>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO DO SOME HEAVY LIFTING IN THEIR LAST WORK WEEK BEFORE SPRING BREAK.

THE SENATE IS SET TO TAKE UP THE EDUCATION BUDGET AND A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE THE LEGISLATURE SOME OVERSIGHT OF EMERGENCY HEALTH ORDERS.

THE HOUSE THIS WEEK IS SET TO VOTE ON A PROPOSED BAN ON CURBSIDE VOTING AND A HOUSE COMMITTEE IS SET TO TAKE UP MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION.

WE TURN FIRST TONIGHT TO THE SCHOOL SPENDING PLAN.

THE SENATE FINANCE AND TAXATION EDUCATION COMMITTEE TOMORROW IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON A PROPOSED $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER WAS ASKED LATE LAST WEEK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF PASSING IT OUT OF THE UPPER CHAMBER BEFORE WEEK'S END.

>> I DO NOT WANT TO OFFER A COMMITMENT ON BEHALF OF SENATOR ORR, OKAY.

BUT IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATOR ORR, OKAY, ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD AS HOUSE SENATE LEADERSHIP GROUP, THE BUDGETS WOULD BE OUT OF THE HOUSE OF ORIGIN BEFORE WE GO ON SPRING BREAK.

I MADE THAT COMMITMENT AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WHEN WE'VE MET ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

AND IF THAT'S THE CASE AND BASED ON MY CONVERSATIONS MEETING WITH SENATOR ORR, I THINK HE WILL HAVE THE EDUCATION ON THE SENATE FLOOR BY THURSDAY.

>> DON: SENATOR ORR IS, OF COURSE, SENATOR ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR, WHO IS THE EDUCATION BUDGET CHAIRMAN IN THE UPPER CHAMBER.

HIS PROPOSED $7.6 BILLION SPENDING PLAN WOULD GIVE TEACHERS AND EDUCATION EMPLOYEES A TWO PERCENT COST OF LIVING INCREASE, AND PROVIDE MORE MONEY FOR AREAS LIKE PRE-K, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETS AT 1PM TOMORROW, AND THE SPENDING PLAN'S PASSAGE THERE WOULD PUT IT IN POSITION FOR FLOOR CONSIDERATION ON THURSDAY.

THE HOUSE TOMORROW IS SET TO TAKE UP A CLOSELY-WATCHED BILL THAT WOULD BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE.

REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN OF TROY, A FORMER PROBATE JUDGE, IS SPONSORING THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD FORBID ELECTION WORKERS FROM SETTING UP CURBSIDE DROP OFF AREAS OR SETTING UP VOTING MACHINES OUTSIDE A POLLING PLACE.

ALLEN RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT CURBSIDE VOTING IS NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT THAT CHAIN OF CUSTODY FOR THE BALLOT.

AND THAT BALLOT IS VERY SPECIAL AND WE NEED TO KEEP IT SECURE, AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PERSON THAT HAPPENS TO DRIVE UP TO THE CURBSIDE, THAT PERSON IS THE PERSON THAT SIGNED IN.

WE NEED TO BE SURE WE ARE DOING SECURE ELECTIONS AND THAT'S WHAT WE AIM TO DO.

>> DON: REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN'S MEASURE, IF PASSED, WOULD CODIFY AN INTERPRETATION OF STATE LAW BY SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL, WHO SAID LAST YEAR THAT CURBSIDE VOTING IS PROHIBITED IN ALABAMA AND WHO BLOCKED COUNTIES FROM ENGAGING IN IT.

THAT LED TO A LAWSUIT OVER THE ISSUE, BUT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT REJECTED IT.

ADVOCACY GROUPS GATHERED ON THE STATEHOUSE STEPS TODAY TO PUSH BACK AGAINST WHAT THEY HAVE CALLED VOTER SUPPRESSION IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND TO ALSO LOBBY FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION IN THE STATE.

IT WAS PART OF WHAT ARE BEING CALLED MORAL MONDAYS SPEARHEADED BY THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN.

>> THERE ARE OVER 253 BILLS BEING CONSIDERED OR TRYING TO BE PASSED RIGHT NOW TO FURTHER SUPPRESS THE VOTE.

AND THE VOTE IMPACT ALL OF THESE ISSUES.

>> RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A DEAL THAT LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HERE IN THIS CHAMBER AND GOVERNOR IVEY DOWN THE STREET COULD TAKE.

AND THAT DEAL WOULD GIVE ALABAMA OUR MEDICAID BUDGET, $940 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS IF WE EXPAND MEDICAID.

>> DON: JANE ADAMS WITH THE COVER ALABAMA COALITION WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE NEW COVID STIMULUS BILL OFFERING NEW INCENTIVES FOR STATES LIKE ALABAMA TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

THE SENATE TOMORROW COULD TAKE A VOTE ON A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE THE LEGISLATURE SOME OVERSIGHT OF EXTENDING EMERGENCY HEALTH ORDERS.

THAT AUTHORITY NOW RESTS WITH THE GOVERNOR, AND SENATOR TOM WHATLEY OF AUBURN WANTS TO EXTEND IT TO INCLUDE LAWMAKER INPUT.

HE RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> PRETTY SIMPLE PROCESS THERE AND AT LEAST THEN, CONSTITUENTS WHO MAY HAVE AN ISSUE FOR OR AGAINST AN EMERGENCY ORDER WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL SENATOR, REPRESENTATIVE, OR GOVERNOR AND SAY, YES, NO, THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO SEE.

OR I LIKE IT, I DON'T LIKE ALL OF IT, THEY CAN TELL THAT PART OF IT.

>> DON: WHATLEY'S MEASURE WAS DEBATED ON THE SENATE FLOOR LAST WEEK BUT WAS CARRIED OVER.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAYS THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE PANDEMIC HAS HER THINKING ABOUT LESSONS LEARNED AND HOW SHE'S HOPING TO CREATE A REVIEW PROCESS.

IVEY RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> NOT ONLY DO I LOOK BACK AND SEE WHAT WE DID, BUT ALSO, I WANT TO EVALUATE WHAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER GOD FORBID, SHOULD THERE BE ANOTHER PANDEMIC.

NOBODY HAS EVER BEEN THROUGH ONE OF THESE BEFORE.

NO PLAY BOOK OR ANY EXPERIENCE THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON TO LOOK FOR GUIDANCE.

I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN HAVE A THOUGHTFUL PANDEMIC STUDY GROUP OR MADE UP OF PEOPLE FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND OR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH TO REVIEW, ANALYZE AND CHART THE COURSE FOR THE FUTURE.

>> DON: THE GOVERNOR'S MASK MANDATE RUNS THROUGH APRIL 9TH, AND SHE HAS SAID SHE WON'T EXTEND IT BEYOND THAT DATE.

IT'LL BE A BUSY WEEK IN LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TOMORROW IS SET TO TAKE A VOTE ON A BILL THAT WOULD STIFFEN PENALTIES FOR TAKING PART IN A RIOT THAT BECOMES VIOLENT OR DESTRUCTIVE.

MEANTIME, THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE TOMORROW IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON A CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT WOULD BAN CERTAIN TRANSGENDER MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR MINORS.

IT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A PUBLIC HEARING LAST WEEK.

ON WEDNESDAY OF THIS WEEK, THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS SET TO VOTE ON A BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE.

FLORENCE SENATOR TIM MELSON'S MEASURE HAS ALREADY PASSED THE UPPER CHAMBER AND IS BEING VETTED BY TWO COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE.

>> OBVIOUSLY, HEALTH COMMITTEE SENATE HERE, AND QUITE FRANKLY, I HOPE THEY THINK IF THEY WERE JUST NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO VOTE IT OUT, NO SENSE IN SENDING IT HERE.

BUT THERE AGAIN, I'M NOT ASKING THE CHAIRMAN.

KIND OF, LIKE, WHY SEND HIM TO TWO MEETINGS TO KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PASS THE BILL.

SO, I'M OPTIMISTIC.

>> DON: THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE MEASURE WEDNESDAY AT 1:30 PM.

THE ALABAMA LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE STATE'S SEASONALLY-ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN JANUARY WAS 4.3 PERCENT, THE LOWEST SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TWEETED THIS AFTERNOON THAT ALABAMA NOW LEADS THE SOUTHEAST WITH THE LOWEST JOBLESS RATE.

