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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

IN WAS A BUSY DAY IN THE LEGISLATURE AS LAWMAKERS COMPLETED THEIR 23 RD DAY AND DEPARTED FOR SPRING BREAK.

THIS MORNING, A HOUSE COMMITTEE ADVANCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD INSTITUTE A STATE LOTTERY.

UNLIKE A COMPETING GAMBLING BILL IN THE SENATE, HOUSE BILL 501 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN DOESN'T ADDRESS SPORTS BETTING OR CASINOS.

A FISCAL NOTE ESTIMATES THE REVENUE WOULD RANGE FROM $198 MILLION TO $285 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

THE PLAN WOULD DIRECT THAT MONEY TO EDUCATION EFFORTS, INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT GRANTS.

SUCH LOTTERY-ONLY PROPOSALS HAVE FAILED IN THE HOUSE BEFORE, BUT BROWN SAYS HE THINKS HOUSE MEMBERS WANT TO TACKLE THE ISSUE.

>> THIS WILL IS A TRUE BOTTOM-UP BILL.

THIS CAME FROM MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE THAT WANT TO ALLOW THE PEOPLE OF THEIR DISTRICTS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO VOTE ON THIS.

SO BY BRINGING THIS BILL, WE'RE PUTTING AND SENDING A MESSAGE THAT WE WANT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA TO VOTE ON THIS.

WE HAVE TIME TO DO THIS.

AND I EXPECT TO GET IT ON THE FLOOR AND GET IT OUT.

>> THE GAMBLING OPPONENTS URGED THE COMMITTEE TO RETHINK THE BILL SAYING LOTTERIES PREY ON POOR PEOPLE TO GENERATE MONEY FOR THE STATE.

THE PLAN PASSED ON A VOICE VOTE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

TURN ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, LAWMAKERS SWITCHED OUT THEIR PLANNED AGENDA AND TOOK UP ONE WITH CONTROVERSIAL BILLS AT THE VERY TOP.

THE FIRST ATTEMPTS TO BAN “DIVISIVE CONCEPTS” FROM BEING TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INCLUDED IN STATE GOVERNMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS.

HOUSE BILL 312 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER SEEKS TO ENSURE STUDENTS AND STATE EMPLOYEES ARE NOT SUBJECTED TO CONCEPTS OR THEORIES THAT TEACH SOMEONE SHOULD FEEL GUILTY OR ASHAMED BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE, RELIGION OR SEX.

DEMOCRATS FIERCELY OPPOSED THE BILL ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, SAYING IT WOULD HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON TEACHERS AND THAT IT AMOUNTED TO WHITEWASHING HISTORY.

>> WITH ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE HAVE GOING ON, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM -- WE'RE LOOKING A THE A LOT OF FOLKS IN POVERTY, FOLKS THAT NEED HEALTH CARE AND OPPORTUNITY.

EDUCATION IS NOT AT THE LEVEL WE WANT IT TO BE AT.

RECRUITMENT IS NOT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE, WHERE IT'S RECRUITING AN EDUCATOR OR AN ENGINEER.

BUT WHEN THESE THINGS HAPPEN AND YOU GO OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA FOLKS LOOK AT YOU CRAZY AS IF -- AND I SAY WE'RE NOT THE ALABAMA THAT YOU'VE READ ABOUT IN THE PAST.

BUT WE ARE.

>> THE BILL PASSED 65-32 AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

ANOTHER BILL THAT GENERATED A LOT OF DEBATE WAS HOUSE BILL 63 FROM REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE WOOD.

IT WOULD PROHIBIT ANYONE FROM FILLING OUT ANOTHER PERSON'S VOTER REGISTRATION FORM OR ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION WITHOUT PERMISSION.

WOOD SAYS IT IS MEAT TO PREVENT WHAT SHE CALLS BALLOT HARVESTING FROM POLITICAL GROUPS.

DEMOCRATS CRITICIZED THE BILL AS UNNECESSARY AND A FORM OF VOTER SUPPRESSION.

