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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

LEADING THE NEWS THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY CONTINUES TO ISSUE SUBSTANTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS AT THE START OF HER SECOND FULL TERM IN OFFICE.

THE LATEST ORDER DEALS WITH PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS AND THE ABILITY FOR CITIZENS AND JOURNALISTS TO OBTAIN PUBLIC RECORDS FROM STATE AGENCIES.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 724 REQUIRES EXECUTIVE AGENCIES TO: ESTABLISH A PORTAL FOR REQUESTS; RESPOND WITHIN 15 DAYS FOR A SIMPLE REQUEST OR 45 DAYS FOR A MORE COMPLICATED REQUEST; AND LIMIT FEES TO $20-PER-HOUR FOR PREPARATION TIME AND 50 CENTS PER PAGE FOR PAPER COPIES.

ALABAMA'S PUBLIC RECORDS LAW SAYS ANY CITIZEN HAS THE RIGHT TO INSPECT AND TAKE COPIES OF PUBLIC WRITINGS, EXCEPT FOR THOSE EXEMPTED BY LAW.

HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT PROVIDE DEADLINES FOR RESPONSES OR AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM BEYOND FILING A LAWSUIT.

THAT OFTEN MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR JOURNALISTS AND CITIZENS TO ACCESS PUBLIC RECORDS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

BOTH THE ALABAMA PRESS ASSOCIATION AND THE ALABAMA BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION APPLAUDED IVEY'S ORDER AND SAID THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD GO FURTHER TO ENACT PERMANENT CHANGES WITH REAL ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS.

TUESDAY MARKED THE OPENING OF A NEW MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CENTER IN BIRMINGHAM, ONE OF SIX SUCH CENTERS IN THE STATE INTENDED TO ADDRESS A DIRE SHORTAGE.

GOVERNOR IVEY AND OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH GATHERED AT THE NEW CRAIG CRISIS CENTER FOR A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY.

THE CENTER WILL PROVIDE CARE TO THOSE A EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISIS AND IS INTENDED TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF EMERGENCY ROOMS AND JAILS.

THE STATE NOW HAS MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CENTERS IN SIX AREAS: BIRMINGHAM, TUSCALOOSA, HUNTSVILLE, MOBILE, DOTHAN AND MONTGOMERY.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE HAS PROVIDED SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TO FUND THE NEW CENTERS TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S MENTAL HEALTH OFFERINGS.

SPEAKING OF THE LEGISLATURE, WE ARE ABOUT FIVE WEEKS FROM THE START OF THE 2023 REGULAR SESSION.

ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS BEING ASKED AROUND THE CAPITAL CITY IS WHETHER OR NOT GOVERNOR IVEY WILL CALL A SPECIAL SESSION FOR LAWMAKERS TO TAKE UP AND PASS LEGISLATION ALLOCATING THE SECOND ROUND OF FUNDS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, OR ARPA.

THE STATE HAS ANOTHER $1.2 BILLION FROM CONGRESS SET TO BE ALLOCATED.

LAST YEAR, IVEY PUT THE REGULAR SESSION ON HOLD BY CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION TO FOCUS LAWMAKERS' ATTENTION ON THE FIRST ROUND OF ARPA FUNDS.

HOWEVER, ONE HIGH RANKING LAWMAKER SAYS FINAL LEGISLATION MIGHT NOT BE READY BY THEN.

STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR CHAIRS THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE AND IS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE ARPA FUNDING DECISIONS.

APPEARING ON THE IN THE WEEDS WITH ALABAMA DAILY NEWS PODCAST, ORR SAID NEW RULES ON THOSE FUNDS PASSED IN THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL LATE LAST YEAR BY CONGRESS COULD FURTHER DELAY AND COMPLICATE THOSE SPENDING DECISIONS.

HE SAID A SPECIAL SESSION IS LIKELY, JUST NOT AT THE FIRST OF THE SESSION.

HERE'S THAT AUDIO.

>> WHEN THE OMNIBUS PASSED THAT DEFINITION CHANGED AND ALLOWED ANY SPEND TOUR THAT COULD BE EXPENDED UNDER THIS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, THE CDBG PROGRAM THAT OUR CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE SO FAMILIAR WITH.

AND SO THAT EXPANDED THE SCOPE EXTENSIVELY.

SO NOW WHEN WE THOUGHT BECAUSE THE NARROW SCOPE WE DIDN'T HAVE.

OPTIONS AND NOW WE HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS ON HOW THAT MONEY CAN BE SPENT IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

AND I WOULD SAY -- I WOULD ENVISION A SPECIAL SESSION IN THE REGULAR SESSION PROBABLY WILL NOT HAPPEN THE 1ST WEEK THAT WE GO IN IN MARCH.

I BELIEVE IT WILL BE SOMEWHERE IN THE REGULAR SESSION IN THAT CONTEXT AND THE 1ST HALF OF IT AND IT WILL JUST TAKE A WHILE FOR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR TO COME TOGETHER AND KIND OF HAMMER OUT A FRAMEWORK THAT IS ALL AGREED, AND WE TELEGRAPH NOTICE TO MEMBERS THAT WE WANT TO TRY TO HANDLE THIS PERHAPS IN FIVE CALENDAR DAYS, YOU KNOW, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND THAT MEMBERS HAVE MORE OR LESS CONSENTED TO THE ARPA LEGISLATION BEFORE WE GET GOING IN THE SPECIAL SESSION.

SPEAKING OF THE SESSION, CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT CAUGHT UP WITH LAWMAKERS REPRESENTING RURAL AREAS WHO SAY THAT EXPANDING ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET AND BUILDING OUT WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE WILL CONTINUE TO BE PRIORITIES WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES IN MARCH.

HERE'S HIS STORY.

>> THE INAUGURATION FESTIVITIES HAVE ENDED.

AND NOW THE WORK BEGINS.

THE ADMINISTRATION AND LAWMAKERS ARE EAGER TO GET TO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF MONTHS UNTIL THE START OF THE 2023 REGULATION SESSION.

THEY'RE ALREADY TACKLING ISSUES.

>> I'M THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RULE CAUCUS AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RULE AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE AND ONE OF OUR MAIN PRIORITY SEAS SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED TODAY WHICH IS THE EXPANSION OF RURAL BROADBAND AND BROADBAND IN GENERAL, EVEN ACROSS THE URBAN AREAS THAT NEED SOME EXTRA HELP.

SO THAT IS THE FOLKS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IS TO TRY TO GET EVERYBODY CONNECTED.

>> WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE STRUGGLING FOR CLEAN WATER AND SEWAGE AND SANITATION SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN, POUND OPEN THE SUCCESSES THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMING IN AND PROVIDING SOME RESOURCES.

WITH THIS ARPA MONEY WE HAVE TO GET MORE COLLEAGUES TO AGREE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CREATE THOSE POSITIONS WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE CLEAN WATER AND CLEAN SEWAGE AGE.

>> REPRESENTATIVES SAY IDEAS THEY'RE CONSIDERING CAN HELP PROMOTE OTHER PROPOSALS BENEFITING VOTERS.

PROPOSALS INCLUDE COVERING EDUCATION AND UTILITIES.

