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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE LEGISLATURE IS NOW ON SPRING BREAK, HAVING COMPLETED THE 23RD LEGISLATIVE DAY YESTERDAY.

THEY'LL BE OFF NEXT WEEK BEFORE RETURNING TO MONTGOMERY TO RESUME THE SESSION ON MARCH 29.

THEN THERE WILL BE SEVEN LEGISLATIVE DAYS REMAINING, PUTTING THE SESSION ON A TIMELINE TO WRAP UP BY MID APRIL, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG THEY STRETCH IT OUT.

TONIGHT, WE'LL REVIEW WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK LEADING UP TO THE BREAK AND WHAT'S NEXT WHEN THEY RETURN.

THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET PASSED THE HOUSE THIS WEEK AND IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE $2.7 BILLION BUDGET WOULD BE A RECORD FOR THE STATE.

IT INCLUDES A 4% PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND A ONE-TIME BONUS FOR RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES.

IT PROVIDES EXTRA FUNDS FOR THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CENTERS.

THE BUDGET ALSO EXTENDS MEDICAID MATERNITY COVERAGE FOR NEW MOTHERS FROM 60 DAYS TO A FULL YEAR.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE, WHO CHAIRS THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE, NOTED HOW STABLE THE GENERAL FUND IS NOW COMPARED TO SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

>> ADDRESSED A LOT OF ISSUES FROM THE SENATE TO THE HOUSE VERSION.

IT'S A RECORD BUDGET, $2.7 BILLION.

4% PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND ONE-TIME BONUS FOR RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES, THE SAME AS THE EDUCATION RETIREES.

>> THE BUDGET WAS SENT TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE OF LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH CHAMBERS TO PRODUCE A FINAL VERSION.

THAT'S EXPECTED TO HAPPEN QUICKLY AFTER THE BREAK.

>>> THE SENATE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO 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.

IT WOULD EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF "REAL AND PRESENT DANGER" TO INCLUDE THE RISK OF HARM TO THE INDIVIDUAL THEMSELVES OR TO OTHERS.

IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW JUDGES TO CONSIDER BEHAVIOR OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT COMMITTING A PERSON IN CRISIS.

>> IT'S ABOUT GETTING CRITICAL CARE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT.

EXPEDITED CRITICAL CARE.

ALSO, WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID TAKING THE PERSON SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS TO A JAIL BEFORE WE TRY TO GET THEM HELP.

NOW THE OFFICER, ALONG WITH A MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY OFFICER, CAN IDENTIFY THERE'S TRULY A NEED FOR IMMEDIATE CARE.

THEY CAN BE TRANSPORTED TO ONE OF OUR CRITICAL CARE FACILITIES IN ALABAMA.

AND THEN I BUILT IN A PROVISION WHERE THE PROBATE JUDGE OF JURISDICTION THEN HAS TO HEAR THE PROBABLE CAUSE WITHIN 48 HOURS.

>> THE SENATE ALSO 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.

THE BILL PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY AFTER A RARE COMPROMISE BETWEEN PRO CHARTER GROUPS AND THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, WHICH HAS TRADITIONAL OPPOSED CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> IT'S NOT THE ANSWER FOR ALL OF 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 AS A STUDENT GOES TO A 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.

WE INCORPORATED THAT INTO THE AMENDMENT.

>> ALSO ON THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION, THE HOUSE DELAYED A VOTE ON THE ALABAMA NUMERACY ACT, LEGISLATION INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S LAGGING MATH SCORES.

SENATE BILL 200 WOULD REQUIRE STATE INTERVENTION FOR LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS AND SET UP A SUMMER MATH ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM.

IT WOULD ALSO DEPLOY READING COACHES TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO HELP TEACHERS LEARN THE BEST METHODS FOR TEACHING MATH.

IN AN ASSESSMENT LAST YEAR, ONLY 24% OF ALABAMA'S PUBLIC SCHOOL FOURTH-GRADERS WERE LABELED AS PROFICIENT OR BETTER IN MATH.

FOR EIGHTH-GRADERS, IT WAS JUST 14%.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS IS CARRYING THE BILL IN THE HOUSE AND IS HOPING FOR A VOTE FIRST THING WHEN THE SESSION RESUMES.

>> IT PROVIDES EXCELLENT, HIGH-QUALITY, FOUNDATIONAL MATH, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR EDUCATORS.

IT PROVIDES COACHES SO THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE GETTING AN INPUT ON HOW TO TEACH THOSE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS IN A BETTER, CLEARER WAY.

IT INVOLVED A LOT OF EDUCATORS AS A PART OF THE DISCUSSION BUT IT IS A SIMILAR FORMAT FOR WHAT WE USED FOR THE LITERACY ACT AND WE WOULD DO THAT FOR MATH.

IT WOULD BE HOLDING SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE.

THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF -- YOU KNOW, LITERACY HAS INTENSIVE FROM KINDERGARTEN TO THIRD GRADE.

WELL, THOSE ARE ALSO GOOD MATH FOUNDATIONAL YEARS.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS THE NUMERACY BILL WAS DELAYED, WAS TO ALLOW THE CONTROVERSIAL "DIVISIVE CONCEPTS" BILL TO COME UP.

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.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT CAUGHT UP WITH SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS OF THE BILL AFTER IT PASSED.

>> SHORTLY AFTER THE LOWER CHAMBER APPROVED HOUSE BILL 312, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SPOKE TO THE PRESS.

>> WE HAD THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT AND MANY OF HIS STAFF MEMBERS DISCUSS AND SAY THAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT BEING TAUGHT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, BUT THE SPONSOR INSISTED THAT ACTIVISM IS BEING TAUGHT.

>> THE BILL SPONSOR ED OLIVER ALSO ADDRESSED THE MEDIA.

>> IT'S FAIRLY SIMPLE.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TENETS OF THE BILL AND THEY ARE SELF EXPLANATORY BUT VERY SIMPLISTICALLY IT IS TO PREVENT KIDS TO BE TAUGHT TO HATE AMERICA AND EACH OTHER.

>> DIVISIVE LANGUAGE AND FREE SPEECH WERE MENTIONED.

>> IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA WE HAVE ONE SUPERINTENDENT WHO SAID SHE IS DOING IT IN HER SCHOOLS AND WILL CONTINUE.

AND WE HAVE HAD REPORT AND I'M SURE YOU ARE FAMILIAR WHERE FROM HUNTSVILLE TO HOOVER TO VARIOUS SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES WE COULD BE DEALING.

WHETHER WE ARE DEALING WITH THE REPUBLICAN GAS TAX AND TRYING TO REPEAL THAT OR TAKING THE TAX OFF OF GROCERIES OR DOING SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE LIVELIHOOD OF ALL ALABAMIANS, PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING DAY-TO-DAY, HEALTHCARE.

WE ARE ONE OF THE STATES THAT HAS NOT EXPANDED MEDICAID, BUT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON AN ISSUE THAT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF MISGUIDED PARENTS WHO MISTAKE TEACHING HISTORY FOR CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND OTHER TEACHING METHODS USED, BUT THE PURPOSE IS TO CREATE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD IN THE CLASSROOM SO KIDS CAN LEARN TO READ AND WRITE.

>> WE ARE CREATING AN ISSUE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND FURTHER DIVIDING OUR STATE.

THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO LOOK AT OUR STATE, THEY WON'T LOOK AT OUR STATE BECAUSE WE ARE RELIVING OUR PAST.

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

>> A BILL EXPANDING THE ROLE OF TELEMEDICINE WAS DEBATED, BUT NOT PASSED.

