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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT MAY BE THE LEGISLATIVE OFF-SEASON, BUT WE'RE ALWAYS KEEPING AN EYE ON STATE BUDGETS, AND THE GOOD NEWS CONTINUES.

REVENUES IN BOTH THE GENERAL FUND AND THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND ARE UP SIGNIFICANTLY YEAR OVER YEAR.

FOR THE GENERAL FUND, REVENUE STOOD AT $1.79 BILLION AT THE END OF MAY.

THAT'S $143 MILLION MORE THAN AT THE SAME POINT LAST YEAR.

EDUCATION TRUST FUND REVENUE STOOD AT $6.88 BILLION.

THAT'S $1.24 BILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR.

FOR THE 2022 FISCAL YEAR THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IN, LAWMAKERS BUDGETEDDINGS 2.69 BILLION FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND $7.67 BILLION FOR THE ETF.

HOWEVER BUDGET LEADERS ARE WARNING THAT THIS GROWTH WON'T LAST AND THAT RISING INFLATION MEANS THE DOLLARS DON'T GO AS FAR.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE PLANNING A SERIES OF BUDGET HEARINGS IN THE COMING WEEKS TO SEE HOW INFLATION IS AFFECTING STATE AGENCIES.

FIRST ON THE LIST ARE MEDICAID AND PARDONS AND PAR ROLES.

WE'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED.

AT THIS WEEK'S STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING, WINNERS WERE ANNOUNCED FOR THIS YEAR'S SCIENCE OF READING SPOTLIGHT.

12 SCHOOLS AND TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE RECOGNIZED BY THE BOARD AS EXCEPTIONAL MODELS FOR HIGH-QUALITY READING INSTRUCTION.

BONNIE SHORT, COORDINATOR OF THE ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE, SHARED SOME OF THE CRITERIA USED TO NAME THE WINNERS.

>> WE LOOKED AT SUPPORT DESIGNATIONS.

THAT WAS NOT A BARRIER FOR WHETHER THEY WERE GOING TO BE A SCIENCE AND READING SPOTLIGHT SCHOOL, BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT THEM MAKING THE PROGRESS.

WE WANTED EVERYONE TO HAVE THAT IDENTIFICATION TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR CHOICES AND WHERE THEY WOULD WANT TO GO AND VISIT.

WE LOOKED AT VARIOUS SUBGROUPS AND SPECIALTY ITEMS THAT THE DISTRICTS ARE INVOLVED IN.

WE MADE ON-SITE VISITS AND INTERVIEWS TO SEE WHAT DOES THAT PRACTICE LOOK LIKE.

WE HAVE SOME GREAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ABLE TO HELP US WITH THAT, BECAUSE WE'RE BLESSED BY THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE READING COACHES REGIONALLY TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT.

>> ALSO AT THIS WEEK'S SCHOOL BOARD MEETING FIVE ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE HONORED FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE IN A NATIONAL COMPETITION.

HERE'S THE STORY.

EACH YEAR IN ALABAMA APPROXIMATELY 2500 STUDENTS DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, BUT A PROGRAM CALLED JAG, JOBS FOR ALABAMA GRADUATES, IS DESIGNED TO TIP THE SCALE IN THE STUDENT'S FAVOR.

>> JOBS FOR ALABAMA GRADUATES PROVIDES SPECIALIZED SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OF GREAT PROMISE, UP AGAINST DIFFICULT BARRIERS, THAT LIMIT THEM FROM REACHING GRADUATION AND CAREER GOALS.

WE PAIR OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIALISTS WHO PROVIDE GROUP AND INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION TO HELP THEM EARN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, ENLIST IN THE MILITARY, SECURE A QUALITY JOB AND/OR POSTSECONDARY HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.

>> AT THE RECENT STATE BOARD EDUCATION MEETING, CRAIG COLLINS SAVED THAT SEVERAL STUDENTS AND SPECIALISTS ATTENDED THE NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR CAREER ASSOCIATION MEMBERS, BUT THIS YEAR'S WAS A BIT DIFFERENT.

>> THIS YEAR WAS THE FIRST-EVER JOBS FOR AMERICA'S GRADUATES NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, WITH OVER 600 DELEGATES WITH 265 COMPETITORS, REPRESENTING 19 STATES, VYING FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, IN 10 EVENTS.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME JAG HAS HAD A NATIONAL COMPETITION.

WE'RE THRILLED THAT WE HAD -- WE BROUGHT HOME WINNERS IN THE FIRST YEAR, AND WITH THE LEADERSHIP IN JAG WE'LL HAVE LOTS MORE WINNERS IN THE FUTURE.

>> THESE ARE THE INSANE KNOWLEDGE BOWL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.

>> IT'S BASICALLY JAG, ALL THESE MISSIONS, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, RULES, REGULATIONS.

WHAT JAG IS AS A WHOLE, AND TRIVIA ABOUT JAG.

>> EMILY PIERCE IS THE EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS NATIONAL CHAMPION.

>> I HAD INTERVIEWS, MADE MY RESUME AND COVER LETTER.

I HAD MY MOTHER DO A PRACTICE INTERVIEW WITH ME SEVERAL TIMES.

THEN MY JAG SPECIALIST SET UP SEVERAL INTERVIEWS WITH ME.

>> IT'S WORTHY TO NOTE THAT 100% OF JAG STUDENTS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> TURNING TO POLITICS, THERE WILL NO LONGER BE A RECOUNT IN THE SENATE DISTRICT 27 RACE WHERE STATE SENATOR TOM WHAT THELEY WAS DEFEATED BY CHALLENGER JAY HOVEY BY JUST ONE VOTE.

THE WHATLEY CAMPAIGN HAD REQUESTED A RECOUNT.

A PRECINCT IN TALLAPOOSA COUNTY AS PART OF ITS ELECTION CHALLENGE, BUT THAT'S BEEN WITHDRAWN.

THE CHALLENGE OF THE ELECTION RESULTS WILL GO FORWARD WITH THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHICH HAS A HEARING SCHEDULED FOR THE MATTER ON JUNE 25th.

AND THERE'S NEW POLLING OUT TODAY FOR THE HOTLY CONTESTED RACE FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

KATIE BRITT APPEARS TO HAVE GROWN HER ALREADY COMMANDING LEAD FROM PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY BY McLAUGHLIN AND ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF THE ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, BRITT IS THE CHOICE OF 56.4% OF LIKELY REPUBLICAN VOTERS COMPARED TO 34.6% FOR MO BROOKS -- I'M SORRY, 36.4% FOR BROOKS.

9% OF VOTERS SAY THEY ARE UNDECIDED.

THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT OF MORE THAN 11 POINTS FOR BRITT SINCE THE MAY 24th PRIMARY ELECTION, WHEN SHE WON 45% OF THE VOTE TO 29% FOR BROOKS AND 23% FOR MIKE DURANT.

THE RUNOFF IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 21st.

INFLATION IS AT A FOUR-YEAR HIGH NATIONALLY, HAVING JUMPED 8.6% IN THE LAST YEAR.

THAT MEANS HIGH PRICES ON GOODS AND TIGHTER BUDGETS FOR FAMILIES.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS ON THE BASICS OF INFLATION AND WHAT THE FORECAST IS FOR ALABAMA.

>> EVERYONE'S READY FOR SUMMER, BUT BEFORE IT STARTS A BITTER TASTE OF STICKER SHOCK.

HIGH GAS PRICES, THANKS TO INFLATION, HAS PUT THE BRAKES ON MANY PLANS.

>> IT'S A SITUATION WHERE ECONOMY-WIDE, YOU KNOW, ON AVERAGE WE START TO SEE PRICES FOR ALL GOODS AND SERVICES, OR NUMBERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES, START TO INCREASE.

AS THOSE INCREASES CONTINUE, THEN WE GENERALLY SEE THIS CONCEPT OF INFLATION EMERGE.

>> TROY UNIVERSITY ECONOMICS PROFESSOR JOHN DOVE SAYS INFLATION AFFECTS THE ECONOMY AND HOW CONSUMERS BUY GOODS AND SERVICES.

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF THE ECONOMY AT WORK.

WE'RE STANDING RIGHT BESIDE U.S. 231, A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE BETWEEN ALABAMA AND THE BEACHES ON THE GULF COAST, THAT COULD LEAD TO TOURISM.

