>> TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THE PRIMARY RUNOFFS ARE OVER AND THE BALLOT IS SET FOR NOVEMBER.

WE'LL RECAP THE ELECTION.

STATE SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON JOINS US TO DISCUSS THE STATE'S FINANCIAL SITUATION AMID RISING INFLATION.

DR. JULIA BOOTH OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA DISCUSSES THE PROSPECTS OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

AND BRIAN LYMAN OF THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER OFFERS HIS TAKE ON THIS WEEK'S ELECTIONS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS.

RANDY SCOTT REPORTS ON STILL RISING GAS PRICES AND HOW WE CAN HOPE TO SAVE.

KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS ON A MAJOR GUN TRAFFICKING CRACKDOWN IN CENTRAL ALABAMA.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

AFTER THIS WEEK'S PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTIONS, THE BALLOT IS NOW SET FOR THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

THE BIG NEWS OF COURSE WAS THAT KATIE BRITT, THE FORMER BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA PRESIDENT AND RICHARD SHELBY CHIEF OF STAFF, ROUNDLY DEFEATED CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS IN THE REPUBLICAN RUNOFF FOR U.S. SENATE.

BRITT CLAIMED 66 OF 67 COUNTIES AND WON 63% OF THE VOTE TO BROOKS' 37%.

AT HER VICTORY CELEBRATION, BRITT TOLD SUPPORTERS THAT ALABAMA WAS READY FOR NEW BLOOD TO REPRESENT THE STATE.

>> ALABAMA HAS SPOKEN.

WE WANT NEW BLOOD.

WE WANT FRESH BLOOD.

WE WANT SOMEONE WHO WILL FIGHT FOR OUR CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE VALUES, WHO WILL FIGHT FOR THE FREEDOMS AND LIBERTY THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED ON AND FIGHT FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION AND THE NEXT.

BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW, ALL THE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE WE HAVE MET ACROSS THIS STATE.

YOU HAVE SHARED WITH US YOUR HOPES, YOUR DREAMS, YOUR FEARS, YOUR CONCERNS, YOUR CHALLENGES AND YOUR OPPORTUNITIES.

TOO OFTEN, WE HAVE POLITICIANS THAT COME DOWN AND LECTURE US, INSTEAD OF LISTEN.

AND WHAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW IS I HEAR YOU.

>> BRITT WILL FACE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE WILL BOYD IN NOVEMBER.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE RUNOFF ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND THAT WAS TO DECIDE THE NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR.

BIRMINGHAM EDUCATOR YOLANDA FLOWERS DEFEATED STATE SENATOR MALIKA SANDERS FORTIER BY A MARGIN OF 55% TO 45%.

SHE'LL GO ON TO FACE GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IN NOVEMBER.

FURTHER DOWN THE REPUBLICAN RUNOFF BALLOT, WES ALLEN DEFEATED JIM ZEIGLER IN THE RACE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE 65 TO 35.

HE'LL FACE DEMOCRAT PAMELA LAFITTE IN THE GENERAL.

ANDREW SORRELL DEFEATED STAN COOKE 57% TO 43% IN THE RACE FOR AUDITOR.

THERE IS NO DEMOCRAT ON THE BALLOT, SO SORRELL WINS THE POSITION OUTRIGHT.

THE TWO INCUMBENTS ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HELD ON TO THEIR POSITIONS AFTER PRIMARY CHALLENGES.

JEREMY ODEN DEFEATED BRENT WOODALL 52 TO 48 AND CHIP BEEKER DEFEATED ROBERT MCCOLLUM 63 TO 37%.

FINALLY FOR NORTH ALABAMA'S 5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, DALE STRONG, THE HEAD OF THE MADISON COUNTY COMMISSION, DEFEATED FORMER HUNTSVILLE SUPERINTENDENT CASEY WARDINSKY FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.

THAT MARGIN WAS 63 TO 37%.

HE'LL FACE DEMOCRAT KATHY WARNER-STANTON IN NOVEMBER.

THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF ELECTION CHALLENGES BEFORE THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY.

BALLOT DISTRIBUTION ERRORS IN ETOWAH COUNTY HAS LED TO CONTESTS OF TWO CLOSE HOUSE RACES IN DISTRICTS 28 AND 29, WHERE CHALLENGERS ARE ARGUING A NEW ELECTION SHOULD BE CALLED.

AND IN EAST ALABAMA'S SENATE DISTRICT 27, STATE SENATOR TOM WHATLEY IS CONTESTING HIS ONE-VOTE LOSS TO CHALLENGER JAY HOVEY.

THE PARTY'S STEERING COMMITTEE IS SET TO MEET SATURDAY FOR A HEARING ON THE CHALLENGES AND THE MEETING WILL NO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THERE WAS MORE PROGRESS ON THE STATE'S PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN THIS WEEK.

OFFICIALS APPROVED A $725 MILLION BOND SALE TO HELP FINANCE TWO MODERN PRISONS MEANT TO HOUSE UP TO 4,000 INMATES EACH.

STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE SAID THE STATE IS USING LESS BORROWED MONEY THAN ORIGINALLY PLANNED.

>> WE APPROVED THE PLAN TO MOVE INTO THE BOND SALE.

WE ADOPTED A COUPLE RESOLUTIONS, MANY TECHNICAL IN NATURE BUT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECTS.

WE CAN GET THOSE IN DETAIL BUT I THINK THE DOCUMENTS ARE EXPLANATORY.

WE HAVE CIVIL DIRT WORK UNDER WAY AT THE PROJECT AND EXCITED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GROUND UP CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED A MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON GUN TRAFFICKING AND VIOLENCE IN MONTGOMERY THIS WEEK.

EIGHTEEN PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED ON FEDERAL GUN CHARGES AS PART OF “OPERATION WASHOUT.”.

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

>> WE HAVE GUN VIOLENCE NOT ONLY IN OUR STATE BUT THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

EVERY DAY THAT YOU WAKE UP AND GO OUT THERE'S A POTENTIAL FIGHT THAT YOU MIGHT SEE A CRIME WITH WEAPONS.

WE HAVE TO TAKE IT A DAY AT A TIME AND ADDRESS IT AS WE SEE IT.

WE DON'T MAKE THE LAWS.

WE ENFORCE THEM.

THE WEAPONS ARE EASY TO COME BY AND IT IS OUR JOB TO TAKE ILLEGAL WEAPONS OFF THE STREET.

>> THEY REPRESENT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT RECENTLY CONDUCTED "OPERATION WASHOUT."

>> IT IS AN INITIATIVE FOCUSING ON THE ARREST OF VIOLENT FUGITIVES AND NON-COMPLIANT SEX OFFENDERS WITH ACTIVE WARRANTS.

>> THIS OPERATION WAS A COLLABORATION OF MULTIPLE AGENCIES AND THE RESULT OF HOURS AND HOURS OF PLANNING.

IN ADDITION TO THE FUGITIVE SWEEPS IN THE MONTGOMERY AREA THAT FOCUS ON INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO STATE OR LOCAL WARRANTS, 18 FEDERAL DEFENDANTS WERE ARRESTED ON GUN AND DRUG CHARGES.

>> THE OFFICIALS SAY THE OPERATION WAS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

>> THIS WAS A SMALL PORTION OF OUR OPERATION.

SO IF YOU ARE STILL OUT THERE WANTING TO COMMIT CRIME AND STILL WANTING TO DO THINGS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, JUST KNOW THIS IS A SMALL PORTION.

