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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT HAS BEEN A LONG, BUSY AND CONSEQUENTIAL WEEK HERE IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE MET FOR THE 13TH, 14TH AND 15TH LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

THAT PUTS US AT THE HALFWAY POINT OF THIS 30-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND EACH DAY SAW ACTION ON BIG TICKET ITEMS, SOME CONTROVERSIAL.

WE'LL START WITH THE ISSUE THAT PUT ALABAMA IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS: IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND EFFORTS TO PROVIDE LEGAL PROTECTIONS TO IVF CLINICS AND PATIENTS IN THE WAKE OF THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT RULING SAYING FROZEN EMBRYOS ARE TO BE CONSIDERED CHILDREN UNDER THE LAW.

LAWMAKERS MOVED QUICKLY TO PASS LEGISLATION OFFERING SUCH PROTECTIONS, WHICH RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE ON WEDNESDAY.

SENATE BILL 159 WAS THEN SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS, ONE OF THE BILL'S SPONSORS, SAID SHE'S HEAR FROM IVF CLINICS THAT PLAN TO RESUME THEIR SERVICES.

>> THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN FAST AND A WEEK AGO 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 HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.

I TRULY HOPE AND BELIEVE THERE THE CLINICS WILL OPEN BACK.

THAT THIS WILL PROVIDE THE IMMUNITY THEY NEED TO DO THE PROCESS WITH THESE FAMILIES.

>>> THE SUBJECT OF GAMBLING DOMINATED THE ALABAMA SENATE ON THURSDAY, AS LAWMAKERS DEBATED THE ISSUE FOR MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

THE PACKAGE UNDER CONSIDERATION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT, IF PASSED WOULD GO BEFORE VOTERS IN A REFERENDUM, AND THE OTHER ENABLING LEGISLATION THAT CONTAINS THE DETAILS OF THE PLAN.

WHAT THE SENATE TOOK UP THIS WEEK IS VERY DIFFERENT THAT THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PACKAGE PASSED BY THE HOUSE THREE WEEKS AGO.

HERE ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS NO SPORTS BETTING COMPONENT.

WHEREAS, THE HOUSE VERSION WOULD HAVE LEGALIZED AND TAXED SPORTS BETTING, THAT'S OUT OF THIS VERSION.

ALSO, NO CLASS THREE GAMBLING.

THE HOUSE VERSION WOULD HAVE AUTHORIZED TABLE GAMES FOR UP TO 10 CASINOS, BUT THAT'S OUT OF THIS VERSION.

AND CURRENT CASINOS THAT RUN GAMBLING MACHINES BASED ON BINGO WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RUN THEM ON PARA-MUTUAL DOG AND HORSE RACING GAMES.

REVENUE IS ALSO DIFFERENT UNDER THE SENATE PLAN.

IT WOULD GENERATE AND ESTIMATED $350 MILLION, DOWN FROM THE ALMOST BILLION FROM THE HOUSE PLAN.

AN AMENDMENT ADDED TODAY WOULD SEE THOSE DOLLARS SPLIT INTO THREE BUCKETS: EDUCATION, GENERAL FUND AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

SOME SIMILARITIES TO THE HOUSE PLAN.

IT WOULD INSTITUTE A STATE LOTTERY.

IT ALSO CALLS FOR A COMPACT WITH THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS, WHICH OPERATES THREE CASINOS STATEWIDE.

AND THE PLAN SETS UP A GAMBLING COMMISSION, INCLUDING AN ENFORCEMENT ARM.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" JEFF SANDERS HAS MORE ON THE GAMBLING DEBATE.

>> 23 AYES, 10 NAYS, PASSES AS AMENDED.

>> REPUBLICAN SENATOR ALBRITTON CARRIED THE LEGISLATION IN THE SENATE.

>> HOUSE BILL WAS A MORE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

IT COVERED EVERYTHING THAT WE NEEDED.

IT BROUGHT IN -- BUT THE UNPOPULAR PART OF THAT WAS THE POINT IT HAD CLASS THREE CASINO MATTERS THERE.

THAT WAS THE UNPOPULAR PARTY AND IT DETERIORATED FROM THERE.

>> ANOTHER CHANGE IN THE AMENDED BILL DEALT WITH WHERE GAMBLING PROCEEDS WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED.

ALBRITTON WANTED ALL PROCEEDS TO GO TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS TO SHORE UP PRISON FUNDING, ESPECIALLY IN HIS HOME DISTRICT OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY BUT FELLOW REPUBLICANS PASSED AN AMENDMENT TO MORE EVENLY SPREAD IT THROUGHOUT STATE BUDGETS, A MOVE THAT VISIBLY ANGERED ALBRITTON.

>> I'M GOING TO BE HEARD ON THIS MATTER.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE RUN OVER ON THIS.

I APOLOGIZE.

LET ME GET CONTROL.

THE AMENDMENT THIS BODY HAS ADDED, I THINK, WAS ADDED INAPPROPRIATELY, WITHOUT DUE CONSIDERATION.

>> SENATE MINORITY LEADER, BOBBY SINGLETON, WHO ALONG WITH FELLOW DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR THE LEGISLATION AND HOPES A BETTER COMPROMISE CAN BE MADE IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

>> WE WILL GET THROUGH, SHAKE IT OUT, COMPARE IT TO WHAT THE HOUSE HAS.

WE GET THESE COMMITTEES SET AND WE WILL SIT THERE LIKE MEN AND WOMEN AND WORK IT OUT.

>> WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A CHANGE IN ALABAMA LAW SO THAT WE CAN GRAB CONTROL OF THIS INDUSTRY.

MAYBE ONLY PARTIAL BUT THE IMPORTANT PART IS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> THE DECISION ON WHAT HOUSE MEMBERS WILL DO WILL HAVE TO WAIT A BIT.

LAWMAKERS ARE GOING ON A WEEK-LONG SPRING BREAK.

REPORTING FROM THE STATEHOUSE, I'M JEFF SANDERS FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>>> IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK, MULTIPLE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES WERE TAKEN UP ON THE FLOOR.

BILLS DEALING WITH ABSENTEE VOTING, DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION SAW FIERCE DEBATE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> TWO SENATE BILLS HIT THE HOUSE FLOOR AND GENERATED HEATED DEBATES BETWEEN LAWMAKERS.

UP FIRST SENATE BILL ONE WHICH ADDRESSING AN ISSUE SOME CALL BALLOT HARVESTING.

>> IT MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO ASSIST VOTERS IN COMPLETING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION, KNOWN COMMONLY AS BALLOT HARVESTING.

IT WILL PREVENT ABSENTEE BALLOT BROKERS FROM MANIPULATING THE VOTING PROCESS.

>> IT'S AMAZING TO ME THAT OUT OF THE MILLIONS BALLOTS CAST IN ALABAMA SINCE 2000 THERE'S ONLY BEEN DOCUMENTED 16 INSTANCES OF ABSENTEE BALLOT FRAUD.

ZERO INSTANCES OF ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION FRAUD, AND EACH INSTANCE WAS BY A CANDIDATE OR CAMPAIGN STAFF.

>> SENATE BILL 1 WAS APPROVED.

ALSO ON THE AGENDA, SENATE BILL 129, DEALING WITH DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION OR DEI GUIDELINES.

>> THIS BILL WILL PROHIBIT CERTAIN PUBLIC ENTITIES INCLUDING STATE AGENCIES, LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FROM MAINTAINING A DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION DEPARTMENT OR SPONSORING ANY DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAM OR PROGRAM THAT ADVOCATES FOR DIVISIVE CONCEPT.

