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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

IT WAS A BUSY DAY IN THE LEGISLATURE BOTH IN COMMITTEE AND ON THE FLOOR.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET FOR THE 25TH LEGISLATIVE DAY, MEANING THERE ARE NOW FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS REMAINING AND THE SESSION COULD CONCLUDE AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

LET'S START IN COMMITTEE, WHERE LAWMAKERS WERE LOOKING TO MOVE BILLS INTO POSITION TO PASS BEFORE THE SESSION ENDS.

THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE MET TODAY TO CONSIDER THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023.

THE COMMITTEE MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE HOUSE-PASSED VERSION, INCLUDING INCREASING THE TOTAL APPROPRIATION BY ABOUT $588 MILLION DOLLARS TO A TOTAL OF $8.2 BILLION DOLLARS.

SENATOR ARTHUR ORR, WHO CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE, ALSO INCLUDED MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR TEACHERS.

IN ADDITION TO THE FOUR PERCENT ACROSS-THE-BOARD PAY RAISE, THE NEW BUDGET WOULD CALL FOR ADDITIONAL RAISES FOR TEACHERS WITH TEN OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE RANGE OF 11% TO 21%.

THE SALARY INCREASES ARE BEING CALLED HISTORIC AND ARE MEANT TO HELP THE STATE RECRUIT AND RETAIN GOOD TEACHERS.

>> OUR CURRENT SYSTEM, WHEN IT COMES TO SALARIES, YOU HAVE A STEP RAISE EVERY 3 YEARS AS OPPOSED TO STATE EMPLOYEES, YOU GET A 2.5% STEP OR 2 STEP, FIVE PERCENT, EVERY YEAR.

OR IF I AM AN EDUCATOR I HAVE TO WAIT FOR EVERY THREE YEARS TO HIT UNLESS THE LEGISLATURE DOES SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH AN OVERALL RAISE, THAT DOESN'T BREATHE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN STAYING IN THE JOB IF YOU DON'T GET A RAISE UNTIL EVERY THIRD YEAR.

AND WHEN YOU GET ONE, USED TO, IF YOU WENT BACK SEVERAL YEARS, IT COULD BE LESS THAN 1% FOR SOME YEARS THAT YOU GOT RAISES.

BUT THEN, IT SEEMED TO ME IF WE GOT THE MONEY, LET'S GO AHEAD AND GIVE ANNUAL RAISES.

SO, THIS BILL ALLOWS A 1% RAISE EVERY YEAR.

>> THE EDUCATION BUDGET AND RELATED BILLS PASSED COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY AND WILL NOW GO TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS ONE VOTE AWAY FROM FINAL PASSAGE.

A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MET TODAY TO PRESENT A FINAL VERSION OF THE BUDGET BASED ON THE DIFFERENT VERSIONS PASSED BY THE TWO CHAMBERS.

THAT REPORT WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE AND NEEDS A FINAL VOTE IN THE HOUSE TO GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE GENERAL FUND TOTALS $2.7 BILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023, A RECORD LEVEL OF SPENDING FOR THE STATE.

A BILL RESTRICTING THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA BY PREGNANT WOMEN IS LIKELY DEAD FOR THE SESSION AFTER IT FAILED TO RECEIVE A VOTE IN COMMITTEE.

SENATE BILL 278 FROM SENATOR LARRY STUTTS WOULD REQUIRE A MEDICAL MARIJUANA SELLER TO OBTAIN A NEGATIVE PREGNANCY TEST OF ANY WOMAN OF CHILDBEARING AGE BEFORE ALLOWING THEM TO FILL A MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRESCRIPTION.

IT WOULD ALSO PROHIBIT MOTHERS WHO ARE BREASTFEEDING FROM ACQUIRING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE BILL WAS SCHEDULED TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE TODAY, BUT A LACK OF A QUORUM PREVENTED A VOTE.

>> FOR MY BACKGROUND OF PRACTICING OB-GYN, I SEE TAKING CARE OF PREGNANCIES, AND ON A FREQUENT BASIS, I COUNSEL PEOPLE STOPPING USING MARIJUANA DURING PREGNANCY.

