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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

IT WAS COMMITTEE DAY IN THE LEGISLATURE TODAY, AS SEVERAL HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES MET TO DELIBERATE ON LEGISLATION HERE ON JUST DAY THREE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL START IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, WHERE A HIGH PROFILE PRISON REFORM BILL WAS DEBATED.

SENATE BILL 1 FROM SENATOR APRIL WEAVER WOULD AMEND THE STATE'S "“GOOD TIME"” PRISONER BEHAVIOR STATUTE.

CURRENT LAW ALLOWS CLASS I PRISONERS, THOSE CONSIDERED THE LEAST DANGEROUS, TO RECEIVE SENTENCE DEDUCTIONS OF 75 DAYS FOR EACH 30 DAYS SERVED.

WEAVER'S BILL WOULD CHANGE THE CURRENT RATE TO A 30-DAY DEDUCTION FOR EVERY 75 SERVED AND DELAY WHEN "“GOOD TIME"” CAN BEGIN ACCRUING.

SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES SUCH AS POSSIBLE RIOTS BY DISGRUNTLED INMATES OR FAILING TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING AS THE STATE HAS BEEN DIRECTED TO BY THE FEDERAL COURT.

>> WE'VE LEARNED THAT ALABAMA HAS THE WEAKEST GOOD TIME LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE DEAD LAST RANKING 52ND.

AND OUR LAWS ARE TWO AND A HALF MORE LENIENT AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AND THIS BILL IS AIMED AT SOLVING THE PROBLEM IN TWO MAIN WAYS.

FIRST, REDUCES AN AMOUNT OF GOOD TIME AN' MATE CAN RECEIVE AND PROHIBITS THEM FROM EVEN EARNING GOOD TIME IF IT'S A SEER SERIOUS CRIME.

>> NOW, ON THIS BILL, IT MIGHT BE 165 DAYS LONGER.

OVER TWO YEARS.

I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP.

I HAVE A SUBSTITUTE AND I HAVEN'T GIVEN YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT AND I TOLD YOU I WOULD, BUT WHAT THIS ONE DOES, I WON'T READ IT, SPLITS THE BABY.

WHAT YOU TAKE FOR EVERY 30 DAYS AND MAKE IT 30, I'M SAYING TAKE 30 AND INSTEAD OF 75, MAKE IT 60.

AND NOW, THEY WOULD SPEND ANOTHER 215 DAYS UNDER MY THEORY.

>> THE BILL PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE AND COULD BE VOTED ON BY THE SENATE AS SOON AS TOMORROW.

IN THE SENATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS HAD TWO BILLS AIMED AT KEEPING ALABAMA ELECTIONS SAFE AND SECURE.

SENATE BILL 9 WOULD WRITE THE STATE'S PRACTICE OF ONLY USING PAPER BALLOTS INTO LAW AND SENATE BILL 10 WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF BALLOT COUNTING MACHINES THAT CONTAIN MODEMS OR CAN CONNECT TO THE INTERNET OR BLUETOOTH.

THE COMMITTEE ADVANCED THE BILLS TO THE FLOOR.

>> DOES THIS EFFECT, LIKE, FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS?

WOULD THIS BILL EFFECT FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OF BALLOT MARKING DEVICES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE?

LIKE IF WE WANT TO CHANGE WITH TECHNOLOGY AND THINKS OF THAT NATURE?

>> THE BILL DOESN'T TRY TO LIMIT FUTURE TECHNOLOGY, THERE'S A LOT OF ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY AS WE KNOW.

AND WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE AT TIMES.

HOWEVER, WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO IS NOT ALLOW MODEMS OR MODEM-TYPE TECHNOLOGY TO BE INSIDE THE VOTING MACHINE BECAUSE WE KNOW IF THERE'S A GATEWAY, SOMEBODY CAN GET INTO IT.

>> IT'S OUR PRACTICE THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE CODES THAT OUR BILLS WOULD NEVER HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF BEING CONNECTED TO MODEM, BLUE TOOTH, WIFI, WHATSOEVER.

AND I WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE WORKING HARD TO PROTECT THE ELECTIONS.

>> ALSO IN THE SENATE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON BROUGHT HER BILL CREATING THE FIRST WOMEN'S RESIDENTIAL TRANSITION CENTER FOR INMATES LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS CUSTODY.

