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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT'S BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE LAWMAKERS MET IN SPECIAL SESSION TO ENACT A NEW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAP THAT IS AGAIN HEADED TO FEDERAL COURT.

A THREE-JUDGE PANEL OF THE 11TH CIRCUIT HAS SCHEDULED A HEARING TO REVIEW THE REDISTRICTING PLAN A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS FROM NOW ON AUGUST 14.

THAT'S WHEN THE STATE HOPES TO LEARN WHETHER OR NOT THE NEW PLAN WILL PASS MUSTER WITH THE COURT AND WHETHER THE QUESTION MAY ULTIMATELY END UP BACK AT THE SUPREME COURT.

SHOULD THE COURT REJECT THE PLAN, A SPECIAL MASTER WILL BE TASKED WITH DRAWING A NEW DISTRICT MAP.

THAT SPECIAL MASTER IS ATTORNEY RICHARD ALLEN.

HIS NAME IS A FAMILIAR FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW ALABAMA POLITICS AS HE AS SERVED IN NUMEROUS ROLES IN STATE GOVERNMENT AND CONGRESS.

MOST NOTABLY ALLEN WAS THE CHIEF DEPUTY TO THREE ALABAMA ATTORNEYS GENERAL.

HE WAS ALSO COMMISSIONER OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS UNDER GOVERNOR BOB RILEY AND RETIRED AS A BRIGADIER GENERAL IN U.S. ARMY RESERVE.

THIS WEEK WE ALSO LEARNED THAT NATHANIEL PERSILY, A STANFORD UNIVERSITY LAW PROFESSOR APPOINTED TO BE THE CARTOGRAPHER ON THE CASE, HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THAT POSITION.

THE JUDGES HAVE ASKED THE STATE AND PLAINTIFFS IN THE CASE TO SUBMIT THE NAMES OF THREE CARTOGRAPHERS FOR TAKE HIS PLACE.

>>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK MADE A POINT TO SHIFT THE STATE'S FOCUS TO INCREASING THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LOT ON THIS SHOW.

IN AN OP-ED FOR ALABAMA DAILY NEWS, IVEY WROTE THAT WHILE THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW OF 2.2%, THAT NUMBER BELIES A MORE PROBLEMATIC ONE - THAT THE STATE'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IS JUST 57.4%, AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE NATION.

IVEY WROTE QUOTE, "”DESPITE HAVING ONE OF THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE COUNTRY AND A RECORD NUMBER OF ALABAMIANS WORKING, THE PERCENTAGE OF ALABAMIANS PARTICIPATING IN THE LABOR FORCE IS LOWER THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER STATE.

WHILE WE ARE INCREASING THAT BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS, WE HAVE TO CHANGE THIS STATISTIC.

GETTING FOLKS OFF THE SIDELINES AND INTO THE LABOR FORCE IS MY NEXT PRIORITY.

"” YOU CAN READ THAT FULL OP-ED AT ALDAILYNEWS.COM >>> THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MET THIS WEEK IN THE STATE HOUSE.

THEY RECEIVED UPDATES REGARDING ONGOING ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS AND ALSO DISCUSSED CONCERNS ABOUT COMPLYING WITH STATE SAFETY LAWS.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS.

>> THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS PLANNING A TOUR OF THE STATE'S BRIDGES FOR ITSELF AND FELLOW LAWMAKERS.

COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARGIE WILCOX DISCUSSED THE PROJECT AT THE COMMITTEE'S RECENT MEETING.

>> WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TOP DISCOVER BRIDGES AND ENGAGE IN INSIGHTFUL DISCUSSIONS LET'S COME TOGETHER TO HONOR OUR PAST, EMBRACE THE BRENT AND BUILD A STRONGER CONNECTED FUTURE FOR ALABAMA.

>> THE FIRST TOUR IS LATE AUGUST AND WILL INCLUDE A RIDE ON THE ICONIC FERRY AND A POSSIBLE VISIT TO SELMA'S EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE.

ON THE MEETING AGENDA IS PHILLIP PETTIS'S CONCERNS THAT THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS NOT COME COMPLIANT WITH THE ANTI-ROAD RAGE LAW THAT REQUIRES SIGNS DENOTING THE USE OF THE LEFT DRIVING LANE.

>> IT IS EASY TO FIGURE LIKE I-65, THEY HAVE ONE AT THE 50, 100, 150 AND THEN WHEREVER.

THERE'S NO RHYME OR REASON.

THE 200 SIGN, I THINK IT'S IN YOUR DISTRICT IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THERE'S NO SIGN THERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY.

>> WE HAVE INSTALLED 116 OF THESE SIGNS ACROSS THE STATE ALREADY.

WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH REPRESENTATIVE PETTUS AND LET HIM TELL US WHERE HE THINKS THEY SHOULD BE THAT ARE NOT COME COMPLIANT AND WE WILL PUT THEM THERE, IF THEY ARE NOT THERE OR GIVE HIM A REASON WHY WE BELIEVE THE LAW SAYS WE HAVE THE DISCRETION TO CONSIDER NOT PUTTING THEM THERE.

>> THE REPRESENTATIVE'S OTHER CONCERN -- >> THE LAW SPECIFICALLY SAYS EVERY INTERCHANGE WITH ANOTHER INTERSTATE THERE WILL BE SIGNAGE.

I'VE RODE, 65, 80, 459 NO SIGNS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ANY ON THE LEFT SHOULDER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A LEFT SHOULDER.

IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OUR PEOPLE BECAUSE IF YOU PUT THEM UP THEY HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED.

THEY WILL BE HIT.

WE HAVE CONCERN ABOUT PUTTING OUR PEOPLE ON THE SHOULDER LIKE THAT OF A BUSY INTERSTATE.

>> IN 2019, THE ANTI-ROAD RAGE LAW WAS PASSED.

IT PREVENTS DRIVERS FROM DRIVING ON THE LEFT LANE ON THE INTERSTATE FOR MORE THAN A MILE AND A HALF UNLESS WEATHER, TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS PREVENT THEM FROM RIDING IN THE RIGHT LANE.

HE SHARES WHAT THE SIGN LOOKS LIKE.

>> A BIG YELLOW SIGN ACROSS THE TOP THAT SAYS STATE LAW AND UNDE RIT SAY ITS KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS.

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

>>> THIS WEEK MARKED 75 YEARS SINCE PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN DESEGREGATED THE UNITED STATES MILITARY VIA EXECUTIVE ORDER.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS ON HOW THE ANNIVERSARY WAS CELEBRATED HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT IMPORTANT OPERATION AT THE MUSEUM OF FINE ART.

A CELEBRATION FOR AN IMPORTANT MOMENT IN HISTORY FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

>> WE'RE HERE TO COMMEMORATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 99819 SIGNED BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN.

IT DESEGREGATED THE UNITED STATES MILITARY.

>> EDWARD VAUGHAN JOINS MILITARY PERSONNEL AND CITY LEADERS AS THEY HONOR 9981 WHICH PUT AN END TO A SEGREGATED U.S. MILITARY.

>> THAT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP THAT STARTED THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE STILL WALKING TODAY.

THAT'S A PROCESS OF EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.

REALLY, FROM A MILITARY STANDPOINT, IT'S IMPERATIVE TO OUR WAR FIGHTING.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO TO WAR AND PROTECT THIS COUNTRY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY PREVENT THE NEXT WAR UNLESS WE HAVE ALL OF THE TALENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON BOARD.

>> I'M HERE IN CELEBRATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981, PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN SIGNED THE ORDER ON THE 26 JULY 1948.

>> WE MET HARRY AT A ROSA PARKS DEDICATION A YEAR AGO SERVING AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE COMMANDER AT THE BASE.