SENATE BILL 272 FROM SENATOR DAN ROBERTS WOULD ALLOW LICENSED DOCTORS 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 ARE ABOUT, MAKING SURE THE STANDARD OF CARE HERE, THAT WE DON'T LOSE THAT THROUGH THAT PROCESS AS YOU SAID IF WE WERE AN INPATIENT PERSON SEEING THE DOCTOR IN PERSON.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO PUT OUT A FIELD.

AS I SAID, 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 THAT TECHNOLOGY, PROBABLY EVERY MONTH IS COMING ALONG.

>> SUPPORTERS OF A PROPOSAL TO DO AWAY WITH STATE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES GATHERED AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

SENATE BILL 43 FROM SENATOR ANDREW JONES WOULD ELIMINATE THE 4% SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

IT WOULD THEN REPLACE THE REVENUE BY CAPPING THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX THAT CAN BE DEDUCTED FROM STATE TAXES.

HOWEVER, SUPPORTERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO MOVE THE BILL THIS SESSION.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THE FULL STORY.

>> THE AMOUNT OF THE RAISES THAT PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN OVER THE PAST YEARS HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF LIVING.

SO WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD EVERY DAY, WHO ARE BRINGING HOME LESS BUYING POWER THAN THEY HAVE IN THE PAST.

>> WITH THEIR GROCERY BAGS AND SIGNS IN TOW, REPRESENTATIVES OF 40 ALABAMA MEMBER GROUPS RALLIED FOR ALABAMA LAWMAKERS TO REMOVE THE 4% SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

STATE SENATOR ANDREW JONES HAS ONE OF SEVERAL BILLS THAT WILL REMOVE THAT STATE TAX.

>> ANYONE MAKING UNDER $300,000 A YEAR WILL SEE A NET TAX DECREASE AND THE PEOPLE THAT RECEIVE THE MOST HELP ARE THE FOLKS IN THE BOTTOM PERCENTILE, THE BOTTOM FOLKS STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

>> IT SUPPORTS THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET.

SO WHAT'S THE PLAN TO REPLACE THE MONEY?

TAP INTO ANOTHER SOURCE THAT SUPPORTS EDUCATION FUNDING, INCOME TAX.

TAX FILERS WHO PAY INCOME TAXES CAN DEDUCT IT ON THEIR STATE INCOME TAX.

THE BILL WILL LIMIT THAT DEDUCTIONS.

ALABAMA RISES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EXPLAINS.

>> IOWA IS THE ONLY OTHER STATE THAT LETS THEIR CITIZENS DO THIS.

IT COSTS $999 A YEAR TO GIVE IT TO PEOPLE.

WE'RE NOT SAYING TOTALLY GET RID OF IT BECAUSE A LOT OF FAMILIES COULD USE IT BUT WHAT WE ARE SAYING TO CAP THE DEDUCTIONS AT $4,000 FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, 8,000 FOR A FAMILY.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU STILL GET A TAX BREAK BUT IT GIVES US BACK THE $500 MILLION THAT WE NEED TO GIVE TO PEOPLE FOR GROCERIES.

>> IF THE BILL PASSES, ALABAMA VOTERS WOULD DECIDE ITS FATE.

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

>> 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.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE ON.

>> I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON BECAUSE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THAT ARE MOVING IN THIS SESSION.

ONE IS MILITARY ISSUES.

YOU HAD A SLATE OF BILLS THAT YOU WERE A PART OF.

YOUR OFFICE DID RESEARCH AND STAYS ON THEM, HAVING TO DO WITH MAKING ALABAMA A MORE MILITARY FRIENDLY STATE FOR FOLKS TO MOVE HERE.

WHERE ARE THOSE BILLS AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

I'M CHAIR OF THE MILITARY STABILITY COMMISSION AND OUR GOAL IS TO BE THE MOST FRIENDLY MILITARY STATE IN THE COUNTRY AND MY DEPUTY WORKED HARD ON THE BILLS AND A LOT OF INPUT FROM MILITARY LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE.

THE BILLS HAVE BEEN PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR IVEY.

I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LICENSED RECIPROCITY.

WHAT'S THAT MEAN FOR PEOPLE LISTENING OUT THERE?

THAT MEANS IF A MILITARY FAMILY MOVES TO THE STATE CAN THEIR SPOUSE GET A JOB IN WHAT THEY WERE TRAINED IN?

UNFORTUNATELY, BEFORE A FEW YEARS AGO, WE WERE LAST IN THE COUNTRY DEALING WITH LICENSED RECIPROCITY.

THEIR SPOUSE COULDN'T GET A JOB IN WHAT THEY WERE TRAINED IN.

THESE BILLS ARE HELPING TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GETTING A JOB IN WHAT THEY WERE TRAINED IN AND IT WILL MAKE US MORE MILITARY FRIENDLY.

A BIG CHUNK OF THE BILLS MADE SURE THE FAMILIES CAN DO THAT.

WE THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

EDUCATION IS ANOTHER THING.

MAKING SURE WE CONTINUE TO GIVE STUDENTS EDUCATIONAL CHOICES, PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ARE THINGS WE WORKED ON IN THE PAST.

ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS THIS, THIS LEGISLATURE, IN MY OPINION, IS THE MOST MILITARY FRIENDLY LEGISLATURE.

IT IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, THE STATE HAS EVER SEEN.

WE PASSED 22 BILLS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS DEALING WITH MILITARY AND TRYING TO MAKE US THE MOST MILITARY AND VETERAN FRIENDLY STATE.

I WANT TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY IN ALABAMA.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN IS SMALL BUSINESS.

YOU HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION FOCUSED ON LOOKING AT ISSUES, MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR SMALL BUSINESS.

YOU ARE NOW SEEING A SLATE OF BILLS COME OUT, TAX CUTS, DIFFERENT THINGS DEALING WITH SMALL BUSINESS.

HOW'S THAT GOING?

>> GOING WELL.

BILLS ARE IN DIFFERENT STAGES.

SOME ARE SIGNED INTO LAW AND SOME ARE PASSED.

THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, GOVERNOR IVEY ASKED ME TO TAKE THAT.

MY BACKGROUND IS SMALL BUSINESS AND THEY TOOK A HIT IN THE PANDEMIC.

WE LOST A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO DO MORE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO LOBBY PEOPLE TO GET LAWS CHANGED.

WE'RE THEIR VOICE.

WE WANTED TO GET RID OF THE BUSINESS PRIVILEGE TAX IN ALABAMA.

THAT'S PART OF OUR AGENDA AND IT WILL IMPACT EVERY BUSINESS IN THE STATE.

NEXT, RAISE THE PERSONAL PROPERTY THRESHOLD TO $40,000 TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE GET A TAX BREAK.

SENATOR ELLIOTT HAD A BILL DEALING WITH THE SEASONAL WORKER CLASS TO ALLOW THEM NOT TO HAVE TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

THAT'S GOING TO HELP COLLEGE TOWNS AND THE COAST.

ANYWHERE TOURISM IS A BIG F. SENATOR ORR HAS IN THE PROCESS THAT DEALS WITH UNEMPLOYMENT.

RIGHT NOW IF THEY ARE ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND THEY FILE ONCE A WEEK.

THEY SHOW UP FOR AN INTERVIEW AND THEY HAVE MET THE REQUIREMENTS.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM BUSINESSES, PEOPLE ARE STAYING IN UNEMPLOYMENT.

THEY ARE NOT LOOKING FOR WORK.

THEY HAVE TO APPLY FIVE TIMES IN A WEEK AND SUBMIT IT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO PROVE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A JOB.