WE WILL BE COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU VERY SOON.

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

>> TWO LOCAL COLLEGES ARE COLLABORATING TO FLIP THE SCRIPT ON CONTINUING EDUCATION.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY AND SOUTH UNIVERSITY THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP THAT ALLOWS NURSING STUDENTS A QUICKER AND MORE AFFORDABLE ENTRY INTO THE PROFESSION.

ASU BIOLOGY AND PRE-HEALTH SENIORS WILL NOW TO HAVE EARLY ACCESS TO THE SOUTH UNIVERSITY NURSING PROGRAM, GETTING THEM ON THE FAST TRACK TO HELP FILL THE NURSING SHORTAGE IN OUR STATE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT ACADEMY EXCELLENCE AND STUDENT SUCCESS.

AND THAT IS WHAT THIS PARTNERSHIP IS ALL ABOUT.

MAKING SURE THAT WE PROMOTE OUR PATHWAYS FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY HAS VETTED THE COURSES THAT ARE OFFERED IN THE NURSING PROGRAMS SO THAT WE HAVE MADE SURE THERE IS AN ALIGNMENT, A SEAMLESS TRANSITION FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> ONE OF OUR MISSIONS IS TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN S.T.E.M.

PROJECTS AND SOUTH HAS QUITE AN ARRAY OF SCIENCE AND ALSO MATH AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.

>>> WELL WE ARE ALL FEELING THE PAIN AT THE PUMP THESE DAYS.

WHILE LEADERS DEBATE TEMPORARY MEASURES LIKE A POSSIBLE GAS TAX HOLIDAY, HIGH GAS PRICES ARE HERE TO STAY FOR A WHILE.

THERE ARE WAYS TO SAVE AND CONSERVE THIS SUMMER.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT HAS THAT STORY.

1.

>> EVERYTHING COSTS MORE.

THERE'S LONGER WAITS BECAUSE OF STAFFING ISSUES IN EVERY INDUSTRY, INCLUDING AUTOMOBILE REPAIR.

YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR CHECKBOOK OUT AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT ANYBODY IS HAPPY ABOUT FOR SURE.

>> AAA SPOKESPERSON SAID IN A TIME WHERE THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING HAS GONE UP, CONSUMER PAYCHECKS HAVEN'T.

>> WHEN YOU ADD THIS GAS PRICE INCREASE TO THAT EQUATION, IT MEANS PEOPLE ARE PUTTING A LOT MORE IN THEIR GAS TANK EACH WEEK AND LESS TO PAY FOR OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ALSO NECESSITIES.

>> THERE ARE EFFORTS TO HELP PEOPLE SAVE MONEY AND NOT OVERSPEND FOR DAILY NEEDS.

TOPPING THAT LIST IS GAS.

WAYS TO HELP INCLUDE KEEPING YOUR CAR IN SHAPE.

>> THAT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO HELP YOUR CAR GET THE BEST POSSIBLE GAS MILEAGE.

SO YOU ARE GETTING THE BEST VALUE YOU CAN ON YOUR MILES PER GALLON WHEN YOU BUY THAT EXPENSIVE GAS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO THAT TO HELP YOUR GAS MILEAGE AND MAKE SURE YOUR VEHICLE LASTS LONGER BECAUSE THEY ARE SO EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE ONE.

>> IF THERE ARE REPAIR NEEDS, HE SAYS SHOP FOR QUALITY, AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS.

>> BE PREPARED -- IF YOU NEED AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR WORK DONE, MAYBE CHECK AROUND A LITTLE BIT, TALK TO DIFFERENT PLACES THAT DO THAT TYPE OF THING.

>> WHEN BUYING GAS, INGRAM SUGGESTS STAYING CLOSE TO WHERE YOU LIVE.

>> IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION, YOU COULD PAY 60 TO 70 CENTS A GALLON MORE THAN YOU NEED TO PAY FOR GAS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE PRICES ARE IN YOUR NORMAL TRAVEL AREA FROM DAY TO DAY.

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

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" ARE AVAILABLE ON THE FREE APP AND CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> I'M JOINED BY GREG ALBRITTON.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

DO WE STILL SHAKE HANDS OR BUMP OR -- >> WE CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

>> OKAY.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN AN UNUSUALLY BUSY SUMMER.

YOU ALL HAVE BEEN HAVING BUDGET HEARINGS.

KIND OF UNUSUAL FOR THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR LIKE THIS, KIND OF THE OFF SEASON, BUT IT'S TO DO WITH INFLATION AND HOW INFLATION IS AFFECTING THESE STATE AGENCIES.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED SO FAR?

>> FIRST OFF, WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE.

IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE WE HAVE DONE IT, BUT ALSO REMEMBER LAST YEAR WITH THE COVID, WE CUT THEM SHORT.

IN FACT, WE DIDN'T HAVE MANY OF THEM.

IT'S TIME WE STARTED TO GET BACK IN AND EDUCATING OURSELVES AND LETTING THE AGENCIES HAVE A CHANCE TO BE HEARD ON WHERE THEY STAND.

AND GIVEN OUR UNIQUENESS OF WHERE WE ARE IN THIS WORLD, IF YOU WILL, INFLATION AND OTHER PRESSURES, COMING OFF THE COVID MATTERS, WE FELT IT WAS NECESSARY AND GOOD TO START LOOKING INTO THINGS NOW.

WE'RE NOT ASKING THE AGENCIES TO BRING IN REQUESTS AT THIS POINT.

WE'RE SIMPLY ASKING FOR INFORMATION TO GAUGE WHERE WE ARE IN THE CURRENT BUDGET THAT WE ARE IN AND HOW THEY ARE FARING WITH THE INFLATION PRESSURES.

>> I HEARD CAM WARD, THE DIRECTER OF THE BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES TALK ABOUT CARS AND HOW HIS AGENCY USES CARS FOR OFFICERS TO TRAVEL AROUND AND CHECK ON THEIR PEOPLE.

HE SAID THAT IS REALLY HITTING THEM HARD.

THE GAS PRICES ARE HITTING THEM HARD TO WHERE THEY HAVE TO PARK CARS AND NOT DO AS MUCH MONITORING.

THAT SEEMS CONCERNING.

>> IT IS VERY CONCERNING.

THAT MEANS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROBABLY AT ALL LEVELS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

THE AGENCIES NEED TO START TO LOOK AT THAT NOW BECAUSE WHEN WE ROLL OVER -- WE ALREADY HAVE THE BUDGET.

WHEN WE START ON OCTOBER 1st, THE NEW BUDGET, THAT'S ALREADY SET.

THE INFLATION WASN'T HERE LIKE IT WAS AT THIS POINT.

DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE.

>> GAS PRICES GO ALONG WITH THAT, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

SO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS TRYING TO GAUGE HOW THE AGENCIES ARE DEALING WITH THAT AND WHERE THE STEPS ARE.

THE DIFFICULTY ALSO IS WE CAN'T CHANGE THAT UP MUCH.

WE HAVE TO FIND A PATTERN THAT WE WILL DEAL WITH THIS AND HOW WE WILL ALLOCATE THE RESOURCES BETTER.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK THAT.

YOU PASSED THE BUDGETS IN BASICALLY APRIL.

>> CORRECT.

>> INFLATION WASN'T REALLY A THING BACK THEN, NOT QUITE.

>> NOT TO THE DEGREE WE ARE IN.

THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND GAS PRICES WEREN'T YET.

>> I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT BUT GO BACK.

