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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE LEGISLATURE IS FINISHED WITH ANOTHER WEEK.

LAWMAKERS MET FOR THE 21ST DAY TODAY, MEANING THEY HAVE NINE LEGISLATIVE DAYS REMAINING.

THE PLAN IS TO MEET FOR TWO LEGISLATIVE DAYS NEXT WEEK, THEN TAKE A SPRING BREAK THE FOLLOWING WEEK BEFORE RETURNING TO FINISH OUT THE SESSION BY MID-APRIL.

WE HAVE A NEW LAW TODAY IN ALABAMA.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS SIGNED HOUSE BILL 272, WHICH REMOVES THE REQUIREMENT THAT GUN OWNERS OBTAIN A PERMIT TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN.

THE LEGISLATION RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE THIS AFTERNOON FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE AFTER A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE OF LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH CHAMBERS MADE LAST MINUTE TWEAKS TO THE BILL.

THE LEGISLATION IS CHAMPIONED BY GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATES WHO CALL IT “CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY,” IN REFERENCE TO THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

OPPONENTS, INCLUDING STATE SHERIFFS AND OTHERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, SAID THE PERMITS HELP COMBAT CRIME AND ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID PASSING THE LEGISLATION WAS A PRIORITY FOR SENATE REPUBLICANS.

>> WE WORKED DILIGENTLY ON CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

THAT WAS AN ISSUE VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR CHAMBER.

WE PASSED THAT BILL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE ALABAMA SENATE.

WE AGAIN WORKED ON IT THIS YEAR.

HAD GOOD INTERACTION BY MANY MEMBERS IN OUR BODY THAT FELT IT WAS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY, PROTECTING SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE SENATE AND I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT FINALIZED IN EFFORT WITH THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY.

>> THE SENATE ALSO PASSED A BILL OFFERING TAX RELIEF TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

SENATE BILL 290 FROM SENATOR TOM BUTLER WOULD LOWER AND THEN PHASE OUT THE BUSINESS PRIVILEGE TAX FOR MOST OF THE STATE'S SMALL BUSINESSES.

AFTER A TWO-HOUR FILIBUSTER ON AN UNRELATED ISSUE, THE SENATE PASSED THE BILL UNANIMOUSLY.

>> SENATE BILL 290 IS A BILL THAT REMOVES THE BUSINESS PRIVILEGE TAX FOR SMALL BUSINESS, ANYONE PAYING $100 OR LESS.

THIS BILL WILL AFFECT IN A POSITIVE WAY 230,000 SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

IT'S A HUGE SMALL BUSINESS TAX CUT IN THE AMOUNT OF $23 MILLION ANNUALLY.

>> ALSO IN THE SENATE, A BILL CHANGING THE SCOPE OF THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY WAS THE SUBJECT OF HEATED DEBATE.

SENATE BILL 120 FROM SENATOR DEL MARSH WOULD ALLOW OPTOMETRISTS TO EXPAND THEIR SCOPE OF PRACTICE TO INCLUDE SOME EYE SURGERIES AND OTHER PROCEDURES.

CURRENTLY ONLY OPHTHALMOLOGISTS CAN PERFORM SUCH PROCEDURES.

OPPONENTS WARN THAT THE CHANGE COULD PUT PATIENTS AT RISK AND SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

>> IF YOU WANT TO BE A PODIATRIST OR FOOT DOCTOR, YOU GO TO THAT SCHOOL.

WHERE WILL THIS END?

IS THERE GOING TO BE A BILL NEXT WEEK TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS PROCESS TO ALLOW HEART SURGEON TO DO BRAIN SURGERY?

WE CANNOT START THIS.

THAT'S WHAT THE MEDICAL SCHOOLS ARE FOR.

THAT'S WHAT THE MEDICAL SCHOOLS ARE FOR.

THIS IS NOT A SENATE MEDICAL SCHOOL WHERE WE ALLOW ONE SPECIALTY TO PERFORM ANOTHER SPECIALTY.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THIS LEGISLATION.

AND IT IS WRONG.

>> THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE AND NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

>> IN THE HOUSE, LAWMAKERS PASSED LEGISLATION CHANGING THE STATE'S “GOOD TIME” EARLY RELEASE LAW SO THAT IT WON'T APPLY TO THOSE CONVICTED IN KILLINGS.