THERE IS ALREADY SUCH A FACILITY FOR MEN.

THE SENATOR IS NAMING IT THE CARE ACT STANDING FOR CLARK COUNTY ALABAMA REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION.

>> THIS WILL PROVIDE A PLACE OF TRAINING, HOUSING FACILITY, AND AGAIN, SUPPORT.

THESE ARE WOMEN THAT ARE GOING TO BE TRANSITION HAD BACKOUT INTO SOCIETY.

SO, THEY WILL LEAVE NOT HAVING ANY TRAINING AT ALL.

A LOT OF THIS IS TIED TO JOBS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THEY HAVE THAT ASSOCIATION.

I WANT TO APPLAUD PARDONS AND PAROLE, COMMISSIONER CAM WARD, ON HIS FORWARD THINKING.

AND OF COURSE, THIS BILL ALLOWS ONE OR MORE.

THIS IS THE FIRST FACILITY AND I'M HOPING IT'S NOT THE LAST ONE BECAUSE I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THE THINGS, POSITIVE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN FOR THE WOMEN THERE.

THE COMMITTEE ADVANCED THE BILL TO THE FULL SENATE.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAD A BUSY SLATE TODAY, AS USUAL.

ANOTHER HIGH PROFILE BILL DEALING WITH FENTANYL WAS ON THE AGENDA.

HOUSE BILL 1 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON OF DAPHNE WOULD STIFFEN PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO TRAFFIC FENTANYL.

>> WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO IS ADD MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF TRAFFICKING FENTANYL.

AND I WANT TO BE SURE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS CLEAR.

THIS IS NOT THE MIXTURE, THIS IS THE PURE LIQUID PART.

AND THE PAGE 5 OF THE BILL, LOOK UNDER THAT, SPECIFICALLY LINES 122 AND 123, THERE ARE ALREADY PUNISHMENTS IN PLACE FOR MIXTURES OF FENTANYL AND OTHER DRUGS.

I THINK HOW YOU APPROACHED THE LEGISLATION AND HOW YOU DID IT, FROM WHERE IT STARTED TO WHERE IT IS NOW, THINK THIS IS A GOOD BILL TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBJECTIVE.

ALSO, WE WANT TO FOCUS ON TREATMENT, RIGHT?

I THINK THAT'S THE POINT, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMEBODY ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND NEEDS HELP.

RIGHT?

BUT AS YOU POINTED OUT, THIS IS NOT THAT.

THIS IS NOT THOSE FOLKS.

>> THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE, WHERE IT COULD BE VOTED ON AS SOON AS TOMORROW.

IN THE HOUSE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, A BILL TO BAN THE HOLDING OF CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING RECEIVED A FAVORABLE REPORT.

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS ALREADY AGAINST THE LAW, BUT HOUSE BILL 8 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE RANDY WOOD OF ANNISTON WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO HOLD A CELL PHONE TO TALK OR TO TAKE A PHOTO OR VIDEO WHILE DRIVING.

IT WOULD NOT BE A VIOLATION TO USE BLUETOOTH OR A SIMILAR SYSTEM TO TALK WITHOUT HOLDING A PHONE, OR TO USE A HANDS-FREE DEVICE.

>> HOUSE BILL 8 IS A DRIVING BILL, DISTRACTED DRIVING BILL WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ON THE PHONE AND YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE A DRUNK DRIVER, YOU DRINK A LOT, MAYBE GET DRUNK, YOU GOT BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION WHERE YOU ARE GOING, TRYING TO KEEP IT BETWEEN THE DITCHES AND CONCENTRATING ON DRIVING, SO YOU WON'T GET CAUGHT.

AND YOU KNOW, THIS BILL IS FOR PHONES, YOU KNOW, I KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

I GOT A CALL FROM JACKSON AND ON THE WAY UP THERE, IT WAS RAINING AND I'M ON THE BLUE TOOTH.

THOUGHT I WAS PAYING ATTENTION.

I WENT TWO BLOCKS PAST CITY HALL BEFORE I EVEN KNEW IT.

IT HAPPENS TO EVERYBODY.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT EXCUSABLE.

WE NEED TO TRY TO BE CAREFUL AND WATCH WHAT'S GOING ON WHEN WE'RE DRIVING.

>> THAT BILL NOW ALSO GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> JOINING ME NEXT, STATE SENATOR ANDREW JONES.

