>> DON: TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WE'LL REPORT ON THE DEVASTATION IN SEVERAL PARTS OF ALABAMA LEFT BY THURSDAY'S TORNADOES.

AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE WERE KILLED, DOZENS HURT, AND HUNDREDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE, WHO'LL DISCUSS WHAT'S AHEAD IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THE NEW LOTTERY BILL AND WHETHER A MORE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN MIGHT STILL HAVE LIFE.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. ERIC MACKEY WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS A NEW 3-FOOT SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINE FOR ALABAMA SCHOOLS, AND THE LOOMING RESUMPTION OF IN-PERSON CLASSES AT ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT RAMPED UP VIRUS VACCINATIONS AND MEETING A MAY 1ST DEADLINE TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO ALL ADULTS.

IT'S ALL NEXT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, MANY ALABAMIANS WERE SPENDING THE WEEKEND DIGGING OUT OF A PILE OF RUBBLE LEFT BEHIND BY A RASH OF DEADLY TORNADOES ON THURSDAY.

THE STORMS CUT A WIDE SWATH FROM WEST TO EAST IN PLACES LIKE CALHOUN, SHELBY, JEFFERSON, BIBB AND CHILTON COUNTIES, DESTROYING HOMES AND BUSINESSES AND TAKING DOWN SCORES OF TREES AND POWER LINES.

>> DON: THESE SCARY SIGHTS WERE NOT UNCOMMON TO MANY ACROSS THE STATE AS PREDICTIONS OF A SPATE OF VIOLENT, LONG-TRACK TORNADOES CAME TRUE ON THURSDAY.

THE STORMS SENT AFFECTED RESIDENTS SCRAMBLING TO COMMUNITY SHELTERS OR TO SAFE ROOMS IN THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN PRAISING FORECASTERS FOR A LOT OF ADVANCE WARNING ON THE BAD WEATHER, GIVING CITIZENS AMPLE TIME TO GET TO SAFETY.

AT LEAST EIGHT TORNADOES ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE AFFECTED ALABAMA, WITH ONE STAYING ON THE GROUND FOR ABOUT A HUNDRED MILES.

>> DON: UNLIKE LAST WEEK WHEN ALABAMA ALSO SAW TORNADO DAMAGE BUT NO INJURIES, DOZENS WERE HURT IN THURSDAY'S STORMS AND AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE DIED IN THE OHATCHEE AND WELLINGTON COMMUNITIES IN CALHOUN COUNTY, THREE OF THEM MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY WHO WERE KILLED IN A MOBILE HOME.

THE RECOVERY EFFORT WILL BE MASSIVE, WHAT WITH SO MUCH DAMAGE SCATTERED ACROSS THE STATE.

ALABAMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DIRECTOR BRIAN HASTINGS SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> HUNDREDS OF HOMES THAT ARE DESTROYED OR DAMAGED, MULTIPLE INJURIES.

AND RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE JUST TRYING TO PICK UP THE PIECES, CLEAR A LOT OF DEBRIS.

SO AS PEOPLE VENTURE OUT OF THE, USE CAUTION ON ALL OF THE FOLKS.

ON BEHALF OF GOV.

IVEY, OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES AND PROPERTY AND POSSESSIONS AND THIS IS GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE GOING TO BE A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY FOR A LOT OF OUR CITIZENS.

>> DON: GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ON THURSDAY ISSUED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR 46 COUNTIES AS THE SEVERE WEATHER APPROACHED, AND OFFICIALS OPENED SHELTERS IN AND AROUND BIRMINGHAM.

FLASH FLOODS WERE ALSO A PROBLEM IN PARTS OF ALABAMA AT TIMES YESTERDAY.

STATE TROOPERS CLOSED ALL LANES OF A SECTION OF INTERSTATE 65 NEAR CULLMAN AFTER FLOODWATERS COVERED THE ROADWAY.

THE HIGHWAY WAS REOPENED LATER ON THURSDAY.

MORE THAN 35,000 CUSTOMERS WERE WITHOUT POWER IN ALABAMA IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORMS.

FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN POSTPONED A TRIP TO BIRMINGHAM AND JASPER THAT SHE HAD PLANNED FOR TODAY BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE WEATHER.

IN A STATEMENT, MRS. BIDEN SAID THAT SHE WAS THINKING OF EVERYONE IN ALABAMA AND ALL OF THOSE IMPACTED BY THE SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS THE SOUTH AND THAT HER PRAYERS WERE WITH THE GRIEVING FAMILIES.

>> DON: US SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE OF AUBURN JOINED OTHER REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TODAY AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER IN MCALLEN, TEXAS FOR A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT THE SITUATION SURROUNDING A RECENT INFLUX OF MIGRANTS SEEKING ENTRY INTO THIS COUNTRY.

TUBERVILLE AND THE DELEGATION GOT TO SEE THE POINTS OF ENTRY AND PROCESSING FACILITIES.

>> I'M EMBARRASSED.

I'M EMBARRASSED FOR THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTRY WHAT I HAVE SEEN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

IT BRINGS TEARS TO YOUR EYES TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED.

THIS SAINT A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN PROBLEM -- THIS IS AN AMERICAN PROBLEM.

FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS BORDER AND WE SHOULD HAVE.

WE FINALLY ELECTED A PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, BECAUSE HE GOT ELECTED BECAUSE HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO FIX IT AND SHE WAS TRYING TO FIX IT AND HE WAS UNELECTED.

NOW WE HAVE A GUY COME IN THAT CHANGED IT ALL.

>> DON: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY THAT HE HAS APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO LEAD EFFORTS TO STEM MIGRATION ACROSS THE U.S.-- MEXICO BORDER, AS THE ADMINISTRATION FACES GROWING POLITICAL PRESSURE TO ADDRESS A SURGE IN UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANT CHILDREN UNACCOMPANIED BY PARENTS.

>> DON: CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE THIS WEEK OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

HE WILL RUN FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR THE SEAT THAT WILL BE VACATED NEXT YEAR BY RETIRING SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY.

AT A HUNTSVILLE RALLY ON MONDAY, BROOKS DIDN'T MINCE WORDS.

>> I HAD NEVER FEARED FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE LIKE I FEAR FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE TODAY AND IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY.

WE SHOULD HAVE HOPE FOR PROMISE AND A BETTER FUTURE.

BUT, INSTEAD, LOOKING AT THE POLICIES THAT ARE EMANATING FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., THERE IS FEAR, THERE IS DEEP CONCERN.

WE HAVE TO GET US BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS, THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA AND WEAK-KNEED WINOS DON'T WASN'T WEAK REPRESENTSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT AMERICA NEEDS DURING TRYING TIMES.

[CHEERING] >> DON: CONGRESSMAN BROOKS WILL GIVE UP HIS U.S. HOUSE SEAT TO RUN FOR THE SENATE.