>> WE'RE AT RECORD LEVELS IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET RESOURCES, EVEN THROWING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACED AND THAT HELPS TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THOSE WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL STRAIN.

WE CAN TAKE THOSE RESOURCES AND MAKE POSITIVES OUT OF IT.

>> JUST AS WELL AS INFRASTRUCTURE, WHETHER IT'S WATER OR ELECTRICITY, I THINK HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE A NECESSITY AS WELL.

WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THIS STATE HAS AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.

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

>> A CONTROVERSIAL BILL BANNING THE TEACHING OF "DIVISIVE CONCEPTS" IN SCHOOLS WILL BE BACK IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR FALLING SHORT LAST YEAR.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER OF DADEVILLE HAS PRE-FILED HOUSE BILL 7, WHICH WOULD BAN THE TEACHING OF DIVISIVE CONCEPTS RELATING TO RACE, SEX OR RELIGION IN K-12 CLASSROOMS.

THE BILL DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTION CRITICAL RACE THEORY, WHICH THE ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION LAST YEAR BANNED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE OLIVER ABOUT HIS BILL LAST YEAR ON CAPITOL JOURNAL, HERE'S THAT VIDEO.

>> THE INTENTION IS OBVIOUSLY IT STARTS WITH K-12 AND GOES THROUGH ALL STATE GOVERNMENT AND HAS SOME EFFECT ON POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A K-12 ENVIRONMENT WHERE KIDS CAN GO AND LEARN HOW TO READ AND WRITE WITHOUT LEARNING HOW TO HATE AMERICA OR EACH OTHER.

SIMILARLY, WITH STATE GOVERNMENT WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE -- YOU MAY HAVE AN EMPLOYER THAT HAS VIEWS DIFFERENT FROM YOU THAT MAY HOLD IT AGAINST YOU THAT YOU DISAGREE.

WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT SO THAT YOUR' NOT PUNISHED FOR THAT.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT REALLY TAKES AWAY MUCH OF WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A COTTAGE PROFESSOR WHO MAY HAVE RADICAL IDEAS.

AND REMEMBER, YOU'RE CHOOSING TO GO TO A COLLEGE SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET TOO UPSET ABOUT THAT.

PARENTS IMMEDIATE TO MAKE SURE THEY SPEND THEIR MONEY WISELY WHEN THEY SEND HAIR KIDS TO SCHOOL BUT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE A PROFESSOR GIVING A STUDENT A BAD GRADE BECAUSE THEY DISAGREED WITH A BELIEF THE PROFESSOR HAD.

COMPELLED SPEECH IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGHT AGAINST.

>> RAILWAY CORPORATION CSX GAVE A $30,000 GRANT TO THE ALABAMA COLLECTIVE AND ED FARM TO CONDUCT HANDS ON APP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING SESSIONS AT LOCAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THE GOAL IS TO SHOW STUDENTS HOW SOFTWARE APP DEVELOPMENT CAN LEAD TO A CAREER IN TECHNOLOGY.

>> WE THINK ABOUT CSX'S ROLE, WE ARE EVERYWHERE THAT YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, EMPLOYING MORE THAN 22,000 EMPLOYEES.

WHAT OFTEN GETS LOST IN TRANSLATION IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGY FOOTPRINT WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION.

IT ENABLES TO US PROVIDE SAFE, RELIABLE, EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION TO ALL OF THE MARKETS THAT WE SERVE.

YOU KNOW, HPCU ALES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE TALENT THAT WE CULTIVATE AND THAT WE BRING INTO MANY CORPORATE PARTNERS LIKE MYSELF.

I HAVE A VERY STRONG DESIRE AND BELIEF, AS DOES CSX, TO ENSURE THAT OUR TALENT IS REFLECT OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE.

>> WHEN WE BRING IN THIS INITIATIVE BETWEEN THE COLLECTIVELY AND ED FARM WE'RE BRINGING SKILLS RESOURCES AND EVEN MORE SO WE'RE ELEVATING TALENT.

WE'RE GROWING THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE AT THESE LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES BUT WE'RE EGG ROLLING OUR COMMUNITY AND WORKING TO VALLEY COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE BUT WORKING TO GROW OUR ENTIRE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE.

>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS ANNOUNCED THE WINNERS OF THE SIXTH ANNUAL "SHARE YOUR SMILE WITH ALABAMA" PHOTO CONTEST FOR THIRD GRADERS.

TWO MONTGOMERY STUDENTS - BRAYLEN COLVIN OF LEAD ACADEMY CAILYN PATTERSON OF FOREST AVENUE - WILL BE FEATURED IN MARKETING CAMPAIGNS TO PROMOTE CHILDREN'S ORAL HEALTH.

>> AND THIS IS REALLY ONE OF THE MOST FUN THINGS THAT WE DO IN PUBLIC HEALTH ALL YEAR LONGS.

I TRULY MEAN THAT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE LOOKS FORWARD TO.

WE'RE GOING TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS IN A MINUTE AS WE HAVE SAID.

THIS IS A WAY TO KICK OFF CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH WHICH IS EVERY FEBRUARY.

>> SHOW EVERYBODY YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE!

SHE REALLY LIKES READING AND ART.

BOTH WILL CARRY YOU FORWARD IN YOUR FUTURE.

SHE ALSO IS A DANCER.

OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL SHE JOBS, JAZZ, BALLET, TAP AND BATON.

>> I HAVE THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY OF INTRODUCING OUR MALE WINNER FOR THE CONTEST, PROSECUTE BRAILLEN COLVIN.

I SAID WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?

IT JUST SO HAPPENS HIS FATHER IS A TRUCK DRIVER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK BRADY WANTS TO DO WHEN HE GROWS UP?

BE A TRUCK DRIVER.

I ASKED HIM, WHY DID YOU WANT TO GET INTO THE CONTEST?

YOU KNOW HIS ANSWER?

"I WANT TO WIN A PRIZE."

>> WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU FOUND OUT YOU WON.

>> I WAS EXCITED.

>> WHO WAS THE 1ST PERSON THAT YOU TOLD I WON?

>> MY GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS.

WELL, I.

TOLD MY GRANDMA.

>> WHAT IS YOUR GRANDMOTHER SAY.

>> SHE SAID I'M GLAD.

SHE REALLY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME.

>> ANOTHER FUNCTION OF THE ORAL HEALTH OFFICE IS CONNECTING ALABAMIANS WITH DENTAL CARE RESOURCES, INCLUDING INSURANCE.

RECENTLY, THE OFFICE CONDUCTED DENTAL SCREENINGS ON SOME OF THE STATE'S KINDERGARTEN AND 3RD GRADE STUDENTS.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS.

>> WE SCREEN DURING COVID.

WE DID 56 SCHOOLS AND SAW 5600 STUDENTS JUST TO SEE THE A OF DECAY IN THE STATE.

WE FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY -- LET ME JUST SAY, THE AMOUNT OF DENTAL SEALANTS IN THE SATE HAS GONE DOWN OVER THE YEARS AND TO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO RESEARCH TO SEE WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON, WHY DENTISTS AREN'T DOING MORE SEALUP.

>> SHE SAID SEALANT FOR CHILDREN IS COVERED BY INSURANCE AND CAN LAST WELL INTO ADULTHOOD.