ALL ALONG THIS CORRIDOR, YOU'LL SEE BUSINESSES RANGING FROM RESTAURANTS TO GAS STATIONS TO OTHER STORES.

THAT ALSO AFFECTS THE ECONOMY OF THIS AREA IN TROY.

NOT FAR FROM THIS PLACE SITS A MAJOR COLLEGE IN TROY UNIVERSITY, GIVING MANY PEOPLE DIFFERENT REASONS TO WATCH THE ECONOMY TO SEE WHAT IT IS DOING AND IT WHAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE DOING NEXT.

>> OBVIOUSLY THESE THE HIGHEST INFLATION RATES WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST 40 YEARS.

>> GIVING THOSE WHO STUDY THE ECONOMY A LOT TO MONITOR.

>> INFLATION CAN GENERATE A SITUATION WHERE WE BECOME RELATIVELY POOR, ESPECIALLY IF OUR WAGES AREN'T KEEPING UP WITH THAT GENERAL RISE IN THE PRICE LEVEL.

>> LEVELS ECONOMISTS WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH.

>> EVERYBODY THAT'S TRYING TO GET OUT AND ENJOY LIFE AGAIN, THEY'RE ALL, YOU KNOW, DIRECTLY EXPERIENCING, YOU KNOW, THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THEY'RE EXPERIENCING, YOU KNOW, THE IMPACT THAT THESE MISMATCHES BETWEEN THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF GASOLINE HAVE HAD, TRANSLATING INTO HIGHER PRICES AT THE PUMP AND HIGHER PRICES FOR, YOU KNOW, MANY OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES THAT YOU AND I BUY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

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

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KEEP UP WITH WATTS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> IN TERMS OF IMPORTANCE AND INFLUENCE, FEW PERFORMERS IN THE HISTORY OF COUNTRY MUSIC CAN COMPARE WITH HANK WILLIAMS SR., REVERED BY FANS DRAWN TO THE SINCERITY OF HIS SONGS, HANK WILLIAMS DURING HIS BRIEF 29 YEARS WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN TURNING HILLBILLY MUSIC INTO COUNTRY MUSIC.

THE BUTLER COUNTY NATIVE BECAME ENTHRALLED WITH MUSIC FROM A YOUNG AGE, PLAYING HARMONICA AND ORGAN AND ACQUIRING HIS FIRST GUITAR AT 8.

BY THE END OF 1951, WILLIAMS HAD AMASSED 24 TOP SEN SINGLES WITH SIX REACHING NUMBER ONE, A KEY FIGURE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN COUNTRY MUSIC WILLIAMS PERSONIFIED THE MUSICAL GENRE TO NATIONWIDE ACCEPTANCE.

HIS LEGACY REMAINS ALIVE TODAY, THE BENCHMARK BY WHICH COUNTRY MUSIC PERFORMERS ARE MEASURED.

IN 2010, THE PULITZER PRIZE BOARD AWARDED HIM AN POSTHUMOUS AWARD.

I'M JOINED BY GENERAL MARSHALL.

>> TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR THE INVITATION.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF LEGAL THINGS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

VERY BUSY LEGAL SEASON.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THESE THINGS.

FIRST, I KNOW Y'ALL HAD SOME NEWS RECENTLY, A RECENT SETTLEMENT WITH THE OPIOID LAWSUIT.

COULD YOU WALK THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED THERE, WHAT THE SETTLEMENT WILL MEAN?

>> YEAH.

IT'S BEEN CRITICALLY IMPORTANT DURING MY TENURE, IS TO DO EVERYTHING WE COULD TO RECOUP FUNDS TO GO TOWARD THE ISSUE OF ABATEMENT.

WHAT CAN WE USE MONEY THAT ATTACKS THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT WE FACE IN ALABAMA AND FRANK LIG ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ONE THING THAT GETS LOST IN THIS DISCUSSION OF COVID IS THAT NATIONALLY FROM 18 TO 45 WE LOST MORE PEOPLE TO OVERDOSE DEATHS THAN WE DID TO COVID.

IT DIDN'T AWAY.

IN FACT, EXPERTS WILL TELL YOU IT'S GOTTEN WORSE.

I WAS VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE, INVOLVING THREE DIFFERENT COMPANIES, $276 MILLION THAT WILL BE COMING TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA FOR PURPOSES OF ABATEMENT.

AND MANY ACTUALLY WOULD BE AWARE THAT NATIONALLY THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT INVOLVING MULTIPLE PARTIES AND STATES.

I CHOSE NOT TO ALLOW ALABAMA TO BE A PART OF THAT.

CANDIDLY GOT SOME CRITICISM FOR THAT.

I THINK OUR DECISION TO BE ABLE TO GO WITH THESE NEGOTIATIONS ALONE HAVE BEEN BORN OUT IN WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, BECAUSE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, FOR EXAMPLE, THIS MONEY WAS GOING TO BE PAID OVER AN 18-YEAR PERIOD, WHERE AS A RESULT OF OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH ONE DEFENDANT, J&J, IT'S BOWING TO BE $40 PLUS MILLION PAID OUT IN ONE YEAR, 18 YEARS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

WE GOT ABOUT $40 MILLION MORE THAN WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH THE NATIONAL SETTLEMENT, PAID IN LESS HALF THE TIME.

THEN A LUMP SUM PAYMENT FROM ONE OF THE MANUFACTURERS AND/OR PHARMACEUTICALS.

THERE'S STILL WORK FOR US TO DO.

IN FACT, I WAS ABLE TO SECURE THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ENCOURAGE ONE PARTY THAT RIGHT NOW HAS NOT SIGNED UP WITH THIS, THE MOBILE COUNTY BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO DO SO, BECAUSE THE REALITY IS WE NEED THESE FUNDS IN ALABAMA, TO BE WORKING ON OUR STREETS.

ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THIS SETTLEMENT, NOT ONLY WILL WE HAVE MONEY THAT COMES TO THE LEGISLATURE, THAT THE GOVERNOR, ALONG WITH THE LEGISLATURE CAN PUSH OUT IN WAYS THAT WILL ATTACK THIS PROBLEM, BUT SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY IS GOING TO CITIES AND COUNTIES AND SOME HOSPITALS LIKEWISE FOR THIS WORK.

NOT ONLY PROFESSIONALLY DO I HAVE AN INTEREST HERE, PERSONALLY AS WELL, AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS WATCHED THE IMPACT ON A FAMILY MEMBER INVOLVED IN FAITH-BASED RECOVERY PROGRAMS, SEEING WHAT IT CAN DO TO RESTORE FAMILIES, SEE THE POSITIVE IMPACT.

VERY PLEASED AT WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THUS FAR, BUT THERE'S MORE TO COME.

ONE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE AG'S OFFICE IS INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THINGS, AND I CAN'T HAVE MY HAND ON EVERY ISSUE, BUT THIS ONE HAS MY FINGERPRINTS ON IT, BECAUSE I WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE LITIGATION, DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE SETTLEMENTS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT MOVING FORWARD.

>> SPEAKING OF HAVING PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THINGS, THIS WEEK WE SAW THAT THIS GUY GOT ARRESTED FOR THREATENING TO MURDER SUPREME COURT JUSTICE BRETT KAVANAUGH, OUTSIDE HIS HOME, AND PROTESTS HAVE BEEN GOING ON OUTSIDE.

YOU HAD HAD SOME PROTESTERS SHOW UP AT YOUR HOME AFTER THAT WHOLE GALLERIA SHOOTING INCIDENT, RIGHT?

>> I DID, YEAH.

FORTUNATELY I WAS AT CHURCH WHEN THEY WERE THERE.

IN FACT, THEY WENT TO THE WRONG HOUSE TO BEGIN WITH.

YEAH, I'VE EXPERIENCED THAT PERSONALLY.

AND CANDIDLY IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO IMPACT MY DECISION.

I'M STILL GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN THE ROLE THAT I PLAY, BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT'S TAKEN PLACE WITH THIS ARREST IN D.C., IT SHOULD BE INCREDIBLY DISTURBING TO EVERYBODY, BECAUSE NUMBER ONE MERRICK GARLAND COULD HAVE PUT HIS FINGERPRINT ON THIS BY ENFORCING THE LAW THAT EXISTS.