>> DEI IS A TOOL TO WORK TOWARDS A BETTER REALIZATION OF OUR IDEALS NOT UNDERMINE THEM.

IT DOESN'T SEEK TO DIVIDE US BUT BRING US ALL, REGARDLESS OF OUR MYRIAD OF DIFFERENCES TO THE BOUNTY.

TO EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM OUR CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES US, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS GREAT AMERICAN EXPERIMENT.

BUT IF WE ALL PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG EVERY DAY WE MEET UP IN HERE.

IT SEEKS TO ACHIEVE THE PROMISE AND TRIUMPH OF A MORE PERFECT UNION THAT HAS BEEN DEPRIVED TO SO MANY.

BUT WE CANNOT CELEBRATE AND HONOR TRIUMPH WITHOUT RECKONING WITH THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF OUR HISTORY.

LIKE I SAID, THAT'S GOING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND IT SHOULD BE.

WE CANNOT -- BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY -- WE CANNOT EXPERIENCE A LIE OF TRUTH WITHOUT RECKONING WITH THE DARK OF OUR PAST.

>> THE HOUSE ALSO APPROVED SENATE BILL 129.

FROM THE STATEHOUSE, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>>> THE SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATION GOVERNOR KAY IVEY CALLED HER TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY BECAME LAW THIS WEEK.

HOUSE BILL 129 FROM REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT, KNOWN AS THE CHOOSE ACT, RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE ON WEDNESDAY.

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

$2,000 IN CREDITS IS OFFERED TO THE BILL WAS AMENDED TO PUT FINANCIAL GUARDRAILS AIMED TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T COST THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

AT A SIGNING CEREMONY IN THE CAPITOL, GOVERNOR IVEY SAID THE PLAN WILL ALLOW PARENTS MORE SAY OVER THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

>> Y'ALL, WE DID IT!

WE DID IT!

PRESIDENT PRO TEM REED, SPEAKER LEDBETTER, CHAIRMAN ORR THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN GETTING THE CHOOSE ACT PASSED.

TODAY IS A HISTORIC DAY AS WE OFFICIALLY SIGN OUR EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT BILL, THE CHOOSE ACT, INTO LAW.

ALABAMA IS THE ONLY -- 14TH STATE IN THE NATION TO PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT OPTION.

OUR PLAN WILL NOT ONLY WORK FOR ALABAMA FAMILIES, IT WILL WORK FOR OUR STATE AND IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

WITH THE CHOOSE ACT, ALABAMA WILL NOW BE A LEADER WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL CHOICE.

I'M HOPEFUL THIS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ALABAMA FAMILIES.

LET ME BE CLEAR MY COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION REMAINS UNRELENTING.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ALL WANT EVERY ALABAMA STUDENT, NO MATTER THE ZIP CODE, TO RECEIVE A QUALITY EDUCATION.

STRONG STUDENTS WILL LEAD TO A STRONG ALABAMA.

AND A STRONG ALABAMA IS OUR GOAL.

>> PASSING THE SENATE THIS WEEK WAS LEGISLATION SEEKING TO HELP BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE ACCESS FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE TO HELP THE COLLEGE THROUGH FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY.

SENATE BILL 31, FROM SENATOR JABO WAGGONER, WOULD PUT THE DISTRESSED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF JIM PURSELL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA COUNCIL ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE LOAN PROGRAM, APPROVED LAST YEAR BY THE LEGISLATURE, IS CURRENTLY MANAGED BY STATE TREASURER YOUNG BOOZER, WHO REFUSED TO APPROVE A LOAN TO BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN CALLING THEM TO BIG OF A CREDIT RISK.

WAGGONER SAID THAT WAS NOT THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I THINK WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND EVERYBODY IN THIS CHAMBER KNOWS WHAT'S AT STAKE.

YES, BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN HAS FALLEN ON SOME HARD FINANCIAL TIMES, AND THIS IS A WAY TO HOPEFULLY ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE.

I'LL BE HONEST, IF THIS DOES NOT PASS, THEY ARE PROBABLY CLOSING THEIR DOORS THIS SPRING.

SO, IT'S SOMEWHAT CRUCIAL.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M NOT HERE TO KNOCK YOUR BILL, BUT I JUST WANT THE MESSAGE TO BE VERY CLEAR.

WHAT WE DO FOR ONE, WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO DO FOR OTHERS AND DO FOR THEM ALL AND NOT CHERRY PICK AND CHOOSE BECAUSE CERTAIN MEMBERS CAN BRING IT AND SAY THEY WANT IT TO HAPPEN AND WE MAKE IT HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY.

HBCUS ARE PART OF THIS EDUCATION COMMUNITY HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND JUST AS IMPORTANT AND SERVE JUST OR MORE OF AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION THAN PWIS.

>> THAT BILL NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

>>> WEDNESDAY 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 OUR ADVOCATES ARE TALKING ABOUT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, ENSURING WE CLOSE THE COVERAGE GAP FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ALABAMIANS THAT COULD GET CANCER THIS YEAR.

>> CLOSING THE COVERAGE GAP, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK MEDICAID IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> THAT IS ONE POSSIBILITY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE INSURANCE TO INDIVIDUALS.

WE ARE ENCOURAGING LAWMAKERS TO READ UP ON THE INFORMATION, TALK TO LEADERSHIP AND PUSH THE GOVERNOR TO FIND A SOLUTION.

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

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

>> WELL, 41 OTHER STATES HAVE EXPANDED MEDICAID AND CLOSED THEIR COVERAGE GAPS AND NOT A SINGLE ONE HAS SEEN A BUDGET CRISIS OR HAD TO INCREASE TAXES.

SO, WE KNOW IT IS A VIABLE POLICY SOLUTION AS FAR AS STATE BUDGETS GO.

WE ALSO KNOW THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT WILL COME DOWN IF WE EXPAND MEDICAID IS $2 MILLION WHICH IS WHAT WE GOT FOR ARPA, SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF MONEY IN TO THE STATE.

IF WE WANT TO INVEST THE MONEY IN TO MEDICAID TO ENSURE WE ARE ABLE TO PAY FOR CLOSING THE COVERAGE GAP FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WE COULD DO THAT.

WHEN LAWMAKERS ASK HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT?

THE REAL SOLUTION IS IN FRONT OF THEM.

THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE STEP OF CLOSING THE COVERAGE GAP FIRST.

>> AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, ALABAMA HAS BEEN IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT MORE THAN USUAL LATELY.

IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN INVITED AN ALABAMA IVF PATIENT AS A GUEST AND USED HER STORY TO CRITICIZE THE ALABAMA EMBRYO RULING AND TO CALL FOR A NATIONAL IVF LAW.

>> HISTORY IS WATCHING.

THEY ARE WATCHING.

YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WILL READ ABOUT THIS DAY AND WHAT WE DO.

HISTORY IS WATCHING ANOTHER ASSAULT ON FREEDOM.

JOINING US IS VICTORIA BEASLEY, A SOCIAL WORKER FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

14 MONTHS AGO SHE AND HER HUSBAND WELCOMED A BABY GIRL THANKS TO THE MIRACLE OF IVF.

SHE SCHEDULED TREATMENTS TO HAVE A SECOND COURT BUT ALABAMA SHUT DOWN IVF TREATMENTS.

ONLY BY OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE.

SHE WAS TOLD HER DREAM WOULD HAVE TO WAIT BUT IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED.