THE BILL PASSED 73-28 AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

THE SENATE TOOK UP THE ISSUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SENATE BILL 302 FROM SENATOR DEL MARSH WOULD ENSURE THAT LOCAL COUNTY TAX DOLLARS FOLLOW THE STUDENTS WHO ENROLL IN CHARTER SCHOOLS JUST LIKE STATE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS DO.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE GRANTED GREATER AUTONOMY FROM TRADITIONAL SYSTEM RULES IN EXCHANGE FOR HIGHER STANDARDS FOR STUDENT IMPROVEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT.

MARSH BROUGHT THE BILL TO THE FLOOR AFTER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN EDUCATION GROUPS YIELDED A COMPROMISE.

>> IT'S NOT THE ANSWER FOR OUR PROBLEMS IN ALABAMA BUT IT'S ONE OF THOSE PIECES THAT MOVES US IN A MOMENTUM, IF YOU WILL, TO CONTINUE TO DO THINGS TOGETHER TO FIX EDUCATION IN THIS STATE.

SO BASICALLY IN A NUTSHELL WHAT THIS BILL DOES, IT SAYS THAT AS A STUDENT GOES TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL THOSE COUNTY DOLLARS GO WITH THAT STUDENT.

BUT IN COUNTIES THAT ARE DISADVANTAGED, LOW POPULATION COUNTIES -- IN FACT ANY COUNTY UNDER 40,000 POPULATION, THE DOLLARS DON'T MOVE -- THE DOLLARS STAY THERE, WHICH IS SOMETHING MY COLLEAGUE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT IN HIS DISTRICT.

SO WE INCORPORATED THAT INTO THE AMENDMENT.

>> THE BILL PASSED 221 WITH TWO ABSTENTIONS.

IT NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE ALSO TOOK UP LEGISLATION ALTERING HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDGES DEAL WITH INDIVIDUALS IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

HOUSE BILL 70 FROM REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS WOULD ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDGES GREATER FLEXIBILITY WHEN DEALING WITH SOMEONE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> THE HOUSE WOULD ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES TO ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL TO DESIGNATED MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY FOR EVALUATION.

ALSO UNDER SECTION 151641 IS AMENDED TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO CONSIDER ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT A DEFENDANT POSSESSED A REAL AND PRESENT THREAT OF SUBSTANTIAL HARM TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS.

IT ALSO REQUIRES THE RELEASE OF A DEFENDANT IF THE COURT DOES NOT FIND THAT A DEFENDANT HAS A MENTAL ILLNESS, IMPOSED A REAL OR PRESENT THREAT TO SUBSTANTIAL HARM TO HIM OR HERSELF.

>> THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

I NEED TO OFFER A CORRECTION HERE.

I MISTAKENLY REPORTED HOUSE BILL 70 RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE ON TUESDAY.

GOT A LITTLE AHEAD OF MYSELF.

FINAL PASSAGE HAPPENED TODAY AND THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

ALSO IN THE SENATE, A BILL EXPANDING THE ROLE OF TELEMEDICINE WAS DEBATED.

SENATE BILL 272 FROM SENATOR DAN ROBERTS WOULD ALLOW LICENSED DOCTORS S TO PRACTICE TELEMEDICINE, INCLUDING PRESCRIBING CERTAIN MEDICATIONS WITHOUT SEEING THE PATIENT IN PERSON.

INSTEAD OF TAKING A VOTE, ROBERTS ASKED THAT THE BILL BE CARRIED OVER UNTIL AFTER SPRING BREAK TO ALLOW LAWMAKERS A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE BILL AND BRING IDEAS FOR AMENDMENTS.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT -- MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S A STANDARD OF CARE HERE, THAT WE DON'T LOSE THAT THROUGH THAT PROCESS JUST AS IF WE WERE, AS YOU SAID, AN INPATIENT PERSON GOING TO SEE THE DOCTOR IN PERSON.

>> IT'S REALLY WHAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT SINCE WE STARTED THIS.

THERE ARE ONLY FOUR OR FIVE STATES LEFT THAT DON'T HAVE ANY STATUTE ON TELEMEDICINE.

WE'RE TRYING TO LAY OUT A VERY BROAD STRUCTURE BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS IS GOING TO GROW.

