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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

IT WAS A BUSY WEEK IN THE LEGISLATURE, AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS, WITH A HOST OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS TAKING PLACE AS WELL.

OUR COVERAGE STARTS IN THE HOUSE, WHERE A NUMBER OF PRIORITY BILLS WERE MOVING, INCLUDING A PLAN TO CRACK DOWN ON FENTANYL TRAFFICKING AND REFORMS TO THE STATE'S ADOPTION PROCEDURES.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> THE SPECIAL SESSION DONE LAWMAKERS ARE BACK COVERING SPECIAL BILLS SUCH AS HOUSE BILL 9 DEALING WITH "GOOD TIME" RULES FOR STATE PRISONERS.

>> A CLASS 1 OFFENDER, THE LOWEST CLASS CAN EARN 70 DAYS AND WE GIVE THEM 75.

THIS BILL CHANGES THAT TO MORE FOR A DAY-BY-DAY, THAT IF THEY'RE BEHAVED AND EARN 30 DAYS, FAIR ENOUGH, WE WILL GIVE THEM 30 DAYS.

>> SO IF WE'RE CREATING A PRISON POPULATION THAT IS UNMANAGEABLE, THAT IS NOT CORRECTED, THAT WILL STILL GET OUT AT SOME POINT, WE CAN'T ENSURE THE PEOPLE THAT WE OWE THIS DUTY TO THAT WE CAN PROTECT THEM EFFECTIVELY.

SO OUR SYSTEM IS ABSOLUTELY BROKEN.

>> HOUSE BILL 9 WAS APPROVED AND HAS SUPPORT FROM STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, ESPECIALLY THE BIBB COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO SAY THEY LOST ONE OF THEIR OWN TO VIOLENCE.

>> I APPRECIATE THE WORK THEY'RE DOING AND THE WORK THEY'VE DISCUSSED ABOUT TRYING TO FIX THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AS IT STANDS NOW.

I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THE STATE FACES WITH THAT BUT WITH THAT WE HAVE TO DO OUR JOB AND THEY HAVE TO DO THEIR JOB.

>> WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AND DEPUTY JOHNSON WAS A HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH IT AND WE'RE GOING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF MANY OTHERS THROUGH SEEING THIS LEGISLATIVE -- >> LAWMAKERS ADDRESSED HOUSE BILL ONE TO FIGHT THE DRUG FENTANYL.

>> HOUSE BILL ONE IS A BILL THAT WILL PUT MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES ON THOSE THAT ARE CONNECTED OF TRAFFICKING FENTANYL.

THIS BILL HAS BEEN WITH THE FOCUS OF THIS BILL TO FOCUS ON THE DRUG DEALERS AND THE DRUG TRAFFICKERS.

>> HOUSE BILL ONE PASSES ON A 105-0 VOTE.

HOUSE BILL 101 ADDRESSES CHANGES TO ALABAMA'S ADOPTION CODES.

>> HB-101 IS A TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE ALABAMA ADOPTION CODE, WITH TWO SEPARATE CODES -- THE ALABAMA MINOR ADOPTION CODE AND THE ALABAMA ADULT ADOPTION CODE.

>> SOME LEGISLATION WE PASSED THROUGH THE YEARS, I'M NOT SEEING WHERE IT'S NECESSARILY TREATMENT LINED THE PROCESS.

SO HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE ONE SUCH PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL DO JUSTICE WE SAID IT WOULD DO.

>> HOUSE BILL 101 WAS APPROVED.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> ABOUT THAT GOOD TIME PRISON INCENTIVE PROPOSAL, THE SENATE TOOK ACTION ON THERE'S THAT THIS WEEK AS WELL.

SENATE BILL 1 FROM SENATOR APRIL COMMITTEE AND THEN PASSED ON THE SENATE FLOOR BY A VOTE OF 301.

FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES OF DEPUTY BRAD JOHNSON, FOR WHOM THE BILL IS NAMED, WERE ON HAND TO WITNESS ITS PASSAGE.

>> ON BEHALF OF DEPUTY BRAD JOHNSON AND HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THIS TODAY.

DEPUTY POOLE WE'RE GLAD YOU CAN BE HERE WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WISH YOU WELL IN YOUR RECOVERY AND HOPEFULLY BY THE STEP THAT WE HAVE TAKEN TODAY WE HAVE MADE SAFER COMMUNITIES FOR ALL OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WILL NEVER HAVE TO GO THROUGH THINGS LIKE THIS AGAIN.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP GET HIS BILL PASSED.

>> THE ONE DISSENTING VOTE WAS STATE SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, WHO ARGUED THAT WEAVER'S BILL GOES TOO FAR.

HE NEGOTIATED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ENSURE THOSE SIMPLY DEFENDING THEMSELVES OR INVOLVED IN PEACEFUL PROTESTS AREN'T UNFAIRLY PUNISHED.

I SPOKE WITH SINGLETON YESTERDAY AFTER THE BILL PASSED AND HE SAID HE STILL HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL'S IMPACT.

>> RIGHT NOW YOU CAN GET -- FOR EVERY 30 DAYS YOU WILL GET 75 DAYS OF GOOD ADVERTISEMENT LAW.

THAT'S A STARTING CATEGORY 1.

AND HERS WOULD BE A 30 FOR 30.

AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT I THOUGHT THIS BILL, IN TERMS OF HAVING AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE SEAS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY UNDER FEDERAL COURT ORDER RYE NOW FOR OVERCROWDING.

HER BILL TAKING IT AWAY FROM THE INMATES WOULD ADD ANOTHER 810 DAYS TO A 10 YEAR SENTENCE WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THE SENTENCES.

I MADE AN OFFER TO HER TO LOOK AT FOR EVERY 30 DAYS WE WILL DO 60 DAYS AND GIVE 60 INSTEAD OF 75.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REDUCTION OF MY BILL, A PERSON WOULD ONLY STAY IN JAIL ON THE SAME 10 YEAR SENTENCE ONLY 241 MORE DAYS.

AND I THINK THAT'S MUCH MORE PALATABLE TO WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD LOOK AT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT IN TERMS OF OUR OVERCROWDEDNESS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND SAY, HEY, MAYBE THEY'RE TRY TO GO TO SOMETHING TO STREAMLINE THIS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE CAUSING PEOPLE TO STAY INSIDE OF THE PRISON SYSTEM MUCH MORE LONGER.

>> SO YOU'RE SAYING BY GOING WITH THE BILL AS WRITTEN IT WOULD BE A SIGNAL TO DOJ/THE COURTS -- >> YES.

>> -- THAT PERHAPS, WAIT, THEY'RE NOT DOING WHAT WE ASKED HEM TO DO IN TERMS OF PRISON POPULATION.

>> YES.

AND I'M AFRAID OF THAT.

>> THE SENATE ALSO PASSED SENATE BILL 113 FROM SEN. GARLAN GUDGER.

THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, INCLUDING HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, TO ALLOW IN-PERSON VISITS IN SEVERAL SCENARIOS, SUCH AS END-OF-LIFE, DURING CHILDBIRTH AND FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS.

DURING FLOOR DEBATE, STATE SENATOR MERIKA COLEMAN OF BIRMINGHAM SOUGHT SOME CLARIFICATION ON IF THE BILL WOULD ALLOW FACILITIES TO PROTECT PATIENTS FROM VISITORS WHO MAY HAVE A CONTAGIOUS CONDITION.

Reporter: IF I HAD GONE INTO THAT HOSPITAL CARRYING SOMETHING AND HE BE EXPOSED TO SOMETHING THAT I HAVE IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, COVID, HOW ARE WE GOING TO ENSURE THAT THE VISITORS COMING IN DON'T FURTHER EXPOSE THE PEOPLE THAT WE JUST REALLY WANT TO BE THERE TO HELP AND SUPPORT.

