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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT WAS A BUSY DAY HERE IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, WHERE THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET FOR THE 16TH LEGISLATIVE DAY.

THAT MEANS THERE ARE 14 REMAINING THIS SESSION.

WE'LL START IN THE HOUSE, WHERE ANOTHER TAX CUT BILL WAS BEFORE THE BODY.

THIS ONE, HOWEVER, CAME FROM A DEMOCRAT.

HOUSE BILL 217 FROM HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS WOULD ELIMINATE THE STATE INCOME TAX FOR OVERTIME HOURS WORKED.

DANIELS SAID THE LEGISLATION WILL HELP WORKERS BY PUTTING MORE IN THEIR POCKET AND HELP BUSINESSES BE ABLE TO FIND MORE WORKERS AND PRODUCE MORE.

>> MEMBERS, THIS IS THE VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT HAS BROAD SUPPORT IN THIS CHAMBER, BUT IT'S A BILL THAT REALLY ADDRESSES THE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS, A PERSON THAT WORKS 40 HOURS, AN HOURLY WORKER THAT WORKS 40 HOURS, ANY HOUR AFTER THE 40-HOUR MARK, THE STATE OF ALABAMA TAX IS AT 5 PERCENT.

SO YOU'RE TAXING TIME AND A HALF AT 5 PERCENT, WITH THIS LEGISLATION, WHAT THIS WILL DO IS ALLOW THAT 5 PERCENT TO GO BACK TO THE EMPLOYEE JUST FOR OVERTIME ONLY.

>> AND I JUST WANT TO SAY YOU NOT ONLY THOUGHT OUTSIDE OF THE BOX, YOU CREATED A BOX THAT ALABAMA HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

AND I AM SO ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK FOR ALABAMA BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR THE EMPLOYEE, GOOD FOR BUSINESS, AND OVERALL IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY, NOT JUST LOCALLY BUT ALABAMA AS A WHOLE.

SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN STOP THE LEADING FROM PEOPLE GOING ELSEWHERE.

>> THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

ALSO IN THE HOUSE, THERE WAS LEGISLATION ENSURING DEALING WITH HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC EVENTS.

HOUSE BILL 364 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE HURST WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO ACCEPT CASH FOR ADMISSION TO SPORTING EVENTS.

HURST AND HIS COLLEAGUES SAY THAT HIGH SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE ARE STARTING TO GO CREDIT CARD ONLY AND THAT IT'S ONLY FAIR TO ALLOW CASH TO BE USED.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS BLACKSHEAR OFFERED AN AMENDMENT TO ENSURE CASH WOULD ALSO BE ACCEPTED AT STATE SPONSORED EVENTS, SUCH AS THE HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

>> A LADY CAME UP -- A GRANDMOTHER -- SHE WAS BETTER THAN ZERO SEVEN OR BETWEEN 70 AND 80 WE YEARS OLD WITH THREE GRANDKIDS.

SHE SAID WE CAME TO THE BALLGAME AND WE DON'T TAKE CASH.

WE TAKE CREDIT CARD.

SHE SAID I DON'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD.

ALL I HAVE IS CASH.

HE SAID YOU CAN'T GET IN.

SHE SAID MY GRANDKIDS CALLED ME TO SPEND A WEEKEND WITH ME.

I DROVE ALMOST 30 MILES OVER HERE AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LET MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THIS GAME.

AND SHE SAID, NO, YOU CAN'T GET IN.

SO THIS IS -- THIS INFURIATED ME AND I CHECK TO FIND OUT AND IT'S ALL OVER THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH CASH TODAY?

EVERYBODY WANTS CASH.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH CASH?

SO WHAT I'M SAYING IS THIS.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO RECTIFY THIS ACT.

AND WHAT I'M SAYING IS -- I WILL READ THE SYNOPSIS OF IT.

IT SAYS THIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE A PUBLIC K-12 SCHOOL OR LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ACCEPT CASH OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT OF ITS CHOOSING FOR ADMISSION TO SCHOOL SPONSORED SPORTING EVENTS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THAT MEANS THEY CAN TAKE CREDIT CARDS, CASH, ET CETERA BUT THEY'VE GOT TO TAKE CASH.