STEPHEN MILLER, WHO WAS A SENIOR ADVISER TO FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, STOOD WITH BROOKS IN HUNTSVILLE THIS WEEK TO ENDORSE HIM.

OPPONENTS HAVE FOR YEARS PUSHED BACK AGAINST BROOKS ON A NUMBER OF FRONTS INCLUDING, MOST RECENTLY, HIS FIERY SPEECH BEFORE THE U.S. CAPITOL UPRISING IN JANUARY, A SPEECH SOME BLAMED FOR HELPING INCITE THE VIOLENCE.

BROOKS HAS SAID HE DIDN'T SUPPORT THE UPRISING OR THE VIOLENCE.

>> DON: THE PANDEMIC HAS, IN SO MANY WAYS, AFFECTED EDUCATION POLICY IN THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AS IT HAS STATE POLICY IN GENERAL.

AS PART OF HER RECURRING SERIES ‘THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY,' CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR SAID COVID IS DRIVING MONEY TO EDUCATION.

>> THERE WILL BE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

I THINK THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY, K-12 WILL BE BUSY THIS SUMMER.

AND THE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE GOING TO PAY FOR A LOT OF THAT.

CHILDREN NEED TO CATCH IT BECAUSE THE VIRTUAL LEARNING HAS NOT BEEN AT GOOD AT THE TRADITIONAL MODEL.

>> THAT'S WHY HE WANTS TO PAUSE FOR TWO YEARS THAT RETAINS THIRD GRADERS NOT READING AT GRADE LEVEL.

>> SENATOR TOLD MINUTE HAS SAID HOW TO YOU EXPECT A FIRST GRADER TO SLIP BACK ON A COMPUTER AND NOT HAVE ONE ON ONE TRAINING ON READING AND LEARN HOW TO READ?

WE'RE IN THE YEAR WE'RE GETTING READY TO TEST THESE WE HAVE INSTRUCTORS THAT HAVE NOT WITHIN ABLE TO GET INSTRUCTIONS BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

AND NOW, BECAUSE WE PASSED LAWS AND ARE SAYING WE'RE GETTING READY TO FOLLOW UP AN GENERAL GENERATION.

>> HE IS PUSHING FOR MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING WHICH HAS SUPPORT.

>> I WANT TO TELL YOU THANK YOU.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.

AND COVID HAS PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THESE KIDS.

I HAD A 15-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN THAT LIVED BESIDE ME COMMITTED SUICIDE.

>> LAWMAKERS SAY COVID IS EXPECTED TO CAUSE WORK PROHIBITED DISABILITIES IN YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> WHEN THEY REACH OUT TO BE ON THEIR OWN, AND THEY CANNOT BE ON THEIR PARENT'S INSURANCE, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO ARGUE GOING TO DO FOR THEM?

THE LEGISLATURE RETURNS NEXT WEEK AFTER A SPRING BREAK.

THE BUDGETS, MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND A NEW LOTTERY BILL WILL BE AMONG HIGHLIGHTS FOR LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER IN THE SECOND HALF OF THEIR SESSION.

AND TWO HIGH-PROFILE BILLS THAT MADE IT OUT OF THE HOUSE BEFORE SPRING BREAK WILL BE MOVING TO THE SENATE.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> THE ALABAMA HOUSE HAS HANDLED A BIG WORKLOAD IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

BILLING, WHICH HAVE GENERATED DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ON THE FLOOR INCLUDING 391 FOR EQUALITY OF FEMALE ATHLETES IN SCHOOL SPONSORED SPORTS.

>> WHEN YOU THINK IT IS FAIR FOR THAT ATHLETE TO MAKE THAT DECISION WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE PARTICIPATING AS A TRANSGENDER WHETHER OR NOT IT'S FAIR TO THEM OR TO THE TEAM.

>> IT'S FAIR TO THEM.

THEY CAN COMPETE.

UNDER THE BILL THEY CAN COMPETE.

>> BUT YOU'RE TELLING THEM HOW THEY CAN COMPETE.

>> I'M NOT.

WHATEVER IS ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

SO IF THEY'RE MALES THEY'RE MALES.

IF THEY'RE FEMALES THEY'RE FEMALES.

>> AND HOUSE BILL 44 5 WHICH CALLS FOR RULES AGAINST ALABAMA RIGHTS IN ALABAMA CITIES.

>> YOU HAVE PEACEFUL PROTESTERS AND YOU HAVE HAD PEOPLE COME INTO TOWN AND HIJACK THAT CAUSE.

WHEN THEY PLANT DEVISES ZEROS TO KILL AND BURDEN OF PROOF DOWN A CITY, THAT ENDS.

THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT THIS BILL.

>> DR. KING SAID SOMETHING ABOUT RIOTS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO UPHOLD LAWS.

PEOPLE ARE SEEKING JUSTICE AND.

WE DON'T NEED THIS LAW.

WE NEED A SYSTEM OF JUSTICE THAT APPLIES IT FAIRLY TO EVERYTHING.

>> BOTH BILLS PASSED THE HOUSE AND HEAD TO THE SENATE FOR DEBATE AND ACTION.

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

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ANY TIME, AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE, APT.ORG .

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, ALABAMA SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, DR. ERIK MACKEY IS BACK WITH US.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> THE CDC SIDELINES STUDENTS CAN SIT TREE FEET APART INSTEAD OF 6 FEET APART.

ARE WE READY TO RUPP WITH THIS?

>> IT HELPS US IN A LOT OF WAYS.

WE DOING THAT THE.

THE GUIDANCE HAS BEEN 6 FEET WHEN PRACTICAL.

IN MANY CASES STUDENTS DIDN'T FIND IT PRACTICAL.

BUT IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT CDC HAS FOLLOWED UP.

THE RESEARCH SHOWS IF THEY WERE DOING THREE FEET THEY WERE DOING WHAT IS RIGHT ALL ALONG.

WE WILL BE DOING THREE FEET WITH THE MASK.

AND AFTER APRIL NINTH SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL BE DECIDING THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE ARE YOU HEARING POSITIVE REMARKS ABOUT THE CHANGE?

>> MOST OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED FOR SPRING BREAK WHICH GIVES THEM TIME TO TRANSITION.

I THINK THEY'RE ALL VERY PLEASED.

WHAT THEY'RE BLESSED WITH IS THAT CDC HAS COME BACK AND SAID STUDENTS CAN BE CLOSER AND IT'S STILL SAFE.

WE WILL BE DEALING WITH THE QUARANTINE ISSUE.

AND EVERYONE RESEARCH REMEMBERS IT'S STILL 15 FEET FOR QUARANTINE RULES BUTTER WE'RE WORK THROUGH THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MESSAGING IS OUT THERE POUR PARENTS.

>> WHAT I HAVE THEY GET TO A POINT WHERE THERE'S A VAC NATION FOR CHILDREN TO TAKE.

WHAT IF IT'S MANDATORY?

IS IT TOO SOON TO GO THERE.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE MANDATORY.