NOW, YOU HAD THE GROCERY TAX LEGISLATION LAST SESSION, AND IT WAS PUT UP LATE, DIDN'T HAVE THE LEGS.

AND NOW, ON THE EARLY PART OF THIS SESSION, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BRINGING THE BILL BACK, MAYBE WITH SOME CHANGES.

WHERE ARE YOU IN TERMS OF BILLS, WHEN WILL WE SEE A FINAL BILL.

>> SO, I'M WORKING WITH THE GREAT HOUSE SPONSOR, PENNY, AND WE'RE TALKING TO A BUNCH OF FOLKS, KEY STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE STATE AND OUR BILL IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT'S REVENUE NEUTRAL AND WE SEE IT WON'T IMPACT THE GENERAL FUND.

PRICES ARE OF GROCERIES THROUGH THE ROOF, AND INFLATION.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR WORKING CLASS ALABAMIANS.

IT'S A REGRESSIVE TAX, NEGATIVELY EFFECTS WORKING ALABAMIANS AND PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE IS A PRIMARY NEED.

THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO ADDRESS IT.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE REVENUE.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS THE BUGABOO WITH THIS GOING BACK 20 YEARS.

IF YOU TAKE SALES TAX AWAY, IT NEGATES THE MONEY FROM THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

SO, IF YOU ARE MAKING IT REVENUE NEUTRAL, WHERE ARE YOU MAKING THE REVENUE?

>> WELL, ALABAMA IS ONLY ONE OF A FEW STATES THAT ALLOWS THAT, AND ONLY ONE OF TWO STATES THAT FULLY TAX GROCERIES.

BY CAPPING THE DEDUCTION FOR INDIVIDUAL, $150,000 AND $300,000 FOR A COUPLE FILING JOINTLY, YOU CAN PAY 4 CENTS OF THE 3 CENTS AND OUR PROPOSAL, IT'S A TAX LOOPHOLE REALLY, TODD.

THIS CAME ABOUT IN THE 1960S.

WE HAD INCOME TAX WAY BACK THERE, AND SOMEBODY GAVE A SWEETHEART DEAL TO THE UPPER EARNERS TO HAVE THIS MEGA DEDUCTIONS.

AND WE PUT A CAP, WITH PHASE OUT.

IF YOU ARE SINGLE, MAKING $150,000; OR $300,000 FOR A COUPLE, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SEE A CHANGE.

IT'S THE PHASEOUT FOR THE HIGH EARNERS.

>> WAIT A SECOND.

YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN.

WHAT YOU ARE SAYING COULD SOUND LIKE A TAX INCREASE IF YOU FRAMED IT A CERTAIN WAY?

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THAT?

>> NO.

IT'S REALLY NOT A TAX INCREASE.

IT'S REVENUE NEUTRAL AND HOPING TO ZERO OUT.

WE'RE HAVING THE TAX TO PAY FOR IT.

IT'S A TAX CUT THAT'S PAID FOR DOESN'T IMPACT EDUCATION NEGATIVELY.

AND REALLY, SOMETHING THAT THE LOOPHOLE NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE.

THINK IF YOU CAN CLOSE THAT LOOPHOLE AND USE THAT MONEY TO HELP ALABAMIANS, THAT'S A WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TAX ABOUT TAX REBATES THIS SESSION.

AND THE GOVERNOR PUT IT IN HER BUDGET.

$400 FOR SINGLE AND $800 FOR FAMILY WHICH IS A ONE TIME CHECK.

NICE TO GET THAT IN THE MAIL.

I HEARD PUSHBACK ON THAT, AND MAYBE IDEAS LIKE YOU HAVE, MORE PERMANENT TAX RELIEF IN PERPETUITY.

HAVE YOU HEARD SOME OF THE SAME TALK?

>> THERE HAS BEEN TALK.

BUT THE GROCERY TAX HAS BEEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT AMOUNT EVERY SINGLE YEAR ONCE IT'S GONE.

AND RIGHT NOW, DUE TO INFLATION, THAT'S AN AMOUNT NORTH OF $600 MILLION.

AND IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PAY 3 CENTS OF THAT, THE OTHER $150 MILLION IS MUCH MORE DOABLE.

IT'S A BIG ASK TO TAKE $600 BILLION EVERY SINGLE YEAR OUT OF THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

THAT JUST NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THE EDUCATION.

