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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THIS COMING MONDAY AT 2:00, THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WILL CONVENE FOR A SPECIAL SESSION CALLED TO REDRAW ALABAMA'S CONGRESSIONAL LINES.

THE JOINT REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE MET AGAIN THIS WEEK FOR ITS FINAL PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ISSUE, WHICH TOOK UP AN ENTIRE AFTERNOON HERE AT THE STATE HOUSE.

LAWMAKERS HEARD FROM CONCERNED CITIZENS AND INTEREST GROUPS, DISCUSSED A HANDFUL OF PROPOSED MAPS AMONG THEMSELVES AND EVEN RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

ONE THING WE DIDN'T SEE IN THE REPUBLICANS IN THE MAJORITY ARE EXPECTED TO PRODUCE BY MONDAY.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE, WHO CO-CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE AND LED MOST OF THE PROCEEDINGS, EXPLAINED THAT THE PANEL HAD RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF PROPOSED MAPS IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME AND THAT HE WAS MOVING AS FAST AS HE CAN IN A VERY COMPRESSED WINDOW.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DEADLINE FOR PLAN SUBMITTAL WAS JULY 7.

HOW MANY PLANS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED?

AND HOW WILL WE KNOW WHICH PLAN?

>> WE ARE ACTIVELY PROCESSING PLANNINGS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, BUT THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER SENT INTO THE COMMITTEE FROM ALL OVER, FROM FRANCE, FROM NEW ZEALAND AND ALL OVER THE STATE.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE TRYING TO CONSOLIDATE AND GET THE PLANS FROM ALABAMA RESIDENTS TO YOU AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.

WE ARE OVERWHELMED.

SOME PLANS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MAPTITUDE.

WE HAVE TO GET THEM LOADED IN TO MAPTITUDE SO WE CAN RUN THE NUMBERS.

>> DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE COMPLAINED THAT RECEIVING AND PASSING A NEW MAP ON MONDAY WOULDN'T ALLOW TIME FOR LAWMAKERS OR THE PUBLIC TO SCRUTINIZE THE PLAN.

>> I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

WHILE WE TALKED ABOUT ALL THE MAPS WE HAVE AND ALL THE DATA SUBMITTED, THERE'S DATA THAT HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED.

I WOULD REALLY HOPE WE COULD GET THAT DATA BEFORE WE GET TO THE FLOOR.

>> WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING A MAP TOGETHER, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU, AS CHAIR, WILL PUT THE MAP TOGETHER OR WE, AS A COMMITTEE WILL HAVE INPUT IN THE PROCESS.

I UNDERSTAND THE BEING OVERWHELMED BUT WE ALSO KNEW WE HAD THIS DEADLINE.

>> IN THIS COMPRESSED TIME FRAME WE HAVE BEEN WORKING UNDER, LESS THAN 21 DAYS, WE HAVE BEEN DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN.

WE ARE GOING TO RELEASE A MAP BASED ON WHAT WE GATHERED HERE TODAY, THE INPUT FROM EVERYBODY AND SEND IT TO THE COMMITTEE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND THEN MONDAY AT 10:00 WE WILL MEET HERE TO VOTE AND EVERYBODY WILL HAVE INPUT AT THAT TIME.

>> I WANT TO GO ON RECORD THAT THIS PROCESS WHILE GIVING THE APPEARANCE OF BEING OPEN AND TRANSPARENT IS EVERYTHING BUT.

THEN WHEN WE VOTE ON THIS MAP -- I'M GOING TO BE OBLIGATED TO VOTE AGAINST IT BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING FOR ME TO SHARE WITH MY CONSTITUENTS OR VET TO KNOW IF IT IS COMPLIANT.

ONE OF THE RULES OR GUIDELINES OR AMENDMENTS REQUIRED ANALYSIS OF IT.

SO WHEN DO WE GET ANY INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS TO SEE IF IT EVEN REMOTELY SATISFIES THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT?

>> I'LL BE SPEAKING WITH REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND ABOUT THIS ISSUE LATER IN THE SHOW.

DURING THE HEARING, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE INVITED TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED NEW MAPS OR JUST THE ISSUE IN GENERAL.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS.

>> IN THE MEETING THAT LASTED THREE HOURS AND 35 MINUTES, THE PERMANENT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON REAPPORTIONMENT MADE SOME PROGRESS TOWARD ITS WORK TO REDRAW THE 2021 CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

>> WE FINALLY HAVE ADOPTED A SET OF GUIDELINES THAT THE COMMITTEE CAN USE TO DRAW MAPS.

>> THEY ALSO HELD TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT GAVE VOICE TO NEARLY 30 MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THE FIRST HEARING CAPTURED GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE REAPPORTIONMENT PROCESS.

>> I DON'T HAVE A MAP.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT MAPS YOU HAVE, BUT I'D LOVE TO SEE HOUSTON COUNTY STAY IN LINE WITH MONTGOMERY AND ALL THE COMMUNITIES INVOLVED GOING UP THE SOUTHEAST EDGE OF ALABAMA.

>> I'M 16.

I'M IN 11TH GRADE.

MY QUESTION IS -- IS THIS MAP -- OR IF THIS MAP IS NOT PASSED OR ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE STATE OF ALABAMA, WHAT RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE AT RISK FOR MY YOUTH AS FUTURE VOTERS?

>> AND SEVERAL BLACK REPUBLICANS WANTED THEIR PERSPECTIVES ACKNOWLEDGED.

>> I REALLY LIKE THE OPINION OF OUR FOREFATHERS.

THEY STARTED WITH "WE THE PEOPLE" AND WE THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT.

I VOTE REPUBLICAN.

>> I LOVE THIS STATE.

I LOVE MY PARTY.

IT'S UNFAIR THAT WE TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING BASED ON COLOR.

IT STEREOTYPES.

ALL BLACK VOTERS ARE NOT DEMOCRATS.

IT'S DISRESPECTFUL TO BLACK REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.

I HOPE THAT YOU ALL TAKE US AND OUR OPINIONS INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DRAWING DISTRICT LINES.

WE HAVE TO UNITE.

THE REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO COME TOGETHER BECAUSE WE LIVE TOGETHER.

>> THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING FOCUSED ON THE FOUR MAPS CURRENTLY BEFORE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

THE PROPONENTS OF THOSE MAPS SAY EACH SATISFIES THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT REQUIREMENT TO CREATE TWO MAJORITY BLACK VOTING DISTRICTS.

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

>> OF COURSE, THE WHOLE REASON THE LEGISLATURE MUST REDRAW THE DISTRICTS IS THAT THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD A LOWER COURT'S RULING THAT THE CURRENT DISTRICTS, PASSED IN 2021, WERE LIKELY IN VIOLATION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965.

THAT RULING CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF A LAWSUIT FILED BY EVAN MILLIGAN, ALONG WITH OTHER GROUPS.

A MONTGOMERY NATIVE, MILLIGAN HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT PRESENCE AS THE PROCESS HAS MOVED FORWARD.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> WE'RE INVOLVED IN REDISTRICTING AND HAVE BEEN SINCE 2021, RIGHT AFTER THE CENSUS DATA WAS RELEASED.

>> EVAN MILLIGAN WEARS MANY HATS AND ADD SPECTATOR BECAUSE HE PLANS TO WATCH THE SPECIAL SESSION DEALING WITH REDRAWING ALABAMA'S DISTRICTS IN PERSON.

