>> YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE AT THE OLD HOUSE CHAMBER AT THE ALABAMA STATE CAPITOL, WHERE 30 MINUTES FROM NOW, GOVERNOR IVEY WILL ADDRESS HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

GOOD EVENING, I'M TODD STACY AND WE'RE ON AIR FOR THE NEXT TWO HOURS, BRINGING YOU THE SPEECH ITSELF, DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS FROM OFFICIALS.

>> I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, THEY ASK US, WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE STATE HOUSE AND THE SESSION IS GOING ON.

>> QUITE FRANKLY, THEY ARE USUALLY ALL HERE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

AND THE DIFFERENCE NOW, THE GAVEL DROPPED TODAY AND ACTION IS ABOUT TO START.

BOY HAS IT STARTED, BECAUSE THEY HAVE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

>> HOUSE AND SENATE, START OF THE SESSION TODAY AT NOON UNDER THE CONSTITUTION BUT TONIGHT'S THE GOVERNOR'S TURN AND SEE WILL GIVE HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND WE'LL BE HERE ALL NIGHT WATCHING THE SPEECH AND COVERAGE FOR ALL OF THAT.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR QUITE A FEW.

>> RIGHT.

AND NONE OF THEM ARE THE SAME.

AND NONE OF THEM ARE THE SAME!

>> WE'LL TAKE A SHORT BREAK AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE GEORGE C MARSHAL FLIGHT CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE HAS BEEN THE HEART OF THE SPACE PROGRAM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE LATE 1950S.

THIS WAS DESIGNATED AS A PROPULSION CENTER LAUNCHING ROCKETS INTO HISTORY.

THEY HELPED MAKE HISTORY IN 1961 WHEN THEIR ROCKET ORBIT HAD ROBERT B ALAN AND THESE WERE THE SATURN ROCKETS USED IN THE MOON MISSION.

THEY AIMED TO FULFILL THE MISSION TO NASA BY END OF THE DECADE.

APOLL MISSIONS LAUNCHED BETWEEN 1967 AND 1973 INCLUDING THE FIRST MOON LANDING ON JEWEL 20 -- JULY 20, 1967. INTERNATIONAL STAYS SPACE STATION AND THE LEAD LAUNCH CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IN THE STATE OF THE STATE COVERAGE, VETERAN POLITICAL REPORTERS, MARY SELF, AND BRIAN, WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

THANKS FOR COMING ON.

THANKS.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> AND TODAY WE HAD THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LOOKING AT THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH AND WHAT WE MIGHT HEAR FROM HER I WANT TO ASK EACH OF YOU, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

CERTAIN THEMES IN HER SPEECH AND WHAT SHE MIGHT DELIVER?

MARY, I'LL START WITH YOU.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING AFTER SPENDING THE DAY IN THE STATE HOUSE IS THE SPECIAL SESSION CALL.

THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT COMING BACK UNTIL MARCH 21.

THAT'S TWO WEEKS.

THAT'S A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> IN CASE THERE'S ANY DOUBT!

>> RIGHT, IN CASE THERE'S ANY DOUBT.

BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN READING THAT FOR COUPLE WEEKS.

SPECIAL SESSION LIKELY TO START TOMORROW.

AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT PLAN AND THE LAST OF THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS AND BILLION DOLLARS AND CHANGE.

LEARNING WHAT THAT PLAN IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

AND I EXPECT SHE'S GOING TO WRITE THAT OUT MORE BROADLY.

>> BRIAN, WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING FOR?

>> I'M INTERESTED IN HEARING WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SPECIFICALLY CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SHE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT IN THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS AND PAST TWO MONTHS EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT PLAN IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

WE CERTAINLY WOULD ASK THE GOVERNOR AND SHE WANTS TO KEEP HER POWDER DRY ON THAT PROPOSAL.

WHEN YOU TALK TO THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, THEY ARE ALSO WAITING FOR THE GOVERN TO TELL -- GOVERNOR TO TELL THEM WHAT THEY SHOULD EXPECT.

AND RIVALS HAVE COME UP AND MAYBE THEY HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S ENDORSEMENT, MAYBE NOT.

CLEARLY SHE WANTS IT ADDRESSED AND I'M INTERESTED IN HEARING THE DETAILS WHAT SHE HAS IN MIND.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

ALL OF BOTH WHAT YOU SAID.

BUT ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, SHE HAD LOFTY GOALS IN HER INAUGURATION SPEECH SAYING THAT SHE WANTED ALABAMA TO BE IN THE TOP 30.

NOT THE 30'S BUT THE TOP 30 BY THE END OF HER TERM IN MATH AND SCIENCE.

THAT'S AN AMBITIOUS GOAL.

NO SPECIFIC POLICIES.

AND WAIT UNTIL THE STATE OF THE STATE AND UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GETS IN.

SO, THE BUZZ WORD OF SCHOOL CHOICE HAS BEEN AROUND.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS AND SO WERE VOUCHERS.

WHICH WAY WILL SHE GO.

I'M EAGER TO HEAR ABOUT THAT.

>> AND WHEN YOU TALK TO THOSE PROPOSALS, BROAD ONES GOING AROUND AND LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, THEY SEEM LIKE LET'S EXPAND WHAT WE HAVE.

AND I THINK THEY ARE GETTING THEIR CUES FROM ACROSS THE STREET FROM IVEY'S OFFICE.

AND WE ALREADY HAVE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE THEMES THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE.

>> FASCINATING DYNAMIC IN THE BUDGET HEARINGS TODAY WHEN THE FISCAL AGENCY GAVE A PRESENTATION AND WE ARE LOOKING AT PROBABLY AT LEAST, IN NOMINAL TERMS, RECORD BUDGET AND WE MAY SPEND $10 BILLION ON EDUCATION AND $3.3 BILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

THESE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS SCHOOL FUNDING IN A STATE HISTORICALLY BEEN BAD FOR PER PUPIL FUNDING.

AND THE MESSAGE IS, HEY, BE VERY CAREFUL WITH WHAT YOU HAVE GOT.

LISTEN, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT.

THINK EVERYBODY FELT REALLY BURNED ABOUT THE GRACE RECESSION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

I WAS GUESS, I GUESS, MORE SURPRISED, IT STRUCK ME AS NOTABLE JUST THE URGE FOR CAUTION WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH RECORD BUDGET REVENUES IN A STATE THAT HISTORICALLY HAS STRUGGLED SO MUCH WITH JUST BASIC PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> THAT'S BEEN A THING.

AND THAT GETS US TO THE IDEA OF TAX REBATES.

I SAW IT MENTIONED IN DIRECTOR POOLE'S PRESENTATION.

THAT WORD.

HE DIDN'T SPECIFY WHAT THE TOTAL IS GOING TO BE ON THAT, BUT SOUNDS LIKE, YES, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TAX REBATE PROPOSAL FROM THE GOVERNOR.

DO YOU THINK SHE'LL HAVE A PARTICULAR AMOUNT?

ARTHUR ORR HAD ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS THAT WE REPORTED ON.

DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.

IF YOU GIVE THIS MUCH TO SINGLE FOLKS, MARRIED FOLKS, EQUALS $600 MILLION OR $700 MILLION.

DO YOU SEE HER STAKING OUT A POSITION OR LEADING UP TO THE LEGISLATION?

>> I WOULD THINK, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE TONIGHT IS SOME BROAD TERMS.

MAYBE SHE LET'S THE LEGISLATURE SORT SORT OF FILL IN THE DETAILS.

BUT YEAH, DEFINITELY A REBATE.

IT'S INTERESTING TO GET $2.7 BILLION IN A SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR!

THAT'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> THAT'S A WHOLE GENERAL FUND!

>> 10 YEARS AGO, PEOPLE WOULD HAVE DONE BAD, BAD THINGS FOR $2.7 BILLION.

SO, THE REBATES, YOU ARE HEARING FOLKS SAY, NO, NO, MAYBE WE NEED TO DO A BIG INVESTMENT.

THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME SORT OF THING.

MAYBE WE NEED TO USE THE BIG INVESTMENT.

AND REBATES, THINK THERE'S AN EMAIL TO THOSE BECAUSE YOU PUT A CHECK DIRECTLY IN PEOPLES' HANDS.

AND YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SAY, $200, $300 DOESN'T MEAN A LOT TO ME.

BUT THAT MEANS A LOT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

>> I WAS TALKING ON THE RADIO THE OTHER DAY AND AND WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE?

ONE TIME, $200, AND 4% OFF YOUR GROCERY IN PER PE TO YOU TEE?

I MEAN, PERPETUITY.

>> YOU KNOW, SEEING A CHECK IN YOUR MAILBOX FROM GOVERNOR IVEY, NOT TOO BAD.

>> I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE REBATE BUT IT'S UP TO THE LEGISLATURE TO DECIDE HOW BIG THAT'S GOING TO BE.

THE SMART THING FOR GOVERNOR IVEY TO DO, THROW A NUMBER OUT AND LET THE LEGISLATURE FIGURE IT OUT.

AND SHE CAN SAY, LOOK, I WANT HAD THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR YOU BUT THE LEGISLATURE UNDERDELIVERS OR OVER DELIVERS BUT IN EITHER CASE, SHE IS GOING TO COME OUT LOOKING GOOD.

ON THE GROCERY SALES TAX, IT'S NOT A SEXY PLAN NECESSARILY BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SAVING MONEY, LIKE, ON GROCERIES.

ESPECIALLY IN AN ERA OF INFLATION, I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER, MORE AMBITIOUS GOAL TO TAKE THAT OFF.

I FEEL LIKE TOO ESPECIALLY, I WROTE A WHOLE COLUMN ABOUT THIS SO THIS IS WHERE I'M COMING FROM.

BUT REALLY, WE'VE TALKED FOR YEARS ABOUT GETTING RID OF THIS.

AND THE ISSUE IS ALWAYS, HOW DO WE REPLACE THE REVENUE.

WELL, AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE THE REVENUE TO MAKE A CHAINING.

BUT -- CHANGE.

BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO CUT TAXES AND THAT'S DAMAGING TO PEOPLE, MAKES IT HARMFUL TO BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR CHILDREN.

THAT'S AN AMBITIOUS THING TO TAKE IT THAT WAY.

NOW, COME IN HERE, ADDRESSING THE GROWING NUMBER OF FILLERS GATHERED THERE TO HEAR THE STATE OF THE STATE.

YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD POINT ABOUT THE GROCERY TAX THING.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS.

IS A REBATE AN ECONOMIC GAME CHANGER FOR A FAMILY?

WHEREAS, YOU KNOW, GROCERY TAX IN PERPETUITY DOWN THE ROAD.

I'M CURIOUS HOW REPUBLICANS, LEADER DANIELS HAS BEEN CLEVER ABOUT THIS.

LET'S DO A PILOT, A HOLIDAY TO TEST THE WATERS.

AND WELL, YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THE EDUCATION FUND.

AND HE'S, LIKE, WELL, LET'S PROVE IT.

LET'S DO ONE HOLIDAY ONE JUNE AND NEXT JUNE COMPARE THE NUMBERS.

I'M CURIOUS HOW REPUBLICANS RESPOND TO THAT.

HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE MAJORITY SIDE?

.

>> NO.

BUT I THINK WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT REBATES AND GROCERY TAX, THERE ARE OTHER ONES FLOATING AROUND.

ARTHUR ORR TOOK A LITTLE BIT OFF FOR RETIREES, AND INCOME TAX FOR LOWER INCOME TAX, TAKING A LITTLE BIT OF THAT OFF TOO.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING, LET'S HELP THE WORKING, LOWER INCOME FOLKS OUT.

THEN, THEY GET TO ALSO HAVE CUT TAXES.

>> YEAH, CUT TAXES.

I JUST DON'T THINK THE GROCERY TAX, I UNDERSTAND THE ARGUMENT BUT I JUST DON'T SEE THAT MOVING.

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT'S REALLY STRIKING TO ME, WE JUST MAY DO REBATES BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, THAT'S ALL YOU CAN SELL TO EVERYBODY IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

YOU KNOW, WE DO NOT, YOU BE LIKE -- UNLIKE PREVIOUS YEARS, WE DON'T HAVE AN AGENDA FOR THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS, THIS, THIS, AND THIS.

THEY MAY SIMPLY BE TESTING THE WATERS WITH THEIR CAUCUS AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO WITH THE HUGE POOL OF FRESHMAN LEGISLATORS.

>> TALK ABOUT THE ROLE, GREATER ROLE OF GOVERNOR IVEY.

THERE WERE SOMETIMES THAT THE STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH WAS A GREAT BULLY PULPIT.

AND THINK BACK TO THE GOVERNOR RILEY DAYS IN THAT REGARD.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS MUSCLE IT SEEMS, WITH THIS CURRENT LEGISLATURE, LAST TIME AND THIS TERM.

>> AND SHE'S VERY POPULAR.

>> AND SHE'S POPULAR.

AND THEY HAVE NOT REALLY STRAYED TOO FAR FROM THE THINGS SHE SUPPORTS.

NOT WANTING TO OVERRIDE VETOES, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, DOES SHE GET TO, IN THE SPEECH LIKE THIS, STAKE OUT POSITIONS AND LEAD THE LEGISLATURE WHERE SHE WANTS THEM TO GO?

AND HOW EFFECTIVE DO YOU THINK A SPEECH LIKE THIS CAN BE AT PUSHING HER AGENDA VERSUS JUST SOUND AND FURY.

>> JUST A FEEL GOOD, YEAH, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEADERS IN THIS BUILDING IN THE STATE HOUSE.

AND GOVERNOR IVEY, THINK, HAS A PRETTY GOOD TRACK RECORD OF DOING A LOT OF HOME WORK BEFORE A SESSION AND STAKING OUT WHERE SHE WANTS TO GO.

SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO PASS SOME PRETTY BIG, SIGNIFICANT THINGS IN 2019, THE GAS TAX.

