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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT'S A NEW YEAR AND A NEW TERM FOR ALABAMA LEADERS ON THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

THE INAUGURATION OF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS IS JANUARY 16.

BUT COMING UP NEXT WEEK IS THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION.

THESE SESSIONS ARE REQUIRED EVERY FOUR YEARS AFTER AN ELECTION TO ALLOW THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO OFFICIALLY SELECT THEIR LEADERS AS WELL AS ESTABLISH RULES FOR LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE.

THE SENATE HAS SETTLED ON ITS COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP SLATE.

"ALABAMA DAILY NEWS" REPORTED THE FOLLOWING CHANGES IN COMMITTEE CHAIRS IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

SENATOR DAVID SESSIONS WILL CHAIR THE AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY COMMITTEE.

SENATOR LARRY STUTTS WILL LEAD THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH HEALTH COMMITTEE.

SENATOR TIM MELSON IS THE NEW HEALTH COMMITTEE CHAIR.

SENATOR DONNIE CHESTEEN, EDUCATION POLICY CHAIR SENATOR WILL BARFOOT WILL CHAIR THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

SENATOR STEVE LIVINGSTON WILL TAKE CONFIRMATIONS AND SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER WILL CHAIR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

SENATOR RANDY PRICE WILL CHAIR THE SENATE TOURISM COMMITTEE, SENATOR TOM BUTLER WILL CHAIR STATE GOVERNMENT, AND SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT WILL CHAIR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE.

ALL OTHER COMMITTEES WILL KEEP THEIR CURRENT CHAIRMEN.

LOOKING TOWARD THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION THAT BEGINS ON TUESDAY, STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT SAYS HE SEES SMOOTH SAILING AHEAD WITH NO CONTROVERSIAL VOTES.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE A GOOD SESSION.

WE HAVE NEW MEMBERS COMING IN.

I THINK 31 BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THE ORIENTATION SESSIONS WENT WELL.

I THINK THEY WILL BE GOOD, PRODUCTIVE SESSIONS.

I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE ANYTHING CONTROVERSIAL.

ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE FRESH BLOOD AND NEW IDEAS AND I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF THAT, 31 PEOPLE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> OF COURSE, WASHINGTON, DC IS AWASH WITH CONTROVERSY AS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS OF THIS TAPING, HAS STILL NOT ELECTED A SPEAKER.

CONGRESSMAN KEVIN MCCARTHY, WHO HAS BEEN THE TOP REPUBLICAN LEADER FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, HAS BEEN UNABLE TO WIN THE 218 VOTES NEEDED TO BE ELECTED AFTER 12 TRIES.

HE'S FACING HOLD OUTS FROM FAR-RIGHT MEMBERS OF HIS CONFERENCE, WITH SOME DEMANDING RULE CHANGES AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

THERE WAS SOME PROGRESS EARLIER TODAY AS MCCARTHY FLIPPED 14 OF THE 20 HOLDOUT VOTES.

THERE IS ANOTHER VOTE SCHEDULED AT 10PM TONIGHT.

EACH OF ALABAMA'S SIX REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN HAVE CONSISTENTLY VOTED FOR MCCARTHY.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAPITOL, ALABAMA SAW A HISTORIC MOMENT, AS U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT WAS SWORN IN ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

BRITT IS THE FIRST WOMAN EVER ELECTED TO THE SENATE FROM ALABAMA.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS ADMINISTERED THE OATH.

>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT YOU WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME, THAT YOU TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION, AND THAT YOU WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER SO HELP YOU GOD.

>> I DO.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, SENATORS.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE NEW YEAR BRINGS WITH IT NEW LAWS GOING INTO EFFECT.

ONE LAW NOW IN EFFECT REQUIRES THE MONITORING OF INMATES RELEASED FROM PRISON.

THAT'S BEING DONE VIA ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH CAUGHT UP WITH PARDONS AND PAROLES DIRECTOR CAM WARD TO EXPLAIN HOW IT'S GOING.

>> IN ALABAMA OUR RECIDIVISM RATE IS 30%, WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

WE ARE 25th IN THE COUNTRY WHICH MEANS I WAS INCARCERATED AND GET RE-INCARCERATED.

I'D LIKE TO SEE US IN THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY.

>> MANDATORY RELEASE IS AN AUTOMATED RELEASE PROCESS FOR THOSE INMATES NEARING THE END OF THEIR SENTENCES.

AND NOW THE BUREAU OF PARDON AND PAROLES HAS ANOTHER TOOL IN THAT TOOL BOX -- ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

IN THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS EXPANDED MANDATORY SUPERVISION.

>> THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE WILL HAVE TO SUPERVISE COMING ON PAROLE BUT AS AN ADDED MEASURE TO INCREASE SAFETY AND INCREASE HOW WE CAN MONITOR THEM, THE LEGISLATURE REQUESTED WE START TO PUT ELECTRONIC MONITORING ON EVERYONE UNDER SUPERVISION.

>> THEY EXPLAIN THE MANDATORY RELEASE.

>> IT MEANS SOMEONE IS DUE TO END THEIR SENTENCE AT FIVE YEARS AND INSTEAD AT FIVE YEARS, THEY END AT FOUR YEARS AND TWO MONTHS, FOUR YEARS AND SIX MONTHS, WHATEVER AND THE REST OF THEIR TIME OF THE SENTENCE THEY HAVE TO BE ELECTRONICALLY MONITORED.

>> WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE MONITOR.

>> NON-VIOLENT, LOW RISK FOR RECIDIVISM AND THAT'S THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ENFORCE IT.

>> HE SHARES AN EX-INMATES CRIME AND LIKELIHOOD TO REOFFEND DETERMINE HOW LONG AN EX INMATE WEARS THE MONITOR.

>> EVERYBODY IS EVALUATED DIFFERENTLY.

IT DEPENDS ON YOUR RISK ASSESSMENT.

IT'S NOT A COOKIE CUTTER LIKE EVERYONE IS MONITORED FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME.

SOME PEOPLE MAY BE MONITORED THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AND SOME FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AT A TIME DEPENDING ON THEIR RISK ASSESSMENT OF GOING BACK TO JAIL OR PRISON.

>> THE PROGRAM STARTS THE FIRST OF NEXT MONTH.

>> I KNOW INITIALLY YOU'LL HAVE 500 TO 600 OUT OF THE GATE THAT WILL BE MONITORED BUT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME 3,000 TO 4,000 A YEAR.

>> FOR THE DIRECTOR IT COMES DOWN TO THIS.

>> IN MY OPINION, OUR NUMBER ONE MISSION AT PARDON AND PAROLES, THE BUREAU OF PARDON AND PAROLES IS WHAT DO WE DO TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE DOESN'T GO BACK TO PRISON?

SOMETIMES THAT IS HELP, SOMETIMES THAT'S SUPERVISION AND ENFORCEMENT, SOMETIMES TREATMENT, DEPENDING ON THE INDIVIDUAL CASE.

I THINK THIS A GOOD TOOL TO HELP PUBLIC SAFETY, A GOOD TOOL TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

WE HAVE TO BE EFFICIENT AND SMART IN HOW WE DO IT.