SHE SAID SHE WAS PROUD TO SEE MORE ALABAMIANS GETTING BACK TO WORK.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP, STEVE MARSHALL BACK IN STUDIO WITH US.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> I WANT TO COVER WHAT YOU AND ADERHOLT FILED, YOU ARE CONTENDING THAT CENSUS DATA WAS DELAYED AND MANIPULATED IN THIS LAWSUIT.

THERE'S A LOT RIDING ON THE CENSUS INFORMATION, LEAST OF WHICH IS REAPPORTIONMENT WHICH ALABAMA LAWMAKERS WOULD HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION ON AS THEY WAIT FOR THIS VALUABLE CENSUS INFORMATION.

>> WELL, THE FIRST CASE WE HAVE, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE WHO ARE IN THE COUNTRY UP LAWFULLY AND YOU COUNT THOSE, THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THAT'S IN AND OF ITSELF COULD BE THE TIPPING POINT WHETHER OR NOT ALABAMA LOSES A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

THIS ONE IS MORE SPECIFIC AND REALLY TWO FOLD.

ONE, CLEARLY THE CENSUS IS DELAYED.

THEY PASSED THE STATUTORY DEADLINE FOR BOTH PROVIDING THE INFORMATION TO CONGRESS AND GETTING A RE-REAPPORTION AMOUNT TO SORT CERTIFY.

COVID IS USED AS THE EXCUSE BUT WE DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON.

WE BELIEVE THERE'S MUCH WORK BEING DONE AROUND EFFORTS TO ENTER PRIVACY DATA, WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

BUT THAT'S NOTHING NEW.

IN 2010, WE WERE DOING NOTHING NEW.

BUT THIS IS CREATING A WHOLE NEW LAYER OF SCRAMBLING DATA THAT STATES, LIKE ALABAMA AND OTHERS, ARE GOING TO HAVE MUCH DIFFICULTY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR DATA IS AND USING IT EFFECTIVELY, NOT ONLY REAPPORTIONMENT BUT SIMPLY TO REALLOCATE RESOURCES USED IN OUR STATE.

>> YOU SAY SCRAMBLING OF DATA, CAN YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC?

>> BASICALLY, THEY USED A MATHEMATICAL ALGO RHYTHM, MOVING PEOPLE AROUND AND ACTUALLY CHANGING THE DATA ITSELF.

BUT THERE'S A REASON FOR IT.

AND AGAIN, MANY DON'T ASSOCIATE ME WITH NON BIPARTISAN EFFORTS.

BUT MANY FOLKS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AISLE WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT THIS AS WE ARE, ONE THING IS, WE NEED ACCURATE AND VALIDATABLE DATA, WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE CENSUS BUREAU IS HANDLING ALABAMA CORRECTLY, LIKE THOSE OF NEW YORK, THAT ARE CLOSE TO THE LINE AS WE ARE IN LOSING A SEAT.

AND WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PROACTIVELY PROTECT ALABAMA'S INTEREST.

>> SO YOU THINK THERE'S A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO SKEW THE CENSUS INFORMATION?

>> I THINK THERE'S AN EFFORT TO SCRAMBLE THE DATA UNDER THE GUISE OF PRIVACY.

THEY ARE STILL USING THE METHOD OF THE CENSUS BUT NOT FINALIZED IT.

IT'S VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THEY DID IN 2010.

WE THINK ITS GONE TOO FAR AND WE WANT AT LEAST AN ABILITY TO SEE THE DATA, WE USED IT IN OUR COMPLAINT, LIKE SCRAMBLING AN EGG, YOU CAN'T PUT IT BACK TOGETHER THAT MAKES SENSE TO US.

>> WHAT'S YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THEY ARE DOING THINGS LIKE THEY ARE DOING?

>> THE DELAY, THEY ARE BLAMING COVID.

BUT WE THINK THERE'S MUCH MORE GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES AND THERE'S ONE MORE DISCOVERY THAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIND OUT.

WE'RE SEEKING IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO GET IN THERE SOONER.

IT'S THE EFFORT OF PRIVACY IS WHAT THE CENSUS BUREAU IS SAYING BUT WE THINK THEY ARE GOING TO FAR.

>> A LOT IS RIDING ON THIS, REAPPORTIONMENT HAS A LOT RIDING ON THIS.

THE NEW DISTRICT LINES HAVE TO BE DRAWN AND THEY CAN'T DO THAT UNTIL THEY GET THE CENSUS INFORMATION INFORMATION AND THAT MAY NOT ARRIVE IN THE FALL.