>> WE WERE HOPING FOR THE STATE TO CHOOSE MAPS THAT COMPLY WITH THE VOTES RIGHTS ACT AND WORKED HARD WITH OUR COALITION MEMBERS TO PRESENT INFORMATION ON THE FRONT END FOR THEM TO CONSIDER AS FAR AS MAPS THAT WOULD COMPLY WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND WHAT THEY WOULD LOOK LIKE IN THE STATE LEVEL AND CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

>> HE SAID THAT THEY CHOSE A MAP THAT VIOLATED RULES ESTABLISHED BY THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, CAUSING HIS ORGANIZATION AND OTHERS TO TAKE STEPS.

>> WE FILED SUIT IN FEDERAL COURT.

THE CASE WAS LITIGATED ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT.

WE WON AT BOTH THE LOWER COURT LEVEL AND ALSO AT THE SUPREME COURT LEVEL.

SO NOW THE STAGE THAT WE'RE AT IS THE COURT HAS AGREED THAT THE STATE OF ALABAMA DID VIOLATE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT WITH THE PRIOR MAP THAT WAS ADOPTED.

>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HANDED DOWN A DECISION SAYING ALABAMA NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

>> OUR POSITION, AS PLAINTIFFS IN THIS CASE, IS THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A MAP THAT FEATURES TWO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS.

WHERE BLACK ALABAMIANS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE.

>> THE NEXT STEP AFTER THIS PUBLIC HEARING, THE START OF THE SPECIAL SESSION.

ONE HE SAID HE WILL PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO.

>> WE WILL ALSO BE WATCHING WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WEEK AT THE -- ONCE THE SPECIAL SESSION STARTS ON MONDAY.

THE PLAINTIFFS, IN OUR CASE, OUR FAMILY MEMBERS, OUR FELLOW MEMBERS OF ALABAMA ARE ALL INTERESTED AND HOPE THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA ARE INTERESTED.

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

>> THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD MET THIS WEEK AND RECEIVED THE LATEST TESTING RESULTS FOR 2ND - 8TH GRADE.

SOME GOOD NEWS: ALL GRADES SHOWED IMPROVEMENT IN MATH.

MOST GRADES SHOWED IMPROVEMENT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, BUT NOT ALL.

THE TEST RESULTS FROM THIS PAST SPRING SHOWED 54% OF SECOND GRADERS TESTING AT GRADE LEVEL PROFICIENCY IN ELA.

THAT'S UP FIVE POINTS FROM SPRING OF 2022.

THE STATE'S THIRD GRADERS DEMONSTRATED 54% PROFICIENCY, THAT'S DOWN ONE POINT FROM LAST YEAR.

THE NUMBER THAT STOOD OUT, HOWEVER, WAS 12,843.

THAT'S THE NUMBER OF THIRD GRADERS WHO WERE NOT PROFICIENT AS OF THIS SPRING.

UNDER THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT, BEGINNING THIS SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS WHO CANNOT READ PROFICIENTLY BY THIRD GRADE WOULD NOT ADVANCE TO FOURTH GRADE.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT ERIC MACKEY POINTED OUT THAT THE TRUE NUMBER AT RISK OF BEING HELD BACK WOULD BE MUCH LESS THAN THAT, PERHAPS EVEN HALF TO A THIRD BECAUSE OF SUMMER READING CAMPS AND PERSONALIZED PLANS TO HELP STUDENTS GET UP TO SPEED AND ADVANCE TO FOURTH GRADE.

THE BOARD ALSO ELECTED TRACIE WEST AND I WILL SPEAK ABOUT THE RESULTS LATER IN THE SHOW.

ALSO MEETING THIS WEEK WAS THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION.

BACK IN JUNE, THE PANEL AWARDED 21 LICENSES TO COMPANIES APPLYING TO GROW, TRANSPORT AND DISTRIBUTE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS.

BUT THOSE WERE PUT ON HOLD AFTER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SCORING PROCESS SURFACED.

JOHN MCMILLAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION, SAID SCORING ISSUES ARE BEING RESOLVED AND THE BODY WILL BE READY TO RE-ISSUE LICENSES BY AUGUST 10.

BUT NOT ALL COMMISSIONERS WERE IN AGREEMENT.

>> WELL, THERE'S CONTROVERSY.

EVERY STATE HAS TRIED THIS IS RUNNING IN TO ALL KIND OF PROBLEMS, AND I ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASKING THE UNIVERSITY TO GET INVOLVED.

I THOUGHT TO MINIMIZE THAT WE WOULD HAVE THE SCHOOLS, THAT HAVE MEDICAL SCHOOLS AND PHARMACIES TO PARTICIPATE.

WE ASKED UAB, AUBURN, ALABAMA STATE, BECAUSE IT'S THE LARGEST HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY AND SOUTH ALABAMA AND ONLY SOUTH ALABAMA FELT THEY COULD ASSIST US IN THIS PROGRAM.

WE WANT TO TRY TO GET SOME INDEPENDENT EVALUATORS TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD.

THESE ARE NOT HIGH SCHOOL KIDS.

THESE ARE COLLEGE PROFESSORS, RETIRED BUSINESS PEOPLE.

AND WE DID KEEP IT ANONYMOUS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT THEM TO BE PRESSURED TO VOTING FOR ONE PERSON OR THE OTHER.

SO WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE EVALUATION PROCESS.

EVERY STATE HAS USED EVALUATORS.

STATE OF FLORIDA USED A COMMISSION.

THEY WERE TIED UP IN LITIGATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

MOST STATES HAVE HAD LITIGATION AFTERWARDS BECAUSE, LET'S BE SIMPLE, THIS IS ABOUT MONEY.

EVERYBODY WHO'S INVOLVED IN THIS THINKS THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY TO BE MADE IN THIS.

LET'S NOT FEEL SORRY ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO AREN'T GETTING AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY THOUGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PATIENTS, THE CANCER PATIENTS AND THE CHILDREN WITH SEIZE YOURS THAT NEED THIS.

>> LOOKING TO WASHINGTON, IT WAS A BUSY WEEK FOR THE ALABAMA DELEGATION IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS, WHO CHAIRS THE POWERFUL HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, GUIDED THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT TO PASSAGE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

IN TOTAL, THE BILL AUTHORIZES $874.2 BILLION IN DEFENSE SPENDING.

IT ALSO INCLUDES A 5.2% PAY RAISE FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, THE LARGEST IN A GENERATION.

THE BILL ALSO INCLUDES POLICY PARAMETERS THAT MIGHT SOUND FAMILIAR.

IT WOULD ROLL BACK THE PENTAGON'S RECENT POLICY OF PAYING FOR SERVICE MEMBERS OR THEIR FAMILIES TO TRAVEL TO OTHER STATES TO SEEK ABORTIONS.

IT WOULD ALSO STOP ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION RELATED TO A SPACE COMMAND PERMANENT HEADQUARTERS, WHICH IS A MOVE MEANT TO STOP THE AIR FORCE FROM AWARDING THE COMMAND TO COLORADO SPRINGS INSTEAD OF HUNTSVILLE.

THE BILL PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES WITH THE STATE'S SIX REPUBLICANS VOTING IN FAVOR AND LONE DEMOCRAT TERRI SEWELL VOTING AGAINST.

ROGERS SAID THE BILL, WHICH NOW GOES TO THE SENATE, BOLSTERS NATIONAL DEFENSE, INCLUDING THE THREAT FROM CHINA.

>> IT PROVIDES WAR FIGHTERS THE RESOURCES AND AUTHORITIES THEY NEED TO PROVIDE THE DEFENSE OF OUR NATION AND SECURITY OF OUR ALLIES AROUND THE WORLD.

THAT'S CRITICAL BECAUSE THE THREATS WE FACE TODAY ARE MORE COMPLEX AND SERIOUS THAN ANY POINT IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.