THEY'RE ALSO IMPORTANT BECAUSE.

>> THE DENTAL SEALANTS CAN PREVENT TEE KAY.

>> TOOTH DECAY IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON DISEASES OF CHILDREN SIX TO 12 AND IT'S MORE COMMON THAN HEY PFEIFER OR ASTHMA OR OTHER THINGS.

BUT IT'S EXTRAORDINARILY COMMON.

>> PROFESSIONALS SAY TOOTH DECAY IN CHILDREN CAN LEAD TO PAIN AND INFECTIONS IN ADULTS.

I IT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS HEART ATTACK AND STROKE.

>> THE TOOLS FOR MAIN FANG BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY TEETH INCLUDE SEEING A DENTIST TWICE A YEAR, LIMITING SODA, DRINKING FLUORIDE WATER AND FLOSSING ONCE A DAY.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE ARE BUSY.

PEOPLE SAY I DON'T HAVE ADVERTISEMENT TO FLOSS.

AT LEAST ONCE WITHIN EVERY 24 HOURS IS ALL I ASK MEME TO DO.

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

>> WE WILL BE BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

♪ ♪ >> NEXT I'M JOINED BY VERNON BARNETT, COMMISSIONER OF THE ALABAMA DON'T OF REVENUE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

>> TODD, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S TAX SEASON.

SO IT IS VERY APPROPRIATE TIME TO BRING YOU ON TO EXPLAIN A FEW THINGS ABOUT THAT.

I WAS HOPING THAT YOU COULD OFFER A REFRESHER TO OUR VIEWERS ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT ALL YOUR AGENCY DOES.

>> SURE, TODD.

I WOULD BE DELIGHTED.

IT'S A BROAD SPECTRUM.

AND, OF COURSE, EVERYONE KNOWS WE DO COLLECT INCOME TAXES BUT WE ALSO DEAL A LOT WITH OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY THROUGH SALES TAXES, ANY TIME YOU BUY AN ITEM, THE PERSON YOU BOUGHT IT FROM WILL COLLECT SALES TAXES AND THEN SEND IT TO US.

AND THEN WE TAKE THAT MONEY AND WE DISBURSE IT TO THE LOCALITIES AND WHEREVER THAT MONEY GOES.

WE ALWAYS SAY THAT COLLECTING TAX SEAS EASY BUT DISBURSING IT IS THE COMPLICATED PART BECAUSE SO MANY OF OUR TAXES, THERE MAY BE SIX OR EIGHT OR 10 ENTITIES THAT GET GET A LITTLE PIECE OF EVERYTHING.

WEE DO THAT AND WE'RE INVOLVED IN MINING AND FORESTRY.

WE ALSO HAVE AN AN INVESTIGATIVE UNIT.

WE'RE THE ENTITY THAT IS TASKED WITH ALL OF THE CRIMINAL ASPECTS OF THE TAX LAW, ENFORCING THAT.

AND MOTOR VEHICLE.

SO YOUR TAGS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WE PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THAT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO EVERY TIME WE RENEW OUR TAGS, THAT'S YOU.

AL I'M ALL UP TO DATE, BY THE WAY.

>> GLAD TO HEAR IT.

>> IT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE.

WELL, IT IS SAX SEASON.

PEOPLE ARE FILLING OUR THEIR RETURNS.

THE EARLY BIRDS MAY ALREADY BE FINISHED.

BUT TALK ABOUT THIS: WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO GO AWAY FILLING OUR THEIR TAX FIRM AND TO BE EFFICIENT AND GET A BETTER RETURN.

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO GO LIFE.

SO FAR WE HAVE HAD 50,000 ALABAMIANS FILE THEIR TAXES.

WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO FILE EARLY AND ELECTRONICALLY.

BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES THAT MEAN YOU GET YOU REFUND EARLIER BUT IT HELPS US COMBAT FRAUD.

THE BAD GUYS TEND TO FILE ELECTRONICALLY AND VERY EARLY.

THEY WANT TO GET IN BEFORE THE LEGITIMATE TAXPAYER DOES AND TRY TO TRICK US INTO PAYING THAT REFUND.

AND SO THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO PAY YOUR TAXES.

YOU CAN USE A VENDOR.

THERE ARE SEVERAL -- WE SEE A LOT OF DROVE COMMERCIALS THIS TIME OF YEAR.

SO YOU CAN PICK YOUR VENDOR.

YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF AND FOR FREE.

WE HAVE MY ALABAMA TAXES.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND CREATE AN ACCOUNT AND PAY YOUR TAXES THAT WAY.

IF YOU'RE OLD SCHOOL AND LIKE TO FILE ON PAPER YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND DOWNLOAD THE INSTRUCTIONS AND THE FOR THE MOST PART AND YOU CAN FILL IT OUT AND MAIL IT TO US.

NOW WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO DO THAT.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET AMP FROM PAPER.

BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO PREFER THAT.

BUT WELL OVER 90 PERCENT OF ALABAMIANS FILE ELECTRONICALLY NOW.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND HOPE TO CONTINUE IT.

>> I REMEMBER IT USED TO BE YOU WOULD PHYSICALLY MAIL OUT THE PAPER TAX FORMS AND THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD FILL OUT.

I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER WHEN THAT CHANGED.

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

OH, GO I DO NOT NOW.

NOW IT'S SECOND NATURE.

EVERYTHING IS I DO NOT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TWEAKING THE PROCESS.

WE NOW ALLOW YOU TO PAY ANY LIABILITIES YOU HAVE WITH A CREDIT CARD.

THAT'S SOMETHING NEW THAT WE'RE OFFERING IT AND MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE THAT I.

ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO TO.

IT'S OUR -- OUR OLD SITE WAS CREATED BY US, MAINLY FOR AND YOU SAY TAX PROFESSIONALS SO IT WAS CONFUSING AND I THINK FRUSTRATING FOR PEOPLE PEOPLE.

THIS NEW SITE IS MORE USER FRIENDLY F YOU'RE NOT USED TO SURFING A WEBSITE WE HAVE A CHAT BOTTOM CALLED DORA AND YOU CAN TALK TO DORA AND SHE WILL FIND YOU WHATEVER YOU WANT.

>> WHAT IS THE WEBSITE AGAIN AGAIN?

>> IT'S WWW.

REVENUE.ALABAMA.GOV.

>> GREAT.

I KNOW THERE WERE CHANGES TO TAX LAWSUIT PASSED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS BY THE LEGISLATURE THAT MAY BE GOING INTO EFFECT THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY THOSE INVOLVES BUSINESSES.

WHAT CHANGES CAN WE EXPECT OR ARE THOSE BEING IMPLEMENTED RIGHT NOW?

>> THEY HAVE BEEN.

YOU KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

AS EVERYONE CAN APPRECIATE, THE WORLD WE'RE LIVING IN RIGHT NOW IS CHANGING VERY QUICKLY: AND SO MANY OF THE CHANGES GOING ON INTERSECTS TAX WORLD.

SO THE CHALLENGE THAT WE IMMEDIATELY FACED COMING IN WITH THE IVEY ADMINISTRATION WERE THESE RAPIDLY CHANGING ECONOMY AND SOCIETAL THINGS AND THEN TRYING TO MARY THAT UP WITH TAX LAWS AND IN CASES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN TOUCHED SINCE THE 1930S AND YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN.

