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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT'S MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WHICH USUALLY KICKS OFF THE BUSY SEASON ALONG ALABAMA'S GULF COAST.

AND JUST IN TIME, THE STATE HAS OFFICIALLY MADE TRAVEL TO ALABAMA'S BEACHES TOLL FREE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ON WEDNESDAY SIGNED A MEMORANDUM COMPLETING THE STATE'S PURCHASE OF THE FOLEY BEACH EXPRESS TOLL BRIDGE - A PROJECT THAT WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED IN APRIL.

AT A SIGNING CEREMONY IN ORANGE BEACH, IVEY SAID THOSE TRAVELING TO ALABAMA BEACHES CAN NOW DO SO WITHOUT THE COST OF TOLLS.

THE STATE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A LAWSUIT OVER ITS ONGOING PLANS TO BUILD AN ADDITIONAL BRIDGE OVER THE CANAL TO ORANGE BEACH AND GULF SHORES.

THAT IS NOW MOOT AND SOON BOTH BRIDGES WILL BE OPERATIONAL.

WHETHER IT'S ON THE COAST OR ON ONE OF ALABAMA'S PRISTINE LAKES AND RIVERS, MANY ALABAMIANS WILL BE OUT ON THE WATER ENJOYING THEIR BOATS THIS WEEKEND.

ALABAMA OFFICIALS ARE URGING BOATERS TO BE SAFE ON THE WATER.

JEFF SANDERS HAS THAT STORY.

>> THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IS CONSIDERED THE UNOFFICIAL START TO SUMMER, AND FOR MANY ALABAMIANS, THERE'S NO BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE THAN TAKING TO THE STATE'S WATERWAYS.

>> DURING THE COMING MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY PERIOD, TROOPERS WILL BE JOIN BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, WILD LIFE AND FISHERIES RESOURCE OFFICERS AS WELL AS COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL OFFICER UNITS ON ALABAMA'S WATERWAYS IN AN EFFORT TO DETER UNSAFE BOATING ACTIVITY.

>> FOR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, MAKING SURE BOATERS ARE STAYING SAFE IS AGAIN A TOP PRIORITY.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY DEATHS ON THE WATERWAYS THIS YEAR OR ANY YEAR.

THE SIMPLE ACT OF WEARING A LIFE JACKET, IF YOU HAPPEN TO FALL OVERBOARD COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

>> WE ASK BOATERS TO BE MINDFUL OF OTHER BOATERS.

CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL COMPOUNDS THIS AFFECT.

>> DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE STATE CAPITOL, THEY THANKED MEMBERS FOR PASSING NEW SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT LAWS.

IN OCTOBER NEW REGULATIONS WILL BE AT LAKE MARTIN AND WEISS LAKE INCLUDING FOR WAKE SURFING.

NON-RESIDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF COMPLETED BOATER SAFETY TRAINING.

>> THE WATERWAYS ARE JUST LIKE THE ROADWAYS.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS YOU DON'T SEE YELLOW LINES AND HAVE RED LIGHTS BUT THE SAME LAW AND SAME ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO BOATING AS YOU WOULD RIGHT HERE ON THIS ROAD.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY ADVICE FOR BOATERS COMES DOWN TO COMMON SENSE AND JUDGMENT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY BE THE FUN POLICE.

WE'RE NOT STOPPING PEOPLE FROM HAVING A GOOD TIME BUT IN A SAFE MANNER AND WE WANT EVERYONE TO RETURN HOME.

>> THERE WERE ZERO DEATHS DURING THE 2023 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW LAWS AND PUBLIC AWARENESS, STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HOPE THE NUMBER ZERO RINGS TRUE THIS YEAR.

REPORTING FROM LAKE MARTIN, JEFF SANDERS FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES >>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES MARKED SAFE BOATING WEEK WITH ACADEMY SPORTS AND OUTDOORS, WHICH IS ONCE AGAIN DONATING LOANER LIFE JACKETS.

300 LIFE JACKETS WERE DONATED THIS YEAR, AND THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE OFFERING THEM TO BOATERS OVER THE WEEKEND.

GOVERNOR IVEY SAID SHE PLANNED TO BE ON THE LAKE HERSELF THIS WEEKEND AND URGED CITIZENS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES BY WEARING LIFE JACKETS.

>> I REMIND ALABAMIANS TO BE SAFE AS THEY GO ON THE WATERWAYS WITH THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

ONE GREAT WAY TO EMPHASIZE WATER SAFETY BY THANKING THE ACADEMY FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH THEIR OWN SAFETY INITIATIVE BETTER KNOWN AS THE LIFE JACKET LOANER PROGRAM.

THESE LIFE JACKETS RECEIVED TODAY WILL BE USED BY OUR CONSERVATION AND ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON DUTY TO PROTECT THEM AS THEY WORK TO KEEP EVERYONE ON THE WATER SAFE.

SOME OF THESE LIFE JACKETS WILL EVEN BE USED BY ALABAMIANS OUT ENJOYING THE WATER.

FOLKS, THIS WEEKEND, I KNOW I'LL BE OUT ON THE WATER ON MY PONTOON BOAT ENJOYING THE LAKE AND YOU BETTER BELIEVE MY DOG MISSY AND I WILL BE WEARING A LIFE JACKET.

>> WE REPORTED LAST WEEK ON ALABAMA'S THIRD GRADERS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS ON THIS YEAR'S READING TEST SCORES.