WHAT MADE AMERICA AND ALABAMA GREAT IS PEOPLE WORKING AND NOT RELYING ON GOVERNMENT FOR ASSISTANCE.

WE WANT TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE IN ALABAMA IF YOU ARE ABLE BODIED AND IF YOU CAN WORK THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY OUT LOOKING FOR A JOB.

BECAUSE THERE'S PLENTY OF WORK OUT THERE.

NUMBER ONE THING I HEAR FROM BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE STATE, EVERY SECTOR IS RIGHT NOW HELP US GET MORE PEOPLE.

WE THINK THIS WILL DO THAT.

>> SOME FOLKS OUT THERE MAY THINK, GOODNESS, ALABAMA IS ALWAYS LISTED AS ONE OF THE LEAST TAXED STATES, WITH THE LOWEST TAXES IN THE COUNTRY.

WHY A TAX CUT NOW?

>> YEAH.

I THINK AS THE STATE IS DOING WELL, WHAT'S MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN GIVING MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE.

OUR BUDGET AND ECONOMY IS DOING WELL.

GOOD CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT MEANS WE GIVE THE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE AND THAT'S WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE DOING IN THIS LEGISLATURE AND PROUD OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS BROOKSIDE ISSUE, THE SPEED TRAP TOWN THAT WAS REVEALED BY AOL.COM.

HUGE ISSUE.

I KNOW YOU SAID YOU WANTED LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS IT.

IT IS THROUGH COMMITTEE TODAY.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THE BILL AIMS TO DO.

>> THIS BILL WILL PUT A CAP ON WHAT A COPY CAN GET, PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE BASED ON THEIR BUDGET.

RIGHT NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT BROOKSIDE, THEY USED ALL OF THIS TICKETING SCHEME BASICALLY TO PAD THEIR BUDGET.

I THINK THEY HAD AN ARMY TANK.

KIND OF CRAZY.

>> RIGHT, FOR A SMALL TOWN.

>> IT'S JUST NOT NEEDED.

THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS 49% OF THEIR BUDGET CAME FROM REVENUE OF TICKETING.

IF YOU LOOK AT GUNTERSVILLE, 1%, MY HOMETOWN.

MOST CITIES IN THE 2 TO 3 RANGE.

THIS WILL CAP IT AT 10% AND HOPEFULLY PREVENT ANOTHER SITUATION LIKE BROOKSIDE WHERE CITIES ARE USING TICKETING AND ENCOURAGING OFFICERS TO WRITE TICKETS FOR THINGS THAT AREN'T EVEN THERE.

WE KNOW MOST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, 99% ARE GREAT PEOPLE.

IF YOU ARE SPEEDING, YOU SHOULDN'T BE SPEEDING.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO PREVENT THAT.

I HAVE GOTTEN A SPEEDING TICKET BEFORE.

I'M SURE I WILL PROBABLY GET ANOTHER ONE.

I NEED TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

WE THINK A 10% OF YOUR TOTAL BUDGET IS FAIR.

>> IT CREATES A PERVERSE INCENTIVE.

WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE TOWN IF YOU DON'T WRITE X NUMBER OF TICKETS.

>> IF THEY GO OVER THAT THEY CAN STILL WRITE TICKETS.

IT IS JUST THE MONEY CAN'T GO TO THEIR BUDGET.

>> SWITCHING TO POLITICS, LAST TIME YOU WERE ON THE SHOW TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO, YOU SAID THAT KAY IVEY WAS GOING TO WIN IN A LANDSLIDE.

A LOT OF FOLKS SAW THOSE COMMENTS AS BOLD CONSIDERING PEOPLE WERE GETTING INTO THE RACE TO CHALLENGE HER IN THE PRIMARY, YET THE LATEST POLLING, I THINK THE FORESTRY ASSOCIATION PUT OUT ONE WITH A PRETTY BIG LEAD ON HER PRIMARY.

A COMMANDING LEAD, 60% EVEN.

ARE YOU -- I GUESS YOU ARE CONFIDENT IN THAT PREDICTION?

>> I'M REAL CONFIDENT IN THAT POSITION.

GOVERNOR IVEY AND I HAVE WORKED WELL TOGETHER.

I DON'T HAVE AN OPPONENT, RIGHT, THAT'S TO MY KNOWLEDGE NEVER HAPPENED IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE.

SHE'S DOING A GOOD JOB.

OUR STATE, YOU LOOK AT THOUGH LEGISLATURE, PROBABLY THE LEAST AMOUNT OF PEOPLE RUNNING AGAINST INCUMBENTS THAT HAVE EVER HAPPENED.

WHY IS THAT?

BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY IS DOING WELL.

WE HAD TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN THE STATE.

PEOPLE ARE HAPPY THERE'S NO CORRUPTION GOING ON IN THE STATE.

SHE'S DONE A GOOD JOB AS GOVERNOR.

DO I AGREE WITH HER ON EVERY SUBJECT, OF COURSE NOT.

YOU KNOW THAT.

BUT OVERALL THE STATE IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND SHE WILL WIN IN A LANDSLIDE.

THE MOST RECENT POLL HAD HER AT 60%.

AND THE NEXT CLOSEST WAS 11.

THAT'S A HUGE MARGIN.

PEOPLE SOMETIMES GET UPSET ABOUT ISSUE AND FOCUS ON THAT.

GOVERNOR IVEY IS A GOOD LADY.

SHE WORKED HARD FOR ALABAMA AND I WAS HONORED TO BE AT WHO ARE RE-ELECTION KICKOFF AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS SHE HAS DONE FOR OUR STATE AND LOOK FORWARD TORE WORKING WITH HER IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE I THINK SHE WILL BE RE-ELECTED.

>> MOVING TO THE SENATE RACE WHICH IS GETTING INTERESTED.

YOU HAD MO BROOKS WAS A CLEAR FRONTRUNNER SINCE HE ANNOUNCED BUT THE LATEST POLLING SHOWS THE OTHER CANDIDATES SURGING AHEAD OF HIM.

WHAT'S YOUR READ ON THIS RACE?

>> SO I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT -- THERE WAS A POLL THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK THAT HAD -- BY JIM MCLAUGHLIN.

WHICH IS A POLLSTER I USED IN ALL OF MY RACES BEFORE.

HE'S NOT WORKING FOR ANYBODY IN THIS RACE.

THIS IS A POLL THE FORESTRY ASKED HIM TO DO.

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT POLL, IT HAD MIKE DURANT IN FIRST AND KATIE IS BASICALLY WITHIN THE MARGIN OF ERROR OF HIM, BOTH IN THE MID-30s.

SO MO HAD FALLEN OFF SUBSTANTIALLY.

IN BIRMINGHAM IS WHERE HE LOST 25% OF HIS VOTING SHARE.

I CAN TELL YOU THIS FROM RUNNING, WHEN I RAN STATEWIDE IT WAS BIRMINGHAM NORTH.

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT THOSE TWO CANDIDATES ARE DOING WELL.

MO IS DOING WELL IN HUNTSVILLE BUT BIRMINGHAM IS A HUGE SHARE OF THE VOTE.

AT THIS POINT IT IS ANYBODY'S RACE BUT OFF OF THAT POLL I THINK RIGHT NOW MIKE DURANT AND KATIE BRITT LOOKED LIKE THEY HAVE MOVED TO THE FRONTRUNNER STATE STATUS.

>> 65 DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE PRIMARY.

YOU DON'T REGRET NOT JUMPING IN.

>> I LIKE TO GET IN THE RACE BUT WE WILL WAIT AND SEE.