WILL HE AND THE LEGISLATURE WORKED CAREFULLY WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SHY REFERENCED IT IN HER STATE OF THE STATE BUT SHE'S ACTUALLY PASSED 36 BILLS OFFER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THAT HAVE REDUCED THE LIABILITIES AND TAXES ON THE PEOPLE BY OVER $620 MILLION AND MADE IT EASIER TO PAY.

AND IN THE REALM OF THE SMALL BUSINESS THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REFORMS BUT THE MOST RECENT ONE A LOT OF OUR SMALLER BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO PAY ESTIMATED SALES TAX.

SO INSTEAD OF ESTIMATING THE TAXES AND SENDING IT TO US THEY HAD TO PAY IN WHAT THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD BRING IN AND ON THE BACK END WE WOULD GIVE IT BACK IF THEY DIDN'T GET IT BUT IT AFFECTED THEIR CASH FLOW AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

WE HAVE RAISED THAT THRESHOLD.

THE SMALLER BUSINESSES REFLECT AND MAKE THAT A SMOOTHER PROCESS.

ONE OF THE BILLS WE'RE HOPING TO SEE THESE NEXT SESSION COMING UP WILL RAISE THAT EVEN FURTHER.

>> ESPECIALLY FOR THE SMALLEST.

IT MAY BE YOU CAN'T AFFORD TAX IF I DID AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I THINK WHAT GETS LOST A LOT OF TIMES IS NOT EVERYONE HAS THE LUXURY TO HAVE ACCOUNTANTS AND TAX LAWYERS.

SO LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP THOSE FOLKS AND WE HAVE INSTITUTED A NEW PROGRAM THAT WE CALL TAX TALKS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALIZED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF OF YEARS IS THAT A LOT OF THINGS CHANGED SO MUCH THAT A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITY WAS LEFT BEHIND AND WE DIDN'T REALIZE SOMETHING HAD CHANGED IS OUR FOLKS ARE GOING OUT AND CONDUCTING DAY LONGS SEMINARS FOR QUANTITIES, BOOKKEEPERSERS WHOEVER WANTS TO COME.

IF YOU'RE ABOUT ACCOUNTANT YOU GET CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS AND WE WALK YOU THROUGH THE LATE AND THE FACT GREATS AND WE HAVE DONE IT VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON STARTING LAST YEAR.

THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO DO IT A COUPLE OF TIMES OF YOU EVER AND MOVING FORWARD BEEF PLAN TO DO IT MORE OFTEN.

>> LESS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS ABOUT A MONTH AWAY AND ONE OF THE THINGS PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT A ARE TAX REBATES.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT ONE TIME TAX REBATES BACK TO INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS.

BUT I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT AND I CAN'T REMEMBER A TIME THAT WE HAVE TON THIS BEFORE.

SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHAT WOULD SOMETHING LIKE THAT LOOK LIKE?

I REMEMBER THE FEDS DOING IT IN THE BUSH PRESIDENCY BUT HAVE WE DONE THIS BEFORE AND WHAT MIGHT IT LOOK LIKE.

>> TODD, THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

THE ANSWER IS, NO, WE HAVEN'T DONE THIS BEFORE.

THIS IS SOMETHING VERY NEW.

IN ALABAMA WE'RE NOT USED TO HAVING THE SURPLUSES.

BUT WE FIND OURSELVES IN THAT POSITION.

SO AS YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES WE'RE CONSULTED ON TAX LEGISLATION, WHETHER WE HAVE A ROLE IN THE POLICY OR NOT, TO MAKE IT MECHANICALLY FEASIBLE.

SO IT CAN BE ADMINISTERED.

AND WITH THE REBATES, CERTAINLY OUR PREFERENCE AND WE HAVE COMMUNICATE OF COMMUNICATED THIS TO THE STAKEHOLDERS IS THAT IT FUNCTIONED MECHANICALLY JUST LIKE A TAX AND INCOMES TAX REFUND.

SO WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, OBVIOUSLY EVERYONE -- ONE OF THE BIG BENEFITS TO FILING EARLY IS GETTING THAT REFUND CHECK EARLY AND EVERYONE LOVES TO GET THE REFUND CHECK, AND WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR THAT.

AND SO WITH THE REBATES WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE WOULD FOLLOW THAT SAME MECHANICAL PROCESS, AND EACH PERSON WHO WAS DUE A REBATE CHECK, THEY WOULD RUN THROUGH THE NORMAL COURSE SO WE COULD CONFIRM THEIR IDENTITY, MAKE SURE THAT THE TODD STACIE WHO IS GETTING THIS CONVENIENT ACTUALLY YOU AND NOT THE TODD STACIE ALLOWANCING BY THE POOL?

ARE ST. PETERSBURG TRYING TO GET YOUR CHECK!

SO YOU DON'T HAVE A BUNCH OF CHECKS FLYING RIGHT AROUND.

>> EXACTLY.

WE GET THE MONEY TO WHO IS ENTITLED TO IT AND WE GET IT OUT IN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME.

>> THAT'S OUR PREFERENCE AND SO FAR ALL PARTIES HAVE BEEN VERY OPEN TO IT.

I THINK THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE REBATES ARE REALLY FLUID BUT I THINK EVERYONE FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

>> AND IS THAT -- IS THAT KIND OF COMMON WHEN THE LEGISLATURE GETS IN -- I KNOW WHEN THEY GET READY TO WRITE BILLS THAT AFFECT THE BUDGET AND THEY WILL GO AND TALK TO LSA AND THE FOLKS HERE IN THIS BUILDING BUT DO THEY ALSO COME TO YOU AND TO YOUR TEAM TO SAY, HEY, THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THE TAX CODE, WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW?

>> THEY DO.

AND WE VERY MUCH APPROACH THAT.

ANY WORK THAT WE CAN DO ON THE FRONT END TO MAKE THE BILL SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ADMINISTER MEANS THAT IT SAVES TIME DURING THE SESSION.

AND AS YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THE LAST THINGS ANYBODY WANTS FOR THEIR BILL TO GET HUNK UP DURING THE SESSION.

AND ALSO THE LAST THING ANYBODY WANTS IS TO PASS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, CAN'T BE ADMINISTERED.

AND SO WE HAVE TRIED TO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH ALL PARTIES.

AND YOU KNOW WE'RE VERY CANDID WITH EVERYBODY, LOOKS, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA BUT WE WILL FIX THIS TO WHERE IT WILL ABSOLUTELY WORK SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE DECIDE THIS IS WHAT HELP THE TO DO.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S A VERY CONFIDENTIAL PROCESS, SO WE DON'T RUN OUT AND ADVERTISE.

>> BUT IT'S WORK REALLY WELL SO FAR.

>> I CAN SEE IT.

NOBODY WARRANTS THERE TO BE ANY KIND OF DRAG ON THEIR BILL TO INCLUDE, HEY, REVENUE HASN'T LOOKED AT THIS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

>> IT WILL.

IT'S COMING FAST.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THAT YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON SHOW.

>> APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> MARK COLE SON CEO OF THE ALABAMA AND AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATION JOINS US.

IT'S HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

YOU HAVE THIS OP ED AND YOU'RE INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE BUT BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT I WANTED TO ASK YOU TO REMIND THE VIEWERS OF THE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION, YOUR ROLE AS PRESIDENT AND WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES HERE IN THE STATE.

>> THE BEST PART OF MY JOB IS TO GET TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT ALABAMA IS A GREAT HOME FOR TRUCKING AND ALABAMA 86 PERCENT OF EVERYTHING EVERYBODY GETS, EVERY COMMUNITY FROM NORTH TO SOUTH DEPEND ON THE TRUCKING COMMUNITY AND TRUCKERS TO DELIVER THOSE GOODS AND THERE'S 110,000 PEOPLE IN OUR STATE THAT WORK IN OUR INDUSTRY.

THERE'S A LOT OF JOBS IN OUR STATE AND A HUGE ECONOMIC BOOST FROM THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND THE PRESENCE THAT WE HAVE IN ALABAMA.

SO I LOVE TELLING THE STORIES OF OUR INDUSTRY AND I LOVE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAKE IT GREAT.

WE PROFILED A LOT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COVER.

>> THIS IS A 26-YEAR-OLD FEMALE DRIVER OUR BIRMINGHAM.

WHEN YOU TALK TO HER AND MEET THE INDIVIDUALS HAT DO THIS WORK EVERY DAY, THEY LIVE IN THE JOY SPECTRUM.

THEY COME TO WORK WITH JOY.

THEY UNDERSTAND THEY'RE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEMSELVES.

THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR COMPANY IS PART OF THEIR FAMILY.

BUT THE INDUSTRY THEY'RE IN IS PART OF THE FABRIC OF AMERICA SO IT'S REALLY ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF MY JOB IS TO NOT ONLY MEET THOSE INDIVIDUALS BUT GET TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> IT'S INTERESTING TO GET TO TALK ABOUT IT AND THINK ABOUT THE SHEER VOLUME OF THE NETWORK OF LONG STICKS OUT THERE THAT ARE MAKING THE DAY-TO-DAY THINGS RUN, THE 99-CENT THINGS HAPPEN RIGHT?

>> I RECENTLY DID AN INTERVIEW ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

I THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE MORE COGNIZANT NOW OF SPLINE CHAIN CHALLENGES AND LOGISTICS EVEN IF THEY DON'T TOUCH THAT IN THEIR PROFESSION.

BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE GLOBAL OR AMERICAN SUPPLY CHAIN WE HAVE THE SUEZ CANAL BLOCKAGE AND THE PARTS OF L.A. AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND THEN AFTER BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW ANY COMPONENT GETS FROM POINT A TO POINT B TO POINT C IN AMERICA IT'S QUITE A MIRACLE.

IT'S A MIRACULOUS MODERN INNOVATION.

SO EVEN WITH THE BIGET CHALLENGES WE HAVE HAD OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS STUFF STILL GOT TO WHERE IT'S GOING.

I KEEP GETTING ASKED ARE DIESEL PRICES GOING TO PREVENT THE TRUCKERS FROM GETTING WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

THE THING IS WE DELIVER THE GOODS.

I HAVE DONNED THE TERMINATE CRISES OR CHRISTMAS.

WHETHER IT'S A CRISES OR CHRISTMASTIME STUFF IS GOING TO GET THERE.

RIGHT NOW IT'S BEEN MORE EXPENSIVE AND PEOPLE ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE COG VANITY OF THINGS THAT DRIVE UP THE COST OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND FREIGHT AND ULTIMATELY CONSUMERS BARE THOSE COST INCREASES SO WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO CREATE EFFICIENCIES IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

>> WE MIGHT BE A LITTLE SPOILED WHEN IT COMES TO HOW QUICKLY WE CAN GET GOODS.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

IT'S HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH.

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE ISSUE INTERNATIONALLY BUT Y'ALL HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD HERE IN THE STATE OF TALKING ABOUT THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY'S UNIQUE ABILITY IN THIS SPACE BECAUSE OF YOUR PROXIMITY TO SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

TALK TO ME WYOMING Y'ALL GOT INVOLVED AND WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> I WILL SHARE MY PERSONAL STORY.

WHEN I ASSUMED THIS ROLE WITH THE ALABAMA.

TRUCKING ASSOCIATION I LIKE MOST PEOPLE WHO MIGHT WASH THIS, WHEN YOU HEAR THE TERM HUMAN TRAFFICKING YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT ENTERS YOUR BRAIN.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHAT THAT TERM AND WHAT ENTERED MY BRAIN BEFORE HAVING THIS JOB AND UNDERSTANDING THIS BETTER WAS THAT I WAS IGNORANT, ONLY TO BE ENLIGHTENED BY TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING FORMED IN 2009 AND I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT BUT AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THE WORK THAT TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING DOES IN OUR INDUSTRY AND HOW WE PARTNER SO ADDRESS AWARENESS OF WHAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS AND HOW HOW TO IDENTIFY IT AND WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT IT OR WHAT TO -- OR TO REPORT IT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS AN AN ENLIGHTENING PROCESS.

WITNESS YOU HAVE BEEN EDUCATED ABOUT SOMETHING, ONCE YOU'RE AWARE OF HOW DIRE AND HOW PREVALENT THIS CRIME OFFER ANY OTHER TERRIBLE SITUATION; THEN WE'RE LEFT WITH A CHOICE.

WE'RE LEFT WITH A CHOICE OF ACTION OR INACTION.

I CAN NO LONGER WALK AROUND BEING IGNORANT.

NOW WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND TRUCKERS ARE PEOPLE OF ACTION.

AND SO MANY OTHERS.

AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR THOSE OF YOU -- AND I WROTE THE DEFINITION DOWN BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.

IT'S THE EXPLOITATION OF HUMAN BEINGS THROUGH FORCE, FRAUD, OR COERCION FOR THE PURPOSES OF COMMERCIAL SEX OR FORCED LABOR WHERE A 3RD PARTY IS PROFITING.

AND MOST OF THE TIME THIS OCCURS WHERE PEOPLE PROSECUTE STILL LIVING -- KIDS MAINLY, I COULDN'T THINK WOMEN, ESPECIALLY MINORITY YOUNG WOMEN -- ARE LIVING IN THEIR HOMES AND BEING TRAFFICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

IT'S NOT JUST HAPPENING -- THERE ARE TWO TRUTHS WE ALL NEED TO UNDERSTAND.

THIS IS A FOR THE MOST PART OF MODERN DAY SLAVERY.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS MODERN DAY SLAVERY.

THE SECOND TRUTH IS THAT IT'S NOT HAPPENS IN A FAR AWAY LAND.

IT'S HAPPENING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WHEREVER YOU MAY LIVE.

I LIVE IN MOMENT ALABAMA SO IT'S HAPPENING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY WHERE THERE ARE INTERSTATE CORRIDORS.

BUT IT'S NOT IN FORCELY BEING TRAFFICKED ACROSS BORDERS EITHER.

SEX TRAFFICKING CAN HAPPEN IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS, EVEN WITH FAMILY MEMBERS INVOLVED.