WE KNOW THE TECHNOLOGY -- PROBABLY EVERY MONTH IS COMING ALONG.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE LAURA HALL FROM HUNTSVILLE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU HAD A BIG WIN HERE RECENTLY.

YOU HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR EXTENDING MEDICAID MATERNITY COVERAGE FOR NEW MOTHERS FROM THE STICKS TEE DAYS TO A YEAR.

THAT WAS PUT IN THE BUDGET.

IT'S NOT QUITE TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK BUT ALMOST THERE.

SO WALK ME THROUGH YOUR EFFORTS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> AS YOU STATED IT STARTED OUT AS A BILL THAT I CONTINUED TO BRING BECAUSE I DID BELIEVE AND FEEL THAT OUR MOTHERS DESERVE TO HAVE THE BEST OF CARE POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THAT 1ST YEAR WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO A MOTHER AFTER HAVING A CHILD.

SO IT WAS BECAUSE OF THAT AND JUST WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO MAKE SURE ANY CHILD THAT IS BORN AND ANY MOTHER THAT HAS THAT CHILD RECEIVES THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR THEM TO HAVE A HEALTHY AND QUALITY LIFE.

>> YOU SEEM TO HAVE BUILT A COALITION OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS ON THIS, PICKING UP MORE AND MORE SUPPORT.

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO DO THAT?

>> WELL, IT WAS NOT HARD AT ALL.

THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CERTAINLY WERE ON BOARD -- MARCH OF DIMES, ALABAMA ARISE.

WHEN YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS SHARING THEIR PERSONAL STORIES SUCH AS MRS.-- I CAN'T THINK OF HER NAME NOW -- BUT SUCH AS OTHER LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS JOURNEY, IT MAKES IT EASY TO HAVE INDIVIDUALS -- AND FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD SUFFERED THROUGH THE RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE, IT HELPS TO CAUSE THEM TO FEEL LIKE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING FOR THEM IN THE STATED CARE ABOUT THEM AND THEIR WELL BEING.

SO IT WAS A COALITION THAT WAS EASILY PUT TOGETHER BECAUSE THERE WERE ALL HAVING THE SAME GOAL AND OBJECTIVE.

>> IS IT EASIER JUST TO PUT IT IN THE BUDGET AND DO IT THAT WAY THAN PASS A STAND-ALONE BILL.

>> DEFINITELY.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE LEADERSHIP, WHEN YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHEN YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF MEDICAID, THAT WAS A KEY THING, HAVING THE COMMISSION MEDICAID TO SAY, YES, WE SHOULD COULD THIS.

SO WE'RE HONORED THAT SHE CHOSE TO TAKE THIS ON.

AND WE ARE HOPING THAT WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS THE GOVERNOR WILL BE SIGNING IT SO WE WILL HAVE IT IN PLACE.

>> I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE REFER TO IT AS A PILOT, LIKE HEY, LET'S JUST SEE THIS FOR ONE YEAR.

WHAT DO THEY NEED TO SEE IN TERMS OF RESULTS TO MAKE THIS PERMANENT?

>> WELL, I THINK THEY NEED TO SAY, ONE, HOW IT BENEFITS THE MOTHERS F THERE'S A CHALLENGE A MOTHER FACES IN HER HEALTH CARE OR HEALTH DURING THAT YEAR AFTER THE CHILD IS BORN, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MANY CASES WE KNOW OF -- NATIONAL INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SUFFERED WITH POST PARTUM ISSUES SO IF WE CAN MAKE SURE TO ADDRESS THOSE, EVEN IF IT SAVES ONE, THAT'S ONE LESS THAN WE WOULD HAVE HAD THAT WOULD HAVE BECOME A FATALITY SO I THINK THAT IN ITSELF WILL BE CERTAINLY KEY IN HELPING TO US MOVE FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, TODAY THE HOUSE HAD SPENT A LOT OF TIME DEBATING THIS DIVISIVE CONCEPTS BILL.

THIS IS THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD APPLY TO TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS.