TOPPING THAT LIST IS AN INCREASINGLY AGGRESSIVE CHINA.

RANKING MEMBER SMITH AND I RECENTLY LED BE A BIPARTISAN TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES AND WHAT WAS CLEAR IS THE THREAT FROM CHINA IS REAL AND REPRESENTS THE MOST PRESSING NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGE WE HAVE FACED IN DECADES.

THE FY24 NDA WAS BUILT WITH THAT UNDERLYING GOAL DETERRING THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY IN MIND.

IT PROVIDES NEW AUTHORITIES AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES LIKE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND HYPERSONICS THAT WILL GIVE US AN ADVANTAGE IN A CONFLICT WITH CHINA.

>> THAT PENTAGON ABORTION TRAVEL ISSUE REMAINED IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK AS U.S.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE HAS CONTINUED HIS HOLD ON MILITARY PROMOTION CONFIRMATIONS UNTIL THE PENTAGON REVERSES ITS DECISION.

PRESIDENT BIDEN EVEN CRITICIZED TUBERVILLE FROM OVERSEAS, CALLING THE HOLD IRRESPONSIBLE.

TUBERVILLE DEFENDED THE MOVE SAYING SUCH A SERIOUS POLICY CHANGE DESERVES A VOTE IN CONGRESS.

>> THIS IS A TWO-WAY STREET.

WE CAN SIT DOWN AND TALK.

WE CAN MOVE THE POLICY BACK THE WAY IT WAS.

LET'S VOTE ON IT.

LET'S LET THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REPRESENTATIVES ACTUALLY VOTE ON IT.

I'M NOT GOING TO ALLOW A DICTATORSHIP IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND PENTAGON.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THE COUNTRY IS ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION AND DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY.

WE HAVE HAD A POLICY FOR 35 YEARS IN THE MILITARY.

JOE BIDEN VOTED FOR IT 35 YEARS AGO.

IT PASSED AND IT WENT IN AND NOW HE WANTS TO CHANGE IT WITH A MEMO.

WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.

>> TUBERVILLE ALSO DEFENDED AND CLARIFIED HIS PREVIOUS COMMENTS ABOUT WHITE NATIONALISTS SERVING IN THE MILITARY.

ASKED ABOUT THE ISSUE ON KAITLAN COLLINS NEW SHOW ON CNN, TUBERVILLE SAID THAT CHARACTERIZING WHITE NATIONALISTS AS RACISTS WAS A MATTER OF OPINION.

HE LATER CLARIFIED THOSE COMMENTS IN INTERVIEWS WITH STATE MEDIA, SAYING WHITE NATIONALISTS ARE RACISTS, BUT THAT DEMOCRATS TOO OFTEN TRY TO CHARACTERIZE ALL REPUBLICANS AS WHITE NATIONALISTS.

>> SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE THAT'S WHAT THEY USE.

THEY USE AGAINST US WHITE EXTREMISTS, WHITE NATIONALISTS.

IF YOU ARE CONSERVATIVE, REPUBLICAN, A CHRISTIAN, A TRUMP SUPPORTER THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL YOU.

I DON'T WANT THEM TO PUT US IN THAT SAME CATEGORY.

I UNDERSTAND WHITE NATIONALISTS ARE RACIST AND WE DON'T NEED THEM IN THE MILITARY BUT I WAS TRYING TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE GET US OUT OF IT.

THE PEOPLE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE NOT WHITE NATIONALISTS.

WE ARE AMERICANS THAT BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN WAY OR CONSTITUTION.

I'M SICK OF THE DEMOCRATS THROWING THAT AT ALL.

THEY'LL MISCONSTRUE EVERYTHING YOU DO UP HERE.

I MIGHT NOT HAVE EXPLAINED IT THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED.

LISTEN, I'M AGAINST RACISM OF ALL FORMS AND FASHIONS.

WE DO NOT NEED RACISM IN THE COUNTRY.

I HAVE BEEN IN COACHING ALL OF MY LIFE.

I UNDERSTAND IT.

I HAVE BEEN AROUND A LOT OF MINORITY KIDS MOST OF MY LIFE, BUT REPUBLICANS, CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS AND TRUMP FANS DO NOT NEED TO BE PUT IN THAT CATEGORY BECAUSE WHEN THEY NEED SOMETHING THEY ARE GOING TO GO RIGHT AT THAT AND MAKE SURE THEY CATEGORIZE YOU AS A RACIST IN ANY POSSIBLE WAY THEY CAN.

BASICALLY, I'M SICK OF THEM.

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

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

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

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

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS CHRIS ENGLAND FROM TUSCALOOSA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT WAS A LONG HEARING WITH THIS REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE, REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE, FOUR, FIVE HOURS ALMOST.

A LOT OF VOICES HEARD, A LOT OF DISCUSSION BETWEEN MEMBERS AND, OBVIOUSLY THESE MAPS GOING BACK AND FORTH.

WHAT WERE YOUR GENERAL TAKEAWAYS OF WHAT HAPPENED TODAY AND WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS?

>> WE SAW ALABAMA TODAY.

WE WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WHEN YOU INVITE THE COMMUNITY IN TO VET MAPS AND BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET.

I ENJOY IT.

ONE OF THE BEST PARTS IS TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC AND HEAR PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT THINGS.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE TO ME THROUGHOUT THE TRANSPARENCY WITH HEARINGS THAT THE ACTUAL MAP THAT MAY BE ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON MONDAY WILL BE ONE THAT IS NOT VETTED BY THE PUBLIC.

I ENJOY THESE SORTS OF THINGS.

I THINK PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT CREATES A BETTER PRODUCT AT THE END OF THE DAY, AND I JUST WISH WE HAD A PROCESS THAT WAS DESIGNED TO GIVE THE PUBLIC INPUT ON THE FINAL MAP.

>> YEAH.

I HEARD YOU EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION THERE TOWARD THE END.

I GUESS THE PLAN IS TO COME BACK ON MONDAY AT 10:00 BEFORE THE SESSION BEGINS FOR THE COMMITTEE TO VOTE ON THE FINAL.

YOU MAY SEE IT BUT IT MAY NOT BE DISSEMINATED PUBLICLY.

IS THERE A BETTER TIME TO DO THAT WITH THE TIME CRUNCH?

>> YEAH, I DO.

THE MAPS WE SAW TODAY WERE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO OUR FIRST PUBLIC HEARING.

THEN WE HAD A DEADLINE WE GAVE THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THE MAPS.

I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER PROCESS HAD A REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY GIVEN US SOME IDEA OF WHAT MAPS THEY WERE LOOKING AT OR WHAT THEIR ISSUES OR SOME OF THEIR ISSUES WERE.

AS IT STANDS NOW, WHEN WE COME IN ON MONDAY, AND THE COMMITTEE MEETS -- WHICH, BY THE WAY, THIS MEETING ON MONDAY WAS NOT ANNOUNCED.

WE FOUND OUT ABOUT A MEETING ON MONDAY TODAY.

WE ALSO FOUND OUT THERE WILL BE A MAP PRESENTED FOR OUR CONSIDERATION ON MONDAY TODAY.

SO, I THINK THE WAY TO FIX THE PROCESS AND BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE IS TO DO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE PUBLIC WAS DOING, GIVING US YOUR IDEAS, GIVE US THE MAPS TO VET IT AND GIVE US IDEAS WHAT THE PUBLIC THOUGHT ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES OF THE INTEREST IN IT, THE PRECINCTS PLITT OR AN IDEA OF WHAT THE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE IS THE APPROPRIATE BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION AND DISTRICT SO WE CAN VET IT AND GET AN IDEA WHERE THE PROCESS IS HEADED.

