN YOU HAVE TO PAY PEOPLE TO WORK THERE, AND THAT BECOMES A BIG ISSUE.

>> WE'LL GO OVER THAT POLLING IN MORE DETAIL WHEN HOLLY JOINS ME HERE AT THE DESK LATER IN THE SHOW.

I SHOULD CLARIFY THE ORGANIZATION SHE LEADS IS THE ALABAMA COUNCIL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE.

>>> THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MET THIS WEEK IN THE STATE HOUSE.

LAWMAKERS HEARD AN UPDATE FROM THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF REBUILD ALABAMA, THE 2019 ENACTED PLAN TO USE ADDITIONAL GAS TAX REVENUES TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S HIGHWAYS.

>> COUNTIES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED.

WE HAVE DONE 20 BRIDGE PROJECTS, 70 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS, 160 ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND 38 CAPACITY PROJECTS.

ASSUMING A $40 MILLION AWARD IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO AND ANOTHER 15 MILLION FOR THE ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM, BY THE END OF FISCAL '24, THE TOTAL AWARD SHOULD BE SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $235 MILLION.

NOT QUITE A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS.

>> ALSO IN THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK WAS A MEETING TO DISCUSS ALCOHOL POLICY.

LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW GROCERY AND CONVENIENCE STORES TO SELL SO-CALLED READY-TO-DRINK BEVERAGES CONTAINING SPIRITS INSTEAD OF ONLY THE MALT-BASED DRINKS NOW ALLOWED.

DRINKS LIKE HIGH NOON THAT CONTAIN VODKA AND TEQUILA RIGHT NOW ARE ONLY ALLOWED IN LIQUOR STORES.

CURTIS STEWART, HEAD OF THE ALABAMA BEVERAGE CONTROL, SAID HE HAS CONCERNS ABOUT ALCOHOL CONTENT LEVELS AND THE IMPACT ON REVENUE.

>> PLEASE CONSIDER LIMITING THE ABV IN THIS BILL.

THAT'S THE FIRST CONCERN.

ALSO, JUST REMEMBER THAT WE WOULD THEN BE THE HIGHEST -- WE WOULD HAVE THE HIGHEST ABV OF THE SURROUNDING STATES.

SO, THERE'S A REASON THE OTHER STATES DON'T DO IT EITHER.

THEY DON'T ALLOW PRODUCTS WITH THIS STRONG OF AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL TO BE IN A WIDER DISTRIBUTION.

THE OTHER CONCERN THAT I HAVE IS FOR THE CONSUMERS.

THE BEST WAY TO SAY IT IS ON THE VERY LAST PAGE, WHICH IS IN RED, THAT WHAT PART OF THIS CHANGE WOULD DO IS ALLOW PRODUCTS WITH A HIGHER ABV THAN ALL OF THE SURROUNDING STATES TO BE PUT IN THAT WIDER DISTRIBUTION, THOSE PRODUCTS WOULD COST CONSUMERS MORE.

THERE'S A PRICE COMPARISON IN HERE THAT I DIDN'T GO THROUGH, AND THE STATE WOULD GET A LITTLE LESS IN TAX FROM THOSE PRODUCTS.

SO FINANCIALLY IT'S A LOSE-LOSE IF YOU MOVE TOO MANY OF THESE PRODUCTS AWAY FROM THE ABC DISTRIBUTION.

>> YOUR LAST COMMENTS THERE ABOUT A REDUCTION IN REVENUE, DOES THAT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INCREASED VOLUME OF SALES THAT IS LIKELY TO RESULT FROM THESE PRODUCTS BEING IN MORE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED?

>> NO, SIR.

IT IS ON A UNIT-BY-UNIT BASIS.

>> IT IS FAIR TO SAY IF THESE PRODUCTS WERE MORE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED THAT THE REVENUE TO THE STATE MAY GO UP.

>> IT IS POSSIBLE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT CRIME IS A GROWING CONCERN ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN ALABAMA.

CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL WAS IN BIRMINGHAM THIS WEEK TO HEAR FROM STUDENTS AND TALK ABOUT WAYS TO CURB THE VIOLENCE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> MOST RECENTLY WE LOST A STUDENT, LAST WEEK, A 15-YEAR-OLD AT HUFFMAN HIGH SCHOOL TO GUN VIOLENCE.

THIS IS A REAL ISSUE.

WE'RE NOT JUST TRYING TO HAVE THIS PROGRAM BUT MANY PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS.

>> SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT IS TALKING ABOUT A BIG PROBLEM FACING THE CITY AND ITS YOUTH, GUN VIOLENCE, WHICH HAS TAKEN MANY INNOCENT LIVES AND SHAKEN THIS AREA.

THEY ARE FINDING OBSTACLES IN THEIR PATH FOR TEACHING CHILDREN.

>> IN ORDER FOR US TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL WE MUST FACE THE REALITY THAT MANY OF OUR CHILDREN LIVE IN COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY SOMETIMES ENCOUNTER VIOLENCE.

HOW THEY DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES CAN LITERALLY CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOREVER.

>> SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND THE STATE AND RIGHT HERE IN BIRMINGHAM SAY THEY HAVE A TOUGH JOB PREPARING TOMORROW'S FUTURE LEADERS COMPLICATE THAT WITH OUTSIDE DISTRACTIONS INCLUDING VIOLENCE AND THINGS CAN BE TOUGH.

MUCH-NEEDED HELP IS COMING IN THE FORM OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. >> TOO MANY OF OUR YOUTH HAVE SUFFERED THE TRAUMA OF VIOLENCE, BOTH IN SCHOOL AND AT HOME.

BUT AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE, NOT ONLY FOR ADDRESSING THE SYMPTOMS BUT ALSO ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL IS IN BIRMINGHAM THIS DAY TO ATTACK THE PROBLEM HEAD ON.

>> I'M PROUD TO HAVE FOUGHT FOR FEDERAL GRANT FOR THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM AND TODAY I'M EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT A $1 MILLION CHECK TO DR. SULLIVAN.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE BIRMINGHAM CITY SCHOOLS.

>> THOSE RESOURCES WILL BE USED ON PROGRAMS HELPING TO PREPARE STUDENTS, STAFF AND NEIGHBORHOODS TO DEAL WITH VIOLENCE.

>> IT IS A FRAMEWORK THAT DEALS WITH CONFLICT.

IT REPAIRS HARM AND BUILDS HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AMONG OUR SCHOOLS, OUR PERSONNEL AND OUR WORKPLACE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY OUR COMMUNITY.

>> GETTING MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED IS A PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> BECAUSE IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A COMMUNITY, AND WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE WE HAVE TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL AT LOOKING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YOU GET TIRED OF READING ABOUT IT AND SEEING IT AND THEY GO WE WOULD HAVE, COULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE.

WE ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> THE PRINCIPAL SAID IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS TO END.

>> WE TRY TO BE REACTIVE BUT WE REALLY NEED TO BE PREVENTATIVE.