THOSE ARE PUBLIC HEALTH RULES THAT WOULD BE INSTITUTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF METHOD.

DR. HARRIS AND I HAVE TALKED THAT ABOUT THAT.

THE MANDATORY ARE LIKE DIP THEY'RE AND MEASLES THAT WERE IN PAST DECADES DEVASTATING ON THE LIVES OF CHILDREN.

WITH COVID, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A PANDEMIC AND HAS BEEN DEVASTATING ON THE LIVES OF MOST FOLKS CHILDREN HAVE NOT HAD SERIOUS CONDITIONS SO I DON'T THINK WE WOULD SEE A PUBLIC HEALTH CHANGE.

I THINK WE STREET IT LIKE THE FLU VACCINE THAT IT WOULD BE OFFERED BUT NOT REQUIRED.

WE WOULD HAVE TO SEE HOW THIS PLAYS HOW TO IN THE YEARS AND MONTHS AHEAD.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT YOUR GOAL, THE GOVERNOR'S GOAL AND THE STATE'S GOAL OF RESUMING IN-PERSON CLASSES NEXT MONTH.

NEXT MONTH IS UPON US NOW.

ARE WE MOVING FULL STEAM AHEAD IN THAT DIRECTION?

>> WE ARE.

WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE NOT OFFERING IN PERSON INSTRUCTION.

SELMA SAID MARCH 29TH WILL BE THE DATE.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY WILL START AUGUST 9TH.

AFTER MONTGOMERY, ALL WILL BE BACK IN.

AS OF THE FIRST THE WEEK THERE WAS ONE I WASN'T SURE ABOUT.

BUT THAT BEING SAID THEY WILL BE OFFERING STRAIGHT AHEAD VERSUS.

AND LIKE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, WE KNOW THAT ZERO MORE THAN HALF OF THE HAVE SAID WANT TO OFFER REMOTE BUT THOUSANDS WILL BE BACK WHO VICE PRESIDENT BEEN IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> YOU'RE READY?

>> WE ARE READY TO TAKE THAT STEP.

THE BIG KEY HAS BEEN GETTING ADULTS BACK.

A TALKED TO AN INSTRUCTOR WHO HAS 80 PERCENT OF THE FACULTY IN STAFF VACCINATED.

SO THE NUMBERS ARE LOOKING GOOD FOR US THAT MOST TEACHERS AND STAFF WHO WANT THE VACCINE HAVE HAD THE VACCINE.

SOME ARE STILL WAITING ON THE SECOND DOSE.

AND THAT INCUBATION PERIOD BEFORE THEY'RE FULLY IMMUNE BUT WE SHOULD BE SOON BE FULLY STAFFED UP AND READY TO GO.

>> WE RECENTLY LEARNED ALABAMA SCHOOLS WILL GET ABOUT $2 BILLION FROM THE NEW COVID RELIEF PACKAGE SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

YOU'RE SAYING THAT COULD BE TRANSFORMATIONAL TO US.

HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW WANT TO CAN USE THAT MONEY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

THE FIRST ROUND OF MONEY, WE GOT $216 MILLION IN THE STATE.

THIS IS $2 BILLION.

WE GOT ANOTHER ROUND THAT WAS $899 MILLION THAT WAS COMING IN BECAUSE THAT WAS APPROVED THIS DECEMBER.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN BUT IT CAN BE TRANSFORMATION AL.

THE THIRD ROUND CAN BE SPEND ON CAREER TECH OR SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS.

SO WE THINK ABOUT THINGS FOR CHILDREN WITH ALL., SENSORY ROOM, THERE'S A SPECIAL GUEST ROOM BUILT TO HELP THOSE CHILDREN DEAL WITH THE ISSUES THEY HAVE, AND SPECIAL IF THEY GET AGITATED.

THEY COST TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

ALL PRINCIPLES WANT THEM.

THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THINGS PRINCIPLES WANTED FOR A LONG TIME AND THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE NOW TO INVEST NOT JUST FOR THE SHORT-TERM PUT TO INVEST FOR THINGS THAT WILL BE USED.

AND THE MONEY WILL BE USED FORE AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

>> SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WHO CHAIRS THE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE, THEY PASSED THE EDUCATION BUDGET AND SEND IT TO THE HOUSE.

AND HE SAID THIS YEAR FELT LIKE THEY NEEDED TO BE MORE TARGETED BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL MONEY AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE GOING WHERE IT WOULD BESTING SERVED.

>> LIKE IN SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS.

WE FUND EVERY YEAR TWO SUMMER READING PROGRAMS FOR THIRD GREAT AND UNDER AND THEY'RE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

NOW, FEDERAL MONEY COMES IN TO ADD TO THOSE MATH AND STEM AND EXPAND THEM THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, SO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS BRAID OUR STATE FUNDS TO HELP US BUILD ROBUST PROGRAMS TORE THESE SUMMERS.

AFTER THREE NURSING HOMES WE RECOGNIZE THE FEDERAL MONEY GOES AWAY AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FUNDING CLIFF.

SO WE WANT TO INVEST THE MONEY AND USE IT WISELY BUT WE CAN'T SET UP BIG EXPENSIVE PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN'T SUSTAIN FOUR YEARS FROM NOW.

>> WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR NOT HAVING THAT FEDERAL MONEY.

>> THAT'S WHY ONE TERM PURCHASES, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS LIKE TEACHERS FOR AN EXTRA MONTH TO HIRE WORK AFTER SCHOOL AND EXPENSES THAT YOU'RE NOT COMMITTING TO FOREVER.

>> THE EDUCATION BUDGET HAD 2 PERCENT COST OF LIVING INCREASES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

AT LEAST A 2 PERCENT APPROXIMATE STEP RAISE FOR TEACHERS AND FUNDING FOR HIRING MORE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

>> WE'RE PROUD OF THAT.

WE KNOW THAT STATEWIDE, BETWEEN A QUARTER AND A THIRD OF OUR CLASSROOMS THAT ARE MATH AND SCIENCE CLASSROOMS DON'T HAVE THOUGHTFULLY PROPERLY SCIENCE AND MATH TEACHER.

AND WE HAVE SCHOOLS WHERE THEY CANNOT GET ANY APPLICANTS FOR MATH TEACHES THAT HAVE A MATH CREDENTIAL.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BOLSTER THAT NUMBER AND GET MORE PEOPLE APPLYING FOR THOSE JOBS AND TO HELP THEM GET NATIONAL CERTIFICATION.

TO THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEEM A NATIONAL CERTIFICATION THROUGH NATIONAL STEM OR BOARD CERTIFICATION.

THIS IS A BOLD IDEA.

MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS IN ALABAMA COULD MAKE AS MUCH AS 90 OAR $95,000 AT THE END OF THEIR CAREER AND THAT HE WOULD BE THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE IN MATH AND SCIENCE CLASSES BUT NOT ALL ARE CREDENTIALED.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND THE INSPIRATION, THE MOTIVATION FOR GETTING THE PROCEDURE CREDENTIALS WOULD COME IN THE SALARY PERKS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND SOME OF THE FOLKS IN THE CLASSROOM NOW WOULD THEN STAY AND SAY, WELL, I MAY BE HERE ON A TEMPORARY EMERGENCY CERTIFICATE SO THIS IS A DEAL THAT I WANT TO TAKE, IF I HAVE TO SEEK NATIONAL CERTIFICATION OR WHATEVER, I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO STAY IN THIS CERTIFICATION.

WE HAVE PEOPLE -- WE HAVE A TEACHER SHORTAGE BUT WE HAVE SOME SHORTAGES AND PEOPLE WILL SAY I WILL COME BACK AND TAKE THE MATH SCIENCE PRAXIS TEST AND COME BACK AND BE A TEACHER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD IS BACK WITH US.

SENATOR, YOU GO BACK TO WORK ON TUESDAY TO KICK OFF THE SECOND HALF OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LET'S TAKE ABOUT ANY PRIORITIES THAT THE CAUCUS MIGHT HAVE AS WE MOVE INTO THE SECOND HALF.

>> YOU BET.

WELL.

>> WE WANT TO -- AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, WE STILL CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE ANY BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO ASSIST WITH THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, SO THOSE ARE BY TO CONTINUE TO BE PRIORITY BILLS.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE AND ALSO LOOK ACTION AT LEGISLATION, DIFFERENT WILLS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT ARE BATTLE SECURITY MEASURES OR ARE BEEFED UP.

WE ALREADY HAVE GOOD BALANCE ROT SECURITY MEASURES BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE'S VOTES ARE PROTECTED AND PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE VOTING PROCESS.

I HAVE HEARD, FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AND I HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF COLLEAGUES THEIR CONSTITUENTS ARE CONCERNED OF ANY VOTING IRREGULAR LATER THAT WE HAVE SEEN AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN TOO MANY OF THOSE IN ALABAMA, BUT WE HAVE SEAM SEEN SOME SASS THE SECOND OF STATE HAS TOLD US, JOHN MERRILL.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING OUR PART, OS ANOTHER LEGISLATORS ARE DOING.

SO YOU WILL SEE THOSE.

THEN THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET WILL BE ON DECK.

SENATOR ALBRITTON WHICH YOU HAD HAVE ON THIS SHOW IS BORG TIRELESSLY.

THAT BILL HAS PASSED THE HOUSE AND WILL COME TO THE SENATE.

WE HAVE THE FEDERAL MONEY AND HOW THAT IS GOING TO INTERACT WITH THE GENERAL FUND SO WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND STATE DOLLARS WHERE WE CAN SPEND FEDERAL DOLLARS SO SENATOR ALBRITTON AND OTHERS ARE PUTTING THAT TOGETHER SO WE PASS AS MUCH AS WE CAN ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE.

>> WE REACHED THE HALFWAY POINT BEFORE THE SPRING BREAK AND BOTH BUDGETS WERE OUT OF THE HOUSE OF ORIGINS.

YOU DON'T SEE THAT EVERY YEAR.

>> THAT WAS A PRIORITY THAT WE SET FORTH TO DO WAS GETTING BUDGETS MOVING AND OUT OF THE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE MEMBERS WHO MAY BE GETTING SICK.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE IN THAT AREA, THAT VERY FEW HAVE, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S GOING TO SHOW THE CASE.

BUT I'M VERY PROUD THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVE SO MANY OF THE FEELS THAT WE SET FORTH WITH THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THIS ISN'T YOUR FIRST RODEO AND YOU KNOW THAT MANY GOALS SET FORTH BY BOTH BODIES NEVER REALLY PAN OUT OAR AT LEAST A LOT OF THEM DON'T.

BUT I DO THINK THAT RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE THAT MOST OF THE GOALS THAT WE STARTED WITH WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE AND I'M VERY FRAUD OF THAT AND I KNOW SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP IS AS WELT.

>> GIVEN THAT WE'RE AHEAD WHERE THE BUDGET IS CONCERNED AND THAT'S THE TWO BIGGEST THINGS THAT YOU NEED, WILL THE LEGISLATURE GO THE FULL 30 DAYS?

TOO EARLY TO TELL.

>> I THINK WE DEFINITELY WILL.

THERE'S A BETTER CHANCE THAN NOT THAT WE GO THE 30 DAYS.

I THINK THE PUBLIC EXPECTS US TO GET THE JOB DONE.

IF WE GET THE JOB DONE EARLY, WE VERY WELL COULD CUT IT SHORT.

BUT WE WANT TO BE THOROUGH.

A LOT OF BILLS WERE HELD OVER FROM LAST YOUR DUE TO COVID.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF BILLS THAT ARE PRIORITIES TO MEMBERS, BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE, SO I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO WANT TO BE THOROUGH AND MAKE SURE THAT IS A LEGISLATION GETS ITS DUE.

>> YOU MENTION DIZZY EARLY ON THAT VOTING BILLS WILL BE ONE OF THE PRIORITIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SESSION.

THEY HAVE ALREADY STARTED MOVING.

THERE'S BEEN PUSH BACK FROM DEMOCRATS SAYING THAT WHAT IS ON THE TABLE DOESN'T DO MUCH TO MAKE VOTING EASIER.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE FOLKS?

>> I DISAGREE.

I THINK THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS A WOOD AND SAYING DAY CARE THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS HE WANTS TO MAKE VOTING HARDER TO CHEAT.

THAT'S THE SAME THING WE WANT TO DO.

FOR INSTANCE ONE OF THE PILLS THAT I HAVE, IT'S ALREADY ILLEGAL TO VOTE TWICE IN ALABAMA, WHETHER YOU'RE REPUBLICAN OR DRAFTED, YOU AGREE THAT ONE PERSON SHOULD GET ONE VOTE.

SO WHAT MYRRH BILL DOES IS SAYS, IF YOU VOTE IN ALABAMA, YOU CAN'T VOTE IN ANOTHER STATE FOR THE SAME ELECTION.

THAT'S ILLEGAL.

THAT'S -- BILLS LIKE THAT I'M NOT SURE HOW WE CAN DISAGREE ON THAT AND HOW THAT LIMITS PEOPLE'S ABILITY OR RIGHT TO VOTE.

YOU KNOW, IN MY OPINION, THAT HE HELPS PEOPLE TO FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN THE PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, VOTER SUPPRESSION, FLIPPED, COULD BE SIMPLY THAT PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE IN THE PROCESS ANYMORE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE BELIEVE IN THE PROCESS THAT WHEN THEY CAST THEIR BALLOT,EN?

IT'S GOING TO BE COULD YOU WANTED ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE,A AS FAIR LIVE AND EQUITABLY, AND THAT TO ME IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

>> THE HOUSES BEFORE SPRING BREAK APPROVED A PILL TO CURB -- TO AVOID CURBSIDE VOTING.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> I DON'T THINK THAT MAKES IT HARDER TO VOTE.