MAYBE IN THE RUNOFF I'LL GET ENGAGED.

>> I MEANT RUNNING YOURSELF.

DO YOU REGRET NOT RUNNING FOR SENATE.

>> FOR THE SENATE?

>> NO.

>> I DON'T WANT TO RUN FOR THE SENATE.

DEFINITELY NOT.

I HAVE SMALL KIDS, GREAT WIFE KENDALL.

MY DESIRE IS TO BE INVOLVED WITH MY FAMILY, SERVE HERE IN ALABAMA AND CONTINUE TO HELP GREAT THINGS AND WORK WITH OUR GREAT BUSINESSES, CONTINUE TO IMPROVE EDUCATION.

I WANT TO BE HERE IN ALABAMA.

I DON'T HAVE A DESIRE TO GO TO DC.

>> WHILE I HAVE YOU, I SEE YOU HAVE AN ORANGE AND BLUE TIE ON FOR AUBURN WHICH IS MAYBE PLAYING RIGHT NOW, THE FIRST NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME.

WHAT'S YOUR BRACKET LOOK LIKE?

WHO DO YOU HAVE WINNING?

>> ALWAYS FILL OUT A BRACKET.

FINAL FOUR, ARIZONA, AUBURN, GONE ZAG, KENTUCKY AND FINALS AUBURN WINNING BY SEVEN.

>> BOLD PREDICTION.

>> HOPEFULLY AUBURN WILL WIN.

>> WISHFUL THINKING.

I HAVE WON'T TELL YOU WHO MINE IS.

I TRIED TO GO WITH, I DON'T KNOW, BASKETBALL STATS INSTEAD OF MY HEART.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> 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.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN FROM BIRMINGHAM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I SAW THIS WEEK YOU DEALT WITH THE ISSUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THEY EXIST IN THE STATE INCLUDING BIRMINGHAM BUT A BILL YOU WORKED ON IN THE PAST TO GIVE MORE LOCAL FUNDING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

WHY WAS THIS IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, WHAT WAS BEING ADDRESSED IS THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, NOT JUST IN GENERAL BUT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THOSE SCHOOLS WHERE THE GENERAL PUBLIC POPULATION OF THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ATTENDING PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL AND RANDOMLY ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME, WHOEVER WANTS TO COME IN THE COMMUNITY.

IN ESSENCE, THOSE ARE THE SAME STUDENTS THAT WILL BE GOING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUT JUST AS A PUBLIC CHARTER.

SAME STUDENTS, SAME DISTRICT, SAME AREA.

NOT ANY UNIQUE CRITERIA.

THE SAME CRITERIA HAS THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BUT OF COURSE, THEY HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY OF APPROACHING THE TEACHING ASPECT A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

THOSE ARE THE SAME KIDS IN MY DISTRICT AND THE SAME KIDS I REPRESENT.

THE SAME KIDS BUT INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE SCHOOL WILL BE GOING TO THE SCHOOL NEXT DOOR.

WE JUST HAVE TO FIND A WAY THEY CAN STILL BE FUNDED BECAUSE IT'S A PUBLIC SCHOOL BUT AT THE SAME TIME NOT HARM THE SYSTEMS AND TAKE AWAY FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THAT'S BEEN THE STRUGGLE TO HAVE TO FIND THAT BALANCE.

IT'S TAKEN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF, ALMOST TWO YEARS, TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW THAT CAN TAKE PLACE AND NOT HURT, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC EDUCATION AT THE SAME TIME.

>> UH-HUH.

IT LOOKED LIKE A LOT OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES.

BECAUSE THE BILL CAME UP AND YOU KNEW SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES.

WALK ME THROUGH THAT.

WHAT WAS NEGOTIATED AND HOW DID IT COME TO A RESOLUTION?

>> THE THING THAT WAS PRIMARILY WAS NEGOTIATED IS THE LANGUAGE.

HOW IT WOULD APPLY, UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES, WHAT WOULD APPLY AND WHAT WOULDN'T.

AND ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AND THE STATE BOARD, EVERYONE WHO HAD A STAKEHOLDER INTEREST IN EDUCATION.

THEY WERE AT THE TABLE, NOT TALKING THE SIDE GROUPS, OUTSIDE GROUPS BUT THE MAIN PEOPLE WHO ARE NORMALLY INVOLVED WITH EDUCATION.

THEY SAT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND LOOKED AT THE LANGUAGE AND CAME TOGETHER WITH THE LANGUAGE AND THE PART I WAS INVOLVED IN IS AFTER THAT FACT OF BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT HAD THE INTENDED AFFECT.

THAT WAS MY CONCERN.

OF COURSE, BEING A LAWYER, IT IS LIKE ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM SAID I FORGET YOU READ LIKE A LAWYER.

UNDERSTAND LOOKING AT THE LEGALESE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

>> I KNOW SOME OF THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE IN BIRMINGHAM.

HAVE THEY PROVEN SUCCESSFUL UP THERE?

>> ONES I HAVE DONE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB.

THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

I HAVEN'T BEEN TO ANY OF THE NON-PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, BUT I HAVE BEEN TO THE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND IT SEEMS TO BE DOING WELL.

THE KIDS SEEM TO BE LEARNING.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU MY MEASURING STICK.

IF I DON'T SEE KIDS IN THE HALL AND WHEN I GO TO THE CLASSROOM IF I SEE HEADS DOWN, DOING WORK THAT TELLS ME THERE'S LEARNING GOING ON IN HERE.

THEY HAVE BEEN DOING, ESPECIALLY K-5.

OF COURSE AS YOU EXPAND INTO MIDDLE SCHOOL, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE ROUGH EDGES.

I WOULD SAY K-5, I HAVE SEEN THEM DO A REAL GOOD JOB.

OF COURSE, I WANT TO COMMEND OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE WELL, EVEN IN THE READING INITIATIVE WE HAVE HAD ONLY HAD ONE SCHOOL OUT OF 60, 70, 80 SCHOOLS WE ONLY HAVE ONE THAT WE HAVE TO WORK ON THE READING LITERACY AT THAT LEVEL.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

YOU STILL HAVE A BILL -- I THINK IT IS IN THE HOUSE -- DELAYING THE RETENTION PORTION.

REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS HAS THE COMPANION BILL THAT REALLY WORKS ON THE TECHNICAL CHANGES AND SOME OF THE RESOURCES GOING TO STRUGGLING READERS.

>> YES, SIR.

>> DO YOU EXPECT THESE BILLS TO MOVE AFTER THE BREAK?

>> I EXPECT THEM TO MOVE AFTER THE BREAK.

I THINK THE BUDGET PUT US ON A PAUSE FOR A MINUTE BUT THE HOUSE IS BACK ON TRACK.

OF COURSE, WE WILL PASS IT.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PASSING IT, THE SPEAKER AND HOUSE HAVE SAID THEY ARE COMMITTED, THE LEADERSHIP SAID THEY ARE COMMITTED TO IT PASSING.

OF COURSE, AS YOU SAID, REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS GOES THROUGH THOSE MAPS.

>> LAST YEAR THE GOVERNOR VETOED THE DELAY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> OF COURSE IT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING THIS YEAR.

IF NOTHING CHANGES KIDS WILL GET HELD BACK THIS YEAR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I'M CURIOUS IF YOU HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH HER ABOUT HER THOUGHTS ON THIS BILL.

SHE HAS THE POWER TO SEND IT BACK IF SHE DOESN'T AGREE WITH IT.

>> I THINK BASED ON WHAT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR, SHE WANTED TO GET SOME DATA.