WE'VE ALREADY SHOWN THROUGH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THE FBI HAS USED INVESTIGATING THOSE AT THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6th, WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHO WAS THERE TO INTIMIDATE JUSTICES AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK OF THE OPINION THAT'S COMING OUT IN THE MISSISSIPPI CASE RELATING TO ROE VS. WADE.

THERE COULD BE PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW.

THEY'VE NOT CHOSEN TO DO IT.

IN FACT, NOW THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND TO GO BACK AND SEE WHAT TOOK PLACE IN A STRONG WAY IN THEIR EFFORTS THERE.

IF THEY CAN SEND FBI TO TALK TO PARENTS SHOWING UP AT SCHOOL BOARDS, WE CAN DO OUR JOB ON THOSE TRYING TO INTIMIDATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AND NOW POTENTIALLY TAKE THEIR LIFE.

WE CAN SEE AN ADMINISTRATION THAT CAN CONDEMN THE PROTESTS THEMSELVES, TO CONDEMN THESE POTENTIAL SITUATIONS OF VIOLENCE AND TO ALLOW FOR THESE JUSTICES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS FREE FROM THOSE THAT ARE SHOWING UP AT THEIR HOMES.

WE HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTEST IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT YET THAT RIGHT TO PROTEST IS STILL LIMITED BY REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS THAT CAN BE PLACED BY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES.

THIS IS ONE, IT'S BEEN CRIMINALIZED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT'S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ENFORCING THE LAW.

>> SPEAKING OF THE ABORTION ISSUE, AND THE POTENTIAL RULING THAT -- I MEAN, WE DON'T KNOW IF THE FINAL RULING IS GOING TO BE WHAT GOT LEAKED OUT, BUT IT'S A GOOD BET THAT THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO OVERTURN ROE VS. WADE, SENDING THE QUESTION BACK TO THE STATES.

HERE IN ALABAMA, OBVIOUSLY REALLY SINCE REPUBLICANS TOOK OVER THE LEGISLATURE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL LAWS PASSED.

>> RIGHT.

>> THERE WAS THE 20-WEEK BILL.

THERE WAS THE HEARTBEAT BILL.

2019, THERE WAS A COMPLETE BAN.

BUT LET'S JUST SAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT DOES ACT, DOES SEND THE QUESTION BACK TO THE STATES, WHAT WOULD THE LAW OF THE LAND BE HERE IN ALABAMA?

>> YEAH.

SO A COUPLE THINGS THERE.

ONE, WE GOT TO SEE WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DOES.

ONE OF THE THINGS ALWAYS IS, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE RULING OF THE COURT AND WHAT ITS IMPLICATIONS ON STATE LAW.

LET'S JUST ASSUME THAT IT'S SOMEWHAT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE SAW IN THE DRAFT OPINION.

I THINK THE ONE THING THAT PEOPLE DON'T COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND IT DOESN'T FLIP THE SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY TO ALLOW FOR WHATEVER EXISTS IN CURRENT ALABAMA LAW TO BE THE LAW AGAIN.

IN FACT, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF INJUNCTIONS THAT ARE IN PLAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE DOING IN PREPARATION FOR THE DECISION IS TO BE LOOKING AT WHAT DO WE HAVE TO PROACTIVELY DO TO DISSOLVE THOSE INJUNCTIONS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED A COUPLE SESSIONS AGO, WHICH CRIMINALIZES TO A LARGE EXTENT ABORTIONS.

THERE'S A CURRENT INJUNCTION IN PLACE.

WE WOULD HAVE TO GO INTO JUDGE THOMPSON'S COURT TO BE ABLE TO SET THAT ASIDE.

THERE'S A COUPLE OTHER ANCILLARY STATUTES IN PLAY HERE SUBJECT TO INJUNCTIONS THAT LIKEWISE WE WOULD HAVE TO PROACTIVELY GO IN TO ASK A FEDERAL JUDGE TO DO IT.

THE GOOD THING IN PLAY, IF THE COURT RULES AS WE EXPECT THEM TO DO, IF IT'S CONSISTENT WITH THAT DRAFT OPINION, BECAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSED SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT WAS DESIGNED FOR THE VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE THAT NOW IS COMING TO FRUITION.

THAT IS THAT IF IN FACT A PLAINTIFF WOULD COME IN AND SAY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE AND PLANTED PARENTHOOD VERSUS CASEY, THE TWO SEMINAL CASES IN THIS AREA, WE'LL MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR THE ALABAMA CONSTITUTION THAT WE HAVE THIS RIGHT INHERENT IN THE LAW OF ALABAMA GIVING US THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

WILL LET'S MAKE THAT CLEAR.

IT'S COME IN TO BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH THAT.

IT'S A PRO-LIFE CONSTITUTION THAT WITHIN THE LANGUAGE OF WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY LONG DOCUMENT IS NOWHERE EMBEDDED IN IMPLICIT OR EXPLICIT RIGHT FOR SOMEONE TO CLAIM AN ABORTION.

SO THAT WILL HELP US IN THE LITIGATION.

IT WILL HELP US BE ABLE TO PUSH BACK ON WHAT I'M SURE WILL BE ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES THAT WE'LL FACE.

BUT AGAIN, THE LINCHPIN FOR US, IN THE SHORT RUN, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FILING LITIGATION THAT WE HAVE TO TO DISSOLVE THE INJUNCTIONS RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD LIMIT ALABAMA BEING ABLE TO DO WHAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

>> IN OUR REPORTING ON THIS, ESPECIALLY IN THE WAKE OF THAT LEAKED DOCUMENT, WE TALKED TO THE SPONSOR OF THAT LAW, TERRY COLLINS, WHO THE COMPLETE BAN.

SAID, WELL, I REALLY WASN'T AFTER A COMPLETE BAN.

I'D LIKE TO GO BACK AND ADD SOME EXEMPTIONS, CLOSER TO HER HEARTBEAT BILL, BUT SHE MIGHT RUN INTO A PROBLEM THERE, BECAUSE IT COULD PROBLEMATIC, MAYBE UNCONSTITUTION UNDER ALABAMA'S CONSTITUTION TO GO BACK AND ADD THOSE THINGS.

IS THAT WHAT YOU SEE LEGALLY?

>> THE LANGUAGE IS BROAD IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

WE'VE NOT BEEN ASKED TO LOOK AT THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO OFFER AN OPINION YET, BUT THE REAL PURPOSE OF THAT AMENDMENT, WAS TO ALLOW US TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO AGGRESSIVELY DEFEND ANY CLAIM AGAINST STATE LAW THAT WAS BROUGHT BY ABORTION CLINICS OR OTHERS TO ESTABLISH SOME STATE RIGHT THAT DIDN'T OTHERWISE EXIST, AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT THAT AMENDMENT WAS DESIGNED TO DO.

>> LET'S SWITCH GEARS AND TALK ABOUT ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC, AND THAT'S GUNS.

IT'S TOPICAL THESE DAYS BECAUSE OF THE TEXAS SHOOTING, OBVIOUSLY, AND THE BUFFALO SHOOTING.

SEVERAL STATES ARE TALKING ABOUT RED FLAG LAWS, WHICH WOULD ESSENTIALLY ALLOW A COURT TO RESTRICT GUNS FROM SOMEONE DEEMED TO BE MENTALLY UNSTABLE, A RISK TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

THAT'S THE BASIC EXPLANATION.

FLORIDA PASSED A RED FLAG LAW IN THE WAKE OF THE PARKLAND SHOOTING.

DO YOU SEE A NEED FOR A SIMILAR LAW LIKE THAT IN ALABAMA?

>> WELL, I THINK, FIRST OF ALL, WE GOT TO SEE THE DETAILS OF WHAT MAY BE PROPOSED.

RED FLAG LAWS, THERE'S ABOUT 40 STATES ROUGHLY THAT HAVE THOSE NOW.

THEY VARY.

LET'S MAKE IT CLEAR, THESE ARE EFFORTS TO REMOVE HANDGUNS OR GUNS FROM INDIVIDUALS AS A RESULT OF HEARING THE QUESTION IS WHAT'S THE STANDARD, DO DUE PROCESS EXISTS WITHIN THOSE LAWS AND WHAT RIGHTS ARE GIVEN TO THAT INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT TO POSSESS THOSE GUNS.

NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT.

MUCH BROADER THAN THAT, HERE'S MY APPROACH TO THIS, IS WE NEED TO EVALUATE THE BIG PICTURE IN WHAT TOOK PLACE, PARTICULARLY, MOST RECENTLY, IN TEXAS, AND WHAT IS IT COULD WE HAVE DONE AND WHAT STEPS COULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THAT FROM HAPPENING.

IT'S WHY WE HAVE THE SAFE SCHOOLS EFFORT THAT WE'RE A PART OF AT THE AG'S OFFICE THAT I'M PROUD OF.

IT'S A DISCUSSION AT THE STATEWIDE LEVEL THAT WE ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT FOR REVIEW BY INDEPENDENT JUDGES ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR PARTICULAR JURISDICTION OR PARTICULAR SCHOOL.

WE TRY TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE THAT ARE REALLY GOOD AT THE ISSUE OF SCHOOL SAFETY.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE DISCUSSIONS MOST FOLKS ARE HEARING ABOUT NOW IS THIS IDEA OF SCHOOL HARDENING, AND REALLY HOW SECURE ARE FACILITIES.

THE AND THE REALITY THAT AT LEAST WE'RE HEARING FROM TEXAS IS A PROPPED OPENED DOOR ALLOWED FOR THE GUNMAN TO GET INSIDE TO BEGIN WITH.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HOPE WE EVALUATE IN THE DISCUSSIONS OF WHAT TOOK PLACE IN TIME BEING IS NOT SO MUCH FOCUSED ON THE SHOOTER HIMSELF BUT WHAT OTHER THINGS CAN WE DO TO POTENTIALLY STOP TRAGIC EVENTS LIKE THIS HAPPENING.

SO WE BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE TRUE NARRATIVES THAT OUGHT TO TAKE PLACE, AS YOU REPORTED ON ALREADY, ARE WHAT ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN HIGHLIGHT MAKING SCHOOLS SECURE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE GOT SOME OLDER SCHOOLS THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT.

WE'VE SEEN WITH OUR NEWER SCHOOLS, THERE'S MUCH MORE EMPHASIS PLACED ON CHANNELING PEOPLE TO ONE SPOT, BEING ABLE TO HAVE SECURITY AT THOSE LEVELS, BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE THOSE IN THERE HAVE PERMISSION TO BE IN THERE.

DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SROs, PROACTIVE STEPS IN PLACES LIKE DOTHAN WHERE THEY HAVE SCHOOL PROTECTION OFFICERS WHO HAVE A SEPARATE ROLE THAN A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, BUT WHO IS THERE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE PROTECTION.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I HOPE IS THAT AS WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE NATIONALLY, THEY'RE NOT KNEE-JERK REACTIONS TO BE ABLE TO BELIEVE THAT ONE CHANGE IN THE LAW COULD POTENTIALLY PROHIBIT THINGS LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING, BUT WHAT IS IT THAT TRULY IS THE CAUSE OF WHAT IS OCCURRING, AND WHAT ARE THOSE ISSUES THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS FROM HAPPENING, AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENHANCE THE PROTECTIVE FACTORS TO KEEP SCHOOLS SAFE.

THE OTHER THING, WE NEED TO ENFORCE THE LAWS THAT WE HAVE.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE CLEARLY SEEN IN THE CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIONS IS A DE-EMPHASIS ON WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO PREVIOUSLY ON CONVICTED FELONS IN POSSESSION OF FIREARMS ILLEGALLY.

WE TOOK PEOPLE OFTEN THE STREET, COB LABTIVELY WITH MY PARTNERS IN THE AG'S OFFICE, WITH THE ATF AND FBI, AND WE MADE STRONG STRIDES IN THE STATE.

THAT'S NOT OCCURRING RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE IT'S WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO ESTABLISH THOSE AS A PRIORITY, AND ALTHOUGH THEY'VE TALKED ABOUT GUN CRIMES BY NO MEANS HAVE WE SEEN THE PROACTIVE STEPS THAT WE SAW DURING THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I HOPE FROM THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE ITS TUNE A LITTLE BIT ON GUN CASES AND LET'S WORK HARDER TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ALLOWING US TO BE ABLE TO USE THE RESOURCES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GO AFTER THOSE THAT ARE ENGAGED IN VIOLENCE ON OUR STREETS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE HARDENING SCHOOLS, SCHOOL SAFETY.

TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.

SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A LOT BEING DONE, HAS BEEN DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

CAN'T HARDEN A GROCERY STORE, THOUGH,.

>> RIGHT.

>> AS MUCH AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY, THERE'S STILL A GUN ISSUE.

SO MY QUESTION IS, IS THAT EVEN ON THE TABLE?

COULD THE LEGISLATURE, YOU KNOW, IF THEY CAME TO YOU ASKING, OKAY, YOU KNOW, RED FLAG LAW, TAKING GUNS AWAY FROM MENTALLY UNSTABLE PERSON, IS IT EVEN WORTH TALKING ABOUT OR DO YOU THINK THAT'S A HARD NO ON ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE SECOND AMENDMENT?

>> I CAN'T SAY WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD SAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD CLEARLY HOPE OUR LEGISLATURE WOULD DO IS TO ENGAGE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THESE DISCUSSIONS.

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

DO YOU HEAR ABOUT -- YOU KNOW, FROM THE BOTTOM UP THAT -- >> HERE'S WHAT I HEAR FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, IS WE DON'T NEED TO BE MENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS IN THE STATE.

IN SOME RESPECTS, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE DISCUSSION THAT I HEAR FROM CHIEFS AND FROM SHERIFFS ALL OVER IS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS BEING PROACTIVELY PUT IN SITUATIONS THAT REALLY ARE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

SO I THINK THE DIALOG THAT YOU WOULD HEAR FROM THE MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS WHAT ARE STEPS WE COULD TAKE TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES PROACTIVELY, SAY WHERE CAN WE PLACE RESOURCES?

FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEW CRISIS CENTERS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE, THAT'S A STRONG STEP FORWARD.

RIGHT NOW I THINK THAT WE HAVE THREE, MAYBE THERE'S A FOURTH COMING.

YOU KNOW, MENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS ARE SOMETHING IN OUR STATUTES, BUT YET IN MANY COUNTIES IT'S NOT FUNDED AS A WAY OF ALLOWING SOMEBODY TO BE ON CALL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IF IN FACT WE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO GET A COMMITMENT ORDER FOR SOMEBODY WHO NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO GET VERY SOON CRITICAL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT BECAUSE THEY'RE IN CRISIS.

SO I THINK THE THEME COMING FROM THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT I TALK TO THAT PROTECT AND SERVE EVERY DAY IS GET US OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND LET'S FIND WAYS TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT SOMEHOW LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN DRAGGED INTO.

>> UH-HUH.

SPEAKING OF THE LEGISLATURE, THERE WAS THIS PROPOSAL WE COVERED A LOT LAST SESSION THAT WAS SEEKING TO STOP THE STATE FROM SUSPENDING DRIVER'S LICENSES IN SOME OF THESE TRAFFIC FINE OR UNPAID COURT FEE CASES THAT DON'T INVOLVE MOVING VIOLATIONS.

THE WHOLE IDEA, THESE FOLKS, IF THEY HAD DRIVER'S LICENSES, COULD BE WORKING.

IT ULTIMATELY FAILED IN THE SENATE.

SOME LAWMAKERS SAID THAT YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE BILL WAS PRETTY DECISIVE.

WALK ME THROUGH YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.

>> YEAH.

WE WERE ACTIVELY LITIGATING THAT VERY ISSUE IN THE COURTS WHEN THIS BILL WAS DROPPED DURING THE MIDDLE OF A LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE THINK WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO, IF THOSE THAT ARE PROPONENTS OF A BILL SIMILAR TO THIS WON'T, HAS TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH THE LEGISLATURE, LOOK, THEY'RE ATTEMPTING TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING THROUGH YOU THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THROUGH THE LITIGATION.

WE HAD PREVAILED AT THE DISTRICT COURT LEVEL.

WE'RE ON APPEAL TO THE 11th CIRCUIT AND NOW WON.

