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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE ARE JUST DAYS AWAY FROM THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND ALREADY THE HALLS OF STATE GOVERNMENT ARE BUSTLING WITH ACTIVITY.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL CONVENE ON TUESDAY FOR THE LAST REGULAR SESSION OF THIS TERM THAT HAS BEEN LARGELY DOMINATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

MONEY MATTERS WILL TAKE PRIORITY EARLY ON, FROM THE STATE'S EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND BUDGETS TO THE $580 MILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS SET TO BE ALLOCATED.

IN FACT, THERE IS TALK OF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY CALLING FOR A SPECIAL SESSION WITHIN THE REGULAR SESSION TO FOCUS LAWMAKERS ATTENTION SOLELY ON THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID SEPARATING THAT FUNDING FROM THE OTHER LEGISLATIVE TASKS COULD BE EFFECTIVE.

>> I THINK THAT'S A GOOD DISCUSSION.

I THINK THAT HAVING THOSE KINDS OF REVIEWS, THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO SEPARATE THE ARPA FUNDS AND THE ALLOCATION AND PROCESS OF DEALING WITH THOSE IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO DO.

I'LL TALK WITH SENATOR REED IN MORE DETAIL LATER IN THE SHOW.

THE LEGISLATURE'S PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY EACH YEAR IS PASSING THE STATE'S EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND BUDGETS THAT FUND THE RANGE OF STATE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT REVENUE PROJECTIONS ARE STRONG AND THAT THE STATE COULD AGAIN SET SPENDING RECORDS THIS YEAR.

BUT, HE WARNS THAT LAWMAKERS SHOULD BE PRUDENT WITH THE BUDGETS UNDERSTANDING THAT LEANER TIMES COULD BE AHEAD.

>> WE'RE SEEING HISTORICALLY JUST SHOCKINGLY POSITIVE BUDGETS IN SOME SENSE.

AGAIN THIS IS RELATING BACK THOUGH TO I THINK THIS ONSLAUGHT OF FEDERAL FUNDS THAT IS PUSHING ACROSS THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ECONOMY.

SO WE'RE SEEING SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN BOTH BUDGETS.

IT'S HISTORICAL, IT'S EXPONENTIAL.

IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

>> WHICH I WILL TALK WITH MR.

POOL ABOUT THIS AND OTHER ISSUES LATER IN THE SHOW.

JUST AS LAWMAKERS ARE SET TO GATHER IN MONTGOMERY, THE OMICRON VARIANT OF COVID-19 IS SPIKING.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AS MUCH AS 42 PERCENT OF COVID TESTS ARE COMING BACK POSITIVE.

IN THE CAPITAL CITY, THAT RATE IS AS HIGH AS 50 PERCENT.

AS OF FRIDAY, MORE THAN 1,500 ALABAMIANS ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH THE VIRUS, WHICH IS ABOUT DOUBLE FROM A WEEK AGO.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS SAYS THE HIGHLY-TRANSMISSIBLE VARIANT IS PUTTING A STRAIN ON HOSPITALS.

>> REALLY THE TAKE-HOME POINT FROM WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE OMICRON VARIANT THAT IS BECOMING THE PREDOMINANT VARIANT IN THIS COUNTRY IS INCREDIBLY CONTAGIOUS, MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN THE DELTA AND MANY TIMES MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN ANYTHING WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN THE ORIGINAL STRAIN WE HAD TWO YEARS AGO, ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO.

AND IT IS JUST SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE.

IT WILL INFECT EVERYONE IN THE STATE AT SOME POINT PROBABLY.

>> I'LL TALK MORE WITH DR. HARRIS HERE IN A BIT.

OMICRON IS CERTAINLY ON THE MINDS OF STATE LEADERS AS THE PREPARE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, STATE HOUSE OFFICIALS ARE HAVING TO SET PROTOCOLS FOR HOW LAWMAKERS, STAFF AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN INTERACT DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THE FULL STORY ON WHAT TO EXPECT COME TUESDAY.

>> THE ALABAMA STATEHOUSE WHERE LAWMAKERS PASS STATE LAWS IS ALSO CALLED THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

BUT THE ARRIVAL THE COVID-19 NORTHEASTERLY TWO YEARS AGO PROMPTED ACCESS LIMITATIONS, AND THE PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY PACK THE BUILDINGS WERE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN.

>> NOW THAT BOTH THE DELTA AND OMICRON COVID VARIANTS ARE A FACTOR, WE HAD TO ASK: WHAT WILL BE THE STATEHOUSE'S RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT STARTS NEXT WEEK?

THE ALABAMA SENATE SAYS THEY WILL BE THE RESTRICT ACCESS AND THEY ARE ASKING EVERYONE TO BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS.

>> THEY HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED IF THEY WEAR THEIR MASK AROUND PEOPLE, IF THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED TO BE CAREFUL.

>> HARRIS SAYS THERE WILL BE FEWER SEATS IN THE COMMITTEE ROOMS BUT MORE OVERFLOW SPACES.

>> WHICH WILL HAVE AUDIO AND VIDEO CAPABILITY TO WATCH WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> HE ADDS: THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL GROUPS WILL BE LIMITED.

>> NERDS WE DON'T WANTED THREE OR FOUR FOURTH-GRADE CLASSES IN THE GALLERY AT ONE TIME.

>> ON THE OTHER HAND THE ALABAMA HOUSE IS REQUIRING MASKS IN ALL OF IT'S COMMON AREAS BUT THEY SAY -- >> THE PUBLIC HAS HAD ACCESS TO THE STATEHOUSE BUILDING NOW FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

>> AND SOME HOUSE MEMBERS MAY SIT IN THE CHAMBER WHILE OTHERS MAY NOT.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS, AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW, WHO ARE OLDER, AND SOME ARE COMPROMISED.

SO SOME OF THEM MAY WANT TO GO BACK UP STAIRS AND VOTE REMOTELY.

THEY CAN LISTEN TO THE DEBATE AND WATCH THE DEBATE FROM UPSTAIRS IN A SEPARATE ROOM AND STILL VOTE: THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE HERE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE LEGISLATURE IN ACTION.

EVERYBODY AGREES ON THAT.

BUT WE ALSO INTEND TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE.

THAT IS AN OVERRIDING CONCERN.

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

WHETHER YOU ARE INSIDE THE STATE HOUSE OR AT HOME, A NEW LEGISLATIVE WEBSITE IS NOW ONLINE PROVIDING EASIER ACCESS TO THE LEGISLATURE'S ACTIVITIES.

STATE HOUSE OFFICIALS LAUNCHED THE NEW SITE THIS WEEK AND SAY IT OFFERS A MORE USER-FRIENDLY INTERFACE FOR TRACKING BILLS, CONTACTING LAWMAKERS OR STREAMING PROCEEDINGS ONLINE.

>> IT'S EASIER TO NAVIGATE ON YOUR PHONE, IPAD OR PERSONAL COMPUTER.

IT CONCLUDES ALL OF THE INFORMATION FROM THE HOUSE, THE SENATE, FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AND THE AND THENAR'S OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

THE DROP DOWN MEN USE ARE EASY TO LOOK AT TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR LEGISLATOR, HOUSE OR SENATE OR CONFIRMATIONS OR CONTRACT REVIEW INFORMATION AS WELL AS VIDEO STREAMING COMMITTEES AS WELL AS BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBER.

>> YOU CAN ACCESS THE SITE AT LEGISLATURE.AL.US.

LET'S NOT FORGET IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR, AND THAT MEANS STATE LAWMAKERS WILL WANT TO FOCUS ON BILLS IMPORTANT TO THEIR VOTERS BACK HOME.

