>> TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," BUDGET HEARINGS AT THE STATE HOUSE ALLOW AGENCIES TO TELL LAWMAKERS JUST HOW BADLY INFLATION IS CUTTING INTO THEIR SPENDING PLANS.

WE'LL HAVE THE DETAILS.

ALABAMA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HITS A NEW RECORD LOW.

WE'LL REVIEW THE NUMBERS.

WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS COMING UP, WE'LL RUNDOWN WHO IS ON THE BALLOT.

CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE JIM ZEIGLER AND WES ALLEN WILL JOIN US IN STUDIO TO MAKE THEIR FINAL PITCH TO VOTERS.

AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE OFFERS AND UPDATE ON THE STATE REDISTRICTING PLAN SET TO BE REVIEWED BY THE SUPREME COURT.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE CHURCH SHOOTING IN VESTAVIA HILLS ON THURSDAY.

A THIRD VICTIM HAS NOW DIED, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES.

84-YEAR-OLD WALTER RAINEY OF IRONDALE, 75 YEAR OLD SARAH YEAGER, OF PELHAM AND 84-YEAR-OLD JANE POUNDS OF HOOVER WERE SHOT AND KILLED AFTER A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE WITH A HANDGUN AT ST. STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

ROBERT FINLEY SMITH, A 70-YEAR-OLD MAN, WHO OCCASIONALLY ATTENDED SERVICES AT THE CHURCH, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF CAPITAL MURDER.

POLICE SAID THE SHOOTER WAS SUBDUED ON THE SCENE BY A CHURCH ATTENDEE THEY CALLED A HERO FOR SAVING LIVES.

AGENTS WITH THE FBI, U.S.

MARSHALS SERVICE AND THE ATF ARE JOINING LOCAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES IN THE INVESTIGATION.

>> ALABAMA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CONTINUES TO DECLINE AND IS AT ANOTHER ALL-TIME LOW.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ANNOUNCED THAT THE JOBLESS RATE FOR THE MONTH OF MAY WAS 2.7%.

THAT'S DOWN FROM THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 2.8% IN APRIL AND DOWN FROM 3.6% THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE MEASURES THE NUMBER OF ALABAMIANS WHO ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING WORK.

IN MAY, THAT WAS 61,621 PEOPLE, A NEW RECORD LOW AND DOWN ALMOST 19,000 FROM A YEAR AGO.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED ALSO REACHED A RECORD HIGH OF 2.22 MILLION IN MAY.

THAT'S UP ABOUT 600,000 FROM A YEAR AGO.

FINALLY, THE STATE'S AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE ROSE TO A NEW RECORD OF $1,004.65.

THIS IS ALL GREAT NEWS, BUT IT'S NO SECRET THAT INFLATION CONTINUES TO SQUEEZE FAMILY BUDGETS.

THIS WEEK THE FEDERAL RESERVE TOOK STEPS TO CURB INFLATION AND THE HIGHER PRICES IT CAUSES.

BUT WILL IT CALM CONSUMER FEARS THAT THE ECONOMY IS HEADED TOWARD A RECESSION?

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> MANY PEOPLE ARE MORE THAN READY FOR A BREAK WITH A CHANGE OF SCENERY, BUT FOR SOME IT'S HIT A SNAG.

>> WE'RE ENTERING TO THE SUMMER MONTH AND HISTORICALLY, TRADITIONALLY, OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE WANT TO GO ON VACATION AND TRAVEL MORE.

SO, THAT ALWAYS HAS AN IMPACT ON GAS PRICES.

YOU KNOW, THEY TEND TO RISE DURING SUMMER MONTHS.

>> THE REASON FOR PLANS CHANGING POINT TO ONE THING -- INFLATION, CAUSING RISING PRICES ON GROCERIES TO REAL ESTATE AND MOST NOTABLY GAS.

A TROY UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS GIVES INSIGHT INTO INFLATION.

>> INFLATION IS SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS EVERY INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE WE ALL BUY GOODS AND SERVICES.

WE ALL GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND GAS STATION.

YOU KNOW, INFLATION REALLY AFFECTS OUR PURCHASING POWER, YOUR PURCHASING AND MY PURCHASING POWER, ABILITY TO BUY THINGS.

>> DOVE SAID DEALING WITH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, EUROPEAN CONFLICT AND THE STRAINED DEMAND FOR OIL IS CAUSING WORLDWIDE RIPPLES.

>> WHEN YOU DECREASE OIL PRODUCTION, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN'T BE CHANGED OVERNIGHT.

WE CAN'T JUST INCREASE AND RAMP UP THAT PRODUCTION OVERNIGHT.

SO, REALLY WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS A SIGNIFICANT MISMATCH BETWEEN CURRENT DEMAND FOR OIL AND ALSO SUPPLY.

>> DR. DOVE SAID THERE IS ROOM FOR OPTIMISM.

>> WE HAVE SEEN INFLATIONARY PRESSURES BUILD THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND EMERGED AS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT INFLATION FROM THESE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND IT DOESN'T REALLY APPEAR AS THOUGH THERE WILL BE ANY CHANGE TO THAT IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO, AT THIS POINT, REALLY SEEING WHAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE DOES AS FAR AS MONETARY POLICY, ESPECIALLY, IS CONCERNED.

IT IS IN THEIR WHEEL HOUSE AT THIS POINT.

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

>> INSIDE THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK, THE FIRST OF SEVERAL INFORMAL BUDGET HEARINGS TOOK PLACE TO ALLOW LAWMAKERS TO DETERMINE WHAT EFFECT RISING INFLATION AND GAS PRICES ARE HAVING ON STATE AGENCIES.

SO FAR IN THE 2022 FISCAL YEAR, STATE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES HAVE TOTALED ABOUT $29.16 BILLION.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO KIRK FULFORD, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY.

HE TOLD LAWMAKERS THAT ABOUT 10% OF THOSE EXPENDITURES ARE ITEMS THAT ARE IMPACTED BY INCREASED COSTS.

>> WHY IS INFLATION IMPORTANT TO STATE AGENCIES?

WELL, A STATE AGENCY IS NOT A HECK OF A LOT DIFFERENT THAN YOU AND I IN SOME OF THE STUFF THEY HAVE TO BUY.

THEY HAVE TO BUY GAS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, BUY VEHICLES TO DRIVE.

ALEA AND D.O.T.

BUYS A LOT OF VEHICLES.

AS THE COST OF THOSE ITEMS GO UP, IT IS NO DIFFERENT.

THERE IS A FINITE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES TO SPEND AND THEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER YOU CAN OR CANNOT TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND BUY AT THE SAME LEVEL.

CERTAIN THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO -- YOU HAVE TO DRIVE, ARE COSTING MORE THAN OTHER THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO BUT DON'T HAVE TO DO.

IT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR EVERYBODY.

IT IS NOT LIMITED TO INDIVIDUALS.

IT APPLIES ACROSS THE BOARD.

YOUR STATE AGENCIES WILL FEEL THE PRESSURE, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE WORKS BECAUSE THOSE ARE OBVIOUSLY MORE THAN ANTICIPATED WHEN THEY SET OUT TO COMPLETE THOSE PROJECTS.

>> CAM WARD, DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, SAID HIS AGENCY IS MOSTLY AFFECTED BY INCREASED GAS PRICES.

THE BUREAU HAS MORE THAN 500 VEHICLES, MANY OF ARE USED TO DO STATUS CHECKS ON THE 44,000 PEOPLE THE AGENCY MONITORS.