IT WOULD APPLY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF LIKE DIVERSITY TRAINING AND EVERYTHING SAYING THAT CONCEPTS OR THEORIES THAT MIGHT SHAME SOMEONE OR MAKE THEM FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THEIR SEX, GENDER OR RACE IS WRITTEN IN THE BILL.

A LOT OF DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

YOU HAVE EXPRESSED OPINIONS ON THIS.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS DIVISIVE CONCEPT BILL?

>> I THINK IT'S JUST AS ITS NAME -- DIVISIVE.

IT'S DIVISIVE TO THOSE OF US IN THE MINORITY FEEL THAT WE'RE BUSY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DISCUSS OR LOOKED ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN NEGATIVE AS IT IMPACTS THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AND LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN ADDRESS IT.

SO YES, IT IS DIVISIVE AS PRESENTED AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE DIVISIVE IF IT'S NOT ADDRESSED IN A WAY -- NUMBER ONE, WE DON'T KNOW -- WE COULD NOT GET -- I COULD NOT GET AN ANSWER -- A CORRECT ANSWER THAT I FELT THAT WOULD HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS BEING BROUGHT.

BUT THE FACT THAT IT IS BEING BROUGHT AND IT DEALS WITH ISSUES SUCH AS RACE, WHY IS THAT NECESSARY?

WHAT HAS CAUSED US AT THIS POINT THAT FEELS IT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE SUCH A BILL BEING INTRODUCED THAT BECOME LAW AND PENALIZING INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY FEEL WOULD NOT FOLLOW THE LAW?

>> SEE, I CAN SEE HOW PARENTS WOULD NOT WANT -- BECAUSE WHAT IS NOT IN THE BILL IS CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

THEY TOOK THOSE WORDS OUT OF THE BILL BUT IT'S CLEARLY ADDRESSING THAT.

>> DIVISIVE.

RIGHT.

>> AND I CAN SEE HOW PARENTS WOULD NOT WANT INDOCTRINATION GOING ON IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- MAYBE YOU WATCH THE NEWS OR SOMETHING AND THINK THAT IS GOING ON.

ALSO I HEAR FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD WHO IS HAS ALREADY BAND THOSE THEORIES AND THE HEARD FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT IT'S NOT BEING TAUGHT.

SO IS THIS REDUNDANT PERHAPS?

>> I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS.

OKAY?

>> YOU ARE THE CHAIRMAN OF THIS COMMISSION THAT IS CHARGED WITH LOOKING AT STATUTES AND HONORING WOMEN IN ALABAMA HISTORY.

I KNOW THERE WERE PLANS TO HAVE A ROSA PARKS STATUE AND HELEN KELLER STATUTE HERE ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

SHOW YOU THAT PROCEED.

>> IT'S GOING QUITE WELL.

WE HAVE HAD THE AFTER THEIST TO SEND US -- WE HAD MORE THAN 30 ARTISTS TO SEND US DESCRIPTIONS OF HOW THEY WOULD PROVIDE OR CREATE A MONUMENT IN HONOR OF THOSE TWO WOMEN ON THE GROUNDS.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT.

WE'RE NOW LOOKING AT THE FINAL LIST.

WE WILL ALSO BE DETERMINING WHO THAT WILL BE WITH PUBLIC INPUT AS WE MOVE ALONG.

SO WE'RE DOING QUITE WELL WITH THAT.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN THE HELEN KELLER STATUTE -- STATUE WAS SENT TO WASHINGTON.

AND WE HAVE A REPLICA HERE AT THE CAPITOL AND THEN SEEING CHILDREN REALLY ENJOY THAT.

SO I GUESS WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO MORE POSITIVE STATUES HERE ON THE CAPITOL GROUND.

>> WE WILL CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING SURE THE HELEN KELLER ROSA PARKS WILL BE ONE THAT IS AN OUTSTANDING ONE AND WE WILL ALL BE PROUD TO SAY WE WERE PART OF IT.

>> THE ROSA PARKS STATUE DOWNTOWN -- EVERY TIME I PASS BY IT THERE ARE CHILDREN, THERE ARE TOURISTS OUT THERE TAKING PICTURES.

