>DON: TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE'LL BE JOINED BY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA, WHO'LL DISCUSS THE PROSPECTS OF A SPECIAL SESSION ON PRISONS AND HIS DECISION NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION TO HIS LEGISLATIVE SEAT NEXT YEAR.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY SEN. LINDA COLEMAN-MADISON OF BIRMINGHAM, WHO SAYS SHE SUPPORTS A SPECIAL SESSION ON PRISONS, BUT BELIEVES CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM NEEDS TO BE PART OF THE EQUATION.

REP. ANDREW SORRELL OF MUSCLE SHOALS WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT HIS PUSHING BACK AGAINST EFFORTS TO FORCE THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA'S SGA PRESIDENT TO STEP DOWN OVER WHAT SOME CONSIDERED A HOMOPHOBIC REMARK.

SORRELL WILL ALSO DISCUSS GIVING UP HIS LEGISLATIVE SEAT TO RUN FOR STATE AUDITOR.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. WITH SCOTT HARRIS JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT HIS CONCERNS OVER SOME SUMMER OUTBREAKS OF THE COVID-19 VARIANT, BUT HE SAYS HE DOESN'T THINK THEY'LL NECESSITATE ANY MORE STATE RESTRICTIONS.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, ALABAMA'S TOP DOCTOR SAYS HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT SUMMER OUTBREAKS OF THE CORONAVIRUS VARIANT IN AREAS WHERE VACCINATION RATES ARE PARTICULARLY LOW.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS SAYS CASE COUNTS IN MORE THAN A THIRD OF ALABAMA COUNTIES ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY AND THAT OUR PERCENTAGE OF POSITIVE COVID TESTS HAS GONE FROM THREE TO SEVEN PERCENT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

STILL, DR. HARRIS TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE DOESN'T THINK THERE WILL BE A NEED TO REVERT TO PAST PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS .

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR MADED IT CAREER PEOPLE NEEDLED TO HAVE INTERNAL RESPONSIBILITY.

WE HAVE UNDERSTAND THE INTERVENTIONS THAT PROTECT POEM LIKE WEARING BLACKS AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO I THINK IT'S UP UNLIKE LIMBRY THERE WILL BE RESTRICTIONS I LIKE PEOPLE SAW IN THE PAST.

DON: GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK SAID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING.

DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

THE LAST OF THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY AND HEALTH ORDERS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC EXPIRED THIS WEEK.

BUT WORK CONTINUES TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST AND LEARN FROM THE VIRUS.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

>> A FEW MONTHS AGO, I'VE MEMBER PERCENT OF THE SURE.

DON: WHETHER OR NOT GOVERNOR IVEY WILL CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO TACKLE NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION REMAINS AN OPEN QUESTION, WITH DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN IVEY AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS CONTINUING OVER A POSSIBLE STATE BOND ISSUE TO COVER THE COSTS.

WE ASKED THE GOVERNOR AGAIN THIS WEEK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF CALLING LAWMAKERS BACK TO MONTGOMERY TO TACKLE THE ISSUE.ED YOU.

>> STATE SENATOR FILL MILL SOCK.

>> I BELIEVE THIS IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME.

GOD NOT NOT WIFE WHY FIND.WAIVER WAY WE WE QUARTERBACKED WEST WE CAN.

>> WE WHY WHY; RIGHT WHY AND.

DON: LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WERE DISCUSSING THE OPTIONS AGAIN THIS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY AND THEY CONTINUE TO REMAIN OPTIMISTIC THAT A PLAN CAN BE HASHED OUT.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE CO-CHAIRS ARE WORKING ON THE AGENDA FORE MEET PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

>> WHETHER OR NOT GOVERNOR IVEY WILL CAN CALL A SPECIAL SESSIOJ.

WE REQUESTED THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CALMING GOVERNORS BACK.

>> LEGISLATIVE LEADERS DISSED IT.

