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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2024 REGULAR SESSION IS IN THE BOOKS.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE COMPLETED THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS THURSDAY EVENING AND ADJOURNED SINE DIE.

THAT MEANS THAT BARRING ANY SPECIAL SESSIONS CALLED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATURE WON'T CONVENE AGAIN UNTIL FEBRUARY.

IF YOU'VE FOLLOWED ALONG WITH US HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," YOU KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ESPECIALLY INTENSE SESSION.

IT STARTED OUT WITH THE REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY MOVING QUICKLY TO PASS SO-CALLED RED MEAT ISSUE, LIKE BANS ON BALLOT HARVESTING AND DEI INDOCTRINATION, AND ENACTING VOUCHER-LIKE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

THE SESSION SAW UNANTICIPATED ISSUES CROP UP, MOST NOTABLY THE IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION CRISIS AND MAKING SURE PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL APPEAR ON ALABAMA'S BALLOT IN THE FALL.

THERE WERE DEBATES OVER TAX CREDITS, BUDGET LINE ITEMS, LIBRARY POLICIES AND ETHICS.

AND OF COURSE, THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING DOMINATED MUCH OF THE SESSION, EVEN TO THE LAST DAY.

THAT'S WHERE WE'LL START OUR COVERAGE REVIEWING THESE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE CAME INTO THE FINAL DAY WITH A SHORT TO-DO LIST OF GIVING FINAL PASSAGE TO THE EDUCATION BUDGET, GETTING LOCAL BILLS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AND CONFIRMING SOME APPOINTMENTS.

BUT THE DAY DRAGGED ON BECAUSE, ONCE AGAIN, THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING THREATENED TO REEMERGE.

REMEMBER THAT THE GAMBLING PACKAGE FELL ONE VOTE SHORT IN THE SENATE LAST WEEK, AND PROPONENTS WORKED ALL DAY FOR ONE LAST CHANCE TO BRING IT UP.

NEGOTIATIONS WENT ON BEHIND THE SCENES FOR HOURS ABOUT HOW EXACTLY THAT COULD HAPPEN.

COULD THEY WIN OVER ONE MORE VOTE ON THE EXISTING PROPOSAL.

COULD THEY SUBSTITUTE IN A SCALED BACK PROPOSAL AND WIN VOTES THAT WAY?

ULTIMATELY, IN THE FINAL HOURS, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SUPPORT TO BRING IT UP.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID HE WASN'T PART OF GAMBLING NEGOTIATIONS, BUT SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON EXPLAINED THAT THE VOTES JUST WEREN'T THERE.

>> I WAS NOT INVOLVED AT ALL IN ANY DISCUSSIONS OR NEGOTIATIONS RELATED TO A TOPIC ON GAMING TODAY.

I THINK THAT THAT TOPIC IS ALWAYS A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.

I MEAN, I'VE SAID, I HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 14 YEAR AND IT'S WITH US EVERY YEAR.

>> IT'S A PART OF THE PACKAGE IN TERMS OF WHAT CAME DOWN AND WHAT PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING IN THE CONFERENCE PACKAGE.

I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY.

BECAUSE OUR GOAL WAS TO RAISE AS MUCH MONEY FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AS WE CAN.

WHEN WE HAD A PACKAGE FROM THE HOUSE $1.5 BILLION, WHEN THE SENATE SENT IT DOWN IT WAS 400 MILLION.

WE CAME OUT OF CONFERENCE WITH A BILL 750 MILLION.

WE WANT TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I THINK WE CAN TWEAK IT AND STILL GET THE MONEY AND MAKE IT WORK.

>> DO I ANTICIPATE THAT LEGISLATION WILL COME FROM MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA SENATE OR HOUSE RELATED TO THE TOPIC OF GAMING, I DO.

>>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAD CALLED ON THE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT A GAMBLING PACKAGE IN HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION, AND SHE REMAINED SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILLS AS THEY TRAVELED THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SOME HAVE WONDERED WHETHER SHE MIGHT CONSIDER CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION ON THE ISSUE, MUCH LIKE SHE DID WITH THE GAS TAX AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN AND ARPA FUNDS.

I ASKED HER THAT QUESTION DIRECTLY AS THE GAMBLING PACKAGE DIED.

>> WHAT WILL I DO IF THEY CAN'T COME TO CONSENSUS AMONG THEMSELVES?

WHY WOULD I SPEND THE TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY ON A SPECIAL SESSION?

I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THE GAMBLING BILL IS NOT GOING TO GET TO THE PEOPLE.

THE DEBATE OVER GAMBLING IMPACTED OTHER ISSUES THIS SESSION AS WELL.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, SHARP WORDS WERE EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE OVER A DELAY OF LEGISLATION THE BILL PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW, STATE OF THE ART AGRICULTURE EVENT CENTER IN JEFFERSON COUNTY - A PROJECT PROMOTED BY THE ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION, BETTER KNOWN AS ALFA.

THAT LED MOST IN THE STATE HOUSE TO SPECULATE THAT PROPONENTS OF GAMBLING IN THE HOUSE WERE RETALIATING AGAINST ALFA FOR ITS OPPOSITION TO THE GAMBLING PACKAGE.

THE SPONSOR OF THAT AG CENTER BILL, SENATOR SHAY SHELLNUTT, LED A PROLONGED FILIBUSTER ON THE SENATE FLOOR TO SLOW DOWN BUSINESS IN RETALIATION TO HOUSE MEMBERS FOR DELAYING HIS BILL.

THIS LED TO SOME SPARKS FLYING ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> THE BILL WAS IMPORTANT TO MY DISTRICT.

WE PASS THAT HERE.

THE HOUSE CHANGED IT.

IT CAME BACK TO COMMITTEE.

WE HAD A CONFERENCE AND ALL THREE WERE OUT ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

ONLY ONE REPRESENTATIVE SIGNED OUT.

THE OTHER TWO DID NOT SIGN OUT.

SO, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

THAT'S WHETHER I AMP AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED WE JUST NEED TO PASS THE BUDGET AND GO HOME BECAUSE THERE'S NO OTHER HOUSE OR LOCAL BILLS.

I'M SORRY.

>> I THINK YOU ARE BEING SELFISH AND SHORTSIGHTED.

I KNOW IT MAY BE SOMETHING YOU WANT, BUT WE DON'T ALWAYS GET WHAT WE WANT.

THIS IS A DELIBERATIVE BODY.

IT'S A DEMOCRACY.

>> WHY DON'T YOU TAKE IT LIKE A BIG BOY, LIKE I TOOK MINE LIKE A BIG GIRL THE OTHER DAY.

I SAID MY PIECE AND I LEFT IT ALONE.

>> THE NEXT DAY, REPRESENTATIVE ANDY WHITT CLEARED THE AIR SAYING THE DELAY OF THE FARM CENTER BILL WAS UNINTENTIONAL AS HE MOVED IT OUT OF A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THE BILL ENDED UP PASSING ON WEDNESDAY AND IS AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

THE LAST BIG TASK OF THE SESSION WAS TO PASS THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET AND RELATED BILLS.

A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT WAS FIRST TAKEN UP BY THE HOUSE, WHERE EDUCATION BUDGET CHAIRMAN DANNY GARRETT EXPLAINED THE CHANGES FROM WHAT ORIGINALLY PASSED THE HOUSE MORE THAN A MONTH AGO.

>> THIS IS THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

WHAT I WANT TO MENTION TO YOU FIRST OF ALL IS THE SENATE CHANGES FROM THE HOUSE BUDGET REALLY DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING SUBSTANTIAL FROM THE HOUSE BUDGET.

THEY DIDN'T DELETE ANYTHING WE SUBMITTED.

THEY ADDED A FEW ITEMS I WANT TO MENTION.

ONE IS THE EBT PROGRAM, THE FEEDING PROGRAM.

THERE'S BEEN SOME MISINFORMATION IN THE MEDIA ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU RECALL, REPRESENTATIVE HALL CAME DURING THE BUDGET PRESENTATION TO PROPOSE WE DO SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR THAT.