HE SAID INCREASED COSTS WILL FORCE THE AGENCY TO TAKE CARS OFF THE ROAD, AND THAT MEANS LESS MONITORING.

>> BIGGEST IMPACT, BESIDE THE -- FUND IS GAS.

THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE 64 FIELD OFFICES AND OUR JOB IS TO MONITOR THOSE 44,000 PEOPLE OUT ON PROBATION AND PAROLE.

AS THEY GO OUT AND DO HOME VISITS AND DO WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IT, IT COSTS GAS.

WE WENT FROM LAST YEAR FROM HAVING $66,000 A MONTH AND NOW $125,000 A MONTH.

EVEN THOUGH WE BUDGET FOR INFLATION THEIR PURPOSES, NONE OF US BUDGETED FOR THIS KIND OF INCREASE.

IT'S GOING TO BITE PRETTY HARD.

WE WILL BE SHORT ON THE BUDGET FOR GAS BY $483,940.

THAT'S OUR ESTIMATE.

IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

>> ALABAMA MEDICAID AGENCY COMMISSIONER STEPHANIE AZAR ALSO APPEARED BEFORE LAWMAKERS.

SHE SAID A RECESSION WOULD IMPACT MEDICAID BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE LOSE JOBS, THEY COULD BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES, DRIVING UP COSTS NOT BUDGETED FOR.

SHE SAID THAT IN PREVIOUS RECESSIONS, A 1% INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT HAS CORRELATED TO A 1.3% INCREASE IN MEDICAID ENROLLMENT.

>> I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS OUR NATION IS EXPERIENCING UNPRECEDENTED INFLATION, AS JUST DEMONSTRATED.

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING HIGH INFLATION WILL IMPACT OUR PROGRAM LIKE ANYONE ELSE.

YOU GOT GAS AND UTILITIES, YES BUT OURS IS DIFFERENT.

EACH BUDGET YEAR YOU MAY KNOW -- AND ALL OF YOU ARE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH THE FACT THAT MEDICAID ADDS IN INFLATIONARY INCREASES IN OUR BUDGET REQUESTS.

WE DO IT EVERY YEAR.

I CAN'T COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES I HAVE SAT HERE AND SAID IF MEDICAID WAS SITTING STILL AND NO OTHER EXPENSES WERE GOING UP AND NOTHING CHANGED IN MEDICAID OVER A YEAR OUR PROGRAM WOULD GO UP FROM 25 TO 35 MILLION JUST IN HEALTHCARE COST INFLATION ALONE.

IT IS ALWAYS MOVING.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE STAYING FLAT, NOTHING ELSE IS HAPPENING, THEN IT WOULD STILL BE ON THE WAY UP.

HOWEVER, AS YOU KNOW THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT HIGHER INFLATION THAT MANY DID NOT ANTICIPATE AND QUIET HONESTLY WE DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA HOW IT WILL GO.

>> LAWMAKERS PLAN TO CONTINUE THE BUDGET HEARINGS IN THE COMING WEEKS WHEN ADDITIONAL STATE AGENCIES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THEIR BUDGETS.

>> THIS WEEK THE WORLD RECOGNIZED ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY, WHICH IS MEANT TO HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND THE PREVALENCE OF THE PROBLEM.

WE SPOKE TO THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES DIVISION ABOUT THE NATURE OF ELDER ABUSE AND THE COMMON SIGNS TO LOOK FOR.

>> ELDER ABUSE IS THE INTENTIONAL ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT A PERSON WHO MAYBE SUBJECT TO ABUSE OR EXPLOITATION.

COMMON SIGNS OF ABUSE OR EXPLOITATION IS THEY ARE WITHDRAWN OR DEPRESSED, MAY HAVE UNEXPLAINED BRUISE, SCARS OR MARKS, SOILED CLOTHING.

THESE ARE THINGS WILL YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR.

IF THEY ARE LETHARGIC OR UNABLE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU, MAYBE THEY ARE ISOLATED AND NOT OUT IN THE OPEN OR AVAILABLE TO SPEAK.

IT'S REPORTED ONE IN TEN ELDERS IN ALABAMA IS THE SUBJECT OF ABUSE.

IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, LAST YEAR WE HAD 11,000 REPORTS OF ABUSE.

ONE INTERESTING FACT IN THAT IS THAT FOR EVERY FOUR INCIDENTS OF ABUSE THAT OCCURS IT'S LIKELY ONLY ONE OF THOSE REPORTS WILL BE ACTUALLY MADE TO THE STATE AND INVESTIGATED.

>> NOW THAT THE REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR HAS ENDED, FAMILIES ARE MAKING SUMMER PLANS.

FOR MANY STUDENTS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WOULD LIKE FOR SUMMER LEARNING TO BE ON THE AGENDA.

THE DEPARTMENT IS ONCE AGAIN PARTNERING WITH SOME OF THE NATION'S TOP EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE SUMMER LEARNING AND MINIMIZE ACADEMIC LOSS.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR HAS ENDED, EDUCATORS DO NOT WANT SUMMER LEARNING LOSS OR SUMMER BRAIN DRAIN TO BEGIN.

>> WELL, IN THE SUMMER SLIDE, WE HEAR ABOUT THE SUMMER SLIDE ALL THE TIME, TOO.

IT'S JUST WHERE YOU STOPPED YOUR ACADEMIC YEAR IN THE SPRING AND YOU ARE GOING ON WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES WITHOUT REALLY PUTTING ANY FOCUS ON ACADEMICS.

YOU COME BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL AND YOU HAVE LOST SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU LEARNED THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

>> SHE RECOMMENDS EASY WAYS FOR PARENTS AND THEIR KIDS TO STAY ACADEMICALLY ACTIVE.

>> JUST BEING PRESENT WITH THEIR CHILD AS THEY ARE READING, GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT VOCABULARY THAT MIGHT BE CONFUSING THEM OR GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU ARE READING TO THEM SO THEY CAN HEAR.

YOU ALL CAN DISCUSS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE STORIES OR Y'ALL CAN INTERACT IN SOME MATH ACTIVITIES AT HOME WITH COOKING AND YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MEASURING AND GETTING OUT THAT QUARTER CUP OR THAT HALF CUP OR JUST WHERE YOU ARE COUNTING OUT THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED FOR DINNER OR ACTIVITIES YOU ARE DOING DURING THE SUMMER.

>> IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

SHE HAS MORE.

>> OH, IT'S GREAT.

THIS IS THE TENTH YEAR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS DONE THE SUMMER LEARNING CHALLENGE.

WE HAVE WORKED UP WITH GREAT PARTNERS WHO ARE HELPING TO SUPPORT.

>> PARENTS OF K-12 STUDENTS CAN GO TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S EDUCATION ALABAMAACHIEVES.ORG AND CLICK ON THE COMMUNICATION TAB.

THEN SCROLL DOWN AND CLICK ON THE SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM TAB.

FOR LINKS TO PARTNER RESOURCES.

ONE OF THE PARTNER RESOURCES IS ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

GO TO APTV.ORG AND CLICK ON THE EDUCATION TAB.

ON THAT PAGE, ARE MULTIPLE LEARNING TOOLS.

ALSO ON THAT PAGE, PARENTS CAN SCROLL DOWN TO SUMMER OF POSSIBILITIES AND CLICK ON THAT LINK FOR ADDITIONAL FUN SUMMER LEARNING OPTIONS.

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

>> THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS ELECTION SEASON IS ALMOST OVER.