BECAUSE IT'S LIFE-SIZED SO YOU PUT YOUR ARM AROUND HER AND EVERYTHING.

WHILE I'VE GOT YOU REAL QUICK I WANT TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION.

YOU'RE A FORMER EDUCATOR.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF BILLS BEING DEBATED AND PASSED -- THEY PASSED THE LITERACY ACT DEALING WITH MAKING SURE KIDS CAN READ.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NUMERACY TACKLING THE MATH PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE GOT.

AS A FORMER EDUCATOR ARE WE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING THESE PROBLEMS?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I CERTAINLY AM NOT OPPOSED TO MAKING SURE THE CHILD IS ON GRADE LEVEL WHETHER IT'S MATH OR READING.

I THINK THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

WHAT CONCERNS ME WHEN WE BRING THESE BILLS, ARE WE PROVIDING THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR THE CHILD WHO IS STRUGGLING TO BE ON THE 1ST GRADE LEVEL, SECOND OR 3RD GRADE LEVEL, ARE WE PROVIDING THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO HELP THAT CHILD REACH THAT LEVEL SO HE OR SHE DOES NOT BECOME A STATISTIC.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

BECAUSE STATISTICS DO SHOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT PROPER EDUCATION IF YOU'RE NOT PROFICIENT AND GRADUATING MORE THAN LIKELY TO LEAD TO PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD, SOCIETAL PROBLEMS.

>> EXACTLY.

WE DON'T WANT THAT.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE -- I'M A STRONG BELIEVER THAT EVERY CHILD THAT WALKS INTO THE CLASSROOM SHOULD HAVE A CLASSROOM TEACHER IS THAT BELIEVES HE OR SHE CAN LEARN AND IF HE OR SHE CANNOT LEARN AT THE LEVEL THEY'RE EXPECTED TO BE AT THE LEVEL THEY'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND THE ATTENTION THAT CHILD NEEDS TO READ AT HIS OR HER LEVEL.

>> LISTEN TO THE TEACHER.

>> YES.

THE NAME I WAS TRYING TO SAY WAS DEBBIE WOODS.

I THINK I SAID MEADOWS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SHE CAME ON AND DISCUSSED THAT SAME ISSUE.

DEFINITELY A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT I'M JOINED BY CHIP BROWN OF HOLLINGER ISLAND.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

GLAD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> I WANTED YOU ON TODAY BECAUSE YOUR BILL IS MOVING.

GAMBLING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THIS SESSION, MAINLY IN THE SENATE BUT NOW IN THE HOUSE AS YOU HAVE INTRODUCED YOUR OWN LOTTERY PLAN.

IT WAS IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

WALK ME THROUGH YOUR THINKING BEHIND FILING THIS BILL.

>> ACTUALLY IT'S A BOTTOM-UP BILL.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS I HAD OTHER MEMBERS AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF MEMBERS THAT WANT TO VOTE ON A CLEAN LOTTERY BILL.

THEY WANT THE PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICT WANT IT, THEY WANT THAT OPPORTUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE A STATE THAT IS SURROUNDED BY LOTTERIES.

YOU HAVE IT IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI, TENNESSEE.

MY DISTRICT BORDERS MISSISSIPPI BUT COULD I GET TO FLORIDA WITHIN AN HOUR.

AND ALABAMA HAS BEEN PLAYING THE LOTTERY.

WE JUST HAVE BEEN PLAYING IT IN OTHER STATES SINCE THE 1980S.

SO THE THINKING ON THIS IS THAT THE MEMBERS.

HOUSE WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT A BILL OUT THAT IS JUST A CLEAN LOTTERY BILL.

BAY CLEAN LOTTERY BILL IS I MEAN JUST A BILL THAT ONLY HAS A LOTTERY IN IT.

NO OTHER OUTSIDE GAMING.

STRICTLY A LOTTERY.

AND GET THAT TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND LET THEM VOTE ON IT.

WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON A LOTTERY BILL SINCE 1999.

IT'S JUST TIME.