YOU HAVE GIVEN US SOMETHING THAT GIVES PARENTS, STAKEHOLDERS AND CHILDREN TOOLS TO KEEP VIOLENCE FROM HAPPENING.

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

>>> WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH LINDSEY BONEY OF THE BRADLEY ARANT LAW FIRM.

HE'S REPRESENTING THE INNOCENCE PROJECT AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE UNIQUE CASE OF DEATH ROW INMATE TOFOREST JOHNSON, WHICH WE'LL DISCUSS IN DETAIL.

AND AS PROMISED, HOLLY MCCORKLE WILL JOIN ME HERE AT THE DESK TO GO OVER SOME OF THAT POLLING DATA ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

AND LATER IN THE SHOW I'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THE CASE OF ALABAMA DEATH ROW INMATE TOFOREST JOHNSON HAS GARNERED INTERNATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION DREW TO THE GROWING BELIEF THAT JOHNSON WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OF KILLING A SHERIFFS DEPUTY IN 1998, INCLUDING THE PROSECUTOR AT THE TIME, MULTIPLE JURORS AND BIG NAMES IN ALABAMA LEGAL COMMUNITY.

LINDSEY BONEY IS AN ATTORNEY AT THE BRADLEY ARANT LAW FIRM IN BIRMINGHAM INVOLVED IN THE CASE AND IS JOINING ME NOW.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CASE.

I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD LEVEL SET BY WALKING THROUGH THE FACTS OF THE CASE.

>> SURE.

>> TO BE CLEAR I REPRESENT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT IN THIS CASE.

WE FILED A FRIEND OF THE COURT CASE.

I DON'T REPRESENT TOFOREST JOHNSON SO WE ARE CLEAR ON THE FRONT END.

THIS CASE INVOLVES TOFOREST JOHNSON.

IT WAS A MURDER THAT HAPPENED IN HOMEWOOD IN JULY OF '95.

AN OFF-DUTY SHERIFFS DEPUTY BILL HARDY WAS A POLICE OFFICER BEHIND THE CROWN STERLING SUITES HOTEL AND IT IS NOW THE EMBASSY SUITES IN HOMEWOOD AND HE WAS SHOT TWICE AND KILLED.

IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF THE MURDER, DIFFERENT PEOPLE CAME BY AND WERE QUESTIONED AND TOFOREST JOHNSON WHICH WAS ULTIMATELY CONVICTED IN THE CASE WAS INITIALLY QUESTIONED AND DETAINED AND CHARGED ALONG WITH FOUR OTHER INDIVIDUALS AT VARIOUS POINTS IN TIME.

HE WAS CONVICTED IN 1998, HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED HIS INNOCENCE AND SINCE THEN IT'S BEEN A LOT OF TWISTS AND TURNS IN THE CASE OF REALLY EVIDENCE COMING OUT IN MANY WAYS SHOWING HE IS INNOCENT.

>> HIS CONVICTION WAS BASED ON TESTIMONY FROM SOMEONE WHO SAID HE CONFESSED TO KILLING BUT THAT WAS LATER TO BE FOUND OUT SHE WAS PAID FOR THAT TESTIMONY?

>> YEAH.

SURE.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT.

AT THE TIME HE WAS CONVICTED IN 1998, THERE'S NEVER BEEN FORENSIC EVIDENCE THAT TIED HIM TO THE CRIME.

THE GUN, THE BULLETS THAT WERE SHOT -- THERE WERE TWO SHOTS FIRED AND BOTH CAME FROM THE SAME GUN.

MR. JOHNSON DIDN'T OWN THAT KIND OF GUN AND NO EVIDENCE THAT HE DID.

THE FORENSIC EVIDENCE NEVER POINTED TO HIM AND THAT IS EVIDENCED BY MULTIPLE PEOPLE CHARGED WITH THE SAME CRIME EVEN THOUGH THE EVIDENCE SHOWN IT WAS A SINGLE SHOOTER.

THE INVESTIGATORS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME FIGURING OUT WHERE THE CASE MAY GO.

THE STATE PURSUED FIVE THEORIES OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, OVER FIVE DIFFERENT DEFENDANTS, BUT AT THE TIME THERE WAS SOME TESTIMONY THAT SOMEONE SAID THAT HE WAS THERE.

NOW, IT WASN'T AN EYEWITNESS.

THERE WERE NO EYEWITNESSES TO THE CRIME.

THERE WERE SOME HOTEL GUESTS THAT NIGHT THAT LOOKED OUT RIGHT AFTER THEY HEARD THE SHOTS AND THEY DESCRIBED THE MAN IN A CAR, NEITHER OF WHICH DESCRIPTION FIT TOFOREST JOHNSON OR HIS CAR, BUT SOME WITNESSES CAME FORWARD AND GAVE TESTIMONY THAT PERHAPS IN THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION MIGHT HAVE TIED TOFOREST JOHNSON THE CASE.

NOW, THAT WITNESS THAT CAME FORWARD WAS LATER SHOWN TO BE A SERIAL LIAR.

SHE WAS A YOUTH AT THE TIME.

BUT WHAT ULTIMATELY THE STATE RESTED ON IN MR. JOHNSON'S CONVICTION WAS THE WITNESS OF A WOMAN NAMED VIOLET ELLISON.

IT IS AN EAR WITNESS, NOT SOMEONE WHO SAW SOMETHING AND SAID IT WAS IRRELEVANT TO A CASE BUT SOMEONE WHO HEARD SOMETHING.

AS THE CASE WOULD BE, THIS CASE IS NOW THE SUBJECT OF A PODCAST PEOPLE CAN GET ON APPLE OR SPOTIFY, WHEREVER THEY GET THEIR PODCASTS AND THAT HAS GIVEN ATTENTION TO IT RECENTLY.

BUT VIOLET ELLISON, HER DAUGHTER HAD BEEN MAKING PHONE CALLS WITH INMATES IN JAIL.

THEY WOULD CALL HER AND SHE WOULD CONNECT THEM TO PEOPLE THAT THEY WANTED TO CALL.

SHE WAS MAKING A BUSINESS, I GUESS, IN THAT WAY.

DURING THE TIME THAT TOFOREST JOHNSON WAS IN JAIL AWAITING ARRAIGNMENT OR TRIAL, BEFORE HE WAS EVEN CHARGED, I THINK, THIS WOMAN'S MOTHER, VIOLET ELLISON, OVERHEARD A PHONE CALL IN WHICH THE EVIDENCE WAS UNCLEAR WHETHER IT WAS A PERSON THAT SAID TOFOREST JOHNSON, THAT'S WHAT HER TESTIMONY WAS.

HER NOTES DIFFERED FROM WHAT SHE SAID SHE HEARD BUT SHE SAID SHE HEARD TOFOREST JOHNSON, A PERSON SHE NEVER MET, DIDN'T KNOW, DIDN'T KNOW HIS VOICE, THAT HE SAID HE COMMITTED THIS CRIME.