AND THINK WE'LL SEE THINGS MENTIONED TONIGHT THAT WILL MOVE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

>> I THINK GOVERNOR IVEY'S GREATEST STRENGTH, AND I SINCERELY MEAN THIS AS A COMPLIMENT, WHAT POWER SHE HAS AND WHAT POWER SHE DOESN'T HAVE, SHE RECOGNIZES THAT.

AND THE PRIOR GOVERNOR WHO DIDN'T NECESSARILY UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOVERNOR IS PRETTY WEAK COMPARED TO THE LEGISLATURE.

AND SO, SHE'S BEEN CAREFUL TO ASK WHAT SHE CAN GET, NOT TO GO ANY FURTHER THAN THAT.

SO, IN THAT SENSE, THINK THAT SHE'S DONE A GOOD JOB IN THAT REGARD.

I THINK, TOO, NORMALLY, THE STATE OF THE STATE, AS MARY SAID, IVEY IS GOING ONLY GOING TO PROPOSE THINGS THAT SHE FEELS HAS A SOLID CHANCE OF PASSING THE LEGISLATURE.

WITH THIS NEW CROP OF LEGISLATORS, THERE COULD BE MORE AGENDA SETTING THAN OTHERS BUT WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO IT, IT'S THE LEGISLATURE IF THEY ARE SETTING IT AND IF THEY ARE WILLING TO FOLLOW.

>> WELL, WE HAVE A FEW MORE MINUTES BEFORE I HAVE TO LET YOU GO SO YOU CAN GET ACROSS THE STREET TO THE BUILDING.

NOW -- >> 31 IN THE HOUSE AND 6 IN THE SENATE.

>> SO, Y'ALL HAVE MET SOME OF THEM.

I'VE MET A FEW OF THEM.

WHAT'S YOUR IMPRESSION OF SOME OF THE NEW LAWMAKERS?

DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE DYNAMIC, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE WHERE THERE'S A LOT.

>> WELL, YEAH, IN THE HOUSE, THERE'S 31 NEW MEMBERS.

THERE ARE A FEW, THINK, IF YOU JUST GENERALLY LOOK AT THE GROUP, THEY ARE MORE TO THE RIGHT THAN THE REGULAR LEGISLATURE?

>> RIGHT, YEAH.

THEY RAN ON A LOT OF THINGS, SCHOOL CHOICE LETTING THE MONEY FOLLOW THE STUDENTS AND THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SOME OF THEM TRYING TO PUSH THAT.

EVERYBODY DOES THAT WHEN THEY ARE NEWLY ELECTED.

THEY COME IN, LEARN THE ROPES AND LEARN HOW TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED.

YEAH, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK GOING INTO THIS SESSION, NEW LAWMAKERS, NEW LAWMAKERS.

I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

THE ONLY TIME I THINK OF A SIMILAR SITUATION WAS BACK IN 2010 WHEN WE HAD THE REPUBLICAN TAKEOVER OF THE STATE HOUSE, MUCH DIFFERENT DYNAMIC IN LEADERSHIP.

YOU KNOW, TODD, AS WHEN MIKE HUBBARD WAS IN CHARGE, EVERYBODY WAS GIVEN, HERE'S YOUR BILL, YOU ARE GOING TO PASS THIS.

YOU WILL DO WHAT YOU ARE TOLD.

AND THIS NEW HOUSE LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY HANDS OFF, BUT CERTAINLY THEY ARE GIVING THE FRESHMAN A LOT MORE AUTONOMY THAN IN YEARS PREVIOUS AND THAT COULD LEAD TO MAYBE SOME CREATIVE DISCUSSIONS OR EXCHANGES OR IT COULD LEAD TO CHAOS OR BOTH!

I THINK WHATEVER IT'S SAFE TO SAY, IT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH DIFFERENT DYNAMIC THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN YEARS PAST.

GRAND NEW SPEAKER, RULES CHAIRMAN THAT CONTROLS A LOT OF THE LEGISLATION MOVEMENT.

A BRAND NEW PRO TEM STEPPED UP AND SHOWED THAT HE WANTS TO BE HEARD.

SO, A LOT OF NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE, NEW MAJORITY LEADER.

AND ONE THING THAT THE SPEAKER SAID, HE WANTS THE COMMITTEES TO HAVE MORE AUTHORITY THINGS TO GET WORKED OUT IN THE COMMITTEES RATHER THAN ON THE FLOOR.

ONE THING TO SAY AND ANOTHER THING TO DO IN PRACTICE.

I'M INTRIGUED BY THAT.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU PLENTY OF TIME TO LEAVE AND GET ACROSS THE STREET TO BE PRESENT FOR THE STATE OF THE STATE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING AND PREVIEWING THE SPEECH.

THANKS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WORLD WAR II WERE THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PILOTS AND BECAUSE THEY WERE THE ONLY TRAINING FACILITIES POTENTIAL PILOTS CAME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

AND FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN FLYING SQUADRON WAS FLYING IN THE SPRING 1943, FLYING MISSION >> YOU'RE WATCHING ALABAMA >> ONCE AGAIN YOU'RE LOOKING LIVE AT THE OLD HOUSE CHAMBER AT THE ALABAMA STATE CAPITOL WHERE IN ABOUT 8 MINUTES, THE SCHEDULED TIME OF 6:00 P.M., THE GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WILL ENTER THE CHAMBER, TAKE THE PODIUM AND DELIVER HER STATE OF THE STATE FOR THIS THE FIRST YEAR OF A NEW QUADRENNIUM, A NEW TERM OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE GAVELED IN TODAY AT NOON TO BEGIN THE REGULAR SESSION AND THEY'RE ALL GATHERING RIGHT NOW.

TAKING THEIR SEATS AND READY TO HEAR FROM THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US FOR OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF THE STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH.

I'M JOINED BY MY "CAPITOL JOURNAL" COLLEAGUE RANDY SCOTT.

RANDY, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING FOR AS THE GOVERNOR GIVES HER SPEECH TONIGHT?

ARE THERE TO MY RECOLLECTION THINGS OR ISSUE EASY THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

>> I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT -- BECAUSE THAT'S A TOPIC A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHETHER IT'S GENERAL FUND OR EDUCATIONAL FUND BUDGET OR ARPA FUNDS AND MORE THAN LIKELY THIS IS WHAT THE SPECIAL SESSION IS GOING TO COVER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ALABAMA.

IN TERMS OF STATUS ALABAMA IS DOING PRETTY GOOD.

BOTH BUDGETS ARE GREAT.

EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND BUDGET LOOKING GOOD.

THEN YOU HAVE THE CASE FOR ARPA.

HOW WILL IT BE USED?

I CAN TELL YOU SOME THINGS THAT I HAVE HEARD.

FOR INSTANCE, MAYBE SOME OF IT CAN BE USED AND THIS IS JUST AN IDEA, TO HELP WITH EDUCATION IN TERMS OF GIVING TEACHERS PAY RAISES.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS TALKED ABOUT ON THE NATIONAL NETWORKS EARLIER TODAY AND OTHER OUTLETS, WHAT FUNDS COULD BE WOULD YOU SAID TO GIVE TEACHERS MORE SUPPORT AND A HALF AND RAISES.

BECAUSE TEACHERS -- IT'S BEEN A VERY HARD HIT FIELD THAT PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF.

SO WE WILL SEE IF THAT IS MENTIONED AMONG OTHER THINGS LIKE HOSPITALS IN RURAL AREAS.

>> YEAH, WE HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT A DRAFT PROPOSAL TODAY OF A BREAKDOWN OF WHERE SOME OF THIS MONEY GOES.

AND IT'S PRETTY FAMILIAR.

YOU KNOW, HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES, REIMBURSING SOME OF THEIR EXPENSES FOR -- THEY STILL -- EVEN A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER COVID-19 HAD A LOT OF EXPENSES AND TROUBLE FINANCIALLY.

BROADBAND INTERNET, SAME AS LAST TIME, WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.

ONE THING THAT WE HEARD FROM -- THAT I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM DEMOCRATS IN MORE RURAL AREAS, NOT JUST THE DEMOCRATS BUT REPUBLICANS TOO, IS WHEN IT COMES TO WATER AND SEWER, DON'T JUST SPEND IT IN THE RURAL AREAS BUT ALSO IN THE URBAN AREAS, THE CITIES THAT, LIKE BIRMINGHAM, LIKE HUNTSVILLE, LIKE MOBILE, WHO VERIFIED SERIOUS STORM DRAINAGE PROBLEMS, SOME CURIOUS ONCE THE BILL COMES OVER TO THE LEGISLATURE WHETHER THAT CONVERSATION, YOU KNOW, HOW FAR THAT GETS.

>> BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT SOME OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE CONNECTED SO IF ONE SECTION ISN'T WORKING IT'S GOING TO MAKE A BACKUP FOR ANOTHER SECTION.

SO IT PAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE CARE IF YOU'RE FROM AN URBAN CITY SETTING TO MORE RURAL AREAS BECAUSE IN ALL, IT'S GOT TO COME OUT SOMEWHERE AND GO SOMEWHERE AND YOU DON'T WANT ANY DISRUPTIONS TO CLOG UP THE SYSTEM.

>> SWITCHING GEARS TO THE SPEECH, YOU'VE COVERED MANY OF THESE THINGS.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF HOW MANY YOU'VE COVERED.

IT'S ONE THING TO SEE IT ON TV AND ANOTHER THING TO BE IN THE ROOM.

I WONDER IF YOU CAN DESCRIBE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN THAT CHAMBER WITH ALL OF THE STATED LEADERS, THE GOVERNOR, LT.

GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER, THE CABINET, THE SUPREME COURT -- >> YES.

>> DESCRIBE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN THAT ROOM AND TO BE PART OF AN EVENT LIKE THAT?

>> WELL, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WE WERE IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER CURRENT EARLIER TODAY WHEN THEY GAVELED IN.

THIS IS THE OLD CHAMBER.

THIS IS WHAT THEY HAD TO WORK WITH UP UNTIL THE LATE 70S EARLY 80.

IT IS A MUCH SMALLER AREA.

THE FURNITURE IS MORE OF A TIMELY SITUATION, IT'S MORE WOODEN FURNITURE THAN THEY HAVE NOW.

I'M THINKING ABOUT THE FOLKS THERE FOR THE 1ST TIME, NEW REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE IN THE CHAMBER, NEW SENATORS IN THE CHAMBER.

THIS MUST BE AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE FOR THEM TO BE IN THIS HISTORIC PLACE WITHIN THE CAPITOL.

SO WHAT YOU HAVE IS A VERY CONFINED AREA IF YOU WILL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL TALK, THEIR VOICES WILL ECHO OFF OF THE WALLS THAT YOU SEE BEHIND THE LAWMAKERS.

YOU SEE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND GREG REED, THE SPEAKER PRO TEM, PRO TEMPT OF THE HOUSE, MR. PRINGLE, AND THE LT.

GOVERNOR, MR. AINSWORTH WHO IS THERE.

A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS ARE GOING TO PAY ATTENTION TO THEM.

THEN WHEN THE GOVERNOR COMES OUTDOOR AND STARTS HER SPEECH SHE WILL BE IN FRONT OF THEM.

THEY WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION TO HER AS WELL.

EVERYONE WILL HAVE A GOOD VISION POLL TO SEE HER AT AND TO HEAR FROM HER.

IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE YOU'RE IN A CONTAINED ROOM THAT EVERYBODY WHO SPEAKS WILL BE HEARD CLEARLY.

SO IT'S AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE KNOWING THIS IS THE FORMER HOUSES CHAMBER.

THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY HERE, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF HISTORY MADE HERE BECAUSE NO DOUBT, A LOT OF PROPOSALS ARE GOING TO BE MADE TO GET THOSE LAWMAKERS TALKING ABOUT THINGS THEY NEED TO DO FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION THAT MAY BE ANNOUNCED TONIGHT AND THEN THE REGULAR SESSION IN TERMS OF WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY ARE BACK IN THE OTHER CHAMBER FOR THE DUE DILIGENCE MAKING SURE BUDGETS ARE READY TO PASS.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE SAYING THE PLEDGE OR LISTENING TO THE ANTHEM.

THEY'RE APPLAUDING AND THAT WAS QUITE A LONG TIME TO HAVE HANDS OVER HEART.

THE REASON THAT HE WILL DO THAT AND THEY WILL PROBABLY DO A FORMAL PRAYER AND PLEDGE AND EVERYTHING BECAUSE THIS IS A JOINT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS ISN'T JUST THE GOVERNOR CALLING A SPEECH.

THIS IS THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSING A RESOLUTION TO BOTH COME TOGETHER FOR A JOINT SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

AND THEY INVITE THE GOVERNOR COULD COME SPEAK.

SO IT'S A FORMAL PROCESS.

AND YEAH, YOU MENTIONED ON THE FAR LEFT IS CHRIS PRINGLE, THE BRAND-NEW HOUSE PRESIDENT PRO TEM OR SPEAKER PRO TEM.

HE IS FROM MOBILE.

SPEAKER LEDBETTER, BRAND-NEW ELECTED SPEAKER.

THE LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

HE WILL WIELD THE GAVEL.

AND SENATE PRESIDENT REED FROM JASPER.

LIKE THE STATE OF THE UNION IT'S THE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND SO THIS IS SORT OF OUR EQUIVALENT.

>> THE INTERESTING THING IS ALL FOUR OF THEM HAVE BEEN IN THAT CHAMBER FOR THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.A LT.

GOVERNOR AINSWORTH AND MR. REED HAVE BEEN IN THE POSITIONS THEY'VE BEEN IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THEY'RE USED TO WHERE THEY ARE.

FOR MR. LEDBETTER AND PRINGLE, THIS IS THEIR 1ST OUTING OF BEING THE NEW SPEAKER OF HOUSE AND THE NEW PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SPEAKER PRO TEM OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SO THIS IS A DIFFERENT VANTAGE POINT FOR THEM SO I'M SURE THEY'RE EXCITED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IS.