>> THE BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

UPSTAIRS IN THE SENATE, SENATORS TOOK UP THE ISSUE OF STREET RACING OR EXHIBITION DRIVING.

HOUSE BILL 29 IS SPONSORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY AND IS BEING CARRIED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN.

IT WOULD GIVE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BETTER TOOLS TO CRACK DOWN ON STREET RACING, A PROBLEM THAT SMITHERMAN DESCRIBED AS DEADLY.

>> SMITHERMAN: FOLKS RUNNING AROUND AND DOING DOUGHNUTS IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET, SPEEDING AND RACING.

WE HAD FOUR PEOPLE KILLED IN BIRMINGHAM WHO WERE JUST STANDING ON THE SIDELINES WHEN ONE OF THESE AUTOMOBILES WENT OUT OF CONTROL.

AND AS LATE AS YESTERDAY OUT AT THE AIRPORT WHERE THEY REALLY DISRUPTED THE WHOLE THING AND PLACED PEOPLE IN DANGER.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES, IT GOES FROM THEM HAVING TO EXCITE THEM ON RECKLESS DRIVING CAN AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE TO BE ABLE TO PUT TEETH IN THE BILL WHERE THEY CAN APPREHEND THE CAR, APPREHEND THIS PERSON AND IF THEY INJURY SOMEONE IT CAN BECOME A CLASS C FELONY.

>> THAT BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE SENATE ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION DEALING WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY.

HOUSE BILL 164 WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMPLETE A COURSE ON BASIC MONEY MANAGEMENT BEFORE GRADUATING.

STATE SENATOR JAY HOVEY, WHO WAS CARRYING THE BILL FOR REPRESENTATIVE ANDY WHIT, SAID KIDS ARE LEAVING SCHOOL FOR THE REAL WORLD WITHOUT THE BASIC TOOLS THEY NEED TO MAKE SOUND FINANCIAL DECISIONS.

>> YOU KNOW, ON YOUR HOURS, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SO.

HOURS TO GRADUATE.

AND DOES THIS COUNT AS ONE OF THOSE HOURS?

OR DOES IT NOT?

DO YOU KNOW?

>> I DO KNOW.

THE INTENT HERE IS NOT TO ADD ANY ADDITIONAL COURSES.

THIS IS IT ACTUALLY TO IMPLEMENT CURRICULUM INTO EXISTING CLASSES.

>> OKAY.

>> SO THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL TESTING FOR GRADUATION.

BUT THIS IS JUST AN OUTLINE OF REQUIREMENTS TO BE ADDED TO EXISTING CLASSES.

>> OK. >> THAT IS FINAL PASSAGE FOR THE FINANCIAL LITERACY BILL AS IT NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.

THERE WAS ALSO ACTION IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

THE SENATE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY TOOK UP AND PASSED LEGISLATION CRACKING DOWN ON LOITERING ON PUBLIC ROADS AND BRIDGES.

HOUSE BILL 24 DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY MENTION THE WORD PANHANDLING, BUT IT DOES PROHIBIT PEOPLE FROM ASKING FOR MONEY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

THE BILL IS SUPPORTED BY THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND SEVERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE REED INGRAM SAYS IT'S ALSO A [PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURE.

>> THE 22 STATS ARE NOT IN YET FROM DOT BUT IN 21 WE HAD OVER 800 RUN OVER AND GET KILLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STANDING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR DRUG ABUSE THAT ARE OUT THERE BEGGING FOR MONEY.

THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL IN MY CITY HERE IN MONTGOMERY THAT HAVE GOTTEN RUN OVER.

SO IT'S A LIABILITY FOR THEM TO BE OUT ON THE ROAD AND IT'S A LIABILITY FOR THE DRIVER TO BE OUT THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE HEALTH RESPONSIBILITY IF THEY HIT ONE OF THEM.