UNLESS CONGRESS ACTS IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN.

LET'S STAND UP TO FAMILIES LIKE HERS.

TO MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE, DON'T KEEP WAITING ANYMORE.

>> AND OF COURSE, ALABAMA'S SENATOR KATIE BRITT GAVE THE OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE UNION.

SHE DID SO FROM HER KITCHEN TABLE, RIGHT HERE IN MONTGOMERY, DURING HER NATIONALLY TELEVISED SPEECH, BRITT CALLED BIDEN OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE WORRIES OF EVERYDAY FAMILIES.

>> LIKE SO MANY FAMILIES ACROSS AMERICA, WE WATCHED THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND WHAT WE SAW WAS A PERFORMANCE OF A PERMANENT POLITICIAN WHO'S BEEN IN OFFICE FOR LONGER THAN I HAVE BEEN ALIVE.

ONE THING WAS CLEAR, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS OUT OF TOUCH.

UNDER HIS ADMINISTRATION, FAMILIES ARE WORSE OFF.

OUR COMMUNITIES ARE LESS SAFE AND LESS SECURE.

I WISH HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT REAL FAMILIES ARE FACING AROUND KITCHEN TABLES, JUST LIKE THIS ONE.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHERE OUR FAMILY HAS TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.

IT'S WHERE WE MAKE HARD DECISIONS.

IT'S WHERE WE SHARE THE GOOD, THE BAD AND UGLY OF OUR DAYS.

IT'S WHERE WE LAUGH TOGETHER AND WHERE WE HOLD EACH OTHER'S HANDS AND PRAY FOR GOD'S GUIDANCE AND MANY NIGHTS IT IS WHERE WE WORRY.

I KNOW WE'RE NOT ALONE.

TONIGHT THE AMERICAN FAMILY NEEDS TO HAVE A TOUGH CONVERSATION BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS WE'RE ALL WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION.

A NEW SHOW CALLED "MASTERS OF THE AIR" HAS REALLY BEEN TAKING OFF LATELY.

IT'S THE STORY OF ONE HUNDREDTH BOMBER GROUP FLYING MISSIONS OVER NAZI GERMANY IN WORLD WAR TWO.

THIS WEEK, ACTORS AND PRODUCERS FROM THE SHOW VISITED THE 187TH AIR WING AT DANNELY FIELD TO TOUR THE UNIT AND RIDE IN THE NEW F-35S.

>> I PLAY LIEUTENANT RICHARD MACON IN THE APPLE TV PLUS SERIES "MASTERS OF THE AIR."

IT'S RARE THAT YOU COME ACROSS SUBJECT MATTER THAT HAS NOT ONLY HISTORICAL CONTEXT BUT MEANINGFUL CONTEXT TO IT AND I THINK I WAS DRAWN TO A STORY THAT IS THROWN AROUND IN THE LEXICON.

TO PLAY ONE FROM THE '40S -- MY GRANDFATHER SERVED IN VIETNAM -- I FELT NOT A RESPONSIBILITY BUT AN HONOR TO RESEARCH AND LEARN THE STORY.

GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF IT.

IT HAS HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON ME IF I'M HONEST.

I'VE NEVER PLAYED A REAL PERSON UNTIL NOW.

AND TO PLAY SOMEONE AN ARTIST BY ALL ACCOUNTS, BRAVE BY ALL ACCOUNTS, INTELLIGENT BY ALL ACCOUNTS, TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ON THAT ROLE AND FEEL THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND HOPEFULLY MAKE HIM BEFORE HE PASSED -- UNFORTUNATELY RECENTLY -- AND HIS FAMILY PROUD IT MEANT A LOT TO ME AND I DIDN'T TAKE IT LIGHTLY.

SEEING THE FULLNESS OF THE HISTORY OF WHAT HELPED THEM UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF BLACK PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> JUST LIKE ALL OF THE MEN, WHETHER IT IS ROSENTHAL, BUT ALL OF THE MEN SHARED THIS THROUGH LINE OF -- NOT TO SHAME THE BOOK BUT AS A BAND OF BROTHERS.

THIS KINSHIP, FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY THEME, YOU KNOW, BORN AND BONDED UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IN PROTECTING THE LIVELIHOOD OF OUR COUNTRY.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

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

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

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> I SHOULD ALSO MENTION CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE.

WE WILL GET TO THAT LATER.

THE ISSUE ON THE SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEK WAS GAMBLING.

YOU ALL SPENT ABOUT EIGHT HOURS DEBATING THE ALTERED LEGISLATION ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

YOU WERE CARRYING IT.

SO YOU SPENT A MAJORITY OF THE TIME AT THE MIC TAKING AMENDMENTS, GOING BACK AND FORTH.

A LOT OF WORK DONE.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH -- BECAUSE IT PASSED.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND A LOT OF CHANGES WERE MADE.

CAN YOU WALK THROUGH WHERE THE BILL STANDS NOW OPPOSED TO WHAT THE HOUSE PASSED.

>> TRYING TO KEEP UP WHERE IT IS AND WHERE IT WAS.

OKAY.

>> YEAH.

>> SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN LENGTH, IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS BUT THE BIGGEST IS WITH THE PASS SENATE PASSED VERSION, WHAT WE HAVE IS A VERY, VERY RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE OF GAMING.

THE HOUSE BILL HAD A MUCH MORE EXPANSIVE PART OF GAMING, NOT EXPANSION BUT EXPANSIVE.

BOTH HAVE LOTTERIES.

THEY ARE ALMOST EXACTLY ALIKE AS FAR AS HOW THAT IS SET UP.

BOTH HAVE REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMPACT.

SAME LANGUAGE.

I THINK THAT'S THE CASE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE SITES, THE EXISTING SITES THAT WE HAVE ALREADY WITH THE 17, 18, WHATEVER IT IS, LOCAL CAS AND OTHER LEGISLATIONS DEALING WITH PARA MUTUAL, ELECTRONIC BINGO AND THOSE MATTERS.

WE HAVE HANDLED THOSE VERY DIFFERENTLY.

THE SENATE VERSION, WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS TAKEN -- NOT ALL OF THEM EXISTING, WE ARE SHUTTING SOME DOWN.

GREENE COUNTY IS LIMITED TO TWO SITES.

THEY HAVE SEVERAL.

AND THEN ALL OF THEM ARE PLACED UNDER THE PARA MUTUAL GAMING AUTHORITY, OR STATUS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY CAN DO.

AND THAT INCLUDES SIMULCAST WATCHING OF RACES AND WHAT'S CALLED THE HHR, THE HISTORICAL HORSE RACING MATTER.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT WORKS, BUT IT SEEMS TO WORK.

AND THAT'S AN ELECTRONIC TYPE GAMING.

>> KIND OF LIKE HOW THEY SAY THAT BINGO IS PLAYING ON THIS MACHINE.

INSTEAD OF THAT IT WILL BE A HORSE RACE.

>> PRECISELY.

SO THOSE ARE ALL THE SAME TYPE.

WE DID GO IN AND PUT IN SIZE LIMITATIONS BECAUSE WE'RE ONLY SAYING WHAT YOU HAVE YOU CAN KEEP, PERIOD.

WE CAME IN AND ELIMINATED ELECTRONIC BINGO, THE SLOT MACHINES.

WE HAVE DONE AWAY WITH THOSE COMPLETELY.

HISTORICALLY AND IN THE HOUSE BILL WE HAVE REQUIRED POARCH CREEK INDIANS BE GIVEN ANOTHER SITE TO SET UP AND TAXED AS A SEPARATE ENTITY BUT THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERATION FOR ENTERING IN TO A COMPACT WITH THE STATE.