BASED ON SITTING DOWN WITH ALL OF THE PARTIES -- I SAT DOWN WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.

I SAT DOWN WITH LEADERSHIP IN BOTH HOUSES.

WE ALL SAT DOWN TOGETHER.

I REALLY WANTED THREE YEARS BUT TWO YEARS IS A COMPROMISE.

I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT WHATEVER THE LEGISLATURE SENDS TO HER THIS TIME SHE WILL SUPPORT IT.

>> SIMILAR TO THAT IS THE NEW ACTION ON -- NOT LITERACY BUT NUMERACY, BASICALLY THE SAME THING.

WE STRUGGLED IN MATH, SCORES IN THE LOWER GRADES REALLY GETTING STARTED.

SO YOU ALL HAVE LEGISLATION, I THINK IT SENATOR ORR HAS LEGISLATION YOU PASSED TO ADDRESS THE MATH PORTION.

ARE YOU ON BOARD WITH THIS?

IT SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF BROAD SUPPORT IN TERMS OF ATTACKING THIS ISSUE, MUCH LIKE YOU ALL DID WITH LITERACY?

>> I AM BECAUSE HE TOOK OUT THE RETENTION PART.

HE HAD A RETENTION ELEMENT IN THERE AND I WANTED US TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM FIRST.

THEN ONCE WE CAN GET PEOPLE UP TO A CERTAIN LINE, WE CAN HAVE EXPECTATIONS TO STAY THERE BUT WE HAVE TO WORK TO GET TO THAT POINT.

THIS BILL DOES A GOOD JOB WITH MATH COACHES.

ALL KIND OF SYSTEMS OF GIVING PEOPLE.

I THINK WE NEED THAT.

WE ARE IN 2022 NOW.

IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATH ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE BIG IN OUR SOCIETY NOW.

I THINK IT DOES A GOOD JOB.

IT IS NOT A PERFECT BILL, BUT I THINK IT IS GOING TO HELP TREMENDOUSLY OUR STUDENTS.

>> SWITCHING GEARS A BIT.

I KNOW YOU HAVE PRIORITIZED MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, NOT JUST THIS SESSION BUT IN OTHERS.

I KNOW A LOT OF GENERAL FUND BUDGET THERE'S A LOT OF PROVISIONS FOR CRISIS CENTERS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO.

>> FIRST, THE CRISIS CENTER, WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT THEY DECIDED TO LOCATE IT UP IN OUR AREA, JEFFERSON COUNTY AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A NEED.

ALSO, FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE ARE ADDRESSING THE MENTALLY ILL SITUATION IN TERMS OF OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS.

WE ARE TRYING TO PUT MATH -- I MEAN MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATORS IN PLACE TO PULL ALL OF THE SERVICES, THE NEEDS AND GIVE SOME GUIDANCE AND PULLING IT UNDER ONE UMBRELLA SO WE CAN HAVE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GAP BETWEEN THE STUDENT, THE TEACHER, THE PARENT AND, OF COURSE, THE SCHOOL ITSELF.

AND GETTING SERVICES AND GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN KIDS ARE ON 504, THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL IT IN THE EDUCATION WORLD, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO GIVE THEM SPECIAL SERVICES AND YOU HAVE TO BE SURE THEY GET PLACED UNDER THAT IF THEY NEED AND MAKE SURE THE SERVICES ARE THERE AND WHAT KIND OF SERVICES AND MAKE SURE THE PARENTS UNDERSTAND IT AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE TEACHERS UNDERSTAND IT.

THAT IS WHAT THE COORDINATOR'S JOB IS TO DO, PULL THAT TOGETHER.

>> YOU HAVE MENTAL HEALTH THAT IS FUNDED IN THE GENERAL FUND BUT OF COURSE SCHOOLS ARE IN THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

I IMAGINE DOLLARS HAVE TO GET WORKED OUT.

DID YOU HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF THAT?

>> WE DID AND WE HAD TO ALSO PUT AS THE PRIMARY COORDINATOR OF THE OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RECEIVED IS THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

SO WE HAD TO HAVE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND EVERYBODY ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

WE STARTED OUT INITIALLY PASSING A BILL CHARGING THEM TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THOSE SERVICES SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

IN THE BILL WE SAID YOU NEED TO TALK TO EACH OTHER, GET TOGETHER AND BRING US THOUGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

FROM THAT, WE BUILD TO WHERE WE ARE NOW.

>> CERTAINLY A PRIORITY IN THIS LEGISLATURE AND FOR THE GOVERNOR AND NEW PRIORITY IN RECENT YEARS.

SENATOR, HAVE A NICE SPRING BREAK AND WE WILL SEE YOU AFTER THE BREAK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

AND SAME WITH YOU.

HAVE A SAFE BREAK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER.

MR. OLIVER, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

YOU HAVE HAD A BUSY WEEK.

BUSY SESSION.

YOU HAVE SPONSORED AND CARRIED ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ITEMS THIS SESSION, AND THAT IS THE DIVISIVE CONCEPTS BILL.

THIS APPLIES TO SCHOOLS, STATE GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF TRAINING PROGRAMS, ATTEMPTING TO PROHIBIT THE TEACHING OF DIVISIVE CONCEPTS, SEX, RACE, GENDER.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THE BILL DOES AND WHAT YOUR INTENTION IS.

>> THE INTENTION IS OBVIOUSLY -- IT STARTS WITH K-12 AND GOES THROUGH ALL OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

IT HAS SOME AFFECT ON POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.

WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A K-12 ENVIRONMENT WHERE KIDS CAN GO AND LEARN HOW TO READ AND WRITE WITHOUT LEARNING TO HATE AMERICA OR EACH OTHER.

SIMILARLY, STATE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE -- YOU MAY HAVE AN EMPLOYER THAT HAS VIEWS DIFFERENT FROM YOU THAT MAY HOLD IT AGAINST YOU.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT PUNISHED FOR THAT.

IT TAKES AWAY WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A COLLEGE PROFESSOR THAT MAY HAVE RADICAL IDEAS.

YOU ARE CHOOSING TO GO TO A COLLEGE.

WE'RE NOT TOO UPSET ABOUT THAT.

PARENTS NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE USING THEIR MONEY WISELY WHERE THEY SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL.

BUT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE A STUDENT GET A BAD GRADE BECAUSE THEY DISAGREED WITH A PRINCIPLE OR BELIEF THE TEACHER HAD.

COMPELLED SPEECH IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIGHT AGAINST.

>> IT IS DRAWING A LOT OF CRITICISM IN COMMITTEE AND ON THE FLOOR THIS WEEK AS YOU PASSED IT.

THE BILL DID PASS.

DEMOCRATS SAY IT WOULD REALLY CREATE A CHILLING AFFECT IN TERMS OF -- IF I'M A HISTORY TEACHER, CAN I GET INTO SOME REALLY DIFFICULT TOPICS?

BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFICULT TOPICS WHEN WE TEACH ALABAMA HISTORY AND MAYBE BE INTIMIDATING FOR TEACHERS TO SAY IF I DO THIS WILL I LOSE MY JOB BECAUSE I'M VIOLATING THIS DIVISIVE CONCEPTS LAW.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> I'D TELL A TEACHER TO READ TEN MINUTES READING DIVISIVE CONCEPTS.

IT TAKES AWAY THE GRAY AREA FOR ANYTHING YOU ARE TEACHING.

I DON'T BELIEVE IT WOULD HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT UNLESS YOU CHOSE TO MAKE IT AN ISSUE.