IT'S GOOD NEWS THAT 91% OF STUDENTS ARE READING AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL, MAKING THEM ELIGIBLE TO BE PROMOTED TO 4TH GRADE UNDER THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

AND FOR THOSE 9% THAT TESTED BELOW GRADE LEVEL, EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO CATCH THEM UP IN TIME FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> THERE'S EXCITEMENT AROUND ALABAMA SCHOOLS, GRADES ARE IN AND MOST ALABAMA STUDENTS FARED WELL ON THE STATE I LITERACY EXAM BUT SOME READ BELOW THE BENCHMARK LEVELS.

THAT AMOUNT IS DOWN FROM PREVIOUS TOTALS AND SOME SCHOOL OFFICIALS WANT TO IMPROVE THOSE NUMBERS.

>> SO, WITH THE LITERACY ACT THAT BEGAN IN 2019 WE WERE ACTUALLY GIVEN LEEWAY ON IT BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THE PANDEMIC HAPPENED.

I WAS PUSHED BACK AND DELAYED AND DELAYED BUT THIS YEAR, 2024 WAS FINALLY THE YEAR WHERE THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WOULD BE HELD BACK AND NOT PROMOTED TO FOURTH GRADE IF THEY DIDN'T MAKE A PASSING SCORE.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE MACON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> WE GOT PRELIMINARY SCORES IN ON FRIDAY MORNING.

THEY HIT THE PORTAL THAT NIGHT BECAUSE WE WERE WATCHING AND LOOKING AND HOPING AND WE HAD A 90% PASS RATE DISTRICT WIDE FOR THIRD GRADE STUDENTS.

>> DR. WILLIAMS ADDS THEY ARE FOCUSING ON STUDENTS NOT GRADING WELL ON THE EXAM.

>> THOSE STUDENTS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE SCORE, OF COURSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT PATHWAYS THEY WILL TAKE THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

THAT'S OUR GOAL.

WE START SUMMER SCHOOL JUNE 3RD TO JULY 11TH.

SO WE WILL HAVE THOSE STUDENTS PREPARED.

>> AS WITH OTHER SCHOOL AM SYSTEMS AROUND COUNTY, MACON COUNTY IS GETTING READY FOR THINK SUMMER BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE WORK ENDS.

SUCCESS IS SOMETHING TO BUILD ON AND MACON COUNTY OFFICIALS WANT TO KEEP THE TREND GOING.

>> WE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED OUR SCORES FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR.

THE STUDENTS DID REALLY WELL ON BECOMING SUFFICIENT, AND THAT WAS THE STATE'S LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT, IF YOU WILL.

>> LISA IS THE CURRICULUM SPECIALIST FOR MACON COUNTY SCHOOLS FOCUSING ON LITERACY.

SHE SAID GOOD RETURNS BUT THE JOB IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> THE LITERACY ACT WAS PUT IN PLACE AND THE DISTRICT -- RECEIVED INTERVENTION.

SOME SCHOOLS THAT DID NOT HAVE RESOURCES FOR INTERVENTION, THE TEACHERS WERE TRAINED IN INTERVENTION PROGRAMS TO HELP TO BRIDGE THE GAP FOR THE CHILDREN WHO WERE STRUGGLING.

>> IN MACON COUNTY T RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>>> GOVERNOR IVEY THIS WEEK ENCOURAGED STUDENTS TO KEEP THEIR READING MOMENTUM GOING THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER WITH HER SUMMER READING CHALLENGE.

THE CHALLENGE IS FOR STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE AND COULD RESULT IN THE GOVERNOR VISITING THE SCHOOL THAT SHOWS THE MOST PROGRESS.

>> NOW, AS WE APPROACH THE SUMMER BREAK, I WANT TO REMIND YOU ALL THAT WHILE IT'S TIME TO UNWIND AND ENJOY SOME WELL-DESERVED RELAXATION, IT IS ALSO TIME TO KEEP OUR MINDS ACTIVE AND ENGAGED.

SO WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO THAT THAN BY PICKING UP A GOOD BOOK.

LAST YEAR, MANY OF YOU JOINED ME IN MY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE.

I WAS AMAZED BY THE ENTHUSIASM YOU BROUGHT TO YOUR READING ADVENTURES.

GUESS WHAT?

IT'S BACK.

I'M INVITING EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU TO JOIN ME IN THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE ONCE AGAIN.

WHETHER YOU ARE DIVING INTO A THRILLING MYSTERY OR EXPLORING DISTANT LANDS, THERE'S A BOOK OUT THERE WAITING FOR YOU, AND I WANT TO HEAR ALL ABOUT IT.

SO HERE'S THE CHALLENGE -- IF YOU ARE STILL ENTERING KIDS K-8 FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR, I WANT YOU TO WRITE ME A LETTER THIS SUMMER.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER READING BOOK AND WHY IT CAPTURED YOUR IMAGINATION.

MY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE BEGINS NOW AND ENDS ON JULY 31ST.

SO, BE SURE TO SEND ME YOUR LETTERS BEFORE THEN.

I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU AND EMBARK ON THIS LITERARY ADVENTURE TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS.

STUDENTS, LET'S GET READING.

>>> WE'VE REPORTED RECENTLY ON THE ONGOING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT UPDATING HOW ALABAMA CALCULATES FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

RIGHT NOW, UNDER THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM THAT WAS ENACTED IN THE '90S, SCHOOLS RECEIVE FUNDING ON A SIMPLE PER STUDENT BASIS.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING UPDATING THAT AS OTHER STATES HAVE DONE TO TAKE IN TO ACCOUNT FACTORS THAT MAKE EDUCATION MORE EXPENSIVE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS OR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

THEY DISCUSSED THOSE IDEAS DURING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE HEARING IN THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

STATE SENATOR JAY HOVEY OF AUBURN WAS A PART OF THAT MEETING AND SAID IT'S ALL ABOUT ENSURING ALABAMA IS GETTING THE MOST OUT OF FUNDING MEANT TO PROVIDE A QUALITY EDUCATION TO STUDENTS.