>> IF THERE'S NOTICEABLY SOMEBODY THAT COMES INTO THE HOSPITAL AS A VISITOR AND NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OR WHETHER THAT IS COVID OR FLU OR ANYTHING AND YOU DON'T WANT THAT PARTICULAR VISITOR TO GO INTO A PATIENT'S ROOM AND AFFECT THE OTHER PEOPLE AND THAT PATIENT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A CANCER PATIENT, LOW WHITE BLOOD CELLS SORE SOMETHING LIKE THAT THEY NEVER DO THE HOSPITAL'S PROCEDURES AND POLICIES THAT THEY HAVE PUT IN THIS BILL, THEY ARE ABLE TO TEST ANYBODY THAT COMES IN, IF THE DOCTOR DEEMS THAT THIS PARTICULAR PATIENT DOESN'T NEED TO HAVE VISITORS, FOR EXAMPLE, CHURCH GROUPS, THE GENERAL POPULATION TO COME AND VISIT, THAT DOCTORS CAN STILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO NOT ALLOW VISITORS IN THAT ROOM EXCEPT FOR ONE ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER AT LEAST ONCE A DAY FOR TWO HOURS MINIMUM AND IF THERE'S VISITING HOURS AND VISITING HOURS!

AWAY FROM THE CHAMBER, SENATE DEMOCRATS SOUGHT TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE OF ABORTION.

AND SPECIFICALLY ALABAMA'S 2019 STRICT ABORTION BAN THAT, THAT, TO LAST YEAR'S SUPREME COURT DECISION IS IN FULL EFFECT.

STATE SENATOR VIVIAN DAVIS FIGURES INTRODUCED TWO BILLS ROLLING BACK THAT LAW.

WHILE SHE'S AWARE THEY AREN'T LIKELY TO MOVE IN A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, SHE WANTS TO REENGAGE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT ABORTION RIGHTS.

KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THAT STORY.

>> IN ALABAMA, ABORTION IS ILLEGAL UNLESS THE PREGNANCY IS A THREAT TO THE MOTHER'S HEALTH.

STATE SENATOR VIVIAN DAVIS FIGURES WANTS TO REPEAL THAT ALLOW OR ALSO ALLOW ABORTION IF THE PREGNANCY IS THE RESULT OF RAIN OR INCEST.

>> THERE IS NO LAW IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT MANDATES WHAT A MAN CAN OR CANNOT DO WITH HIS OWN BODY.

GOD GIVES US ALL FREE WILL BUT ALABAMA HAS TAKEN THAT AWAY FROM WOMEN.

>> SENATOR COLLIDE CHAMBLISS POSTED ON THE BAN AND WE ASKED ABOUT HIS THOUGHTS ON SENATOR FIGURE'S EFFORTS.

>> I WILL REVIEW THOSE AND THEN HAVE AN OPINION.

I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM YET.

>> THE CO-SPONSORS SHARED THEIR THOUGHTS ON ALABAMA'S CURRENT ABORTION STANCE.

>> LAWS WITHOUT MORALS ARE USELESS.

AND WHAT WE ARE FACED WITH IS QUITE OFTEN WE'RE LEDGE STRAIGHTS LIST LIKES AND PREJUDICES AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT IT MEANS TO SET SOME SORT OF A STANDARD THAT SAYS EVERY LIFE MATTERS TO THE STENT THAT WE WILL NOT LEGISLATE A WOMAN'S BODY.

>> ALEA REPORTED 1,890 RAIN CASES.

THIS IS THE LATEST DATA.

79 PERCENT KNOW THEIR RAPIST.

23 PERCENT WERE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 16.

IN ALABAMA RAIN HAS INCREASED 30 PERCENT OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS.

>> THIS BILL IS A MESSAGING BILL.

BUT MOST BILLS START WITH A MESSAGE.

AND THIS IS A MESSAGE THAT WE WILL NOT TAKE THIS LYING DOWN, THAT WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS GENDER JUSTICE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND CURRENT LID.

>> FOR MY COLLEAGUES WHO SAY THAT THEY ARE PRO-LIFE, IF YOU ARE PRO-LIFE THAT MEANS YOU'RE PRO SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE CHILDREN ONCE THEY GET HERE, ADEQUATELY EDUCATING THEM ONCE THEY GET HERE IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE THAT THEIR PARENTS ARE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED ONCE THEY GET HERE.

AND IF YOU'RE NOT FOR THAT, THAT JUST MEANS YOU'RE BORROW BIRTH.

YOU'RE NOT PRO-LIFE.

>> NOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOW COMPLETED FOUR OF THE 30 LEGISLATIVE DAYS ALLOWED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

THEY'LL NOW TAKE THEIR SCHEDULED SPRING BREAK NEXT WEEK AND RETURN ON APRIL 4.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OFFERED A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S TO COME AFTER THE BREAK.

HE SAID THE FOCUS WILL BE PASSING THE UPDATED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE BILLS.

>> WE'VE WORKED DILIGENTLY ON THAT PROCESS.

THE GOVERNOR IS VERY MUCH ENGAGED.

I HAVE TALKED WITH THE SPEAKER.

ALABAMA HAS BENEFITED TREMENDOUSLY FROM THE INCENTIVES.

WE WANT THEM TO BE RENEWED, OF THE PROCESS OF RENEWAL IS ONE THAT WILL BE EXPANDED.

I THINK YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE $4 BILLION BILL THAT IS GOING TO BE INTRODUCED THAT IS GOING TO FOCUS ON SEVERAL AREAS OF SITE INVESTMENT AS WELL AS RENEWAL OF THE JOBS ACT, TRANSPARENCY TOPICS, IDEAS OF BEING ABLE TO MOVE THINGS FORWARD IN A WAY THAT DRAWS INDUSTRY, MANUFACTURERS, BIG BUSINESS TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA BUT ALSO YOU HAVE AN ELEMENT IN THIS THAT IS FOCUSED ON INNOVATE ALABAMA WHICH HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, FOCUSED ON SMALL BUSINESSES, START UP BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH, BEING ABLE TO FIND WAYS TO HELP BUSINESSES THAT ARE SMALL JUST GETTING STARTED THAT HOPEFULLY ONE DAY WILL BE BIG BUSINESSES THAT ARE THE GOING TO EMPLOY THOUSANDS OF ALABAMIANS.

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

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE.

MR. POOLE, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BIG WEEK FOR YOU.

GOVERNOR IVEY UNVEILED HER BUDGETS.

IT MAY REQUIRE SOME EXPLAINING.

WE'VE BEEN IN SESSION TWO WEEKS.

IT WAS A SPECIAL SESSION.

SO THIS WEEK WAS THE SECOND DAY OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

THAT'S WHEN SHE'S REQUIRED TO SUBMIT HER BUDGETS BUT IT'S YOUR JOB TO EXPLAIN TO THE PRESS AND MAYBE MEMBERS TO WHAT IS IN THESE BUDGETS AND WHY WASN'T HOPING YOU COULD WALK US THROUGH THE HIGH POINTS OF THE BUDGET STARTING WITH THE GENERAL FUND.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS EXCITED ABOUT THESE BUDGETS AND I AM AS WELL.

CERTAINLY HAPPY TO SUMMARIZE THOSE AND LOOKING FORE TO THE FEDERAL PROCESS AHEAD.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF MEETINGS REGARDING PRIORITIES ON THAT SIDE OF THE STREET AND WE'RE EXCITED TO GET THAT PROCESS STARTED.

THEREFORE THREE CRITICAL THEMES, I THINK, THAT MOVE THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE BUGS.

1 IS TO MAKE STRATEGIC, RESPONSIBLE, AND SUSTAINABLE A KEY TERM FOR US AND A KEY KIND OF GUIDING POINTS, SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS THAT WILL PAY RETURNS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, NOT JUST A FLEETING INVESTMENT BUT ONE THAT CREATES RETURN IN THE GENERAL FUND AND THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

TWO IS TO DO WHAT ANY FAMILY OR BUSINESS DOES WHEN THEY HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA FUNDING, PAY DOWN DEBT.

AND, THREE, PUT SOME ASIDE FOR SAVINGS.

THAT'S THE GOAL THROUGH BOTH BUDGETS, SMART INVESTMENTS, REDUCE DEBT, PUT SOME IN SAVINGS FOR A RAINY DAY.

TO START WITH THE GENERAL FUND IT'S A VERY POSITIVE BUDGET.

WE HAVE MADE SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS WITH REGARD TO A VARIETY OF AGENCIES.

PARTICULARLY THOUGH SOME OF THE LARGER INVESTMENTS WERE REQUIRED IN MEDICAID, AND MEDICAID WAS APPROXIMATELY A $70 MILLION INCREASE THAT IS REALLY DRIVEN BY THE WIND DOWN OF SOME FEDERAL PANDEMIC FUNDING.