AND I COUNSEL THEM ABOUT OTHER DRUGS, ALCOHOL, ABOUT CIGARETTES.

AND AS WE LOOKED AT THE BILL, IT'S NOW THE LAW OF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA AS MEDICAL MARIJUANA, I FELT LIKE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE PARAMETERS IN PLACE ABOUT NOT SUPPORTING PREGNANT PEOPLE LEGALLY HAVING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

>> THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE TODAY HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE WOMEN, PRIOR TO AN ABORTION, TO CALL A STATE 800 NUMBER TO FIND OUT WHAT PUBLIC RESOURCES WOULD BE AVAILABLE IF THEY DECIDED TO GIVE BIRTH INSTEAD.

HOUSE BILL 401 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHARLOTTE MEADOWS CREATES A PREGNANCY LAUNCH PROGRAM THAT WOULD BE OVERSEEN BY THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, TO LINK WOMEN WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND POSTPARTUM SUPPORT.

MEADOWS SAID IT IS INTENDED TO MAKE SURE THOSE FACED WITH DIFFICULT CHOICES KNOW WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE.

>> WHAT THE SUB SHEET DOES, SOMEWHAT TECHNICAL, BUT ACTUALLY CHANGES THE TIME-FRAME FROM 9 MONTHS TO 10 MONTHS IN THE BILL.

AND THEN FROM 18 MONTHS TO 20 MONTHS FOR THE CERTAIN THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED, THERE'S DEADLINES.

IT EXTENDS THE DEADLINES BY ONE MONTH, INSTEAD OF NINE TO 10.

AND TWO MONTHS AT THE END FOR THE WHOLE PROGRAM TO BE PUT IN PLACE.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS TO GET INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FIND OUT IF WE HAVE THE TIME TO FULLY FUND WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE.

>> NO VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE BILL.

THAT COULD HAPPEN AS SOON AS TOMORROW.

THE SENATE TOOK UP LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ABOLISH THE STATE AUDITOR AS A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE AND TRANSFER ITS DUTIES TO THE OFFICE OF STATE TREASURER.

LAWMAKERS HAVE COMPLAINED FOR YEARS THAT THE STATE AUDITOR DOESN'T DO MUCH IN THE MODERN ERA AND THAT IT'S A DUPLICATION OF STATE RESPONSIBILITY.

SENATE BILL 30 FROM SENATOR ANDREW JONES WOULD PUT THE DECISION TO VOTERS IN THE FORM OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, AND IT WOULDN'T TAKE EFFECT FOR ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS.

SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON WAS SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE PRUDENCE OF THE IDEA.

>> WHY ARE WE JUST THROWING THE CONSTITUTION OUT OF THE OFFICE?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY WE'RE THROWING IT OUT.

WE'RE CONSOLIDATING GOVERNMENT AND STREAMLINING IT.

>> YOU ARE THROWING IT OUT!

YOU WON'T HAVE THE OFFICE OF AUDITOR NO MORE.

YOU ARE THROWING IT OUT.

>> WELL, THE DUTIES WOULD BE UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE.

AS YOU WELL KNOW, THIS OFFICE INVENTORY STATE PROPERTY, MAIN FUNCTION.

ALSO, THEY ARE APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS, TRACKING STATE PROPERTY THAT'S THE MAIN POINTS.

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

>> Todd Stacy: NEXT I'M JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE PAUL LEE FROM DOTHAN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEALTH COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE, AND THE ISSUE OF TELEHEALTH IS A REALLY BIG ONE THIS SESSION.

THE BILL CAME FROM THE SENATE, PASSED YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW, IT'S IN YOUR COMMITTEE.

WALK ME THROUGH SOME OF THE TENETS OF THE BILL AND WHAT THE PRESSURE POINTS ARE.

>> RIGHT.

THERE'S BEEN SOME CONCERN FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE OF NO REGULATIONS, NO PLATFORM, NOTHING WHATSOEVER WITH TELEHEALTH.