HOUSE BILL 143 IS NAMED FOR SERGEANT NICK RISNER, A SHEFFIELD POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY BY AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON EARLY AFTER EARNING “GOOD TIME.”.

THAT'S THE SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS INMATES TO EARN TIME OFF THEIR SENTENCES FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR BEHIND BARS.

THE BILL FROM REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP PETTUS WOULD AMEND THE LAW SO THAT PEOPLE CONVICTED OF KILLING SOMEONE AREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR GOOD TIME, WHETHER THAT BE UNDER A MURDER, MANSLAUGHTER, OR ANY OTHER CHARGE IN WHICH SOMEONE WAS KILLED.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS SAYING IF YOU KILL SOMEBODY, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR GOOD TIME.

UNDER CURRENT LAW, IF YOU ARE SENTENCED TO 15 OR MORE YEARS YOU DO NOT GET GOOD TIME.

ALL THIS BILL DOES IS SAYS IF YOU KILL SOMEBODY YOU DO NOT GET GOOD TIME.

>>THE BILL PASSED 101 VOTES TO 1.

THE HOUSE ALSO DEBATED AND PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT ELECTIONS OFFICIALS FROM ACCEPTING OUTSIDE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ELECTION RELATED COSTS.

HOUSE BILL 194 IS SPONSORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN, A FORMER PROBATE JUDGE WHO IS CURRENTLY RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

DEMOCRATS SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE BILL SAYING IT COULD DIMINISH VOTER REGISTRATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS.

ALLEN SAID IT WOULD ONLY APPLY TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

>> NO STATE OR LOCAL OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF AN ELECTION OR HIS EMPLOYEE MAY SOLICIT, ACCEPT OR USE ANY DONATION IN THE FORM OF MONEY, GRANTS, PROPERTY OR PERSONAL SERVICES FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OR A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING ELECTION-RELATED EXPENSES OR VOTER EDUCATION, VOTER OUTREACH OR VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAMS.

>> SO BASICALLY, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE PROHIBITED FROM RECEIVING THESE FUNDS ARE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS?

>> CORRECT.

>> AND THEY ARE PROHIBITED IN USING THESE FUNDS TO CONDUCT ELECTIONS OR ELECTION ACTIVITIES?

>> CORRECT.

>>THE BILL PASSED ON A PARTY LINE VOTE OF 72-28.

>>> FINALLY, A BILL ALLOWING GREATER FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL PASSED COMMITTEE TODAY.

UNDER CURRENT LAW, BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS FOLLOW STUDENTS WHO LEAVE TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS AND ENROLL IN CHARTER SCHOOLS, BUT LOCAL DOLLARS DO NOT.

SENATE BILL 302 FROM SENATOR DEL MARSH WOULD ENSURE THAT COUNTY DOLLARS ALSO FOLLOW STUDENTS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE GRANTED MORE AUTONOMY TO OPERATE OUTSIDE THE TRADITIONAL RULES OF THE SYSTEM IN EXCHANGE FOR HIGHER STANDARDS TO REMAIN OPEN.

MARSH SAID THE FUNDING PARITY WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE HIGH-QUALITY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS TO OPERATE IN ALABAMA.

THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> 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 ALSO 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.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

♪ >> NEXT I'M JOINED BY SENATOR TOM BUTLER FROM MADISON.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

APPRECIATE THE INVITATION.

>> YOU PASSED A BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY HAVING TO DO WITH BUSINESS PRIVILEGE TAX.

>> THIS WAS FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN ALABAMA.

IT WILL AFFECT 230,000 SMALL BUSINESSES IN ALABAMA.

PERSONALLY, I THINK IT IS ATROCIOUS TO HAVE TO SPEND MONEY WITH THE STATE IN ORDER TO DO BUSINESS.

THIS BILL WILL ELIMINATE THE BUSINESS PRIVILEGE TAX OF $100 OR LESS.

MOST SMALL BUSINESSES ARE IN THE $100 RANGE OF PAYING FOR THAT.

THIS WILL ELIMINATE THAT AND GIVE THEM ABOUT $23 MILLION OF TAX RELIEF ACROSS THE STATE.

>> I SAW ON THE FLOOR, IT TOOK A WHILE TO PASS IT.

THERE WAS A FILIBUSTER.

>> IT DID.

THERE WAS A FILIBUSTER.

>> WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?

>> I TALKED TO THE SPONSOR OF THE FILIBUSTER AND HE'S FOR THE BILL.

HE IS A PRO--BUSINESS LEGISLATOR AND HE WAS FOR THE BILL BUT HE USED IT AS A VEHICLE FOR 2.5 HOURS TO TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS THAT HE SEES.

HE WOULD NEVER SPECIFY WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE, BUT TO ME IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH TOTALLY EXTRANEOUS TO THIS ISSUE.

BUT HE SPENT 2 1/2 HOURS TRYING TO MAKE HIS POINT THAT HE WAS DISSATISFIED WITH SOMETHING ELSE.

I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE JUDICIARY BUT I'M NOT SURE.

>> ANYTIME THERE IS A TALK OF A TAX CUT, YOU HEAR SOME DISAGREEMENT FROM OTHERS THAT SAY WE NEED THAT REVENUE.

AND THEY DON'T WANT TO REPLACE THAT REVENUE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO SAY, LOOK, WE NEED THIS REVENUE IN THE STATE.

DON'T TAKE IT AWAY.

>> WELL, I THINK FROM A PHILOSOPHICAL STANDPOINT, I LOOK TO ONE EVENT WHICH IS EVERY TIME WE PUT A DOLLAR INTO THE ONGOING ECONOMY IT TURNS OVER SEVEN TIMES.

SO IF WE PUT $23 MILLION BACK IN THE ECONOMY IT IS $160 MILLION AFFECT THAT WE HAVE ON THE ECONOMY.

SO, GIVING TAX RELIEF TO SMALL BUSINESS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS PERSONALLY WARRANTED.

WE HAVE A LOT GOING IN ALABAMA.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESS.

I PERSONALLY WANT TO THANK THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS, NFIB FOR THEIR STRONG SUPPORT OF THE BILL AND ALL OF THE COSPONSORS WE HAD.

THE BILL ALSO PASSED THE HOUSE 101-0.

IT IS A GOOD BILL AND NEEDED TO BE PASSED.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, ANOTHER BILL THAT PASSED THE LEGISLATURE AND HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR IS THE CONCEALED CARRY BILL.

THIS HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.

A LOT OF DEBATE, BUT IN YEARS PAST IT PASSED THE SENATE BUT NOT QUITE THE HOUSE AND NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME IT'S GOING TO THE GOVERNOR.

WHAT MAKES IT IMPORTANT TO YOU?

>> IT IS IN SUPPORT OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

IF YOU SUPPORT THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT IT SAYS THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY BILL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

IT IS SEVERAL TIMES IT PASSED THE SENATE AND DIED IN THE HOUSE.

THIS TIME THERE WAS ENOUGH SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE TO GET THE BILL FROM THE SENATE INTO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT CAME BACK TODAY AND PASSED THE SENATE I BELIEVE 21-6.

IT HAS GONE TO THE GOVERNOR.

IT WAS A LOT OF WORK WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERSHIP.

I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD BILL THAT WITH CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY IN LIGHT OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND WE WILL SEE I THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN THE BILL AND SHE WILL GET IT TODAY AND TAKE A GOOD HARD LOOK AT IT BUT I THINK SHE WILL EVENTUALLY SIGN THE BILL.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF PUSH BACK FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, SHERIFFS AND POLICE CHIEFS, SAYING THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS TOOL GO AWAY.

I'M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD A COUPLE IN YOUR AREA.

WHAT WAS YOUR RESPONSE TO THEM?

>> WELL, THIS BILL ALSO CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY HAD TO DO WITH DOING AWAY WITH PERMITS REQUIRED FOR HAVING A PISTOL, THAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU.

THERE'S BEEN A FUND OR WILL BE A FUND SET UP IN THE GENERAL FUND TO HELP SOME OF THE SHERIFFS ACROSS THE STATE TO USE THESE FUNDS FOR NEEDS IN THEIR OFFICE.

SO THE GENERAL FUND CHAIRMAN HAS INDICATED THAT WE WILL SET UP A PROGRAM TO HELP THEM REPLENISH THE FUNDS THEY USED FROM THE PERMITS IN THEIR OFFICES.

SO IT'S GOOD FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THAT SENSE.

THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ALSO TOOK CARE OF SOME SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE BILL WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHEN THEY STOP SOMEONE FOR SPEEDING OR WHATEVER, THERE'S SOME SAFEGUARDS IN THE BILL FOR THAT.

>> OKAY.

YOU REPRESENT A REALLY FAST-GROWING AREA.

PROBABLY ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS IN THE STATE BUT WITH GROWTH COMES CHALLENGES.

I KNOW INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN A REAL PRIORITY OF YOURS AND EVERYBODY THAT REPRESENTS HUNTSVILLE AND MADISON AREA.

WHAT'S THE LATEST?

I KNOW THE REBUILD ALABAMA, ALL OF THAT MONEY IS -- I GUESS IN FULL EFFECT NOW.

WHAT'S THE LATEST ON PROGRESS IN YOUR DISTRICT?

>> I JUST GOT A REPORT.

I ASKED TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY FROM REBUILD ALABAMA HAS BEEN SPENT.

SO FAR, THE REPORT I GOT WAS $156 MILLION OF REBUILD ALABAMA HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT IN MADISON COUNTY.

WE GOT, AS YOU KNOW, FAST GROWTH RIGHT THERE, RIGHT AND LEFT.

WE HAVE THE SPACE COMMAND COMING TO THE ARSENAL.

WE HAVE THE FBI CYBER FACILITIES COMING TO THE ARSENAL, ABOUT A BILLION DOLLAR COMPLEX.

THOSE ARE PROBABLY EQUATING TO 10,000 NEW JOBS THERE.

IF YOU MULTIPLY THAT BY THREE BY THE AVERAGE FAMILY, PROBABLY 20-30 THOUSAND PEOPLE COMING ON BOARD.

THE ROADS ARE CONGESTED.

I HAVE WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR TO GET IT DONE.

IT IS PAYING OFF FOR US.

>> I HOPE YOU WILL SHARE MORE AS THE SESSION GOES ON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

I APPRECIATE THE INVITATION.

>> 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.

>> THE USS ALABAMA IS A WORLD WAR II ERA BATTLESHIP THAT FIRST SERVED IN THE ATLANTIC THEATER BUT BETTER KNOWN FOR HELPING TO TAKE JAPANESE HELD ISLANDS IN THE PACIFIC.

DURING THE BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA THE STATE OF THE ART RADAR ALERTED THE FLEET TO INCOMING AIRCRAFT PROVIDING AMERICANS ENOUGH TIME TO SCRAMBLE FIGHTERS AND DECIMATE THE ATTACKING FORCE.

LATER THE ALABAMA SERVED ANCHORED IN TOKYO BAY TO UNLOAD ALLIED OCCUPATION FORCES.

THE STATE OF ALABAMA TOOK POSSESSION OF THE BATTLESHIP.

ALABAMA SCHOOL CHILDREN RAISED $100,000 IN NICKELS AND DIMES TO BRING IT TO MOBILE TO CREATE BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK.

IT FEATURES THE ALABAMA, THE USS DRUM AND AN AMERICAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT COLLECTION.

BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL PARK IS ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST VISITED ATTRACTIONS.

>> NEXT, I'M PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY SENATOR KIRK HATCHER OF MONTGOMERY.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GLAD TO BE BACK.

>> YOU HAVE A BILL DEALING WITH THIS INTERMODAL FACILITY COMING TO MONTGOMERY.

IT IS AWAITING SIGNATURE FROM THE GOVERNOR.

TELL ME ABOUT THE DETAILS.

>> EXCITING.

I'M HAPPY TO COME ON TO SHARE GOOD NEWS.

IT'S GOOD NEWS NOT ONLY FOR MONTGOMERY BUT FOR THE REGION, THE CENTRAL REGION AND ACTUALLY THE STATE BECAUSE, OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW, THE BILL SOUGHT TO SIMPLY EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF PORTS.

THE IDEA IS THAT -- ACCORDING TO WHAT WE HAD, PORTS WOULD ONLY BE DEFINED BY WATERWAYS AND THE LIKES.

INLAND PORT IS WHAT WE WERE AFTER, TO CONSTRUCT THAT WOULD FIRST AND FOREMOST TAKE A LOT OF PRESSURE IN TERMS OF CAPACITY OFF THE PORT OF MOBILE AND HELP US TO MOVE COMMERCE THROUGHOUT THE STATE A LOT MORE EFFICIENTLY, QUICKER, GIVEN THE FACT WE HAVE SO MUCH IN TERMS OF INDUSTRY COMING THAT WILL REQUIRE THAT KIND OF FACILITY.

