>>> TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," BUDGET HEARINGS AT THE STATE HOUSE REVEAL HOW INFLATION IS IMPACTING STATE AGENCIES.

WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE.

THE WORLD GAMES ARE UNDERWAY IN BIRMINGHAM.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT WAS AT THE OPENING CEREMONIES.

STATE SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON IS IN STUDIO DISCUSSING LEGISLATIVE ISSUES; ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN JOHN WAHL TALKS ABOUT THE DRAMATIC LAST FEW WEEKS OF ELECTION CONTROVERSIES.

AND TIFFANY DAVIS, THE PBS NEWSHOUR GWEN IFILL FELLOW JOINS US TO DISCUSS HER PROGRAM AND ASK A FEW QUESTIONS OF HER OWN.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>>> THE LEGISLATURE HAD ANOTHER ROUND OF BUDGET HEARINGS THIS WEEK IN WHICH LAWMAKERS HEARD FROM STATE AGENCIES ABOUT HOW INFLATION AND GAS PRICES ARE IMPACTING THEIR FINANCES.

THE HEARINGS ARE INFORMAL BUT LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS PUBLICLY.

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

>> EVEN THOUGH THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AWAY, LAWMAKERS WHO CRAFT THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET ARE HEARING FROM STATE AGENCIES NOW BECAUSE THE CURRENT RATE OF INFLATION AND A POSSIBLE RECESSION WILL IMPACT THEIR BUDGET-MAKING DECISIONS.

ALABAMA'S UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE COURTS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SHARED WITH THE COMMITTEE HOW INFLATION IS IMPACTING THEIR AGENCIES.

THE COURT SAID THE COST OF TONER HAS DOUBLED AND THE MILEAGE RATED HAS INCREASED BY 6.7%.

>> WE DO HAVE 30 CIRCUIT JUDGES WHO TRAVEL IN MULTIPLE COUNTY CIRCUITS WE REIMBURSE THEM WHEN THEY TRAVEL FROM ONE COURTHOUSE TO THE OTHER COURTHOUSE.

>> INFLATION IS FURTHER STRAINING THEIR UNDERPAID WORKFORCE AND THE DEPARTMENT IS SEEING INCREASED COSTS.

>> WE ALWAYS SEE AN INCREMENTAL RISE IN THE COST OF DRUGS AND PHARMACY.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE TRY TO BUILD INTO OUR BUDGET EVERY YEAR.

OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE SEEING A MUCH LARGER INCREASE THAN ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED.

>> BOTH AGENCIES ARE FOR NOW BENEFITING FROM CERTAIN SET COSTS.

>> YOU ARE SEEING THAT PAPER AND ENVELOPES ARE LOCKED IN BY THE STATE CONTRACT UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER AND OUR HARDWARE EXPENSES ARE IN THE STATE CONTRACT UNTIL MARCH.

>> WE DO HAVE CONTRACTS THAT ARE SET FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

FOR EXAMPLE, OUR FOOD SERVICE AND HOUSEKEEPING CONTRACT.

>> BUT -- >> WE KNOW THAT ONCE THOSE DATES END FOR THOSE CONTRACTS WE'RE GOING TO EXPERIENCE INCREASED COSTS.

>> WHAT WE SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC IS, FOR EXAMPLE WITH OUR HOUSEKEEPING CONTRACT, WHEN THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE THE STAFFING THEY BASIC GAVE US A 30-DAY NOTICE AND TERMINATED THE CONTRACT.

SO WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT'S WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH MANY OF OUR EXISTING CONTRACTS.

WHEN THE FOOD PRICES GO UP AND THEY CAN'T DELIVER WHAT THEY ORIGINALLY SAID THEY COULD DELIVER FOR THE PRICE WE NEGOTIATED, WE ANTICIPATE WE WILL SEE SOME CONTRACTS TERMINATED AND WE WILL HAVE TO REBID THE CONTRACT AND OBVIOUSLY THE PRICE WILL BE GREATER.

>> BOTH SAY USING TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS ZOOM HAS HELPED THEM TO SAVE MONEY.

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

>> MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER KIM BOSWELL SHARED HOW THE PANDEMIC AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ARE IMPACTING ALABAMIANS MENTAL HEALTH.

SHE SAID HER DEPARTMENT IS COLLABORATING WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO OFFER HELP AND SUPPORT.

>> WE ALSO DID A REALLY FUN PROJECT WITH COMMISSIONER PATE.

WE DID IT IN ALL 67 COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

WE BASICALLY DID MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID IN ALL 67 COUNTIES.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES IS 66% OF THE FARMERS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES HAVE INCREASED.

WE GOT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING IN ALL 67 COUNTIES.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE PROJECTS WE ARE WORKING WITH DHR ON RIGHT NOW.

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING IS TRAINING WITH THE DHR SUPERVISORS.

REALLY, THERE ARE MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES THERE TO CROSS TRAIN OUR STAFF.

AS I SAID TO SOME OF MY FELLOW CABINET MEMBERS, THE LEVEL OF COLLABORATION AMONG CABINET MEMBERS IS REALLY HIGH.

WE ALL BELIEVE THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS WE WILL GET THROUGH ANY ECONOMIC DOWNTURN IS BY FIGURING OUT HOW TO WORK TOGETHER AND REALLY FOCUS RESOURCES ON THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE GREATEST NEED.

>> SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE TOM PARKER MADE A BLUNT FUNDING REQUEST OF LAWMAKERS.

HE WANTS THE COURT SYSTEM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT ROUND OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING.

SPECIFICALLY HE IS ASKING FOR MONEY FOR TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS, LOST WAGES AND REVENUE, SUPPORT FOR PROBATE COURTS AND FLEXIBILITY TO HIRE RETIRED JUDGES.

>> BE ABLE TO RETAIN THEIR RETIREMENT PAY.

COME IN AND BE PAID ONE-FOURTH OF THE CURRENT RATE FOR THAT JUDGESHIP AND BE ABLE TO FILL IN.

THIS IS SOMETHING BEING USED IN SEVEN OVER STATES WITH ARPA.

SO THIS IS A WAY TO PROVIDE A BRIDGE UNTIL WHEN THE LEGISLATURE THINKS THAT THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO OFFER US THE FUNDING FOR ALL OF THOSE PERMANENT JUDGESHIP NEEDS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

THIS WOULD BE BY CONTRACT YEAR TO YEAR, SO WE WOULDN'T BE STUCK WITH PERSONNEL COSTS ON THIS.

THIS WOULD BE A BRIDGE TO HELP US GET TO THE POINT OF FUNDING FOR PERMANENT JUDGESHIP NEEDS.

>> KIRK FULFORD OF THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY SHARED SOME GOOD NEWS: THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND AND EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGETS ARE STILL QUITE HEALTHY AND LOOK FINISH THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WITH POSITIVE BALANCES.

>> YEAR TO DATE RECEIPTS, AND THESE ARE A REFLECTION AS OF JUNE 30th, WE ARE UP $162 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND, THAT'S 9% GROWTH.

THERE ARE A LITTLE TIMING ISSUES IN THERE BUT NOT MANY.

THAT'S KIND OF REAL GROWTH, BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND.

LOOK AT THE GROWTH IN LODGING TAXES IS 30% YEAR OVER YEAR.

