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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

WE SAY IT ALMOST EVERY NIGHT DURING SESSION, BUT IT WAS ANOTHER BUSY DAY IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, AND A CONSEQUENTIAL ONE.

WE'LL START WITH AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN DOMINATING HEADLINES FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS: IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND LAWMAKERS' EFFORT TO ENACT LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR CLINICS AND PATIENTS IN THE WAKE OF AN ALABAMA SUPREME COURT RULING THAT SAYS FROZEN EMBRYOS ARE TO BE CONSIDERED CHILDREN UNDER THE LAW.

TONIGHT, THE LEGISLATURE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO SENATE BILL 159, WHICH OFFERS LIMITED LIABILITY PROTECTIONS TO IVF PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS IN ORDER TO ALLOW TREATMENTS TO RESUME WITHOUT THE THREAT OF LAWSUITS.

THE HOUSE DEBATED FOR LESS THAN AN HOUR BEFORE VOTING TO PASS THE BILL.

DEBATE CENTERED AROUND WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE WOULD NEED TO COME BACK LATER AND ADDRESS THE MORE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION OF PERSONHOOD.

BUT, THIS SHORT-TERM-IVF-FIX HAD A LARGE BI-PARTISAN CONSENSUS.

>> IN ALABAMA, WE DEFINE, BY LAW WHEN LIFE STARTS.

AND WE DEFINED IT BY SAYING LIFE STARTS AT CONCEPTION.

THE ABORTION LAW?

>> NO.

>> AND EVERY TIME -- >> THE ABORTION LAW ACTUALLY SAYS IN UTERO.

>> SAME THING.

>> NO.

NO, NOT AT ALL.

>> SAME THING.

AND EVERY TIME -- I GUESS THE QUESTION HAS TO BE ASKED, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH EMBRYOS THAT ARE NOT USED OR DESTROYED.

AND WE DEFINED WHEN LIFE STARTED.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE ARE, SOME USE THE WORD ABORTION OR ABORTED, AND NOT USE KILLING.

WE KILL EMBRYOS, AND IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THAT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT BECAUSE THOSE WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN IVF MEASURES, AND THEN THERE'S SOME WHO DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO PARTICIPATE.

SO, I'M JUST A LITTLE CONFUSED AT THIS WHOLE PROCESS BECAUSE IT SEEMS ON ONE HAND WE'RE BEING QUITE HYPOCRITICAL, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, IT'S OKAY, IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT.

THAT'S JUST MY OPINION FROM HOUSE DISTRICT 57.

>> THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN FAST AND THERE WERE WEEKS, A WEEK AGO, WHERE IT CHANGED THE BILL EVERY FEW MINUTES BECAUSE WE WERE TRYING TO GET THE LANGUAGE AS CLOSE TO GETTING THE CLINICS BACK OPEN AND SATISFYING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

I THINK WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.

AND I TRULY HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT THE CLINICS WILL OPEN BACK AND THIS IS GOING TO PROVIDE UNITY THAT THEY NEED TO CONTINUE DOING THE PROCESS WITH THE FAMILIES.

>> AFTER HOUSE PASSAGE THE BILL THEN WENT UPSTAIRS TO THE SENATE, WHERE SENATORS VOTED TO CONCUR FOR FINAL PASSAGE.

THE IVF BILL IS BEING TRANSMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK, A PROCESS THAT SOMETIMES TAKES A WHILE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS SAID SHE IS EAGER TO SIGN IVF LEGISLATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO GET THE CLINICS OPERATIONAL AGAIN.

ANOTHER MAJOR BILL REACHING THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TONIGHT: SCHOOL CHOICE, AND SPECIFICALLY, EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

HOUSE BILL 129 FROM REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT IS KNOWN AS THE CHOOSE ACT.

IT WOULD ALLOW PARENTS AS MUCH AS $7,000 A YEAR IN TAX CREDITS TO GO TOWARD SENDING THEIR CHILD TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

$2,000 DOLLARS IN CREDITS IS OFFERED TO HOMESCHOOL PARENTS.