SHE MOVED ON BUT RETURNED FOR THE EVENT AND HONORS A BLACK SOLDIER BRUTALLY BEATEN WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM BUS TO SEE HIS FAMILY.

>> THE BUS DRIVER PULLED AHEAD TO THE NEXT TOWN, WHICH WAS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND PHONED THE POLICE CHIEF.

THE POLICE CHIEF PULLED HIM OFF THE BUS AND BEAT HIM WITH HIS NIGHT STICK UNTIL HE WAS BLIND.

HE WOULD NEVER SEE AGAIN.

>> THE STORY PROMPTED PRESIDENT TRUMAN TO TAKE ACTION.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMAN KNEW IT WAS TIME TO DO SOMETHING MAJOR FOR OUR NATION TO SHOW HIS COMMITMENT TO THE BLACK AMERICANS SERVING FOR OUR COUNTRY.

SO, HE SIGNED TWO CRITICAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

ONE WAS 9980, WHICH DESEGREGATED THE FEDERAL SERVICE, WHICH IS THE CIVILIANS THAT SERVE IN OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE SECOND WAS EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981, WHICH DESEGREGATED MILITARY UNITS.

>> AN ACT HONORED 75 YEARS LATER.

>> I KNOW I'M BETTER AS AN AIRMAN, BETTER AS A LEADER AND HUMAN AND AMERICAN CITIZEN FOR WHAT OUR LEADERS DID 75 YEARS AGO BREAKING THAT BARRIER.

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

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

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS YOUNG BOOZER.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ON.

I WANT YOU TO REMIND THE VIEWERS OF THIS ROLE OF THE TREASURER.

WE TALK TO LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE PEOPLE AND BUDGET PEOPLE HERE.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE, OPPOSED TO THOSE ROLES?

>> IN GENERAL, THE TREASURER IS THE BANKER FOR THE STATE.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THE STATE RECEIVES REVENUES IN THE FORM OF TAXES AND GRANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND PAYMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT COMES TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.

WE RECEIVE IT AND POOL IT INTO WHAT I CALL THE TREASURER'S FUND AND WE MANAGE IT.

WHEN THE MONEY IS NEEDED BY THE COMPTROLLER TO BE ABLE TO COVER EXPENSES, CHECKS OR WIRE TRANSFERS THAT THE COMPTROLLER HAS MADE WE MAKE THAT MONEY AVAILABLE TO THEM.

THAT'S OUR PRIMARY FUNCTION.

BUT WE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY OTHER THINGS FOR THE STATE.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR PORTFOLIO AND SEE WHAT IT IS, WE HAVE COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAMS, THE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM, WE RUN THE SAFE PROGRAM, WHICH BASICALLY COLLATERALIZES PUBLIC DEPOSITS SO THERE'S NO RISK OF LOSS FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES THAT HAVE THEIR MONEY IN THE BANK.

I'M ALSO ON ABOUT, I THINK, 25 TO 30 BOARDS.

ANYTIME ANYONE DEALS WITH CASH IN THE STATE, THEY WANT THE TREASURER TO BE INVOLVED TO HANDLE THE MONEY AND MANAGE THE FUNDS IN THE STATE TREASURY.

>> SURE.

SO WHEN THE LEGISLATURE -- LIKE WHAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY TALKING ABOUT REVENUE.

THEY WRITE A BUDGET THAT BASICALLY SPENDS THE MONEY BUT IT'S YOUR OFFICE THAT ACTUALLY HAS TO TELL THE COMPTROLLER, OKAY, HERE'S THE CASH.

HERE'S THE MONEY YOU CAN PAY OUT?

>> YEAH.

WHEN YOU THINK OF THE TREASURER'S OFFICE IT IS ALL ABOUT FLOW.

YOU HAVE CASH FLOW IN FROM TAXES AND OTHER MONEYS THAT COME TO THE STATE.

WE IS HOLD IT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME UNTIL IT IS READY TO BE SPENT BY THE COMPTROLLER AND IT GOES ON ALL YEAR LONG.

I IMAGINE WE PROBABLY HAVE A CASH FLOW ON AVERAGE $200 MILLION A DAY.

>> WOW.

>> AND SOME DAYS MUCH BIGGER THAN THAT.

SOME DAYS RECENTLY WE HAVE SENT OWL OVER A BILLION DOLLARS.

>> LIKE ANY BANK, WHEN THE MONEY COMES TO YOU AND SITS FOR A WHILE YOU GET TO INVEST IT.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO GET TO BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS REVENUES COMING INTO THE GENERAL FUND FROM THOSE INTEREST THAT YOU ARE ACCRUING.

I SAW YOU IN THE HALLWAY THE OTHER DAY BECAUSE WE JUST REPORTED ON THAT, THE NEW FINANCE REPORT SHOWING THE GENERAL FUND BENEFITING FROM INTEREST PAYMENTS TO THE STATE.

YOU SAID, HANG ON.

THAT'S NOT ALL.

LET ME TELL YOU, MORE IS COMING.

UPDATE US ON THAT.

>> THE NUMBER YOU HEARD WAS 240, $250 MILLION, THAT'S HISTORY.

WE HAVE TENDENCY TO LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS.

LET ME GIVE YOU TWO POINTS OF REFERENCE.

THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED ME TO FILL JOHN MCMILLAN'S TERM ON OCTOBER 1, 2021, SO NOT QUITE TWO YEARS AGO.

WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE -- I GET A REPORT EVERY DAY THAT SHOWS ME WHO WE HAVE MONEY INVESTED WITH, HOW MUCH IT IS, WHAT THE INTEREST RATE IS AND THEN WE CALCULATE WHAT THE EXPECTED INTEREST EARNED WOULD BE OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

SO, IT GIVES US AN IDEA GOING FORWARD WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO EARN.

THAT'S ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL.

VOLUMES AND RATES CHANGE.

HERE'S THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THAT.

IN OCTOBER OF 2021, WE WERE MANAGING ABOUT $8 BILLION AND THE RATE OF RETURN ON THE PORTFOLIO WAS 28 BASIS POINTS.

JUST BARELY OVER A QUARTER OF ONE PERCENT.

FAST FORWARD TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

THIS MORNING, THE NUMBER FOR THE CASH THAT'S IN THE TREASURER'S FUND IS $12 BILLION.

SO IT IS UP $4 BILLION OVER THAT TIME PERIOD.

THAT'S BIG BECAUSE IT'S A 50% INCREASE IN JUST THE VOLUME.

THE BEST PART OF IT IS THAT WE HAVE GONE FROM 28 BASIS POINTS TO 422 BASIS POINTS AND THE FED JUST INCREASED THE FED RATE TODAY TO 5.5%.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, A LOT OF THAT COMES FROM THE INCREASED INTEREST RATES, RIGHT?

>> IT DOES.

AND IT IS ALL SHORT-TERM RATES.

THAT'S WHERE WE FOCUS OUR INVESTMENTS FOR THE MONEY THAT WE MANAGE IN THAT POOL.

>> BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S COMING IN AND GOING OUT.

SO THESE ARE NOT LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS.

>> WE HAVE SOME THAT IS LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS BUT A SMALL TOTAL OF THAT AMOUNT.

MOST IT IS CASH AND MONEY MARKET TYPE INVESTMENTS.

WHAT'S HAPPENED IS WE HAVE GONE TO $12 MILLION.

THE RATE, ON AVERAGE, IS 422, BUT THE MARGINAL IS 550 WITH WHAT THE FED HAS DONE TODAY.

THAT NUMBER HAS GONE FROM ABOUT $25 MILLION TO BE EARNED OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS TO $500 MILLION.

>> WOW.

THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTING?

>> YES, THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT.

>> DOES THAT GO INTO THE GENERAL FUND?