>> BUDGET CHAIRS, THEIR DILIGENCE IN THOSE PUBLIC FUNDS AND MAKING SURE WE BALANCE OUR EXPENSES WITH OUR REVENUE.

I THINK AS INFLATION OR AS OUR ECONOMY CONTINUES TO EVOLVE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, I THINK -- I WAS QUITE PLEASED WITH THE CONSERVATIVE NATURE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE.

MY INVOLVEMENT IN THE EDUCATION, THE ETF, EDUCATION BUDGET AND POLICY COMMITTEE WILL KEEP US BUSY.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AND I'M EXCITED TO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND MAKE OUR STATE AS STRONG EDUCATIONALLY AS POSSIBLE.

>>> SOME GOOD NEWS THIS WEEK COMING OUT OF ALABAMA PRISONS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS REPORTS THAT THE NUMBER OF ASSAULTS, CONTRABAND AND DEATHS ARE DOWN STATEWIDE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT QUARTER.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT SHOWING NUMBERS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR, ASSAULTS ARE DOWN ALMOST 6% FROM THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND DOWN ALMOST 13% FROM THE SAME TIME A YEAR AGO.

DEATHS ARE ALSO DOWN, AS MANY AS 20 FEWER INMATES DYING BEHIND BARS THAN A YEAR AGO.

AND INMATES BEING CAUGHT WITH WEAPONS HAS DECLINED 14% SINCE THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND 55% FROM THE SAME TIME A YEAR AGO.

IT WASN'T ALL GOOD NEWS, HOWEVER.

INSTANCES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR HARASSMENT INCREASED BY 81.4% SINCE THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.

THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE REPORTED AT THE TUTWILER WOMEN'S PRISON IN ELMORE COUNTY.

ALSO FROM CORRECTIONS THIS WEEK, THE ALABAMA DAILY NEWS REPORTS THAT UAB HOSPITAL IN BIRMINGHAM HAS STOPPED PERFORMING AUTOPSIES ON DECEASED INMATES.

THE HOSPITAL HAD BEEN ON CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO PERFORM AUTOPSIES ON INMATES WHOSE DEATHS WERE DEEMED SUSPICIOUS.

BUT THAT CONTRACT HAS NOW BEEN TERMINATED AFTER SEVERAL ALLEGATIONS OF ORGANS BEING REMOVED WITHOUT THE FAMILIES KNOWLEDGE.

A SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT SUSPICIOUS DEATHS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCES.

>>> GOOD NEWS ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT.

ALABAMA'S HOUSING MARKET SAW ITS THIRD CONSECUTIVE MONTH OF IMPROVEMENT IN APRIL.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.

THE REPORT SHOWS HOME SALES IN APRIL IMPROVED OVER MARCH'S NUMBERS BY 3.7%, AND OVER FEBRUARY'S BY NEARLY 10%.

THAT'S WELCOME NEWS AND A SHARP TURNAROUND FROM LAST YEAR WHEN HOME SALES SHRUNK BY MORE THAN 30%.

ALABAMA REALTORS CEO JEREMY WALKER SAID APRIL WAS THE MOST ENCOURAGING MONTH HE'S SEEN THIS YEAR AND THAT INDICATORS POINT TO FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE SUMMER.

>>> TURNING TO WASHINGTON, U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT MADE NEWS THIS WEEK WITH HER INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION AIMED TO PROTECT IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION, OR IVF, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THE IVF PROTECTION ACT, SPONSORED BY BRITT AND SENATOR TED CRUZ OF TEXAS, WOULD STOP STATES FROM PROHIBITING ACCESS TO IVF TREATMENTS.

APPEARING ON FOX NEWS THIS WEEK, BRITT CORRECTED THE CHARACTERIZATION WHAT HAPPENED WITH IVF HERE IN ALABAMA AND SAID A FEDERAL LAW WOULD TAKE POLITICS OUT OF THE ISSUE.

>> THIS IS WHAT BROUGHT THIS WHOLE THING UP.

THEY VOTED TO BAN IT AND NOW WHERE'S IT AT.

>> OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION THAT CAUSED A CHILL IN THE STATE BUT THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, THAT'S NAMED THE MOST CONSERVATIVE LEGISLATURE IN THE NATION, QUICKLY ACTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AFFIRMATIVELY PROTECTED IVF AND THAT PROCEDURE IN THE STATE.

THOSE CLINICS ARE BACK OPEN AND THAT IS MOVING FORWARD TO MAKE SURE IVF IS AVAILABLE IN EVERY STATE ACROSS THE NATION.

TED AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

WE WANT TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE AND GET RID OF THE FEAR MONGERING.

WE BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE BIPARTISAN.

>>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION DIRECTOR JOHN MCMILLAN FOR UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE IN THE LONG-DELAYED MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROCESS.

AFTER THAT, AUBURN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR RUSTY ADAIR WILL ANALYZE THE RECENT MERCEDES UNION VOTE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S NEXT ON THAT ISSUE.

>>> AND LATER IN THE SHOW A PLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP PRESIDENT MARK DIXON WILL DISCUSS THE STATE'S ENCOURAGING READING SCORES AND WHAT WENT INTO MAKING THAT A REALITY.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

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

♪ >> ORIGINALLY DESIGNATE AS A POSTAL ROUTE IN 1806, THE OLD FEDERAL ROAD STRETCHED THROUGH THE CREEK INDIAN TERRITORY OF LOWER ALABAMA.

THE ROAD FUNCTIONED AS A THOROUGHFARE FOR WESTERN MIGRATION TO THE OLD SOUTHWEST USHERING IN A NEW ERA OF EXPANSION AND EXPLOITATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN TERRITORY.