ALABAMA'S DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP THIS TUESDAY, JUNE 21.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT.

OF COURSE, THERE IS THE BIG RUNOFF IN THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR U.S. SENATE WHERE KATIE BRITT IS FACING MO BROOKS.

BRITT WON 45% OF THE VOTE TO BROOKS' 29% IN THE PRIMARY.

THE WINNER WILL FACE DEMOCRAT WILL BOYD IN NOVEMBER.

WE DID HAVE INTERVIEWS WITH BOTH BRITT AND BROOKS EARLIER IN THE CYCLE AND YOU CAN FIND THOSE VIDEOS ONLINE AT APTV.ORG/CAPITOLJOURNAL.

>>> THERE IS ONE STATEWIDE DEMOCRATIC RUNOFF AND THAT'S IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

MALIKA SANDERS FORTIER, A STATE SENATOR FROM SELMA, FACES YOLANDA FLOWERS, A CAREER EDUCATOR FROM BIRMINGHAM.

THE TWO WERE CLOSELY MATCHED IN THE PRIMARY, WITH FLOWERS WINNING ALMOST 34% OF THE VOTE TO SANDERS-FORTIER'S 32%.

THE WINNER WILL FACE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IN NOVEMBER.

IVEY OF COURSE DEFEATED EIGHT CANDIDATES TO WIN HER PRIMARY WITHOUT A RUNOFF.

FOR SECRETARY OF STATE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, WES ALLEN, A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM TROY, FACES JIM ZEIGLER, THE CURRENT STATE AUDITOR WHO HAILS FROM MOBILE.

THE TWO WERE CLOSELY MATCHED IN THE PRIMARY, WITH ZEIGLER WINNING ABOUT 43% TO ALLEN'S 40%.

THE WINNER HERE WILL FACE DEMOCRAT PAMELA LAFITTE IN NOVEMBER.

I'LL HAVE INTERVIEWS WITH BOTH THESE CANDIDATES COMING UP LATER IN THE SHOW.

>> FOR STATE AUDITOR, ANDREW SORRELL, A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM MUSCLE SHOALS, FACES STAN COOKE, A PASTOR FROM BIRMINGHAM.

SORRELL HAD A SLIGHT ADVANTAGE IN THE PRIMARY WINNING 39 TO COOKE'S 33%.

THERE IS NO DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR STATE AUDITOR.

FOR PLACE ONE ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, INCUMBENT JEREMY ODEN WILL FACE BRENT WOODALL IN THE RUNOFF.

ODEN GOT 34% OF THE VOTE IN THE PRIMARY TO WOODALL'S 31%.

AND FOR PLACE 2 ON THE PSC, INCUMBENT CHIP BEEKER WILL FACE ROBERT MCCOLLUM.

BEEKER GOT 43% IN THE PRIMARY TO MCCOLLUM'S 36%.

THERE ARE NO DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR EITHER SEAT ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

AND THAT'S YOUR PRIMARY BALLOT.

OR YOUR RUNOFF BALLOT.

WE CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE ON TUESDAY.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

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

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE AUDITOR JIM ZEIGLER, A CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> AS I SAID, YOU ARE A CANDIDATE RIGHT NOW FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

THAT RUNOFF ELECTION IS ON TUESDAY.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU, JUST GENERALLY, WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE?

>> I FIRST GOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTION PROCESS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE ELECTION IN 2000, IN THE FAMOUS BUSH-GORE PRESIDENTIAL RACE WHERE THEY HAD THE FLORIDA CHALLENGE THAT WENT ON SIX WEEKS OR SO.

AFTER THAT, AND BECAUSE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS IN THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY SENT A TEAM OF REPUBLICAN LAWYERS AND THEY CHOSE ME ALONG WITH 50 OTHERS AND I WENT TO FLORIDA IN 2004, 2008 AND 2012, DOING PREVENTIVE MEDICINE BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION AND RUNNING A HOTLINE FOR WORKERS AND POLL WATCHERS AND CITIZENS CALLING IN REPORTS AND QUESTIONS ON ELECTION DAY.

THAT WAS AN EYE OPENER.

IT WAS LIKE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN AVOIDING ELECTION PROBLEMS.

>> IN THIS RUNOFF, YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY FACING WES ALLEN IN THIS REPUBLICAN RUNOFF.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM YOUR OPPONENT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, REGARDLESS OF WHICH ONE OF US WINS ON TUESDAY, I ENDORSE THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

I'LL BE SUPPORTING HIM AND I HOPE THAT HE AND HIS PEOPLE WILL BE SUPPORTING ME, BUT THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE.

HE IS BACKED BY THE MONTGOMERY ESTABLISHMENT WITH THEIR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IN DONATIONS, THEIR ENDORSEMENTS, THE RESOURCES.

I HAVE BEEN A GUY THAT QUESTIONED THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CHALLENGED THEM AND SOMETIMES OPPOSED THEM, AND THEY ARE NOT FOR ME IN THIS RACE.

THEREFORE, I GOT OUT SPENT FOR THE PRIMARY AND IT WILL BE SIMILAR THIS TIME.

YOU HAVE AN ESTABLISHMENT AND PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE AND JIM ZEIGLER IS THE PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTIONS AND VOTING, IT'S REALLY KIND OF A HEATED ISSUE AND ONLY GOTTEN HOTTER IN RECENT YEARS.

DEMOCRATS REALLY PAINT REPUBLICANS AS BEING KIND OF ANTI--VOTING, WANTING TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE, WANTING MORE RESTRICTIONS ON VOTING, LESS VOTING AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS PUT ON VOTING BY REPUBLICANS, BANNED CURBSIDE VOTING, VOTER I.D., THINGS LIKE THIS.

IS THAT FAIR?

IS IT FAIR FOR DEMOCRATS TO PAINT REPUBLICANS -- WHEN YOU DO PUT IN THOSE RESTRICTIONS LIKE THAT?

>> NO, IT'S NOT FAIR AND THEY ARE NOT RESTRICTIONS ON VOTING.

THEY ARE RESTRICTIONS ON FRAUD, ON VOTING FRAUD.

THAT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT THING.

ALABAMA HAS THE MOST OPEN SYSTEM FOR GETTING PHOTO I.D.s TO PEOPLE OF ANY STATE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE NOT ONLY GOES TO EACH COUNTY IN THE STATE BUT WILL GO TO YOUR HOUSE IF YOU CAN'T GET DOWN TO THE PLACE TO GET YOUR FREE VOTER I.D.

THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT A DRIVER'S LICENSE SO THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE A PHOTO I.D.

THERE'S NO EXCUSE.

IN ALABAMA IT IS FREE AND THEY WILL COME TO YOU AND GET IT TO YOU.

ALSO, WE HAVE THE HIGHEST VOTER REGISTRATION PERCENTAGE WE HAVE EVER HAD.

IT'S IN THE 90s AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO THERE IS NO VOTER SUPPRESSION IN ALABAMA.

IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T VOTE IN ALABAMA, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO VOTE.

>> TAKE CURBSIDE VOTING, WHICH WE NOW HAVE A BAN ON.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH SOMEBODY DROPPING OFF A BALLOT IN A CURBSIDE SITUATION, LIKE MAILING IN AN ENVELOPE?

>> TO ME IT IS LIKE THE DRIVE THRU IN McDONALD'S.

EXCEPT YOU DRIVE THROUGH AND DROP YOUR BALLOT OFF.

WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

EVERYTHING FROM ENSURING THAT IS THE PERSON WHOSE BALLOT IT IS AND THAT YOU GET A GOOD LOOK AT THE PERSON AND PHOTO I.D.

ENABLES MORE FRAUD.

PEOPLE COULD GO FROM PLACE TO PLACE QUICKLY DRIVING THROUGH.

OUR BALLOT BOXES HAVE SERVED THIS COUNTRY WELL FOR ALMOST 250 YEARS.

I REMEMBER MOST OF IT.

I'M OLD SCHOOL.

PEOPLE OF ALABAMA ARE OLD SCHOOL.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE BALLOT BOX, NOT THESE CURBSIDE DROP OFFS.

>> THIS ELECTION THREE WEEKS AGO, I GUESS, A LITTLE MORE THAN THREE WEEKS AGO, DURING THE PRIMARY ELECTION HAD A DISAPPOINTING TURNOUT.

IT WAS ALREADY PREDICTED TO BE LOW.

IT WAS LOWER THAN PREDICTED AND HISTORICALLY LOW.

TWO QUESTIONS, WHY DO YOU THINK IT WAS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE IT GOING FORWARD?

>> I HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT I WILL PUSH A PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE AND INFORM THEM BETTER ABOUT THE ELECTION IF I'M BLESSED TO BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

I'VE NAMED IT THE DON'T VOTE, DON'T COMPLAIN PLAN.

I WOULD INVOLVE CHURCHES, CELEBRITIES, ATHLETES, I HAVE A MODEL TO GO BACK.

THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION RAN SUCH A PROGRAM FOR VOTER REGISTRATION.

IT WAS EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL.

IT WORKED BUT NOW REGISTRATION IS NOT THE PROBLEM IN ALABAMA.

IT'S VOTER TURNOUT ON ELECTION DAY.

IT WAS A 23% TURNOUT IN THE MAY PRIMARY.

THAT MEANS OF EVERY FOUR PEOPLE YOU SEE, THREE OF THEM DID NOT VOTE AT ALL.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, ANTIDOTAL FEEDBACK THAT I HEARD ON THAT -- AGAIN, THIS IS NOT DATA, BUT IT IS THIS ANTIDOTES, PEOPLE WERE TURNED OFF BY THE ADS.

YOU HAVE THE ATTACK ADS ON KAY IVEY CALLING HER EVERYTHING IN THE BOOKS AND THE PACS AND EVERYTHING, 20, $30 MILLION AND IT WAS A TURNOFF WHEN YOU SEE THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

DO YOU ATTRIBUTE IT TO THAT?

>> I THINK HEAVY NEGATIVE ADS OFTEN FROM BOTH SIDES BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, IT DID DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM VOTING.

MY AD DID NOT MENTION MY OPPONENT'S NAME AND HAVE NOT IN THIS RUNOFF.

I WILL SAY ON THURSDAY, THE 16th, MY OPPOSITION -- NOT NECESSARILY MY OPPONENT, PER SE, BUT PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST ME, ARE STARTING A NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL WORK.

I THINK IT HAS THE ABILITY TO BACKFIRE, TO TURN PEOPLE OFF.

>> SPEAKING OF ADS AND ELECTIONEERING, WE HAVE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS, INCLUDING THIS YEAR, GROUPS, SHADOW ORGANIZATIONS THAT START UP, DON'T REPORT PROPERLY AND WILL GO AND CHANGE THE LAW TO TRY TO GET THEM TO CATCH UP.

IT IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THERE ARE LAWS IN PLACE TO HAVE FAIR ELECTIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T IMPROPERLY INFLUENCE ELECTIONS, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR THAT THEY DO.

WHAT ROLE CAN THE SECRETARY OF STATE PLAY, AND IF YOU WIN CAN YOU PLAY, IN ACTUALLY ENFORCING THOSE RULES AND STOPPING THESE SHADOW GROUPS, FLY-BY-NIGHT GROUPS FROM COMING IN AND INFLUENCING THE ELECTION WITH NO CONSEQUENCES?

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE OUR STAFF ATTORNEYS AND SOME VOLUNTEER OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS GO THROUGH THE EXISTING ELECTION LAWS.

THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT SEVERAL THINGS.

ONE OF THEM IS WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED.

WHAT LAWS, WHICH THESE SHADOW, OUTSIDE GROUPS MIGHT NOT BE MEETING THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THE LAW AND IDENTIFYING WHO IT IS THAT'S PAYING FOR THE AD AND COMPLYING WITH THE LAW.

IF WE CAN COME UP WITH A WAY UNDER THE EXISTING LAWS, SECRETARY UNDER THE ZEIGLER ADMINISTRATION, WILL SEEK TO DO THAT.

IF THERE'S NO MECHANISM THERE, WE'D COME WITH LEGISLATION.

THE SECRETARY HAS A LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM EVERY REGULAR SESSION.

WE WILL BE NO DIFFERENT.

>> DO YOU THINK INCREASED PENALTIES FOR SOME ACTIVITY LIKE THAT WOULD BE ON THE TABLE?

>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

SOME OF THE THINGS NOW THAT AREN'T CRIMINAL NEED TO BE STUDIED.

DOES THIS NEED TO BE A MISDEMEANOR.

OTHER THINGS THAT ARE MISDEMEANORS, DO THEY NEED TO BE FELONIES?

IF THEY ARE FELONIES, DO THE TERMS OF THE SENTENCE NEED TO BE INCREASED, AND I BELIEVE IF A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF ANY KIND OF VOTER FRAUD OR ELECTION FRAUD THEY SHOULD BE BANNED FROM THE ELECTION PROCESS.

THEY CAN'T BE A POLL WORKER, A POLL WATCHER, ANYTHING IN THE FUTURE.

IT ONLY MAKES SENSE.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THE INCENTIVE STRUCTURE RIGHT NOW, THE PAYOFF IS WINNING THE ELECTION OR DEFEATING YOUR OPPONENT.

SO THAT'S A GREAT INCENTIVE VERSUS THERE AREN'T A LOT OF DISINCENTIVES TO GET CAUGHT DOING SOMETHING.

THAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT PENALTIES.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS, SECRETARY OF STATE IS AN IMPORTANT POSITION.

I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE CONSIDER IT DOWN BALLOT COMPARED TO THIS BIG ELECTION THAT WE HAVE, BUT THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT POSITION.

ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS, OVERSEEING THE COUNTIES AND THE ELECTIONS THAT THEY ADMINISTER, REALLY ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTE.

WE HAVE SEEN JUST HOW CRITICAL THIS CAN BE ACROSS THE BORDER IN GEORGIA IN THE LAST ELECTION.

YOU HAD A SECRETARY OF STATE PRESSURED BY THE PRESIDENT TO ESSENTIALLY FIND THE VOTES AND MUST HAVE BEEN ENORMOUS PRESSURE.

THAT UNDERSCORES THE POLITICAL NATURE OF THE JOB.

YOU HAVE TO RUN FOR IT SO YOU HAVE TO PUBLIC AND GET PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR YOU AND AT THE SAME TIME ADMINISTER ELECTIONS IN A FAIR NON-PARTISAN WAY.

HOW CAN YOU DO THAT HOW CAN YOU ASSURE VOTERS, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE COMPLAINING, AS SECRETARY OF STATE YOU WILL HAVE AN EVEN HAND AND NOT TIP THE SCALE?

>> I BELIEVE THE SCALE NEEDS TO BE TIPPED, BUT TIPPED IN FAVOR OF HONEST, ACCURATE, FAIR ELECTIONS, NOT TIPPED IN FAVOR OF THE REPUBLICANS, THIS DEMOCRATS, IN THE NEW PARTY, THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY.