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

>>> RECENT STORMS IN ALABAMA HAVE BEEN COSTLY AND DEADLY.

FIRST RESPONDERS EMPHASIZE THAT PEOPLE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO SEVERE WEATHER REPORTS AND TAKE WARNINGS SERIOUSLY.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKIES AND BRIGHT SUNSHINE OVER EAST MONTGOMERY, BUT IF YOU LOOK CLOSER YOU'LL SEE SCENES OF DESTRUCTION.

THIS AREA WAS HIT BY AN EF-1 TORNADO 3:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY MORNING.

CREWS WORKED TO CLEAN UP THE DEBRIS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND START REPAIRS.

DAMAGE AT SEVERAL BASEBALL FIELDS TELL THE STORY OF HOW STRONG AND QUICK THE STORM HIT.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD THE DAMAGE IS MORE STRIKING.

HOMES HIT HARD BY 100-MILE AN HOUR WINDS WERE BLASTED.

CLEANUP CREWS AND RESIDENTS WORKED TO GET THINGS BACK TO NORMAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

FIRST RESPONDERS ARE ON THE SCENE TO HELP WITH THE CLEANUP EFFORT.

MONTGOMERY EMA DIRECTOR IS THERE TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE FIRSTHAND.

>> IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT.

IT ONLY TAKES A TREE TO FALL A CERTAIN WAY, DEBRIS IN YOUR YARD TO COME THROUGH A WINDOW.

SO MANY PEOPLE SAID THEY WERE LAYING IN THEIR BED AND THE GLASS FROM THEIR WINDOWS BLEW ALL OVER THEM.

>> PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE THE WARNINGS SERIOUSLY AND TAKE ACTIONS WHEN HEARING ALERTS.

>> GET TO A SAFE PLACE WHEN YOU HEAR AND I KNOW THE WARNING DIDN'T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH BUT HAVE SOMEBODY PAYING ATTENTION AND STAYING UP AND WATCHING THE WEATHER.

>> THIS EVENT SHOULD SERVE AS A WAKEUP CALL.

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN WE SAY IT IS A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER.

IT IS NOT A CRY WOLF THING.

WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO SAVE LIVES.

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

>> SEVERAL CENTRAL ALABAMA COLLEGES ARE PARTNERING WITH AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO HELP PREVENT CRIME ON CAMPUS.

TROY UNIVERSITY, AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY, HUNTINGDON COLLEGE, FAULKNER UNIVERSITY AND ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO ESTABLISH A LINE OF COMMUNICATION FOR INVESTIGATING CRIME ON CAMPUS AND FOR SHARING EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESOURCES.

>> THERE ARE OTHER CRIMES THAT HAPPEN EVERY DAY, EVERY SECOND IN OUR COUNTRY.

PREDOMINANTLY AMONG 18-24-YEAR-OLDS.

THE AGE HAS JUST BEEN REDUCED 16-24-YEAR-OLDS AND THOSE ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE.

>> THIS WILL ALLOW US TO SHARE RESOURCES TO NOT ONLY TAKE CARE OF A PERSON WHO'S A VICTIM TO GET THEM THROUGH THE INCIDENT BUT PROVIDE FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL BEING AFTER AN INCIDENT.

>> WHAT YOU SEE HERE ON THIS STAGE IS QUITE SIMPLY PARTNERSHIP.

TOGETHER, WITH PARTNERS, COMMUNICATION, WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS ACTION.

WE ARE HERE FOR ACTION.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN HERE IF WE WON'T COMMUNICATE.

NOTHING WILL HAPPEN THAT WILL BE ISOLATED AND KEPT WITH ONE AGENCY.

WE WILL COMMUNICATE.

WE WILL BE BROAD.

WE WILL BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT.

>> THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION SAYS IT RECEIVED 94 APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF LICENSES THE COMMISSION WILL AWARD AND REGULATE.

THERE WERE 12 APPLICATIONS FOR CULTIVATOR LICENSES, 12 FOR PROCESSORS, 18 FOR DISPENSARY, 11 FOR SECURE TRANSPORTER, 3 FOR STATE TESTING LABORATORY AND 38 FOR INTEGRATED FACILITY LICENSES.

THE COMMISSION IS SCHEDULED TO AWARD LICENSES IN EACH LICENSE CATEGORY AT ITS JUNE MEETING.

I'LL SPEAK WITH COMMISSION DIRECTOR JOHN MCMILLAN WHEN WE COME BACK.

YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE.

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

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

NEXT I'M JOINED BY JOHN MCMILLAN, THE DIRECTOR OF THE CANNABIS COMMISSION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> APPRECIATE YOU LETTING US COME BY.

>> I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON BECAUSE IT IS TOPICAL.

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTITIES TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR LICENSES WAS THE 30th.

IT CAME AND WENT AND YOU HAD 94 APPLY.

WALK ME THROUGH HOW IT WENT.

>> IT WENT WELL.

WE WERE A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED THAT SO MANY LICENSES WERE LATE COMING IN.

BUT THAT'S FINE.

TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, WHEN WE GOT TO WORK ON THE MORNING OF THE 30th WE HAD 19 BY THE TIME 4:00 ROLLED AROUND WE HAD 94.

SO THEY DID COME IN AT THE LAST MINUTE.

>> KIND OF LIKE TURNING IN YOUR PAPER.

>> YEAH, SOME REASON.

I DON'T KNOW, SOMETHING ABOUT US HUMAN BEINGS AND DEADLINES.

>> I KNOW WE REPORTED THAT MONDAY THERE WERE ONLY TEN.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY EMAILS I GOT FROM VARIOUS INTERESTED SAYING OH, MY GOODNESS ONLY TEN.

SO A LOT CAME IN LAST MINUTE.

THE LICENSES APPLY TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF INDUSTRY.

YOU HAVE THE CULTIVATOR, DOES THAT MEAN A FARM.

>> THAT'S THE FOLKS THAT GROW IT.

>> A PROCESSOR IS -- >> FOLKS THAT TAKE IT TO THE NEXT STEP AND START TO MAKE PRODUCTS FROM IT.

>> I SEE.

THEN YOU HAVE TRANSPORTER.

YOU NEED A LICENSE FOR THAT BECAUSE THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

DISPENSARY, THOSE ARE THE STORES, I'M GUESSING.

>> THE ONLY WAY IT WILL BE SOLD.

>> THEN AN INTEGRATED LICENSE AND THAT'S THE WHOLE THING.

>> SEED TO SALE.

THAT COVERS THE WHOLE SPECTRUM.

>> THAT MEANS ONE COMPANY OWNS THE FARM, THE PROCESSING, THE TRANSPORTER AND ALL OF THAT.

>> DO THE WHOLE THING.

>> I WAS LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF DISPENSARY APPLICATIONS, 18 COMPANIES APPLIED FOR DISPENSARIES.

THAT NUMBER SEEMED LOW TO ME.

DID YOU HAVE THAT REACTION?

DOES THAT MEAN ONLY 18 DISPENSARIES WILL BE LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE STATE?

