>>> TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THERE'S FINALLY A RESOLUTION IN THE CONTESTED SENATE DISTRICT 27 RACE BETWEEN INCUMBENT TOM WHATLEY AND CHALLENGER JAY HOVEY.

WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST.

THE STATE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH ITS PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DESPITE A BOND SALE COMING UP SHORT.

WE'LL HEAR FROM STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE.

JIMMY PARNELL OF THE ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS HOW HIGH FUEL PRICES AND INFLATION ARE IMPACTING THE STATE'S FARMERS.

AND EFFECTS OF THE SUPREME COURT'S OVERTURNING ROE VERSUS WADE CONTINUE.

WE'LL TALK TO THOSE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE: STATE REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS AND STEPHEN STETSON OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD ALABAMA.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

AFTER A DRAMATIC WEEK, THERE IS FINALLY A RESOLUTION IN THE CONTESTED RACE FOR SENATE DISTRICT 27 - STATE SENATOR TOM WHATLEY HAS CONCEDED THE RACE TO CHALLENGER JAY HOVEY.

HOVEY DEFEATED WHATLEY BY JUST ONE VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION.

HOWEVER, WHATLEY CONTESTED THE RESULTS AND LAST WEEK THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY DECLARED THE RACE A TIE AFTER DECIDING TO COUNT A PREVIOUSLY INVALIDATED PROVISIONAL BALLOT.

LATER, IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE STATE THAT THE BALLOT IN QUESTION WAS FROM SOMEONE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THE TIME.

THE PARTY THEN DECIDED TO RE-HEAR THE MATTER AND DECLARE HOVEY THE WINNER.

HE'LL GO ON TO FACE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE SHERRI REESE IN NOVEMBER.

WE SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT A CANDIDATE IN NORTH ALABAMA'S HOUSE DISTRICT 2 IS THREATENING TO CHALLENGE THAT ELECTION RESULT.

KIMBERLY BUTLER MISSED MAKING THE RUNOFF BY JUST 14 VOTES AND SHE NOW CLAIMS THERE WERE SOME BALLOT IRREGULARITIES IN LAUDERDALE COUNTY.

THAT ELECTION CONTEST HAS NOT YET BEEN FILED.

>>> SAD NEWS OUT OF BIBB COUNTY THIS WEEK.

A DEPUTY SHERIFF DIED A DAY AFTER BEING SHOT BY A FLEEING SUSPECT.

32-YEAR-OLD DEPUTY BRAD JOHNSON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD THURSDAY AFTERNOON, ACCORDING TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY MICHAEL JACKSON.

THE SHOOTING HAPPENED WEDNESDAY WHEN TWO DEPUTIES WERE CHASING A SUSPECT IN A STOLEN VEHICLE.

THE MAN FIRED AT THEM, SHOOTING BOTH AND CRITICALLY WOUNDING JOHNSON.

AUTHORITIES SAID THE OTHER WOUNDED DEPUTY HAD SINCE BEEN RELEASED FROM A HOSPITAL.

THE SUSPECT IN THE SHOOTING, 26-YEAR-OLD AUSTIN HALL WAS CAPTURED THURSDAY MORNING AFTER HE WAS FOUND HIDING INSIDE A TENT.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAID HALL WILL BE CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.

THE STATE IS PROCEEDING WITH ITS PLAN TO BUILD TWO LARGE MEN'S PRISONS THAT WILL HOUSE 4,000 INMATES EACH AND REPLACE SOME OF THE STATE'S OLD, DANGEROUS FACILITIES.

BUT IN A BOND SALE THIS WEEK MEANT TO FINANCE PART OF THE PROJECT, THE STATE CAME UP $200 MILLION DOLLARS SHORT OF THE $725 MILLION OF ANTICIPATED FINANCING.

HOWEVER, STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE SAID THE STATE HAS THE FUNDS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECTS AND THAT ADDITIONAL FINANCING COULD BE SOUGHT IN THE FUTURE.

>> WE WERE PLEASE WITH THAT OUTCOME.

WE HAD HOPED A LITTLE BIT MORE.

THE MARKET WAS DIFFICULT IN THE LONGER TERM MATURITIES.

WE HAD A MILLION DOLLARS IN SHORT-TERM MATURITIES WHICH MEANS THE PROJECTS WERE ACCEPTABLE TO THE MARKET.

THERE WASN'T INTEREST IN LONG-TERM MATURITIES IN THE MARKET.

THERE IS A LOCATION IN ELMORE COUNTY WHERE WE CURRENTLY HAVE A FACILITY.

SO WE'LL BUILD -- WE ARE CALLING IT A SPECIALIZED MEN'S FACILITY ON STATE-OWNED PROPERTY THERE, TO BE OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE STATE OF ALABAMA BY AND THROUGH THE AUTHORITY THAT MET TODAY.

THAT FACILITY WILL INVOLVE ENHANCED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES AND VOCATIONAL FACILITIES.

SO, IT WILL ALLOW US TO PROVIDE A MUCH SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR INMATES AND FOR STAFF AND ALSO TO ENHANCE THOSE VERY IMPORTANT SERVICES THAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE UPON IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THE OTHER FACILITY WILL BE LOCATED IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY, THERE AGAIN ON STATE LAND.

SAME CIRCUMSTANCES AS IT RELATES TO OWNERSHIP AND OPERATIONS AND A MORE TRADITIONAL MEN'S FACILITY BUT WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIAL ON-SITE IMPROVEMENTS AS COMPARED TO THE VERY OLD AND DILAPIDATED FACILITIES THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY HOUSING.

WE ARE PLEASED -- THE OBJECTIVE HERE IS TO TAKE OLD FACILITIES AND CLOSE THEM AS THESE FACILITIES COME ONLINE.

I THINK THAT IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS.

WE WANT TO CLOSE THOSE OLD FACILITIES AND CONDUCT OUR OPERATIONS IN BETTER AND IMPROVED MODERNIZED FACILITIES.

>> ACTIVISTS WHO ARE OPPOSING ALABAMA'S PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN PUBLICLY CALLED ON INVESTORS TO BOYCOTT THE BOND SALE.

THEY ARGUE BUILDING NEW PRISONS WON'T FIX SOME OF ALABAMA'S WELL DOCUMENTED SAFETY AND PROBLEMS INSIDE PRISONS.

ASKED IF THIS OPPOSITION IMPACTED THE BOND SALE AND KEPT INVESTORS AWAY, POOLE SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT.

>> WE DON'T THINK IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR.

THERE HAVE BEEN GROUPS THAT ARE OPPOSED TO INCARCERATION AT ALL, ON ANY LEVEL AND FOR ANY REASON THAT HAVE OPPOSED US FROM THE BEGINNING.

WE KNEW THEIR VOICES WOULD BE OUT THERE BECAUSE IT RELATES TO THE FINANCING BUT WE DON'T THINK IT HAD A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON THE INVESTORS AS IT RELATES TO ACQUIRING THE BONDS.

>>> MONTGOMERY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DARRYL BAILEY IS TRYING TO STOP THE REVOLVING DOOR IN ALABAMA PRISONS BY TRYING TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED TO FIND JOBS AND GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THAT STORY.

>> ACCORDING TO THE STATS, MORE THAN 90% OF PEOPLE INCARCERATED WILL BE RELEASED.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THEY FACE IS FINDING A JOB.

ENTER MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DARRYL BAILEY.

>> AS DISTRICT ATTORNEY, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT THIS OR UNDERSTAND THIS BUT I'M FOR HELPING TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IT MAKES MY JOB EASIER IF NOT AS MANY ARE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

ANYTIME WE CAN DO THAT BY GETTING PEOPLE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED WE'LL DO IT.