AND I SPOKE WITH THE SPEAKER AND ASKED DID YOU PRACTICE YOUR RESTING FACE.

REMEMBER AT THE TSUNAMI IT WAS SPEAKER MCCARTHY, HIS 1ST TIME SITTING BEHIND THE PRESIDENT IN THE STATE OF THE UNION AND A LOT OF SCRUTINY ON WHAT FACES DID YOU MAKE.

BECAUSE HE NOT AGREEING WITH WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS TO SAY.

YOU DON'T WANT TO LOOK READ.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CAMERA IS ON THE GOVERNOR, A LOT OF SHOTS ARE GOING TO INVOLVE YOU.

DO YOU NOD OR APPLAUD, WHEN DO YOU STAND UP TO APPLAUD AND ALL OF THAT.

WHEN IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO ME.

THEY'RE ALL AT THE SAME PARTY.

SO I JUST -- I DON'T SEE A WHOLE LOT OF DISAGREEMENT IN ANYTHING TONIGHT.

JUST A MATTER OF -- IT'S PROBABLY A BIG CHEERLEADING SECTION FOR AN AGENDA THAT MOST ALL REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO BE 100% ON.

>> I'M SURE FROM SPEAKER LEDBETTER'S STANDPOINT AND MR. PRINGLE'S STANDPOINT THEY'RE WATCHING MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO GET THE FEEL OF THE ROOM AS IS LT. GOV.

AINSWORTH AND SENATOR REED.

THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A FIELDHOUSE OF SENATORS IN THE CHAMBER, HOW THEY'RE FEELING.

AND IF THERE'S ANY, I GUESS, EXPRESSIONS ON THEIR FACE, IF THERE'S ANY PROBLEMS THEY MAY NEED TO TALK ABOUT LATER ON.

SO OF COURSE THEY'RE BUSY, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE STANDING STILL, THEY'RE TAKING A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, AND, LIKE I SAID, FROM MR. PRINGLE AND LEDBETTER'S STANDPOINT THEY'RE IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS.

NOW THEY'RE ON THE DAIS NOT IN THE AUDIENCE WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

THEY'RE THERE.

SO THEY HAVE MORE, IF YOU WILL, DUTIES TO MARCH TAKE OF IN THIS POINT AS THE GOVERNOR GETS READY TO COME OUT.

>> SHE'S PROBABLY COMING UP THE ELEVATOR RIGHT NOW.

AND HERE COMES -- WE WILL GO TO THE CHAMBER.

[GAVEL SOUNDS] >> THIS JOINT SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WILL NOW COME TO ORDER.

DOORKEEPER, I ASK THAT YOU ADMITTED OUR GOVERNOR, HER EXCELLENCY, KAY ELLEN IVEY.

(APPLAUSE) YOU CAN SEE GOV.

IVEY ENTERING THE CHAMBER, THE FAMILIAR WAVE FROM THE GOVERNOR.

AT THE PODIUM SHAKING HANDS WITH THE JUSTICE AND MEMBERS OF THE CABINET THERE, AND GUESTS.

THE ESCORT COMMITTEE BEHIND THE GOVERNOR.

THERE'S GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S WAVE.

SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON AND SINGLETON, STATE SENATOR SCOFIELD.

AND THEN STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT >> CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET IN THE HOUSE.

(APPLAUSE) >> HERE IS THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AINSWORTH, PRO TEM REED, SPEAKER LEDBETTER, SPEAKER PRO TEM PRINGLE, MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, JUSTICES OF THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND MY FELLOW ALABAMIANS!

AS WE BEGIN THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THIS NEW FOUR-YEAR TERM, I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD TO BE JOINED BY SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND OUR STATE INCLUDING LIVINGSTON'S UNIVERSITY CHARTER SCHOOL AND THE NORTHEAST ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

THANK YOU ALL.

(APPLAUSE) Y'ALL PLEASE BE SEATED.

FOLKS, OUR STUDENTS, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WHY OUR WORK TODAY MATTERS AND WHY WE MUST GET IT RIGHT.

EVERYTHING WE DO TODAY IS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THESE CHILDREN AND ALL THE FAMILIES WHO CALL ALABAMA HOME.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO CONTINUE MAKING PROGRESS FOR ALABAMA FAMILIES.

WE MUST BE PRUDENT AND WISE WITH OUR FOLKS' HARD-EARNED DOLLARS.

WE MUST SUPPORT A STRONG ECONOMY IN ALABAMA SO MOM AND DAD CAN PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.

WE MUST SUPPORT THESE HARDWORKING PARENTS.

WE MUST ENSURE OUR CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A QUALITY EDUCATION NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE.

AND WE MUST PRIORITIZE THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

I BELIEVE ALABAMA CAN ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS AND MORE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF STRONG FAMILIES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK STILL AHEAD, BUT AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE: I AM CONFIDENT ALABAMA'S BEST DAYS ARE STILL IN FRONT OF US.

(APPLAUSE) AS PRO TEM GREG REED TAKES ON HIS FIRST FULL TERM IN THE SENATE, AND AS THE HOUSE HAS ITS NEW LEADER IN SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, I PREDICT WE WILL HAVE A BUSY AND PRODUCTIVE SESSION, AND I CERTAINLY THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR GOOD SERVICE.

(APPLAUSE) I KNOW AT THE END OF THIS SESSION, WE WILL HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES FOR THE FIVE MILLION ALABAMIANS WHO CALL ALABAMA THEIR SWEET HOME.

THIS EVENING, I AM PROUD TO OFFER A REPORT ON THE STATE OF OUR STATE.

FOLKS, ALABAMA IS THRIVING.

IT IS FILLED WITH IMMENSE OPPORTUNITY AND ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

ALABAMA'S BUDGETS ARE STRONG.

FOLKS, THAT IS NOT BY CHANCE.

THAT IS BECAUSE, TOGETHER, WE HAVE TAKEN A FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO BUDGETING.

WE'VE FULLY FUNDED OUR RAINY-DAY ACCOUNTS, PAID DOWN OUR DEBTS AND MADE ROBUST INVESTMENTS THAT ARE PAYING LONG-TERM DIVIDENDS FOR OUR PEOPLE.

WE CAN BE VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT DURING MY TIME AS GOVERNOR, WE HAVE NOT ONCE USED THE WORD "“PRORATION,"” NOR HAVE WE SPENT BEYOND OUR MEANS.

AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE MOVING FORWARD.

MEMBERS, I URGE YOU TO COMPLETELY PAY OFF THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND THIS YEAR.

THAT WAS THE PROMISE MADE TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, AND WE SHOULD MAKE IT A PRIORITY.

UNLIKE D.C., WE PAY OUR DEBTS!

(APPLAUSE) ALABAMA'S FINANCIAL FOOTING COMPARED TO OTHER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS SOLID, AND ON TOP OF THAT, ALABAMA HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST OVERALL TAX BURDENS IN THE NATION AND ONE OF BEST BUSINESS CLIMATES.

I URGE EACH OF YOU - ESPECIALLY OUR NEW MEMBERS - TO CONTINUE BEING WISE AND RESPONSIBLE WITH OUR PEOPLE'S HARD-EARNED MONEY.

WE ARE, ONCE AGAIN, TASKED WITH ALLOCATING OUR TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS THAT ARE PART OF THE SECOND ROUND OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FROM CONGRESS.

AND I'LL SAY AGAIN: THIS IS NOT "“FREE MONEY,"” AND WE MUST INVEST THESE ONE-TIME FUNDS WISELY.

LAST YEAR, THANKS TO YOU, MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, WE PUT THESE DOLLARS TO WORK, MEETING SOME OF ALABAMA'S BIGGEST CHALLENGES.

I COMMIT TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA WE WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE A SMART APPROACH AND PUT IT TOWARDS MAJOR AND NEEDED ENDEAVORS LIKE EXPANDING BROADBAND ACCESS, IMPROVING OUR WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTING IN OUR HEALTH CARE - INCLUDING TELEMEDICINE.

THIS EVENING, I AM CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE TO BEGIN TOMORROW SO THAT WE CAN URGENTLY ADDRESS THESE ENDEAVORS.

LET'S WISELY INVEST THESE FEDERAL MONIES TO OVERCOME SOME OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES, WHILE ALSO PAYING OFF OUR DEBTS.

IF YOU TURN ON THE NEWS OR EVEN JUST MAKE A RUN TO THE STORE, WE KNOW THAT TIMES ARE TOUGH RIGHT NOW.

A PAYCHECK DOES NOT GO AS FAR AS IT DID TWO YEARS AGO.

THAT IS WHY I AM CALLING ON YOU TO PUT NEARLY A BILLION DOLLARS BACK INTO THE HANDS OF HARDWORKING, TAXPAYING ALABAMIANS THROUGH ONE-TIME REBATES OF $400.

THAT MEANS $800 FOR OUR WORKING FAMILIES, AND IT COULDN'T COME AT A BETTER TIME!

(APPLAUSE) FOLKS, THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY, AND IT'S ONLY RIGHT, WHILE STILL ACKNOWLEDGING WE ARE RECORDING REVENUES FAR EXCEEDING NORMAL AND SUSTAINABLE LEVELS, WE GIVE A FAIR SHARE OF THIS MONEY DIRECTLY BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

(APPLAUSE) WHILE THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY IN OUR NATIONAL ECONOMIC CLIMATE, WE MUST CREATE STABILITY HERE AT HOME.

OUR STABILITY BEGINS AND ENDS WITH OUR SMALL BUSINESSES - THE BACKBONE OF OUR STATE'S ECONOMY.

WE WILL REDUCE THE FINANCIAL LOAD SHOULDERED BY OUR SMALL BUSINESSES BY LOWERING THEIR MONTHLY PREPAID SALES TAX BURDEN.

THIS WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THOUSANDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

DURING MY INAUGURAL ADDRESS, I PROMISED WE WOULD REDUCE BURDENS HOLDING BACK OUR BUSINESSES WITH THE GOAL OF CUTTING REGULATIONS BY 25 PERCENT OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

I AM PROUD TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL THAT TOMORROW, I WILL SIGN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CUT RED TAPE SO THAT OUR BUSINESSES ARE NOT HELD BACK, BUT CAN THRIVE.

AS I LIKE TO SAY, SOMETIMES THE BEST THING GOVERNMENT CAN DO IS JUST GET OUT OF THE WAY!

(APPLAUSE) I AM ALSO PROPOSING WE INVEST EVEN MORE INTO OUR LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES - THE ONES ENGRAINED INTO THE DNA OF OUR COMMUNITIES - THROUGH A $200 MILLION GRANT PROGRAM KNOWN AS OUR MAIN STREET PROGRAM.

THESE COMPETITIVE GRANTS WILL HELP REVITALIZE OUR SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS.

WHEN FOLKS THINK OF MAIN STREETS, THEY SHOULD THINK OF RURAL ALABAMA!

I AM PROUD OF THE SUCCESSFUL TRACK RECORD WE HAVE HAD IN RECRUITING BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TO BOTH THE RURAL PARTS OF ALABAMA AND THE LARGER CITIES.

SINCE I'VE BEEN GOVERNOR MORE THAN $42 BILLION HAVE BEEN INVESTED IN OUR STATE, WHICH HAS CREATED SOME 78,000 NEW JOBS.

FOR MOST OF THOSE, WE CAN THANK THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT.

AND ANY GOOD COACH KNOWS WHEN YOU HAVE A PLAY THAT'S WORKING, THE TEAM NEEDS TO KEEP RUNNING IT.

TODAY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AHEAD AND CREATE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE 2030S.

I ASSURED YOU WE WOULD HAVE A WINNING GAME PLAN HERE AT HOME, AND TONIGHT, I AM CALLING ON YOU TO GET BEHIND OUR PLAYBOOK FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS, WHAT I AM CALLING THE GAME PLAN.

WE WILL ENSURE STABILITY AND GROWTH BY RENEWING AND IMPROVING THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT AND THE GROWING ALABAMA ACT.

WE WILL CREATE A PROMISING FUTURE BY INVESTING IN LARGE, SHOVEL-READY SITES AND TAKE STEPS TO ACCELERATE THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

WE WILL SPUR INNOVATION BY STIMULATING THE CREATION OF HIGH-TECH JOBS, SPARKING GROWTH IN RURAL AREAS AND SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

AND LASTLY, WE WILL BUILD CONFIDENCE BY INCREASING TRANSPARENCY IN OUR INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

Y'ALL, ALABAMA IS WORKING.

LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY!

(APPLAUSE) I CALL ON YOU TO JOIN ME IN ENSURING THAT WE KEEP WINNING BY IMPLEMENTING THE GAME PLAN THROUGH ITS PASSAGE IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND I URGE YOU TO MAKE THIS AN EARLY PRIORITY!

IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT WE BE A STATE THAT SUPPORTS OUR WORKING MOMS AND DADS.

IN A POST-ROE WORLD, I AM PROUD ALABAMA HAS ONE OF THE STRONGEST PRO-LIFE LAWS IN AMERICA TO PROTECT OUR UNBORN BABIES.

HOWEVER, OUR WORK IS NOT DONE.

WE MUST ALSO SUPPORT PARENTS, WHETHER THEY ARE LOOKING TO ADOPT OR NEED CHILDCARE SO THEY CAN PUT IN A HARD DAY'S WORK TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.

WE MUST ENSURE OUR CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A QUALITY EDUCATION.

IMPROVING OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES IS MY TOP PRIORITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

(APPLAUSE) THE FIRST POLICY INITIATIVE OF MY FIRST TERM WAS WHAT I CALL STRONG START, STRONG FINISH.