SO YOU KNOW, ON STATE HIGHWAYS THE SPEED LIMITS GENERALLY A LITTLE HIGHER THAN A COUNTY ROAD OR A CITY ROAD.

SO WE'RE JUST TAKING IT TO WHERE NO LOITERING ON A STATE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

YOU ASK STILL WALK, IF YOU'RE WALKING OR JOGGING, NOT A PROBLEM.

YOU CAN STILL DO WHATEVER YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALLOWS YOU TO DO.

BUT LOITERING AND STANDING OUT IN THE ROAD AND BEGGING IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE.

AND A LOT OF PLACES AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING UNDER-PASSES AND IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS IF THERE WAS A CAR ACCIDENT OR TRUCK TURNOVER.

>> OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE TODAY, A HIGH RANKING NAVY OFFICER MADE A VISIT TO HIS NATIVE STATE TO DISCUSS ALABAMA'S ROLE IN MILITARY AND TRADE MATTERS.

REAR ADMIRAL MIKE BROWN ADDRESSED THE MONTGOMERY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SAYING THE STATE STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM INVESTMENTS IN THE PORT OF ALABAMA AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> ALABAMA IS AN EXPORTING POWERHOUSE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNEW THAT ABOUT ALABAMA, BUT IT IS.

ONE THERE ARE FROM EVERY $9 FROM THE STATE'S ECONOMY DEPENDS ON TRADE -- SPECIFICALLY DEPENDS ON EXPORTS.

RIGHT?

EXPORTS OF FARM PRODUCTS, LIKE OBVIOUSLY COTTON AND PEANUTS; EXPORTS OF TO DO LIKE POULTRY AND CATFISH, AND TIMBER AND PAPER.

BUT THE BULK OF THE EXPORTS NOW COME IN -- EXPORTS COME IN HIGH-ADDED-VALUE FIELDS -- AUTOS LIKE HYUNDAI AND AUTO PARTS, AVIATION AND AVIATION MATERIALS AND HIGH-END CHEMICALS FOR INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES.

THOSE GO TO CANADA, TO MEXICO, TO GERMANY, TO CHINA, TO JAPAN, AND TO SOUTH KOREA.

SO FROM THAT, MOBILE IS BOOMING.

MOBILE IS NOW THE 11TH LARGEST PORT IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT ALABAMA CAN'T RECOGNIZE THAT REVENUE IF IT'S EXPORTS CAN'T GET TO WHERE THEY'RE GOING AND THEY GET TO WHERE THEY'RE GOING BECAUSE THE NAVY PROVIDES THE FREEDOM OF SEAS THAT ALLOWS THAT GOODNESS TO HAPPEN.

>> AND BEFORE WE GO TO BREAK, JOE BORG ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT TODAY FROM THE ALABAMA SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

BORG HAS LED THE AGENCY FOR 28 YEARS, OVERSEEING THE RETURN OF NEARLY $275 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE GENERAL FUND AND MORE THAN $265 MILLION IN RESTITUTION ORDERED TO VICTIMS.

HE'S ALSO BEEN A FREQUENT GUEST HERE ON CAPITOL JOURNAL AND WE ALL WISH HIM CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES FOR RETIREMENT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

ED.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE FROM OZARKS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS, TODD.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU HAVE A BILL ON THE FLOOR TODAY DEALING WITH LOCAL FUTURE TAXES.

THIS IS IF A CITY OR COUNTY WANTS TO GO AND PASS A LOCAL FUEL TAX, GASOLINE, DIESEL, THEN IT HAS TO GO TOWARDS ROADS AND BRIDGES.

DID I CHARACTERIZE THAT CORRECTLY?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THIS BILL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

I HADN'T SPONSORED IT UNTIL THIS YEAR.