WE HAVE HAD TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS AND WE'RE REALLY IN STEP ONE BECAUSE WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT IS GOING.

>> THAT'S THE MAGIC WORDS, RIGHT?

BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION.

YOU ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE PLAINTIFFS MAP, THE MILLIGAN MAP.

>> YEAH.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, DO YOU THINK THE REPUBLICANS AND THE COMMITTEE, AS A WHOLE, WILL PASS SOMETHING CLOSE TO THAT?

WILL IT LOOK CLOSE TO THAT WITH A FEW DEVIATIONS, OR DO YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO SOMETHING RADICALLY DIFFERENT?

>> I DON'T REALLY HAVE AN IDEA AND I WISH I DID BECAUSE THE POLITICAL PERSON IN ME, SOMEBODY THAT'S BEEN IN MONTGOMERY FOR A WHILE THINKS IT WILL BE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, SOMETHING THAT WILL PUSH IT TOWARD THE EXTREMES TO FORCE IT BACK INTO COURT AND MAKE -- EVENTUALLY -- I SAY THIS ALL THE TIME, IF ALABAMA HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING WRONG, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT BETTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THIS IS HEADED.

I MEAN, FOR ONE, THE MAP THAT WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON HASN'T BEEN SEEN, HASN'T BEEN VETTED.

TWO, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS OF IT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ANY TIME.

AS SOON AS WE GET FINISHED MEETING ON MONDAY, AT 10:00, THEN WE ARE GOING TO START SESSION THAT AFTERNOON.

SO, THERE'S REALLY NO OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON WHAT COULD ULTIMATELY BE THE MAP THAT PASSES, THAT GOES TO THE SUPREME COURT.

AND FOR ME, IF I WERE ON THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT, AND WATCHING THIS PROCESS PLAY OUT LIKE IT DID IN 2021, AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP IN AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL MAP, I ALREADY HAVE QUESTIONS IN MY MIND ABOUT, WELL, THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING TWICE AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT.

ALABAMA DID THE SAME THING THEY DID IN 2021, PASSED A MAP NOBODY SEEN BEFORE AND RESULTED IN AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL MAP AND LO AND BEHOLD AFTER WE TOLD YOU THE MAP WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL YOU GO AND DO IT AGAIN.

SO, I MEAN, I FOR ONE WOULD HAVE STARTED OFF OPENING THE DOOR WITH A PROCESS THAT INCLUDED YOU GETTING AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHERE WE ARE HEADED.

>> IT IS THIS QUESTION BETWEEN WHATEVER THE REPUBLICANS ULTIMATELY COME UP WITH, AND I GUESS WE WILL SEE ON MONDAY.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT OPPORTUNITY VERSUS MAJORITY.

MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT VERSUS ONE THAT'S, 40S, THAT KIND OF THING.

LOOK, THE SUPREME COURT DIDN'T MANDATE TO BLACK VOTERS BUT DID ACKNOWLEDGE AND SAID BASICALLY SOMETHING CLOSE TO IT.

SO, I GUESS, GETTING TO WHAT YOU WERE JUST SAYING, IF THEY DECIDE TO DO LET'S SAYING ABOVE 50 BUT THE SECOND DISTRICT MID-40S, DO YOU THINK THAT'S A RISK AT THE COURT?

DO YOU THINK THE COURT COULD POSSIBLY SAY, OKAY, YOU DIDN'T DO WHAT WE EXPECTED YOU TO DO?

WHAT'S THE MAGIC NUMBER?

I GUESS IT'S HARD TO SAY.

IS IT 45, 48.

HOW CLOSE DO YOU HAVE TO GET?

>> TO BE HONEST, I DON'T THINK THERE IS A MAGIC NUMBER.

FOR ME, FROM THE BEGINNING I WANT SOMETHING THAT SATISFIES THE COURT'S ORDER, THE DISTRICT COURT'S DIRECTIVE IN CREATING A MAP THAT SATISFIES THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, A CONSTITUTIONAL MAP THAT CREATES EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR TO ELECT THEIR CANDIDATE OF CHOICE.

I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THERE IS A MAGIC NUMBER.

HOWEVER, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SQUARE THE COURT ESSENTIALLY SAYING, RACIALLY POLARIZING VOTING OCCURS IN ALABAMA WHICH CREATES THESE CANDIDATES OR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEN NOT HAVE A DISTRICT THAT IS RACIALLY POLARIZED.

TO ME, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO THAT.

I THINK, AS WE GO BELOW BLACK MAY MAJORITY, MINORITY DISTRICT WE ARE PUSHING THE LINE A LITTLE BIT BUT WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR ME IS A DISTRICT THAT IS SUSTAINABLE, OBVIOUSLY, THAT PRODUCES THE DESIRED RESULT OF ELECTING A CANDIDATE OF CHOICE AND IT PERFORMS.

SO THAT MEANS THAT IT'S LAST.

LIKE WE PUT NUMBERS TOGETHER THAT CAN MATCH POPULATION SHIFTS, DEVIATIONS FROM THE CENTER.

SO WHEN PEOPLE MOVE WE ALSO KNOW THAT THAT DISTRICT WILL STILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE FOR YEARS TO COME, LIKE THE 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DOES NOW.

>> UH-HUH.

>> SO IF WE ARE WORKING TO PRODUCE TWO DISTRICTS THAT ARE SUSTAINABLE THAT PERFORM, THEN I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME SEEING HOW THE FURTHER YOU GET AWAY FROM IT BEING MAJORITY MINORITY AND CONTINUING TO WORK OVER THE YEARS.

>> IT WAS KIND OF DRAMATIC AT THE END OF THE HEARING.

YOU HAD THIS LETTER FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SURFACE AND THE COUNSEL FOR THE COMMITTEE READ IT AT LENGTH.

I WAS JUST LISTENING AND PAYING ATTENTION.

LIKE WOW, THIS IS INTERESTING.

BASICALLY MAKING THE ARGUMENT THAT THE PLAINTIFF'S MAP COULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AGAINST THE 14TH AMENDMENT, EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE.

IT ALSO TALKS ABOUT HOW THE PLAINTIFFS PREVIOUSLY TO THIS LITIGATION SUPPORTED QUOTE UNQUOTE OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS.

DO YOU THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S INVOLVEMENT HERE IS GOING TO BE ON INSTRUCTIVE TO THE COMMITTEE?

DO YOU THINK THEY WILL LISTEN TO THE LETTER CLOSELY?

>> I DO.

JUST TO BE QUITE FRANK, IT WAS A TOUGH LOSS AT THE SUPREME COURT LEVEL FOR THE STATE.

THE LETTER READS SORT OF LIKE RELITIGATING SOME OF THE FACTS OF THE CASE TO RE-EMPHASIZE SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS MADE AND QUITE FRANKLY SOME OF THOSE ARGUMENTS WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL AT THE COURT, AT THE DISTRICT AND SUPREME COURT LEVEL.

THAT'S OBVIOUSLY WHY WE ARE BACK HERE TRYING TO DRAW NEW MAPS.

BUT ALSO, IF THE PHRASE THAT PAYS AT THIS POINT IS BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION, OBVIOUSLY TAKING UP EXAMPLES FROM THE ARGUMENTS THAT WHERE BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION IS MUCH LOWER THAN 50% IN THE DISTRICT, YOU WANT TO CONSIDER TO REITERATE THAT BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, IF THE MAP PRODUCED ON MONDAY DOES THAT, WELL, OUR ATTORNEY, ESSENTIALLY THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, HAS AGREED AND ENDORSED IT WITH A LETTER THAT WENT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

YOU MAY SEE SOMETHING THAT MATCHES SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS MADE, BUT AGAIN I'LL CAUTION ANYONE FROM TAKING THAT POSITION BECAUSE IT WAS REJECTED.