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE MAC MCCUTCHEON.

>> WE HAVE A LOT GOOD OF GOING TO OF GOOD I HAD YOU DID OFS ON THE ISSUE AND LOOKINGS AT THE FACILITATOR ITS THAT MADE TO DODGE TOCKAL TOCK REPLACED AND MOVES FORWARD WITH WHAT THE COURT IS EXPECT OF EXPECTINGS OF US.

DON: ALABAMA IS, OF COURSE, UNDER A FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER OUR PRISONS.

SPEAKER MCCUTCHEON WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DON: A SECOND BILL SURROUNDING CRITICAL RACE THEORY HAS BEEN PRE-FILED FOR NEXT YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER OF DADEVILLE IS SPONSORING THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MANDATE THAT THE STATE WOULD NOT TEACH OR TRAIN ANY EMPLOYEE, CONTRACTOR, STAFF MEMBER, STUDENT OR ANY OTHER GROUP TO ADOPT OR BELIEVE DIVISIVE CONCEPTS.

OLIVER SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

66 ARE ASK.

>> I HAVE BECOME BY HAVING A CHILD IN COLLEGE TELLING ME STORIES.

DON: CRITICAL RACE THEORY HOLDS THAT RACISM IS SYSTEMIC IN OUR COUNTRY'S INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES.

SUPPORTERS CONTEND ITS IMPORTANT TO ALLOW OPEN DISCUSSION OF A VARIETY OF IDEAS.

DON: THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR THE U-S SENATE SEAT HELD BY THE RETIRING RICHARD SHELBY GOT EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE THIS WEEK.

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESSWOMAN JESSICA TAYLOR BECOME THE FOURTH CANDIDATE TO SEEK THE GOP NOMINATION NEXT YEAR.

SHE RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR CONGRESS FOUR YEARS AGO.

TAYLOR JOINS U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE, FORMER U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO SLOVENIA LINDA BLANCHARD AND FORMER BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA PRESIDENT AND CEO KATIE BRITT IN THE U.S. SENATE RACE.

DON: TWO STATE REPRESENTATIVES ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT THEY WILL BE RUNNING FOR THE ALABAMA SENATE NEXT YEAR.

REPUBLICAN MIKE JONES OF ANDALUSIA IS CURRENTLY IN HIS THIRD TERM IN HOUSE DISTRICT 92 AND WILL BE SEEKING THE GOP NOMINATION TO SUCCEED RETIRING DISTRICT 31 STATE SENATOR JIMMY HOLLEY OF ELBA.

HOLLEY OF ELBA.

JONES CURRENTLY SERVES AS CHAIRMAN OF THE POWERFUL HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE.

MEANTIME, DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE ALEXANDER OF BIRMINGHAM ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT SHE WILL RUN NEXT YEAR FOR HER PARTY'S NOMINATION IN SENATE DISTRICT 19.

THE SEAT IS CURRENTLY HELD BY THE DEPARTING PRISCILLA DUNN OF BESSEMER.

ALABAMA ECONOMY CONTINUE TO HAVE DIFFICULTY ATTRACTING EMPLOYEES AFTER THE PANDEMIC BUT, OVERALL, THE STATE'S JOB MARKET IS REMARKABLY ROBUST DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF THE LAST YEAR.

IN HIS CONTINUING SERIES ON EFFORTS TO TRAIN MORE WORKERS, CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> NATIONAL MEDIA REPORTS JOB GROWTH INCREASING IN JUNE BE 850,000 JOBS ADDED LAST MONTH.

ALABAMA IS DOING ITS PART TO HELP THAT TREND.

>> NONE OF US HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO AFFECT THE MASS ATTITUDE OF THIS.

BUT WHETHER IT'S FEDERAL OR STATE OR LOCAL, WE CAN GET THE JOB DONE.

>> ONE PERSON WATCHINGS IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ED CASTILLE WHO LEADS THIS AGENCY IN ITS EFFORTS TO HELP PEOPLE FIND WORK.