THIS WEEK WE BEGAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT SPECIFIC BILLS WE MIGHT SEE DEBATED DURING SESSION.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WAS FIRST OUT OF THE GATE WITH ITS AGENDA FULL OF RED MEAT ISSUES.

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

Reporter: NEW YEAR, NEW REGULAR SESSION.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS WASTING NO TIMES ANNOUNCING THEIR PLANS FOR 2022.

>> THE THEME FOR IT IS STANDING TALL FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> A NEW EXTENSION OF THE CAUCUS IS CREATED TO HELP HANDLE THEIR AGENDA.

ITS CHAIR BY REPRESENTATIVE RANDALL SHED.

>> THE ALABAMA HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WILL APPROVE LEGISLATION TO BAN CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND OTHER EXTREMIST SOCIAL DOCTRINE FROM BEING TAUGHT IN THE STATE'S TAXPAYER FUNDED PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

THE ALABAMA HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS HAS ALREADY ENACTED THE NATION'S STRONGEST PRO-LIFE LAYOFF AND WILL BEGIN THE PROCESS TO STREAMLINE, CLARIFY AND IMPROVE THE ADOPTION PROCESS.

THE ALABAMA HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WILL PASS CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY LEGISLATION THOUGHTFULLY EMBRACES THE TENANTS OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND ALLOWS LAW-ABIDINGS ALABAMIANS TO CARRY FIREARMS WITHOUT FIRST HAVING TO PAY A GUN TAX.

>> SOME ITEMS ON THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN STANDING TALL FOR ALABAMA AGENDA ARE THINGS THAT HAVE APPEARED BEFORE: A BAN ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY, A PROPOSAL FOR CONCEALED GUN CARRY AND PRO-LIFE BILL.

AND THERE ARE OTHER NEW BILLS.

AMONG THEM WILL BE A NEW STRATEGY THE HOUSE GOP HAS FOR PRESENTING THEIR PROPOSALS.

>> BASICALLY HAVING TEAMS OF LAWMAKERS TO HELP USHER THEIR BILLS THROUGH THE HOUSE.

>> I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU'RE SPONSORING A BILL A LOT OF TIMES YOU'RE TIED UP AT THE MICROPHONE SO YOU'RE NEEDING HELP.

SO WORKING TOGETHER TO GET THE JOB DONE.

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

>> WE'LL HAVE THE DEMOCRATS' AGENDA ON NEXT WEEK'S SHOW.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT ON THE YOU CAN'T MEAN SENATOR GREG REED, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE ALABAMA SENATE.

SENATOR, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> TODD, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, MY FRIEND.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

AND THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

HERE WE ARE YET AGAIN.

IT IS GOING TO BE THE THIRD YEAR OF THIS QUADRENNIUM WHERE COVID-19 SEEMS TO BE KIND OF SURGING RIGHT AS THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING UNDER WAY.

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO CONVENE IN A FEW DAYS.

AS THE LEADER HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT THE SESSION WILL GO AS PLANNED WITHOUT SOME KIND OF DELAY OR DISRUPTION YET AGAIN?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY THE CORONAVIRUS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCE FOR OUR STATE.

IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT FOR US INDIVIDUALLY.

FAMILIES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED AND AFFECTED.

WE HAVE HAD MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE LEGISLATURE, THE STAFF THAT HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED AND HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GONE FROM NOT HAVING VERY MANY ISSUES AT ALL DURING OUR REGULAR SO HE GOES TO A SITUATION WHERE WE HAD THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS QUADRENNIUM.

WE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A SESSION AT ALL.

WE CAME IN FOR A WEEK AND PASSED THE BUDGETS VERY EFFECTIVELY, AND WE'RE NOT HERE.

SO WOULD YOU SAY I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER.

WE WILL SEE.

I CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, PRAY TO THE LORD JESUS THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND NOT GET WORSE.

BUT WE HAVE HAD SOME EXPERIENCE WITH THIS.

SO I THINK THAT WE CAN TRUST THAT WISE DECISIONS WILL BE MADE.

.BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA HAS TO CONTINUE.

THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COME TO THE STATEHOUSE AND BE A PART OF THE PROCESS.

I THINK WE WILL IMPLEMENTED SOME PROTOCOLS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN USING TO TRY TO HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, BUT THE WORK MUST GO ON.

SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST TASKS YOU FACE AS A LEGISLATURE IS ALLOCATING SOME 580 MILLION OF THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS, THESE FEDERAL FUNDS.

IS THERE A PLAN FOR THAT AND IF SO, WHEN WILL WE SEE A PLAN FOR THAT?

>> WELL, THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND THOSE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE BENEFICIAL FOR ALABAMIANS, WHETHER THAT'S WATER OR SEWER PROJECTS IN INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES, REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES FOR HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES, LOOKING FORKING AT OTHER PROJECTS, WORTHY PROJECTS TO WHERE THESE RESOURCES CAN BE UTILIZED FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR STATE.

THESE RESOURCES ARE COMING CERTAINLY AS A RESULT OF THE VIRUS AND SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES THAT HAVE BEEN OURS TO DEAL WITH AS A RESULT OF CORONAVIRUS.

IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE, I THINK, THE TOP PRIORITY OF THE SESSION EARLY ON.

WE'RE GOING TO GET RIGHT INTO THE ISSUE OF BEING ABLE TO MANAGE HOW THOSE RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED.

IT'S THE LEGISLATURE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO APPROPRIATE THOSE FUNDS, AND WE'RE GOING TO NEED THE HELP OF SOME STATED AGENCIES.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED THE HELP CERTAINLY OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE BUT IT WILL EARLY ON BY AN IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR US.

I THINK THERE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE THREE PRIMARY TOPICS WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON AS AREAS THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT.

ONE OF THEM IS GOING TO BE THESE RECOVERY ACT RESOURCES.

NUMBER TWO IS GOING TO BE STATE BUDGETS.

THAT'S OUR NUMBER ONE CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THE VIRUS, WE'VE GOT A SITUATION WHERE STATE BUDGETS ARE HEALTHY SO THERE'S GOING TO BE RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN STATE BUDGETS.

>> SO THAT'S A GOOD SITUATION.

BUT ONE THING THAT COMES UP WITH THAT, TODD, IS THAT WE HAVE TO BE VERY COGNIZANT OF NOW IS THAT WE DON'T WANT THERE TO BE A SITUATION WHERE WE ALLOCATE RESOURCES IN ONE AREA OF GOVERNMENT OR ONE AREA TO HELP PARTICULAR COMMUNITIES OR WHATEVER AND THEN WE WIND UP DOUBLE THAT EFFORT IN THE EDUCATION OR THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

SO I THINK THE BUDGET CHAIRS HAVE BEEN VERY DILIGENT IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING TO LOOK AT HOW DO WE KEEP THE ARPA FUNDS SEPARATE IN THEIR ASSOCIATION AND BENEFIT TO THE PEOPLE FROM REGULAR GENERAL FUND AND EDUCATION BUDGET RESOURCES SO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT DUPLICATING THOSE EFFORTS.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIRED TO GET THAT DONE.

>> SPEAKING OF BUDGETS AND THESE ARPA FUNDS, THERE HAS BEEN TALK OF A SPECIAL SESSION PERHAPS TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH THESE FEDERAL FUNDS, KIND OF LIKE WHAT HAPPENED THREE YEARS AGO WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

HOW LIKELY IS THAT.

HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO THE GOVERNOR?

MIGHT WE SEE A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> I THINK THAT'S A GOOD DISCUSSION.