OUR GROUNDWORK POSITIONED OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS TO RECEIVE A STURDY FOUNDATION, ENSURING THEIR STRONG FINISH WHEN THEY ENTERED THE WORKFORCE.

I AM CONFIDENT IN THE DIRECTION WE ARE TAKING TO IMPROVE OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

WE HAVE ALIGNED OUR STANDARDS AND ASSESSMENTS.

WE HAVE SEEN STABILITY IN LEADERSHIP.

AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING A HUNGER FROM ALL AREAS OF OUR STATE TO PRODUCE BETTER RESULTS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THAT'S WHY I BELIEVE WE WILL MAKE TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION SO ALABAMA RANKS AMONG THE TOP THIRTY STATES IN READING AND MATH BY THE END OF MY TERM AS GOVERNOR.

(APPLAUSE) WE HAVE SEEN TANGIBLE RESULTS IN THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED INSTRUCTION IN OUR FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM.

THAT IS WHY I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING CLASSROOMS IN THE MOST CHALLENGED AREAS OF OUR STATE.

NO MATTER THE ZIP CODE, A CHILD SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A STRONG START IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY.

IT'S ALSO PAST TIME WE REQUIRE OUR STUDENTS TO COMPLETE KINDERGARTEN.

I CALL ON YOU TO ADOPT LEGISLATION TO ENSURE OUR STUDENTS ARE READY FOR THE FIRST GRADE.

OUR FIRST GRADE TEACHERS SHOULD BE PREPARING THOSE STUDENTS FOR THE SECOND GRADE, NOT SIMPLY CATCHING THEM UP TO BE ON A FIRST-GRADE LEVEL.

LAST YEAR, I PRESENTED A CHALLENGE TO OUR SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, CITIZENS AND LEADERS TO BAND TOGETHER TO PLEDGE WE WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT THE EXISTENCE OF FAILING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE.

NO LONGER ARE WE LETTING FAMILY INCOME OR ANY OTHER BARRIERS DEFINE A CHILD'S ABILITY TO OBTAIN THE QUALITY EDUCATION THEY SO DESERVE.

INSTEAD, WE ARE TACKLING THESE CRITICAL ISSUES HEAD-ON BY TAKING AN INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH, EXAMINING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH SCHOOL AND PROVIDING CRUCIAL RESOURCES TO OUR DISADVANTAGED SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

I AM PROPOSING WE CONTINUE FUNDING THIS STRATEGIC VISION TO FIND NEW, PERSONALIZED WAYS TO SOLVE OLD PROBLEMS, ENSURING EVERY ALABAMA SCHOOL IS A SUCCESSFUL ONE.

THROUGH THE NUMERACY AND ALABAMA LITERACY ACTS, WE ARE PUTTING A RENEWED EMPHASIS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS OF EDUCATION: READING AND MATH.

THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE WILL BE KEY TO OUR STUDENTS' SUCCESS.

IN MY BUDGET PROPOSAL, I AM INCLUDING INCREASED FUNDING FOR MORE READING AND MATH COACHES SO WE CAN ENSURE EVERY CHILD IN EVERY SCHOOL HAS THE ABILITY TO BE PROFICIENT IN THESE TWO ESSENTIAL AREAS.

WE ARE ALSO CONTINUING AND STRATEGICALLY FUNDING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

WE ARE DOUBLING OUR FUNDING FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

WE ARE WORKING TO INCREASE OUR LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE BY ELIMINATING ANY AND ALL BARRIERS TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE.

TODAY, THERE ARE NEEDS IN INDUSTRIES ACROSS THE BOARD, ONE OF THOSE BEING TEACHERS.

MY GOAL IS TO HAVE THE STARTING SALARY FOR ALL ALABAMA TEACHERS TO BE THE HIGHEST IN THE SOUTHEAST BY THE END OF MY TERM.

TO THAT END, I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE TONIGHT THAT I AM PROPOSING A TWO PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR OUR TEACHERS.

I WANT ALABAMA TO BE AGGRESSIVELY WORKING TO RECRUIT, RETAIN AND PREPARE THE TEACHER OF TOMORROW.

AS I LAID OUT MY VISION FOR THESE NEXT FOUR YEARS DURING MY INAUGURAL ADDRESS, I CHOSE TO SPEAK ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE SCHOOL CHOICE IN ALABAMA.

IN FACT, I WAS PROBABLY THE ONLY ALABAMA GOVERNOR TO EVER DO SO IN AN INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

IT'S IMPORTANT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS ON SCHOOL CHOICE.

THAT MUST BEGIN WITH IMPROVING THE SCHOOL CHOICE WE ALREADY HAVE: OUR CHARTER SCHOOL OPTIONS AND THE ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

I AM PROPOSING WE PROVIDE STARTUP FUNDS FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS AND MAKE NEEDED REFORMS TO THE GOVERNANCE OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION IN ORDER TO CREATE BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY.

THESE ACTIONS WILL ALLOW MORE CHARTER SCHOOLS TO FORM AND TO ENSURE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND ULTIMATELY, CREATE MORE CHOICES FOR PARENTS!

ALABAMA ALSO CONTINUES TO SUPPORT DESTINATION MAGNET SCHOOLS INCLUDING THE ALABAMA SCHOOL OF CYBER TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING, THE ALABAMA SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS AND THE ALABAMA SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE.

ALL ARE EXCELLENT OPTIONS, AND THEY ARE MOST CERTAINLY A PART OF WHAT SCHOOL CHOICE MEANS IN ALABAMA.

IN ORDER FOR ALABAMA TO BE INNOVATIVE TOMORROW, WE MUST BE INNOVATIVE IN HOW WE TEACH OUR STUDENTS TO LEARN TODAY.

IT'S SCHOOLS LIKE THESE THAT IMMERSE THEM INTO SUBJECT AREAS LIKE COMPUTER SCIENCE OR WRITING OR EVEN BALLET.

I ANNOUNCED THE CREATION OF THE ALABAMA SCHOOL OF CYBER TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING DURING MY FIRST STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN 2018.

NOW, TONIGHT, I AM PROPOSING WE ESTABLISH THE ALABAMA SCHOOL OF HEALTHCARE SCIENCES TO ADDRESS THE GROWING HEALTHCARE WORKER SHORTAGE WE ARE PREDICTED TO EXPERIENCE IN THE COMING YEARS.

THIS NEW HEALTHCARE HIGH SCHOOL, TO BE LOCATED IN DEMOPOLIS, WILL OFFER AN INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM FOR 9TH THROUGH 12TH GRADERS, EXPOSING THEM TO A DIVERSITY OF STEM AND HEALTHCARE OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL AS HANDS-ON CLINICAL TRAINING EXPERIENCES.

Y'ALL, WHEN THESE STUDENTS RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS, THEY WILL BE READY TO FILL A BROAD SPECTRUM OF HEALTHCARE JOBS OR PURSUE A HIGHER EDUCATION.

(APPLAUSE) I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN GETTING OUR STUDENTS IN REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES.

IN THIS MODERN ECONOMY, I ALSO HIGHLY VALUE STEM EDUCATION.

AND LEARNING MUST NOT STOP AT THE CLASSROOM DOOR.

COACH SABAN HAS SAID BEFORE THAT WHILE THERE ARE MANY TROPHIES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE GAME OF FOOTBALL, THE MOST LIFE-CHANGING ACHIEVEMENT IS GETTING AN EDUCATION.

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE, COACH.

(APPLAUSE) THE SABAN CENTER - A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SABAN FAMILY AND THE CITY OF TUSCALOOSA - WILL BE AN INTERACTIVE AND IMMERSIVE STEM EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER ALABAMA.

AND IT WON'T JUST BE LIMITED TO STEM, IT WILL HELP STUDENTS BECOME EVEN MORE WELL-ROUNDED, EXPOSING THEM TO THE ARTS AND VERY APPROPRIATELY - SPORTS SCIENCES.

THIS EVENING, I AM VERY PROUD TO ADD THE STATE TO THE TEAM OF PARTNERS MAKING THE SABAN CENTER A REALITY.

I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE A LEARNING CENTER FOR MANY ALABAMIANS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME - AND TO THAT I'LL SAY, ROLL TIDE!

THIS EVENING, I AM THRILLED TO BE JOINED BY TERRY SABAN.

TERRY AND COACH SABAN ARE INCREDIBLE PARTNERS TO OUR STATE, AND I AM VERY PROUD TO JOIN YOU ON THIS VENTURE.

MISS TERRY, WE'RE ALL HONORED TO HAVE YOU HERE.

WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED?

(APPLAUSE) AND WHILE EDUCATION IS NUMBER ONE, NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN.

SINCE 2018, WE HAVE INVESTED OVER $126 MILLION IN SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO DO THAT IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ENSURING SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS ALSO MEANS CARING FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE ARE MAKING TREMENDOUS STRIDES TO PUT A FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN ALABAMA THROUGH OUR INVESTMENTS AND OUR ACTIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IN SO MANY MORE WAYS TODAY, INCLUDING BY DANGEROUS AND LETHAL DRUGS LIKE FENTANYL.

THAT IS WHY I AM INSTRUCTING ALEA TO MAKE COMBATTING THIS DRUG THE TOP PRIORITY OF OUR ALABAMA DRUG TASK FORCE.

TONIGHT, I AM ALSO URGING YOU, OUR LEGISLATORS, TO PASS HOUSE BILL ONE SO I CAN SIGN IT INTO LAW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BY DOING THIS, WE WILL PUT ANY TRAFFICKERS OF THIS DEADLY DRUG BEHIND BARS - AND KEEP THEM THERE.

(APPLAUSE) WHILE I CANNOT CONTROL WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN - OR MAYBE BETTER SAID, NOT BEING TAKEN - AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER, I CAN DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO STOP THIS DRUG FROM BEING A KILLER IN ALABAMA.

HERE IN OUR STATE, WE HAVE AND WE WILL ALWAYS BACK THE BLUE, AND THAT MEANS STANDING BEHIND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE ALABAMA AS CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.

THAT IS A TOUGH - AND TOO OFTEN THANKLESS CALLING, NOT JUST A JOB, AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE INCREASING THEIR SALARIES AND BENEFITS A PRIORITY.

HERE IN ALABAMA, WE ALSO PROUDLY SUPPORT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE IN OUR NATION'S MILITARY.

LET'S, ALL OF US IN THIS ROOM, CONTINUE WORKING TO MAKE ALABAMA THE MOST MILITARY FRIENDLY STATE IN THE NATION AND FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN DEPLOYED ABROAD OR HERE AT HOME.

ALABAMA IS BLESSED WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES, FROM OUR SCENIC MOUNTAINS AND LAKES, TO OUR LOWLAND FORESTS TEEMING WITH WILDLIFE, TO OUR SANDY BEACHES AND GULF SEAFOOD.

EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO SHARE IN OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.

ALABAMA'S BEAUTY AND OPPORTUNITY ARE A NATURAL ADVANTAGE IN RECRUITING AND RETAINING NEW GENERATIONS OF HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS SEEKING THE BEST BALANCE OF LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY ARE DISCOVERING THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE SWEET HOME ALABAMA!

(APPLAUSE) THERE IS GREAT POSSIBILITY IN THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO A FUTURE FILLED WITH RICH OPPORTUNITY AND GREAT POSSIBILITY, I PLEDGE THAT WE WILL BUILD ON OUR ROOTS BY FOCUSING ON GETTING THE HARD WORK DONE TODAY, WHILE NEVER FORGETTING THAT OUR WORK NOW MATTERS MOST TO OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

SINCE INAUGURATION, WE'VE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

WE ARE WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE LIFE FOR OUR ALABAMA FAMILIES.

I'LL SAY IT AGAIN: WE WILL HAVE A BUSY, PRODUCTIVE AND FULL FOUR YEARS IN FRONT OF US.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER, AND LET'S GO TO WORK!

(APPLAUSE) THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA DESERVE OUR VERY BEST.

FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ALABAMIANS DESERVE OUR HARDEST WORK TODAY.

THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY.

SO, LET'S NOT WASTE A MOMENT.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS EACH OF YOU AND THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA.

(APPLAUSE) >> THERE YOU HAVE IT.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY DELIVERING THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE GATHERED THERE IN THE OLD HOUSE CLAIM WERE OF THE STATE CAPITOL THE GOVERNOR WILL EXIT THE STAGE TO A STANDING OVATION SHAKING THE HANDS OF ALL OF THE VARIOUS STATE LEADERS.

THE SUPREME COURT RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S THE BACK OF THEIR HEADS AS SHE EXITS THE CHAMBER.

IN ALL ABOUT A 30-MINUTE SPEECH, WHICH IS SHORT BY SOME STANDARDS, BUT PRETTY SUBSTANTIVE AT THE SAME TIME.

AND THERE SHE EXITS THE CHAMBER WITH THE ESCORT COMMITTEE.

SO BACK TO MY COLLEAGUE RANDY SCOTT HERE IN THE STUDIO.

WHAT WERE YOUR -- LET ME START WITH THIS.

YOU TOLD ME EARLIER YOU WANTED TO HEAR ABOUT BUDGETS AND MONEY AND WHERE THE MONEY WAS GOING.

SHE STARTED OUT OF THE GATE WITH THAT AND EVEN CALLED THAT SPECIALIST SESSION THAT WE EXPECTED?

>> YES, IT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT LITERALLY SINCE THE LAST REGULAR SESSION ENDED.

WHAT IS GOING TO COME?

BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT OTHER SET OF MONEY FROM ARPA IS COMING DOWN AND WHAT SHOULD WE TO WITH IT?

ADD TO THAT THE BUDGETS, EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND ARE IN GOOD STATUS RIGHT NOW AND ALABAMA WANTS TO BE GOOD STEWARDS AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS LOOKING FORWARD TO.

ONE OF THOSE THAT SHE IS DEFINITELY LOOKING INTO DEALS FROM EDUCATION.

HER BACKGROUND IS SHE WORKED IN EDUCATION.

