DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK MET WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO START CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SALVAGING HER PLAN TO BUILD THREE NEW STATE PRISONS.

FINANCIAL UNDERWRITERS, OF COURSE, PULLED OUT OF IVEY'S PRIVATE LEASE DEAL AND SHE'S NOW HOPING THAT SHE CAN WORK WITH LAWMAKERS ON A POSSIBLE STATE BOND ISSUE TO FUND THE PRISONS.

HER MEETING WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WAS ON WEDNESDAY, AND ON THURSDAY THE GOVERNOR CALLED THE TALKS POSITIVE.

IT WAS AN OPEN DISCUSSION.

NO AGENDA INTENDED.

WE WANTED TO HAVE A OPEN DISCUSSION.

THEIR IDEAS MOVING FORWARD.

WE EXPECT TO HAVE MANY MORE SUCH CONVERSATIONS AND WE'LL ALSO EXPANDING THOSE WHO ATTEND LEGISLATORS AND STAKEHOLDERS.

BUT THE BIGGEST THING THAT CAME OUT OF YESTERDAY WAS A FIRM CONSENSUS TO FIX OUR PRISONS.

SO WE'RE UNITED MOVING FORWARD AND WE'LL FIX THE PRISON SYSTEM.

DON: THE GOVERNOR SPOKE THIS WEEK WITH HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED AND THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET CHAIRS OF BOTH CHAMBERS.

ONE BIG TALKING POINT WAS WHETHER THE STATE CAN USE SOME OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY TO HELP FUND THE NEW PRISONS.

HOUSE GENERAL FUND BUDGET CHAIR STEVE CLOUSE OF OZARK RECENTLY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE WAS OPTIMISTIC THAT WE COULD.

STILL TRYING TO GET GUIDANCE FROM TREASURY.

I THINK WE CAN USE SOME.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH.

IT'S SORT OF A MOVING TARGET RIGHT NOW.

ANY AMOUNT WE COULD USE IN THAT PROCESS WOULD CERTAINLY HELP DEFRAY EXPENSES WHATEVER THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE BOND ISSUE.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A WIN-WIN FOR TAXPAYERS.

DON: THE GOVERNOR SAID ON THURSDAY THAT SHE WILL TALK WITH LAWMAKERS AGAIN ABOUT BUILDING NEW PRISONS IN TWO WEEKS.

DON: LEGISLATORS WERE DIVIDED OVER GOVERNOR IVEY'S FORMER PRIVATE LEASE PRISON PLAN AND SOME HAVE SAID THAT THEY'RE GLAD THAT ALTERNATIVES ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED.

BUT THE MAN WHO LEADS THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IN THE UPPER CHAMBER SAYS IT'S TIME TO PUT THOSE DIFFERENCES ASIDE.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

NOW THAT THAT'S -- YOU KNOW THAT DEAL IS OFF THE TABLE, I THINK WE'RE -- WE DON'T NEED TO LOOK BACK, WE NEED TO LOOK FORWARD AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.

WE HAVE TO KEEP BAD PERSON IN PRISON.

FIRST AND FOREMOST WE HAVE TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE.

THAT NEEDS -- WHERE WE START OFF FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

THE NUMBER ONE PREMISES HAS TO BE THE BAD FOLKS ARE INCARCERATED AND GOOD PEOPLE SAFE.

DON: SENATOR SCOFIELD WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE HAVE LONG CONTENDED THAT NEW PRISONS ALONE WON'T SOLVE OUR SERIOUS PRISON PROBLEMS, THAT WE MUST ALSO PASS MORE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SENTENCING REFORMS.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE MERIKA COLEMAN OF PLEASANT GROVE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM NOT JUST BUILDINGS.

I'M HOPING WHEN WE GET INTO OUR LEGISLATIVE OUR SPECIAL SESSION THAT WE'LL NOT BUILDING OUR WAY OUT OF THE OVERCROWDING SITUATION WE HAVE.

WE HAVE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT.

REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN WILL JOIN US LATER TO TALK ABOUT IT.

DON: REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DON: FORMER ALABAMA GOVERNOR JOHN PATTERSON WAS REMEMBERED AT A WAKE IN ALEXANDER CITY THIS WEEK.

HE DIED LAST WEEKEND AT THE AGE OF 99.

HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH STATE GOVERNMENT SPANNED HALF A CENTURY.

HE FIRST CAME TO PROMINENCE WHEN HE WAS ELECTED ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL IN 1954, AFTER HIS FATHER, ALBERT PATTERSON, WAS MURDERED WHILE RUNNING FOR THE SAME OFFICE.

DON: JOHN PATTERSON LATER BECAME THE ONLY PERSON TO BEAT GEORGE WALLACE WHEN HE WAS ELECTED GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA FOR A SINGLE TERM, FROM 1959 TO 1963.

AT 37 YEARS OLD, HE BECAME THE STATE'S YOUNGEST GOVERNOR.

PATTERSON WAS HERALDED FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, LAUNCHING A 100-MILLION-DOLLAR SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM, BUT HE IS ALSO REMEMBERED FOR HIS SEGREGATIONIST STANDS, POSITIONS HE LATER EXPRESSED REGRET FOR HAVING TAKEN.

PATTERSON SOUGHT A SECOND TERM AS GOVERNOR IN 1966, BUT WAS DEFEATED BY LURLEEN WALLACE.

DON: IN 1970, PATTERSON RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT.

IN 1984, HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE STATE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, ON WHICH HE SERVED UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 1997.

A PRIVATE FAMILY MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR PATTERSON WAS ALSO PLANNED.

DON: CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL OF SELMA HAS LOST HER MOTHER.

NANCY GARDNER SEWELL DIED THURSDAY.

IN A STATEMENT, THE CONGRESSWOMAN SAID THAT SHE AND HER FAMILY APPRECIATED THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT AND THAT FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE PENDING.

NANCY SEWELL WAS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN ELECTED TO THE SELMA CITY COUNCIL.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY CALLED HER A ‘TRAILBLAZER' AND WAS AMONG A HOST DIGNITARIES WHO EXPRESSED CONDOLENCES.

NANCY GARDNER SEWELL WAS 81 YEARS OLD.