THAT'S BEEN REMOVED.

>> THEY ONLY WOULD BE ON THEIR CURRENT SITE.

>> ONLY THE CURRENT SITE.

THEY GET BACK TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT WE CAPTURE WHAT WE HAVE.

WE REGULATE IT AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN ENFORCE IT BY MAKING THEM ALL THE SAME.

>> OKAY.

THAT IS DEFINITELY SCALED DOWN FROM WHAT THE HOUSE PASSED.

YOU TAKE AWAY SPORTS BETTING AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> ONLINE GAMES IS GONE.

WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THOSE TAKE ME INSIDE THE CAUCUS.

EVERYTHING YOU TAKE AWAY FROM A GAMBLING BILL YOU ADD AND TAKE AWAY VOTES.

I'M ASSUMING THE REASON IT IS SCALED BACK IS BECAUSE THE HOUSE VERSION WOULDN'T HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO PASS.

IN SCALING IT BACK DO YOU WIN VOTES THAT ARE OKAY WITH THE LOTTERY, OKAY WITH EXISTING BUT NOT OKAY WITH MORE EXPANSIVE?

>> THAT'S THE THEORY.

THAT'S THE HOPE.

I DON'T KNOW.

WE WILL FIND OUT WHEN IT GOES TO THE HOUSE.

>> BUT IN THE SENATE WAS THAT THE CASE?

>> ACTUALLY NOT REALLY.

THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE HAD, AS FAR AS THE NUMBER OF VOTES, THE NUMBERS WERE VERY SIMILAR, WITHIN ONE OR TWO VOTES.

NONE OF THEM HAD ENOUGH TO PASS, ALL RIGHT.

THAT CAREFUL MANIPULATION TO GET TO PASSAGE.

IT WAS A WHACK-A-MOLE.

>> THAT'S THE THING.

THERE WERE A TON OF AMENDMENTS AND IF YOU ADD ONE THING IT CAN RUIN THE WHOLE NEGOTIATION AND THAT KIND OF THING.

>> THE AMENDMENTS -- THERE WERE A LOT OF THEM -- WERE CLEANUP FRANKLY.

THE HOUSE VERSION HAD HELD THAT WE PUT IN.

MANY OF THEM WERE PARTS THAT IN REWRITING IT GOT SLIPPED OUT.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ONE BECAUSE YOU GOT UPSET ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> I GOT UPSET?

I GOT UPSET?

>> YOU MORE THAN USUAL GOT A LITTLE RUFFLED THERE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

IT WAS SIGNIFICANT.

WE SHOWED THE VIDEO.

YOU HAD THE BILL SET UP FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS.

THE REVENUE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE GENERAL FUND AND YOU HAD PLANS FOR THAT.

>> CORRECT.

>> BUT THE AMENDMENT BASICALLY SPLIT IT UP.

IT TOOK THE TWO YEARS AWAY AND THREE POTS.

THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TWO YEARS DOWN THE LINE.

TALK ABOUT WHY THAT'S A BIG DEAL AND ARE YOU STILL GOING TO TRY TO GET THAT BACK AND IN MAYBE A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE WISE FOR ME TO TRY TO RECAPTURE THAT.

I MADE A STRONG A PITCH AS I COULD ON THE FLOOR AND LOST AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

SO, I MAY BE STUCK WITH WHERE WE ARE.

THAT'S GOING TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT PRESSURES ON THE GENERAL FUND IN THE NEXT TWO, THREE, FOUR YEARS BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF INFLATION STILL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO BE DONE, THAT WE ARE ALREADY COMMITTED TO AND THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IS IN THE PRISONS, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T BORROW ANYMORE MONEY.

AS I EXPLAINED ON THE FLOOR, WE HAVE FOLKS THAT DON'T WANT MORE PRISONS BUILT AND THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL IN LIMITING WHAT WE CAN BORROW SO WE WILL BE FACED ON A WHOLE PACKAGE WITH LIMITED MONEY.

THAT WILL PUT A BIG SQUEEZE ON US.

>> YEAH.

YOU WERE TO THE POINT ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE FUND -- YOU ALL PASSED IN WHAT YEAR, 2019.

>> I DON'T REMEMBER.

>> YEAH.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A HOLE.

>> A SIGNIFICANT HOLE THERE.

NOW SINCE WE PASSED THAT, THE COVID HIT, INFLATION HIT AND EVERYTHING IS OUT OF KILTER WITH THAT.

NOW WE HAVE TO CATCH UP ON THAT AND HAVING LESS MONEY TO BE ABLE TO BORROW WILL PUT A STRAIN ON THE GENERAL FUND.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS, EVERY TIME WE TALK ABOUT GAMBLING ON THE SHOW I GET FEEDBACK FROM VIEWERS AND A LOT OF THEM SAY, LOOK, WE DON'T LIKE GAMBLING.

WE DON'T LIKE THE THINGS THAT GAMBLING BRINGS.

WHY DON'T YOU BRING THAT UP.

SO I WILL.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN THE STATE OPPOSED TO ANY KIND OF FORM OF GAMBLING, THE SOCIAL ILLS THAT COME WITH IT.

WHEN YOU ARE CONFRONTED WITH THOSE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY SHOULD WE GO DOWN THIS ROUTE, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

>> MY RESPONSE IS WE'RE ALREADY ON THAT ROUTE.

I DON'T GAMBLE.

I DON'T THINK IT IS A GOOD THING AT ALL.

I THINK IT'S A VERY POOR INVESTMENT OF MONEY.

BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE TO CONTROL ACTIVITIES THAT THE STATE'S REQUIRE TO CONTROL, WHETHER THAT BE OPERATIONS OF ANY BUSINESS WE PUT OUT THERE, ENVIRONMENTAL OR ANYTHING ELSE.

EVERY BUSINESS BRINGS INHERENT DIFFICULTIES.

THE SAME IS TRUE WITH GAMBLING.

THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THAT IS TO REGULATE IT SO YOU CAN CONTROL WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE, FUND THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE OUT THERE SO IT CAN BE FIXED AND REPAIRED AND MODERATE IT IN SOME WAY.

THEN KEEP IT IN TOW SO YOU KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHEN.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE GAMING EVERYWHERE, IN EVERY COUNTY.

WE HAVE IT UNDER SEMI AUTHORITY AND SOME NO AUTHORITY.

WE HAVE IT ON THE PHONES.

WE HAVE IT EVERYWHERE.

WE HAVE TO FIND AND HOPEFULLY WE HAVE, A MEANS SO THAT ALABAMA CAN EXERCISE ITS DUTY AND GRABBING THAT INDUSTRY AND CONTROLLING IT.

>> WALK US THROUGH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

THIS PASSED THE SENATE.

GOES BACK TO THE HOUSE.

I'M HEARING A LOT THAT THEY ARE NOT REALLY OKAY WITH WHAT THE SENATE HAS DONE.

AND MIGHT WHEN THEY COME BACK NON-CONCUR, CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MAYBE.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS ON THE ISSUE?

>> THE NEXT STEPS ARE WE TAKE WHAT WE PASSED AND SEND IT TO THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE TAKES A LOOK AT IT AND THEN THEY HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION TO CONCUR WITH WHAT WE HAVE DONE, APPROVE IT AND SEND IT OVER, OR THEY CAN NON-CONCUR AND SEND IT TO CONFERENCE.