>> MOST OF IT DOES.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER SMALLER FUNDS THAT GET INTEREST INCOME BUT MOST TO THE GENERAL FUND.

IF YOU THINK OF IT, IT IS UP 20 TIMES WHAT IT WAS.

THAT'S KIND OF A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EVENT.

WE SAW IT HAPPENING AND WE SAID WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

WE ABIDE BY THE SLOGAN, SAFETY, LIQUIDITY, YIELD.

IT HAS TO BE SAFE.

WE HAVE TO GET OUR PRINCIPAL BACK AND LIQUID AND THEN LOOK FOR YIELD.

TAKING ALL OF THOSE IN TO CONSIDERATION AND WHAT THE MARKET HAS BEEN THE LAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE BEEN PRUDENTLY AGGRESSIVE IN EARNING ON THAT PORTFOLIO.

HERE'S A COUPLE OF NUMBERS.

I'M A NUMBERS GUY, RIGHT?

>> WE'RE GLAD OUR STATE BANKER IS A NUMBERS GUY.

>> WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE IN 2011, THE GENERAL FUND WAS ABOUT $1.4 BILLION.

THE AMOUNT OF PROJECTED EARNINGS IN THIS PORTFOLIO, ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, FOR THE NEXT YEAR WILL GENERATE OVER A THIRD OF WHAT THAT BALANCE WAS THAT YEAR IN THE GENERAL FUND.

>> CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT.

GOING TO THE INTEREST RATES, NOBODY REALLY LIKES TO SEE RATES GO UP.

IT IS TOUGH IF YOU WANT TO BUY A HOME.

IT'S TOUGH ON INDIVIDUAL FINANCING OF A CAR, STUFF LIKE THAT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A BOOM FOR THE STATE BECAUSE WE ARE LENDING.

>> WE'RE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TRANSACTION.

IF YOU ARE A BORROWER, IT'S PAINFUL.

IF YOU ARE A LENDER, LIKE WE ARE, IT'S A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

>> WIND FALL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> REALLY INTERESTING.

WHAT OTHER FUNDS -- TALK ABOUT THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND AND SOME THIS YEAR TO COMPLETELY PAY IT BACK.

HOW ARE WE DOING IN THOSE TRUST FUNDS?

>> THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND IS DOING VERY WELL.

WE HAD A LARGE AMOUNT OUTSTANDING FROM THE STATE THAT WAS DUE US -- >> I GUESS 2013.

>> 2012.

IT WAS 856 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT WAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT TOOK $457 MILLION.

>> THEY HAD REVENUE SHORT FALLS AND SAID, OKAY, WE HAVE TO BORROW WITH THE AGREEMENT TO PAY IT BACK.

>> IT WAS A REALLY LONG-TERM AGREEMENT AND WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE CASH FLOW THE STATE HAS THEY WERE ABLE TO PRE-PAY THE LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS.

WE RECEIVED THAT AND INVESTED IT AS QUICKLY AS WE COULD.

WITH RESPECT TO THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TRUST FUND ITSELF, THE COUNTY AND CITY AND MUNICIPAL TRUST FUND, WE ARE MANAGING 4.5, $4.6 BILLION.

AND IN 2021, IT WAS A GREAT YEAR.

2022 WAS A DISASTER AND BASICALLY GAVE IT BACK AND NOW IT IS RECOVERING AND PERFORMING WELL.

>> A LOT OF FOLKS IN THIS BUILDING, WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT REVENUES AND BUDGETS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE.

YOU SAW WITH ALL OF THE EXCESS REVENUE THEY KNOW IT IS TEMPORARY, ONE-TIME FUNDS.

YOU SAW THEM PUT A LOT ASIDE.

DIFFERENT EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND EVERY TIME THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE ECONOMY IS GO, IF THERE IS A DOWNTURN AND WHERE BUDGETS WILL GO.

IF THERE IS A DOWNTURN OF COURSE THE REVENUES WOULDN'T MEET.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF WHERE THE ECONOMY IS GOING AND SHOULD WE BE WORRIED?

>> HERE'S THE WAY I VIEW THIS.

YOU'LL PROBABLY WATCH CNBC AND SEE SOMEBODY PROJECT THE ECONOMY GREW 2.1%.

I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXACT NUMBERS.

>> OKAY.

>> WHAT I LOOK AT -- I TALK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND READ A LOT AND WATCH A LOT OF THINGS.

THE ECONOMY IS GOOD OR BAD, GETTING BETTER OR WORSE.

>> PRETTY SIMPLE.

>> VERY SIMPLE, RIGHT.

WHERE ARE WE RIGHT NOW?

THE ECONOMY IS GOOD BUT GETTING WORSE.

IT IS GETTING WORSE AT A RELATIVELY SLOW PACE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NEWS RIGHT NOW, THERE WILL BE ECONOMIC RELEASES OF INFORMATION AND SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS WILL LOOK REALLY GOOD, BUT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE SOME NUMBERS LOOK BAD.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE TRANSITION POINT, RIGHT?

SO IF WE ARE ON A CURVE LIKE THIS AND IT BENDS LIKE THIS, YOU WILL GET BAD NEWS ON THE WAY DOWN.

WHEN WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE EVERYTHING IS BAD NEWS, THE ECONOMY IS BAD AND IT'S GOTTEN WORSE, RIGHT?

WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THE FEDERAL RESERVE, IN ORDER TO CURB INFLATION, HAS INCREASED FED FUNDS RATES AND THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT AGGRESSIVELY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

THEY JUST INCREASED TO 5.5% TODAY.

WHEN THE FEDERAL RESERVE RAISES RATES, IT SLOWS THE ECONOMY DOWN.

THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT WORKS.

THE ISSUE IS DOES IT SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO CAUSE A RECESSION?

THAT IS -- PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PREDICTING A RECESSION THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> SURE.

>> IT'S SLOWING DOWN.

HOW SLOW WILL IT GET?

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT I THINK YOU'LL FIND OUT IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

>> BUT IT IS INTENTIONAL.

IT WAS OVERHEATED IN TERMS OF A LOT OF CASH.

>> TOTALLY INTENTIONAL.

INFLATION IN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME GOT TO 9%.

THAT WILL KILL THE MIDDLE CLASS.

THAT WILL KILL YOUR ECONOMY.

SO, WITH THE RATE INCREASES THEY HAVE HAD, THEY HAVE SLOWED IT DOWN.

I THINK IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO BEING UNDER CONTROL.

WE HAD A MEETING LAST WEEK AND A GUY GOT UP AND MADE A PREDICTION OF WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND SAID INTEREST RATES WILL START TO FALL NEXT YEAR AND INFLATION WILL DECLINE.

I'M NOT SURE I BELIEVE THAT.

HERE'S THE REASON.

OF THE $12 BILLION THAT I HAVE, A GOOD CHUNK OF THAT IS FOR FEDERAL -- IT'S FEDERAL MONEY THAT WILL BE USED FOR PROGRAMS FOR BROADBAND, WATER AND SEWER, YOU NAME IT, RIGHT?

AND THAT MONEY WILL HAVE TO BE SPENT IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS.

>> WE HAVEN'T SPENT IT YET.

>> WE JUST STARTED TO SPEND IT, TOO.

I HAD 14 BILLION A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND SENT OUT 2 BILLION IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

THAT'S GOING OUT INTO THE MARKET TO BID ON THESE PROJECTS, ENGINEERING, STEEL, CONCRETE, YOU NAME IT, IN ORDER TO BUILD ALL OF THIS WE'RE EXPECTING TO BUILD, THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

FRIEDMAN IS MY FAVORITE ECONOMIST AND HIS DEFINITION OF INFLATION IS TOO MANY DOLLARS CHASING TOO FEW GOODS.