THE FEDS PROVIDED SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAID FUNDING THAT ALLOWED THE STATE TO REDUCE ITS OBLIGATIONS.

THOSE OBLIGATIONS ARE COMING BACK ON THE BOOKS.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN A POSITION TO MAINTAIN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ABOUT $58 MILLION THAT'S NEW THAT IS PRIMARILY A NEW HEALTH CARE CONTRACT.

THE OLD CONTRACT ROLLED OFF AND A NEW BID PROCESS YIELDED A NEW CONTRACT AND THERE'S OTHER SAFETY TYPE OF INVESTMENTS FOR INSTANCE A CELL PHONE INTERVENTION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM TO CONTROL CELL PHONE USABLE AND SO FORTH.

SO TARGETED INVESTMENTS.

THERE'S A 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES.

THAT HELPS US FROM A RECRUITMENT AND A RETAIN STATE EMPLOYEES, PARTICULARLY FOR SOME OF OUR HARDER TO FILL POSITIONS.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK THAT $58 MILLION FOR CORRECTIONS, IS THAT PART OF THEIR PAY RAIDS, THEIR SPECIAL PAY RAISE THEY'RE OFFERING.

>> THAT'S NOT PART OF IT.

THAT'S FUNDED THROUGH THE PAY RAISE ALLOCATION IN THE BILL.

THAT WILL PASS THROUGH TO THEM.

SO -- BUT IT'S IMPORTANT, THOUGH, YOU KNOW IT'S A VERY TIGHT LABOR MARK.

EVERYBODY IS HAVING TROUBLE FINDING GOOD HELP.

THAT'S TRUE FOR STATE GOVERNMENT AS WELL.

SO TO BE COMPETITIVE, RECRUIT AND RETAIN HERE IN HARD TO FILL POSITIONS, IS IMPORTANT.

SO SOME TARGETED INFLATIONARY INVESTMENTS IN OUR AGENCIES.

FOR INSTANCE ALEA HAS SEEN GAS PRICES GO UP.

ALL AGENCIES LIKE EVERY HOME AND BUSINESS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY INFLATION SO THERE ARE INCREASED COSTS.

SO SOME INVESTMENTS WE BELIEVE THAT A RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE RELATED TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR OUR CITIZENS -- AND HERE AGAIN IN THE GENERAL FUND, A SUBSTANTIAL ALLOCATION TO DEBT REDUCTION AND SUBSTANTIAL ALLOCATION TO INCREASE OUR RAINY DAY FUND RECOGNIZING ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES MAY BE ON THE HORIZON.

>> I THINK I SAW $50 MILLION SETTING ASIDE FOR THE GENERAL FUND ROLLING RESERVE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> IT WAS PROJECTED TO BE ABOUT 20 PERCENT SURPLUS IN THE GENERAL FUND.

DID INFLATION AND EXTRA COST EAT UP ALL OF THAT OR WILL THERE BE SOME LEFT OVER?

>> OUT OF ALL OF THE CARRY OVER, WE HAVE RESERVED IT FOR DEBT REDUCTION SO THERE ARE TARGETED INVESTMENTS BUT WE HAVE 50 MILLION FOR RESERVE FUNDS AND LEFT LANE $50 MILLION IN DEBT REDUCTION.

THAT WAS ALMOST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS OF THE GENERAL FUND CARRY FORWARD.

SO WE FELT VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

BOTH OF THOSE PROTECT AND STABILIZE PUT BUDGETS BUT ALSO BRING ON NEW OBLIGATIONS.

SO IT HELPS YOU ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT EQUATION.

>> LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S NOT SOMETHING FLASHY.

IT'S NOT A NEW PROGRAM THAT -- OR BUYING NEW EQUIPMENT THAT EVERYBODY CAN GET EXCITED ABOUT, DEBT REDUCTION, BUT IT'S A FISCALLY NECESSARY THING TO DO.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> MOVING ON TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND WHAT WERE SOME OF THE HIGH POINTS?

THIS IS ONE THAT HAD ALMOST $2.8 BILLION SURPLUS.

KIND OF UNHEARD OF SO A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE EXCITED TO SEE WHERE THOSE GO IN THE SUPPLEMENTALS BUT WALK ME THROUGH THE HIGH POINTS?

>> BY ANY MARGIN WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

BUT WE KNOW IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

HERE AGAIN I KEEP USING THE WORD SUSTAINABLE BUT WE KNOW THAT SURPLUS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AND IT'S DRIVEN BY ANOMALIES WHETHER IT'S IN THE FEDERAL SPENDING OR WHETHER IT'S INFLATION THAT HAVING IMPACT ON RECEIPTS AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE THE NOT GOING TO SUSTAIN.

SO TRYING TO FIND SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS, PAY DOWN DEBT AGAIN AND SET ASIDE RESERVE AND ON THE EDUCATION SIDE 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS.

HERE AGAIN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN RECRUIT AND RETAKEN TEACHERS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CAREER PATHS FOR SMART BRIGHT YOUNG FOCUS THESE DAYS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EDUCATION IS A VIABLE PATH, THAT COMPENSATES THEM FOR THEIR TALENTS.

WE VERY A TEACHER SHORTAGE AND TIGHT LABOR MARKET.

WE HAVE INCREASED INVESTMENTS IN PRE-K, GOING TO FOCUS THEM ON OUR CHALLENGED AREAS AROUND THE STATE WHERE WE KNOW WE NEED TO IMPROVE SOME EDUCATION OUTCOMES.

A LOT OF K-12 INVESTMENTS SPEAKING OF EDUCATION OUTCOMES TARGETING EARLY GRADES, PARTICULARLY LITERACY AND NUMERACY.

THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP AS WELL HAS PASSED THE LITERACY ACT WHICH IS A WATERSHED MOMENT.

NOW WE HAVE HAD THE PANDEMIC, IT SLOWED IMPLEMENTATION BUT WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT IS FULLY FUNDED AND WE CAN BEGIN TO SEE EARLY LITERACY GAINS.

WE THINK WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THAT A LITTLE BIT AND WE WANT TO SEE THOSE CONTINUE.

NEUROMUSCULAR RACE, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THE NUMERACY ACT.

WE HAVE $40 MILLION FOR MATH COACHES AND OTHERWISE TO SUPPORT THE NUMERACY EFFORT.

READING AND ARITHMETIC.

THOSE ARE THE FUNDAMENTALS.

IF WE GO IMPROVE THAT IN THE EARLY GRADES WE KNOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUTCOMES IN THE LATER GRADES.

SO THOSE WERE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS ON THE EDUCATION SIDE.

AFTER SCHOOLS AND SUMMER LEARNING.

FLEX MONEY SO TO SPEAK FOR THE DISTRICTS.

WE CALL THAT OTHER CURRENT EXPENSES BUT THAT'S REALLY FUNDS THAT THE DISTRICTS HAVE FLEXIBILITY OVER, SOME TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT FUNDING.

SO A LOT OF TARGETED INVESTMENTS IN K-12 WHERE WE EITHER HAD NEEDS, WANTED TO BUILD ON SUCCESS, OR REALLY WANTED TO LASER IN ON FUNDAMENTALS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TAX REBATES.

BECAUSE THAT COMES FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL ON EDUCATION FROM THE ATF.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> $400 A PIECE TO ANYBODY WHO HAS FILED TAXES?

THAT'S ON THE INDIVIDUAL SIDE.

THE TOTAL COMES TO ABOUT $966.7 MILLION, ALMOST A BILLION DOLLARS IN TAX REBATES.

SHE SAID IT IN HER STATE OF THE STATE AND NOW WE'RE HAVING MORE DETAILS ON IT.

WALK ME THROUGH Y'ALL'S CONVERSATIONS ON WHETHER EXACTLY TO PUT THAT NUMBER.

BECAUSE WE SAW KIND OF A MENU FROM SENATOR ORR ABOUT, OKAY, IF IT'S $200 IT'S THIS MUCH.

IF IT'S $800 IT COST THIS MUCH.

DID YOU FIND YOUR GOLDILOCKS KIND OF PRICE?