AND THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TACKLE REAPPORTIONMENT UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>> RIGHT.

IT'S NOT HARD TO FIGURE OUT.

AND WE'RE SEEING AN EFFORT RECOGNIZING THE DELAY THAT'S ALREADY OCCURRED TO BE ABLE TO PUSH BACK THE PRIMARIES FROM LATE IN MAY TO NOW SOMETIME IN JULY.

I THINK THE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE AND THE TWO CHAIRS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BURDEN ON THEIR HANDS IF DATA COMES LATE.

AND IT GOES BACK TO PEOPLE COMING BACK TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR DISTRICTS AND KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE LINES ARE.

THERE ARE MANY, MANY PROBLEMS THAT RESULT FROM RIGHT NOW.

THE DELAYS AND THE DEFICIENCIES THAT HAVE GONE ON WITH THE CENSUS INFORMATION ITSELF.

AND WE LIKE TO GET THAT RESOLVED NOW RATHER THAN LATER.

>> NOW, CONGRESS THIS YEAR HAS BEEN DEBATING REALLY HIGH PROFILE BILL THAT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THIS SAY IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE, ACCESS TO THE POLLS, THAT SORT OF THING.

ABOUT THE YOU JOINED OTHER STATES IN PUSHING BACK.

YOU CALLED IT FEDERALIZING OF THE ELECTIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY FEDERALIZING THE ELECTIONS.

NOW, IF YOU LOOK BACK TO THE CONSTITUTION, SPECIFICALLY TO THE ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT, DELEGATION IT BACK TO THE STATES.

ONE THING THAT WE CLEARLY SAW THROUGH THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE, OUR LEGISLATURE WAS RIGHT IN HOW THEY DEFINED BOTH ACCESS TO BALLOTS, INVOLVING ACCOUNTABILITY TO INSURE THAT THE ELECTION OCCURS IN A FAIR AND PROPER WAY, THAT ALABAMA IS TRULY ONE OF THE SHINING STARS.

HERE, IT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMING IN TO BASICALLY SET A NEW SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT'S QUITE CONTRARY TO WHAT WE HAVE.

IT INCLUDES CURBSIDE VOTING THAT WE FOUGHT FROM DOING LAST ELECTION, AND ELIMINATING VOTER ID THAT COULD BE USED IN STATES, AND WE WOULD SEE MANY OTHER, WHAT I SAY ARE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES THAT EXIST UNDER THE ALABAMA LAW, BEING SET ASIDE BASED ON THE WHIM OF CONGRESS NOW.

NUMBER ONE, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT LEGAL CONCERNS WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WHETHER OR NOT IN FACT IT CAN PASS CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S TAKING AWAY THE AUTHORITY OF ALABAMIANS TO DECIDE HOW THEIR ELECTIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE.

AND THINK THAT'S A VERY BROAD FEDERAL OVERREACH.

HOPEFULLY, THE SENATE IS GOING TO SEE PAST THAT AND NOT TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK.

>> NOW, THE OTHER SIDE SAYS THIS IS ABOUT TO THEM, AT LEAST, MAKING IT EASIER TO VOTE.

>> ABSOLUTELY ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE SEEN THROUGH ALABAMA'S LAST ELECTION CYCLE, THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE THAT WE'VE SEEN FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.

WE DID IT IN A TIMELY WAY AND NO ALLEGATIONS OF VOTER SUPPRESSION AND WE DID IT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD.

AND WHAT WE'VE SHOWN IS THE ALABAMA SYSTEM WORKS, PEOPLE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN IT AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE ARE WANTING TO REPLICATE THE ALABAMA MODEL.

>> NOW, I WANT TO TOUCH ON WILLIE SMITH DEATH ROW CASE MADE HEADLINES WHEN HIS EXECUTION WAS DELAYED.

HE ARGUED THAT HE WANTED HIS PERSONAL CHAPLAIN OR PASTOR WITH HIM IN THE DEATH CHAMBER AND THE SUPREME COURT DELAYED THE ISSUE WHILE THAT ISSUE WAS EXPLORED.

WHERE DOES IT STAND NOW?

>> BASED ON THE RECENT SUPREME COURT CASE, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS ALLOWING AN INMATE TO CAN REQUEST THEIR SPIRITUAL ADVISOR TO BE IN THE EXECUTION CHAMBER WHEN IT TAKES PLACE.