THOUGH MUCH OF THE ROAD HAS DISAPPEARED PORTIONS OF IT REMAIN TODAY.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME IS JOHN MCMILLAN THE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA CANNABIS COMMISSION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GREAT.

>> TIME FOR ANOTHER UPDATE.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING IN TERMS OF LEGAL CHALLENGES AND STOPS AND STARTS.

CAN YOU UPDATE THE AUDIENCE ON WHERE THE PROCESS IS FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS AND GETTING THE PRODUCTS TO THE MARKET.

>> MORE THAN HAPPY TO.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

LOST IN LITIGATION AND OTHER ACTIONS OUTSIDE OF CONTROL OF THE COMMISSION AND THE STAFF IS HAS CAMOUFLAGED EVERYTHING, YOU MIGHT SAY.

THE MOST DISAPPOINTING THING IS THE PATIENTS HAVE BEEN LOST IN ALL OF THIS.

SO ANYWAY, YES, WE HAVE PLEASED THE COMMISSION HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB.

WE HAVE ISSUED 16 LICENSES IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES ONLY TWO DELAYS BY TEMPORARY RETRAINING ORDER OR DISPENSARIES AND INTEGRATORS.

PARTICULARLY THE INTEGRATORS, MOST OF THE LITIGATION SURROUNDED THAT.

>> WHEN YOU SAY -- INTEGRATOR IS START TO FINISH.

>> THAT'S EVERYBODY AND EVERYTHING.

>> THAT INCLUDES DISPENSARIES BUT THE DISPENSARIES ARE THE STORE, THE OUTLET.

>> UNTIL THOSE ARE APPROVED THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S THE -- THAT RETAIL OPTION IS THE ONLY WAY PRODUCTS CAN BE SOLD, BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, AGAIN, IT'S OVERSHADOWED BY SOME OF THE EXTERNAL THINGS BUT WE HAVE GOTTEN THE CONTRACTS AND TRACKING EACH PLANT AND PLANTS ARE ACTUALLY BEING GROWN IN ALABAMA RIGHT NOW.

I HOPE YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ONE OF THESE CULTIVATORS AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

THIS IS A HIGHLY REGULATED VERY SCIENTIFIC EFFORT WITH HIGH-TECH LIGHTING AND SECURITY SYSTEMS AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE REGULATING OF THIS WHOLE PROGRAM.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON.

WE HAVE THE SEED TO SALE TRACKING, PATIENT REGISTRY, WORKING WITH THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTIFYING PHYSICIANS.

ALL OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS AND TRACKING THE PLANT.

WHEN THE PLANTS ARE ABOUT 8 INCHES HIGH, THEY GET LABELED WITH A NUMBER AND TAG, AND THAT STAYS WITH IT UNTIL IT IS SOLD AT THE DISPENSARY.

ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT PARTICULAR SINGLE PLANT THAT GOES INTO THE PROCESS, INCLUDING THE PARTS THAT ARE DISPOSED OF.

IT'S A HIGHLY TECHNOLOGICALLY ORIENTED PROGRAM, SAFE AND SECURE, WELL REGULATED, HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS AND I THINK WHEN WE GET THERE THE FOLKS IN ALABAMA ARE REALLY BE SURPRISED REALLY AT WHAT A HIGH LEVEL THE WHOLE PROGRAM PRODUCES.

>> WELL, I CERTAINLY DO WANT TO GO AND VISIT ONE OF THESE FACILITIES.

WE'D LOVE TO TAKE OUR CAMERAS AND BRING OUR VIEWERS BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SHROUDED, IF YOU WILL.

THE CONTROVERSY HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING EVERYTHING.

I KNOW YOU ARE NOT THE JUDGE.

I KNOW YOU DON'T CONTROL WHAT THE JUDGES ARE GOING TO DO, BUT THE ONE QUESTION EVERYBODY HAS IS WHEN CAN WE EXPECT THESE PRODUCTS TO COME TO MARKET?

I KNOW THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO ANSWER BECAUSE OF THE LAWSUITS.

CAN YOU GIVE ANY INDICATION WHEN PATIENTS CAN EXPECT TO HAVE THESE AVAILABLE?

>> TODD, THAT'S FAR AND AWAY THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION WE GET ON OUR WEBSITE AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY MONTHS.

I'M SORRY TO SAY, AS YOU STATED, I JUST DON'T KNOW.

I CONTINUE TO BE HOPEFUL.

I'VE LOST A LOT OF OPTIMISM.

I TEND TO BE HOPEFUL THAT WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS WE WILL HAVE SOME RESOLUTION IN THE COURTS AND BE ABLE TO GO AHEAD AND STAND UP THE DISPENSARIES AND INTEGRATORS AND LET THEM JOIN THE OTHER LICENSES THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND GET THIS CREATED.

THERE'S A LOT TO OFFER.

>> THERE ARE MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF LAWSUITS, NOT ONE LAWSUIT.

THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CHALLENGES.

DO YOU EXPECT IF THIS ONE IS RESOLVED THAT THEY WON'T STOP.

THEY WILL KEEP HAVING LAWSUITS TO DELAY IT?

IS THERE ANY FEAR ABOUT THAT?

>> THERE'S CERTAINLY A POSSIBILITY AND THE ONLY THING WE CAN DO IS JUDGE BY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES, PARTICULARLY SOUTHERN STATES.

THERE HAS CONTINUED TO BE LITIGATIONS ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA EIGHT OR NINE YEARS NOW.

I THINK THEIR RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION THEY FINALLY GOT THEIR LAST LITIGATION TAKEN CARE OF IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO, HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THAT TIGHT PATENTOR.