>> WE OBSERVED THE SAME MEN YOU AND SPENT TIME THINKING ABOUT HOW CAN WE HELP THE CITIZENS OF OUR STATE IN A RESPONSIBLE FASHION.

INFLATION HAS AFFECTED FAMILIES AND OTHER ECONOMIC ISSUES HAVE AFFECTED FAMILIES.

IT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR THAT THE REBATE BE MEANINGFUL ENOUGH TO HELP A WORKING FAMILY.

AND AT $400 PER FILER IN A HOUSEHOLD WITH TWO PARENTS THAT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE $800 IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

SO IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE AMOUNT BE SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT TO HELP FAMILY'S FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING AND CONTRIBUTING TO THIS HISTORIC SURPLUS.

THIS AMOUNT IS ONLY APPROXIMATELY A LITTLE LESS THAN A 3RD OF THE TOTAL CARRY FORWARD.

SO WE THOUGHT THIS WAS RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE.

AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT, THE REBATE, WE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT WOULD WE DO IF WE WERE A BUSINESS.

WHAT BUSINESS PRINCIPLES WOULD YOU APPLY?

YOU WOULD TYPICALLY GIVE BONUSES TO YOUR EMPLOYEES.

IN THIS CASE WE'RE GIVING REBATES TO OUR CITIZENS.

WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND PLUS UP OUR SAVINGS.

THAT'S WHAT ANY RESPONSIBLE HOUSEHOLD WOULD DO, ANY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS WOULD DO.

WE WANTED TO APPLY THOSE PRINCIPLES TO THIS ISSUE.

>> I HAVE HEARD SOME PUSH BACK IN THIS BUILDING FROM RANK AND FILE LAWMAKERS INCLUDING REPUBLICANS WHO KIND OF CHALLENGED THAT IDEA, THAT KIND OF LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET PRINCIPLES, NOT SPENDING MONEY ON ONE TIME FUN THINGS BUT RATHER INVESTMENTS THAT ARE SUSTAINABLE, SAVING MONEY.

SOME MEMBERS SEE THIS AS ONE TIME MONEY PERHAPS NOT SPENT IN THE MOST RESPONSIBLE WAY.

ONE-TIME REBATE VERSUS PUTTING ALL OF THAT MONEY ASIDE AND FINDING SOME OTHER USE FOR IT.

I'M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD SOME OF THAT CRITICISM TOO.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT.

>> THE PROPOSAL WILL MOVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS NOW.

SO WE WILL SEE A LOT OF NEW IDEAS ENTER THE EQUATION.

AND I THINK GOVERNOR IVEY WILL BE THE 1ST TO TELL YOU WE'RE OPEN TO ANY IDEAS.

BUT WE BELIEVE THIS WAS RESPONSIBLE AND A WAY TO HELP WORKING FAMILIES RIGHT NOW.

THESE ARE AND IS DOLLARS.

THESE ARE CASH ON HAND.

AND THERE'S A COUPLE OF WAYS I THINK IN THE SPECTRUM OF THE DECISION THAT YOU CAN DECIDE.

ON ONE HAND WE CAN SAY THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPEND IT ALL.

ON THE OTHER HAND WE CAN TAKE THE POSITION OF SOME KIND OF PERMANENT TAX REDUCTIONS.

SOMEWHERE IN OF THE MIDDLE, RECOGNIZING THESE ARE ONE-TIME FUNDS, LIKELY NOT TO REOCCUR, AND THERE ARE ECONOMIC ANOMALIES MAKING THIS SITUATION, YOU MAKE A ONE TIME REBATE BACK TO THE CITIZENS.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF STATES DO THE SAME THING.

GEORGIA JUST ANNOUNCED THEIR REBATE PROPOSAL.

SO THERE'S A SPECTRUM OF PROPOSALS.

ALL OF THOSE IDEAS ARE FAIR.

ALL ARE ANIMAL AND SUBJECT TO DISCUSSION AND DEBATE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON ALL OF THOSE IDEAS.

WE'RE OPEN TO THINGS.

BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE A POSITION OF WHAT SHE BELIEVED WOULD HELP OUR CITIZENS RIGHT NOW.

>> SURE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH THAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ANYBODY HOW MESSY THAT CAN GET.

SWITCHING GEARS LET'S TALK ABOUT PRISONERS.

LAST WEEK WE LEARNED THAT THE AMOUNT THE STATE WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO SPEND BY THE PRISON AUTHORITY, PRISON FINANCE AUTHORITY, INCREASED BY A LOT, MORE THAN $300 BILLION IN IN THE ONE PRISON IN ELMORE COUNTY.

A LITTLE STICKER SHOCK FROM PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN?

WE HEARD THE WORD INFLATION.

SENATOR ALBRITTON USED THAT AND YOU DID TOO.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THE COST INCREASE JUST FROM WHAT Y'ALL DECIDED AS AN AUTHORITY?

>> SURE.

THE STATE IS FACING A LOT OF CHALLENGES AS WE CONSTRUCT THESE PRISONS.

AND AGAIN I WANT TO STOP AND GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE FOR BEING WILLING TO TAKE ON THIS VERY, VERY CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULTY ISSUE.

WE KNOW WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

WE HAVE TO HAVE NEW FACILITIES.

NOW CONSTRUCTING THOSE IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT AT THIS POINT WITH INFLATION AND OTHER FACTORS, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF CONDITIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE WORKING AGAINST US BUT WE'RE COMMITTED TO BUILD THEM.

THERE'S REALLY NO CHOICE.

THE STATE HAS TO MOVE FORWARD AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.

BUT A COUPLE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE, YOU KNOW, SINCE THE BILL WAS PASSED AND THE PROPOSAL, WE'RE SEEING RECORD INFLATION.

NOW OUR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS BUILT IN INFLATIONARY ASPECTS BUT DIDN'T ANTICIPATE IN THOSE EARLY PROPOSALS THE LEVEL OF INFLATION THAT IS IMPACTING CONSTRUCTION COSTS IN IN I INDUSTRY WHETHER IT'S HOMEBUILDING, COMMERCIAL BUILDING OR IN THIS CASE AN ENORMOUS CAPITAL PROJECT IN THE FORM OF A 4,000 BED MEN'S PRISON.

AND I WANT TO STOP AND SAY THAT AGAIN.

4,000 BED MEN'S PRISON.

THAT IS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL -- >> AND NOT A DORMITORY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO YOU TOUCHED ON ONE OF THE DESIGNS.

SO WE ALSO -- THOSE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES WERE BASED UPON SOME VERY PRELIMINARY DESIGNS THAT HAD NOT BEEN -- THE PRISON FACILITY HAD NOT BEEN FULLY DESIGNED.

AS THOUGH DESIGNS HAVE MATURED, COSTS HAVE INCREASED.

FOR INSTANCE TO COMPLY WITH COURT ORDERS, WE NEED TO HAVE A GREATER CELL-TO-DORM RATIO.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE MOST INMATES IN A DORM TYPE OF SETTING.

COURT ORDERS ARE REQUIRING TO US MOVE THOSE INTO A MORE CELLULAR SETTING FOR ALL OF THE OBVIOUS REASONS FROM A SAFE CONSTITUENT ABOUT YOU THAT COST A LOT MORE.

WE ALSO DECIDED TO INVEST MORE IN THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION EDUCATIONAL SPACES.

WE THINK IT WOULD BE A POOR INVESTMENT FOR THE STATE ZERO TO BUILD THESE FACILITIES AND NOT HAVE 1ST-CLASSES REHABILITATION VOCATIONAL FINE FACILITIES.

>> WHICH IS WHAT THAT ELMORE PLACE IS FOR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THERE ARE PARTS OF THE PROJECT THAT WE HAVE HAD TO ENHANCE.

PARTS WE'RE RESPONDING TO COURT ORDERS.

PARTS WE'RE DEALING WITH INFLATION.

AT THIS POINT WE WILL KNOW THE FINAL PART FOR THE MORAL FACILITY THIS CORNER AND THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO CONTAIN COSTS BUT THE COSTS HAVE INCREASED.

BEFORE THIS AS IT'S INCREASED, AS YOU BUILD A GROCERY STORE OR BUILD A HOME, IT'S YOU FELT THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCE ELSE THAT WE FACE.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

AND TO A TRUE CYNIC, NOT SAYING I AM ONE BUT WHEN I HEAR YOU SAY WE HAVE TO DO THIS AND WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BUILD PRISONS DOES THAT PUT THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OR WHOMEVER IS AT AN ADVANTAGE AND SAYING WE CAN JOIN WHATEVER WE WANT?