AGAIN, HER NOTES WERE INCONSISTENT.

IT WAS LATER FOUND OUT WHEN SHE GAVE THAT TESTIMONY AT TRIAL THE JURY DID NOT KNOW BUT SHE ULTIMATELY WAS LATER PAID FOR HER TESTIMONY SHE GAVE AT TRIAL.

THAT'S PART OF THE FLAVOR OF THE EVIDENCE THAT STARTED TO UNWIND IN THIS CASE AFTER HIS CONVICTION IN '98.

>> DEATH PENALTY CASES ARE NOTORIOUSLY COMPLICATED, LENGTHY AND LITIGIOUS, BUT THIS ONE REALLY STANDS OUT IN TERMS OF GOING UP AND DOWN THE APPEALS TRACK.

CAN YOU WALK THROUGH WHAT MAKES THIS CASE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER DEATH PENALTY CASES AND WHY YOU PERSONALLY GOT INVOLVED?

>> YEAH.

SO, THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN ALABAMA THIS WEEK IN PARTICULAR WITH THE PENDING EXECUTION THAT, I GUESS BY THE POINT THIS AIRS THERE WILL HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOME RESULT THAT HAPPENED IN THAT CASE.

THIS CASE IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT.

THE REASON IT IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT IS WHATEVER SOMEONE BELIEVES ABOUT CAPITAL PUNISH.

MENT, THE DEATH PENALTY AND THE WAY IT SHOULD BE APPLIED IS I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE IF THERE IS AN INNOCENT PERSON, THAT AN INNOCENT PERSON SHOULDN'T BE EXECUTED.

IN THE SAME WAY, TO THE EXTENT THAT IS TOO EASY OF A PROPOSITION TO DEFEND, IF THERE'S STRONG EVIDENCE OR DOUBT ABOUT A PARTICULAR CASE OR STRONG EVIDENCE OF SOMEONE'S INNOCENCE, THAN I THINK WE CAN AGREE WE OUGHT TO LET ALL OF THOSE CHANNELS PLAY OUT.

WE OUGHT TO DO SOME DIGGING AND SEE ALL OF THOSE LEADS TO AN END BEFORE SOMEONE IS EXECUTED WHEN THERE'S STRONG EVIDENCE OF SOMEONE'S INNOCENCE.

IN THIS CASE, AS I SAID, I REPRESENT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT.

I HAVE REPRESENTED THE INNOCENCE PROJECT OR WORKED WITH THEM A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I GREW UP IN ALABAMA.

I WENT TO SCHOOL IN THIS STATE BOTH FOR UNDERGRAD AND LAW SCHOOL ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE STATE.

I CLERKED FOR JUDGE BILL PRYOR ON THE 11TH CIRCUIT.

MY ENTIRE LIFE I HAVE BEEN A CONSERVATIVE AND VOTED REPUBLICAN AND GROWING UP IN THE STATE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IN THE INNOCENCE PROJECT.

IT WAS BASED IN NEW YORK AND FOUNDED IN THE EARLY '90S BUT ULTIMATELY CAME TO KNOW IT THROUGH A FRIEND WHO REFERRED US TO WORK ON A CASE IN FLORIDA WHERE THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WAS LOOKING FOR AN APPELLATE LAWYER.

I AGREED TO TAKE THE CASE BECAUSE IT SEEMED INTERESTING AND ULTIMATELY PART OF ARGUING, BRIEFING A CASE AT THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO GET A CONVICTION AND SENTENCE REVERSED OF SOMEONE ON DEATH ROW IN FLORIDA.

PART OF THAT CASE AND I REALIZED, OH, WOW, WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS REALLY ARE A THING.

I'M NOT SURE BEFORE THAT CASE, THAT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS HAPPEN.

IN FACT THEY HAPPEN QUITE A BIT.

MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT, JUSTICE ALITO HAS WRITTEN A REPORT, WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS ARE A THING, JUSTICE STEPHENS, ANY NUMBER OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES IN THEIR OPINIONS.

IT TURNS OUT THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 190 AS OF THE RESEARCH I DID LAST YEAR FOR A BRIEF IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, OVER 190 DEATH ROW EXONERATIONS IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WAS FOUND REALLY TO HELP WITH EXPANDING DNA EVIDENCE AND DNA TESTING IN THE EARLY '90S AND HAS BEEN PART OF 250 EXONERATIONS OF ALL STRIPES.

EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS CONVICTED OF A CAPITAL CRIME AND SENTENCED TO DEATH, THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN THAT THE CONVICTION IS AIR TIGHT, THAT HE EVIDENCE IS AIR TIGHT.

I GOT INVOLVED IN THE INNOCENCE PROJECT BACK IN THE ORIGINAL CASE IN FLORIDA.

I KIND OF GOT HOOKED ON THIS IDEA OF AS A LAWYER I COULD USE MY SKILL, MY ABILITY, MY TIME, WHATEVER MY LIMITED ABILITY IS TO HELP WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OR WRONGFULLY INCARCERATED.

IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO DIG INTO CASES.

I HAVE GREAT INTEREST IN THE LEGAL ISSUES BUT IT'S BEEN REALLY REWARDING FOR ME AS A PERSON.

THIS CASE HAS PIQUED MY INTEREST FROM THE BEGINNING.

THE STATE REACHED OUT AND I'M GLAD THEY DID.

IT IS A FASCINATING CASE AND ONE THAT HITS CLOSE TO HOME.

IT IS IN MY TOWN OF HOMEWOOD, IT IS AN ALABAMA CASE THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN IN MY WORLD, IT IS SOMEONE ABOUT THE SAME AGE AS ME, THAT HAS BEEN CONVICTED AND SITTING ON DEATH ROW ALL OF THESE YEARS.

IT HAS BEEN A TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

>> THIS CASE HAS ALREADY BEEN APPEAL.

IT HAS GONE TO THE ALABAMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS AND THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT.

COURTS THAT RULED AGAINST A NEW TRIAL OR OVERTURNING CONVICTION AND EVERYTHING.

YOU KNOW, REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING IT WAS A JURY VERDICT.

DON'T WE HAVE TO AT A CERTAIN LEVEL TRUST OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE COURT AND WHEN THEY RULE RESPECT THOSE OPINIONS, RESPECT THOSE OPINIONS.

>> THE BEAUTY, TODD, OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM IS WE GIVE CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS, ALL PARTIES THE RIGHT TO APPEAL THERE THROUGH WHATEVER PROCESS IS SET UP.

FOR CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS THEY ARE STRONGER THAN IN CIVIL CASES PARTICULARLY FOR A CASE WHERE THE STATE IS SEEKING TO IMPOSE A CAPITAL SENTENCE, THE MOST FINAL SENTENCE THERE IS OF EXECUTION.

UNDERSTANDABLY, THE LAW HAS NUMEROUS STEPS IN THE PROCESS.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

ONCE SOMEONE IS CONVICTED, THERE'S WHAT IS CALLED A DIRECT APPEAL.