BROADBAND HAS EXPANDED THE USE OF TELEHEALTH, WHICH IS A GREAT THING.

WE USE IT NOT ONLY FOR TELEHEALTH BUT IN THE EDUCATION WORLD.

THE PANDEMIC JUST HAS EXPANDED THAT OPPORTUNITY.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE NO RULES OR NO PLATFORM, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAN BE ABUSED.

BASICALLY, IT'S THE WILD, WILD WEST OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

OUR CONCERN IS THAT PEOPLE WILL START MAKING COLD CALLS TO A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE IN THE STATE AND SAYING, OH, DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.

DO YOU HAVE A BACK PROBLEM, WE CAN HELP THIS.

TELL ME YOUR INSURANCE, AND THEN LET'S START TO DO THIS THROUGH TELEHEALTH.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE WANT TO DO THAT.

ALSO, WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT TELLEL HEALTH KEEPS THE SAME STANDARD AS A PERSON FACE TO FACE WITH A PHYSICIAN, AS BEST WE CAN.

THAT'S THE END GOAL.

>> Todd Stacy: I CAN SEE THAT.

NOW THAT IT'S BEEN NORMALIZED, NORMALIZED TO HAVE A DOCTOR'S VISIT OVER THE PHONE OR FACE TIME OR WHATEVER YOU DO, SO I CAN SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE.

FOLKS COMING IN AND KIND OF COLD CALLING, ALMOST KIND OF TELEMARKETING.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO PREVENT AND MAKE SURE THAT THE CARE IS, AS MUCH AS WE CAN, THE CARE AT THE SAME LEVEL.

THIS IS A RARE BILL, AND WE'VE HAD QUESTIONS.

I'VE CARRIED QUITE A FEW BILLS OVER THE LAST 12 YEARS.

MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN HEALTH BILLS.

BUT THIS IS A RARE SITUATION WHEN WE HAVE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, THE HOSPITALS, THE PHYSICIANS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, TRIAL LAWYERS, ALL THESE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAVE COME TOGETHER AND HAD TO GET THEM ALL IN THE SAME ROOM TO WORK OUT DIFFERENT ISSUES.

ITS TAKEN TIME AND DONE A GOOD JOB WITH IT AND WE'RE READY TO GET THIS THING PASSED.

WE HAVE ONE PARTICULAR GROUP OUTSIDE OF THE STATE, PROBABLY 95-98% WHERE THEY NEED TO BE APPROVED OR AGREEING TO WHAT WE'RE DOING.

BUT IN MY EYES, THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THEY ARE THE ONES WE'RE WORKING FOR MOST IMPORTANTLY.

>> Todd Stacy: I LISTENED TO THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.

AND THERE WAS DISCUSSION AROUND HOW MANY VISITS OR HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS CAN YOU DO VIA TELEHEALTH VERSUS OKAY NOW YOU NEED TO COME TO THE DOCTOR IN PERSON.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN ANY OF THAT?

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S SOME OF THE CONFUSION.

THEY ARE THINKING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING, THERE'S A LIMIT HOW MANY TIMES YOU CAN DO THIS.

NO, THERE'S NO LIMIT.

HOWEVER, ONCE YOU HIT FIVE TELEHEALTH VISITS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, THEN YOU CAN GO SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, 10 TIMES, BUT WITHIN A 12-MONTH PERIOD, YOU HAVE TO SEE A DOCTOR FACE TO FACE.

WE JUST THINK THAT'S GOOD MEDICINE.

IF YOU ARE SEEING THE SAME DOCTOR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FIVE PLUS TIMES IN A YEAR, THEN YOU NEED TO SEE ONE FACE TO FACE AND LET THAT PHYSICIAN EXAMINE YOU IN A REALTIME FASHION.

>> Todd Stacy: IN COMMITTEE TOMORROW, DO YOU EXPECT IT TO MOVE?

DO YOU EXPECT THE BILL TO BECOME LAW?

>> OH, I EXPECT IT TO.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO SAIL THROUGH THE COMMITTEE, I FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO GO THROUGH THE HOUSE.