AT THAT TIME WE AGREED TO SEE IF WE COULD FIND CONTINUING SOURCE.

THE SENATE WAS ABLE TO ADD $10 MILLION FOR THE FEEDING PROGRAM.

THAT'S THE BUDGET.

THEY ALSO HAD THE LINE ITEM OF $14.9 MILLION TO COVER A POTENTIAL BILL THAT WAS CONDITIONAL.

LOOKS LIKE IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS BUT THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED A WORKERS COMPENSATION FUND FOR TEACHERS.

THAT BILL LOOKS LIKE IT WON'T PASS.

THEREFORE, THE MONEY WOULD REVERT TO OPERATING COST OF THE EDUCATION FUND.

THEY ADDED $5 MILLION TO INSTALL DEFIBRILLATORS TO SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE AND $1.5 MILLION FOR SCHOOL SAFETY MAPPING AS PART OF THE SCHOOL SAFETY TASK FORCE.

THOSE ARE SIGNIFICANT ITEMS THEY DID THERE.

>> THE SENATE LATER CONCURRED ON THE EDUCATION BUDGET AND SENT THE BILLS TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S DESK.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S IN THE FINAL EDUCATION BUDGET.

IT TOTALS $9.3 BILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, A RECORD HIGH AMOUNT.

OF THAT, $5.3 BILLION IS DEDICATED TOWARD LOCAL K-12 SCHOOLS AS PART WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.

$1.6 BILLION GOES TOWARD THE STATE'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

$586 MILLION GOES TOWARD THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM, $709 MILLION GOES TOWARD THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR ITS VARIOUS PROGRAMS, AND $200 MILLION GOES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, WHICH RUNS THE STATE'S FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM.

>>> THE BUDGET WAS ONE OF SEVERAL ITEMS TAKEN UP BY THE HOUSE IN THE FINAL DAYS.

RANDY SCOTT COVERS THE HOUSE FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

HERE'S HIS STORY.

>> IT'S CLOSING TIME FOR THE 2024 REGULAR SESSION.

THE HOUSE WRAPS UP WORK WITH THE STATE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET.

>> WHAT I WANT TO MENTION TO YOU, FIRST OF ALL, IS THE SENATE CHANGES FROM THE HOUSE BUDGET, THEY REALLY DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING SUBSTANTIAL FROM THE HOUSE BUDGET.

THEY DIDN'T DELETE ANYTHING WE SUBMITTED.

THEY ADDED A FEW ITEMS I WANTED TO MENTION.

ONE IS THE SUMMARY -- THE EBT, PROGRAM, THE FEEDING PROGRAM.

THE SENATE WAS ABLE TO ADD $10 MILLION FOR THIS FEEDING PROGRAM.

THAT'S THE BUDGET.

THEY ALSO ADDED A LINE ITEM OF $14.9 MILLION TO COVER A POTENTIAL BILL THAT WAS CONDITIONAL.

LOOKS LIKE IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS BUT THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED A WORKERS COMPENSATION FUND FOR TEACHERS.

EVERY ONE OF US IN THIS CHAMBER KEEPS RECEIVING CALL AFTER CALL AFTER CALL.

EVERY YEAR THESE FOLKS ARE TOLD NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE YOU NEXT YEAR.

>> YOU AND I ARE EXPERIENCING IT.

>> I'M NOT DISAGREEING WITH YOUR THOUGHT AND WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO.

WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS PRACTICALLY, WHEN I GIVE YOU THE >> YOU ARE A BRILLIANT MIND.

WE HAVE TO STOP TELLING THESE FOLKS WE WILL HELP THEM NEXT YEAR EVERY TIME WE GET TO THE END.

IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME.

>> THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON THE GAMING LOTTERY PROPOSALS.

>> YOU TRIED TO, I GUESS, THROW A LITTLE BONE, PER SE, YOU WOULD SAY ON THE STREETS TO THE RETIREES, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN YOU VOTED AND PEOPLE IN THESE BODIES VOTED NO ON A GAMING LEGISLATION THAT WAS A NEW PIECE OF FUNDING, THAT WAS HURTING RETIREES POTENTIALLY AS WELL, TOO BECAUSE IT COMPLETELY ELIMINATED THE NEW REVENUE SOURCE.

WOULD THAT BE SAFE TO SAY?

>> THE GAMING LEGISLATION PROVIDED A POTENTIAL REVENUE STREAM TO FUND RETIREE TRUST FUNDS.

>> SO, IT'S BEEN 25 YEARS SINCE WE HAVE LET OUR RETIREES VOTE.

EVERY TIME WE TELL THEM NO TO ALLOWING THEM TO VOTE WE ARE TELLING THEM TO NO ADDITIONAL REVENUE, FUNDS IN THEIR POCKET.

>> THE HOUSE APPROVES THE STATE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET AND ITS SUPPORTING BILLS.

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

>> JEFF SANDERS COVERS THE SENATE FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WITH THE SESSION IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR, HE GOT SOME PERSPECTIVE FROM THE UPPER CHAMBER ON THIS WILD RIDE OF A SESSION.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, I'D MAKE A MOTION WE STAND ADJOURNED SINE DIE.

>> BEFORE VOTING TO SINE DIE ON THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT WAS A CHANCE FOR SOME THANK YOUS ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> STAFF ON BOTH SIDES AND THE ROOMS DOWN, PARTICULARLY THE ONES DOWN THE HALL THAT HAVE DONE ALL THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE, TAKEN CARE OF US EACH AND EVERY DAY, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE AND WE APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

>> FOR REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, THE SESSION REPRESENTED A LOT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> I CANNOT REMEMBER A SESSION WHERE WE DID MORE AND MORE DIFFERENT TOPICS THAN WE DID IN THIS SESSION.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM GREG REED.

>> WE SECURED ALABAMA'S ELECTIONS, BUDGETS, ISSUES WITH TEACHERS, PAY RAISE WITH TEACHERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES INCLUDED IN THIS, A LOT OF RESOURCES SPENT IN DIFFERENT AREAS WITH ROAD, BRIDGE AND TOPICS OF SIGNIFICANCE.

>> FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE FACING A SUPERMAJORITY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE IS NEVER EASY, BUT MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON SAYS HE'S HAPPY WITH THE WORK HE AND HIS CAUCUS WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> I THINK WE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB.

ON THE DEI BILL WE PUT 19 AMENDMENTS ON THE BILL TO WATER IT DOWN.

MONUMENTS WE PUT AMENDMENTS ON IT.

I FEEL GOOD ABOUT SOME OF THE WINS WE MADE, EVEN THOUGH THE WINS WERE SMALL.

WE CAME OUT OF HERE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

>> AFTER 30 MEETING DAYS AND THREE MONTHS OF TIMES TEDIOUS WORK THE HOPE THAT IT HAS LASTING IMPACT.

>> WE WILL COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND FIGHT AGAIN.

>> ALL FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

IT'S HARD WORK.

IT TAKES COLLABORATION, BUT WE'RE UP TO THE TASK AND I THINK THOSE THINGS WE ACCOMPLISHED WERE VERY IMPORTANT.

>> REPORTING FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M JEFF SANDERS.

>> ANOTHER BIG FOCUS OF THIS SESSION WAS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

THE “WORKING FOR ALABAMA” PACKAGE OF BILLS ALL RECEIVED FINAL PASSAGE AND WERE SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK.

YOU'VE HEARD US REPORT ON HOW THE STATE'S 57% WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IS AMONG THE COUNTRY'S LOWEST.

STATE LEADERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON WAYS TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM BY REMOVING BARRIERS THAT KEEP POTENTIAL WORKERS ON THE SIDELINES.

AMONG THE PROPOSALS IS PROVIDING TAX CREDITS TO MAKE CHILD CARE MORE AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE.

WORKFORCE HOUSING INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND A RESTRUCTURING OF THE STATE'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM.

A SPECIAL BILL SIGNING CEREMONY WAS HELD IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> WHILE WE HAVE RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, OUR LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IS ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY AND THAT'S NOT LOW IN A GOOD WAY.