SHE WAS A TEACHER.

SO SHE WANTS TO SEE SOME THINGS HAPPEN AS OTHER FOLKS AROUND THIS COUNTRY HAVE.

BECAUSE LIKE I SAID THERE WAS TALK ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING OF OTHER OUTLETS THAT THERE'S AN IDEA OF MAYBE TAILING SOME OF THAT MONEY FROM THE NEW BATCH OF ARPA MONEY COMING OUT AND USING IT TO HELP IN EDUCATION FIELDS AROUND THE COUNTRY, MAINLY HELP GIVING TEACHERS MORE MONEY AND SUPPORT STAFF MORE MONEY.

SHE DIDN'T WASTE ANY TIME.

SHE HE SAID THAT DURING HER SPEECH, I HAVE NOT WASTED ANY TIME AND COME OUT OF THE GATES WORKING.

SO HAS THE LEGISLATURE, COMING TO WORK AND GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE AND GET WORK DONE.

THERE'S A SENSE OF TIMING OF THE ESSENCE, NO WASTING TIME.

AND AGAIN YOU HAVE NEW MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THEY WANT TO GET TO YOU TOO BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE EAGER TO GET TO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE AND GET IT DONE >> AND I GOT TO GIVE OUR COLLEAGUE, KAREN GOLDSMITH, CREDIT ON THIS BECAUSE WHEN HE WERE TALKING ABOUT YESTERDAY IN THE SPEECH.

SHE SAID SHE'S GOING TO USE THE LINE LET'S GET TO WORK AND SHE USE CLOSED OUT HER SPEECH WITH THAT FAMILIAR MOTIVATION TO THE LEGISLATURE, WE'RE HERE TO WORK.

LET'S GET DOWN TO WORK.

SO SHOUT OUT TO KAREN >> SOME PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR HER 20 SAY AIN'T NO STEP TOO HIGH FOR A HIGH STEPPER BUT SHE DIDN'T BUT SHE'S ALWAYS ONCE TO HAVE COLORFUL WORDS TO GET PEOPLE UNDER WAY.

AND LIKE SHE SAID IT'S TIME TO GO TO WORK.

TIME TO SHOOT OUT OF THE GATE, THE HOUSE AND SENATE, MY ADMINISTRATION -- EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE THIS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA >> I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THE EDUCATION TOPIC.

JUST TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND OF MOBILE HERE SHORTLY.

BUT I WANTED TO GET BACK TO THE EDUCATION.

I THINK SHE PROBABLY INTERNET MORE TIME ON THAT ISSUE IN IN ADDITION SPEECH THAN ANY OTHER SINGULAR ISSUE.

THAT STANDS TO REASON.

THE BIGGEST THING THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES.

WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS TO SOME OF THOSE THINGS?

YOU KNOW WE WERE TALKING EARLIER WITH MARION BRYAN ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE -- HOW FAR WILL SHE GO?

IT SOUNDED LIKE DEFINITELY YES ON CHARTERS, MORE FUNDING FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS, REGULATION CHANGES FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS -- BUT IN THE THIS WHOLE HOG VOUCHER EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

SHE TALKED ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE BUT DIDN'T GO AS FAR AS SOME HAVE GONE AND BASICALLY WHERE PARENTS ARE ALLOWED TO KEEP FIVE OR $6,000 OF THEIR INCOME TAX AND PUT IT TO WHATEVER PRIVATE SCHOOL OR CHARTER OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

I THINK THAT THAT THAT IS INTERESTING.

SHE STAKED OUT GROUND ON SCHOOL CHOICE BUT DID NOT GO AS FAR AS SOME IN THAT MOVEMENT ARE WANTING HER TO GO >> IT'S BEEN A BIG POINT OF CONTENTION FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE CLARITY, OKAY, WHAT CAN WE DO OR NOT DO?

WHAT SHOULD WE OR SHOULDN'T WE DO?

IT'S A NOBLE IDEA TO HELP IMPROVE EDUCATION OR GIVE PEOPLE MORE OF AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT CAN THEY DO TO HELP THEIR KIDS GET THE BEST EDUCATION THEY CAN?

BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS A CLOUD OF CONFUSION OVER, OKAY, ARE WE GOING TO ALLOW THE MONEY TO TRAVEL HERE OR TO TRAVELLING HERE OR SHOULD WE SET UP MORE REGULATIONS TO MAKE IT A MORE STREAMLINED SYSTEM?

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE CARE OF THAT AND STRAIGHTEN IT OUT NOW BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE CHILDREN IN THIS STATE DO WELL, AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM DO WELL.

SO, IN ORDER TO DO SO, THEY WANTED TO ADDRESS IT AND ADDRESS IT NOW SO LET'S GEORGIA AHEAD AND CLEAR UP CONFUSION IF WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND HAVE SOME COME TO JESUS MEETINGS ON WHAT RULES AND REGULATIONS WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF, LET'S DO IT BUT LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET THE WORK GOING BECAUSE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE >> I THINK THERE ARE PLENTY OF NOT THAT I CAN THINKS THAT LISTEN BIPARTISAN, IF NOT UNANIMOUS, AND EASY TO AGREE WITH, THINGS LIKE 1ST CLASS PRE-K. EVERYBODY SUPPORTS THAT BECAUSE IT'S A WINNER, RIGHT OF THE >> ALABAMA HAS THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY >> EASY TO SAY YES TO THAT.

I THINK IT'S EASY TO SAY YES TO THE LITERACY ACT, MORE INVESTMENTS THERE.

AND LITERACY.

NUMERACY SAME THING, THE MATH COACHES THAT YOU HEARD HER TALKING ABOUT EXPANDING THE MATH COACHES IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

I DON'T SEE THAT AS CONTROVERSIAL BUT WHEN YOU GET TO THE CHOICE STUFF THAT WILL BE CONTENT ISSUES.

EVEN THE CHARTER SCHOOL STUFF.

WE HAVE A CHARTER SCHOOL LAW BUT THE WHOLE IDEA OF FUNDING EQUITY ON THE LOCAL LEVEL HAS BEEN VERY CONTROVERSIAL AND I MENTIONED ACTUALLY YEAR TO YEAR WHAT REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND HAS TO SAY ABOUT THAT >> I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED.

BECAUSE THE IDEA CAME OUT BUT NOW IT'S AT THE LEVEL OF WE REALLY NEED TO TWEAK THIS AND PUT SCREWS AND NUTS AND BOLTS TO IT AND TIGHTEN IT UP BECAUSE IF WE'RE GOING TO DO RIGHT BY OUR KIDS WE NEED TO DO IT NOW AND GET IT DONE >> THERE WAS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WAS PROMINENT AND THAT WAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT YOU HAVE COVERED SOME OF THIS AND KAREN HAS TOO ON THIS EFFORT TO, I GUESS, REVISE AND REAUTHORIZE ALABAMA'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE STATUTES.

I KNOW THAT YOU WENT TO THE BCA SUMMIT ON THIS.

DO YOU SEE THAT AS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF A TOP PRIORITY?

I GUESS MAYBE AFTER THE SPECIAL SESSION?

>> IT'S BEEN A PRIORITY AND IT'S BEEN ONE THAT HAS WORKED, NO 51 INTENDED, FOR GETTING MORE JOBS IN THE STATE AND IT HAS GROWN IF YOU WILL OVER TIME AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT PER PERPETUATES AND KEEPS ROLLING AT THIS BCA MEETING THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT WE WERE BOTH AT YOU HAD SPEAKER LEDBETTER AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER DANIELS THERE.

AND YOU ALSO HAD THE LT.

GOVERNOR THERE AS WELL.

TALKING ABOUT WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE INCENTIVES UP AND RETURNING BECAUSE COMPANIES SEE ALABAMA AND THEY SEE ALABAMA HAS BEING A VERY VITAL AREA TO COME IN AND SET UP SHOP.

I WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION JUST A SECOND AGO.

A LOT OF ATTRACTION PIECES TO GET PEOPLE TO COME HERE DEALS WITH WHAT EDUCATION THAT YOU HAVE FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING HERE.

SO IF YOUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS BOOMING AND DOING GOOD, PEOPLE WILL COME BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GET THOSE FOLKS AS A PART OF THE WORKFORCE.

SO IT GOES HAND IN HAND.

YOU GET THE INCENTIVE PACKAGES FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT TO GET COMPANIES TO SET UP SHOP HERE AND THEIR EVERY GOING TO WANT TO COME HERE BECAUSE THEY SEE YOU HAVE A WORKFORCE THAT IS WORTH HAVING IN OUR BUILDINGS ON OUR STAFF ZERO HELP GET OUR COMPANIES UP AND RUNNING.

SO THE BCA'S MEETING THAT WE WENT TO A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO YOU HEARD A LOT OF FRESH IDEAS COMING IN TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE THIS IS WHY INCENTIVE PACKAGES NEED TO BE RENEWED AND WHERE WE HAVE THEM.

ALABAMA HAS A CHANCE TO OVERTAKE STATES SURROUNDING PAM, GEORGIA, TENNESSEE, FLORIDA, MISSISSIPPI AND EVEN IN THIS REGION THAT ARE ALSO VYING FOR THE SAME COMPANIES THAT ALABAMA IS VYING FOR.

AND THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO BASICALLY OUTBID ALABAMA FOR THESE COMPANIES SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THOSE INCENTIVES IF YOU WILL, RENEWED TO STAY AHEAD OF THE OTHER STATES TO GET THOSE COMPANIES TO COME HERE AS OPPOSED TO GOING TO GEORGIA AND LOUISIANA AND TENNESSEE.

NO PUN INTENDED.

IT'S A COMPETITION >> INTERESTING YOU BRING UP THE EDUCATION DEPONENT OF THAT.

I HEARD ONE PROMINENT ALABAMA LEADER SAY -- MAYBE IT WAS LAST YOUR, DURING THIS CONVERSATION, SAYING YOU KNOW, IF WE TRULY IMPROVED EDUCATION AND WE TRULY GOT EDUCATION TO THE POINT IT COULD BE AND SHOULD BE QUALITY-WISE IN ALABAMA YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO SPEND A TIME ON INCENTIVES BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO LOCATE WHERE -- I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS NECESSARILY TRUE.

IT'S A NICE LITTLE LINE.

THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IS, JUST LIKE PRESIDENTS WILL IN THEIR STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, SHE BROUGHT SOME SPECIAL GUESTS.

ONE IN PARTICULAR, TERRY SABAN.

COME ON.

THAT'S NOT EVEN FAIR.

AND THEN THE VERY WELL-KNOWN AUBURN GRAD -- >> WAIT A MINUTE NOW SHE'S AN AUBURN GRAD.

YOU ARE AN AUBURN -- >> I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT BUT SHE DID.

AND GIVEN THE ROLL TIDE OUTDOOR THERE, YOU KNOW.

BUT OBVIOUS LIVE CONNECTING IT TO THE ISSUE, THE SABAN CENTER AND THE FACT THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO PARTNER WITH THIS CENTER THAT IS MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE BECAUSE OF BUT I ALWAYS FIND IT CURIOUS WHEN PRESIDENTS BRING A SPECIALIST OTHER MILITARY HISTORY OR CELEBRITY OF SOME KIND.

PRETTY GOOD CHOICE IN TERRY SABAN.

CAN'T GET TOO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT >> I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY SHE MAY BE THE HEAD COACH OF THAT HOUSEHOLD.

AND IF SHE'S NOT, COACH, DOESN'T COME AFTER ME.

I'M SORRY.

SHE WAS THERE SHOWING HER SUPPORT.

THAT'S A GOOD SIGN, A GOOD SHOW OF SUPPORT TO REACH ACROSS THE LINES, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S IN THE HOUSE IN THE SENATE OR ANOTHER OF ACROSS THE GRIDIRON FOOTBALL FIELD.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE MAKES THE STATE A WINNER.

SO TO SEE THAT HAPPENS AND, YES, SHE DID SAY ROLL TIDE -- IT WAS DEFINITELY A MOMENT FOR THE STATE >> THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK THAT THE NEWS MIGHT RUN THAT A COUPLE MORE TIMES IF THEY'RE IN TUSCALOOSA >> AND THE FACT THAT YOU'RE WEARING A CRIMSON TIE >> I UNDERSTAND THAT I LOOK THE PART TONIGHT.

I'VE BEEN TOLD.

LOOK WE'RE OUT OF TIME AND WE NEED TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK.

THANK YOU AGAIN AND WE WILL SEE YOU LATER IN THE BROADCAST.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH BARBARA DRUMMOND FOR THE OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

>> JOINING ME NEXT FOR THE OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE STATE IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND FOR MOBILE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO DELIVER THE OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE >> WELL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT.

LET ME ASK YOU.

WE WATCHED THE SPEECH TOGETHER.

YOU HAVE GOT A SOMEWHAT ADVANCED COPY.

WHAT IS THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH >> WELL, I REALLY WANTED TO COMMEND THE COVER >> THERE WERE THINGS IN HER SPEECH THAT OBVIOUSLY I THINK DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS CAN BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER ON >> AND NAMELY, SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE EDUCATION, LIKE, WE HAVE A WORLD CLASS -- I SAY WORLD-CLASS, I WOULD SAY WORLD CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM.

THAT'S ONE OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE WILL BE ABLE IF AGREE UPON THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO FUND.

BUT IN LOOKING AT EVERYTHING THAT SHE PRESENTED, THERE ARE THINGS THAT I WAS SITTING THERE AND CHEERING SAYING YEAH GOVERNOR THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

ONE WAS HAVING CHILDREN PREPARED BEFORE THEY GO INTO THE 1ST GRADE.

WHICH MEANS SHE IS TALKING ABOUT MANDATORY KINDERGARTEN.