THAT'S WHEN THE TWO HOUSES GET TOGETHER AND TRY TO HAMMER OUT WHAT THE DIFFERENCES ARE.

IF WE HAMMER THOSE OUT, THEN EACH HAS TO GO BACK TO BOTH PARTIES, BOTH HOUSES FOR APPROVAL.

IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE, THE CAS ALWAYS REQUIRE A THREE-FIFTHS VOTE.

>> RIGHT.

EVEN ON -- WHERE THE NORMAL BILL WOULD BE A MAJORITY.

>> THERE'S BEEN SOME THOUGHTS THAT ONCE YOU GOT TO CONFERENCE -- >> NOT ON A CA.

>> THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE BECAUSE THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PASSED A GAMBLING PLAN BUT WE ARE A LONG WAY.

>> VERY LONG WAY.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A LONG DRIVE BACK HOME BUT THANKS FOR MAKING THE TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR ANDREW JONES.

SENATOR, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE AGAIN WITH YOU, TODD.

>> YOU ALL HAD A LONG WEEK.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

>> IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, ONE OF THE LONGEST I CAN REMEMBER IN TERMS OF BIG GIANT ISSUE BILLS ALL COMING AT THE SAME TIME.

THROW IN IVF IN THERE AND NOBODY EXPECTED THAT TO COME.

WHAT I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT IS GAMBLING.

IT CAME TO THE FLOOR AND PASSED.

A LOT OF AMENDMENTS.

YOU HAD A LOT OF AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL.

IT WAS REALLY SAUSAGE MADE THERE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

ONE AMENDMENT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT IS ONE DEALING WITH REVENUE.

ONE OF THE MORE HIGH-PROFILE AMENDMENTS BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE DIRECTED TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS.

YOUR AMENDMENT SAID NO WE WILL SPLIT IT UP.

THERE ARE THREE POTS OF MONEY EXPLAIN YOUR AMENDMENT AND WHY YOU BROUGHT IT.

>> REVENUE HAS BEEN A KEY STICKING POINT ON THE BILL EVEN IN THE HOUSE.

I COME FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT PEOPLE IN ALABAMA EXPECT AN EDUCATION LOTTERY.

SO THEY EXPECT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION IN ANY LOTTERY OR GAMING PACKAGE THAT COMES OUT.

THE ORIGINAL BILL, AT ONE POINT, HAD EVERYTHING GOING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

SENATOR ALBRITTON, THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM.

THEN A THIRD AND A THIRD AND A THIRD AND I'LL EXPLAIN THAT IN A SECOND AND THEN SPLIT IN THE THIRDS BUT THE FIRST FOUR YEARS IT WOULD GO TO CAPITAL DEBT, CAPITAL PROJECTS.

WE WANTED TO TAKE THAT OFF BECAUSE WE WANTED IMMEDIATELY TO BE SPLIT INTO THIRDS AND THOSE THIRDS WERE EDUCATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS AND ROADS AND THE LIKE, AND THEN A THIRD TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR RUNNING OF THE GOVERNMENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE GENERAL FUND COVERS EVERYTHING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT IS NOT EDUCATION RELATED.

SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A HEALTHY GENERAL FUND, AS WELL.

>> INTERESTING.

I'M GUESSING JUST GIVEN THE VOTE THAT THAT HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT AMONGST THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

>> IT DID.

WE FELT THAT WAS A FAIR WAY TO DIVIDE THE REVENUE BECAUSE WE HELP A LOT OF DIFFERENT NEEDS.

I HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS ALL THE TIME ABOUT THINK IMPORTANCE OF ROADS AND BRIDGES IN THE DISTRICT.

THEY WANT TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS.

THEY WANT TO GET WHERE THEY ARE GOING.

RIGHT NOW ONE OF THE CHALLENGES HAS BEEN THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO MEET OUR FEDERAL MATCH.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES US -- I'M GOING TO SAY IT IS FREE MONEY BUT YOU AND I, TODD ARE PAYING TAXES TO MAKE THAT MONEY AVAILABLE, BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHIPS IN RESOURCES TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

IF WE PUT UP A CERTAIN MATCH WE GET THOSE.

WE ARE, I THINK $62 MILLION RIGHT NOW SHORT OF MAKING THE FULL FEDERAL MATCH.

SO INFRASTRUCTURE WAS VERY IMPORTANT AND A KEY THING THAT A LOT OF FOLKS, INCLUDING MYSELF, WERE LOOKING FOR IN THE BILL.

>> I CAN THINK OF A BRIDGE DOWN IN MOBILE THAT QUALIFIES ON SOMETHING WE ARE NOT MATCHING ON.

MOVING ON, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR VETERAN'S HEALTHCARE BILL.

THIS IS INTERESTING.

I TALKED TO REPRESENTATIVE BROWN ABOUT IT EARLIER THIS WEEK.

TALKING ABOUT CREATING A -- SORT OF -- NOT SEPARATE BUT INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERANS.

YOU HAVE LEGISLATION I THINK WAS IN COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT IT DOES.

>> SURE.

WE WANT TO ALLOW THE STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS TO BASICALLY SET UP HEALTHCARE FOR VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.

THAT MAKES UP 25, 25% OF THE POPULATION IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH A LOT OF NEEDS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH, OPIOID ADDICTION AND THE LIKE, A LOT OF TIMES VETERANS ARE LEFT OUT, ARE NEGLECTED IN OUR OPINION BECAUSE THEY MAKE UP SUCH A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION.

I THINK THE RATE OF ADDICTION OVER THE PAST DECADE FOR VETERANS INCREASED ALMOST 100%.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE RAISE VETERANS BACK TO THE FOREFRONT WHERE THEY BELONG.

MAKE SURE THEY GET THE CARE THEY NEED, AND THIS SIMPLY ALLOWS THE V.A.

TO ESTABLISH AND RUN A PROGRAM, IF THEY CHOOSE, SHOULD FUNDING BECOME AVAILABLE, TO ADDRESS HEALTHCARE NEEDS FOR VETERANS.

IT IS DEPENDING ON FUNDING FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WHAT KIND OF FUNDING WOULD THAT BE?

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RESOURCES FROM FEDERAL GRANTS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY MONEY FROM THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MONEY THAT'S IN THE BUDGET THAT CAN BE ALLOCATED TO THOSE NEEDS.

SO, REALLY AND EVERYTHING THAT'S AVAILABLE THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO COBBLE TOGETHER.

WE COULD PUT THOSE FUNDS IN THERE AND WE'RE TALKING NOW ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF DOING THIS THROUGH A PILOT PROGRAM TO SEE WHAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO TO HELP VETERANS AND KIND OF TEST IT OUT, TEST THE WATERS BECAUSE THIS IS KIND OF A NEW THING WE ARE CONSIDERING FOR THE STATE.

>> WELL, YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT VETERANS HAVING UNIQUE NEEDS.

THE TRAUMA FROM WAR, THE WOUNDS YOU CAN NOT SEE.

I REMEMBER WORKING IN CONGRESS AND THE V.A.

WAS A BIG PART OF WHAT WE WOULD DO IN TERMS OF CONSTITUENT SERVICES.

THERE WAS A GAP THERE IN TERMS OF SERVICES FROM THE NATIONAL V.A.

THERE WERE SOME SHORTCOMINGS, AS HARD AS MANY OF THOSE FOLKS WORK.

IS THIS KIND OF A REFLECTION OF THAT, OUR NATIONAL V.A.

HAS SOME SHORTCOMINGS?

>> DEFINITELY.