AND THAT WILL BE THE FINAL PASSAGE.

THE COMMITTEE HAS, IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT.

THEY HAVE HAD THE FINAL VERSION OF IT IN THEIR HAND NOW FOR FIVE OR SIX DAYS AS WELL AS EVERY MEMBER IN THE HOUSE.

SO, THERE'S NO SURPRISE.

>> Todd Stacy: SWITCHING GEARS, THE GENERAL FUND IS ALSO MOVING.

YOU ARE ON THE GENERAL FUND IN THE HOUSE.

AND IT COULD BE VOTED ON AS SOON AS TOMORROW.

RECORD REVENUES, MEANS RECORD REVENUE SPENDING IN THE GENERAL FUND.

ARE YOU PLEASED WITH THE PRODUCT THAT CAME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE HERE?

>> WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND AS WELL AS YOU KNOW, I GUESS, EIGHT OR 10 YEARS AGO, THE GENERAL FUND WAS JUST DRYING UP.

SO, THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE.

I'VE MADE THE COMMENT AND I SIT NEXT TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL FUND, STEVE CLOUSE, AND I THOUGHT THAT HE KNEW NO OTHER WORD THAN NO.

PEOPLE WALKED TO OUR DESK, I WOULD BE SITTING THERE, AND THEY SAY, WHAT ABOUT THIS, CAN WE GET THIS KIND OF MONEY.

NO, WE DON'T HAVE IT.

AND IT TOOK THAT TYPE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE GENERAL FUND TO MAKE GOOD CONSERVATIVE DECISION TO SAY PUT US WHERE WE WERE.

PRIOR TO TO THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, WE WERE SITTING IN ONE OF THE BEST FINANCIAL SITUATIONS WE'VE BEEN IN, IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND STILL ARE TODAY, BECAUSE OF A LOT OF THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT CAME IN.

BUT NOT BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT CAME IN AFTER THE PANDEMIC, BUT BECAUSE OF THE GOOD CONSERVATIVE DECISIONS MADE FIVE, SIX, SEVEN YEARS AGO.

>> Todd Stacy: YOU ARE RIGHT.

AND I DO REMEMBER THOSE DAYS IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL FUND BEING DRIED UP.

AND OTHER STATES DO HAVE SERIOUS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS DURING THE PANDEMIC JUST BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF REVENUE.

WE DIDN'T SEE THAT HERE.

>> NO, BECAUSE SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE WORK I BELIEVE, IN THE EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND, AND WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE.

IT WORKED BOTH WAYS.

WE KEPT OUR BUSINESSES UP AND GOING.

WE HAVEN'T SHUT ANYTHING DOWN.

THAT'S THE KEY TO IT, KEEP PEOPLE TO WORK.

I GUESS IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT I THINK WOULD HELP US ALL WOULD HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN THE WORK PLACE.

I KNOW THAT OUR UNEMPLOYMENT IS LOW.

I RUN A BUSINESS, SEVERAL COUPLE HUNDRED EMPLOYEES.

BUT I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE TO CHOOSE FROM.

AND THAT GENERATES MONEY, HELPS THE WHOLE STATE.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUE.

YOU HAD A BILL DEALING WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

I BELIEVE IT WAS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

TELL ME WHAT THAT IS ABOUT.

>> IRONICALLY, PEOPLE BRING THINGS TO YOU, AND THIS TEACHES KIDS IN SCHOOL HOW A BILL STARTS.

THIS STARTED BECAUSE I HAD A GENTLEMAN IN MY CHURCH RUNNING AN AUTO SHOP.

HE WAS HAVING PEOPLE STEALING CATALYTIC CONVERTER OUT OF HIS SHOPS OR HIS LOT, AND WE STARTED A PROCESS WITH THE LEGAL GROUP HERE TO BUILD THE BILL.

ONCE I GOT THE BILL IN PLACE, AND WRITTEN, IT WAS AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE IN MONTGOMERY CAME TO ME AND SAID WE WANT TO HELP.

