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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE 20TH DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, MEANING WE ARE TWO THIRDS OF THE WAY FINISHED WITH TEN MORE MEETING DAYS TO GO.

THERE WAS LOTS OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION TODAY, AND WE'LL START IN THE SENATE WHERE SOME CONSEQUENTIAL BILLS WERE UP FOR DEBATE.

LAWMAKERS TOOK ACTION ON ALABAMA'S OPEN RECORDS LAW.

SENATE BILL 196 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR AIMS TO CREATE MORE UNIFORMITY, TRANSPARENCY AND EASE IN THE PROCESS TO ACQUIRE PUBLIC RECORDS.

ALABAMA'S CURRENT LAW IS FREQUENTLY RANKED AMONG THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY, AS IT IS EXCEEDINGLY HARD TO ACCESS PUBLIC RECORDS.

ORR OFFERED A NEW VERSION OF HIS BILL TODAY THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOSE REVEALING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

>> ANOTHER THING THAT WAS ADDED WAS LINE 156 WHERE IT SAYS THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED TO AND DOES NOT AFFECT ANY PROTECTIONS FOR SENSITIVE OR OTHER NONPUBLIC INFORMATION PROVIDED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

SO WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT CONFIDENTIAL AND NONPUBLIC INFORMATION IS NOT DISCLOSED OUT THERE.

WE ALSO -- IN THE SUBSTITUTE YOU WILL SEE WE ADDED THE FORMS.

YOU HAVE SOME LINES THERE IN THE FORMS WHERE YOU KNOW, NAME, ADDRESS, SO THERE CAN BE SOME CONSISTENCY WITH REQUESTS, SO IT DOESN'T COME IN ON A BACK OF AN ENVELOPE KIND OF THING.

BUT THERE IS A PROCESS.

WE EXPANDED SOME OF THE TIME LIMITATIONS.

>> THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND GOES TO THE HOUSE.

ONE MORE NOTE: THE TIME LIMIT FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO RESPOND TO A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST WAS INCREASED FROM 16 DAYS TO 20 DAYS IN THE NEW VERSION OF THE BILL.

CURRENT LAW HAS NO LIMIT, BUT RATHER SAYS AGENCIES MUST RESPOND IN A REASONABLE TIME.

THE SENATE ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION AIMED AT CRACKING DOWN ON RETAIL THEFT IN ALABAMA.

SENATE BILL 206 FROM SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS WOULD SET NEW STATUTES AND INCREASE PENALTIES FOR SHOPLIFTING, INCLUDING BY ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT.

SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON AMENDED THE BILL TO CLARIFY THAT MISTAKENLY PUSHING A CART PASSED A CHECKOUT DOESN'T CONSTITUTE SHOPLIFTING.

REPORTER: YOU GO PAST THE REGISTER, THAT WAS THEFT.

THEY COULDN'T CHARGE YOU FOR THEY HAVE TO DO.

AND EVEN AT WALMART THEY HAVE THE EYEGLASSES PAST THE REGISTER AND MAY HAVE OTHER ITEMS THEY WANT YOU TO COME AND SHOP.

BUT IF YOU ROLL THAT BUGGY PAST THAT, YOU COULD BE ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF PROPERTY.

AND ALSO THERE IS -- IT DEALS WITH WHEN BUGGIES ARE MOVED FROM THE PREMISES.

SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU HAVE PEOPLE AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES THAT LIVE AROUND GROCERY STORES, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE RIDES, THEY MAY TAKE A BUGGY BECAUSE THEY WALK HOME WITH THEIR GROCERIES WITH THE BUGGY, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE GOING TO RETURN IT RIGHT BACK TO THE LOT AGAIN.

THEY WOULD DO THAT.

SO WHAT THIS DOES IS GIVE THEM NOTICE THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOT A THEFT OF PROPERTY IF USED FOR THOSE PURPOSES.

>> THE SENATE ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT JUDGES IN THE STATE.

SENATE BILL 39 FROM STATE SENATOR SAM GIVHAN CREATES A TOTAL OF EIGHT MORE CIRCUIT JUDGESHIPS AND FIVE MORE DISTRICT JUDGESHIPS OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS.

HERE'S HOW THAT WILL WORK.