AS I SAID DURING MY STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS NEED TO WORK BETTER FOR TWO CUSTOMERS -- JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS.

TODAY ALL TOGETHER, WE ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE THIS AND MORE WITH OUR WORKING FOR ALABAMA BILL PACKAGE.

>> GROWING ALABAMA'S ECONOMY AND CREATE MORE LONG LASTING HIGH-PAYING 21ST CENTURY JOBS IS ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES.

BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS THE STATE CONTINUE TO TELL ME THE LIMITING FACTOR TO GROWTH IS PEOPLE.

I BELIEVE EVERYBODY HAS A GOD-GIVEN ABILITY AND PASSION.

>> WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO IT AND WE HAVE.

WORKING FOR ALABAMA AND THE DIFFERENT PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT ARE A PART OF THIS PACKAGE ARE GOING TO BE TRANSFORMING ALABAMA MOVING FORWARD, WORKING ON THE GROWTH OF OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION, LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED AND INVOLVED IN OUR ECONOMY, LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUNG FOLKS THAT ARE EXCITED ABOUT WORKFORCE DIPLOMAS AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ON THEIR TRADE SKILLS, LOOKING AT COLLABORATION WITH ALL OF OUR INSTITUTIONS OF EDUCATION, AS WELL AS PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH CHAMPIONS, MOVING TOGETHER, WORKING TOGETHER, SUPPORTING WITH CREDITS ON HOUSING, CREDITS ON HELPING MOMS MAKE SURE THEIR BABIES ARE TAKEN CARE OF SO THEY CAN BE BACK IN THE WORKFORCE.

ALL OF THESE EFFORTS TOGETHER ARE WORKING FOR ALABAMA.

>> WE HAVE ONLY JUST BEGUN.

YOU THINK OF WHERE WE HAVE COME IN ALABAMA IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND WHAT WE CAN DO WORKING TOGETHER, ACROSS PARTY AISLES FROM SENATE, TO HOUSE, FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO THE LEGISLATIVE BODY AND THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

IF WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT, THEE SKY'S ONLY THE LIMIT.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A BIPARTISAN PIECE.

WE STARTED OUT AS THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT ALL THE WAY BACK WITH LOW TAXES, CONNECT ALABAMA, DOING ALL OF THOSE THINGS TOGETHER AND COULDN'T WORK WITHOUT US ALL WORKING TOGETHER.

I'M GLAD THIS GOVERNOR HAS THAT VISION TO BE INCLUSIVE.

TO ALLOW THOSE OF US WHO DIDN'T HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND I BELIEVE IN THIS STATE.

I BELIEVE IN WHAT SHE CAN BE.

I BELIEVE WE COULD BE NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD.

WE DON'T HAVE TO BE NUMBER 39, 40, TOGETHER AS WE WORK WE WILL BE AT THE TOP.

>>> THE LEGISLATURE MADE SOME RELATIVELY MINOR PROCEDURAL CHANGES WITH THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES.

BUT THERE WERE MORE AGGRESSIVE BILLS DEBATED THIS SESSION AIMING TO SPUR ACTION ON THE LONG DELAYED MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROCESS.

IN THE END THOSE DIDN'T PASS, BUT LAWMAKERS EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION OVER THE CONTINUED DELAYS WITH THE LICENSE APPROVAL PROCESS.

>> THIS IS A SIMPLE BILL THAT HELPS THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THE DEPARTMENT OF AG AND INDUSTRIES AND RICK PATE, I UNDERSTAND WOULD BE APPRECIATIVE OF BEING ABLE TO PASS THIS.

>> I'M SURE HE WOULD.

IN THE BUDGET WE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR, THERE'S A FEW MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF OUR TAXPAYER MONEY GOING TO LAWYERS TO PREVENT OR FIGHT OR DEVELOP -- IN ANY CASE, WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY LICENSES UNTIL THAT GETS DONE.

SO, SOMETHING WE DID -- OR SOMETHING SOMEBODY DID HAS BEEN INCORRECT AND JUST ABANDONING IT, ABANDONING IT AND LEAVING IT ON ITS DEVICES WITH US HOLDING THE MONEY BAG IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE ANSWER.

>> I HAD A PIECE OF LEGISLATION, SENATOR MELSON HAD A PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

IT COULDN'T GET ANY TRACTION BECAUSE THERE'S THE VISION OF TOO MUCH MONEY INVOLVED AND PEOPLE LET GREED GET IN THE WAY OF TRYING TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.

>> A STEP FORWARD ON GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY THIS SESSION.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK SIGNED INTO LAW SENATE BILL 270 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR AND REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ALMOND.

THIS AMENDS ALABAMA'S OPEN RECORDS ACT TO REQUIRE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS IN A MORE TIMELY MANNER.

>> WE WOULDN'T BE HERE CONGRATULATING OURSELVES IF IT WEREN'T FOR MY HOUSE COUNTERPART WITH THIS BILL, REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ALMOND FROM TUSCALOOSA AND ALSO THE PRESS ASSOCIATION, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS LIAISON BRAD ENGLISH.

>> YEP.

>> THEY DID A TREMENDOUS JOB IN HELPING TO GET THIS LEGISLATION PASSED.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR STATE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW YOU CAN HAVE A REVOLVING DOOR TO ETERNITY AS TO WHEN A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY NEEDS TO COMPLY AND GIVE UP RECORDS.

THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO GO TO THE COURT SYSTEM AND THAT'S, OF COURSE, VERY EXPENSIVE TO LITIGATE.

THIS LEGISLATION BRINGS TIMETABLES TO THAT.

A REQUEST HAS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.

THEY WEREN'T DOING THAT.

A LOT OF TIMES YOU DON'T KNOW IF THEY RECEIVED THE REQUEST.

IT BEGINS A SERIES OF TIMETABLES FOR RESPONDING WITH THE RECORDS OR EXPLAINING WHY IT'S NOT AVAILABLE OR THE REQUEST IS OVERLY BURDENSOME.

SO, IT'S A GOOD STEP FORWARD.

IT'S NOT THE END ALL BE ALL BUT IT'S A SIGNIFICANT STEP FOR US.

>> AN EFFORT TO REVISE ALABAMA'S ETHICS CODE CAME UP SHORT THIS WEEK.

HOUSE BILL 227 FROM REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON WOULD REVAMP THE CODE AND REORGANIZE HOW POTENTIAL OFFENSES ARE INVESTIGATED AND PROSECUTED.

THIS WEEK, THAT BILL DIED IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

ULTIMATELY, MEMBERS WERE UNCOMFORTABLE MOVING FORWARD WITH SUCH A FAR-REACHING BILL BEFORE MORE REVISIONS COULD BE MADE.

>> I BELIEVE STRONGLY THE ETHICS COMMISSION HAS A ROLE IN THIS STATE.

I BELIEVE STRONGLY THE ETHICS COMMISSION SERVES A FUNCTION AND PURPOSE.

IF IT'S AN ETHICS VIOLATION, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BAD AND YOU SHOULDN'T DO THAT.

IF IT IS A YOU SHOULDN'T DO THAT, IT SHOULDN'T BE A THREAT OF HAVING 20 YEARS OVER YOUR HEAD.

IT WOULD BE A CIVIL VIOLATION.

TO THE EXTENT OF PRETTY HEFTY PUNISHMENT.

I'M ALL FOR IF YOU CROSS THE LINE YOU HAVE SANCTIONS, YOU HAVE PUNISHMENT AND YOU SHOULD BE PROSECUTED.

IT'S ONLY FAIR TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THE LINES ARE.

>> THERE WERE MANY OF US HERE WHEN THE LAST ETHICS BILL WAS PASSED AND WE ARGUED THAT MANY THINGS WERE NOT CLEAR.

THAT IT WAS LEFT OPEN FOR VARIOUS INTERPRETATION AND I KNOW THAT I PERSONALLY -- WHEN I CATCH SOMETHING ANYWHERE IT SHOULD BE CLEAR, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO REPEAT IT IN THE LEGISLATION.

