>> DON: TONIGHT ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WE'LL BE JOINED BY STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY EXTENDING THE MASK MANDATE FOR ONE LAST MONTH, ABOUT THE STATE ADMINISTERING IT'S ONE MILLIONTH VIRUS VACCINATION AND ABOUT ALABAMA SURPASSING 10,000 COVID DEATHS.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN OF TROY, WHO'LL TALK ABOUT HIS BILL TO BAN TRANSGENDER MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR MINORS AND SIMILAR LEGISLATION PASSING THE SENATE THIS WEEK.

ALLEN WILL ALSO DISCUSS HIS BILL TO BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE.

AND BRAND-NEW ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN JOHN WAHL OF ATHENS WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT HIS NEW ROLE, HIS GOALS, AND PARTY POLITICS.

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, THE END IS NOW IN SIGHT FOR THE ALABAMA MASK MANDATE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ON THURSDAY ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WOULD EXTEND THE ORDER ONE LAST TIME, BUCKING A RECENT TREND IN SOME OTHER STATES THAT HAVE NOW DROPPED THEIR MASK DIRECTIVES.

>> APRIL 9th'S GOING TO BE THE LAST DAY I'M GOING TO HAVE A MASK MANDATE.

AFTER THAT IT WILL BE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

ALABAMIANS ARE SMART.

THEY HAVE GOOD COMMON SENSE AND KNOW WHAT WORKS.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO WEAR MY MASK AROUND FOLKS BUT AFTER THE 9th, WE'RE NOT HAVING A MASK MANDATE.

>> DON: THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO END THE MASK MANDATE NEXT MONTH COMES AFTER REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE STATE SENATE THIS WEEK APPROVED A RESOLUTION URGING HER TO LIFT IT IMMEDIATELY.

IVEY SAID SHE SETTLED ON THE APRIL EXPIRATION DATE CONVINCED THAT THE MASK ORDER HAS WORKED IN HELPING BRING DOWN ALABAMA'S COVID-19 NUMBERS.

IN ADDITION TO SETTING AN END DATE FOR HER MASK ORDER, GOVERNOR IVEY ALSO LIFTED RESTRICTIONS ON HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SIT AT A RESTAURANT TABLE AND ON OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AT SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS.

SHE ALSO SAID TWO PEOPLE WILL NOW BE ALLOWED TO VISIT NURSING HOME AND HOSPITAL PATIENTS.

REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADERS WHO HAD SUPPORTED THE RESOLUTION TO END THE GOVERNOR'S MASK ORDER WERE GENERALLY POSITIVE ABOUT HER DECISION ON THURSDAY.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH IVEY DIDN'T LIFT THE MANDATE IMMEDIATELY, THEY WERE ENCOURAGED THAT THE END IS IN SIGHT.

>> I THINK THAT'S A POSITIVE THING IN REFERENCE TO THE FEEDBACK OF HOW GOOD WE HAVE DONE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD FEEL CONFIDENT IN SAYING WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO CANCEL THE MASK MANDATE AT A CERTAIN -- TIME CERTAIN THE FUTURE.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

AGAIN, IT'S A BACKDROP OF THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

>> I'M VERY GLAD OF WHAT SHE IS LOOSENED, RESTAURANTS AND ESPECIALLY SENIOR CENTERS.

I'VE VISITED WITH A LOT OF THEM AND OUR SENIORS HAD A HARD TIME.

IT IS TOUGH ON THEM BEING BY THEMSELVES.

>> DON: THURSDAY MARKED THE SIXTH TIME THAT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS EXTENDED HER MASK ORDER.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS STOOD WITH GOVERNOR IVEY AS SHE MADE HER BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS YESTERDAY.

HE APPLAUDED HER FOR DOING SO AND HARRIS ALSO SAID THAT THE STATE WILL SOON BE FURTHER RAMPING UP ITS COVID VACCINATION EFFORTS.

>> WE HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS COMING WEEK WE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE MORE THAN 100,000 FIRST DOSES FOR THE FIRST TIME, THAT IS MODERNA AND PFIZER.

THAT WILL BE A NEW HIGH FOR US COMING INTO THE STATE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE 40,000 DOSES OF THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE OR SOMETIMES CALLED THE JANSSEN VACCINE.

JANSSEN MAKES VACCINE AND IS OWNED BY JOHNSON & JOHNSON.

WE WILL HAVE THAT IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO.

>> DON: DR. HARRIS SAID THAT WHILE HE'S VERY ENCOURAGED WITH THE STATE ADMINISTERING ITS ONE MILLIONTH DOSE OF VACCINE THIS WEEK, HE ALSO NOTED THAT WE HAVE NOW SURPASSED 10,000 COVID DEATHS IN THE STATE.

DR. HARRIS IS ALSO REACTING TO A SENATE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK APPROVING A BILL THAT WOULD DO AWAY WITH HIS JOB AND CREATE A NEW CABINET-LEVEL SECRETARY OF HEALTH THAT WOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND VETTED BY THE SENATE.

HARRIS SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> OUR JOB REALLY IS TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND SAFETY.

WE TRY NOT TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT.

WE RESPECT THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE TO HANDLE THOSE THINGS.

I THINK I WOULD SAY IF ANYONE HAD ASKED US, I WOULD SAY THIS SEEMS LIKE A SUBJECT THAT WOULD REALLY BENEFIT FROM HAVING A COMMITTEE STUDY IT AND DECIDE THE BEST WAY TO PROCEED TO TRY TO GET INPUT FROM ALL OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND DO IT IN A DELIBERATE WAY.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW, LEADERSHIP MAY CERTAINLY NEED TO BE REFORMULATED AND IF PEOPLE THINK THAT'S THE CASE WE ARE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.

I WOULD HOPE WE COULD GET PAST THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE ITSELF AND TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON HOW TO DO ON A DIFFERENT TIMETABLE >> DON: DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE IS SPONSORING THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE THE NEW CABINET-LEVEL SECRETARY OF HEALTH POSITION, AND HE CHAIRS THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE THAT APPROVED IT THIS WEEK.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL," MCCLENDON SAID THAT HIS LEGISLATION ISN'T PERSONAL, THAT HE THINKS DR. HARRIS HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AND THAT HIS PLAN WAS DEVELOPED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

MCCLENDON TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE'S CONCERNED THAT THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER IS CURRENTLY DESIGNATED BY A COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE ALABAMA.

>> THE LAWS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IN ALABAMA HAVE BEEN, MOST OF THEM WERE WRITTEN BETWEEN 1858 AND 1890.

SO WE'RE DOING A LOT OF CATCHING UP.

IT'S A THICK BILL BECAUSE WE'RE CATCHING UP FROM 100 YEARS OF THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT.

NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD OR HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT.

I HAVE A PROBLEM AND THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH HAS A PROBLEM WITH A PRIVATE GROUP NAMING AND CONTROLLING A STATE AGENCY.

>> DON: WITH THIS WEEK'S COMMITTEE APPROVAL, IT MOVES NEXT TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

>>> PASSIONS RAN HIGH IN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX THIS WEEK AS THE ALABAMA SENATE APPROVED A CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT WOULD BAN TRANSGENDER MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR MINORS.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

>> ON TUESDAY MORNING THE DEBATE ON SENATE BILL 10 BEGAN OUTSIDE OF THE ALABAMA STATEHOUSE.

[ CHANTING ] >> HOUSE BILL 1 AND SENATE BILL 10 WOULD PROHIBIT GENDER BILL THERAPY FOR MINORS.

>> YOU DON'T STOP IT BY RESTRICTING DOCTORS OR PHARMACISTS FROM BEING ABLE TO GIVE MEDICINE.