AND I THINK A LOT OF CONCERN FROM GASOLINE RETAILERS IS THAT, OVER THE YEARS NOW, MORE AND MORE CITIES AND SOME COUNTIES BUT VERY FEW COUNTIES PASSING GASOLINE TAXES NOT NECESSARILY DEDICATED TO ROADS AND BRIDGES AND OTHER THINGS INVOLVED IN THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

SO I WANT TO TAKE THIS ON BECAUSE FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN WE PASSED THE REBUILD ALABAMA, THE 10-CENT A GALLON TAX FOR ROADS FROM BRIDGES, IT WAS AN ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WE HAD A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WERE COMING OUT OF DOT GOING TO SUPPORT OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

PARTICULARLY THE $35 MILLION WERE GOING TO THE COURTS, SUPPOSEDLY TO TAKE CARE OF TRAFFIC-RELATED ISSUES, WHICH IS SORT OF A STRETCH, AND THEN $28.5 MILLION GOING TO ALEA WHICH WASN'T QUITE AS MUCH OF A STRETCH BUT IT WAS NOT GOING NECESSARILY TO ROADS AND BRIDGES.

SO WHAT WE DID FOUR YEARS AGO, AND WE HAD THE FUNDS AT THAT TIME TO DO A PARTIAL AMOUNT, WE STARTED PAYING THAT 35 MILLION OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND INSTEAD OF DOT SENDING THAT TO THE COURT SYSTEM AND HAD BEEN WORKING ON TRYING TO GET THE OTHER 28 NOT FIVE OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND INSTEAD OF GOING FROM DOT TO ALEA.

LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET WE STARTED TAKING 5 MILLION OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND STILL HAD 23.5 MILLION LEFT.

AND HOPEFULLY TAKE $5 MILLION A YEAR.

THINGS HAVE TURNED AROUND SO GOOD THIS YEAR WITH THE BUDGETS OF GOVERNOR IVEY AND HER BUDGET WENT AHEAD AND TOOK THAT 23.5 MILLION OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND INSTEAD OF TAKING IT FROM DOT AND IN THE RECENT GENERAL FUND BUDGET THAT CHAIRMAN REYNOLDS PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE, HE LEFT THAT INTACT THERE.

SO NOW THERE'S NO MORE DOT MONEY ON THE STATE LEVEL COMING OUT OF DOT GOING TO OTHER STATE AGENCIES.

IT'S ALL COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

SO I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO MOVE ON FORWARD WITH THIS ALSO AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, AND LET'S JUST MAKE SURE WE MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT THOSE LOCAL FUNDS AS WELL AS STATE FUNDS KNEAD TO GO TO ROADS AND BRIDGES.

>> PEOPLE DO I THINK HAVE AN EXPECTATION THAT FUEL TAXES FUND ROADS AND BRIDGES.

YOU DESCRIBED IT AS A USER FEE AND SO PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, IN SOME CITY OR COUNTY COULD PASS A PENNY GASOLINE TAX AND USE IT FOR SCHOOLS OR WHOEVER IN THE PAST BUT THIS BILL WOULD SAY NO, NO, NO, ONLY FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> WELL, LOOK.

WHAT I'VE GOT YOU, I HAVE TO ASK IN GENERAL BLOOD PRESSURE WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SESSION ARE HERE.

WE'RE HERE AT THE HALFWAY POINT.

PROBABLY THE HEAVY LIFTS ARE HERE HAD TO COME WITH THE BUDGET.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE LOOKING FORWARD TO HERE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SESSION?

>> WELL, THE 1ST HALF HAS MOVED VERY SMOOTHLY I THINK.

WE HAD A LOT OF PENT UP DEMAND ON SOME ISSUES THERE DEALING WITH OF COURSE THE FENTANYL BILL, THE ADOPTION BILL WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW FINALLY CAME TO FRUITION.

THE HE ECONOMICS DEVELOPMENT BILLS THAT HAD TO BE RENEWED FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS SO THAT'S OUT OF THE WAY NOW FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

SO, OF COURSE, THE BUDGETS WE GOT THE GENERAL FUND PASSED IN THE HOUSE, AND IT'S NOW IN THE SENATE AND, I ASSUME, THE SENATE WILL TAKE UP THE EDUCATION BUDGET THIS WEEK IS.