THE DIVISIVE CONCEPTS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SHOULD NOT APPLY TO ANY CURRICULUM THAT IS OFFERED BY THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, EVEN BEFORE THIS SESSION, THE SCHOOL BOARD TOOK UP THIS ISSUE AND EXPLICITLY PASSED A RESOLUTION BANNING CRITICAL RACE THEORY SPECIFICALLY FROM BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS.

OF COURSE, THAT DAY THEY DID IT, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT SAID THIS ISN'T EVEN GOING ON.

YOU HEAR THE CRITICISM THAT MAYBE THIS IS REDUNDANT.

>> THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD SUPERINTENDENT SAID THERE'S NO CURRICULUM AND THAT NO ONE TEACHES THIS.

HE SAID, CAN I PROMISE YOU THAT NO TEACHER IS DOING THIS?

NO, I CAN'T.

THAT'S WHERE THE BILL COMES IN.

>> OKAY.

IS THE BILL NECESSARY EVEN THOUGH THE STATE BOARD HAS A POLICY?

>> WE BELIEVE IT IS NECESSARY TO CODIFY IT INTO LAW.

>> OKAY.

SWITCHING GEARS.

I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE LEGISLATION DEALING WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, SPECIFICALLY THE 911 SYSTEM.

WALK ME THROUGH HOUSE BILL 914.

>> TRADITIONALLY, IF YOU ARE A POINT OF SERVICE POINT, A PEACE APP, WHEN YOU DIAL 911, THAT'S WHERE YOUR CALL GOES.

WE ARE CODIFYING INTO LAW WHAT A CONSUMER SHOULD EXPECT TO HAPPEN ON THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE CALL.

THE BILL CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF SEVERAL ANTIDOTAL THINGS THAT HAPPENED SCATTERED AROUND THE STATE.

ONE WAS A 67-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS KIDNAPPED AND RAPED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS TALKING TO 911.

OVER THE COURSE OF AN HOUR, NO ONE WAS EVER DISPATCHED.

NOTHING EVER HAND TO TRY TO RESCUE THIS WOMAN.

SHE ESCAPED ON HER OWN.

THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THINGS THAT WOULD OCCUR.

WORKING WITH THE 911 BOARD AND THE ASSOCIATION OF 911 OPERATORS, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER GROUPS, WE DETERMINED THERE WAS A LEVEL OF TRAINING THAT WE SHOULD SEEK FOR ALL 911 OPERATORS, A LEVEL OF EQUIPMENT THAT PEACE APP SHOULD HAVE.

AND THAT WE SHOULD CODIFY THE RESPONSE THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET.

WHEN YOU DIAL 911 AND THE OPERATOR GETS ON THE PHONE WITH YOU, THERE SHOULD BE POSITIVE TRANSFER.

THAT MEANS NOBODY HANGS UP OR PUTS YOU ON HOLD UNTIL THE CALL IS HANDED AND WHERE IT SHOULD GO.

>> YOU REPRESENT A RURAL AREA.

I IMAGINE THAT, YOU KNOW, INFLUENCED YOUR THINKING ON THIS BILL.

>> IT DOES.

MY BACKGROUND -- PRIMARILY I WORK WITH RURAL HOSPITAL, RURAL MEDICINE TYPE ISSUES.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, BROADBAND HAS BEEN A REAL FOCUS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN FACT GOING TO FUND BROADBAND FROM THE ARPA FUNDS, MAYBE MORE IN THE SECOND.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO YOU REPRESENTING RURAL AREAS?

>> I THINK IT IS AS CRITICAL AS ANY OTHER FORM OF INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE IN OUR DISTRICT.

OF COURSE, WE ARE USING LAKE MARTIN AS A CATALYST TO GET BROADBAND THERE AND GETTING MIDDLE AND FINAL MILE AS A RESULT OF THAT.

SO IT IS HELPING EVERYBODY IN MY DISTRICT.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT UKRAINE.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU DON'T DEAL WITH UKRAINE AS A STATE MATTER BUT YOU ARE A HELICOPTER PILOT.

>> YES, SIR.

>> ON OUR TVS, WE ARE SEEING A WAR ZONE BASICALLY.

IT'S REALLY SCARY, BUT A LOT OF TALK ABOUT AIR SPACE AND NO-FLY ZONES AND EVERYTHING.

WHEN YOU SEE IT, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A HELICOPTER PILOT, WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS IN TERMS OF WHAT THE CHALLENGES UKRAINE IS FACING FROM THE THREATS FROM THE AIR?

>> I UNDERSTAND THEIR REQUEST FOR AIRCRAFT.

AIR SUPERIORITY OR AIR IMPERATIVE MAKES A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE ON HOW TO MANEUVER ON THE GROUND.

VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE TRYING TO FIGHT.

AT THIS POINT, THEY ARE BECOMING AN INSURGENCY.

>> DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD GIVE AIR SUPPORT?

>> UH, MY PERSONAL BELIEF IS YES.

DO I UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF GETTING YOUNG AMERICANS IN WAR, I DO.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE PROJECTED WEAKNESS.

THERE ARE OTHER COUNTRIES, CHINA, FOR INSTANCE, THAT WILL LOOK AT THIS AND SEE HOW WE RESPOND.

>> CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE ARE WATCHING.

I APPRECIATE YOU OFFERING THIS PERSPECTIVE AS A HELICOPTER PILOT.

I DON'T RUN INTO HELICOPTER PILOTS VERY MUCH SO I LIKE TO ASK THE QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> 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.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY RANDY SCOTT AND KAREN GOLDSMITH OF OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" NEWS TEAM.

GUYS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME AT THE DESK.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AT THE DESK AND ASK I SAY SOMETHING BEFORE WE GET STARTED?

I WANT TO THANK OUR VIEWERS THAT HAVE ENJOYED US BEING AT THE DESK.

THEY STOP US AND SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND THEY TELL ME THAT ON A DAY WHEN I WANT TO GO HOME AND BE A HOUSEWIFE.

>> WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF GOOD FEEDBACK.

I WANTED TO HAVE YOU HERE ABOUT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT THE STATEHOUSE.

WE MADE IT TO SPRING BREAK.

A LOT OF ACTIVITY THIS WEEK IN THE COLLEGE LEGISLATURE.

I'LL START IN THE HOUSE, RANDY WHERE THEY TACKLED A LOT OF CONTROVERSIAL BILLS THIS WEEK.

TRANSGENDER TREATMENTS FOR MINORS, CRITICAL RACE THEORY, SOME VOTING BILLS.

DID TEMPERS FLARE AT TIMES DOWNSTAIRS?

>> THEY DID BUT TO YOUR POINT ABOUT US MAKING IT TO SPRING BREAK, I THINK EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN STRESSED, IF YOU WILL.

IT'S BEEN A LONG SESSION SO FAR.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, IF YOU REMEMBER, WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD TWO SESSIONS THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH AND SOME FELT SAID IT FELT LIKE WE HAVE BEEN IN SESSION FOR TWO YEARS.

SO, YES, THE BILLS ARE STILL COMING AND YES, THEY ARE STILL HIGH STRUNG, IF YOU WILL, TRYING TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THE LEGISLATION THEY WANTED TO TAKE CARE OF TAKEN CARE OF.

THE BILLS THAT YOU MENTIONED, PROBABLY THE ONE THAT GENERATED THE MOST ATTENTION, NOT THE OTHER TWO DID NOT BUT THE BILL THAT WAS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER, HOUSE BILL 312 THAT DEALT WITH DECISIVE CONCEPTS THEORY.

BASICALLY, A BILL SOME HAVE SAID IS SIMILAR TO THE CRITICAL RACE THEORY BILLS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH EARLIER THAT HAS SEEN LIFE IN THE HOUSE.