THE MEDICINE MAY BE THE HOPE THAT KEEPS THEM ALIVE, FROM BEING SUICIDAL.

>> THE INTENT OF THE BILL IS TO PROTECT CHILDREN THAT CAN'T PROTECT THEMSELVES.

THAT'S MY INTENT.

WE PASS LAWS THAT STOP PARENTS FROM ALLOWING KIDS TO DO THINGS.

KIDS CAN'T DRINK, CAN'T SMOKE, CAN'T EVEN GET A TATTOO IN THIS STATE.

RESEARCH SHOWS 85 TO 90% OF THESE KIDS GROW OUT OF THIS, MATURE OUT OF THIS AND DON'T WANT TO BE THE OPPOSITE SECTION BY THE TIME THEY REACH MATURITY.

>> THE PLAN WOULD PENALIZE GROUPS LIKE DOCTORS AND PHARMACISTS FOR ASSISTING THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD WITH PURSUING THE THERAPY.

>> A CHILD NEEDS INFORMATION.

>> IS A PHARMACIST.

>> I DON'T LIKE FILLING ONE OF THESE TRANSGENDER DRUGS THAT I COULD BE HELD WITH A CLASS C FELONY.

I THINK THAT IS WRONG.

THIS BILL NEEDS TO GO AWAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THE SENATE BILL PASSED CHAMBER 23-4.

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

>> SENATOR MARSH SAID HE WILL FOLLOW THROUGH WITH HIS PLAN TO BRING HIS LOTTERY AND GAMBLING EXPANSION BILL UP FOR A VOTE IN THE SENATE NEXT WEEK.

HE WILL PRESENT A SUBSTITUTE BILL, AFTER TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ENABLING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING IN THE STATE.

>> WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS INCORPORATE INTO THE LEGISLATION ON THE SUB THAT I WANT TO COME OUT WITH ON TUESDAY -- I'D LIKE INPUT FROM THOSE HOUSE MEMBERS SO THAT THEY WILL CLAIM SOME AUTHORSHIP IN IT, AS WELL.

THIS NEEDS TO BE, AT THIS POINT -- I'VE TALKED ENOUGH ABOUT THE LEGISLATION AND TALKED TO ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT THIS NEEDS TO MOVE FROM A SENATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO A LEGISLATIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION >> DON: MARSH DELAYED CONSIDERATION OF HIS GAMBLING BILL TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE HE CONTINUED TO WORK ON IT.

>>> A CLOSELY-WATCHED BILL THAT SOUGHT TO AMEND ALABAMA'S CONTROVERSIAL MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT FAILED TO ADVANCE OUT OF A HOUSE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

IT PROPOSED ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE DOWN HISTORIC MARKERS AND THE LIKE AND TURN THEM OVER TO THE STATE, WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO HEAVY FINES.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> IT'S A HOT TOPIC BEFORE THE REGULAR SESSION STARTED.

JUANDALYNN GIVAN'S PROPOSAL THAT SEEKS TO REVAMP THE ALABAMA MONUMENTS BILL.

>> MANY OF THE MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET -- OR NOT GET BUT TRYING TO HAVE THEIR MONUMENTS REMOVED OR RELOCATED HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET WAIVERS.

>> THEY LOOK FOR A SOLUTION TO DISPLAY FEDERAL MONUMENTS AND AVOID DAMAGE TO THEM.

THE BILL APPEARED IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND NOW RETURNS AFTER BEING IN A SUBCOMMITTEE.

>> I'M SORRY, THE BILL DOES NOT GET A FAVORABLE VOTE.

>> SHE IS NOT SURPRISED BY THE VOTE.

>> MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BILL WILL MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THEY ARE TRUMPLICANS AND THEY HAVE THEIR BELIEVES BECAUSE THEY ARE IN POWER THAT THEY ACTUALLY EXUDE WHITE SUPREMACY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES DISAGREES THAT THIS IS A RACIAL ISSUE AND OPPOSES HOUSE BILL 8.

>> VIRTUALLY ALL OF THESE MONUMENTS WERE TO HONOR A PERSON AND EVENT BUT A PLACE.

IT WAS THE PLACE TO BE MOST VIEWED BY THE MOST RESPECTFUL PEOPLE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES DISPUTED WITH THE ISSUE OF SLAVERY CONNECTED TO THE CONFEDERACY.

>> THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES WHO SEE IT AS A WHITE SUPREMACIST GOVERNMENT THAT AIMED TO KEEP THEIR ANCESTORS IN SLAVERY.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK YOU ONE MORE TIME, DO YOU HAVE ANY PROOF OF THAT?

THERE IS NO PROOF OF THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE GIVANS SAYS THE ISSUE IS NOT OVER.

>> I WILL ALWAYS KEEP BRINGING IT BACK.

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

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"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN CONNECT TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS A NEW CHAIRMAN AND HE'S IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> I APPRECIATE THE INVITATION.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES AND WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN ACCOMPLISH THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU PERSONALLY FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW YOU.

YOU HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN REPUBLICAN POLITICS IN THE STATE FOR QUITE A WHILE.

>> I HAVE.

I STARTED AS A FIELD REP IN 2012 AND GREW FROM THERE.

GOT INVOLVED IN MY DISTRICT VICE CHAIRMAN AND RAN FOR SENIOR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE PARTY AND LAST SATURDAY ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I'M EXCITED.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN MAKING HEADLINES ABOUT WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING AND I'M FASCINATING WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR A LIVING.

THE HEADLINES HAVE BEEN BUTTERFLY FARMER WINS GOP CHAIR RACE.

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING INDUSTRY.

COMING FROM A BACKGROUND OF A SMALL BUSINESSMAN AND I THINK THAT DOES PLAY A PART, BOTH IN YOUR POLITICS AND IN YOUR WORLD VIEW.

AS WELL AS BEING A BUTTERFLY FARMER, THAT'S ALSO BRINGS YOU INTO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

I'M ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BUTTERFLY BREEDERS ASSOCIATION.

I'M IN A SMALL FIELD BUT AT THE PINNACLE OF THE FIELD.

>> TELL US ABOUT THE MECHANICS OF BUTTERFLY FARMING.

WHAT DO YOU FOCUS ON?

>> IT IS CLOSER TO OTHER THAT TYPES OF FARMING THAN YOU THINK.

YOU HAVE YOUR STOCK AND THEN YOU ARE RAISING YOUNG ONES AND SELLING THEM.

PRIMARILY MY CUSTOMERS ARE ZOOS, BOTANICAL GARDENS AND EXHIBITS ACROSS THE WHOLE.

I'M WORKING ON THE WHOLESALE SIDE WITH EXHIBITORS.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE BUTTERFLY FARMING IN SOME FORM OR FASHION HAS TO DO WITH SOME PEOPLE THAT WOULD BUY THEM TO BE POLLEN MAKERS.

>> THE BEES ARE THE WORKHORSES OF 0 POLLINATION, THAT IS MORE RELEASES OF WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS AND MY NICHE, WHICH IS EXHIBITS AND WHOLESALERS.

>> INTERESTING.

>> YOU TAKE OVER THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT BY ALL ACCOUNTS IS SOLID.

DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY?

>> I DO.

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED AND GIVEN A STRONG FOUNDATION.

I'M ABLE TO REALLY GET STARTED AS VICE CHAIRMAN.

I KNOW THE ROPES AND THE OFFICE AND KNOW WHAT I'M GETTING INTO AND READY TO BUILD ON THE FOUNDATION WE ALREADY HAVE.

>> I ASK THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF CONTENTIONS ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS SEEING DIVISIVENESS, WE DON'T SEE THAT IN THE ALABAMA GOP.

>> I DON'T THINK WE WILL.

