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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

AND WELCOME BACK TO OUR NIGHTLY COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL BE ON THE AIR MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AT 10:30 PM REPORTING THE LATEST ACTIVITY FROM THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, AND THEN FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 FOR OUR WEEK IN REVIEW.

WE ALSO INVITE YOU TO WATCH OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TOMORROW RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THE SPEECH IS SCHEDULED FOR 6:00 BUT OUR COVERAGE BEGINS A 5:30, WITH COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS FROM JOURNALISTS WHO COVER STATE GOVERNMENT.

AFTER IVEY'S SPEECH, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAM JONES OF MOBILE WHO WILL OFFER THE OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

BIG SHOW TO LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW.

LEADING THE NEWS TONIGHT, HOUSE DEMOCRATS STAKED OUT THEIR AGENDA ONE DAY AHEAD OF THE SESSION.

DUBBED THE "“PLAN FOR PROSPERITY,"” THE AGENDA INCLUDED PROPOSALS TO END SALES TAXES ON GROCERIES, ELIMINATE INCOME TAXES ON OVERTIME PAY, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, EXPANDING VOTING ACCESS, AND INCREASING HEALTH AND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.

>> AS WE BEGIN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, I BELIEVE IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE TAKE THIS TIME TO REFLECT UPON THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE, OBSTACLES WE HAVE YET TO OVERCOME AND ASSESS THE NEW, UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES AS THEY ARISE.

THIS IS HOW WE CAN MOVE IN A SMART AND STRATEGIC WAY TO MOVE OUR STATE FORWARD.

TOO OFTEN WE CAN BECOME DISTRACTED BY THE CYNICAL AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES OR COMPLEX ISSUES OF THE DAY, BUT WE WANT TO REMAIN STRONG AND FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES THAT REALLY HAVE A DIRECT AND MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

MY COLLEAGUES WILL BE GOING THROUGH A NUMBER OF ISSUE WE DEEM AS PRIORITIES.

ALABAMA HOUSE DEMOCRATS STRONGLY BELIEVE IN ENSURING BUSINESSES, LARGE AND SMALL, HAVE THE NECESSARY CAPITAL, QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AND MEANINGFUL RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PROSPER AND THRIVE.

OUR PRO-GROWTH ECONOMIC PLAN OF BOLD, STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS INCLUDES REDUCING THE TAX BURDEN ON FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES, ENSURING GREATER ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND INCENTIVIZING CHILDCARE FOR PARENTS RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE.

WE MUST CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO CLOSE THE INCOME GAP AND BOLSTER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET THE SPECIALIZED AND EVOLVING DEMANDS OF INNOVATIVE, HIGH-TECH EMPLOYERS.

FURTHER, WE MUST CONTINUE INVESTING IN AND IMPROVING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CURRENT INDUSTRIES WHILE WE SIMULTANEOUSLY CREATE A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL NURTURE ENTREPRENEURSHIP, GROW WAGES AND ATTRACT NEW COMPANIES TO ALABAMA.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WAS IN SELMA THIS WEEKEND TO COMMEMORATE "“BLOODY SUNDAY,"” A LANDMARK MOMENT DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT THAT CULMINATED IN A VIOLENT ATTACK ON MARCHERS BY POLICE.

BIDEN SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE INCIDENT, BROADCAST AROUND THE COUNTRY, GALVANIZED SUPPORT FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND LED TO PASSAGE OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965.

HE ALSO CLAIMED THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS STILL UNDER THREAT FROM STATES PASSING ELECTION LAW CHANGES.

HE ALSO CRITICIZED ALABAMA'S LATEST CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING PLAN.

>> AS I COME HERE IN COMMEMORATION, NOT FOR SHOW, SELMA IS RECKONING, THE RIGHT TO VOTE, THE RIGHT TO VOTE, TO HAVE YOUR VOTE COUNTED IS THE THRESHOLD OF DEMOCRACY AND LIBERTY.

WITH IT, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

WITHOUT IT, WITHOUT THAT RIGHT, NOTHING IS POSSIBLE.