THAT'S PEOPLE HAVING A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND AND YEAR TO DATE 1.4 BILLION ON EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT IS DRIVING IT IS INCOME AND SALES.

NET INCOME RECEIPTS UP 1.3 BILLION, AND SALES UP $90 MILLION.

OUT OF THE 1.45 BILLION TO DATE, MOST ALL OF IT IS INCOME AND SALES.

>> THE WORLD GAMES OPENED THIS WEEK IN BIRMINGHAM.

THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT FEATURES MORE THAN 3,600 ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN NON-OLYMPIC EVENTS INCLUDING SUMO WRESTLING, PICKLEBALL, MARTIAL ARTS, TUG OF WAR AND OTHER SPORTS.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT WAS ON HAND FOR THE OPENING CEREMONIES AT BIRMINGHAM'S PROTECTIVE STADIUM.

>> THERE'S A BUZZ GOING THROUGH BIRMINGHAM AS THE CITY GETS READY FOR THE WORLD GAMES.

>> IT'S HUGE, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE SPORTS AND THE MAGNITUDE OF THE ATHLETES WE WILL HAVE HERE, BUT IT PUTS BIRMINGHAM AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT.

>> PEOPLE ARE STREAMING TO DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM BECAUSE THE WORLD GAMES ARE ABOUT TO GET STARTED, BRINGING THE FINEST ATHLETES IN THE WORLD HERE TO SHOW OFF THEIR ATHLETIC ABILITY AND SHOWCASE AND HIGHLIGHT THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA FOR THE WORLD TO SEE.

JAY ROBERSON IS THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE WORLD GAMES 2022 AND SAID A LOT OF EFFORT HAS HAPPENED TO GET HERE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES THAT MADE THIS POSSIBLE, THAT PUT FORTH THE EFFORT FROM OUR CONVENTION BUSINESS BUREAU, TO STATE TOURISM, THE GOVERNOR'S AND MAYOR'S OFFICE, MAYOR BELL AT THE TIME AND A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE IT A REALITY.

>> IT IS A BIG TASK BIRMINGHAM IS READY FOR.

>> WITH 3600 ATHLETES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND 1500 MEDIA ALL OVER THE WORLD, FOR THE UNITED STATES, AND THE WORLD TO SEE THESE GAMES.

>> PEOPLE COMING TO THE WORLD GAMES WILL SEE FAMILIAR SPORT PLUS NEW CATEGORIES.

>> FAN SPORTS TO SOFTBALL, TO SUMO WRESTLING.

THE NEXT 72 HOURS -- 96 HOURS WILL BE A LOT OF DIFFERENT SPORTS A THE SAME TIME.

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

>>> ALABAMA CIVIL RIGHTS ICON FRED GRAY WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM THIS WEEK AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN PRESENTED GRAY WITH THE NATION'S HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR FOR HIS LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO ADVANCING EQUALITY AND JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW.

>> DR. KING, ROSA PARKS, JOHN LEWIS AND OTHER GIANTS OF OUR HISTORY NEEDED A LAWYER FOR THEIR FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.

YOU KNOW WHO THEY CALLED?

THEY CALLED A GUY NAMED FRED GRAY.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYERS IN OUR HISTORY, HIS BRILLIANCE AND STRATEGY WENT ON TO BE ELECTED AS ONE OF THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICANS, AN ORDAINED MINISTRY, HE IMBUED A RIGHTEOUS CALLING THAT TOUCHED THE SOUL OF OUR NATION AND AT 91 YEARS YOUNG HE IS STILL PRACTICING LAW.

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

>> 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 I'M JOINED BY STATE SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, MINORITY LEADER FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> YOU ARE ALL IN FOR BUDGET HEARINGS.

THESE ARE RARE IN TERMS OF OUT OF SEASON BUDGET HEARINGS BUT BECAUSE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION WITH INFLATION AND EVERYTHING YOU ASKED AGENCIES TO COME IN AND GET SOME UPDATES ON THINGS.

HOW ARE THE BUDGET HEARINGS GOING?

>> WE CALL THEM INFORMAL BUDGET HEARINGS AND IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A PROJECTION WHERE WE ARE.

CHAIRMAN ALBRITTON AND CHAIRMAN CLOUSE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AT GETTING QUESTIONS TO AGENCIES TO COME AND GIVE US AN UPDATE WHERE WE ARE.

WE ARE LOOKING GOOD IN SPITE OF INFLATIONS BASED ON WHERE THE PROJECTIONS ARE.

>> DO YOU THINK IF THE INFLATION LASTS ONE OR TWO YEARS DOWN THE ROAD THAT AGENCIES COULD BE LOOKING AT ANY KIND OF CUTS?

>> BASED ON THE PROJECTIONS WE ARE GETTING AND WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO DO CONSERVATIVE SPENDING IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAY BACK RAINY DAY FUNDS AND SET UP FUNDS THAT ALLOW US TO BE ABLE TO RESERVES AND OTHER THINGS THAT ALLOW US TO DEAL WITH THOSE PROJECTIONS IN CASE WE ARE LOOKING AT DOWNFALLS.

WITH THAT, WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.

I THINK BASED ON THE PROJECTIONS WE HEARD TODAY WE COULD GO A YEAR OR SO BEFORE WE ARE STARTING TO SEE, START TO GET IN TROUBLE WITH OUR BUDGETS.

>> I REMEMBER HEARING THAT BACK DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

RECORD BUDGETS, RIGHT, RECORD REVENUES AND YET FOLKS WERE SAYING ON THE FLOOR, BE CAREFUL.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SPEND IT ALL.

WE'RE GOING TO PUT SOME AWAY BECAUSE IT IS NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE THIS FLUSH.

>> I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE ARE.

WE WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER TO MAKE SURE THE STATE OF THE STATE IS HEALTHY.

THE LEADERSHIP FROM THE GOVERNOR AND BUDGET CHAIRMANS.

WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB MAKING SURE WE WATCHED OUR SPENDING AND JUST BECAUSE THE GROWTH IS THERE AND NOT JUST SPENDING ALL OF THE MONEY AT ONE TIME AND SAVING FOR THAT RAINY DAY.

WE ARE NOW, YOU KNOW -- THE RAIN HAS STARTED TO DRIZZLE.

WE DON'T HAVE A DOWNFALL BUT STARTING TO DRIZZLE AND WE ARE SEEING GAS PRICES AND FOOD, SHELTER, RENT IS GOING UP FOR PEOPLE, BUT STILL WE ARE LOOKING AT WAGES HAVE GONE UP IN TERMS OF PEOPLE ABLE TO WORK.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS HIGH IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT FEELING A RAINFALL BUT JUST A DRIZZLE RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU HEARD MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER BOSWELL THIS WEEK.

MENTAL HEALTH IS AN AREA THAT HAS HAD MORE FUNDING AND FOCUS THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAN THE LAST TEN OR 12.

HAS THAT BEEN INTENTIONAL ON THE LEGISLATURE'S PART TO FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH?

>> YES, IT HAS.

WE LOOKED AT MENTAL HEALTH AND RIGHT AFTER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LOOKED AT US IN TERMS OF OUR PRISON AND LOOKED AT THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT OF OUR PRISON SYSTEM, WE STARTED TO LOOK AT INMATE AND OUR GENERAL POPULATION.