IF YOU LOOK AT ALABAMA, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS LOCK STEP.

A GOOD EXAMPLE IS I DO NOT HAVE AN OPPONENT RUNNING FOR CHAIRMAN.

THE PARTY WAS SUPPORTIVE.

WE KNOW THE DIRECTION WE WANT TO GO.

WE ARE TOGETHER.

WE ARE ORGANIZED AND YOU DO NOT SEE THAT INFIGHTING HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THESE CONTENTIONS ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL AFFECTING THE GOP AS A WHOLE?

>> THERE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNS.

RIGHT NOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BUT THIS IS NORMAL IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS WHEN, WITH AN OUTGOING PRESIDENT FROM ONE PARTY.

I THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO WORK AT, COME TOGETHER AND GET READY FOR 2022.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS ACCUSED BY MANY OF HIJACKING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THEY BEGAN CALLING IT THE PARTY OF TRUMP, AT LEAST SOME PEOPLE DID.

HE SAID LAST WEEKEND AT A SPEECH IN FLORIDA HE PLANNED TO STAY WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND NOT BRANCH OFF AND FORM HIS OWN PARTY AS SOME SPECULATED.

>> I THINK WHAT YOU SAW THERE WAS HE KNOWS VERY WELL HOW THE NUMBERS WORK.

YOU DIVIDE AND CONQUER.

I'M PROUD THAT HE IS WANTING TO STAY WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WE ARE DEFINITELY -- HERE IN ALABAMA WE'RE NOT SHYING AWAY FROM HIM.

HE IS A FORMER PRESIDENT, A REPUBLICAN AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS VOTE TOTALS, HE OUTPERFORMED ALL OF THE POLLING AND WHAT THE MEDIA EXPECTED HIM TO DO.

HE OUTPERFORMED IT AND I THINK THAT IS BECAUSE OF HIS AMERICA FIRST AGENDA.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT APPEALS TO THE MIDDLE CLASS AND THE WORKING MEN AND WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY.

I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN LEARN FROM AND EMBRACE THE AMERICA FIRST POLICY AND BUILD ON THAT FOR THE FUTURE.

>> ALABAMA HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOLIDLY BEHIND PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I THINK WE RANKED AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST SUPPORTERS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP IN THE COUNTRY.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE HAS REMAINED A POLARIZING FIGURE.

THERE WAS THE CONTENTION HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INCITING THE RIOTS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

DO THOSE THINGS CONCERN YOU AS THE PARTY CHAIR NOW?

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND, THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS BIGGER THAN ANY SINGLE CANDIDATE OR ELECTED OFFICIAL.

WE STAND ON OUR ISSUES AND POLICIES AND PLATFORM.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE REPUBLICAN PARTY GREAT BECAUSE WE STAND FOR THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE FUNDAMENTAL BEDROCK OF AMERICAN SOCIETY.

WE STAND FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, FAMILY VALUES, DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION, FREE SPEECH IS UNDER ATTACK.

WE DEFEND FREE SPEECH, CIVIL LIBERTIES.

WE ARE THE PARTY OF CIVIL LIBERTIES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR PARTY PLATFORM THE ISSUES MAKE IT STRONG.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ABOUT MORE THAN ANY CANDIDATE OR OFFICIAL.

>> DESPITE HIS POLARIZING NATURE ARE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP OR THE CONTROVERSIES THAT FOLLOWED HIM IN HIS FOUR YEARS AS PRESIDENT, HE IS IN THE GOP'S MIND REPRESENTING THE CORE VALUES OF THE PARTY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU TAKE HIS NAME AND PERSONALITY OUT OF IT AND LOOK AT HIS POLICY AND WHETHER THEY WERE GOOD FOR THIS COUNTRY, I THINK EVEN DEMOCRATS WILL RECOGNIZE THAT HIS POLICIES WERE GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY.

GAS PRICES WERE LOW.

THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR AVERAGE AMERICANS WAS UP.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE CAN ALL AGREE ON.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE POLICIES OF DONALD TRUMP THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL, THEY WORKED AND IT'S SOMETHING BOTH PARTIES COULD LEARN FROM.

>> HOW CHALLENGING DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ALABAMA GOP YOU HAVE TO BATTLE AGAINST THE CONTROVERSY THAT FOLLOWED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP?

>> I'M GOING TO GET AWAY FROM THAT CONTROVERSY.

NOT AT THIS I'M SHYING AWAY FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT I'M CONCENTRATING ON HIS POLICIES IN OUR PLATFORM.

I'M TRYING TO PREPARE FOR THE 2022 ELECTION CYCLE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE ORGANIZED AND STRONG.

WE WILL BE BUILDING OUR ORGANIZATION AND READY TO TAKE ON DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING IF PRESIDENT TRUMP MAY COME BACK AND SEEK ANOTHER TERM IN FOUR YEARS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT PROSPECT?

>> THAT'S UP TO HIM.

THE PARTY IN GENERAL PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR ALL CANDIDATES.

IF HE COMES BACK, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING A ROBUST AND HEALTHY PRIMARY ELECTION PROCESS.

>> OF COURSE REPUBLICANS HOLD A SUPER MAJORITY IN STATE GOVERNMENT HERE IN ALABAMA, BUT ON THE NATIONAL SCENE, DEMOCRATS ARE NOW IN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, AS THEY HAVE BEEN AND NOW THERE'S A 50/50 SPLIT IN THE SENATE.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT THAT?

>> I'M OF COURSE I WILL VERY CONCERNED.

I THINK A LOT OF THE POLICIES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH DONALD TRUMP, WHETHER IT IS FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES, I THINK THOSE ARE VERY MUCH UNDER ATTACK AND WILL BE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

AT THE SAME TIME IT PROVIDES THE REPUBLICAN PARTY A CHANCE TO SHOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT -- JUST HOW OFF BASE AND DISCONNECTED REPUBLICAN -- DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP IS FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THAT'S MY GOAL.

I WANT TO POINT OUT AND SHOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP LOOKS LIKE AND HERE'S WHY IT IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY AND THE DIRECTION THAT WE, AS AN AMERICAN PEOPLE, WANT TO GO.

>> ONE OF THE BIG GOALS FOR THE ALABAMA GOP WAS RECLAIMING THE SENATE SEAT THAT HAD BEEN HELD BY DOUG JONES AND YOU DID THAT.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THE JOB HE IS DOING SO FAR?

>> I'M PROUD OF THAT WIN.

THAT WAS BIG FOR THE STATE AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I THINK HE HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND CONSIDER HIM A GOOD FRIEND AND HE IS DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB IN DC.

>> OUR SENIOR SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AFTER DECADES IN WASHINGTON.

THAT WILL BE A HUGE LOSS FOR ALABAMA ON MANY FRONTS.

PEOPLE ARE ALREADY STARTING TO THINK OF RUNNING FOR THAT RACE.

I KNOW THAT WILL BE A PRIORITY IN THE NEXT YEAR.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, THAT PRIMARY WILL BE THE BIGGEST THING ON THE BALLOT HERE IN ALABAMA IN 2022.

ONCE AGAIN, I EXPECT A LOT OF CANDIDATES IN THE RACE.

WE ARE ALREADY SEEING PEOPLE GETTING INTERESTED, CONTACTING THE PARTY, FINDING OUT QUALIFYING DEADLINES AND THINGS IN THAT NATURE.

THAT WILL BE AN EXCITING RACE.

>> WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF POSSIBLE NAMES OUT THERE.