>> I THINK THIS CONVERSATION WILL CONTINUE.

I SUSPECT WE WILL HAVE HOUSE MEMBERS AND SENATORS THAT WILL BE ENGAGED IN FURTHER DISCUSSION SO WE WILL SEE THIS BILL NEXT YEAR.

I WANT TO THANK YOU PUBLICLY FOR ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS.

I KNOW, AS I SAID YESTERDAY, YOU TAKE A LOT OF HEAT FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT SIDES AND A MAN OF INTEGRITY AND I APPRECIATE YOU.

>> THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WAS IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

JEANA ROSS, THE NEWLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT 27, MADE HER FIRST APPEARANCE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND WAS ASKED TO SPEAK.

YOU'LL REMEMBER ROSS FROM HER YEARS OF RUNNING ALABAMA'S FIRST CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM AS SECRETARY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

>> I ALSO WANT TO SAY I'M EXCITED TO GO TO WORK FOR DISTRICT 27 AND THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

I'VE MISSED IT.

I'VE MISSED IT.

THIS FEELS VERY COMFORTABLE IN A SENSE -- IT'S A LITTLE OVERWHELMING TO SEE ALL OF YOU AT ONE TIME.

I'M KIND OF USED TO LOOKING AT YOU ONE ON ONE BEGGING FOR THINGS ACROSS THE DESK FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BUT I'M EXTREMELY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WORK THAT I THINK CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED AND WORKING WITH THE LEADERS, LEADER STATHADEN AND DANIELS.

I'VE WORKED WITH HIM ON MANY PROJECTS IN THE PAST AND LOOK FORWARD TO THAT AGAIN.

WITH GREAT ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM, I'M GLAD TO BE HERE AND GLAD TO GET TO WORK.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THIS WEEK ALSO MARKED YOM HOSHOA, THE DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF THE HOLOCAUST.

CEREMONIES WERE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY AND HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

I SAT DOWN WITH DR. DAN PUCKETT, WHO CHAIRS THE ALABAMA HOLOCAUST COMMISSION, AND RABBI SCOTT KRAMER FOR AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW ABOUT YOM HOSHOA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS TODAY.

RABBI KRAMER SPOKE TO THE PAIN BEING FELT IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY SINCE THE OCTOBER 7 MASSACRE, THE WAR RAGING IN GAZA AND THE PROTESTS AT SOME COLLEGE CAMPUSES THAT HAVE TURNED ANTI-SEMETIC.

>> IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT.

THERE ISN'T ONE PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY THAT DOESN'T KNOW SOMEONE IN ISRAEL THAT IS CONNECTED WITH SOMEONE THAT WAS LOST.

WE'RE NOT TALKING SOLDIERS.

WE'RE TALKING CIVILIANS.

WE'RE TALKING WOMEN, CHILDREN THAT WERE SLAUGHTERED, MOSTLY AT A -- NOT ONLY A MUSIC FESTIVAL BUT PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES.

PEACEFUL.

THAT'S CORRECT.

THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPLAIN WHAT TRAGEDY THIS IS.

THE FACT THAT THERE'S STILL OVER, PROBABLY 90 HOSTAGES STILL ALIVE.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY AND ALL WE WANT TO DO IS BRING THEM HOME.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THAT FULL INTERVIEW ON OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER TO GET HIS TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS INTENSE SESSION.

AFTER THAT, SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT THAT GAMBLING PLAN AND HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THE SESSION.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> 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.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER.

MR. SPEAKER, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, TODD.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG WEEK.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

>> LONG SESSION.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

AGREE ON BOTH.

>> LONG 14 WEEKS.

SUCH A BUSY SESSION.

TAKING BACK TO AT THE BEGINNING AND ISSUES YOU ALL DIDN'T EVEN KNOW YOU WERE GOING TO TACKLE.

SOME WINS, SOME LOSSES BUT WHEN YOU THINK BACK ON THE SESSION, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIG TAKEAWAYS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS SESSION?

OVER THE NEXT YEAR, WHAT WILL YOUR THOUGHTS AND TAKEAWAYS BE?

>> THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY, I TOLD THE MEMBERS, THE HARDER THE FIRE THE STRONGER THE METAL.

I BELIEVE OUR MEMBERS DID A LOT OF HARD WORK.

THIS IS A SESSION WHERE WE TALKED BEFORE WE BEGAN.

I SAID I AM GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO HARD THINGS AND SOME WON'T BE POPULAR BUT IT IS THINGS WE HAVE LET GO FOR DECADES IN ALABAMA AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND THEY ROSE TO THE CHALLENGE.

I APPLAUD EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM FOR THE WORKED.

WE DON'T AGREE ON ALL OF THE ITEMS YOU HAVE COMING UP YOU THEY DID IT PROFESSIONALLY.

NO BAD MOMENTS IN THE CHAMBER OR MELTDOWNS.

I THINK EVERYBODY RESPECTED EACH OTHER AND IN A MANNER YOU WANT TO SEE GOVERNING BODY OF THE STATE DO.

I APPLAUD THEM FOR THEIR WORK.

>> SPEAKING OF TOUGH ISSUES, LET'S TALK ABOUT GAMBLING.

EVEN ON THE LAST DAY THERE WAS TALK OF IT COMING BACK.

ONE LAST CHANCE FOR THAT BILL, WHETHER IT WAS THE BILL THAT'S IN THE SENATE BASKET OR A DIFFERENT BILL THAT COULD BE SUBBED AND ALL OF THAT.

I KNOW YOU ALL CAUCUSED AND GOING BACK AND FORTH.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED.

WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON THE LAST DAY TO TRY TO GET IT OVER THE FINISH LINE?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATION.

I DON'T THINK IT CAME TO FRUITION.

IT IS JUST A TALK WE GOT WITH IN THE SENATE AND SOME CONVERSATION THAT WAS GOING ON.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE JUST WASN'T ENOUGH TIME.

>> I KNOW THAT'S A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR YOU, RIGHT?

YOU ALL PUT A LOT OF WORK -- YOUR MEMBERS PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO DRAFTING THE PLAN AND I KNOW IT IS DISAPPOINTING TO SEE IT DIE LIKE THAT.

DO YOU THINK -- IS IT SOMETHING THAT CAN COME BACK ANOTHER YEAR, OR IS IT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS -- MY REASONING WAS IS KNOWING THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO LONG, OVER 25 YEARS SINCE PEOPLE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO VOTE.

WE HAVE SO MUCH.

I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL THE COMMITTEE WE PUT TOGETHER KIND OF WENT AROUND THE STATE AND FOUND OUT THE TYPES OF ILLEGAL GAMING AND HOW MUCH OF IT THERE WAS -- I THINK EVERYBODY WAS SHOCKED TO KNOW THAT.

I THINK PEOPLE WERE READY TO -- ESPECIALLY VOTERS.

I HEAR IT ALL THE TIME.

THEY WANT THEIR VOICES HEARD.

THE MONEY IS GOING OUT OF THE STATE.

WE HAVE ALMOST HALF OF THE COUNTIES THAT BORDERS ANOTHER STATE THAT HAS GOT IT.

AS FAR AS THE LOTTERY IS CONCERNED.

I THINK THE VOTERS REALLY WANT A CHANCE TO VOTE.

IT'S THE PROCESS.

YOU WORK IT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO TRY TO DO.

I'M THE LAST PERSON TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT GAMBLING.

I TOLD THEM TODAY IN A GAGGLE IF I WOULD WAVE A WAND I'D SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING BUT THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED THE POARCH CREEK INDIANS TO HAVE THREE FACILITIES IN ALABAMA.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY IS IN ALABAMA.

I REALLY DON'T.

WE KNOW IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AT ONE TIME THERE WERE 75.

>> GAS STATION CASINO.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S ACROSS THE STATE.

I THINK EVERY COUNTY'S GOT SOME.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS IT'S NOT REGULATED.