I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE PROCESS.

HOPEFULLY WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE IN ANOTHER PANDEMIC AGAIN FOR A LONG TIME AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT WAYS TO MAKE SURE IF WE ARE THERE WE CAN TO IT BETTER.

BUT, NO, I DON'T THINK THAT ANY OF THESE BILLS WILL HAMPER OR LESSON PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO VOTE.

>> THE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE SESSION THE HOUSE PUSHED OUT BILLS WITH MEDICAL MARION AND TRAPEZE GENDER YOUTH -- HOW CAN YOU FEEL ABOUT THOSE?

>> I.

>> I VOTED AGAINST THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL MARIONLY.

AS LONG AS IT'S A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH THAT.

THERE COULD BE IMPLICATIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAVELING AND ET CETERA.

EVEN DOWN TO WORKERS' COMP AND THINGS LIKE THAT I'M NERVOUS ABOUT.

SO I THINK THAT DISPARITY COULD CREATE SOME ISSUES MOVING FORWARD.

I WILL SAY SENATOR MELSON DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB ON THE BILL.

HE WORKED SO HARD AS THAT, YOU KNOW VERY WELL, AND TRIED TO GET INPUT.

AND HE SEE KEPT COMING BACK TO ME AND ASKING ME WHAT I NEEDED.

AND I SAID THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO GET ME THERE.

AND SPEAKING WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL MARSHAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, I COULDN'T MOVE ON MY PERSONAL DECISION.

THE TRANSGENDER, THAT WAS A VERY CONTROVERSIAL -- I ULTIMATELY SUPPORTED THAT.

WE JUST HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN'S LIVES, THAT THEY'RE PROTECTED AND SOMETHING DIDN'T FORCED ON THEM UNTIL THEY'RE OLD ENOUGH TO MAKE A DECISION ON THEIR EVEN.

>> YOU WERE A NO VOTE ON THE GAMBLING, THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN A KIM OF WEEKS AGO.

IT SEEMS TO BE TAKING ON NEW LIFE.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR MIND?

>> NOT ON THE GAMING ON THE CASINO ASPECT OF IT.

I SUPPORT VOTING ON A LOTTERY.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS TO VOTED ALONE.

THAT'S WHAT I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS MORE THAN ANYTHING.

THEY WANT TO VOTE ON A LOTTERY.

I JUST THINK THAT JUMPING INTO IT ALL AT ONES COULD CREATE SOME ISSUES FOR US.

I WOULD RAZOR APPROACH THIS IN MODERATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY COULD CHANGE OUR STATE.

AND I THINK THAT ALTHOUGH SENATOR MARSH HAS DONE A TASK JOB TRYING TO DO EVERYONE TOGETHER AND EVERYONE'S INPUT ON IT I THINK WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF SLOW ROLLING THIS A LOTTERY MORE.

>> DO YOU THINK A BILL COULD MAKE IT TO FINAL PASSAGE.

>> I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE ITS DAY.

I SHOULD BE VOTED ON BY THE SENATE.

GIVE OUR SENATORS AN OPTION TO PASS A SIMPLE LOTTERY AND ALLOW THAT TO GO TO THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR AND THEN ULTIMATELY A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

>> CLAY SCOFIELD, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> YOU WORK.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, SENATOR GREG ABBOT IS BACK WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> ALWAYS NICE SO SEE YOU.

>> I HEAR THAT A LOT.

>> I MEAN IT.

YOU COME BACK TO WORK FROM SPRING BREAK AND THE GAMBLING ISSUE DOMINATES THE CONVERSATION IN THE HALL WAYS AT THE STATEHOUSE.

BEFORE THE BREAK WE SAW A LOTTERY ONLY BILL GET OUT OF COMMITTEE AND WE HEARD MAYBE THE MORE COMPREHENSION OF I HAVE ISSUE MAY NOT BE DEAD YOU.

YOU WERE A VOTE ON THE BILL SPONSORED BY DEL MARSH IN ANNISTON.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL THAT THIS ISSUE MAY NOT BE DEAD?

>> I'M NOT JUST HOPEFUL, DON.

I AM DETERMINED THAT WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING/GAMBLING BILL.

ALABAMA HAS TO TAKE CHARGE OF THIS INDUSTRY.

THAT'S THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE.

>> WHEN DID YOU SAY TAKE CHARGE, YOU'RE REFERRING TO THE EXISTENCE OF POARCH CREEK INDIAN AND WE MAY NEED TO BRING THAT UNDER ONE UMBRELLA?

>> NOT JUST PCI, BUT THE GAMING FACILITIES THAT WE SAW GATHERED THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

19 LOCAL CAS THAT AUTHORS 18 OR 19 DIFFERENT CITES IN ALABAMA THAT CONDUCT CASINO STYLE GAMING.

>> CAS ARE LOCAL CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENTS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE'S CONFUSION BECAUSE THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT SAID THESE ARE ILLEGAL BUT THERE'S NO ENFORCEMENTS.

THIS WOULD GIVE THE STATE THE ALREADY RIGHT AND THE AUTHORITY GIVEN THROUGH THE LOCAL CA ALES, THE CONTROLLING ASPECT OF THE INDUSTRIAL OVER EVERYTHING THAT IS EXISTING AND POSSIBLY MAY EXIST.

>> SENATOR, IN VOTING YES FOR THIS, IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT THAT THE PCI HAVE A FACILITY IN YOUR DISTRICT.

TEMPERATURE A COUPLE OF OTHERS AROUND THE STATE.

ONE NO MONTGOMERY.

ONE IN WETUMPKA AND, UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, TO BUILD ANOTHER IN NORTH ALABAMA.

THE QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED WOULD THE POARCH CREEK INDIANS HAVE A MONOPOLY UNDER THIS?

>> IF THERE'S ANYTHING THIS BILL WOULD NOT DO AND THAT IS CREATE A MONOPOLY, AND IT DOES NOT CREATE A MONOPOLY.

IT'S AN OPEN MARKET ASPECT CONTROLLED BY THE STATE.

>> NOW, THERE WERE AMENDMENTS TO THIS ON THE SENATE FLOOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

IT ADDED A CASINO FACILITY IN DOTHAN AND LOWNDES COUNTY.

>> AND THE ONE THIS LOWNDES COUNTY IS EXISTING ALREADY.

>> BUT THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED UNDER THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BE DESIGNATED AS WIN OF THE CASINOS THAT WOULD BE ALLOWED.

>> CORRECT.

>> HAS THE TIME PASSED?

IS IT OVERDUE FOR BIRMINGHAM TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

NOT ONLY THAT YOU SAID THAT WE NEED TO GET CONTROL OF THIS BUT WE'RE SURROUNDED NOW BY OUR STATES THAT ALLOW SIMILAR THINGS.