ONE OF THE NAMES WE ARE HEARING IS CONGRESSMAN BROOKS WHO PREVIOUSLY RAN FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

HE HAS BEEN UNDER FIRE FOR THE FIERY SPEECH HE DELIVERED AT THE PRO-TRUMP RALLY BEFORE THE CAPITOL UPRISING IN JANUARY.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SEEMS BEHIND HIM I KNOW YOU PASSED A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HIM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, I THINK THAT RESOLUTION WAS 86-14 OR 84-16.

OVERWHELMINGLY THE PARTY, AS A WHOLE, SPIRITS THIS IDEA OF LOOKING INTO WHETHER THERE WERE UNCONSTITUTIONAL VOTING PRACTICES OR VOTER FRAUD THAT HAPPENED OUT THERE.

I MO BROOKS CHAMPIONED THAT CONCEPT.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW IF THERE WERE IRREGULARITIES IN THE ELECTION.

>> CONGRESSMAN BROOK ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP, NOT SO MUCH THE LIGHTNING ROD THAN THE CORE PRINCIPLES HE CARRIES FOR THE PARTY?

>> THAT IS THE CASE WITH ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL.

YOU LOOK FOR SOMEONE WHO AGREES WITH YOU ON THE ISSUES.

EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.

I NEVER LIKE TO GET STUCK IN A PERSONALITY CONFLICT WITH ANYONE.

I ALWAYS SAY I CAN WORK WITH ANYONE THAT I AGREE WITH AND WHERE WE DON'T I DON'T TALK ABOUT IT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS VOTING RECORD HE HAD A TREMENDOUS VOTING RECORD.

I KNOW HE WAS WORKING ON THAT DAY TO DO SOME SIGNIFICANT WORK ON THE FLOOR WITH CHALLENGING CERTAIN VOTES AND STATES FOR THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

I KNOW GOOD AND WELL HE DID NOT WANT THOSE RIOTS IN DC TO HAPPEN BECAUSE IT STOPPED HIM FROM TRYING TO DO HIS AGENDA ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> CONGRESSMAN BROOKS SAID HIS WORDS WERE MISCONSTRUED ON THAT DAY.

HE WAS PUBLICIZED OF SAYING GO FIGHT LIKE HELL.

HE SAID HE MEANT GO FIGHT LIKE HELL AGAINST HIS ALLEGATIONS OF ELECTION IMPROPRIETIES.

NOT STORM THE CAPITOL.

>> I WATCHED THE SPEECH AND THAT'S CORRECT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT IN CONTEXT HE IS SAYING LET'S GET READY FOR 2022 AND TAKE BACK THE HOUSE.

HEY, WE'RE ON BOARD WITH THAT.

THAT'S WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S AIM IS TO DO.

>> 2022 IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

WE'LL LOOK TO SEVERAL RACES HERE IN MONTGOMERY, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WILL BE THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

YOU HAVE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOP.

>> MY WORK IS CUT OUT FOR ME.

THE NEXT TWO YEARS WILL BE A CHALLENGING TIME HERE IN ALABAMA AND NATIONALLY.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD IT TO AND EXCITE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH AND SEEING WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN DO OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> TIME IS SHORT.

BEFORE WE WRAP UP, I WANT TO MENTION A COUPLE OF RESOLUTION APPROVED AT THE GOP WINTER MEETING LAST WEEK.

ONE HAD TO DO WITH SUPPORTING OR URGING THE U.S. TO WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNITED NATIONS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS THAT THE U.N.

STANDS ON CERTAIN ISSUES LIKE ABORTION AND DISARMAMENT AND THE MIDDLE EAST, CLIMATE CHANGE.

THERE WAS A RESOLUTION TO HONOR MO BROOKS AND A RESOLUTION THAT SUPPORTED REMOVING HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE.

THIS IS A DRUG TOUTED AS MAYBE EFFECTIVE IN FIGHTING COVID.

>> REPUBLICAN PARTY IS THE PARTY OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.

WE BELIEVE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TALK TO THEIR DOCTORS AND MAKE DECISIONS ON HOW THEY WANT TO PURSUE TREATMENT AND WHAT THEY WANT TO PUT IN THEIR BODY.

FOR US, IT'S A MATTER OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.

WE BELIEVE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR DOCTOR SHOULD MAKE THE CALL AND GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T BE INVOLVED IN IT.

>> HYDROXYQUINOLINE HAS BEEN A DIVISIVE ISSUE IN THE COUNTRY.

SOME CLAIM IT IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AND OTHERS SAY IT IS NOT PROVING SAFE.

I KNOW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTENDED HE TOOK IT AND OTHER AMERICANS WANTED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE IT.

IS THAT WHERE THE PARTY IS COMING FROM?

>> WE THINK INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CALL AND IF THEY FEEL IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET IT.

>> JOHN WAHL IS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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♪ >> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, WES ALLEN OF TROY IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

REPRESENTATIVE, WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE HEADLINES OVER ONE BILL.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION YOU ARE CARRYING THIS YEAR BUT WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE VULNERABLE CHILD AND COMPASSION ACT.

IT IS SOMETHING WE TALKED TO YOU PREVIOUSLY ON THE SHOW ABOUT AND IT CONCERNS BANNING TRANSGENDER MEDICAL PROCEDURES FOR MINORS IN THE STATE.

A VERSION PASSED THE SENATE AND WILL BE HEADED TO HOUSE NEXT WEEK.

YOUR BILL IS YET TO REACH THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOUR BILL AND THE OTHER BILL BUT THE SPIRIT IS PRACTICALLY THE SAME, RIGHT?

>> BOTH ACCOMPLISH THE SAME THING AND THAT'S TO PROTECT CHILDREN, PROTECT MINORS.

THE MEAT OF THE BILL ACCOMPLISHES THE SAME THING.

>> IF BOTH BILLS PASS THEY WILL GO TO CONFERENCE AND MELD THEM INTO ONE PIECE OR -- >> WE'RE TRYING TO SEE WHICH WE CAN GET OFF THE FLOOR QUICKEST.

OF COURSE HE PASSED ON A STRONG VOTE 23-4 THIS WEEK AND HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED TO THE HOUSE AND WILL BE IN COMMITTEE.

WE ARE WATCHING TO GET MY VERSION ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

WE WILL BE WORKING HARD TO GET IT THERE AND GET IT IN A POSITION TO PASS.

YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN GET THE SENATE BILL TO THE FLOOR FIRST, WE WILL WORK BOTH SIDES.

>> EITHER WOULD SATISFY WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> YES.

THIS.

>> THIS IS A PASSIONATE ISSUE.

WE SAW PROTESTERS OUTSIDE OF THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK REALLY TAKING ISSUE WITH SOME THINGS YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

YOU HAVE SAID, REPRESENTATIVE, THIS IS MORE ABOUT, TO YOU, NOT PUTTING DECISIONS ABOUT PERMANENT LIFE-ALTERING THINGS HAVING TO DO WITH YOUR BODY OFF UNTIL YOU ARE AN ADULT AND CAN MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AS A MATURE ADULT.

>> IT IS.

IT IS ALL ABOUT PROTECTING THE MINORS, 19 AND UNDER.

PRESSING THE PAUSE BUTTON.

I REALIZE THERE ARE SOME CHILDREN THAT MAY GO THROUGH GENDER DYSPHORIA AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

BUT WE NEED TO GET THEM MENTAL HEALTH CARE FROM A CERTIFIED COUNSELORS THAT CAN TALK TO THEM AND TO COUNSEL THEM BUT AT THE SAME TIME DON'T PUT THEIR BODIES THROUGH THESE POWERFUL MEDICATIONS AND THAT CAN HAVE LIFE-ALTERING -- THAT CAN ALTER THEIR LIFE PERMANENTLY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUSH THE PAUSE BUTTON.

GIVE THEM TIME TO MATURE.