AND WE HAVE ONE OF OUR MEMBERS, PEBBLIN WARREN WHO IS BRINGING THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WAS REALLY RESOUNDING TO ME AND I WAS SO HAPPY TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT, BECAUSE SHE HAS EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY.

AND FOR DEMOCRATS, WE TOO HAVE EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY.

BUT I ALWAYS SIT BACK AND SAY, IT'S ALWAYS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER.

WE ALL WANT A GREAT EDUCATION SYSTEM.

BUT HOW DO WE GET THERE, IS WHERE THE DIVIDE COMES.

THERE WERE NOT MANY DIVIDES HERE.

LIKE I SAID, SHE JUST PUSHED THE DEMOCRATIC BILL FROM ONE OF OUR MEMBERS WHICH IS OUR PRE-K -- I MEAN OUR MANDATORY KINDERGARTEN BILL.

BUT WHEN I STARTED LOOKING AT OUR INITIATIVES, THAT IN EDUCATION, WHEN SHE STARTED TALKING ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS, I AM NOT AGAINST CHARTER SCHOOLS.

I'M AGAINST TAKING MONEY FROM TROUBLE SCHOOLS TO GIVE TO ANOTHER ENTITY, ESPECIALLY A PRIVATE INDUSTRY.

SO I KEPT LOOKING AT HER SPEECH SAYING WHERE ARE THE DETAILS, WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT CHARTER SCHOOLS NOT ALL CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE DOING WELL.

IF THERE ARE THINGS DOING WELL IN A CHARTER SCHOOL WHY DON'T WE TRANSFORM THEM INTO PUBLIC SCHOOL WHERE MORE CHILDREN ARE ATTENDING?

THAT'S KIND OF WHERE A I AM.

I LOOK AT EQUITY AND RESOURCES.

AND SHE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED -- WE KNOW IN OUR SYSTEM IN ALABAMA, WE KNOW WHAT IS NOT WORKING.

WE KNOW THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT WORKING.

WE HAVE A FAILING SCHOOL LIST.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A BOTTOM 6 PERCENT.

SO I ALWAYS LOOK AT THESE THINGS AND SAY IF WE KNOW WHAT IS NOT WORKING, LET'S LOOK AT THE EQUITY AND THE RESOURCES.

THEN ONE OTHER THING THAT I THOUGHT WAS MISSING FROM TONIGHT'S SPEECH WHICH IS TERRIBLY IMPORTANT AND IT FITS INTO OUR INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, SHE DIDN'T TALK A LOT ABOUT CAREER PATH IN EDUCATION.

CERTAINLY A NUMBER OF OUR KIDS ARE NOT ALL GOING TO COLLEGE.

TO THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO CAREERS IN AEROSPACE OR WHATEVER OUR STATE HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB IN RECRUITMENT BUT WE'VE GOT TO START PREPARING OUR KIDS.

AND I THINK THAT WE ART TO START IN MIDDLE SCHOOL CREATING A CAREER PATH AND AS WELL GO ON THROUGH THE HIGH SCHOOL.

SO THOSE ARE SOME THINGS >> AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT FOR THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE, WE BELIEVE IN EDUCATION.

EDUCATION IS THE THREAD THAT WILL MOLD ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND MOLD A SUCCESS STORY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT IN MORE OF A HOLISTIC STANDPOINT AND STOP JUST THROWING THINGS AGAINST THE WALL.

THE LITERACY AND THE NUMERACY ACT ARE TWO THINGS THAT WE KNOW THAT IS WORKING.

BUT WHEN YOU SAY IT'S WORKING, WE HAVE TAKEN THOSE AND WE HAVE PUT SIX RESOURCES AND EQUITY WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

SO WE HAVE SEEN A TURNAROUND SO WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE I TALK TO A LOT OF FOLKS.

I SIT THERE AND SCHOOL CHOICE IS SOMETHING THAT IT IS TRULY IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER BECAUSE WHEN I TALK TO A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES AND EVERYBODY HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION OF WHAT THAT MAY BE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A VOUCHER PROGRAM TO SOME.

AND TO OTHERS, THEY THINK THAT IT'S A CHOICE FOR PARENTS TO TAKE WHATEVER DOLLARS AND GO CHOOSE WHERE THEY WANTED TO GO.

I KNOW THAT WHERE I COME FROM, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THAT ARE OUR SCHOOL CHOICE SCHOOLS AND THEY'RE OUT OF DISTRICTS AND THEY'RE WORKING VERY WELL FOR OUR CHILDREN.

WE HAVE HAD SOME THAT JUST TURN WHOLE SKILLS AROUND.

SO I THINK THAT PEOPLE HAVE GOT TO LOOK AT EQUITY AND RESOURCES IN PUSHING EDUCATION AND STOP LOOKING AT IT AS A DEFICIT.

BECAUSE FOR ME, I WANT EVERY CHILD TO HAVE A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION.

BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CHOICE, THERE ARE SOME PARENTS WHO CAN'T MAKE THE CHOICE BECAUSE OF LIFE, AND THEY CAN'T MAKE A CHOICE TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU PULL ALL OF THE MONEY OUT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TEACHERS IN THOSE SCHOOLS THAT YOU HAVE LEFT?

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE STUDENTS MORE IMPORTANTLY?

BECAUSE FAR MORE CHILDREN ARE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION THAN IN ANY OTHER THREAD IN ALABAMA.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE GOT TO BEGIN LOOKING AT.

WE HAVE A TO LOOK AT EQUITY AND RESOURCES IN EDUCATION.

I LIKE THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR HAT THAT IS FOCUS.

AND I'M PROUD OF THAT.

AND I KNOW THAT WE CAN WORK WITH HER TO GET WHAT WE WANT TO BE AGAIN.

IT'S IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

I MEAN I ACTUALLY REPRESENT A DISTRICT WHERE THERE ARE HIGH PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS AND SOME ON THE FAILING SCHOOL LIST AND I HAVE SEEN ONE WHERE WE PUT RESOURCES THERE AND IT'S TURNING AROUND SO THAT IS WHAT I THINK WE HAVE TO BEGIN LOOKING AT AS IT RELATES TO EDUCATION.

AND SCHOOL CHOICE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN VERY CLOSELY 1ST TO DEFINE WHAT IT IS.

BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE A VOUCHER PROGRAM.

AND THEN WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE AREAS THAT ARE CRITICAL.

AND AGAIN, I GO BACK TO THE CAREER PATH.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SEVERAL IN MOBILE WHERE I AM FROM THAT ARE ON THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, WHICH IS WORKING BUT I THINK WE NEED TO START IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BECAUSE THE FEEDER PATTERNS OF MANY OF THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE JUST NOT WORKING >> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ARPA: THE GOVERNOR CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION THAT BEGINS TOTAL.

HAVE YOU SEEN DRAFTS ABOUT -- I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD AND I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE -- BUT IN THE DRAFTS THAT YOU KNOW OF THAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND THE DISCUSSIONS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE PLANT TO SPEND THIS NEXT BILLION DOLLARS IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS?

>> I THINK SO DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO WORK WITH REPUBLICANS.

AGAIN THE LIST THAT SHE HAS RELEASED TO US IS A GOOD LIST, AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON ZOOM CALLS WITH THE SPEAKER AND I TRULY THANKED THEM FOR IT AND WITH THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND LSA.

BUT THERE ARE TWEAKS THAT I THINK NEED TO BE MADE, ONE OF WHICH -- BECAUSE DEMOCRATS BELIEVE IN SUSTAINABLE HOUSING.

SO WE'VE GOT TO FOIL THAT DOWN TO SEE HOW CAN WE SEE THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT WITHOUT SUSTAINABLE HOUSING FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS?

WE HAVE TO BOIL THOSE DO YOU THINK.

BUT THE LIST IS GOOD AND FOCUSING ON WATER, YOU KNOW, SUSTAINABLE WATER IT SHOW I THINK WE ALL THINK THAT'S A GREAT USE OF THOSE DOLLARS.

SO THE LIST IS TANGIBLE, AND I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE READY TO WORK WITH RUNS REPUBLICANS ON THAT LIST BUT WE WANT TO SAY AGAIN THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS >> THAT WORK STARTS TOMORROW.

THAT WILL BE THE ONLY ISSUE ON THE TABLE FOR THE NEXT WEEK AND A HALF; RIGHT?

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THAT LIST -- BECAUSE BROADBAND IS BACK ON THAT LET'S AS WELL.

SO EDUCATION -- I KEEP TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION BUT EVERYTHING FEEDS INTO EDUCATION, EVEN BROADBAND.

THOSE ARE COVID-19 DOLLARS IN THE ARPA MONEY.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, WE SAW ALL OF THE DISPARITIES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THAT DISEASE EXPOSED A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT BROADBAND, THAT IS A GOOD USE OF THOSE DOLLARS.

ONE OF THE THINGS HE IS SAID IN HER SPEECH, THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY.

AND ONE THING I HIGHLIGHTED WHEN SHE MENTIONED GIVING REBATES TO ALL CITIZENS, IT SOUNDS WONDERFUL, WE WOULD LOVE TO DO IT, BUT DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNOR TO GO A LITTLE BIT STEP FURTHER BECAUSE I HAD A WOMAN CALL ME LAST WEEK TO SAY I OF I AM RAISING MY GRANDCHILDREN, THE COAST OF GROCERIES ARE SO EXPENSIVE WHY DON'T YOU ALL REMOVE THE TAX OFF OF FOODS.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAD THIS PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY, AND THAT WAS A BIG -- ONE OF THE MAIN PROPOSALS OF YOUR AGENDA IS PROVING THE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

THIS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 20 YEARS.

AND THE.

>> AGAIN IT'S ONE TIME MONEY.

SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A SALES TAX ROLL DAY FOR A MONTH OR TWO MONTHS TO SEE WHAT THAT IMPACT WILL BE.

IF YOU NEVER DO IT, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET OUT OF IT.

YOU LOOK AT FLORIDA AND OTHER STATES THAT ARE AROUND US AND THEY'RE DOING IT.

THEY HAVE CHANGED CONSUMER SPENDING EASTERN THOUGH THEY MAY SAY THOSE -- SAVE THOSE DOLLARS ON THE LOSS OF SALES TAX CONSUMER HE SPEND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

SO THE DOLLARS ARE STILL FLUCTUATING IN OUR ECONOMY.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO US TO DO, DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE THIS ONE ADVERTISEMENT MONEY AND LOOK AT CREATING SALES TAX HOLIDAYS NOT FOR WEEKEND BUT FOR PERHAPS FOR A MONTH.

SO WE CAN SEE WHAT THAT IMPACT WOULD BE.

>> SPECIFICALLY ON THE GROCERY TAX THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PECULIAR OF YOUR AGENDA.

ALSO THIS IDEA OF REMOVING INCOME TAX ON OVERTIME PAY.

THAT'S BURN I HAVE NOT HEARD BEFORE >> THAT'S AN INTERESTING ONE BECAUSE WE SAT BACK AND WE LOOKED.

YOU SEE THE SIGNS EVERYWHERE, HIRE HERE, WE NEED MORE EMPLOYEES.

WE FEEL IF YOU REMOVE THAT TAX OFF OF OVERTIME YOU WILL NOT ONLY SPUR PEOPLE TO BE MORE ARE PROTECTIVE -- YOU KNOW, THEY WILL WORK MORE.

AND YOU WILL ALSO CREATE MORE WORKERS FOR THE EMPLOYER.

SO IT'S A WINNER-WIN FOR BOTH.

AND THOSE ARE TWO THINGS THAT WE THINK THAT WILL HELP OUR OVERALL ECONOMY, AND ALSO CREATED WORKERS FOR THOSE HARD-TO-FILL JOBS THAT WE CAN'T FIND PEOPLE TO WORKS YOU AT >> REALISTICALLY, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A MAJORITY SO TO PASS ANY OF THIS ESSENTIALLY YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE THEM OF IT.

HOW DOES THAT WORK AND ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT SOME OF THESE PROMISE -- SIMILAR TO YOUR TAX CUTS, COME ON, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO EARN ENOUGH SUPPORT AMONG DEMOCRATS TO GET THEM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE >> AS I SAID WHEN I 1ST SAT HERE IS THAT WE ARE WILLING -- AND WE DO.

WE ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH REPUBLICANS TO CREATE IDEAS AND POLICY THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA.

AND WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT REMOVAL OF THE TAX ON EMBRYOS REESE IS ONE OF THOSE.

THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AS WELL AS THE OVERTIME TAX.

SO WE STAND READY -- WE CALL IT BIPARTISAN.

WE STAND READY TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION.

BECAUSE I'M SURE THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PROPOSED THAT THEY WILL NEED US TO WORKS ON AS WELL.

WE HAVE AILS WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE AND I'M SURE WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO >> I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU THERE AND IT IS NOTABLE.

BECAUSE WE LOOK AT WASHINGTON, D.C. AND OF THE SAME STATE THE OF THE UNION ON A BIGGER SCALE THERE AND WHAT WAS IT?

JUST PEOPLE YELLING >> GRIDLOCK >> PEOPLE YELLING AT EACH OTHER -- >> WELL, NO RESPECT.

>> BUT I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD FIND A BUNCH OF AGREEMENT ON A SINGLE ISSUE AND HERE YOU SAT HERE AND SAID THERE ARE PLENTY OF THINGS THAT YOU HEARD TONIGHT THAT WOULD GARNER DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT.

AND I THINK THAT IS NOTABLE AND A GOOD THING THAT THERE'S AT LEAST EFFORT TOE WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND NOT THIS REFLEX REFLEXIVE PARTISANSHIP >> 1 THING IN THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH THAT SHE SKIRTED OVER WAS HEALTH CARE >> WE DIDN'T TOUCH ON THAT >> MEDICAID EXPANSION?

>> WELL, MEDICAID EXPANSION.

BUT SHE TALKED AT TELEMEDICINE.

IT'S DEEPER DIVE THAN THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE WORST VIRUS IN THIS IS WHOLE WORLD.