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW ARE AT NO COST.

SO THEY DON'T HAVE PAY FOR I.

IF THAT I SHOULD ACOMMITTED AND THEY WILL PERMIT THEIR TIME WILL WE WILL CAN HEM THEM QUICKLY.

>> MORE COMPANIES ARE ARRIVING.

>> THE JOBS ARE GOOD.

OF THE BENEFITS ARE UP I BELIEVE.

WE WILL BE THE SECOND LARGEST USING STATE IN THE COMMITTEE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD WORKFORCE TO BUILD THAT.

>> FOR RANDY SCOTT.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING THUGS.

>> ALWAYS JOINT CHIEFS IT.

>> YOU ARE IN REPUBLICAN DELEGATION WHICH MADE HEADLINES THIS WEEK WITH A SUPPORTING THE SGA PRESIDENT WHO HAS A COUNSELED FIRE FOR POSTS THAT PARKING LOT READ AT HOME.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S IN ADDITION YOU MADE TO TOCK ASHAMED SHAMED MANY OF MUCH.

YOU NEED TOCK BORN AGAIN.

THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS.

HIGH IS 23 ENGINEERS OLD.

HE APOLOGIZED FOR IT.

I THINK HE HANDLED IT APPROPRIATELY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IN OUR CULTURE EGGS NOT ENOUGH TO APOLOGIZE.

THE CULTURE WANTS TO WYCHE YOU OFF THE NICE OF YOUR MATCH AND THEY WANT TO GET RID OF YOUR POSITION.

FOR APOLOGIZING DOES NOT GO FOR ENOUGH.

>> THAT IS FOR SOME PEOPLE?

>> THE ONLY THING THAT LE ACCEPT IS HIM RESIGNING ARE FROM THE OFFICE.

>> IN OCTOBER MEANTIME THERE MIGHT PROBLEM PERFECT THE LEASE CONSTRUCTION PLANT.

IF IS WHERE WITH DO YOU FALL ON THIS.

>> FOLLOW UP THERE BE THE POLITICAL WILL TO DEAL THIS?

I'M WILLING TO.

YOU WOULD BE TACK.

>> NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE SOLVED BY BUILDING A NEW BUILDING.

IT'S MORE THAN BUILDING A NEW CRUNK PROJECT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE A STAUNCH CONSERVATIVE.

WE E CALLED >> LET'S TURN TO A BILL THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED INTO LAW.

THERE'S A MOVEMENT TO PASS CIVIL ASSET FORFEIT TUSH REVEAL.

YOU CARED THE HOUSE VERSION.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THE BUILT ELIMINATED S FOR IF I DID IF I DID TUSH?

>> REPRESENTATIVE BEFORE WE CLOSING, WRAPPING UP HERE YOUR FIRST TERM, YOUR GIVING UP YOUR SEAT.

>> I HAD CARRIED A BILL THIS YEAR DEALING WITH THE AUDITOR ACE OFFICE.

THEY COULD HANDLE MORE OF MORE BUT THERE WAS A PUSH TO ELIMINATE.

>> FINALLY, IT'S THAT CAN THAT YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR NAME TO ARE OUT SO THOSE.

>> I'M EXCITED THE ABOUT RUN THE STATEWIDE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE.

A REFRESH.

PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW YOU.

SIX.

>> SENATOR, YOU ARE A LONGS TIME GULF COAST.

YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING WITH THE FALCONS OF THE SPECIAL SESSION ON PRISON REMAINS AND PIECE OF THOSE S. ALLOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT STRIKING THAL BETWEEN THOSE OF THE HAVE WE STRUCK ENOUGH OF IS A BALANCE IN YOUR OPINION.

>> I THINK WE HAVE.

WE CANNOT BILL OUR SESSION YOU HAVE THIS EDUCATION SITUATION.

PEOPLE ARE BEING ARRESTED DAY.