THIS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT REMAINS UNDER ASSAULT, CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT HAS GUTTED THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OVER THE YEARS.

SINCE THE 2020 ELECTION, A WAVE OF STATES AND DOZENS, DOZENS OF ANTI-VOTING LAWS, FUELED BY THE BIG LIE AND ELECTION DENIERS NOW ELECTED TO OFFICE.

THE NEW LAW HERE IN ALABAMA, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ENACTED A NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP THAT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BLACK VOTERS BY FAILING TO INCLUDE WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NEW, PREDOMINANTLY BLACK DISTRICT.

THAT CASE, AS YOU KNOW BETTER THAN I IS IN FRONT OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND MY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS JOINED MANY OF YOU IN ARGUING THAT THE MAP VIOLATES THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS WHO PASSED THE UPDATED MAPS SAY THEY WERE DRAWN TO COMPLY WITH THE 14TH AMENDMENT AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THE STATE ARGUED IN COURT FILINGS THAT THE STATE'S BLACK POPULATION IS TOO SPREAD OUT TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A SECOND MAJORITY DISTRICT WITHOUT LEGALLY QUESTIONABLE MAPPING ACROBATICS.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK FOR A PANEL DISCUSSION.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> FROM 1820 TO 1826, CAHAWBA WAS THE FIRST CAPITAL OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

IT WAS LOCATED AT THE CONVERGENCE OF THE RIVERS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAD ARRANGED FOR A FREE GIFT OF LAND FOR THAT PURPOSE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AN ANCIENT INDIAN WORK WAS FOUND ON THE SITE AND THE GOVERNOR REUSED IT AS A CENTERPIECE FOR THE TOWN LAND.

IT STAYED FOR THE FIRST STATEHOUSE.

THE FRONTIER CAPITAL HAD TWO NEWSPAPERS, NUMEROUS BUSINESSES, A THEATER AND 1,000 INHABITANTS DESPITE THE LOSS OF THE CAPITAL TO TUSCALOOSA, CAHAWBA GREW TO ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST COUNTIES THIS THE NATIONS AND DIDN'T BECOME A GHOST TOWN UNTIL AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

IT WAS ADDED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AND IS NOW AND NATIONAL PARK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT AT THE DESK ARE THE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ALL STARS, RANDY SCOTT AND KAREN GOLDSMITH, REPORTERS OF HER ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING TO COME AND HAVE A PANEL CONVERSATION.

>> WHERE'S MY MEDALS?

I'M ABOUT ALL STAR NOW.

>> WAS I FIRST ROUND DRAFT CHOICE AND SKIPPED THAT.

>> MAYBE YOU, CERTAINLY NOT ME.

I WAS HOPING WE COULD SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ON AIR BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE ARE GETTING TO A LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT STARTS TOMORROW.

THE BUILDING IS ALREADY A BUZZ WITH EVERYTHING GOING.

THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

IT STARTS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

WE WILL HAVE THAT LIVE TOMORROW NIGHT.

RANDY, I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU BECAUSE I KNOW YOU COVERED QUITE A FEW STATE OF THE STATE SPEECHES OVER THE YEARS AND I WONDERED IS THERE ANYTHING GOING INTO THIS SPEECH YOU ARE LOOKING TO HEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR?

>> YOU SAID THE BUILDING IS ABUZZ, I KNOW YOU DON'T MEAN THE WASPS AND HORNETS EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SPRING-LIKE DAY.

THE LEGISLATORS ARE BACK.

THE GOVERNOR HAS HER STATE SPEECH TOMORROW.

I THINK, FROM HER STANDPOINT, SHE'S GOING TO LOOK AT HOW GOOD THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND I MEAN FINANCIALLY SPEAKING.

BOTH BUDGETS ARE IN PRETTY MUCH GOOD SHAPE.

I KNOW THE EDUCATION BUDGET IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE AND THAT'S WHAT SHE WILL START WITH, I THINK.

BECAUSE SHE WANTS PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT ALABAMA IS DOING OKAY.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A PANDEMIC AND SOME ROUGH TIMES.