THAT'S THE SITUATION WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW.

WHEN WE HAVE ALL OF THIS EXCESS CASH, I HAVE 4 BILLION THAT NEEDS TO BE SPENT AND I'M ONE STATE, ONE OF 50.

>> MOST STATES ARE SPENDING ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> AND WE'RE RELATIVELY SMALL.

TAKE TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA AND WHAT THEY ARE SPENDING.

THERE ARE TOO MANY DOLLARS CHASING TOO FEW GOODS AND THEY HAVE TO SPENT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

SO INFLATION MAY BE CLOSE TO BEING UNDER CONTROL BUT IT WILL BE PERSISTENT BECAUSE OF THE CASH BACKED UP.

>> MILTON FRIEDMAN DEALT WITH INFLATION IN HIS DAY.

>> YES.

>> WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE START OF SCHOOL.

THAT MEANS THE START OF COLLEGE.

>> YES.

>> I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THE COLLEGE SAVINGS FUND THAT YOU MANAGE.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INVESTED IN THAT, RIGHT?

>> THEY ARE.

WE HAVE THREE SAVINGS PROGRAMS, TWO FIT FOR COLLEGE AND ONE FOR THE ABLE ACCOUNT.

I WILL START WITH COLLEGE COUNTS 529.

WE HAVE 2.3 BILLION IN THAT FUND.

WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING IT FOR 25 YEARS.

IT'S WELL RUN.

IT'S WELL THOUGHT OF IN THE MARKET.

WE HAVE 115,000 ACCOUNTS.

SCHOOL STARTS NEXT WEEK AND SO I'M SURE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE STARTING INVESTMENTS AND SOME WITHDRAWING MONEY.

SO, THAT'S OUT THERE.

I WILL QUICKLY MENTION THE PAC PROGRAM.

AS EVERYONE KNOWS IT IS CLOSED AND BASICALLY LIQUIDATING.

WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY STUDENTS LEFT IN THE PROGRAM.

I'M HAPPY TO SAY -- THE BOARD MET LAST MAY AND AGREED TO INCREASE THE PAYOUT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE DONE IT I THINK EIGHT OR NINE YEARS IN A ROW.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY THAT EVERY STUDENT WILL GET FULL TUITION FROM THE SCHOOL THEY GO TO BECAUSE WE FINALLY GOT THE RATES TO THAT LEVEL.

SO, IT'S BEEN QUITE A STRUGGLE.

>> TOUGH ROAD BUT MAYBE A HAPPY ENDING.

>> INCREDIBLY HAPPY ENDING TO IT.

THE LAST IS THE ABLE ACCOUNT 529-A, A SIMILAR KIND OF SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

IT KIND OF MATCHES WITH THE COLLEGE COUNTS SAVINGS PROGRAM.

WE JUST STARTED IT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

WE CHANGED ADMINISTRATORS.

THE THING HAS PICKED UP IN VOLUME.

WE HAVE 750 ACCOUNTS AND IT REPRESENTS I THINK A LITTLE OVER $3 MILLION.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE -- IF I'M SAVING FOR COLLEGE, I'M SAVING EVERY YEAR FOR 18 YEARS.

WITH THE ABLE ACCOUNT, IT'S THE ABILITY OF A PERSON TO SAVE MONEY SO THEY DON'T DAMAGE THEIR PROGRAM ACCEPTS.

IT'S BASICALLY USED FOR CURRENT EXPENSES, NOT FOR LONG-TERM SAVINGS.

>> SO WHEN WOULD IT BE WISE TO INVEST IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHEN A CHILD IS WHAT AGE, WHEN THEY ARE BORN OR IN SCHOOL?

FOR PARENTS OUT THERE THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHAT'S THE RIGHT TIME?

>> THE RIGHT TIME IS TODAY.

IT IS AT BIRTH.

IT'S A LONG-TERM SAVINGS PROGRAM.

THE LONGER YOU HAVE, THE MORE CONTRIBUTIONS YOU CAN MAKE, THE MORE EARNINGS YOU GET.

AND HERE'S THE CATCH ON THIS THING.

YOU GET COMPOUND INTEREST.

MY DAD USED TO TELL ME COMPOUND INTEREST IS THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD.

YOU MAY WORK MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8-5 BUT COMPOUND INTEREST WORKS 24/7.

YOU NEED TO START EARLY.

IF YOU HAVEN'T STARTED, ONCE AGAIN, TODAY IS THE BEST TIME.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRY TO ACCUMULATE ANYTHING YOU NEED TO GET BUSY.

>> I WANT TO GET TO THE TOP TICK OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY LAST TIME YOU WERE ON HERE, YOU WALKED US THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

IT WAS FASCINATING.

I HAVE TO ADMIT I NEVER PAID MUCH ATTENTION AND YOU TOLD ME, GO ONLINE AND FIND OUT WHAT YOUR -- IF YOU HAVE ANY UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

I DID AND I HAD SOME.

WALK US THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

>> OKAY.

>> WHY IT EXISTS AND THE LATEST ON WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> OKAY.

WHEN I BECAME THE TREASURER, I HAD DONE ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS THE TREASURER DOES EXCEPT FOR ONE AND THAT IS UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

I HAVE BEEN A CFO AND TREASURER AND ALL OF THIS STUFF.

THIS IS THE MOST FUN PART OF MY JOB.

WE REUNITE PEOPLE WITH THEIR OWN MONEY.

EVERYBODY'S HAPPY WHEN THEY GET THE CHECK.

IT'S A GREAT FEELING AND GREAT EXPERIENCE.

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY IS AN INTERESTING THING.

WE HAVE $1.1 BILLION OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

IT REPRESENTS 10 MILLION INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS.

SO IF YOU DO THE MATH QUICKLY IT IS $110 ON AVERAGE BUT VARIES ALL OVER THE BALLPARK.

MOST OF IT IS CASH.

SOME OF IT IS TANGIBLE STUFF.

YOU HAD A SAFE DEPOSIT BOX AND AUNT TILLY HAD HER JEWELRY IN THERE.

WE GET THAT AND THEN TRY TO FIND THEM.

BUT WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS CONTACT PEOPLE IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE SEND OUT CARDS.

WE HAVE A WEBSITE.

WE HAVE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

>> WE WILL THROW UP THE WEBSITE.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> THE OTHER THING IS WE GO AROUND THE STATE AND SOME TV STATIONS ALLOW US TO DO SOME PROGRAMMING TO BE ABLE TO GET THE WORD OUT TO FOLKS.

>> YEP.

>> IT'S ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

IT COULD BE A CLAIM FOR 1.98.

WE HAD THE LARGEST INDIVIDUAL CLAIM WE HAVE EVER HAD A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

IT WAS $3 MILLION.

>> WOW.

GOING TO WANT THAT BACK.

>> KIND OF WONDER HOW DID THEY LOSE TRACK OF THAT?

THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.

WHAT WE DO IS WE GET THE WORD OUT.

WE HAVE PEOPLE LOOK FOR THEIR NAMES AND LOOK ALL THE TIME, RIGHT BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE HOLDERS HAVE TO REPORT IT BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND JANUARY.

SO IT IS REFRESHED EVERY YEAR.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE TAKEN IN A RECORD NUMBER OF DOLLARS.

WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF PAYING OUT A RECORD NUMBER.

LAST YEAR WE DID 43 MILLION AND I THINK MORE THIS YEAR.

FOR THE VIEWERS OUT THERE, THERE IS POTENTIALLY $43 MILLION AND PART OF IT COULD BE YOURS.

CHECK TREASURY.ALABAMA.GOV.

IT IS SIMPLE TO DO.

CLICK ON UNCLAIMED PROPERTY AND IT WALKS YOU THROUGH WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.