MY OPPOSITION WAS NOT REALLY ANYTHING OTHER THAN VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD AS THE STATE'S LAWYER TO BE ABLE TO SAY THE LEGISLATURE LET'S NOT ALLOW FOR LITIGANTS TO COME TO YOU TO CHANGE THE LAW WHEN THEY ARE LIKEWISE ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE IN THE COURTS.

IF WE WANT TO HAVE A POLICY DISCUSSION, LET'S DO IT, BUT LET'S DON'T DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF LITIGATION, IN THE MIDDLE OF A LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT THE LAST MINUTE.

LET'S DO THAT PROACTIVELY LONG BEFORE.

>> SO IF THE COURT CASE RUNS ITS COURSE, AND ANOTHER BILL CAME UP, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE A POLICY PROBLEM?

>> I'M SURE WE'D BE ABLE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THEY PUT IN THERE.

AGAIN, OUR SPECIFIC OBJECTION -- WE WERE CLEAR IN THIS WITH WHAT WE ADDRESSED WITH THE LEGISLATURE THROUGH A LETTER, AND THAT IS WE WERE ACTIVELY LITIGATING WITH THOSE PARTIES.

IT WAS THE VERY SPECIFIC ISSUE THAT THE COURTS HAVE ALREADY ALLOWED ALABAMA TO PREVAIL.

YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHAT THIS BILL COULD POTENTIALLY DO TO THAT LITIGATION.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION, IF WE CAN.

>> SURE.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE PRETTY VOCAL ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

IT SEEMS TO ME WE'VE GONE FROM ONE EXTREME TO ANOTHER, BECAUSE UNDER TRUMP, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, HOMELAND SECURITY, ZERO TOLERANCE AT THE BORDER.

NOW UNDER BIDEN, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN ARGUE, IT'S A LOT LOOSER.

IT'S FRUSTRATING FOR FOLKS.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU SEE IN THE POLLING WE DO, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE IN ALABAMA, IT'S NOT A BORDER STATE REALLY, IMMIGRATION IS SUCH -- OR ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS A HOT TOPIC FOR VOTERS.

IT'S FRUSTRATING TO WATCH LINES OF IMMIGRANTS CROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY ON TV.

SO MY QUESTION IS, GIVEN THE DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIDEN AND TRUMP, THEIR ENFORCEMENT, ARE WE JUST AT THE MERCY OF WHICHEVER PARTY IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AS TO ENFORCING THE IMMIGRATION LAWS?

>> THE OPERATIVE WORD, THE ENFORCEMENT SIDE.

THE PURPOSE OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IS TO ENFORCE THE LAWS THAT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH HAS ADOPTED.

CLEARLY CONGRESS IS THE INSTRUMENT TO DECIDE IMMIGRATION POLICY IN OUR COUNTRY, AND IT'S UP TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DID DO THEIR JOB ON IMMIGRATION, TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE THE LAWS AS CONGRESS INTENDED.

IT'S WHY MUCH OF OUR FRUSTRATION AND WHY WE'VE HAD LITIGATION WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THEY'VE FAILED TO DO WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES THEM TO DO.

>> WHAT DOES YOUR LITIGATION DO?

>> I MEAN, THERE'S SEVERAL.

ONE IS ON TITLE 42, YOU KNOW, THE EFFORT REALLY TO BE ABLE TO BRING -- >> I HEAR THAT.

I HEAR TITLE 42 A LOT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN?

>> TITLE 42 IS AS A RESULT OF COVID BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ENSURING THEIR SAFETY FOR THOSE THAT ARE COMING INTO THIS COUNTRY FROM -- PARTICULARLY ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT BRINGING COVID WITH THEM.

IT WAS USED DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

FRANKLY USED DURING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

NOW THEY'RE WANTING TO REMOVE THAT RESTRICTION.

EVEN MORE THAN TITLE 42, THE CASE THAT WE HAVE THERE, IS TWO PROVISIONS WE MOST RECENTLY ARE LITIGATING.

ONE THAT SAYS STATUTE BY CONGRESS, THAT IF YOU HAVE A DEPORTATION ORDER, YOU GOT TO BE DEPORTED WITHIN 90 DAYS.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS, WELL, WE MAY PICK AND CHOOSE WHO WE DO.

ANOTHER PROVISION FROM CONGRESS THAT SAID, IF YOU'RE HERE UNLAWFULLY, YOU VIOLATE OUR CRIMINAL LAWS, YOU SERVE YOUR TIME, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE SEND YOU BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

SAYS SHALL.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS WE WANT TO USE A BALANCING TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO SEND SOMEBODY BACK.

THAT'S NOT THEIR CALL.

THAT'S THE DECISION THAT CONGRESS HAS MADE FOR THEM.

WE SIMPLY NEED THE ADMINISTRATION TO BE ABLE TO DO ITS JOB.

THIS ALSO IS REFLECTIVE OF THE FACT THAT CONGRESS IS JUST ABDICATED IMMIGRATION POLICY.

AND PART OF OUR PUSHBACK, GOES BACK DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, CLEARLY DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION, IS WHEN YOU ALLOW FOR THE BUREAUCRACY TO MAKE POLICY THEN YOU HAVE ABDICATED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THAT SHOULD BE THAT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO WHAT WE'RE SIMPLY SAYING IS FOLLOW THE LAW, AND ENFORCE THE LAW AS IT'S WRITTEN.

SO I THINK YOU'VE SAID IT EXACTLY RIGHT.

THIS ADMINISTRATION IS JUST SIMPLY REFUSING TO EMBRACE ITS ENFORCEMENT ROLE.

THEY'RE DOING THAT FOR POLICY REASONS, TO PLAY TO A POLITICAL BASE, RATHER THAN DO THE JOB THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

ALLOW CONGRESS TO CHANGE THE LAW.

DEMOCRATS CONTROL THE HOUSE.

THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE A 50/50 SITUATION IN THE SENATE, WITH A TIEBREAKING VOTE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT IMMIGRATION POLICY IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO EMBRACE AS YOUR ISSUE, CONVINCE CONGRESS TO DO THAT FOR YOU.

DON'T DO IT BY NOT ENFORCING THE LAW.

>> MAKES FOR A BUSY SUPREME COURT.

>> YES.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Announcer: YOU'RE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN WERE THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PILOTS IN U.S. MILITARY SERVICE.

BECAUSE TUSKEGEE WAS THE ONLY TRAINING SERVICE FOR BLACK PILOTS IN WORLD WAR II, POTENTIAL PILOTS CAME FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE FIRST ONE WAS THE 99th FIGHTER SQUADRON, WHICH DEPLOYED IN THE SPRING OF 1943.

THE 99th EARNED A DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION, FLYING MISSIONS OVER ENEMY TARGETS IN ITALY.

THE 342nd FIGHTER GROUP FLEW SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL BOMBER MISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE WAR.

ITS P-51 FIGHTER HAD DISTINCTIVE RED TAILS.

IN 1948, PRESIDENT TRUMAN ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER MANDATING THE INTEGRATION, AND IN 2007 PRESIDENT BUSH AWARDED THEM A CONGRESSIONAL AWARD MEDAL.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU'RE BASICALLY A STATE SENATOR, UNLESS THERE'S A HUGE INFLUX OF LIBERTARIAN VOTES.

YOU'RE HEADED TO THE STATE SENATE.

>> THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT, BECAUSE IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO THANK THE CITIZENS OF SENATE DISTRICT 19, WHO ELECTED ME IN THE PRIMARY, WITH NEARLY 70% OF THE VOTE.

UNHEARD OF.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

>> THINKING ABOUT THAT, I'VE WATCHED YOU IN THE HOUSE.

THE YOU'RE A FIERCE ADVOCATE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> A STRONG DEBATER.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> WHEN YOU GO TO THE FLOOR, IT'S A SERIOUS THING, YOU'RE SAYING IT SERIOUSLY.

THERE'S A LOT OF DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.

SEEMS LIKE IN THE SENATE, THEY SEEM TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BUSINESS BEHIND THE SCENES, ALL THE NEGOTIATIONS BEHIND THE SCENES.

IS THAT A CHANGE FOR YOU?

>> IT WILL BE A CHANGE, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SERVING IN THE LEGISLATIVE BODY FOR 20 YEARS, I DO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS UPSTAIRS.