>> ACTUALLY, IF THE COMMISSION ISSUES ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE AUTHORIZED TO UNDER LEGISLATION WE WOULD HAVE 37 DISPENSARIES AROUND THE STATE, WHICH IS PROBABLY TOO SMALL.

AT SOME POINT I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO ADD DISPENSARIES.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK THAT.

WILL THERE BE ANOTHER ROUND NEXT YEAR OR IN A COUPLE OF YEARS?

WILL THERE BE ANOTHER CHANCE FOR COMPANIES TO APPLY THAT DIDN'T MAYBE THIS TIME AROUND?

>> THE DISPENSARIES IS THE ONLY AREA THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO ADD AS DEMAND GROWS.

ANY OTHER LICENSES IF THEY ARE GOING TO EXCEED THE NUMBER LEGISLATIVELY AUTHORIZED, IT'S ALL UP TO, LIKE -- WE TALKED ABOUT THE INTEGRATORS.

FIVE, UP TO FIVE IS THE WAY THE LEGISLATION IS WRITTEN.

WE MAY OR MAY NOT ISSUE ALL OF THOSE DEPENDING ON THE QUALITY OF THOSE AND THAT SORT OF THING.

>> AM I CORRECT THAT THESE DISPENSARY WILL GO TO CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES THAT PASSED AN ORDNANCE?

>> THAT'S IN THE LEGISLATION AS WELL.

THE LEGISLATURE SAID THE CITIES AND COUNTIES -- AND/OR COUNTIES HAD TO APPROVE THE LOCATION OF DISPENSARIES.

THAT'S BETWEEN THE -- THE COMMISSION DOESN'T HAVE ANY INVOLVEMENT OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.

WE TRIED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHEN ASKED BY MUNICIPALITIES, COUNCILMEN, WHATEVER.

BUT IT WAS PURELY UP TO THE FOLKS TRYING TO GET LICENSES AND MUNICIPALITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> I THINK YOU SAID OVER 60.

>> RIGHT.

IT DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES ZONING AUTHORITY OR ANY OF THAT SORT OF THING.

THAT'S BETWEEN THE BUSINESS AND THE MUNICIPALITY.

TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THIS PROCESS FROM ACTUALLY GETTING MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO MARKET.

I SAW THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA WAS INVOLVED IN THE EVALUATIONS.

>> YEAH.

LET ME SAY THE COMMISSION AND OUR STAFF ARE THRILLED TO GET THE NEXT STEP.

THIS WAS A BIG ONE TO GET THE APPLICATIONS IN.

NOW, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THEM?

THE STAFF WILL INITIALLY REVIEW THEM AND THE LEGISLATION REQUIRES US, IF WE SEE DEFICIENCIES, TO NOTIFY THE APPLICANT THEY HAVE AN ISSUE AND THEY HAVE THE TIME TO GO BACK AND AMEND OR CHANGE IT.

WE WILL GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND WE HOPE BY THE APRIL MEETING THAT THE COMMISSION WILL BE ABLE TO SAY THIS IS THE NUMBER OF BONA FIDE APPLICANTS WE'VE GOT.

AT THAT POINT, WE WILL MAKE THE LIST PUBLIC OF APPLICATIONS THEY APPROVED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP, WHICH WILL BE THE VALUATION PROCESS.

SO, WE ARE LOOKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA TO IDENTIFY, RECRUIT AND TRAIN EVALUATORS WITH EXPERTISE IN THE DIFFERENT AREAS, LIKE FINANCIAL, BUSINESS PLANNING, SECURITY AND CULTIVATION AND ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT AREAS THAT INDIVIDUAL LICENSES PERTAIN TO.

>> TALK ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA.

WHAT'S THEIR ROLE AND HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

>> NOW THE PRESIDENT DOWN THERE WAS IN THE ADMINISTRATION, AS YOU KNOW, WHEN THE LEGISLATION WAS PASSED, KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT WHAT WENT ON ABOUT THE DEBATE AND WHAT THE LEGISLATORS WERE THINKING AND ALL OF THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

OUR STAFF CAME UP WITH THE IDEA THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD WAY TO GET EVALUATORS IS TO USE THE UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE WITH THEIR EXPERTISE AND OTHER FOLKS, AS WELL.

WE HAVE SOME OTHER EXPERTS, BUT THE NUMBER OF FOLKS ARE CAPABLE OF DOING THAT.

WE RAN IT BY THE PRESIDENT TO SEE WHAT THE THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

BY THE END OF THE CONVERSATION, HE HAD AGREED TO SORT OF HEAD THAT UP AND COMMUNICATE WITH REACHING OUT TO OTHER UNIVERSITIES AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WE HAVE AN MOU TO DO THAT AND WE HAD A CONFERENCE CALL YESTERDAY AND WE ARE PLEASED WITH IT AND THINK THAT'S THE WAY TO GO ABOUT THIS VALUATION PROCESS.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE SAID IT BEFORE BUT I'M GOING TO GET YOU TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS.

WHAT IS THE SOONEST THE MARIJUANA MEDICAL PRODUCTS COULD BE BOUT AND SOLD HERE IN ALABAMA?

WE BELIEVE ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW WE WILL BE READY DECEMBER OR POSSIBLY JANUARY.

OUR TARGET DATE IS DECEMBER OF '23.

>> I'M CURIOUS HOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW THE LAW IS WORKING.

THE PROCESS IS NOT FINISHED BUT THE LEGISLATURE IS ALWAYS TWEAKING THINGS.

I'M CURIOUS IF UP TO THIS POINT YOU HAVE COME ACROSS MAYBE THIS NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED IN THE LAW OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAS THAT HAPPENED OR DO YOU THINK IT IS FURTHER DOWN THE LINE?

>> LET ME GO BACK ONE SECOND AND SAY WE ARE AIMING TO HAVE THE COMMISSION APPROVE THE LICENSES AT OUR JUNE MEETING.

SO, WE HAVE TO START THE PROCESS.

BACK TO YOUR QUESTION.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE'D LIKE TO SEE CHANGED, THE COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED.

WE HAVE LOOKED AT THOSE AND TALKED TO THEM BUT THE NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO GET THE AGENCY AND PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING.

BY DOING THAT, WE THINK PROBABLY SOME OTHER THINGS WILL COME UP AND THAT WE THINK SHOULD BE TWEAKED.

I'LL JUST GIVE YOU A FEW EXAMPLES.

I THINK ALMOST ALWAYS IT'S WISE TO LET THE VARIOUS COMMISSIONS AND AUTHORITIES AND AGENCIES IN THE STATE HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN DECISION-MAKING AND THINGS LIKE WHETHER IT IS FEES OR NUMBER OF LICENSES AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I'M NOT OVERLY CRITICAL OF THEM BUT IT'S ALWAYS EASIER FOR COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND WE HAVE A FANTASTIC COMMISSION TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF THE LEGISLATURE MESSES SOMETHING UP, SOMETIMES IT TAKES TWO OR THREE YEARS TO GET IT FIXED.

SO, THAT'S GOOD.

WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT SENATOR MELSON WILL BE CHAIR OF THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE BECAUSE HE'S OUR CHAMPION IN THE SENATE.

WE HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT.