>> I CAN ATTEST IT IS EASY TO DOCUMENT AT YOUR DIRECTION I WENT ONLINE AND CHECKED AND IT WAS MORE THAN MONEY THAN I REALIZED AND LOOKED LIKE IT WAS FROM CLOSED BANK ACCOUNTS AND MAYBE SOME PAYCHECKS AFTER I MOVED DIFFERENT PLACES.

>> RIGHT.

IT COULD BE SECURITY DEPOSITS.

IT COULD BE DIVIDEND CHECKS THAT YOU DIDN'T GET AT THE RIGHT ADDRESS.

IT COULD BE ANYTHING.

WHATEVER IT IS, WE RESEARCH IT.

WE ASK YOU FOR SOME INFORMATION TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF SO WE KNOW WE ARE GIVING IT TO THE RIGHT PERSON AND WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TRY TO GET IT OUT TO YOU AS FAST AS WE CAN.

THINKING OF THAT -- >> I SAW YOU HAD AN ENVELOPE.

I WONDERED IF THAT MIGHT BE MY UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

>> THIS IS YOUR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

YOUR CHECK IS IN THERE.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT.

>> SEE, HE'S SMILING.

>> I'M REUNITED WITH MY PROPERTY BUT IT IS ALMOST LIKE FREE MONEY.

I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS OUT THERE.

>> YEAH.

>> I MEAN, YEAH.

THAT'S ALMOST 600 BUCKS.

>> HE SAID THAT.

>> OVER THE YEARS.

THIS IS LIKE 20 YEARS' WORTH.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> I GUESS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM GETS DINNER ON ME.

WELL, THAT'S REALLY -- OBVIOUSLY THE REASON WE WANTED TO SET THIS UP IS TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS.

I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS THERE.

FOLKS MIGHT HAVE PROPERTY AND YOU NEED TO GO ONLINE AND CLAIM IT.

>> YOU DO AND CHECK ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I TELL PEOPLE, EVERYBODY HAS A BIRTHDAY.

ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, YOU WAKE UP AND GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND LOOK IF WE HAVE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FOR YOU AND CONSIDER THAT A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FROM US.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

WE HAVE TAKEN TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW BUT, AS PROMISED, I WANT YOU TO LEAD US OUT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS DR. DAVID HUGHES, DIRECTOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY MONTGOMERY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

THANKS.

>> IT'S BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE THE LEGISLATURE MET AND FINISHED ITS SPECIAL SESSION TO REDRAW THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

IT WAS A DRAMATIC WEEK.

IT WAS TRAUMATIC FOR SOME OF US COVERING IT.

IT WAS A LONG WEEK, BUT WE HAVE HAD A WEEK TO DIGEST IT, THINK ABOUT THESE NEW LINES.

WE KNOW WE ARE HEADING TO FEDERAL COURT ON THE 14TH.

LET ME ASK YOU, IN GENERAL, AS YOU WERE FOLLOWING WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WAS DOING WITH THE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE FINAL MAP THEY ENDED UP SETTLING ON?

>> I THINK DEMOCRATS WERE PROBABLY MISLEADING THEMSELVES IF THEY THOUGHT THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE WAS GOING TO GIVE THEM TWO SLAM DUNK DISTRICTS.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF POLITICAL SCIENTISTS, A LOT OF "POLITICOS" WERE WATCHING THE LEGISLATURE AND EXPECTING THEY WOULD TRY TO COME UP WITH A MAP THAT WAS ROUGHLY AS STATUS QUO AS THEY COULD GET.

IT FAVORS REPUBLICANS IN SIX OF THE SEVEN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND LOOKED LIKE THE COURT WAS GOING TO IMPOSE NEW MAP ON THEM THAT WOULD ALLOW DEMOCRATS TO GET TWO OF THOSE SEVEN DISTRICTS.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU ARE THE LEGISLATURE AND YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR PEOPLE?

WELL, YOU TRY TO NUDGE THE NEEDLE IN FAVOR OF THE DEMOCRATS BUT NOT SO MUCH THAT YOU ACTUALLY CAUSE ONE OF YOUR OWN TO LOSE THEIR NEXT RACE.

A LOT OF US WERE LOOKING AT THE MAP SAYING, OKAY, BARRY MOORE IS PROBABLY IN TROUBLE OR JERRY CARL ON THE GULF COAST IS IN TROUBLE BUT THE MAP THEY WOUND UP PASSING LAST FRIDAY IS REALLY GOING TO FAVOR BOTH INCUMBENTS AND PUT NOBODY IN ANY REAL DANGER OF LOSING.

>> YEAH.

I HAVE THE MAP UP HERE RIGHT NOW.

THE FINAL ONE, THERE WERE SOME MAPS EARLIER, ESPECIALLY THE PLAINTIFF MAP THAT PROPOSED WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE TROUBLE FOR THE SECOND DISTRICT FOR ANY REPUBLICAN TO HAVE A CHANCE AND NOW IT IS 39%.

LET'S SAY 40% BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION.

MOST PEOPLE YOU TALK TO SAY THAT IS NOT NEARLY HIGH ENOUGH FOR DEMOCRATS TO HAVE A CHANCE THERE IF IT WERE TO GO -- IF IT WERE TO REMAIN IN PLACE.

>> SURE.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO GET IF THAT MAP IS IMPLEMENTED IS A DISTRICT THAT LOOKS COMPETITIVE.

YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A REPUBLICAN WITH 52, 53% OF THE VOTE AND DEMOCRAT 47% OF THE VOTE.

COMPARED TO THE OLD MAPS JUST INVALIDATED BY THE COURTS IT WILL LOOK MORE COMPETITIVE.

>> OH, YEAH, YOU ARE TALKING 60%.

>> BUT THE REPUBLICANS STILL HAVE A BAKED IN ADVANTAGE BECAUSE WHITE VOTERS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT THAT PASSED REPRESENT 55% OF THE ADULT POPULATION BECAUSE BLACK VOTERS CONSTITUTE 45% OF THE POPULATION.

DEMOCRATS WOULD NEED TO GET AROUND OR LITTLE MORE THAN 20% OF THE WHITE VOTE.

IN ALABAMA THEY ARE USUALLY GETTING 15% OF THE WHITE VOTE.

THAT'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S REALLY HARD TO RUN FIVE POINTS AHEAD OF WHAT YOU HAVE NORMALLY BEEN DOING.

EVEN A STRONG CANDIDATE LIKE WALT MADDOX, DID BETTER THAN MOST STATEWIDE DEMOCRATS AND FELL SHORT OF THAT.

REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE TOXIC LIKE ROY MOORE IN ORDER FOR DEMOCRATS TO HAVE A CHANCE OF THE WINNING THE SECOND DISTRICT.

THE COURTS ARE ASKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT.

THIS IS LANGUAGE THE REPUBLICANS ARE HANGING THEIR HAT ON.

YEAH, DEMOCRATS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE ARE MAKING THE MARGINS A LITTLE CLOSER, BUT IS IT REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY IF THE REPUBLICANS ARE PROJECTED TO WIN THE SEAT NINE OUT OF TEN TIMES, IF NOT MORE.

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

I WAS TALKING TO SENATOR SMITHERMAN ABOUT THIS.

YOU GO BACK TO 2008 AND THE DISTRICT WAS DEMOCRATIC, BOBBY BRIGHT AND REALLY IN THOSE YEARS, 2008, 2010, IT WAS COMPETITIVE BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, NOT SO ANYMORE.

LIKE YOU SAID, THE TREND HAS GONE -- WE ARE SO RACIALLY POLARIZED IN OUR VOTING AND IT'S GOTTEN MORE SO.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PERCENTAGES.

WE KNOW WE ARE HEADING TO FEDERAL COURT.