THAT IS GET THE PROGRAM UP AND GOING WHICH THEY DID A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO AND CONTINUE WITH LAWSUITS WHEN THEY COME UP.

>> SPEAKING OF THE LEGISLATURE WE HAD A SESSION CONCLUDE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND YOU HEARD A LOT OF FRUSTRATION FROM LAWMAKERS ON THIS ISSUE, CONSIDERING THE LAW WAS PASSED THREE YEARS AGO.

FRUSTRATION OVER THE FACT THAT PATIENTS DON'T HAVE ACCESS YET.

FRUSTRATION OVER THE LAWSUITS AND SOME EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION ABOUT INCONSISTENCIES FROM THE COMMISSION AND DIFFERENT RULE PROCEDURE FOLLOWING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

A COUPLE OF BILLS WERE PROPOSED BUT NOT PASSED.

SO THERE'S NOT BEEN A LEGISLATIVE FIX SO TO SPEAK.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND BECAUSE I'M SURE THEY TALK TO YOU TOO.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE CONCERNS WE HEARD IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> NOBODY IS MORE FRUSTRATED THAN OUR COMMISSION AND STAFF AND CERTAINLY I AM.

FRANKLY, IN MY OPINION, MOST OF THESE LAWSUITS ARE FRIVOLOUS, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN USED AS A DELAYING TACTICS.

I HOPE, TO SOME EXTENT, AND BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THE LITIGATION CAME FROM THE FACT, THAT LET'S JUST BLOCK EVERYTHING.

JUST KEEP THE COMMISSION FROM DOING ANYTHING.

LET'S SHUT THIS PROGRAM DOWN THROUGH THE COURTS AND TRY TO GET SOMETHING SETTLED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> SO, IF I DIDN'T WIN MY LAWSUIT I'M GOING TO SUE AND STOP THE WHOLE THING.

>> STOP ANYTHING UNTIL I GET SOMETHING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

AGAIN, MIGHT BE BACK TO MY HOPEFUL THINKING THAT MAYBE SOME OF THAT WILL DIMINISH NOW THE LEGISLATURE CHOSE NOT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE CHANGES IN THE PROGRAM.

>> DOES THERE NEED TO BE A LEGISLATIVE FIX?

CAN YOU SEE THAT BEING HELPFUL IN SOME WAY, OR COULD IT BE HARMFUL IN TERMS OF LEADING TO MORE LAWSUITS BECAUSE THE LAW CHANGED?

>> IT APPEARED TO ME THE MAIN THING THE LEGISLATURE WAS NOT WILLING TO DO IS EXPAND THE NUMBER OF LICENSES.

I THINK THAT WAS -- APPARENTLY, THAT WAS THE MAIN THING THAT STALLED THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THEY SHIFTED THE LICENSING AND PERMITTING AND INSPECTIONS AND EVERYTHING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO THE COMMISSION, AND THAT'S FINE WITH US.

I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR ONE AGENCY THAT PART OF THE RESPONSIBILITY, AS WELL AS -- BECAUSE IT FITS IN SO CLOSELY.

THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING WE DO IN THE OTHER LICENSES, AS WELL.

WE'RE GOOD WITH THAT.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK NOW IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT GOING TO CHOOSE TO INTERVENE EVEN IN THE LATER SESSIONS.

OUR FOCUS NOW WILL BE DEALING WITH THE LITIGATION AND COURTS AND HOPEFULLY GET THIS PROGRAM STOOD UP.

AND AGAIN, RESPONDING TO THE PATIENT NEEDS AND GETTING AWAY FROM WHAT THE LAWYERS AND LOBBYISTS ARE INTERESTED IN.

>> WELL, A LOT TO WATCH IN TERMS OF THOSE COURT CASES MOVING FORWARD.

YOU MENTIONED THE PATIENTS AGAIN.

I DO THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT TO REMIND FOLKS WHY THIS WHOLE THING EXISTS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> CAN YOU REMIND US WHAT TYPES OF ILLNESSES AND CONDITIONS THAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAN HELP TREAT OUTSIDE OF THE SORT OF TRADITIONAL, PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY?

>> LET ME SAY, ANYBODY THAT IS INTERESTED IN SEEING THAT WHOLE LIST OF 15 PARTICULAR MEDICAL NEEDS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE DOCTOR RECOMMENDATIONS IS ON OUR WEBSITE AT AMCC.ALABAMA.GOV.

THERE'S A LOT OF OVER INFORMATION, THE LEGISLATION WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE.

THE LEGISLATION IS ON THERE, RULES AND REGULATIONS.

ALL OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

BUT LET ME TELL YOU, IN RESPONSE TO THAT QUESTION, NATIONALLY THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ABOUT 82% OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FOR CHRONIC PAIN.

THAT SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS, BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS.

PTSD IS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS.

THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION IS DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THAT.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING, CERTAINLY FOR A LOT OF FOLKS IN ALABAMA BECAUSE ALABAMA IS HEAVILY A MILITARY STATE AND HAS BEEN WITH ACTIVE DUTY FOLKS.

THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

ANYTHING TO DO WITH -- THERE'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLACE A LOT OF THE OPIOIDS WITH THE PAIN, ADDRESSING THE ABILITY OF THE CANNABIS.

A LOT OF RESEARCH TO BE DONE.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU WANT TO GET INTO IT TODAY OR NOT BUT THE FEDERAL DECLASSIFICATION OR CHANGE IN CLASSIFICATION WILL BE A BIG ISSUE THAT PLAYS IN TO THIS AT SOME POINT.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT AND WE WILL LIST THE WEBSITE AND ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO GO IF THEY ARE CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING FOR ANOTHER UPDATE.

