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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT WAS A BUSY DAY IN THE STATE HOUSE AS SEVERAL COMMITTEES MET TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION.

WITH JUST 11 DAYS LEFT IN THE SESSION, RIGHT NOW IS A KEY MOMENT IN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT BILLS CAN BE IN POSITION TO PASS BEFORE THE SESSION ENDS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF ACTION ON THE EDUCATION FRONT.

WE'LL START IN THE SENATE, WHERE A SCHOOL CHOICE BILL KNOWN AS THE PRICE ACT WAS BEFORE THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

SENATE BILL 202 FROM SENATOR LARRY STUTTS WOULD ALLOW PARENTS TO ACCEPT $6,900 IN TAXPAYER FUNDS FOR AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR HOMESCHOOLS.

CRITICS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL'S MORE THAN $500 MILLION EXPECTED IMPACT ON THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, WHICH IS WHY STUTTS AMENDED THE BILL TO CAP THE TOTAL VOUCHER PROGRAM TO $50 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE TRIED FOR YEARS TO REFOR THE MOST PART EDUCATION FROM THE INSIDE OF SAYING WELL, LET'S ADD THIS PROGRAM, LET'S ADD A MENTORING PROGRAM, LET'S ADD THE NUMERACY ACT, WHATEVER, LITERACY ACT, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

WE'RE STILL IN LAST PLACE.

AND WE JUST KEEP SPENDING MORE MONEY AND WE STAY IN LAST PLACE.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO TRY TO REFOR THE MOST PART IT FROM THE OUTSIDE, AND I THINK PARENTS ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

AND WHEN YOU PUT PARENTS IN CHARGE, THINGS CHANGE.

>> THERE'S NO REQUIREMENTERS THAT THE STUDENTS GOING TO ANY OF THESE SCHOOLS HAVE TO TAKE FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL OF ANY OF THESE SUBJECTS.

SO IF THERE'S A LACK OF ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY THEN YOU ADD ON THAT, THERE'S A LACK OF SAFETY RESTRAINTS.

WE DO A GOOD JOB TRYING TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS.

WE HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR TEACHERS.

WE MAKE SURE THERE'S A COMPREHENSIVE CODE OF CONDUCT AND THERE'S DRUG ABUSE EDUCATION, SEX EDUCATION, BASED ON ABSTINENCE, THINGS THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA SAID ARE IMPORTANT.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THOSE THINGS WILL BE TAUGHT IN THOSE SCHOOLS.

SO WE THINK PARENTS DO HAVE A RIGHT TO CHOOSE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK ALABAMA TAXPAYER PARIS TO PAY ARE TO IT.

THE BILL WAS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

SEPARATELY, A SIMILAR BILL WAS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE.

HOUSE BILL 442 FROM REPRESENTATIVES DANNY GARRETT AND TERRI COLLINS WOULD ALSO PROVIDE $6,900 FOR FAMILIES TO CHOOSE PRIVATE OPTIONS, BUT IT INCLUDES ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISIONS REQUIRING STUDENTS TO SHOW THEIR EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.

BACK IN THE SENATE COMMITTEE, CHANGES TO THE ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT WERE CONSIDERED.

THIS IS THE 2013 LAW THAT ALLOWS FAMILIES WANTING TO LEAVE THE STATE'S LOWEST PERFORMING SCHOOLS TO GET TAX CREDITS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO PRIVATE SCHOOL.

SENATE BILL 263 FROM SENATOR DONNIE CHASTEN PROPOSES SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

IT CHANGES THE TERM "“FAILING SCHOOL"” TO "“PRIORITY SCHOOL,"” WHICH WOULD BE DEFINED AS THOSE MAKING A D OR F ON THE STATE'S REPORT CARD.

THAT CHANGE WILL ALSO MORE THAN DOUBLE HOW MANY SCHOOLS FALL UNDER THE DEFINITION, MEANING MORE STUDENTS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE.

RIGHT NOW, FAMILIES MUST MAKE AT OR BELOW 185 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE TO QUALIFY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.