AND MAKE DECISIONS, WISE DECISIONS WHEN THEY GET TO BE ADULTS.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MEDICATIONS.

YOUR LEGISLATION PROPOSES BANNING MINORS FROM RECEIVING HORMONE TREATMENTS, PUBERTY BLOCKING DRUGS AND TRANSITION SURGERIES BECAUSE YOU THINK THEY ARE TOO YOUNG TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS OR TOO YOUNG FOR THEIR PARENTS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS FOR THEM.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH PUBERTY, WHEN YOU ARE 13 AND 14 YEARS OLD YOU THINK DIFFERENT THEN THAN AS A 45-YEAR-OLD.

YOU DON'T HAVE AS MUCH LIFE EXPERIENCE.

AS I SAID, IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING THAT CHILD, MAKING SURE THEY DON'T MAKE A RASH DECISION AND MAKE A RASH DECISION TO GET ON POWERFUL MEDICATIONS BECAUSE THEY HAVE LIFE-ALTERING SIDE EFFECTS THAT CAN REALLY AFFECT THEM.

WE WANT TO PROTECT THE CHILD AND AT THE SAME TIME LOVE ON THEM, SHOW THEM COMPASSION AND WORK WITH THEM AND BECAUSE THE SCIENCE SHOWS 80 TO 95% OF THESE CHILDREN THAT SUFFER AND THINK THEY MAY BE IN THE WRONG BODY OR SUFFER GENDER DYSPHORIA WILL END UP GROWING TO ACCEPT WHO GOD MADE THEM AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL SEX.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING YOU ALLUDED TO EARLIER IN THE INTERVIEW.

THAT IS YOU DO RECOGNIZE GENDER DYSPHORIA AS A ISSUE BUT YOU THINK IT IS BETTER TO BE TREATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING THAN TAKING PERMANENT ACTION WHERE YOUR BODY CHEMISTRY IS CONCERNED.

>> AS A FORMER PROBATE JUDGE, I DEALT WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE OF THINGS AS THE PROBATE COURT DEALS WITH THOSE SIDE OF THINGS.

IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THESE CHILDREN THAT SUFFER FROM THIS GET THE HELP THEY NEED AND DON'T MAKE A DECISION 10, 11, 12, 13 YEARS OLD THAT AFFECTS THEM DOWN THE ROAD AND THEY COME TO REGRET.

>> I KNOW IT YOU HAVE BEEN HARD TO HEAR THE TESTIMONY ON THIS.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM PARENTS AND TRANS PEOPLE THEMSELVES THAT SAID -- THEY TALK ABOUT HOW HARD OF A LIFE THEY LEAD AND THE STRUGGLE TO IDENTIFY WHO THEY FEEL THEY ARE.

IT IS POINTED OUT THAT MANY TRANS YOUTH COMMIT SUICIDE.

IT IS BROUGHT UP IF WE DID AWAY WITH MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR THESE TRANS YOUTH, THE HORMONES, PUBERTY BLOCKERS, IT MAY PREVENT THEM FROM COMMITTING SUICIDE IF THEY WERE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE ON THESE DRUG REGIMENTS.

>> I HEAR THE ARGUMENT AND UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE ON THAT ARGUMENT.

I WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND HOW POWERFUL HE'S THESE PUBERTY BLOCKERS ARE AND CROSS SEX HORMONES.

ONCE THEY START ON THE PUBERTY BLOCKERS THEY GO TO THE CROSS SEX DRUGS AND THEN THE SEX CHANGE SURGERIES.

BUT IT IS A LIFE-LONG DRUG -- HAVING TO BE ON THOSE DRUGS, TOO.

THAT'S WHAT CONCERNS ME MOST.

THEY ARE MAKING A DECISION WHEN THEY ARE IMMATURE.

LET'S PRESS THE PAUSE BUTTON AND GET THEM TO WHERE THEY ARE ADULTS AND THEY CAN MAKE THE DECISION FOR THEMSELVES.

>> WITH A PARENTAL CHOICE IS CONCERNED ON THE ISSUE TOO.

THE YOUTHS COME TO THEIR PARENTS AND SAY I WANT TO DO THIS AND THE PARENTS HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON IT.

MAYBE THE SAME PRINCIPLE APPLIES FOR PARENTS WHO SAY THIS IS OUR RIGHT TO DECIDE WHAT IS BEST FOR A CHILD.

WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE ADULT AND LET THEM DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES.

>> NOTHING IN THE BILL PROHIBITS THE TEENAGER, 10, 11, 12 WHATEVER AGE THEY MAY BE TO GO BY A DIFFERENT NAME OR WEAR DIFFERENT CLOTHES.

IT HITS THE PAUSE BUTTON.

NO DRUGS.

THOSE THINGS ARE POWERFUL.

LET'S WAIT AND GIVE THEM HELP ON THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE TO GET THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> WHEN THEY ARE AN ADULT OF LEGAL AGE THEY CAN MAKE THE DECISION FOR THEMSELVES.

>> YES, SIR.

>> DO YOU SEE THIS COMING TO FINAL PASSAGE THIS YEAR?

>> I DO.

WE FEEL WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION.

I SEE US GETTING IT TO THE FLOOR AND GETTING IT TO FINAL PASSAGE.

>> ONE FINAL VOTE ON THIS ISSUE, REPRESENTATIVE.

IT'S BEEN RAISED THIS BILL IS DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST THE TRANS COMMUNITY.

I KNOW YOU FOUGHT BACK AGAINST THAT CONTENTION.

>> IT'S NOT.

WE WANT EVERYONE TO FLOURISH.

WE WANT THESE KIDS TO FLOURISH WITH THEIR LIFE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE IDEOLOGY AND HOW POWERFUL THESE DRUGS CAN BE AND POW POWERFUL THEY ARE AND THE SIDE EFFECTS THAT COME FROM THESE DRUGS.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS IN THE BILL FOR PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY.

I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT THAT BEFORE AND OTHER SEXUAL VERIFIABLE DISORDERS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED THROUGH TESTS, THROUGH LABS THAT CAN BE IDENTIFIED.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO BE ABLE TO USE THOSE PUBERTY BLOCKERS FOR 5 OR 6-YEAR-OLD THAT MAY BE GOING THROUGH EARLY ONSET PUBERTY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF VOTING RELATED BILLS YOU ARE CARRYING THIS YEAR.

ONE GOT OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS WEEK AND IT WOULD BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE.

THIS BECAME AN ISSUE IN THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR BUT RAISED A LOT OF RED FLAGS ABOUT POSSIBLE PROBLEMS YOU BEING AMONG THEM.

>> FORMER PROBATE DRUG ONE THAT ADMINISTERED ELECTIONS FROM EVERYTHING FROM GETTING MACHINES READY TO TRAINING POLL WORKERS.

WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE SUBJECT.

ALABAMA DOES A GOOD JOB WITH THE ELECTIONS AND WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING THAT WILL BRING CHAOS AND CONFUSION INTO OUR PROCESS.

ELECTION INTEGRITY IS MOST IMPORTANT.

WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR ELECTION INTEGRITY.

THEY DO A FANTASTIC JOB RUNNING OUR ELECTIONS BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT CURBSIDE VOTING IS NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS ABOUT THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY FOR THAT BALLOT.

AND THAT BALLOT IS SPECIAL AND WE NEED TO KEEP IT SECURE AND MAKE SURE THE PERSON THAT HAPPENS TO DRIVE UP TO THE CURBSIDE, THAT PERSON IS THE PERSON THAT SIGNED IN.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS SECURE ELECTIONS AND THAT'S WHAT WE AIM TO DO WITH THE BILL.

>> YOU FEEL THAT CURBSIDE OFFERING.