THAT'S WHY WE SET UP THE PILOT PROGRAM IN RURAL AREAS IN THE BUCKET TO MAKE SURE NOT ONLY URBAN AREAS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES BUT RURAL AREAS.

WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.

AT THOSE CRISIS CENTERS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OPENING TWO MORE, ONE IN TUSCALOOSA AND TWO OTHERS.

WE HAVE PUT MORE FUNDING INTO MENTAL HEALTH AND THAT'S OPENED UP.

WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE STAYING AT HOME DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWALS, I WOULD SAY, BEING AT HOME, WE START TO SEE ALCOHOLISM GO UP.

WE START TO SEE ABUSE GO UP IN THE STATE.

SOME OF THAT COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE PANDEMIC, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHATEVER IS CONTRIBUTED TO WE ARE MAKING SURE TO ADDRESS IT.

I THINK WE ARE DOING THE PROPER THING AND PUTTING THE MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTHS ARE TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA ARE SAFE.

>> YOU MENTIONED PRISONS.

IT WAS LAST WEEK WHEN THE PRISON BOND SALE, THE LEGISLATURE YOU ALL PASSED PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

IT IS PRETTY AMBITIOUS.

NEW PRISONS.

I THINK 4,000 INMATES A PIECE THE FIRST TWO.

THE BOND SALE FELL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU WANTED MORE MONEY BUT SAID IT WAS ENOUGH TO GET STARTED, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES.

WE SOLD 70% OF THE BONDS OR MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WE WENT IN AT 700 MILLION.

WE SOLD 500 MILLION OF THOSE BONDS.

IT'S NOT THAT WE COULDN'T SELL THEM.

IT IS JUST THE FACT THAT WHERE THE MARKET IS NOW IN TERMS OF INFLATION, THE BOND SERIES THAT WAS UP FOR SALE WAS MORE LONG TERM.

MORE 30-YEAR SERIES OF BONDS.

WE WERE ABLE TO SELL THE SHORT TERM SERIES AND GET 500 MILLION OF THAT SOLD.

WE FEEL REAL GOOD WHERE WE ARE.

WE UNDERSTOOD IT WAS A VOLATILE MARKET WE WERE GOING IN AND HOPEFULLY WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN THEM ALL DONE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE FEEL GOOD WHERE WE ARE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF CRITICS OF THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

THEY WERE THE SAME CRITICS OF THE GOVERNOR'S CONTRACT PLAN, REALLY ANY PLAN, MAINLY FROM THE LEFT, ARGUING THAT WE INCARCERATE TOO MANY PEOPLE AND THAT EVENTUALLY ARGUE THAT MAYBE WE OUGHT TO INCARCERATE FEWER AND MAYBE LET SOME FOLKS OUT.

THE ARGUMENT ALSO THAT, LOOK, BUILDING PRISONS CAN'T ALONE SOLVE THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IN PRISONS IN TERMS OF DANGER, THE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE CRITICS WHO ARE PRETTY AGGRESSIVE IN THEIR ARGUMENTS?

>> I RESPECT THEIR ARGUMENTS.

BECAUSE OF THE WAY OUR PRISONS ARE NOW, YOU KNOW, I HAVE THOSE PEOPLE ON THAT SIDE SAYING WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF DEPLORABLE SITUATIONS.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ADDRESSING.

WE WILL ADDRESS THAT.

SO WITH THAT WE SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE SAYING.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DANGER POINTS AND TALK TO THE PRISON COMMISSION, RIGHT NOW THERE ARE HID AREAS WHERE THERE ARE NO CAMERAS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, WHERE VIOLENCE IS TAKING PLACE.

RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE INDIVIDUAL CELLS IN A LOT OF FACILITIES AND THE NEW FACILITIES HAVE INDIVIDUAL CELLS SO WE CAN DO SEGREGATION AND LOOK PEOPLE DOWN.

THE SUPREME COURT TALKED ABOUT THIS WEEK IN THEIR REPORT BACK TO US, THE SPECIALTY COURTS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT MENTAL HEALTH COURTS AND COURTS TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GOING TO PRISON.

WE ARE NOT TRYING TO LOCK UP PEOPLE WE ARE NORMALLY THROWING IN PRISON FOR HAVING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, NOT KEEPING THEM OUT.

WE ARE HAVING SPECIALTY COURTS.

THE MORE WE PUT IN PRISON NOW ARE FELONS, PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY DANGEROUS THAT ARE GOING TO PRISON NOW.

IN 2015, WE DID A REFORM THAT GAVE US A D CLASS FELONY THAT LET A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT.

WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM GOING TO PRISON.

I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS GOING ON.

WE ARE HAVING TO BUILD UP OUR SPECIALTY COURTS IN OUR AREAS.

THEY ARE NOT IN ALL OF THE AREAS YOU SAW THIS WEEK WITH THE SUPREME COURT THE WAY THEY SUPPORT IT, EXPRESS WHERE THOSE COURTS ARE.

WE NEED TO ADD MORE COURTS AND JUDGES AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WILL PUT PEOPLE INTO COMMUNITY CORRECTION PROGRAMS AND BRING ABOUT COMMUNITY CORRECTION PROGRAM, UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY CORRECTION PROGRAM, PUT MORE FUNDING IN THE COMMUNITY CORRECTION PROGRAMS WHERE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO GO TO PRISON.

SO, WITH THAT, BUILDING THESE PRISONS IS GOING TO HELP US BE ABLE TO STOP SOME OF THE VIOLENCE.

WE WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP IT ALL.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE -- THOSE CRITICS ARE TALKING ABOUT, IF YOU GO TO OUR PRISONS, THERE'S RAW SEWAGE ON THE FLOOR THERE.

DEPLORABLE SITUATIONS THAT NO ONE WANTS THEIR LOVED ONES IN.

BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL HUMAN BEINGS.

THE HUMANITY OF A MAN IS STILL THERE.

WE JUST WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE INMATES, DO THEM RIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL HUMAN, JUST BECAUSE THEY COMMITTED A CRIME, WE THINK PEOPLE COULD BE REHABILITATED AND THAT'S THE ROAD TO GO DOWN TO REHABILITATE THOSE PEOPLE AND BRING THEM BACK TO SOCIETY.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, I KNOW THE COUNTY FACILITY IS SUPPOSED TO PLAY A BIG PART IN THAT.

WHERE ARE WE I THINK I SAW A RIBBON CUTTING.

IS IT OPEN AND READY TO GO?

>> THEY ARE GETTING IT PREPARED TO BE READY.

WE DID A SOFT OPENING.

THEY ARE RAMPING UP STAFF RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE BRINGING IN -- THEY ARE ABOUT TO START CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW CAMPUS FOR THE TRADES.

>> THIS IS TO MAKE SURE OUR VIEWERS UNDERSTAND.

THIS IS A MULTI-USE FACILITY WHERE PARDONS AND PAROLES WILL BE WORKING WITH TWO-YEAR COLLEGES AND THE CORRECTION SYSTEM FOR REENTRY.

>> YES.

TOTAL REENTRY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO GO THROUGH OUR PRISON SYSTEM, AND OUR PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WE OFFER WELDING, BRICK MASONRY AND WE GIVE A CERTIFICATION.