BUT IN ALABAMA, IT HAS BEEN VERY IMPACT AND THIS IS A TIME, SINCE WE HAVE MONEY IN OUR BUDGETS, WE NEED TO BEGIN LOOKING AT EXPANDING -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY EXPANDING HEALTH CARE FOR ANY RACE OF PEOPLE BUT FOR THE POOR PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT CLOSING THE RURAL HEALTH CARE GAP.

I WAS LOOKING AT AN ARTICLE THE OTHER DAY THAT TALKED ABOUT THE MATERNAL HEALTH RATE IN ALABAMA.

WE NOW HAVE THE 3RD HIGHEST IN THE YOU DIDN'T.

MORE OF OUR BABIES ARE DYING THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT HAVING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE HEALTH CARE.

THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED IN HER SPEECH ABOUT WE'VE GOT THE STRICTEST ABORTION LAWS.

WE HAVE DO.

BUT IT'S TIME THAT WE CHANGE THAT.

BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE AND THERE ARE CHILDREN AND WOMEN WHO ARE DYING BECAUSE WE HAVE THE HIGHEST -- ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY MEANING THESE FOLKS DON'T HAVE -- THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE HEALTH CARE.

IT'S TIME THAT WE -- WE CAN STAND TODAY, HAND IN HAND AND CHANGE THAT.

ALSO WHEN SHE MENTIONED ABOUT ROW, WE CAN ALSO BE ONE OF THE HALLMARKS TO AT LEAST PUT EXCEPTIONS IN THERE FOR RAIN AND INCEST.

BECAUSE THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

WE LIVE IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD.

THEREBY PEOPLE ARE IMPERFECT AND DOING SOME DASTARDLY THINGS AND THOSE WOMEN SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED SO WE NEED TO PUT AN EXCEPTION IN THERE >> BUT HEALTH CARE IS A NUMBER 1 THING ON DEMOCRATS' MIND.

AND BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THE DETRIMENT IN OUR VARIOUS COMMUNITIES AND IN ALABAMA AND IT'S TIME THAT WE BOTH AS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS STAND UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT HEALTH CARE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, IT IS NOT ONLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR THE -- TO HAVE A HEALTHY STATE BUT IT'S ALSO A GOOD BUSINESS ECONOMIC ENGINE >> I CAN SAY WE MAY HAVE COVERED ALL OF YOUR HIGH POINTS AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR COMING ON TO DELIVER THIS OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

AND SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

INSTEAD OF A TELEPROMPTER, DECIDED TO JUST DO IT IN INTERVIEW STYLE AND MAKE IT MORE RELAXED.

THAT WAS INTERESTING FOR OUR VIEWERS >> I THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I MEAN I WAS A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT >> YOU HASN'T READ THE SPEECH UNTIL RIGHT THEN >> THE READ THE SPEECH ABOUT 5 MINUTES AGO.

AND I JUST THINK THAT WE ALL WANT GOOD THINGS FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

BUT I THINK THAT WE ALL ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET TO WORK TO GET THERE AND WE HAVE DIFFERENT WAY TO GET THERE, THE STRATEGY BUT I THINK WE'RE UNITED ON WANTING THE BEST FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND, THAT YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH STATE SUPERINTENDENT DR. ERIK MACKEY.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IN OUR LIVE STATE OF THE STATE COVERAGE IS DR. ERIK MACKEY, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

DR. MACKEY, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW >> GLAD TO BE HERE.

AND ESPECIALLY TONIGHT AFTER A VERY UPLIFTING AND POSITIVE SPEECH FROM THE GOVERNOR >> THAT'S WHY I REALLY WANTED TO GET YOUR REACTION.

BECAUSE I THINK SO EDUCATION REALLY DOMINATED THE SPEECH, AT LEAST MORE THAN ANY OTHER ISSUE.

AND WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THIS.

DURING THE INAUGURATION, THE GOVERNOR LAYS OUT LOFTY GOALS, VERY BROAD STROKES, NOT A LOT OF SPECIFICS OF THE TONIGHT WE HEARD MORE OF THOSE SPECIFICS SO JUST KIND OF BROADLY SPEAKING AS YOU WERE LISTENING TO THE SPEECH, WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE AWAY?

>> AS YOU SAY, TONIGHT WE GOT MORE SPECIFICS.

IT WILL GET MORE SPECIFIC IN A KNEW DAYS OR WEEKS WHEN WE GET INTO THE BUDGET AND WE SEE THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

YOU KNOW, LAID OUT.

AND OF COURSE YOU KNOW THE OLD SAYING THAT, YOU PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID WE'RE GOING TO -- THE THINGS THAT SHE TALKS ABOUT IN THE INAUGURATION AND THE THINGS THAT HE TALKS ABOUT TONIGHT ARE THE THINGS SHE'S GOING TO PRIORITIZE IN THE BUDGET.

A LOT OF GOOD PIECES IN THERE.

ONE THAT GOT A BIG OVATION, WANT TO HE TERRY SABAN WITH US AND THE GOVERNOR'S NOW ABOUT THE SABAN CENTER WHICH WE'RE BREAKING GROUND ON SOON.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A LARGE PROJECT.

IT'S AN INTERACTIVE SITE BUT IT'S NOT A MUSEUM.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO COME THERE AND LEARN AND ALSO FOR THEM TO SEND PEOPLE OUT INTO YOUR SCHOOLS TO HELP STUDENTS WITH STEM CLASSES SCIENCE AND MATH NOT JUST A TEACH BUT TO GET THEM EXCITED ABOUT THOSE THINGS AND OF COURSE AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, THERE'S GOING TO BE A SPORTS SCIENCE PIECE TO IT AND WE APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP.

THIS IS -- TO ME IT'S EXACTLY WHERE WE NEED TO GO, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SABAN FAMILY, A LOT OF PRIVATE DONORS, CITY OF TUSCALOOSA AND CAN SCHOOLS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNOR.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE PIECES BUT ONE THAT SHOWS THE GOVERNOR'S VISION FOR WHERE SHE WANTS US TO GO IN PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND HE SAID TONIGHT FOR ALL CHILDREN.

>> 1 THING I WAS INTERESTED BY IS TALK OF LITERACY AND NUMERACY ACTS AND BUTTON THING TO TAKE THOSE LAWS AND DO MORE WITH THEM.

SHE MENTIONED MATH COACHES.

TRYING TO RECRUIT, GET MORE MATH TEACHERS OUT THERE.

I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE EASIEST TASK BUT THE KIND OF REMINDS ME, PEOPLE -- THE WAY THEY TALK ABOUT LITERACY ACT NOW, IT'S ALMOST THE WAY 20, 25 YEARS AGO PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT THE ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE WHICH KIND OF FELL OFF FOR A FEW YEARS.

IS THERE A LESSON THERE AND WE HAVE TO KEEP THE MEDAL TO THE PEDDLE.

>> YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR-FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR.

ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE WAS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL UNDERTAKINGS IN OUR STATES HISTORY WE MADE GREAT GAINS IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

REMEMBER, WE REACHED THE HIGHEST WE HAD EVER BEEN SCORING IN THE NATIONAL REPORT CARD, THE NAPE, TEST, BUT THE TOOK ABOUT 12 YEARS TO GET THERE FROM THE TIME THAT THE 1ST CLASS LAUNCHED.

MAYBE IT WAS 13 YEARS WE LOST SOME MOMENTUM.

IF YOU REMEMBER DURING THE RECESSION, THEY CUT WAY BACK AND IT WAS ONE OF THE WAYS THE LEGISLATURE SAVED OF MONEY IN EIGHT, THE AND 10 WAS CUT BACK ON THE READ INITIATIVE AND WE LOST OUR SUPPORT STAFF, QUIT DOING THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT -- SO YOU HAD A FEW TEACHERS OUT THERE STILL TRAINING BUT ALL OF THESE NEW TEACHERS COMING ON THAT HAD NOT TRAINED.

SO WE'RE DOING THAT AGAIN NOW AND WE'RE AGAIN SEEING THAT CURVE UP BUT WE CAN'T STOP.

WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD, AS THE GOVERNOR SAID TONIGHT, MORE READING COACHES, MORE SUMMER LEARNING, MORE AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING, MORE SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND HIGH NEEDS OF SCHOOLS AND OF COURSE THE NUMERACY ACT, YOU KNOW, PASSED THE LEGISLATURE TWO YEARS LATER AND WE'RE ALREADY DOING THAT WORK AND WE WILL BE DEPLOYING 83 MATH COACHES IN SCHOOLS THIS FALL.

BY 27, 28, WE WILL HAVE MATH COACHES IN ALL OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS >> WHEN I TALK TO LAWMAKERS, ESPECIALLY REPUBLICAN ONES BUT ALSO DEMOCRATS AS WELL, THEY POINT TO THINGS LIKE THAT SAYING, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY PUTTING RESOURCES INTO SPECIFIC AREAS WHERE THERE ARE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND GOALS IN MIND RATHER THAN A BLANKET APPROACH.

SO IT SEEMS TO ME PROPOSALS LIKE THAT GET A LOT MORE BUY IN FROM THE PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING >> SO THE LITERACY ACT WAS THE EXACT PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

SO IN THE PAST, EVEN WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE READING INITIATIVE, THE FUNDING MODEL WAS, IT DIDN'T MATTER IN YOU WERE HIGH OWE LOW PING SCHOOL OR HAD CHALLENGES OR NOT.

EVERYONE GOT THE SAME.

WHEN THE LITERACY ACT PASSED THAT CHANGED.

THE WAY IT IS BUDGETED WE PUT THE GREATEST RESOURCES IN THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE THE GREATEST NEED.

SO I THREW UP A MAP THE 1ST YEAR FOR LEGISLATURES AND I SAID IN THIS ONE AREA OF THE STATE WE ONLY HAVE ONE REGIONAL RAIN SHOWERS PERSON, REGIONAL READING COACH, OUR LITERACY SPECIALIST.

AND THIS AREA, REALLY AROUND METRO BIRMINGHAM AREA WE HAVE A LOT OF LITERACY SPECIALISTS WHY IS THAT?

BECAUSE THE LAW SAYS YOU PUT THE LITERACY SPECIALISTS WHERE THE GREATEST NEEDS ARE.

BECAUSE THOSE ARE IN OUR URBAN CENTERS, INNERCITY SCHOOLS AND BLACK BELT AREA.

ZERO SO THAT'S WHERE WE PUT THE RESOURCES.

AND WE HAD NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE IN ALABAMA.

AND AGAIN WE'RE JUST THREE YEARS INTO IMPLEMENTING THE LITERACY ACT BUT I THINK OVER THIS TERM ARRESTS THE GOVERNOR SET A LOFTY GOAL FOR US TO BE IN THE TOP 30 BY THE END OF HER SECOND TERM OR SECOND FULL TERM I THINK WE CAN GET THERE BECAUSE WE'RE INVESTING IN THE PLACES THAT MOST NEED IT.

SHE HAS MADE THAT A PRIORITY AND WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW-THROUGH WITH THAT PRIORITY FOR HER >> I REMEMBER HEARING IN THE INAUGURATION HEARING THAT WE WANT OF WANT TO RATE IN THE TOP 30.

AND I REMEMBER THINKING NO PRESSURE, DR. MACKEY.

ALSO A 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS AND THIS IS AFTER HISTORIC PAY RAISES LAST SESSION BUT WITH A GOAL OF PUTTING ALABAMA TEACHERS AT THE HIGHEST IN THE SOUTHEAST IN TERMS OF STARTING SALARIES.

I KNOW OF DATA OUT THERE THE THAT SAYS WE'RE CLOSE IF NOT TOWARD THE TOP IN THESE DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE TEACHING SALARIES >> WE ACTUALLY -- THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE HAVE DONE REALLY GOOD WORK IN THIS AREA.

THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE HAD S-H-I-F-T-S IN THE SALARY MATRIX.

AS WE SAY THE LAST SHIFT LAST YEAR RESULTED IN 189, 19 PERCENT RAISES FOR SOME PEOPLE ON THE HIGH END, OVER 30 GREER'S EXPERIENCE, HAD A MASTER'S DEGREE AND SO FORTH.

SO WE THINK THAT THAT PROBABLY IS SETTLED.

I'M NOT HEARING ABOUT ADJUSTING THE MATRIX THE WAY THIS LAID OUT TO THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED 2 PERCENT ACROSS THE BOARD RAISE WHICH I THINK IS GOING TO BE WELCOMED BY TEACHERS AND THE IDEA THAT SHE WANTS US TO HAVE THE HIGHEST PAID STARTING TEACHER SALARY IN THE SOUTHEAST BY THE END OF THIS TERM, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT.

WE ARE ALSO PRETTY HIGH.

AS YOU SAY WE'RE IN THE TOP DO YOU KNOW WHO OR THREE FOR THE SOUTHEAST ALREADY.

AND TRADITIONALLY WE'VE BEEN BEHIND AT THE END OF THE CREAM.

WE WERE WAY BEHIND AT THE END OF THE CAREER.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOMETIMES WHEN WE LOOKED AND WE WERE ACTUALLY THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUTHEAST OR IN THE BOTTOM TWO OR THREE AT THE END OF THE CAREER.

WE WERE IN THE TOP FEW AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CAREER.

BUT IT'S A BOLD STATEMENT AND IN OUR SHE PLANS TO CARRY IT OUT.

ONE OF THE REASONS IT IS BOLD IS BECAUSE FLORIDA AND GEORGIA, OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH ARE DOING HISTORIC RAISES TOO.

SO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH TONIGHT, 2 PERCENT IS A START AND WE WILL HAVE TO DO MORE TO GET THERE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS BUT SHE IS COMMITTED WE WILL GET HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS IN THE DELIVERY ROOM AND WE'RE GOING TO PAY TO GET THEM >> WHAT ABOUT PRINCIPLES?