>> ALABAMA HAS TO -- THE GOVERNMENT, THE STATE AUTHORITY, MUST GAIN CONTROL OF THE INDUSTRY TO CONTROL WHAT ACTIVITIES GO ON IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AS WE MENTIONED SEVERAL CITES, 18 OR 19 OR WHATEVER, THAT WE KNOW ABOUT.

RECENTLY WE WITH THE CONFISCATION OF THE 21 ARMED BANDITS IN HUNTSVILLE.

THAT'S NOT AN IDENTIFIED SITE.

THAT'S NOT A LEGAL SITE.

THEY WERE FOUND.

I BET THERE'S A LOT MORE OF THOSE OUT THERE THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

ALABAMA HAS TO GET CONTROL OF THIS.

WE HAVE TO GET CONTROL OF WHO IS DOING WHAT.

RIGHT NOW, EVEN YOUR CELL PHONE AND YOUR COMPUTER CAN BE A SLOT MACHINE OR AN ACCESS TO A POKER GAME OR WHATEVER.

THAT'S NOT CONTROLLED BY THE STATE AT ALL EITHER.

ALABAMA NEEDS TO CONTROL THE GAMING IN ALABAMA.

THAT'S IT.

THAT IS THE PRIMARY ASPECT OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

THE LOTTERY CAN BE A PART OF THAT.

WE CAN ALSO PUT PA FROM TO ENTIRE P PCI TO DO ENTER A COME PACKET WITH THE STATE SO WE GET A PORTION OF THAT REVENUE.

WE CAN DO ALL OF THAT AND WITH IT.

BUT THE CRUX IS THAT ALABAMA NEEDS TO CONTROL THIS INDUSTRY AND WE NEED TO LEGALLY CONTROL IT.

WE NEED TO CAP IT.

SENATOR MARSH'S BILL WAS REFERRED TO AS A GAMING EXPANSION.

IN ACTUALITY, THAT BILL WITH THE ADDITIONS WERE GOING TO RESTRICT AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FACILITIES OUT THERE.

THAT'S CONDUCTING THESE ACTIVITIES.

EVEN WITH THE NORTHEAST SITE THAT IS BEING DISCUSSED.

THAT WOULD STILL BE A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF SITES THAT'S PRESENT.

IT WOULD REDUCE THE ASPECT THAT ANYONE COULD PICK UP THE ONLINE GAMING WITHOUT CONTROL OF THE STATE.

SO THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO GO IS TO CONTROL THIS, CAP THE AND GROWTH OF IT, AND TAX THE DEVIL OUCH IT.

>> LET'S SPEND THE LAST FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

YOU'RE CHAIRMAN OF BUDGET COMMITTEE FUND IN THE SENATE AND THERE'S A LOT OF NEW TALK ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> THERE'S A BIG PUSH ON THAT.

>> GIVEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S REOPEN TO STATES THAT DIDN'T EXPAND THEIR MEDICAID PROGRAM THEY'RE GIVING THE INCENTIVES TO DO SO BACK AGAIN BUT ULTIMATE COST AFTER ONE OR TWO OR THREE YEARS HAVE PASSED IS STILL THE ISSUE.

IS THAT PART OF THE ISSUE FOR YOU?

>> THAT IS PART OF THE ISSUE, EVEN WITH THE MONEY THE FEDS ARE TELLING US THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE US, THAT'S STILL GOING TO REQUIRE A HUGE SUM OF MONEY FROM THE STATE.

IT'S GOING TO COST US BY 300,000 PEOPLE -- I'M UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT NUMBER B.

-- BUT TAKING THAT NUMBER AT FACE VALUE THAT'S GOING TO COST THE STATE FROM THE GENERAL FUND AS WE HAVE IT NOW CLOSE TO $300 MILLION.

NOW, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE.

THERE'S NO ROOM IN THE BUDGET FOR THAT MONEY.

YET WE'RE SUPPOSED TO PAY THAT TO DRAW DOWN HUGE SUMS FROM THE FED.

THE HOW LONG SUMS FROM THE FED COMES FROM THE FEDERAL FOLKS AND DON'T HELP PRISONS OR SCHOOLS OR ANYTHING ELSE.

WE STILL HAVE TO PAY THAT $300 MILLION.

AND THEN AFTER TWO YEARS, THAT 300 MILLION GETS BUMPED UP TO AN UNKNOWN NUMBER SO WE HAVE NO CONTROL AND THE ONLY THING WE KNOW IS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY A WHOLE LOT MORE MONEY.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM AND WHAT I FEEL ABOUT THE SYSTEM.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IN ALABAMA AN ANSWER ON THIS.

BY THAT I MEAN I'M ZERO TRYING TO FIND A PATH WHERE THOSE 300,000 OR ANYONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE CAN PICTURE A BARE BONES BASIC INSURANCE PLAN.

IF THE STATE NEEDS TO SUBSIDIZE IT WE COULD WORK OUT SOMETHING.

AND I MEAN NOT IN DISCUSSIONS BUT IN MONEY.

RIGHT NOW UNDER MEDICAID WE'RE PAYING APPROXIMATELY -- THESE ARE ROUGH ESTIMATES -- ABOUT $860 PER YEAR, WHICH IS A LOW SUM, PER PERSON.

THAT'S WHERE I GOT THE $300 MILLION OR THE 300,000.

BUT ANYWAY THAT'S AN APPROXIMATELY WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE THERE.

SO IF WE WERE TO TAKE IN A BARE BONES BASIC POLICIES IT'S GOING TO COST $1,500 A YEAR.

IF WE SUBSIDE THAT AND HAVE THE INDIVIDUAL PICK UP COSTS WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO GETTING A WORKABLE PRODUCT MAYBE.

MEDICAID COSTS WITH FEDERAL AND STATE MONEY, $7,000 PER YEAR PER PERSON.

WE HAVE TO FIND A BETTER ANSWER.

>> THE PROPONENTS OF MEDICAID EXPANSION HAVE LONG PROMOTED THE FACT THEY FEEL IT WOULD HAVE A LONG-TERM EFFECT ON OUR ECONOMY IN THE STATE AND THAT WOULD HELP PAY FOR THE LONG-TERM COSTS.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT CONTENTION.

>> WHAT WAS MARK TWAIN SAID ABOUT STATISTICS?

YOU CAN LOOK AT NUMBERS IN ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT WAYS AND I'M SURE THEY HAVE SOME TYPE OF FORMULA TO LAY THAT IN A WAY THAT WOULD BENEFIT US.

WHEN WE EXPAND THAT IS GOING ZERO COST THE TAXPAYERS OF ALABAMA $300 MILLION MORE.

I DON'T HAVE -- WELL, THAT'S THE CONCERN I HAVE.

>> AND YOU THINK THIS IDEA OF SUBSIDIZING HEALTH CARE WITH THE RECIPIENTS CHIPPING IN SOME AND THE STATE THE REST IS MUCH MORE DOABLE THAN A BROADER EXPANSE OF EXPANSION.