SO, IT'S EXCITING.

IT PROVIDES MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES.

THESE ARE REAL JOBS THAT WILL COME BY WAY OF THINGS LIKE THIS FACILITY THAT ALSO CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE BASED ON THE CHANGING OF THE DEFINITION FOR ANY OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE WHO HAVE RAIDED CONCERNS, AS WELL.

SAYING THIS IS ONLY UNIQUE TO MONTGOMERY.

NO.

THE GOOD THING IS THE BILL OPENS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS WHO MAY NEED TO PURSUE THE SAME.

>> DO THEY HAVE A LOCATION WHERE THE FACILITY WILL BE LOCATED?

>> HERE IN MONTGOMERY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PROPERTY IN WEST MONTGOMERY UP AGAINST LAMAR ROAD, NEAR THE AIRPORT.

>> IT'S BY THE RAILROAD.

>> THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND AS A LINEAR RAILROAD COMING UP FROM THE GULF, STRAIGHT UP THE LINE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS PARALLEL TO I-65 AND, OF COURSE, OUR AIRPORT, WHICH IS FANTASTIC NEWS.

>> IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO ANNOUNCE SOMETHING THAT WILL BRING NEW JOBS TO THE AREA.

>> YES.

YES.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT MORE LOCAL ISSUES.

THE MAYOR HAS -- MAYOR REED, YOU ARE IN MONTGOMERY.

>> RIGHT.

>> HAS TALKED ABOUT HIS DIFFICULTY IN HIRING CABINET OFFICIALS, ATTRACTING, RECRUITING THE CALIBER OF PEOPLE WE NEED TO RUN THE CITY.

YOU HAVE SOME LEGISLATION DEALING WITH THAT, TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE COME TO FIND OUT, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE MOST UNFORTUNATE THINGS FOR MAYOR REED IS HE IS FINDING HIMSELF HAVING TO STRUGGLE WITH THINGS LIKE WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED.

MOST INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WHAT I CALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM PRESIDENT, GOVERNOR, THEIR CABINET IS -- THEY GET TO SELECT WHO'S IN THEIR CABINET.

THESE ARE PEOPLE YOU TRUST.

THESE ARE YOUR LIEUTENANTS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH MAYOR REED'S CABINET.

THE LION'S SHARE OF THOSE IN THAT CABINET ARE MARRIED EMPLOYEES.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF HE WANTED TO MOVE SOME PEOPLE AROUND, HE'S LIMITED BASED ON THAT STATUS.

THIS BILL SEEKS TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH WHAT GOES ON WITH OTHER MAYOR'S OFFICES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT LEADERS.

SO HE'S ABLE TO MAKE THAT SELECTION.

>> DO YOU THINK IT WILL PASS?

>> YES.

YES.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SENATOR MARSH HAS A CHARTER SCHOOL BILL.

IT'S THROUGH COMMITTEE, PROBABLY COMING TO THE FLOOR, DEALING WITH FUNDING PARITY.

I KNOW THERE ARE HAVE BEEN SOME CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.

DO YOU SEE IT PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL MODEL GOING FORWARD.

DO CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE A FUTURE IN MONTGOMERY?

>> WELL, THEY ALREADY EXIST IN MONTGOMERY.

I SERVE ON THE -- RECENTLY, THE EDUCATION STUDY COMMISSION, AND PART OF THE REASON THAT I AGREED TO SERVE HAS EVERYTHING -- AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT THE MINORITY LEADER SELECTED ME AS ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE -- IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HAVING AN OPEN MIND ON HOW WE IMPROVE EDUCATION IN OUR STATE.

I'M OPEN TO HEARING HOW WE CAN DO THAT.

I SUSPECT, AS I BELIEVE ALWAYS, THERE ARE MANY PATHS TO THE SAME SUMMIT, WE JUST HAVE TO BE CLEAR WHAT WE ARE DOING.

LET ME STOP TO SAY THIS -- BECAUSE I HAVE SAID IT SEVERAL TIMES AND EVEN IN OUR COMMISSION MEETING YESTERDAY -- I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DUPLICATION OF SERVICES WITH LIMITED RESOURCES, FINANCIAL IN PARTICULAR.