WE EXPECT THAT POLICY TO BE FULLY VETTED AND APPROVED.

WE'LL PRESENT THAT TO THE DISTRICT JUDGE SAYING THIS IS THE COMPLIANCE WITH THE DIRECTION OF THE SUPREME COURT TO ALLOW FOR THIS EXECUTION TO TAKE PLACE.

ULTIMATELY, IT'S ABOUT PROVIDING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR VICTIMS AND WE WANT TO DO THAT AS SOON AS WE CAN.

>> UP TO NOW, ONLY A PRISON CHAPLAIN WAS ALLOWED TO BE IN THE CHAMBER.

>> THAT WAS THE POLICY BEFORE.

AND IN FACT, WE CHANGED THAT AS A RESULT OF A RECENT CASE THAT WAS HEARD BEFORE ALABAMIANS AND ELIMINATED ANY PRISON CHAPLAIN FROM BEING IN THERE SO IT WAS NOT A QUESTION OF INFRINGEMENT OF ANYBODY'S RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

NOW, WE SAW WITH JUDGE KAVANAUGH'S DISSENT IN THE CASE, MOST RECENTLY, BEST LEFT FOR STATES WHO WANT TO AVOID LITIGATION, SIMPLY ALLOWING AN INMATE TO CHOOSE, TO BE FULLY VETTED THROUGH PATRIOT SAYS IN PLACE, SO THESE NO LONGER BECOME A REASON FOR THESE LAST MINUTE DELAYS WHICH TYPICALLY TAKE PLACE WITH DEATH LITIGATION TO STOP THE DEATH FROM OCCURRING.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Don: AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP, WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO ADVOCATES FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION AND THEY SAY IT'S A PERFECT TIME TO RE-EXAMINE WHAT THEY CALL A CRITICAL ANSWER.

NOW, JANE ADAMS IS HERE FOR THE COALITION, AND YOU STOOD WITH THE POOR PEOPLES CAMPAIGN IN FRONT OF THE STATE HOUSE TODAY TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST VOTER SUPPRESSION AND OTHER THINGS.

I MENTIONED THAT THE PANDEMIC GIVES ADVOCATES LIKE YOURSELF A REALLY BIG PLATFORM AND MUCH BIGGER PLATFORM THAN YOU PROBABLY HAD IN YEARS PAST TO PROMOTE THE IDEA OF MEDICAID EXPANSION IN ALABAMA, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, THE PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED THE DYNAMICS AROUND PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND DEFINITELY IN ALABAMA.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SEEN WE NEED INVESTMENTS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS TO KEEP THE HOSPITALS OPEN SO PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THE HEALTH INSURANCE, PREVENTIBLE CARE.

AND I STOOD IN SOLIDARITY WITH MY FRIENDS, POOR PEOPLES CAMPAIGN, A CAMPAIGN PARTNER IN THE COALITION TO TALK ABOUT HOW MEDICAL DEBT AND EXPENSES ARE DRIVING ALABAMIANS INTO POVERTY.

THERE IS A SOLUTION FOR THIS AND IT'S MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> AND MEDICAID EXPANSION HAS BEEN DEBATED IN THE YEARS AND ALWAYS ABOUT THE COST.

BENEFITS ALWAYS UP FRONT BUT THE FURTHER WE GOT AWAY FROM THE INITIAL BENEFITS FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION, THE MORE DOUBT WAS CAST OVER THIS.

WELL, IN THE NEW STIMULUS PACKAGE JUST SIGNED INTO LAW LAST WEEK BY PRESIDENT BIDEN, THEY ARE EXPANDING THAT FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION FOR STATES ALL OVER.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE'RE REALLY HAPPY THAT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN INCLUDES INCENTIVES LIKE ALABAMA TO RE-EXAMINE AND FIGURE OUT AN ALABAMA SOLUTION FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

SO, IF GOVERNOR IVEY AND THE LEGISLATURE TOMORROW DECIDE TO EXPAND MEDICAID TO BENEFIT ALABAMA'S NEEDS, WE COULD BENEFIT FROM $940 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING OVER TWO YEARS, MORE THAN THE ENOUGH TO COVER THE COST OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

AND SAVE FOR OUT YEARS.