I HAVE HEARD AND SEEN FIGURES AS HIGH AS 60 DAYS FOR FOLKS WAITING TO GET IN TO A FEDERAL V.A.

FACILITY FOR HEALTHCARE NEEDS, 20 TO 30 DAYS FOR ADDICTION TREATMENT.

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER AND STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THE VETERANS WHO HAVE STEPPED UP FOR US AND FOUGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND MANY CONTINUE TO SERVE NOW THEY ARE BECOME IN THE PUBLIC.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> IN TERMS OF GETTING THIS BILL MOVING, WE ARE HALFWAY THROUGH SESSION.

THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME LEFT.

DO YOU SEE IT GETS SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE?

>> DEFINITELY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THERE'S WIDE SUPPORT.

IT WAS VOTED OUT OF COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY TODAY.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS.

WE HAVE A GREAT REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN, A GOOD FRIEND WHO CAN REALLY GET THINGS DOWN IN THE HOUSE.

I'M HIGH ON THE CHANCES FOR SUCCESS AND STARTING THIS.

EVERYONE WANTS TO SUPPORT VETERANS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, SPEAKING OF THAT, WHAT OTHER LEGISLATION IS COMING THROUGH YOUR COMMITTEE RELATED TO VETERANS, MILITARY?

>> WE HAVE A HUGE PACKAGE.

WE ALWAYS TRY TO IMPROVE OUR RANKINGS.

WE WANT TO AVOID A BASE CLOSURE, IF POSSIBLE.

ONE WAY TO DO THAT IS BY SHOWING YOU HAVE A VETERAN AND MILITARY-FRIENDLY STATE.

WE HAVE HAD RECIPROCITY BILLS IN THE PAST, ALLOWING MILITARY SPOUSES TO COME IN AND WORK.

NOW THE LEGISLATURE IS WORKING ON SOME MODEL LEGISLATION TO HAVE COMPACTS BE ACROSS ALL JURISDICTIONS AND ALL FIELDS FOR THE UNITED STATES.

SO THAT IS BEING WORKED ON NOW BY LSA AND FORMER STATE SENATOR CAM WARD IS INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS.

SO THAT'S ONGOING AND IN THE COMMITTEE, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE ALLOWING MILITARY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN TO HAVE ACCESS TO CERTAIN PROGRAMS, ALLOWING MILITARY WHO COME IN FOR THEIR CHILD TO BE ABLE TO GET IN TO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT FOR SOME SORT OF TRANSFER WHERE THEY CAN BE IMMEDIATELY ELIGIBLE TO PLAY.

THE BIGGEST THING WE HAVE IS A BILL THAT I'M CARRYING WHICH WOULD GIVE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY.

WE HAVE MANY STATES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT ALLOW THAT.

WE DO NOT CURRENTLY.

THE FISCAL NOTE FOR THAT IS ONLY -- SOMEWHERE LESS THAN 2 MILLION AFTER THE FIRST YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION.

IT IS REALLY A NO BRAINER FOR US TO DO THAT AS A TAX CUT FOR OUR ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY WHO ARE DEPLOYED.

>> SO IF YOU ARE ACTIVE DUTY AND YOU ARE DEPLOYED YOU DON'T PAY INCOME TAX IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA?

THAT'S WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I BELIEVE THE FIGURE WAS 2.6 MILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND 1.6 TO 1.8 EVERY YEAR AFTER.

SO IT IS A SMALL ASK.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT ITS PROSPECTS AS WELL.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T CONTROL WHERE BASES GO AND CLOSE AND THAT KIND OF STUFF BUT WHEN YOU TALK TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION DO THEY SAY THESE THINGS REALLY DO HELP.

WE NEED EVERYTHING WE CAN HAVE, EVERY ADVANTAGE WE CAN WHEN THAT BRAC PROCESS STARTS.

IS THERE GOOD FEEDBACK FROM THE DELEGATION?

>> DEFINITELY.

WE WILL BE MEETING NEXT WEEK WITH CONGRESSMAN ROGERS WHO CHAIRS THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE AND DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS AND WILL BE TAKING PART IN MEETINGS WITH THE PENTAGON WITH FOLKS THAT HANDLE MILITARY ISSUES LIKE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE, THESE TYPES OF BILLS THAT COME THROUGH OUR COMMITTEE.

WE WENT FROM NEAR LAST PLACE TO RIGHT NOW WE'RE COMPETING WITH FLORIDA FOR NUMBER ONE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AINSWORTH CHAIRS THE COMMISSION AND THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AND ACTIVE.

JEFF SCAGGS IN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN MOVING THESE BILLS FORWARD AND THEY HAVE HELPED TO MOVE US FROM NEAR LAST PLACE TO ALMOST FIRST PLACE AND FLORIDA BETTER WATCH OUT WE ARE COMING FOR THEM.

>> THOSE WILL BE THINGS TO WATCH FOR THE NEXT SESSION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

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

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

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT ARE MY "CAPITOL JOURNAL" COLLEAGUES, RANDY SCOTT AND JEFF SANDERS.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING.

>> TIRED LIKE YOU ALL ARE.

>> TIRED AFTER A LONG WEEK.

IT WAS AN EXCEPTIONALLY AND CONSEQUENTIAL WEEK IF YOU THINK OF THE NUMBER OF BILL BIGS AND TICKET ITEMS.

WE ARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT, 15 LEGISLATIVE DAYS HAVE PASSED AND WE HAVE 15 POSSIBLE AFTER THIS COMING UP SPRING BREAK.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

RANDY, I WANT TO START WITH YOU BECAUSE THEY TOOK ON SOME REALLY CONTROVERSIAL BILLS IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

I MEAN LONG DEBATES, THINGS LIKE THAT, GOT CHIPPY IT SEEMED LIKE.

>> REALLY THREE BIG TICKET ITEMS BACK TO BACK TO BACK.

YOU HAVE TO START WITH THE IVF SITUATION, WHICH REALLY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.

IT WASN'T PART OF THEIR PLANS AT ALL BUT IT QUICKLY BECAME PART OF THEIR PLANS AND THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH IT AND THEY DID DEAL WITH IT.

IN FACT, IT WAS ALMOST ALL HANDS ON DECK -- NO, IT WASN'T.

IT WAS ALL HANDS ON DECK.

I KNOW RESPECTIVE ANTHONY DANIELS HAD A PROPOSAL FOR A SOLUTION AS DID REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS.

REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS' BILL ENDED UP GETTING PASSED AND IT WENT THROUGH LIGHTNING SPEED.

AND NATHANIEL LEDBETTER SAID AT WARP SPEED.

HE WAS PROUD AND SAID HE WAS PROUD ON HOW THEY HANDLED THE SITUATION.

NO SOONER COULD THEY SAY OKAY, GREAT.

HERE'S TWO MORE WITH BILL SB 1, EAT DEALING WITH VOTING, BALLOT HARVESTING AS SOME PEOPLE CALL IT AND RIGHT AFTER THAT, THEY ARE GETTING INTO ANOTHER BIG HEATED CONTROVERSIAL BILL I SHOULD SAY THAT HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING AT IT.

>> DEI.

>> YES, THE DEI.

AND THEY WENT THROUGH THAT ONE, AS WELL.

THE THING IS BOTH OF THOSE MEASURES CAME ON THE HEELS OF IVF.

IT TOOK A LONG DAY AND A LOT OF TALKING AND A LOT OF TEETH GRINDING FOR THEM TO WORK IT OUT, BUT THEY DID.