IT'S TIME TO START THINGS OFF ON A GOOD NOTE.

MORE THAN LIKELY, THAT'S GOING TO BE BROUGHT UP AND MENTIONED.

I KNOW WE WILL TALK LATER ON CONCERNING THE ARPA FUNDS BUT IT IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF BUDGETING BECAUSE THE BUDGETS ARE BY LAW WHAT LAWMAKERS HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF WHEN WE GO INTO SESSION, WHICH STARTS TOMORROW.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUILDING -- LITERALLY THEY ARE AROUND ALL THE TIME.

THE BUILDING IS NOT EMPTY OF LAWMAKERS UNLESS THERE IS AN EVENT GOING ON THAT NOBODY CAN GET INTO THE BUILDING.

THEY ARE ALWAYS HERE HANDLING SOMETHING.

YOU CAN TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT THE EDUCATION FUND BUDGET, ISSUE WITH JOBS.

SOMEBODY IS HERE TO LET YOU KNOW THIS IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON AND THIS IS WHAT WE WILL BE GETTING INTO WHEN THE SESSION STARTS IN EARNEST.

>> SAME TO YOU, KAREN.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING FOR WHEN THE GOVERNOR TAKES THE PODIUM?

>> WHEN THE GOVERNOR SPOKE AT THE NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION IN DECEMBER/JANUARY, SHE HAD HER INTERVIEW AT THE DESK, THE TABLE WITH YOU SHE SAYS LET'S GET READY TO GET TO WORK.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DO.

WE WILL BUCKLE DOWN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND GET TO WORK.

SHE, AS WE KNOW, THOSE WHO COVER HER, WE KNOW BEHIND THE SCENES SHE'S A TRUE FIRECRACKER, HARD WORKER AND VERY COMMITTED TO THE WORK OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND SHE WANTS EVERYBODY TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH HER.

I INSPECT HER TO MENTION WE ARE READY TO GET DOWN AND GET TO WORK.

I EXPECT THERE TO BE A STRONG EMPHASIS, AS RANDY MENTIONED, ON EDUCATION.

IT IS A HIGH POINT OF HER ADMINISTRATION AND HER CAREER IN STATE GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY IN HER ROLE AS GOVERNOR.

EDUCATION IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HER AND THIS ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION.

IT IS AS CRITICAL AS WE WORK TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE WANT TO KEEP GOING IN THE STATE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, STRONG FINANCES, EDUCATION, IT'S THE BEDROCK OF ALL OF THAT.

I EXPECT A LOT OF COMMENTS ON THAT AND MAKING GREAT INVESTMENTS IN PRE-K, WHAT I REALLY EXPECT HER TO SAY IS SOMETHING SHE OFTEN SAYS.

IT IS A LITTLE ZINGER REGARDING SAVING MONEY.

OUR BUDGETS ARE DOING EXTREMELY WELL.

I KNOW WE WILL HAVE A MORE DEEP CONVERSATION ON THAT LATER, AND ARPA FUNDS.

SHE MENTIONED BEFORE THIS IS SPECIFIC MONEY FOR CERTAIN CAUSES.

SHE WILL STRESS WE CAN'T DO THAT INTO ARPA FUNDS BUT WITH MONEY THROUGH TAX REVENUES FROM THE ETF, GREAT REVENUES PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO SHOP ONLINE THAT COME TO THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH I CONTRIBUTE TO BECAUSE I SHOP ONLINE A LOT.

I KNOW WE CAN EXPECT THOSE BUDGETS TO BE STRONG, ROBUST REVENUES AS SENATOR REED WOULD SAY.

I EXPECT HER TO SAY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CAUTIOUS WITH THIS MONEY AND WE ARE NOT FRIVOLOUS AT ALL.

>> YOU MENTIONED EDUCATION.

I'M CERTAINLY GOING TO BE LISTENING FOR THAT, AS WELL.

IN HER INAUGURATION SPEECH TWO MONTHS AGO SHE HAD SOME LOFTY GOALS ABOUT EDUCATION.