AND IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PAY 3 CENTS OF THE 4 CENTS, THAT COST IS A LITTLE MORE DOABLE.

AND MAYBE THERE'S ANOTHER PROPOSAL OUT THERE FOR ADDRESSING IT.

AND I KNOW THERE'S MULTIPLE IDEAS OUT THERE.

>> AND WE WANT TO DEEP KEEP AND EYE ON THAT GOING FUTURE.

AS YOU SAID, BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL.

NOW, SWITCHING GEARS, ENDING OR PHASING OUT, OCCUPATIONAL TAXES AT THE CITY AND MUNICIPAL LEVEL.

AGAIN, YOU HAD A BILL LAST YEAR PROPOSING IT LAST YEAR, AND IN COMMITTEE, LOTS OF DEBATES AND IT MADE IT THROUGH.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THE BILL DOES AND WHY YOU ALLOW IT.

>> OCCUPATIONAL TAX ARE ANOTHER FORM OF REGRESSIVE TAX THAT IMPACTS WORKING PEOPLE.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE PROFESSIONALS, LAWYERS, DOCTORS AND SUCH DON'T PAY IT IN MOST PACE CASES.

IT'S WORKING CLASS PAYING IT.

AND ONLY 25 CITIES IN ALABAMA PAY THAT 7 OF THOSE ABOVE 1% SO OUR BILL WORKS ON STATEWIDE, 1% ALL OVER THE STATE.

AND STATE OF ALABAMA, MEDIUM INCOME $53,000, THAT'S $1,000 A YEAR IF YOU PAY 2%.

AND ETOWAH, HIGHEST EXPENSE TO WORK THERE.

AND THOSE ARE THERE IN ETOWAH COUNTY THAT'S CARRYING AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD $5,000.

REALLY UNTENABLE.

AND IF YOU TAKE MONTGOMERY, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE.

>> YOU HIT ON A PROBLEM, THAT'S A TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

YOU MAY NOT LIVE IN THE CERTAIN CITY, DRIVING INTO WORK AND YOU ARE PAYING THAT TAX.

ALSO, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU ARE ALREADY CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

LOTS OF TIMES YOU BUY GROCERIES, EAT LUNCH, BUY GAS AND YOU ARE ALREADY CONTRIBUTING TO THE CITY IN MANY WAYS.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY THAT THESE PLACES ARE DINGING, WORKING ALABAMIANS.

AND BASICALLY, A BACK DOOR INCOME TAX.

>> SO, THESE CITIES THAT HAVE THE OFFICIAL TAXES, THEY CLEARLY DEPEND ON THAT PROVIDING FOR CITY SERVICES, SOME CITY SERVICES WHICH OUT OF TOWN WORKERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE CITIES, LOOK, WE NEED THE REVENUE IN ORDER TO HAVE BASIC OPERATIONS.

>> AND WE SAY SOME HAVE FOUND A WAY TO DO IT, WITHOUT OCCUPATIONAL TAXES.

WHY DO THESE 25 CITIES NEED IT, AND THOSE 7 NEED IT TO SUCH EXTREME LEVEL THAT IT'S 2% IN SOME LEVELS IN THESE CITIES.

THAT'S WHERE I COME AT THAT.

IT'S NOT JUST THE RATES, TODD.

THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES, PEOPLE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO CAME IN LEE COUNTY AFTER THE TORNADOES IN 2019, THE RULE ELECTRIC LINEMEN WERE SENT OCCUPATIONAL TAX BILLS AND THEY CAME TO THE AID OF LEE COUNTY AND GOT BILLED IN THE MAIL!

WE HAVE A HOME WORKERS, BIRMINGHAM IS NOT REBATING THEIR OCCUPATIONAL TAX AT ALL.

AND JUST BECAUSE THEIR COMPANY HAPPENS TO BE LOCATED THERE, THEY ARE GETTING BILLS.

AND ETOWAH COUNTY, THEY HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE CALLS, THE TOW TRUCKS, WITH ALL OF THE CITIES OCCUPATIONAL TAX, HOW THEY SPENT TIME THERE, AND FIGURE OUT OCCUPATIONAL TAX IN EACH CITY THAT THEIR PEOPLE WORKED THERE AND NOT TAKING ACCOUNT THE OTHER SIX THAT DON'T HAVE IT.