THE BILL HAS BEEN AMENDED TO PUT FINANCIAL GUARDRAILS AIMED TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T COST THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

STILL, DEMOCRATS REMAINED OPPOSED AS THE BILL CAME TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

AFTER MORE THAN THREE HOURS OF DEBATE, IT PASSED ON A PARTY LINE VOTE.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A BILL THAT IS CONSERVATIVE IN NATURE AND IS CERTAINLY SUSTAINABLE WITHIN THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

AND THIS BILL ADDS ANOTHER CHOICE TO STUDENTS ACROSS, AND PARENTS, AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE ADDING OPTIONS TO THEM THAT THEY CAN EITHER TAKE OR NOT TAKE.

ULTIMATELY, WE NEED TO BE FUNDING THE STUDENTS' EDUCATION, FOCUSING ON THE STUDENTS AND NOT SO MUCH INSTITUTIONS.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE TO TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE VARIOUS OPTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY CAN AVAIL THEMSELVES OF AND USE TO THE BEST DEGREE THAT THEY SEE FIT.

>> WE HAVE IGNORED THE FACT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING TO THE STUDENTS AT HAND.

THIS IS THE SITUATION WHERE WE ARE LOOKING TO PROVIDE MONEY FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE THEIR KIDS ANY WHERE THEY WANT TO TAKE THEM AS IF WE'VE TAKEN CARE OF ALL OF OUR OTHER PROBLEMS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING ADDITIONAL THAT WE NEED TO DO TO ENHANCE OUR EDUCATIONAL, LACK OF A BETTER WORD, CHOICES OR OPPORTUNITY.

BUT I THINK IF YOU GO BACK, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE CRY OF ALL OF OUR SYSTEMS, HOW IN THE WORLD CAN WE LOOK AND THINK WE HAVE EXTRA MONEY TO GIVE TO SOME NEW VENTURE OVER HERE WHEN WE'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF THE PRESENT NEEDS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> THE CHOOSE ACT WAS WRITTEN IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S OFFICE.

AND IVEY HERSELF SAID THE BILL WAS HER TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY.

WE EXPECT A SIGNING CEREMONY AS SOON AS TOMORROW.

ANOTHER STEP FORWARD FOR A HUMAN TRAFFICKING BILL WE'VE REPORTED ON FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.

HOUSE BILL 42 FROM REPRESENTATIVE DONNA GIVENS IS DUBBED THE SOUND OF FREEDOM ACT, AFTER THE POPULAR MOVIE.

IT WOULD SET A MINIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IN PRISON FOR ANYONE CONVICTED OF TRAFFICKING A MINOR.

THERE WAS DEBATE ABOUT THE POSSIBLE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE BILL, BUT THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ULTIMATELY ADVANCED IT.

>> WELL THAT'S GOING TO BE ALL PROVIDE, BUT THE THING IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

AND I REALIZE THAT MAY BE SOME SITUATION FOR A PERSON AT FIRST.

BUT YOU GOT TO LET THE JUDGE HEAR ALL OF THE FACTS AND THEN SAY [[INAUDIBLE] [ THIS PERSON IS NOT.

THAT'S WHAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT THIS AMENDMENT.

THAT KNOWINGLY SUBJECTING TO THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE PROVED BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, BEFORE THEY COULD BE CONVICTED AND THEN SUBBED HAD TO THE SENTENCE FOR LIFE.

SO, KNOWINGLY THEIR PART HAVING TO BE PROVEN BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT TO A JURY, AND THE JURY WOULD RETURN A VERDICT SAYING, YES, I KNOW THAT PERSON KNOWINGLY DID THAT BEFORE THEY WERE SUBJECT TO THIS SENTENCE.

>> THAT BILL NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE FOR POSSIBLE FINAL PASSAGE.

IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, LAWMAKERS CONSIDERED LEGISLATION AIMED AT MAKING SURE BOY SCOUTS WHO SUFFERED SEXUAL ABUSE AND TRAUMA ARE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THE NATIONAL SETTLEMENT FUNDS.

STATE SENATOR MERIKA COLEMAN IS CARRYING SENATE BILL 18 KNOWN AS THE SCOUTS' HONOR BILL.

>> SENATE BILL 18 IS NOT NEW TO THE COMMITTEES, EXCEPT THE NEW MEMBERS, I'VE HAD THE BILL FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND SYLLABLE 19, BUT THIS IS THE LARGER VERSION OF BEING ABLE TO INCREASE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO BE ABLE TO HELP THOSE CHILDREN RESULTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULTN AND RESULTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULTN AND THIS BILL IS PARTICULARLY THOSE BOYS THAT HAD TO ENDURE TRAUMA IN THE BOY SCOUTS.

THERE IS A NATIONAL BOY SCOUT TRUST SETTLEMENT FUND.

IF WE DON'T PASS THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, NEARLY 1500 TO 2,000 SURVIVORS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA WON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY GET THE AMOUNT THEY DESERVE ON THE FUND.

AND WE'RE ON A TIME, YOU KNOW, A REAL ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO TIME.

WE PASSED THE BILL UNANIMOUSLY IN THE SENATE.

REPRESENTATIVE SIMPSON IS GOING TO HANDLE IT IN THE HOUSE ON THE FLOOR FOR ME.

>> IN THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE, LAWMAKERS CONSIDERED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD LIMIT HOW MUCH PROPERTY TAXES COULD INCREASE DUE TO PROPERTY APPRAISALS.

HOUSE BILL 73 FROM REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP PETTUS HAS BEEN FILED IN RESPONSE TO MULTIPLE YEARS OF RISING TAXES DUE TO DRASTIC PROPERTY VALUE INCREASES.

HOWEVER, SOME HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHO GENERALLY REGULATE SUCH MATTERS.

PETTUS AND SONNY BRASFIELD OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONS SAID CONVERSATIONS HAVE PROGRESSED TOWARD A COMPROMISE.

>> THIS IS THE BILL WE HAD THE PUBLIC HEARING ON LAST WEEK.

THIS BILL UNDER EXISTING LAW, NO AMENDMENT ON INCREASED BY THE ASSESSMENT ON REAL PROPERTY, IT CALLS FOR A CAP ON REAL PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS UNDER CURRENT CONDITIONS.

I THINK THERE'S AN AMENDMENT.

AND WE'RE WORKING BASICALLY WITH THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTY COMMISSION ASSOCIATION AND AGREED TO GO WITH IT LIKE IT IS.

BEFORE I BRING IT ON THE FLOOR, WE'LL HAVE AN AGREEMENT AGREED UPON.

>> SINCE WE WERE TOGETHER IN THIS ROOM, WE COULD GO TODAY, WE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING EDUCATION AS WELL AS THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES TO DISCUSS OPTIONS.

WE THEN MET ON MONDAY WITH THE BILL'S SPONSOR AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WE HAD A PRODUCTIVE MEETING.

THIS AMENDMENT IS AN OUTGROWTH OF THAT.

WE HAVE ANOTHER IDEA THAT THE THINK THE COMMITTEE IS AWARE OF THAT MIGHT PRODUCE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED ON THE FLOOR.

>> THE BILL WAS ADVANCED BY THE COMMITTEE AND GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

TODAY WAS CANCER ACTION DAY HERE AT THE STATE HOUSE.

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK ASSEMBLED PATIENTS, FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERS AND ADVOCATES TO COMMUNICATE THEIR PRIORITIES TO THE GOVERNOR AND STATE LAWMAKERS.

RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST IS CLOSING THE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE GAP TO GIVE AN ESTIMATED 220,000 ALABAMIANS ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

I CAUGHT UP WITH JANE ADAMS TO ASK WHAT THEIR MESSAGE IS TO LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR.

