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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" WEEK IN REVIEW.

THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAPPED UP THIS WEEK.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET FOR THE 30TH AND FINAL DAY ON TUESDAY, FINISHING UP LAST MINUTE BUSINESS BEFORE ADJOURNING SINE DIE.

ALL IN ALL, IT WAS AN EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY SESSION.

GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE SPECIAL SESSION THAT KICKED OFF MARCH 8, HERE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS YEAR.

LAWMAKERS PASSED THE SECOND HALF OF THE STATE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS, AMOUNTING TO $1 BILLION.

THAT MONEY IS GOING TOWARD REIMBURSING HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE AND RURAL BROADBAND INTERNET.

THEY ALSO RENEWED ALABAMA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STATUES PASSING A FOUR-BILL PACKAGE KNOWN AS THE GAME PLAN.

A BILL WAS PASSED TO CRACK DOWN ON TRAFFICKERS OF DEADLY FENTANYL BY SETTING MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES.

THE STATE'S ADOPTION LAWS WERE UPDATED TO MAKE IT LESS OF A BURDENSOME PROCESS.

HERE, MORE RECENTLY, CUTTING THE STATE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES IN HALF OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND ELIMINATING INCOME TAX ON OVERTIME WAGES EARNED.

WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.

AND THEN OF COURSE THERE ARE THE BUDGETS, WHICH ARE THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

HISTORIC FIGURES.

A $3 BILLION GENERAL FUND WITH ANOTHER $1.1 BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL.

AN $8.8 BILLION EDUCATION TRUST FUND, WITH ANOTHER $2.7 BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL.

THAT INCLUDED A ONE-TIME TAX REBATE THAT FOLKS SHOULD RECEIVE THIS FALL AND PUTTING $325 MILLION AWAY IN AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER REFLECTED ON WHAT HE CALLED AN HISTORIC SESSION.

>> I THINK IT IS HISTORIC.

FENTANYL AND CHANGED ADOPTION THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEAR AND FENTANYL BILL SIGNED IN TO LAW.

IF YOU BRING IT TO ALABAMA YOU'LL SPEND A LONG TIME IN JAIL.

THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

YOU LOOK AT THE TAX CUTS, THE LARGEST IN ALABAMA HISTORY, THE REBATES TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA ALONG WITH ARPA FUNDS AND HEALTHCARE.

IT'S BEEN HISTORIC SESSION IN MY OPINION AND IT'S THE WORK OF THE BODY THAT'S MADE THAT POSSIBLE.

>> MANY LAWMAKERS ARE POINTING TO THE ELIMINATION OF STATE INCOME TAX ON OVERTIME WAGES AS AMONG THE MOST MEANINGFUL ACTIONS FOR EVERYDAY ALABAMIANS.

THE FINAL VERSION OF THE BILL, AS AMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR, WOULD SUNSET OR EXPIRE IN JULY 2025.

THAT MAKES IT A PILOT TAX CUT OF SORTS SO THE LEGISLATURE CAN SEE HOW IT IMPACTS STATE BUDGETS BEFORE DECIDING TO MAKE IT PERMANENT.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY DANIELS, WHO SPONSORED THE BILL, WAS ALL SMILES UPON SEEING IT PASS.

>> RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE NOW HIRING SIGNS FROM THE SOUTHERN TIP OF OUR STATE TO THE NORTHERN TIP, EASTERN AND WESTERN.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS THEY CANNOT FIND THE PERSONNEL TO WORK.

BUT ALLOWING WORKING ALABAMIANS THAT WANT TO WORK OVERTIME AND MAKE IT WORTHWHILE FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IS WORTH DOING.

TO A PERSON WORKING OVERTIME WILL NOW -- STARTING IN JANUARY -- BE ABLE TO RECEIVE 5% BACK THEY ARE PRE-TAXED FROM EMPLOYEES TO SEND TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

NOW THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET -- IT'S LIKE 5% PER HOUR ON OVERTIME PAY INCREASE ON WHAT THEY BRING HOME.

THIS IS A RAISE WITHOUT THE BUSINESS HAVING TO GIVE A RAISE.

IT'S THE STATE OF ALABAMA GIVING THE RAISE TO THE HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE STATE.

WHAT THAT AMENDMENT MEANS TO ME, I APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR SAW THE NEED TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE CAP IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DECENT LIVING.

IF THIS WERE WASHINGTON, WHAT WE JUST SHOWED YOU WOULD BE EXTREMELY RARE.

THE DEMOCRATIC HOUSE LEADER SUCCESSFULLY PASSING A TAX CUT THOUGH A SUPERMAJORITY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.

BUT IN MONTGOMERY, THAT BIPARTISAN COOPERATION HAS COME TO BE THE RULE AND NOT THE EXCEPTION.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH EXPLORES THAT STORY.

>> JUST LIKE IN LIFE, ALABAMA'S 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAD ITS FAIR SHARE OF DISAPPOINTMENTS.

FOR EXAMPLE, STATE SENATOR GUDGER HAD TWO BILLS GO UP IN SMOKE.

ONE HE SPONSORED WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND.

IT WAS TO HELP PREVENT VAPING AMONG THOSE YOUNGER THAN 21 YEARS OLD.

THE OTHER WOULD HAVE GENERATED REVENUE TO FUND THE 988 SUICIDE CRISIS EMERGENCY NUMBER.

HE REGRETTED THOSE DID NOT PASS BUT -- >> AS FAR AS MY PERSONAL OPINION, I HAVE HAD A GREAT SESSION EXCEPT THE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF THE 988 AND VAPE BILL.

THOSE TWO I WANTED TO PASS BUT WITH THE GAME PLAN I WAS CARRYING FOR THE GOVERNOR AND TRANSPARENCY IT IS ALWAYS A POSITIVE WHEN TAXPAYERS ARE ABLE TO SEE WHERE THEIR MONEY IS GOING.

>> EITHER WITH THE DISCOURAGING MOMENTS, POSITIVE IS HOW SEVERAL SENATORS DESCRIBED THIS SESSION.

>> WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TIMINGS IN THIS CHAMBER AND IN LEGISLATURE, THIS SESSION WHERE YOU HAVE REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, HOUSE MEMBERS, SENATORS WORKING TOGETHER ON COMPLEX TOPICS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> WE HAVE HAD SOME CONTROVERSIAL BILLS THAT EVERYBODY TENSED UP ON AND WE REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO SEE.

I'M SO HAPPY WE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE STOPPED TALKING AT EACH OTHER AND STARTED TALKING TO EACH OTHER.

>> HAVE BEEN, I WOULDN'T SAY GOOD BUT GREAT LEADERSHIP MAKES OUR JOB EASIER TO BRING US ALONG AND HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROCESSES ARE.

SO WITH THAT, I THINK WE ARE FORTUNATE AS A FRESHMEN CLASS TO HAVE GREAT LEADERSHIP.

>> WE HAVE UNEQUIVOCALLY STOOD TO THE TASK OF WHAT WE TRIED TO ACCOMPLISH.

WE HAVE SHOWED EMPATHY TO THE STATE AND THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA IN CERTAIN REGARDS.

AT VARIOUS TIMES, INSTEAD OF TAKING A MEAT CLEAVER OR TOMAHAWK TO LEGISLATION, WE HAVE BEEN SURGICAL IN OUR APPROACH.

>> WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE A FRATERNITY OR SORORITY, WE ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING BUT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACK.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND I MEAN THAT AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE SAME LOVE WITH ME.

>> LAWMAKERS ACCOMPLISHED THEIR MISSION OF WORKING TOGETHER.

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

>> THE LAST DAY OF SESSION IS USUALLY AN INTERESTING ONE HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

BUT THIS YEAR WITH THE BUDGETS ALREADY PASSED, IT WAS SMALLER, MORE DETAILED BILLS HAVING LAWMAKERS ATTENTION TOWARD THE END.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> SINE DIE, A LATIN PHRASE MEANING WITHOUT ANY FUTURE DATE DESIGNATED, THE PHRASE THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE USES TO FORMALLY END EACH SESSION.

MORE ON THAT IN A MINUTE.

THE 2023 REGULAR SESSION IS WINDING DOWN BUT THERE ARE STILL A FEW PROPOSALS SUCH AS SENATE BILL 195 BEFORE THE ALABAMA HOUSE THAT ADDRESSES NEW GUIDELINES FOR THE STATE CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE ARGUMENT WE CONSTANTLY HAVE IN THIS CHAMBER.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHEN WE SEE BILLS LIKE THIS.

>> YES, MA'AM.

AGAIN, WE HAVE MINORITY MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE THAT JUST DON'T COME TO THE MEETINGS SO I DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

>> ARE THEY LEGISLATORS?

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> THE BILL PASSES AND A FEW MORE MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE HOUSE COMPLETES ITS CALENDAR.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I MAKE A MOTION WE ADJOURN SINE DIE.

>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE?

ANY OPPOSED?

WE ARE ADJOURNED SINE DIE.

>> A FEW MEMBERS LOOK BACK AT THE WORK IN THE SESSION.

>> I ENJOYED THE PROCESS AND LEARNING THE PROCESS AND MEETING ALL 139 MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE SENATE.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

>> IT WENT VERY SMOOTH.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS ENCOURAGING TO ME IS THE BIPARTISAN WORK.

THEY HAD ONE GOAL IN MIND, TO DO WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> THE FRESHMEN WORKED ON MANY BILLS, SOME PASSING AND SOME NOT.

>> I WOULD HAVE MY BILL WOULD HAVE PASSED -- IT PASSED THE HOUSE I BUT IN THE SENATE WE LOST THERE.

WE WILL FILE AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT LEADER DANIEL'S OVERTIME BILL.

THAT'S A GREAT BILL.

WE CAN PUT MONEY IN AND LET ALABAMIANS KEEP MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS AND THE GROCERY TAX BILL.

>> THE CELL PHONE BILL I WANTED TO SEE PASS BUT THERE WERE OTHER TREMENDOUS BILLS, THE FENTANYL BILL, THE ADOPTION BILL, THE BABY BOX BILL, THOSE ARE TREMENDOUS BILLS AND OF COURSE THERE'S MANY, MANY OTHERS BUT ALL TOGETHER I'M VERY PLEASED.

>> AS FOR THE LATIN PHRASE WE STARTED THE STORY WITH, HERE IT IS TO CLOSE OUT A SESSION AND A STORY.

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

>> HERE'S A LIST OF OTHER NOTABLE BILLS THAT RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE ON THE LAST DAY.

SENATE BILL 157 FROM STATE SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT WOULD ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ARREST PAROLEES IF THEY OBSERVE VIOLATIONS.

SENATE BILL 103 FROM STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WOULD REQUIRE THE ETHICS COMMISSION TO HAND OVER ANY EVIDENCE THAT MIGHT EXONERATE SOMEONE UNDER INVESTIGATION.

HOUSE BILL 272 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE GINNY SHAVER WOULD INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR BEING CONVICTED OF FLEEING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SPECIFICALLY, THE PENALTY WOULD INCREASE FROM A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR TO A CLASS C FELONY.

HOUSE BILL 230 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON AIMS TO PROTECT FIRST RESPONDERS BY MAKING IT A FELONY TO KNOWINGLY EXPOSE THEM TO DEADLY FENTANYL.

AND SENATE BILL 301 FROM STATE SENATOR JABO WAGGONER WOULD MAKE IT A CRIME TO HOLD A CELL PHONE OR TABLET WHILE DRIVING.

WHILE LAWMAKERS ARE GLAD TO BE FINISHED, THEY MAY BE COMING BACK TO THE STATE HOUSE SOONER THAN THEY THOUGHT.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ON THURSDAY RULED THAT ALABAMA'S LATEST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS WERE IN VIOLATION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND MUST BE RE-DRAWN.

THE 5-4 RULING SAID THAT STATE LAWMAKERS IMPROPERLY PACKED BLACK VOTERS INTO THE 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, DILUTING THEIR VOTING POWER IN THE OTHER DISTRICTS.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN A SPECIAL SESSION MIGHT BE CALLED TO REDRAW THE DISTRICTS, BUT CANDIDATES WILL START TO QUALIFY AS SOON AS THE FALL.

DEMOCRATS IN ALABAMA ARE CELEBRATING THE RULING BECAUSE THEY SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO POTENTIALLY PICK UP A SEAT.

LONGTIME PARTY LEADER JOE REED SAID HE IS GOING TO BE PUSHING FOR A MAP ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BY STATE SENATOR MERIKA COLEMAN THAT TURNS THE 1ST DISTRICT IN SOUTH ALABAMA INTO A SECOND MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT.

>> I FEEL GOOD BECAUSE THE SUPREME COURT CAN SEE THINGS THAT THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE COULD NOT SEE.

WE COULD GET -- OUGHT TO HAVE TWO MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICTS IN CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE PEOPLE WON'T VOTE FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO SERVE IN CONGRESS.

THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT BUT THE INTENT IS PEOPLE OUGHT TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO SELECT THEIR CHOICE.

IF THEIR CHOICE IS BLACK, FINE.

IF THEIR CHOICE IS WHITE, FINE.

BUT THE LAW, AS ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE HAS BEEN ABOUT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS IS TO PROVIDE FAIR REPRESENTATION SO OUR VOICES CAN BE EFFECTIVELY HEARD.

>> IT'S HARD TO OVERSTATE JUST HOW SIGNIFICANT THAT RULING IS AND WE WILL DEFINITELY BE TALKING MORE ABOUT IT NEXT WEEK AS THE DUST SETTLES.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

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

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE, AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR CLAY SCOFIELD, MAJORITY LEADER FOR THE ALABAMA SENATE.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> WE'RE DONE.

Y'ALL ARE DONE WITH A REALLY MONUMENTAL SESSION.

I MEAN, YOU THINK OF WHERE YOU STARTED WITH ARPA, GOING THROUGH THE GAME PLAN, GOING THROUGH SOME ISSUES WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WERE GOING TO COME UP, GROCERY TAX, OVERTIME TAX, ALL OF THIS.

WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE FOR YOU, AS THE MAJORITY LEADER, TRYING TO NAVIGATE ALL OF THESE ISSUES?

>> IT'S BEEN A SESSION, I'LL TELL YA.

TO YOUR POINT, IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE SESSION.

IN MY 13 YEARS, I THINK THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST MONUMENTAL MAYBE.

IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING AT TIMES.

AND I THINK A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE SURPLUSES THAT THE STATE HAS HAD AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE STATE HAS HAD.

OBVIOUSLY, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT IS THE QUESTION.