SOME OF THE PROPOSED MAPS, THE ONE PASSED BY THE HOUSE ORIGINALLY, THE PRINGLE MAP YOU MIGHT CALL IT HAD A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION, 43, 44%.

KNOWING WE ARE GOING TO FEDERAL COURT, KNOWING THE THREE-JUDGE PANEL WILL RULE ON THIS AND LOOK AT THESE PERCENTAGES, WHY NOT PASS THAT HIGHER PERCENTAGE?

TO YOU THINK THEY WOULD HAVE HAD A BETTER CHANCE IN COURT HAD THEY PASSED 43, 44% BVAP?

>> I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE HAT HAD A BETTER SHOP BUT STILL BEEN QUESTIONABLE BECAUSE YOU THINK OF OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS.

USUALLY YOU HAVE A BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION TO THE 47, 48%.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET IT TO 50 IN ORDER FOR A BLACK CANDIDATE TO WIN BUT ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH ALABAMA WHERE RACIAL ATTITUDES ARE POLARIZED.

THERE'S A MAP FLOATED BY BOBBY SINGLETON THAT WOULD HAVE MADE JEFFERSON COUNTY AN OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THAT HIGH OF A BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION BECAUSE YOU HAVE MORE WHITE DEMOCRATS IN BIRMINGHAM.

IN SOUTH ALABAMA THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THERE YOU HAVE TO VOTE BLACK VOTING POPULATION UP TO THE 50% THRESHOLD IN ORDER FOR THE CANDIDATES TO HAVE A GENUINE SHOT OF WINNING.

I THINK IT WAS SHORTSIGHTED THAT THEY RETREATED BACK TO A BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION.

>> I KEPT HEARING FROM REPUBLICANS, TO PUSH BACK ON THAT, THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY -- THEY KNOW THIS THREE-JUDGE PANEL IS NOT GOING TO LIKE THIS MAP.

WHENEVER THAT RULING COMES DOWN, SAY THE 14TH OF AUGUST OR COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THEY ARE READY, MEANING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR WHOM EVER IS READY TO SUE BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT TO GET THE QUESTION BACK UP THERE.

THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT WHAT THEY HAVE DRAWN, IN TERMS OF COMPACTNESS OF DISTRICTS, KEEPING COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST TOGETHER, SORT OF ANSWERS WHAT JUSTICE KAVANAUGH WROTE IN HIS OPINION BACK IN THAT RULING.

THINKING, OKAY, IF WE CAN FLIP KAVANAUGH, THE FLIP KAVANAUGH GAMBIT, THIS MAP COULD STAND.

THAT'S SORT OF THE LEGAL ARGUMENT THEY ARE GOING.

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THAT?

IS THAT SOUND IN YOUR MIND?

>> IT'S A GAMBLE.

I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE CHOSEN THAT STRATEGY IF I WERE IN THEIR SHOES BUT MAYBE THEY HAVE SOME INFORMATION I DON'T HAVE.

WHEN I READ THE OPINION HANDED DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT, SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, MY READING OF IT WAS THE SUPREME COURT INCLUDING ALL FIVE IN MAJORITY, INCLUDING KAVANAUGH, WERE REJECTING THE STATE OF ALABAMA'S ARGUMENT THEIR HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION OF SECTION TWO OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WHICH IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THIS ANALYSIS IS THEY WEREN'T GOING TO THROW OUT 40 YEARS OF PRECEDENCE ON THIS ISSUE AND IT COULD BE THAT, YOU KNOW KAVANAUGH'S CONCURRENCE IN THAT DECISION AND THE PORTION OF ROBERTS' OPINION THAT HE WITHHELD HIS ASSENT FROM GIVE REPUBLICANS SOMETHING TO WORK.

I THINK IT IS NOT A LOT TO WORK.

I THINK IF I HAD BEEN IN THEIR SHOES I WOULD HAVE OPTED FOR A MAP THAT WOULD HAVE MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE DISTRICT COURT SUCCESSFULLY.

BUT I'M NOT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO -- >> LET'S JUST SAY, THE THREE-JUDGE PANEL DOES REJECT IT AND WE SUE TO THE SUPREME COURT, ALL THE SUPREME COURT HAS TO DO IS WE ARE NOT GOING TO HEAR THE CASE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK WITH ANOTHER RULING.

THEY CAN DENY AND THAT'S THE GAME.

THEN IT GOES TO A SPECIAL MASTER TO DRAW THE DISTRICTS WITHOUT THE INPUT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> IF A SPECIAL MASTER GETS THEIR HANDS ON IT, YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE SOMETHING THAT LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE MAP SUBMITTED BY EVAN MILLIGAN AS A PLAINTIFF OR THE MAP FROM BOBBY SINGLETON AND THEY ONLY DISAGREE WHERE THE OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT IS GOING TO GO.

SINGLETON'S MAP GIVES BIRMINGHAM ITS OWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND MILLIGAN FROM THE GULF AREA.

>> THE SECOND AND FIRST.

>> ALSO HEARD REPUBLICANS SAY DURING THE SESSION LIKE WHY NOT TRY?

ISN'T THAT THE POINT YOU WERE MAKING AT THE BEGINNING.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY.

AT LEAST GIVE IT A SHOT AND SEE IF WE CAN KEEP A REPUBLICAN DISTRICT THERE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT, YEAH, IT IS CERTAINLY HEADED TO COURT.

LET'S GAME THIS OUT A LITTLE BIT.

SAY WE GET A SPECIAL MASTER AND THEY DRAW THAT SECOND OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT EITHER IN THE HIGH 40S OR CLOSE TO 50 THAT CHANGES THE POLITICS.

IF BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A TOSSUP DISTRICT DOESN'T THAT CHANGE THE TYPE OF REPUBLICAN IT TAKES TO GET ELECTED AND THE TYPE OF DEMOCRAT IT TAKES TO GET ELECTED IN TERMS OF MAYBE MORE MODERATE, LESS TO THE EXTREMES?

>> OH, FOR SURE.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE USED TO BE REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH IN THE SOUTH.

BACK IN THE '70S AND '80S, WHEN REPUBLICANS WERE BECOMING COMPETITIVE WITH THE OLD GUARD DEMOCRATS WHO REPRESENTED THE SOUTH FOR SO LONG, THE OLD GUARD DEMOCRATS HAD TO ASSEMBLE BIRACIAL SIMULATIONS AND YOU CAN SEE THE VOTING PATTERN CHANGE IN CONGRESS.

YOU SEE A LOT OF FOLKS, LIKE HERMAN TALMADGE, ALL OF A SUDDEN VOTING IN FAVOR OF MAKING MLK DAY A HOLIDAY OR IN FAVOR OF THE 1982 RENEWAL OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

IT CHANGES THE BEHAVIOR AND MAKES POLITICIANS MORE MODERATE.

WHO KNOWS, MAYBE THIS IS THE ANTIDOTE AMERICA NEEDS FOR THE POLARIZATION PROBLEM.

YOU GET NEW MAPS IN THE SOUTH THAT FORCE POLITICIANS TO COME BACK TO THE MIDDLE A LITTLE BIT.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IN ALABAMA IS EVERY INCUMBENT IS SO SAFE.

THEY WILL WIN BY 60 TO 70% OF THE VOTE.

NO ONE HAS TO COMPETE IN THE GENERAL ANYMORE.

AND IT COULD INCITE THEM TO COME BACK TO THE MIDDLE A LITTLE BIT.

>> TO WIN THESE DAYS, YOU HAVE TO APPEAL TO THE -- IF YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN, THE FAR RIGHT.

IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT, THE FAR LEFT.

AND THAT'S -- THAT LEAVES A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT MUCH REPRESENTATION.