>> PEOPLE LINED UP, TALKED TO EMPLOYERS AND COMPLETED APPLICATIONS AT HIS OFFICE'S THIRD SECOND-CHANCE JOB FAIR.

>> IT IS DESIGNED TO CONNECT EX-OFFENDERS WITH EMPLOYERS WHO ARE WILLING TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY AT A JOB.

>> SUCH AS THREEFOLDS CARE.

>> WE HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, WE HELP THEM LIVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> THEY ARE OPEN TO ANYONE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT BUT SINCE THE FOCUS IS EX-OFFENDERS, LEGAL SERVICES OF ALABAMA WAS ON HAND TO HELP PEOPLE CLEAR THEIR CRIMINAL RECORD, WHEN POSSIBLE.

>> WELL, IF SOMEONE HAS A CONVICTION FOR A MISDEMEANOR, YOU KNOW, OR SOME OTHER LOWER OFFENSE WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THE RECORD EXPUNGED.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEE OF DOING SO BUT IT IS POSSIBLE.

SO WE HAVE DECIDED TO PURSUE THAT AREA ON BEHALF OF LOW-INCOME PEOPLE.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE 40 EMPLOYERS, HOPE INSPIRED MINISTRIES PROMOTED THEIR JOB TRAINING PROGRAM.

>> SIX WEEKS ARE SPENT IN A CLASSROOM SETTING LEARNING THE SOFT SKILLS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT, SUCH AS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND THE OTHER SOFT SKILLS SUCH AS RESUME BUILDING, JOB INTERVIEW PRACTICE AND MOCK INTERVIEWING.

>> THEIR ATTENDEES RECEIVE AN INTERNSHIP THAT IS MEANT TO BECOME A JOB AND A GRADUATION.

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

>>> THE ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS IS SEEKING TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN THE INDUSTRY BY PARTNERING WITH ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY TO OFFER STUDENTS A "MICROCREDENTIAL" IN REAL ESTATE.

NO COLLEGE EDUCATION IS REQUIRED TO GET A SALESPERSON OR BROKER LICENSE IN ALABAMA, BUT ACCORDING TO THE ALABAMA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION, AN EXAM MUST BE PASSED TO OBTAIN EACH LICENSE.

REALTORS CEO JEREMY WALKER AND ASU PRESIDENT QUINTON ROSS SAID THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A STATE REALTOR ORGANIZATION AND A HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY HAVE COME TOGETHER TO BUILD A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.

>>> ALABAMA CIVIL RIGHTS ICON FRED GRAY IS GOING TO RECEIVE THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WILL PRESENT GRAY AND 16 OTHERS WITH THE NATION'S HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR AT A CEREMONY NEXT WEEK.

GRAY WAS A KEY FIGURE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, WORKING AS AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THOSE SUCH AS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AND ROSA PARKS, AND CHALLENGING RACIST JIM CROW LAWS IN COURT.

HE'LL JOIN A GROUP OF WELL-KNOWN MEDAL RECIPIENTS THIS YEAR INCLUDING ACTOR DENZEL WASHINGTON, THE LATE SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, GYMNAST SIMONE BILES, APPLE FOUNDER STEVE JOBS, AND FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIEL GIFFORDS.

>>> WITH THE 4TH OF JULY UPON US, FOLKS ARE MAKING PLANS TO CELEBRATE.

STATE LEADERS ARE REMINDING PEOPLE TO BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS AND WATERS AND AVOID DRINKING AND DRIVING.

ACCORDING TO THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, MORE THAN 12,000 AMERICANS ARE KILLED EACH YEAR BY DRUNK DRIVERS.

>> THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY IS A TIME THAT WE CAN GET TOGETHER AND SPEND WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

IT'S ALWAYS A VERY SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR, BUT IT ALSO HAS A VERY DEADLY SIDE UNFORTUNATELY.

IT'S A TIME WHEN PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DRINK AND UNFORTUNATELY DRIVE OR BOAT UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

>> ALTHOUGH IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WHEN IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL, IN 2021 A PERSON WAS KILLED EVERY 45 MINUTES TO DRUNK DRIVING CRASH ON OUR NATION'S ROADS.

>> ALCOHOL, IF YOU ARE GOING TO CONSUME IT, WE WANT YOU TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A RIDE SHARING DEVICE HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVERS WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAYS OR WATERWAYS.

AND THE MARINE PATROL DIVISION IS PARTICIPATING AND THEY WILL BE OUT IN FORCE.

IF YOU ARE ON THE WATERWAYS OR THE HIGHWAYS WILL, WE'RE GOING TO BE OUT THERE AND IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IMPAIRED -- I SAY IMPAIRED BECAUSE I MEAN OTHER SUBSTANCES OUTSIDE OF ALCOHOL YOU WILL BE ARRESTED AND PLACED IN JAIL.

>> >WELL, IT FEELS AS HOT AS A FIRECRACKER ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.

THE SUMMER HEAT ALSO MEANS THUNDERSTORMS, SOMETIMES THE DANGEROUS KIND.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS ON HOW TO BEST BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE WEATHER.

>> THE SUMMER SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED AND MANY PEOPLE WELCOME IT.

BEFORE PREPARING FOR VACATIONS, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SAY IT'S TIME TO GET READY FOR THAT WILD CARD -- EXTREME WEATHER CHANGES.

>> WE ARE WATCHING THE GULF.

WE START TO WATCH THE GULF TEMPERATURE.

AS SOON AS WE SEE THE 82-DEGREE MARK, THAT'S THE CATALYST FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE A BUSY HURRICANE SEASON.

WE KNOW IT IS PROJECTED TO BE A BUSY SEASON.

SO WE ARE WATCHING AND PREPARING EVACUATION SHELTERS.

AND THOSE ARE THINGS BEHIND THE SCENES THAT NO ONE REALLY KNOWS ABOUT.

>> THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DIRECTOR SAID PREPARATIONS NEED TO BE IN EFFECT.

>> NOW'S THE TIME.

I KNOW WITH EVERYTHING AND THE COST OF EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW IT'S HARD TO GO, OH, WELL, LET ME BUILD OR GET MY HOUSE PREPARED.

SO WE DO IT THE LONG WAY AT MY HOME AND IN THE OFFICE AS WELL.

>> MAKING SURE GO-BAGS ARE STOCKED WITH SUPPLIES FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY.

A CHECKLIST CAN BE FOUND AT READY.GOV SAYS THORNTON.

>> YOU CAN LOOK AT DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, WHETHER IT IS HURRICANE, TORNADO, LIGHTNING, AND THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREPARE YOUR HOME.

>> THEY ARE HELPING PEOPLE PREPARE.

>> THERE'S INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOU CAN BE A MEMBER OF IN THE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM AND BETTER PREPARE YOURSELF.

IF YOU ATTEND ONE OF THE CLASSES THAT WE HOST, WE PUT IT OUT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND WE GIVE YOU A PREPAREDNESS BAG THAT KICKS OFF ANYTHING YOU COULD NEED WHETHER IT IS A CLIPBOARD, KNEE PADS, EXTRA FLASH LIGHT.

>> KEEPING OPEN CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION OPEN.

GET A WAY TO BE NOTIFIED.

IF YOU ARE IN THE CLOSET OR TUB, YOU CAN'T WATCH THE TELEVISION.

THE CELL PHONE WILL BE IN YOUR POCKET.

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

>>> A RURAL ALABAMA CASINO IS BEING ORDERED TO PAY BACK TAXES.

THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT ON THURSDAY RULED THAT GREENETRACK IN GREENE COUNTY OWES $76 MILLION IN UNPAID TAXES AND INTEREST.

THE DECISION ACCUSED THE DOG TRACK OF USING CHARITIES AS A SHAM FOR A PROFITABLE ELECTRONIC GAMBLING OPERATION.