THEY'RE GOING TO PAY IT ANYWAY BECAUSE WE'RE IN A CORNER.

>> FEASIBLY.

AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT.

WE HAVE A LAW THAT SAYS WE HAVE TO BUILD THEM.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

WE HAVE A LAW SO WE CAN'T WILLED A FACILITY WITH 3,700 BEDS.

>> MAYBE THAT'S A BETTER QUESTION.

HOW DO YOU CONTAIN COSTS WHEN YOU ARE IN A CORNER.

>> WELL, YOU CREATE COMPETITION THROUGH YOUR BID PROCESSES: ACISA INCREASED ITS SPENDING AUTHORITY AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BIG WORK PACKAGES.

SO YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS COME IN AND ARE UNDERTAKING MARRIAGE PARTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION PACKAGE.

THE MORE COMPETITION THAT YOU HAVE IN THE WORK PROCESSES THE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS YOUR PRICES ARE GOING TO BE.

SO THAT'S WHAT IS ABOUT TO OCCUR.

WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE A COUPLE OF THE MAJOR BID PACKAGES GO OUT FOR A COMPETITIVE PUBLIC BID.

AS THOSE PRICES COME BACK, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A GREATER IDEA OF WHAT THE FINAL PRICE IS GOING TO BE.

THAT IS ALSO THE CHALLENGING COMPONENT OF DOING THIS IS, YOU'RE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS, PLACINGS THEM OUT FOR PUBLIC BID.

YOU OPEN AN ENVELOPE AND THOSE ARE THE BIDS YOU RECEIVE.

AND YOU HAVE LIMITED CHOICES UPON RECEIPT OF THOSE BIDS.

WE KNOW HOW SIGNIFICANT THIS IS FROM A COST STANDPOINT AND HOW SIGNIFICANT IT IS FROM THE FUTURE OF THE STATE STANDPOINT, FROM THE SECURING OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THIS IS POSH FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR OUR COURT SYSTEM, FOR OUR CORRECTION SYSTEM.

THE IMPACT OF THIS WILL RIPPLE THROUGH OUR WHOLE STATE FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE PROGRESS IN OUR CORRECTION SYSTEM.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

A LOT OF THOSE CANNOT BE ADDRESSED IN OUR CURRENT FACILITIES THAT JUST IN TERRIBLE CONDITION.

WE'VE GOT TO PUT NEW FACILITIES ONLINE AND WE NEED THE EFFICIENCIES.

WE NEED TO CLOSE OLD FACILITIES AND REALIZE THOSE EPHESIANS, THOSE COST SAVINGS THAT WE HOPE WILL CATCH UP WITH US OVER TIME AND WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE UP-FRONT CAPITAL COSTS.

>> SOMETHING TO FOLLOW GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE, MINORITY LEADER FOR OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MR. LEADER, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S ALWAYS FUN TO BE WITH YOU.

>> HERE WE ARE, THROUGH THE 1ST REAL WEEK OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

WE HAVE HAD THOSE TWO WEEKS OF SPECIAL SESSION.

IT WAS A BUSY STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK -- THREE-DAY WEEK LEGISLATIVELY, A LOT OF COMMITTEES AND YOU FINALLY GOT TO THE FLOOR TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS MINORITY LEADER, HOW PLEASED ARE YOU WITH THE PACE OF THE SESSION SO FAR?

>> I THINK SO FAR SO GOOD.

YOU KNOW DEALING WITH THE FENTANYL BILL AND WITH THE ADOPTION BILL MAKING IT EASIER FOR ADOPTION, SO YOU KNOW, FOCUS HIT ON TWO IMPORTANT ISSUES.

WE HAVE SEEN SINCE COVID, WE HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NEED FOR ADOPTIONS AS A RESULT OF COVID SO ADDRESSING THOSE PARTICULAR ISSUES AND MAKING IT EASIER PROCESS AND EXPANDING THE PROCESS, I THINK, IS A GOOD BILL.

THE FENTANYL BILL, I THINK IT'S A GOOD BILL, A GREAT CONVERSATION AROUND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND REALLY GETTING COMMITMENTS FOR DOLLARS TO REALLY MAKE INVESTMENTS IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION: SO FOR US WE'RE ON A GREAT PACE AND HOPEFULLY THAT CONTINUES.

I KNOW A FORECASTING WILL BE DEALING WITH THE GROWING OF ALABAMA AND OTHER THINGS AND OTHER WINS FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND HAVING BUDGETARY CONVERSATIONS KNOWING WHERE WE ARE, WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND WHAT INVESTMENTS TO MAKE.

SO IT'S GOING TO SHOW A REALLY GOOD YEAR, AND THE 1ST HALF OF THE YEAR WILL BE GOOD.

>> WE WILL GET TO THE BUDGET STUFF IN A MINUTE BUT I WANTED TO TOUCH ON FENTANYL.

YOU BROUGHT IT UP.

SO THIS BILL REALLY BECOMES BIPARTISAN WHICH A RARE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS BUT I THINK THIS MAY BE A REFLECTION OF HOW THIS IS A PROBLEM IN EVERY COMMUNITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS SAYING THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME COME BALLOTING THE ISSUE OF FENTANYL.

THIS DEALS WITH TRAFFICKING, CRACKING DOWN OF TRAFFICKING.

AND THERE'S ALSO A CONVERSATION ABOUT, ALONGSIDE STIFFER PENALTIES NEEDS TO BE MORE OF A FOCUS ON TREATMENT FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRULY ADDICTED TO THIS.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S A CAPACITOR THAT WITH THE CURRENT FUNDS THAT WE HAVE.

>> I DO.

I THINK WITH THE SETTLEMENT DOLLARS THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE THOSE FUNDS TO FURTHER FOCUS ON ADDICTION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE FULLY ANTICIPATE.

BUT WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO DO ANYTHING.

AND RIGHT NOW IT'S A PROBLEM IN ALL COMMUNITIES.

IT DOESN'T HAVE AN INCOME LEVEL TO THE COMMUNITY THAT'S IMPACTED BY THIS.

I WAS READING A TEXT MESSAGE A FRIEND SENT ME ON YESTERDAY TELLING ME ABOUT A 38-YEAR-OLD THAT HAD OVERDOSED BECAUSE OF THE PRODUCT THEY HAD HAD SOME FENTANYL IN IT AND THAT PERSON -- I COULDN'T THINK PERSON LOST HIS LIFE.

AND SO THOUGH WHEN YOU HEAR STORIES LIKE THAT, YOU BECOME VERY CONCERNED.

AND THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE PLAYING OUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT'S A NATIONWIDE ISSUE AND I'M VERY HAPPY THAT ALABAMA IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA WE'RE DECIDING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE ON THE FRONT END.

>> HOUSE BILL ONE, THAT SPEAKS TO ITS PRIORITY IN THE HOUSE.

LET'S GO TO THOSE BUDGET ISSUES BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR INTRODUCES HER BUDGET THIS WEEK, WHICH IS CONSTITUTION LITTLE REQUIRED.

SHE HAS TO DO IT.

I REMEMBER BACK IN THE OLD DAYS WHEN IT WAS DIVIDED, LIKE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE, THEY THROW IT IN THE TRASH AND START OVER.

NOWADAYS IT'S MORE COHESIVE BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

BUT THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES PROBABLY IN THE LEGISLATURE TO WHAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.

I THINK EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT.

BUT THE ISSUE OF TAX REBATES.

I HAVE BEEN HEARING PUSH BACK ON THIS A LITTLE BIT FROM REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, JUST AT THAT SUPPOSED WITH THE IDEA OF A GROCERY TAX REPEAL, GETTING RID OF THE TAX ON GROCERIES.

AND THEY'RE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT I AM HEARING MORE AND MORE OF THE IDEA AT GROCERY TAX AS PERMANENT AND MORE APPLYING TO EVERYBODY RATHER THAN JUST THOSE THAT FILES TAXES.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING WITHIN YOUR CAUCUS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE IN OPINION ON WHAT THIS GROCERY TAX SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

WE'RE MORE INTERESTED AND SUPPORTIVE OF THE SNAP DEFINITION.