I THINK HAVING THOSE KINDS OF REVIEWS -- THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO SEPARATE THE ARPA FUNDS AND THE ALLOCATION AND PROCESS OF DEALING WITH THOSE IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO DO IN THIS LAST SESSION OF THE QUADRENNIUM.

SO I THINK THAT THAT IS A TOPIC THAT MAY BE DISCUSSED AS AN IDEA, CERTAINLY AS A SPECIAL SESSION IS ONLY THE DECISION OF THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA.

BUT I THINK HAVING AN ABILITY TO SEPARATE THOSE OFFERS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE THEM AND BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALLOCATE THEM CORRECTLY NOT ONLY LOOKING AT THE PROCESS FOR THE ALMOST 600 MILLION THAT WE HAVE NOW BUT ALSO THERE WILL BE 1.1 BILLION OF RESOURCE COMING FROM RECOVERY ACT FUNDS THAT WILL COME TO ALABAMA IN THE SUMMER OF '22 SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOKING AT A PROCESS THAT CAN MANAGE THAT AS WELL.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT ARPA AND THE BUDGETS.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER TOP PRIORITIES FOR YOU, FOR YOUR CAUCUS OF SENATE REPUBLICANS FOR THIS 2022 SESSION?

>> I TELL YOU SOMETHING, TODD, THAT I WANT TO BE VERY SENSITIVE TO.

CERTAINLY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, I WANT TO BE A SERVANT TO MY MEMBERS.

AS YOU RECALL, THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS QUADRENNIUM WHICH IS THE YEAR MANY TIMES YOU WIND UP WITH MEMBERS BEING ABLE TO OFFER THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN THEIR DISTRICTS BACK HOME, WE DIDN'T HAVE A SECOND SESSION.

WE WERE HERE VERY BRIEFLY TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE BUDGETS, BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS, THEN WE WERE GONE.

I DON'T WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE MEMBERS IF THEY'VE OFFERED LEGISLATION LAST YEAR, THEY WANT TO OFFER LEGISLATION AGAIN THIS YEAR ON ISSUES THAT ARE MODERN TO THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT TO BE DONE AND BE DEBATED.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE MEMBERSHIP.

I THINK THEY'RE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT KIND OF AN ATTITUDE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IN THAT YOUR GOING TO SEE SECOND AMENDMENT ISSUES, SEE ISSUES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH JOB CREATION.

THERE GOING TO BE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RELATED THEMES.

THERE WILL BE ALL KINDS OF TOPICS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING THAT ARE BECOMING TO THE MEMBERS AND I WANT US TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO LISTEN TO THOSE, DEBATE THOSE AND EVALUATE THOSE APPROPRIATELY.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY YEAR, WE TALK ABOUT GAMBLING LEGISLATION OR WE HEAR ABOUT GAMBLE LEGISLATION AND THIS YEAR IS CERTAINLY NO EXCEPTION.

WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT BILLS THAT MIGHT BE COMING.

AND LAST YEAR IT CAME PRETTY CLOSE, PASSED THE SENATE A COUPLE OF TIMES, ALMOST PASSED THE HOUSE.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS, IF YOU WILL, THAT A GAMBLING BILL COULD GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR, GIVEN THAT IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND TO A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES ARE ON THE TABLE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT JUST -- IF YOU HAVE WATCHED THE LEGISLATURE OVER TIME, YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THINGS THAT ARE VERY CONTROVERSIAL MANY TIMES ARE NOT DEALT WITH DURING THE LAST YEAR OF A QUADRENNIUM.

DURING AN ELECTION SEASON.

YOU KNOW, BUT I THINK IT'S SOCK THAT WE ALL ARE AWARE OF FROM THE DATA FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS AS MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON GAMING AND A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PACKAGE IN OUR STATE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE PASSED IT IN THE SENATE IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND IT DID NOT MOVE FORWARD NOT HOUSE.

I DO NOT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOMES WILL BE AT THIS POINT.

I KNOW WE HAVE GOT MEMBERS THAT ARE TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATION RELATED TO GAMING IN THE SENATE THIS YEAR SO WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH IT.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT BEING AN ELECTION YEAR AND A LOT OF TIMES THAT MEANS RED MEAT ISSUES OF LAWMAKERS PROPOSING AND WANTING TO DEBATE ISSUES THAT REALLY MALE TO THE BASE OF THEIR PARTY.

AS THE SENATE LEADER, HOW CAN YOU BALANCE THAT VERSUS THE NEED TO -- YOU KNOW, THE MORE POLITICAL ISSUES VERSUS THE NEED TO GET THE REGULAR BUSINESS DONE, THE BUDGETS AND THE TOP-LEVEL ISSUES?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT I WANT MEMBERS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROPOSE AND TO DEBATE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AND NORTHERN THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND IMPORTANT TO FOLKS BACK HOME.

I THINK IT WILL BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO WORK ON ARPA FUNDS EARLY, BE ABLE TO START MANAGING THAT PROCESS, GET THE BUDGET PROCESS MOVING QUICKLY SO THAT WE CAN WORK ON THE THINGS THAT ARE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITIES AND THEN OFFER AS MUCH TIME NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THESE OTHER ISSUES, NOT THAT THEY WILL NOT BE GOING ON IN COMMITTEE AND WON'T BE GOING ON IN OTHER WAYS MOVING FORWARD DURING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, BUT BE SABLE TO GO AHEAD AND WORK ON THOSE THINGS EARLY THAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES FOR THE BODY, AND THEN BE ABLE TO OFFER AS MUCH TIME AS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE THE PRIORITIES FOR THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR SECOND REGULAR SESSION AS THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE SENATE, EVEN THOUGH IT KIND OF FEELS LIKE LONGER WHEN YOU COULDN'T ALL OF THE SPECIAL SESSIONS AND EVERYTHING.

IN YOUR SECOND YEAR HOW IS IT GOING?

HOW IS THE JOB SUITING YOU?

>> WELL, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THE JOB.

THE ROLE AS PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE SENATE IS A JOB THAT COMES WITH A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND I TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

IT'S CERTAINLY A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO BE ELECTED IN THIS POST BY MY COLLEAGUES SO I WANT TO SERVE THEM AND THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

I THINK TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP TRAINS RUNNING ON TIME A LOT OF TIMES IS A CHALLENGE.

BUT I'VE GOT IN GREAT HELP WITH THE MAJORITY LEADER, SENATOR SCOFIELD AND THE MINORITY LEADER SINGLETON WHO DO A GREAT JOB IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAUCUSES HELPING US MOVE THINGS IN ORDER.

I HAVE A GREAT STAFF OF FOLKS THAT WORK WITH ME AND TRYING TO SERVE THE MULTIPLE AND MAKING SURE THINGS ARE RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

SO IT'S BEEN A GOOD OPPORTUNITY.

I HAVE LEARNED QUITE A BIT ALREADY IN THIS JOB AS WHEN YOU TAKE ON SOMETHING THAT HAS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND YOU WANT TO DO A GOOD JOB WITH IT, YOU WANT MAKE SURE THAT YOU FOCUS ON THE AREAS THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE THAT THEY'RE BEING APPROPRIATELY SERVED IN THE JOB THAT IS BEING DONE AND THAT'S WHAT I HOPE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE SEE.

I'VE ENJOYED A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SPEAKER AND THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE, LEADERSHIP AND THE HOUSE, AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN THIS ROLE.

YOU CAN'T GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO BE A COLLABORATOR.

LOOK FOR WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER RATHER THAN BE IN OPPOSITION, AND SO I HAVE TRIED TO DO THAT IN THE ROLE AND IT HAS SERVED ME WELL THUS IF A ARE SO WE WILL STAY AT IT, MY FRIEND.