THE JUSTICES UNANIMOUSLY SIDED WITH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, WHICH CONTENDED THAT GREENETRACK'S BINGO OPERATION WAS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AUTHORIZING CHARITY BINGO GAMES IN THE COUNTY.

THAT MEANS BINGO RECEIPTS WERE SUBJECT TO STATE SALES TAX AND OTHER TAXES.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL, WHOSE OFFICE PROSECUTED THE CASE, APPLAUDED THE RULING AND CALLED GREEN TRACK A FOR-PROFIT, ILLEGAL ENTERPRISE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT APTV.ORG AND ALSO AT APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

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

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 JIMMY PARNELL, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> I REALIZE THAT ALPHA IS A HOUSEHOLD NAME, ESPECIALLY ON THE INSURANCE SIDE, THROUGH COMMERCIALS AND WHAT NOT.

COULD YOU TELL OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT THE FEDERATION AND SOME OF YOUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND IN DC?

>> WE WERE FORMED 101 YEARS AGO BY A GROUP OF FARMERS THAT WERE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HAVE INPUT IN POLICY IN THE STATE.

THAT'S KIND OF BEEN OUR GOAL EVER SINCE.

I THINK WE HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE AT THAT.

ABOUT 25 YEARS AFTER WE WERE FORMED, WE STARTED AN INSURANCE COMPANY THAT IS NOW CALLED ALPHA THAT INSURES THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

VERY PROUD OF OUR ORGANIZATION, PROUD OF WHAT WE ARE DOING, PROUD OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE WE GIVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT DO BUSINESS WITH US.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU LED THE ORGANIZATION?

>> I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE ORGANIZATION FOR 30 SOME ODD YEARS.

I'VE SERVED THE LAST ALMOST TEN YEARS NOW AS PRESIDENT.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I WAS PLANNING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE RECENT LACK OF RAINFALL.

AND HERE THIS WEEK WE HAD A COUPLE OF GOOD DOWNPOURS ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS BUT I STILL WANT TO ASK YOU IN TERMS OF WHERE WE STAND WITH RAINFALL RIGHT NOW FOR FARMERS THIS YEAR?

>> WE ARE HURTING.

THE RAINFALL WE HAVE HAD THE LAST FEW DAYS, AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT, IS MORE SPOTTY.

IT'S THUNDERSTORM TYPE RAINFALLS RATHER THAN WIDESPREAD RAINFALL.

WE ARE BEHIND NORMAL RIGHT NOW AND NEED RAIN FOR OUR CROPS.

AS YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY INCHES YOU GET IN A YEAR BUT HOW MUCH YOU GET WHEN THE CROP NEEDS IT AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE DRY.

>> IS THIS A CRITICAL TIME?

>> IT IS A CRITICAL TIME.

WE NEED RAIN NOW THROUGH AUGUST.

AN INCH A WEEK WOULD BE PERFECT.

WE HAVE BEEN WAY SHORT OF THAT.

>> I'M THINKING IT IS PROBABLY COTTON, SOYBEANS, CORN.

>> CORN RIGHT NOW IS PROBABLY THE CROP THAT'S HURTING THE MOST.

A LOT OF CORN IS IN THE PRODUCTION STAGE RIGHT NOW.

IT NEEDS RAIN NOW.

THE OTHER CROPS NEED RAIN BUT IT IS NOT AS CRITICAL YET.

BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT IN THE PRODUCTIVE STAGE.

THEY ARE NOT MAKING FRUIT SO TO SPEAK.

>> I REMEMBER YOU BRINGING THE PRESS OUT TO THE FARM.

I REMEMBER FROM THAT HALF OF -- OR A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THEIR FARM WAS IRRIGATED, AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM, SOME RESERVOIRS.

I KNOW THAT'S BEEN A BIG PUSH.

IS THAT TO HELP MITIGATE THESE VOLATILE RAINFALL SEASONS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IN GENERAL, ALABAMA HAS A LOW PERCENTAGE OF OUR CROP LAND IRRIGATED COMPARED TO GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI, WE ARE WAY BEHIND.

SOMETHING WE NEED MORE OF IN THE STATE.

IT IS VERY EFFICIENT BECAUSE WE GENERALLY ONLY NEED IT FOR A FEW WEEKS OF THE YEAR.

AS YOU KNOW, IT RAINS A LOT IN ALABAMA.

AVERAGE IS 54 INCHES OR SOMETHING A YEAR, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME DURING THAT PRODUCTIVE STAGE OF THE CROP OR YOU MISS THE WHOLE CROP.

YOU DON'T GET A SECOND CHANCE.

>> CAN'T CONTROL THE WEATHER, BUT THERE ARE SOME OTHER FACTORS THAT ARE IMPACTING FARMERS RIGHT NOW THAT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT.

TOP OF THE LIST ARE INFLATION AND GAS.

LET'S START WITH GAS PRICES.

I GUESS MORE APPROPRIATELY DIESEL PRICES IN MOST SITUATIONS.

THIS HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPACTING FARMERS.

>> YEAH, IT'S HUGE.

THE AVERAGE VIEWER WILL KNOW ABOUT THEIR GAS PRICE WHEN THEY FUEL THEIR CAR.

THEIR CAR PROBABLY HOLDS 15 GALLONS OR MAYBE 20 IF THEY HAVE A LARGER VEHICLE.

SO THEY UNDERSTAND IT.

BUT YOU COMPOUND THAT TREMENDOUSLY IF YOU ARE FILLING A TRACTOR.

150 GALLONS IN A TRACTOR.

SEMI 300 GALLONS.

THOSE ARE HUGE ISSUES FOR AGRICULTURE AND ALL NATURAL RESOURCE PRODUCTS RIGHT NOW.

DIESEL FUEL IS FLIRTING WITH $6 A GALLON.

AVERAGE CUSTOMER IS PROBABLY A LITTLE LESS THAN 5 IN ALABAMA TODAY FOR GAS.

DIESEL IS HIGHER THAN GAS.

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT DEAL.

PARTICULARLY WHEN IT WAS $2 OR A LITTLE LESS THAN $2 A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

>> THIS IS EVERYTHING FROM THE TRACTOR IN THE FIELD, HOWEVER MANY TIMES YOU HAVE TO DO THAT TO TAKING A PRODUCT TO MARKET OR ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO AND I IMAGINE IT LEADS TO INCREASED COST.

>> IT DOES.

I TELL PEOPLE EVERYTHING WE EAT, DRINK, WEAR, AT SOME POINT USED DIESEL FUEL AND TRUCKS TO GET IT TO YOU.

IT WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR COST OF DOING BUSINESS AND EATING AND SURVIVING AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY HAS TO DO.

THE PRICE OF ENERGY IS HUGE.

IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE GOT TO GET REFOCUSED ON AND WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON PRODUCING ENERGY IN THE U.S. ALL OF THIS GREEN STUFF MAY BE A GOOD IDEA, BUT NOT A MATURE IDEA.

THERE'S NOT SOMETHING THAT TAKES PLACE OF GAS, DIESEL AND OIL AT THIS POINT.

WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT AND FOCUS ON PRODUCTION.

>> I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT RISING PRICES FOR FERTILIZER.

THAT ALSO HAS TO HIT YOU RIGHT IN THE WALLET.

>> THAT'S A HUGE DEAL FOR AGRICULTURE.

LAST YEAR -- AND I'M USING A ROUND NUMBER -- YOUR AVERAGE COST OF FERTILIZER WOULD HAVE BEEN 300 AND SOME ODD DOLLARS PER TON.

IT HAS BEEN 1,000, 1100, $1,200 A TON THIS CROP.

IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY TOUGH.