IT'S MY 29TH YEAR AND WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN THIS SITUATION WITH THIS KIND OF SUR PLUS.

I DON'T KNOW IN WE WILL EVER BE IN THIS SITUATION AGAIN IN MY LIFETIME SO IT'S A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.

BUT IT WILL ALSO CAUSE A LOT OF ISSUES AMONGST A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEGISLATORS AND INTEREST GROUPS AROUND THE STATE.

SO I THINK WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF DISCUSSION DEALING WITH THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

>> WHEN THERE'S THAT MUCH MONEY AND THAT MUCH SURPLUS IT'S ALMOST HARDER TO DEAL WITH.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IN THE SENATE THERE'S A BILL DEALING WITH THE STATEHOUSE, AND IT MAY BE STARTING A PROCESS BY WHICH WE CAN FINALLY SAY, OKAY, THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS A NEW HOME.

IT'S SOMETHING ANYBODY IN THIS BUILDING AGREES WITH.

MAYBE THE FOLKS OUT THERE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE NEED FOR IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WALK THESE HALLS ALL THE TIME.

YOU SAID YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.

TALK ABOUT THAT NEED AND MAYBE EXPLAINING WHY IT'S NECESSARY.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION.

THIS IS MY 29TH YEAR AND I HAVE SEEN THIS BUILDING GO DOWN, DOWN, DOWN.

I WAS HERE IN 2009 WHEN WE HAD THE FLOOD.

AND MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE 20 THAT WAS TOTALED ON THE BOTTOM FLOOR OF THE PARKING DECK.

BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY CAR IT WAS UP TO THE INDUSTRIAL.

SO ANYWAY, THIS BUILDING WAS NOT BUILD TO BE A STATEHOUSE.

IT WAS BUILT TO BE A DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUILDING IN 1962 AND THE LEGISLATURE TOOK IT OVER IN '85 AFTER DOT MOVED TO THEIR NEW FACILITY TWO STAY HERE WHILE CONSTRUCTION WAS GOING ON ACROSS THE STREET AT THE CAPITOL AND THEN WAS GOING TO MOVE BACK.

WELL, OF COURSE THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

SO THIS BILL HAS SERVED IT'S PURPOSE HERE.

I THINK THE MAIN THING THAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, AND I KNOW IT'S CONTROVERSIAL TO BUILD A NEW STATEHOUSE IS FOR THE PEOPLE AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

IT CERTAINLY WON'T BE FOR ME.

BUT IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO COME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE HERE FOR PEOPLE TO COME SEE THEIR LEGISLATORS AND NOT ADEQUATELY GET UP AND DOWN -- THE HALLWAYS ARE NARROW: THE ELEVATORS ARE ANTIQUATED.

MEME WHO ARE DISABLED IN CHURCHES IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO MANEUVER AROUND OF THE NARROW HALLS.

IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR THEM AND WE NEED A BUILDING THAT IS GOING TO LAST FOR THE NEXT 200 YEARS FOR GENERATIONS AND GENERATIONS TO COME FOR PEOPLE TO CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF THE STATE.

>> LOOK AROUND AT OUR STATES AND WHERE THEY'RE MEETING IN IT'S THE CAPITOL OR STATEHOUSE AND WE'RE FAR, FAR BEHIND AND IT HAS TO BE THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME MR.

CLAUSE BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE O. TILLMAN.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> YOU'RE A NEW MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MAYBE NOT BRAND-NEW BECAUSE WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH THE SESSION.

WE DON'T GET TO BE A FRESHMAN ANYMORE HALFWAY THROUGH.

>> SOMEWHAT THE.

THEY'RE STILL CALLING ME FRESHMAN AND TREATING ME AS A FRESHMAN.

>> A LITTLE HAZING.

THAT HAPPENS.

BUT I WANTED THE AUDIENCE TO GET A FEEL FOR YOU AS A NEW MEMBER AND 1ST ASK YOU WHY YOU TODAY I.