I'M EXCITED TO BE IN THE JOB AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

>> THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WE'RE JOINED BY ANTHONY DAMAGES, THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, DUE TO COVID CONCERNS HE JOINS US VIRTUALLY.

MR.

DAMAGES THANK YOU FOR BEING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD, AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LET ME JUST ASK DUE TO THE COVID SITUATION, LET ME ASK YOU, HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

>> FEELING MUCH BETTER.

I THINK THIS SECOND GO AROUND OF HAVING COVID AND BEING VACCINATED IS CERTAIN LAY BETTER CROSS THAN THE FIRST TIME SO I'M CERTAINLY APPRECIATIVE OF BEING VACCINATED AND NOT HAVING THE SYMPTOMS THAT I HAD DURING THE LAST CHRISTMAS EVE OF 2020 SO IT'S CERTAINLY A MUCH LIGHTER SITUATION THAN IT WAS THEN.

>> WELL, I'M GLAD TOO HEAR THAT.

AND WITH THIS OMICRON VARIANT SWEEPING THE STATE, THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER HAS CALLED IT SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE, AND THE SESSION, THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS JUST DAYS AWAY, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR MEMBERS, YOUR CAUCUS MEMBERS ABOUT THE SESSION COMING COVID ON THE RISE?

ARE THERE CONCERNS ABOUT MEET.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SOME CAUCUS MEMBERS ARE TAKING CARE OF FAMILY MEMBERS OR TAKING CARE OF A SPOUSE THAT HAVE UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THEY WANT TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT IT SO THEY'RE ASKING QUESTIONS AND WANTING TO SEE IF IN FACT THEY'RE ABLE TO GO BACK TO A SIMILAR PROCESS THAT WE HAD APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO.

AND I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

THAT'S CERTAINLY A DECISION THAT WILL HAVE TO BE MADE BIT THE SPEAKER AND THE LEADERSHIP, BUT NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE PROTOCOLS ARE GOING TO BE, AND WE'RE GOING IN THE SESSION ON TUESDAY.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THIS SESSION CAN GO OFF WITHOUT A HITCH WITHOUT A SERIOUS DELAY, OR DISRUPTION?

I MEAN YOU'RE LOOKING AT REALLY -- THIS IS GOING TO BE THE THIRD YEAR THAT COVID HAS HAD SOME KIND OF ROLE SPIKING JUST WHEN THE SESSION BEGINS.

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A DELAY OR SHOULD BE A DELAY?

>> WELL, I'M NOT CERTAIN AS TO WHAT PROTOCOLS ARE GOING TO BE IN PLACE.

I'M NOT CERTAIN OF THE VACCINATION RATES WITHIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I'M NOT CERTAIN OF ANY PROTOCOLS WHETHER IT'S REQUIRING A MASK OR NOT REQUIRING A MASK.

I CERTAINLY AT ONE POINT BEFORE THIS NEW VERSION, THE ONLY I DON'T KNOW, WE WERE CERTAINLY FOCUSING A LOT OF OUR ATTENTION ON PROTECTING OURSELVES.

THE SPREAD OF THE OMICRON VERSION AND HOW EASILY ITS ABLE TO BE SPREAD, I THINK THAT WE CERTAINLY SHOULD LOOK AT SOME OPTIONS AND HAVE A REAL PLAN AND FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE OF OUR HEALTH OFFICER AS WELL AS FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCES OF THE CDC.

>> LOOKING TOWARD THE SESSION WHENEVER IT STARTS, THERE ARE SOME BIG ISSUES ON THE TABLE.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST IS ALLOCATING SOME $508 MILLION OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS -- THESE FEDERAL FUNDS -- IN THIS SESSION.

FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS' POINT OF VIEW, WHAT ARE THE SPENDING PRIORITIES FOR THAT BUCKET OF MONEY?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY WE'RE ALWAYS APPRECIATIVE FOR OUR HEALTH CARE WORK WORKERS AND OUR NURSING HOMES AND HOSPITALS AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE PROVIDERS THAT ARE WORKING IN OUR STATE THAT HAVE WORKED AROUND THE CADILLAC PRYING TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THE INSURED AND UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE COMING IN THAT HAVE CONTRACTED COVID-19.

SO WE CERTAINLY NEED TO LOOK AT WAYS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE REMAINS STRONG.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES ESPECIALLY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND ALL OF THE PROVIDERS HAVE HAD TO INCREASE THEIR OVERHEAD BY HIRING ADDITIONAL STAFF TO DO THINGS LIKE TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND OTHER GUIDELINES THAT HAVE BEEN MANDATED OF THEM FROM THE EXAMINERS AND THOSE THAT OVERSEE IT IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREAS.

SO SEEING THE INCREASE IN OVERHEAD FOR THOSE PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES AND OTHER INDUSTRIES, OUR RESTAURANT INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CERTAINLY IMPACTED BY THIS AND THE RETAIL INDUSTRY SO WE JUST HAVE TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON HOW DO WE BUILD THOSE INDUSTRIES BACK UP AND OUR EDUCATORS.

OUR SCHOOLS HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS PANDEMIC IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS AND WE HAVE TO FOCUS AND PRIORITIZE IN THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS.

I THINK THAT'S FAIR GAME.

>> BESIDES THE BUDGET AND ARPA MONEY TALK ME THROUGH YOUR TOP PRIORITIES FOR YOU AND FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS GOING INTO THE 2022 SESSION.

>> OF COURSE, TODD, YOU KNOW MEDICAID EXPANSION IS ALWAYS ONE OF OUR TOP PRIORITIES MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING OF THE ASSISTANCE NECESSARY FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, MAKING CERTAIN THAT OUR EDUCATORS ARE GETTING -- FINALLY GETTING A PAY RAISE, SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, THAT IS MUCH MORE THAN -- ANYTHING LESS THAN 5 PERCENT IS A WASTE OF TIME FOR OUR EDUCATORS PAY RAISE, STATE EMPLOYEES PAY RAISE IS LONG OVERDUE AND OUR RETIREES, RETIRED EDUCATORS THAT HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO THE STATE AND RETIRED, EDUCATORS THAT HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO OUR STATE THAT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A COLA, SO WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THESEIATION AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CAROL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TAKEN CARE OF OUR STATE.

IN LOOKING AT THE REST OF THE STATE, HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

HOUSING?

IN THE HUNTSVILLE AREA, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR AREA.

IT MAY BE AFFORDABLE FOR SOMEONE COMING FROM CALIFORNIA OR D.C.

BUT TO THE AVERAGE ALABAMIAN IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SO WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON PUTTING MORE DOLLARS IN THE HOUSING TRUSTED FUND TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE FOCUSING OUR ATTENTION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND FOCUS ON TRANSPORTATION.

HOW DO WE BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE TOCK ABLE TO GIVE GOODS AND SERVICES FROM POINT A TO POINT B AND ALSO TO MAKE SINNER THAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE THRIVING THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST BROADBAND ACCESS, BUILDING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR LONG-TERM GROWTH AS WELL AS MAKING CERTAIN THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR BUSINESSES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE WITHOUT STRONG OR EVEN ANY ACCESS TO BROADBAND IS TAKEN CARE OF?

>> THIS WEEK YOUR REPUBLICAN COUNTERPARTS RELEASED THEIR AGENDA FOR THE 2000 TOO SESSION AND INCLUDED PERMITLESS CARRY, BANNING CRITICAL RAILS THEORY BEING TAUGHT IN CLASSROOMS, OTHER RED MEAT ISSUES.

I'M CURIOUS WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE -- FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS, WHAT ARE THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS' RESPONSE TO THE REPUBLICANS' AGENDA THIS SESSION?