IT'S A BETTER DEAL, BEING MORE MONEY OFFERED TO YOU US NOW THAN IT WAS PREVIOUSLY OFFERED.

AND THE FACT THAT WE HELD OUT HAS LED TUESDAY AN ADVANTAGE WHERE WE HAVE MORE FEDERAL FUNDING, MORE DISCRETION ON HOW WE CAN SPEND THAT MONEY.

>> BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO ARGUE THE LONG TERM COST TO THE STATE ONCE THE BENEFITS SLACK OFF.

>> WE KNOW BASED ON THE 38 OTHER STATES EXPANDING MEDICAID, NOBODY HAS ROLLED IT BACK.

ARKANSAS, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA AND OTHER STATES THAT ARE FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE.

WE KNOW THEY ACCRUE REVENUE WHENEVER THEY EXPAND MEDICAID.

WE HAVE 14 HOSPITALS THAT HAVE CLOSED IN ALABAMA BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T EXPANDED MEDICAID.

AND FOR A LOT OF OTHER FISCAL REASONS.

AND MEDICAID EXPANSION.

IT DRIVES DOWN THE COST FOR ALL CONSUMERS AND EVERYBODY WOULD SEE PREMIUMS GO DOWN WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.

ALSO, IT'S AN ECONOMIC DRIVER.

IT TAKES AWAY MEDICAL DEBT FROM FOLKS BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE WHICH MEANS THEY ARE NOT HAVING TO FILE BANKRUPTCY AND ABLE TO SPEND MORE MONEY IN THE ECONOMY.

AND SOME ECONOMISTS PROJECT IT COULD BE $4 BILLION IN ECONOMIC STIMULUS THAT COME TO THE STATE JUST FROM MEDICAID EXPANSION.

AND YOU LOOK AT THE HOSPITALS TO REOPEN, PAYING TAXES TO THE STATE WHICH ALL OF THAT REVENUE COULD THEN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE GENERAL FUND AND GO TO THE CONTINUED COST.

>> WELL, IT TAKES PEOPLE OUT OF A SO-CALLED WEDGE.

CURRENTLY THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID AND CAN'T AFFORD INSURANCE.

>> RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY.

ON AVERAGE, IF YOU THINK ABOUT A MOTHER AND A CHILD IN DECATUR, SAY, SHE WORKS FULLTIME MAKING MIM WAGE, HER INCOME FULLTIME WITH MIM WAGE IS STILL TOO MUCH TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID BUT NOT ENOUGH TO GET PREMIUM SUBSIDY FROM THE MARKET PLACE.

SO, SHE'S WHAT WE CALL SOMEBODY TRAPPED IN THE WORKING GAP.

A WORKING PERSON IN ALABAMA BUT DOESN'T MATTER IF THEY WERE WORKING FULLTIME BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET HEALTH INSURANCE.

WE PROJECT THERE'S OVER 300,000 ALABAMIANS TRAPPED IN THAT COVERAGE GAP.

AND THEN IF THAT HAPPENS, WE'LL PROVIDE THEM WITH AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE TO CONTINUE TO GIVE TO OUR ECONOMY AND BENEFIT THEIR FAMILIES.

>> AND THERE WAS POLLING DONE ON THE ISSUE IN JANUARY, AND I KNOW YOU WERE ENCOURAGED WITH WHAT THE POLLING FOUND.

>> YES.

WE DID POLLING IN JANUARY, THROUGH SIGNAL POLLING FIRM AND WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT MEDICAID EXPANSION IS VERY POPULAR.

WE SUSPECTED IT WAS.

BUT YOU LOOK AT POLLING IN THE OTHER STATES AND THE REFERENDUMS THAT HAPPENED IN MISSOURI AND OKLAHOMA THAT PASSED MEDICAID EXPANSION THERE, AND WE FOUND THAT 56% OF ALABAMIANS ARE IN FACT AND 63% OF REPUBLICANS SUPPORT EXPANSION AND THERE'S BROAD SUPPORT FROM FOLKS TO USE ESSENTIAL GAMING LEGISLATION, MEDICAL MARIJUANA OR OTHER REVENUE-CREATING STREAMS TO FUND MEDICAID EXPANSION.

SO, THE FOLKS IN ALABAMA, VOTERS WANT TO SEE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THEY WANT TO SEE INVESTMENTS IN MEDICAID EXPANSION.