SEVERAL MEMBERS AND I CAME TOGETHER AS A HOUSE AS A MEMBER OF THE FRESHMAN CLASS.

YOU BUILD ON PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE, GET DONE WHAT YOU NEED TO GET DONE FOR YOUR CONSTITUENCY.

I STILL THINK I'LL HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO DO STRONG DEBATING ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> OH, YEAH.

YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL FOR YOUR HOUR.

>> MY FIRST HOUR.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT ACTUALLY.

IN 10 MINUTES, I'M JUST WARMING UP.

>> RIGHT.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A FULL HOUR OF A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE.

>> I THINK YOU CAN COUNT ON THAT.

I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU ON, BECAUSE THERE'S TALK OF RED FLAG LAWS IN RESPONSE TO THE TRAGEDY IN TEXAS AND IN BUFFALO.

>> YES.

>> THESE RED FLAG LAWS ESSENTIALLY BEING, YOU KNOW, ALLOWING A COURT TO RULE TO TAKE AWAY WEAPONS FROM SOMEONE WHO'S MENTALLY INCAPACITATED, MENTALLY UNSTABLE, A RISK TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

>> YES.

>> YOU SPONSORED SUCH A LAW BACK IN 2019.

>> YES.

>> DO YOU PLAN TO BRING IT BACK?

>> 100%.

ACTUALLY I'VE SPONSORED IT FOR FIVE YEARS.

WHAT WE'RE HOPING -- AND OF COURSE WE'RE GETTING SOMETHING DRAFTED RIGHT NOW, AND MY HOPE AND PRAYER REALLY IS THAT WE COULD HANDLE THIS ACTUALLY IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

IT'S TIMELY WITH THE NUMBER OF MASS SHOOTINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SO WE'RE HEARING THAT WE'RE GOING TO COME IN, A SPECIAL SESSION, TO DEAL WITH ADDITIONAL FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING SENT TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

IT'S TIMELY ENOUGH TO BRING THIS ISSUE UP AS WELL.

I'M HOPING THAT WHETHER THE GOVERNOR DECIDES THAT IT'S TIMELY ENOUGH, THAT MAY BE MY COLLEAGUES THAT BOTH BODIES WILL DO THAT OVERRIDING VOTE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THIS BILL UP AS WELL.

>> LOOKING AT YOUR PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO PASS THE RED FLAG LAW, WHAT WERE THE REASONS WHY IT DIDN'T PASS?

>> YEAH.

SO NUMBER ONE, I DO WANT TO MENTION FOR THE LISTENING AUDIENCE, THIS IS A NONPARTISAN ISSUE.

YOU HAVE FOLKS AROUND THE COUNTRY, BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, THAT SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVING A TOOL THAT THEY CAN USE IF SOMEONE IS A HARM TO THEMSELVES OR TO OTHERS.

THE NUMBER ONE CHALLENGE THAT CAME OUT OF THE LAST HEARING WE HAD WAS THE EX PARTE PORTION OF THE BILL, WHERE IT'S ONE-SIDED.

I APPEALED TO MY COLLEAGUES OVER THE SUMMER AND SAID, HEY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO WORK TOGETHER?

THERE'S BEEN SUGGESTIONS ABOUT ELIMINATING THE EX PARTE PORTION, SO AT LEAST BOTH SIDES -- THE PERSON IS ACCUSING THEM OF BEING A HARM TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS, THAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THEIR CASE.

AND I THINK THAT'S REASONABLE.

THE EX PARTE PORTION IS THE EMERGENCY PORTION.

WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT MASS SHOOTINGS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE WHO MAY HAVE SAID THEY WANT TO COMMIT SUICIDE.

YOU WANT A TOOL TO HAVE THAT EMERGENCY HEARING, BUT IS IT UNREASONABLE TO SAY THAT THE PERSON SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SHOW UP?

THAT'S NOT UNREASONABLE.

>> UH-HUH.

WELL, 'CAUSE, YEAH, LOOKING AT THE FLORIDA LAW THAT PASSED AFTER THE PARKLAND SHOOTING, SOME OF OUR REPORTING SHOWED THAT IT'S BEEN USED ALMOST 9,000 TIMES.

>> WOW.

>> MOST OF THE TIME FOR SUICIDE SITUATIONS.

>> SUICIDES, YEAH.

>> NOW, YOU DO RUN INTO SECOND AMENDMENT ISSUES, RIGHT?

>> UH-HUH.

>> CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY FROM REPUBLICANS.

WHAT I HEAR FROM REPUBLICANS ABOUT THIS, IF THIS LAW IS PASSED, SOMEONE COULD PUNITIVELY USE THIS TO TAKE GUNS AWAY FROM SOMEBODY WHO'S NOT A THREAT, IS NOT A RISK.

>> RIGHT.

SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP IN THE HEARING.

THANK YOU FOR JOGGING MY MEMORY ON THAT PORTION.

THE ORIGINAL PORTION OF THE BILL ALLOWED FOR A FAMILY MEMBER, A SCHOOL OFFICIAL, A PSYCHIATRIST OR SOME TYPE OF PROFESSIONAL, IN ADDITION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, TO BE THE REPORTING ENTITY.

SO WE HAD LIVELY DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT IF A FAMILY MEMBER OR EX-PARTNER OR SOMEONE WANTS TO BE PUNITIVE AGAINST SOMEONE, HOW DO YOU PROTECT THAT?

AGAIN, THAT WAS A VALID POINT.

THE NEWEST VERSION OF THE BILL JUST ALLOWED FOR SOME TYPE OF PROFESSIONAL, WHETHER IT WAS, YOU KNOW, A SCHOOL OFFICIAL OR YOUR -- A PSYCHIATRIST OR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SOMEBODY THAT ACTUALLY CAN IDENTIFY AND HAVE LEGITIMATE CREDENTIALS TO SAY THAT THIS PERSON HAS PROVEN TO BE, OR HAS SHOWN SIGNS OF HAVING, THAT THEY'RE A THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR TO OTHERS.

AGAIN, DON'T WANT TO BE PUNITIVE.

I'M A GUN OWNER.

I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT.

I DON'T WANT ANYBODY, FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY DON'T LIKE MALIKA COLEMAN, THEY FILE THIS EX PARTE PETITION AND GET MY GUNS AWAY FROM ME.

IT'S SPECIFICALLY A GUN SAFETY ISSUE TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE, OR TO KEEP SOMEBODY FROM SELF-HARMING THEMSELVES.

I'M A MOM.

I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT THE MOTHERS AND THE FATHERS WENT THROUGH IN TEXAS TO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.

SO IF LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A TOOL THAT IT CAN USE TO REMOVE THOSE GUNS JUST TEMPORARILY FOR US TO HAVE A DISCUSSION TO SEE IF THEY NEED TO BE REMOVED FOR A LONGER TIME, THAT'S ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IT KIND OF REMINDS ME OF THE LAW THAT WAS PASSED THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENTS, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> CHANGING THE LAWS TO ALLOW JUDGES AND POLICE MORE FLEXIBILITY.

>> YES.

>> COULD THAT BE USED AS A PARALLEL ARGUMENT?

BECAUSE THIS IS A MENTAL HEALTH -- >> SURE, 100%.

IN A LOT OF THESE MASS SHOOTINGS, WE DO FIND THERE WERE EXAMPLES, WHERE THE PERSON WAS EITHER CRYING OUT OR THERE WAS DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE THIS PERSON HAD A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

I WANT TO KEEP GOING BACK TO THE POINT THAT THIS IS A TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SO THEY CAN ADEQUATELY DO THEIR JOB TO PROTECT THE REST OF US.

WE DON'T WANT ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE -- I MEAN, IF I COULD HELP, OR KEEP AN INCIDENT FROM HAPPENING, WHERE IN SCHOOLS OR, LIKE, IN BUFFALO, IN THE GROCERY STORE, IN MOVIE THEATERS, IN CHURCHES, IN MALLS.

AS A LAWMAKER, I FEEL THAT I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS THAT IT NEEDS IN ORDER TO PROTECT US.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

DONALD TRUMP WAS A SUPPORTER OF RED FLAG BILLS.

I WISH WE COULD TOGETHER, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS ALIKE, TO DO SOMETHING IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, REPUBLICANS HAVE THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE.

>> YEAH.

>> NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN THE ELECTION, THAT'S GOT TO REMAIN.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE REPUBLICAN SUPPORT.

>> YOU HAVE TO.

>> HAVE YOU TALKED TO REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION?

>> THROUGH THE YEARS, OF COURSE, THIS IS SO NEW AND FRESH, OF COURSE I'LL BE TALKING TO SENATE COLLEAGUES, BUT I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT SENATOR SCOFIELD MENTION THAT IF THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BILL THERE WOULD BE DEBATE ABOUT THAT IN THE ALABAMA SENATE.

THAT GIVES ME HOPE TOO, HOPE TO OTHERS AROUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA WHO WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED, OUR ELDERLY ARE PROTECTED WHEN THEY GO TO GROCERY STORES.

I'M OPTIMISTIC, EVEN IN THE HOUSE, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WALK ACROSS THE AISLES, ESPECIALLY AROUND HUMAN TRAFFICKING, OTHER PROTECTION-TYPE LEGISLATION, I WILL USE THOSE SAME TOOLS IN THE ALABAMA SENATE, AND HOPEFULLY REALLY IN THIS SPECIAL SESSION IF WE CAN DO THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, I'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT THE GUN ISSUE FOR REPUBLICANS IS KIND OF LIKE THE ABORTION ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS.

YOU DON'T WANT TO OPEN THE DOOR EVEN AN INCH FOR FEAR THAT IT SWINGS WIDE OPEN IN TERMS OF RESTRICTIONS.

VERY SIMILAR IN THAT REGARD.

>> YEAH.

>> SO THAT BEING THE CASE, HOW CAN YOU REASSURE REPUBLICANS THAT THIS WON'T LEAD TO A TRUE EROSION OF SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I WELCOME MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO WORK WITH ME TO WRITE THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, WELCOME THEM 100%, WHICH IS THE APPEAL I MADE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN I SENT A TEXT TO THE ENTIRE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

HELP ME WRITE THE BILL.

WE HAVE CONSTITUENCIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING, NUMBER ONE, HAS A CHANCE TO PASS.

THE IF IT PASSES, THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT SUSPICIOUS OF.

AS I MENTIONED ALREADY, I'M A GUN OWNER AS WELL.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT MY HOME, PROTECT MY PROPERTY, PROTECT MY CHILDREN AND MY FAMILY.

I DON'T WANT AANYBODY TO THINK THAT A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT I HAVE OUT THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WAS ADVERSE TO THAT.

SO I WELCOME MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO WORK WITH ME, TO HELP PASS THIS LEGISLATION.

IN THE LAST SESSION, I WORKED HAND IN HAND -- SEVERAL SESSIONS -- I'VE WORKED HAND IN HAND AS A HOUSE MEMBER WITH A REPUBLICAN SPONSOR IN THE SENATE, ON ALL MY HUMAN TRAFFICKING BILLS, ON MY BILL TO REMOVE RACIST LANGUAGE FROM THE ALABAMA CONSTITUTION.

I WELCOME SOMEONE TO WORK WITH ME AS A SPONSOR IN THE OTHER HOUSE SO WE CAN HAND IN HAND, GET A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL PROTECT ALABAMANS, BUT NOT NOT TAKE AWAY THEIR RIGHTS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> I'M JOINED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

>> APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU AND YOUR VIEWERS.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON IS WE'VE GOT THIS ELECTION GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND THERE'S A RUNOFF FOR BOTH OF THE OTHER SEATS.

THERE'S THREE SEATS ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

THE SEATS TWO AND THREE ARE ON THE BALLOT.

I THOUGHT OUR VIEWERS MIGHT NOT KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

WHAT DOES THE PSC DO?

WHAT'S ITS HISTORY?

>> IT'S PLACE ONE AND TWO ON THE BALLOT.

I CURRENTLY SERVE AS PRESIDENT.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL YOUR VIEWERS.

IT'S AN HONOR TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

IF ANYBODY NEEDS ANYTHING, I GIVE OUT MY CELLPHONE.

I BELIEVE IF YOU WANT TO SERVE, YOU'VE GOT TO BE ACCESSIBLE.

THE COMMISSION WAS CREATED IN THE 1800s BY THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

IT WAS CALLED THE RAILWAY COMMISSION AT THE TIME.

MOST STATES HAD A RAILWAY COMMISSION.

A FEW STILL HAVE THEM.

THE RAILWAY COMMISSION WAS CREATED SO THAT IT WOULD BASICALLY GET IT OFF A LEGISLATOR'S BACK AS TO WHERE A TRAIN WOULD STOP IN A TOWN, BECAUSE IF A TRAIN STOPPED THE TOWN GREW, IF IT DIDN'T STOP THERE OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD START TO SHRINK AND DISAPPEAR.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THEY WANTED TO REMOVE FROM THEM, AND THEY CREATED THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.

OVER TIME ACTUALLY -- IN I BELIEVE THE 1930s -- IT WAS CHANGED TO THE ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL WE DO.

WE GET EVERYTHING FROM A PHONE CALL TO, HEY, MY GARBAGE NEEDS PICKING UP TO THERE'S A TRAIN STOPPED AT A TRACK AND WE NEED IT TO MOVE.

SOME THINGS WE CAN HELP WITH.

OTHER THINGS WE CAN TRANSFER TO THE CORRECT PART OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

AT THE COMMISSION, WE REGULATE ANYTHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE PUTS OVER AT THE COMMISSION FOR US TO REGULATE.

AND IT'S EVERYTHING FROM, WEAR MOST KNOWN FOR REGULATING ALABAMA POWER COMPANY, ALABAMA GAS COMPANY, WHICH IS NOW SPIRE ALABAMA, SPIRE MOBILE GAS.

WE ALSO NOW HAVE WASTEWATER AND WATER RESPONSIBILITIES IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS.

WE DO GAS PIPELINE SAFETY INSPECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE AN EXPLOSION.

WE ALSO DO RAILWAY INSPECTIONS, FOR TRACK AND FOR ALSO EQUIPMENT FOR THE RAILROADS.

WE DO TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

WE MAKE SURE THAT 18-WHEELERS AND PEOPLE TRUCKING THROUGHOUT THE STATE HAVE REALTIME INSURANCE, ARE UP TO DATE ON THAT, AND ALSO MOVING COMPANIES AND WE DO UBER AND LYFT, AND MAKE SURE THAT'S RUNNING WELL.

IN THAT CASE, THAT WAS JUST PUT AT THE COMMISSION TWO YEARS AGO.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT Y'ALL REGULATED UBER AND LYFT, BECAUSE THAT'S A NEW THING.

>> IT IS.

>> YOU'RE MOST KNOWN FOR REGULATING UTILITIES.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT'S A BIG JO, BECAUSE I MEAN THESE UTILITIES ARE THE POWER COMPANY, THE GAS COMPANY, THESE ARE HOUSEHOLD NAMES, RIGHT, AND THEY'RE KIND OF SOLE ENTITIES AND YET Y'ALL HAVE TO REGULATE THEM.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE REGULATION VERSUS THEIR ABILITY TO DO BUSINESS?

>> WELL, AND IT IS A BALANCING ACT.

IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BE FAIR WITH.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT IN ALABAMA WE HAVE UTILITIES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE.

AS YOU CAN SEE OUT IN TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA, RELIABILITY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S AFFORDABLE.

SO THAT'S A BALANCING ACT THAT WE'RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT.

WE AUDIT THEIR BOOKS ON A DAILY BASIS, ALL OF THESE COMPANIES THAT WE REGULATE.

MOST OF THEM ARE ON A FORMULA SYSTEM.

WE SET THE FORMULA.

THE AND THEN FROM FORMULA, WE MOVE UP AND DOWN.

SINCE I'VE BEEN AT THE COMMISSION, ALL THREE MAJOR COMPANIES HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT MOVES DOWN IN THE AMOUNT OF RETURN THEY'RE ALLOWED TO EARN.

A LOT OF TIMES THERE'S CONFUSION.

THAT'S NOT THE STOCK PRICE.

THAT IS NOT -- WE DON'T DO ANYTHING WITH STOCKS.

SO WHAT IT IS IS A COMPANY IS ALLOWED TO EARN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY.