WE'RE BURSTING THE HAD AT THE SEEMS.

AS PEOPLE COME TO PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TRIED TO WANT TO HAVE IMPOSED OFTEN TEAM SO STAY IN JAIL FOR A MINOR THINGS.

SO THEY CAN PAY OFF WHATEVER FINES.

>> >> HOW ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION ON PRISON CONTRADICTION.

>> I THINK WE NEED A SPECIAL BOPPED ISSUE.

SIX IS IS.

>> WE STILL HAVE TO OPERATE PRISONS.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE LOCKED UP.

SO THERE'S AN ALL OF LOT OF MONEY TO INVOLVE AND WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AFTER THAT AND STILL HAVE TO MINE TAKEN PRISONS?

>> DO YOU THINK IT'S GOOD THAT WE'RE MOVING TO.

>> IT'S-LIKE RIPPING THE BAND-AID SO OFF OF A SORRY.

IT'S TIME TO COME UP WITH REFORM THAT WE CAN DEAL WHY AND SOLUTIONS TO HELP FOR THE.

>> ARE YOU ENCOURAGED THAT WE COULD USE SOME OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY FOR THIS.

THOSE ARE LOOKED INTO BUST THERE'S THE PROBLEM THAT WE COULD USE THE MONEY TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS.

>> EVEN LOOKING AT COVID.

THEN YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE.

PRISON GUARDS AND OTHER PEOPLE.

THAT'S CORRECTLY RELATED TO COVID.

WE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS FOR A GOOD WHILE.

IN OUR WE HAVE THE SORRY STRAND.

I THINK THIS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO COVID AND WE SHOULD BE DRY TRYING TO ADDRESSILITY.

>> YOU MENTIONED WITH IS YOU'RE A PROPONENT TO CUT DOWN ON RECIDIVISM.

IS.

>> TO THEY ARE WILL HAVE TO APPLY FOR IT.

THE RECORD IS ALWAYS THERE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE DIGNITY.

WE WANT TEAM POSITIVE DO YOUR TIME AND COME OUT AND BECOME PRODUCT CITIZENS.

VOTING IS APPEAR CERTAINLY PART.

WE HAVE THE ELECTS GOING OPEN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

YOU ARE ELECTING PEOPLE THAT WHETHER GOVERNING YOUR CHIMP.

IF I IN NOT HAD ANY VOTINGS IS RIGHTS RESTORED I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE A VOICE IN SAYINGS WHO IS GOING TO NATION THOSE RULES.

SO VOTING IS ESSENTIAL.

BUT RIGHT NOW IN ALABAMA, YOU WOULD HAVE CHECKED >> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MON MONROVIA WITH WITH US.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> APPRECIATE YOUR?

Caller: YOU MADE HEADLINES WHEN YOU ANNOUNCED YOU WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

WE HAVE HAD 16 GREAT YEARS.

I CAN SAY IT'S TIME THAT WE TURN THE GAVEL OVER TO NEW LEADERSHIP AND ENOUGH MOVE ON.

>> IS THIS THE END.

IT WASN'T ALWAYS SERVICE OTHER >> THEY'RE GOOD LEADERS AND THEY HAVE DONE GREAT WORK IN A HOW ARE THE TALKS GOING SO FAR?

>> WE'RE MEETING WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OTHER OPTION.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO PRISON ISSUE THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

WE CAN ADDRESS THAT.

HOW MANY LEEWAY DO WE HAVE WITH THE COURTERS?

>> SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON.

USE GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

SIX.

>> DR. SCOTT HARRIS WELCOME BACK.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> WHAT REMAINED OF OUR STATE HEALTH ORDER REQUIRED THIS WEEK SO THERE'S NO LONG OTHER STATE HEALTH ORDER CONCERNING THIS BUT IT COMES IN A TIME WHEN WE'RE SEEING A DELTA VARIANCE.