THERE'S ALREADY A PRECEDENCE FOR THAT, A BASELINE FOR THAT.

IT WOULD NOT REQUIRE HE LOCAL STORES TO CHANGE THEIR SYSTEM.

THEY ALREADY HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE WHEN THEY'RE ACCEPTING SNAP BENEFITS THE FORMULA IS ALREADY IN PLACE.

>> WHEN YOU SCAN IT, THE SYSTEM KNOWS THIS IS SNAP AND THIS NOT.

>> RIGHT.

FROM AN INFRASTRUCTURE STANDPOINT IT WOULDN'T REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL PURCHASING OR INVESTMENTS IN THOSE GROCERY STORES TO MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS.

SO I THINK FOR ME, I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THE SNAP DEFINITION THAN THE WHIG DEFINITION.

THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED WITH A BILL BEING DROPPED USING THE WHIG DEFINITION BUT ALSO FOR ME I THINK WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS LONG ENOUGH, AND I THINK THERE'S AN APPETITE TO MOVE ON THAT.

SO FOR ME, THOSE THAT MAY STILL BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT HIT, LET'S TRY OUT THE PROPOSAL THAT REPRESENTATIVE CALAMI AND SENATOR JONES ARE WORKING ON THAT WILL CREATE GROCERY TAX HOLIDAYS, SAY A JUNE AND A DECEMBER, SO THAT WE CAN THEN USE FY22-21 AND GO BACK TO 20 TO COMPARE AND CRAFT THE REVENUE BROUGHT IN, OUR TAX RECEIPTS FROM THOSE PARTICULAR MONTHS TO THIS YEAR IN 2023 VERSUS THOSE OTHER MONTHS IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS TO SEE WHERE WE ARE.

>> LOOK, THEY WOULD HAVE DONE THIS 20 YEARS AGO EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THE SALES TAXES GO TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

SO ANY HIT TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND IS PROBLEMATIC.

SO THAT'S THE IDEA.

LET'S PROVE IT AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS, BE IT A HOLIDAY AND IT'S NOT PERMANENT POLICY SO YOU CAN BE FLEXIBLE I GUESS.

>> AND IT WILL LET YOU KNOW IF YOUR THEORY IS CORRECT.

MY THEORY IS, HEY, THEY'RE SAVING MONEY AT THE GROCERY STORE BUT THERE ARE SOME ITEMS THAT WILL STILL BE TAXED WITHIN THAT GROCERY STORE SO YOU WILL STILL COLLECT SOME TAXES THERE.

BUT IF THEY DECIDE TO GET SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS BACKS ON SALES TAX AND OTHER ITEMS OUTSIDE AND IN THE GROCERY STORE SO WHETHER IT'S RETAIL OR WHETHER IT'S ONLINE TAXES SO JUST BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT OUR TAX RECEIPTS AND SEE IF IN FACT, YOU KNOW, ARE WE GETTING MORE MONEY, ARE WE LOSING MONEY, IF SO WHAT DOES THAT AMOUNT LOOK LIKE, AND SO THAT WAY WE WILL GET A REAL FORECAST OF THEISM THAT DOCUMENT THIS WILL HAVE ON OUR BUDGETS.

>> AS MY OLD ECONOMICS PROFESSOR WOULD SAY, IT ALL COMES OUT IN THE WASH. >> I SEE YOU HAVE A GREEN FOLDER HERE AND THAT MEANS YOU'RE PREPARING TO INTRODUCE A BILL.

AND THIS IS YOUR LONG AWAITED BILL ON OVERTIME INCOME TAXES.

YOU TELL TO BASICALLY REPEAL THAT.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I WOULD LIKE TO REPEAL THE TAXES THAT THE STATE OF ALABAMA CORRECTS FOR OVERTIME SO THOSE DOLLARS WILL GO BACK TO THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE.

RIGHT NOW, THE STATE OF ALABAMA., 5 PERCENT, WHERE ON OVERTIME THAT'S TIME AND A HALF SO YOU'RE NOT -- IF YOU'RE MAKING $20 AN HOUR, THERE'S A TAX -- THERE'S 5 PERCENT INCOME TAX ON THE $20 AN HOUR.

BUT AT TIME AND A HALF, 5 PERCENT THERE'S A LOT HEAVIER HIT TO YOU WHEN YOU'RE WORKING TIME AND A HALF AND IT'S NOT ENCOURAGING FOCUS TO WORK OVERTIME.

BUT ELIMINATING THE TAXES ON OVERTIME PAY, THAT MEANS THAT 5 PERCENT THAT YOU ELIMINATE ON THE TIME AND A HALF GOES BACK TO THE EMPLOYEE.

WHAT IT DOES FOR -- IT HELPS THE EMPLOYEE WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION AND THE HIGH COST OF GROCERY STORES, IT GIVES THEM MORE SPENDING POWER TO BE ABLE TO STILL PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

BUT FOR AN EMPLOYER, IT GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE EMPLOYEES CHOOSING TO WORK OVERTIME BECAUSE THEY GET MORE MONEY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WILL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE MORE.

SO IF I HAVE A MANUFACTURER THAT IS CREATING -- THAT IS PUTTING TOGETHER BOTTLES, AND IN ORDER FOR ME TO MEET THE PRODUCTIVITY SCHEDULE, I HAVE IN PLACE, I NEED 100 EMPLOYEES.

BUT THIS OVERTIME TAX WILL INCUR, THE EMPLOYEES THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE TO WORK OVERTIME, MAY HAVE BEEN 10 HOURS A WEEK, SO THEN AT THAT POINT, THEIR 80 EMPLOYEES WILL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE AT THE RATE OF A HUNDRED SO I WILL BE AT OR ABOVE SCHEDULE.

IT INCREASES PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY.

IT REDUCES THE NEED FOR MORE ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES DURING THE TIME.

I THINK IT ALSO INCREASES THE PARTICIPATION RATE, THE LABOR PARTICIPATION RATE, BECAUSE THEY SEE THE INCENTIVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND BRING HOME MORE MONEY.

THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO AS A STATE AND DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE.

BUT YOU WILL SEE -- LOCAL COMMUNITIES WILL SEE THIS MONEY COMING BANG.

WORKING CLASS PEOPLE WILL SPEND THE ADDITIONAL MONEY THEY'RE GETTING SO LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS WILL BENEFIT THE MOST BUT DON'T HAVE TO MAKER ANY INVESTMENTS IN IT.

SO THE STATE IS TAKING A HIT TO HELP THE LOCAL AND COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES AS WELL AS THE STATE WILL RECOUP SOME IN SALES TAX AS WELL.

>> IT'S INTERESTING.

IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF THOSE RARE POLICIES THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND LABOR UNIONS WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF.

>> THIS IS A WAY TO BRING THEM TOGETHER.

AND I THINK IT BRINGS ALL ALABAMIANS TOGETHER AND REWARDS HARD WORK.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

IT'S A BRAND-NEW PROPOSAL.

IN MY MIND I CAN'T REMEMBER ONE LIKE IT IN YEARS PAST.

HOW HAVE YOUR CONVERSATIONS GONE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, ABOUT -- YOU HAVE TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT HAD TO REACH OUT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT THIS.

YOU GUYS REACHED OUT AND DONE A GREAT JOB AND OTHERS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF PUTTING THE IDEA OUT THERE AND WE CERTAINLY I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS' INVOLVEMENT IN THIS PROCESS.

BUST WHAT IT HAS DONE IS IT HAS FORCED CONSTITUENTS OF OUR MEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM IN FORCING VOICING THEIR INTEREST INS IN ISSUE.

I HAD AN INDIVIDUAL TO TELL ME, MY CONSTITUENTS ARE CALLING ME EVERY DAY ABOUT THIS ELIMINATING THE OVERTIME TAX.

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DROP THAT BILL.

AND I SAY I'M GOING TO DROP IT SOON.

SO I HAVE A NUMBER OF CO-SPONSORS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, EVEN FRESHMAN MEMBERS THAT TALKED TO ME ABOUT IT THAT HAVE SHOWN INTEREST IN WANTING TO CO-SPONSOR THE BILL.

SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO GET IT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AFTER OUR BREAK.

>> INTERESTING.

WE WILL BE TRACKING THIS: AND WE'RE OUT OF TIME TODAY BUT I WANT TO HAVE YOU BACK.

YOU MENTIONED THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION THING.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE CONVERSATION NOT JUST IN THIS SESSION BUT MOVING FORWARD.

BECAUSE I THINK EVERY TIME THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE COMES OUT THEY'RE LIKE WAIT LET'S LOOK AT THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

SO ANY PROPOSAL THAT TAKES AIM AT THAT I THINK WILL BE WORTH LOOKING AT.

MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> JOINING ME NEXT FOR A REPORTER ROUNDTABLE ARE BRYAN LYMAN AND ERIN DAVIS OF WSFA AND GRAY TELEVISION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> A GOOD TIME TO WRAP UP THE WEEK, THIS 1ST REAL WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AFTER TWO WEEKS OF SPECIAL SESSION DEALING WITH ARPA.

AND NOW WE BREAK FOR SPRING BREAK.

SO LET ME JUST ASK YOU.

I WILL START WITH YOU HAVE HAD BRYAN.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR BIG TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 1ST FULL WEEK OF THE REGULAR.

>> IT STILL REALLY FEELS LIKE WE ARE IN A VERY TENTATIVE PERIOD WITH THIS LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP AND THERE'S NOT A SENSE OF A DRIVING PRIORITY FROM THE TOP GOING DOWN: CERTAINLY THE HOUSE PRIORITIZED THIS BILL CREATING NEW MANDATORY MINIMUMS.

YOU DON'T GET A SENSE THERE'S A REAL PROGRAM GOING ON THIS YEAR WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER YEARS.

THIS COULD BE GOOD OR YOU COULD TAKE YOUR PICK AS TO WHETHER THIS IS GOOD OR BAD.

CERTAINLY THERE COULD BE MORE UNUSUAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION TOE COME OUT ON THE OTHER HAND.

WE'RE ACTUALLY HAVING SERIOUS TALKS ABOUT REPEALING GROCERY TAX NOW.

WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION WHICH WAS NOT SHOW YOU DOWN CONSTANTLY THIS WEEK.

SO MY MIND IT STILL FEELS LIKE A SESSION THAT IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

>> WITH FENTANYL, AND I NO HE YOU COVERED THIS IN THE HOUSE, THINK PASSED THE HOUSE BILL ONE, OBVIOUSLY A TOP PRIORITY.

WHAT WERE YOUR OH,S.

IT WAS UNANIMOUS; RIGHT?

>> IT WAS.

WHICH I THINK REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON EVEN SAID THE 1ST TIME HE HAD SEEN 105 YES VOTES IN THE CHAMBER, HE WAS IN AWE.

AND YES, I WAS IN AWE EVEN WHEN THE BILL WAS IN COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND SECONDED THE VOTE OR GAVE A SECOND SO THE WILL COULD PASS THROUGH THE COMMITTEE SO IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THEM ALL UNIFIED AGAINST THIS DRUG BECAUSE WE KNOW IT'S INTERESTING.

>> THAT'S MY OBSERVATION AS WELL.

MOST TIMES WHEN YOU GO TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, ESPECIALLY TOUGH ON CRIME, YOU'RE JUST WAITING ON THEM TO POUNCE, WAIT A MINUTE, WE'RE GOING TO SCALE THIS BACK.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TREATMENT AND WE'RE WILL GO TO TALK ABOUT TAKING CARE OF ADDICTION AND ALL OF THIS MONEY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET, THE GOVERNOR INTRODUCED HER BUDGET PER HER CONSTITUTION THIS WEEK.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PASS.

THE BIG PARTICIPATION WAS TAX REBATES, USING ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS OF THIS SURPLUS MONEY, BETWEEN $400 AND $800 IN A TAX REBATE CHECK.

EVERYBODY LIKES MONEY BUT I'M STARTING TO HEAR PUSH BACK EVEN REPUBLICANS ABOUT MAYBE THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> THERE'S MORE TALK ABOUT REPEALING THE GROCERY TAX THIS YEAR THAT BE THE LAST 10 YEARS.

YOU AND I WERE AROUND IN 2008 WHEN THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS MADE OF THE GROCERY TAX AND IT CAME WITHIN A FEW VOTES, A WHISKER OF PASSING BEFORE A PERSONAL FEUD ENDED UP DOOMING IT.

THAT THERE IS MORE MOVEMENT TO DO THE GROCERY TAX HERE.

WHETHER THAT COMES ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW.

THAT WILL DEPEND ON YOUR EDUCATION BUDGET CHAIRS.

THE GROCERY TAX REPEAL WOULD COST, IT'S ABOUT $106 MILLION.

THE TAX REBATES AS GOV.

IVEY HAS WOULD BE ABOUT $5 BILLION.

BUT THE GROCERY TAX REPEAL WOULD BE A PERMANENT REPEAL.

THE TAX REBATES WOULD BE A ONE TIME PARTICIPATION WHERE THE MONEY WOULD HOPEFULLY COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

I'M HEARING MORE FROM REPUBLICANS THAT THEY WANTED -- THEY'RE MORE WILLING TO DO THIS GROCERY TAX BECAUSE IT IS SO UNPOPULAR, IT IS SO ALL OF, LIKE THIS THEIR AREA OF INFLATION.

BUT REALLY WE WILL JUST HAVE TO SEE HOW LEADERS REALLY THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE.

>> AND IT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TAX REBATE WOULD BE ONE TIME MONEY.

GROCERY TAX REPEAL WOULD BE IN PERPETUITY, SAVING MONEY EVERY YEAR, MAYBE NOT AS MUCH UP FRONT BUT EVERYBODY PAYS TAX AT THE GROCERY STORE.

ARE YOU HEARING THE SAME THINGS IN TERMS OF YOUR REPORTING?

DO YOU SEE IT AS FEASIBLE THAT WE MIGHT GET TO A GROCERY TAX?

>> I CAN SAY SO.

I HAVE SEEN THE LT.

GOVERNOR POSTING ON TWITTER THAT WE META WITH THE GROCER'S ASSOCIATION TALKING ABOUT CUTTING THAT GROCERY TAX.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS, IT'S ALWAYS A PRIORITY FOR THEM.

WHEN I DO MY REPORTING AND I TRY TO TALK TO PEOPLE IN THE GROCERY STORE, AND LIKE BRYAN SAID IT'S EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR.

PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO HAVE THAT TAX CUT, ESPECIALLY TO SAVE MONEY ON THINGS THAT -- ESSENTIALS BASICALLY.

>> AND YOU SAY UNPOPULAR BECAUSE ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IT WOULD BE VERY POPULAR TO GO BACK HOME AS A POLITICIAN AND SAY, HEY, GUESS WHAT, I CUT YOUR TAXES ON GROCERIES OR I REPEALED IT.

SO I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD PROBABLY LIKE TO DO IT.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF REVENUE; RIGHT?

THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE PARTICIPATION.

LIKE YOU SAID 600 OR $800 MILLION FROM THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

EVEN WHEN DEMOCRATS WERE IN CHARGE BACK THEN THEY WEREN'T GOING TO TOUCH THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND SO IT'S A MATTER OF FINDING THE REVENUE TO REPLACE IT OR BEING COMFORTABLE I GUESS WITH A REDUCTION IN REVENUE.

>> IT'S A REAL INDICTMENT OF THE STATE'S TAX SYSTEM.

THAT WE DEPEND ON TAXING PEOPLE'S ESSENTIALS TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS RUNNING.

THAT IS TO ME -- LIKE THAT SAYS -- THAT IS A DAMNING STATEMENT ABOUT HOW WE ASSESS TAXES IN THIS STATE.

>> MOVING ON TO THE ISSUE OF GOOD TIME.

THIS IS PRISON POLICY INCENTIVES FOR INMATES TO BEHAVE WELL AND ACT WELL, NOT ACT UP IN PRISON.

IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE -- AS A WAY TO MAKE PRISONS LESS DANGEROUS.

OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW WE HAVE DANGEROUS PRISONS.