ALL KIND OF THINGS HAPPEN IN THOSE FACILITIES THAT SHOULDN'T.

SO, PUTTING THE COMMISSION TOGETHER TO REGULATE IT AND STOP IT -- I HEAR PEOPLE SAY, YOU NEED TO ENFORCE WITH TOUGHER LAWS, WHICH THESE LAWS WERE A LOT TOUGHER.

THE PROBLEM IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE TO ENFORCE IT.

SOME OF THE COUNTIES, ACTUALLY THE SHERIFF, THEY MAKE SURE -- THEY ARE THE ONES THAT DOES THE LICENSES FOR THEM.

SO, IT'S HARD.

THEN WE HAVE ONE COUNTY WHERE THE SHERIFF'S BROTHER HAD SOME.

IT IS HARD.

IT'S HARD FOR COUNTY SHERIFFS TO DO IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE FACILITIES TO PUT THE MACHINES IN ONE AND TWO, THEY DON'T HAVE THE MAN POWER.

>> IN SOME CASES IT IS A REVENUE SOURCE.

>> IT IS.

>> I CERTAINLY REMEMBER THAT FROM THE BINGO WARS BACK IN THE DAY.

SPEAKING OF THAT, BECAUSE I TALKED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ABOUT THE SAME THING.

CONSIDERING THE SESSION IS OVER AND THAT BILL IS DEAD, WOULD THERE BE ANY CONSIDERATION FOR, OKAY, BEFORE WE GO AGAIN ON PROLIFERATING ON GAMBLING, DECIDING WHAT KIND OF GAMBLING WE WANT OR DON'T WANT, LIKE BEEFING UP THOSE LAWS TO GIVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OTHER PROSECUTORS MAY BE MORE LEGAL RESOURCES TO CRACKDOWN?

>> I CERTAINLY THINK THAT WOULD BE A POSSIBILITY.

I DO THINK THAT AND PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DONE.

BUT AGAIN, YOU CAN BEEF IT UP AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE ENFORCEMENT, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE.

PROBABLY AFTER THIS WE'RE GOING TO SEE PROBABLY AN EXPANSION OF MORE ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND THE PROBLEM WE HAD -- YOU KNOW, YOU GET A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKING MONEY OFF OF IT ILLEGALLY AND SOME OF IT, I THINK, IS ORGANIZED CRIME.

YOU CAN TELL BY HOW THE FACILITY IS SET UP.

THEY SHOWED ME SOME PICTURES.

I THINK THIS IS GIVING THEM A RUNWAY, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE UPPED IT, WHO'S GOING TO ENFORCE IT?

YOU SAY THE LOCAL PEOPLE WILL.

WELL, A LOT OF THEM MAY HAVE PEOPLE INVOLVED OR ENGAGED AND NOT ALWAYS -- THEY THINK IT IS LEGAL.

I KNOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID EVERYTHING IS LEGAL.

I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU TALK TO.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON THAT.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS TENSION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

THAT'S PROBABLY HEALTHY.

THERE SHOULD BE BACK AND FORTH AND EVERYTHING BUT IT GOT CHIPPY THIS YEAR ABOUT HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS PASSING.

MOST IT GOT WORKED OUT BUT EVEN ON THE GAMBLING ISSUE FEELINGS OF DISRESPECT ON EITHER SIDE.

I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT, AS YOU WERE ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION ON THE FLOOR, YOU TOOK -- POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO COME TO THE MIC TO REALLY -- WHAT IT SEEMED LIKE TO ME IS RISE TO THE DEFENSE OF THE HOUSE AND SAY, LOOK, WE ARE A CO-EQUAL BODY.

WE NEED OUR SAY.

WE DON'T WANT TO BOW DOWN TO THE SENATE.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

I ALSO HEARD MEMBERS -- YOUR MEMBERS, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT COMING TO THE MIC SAYING -- BACKING YOU UP AND APPRECIATING YOUR LEADERSHIP.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU, HOW DID THAT FEEL?

DID YOU FEEL THAT THE BODY WAS MORE UNITED TOWARD THE END OF THE SESSION THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

I THINK IT KNOWS.

I THINK WHEN YOU SEE US IN A SESSION DATE SHOWS.

I THINK THE RESPECT THEY GAIN FOR EACH OTHER IS INSURMOUNTABLE AND DEFINITELY SHOWED.

MY THING ABOUT COMING TONIGHT IS TO SAY THANK YOU.

I ASKED THEM TO DO SOME HARD THINGS.

WE KEPT THEM UP LATE, STARTED EARLY AND WENT THROUGH TOUGH ISSUES AND IT WASN'T JUST GAMBLING.

WE HAD A LOT OF TOUGH ISSUES.

THE IVF ISSUE WAS DROPPED IN OUR LAP AND DIDN'T EXPECT.

SOME MEMBERS GOT ATTACKED UNCALLED FOR.

WHAT IS AGGRAVATING TO ME IS SEE OUR MEMBERS ATTACKED ON AN ISSUE FROM SOMEBODY OUT OF STATE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA OR HOW IT WORKS AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY FALSEHOOD.

THAT IS FRUSTRATING AND AGGRAVATING.

>> I REMEMBER THERE WAS SOME ON SCHOOL CHOICE AND I GUESS ON GAMBLING, TOO.

>> SOME ON SCHOOL CHOICE AND GAMBLING AND THE IVF THING.

DIFFERENT ISSUES WHERE PEOPLE GOT ATTACKED WITH TEXT MESSAGES OR THINGS LIKE THAT AND THAT'S JUST UNCALLED FOR BUT IT WASN'T IN-STATE PEOPLE SOMEBODY TRIES TO DRIVE A NARRATIVE FROM ANOTHER STATE TO GET THEIR AGENDA.

SO, WE SEE THAT.

WE HAVE PROBABLY SEEN THAT THIS YEAR MORE THAN ANY SESSION.

OUR MEMBERS STOOD STRONG.

THEY REALLY DID AND KEPT COMING BACK EVERY DAY AND FIGHTING HARD FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVED IN.

I WAS OVERWHELMED TODAY.

IT WAS HUMBLING TO SAY THE LEAST BUT TO SEE OUR MEMBERS WITH THE LAST DAY OF SESSION, WHEN WE HAVE REALLY BEEN THROUGH THE GRIND AND I'M TALKING ABOUT 16 HOURS A DAY AND LONGER SOMETIMES.

WHEN I LOOK ACROSS THE CHAMBER AND JUST ABOUT EVERY CHAIR IS FULL, THAT MEANS OUR MEMBERS ARE COMMITTED TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE STATE AND THEY HAVE DONE IT IN A STRONG AND SHOULD BE APPLAUDED FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE THIS SESSION.

>> I'M REMINDED OF THE OLD WASHINGTON STORY FROM CONGRESS WITH THIS NEW YOUNG CONGRESSMAN GETS ELECTED AND GETS TO THE CAPITOL AND TALKS TO A MAJORITY LEADER AND SAYS I WANT TO SEE THE DEMOCRATS.

SHOW ME THE DEMOCRATS.

I WANT TO GET TO KNOW THE ENEMY.

THE MAJORITY LEADER SAYS, SON, THE DEMOCRATS AREN'T THE ENEMY.

THE SENATE IS THE ENEMY.

IT'S A JOKE AND YOU CAN TELL IT EITHER WAY REALLY.

IT IS AN ISSUE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SESSION, HOW DO WE GET BACK TO MORE COMEDY BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WORKING TOGETHER?

>> I THINK SOMETIMES IT IS OVERBLOWN A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK SENATOR REED DOES A GREAT JOB.

HE IS A GREAT FRIEND AND MAJORITY LEADER LIVINGSTON IS ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS DOWN HERE AND WE TOGETHER HAD A LOT OF TOUGH ISSUES.

WE WORK WELL TOGETHER.

IT'S LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY -- AND YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH, EVERY TIME YOU COME TO THE END OF THE SESSION, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE ISSUES ARE, EVERYBODY IS EXCITED AND WANTS THEIR BILL PASS, WANTS SOMETHING DONE THEY DON'T THINK THEY WILL GET DONE.

IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR AND THIS IS NO EXEMPTION.

I TOLD OUR MEMBERS YESTERDAY, SOME OF YOU WILL NOT GET YOUR BILLS PASSED BUT YOU HAVE NEXT YEAR.

I HAVE WORKED ON BILLS THREE OR FOUR YEARS BUT IF IT IS A GOOD BILL AND THE RIGHT THING FOR ALABAMA IT WILL EVENTUALLY GET THERE.

I THINK THAT'S PART OF IT.

EVERYBODY GETS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET THEIR CERTAIN BILL ON THE CALENDAR.

MAYBE THEY THOUGHT IT DIDN'T MOVE LIKE IT SHOULD AND THAT'S JUST PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> SPEAKING OF SOMETHING YOU ALL DID WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER ON CHAMBER TO CHAMBER AND ALSO WITH THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

THOSE BILLS ALL SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR IVEY IN THE BIG CEREMONY.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

THAT WAS A REALLY AMBITIOUS PLAN.

I WASN'T SURE THEY WERE ALL GOING TO PASS AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

>> NOT ONLY AMBITIOUS BUT CAME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SESSION.

IF YOU THINK OF WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO AND THIS SHOWS THE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE SENATE, HOUSE AND GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

IF YOU THINK OF WHAT WE DID, IF THE BILLS WE PASSED, FIT WAS CHILDCARE CREDIT, OR DIPLOMAS, WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH UNDER EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE AND I BELIEVE THESE ARE SOME ISSUES THAT WILL CHANGE THAT.

THINK ABOUT IT.

ALABAMA WHEN YOU HAVE A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO KIDS AND THEY ARE PAYING 10ER OR 12 THOUSAND DOLLARS PER KID AND SHE IS TRYING TO DO IT ALL AND PAY UTILITIES AND MAKING SURE SHE HAS GROCERIES AND PAY THE CAR PAYMENT.

I DO THINK THAT WILL BE A BIG RELIEF.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS PATHWAY DIPLOMA.

IT GIVES KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET INTO THE FIELD THEY ARE INTERESTED IN AND HELP THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.

THERE'S SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS THAT COME OUT OF IT AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT DIRECTION IT TAKES CERTAINLY APPLAUD THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND HIS COMMUNITY WHAT THEY DID, AND WE HAD A STRONG PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND WE ARE SEEING MORE OF THAT IN ALABAMA.

THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN'T ACCOMPLISH WHEN PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER.

THAT PACKAGE OF BILLS WE FINISHED IN THE SENATE AS LATE AS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON I GUESS BUT THOSE PACKAGE OF BILLS WILL BE GAME CHANGERS FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> I ALWAYS TRY TO THINK OF ISSUES THAT ARE GOING TO AFFECT A LOT OF ALABAMIANS, MOST ALABAMIANS MAYBE.

THIS PROPERTY TAX BILL OR PROPERTY VALUE I GUESS ASSESSMENT BILL THAT'S ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE FELT AROUND ALABAMA.

REPRESENTATIVE PETTUS WORKED WITH SENATOR SESSIONS ON THIS.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS.

I KNOW IT CAME UP REALLY EARLY, EVEN BEFORE THE SESSION IN THE CAUCUS.

>> IT IS A BIG ISSUE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTIES, MINE BEING ONE OF THEM, IT WAS HITTING AT A TIME WHEN INFLATION HIT FAMILIES.

IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS WHAT WE DO AND CERTAINLY HAVE A CHANCE TO WORK WITH REPRESENTATIVE PETTUS FOR A LONG TIME.

HE DID A GREAT JOB AND ATTENTIVE TO EVERYONE'S NEEDS AND HOW IT AFFECTED AND WHAT IT AFFECTED.

NOT ONLY DID IT AFFECT THE SMALL MOM AND DADS IN RURAL AREAS BUT THE PEOPLE THAT USE THE INCREASES SOMETIMES FOR PROJECTS.

YOU HAD TO THREAD THE NEEDLE AS THE OLD SAYING GOES AND HE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB.

HE WAS OPEN TO EVERYBODY'S SUGGESTION AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> YEAH.

SOMETHING I THINK PEOPLE WILL -- EVEN YEARS FROM NOW WILL PROBABLY APPRECIATE THAT.

ANYTIME YOU TALK ABOUT TAXES AND REVENUE IT'S NOT AN EASY LIFT.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTIES WHERE THEY WENT UP 30%, SOME INCREASED.

PROPERTY VALUES INCREASED BOTH OF THE GROWTH AND THE ECONOMY DOING SO WELL BUT RETIRED PEOPLE AND THOSE FOLKS NEEDED A BREAK AND THIS GIVES THEM ONE.

>> LOOK, CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER SESSION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MAN, IT'S BEEN WHIRLWIND.

ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE SESSIONS I CAN REMEMBER.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> I TOLD SOMEBODY, OF COURSE BEING SPEAKERS, WE ASK OUR MEMBERS TO DO HARD THINGS BUT ONE OF THE MOST DRAINING SESSIONS I'VE BEEN IN.

LAST YEAR WAS A GREAT SESSION.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND I TOLD SENATOR REED THIS THIS MORNING WE HAVE PROBABLY PASSED MORE LEGISLATION THAN IN THESE TWO YEARS THAN SOMETIMES IN AN ENTIRE QUADRIENNIUM.

THIS HAS BEEN TAXING BUT I TRULY BELIEVE BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WE HAVE MADE SOME CHANGES IN ALABAMA THAT'S GOING TO NOT ONLY AFFECT PEOPLE'S LIVES FOR YEARS TO COME BUT ALSO GOING TO AFFECT THOSE THAT HAVEN'T BEEN BORN YET AND CERTAINLY THE CHILDCARE TAX CREDIT IS ONE OF MANY.

GIVEN FAMILIES THE ABILITY TO HAVE CHILDREN WITH IVF IS ONE OF THEM.

WE HAD A LOT OF BIG LIFTS BUT SOME OF IT WE GOT THROWN ON OUR PLATE WE DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE GOING TO GET.

IT IS CERTAINLY ONE THAT WILL PROBABLY GO DOWN IN THE BOOKS.

I THINK ALL IN ALL IT WAS A MOMENTOUS SESSION.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW TO EXPLAIN THESE CHANGES AND WE HAVE LONG CONVERSATIONS ABOUT.

THIS SAFE TRAVELS BACK HOME AND I GUESS WE WILL SEE YOU SOON.

>> SEE YOU SOON.

>> 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 ON LINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, MINORITY LEADER FOR THE ALABAMA SENATE.

MR. LEADER, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S BEEN QUITE A SESSION.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

>> I MEAN, I WAS JUST TALKING WITH THE SPEAKER.

HE SEEMS EXHAUSTED.

YOU ARE EXHAUSTED.

EVERYBODY.

THIS HAS BEEN A REAL SLOG OF A SESSION.

I KNOW WE SAY THAT EVERY YEAR BUT I THINK IT STEPPED UP THIS YEAR.

>> IT REALLY DID.

FROM DAY ONE.

FIRST FIVE WEEKS IS BRUTAL, THREE DAYS A WEEK DEALING WITH WHAT I CALL RED MEAT LEGISLATION.

I THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD BILLS THEY THOUGHT WERE IMPORTANT TO THEM, NATIONAL PARTY, DEI, MONUMENTS, LIBRARIES, BALLOT HARVESTING.

WE WENT THROUGH THOSE AND DEALING WITH STRATEGIES.

HOW DO WE WIN OUT OF THAT AN MAKE SURE WE DON'T HURT PEOPLE DEALING WITH UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THE BILLS THAT BROUGHT WITH IT.

WE WERE ABLE TO NAVIGATE.

THAT TAKES SOME TIME.

THE ABILITY TO HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE OTHER SIDE.

LEADER REED AND I COMMUNICATE VERY WELL TOGETHER IN AS MUCH AS THAT WAS THEIR AGENDA AND THEY WANTED TO GET IT PASSED.