INTERESTINGLY, WE HAVE A DEMOCRAT OPPONENT IN NOVEMBER.

SHE HAS A SOLID RESUME.

SO THIS ELECTION WILL NOT BE OVER THIS COMING TUESDAY ON THE 20th.

NOT ONLY THAT BUT A LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE HAS QUALIFIED AND WILL BE ON THE BALLOT FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

THERE IS A RUMOR THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A STRATEGY.

THEY BELIEVE THE LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE CAN TAKE 10 TO 15% MAKING THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE COMPETITIVE.

>> I TAKE YOUR POINT AND APPRECIATE THAT.

AGAIN, I'M ASKING, BY NATURE OF A POLITICAL OFFICE, HOW CAN YOU ASSURE CITIZENS AS SECRETARY OF STATE YOU CAN ADMINISTER ELECTIONS WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT POLITICS AND TIPPING THE SCALES?

>> SIMPLY BY DOING IT.

RIGHT NOW, THERE'S MORE PUBLIC DISTRUST AND QUESTIONING OF THE ELECTION PROCESS NATIONALLY THAN THERE HAS BEEN IN MY LIFETIME, MAYBE EVER.

HIGH PERCENTAGE, PARTICULARLY OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS HAVE A DISTRUST.

MAYBE NOT SO MUCH IN ALABAMA.

SO THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING WILL BE IN THE EATING.

ADMINISTER THE ELECTIONS WELL, FAIRLY, ACCURATELY AND DO PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE.

IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM, A SOFT SPOT, FIX IT BEFORE VOTING DAY, NOT AFTER.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE CHALLENGES AND RECOUNTS AND DISTRICT LINE PROBLEMS IN SEVERAL PLACES.

THOSE THINGS WILL BE BETTER FIXED BEFOREHAND.

>> WELL, IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING ELECTION NIGHT FOR SURE.

MR. ZEIGLER, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND SHARING WITH OUR AUDIENCE.

A LOT OF VOTERS, WHY YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN FOR TROY, CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

I APPRECIATE IT, TODD.

>> I WANT TO GET STARTED BY ASKING WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE OF ALABAMA?

>> WELL, AS MOST OF YOUR VIEWERS KNOW IT IS AN OPEN SEAT BECAUSE THE TERM LIMIT.

IT IS AN OPEN SEAT BUT THE ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT.

WITH WHAT WE SAW GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY IN OTHER STATES BACK IN 2020 AND WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND OTHER STATES ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT AND THE ELECTIONS PROCESS IS IMPORTANT.

THAT'S WHERE MY EXPERIENCE COMES IN AS A FORMER PROBATE JUDGE AND STATE LEGISLATOR.

WE FEEL THIS IS AN IMPORTANT OFFICE BECAUSE WE NEED SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE AND PASSION AND ENERGY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GREAT, SAFE AND SECURE ELECTIONS, TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS MOVING FORWARD.

>> YOU ARE OF COURSE IN THE REPUBLICAN RUNOFF IN THIS PRIMARY ON TUESDAY AGAINST JIM ZEIGLER, THE CURRENT STATE AUDITOR.

LET ME ASK YOU WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM YOUR OPPONENT IN THIS RACE?

>> I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE THAT'S BEEN A CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICIAL I SERVED AS A PROBATE JUDGE FOR TEN YEARS AT PIKE COUNTY.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE IN THE COURTHOUSE AT 5:30 ON ELECTION DAY.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO TRAIN AND SUPPORT WORKERS AND WORK ALONGSIDE THE ELECTION MANAGER AND THE SHERIFF WHO IS THE CARETAKER AND PROTECTS THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY FOR BALLOTS.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO WORD WITH OUR BOARDS OF REGISTRARS IN OUR COUNTIES.

SO, WITH THAT EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW, I TRAVEL TO ALL OF THE PRECINCTS IN PIKE COUNTY ON ELECTION DAY AND MAKE SURE THE POLL WORKERS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO RUN ELECTIONS ON ELECTION DAY AND I'M THERE FROM START TO FINISH.

AND LOCK THE COURTHOUSE UP WHEN WE ARE DONE COUNTING VOTING ON ELECTION NIGHT.

THAT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE SOMEBODY IN OFFICE THAT CAN TAKE A CALL FROM A PROBATE JUDGE.

I HAVE RELATIONSHIPS ALL OVER THE STATE.

SO IF THEY ASK A QUESTION OF ME, IF I'M BLESSED TO BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE IT WILL NOT BE A FOREIGN QUESTION TO ME.

ILL WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT AND THERE WILL NOT BE ANY ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

ON DAY ONE I WILL BE READY TO STEP INTO THE OFFICE AND TO PERFORM.

TWO, MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAYS HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE, WE HAVE DONE TREMENDOUS WORK.

I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THE RACE THAT HAS TAKEN A VOTE TO SECURE OUR ELECTIONS AND MAKE OUR ELECTIONS MORE SECURE.

I SPONSORED AND PASSED A BILL TO PREVENT CURBSIDE VOTING AND FOR ZUCKERBURG MONEY TO COME INTO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I BELIEVE NO PRIVATE MONEY SHOULD BE USED TO PURCHASE MACHINES OR INFLUENCE BALLOTS ACROSS THE STATE.

I HAVE DONE IT AT THE COUNTY AND STATE LEVEL.

>> YOU SPONSORED THE BILL, WAS THAT THIS OR LAST SESSION.

>> CURBSIDE WAS IN '21 AND '22 WAS THE ZUCKERBERG MONEY.

>> STARTING WITH CURBSIDE VOTING, WHAT WAS RATIONALE BEHIND THAT BILL.

>> WE SAW IN 2020 WHERE THE FEDERAL JUDGE CAME AND ORDERED ALABAMA TO OFFER CURBSIDE VOTING.

WE WERE NOT SET UP TO DO THAT AND HAD NEVER DONE IT BEFORE.

OUR AG TOOK TO THE SUPREME COURT AND STAYED THE JUDGE'S COURT ORDER.

SO WE DON'T HAVE CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

BUT WHAT WE SAW WAS WE WANTED TO WRITE THAT BILL AND PUT IT IN A STATUTE AND MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE SAFE AND SECURE.

LET'S IMAGINE THE STUDIO IS A PRECINCT.

IF YOUR BALLOT WALKS OUT THE DOOR TO YOUR CAR OR WHOEVER'S CAR WHEN THEY PULL UP TO VOTE, YOUR PRIVATE VOTE, SECRET BALLOT IS BASICALLY OVER.

IT'S OVER.

ALSO, IT LOOSENS THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY FOR OUR BALLOT.

WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR -- WE HAVE ORDER ON ELECTION DAY.

I BELIEVE IN ELECTION DAY, NOT ELECTION MONTH.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE SAFE AND SECURE AND TRANSPARENT.

>> MOVING ON TO THE ZUCKERBERG THING.

THIS IS THE BILL THE LAST SESSION THAT ESSENTIALLY FOR THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS, WHETHER COUNTY OR STATE WORKER, WHATEVER, YOU CAN NOT BE FUNDED BY OUTSIDE GROUPS.

THIS HAS HAPPENED SOME IN OTHER STATES.

HAS IT HAPPENED IN ALABAMA WHERE OTHER GROUPS SPONSOR IT?

I GUESS THAT'S MY QUESTION.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH OUTSIDE GROUPS COMING IN?