>> THIS YEAR, ADVOCATES ARE TALKING ABOUT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND MAKING SURE WE CLOSE THE GAP FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ALABAMIANS THAT COULD GET A CANCER DIAGNOSIS.

.

>> CLOSING THE COVERAGE GAP, LOTS OF PEOPLE HEAR THAT AND THINK MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> WELL, THERE ARE OTHER POSSIBILITIES AND WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL OPTIONS, CLOSING THE GAP FOR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR READING UP ON THE INFORMATION AND TALK TO LEADERSHIP ABOUT IT AND PUSHING THE GOVERNOR TO FIND A SOLUTION.

>> SOME HAVE MENTIONED COST AS A BARRIER TO EXPANDING HEALTHCARE OPTIONS FOR ALABAMIANS.

WHEN THEY SAY THAT TO YOU, HOW DO YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION?

>> WELL, 41 OTHER STATES HAVE EXPANDED MEDICAID AND CLOSED THE COVERAGE GAP AND NOT ONE SINGLE ONE HAS SEEN ANY BUDGET CRISIS OR INCREASE TAXES.

WE KNOW IT'S A VIABLE SOLUTION.

THE MONEY THAT COMES DOWN, IF WE EXPANDED MEDICAID IS TO A TUNE OF A BILLION DOLLARS.

WHICH IS NEARLY WHAT WE GOT IN ARPA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF MONEY THAT WOULD BE INFLUX HAD INTO THE STATE.

WHAT WE DO WITH THAT MONEY MATTERS.

LONG TERM, IF WE WANT TO INVEST IT BACK INTO MEDICAID TO BE SURE TO PAY FOR CLOSING THE COVERAGE GAP FOR A LONG TIME, WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT WHEN LAWMAKERS ASK ABOUT IT, THE ANSWER IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM, THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE STEP OF CLOSING THE COVERAGE GAP FIRST.

>> ALSO GATHERING AT THE STATE HOUSE TODAY WERE DISABLED ALABAMIANS AND THEIR ADVOCATES.

DISABILITY ADVOCACY DAY IS MEANT TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE ISSUES FACING THE DISABLED AND THEIR FAMILIES AND TO PROMOTE POLICIES THAT SUPPORT WELL-BEING FOR ALL.

SPEAKING TO THE GROUP, STATE SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN MADISON MENTIONED THE ISSUE OF TRANSPORTATION.

>> I WORKED SEVEN YEARS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND ONE OF MY JOBS IS WORKING WITH DISABILITIES, WITH OUR TRANSIT COMMITTEE.

AND I UNDERSTAND HOW THINGS CONNECT AND UNDERSTAND FROM A PERSONAL STANDPOINT HOW IT IMPACTS THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE DISABLED.

YOU CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH TO OUR ECONOMY.

YOU HAVE SO MANY TALENTS THAT YOU CAN GIVE.

BUT ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION AND GETTING TRANSPORTATION TO GO WHERE YOU NEED TO GO AND BEING TREATED WITH EQUITY AND DIG KNEE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, IS SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE DISCUSSED WAS THE PROCESS OF TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS, WHICH SOME ADVOCATES SAY CAN BE COMPLICATED DUE TO REGULATIONS.

.

>> SO OUR HOUSE BILL 77, ALREADY PASSED TD HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY PROVIDES A TIMELINE FOR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH GIVING THREE YEARS TO ADD DISEASES TO THE SCREENING PANEL.

ALSO, REQUIRES THEM TO, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON WHY DISEASES HAVEN'T BEEN ADDED.

THE SCREENING IS ONE WAY WE CAN BE SURE THAT THE BABIES ARE GIVEN THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF LIFE.

THROUGH THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY EVEN MISSING THE FIVE DISEASES, ALABAMA'S ABLE TO DISCOVER TWO TO 300 DIFFERENT BABIES BEING NEWBORN SCREENING FOR THE DISEASES THAT WE ARE TESTING FOR.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH STATE SENATOR JABO WAGGONER.