THAT WOULD BE CHANGED TO 250 PERCENT OF THE POVERTY LINE, WHICH WORKS OUT TO A HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF ABOUT $75,000.

RIGHT NOW ELEMENTARY STUDENTS CAN GET UP TO $6000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS WHILE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS CAN GET $8,000.

THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW ALL STUDENTS TO GET UP TO $10,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS.

AND THE TOTAL THE STATE CAN OFFER IN TAX CREDITS WOULD INCREASE FROM $30 MILLION TO $40 MILLION.

THE COMMITTEE ADVANCED THE BILL AND IT NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

THERE WERE MORE EDUCATION PROPOSALS IN THE HOUSE.

HOUSE BILL 430 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT WOULD MAKE CHANGES TO THE STATE'S LITERACY TASK FORCE, WHICH IS A GROUP OF EXPERT EDUCATORS THAT RECOMMEND CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENTS TO IMPROVE READING.

THE BILL WOULD ALTER THAT TASK FORCE'S COMPOSITION AND ALTER THE PROCESSES USED TO VETTE AND APPROVE THESE MATERIALS.

THE PROPOSAL GENERATED LOTS OF DEBATE FROM MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

THEY WANTED TO HEAR FROM THOSE IN THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY, SO GARRETT CARRIED THE BILL OVER TO ALLOW TIME FOR THAT.

>> THIS TASK FORCE, WHO IS NOT TERM LIMITED, WHO IS APPOINTED AND MEETS MAYBE TWICE A YEAR, CAN MAKE DECISIONS -- AND THEIR DECISIONS -- THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS OR DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE IMPLEMENTED, AND THERE'S NOBODY THAT'S CHECKING THAT.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE ISSUE.

IT'S NOT -- THERE'S NOTHING NEFARIOUS ABOUT IT.

IT'S THE STRUCTURE.

>> OVER IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, LEGISLATION RELATED TO FENTANYL WAS CONSIDERED.

HOUSE BILL 230 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON WOULD MAKE IT A CRIME TO KNOWINGLY, RECKLESSLY AND INTENTIONALLY EXPOSES A FIRST RESPONDER TO A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

TRISHA MELLBER CATER OF THE OFFICE OF PROSECUTION SERVICES EXPLAINED THE BILL BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.

>> IF A 1ST RESPONDER SUFFERED AN INJURY IT WOULD MAKE IT A FELONY, C. IF THEY SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURY COMING IN CONTACT WITH THAT CHEMICAL IT WOULD BE A B FELONY AND IF IT CAUSED THEIR DEATH IT WOULD BE AN A FELONY.

AND FOR THE FENTANYL IT WOULD INCLUDE INGESTTION, INHALATION OR A MIXTURE CONTAINING FENTANYL.

ONE THING THAT WAS REMOVED, IF YOU LOOKS A THE HOUSE VERSION, WAS EXPOSURE.

BECAUSE THERE WERE CONCERNS THERE MAY BE FENTANYL ACROSS THE ROOM AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAY BE EXPOSED TO IT BUT IT DIDN'T CAUSE ANY INJURY.

SO THAT LANGUAGE WAS REMOVED.

SO NOW IT ONLY INCLUDES THE INGESTTION, INHALATION OR PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THAT.

>>THAT BILL ADVANCED AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

ALSO IN SENATE JUDICIARY WAS HOUSE BILL 4 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE PRINCE CHESTNUT, WHICH PROHIBITS COMPANIES FROM REQUIRING THEIR EMPLOYEES GET MICROCHIPPED AS PART OF THEIR HEALTH PLAN.

>> THEY ARE REQUIRING THAT YOU HAVE A MICROCHIP IMPLANTED?

>> WE DO HAVE BUSINESSES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT ARE DOING THAT ULTIMATELY.

UP IN WISCONSIN.

AND IT IS ACTUALLY -- THIS THING IS REALLY TAKEN GOING PRETTY FAR IN EUROPE RIGHT NOW.

THEY'VE BEEN USING MICROCHIPS AS A WAY FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT WHERE YOU GO IN AND YOU SCAN.