>> YOU DON'T EXPECT ANY TWEAKS IN THE UPCOMING SESSION, DO YOU?

>> THEY WON'T BE COMING FROM THE COMMISSION.

WE FEEL STRONG WE NEED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING.

I'M SURE THAT WILL ALONE BRING ABOUT SOME IDEAS OF THINGS THAT PROBABLY NEED A LITTLE ADJUSTMENT.

>> I COULD SEE IF SOMEBODY PASSES A BILL MIDSTREAM IT MIGHT CAUSE SOME TUMULT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A REPORT FROM THE JOURNAL ON PEDIATRICS.

IT FOUND A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO ATE A MEDICAL MARIJUANA GUMMY AND HAD TO BE TREATED.

REALLY DRAMATIC INCREASE.

OF COURSE, IN SOME PLACES THESE THINGS LIKE CANDY OR FLINTSTONES VITAMIN OR SOMETHING.

BEFORE THIS COMES TO MARKET, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING IN ALABAMA?

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS BUT LET ME PREFACE THIS GOES BACK TO THE HORRIBLE DRUG PROBLEM COMING ACROSS THE BORDER OF FENTANYL, PURPOSELY DESIGNED TO APPEAL TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND KILLING THE HECK OUT OF THEM.

ANYWAY, IN ALABAMA WE ONLY ALLOW ONE GUMMY, ONE FLAVOR AND AS PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY GOING TO BE SURE THE PACKAGING IS, YOU MIGHT SAY, CHILDPROOF.

WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS.

BUT IT'S NOT GOOD NEWS BUT MORE POSITIVE THING IS THOSE GUMMIES, IF THEY GET AHOLD OF THEM ARE NOT SOMETHING THEY ARE GOING TO OVERDOSE ON AND HAVE DEATHS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

>> THERE'S A LIMIT TO THE THC LEVEL, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHAT'S THAT FLAVOR BY THE WAY?

>> IT IS PEACH.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHEN I WAS A KID THAT WAS NOT MY FAVORITE FLAVOR.

LOOK, A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION ON THIS NEW ENDEAVOR, THIS NEW INDUSTRY IN ALABAMA.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TO EDUCATE OUR VIEWERS.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE US GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ NEXT, I'M JOINED BY RICK PATE, ALABAMA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

GLAD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WHEN WE SAY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER I'M NOT SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE FULL SCOPE OF THE JOB AND OFFICE.

CAN YOU WALK THROUGH WHAT YOUR OFFICE DOES IN THE ROLE OF STATE GOVERNMENT?

>> I'LL TRY TO CONDENSE IT BECAUSE IT TOUCHES EVERYBODY'S LIVES EVERY DAY.

A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS ARE IMPORTANT AND DO IMPORTANT STUFF BUT WE LITERALLY TOUCH EVERY CITIZEN IN ALABAMA'S LIVES MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY WHETHER IT IS FOOD SAFETY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH THE FDA TO PROTECT THE FOOD SAFETY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

PERHAPS IT MAKES HEADLINES IF SOMEONE GETS SICK OR DIES FROM THE FOOD WE ATE, WE HAVE THE SAFEST FOOD SUPPLY SYSTEM IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND.

OBVIOUSLY, WE TOUCH PEOPLE'S LIVES THAT WAY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

SOME PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE STICKERS ON THE GAS PUMPS.

EVERYTHING THAT IS WEIGHED OR MEASURED THAT GOES TO COMMERCE.

WHETHER IT IS BANANAS AT PIGGLY WIGGLY AND THEY GO ON THE SCALE AND SHOWS HOW MUCH THEY WAY, WE REGULATE ALL OF THAT.

WE TOUCH ALL OF THAT.

POULTRY, PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE POULTRY REPRESENTS 12% OF THE ECONOMY IN ALABAMA AND JOBS AND ECONOMIC IMPACT.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID SO FAR GETTING ANY OF THIS AVIAN FLU IN THE POULTRY.

PROUD OF THE STEPS OUR POULTRY INDUSTRY MADE FOR BIOSECURITY.

THAT HASN'T BEEN THE NORM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE HAD TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF POULTRY THAT HAD TO BE DEPOPULATED IN THE MIDWEST.

>> I WANT TO GET TO EGG AND POULTRY HERE IN A MINUTE.

I WANT TO ASK YOU GENERALLY, I KNOW IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS SINCE THE LAST OF THE HARVEST, COTTON CAME IN -- I SAW THE PHOTOS.

I LOVE THE PHOTOS WHEN THE COTTON CROPS COME IN BUT I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE ONLY THING.

ALL KINDS OF CROPS.

IT IS HARD TO GENERALIZE.

A LOT OF PRODUCTS BUT GENERALLY WALK ME THROUGH WHAT KIND OF YEAR IN AGRICULTURE WE HAD IN 2022.

>> I THINK MOST ECONOMISTS WOULD SAY IT WAS A GOOD YEAR.

THE LAST THREE YEARS HAVE BEEN GOOD.

EVERY INDIVIDUAL FARMER HAS A STORY, WHETHER FERTILIZER OR SEED PRICES OR PARTS THEY COULDN'T GET.

IN GENERAL, IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING.

WEATHER MOSTLY COOPERATED.

WE HAD A FAIRLY DRY FALL WHEN PEOPLE WERE PICKING COTTONS AND TRYING TO GET PEANUTS IN.

A LOT OF COMMODITIES ARE SOLD ON A WORLD MARKET AND THINGS HAPPENING IN EUROPE IMPACT US TO THE POSITIVE.

THERE'S TREMENDOUS DEMAND FOR WHEAT BUT REALLY EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING IS TRENDING WELL.

CATTLE HAS BEEN AN OUTLIER.

IT'S BEEN FLAT.

WE'RE SEEING NOW WITH THE DROUGHTS IN THE MIDWEST THAT MORE FEMALES ARE PUT IN THE FEED LOTS.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THAT WILL BE FEWER CALFS BORN THIS SPRING.

SO, IT IS ALL SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

I ANTICIPATE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS THE PRICES CONTINUE TO CLIMB ON THE WHOLESALE LEVEL.

>> YOU MENTIONED FERTILIZER.

I REMEMBER TALKING TO JIMMY PARNELL LAST YEAR.

REALLY AS THAT WAS GOING THROUGH THE ROOF.

HE TALKED ABOUT WHAT A REAL PROBLEM IT WAS FOR A LOT OF FARMERS.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

HAS IT STARTED TO COME COULDN'T THE FERTILIZER PRICES YET?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY IT HAS COME DOWN.

WE WERE AFRAID IN THE SPRING WE COULDN'T GET ENOUGH.

THE SUPPLY PROBLEM.

SO MUCH OF THAT IS ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL.

WE KIND OF GOT THROUGH IT.

OBVIOUSLY, IT IMPACTED THE COSTS.

THEY WERE HIGHER BUT THE COMMODITY PRICES ON THE BACK END ARE GOOD AND MOST FARMERS WERE ABLE TO ABSORB THAT.

I THINK WE DID A BETTER JOB UTILIZING FERTILIZER.

WHEN IT WAS CHEAPER YOU PUT MORE OUT AND NOW YOU TRY NOT TO WASTE ANY.