AND THEY WERE VERY SUPPORTIVE BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS, PEOPLE WOULD STEAL THINGS OUT OF THE HOMES, ELECTRICAL LINES, AIR CONDITIONING.

AND THEN THEY STARTED HITTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN SOMEBODY DOES THAT, THEY MAKE, I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER, BUT MAYBE $500 OR $600 OFF OF IT BUT THEY DO $3,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.

SO, THAT'S WHAT STARTED IT.

FORTUNATELY, WE STARTED IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE AND THE GUR IS TO HAVE A BILL SIGNING DAY FROM APRIL 7.

THE GOVERNOR IS TO HAVE THE BILL SIGNING DAY.

>> THAT'S COMING FROM THE GROUND UP.

>> IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Todd Stacy: JOINING ME NEXT ON THE PROGRAM, STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARY MOORE FROM BIRMINGHAM.

REPRESENTATIVE MOORE THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR THE INVITATION.

>> Todd Stacy: I KNOW YOU ARE INVOLVED IN MANY ISSUES THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BUT IN PARTICULAR, YOU INTRODUCED BILLS ON THE MEDICAID EXPANSION AND GROCERY TAX.

I'LL START WITH THE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THIS IS A SUBJECT TALKED ABOUT EVERY YEAR.

AND IN THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY, THEY HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO REALLY LET THIS ADVANCE.

SAME THING WITH THE GOVERNOR, RELUCTANT TO LET IT ADVANCE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE TO GET THEM ON BOARD?

>> I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

BUT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM BEING IN TOUCH WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY ARE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOUGH WE'RE STILL ON THE DOWNSIDE WITH THE PANDEMIC AND YOU LOOK AT THE INFORMATION THAT COMES OUT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WENT IN TO THE HOSPITALS BECAUSE OF COVID INFECTIONS AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAD TO HAVE THE MOST CRITICAL CARE WERE PEOPLE WHO DID NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

SO, SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY THAT DEBT.

THE HOSPITALS, SOMEBODY.

AND IN SOME POINT IN TIME, THEIR DEBT, WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE IS GOING TO FALL ON THE STATE.

SO, I THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEIR CONSTITUENTS, AND ESPECIALLY, WITH WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH COVID AND EVERY FAMILY KNOWS WHAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED NOW.

AND HOPEFULLY, THEM NOT WANTING TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN.

THEY ARE A SOUNDING BOARD TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED.

>> Todd Stacy: THE POINT THAT THEY ALWAYS BRING UP IS REVENUE AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH REVENUE TO COVER THE LONG TERM EXPENSES FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

NOW, THERE'S TOP, WHISPERS MAYBE, THAT THIS GAMBLING PLAN, IF IT EVER WERE TO PASS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS THIS YEAR.

BUT IF IT EVER WERE TO, THEN THAT REVENUE COULD BE GEARED TOWARD MEDICAID EXPANSION.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S A PATH THERE?

>> THERE'S A POSSIBILITY.

BUT WE'VE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR A LONG TIME, WITH THE GAMING BILLS.

I DON'T THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BOUGHT INTO GAMING, PERIOD.

LOTTERY, OR WHATEVER THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I THINK THEY USE IT DURING ELECTION TIME TO KIND OF MOTIVATE THEIR CONSTITUENTS TO GO OUT TO VOTE THINKING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GET A LOTTERY BILL.

BUT I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE TRULY BOUGHT INTO IT.

AND ALSO, I THINK THAT WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION, WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA, THEY PUT FORTH HELP TO ALABAMA, SOME OF THE DEBT WE HAD, THEY FORGAVE IT.

>> INCENTIVES AND THINGS?

>> RIGHT, INCENTIVES AND AT THE LAST MINUTE, ALABAMA CAME, I BELIEVE IT WAS GOVERNOR BENTLEY THAT WANTED TO START A DIFFERENT PROGRAM AND TALKING ABOUT THE PROGRAM HE HAD IN MIND HAD BEEN TRIED IN V.A.

HOSPITAL YEARS AGO AND DIDN'T WORK.