DON: CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE SAID THIS WEEK THAT HE WOULD SWEAR OUT AN ARREST WARRANT AGAINST A PROCESS SERVER WHO BROOKS CONTENDS TRESPASSED ON HIS PROPERTY WHILE SERVING HIS WIFE WITH A LAWSUIT AGAINST HIM.

THAT SUIT CONTENDS THAT BROOKS AND OTHERS, INCLUDING FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, HELPED INCITE THE JANUARY RIOTS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY DEMOCRATIC CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMAN ERIC SWALWELL, WHO HAS SAID THAT HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE SERVING BROOKS.

BROOKS TOOK EXCEPTION WITH THAT THIS WEEK ON FOX NEWS.

ROUGHLY A 100 DIFFERENT TIMES HE COULD HAVE HAD ME SERVED AS I'M WALKING TO OR FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR WHERE I VOTE AND MY HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING.

BUT HE CHOSE NOT TO.

THAT WOULD CHASE MY WIFE DOWN AS SHE WAS COMING HOME FROM CHURCH.

DON: BROOKS ALSO RELEASED SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT LAST SUNDAY AT HIS HUNTSVILLE HOME.

THE CONGRESSMAN IS, OF COURSE, RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

DON: TWO REPUBLICANS ARE NOW RUNNING AGAINST BROOKS FOR THE GOP SENATE NOMINATION.

THAT AFTER FORMER BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA PRESIDENT AND CEO KATIE BRITT ENTERED THE RACE THIS WEEK.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME IN A VIDEO RELEASED BY HER CAMPAIGN.

WASHINGTON IS FULL OF CAREER POLITICIANS WHO'RE ALL TALK AND NO ACTION.

I'M KATIE BRITT AND I'M DELIVER RESULTS FOR OUR STATE AND NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR IT.

WE NEED A SENATOR FOR ALABAMA.

DON: BEFORE HER TENURE WITH THE BUSINESS COUNCIL, KATIE BRITT SERVED AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY, WHO IS RETIRING NEXT YEAR AND WHO BRITT IS NOW RUNNING TO SUCCEED.

SHELBY ENDORSED HER CANDIDACY THIS WEEK.

DON: STATE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS THIS WEEK SAID THEY WERE MOVING AHEAD WITH PLANS TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTING THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT THIS FALL, INCLUDING THE MANDATE THAT THIRD GRADERS BE HELD BACK IF THEY CAN'T READ AT GRADE LEVEL.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY RECENTLY VETOED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE DELAYED THAT MANDATE FOR TWO YEARS, BECAUSE OF LEARNING LOSS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IN PART ONE OF A TWO-PART SERIES, CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK TONIGHT AT WHAT EDUCATION OFFICIALS ARE DOING TO PREPARE STUDENTS.

THE STATE BOARD JACKIE ZIEGLER IS ON THE TASK FORCE GROUP THAT IS SETTING THE ESSENTIAL STANDARDS.

THE WHOLE INTENT IS BY DELINEATING OUT WHAT ARE THOSE MINIMAL STANDARDS, SKILLS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR A KINDERGARTENER TO MAST TREE OR AT LEAST MASTERY.

THE PLAN IS TO CONTINUE BUILDING ON THAT FOUNDATION THROUGH THIRD GRADE.

SO THAT WHEN THE STUDENT REACHES THIRD GRADE THEY WON'T HIT IT LIKE A BRICK WALL.

ZIEGLER AND ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION STAFF STARTING IN KINDERGARTEN INTERIM TESTING WILL BE CONDUCTED.

>> SO PRIOR TO THIS YEAR WE KNEW BY THE TIME THEY GOT TO THIRD GRADE.

WE'RE TAKING THE TEMPERATURE AT THE THIRD GRADE.

SO THOSE INTERVENTIONS ARE BEGINNING EARLIER.

AND DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND WE'RE DOING IT AT A STATE LEVEL OVER.

>> THE COACHES SHE REFERENCED ARE READING COACHES.

1, 2, 3.

AND THEN THEY READ TO LEARN.

IF THE CHILDREN CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE WRITTEN WORD OR HOW TO UNDERSTAND A WORD INTO PHONICS TO DECIPHER THEN HOW ARE THEY GOING TO MASTER THOSE.

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

DON: THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION THIS WEEK ALSO TOOK UP THE CONTROVERSY OVER WHETHER OR NOT SO-CALLED‘CRITICAL RACE THEORY' SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS.

IT'S A CONCEPT THAT'S BEING DEBATED AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND IT CONTENDS THAT RACISM IS NOT ONLY ROOTED IN INDIVIDUAL BIAS AND PREJUDICE, BUT IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEMS AND POLICIES.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. ERIC MACKEY TOLD BOARD MEMBERS THIS WEEK THAT OFFICIALS ARE WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON A RESOLUTION THAT WILL BE READY FOR CONSIDERATION NEXT MONTH.

>> WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO BE TAUGHT THAT YOU'LL SEE IN THE RESOLUTION THAT SETS UP OUR CHILDREN TO THINK OF ONE RACE OR SEX AS BETTER THAN THE OTHER OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE WANT TO MAKE A CLEAR STATEMENT WHAT WE BELIEVE AND AT THE SAME TIME WE WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS WE DON'T GET INTO PLACE WHERE WE END IN A FIRST AMENDMENT LAWSUIT.

DON: MEANTIME, STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE OF MOBILE HAS PRE-FILED A BILL FOR NEXT YEAR THAT WOULD PREVENT STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

DON: THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN HELPING BUSINESSES AROUND THE STATE FILL A GROWING NUMBER OF JOB VACANCIES, OPENINGS THAT CAME ABOUT AS BUSINESSES STARTED RETURNING TO FULL CAPACITY FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> IT'S NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL JUST YET BUT LIFE IS BRINGING PEOPLE OUT AGAIN.

ONE AREA WHERE PEOPLE ARE NEEDED IS THE JOBS FRONT NOW THAT BUSINESSES ARE REOPENING.

YOU LOOK WHAT'S TAKING PLACE IN THE HOTEL AND HOSPITALITY AND RESTAURANTS THERE'S A GREAT NEED THERE.

WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING WITH SOME RESTAURANTS AND HOSPITALITY GROUPS TO PROVIDE SOME TRAINING FOR THEM FOR ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS.

ISN'T JUST HAPPENING IN BOARD ROOMS AND STATE OFFICES ACROSS ALABAMA IT'S ALSO HAPPENING IN CLASSROOMS.

KEITH PHILLIPS IS WITH THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

PART OF THEIR GOAL INCLUDES SUPPORTING THE STATE'S WORKFORCE.

FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP ALABAMA CITIZENS ON A CAREER PATHWAY IT'S IS WIDE OPEN.

OUR COLLEGES ARE WORKING HARD TO CREATE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> BY PROVIDING NEW TRAINING AND OPTIONS HELPING JOB SEEKERS FIND THE JOBS THEY'RE LOOKING FOR OR NEW AVENUES FOR WORK.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY NEED.

WE WANT TO FIND THE ISSUES AND PROVIDE THE SOLUTION.

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

NEXT UP IS SENATOR JAMES McCLENDON.

>> IT'S A PLEASURE.

A LOT WHAT I WANT TO TALK LET'S BEGIN WITH REAPPORTION EVERY PORTION NUT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A SPECIAL SESSION TO REDRAW OUR DISTRICT LINES.

BUT WHEN EXACTLY THE GOVERNOR MAY CALL THIS MAY DEPEND ON WHEN YOU YOU'LL GET THE CENSUS DATA.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE ANTICIPATING AND PRETTY CONFIDENT BY IT WILL TAKE US MAYBE SIX WEEKS TO FINALIZE THE DISTRICT LINES.

SO THAT PLACES US INTO THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER FOR BRINGING THE LEGISLATURE IN -- YOU HAVE TO PASS THESE THINGS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER LAW.

ANY OTHER STATUTE.

SO IT'S GOT TO GO THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THROUGH THE SENATE EACH ONE OF THEM.

WE'RE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, SEVEN OF THEM, A BOARD OF EDUCATION, THERE'S EIGHT OF THOSE.

35 ALABAMA SENATE DISTRICT.

AND 105 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS.

THAT WILL BE THE ONE WE'LL TACKLE LAST.

THIS IS ALL BASED ON SHIFTING POPULATION IN THE STATE.

THERE'S BEEN A TREND FOR DECADES OF THE POPULATION SHIFTING FROM RURAL TO URBAN AREAS, AND WE HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH IT.

EVERY 10 YEARS WE GO IN AND REDRAW ONE PERSON ONE VOTE INTACT.

I'LL REMIND THAT THE CENSUS BUREAU TO WAS DELAYED THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND NOW WE ARE FAIRLY CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL GET WHAT WE NEED BY THE CENSUS BUREAU BY MID-AUGUST.

>> THAT'S A FAIR STATEMENT.

WE WOULD HAVE NORMALLY RECEIVED THESE LAST DECEMBER.

WE'RE EIGHT MONTHS BEHIND SCHEDULE DOING THIS.

A PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE COVID.

CENSUS BUREAU GOES OUT AND KNOCKS ON DOOR.

THERE WAS A HESITANCY TO DO THAT.

IT LOOKS LIKE AUGUST IS THE DEADLINE.

WE FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT IT.

THERE IS A LAWSUIT THAT ALABAMA IS PARTICIPATING THAT COULD THROW A MONKEY WRENCH IN THIS THING.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE TARGETING A SPECIAL SESSION AUGUST, MAYBE THE THIRD WEEK OF AUGUST ABOUT THAT PERIOD OF TIME THOUGH.

>> 3rd OF OCTOBER.

>> AUGUST WE GET THE DATA.

OCTOBER WE HAVE THE SPECIAL SESSION.

THAT'S IN PREPARATION FOR THE PRIMARIES.

THE PRIMARIES WILL BE MAY 24TH, 2022.

BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER.

LAWSUIT ALABAMA OVER THE CENSUS DATA FROM LAST YEAR.

>> THE CENSUS BUREAU CAME UP WITH A WAY OF MASSAGING THE DATA A LITTLE BIT IN ORDER TO ANONYMITY.

>> THEY'RE SWAPPING THE NUMBERS AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

OUR STATE ALONG WITH 16 OTHERS ARE OPPOSED TO THAT PROCESS SAYING YOUR NUMBERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE ACCURATE.

AND WE JUST HAVE TO SEE THE OUTCOME.

THAT'S BEFORE A 3 JUDGE PANEL.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LOTTERY.

THERE WAS A MORE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN ON THE TABLE THIS YEAR.

NEITHER GOT OUT.

ARE YOU PLANNING TO BRING LEGISLATION BACK NEXT YEAR?

>> WHAT A GOOD QUESTION, DON.

I DON'T KNOW.

I'VE MADE THIS ATTEMPT SO MANY TIMES, AND I'VE -- YOU KNOW I'M FIGHTING WINDMILLS HERE.

WE GOT SO CLOSE THIS LAST TIME.

I DID INTRODUCE A PURE LOTTERY BILL AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES IN THE SENATE.

IT HAD TO BE CHANGED TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING BILL FOR THE STATE.

THAT BILL WAS A GOOD BILL.

IT WAS A HARD FOUGHT AND WELL PUT TOGETHER.

WE HAD EXCESS VOTES WHEN WE VOTED IT OUT AND SENT IT TO THE HOUSE.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT SENSE.

>> AND HE SAID HE PLANS TO BRING THAT PIECE BACK AND THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF RUMORS SWIRLING AROUND THIS MIGHT MERIT A SPECIAL SESSION MAYBE EVEN A SPECIAL SESSION WITHIN THE REGULAR SESSION.

>> I'M NOT SO SURE THAT THE SPECIAL SESSION IS THE WAY TO HANDLE SOMETHING SO HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL.

FOR A SPECIAL SESSION TO BE SUCCESSFUL YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR VOTES ROUNDED UP, IN PLACE AND COMMITTED BEFORE YOU GO IN OR YOU COME OUT WITH A EGG ON YOUR FACE.