I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT TO GET A LOT BETTER.

WE MAY HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT LONGER.

>> INTERESTING POINT ABOUT MAKING DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE GOT.

I KNOW THAT HURRICANES, TORNADOES, FLOODS CAN BE A REAL PROBLEM FOR FARMERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WHAT KIND OF YEAR DID WE HAVE IN 2022?

I REMEMBER MICHAEL COMING THROUGH WAS A DEVASTATING THING.

THAT WAS A YEAR OR TWO YEARS AGO.

>> THAT WAS ACTUALLY FOUR YEARS AGO BECAUSE THAT WAS RIGHT BEFORE I CAME IN.

>> OH, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE US A BLOCK GRANT.

WE WERE GOING TO GET THAT MONEY OUT SO FAST TO THE FARMERS IN HOUSTON AND GENEVA AND THOSE COUNTIES AND I THINK THREE YEARS LATER BEFORE WE GOT THE MONEY.

ANYWAY, THAT'S REALLY A FEDERAL PROGRAM, THE WIC PROGRAM FOR THE WILDFIRE, HURRICANE, INSURANCE PROGRAM.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S ONE OF THOSE VARIABLES.

PROBABLY RAIN AND STORMS, ESPECIALLY AT THE WRONG TIME OF THE YEAR ARE BIG VARIABLES THAT FARMERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

>> YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT EGG AND POULTRY AND AVIAN FLU ISSUE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE DONE ADVISORIES ABOUT THIS KIND OF THING.

FOLKS GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND SEE REALLY HIGH PRICES FOR EGGS, KIND OF STICKER SHOCK.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

WHAT'S THE FUTURE HOLD?

>> WELL, YEAH, THAT'S ALL SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

AVIAN FLU HAS HIT THE TABLE EGG PRODUCTION IN THE COUNTRY IN THE MIDWEST.

WE PRODUCE VERY LITTLE IN ALABAMA.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROTECT THE INDUSTRY.

CHICKEN PRICE IN THE GROCERY STORE HAS BEEN FAIRLY STABLE.

THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY SHORTAGE BUT I THINK WE SAW WE DEPOPULATED LIKE 22% OF THE POULTRY THAT PRODUCES TABLE EGGS.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S SUPPLY AND DEMAND THING.

WE HAVE EASTER COMING UP WHEN EGG PRICES SPIKE THE HIGHEST ANYWAY.

SO -- BUT THE DEMAND SEEMS TO BE PRETTY STABLE.

PEOPLE ARE BUYING THEM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE HIGHER.

AND IN DECEMBER A LOT MORE PEOPLE ARE COOKING AND BAKING AND USING EGGS IN MORE INGREDIENTS.

I THINK IT WILL COME DOWN.

IT TAKES YOU FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS TO RAISE A REPLACEMENT CHICKEN TO LAY EGGS AND THE CHICKEN WILL LAY 24 IN A MONTH.

YOU TAKE ONE HEN OUT OF PRODUCTION, IT TAKES 24 EGGS.

NOT LIKE WITH MEAT, YOU USE IT ONE TIME AND IT'S GONE.

IT IS ACTUALLY TAKING A MEANS OF PRODUCTION OUT WHEN YOU DEPOPULATE TABLE EGG CHICKENS.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

WE WERE TALKING EARLIER, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT ALABAMA DOESN'T PRODUCE THAT MANY TABLE EGGS.

IT'S MORE POULTRY FOR MEAT.

>> WE CALL THEM BROILERS.

WE ARE A BROILER STATE.

WHEN I GREW UP WE HAD FOUR BROILER HOUSES.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE ARE AS A STATE AND THE SOUTH IN GENERAL.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SCHOOL NUTRITION.

YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT KIDS ARE EATING CAN BE RAISED FROM THE FARM -- FARM TO THE SCHOOLHOUSE.

TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND HOW HIT CAME ABOUT.

>> WHEN COVID HIT, EVERYBODY REMEMBERS WE WERE GOING TO SEND THE KIDS HOME BUT KEEP FEEDING THEM.

WE WILL HAVE TO GIVE THEM FOOD A WEEK AT A TIME.

SO WE LOOK AND THOUGHT IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALABAMA PRODUCERS.

WELL, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WAS BUYING ALMOST NOTHING FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS AND KIND OF MADE SENSE.

THEY WERE BRINGING IN ALL OF THIS STUFF AND THEY WERE USING BIG DISTRIBUTORS OUT OF ATLANTA AND BIRMINGHAM.

ONE GUY HEARD OF A PROGRAM AND THEY INCENTIVIZED THE CHILD NUTRITIONIST AND THEY WOULD PAY THEM A QUARTER EVERY TIME THEY PUT A LOCAL FOOD PRODUCT ON A CHILD'S PLATE.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT MATH IT WOULD BE 500,000 MEALS OR ITEMS THAT WERE GROWN LOCALLY.

THE GOVERNOR'S PEOPLE SEEMED EXCITED ABOUT IT AND THE LEGISLATURE PASSED IT AND GAVE ME THE APPROPRIATION.

WELL, JUST LIKE WE THOUGHT, IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET THEM STARTED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO BUY LOCAL STRAWBERRIES OR LOCAL FOOD BUT WE DID.

WE WERE ABLE TO FACILITATE THOSE TRANSACTIONS.

WELL, THEY RAN OUT OF MONEY IN FEBRUARY.

WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN HAPPENED.

THEY KEPT BUYING.

>> THE INCENTIVES RAN OUT.

>> THE INCENTIVE RAN OUT BUT THEY HAD BUILT THAT MUSCLE TO SAY AND KNEW WHERE TO GET STUFF.

THE NEXT YEAR WE GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND ASKED FOR 200,000.

WE SAID, LET'S SEE, WE WILL CUT IT FROM A QUARTER TO 20 CENTS AND NOBODY EVER COMPLAINING.

NOW WE WOULD GIVE THEM BACK 20 CENTS.

ANYWAY, THE CURRENT YEAR WE'RE IN NOW WE HAVE $300,000.

SO, WE ARE SO MUCH MORE LOCAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE BEING FED TO OUR CHILDREN.

IT IS SO GRATIFYING.

I WAS DOWN IN ONE COUNTY WITH A FARMER WHOSE CHILDREN WENT TO THAT SCHOOL AND NEVER EATEN ANYTHING OFF OF THE FARM.

YOU GO THERE AND THE FARMER'S CHILDREN ARE THERE AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THEIR FRIENDS AND THE CHILD NUTRITIONIST.

I THOUGHT THE GUY WAS GOING TO CRY.

I ALMOST CRIED.

HE WAS SO EXCITED TO BE SELLING AND THE MONEY -- OBVIOUSLY A BETTER PRODUCT, MORE NUTRITIOUS.

THE AVERAGE FOOD YOU BUY HAS BEEN ON A TRUCK FOR 15, 16 DAYS, BEING MOVED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY IT'S NOT ONLY -- WE CAN ALL AGREE WE WANT CHILDREN TO EAT HEALTHIER, THERE'S NOTHING HEALTHIER THAN LOCALLY GROWN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND THE HELPING THE PRODUCERS.

>> AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

SO MUCH OF OUR FOOD COMES FROM MEXICO.

>> DO YOU THINK YOU WILL COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE COMING UP IN THE SESSION AND ASK FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE?

>> WE DO.

WE ACTUALLY GOT ANOTHER THING ON TOP OF THAT WHERE THE USDA HAD A PROGRAM.

WE GOT $3 MILLION FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THAT MONEY THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR.

WE JUST DONATE THAT.

WE ARE BUYING $3 MILLION.

THAT MONEY WILL PLAY OUT THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE PLAYED OUT THE COTTAGE INDUSTRY OF PEOPLE PRODUCING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND WE DON'T WANT TO PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER THEM.

WE GOT $11 MILLION FROM THE USDA TO GIVE IT TO FOOD BANKS.

THE FOOD PROGRAM GOES ON ANOTHER YEAR.

WE'RE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BUT THE FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM PLAYS OUT THE END OF THIS YEAR SO WE WILL ASK FOR TRANSITIONAL MONEY SO OUR FARMERS THAT HAVE GROWN MORE NOW, WHICH WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE, HAVE A MARKET FOR.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RE-ELECTION AS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

YOUR SECOND TERM BEGINS IN A FEW DAYS.

>> I'VE ALREADY BEEN CALLED A LAME DUCK ONE TIME.

THAT'S A CREEPY FEELING.

>> WE WANT TO HAVE YOU BACK REAL SOON.

>> THANKS.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STACIA ROBINSON, DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU ARE THE NEWLY AND APPOINTED DIRECTOR SWORN IN A COUPLE OF HOURS AGO.

BY GOVERNOR IVEY.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE FROM SMALL BUSINESS?

>> I'M FROM THE WORLD OF SMALL BUSINESS.

I HAVE BEEN A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER SINCE 1991 HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO DO A LOT WITH NOT ONLY THAT BUSINESS THAT I STARTED IN '91, WHICH WAS B AND I INTERNATIONAL.

I OPENED AN INSURANCE AGENCY IN 2000 AND RAN TWO BUSINESSES FOR 15 YEARS.

I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT TO ANYBODY.

I SOLD MY B AND I FRANCHISE IN 2015.

NOW THIS IS A NEW APPOINTMENT, NEW ADVENTURE AND I'M EXCITED TO BRING THAT TO IT.

I ALSO DO A LOT OF VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY.

I HAVE BEEN ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT BOARDS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

I HAVE BEEN ON THE BCA BOARD, BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

THERE'S SEVERAL AND THAT BRINGS A LOT OF PERSPECTIVE FOR ME TO THIS POSITION.

>> TELL US MORE ABOUT THE OFFICE OF MINORITY AFFAIRS.

THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW -- 2016, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> TELL ME ABOUT ITS ROLE IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> IT WAS STOOD UP TO POLICY TO THE GOVERNOR IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR WOMEN AND MINORITIES.

WE HAVE DONE SEVERAL THINGS ON BEHALF OF THIS OFFICE FOR HCBUs, EDUCATION, CO-OP TOURS.

WE HAVE DONE SEVERAL THINGS I'M JUST NOW GETTING MY FEET WET ABOUT.

TUESDAY WAS MY FIRST DAY, AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE IMPACT IN ALL OF THE AREAS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT.

>> I WAS CHECKING OUT THE WEBSITE EARLIER.

YOU TALKED ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE AT HISTORICALLY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT IN ALABAMA, WHICH IS GREAT NEWS.

IF YOU LOOK AT RURAL COMMUNITIES, PLACES WITH PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICANS, IT'S HIGHEST IN THOSE PLACES.

WE HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME IN THIS BUILDING WHEN TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

HOW DO WE GET MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES INTO THOSE RURAL AREAS?

>> I THINK YOU'LL BE SEEING MORE CONNECTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO THOSE AREAS AND CERTAINLY YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC ENGINE THAT DRIVES A COMMUNITY AND IDENTIFY THE PEOPLE THERE WHO CAN WORK WHEN THOSE ENGINES ARE DEVELOPED AND OUGHT TO BE THERE.

I'M EXPECTING WE WILL HEAR MORE SINCE IT IS IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE STATE TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO BUILD UP A COMMUNITY.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC ENGINE, AN EDUCATION BACKGROUND.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS TIE TOGETHER.

I DO KNOW THE GOVERNOR IS PUTTING TOGETHER SOME INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE FOR BROADBAND.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AGAIN, TIE TOGETHER AND CONNECT TO BUILD A COMMUNITY TO BE BETTER.

>> A LOT TO TALK ABOUT WITH BROADBAND.

EVERYBODY SAYS YOU CAN'T REALLY HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, YOU -- IT AFFECTS EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE, UNLESS YOU CAN CONNECT TO THE INTERNET WITH HIGH-SPEED INTERNET.

>> EXACTLY.

YOU ARE SEEING A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE BLACK BELT.

THAT'S HUGE.

THERE'S NOT BEEN A LOT OF MONEY SPENT IN THE RURAL AREA FOR SEWER LINES AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.

I THINK YOU'LL HEAR A LOT MORE ABOUT THAT AND OF COURSE OUR OFFICE WANTS TO BE A PART OF MAKING SURE ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE DONE.

WE ARE GOING TO BASELINE A LOT OF THOSE THINGS AND IDENTIFY WHAT DO WE HAVE IN PLACE?

WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS?

HOW MANY DON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AS YOU ALREADY STATED?

WHAT IS THEIR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACCESS?

THOSE THINGS HAVE TO FIRST BE IDENTIFIED TO WHAT IS SO WE CAN IMPROVE ON THOSE SITUATIONS.

>> IT IS INTERESTING YOU TALK ABOUT THAT.

WE DID SOME REPORTING ON NICK MOORE AND THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS THEY ARE DOING, LOOKING AT BENEFITS CLIFFS AND BASICALLY BARRIERS THAT MAYBE WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF IN THE PAST THAT KEEP PEOPLE FROM ENTERING INTO THE WORKFORCE.

IT'S EXCITING STUFF AND AS I SAID, STUFF WE HAVEN'T CONSIDERED BEFORE.

LET'S SWITCH GEARS.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE RELATIONS IN GENERAL.

IT'S BEEN 2 1/2 YEARS SINCE GEORGE FLOYD, SINCE THE HEIGHT OF THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT RACE RELATIONS HERE IN ALABAMA, NOT THE WHOLE COUNTRY, BUT HAVE RACE RELATIONS GOTTEN BETTER, WORSE, STAYED THE SAME?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> I'D SAY WHAT IS UNIQUE IN ALABAMA ABOUT RACE RELATIONS IS THAT EVERYBODY WHITE KNOWS SOMEBODY BLACK THEY ACTUALLY LIKE AND EVERYBODY BLACK KNOWS SOMEBODY WHITE THAT THEY LIKE.

THEY MAY NOT LIKE BLACK PEOPLE OR WHITE PEOPLE BUT THE IDEA THAT THEY KNOW PEOPLE OF A RACE THEY CAN ACTUALLY TALK TO HELPS THE SITUATION WHEN WE HAVE SOME TOUGH CONVERSATIONS TO HAVE.