AND WE WANT THAT TO BE A FAIR AMOUNT SO THAT THEY CAN STAY IN BUSINESS, BUT ALSO FAIR TO THE CONSUMER THEY'RE NOT BEING GOUGED.

SO WE'RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT THOSE NUMBERS.

LIKE I SAID, MOST OF THEM HAVE COME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE I'VE BEEN AT THE COMMISSION.

IN FACT, THE RATE OF RETURN FOR ALABAMA GAS COMPANY, WHICH IS NOW ALABAMA SPIRE, WHEN I GOT TO THE COMMISSION, WAS 13.65% EARNINGS ALLOWED, AND TODAY IT IS 9.9% ALLOWED.

ALABAMA POWER COMPANY WAS AT 14.5 WHEN I GOT THERE.

TODAY IT'S A WEIGHTED RETURN.

AND THAT'S AT 6.15.

SO WE'VE REALLY REDUCED THOSE NUMBERS, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOOD COMPANIES THAT WE REGULATE, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CONSUMER.

IT'S GOT TO BE AFFORDABLE.

>> YOU MENTIONED BEFORE WE BEGAN THIS INTERVIEW ABOUT THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS INVOLVED IN Y'ALL'S DELIBERATIONS AS A CONSUMER ADVOCATE.

I GUESS A MEMBER OF YOUR STAFF IS AT Y'ALL'S MEETINGS.

>> CORRECT.

THERE ARE USUALLY SEVERAL.

HE USUALLY SENDS TWO OR THREE TO ALL OF OUR MAGNETS.

THEY ARE INVOLVED IN ALL NEGOTIATIONS.

THEY ARE PRIVILEGED TO SEE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE SEE ON A DAILY BASIS.

THE COURTS DECIDED THEY WERE TO LOOK OUT FOR THE CONSUMERS.

AND SO THEY HAD A CONSUMER DIVISION.

MANY YEARS AGO, I WANT TO SAY 30 TO 40 YEARS AGO, THE CONSUMER DIVISION WAS AT THE ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

BUT OVER TIME THE COURTS DECIDED IT WAS BETTER TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE COMMISSION AND PUT IT IN ANOTHER AGENCY, AND THEY CHOSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE DOES A GREAT JOB WITH THAT.

>> WHILE I'VE GOT YOU, YOU HIT ON NUCLEAR.

WE'VE NOT PRODUCED ANY NUCLEAR PLANTS FOR A WHILE.

I KNOW IT'S A -- YOU KNOW, A HOT DEBATE NATIONALLY, AND MAYBE INTERNATIONALLY.

BUT EUROPE IS INVESTING IN NUCLEAR.

SHOULD WE BE INVESTING IN NUCLEAR IN TERMS OF A CLEANER ENERGY?

>> NUCLEAR IS FANTASTIC ONCE YOU GET IT BUILT.

NOW RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK YOU COULD GET IT PERMITTED.

>> IT'S COST PROHIBITIVE TO BUILD.

ONCE YOU BUILD IT, THE FUEL RODS ARE FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE.

THERE'S A GOOD BIT OF MAINTENANCE.

THE MAINTENANCE HAS TO BE DONE, YOU KNOW, EVERY, SAY, 18 MONTHS TO THREE YEARS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE NUCLEAR PLANT.

NUCLEAR IS VERY CLEAN-PRODUCED ELECTRICITY.

ALABAMA POWER HAS ONE NUCLEAR PLANT, FARLEY, DOWN NEAR DOTHAN.

I'VE TOURED IT.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE FORT KNOX.

IT'S VERY SAFE.

THAT'S SOMETHING OUR COUNTRY SHOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT, BUT ONCE AGAIN, YOU CAN PERMIT SOMETHING, AND WE GET A NEW PRESIDENT WHO STARTS -- IF I SAY I THINK THIS IS ALL POLITICAL -- HE'S TRYING TO PUSH GREEN ENERGY, TRYING TO MAKE SOLAR AND WIND LOOK AFFORDABLE.

HE'S TRYING TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS DRIVING AN ELECTRIC CAR.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

YOU DRIVE UP THE NATURAL GAS PRICES AND YOU DRIVE UP GASOLINE PRICES.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY NOW.

>> SO HOW DOES THAT START?

I REMEMBER BACK DURING PRESIDENT BUSH'S TENURE, HE WAS SAYING LET'S DO MORE NUCLEAR.

IS IT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY?

IS IT CONGRESS?

WHAT LEVERS NEED TO BE PULLED TO HAVE -- >> IT'S DEFINITELY PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

SO IT WOULD BE UNDER AN AGENCY LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, WHERE A PRESIDENT CONTROLS THAT DEPARTMENT IN THE WAY THEY WANT TO GO.

RIGHT NOW YOU HAD OBAMA THAT WAS AGAINST IT.

AND THEN YOU HAD TRUMP FOR A REPRIEVE.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS, IF YOU WERE GOING TO INVEST THAT KIND OF MONEY -- AND IT'S REALLY THE CONSUMER'S MONEY -- ARE YOU GOING TO INVEST IT IN THAT FOUR-YEAR PERIOD NOT KNOWING IF YOU'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO COMPLETE ALL OF THE PERMITS AND THE BUILDING?

SO RIGHT NOW THERE'S JUST -- THERE'S NOT ANY CONTINUITY AS FAR AS -- THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON WITH FRACKING FOR NATURAL GAS.

WHEN THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS WE'RE GOING TO MAKE NATURAL GAS MORE EXPENSIVE, AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO FRAC AND GET THIS NATURAL GAS, MANY BUSINESSES DON'T WANT TO PUT THE INVESTMENT IN THE EQUIPMENT AND THE PERMITTING WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW IF THAT PERMIT WILL ACTUALLY GET RE-UPPED A YEAR FROM THAT POINT OR TWO YEARS FROM THAT POINT, BECAUSE IT'S AN INVESTMENT.

IT'S A BUSINESS DECISION FOR THESE PEOPLE.

LIKE I SAID, NATURAL GAS PRICES HAVE QUADRUPLED.

LET ME GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE.

UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP, AS AS YOU KNOW, MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED AND SAID IT'S JUST A TAX BREAK FOR THE RICH.

WHEN HE GAVE A CORPORATE TAX BREAK, ALABAMA POWER COMPANY WAS REQUIRED TO RETURN THAT TAX BREAK TO ITS CUSTOMERS.

THAT TAX BREAK EQUALED ABOUT A $5 SAVINGS PER MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE ALABAMA POWER CUSTOMER.

SO THAT'S A $5 SAVINGS FROM THAT POINT FORWARD, WHICH, YOU KNOW, YES, IT WAS A CORPORATE TAX, BUT THEY HAD TO PASS IT BACK TO THE CONSUMER.

NOW LOOK AT THE NATURAL GAS.

IT'S QUADRUPLED, GONE FROM UNDER $2 TO OVER $8 SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE.

LOOKING AT THE PRICE OF NATURAL GAS FUEL THAT HAS INCREASED UNDER BIDEN, WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS MONTH, IN FACT, THAT COULD BE UPWARDS OF A $6 TO $7 -- IN FACT, I JUST SAW OVERLY CO-OPS SENT OUT A LETTER, SAYING BECAUSE OF NATURAL GAS PRICES YOUR BILL WILL BE AN -- AN AVERAGE BILL WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $7 HIGHER.

THAT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME ACROSS THE BOARD FOR UTILITIES PRODUCING ELECTRICITY WITH NATURAL GAS.

AND ANYTHING THAT AFFECTS COMMODITIES LIKE THAT, OR GASOLINE, OR NATURAL GAS OR COAL PRICES, IT'S GOING TO ULTIMATELY HIT THE BOTTOM LINE, BECAUSE FUEL PRICES ARE NOT SET BY US, AND THEY ARE ONLY A PASS-THROUGH COST.

THE CONSUMER DOES NOT PAY MORE OR LESS FOR FUEL UNLESS THAT PRICE OF FUEL GOES UP OR DOWN, MEANING THERE'S NO PROFIT ON FUEL WHATSOEVER.

AND SEEING THOSE PRICES GO UP IT'S JUST VERY FRUSTRATING TO ME.

>> ENERGY PRICES CERTAINLY ON EVERYBODY'S MIND RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU GOT IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.

>> THANK YOU.

I ENJOYED IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK, FRIDAY NIGHT, AT 7:30, RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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