IN THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION, THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL JUDGESHIPS IN THE 11TH CIRCUIT, WHICH IS LAUDERDALE COUNTY, THE 19TH CIRCUIT, THAT'S AUTAUGA, CHILTON, AND ELMORE COUNTIES THE 23RD CIRCUIT, WHICH IS MADISON COUNTY AND THE 28TH CIRCUIT, WHICH IS BALDWIN COUNTY.

BALDWIN, DEKALB AND MOBILE ALSO GET ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGES.

IN THE 2026 ELECTION, THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL JUDGESHIPS IN THE 6TH CIRCUIT, WHICH IS TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, ANOTHER IN THE 19TH CIRCUIT FOR AUTAGUA, CHILTON AND ELMORE AND ANOTHER FOR THE 28TH FOR BALDWIN COUNTY.

MADISON AND SHELBY COUNTIES WILL GET ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGES THAT YEAR.

SENATORS HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S JUDGE ALLOCATION PROBLEM.

THIS BILL IS THE RESULT OF NEGOTIATION AND COMPROMISE.

>> I THINK THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE PRODUCT OF A LOT OF BIPARTISANSHIP COOPERATION.

AT THIS TIME, AND I SEE MY CO-SPONSOR OF THE SUBSTITUTE, THIS WILL BE A GAVAN SMITHER MAN SUBSTITUTE I WILL BE OFFERING.

>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR SITTING DOWN AND TRYING TO WORK THROUGH IT.

THIS IS PROBABLY A CASE BOOK EXAMPLE OF WHAT WEBSTER SAYS IN THE DICTIONARY AS THE DEFINITION OF POLITICS, AND THAT'S THE ART OF COMPROMISE.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK WE HAVE HERE.

PROBABLY SENATOR GAVAN AND I HAVE SPENT THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKENDS -- I KNOW HE AND I HAVE TALKED TO EACH OTHER ON FRIDAY.

WE TALKED TO EACH OTHER SATURDAY.

AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW -- WE PROBABLY TALKED TO EACH OTHER ON SUNDAY.

>> SO THE SENATOR FROM MADISON COUNTY, AS WELL AS THE SENATOR FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY WHO HAD WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS BODY ON THE LEGISLATION RELATED TO JUDGES THAT WAS PASSED JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO AND I WANT TO THANK THOSE GENTLEMEN FOR THEIR DILIGENCE FOR THE PROCESS AND THE GOOD THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> LAST THING FROM THE SENATE, THEY CONCURRED WITH THE HOUSE CHANGES TO SENATE BILL 222, WHICH IS THE BILL THAT IN PART AUTHORIZES THE LEGISLATURE TO CONTRACT WITH RSA TO BUILD A NEW STATE HOUSE.

THAT'S ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

ON TO THE HOUSE, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK UP A BILL UPDATING THE STATE'S CHARTER SCHOOL LAW.

HOUSE BILL 363 WOULD MODIFY THE ALABAMA PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION BY CHANGING THE COMMISSION'S APPOINTMENT PROCESS, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL CONVERSIONS AND ENROLLMENT, AND BY CLARIFYING LANGUAGE RELATED TO FUNDING FOR NEW CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> THE CHARTER COMMISSIONERS WOULD BECOME APPOINTED -- NOT JUST NOMINATED BUT APPOINTED, INCLUDED IN THAT APPOINTMENT PROCESS WOULD NOT JUST BE THE GOVERNOR, LT.

GOVERNOR, SPEAKER AND PRO TEM, BUT ALSO THE MINORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE AND THE MINORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE.

THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ORIENTATION TRAINING AND ANNUAL TRAINING BECAUSE BEING AN AUTHORIZER HAS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES, AND WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE ARE.

THEY WOULD HAVE A FOUR-YEAR TERMINATE FROM TWO YEAR, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TIME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR JOB IS.

THEY COULD BE REAPPOINTED ONE TIME.

IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW THE COMMISSION, WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT POLITICIANS TO BE LABELED TO USE THEIR OWN RUBRIC TO JUSTIFY THE APPLICATION.

THAT WAY CHARTER APPLICATIONS CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AS THEY GO ALONG THE PROCESS.

AND THEN LASTLY, THAT THE CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THAT THEIR FUNDING FOLLOWS JUST LIKE ALL OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND THAT'S HOW WE WOULD WANT IT TO BE.

>> THAT BILL PASSED 76 TO 25 AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

THERE WAS SOME DRAMA ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY, AS SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER GAVELED AND CUT OF THE MIC FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE NAPOLEON BRACY DURING DEBATE.