THE HEALTH FACIAL SAID THE DELTA OFFICIAL ACCOUNT PES FOR 80, PERCENT ARE NEW COVID CAN CASES.

WHERE DO WE STAND.

>> I I UNDERSTAND THE DELTA WHY RESIDE IN YOUR BODY A LOT LONGER THAT THAN ORIGINAL STRAIN.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE VAC CONVENIENCE PROVEN EFFECTIVE AGAINST IT.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> I THINK THERE'S POCKETS IN OUR STATE WHERE WE HAVE UNDER VACCINATIONS AND I THINK THOSE FOCUS WILL BE AT RESCUE FOUR OUT BREAKS.

WE DO FEEL BATTER NOW HERE?

JULY.

SAUERS MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE WILL PROTECTED.

3/4 OF ALL SENIORS HAVE HAD THE VACCINE.

>> STATE DIDN'T HE WANT PUBLIC HEALTH CLASSIFIES COUNTIES AS TO RISK LEVEL.

THIS WEEK THERE WERE GIVEN OF 25 OR MORE AT HIGH RISKS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

MORE THAN 1/3 OF THE COUNTIES GOING IN THE WRONG WAY.

>> PEOPLE ARE GETTING IN EFFECTING.

>> SPITE OF THE GASKET SOME PEOPLE HAVE IMMUNITY.

>> GIVEN ALL OF THIS, WE HAVE TO EXERCISE AS MUCH DISCUSSION AS POSSIBLE.

BUT WAS SUGGESTED IF IT GETS TO A POINT WE HAVE TO REVERT BACK ZERO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.

IS IT HARD TO SAY AT THIS POINT.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR MADE IT CLEAR PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE PERSONALITY RESPONSIBILITY.

SCIENCE IT'S UNLIKELY THERE WILL BE RESTRICTIONS.

IS FOR PEOPLE NOT VACCINATED I WOULD SAY THE GUIDE, A HAS NOT CHANGED.

PLASTICS ARE STILL A GOOD I'D?

SOCIAL DISTANCING MAKES SENSE.

PROTECT YOU'RE SAYING ASK OTHER.

>> THE INTERESTING POINT TO MAKE THE HOSPITAL HAS ANNOUNCED IN TALKING TO THEIR MEMBER HOSPITALS AROUND 95 PERCENT OF OR MORE OF THE PEOPLE ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> CAN YOU MAKE THAT DETERMINATION ON THE NEW NUN IRS THAT COME IN?

ARE.

>> STATE SCHOOLS WILL BE RAMPING UP SOON.

LATER THIS MONTH.

THEN THEY WILL DO SO IN A STAGGERED MODE AFTER THAT GIVEN THAT SCHOOL IS ABOUT TO RESTART IN LOCATIONS AROUND THE STATE, THE FEDS THIS WEEK, AS A MATTER OF FACT TODAY ISSUED NEW GUIDANCE THAT SAID THAT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TO WEAR MASKS INSIDE THE SCHOOL.

>> THAT HE MADE THE POINT WE HAVE AGREED WITH, THINK WANT KIDS IN SCHOOL AND IN PERSON.

IF PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED THINGS ARE LIKE NORMAL.

>> WHETHER OR NOT WE SEE A SURGE OF SURGE OR SEEING AN UPTICK ISN'T THIS ALL LARGELY AROUND VACCINATION RATES?

>> THAT'S TRUE.

DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, AND OUR GUESTS ARE SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER OF DADEVILLE, WHO'LL DISCUSS A SECOND BILL DEALING WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY THAT HE HAS PRE-FILED FOR NEXT YEAR.

WE'RE ALSO SCHEDULED TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE KELVIN LAWRENCE OF HAYNEVILLE, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT OUR PRISON PROBLEMS AND THE PROSPECTS OF MORE GAMBLING LEGISLATION NEXT YEAR.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK WITH US TO DISCUSS GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT THE COVID-19 VARIANT IN ALABAMA.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.