OUR INPUT COST ON THE WHOLE CROP -- WE TALKED ABOUT DIESEL.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

FERTILIZER, THAT'S HUGE DEAL.

CHEMICALS, ONCE AGAIN A DERIVATIVE OF ENERGY.

THE BASE PRODUCT OF MOST OF THE CHEMICALS YOU USE IS SOME TYPE OF OIL.

ALL OF IT IS EXAGGERATED THIS YEAR.

MAKING IT VERY HARD TO BE PROFITABLE.

PRODUCT, COMMODITY PRICES, THE CORN, THE WHEAT, THE SOYBEANS, ALL OF THOSE, THE PRICES ARE FAIRLY GOOD BUT THE INPUT COST TO GROW THAT CROP IS SO LARGE.

THE FARMERS NEED TO MAKE A BUMPER CROP IN ORDER TO CASH FLOW.

SMALL CROP AND HIGH INPUTS WILL BE TERRIBLY -- A TERRIBLE PAIN FOR THE FARMERS THIS YEAR.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF VIEWERS, IF GIVEN THE OPTION, WOULD LIKE TO BUY LOCAL, PRODUCE, OTHER GOODS.

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT?

>> I WOULD TELL YOU, FIRST, THERE'S FARMERS' MARKETS ALL AROUND THE STATE WHERE OUR FARMERS ARE GETTING CROPS AND TRYING TO SELL THEM DIRECT TO THE PUBLIC.

MOST FOLKS KNOW WHERE ONE OF THOSE ARE.

IF THEY MIGHT NOT, WE ARE PART OF AN ORGANIZATION CALLED SWEET GROWN ALABAMA.

IT IS SWEETGROWNALABAMA.ORG AND FIND OUT WHERE THE PLACES ARE THEY CAN BUY VARIOUS PRODUCE AND VEGETABLES.

IT'S A GOOD PRODUCT.

THEY WOULD ENJOY KNOWING WHERE IT CAME FROM AND THEY WOULD ENJOY MEETING THE FARMERS THAT GREW IT.

I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THAT.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN YOU HAD THE SWEET GROWN EVENT HERE AT THE CAPITOL, I TOOK HOME SOME REALLY GREAT STRAWBERRIES THAT NIGHT.

>> WELL, GOOD.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE FARM CENTER.

IT WAS GOING TO BE IN CHILTON AND SEEMED TO FALL THROUGH AND NOW YOU ARE EXPLORING OTHER OPTIONS FOR THIS ARENA THING.

>> IT IS A DREAM OF MINE AND HUGE NEED FOR THE STATE TO BUILD AN AG COMPLEX THAT WOULD HAVE AN ARENA.

A LOT OF FEATURES THAT ALLOW YOU TO HAVE VARIOUS TYPE FUNCTIONS, A MULTI-USE FACILITY.

YOU CAN USE IT FOR HORSE SHOWS, RODEOS AND COW SHOWS AND EVERYBODY THINKS OF WHEN YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND ALSO COULD HAVE CONCERTS, CAR SHOWS, GUN SHOWS, BOAT SHOWS, MOST ANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE COULD BE USED IN A FACILITY LIKE THIS.

THE STUDY THAT WE HAVE SAYS IT WOULD GENERATE $50 MILLION A YEAR TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

WE'RE GOING TO BUILD ONE OF THESE FACILITIES SOMEWHERE AND SOME WAY.

FORTUNATELY, THE CHILTON COUNTY SITE DID NOT WORK OUT.

COULDN'T WORK OUT OUR DIFFERENCES.

WE ARE MOVING.

WE HAVE HIRED A SITE SELECTOR THAT WILL HELP US WITH THAT PROCESS.

WE HAVE PROBABLY BEEN CONTACTED BY ABOUT 20 AREAS IN THE STATE THAT ARE INTERESTED.

SOME OF THEM HAVE INTERESTING IDEAS AND I DON'T KNOW ALL OF THEIR IDEAS RIGHT NOW OF WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER, BUT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THOSE AN ANY OTHERS THAT WANT TO GET IN THE RUNNING, SO TO SPEAK, AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THAT.

OUR GOAL IS TO PUT THIS ON AN INTERSTATE IN THE CENTER OF THE STATE.

THE CENTER OF THE STATE IS A FAIRLY LARGE AREA.

WE WOULD LIKE TO GET IT WHERE MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE IN AN EASY DRIVING RANGE.

>> TOURISM AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> HAS A POTENTIAL TO HAVE HUGE IMPACT AND BRING IN TOURISM DOLLARS IN THE STATE.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF THESE FACILITIES AROUND.

A LOT OF STATES DON'T HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND WE THINK WE COULD BE A SHINING STAR TO HAVE THOSE EVENTS IN THE STATE.

IT NEEDS TO BE ON THE SIDE OF AN INTERSTATE SO PEOPLE CAN GET TO IT EASILY.

SOMEONE COMES TO SOMETHING FROM OUT OF STATE AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE VERY FAR AND TRY TO FIND THE LOCATION.

>> WHILE I HAVE GOT YOU, I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT WHAT GOES ON AT THE STATEHOUSE BUT YOU ARE ALL ENGAGED IN DC, AS WELL.

I KNOW WHEN I WORKED UP THERE, YOU WERE FREQUENTLY ENGAGING IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

I KNOW A LOT OF THAT IS THE FARM BILL.

EVERY FIVE YEARS OR SO THERE IS A NEW FARM BILL.

HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT INTO DC IN THE AGE OF COVID?

>> IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

WE GO.

LAST YEAR MOVED MORE TOWARD NORMAL BUT NOT TOTALLY BACK TO NORMAL YET.

WE ARE ENGAGING WITH THE SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN AND THEIR STAFF AND WORKING WITH THEM AND OTHER STATES.

IT'S NOT A ONE-STATE DEAL TO WRITE A FARM BILL.

FARM BILL IS HUGE.

IT AFFECTS SO MANY THINGS.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT AGRICULTURE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, PROBABLY 80 SOMETHING PERCENT OF THE FARM BILL IS ABOUT NUTRITION.

THAT'S PRIMARILY TALKING ABOUT FOOD STAMPS AND THAT TYPE OF PRODUCT.

SO IT INVOLVES A LOT OF THINGS.

WE'RE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE DISCUSSIONS FOR THE NEXT FARM BILL.

THEY HAVE STARTED HAVING HEARINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

MOST OF US THAT BELIEVE CONSERVATIVE AND THINK CONSERVATIVELY ON LEGISLATION ARE HOPEFUL FOR THIS UPCOMING ELECTION TO HAVE AN IMPACT TO KIND OF CHANGE THE MAKEUP SO TO SPEAK OF THE FARM BILL, WHERE WE WILL BE GOING.

NOBODY IS IN A RUSH TODAY TO GET THAT DISCUSSION VERY FAR ALONG, BUT NEXT YEAR THAT WILL BE A BIG TOPIC, DECIDING HOW WE WRITE THE FARM BILL AND HOW IT IS FUNDED AND WHAT IT APPLIES TO.

>> WELL, BECAUSE OF SOME OF YOUR ADVOCACY, YOU ALL ENGAGE POLITICALLY, KNOWN FOR THAT OVER THE DECADES OF BEING INFLUENTIAL POLITICALLY.

I HAVE TO NOTE, THOUGH, IN THE LAST TWO -- WE HAVE HAD TWO U.S. SENATE ELECTIONS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF CYCLES, YOU ALL MADE EARLY ENDORSEMENTS THAT MAYBE WERE -- COULD YOU CALL THEM LONG SHOTS?

I REMEMBER WHEN THE FEDERATION ENDORSED TOMMY TUBERVILLE.

NO ONE THOUGHT IT WAS A FRONTRUNNER BUT WON.

YOU HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL ON YOUR BETS LATELY.