HOPEFULLY NEXT TIME IT WILL BE TOWARDS THE END OR MAY BE AT THE END AND WE WILL BE CELEBRATING THE ACTUAL PRODUCTS GOING TO MARKET.

>> I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO COMING IN HERE AND HAVING A DISPLAY OF THE PACKAGE WITH PRODUCTS WE WILL HAVE AVAILABLE IN DISPENSARIES, AT THE LEVEL OF WORK WE'RE DOING TO MAKE SURE THE CHILDPROOF PACKAGING AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO DO BUT THE COMMISSION HAS DONE A LOT OF GOOD, SOLID WORK AND WE'RE READY FOR THE PROGRAM AND PATIENTS TO BE SERVED BY IT.

>> WE WILL KEEP THEM IN THE PACKAGE.

>> FANTASTIC.

>> THANKS AGAIN.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

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>>> ♪ BIRMINGHAM'S RICKWOOD FIELD IS THE NATION'S OLDEST OPERATE BALLING PARK.

♪ THE BARONS INAUGURATED THE NEW FIELD IN 1910.

THEY PLAYED THREE BETWEEN 1924 AND 1950.

THEY HOSTED MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS THROUGH 1987.

THE BARONS WERE OWNED BY CHARLIE O. FINLEY AND PART OF THE KANSAS CITY AND OAKLAND A'S ORGANIZATION.

100 MEMBERS HAVE PLAYED AT THE FIELD INCLUDING TY COBB, BABE RUTH AND WILLIE MAYS.

TODAY IT IS MANAGED BY FRIENDS OF RICKWOOD.

THE BARONS STILL PLAY A THROW BACK GAME EVERY YEAR.

THE RICKWOOD CLASSIC THAT CELEBRATES TEAMS OF THE PAST AND THIS HISTORIC FIELD.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS RUSTY ADAIR FROM THE HARD COLLEGE OF BUSINESS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS UNION ISSUE.

THE VOTE LAST WEEK AT MERCEDES AT TUSCALOOSA IS A SURPRISED A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THE UNION DID NOT PREVAIL.

THE WORKERS THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS.

YOU TEACH BUSINESS AT AUBURN INCLUDING LABOR ISSUES.

YOU HAVE HAD A LONG YEAR AND IN HUMAN RESOURCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS AS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THIS SUBJECT?

>> WELL, IT WAS SIGNIFICANT.

THERE WAS A LOT OF ATTENTION GIVEN TO THE VOTE.

AND YOU ARE RIGHT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE PREDICTED THE UNION WOULD WIN HERE, WHICH WOULD BE A MAJOR EVENT IN THE STATEMENT I WASN'T AS SURE AS OTHER PEOPLE THAT THE UNION WOULD WIN BUT THE UAW HAD THE STRIKE IN DETROIT AGAINST THE BIG THREE.

THAT RESULTED IN A LUCRATIVE LABOR AGREEMENT FOR THE EMPLOYEES.

SIGNIFICANT WAGE INCREASES, 25 TO 30% AND RESTORATION OF THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT AND OTHER THINGS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UAW SAID AFTER THE AGREEMENT THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SPEND THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ORGANIZING THE NON-UNION AUTOMAKERS AND FOCUS ON THE SOUTH.

SO THIS A STRATEGIC MOVE ON THEIR PART.

OF COURSE THEY WENT TO CHATTANOOGA AND ORGANIZED THE VOLKSWAGEN PLANT.

SO THEY WERE RIDING MOMENTUM COMING INTO THE VOTE.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WERE DIFFERENT ABOUT THE VOLKSWAGEN VOTE AND THE MERCEDES-BENZ VOTE.

PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WAS THE VOLKSWAGEN VOTE DID NOT REALLY HAVE A CORPORATE CAMPAIGN.

THE COMPANY DIDN'T REALLY CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE UNION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT GO INTO THAT.

THE WORKS COUNCIL IN GERMANY GOT INVOLVED AND TALKED TO THE CORPORATION.

SO THEY WERE NEUTRAL.

THE ONLY VOICE THE EMPLOYEES WERE HEARING IS THE UNION'S VOICE.

THAT WAS NOT THE CASE WITH MERCEDES.

THEY LAUNCHED A COUNTERCAMPAIGN AND A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT WHY A UNION WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE IN THIS CASE, COUNTERED SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS AND MADE A MAJOR LEADERSHIP CHANGE ALONG THE WAY.

>> THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT.

>> IT WAS.

I THINK IT WAS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TWO.

THE OTHER THING IS THE TURNOUT IN THE MEASURE VOTE.

93% OF EMPLOYEES VOTED IN THE ELECTION.

>> THAT SEEMS HIGH.

>> IT IS VERY HIGH.

WHAT YOU WORRY ABOUT WITH A UNION ELECTION IS YOU PRETTY MUCH KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO GET THE EMPLOYS WHO ARE PASSIONATELY IN FAVOR OF A UNION TO COME OUT AND VOTE.

THIS IS THEIR MOMENT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

WHAT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY IS OTHER EMPLOYEES GET TIRED OF THE CONVERSATION AND DON'T GO VOTE.

ALL YOU NEED IS A SIMPLE MAJORITY, 50% PLUS 1 OF WHO VOTES, NOT OVERALL EMPLOYEE POPULATION.

I THINK IT THE TURNOUT WAS AN INDICATOR OF HOW SUCCESSFUL THE COMPANY CAMPAIGN WAS IN THIS CASE.

>> INTERESTING.

WE UNDERSTAND VOTER APATHY PRETTY WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> CAN YOU TAKE US INSIDE THE PROCESS.