SO THERE'S A REFORM SENATOR APRIL WEAVER HAS WITH SENATOR RUSSELL BEDSOLE HAS IT IN THE HOUSE, SCALING BACK SOME OF THAT GOOD TIME.

IT PASSED BUT NOT WITHOUT AN AMENDMENT FROM SENATOR SINGLETON.

DO Y'ALL -- I MEAN, DO YOU SEE THIS AS PASSING THROUGH THE HOUSE AS IT IS?

OR DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE MORE AMENDMENTS AS IT GOES DOWN TO THE HOUSE?

ERIN, STARTING WITH YOU.

>> I WAS NOT IN THE SENATE CHAMBER THAT DAY SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT AMENDMENT WAS BUT I CAN SEE AT LEAST THERE BEING MORE DEBATE AROUND IT AND POSSIBLY AN AMENDMENT.

WHEN THE BILL WAS IN COMMITTEE AND BACKTRACKED, ALBRITTON BROUGHT UP AN AMENDMENT TO SET THIS BILL BACK A LITTLE BIT UNTIL THEY COULD HAVE ENOUGH BEDS FOR PEOPLE THAT WOULD BASICALLY END UP BEING INCARCERATED FROM THE BILL.

MOVING FORWARD I COULD SEE SOME AMENDMENTS POSSIBLY BROUGHT UP AND WHO KNOWS IF THAT HE WILL BE ADDED.

>> I AGREE WITH ERIN.

THIS BROUGHT OUT IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ON WEDNESDAY.

IT'S OFTEN VERY HARD FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO RESIST THAT MOMENTUM.

THIS BILL, AS I THINK WE ALL KNOW, ITS ORIGIN WAS THE SHOOTING DEPTH OF DEATH OF THIS DEPUTY IN BIBB COUNTY WHICH WAS AN ALL OF AWFUL TRAGEDY.

THE PERSON ARRESTED FOR THE SHOOTING SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OUT OF PRISON IN THE 1ST PLACE.

THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT TRAGEDY IS BEING USED TO JUSTIFY THIS BILL.

I'M NOT SURE IF THIS BILL WAS IN PLACE, IF THIS LAW WAS IN PLACE AT THE TIME IF THAT WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING IN THIS SITUATION.

BECAUSE THIS PERSON, THIS SUSPECT WHO IS ACCUSED UNLESS CRIME, HIS GOOD TIME SHOULD HAVE BEEN REVOKED INSTANTLY.

HE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PUT OUT -- AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE'S NOTHING UNDERCURRENT LAW THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THAT REVOCATION FROM TAKING PLACE.

THE OTHER PARTICIPATION, TOO, IS THAT WE HAVE 20,000 PEOPLE IN ALABAMA PRISONS.

THAT IS ROUGHLY THE EQUIVALENT OF THE CITY OF ANNISTON, THE CITY OF FOLEY, THE CITY OF PRICHARD.

CORRECTIONS 101 IS THE WAY YOU MANAGE A VIOLENT PRISON, A VIOLENT GROUP OF OFFENDERS IS YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO WORK TOWARD OR GIVE THEM A PRIVILEGE THAT CAN BE REVOKED IF THEY MISBEHAVE.

IF YOU CUT THE GOOD TIME INCENTIVES FOR THESE INMATES, YOU'RE TAKING AWAY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAN BE USED AS A TOOL TO MAINTAIN ORDER IN THOSE PRISONS.

THIS MAY END UP NOT MATTERING TO LEGISLATORS.

THEY MAY PASS IT ANYWAY.

BUT CONSIDERING THE SITUATION IN OUR PRISONS, THIS IS NOT GOING TO HELP MANAGING THE VIOLENCE OR ANY OF THE OTHER AWFUL THINGS THAT WE'RE SEEING IN OUR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

>> YEAH.

MY OBSERVATION WAS THAT -- BECAUSE YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT ABOUT WOULD THIS HAVE ACTUALLY MATTER MATTERED.

TOUGH TO SAY.

I THINK WHAT IT DID, IT FORCED THEM TO START LOOKING AT THE POLICY AND SEEING SOME PARTICIPATIONS THIS HE DIDN'T LIKE.

ONE OF THEM BEING PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO REVOKE THEIR TIME, RIGHT, LIKE IF YOU TRY TO ESCAPE, YOU SHOULD -- THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A DISINCENTIVE FOR BAD BEHAVIOR AND ALL OF THAT.

SO I'M INTERESTED TO SEE AS IT GOES TO THE HOUSE WHETHER THERE WILL BE MORE AMENDMENTS.

THAT AMENDMENT WAS SIGNIFICANT.

SHE WAS LOOKING FOR BASICALLY A DAY FOR A DAY ON GOOD TIME.

IT'S SCALED BACK TO I THINK 60 DAYS FOR EVERY 30 DAYS.

THAT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENT.

AND ALSO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE -- I MADE THIS POINT TO SENATOR SINGLETON, LIKE THEY'RE IN CHARGE OF THE PRISONS.

THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE AN OPINION ON THIS POLICY.

SO THERE CAN ALWAYS BE AN EXECUTIVE AMENDMENT SO THAT'S SOMETHING TO WATCH BUT IT'S INTERESTING ON PRISON POLICY, IN TERMS OF POLITICS, IT'S NEVER A BAD BET TO GO TOUGH ON CRIME.

BUT IT'S THE MINUTIAE SOMETIMES THAT GETS OVERLOOKED.

>> THIS IS WHAT DRIVES PEOPLE IN CORRECTIONS CRAZY, BECAUSE WE CREATE THESE CRIMES OR CREATE THESE SENTENCES AND THE FOLKS WHO CREATE THEM DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT DO YOU DO TO MANAGE A POPULATION THAT YOU HAVE IN PRISON AND -- PUNISHMENT PLAYS GREAT WITH VOTERS.

I'M NOT DENYING THAT.

BUT THEN YOU'VE FOR THE -- I MEAN WE HAVE 2DOJ REPORTS DETAILING SOME TRULY HORRIFIC CONDITIONS IN OUR STATED PRISONS.

AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO PULL BACK AND ASK OURSELVES WHAT ARE WE DOING TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES?

>> ERIN, WE'RE GOING TO BREAK FOR SPRING BREAK.

HOPEFULLY YOU GET A LITTLE TIME OFF.

WE WILL COME BACK APRIL 4.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC INCENTIVES.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE HEARING THEY'RE GOING TO TACKLE WHEN THEY COME BACK?

>> I'M HEARING AT LEAST FOUR SEPARATE PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE.

I DON'T KNOW WHO IS GOING TO CARRY WHAT IS IT YET BUT IT'S RELATED TO JOBS, SMALL BUSINESSES, MILITARY EVEN INCENTIVES AND THAT'S DEFINITELY -- POPULATIONS THAT THEY CALLS REALLY WANTED TO HELP, IT SEEMS LIKE BOOSTING THE ECONOMY IN ALABAMA HAS BEEN A BIG THEME SINCE I STARTED IN THE STATEHOUSE SO IT WAS NO SURPRISE WHEN I ASKED THE SPEAKER AND HE SAID THAT IS WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON AND POSSIBLY GET THROUGH WITHIN THE 1ST WEEK THEY GET THAT.

>> WE HAVE TO RENEW THEM OR ELSE THEY EXPIRE OR THEY'RE GOING TO REVISE THEM.

>> IT GOES BACK TO THIS WILL NOT BE A HARD LIFT FOR ANYBODY.

IN FACT I BELIEVE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIEL SEAS MENTIONED AS ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF THAT LEGISLATION.

IF YOU CAN GET TWO PARTIES WORKING ON THAT, SHOULD GO PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> IT IS INTERESTING ON THE BIG TICKET ITEMS, BECAUSE WE OBSERVE WASHINGTON AND CONGRESS AND IT'S JUST -- THEY CAN'T GET ALONG ON JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

BUT HERE THEY DO A LOT TOGETHER.

IT'S A PRETTY BIG CONTRAST.

WE WILL SEE, NOT YET.

>> WHEN A SOCIAL ISSUE COMES UP I THINK WE WILL SEE THE FAULT LINES.

>> YEAH.

SPOKE TOO SOON.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> OUR PLEASURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE ON SPRING BREAK NEXT WEEK SO WE WON'T HAVE NIGHTLY SHOWS.

WE'LL RETURN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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