WHEN THEY WALK OUT, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT AND WHERE TO GO.

WHAT THE PROGRAM WOULD DO IS PREP, PRISON RENTRY EDUCATION PROGRAM.

WE ARE MAKING SURE WHEN THEY COME OUT THERE IS A PROGRAM WHERE THEY CAN LEARN TO GET A LICENSED PLUMBER THEY WANT TO BE OR A LICENSED WELDER AND HELP THEM SET UP A CORPORATION IF THEY WANT TO GO ON THEIR OWN, TEACHING SOFT SKILLS, HOW TO GET A JOB, GET A SUIT, WORK CLOTHES OR PAIR OF BOOTS, WHATEVER TO GET THAT JOB.

WE THINK THIS WILL BE A GAME CHANGER AND BEING ABLE TO STOP RECIDIVISM AND KEEPING THE DOORS FROM REVOLVING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

SOME OF THE INTANGIBLES YOU DON'T ALWAYS THINK ABOUT.

>> SWITCHING GEARS.

WE ARE HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE AND THERE'S TALK OF A SPECIAL SESSION IN TERMS OF ARPA 2.

YOU SPENT THE FIRST HALF OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS.

DO YOU EXPECT THERE TO BE A SPECIAL SESSION OR THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE IT UP IN THE REGULAR NEXT SPRING?

>> I THINK WITH THE EXTENSIONS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GAVE US ON ARPA WE CAN HAVE THE LEVERAGE TO GO BACK IN THE SPRING.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A REAL NEED.

I THINK IT IS GOOD FOR US TO GET THE RULES DOWN PAT.

KNOW WHAT WE CAN SPEND THIS MONEY ON.

NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE JUST ARPA BUT THE HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION MONEY IS COMING IN, ALL OF THOSE OTHER DOLLARS TO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT TO SPEND THE MONEY ON AND BE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE WHERE IT IS BEST NEEDED UNLESS THERE IS A BIG OUTBREAK HERE IN THE STATE AGAIN OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE NUMBERS ARE RISING AGAIN NOW.

UNLESS WE SEE THAT, THEN WE WILL HAVE CALLS TO COME IN EARLY AND SPEND THAT MONEY BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT HAPPEN IN THE STATE I THINK WE CAN SIT BACK, LOOK AT IT AND DO IT IN THE SPRING ARPA WILL COME BACK IN.

>> IT MAY BE TOO EARLY TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION BUT THE FIRST HALF OF THE ARPA A LOT OF IT WAS WATER AND SEWER, REALLY ADDRESSING A NEED THERE.

BROADBAND, A LOT OF RURAL BROADBAND NEEDS, OF COURSE HEALTHCARE, HOSPITALS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

IS IT TOO EARLY TO SAY, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SECOND HALF -- THE SAME FOCUS OR DIFFERENT PRIORITIES?

>> WELL, WE WILL HAVE TO SIT DOWN AS A COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THAT.

I THINK WHAT YOU WILL HAVE ARE SOME OF THE SAME THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE MONEY FOR BROADBAND OR GETTING WASTE WATER SERVICES AND HOSPITALS, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A SPIKE.

HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES.

THOSE THINGS WILL BE THERE.

THERE MAYBE SOME REPEATS AND SOME EXTRA THINGS ADDED LIKE HOUSING.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT RENTAL ASSISTANCE OVER THE ALABAMA HOUSING THAT GOT 200 AND SOME ODD MILLION DOLLARS THAT HAS TO BE SPENT.

THERE ARE SOME DOLLARS THAT WILL BE ADDED BUT PROBABLY THE SAME REPEAT NUMBERS.

>> YOU REPRESENT A LARGELY RURAL DISTRICT.

>> YES.

>> WERE YOU PLEASED WITH THE FACT THE FIRST ARPA, SO MUCH WAS SPENT ON RURAL PROJECTS, WATER, SEWER, BROADBAND.

YOU LOBBIED HEAVILY FOR THAT.

>> FOR THE FIRST.

IT REALLY FELT GOOD THAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE REST OF THE COMMITTEE WAS WILLING TO SAY HEY, WE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS IN THE STATE.

IT IS HITTING RURAL AREAS HARDER THAN URBAN AREAS.

I REALLY APPLAUD MY FRIENDS FROM ACROSS THE AISLE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN MAKING SURE THAT RURAL COMMUNITIES WERE LOOKED AFTER IN THE FIRST ARPA FUND BECAUSE WHERE THE GREATER NEED WAS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> WE'RE IN AN ELECTION SEASON.

THAT MEANS YOU'LL COME BACK -- WHENEVER YOU COME BACK I GUESS THERE WILL BE AN ORGANIZATION BUT NEXT YEAR WILL BE A NEW TERM AND A DIFFERENT LEGISLATURE A, A LOT OF NEW FACES INCLUDING IN YOUR CAUCUS.

HOW DO YOU -- FROM A LEADERSHIP STANDPOINT, HOW DO YOU GET FOLKS ACCUSTOM TO THE SENATE AND LEGISLATURE IN GENERAL?

>> WHAT WE DO IN THE SENATE CAUCUS, WE WILL BE MEETING WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ELECTED, GIVING SPECIFIC ORIENTATION, INTRODUCING THEM TO THE PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THEY UNDERSTAND IT AND BEING A RESOURCE TO YOUNGER MEMBERS COMING IN OR PEOPLE COMING IN FOR THE FIRST TIME AND UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND HOW THEY CAN BE A HELP TO US AND ON THE MINORITY SIDE WITH THE PROCESS.

UNDERSTAND HOW WE WILL CROSS THE AISLE IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER AND NOT JUST COMING INTO BASH ANYONE OR MAKE SURE WE BASH THE SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU ARE NEW, YOU COME IN WITH ALL OF THESE HIGH EXPECTATIONS THAT YOU WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.

IT'S ABOUT THE REALITY.

LET IT SIT IN AND SAY THIS IS THE REALITY.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU MAY HAVE RUN ON THAT YOU SAID YOU ARE GOING TO GET DONE, THEY MAY NOT HAPPEN IN THE FIRST YEAR.

YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THERE IS A PROCESS.

THAT'S WHAT WE WILL WANT TO DO IS GIVE THE ORIENTATION TO THE PEOPLE AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WE ARE A TEAM AND WORK TOGETHER.

>> I COULD SEE SOMEBODY RUN FOR OFFICE AND THEY ARE SEEING WASHINGTON AND WHAT DO YOU DO UP THERE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SENATE, YOU HAVE A WAY OF REALLY WORKING TOGETHER AND GET YOUR BUSINESS DONE A LOT BEHIND THE SCENES.

IS THAT -- HOW DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU?

DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO WORK GOING FORWARD?

>> YES, I DO.

WE MEET OFTEN AND TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE PROCESS.

WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING BUT THOSE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO BEST FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER WE DO THEM WELL TOGETHER.

THOSE THINGS WE KNOW WE WILL FIGHT ON, WE JUST GO AT IT.

THAT'S THE PROCESS.

I THINK THAT'S THE WAY -- WE PUT ALABAMA FIRST.

WE NOT PUT OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL SELF OR PARTIES AND THERE WILL BE SOME THINGS THAT ARE PARTY ISSUES THAT HAPPENS.

THAT'S JUST THE REALITY HERE IN THE PROCESS.