YOU GET TO CHALLENGE THE CONVICTION AND HOW IT WAS OBTAINED IN THAT PARTICULAR TRIAL ALL THE WAY UP THROUGH THE STATE COURT SYSTEM UP TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

AFTER THAT, IN EVERY KIND OF CASE, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, CRIMINAL CASE YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILE A POST-CONVICTION CHALLENGE.

IN ALABAMA IT IS RULE 32 OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF PROCEDURE AND THAT ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE A COLLATERAL CONVICTION WHERE YOU COME FROM THE SIDE AND SAY MAYBE MY LAWYERS WEREN'T CONSTITUTIONALLY EFFECTIVE OR SO POOR THEY DIDN'T MEET THE STANDARD THAT THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES, SOMEONE HAS A RIGHT TO COUNSEL OR MAYBE NEW EVIDENCE HAS COME TO LIGHT THAT OUGHT TO BE BEFORE A NEW JURY BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL JURY DIDN'T HEAR THAT EVIDENCE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND MAYBE IT WAS NEVER THAT WAS NEVER PURSUED.

IN THIS CASE, RULE 32 PETITION WAS FILED, THAT POST-CONVICTION COLLATERAL CHALLENGE.

YOU CAN DO THAT IN THE STATE UP TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND THEN YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FILE A HABEAS PETITION.

IT WAS ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT YOU CAN PURSUE CLAIMS IN THE FEDERAL COURT.

ALL OF THE CLAIMS PENDING IN THE CASE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE NORMAL CHANNEL THE INSTITUTION AND THE STATE INSTITUTION AND STATE CRIMINAL RULES ALLOW.

THE REASON THAT IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE NEW EVIDENCE INVARIABLY COMES OUT.

IN THIS CASE THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT NEW EVIDENCE HAS COME OUT.

IT'S COME OUT SINGS HIS CONVICTION.

VIOLET ELLIS, THE STATE'S KEY WITNESS IN THE TRIAL, IT CAME OUT SHE WAS A PAID WITNESS FOR HER TESTIMONY IN HIS CASE.

SHE WAS PAID A NUMBER OF YEARS AFTER THE FACT BUT TESTIFIED ON THE FACT THAT SHE WOULD BE PAID.

THE ORIGINAL JURY NEVER FOUND THAT OUT.

THAT IS A CLASSIC POST-CONVICTION CHALLENGE UNDER U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION CALLED BRADY.

THIS IS A CASE WHERE THAT RIGHT COULD BE VINDICATED.

THERE'S OTHER EVIDENCE IN THIS CASE, AS WELL THAT THERE HAVE BEEN TEN WITNESSES THAT HAVE COME FORWARD, TEN EYEWITNESSES TO SEEING TOFOREST JOHNSON IN ANOTHER PART OF BIRMINGHAM THE NIGHT HE WAS CONVICTED OF THIS CRIME, AT THE TIME THE CRIMES HAPPENED.

SO AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNEARTH THAT NEW EVIDENCE AND BRING IT TO LIGHT IS THROUGH THE POST CONVICTION PROCESS.

THE LAST THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE FOR YOU IS ABOUT INJURIES.

YOU KNOW, INJURIES ARE NOTORIOUSLY -- I GUESS FAMOUSLY, INFAMOUSLY, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO CONSIDER IT, THEY CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE SOMETIMES.

IT IS DEFINITELY A HALLMARK OF OUR SYSTEM THAT IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A JURY OF YOUR PEERS.

JURORS, IF THEY AREN'T PRESENTED WITH THE FULL PICTURE, THEY CAN'T MAKE A FULL AND FAIR DECISION.

YOU MIGHT IMAGINE THE LAW, BECAUSE IT ALLOWS AND ENVISIONS THIS POST-CONVICTION CHALLENGE THAT SOMETIMES, IF THE JURY DOESN'T HAVE THE FULL PICTURE, THAT CONVICTION THAT THEY ENTERED OR THE CONCLUSION THEY CAME TO CAN BE UNDERMINED.

IN THIS CASE IT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

THREE ORIGINAL JURORS IN TOFOREST JOHNSON CASE HAVE COME FORWARD AND SAID IF I KNEW ANY OF THIS NEW EVIDENCE THAT HAS COME TO LIGHT NOW MY RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT AT THE TIME.

THE LEGAL SYSTEM CAN BE LONG AND TORTURED IN SOME SENSE.

THAT'S A BAD PUN UNINTENDED BUT THE IDEA IS THAT IT IS THERE TO PROTECT PEOPLE BEFORE WE DEPRIVE THEM OF THEIR LIBERTY IN THE MOST FINAL WAY.

>> RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

I HAVE A MINUTE BUT I WANTED TO ASK WHAT IS BEING SOUGHT?

IS IT A NEW TRIAL?

IT IS CLEMENCY FROM THE GOVERNOR?

WHAT ARE HIS OPTIONS?

WHAT IS HE ADVOCATING FOR?

>> A NEW TRIAL.

ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THINGS ABOUT THIS CASE IS THE ORIGINAL LINE PROSECUTOR, A NAME NAMED JEFF LAWLESS WHO PROSECUTED THE CASE HAS COME FORWARD AND SAID I THINK HE IS ENTITLED TO A NEW TRIAL.

>> WHO MAKES THE DECISION.

>> IT IS MADE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE STATE ITSELF, THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY IN THIS CASE DID AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OVER NINE MONTHS AND AGREED WITH THE ORIGINAL PROSECUTOR THAT THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS SAID WE BELIEVE HE IS ENTITLED TO A NEW TRIAL BECAUSE OF THE EVIDENCE AND WE THINK THE CONVICTION WAS WRONGFULLY OBTAINED.

>> I SEE.

WHEN WOULD A CONVERSATION ABOUT CLEMENCY, PARDON COME INTO THAT CONVERSATION?

>> AS YOU GET CLOSER AND EXERCISE YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS IN COURT, SOMETIMES CLEMENCY PROCEEDINGS CAN PROCEED IN PARALLEL.

BUT AT ANY POINT ANY MEMBER OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT COULD SAY WE ARE READY TO WALK AWAY FROM THE CASE.

IF YOU LISTEN TO THE ORIGINAL PROSECUTOR, WHICH IS UNPRECEDENTED IN CASES OF EXONERATION OR HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, AT ANY POINT THE STATE COULD STEP IN, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SAY WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THIS PERSON A NEW TRIAL.

>> IT IS SOMETHING WE WILL BE FOLLOWING.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND EXPLAINING THESE COMPLICATED ISSUES, FACTS AND CRIMINAL APPELLATE PROCEDURES.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> SURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

NEW POLLING RELEASED THIS WEEK SHOWS A STRONG MAJORITY OF ALABAMIANS BELIEVE THAT MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS A KEY ISSUE GOING INTO THIS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

JOINING ME NEXT TO TALK ABOUT IT IS HOLLY MCCORKLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE ALABAMA COUNCIL OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> WE LOVE POLLING SO I WANT TO GET INTO THE NUMBERS BUT FIRST OF ALL, REMIND OUR VIEWERS ABOUT THE COUNCIL AND ITS ROLE IN THE STATE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE A MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION MADE UP OF 20 COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS FROM HUNTSVILLE TO MOBILE.