>> WE'RE AGGRESSIVE.

I THINK THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THE LAST PERSON TO A PARTY USUALLY DOESN'T HAVE BIG IMPACT.

THE FIRST PERSON DOES.

THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY WE LOOK AT POLITICS.

WE HAVE A GRASSROOTS NETWORK ACROSS OUR STATE.

IT'S NOT A DECISION I MAKE.

IT'S A DECISION OF EVERY COUNTY OF WHO WE ENDORSE AND THE CANDIDATES THIS WILL GET OUT AND WORK AND EARN THAT ENDORSEMENT EARLY BUILD A TREMENDOUS NETWORK OF SUPPORTERS ACROSS THE STATE.

THEY NOT ONLY GET OUR ENDORSEMENT, THEY GET PEOPLE WORKING FOR THEM EVERY DAY TRYING TO HELP THEM GET ELECTED.

BASICALLY WORD OF MOUTH.

IT'S A POWERFUL NETWORK.

OUR COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS ARE KEY INDIVIDUALS IN EACH OF THEIR COUNTIES, THEY ARE RESPECTED IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THEIR SOCIAL CLUBS AND THINGS, THEIR CHURCH, THAT TYPE OF NETWORK.

AND ONCE THEY KNOW A CANDIDATE AND START TO TALK TO THEIR FRIENDS ABOUT IT, WE SEE A TREMENDOUS CHANGE IN THE WAY THAT AFFECTS THE POLLS.

SO WE ARE VERY PROUD OF TAKING THOSE STEPS EARLY AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

AS YOU KNOW, SENATE IS A HUGE DEAL.

EACH STATE HAS TWO SENATORS.

WE ARE JUST AS POWERFUL AS ONE OF THE BIG STATES, LIKE CALIFORNIA OR WHEREVER YOU WANT TO SAY THAT HAS HUGE POPULATION.

ALABAMA HAS THE SAME SAY THEY HAVE IN THE U.S. SENATE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO US TO HAVE GOOD, CONSERVATIVE SENATORS IN THOSE ROLES.

WE ARE PROUD OF KATIE.

KATIE IS TREMENDOUS.

SHE'S THE NEAR IDEAL CANDIDATE.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CANDIDATE WORK HARDER AT GETTING TO MEET THE PEOPLE AND IN THE PROCESS THE PEOPLE THAT MET KATIE BRITT LOVED KATIE BRITT AND THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE.

THAT'S WHY SHE GOT 60% OF THE VOTE IN THE RUNOFF THE OTHER DAY.

>> HOPING TO HAVE HER ON SOON.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

I HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK AND SHARE MORE.

AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING WHAT FARMERS ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW AND SOME DIFFICULT TIMES.

>> SOME TRYING TIMES.

WE ARE ALL PRAYING FOR THE RIGHT WEATHER AND THE RIGHT CROP AND THAT THE PRICES WILL HOLD.

IT WOULD BE TERRIBLE IF THE PRICES DROPPED AFTER YOU HAVE GOT ALL OF THESE HIGH EXPENSES IN THIS CROP.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLINS FROM DECATUR.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I'M GLAD TO BE HERE, TODD.

THANK YOU FOR ASKING ME.

>> THERE'S NO SECRET WHY I'M HAVING YOU ON HERE.

WE'RE A WEEK AFTER THIS MONUMENTAL RULING, ROE V. WADE.

YOU HAVE BEEN A PRO-LIFE ADVOCATE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> YES.

>> BEFORE WE GET TO OTHER THINGS ABOUT ITS APPLICATION, I WANT TO ASK YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?

A WEEK AGO WHEN YOU HEARD THE NEWS FROM THE SUPREME COURT?

>> I WAS FLYING TO A CONFERENCE FRIDAY MORNING.

SO, WHEN I TURNED MY PHONE OFF AIRPLANE MODE, IT ALMOST EXPLODED IN MY HAND.

IT WAS JUST DING, DING, DING, DING, DING.

I THINK I HAD 20 MISSED CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES.

AND THOSE ARE THE ONLY THINGS I GET NOTIFICATIONS.

I'M LIKE OH, MY GOSH.

I'M TRYING TO READ AND CATCH UP MAIN CONFERENCE IS STARTING IN THREE HOURS.

SO I TRIED TO CALL PEOPLE BACK, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE FROM THE STATE AND AT LEAST SAY -- I WAS SO EXCITED AS PEOPLE WHO WORKED IN A PRO-LIFE COUNSELOR AND LAWMAKER AND THRILLED.

FELT LIKE IT WAS AN ANSWER TO PRAYER.

JUST PRAISE GOD.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE.

WE HAD A LEAK THAT IT MIGHT BE TRUE BUT IT MAKES YOU FEARFUL IT MAY NOT BE TRUE.

OVERJOYED.

I THINK RIGHT NOW WE WANT TO CELEBRATE THE VICTORY AND LIFE WHAT WE BELIEVE SHOULD BE TRUE IS NOW TRUE.

ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED AND STATES CAN COME UP WITH LAWS ON WHAT THEIR LAWS WILL BE ON ABORTION.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE LEAK.

EVERYBODY WAS WONDERING WOULD THE RULING BE CLOSE TO THAT.

IT WAS.

I THINK THREE WORDS WERE CHANGED.

AS YOU MENTIONED, IT SENDS THE QUESTION BACK TO THE STATES.

HERE IN ALABAMA THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE LAWS PASSED OVER THE YEARS RESTRICTING ABORTION.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE POLICY AND AT THE REQUEST OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE FEDERAL COURT REMOVED ITS INJUNCTIONS, THIS ABORTION BAN AND ATTORNEY GENERAL MARSHALL SAYS THAT MEANS ELECTIVE ABORTIONS ARE EFFECTIVELY ILLEGAL IN ALABAMA NOW.

>> RIGHT.

>> DO YOU HAVE THE SAME INTERPRETATION?

>> I HAVE THE SAME INTERPRETATION.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE HUMAN LIFE PROTECTION ACT SAID.

AND NOW IT IS IN EFFECT THAT IS WHAT IT DOES RIGHT NOW.

I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN ALABAMA.

>> I WANT TO CLARIFY A FEW THINGS.

THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT WHAT MIGHT AND MIGHT NOT BE LEGAL AND MAYBE IT'S TOO EARLY ON SOME OF THESE THINGS.

MAYBE IT WILL HAVE TO BE FLESHED OUT BY PROSECUTORS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES.

THESE ARE FERTILIZED EGG IMPLANTS ITSELF IN THE FALLOPIAN TUBES.

SO MAYBE THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER.

>> I WOULD THINK SO.

I MENTIONED EARLIER, I WAS WITH THE DOCTORS ASSOCIATION GROUP AND I THINK THAT IS A LIFE OF THE MOTHER AND THAT IS THE EXEMPTION THAT WE HAD IN THE BILL.

I THINK THAT WOULD NOT BE INCLUDE SOME OF THOSE MAY HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT IN COURTS.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT MORNING AFTER PILLS AND OTHER SUCH MEDICATIONS, MAYBE NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED IN THE BILL OR LAW.

ANY CLARITY THERE YET?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS CLARITY.

I'M NOT SURE MORNING AFTER AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE DID NOT GET INTO CONTRACEPTION OR INTO WHEN EVERYTHING BEGINS EVEN WITH LIFE.

I KNOW WHAT I BELIEVE AND THINK BUT THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT IS THAT IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW TO HAVE AN ABORTION AND THE PENALTY WOULD BE ON THE PROVIDER, THE DOCTOR THAT'S DOING THAT.

THAT IS WHO IT WAS AIMED AT.

THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER WAS THE EXCEPTION.