>> IT WEAKENS OUR ELECTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I KNOW YOU FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE NOTION FROM THE OTHER SIDE THAT SAID WE SHOULD BE MAKING IT EASIER TO VOTE, NOT HARDER.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THOSE FOLKS?

>> WE NEVER HAD CURBSIDE.

>> IT CAME UP LAST YEAR.

>> IT CAME TO US FROM THE FEDERAL COURT SIDE OF THINGS.

THAT'S NEVER BEEN AN OPTION BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE HOW IMPORTANT SECURE ELECTIONS ARE.

WE'RE NOT MAKING IT HARDER.

WE'RE MAKING SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE SECURE.

>> THIS CURBSIDE VOTING BAN IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF TWO BILLS RUNNING AT THE SAME TIME.

YOURS GOT OUT OF THE HOUSE.

ANOTHER FROM SENATOR ROBERTS THAT GOT OUT OF THE SENATE THIS WEEK.

ARE THERE SUBTLE DIFFERENCES?

>> THEY ARE IDENTICAL.

>> YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS ONE?

>> VERY GOOD.

ANYTHING THAT PROTECTS OUR ELECTIONS I THINK WILL BE HIGH PRIORITY FOR OUR HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> YOU ALSO HAVE A BILL THIS YEAR THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THE SECRETARY OF STATE FROM REVISING OUR ABSENTEE VOTING PROCEDURES DURING STATES OF EMERGENCY LIKE THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR.

LAST YEAR THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALLOWED FOR NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

YOU THINK THAT IS RIFE FOR TROUBLE?

>> I THINK ANYWHERE THAT SOME TROUBLE MAY COME UP IT IS NORMALLY SHOWN UP IN THE ABSENTEE ELECTION PROCESS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE REQUIRE THE PHOTO I.D.

STILL REQUIRE THE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT COME ALONG WE DON'T NEED TO START WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING.

AS I SAID, SECURE ELECTIONS ARE PARAMOUNT IN ALABAMA AND THAT'S ONE THING WE ARE FOCUSED ON KEEPING OUR ELECTIONS SECURE.

THIS ONE BILL DOES THAT.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

ALL ACCOUNTS SEEM LIKE IT WENT OKAY.

WERE YOU CONCERNED.

>> I WAS CONCERNED WHEN I WAS RUNNING ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE A GOOD PROCESS THAT THE CIRCUIT COURT AND THE MANAGERS DO.

THEY DO A FANTASTIC JOB WITH OUR ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

THEY LIKE THE PROCESS WE HAVE NOW.

I HEARD FROM A LOT OF CIRCUIT CLERKS AND ABSENTEE ELECTION MANAGERS WHEN THIS NO EXCUSE ISSUE CAME UP.

SO THEY LIKE OUR SECURE PROCESS NOW.

>> INSTEAD OF LEAVING IT UP -- THESE DECISIONS UP TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, YOU WANT TO PROHIBIT HIM FROM ALTERING THE PROCESS IN STATES OF EMERGENCIES.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS.

IT IS JUST A PROTECTION FOR THE FUTURE TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE WHERE WE ARE ON SECURE ELECTIONS.

WHAT WE WITNESSED LAST NOVEMBER SOME CONCERNED CITIZENS SAW WHAT WENT ON AROUND THE CURRENT.

I THINK ALABAMA DOES A GOOD JOB AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

REPRESENTATIVE HALL HAD A BILL THAT WAS CARRIED OVER AND SHE PULLED IT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE SUPPORT TO GET IT PASSED.

SHE INITIALLY HAD SUPPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE BUT HE DREW SUPPORT AS REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION MOUNTED.

I ASSUME YOU WERE WATCHING THAT CLOSELY.

>> VERY CLOSELY.

I'M ON THE CONSTITUTION AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.

WE HAD THAT PUBLIC HEARING ON IT AND HEARD BOTH SIDES.

BUT IN THE END, YOU KNOW, I WAS NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT BILL.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, CONGRESS PASSED A BILL THAT WILL MAKE VOTER EASIER, REMOVE BARRIERS TO VOTING BUT AT THE SAME TIME WHERE STATES LIKE ALABAMA ARE CLAMPING DOWN AND SAYING LET'S KEEP THINGS AS THEY ARE.

WE ARE SEEING AN INTERESTING DICHOTOMY BETWEEN THE STATES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> WE ARE SEEING DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES.

EXACTLY RIGHT.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS ARE RIFE FOR CHAOS AND CONFUSION.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT.

THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WANTED TO INTRODUCE 16-YEAR-OLDS BEING ABLE TO VOTE.

I BELIEVE I SAW THAT HEADLINE.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS WISE AT ALL.

I THINK OUR STATE IS DOING IT RIGHT.

WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE MORE PROTECTIONS AND MAKING SURE OUR ELECTIONS ARE REALLY SECURE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN OF TROY, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU, DON.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST DR. HARRIS IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK, BEEN A LOT OF DEVELOPMENTS ON THE COVID FRONT THIS WEEK.

LET'S START WITH THE STATEWIDE MASKING MANDATE.

GOVERNOR IVEY ANNOUNCED SHE WILL EXTEND THE MASK MANDATE UNTIL APRIL 9th.

I KNOW YOU ARE GLAD TO SEE THE EXTENSIONS.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT AN END CERTAIN DATE?

>> I SUPPORT WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING.

SHE'S BEEN A GREAT CHAMPION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.

SHE HAS LISTENED TO THE SCIENCE AND DONE THE THINGS SHE THINKS ARE RIGHT AND I THINK THAT ARE RIGHT BASED ON THE SCIENCE WE HAVE.

WE HAVE ALL UNDERSTOOD THAT A MASK MANDATE IS A POLITICAL CONSIDERATION AS WELL AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONSIDERATION.

I KNOW SHE HAS THAT BURDEN TO BEAR, TRYING TO WEIGH THE DIFFERENT THINGS.

I THINK SHE HAS MADE A GOOD CHOICE.

CLEARLY STATES ARE GOING DIFFERENT WAYS ON THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

ALABAMA HAS HAD PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

I THINK WE HAD A MASK MANDATE FOR NINE MONTHS AND I THINK IT SAVED A LOT OF MONTH AND I UNDERSTAND IT WON'T GO ON FOREVER.

>> SHE BELIEVED THE MASK MANDATE HAD DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT IN HELPING TO KEEP OUR CASE COUNTS DOWN AS MUCH AS THEY COULD BE KEPT DOWN.

SHE SAYS SHE'S GOING TO TRUST ALABAMIANS AFTER APRIL 9th TO BE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE IN WEARING MASKS BECAUSE THE NEED WILL STILL EXIST.

SHE SAID SHE WILL WEAR A MASK AFTER THE 9th WHEN SHE IS IN GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

>> I INTEND TO AS WELL.

I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS COMMUNICATING TO THE PUBLIC WHAT THE END OF THE MANDATE MEANS.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT EVERYTHING IS THE WAY IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO AND YOU CAN GO BACK TO ANY BEHAVIOR YOU WANT.

IT MEANS NOW IT IS UP TO YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES.

WE HOPE PEOPLE WILL DO THAT.

WE HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE, AND HAVE CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS.

THEY WILL BE AT RISK FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

WE WILL HAVE IS DISEASE CIRCULATING FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS AND MAYBE FOREVER TO SOME DEGREE.

WE HOPE PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE MESSAGE AND SAY THE THREAT IS BEHIND US AND NO MORE PRECAUTIONS NEED TO BE TAKEN.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IN DOING SO IT WOULD GET US THROUGH SPRING BREAK AND EASTER WHICH ARE TYPICALLY BUSY TIMES FOR LARGE GATHERINGS.