HE'S THE AUTHOR OF LEGISLATION AIMED AT ALLOWING BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE TO ACCESS A $30 MILLION LOAN FUND TO HELP IT AVOID INSOLVENCY.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

I'LL SIT DOWN WITH STATE SENATOR JABO WAGGONER.

>> TODD STACY: WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE, SENATOR JABO WAGGONER.

SENATOR, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, TODD.

>> TODD STACY: I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON EVER SINCE LAST NIGHT YOU PASSED THE SENATE BILL 31 DEALING WITH BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN.

IT'S THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE ISSUE TO DEAL WITH.

BEFORE WE GET INTO IT, WALK THROUGH WHAT THE BILL DOES AND WHY IT WAS NECESSARY.

>> I INITIATED THE FIRST BILL LAST SESSION, IN 2023.

WHAT IT IS, IT'S A $30 MILLION LOAN TO BE ADMINISTERED, THE ORIGINAL BILL SAID TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE TREASURER.

THE BILL PASSED LIKE THAT, LAST YEAR.

HAD A BIG VOTE IN THE SENATE, 32-0 LAST YEAR.

THEN, IT WENT TO THE HOUSE AND THERE WAS A GOOD HUGE MAJORITY VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

IT PASSED AND BECAME LAW.

IT WENT TO THE STATE TREASURER TO START HIS ADMINISTRATION TO ADMINISTER THE LOAN.

WELL, HE REFUSED.

IT WAS DISAPPOINTING.

-- DISAPPOINTING.

AND WE WERE SURPRISED THAT HE DIDN'T TAKE IT ON AS THE LAW ASKED HIM TO.

AND WE'VE BEEN IN LIMBO SINCE THEN.

THIS SESSION STARTED, THE SESSION FOR 2024, I REINTRODUCED IT, WHERE THE LOAN WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION WHO HAD AD GREED TO ADMINISTER THE LOAN.

WELL, THE BILL CAME UP YESTERDAY.

PRETTY LENGTHY DEBATE.

BUT IT PASSED THE SENATE, HAD A GOOD VOTE, THINK, 22 POSITIVE VOTES AND FOUR OR FIVE NEGATIVE VOTES.

SO, IT BECAME LAW IN THE SENATE, PASSING THE SENATE.

NOW, IT GOES OVER TO THE HOUSE.

AND I THINK IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, IT WILL BE INTRODUCED AND DEBATED IN THE HOUSE.

IT'S A NEW BILL.

AS I SAID, IT WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

THINK HE HAS AGREED TO IT.

SO, THAT'S WHERE WE STAND.

>> TODD STACY: YEAH, TREASURER BOOZER BASICALLY SAID, LOOK, Y'ALL PUT ME IN CHARGE OF THE FUND.

I AM THE STATE'S BANKER AND TREATED IT LIKE A BANK, THEY CAN NEVER REPAY THIS LOAN AND IT'S A CREDIT RISK.

IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THAT WENT AGAINST THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT.

YOU INTENDED THE MONEY TO BE SPENT AND HIS DECISION WAS CROSSWAYS WITH THAT.

>> YEAH, THINK IT WAS.

I'M NOT SURE IT'S A CREDIT RISK.

YOU KNOW, BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN IS A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS, PROBABLY 150 ACRES OF REAL ESTATE WITH SOME VERY EXPENSIVE, BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS BUILDINGS WHERE STUDENTS FROM BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN HAVE ATTENDED FOR YEARS.

THE SCHOOL IS, WHAT, 150-YEARS-OLD MAYBE.

BEEN THERE AND EDUCATED THOUSANDS OF ALABAMA STUDENTS.

AND YES, IT HAS FALLEN ON SOME DIFFICULT, FINANCIAL TIMES.

>> TODD STACY: YOU MENTIONED ON THE FLOOR, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR, I INTERVIEWED THE PRESIDENT SAYING THEY COULD FACE CLOSURE, THIS IS NOT JUST DISTRESS BUT POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING FOR THE UNIVERSITY.