THEN THEY WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE AND SAY, OH, OUR PLAN IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

SO, I DON'T THINK THEY REALLY BOUGHT INTO THE MEDICAID EXPANSION AS FAR AS HOW THEY CAN FINANCE IT.

IF THE WHEEL IS THERE, I'VE SEEN TOO MANY DEALS COME THROUGH.

WE PASSED BILLS THIS YEAR THAT HAD UNDETERMINED AMOUNTS OF MONEY COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

SO, WE PASS THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND MY QUESTION WAS, HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE BILLS THAT HAD UNDETERMINED AMOUNTS OF MONEY COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

SHOW ME WHERE THAT UNDETERMINED LANDED.

THEY COULDN'T.

SO, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN THEY GET THE WILL AND THE DESIRE TO DO MEDICAID EXPANSION, THEY WILL FIND THE FUNDING.

>> Todd Stacy: ON A SIMILAR NOTE, THE GROCERY TAX REPEAL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

I REMEMBER MR. KNIGHT EVERY YEAR WOULD INTRODUCE THIS.

AND THIS YEAR, YOU SAW REPUBLICANS COMING ALONG WITH IT, MIKE JONES AND MR. KNIGHT AND SUCH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT I'M SURPRISED IT HASN'T ADVANCED FURTHER.

>> RIGHT, AFTER I DROPPED MY BILL FOR SALES TAX OFF FOOD, I WENT TO THE FLOOR AND ADDRESSED THE BODY.

AND I SAID WE'VE GOT SEVERAL BILLS FOR SEVERAL BILLS FOR SALES TAX OFF FOOD, LET'S GET TOGETHER.

SO, YOU ARE THE SPEAKER, I ASKED THE SPEAKER, LET'S TAKE THE BEST OF BOTH BILLS, OF ALL OF THE BILLS THAT'S OUT THERE.

LET US COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PASS.

NEVER HEARD A WORD FROM ANYBODY.

>> Todd Stacy: WELL, THE ISSUE THERE THAT I HEAR, ANY TIME YOU TOUCH SALES TAX, YOU ARE MESSING WITH THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

SO, ANY KIND OF REVENUE YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THERE, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ACCUSE YOU OF TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM SCHOOLS.

SO, IS THE ANSWER REPLACING THE REVENUE?

AND THEN YOU HAVE OTHER ISSUES IN TERMS OF RAISING TAXES AND IT TURNS IT INTO A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

>> I THINK IT COULD BE COMPLICATED BECAUSE WE WANT IT TO BE COMPLICATED.

BUT THINK WE CAN LOOK AT THE OVERALL BUDGET.

I SIT THERE AND I'VE BEEN HERE A WHILE, I'VE SEEN THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO DO THAT'S NOT A ONE TIME SITUATION.

BUT IT WOULD GO FOR YEARS AND WE'VE NOT DONE IT.

WE'VE NOT TAKEN SERIOUSNESS TO SIT DOWN AND LOOK AT THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND AND WE'RE SAYING THAT THE SALES TAX LOSS IS GOING TO HURT IT.

HOW CAN WE PREVENT THAT?

WITH THE BILL THAT I HAD, IT ROLLED WITH THE GASOLINE TAX, ONE CENT AT A TIME TO GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT, HOW DO WE REPLACE ONE CENT.

THEN, LATER ON, DOWN THE ROAD, ANOTHER ONE CENT.

IN MY WAY OF THINKING, IT WOULD BE EASIER TO LOOK AT HOW WE REPLACE ONE CENT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME RATHER THAN TAKING A WHOLE FOUR CENTS OFF AT ONCE.

SO, AT LEAST IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD HAVE TRIED.

AND NOT HAVING LOOKED AT THE OTHER PEOPLE BILLS, WE COULD HAVE LOOKED AT THEIR BILLS AND SEEN WHAT WAS POSSIBLE.

BUT THAT OPPORTUNITY HAS NEVER PRESENTED ITSELF.

>> Todd Stacy: AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE AND YOU HAVE SEEN SPEAKERS COME AND GO, COLLEAGUES COME AND GO.