THE SPEAKER SAID BRACY WAS OUT OF ORDER BY HIS COMMENTS NOT BEING GERMANE TO THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION, BUT BRACY STRONGLY DISAGREED.

>> WELL, WHEN WE HAVE BILLS THAT PASS THIS BODY AND WE MOVE SO FAST AND WE DON'T ALLOW CONVERSATION ABOUT IT AND WE GET CLOTURE ON BILLS LIKE THAT, IT ALWAYS LEAVES ROOM FOR UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES WHERE NOW WE'RE PENALIZING THE VERY PEOPLE THAT HERE WE WANT TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES BUT WE PENALIZE THEM IN ANOTHER INSTANCE BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM, THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT THEY VOTE AND THE ONLY WAY THEY VOTED PROBABLY IN THE LAST 10 OR 20 YEARS.

BUT JUST FOR THEIR FAMILY MEMBER ASSISTING THEM OR SOMEONE SENDING THEM THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOT, THEY'RE COMMITTING A FELONY AND ALSO THEIR FAMILY MEMBER OR WHOEVER IT IS THAT 70 IT TO THEM AND IS COMMITTED.

[GAVEL SOUNDS] >> WE ARE STICKING TO IT.

>> NO, WE ARE NOT.

>> YES, WE ARE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT -- IF I CAN EXPLAIN.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MILITARY -- [GAVEL SOUNDS] (IN DISCERNIBLE ARGUING).

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> IT WASN'T GERMANE TO THE BILL.

WE TRY TO HAVE DECORUM AND IF YOU RULE MASON'S RULES AND OUR RULES YOU HAVE TO STAY IN LINE WITH WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

HE WAS OUT OF LINE.

WE WASN'T TALKING ABOUT THE VOTING RIGHTS BILL.

WE PASSED IT LAST WEEK.

AS A MATTER OF FACT RULE 4 IN MASON SAYS YOU TALK ABOUT THE BILL YOU'RE ON.

IF YOU GO OFF YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE GAVELED DOWN OR CORRECTED.

HE WAS OUT OF LINE.

THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO TALK ABOUT.

>> THAT'S THE LATEST FROM THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

COMING UP NEXT I'LL SIT DOWN WITH SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON TO GET HIS TAKE ON THE WEEK.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

ARE.

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

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

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

>> WE ARE NOW 2/3 FINISHED WITH THIS SESSION.

TODAY WAS THE 20TH LEGISLATIVE DAY.

THAT MEANS YOU HAVE 10 MORE THAT I GUESS ARE GOING TO BE KIND OF SPREAD OUT, YOU KNOW, NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS.

IT'S KIND OF HAPPENED QUICKER -- IT COMES QUICKER THAN YOU REALIZE.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE AT A GOOD PLACE WITH WHERE THE SESSION HAS GONE SO FAR.

>> SO FAR I THINK WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE.

I REALLY FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE HAVE BEEN.

I THINK WE HAVE GOTTEN SOME BUDGETS OUT, ESPECIALLY THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

GENERAL FUND IS MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

WE GOT TO GO THROUGH THE FUNDS AND GET THEM OUT.

SO WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING A ARE THE OF MONEY, A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND SURPRISINGLY HERE IT IS THE 20 DAY AND IT'S RAN UP ON US SO FAST.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE NO TIME LEFT TO DO A LOT OF OTHER STUFF.

>> AND THOSE DAYS WILL START GETTING LONG.

AND TEMPERS SHORT SOMETIMES.

MOSTLY THAT HAPPENS IN THE HOUSE.

AND WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT SOME OF THAT BUDGET STUFF LATER.

TODAY, THOUGH, Y'ALL PASSED REALLY A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT BILLS.

THIS ONE DEALING WITH RETAIL THEFT.

THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT AS A HUGE PROBLEM -- NOT JUST HERE BUT OUR PROSECUTORS HAVING ASKING FOR MORE TOOLS TO HELP THEM WITH THE SHOT LIFTING AND THE ORGANIZED THEFT.

YOU HAD AN ATTEMPT ON HERE TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE.

TELL ME WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DID.

>> WELL, THIS BILL BASICALLY WAS ON RETAIL THEFT THAT WOULD GIVE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS TO BE ABLE TO -- TO CHARGE SOMEONE WITH THEFT IF THEY WERE APPROACHING THE CASH REGISTER.