SO, THAT PRESENTED A LOT OF CHALLENGES, A LOT OF CONVERSATION.

I THINK THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS SESSION IS HOW A LOT OF THAT SORT OF THE SOLUTIONS CAME ORGANICALLY.

>> RIGHT.

IT WASN'T SOME KIND OF AGENDA BLESSED BY -- THE BILL JUST CROPPED UP.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK A LOT OF MEMBERS HAD A LOT OF INPUT IN IT.

WE DESIGNED IT THAT WAY.

WE WANTED TO HAVE INPUT FROM AS MANY MEMBERS AS WE COULD, WANTED TO ENGAGE.

AND FRANKLY, ALL OF THEM DID WANT AND DID ENGAGE.

AND FROM THAT, I THINK WE CAME UP WITH SOME REALLY GOOD PRODUCT FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

I THINK THAT'S THE WAY IT'S DESIGNED TO BE.

>> IT'S BEEN MY OBSERVATION, WATCHING YOU, YOU WEREN'T AT THE MIC A LOT THIS SESSION.

YOU WEREN'T ON THE FLOOR -- OR AT LEAST WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEE, WHERE THE CAMERAS ARE.

THAT'S MEANS A LOT OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES AS MAJORITY LEADER.

SENATOR SINGLETON SAID THE SAME THING.

YOU ALL ARE WORKING OUT COMPROMISES AND THINGS LIKE THAT BEHIND THE SCENES SO I GUESS MAYBE WHEN YOU GO TO THE FLOOR YOU KIND OF KEEP THE PEACE.

TAKE US BEHIND THE SCENES INTO YOUR WORK.

WHAT PEOPLE MAY NOT SEE EVERY DAY.

>> WELL, THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION.

THERE'S A LOT MORE LISTENING THAN TALKING.

THAT IS PROBABLY WHY YOU DON'T SEE ME GO TO THE MIC A LOT.

I'LL GO TO THE MIC WHEN I NEED TO GO TO THE MIC.

I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN YOU HOLD YOUR VOICE UNTIL ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

WHEN YOU DO THAT, PEOPLE TEND TO LISTEN.

I LEARNED THAT FROM MY GRANDPA.

THERE'S THE LISTENING TO MEMBERS.

THERE'S LISTENING TO THEIR CONCERNS.

LISTENING TO THEIR FEEDBACK, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM, WHAT BILLS ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM, WHAT ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM, AND THEN WORKING TO -- YOU KNOW, IF OTHER MEMBERS HAVE ISSUES -- NOT EVERYTHING IS PARTISAN.

WE HAVE -- I'D SAY THE VAST MAJORITY OF LEGISLATION IS NON-PARTISAN.

THAT MEANS THAT PEOPLE WITHIN MY OWN CAUCUS, MEMBERS WITHIN MY OWN CAUCUS MAY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH ANOTHER PERSON'S DEAL THAT'S IN MY CAUCUS.

WE WORK TO GET THAT STRAIGHTENED OUT.

FROM THAT, USUALLY WE SEE A BETTER PRODUCT.

WE SEE A BETTER BILL.

WE ARE LAWMAKERS.

IT'S EXTREMELY SERIOUS WHAT WE DO.

IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE BE SERIOUS AND DELIBERATE ABOUT WHAT WE DO.

OUR PRODUCT IS LAWS.

>> IT MATTERS.

>> AND THOSE LAWS HAVE TO BE AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE.

NOW, THERE'S PROBABLY VERY FEW PERFECT LAWS, BUT WE HAVE TO GET IT AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT IMPACTS THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND THEIR DAILY LIVES, THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

SO OUR WORK PRODUCT HAS TO BE AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO BEHIND THE SCENES.

WE FORCE NEGOTIATION WHEN NEEDED AND STEP IN TO BE A PART OF THAT NEGOTIATION WHEN IT IS NEEDED.

FROM THAT COMES OUT A BETTER PRODUCT.

>> YEAH, BECAUSE HALF OF WHAT Y'ALL DO IS FIX OLD LAWS, RIGHT, THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY PERFECT.

>> UH-HUH.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS BILL YOU HAD ON ROAD BUILDERS.

THIS WAS, YOU KNOW -- SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS COULD NEVER BE DONE.

TALKING ABOUT LIABILITY AS IT PERTAINS TO, OKAY, IF SOMEBODY GETS IN A WRECK ON A ROAD, WHO'S LIABLE?

IS IT THE ROAD BUILDERS WHO BUILT THAT ROAD IF THERE WAS A PA PROBLEM WITH IT, THE MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY CHARGED WITH MAINTAINING IT?

VERY DIFFICULT NEEDLE TO THREAD.

Y'ALL FIGURED IT OUT.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOUR FIX WAS.

>> FIRST, WE WILL START WITH THE PROBLEM.

THE PROBLEM WAS A LOT OF OUR ROAD BUILDING PARTNERS IN ALABAMA WERE FACING A LOT OF WHAT I WOULD DEEM AS FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS.

THEY ARE ON THE HOOK AFTER THEY BUILD THE ROAD AND IT'S HANDED OVER TO THE STATE OR THE COUNTY OR THE CITY, THEY ARE ON THE HOOK FOR THAT FOR SEVEN YEARS AFTER THEY COMPLETE THAT PROJECT.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY COMPLETED IT AND IT WAS PERFECT, THE STATE OR COUNTY OR CITY SAYS WE'RE PLEASED WITH YOUR WORK.

IT LOOKS GREAT.

IT IS UP TO SPEC AND THE WAY WE DESIGNED IT, THEY ARE STILL ON THE HOOK.

WHAT OUR BILL DID WAS BASICALLY SAY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THAT ROAD BUILDER IS NOT GOING TO BE SUED.

THESE FOLKS WERE GETTING SUED OVER -- FROM DRUNK DRIVERS.

I TALKED TO ONE THE OTHER DAY THAT SAID THAT 43% OF THEIR LAWSUITS INVOLVED A DRUNK DRIVER.

>> SO A DRUNK DRIVER HAS A WRECK AND THEY ARE BLAMING IT ON THE ROAD CONDITIONS WHICH THEY ARE PUTTING ON THE ROAD BUILDER?

>> YEAH.

SO IT WAS SO BAD THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WERE JUST SETTLING.

THEY WERE JUST SETTLING BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT IN CERTAIN COUNTIES IF IT GOT TO JURY TRIAL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.

>> I'M GUESSING THAT'S A BIG IMPEDIMENT TO ROAD BUILDERS DOING THESE PROJECTS.

>> THERE'S ONE COUNTY IN ALABAMA WHO THEY WOULD NOT GO INTO.

>> WHO'S THAT?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT BUT IT IS A POOR COUNTY.

AND NOW THAT COUNTY IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT AND BUY THEIR ROAD EQUIPMENT, ET CETERA.

AND WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

IT MATTERS BECAUSE EVENTUALLY IF THESE ROAD BUILDERS GO OUT OF BUSINESS, THAT'S LESS COMPETITION.

THAT'S LESS BIDS FOR OUR STATE OR COUNTIES OR OUR CITIES.

THE LAST THING THE TAXPAYER NEEDS IS FOR THERE TO ONLY BE TWO OR THREE MAJOR, MAJOR ROAD BUILDERS.

>> THEY CAN CHARGE WHATEVER THEY WANT.