SOME OF THE BILLS WE GOT SOME VERY, VERY GOOD AMENDMENTS ON IT THAT WAS ABLE TO ALLOW THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE BILLS MEANT AND HOW IT WAS GOING TO AFFECT PEOPLE AND STOP SOME OF THE PAIN IN TERMS OF HOW THE PUBLIC WILL SEE IT ONCE THOSE BILLS PASS.

>> I REMEMBER ON THE BALLOT HARVESTING THE BILL CHANGED DRAMATICALLY BUT TO THE POINT WHERE REPUBLICANS THOUGHT IT GOT TO THE PROBLEM THEY WERE SEEKING TO SOLVE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT BALLOT HARVESTING, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN TERMS OF ABSENTEES, VOTER FRAUDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPENING.

WHAT THAT BILL TURNED AROUND -- INSTEAD OF THE BALLOT IT WAS THE APPLICATIONS.

IT WAS THE APPLICATIONS.

IT IS ALL ABOUT NOT PAYING SOMEONE TO GO OUT AND GET THE APPLICATIONS AND BRING THEM BACK AND HARVEST THEM IN ONE AREA AND MAIL THEM OFF IN ONE BIG GROUP.

SO PEOPLE CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

IF THEY ARE VOLUNTEERING TO DO IT, THEY CAN STILL DO THINGS THEY WANT TO DO.

WE WERE ABLE TO PUT THOSE AMENDMENTS ON AND MAKE IT TO WHERE -- WE GOT THEM TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT A REAL PROBLEM.

SHOW ME THE PROBLEM IN THE STATE AND I WILL HELP YOU WITH THE SOLUTION.

>> THEN IT WAS IVF, AN ISSUE YOU NEVER THOUGHT WAS GOING TO COME IN.

THE SUPREME COURT RULES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S IN THE LEGISLATURE'S LAP TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

THERE WAS A FIX PASSED BUT SOMETHING TELLS ME WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO THAT ISSUE.

IT WAS A TEMPORARY FIX, NOT A PERMANENT FIX.

EVEN WE AS DEMOCRATS BROUGHT SOLUTIONS EVEN BEFORE REPUBLICANS CAME WITH SOLUTIONS.

WE OFFERED A SOLUTION TO LEADER DANIELS BROUGHT A FIX.

WE WERE TRYING TO HELP WITH THE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE FAMILIES WEREN'T HURT AND MOTHERS DIDN'T GET PROSECUTED BECAUSE UNDER OUR ABORTION LAW THAT WE PASSED YOU ARE, OUR STRINGENT ABORTION LAW THAT LEFT NO ROOM FOR THE COURTS TO BE ABLE TO RULE NOTHING OTHER THAN EMBRYOS HAS BECOME A LIFE, IT'S A BABY.

SO, WITH THAT, THOSE FAMILIES WILL SUFFER.

MOTHERS CAME TO OUR OFFICE.

WE TRIED TO HELP OFFER A SOLUTION.

WE CAME UP WITH A BIPARTISAN FIX.

IT'S A TEMPORARY FIX BUT WE WILL HAVE TO GO BACK AND MAKE IT WORK AND FIX THAT FOR ALL OF THE MOTHERS EXPECTING AND WANT TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

WE NEED TO MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THEM.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE GAMBLING ISSUE.

>> OKAY.

>> BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LOT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES THIS BILL WAS DECLARED DEAD.

DIDN'T EARN ENOUGH VOTES AND THEN ON THE LAST DAY, ALL OF THIS TALK ABOUT MAYBE IT IS COMING BACK TO THE FLOOR.

MAYBE A SHELL OF ANOTHER BILL COULD BE USED.

WALK ME THROUGH IN TERMS OF THE BILL POSSIBLY COMING BACK ULTIMATELY NOT.

>> I HEARD WIND OF IT.

THERE WASN'T A REAL STRATEGY WITH US ON THE MINORITY SIDE IN TERMS OF HOW IT WAS GOING TO WORK WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN.

WE WERE SITTING IN THE WINGS WAITING.

WHEN I MET WITH PEOPLE WHO WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT AND I SAID THAT THE ONLY THING I WANTED TO HAPPEN, IF THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IS THAT WE DEALT WITH WHAT CAME OUT OF CONFERENCE, AND IF THERE WERE GOING TO BE SOME ALTERING TO THAT THAN WE NEED TO KNOW AND ARE AT THE TABLE WITH THAT.

I THOUGHT WE CAME UP WITH A GOOD BILL OUT OF CONFERENCE.

REMEMBER, THE HOUSE SENT US A BILL ON GAMING THAT WAS WORTH $1.5 BILLION ESTIMATE.

WE CHANGED THEIR BILL AND SENT IT BACK DOWN TO THEM, IT WAS ONLY 400 MILLION.

WHEN WE WENT TO CONFERENCE, WE CAME OUT WITH A BILL THAT WAS WORTH $750 MILLION BACK TOWARDS THE 1.5 BILLION BECAUSE WE HAD TO TAKE OUT SPORTS BETTING.

WITH THAT, WE THOUGHT WE HAD A GREAT BILL THAT COULD BASICALLY MOVE THE STATE OF ALABAMA ALONG AND COME BACK ANOTHER YEAR AND GET SPORTS BETTING THAT WOULD EQUAL THE 1.5 BILLION.

THAT'S WHERE WE WERE.

SO, I WANTED TO GIVE THAT ANOTHER SHOT.

THAT'S WHAT WE WERE WORKING TOWARDS.

>> INTERESTING.

ULTIMATELY IT FAILED AND I KNOW THAT IS DISAPPOINTING FOR YOU AND I WAS TALKING TO THE SPEAK AND IT WAS DISAPPOINTING FOR HIM TOO.

A LOT SAID BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ON THIS GAMBLING ISSUE.

A LOT OF TEMPERS FLARING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WILL THAT IMPACT THIS ISSUE IN THE FUTURE?

CAN IT COME BACK IN THE FUTURE OR WILL IT HAVE TO BE ANOTHER ELECTION AWAY?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THINK SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CAME UP WITH A BILL AND I WANT TO SAY I WAS PROUD OF WHAT THEY DID.

THEY GAVE US A MANDATE, 70-PLUS VOTES BOTH TIMES.

EVEN IN THE CONFERENCE REPORT IT WAS 70-PLUS VOTES.

IN THE MIDST OF MEMBERS NOT WANTING TO DO SO BUT WE UNDERSTAND THE FACT WE HAVE A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY IN TOWN.

BY 2026 THOSE FUNDS WILL BE GONE.

WE WILL BE LOOKING TO FILL GAPS HERE AND THERE FOR EDUCATION BUDGETS, FOR PRISONS, FOR HOSPITALS, FOR HEALTHCARE, RURAL HEALTHCARE.

EVEN IN THE BILL WAS ABOUT RETIRED TEACHERS BONUSES AND POSSIBLY -- >> THAT WAS AN ISSUE THIS YEAR.

>> WE WANTED TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

THEY CAME UP WITH SOLUTIONS AND THE HOUSE, THE SENATE DIDN'T SUPPORT IT AT THE END.

I WANT TO THANK LEADER REED FOR HIS GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP.

BUT WHEN IT GOT TO THE SENATE A LOT OF PLAYERS IN THE PLANNING OF THIS BILL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT FAILED BY ONE VOTE.

>> YEAH, I'M INTERESTED IN -- AFTER THE DUST SETTLES GOING AND HEARING THE STORIES OF WHAT ALL CONVERSATIONS WERE HAPPENING.

IT SOUNDED FASCINATING.

YOU TALK ABOUT REVENUE.

THIS HAS IMPLICATIONS BEYOND JUST GAMBLING BECAUSE WE HAVE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A -- IF NOT MEDICAID EXPANSION, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT REALLY THE GOVERNOR OF MEDICAID WOULD PROBABLY INITIATE BUT I KEEP HEARING REVENUE, EVEN LESS THAN $100 MILLION WOULD BE A BIG CARROT IN TERMS OF MAKING THE GOVERNOR FEEL A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH SOME KIND OF PLAN LIKE THAT.