>> FOLKS ASK ME ALL THE TIME WHY A LOTTERY DOESN'T EXIST IN ALABAMA, BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN PROPOSALS OVER THE YEARS.

MY EXPLANATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN, WELL, BECAUSE A BILL LIKE THIS USUALLY DOESN'T PASS BECAUSE THE OTHER INTERESTS WANT THE VEHICLE; RIGHT?

THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THE LOTTERY AS A VEHICLE THEY KNOW WOULD BE VERY POPULAR WITH VOTERS.

BY OTHER INTERESTS, I MEAN CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

SO THAT'S GOT TO BE A CONCERNED OF ACTUALLY GETTING THIS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> OH, SURE.

AND YOU'RE RIGHT.

I MEAN WHEN YOU INTRODUCE A BILL THAT IS SPECIFICALLY DEALING WITH ONE CLASS, AND ONE CLASS ONLY, IT'S ALWAYS CONCERN.

YOU KNOW, BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, WE CAME IN 2019, WE CAME REALLY WITHIN ONE VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF PASSING A LOTTERY THAT REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE HAD.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK SINCE THEN WE HAVE SEEN I BELIEVE IN GAMBLING BILLS COME UP AND THEY FAIL.

SO I THINK RIGHT NOW, I THINK THE ATTITUDE, PARTICULARLY IN THE HOUSE -- AND I KNOW SOME IN THE SENATE.

I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATORS THAT WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY HAVE JUST A LOTTERY BILL TO PUT OUT TO THE PEOPLE OF THEIR DISTRICTS.

SO I'M OPTIMISTIC.

I REALLY AM.

I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE HERE.

I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD BILL.

>> YOU HEARD SOME CONCERNS IN COMMITTEE TODAY FROM FOLKS THAT ARE ANTI GAMBLING ABOUT THE SOCIAL COSTS, PREYING ON THE POOR, THAT KIND OF THING.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE ARGUMENT THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE EXPANDING GAMBLING AT ALL.

>> YOU KNOW THERE IS A PROVISION IN THE BILL FOR $500,000 ANNUALLY TO GO TOWARDS PROBLEM GAMBLING.

BUT I JUST -- YOU KNOW, MY RESPONSE TO THAT IS I TRUST THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I THINK IT'S TIME TO HEAR THEIR VOICE.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD IT SINCE 1999.

IF THE PEOPLE MUCH THIS STATE, WHICH I SUSPECT DO WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A LOTTERY, THEN WE NEED TO PUT IT TO THE VOTE, LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.

I MEAN THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THAT I HEAR IN MY DISTRICT IS THE LOTTERY.

PEOPLE JUST WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE POLLS AND VOTE IT UP OR DOWN.

AND THAT'S IT.

I MEAN -- >> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ANIAH'S LAW.

THIS IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DEALING WITH BOND FOR THOSE ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES, NAME FOR ANIAH BLANCHARD MURDERED BY SOMEONE ON BOND.

YOU SPONSORED THIS BILL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT'S NOW GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT VOTERS WILL APPROVE THE STATEWIDE REFERENDUM?

>> OF COURSE WHAT ANIAH'S LAW DOES IS IT'S COMPREHENSIVE CRIMINAL BOND REFORM.

WHAT IT WILL DO IS IT WILL ALLOW PROSECUTORS TO REQUEST THAT AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS CHARGED WITH A VIOLENT CLASS A FELONY, YOUR KIDNAPPINGS, RAINS, MURDERS, BE HELD WITHOUT BOND.

THEY PRESENT THIS EVIDENCE TO A JUDGE AND THE JUDGE MAKES THE DETERMINATION HE CAN EITHER GRANT BOND OR HOLD ON INDIVIDUAL WITHOUT BOND.

AND THEY HAVE TO PROVE THAT THE ACCUSED IS AN IMMINENT THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY, THEMSELVES, OAR FLIGHT RISK.

WHAT THAT WILL DO -- I HAVE PROSECUTORS, JUDGES, VICTIMS' FAMILIES THAT ARE SO EAGER FOR THIS TO GET PASSED.

IT WILL BE ANOTHER TOOL.