DECIDED TO RUN FOR HOUSE IN THE 1ST PLACE.

>> MAIN IS ONTARIO TILLMAN.

BEFORE I ABOUT THE SAME TIME -- OR BEFORE I WAS ELECTED AS THE HOUSE MEMBER FROM DISTRICT 56, I WAS A SCHOOLTEACHER, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, AS WELL AS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY.

AND THE REASON WHY I DECIDED TO RUN FOR STATE OFFICE IS -- IT STEMS ALL THE WAY BACK TO MY GRANDMOTHER.

MY MOM, THEY WERE TRUE ACTIVISTS, AND I GREW UP IN THEIR LIGHT.

I USED TO WORK THE POLLS.

I USED TO PASS OUT DIFFERENT CAMPAIGN MATERIAL.

AND IRONICALLY ENOUGH I ACTUALLY CAMPAIGNED FOR MR. LAWRENCE MACK MORE WHO IS THE SEAT I'M CURRENTLY SITTING IN SO IT'S LIKE A FULL CIRCLE THING.

>> SO IT'S IN YOUR BLOOD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> HOW HAS IT BEEN GOING SO FAR.

I NOTICED YOU PICKED UP SOME PRETTY BIG COMMITTEES, JUDICIARY -- >> YES.

AS A FRESHMAN THAT'S HUGE.

FINANCIAL SERVICES TO DO WITH THE BLANK BANKING.

SO HOW HAS IT BEEN GETTING ACQUAINTED HERE IN THE HOUSE AND JUST GETTING YOUR SEA LEGS.

>> IT'S A LOT ACTUALLY, AS THEY SAY, IT'S ALMOST LIKE DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE.

IT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION COMING QUICKLY AND COMING FAST.

BUT MYRRH CAUCUS HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB AND TEACHING US DIFFERENT THINGS, SHOWING US DIFFERENT THINGS.

ALSO READING MATERIAL AND UNDERSTANDING THE MATERIAL, UNDERSTANDING THE LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN PLACED BEFORE YOU.

AND REALLY DOING THE JOB FOR THE PEOPLE, MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE REPRESENTING THEM, MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR AND WELL VERSED WITH THE BILLS THAT COME FORWARD.

AND I DO, YOU KNOW, KIND OF SUMMIT SUM IT UP TO MY LEGAL BACKGROUND UNDERSTANDING A LOT OF THE STATUTES, UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT LAWS SO THAT HELPED IMMEDIATE OUT TREMENDOUSLY.

WELL, I WAS I WAS GOING TO SAY BEING BOTH AN ATTORNEY AND A SCHOOLTEACHER GIVES YOU AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE.

AND I SHOULD MENTION BASKETBALL COACH.

>> YES, COACH AS WELL.

>> THERE'S A FEW COACHES AROUND THESE HALLS.

>> I KNOW.

THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, THAT LEGAL BACKGROUND DOES HELP YOU READ THROUGH THE LEGISLATION, UNDERSTAND THE TERMS OF ART AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

>> YES.

>> BUT ALSO SCHOOLTEACHER.

SO MUCH OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THE STATEHOUSE IMPACTS SCHOOLTEACHERS AND WE TALKS ABOUT JAKES SO MUCH SO THOSE TWO BACKGROUNDS PROBABLY GIVES YOU A LEG UP.

>> IT DOES.

BECAUSE I WAS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER.

I ALWAYS SUPPORTED PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THAT'S PART OF OUR INITIATIVES AND PLATFORM HERE.

AND WE ALSO LOOK AT -- WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR KIDS.

AND MAKINGS SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AND ALLOW OUR KIDS TO HAVE THE EQUIPMENT AND THE INFORMATION SO THEY CAN CREATE AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS SO IT'S A HUGE BENEFIT -- YOU KNOW I WAS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, SO MY BACKGROUND WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIALIZED DEALING WITH IEPS AND DEALING WITH LEARNING BEHAVIOR DISORDERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

AND ALSO BEING HEAD BASKETBALL COACH KIND OF TAUGHT ME THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY DEALING WITH THE PLAYERS, DEALING WITH THE PARENTS -- IT WAS ALL A GREAT EXPERIENCE WHICH PREPARED ME TO BE HERE.