IT'S BUREAUCRACY AND RED TAPE TO THE EXTREME.

SO, ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES ARE PART OF THE BILL AS WELL.

>> IT'S INTERESTING, ALWAYS TAX POLICY THAT ENDS UP BEING THE MOST DELICATE AND CONTROVERSIAL.

SO, CERTAINLY WE'LL BE WATCHING THE BILLS COMING FORWARD.

SENATOR ANDREW JONES, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

JOINING ME NEXT, MR. DANIEL COLEMAN, PRESIDENT OF BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> NOW, BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN, MAYBE HAVING SOME FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES, BEEN ON THE NEWS.

AND WALK ME THROUGH IT.

MAYBE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GO THROUGH ALL OF IT.

BUT GETTING THE HIGH POINTS HOW WE GOT THERE WHERE BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN IS STRUGGLE.

>> BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN IS A PRIVATE COLLEGE AND SOME STUDENTS DON'T PAY THE FULL COST.

ALL PRIVATE COLLEGES WORK LIKE THAT.

AND FROM 2010, THEY TRIED A REBUILDING PROGRAM, TRYING TO GROW ENROLLMENT A BIT.

IT WAS REALLY BAD TIMING AND TURNED OUT THAT WE ENDED UP SPENDING A LOT OF OUR ENDOWMENT TO DO THIS AND OBTAINING DEBT AND BY 2010, WE ENDED UP WITH THE SITUATION WHERE THE COLLEGE WAS IN DISTRESS.

TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, GENERAL CREW LAX IN 2012 TOOK IT AND WE HAD A NEGATIVE $20 MILLION ENDOWMENT.

HE HAD DONE A GREAT, TERRIFIC JOB STABILIZING AS DID PEOPLE AFTER HIM.

BUT IT'S HARD TO RUN A COLLEGE WHEN EVENTUALLY OVER TIME, YOU JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ENDOWMENT.

BY THE TIME I CAME IN, THE ENDOWMENT WAS PROBABLY 40 IN DEBT AND DOWN TO MID 30'S NOW THE DEBT IS DOWN TO 37 BUT THE ENDOWMENT IS JUST TOO LOW TO SUPPORT THAT.

>> AND WE'RE HEARING A LOT ABOUT THAT THESE DAYS.

YOU ARE HERE AT THE LEGISLATION AND ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE STATE, $30 MILLION TO BE PUT, KIND OF STABILIZE BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL, JEFFERSON COUNTY, BIRMINGHAM CITY, ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO HELP TO STABILIZE THE COLLEGE.

WHAT'S YOUR PITCH TO LAWMAKERS AS YOU HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE.

>> FIRST, THE PITCH IS WHY THAT AMOUNT.

WE WANT ENOUGH MONEY TO NEVER COME BACK.

WE UNDERSTAND IT'S A ONE TIME INVESTMENT.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO BE A PUBLIC INSTITUTION COMING BACK EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S NOT OUR PURPOSE.

BUT WE NEED ENOUGH MONEY SO EVERYBODY HAS CONFIDENCE THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT.

THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY ALLOWS US TO OPERATE FOR NEXT 3 YEARS, $45 MILLION IN PLEDGES TO THE ENDOWMENT AND WE HAVE TO GET IT TO THE 150, 200 RANGE WHICH WE CAN DO, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE STATE.

WELL, THAT'S THE AMOUNT.

BUT WHY?

BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN IS A WONDERFUL COLLEGE BUT MAYBE THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR THE LAWMAKERS.

I THINK THE BEST WAY TO FRAME IT, LET'S COMPARE IT TO THE OTHER INVESTMENTS THAT STATE MAKES, FOR EXAMPLE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN PROVIDES $97 MILLION A YEAR IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EVERY YEAR, YEAR AFTER YEAR.

NOT SPECULATIVE IN THAT.

WE'RE NOT ATTRACTING A NEW BUSINESS, WE KNOW THIS IS WHAT IT PROVIDES.

ON TOP OF THAT, IT'S ALUMNI PROVIDES $211 MILLION IN THE ECONOMIC IMPACT.

ALTHOUGH WE'RE A PRIVATE COLLEGE AND LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE.

ABOUT 57% OF OUR ALUMNI STAY HERE IN ALABAMA.