THEY ARE A VOCAL PRESENCE THERE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE SESSION?

WE'VE SEEN A LOT, A LOT IN TERMS OF REVENUE, THESE BUDGETS, WE'VE SEEN INTERESTING THINGS HAPPENING ON EDUCATION AND SEEN A LOT OF HOT BUTTON ISSUES.

WHAT'S YOUR REACTION ON HOW THE SESSION HAS GONE.

>> IT'S BEEN A DIFFICULT SESSION BUT THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT IS THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF MY PASSIONS.

IN ORDER FOR ALABAMA TO BE THE STATE THAT IT NEEDS TO BE WE'VE GOT TO PUT THE MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS, TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION AND WE JUST THANK GOD THAT WE GOT A LOT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS IN THIS YEAR HELPING US WITH PROGRAMS IN READING, MATH, SCIENCE, BEING ABLE TO GO BACK AND PUT THOSE TEACHERS AIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

LOOKING AT PUTTING SOCIAL WORKERS AND PSYCHIATRIST INS THE SCHOOL.

THAT'S THE BRIGHT STAR THAT WE GOT OUT OF THE SESSION.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HAD A LOT OF DIFFICULT DEALS THAT CAME FORTH AND IN THE DEMOCRATS' OPINION WAS NOT GOOD FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY, FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE A THOUGHT PROCESS AND TURN IT INTO A TRUTH, THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH.

NOBODY HAS NEVER BEEN TAUGHT CRITICAL RACE THINKING IN THE ELEMENTARY OR K-12 SCHOOLS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND FROM WHAT MY KNOWLEDGE OF IT, THE ONLY TIME IT WAS INTRODUCED IS IN A LAW SCHOOL.

AND IT WAS SOMETHING, YOU REALLY LOOK AT IT, CRITICAL THINKING, PERIOD, SAYS THAT IF AN INCIDENT OR EVENT HAPPENED, WHY DID IT HAPPEN.

WHAT WAS THE IMPACT.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE IT DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

BUT WE DON'T DO THAT TO OUR CHILDREN.

PERMITLESS CARRY BILL.

THINK WITH ALL OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE WITH GUNS IN THIS COUNTRY, PERIOD, AND THE MASS SHOOTINGS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY, AND IN FACT, THAT MOST OF OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT USE THAT PISTOL PERMIT MONEY TO HELP OPERATE THEIR DEPARTMENT.

SO, HOW DO YOU SUPPLEMENT THOSE DOLLARS TAKEN AWAY, PLUS WHAT I LEARNED FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHEN A PERSON DIDN'T HAVE A PERMIT FOR A GUN WHEN THEY DO A STOP, THEY COULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEARCH THE CAR WHICH HAS LED TO DRUG TRADES, HAS LED TO PEOPLE CARRYING UNUSUAL NUMBER OF GUNS, SO, IT HAD ITS BENEFIT AND I WISH THEY GAVE IT MORE THOUGHTS.

>> WELL, WE'RE OUT OF TIME AND I HOPE YOU COME BACK AND JOIN US AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> Todd Stacy: AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> BIRMINGHAM'S RIPWOOD FIELD, OLDEST OPERATING BALL PARK SERVING AS THE HOMEFIELD OF THE BIRMINGHAM BARONS AND BLACK BARONS FOR DECADES.

THEY INAUGURATED THE NEW FIELD IN 1910 BY DEFEATING THE BLACK BARONS PLAYING THERE THROUGH 1950.

AND FROM 1967-1975, THE BARONS WERE OWNED BY THE ENSLEY NATIVE AND PART OF KANSAS CITY AND MORE THAN 100 MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYERS HAVE BEEN PART OF THE HALL OF FAME.

AND TODAY, THE FIELD IS MANAGED AND PLAYS LOCAL TEAMS.

THE BIRMINGHAM BARONS PLAY THE RIDGEWOOD CLASSIC CELEBRATING THIS HISTORIC FIELD.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30 WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE ON APT.

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