IF YOU CAN, LET'S TURN TO NATIONAL POLITICS.

WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR ON THE SHOW.

I'M CURIOUS WHAT YOU THINK OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY THAT'S SHAPING UP.

WE HAVE DONALD TRUMP COMING TO MONTGOMERY IN A FEW WEEKS.

RON DESANTIS WAS HERE IN MARCH.

HOW DO YOU SEE THIS PRIMARY SHAPING UP?

MONTHS AGO, PEOPLE THOUGHT, MAN, RON DESANTIS IS GOING TO REALLY CHALLENGE TRUMP BUT HE HASN'T GAINED THE STEAM IT MIGHT TAKE.

IS TRUMP INSURMOUNTABLE?

>> I WOULDN'T GO SO FAR AS TO SAY INSURMOUNTABLE BUT TRENDING IN THAT DIRECTION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PUBLIC OPINION POLLS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, TRUMP'S SUPPORT IS IN THE BALLPARK OF HALF OF THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTORATE.

IF THIS WERE A TWO-PERSON RACE I'D SAY DONALD TRUMP IS IN TROUBLE BUT IT'S NOT.

>> THERE'S A WHOLE FIELD OF CANDIDATES.

JUST LIKE LAST TIME.

>> LIKE HOW HE EMERGED IN 2016 AS THE CANDIDATE.

THERE WERE TOO MANY OTHER REPUBLICANS THAT WERE SUCKING UP THE ANTI-TRUMP ELECTORATE.

MITT ROMNEY WAS IN THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL," SAYING YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE FLOW OF MONEY AND CUT THEM OFF SO WE CAN WIN ON THE FIELD AND TRY TO TAKE TRUMP DOWN THIS TIME.

IT'S NOT UNREALISTIC TO THINK THAT BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 2024 THAT TRUMP IS POSSIBLY CONVICTED OF A CRIME.

>> CERTAINLY WOULD BE ON TRIAL OR SOMETHING.

>> RIGHT.

WE SEE THE SPECIAL -- >> BUT THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT HIS BASE.

THE MORE INDICTMENTS THE MORE POPULAR HE GET AMONGST HIS BASE.

>> WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH POLLING THAT TRUMP IS NOT GOING TO -- OR AT LEAST SO FAR HE HAS NOT SUFFERED IN THE EYES OF THE REPUBLICAN ELECTORATE.

IN FACT, HE SEEMS TO HAVE IMPROVED AND WE HAVE SEEN RON DESANTIS STRUGGLE.

WHO'S THE STANDARD BEARER FOR -- IF NOT THE ANTI-TRUMP, THAN AT LEAST A CANDIDATE LIKE TRUMP WHO CAN MAYBE GO TOE TO TOE WITH JOE BIDEN MORE COMPETITIVELY NEXT NOVEMBER.

>> YEAH.

DEMOCRATS I TALK TO REALLY WANT REPUBLICANS TO NOMINATE TRUMP THINKING HE IS EASIEST TO BEAT BIDEN.

OBVIOUSLY, BIDEN HAS HIS OWN TROUBLES.

WHAT ABOUT A CANDIDATE LIKE TIM SCOTT?

RECENTLY HIS SUPER PAC MADE A GIANT FUNDRAISING, 40 MILLION IN THE EARLY PRIMARY STATES.

DOES HAVE A CANDIDATE LIKE THAT HAVE A CHANCE TO GET A FOOTHOLD, IOWA, HIS HOME STATE OF A SOUTH CAROLINA, WHERE DO YOU SEE HIM IN THE RACE?

>> HE IS AN ATTRACTIVE CANDIDATE.

HE HAS A LOT OF PERSONAL APPEAL.

WHEN IT COMES TO HIS VOTING RECORD HE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NO CURVE IN HIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE AND IF YOU LOOK AT HIS ISSUE STATEMENTS HE TENDS TO REPRESENT SOMETHING, IF NOT MAINSTREAM MORE OF A MAGA TYPE CANDIDATE.

HE HAS SOMETHING FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT LANES IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I CERTAINLY HAVEN'T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE THAT THERE'S A CLOUD OF SCANDAL AROUND HIM.

IN FACT, EVERYBODY WHO MEETS HIM SEEMS TO LIKE HIM, EVEN IF THEY DON'T AGREE WITH HIS POLICY STANCES BUT HIS VULNERABILITY IS HE IS STILL RELATIVELY UNKNOWN AS A NATIONAL CANDIDATE.

MAYBE IT'S THE CASE HE USES THIS ELECTION AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A LITTLE BRANDING, SOMETHING LIKE WHAT MITT ROMNEY DID IN 2008 LEADING UP TO HIS 2012 RUN FOR ELECTION.

MAYBE HE IS SETTING THE STAGE FOR A 2028.

ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE I'VE NOTICED IS EVEN THE POLLING IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TIM SCOTT'S CURRENTLY POLLING IN FOURTH PLACE AMONG REPUBLICANS.

THAT'S HIS HOME STATE.

IT IS HARD TO MAKE A PITCH FOR WHY REPUBLICANS IN THE NATIONAL ELECTORATE SHOULD SUPPORT YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T EARNED THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FROM WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO REPRESENT.

>> FASCINATING.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND SHARING SOME OF YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THOSE ISSUES.

>> REALLY ENJOYED BEING HERE.

>> 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.

>> NEXT THURSDAY, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WILL AIR A NEW DOCUMENTARY "SINK THE ALABAMA."

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT IS IT IS THE PRODUCER OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM, ROBERT CLEM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

>> WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS DOCUMENTARY.

IT'S AN EXCITING TOPIC, THE CSS ALABAMA FROM THE CONFEDERACY, A LOT OF HISTORY.

BUT I WANTED TO START BY ASKING YOU WHERE DID THE PROJECT COME FROM?

WHAT WAS YOUR -- WHERE DID IT ORIGINATE, THIS IDEA?

>> LET ME FIRST SAY I HAVE DONE A NUMBER OF FILMS ABOUT ALABAMA SUBJECTS.

I'M FROM ALABAMA AND I'M FASCINATED BY ITS COMPLEX HISTORY AND CULTURE.

I HAVE DONE FILMS ABOUT AUTHORS, MUSIC AND BLACK MUSIC AND THIS IS THE THIRD FILM ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL HISTORICAL AMERICA FIGURES.

SO SOMEHOW THIS ONE WAS THE NEXT ONE.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FASCINATED BY THE CIVIL WAR.

I THINK THIS STORY -- I SEEM TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THIS STORY HAD A LOT OF INTERESTING POINTS ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY TOUCHED ON IN MOST OTHERS.

IT WAS THE MOST FAMOUS SEA STORY IN THE WHOLE CIVIL WAR.

I WANT TO STAY SECOND OF ALL, HE IS THE PROTAGONIST OF THE STORY BUT WE ALSO FOLLOW SECRETARY OF THE U.S. NAVY GIDEON WELLS, WHO HATED RAY FIELDS.

HE WAS THE ONE WHO COULDN'T FIND HIM, FIRST OF ALL, FOR 22 MONTHS.

HE WAS A MASTERFUL SAILOR AND KNEW HOW TO ESCAPE FROM THE UNION SHIPS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

HE HAD SOME HOUDINI-TIME ASPECTS.

I THINK HE HAD BEEN A SAILOR SINCE 14.

HE HAD BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

HE WASN'T ABLE TO GET A COMMAND AT SEA OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

WHEN THE CONFEDERATE NAVY OPENED UP THERE HE WAS IN MOBILE, ALABAMA.

HE WAS OFFERED A COMMISSION BY THE CONFEDERACY TO ASSAULT AND BURN, DESTROY UNION MERCHANT SHIPS, WHICH HE WAS QUITE SUCCESSFUL AT.