IF THEY'RE PAST THE CASH REGISTER AT ANY POINT IN TIME THEY COULD BE CHARGED WITH THEFT.

AND THAT MAY NOT BE THE INTENT.

SO WE LOOKED AT THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THAT.

AND I DID AN AMENDMENT TODAY JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID NOT HAVE THAT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE THAT WHEN A PERSON IS SHOPPING AND COME UP TO THE CASH REJOICE OFFICER THERE MAY BE PRODUCTS BEYOND THE CASH REGISTER CENTER.

LIKE WALMART.

EVEN WALMART YOU HAVE GOT THE OPTICAL DIVISION, SOMETIMES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CASH REGISTER.

YOU GOT YOUR LITTLE BANKING SYSTEM.

THEY MAY EVEN HAVE THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE SIDE.

SO WHEN YOU NEED TO GO THERE AND YOU DON'T WANT TO CHECK OUTRIGHT -- IF YOU PUSH THAT BUGGY PAST THERE, UNDER THIS BILL, YOU WILL BE ARRESTED FOR THEFT.

AND SO UNDER MY AMENDMENT IT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, GO OUT TO THE GARDEN AREA, GO OUTSIDE AND SHOP FOR FLOWERS WITH YOUR BUGGIES AND STILL BE ABLE TO COME BACK IN AND PAY FOR YOUR PRODUCTS.

>> SO IF IT'S UNINTENTIONAL -- >> YES.

>> SO THAT AMENDMENT WAS ADDED TO THE BILL AND THEN IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

>> IT PASSED.

PLUS THAT AMENDMENT WILL GO PROTECTED THOSE CITIZENS WHO MAY LIVE SOMEWHERE IN AROUND A CONVENIENCE STORE WHERE THEY MAY NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION AND SOMETIMES THEY MAY TAKE A BUGGY FROM THE PARKING LOT SO THEY CAN TAKE THEIR GROCERIES HOME OR THEIR PRODUCTS TO THE HOUSE.

SO IT PROTECTED THEM FROM BEING A CRIMINAL ACT TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> DID YOU HEAR FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY, ARE THEY STILL ON BOARD WITH THIS BILL?

THEY THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A USEFUL TOOL FOR ADDRESSING THIS.

>> THEY FELT MY AMENDMENTS WERE FRIENDLY AND DID NOT STOP THE ULTIMATE GOAL WHICH THEY WERE TRYING TO ACHIEVE UNDER THIS BILL.

>> YOU KNOW, CRIME LEGISLATION, LEGISLATION DEALING WITH CRIME, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF NOT JUST IN THIS SESSION BUT IN RECENT SESSION SEAS A TOUGH ISSUE POLITICALLY.

IT COMES WITH A LOT OF EMOTION ON BOTH SIDES.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY Y'ALL SEEM TO GET DOWN AND NEGOTIATE ON THESE THINGS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN VARIOUS BILLS THIS YEAR.

WALK ME THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT NEGOTIATING WITH THE MAJORITY, KNOWING THEY'RE A SUPER MAJORITY AND TRYING TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE IN THESE CRIME BILLS FOR YOU AND YOUR CAUCUS?

>> NUMBER 1, I FRY TO APPEAL TO MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUE'S HUMANITY.

AND HERE WE ARE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE.

THEY REPRESENT PEOPLE JUST LIKE I DO.

WE ALL REPRESENT 150,000 PEOPLE.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF DIVERSITY.

EVERYBODY IS NOT RICH BECAUSE THEY'RE REPUBLICAN.

EVERYBODY IS NOT POOR OR CRIMINALS JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE DEMOCRATS.

YOU HAVE A MIRACLES IN.

THEY ALL HAVE PROBLEMS ON THEIR SIDE.

I TRY TO DEAL WITH THE HUMAN SIDE OF PEOPLE AND LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THE HUMANITY OF MAN IS AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO TREAT HIM OR HER IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND MAKE SURE IT'S FAIR YET STILL PROTECTING THE VICTIM, PROTECTING BUSINESS TO WHERE THEY'RE STEALING FROM AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING EVERYBODY GETS JUSTICE IN THIS PROCESS.

SO, LITTLE REID IS A MAN OF FAITH AND WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND HEAR THOSE HUMANITY ISSUES.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER.

THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS ON THE ORDINARY SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE GOING.