WE PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH A TON, AND WE DELIVER A MAJORITY OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE DELIVERED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE STATE.

>> SO, IT WAS BIG NEWS THIS WEEK, RELEASING THIS POLL AHEAD OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

OBVIOUSLY SIGNALING TO LAWMAKERS THE IMPORTANCE OF THINGS THAT WILL BE DEBATED IN THE SESSION.

WHY DO A POLL?

WHY DID YOU ALL INVEST IN THIS AHEAD OF THE SESSION?

>> WELL, TODD, YOU HEAR, MENTAL HEALTH IS A PRIORITY, MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT.

THAT'S ANTIDOTAL.

WE SAT DOWN AND WE THOUGHT, HOW CAN WE GET SOME SCIENTIFIC DATA TO SHOW OUR POLICY MAKERS AND THE PUBLIC WHAT ALABAMA VOTERS ACTUALLY FEEL.

WHAT IS THEIR PRIORITY?

WE PARTNERED WITH NAMI ALABAMA AND THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE ALIGN OF ALABAMA AND THE THREE ORGANIZATIONS CAME TOGETHER AND COMMISSIONED THIS POLL BY SIGNAL, WHICH IS A NATIONAL RESPECTED POLLING FIRM STARTED HERE IN ALABAMA AND WE POLLED 600 ALABAMA VOTERS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS, BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU -- YOU ARE THE ONES ASKING THE QUESTIONS.

WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FOR YOU ALL?

>> FOR US, A, IT VALIDATED THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR ALABAMA VOTERS.

MORE THAN NINE AND TEN ALABAMA VOTERS SAID THAT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES ARE A BIG PRIORITY.

MORE THAN NINE AND TEN PEOPLE TO AGREE ON ANYTHING SOMETIMES THESE DAYS IS HARD.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT WAS REALLY AFFIRMING.

90% BELIEVE THAT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES ARE HARMING OUR COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, FOR US THOSE WERE TWO OF THE BIGGEST.

ALMOST EVERYONE ACROSS THE BOARD, ANYONE ASKED, DESPITE THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, WHAT PART OF THE STATE THEY WERE FROM, THEY REALLY SUPPORT THESE INVESTMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND INCREASING ACCESS.

>> I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT WHEN ASKED HAVE THEY PERSONALLY BEEN -- HAD TO CALL EITHER 911 OR 988 FOR A MENTAL HEALTH SITUATION, IT WAS IN THE 20S BUT THAT TO ME IS A PRETTY HIGH NUMBER IN TERMS OF THEY HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND USE SERVICES.

IT MAY LOOK LIKE A SMALL NUMBER BUT I THINK IT IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

>> THEN THE FACT THAT 46% SAID THEY THEMSELVES OR SOMEONE THAT WAS CLOSE TO THEM HAD EXPERIENCED A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR ATTEMPT SELF HARM.

THE SAD PART ABOUT THAT IS OF THOSE THAT SAID THEY HAD EXPERIENCED THAT, ALMOST HALF, 44% SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GET HELP AND COULDN'T GET IMMEDIATE HELP.

THAT'S A SCARY NUMBER BECAUSE THAT'S SOMEONE IN A REALLY, POSSIBLY LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GET HELP.

>> I HEAR LAWMAKERS TALK ABOUT THIS SOMETIMES AND OBVIOUSLY THE COMMISSIONER AND SPEAKER HAS BEEN REALLY TALKING ABOUT THIS A LOT, TOO.

IT'S THAT.

IT ACTUALLY TOUCHES PEOPLE.

IS THIS POLLING A REFLECTION OF THAT ANTIDOTE THAT WE HEAR ALL THE TIME, LOOK, MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AFFECT JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY.

DO YOU THINK THAT FACT IS BORING OUT THESE NUMBERS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE HAS EXPERIENCED A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IT MAKES THE ISSUE PERSONAL.

I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT.

YOU MENTIONED THE COMMISSIONER AND THE SPEAKER AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT REALLY THANK ALL OF THEM, OUR LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS.

THIS POLL VALIDATES WHAT THOSE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE BEEN DOING THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THEY DIDN'T NEED POLLING TO KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE NOT ONLY IMPORTANT TO ALABAMIANS BUT WOULD SAVE THEIR LIVES.

THIS NOT ONLY VALIDATES THEIR WORK BUT HOPEFULLY ENCOURAGES OUR POLICY MAKERS TO INVEST IN MORE ACCESS TO CARE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT 988.

THIS WAS A BIG ISSUE LAST SESSION.

988 IS THE NUMBER YOU CALL FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

IT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 2020 BUT GAINING STEAM.

THERE ARE RESOURCE ISSUES, RESOURCE LIMITS ON THAT.

SO YOU POLLED 988 BOTH -- DID VOTERS KNOW IT EXISTS AND POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF THE SERVICES.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE NUMBERS SHOW.

>> THE NUMBERS SHOW THAT ONLY ONE IN FIVE EVEN KNEW WHAT 988 WAS.

I'M GLAD TO BE ON HERE TALKING ABOUT THAT.

HOPEFULLY IF SOMEONE IS WATCHING AND YOU KNOW SOMEONE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR SUICIDAL, CALL 988.

THAT'S WHAT THE LINE IS THERE FOR AND WE NEED TO RAISE A LOT OF AWARENESS FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THAT LINE.

WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY A 50 CENT PHONE USER FEE, OVER HALF SAID THEY WOULD.

WHEN THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS THE NUMBER WAS, MORE THAN HALF WAS WILLING TO PAY 50 CENTS TO FUND A PHONE NUMBER.

THEY WEREN'T EDUCATED THAT IT WOULD NOT ONLY THE FUND CALL CENTERS BUT MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE ACROSS THE STATE.

SO, IF SOMEONE CALLED 988 AND WERE ASSESSED, THAT SOMEONE NEEDED TO GO OUT INTO THE FIELD WHERE THAT INDIVIDUAL WAS, THAT 50 CENT FEE WOULD PROVIDE THAT RESPONSE.

SO, WE BELIEVE THE NUMBERS WOULD BE MUCH HIGHER IF PEOPLE ACTUALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT THAT 50 CENTS WOULD ACTUALLY GO TO.

>> YEAH, THAT TRACKS.

THAT WAS THE ISSUE LAST YEAR.

IT WAS PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE FEE.

WHAT I FOUND INTERESTING IS -- IT WAS IN THIS CONVERSATION THAT FOLKS SOMETIMES TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT WE ALREADY PAY THE 911 FEE.

THAT'S A USER FEE.