SO MUCH SO THAT THE UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINES WAS DECIMATED AND DIDN'T RECOVER UNTIL THE 1920S.

THIS IS PART OF THE STORY.

WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS NOT ONLY TELL HIS STORY BUT ALSO THE STORY OF THE UNION EFFORTS OFTEN MISMANAGED TO FIND HIM AND TO WIN THE WAR.

ALSO HIS WIFE WHO WAS AN ABOLITIONIST.

>> IS THAT RIGHT?

>> WHO DECIDED TO MOVE NORTH OF CINCINNATI BUT FORCED TO MOVE BACK BECAUSE THE PEOPLE IN CINCINNATI WOULDN'T ALLOW HER TO STAY.

SHE HAD TO MOVE BACK WITH A UNION OFFICER BACK TO MOBILE.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT.

>> THE OTHER THING IS THE ROLE OF BRITAIN IN ALL OF THIS.

THIS IS ALWAYS FASCINATING.

THAT'S WHERE IT WAS BUILT, RIGHT?

>> A MAJOR ASPECT OF THE FILM IS TALKING ABOUT THAT ASPECT.

A BRITISH HISTORIAN WHO WROTE A BRILLIANT BOOK, THE WORLD ON FIRE, AND SHE IS IN THE FILM AND BASICALLY TELLS US HOW THE BRITISH CAME TO -- FIRST OF ALL, THEY HATED SLAVERY BUT SUPPORTED THE SOUTH FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

THEY WERE NEUTRAL UNTIL THE WAR BY ALLOWED SHIPS LIKE THE ALABAMA AND OTHERS TO GET OUT.

THEY WERE BUILT SECRETLY BUT KIND OF TURNED THE OTHER WAY.

HARD TO SAY.

SO THAT'S PART OF THE STORY.

IT IS REALLY A FASCINATING STORY.

IT IS MULTI-A FACETTED.

>> OKAY.

I NOTICED IN SOME OF THE CLIPS AND WE WILL AIR A CLIP IN A SECOND.

IT IS NOT ALL DOCUMENTARY.

THERE'S DRAMATIZATION.

DOES THAT MAKE A MORE ENGAGED AUDIENCE?

>> I THINK MY WIFE SAID, WHEN I WAS FIRST STARTING THIS PROJECT, THERE WERE ETCHINGS AND DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS.

SHE SAID ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THE FILM WITH THIS MATERIAL?

I SAID, WELL, YES, THAT'S TRUE.

OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID WHEN YOU MAKE A FILM ABOUT THIS PERIOD IT BECOMES A SLIDE SHOW WITH THE STORY IN THE MIDDLE.

>> I'M THINKING KEN BURNS.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE LIMITED SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS BUT IT IS ONLY PHOTOGRAPHS.

>> WELL, YEAH.

THAT'S WHAT I DID.

I WENT AHEAD AND DECIDED -- THEY HAVE -- OFTEN HAVE REENACTMENTS IN DOCUMENTARIES, BUT THIS GOES A STEP FURTHER EBB IN THAT IT HAS SPOKEN DIALOGUE, ACTORS DRAMATIZING THE STORY.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A DRAMATIC STORY.

IT IS.

I TOOK PORTIONS OF THE MEMOIRS THE PARTS THAT HELP TO TELL THE STORY AND PARTS OF GIDEON WELLS' DIARIES, THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF THE NAVY AND HIS EFFORTS AND FRUSTRATING EFFORTS.

AND SO THAT'S PART OF THE STORY, AS WELL.

THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THE DRAMA, DRAMATIC SCENES COME FROM.

>> LIKE CIVIL WAR HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER.

I LOVE THE WHOLE CAT AND MOUSE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING IT.

YOU MENTIONED CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC.

ANYTIME YOU BRING UP THE CIVIL WAR YOU WILL FACE CONTROVERSY.

HAVE YOU?

WHAT'S THE FEEDBACK FROM FOLKS, HAVE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF HISTORY AND MAY WANT THEIRS TO PREVAIL.

HAS THAT BEEN COMPLICATED TO DEAL WITH?

>> SOME PEOPLE HAVE A DEFINITE PLANNED VIEW IN THEIR FILM.

THIS IS A BAD GUY.

JOHN PATTERSON, I DON'T DO THAT.

I REMAIN OBJECTIVE.

I LET EVERYONE SPEAK THEIR PIECE AND IT'S UP TO THE AUDIENCE, MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE TO DECIDE WHERE THE COMPASS IS AND WHO THEY LIKE AND DON'T LIKE.

I DON'T HAVE A NARRATION.

I DON'T TRY TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT IS GOING ON.

I JUST USE THE STORIES OF WHAT THEY WROTE AND SAID AND THAT'S HOW THE STORY IS TOLD.

I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE QUIBBLED ABOUT SOME OF THE FACTS THAT I PORTRAYED IN THE FILM OR WHAT I LEFT OUT.

I SAY, THIS IS AN 87-MINUTE FILM.

>> CAN'T DO IF EVERYTHING.

>> AND IF YOU GET INTO TOO MANY DETAILS I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE BORED.

PEOPLE REALLY LIKED IT AND THEY FELT IT WAS ENTERTAINING, NOT JUST EDUCATIONAL.

SO THAT'S GOOD.

I LIKE THAT.

THERE ARE PARTS WHERE PEOPLE LAUGHED.

I LIKE THAT, TOO.

I LIKE HUMOR.

>> YOU HAVE TO KEEP FOLKS ENGAGED, RIGHT?

I LOVE DOCUMENTARIES.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

THERE'S A SCREENING TONIGHT AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

AS PROMISED, LET'S GO AHEAD AND AIR A CLIP, SINK THE ALABAMA HERE ON APT.

♪ >> DEAREST ANNE, THE CONFEDERATE NAVY HAS COMMISSIONED ME TO DO THE ENEMY'S COMMERCE THE GREATEST INJURY IN THE SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME.

>> ESSENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DECIMATING THE MERCHANT FLEET.

>> THEY COULDN'T NOT ONLY SINK HIM BUT COULDN'T FIND HIM.

THERE'S A LOT OF CHICANERY IN CONSTRUCTING THE ALABAMA BECAUSE ENGLAND WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BUILD WARSHIPS FOR EITHER SIDE.

>> IT WAS A FIFTH COLONY THAT WAS ACTIVELY, SECRETLY SUPPORTING THE SOUTH.

BEING THE UNDERDOG GIVING A MORAL LEAP AHEAD OF THE OTHERS.

♪ >> KIND OF A CELEBRITY.

HUNDREDS OF SHIPS ARE LOOKING FOR HIM.

HE SHOWS HIM HIS HEELS AND OFF HE GOES.

>> IT WAS NOT INEVITABLE WHO WOULD WIN THE CIVIL WAR.

>> THE PRESIDENT SAID WE MUST FREE THE SLAVES BY PROCLAMATION OR BE OURSELVES SUBDUED.

>> I THOUGHT YOUR WAR ORIGINATED OUT OF THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

>> THAT'S A COMMON MISTAKE OF FOREIGNERS.

>> YOU HAVE THE WIFE OF RAFAEL SIMS, AN ADVOCATE OF SLAVERY?

>> I'M AN ABOLITIONIST.

♪ >> COMMANDER SIMS, YOU ARE UNDER ARREST.

>> OKAY.

THAT LOOKS REALLY EXCITING.

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT.

AGAIN, SINK THE ALABAMA THURSDAY NIGHT ON APT.

WE WILL HAVE SOME SUBSEQUENT AIRINGS THERE.

ROBERT, THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND BEST OF LUCK WITH THE FILM.

>> WONDERFUL.

I HOPE EVERYBODY ENJOYS IT.

>> GREAT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME WITH MORE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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