GOODNESS, IT'S GONE ON FOR WEEKS -- REALLY MONTHS, BUT I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT HOW IT WORKS.

CAN YOU TAKE OUR VOTERS IN TO HOW A VOTE IS CONDUCTED.

I KNOW THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD IS INVOLVED.

HOW DO THE MECHANICS WORK?

>> AT A HIGH LEVEL AND THERE ARE A LOT OF VARIABLES THAT COULD AFFECT THIS.

BUT AT THE HIGH LEVEL, THE UNION INITIATES A CAMPAIGN.

THEY CHOOSE A TARGET AND THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THEY DO BEHIND THE SCENES.

IN MANY CASES BEFORE THE COMPANY IS EVEN AWARE THEY ARE THERE.

THEY ARE TALKING TO EMPLOYEES, UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES AND THEIR GOAL IS TO GET THE MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES TO SIGN A CARD THAT SAYS THEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE UNION.

THAT'S REALLY THE TRIGGER FOR THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

LEGALLY, THEY NEED 30% OF EMPLOYEES TO SIGN CARDS, BUT MOST UNIONS DON'T STOP AT 30% BECAUSE THEY NEED TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF INTEREST TO WITH STAND AN ELECTION.

SO USUALLY THEY AIM FOR 60, 70, 80%.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER WAS HERE.

ONCE THEY GET THE CARD SIGNED, THAT'S THE TRIGGER WHERE THEY CAN GO TO THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS THAT OVERSEES UNION ACTIVITY AND SETS UNION RULES AND PETITION FOR AN ELECTION.

THERE IS A PERIOD OF TIME THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD WILL MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT INTEREST AND THE BARGAINING UNION, WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO BE IN THE UNION WHO'S NOT ELIGIBLE BY RELATION OF THEIR JOBS AND THEY OVERSEE THE ELECTION.

IT IS REALLY WHEN THESE CARDS ARE PRESENTED, WHEN THE COMPANY BECOMES AWARE THERE'S A CAMPAIGN GOING ON.

THEN THEY HAVE A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME 60 TO 90 DAYS TO WAGE THEIR OWN CAMPAIGN TO REALLY GIVE THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN HEARING THE UNION SIDE.

THEN THE NLRB OVERSEES THE ELECTION.

AND IT'S A SECRET BALLOT ELECTION WHERE EMPLOYEES VOTE YES OR NO.

BUT AS WE SAID A FEW MINUTES AGO, THE KEY THERE IS HOW MANY PEOPLE VOTE.

AT THE END OF THE VOTE, THERE'S A SIMPLE MAJORITY THAT WINS OR LOSES THE ELECTION.

AND THEN THAT DETERMINES THE OUTCOME.

NOW, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MERCEDES AND WHAT HAPPENS ON THE BACK END OF THESE, MERCEDES HAS FILED UNFAIR LABOR CHARGES THE IN NLRB IS CONSIDERING.

THERE'S ALWAYS THE OPTION OR THE CHANCE THE NLRB MAY HAVE A HEARING ON UNFAIR PRACTICE CHALLENGE AND THEY COULD ORDER ANOTHER ELECTION.

THIS BOARD, UNDER A DEMOCRAT ADMINISTRATION IS VERY UNION FRIENDLY.

THEY HAVE ACTUALLY ISSUED BARGAINING ORDERS WHERE EVEN THOUGH THE UNION WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN THE ELECTION, NLRB CAN BASICALLY ORDER THE COMPANY TO BARGAIN.

THAT'S THAT WOULD BE -- WOULD FEEL LIKE A BRIDGE TOO FAR, BUT THERE'S SOME PRECEDENT FOR THAT.

BUT SHORT OF THAT, ONCE THE ELECTION IS OVER, THE NLRB RECOGNIZES THE RESULTS AND THEN THERE IS A 12-MONTH PERIOD BEFORE THE UNION CAN COME BACK, WHICH I EXPECT THEY WILL DO IN IN CASE.

>> I'M CURIOUS BEFORE YOU CAME TO AUBURN, YOU HAD A LONG CAREER IN HR, SIGNIFICANTLY WITH INTERNATIONAL PAPER WHICH IS UNIONIZED WORKPLACE.

THE PAPER MILLS ARE UNIONIZED.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT UNION VERSUS UNION.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF WORK ENVIRONMENT AND HOW THINGS GO IN THOSE FACILITIES?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

INTERNATIONAL PAPER HAS THREE PAPER MILLS IN THE STATE.

ALL THREE ARE REPRESENTED BY THE UNITED STEELWORKERS UNION.

THE QUESTION SUFFICIENT A THIRD PARTY YOU HAVE TO WORK THROUGH WHEN YOU DEAL WITH EMPLOYEES.

ANY CHANGE YOU MAKE, POLICY OR RULE CHANGE HAS TO BE BARGAINED WITH THE UNION.

ANYTIME AN ACCOUNTABILITY SITUATION, A DISCIPLINE SITUATION, THE UNION REPRESENTS THE EMPLOYEE.

SO, THE REASON THAT COMPANIES ARE SO OPPOSED TO UNIONIZATION IS IT SLOWS DOWN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.

IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO DO BUSINESS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A THIRD PARTY.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNION.

WE WORKED WELL WITH THE UNION AND WERE ABLE TO WORK ANY PROBLEMS OR ISSUES WE HAD, WE WERE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH THOSE, BUT IN A NUTSHELL, IT SLOWS DOWN YOUR ABILITY TO MAKE DECISION AND CHANGES AND THE FACT YOU HAVE TO BARGAIN WAGES WITH AND BENEFITS ALSO HAS AN IMPACT ON WAGE LEVELS IN THOSE CASES.

>> BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS ACRIMONIOUS.

>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE.