WE ARE ALREADY DOING THAT AND AS MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND SERVICES, IT JUST MAKES SENSE.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO GET IT FOR FREE?

THINGS COST MONEY.

>> RIGHT.

THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION, PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED THIS IN TO LAW IN 2020.

THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION ALLOWED THEM TO ASSESS A USER FEE.

WE DIDN'T COME UP WITH THAT IDEA ON OUR OWN.

IT WAS PART OF THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION.

BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT DOESN'T NEED TO ALWAYS BE RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THIS WOULD BE A MORE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO SOMEONE -- ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO IS SUICIDAL AND WOULD NEED A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TO WALK THEM THROUGH THAT SITUATION AND THEN LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONDING.

>> ANYTIME YOU TALK ABOUT RAISING TAXES AND FEES, PEOPLE DON'T LIKE -- WE ARE WHO WE ARE.

I WAS LOOKING AT -- THERE'S SUPPORT FOR THIS, BUT THIS IS ACROSS-THE-BALLOT POLL.

WHAT DID YOU SEE?

MORE REPUBLICANS AGAINST IT, AN IDENTIFIABLE BREAKDOWN AGAINST CONSERVATIVES AGAINST THE FEE OR NOT OR MORE ACROSS THE BOARD?

>> IT WAS REALLY MORE ACROSS THE BOARD.

I DO THINK THERE WERE MORE CONSERVATIVES THAT WERE AGAINST THE FEE BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BE AGAINST ANY TYPE OF FEE OR TAX, BUT A MAJORITY OF BOTH CONSERVATIVES AND DEMOCRATS SUPPORTED THE FEE.

THAT WAS REALLY ENCOURAGING.

OUR POLL REALLY DID THE BREAKDOWN OF WHO WAS POLLED, REALLY TRIED TO REFLECT THE MAKEUP OF THE ALABAMA ELECTORATE.

WE DIDN'T JUST POLL DEMOCRATS OR JUST REPUBLICANS.

>> THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THE REASON I ASK AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S WHO HAS TO BE ULTIMATELY SUPPORTIVE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MONEY, I FOUND THIS INTERESTING TOO.

YOU POLL TWO DIFFERENT REVENUE STREAMS.

ONE IS GAMBLING, WHICH GOODNESS WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THAT A LOT.

AND LETS START WITH THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT.

WE HAVE ALMOST $250 MILLION THAT THE STATE WILL BE USING.

THEY ARE HAVING THESE MEETINGS.

YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME OF THIS.

I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT 82%, 82.5% SUPPORTED USING SOME OF THAT OPIOID SETTLEMENT MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH -- WELL, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT RESULT.

>> IT IS.

WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE CASE BUT WE REALLY WANTED THE NUMBERS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO SUPPORT OUR POLICY MAKERS.

WHEN THEY ARE HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS ON ALLOCATING AND APPROPRIATING THIS MONEY -- AND THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT CAUSES OUT THERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, ASKING FOR A PIECE OF THE MONEY AND CAN ABSOLUTELY BE IN SOME WAY TIED TO THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, BUT AT THE HEART OF IT, THE MAJORITY OF THE MONEY NEEDS TO GO TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION AND THOSE ALABAMIANS SUFFERING FROM OPIOID USE DISORDER.

>> WELL, OKAY.

GAMBLING.

WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A GAMBLING BILL BROUGHT THIS YEAR.

WHO KNOWS IF IT WILL PASS OR NOT.

THAT'S A QUESTION FOR A DIFFERENT DAY.

ONE BIG QUESTION WHEN IT COMES TO GAMBLING, IF GAMBLING LEGISLATION EVER PASSES IS WHAT TO DO WITH THE MONEY.

IT WOULD BE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COMING TO THE STATE.

SO YOU POLLED IF GAMBLING WAS LEGALIZED WOULD YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE USING A PORTION OF THAT MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND GAMBLING ADDICTION.

82% SAID THEY WOULD SUPPORT THAT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING NUMBER FOR LAWMAKERS AS WELL.

>> I HAVE HEARD IT TOSSED AROUND THERE IS INTEREST IN POSSIBLY FUNDING SOME MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND TREATMENT THROUGH THE GAMING LEGISLATION.

SO, WE WANTED TO PUT IT OUT THERE AND SEE IF THERE WAS ACTUAL SUPPORT IN THE PUBLIC.

SO, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS.

WHEN, YOU KNOW -- WE DON'T LIKE TO RAISE A TAXES IN ALABAMA.

WHEN YOU HAVE AN AREA THAT YOU KNOW NEEDS SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT, THE GAMING LEGISLATION IS AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR SYSTEM TO POSSIBLY GET AN INFLUX OF REVENUE.

WE'RE NOT PICKY ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM, WHETHER IT IS THE GENERAL FUND OR GAMING OR THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT, BUT WE JUST KNOW THAT FAMILIES AND ALABAMIANS ARE HURTING AND NEED ACCESS TO TREATMENT.

WE ARE TRYING TO SHOW OUR POLICYMAKERS THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THAT AND IT'S UP TO THEM TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

>> SURE.

WELL, LOOKING TOWARD THE SESSION, WHAT ARE YOUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES GOING TO BE?

I'M GUESSING 988 WILL COME BACK?

>> OF COURSE, THAT'S A TOP PRIORITY FOR US.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR WORKFORCE MONEY.

YOU KNOW, WE -- MANY OF MY MEMBERS -- ALL OF MY MEMBERS ACTUALLY DEPEND ON FUNDING FROM THE STATE TO DO THE STATE'S WORK.

THEREFORE, WE NEED TO BE REIMBURSED APPROPRIATELY SO WE CAN PAY PEOPLE LIVING WAGES.

AGAIN, WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND ASKING FOR SOME INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS SO WE CAN PAY MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS A LIVING WAGE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT.

JUST MAKING SURE THAT GOES TO TREATMENT AND PREVENTION.

ANOTHER PIECE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AND WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A FULL SOLUTION YET, BUT IS, WE HAVE TO START TO LOOK AT LONG-TERM BEDS.

YOU HEAR THAT TERM A LOT IN THE LEGISLATURE AND REALLY IT'S FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE COMMITMENT PROCESS, THROUGH PROBATE COURT AND THEY NEED A HOSPITAL BED OR SOME HOSPITAL-LIKE BED FOR SOME LONGER-TERM TREATMENT.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE THAT DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF THOSE TYPE OF BEDS.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO INCREASE THAT NUMBER.

>> THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN THE CRISIS THAT MAY LAST A FEW DAYS OR A WEEK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> THE CRISIS CENTERS ARE VOLUNTARY.

ANYONE THAT GOES INTO A CRISIS CENTER, THEY ARE 365, 7 DAYS A WEEK OPEN BUT IT IS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO VOLUNTARILY WANT TO GET TREATMENT.