WE'RE NOT QUITE IN OUR LAST QUARTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET, AND CERTAINLY WHEN WE PASSED THIS MORE THAN A YEAR OR SO AGO INFLATION WAS JUST BEGINNING AT THIS POINT.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE PRESSURE IS COMING IN, THERE AND IN THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE TO GET A HANDLE ON THAT.

>> THAT IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO GET AT.

UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FISCAL YEAR WILL START IN OCTOBER, IS THERE ANYTHING -- LIKE, THEORETICALLY COULD THERE BE A SESSION TO PASS A SUPPLEMENTAL TO ADDRESS INFLATION CONCERNS IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET?

>> CERTAINLY, BUT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT UNTIL MARCH UNLESS THERE IS A SPECIAL SESSION CALLED, BUT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THAT WILL BE NEEDED OR NOT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE HEARINGS TO SEE WHERE WE ARE.

>> I SEE.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE INFLATION IS GOING ANYWHERE, ANYTIME SOON.

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED?

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE STRESS ON THE AGENCIES AND THE STATE'S FINANCES.

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED LONG TERM ABOUT THE STATE'S FINANCIAL SITUATION?

>> I THINK YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

WE ARE CONCERNED.

NOT JUST ON THE PRESSURES WITH AGENCIES AND THE STATE BUT ALSO FOR INDIVIDUALS.

EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE SUFFERING AND SEEING, INDIVIDUALS ARE HAVING MORE PRONOUNCED PROBLEM.

THAT'S AN ISSUE WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH TOO, I THINK.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN, BUT INFLATION HURTS EVERYBODY.

THE ONLY QUESTION IS HOW BADLY.

WE HAVEN'T DONE THIS INFLATION THING NOW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, ALMOST 40 YEARS.

MOST OF US DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT AND UNHAPPY ABOUT IT.

RIGHTFULLY SO.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT, AT LEAST LOCALLY.

WE CAN'T CONTROL MUCH OF THAT FROM THE STATE LEVEL, BUT WE CAN CONTROL HOW WE SPEND BECAUSE THAT'S THE KEY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, IT MUST BE A LITTLE FRUSTRATING FROM THE STATE PERSPECTIVE THE STATE CAN'T PASS A POLICY THAT IMPACTS INFLATION.

THIS IS A GLOBAL, NATIONAL THING AND YET YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT COME ALONG WITH THAT.

DOES THE ARPA MONEY, DOES ANYTHING CHANGE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE MAY BE -- THE PLANS BEING PUT TOGETHER TO SPEND THE ARPA 2 FUNDS, DOES INFLATION PLAY INTO THAT AT ALL?

>> THAT IS ONE REASON WE ARE HAVING THE HEARINGS TO GET A WHERE AND IF THAT COMES IN.

AND AN ISSUE DO WE HOLD AN ISSUE FOR THAT PURPOSE OR NOT AND THE OTHER IS IT LEGAL?

CAN WE USE ARPA FUNDS FOR SOME OF THAT?

WE TALK ABOUT GAS PRICES ON INFLATION BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING IS CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

ALABAMA IS IN A BUILDING FRENZY RIGHT NOW.

ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

THOSE COSTS ARE GOING UP EXPONENTIALLY.

WHEN WE PUT OUT A BOND FOR SCHOOLS, AT 1.2 BILLION AND WE DID THAT SOME TIME AGO, AND YET WHEN WE START BUILDING WE CAN'T BUILD WHAT WE PLANNED TO BUILD BECAUSE THAT 1.2 IS NOT 1.2 ANYMORE.

IT 1.9.

DO WE TRIM BACK?

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THOSE THINGS.

>> THAT'S A GOOD SEGUE TO MY NEXT QUESTION.

THERE'S TALK OF THE R WORD, RECESSION.

IT'S NOT FUN TO TALK ABOUT BUT IT IS PROBABLY, IN YOUR LINE OF WORK WORTH PLANNING FOR.

I REMEMBER THE LAST RECESSION.

IT BEGAN IN 2010 AND LASTED A FEW YEARS.

IT WAS DEVASTATING IN TERMS OF THE IMPACT ON THE STATE, STATE AGENCIES AND BUDGETS.

IN SOME WAYS WE ARE JUST RECOVERING FROM THAT, LIKE MENTAL HEALTH FOR EXAMPLE.

LET ME ASK YOU, IF THERE IS ANOTHER RECESSION, DO YOU THINK THAT SAME TYPE OF DEVASTATION WOULD HAPPEN, OR ARE WE BETTER PREPARED FINANCIALLY?

>> YES, WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER RECESSION.

THE QUESTION IS WHEN.

THERE'S ARGUMENTS MADE EVERY DAY NOW THAT WE ALREADY ARE IN ONE.

AND IF SO I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO THAT.

TECHNICALLY WE WON'T KNOW THAT ANSWER UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH.

WE FEEL IT AS FAR AS INDIVIDUALS.

WE KNOW THAT WE CAN'T PURCHASE WHAT WE THOUGHT WE COULD PURCHASE.

AND IT'S CAUSING US TO CHANGE OUR HABITS.

RECESSION IF IT IS NOT HERE WILL BE HERE SOON.

WE ARE MORE PREPARED NOW THAN WE WERE IN 2010.

IF YOU RECALL, IT WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD PRORATION IN THE STATE.

OUR INTENT AND OUR PRAYER IS THAT WE DO NOT SUFFER THAT PROBLEM.

WE HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT ON THE STATE LEVEL WITH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, WITH THE WAY WE MANAGED THE MONEYS, THE WAY WE ESTIMATE OUR BUDGETS, THE WAY -- THE PROCEDURES THAT WE USE TO TRY TO PROTECT THE STATE FROM GOING THROUGH THAT TRIAL.

BUT THAT DEPENDS ON HOW LONG IT LASTS AND HOW DEEP IT GOES.

ALL OF THE PREPARATIONS IN THE WORLD MAY NOT BE ENOUGH.

OUR CONCERN, FROM THE BUDGET SIDE OF THE STATE, IS WE HAVE TO PREPARE FOR AS BAD AS WE CAN IMAGINE IT, IF THAT MAKES SENSE, SO THAT WE CAN BE PREPARED FOR WHATEVER COMES.

WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE ALABAMA REMAINS ECONOMICALLY SOUND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE AND ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND ALL OF OUR PEOPLE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT HOW BUDGETS WORK IN TERMS OF THE DAY TO DAY.

IN MY MIND, I SEE IT LOOK AT INFLATION, PRICES GO UP BUT THAT ALSO MEANS TAXES GO UP.

>> NOT NECESSARILY.

>> I WAS THINKING THE TAX REVENUE TO THE STATE MIGHT GO UP.

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE TAX.

>> IS IT ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.

>> LET'S LOOK AT THE GAS TAX.

IT IS NOT A SALES TAX AND THAT IS BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF THE SALE PER GALLON.

WHEN THE GAS PRICES GO UP YOU BUY LESS.

SO THE REVENUE DECLINES.

THE SALES TAX IS GEARED TO THAT CERTAINLY.

BUT, BUT, THE PROBLEM IS IT CHANGES THE HABITS AND THE TRANSACTIONs DECLINE.

WHEN THE TRANSACTIONS DECLINE, EVERYBODY'S REVENUE DECLINES, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC.

THAT'S WHERE THE RECESSION HURTS.

>> I SEE.

TO INCLUDE LIKE THE ONLINE SALES TAX?

>> OH, CERTAINLY.