SO, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST TO LAWMAKERS, COMPARATIVE TO OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, COMPARE THIS INVESTMENT AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA, THE WHOLE STATE.

WHAT IT MEANS TO KEEP A LOT OF OUR BEST STUDENTS IN STATE.

AND A LOT OF THEM GO ON TO THE LAW SCHOOL, MED SCHOOL, AND GRAD SCHOOL, THINK IT'S JUST AN ECONOMIC INVESTMENT FOR THE STATE.

>> NOW, THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS THAT DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

THEY REGARD IT AS A BAILOUT AND WHY SHOULD THEY BE HOLDING IT TO GET THEM OUT?

>> WELL, SURE.

IT IS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, A BAILOUT AND WE NEED HELP TO TURN AROUND.

BUT WE UNDERSTAND IF THE STATE GIVES US MONEY THAT WE CAN HAVE CERTAIN MILESTONES WE HAVE TO MEET.

JUST LIKE WITH ANY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT, IF WE DON'T MEET THE MILESTONES, THE STATE COULD CALL IT BACK.

THAT'S ONE WAY TO APPROACH IT.

BUT THE OTHER THING, THE STATE INVESTS IN PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS ALL THE TIME.

INCLUDING PRIVATE COLLEGES, HIGH SCHOOLS.

AND THE STATE JUST HAS TO DECIDE IF IT'S IN THE PUBLIC GOOD OR NOT.

AND I MAKE THE CASE THAT IT IS IN THE GOOD OF THE STATE AND I WANT TO ASSURE THAT THE INVESTMENT IS GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF, WE TURN THE COLLEGE AROUND, THE COLLEGE CAN BE DOING FOR NEXT 150 YEARS WHAT IT HAS BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 150 YEARS.

>> AND CERTAINLY A LATTER PART OF THE COMMUNITY UP THERE, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF RALEIGH FROM THE BIRMINGHAM DELEGATION, IT WAS NOT IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET, NO MONEY FOR BSC BUT THAT'S NOT THE FINAL BUDGET GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

HAVE YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LAWMAKERS, WHAT'S THE FEEDBACK?

POSITIVE?

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S POSITIVE.

AND I WOULD SAY THAT IT'S IMPROVING.

THE MORE WE MAKE OUR CASE, THE BETTER THE FEEDBACK IS.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN UNUSUAL ASK AND ALSO UNDERSTAND IT'S AN UNUSUAL INVESTMENT.

AND THINK THAT MANY LAWMAKERS ARE SEEING IT THAT WAY AND I HOPE WE MAKE PROGRESS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT FUNDRAISING AND I HAVE PLENTY OF FRIENDS THAT GRADUATED FROM BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN AND I'M THINKING ABOUT ALUMNI, ARE THEY STARTING TO SAY, WE'LL CONTRIBUTE AND WE NEED TO SAVE OUR COLLEGE, THIS IS OUR ALMA MATER.

>> WE HAVE GREAT ALUMNI.

THEY COME UP TO ME AND SAY, THIS COLLEGE CHANGED MY LIFE.

THEY ARE THERE FOR US.

AND I SAY, RIGHT NOW, WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS CALLING SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES LIKE WE'VE ASKED.

AND THE FIRST 45 MILLION THAT WAS PLEDGED THAT WAS DONE WITH A RELATIVELY QUIET, SMALL CAMPAIGN.

AND NOW OUR SITUATION IS VERY PUBLIC.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT TO 17,000 OF OUR LOYAL ALUMNI AND SEE IF WE CAN STABILIZE THIS COLLEGE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> AND LEGISLATORS, IF THEY SAY WE BUY IN, WE WANT OTHERS TO BUY IN.

>> WELL, I'VE HEARD SOME OF THAT, BUT NOT A KEY TOPIC IN THE MEETINGS RECENTLY.

BUT I HAVE HEARD THAT.

AND OF COURSE, THAT WOULD BE IMPLIED.

THE ONLY WAY WE GET TO KEEP THE MONEY IS IF OTHER PEOPLE BOUGHT IN.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME OF THE AND THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING SOME OF THE ISSUES TO ME.

I KNOW THAT WHEN I LEARNED SOMETHING, I FEEL LIKE THE AUDIENCE IS LEARNING SOMETHING.

DANIEL COLEMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Todd Stacy: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT FOR MORE COVERAGE ON THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY, WE'LL SEE YOU