>> I'D LIKE TO TALK WITH MR. SMITHERMAN -- HE COACHES THE GIRLS.

>> WITH RAMSEY.

>> AND IT'S -- HE GETS REALLY COMPETITIVE.

>> THE SENATOR LOVES SPORTS, BASKETBALL, SO IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK BASKETBALL WITH HIM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL, NOW THAT WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH SESSION, I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES, NEW MEMBERS, 1ST WANT TO OBSERVE AND NOT JUMP RIGHT IN THINKING I'M JUST GOING TO FILE THIS LEGISLATION.

SO SOMETIMES FOLKS TAKE THEIR TIME AND GET THEIR TEAT WET.

WHAT LEGISLATION ARE YOU KIND OF INVOLVED IN OR LOOKING AT?

ARE THERE 95 THINGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU'RE WANTING TO INTRODUCE OR MAYBE CO-SPONSOR THIS TIME AROUND?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY, AND I AGREE WITH YOU AND I THINK THE BEST WAY TO DO IS TO COME IN AND LEARN THE PROCESS.

BECAUSE IT'S A UNIQUE PROCESS AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS.

IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT YOU CANNOT COME IN AND BE ABLE TO DO THE DIFFERENT THINGS THANK YOU, BUT BECAUSE I HAVE GREAT MENTORS, LIKE I SAID MY PARTY, MY CAUCUS, THEY HELP A LOT WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE WANT SO I DO HAVE BILLS AND LEGISLATION IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW.

I'M KNOT GOING TO TIP TOO MUCH ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE BUT I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL BE PRETTY GOOD.

I THINK THAT IT'S LEGISLATION THAT WILL HELP ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND I THINK THAT ONCE THEY ARE FINISHED BEING DRAFTED AND I START DOING THE DUE DILIGENCE OF ACTUALLY TRYING TO GET THEM PASSED AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD AGREE WITH ME ON THOSE.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING AND YOU'RE DIGGING INTO THE LEGISLATION AND WORKING WITH LSA AND THE STAFF TO GET THAT DONE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SOMETIMES I JUXTAPOSE WHAT HAPPENS HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE AND IN MONTGOMERY TO WASHINGTON.

AND UP IN WASHINGTON, AT LEAST THE LAST LITTLE WHILE, SEVERAL YEARS, IT'S BECOME A LOT LESS LEGISLATING AND MORE PRESS RELEASE ELSE.

ALL OF THE STAFF IS JUST COM STAFF AND TWEETING.

VERY LITTLE LEGISLATION.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANT TO GO THE LEGISLATION ROUTE, OF THE WORK ROUTE.

>> YES.

BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 56 ELECTED ME FOR A REASON AND THE REASON IS TO SERVE THEM.

I LOOK AT THIS AS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO ACTUALLY SERVE SO I WANT TO DO MY JOB.

THIS IS THE REASON THEY SENT ME HERE, TO REPRESENT THEM, TO REPRESENTED MY DISTRICT AND ALSO TO REPRESENT PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO I WANT TO, YOU KNOW, DRAFT AND PUT FORTH LEGISLATION THAT IS GOING TO MAKE ALABAMA AN ATTRACTIVE STATE, MAKE ALABAMA A BETTER STATE AND MAKE THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA BETTER AND HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> WELL, SAID.

AND WE WILL LEAVE IT THERE.

MR. TILLMAN, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ANY TIME.

I HAD A GREAT TIME.

I'M SURPRISED AND HAPPY TO BE HERE.

I WATCH IT ALL THE TIME.

TO BE STANDING HERE NOW IT'S LIKE WOW, IT'S REAL.

>> WE'RE GLAD TO TURN VIEWERS INTO GUESTS.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S HOUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30 WITH MORE COVERING OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

SIX L. >> FOR OUT "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM I'M TODD STACEY.