SHE WANTED ALABAMA TO BE RANKED IN THE TOP 30, NOT IN THE 30s BUT IN THE TOP 30 IN MATH AND READING BY THE END OF HER TERM.

THAT'S AN INCREDIBLY AMBITIOUS GOAL.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF SPECIFICS.

IT WAS JUST ASPIRATIONAL.

IN TALKING TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND HEY, WHEN WILL WE FIND OUT SPECIFICS AND KNOW, THEY KEEP SAYING THE STATE OF THE STATE.

I'M CURIOUS, WHAT WILL IT MEAN.

IS IT MORE RESOURCES FOR THE LITERACY ACT, THE NUMERACY ACT, CHARTER SCHOOLS, OTHER TYPES OF SCHOOL CHOICE.

I'M CURIOUS ON THE EDUCATION FRONT AS WELL.

BACK TO YOU, KAREN -- CAN I THROW THIS IN REAL QUICK.

WE KNOW SHE SET UP AN EDUCATION COMMISSION TO DO THIS WORK AS WELL.

SHE MENTIONED A LOT ABOUT COMMISSIONS IN HER INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

SHE HAS SET THAT UP TO KIND OF GET THIS WORK GOING AS WELL.

WE KNEW THAT WAS A START.

>> YOU MENTIONED ARPA.

I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT, BOTH OF YOU.

THERE ARE STRONG INDICATIONS THE GOVERNOR WILL CALL A SPECIAL SESSION RIGHT AWAY, LIKE LAST TIME.

SHE HAS USED THIS TACTIC A COUPLE OF TIMES TO ISOLATE THE ISSUE, IN THIS CASE THE ARPA FUNDS.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN TERMS OF WHAT THE SECOND ROUND MIGHT BE SPENT ON?

>> IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD LITTLE TO NOTHING AS FAR AS DETAILS.

WITH THE FIRST BATCH OF FUNDING THEY WERE DETAILED SAYING WE WILL DO X, Y AND Z. I HAVE HEARD THE NEXT ROUND OF FUNDS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS MORE RESTRICTIVE WITH THE FUNDS AND THE REPORTING WILL BE MORE STRENUOUS WITH THESE FUNDS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DETAILED PARAMETERS ON HOW THE FUNDS CAN BE SPEND.

AS WE HEARD FROM OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE THE STATE HAS DONE WELL FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH RESPECT TO THEM.

I EXPECT THE NEXT ROUND WE WILL MAKE SURE TO STICK TO THE GREAT TRACK RECORD WE HAVE HAD WITH THE FIRST SET OF FUNDS.

THE SAME NEEDS ARE STILL THERE, BROADBAND, WATER AND SEWER, HOSPITAL REIMBURSEMENTS, HEALTHCARE COSTS, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS ARE STILL THE TOP TIER NEEDS FOR THE STATE AND CRITICAL NEEDS AND WILL MAKE A HUGE IMPACT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL ALABAMIANS.

WE KNOW THOSE ARE THE MAIN NEEDS.

AS FAR AS ANY REAL DETAILS ON HOW THAT MONEY WILL BE SPENT WITH THE SECOND BATCH, WE HAVE NOT HEARD DETAILED DISCUSSIONS LIKE WE HAVE WITH THE FIRST.

WE KNOW WHAT THE WISHES WILL BE BUT WHAT THE SPEND WILL BE, I DON'T WANT TO GUESS.

>> RANDY, SWITCHING GEARS, YOU COVER THE HOUSE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT HOUSE THIS YEAR.

I THINK THERE ARE 32 NEW MEMBERS, 32 OR 33.

>> 31 OR 32, I BELIEVE.

>> BRAND NEW FRESHMEN MEMBERS.

THAT'S A LOT IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE OF THE HOUSE.

HOW DO YOU THINK IT WILL IMPACT THE HOUSE IN TERMS OF DYNAMIC.

>> I WAS WORKING WITH SOMEONE IN HE STATEHOUSE THAT'S BEEN HERE A NUMBER OF YEARS AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CHANGEOVER IN THE HOUSE.