THE PURPOSE, LIKE YOU SAID EARLIER WAS TO ADDRESS THE ROE V. WADE, WHICH THE QUESTION BEING IS THE BABY IN THE WOMB A PERSON IS IT A HUMAN BEING, A LIFE?

I BELIEVE IT IS AND I THINK SCIENCE SHOWS IT IS.

NOW THAT ROE IS OVERTURNED, I THINK OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO DECIDE IS THIS WHERE WE WANT TO BE?

I THINK THIS IS WHERE THE COMMUNITIES GET TOGETHER AND WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND MAKE SURE WE ARE GOING IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE MAJORITY OF ALABAMIANS WANT US TO BE.

>> ON THOSE SAME LINES, I REMEMBER TEN YEARS AGO, MAYBE NOT THAT FAR, WHERE A 20-WEEK ABORTION BAN WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR VICTORY FOR PRO LIFE COMMUNITY AND YET THESE DAYS IT SEEMS TO BE TRENDS TOWARD ABSOLUTE BANS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.

ARE YOU CONCERNED WITH THAT TRAJECTORY, GETTING TO A PLACE WHERE THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN EXTREME POSITION, ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS WHO AREN'T REALLY PASSIONATE EITHER WAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

>> I THINK I'M AM A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS AN ISSUE WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LISTEN TO ALL OF THE SIDES AND POINTS.

AND ALWAYS THE EXTREME SIDES ARE THE LOUDEST.

THEY ARE THE ONES YOU HEAR THE MOST.

I REMEMBER -- I THINK KERRY RICH CARRIED THAT BILL.

IT WAS ABOUT PAIN.

THAT THEY FELT THAT BABIES COULD FEEL PAIN BY 20 WEEKS.

THAT WAS A BARRIER WE WANTED TO GO BUT WHAT I REMEMBER MOST DURING THIS TIME PERIOD IS EVERYONE HAS BEEN TRYING TO CHIP AWAY AT IT.

IF WE COULDN'T OVERTURN ROE V. WADE, WHERE COULD WE CHIP AWAY AND GET SOMETHING THAT WOULD WORK AND LIMIT ABORTIONS AND MAKE IT LESS, NOT CONTRACEPTIVE.

THAT'S THE THING.

WHEN YOU ARE GIVEN AN ABORTION AS A MEANS OF CONTRACEPTION, I DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT IT WAS INTENDED EVEN IN THE FIRST.

MAKING SURE THAT MOTHERS ARE HEALTHY AND THAT WE HAVE -- I THINK RIGHT NOW WE WILL HAVE TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE TO TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN THAT ARE BORN THAT ARE NOT WANTED.

I KNOW I HEAR OF FAMILIES ALL THE TIME THAT ARE WANTING BABIES AND WAITING FOR THEM.

I THINK THE COST OF THE PROCESS HAS TO COME DOWN.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT AS WE GO THROUGH TIME ON THAT.

I THINK WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE ABLE TO HEAR FROM THE EXTREME, WHETHER IT IS RIGHT OR LEFT, BUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS SEE WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THE STATE FEELS LIKE AND WHERE DO WE WANT OUR LAWS TO BE THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WANT.

>> INTERESTING THAT YOU MENTIONED IN TERMS OF TAKING THE BABIES TO TERM AND MAKING SURE THERE IS HEALTHCARE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THIS PAST SESSION, YOU ALL EXTENDED THE MATERNITY CARE FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS FOR THAT FULL YEAR.

I THINK IT WAS A PILOT BUT DO YOU SEE THAT MAYBE EXTENDED IN LIGHT OF THIS DECISION?

>> I THINK IT COULD BE.

I THINK WE WILL LOOK AT A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THAT THAT MAKE IT BETTER.

WE INVESTED 17 MILLION IN STARS FOR CHILD CARE.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE MORE AND MORE THINGS WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO UPLIFT THAT AND MAKE SURE OUR FAMILIES ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT OUR MOTHERS THAT ARE EXPECTING AND OUR MOTHERS THAT ARE DECIDING TO KEEP THE BABIES OR DECIDING TO SEND THOSE BABIES FOR ADOPTION AND ALL THAT WE HAVE A PATHWAY THAT IS CLEAR.

THERE'S BEEN A GROUP WITH THE ALABAMA LAW INSTITUTE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT ARE EXPERTS AND WORKING WITH ADOPTION AND FOSTER LAW.

THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TO REWORK THE LAWS THAT WE HAVE.

SO WE GET RID OF SOME OF THE BUREAUCRATIC TAPE AND NOT PUT ANYBODY IN A PLACE THAT IS UNSAFE BUT STILL STREAMLINE THE PROCESS ITSELF.

I HOPE THOSE WILL BE READY TO PRESENT BY NEXT SESSION, AS WELL.

>> IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ROE V. WADE, 50 YEARS AGO, REALLY MADE THE UNITED STATES UNIQUE BECAUSE IT CREATED THIS BLANKET RIGHT TO AN ABORTION OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 50 YEARS.

WHEREAS OTHER COUNTRIES DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

SO THEY HAVE DEALT WITH IT LEGISLATIVELY.

AND INCLUDING AS SCIENCE HAS EVOLVED.

LOOK AT PLACES LIKE EUROPE WHERE I THINK IN ENGLAND IT IS A 24-WEEK BAN.

THAT'S THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE.

NETHERLANDS 22 WEEKS, SWEDEN 18 WEEKS, FRANCE 16 WEEKS, GERMANY 14 WEEKS.

THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF RESTRICTIONS YOU WOULD SEE IN AMERICAN STATES.

SO MY QUESTION IS THIS -- IF ROE HADN'T EXISTED DO YOU THINK THE UNITED STATES WOULD HAVE ADDRESSED IT ON THE STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL ON THE MORE REASONABLE POLICIES CAME OUT INSTEAD OF MORE EXTREME?

>> I THINK THAT IS VERY TRUE.

I THINK THAT IS EXACTLY HOW IT WOULD HAVE WORKED.

I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FEDERAL POLICY.

I THINK IT WOULD HAVE WORKED OUT IN THE STATES, LIKE WE DO THE REST OF OUR LAWS.

I DO THINK WE WOULD HAVE COME UP WITH IT AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME MORE LENIENT AND SOME MORE RESTRICTIVE AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE WILL SEE NOW.

I THINK THAT IS HOW IT SHOULD BE.

WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON HUMAN LIFE PROTECTION ACT FOUR YEARS AGO -- THREE YEARS AGO, I GUESS, NOW -- IN ALABAMA, IF YOU ARE A DRUNK DRIVER AND YOU KILLED ME, AN EXPECTANT MOTHER, YOU WOULD BE ACCUSED OF TWO HOMICIDES.

BECAUSE IN ALABAMA LAW, WE CONSIDER THAT LIFE IN THE WOMB A PERSON.

SO, I THINK EACH STATE'S LAWS WILL CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THOSE STATES, WHATEVER THEY LOOK LIKE.

SO I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE -- OUR LAWS LOOK LIKE HOW WE WANT THEM TO LOOK.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING TO WATCH AS THE LEGISLATURE COMES BACK INTO SESSION EARLY NEXT YEAR.

AND PROBABLY BEYOND THAT BECAUSE IT'S STILL GOING TO BE JUST SUCH A HOT ISSUE FOR VOTERS.

>> IT WILL BE A HOT ISSUE.

IT WILL BE A DIVIDED ISSUE.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

ROE V. WADE, IN EFFECT OR NOT EFFECT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE DIVISION ON THIS ISSUE.

THERE'S VERY FEW -- I TOLD A GROUP YESTERDAY MORNING I SPOKE.

I SAID WHEN SOMEONE COMES IN MY OFFICE TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE, MY BEST THING I CAN DO IS TO ASK WHY THEY FEEL SO STRONGLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISSUE ON THAT PRO CHOICE SIDE.