AS FAR AS RACE RELATIONS, IT REALLY BOILS DOWN TO MAKING SURE YOU HAVE PEOPLE YOU CAN TRUST WHO ACTUALLY WANT TO SEE THINGS IMPROVE AND KEEP THE CONVERSATIONS GOING AND ADDRESS, IN THIS CASE, ONE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE JUSTICE.

PEOPLE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT THE ACTUAL DYNAMICS ARE AND I'D SAY THERE'S A PERCEPTION ON BOTH SIDES THAT THINGS ARE WORSE, QUITE FRANKLY, BECAUSE YOU SEE THAT IN THE NEWS.

I CAN ALSO SAY THAT THERE ARE EFFORTS FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP IMPROVING CONDITIONS SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO SCREAM AND FIGHT ABOUT IT BEING BAD.

THAT'S A LONG ANSWER FOR IS IT BETTER OR WORSE, I THINK.

AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO BRING DYNAMICS, ISSUES AND NUMBERS TO THE FLOOR WE CAN IMPROVE BIT BY BIT.

>> IT'S A LONG ANSWER BECAUSE IT IS A COMPLICATED SUBJECT.

>> YES.

>> AS WE WERE TALKING OFF CAMERA, I MENTIONED I GREW UP IN PRATTVILLE AND FORGIVE THIS DIGRESSION BUT -- SO, IN HIGH SCHOOL I WAS PRESIDENT AND I WANTED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUES WERE IN THE SCHOOL, I SENT OUT A SURVEY.

IT IS HIGH SCHOOL STUFF, PARKING AND LUNCH FOOD AND ALL OF THIS.

I PUT IN THERE RACE RELATIONS AS AN OPTION.

AND THAT WHAT WAS INTERESTING IS ALL OF THE BLACK KIDS CHOSE -- OR A LOT CHOSE RACE RELATIONS.

NONE OF THE WHITE KIDS DID.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTING.

THAT WAS SO MANY YEARS AGO.

IT IS THE SAME SCHOOL, SAME KIDS.

THEY ARE ALL IN THE SAME CLASS AND SEEING TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SOMETIMES WE TALK PAST EACH OTHER ON THIS ISSUE.

MAYBE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> MAYBE BECAUSE IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE AND THERE'S SOME SPACE TO DISCUSS AWARENESS ON BEHALF OF WHITE PEOPLE THAT HERE'S THE EXPERIENCE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT BLACK PEOPLE DEAL WITH DAY IN AND OUT.

YOU DON'T HAVE A CHANCE BEING BLACK TO NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH BIAS OR PREJUDICE OR, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

I'D SAY ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AS AN EXAMPLE, I KNOW THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THAT IN TERMS OF -- THEY ARE THE FIRST ONES YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF BIAS.

>> SURE.

TRAFFIC STOPS.

>> IT HAPPENS IN THE WORKPLACE, THOUGH.

THERE'S A LOT OF AWARENESS THAT I FEEL LIKE WE, ON BEHALF OF THIS OFFICE, WILL BE ABLE TO BRING TO THE TABLE BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO DO WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE WILLING TO DO IN THE HIGH SCHOOL, TALK ABOUT IT.

I HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION OF YOU WHEN YOU GOT THE SURVEY AND THAT WAS THE ANSWER, WHAT WAS YOUR RESPONSE?

>> WELL, JUST -- IT WAS EYE OPENING.

AGAIN, JUST AS A WHITE STUDENT -- I MEAN, SURE THERE SOMETIMES COULD BE TENSION OR ANYTHING, NOT ACUTE BUT JUST THE AWARENESS THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS PART OF THE STUDENT BODY THOUGHT, IS SEEING SOMETHING I DIDN'T KNOW WAS THAT BIG OF A PROBLEM.

I THINK IT WAS JUST EYE OPENING AND IT'S BEEN SO MANY YEARS AGO.

>> YES.

>> BUT TRYING TO FIND MORE EVENTS WHERE EVERYBODY IS TOGETHER INSTEAD OF IN THEIR OWN CLIQUES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SOME OF THAT STUFF YOU CAN'T AVOID COMPLETELY BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, THE AWARENESS BACK THEN FOR ME IS EYE OPENING.

>> IT IS HELPFUL TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS AMONG PEOPLE TO SAY JUST WHAT YOU SAID.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE AFRAID TO BRING IT UP WHEN THEY MAY BE AFRAID OF RETRIBUTION OF RESPONSE THAT IS NEGATIVE.

THERE'S SOME -- I'D SAY MEDIATION TYPE OF SAFE SPACE PROCESSES AND PROGRAMS THAT I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO BRING TO THE TABLE TO HELP PEOPLE LEARN TO NAVIGATE THIS IN THE WORKPLACE, AT SCHOOL, YOU KNOW AND ALL OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS TO HELP ALABAMA BE BETTER ABOUT THIS.

>> DO YOU THINK THE OFFICE EXIST FOR THAT REASON TO MAKE SURE THE GOVERNOR, CABINET AND LEGISLATURE IS AWARE, THIS ROLE YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE THESE ISSUES AND BRING THEM TO THE FLOOR?

>> I THINK IT IS INNOVATIVE AND KNOWS.

I DO KNOW THE BLACK CAUCUS BROUGHT IT TO THE -- IT'S A BILL THAT THIS OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED.

IT PASSED, OBVIOUSLY AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IT PASSED AND NOW IS SUPPORTED BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN EVERY ASPECT OF ALABAMA SOCIETY TO HELP TO MAKE IT BE A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL CITIZENS.

OF COURSE, THAT INCLUDES WOMEN, MINORITIES, ALL MINORITIES AND EVERYONE HAS TO FEEL -- NOT HAVING TO ANSWER A SURVEY LIKE YOU DID TO THAT IT IS STILL A PROBLEM.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE AN OFFICE SUCH AS THIS.

>> YOU MENTIONED WOMEN'S ISSUES SO I WANT TO SWITCH TO THAT.

THE WAGE GAP IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT COMES TO WOMEN.

THERE'S A WAGE GAP TASK FORCE THAT HAS BEEN WORKING THE LAST YEAR ON PROPOSALS THEY WILL BE OFFERING TO LEGISLATORS AND POLICY THINGS, SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, I SUPPOSE.

THE QUESTION IS, WHAT CAN GOVERNMENT DO TO CLOSE THAT WAGE GAP?

WE'RE A FREE SOCIETY, CAPITALIST SOCIETY.

IS IT MORE GOVERNMENT?

MORE SOCIETAL?

A COMBINATION OF THE TWO?

>> I THINK IT IS A COMBINATION OF THE TWO AND THINK IT STARTS WITH THE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OF IT.

PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN, I KNOW THERE'S A BOOK THAT I'VE READ CALLED "WOMEN DON'T ASK."

IT TALKS ABOUT THE FACT THAT WOMEN, BECAUSE OF HOW WE ARE ACCULTURATED TO TAKE CARE OF THE HOME, WE DON'T NECESSARILY ASK -- WHEN IT IS TIME TO ASK FOR A SALARY WE DON'T ASK FOR AN INCREASE.