ARE WE UNDER FUNDED.

COULD SOME OF THESE THINGS BE HELPFUL IN TERMS OF FUNDING.

>> I DON'T THINK WE ARE UNDERFUNDED.

THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE SAID WHATEVER THE COUNTIES NEEDED THE STATE WOULD GET THAT WHAT THEY NEED TO EXECUTE ON ELECTION DAY.

WE ARE NOT UNDER FUNDED BUT SEVEN COUNTIES TOOK TO PRIVATE FUNDED IN 2020.

WE SAW IT AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IT IS COMMON SENSE.

CORE FUNCTION OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE SAFE, SECURE AND TRANSPARENT.

WE DON'T NEED PRIVATE MONEY PAYING FOR MACHINES, AS I SAID EARLIER OR THE SALARY OF OUR OFFICIALS.

THERE WERE SOME THAT ACCUSED US OF SAYING WE WERE TRYING TO PREVENT VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES TO BE PARTNERED WITH LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS.

WE WEREN'T SAYING THAT AT ALL BUT YOU CAN'T COMPENSATE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR SERVICE.

THEY CAN PROMOTE VOTER ARE REGISTRATION BUT NOT PAID FOR IT.

>> I SEE.

SPEAKING OF THESE LAWS AND OTHERS, DEMOCRATS PAINT REPUBLICANS AS ANTI-VOTING, WANTING TO SUPPRESS OR LESSEN THE VOTE.

THEY POINT TO LAWS LIKE THESE AND VOTER I.D.

IS THAT FAIR, OR DO THEY HAVE A POINT IN THAT THESE ARE SORT OF RESTRICTIONS ON VOTING?

>> THEY ARE NOT RESTRICTIONS.

WE SAW CHAOS AND CONFUSION IN 2020 AND AROUND THE STATES.

WE DIDN'T SEE THAT IN ALABAMA BECAUSE WE HAVE A GOOD POLICY IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ORDER ON ELECTION DAY.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

WE WANT ORDER.

WE WANT EVERY LEGAL VOTE THAT IS CAST TO BE COUNTED.

THAT'S THE JOB OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS TO MAKE SURE HE OR SHE AS A SECRETARY OF STATE IS INTERFACING WITH PROBATE JUDGES, SECRETARY AND SHERIFFS AND EVERYONE IN THE ELECTIONS PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND TRAINING THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE ELECTION DAY IS SMOOTH.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

WE DON'T WANT TOP DENY ANYBODY WHO IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN AND REGISTERED TO VOTE TO GO OUT AND VOTE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD THAT WISH THEY HAD THAT RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> SPEAKING OF VOTING, THIS LAST PRIMARY ELECTION WE HAD A PRETTY ABYSMAL TURNOUT.

WHAT WAS PREDICTED WAS GOING TO BE LOW AND THEN CAME IN EVEN LOWER.

IT WAS DISAPPOINTING.

IF YOU WERE THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO ENCOURAGE HIGHER VOTER TURNOUT?

>> I THINK THE SECRETARY OF STATE CAN SPEAK INTO THAT ISSUE AS FAR AS TURNOUT, BUT IN MY OPINION, THE ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SAFE, SECURE AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS AND TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE LEGAL VOTES CAST ARE COUNTED.

THE JOB OF THE CANDIDATES, IN MY OPINION, IS TO DRIVE TURNOUT.

>> IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO MAKE PEOPLE VOTE.

IT IS THE CANDIDATES' JOBS TO GET THEM OUT.

>> IT IS THEIR JOB TO TALK ABOUT AND CREATE ENTHUSIASM TO DRIVE VOTERS TO THE POLL TO VOTE FOR THEM.

AS SECRETARY OF STATE I WILL MAKE SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE SAFE, SECURE AND TRANSPARENT AND WORK WITH OFFICIALS AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

>> THAT MAY BE THE POINT, RIGHT?

IN THIS PRIMARY WE HAVE HAD THIS ONSLAUGHT OF NEGATIVE, NASTY ADS, A LOT ON TV, THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND SENATE RACE, ANTIDOTALLY I HAVE HAD TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE I DIDN'T WANT TO VOTE.

ALL THAT NASTINESS.

IT WAS A TURNOFF FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO THE POLLS.

DO YOU THINK THAT WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE LOW TURNOUT, ALL THE NEGATIVE ADS.

>> IT IS HARD FOR ME TO SAY WHETHER IT IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR BUT I WILL SAY YOUR VOTE MATTERS.

I TELL PEOPLE THAT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

I PUT THOUSANDS OF MILES ON MY VEHICLE SINCE LAST MAY TRAVELING AND CAMPAIGNING AND I'M TRYING TO GET ACROSS IN OUR CAMPAIGN THAT YOUR VOTE MATTERS.

WE HAVE A SENATE RACE IN EAST ALABAMA THAT IS DOWN TO ONE VOTE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> YOUR VOTE MATTERS.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT YOUR VIEWERS TO KNOW IS YOUR VOTE MATTERS.

TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS AND YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS, TALK TO FRIENDS AND SAY, HEY, DON'T FORGET ABOUT JUNE 21st BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF OUR COUNTRY, LIKE I AM, SO THIS IS A WAY TO HAVE A VOICE.

GO OUT ON JUNE 21st IN THE PRIMARY AND VOTE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THIS, ALMOST EVERY ELECTION IN THE CYCLE, OR GOING BACK FURTHER, YOU HAVE HAD CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE SOMEBODY WILL BREAK THE RULES.

A LOT OF TIMES IT IS OUTSIDE GROUPS THAT ARE SHADOWY, FLY-BY-NIGHT GROUPS AND THEY WILL COME IN AND DO ELECTIONEERING OR DIDN'T DISCLOSE THE PAPERWORK OR WHERE THE MINUTE IS COMING FROM AND LACKS TRANSPARENCY AND THERE IS NO CONSEQUENCE.

THEY DON'T FACE PUNISHMENT.

WHAT CAN YOU DO, AS SECRETARY OF STATE, TO CRACKDOWN ON THAT KIND OF BAD ACTORS ELECTIONEERING CAMPAIGNS?

>> NUMBER ONE IS TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AG, STEVE MARSHALL.

TO MAKE SURE IF WE SEE THAT -- IF I'M SECRETARY OF STATE AND SEE AND TURN THAT OVER TO HIS OFFICE TO PROSECUTE IT.

AND THE SECOND THING IS BECAUSE OF MY RELATIONSHIPS IN THE STATEHOUSE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATORS THAT I'VE BUILT THE LAST FOUR YEARS SERVING DISTRICT 89 IN PIKE AND DALE COUNTIES IS TO ARE STIFFER PENALTIES, TO LOBBY FOR BILLS AND HELP THEM TO PASS BILLS THAT CAN BE STIFFENER PENALTIES.

SO WHEN IT HAPPENS PEOPLE WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE TRYING IT AGAIN IN ALABAMA.

>> HAVE THERE BEEN BILLS TO CONTEMPLATE THAT EVEN IN THE LAST QUADRIENNIUM?

>> I SPONSORED A BILL IN THE LAST SESSION, NOT ONLY THE ZUCKERBERG MONEY PROHIBITION BUT A BILL THAT WILL PROHIBIT BALLOT HARVESTING.

THAT IS, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE GETTING PAID AND COMPENSATED FOR HELPING TO GATHER UP ABSENTEE APPLICATIONS AND BALLOTS.