>> I KNOW THAT THE LEGISLATIVE AGENCIES PRESENTED FINDINGS IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY ARE SEEING REVENUE WISE RIGHT NOW.

>> REVENUE WISE IN ALABAMA WE ARE OKAY RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE LAST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE ENOUGH, FRANKLY, BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED AND WE CONTINUE, WE BELIEVE, TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

ALL RIGHT.

BUT HALF WAY THROUGH THAT YEAR, IS WHERE IT STARTS TO GET CONCERNED.

WE HAVE TIME, WITH OUR PREPARATIONS, WE HAVE BROUGHT TIME SO THAT IF THE BOTTOM DOES FALL OUT WE WILL HAVE TIME TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AND OTHER PLANS AND STUFF.

HENCE, WHY WE ARE TRYING TO DO THE HEARINGS TO GET A GRIP ON THAT NOW.

THE EARLY WE LOOK AT WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE, THE BETTER WE WILL BE PREPARED.

>> LET'S SWITCH GEARS TO PRISONS.

I KNOW THIS WEEK THE BOND ISSUE WAS AGREED UPON.

YOU ARE GOING TO MARKET WITH THE BOND ISSUE.

I'M HEARING THAT EVEN SOME SITE PREP WORK IS GOING ON WHERE THESE TWO FIRST PROJECTS ARE GOING ON.

HOW DESCRIBE THE WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE PROGRESS?

>> I WOULD HAVE LIKE TO HAVE DIRT FLYING LAST JANUARY.

THAT SIMPLY WAS NOT FEASIBLE OR POSSIBLE.

WE WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THAT.

WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES AS FAR AS THE BONDING AND PLANNING AND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THOSE MEASURES.

WE HAVE $500 MILLION IN THE BANK READY TO GET GOING WITH THAT TOO.

YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE SITE WORK.

I HAVE HAD REPORTS THAT SITE WORK IS BEING DONE.

I HAVEN'T GONE OUT TO TAKE A LOOK YET BUT I WILL.

I BELIEVE WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS THERE.

I THINK YOU WILL FIND WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS YOU WILL SEE THINGS COMING OUT OF THE GROUND.

>> IS IT TOO EARLY TO ESTIMATE WHEN THE FACILITY MIGHT OPEN?

>> NOT HARD AND FAST.

GETTING A PLUMBER TO SHOW IS ANOTHER MATTER.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT BY 2026, BY MID 2026, I THINK, WE WILL HAVE BOTH OPERATIONAL.

>> WE'RE JUST COMING OFF AN ELECTION.

PRIMARY, RUNOFF, OF COURSE A GENERAL, TOO.

IN TERMS OF THIS BUILDING IN THE STATEHOUSE, THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE LOOKING A LOT DIFFERENT, NEW MEMBERS, A LOT OF RETIREMENTS, FEW PEOPLE GETTING DEFEATED.

HOW DO YOU ALL DEAL WITH THAT IN TERMS OF NEW PERSONALITIES, NEW MEMBERS COMING IN WITH NEW IDEAS FROM A LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE OF ORGANIZING A BRAND NEW LEGISLATURE?

>> I CAN'T OVEREMPHASIZE THAT POLITICS AND IN FACT GOVERNING DEALS A LOT WITH PERSONALITIES, NOT JUST THE POLICIES BUT THE PERSONALITIES.

WHENEVER THERE IS A CHANGE IN PERSONALTIES THAT CHANGES THE WHOLE.

WE WILL HAVE HAVING SOME CHANGES MADE.

WE HAVE FOLKS WE HAVE TO INCORPORATE AND SOME OF US THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE HAVE TO CHANGE AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, NEW GUYS.

THERE'S A LOT OF TRAINING THAT GOES ON.

THERE'S A LOT OF INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT HOW AND WHEN AND, YOU KNOW, THE JOKE IS GETTING THE KEY TO THE BATHROOM OR WHATEVER.

BUT REALLY AND TRULY HOW DO YOU FILE A BILL AND GET IT PREPARED.

NOT TO MENTION WHO CAN OR WILL HELP YOU AND WHO WILL HURT YOU.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MATURING THAT SOME OF US HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

WE START TO MAKE CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER.

WE START TO REACH OUT TO EVERYBODY TO GET TO KNOW OURSELVES, AND ALSO TO REESTABLISH THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE HAVE IN EXISTENCE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MAKES ANY SENSE.

>> SURE.

>> IT'S LIKE A FAMILY REUNION, YOU KNOW.

WHEN YOU COME FROM A FAMILY REUNION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE COUSIN HAS GROWN UP AND IT IS A DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP, ESPECIALLY IN ALABAMA, RIGHT?

>> OKAY.

THERE'S BEEN TALK OF A SPECIAL SESSION FOR ARPA AND WAITING UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR TO DO THOSE PLANS.

IN YOUR ESTIMATION, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF A SPECIAL SESSION BEFORE NEXT YEAR?

>> IT IS UP TO THE GOVERNOR.

I'LL COME IN WHEN THE GOVERNOR CALLS US.

I TRY TO MAKE MYSELF PREPARED FOR ANY TYPE OF THING THAT MAY COME UP, WHETHER THAT IS A SPECIAL SESSION THAT MAYBE FOR ARPA OR DEALING WITH SOMETHING ELSE IN THE BUDGET OR GAMING OR GAMBLING.

I'LL BE READY.

>> LOOK, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR TIME AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY BRIAN LYMAN FROM THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER NEWSPAPER.

A LOT OF OUR VIEWERS READ YOU EVERY DAY BUT A LOT MAYBE AREN'T FROM MONTGOMERY.

I WAS HOPING YOU COULD TALK ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A JOURNALIST, ESPECIALLY HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> SURE.

WELL, I'VE WORKED FOR THREE NEWSPAPERS IN ALABAMA AND I HAVE COVERED ALABAMA POLITICS MOSTLY CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 2006.

FROM THE TIME OF BOB RILEY TO THE AGE OF KAY IVEY I HAVE BEEN HERE.

>> IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT ELECTION WE JUST HAD THIS WEEK.

IT'S A RUNOFF ELECTION BUT A LOT GOT DECIDED.

LET'S START WITH THE SENATE, U.S. SENATE, BIG RACE THERE.

WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM KATIE BRITT'S BIG WIN OVER MO BROOKS?

>> FOR STARTERS, ONE HAS TO GIVE CREDIT TO BRITT, SHE DID RUN A STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN.

BRITT IS SOMEBODY WHO WAS VERY WELL KNOWN WITHIN THE ESTABLISHMENT.

OBVIOUSLY A LONG-TIME AIDE TO RICHARD SHELBY, FORMER HEAD OF THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA.

SHE HAD THE ESTABLISHMENT BACKING.

TO HER CREDIT, SHE TRIED TO INTRODUCE HERSELF TO THE GRASSROOTS, WHICH I THINK ENDED UP PUSHED HER OVER THE TOP.

SHE WAS NOT GUARANTEED TO WIN THIS RACE.

SHE CALLED HERSELF THE UNDERDOG ON TUESDAY AND I FELT THAT WAS A BIT MUCH.

SHE ALWAYS HAD THE ESSENTIAL ADVANTAGE HERE, BUT SHE COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY LOST THIS HAD SHE COUNTED ON THAT ESTABLISHMENT SUPPORT.

SHE WENT OUT TO THE STATES AND TALKED TO ALL OF THE REPUBLICAN CLUBS.

THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW POLITICS IN THE STATE WERE COMFORTABLE WITH HER, KNOWING HER BACKGROUND WITH BCA AND RICHARD SHELBY AND THE PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT POLITICS WERE REPUBLICAN VOTERS WHO DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT POLITICS WERE EITHER COMFORTED BY HER ADS WHERE SHE THREW A LOT OF RED MEAT TO PRIMARY VOTERS OR, ON THE OTHER SIDE MAYBE THEY WERE TURNED OFF BY HER OPPONENT AND FELT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH HER.

SO -- LET'S NOT MINIMIZE THE FACT SHE HAD A MAJOR CASH ADVANTAGE IN THIS RACE.

SHE WAS ABLE TO RAISE IT.

AS WE SAW FROM THE TV ADS, SHE WAS ABLE TO SPEND IT.

SHE WAS ABLE TO -- I THINK WHAT WAS STRIKING TO ME, I THINK, ON MAY 24th, SHE WON A MAJORITY OF THE WIREGRASS, WHICH IS NOT SURPRISING BECAUSE SHE IS FROM COFFEY COUNTY, THAT'S HER NATIVE AREA.

A REPUBLICAN THAT DOES THAT IN THE PRIMARY IS IN GOOD SHAPE TO MOVE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

BROOKS DID VERY BADLY AND MAY HAVE FINISHED BEHIND MIKE DURANT IN THE WIREGRASS AT THAT POINT.

BRITT, EVEN THOUGH SHE GOT 45% OF THE VOTE SHE HAD HERSELF WELL ESTABLISHED IN REPUBLICAN AREAS.

IT WAS US A HER RACE TO LOSE AND TO HER CREDIT SHE DID ENOUGH TO NOT ONLY MAINTAIN WHAT SHE GOT ON MAY 24th BUT EXPAND IT SIGNIFICANTLY ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> I AGREE.

ESPECIALLY ON THE -- TALKING ABOUT THE STATEWIDE.

I REMEMBER BOTH NIGHTS, THE PRIMARY MAY 24th AND TUESDAY NIGHT IN THE RUNOFF, JUST SEEING THE RURAL COUNTIES COME IN.

THEY ARE NOT A TON OF VOTES BUT WHEN YOU SEE THE MARGINS OF RURAL COUNTY AND THEY ARE ALL FOR KATIE BRITT, IT IS CLEAR THEY HAD A GRASSROOTS FOCUS ON EVERY COUNTY, NOT JUST THE SUBURBANS.

YOU MENTIONED MO BROOKS, HER OPPONENT MO BROOKS, SOMETHING HAS TO BE SAID ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE HAD THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

HE HAD THE THING THAT EVERYBODY WANTED IN THIS RACE AND MAYBE -- I DON'T KNOW, DIDN'T USE IT.

OBVIOUSLY, HE WENT DOWN TO THE POLLS, TRUMP PRESENTED THE ENDORSEMENT.

CAN YOU SEE A SCENARIO WHERE HE GETS ON TV IN JANUARY AND SPENDS A LOT OF MONEY TELLING PEOPLE.

I BET A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

DID HE MISUSE THAT POLITICAL GIFT?

>> IT IS INTERESTING TO ME.

I SPOKE TO REPUBLICAN VOTERS ON MAY 24th AND ON TUESDAY AND THEY SAID THAT THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT WAS AT BEST ONLY PART OF THE REASON THEY VOTED FOR HIM.

I THINK TRUMP HAS A CERTAIN PULL.

THE ADVANTAGE OF THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT FOR BROOKS WAS THAT BROOKS HAS NEVER -- WHEN HE RUNS IN A STATEWIDE RACE HE'S STRUGGLED OUTSIDE OF HUNTSVILLE, OUTSIDE OF HIS HOME DISTRICT, PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS.

THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT WAS FOR HIM A GOOD WAY TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE REST OF THE STATE.

PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT BROOKS HAS, THOUGH -- I THINK WHAT ATTRACTS BROOKS SUPPORTERS TO BROOKS -- AND I HEARD THIS ON TUESDAY, AS WELL AND IS THEY ADMIRE HE IS CONSISTENT AND OUTSPOKEN.

BUT THAT ALSO LEAVES HIM VULNERABLE TO ATTACK FOR BEING CONSISTENT AND OUTSPOKEN.

HE IS CONSISTENTLY VOTED AGAINST THESE -- LIKE RENEWING AUTHORIZATION, USE OF FORCE RESOLUTIONS IN CONGRESS BECAUSE HE BELIEVES THAT CONGRESS SHOULD REVOTE ON THESE THINGS AND NOT SIMPLY RENEW IT.

IT IS A POINT OF ATTACK FOR HIM.

LUTHER STRANGE USED IT TO ATTACK HIM IN 2017 AND USED AGAINST HIM AGAIN THIS YEAR.

THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT COULD HAVE TAKEN HIM TO A CERTAIN POINT BUT HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO RUN A CAMPAIGN THAT BROOKS REALLY HAS NEVER FELT COMFORTABLE RUNNING IN THE STATE.

LIKE, HE'S NOT SOMEBODY WHO'S REALLY TRYING TO REACH OUT TO OTHER VOTERS.

HE IS NOT TRYING TO REASSURE PEOPLE.

HE IS A GUY WHO SAYS THIS IS WHAT I STAND FOR, SOME OF THE THINGS HE STANDS FOR ARE CONTROVERSIAL AND CAN RAISE QUESTIONS BUT HE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT HE THAT LEADS TO PEOPLE TO SUPPORT HIM AND LIKE HIM BUT PREVENTS PEOPLE REACHING OUT AND ATTACKING HIM LIKE KATIE BRITT.

>> TRUMP ENDORSED KATIE BRITT.

I THINK WE KNOW IN ALABAMA SHE WAS ON THE WAY TO WINNING BEFORE THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

>> SHE HAD THE CONSTITUENCIES.

AS I SAID BEFORE, PEOPLE IN POLITICS FELT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH BRITT THAN WITH ANYBODY ELSE.

SHE WAS ABLE TO TAILOR A MESSAGE THAT WAS VERY MUCH -- THAT THREW ALL OF THAT RED MEAT OUT THERE, THAT GAVE PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO POLITICS, ALL THAT STUFF.

WE HAVE TO BE FRANK.

TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENTS ARE NOT SENDING TRENDS ANYMORE.

THEY ARE FOLLOWING TRENDS.

HE IS TRYING TO STAY RELEVANT IN THIS NEW ENVIRONMENT WHERE -- I THINK, YOU KNOW, LIKE FOUR YEARS AGO EVERYBODY FELT THE NEED THEY HAD TO REALLY -- THEY HAD TO COW TOW.

NOW PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING LIP SERVICE.

IF YOU REMEMBER FROM BRITT'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH LAST TUESDAY, SHE DIDN'T THANK TRUMP UNTIL -- >> A FOOTNOTE.

>> AT THE END.

>> EVEN THEN IT WAS NOT THAT MUCH.

>> EXACTLY.

SHE JUST SAID THANKS FOR TAKING US OVER THE TOP.

NOT LIKE YOU DID IT FOR ME, YOU DID IT.

I THINK WE WILL SEE, IF THAT TREND HOLDS, I THINK WE WILL SEE LESS OF AN INTEREST IN DOING ANYTHING MORE THAN PAYING LIP SERVICE TO HIM DOWN THE ROAD.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, SECRETARY OF STATE IS A DOWN BALLOT RACE, AN IMPORTANT JOB AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED -- I WAS PRIZED TO SEE WES ALLEN SURGE TO SUCH A VICTORY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED?