AND THEN I ASK PERMISSION TO SHARE, CAN I SHARE WHY I FEEL SO STRONGLY ON THE PRO LIFE SIDE.

WHEN THEY LEAVE MY OFFICE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE -- SING KUMBAYA AND GONE TOGETHER BUT WE WILL HAVE AT LEAST COMMUNICATED WHERE EACH OF US ARE.

I THINK COMMUNICATION, ON THIS ISSUE, IS THE BEST WE CAN GET.

I HOPE WE HAVE GOOD COMMUNICATION THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO DECIDE AND REALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE WE WANT OUR LAWS IN ALABAMA TO BE.

>> SPEAKING OF COMMUNICATION, THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVE HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GLAD TO, TODD.

THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE PAGE.

YOU CAN LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STEPHEN STETSON, DIRECTOR OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD, ALABAMA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GLAD TO BE HERE, TODD.

>> OBVIOUSLY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ROE V. WADE, AND THE DECISION TO OVERTURN THE RULING.

LET ME ASK YOU AS A DIRECTOR OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD ALABAMA, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU HEARD THE NEWS?

>> I HAVE BEEN COMPARING IT TO ONE OF THE GULF HURRICANES THAT YOU SEE COMING BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY LESS DEVASTATING WHEN IT ARRIVES.

WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING BE I THE IMPACT HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC AND THERE'S A LOT OF FEAR.

I FELT SOME OF THAT FEAR AND THERE'S A LOT OF ANGER AND I FELT A LOT OF THAT ANGER, AS WELL.

WHEN THE NEWS ACTUALLY CAME, WE SCRAMBLED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE HOLDING WOULD BE ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE LEAKED DRAFT THAT YOU REMEMBER.

I THINK NOW THERE IS A SENSE OF REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND MAKING SURE OUR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN BIRMINGHAM AND ALABAMA ARE COMPLYING WITH THE LAW.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PATIENTS KNOW WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND PROVIDING A NUMBER OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE SERVICES BUT IT WAS A PUNCH IN THE GUT EVEN THOUGH WE KNEW IT WAS COMING.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT HERE IN ALABAMA.

OVER THE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS PASSED BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

AT THE REQUEST OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE FEDERAL COURT REMOVED ITS INJUNCTIONS OF THE 2019 ABORTION BAN THAT EFFECTIVELY BANNED ELECTIVE ABORTIONS PERIOD IN ALABAMA.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID, QUOTING "THE ELECTIVE ABORTIONS ARE EFFECTIVELY ILLEGAL IN THE STATE."

IS THAT HOW YOU SEE IT?

>> WE ARE CONSULTING WITH OUR LAWYERS TO BE SURE WE HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING.

I'M AN ATTORNEY BUFF I'M NOT OUR ATTORNEY IN THAT REGARD.

BUT I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY RIGHT.

OUR FACILITIES AND I THINK THE OTHER THREE INDEPENDENT CLINICS IN THE STATE HAVE ESSENTIALLY HALTED PROVIDING ABORTION CARE AT THIS TIME.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT BREAKING ANY LAWS AND NOT RUNNING AFOUL OF PERIPHERAL LAWS LIKE CONSPIRACY LAWS.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE AFOUL OF ANY PARTS OF THE LAW.

SO FOR NOW WE ARE REFOCUSING ON OUR CORE SERVICES LIKE STI TESTING AND ANNUAL EXAMS, WELLNESS EXAMS.

WE DO A LOT OF CONTRACEPTION AND WE STILL DO A LOT OF STUFF BUT FOR NOW ABORTION IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL IN ALABAMA.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

I HAVE BEEN HEARING A LOT ABOUT EFFORTS TO DRIVE GIRLS TO OTHER STATES, DRIVE WOMEN TO OTHER STATES, PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO STATES WHERE ABORTION IS LEGAL.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE ALL INVOLVED IN?

>> WE WANT OUR PATIENTS TO GET THE HEALTHCARE THEY NEED BUT FOR NOW WE ARE PUTTING THAT STUFF ON PAUSE.

IF PEOPLE DO THEY OWN RESEARCH THEY CAN LOOK AT THE LAW IN OTHER STATES, BUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD FOR THE MOMENT IN ALABAMA IS NOT PROVIDING THAT ADVICE.

>> DO WE KNOW YET ABOUT HOW THE LAW WOULD IMPACT MEDICALLY -- FIRST OF ALL, THE MORNING AFTER PILL OR OTHER PILLS THAT WOULD BE TAKEN?

DOES OUR LAW -- DO WE KNOW WHETHER OUR LAW WILL BAN THOSE TOO?

>> THERE WILL BE INTERESTING LEGAL QUESTIONS COMING UP.

ONE WOULD BE EXAMPLE, TO YOUR POINT F THE FDA APPROVED A MEDICATION THAT SAYS THIS IS SAFE, CAN PEOPLE STILL ORDER THAT OVER THE INTERNET?

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS LEFT TO BE DETERMINED IN THE FUTURE.

BUT FOR THE MOMENT, THE LINES BETWEEN THOSE ARE BLURRY.

>> THERE'S SOME TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE REVISITING THAT LAW.

ESPECIALLY ADDING -- MAYBE ADDING BACK EXCEPTIONS LIKE FOR RAPE OR INCEST AS HAS BEEN TRADITIONAL AND MAYBE MORE WEEKS ON THAT RESTRICTION.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN HEARING ABOUT SUCH LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS IN THE STATEHOUSE?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING FALL.

WE HAVE A HOT SUMMER AND FALL AHEAD OF US AND THE LEGISLATURE COMES IN IN THE SPRING.

WE'LL SEE.

I'M HEARING CONTRADICTORY THINGS THAT ARE THERE MIXED APPETITE FOR WEAKENING THE LAW, PERHAPS SOME LOOPHOLES AND CARVE OUTS.

I THINK THEY ARE POLITICALLY POSSIBLE BUT IT IS ALWAYS RISKY THIS EARLY TO SPECULATE ABOUT WHAT COULD PASS.

>> YES.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IN THIS POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, THIS REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE HAS ZERO -- NO OF THEM WANT TO BE ACCUSED OF WEAKENING THE ABORTION LAW.

BUT YOU CAN SEE SOME PRACTICAL PROBLEMS BUBBLING UP OVER TIME AS THE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT.

IT BRINGS UP AN INTERESTING QUESTION ABOUT THE TIME.

OR THE TIME PERIOD.

I WAS TALKING TO TERRI COLLINS AND SAID, YOU KNOW, TEN YEARS AGO, REASONS IN THE PRO LIFE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE CELEBRATED OVER THE 20-WEEK BAN.

NOW, THE MOVEMENT IS MORE TOWARD ABSOLUTE BANS AS WE NOW HAVE IN ALABAMA.

THEY COULD TURN IT AROUND AND SAY PLANNED PARENTHOOD WOULD HAVE OPPOSED A 20-WEEK BAN AND HAS FOR YEARS BUT NOW COULD YOU SEE ADVOCATING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT WOULD OPEN UP ACCESS?

>> THOSE INCREMENTAL CHANGES ARE TOUGH TO SPECULATE IN THE ABSTRACT, BUT I THINK THERE ARE WAYS TO COMPROMISE TO MOVE US AWAY FROM THE POLARIZED BRINK WE ARE ON.

I CERTAINLY THINK IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, POLITICIANS ARE GOING TO BE LESS INCLINED TO TAKE A STAND THEY FEEL IS OUT OF SYNC WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS BUT THAT IS IN THE FACE THAT 80% OF THE UNITED STATES THINK ROE SHOULD HAVE STAYED LAW.