I THINK THE SUPREME COURT WAS PRETTY CLEAR IF RACIALLY POLARIZED VOTING OCCURS IN ALABAMA, IT NEEDS TO BE AS CLOSE TO 50% OR ABOVE AS POSSIBLE.

>> I REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT, REALLY AS THE PROCESS BEGAN, WHEN THE RULINGS CAME DOWN.

I GUESS IT WAS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT HAD ITS RULING.

WE WOULD ALWAYS TALK ABOUT COULD THIS PROCESS INDEPENDENT UP WITH ALABAMA HAVING NOT ONE MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT.

AND YOU BRING THE 7TH DOWN TO 48, 49.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS -- YOU ARE RIGHT, IT'S A RISK.

IF THEY PASS A PLAN LIKE THAT IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THE DISTRICT AND SUPREME COURT COULD REJECT IT.

IF THAT HAPPENS, MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT WOULD GO TO A SPECIAL MASTER AND ESSENTIALLY A LAWYER SOMEWHERE AND THE COURT WOULD DRAW OUR MAPS FOR US?

>> YEAH.

I THINK WE FORGET.

AT ONE POINT, BACK WHEN WE WERE INITIALLY LITIGATING THIS CASE, WE WERE CLOSE TO HAVING A SPECIAL MASTER THEN UNTIL THE SUPREME COURT STEPPED IN.

THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN COUNSEL ON BOTH SIDES ON WHO THEY WOULD AGREE ON IF WE GOT THE POINT A SPECIAL MASTER WAS NECESSARY.

I THINK IN THIS SITUATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL OUTCOMES.

WE COULD ACTUALLY -- A MIRACLE COULD OCCUR.

WE COULD COME HERE ON MONDAY AND A MAP BE PRODUCED AND WE SAY THAT IS A FANTASTIC MAP.

WE ALL PASS IT.

IT GOES TO THE COURT AND THE COURT SAYS, BLESSES IT AND WE HAVE A MAP.

THAT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

LET'S LOOK AT THE ALTERNATIVES, THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS WE DON'T PASS ANYTHING.

WE CAN'T AGREE ON ANYTHING AND IT GOES TO A SPECIAL MASTER TO BE REDRAWN, OR THE SUBMISSION FROM THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T SATISFY THE COURT'S ORDER IN THEIR OPINION AND THEY REJECT IT AND DRAW IT ANYWAY.

BUT ULTIMATELY, THAT MAP THAT COMES FROM THE SPECIAL MASTER -- AND CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, COULD BE STILL CHALLENGED AND GO TO THE SUPREME COURT FOR FURTHER REVIEW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PEOPLE FORGET ABOUT THAT.

WHATEVER HAPPENS THERE COULD BE LEGAL CHALLENGES AND ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD BE READY TO CHALLENGE -- IF YOU ALL PASS THE PLAINTIFF'S MAP A WEEK FROM NOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE HE MIGHT BE READY TO CHALLENGE THAT ON THE 14TH AMENDMENT GROUNDS.

I GUESS, GOING BACK TO THE WHOLE OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS AND WHAT THE PERCENTAGES ARE, IT IS STILL A CONSERVATIVE COURT.

REALLY, IF YOU FLIP ONE VOTE, I SUPPOSE KAVANAUGH'S VOTE, THAT'S A WINNER.

MAYBE THAT'S THE TEMPTATION TO REALLY GO IN AND HAVE THESE LESS THAN 50% BLACK DISTRICTS.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, IT'S BEEN REMANDED BACK TO THE DISTRICT COURT WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR US TO COMPLY WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

WHILE IT MAY SOUND SPECIFIC WHEN YOU DISCUSS IT, IT'S PRETTY GENERAL AND VAGUE IN ITS APPLICATION.

MEANING THAT THERE ARE PLENTY DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN GO, PLENTY OF AVENUES YOU CAN END UP ON.

FOR US NOW TO WATCH THIS PLAY OUT OVER THE NEXT FIVE -- WE MEET AT 10:00 ON MONDAY TO ADOPT THE MAP WE HAVE NEVER SEEN AND THEN GO TO A PROCESS WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MEMBERS PUSHING MAPS OF THEIR OWN AND ULTIMATELY ONE REPUBLICAN MAP.

IT WILL BE FASCINATING TO WATCH THIS PLAY OUT.

ALABAMA, WE CAN ALWAYS TALK ABOUT, WE DARE TO DEFEND OUR RIGHTS BUT OVER THE COURSE OF HISTORY WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE MAKE ME STATE.

I FULLY ANTICIPATE, AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THAT I DON'T SEE US COMING -- I DON'T SEE US COMING TO AN AGREEMENT ON SOMETHING AND I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, I BELIEVE ULTIMATELY A SPECIAL MASTER DRAWS THIS MAP AND IT GOES BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT FOR FURTHER REVIEW.

>> A LOT OF FOLKS ARE PAYING ATTENTION, NOT JUST HERE IN MONTGOMERY BUT IN WASHINGTON, D.C. OF WHAT IN THE WORLD WILL HAPPEN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EXPLAINING SOME OF THESE THING AND I GUESS WE WILL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

>> I WILL BE HERE.

>> THANKS AGAIN.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS TRACIE WEST, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

SUCH A PRIVILEGE AND HONOR.

>> I SHOULD HAVE SAID NEWLY ELECT READY VICE PRESIDENT.

IT JUST HAPPENED THIS WEEK.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I WAS HOPING YOU COULD SORT OF EXPLAIN WHAT THAT ROLE IS.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR IS BY VIRTUE OF HER OFFICE THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD BUT THE VICE PRESIDENT IS KIND OF THE LEADER AMONG THOSE MEMBERS.

>> YES, RIGHT.

SO, WE HAVE AN EIGHT-MEMBER BOARD MADE UP OF DISTRICTS IN THE STATE, AND THEN, OBVIOUSLY, OUR GOVERNOR IS THE BOARD CHAIR.

I'LL BE FACILITATING THE MEETINGS WHEN SHE'S NOT THERE.

WORKING WITH DR. MACKEY AND THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND THE BOARD TO PREPARE OUR AGENDAS.

OBVIOUSLY, MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS AND LEADERS AROUND THE STATE TO COMMUNICATE THE BOARD'S MISSION FOR THE STATE AND I CONSIDER MYSELF A LIAISON FOR WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND THE MANY GOALS WE ARE ACHIEVING AND MOVE US FORWARD.

I HAVE TO CREDIT THE BOARD BECAUSE THEY HAVE PULLED TOGETHER THE LAST FEW YEAR SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD AND WORKING WITH DR. MACKEY TO ACHIEVE THE THINGS, THE AGENDAS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT FORWARD AND THE LEGISLATURE.

>> TALK ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I REMEMBER DURING THE CAMPAIGN YOU TALKING ABOUT THE BUSINESS BACKGROUND AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD LETTER.

I WONDER HOW THAT INSTRUCTS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE COMING INTO THE ROLE.

>> I THINK MY BUSINESS BACKGROUND BRINGS SOME STRENGTH TO THE ROLE.

I RAN A SMALL BUSINESS FOR -- STILL AM IN BUSINESS BUT SMALL RETAIL SHIPPING BUSINESS FOR 21 YEARS.

IF YOU HAVE EVER WORKED IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY, YOU DO EVERYTHING.

YOU WORK VERY LONG HOURS.