>> YOU RUN FROM $700,000 TO PHONE HUNDRED, I THINK THAT IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

NUMBERS MAY BE A LITTLE BIT ROUGH.

BUT IF YOU TAKE THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE, I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT IS WELL WITHIN THE BALLPARK.

>> HAVE YOU FLOATED THIS SUBSIDIZED GRADY AT ALL?

HAS THERE BEEN ANY RESPONSE?

>> I TALKED TO ANYONE THAT WOULD LISTEN SASS TO FINDING A PATH THAT WE WOULD DO BETTER THAN WE'RE DOING.

>> BECAUSE YOU AGREE THAT WE DO NEED TO DO BETTER.

>> WE DO NEED TO HAVE A MEANS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE COVERAGE, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO GO TO THE DOCTOR.

WE CAN'T COVER EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING SHOULDN'T BE COVERED.

BUT WE SHOULD HAVE AN ASSURANCE OF SAFETY THERE.

AND THERE'S A PATH.

WE JUST HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE BEATEN PATH AND FIND A DIFFERENT ONE.

>> DO YOU THINK THIS MIGHT BE THE YEAR?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

LEGISLATION AND THE GOVERNMENT WORKS VERY, VERY SLOWLY.

>> BUT AT LEAST THE CONVERSATION HAS STARTED A KNEW; RIGHT?

>> FRANKLY, WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS FOR SOME TIME.

THIS ISN'T A NEW DISCUSSION.

IT'S BEEN A MATTER OF CONCERN SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE.

>> SENATOR GREG ABBOT OF ATMORE, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FINALLY, OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO ALL OF THOSE AFFECTED BID DEADLY STORMS ON THURSDAY.

SOME PEOPLE SUFFERED IN TERMS OF DAMAGE AND DEATH.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT AFFECTED OUR VACCINATION EFFORTS.

A NUMBER OF YOUR CLINICS THAT WITH HER SCHEDULED AROUND THE STATE ON THURSDAY HAD TO BE RESCHEDULED; RIGHT?

>> THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HAD BAD WEATHER SINCE THE VACCINE PROGRAM BEGAN.

WE HAD -- JUST A WEEK AGO THERE WERE TORNADOES IN THE STATE AND WE HAD TORNADOES CLOSE.

THERE WAS THE ARCTIC STORM IN FEBRUARY.

SO.

WE'RE USED TO CALLING AND RESCHEDULE PEOPLE.

ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE SCHEDULED TO GET A VACCINE THIS WEEK WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN A TIMELY WAY.

IN CAL HALLOWEEN AND SHELBY COUNTY WE'RE RESPONDING IN PROVIDING THE SERVICES THAT WE NORMALLY PROVIDE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF BALLS IN THE SHARE BOUGHT THEY HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED SOON.

>> WHAT ROLE DOES THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS PLAY IN INSTANCES LIKE WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW WITH THE AFTERMATH OF VIOLENT TORNADOES?

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS.

WHEN YOU HAVE AREAS WITHOUT POWER, COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, AND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTORS HAVE TO GO IN AND MAKE SURE THAT FOOD IS SAFE TO SERVE AGAIN AND PEOPLE CAN EAT IN THAT ESTABLISHMENT.

WE HAVE TETANUS TEAMS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT GO OUT AND WORK WITH PEOPLE RECOVERING TREES AND SO ON AND AT THE TIME THUS SHOTS.

SO WE'RE JUST PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

ALL OF THE COUNTIES ARE PEOPLE THAT WORK WELL WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS INCLUDING EMA AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> WHERE VACCINE STORAGE IS CONCERNED, ARE MOST OF THE PLACES WHERE THE VACCINE HAS TO BE AT COLD TEMPERATURES, DO THEY HAVE THAT BACKUP GENERATORS?

>> THERE ARE SOME THAT DON'T.

WE HAVE WELL,-TRIED PLANS ON WHAT TO DO BECAUSE WE HAVE STORMS EVERY YEAR.

TORNADO SEASON IS COMMON.

SO WE HAVE STAFF THAT KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO THAT IF THERE'S A POWER OUTAGE AND NOT A BACKUP GENERATOR, THEY WORK WITH THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND WE HAVE TEAMS THAT RESPOND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND PICK UPPER THE VACCINE.

>> HOW ARE WE DOINGS WITH GETTING SHOTS IN ARMS?

>> VERY WELL.

WE'RE PAST 1.5 MILLION SHOTS THIS WEEK.

THAT REPRESENTS RIGHT AT A MILLION PEOPLE TOTAL.

WE HAVE GIVEN AROUND 600,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE COMPLETELY AND FULLY VACCINATED.

WE'RE PUSHING OUT VACCINE TO VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE PROVIDERS THAT WANT IT.

WE HAVE PROVIDES THAT HAVE INDICATED THEY'RE INTERESTED IN PROVIDING VAC NATIONS AND THERE ARE CLOSE TO 800 OF THOSE THAT ARE VERIFIED AND HAVE FREEZER CAPACITY.

BY NEXT WEEK THOSE FULLY ENROLLED SHOULD HAVE VACCINE OR ALREADY HAVE HAD VACCINE.

WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SUPPLY 800 PEOPLE NEXT WEEK BUT COUNTING THE ONE SIDE THAT HAVE NOT SEEN IT THEY WILL HAVE SEEN VACCINE BY NEXT WEEK SO WE THINK THE NUMBERS WILL INCREASE.

AS WE HAVE SAID BEFORE, IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE WILL HAVE THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE AND WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF VACCINE AND WE WILL THROUGH TO FIND PEOPLE TO STAY IT.

>> THE DEMAND IS HIGH NOW.

AND GETTING AN APPOINTMENT FOR A SHOT THE CHALLENGING.

IN A MONTH THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE.

>> EARLIER THIS WEEK WE EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY TO THE 1C GROUP AND CAN ALL ADULTS OVER 55 INCLUDING ADULTS OF ANY AGE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS AND NUMBER OF OTHER PROFESSIONS THAT DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ELIGIBLE AND THAT CREATES A GOOD BIT OF DEMAND.

YET NATIONALLY WE'RE SEEING STATES ARE BEGINNING TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY AND THAT IS BECAUSE VACCINE IS ACCUMULATING.

THEY'RE MAKING IT AND GETTING IT OUT.

WE DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH VACCINE ON HAND IN ALABAMA BUT WE DO HAVE A LITTLE BIT AND THAT'S WHY WE STARTED THIS WEEK WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD AND WE WILL BE STARTING WITH MORE FLEX WEEK.

SO I THINK THE SHORTAGE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE WITH US FOR LONG.

>> FOR AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SHOTS IN ARMS.

I GOT MY FIRST SHOT THIS WEEK.

I STARTED WITH THE NEW CLASS ON MONDAY.

GLAD TO HAVE THAT BALL ROLLING.

BUT THERE'S A GOAL FOR EVERY ADULT IN THE U.S. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SHOT STARTING MAY 1.