SO THEREFORE WE DON'T ALWAYS GET TO THE POINT TO WHERE WE WANT TO GO.

BUT WHEN WE DO, I APPRECIATE THE CAMARADERIE AND BEING ABLE TO DO IT IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER.

>> WELL, ANOTHER TOUGH ISSUE POLITICALLY IS NOT GOING TO GO TO DO WITH VOTING.

>> YES.

>> ANY TIME A VOTING BUILT COMES UP, IT'S FRAUGHT POLITICALLY, ESPECIALLY IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT.

SO THERE'S A BILL COMING UPSTAIRS, THIS BALLOT HARVESTING.

THEY'RE CALLING IT BALLOT HARVESTING BUT WHEN IT WAS ON THE FLOOR IN THE HOUSE, MOST IF NOT ALL DEMOCRATS SAID IT GOES WAY BEYOND BATTLE HARVESTING IDEA TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE, YOU KNOW.

>> YES.

>> GRANDMA, YOU KNOW, TO VOTE ABSENTEE.

SO IT'S COMING UPSTAIRS.

ARE YOU TRACKING THIS PILL?

AND WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> WE'RE RETRACTING THIS BILL.

BECAUSE I WAS CALLED IN BY THE NEW ELECTED SECRETARY OF STATE ALAN WHEN HE CAME INTO OFFICE WHEN WE WERE DOING THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION.

AND I WENT IN AND SAT DOWN WITH HIM AND HIS CHIEF OF STAFF.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BILL.

AND I TRIED TO GIVE THEM INFORMATION ON HOW THIS WOULD BE WOULD HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES AND YOU WOULD BE GIVING A FELONY TO SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBER WHO ASSISTED WITH AN APPLICATION.

RIGHT NOW TO GIVE SOMEONE AN APPLICATION IS NOT ILLEGAL.

YOU KNOW, EVEN IF YOU HELP SOMEONE SIGN -- IF YOU HELP SOMEONE FILL THE INFORMATION OUT IN THE APPLICATION, WHICH IS GENERAL INFORMATION, THE ONLY ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE TO SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT ON ON THAT APPLICATION IS YOUR SIGNATURE SIGNATURE.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT ILLEGAL IS IF YOU SIGN SOMEONE'S SIGNATURE ILLEGALLY.

AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT SIGN SOMEONE'S SIGNATURE IT'S NOT ILLEGAL TO HELP THEM WITH THE PROCESS OF FILLING OUT THAT GENERAL INFORMATION TODAY.

WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IS IT MAKE ALL OF THAT ILLEGAL IF YOU'RE NOT A FAMILY MEMBER AND GIVE YOU A CLASS C FELL FEE FOR IT.

>> DO THEY HAVE A POINT?

IS THERE A PROBLEM OUT THERE WITH, YOU KNOW, ORGANIZED -- >> NO.

LET ME STOP YOUR QUESTIONS.

NO, THERE'S NOT.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS IN OUR VOTING SYSTEM.

WE HAVE CLEAN VOTING, EVEN WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ACROSS THE NATION WAS CRYING ABOUT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS IN ALABAMA AND OTHER PLACES.

YOU KNOW, JOHN MERRILL RAN A GOOD VOTING SYSTEM.

I UNDERSTAND IT.

THE SYSTEM THAT HE LEFT IN PLACE.

IF MR. ALLEN WERE TO LOOK AT THIS SYSTEM, THEY COULD RUN A CLEAN VOTING SYSTEM.

WE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ABSENTEE BALLOTING IN THIS STATE.

THE ONLY TIME WE HAVE HAD SOMEONE TO BE CONVICTED WAS IN WILSON COUNTY WAS A WHITE SHERIFF.

AND SO -- BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS KIND OF BALLOT HARVESTING PROBLEMS.

I KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM.

IT COMES FROM A CASE THAT WAS FILED BY MICHAEL JACKSON AT THE END OF HIS TIME, AND THAT CASE WAS KICKED OUT OF COURT BECAUSE IT HAD NO MERITS.

WE KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE DECIDED TO JUMP ON THIS.

AND IT'S TOO EARLY IN THE GAME.

THEY JUST GOT THERE.

THEY'RE NEW.

SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE REALLY LOOKING AT THIS BILL AT THIS POINT WHEN THERE'S NOT A PROBLEM IN THE STATE.