AND YOU CALL A SPECIAL SESSION AND YOU LOSE ON THE ISSUE YOU'RE INTERESTED IN AND THEN YOU'RE BACK WHERE YOU ARE.

MAYBE WORSE OFF.

I HOPEDALE DOES COME FORWARD WITH A COMPREHENSIVE BILL.

MORE THAN LIKELY I'LL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT THE EFFORT THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE.

IF THERE'S ANYTHING I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS WHY DON'T WE HAVE A LOTTERY IN ALABAMA.

IT IS TIME TO GET OVER THIS AND GET ON WITH IT.

>> OF COURSE THERE'S A BIG PUSH WHERE THIS IS CONCERNED NEXT YEAR IS A AN ELECTION YEAR.

IT WOULD BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BUT THE PEOPLE WOULD ULTIMATELY DECIDE.

>> NOVEMBER OF 2022 WOULD BE THE GENERAL ELECTION NEXT YEAR AND IF IT CAME OUT OF THE TWI-22 REGULAR SESSION WHICH STARTS IN JANUARY, THEN THAT WOULD PLACE IT -- THAT COULD BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

SENATOR, I WANT TO TURN TO OUR INFANT MORTALITY RATE.

IT'S THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY IN ALABAMA BLACK BELT AREA.

YOU WANT TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK BY BRINGING IN MIDWIVES WHO'RE LEGAL IN ALABAMA THANKS TO LEGISLATION THAT PASSED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

I BELIEVE YOU'RE SCHEDULING A MEETING IN MID-JULY MIDWIVES COURSE AND PLACE IT SOMEWHERE IN ALABAMA'S BLACK BELT.

>> MY PLAN IS TO -- SINCE WE HAVE A DEARTH OF MEDICAL CARE IN THE BLACK BELT, THE MOTHERS THERE ARE NOT RECEIVING PRENATAL CARE.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST INFANT MORTALITY RIGHT HERE IN ALABAMA.

AND SINCE WE'VE MADE MIDWIFERY A LEGAL ENTITY IN ALABAMA WE'VE GOT A MIDWIFERY BOARD.

WE HAVE THE STRUCTURE IN PLACE.

MY THOUGHT IS TO TRAIN MIDWIVES IN A TWO YEAR COLLEGE, A COMMUNITY COLLEGE THAT'S LOCATED IN THE BLACK BELT.

WHAT I LIKE TO SEE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH THAT PROGRAM AND OFFER SCRIPPS THAT LIVE IN THAT DISTRICT AND START PROVIDING SOME CARE FOR THESE PREGNANT LADIES THAT ARE RURAL.

THEY'RE ISOLATED.

THEY HAVE -- OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ACCESS AND TO MOVE INTO THE BLACK BELT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

IT'S BEEN SIMPLY BEEN IGNORED IN BAM.

WE HAVE BABIES DYING AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

>> DO YOU HAVE THAT MIDWIVES PROGRAM COULD GO A LONG WAY.

>> NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

WHAT I WANT IS TO TRAIN THE PEOPLE THAT ALREADY LIVE IN THE BLACK BELT.

>> AGAIN YOU'RE PLANNING A MEETING IN JULY WITH MIDWIVES TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS.

>> YES.

WE'RE MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE 2-YEAR SYSTEM AND WE'RE GOING TO ESTABLISH WHAT WE NEED IN THE WAY OF A BUDGET AND HOPEFULLY COME FORWARD WITH A LEGISLATION IN JANUARY OF 2022.

>> SENATOR, BEFORE WE CLOSE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO YOU ANNOUNCED YOU ARE NOT SEEKING REELECTION TO THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR.

>> IN NOVEMBER 2022 WHEN THE NEXT ELECTIONS ARE HELD I HAVE COMPLETED 20 YEARS IN MONTGOMERY.

I DID THREE TERMS IN THE HOUSE.

I'VE DONE TWO TERMS IN THE SENATE AND THAT'S ENOUGH.

THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME.

I'VE GOT SOME OTHER THINGS I'M INTERESTED IN, AND I'M READY TO LET SOMEBODY ELSE COME IN AND TAKE THE TORCH AND RUN WITH IT AND REPRESENT ST. CLAIR, CHEVY COUNTIES AND BRING THEIR IDEAS FORWARD.

>> YOU'VE GOT SOME OTHER THINGS YOU WANT TO DO.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS.

WELL, I'M KEEPING MY POWDER DRY.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT DEVELOPS.

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING SPECIFIC.

>> STAY TUNED, RIGHT.

>> STAY TUNED.

>> SENATOR JIM McCLENDON.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

NEXT UP ON THE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ON MERIKA COLEMAN IS HERE.

>> I WANT TO BEGIN WITH A RESOLUTION YOU SPONSORED THAT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR IN RECENT YEARS.

IT'S AN EFFORT TO REMOVE RACIST LANGUAGE FROM THE CONSTITUTION.

>> VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THAT BILL PASSED IN 2019.

UNANIMOUSLY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THEN THE VOTERS OVERWHELMING SUPPORTED MANY.

NOW THE NEXT STEP IS TO 10 MEMBERS TO GO THROUGH THE DOCUMENT AND WORK ON REMOVING THAT LANGUAGE.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE AN ARDUOUS TASK.

>> WE'LL HAVE A FEW MONTHS TO GET THIS WORK DONE.

AND PROBABLY THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHEN THE DOCUMENT ITSELF IT WILL GO BACK ON IN THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER OF '22.

>> YOU WILL PUT THE NEW PROPOSED LANGUAGE.

>> THAT'S IT.

THEY HAVE TO CODIFY STKO -- TO REMOVE THE RACIST LANGUAGE TO PUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN A SECTION WHERE EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT, AND MAKE IT MORE USER-FRIENDLY.

RIGHT NOW OVER 800 AMENDMENTS TO THE ALABAMA CONSTITUTION.

I LIVE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

AND AMENDMENT 892 SO YOU DON'T KNOW.

WE WANT TO DO THAT BY COUNTY SO IT WILL BE MORE USER-FRIENDLY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A COMMISSION.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE COMMISSION.

>> I WILL BE ON THE COMMISSION AS A SPONSOR OF BILL.