BUT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, WE KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN AND WE DEAL WITH IT ACCORDINGLY.

>> I WAS TALKING TO MARIKA COLEMAN WHO IS REALLY EAGER TO COME UPSTAIRS AND IN SENATE DISTRICT 23 HANK SANDERS REPRESENTED THAT FOR A LONG TIME.

HIS DAUGHTER MALIKA REPRESENTED IT FOR A WHILE, FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AND NOW A NEW PERSON, NEW NOMINEE, STILL HAS TO HAVE A GENERAL ELECTION, ROBERT STEWART, I HAVEN'T MET HIM BUT THIS IS A BIG DEAL IN TERMS OF SOMEONE NEW IN SENATE DISTRICT 23.

>> ROBERT IS A GREAT GUY.

HE'S YOUNG, INTELLIGENT, SUPER PERSONALITY, GREAT TO WORK.

I WAS PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT ROBERT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT GIVING BACK.

I WANTED TO GIVE FORWARD.

THAT WAS NO MARK AGAINST THE SENATOR ENTERING THE RACE AGAIN I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT THAT.

IT'S ALL ABOUT LOOKING AT THE FUTURE.

I'M 60 YEARS OLD.

I WANT TO GIVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A VOICE IN THE SENATE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A VOICE FOR THE FUTURE.

I THINK ROBERT IS EAGER TO LEARN.

I THINK HE WANTS TO BE ON THE SCENE.

HE'S BEEN INVOLVED THIS THE PROCESS.

HE'S WORKED AS A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE AND HE UNDERSTANDS THE POLITICAL PROCESS.

I THINK HE WILL COME IN AND JUMP IN AND LEARN THE RULES AND BE ABLE TO COME IN AND BE AN ASSET TO US.

HE HAS A VOICE.

HE DOESN'T MIND SPEAKING OUT.

I'M EAGER TO WORK WITH HIM AND BE ABLE TO LEND THAT FORWARD FOR WHATEVER I CAN DO TO HELP HIM, I'M WILLING TO DO.

JUST AS I SAID WITH SENATOR FORTIER WHEN SHE CAME ON.

SHE AND I MET OFTEN.

I WAS WILLING TO LEND TO HER -- EVERY TIME SHE WANTED TO MEET, I GAVE HER MY UNDIVIDED ATTENTION OR ANY OTHER NEW MEMBER.

WHEN SENATOR COLEMAN GETS HERE, THE HOUSE AND SENATE RULES ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

IF THERE IS SOMETHING TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR HER I WOULD DO THE SAME THING FOR HER.

ALWAYS WANT TO LEND FORWARD.

>> YOU WERE ONCE THE NEW GUY.

WHEN DID YOU COME IN.

>> I CAME IN THE HOUSE IN '02 AND A SPECIAL ELECTION IN '04 AND I SAT IN THE SENATE IN '05 AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION IN JANUARY' 05.

PEOPLE GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO LEARN AND GET INDOCTRINATED AND TODAY I'M THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER.

THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO SEE THESE YOUNG BRILLIANT MINDS COME ALONG AND DO AND OTHERS ARE RUNNING FOR SENATE SEATS ACROSS THE STATE AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND ADD MORE PEOPLE TO OUR FOLD.

GET MY NUMBERS UP.

>> OKAY.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

BUT THANK YOU, SENATOR, FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.

THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

NEXT, I'M JOINED BY JOHN WAHL, CHAIRMAN OF THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> OH, IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

ALWAYS ENJOY INTERVIEWING WITH YOU GUYS.

>> IT'S THE END OF A BUSY ELECTION SEASON.

MAYBE BUSIER THAN YOU PREDICTED, BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU BEFORE WE GET TO MORE SPECIFICS JUST IN GENERAL ARE YOU PLEASED WITH HOW THE ELECTIONS WERE ADMINISTERED AND TOOK PLACE AND NOW THAT IT IS ALL OVER?

>> I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF POSITIVES AND WE LEARNED A LOT IN THIS CYCLE.

I WON'T SAY THAT EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT AND I'M SURE WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER BUT I WAS.

I THINK ANY ELECTION CYCLE FOR ME IS A POSITIVE.

IF THE PEOPLE GET TO PRESENT THEIR VOICE AND GO TO THE POLLS AND VOTE, THAT'S WHAT THE ELECTION IS ABOUT.

WE HAD THAT HAPPEN.

I WON'T LIE.

I'M ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT TURNOUT LOWER THAN I WANTED IT TO BE.

I'M A PERFECTIONIST.

I ALWAYS THINK THINGS CAN BE BETTER.

THAT IS WHAT DRIVES ME AS THE PARTY CHAIRMAN TO PUSH FOR THINGS TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL.

I'D LOVE TO SEE HIGHER TURNOUT.

THAT'S WHAT DISAPPOINTED ME MOST THIS CYCLE.

>> YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WERE PRESENT IN THE PRIMARY THIS TIME AROUND.

SOME OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE BALLOTS BEING WRONG.

YOU HAD THAT SITUATION IN ETOWAH COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE DISTRICTS DRAWN LAST YEAR THEY WEREN'T REFLECTED IN ALL OF THE BALLOTS AND THE SAME IN LAUDERDALE COUNTY, A COUPLE OF COUNTIES WHERE THIS HAPPENED.

HAVE YOU HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH HOW TO FIX IT IN THE FUTURE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS WAS A FRUSTRATING PROCESS FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

STATE LAW IN A PRIMARY, WE ARE TASKED WITH HEARING THESE ELECTION CONTESTS.

REALLY HAVING TO DIG INTO THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WHETHER LOCAL, STATE GOVERNMENT OR WHEREVER IT IS AT.

IT IS A PROCESS OF HIGHLIGHTING THESE MISTAKES.

AND WE HAD ELECTION CONTESTS.

THREE WE HEARD, ONE WAS FILED YESTERDAY.

WHEN WE LOOKED INTO THOSE FOUR DISTRICTS, ALL FOUR OF THEM HAVE POTENTIAL MISTAKES WITH REDISTRICTING BOUNDARIES AND PEOPLE GETTING THE WRONG BALLOTS.

THAT'S INCREDIBLY CONCERNING.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN PRIORITIES OF THE PARTY.

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT AND WORK WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE VOTING SOFTWARE AND CAN DOUBLE CHECK AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE RIGHT BALLOTS.

IT'S A TRAGEDY IF PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING THE WRONG BALLOTS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SENATE DISTRICT 27.

THAT WAS -- IT REALLY CAPTIVATED THE ALABAMA POLITICAL WORLD FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

YOU HAD THE INCUMBENT SENATOR TOM WHATLEY DEFEATED ON ELECTION DAY BY ONE VOTE BY CHALLENGER JAY HOVEY.

THE CHALLENGES WERE FILED, TALK OF A RECOUNT.

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

AND SURPRISING DECISION FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE OR THE PARTY COMMITTEE.

I'M HOPING YOU CAN CLARIFY THAT, DECLARED IT A TIE AND THEN REVERSED THE DECISION.

WE HAVE COVERED THAT A LOT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND IT'S BEEN IN THE NEWS.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED INTERNALLY AT THE PARTY WITH Y'ALL'S DECISION-MAKING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO, FIRST, IT WAS THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY COMMITTEE MADE UP OF THE SAME MEMBERS AS THE STEERING COMMITTEE.