>> WELL, IF THEY THINK THAT IS THE SOLUTION TO MOVE PROMOTE AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSIVENESS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, I HAVE A CLASS I NEED TO TEACH THEM.

I WOULD SAY THAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY -- EVEN GOVERNOR IVEY IN ONE OF HER COMMERCIALS SAID THAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT TAUGHT IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS SO WHY ARE WE FOCUSING ON SOMETHING THAT EVEN TAUGHT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA?

THOSE ARE DIVISIVE ISSUES THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BRING ALABAMIANS TOGETHER AND NOT GOING TO PUT ALABAMIANS BACK TO WORK, THAT ARE NOT GOING TO ATTRACT BILLS TO OUR COMMUNITY, THAT'S NOT GOING TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO THE FOLKS THAT NEED IT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO SOLVE ANY OF THOSE PROBLEMS.

WE'RE ABOUT SOLUTIONS.

AND CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS JUST ABOUT WHISTLE-BLOWER THAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN FROM THEM AND FROM THEIR PARTY.

>> LAST YEAR THE GAMBLING LEGISLATION, THE BIG WIDE RANGING GAMBLE LEGISLATION ALMOST PASSED.

IT PASSED THE SENATE.

IT STOPPED IN THE HOUSE.

REALLY AT THE LAST MINUTE OVER DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN YOUR CAUCUS AND THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

THIS COULDN'T COME TOGETHER AT THE LAST MINUTE TO GET IT DONE.

YET THIS YEAR AGAIN WE'RE HEARING THAT GAMBLING LEGISLATION COULD BE COMING.

GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND GIVEN THAT THIS YEAR IS AN ELECTION YEAR, WITH A ARE WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT GAMBLING LEGISLATION ACTUALLY HAS A CHANCE TO PASS THE LEGISLATURE THIS TIME AROUND?

>> LITERALLY YOU'RE RIGHT.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

IT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE CONVERSATIONS END UP.

BUT AS LONG AS WE'RE PUSHING ISSUES LIKE PERMITLESS CARRY, A PERSON BEING ABLE TO CARRY A WEAPON WITHOUT A PERMIT AND THE ISSUES THAT WE AGREE AS -- YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY RARE THAT WE AGREE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.

WHERE, YOU KNOW, SO WHILE WE'RE TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE RED MEAT ISSUES I DON'T NECESSARILY SEE US COMING TOGETHER SON ISSUES THAT DEAL WITH GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STATE BECAUSE WEED WILL SPEND TOO MUCH TIME FOCUSING ON THINGS THAT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.

>> YOU, AS THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER, YOU HAVE A TOUGH JOB.

REPUBLICANS OBVIOUSLY HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE, AND THEORETICALLY THEY COULD PUSH THROUGH WHATEVER THEY WANT.

SO HOW DO YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES AND YOUR CAUCUS, HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT USING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE A VOICE HERE IN MONTGOMERY?

Caller: I THINK WE DO THAT BY -- YOU KNOW A LOT OF TIMES YOU SEE MY COLLEAGUES GOING INTO THE WELL AND TALKING BECAUSE THAT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUR MESSAGE OUT THERE, TO TALK TO OUR CONSTITUENTS.

SO WE HAVE -- GOING TO CERTAINLY EXERCISE THOSE WHEN NEEDED AND REALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE FOR AND HOW WE WILL HANDLE CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

INSTEAD OF TRYING TO PLAY DEFENSE.

WE HAVE TO PLAY OFFENSE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE AVERAGE ALABAMA.

AND THE ISSUES THAT THEY CARE ABOUT OUT THERE AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THOSE ISSUES.

>> MR.

DAMAGES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

LET ME SAY I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK HERE HEALTHY IN MONTGOMERY REAL SOON.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WE'RE JOINED BY STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE.

MR.

POOL, WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU TODD GOOD SO HE SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO.

I APPRECIATE YOU MAKING THE TIME.

YOU HAVE MADE SO MANY APPEARANCES ON THIS PROGRAM AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE BUT YOU'VE BEEN FINANCE DIRECTOR NOW FOR FIVE MONTHS.

HOW HAS THAT BEEN GOING?

HOW IS THE ROLE SUITING YOU?

>> WELL, I HAVE ENJOYED IT.

IT'S A BIG ROLE, AN IMPORTANT ROLE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

I SEE BROUGHT A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE INTO THE ROLE.

I HAVE HAD A LEARNING CURVE IN THE PROCESS, THOUGH.

AND SO CERTAINLY I APPRECIATE GOVERNOR IVEY PLACING HER TRUST IN ME.

WE HAVE WORKED HARD.

WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES SURROUNDING THE UPCOMING LEGISLATION, ALL OF THE ISSUES ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD ON THOSE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK HARD ON THOSE.

>> SPEAKING OF THE SESSION, IT'S COMING UP, AND ONE BIG TASK THAT YOU FACE AND THE LEGISLATURE FAITH IS FIGURING OUT HOW TO SPEND THIS AMERICAN PLAN ACT FUNDS, SOME $580 MILLION THIS SESSION AT LEAST OF THIS FEDERAL MONEY.

WHEN MIGHT WE SEE A FINAL PLAN ON THAT?

>> WELL, A LOT OF WORK IS GOING INTO THAT AND I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WILL HIT THE GROUND NEXT WEEK AND WE WILL CONTINUE THOSE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE CLEARLY WE NEED THE INPUT OF THE EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE FINAL SAY AND WILL APPROPRIATE THOSE DOLLARS.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FORTUNATE THE STATE OF ALABAMA BUT IT'S A CHALLENGE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AS WELL.

EVERY STATE IN AMERICA HAS ARPA FUNDS.

EVERY STATE IS ABOUT TO INVEST THOSE FUNDS.

SO WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BROADBAND OR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE -- WATER AND SEWER OR HEALTH CARE OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, THESE INVESTMENTS ARE GOING TO BE MADE NATIONALLY SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INVEST THESE DOLLARS DEVISED FOR MAXIMUM RETURN.

AND GOVERNOR IVEY HAS REPEATED OVER AND OVER AND OVER, AND I THINK WISELY SO, AND I APPRECIATE IT, IT'S CRITICAL THAT OUR STATE INVEST THESE FUNDS AND NOT JUST OCCASIONALLY SPEND THESE DOLLARS.

BECAUSE HERE AGAIN, WE'RE IN COMMISSION WITH OTHER STATES EVERY DAY, WHETHER IT'S ON TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE NEED TO BE AN ATTRACTIVE STATE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY, AND WE'VE GOT TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THAT REGARD.

SO THAT PROCESS WILL CONTINUE IN EARNEST AS THE LEGISLATURE COMES BACK TO TOWN NEXT WEEK.

IT'S MY HOPE THAT WE MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY AND DELIBERATELY AS IT RELATES TO ARPA.

WE NEED TO BEGIN TO SET THESE PRIORITIES, DEFINE THEM AND DEPLOY THESE FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CITIZENS BUT THESE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RULES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REGULATIONS.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE SO THESE ARE NOT TYPICAL STATE REVENUES.

BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR EVERYBODY TO REMEMBER -- AND THIS WILL BE IMPORTANT WITHIN THE BUDGETARY CONTEXT AS WELL -- THESE ARE ONE-TIME DOLLARS.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO OCCUR YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

SO WE ALSO HAVE TO BE VERY RESPONSIBLE IN TERMS OF HOW WE INVEST THOSE DOLLARS.