>> YOU BET, AND THAT'S NOT AN ENVIRONMENT WE NEED TO BE IN.

THAT'S WHY I WAS SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS BILL.

I COULD SEE THAT EVENTUALLY THAT'S WHERE WE WERE HEADED UNLESS WE PAID SOME ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE.

>> YOU HAD TO BRING A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE TO THE TABLE BECAUSE THERE'S SOME REALLY DIVERGENT VIEWS ON THAT.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

WE MADE SURE THE COUNTIES, THE CITIES WERE AT THE TABLE, THE TRIAL LAWYERS WERE AT THE TABLE.

AND OBVIOUSLY, THE ROAD BUILDER COMMUNITY.

SO, SITTING THROUGH THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE SOMETHING THAT WENT TOO FAR, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DRIVING PUBLIC IS PROTECTED AGAINST ANY BAD ACTORS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

QUITE FRANKLY, THAT'S WHAT WE CAME UP.

WE CAME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT -- A BILL, THAT WILL PROTECT THE DRIVING PUBLIC AND HOLD BAD ACTORS ACCOUNTABLE BUT ALSO KEEP FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS FROM HAPPENING.

THEY CAN'T BE SUED BY A DRUNK DRIVER.

IF DISTRACTED DRIVING YOU CAN'T SUE OVER 25 MILES AN HOUR, WHICH ON COUNTY ROADS IS CONSIDERABLE BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE ROADS ARE BUILT FOR TOP SPEEDS OF 45 MILES AN HOUR.

SO THOSE THINGS ARE OUT.

WE ALSO PUT MED MAL LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT THERE HAS TO BE EXPERTS.

BECAUSE YOU GET TO A JURY TRIAL, YOU HAVE A PANEL OF JURISTS THAT DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ROAD CONSTRUCTION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF IT, AS WELL.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME AND I GUESS I SHOULD SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON A SESSION COMPLETED.

ARE YOU GOING TO GET SOME SLEEP NOW?

>> I'M GOING TO TRY TO.

I'M GOING TO TRY TO.

>> APPRECIATE YOUR TIME COMING ON THE SHOW AND WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT SESSION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS, 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.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, MINORITY LEADER FOR THE ALABAMA SENATE.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

>> SINE DIE.

YOU ALL ARE DONE.

>> YES.

>> ANOTHER SESSION IN THE BOOKS.

THE FIRST TERM, REALLY BIG SESSION, IF YOU GO BACK TO THE SESSION WITH ARPA AND EVERYTHING, MONUMENTAL IN TERMS OF EVERYTHING Y'ALL DID.

I WANT TO GET YOUR IMPRESSIONS.

I KNOW YOU ARE JUST COMING OFF THE FLOOR, BUT HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO REFLECT ON WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS FROM THE SESSION WERE?

WAS IT SUCCESSFUL AS FAR AS YOU ARE CONCERNED?

>> IT WAS SUCCESSFUL.

THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS WE GOT DONE.

WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND INVESTED THE MONEY.

IN ARPA FUNDS WE DID 2-POINT SOME ODD BILLION DOLLARS AND CAME BACK AND EDUCATION TRUST 2.7 BILLION JUST IN SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.

WE DID ANOTHER 1.3 BILLION IN A GENERAL FUND OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.

THESE DOLLARS SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THE STATE, INVESTED IN DIFFERENT PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, PUT MONEY INTO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

IT WAS JUST AN ARRAY OF THINGS THAT WE DID WITH THESE DOLLARS IN ALABAMA WE HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HAD THAT MUCH MONEY.

>> HISTORIC LEVELS OF SPENDING.

I REMEMBER MARY WROTE A STORY AND ADDED IT UP AND SHE SAID 15 BILLION THAT YOU ALL DEALT WITH THAT ONE DAY AND IT DIDN'T COUNT ARPA.

IT IS MORE LIKE 17, $18 BILLION.

THAT'S ALMOST UNHEARD OF.

>> YES, IT IS.

FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA WE DO VERY WELL AND WE ARE GOOD, FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE ABOUT OUR BUDGETING PROCESS WHERE OUR EDUCATION BUDGET DOES WELL AND WE WILL SEE SOME SURPLUS IN OUR GENERAL FUND.

HOWEVER, THIS YEAR, AS THE SURPLUS GREW FROM FEDERAL DOLLARS WE HAVE, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO A LOT OF SPENDING ON LOCAL DOLLARS.

THIS YEAR, IT JUST BOOM.

AND NEXT YEAR MAY BE SOME OF THE SAME.

>> SWITCHING GEARS.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS IN THE SENATE.

A LOT OF FOLKS WATCH ONLINE OR LISTEN OR WATCH OUR COVERAGE.

THEY SEE THE DAIS.

THEY SEE YOU GOING BACK AND FORTH BUT NOT BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> CORRECT.

>> IT'S MY OBSERVATION THAT YOU ARE A BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORKER.

WHATEVER BILLS COMING UP, IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM YOU ARE WORKING TO MAKE THE CHANGES TO MAKE THEM PALATABLE.

I'M THINKING OF THE GANG BILL AND IT ENDED UP SOMEWHERE GOOD IN THE PROCESS.

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT MAKING THE CHANGES AND GETTING WHAT YOU NEED.

>> YOU GO TO THE MEMBERS.

IT'S ABOUT INTEGRITY AND CHARACTER AND THE LEVEL OF RESPECT YOU HAVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

SENATOR BARFOOT WHO WAS CARRYING THAT BILL IS A MAN OF CHARACTER WHO WANTED TO SIT DOWN AND SAY I KNOW THE BILL IS NOT PERFECT.

WE ARE WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND LOOK AT IT.

THERE WERE THINGS WE POINTED OUT TO HIM EARLY ON AND HE SAID YES, THOSE ARE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT COULD HAPPEN.

WE LOOKED AT THE BILL AS TARGETING BLACK AND BROWN BOYS.

ONCE HE HEARD OUR SIDE, I APPLAUD HIM, LEADER REED AND SCOFIELD FOR COMING TO THE TABLE TO SAY THIS CAN BE CHANGED AND WORK IT OUT AND STILL ACHIEVE WHAT WE WANT.

I THANK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE FOR WORKING ON THE BILL.

WE DON'T WANT VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY FROM GANG MEMBERS EITHER.

WE WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT THAT BILL, TRY TO TAKE AWAY UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE BILL AND STILL ALLOW THEM TO BE ABLE TO EXECUTE IN THE A MANNER TO BRING JUSTICE TO THOSE WHO ARE OUT THERE DOING CRIMINAL ACTS.

SO, WITH THAT, IT WAS A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF THAT IN DC, SOMEONE HAS THE MAJORITY OF MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF COMPROMISING GOING ON BUT YOU ALL SEEM TO DO A LOT OF IT HERE.

THERE WAS A BILL THE LAST DAY HAVING TO DO WITH FENTANYL, REALLY ALL DRUGS.

I'LL LET YOU EXPLAIN.

THE OFFICERS EXPOSED TO DANGEROUS DRUGS WHEN THEY ARE IN AN ARREST OR EMERGENCY SITUATION.

YOU HAD SOME CHANGES.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BILL?

THIS WAS FIRST RESPONDERS, SOMEONE CALLS A FIRST RESPONDER AND IF SOMEONE EXPOSES A FIRST RESPONDER WITH A NARCOTIC DRUG OR SOMETHING TO CAUSE THEM HARM THEY WOULD BE CREATING A FELONY.