SOMETIMES THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE REALLY SICK AND UNFORTUNATELY THEY MAY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROBATE PROCESS AND GET INVOLUNTARILY COMMITTED.

>> ONE THING I DO SEE AS PROGRESS IS, YOU KNOW, THERE USED TO BE SUCH A STIGMA AND MAYBE THERE STILL IS A LITTLE BIT, BUT I SEE THAT STIGMA REALLY MELTING AWAY.

THE FACT THAT WE ARE SITTING HERE TALKING ABOUT IT OPENLY THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN 15, 20 YEARS AGO.

DOES THAT HELP YOUR JOB TALKING TO POLICY AND LAWMAKERS?

>> OH, MY GOSH.

PEOPLE ARE SO WILLING TO SHARE THEIR STORY.

YESTERDAY WE MET WITH SOME REPORTERS.

WE HAD AN INDIVIDUAL WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT SHARED HER STORY.

SHE'S ABOUT TO RETIRE FROM THE SAME MENTAL HEALTH CENTER SHE SOUGHT TREATMENT AT.

SHE SOUGHT TREATMENT, GOT INTO RECOVERY AND NOW HAD A 20-YEAR CAREER IN THAT COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THEIR STORIES.

ONCE YOU DO, IT'S THE PERSONAL CONNECTION.

OUR POLICY MAKERS ARE ALL PEOPLE.

WHEN YOU SHARE YOUR STORY AND CONNECTION IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE WILLINGNESS TO BE ABLE TO FUND THESE TYPE OF SERVICES.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS POLLING AND THE REPORTING GOING INTO IT GIVES YOU MOMENTUM GOING INTO THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> I HOPE SO.

I FEEL THE MOMENTUM BUT I WORK IN THIS WORLD EVERY DAY.

AGAIN, I MEAN I THANK OUR LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS BUT CAN'T THANK THEM ENOUGH BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THE WORK FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND MADE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS.

I REALLY EXPECT -- I THINK THE SPEAKER SAID THIS AND NUMEROUS OTHER LEGISLATORS THEY CONTINUE TO INVEST IN MENTAL HEALTH.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE SESSION.

IT WILL BE A KEY ISSUE TO FOLLOW.

WE ARE ACTUALLY GETTING READY TO DO SOME POLLING ON OTHER ISSUES BUT THIS IS GREAT.

THIS IS GREAT DATA ON A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT AND GOOD LUCK DURING THE SESSION.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT JEFF SANDERS IS THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM.

HE'S THE NEW EXECUTIVE PRODUCER REPORTING ON THE SENATE AND ALL THINGS GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JEFF IS JOINING US NOW.

JEFF, CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO THE TEAM.

>> TODD, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE, VERY EXCITED TO GET STARTED IN WHAT LOOKS LIKE WILL BE A VERY BUSY SESSION.

>> NO DOUBT.

YOU ARE A FAMILIAR FACE AND VOICE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH 20 YEARS, MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF BROADCAST JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE.

TALK ABOUT YOUR CAREER AND WHAT HAS LED YOU TO THIS POINT.

>> STARTED OUT, WE WILL GO BACK GOSH, 30 YEARS AT TROY UNIVERSITY WHERE I WAS A JOURNALISM MAJOR THERE.

I SPENT EIGHT OR NINE YEARS OF MY LIFE AS A WEATHERMAN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REMEMBER THAT.

I MADE THE SWITCH TO NEWS.

AND CAME TO MONTGOMERY AND IN 2005 WORKED FOR THE CBS AFFILIATE HERE FOR 15 YEARS WHERE I REPORTED ON A LOT OF POLITICAL ISSUES, COVERING THE RILEY ADMINISTRATION.

I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE WITH THAT ADMINISTRATION, KIND OF MOVING INTO THE BENTLEY ADMINISTRATION AND NOW IN TO KAY IVEY.

BECAME, ANCHORED THE EVENING SHOWS AT 5:00 AND 5:30 AND NEWS DIRECTOR THERE AS WELL.

MY JOB WAS ON ELECTION NIGHT I HEADED UP ELECTION COVERAGE AND REALLY GOT MY TEETH INTO POLITICS IN ALABAMA AND HOW IT CHANGED THE LAST FEW YEARS.

FROM THERE, LEFT TV FOR A WHILE AND CAME BACK TO WORK FOR THE CBS AFFILIATE IN BIRMINGHAM AND REPORTED FOR VARIOUS AFFILIATES AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE HERE IN THE CAPITOL -- NOT THE CAPITOL BUT THE STATEHOUSE, REPORTING IN THE STATEHOUSE AND COVERING BOTH CHAMBERS AND DID THAT JUST OVER A YEAR AND EXCITED TO BE BACK.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT WAS WAIT OR IAT IN BIRMINGHAM.

ACTUALLY A BUNCH MORE STATIONS.

SO YOU ARE REPORTING ONE NEWS STORY FROM WHATEVER THE LEGISLATURE IS DOING FOR FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT STATIONS.

>> MOBILE, BOTH DOTHAN, BIRMINGHAM, HUNTSVILLE AND THE ONLY MARKET WE DIDN'T COVER IS THE MONTGOMERY MARKET.

I DID THAT EVERY DAY FOR SEVERAL MARKETS.

>> WHAT EXCITED YOU THE MOST ABOUT COMING BACK TO THE STATEHOUSE?

NOT ONLY REPORTING FROM HERE BUT WORKING HERE AND BEING A PART OF THE TEAM?

>> I LIKE POLITICS.

I LIKE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW THE HEART BEAT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ALABAMA, WHAT IS MOVING ALABAMA.

LET'S FACE IT, THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF EVERY ALABAMIAN IS HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE.

I'VE MISSED THAT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I'M EXCITED TO BE BACK, KIND OF KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON.

I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, I THINK SO MANY PEOPLE NEVER COME TO THE STATEHOUSE.

THEY NEVER COME AND WATCH HOW THE PROCEEDINGS GO AND HOW THE CHAMBERS WORK.

I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, TELL FAMILY AND FRIENDS IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

PARKING MAY BE HARD TO FIND THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION BUT I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME AND SEE HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON KNOWS HOW THEIR GOVERNMENT WORKS AND TO NOT TO SEE AND READ AND -- SEE ONLINE BUT TO SEE IT IN PERSON.

FOR ME TO GET TO KNOW THE LAWMAKERS AND REPORT ON WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES BETTER.

TO ME IT IS EXCITING.

I ENJOY TAKING COMPLICATED ISSUES AND MAKING THEM SIMPLIFIED TO MAKE THE AVERAGE PERSON UNDERSTAND IT.

>> DO OUR BEST WE CAN TO BRING VOTERS AND CITIZENS TO THE STATEHOUSE.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO HERE AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SESSION.

IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

YOU WILL BE UPSTAIRS IN THE SENATE COVERING ISSUES UP THERE BUT REALLY ALL OVER THE STATEHOUSE.