>> WELL, SOUND LIKE TO THE FLOOR -- IF IT GOES TO THE FLOOR WE JUST GOT APALLY OF YOUR 1ST HOUR.

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT.

>> WELL, THAT'S INTERESTING.

BECAUSE, LIKE I SAID, ANY TIME THERE'S AN ELECTION ISSUE, VOTING ISSUE, IT IS FRAUGHT WITH POLITICS.

AND A LOT OF THESE THINGS WILL THEM SEEM LIKE NATIONAL ISSUES OR WHATEVER THAT ARE KIND OF BLEEDING DOWN, AND THEN -- OH, LET'S FILE A STATE BILL.

I WANT TO GET TO THE ISSUE OF DEMOPOLIS.

I GUESS IT REALLY STARTS WITH THE BUDGET.

EDUCATION BUDGET THROUGH THE SENATE LAST WEEK CAME WITH A $2.8 BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL, WHICH IS KIND OF UNHEARD OF, THIS EXTRA MONEY.

BUT IT CHANGED DRAMATICALLY FROM WHAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED TO WHAT WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE.

LOTS OF CHANGES.

ONE OF THOSE CHANGES WAS TAKING OUT MOST OF THE MONEY THAT WAS GOING TO TOWARDS THIS HIGH SCHOOL DEDICATED TOWARDS HEALTH SERVICES WORKERS, HEALTH WORKERS AND NURSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT WAS GOING TO BE BUILT IN DEMOPOLIS.

IT WAS A BIG DEAL FOR THAT TOWN.

CAME OUT OF THE BUDGET.

AND YOU EXPRESSED YOUR DISAPPOINTMENT ON THE FLOOR.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOUR DISAGREEMENTS WERE.

AND MAYBE BEFORE THAT KIND OF TELL US WHAT THIS PROJECT WAS ALL ABOUT.

>> OK. FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY, DEMOPOLIS IS A BEAUTIFUL CITY THAT SITS RIGHT THEREN ZERO THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER.

AND IT COULD BE A LITTLE SMALL PORT CITY, YOU KNOW?

DEMOPOLIS HAS THE RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH.

IT HAS -- UAB HAS COME IN AND LOOKED AT THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THERE UNDER A BILL WE PASSED IN 2013 ALLOWING TEACHING HOSPITALS TO BE ABLE TO COME IN.

SO UAB LOOKED AT AT THIS AREA AND SAID HEY THIS WOULD BE A PERFECT SCHOOL.

SO WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO WAS GET UAB PROFESSORS YOU KNOW, DIRECTOR OF NURSING AT UAB AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS THERE AT UAB, ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA, INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE, WE TALKED TO HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL FROM THE NORTH, WE TALKED TO USA, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA IN THE SOUTH -- THEY ALL CAME TO THE TABLE.

AND THEY LOOKED AT WHERE WOULD IT BE BEST TO BE ABLE TO SET A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SCHOOL.

SO WE DECIDED TO BRING IT TO DEMOPOLIS ALABAMA.

AND IN DEMOPOLIS -- BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PANDEMIC, THE ALABAMA BLACK BELT WE LOST A LOT OF OUR CITIZENS TO DEATH BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ARE RESPIRATORS A THE OUR HOSPITALS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

THIS SCHOOL IS A STATEWIDE SCHOOL THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS SCHOOL THAT ANYONE CAN APPLY ACROSS THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO COME TO THAT SCHOOL THAT WE WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE IN DEMOPOLIS.

JUST LIKE THE MATH AND SCIENCE SCHOOL IN MOBILE, OR SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES UP IN BIRMINGHAM.

THIS IS THE SAME MODEL WE'RE LOOKING AT BRINGING TO WEST ALABAMA.

AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS TO TRAIN HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE NUMBER 1 INDUSTRY THAT NEEDS WORKERS RIGHT NOW IN OUR WORKFORCE TODAY.

WE CAN PUT HEALTH CARE WORKERS TO WORK ALL DAY LONG.

BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO COME TO THE BLACK BELT AREA AND BE ABLE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE.

WE WANT TO GROW OUR OWN PEOPLE.

BUT AGAIN IT IS NOT A BLACK BELT SCHOOL.

IT IS A STATEWIDE SCHOOL.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HUNTSVILLE WILL BE ABLE TO GET NURSES AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND OUR PEOPLE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO DO DENTAL TECHNICIANS AND ALL.