I WAS TOLD IN 1994 THERE WAS A CHANGEOVER FROM 38 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND OF COURSE IN 2010 WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE BROUGHT INTO THE HOUSE.

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.

NOT QUITE.

IT WILL BE A NEW BATCH OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT WERE TALKING ABOUT ELECTIONS SOLVED LAST YEAR.

IT WILL BE A NEW HOUSE AND DYNAMIC.

IT IS LIKE A TEAM.

WHEN YOU LOSE PLAYERS AND BRING IN NEW PLAYERS, HOW WELL DO THEY MESH?

SO FAR EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THIS INSTITUTION THAT IS LEGISLATURE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE HOUSE STANDPOINT.

WHEN THE GAVEL DROPS TOMORROW, THEY WILL BE READY TO GO BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME IDEAS OF WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE DONE, WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE HANDLED, LIKE ARPA FUNDS OR EDUCATION BUDGET, GENERAL FUND BUDGET, HOW TO HANDLE FINDING MORE JOBS FOR THE STATE.

THE QUESTION IS HOW MANY ARE GOING TO BE IN AGREEMENT WITH EVERY SUBJECT?

THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN IDEA OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND FROM THEIR OWN STANDPOINT WHERE THEY ARE AT IN THE STATE.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN, GO WITH REAL ESTATE HERE IN THIS PART, JOBS, MORE INDUSTRIAL JOBS HERE IN THIS PART OF THE STATE, GO WITH MORE HIGH-TECH JOBS HERE.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

IT WILL BE INTERESTING DYNAMIC FROM THE HOUSE STANDPOINT.

YOU HAVE OVER 100 FOLKS IN THERE SO IT IS ALWAYS INTERESTING.

>> ALSO A NEW SPEAKER AND NEW RULES CHAIRMAN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> CONTROLS THE LEGISLATION, BUDGET CHAIR IN REX REYNOLDS.

IT'S NOT JUST THE FRESHMEN, THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT ROLES.

I FIND IT INTERESTING THEY HAD A MOCK SESSION FOR THE FRESHMEN TO GET ACCLIMATED BUT I'M SURE THE SPEAKER MAY NEED PRACTICE TOO WITH THAT GAVEL.

>> IT IS AMAZING TO SEE WHEN NEW SPEAKERS COME IN HOW QUICKLY THEY GO FROM I DON'T WANT TO BREAK IT TO LET THE HAMMER FALL WHERE IT DOES.

YOU MENTIONED THINK LEADERSHIP IN VARIOUS ROLES, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE, GENERAL TRUST FUND COMMITTEE, THE PEOPLE THIS THESE POSITIONS HAVE EXPERIENCE.

SINCE THEY CAME INTO THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST SIX, SEVEN, ALMOST TEN YEARS, ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN BUSY WORKING VARIOUS ROLES IN SUPPORT, ALMOST READY TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

OKAY, YOU ARE CHAIRMAN OF EDUCATION, RULES CHAIRMAN, GENERAL FUND, LET'S GO TO WORK.

THAT'S THEIR OUTLOOK.

LET'S GO TO WORK.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID IT IS TIME TO GO TO WORK.

THEY SEEM READY.

AS WE SAID, 30-PLUS NEW MEMBERS IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

>> KAREN, YOU COVER THE SENATE.

IT TENDS TO HAVE BEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THE MORE STABLE OF THE BODY, RIGHT?

DOWNSTAIRS THEY ARE -- >> HEY.

>> MAYBE IT'S JUST THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BUT IT HAS BEEN MORE STABLE AND SMOOTH SAILING.

I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT MOVING FORWARD?

YOU HAVE SOME NEW FACES BUT DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE SMOOTH SAILING IN THE SENATE.

>> WE CALL OURSELVES THE UPPER CHAMBER.

>> THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

>> I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> I DIDN'T SAY THAT.

YOU DID.

WE CALL IT THE DELIBERATIVE BODY.

I HAVE COVERED THEM MANY YEARS.

IN MY SENIOR YEARS IN A SLOW DOWN STAGE SO I'M GRATEFUL TO COVER THE SENATE.