>> SO FOR INSTANCE YOU DON'T WANT TO SHORE UP A MEDICAID BUDGET OR AN EDUCATION BUDGET, BECAUSE THAT IS -- YOU HAVE TO SPEND IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR, COME UP WITH THE FUNDS NEXT YEAR.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT OR I WILL ADD TO THAT, YOU DON'T WANT TO CREATE NEW PROGRAMS OR GROW GOVERNMENT ON TEMPORARY FUNDS.

>> SET UP SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES AN ANNUAL APPROPRIATION.

IT'S MORE OF A ONE-TIME SPENDING CAPITAL PROJECTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE HAD A TEMPORARY CIRCUMSTANCE, SO TO SPEAK, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T MAKE PERMANENT STRUCTURAL MANEUVERS WITHIN THE CONTEXT AND GET OURSELVES IN TROUBLE AS IT RELATES TO THE TEMPORARY FUNDS.

>> CAN YOU SEE -- YOU TALK ABOUT COMPETITION WITH OTHER STATES.

COULD YOU SEE A CONNECTION FOR RESOURCES OR CONTRACTORS?

I'M THINKING OUR SURROUNDING STATES MAY WANT BROADBAND TOO, NECESSITY MAY WANT WATER, INFRASTRUCTURE, TOO.

MATE THERE BE A DERTH OF RESOURCES WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE?

>> THE ANSWER IS YES TO ALL OF THOSE POINTS AND ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE WHEN YOU COUPLE NOT JUST THE ARPA FUNDS, IN MOST STATES LIKE ALABAMA HAVE NOT BEES GUN TO RELEASE THOSE FUNDS BECAUSE THEIR LEGISLATURES HAVE NOT RETURNED FOR A REGULAR SESSION SINCE THE DOLLARS ARRIVED.

BUT CONSIDER ON TOP OF THAT CONGRESS HAS PASSED THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

SO HERE AGAIN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER WAVE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

AND THAT'S GOING TO CREATE MORE ISSUES RELATIVE TO SUPPLY, WHETHER TO CONTRACTORS TO DO THIS WORK, WHETHER IT'S BROADBAND, THE COST OF FIBER, THE COST OF ALL OF THE MATERIALS ON ALL OF THESE DISH ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES, EVERY STATE IS GOING TO DEPLOY THOSE FUNDS SO IT'S GOING TO CREATE A LOT OF PRESSURE.

IT'S GOING TO CREATE TIMELINE CHALLENGES.

I THINK THOSE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH OVER THE COMING YEARS.

THE ARPA FUNDS DON'T HAVE TO SPENT UNTIL 2026 SO WE HAVE TIME BUT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS THERE ARE GOING TO BE SUBSTANTIAL CHALLENGES.

BUT AGAIN THAT EMPHASIZES, WE'VE GOT TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS WITH THESE FUNDS.

THEY'RE ONE-TIME FUNDS.

WE HAVE TO REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE.

AND SOONER OR LATER, THE BILL IS GOING TO COME DUE.

THESE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS.

THEY'RE NOT PERMANENT.

AND SOONER OR LATER THEY HAVE TO BE PAID FOR.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE ALABAMA IS IN A POSITION WHEN THESE BILLS COME DUE, WHEN THE FEDERAL MONEY RUNS OUT AND THEY HAVE TO RECONCILE THEIR BUDGETS AND SPENDING IN OUT YEARS THAT WE REMAIN ON SOLID FISCAL GROUND HERE IN ALABAMA: AND WE'RE WELL-POSITIONED TO ABSORB THAT AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CITIZENS.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT ARPA.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REGULAR BUDGETS, THE PERENNIAL TASK OF THE LEGISLATURE PASSING THE GENERAL FUND AND EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET.

I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE BUDGET HEARING -- OR THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE BUDGET HEARINGS AND I'M ASSUMING YOU WILL PARTICIPATE IN THOSE THINGS.

HOW FAR ARE THE REVENUE PROJECTIONS LOOKING JUST DAYS AHEAD OF THE SESSION?

ARE WE IN GOOD SHAPE?

WHAT ARE THE BUDGETS GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

>> WE ARE SEEING HISTORICALLY SHOCKINGLY POSITIVE BUDGETS IN SOME SENSE.

AGAIN THIS IS RELATING BACK THOUGH TO, I THINK THIS ONSLAUGHT OF FEDERAL FUNDS THAT IS PUSHING ACROSS THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ECONOMY.

SO WE'RE SEEING SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN BOTH BUDGETS.

IT'S HISTORICAL.

IT'S EXPONENTIAL.

IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

SO WE ARE SEEING REVENUES COME IN AS HISTORICAL RATES.

WE KNOW THAT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

THERE'S A SIMILAR ANALYSIS THAT NEEDS TO BE UNDERTAKEN AS WE PASS BALANCED BUDGETS BUT ALSO RECOGNIZE THIS REVENUE IS TEMPORARY.

SO WE HAVE A TEMPORARY INFLUX AND WE HAVE TO BEGIN NOT SPEND IRRESPONSIBLY, NOT MAKE STRUCTURAL CHANGES BASED UPON A TEMPORARY CIRCUMSTANCE.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A BIG FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY CONVERSATIONS IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A FOCUS ON PAYING DOWN ANY DEBT THAT WE CAN.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A FOCUS ON FUNDING OUR RESERVE ACCOUNTS IN CONTEMPLATION OF HARD TIMES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ON THE HORIZON IN MY JUDGMENT WHEN THE FEDERAL MONEY DRIES UP AND THE BILLS COME DUE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

SO YOU WILL SEE A FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE VERY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET PROPOSAL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON SOLID FOOTING BUT RECOGNIZING THAT WE'RE IN A VERY UNUSUAL TEMPORARY CIRCUMSTANCE.

>> YOU KNOW, IT USED TO BE WHEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE WERE IN DIFFERENT PARTIES, OF THE BUDGET PROCESS WAS KIND OF ADVERSARIAL, WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE LFO BACK THEN.

BY THE Y'ALL ARE THE SAME PARTY NOW.

SO IS IT MORE COHESION OR DO Y'ALL WORK TOGETHER WITH THE LEGISLATURE WHEN COMING UP WITH YOUR BUDGET PROPOSALS?

>> THE ANSWER IS YES AND BELONGS THERE'S A LOT OF PARTISAN NATURE TO THAT BUT THE ANSWER IS YES.

I HAVE SERVED IN THE ROLE AS APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR OVER RECENT YEARS AND THE COLLABORATION HAS BEEN VERY CLOSE RELATED TO THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN BETWEEN THE CHAMBERS, THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHAMBERS, BOTH MINORITY AND MAJORITY PARTY WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

WE HAVE SEEN VERY RESPONSIBLE BUDGETS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT.

THEY'VE BEEN SUPPORTED ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS IN BOTH CHAMBERS AND THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

WE SHOULD BE ADDRESSING PRIORITIES IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE, BUT DOING SO IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER.

THESE ARE TAXPAYERS' HASHED EARNED DOLLARS AND THEY HAVE TO OF COURSE INVESTED WISELY.

I THINK WE HAVE DO THAT.

I THINK WE'RE BENEFITING FROM THAT.

I THINK WE SAW OUR BUDGETS REMAIN STABLE THROUGH THE COVID PERIOD.

WE SEAL THEM IN GOOD SHAPE NOW.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP GOING FORWARD.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT PRISONS.

NOW THAT THE LAWYER HAS PASSED THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN -- THAT'S DONE -- BUT IT'S NOT OVER BECAUSE PART OF THAT PLAN CALLED FOR BORROWING AND BONDS ABOUT $785 MILLION, IF I'M CORRECT, TO PAY FOR SOME OF THIS CONSTRUCTION.

THAT COMES TO YOUR DESK.

SO WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF THAT BOND ISSUE.

WILL WE COME TO MARKET AT A CERTAIN POINT?