THAT COULD BE SOMETHING TOTALLY UNINTENDED.

YOU ARE TALKING IN A CHARACTER DRUG, MARIJUANA IS A NARCOTIC, XANAX COULD BE LOOKED AT AS A NARCOTIC.

ACTUALLY TALKING FENTANYL, WHICH IS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS AND WE WANT TO GET IT OFF THE STREET.

WE WERE ABLE TO PUT INFORMATION THE BILL LIKE INTENTIONAL, WILLINGLY AND IF SOMEONE INTENTIONALLY, KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY DID THAT TO A RESPONDENT AS THEY WERE COMING IN THEN THAT PERSON COULD BE TRIED AND CONVICTED UNDER THE FELONY ACT.

WITH THAT, WE STILL WANT WHAT THE INTENT OF THE BILL TO HAPPEN BUT AGAIN A BILL LIKE THIS BECAUSE YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THERE -- I CALL YOU AS A FIRST RESPONDER.

I MAY HAVE FENTANYL ON MY FINGERS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING I JUST USED BUT IT COULD BE CHOKING OR KILLING ME.

IF YOU COME IN AND I'M IN A CONVULSION AND I TOUCH YOU, THAT'S NOT CONTENT.

YOU, AS A RESCUER ARE COMING TO RESCUE ME.

>> UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

>> YES.

>> ONE BILL THAT DIDN'T COME UP THE LAST DAY IS THE BALLOT HARVESTING ABSENTEE VOTER BILL.

DO YOU HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH -- I ASSUME YOU DIDN'T GET THE CHANGES TO MAKE IT PALATABLE OR WAS IT TO BEGIN WITH?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD BILL.

FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T HAVE A BALLOT PROBLEM IN THE STATE.

EVEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE COULDN'T GIVE ONE INCIDENT TO WHERE IT HAPPENED.

THEY ARE GETTING OUT AHEAD OF THE GAME.

SHE WAS GOING TO GIVE A PERSON A FELONY FOR GOING OUT AND ASSIST SOMEONE WITH AN APPLICATION, NOT THE BATTLE WHERE THE SWORN AFFIDAVIT, JUST THE APPLICATION ITSELF.

SO SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT.

I THINK MEMBERS OF THIS PARTY, WE LOOKED AT BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE BUT WE ALL DEAL WITH ABSENTEE BALLOTS AT SOME POINT.

WE ALL HAVE PEOPLE WHO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

AS LONG AS YOU DON'T SIGN THEIR NAME ON THE SIGNATURE LINE YOU ARE FINE.

YOU ARE FINE TO ASSIST WITH THE INFORMATION AND ONCE THE BALLOT IS BACK AND FILLED OUT IT IS A PROPER BALLOT.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

IT NEVER GOT OUT OF -- IT GOT OUT OF COMMITTEE BUT NEVER MADE THE CALENDAR BECAUSE I THINK THERE WAS CONTROVERSY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

I KNOW WE WILL FACE IT.

IT'S GOING TO COME BUT BETWEEN NOW AND THAT TIME WE WANT TO SIT DOWN WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND HAVE THEM TO OBJECTIVELY LOOK AT THIS BILL.

SO WE WON'T BE TAKING OUT PEOPLE OR PUTTING PEOPLE IN JAIL WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO DO A CIVIC DUTY AND HELP SOMEONE.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE YOU ALL DIDN'T DEAL WITH IN A BROAD SENSE IS GAMBLING.

YOU HAD YOUR BILL THAT WAS LOCAL TOWARDS GREENE COUNTY.

TALK ABOUT -- I GUESS THIS WAS INTENTIONAL.

THEY SAID WE'RE NOT DOING A BIG BILL THIS YEAR BUT MEETING TO SEE WHAT COULD HAPPEN.

>> IS THERE GOING TO BE A SPECIAL SESSION?

IS THIS HAPPENING?

OR IS THE STATUS QUO GOING TO REMAIN THE SAME?

>> I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU, THE BILL COMES UP WHEN WE ARE BROKE.

WE HAD A LOT OF MONEY THIS TIME.

THE BILL WAS GOING TO SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN EDUCATION, MEDICAID, MEDICARE, ALL THE THINGS IT COULD HAVE HELPED THAT BILL WOULD HAVE DONE.

WITH THAT, WE HAD A LOT OF MONEY IN THE COFFER THIS TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THESE THINGS.

PLUS, A NEW SPEAKER WHO JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE APPETITE OF BRINGING A GAMING BILL UP THIS TIME.

I RESPECT THAT.

30 NEW MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE WHO DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE GAMING PROCESS.

A FEW NEW MEMBERS IN THE SENATE.

I CAN SEE IT COMING BACK.

THESE GLORY DAYS OF ALL THAT THESE DOLLARS WILL BE GONE AND WE WILL NEED THEM AT SOME POINT IN TIME.

THOSE COMMITTEES CONTINUE TO MEET.

THE GROUPS ARE CONTINUING TO MEET.

I THINK AT SOME POINT, BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT THREE YEARS OF THIS SESSION, YOU'LL SEE A GAMING BILL.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING TO FOLLOW FOR SURE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL SESSION AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT ONE.

>> THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO COME TO YOUR SHOW AND TALK ABOUT, TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA WHAT'S GOING ON AND KEEP THE PEOPLE INFORMED.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ >> JOINING ME NEXT FOR A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS AL.COM JOURNALIST MIKE CASON, ERIN DAVIS FROM GRAY TELEVISION AND MARY SELL FROM ALABAMA DAILY NEWS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW Y'ALL.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> GOODNESS, WE ARE DONE WITH A MONSTER SESSION.

>> MONSTER.

>> WHEN YOU THINK OF WHERE WE STARTED, ARPA AT THE BEGINNING, GAME PLAN, ALL OF THESE BILLS THAT CAME OUT.

WE'RE NOW FINALLY FINISHED.

LET ME START WITH YOU, MIKE.

WHAT ARE YOUR TAKEAWAYS, TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM WHAT IS A PRETTY MONUMENTAL SESSION?

>> ONE OF THE BIG TAKEAWAYS HAS TO BE WITH WHAT HAPPENED WITH TAXES AND TAX CUTS, BUDGETS.

ONE THING I WAS STRUCK BY IS I INTERVIEWED SPEAKER LEDBETTER AND HE TALKED ABOUT WHAT HIS PRIORITIES WERE AND IT FOLLOWED THE COURSE HE SET OUT.

HE SAID LAST NIGHT HE COULDN'T HAVE SCRIPTED IT ANY BETTER FOR HIS FIRST SESSION AS SPEAKER.

THEY GOT THE PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS PASSED IN THE SPECIAL SESSION, A BILLION DOLLARS AND THEN THE BILL TO CRACKDOWN ON FENTANYL AND THE BILL TO SHORTEN GOOD TIME IN REACTION TO A COUPLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOOTINGS TO SHORTEN GOOD TIME THE INMATES RECEIVE IN PRISON.

IT FOLLOWED THE SCRIPT THEY LAID OUT WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

IT WAS SPEAKER LEDBETTER'S FIRST SESSION AND NOT JUST HIM, WE HAD A NEW RULES CHAIRMAN, NEW GENERAL FUND CHAIRMAN, NEW SPEAKER PRO TEM.