IN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN WE COULD HAVE AS MANY SHOTS IN ARMS AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS WITH VACCINATION.

WE PASSED MORE THAN 1 MILLION SHOTS GIVEN SINCE THE VACCINE BEGAN.

WE HAVE HAD MORE THAN 10% OF OUR STATE INFECTED WITH COVID.

WE THINK THERE IS IMMUNITY RESIDING IN A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE AS WELL, IF NOT MOST OF THEM.

AND PROBABLY AN EQUALLY LARGE POPULATION OF PEOPLE INFECTED THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

I THINK WE ARE GETTING QUITE A POOL OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SOME ANTIBODIES ON BOARD AND REDUCED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO THIS.

THE LONGER WE GO, THE MORE WE WILL HAVE, THE CLOSER WE GET TO THE CONCEPT OF HERD IMMUNITY WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

>> AND ONE FINAL TIME, THAT WILL GIVE BUSINESSES TIME TO PREPARE ABOUT WHAT KIND OF RULES THEY WILL HAVE IN THEIR PRIVATE BUSINESSES MOVING FORWARD.

>> I KNOW A NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS HAVE STATED PUBLICLY, SINCE YESTERDAY THEY WILL LIKELY TO HAVE MASK RULES IN PLACE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS OR EMPLOYEES.

WE WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO LOOK AT THE SITUATION IN APRIL AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

IF IT IS APPROPRIATE TO DO SO, WE KNOW IT IS AN EFFECTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE.

WE KNOW THAT MASKS PREVENTION TRANSMISSION OF DISEASE AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL CONSIDER DOING THAT EVEN THOUGH THE MANDATE HAS GONE AWAY.

>> WHAT IF THE NUMBERS SPIKE?

WE HAVE THESE VARIANTS GOING AROUND.

MIGHT WE HAVE TO REVISIT A MASK MANDATE, OR IS IT TOO SOON TO TELL?

>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THE GOVERNOR.

SHE WAS CLEAR SHE WASN'T GOING TO EXTEND IT PAST APRIL.

SO I WOULDN'T SAY OTHERWISE.

BUT I WOULD SAY DURING THIS RESPONSE WE HAVE HAD TO BE FLEXIBLE ALL ALONG.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED AND WE THOUGHT JULY WAS A DIFFICULT TIME AND WE WERE OVER THE HUMP IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER AND NOW WE THINK WE ARE OVER THE HUMP HERE IN FEBRUARY.

SO TIME WILL TELL WHAT THE SITUATION LOOKS LIKE AND WE WILL CROSS THE BRIDGE WHEN IT COMES TO IT.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY IS VIEWED AS HAVING GONE OUT A LIMB THERE WAS AN URGE FOR HER TO LET THE MANDATE LAPSE AND A STATEMENT FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO THE SAME EFFECT.

SHE'S STAKING A CLAIM SO TO SPEAK.

>> I WILL SAY THAT GOVERNOR IVEY HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB AT LOOKING AT THE SCIENCE.

SHE HAS TO BALANCE ALL OF THESE INTERESTS AND POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE ALWAYS SHOWED HER WHAT WE THINK THE BEST SCIENCE IS, LET HER MAKE UP HER MIND AND SHE'S DONE THE RIGHT THING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

AGAIN, I WOULD SAY I COMMEND HER FOR DOING THAT.

IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO DO THAT WHEN SHE IS PRESSURED TO DO OTHER THINGS.

>> ASIDE FROM PUTTING AN END TO THE MASK MANDATE, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE RELAXING OF SOME RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE, FOR INSTANCE, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAN SIT AT A TABLE AT A RESTAURANT.

THAT RESTRICTION IS BEING RELEASED, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AT SENIOR CENTERS WILL BE ALLOWED AGAIN AND NOW TWO VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED TO PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES.

>> THOSE ARE ALL RELAXATION OF THE RULES THAT WERE IN PLACE.

I THINK THEY ARE APPROPRIATE AS WE SEE DECLINING CASE NUMBERS AND MORE PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED.

EVERY ONE OF THOSE RULES WERE DONE BASED ON I THINK VERY GOOD SCIENCE, BASED ON HOW THE DISEASE IS TRANSMITTED.

AS THE NUMBERS IMPROVE, IT MAKES SENSE TO RELAX THOSE THINGS.

I WOULD SAY WE ARE GLAD THAT SENIOR CENTERS WILL BE ABLE TO WELCOME SENIORS MORE.

THEY ARE A VULNERABLE POPULATION BUT THE HEALTH ORDER MAKES THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND WE KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COOPED UP AT HOME A LONG TIME.

IT'S BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR FOR OUR SENIORS.

>> WITH THE ENCOURAGING NEWS, THERE WAS A SOMBER MILESTONE.

ALABAMA PASSED 10,000 DEATHS.

>> THAT IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

2% OF ALL OF THE CASES WE HAVE HAD SO FAR, WE HAD A HALF MILLION, 2% HAVE NOT SURVIVED.

10,000 IS A BIT OF A MILESTONE.

I MENTIONED YESTERDAY AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE BUT THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DEATHS THAT ALABAMA HAS SEEN IS ABOUT 11,000 MORE DEATHS THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN ANY YEAR OVER THE PAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

WE ARE STEADY AT 51, 52, 53,000 DEATHS A YEAR WHICH IS WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FOR A STATE OUR SIZE.

LAST YEAR WE HAD 64 TO 65 THOUSAND DEATHS AND WE STILL HAVE DEATHS OCCURRING EVERY DAY IN ALABAMA STILL FROM COVID.

>> I CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BUT THE DEATHS SEEM TO BE AMONG AN OLDER AGE GROUP.

BUT THERE ARE AN ALARMING GROWING NUMBER OF CASES AMONG THE YOUNGER AGE BRACKETS.

>> WE HAVE HAD IT SKEWED THAT WAY FOR SOMETIME.

THE SENIORS ARE THE MOST PHYSIOLOGICAL SUSCEPTIBLE.

WHEN PEOPLE OVER 75 GET COVID THEY UNFORTUNATELY DON'T SURVIVE AT A FAIRLY HIGH RATE.

IT'S BEEN YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO GET COVID AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH A LOT OF THINGS.

MAYBE THEY DON'T PERCEIVE THE THREAT TO THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUNGER AND MORE INVOLVED AND YOUNGER PEOPLE COMPRISE YOUR WORKFORCE.

YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE ATTENDING SCHOOL IN PLACES WHERE SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION.

THEY TEND TO BE OUT IN LARGER GROUP SETTINGS IN A WAY THAT PERHAPS SOME SENIORS ARE NOT.

>> MIGHT BE EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO IT MORE.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S RIGHT.

MANY OF OUR WORKERS ARE IN OCCUPATIONS WHERE THEY CAN'T HELP BUT BEING EXPOSED IF THEY ARE DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IT PUTS THEM AT RISK.

THIS WEEK WE SURPASSED 1 MILLION DOSES HERE IN ALABAMA.

WE ARE ABOUT TO GET MORE VACCINE, RIGHT?

>> THE SUPPLY IS INCREASING, PARTICULARLY THE MANUFACTURER OF PFIZER PRODUCT IS RAMPING UP.

THIS WEEK WE WILL HAVE 100,000 FIRST DOSES COMING INTO OUR STATE.

THAT WILL BE THE HIGHEST AMOUNT WE HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR.

WE HAVE GOTTEN THIS ONE-TIME BOOST OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

THERE WERE 40,000 OR SO MADE AVAILABLE TO THE STATE.

WE KNOW WE AREN'T GETTING MORE FOR THE REST OF MARCH, BUT AFTER THAT IN APRIL WE WILL GET A REGULAR SUPPLY OF THAT.