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?

>> FIRST IN THE CONSTRUCT OF THAT PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN WE WANTED TO HAVE TO ISSUE AS LITTLE DEBT AS POSSIBLE.

SO SUBSEQUENTLY WE SAW APPROPRIATIONS IN THE MOST RECENT FISCAL SESSION THAT WILL PAY KIND OF CLOSE TO ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF THOSE CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

SO WE WANTED TO LIMIT THE DEBT LOAD THAT THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ON TO ACCOMPLISH THESE MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

THAT'S IN PROCESS.

THE STATE HAS ISSUED RFPS FOR BOND UNDERWRITERS.

WE HAVE RECEIVED RESPONSES THAT WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH THOSE.

BUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON, AS WE THINK ABOUT THAT PRISON CONSTRUCTION AND HOW IT IMPACTS A LOT OF ISSUES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND BEYOND, WE'RE GOING TO WORK HARD TO GET IT RIGHT.

AND HOWEVER LONG THAT TAKES, WHATEVER THAT REQUIRES, WE'RE GOING TO GET IT RIGHT.

SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO RUSH UNNECESSARILY.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT OUTCOME BECAUSE THE CONSEQUENCES ARE GOING TO BE LASTING FOR DECADES AND DECADES IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY THE CONSTRUCTION BUT HOW WE FINANCE THESE OBLIGATIONS AND NOT PLACE THOSE OBLIGATIONS ON OUR CHILDREN.

>> FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE, A LOT OF ISSUES ON YOUR PLATE.

THAT YOU THINK FOR COMING TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT ON THE PROGRAM, WE'RE JOINED BY DR. SCOTT HARRIS, THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

DR. HARRIS, WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> YOU SAID THIS WEEK THAT OMICRON VARIANT IS SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE LATEST DATA?

WHAT IS THE DATA TELLING YOU AND YOUR TEAM ABOUT THE STATE OF PLAYWRIGHT NOW IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA?

>> WE HAVE NEVER BEFORE IN THE WHOLE PANDEMIC SEEN THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES EACH DADE THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, LAST JANUARY, WE SET A RECORD BY HAVING OVER FIVE THOUSAND CASES REPORTED IN A SINGLE DAY.

THAT WAS A YEAR AGO.

REALLY SINCE CHRISTMAS WE HAVE ECLIPSED THAT MANY, MANY TIMES.

WE HAVE HAD 7,000, 8,000, 9,000 CASES IN A DAY.

THE LAST THREE DAYS OF THIS WEEK WE HAVE HAD OVER 11,000, OVER 12,000, AND JUST A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SHORT OF 13,000 CASES IN A SINGLE DAY.

WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANY NUMBERS LIKE THAT BEFORE.

>> WOW, THOSE NUMBERS REALLY DO STAND OUT.

AND THERE'S RESEARCH.

YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THAT OMICRON IS MILDER, CAN BE MILDER IN TERMS OF SEVERE ILLNESS THAN PREMISES VARIANTS.

AND YET IS MORE TRANSMISSIBLE.

SO WHAT DOES THAT -- IS THAT GOING TO AFFECTED MOSTLY EVERYBODY AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE?

>> I THINK SO.

AND I THINK IT BARES SOME EXPLANATION ON WHAT WE MEAN BY MILDER.

ON AVERAGE WHEN YOU LOOK AT PROMISES, PEOPLE PROBABLY DON'T DIE AS OFTEN.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

A STUDY FROM THE UK HAS SHOWED THAT PEOPLE ARE ABOUT HALF AS LIKELY TO DIE WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT AS THEY WERE WITH THE DELTA VARIANT.

THAT'S TERRIFIC.

IN ALABAMA WHAT WE SAW WITH THE DELTA VARIANT THIS SUMMER IS THAT ABOUT 2 PERCENT OF PEOPLE WHO GOT INFECTED DIED UNFORTUNATELY.

ONE OUT OF 50 OR 2 OUT OF A HUNDRED.

IF IT'S TRUE THAT OMICRON VARIANT ONLY CAUSES DEATH AT HALF THAT RATE THEN WE WOULD THINK THAT MEANS ABOUT 1 PERCENT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE.

AND THAT NUMBER IS STILL 10 TIMES WHAT WE SEE WITH INFLUENZA, FOR EXAMPLE.

BUT ONE PERCENT OF A REALLY LARGE NUMBER STILL MEANS A LOT OF PEOPLE GET SICK?

>> BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH MORE TRANSMISSIBLE WE'RE SEEING 13,000 CASES IN A SINGLE DAY.

THAT'S STILL GOING TO PRODUCE AN ABSOLUTE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE HOT AND WHO YOU FELT ARE GOING TO DIE.

IT'S THAT MAXIMUM MINUTE NUMB PROBLEM.

WE'RE GLAD OVERALL THIS IS MILDER BUT JUST THE SHEER NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING INFECTED IS A PROBLEM.

>> AND YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE STRAIN ON HOSPITAL STAFF.

IT'S MORE TRANS MISSABLE AND MORE HOSPITALIZED STAFFS ARE GETTING INFECTED AND HAVING TO MISS WORK.

>> THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM.

HOSPITALS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF IN PATIENTS THAT WE HAVE AROUND THE STATE IS ABOUT HALF OF THE MAXIMUM NUMBER WE SAW LAST SUMMER W OF THE.

WE HAD OVER 3,000 LAST SUMMER AND HOSPITALS ARE AT THE BREAKING POINT.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT 1600 OR 1700 INPATIENTS.

NORMALLY YOU WOULD THINK THE HOSPITALS COULD HANDLE THAT WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY BUT IT'S THE STAFF GETTING INFECTED AS WELL SO THEY DON'T HAVE AS MANY STAFF BEDS.

BECAUSE THIS DISEASE IS SO TRANSMISSIBLE, SOMETIMES PEOPLE WHO ARE ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR OTHER REASONS LIKE A HEART ATTACK OR PNEUMONIA OR CAR ACCIDENT ARE FOUND TO HAVE COVID, AND SO, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY SICK WITH COVID BUT YOU KNOW, FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE HOSPITAL, IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

THAT PATIENT STILL HAS TO BE IN ISOLATION.

YOU STILL HAVE TO USE PPE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT PATIENT.

YOUR STAFF IS STILL AT RISK FOR GETTING EXPOSED AND HAVING TO GO QUARANTINE OR THAT PATIENT WHO IS THERE FOR A HEART ATTACK OR A CAR ACCIDENT CAN STILL PASS COVID TO SOME VULNERABLE PATIENT IN THE HOSPITAL.

SO IT'S A REALLY BIG PROBLEM AND HOSPITALS ARE WORKING REALLY HARD NOW TO TRY TO OVERCOME THAT PROBLEM.

>> IF THERE'S A HIGH LIKELY HOOD THAT MOST OF THE POPULATION IS GOING TO GET OMICRON, DOES THAT CHANGE THE GAME IN TERMS OF PROTOCOLS THAT WE'RE USED TO FOR COVID?

I MEAN ISOLATION, DISTANCING, THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT HAS CHANGED FOR THE CDC GUIDANCE?

HAS IT CHANGED THE PUBLIC POLICY CONSIDERING -- I MEAN WHAT IS THE VIRTUE OF STOPPING PEOPLE FROM GATHERING IF EVERYBODY IS IT GOING TO GET IT EVENTUALLY?

>> YEAH, I THINK EVERYONE DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO GET IT EVENTUALLY, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS REALLY, REALLY HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE.

IN ALABAMA AT THE MOMENT, THERE AREN'T ANY RESTRICTIONS ON GATHERING.