>> LET'S LOOK AT FINANCES.

HE OUTSPENT THE FIELD AND HAD THE MOST MONEY.

HE MAY HAVE SPENT MORE THAN THE REST OF THE REPUBLICAN FIELD COMBINED.

DOING THAT WILL GIVE YOU A LOT OF OXYGEN AND HELP GET YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS.

I THINK HE SUPPORTED THE KINDS OF VOTING LAWS THAT I THINK BASE REPUBLICANS REALLY LIKE.

THE DAY AFTER THE PRIMARY, I ASKED HIM AND JIM ZEIGLER, DO YOU SUPPORT ANY MEASURES TO MAKE VOTING MORE CONVENIENT OR EASIER.

THEY BOTH SAID NO.

THEY ARE VERY MUCH ABOUT ELECTION SECURITY AND WHAT NOT.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU PICKED UP ON THIS IN YOUR OWN REPORTING, BUT I TALK TO A LOT OF REPUBLICANS WHO BASICALLY DIDN'T SEE THIS AS A VOTE FOR ONE PERSON AS MUCH AS A VOTE AGAINST A PERSON.

I HEARD PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPORTING ALLEN BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT ZEIGLER AND PEOPLE SUPPORTING ZEIGLER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT ALLEN.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT IS I THINK ALLEN'S BENEFITED FROM REALLY STRONG SPENDING AND PRETTY FOCUSED MESSAGE, BUT THERE'S ANY NUMBER OF WAYS -- ANY NUMBER OF THINGS YOU COULD READ INTO THAT RESULT.

>> ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT ELECTION HAPPENING WAS THE SANDERS FAMILIAR.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A SANDERS INVOLVED IN ALABAMA POLITICS.

YOU KNOW THE SUM OF POLITICS BETTER THAN MOST.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THERE?

>> THAT'S A VERY -- ONE THING YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT AREA IS VULCANIZED BETWEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF DEMOCRATS.

IT'S VERY COMPETITIVE.

SOMETIMES IT CAN BE VERY UGLY.

I THINK SANDERS -- HANK SANDERS GOT STARTED LATE IN THAT RACE.

LIKE IT WASN'T REALLY CLEAR IF HIS DAUGHTER WAS GOING TO RUN FOR STATE SENATE OR GO ELSEWHERE.

I THINK THAT KIND OF PUT HIM ON HIS BACK HEEL.

I THINK, TOO, I MEAN, SANDERS HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE SENATE, LONG-TIME CHAIR OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEES THERE IN THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK IN THAT ATMOSPHERE IN SELMA THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO LOOK AT A CHANGE.

WITH MALIKA SANDERS-FORTIER, I THINK WHAT STRIKES ME ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL RACE, ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IT WAS $26 MILLION SPENT ON THAT PRIMARY, FOUR TIMES WHAT WE SPENT IN 2018.

ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE IT WAS CLOSER TO $27,000 IN TOTAL.

>> WOW.

>> WHEN I SPOKE WITH DEMOCRATIC VOTERS ON TUESDAY -- AND AGAIN, I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE 2006, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SPOKEN TO VOTERS -- THERE WERE TWO CANDIDATES ON TUESDAY'S BALLOTS, SANDERS-FORTIER AND FLOWERS.

THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS I SPOKE WITH ALL SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHO EITHER CANDIDATE WAS.

I REALLY THINK, IN THAT SITUATION, IT WAS -- IN THAT SITUATION, IF YOU HAD TOLD ME -- IF YOU TOLD ME IT WAS BASICALLY LIKE PEOPLE VOTED FOR WHO WAS TOP ON THE BALLOT, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED BY THAT.

OUTSIDE OF -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE VOTING PATTERNS THAT NIGHT, SANDERS-FORTIER DID BEST IN THE WESTERN BLACK BELT, WHICH IS HER SENATE DISTRICT.

FLOWERS DID WELL EVERYWHERE ELSE.

MY FEELING IS THAT WHERE SANDERS-FORTIER WAS KNOWN SHE DID WELL, BUT REALLY I DON'T KNOW THAT MANY DEMOCRATS WHO CAST A BALLOT THIS YEAR REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHO THE CANDIDATES WERE OR WHERE THEY STOOD.

>> THE SENATE DISTRICT 27, THIS IS THE TOM WHATLEY, VERSUS JAY HOVEY RACE.

ONE VOTE.

SENATOR WHATLEY, CURRENT STATE CHAIR, DEFEATED BY ONE VOTE AND WHATLEY IS CONTESTING THE ELECTION.

BASICALLY ARGUING THAT DEMOCRATS CROSSED OVER TO VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

THERE'S NO LAWS AGAINST THAT OR POLICIES AGAINST THAT FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BUT HE IS TRYING TO GET THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO OVERTURN THAT ELECTION AND GIVE HIM THE ELECTION.

DO YOU SEE THAT EFFORT SUCCEEDING?

I KNOW IT IS HARD TO GET INSIDE OF THE HEADS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

>> IF I COULD TELL YOU THAT, I WOULD PROBABLY BE PAID A LOT MORE.

>> LET ME ASK IT THIS WAY, WHAT IF THEY DID?

WHAT IF THEY OVERTURNED THIS ELECTION AND GAVE IT TO WHATLEY, JUST BY ONE VOTE, DO YOU SEE THAT BEING, YOU KNOW, REALLY SIGNIFICANT?

I COULD SEE UPROAR FROM VOTERS SAYING, WAIT A SECOND, YOU ARE OVERTURNING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

>> LET'S LOOK AT THAT DISTRICT.

IT IS CENTERED ON LEE COUNTY.

I BELIEVE IT IS TALLAPOOSA AND RUSSELL COUNTY IN THERE AS WELL.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE RESULTS OF THAT RACE, WHATLEY DID WELL.

JUST BLEW HOVEY OUT OF THE WATER.

YOU OVERTURN THAT RESULT THE DEMOCRATS DO HAVE A CANDIDATE IN THAT RACE.

>> REESE.

>> AND YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TREND LINES FOR LEE COUNTY.

LEE COUNTY HAS BEEN MOVING TO THE LEFT.

IT'S NOWHERE NEAR WHERE MADISON COUNTY IS, WHERE MADISON COUNTY IS TO A TIPPING POINT BUT LEE COUNTY IS GETTING THERE.

IF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WHATLEY COULD HOLD ON TO WIN.

IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS.

THE DEMOCRATS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE RAISE A LOT OF MONEY AND WHATLEY CAN ALWAYS DO THAT, BUT YOU ARE ALSO GIVING THE DEMOCRATS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY THAT YOUR VOTE WAS HANDLED IN THE SPRINGTIME, WHY DON'T YOU LOOK AT US IN NOVEMBER.

SO IT COULD BE -- IT'S FASCINATING TO ME.

LIKE OVERTURNING THAT RACE WOULD BE POTENTIALLY POISONOUS FOR REPUBLICANS IN LEE COUNTY.

IN A PLACE, I SHOULD ADD, IN LEE COUNTY, WHERE THEY REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO BE LIKE THE KIND OF REPUBLICAN YOU MAY SEE IN OTHER PARTS OF ALABAMA.

>> MAYBE POISONOUS STATEWIDE AND I THINK HOVEY WOULD BE A GOOD ARGUMENT FOR A WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN.

>> I SHOULD SAY, TOO, I THINK HE SPENT $96,000 TO WHATLEY'S 1.2 MILLION.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TALK IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ABOUT THIS CROSSOVER VOTE.