THEY CALL THE DELIBERATIVE BODY.

IT IS NOT JUST A NAME OR MANTRA BUT THE WAY THEY OPERATE.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM REED, BOBBY SINGLETON HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

I REMEMBER WHEN DEL MARSH WAS THE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM HE MADE IT HIS BUSINESS TO MAKE SURE ISSUES WERE WORKED OUT BEFORE THEY CAME TO THE PODIUM.

>> BEHIND THE SCENES.

DON'T BRING THE DRAMA TO THE FLOOR.

>> OCCASIONALLY THAT DOES HAPPEN.

AS WE SAY THE WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF THE BUS.

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT YOU KNOW SOMETHING HAS GONE AWRY.

I CAN THINK OF A COUPLE OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION WHERE THAT'S HAPPENED.

FOR 99% OF THE TIME THEY ARE DELIBERATIVE AND FOCUSED BECAUSE THERE ARE A SMALLER NUMBER OF PEOPLE, 35 SO IT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN PERSONALITIES AND THAT NATURE BUT THERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE SURE ALL VOICES AND VIEWPOINTS ARE CONSIDERED, A LOT OF CONVERSATION AND DISCUSSION AND IT IS CALM AND FOCUSED.

OCCASIONALLY THEY GO HAYWIRE BUT FOR THE MOST PART WHEN YOU TAKE ON THAT AS YOUR THEME IT TENDS TO BE THE WAY YOU ACT AND MOVE.

I'D EXPECT THAT AS WELL.

I ASKED BOBBY SINGLETON DURING THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION IF HE HEARD OF ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE CONTENTIOUS THIS SESSION AND HE SAID NO.

BUT THEN HE DID TURN AROUND AND SAID THEY WANTED TO BRING UP EXEMPTIONS TO THE ABORTION LAW.

>> THAT CAN GET STICKY.

>> VERY STICKY BUT IF YOU HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS BEFOREHAND AND EVEN THAT PARTICULARLY CONTENTIOUS TOPIC COULD BE HANDLED IN A WAY OF CIVIL DISCOURSE.

>> LET'S SWITCH TO ISSUES.

BEYOND THE BUDGETS.

WHAT ISSUES DO YOU THINK WILL BE DEBATED AND TALKED ABOUT AND DOMINATE THE EARLY WEEKS OF THE SESSION?

I'LL START WITH YOU, KAREN.

>> OKAY.

I'LL GO FIRST.

I KNOW SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM WANTS THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO BE DISCUSSED EARLY.

HE SAID A QUICK FOCUS OF THE ALABAMA SENATE.

I WOULD EXPECT THAT TO BE THE CASE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A SPECIAL ON THE INCENTIVES.

I KNOW THAT'S BEEN TOSSED AROUND.

WHETHER IT IS OR ISN'T, I KNOW SENATOR REED MENTIONED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES HAVE BEEN A CORNER STONE OF HIS CAREER IN THE LEGISLATURE.

HE'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

I SNOW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AINSWORTH HAS BEEN A LEADER IN CHARTING THAT COURSE.

HE CHAIRED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE COMMISSION THAT MET DURING WHAT WE CALL THE OFF SEASON.

WE KNOW THE PEOPLE MOST INVOLVED WITH THAT WORK ARE IN THE ALABAMA SENATE.

THAT IS CRITICAL.

ONE, THE INCENTIVES NOW ARE GOING TO EXPIRE OVER THE SUMMER.

SO THEY HAVE TO BE RENEWED.

EVEN FOR THAT AMOUNT TO KEEP THEM FROM SUNSETTING.

THEY WANT TO LOOK AT MEGA SITES, MORE TECHNOLOGY THINGS AND A FOCUS ON -- THIS IS ONE OF THE GOALS THE COMMISSION CAME UP WITH, WHAT CAN WE DO TO FORTIFY SMALL BUSINESSES, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE MAJORITY OF BUSINESSES IN OUR STATE AND MINORITY OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES, AS WELL.

THEY WANT TO GIVE THEM MORE SUPPORT SO THOSE ENTITIES CAN CONTINUE TO GROW WITHIN OUR STATE.