LISTEN, IF YOU WANT TO HELP SOMEBODY JUST BECAUSE IT'S YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY OR GOODNESS OF YOUR HEART, SOMEBODY WHO WITH IS HOME BOUND AND YOU WANT TO HELP THEM VOTE ABSENTEE, BUT THIS COTTAGE INDUSTRY OF BEING PAID AND COMPENSATED AND GOING OUT AND BRING IN ABSENTEE APPLICATIONS WE WANTED TO PUT A STOP TO THAT BUT WE DIDN'T GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE THE LAST SESSION.

>> IS THE THINKING THERE IS BAD INCENTIVES THERE?

IF YOU ARE PAID TO DO IT A CERTAIN ORGANIZATION MIGHT BE AFTER CERTAIN VOTES.

>> AND UNDO PRESSURE.

IF THEY GO OUT, THEY ARE COMPENSATED TO GET PAID FOR THAT.

SO THERE MAY BE PRESSURE THAT VOTERS MAY NOT WANT TO FEEL.

LIKE JUST, FOR INSTANCE YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE THAT NEEDS HELP AND YOU ARE HELPING THEM.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FEEL PRESSURE FROM YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST HELPING THEM BUT TO BE COMPENSATED AND GATHER AS MANY AS POSSIBLE WE DON'T WANT TO PUT UNDUE PRESSURE ON THE VOTER.

>> THAT SPEAKS TO AN ISSUE I WANTED TO GET TO.

YOU SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE OUR INTERVIEW THIS IS AN IMPORTANT JOB.

I REALIZE SOMETIMES THE MEDIA CALL IT DOWN BALLOT BUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT JOB.

OVERSEEING THE ELECTIONS PROCESS, ADMINISTERING AND OVERSEEING THE COUNTY AND THEIR ELECTION PROCESSES, AND YET IT IS A POLITICAL JOB.

YOU HAVE TO GET ELECTED.

YOU HAVE TO DO AND SAY THE THINGS THAT GET PEOPLE ELECTED.

>> SURE.

>> BUT IT COMES WITH TREMENDOUS PRESSURE OR IT CAN.

WE SAW IN GEORGIA IN 2020 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAYING, HEY, FIND ME THE VOTES.

I CAN IMAGINE THE KIND OF PRESSURE THAT MUST BE ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

MY QUESTION IS, GIVEN THE BALANCE BETWEEN YES IT IS A POLITICAL OFFICE THAT REQUIRES YOU TO BE ELECTED AND POLITIC AND CAMPAIGN, HOW CAN YOU ASSURE VOTERS IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT SECRETARY OF STATE WILL ADMINISTER ELECTIONS FAIRLY WITHOUT FAVOR AND WITHOUT TIPPING THE SCALE TO ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER?

>> LOOK AT MY RECORD AS A PROBATE JUDGE.

TALK TO MY FRIENDS.

TALK TO THE FOLKS I SERVED WITH AND FOR DOWN IN PIKE COUNTY AS A PROBATE JUDGE.

ASK THEM.

YOU KNOW, I'M FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN THAT PROBATE JUDGE IN PIKE COUNTY AND DEVELOP SO MANY FRIENDS AND SERVE ALONGSIDE SO MANY PEOPLE.

I ASK PEOPLE TO LOOK AT MY RECORD.

JUST FOLLOW THE LAW.

TREAT PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED.

EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT AGREE ON EVERY ISSUE BUT YOU FOLLOW THE LAW AND TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED AND THAT'S WHAT I INTEND TO DO AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> ONLY A FEW DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION.

I KNOW YOU ARE VERY BUSY.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

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

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE FROM MOBILE.

MR. PRINGLE, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU ARE THE CHAIRMAN, CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE.

MAYBE THAT'S NOT THE PROPER TITLE.

>> I'M THE HOUSE CHAIRMAN.

SENATOR McCLENDON IS THE SENATE CHAIRMAN.

>> THESE LINES THAT YOU DREW HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BUT THE BIG NEWS WAS THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS THAT WERE CHALLENGED, PRETTY DEMOCRATIC AT THE CIRCUIT COURT LEVEL, SUPREME COURT BASICALLY BLOCKED THAT RULING SAYING, NO THESE DISTRICTS CAN GO FORWARD BECAUSE IT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE ELECTION BUT NOW WE HAVE A SUPREME COURT HEARING FOR OCTOBER 2nd TO HEAR THE CASE ON THESE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES AND WERE THEY DRAWN CORRECTLY.

THAT KIND OF THING.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE LATEST ON THIS CASE AND REDISTRICTING IN GENERAL?

>> IT IS SIMPLE.

WE DREW THE LINES AND THEY HAD FILED A LAWSUIT BEFORE WE EVEN DRAFTED THE BILL.

WE HAD THE LAWSUIT PENDING.

THEY JUST AMENDED THEIR COMPLAINT AFTER THE BILL WAS PASSED.

THE THREE-JUDGE PANEL RULED WE DIDN'T RELY ENOUGH ON RACE TO DRAW THE DISTRICTS.

WE DREW OUR DISTRICTS RACE NEUTRAL.

THERE WAS NO BREAKDOWN.

WE DIDN'T LOOK AT RACE UNTIL AFTER DRAWING THE MAP AND THE JUDGES PANEL SAID WE SHOULD HAVE DRAWN TWO MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICTS.

THEY HIRED A DEMOGRAPHER AND THEY COULD NEVER DRAW TWO MINORITY DISTRICTS.

EVEN WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY THE OTHER PROGRAMMER PARAMETERS THEY SAID WE NEED TO BREAK THEM.

SECTION TWO OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT SAID NOTHING IN THE ACT IS TO BE MISCONSTRUED THAT MINORITIES SHOULD BE PRESENTED BY POPULATION.

YOU HAVE TO DRAW ON NOTHING BUT RACE.

LOUISIANA STATE JUDGE HAD A LAWSUIT SAYING WE HAVE TO DECIDE THE CONFLICT BETWEEN EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT AND THE SECTION TWO OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THEY ARE CONFLICTING BETWEEN YOUR RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION AND DRAWING BASED SOLELY ON RACE UNDER SECTION TWO.

>> I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT.

THERE'S ALSO LAWSUITS DEALING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE LINES, HOUSE AND SENATE.

WHERE DO THOSE STAND?

>> THE COURTS HAVE STAYED THOSE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE SUPREME COURT RULING.

IT'S THE SAME CHARGE THAT WE ILLEGALLY PACKED BLACKS IN THEIR DISTRICT.

YOU'LL HEAR THE TERM CRACKING AND PACKING.

BUT THE CONFLICT GOES TO THE 14TH AMENDMENT AND SECTION TWO OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

>> GOING BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT.

I WAS TALKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ABOUT THIS MONTHS AGO, WHEN THIS WAS A HOT TOPIC.

BEFORE THEY HAD A HEARING SCHEDULED.

IT SEEMS THERE ARE COMPETING INTERESTS HERE.

YOU KIND OF GOT TO IT.

MAYBE THE COURT AND ONLY THE SUPREME COURT CAN ADDRESS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW ON ONE HAND YOU ARE ASKED TO SORT OF DRAW DISTRICTS FAIRLY, BLINDLY AND MAKING SURE POPULATIONS ARE REPRESENTED.

BUT THEN ALSO, HEY, WE NEED YOU TO CREATE ONE MAJORITY AND MINORITY DISTRICT ACCORDING TO THE CIRCUIT PANEL TWO.

THIS SEEMS TO BE CONFLICTING GOALS AT THE SAME TIME.