AND THERE'S ALSO A COMPANY NOW THAT IS PUSHING OUT OF -- I THINK IT'S OUT OF SWITZERLAND, THAT IS PUSHING THE IDEA OF USING A MICROCHIP INSTEAD OF LIKE A CREDIT CARD.

>> TAKING IT SO MUCH FURTHER THAN JUST FOR THOSE THINGS AND NOW TRACKING A PERSON, LOOK YOU JUST FINISHED TALKINGS ABOUT THE DEVICES AND I CAN SEE IT INTERACTING WITH THE ALTERNATIVE INTELLIGENCE, THOUGH.

THIS IS CRAZY.

>> THAT BILL ALSO PASSED AND GOES TO THE FULL SENATE.

DOWN IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, LAWMAKERS CONSIDERED A BILL THAT WOULD EXEMPT CERTAIN NONVIOLENT OFFENSES FROM BEING ELIGIBLE FOR ENHANCED SENTENCING UNDER THE STATE' HABITUAL FELONY LAW.

HOUSE BILL 229 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND WOULD ALLOW THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENTENCED IN SUCH A SCENARIO TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A RESENTENCING HEARING.

>> LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR HABITUAL OFFENDER LAWS HAVE EVOLVED AND THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED WHO DIDN'T GET THE BENEFIT OF THOSE CHANGES.

SO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD THE SAME SORT OF CHARGES THEY DID WOULD GO IN AND BE RELEASED WHILE THOSE FOLKS COULDN'T.

SO I THINK OUR BILL APPROPRIATELY IDENTIFIES THAT POPULATION AND IT'S GOING TO TRY TO HELP THEM IF WE'RE ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> THAT BILL WAS APPROVED AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL WAS IN WASHINGTON TODAY TESTIFYING BEFORE THE HOUSE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON THE ISSUE OF ESG.

THAT STANDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE AND IT REFERS TO THE RECENT MOVEMENT TO ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO ADOPT PROGRESSIVE POLICIES.

MARSHALL ARGUED THAT ENCOURAGEMENT HAS BECOME COERCION AND THAT IT'S HARMFUL TO CONSUMERS.

>> WITH OPENING STATEMENTS AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH GENERAL MARSHAL.

>> GROUPS LIKE CLIMATE ACTION 100 AND BANKS ZERO ALLOW THEIR MEMBERS TO COORDINATE ON ACTIVITY TO MEET STANDARDS NOT OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW.

THIS IS PRIVATE COORDINATION IS REQUIRED TO ACCOMPLISH WHATNOT COULD BE DONE THROUGH NORMAL DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES WITH A FREE MARKET.

ESG REQUIRES COMPANIES TO FOREGO PROFITABLE TRANSACTIONS TO ACHIEVE WOKE SOCIAL POLICY.

THESE GLOBAL ALLIANCES HURT CONSUMERS BY BREACHING FIDUCIARY DUTIES.

THOSE ENTITIES ENTRUSTED WITH AMERICA AMERICA'S DUTY HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAXIMIZE RETURNS YET ESG ACOLYTES HAVE LED TO PROFITS OVER AND GIVING CONSUMERS INADEQUATE NOTICE OR ANY SAY TO DIVERT THEIR HARD EARNED DOLLARS.

>> ON A RELATED NOTE, LEGISLATION ON ESG ADVANCED IN THE SENATE.

SENATE BILL 261 FROM DAN ROBERTS WOULD PROHIBIT ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY IN ALABAMA FROM ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS WITH COMPANIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN ESG COERCION.

THAT BILL WAS AMENDED WITH INPUT FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE, WHERE WE WILL BE WATCHING ITS PROGRESS.

AND THAT'S THE NEWS FROM THE STATE HOUSE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUEST LARRY STUTTS TO TALK ABOUT THAT TAX.

>> JOINING ME NEXT, STATE SENATOR LARRY STUTTS FROM TUSCUMBIA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

GLAD TO BE ON.

>> IT'S A BIG DAY FOR YOU.