>> YEAH.

WELL, SPEAKING OF CONTROVERSY, JEFF, YOU COVERED GAMBLING UPSTAIRS IN THE SENATE.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE AN EIGHT-HOUR DEBATE?

>> ROUGHLY EIGHT HOURS.

THEY WENT AT 10:00 AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT TIME WE GOT OUT ON THURSDAY NIGHT.

>> 9:00.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

THE BILL THE SENATE PASSED IS DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT THAN THE HOUSE PASSED.

TALK THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED.

>> IF YOU GO BACK -- OF COURSE THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH GAMBLING FOR 20 SOME YEARS BUT WE WON'T GO BACK THAT FAR.

THIS BEGAN IN THE SENATE THE LAST FEW TIMES THEY TRIED TO DEAL WITH.

THIS THEY STARTED IN THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE WHITT WORKING ON THAT AND THEY APPROACHED IT WITH A SENSE WE NEED TO CLAMP DOWN ON ILLEGAL BACK ROOM, BINGO HALLS AND GAMBLING HALLS AND GAS STATIONS AND THAT'S THE WAY THEY APPRECIATED IT BUT IT WAS A COMPREHENSIVE BILL THAT ALLOWS FOR CLASS 3 GAMBLING AND MANY SITES THROUGHOUT THE STATE ENTERING INTO A COMPACT WITH THE POARCH CREEK INDIANS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SPORTS BETTING AND A LOTTERY THAT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE.

IT MOVED PRETTY FAST.

IT GOT TO THE SENATE WHERE SENATOR ALBRITTON WAS CARRYING THE BILL AND RAN INTO A BUZZ SAW OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHO WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH CLASS 3 GAMING OR SPORTS BETTING, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, AS THEY SAY THE BACK ROOM DEALS WHERE THE SAUSAGE IS MADE, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST WEEK OR SO AND WHAT CAME OUT OF THAT WAS AN EXTREMELY SCALED DOWN BILL THAT BASICALLY DID AWAY WITH ALL CLASS THREE GAMING IN ANY OTHER FACILITY BESIDE THE POARCH BAND OF INDIANS.

THAT IS IT BESIDE SETTLING UP A GAMING REGULATION.

THE OTHER BIG PART OF THAT IS MONEY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A POSSIBLE BILLION DOLLARS OF REVENUE WITH THE HOUSE VERSION AND THAT IS SCALED DOWN TO 350,000 WITH THE SENATE VERSION.

>> MILLION.

>> YEAH.

>> SCALED DOWN FOR SURE BUT YOU HAVE PEOPLE OPPOSING ANY GAMBLING.

BUT THE QUESTION, IN MY MIND, IS, OKAY.

WE KNOW WHAT THE HOUSE IS COMFORTABLE WITH PASSING.

THEY HAD 70 VOTES ON THE BILL.

NOW WE KNOW WHAT THE SENATE CAN PASS BUT CAN THEY PASS EACH OTHER'S BILLS?

IT GOES BACK DOWN TO THE HOUSE BUT I'M HEARING THEY ARE NOT JUST GOING TO PASS WHAT THE SENATE SENDS THEM OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE AS WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT THE THINGS THE HOUSE WAS DEALING WITH, THEY WERE ALSO WATCHING WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE SENATE WITH THE GAMING PRESCRIPTION, AS WE CALL IT.

A LOT OF THEM -- IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A TENNIS MATCH IN CASE YOU WERE SITTING DOWN IN FRONT OF YOUR DESK LOOKING AT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE MEASURE UPSTAIRS AND LOOKING AROUND TO SEE THE HOUSE DAIS.

IT IS SOMETHING THEY WERE ATTUNED TO.

IT PASSES THE HOUSE AND GETS TO THE SENATE AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE IS CHOPPED APART IN THE SENATE.

>> IT WOULD MOST LIKELY GO TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

I TALKED TO MINORITY LEADER SINGLETON AND THAT IS WHAT HE THINKS WILL HAPPEN.

HE BELIEVES ONCE THEY GET IT TO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, THAT IS WHAT THE HOUSE DECIDES TO DO THAT IS WHAT WE WILL SEE -- IT WON'T BE THE VERSION THE HOUSE HAD BUT CAN THEY COME UP WITH SOMETHING -- REMEMBER, YOU HAVE TO THREE-FIFTHS VOTE.

THEY HAD 22 IN THE SENATE.

IT SQUEAKED BY IN THE SENATE.

I'M CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

LET'S BE HONEST, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE ON SPRING BREAK, CONVERSATIONS ARE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

PROBABLY AS WE ARE AT THIS DESK THEY ARE GOING ON.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE THREE-FIFTHS BECAUSE SENATOR ALBRITTON REMINDED ME OF THAT.

TYPICALLY, ONE REASON A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CAN BE SO POWERFUL IS ONCE YOU GET A REGULAR BILL OUT OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IT TAKES A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE.

WITH THE CA IT REQUIRES THREE-FIFTHS MAJORITY.

SO THAT IS INTERESTING.

WELL, LOOK, ALABAMA HAS BEEN IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS ABOUT IVF.

NOW WE HAD SENATOR BRITT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION LAST NIGHT.

IT HAS ALSO BEEN LIKE HAVING A LOT OF NATIONAL REPORTERS AROUND THE STATEHOUSE AND EVERYTHING.

YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT HAS BEEN LIKE.

I KNOW YOU INTERACTED WITH THE NATIONAL REPORTERS THAT HAVE DESCENDED ON ALABAMA.

>> USUALLY WHEN THEY COME TO STATE HOUSE THEY WANT TO KNOW THE GUIDELINES.

WHO CAN WE TALK TO, IS THERE A GOOD PLACE TO DO A STAND UP OR INTERVIEW.

SO THEY ARE AROUND.

REALLY, JUST LIKE US REPORTERS HERE IN ALABAMA, EXCEPT, LIKE YOU SAID, THEY HAVE SHINIER EQUIPMENT TO PLAY.

BUT THEY CAME IN AND I THINK I LOST COUNT HOW MANY TENTS WERE SET UP OUTSIDE.

>> ABC, CBS.

>> CNN.

>> AND PEOPLE ASKING HOW DO YOU ALL GET AROUND?

THE SAME WAY WE GET AROUND WITH EACH OTHER, EXCUSE ME, PARDON, DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

YES, IT DOES GET A LITTLE TIGHTER WHEN YOU TRY TO INTERVIEW THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND YOU GO FROM HAVING FOUR MEDIA STATIONS OR FOUR MEDIA PERSONNEL THAT YOU ARE USED TO HAVING EVERY DAY TO ALL OF A SUDDEN 20 AND THE ROOM IS AS BIG AS A BATHROOM.

>> NOT MUCH BIGGER THAN THIS DESK.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

20 REPORTERS AND CAMERAS AND EVERYTHING.

>> IT IS LIKE A COLLEGE EXERCISE, HOW MANY REPORTERS CAN YOU GET AT THE TABLE AND IT DOES HAPPEN.

THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO AND YES, ALABAMA WAS IN THE BULL'S EYE FOR NEWS THIS WEEK.

AND EVEN WITH IVF BEING THE REASON THEY WERE DOWN HERE THEY WERE LOOKING AT OTHER THINGS, THE DEI MEASURE, THE VOTING BALLOT MEASURE, TOO.

BECAUSE ALABAMA, YOU KNOW, HAS A GOOD HABIT OF PICKING SOME GOOD TOPICS TO PUT DOWN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR LAWMAKERS TO TALK ABOUT OR CITIZENS TO TALK ABOUT FOR THAT FACT.