SO WHAT I'M INTERESTED TO SEE IS HOW WE CAN YOU KNOW, THAT WHICH WE CAN FIX WITHIN THE CURRENT MODEL.

IF WE CAN DO THAT, I THINK WE SHOULD.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE SUGGESTIONS ON HOW THAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

ONE THING I'M NOT INTERESTED IN DOING, NOR WILL I BE A PART OF DOING AS I HAVE HAD OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS DECAPITATING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OR NEUTERING IT TO THE EXTENT WHERE WE WOULD NO LONGER HAVE THOSE RESOURCES BECAUSE WE HAVE DECIDED WE ARE GOING TO SPREAD THESE RESOURCES TO A PUBLIC CHARTER, WHICH GETS AROUND, OBVIOUSLY, SOME OF THE BUREAUCRACY ASSOCIATED WITH THE LARGER SYSTEM, BUT IT'S ONLY ADDRESSING A SYMPTOM AND NOT THE PROBLEM.

I HOPE THAT WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO, GIVEN THE POSITION WE ARE IN, IS WE'RE IN A POSITION TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

>> UH-HUH.

>> AND -- BECAUSE, A LOT IS AT STAKE, OUR BABIES.

>> YOU ARE PART OF A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

IT SEEMS, TO ME, THAT REALLY FOR DECADES YOU HAVE HAD THE SAME FOCUS AND ROLES.

I WAS INTERVIEWING REPRESENTATIVE HASSELL, WHO IS INVOLVED IN YOUR CAMPAIGN.

THERE IS A NEW LEADERSHIP.

HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THE NEW LEADERSHIP TO TAKE CHARGE AND OTHERS TO STEP UP?

>> IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

LET ME SAY FOR YOUR LISTENING AUDIENCE.

THE THING I BELIEVE IN, WHICH AN INCREDIBLY WISE MAN MADE THE STATEMENT, HE SAID POLITICS IS GOOD.

POLITICS REALLY IS GOOD.

IT'S NOBLE.

YOU CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD.

HE SAID POLITRICKS IS THE PROBLEM.

I DO THINK WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ATTRACT MORE OF THE YOUNG TALENT OUT HERE WITH INCREDIBLE MINDS AND ABILITIES TO PUBLIC SERVICE.

AND TO BE ABLE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT MAINTAINS THE EXPECTED INTEGRITY THAT SHOULD COME WITH THIS TASK.

THAT'S REAL SERVANT LEADERSHIP.

IT'S CHALLENGING.

IT'S TREMENDOUSLY CHALLENGING, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

THE GIFT THAT I THINK I KEEP -- I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE CERTAINLY AS A PART OF THE SENATE IS I'M SEEING ON A DAILY BASIS GENUINE COLLABORATION AROUND A HOST OF ISSUES.

DO WE DISAGREE ON QUITE A NUMBER OF THINGS?

YES.

BUT I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PERMANENT INTEREST AND WORK TOWARD THAT.

I HOPE THAT'S A MODEL FOR OTHERS WHO ARE WATCHING AND COMING UP AND SEEKING TO LEAD, AS WELL.

BECAUSE WE NEED THEM.

WE NEED THEM NOW TO BE INTERESTED IN WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> WELL SAID.

WELL, SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> 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 ALSO 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.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

♪ >> ESTABLISHED IN 1953, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WAS THE FIRST EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES WITH MUCH OF THE STATE STRUGGLING TO SUPPORT STAND-ALONE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS, GOVERNOR GORDON PERSONS ENCOURAGED THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH APTV TO ENSURE ACCESS TO PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR ALL ALABAMIANS.

AMONG THE EARLY CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS IS CABBAGES AND KINGS PRODUCED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY.

A SOON ADDED PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, TEACHER INSTRUCTION AND ADULT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WERE SCHEDULED IN THE EVENING HOURS ALONG WITH NATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

SINCE THEN, 25 OTHER STATES HAVE ESTABLISHED PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORKS, ALL BASED ON ALABAMA'S MODEL.

ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION EDUCATIONAL MISSION AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONTINUE TODAY.

♪ >> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR OUR WEEK IN REVIEW WHERE WE BREAK DOWN A WEEK'S WORTH OF ACTION IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S FRIDAY AT 7:30 PM ON APT.

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