PRINGLE HAD A LOT OF FUN WITH THAT.

ERIN, I KNOW YOU COVERED THE OVERTIME INCOME TAX CUT.

IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.

LEADER DANIELS SPONSORED IT AND WAS TRYING TO GET THE ATTENTION BUT OVER TIME IT REALLY CAUGHT FIRE.

>> IT DEFINITELY DID.

WHEN I TALKED TO HIM HE SAID THIS WAS HIS BRAIN CHILD HE CAME UP WITH AND REALLY WANTED ALABAMA TO IMPLEMENT.

I KNOW HE WAS HAPPY ABOUT THAT PASSAGE.

SPEAKER LEDBETTER TALKS ABOUT THE BIPARTISANSHIP FROM THIS SESSION AND HOW THAT PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN GETTING THE OVERTIME TAX CUT THROUGH THE FINISH LINE.

I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THE GOVERNOR MIGHT BE ON BOARD TOO ADDING HER AMENDMENTS.

SO SHE WILL LIKE THE BILL, AS WELL AND LAWMAKERS APPROVED THAT AND SEND IT BACK TO HER.

I THINK OVERTIME BILL WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A BOSS MOVE.

AS IT WAS WRITTEN, IT'S LIKE ELIMINATING THE INCOME TAX ON OVERTIME WAGES.

STATE TAXES OR INCOME TAXES ARE 5%.

AFTER 40 HOURS, ANYTIME AFTER THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE TAXED ON FOR WAGE WORKERS.

HUGE DEAL.

OBVIOUSLY IN THE SENATE THEY CURTAILED IT A LITTLE BIT.

ARTHUR ORR IS KNOWN FOR WE WILL PUT A CAP ON IT FOR 25 MILLION.

THE GOVERNOR SAID NO WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE CAP OFF BUT PUT A SUNSET ON IT, AN EXPIRATION DATE, IF YOU WILL, SO IT BECOMES A PILOT PROGRAM, IF YOU WILL.

BUT THE LAWMAKERS SENT IT BACK AND SAID THEY AGREED WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> AGAIN, SPEAKING OF THE BIPARTISANSHIP, ALL OF THEM ON BOTH SIDES AGREED WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I WASN'T ABLE TO SPEAK TO DANIELS DIRECTLY AFTERWARDS BUT I THINK THEY SENT OUT A RELEASE TOUTING THE SUCCESS OF THE BILL PASSING THE WAY IT DID.

>> THAT BILL, THE SUNSET IS JUNE OF 2025.

IT'S GOING TO BE REAL HARD, I THINK, FOR LAWMAKERS NOT TO EXTEND THAT.

ESPECIALLY A YEAR OUT FROM PRIMARIES.

NOBODY WANTS TO ESSENTIALLY RAISE PEOPLE'S TAXES.

>> RESCIND A TAX CUT.

>> I THINK THERE WILL BE A PERMANENT HOME FOUND FOR THAT CUT.

>> THEY WILL HAVE THE INFORMATION AND THEY'LL KNOW.

LEADER DANIELS WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS BEFORE THE SESSION, OR IN THE BEGINNING SAYING LIKE ALL HE WANTS IS AN IDEA OF HOW IT'S GOING TO GO.

>> SEE WHAT THE REVENUE IS.

DO PEOPLE TAKE THE MONEY AND GO OUT AND SPEND IT ON SOMETHING ELSE, PUTT IT BACK IN THE ECONOMY?

IS IT REALLY GOING TO BE THE $44 MILLION HIT TO THE ETF?

>> ONE OF HIS ARGUMENTS WAS, LOOK, WHEN FOLKS GET THAT MONEY BACK, THEY ARE GOING TO SPEND A LOT OF IT AND THAT COMES BACK IN TAXES AND EVERYTHING.

>> MARY, OTHER ISSUE IS THE GROCERY TAX.

>> GROCERY TAX.

>> WHICH WE KEEP CALLING THE GROCERY TAX.

I SHOULD MORE ACCURATELY LABEL IT THE STATE GROCERY SALES TAX -- >> NO, GROCERY SALES TAX -- OH, IT'S BEEN A LONG FOUR MONTHS.

REDUCING THE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO GET INTO.

THIS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 20 YEARS.

THE IDEA OF ELIMINATING SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

THE DEMOCRATS WERE ORIGINALLY PUSHING FOR THIS AND REALLY CAUGHT FIRE WITH REPUBLICANS THIS SESSION.

I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN'T.

I KNOW YOU DID SOME REPORTING ON THIS.

CAN YOU WALK THROUGH?

>> LIKE ERIN SAID ABOUT THE OCCUPATIONAL TAX, THIS IS ONE WHERE SENATOR REED LAST NIGHT SAID THESE WERE BOTH ORGANIC BILLS.

THESE WERE NOT FRONTRUNNERS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION BUT CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE THEY ARE POPULAR WAYS TO HELP WORKING ALABAMIANS.

THE GROCERY TAX RIGHT NOW STATE SALES TAX 4% APPLIES TO ALL OF THE FOOD WE BUY AT THE GROCERY STORE.

WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO IS DROP IT TO 3%.

AND THEN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024, IT WILL DROP TO 2%, IF OTHER INCOME IN TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE SALES TAX FLOWS, OTHER INCOME HAS RISEN BY -- IS PROJECTED TO RISE BY 3.5%.

AND THOSE WERE GUARDRAILS PUT ON IN THE SENATE BECAUSE IF THE ECONOMY GETS A LITTLE WONKY, IF THE REVENUES AREN'T THERE, THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE THIS OTHER CUT BECAUSE RIGHT NOW 1% COMING OFF WILL BE ABOUT $150 MILLION.

$150 MILLION HIT TO THE ETF.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GET IN TO 2024 AND BE LOOKING AT ANOTHER HIT IF REVENUES AREN'T UP.

THERE'S A BIG ASTERISK -- THE GROCERY TAX, SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE PUT SO MUCH WORK INTO THIS AND IT'S GOOD NEWS.

BUT THERE ARE SOME ASTERISKS, SOME GUARDRAILS ON THIS.

>> BIG CAVEAT.

MIKE, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN COVERING THIS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME.

DO YOU THINK -- IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN -- IS THIS A FOOT IN THE DOOR FOR THE GROCERY SALES TAX?

DO YOU THINK THEY WILL GO TO THE FULL VOTE ONCE ALL OF THIS -- WHEN THEY FIGURE OUT WHETHER OR NOT THE REVENUE WILL MEET EXPECTATIONS?

>> I THINK THE LEADERSHIP HAS SAID THAT.

WE'D LIKE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THIS GREAT ECONOMY FOREVER.

AT SOME POINT THERE WILL BE A LEGISLATIVE LEADER THAT REPEATEDLY SAID THAT THIS GREAT ECONOMY WILL SLOW DOWN.

>> TO THAT POINT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAY NUMBERS IN THE ETF, THE REVENUE SINCE OCTOBER IS DOWN 1.6%.

>> BUT IT IS SUPPOSED TO GROW 3.5.

>> 3.5% BEFORE WE GET THE OTHER PENNY OFF THE TAX.

SO, YEAH, THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME GROWTH TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS BEFORE THE OTHER PENNY FALLS OFF.

IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FOR 2024, IT COULD HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME THERE IS A 3.5% GROWTH BUT PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO SEE A HUGE DEDUCTIONS RITE AWAY WHEN THEY GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.