DO YOU THINK THE FAILURE OF THIS GAMBLING PLAN MAKES THAT A LOT LESS LIKELY?

>> I'M SURE -- YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR STOOD IN THERE.

THE GOVERNOR, IN HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS SAID SHE WANTED A COMPREHENSIVE GAMING BILL.

SHE STAYS STEADFAST TO HER WORD.

SHE TRIED TO WORK WITH US.

I UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE.

I THINK WE CAN DO IT STILL, BUT I THINK THAT THAT MONEY WOULD HAVE MADE IT VERY MUCH POSSIBLE SO WE CAN SEE THE LONG-TERM AFFECTS OF HOW IT WAS GOING TO WORK.

>> IT TAKES AWAY A BARRIER, IF YOU WILL.

>> YES.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

YOU HAD A BILL, A SPECIFIC GAMBLING BILL ON HHR.

AM I GETTING IT RIGHT?

>> HHR.

>> SO A SIMULATED HORSE RACE BUT ON A SIMULATED SLOT MACHINE.

THIS IS A TERM I HADN'T HEARD BEFORE THIS YEAR.

>> HHR WAS IN THE BIG BILL IN GAMING.

HISTORICAL HORSE RACING HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

THEY DO IT IN BIRMINGHAM AND OTHER AREAS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERALS HAVE BASICALLY SAID IT WAS LEGAL.

IT IS A PARA MUTUAL GAME, BASED ON HISTORICAL HORSE RACING.

WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO IN THE GREENE COUNTY BILL IS TO CODIFY IT IN LANGUAGE TO SAY HISTORICAL HORSE RATIONING, DEFINE WHAT IT WAS, TAX IT, MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTOOD IT AND BE ABLE TO BRING IT BACK TO THE PARA MUTUAL SETTINGS AROUND THE STATE.

THIS BILL WAS PARTICULAR TO GREENE COUNTY.

SO, THEREFORE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR GREENE COUNTY WHICH WOULD HAVE KEPT PEOPLE WORKING, OPEN THE DOORS TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH BINGO AND OTHERS IN THE COUNTY.

IT FAILED.

IT WAS ON THE SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR -- I'M SORRY, IT WAS ON THE CALENDAR TODAY WITH THE HOUSE.

>> LIKE LOCAL BILLS.

>> LOCAL BILL CALENDAR WITH THE HOUSE AND THE HOUSE SINE DIED BEFORE THAT LEVEL.

WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

I WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR TRYING TO MAKE SURE I GET AND KEEP PEOPLE EMPLOYED THAT ARE DESTITUTE AND NEED IT.

>> THE ISSUE WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR I'M SURE.

I WANT TO GO DEEPER ON YOUR ROLE OF THE MINORITY LEADER.

WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT YOUR WORK.

WE KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO THESE BILLS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE A SUPERMAJORITY IN BOTH HOUSES.

IT COULD BE A TEMPTATION FOR THE MINORITY TO GIVE UP AND SAY, WELL, YOU ARE GOING TO RUN OVER US ANYWAY.

YOU HAVE NOT DONE THAT.

YOU HAVE ENGAGED AND GOTTEN THROUGH THE PROCESS.

I THINK THAT IS INTERESTING.

TALK ABOUT YOUR ROLE AS MINORITY LEADER AND THAT CHOICE TO ENGAGE RATHER THAN THROW UP YOUR HANDS.

>> MY MANTRA IS TO WAKE UP EVERY DAY TO WIN.

YOU CAN'T WIN BY GIVING UP.

I WANT TO GO TO THE FIGHT AND TAKE SOME BRUISES AND PUNCHES AND NEGOTIATE, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.

I'VE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LEADERS AND ACROSS THE AISLE.

WHAT I TRY TO DO IS DO COMMON SENSE.

BRING IT TO THE PEOPLE.

LET THEM UNDERSTAND THAT WHILE THEY WANT TO DO THESE THINGS FOR POLITICAL REASONS OR WHATEVER REASON WE COULD HAVE PEOPLE IN ALABAMA HURT BY THIS.

SHOWING THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ISSUES THEY ARE BRINGING FORTH AND HOW IT WILL HURT ALABAMIANS, EVERYDAY WORKING PEOPLE HERE IN ALABAMA.

APPLAUD LEADER REED FOR GIVING US A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND GOVERNOR IVEY GIVING US A SEAT AT THE TABLE SO WE CAN HAVE A VOICE TO EXPRESS IT.

I DON'T GO JUST TO FIGHT BUT TO WIN IF THAT IS PUT AN AMENDMENT ON THE BILL THAT WILL BASICALLY BRING THE BILL DOWN A NOTCH, ANOTHER LEVEL TO WHERE IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME MEANING, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO.

WE WILL TRY.

MY STAFF.

I HAVE GREAT ATTORNEYS ON MY STAFF WHO LOOK OVER AND STUDY AND ANALYZE THESE BILLS AND COME UP WITH A STRATEGY AND SO, I FEEL REAL GOOD THAT WHEN I GO TO THE FIGHT THAT I'M EQUIPPED AND I GO WITH MY NEGOTIATING SKILLS AND I COME OUT WITH SOME WINS.

I LIKE THE POSITION I'M IN.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN ARGUE WITH THAT.

IT IS A CONTRAST TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

THOUGH, IN TERMS OF COOPERATION BETWEEN REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT.

IT REALLY IS.

>> IT IS.

PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON -- I THINK THEY WANT TO STAY AT ODDS.

IT'S FOR THE NATIONAL PIECE.

EVERYBODY HAS TO GET ALONG.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GET ALONG.

IN ALABAMA WE HAVE TO THINK THAT WE HAVE TO MOVE A STATE.

OUR STATE IS COMPETITIVE AROUND THE WORLD WITH OTHER STATES.

WE ARE COMPETITIVE.

WE PASS BILLS LIKE WORKING FOR ALABAMA.

THOSE ARE BILLS THAT WE WORK TOGETHER IN A UNIFORM MANNER, CONNECT ALABAMA, BRINGING BROADBAND INTO THE STATE, ALL OF THOSE BILLS, AND ROAD PROJECTS, LOOK AT THE ROADS, EAST, WEST, SOUTH, REGARDLESS OF THE DISTRICT.

THAT'S WHY I LIKE THINK THE VISION OF GOVERNOR IVEY BRINGING US TO THE TABLE.

IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE COMPETITIVE IN A WORLD MARKET THAT IS SO COMPETITIVE.

EVERYONE SAYS THAT ALABAMA IS NUMBER 50.

MY GOAL IS TO BE NUMBER ONE.

I WAKE UP EVERY DAY TO WIN AND I WANT TO BE NUMBER ONE.

YOU HAVE TO DO THE THINGS THAT NUMBER ONE DOES.

I WAKE UP EVERY DAY TRYING TO CHALLENGE MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE I LOVE THIS STATE.

I LOVE ALABAMA.

I WILL BE HERE AND MY PEOPLE WILL BE HERE REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANYONE WANTS TO SAY.

I DON'T LET PARTISAN POLITICS GET IN THE WAY OF THAT WIN.

>> PUT ME IN, COACH.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER MONUMENTAL SESSION IN MANY WAYS.

I KNOW YOU ARE TIRED.

SAFE TRAVELS AND I GUESS WE WILL SEE YOU SOON.

>> THANK YOU, MY FRIEND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE 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.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THROUGHOUT THIS SESSION AS WE'VE REPORTED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK MY "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM - RANDY SCOTT, JEFF SANDERS, JOHN HOLMAN AND ROD RICHARDSON.

AND THE ENTIRE APT TEAM THAT MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE.

WITH THE SESSION COMPLETE, OUR NIGHTLY PROGRAMMING WILL END AS WE RETURN TO WEEKLY SHOWS.

I HOPE YOU'LL STAY TUNED THIS SUMMER AND FALL AS WE HAVE SOME INTERESTING PLANS FOR THE SHOW.

FROM THE STATE HOUSE, I'M TODD