THERE WILL BE OTHER PEOPLE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PRO TEM.

AND PEOPLE ARE CALLING NOW ASKING TO SERVE.

THAT WANT TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED.

I HAD A STUDENT GET IN FROM MILES COLLEGE.

SOMEONE THAT YOUNG HAD PAID ATTENTION TO THAT ISSUE, AND WANTED TO SERVE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THOSE APPOINTMENTS WILL HAPPEN AND WE'LL HAVE OUR FIRST COMMISSION MEETING BY JULY 1.

>> WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HAVING NEW LANGUAGE BE WRITTEN.

>> SO IT'S NOT NEW LANGUAGE WRITTEN.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR.

>> REMOVING THE OUTDATED LANGUAGE.

A LOT OF THAT LANGUAGE THAT'S IN THE DOCUMENT RIGHT NOW, IT'S BEEN OVERRIDDEN BY FEDERAL LAW.

WE WANT TO REMOVE THAT.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO SPEND THEIR TOURISM DOLLARS HERE.

AND SO AGAIN WE WANT TO MAKE FOLKS WE'RE A 21st CENTURY ALABAMA NOT A 1901 ALABAMA.

>> SOME PEOPLE MAY BE SURPRISED THERE IS RACIST LANGUAGE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S LEFT OVER FROM ANOTHER ERA.

AND IT'S NEVER BEEN REMOVED.

>> THERE'S BEEN EFFORTS OVER THE YEARS.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO COUPLE IT WITH THE EDUCATION SECTION AND CHANGE HOW WE DO FORMULAS.

WE'RE NOT DOING ANY OF THAT.

WE'RE REMOVING THAT RACIST LANGUAGE SO FOLKS CAN KNOW WE'RE A 21st CENTURY ALABAMA.

>> WAS THERE ANY PARTICULAR LANGUAGE THAT SPURRED YOU ON.

>> THE ALABAMA SILT SUNS OF FORRESTAL REFORM.

I WAS INTRODUCED TO THEM RIGHT BEFORE COMING TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND HAD BEEN WORKING WITH THEM THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

WE HAVE IN OUR CONSTITUTION THAT BLACK CHILDREN AND WHITE CHILDREN CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL TOGETHER.

THAT'S DISHEARTENING.

IN ADDITION TO THAT BLACK AND WHITE PEOPLE CANNOT MARRY EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE A BLACK AND WHITE PEOPLE THAT ARE HAPPILY MARRIED.

I'M GOING TO USE THAT THEME OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> AND I WANT TO GO THAT IS KEY IN THIS YOU'RE NOT ADDING LANGUAGE.

YOU ARE REMOVING LANGUAGE.

>> WE'RE REMOVING THAT RACIST LANGUAGE.

I'VE HAD WOMAN'S WHAT ABOUT SEXIST LANGUAGE.

THAT WILL BE THE NEXT TIME AROUND.

THAT THE ALABAMA CITIZENS FORRESTAL REFORM.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE AT THIS POINT.

I'M EXCITED.

I WAS REALLY EXCITED WHEN THE VOTERS IN ALABAMA.

I THINK IT'S A SYMBOL WHO WE ARE.

WE NEED TO PASS SOME LAW THAT MATCHES THAT SYMBOL.

THIS IS A FIRST GREAT STEP IN SHOWING FOLKS WHO WE ARE TODAY.

>> ANY PARTICULAR POLICY.

SURE WE NEED TO LOOK AT RACIAL DISPARITIES ACROSS-THE-BOARD WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, EDUCATION IN THOSE AREAS.

I THINK THAT'S A LARGER AGENDA LATER ON.

I HAVE A COMMISSION FOR THAT LATER ON.

SO AGAIN ONCE WE DO THIS SYMBOL OF REMOVING THAT RACIST LANGUAGE WE NEED TO LOOK AT PUBLIC POLICY.

IN ADDITION ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES DID LEGISLATION TO REMOVE THOSE CONFEDERATE A. MISSISSIPPI HAS CHANGED THEIR STATE FLAG TO REPRESENT A 21st CENTURY MISSISSIPPI.

SO THIS GIVES US THE CHANCE TO BE A 21st CENTURY ALABAMA.

>> IT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL BUT THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT SHE WILL REVISIT THIS NEXT WEEK.

I'M SURE SHE WILL.

SHE'LL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE FOLKS.

IT TAKES SEVERAL YEARS.

THIS PROCESS WAS MADE TO BE SLOW.

I KNOW SOME OF OUR NEWER CLEINGS MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THAT.

YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO PASS EVERY BILL EVERY YEAR.

AND HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT EYES ON IT.

SO WE DON'T IMPACT PEOPLE DETRIMENTAL'S.

AND HOPEFULLY GET A MOVEMENT ACROSS THE STATE SHOWING WE ARE A 21st CENTURY ALABAMA.

>> GETTING YOUR TAKE ON OUR PRISONS RIGHT.

THE GOVERNOR'S PRIVATE LEASE DEAL AS IT EXISTED FELL THROUGH.

SHE WAS MEETING WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO EXPLORE OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

WHERE DO YOU FALL.

WE'RE GOING TO END UPCOMING BACK TO A SPECIAL SESSION.

I OUR SPECIAL SESSION WE WILL LOOK AT THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO ABOUT BUILDING OUR WAY OUT OF THE OVERCROWDING SITUATION THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT SENTENCING AND DECRIMINALIZATION.

BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS IN NOW.

AND IF WE DON'T MAKE FULL CHANGES WE DON'T WANT TO FACE A FULL FEDERAL TAKEOVER.

>> SOME LEGISLATURE REFORM.

LOT MORE NEEDS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED.

I SERVE ON THE JUDICIARY, AND PEOPLE BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WERE SPONSORING LEGISLATION AND GOT SOME PASSED TO DEAL WITH THE OVERCROWDING PRISON POPULATION WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF BAM.

WE CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER.

BUT MANY EXPECT IT TO ULTIMATELY COME ABOUT.

>> SURE.

WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE.

HE EXPECTED THAT MAYBE IN MID-AUGUST.

DOES THAT SEEM LIKELY.