THE OTHER PART IS THE HEADLINES ARE GROCERY TAX CUTS, THERE'S STILL LOCAL TAXES.

HERE IN MONTGOMERY IT IS 10% ALTOGETHER.

>> IT IS THE LOCAL, CITY AND COUNTY TAXES THAT AMOUNT TO MORE THAN THE STATE TAX.

>> RIGHT.

>> I GUESS THAT IS WHAT I'M GETTING AROUND TO IS EXPECTATIONS MEETING REALITY.

EVERYONE SAYS WE WILL CUT THE GROCERY TAX THIS YEAR AND GROCERIES ARE GOING TO BE CHEAPER AND EVERYTHING.

IT IS LIKE ONE PENNY, MAYBE TWO PENNIES AND MAYBE NOT.

SO EXPECTATIONS MEETING REALITY.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND DO YOU GO HOME AND SAY, I CUT YOUR GROCERY TAXES BECAUSE THE LAST THING -- >> OH, YEAH, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO SAY.

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO OVER PROMISE AND UNDER DELIVER.

YOU KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING?

WE'LL SEE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT SIGNED IT AS OF RIGHT NOW BUT I EXPECT HER TO SIGN IT IN TO LAW.

MIKE, TALK ABOUT TAX REBATES.

THIS WAS -- WITH ALL OF THIS REVENUE, WE HAD THIS EXCESS OF 2.8, $2.7 BILLION IN THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

EARLY ON, REALLY LAST YEAR, THEY STARTED TO WALK ABOUT ONE-TIME TAX REBATE CHECKS GOING OUT TO PEOPLE.

IT STARTED FROM THE GOVERNOR AT 400 AND $800.

GETS LOWERED SIGNIFICANTLY.

WALK ME THROUGH HOW THE POLITICS FLOWED WITH THAT CHANGE.

>> AS YOU SAID THE GOVERNOR IN HER STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH, SHE TALKED ABOUT THE $400 FOR INDIVIDUALS AND $800 FOR MARRIED COUPLES A REBATE SHE WAS PROPOSING, WHICH IS WHAT SHE PROPOSED.

I THINK LEGISLATORS WERE LUKEWARM ON THAT FROM THE OUTSET.

THE SENATE CUT IT WAY DOWN.

I DON'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER.

>> LIKE TO 100 OR SOMETHING.

>> OR 200 SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THE HOUSE BOOSTED IT UP ABOVE THAT AND THEN THERE WAS A COMPROMISE AND WOUND UP AS 150 FOR INDIVIDUALS AND 300 FOR COUPLES.

SPEAKER LEDBETTER SAID LAST NIGHT FROM WHEN THEY FIRST TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THIS, THEY WERE NOT IN AGREEMENT.

HE WAS MORE SUPPORTIVE OF PERMANENT TAX CUTS THAN A LARGE REBATE.

HE SAID WE CAN DO BOTH AND THEY WOUND UP DOING BOTH, ALTHOUGH NOT AT THE LEVEL THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED.

>> A LOT OF THAT CAME IN THE FORM OF AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

ERIN, THEY LOWERED THE REBATE, LIKE YOU SAID, $150 FOR INDIVIDUALS AND 300 FOR COUPLES BUT THE BULK OF THAT SAVINGS, IF YOU ARE GOING TO CALL IT THAT, GOES TO A SPECIAL EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT THEY CAN USE FOR FUTURE BUDGETS.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> KIND OF LIKE FOR A RAINY DAY.

THE CHAIR OF THOSE COMMITTEES HAVE TALKED ABOUT WANTING TO SAVE SOME OF THAT SURPLUS IN CASE THE STATE GETS TO THIS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN TALKING AND WORRYING ABOUT AND PREDICTING IT WILL HAPPEN.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE GOAL.

IT GOES BACK TO WHY THEY PUT THE GROWTH LIMIT OR ON THE GROCERY TAX CUT AS THEY WORRY ABOUT THIS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN THAT COULD HAPPEN.

>> I WAS JOKING WITH SENATOR ORR HE WAS THE GATEKEEPER IN THE SESSION.

ALL OF THESE TAX BILLS PASSED BY THE HOUSE, TAX REBATES, TAX CREDITS, WHATEVER, MADE IT TO HIS COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE AND EVERY ONE HE IS PUTTING GUARDRAILS ON.

OKAY, THIS CAP AND THIS AND EVERYTHING.

HE SAID I DON'T WANT TO BE THE GATEKEEPER I DON'T WANT TO BE KNOWN AS THAT BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO RECOGNIZE THIS ECONOMY IS NOT GOING TO LAST FOREVER AND THAT, YOU KNOW, TO YOUR REPORTING, LIKE, WE MIGHT BE SEEING IT RIGHT NOW.

IS THAT -- I KNOW YOU TALK TO SENATOR ORR A LOT.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> I THINK TO THE ETF REPORT, THERE WERE -- WITH THE REVENUES BEING DOWN THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY EXPECTED, THE REVENUES THE LAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF THE COVID RELIEF MONEY INFLUX HAS BEEN OFF THE CHARTS, DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH.

WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO COME TO AN END.

WERE THINGS TO LEVEL OUT NOW IS TO BE DETERMINED.

PEOPLE ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION AND THE COST OF THAT NEED EATING IN TO AGENCY'S BUDGETS.

BUT WE KNEW COMING INTO THE SESSION WITH SO MUCH MONEY AND TO QUOTE SENATOR ORR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION HE SAID THE BIG CHALLENGE WITH ALL OF THIS MONEY WILL BE HOW TO SPEND IT, SAVE IT AND SEND SOME BACK AND THERE WERE 140 MEMBERS AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE AND NOT EVERYBODY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED.

I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY GOT EVERYTHING THEY WANTED.

I GUESS THAT'S THE PROCESS.

>> DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE FEEL SLIGHTED.

>> THERE'S MAPS.

>> TALK ABOUT WHAT DIDN'T PASS TOP OF MY LIST, ABSENTEE VOTING BILL, BALLOTS AND BASICALLY CRIMINALIZING IF YOU HELP SOMEBODY WITH THEIR BALLOT OR HELP THEM APPLY FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT.

HUGELY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

ANYTIME VOTING ELECTION ISSUES ARE UP IT IS CONTROVERSIAL AND IT ENDED UP DYING ON THE LAST DAY.

DID YOU FOLLOW THIS AT ALL, MIKE?

WERE YOU -- WHAT WERE SOME OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THAT?

>> AS YOU SAID IT WAS VERY CONTROVERSIAL AND ESSENTIALLY THE REPUBLICANS LOVED IT AND DEMOCRATS HATED IT.

DEMOCRATS SAW IT AS CRIMINALIZING THE WORK THAT CHURCHES AND GROUPS LIKE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ALABAMA DO IN HELPING PEOPLE VOTE.

REPUBLICANS CALLED IT THE BALLOT HARVESTING BILL.

>> THEY ARE TRYING TO PREVENT SOME MASS HARVESTING SITUATION.

I HAD BOBBY SINGLETON ON.

HE SAID THAT DOESN'T EXIST IN ALABAMA.

I GUESS REPUBLICANS SAY WE WANT TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING.

THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO AVOID.

IF SENATOR SINGLETON AND SENATOR SMITHERMAN, THEY KNOW HOW TO FILIBUSTER.