I WAS A MEMBER OF MY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND WORKED THE CITY COUNCIL AND VOLUNTEERED MY TIME IN SCHOOL BECAUSE I HAD CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THE MARION CITY COUNCIL ASKED IF I WOULD LIKE TO SERVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

THAT CENTER HOUSES CHILDREN WHO HAVE VERY SEVERE NEEDS.

MANY OF THEM ARE THERE AS WARDS OF THE STATE OR THEY HAVE MADE VERY POOR CHOICES AND THEY HAVE TO BE AT THE CENTER AND OUT OF TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM.

I CUT MY TEETH ON EDUCATING CHILDREN THAT ARE DIFFICULT, AT BEST.

FROM THAT POINT FORWARD, I APPLIED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD FOR AUBURN CITY SCHOOLS AND SERVED THERE TEN YEARS WHILE I WAS OPERATING A BUSINESS.

THAT IS VOLUNTEER.

YOU ARE NOT PAID FOR THAT POSITION.

I NEVER EXPECTED THAT.

IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO A COMMUNITY I LOVE.

IN SERVING IN THAT ROLE, I DISCOVERED THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WAS VERY DISCONNECTED FROM THE LOCAL CLASSROOM.

I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THEY WERE NECESSARILY THERE TO SERVE US, BUT WE WERE THERE TO SERVE THEM.

SO I RAN FOR THE POSITION WITH REALLY NO SUPPORT AND WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET IN MY CAR AND DRIVE AROUND 14 COUNTIES AND BE ELECTED TO THE POSITION.

IT HAS BEEN MY GREAT HONOR TO SERVE THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND I'M NOW ENTERING INTO A SECOND TERM.

I THINK HAVING THAT BUSINESS BACKGROUND, THAT URGENCY EVERY DAY THAT WHEN MY FEET HIT THE FLOOR, I HAVE CLIENTS TO SERVE.

IF I DON'T WORK, I DON'T EAT.

SO, WE HAVE 750,000 SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OUR CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY.

750,000.

YOU REALLY HAVE TO TAKE THAT NUMBER IN.

THEY HAVE PARENTS, THEY HAVE GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS UNCLES.

THEY DESERVE OUR VERY, VERY BEST.

FOR ME, EVERY DAY I'M THINKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND THE STUDENTS.

I HAVE NO OTHER AGENDA BUT THEIR ACHIEVEMENT.

>> LET'S TALK ACHIEVEMENT AND INSTRUCTION.

SPECIFICALLY READING.

>> YES.

>> BIG TOPIC AT THE BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK AND WE REPORTED ON THE ACAP SCORES ARE IN.

>> YES.

>> WE ARE ALL FOLLOWING ESPECIALLY AS IT PERTAINS TO READING AND MATH.

MAYBE PROMISING NUMBERS BUT THEY JUMPED OFF THE PAGE IN TERMS OF IF THE LITERACY ACT WAS IN FULL EFFECT, MEANING THE ACCOUNTABILITY PORTIONS WERE IN FULL EFFECT, THEN, SEVERAL THOUSAND WOULD HAVE BEEN HELD BACK POSSIBLY.

>> CORRECT.

>> THE NUMBER JUMPED OUT LIKE 12,000, THAT'S WITHOUT THE MITIGATING OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE SUMMER, GETTING THE KIDS BACK UP TO SPEED.

I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WHAT DO PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS COMING WITH THE LITERACY ACT AND IS THERE TOO MUCH FEAR IN SOME OF THESE HEADLINES?

>> WELL, WE NEVER WANT TO USE FEAR AS A TACTIC TO MOTIVATE OUR FAMILIES AND OUR STUDENTS, BUT WE DO NEED TO BE COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE LAW.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DOES HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE COMMUNICATING TO OUR FAMILIES THAT IN THIS LAST ASSESSMENT WE HAD ROUGHLY 12,500 STUDENTS THAT DID NOT SCORE PROFICIENT IN READING.

>> THESE ARE THIRD GRADERS RISING TO THE FOURTH GRADE?

>> CORRECT.

WELL, THEY ARE SECOND GRADERS THAT WERE ASSESSED AND NOW COMING INTO THE THIRD GRADE -- OR, I'M SORRY, YOU ARE CORRECT, THIRD GRADERS THAT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD TO THE FOURTH GRADE.

WE TEST SECOND AND THIRD GRADE.

I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

IF THE LAW WERE IN PLACE AND WE WERE RETAINING STUDENTS THIS FALL, WE WOULD -- THAT'S A BIG NUMBER.

THAT'S A BIG NUMBER.

FRANKLY, WE DON'T HAVE THE THIRD GRADE TEACHERS NOR THE SPACE TO RETAIN THAT MANY STUDENTS.

THE LAW SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THERE ARE PROVISIONS THERE THAT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS CAN WORK TOGETHER AND DEVELOP WHAT'S CALLED A PORTFOLIO.

SO, WHEN WE IDENTIFY A STUDENT IN SECOND GRADE THAT'S NOT PROFICIENT SECOND GRADE, TEACHERS NEED TO START BUILDING THAT BODY OF WORK THAT PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD, EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T PASS THE ACAP ASSESSMENT WITH PROFICIENCY.

THEY CAN USE WHAT IS CALLED A PORTFOLIO, THAT BODY OF WORK, WHERE THE TEACHER WORKS TOGETHER WITH THE STUDENT, WITH THE PRINCIPAL IN THE BUILDING, WITH THE PARENTS PARTICIPATING AND WE PROVIDE EVIDENCE AND VALIDATE THE CHILD IS READY TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO, OUR CONCERN, AS A STATE BOARD RIGHT NOW, IS WE ARE COMMUNICATING WITH EVERY SINGLE PARENT WHO HAS A CHILD RIGHT NOW COMING INTO THE THIRD GRADE.

THE SCHOOL YEAR IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

IF THAT CHILD IS NOT READY AND READING PROFICIENTLY, WE HAVE FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR TO REALLY MOVE THEM FORWARD.

WITHOUT FEAR, BUT WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY, WE HAVE TO GET THE WORK DONE.

WHAT THE STATE BOARD IS ASKING IS REALLY A GROUND-UP APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP.

IT HAS TO HAPPEN IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE TO KNOW THEIR NUMBERS.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE OUT AND THEY ARE BEING VALIDATED.

THE BOARD WILL RECEIVE FINAL NUMBERS AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, BUT WE KNOW THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

WE KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT PROFICIENT.

WE KNOW WHO THOSE STUDENTS ARE.

IF I HAD A HEAT MAP, I COULD SHOW YOU WHERE THE ISSUES ARE.

EVERY SCHOOL HAS THEM, BUT SOME IN A MORE CONCENTRATED NUMBER.

THE NUMBERS ARE HIGHER.

SO, WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS AND BRING ALL OF OUR RESOURCES TO BEAR IN THOSE SCHOOLS THAT NEED US THE MOST.

>> WELL, IT COMES TO MIND THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROPORTION HAS ALREADY BEEN DELAYED ONCE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT EXCEPT FOR COVID.

>> AND THANK GOODNESS IT'S BEEN DELAYED.

>> BUT YOU ARE GOING TO PROBABLY HEAR TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN.

WHEN THEY SEE NUMBERS LIKE THAT, THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION YOU WILL PROBABLY HEAR ABOUT IT AGAIN.