THAT IS THE RUMOR WE'RE ALL HEARING, AND SO WE HAVE TWO HOUSES BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THEN THE THIRD HOUSE I REFER AS THE LOBBYIST.

AND WE'RE HEARING AUGUST OR SO FOR THE PRISON ISSUE.

>> IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PRISONS AND MAYBE WE'RE HEARING STIMULUS MONEY SPENDING IN THAT SESSION.

THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL SESSION IN THE FALL TO DEAL WITH THE REAPPORTIONMENT.

>> WE'VE GOT TO REDRAW THOSE LINE.

OF COURSE THE CENSUS WAS LATE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THOSE NUMBERS.

AND TO GET READY FOR THE NEXT ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

>> ALSO THERE'S SOME RUMORS GOING AROUND WHERE GAMBLING CONCERNED.

WE MIGHT END UP WITH HAVING A SPECIAL SESSION IN THE REGULAR SESSION.

ORIGINALLY WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THREE THIS YEAR.

WE MAY WAIT ON GAMING UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

IT'S JUST WHEN WE OPEN THE REGULAR SESSION AND STOP IT OR HAVE THAT ONE OR TWO ITEMS OF THE PART OF THE EXTRAORDINARY SESSION.

THOSE ARE THE RUMORS.

BUT RUMORS DO CHANGE.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE'RE HEARING RIGHT NOW.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST SENATE CLAY SCHOFIELD IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

MR. LEADER GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE SHOW.

>> NICE TO BE BACK.

>> I WANT TO BEGIN WITH PRISONS.

GOVERNOR IVEY WAS MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS AFTER HER PRIVATE LEASE FELL THROUGH.

I KNOW AMONG THE OPTIONS IS A POSSIBLE STATE BOND ISSUE.

AS YOU WILL ULTIMATELY BE INVOLVED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.

I'M WONDERING WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE AS WE MOVE INTO THIS PLAN B PHASE SO TO SPEAK.

THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT WE FACE AS A STATE.

AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T NEED THE FEDS TO COME IN AND TELL US EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

IN THAT HOW MANY PRISONERS TO LET THAT.

WE DON'T WANT THAT.

SO WE STAND READY AS A LEGISLATURE.

ESPECIALLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE TO LEND A HAND AND OFFER ANY SUPPORT TO SOLVE THIS WILL PROBLEM, AND AS YOU MENTIONED SOME OF OUR LEADERS ARE MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CAUCUS MEETING TO DISCUSS WHAT THAT MEETING ENTAILED.

AND GET THE DISCUSSION GOING ON OUR END TO SEE WHAT SOME OF THE IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS ARE TO THIS PROBLEM.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT NEW PRISONS NEED TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> DEFINITELY.

NEW PRISONS ARE GOING TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.

NEW PRISONS BY DESIGN THE DESIGN ON THESE NEW PRISON ACTUALLY MONEY SO THAT WE CAN HELP PAY FOR THEM.

IN OTHER WORDS, CONSOLIDATING SOME OF OUR PRISONS INTO ONE.

ANYONE WITH ANY COMMON SENSE IF YOU PULL FOUR INTO ONE THE MONEY YOU SAVE IN SOME AREAS CAN YIELD TO ACTUALLY SERVICE ANY DEBT WE MAY TAKE ON.

YES I THINK THAT NEW PRISONS ARE DEFINITELY A PART OF THE EQUATION.

CERTAINLY NOT ALL OF IT.

BUT I DO THINK THEY'RE A CRITICAL PART.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTICULAR.

MANY THAT WOULD CONTEND THAT GOVERNOR IVEY WENT OUT A LIMB.

DID YOU PREFER ONE OVER THE PRIVATE LEASE VERSUS A STATE BOND ISSUE.

I PREFER SOLVING THE PROBLEM.

AND WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE, THEN THAT'S THE ROUTE WE NEED TO TAKE.

IN THE PAST WE HAVE TRIED TO AND TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM TO PASS SOME FIXES THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU HAVE SOME GEOGRAPHICAL CHALLENGES IN SOME MEMBER'S DISTRICT THAT HAVE AN ECONOMY IMPACT THEY DON'T WANT THEM TO LEAVE.

THAT HAS TO BE PART OF THE EQUATION SMOOTHING THOSE ECONOMIES OVER, AND SUPPORTING THEM FOR THOSE LOSSES.

I THINK IT'S A MUCH BIGGER PICTURE THAT SOLVING THE PRISONS BUT HAVING EVERYONE AT THE TABLE WHICH I KNOW WE INTEND TO DO IS GOING TO HELP COME UP WITH THE BIG PICTURE SOLUTION.

WHERE THE PRIVATE LEASE DEAL WAS CONCERNED WE WOULDN'T OWN THESE PRISONS.

WAS THAT EVER A CONCERN FOR YOU IN THESE DISCUSSIONS.

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT.

I THINK THAT WAS CONCERNING.

AND I THINK A LOT OF OUR MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN WITH THAT.

BUT NOW THAT THAT'S -- THAT DEAL IS OFF THE TABLE I THINK YOU KNOW WE'RE -- WE DON'T NEED TO LOOK BACK.

WE NEED TO LOOK FORWARD AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.

THERE HAVE BEEN OPPONENTS BUILDING NEW PRISONS PARTICULARLY A LOT OF THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN POINTED OUT IN A FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER THIS ISSUE.

GOVERNOR I VEY.

HAS DUG IN HER HEELS.

ALSO WITH THE NEW AND TECHNOLOGICALLY SECURITY SYSTEMS THAT THESE FACILITIES COULD BE EQUIPPED WITH.

AT THE SAME TIME WE NEED TO GO FURTHER WITH THE SENTENCING REFORM.

THE LEGISLATURE DID RESPOND SOMEWHAT THIS YEAR.

WITHOUT A DOUBT.

THERE'S NO QUESTION WE'RE GOING TO NEED NEW PRISONS, LOOK, WE HAVE TO KEEP BAD PEOPLE IN PRISON.

FIRST AND FOREMOST WE HAVE TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE.