>> IT IS.

SURE IT IS.

BUT IN MY OPINION, NOT MR.

BOOZER'S OPINION, THINK IT'S A GOOD CREDIT RISK BECAUSE OF THE REAL ESTATE WHICH IS PLEDGED AS COLLATERAL TO THE LOAN.

BUT THAT'S HIS OPINION.

OF COURSE, I HAVE ONE ALSO.

BUT THAT'S WHERE WE STAND.

IT'S PASSED THE SENATE.

AND IT WILL BE DEBATED IN THE HOUSE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FAULKNER IS GOING TO INTRODUCE AND DEBATE MY BILL THAT'S OVER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SO THAT'S WHERE WE STAND.

PERSONALLY, I FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT IT.

I THINK THE HOUSE WILL PASS IT.

I THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A STATUTE ON THE BOOKS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND WE'LL GO FROM THERE.

>> TODD STACY: AND THEY WILL GET THAT VERY MUCH NEEDED LOAN.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> TODD STACY: LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE CRITICS AND WHAT THEY SAY.

THEY ARE SAYING WHY ARE WE TAKING PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS THAT TRADITIONALLY GO TO STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES BECAUSE BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN IS A PRIVATE INSTITUTION.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT, TAX DOLLARS GOING TO PRIVATE INSTITUTION.

>> WELL, THEY HAVE BEEN FUNDING PRIVATE BUSINESSES, AND FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS FOR YEARS, NOT BIG AMOUNTS.

AND BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN HAS ECONOMIC IMPACT AT $196 MILLION AS DESCRIBED BY DOCTOR DERAVI, HE'S THE ONE AT BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN.

HAS A HUGE ECONOMIC IMPACT FROM THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO, IT IS A CREDIT RISK.

I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

BUT TO ME, THE REAL ESTATE IS WORTH LOTS OF MONEY.

>> TODD STACY: SO YOU THINK YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES SEE THE LOAN AS A LIFE PRESERVER, A LIFE BOAT FOR THE UNIVERSITY.

BUT IN TERMS OF WHAT THE STATE GETS, IT'S MORE OF AN INVESTMENT SAYING, THIS INSTITUTION CONTRIBUTES NOT JUST TO THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM BUT GREATER BIRMINGHAM AREA BUT TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND IT'S WORTH THAT INVESTMENT OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

>> SURE IT IS.

I'VE HEARD FROM HUNDREDS, HUNDREDS OF ALUMNI, STUDENTS, PLEAS, YOU KNOW, PASS THIS LEGISLATION.

I HAD AN UNCLE BACK IN THE 1940S AND 1950S THAT WAS PRESIDENT OF BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN, DOCTOR GEORGE R. STEWART.

AND MY FATHER WENT THERE, AND I FINISHED AT BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN, AFTER GOING TO AUBURN FOR A UHM OFF YEARS.

I'M CLOSE TO THE CAMPUS GROWING UP ON THAT SIDE OF TOWN, WEST SIDE OF BIRMINGHAM.

I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE CAMPUS AND MANY OF MY FRIENDS WENT TO BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN AND I HAVE A REAL LOVE FOR BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE.

I'M TRYING MY BEST TO PRESERVE THAT LONG-STANDING INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THE CITY LIMITS OF BIRMINGHAM.

>> WELL, I'M SURE THEY APPRECIATE YOU STANDING UP HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE TRYING TO SEE THAT GET DONE.

AND LIKE YOU SAID, IT PASSED THE SENATE, A BIG HURDLE AND THE HOUSE IS GOING TO HAVE THEIR SAY.

WE'LL BE WATCHING.

THANKS, SENATOR FOR COMING ON AND EXPLAINING IT FOR OUR AUDIENCE.

GLAD TO, TODD.

>> TODD STACY: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TODD STACY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SAME TIME WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY, WE'LL SEE YOU