IS THAT AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK FOR A LEGISLATIVE BODY AND IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO SAY ONCE AND FOR ALL WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO DO?

>> EXACTLY.

REMEMBER IN 1947, THE SUPREME COURT RULED REDISTRICTING WAS A POLITICAL THICKET INTO WHICH THE COURT SHOULD NOT WEIGH AND THEN IN '64 REYNOLD V SIMS OUT OF ALABAMA BECAUSE WE HAD NEVER REAPPORTIONED A STATE WHICH OPENED THE WHOLE REAPPORTIONMENT FIGHT AND THEN THE '64 VOTING RIGHTS ACT POURED GAS ON THE LITIGATION SIDE OF IT.

IN 1980s, WHEN THEY WERE REDISTRICTING, THEY BASICALLY HAD TO DRAW BASED SOLELY ON RACE.

THEY WOULD GO THROUGH AND DRAW AND PUT -- I THINK THEY WERE SHOOTING 65% BLACK POPULATION IN EACH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT AND WHATEVER THEY HAD TO DO TO GET TO THAT POINT.

WE SLOWLY BACKED OFF THAT.

BUT THE MINORITY POPULATION IN THE STATE IS REPRESENTED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

NOW THE CONFLICT IS HOW DO YOU DRAW WITHOUT RELYING ON RACE.

WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM RELYING ON RACE BUT THE COURTS RULED WE DIDN'T RELY ENOUGH.

>> I CAN UNDERSTAND SAYING OKAY HAVE TWO DISTRICTS, THERE'S AT LEAST AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT MAJORITY BLACK -- BECAUSE YOU SAID THAT IS PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE BUT THEY WERE PROPOSING YOU CAN GET CLOSE TO AT LEAST OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT BEING SORT OF A GOOD GOAL OR WHATEVER.

AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU ARE DEMOCRATS, DON'T YOU RISK LOSING THE ONE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT YOU PRETTY MUCH HAVE A LOCK ON MAYBE EVEN TO MAKE THE TWO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS REPUBLICAN?

>> THAT'S THE THREAT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

SOME OF THE PLANS THEY HAVE PRODUCED ACTUALLY MOVE CONGRESSWOMAN SEWELL OUT OF HER DISTRICT AND PUT HER IN GARY PALMER'S DISTRICT THAT.

DISTRICT AND THE NEW OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT ARE OPEN SEATS, WITHOUT AN INCUMBENT IN THEM.

YOU DO A RACIALLY POLARIZED VOTING ANALYSIS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA YOU COULD VERY WELL WIND UP WITH SEVEN REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN '24 IF WE REDRAW WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING.

>> SOMETHING TELLS ME A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS AND TALK ABOUT THE STATE AUDITOR SITUATION.

THIS IS A RACE ON THE BALLOT.

IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE SO IT WILL BE AROUND FOR A WHILE NO MATTER WHAT.

BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR, I KNOW YOU WERE PART OF IT, ABOUT DOING SOMETHING WITH THE STATE AUDITOR OFFICE BECAUSE IT IS SEEN AS REDUNDANT COMPARED TO ALL THAT THE EXAMINER'S OFFICE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS DO AND STAFF DUPLICATION, STUFF LIKE THAT.

THERE IS PROPOSAL TO MOVE IT UNDER THE EXAMINER'S OFFICE OR MOVE EXAMINERS UNDER STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION AND WHAT'S THE TALK IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT DOING AWAY WITH THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR 30 YEARS.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE FORGOTTEN OFFICES AND PEOPLE SAY WE MIGHT AS WELL DO AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE THE TREASURE'S OFFICE CAN DO IT.

THEY KEEP UP WITH THE PROPERTY, THE CHAIRS AND DESKS AND CAMERAS, THAT'S STATE PROPERTY.

THE EXAMINER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS IS A DIFFERENT SUBJECT.

UNDER STATE LAW, THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATES THE FUNDS.

WE ARE ALSO UNDER STATE LAW REQUIRED TO ACCOUNT FOR HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE SPENT.

REMEMBER, NEITHER THE GOVERNOR NOR ANYBODY ELSE IN STATE GOVERNMENT HAS THE POWER TO SPEND ONE RED CENT OF TAXPAYER MONEY THAT WE DON'T APPROPRIATE.

WE ARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPROPRIATING AND ACCOUNTING FOR IT AND THE EXAMINER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS IS OUR GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT GO IN -- THEY AUDIT EVERY SINGLE COULDN'T BOARD OF EDUCATION, SHERIFF, DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE AND EVERY GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> YOU KNOW, CONSIDERING THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS, AS I SAID IT IS ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR.

THERE'S A RUNOFF HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AND IT IS REFERRED AS TO POLITICAL SPRINGBOARD BECAUSE IT'S A STATEWIDE OFFICE.

JIM ZEIGLER IS RUNNING FOR HIGHER OFFICE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

SO, THERE ARE A FEW POLITICAL INCENTIVES FOR DOING AWAY WITH THE OFFICE, ESPECIALLY IF THE PERSON WHO HOLDS THE OFFICE OR ASPIRES TO THAT OFFICE.

>> TO DO AWAY WITH EXAMINER.

>> NO STATE AUDITOR.

>> THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR YEARS AND I DEFY ANYONE WHO CAN NAME THE LAST TWO BEFORE JIM ZEIGLER.

YOU AND I FOLLOW THIS STUFF PRETTY CLOSE BEFORE JIM GOT IT.

>> I THINK SAM SHAW.

>> I REST MY CASE.

>> JIM CALLS HIMSELF THE CHIEF AGITATOR AND HE'S POLITICIZED IT AND DONE A GOOD JOB GETTING HIS NAME OUT THERE BUT IT THE EXAMINER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE LEGISLATURE AND APPOINTED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE ARE CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS THE EXAMINER HAS TO HAVE THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T HAVE TO HAVE.

IT IS A COMPLICATED JOB.

THE EXAMINER COUNTS As A LAWYER AND OUT OF THE FISCAL OFFICE AND UNDERSTANDS THE LAW AND POWER TO PUT PEOPLE UNDER OATH AND TO PROSECUTE PEOPLE.

IF YOU LIE TO THE EXAMINER, IT'S A FELONY.

I REWROTE THE SECTION OF THE CODE FOR THE EXAMINER OFFICE AND WE WERE CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE IT WAS A NON-POLITICAL OFFICE TO GET A TRUE ACCOUNTING OF WHERE THE TAXPAYERS MONEY IS SPENT.

AND ALL OF THOSE RECORDS, THERE ARE PEOPLE BEING PROSECUTED RIGHT NOW -- WHEN THE EXAMINER FINDS SOMEONE WHO HAS ILLEGALLY SPENT TAXPAYER MONEY THEY TURN IT OVER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR PROSECUTION OR THEY GO AND GET THE MONEY PAID BACK OR DO BOTH.

THEY RELEASE THE REPORTS EVERY FRIDAY AT 9:00 A.M. EVERYTHING THEY DO IS PUBLIC INFORMATION.

THEY JUST DON'T SELF AGGRANDIZE IT AND HOLD PRESS CONFERENCES TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD.

SHE DOES HER JOB AND DOES IT WELL AND REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE, HOLDS EVERYBODY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE SAME DEGREE AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM BLAME THE LEGISLATURE FOR NOT ACTING.

DON'T BLAME THE EXAMINER.

>> YOU ARE SPEAKING OF RACHEL WOODALL AND WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE HER ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

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