THAT NEEDS TO BE OUR -- WHERE WE START OUT WITH FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

THE NUMBER ONE PREMISE HAS TO BE TO KEEP THE BAD FOLKS INCARCERATED AND KEEP THE GOOD FOLKS SAFE.

AND WITH THAT BEING SAID ANY OTHER TYPE OF REFORM MEASURES NEED TO REFLECT JUST THAT.

THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BAD PEOPLE ARE KEPT BEHIND BARS AND THE GOOD PEOPLE ARE KEPT SAFE.

I THINK THAT DEFINITELY THE REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE SENATE HAD THAT MINDSET AND WOULD ONLY SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REFLECT THAT.

IT'S WIDELY EXPECTED THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON THIS ISSUE.

DO YOU AGREE IT MERITS ONE.

>> I DO.

I THINK IT'S A BIG ISSUE.

WE GET IN AND ADDRESS IT.

THE FED KNOWS WE'RE SERIOUS AND WE'RE GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM SO WE DON'T HAVE AN UNEXPECTED RULING WHERE THEY'RE TELLING US WHAT TO DO.

I THINK IT WARRANTS A SPECIAL.

>> LET'S TURN TO BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY.

THE GOVERNOR IVEY IN BROADBAND TO EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICE.

WE FIND OURSELVES IN A UNIQUE POSITION THIS HUGE INFUSION FROM THE STIMULUS.

IT'S HUGE NOT THE LEAST COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTING PROMOTING BROADBAND EXPANSION.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

I NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD BE HERE.

WE WERE DEFINITELY HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BUT IT WAS A VERY SLOW GO.

AND IT WAS RATHER PIECEMEAL.

NOW WITH THE STIMULUS DOLLARS IN THE ONE THING WE DO KNOW WE CAN USE THOSE ON IS BROADBAND EXPANSION.

THE PANDEMIC HAS DEFINITELY SHOWN HOW IMPORTANT BROADBAND IS IMPORTANT.

WHETHER THAT HEALTHCARE OR EDUCATION OR FOLKS WORKING FROM HOME OR DOING BUSINESS FROM HOME.

THIS IS DEFINITELY A PRIORITY FOR OURS, AND IT'S A PRIORITY FOR GOVERNOR IVEY.

I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ELECTED THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT AUTHORITY.

WE ARE TASKED WITH DEVELOPING A STATEWIDE PLAN FOR BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EXPANSION ALL OVER THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN UNSERVED AREAS.

MEANING PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE BROADBAND WE HEAR YOU AND WE'RE WORKING TO ALLEVIATE THAT.

AND SO WE HAVE A MONUMENTAL TASK AHEAD WITH US WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE TO USE TO EXPAND BROADBAND.

WE WANT TO BE VERY THOROUGH AND WE WANT TO BE METICULOUS AND WE WANT TO STRETCH THOSE DOLLARS.

WE WANT THOSE DOLLARS TO GET FIBER TO THE HOME AND TO THE BUSINESS.

WE HAVE WHAT I WOULD CALL AN ALL-STAR BLUE-RIBBON AUTHORITY SET UP WITH SOME OF THE BEST MINDS AROUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OUR WORK PRODUCT AS WE GET FINISHED.

>> INDEED.

IN DIGITAL EXPANSION AUTHORITY THAT WAS JUST EMPANELED WAS AN OUTGROWTH IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

REPRESENTATIVE MARSH AND GAIL PASSED IT.

IT WAS VERY TIMELY WITH THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH.

WE THOUGHT WE HAD ABOUT ANOTHER YEAR BUT THESE DOLLARS COMING HAS REALLY SPED THINGS UP.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN AND NEED A PLAN.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE STATE OF ALABAMA MORE THAN LIKELY IS AHEAD OF EVERY STATE IN THE COUNTRY IN REGARDS TO THIS.

OTHER STATES HAVE COME TO SEE WHAT WE'VE DONE.

I EXPECT THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO COME AND SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE WILL BY THE END OF THE YEAR, ONE OF THE VERY FEW IF NOT THE ONLY ADDRESS LEVEL MAPS OF OUR STATE.

WHERE BROADBAND IS, WHERE IT IS NOT AND WHAT SPEEDS AND CAPACITIES DOWN TO THE ADDRESS LEVEL.

I'M NOT SURE THERE'S ANOTHER STATE OUT THERE THAT IS GOING TO HAVE THAT.

WE ARE ACTUALLY SEVERAL PROBABLY YEARS AHEAD OF OTHER STATES.

SO WE'RE IN A POSITION REALLY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA BECAUSE THIS MONEY HAS TO BE SPENT OR OBLIGATED BY 2024.

SO YOU CAN IMAGINE OTHER STATES ARE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING TO THE POINT WE ARE.

>> SENATOR CLAY SCHOFIELD OF ALABAMA.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FINALLY BROADCAST IT'S OUR WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

>> DR. HARRIS LET'S BEGIN WITH OUR VACCINATION RATE.

CONTINUES TO BE A GREAT CONCERN.

MOST NIGHTS THEY POINT OUT THE STATES WITH THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES.

ALABAMA HAS THE SECOND LOWEST.

>> CLEARLY WE WISH WE WERE DOING A BETTER JOB WITH THAT.

RIGHT NOW 34% OF OUR POPULATION ABOUT 40% OF OUR ELIGIBLE HAS GOTTEN A SHOT.

CLEARLY THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

CLEARLY THE PRESIDENT HAS SET A GOAL OF 70%.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

WHICH HAS BEEN OBVIOUS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

WE'RE REALLY STRUGGLING HOW TO MESSAGE THE PEOPLE WHO'RE ON THE FENCE.

WE KNOW THAT ANTI-VAXXERS.

AND HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU THAT COULD CAUSE EVENTUALLY AN UPTICK IN OUR DAILY CASE RATES.

AND MEMORIAL DAY IS BEING WATCHED VERY CLOSELY AS A STRESS TEST WE NEED TO PASS IF WE'RE GOING TO SEE UPTICKS IN CASES AGAIN.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THIS IS HARD TO TAKE COMFORT.

OVER 500,000 PEOPLE THAT INFECTED.

A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE STILL DO HAVE SOME NATURAL IMMUNITY.

IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE SAME KIND OF IMMUNITY AS EFFECTIVE AS A VACCINE NOT FOREVER.

ALTHOUGH IT IS LONGER LASTING THAN WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE TREMENDOUS OUTBREAKS WE SAW IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY WITH THE CURRENT VIRUS STRAINS WE ARE CIRCULATING.

WHAT IF WE HAVE A VARIANT THAT BECOMES EASY TO TRANSMIT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT VARIANTS.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IMMUNITY FOR A MOMENT.

DR. SUSAN JUDD WHO'S A RESPECTED EPIDEMIOLOGIST.

>> YOU KNOW, AGAIN YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DISTINCTION WHAT YOUR GOAL IS.

COMPLETELY ERADICATING IT IT'S NEVER GOING TO GO COMPLETELY AWAY.

I THINK WHAT WE WOULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE IF WE HAD LESS THAN A 100 CASES.

WE DON'T RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD THINK OF AS A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME THAT WOULD BE REPRESENTATIVE OF HERD IMMUNITY.

HERD IMMUNITY.

IT JUST MEANS THAT THE NUMBERS ARE MUCH MORE MANAGE MANY BIBLE AND MUCH LOWER THAN WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU AND HAVE PLANNED IN THE BIRMINGHAM THAT PROPOSES A VACCINE LOTTERY.

OUTSIDE OF THAT I BELIEVE PUBLIC HEALTH IS REACH OUT TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND ASKING BUSINESSES TO INCENTIVIZE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GET A SHOT BY PROVIDING TIME OFF OF FROM WORK TO DO SO.

WE HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO BUSINESSES AROUND THE STATE.

WE THINK THAT THE LARGE EMPLOYERS WHO MAY BE DOING VACCINATIONS IN THEIR OWN WORKPLACE.

SOME OF THEM HAVE NOT THOUGHT THROUGH HOW TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED THAT LOGISTICS OF PROVIDING TIME FOR PEOPLE TO GO VACCINATED.

WE THINK THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS MADE A LOT OF EFFORTS.

WE HOPE THEY'LL CONTINUE DOING THAT.

FROM A STANDPOINT OF A LOTTERY.

ALABAMA IS NOT GOING TO PERMIT A LOTTERY YOU HAVE A DRAWING FOR ONE PERSON WINS OUT ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT GOT A SHOT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THERE ARE INCENTIVES WE CAN DO.

WE DO HAVE THE TALLADEGA SUPER SPEED DAY WHERE THEY GOT TO DRIVE THEIR CAR ON THE TRACK IF THEY GOT A VACCINE.

JUST A SMALL TOKEN.

AND THOSE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO.

>> DO WE HAVE REASON TO WORRY WE COULD HAVE AN UNEXPECTED OUTBREAK IN THIS STATE.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE AT-RISK FOR OUTBREAK WHEN WE HAVE POCKETS THAT AREN'T VACCINATED.

IF YOU HAVE A SCHOOL OR WHERE MOST PEOPLE AREN'T VACCINATED.

IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON AND THEN YOU CAN YOU HAVE AN OUTBREAK.

YOU KNOW IN A SCHOOL OR IN A BUSINESS OR WHENEVER.

SO WE ARE CERTAINLY AT-RISK FOR THAT.

YOU BROUGHT UP VARIANTS EARLIER.

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN WARD OFF A VARIANT IS AGAIN GETTING MORE SHOTS IN ARMS.

A LOT OF PRESS ON THE DELTA VARIANT WHICH ORIGINATED IN INDIA WHICH IS THE DOMINANT STRAIN IN THE U.K. >> OR AT LEAST THE SPEED WITH WHICH IT BECAME ONE OF THE DOMINANT STRAINS.

HERE IN THE UNITED STATES ONLY 6% OF THE CASES HAVE BEEN THE VARIANT.

BUT WE'VE HAD A TOTAL I BELIEVE OF AS OF EARLY OF 7 INDIVIDUAL CASES OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

THAT THE CURRENT VACCINE SEEM TO WORK WELL.

AT LEAST IF YOU GET TWO SHOTS.

MENT PFIZER WORKS VERY WELL TO PROTECT YOU AGAINST DELTA.

BUT IT'S VERY LIKELY TO BE THE SAME.

>> BEFORE WE GO DR. HARRIS THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CUTBACK ON ITS REPORTING.

SOME ARE LOOKING ASKANCE.

IS THAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO RIGHT NOW.

WE FELT IT WAS APPROPRIATE GIVEN THE RESOURCES WE HAVE.

WE HAD TO SHORT OF SORT AND DEVELOP AND CREATE THAT FROM SCRATCH.

EVERY WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY TO MAINTAIN THAT DASHBOARD.

NOW WE'RE SEEING CASE NUMBERS OF DOZENS MUCH OR 200 A DAYS.

WE FEEL UPDATING IT TWO OR THREE TIMES IN A WEEK IS OKAY.

>> THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US COLLECTING AND REVIEW EVERY SINGLE DAY AND WHAT ACTUALLY GETS INTO THE PUBLIC FACING WEBSITE.

IS THAT THE STAFF DEVOTED TO TAKING THOSE NUMBERS AND TRANSLATING THEM INTO A PUBLIC WEBSITE HAS DIMINISHED TO THREE DAYS A WEEK.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT OUR USUAL TIME OF 7:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE AND OUR GUESTS ARE SET TO INCLUDE REP. TERRI COLLINS OF DECATUR, WHO'LL TALK ABOUT THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT SHE SPONSORED TWO YEARS AGO TAKING EFFECT IN SCHOOLS THIS FALL.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED REP. JEREMY GRAY OF OPELIKA, WHO'LL TALK ABOUT HIS LEGISLATION ALLOWING YOGA TO BE TAUGHT IN STATE SCHOOLS BEING SIGNED INTO LAW.

REP. SHANE STRINGER OF CITRONELLE WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HE SAYS ARE URGENT ROAD REPAIR NEEDS IN HIS DISTRICT AND HIS LOSING HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT JOB OVER HIS SUPPORT OF CERTAIN GUN LEGISLATION.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK WITH US TO DISCUSS THE LATEST ON VACCINATIONS.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.