I WAS THINKING THEY WEREN'T JUST GETTING THE LAWMAKERS.

THEY WERE GETTING PEOPLE'S REACTIONS TO WHAT WAS GOING ON.

THE STUDENTS WHO WERE HERE THE OTHER DAY TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH DEI.

THEY WERE TALKING TO THEM, AS WELL, TOO.

>> JEFF, LET ME ASK YOU, DID YOU GET A SENSE FROM LAWMAKERS THAT ALL OF THIS NATIONAL EXPOSURE AND ATTENTION, NOT EVERY NIGHT WE ARE ON NBC NIGHTLY NEWS TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK.

DO YOU GET A SENSE THAT LAWMAKERS WERE COGNIZANT OF THIS ATTENTION AND MAKE THEM -- GIVE THEM A SENSE OF URGENCY ESPECIALLY ON IVF.

>> I THINK ON IVF FOR SURE.

WILL THEY ADMIT THAT, PROBABLY NOT.

I THINK PEOPLE FORGET MOST LAWMAKERS COME IN THE BACK OF THE STATE HOUSE AND COME IN AND THAT WAS IN THE FRONT.

THEY KNOW IT IS THERE.

THEY ARE WATCHING, WHATEVER THEIR PREFERRED CABLE NEWS CHOICE IS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THEM AND THEY KNEW THAT THIS WEEK.

YOU COULD FEEL THAT, I THINK, PALPABLE BEHIND THE SCENES.

THEY WERE IN QUITE A RUSH TO GET THIS DONE.

IN FACT, IN THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE, A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WERE LIKE SLOW IT DOWN AND DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

I HEARD THAT FROM A FEW.

THERE ARE POLITICS IN THERE AS WELL.

DON'T TAKE AT THIS TIME ALL FOR FACE VALUE.

>> THEY HAVE TO GET THEIR 15 MINUTES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

EVERYONE HAS TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THEIR TIME.

BUT IT WAS INTERESTING THIS WEEK.

LET ME JUST SAY THIS, POLITICS IS INTERESTING TO ME WHEN SOMETHING IS VERY EXPEDIENT.

AND THIS RULING CAME DOWN FROM THE SUPREME COURT THAT UNIVERSALLY WAS PENNED BY DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND PRETTY MUCH ANYONE WITH THE EXEMPTION OF SOME FAR RIGHT GROUPS THAT ARE FOR IT.

BUT MY POINT IS IT IS AMAZING HOW FAST LEGISLATION CAN GET THROUGH WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD IS LOOKING AT YOU.

>> YEAH.

>> SPEAKER LEDBETTER, WARP SPEED.

I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.

WE HAD TO GET TO THIS BECAUSE IT MEANT A LOT FOR THE PEOPLE INVOLVED.

IT MEANT A LOT FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND YES, TO YOUR POINT, THEY KNEW THE WHOLE COUNTRY WAS WATCHING.

>> WE EVEN GOT A MENTION IN THE STATE OF THE UNION.

>> SPEAKING OF THE STATE OF THE UNION, KATIE BRITT, WITH HER RESPONSE GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND -- I WANT TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME AND WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I THOUGHT SHE DID GREAT.

I KNOW SHE IS GETTING CRITICIZED ON THE INTERNET.

A REMINDER THAT TWITTER IS NOT REAL LIFE.

SHE HAS SPEAKING STYLE THAT IS AN ACQUIRED TASTE.

IT IS INTERESTING.

I GOT A LOT OF TEXT MESSAGES FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS AFTER SENATOR BRITT'S RESPONSE.

THE POLITICAL TYPES, THE POLITICO WERE CRITICAL.

SHE DID THIS AND THIS WRONG BUT NON-POLITICAL PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT DON'T IN EXCEPT FOR THE STATE OF THE UNION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT LOVED IT.

I THINK THAT'S A BIG -- THAT'S A BIG TELL TO ME THAT NORMAL FOLKS THAT AREN'T JUST PARSING OVER EVERY LITTLE THING PROBABLY THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT.

I THINK SHE DID A GREAT JOB.

ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOBS IN POLITICS IS TO GIVE THE RESPONSE TO THE STATE OF THE UNION.

I THOUGHT IT WAS NEAT.

PLUS, I WAS WATCHING AND REALIZING SHE LIVES A HALF A MILE AWAY.

SHE WAS IN THE KITCHEN OF HER HOUSE.

SHE HAS GOTTEN TOO MUCH CRITICISM, I THINK.

>> IT IS A THANKLESS JOB AS YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> DID YOU KNOW SHE WAS GOING TO BE HERE TO DO IT?

>> NO.

THAT IS WHAT WAS COOL.

IT COMES ON 30 MINUTES AFTER THE STATE OF THE UNION.

AND IT'S LIKE OH, OKAY.

SHE'S IN MONTGOMERY.

SHE'S IN HER KITCHEN.

>> AND IT'S LIVE.

IT'S NOT TAPED.

>> THAT'S LIVE.

>> IF YOU GO BACK TO BOBBY JINDAL AND MARCO RUBIO WITH THE WATER BOTTLE IT IS OBVIOUSLY LIVE.

A LOT OF PRESSURE.

>> THOSE WHO KNOW SENATOR BRITT AND HER SPEAKING STYLE IT WASN'T OFF PUTTING TO ME BUT THOSE THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT, THE WASHINGTON PUNDITS, BUT WE WILL HAVE HER HERE ON THE SHOW AND WE CAN ASK HER ABOUT WHAT WENT ON BEHIND THE SCENES.

WHAT AN INTERESTING THING FOR HER TO BE ABLE TO -- ON THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT, YOUNGEST REPUBLICAN SENATOR, MOTHER OF TWO SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN.

A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC.

>> THE ONLY SENATOR WITH SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN, FEMALE I KNOW FOR SURE.

>> FEMALE REPUBLICAN.

INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

ANYWAY, I THOUGHT SHE DID WELL.

I THOUGHT SHE REPRESENTED ALABAMA REALLY WELL.

GOOD HALFWAY POINT, SPRING BREAK NEXT WEEK.

WE WILL TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A BREATHER.

WE WILL PREPARE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE SESSION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE DESK AND JOINING ME FOR A LITTLE PANEL TALK.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY IS THE SECOND OLDEST HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE IN ALABAMA AND ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES.

FOUNDED IN 1881 AS THE NORMAL SCHOOL FOR COLORED TEACHERS AT TUSKEGEE THE SCHOOL BECAME A DRIVING FORCE IN THE DEVELOPING INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION MOVEMENT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, ITS FIRST PRESIDENT.

IN THE EARLY DECADES, TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF RURAL FARMERS.

IT PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN EDUCATION AND PIONEERED THE MOVEABLE SCHOOL, SERVED AS A TRAINING GROUND FOR TUSKEGEE AIRMEN AND STUDENTS AND FACULTY WERE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

IN ADDITION TO ALUMNI AND ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENTS, IT WAS THE FIRST HBCU TO HAVE A MARCHING BAND.

RECENTLY, IT WAS RANKED AS THE TOP BLACK COLLEGE IN ALABAMA AND THE SIXTH NATIONALLY.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

NEXT WEEK IS THE LEGISLATURE'S SPRING BREAK, SO WE WON'T HAVE NIGHTLY SHOWS.

BUT WE WILL RETURN FOR OUR WEEK IN REVIEW SHOW AT THE SAME TIME ON FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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