IT'S VERY TERRIBLE WHEN YOU LEARN ABOUT THE NATURE OF THESE CRIMES AND THE PEOPLE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXPLOIT THESE INDIVIDUALS.

SO FORTUNATELY THOUGH AN ORGANIZATION IN 2007 THAT INVOLVED TO BECOME TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING WAS CREATED AND THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY QUICKLY EVOLVED TO ADOPT A PROACTIVE SOLUTION TO HOW TO IDENTIFY HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

SO TRUCKERS NOW AND TRUCKING COMPANIES GO THROUGH -- WE CALL IT TAT TRAINING, TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING TRAINING.

WHICH HELPS THEM IDENTIFY FLAGS FLAGS AND WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR, HOW TO ENGAGE VICTIMS AT A TRUCKSTOP OR WHEREVER THEY MIGHT BE I WAS I THINKING OF A TRUCKSTOP.

THAT'S WHAT CAME TO MIND.

>> THERE ARE OTHER COMMONPLACES WHERE SEX TRAFFICKING TAKES PLACE.

AND THEN YOU KNOW, WHAT TO SAY TO VICTIMS AND NOT TO SAY AND HOW TO ENGAGE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN YOU REPORT THIS.

THERE'S THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE THAT HAS NOW REPORTED IN ALABAMA OVER 679 CASES AND OVER 1500 VICTIMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED SINCE 2009, AND SPECIAL NATIONALLY 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE TRAINING N ALABAMA WE HAVE OVER 35 PROFESSIONALS IN OUR INDUSTRY THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED AS TAT TRAINED.

I TOOK MY STAFF THROUGH IT EVEN THOUGH WE'RE OFFICE STAFF.

SO IT'S AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE OUT THERE, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR BUSINESS IS.

YOU CAN GO TO TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING.COM AND GET THE TOOLS.

>> WE'RE JUST ON THE AWARENESS SIDE OF THIS.

AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE SUMMIT THAT WAS GOING ON THIS MORNING.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINES ADDRESSING -- LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT, ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL, SPOKE THIS MORNING.

BUT YOU LEARN ABOUT THE WORK THAT ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE DOING TO CRACK DOWN AGAINST THE PERPETUATORS OF THIEVES CRIMES.

AND THE VICTIM'S ADVOCATES THAT ARE STANDING UP FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE CYCLE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S THIS HUMOR TRAFFICKING SUMMIT GOING ON.

I GUESS IT HAS BEEN GOING ON THE LAST COUPLE OF OF DAYS.

YOU MENTIONED TEACH MARSHAL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE NORTHERN DISTRICT U.S. ATTORNEY -- WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SUMMIT AND WHO ALL WERE INVOLVED IN.

>> THIS IS A BROAD SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE, AND THERE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS -- INDUSTRY LEADERS.

SO IT'S REALLY BROAD CROSS-SECTION.

AND THIS WAS GOVERNOR IVEY AND THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE CREATED THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE THAT THIS SUM SIT A PRODUCT OF AND ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL'S WATCH, WE NOW HAVE THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ALLIANCE.

THIS HE HAVE THEIR OWN SEPARATE FOCUS.

JUST A A A FEW YEARS AGO THIS DID NOT EXIST BUT THE CRIMES AND VICTIMS HAVE BEEN THERE.

SO WE HAVE SOUTHEASTERN THE PROGRESS MADE WHEN PEOPLE COME TOGETHER.

EVEN LAW ENFORCEMENT WERE THERE THIS MORNING GIVING A PLAY BY PLAY REALLY OF A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT BUST/STINK HERE IN THE MOMENT REGION IN THE PAST COUPLE OF OF YEARS.

AND JUST HOW LONG IT TOOK -- HOW TO BUILD THE CASE TO GET TRUST FROM VICTIMS TO CARE FOR THOSE VICTIMS TO HOLD ONE PERSON TO ACCOUNT: IT'S QUITE REMARKABLE.

IT TAKES DEDICATION AND HATS OFF TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AT ALL LEVEL WHOSE ARE WORKING ON THIS AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> WE WILL CERTAINLY SHARE THE WEBSITE AND THOSE RESOURCES AND I APPRECIATE YOU HAVE SHARES THIS WITH US.

WE WILL FOLLOW UP ON THE ISSUE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

I DO WANT TO SWITCH GEARS WHILE WE HAVE YOU.

WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMING UP.

YOU'RE AN ACTIVE PLAYER.

THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY IS AN ACTIVE PLAYER IN THE POLITICAL IRAN.

ARE THERE ISSUES YOU'RE LEAKING AT AS THE SESSION APPROACHES.

>> THEY FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES AND THE 1ST BIGGEST ONE -- I HAVE BEEN ASKED THIS BY OUR LEGISLATIVE FRIENDS WHO -- THE 1ST ONE IS WE JUST REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO OUR JOBS AND THAT'S MOVE FREIGHT SO NOT TO BE DISEXTRACTED BY TOO.

THINGS THAT MIGHT DISTRACT OUR ATTENTION BUT THE 1ST BIG ONE IS SAFETY.

SAFER ROADWAYS ARE BETTER FOR EVERYONE AND WE ARE CERTAINLY FOCUSED ON THAT AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND WHY SAFETY REGULATIONS THAT MAKE SENSE WE SUPPORT AND DO SAFETY TRAININGS FOR THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND PARTNER WITH ALIA AND THE FEDERAL MOTOR ADMINISTRATION.

NUMBER 2 IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

JUST HIKE EVERY OTHER INDIVIDUAL WE HAVE OUR EYES SET ON BUILDING THE WORKFORCE, COMMUNICATING THOSE PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS AND ADULTS TO JOIN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND BE A PART OF THAT 110,000 PEOPLE THAT WORK IN OUR STATE, WHETHER IT'S A PHILOSOPHICAL DRIVER, DIESEL TECHNICIAN OR STARTING YOUR OWN TRUCKING COMPANY AND WE WANT TO SHOWCASE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND WE HAVE CERTAINLY GOTTEN A LOT OF SUPPORT OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM THAT OFFERS A NUMBER OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

AND 3RD IS THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT.

IT HAS BECOME -- THE INSURANCE RATES HAVE BECOME ALMOST TO A CRISIS POINT FOR TRUCKING COMPANIES BECAUSE OF THE DEATH OF A THOUSAND CUTS, THE SMALL CLAIM ELSEWHERE TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE THROWN IN A SUIT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES SETTLE.

THAT ADDS UP OVER ADVERTISEMENT FOR SMALLER COMPANIES.

THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS THERE ZERO ADJUDICATE CONFLICT AND TAKE CARE OF INJURED PARTIES AND THAT'S GOOD.

NOT AGAINST THAT AT ALL.

BUT IT'S NOT THERE FOR PROFITEERING AND FOR THOSE TO LOOK AT THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY AS A PROFIT CENTER.

WE WE ARE WATCHING AT THE STATE AND THE THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> INTERESTING YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.

THERE'S A BIG SUPREME COURT CASE.

YOU WERE SUPPORTIVE AND THAT WAS SORT OF THE NARRATIVE, THE TORT ISSUE AND YOU WERE SUCCESSFUL THERE, YOU AND OTHER CENTURY INDUSTRIES.