THE PRICE ACT, SCHOOL CHANGE, EDUCATION AND SAVINGS ACCOUNT LEGISLATION MADE IT THROUGH THE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

IT'S A BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR YOU.

I KNOW THERE WERE SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL.

CAN YOU KIND OF START FROM THE BEGINNING AND WALK THROUGH WHAT THE PRICE ACT DOES AND WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES?

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW THE ISSUES WITH EDUCATION CHOICE HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

AND PRICE STANDS FOR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

SO THE BASIC PREMISE OF THE BILL IS THAT IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL PARENT'S RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

SO THAT'S 1ST.

AND THEN NUMBER 2 IS THE MONTH -- THE STATE PORTION OF THE EDUCATION DOLLAR FOLLOWS THE CHILD.

SO THOSE ARE -- THAT'S BASICALLY THE MAIN THINGS ABOUT THE BILL AS FAR AS ITS INCEPTION.

AND WE CAN TAKING TALK MORE IN A MINUTE ABOUT THE DETAILS AND WHAT IT DOES AND DOES NOT DO.

AND THEN THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT IT COSTING TOO MUCH MONEY OUT OF THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

SO WE HAD ONE AMENDMENT IN COMMITTEE TODAY, AND WE CAPPED THE AMENDMENT THAT COULD BE USED YEARLY AT $50 MILLION FOR THE 1ST THREE YEARS WHEN THIS POLICY IS IN PLACE.

>> SO ESSENTIALLY, A PARENT WANTS A DIFFERENT CHOICE FOR THEIR STUDENT COULD ESSENTIALLY KEEP A PORTION OF THEIR TAX DOLLARS BUT -- IS IT 6900?

>> IT'S 6900 IS THE AMOUNT.

>> SO WE'VE GONE BACK AND FORTH RHETORICALLY ON THIS BECAUSE I STARTED OUT SAYING YOU CAN KEEP IT BUT THE WAY IT WORKS IS THAT YOU'RE PAYING YOUR TAXES AND THEN THE STATE WOULD GIVE IT BACK TO YOU.

>> YEAH.

IT WOULD WORK LIKE A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT EXCEPT IT'S AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

SO THERE'S MONEY PUT IN FOR THIS PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

SO YOU DON'T REALLY GET TO KEEP THE MONEY.

YOU APPLY TO BE PART OF THE PRICE ACT AS A STUDENT AND ALSO AS A SCHOOL.

YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

AND IF YOU'RE A PARTICIPANT, THEN THE STATE WOULD PUT $6,900 IN AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT IN YOUR STUDENT'S NAME AND YOU WOULD HAVE A DEBIT CARD AND THEN YOU WOULD DRAW DOWN ON THAT ACCOUNT FOR APPROVED EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

>> I SEE.

SO THE 1ST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS TUITION.

LET'S JUST SAY IT'S A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A HOMESCHOOL OPTION AS WELL.

>> RIGHT.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THESE EXPENSES.

>> SO THAT'S ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF THE ACT, THE DETAILS OF IT IS THAT IT'S UNIVERSAL.

YOU CAN PARTICIPATE OR NOT PARTICIPATE.

IF YOU DON'T PARTICIPATE, THEN NOTHING CHANGES.

IF YOU DO PARTICIPATE, THEN YOU COULD BE A HOMESCHOOLER, YOU COULD BE A CHURCH SCHOOL, PRIVATE SCHOOL, YOU COULD -- BUT SOME OF THE THINGS, THERE'S A LONG LIST OF THINGS IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

BUT THE TUITION IS OBVIOUSLY THE 1ST ONE.

BUT IT COULD BE SCHOOL UNIFORMS.

IT COULD BE LAPTOP COMPUTERS AND IT COULD BE TEXTBOOKS.

A WHOLE VARIETY OF WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED APPROVED EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO BE AN APPROVED EDUCATION VENDOR FOR THE MONEY TO BE SPENT WITH YOU.

SO YOU KNOW, I CAN'T START MY OWN SCHOOL -- >> WILLY-NILLY.

>> WILLY-NILLY AND SAY YOU'RE GOING TO BE MY TEACHER.