REALLY IN ALABAMA THE ONLY TRUE WAY TO HOLD SOMEONE WITHOUT BOND IS IF THEY'RE CHARGED WITH CAPITOL MURDER ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION.

SO WHAT THIS WILL DO IS KEEP DANGEROUS PREDATORS OFF OUR STREETS AND KEEP ALABAMIANS SAFE.

NOT A WEEK GOALS BY THAT I DON'T HEAR FROM A FAMILY ACROSS THIS STATE ASKING ME ABOUT ANIAH'S LAW AND WHEN IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.

IT'S IMPORTANT AND WE HAVE TO DO IT.

THERE WILL BE AN TOASTER PROMOTE IT AND GET THE MESSAGE OUT THERE TO PEOPLE WHAT IT DOES.

>> YOU ALSO HAVE A BILL DEALING WITH COMMERCIAL SEAFOOD AND THE TAXES ON THAT.

WHERE IS THAT BILL AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> MY DISTRICT -- I'M FROM THE COAST.

WE HAVE 105 DISTRICTS AND I'M NUMBER 105, ONE OF 2 DISTRICTS THAT BORDERS OF GULF OF MEXICO.

I HAVE MOBILE BAY AND THE GULF OF MEXICO.

BUT COMMERCIAL SEAFOOD IS VERY HEAVY IN MY DISTRICT AND THEN SOUTH MOBILE COUNTY AND BALDWIN COUNTY.

BUT THIS WOULD IMPACT CATFISH FARMING.

IT WILL IMPACT FRESHWATER COMMERCIAL FISHING.

WHAT IT DOES -- YOU KNOW FARMERS IN ALABAMA GET CERTAIN TAX BREAKS WHEN THEY BUY EQUIPMENT, WHEN THINK BUY FERTILIZER OR ANYTHING NEEDED IN FARMING.

AND REALLY, COMMERCIAL SEAFOOD, THEY ARE FARMERS.

THEY JUST FARM THE SEA.

SO THIS JUST BRINGS THEM UNDER THE FOLD.

SO WHEN THEY GO BY NETS, BAIT, ANYTHING INVOLVED IN A COMMERCIAL SEAFOOD THEY WILL BE TAX-EXEMPT.

WHEN THEY BUY VESSELS, THEY WILL -- CURRENTLY BOATS ARE TAXED AT A LOWER AD VALOREM TAX RIGHT FOR SHRIMP BOTH AND THIS WILL BRING IN OTHERWISE DISPERSE CRABBING AND OTHER BOTH USED IN COMMERCIAL FISHING AND IT ONLY APPLIES TO COMMERCIAL FISHING.

THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT INDUSTRY PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER IS OVERREGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY ARE CONSTANTLY BEING BOMB BORED WITH FOREIGN IMPORTS AND TARIFF ISSUES.

AND IT'S JUST A -- IT IS A STRUGGLE.

IT'S A REAL STRUGGLE.

AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ECONOMY HERE.

SEAFOOD SALES ALONE IN 2019 WERE OVER $500 MILLION IN ALABAMA.

SO WE HAVE TO PROTECT THOSE JOBS.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT INDUSTRY GOING AND IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO THE STATE.

THIS BILL IS ON THE CALENDAR TODAY IN THE SENATE AND I'M HOPING FOR PASSAGE.

>> OK. WE WILL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT AND ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES YOU'RE INVOLVED IN.

THAT YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> MOBILE NATIVE LEROY SATCHEL PAIGE IS ONE OF THE FINEST PITCHERS IN BASEBALL.

HE PLAYED FOR THE BIRMINGHAM BACK BERRAS.

HE THROUGH OVER A HUNDRED NO HITTERS AND PLAYED UNTIL HIS 50S.

PAGE WAS INDUCTED IN THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN 1971, THE 1ST NEGRO LEAGUE PLAYER SO HONORED.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

DON'T' FORGET TO TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR OUR WEEK IN REVIEW SHOW WHEN WE COVER A WEEK'S WORTH OF ACTION IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

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

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

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

>> ♪ ♪ ♪