WHAT ISSUES ARE YOU THINKING OR ANTICIPATING BEING A BIG DEAL THIS YEAR?

ESPECIALLY EARLY ON?

>> I THINK WE HAVE HEARD THE DIVISIVE ISSUES CONCEPT OF TEACHING IN SCHOOL.

THAT'S MAKING THE HEADLINES THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THEY MADE AN ATTEMPT AT IT LAST YEAR AND FROM WHAT I'M READING AND HEARING THEY ARE GOING TO PUSH THAT EARLY IN THE SESSION THIS YEAR AND THAT COULD START IN THE SENATE.

OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE OPPOSITION FROM DEMOCRATS.

IT IS A REPUBLICAN-LED ISSUE.

I THINK IT COULD BE SOMETHING WHERE IT COULD BE HEATED AT TIMES.

DON'T FORGET THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY AND IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT LEADERSHIP WANTS TO GET PUSHED THROUGH IT WILL BE PUSHED THROUGH.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL SEE EARLY ON.

I THINK GAMBLING WILL COME BACK ONCE AGAIN.

I THINK THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO IT THIS YEAR.

I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THEY PUSH THAT.

IT HAS GAINED NO TRACTION THE LAST SEVERAL TIMES THEY HAVE BROUGHT IT UP.

I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS IS THE YEAR BUT I REALLY BELIEVE IT MIGHT, AND YOU NEVER LIKE TO PREDICT POLITICS BUT IT MIGHT BE THE YEAR WE SEE THINGS HAPPEN.

>> IT DOES FEEL DIFFERENT.

>> IT FEELS DIFFERENT THIS TIME.

>> PARTLY BECAUSE THE MOMENTUM IS IN THE HOUSE A LOT AND THAT'S THE BODY THAT'S BEEN WHERE IT WENT TO DIE.

THE SENATE PASSED A COUPLE OF PLANS BUT THE HOUSE NEVER HAS.

LOOKS LIKE THE SENATE IS LIKE, LOOK, YOU ALL DO IT FIRST.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO WASTE OUR TIME AGAIN.

IF THEY DO SOMETHING IT MIGHT BE A SIGNAL TOWARD PROGRESS.

>> WE'LL SEE.

I DON'T THINK THE AVERAGE PERSON REALIZES THE INTEREST FROM THE INDIANS IN GAMBLING TO THE EXISTING BINGO HALLS IN THE STATE TO JUST WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOTTERY OR NOT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED AND INTERESTS INVOLVED AND IT GETS COMPLICATED EVERY YEAR BUT I THINK THERE IS MORE MOMENTUM THAN IN PAST YEARS BUT WE WILL SEE HOW IT PANS OUT.

>> I AGREE.

I SEE A LOT OF MOMENTUM FROM OPPONENTS.

I THINK THEY ARE PREPARING.

SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT POSE EXPANSION TO GAMBLING ARE CIRCLING THEIR WAGONS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY RIDE.

IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO COVER.

>> THEY KNOW WHAT WE KNOW.

THEY ARE ALREADY GETTING READY FOR IT.

>> RIGHT.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THIS PRESS CONFERENCE WE COVERED EARLIER IN THE SHOW.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT REPORT, BIG COMMISSION REPORT, BIG PLANS, PRETTY AMBITIOUS.

YOU WERE THERE IN THE ROOM.

WHAT WAS YOUR SENSE?

HE SEEMED FIRED UP ABOUT THE ISSUE.

>> HE SEEMS VERY FIRED UP ABOUT THE ISSUE.

THIS HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE SINCE 2019 MEETING EVERY FEW MONTHS TO PULL TOGETHER A PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT IS HISTORICALLY LOW FOR ALABAMA, HOWEVER, IT IS THE LABOR PARTICIPATION RATE THAT IS VERY LOW.

JUST FINDING WAYS TO GET MORE ALABAMIANS IN THE WORKFORCE AND IN TO HIGH PAYING JOBS THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY COLLEGE DEGREE JOBS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WITH GETTING PEOPLE IN THERE TO NOT NECESSARILY GET AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE BUT WHETHER IT IS RUNNING A BULLDOZER OR CREDENTIALS, CDLS TO DRIVE AN 18 WHEELER.

I THINK WE WILL SEE WHAT HIS POLITICAL FUTURE HOLDS BUT IT IS SOMETHING HE WANTS TO HANG HIS HAT ON IN THE COMING YEARS.

>> I AGREE.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

PERSPECTIVE CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR NEXT TIME AROUND, SO IT ALWAYS HELPS TO HAVE THAT ISSUE, HEY, I SPEAR HEADED THIS.

IT DIDN'T GO UNNOTICED BY ME.

HE'S BEEN MAKING HIS WAY AROUND THE STATE.

HE'S GOING TO BE ON THE SHOW NEXT WEEK SO I WILL ASK HIM IN PERSON.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF POLITICAL RED MEAT.

WE CAN GET INTO NATIONAL POLITICIANS BUT ANY CANDIDATE FOR STATE OFFICE WANTS TO HAVE A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAT I KNOW IS BIPARTISAN.

>> SHOWING COMPETENCY IN GOVERNING IS IMPORTANT.

FOR THE VOTERS AND ALSO FOR THOSE WHO FUND CAMPAIGNS AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT CARES ABOUT COMPETENCY IN GOVERNMENT.

I GUESS WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE A COUPLE OF YEARS TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> FOR SURE.

>> JEFF AGAIN, WELCOME TO THE TEAM.

GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND THE SESSION WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

>> I'M EXCITED AND HAPPY TO WORK WITH A GREAT GROUP OF FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE "USS ALABAMA" IS A WORLD WAR II ERA BATTLESHIP THAT FIRST SERVED IN THE ATLANTIC THEATER BUT BETTER KNOWN FOR HELPING TO TAKE JAPANESE HELD ISLANDS BETWEEN 1943 AND 1945.

DURING THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA, ALERTED THE FLEET TO INCOMING AIRCRAFT PROVIDING THE AMERICANS ENOUGH TIME TO SCRAMBLE FIGHTERS AND DECIMATE THE ATTACKING FORCE.

LATER THE ALABAMA SERVED DURING THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF AND ANCHORED IN TOKYO BAY TO UNLOAD ALLIED OCCUPATION FORCES.

IN 1964, THE STATE OF ALABAMA TOOK POSSESSION OF THE BATTLESHIP.

ALABAMA SCHOOL CHILDREN RAISED $100,000 IN NICKEL AND DIMES TO BRING THE SHIP TO MOBILE AND CREATE BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK.

THE PARK FEATURES, THE ALABAMA, THE WORLD WAR II, US DRUM SUBMARINE.

USS ALABAMA BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK IS ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST VISITED ATTRACTIONS.

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

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH MORE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS, WE WILL HAVE LIVE COVERAGE OF THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH, HERE ON APT.

OUR COVERAGE BEGINS AT 5:30 AND THE SPEECH IS SCHEDULED FOR 6:00.

WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US.

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