AS I SAID, ONE OF THESE SITUATIONS WHERE WE ARE TASKED BY STATE LAW TO HOLD HEARINGS AND LOOK INTO THESE ISSUES.

JUNE 25th, WE WENT THROUGH 12 HOURS OF DEPOSITIONS HEARING LAWYERS PRESENT THEIR CASE FOR BOTH SIDES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE PARTY WASN'T GOING OUT AND LOOKING FOR INFORMATION.

WE WERE THE JUDGE.

WE HAD PEOPLE PRESENTING US INFORMATION AND WE WORKED AND HELPED THEM TO GET THE INFORMATION FOR THEIR CASE AND LISTENED TO BOTH SIDES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY ON JUNE 25th, THE INFORMATION WE HAD FOR THAT SINGLE VOTE THAT THE COMMITTEE ALLOWED -- WE WENT BACK -- THERE WAS REASONABLE DOUBT WHETHER SHE WAS OR WASN'T REGISTERED TO VOTE.

IT WAS CLEAR SHE ATTEMPTED TO REGISTER TO VOTE BUT SOMEWHERE IN THE PROCESS, THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY WITH HER ATTEMPTED REGISTER FELL THROUGH.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THAT WAS.

WE DIDN'T KNOW IF SHE WAS REGISTERED BUT IT DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE POLLING BOOTH THAT DAY.

WITH THAT REASONABLE DOUBT, WE FELT IT IMPORTANT TO RESPECT HER VOTE, AS WE WOULD PERSON IN ALABAMA.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT VOTER INTEGRITY AND KEEPING OUR ELECTIONS SECURE.

THE REASON THAT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ILLEGAL VOTES IS BECAUSE WE ARE PROTECTING THE LEGAL ONES.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THIS IN PROCESS.

WHEN WE HAD REASONABLE DOUBT HER VOTE -- SHE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY REGISTERED WE WEREN'T GOING TO LET HER VOTE BE THROWN OUT BUT MAKE SURE WE KNEW WHAT HAPPENED AND NOT JUST SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG AND INVESTIGATE IT.

THAT WAS A PARTY DECISION.

UNTIL WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO COUNT THE VOTE AND THAT LED TO DRAMA WITH DECIDING AFTER THAT.

THE GENERAL ELECTION STATUTE SAYS A TIE WOULD BE INCLUDED BY A GAME OF CHANCE OR A FLIP OF A COIN OR SOME TYPE OF CHANCE TO DECIDE.

THE PARTY STEERING COMMITTEE, THEY FELT LIKE BOTH CANDIDATES WERE REPUBLICANS.

BOTH WERE QUALIFIED TO BE OUR NOMINEES FOR STATE SENATE.

THEY DIDN'T WANT THE PARTY TO PICK BETWEEN THEM.

THEY WANTED IT TO BE NEUTRAL OUT OF RESPECT FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.

THAT'S WHERE THAT CAME FROM AND LED TO.

I WON'T LIE, AS CHAIRMAN, UNDER STATE LAW IN A PRIMARY, I WOULD HAVE MADE A DECIDING VOICE.

I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE IN LEADERSHIP LIKES TO HAVE AUTHORITY TAKEN AWAY BUT I RESPECT THE COMMITTEE'S DECISION AND THOUGHT THEY ACTED IN A WAY AND THEY WERE RESPECTFUL TO BOTH CANDIDATES.

>> SO, IT SEEMS TO REALLY TURN WHEN ALEA CAME OUT WITH ITS STATEMENT.

THE COMMITTEE MEETS ON SATURDAY I GUESS SATURDAY NIGHT, SUNDAY MORNING ALEA COMES OUT SAYING WE DIDN'T PROCESS THIS.

THIS WOMAN WAS NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE.

SHE DID NOT COMPLETE THE FORM OR WHATEVER.

THAT REALLY SEEMED TO CHANGE THE GAME.

TO THE POINT WHERE THE COMMITTEE REHEARD THE DECISION OR RECONSIDERED THE DECISION AND SAID NO, WE ARE GOING TO THROW OUT THE VOTE.

WALK ME THROUGH THAT.

>> FIRST THING IS THE PARTY DOES CARE ABOUT ELECTIONS SECURITY.

THAT IS OUR FUNDAMENTAL.

DON'T GET ME WRONG, I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE SENT OUT THE STATEMENT BEFORE THE HEARING, NOT SUNDAY AFTER THE HEARING.

>> IN THAT SAME VAIN, DID YOU APPROACH THEM?

WHY NOT ASK FOR SPECIFICS IF THERE IS A QUESTION AS THIS PERSON'S REGISTRATION STATUS?

>> AS I SAID BEFORE, THE PARTY IS OPERATING AS THE JUDGE.

BOTH SIDES WERE PRESENTED TO US.

WE FELT IF WE GOT INVOLVED WITH THAT WE COULD HAVE SHOWED FAVORITISM TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

JUST AS WE WOULD IN A COURT OF LAW.

WE OPERATE UNDER STATE STATUTE AS A COURT IN THIS SITUATION.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATE FOR THE PARTY TO COLLECTION INFORMATION.

HOVEY'S ATTORNEYS FILED A MOTION TO REHEAR BASED ON NEW INFORMATION.

WE THEN ALLOWED WHATLEY'S TEAM THE CHANCE TO SEND US INFORMATION ARGUING FOR OR AGAINST THAT.

AND ULTIMATELY, WE HEARD, BASED ON NEW EVIDENCE.

THAT'S HOW THE LEGAL SYSTEM WORKS.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.

SOME PEOPLE DIDN'T LIKE THE SPEED.

I WON'T LIE.

BY NATURE, I LIKE TO RESOLVE THINGS QUICKLY.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE FOLLOWED THE LEGAL PROCESS.

WE DID TAKE IT SLOW.

WE LOOKED INTO EVERYTHING.

AND AT THE END I THINK WE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.

IF SOMEONE IS NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE, THEIR VOTE CANNOT BE COUNTED.

THERE'S A LINE IN THE SAND.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SUPPORTS ELECTION INTEGRITY.

WE WEREN'T GOING THERE BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THE ISSUES ARE NOT SWEPT UNDER THE RUG AND IGNORED.

THAT WE TAKE TIME TO INVESTIGATE THEM AND LEARN WHAT HAPPENED TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

I BELIEVE IN THIS SITUATION IT IS CLEAR THAT ALEA NEEDS TO PROVIDE BETTER INFORMATION TO PEOPLE REGISTERING TO VOTE.

ONCE THEY CHECK THE MARK AND THINK THEY ARE REGISTERED, THEY NEED TO LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SEND IT IN UNTIL THEY COMPLETE, IN THIS CASE, THE DRIVER'S LICENSE DOCUMENT.

>> SWITCHING GEARS A BIT, BUT ON A RELATED NOTE, THERE'S TALK ABOUT CLOSED PRIMARIES.

YOU HEARD IT FROM -- YOU TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT ON TALK RADIO, HEARD IT FROM OTHERS BECAUSE OF THE ELECTION RESULTS, YOU HAD THE MORE MAIN STREAM CANDIDATES WIN RATHER THAN THE FURTHER RIGHT CANDIDATES.