I GUESS THAT'S THE REASON IT DIDN'T COME UP THE LAST DAY.

>> AFTER THE SESSION ENDED, WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO SENATOR REED ABOUT WHY SOME OF THESE BILLS DIDN'T COME UP.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE LISTED AND ASKED ABOUT SPECIFICALLY AND HE GAVE A VAGUE ANSWER OF THERE WERE SOME MEMBERS UPSET ABOUT CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BILL AND SOME CHANGES NEEDED TO HAPPEN, BUT HE DID SAY IT COULD COME UP NEXT YEAR AS SOMETHING THEY TRY TO TACKLE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

>> I THINK THERE WERE SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT SOME LANGUAGE IN THE BILL BECAUSE REPUBLICANS THEY WANT THIS BILL AND WE WILL SEE IT NEXT YEAR BUT I THINK WHEN THEY DUG INTO IT A LITTLE BIT THERE WERE A FEW SPECIFICS THEY WANTED TO TWEAK AND THEY WERE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

>> ON THAT LAST DAY, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN -- >> IT WOULD HAVE BLOWN UP THE DAY.

SO, I THINK -- THEY HAVE TIME BEFORE ANOTHER BIG ELECTION TO GET IT DONE NEXT YEAR.

>> IT GOES BACK TO THE POINT Y'ALL WERE MAKING EARLIER ABOUT BIPARTISANSHIP.

WHAT I SEE FROM THIS LEGISLATURE, HOUSE AND SENATE IS THEY WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE THINGS TO BE CLOSE TO UNANIMOUS.

NOT EVERYTHING IS BUT THEY, ESPECIALLY IN THE SENATE, THEY TRY TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE THERE'S NOT A FILIBUSTER.

WHERE THERE'S SOME CONSENSUS, EVEN IF EVERYBODY DOESN'T COMPLETELY AGREE, WHICH IS A BIG CONTRAST TO WASHINGTON, D.C. EVERYTHING THERE IS, YOU KNOW, BINARY, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

IT'S JUST DIFFERENT HERE.

WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I WOULD.

I THINK THERE'S GOOD RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PRESIDENT PRO-TEM REED, THE REPUBLICAN LEADER AND SENATOR SINGLETON THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER AND IN THE HOUSE BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC MEMBERSHIP.

THEY RESPECT EACH OVER AND COMMUNICATE AND IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> YOU WERE MAKING THAT POINT EARLIER.

>> LEADER DANIELS AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE LEDBETTER THEY ARE PERSONAL FRIENDS.

I THINK THAT DEFINITELY HELPS.

A GOOD EXAMPLE IS WITH THE CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE BILL THAT PASSED.

PEOPLE WERE CALLING THE BILL RACIST AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IN THE SENATE AND THROUGH THAT BIPARTISAN WORK, SENATOR SINGLETON, THEY FLIPPED THE VOTE.

THEY VOTED TO SUPPORT THE BILL AND WHEN IT GOT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR, THEY TOOK TIME TO GO TO THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE AND EXPLAIN IT TO THE DEMOCRATS WHO WERE UPSET ABOUT THE BILL AND IT PASSED PRETTY UNANIMOUSLY, IF I REMEMBER.

>> SIGNIFICANT.

WHILE I'VE GOTCHA ALL, LET'S TALK ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT DID NOT COME UP THIS YEAR BUT IT IS CERTAIN TO CONTINUE LOOMING OVER THINK STATEHOUSE AND THAT IS GAMBLING.

I WAS TALKING TO THE SPEAKER.

HE SAID THAT WAS ON PURPOSE.

HE SAID NO GAMBLING BILLS THIS YEAR.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS ARGUMENT, THEY HAD SO MUCH TO DO.

WHICH, OKAY.

THAT'S CORRECT.

LET'S NOT LET THIS CLOUD THINGS BUT THERE WAS A BEHIND-THE-SCENES CONVERSATION OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

MARY, I KNOW YOU DID SOME REPORTING ON THIS.

>> YEAH.

THERE IS A BIPARTISAN GROUP MEETING OFF LINE.

IT IS ORGANIC, LITTLE LOTTERY COFFEE CLUB KIND OF THING.

>> LOTTERY COFFEE CLUB.

>> THEY ARE MEETING PRETTY REGULAR TO TALK ABOUT WHAT COULD BE PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE BECAUSE THE HOUSE IS WHERE THE BILLS HAVE GONE TO DIE THE LAST TEN YEARS, AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN AROUND.

IT'S A LOT OF MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVE LITT, IN MADISON COUNTY, A LOT OF GUYS OPEN THE STATE LINES WHO SEE FOLKS DRIVING TO STATE LINES, GEORGIA, TENNESSEE TO BUY LOTTERY TICKETS.

WE HAD A SERIOUS CONVERSATION OF WHAT COULD BE DONE MAYBE AS SOON AS NEXT SESSION AS FAR AS WHAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO GET THROUGH THE HOUSE.

>> ERIN, I'M CURIOUS, YOUR VIEWERS MUST BE LIKE MINE WHY DIDN'T THEY DO THE LOTTERY BILL AND YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT IS COMPLICATED.

>> IT IS COMPLICATED AND I CAN'T EXPLAIN UNTIL THE BILL IS THERE.

>> DO YOU KNOW ABOUT DOG TRACKS.

>> SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT GAMBLING ALL THE TIME.

>> MIKE, WHAT'S YOUR TAKE?

YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE GAMBLING ISSUE, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT FOR YEARS.

IS THERE A REAL PROSPECT IN THE FUTURE?

>> MAYBE.

I THOUGHT THERE WAS WHEN THE GOVERNOR -- GOVERNOR IVEY APPOINTED THE TASK FORCE AND I THOUGHT THEY DID A GREAT JOB OF LAYING OUT THE ISSUES.

THEY ISSUED LIKE A 1,000-PAGE REPORT.

>> LOTTERY, CASINOS, SPORTS BETTING, TOO.

>> THEY DIDN'T REALLY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION BUT THE TONE OF THE REPORT WOULD BE WE WOULD BE A LOT BETTER OFF PASSING SOMETHING THAT REGULATES GAMBLING BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT IS UNREGULATED AND THE STATE GETS NO BENEFIT FROM IT.

A STAND-ALONE LOTTERY BILL WOULD PASS WITH THE VOTERS, I THINK, IN A HEART BEAT BUT CAN'T GET IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

I COULDN'T GET A GOOD EXPLANATION OF WHY.

>> RIGHT.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE CASINO INTEREST AND SPORTS BETTING INTEREST.

THEY KNOW THERE IS PROBABLY ONE BITE AT THE APPLE ON THIS.

SO IF YOU LET A LOTTERY BILL GO ALONE, AND YOU ARE NOT ATTACHED TO IT, YOU HAVE MISSED THAT BITE OF THE APPLE.

SOMETHING TO WATCH FOR THE FUTURE.

GUYS, WE HAVE GONE TOO LONG, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE'RE DONE.

WE'RE DONE WITH SESSION.

UNTIL NEXT TIME.

THANKS AGAIN.

>> NO PROBLEM.

THANK YOU.

>> 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.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST AND ATTENTION AS WE HAVE COVERED THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR NEWS TEAM, RANDY SCOTT, KAREN GOLDSMITH T ROD RICHARDSON AND JOHN HOLMAN, TOP-NOTCH WORK THIS SESSION.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M TODD STACY.