AND WE JUST WANT TO HAVE POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH GOVERNOR IVEY AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HOW WE CAN FIGURE OUT AN ALABAMA SOLUTION FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> HOW EXCITED WERE YOU ABOUT THE POLLING THAT FOUND 63 SUPPORT AMONGST REPUBLICANS.

NOW THIS HAS LONG BEEN DEMOCRATIC PLANK.

>> WELL, WHEN THE POLLING WAS DONE, AND 63% OF REPUBLICANS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF MEDICAID EXPANSION WHEN THEY WERE GIVEN THE FACTS.

OVERALL, POPULARITY, BEFORE THEY WERE GIVEN THE FACTS OF 52%.

BUT ONCE THEY WERE GIVEN THE FACTS, THE FACT THAT ALABAMA HAS SPEND $4 BILLION TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PAY FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION IN OTHER STATES.

WE'VE ALREADY BEEN PAYING FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WE SENT $168 MILLION IN OUR FEDERAL TAXES TO PAY FOR EXPANSION IN ARKANSAS.

I THINK THAT ARGUMENT REALLY RESONATED WITH THE REPUBLICANS.

WE NEED TO BRING OUR TAX DOLLARS BACK HOME, INVEST IN HOSPITALS HERE INSTEAD OF KEEPING HOSPITALS OPEN IN HAWAII.

>> Don: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT EXPANSION PROSPECTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

THERE'S LOTS OF REASONS WHY IT MAY BE BETTER RECEIVED NOW THAN EVER BEFORE.

THE PANDEMIC, STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT WAS JUST PASSED.

>> I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE PROS EXPECTS OF MEDICAID EXPANSION THIS THIS LEGISLATURE.

AND WE'VE BEEN MEETING WITH WORKERS ACROSS THE AISLE, VICK POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS AND GIVING THEM ECONOMIC INFORMATION.

GOVERNOR IVEY LEFT THE DOOR OPEN AND JUST AS OF YESTERDAY, THE OFFICE CONTINUES TO SAY THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS COMING DOWN FROM D.C. AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLKS HAVING HEALTHCARE.

SO, WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE CONVERSATIONS OPEN AND HAVE A POSITIVE, NON PARTISAN FACTUAL DIALOGUE AND WE THINK THE FACTS WILL WIN OUT.

38 STATES HAVE DONE THIS AND NONE OF THEM HAVE SEEN FISCAL DISASTER IN THEIR STATE BUDGETS.

AND WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE CONVERSATION GOING AND REALLY MOVE THE BALL FORWARD.

NOW IS THE TIME.

>> AND AGAIN, AS YOU POINT OUT THE BENEFITS UNDER THE NEW STIMULUS PACKAGE MAKES IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE -- >> WELL, YES.

IF THEY EXPAND THIS YEAR, WE GET $940 MILLION, ESTIMATES SHOW, AND IN ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP COVER THE COST OF EXPANSION.

LOTS OF THAT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT OUR STATE HAS FOLKS THAT ARE IN MEDICAID, BEEN IN MEDICAID SINCE PANDEMIC, NOT BEEN DISENROLLED.

AND THIS FEDERAL BENEFIT COMING DOWN FROM D.C., THIS REALLY TARGETS HOW THE STATE MEDICAID SYSTEM HAS BEEN FUNCTIONING HERE AND PUTS THE MOST DOLLARS IN THE BEST POSITION.

>> JANE ADAMS IS THE CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR FOR COVER ALABAMA COALITION.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, TOO.

THANK YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL.

FOR TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING AN EXPECTED HOUSE VOTE ON BANNING CURBSIDE VOTING, A POSSIBLE SENATE VOTE ON AN EMERGENCY POWERS BILL, AND SCHEDULED COMMITTEE ACTION ON THE EDUCATION BUDGET AND BILLS DEALING WITH TRANSGENDER YOUTH AND RIOTING.

AND WE'RE SET TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER OF CITRONELLE, WHO'LL DISCUSS HIS BILL TO SET UP PENALTIES FOR THE SO-CALLED DOXING OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

WE'RE ALSO SET TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND OF MOBILE, WHO WILL DISCUSS HER BILL TO RAISE TO 21 THE AGE TO BUY, POSSESS OR USE NICOTINE PRODUCTS.

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

I‘M DON DAILEY.