YOU HEARD FRUSTRATION FROM SOME SAYING WELL, MAYBE DEMOCRATS PLAYED IN THE RACE SOME OR PEOPLE THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY INDEPENDENT.

SO THERE'S TALK OF CLOSING THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, CLOSING ALL PARTY PRIMARIES TO ONLY THOSE REGISTERED AS A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

YOU HAVE ADVOCATED A LITTLE BIT FOR THIS.

GIVE ME YOUR PITCH WHY THIS WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S CLEAR.

THIS ELECTION CYCLE NOT ONLY HIGHLIGHTED PROBLEMS WITH REDISTRICTING AND WITH SOME PROCESSES BUT THE FACT THAT DEMOCRATS ARE PURPOSELY USING THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THAT'S CONCERNS FOR THE PARTY.

IT'S CONCERNING FOR ANY REPUBLICAN VOTER OUT THERE.

IT REALLY SHOWS THE NEED FOR THIS RIGHT NOW.

WE LITERALLY HAD AN OPEN HARD-CORE DEMOCRAT WRITE AN OP-ED FOR THE "NEW YORK TIMES" EXPLAINING HOW THEY PURPOSELY VOTED IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IN AN ATTEMPT TO SWING OUR ELECTIONS.

I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT'S A GOOD IDEA OR GOOD THING.

REPUBLICANS SHOULDN'T BE VOTING IN THE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY AND DEMOCRATS SHOULDN'T VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.

THAT'S THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS.

>> LET ME PUSH BACK ON YOU.

THE WAY IT WORKS NOW IS THAT IT IS OPEN IN TERMS OF YOU DECIDE THE PARTY YOU ARE ON ELECTION DAY, ON PRIMARY DAY, YOU CHOOSE THAT BALLOT AND SAY I'M GOING TO VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

WHO'S TO SAY UNTIL THAT MOMENT, UNTIL THAT DAY SOMEBODY CHOSE TO BE A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT?

WHERE'S THE MEASURING STICK?

THERE ARE PLENTY OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND OFFICE HOLDERS THAT USED TO BE DEMOCRAT.

WE HAVE HAD A FLUID SYSTEM FOR YEARS IN THE STATE, INCLUDING BACK IN THE '80s WHERE ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS VOTED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONE THAT MATTERS.

WHO'S TO JUDGE WHEN YOU SWITCH PARTIES AND BECOME A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT?

WHO HOLDS THAT MEASURING STICK OR THAT TIME MEASURE?

>> I THINK IN THIS CASE IT IS COMMUNICATED FOR US.

READ THE OP-ED IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES."

SHE DIDN'T SAY I DECIDED I WAS GOING TO BE REPUBLICAN.

SHE SAID I AS A DEMOCRAT WENT AND PURPOSELY -- >> I UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT IS ONE CASE.

YOU WANT TO PREVENT THAT BUT IF YOU GO TO A COMPLETE CLOSED PRIMARY, HOW DO YOU PREVENT OTHERS WHO JUST DECIDED I'M GOING TO VOTE REPUBLICAN TODAY?

I WOULD ASSUME YOU WANT MORE PEOPLE TO DECIDE TO BECOME REPUBLICAN, TO GROW PARTY OR WHATEVER.

HOW DO YOU PREVENT WHAT YOU DON'T WANT AND ALSO AVOID GOING TOO FAR AND STOPPING OTHER PEOPLE FROM DECIDING TO BECOME REPUBLICANS?

DO YOU DETER PEOPLE FROM BECOMING REPUBLICANS?

>> EXCELLENT QUESTION.

I DON'T THINK YOU DO.

LET ME SAY WHY.

ONE, I EXPECT IN ALABAMA THE LARGE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY REGISTER TO REGISTER AS REPUBLICAN.

WE ARE A SUPERMAJORITY STATE.

AS THOSE PEOPLE WHO MAY SEE THE ERROR OF SUPPORTING DEMOCRATS -- I UNDERSTAND WE WANT THOSE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE DISENFRANCHISED BY THE POLICIES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

WE WELCOME THEM.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, WITH THE CLOSED PRIMARY SYSTEM YOU CAN SWITCH YOUR REGISTRATION.

NOTHING PREVENTS YOU FROM CHANGING FROM THE DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT IS NOT AS EASY.

YOU CAN'T DO IT FLIPPANTLY AND SWITCH BACK EASILY.

WE WANT PEOPLE WHO ARE SINCERE AND TAKE THE TIME TO TAKE THEIR TIME TO DO IT.

NOT JUST WALK IN THE POLL BOOTH, I WANT TO PLAY IN THE PARTY TODAY.

>> THE OTHER THING I HAVE HEARD FROM CRITICS IS THE IDEA IF IT IS CLOSED PRIMARY ONLY THOSE WHO WILL REGISTER AS A REPUBLICAN AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I GET TO VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY YOU MISS OUT ON A LOT OF INDEPENDENT, MORE MODERATING FORCES SO YOU ONLY GET THE FAR RIGHT CANDIDATES, A BUNCH OF ROY MOORES WHO MAYBE NOT AT THE BEGINNING BUT EVENTUALLY MIGHT THREATEN THE REPUBLICANS, AS YOU PUT IT, DOMINANCE IN ELECTIONS.

IS THAT A CONCERN THAT YOU ONLY GET THE FAR RIGHT?

>> I THINK THERE ARE TWO THINGS TO LOOK AT.

WE ELECTED ROY MOORE WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM.

THAT'S THE ARGUMENT THAT DIDN'T FLY.

TWO, THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR ANYONE WITHIN THE PARTY.

LET'S MAKE IT CLEAR.

I TRUST THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.

IT'S NOT MY CALL TO MANIPULATE OR TELL THEM I DON'T TRUST YOU ENOUGH BECAUSE THIS MAY PROVIDE CANDIDATES I LIKE BETTER.

THAT'S NOT MY CALL.

I THINK THE PARTY HAS TO.

I THINK IT IS DISRESPECTFUL TO ANYONE.

REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE ELECTING PREPONDERANCE NOMINEES AND IF YOU SAY WE SHOULD ALLOW DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS TO VOTE IN OURS IT IS DISRESPECTFUL.

>> HOPEFULLY THE BUSYNESS IS OVER FOR THE MOST PART AND THE DRAMA IS OVER FOR THE MOST PART.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> OH, NO.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANKS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> NEXT, I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY TIFFANY DAVIS, A RISING SENIOR AND PBS NEWSHOUR GWEN IFILL FELLOW AT THE STUDENT LAB.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

>> CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS SPECIAL FELLOW PROGRAM AND WHAT GETS YOU INVOLVED IN THIS PROGRAM?

>> THIS INTERNSHIP HAS BEEN AMAZING SO FAR.

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE AND WORK WITH MS. HEATHER AND LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT CAMERAS.

I'VE LEARNED ABOUT HOW TO PRODUCE MY OWN VIDEO, EDIT MY OWN VIDEO AND WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND GET TO INTERVIEW THEM.

I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS BY MY SCHOOL'S BROADCAST PROGRAM.

MY TEACHER FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROGRAM BUT SHE TOLD ME TO SIGN UP AND I GOT THE POSITION.