THERE AREN'T ANY RESTRICTIONS ON REALLY ANYTHING.

WE WILL LIVING AS IF IT IS ENDEMIC AND PEOPLE CAN BEHAVE ANY WAY THEY WISH.

WHAT BEAT HOPE IS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE WILL BE REALLY, REALLY CAREFUL.

YOU KNOW, HAVING A MORTALITY RATE THAT IS EVEN WITH OMICRON 10 TIMES AS MUCH AS WE SEE WITH THE FLU, THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL SO WE STILL HOPE PEOPLE CAN MONITOR THEIR BEHAVIOR ENOUGH TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

ULTIMATELY, WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS.

BUT I DON'T THINK, YOU KNOW, REACHING THAT CONCLUSION MEANS THAT WE OUGHT TO GIVE UP COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS.

PEOPLE NEED TO DO THE THINGS THEY NEED TO DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE HAVE IS GETTING VACCINATED.

>> THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT VACCINES.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE THESE BREAK FLEW CASES, ESPECIALLY WITH OMICRON, BECAUSE ITS SO TRANSMISSIBLE AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY SKEPTIC SAY OH, LOOK THEY'RE VACCINATED AND STILL GOT COVID.

IT DOESN'T WORK.

BUT ISN'T IT MORE ABOUT PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM SERIOUS ILLNESS, SERIOUS HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH RATHER THAN SIMPLY A TRANSMISSION?

>> YEAH.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE VAX SCENES WORK VERY WELL TO KEEP YOU FROM BECOMING SERIOUSLY ILL OR DYING.

IF YOU GET COVID TODAY, BASED ON THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE ACCUMULATED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS IF YOU'RE UNVACCINATED YOUR RISK OF DYING IS ABOUT 12 OR 13 TIMES YOUR RISK OF DIVING IF YOU'RE VACCINATED AND YOU GET COVID ANYWAY.

NO VACCINES ARE PERFECT.

THEY -- THINK ABOUT THE FLU VACCINE.

MANY OF US HAVE HAD THE VACCINE AND GOTTEN THE FLU ANYWAY BUT WE KNOW PEOPLE DO BETTER IF THEY'RE VACCINATED.

YOUR SYSTEM IS ALREADY PRIMED AND READY TO GO.

I THINK OF IT IN A SENSE LIKE A SEAT BELT.

A SEAT BELT DOESN'T KEEP YOU FROM WRECKING YOUR CAR BUT IT PROTECTS YOUR LIFE AND KEEPS YOU ALIVE IN CASE YOU WRECK YOUR CAR.

>> WELL, I CAN ATTEST TO THAT BECAUSE I GOT COVID OVER THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY.

IT WAS -- BUT I'M VACCINATED TWICE AND BOOSTED, BUT IT WAS A VERY MILD CASE.

AND I CREDITED THAT TO BEING VACCINATED.

IT WAS REALLY NOT A SERIOUS EVENT.

>> THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR.

AND I'M GLAD YOU'RE DOING BETTER.

I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW IN ALABAMA, ABOUT HALF OF THE PEOPLE IN ALABAMA ARE VACCINATED, JUST UNDER HALF.

ABOUT HALF ARE NOT VACCINATED.

THAT VACCINATE THE GROUP IS COMPRISED OF OLDER PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES WHO HAVE TRIED TO GET VACCINATED.

IN SPITE OF THAT 50/50 SPLIT OVER 2/3 OF THE PEOPLE IN ALABAMA HOSPITALS TODAY IN HOSPITALS WITH COVID ARE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> WE'RE A FEW DAYS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO THAT MEANS LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE ARE GOING TO COME AND GATHER HERE IN THIS BUILDING AND RIGHT AS THIS VARIANT SEEMS TO BE RAGING AT THE MOMENT.

WHAT HAVE YOU -- WHAT HAVE YOU SHARED WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IN TERMS OF GUIDANCE FOR HOW TO NAVIGATE THE VIRUS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WE HAVE HAD VERY GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LEADERSHIP ABOUT THAT AND JUST HAD A GREAT CALL YESTERDAY WITH SPEAKER MCCUTCHEON ABOUT THAT.

THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE THIS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

AND I THINK IT GOALS BACK TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE BASIC PRINCIPLES ARE ABOUT HOW THIS DISEASE GETS TRANSMITTED WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE OR THE SCHOOLROOM OR ANYWHERE ELSE, A SPORTS EVENT, PEOPLE WHO ARE PACKED INSIDE TOGETHER CLOSE TOGETHER FOR A LONG TIME, PARTICULARLY IF THEY DON'T HAVE MASKS OR THEY'RE NOT VACCINATED ARE GOING TO BE AT HIGH RISK FOR DISEASE.

SO I THINK WHATEVER STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO MITIGATE EACH ONE OF THOSE FACTORS IS THE WAIT TO DO THAT.

NOW, OUR LEGISLATURE, YOU KNOW, BY LAW, HAS TO MEET, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY DO AND WE JUST HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DO THAT AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.

AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CONCESSION TO KEEP THE WORLD RUNNING.

WE HAVE LOTS OF RULES IN PLACE ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT DISEASE TRANSMISSION, BUT YOU KNOW, OUR LEGISLATORS, JUST LIKE OUR POLICE AND FIRE AND DOCTORS AND OTHER PEOPLE, THEY HAVE TO DO THEIR JOB.

SO WE JUST TRY TO DO IT AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.

>> WHEN FINALLY THE BOOK IS CLOSED ON COVID -- HOPEFULLY SOONER RATHER THAN LATER -- WHAT LESSONS DO YOU THINK YOU AND YOUR TEAM WILL TAKE AWAY AND LEARN FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC, WHETHER IT'S VACCINATION EFFORTS OR PUBLIC POLICY, YOU KNOW, GO DOWN THE LIST?

>> I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE OF BIG ONES.

FIRST OF ALL I THINK I WOULD SAY OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS.

I DON'T MEAN JUST IN ALABAMA BUT NATIONALLY.

IN PUBLIC HEALTH PEOPLE DON'T REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO US UNTIL THERE'S A PROBLEM.

THEY ONLY NOTICE US IF WE DO SOMETHING WRONG OR IF THERE'S A BIG ISSUE THAT POPS UP.

IN ALABAMA, WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, A COUNTY WITHOUT EVEN A COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE COUNTIES IN THE MAY HAVE A NURSING IN THE COUNTY ONE DAY A MONTH.

WE HAVE BEEN CREEPING BY THAT WAY FOR YEARS NOW BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NOT FUNDING TO KEEP THOSE THINGS GOING.

SUDDENLY, YOU TAKE A JOB NOW THAT IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND GIVING IT TO PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAD FULL-TIME JOBS AND THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN DO THAT.

IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE BE FUNDED CORRECTLY.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE COMMUNICATING CORRECTLY.

WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE THE DEGREE MISINFORMATION WAS GOING TO BE CIRCULATED OR THE -- THE BEST EXAMPLE IS ANTI VACCINE CONSPIRACIES ARE GOING TO BE OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC SPACE LIKE THERE WERE ANOTHER SCIENTIFIC FACT AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO COUNTER THOSE BECAUSE OF THE SHEER VOLUME OF WHAT WE'RE HEARING AND HOPE WE'RE BETTER PREPARED FOR THAT NEXT TIME.

>> DR. HARRIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK ALONE AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK, THE FIRST OF THE NEW YEAR AND MY FIRST AS YOUR NEW HOST OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

STARTING MONDAY WE'LL BE ON THE AIR NIGHTLY AT 10:30 WITH UPDATES FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND WE'LL BRING YOU THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LIVE ON TUESDAY STARTING SAT 6:00 P.M. FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

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