SO I'M GOING TO DRAW THIS MONEY OUT AND I'M GOING TO PAY YOU TO BE THE TEACHER.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT AN APPROVED EDUCATION VENDOR.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN GUARDRAILS.

>> THERE ARE GUARDRAILS.

AND IT'S ALL DONE WITH THE DEBIT CARD, SO THE WHOLE PROCESS CAN BE AUDITED WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON.

I MEAN -- SO THERE'S BASICALLY NO POTENTIAL FOR FRAUD IN THE SYSTEM.

YOU HAVE TO -- I MEAN I KNOW YOU'RE -- SOMEBODY IS GOING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO BE FRAUDULENT ABOUT SOMETHING, BUT BASICALLY THE MONEY GOES IN AN ACCOUNT, YOU DRAW IT OUT WITH A DEBIT CARD, AND IT'S ONLY FOR APPROVED EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

AND SO IT'S ALMOST FOOLPROOF AS FAR AS PREVENTING FRAUD.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN SENATOR MARSH WAS ON THIS ISSUE.

REALLY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND HE SPENT LIKE TWO TO THREE YEARS SORT OF FORMULATING POLICY AROUND IT AND ENDED UP WITH LEGISLATION.

ONE OF HIS GOALS AT LEAST WAS TO ALLOW AND ENABLE STUDENTS IN FAILING DISTRICT QUESTIONS AND STRUGGLING DISTRICTS TO GO TO ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT WAS HIGH PERFORMING, GIVEN THAT CHOICE.

>> I REALIZE THAT'S PART OF THIS LAW.

DO YOU ENVISION -- AGAIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS WOULD HAVE TO BUY IN.

>> RIGHT.

THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BUY IN.

THIS IS NOT REQUIRED OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR SCHOOLS.

>> DO YOU SEE THEM DOING THAT?

DO YOU HEAR ANY FEEDBACK FROM THOSE MORE FLUENT SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO THAT?

>> I HAVE NOT.

I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANY OF THEM HONESTLY.

I WORKED WITH SENATOR MARSH ON THOSE BILLS AND I HAVE MUCH APPRECIATE THE GROUNDWORK THAT HE LAID TO -- I SAID I WAS WORKING WITH HIM BEHIND THE SCENES FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

AND WE HAVE LOOKED AT BILLS FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT STATES.

SENATOR MARSH GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION TOGETHER.

AND WE PATTERNED THE PRICE ACT BY PICKING WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THE BEST POINTS IN DIFFERENT BILLS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND THERE'S PROBABLY MORE OF THE ARIZONA LAW IN THIS BILL THAN OTHERS BUT YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T TOTALLY REINVENT THE WHEEL.

IT'S BEEN WRITTEN BY ALABAMA PEOPLE.

BUT WE PICKED PARTS OF -- THAT REALLY WORKED IN THAT STATE.

LET'S DO THAT.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- WE'VE GOT SOME UNIQUE FEATURES IN THE BILL THAT AREN'T IN ANY OF THE OTHER BILLS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

BUT WE BASED IT ON WHAT SENATOR MARSH DID AND WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.

>> THERE ARE CRITICS OF YOUR BILL.

I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD THEM.

IN PUBLIC HEARINGS AND WHATNOT.

WHEN I TALK TO EDUCATION GROUPS AND SOME WHO AREN'T COMPLETELY ON BOARD, EVEN THOSE THAT ARE SUPPORTIVE OF SCHOOL CHOICE EMOTIONALLY, WHAT I KEEP HEARING IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE STATE TO KIND OF FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF THESE STUDENTS WHO LEAVE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND GO TO OTHER OPTIONS?

WHAT ABOUT THAT?

IS THERE ROOM FOR PUTTING THAT INTO THE BILL AS IT IS?

>> WELL, I DON'T -- NUMBER 1, I'M AGAINST ANY MANDATORY TEST BEING PLACED IN THE BILL.

I THINK MANDATORY TESTING ULTIMATELY DRIVES CURRICULUM.

AND YOU END UP TEACHING FOR THE TEST.