WE HAVE A FULL SLATE OF JUDICIAL RACES THE NEXT TERM.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE BIG GOVERNOR OTHER ATTORNEY GENERAL.

IT'S THE SUPREME COURT, CIRCUIT COURT, CIVIL APPEALS AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

TALK ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT THERE AND WHY YOU'RE SO INVOLVED AT THESE JUDICIAL RACES, YOU AND OTHERS IN THE BUSINESS INDUSTRY.

>> JUST LIKE THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE JUDICIAL BRANCH -- THANKFULLY SINCE THE '90S WE HAVE HAD A VERY STABLE APPELLATE COURT SYSTEM IN ALABAMA WHICH AT AT TIME IN THE '90S WE DID NOT AND WE HAD THE REPUTATION OF BEING TORT HEALTH.

AND SO FLORIDA FLEE WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF GOOD JUSTICES OVER THE YEARS WHO CHANGED THAT.

GREG COOK IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT AND UP COMING AND WE DO HAVE AN IMPORTANT ELECTION, AND AND I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE PROCESSES VOTERS DON'T PAY AS MUCH ATTENTION TO BUT WE PAY ATTACKS TO IT BECAUSE AT TIMES AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WE FIND OURSELVES IN VENIRES WHERE WE FELL LIKE WE ARE NOT TREATED FAIRLY AND THAT IS ALL THAT WE EVER SEEK IS JUDGES THAT RULE ON THE LAW AND KNOWING THAT THE CASE WILL BE TREATED FAIRLY BASED ON THE FACTS IN THE CASE.

I THINK THE BROADER TRUCKING INDUSTRY LIKE TO SEE THAT FLAGS WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT EVENT TO PAY ATTENTION TO.

>> LAST TIME THAT YOU WERE HERE YOU TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES, THE JOB OPENINGS, PEOPLE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES AND MAYBE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL.

>> THERE'S PRIVATE OFFERINGS IN THE STATE.

THOSE ARE THE TWO JOB FIELDS THAT WE TALK ABOUT, THE MOST IN DEMAND BUT THE JOBSITE IF YOU WANT TO BE AN ACCOUNTANT AND WORKING IN PROGRESSING, IF YOU WANT TO BE -- IT'S A GOOD INDUSTRY TO BE IN.

IT'S IN THEIR BLOOD AND WE WANT TO SHARE THOSE STORIES LIKE I TOLD YOU ABOUT FELICIA, THE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOWCASE THOSE TO PEOPLE THE MORE EXCITED THEY GOOD.

IT'S NOT JUST JUST A JOB.

YOU'RE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT IS ESSENTIAL AND IN THIS STATE THAT THAT MATTERS AND YOU CAN SENSE THAT PRIDE QUICKLY.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE BACK BACK.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY GREG COCHRAN.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING.

>> WELL, I WANTED TO START OUT BY MAYBE ASKING WHERE YOU TO HELP REMIND OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT WHAT THE LEAGUE DOES, IT'S MISSION AND WHAT IT DOES HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> TODD, WE WERE FORMED IN 1935 BY A GROUP OF MAYORS AND LEGISLATORS THAT FELT LIKE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS NEEDED A VOICE AT THE LEGISLATURE.

SO WE HAVE CARRIED THAT MISSION FORWARD THROUGH ALL OF THESE YEARS AND WE FIND GREAT EXPERIENCE THROUGH OUR TEAM AND OUR MEMBERS TO ADDRESS FOR THE LEGISLATURE ISSUES THAT AFFECT HOW THESE POLICIES ARE BEING ADOPTED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND HOW THE STATE IS A PARTNER WITH US IN CREATING CITIES THAT ARE VIBRANT AND GIVE PEOPLE A PLACE TO LIVE THAT THEY'RE PROUD TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

>> SO FOR OUR VIEWERS OUT THERE, CHANCES ARE THEIR MAYOR OR COUNCIL MEMBER OR WHOMEVER IS PROBABLY A MEMBER OF YOUR ORGANIZATION.

>> HE ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE MUNICIPALITIES.

EACH HAVE NATURAL OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES: IT'S A FUN JOB TO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO BE THEIR BEST SELVES AND THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS TO PROVIDE THOSE RESOURCES, TOOLS, EDUCATION, TRAINING, PARTNERSHIPS WITH MEMBERS AROUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO HELP THEM PROVIDE THOSE COMMUNITIES OF EXCELLENCE.

>> WELL, I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT ONE OF THOSE SERVICES THAT IS KIND OF NEW TO THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES AND THAT'S IN THE REALM OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY A HUGE HE -- STATEWIDE.

WE THINK ABOUT THE BIG PROJECTS AND EVERYTHING BUT IF THAT INDIVIDUAL CITY GETS THE DOLLAR GENERAL THAT'S A BIG DEAL IN SOME TOWNS OR EVEN OTHER INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS.

BUT I KNOW THAT Y'ALL HAVE VENTURED INTO THIS AREA BY OFFERING TRAINING AND VEHICLES FOR THOSE MUNICIPAL STAFF OR INDIVIDUALS.

ESPECIALLY FOR TOWNS THAT CAN'T FORD SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> OUR GEL IS TO HELP THEM FOCUS ON THE COMMUNITIES AND FACE ANY CHALLENGES THEY HAVE.

IT'S A YEAR LONGS ACADEMY.

WE HAVE HAD 40 COMMUNITIES IN TWO YEARS GO THROUGH THIS ONE YEAR CURRICULUM.

WE HAVE A HOST OF PARTNERS FROM AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COME IN AND COACH THEM, WORK WITH THEM, HELP THEM, SYNCHRONIZE THEIR FOCUS WHERE THEY CAN ATTRACT MAYBE A HOME DEPOT OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE.

EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CHICK-FIL-A BUT NOT EVERY COMMUNITY IS GOING TO GET THAT COMMUNITY BUT TO REFOCUS ON LET'S LOOK AT A JACK OR SOME OF THESE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO BUILD THAT ECONOMIC INVESTMENT AND CREATE JOBS AND SUSTAINABLE WEALTH THROUGH THEIR COMMUNITY.

IT'S A REALM MAYBE THEY HAVEN'T GONE IN BEFORE.

I KNOW THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS VERY ACTIVE HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE, LOOKING TOWARDS MARCH WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PRIORITIES HEADING INTO THE SESSION.

WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE POLICIES THAT IMPROVE ECONOMIC IMPACTING AND THAT WE CREATE SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCES, FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND THAT IT'S THE BEST IT CAN BE.

WE'RE WORKING ON THE TYPES OF POLICIES WITH LEGISLATORS TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW IT'S A PARTNERSHIP.

FOR US OUR COMMUNITIES ARE THE ECONOMIC IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND OF OUR STATE.

IT'S WHERE BUSINESSES INVEST.

SO WHEN CITIES ARE RUN WELL, OUR STATE DOES WELL ECONOMICALLY AND I THINK GOING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WE HAVE SEEN HOW GOOD ALABAMA REALLY IS.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE PANDEMIC.

I KNOW THAT REALLY PUT Y'ALL ON THE SPOTLIGHT BECAUSE SUDDENLY, ALL OF THESE CITIES HAD COVID FUNDS WHETHER IT'S CARES ACT OR WE HAD ARPA1.

WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF ARP PA FUNDS.

AND YOU MAY NOT HAVE A STAFF OF ATTORNEYS ON SPENDING THOSE RESOURCES.

>> WE HAVE FOCUSED ON THAT ISSUE IN TWO WAYS.

ONE, HELPING EDUCATE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF USING THOSE FUNDS IN LEGENDARY WAYS.

I USE THAT ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR MONEY.

BUT WE SPEND TIME WORKING WITH CONGRATULATIONS AND THE STATE TO ENSURE THE FUNDS ARE GETTING TO OUR MUNICIPALITIES AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THOSE FUNDS TO PUT THOSE PROJECTS IN PLACE AND IT'S GOING TO BE GENERATIONAL, WHEN YOU LUKE AT THE INVESTMENT IN DRINKING WATER, INFRASTRUCTURE, BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT, THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT MOVE OUR STATE TO THE NEXT LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMICS INVESTMENT AND RECRUITMENT OF PEOPLE WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED.

AND THAT'S THE BALANCE THAT WE SEE WHEN TAX DOLLARS ARE PROMPT THAT'S A REVENUE FOR COMMUNITIES TO PUT A PROJECT IN PLACE TO PUT INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE GROUND AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE FIRE AND POLICE AND OTHER SERVICES VITAL FOR COMMUNITY SUCCESS.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE STATEHOUSE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

I REMEMBER FROM WHEN I WORKED IN CONGRATULATIONS, IT ALWAYS BE THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES THAT COME UP DURING THAT WEEK LONGS EFFORT AND HAVING DINNER WITH CONGRESSMEN AND THEIR STAFF AND BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

BUT Y'ALL DON'T JUST HAVE THAT.

YOU ALSO HAVE MEETINGS AND LUNCHEONS IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS NEAR ALABAMA.

TALK ABOUT YOUR WORK ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> WE DO SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME.

WE BROUGHT ON ADDITIONAL HELP IN OUR ADVOCACY TEAM TWO YEARS AGO WHEN I TRANSITIONED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S ROLE.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEEDED MORE FEET ON THE GROUND.

WE NEEDED MORE TALENT.

AND WE BROUGHT IN -- ONE OF THE AREAS OF FOCUS WAS MAKING SURE THAT FOR COMMUNITIES THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GET TO WASHINGTON AND PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES IN WASHINGTON MEETING IN THE SPRING THAT THEY HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH THEIR CONGRATULATIONS MAN OR WOMAN AND THEIR STAFF HERE IN ALABAMA.

SO WE PUT ON A SERIES OF LUNCHES AROUND THE STATE AND THEY HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND OUR MUNICIPALITIES BECAUSE IT DOES GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GET AN IDEA OF THE NEEDS THAT THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE AND HOW THEY CAN BE HELPFUL IN D.C. AND WE HAVE A GREAT CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AS YOU KNOW.

>> IS THAT WEEK IN D.C. COMING UP?

IS THAT LIKE A SPRING SORT OF THING?

>> SPRING IT'S COMING UP IN MARCH AND WE ALREADY HAVE ABOUT A HUNDRED OFFICIALS SIGNED UP TO GO WITH US THERE AND WE PUT ON A SERIES OF DINNERS IN WASHINGTON WITH THE CONGRESSMAN AGAIN TO CREATE THAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY, THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER AND WORK TOGETHER.

AND WE HAVE A CAUCUS COMMITTEE I COMMITTEE AND BRING SPEAKERS IN TO TELL THEM WHAT IS IT GOING ON AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> I DO REMEMBER THOSE BECAUSE IT'S JUST RARE THAT YOU GET, YOU KNOW, TO DO 20, 30, MORE MAYOR OR COUNSEL MEDICINE LIKE THAT FROM YOUR DISTRICT.

THAT'S A REAL, REAL PLUS FOR ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO WANTS TO TRULY KEEP IN TOUCH.

BUT JUST THINKING FROM THAT LEVEL WHETHER IT'S FEDERAL OR STATE, SAY YOU'RE A CONGRESSMAN, THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MAYOR OR THE CITY COUNCILMAN OR WHAT HAVE YOU, THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, EVEN -- YOU KNOW I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY'RE SAYING MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN THE STATEWIDE OFFICIAL BECAUSE THEY'RE HEARING FROM PEOPLE ON THE GROUND SO IT'S A VALUABLE FEEDBACK OPPORTUNITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL GOVERNMENT AS LOCAL, THAT SAYING HAS BEEN AROUND FOR TENS OF INDUSTRIES.

IT REALLY IS.

THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, THEY LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY'RE THERE EVERY DAY IF IT'S GROCERY STORES OR HAVING COFFEE IN A LOCAL SHOP WHERE THEY WORK.

SO THEY'RE REALLY HEARING BACK FROM THEIR CITIZENS ON A DAILY BASIS OF THE NEEDS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE THERE FOR THEM.

SO THE CONGRESSMEN REALLY VALUE THAT INPUT AND THAT PERCEPTION THAT THEY SHARE WITH THEM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I REMEMBER WORKING UP THERE AND THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF -- PEOPLE OFTEN DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO WHEN THEY HAVE AN ISSUE OR, EVEN A VERY LOCAL ONE, MAYBE THEY DON'T KNOW THEIR CITY COUNCILMAN VERY WELL BUT OH, I SAW A COMMERCIAL FOR MY CONGRESSMAN SO I HAD BETTER CALL HIM AND TALK ABOUT A STOP SIGN SORE SOMETHING.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW WHO THE PEOPLE ARE ON THE GROUND IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO SAY SO AND SO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STREET, HERE IS THIS COMMUNICATION.

SO THE CONVERSATIONS REALLY WORK BOTH WAYS.

>> I GIVE ACCOLADES TO THE PROFESSIONAL STAFFS AND THEY MAKE SURE THEY'RE THERE FOR THE CONSTITUENT AFFAIRS AND FOR THE OFFICIALS.

IT'S A WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY BLESSED IN THE STATE BY HAVING LOCAL OFFICIALS PARTNER WITH STATEWIDE EFFICIENTS, THE LEGISLATORS AND THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

GREAT THINGS HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THAT COMES TOGETHER.

>> LIKE I SAID WE'RE IN A NEW QUAD REN JUDGMENT, NEW TERM, A LOT OF NEW FACES.

YOU ALSO HAVE SEVERAL LAWMAKERS WHO THEY THEMSELVES USED TO BE CITY COUNCILMEN OR USED TO BE MAYORS.

IS THAT ENCOURAGING 20 SEE THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION'S PERSPECTIVE WHAT THE DEAL IS ON THE GROUND.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HOPEFULLY THEY WILL SEE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO PARTNER WITH US AT THE NEW JUNCTURE IN THEIR CAREERS WORKING AT THE STATEWIDE LEVEL TO PUT POLICIES IN PLACE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THEIR CITIZENS.

AND WE'RE ALL ABOUT GOOD GROWTH AND MAKING SURE OUR MUNICIPALITIES HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.

>> GREG, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON SHOW AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU ON AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS IS OPPORTUNITY.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

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