WE WANT TO TRAIN THOSE PEOPLE, START THEM AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

WE HAVE WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE THERE IN DEMOPOLIS, THEY CAN DO DUAL ENROLLMENT WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE WHEN THEY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL THEY'RE GRADUATING FROM A TWO YEARS COLLEGE SYSTEM AND GO ON TO A FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL OR INTO THE WORKFORCE, THEY WILL BE WORKFORCE READY.

THEY HAVE A CLINICAL THERE AT THE HOSPITAL.

WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A SCHOOL RIGHT NEXT TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY CAN DO THEIR CLINIC CELT THERE AT THE HOSPITAL.

IT'S THE PERFECT SET UP FOR WEST ALABAMA, FOR THE BLACK BELT TO HAVE HAD A SCHOOL SUCH AS THIS THAT COULD HAVE CATAPULTED US TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

>> WHAT WAS THE EXPLANATION FOR TAKING IT OUT?

>> WELL, WHEN I TALKED TO THE CHAIRMAN ORR, CHAIRMAN ORR THOUGHT -- HE DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL.

HE THOUGHT THE ABOUT THE REGION, THE POVERTY, I GUESS, WHERE WE SAT, AND WHETHER OR NOT ANYONE WOULD REALLY WANTED TO COME TO THE BLACK BELT, IN I OTHER PEOPLE FROM BIRMINGHAM, HUNTSVILLE OR ANYWHERE ACROSS THE STATE WOULD WANT TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO THE BLOOD CELL BELT.

>> IT'S A BOARDING SITUATION.

>> IT'S A BOARDING -- IT WOULD BE PA DORMITORY SITUATION.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 200 STUDENTS OR LESS TO START WITH.

SO WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO BUILD ON THAT, TO MAKE SURE THAT ALABAMA HAS A HEALTHY COMMUNITY, A HEALTHY WORKFORCE, A HEALTHY FINANCIAL COMMUNITY, HEALTHY EDUCATION COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE WE COULD SEND HEALTHY WORKERS TO WORK, HEALTHY MOM AND DADS TO WORK, HEALTHY CHILDREN SCHOOL.

WE COULD HAVE A HEALTHY WORKFORCE IN THE STATE AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO LOOK FOR IN THAT SCHOOL IN DEMOPOLIS.

MIND YOU, WE'RE JUST IN THE 4TH QUART OF THE BUDGET.

IT IS NOT OVER.

>> THERE'S TWO MORE THINGS, MAYBE MORE THAN THAT.

IT HAS TO GO TO THE HOUSE.

THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BRING IT UP THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THEN IT WILL COME BACK OVER PROBABLY.

THEN YOU'VE GOT THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

YOU ALSO HAVE THE GOVERNOR WHO OBVIOUSLY BUT THIS IN HER BUDGET TO BEGIN WITH.

>> IT WAS IN HER STATE TO STATE ADDRESS.

>> SO DO YOU -- ARE YOU COMPETENT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET IT BACK IN.

>> LOOK THE GOVERNOR IS FROM THE BLACK BELT HERSELF.

WILCOX COUNTY.

I BELIEVE IN THIS GOVERNOR.

THIS GOVERNOR HAS BEEN GOOD RURAL COMMUNITIES ALL OF THE THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROPOSING TO MAKE SURE RURAL COMMUNITIES WERE THERE.

I PLOY THE GOVERNOR TO STEP UP AND ASK THE CHAIRMAN TO PUT THIS BACK IN THE BUDGET.

IT WAS A PART OF HER PLAN.

SHE ANNOUNCED IT.

AND SO I FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT US BEING ABLE TO GET IT BACK IN.

I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP ON IT.

OUR REPRESENTATIVE CAMPBELL IN THE HOUSE HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON IT.

WE HAD A DELEGATION THIS WEEK FROM DEMOPOLIS.

THIS IS NOT A DEMOPOLIS SCHOOL.

THIS IS A STATE OF ALABAMA SCHOOL FOR ALL OF CITIZENS IN THIS STATE.

BUT WE ARE FOCUSING ON IT IN THE BLACK BELT SO THAT WE AT LEAST CAN GROW THOSE PROFESSIONS IN THE BLACK BELT THAT WE NEED ON THE HEALTH CARE STREET.

>> SOMETHING TO WATCH GOING FORWARD FOR SURE.

SENATOR, THAT I THINK AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" "WEEK IN REVIEW" EPISODE.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

I'M TODD STACEY.