AND THAT'S NOT WHAT TRUE EDUCATION IS.

WE WANT YOU TO BE EDUCATED TO BE ABLE TO THINK, TO BE ABLE TO LEARN.

AND THEN SO, YEAH, I AGREE WITH THE CONCEPT THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T MANAGE WHAT YOU DON'T MEASURE.

SO, YEAH, WE WANT TO KNOW THAT WE'RE HAVING PROGRESS IN EDUCATION.

BUT MY QUESTION SO THOSE PEOPLE WOULD BE AND HAS BORN, ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS IN EDUCATION NOW IN ALABAMA?

I'VE BEEN A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE'VE BEEN IN LAST PLACE OR NEAR LAST PLACE EVERY TIME I'VE EVER READ ANYTHING ABOUT RANKINGS, ANYTHING -- ANYTIME I EVER HEAR WHEN I CAME TO THE LEGISLATURE EIGHT YEARS AGO, I WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS GOING TO REALLY FIGURE OUT, IF WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS IN EDUCATION.

AND I THINK THE TESTING THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION USES HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

AND EVERY TIME YOU TRY TO ASK SOMEBODY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS?

WELL, YOU CAN'T COMPARE THAT.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT TEST.

SO LIKE I SAID, WE'RE TESTING -- RIGHT NOW, EVERY ANGLE YOU CAN IMAGINE.

AND WHEN YOU GET TO THE SEND OF THE TESTING WE'RE STILL IN LAST PLACE.

SO I DON'T THINK TESTING ULTIMATELY DRIVES SUCCESS.

AND THE ULTIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE PARENTS.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD SAY IF YOU HAVE A PRIVATE SCHOOL AND YOU'RE NOT DOING WELL, AND YOU'RE NOT MEETING MY CHILD'S NEEDS -- GUESS WHAT?

I'M GOING TO TAKE MY CHILD OUT OF THE SCHOOL.

IF ENOUGH PARENTS DO THAT THE SCHOOL IS GOING TO FAIL.

SO A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT'S NOT DOING WELL DOESN'T DO WELL.

THE STUDENTS LEAVE, THE PARENTS PULL THEIR CHAIRPERSON OUT.

SO THE ULTIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY IS PARENTS.

>> IF SUCH AN AMENDMENT LIKE THAT CAME ON THE FLOOR, WOULD THAT BE A DEAL BREAKER FOR YOU?

>> IF IT WAS MANDATORY -- YEAH, IF IT WAS MANDATORY TESTING, THEN, YEAH, IT WOULD BE.

BECAUSE OF THE THINGS I JUST SAID.

THE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THIS BILL IS THE PARENT'S ACCOUNTABILITY; HENCE, THE NAME OF THE BILL.

AND I THINK FROM A BIBLICAL STANDPOINT IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

AND THEY'RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE ACCOUNTABILITY COMES.

>> SO YOU'VE GOT YOUR BILL.

THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF EDUCATION CHOICE RELATED BILLS.

THERE'S A CHARTER SCHOOL BILL.

MR. GARRETT IN THE HOUSE HAS FILED A SLIMMED-DOWN VERSION OF THIS, MORE APPLYING TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND EVERYTHING.

DO YOU THINK SOMETHING, WHETHER IT'S YOUR BILL OR OTHER CHOICE LAW, DO YOU THINK SOMETHING IS GOING TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE?

WE'RE GETTING TOWARD THE END HERE.

>> YEAH, I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC OF THE PRICE ACT IS GOING TO MAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE.

I THINK A LOT OF THOUGHT HAS GONE INTO IT.

WE'VE WORKED ON THIS ISSUE A LONG TIME.

COULD IT BE IMPROVED IN AN AREA?

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S NOT A PERFECT -- BUT IT'S CLOSE.

AND SO MY GOAL IS THIS IS THE BILL THAT MAKES IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

AND I HAVE EVERY INTEND OF WORKING AS HARD AS I CAN AS I HAVE FOR THE LAST.

WEEKS NOW.