IS ALABAMA GOING TO BE READY TO MEET THAT GOAL?

>> I THINK WE WILL BE READY TO HAVE VACCINE IN ALL PARTS OF THE STATE AND HAVE IT AVAILABLE.

THE QUESTION IS, ARE PEOPLE GOING TO COME AND GET IT OR NOT.

ALABAMA HAS 4.9 MILLION PEOPLE.

WE NEED APPROXIMATELY 4 MILLION PEOPLE TON VACCINATED IF WE WERE TO GET EVERYONE THAT WE HOPE TO GET.

I DON'T THINK WE WILL GET THAT NUMBER.

ALL STATES ARE RUNNING INTO THE PROBLEM OF VACCINE HESITANCY NOW.

THERE WAS A INCARCERATION TEE BEFORE AND HARD TO SEE WHY PEOPLE COULDN'T COME IN, COULD THEY NOT FIND AN APPOINTMENT OR JUST NOT COME IN?

SO BY THE FIRST MONTH OF MAY WE WILL HAVE A PICTURE OF FOLKS NOT WILLING TO TAKE A VACCINE.

>> WE WILL POINT OUT AS WE HAVE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THIS VACCINE.

IT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE STATE IS NOT GOING TO MANDATE ANYONE BE VACCINATED.

THERE MAY BE EMPLOYERS WHO MANDATE THAT A VACCINE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN.

THERE MAY BE, FOR EXAMPLE, SCHOOLS WHO CAN'T MANDATE A VACCINE.

IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND SCHOOL YOU MAY NEED TO BE VACCINATED.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANY ALABAMA SCHOOLS THAT HAVE DONE THAT BUT I HAVE HEARD THAT DISCUSSED.

WE TRY TO GIVE PEOPLE THE BEST ADVICE OF WHAT TO DO TO STAY SAFELY.

BUT WE COULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TAKE IT.

>> IN THE MEANTIME BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SET A SPECIFIC DATE YET FOR OPENING UP ELIGIBILITY TO ALL ADULTS, PEOPLE 16 AND OLDER, WE'RE PART OF A DWINDLINGS NUMBER OF STATES THAT HAVEN'T DONE THAT YET.

BECAUSE DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WE WILL ANNOUNCE THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> WE WILL EASILY MAKE THE FIRST TARGET GATE.

ID IT WILL BE BEFORE THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN TO IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ABOUT THAT AND I THINK SOMETHING WILL BE SAID AN THAT SOON.

MOST STATES AROUND US ARE OPENING UP ELIGIBILITY FULLY.

THE FIRST FEW STATES THAT DID THAT WERE GOOD AT GETTING IT OUT.

NOW, STATES ARE OPENING UP BECAUSE THEY'RE SEEING VACCINE ACCUMULATE AND THEY SEE RESISTANCE.

AND MANY NEIGHBORS STATES HAVE DONE THAT BECAUSE OF VACCINES NOT MOVING OFF THE SHELF.

>> DR. HARRIS SOME STATES ARE SEEING AN UPTICK IN CASES.

MISSISSIPPI HAS SEEN AN UPTICK BUT ALABAMA AND OTHER THAN STATES HAVE NOT YET.

IS IT INTELLIGIBLY WE WILL SEE AN UPTICK?

>> THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT KEEPS US UP AT NIGHT.

I THINK IT'S LIKELY WE WILL SEE AN UPTICK.

WE HOPE TO GET ENOUGH VACCINES IN THE ARMS QUICKLY ENOUGH THAT IT CAN'T SUSTAINED.

THE VARIANCES NOW ARE THOSE THAT ARE EASIER TO TRANSMIT SO YOU CAN EXPECT THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO PREDOMINANT.

>> DON'T WE HAVE OVER A HUNDRED CASES OF THE VARIANT NEAR IN ALABAMA.

>> WILL THEM ALL OF THOSE ARE THE UK VARIANT WHICH IS COVERED BY THE VACCINE SO WE HAVE DON'T HAVE QUITE AS MUCH KERN ABOUT THAT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS EASIER TO SPREAD.

WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA.

THOSE ARE A LITTLE EASIER TO SPREAD.

THEY ARE COVERED BY THE VACCINE.

ALTHOUGH THEY DON'T RESPOND AS WELL TO THE TREATMENTS.

WE HAVE HAD OUR FIRST CASE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN VARIANT.

THERE'S A LOT BEING SAID ABOUT WHICH PRODUCTS WORK BEST FOR THAT ONE SO WE'RE FOALING THAT CLOSELY AND HOPE WE DON'T CONTINUE TO SEE THAT STRAIN.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

GOVERNOR IVEY THIS WEEK SET OUT NEW GUIDANCE AND SUGGESTIONS FOR SIGNAGE THAT BUSINESSES COULD PUT UP ABOUT MASKING ON THEIR PREMISES AFTER THE STATE MASKING ORDER EXPIRED.

IT SOUNDS LIKE GOVERNOR RILEY IS STILL SAYING WEAR YOUR MASK, EVEN THOUGH THE STATE MANDATE IS GOING AWAY, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE MANDATE IS GOING AWAY?

>> THE GOVERNOR ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD THAT PERFECTRY.

THERE'S NOTHING MAGICAL ANT APRIL 9.

THERE'S PLENTY TO DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD MANDATE MASKS.

BUT YOU SHOULD PREVENT DISEASE AND DEATH BY PROMOTING MASKS.

THERE ARE NUMBER OF HEALTH CARES FACILITIES THAT SAID THEY WOULD USE THEM AS WELL.

>> I WENT TO A BUSINESS THIS WEEK AND THERE WAS A MASK THAT SAID NO MASK, NO ENTRANCE.

THAT'S THEIR PREROGATIVE; RIGHT?

>> SURE.

LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE POLICIES ABOUT WHAT THEY WILL AND WON'T ALLOW.

YOU CAN'T GO IN AND EAT IN A RESTAURANT WITH NO SHIRT AND NO SHOES AND SOME BUSINESSES WILL SEE WE DON'T WANT YOU TO COME IN WITHOUT A MASK.

MAKES SENSE TO ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU BET.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT: WITH THE LEGISLATURE RESUMING ITS REGULAR SESSION, CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL RESUME A NIGHTLY BROADCAST SCHEDULE.

SO PLEASE JOIN US MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30 WHEN WE'LL HAVE A PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

AND WE'LL BE JOINED BY ALABAMA LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GREG COCHRAN AND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY OMMISSIONS OF ALABAMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SONNY BRASFIELD, WHO'LL DISCUSS THE PRESSURES OF TORNADO DAMAGE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AN INFUSION OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM THE COVID RELIEF PLAN.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CHARLOTTE MEADOWS OF MONTGOMERY WILL JOIN US TO DISCUSS HER BILL THAT WOULD ALTER THE RULES FOR SCHEDULING RUNOFF ELECTIONS IN THE STATE.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.