IT GENERATED A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON THURSDAY.

AS YOU CAN PROBABLY IMAGINE, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT IT.

IT ENDED UP TAKING A CULTURE VOTE TO SEAL THE DISCUSSION AND DEBATE SO IT COULD MOVE FORWARD.

IT WAS PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE.

BUT THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS WERE NOT TOO PLEASED WITH IT.

THEY MET AFTER THE BILL'S PASSAGE AND TALKED ABOUT IT AS DID MR. OLIVER.

WITH THE OTHER BILLS, YOU MENTIONED TRANSGENDER, BILLS BEFORE LAWMAKERS, TOO.

ANOTHER VIABLE -- VOLATILE.

>> I'M MIXING MY WORDS UP.

THANK YOU, KAREN.

>> ALL OF OUR BRAINS ARE TIRED.

NO PROBLEM.

>> SERIOUSLY, THEY ARE.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT.

A VERY TIGHT ISSUE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT AS WELL, TOO AND WERE WONDERING IS IN THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE IT UP AND NOT TAKE IT UP AT POST HASTE BECAUSE A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, MINORITY PARTY, HOUSE DEMOCRATS WERE WONDERING IF THE BILL WAS GIVEN A FAIR SHAKE OR SOMETHING THAT WOULD GET PUSHED THROUGH WITHOUT A FAIR AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION.

SO, THAT WAS A CONCERN, ESPECIALLY FROM THE MINORITY BILLS ON THOSE BILLS WE TALKED ABOUT BUT IT HAD TO BE HOUSE BILL 312 THAT GENERATED A LOT OF TALK AND STILL IS, EVEN AFTER THEY FINISHED.

THEY WERE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT WHEN THEY ADJOURNED YESTERDAY.

>> ON THE OTHER HAND, THEM SENATE THEY HAVE BEEN PRETTY COLLEGIAL.

THERE WAS A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING BILL WHICH I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BEEN UPSTAIRS?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, LET ME PIGGYBACK OFF OF SOMETHING RANDY MENTIONED.

FEELING THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN IN SPECIAL SESSION FOR TWO YEARS.

WE CAME IN KNOWING THERE IT WOULD BE A SPECIAL IN THE SESSION FOLLOWING TWO SPECIAL SEXES.

SO WE HAVE BEEN HERE QUITE A BIT AND EVERYBODY IS TIRED AND A LITTLE BIT GRUMPY ON THURSDAY, THE WHEELS FELL OFF THE BUS IN THE SENATE BUT THEY PUT THEM BACK ON AND KEPT MOVING.

TWO DIFFERENCES IN THE SENATE.

I'M NOT SAYING THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN IN THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE ALWAYS CALL THEMSELVES THE DELIBERATIVE BODY.

THEY ARE VERY DELIBERATIVE FOCUSED.

THEY TAKE TIME AND LISTEN TO EACH OTHER.

IT IS A REAL SPIRIT OF WORKING TOGETHER AND BEING CONSIDERATE OF EACH OTHER.

I'M NOT SAYING IT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN THE HOUSE.

I DON'T COVER THE HOUSE.

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THAT'S THE DYNAMIC AND THE MOOD IN THE SENATE SO TO SPEAK.

THERE ARE ONLY 35 PEOPLE IN THE SENATE COMPARED TO 105.

SO FEWER PERSONALITIES TO DEAL.

AND THEN ALSO CREDIT SENIOR LEADERSHIP.

FORMER PRO-TEM DEL MARSH OUT OF ANNISTON AND CURRENT PRO-TEM SENATOR GREG REED, THEY ALWAYS STRESS WE WANT EVERYONE TO WORK OUT THE ISSUES BEFORE YOU COME TO THE PODIUM.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT AND WORK IT OUT BEHIND THE SCENES.

LET'S WORK THE ISSUES OUT.

THERE ARE A FEW MOMENTS ON THE FLOOR IN DISCUSSION WHERE THINGS ARE TENSE OR VOLATILE.

RANDY'S VOCABULARY WORD FOR THE DAY.

>> SPONSORED BY THE LETTER V. >> VERY PBS.

WE SEE THAT BUT THERE IS A SPIRIT OF INTENTIONAL COOPERATION AND DELIBERATION WORKING TOGETHER.

YOU MENTIONED THE SCHOOL CHOICE BILL.

PERFECT EXAMPLE.

SENATOR MARSH, A REPUBLICAN.

BOBBY SINGLETON, DEMOCRAT, MASTER FILIBUSTER, REALLY GREAT AT THAT.

WAS AT THE PODIUM AND HOLDING THE SPOT FOR THE BILL SO TO SPEAK.

WHILE SENATOR MARSH WAS IN NEGOTIATION WITH EDUCATION GROUPS, ALABAMA ASSOCIATION, SCHOOL BOARD, WORKING OUT ISSUES WITH THE BILL AND HE SAID WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON IT AND ALSO I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO CARRY IT TO THE CHAIR.

THAT WAY IT CAN COME UP ANYTIME SENATOR MARSH IS READY TO HAVE IT VOTED ON.

SENATOR HOLLY WANTED TO CARRY IT OVER AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE PUT ON A FUTURE CALENDAR.

SENATOR SINGLETON SAID NO, I'M GOING TO START MY FIRST HOUR AND HOLD THE BILL'S PLACE.

THEY ANSWERED SENATOR HOLLY'S QUESTION.

SENATOR MARSH FIVE MINUTES LATER CAME RUSHING ON THE FLOOR, HE MOVES QUICKLY, WHAT ARE YOUR ISSUES, WORKED IT OUT AND PUT IT TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR AND MOVED FORWARD.

THERE IS AN INTENTION OF WORKING TOGETHER.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHETHER YOU ARE REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, DON'T CARE, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT GAMBLING.

IT COMES UP EVERY YEAR.

HERE WE ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH OF THE SESSION AND IT HAS COME UP AGAIN.

THE SENATE, WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS WIDE-RANGING BILL FOR WEEKS NOW.

BUT NOW THERE'S A NEW PLAN, A NEW LOTTERY ONLY PLAN BY CHIP BROWN IN THE HOUSE.

RANDY, YOU GET A SENSE -- THIS IS THROUGH COMMITTEE.

IT IS READY FOR THE FLOOR THEORETICALLY.

RANDY, DO YOU GET A SENSE FROM THE RANK AND FILE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE THEY WANT TO TACKLE THE ISSUE?

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THEY MADE A PART OF THEIR PLAN TO TALK ABOUT AS THE MINORITY PARTY WHETHER OR NOT TO SEE IF GAMBLING IS AN ISSUE, IF THERE'S A TEMPERATURE FOR IT.

REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN'S BILL IS BASICALLY STRAIGHT LOTTERY.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH GAMBLING OR CASINOS.

HE MADE IT CLEAR IN COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY.

HE WANTS IT TO BE JUST ABOUT THE LOTTERY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY SOMETHING THAT WILL GET TO THE PEOPLE TO LET THEM HAVE A SAY ON IT, AND THE SOONER THE BETTER BECAUSE THEY KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN JUST ABOUT EVERY SESSION.

THIS ONE IS NO DIFFERENT.

BUT WHAT HE WANTED TO DO IS SIMPLIFY BY SAYING THIS IS JUST LOTTERY.

NO GAMING, IN TERMS OF SETTING UP BRICK AND MORTAR BUILDINGS, CASINOS OR SLOT MACHINES.

IT IS BASICALLY RELATE TOAD THE LOTTERY.