MEN AUTOMATICALLY GO IN AND NEGOTIATE THEIR SALARY.

WELL, IF YOU GO TO WORK AND WE BOTH HAVE THE SAME EDUCATION AND WHEN IT'S TIME TO NEGOTIATE FOR YOUR SALARY I DON'T ASK AND YOU DO, WE ALREADY START BELOW.

>> THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

>> WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE UP THE GAP DIFFERENCE IF WE, AS WOMEN, DON'T LEARN TO ASK AND BE AWARE THAT WE SHOULD ASK WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT WOMEN ARE ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A LOT OF THE RESOURCES THAT ALSO, UNFORTUNATELY EXTENDS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

IT TURNS OUT OF ALL OF THE VENTURE CAPITAL WOMEN ONLY ASK FOR 3% OF VENTURE CAPITAL AVAILABLE.

THEY MAY BE STARTING BUSINESSES AND ALL OF THAT.

IT IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR US TO MAKE WOMEN AWARE OF HOW TO ASK, NEGOTIATE FOR A SALARY AND NOT ONLY FOR SALARY, IT'S EVEN CONDITIONS.

>> SURE.

>> FLEXIBILITY.

THINGS LIKE THAT THAT I WANT TO BE HOME.

GUYS, YOU ALL ARE GOOD ABOUT ASKING ABOUT THAT.

THE BOOK GOES INTO AN INTERESTING DETAIL TO SHOW HOW IT HAPPENS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WOMEN ARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HOME, DOESN'T HOW MUCH YOU MAKE, RICH OR POOR.

WE TAKE IT PERSONALLY HOW OUR HOUSE LOOKS AND IF PEOPLE COME OVER AND ALL OF THAT.

AND MEN ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING HOME THE BACON AND GETTING THE YARD CUT.

YOU'LL PAY A GUY TO DO THE YARD IN A MINUTE BUT WOMEN WON'T LET ANYBODY COME IN THERE.

YOU ARE USED TO IT BEING SEPARATE FROM YOU AND DON'T MAKE IT PART OF YOUR IDENTITY HOW MUCH YOU ARE GETTING PAID.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WAGE GAP ISSUE OVER TIME, IT HASN'T CHANGED MUCH AT ALL OVER THE HISTORY OF WOMEN WORKING BETWEEN HOW -- I THINK -- I BELIEVE THE NUMBER IS 75% ON THE DOLLAR OF WHAT MEN MAKE.

IT STAYS LOW EVEN THOUGH WE ARE ASKING FOR THE WAGE GAP TO BE CLOSED.

WE HAVE TO START EARLIER TALKING TO WOMEN AND HAVING THEM BE AWARE OF HOW TO ASK FOR WHAT THEY NEED FOR DOING THE SAME KIND OF WORK.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

THE ISSUE OF CHILD CARE I THINK REALLY -- I THINK COVID REALLY PUT THAT IN THE FACE OF A LOT -- >> IT DID.

>> AND COMING BACK TO WORK AFTER COVID SPECIFICALLY.

BECAUSE SUDDENLY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO BE BACK IN THE OFFICE BUT SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> RIGHT.

>> I ACTUALLY THINK I WOULD BRING TO THE CONVERSATION A PERSPECTIVE THAT I THINK IS INTERESTING AND THAT'S THE MILITARY.

AS FAR AS CHILD CARE IS CONCERNED, THE MILITARY OFFICE HAS BEEN INNOVATIVE IN THAT VERY KIND OF THING.

THEY MAKE CHILD CARE AVAILABLE ON A SLIDING SCALE TO ALL OF ITS MEMBERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE AT WORK.

JUST THE CONCEPT OF MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYBODY.

OF COURSE, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND THAT'S ANOTHER ASPECT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

THERE'S A LOT OF ASPECTS AND LAYERS TO THAT VERY QUESTION.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING CAN IDENTIFY WITH THIS.

I KNOW WE ARE GOING LONG BUT WHILE I HAVE YOU I WANT TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION.

THAT'S WITH ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR PLANKS.

IT'S FUNNY.

THE NEW LEGISLATURE IS COMING AND THEY WERE HERE A COUPLE OF WEEKS GOING THROUGH ORGANIZATION.

WE GOT TO MEET THE NEW LAWMAKERS.

IT WAS INTERESTING, REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, WHITE, BLACK, WHEN YOU ASKED ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE THEY SAID EDUCATION.

THEY WANT TO IMPROVE EDUCATION.

SOME HAVE SPECIFIC SCHOOL PROBLEMS.

WE ALSO REPORTED ON SOME INTERESTING THINGS GOING ON HERE IN MONTGOMERY WITH CONVERSION CHARTER SCHOOLS.

IT'S NOT A NEW SCHOOL.

THIS IS AN EXISTING SCHOOL.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THEY ARE REDOING THE BASICS.

IT SEEMS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT LEAST IN THE EARLY STAGES.

DO YOU THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE REPLICATED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATES?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY REPLICATED AS MUCH AS MORE AWARE OF.

PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF HOW IT IS SUCCESSFUL AND WHAT ELEMENTS MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL.

ONE THING TO AVOID AS YOU TALK ABOUT A PROGRAM OR PROCESS TO PUT IN PLACE IS NOT START OUT BY HAVING PEOPLE BE DEFENSIVE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

REALLY I THINK IT BOILS DOWN TO, THE SUCCESS OF WHAT I'VE SEEN AT DAVIS, THAT'S ONE OF THE FIRST ONES, CONVERSION CHARTER, IS THAT THE DOLLAR SPENT IS THE SAME DOLLAR FOR EVERY KID.

EVERYBODY HAS EQUITY IN WHAT'S BEING PROVIDED FOR RESOURCES, TEACHERS AND FUNDS.

I THINK THAT'S THE KEY TO CHANGING SOME THINGS YOU SEE IN EDUCATION.

YOU HAVE A HUGE DISPARITY IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS RELATED TO RACE, BUT IT ALSO IS RELATED TO ECONOMICS, POVERTY AND ALL OF THAT.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO INVEST MORE.

>> EXACTLY.

THOSE ARE THE OTHER ELEMENTS THAT SOMETIMES DON'T SEEM TO BE DISCUSSED WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE EDUCATION.

I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT NO ONE PROGRAM IS THE WAY TO DO IT.

I'D SAY MOST OF ALL IT IS OUR MINDSET AS A SOCIETY.

WE HAVE TO DECIDE THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES QUALITY EDUCATION.

UNTIL WE DO THAT, IT'S GOING TO BE A FIGHT ALL THE TIME.

>> YEAH.

LONG-STANDING ISSUE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED THIS CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK ON SOON.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> CREATED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS ON MAY 18, 1933, THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY OR TVA IS THE NATION'S LARGEST PUBLIC POWER COMPANY AND A WORLD RENOWNED AGENCY IT OPERATES HYDRO ELECTRIC DAMS AND COAL AND MANAGES THE TENNESSEE RIVER FOR FLOOD CONTROL, NAVIGATION, RECREATION AND WATER QUALITY.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:30 AND SUNDAY AT NOON RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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