SO -- >> WE HAVE A NOTE THAT GWEN IFILL FELLOWSHIP, WHICH IS ONLY THREE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES THAT GET THIS HONOR.

AND YOU ARE ONE OF THEM.

ALABAMA IS HONORED THAT YOU ARE ONE OF US.

SO CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

I'M VERY BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THIS POSITION BECAUSE ONLY THREE PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE NATION.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU MENTIONED YOUR HIGH SCHOOL BROADCAST PROGRAM.

YOU HAVE WORKED WITH YOUR SCHOOL'S TELEVISION STATION AND THEIR NEWS PROGRAM.

HAS THAT BEEN A BIG PART OF WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN THE NEWS AND VIDEO?

>> I STARTED THE PROGRAM IN TENTH GRADE FROM WATCHING -- BECAUSE IN CLASSES, EACH FRIDAY, THEY UPLOAD WEEKLY EPISODES AND THEN THEY UPLOAD DAILY EPISODES THAT INTRODUCES LIKE THE LUNCHROOM SCHEDULE AND WHAT WE WILL EAT THAT DAY AND WHAT IS THERE TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

I FIRST GOT INTRODUCED TO BROADCAST PROGRAM IN NINTH GRADE.

AND THEN IN TENTH GRADE, I AUDITIONED AND I GOT INTO THE PROGRAM.

WE LEARNED HOW TO EDIT OUR VIDEOS AND NOW I'M AN ANCHOR FOR THE BROADCAST.

>> NOW, I KNOW THAT AS A PART OF THIS FELLOWSHIP YOU PRODUCE YOUR OWN VIDEO.

IT'S GOING TO BE SHOWCASED HERE ON APTV AND PBS NEWSHOUR.

WHAT HAVE YOU CHOSEN AS YOUR SUBJECT?

>> MY SUBJECT, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT ART AND HOW IT UNDERREPRESENTS PEOPLE OF COLOR.

I HAVE CHOSE TO INTERVIEW A BLACK ARTIST.

HIS NAME IS WILLIE WILLIAMS JR. AND HIS STUDIO IS STUDIO 2500.

IT IS IN NORTH ALABAMA AND WITH THE STUDIO HE PROMOTES DIVERSITY AND I'M GOING TO PRETTY MUCH TALK ABOUT ART AND HOW IT CAN REPRESENT PEOPLE AND BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER BECAUSE HE IS VERY ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY AND WITH DIFFERENT ART SHOWS TO ART PAINT DAYS.

SO, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW ART CAN BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND REPRESENT PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> IT IS REALLY INTERESTING.

IS THERE A TIMELINE THAT WE KNOW THIS VIDEO WILL BE COMPLETED?

>> WELL, I GO BACK TO SCHOOL IN AUGUST.

SO I WILL HAVE MY VIDEO COMPLETED BY THE TIME I GO TO SCHOOL.

>> YEAH.

WELL, WE ALL LEARN ABOUT DEADLINES.

TIME FOR YOU TO ASK ME QUESTIONS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?

YOU HAVE THE GWEN IFILL FELLOWSHIP AND YOU ARE AN ANCHOR.

>> HOW DID YOU GET IN BROADCAST?

>> I WORKED IN POLITICS FOR 15 YEARS AND GOT OUT OF POLITICS AND STARTED A NEWS ORGANIZATION CALLED THE ALABAMA DAILY NEWS TO REPORT ON THINGS FROM A FAIR, BALANCED PERSPECTIVE, NOT LEANING RIGHT OR LEFT BUT DOWN THE MIDDLE.

IN DECEMBER, AS DON DAILEY WAS RETIRING AS THE HOST OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL," APTV APPROACHED ME ABOUT FILLING HIS SHOES AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT EVERY SINCE.

MY FIRST SHOW WAS IN JANUARY.

I HAVE BEEN THE HOST EVER SINCE.

>> NICE.

SO TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT JOURNALISM.

>> MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT JOURNALISM, BOTH PRINT AND BROADCAST, I'D SAY IS BEING ABLE TO REVEAL SOMETHING, REVEAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION, BRING IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO READERS, TO VIEWERS.

ULTIMATELY TO CITIZENS ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT, ABOUT THEIR LEADERS THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW.

BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE FUNCTION OF OUR SOCIETY, FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CITIZENS, PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTERS, TO UNDERSTAND CLEARLY WHAT THEIR LEADERS ARE DOING, WHAT THEIR GOVERNMENT IS DOING AND FROM A STANDPOINT OF FAIRNESS AND BALANCE AND NOT TRYING TO PREACH OR LEAN HARD TO TIP THE SCALES TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

>> YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT BALANCE.

HOW CAN JOURNALISM CONNECT WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS COMING UP?

>> WELL, THAT'S A REAL CHALLENGE.

THINK OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

YOU THINK OF -- WHEN I WAS FIRST GETTING STARTED IN MY CAREER, FACEBOOK WAS PRETTY NEW, TWITTER WAS PRETTY NEW.

INSTAGRAM WASN'T AROUND YET.

AND NOW IT IS MORE ABOUT INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

HOW DO YOU UTILIZE THAT AND COMMUNICATE TO FOLKS REALLY IN YOUR GENERATION?

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE BUT I THINK A BIG PART OF THAT IS UTILIZING AND INVOLVING PEOPLE, LIKE YOURSELF, AND YOUR PEERS TO NOT JUST DO IT THE OLD WAY, LIKE WE MAYBE KNEW HOW TO DO IT BUT TO BRING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND TALENTS AND EXPERTISE ON THESE OTHER PLATFORMS AND SAY, WELL, WE KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE TO OUR GENERATION.

LET US SHOW YOU.

I THINK LISTENING AND INVOLVING FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF WILL BE CRITICAL FOR PLACES LIKE THIS AND ALL AROUND THE MEDIA TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> MY LAST QUESTION I HAVE IS WHAT IS YOUR TAKE AND YOUR ROLE IN WHAT'S GOING ON TODAY?

>> OOF.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON IN OUR WORLD AND OUR COUNTRY.

IT IS VOLATILE POLITICALLY.

I'M ASSUMING THAT'S WHAT YOU MEAN, SORT OF THE POLITICAL VOLATILITY.

IT IS CHALLENGING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MAD.

PEOPLE ARE ANGRY ON EVERY IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM THEY ARE MAD.

THESE DAYS A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN CONDITIONED TO WANT AND CONSUME NEWS THAT ONLY AGREES WITH THEM.

I REJECT THAT.

I THINK THAT IS UNHEALTHY FOR SOCIETY.

I THINK IT CREATES A FEEDBACK LOOP, AN ECHO CHAMBER AND ONLY MAKES PEOPLE MORE MAD AND MORE IRRITATED AND EVERYTHING ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT.

I THINK THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MORE IMPORTANT TIME TO BE FAIR, TO BE THOROUGH, TO OFFER INFORMATIVE NEWS TO THE PUBLIC.

WE TRY TO DO THAT EVERY WEEK AND EVERY NIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT.

AND HOPEFULLY THAT'S OUR ROLE IN ALL OF THIS CRAZINESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THAT WAS A GOOD JOB.

I MEAN, LOOK, WHO KNOWS, A BUDDING GWEN IFILL IN THE MAKING.

AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS.

WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE YOU ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND HONORED TO HAVE YOU AS PART OF ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.