I WANT TO REMIND FOLKS, THE WHOLE POINT HERE, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS A CHILD CAN'T READ, CAN'T READ PROFICIENTLY AND THERE'S EVIDENCE OUT THERE, RESEARCH OUT THERE SHOWING IF YOU CAN'T READ BY THE THIRD GRADE GOING INTO THE FOURTH GRADE, IT REALLY CREATES PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD WITH STAYING IN SCHOOL AND OTHER SOCIETAL PROBLEMS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND OUR CHILDREN THAT NEED TO READ THE MOST ARE IN AREAS THAT REALLY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CHILDREN IN RURAL ALABAMA, THE BLACK BELT, THAT NEED HIGHLY TRAINED TEACHERS TO GO IN AND HELP THEM AND COACHES.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE PUTTING OUR RESOURCES BECAUSE WE KNOW IF THEY ARE NOT READING ON GRADE LEVEL BY THE THIRD GRADE, THE CHANCES OF THEM HAVING A JOB AND EARNING POTENTIAL IN THE FUTURE DWINDLES GREATLY.

>> OR EVEN GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND IT'S A SHAME WE WOULD EVER GRADUATE A CHILD FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITHOUT A PLAN FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT OR FUTURE EDUCATION.

>> YEAH.

YEAH, IT'S JUST WE HEAR SO MUCH TALK ABOUT, WELL, YOU ARE HOLDING THEM BACK AND THAT'S SO, YOU KNOW, NEGATIVE AND ALL OF THAT.

WELL, LIKE CAN'T READ.

THERE'S A REASON FOR IT.

>> I APPLAUD THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT AND THE LEGISLATURE FOR PASSING THE ACT.

IT'S PROBABLY THE MOST ROBUST PIECE OF LEGISLATION AROUND READING IN THE COUNTRY.

I WOULD SAY THE SAME FOR NUMERACY.

WE ARE HEARING THAT FROM OTHER STATES.

I APPLAUD THE ACT.

OUR JOB, NOW AS THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS WITH URGENCY, HAVE OUR SUPERINTENDENTS, OUR PRINCIPALS, OUR TEACHERS, MOVING THESE CHILDREN FORWARD WITH THE TOOLS WE ARE PROVIDING FOR THEM.

LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION NEED TO HAVE EDUCATION AT THE BOARD TABLE.

HOW MANY SCHOOLS DO WE HAVE IN OUR DISTRICT, HOW MANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS DO WE HAVE READING PROFICIENTLY?

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF KINDERGARTENS COMING IN, FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD GRADERS.

WE NEED TO KNOW, AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WHAT TEACHERS ARE NOT LETTERS TRAINED, ARE NOT PREPARED TO ASSIST THOSE CHILDREN IN MOVING FORWARD.

WE NEED OUR COMMUNITIES TO BE INVOLVED.

I KNOW THERE'S A HUGE, GREAT EFFORT GOING ON IN WILCOX COUNTY RIGHT NOW WHERE CLERGY HAVE GOTTEN INVOLVED.

PARENTS ARE INVOLVED AND THEY ARE TAKING THE RESOURCES WE ARE PROVIDING FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THEY ARE LITERALLY ON THE GROUND TALKING TO PARENTS AND GETTING THOSE CHILDREN PREPARED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> WOW.

>> THAT'S JUST ONE SMALL EXAMPLE, BUT I THINK THAT IF WE CAN HAVE A GROUND-UP GRASSROOTS EFFORT, READING INITIATIVE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES WE CAN DO THIS.

I SEE THAT LOCAL BOARD BEING VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CAN PROVIDE EXCELLENT POLICY.

WE CAN FACILITATE WONDERFUL RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS, BUT IF THAT LOCAL BOARD DOES NOT TAKE ACTION WITH THAT LOCAL SUPERINTENDENT, WE WON'T CROSS THE FINISH LINE, AND WE WILL RETAIN MORE STUDENTS THAN WE NEED TO.

I THINK THAT NUMBER IS TRULY 6,000, 6500.

WE KNOW THROUGH SUMMER READING CAMPS WE CAN MOVE HALF OF THE CHILDREN OFF OF THAT ROLL OF BEING NONPROFICIENT.

BUT I WANT EVERY CHILD READING PROFICIENTLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHILE I HAVE YOU HERE, ONLY A LITTLE TIME LEFT BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU MENTIONED YOU INVITED HOUSE MAJORITY AND MINORITY LEADER TO TALK TO THE BOARD AND FACILITATE BETTER COMMUNICATION.

I KNOW HISTORICALLY THERE'S BEEN SOME FROM FRICTION THERE.

I WANTED TO ASK HOW THAT'S GOING.

DO YOU FEEL THERE IS BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY LEGISLATORS NOW.

>> I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

BUT I HAVE AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATORS IN MY DISTRICT.

WHEN I CAME INTO THE ROLE FIVE YEARS AGO I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WAS SOME DISCONNECT THERE.

I HAVE MADE AN EFFORT.

WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE TO TALK OVER AND MEET THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

AND GIVE HIM MY BUSINESS CARD AND ASKED HIM TO REACH OUT TO ME ANYTIME HE HAD A QUESTION ABOUT MY ROLE OR MY SUPPORT OR LACK OF SUPPORT FOR SOMETHING THEY MIGHT BE WORKING ON.

SO MY HOPE IS THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE IMPROVING.

THAT WE ARE BUILDING THAT TRUST.

I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY MIGHT NOT BE TRUSTING OF US.

I ACCEPT, EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T ON THE BOARD WHEN THINGS HAPPENED, I ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN NEGATIVE BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

I THINK DR. MACKEY HAS WORKED VERY HARD AT BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND THAT TRUST.

SO, WE HAVE TO HAVE EACH OTHER WORK TOGETHER ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS.

THAT NUMBER, AGAIN, 750,953 STUDENTS LAST YEAR.

48,000 EDUCATORS.

THOSE HOUSEHOLDS DEPEND ON US TO WORK TOGETHER.

SO I NEVER HAVE WALKED INTO A CLASSROOM AND LOOKED AT CHILDREN AND THOUGHT, WOW, ARE THEY REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?

THEY ARE CHILDREN.

THEY ARE YOUNG PEOPLE.

THEY DESERVE THE BEST EVERY DAY OF US TO PROVIDE A FUTURE FOR THEM.

>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON YOUR ELECTION AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND I'D LOVE TO COME BACK ANYTIME.

>> SURE THING.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

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

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

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STEVE MURRAY, DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.

STEVE, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> I'M GLAD TO HAVE YOU ON.

I REALLY WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAR UP WHAT I THINK IS SOME MISINFORMATION OUT THERE REVOLVING AROUND THIS PROGRAM IN JUNE AS PART OF A SERIES OF PROGRAMS ABOUT CONTRIBUTIONS OF LGBT INDIVIDUALS IN ALABAMA HISTORY.

IT HAS RECEIVED SOME CRITICISM FROM SOME IN THE LEGISLATURE.

ONE I HAD ON LAST WEEK, SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT.

YOU SEND SOME INFORMATION TO LAWMAKERS CLARIFYING WHAT THIS WAS AND WASN'T.

CAN YOU GET US UP TO SPEED?

>> SURE THING.

THIS AFTERNOON WE SENT A LETTER TO ALL OF THE MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAD THE SAME INFORMATION AND WE ARE HEARING DIRECTLY FROM THE ARCHIVES AND STATING THAT WE FULLY RESPECT THE LEGISLATURE'S AUTHORITY TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS AND THAT'S BECOME PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

THE LETTER ALSO PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS PROGRAM, WHICH HAPPENED ON JUNE 15TH WAS PART OF THE MONTHLY FOOD FOR THOUGHT SERIES WHICH FOR 30 YEARS BROUGHT IN A DIFFERENT SPEAKER WITH EXPERTISE ON ALABAMA HISTORY AND PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO HEAR FROM THAT PERSON.