THERE'S BEEN MORE TALK ABOUT PAYING PRINCIPLES MORE, MAYBE RECRUIT THEM IS THERE A SHORTAGE OF PRINCIPLES AND DO WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT >> WHEN YOU SAY A SHORTAGE OF PRINCIPLE THERE'S A PRINCIPAL AT OVER SCHOOL SO I DON'T SEE THERE'S A SHORTAGE.

BUT ASSISTANT PRINCIPLES THERE IS A SHORTAGE OFF.

NOT NECESSARILY THAT THERE'S A SHORTAGE IN SLOW ABOUT YOU WE FURNISHED A FULL ASSISTANT PRINCIPLE.

THE BUDGET FORWARDED TO THE LEGISLATURE SAYS WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT TO 250.

SO 250 IS OUR BOTTOM LINE BASE FOR A SCHOOL.

IF YOU'VE GOT A SCHOOL, 250 KIDS YOU GET A FULL-TIME ASSISTANT PRINCIPLE.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS SCHOOLS ARE JUST MORE DIFFICULT TO DO MANAGE THESE DAYS.

WE SO HE MORE DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS AND TEACHERS THAT NEED SUPPORT, KNEAD HELP, IF YOU ONLY HAVE ONE ADMINISTRATOR IN THAT BUILDING ONE IS NOT ENOUGH SO WE'RE ASKING FOR MORE ADMINISTRATORS IN THE BUILDINGS.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT MORE INTEREST IN THAT.

I CAN'T PREDICT WHAT HAD COME OUT BY THE END OF SESSION BUT WE THINK THAT CAN HAPPEN.

ALSO WE'RE HEARING TALKS AND WE'RE TALKING TO LEGISLATURES ABOUT COUNSELORS, SOCIALLY WORKERS, MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS.

WE JUST NEED MORE ADULTS FOR THE CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOLS TODAY >> I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT TOO.

I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR'S OPINION ON SCHOOL CHOICE, HOW FAR WOULD SHE GO IN A PROPOSAL.

SOME PROPOSALS HAVE FLOATED HERE OFFER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, AND THE VOUCHERS ESSENTIALLY KEEPING PART OF YOUR TAXPAYER MONEY INCOME TAXES TO GO ELSEWHERE.

SHE DIDN'T GO THERE.

SO HE TALKED ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE BUT LIMITED IT TO HEY, LET'S WORK ON -- LET'S IMPROVE OUR EXISTING CHOICE OPTIONS, TALKING ABOUT START UP FUNDS FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS, CHANGING THE GOVERNOR EX OF THE SYSTEM.

THOSE ARE COMPLICATED SUBJECTS SO I WAS HOPING YOU COULD ENLIGHTEN US.

IF THAT LEGISLATION?

IS THAT WORKING THROUGH THE BOARD ON IMPRESSION THE CURRENT CHARTER SCHOOL -- >> A LOT OF IT HAS TO BE DONE THROUGH LEGISLATION.

THE GOVERNOR IS INTERESTED IN THAT.

SHE HAD THE FINE YOUNG PEOPLE SITTING ON HER RIGHT TONIGHT, AND IT'S A REAL SUCCESS STORY.

THEY'RE A CHARTER SCHOOL IN THE RURAL PART OF THE BLACK BELT IN SMALL TOWN LIVINGSTON, UNDER THE OF WEST ALABAMA HAS INVESTED A LOT IN THAT AND THE STATE HAS INVESTED A LOT IN THAT AND THE SCHOOL IS GROWING AND SEEING STUDENTS COMB FROM MILES AND MILES AROUND.

SO I KNOW THE GOVERNOR WANTS MORE AND MADE CLEAR THAT MORE OF THOSE KINDS OF SCHOOLS ARE SPREAD THROUGH THE STATE.

I KNOW THERE'S SOME FRUSTRATION AND -- SOME FRUSTRATION ABOUT HOW FAST CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE GROWN.

WE'RE ADDING ABOUT FOUR CHARTER SCHOOLS A YEAR IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE LEGISLATION PASSED IT LIMITED IT TO NO MORE THAN 50 IN THE 1ST FIVE YEARS.

AND IT'S BEEN MORE THAN THAT AND WE HAVE 12.

SO THE IDEA THAT WE WERE GOING TO SHOW OVERRUN BY CHARTER SCHOOLS IS JUST NOT HAPPENING.

WE DO PRIVATE START JURISPRUDENCE FUNDS BUT IT'S NOT A LOT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE CHIEF COMPLAINTS THAT WE HEAR FROM FOCUS WANTING TO START CHARTING SCHOOLS IS THEY NEED MONEY UP FRONT TO SECURE A BUILD BUILDING TO SET UP AND GET STARTED AND THE GOVERNOR TONIGHT SAID SHE WANTS TO WORK ON THAT AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE WENT OF WANT TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT APPEAL LOOK LIKE.

BUT THERE'S CERTAINLY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALKS.

I DON'T TONIGHT SPEAK FOR THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD BUT THE FOLKS THAT FOLLOW THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD KNOW THAT THE BOARD FEELS -- THEY FEEL OWNERSHIP FOR ALL THE CHILDREN IN THIS STATE, NO MATTER WHAT SCHOOLS THEY GO TO, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE THEY WANT TO DO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A GOOD QUALITY EDUCATION: YET THE BOARD IS LIMITED.

NOT THE OVERSIGHT OF SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SAFETY ISSUES AND THINGS LIKE THAT BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SAY SO IN HOUR CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE DEVELOPED, HOW THEY RUN WE WANT HAD A COUPLE OF WEEK CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN BE GOOD FOR THE BRAND OUT THERE.

AND OPPORTUNITY TO -- THEY'RE OKAY TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY OFF BUT THEY WANT THE AUTHORITY AND THE -- I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S MODEL NEEDS CHANGES AND I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR RECOGNIZES THAT.

RY HAVE NOT SEEN AN INDIVIDUAL BILL BUT I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL COME IN THIS SESSION >> YOU MENTIONED THE FUNDING, THE START JUST FUNDS.

THERE'S BEEN DEBATED THE LOCAL FUNDING BECAUSE STATE FUNDING FOLLOW'S CHILD TO A CHARTER SCHOOL -- IT'S BASICALLY UP TO THEM BUT MOST ARE NOT GOING TO CHOOSE IT >> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE CURRENTLY WAY THE LAW IS SAID UP, THEY GET STATE FUNDING AND SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING.

BUT LOCAL PROPERTY TAX FROM YOUR COUNTY IS UP TO THE CITY OR -- THAT'S BIG DIFFERENCE.

IT IS.

ESSENTIALLY NORTHERN OF THEM -- THERE MIGHT BE SOMEONE OUT THERE.

I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO CALL AND SAY WE'RE NOT SHARING THIS CONTINUING AGAIN WE HAVE NOT SEEN HIM -- LET'S YEAR THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT >> CONTENT ISSUES >> THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT IT IN IN THE OFF-SEASON AND I'M SURE SOMETHING WILL COME OUT OF THAT.

ESSENTIALLY COUNTY AND STUDY SCHOOL BOARDS CAN SHARE THAT REVENUE IF THEY WANT TO BUT THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO.

AND WE HAVE EVEN HAD SOME SITUATIONS WHERE CITY COUNCIL AND COUNT KEY COMMISSIONERS SAID WE WANT THIS TO BE SHARED BUT IT'S NOT THEIR CHOICE AND IT'S LEFT UP TO THE SCHOOL BOARD >> YOU SAID THE RIGHT WORD.

FINALLY SHE MENTIONED THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

YOU REALLY JUST SAID THE WORDS BUT DIDN'T SO WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

SHE'S A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC ON CHARTER SCHOOLS BUT BASICALLY USE IT MORE EFFECTIVELY.

MAYBE THERE BE SOME -- ONE THING I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE COUNTY LITTLE BIT PARKING LOT PROVISIONS BUT WHY YOU SO -- A PUBLIC SCHOOL CAN REQUEST CHARTER LIKE FLEXIBILITY FROM THE BOARD OR FROM THE DEPARTMENT ABOUT YOU THAT HAS NOT BEEN UTILIZED VERY MUCH.

AND YOU THINK MAYBE THAT'S WHERE SHE'S GOING WITH THIS IS WE NEED TO UTILIZE THE EXISTING LAW?

>> I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT DEVELOPS.

SO THERE IS A FLEXIBILITY PIECE IN THERE AND AS YOU MAY REMEMBER WHEN THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT PASSED IN 2000 TRANE, INITIALLY IT WASN'T A WIDESPREAD FLEXIBILITY LAW FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN IN THE FINAL VERSION THAT PASSED, IT MORPHED INTO SOMETHINGS AND MAYBE MORE OF A VOUCHER LAW AND THE FLEXIBILITY THAT WAS THIS-WIDE GOD SHRUNK TO THIS.

BUT WE HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY.

WHY ARE YOU MAINTAINING IT FROM ME -- AND SO MAYBE LOOK AT THAT.

WE MIGHT HAVE MORE REQUESTS FOR FLEXIBILITY WAFERS.

SOME OF THOSE CAUSED PROBLEMS WE HAD FLEXIBILITY WAFERS EARLY ON AROUND ASSESSMENT BUT EVEN THOUGH IT COULD BE FLEXED WITH STATE LAW IT COULDN'T BE WITH FEDERAL LAW SO WE HAD TO GET BACK AND SO PAY -- YOU CANNOT FLEX TENURE.

S EARLY ON THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF SUPERINTENDENTS SAID, WE WANT TO DO LIKE CHARTER SCHOOLS AND HALF OF THE TEACHERS CAN BE NONCERTIFIED.

I SAID TENURE BUT I MEANT CERTIFICATION.

AND THAT FLEXIBILITY CAN'T BE EXTENDED SO I THINK WHEN I LOOK AT THE FLEXIBILITY PIECE, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO BE HONEST, I HAVE SAID IT MANY, MANY TIMES AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HER FOLKS ABOUT IT AND THE LEGISLATURES THAT THE FAILING SCHOOLS PEELS DOESN'T NEED TO BE IN THERE.

WE DON'T NEED TO TELL ANYBODY THEY'RE A FAILURE WHEN IT WORKED REALLY HARD AND MANY TIMES MADE GREAT PROGRESS.

SO WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD SCHOOL REPORT CARD.

IT'S A FAIR AND BALANCED REPORT CARD BUT THE REPORT CARD CAME ALONG SEPARATE FROM THAT.

SO MAYBE THERE WOULD BE A WAY TO MESH THOSE THINGS TOGETHER AND NOT HAVE SO MANY LISTS OUT THERE SO IT'S CONFUSING TO PEOPLE >> YEAH.

AND I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT ON THE FAILING SCHOOL THING.

LIKE I UNDERSTAND THE POINT.

WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AND ALLOW PARENTS TO URNS WHAT IS GOING ON.

AND TO MOTIVATED, YOU KNOW, IMPROVEMENT BUT IT'S PROBLEMATIC >> IT'S PROBLEMATIC YEAH.

AND YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR FLOATED IT OUT THERE.

WE HAVE TO WAIT A SEE.

THE BUDGET LOOKS LIKE INDIVIDUAL PROPOSALS AROUND THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT BUT I HEAR FROM REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE SOME FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT AND THE PROMISE OF -- IF YOU KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A BIG SCHOOL CHOICE BILL AND IT'S HAS NEVER MORPHED IN INTO THAT ARE THERE WAYS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT THAT BILL USE IT AS A BILL FOR EXPANDING SCHOOL CHOICE?

WE HEARD THAT FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS.

THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE WAY TAX CREDITS WORK AND HELPING THEM FLOW THE MONEY THROUGH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE GETTING SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH SGO'S THROUGH THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, WHO ARE GETTING HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION.

WE HAVE SOME HERE IN MONTGOMERY STILL, WHO ARE GETTING A BENEFIT FROM IT.

EVEN HAD TOES FROM FOLKS I HEAR FRUSTRATIONS THAT IT'S NOT -- IT DOESN'T WORK AS PERFECTLY AS IT COULD.

THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AROUND IT AND MAYBE THIS WILL BE THE YEAR.

CERTAINLY THE GOVERNOR SAID SHE WANTS TO LEAN ON THAT SUBJECT AND SOME OF THAT CAN BE CLEANED UP >> AGAIN, A BIG NIGHT FOR THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION.

IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG SESSION NOR THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW TO KIND OF GIVE YOUR REACTION TO IT.

AND WE WILL HAVE YOU ON AGAIN SOON >> I LOOK TO IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG SESSION AND BIG QUADRENNIUM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH >> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WE'RE BACKS TO CLOSE OUT OUR LIVE STATE OF THE STATE COVERAGE.

WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE.

INTERESTING SPEECH.

A LOT OF GOOD THEMES.

A LOT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE COVERING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" MOVING FORWARD >> IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT.

AS EVERYONE HAS SAID THIS IS GOING TO BE A BUSY SESSION.

NO DOUBT.

LAWMAKERS WILL EXCITED.

THE GOVERNOR OF COURSE IS EXCITED.

SHE REVEALED HER PLANS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT IN THE HOUSE YOU HAVE 30 NEW MEMBERS AND THE SENATE SIX NEW MEMBERS AND THE STATE IS DUE FOR GOOD NEWS AND TO A GOOD START TO A SESSION.

THINKING ABOUT COMING OUT OF COVID AND OTHER CONCERNS, THIS IS A GOOD START.

HOPEFULLY THE MOMENTUM WILL CONTINUE >> WE'RE OUT OF TIME FOR OUR LIVE COVERAGE.

I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT YOU CAN WATCH "CAPITOL JOURNAL," OUR COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NIGHTLY MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AT 10:30 RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION AND ON FRIDAYS OUR WE BELONG IN REVIEW IS AT 7:30:00 P.M. AND SUNDAYS AT NOON.

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