HE WANTS PEOPLE TO HAVE A SAY ON IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> KAREN, WHAT DOES THAT DO?

NOW THERE IS A COMPETING PROPOSAL IN THE HOUSE, WHAT DOES THAT DO TO SENATOR ALBRITTON'S WIDE-RANGING PLAN?

>> I THINK IT GIVES A REAL CHALLENGE AND I WILL TELL YOU WHY FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.

WE KNOW MANY PEOPLE WHO SERVE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND SAID WE NEED TO START WITH THE LOTTERY.

WE NEED TO DIP OUR TOE IN THE WATER AND SEE WHAT THE TEMPERATURE IS FOR THAT.

SEE WHAT THE ALABAMA VOTERS FEEL ABOUT THAT BEFORE WE START WITH WIDE-RANGING INTRODUCTION OF GAMING INTO THE STATE.

WE KNOW IT PRESENTS THAT.

WE SNOW SENATOR MARSH AND AUBREY HAVE SAID YOU TOLD US YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE US A LOTTERY BILL.

GIVE US SOMETHING TO LOOK AT.

NOW THE HOUSE HAS DONE IT.

I'M NOT SAYING -- WAS IT REPRESENTATIVE BROWN?

>> CHIP BROWN.

>> I AM NOT SAYING HE DID IT IN RESPONSE TO BEAR CHALLENGE, BUT THAT'S WHAT HE DID.

NOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS ON THE TABLE.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT NINE PEOPLE TESTIFIED AGAINST SENATOR ALBRITTON'S BILL IN COMMITTEE.

WHEN I LOOKED AT THEIR COMMENTS.

I GROUPED THEM IN THREE MAIN CATEGORIES.

THERE WAS THE MORAL SOCIETY ASPECT, NO MATTER WHAT YOU INTRODUCE, THE GROUP IS GOING TO BE AGAINST IT ANYWAY.

THEN THE PERSPECTIVE, THE POLICY PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE POLICY ISSUES THAT THE PERSON SAW WITH THE BILL, BUT THE MAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WERE OPPOSING THE BILL WERE PEOPLE SAYING THIS WIDE-RAGING BILL AS IT IMPACTS THE PARTICULARLY SMALLER CASINOS IS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF WINNERS AND LOSERS.

AND WE KNOW A LOT OF LAWMAKERS, PARTICULARLY REPRESENTATIVE LAWRENCE WHO WILL SEE A LOSS, NOT ONLY WILL HE LOSE ONE OF HIS FACILITIES, THE OTHER WOULD HAVE TO HAVE FEWER MACHINES.

SO THAT'S A DOUBLE LOSS.

SENATOR ALBRITTON'S BILL HAS A LOT OF CHALLENGES ALREADY AND NOW THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER OPTION, LIKE SENATOR MARSH SAID LAST YEAR, HE SAID I FEEL BAD FOR THE GUY OR GAL, THOSE ARE HIS WORDS, WHO DO NOT GIVE ALABAMA VOTERS SOMETHING TO VOTE ON IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

HE SAID I AM NOT RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

HE SAID EVERY TIME HE GOES HOME, THE PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT GAMING, WHETHER IT IS A YES OR NO AND ACCORDING TO HIM PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE YES BUT I THINK THERE IS PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS TO GIVE VOTERS SOMETHING TO VOTE ON IN NOVEMBER.

>> WELL, WE HAVE NOW REACHED SPRING BREAK.

EVERYBODY GETS TO TAKE A BREATH A LITTLE BIT.

IT COMES NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON.

THAT LEAVES US WITH SEVEN LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT WHEN THEY COME BACK ON THE 29th.

KAREN, I'LL START WITH YOU.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE TO GET DONE HERE DOWN THE HOME STRETCH?

>> BUDGETS FOR SURE.

THEY ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY --' SEE, I'M TIRED, TOO.

I CAN'T TALK.

THE CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED TO PASS BUDGETS.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS AT THEIR CHOOSING.

WE KNOW THAT THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS IN A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THE EDUCATION BUDGET HAS NOT GONE THROUGH COMMITTEE YET IN THE SENATE.

THOSE TWO WE HAVE TO DO.

I KNOW ON THURSDAY THERE WAS A REAL EMPHASIS ON GETTING THIS TELEHEALTH BILL SB 272, REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTS -- I WILL SHARE THE WORD, IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE TELEHEALTH BILL LET HIM KNOW BY 5:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY.

GET YOUR AMENDMENTS TO HIM ON THAT.

THERE'S ANOTHER BILL IN THE SENATE THAT MAY NOT GET A LOT OF ATTENTION THAT MAY BE WORTH BRINGING UP WHICH IS HB-50, ASSIGNED TO THE SENATE FINANCE AND TAXATION COMMITTEE.

IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT WILL PROVIDE MONEY FOR GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FEMININE HYGIENE, MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS TO GIRLS IN TITLE I SCHOOL, 40% POVERTY POPULATION.

A LOT OF GIRLS DON'T HAVE MONEY TO BUY THESE PRODUCTS.

THEY ARE MISSING SCHOOL OR USING PAPER TOWELS AND SOCKS IN PLACE OF THOSE PRODUCTS AND THAT'S NOT GOOD HYGIENE FOR THOSE GIRLS.

A LOT OF STUFF COMING UP.

>> RANDY, SAME QUESTION, WHAT DO THEY CONSIDER MUST-PASS BILLS IN THE HOUSE?

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BUDGETS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE HERE FOR.

CONSTITUTIONALLY THEY ARE HERE TO TAKE CARE OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

BOTH BUDGETS HAVE BEEN SEEING WORK.

WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS GOING ON IT ALMOST GOT LOST IN THE FRAY, THE BUDGETS HAVE BEEN WORKED ON AS WELL, TOO.

IN THE HOUSE YOU HAVE REPRESENTATIVE GARRETT WHO SUCCEEDED BILL POOLE, IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECT.

>> YES.

>> TO TAKE OVER THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET AND WITNESSING A FEW ACTIONS IN THE ETF BUDGET COMMITTEE THINGS HAVE GONE SMOOTHLY.

WHEN IT CAME TIME TO ASK QUESTION, IF THERE WERE CONCERNS EVERYONE WAS ON THE SAME PAGE AND EVERYONE IS CONCERNED THEY GET THE BUDGETS TAKEN CARE OF, GENERAL FUND AND EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

AND HOW WE TALKED ABOUT EVERYBODY BEING TIRED THAT'S WHY EVERYONE WANTS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS.

IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE EVERYONE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

BECAUSE BY LAW THEY HAVE TO.

AND WITH TIME RUNNING OUT AND ALSO AS WELL YOU HAVE ELECTIONS COMING UP.

SOME WANT TO HIT THE TRAIL AGAIN.

>> OH, THAT.

>> BUT NOT BEFORE LEAVING THIS COMPLEX CAN THEY DO THAT.

>> I WOULD ADD A COUPLE OF ITEMS, THE LIST LITERACY ACT DELAY IN THE HOUSE.

YOU HAVE NUMERACY ACT.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE VOTED ON YESTERDAY.

THEY CHANGED IT.

SO THAT'S GOT TO COME UP AFTER SPRING BREAK.

A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO BE DONE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND LOOK FORWARD TORE A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK AND WE WILL BE BACK NEXT FRIDAY ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> BREAK, WE DON'T NEED NO BREAK.

>> 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 TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WITH NEXT WEEK BEING SPRING BREAK, WE WON'T HAVE DAILY COVERAGE FROM THE STATE HOUSE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL RETURN NEXT FRIDAY THE 25TH.

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