IN JUNE, OUR TOPIC WAS LGBTQ HISTORY IN ALABAMA.

IT WAS A PROGRAM THAT SPOKE TO HISTORY THAT WAS DATING BACK 50 YEARS AGO WHEN SOME STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA STARTED TO ORGANIZE MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY THERE AND AN EARLY BIRMINGHAM BASED ORGANIZATION PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES.

IT WAS A TRADITIONAL TALK IN THE WAY OF A SPEAKER COMING IN WHO'S DONE RESEARCH ON A TOPIC AND PRESENTING THAT HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN A WAY THAT IS VERY CONSISTENT WITH OUR LONG-STANDING PATTERN THAT APPROACHES REALLY JUST ABOUT EVERY TOPIC UNDER THE SUN IN ALABAMA HISTORY.

>> THIS WASN'T SOME BIG PRIDE MONTH CELEBRATION.

IT WAS LITERALLY HISTORY, THE DISCUSSION OF THAT HISTORY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

LOOKING AT PRIMARY SOURCES IN HISTORY, WHAT'S AVAILABLE ABOUT THESE EFFORTS DECADES AGO, PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO LIVED HERE, WHO WERE STARTING TO CREATE ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THAT COMMUNITY, AND THEN LOOKING AT THE LIVES SOME OF NOTABLE ALABAMIANS, WHO HAPPENED TO BE LGBTQ AND SOME OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I ASKED SENATOR ELLIOTT.

ISN'T THAT PART OF OUR FABRIC AND OUR HISTORY?

I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME LITTLE ISSUES THERE, IDEOLOGICAL ISSUES THERE BUT THAT IS A LEGIT PART OF THE FABRIC AND CONVERSATION OF ALABAMA HISTORY.

>> IT IS.

AND WE SEE THAT WITH -- SPECIFICALLY IN THE REALM OF OUR HISTORICAL WORK AS ONE OF THE STATE'S HISTORICAL AGENCIES, AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK BROADLY AT THE STATE'S HISTORY AND TO BE SURE WE ARE SERVING ALL OF ALABAMA CITIZENS, ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS IN A WAY THAT MEANS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE COVER A LOT OF TERRITORY IN ANY GIVEN YEAR.

THIS ONE HOUR HAPPENED TO BE DEDICATED TO THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC THAT WE THINK IS A LEGITIMATE HISTORICAL INQUIRY.

IT WASN'T ABOUT CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL ISSUES.

>> AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT APPROPRIATIONS AND SPECIFICALLY CLAWING BACK WHAT THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SOME $5 MILLION.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, AT THE SAME TIME, THESE ARE APPROPRIATORS.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THEY HAVE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.

I GUESS YOU HAVE TO SOMEHOW KIND OF FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK.

TALK ABOUT WHERE THIS MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO GO, AS LONG AS IT STAYS IN PLACE.

>> THE INTENDED USE IS FOR SOME REALLY EXCITING PROJECTS, ONE OF WHICH ARE UPDATES TO OUR MUSEUM OF ALABAMA GALLERIES.

I KNOW YOU REMEMBER, WE ARE COMING UP ON A DECADE SINCE ALABAMA VOICES OPENED, OUR MAIN PERMANENT EXHIBITION.

WE ARE WORKING ON A PROJECT NOW THAT DOES A FEW TWEAKS IN THERE BUT THERE ARE THREE PRIMARY PARTS TO THAT PROJECT THAT IS REWORKING OUR NATIVE AMERICAN CONTENT AND AN ENTIRELY NEW MILITARY GALLERY THAT'S GOING TO ALLOW US TO MAKE USE OF PHENOMENAL MILITARY COLLECTIONS WE HAVE, DOCUMENTING THE SERVICE OF ALABAMIANS THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY.

>> WE HAVE SOME PHOTOS.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS A WORKING TITLE.

CALLED ALABAMA MILITARY STORIES.

IT WILL BE THEMED AROUND -- THREE THEMES OF SERVICE, COMMUNITY AND LEGACY.

SO, ABOUT THE DIRECT SERVICE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALABAMIANS IN THE MILITARY BUT ALSO THINKING ABOUT THE BROADER COMMUNITY IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILIES AND EVEN TOPICS LIKE OUR VERY IMPORTANT HISTORY AS A HOST STATE FOR MILITARY BASES HERE IN ALABAMA.

THEN LOOKING AT LEGACY.

SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF VETERANS TO OUR SOCIETY, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES AND SACRIFICES THAT VETERANS MAKE IN DEALING WITH -- ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR SERVICE AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

WE SEE IT AS A FLEXIBLE SPACE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME TO TELL A LOT OF DIFFERENT STORIES ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALABAMIANS THROUGH MILITARY SERVICE.

FINALLY, THIRD MAJOR COMPONENT IS A CHILDREN'S GALLERY.

MANY VISITORS TO THE ARCHIVES ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE HANDS-ON GALLERY THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE SINCE THE '80S.

WE WANT TO TAKE A FRESH APPROACH TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE LEARNING IS POSSIBLE THROUGH PLAY AND VERY MUCH ALIGNED WITH OUR COMMITMENT TO THE IDEA THAT IF WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO GROW UP EFFECTIVELY LEARNING GOOD SOCIAL STUDIES AND HISTORY AND CIVICS, WE NEED TO START THEM IN THE EARLY AGES, RATHER THAN WAITING UNTIL THE UPPER GRADE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS OR HIGH SCHOOL TO DIG INTO THOSE SUBJECTS.

WE THINK WE CAN DO THAT BY INTRODUCING BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL STUDIES, HISTORY AND CIVICS TO OUR YOUNGEST VISITORS.

SO AGES 2-9 AND THEIR FAMILIES IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL BE STIMULATING AND FUN BUT A PLACE WHERE INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING CAN HAPPEN.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

>> I KNOW I WOULD HAVE LIKED THAT WHEN I WAS A KID, BUT I WAS A BIT OF A NERD.

I KNOW WE HAVE -- I WANT TO GET TO THIS BECAUSE WHILE WE HAVE TIME, WE WERE WORKING TOGETHER AT PUBLIC TELEVISION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES.

YOU ARE HOSTING A SCREENING OF A NEW DOCUMENTARY.

TALK ABOUT THIS AND WHEN WE CAN EXPECT IT.

>> WE ENJOY DOING IT PERIODICALLY OVER THE YEARS.

IT IS A BRAND NEW DOCUMENTARY PRODUCED BY ROBERT CLEM BY APTV.

IT IS ABOUT THE BATTLE IN THE CIVIL WAR WITH THE CSS ALABAMA, NAVAL RAIDER, ASSOCIATED WITH THE STATE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THURSDAY, JULY 27TH AND THAT WILL BE A FREE PUBLIC SCREENING.

BEFORE IT AIRS ON APT, YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THE MOVIE IN PERSON AND SPEAK TO THE PRODUCER.

>> I LOVE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARIES AND THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT PUBLIC TELEVISION IS BEING ABLE TO TELL THE STORIES IN LONG FORM.

I'LL CERTAINLY BE THERE BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND EXPLAINING THESE ISSUES.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY WAS FOUNDED IN 1901 BECOMING THE NATION'S FIRST PUBLICLY FUNDED STATE ARCHIVES.

IT IDENTIFIES, PRESERVES AND MAKES ACCESSIBLE ARCHIVES TO THE STATE.

THOMAS OWEN SERVED AS THE FIRST DIRECT AND SUCCEEDED BY HIS WIFE MARIE OWEN WHO HEADED THE ARCHIVES 35 YEARS AND THE SECOND WOMAN TO LEAD THE STATE AGENCY.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

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