I THINK A LOT COMES FROM THE FACT IT WAS MORE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT MAIN STREAM CANDIDATES THAT PREVAILED THIS TIME.

IT WASN'T THE FARTHER RIGHT WING CANDIDATES THAT DIDN'T.

THOSE THAT SUPPORTED THOSE CANDIDATES SAY IT IS THE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE CROSSING OVER.

YOU ARE HEARING A LOT OF TALK OF WE WILL CLOSE THE PRIMARY SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD TAKE LEGISLATION TO CLOSE THE PRIMARY SYSTEM.

ONLY SWORN REPUBLICANS CAN VOTE IN THE REPUBLICANS VOTE IN.

IT SEEMS PROBLEMATIC.

IT SEEMS A LOT OF ALABAMIANS MAYBE A LOT OF INDEPENDENT STREAK.

>> TO ME THAT WOULD BE LIKE HYPER GERRYMANDERING.

I THINK YOU WOULD SUDDENLY GET A LOT OF EVER MORE EXTREME CANDIDATES IN THOSE RACES, IF YOU WERE TO DO THAT.

LOOK, THE DEMOCRATS ARE CROSSING OVER FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THE STATEWIDE TICKET ISN'T THAT STRONG THIS YEAR.

THEY WANTED TO HAVE A SAY IN WHO WAS GOING TO RUN THE STATE AND WHO WAS GOING TO DO THAT.

SO, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU MEASURE THAT STATISTIC.

BUT IF DEMOCRATS ARE CROSSING OVER IT IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THEY CAN REALLY LOOK AT IT AND SAY HAVE A CHANCE IN NOVEMBER.

>> LIKE YEARS AGO, IN THE '80s AND BEFORE WHERE REPUBLICANS IF YOU WANTED TO HAVE A SAY IN THE ELECTION YOU MIGHT AS WELL VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

>> THEY WERE PLAYING A GAME OF DEFENSIVE VOTING IN THAT SITUATION.

AGAIN, I THINK IF -- IF YOU ARE TO DO THAT, YOU ARE GOING TO GET A LOT MORE OF THE ROY MOORE CANDIDATES AND SEE THAT MORE OFTEN.

I'M SURE THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF GROUPS, LIKE THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA WILL BE HAPPY TO SEE AS THEY MOVE FORWARD.

>> ALWAYS THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE.

>> IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE A TV.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 DR. JULIA BOOTHE, PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

DR. BOOTHE, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> I KNOW THAT WE ARE COMING UP ON THE TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE OBAMACARE, AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

THE SUPREME COURT CASE, THAT ESSENTIALLY SENT THE DECISION FOR WHETHER OR NOT TO EXPAND MEDICAID BACK TO THE STATES.

AS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PASSED CONGRESS, MEDICAID EXPANSION WAS IN THERE.

STATES CHALLENGED IT AND SAID IT SHOULD BE A STATE DECISION.

THAT'S WHAT THE SUPREME COURT SAYS.

IT HAS BEEN TEN YEARS.

AND ALABAMA IS ONE OF 12 OR SO STATES THAT DID NOT EXPAND MEDICAID.

I WANT TO ASK, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A DOCTOR, WHAT KIND OF CONSEQUENCE HAS THAT LED TO HERE IN ALABAMA?

>> IT IS MORE OBVIOUS ABOUT OUR COVERAGE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE HAD.

PERSONALLY, I PRACTICE IN PICKENS COUNTY WHICH HAD CLOSURE OF A HOSPITAL IN THAT AMOUNT OF TIME.

IT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO MEDICAID.

IT WASN'T THE ONLY THING GOING ON.

BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WHEN THEY PASSED THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, THEY USED FUNDS THAT USED TO HELP KEEP SMALL RURAL HOSPITALS OPEN TO FUND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

SO NOT ONLY DID WE LOSE, BUT WE LOST TWO DIFFERENT WAYS.

THERE ARE SOME NUMBERS OUT THERE THAT SAY HOSPITALS THAT WERE IN AREAS THAT DID EXPAND MEDICAID SAW A DECREASE IN THEIR UNCOVERED PATIENTS BY 55% AND THEN THE STATES LIKE ALABAMA THAT DID NOT EXPAND IT WAS 18%.

SO THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENCE AND THAT'S BEEN FELT THROUGHOUT.

LIKE I SAY, OUR SMALL HOSPITAL COULDN'T WITH STAND THE LOSS OF THE DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE FUNDS WHICH WERE FUNDS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDED KNOWING SMALL HOSPITALS DIDN'T HAVE THE VOLUME THAT LARGER HOSPITALS HAD BUT THEY WERE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

SO OTHER STATES GOT THE DOLLARS THAT USED TO COME TO ALABAMA.

>> THE LEGISLATURE -- WELL, GOVERNORS, THE LEGISLATURE REALLY IN THIS WHOLE PERIOD OF TIME HAD ESSENTIALLY SAID WE CAN'T PAY FOR IT.

YES, THEY OFFERED INCENTIVES AT THE FRONT END, BUT THERE IS A COST TO THE STATE AND ESPECIALLY AT THE BEGINNING TIME BUDGET SHORT FALLS AND EVERYTHING.

THEY JUST SAID WE CAN'T PAY FOR IT.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU DO EXPAND MEDICAID IT COMES WITH OTHER FUNDS AND MAYBE BOOSTS RURAL AREAS LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT.

>> RIGHT, IF YOU CAN STABILIZE THE LOCAL ECONOMY YOU CAN HELP A LOT OF THINGS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE HOPEFUL FOR NOW IS THAT MAY BE WE CAN GET EVERYBODY ON BOARD FOR EXPANSION, EVEN THE MAJORITY OF YOUR CONSERVATIVE VOTERS ARE NOW SAYING THEY ARE FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION, WHICH WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT WAS SUPPORTED TEN YEARS AGO.

AGAIN, A LOT OF THAT WAS NOT LOOKING AT THE RIPPLE AFFECT BUT THE SHEER DOLLARS THE STATE WAS GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO CHIP IN AFTER YEAR THREE, FOUR, FIVE, AND THOSE NUMBERS SEEMED HUGE AT THE TIME BUT NOW WE KNOW IT IS COST US SO MUCH THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WORTH DOING THAT THEN.

BUT WE CAN'T CRY OVER SPILLED MILK.

IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR STATE.

>> I REMEMBER BACK THEN.

YOU ARE TALKING 2010, 2009.

IT WAS CALLED OBAMACARE.

AND IT WAS A NO GO FROM REPUBLICANS.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE GOVERNMENT HEALTHCARE THING.

BUT THAT WAS TEN YEARS AGO, 12 YEARS AGO REALLY.

DO YOU THINK THAT HAS CHANGED?

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS LONG GONE.

THE POLITICS HAVE CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.

DO YOU THINK IT IS MORE ACCEPTABLE TO REPUBLICANS, CONSERVATIVES UNDERSTANDING THAT MEDICAID IS THE NAME BUT YOU ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

>> THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS SOME PEOPLE LOST THEIR HEALTHCARE COVERAGE THROUGH ALL OF THIS.

EITHER THEIR EMPLOYER COULDN'T AFFORD IT OR THEY FILLED IN A GAP.

SO FOR SEEING THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING PEOPLE DID AT THE TIME EITHER.

SO NOW YOU KNOW PEOPLE THAT USED TO HAVE INSURANCE NO LONGER HAVE IT.

THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID AND FALL IN A GAP.

THEY CAN'T PURCHASE THROUGH THE EXCHANGE BECAUSE THEY DON'T QUALIFY.

NOT ONLY DO THEY NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID OR TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN INSURANCE THROUGH AN AFFORDABLE MEANS.

>> WELL, WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO THE LEGISLATURE?

WE ARE GOING THROUGH AN ELECTION RIGHT NOW.

WE DO HAVE MORE MONEY THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THE BUDGETS LIKE THEY HAVE.

WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE TO THE LEGISLATURE IN TERMS OF -- I KNOW YOU ARE FOR EXPANDING MEDICAID BUT WHAT WOULD YOUR SALES PITCH BE TO THIS REPUBLICAN-LED LEGISLATURE AND TO THE GOVERNOR?

>> I DON'T THINK HAS EVER BEEN A TIME SUCH AS THIS TO MAKE THAT DECISION LIKE WE HAVE SO MANY EXTRA FUNDS TO ALLOW US TO DO A STABLE EXPANSION.

OBVIOUSLY, THE LEGISLATURE IS ALREADY PIQUED THEIR INTEREST BECAUSE THEY HAVE EXPANDED FOR THE POSTPARTUM SERVICES HAVE EXPANDED FOR A YEAR.

IT IS JUST A PILOT BUT I THINK THAT WAS THE FIRST LITTLE STEP TOWARD FULL EXPANSION.

AT LEAST I'M HOPEFUL.

THE FUNDS FROM THE FEDS ARE NOTHING LIKE WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

IT IS A TIME WHERE WE CAN DO THAT AND HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO FUND WHENEVER THOSE RUN OUT BECAUSE THEY WILL.

BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO STABILIZE THE ECONOMY FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR STATE.

>> IF WE COULD SWITCH GEARS, I'D LOVE TO ASK FOR AN UPDATE ON COVID-RELATED ISSUES.

WE HAVE SEEN A BIT OF AN UPTICK IN TERMS OF CASES IN THE STATE.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING ON THE GROUND IN YOUR PRACTICE?

>> WE ARE SEEING A SLIGHT INCREASE, I'LL SAY, WE DON'T SEE THE SEVERE ILLNESS CASES LIKE WE WERE.

THE HOSPITAL NUMBERS PRESENTLY HAVE NOT REALLY SIGNIFICANTLY RISEN, BUT WE ARE SEEING ACTIVE CASES.

WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BURST IN A LOCAL PRIVATE CLINIC, MAYBE UP 15, 20 IN A DAY AND THEN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS FOUR OR FIVE.

COMPARED TO TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO WHERE WE MIGHT GO DAYS WITHOUT SEEING ANY POSITIVE COVID.

SO THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A BOOST IN THAT.

VACCINE HESITANCY IS STILL AN ISSUE.

WE STILL OFFER VACCINES.

AS YOU KNOW, THEY ARE APPROVED DOWN TO EVEN THE ELEMENTARY AGE.

WE CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THAT AT EACH VISIT AT THE OFFICE.

AND PATIENTS ARE STILL NOW CHOOSING TO DO THAT INITIAL SERIES.

IT'S NOT AS MUCH OF I'M NEVER, EVER GOING TO GET A COVID VACCINE AS I THINK WE HAD IN THE BEGINNING WITH A LOT OF PATIENTS.

WE ARE SEEING MORE WHERE THEY ARE WILLING TO CONSIDER IT AND TALK ABOUT IT AND JUST LEAVE THAT OPEN ENDED.

>> YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING BEFORE THAT I DIDN'T REALIZE.

THE VACCINES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR VACCINES.

ORIGINALLY YOU BASICALLY WALKED IN AND GOT ONE.

NOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE TO PAY FOR THAT?

>> YES, THE COVERAGE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY.

A LOT OF CLINICS ARE STILL GOING TO DO IT AND -- WHAT I CALL JUST WRITE IT OFF, DO IT FOR FREE.

BUT THERE IS A COST INVOLVED IN THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE SUPPLIES YOU HAVE TO USE.

THERE'S STAFF TIME, THERE'S DOCUMENTATION THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, THERE'S A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

AND THAT COVERAGE ENDED A FEW MONTHS AGO.

THE SAME THING FOR COVID TREATMENT.

THAT WAS ALSO PROVIDED AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES.

THAT WAS COVERED BUT THAT TIME IS ENDED AND SO IT IS NO LONGER COVERED FOR EVERYONE.

MOST PEOPLE WE CAN FIND SOMEWHERE WE CAN GET YOU TREATMENT THOUGH.

>> SO IF YOU COME DOWN WITH COVID AND YOU HAVE A BAD CASE AND GO THOUGH HOSPITAL, IF YOU DON'T HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE THE BILLS WILL PILE UP?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THAT GOES BACK TO THE MEDICAID QUESTION.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT FOR A SECOND, IF WE MAY.

TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE ON THE GROUND.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION THAT'S COVERED BY MEDICAID RIGHT NOW, A SMALL PERCENTAGE, MOSTLY CHILDREN AND THE VERY POOR.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF EXPANSION INCREASING THAT TO A THRESHOLD THAT IS LOW INCOME BUT MORE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE COVERAGE.

IN YOUR PRACTICE, DO YOU RUN INTO FAMILIES THAT ARE IN THAT GAP THAT -- THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID AND MAYBE DON'T HAVE IT THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER, WHAT DO THEY DO?

WHAT DOES THE FAMILY DO TO PAY FOR A DOCTOR'S OR HOSPITAL'S VISIT?

>> AGAIN, CHILDREN FALL IN A UNIQUE CATEGORY.

A LOT OF TIMES WE CAN GET THEM COVERED WITH MEDICAID OR THE CHIP FUNDS, ALL KIDS IS WHAT WE CALL IT IN ALABAMA BUT THOSE WORKING ADULTS ARE THE ONES THAT FALL IN THE GAP.

THERE ARE FREE CLINICS SMATTERED AROUND.

MOST CLINICS, LIKE AT MY PRIVATE PRACTICE WE HAVE A SELF PAY FEE WE'LL DO THAT COVERS MOST OF OUR COSTS, NOT ALL OF THEM, WE STILL LOSE A LITTLE ON THAT, BUT, AND MOST CLINICS OFFER SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT IS WHAT PATIENTS HAVE TO DO.

THE MAJORITY JUST DO WITHOUT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK DO THEY PUT OFF REGULAR HEALTHCARE UNTIL SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC HAPPENS?

>> YES.

AND THE DATA PROVES THAT.

THAT PEOPLE DON'T DO THE SCREENINGS.

THAT CANCERS ARE NOT FOUND EARLY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WHAT I CALL STOP-GAP PROGRAMS IN ALABAMA WE HAVE THE ABC PROGRAM.

IT IS A WAY TO ENROLL CERTAIN-AGED WOMEN FOR CERVICAL CANCER AND BREAST CANCER SCREENING.

THERE ARE CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE THAT HAVE COLON CANCER SCREENING AVAILABLE AND NOT STATEWIDE OR OPEN TO ALL CITIZENS.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT I APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN AND SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THIS FOR OUR AUDIENCE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY WAS FOUNDED IN 1901 BECOMING THE NATION'S FIRST POLITICALLY FUNDED INDEPENDENT STATE ARCHIVES INDUSTRY.

THE ARCHIVES IDENTIFIES, PRESERVE AND MAKES ACCESSIBLE ARTIFACTS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

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