>> RANDY, BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, I WANT TO ASK YOU, YOU HAVE DONE SOME REPORTING ON A LOT OF THESE ISSUES.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM LAWMAKERS ABOUT ISSUES THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON EARLY IN THE SESSION.

I KNOW YOU COVERED THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE TODAY.

>> HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE TODAY WHERE THEY TALKED ABOUT A NUMBER OF THINGS INCLUDING HEALTHCARE EXPANSION.

MAKING SURE PLACES IN RURAL AREAS ESPECIALLY HAVE HOSPITALS.

SOMEONE SAID TODAY OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO 17 HOSPITALS IN THE STATE THAT HAVE CLOSED IN AREAS WHERE NO HOSPITAL NEEDS TO CLOSE BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED THEM.

THAT'S SOMETHING THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT IN TERMS OF GETTING AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

UNDER THAT SAME UMBRELLA, IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK NOW DAYS ABOUT ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

I KNOW SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, THEY WANTED TO TACKLE AND LOOK AT THINGS DEALING MENTAL HEALTH.

THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE.

WE WERE ASKING SOME MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, DURING THEIR MEETING, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT TOUCHES ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE IN BUSINESS, EDUCATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT COVERS A LOT OF THINGS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THIS AND SEE HOW TO HANDLE IT.

YOU MIGHT SEE SUPPORT ACROSS THE LINES IN TERMS OF WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO TO HANDLE THIS.

THAT IS SOMETHING YOU KNOW PEOPLE WILL TALK ABOUT.

AS I SAID, IT AFFECTS A LOT OF DIFFERENT GAMUTS ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT SIDES.

SOMETHING ELSE THAT WAS MENTIONED, I HAVEN'T HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT LATELY BUT THE WORD GAMING CAME UP, THE GAMING ISSUE.

IT MAY BE SOMETHING YOU HEAR ABOUT LATER ON BECAUSE FOR THE LAST HOW MANY YEARS IT IS SOMETHING ALWAYS ON THE TABLE FOR LAWMAKERS.

>> LET ME ADD ON BEHALF OF MY ALABAMA SENATE, THE SENATE SAID THEY ARE NOT GOING TO TOUCH GAMING UNLESS SOMETHING COMES FROM THE HOUSE.

>> THEY BROUGHT THAT UP SAYING LOOK AT WHAT THE SENATE DONE DID.

>> THE REASON IS THEY HAVE PASSED COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING BILLS BEFORE.

WE ARE DONE UNTIL THE HOUSE TAKES ACTION.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.

TO ME, THEY CAME AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN COME IN 2021.

THEY BROKE DOWN AT THE END THERE.

TO ME, SOMETHING ON GAMBLING WILL PROBABLY TAKE THE GOVERNOR PUSHING IT.

ANOTHER THING I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS PRESS CONFERENCE IS TWO OF THEIR MAIN PROPOSALS SOUND LIKE REPUBLICAN PROPOSALS, TAX CUTS.

TAX CUT ON INCOME TAX, BASICALLY OVERTIME INCOME TAX AND REMOVING THE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

YOU COULD SLAP -- WHAT REPUBLICAN DOESN'T LIKE TAX CUTS?

I THINK THAT IS INTERESTING.

>> YOU CAN SAY TO-MAI-TOE AND I SAY TO-MAH-TOE.

ONE SIDE CAN SAY WE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING IT FOR YEARS.

>> TAX ON GROCERIES WAS DEMOCRATIC ISSUE AND NOW IT IS SWITCHED.

>> NOW EVERYBODY WANTS IT.

IT DEPENDS.

>> I HATE THAT WE ARE OUT OF TIME BUT WE WILL DO THIS AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

IT GOES REALLY QUICK.

>> TOMORROW I CANNOT WAIT.

I'M SO EXCITED.

>> TAKE THIS PICTURE NOW.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

AGAIN, WE WILL BE ON THE AIR MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHTLY AT 10:30 P.M. AND 7:30 ON FRIDAYS.

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