BUT FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS CONTINUE THIS HARD AT WORK EFFORT TO GET IT PAST BEFORE THE EASTBOUND OF THE SESSION.

>> WHILE I'VE GOT YOU, WE'RE WILL THEM OUT OF ADVERTISEMENT BUT I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS PHYSICIAN WORK SHORTAGE.

YOU WERE A DOCTOR, A PHYSICIAN.

AND THAT LEGISLATION PASSED.

THE PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A TAX CREDIT BILL.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING FROM YOUR PROFESSION AND HOW THE DOCTOR SHORTAGE IS AFFECTING CARE?

>> WELL, IT'S LIKE SO MANY THINGS.

IT'S A DISTRIBUTION PROBLEM IN A LOT OF WAYS ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WHEN BEAT LOOKS AT MOST OF THE NEEDS THAT ARE REALLY IN RURAL AREAS, AND THERE ARE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH -- YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF PATIENTS ON MEDICAID IN A RURAL AREA.

IN TURN, MEDICAID REIMBURSES LESS IN RURAL AREAS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WANT YOU TO GO TO A REAL RURAL COUNTY -- OH, AND BY THE WAY I'M GOING TO PAY YOU LESS IF YOU GET THERE.

>> THERE'S NO INCENTIVE.

>> THERE'S NO INCENTIVE TO GO THERE.

>> IS THAT A FEDERAL POLICY?

>> IT IS.

YEP.

AND I HAVE TRIED TO WORK ON THAT ISSUE SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE.

LIKE I SAID I PRACTICED IN A RURAL AREA AND GREW UP IN AN AREA EVEN MORE RURAL THAN THAT.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS IN THE WORKFORCE ISSUE FOR PHYSICIANS.

IT'S LIKE SO MANY OTHER PROFESSIONS, THE AVERAGE AGE IS GOING UP.

THE YOUNGER PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING INTO THE PROFESSION, YOU KNOW, DON'T WANT TO WORK LIKE WE WORKED WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIGH HIRING A YOUNGER DOCTOR, IT'S HOW MUCH TIME OFF DO I GET, WHAT IS THE CALL SCHEDULE LIKE, AND -- YOU KNOW, THE DOCTORS MY AGE, WE CAME THROUGH RESIDENCY WHEN THERE WERE NO WORK RESTRICTION HOURS ON RESIDENCY.

AND I BASICALLY WORKED OR SLEPT EVERY OTHER NIGHT FOR THE SECOND AND 3RD YEAR OF MY RESIDENCY.

AND NONE OF THAT HAPPENS ANYMORE.

SO A LOT OF THE YOUNGER DOCTORS COMING OUT, THEY'RE LOOKING AT LIFESTYLE, TIME OFF, WHAT DOES THE CALL ROTATION LOOK LIKE SO IT TAKES MORE PEOPLE TO FILL THAT VOID IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> WELL, HOPEFULLY THERE ARE SOME SOLUTIONS THERE.

>> THERE ARE.

>> AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING YOUR BILL.

REAL QUICK WHAT DOES YOUR TAX CREDIT DO?

>> VERY SIMPLE.

IT'S A ONE PAGE BILL.

IT GIVES A TAX -- A TAX JUST ON STATED OBVIOUSLY BUT IT GIVES A TAX CREDIT FOR PROVIDING INDIGENT CARE.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES TO EXPANDING MEDICAID, WHEN YOU LOOK AT PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF COVERAGE AT ALL, AND IT SIMPLY SAYS THAT I CAN GET A TAX CREDIT FOR PROVIDING FREE CARE.

SO IF I TAKE CARE OF A PATIENT THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO FUNDING TO PAY ME FOR ANYTHING AND THEN I CAN WRITE THAT OFF MY TAXES.

>> INTERESTING.

>> SO IT SIMPLY MAKES -- IT ENCOURAGES PHYSICIANS AROUND THE STATE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND GIVES THEM A LITTLE BIT OF THEIR MONEY BACK IF THEY DO.

>> LIKE THOSE INCENTIVES LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT.

>> THAT YOU AGAIN SENATOR FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 1030 FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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