I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBERS FOR ALABAMA BUT IT IS PROBABLY A HEALTHY MAJORITY.

I ALSO THINK IT WILL RUN UP AGAINST NARRATIVES THAT ARE GOING TO BEGIN TO EMERGE WHERE INDIVIDUALS THOUGHT THEY HAD A RIGHT TO DO SOMETHING AND THEN REALIZED THEY DON'T ARE GOING TO TRANSLATE THAT INTO A POLITICAL WILL THAT, AS WHERE YOU HAVE SAID, WE HAVEN'T HAD TO RECKON WITH THIS BEFORE.

PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN FOR GRANTED WE HAVE THIS RIGHT AND WHEN THEY REALIZE THEY DON'T, I THINK THERE MAYBE A POLITICAL RECKONING FROM THAT.

>> WELL, YEAH.

ONE CONSEQUENCE OF ROE WAS THIS BLANKET RIGHT TO ABORTION.

REALLY SAY POST CASEY.

LAST 20 YEARS, STATES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PASS THESE LAWS, PASS ABORTION RESTRICTIONS LAWS KIND OF COST FREE.

THEY KNEW THEY WOULD BE BLOCKED BY THE COURTS SO IT WAS MORE THEORETICAL.

IN SOME CASES MESSAGING KNOWING THE COURT WOULD COME ALONG AND BLOCK IT.

NOW THE SCRIPT IS FLIPPED.

ALABAMA'S LAW WILL IMPACT PEOPLE.

MY QUESTION IS, HOW LONG -- DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME FOR THE IMPACTS TO BE FELT TO WHERE IT BUBBLES UP POLITICALLY WHERE THE LEGISLATURE MAY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

>> IT IS EASY TO DO SOMETHING THEATRICAL OR SYMBOLIC WHEN YOU KNOW THERE IS A FEDERAL BACKSTOP.

NOW, AS YOU SAY, THE RUBBER IS ABOUT TO MEET THE ROAD OR THE DOG HAS CAUGHT THE CAR AS THE METAPHOR GOES.

I THINK YES, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE STORIES PERCOLATE AS INDIVIDUALS ARE PUT IN EXTREMELY UNPLEASANT CONDITIONS AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THERE IS A ARE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF LOW INCOME AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT ARE -- OVER 50% OF THE BIRTHS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA WERE MEDICAID BIRTHS FOR EXAMPLE.

WE WILL SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WILL HAVE TO BRING THEIR POLITICAL WILL TO BEAR AND LET ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW THESE ARE LIFE AND DEATH QUESTIONS, NOT A THEORETICAL EXERCISE LIKE SUBSTANTIVE DUE PROCESS AND SOME CLASS AT LAW SCHOOL BUT LIFE AND DEATH DECISIONS.

SO I THINK YES.

WE WILL SEE A LOT OF THAT IN THE FUTURE.

>> I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING WITH REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS BECAUSE SHE'S ON THE OTHER SIDE, RIGHT?

AND ROE VERSUS WADE MADE THE UNITED STATES UNIQUE IN THAT WE HAD SUPREME COURT GRANTED PROTECTION OF ABORTION BUT OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT IN REALISTIC TERMS WHETHER THE CONGRESS OR THE STATES WHEREAS OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE.

LOOK AT EUROPE AND YOU GO DOWN THE LIST -- I THINK IN ENGLAND 24 WEEKS, SWEDEN 18 WEEKS.

I THINK WE HAVE A CHART ON THIS.

BUT, YOU HAVE THESE ENACTED -- LEGISLATED, DEMOCRATICALLY ENACTED RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION THEY HAVE HAD TO GRAPPLE WITH THE LAST 50 YEARS, LET'S SAY.

DO YOU THINK IF ROE HAD NOT HAPPENED -- BACK IN THE EARLY '70s, DO YOU THINK THE UNITED STATES WOULD HAVE THEN GRAPPLED WITH THIS QUESTION AND MAYBE COME UP WITH MORE CONSENSUS RESTRICTIONS, LAWS AS IT CONCERNS ABORTION?

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING HYPOTHETICAL.

WE HAVE NEVER BEEN GREAT AS A COUNTRY OF DEALING WITH MEDICAL NUANCE, AND PEOPLE WHO CAN GET PREGNANT AND THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES ARE OFTEN BEST DEALT WITH BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS AND NOT POLITICIANS, WHO ARE NOT DOCTORS OR UNELECTED JUDGES MAKING THESE DECISIONS.

THAT'S A REALITY THAT AMERICANS ARE JUSTIFIABLY OUTRAGED ABOUT.

IN A WORLD WHERE ROE DIDN'T HAPPEN, YOU ARE ALMOST REWINDING THE CLOCK ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN POLITICAL EXPERIMENT AS WELL.

THE REASON PARTY DEVELOPED IN PART BECAUSE OF THE OUTRAGE AND THE JUDGES THAT WANTED TO OVERTURN ROE.

YOU ARE UNRAVELING AN ENTIRE POLITICAL SYSTEM.

ANOTHER WAY OF THINKING OF IS WHAT IF ROE WASN'T DECIDED ALONG DUE PROCESS LINE BUT EQUAL PROTECTION WHERE IT WAS A RIGHT NOT TO BE FORCED TO COMPULSORY PREGNANCY.

THOSE ARE INTERESTING THINGS TO THINK ABOUT.

I THINK WE WILL SEE THE OUTCOME IN STATE LEGISLATURES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ALABAMA IS NOT EXEMPT.

WE WILL SEE A FIGHT AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> IN SOME WAYS YOU COULD SEE HOW IT IS ALMOST THE WORST TIME IN TERMS OF -- OKAY, WE ARE SO DIVIDED.

CONGRESS REALLY CAN'T GET MUCH DONE AT ALL.

THE EXTREMES ARE PUSHING MOST OF THE WEIGHT HERE.

THIS TIME BOMB HAS GONE OFF.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS HERE.

I THINK IT COULD LAST A LONG TIME.

I THINK WE COULD BE A POST-PROHIBITION ERA AFTER THAT -- YOU KNOW, THAT SORT OF SAME RECKONING OVER TIME.

>> IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A HALF CENTURY OF ESTABLISHED LAW.

IF THE SUPREME COURT AND FEDERAL JUDICIARY ARE UNMARRIED FROM STARE DECISIS AND THEN AS YOU SAY THE POLARIZED TIMES WILL LEAD TO SHOCKING RESULTS AND I THINK IT WILL TAKE GENERATIONS PERHAPS TO UNFOLD BUT I THINK AS THE STORIES BUBBLE UP OF PEOPLE OUTRAGED AND THE 14-YEAR-OLD WHO IS FORCED TO GIVE BIRTH TO THE UNWANTED PREGNANCY FROM THE YOUTH PASTOR OR WHATEVER.

IF THESE HORRIBLE STORIES EMERGE WE WILL SEE THE PUBLIC REACT.

THAT WILL CRYSTALLIZE INTO POLITICAL SENTIMENT.

>> WE ARE OUT OF TIME BUT APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON AND SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> THANK YOU, TODD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DANIEL PRATT WAS ALABAMA'S FIRST MAJOR INDUSTRIALIST AND FOUNDED THE PRESENT DAY CITY OF PRATTVILLE AS A SELF SUFFICIENT MANUFACTURING CENTER.

HIS FACTORY COMPLEX BECAME THE LARGEST MANUFACTURER OF COTTON GINS.

PRATT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN AL EAST TRANSFORMATION FROM A PREDOMINANTLY RURAL ECONOMY TO A MORE DIVERSE INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY, DEVOTED TO MANUFACTURING AND THE PRODUCTION OF COAL, IRON AND STEEL.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

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

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL" HAVE A WONDERFUL FOURTH OF JULY AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT