>> GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, IT WAS A HECTIC LAST-MINUTE DAY BEFORE SPRING BREAK WITH LAWMAKERS TACKLING THE SPRING BREAK BUCKET AND WATCHING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES, ABORTION, AND CURBSIDE VOTING.

THE SENATE APPROVED A HISTORIC BUDGET.

IT INCLUDES A 2 PERCENT COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

FUNDING FOR TWO PERCENT STEP RAISES FOR TEACHERS AND CREATES A NEW STRUCTURE FOR MORE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

SENATOR ARTHUR ORR IS THE UPPER BUDGET CHAIR AND THIS IS THE LARGEST BUDGET IN THE STATE HISTORY.

PLUS AND, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY, GIVEN THE ECONOMY OF LAST YOUR ALABAMIANS OUGHT TO BE ENCOURAGED BY THAT BECAUSE A LOT OF STATES HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING BEFORE THE FEDERAL DOLLARS CAME REIGNING IN AND WE TIGHTENED OUR BET AND IT ARE PAYOFF IN THE DAYS AHEAD AND.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO.

>> LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP HAD A GOAL OF GETTING BOTH STATE BUDGETS OUT OF THAT YOU ARE HOUSE ARE ORIGIN: HOUSE LAST WEEK PASSED THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND IT AND THE SENATE PASSED EDUCATION BUDGET HAVE MADE IT HALFWAY THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS AT THE HALFWAY POINT.

>> THE ALABAMA HOUSE APPROVED A CLOSELY WATCHED RIOTING BILL THAT COMES IN RESPONSE TO LAST YEAR'S BIRMINGHAM RIOT, OVER THE POLICE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD IN MINNESOTA.

THE LEGISLATION IS WOULD CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF A RITE, INCREASED PENALTIES AND REQUIRE MANDATORY JAIL TIME.

THE BILL IS SPONSORED BY ALLEN TREADAWAY WHO WORKED LAST YEAR HE BIRMINGHAM RIOT AND HE DEBATED HIS MEASURE TODAY WITH HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE.

>> THE DEFINITION OF RIOT GOES BEYOND JUST A PERSON THAT IS DESTRUCTING PROPERTY FOR BODILY HARM TO A POLICE OFFICER.

AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE IN YOUR BILL THAT CAN CAUSE SOME PROBLEMS LONG-TERM.

I THINK WE HAVE TIGHTENED THAT UP TO ENSURE THOSE WHO PROTESTING PEACEFULLY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DO THAT AND ABILITY TO DO THAT.

SO I GUESS YOU'RE REFERRING TO THE OLD LANGUAGE THAT WAS STATE LAW.

THERE WERE ISSUES AND WE HAVE COME UP WITH A NEW DEFINITION WHICH I THINK GOING FORWARD IS PRETTY CLEAR.

>> OPPONENTS HAVE CONTENDED TREAD HARP'S RIOT BILL THREATENS FREE SPEECH AND PEACEFUL PROTEST.

HE DISAGREES AND SAYS IT PROTECTS DISRUPTIVE RIGHTS.

THE HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MANDATE PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETES CAN ONLY PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS THAT CORRESPOND WITH THE GENDER ON THAT YOU ARE BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SPONSORED BY SCOTT HAGEN OF HARTSELLE WHO SAID IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF GIRL SPORTS NOT ABOUT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER ATHLETES.

>> UNFORTUNATELY 10 YEARS AGO WE NEVER DREAMED WEEP WOULD BE DISCUSSING THIS BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AND I'M GLAD TO BE THE ONE TO DO IT.

>> BILLS SIMILAR ARE REPORTEDLY IN THE WORKS IN AT LEAST 20 OTHER STATES THE LEGISLATION MOVES MONTH TO THE SENATE.

>> THE HOUSE PASSED AN ABORTION RELATED BILL THAT WOULD PROTECT BABIES BORN ALIVE DURING AN ABORTION OR FAMILIED ABORTION.

THE LEGISLATION WAS BROUGHT BACK BY GENERAL' SHAVER OF LEESBURG WHO RECENTLY SPOKE TO US.

IT WOULD REQUIRE THE DOCTOR TO EXERCISE THE SAME CARE AND USE HIS SKILL FOR THAT CHILD TO ZERO TRY TO PROTECT ITS LIFE AS IF THE CHILD WAS BORN AT THE SAME GESTATIONAL PLACE IN ANY OTHER PLACE, IN I OTHER HOSPITAL.

>> SHAVER SAID SUCH INSTANCES ARE RARE BUT THEY CAN AND DO HAPPEN.

HER LEGISLATION MOVES TO THE SENATE.

>> THE HOUSE TODAY ALSO APPROVED A BILL TO CODIFY A BAN ON CURBSIDE VOTING IN ALABAMA.

IT BECAME AN ISSUE WITH SOME MUSHING TO ALLOW SUCH VOTING FOR SAFETY REASONS.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED A LOWER COURT RULING TO ALLOW CURBSIDE VOTING IN ALABAMA.

THE BILL IS SPONSORED BY WES ALLEN OF TROY WHO SAID BASED ON HIS SEWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HE BELIEVES CURBSIDE VOTING COMPROMISES BALLOT SECURITY.

>> THE ONE THAT ADMINISTERED ELECTIONS WHEN I WAS JUDGE IN PIKE COUNTY FROM TRAINING POLL WORKERS AND GETTING MACHINES READY SO WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT THIS SUBJECT.

WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO BRING ANY CHAOS OR CONFUSION INTO OUR PROGRESSION.

ELECTION INTEGRITY IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> PROPONENTS PUSHED BACK SAYING IT MAKES IT HARDER TO VOTE.

THE LEGISLATION NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE.

WITH TODAY'S BUSY TAKE WRAPPED UP THE LEGISLATURE IS NOW ON SPRING BREAK AND WILL RETURN ON MARCH 30.

CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS IS REPORTEDLY SET TO MAKE A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT ON MONDAY ON WHETHER HE WILL RUN FOR RE-ELECTION TO THE U.S. HOUSE OR POSSIBLY LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN FOR U.S. SENATE AND BROOKS WILL HAVE A KEY MEMBER OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S INNER CIRCLE.

STEPHEN MILLER, AN ADVICER AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHAT HIS ROLE WOULD BE SHOULD BROOKS ANNOUNCE A SENATE CAMPAIGN.

BROOKS IS LONG WEIGHING THIS ALONG RICHARD SHELBY'S REQUIREMENT.

ONLY WIN CANDIDATE HAS ENTERED THE RACE, LINDA BLANCHARD.

BLANCHARD HELD A FUNDRAISER FOR HER CAMPAIGN AT TRUMP'S MAR-A-LAGO ESTATE IN FLORIDA.

WE WILL BE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, CHRIS BLACKSHEAR OF PHOENIX CITY IS BACK WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE, WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO VISIT WITH YOU FOR A FEW MINUTES.

>> I DON'T WANT TO BEGIN WITH A BILL THAT YOU GOT OUT OF THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD AND IT SAYS YOU CAN'T VOTE NO TWO ELECTIONS.

YOU SEE COME FROM A DISTRICT IN THE ALABAMA GEORGIA BORDER AND THAT COULD BE A THREAT THERE OR A CONCERN ENOUGH.

BUT LET'S SAY YOU LIVED OVER IN THAT AREA, YOU COULDN'T VOTE IN GEORGIA AND ALSO IN ALABAMA S THAT THE CRUX OF THE BILL?

>> THAT'S IT.

BACK DO YOU AGREE YOU'RE DURING THE NOVEMBER 200020 ELECTION AND LEADING TO THE RUNOFF STATE OF GEORGIA, HAVING THE AREA CODE I DID, IT'S AFFILIATED WITH A GEORGIA AREA CODE I WAS GETTING LOTS OF SOLICITATIONS ON MY CELL PHONE OF ABSENTEE VOTING, HERE IS YOUR -- CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR BALLOT OR POLE POLLING PRECINCT IS ATTACHED.

I TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT.

AND I REACHED OUT OF THE TO IT SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

AND.

SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE SAID WE HAVE GOTTEN OTHER INQUIRIES OF OTHER COUNTIES AROUND THE STATE.

AND HE SAID THEY WERE WORKING ON A BILL.

AND I SAID I WOULD LOVE TO BE A SPONSOR.

CURRENTLY ON THE BOOKS IN ALABAMA IF YOU VOTE TWICE IN THE SAME ELECTION, YOU'RE FOUND GUILTY OF KNOWINGLY DOING THAT.

IT'S PUNISHABLE UP TO A CLASS C FELONY.

BUT WE DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING ON THE BOOKS THAT IF YOU VOTE IN ALABAMA AND THEN GO TO ANOTHER STATE AND VOTE IN THE SAME ELECTION, THE STATE HAD NO RECOURSE TO PROSECUTE THAT INDIVIDUAL TO SEE IF THEY KNOWINGLY VOTED IN THE SAME ELECTION IN TWO STATES.

THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT THE BILL WAS.

>> IT SEEMS STRAIGHTFORWARD.

BUST THE DEBATE ON THIS ISSUE IN THE HOUSE, ON TUESDAY EVENING WAS PRETTY PASSIONS NATURE.

THERE IS PUSH BACK ON A LOT OF VOTING RELATED BILLS THIS YEAR, WITH THE OTHER SIDE SAYING VOTER SUPPRESSION, WE NEED TO BE MAKING IT EASIER TO VOTE, NOT HARDER.

CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED ABOUT YOUR BILL, YOU ACCEPTED AN AMENDMENT, I THINK, TO YOUR BILL, WHICH WOULD MAKE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO CLAMP DOWN ON A MISDEMEANOR RATHER THAN A MORE SERIOUS OFFENSE.

>> RIGHT.

IT -- YOU HAVE TO APPRECIATE THE PASSION THAT EVERYONE THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE WITH IN THE HOUSE AND COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE.

WE MOLD OUR THOUGHTS AND BELIEVES AND PASSIONS TO CERTAIN BILLS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND ALSO THE 45,000 CONSTITUENTS THAT WE REPRESENT.

AND I RESPECT THAT.

AND I THINK IT'S GOOD WHEN WE CAN HAVE WHOLESOME DEBATE ON BILLS.

WE DEFINITELY HAD A DEBATE AND LENGTHY ONE ON THAT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE KAY THIS BILL HAS NOTHING TO DO THE SUPPRESSION OF VOTING OR DENYING ANYTHING ANYBODY FROM VOTING.

IT'S JUST MAKING SURE THAT YOU GOT THE ONE VOTE YOU'RE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO DO VOTE FOR WHOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO REPRESENT YOU AT THE LEVEL YOU'RE VOTING ON THAT DAY AND NOTHING MODERN OF MORE.

BECAUSE YOU SHOULD BE VOTING IN ONE PLACE NOT TWO.

>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED IS IS THIS AN ISSUE.

YOU CONTEND IT IS ENOUGH OF ONE THAT WE NEED TO CODIFY THIS.

>> ONE CASE OF CONFIRMED VOTER FRAUD, IS TOO MANY.

AND I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA AND OUR ELECTORAL RESTRAINING ORDER WHICH HAS GOTTEN A LOT BETTER AND I THINK WE HAVE SEEN WHERE WE'RE RANKED AS ONE OF THE TOP ELECTIONS THROUGHOUT THIS LAST CYCLE AND THE STATE IS CARRYING ON THE ELECTION BUT I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO IMPROVE.

THE TRACKING STARTED IN 2018 AND WE'RE RUNNING THE ANALYSIS ON THE 2020 ELECTIONS TO SEE HOW MANY, IF ANY, WOULD HAVE FALLEN INTO THIS CATEGORY.

THERE WERE SIX THAT HAD FALL ENINTO THE CAT FORE OF 2018 AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GO BACK AND DO INVESTIGATION BECAUSE OF NOT HAVING LAWS IN THE STATE.

>> A LOT OF VOTING RELATED BILLS THIS THIS SESSION AND THAT HAS OPPONENTS REALLY PUSHING BACK CONTENDING THAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE AND NOT HARDER TO VOTE.

YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOUR BILL SHOULD BE LUMPED INTO THAT CATEGORY.

>> I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE.

BUST ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE BROADER CONVERSATION AROUND ELECTIONS AND TURNAROUND ONE SIDE SAYING IT'S QUESTIONABLE ELECTIONS AND HOW THINGS TURNED OUT AND ANOTHER SIDE WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ACCESS OR THE FREEDOMS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE MOST RECENT ELECTION THAT WEREN'T THERE BEFORE CONTINUE GOING TOWARD.

SO I THINK THAT'S A GOOD CONVERSATION.

A HIGH LEVEL CONVERSATION TO HAVE OFFICE THE BOARD.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAVE NOT FIND WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO ALLOW THE CITIZENS OF BOOM THAT HAD THE RIGHT TO VOTE TO VOTE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME DO IT WITH THE UTMOST INTEGRITY AND LEGAL WAY POSSIBLE.

>> SO YOUR LEGISLATION GOALING WITH VOTING TWICE MAY BE ONCE THIS ONE STATE AND ONCE IN SOOT MOVES TO THE SENATE.

ARE YOU STILL OPTIMISTIC.

>> >> I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU SHOULD NEVER LET A PROBLEM GROW TO A CERTAIN LEVEL AND THEN ADDRESS IT.

SOMETIMES -- I SAID THIS THE OTHER DAY FROM THE FLOOR.

IS A LOT OF TIMES IN THE POLITICAL IRAN, WE ARE IN THE REACTIVE TYPE OF ESTATE WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE TO.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH BEING PROACTIVE.

>> WE MENTIONED WHERE YOUR DISTRICT IS.

YOU'RE IN PHENIX CITY OPEN THE GEORGIA LINE.

YOU'RE IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO TALK WITH US ABOUT THE GAMBLING ISSUE, BACKING UP TO GEORGIA YOU PROBABLY HAVE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS THAT GO OVER TO GEORGIA AND BUY LOTTERY TICKETS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

SO I HAVE IMAGINE PINS ON THIS ISSUE IN YOUR DISTRICT ARE PRETTY DISTINCT.

WE HAD A LOTTERY BILL GET OUT OF COMMITTEE, A LOTTERY BILL THAT CAME OUT OF THE SENATE, LAST WEEK KILLED A BIG GAMBLING BILL THIS SESSION.

DO YOU THINK IT'S OVER FOR THIS SESSION?

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS.

THE RESIDENTS IN MY DISTRICT ARE SAYING LET ME VOTE.

LET OUR VOICE BE HEARD.

AND MY TAKE ON THAT IS NOT JUST LET ME VOTE ON A SMALL PIECE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO OPENS UP AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON GAMING, GAMBLING, LOTTERY, IT FALLS UNDER GAMING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THEN LET'S BE AS COMPREHENSIVE AS WE CAN TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON ACROSS THE BOARD SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE COME BACK AND YOU WANT US TO VOTE ON FIVE OR 10 YEARS.

VOTE IT UP AND DOWN OR ON OR WHATEVER THE DECISION IS.

>> THE BILL -- THE LOTTERY ONLY BILL THAT GOT OUT OF THE SENATE TOURISM BILL THIS WEEK IS WIDELY SEEN AS A BUILDING BLOCK SO TO SPEAK THAT WE MIGHT EXPAND ON THIS ISSUE.

THAT SEEMS AN INTRIGUING PROSPECT GIVEN THE DEFEAT LAST WEEK.

>> SADLY, THE FILES THAT CAME OUT OF THE SENATE.

I WOULD THERE TO SEE THE LANGUAGE IN THAT.

SENATOR MARSH'S -- I LIKE THE BLUEPRINT WHERE HE WAS REALLY GOING.

YOU KNOW THE GOVERNOR IVEY PUT TOGETHER THE GROUP THAT CAME BACK WITH A VERY COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON GAME GAMING THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THEY DID YEOMAN'S WORK IN THE TIME THEY HAD TO COME BACK WITH SOMETHING.

I THINK WE NEED TO FACE IT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE GAMBLING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA TODAY.

WHETHER YOU'RE FOR OR AGAINST IT, THAT'S YOUR DECISION TO MAKE AND YOUR RIGHT.

BUT WE HAVE IT.

YOU'RE WE'RE NOT CAPITALIZING OFF OF POTENTIAL REVENUE TODAY.

SO I THINK IT'S AN AN OPPORTUNITY IF WE GET IT IN FRONT OF THE CITIZENS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO GILL VOIDS AROUND THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEARCHING AROUND FUNDING AROUND FOR YEARS.

ONE OF THE IF IT DOESN'T GET VOTED ON WE WILL NEVER KNOW.

GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE OR GET IT OUT OF THE SENATE.

LET USO VOTE.

AND WE SEEN IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN THAT LAST 20 PLUS YEARS.

>> IT WILL BE INTERROGATORY TO SEE WHERE THIS GOES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, NICE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

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

>> IS IT IS IT.

>> THIS TO.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HURST IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME OUT TONIGHT.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

REPRESENTATIVE, CHEAHA STATE PARK IS A CROWN JEWEL FOR ALABAMA.

WE LOVE DRIVING OF UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, THE SCENIC VIEWS AND THE LODGE.

IT IS AN ASSET.

CHEAHA ROAD NEEDS SOME WORK.

AND YOU ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A BILL THAT WOULD SEE THAT THAT WORK GETS DONE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, DESIGNATE THAT ROAD AS A SCENIC HIGHWAY, LIGHT?

>> THAT'S MY FULL INTENTION.

AND I HOPE AND ARE PRAY WE COULD ACCOMPLISH THAT.

>> TELL US WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A SCENIC HIGHWAY DESIGNATION.

>> THE SCENIC HIGHWAY IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ADVERTISED.

YOU LIST IT.

YOU LIST SUCH THINGS HAS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, DESIGNATE CHEAHA ROAD AS A STATED SCENIC HIGHWAY.

IF THEY SEE THAT IN PRINT PEOPLE SAY I WANT TO GO THERE.

>> IT WOULD DRAW MORE TOURISTS, EVEN MORE THAN IT CURRENTLY GETS.

>> RIGHT.

YOU GET GRANTS FOR THIS.

TO TAKE IT BACK TO ALABAMA THE BEAUTIFUL, IT'S THE HIGHEST PEEK IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, 2033 FEET I THINK IT IS.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, IT WAS THE FIRST PARK BUILT IN 193 BY WHAT YOU CALL A CC GROUP BACK DURING THE DEPRESSION ERA WHERE THEY PUT PEOPLE TO WORK AND THEY CAME OUT AND BUILT GEE HAND YOU PARK.

IT'S 247 FEET TALL.

IF YOU RECALL SOMETIME A COUPLE YEARS AGO WE CAME OUT WITH A BALL ROCK STAMP.

YOU ASK SEE IT.

YOU HAVE A PARK WHERE YOU CAN CAMP.

A LOT OF LESS THAN RENOVATIONS FOR CAMPERS TO COME STAY.

YOU HAVE ALL OF THE FACILITIES THAT YOU NEED.

IT'S ADJUST GREAT PRICE TO BE.

YOU HAVE A LATE DOWN THERE.

YOU CAN SWIM AND FISH.

A LOT OF THAT HAS BEEN REDONE.

AND THEN WE HAVE A CERTAIN PART OF THE ROAD THERE FROM UP TO THE PART OF THE CHI SAW, THE LODGE, WHICH IS JUST CLOSE TO HIGHWAY 280 ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.

AND ALL OF THAT IS IN GOOD SHAPE.

OUR PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE GOT IS THE OLD EXISTING ROAD THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS THAT HAS DETERIORATED, REPAIR, DETERIORATED AND DETEARATED.

LAST YEAR I WAS ABLE TO GET MONEY TO TRY TO GO IN AND MAKE A FEWER NECESSARY REPAIRS TO HOLD IT IN PLACE AND I'M THANKFUL TO OUR LEGISLATURE THAT WAS ABLE TO HELP ME WITH THAT.

THE ONLY AS SMALL AMOUNT BUT IT HELPED.

WE GOT THE COUNTY COMMISSION TO GO UP AND DO GRASS CUTTING ON THE IDEA AND PATCH THE HOLES.

WE DID THAT IN HOPES OF GETTING THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS.

IF A COLD FREEZE LAST WINTER FIT GOT IN UNDER THE CAVITIES OF THE ASPHALT AND FIT SPEWED THE GROUND UP EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BOOST OF BUSTED LOOSE.

>> GETTING A DESIGNATION FOR A EASY HIGHWAY IS NO EASY TASK YOU GREW HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH A LOT OF HOOPS AND BE A COON TEND ARE FOR THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACE.

>> EXACTLY.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO NOW.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT I WANT TO PRESENT TO THE COMMITTEE.

I DROPPED A BILL IN LOOKS LIKE WEEK AND I WENT TO THE COMMITTEE -- >> THE COMMITTEE IS AGAIN.

>> TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

>> AND I WALKED IN AND TELL HIM I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE BILL.

AND FIRST I WANT TO SAY THIS TO YOU.

I'M GOING TO CARRY THE BILL OVER TODAY BECAUSE I WANT TO GO BACK HOME NEXT WEEK ON SPRING BREAK AND I WANT TO GET WITH THE BUS DRIVERS.

THAT ROAD HAS TWO BUSES THAT TRAVEL ON IT EVERY DAY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.

WE HAVE ALMOST TWO HUNDRED PART TIME GETTING MAIL ON THAT ROAD.

AND THAT'S ON ON THE OLD ROAD THIS SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.

AND WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK ALL THE TIME.

THE REASON PEOPLE LIKE THIS PAST, PEOPLE RIDE PATRIOTIC MOTORCYCLES AND THEY COME UP BY MY HOUSE AND I DON'T LIVE FAR FROM THERE BUT THEY ADMIRE THE VIEW.

IT'S A CURBY AND HILLY ROAD.

YOU CAN LOOK DOWN INTO THE VALLEY AND SEE AIL OF THE WOOD AND THE I SHOULDER GROWTH.

IT'S BREATHTAKING.

IF YOU STOP ALONGSIDE THE ROAD AND BREATHE AIR YOU KNOW YOU'RE BREATHING GOOD FRESH AIR.

>> YOU WANTED TO MAKE THIS AN EASIER SELL TO THE COMMITTEE.

>> I HOPE THEY LOOK AT THIS AND SAY I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

AND IF WE CAN GET THE PILL TO THE FLOOR.

THAT HELPS THE MEMBERSHIP UNDERSTAND IT AS WELL.

WE'RE DOING THIS AS A PULITZER PRIZE ASPECT TO HIM.

IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING TO IT, IT'S GOING TO BECOME A MAJOR CATASTROPHE AND I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE GOOD LORD DON'T ALLOW ANYBODY I.

ANYONE TO GET HIT OR HURT OR KILLED.

AND I GO ON THAT ROAD FREQUENTLY AND SOMETIMES MY WIFE AND I GO ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN WHERE I CAN LOOK AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

BUT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH, THIS ROAD, AND I HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION HERE AND I CAN GIVE IT TO YOU OR THE EXPRESSION.

WHOEVER NEEDS IT.

ON THE 12 AND A HALF MILES UP TO CHEEHA, THERE ARE THREE COUNTIES FOCUS THIS SAME ROAD FIVE TIMES.

NOW YOU HAVE CLAYBORN COUNTY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POINT.

SO THEY DON'T WANT ANY PART OF IT.

AND I UNDERSTAND.

THEN YOU HAVE CLAY COUNTY, THAT ARE IRRELEVANT THEY'RE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POINT AND IT'S HARD TO THEM TO WRITE ALL OF THEIR EQUIPMENT TO WORK ON IT.

WHEN I WAS ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION YEARS AGO I WORKED ON THAT ROAD.

THE HIRE DEPARTMENT WORKED ON IT WAY BACK ENWHEN.

SINCE THAT TIME THEY CHANGED THEIR IMMEDIATE MIND.

AND I SAY I SEW OF SAW YOU.

BUST SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD CONVERSATION AND HE WAS THEY SAY "THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT DID GO UP AND DO SOME THINGS BECAUSE WE HAD CERTAIN MONIES TO COME IN AND DO THINGS WITH.

BUT NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE ROAD.

THAT'S WHY I'M ADDRESSING THIS TODAY.

THE COUNTIES SAY IT'S NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.

THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT SAYS IT'S NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY.

WE HAVE TWO PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE ONE PROBLEM, REPAIRING THE ROAD WHERE THE SCHOOL BUSES SOMETHING DOESN'T HAPPEN TO THE KIDS OR THERE'S NO ACCIDENT.

THE OTHER PROBLEM IS IS THAT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO CLAIM OWNERSHIP AND GET THIS DONE.

MY MAIN OBJECTIVE IS MONTH MAKE IT SAFE TRAVEL AND PREPARED FOR THE WINTER.

THIS WINTER IF IT'S NOT PREPARED WE WILL LOSE THE ROAD.

SO WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

>> MEANTIME, HAVE YOU SO THIS SCENIC HIGHWAY DESIGNATION THAT WOULD FURTHER INCREASE THE PROFILE THE CHEAHA MOUNTAIN AND THE LODGE AND THE TOURISTS DRAWN INTO THERE AND YOU'RE GOING TO INTEND SPRING BREAK PUTTING ALL OF YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW AND BRINGING THIS BACK.

>> EXACTLY.

I LIKE THE WAY YOU PUT THAT.

YOU CAUGHT IT QUICKLY AS TO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AND HOW WE'RE TRYING TO DO IT.

THAT'S MY PLAN.

WHEN I GO BACK HOME I'M GOING TO TALK TO THE POSTAL SERVICE AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THE RHODE.

WHEN I COME BACK I'M GOING TO TALK TO THE MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE.

IF WE NEED MORE TIME TO CONVINCE THEM FOR NEED PREPARED I MAY AND PEOPLE TO COME DOWN AND TESTIFY TO THIS.

>> STEVE HURST OF MUNFORD.

GOOD LUCK WITH THIS AND WE WILL STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOU AND TRACK THE PROGRESS OF THIS LEGISLATION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU SAID WHEN YOU UNDERSTOOD WHERE WHERE IT WAS AND I HOPE THE VIEWERS OUT DON'T THERE DON'T IT, THEY WILL LISTEN TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

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

>> THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

>> COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 730 AN "WEEK IN REVIEW," WE WILL HAVE A COMPLETE PROGRAM UP OF THE LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

WE WILL BE JOINED BY DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON TO DISCUSS THIS WEEK' COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF A LOTTERY ONLY BILL.

AND POSSIBLE NEW LIFE FOR HIS BIG GAMBLING EXPANSION PLAN.

WE WILL BE JOINED BY ARTHUR ORR OF DECATUR WHO WILL TALK ABOUT THE PASSAGE OF A $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET.

DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL JOIN US NO DISCUSS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO GET COVID SHOTS NEXT WEEK.

AND A SPECIAL ABSOLUTE TO THE 830TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILITARY UNIT THAT BECAME KNOWN AS THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN.

FOR ALL OF US, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.