AS MUCH AS WE HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CLAMORING TO GET THE VACCINE AND HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING IT, I BELIEVE MOST EXPERTS AGREE THAT PROBABLY MID APRIL WE WILL HAVE THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM.

WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF VACCINE AVAILABLE.

WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF POPULATIONS OF PEOPLE WE WANT TO GET THE VACCINE AND WILL BE TRYING TO CONVINCE THAT AREN'T SURE THEY WANT TO TAKE IT.

I THINK IT WILL FLIP.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID HE FORESAW ENOUGH VACCINE TO EVERY ADULT BY MAY.

>> THAT WOULD BE TERRIFIC.

IT SEEMS REACHABLE.

I THINK WE ARE REALLY SEEING THAT.

THERE'S ANOTHER LARGE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, ASTRAZENECA THAT CREATED THEIR VACCINE.

THEY HAVE NOT SOUGHT EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION BUT SHOULD BE DOING IT SOON.

THAT WOULD BE A FOURTH VACCINE PRODUCT.

WE KNOW THAT JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS RAMPING UP QUICKLY.

BY MAY OR JUNE WE SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE.

>> IN THE EFFORT TO GET AS MANY SHOTS IN THE ARMS AS POSSIBLE.

ADPH IS PARTNERING WITH THE ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP WITH VACCINATIONS AND MASS CLINICS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD SINCE DAY ONE.

GENERAL GORDON HAS BEEN TREMENDOUSLY RESPONSIVE TO US.

SHE SUPPLIED STAFF WHO HELPED IN SO MANY WAYS WITH LOGISTICS AND COLLECTION OF INFORMATION, WITH TRANSPORTING MATERIALS.

AND THAT BEGAN IN MARCH WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO FIND PPE AND GET IT OUT.

AND IT EXTENDED TO DECONTAMINATING NURSING HOMES AND TESTING AND NOW WE ARE HAPPY THAT THE NATIONAL GUARD IS GOING TO SUPPLY VACCINATORS THAT WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE MOBILE UNITS GOING TO MOST VULNERABLE COUNTIES.

WE EXPECT THAT TO START IN THREE WEEKS.

THEIR GOAL IS TO GIVE 1,000 SHOTS A DAY FOUR DAYS A WEEK AND THEY WILL BE MOVING LOCATION TO LOCATION TO HIT THE BLACK BELT AND THE COUNTIES THAT HAVE THE MOST ISSUES WITH TRANSPORTATION AMONG RESIDENTS OR THE LEAST ACCESS TO CARE.

WE'RE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT AND EXCITED WE CAN DO THAT.

>> DR. HARRIS, WITH DEMAND VERY HIGH FOR THE VACCINE VERSUS CONTINUING LIMITED SUPPLY, ALTHOUGH THINGS ARE STARTING TO LOOK UP THERE, A LOT OF PEOPLE TURN TO THE STATS AND THEY SAY, WELL, I CAN FIND STATS ONLINE THAT SAY THIS MANY SHOTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS AND THIS MANY DOSES ARE ON THE SHELF.

THE QUESTION IS ASKED, IF WE ARE WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN TO GET EVERY DOSE IN THE ARM WHY ARE THIS MANY ON THE SHELF VERSUS THIS MANY IN ARMS?

>> THE ONLY ISSUE WE HAVE WITH ANY VACCINE SITTING AROUND TENDS TO BE WITH THE PFIZER PRODUCT BECAUSE THERE ARE FEW FACILITIES THAT CAN HANDLE THE PRODUCT.

PFIZER GOES TO LARGER HOSPITALS OR A FEW PHARMACIES AND PROVIDERS THAT CAN HANDLE THAT.

BY COMPARISON, WE HAVE AROUND 700 OR 800 PROVIDERS WHO WANT TO USE THE MODERNA PRODUCT FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF VACCINE.

WE HAVE 25 PROVIDERS WHO CAN HANDLE THE PFIZER PRODUCT.

PFIZER HAD SOME CHANGES ANNOUNCED THIS PAST WEEK RELATED TO THE COLD STORAGE AND HANDLING REQUIRES THAT MAY MAKE IT EASIER TO GET IT OUT TO OTHER PLACES.

EVEN THEN, PFIZER COMES IN A MINIMUM PACKAGE SIZE OF 1100 DOSES.

EVEN GETTING THAT TO A RURAL AREA AND KNOWING THEY CAN HANDLE THE COLD CHAIN REQUIREMENT IS DIFFICULT FOR SMALLER PROVIDERS TO GIVE OUT 1100 DOSES IN THE TIME THEY HAVE AVAILABLE BEFORE THE VACCINE WASTES.

SO WE HAVE TEAMS THAT ARE REFLECTING AND TRYING TO REDISTRIBUTE THAT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT ADDING MASS CLINICS TO GET RID OF ANY EXCESS WE HAVE.

>> AS WE CLOSE, I'M SURE YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK.

A BILL PASSED COMMITTEE THAT WOULD DO AWAY WITH YOUR JOB AS IT EXISTS NOW AND MAKE IT A CABINET-LEVEL POSITION.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND VETTED BY THE SENATE.

ANY INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF THIS LEGISLATION?

>> WELL, WE WERE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT.

WE HADN'T KNOWN THAT WAS COMING.

I'LL JUST SAY, OUR JOB REALLY IS TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND SAFETY.

WE TRY NOT TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT.

WE RESPECT THE AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO HANDLE THOSE THINGS.

I WOULD SAY IF ANYONE HAD ASKED US I WOULD SAY THIS SEEMS LIKE A SUBJECT THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM HAVING A COMMITTEE STUDY IT AND DECIDE THE BEST WAY TO PROCEED TO TRY TO GET INPUT FROM ALL OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND CAN DO IT IN A DELIBERATE WAY.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP MAY NEED TO BE REFORMULATED AND IF PEOPLE THINK THAT IS THE CASE WE ARE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

WE WOULD HOPE WE CAN GET PAST THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND TAKE TIME TO REFLECT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT ON A DIFFERENT TIME STABLE.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU BET.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> FROM ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1969 BY THE MUSCLE SHOALS RHYTHM SECTION, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SWAMPERS UNTIL THE MID-80s THE MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO WAS ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER RECORDING STUDIOS.

IT PLAYED A POPULAR ROLE IN MUSIC AS A PRODUCTION FACILITY AND STYLIST EMBODIMENT OF SOUTHERN REGIONAL MUSIC.

THE STUDIO HELD A UNIQUE PLACE IN THE NARRATIVE OF SOUL MUSIC IN THE '70s FROM THE ROLLING STONES TO ARETHA FRANKLIN, PERFORMERS WHO RECORDED THERE REPRESENT THE MOST NOTABLE AND POPULAR ARTISTS.

THE REMARKABLE CONSISTENCY IS A TESTAMENT TO THE SYNERGY OF THE PLAYER AND THEIR DEDICATION.

IT TESTIFIES TO MUSIC'S ABILITY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO WAS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC MAY HAVE ON JUNE 2nd, 2006.

>> DON: AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING A PREVIEW OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

WE'LL REPORT ON EXPECTED SENATE ACTION ON TUESDAY THAT WOULD A BILL THAT WOULD SET UP A STATE LOTTERY AND ALLOW FOR CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY BRAND NEW SENATOR KIRK HATCHER OF MONTGOMERY, WHO'LL DISCUSS HIS BEING ELECTED TO THE VACANT DISTRICT 26 SEAT LAST WEEK AND GOING RIGHT TO WORK.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY NEW ALABAMA MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER KIMBERLY BOSWELL, WHO'LL BE DISCUSSING NEW STATE CRISIS CARE AND DIVERSION CENTERS.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.