IN FACT, WHEN I TALK TO MY STUDENTS ABOUT HOW DO YOU MANAGE IN A UNION ENVIRONMENT, WHAT I EMPHASIZE IS YOUR FOCUS SHOULD BE ON PROBLEM SOLVING.

YOU WORK WITH THIS THIRD PARTY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT COME UP.

IF IT IS DONE THE RIGHT WAY, IF EACH SIDE TREATS THE OTHER WITH RESPECT AND PROFESSIONALISM, THERE'S NO REASON IT CAN'T BE ACRIMONIOUS.

THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT ARE A MORE CONTENTIOUS VIEW OF THE UNION AND UNIONS THAT HAVE CONTENTIOUS VIEW OF THE COMPANY.

THAT'S WHEN IT CAN GET UGLY.

>> WHAT'S NEXT?

YOU HEAR OF HYUNDAI NEXT, THAT'S A TARGET OF UAW BUT CONSIDERING THIS RESULT OUT OF TUSCALOOSA, DO YOU THINK IT COULD AFFECT THE OPINIONS PEOPLE HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

>> YEAH.

IT FEELS LIKE TO ME -- I'M NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE UNION IS WORKING TO GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP.

MAYBE THEY WERE WAITING ON THEM MERCEDES-BENZ VOTE AND HAVE THE SIGNATURES THEY NEED.

THEY HAVEN'T PETITIONED FOR AN ELECTION YET.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR INTERNAL SUPPORT FEELS LIKE.

I DID BELIEVE IF THE MERCEDES VOTE WENT THE OTHER WAY, I FELT THAT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE HYUNDAI ELECTION.

THAT IT COULD GIVE THE UNION EVEN MORE MOMENTUM.

AND THE HYUNDAI EMPLOYEES COULD LOOK AROUND AND SAY MAYBE THIS SOMETHING WE ARE MISSING OUT ON.

SINCE THE VOTE DID NOT GO THAT WAY, I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO MISS THE BOOST THEY MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF A SUCCESSFUL VOTE.

THE OTHER THING THAT DIFFERENT IS THAT HYUNDAI IS A KOREAN OWNED COMPANY VERSUS A EUROPEAN OWNED COMPANY.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE COUNCIL THAT IS INVOLVED IN EUROPE THAT SUPPORTS UNIONS LIKE YOU DO IN MERCEDES AND VOLKSWAGEN.

I DON'T THINK THE COMPANY WILL FEEL A LOT OF PRESSURE, OUTSIDE OF WHAT HAPPENS HERE IN MONTGOMERY, TO GO ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I EXPECT THEM TO LAUNCH AN AGGRESSIVE COMPANY CAMPAIGN, AND IF I HAD TO PREDICT I THINK IT IS A TOUGH ROAD FOR THE UNION.

SO, I'M NOT EVEN CONVINCED THE HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN WILL GET TO A VOTE AT THIS POINT.

I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MUCH INTERNAL SUPPORT THEY HAVE AND THEN DO THEY CHOOSE TO PUSH ON FOR AN ELECTION OR DO THEY PULL BACK AND REGROUP A LITTLE BIT?

IF YOU GO TO AN ELECTION AND YOU LOSE, YOU HAVE A 12-MONTH PERIOD BEFORE YOU CAN TRY AGAIN.

DOES THE UAW REALLY WANT, WITH THIS STRATEGIC FOCUS ON THE SOUTH, DO THEY WANT TO LOSE TWO ELECTIONS IN THE STATE THIS CLOSE TOGETHER?

I DON'T KNOW.

IT WOULD BE EASIER TO ANSWER IF I KNEW HOW MANY CARDS THEY WERE HOLDING, WHICH I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THAT WOULD BE THE NEXT DOMINO TO FALL IS WHATEVER WITH HYUNDAI IN THIS STATE WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON WHERE THEY GO FROM HERE.

>> VOTE COUNTING IS SOMETHING PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING ARE VERY ACCUSTOM TO.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERTISE AND TIME.

GOOD TO HAVE FOLKS FROM PRATTVILLE HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

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.

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♪ KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS MARK DIXON, PRESIDENT OF APLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP.

MARK, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A BIG COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR EDUCATION.

THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

FIRST, BEFORE WE GET INTO IT, CAN YOU REMIND OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT A PLUS AND ITS ROLE IN THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY.

>> AT A PLUS WE ADVOCATE FOR GREAT SCHOOLS FOR EVERY CHILD REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

WE ADVISE ON POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS.

THAT'S OUR GOAL EVERY DAY AND WORK DIRECTLY IN SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE OUR COLLEGE READY PROGRAM AND BEST PRACTICES CENTER THAT PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.

AN THEN WE HAVE STUDENT VOICES TEAM THAT TRAINS AND WORKS WITH STUDENTS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR -- TO HELP THEM TO BE A VOICE FOR THEMSELVES AND IMPROVE THEIR EDUCATION AND EVERY CHILD ALABAMA COALITION THAT IS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION WORKING FOR GREAT SCHOOLS FEVER CHILD AS WELL.

>> I REMEMBER SEEING PICTURES OF YOUR STUDENT GROUP IN WASHINGTON AND ADVOCATING ON THEIR BEHALF.

THAT'S COOL TO MEET THEIR LEADERS LIKE THAT.

>> IT IS EXCITED AND THEY ARE HEADING BACK TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO MEET WITH OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION NEXT WEEK.

VERY EXCITED TO SEE THEM AND HAVE THE STUDENTS TOGETHER.

>> COOL OPPORTUNITY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT READING.

>> YES.

>> THIS TIME LAST WEEK THE READING SCORES CAME OUT.

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED.

THIS IS THE YEAR THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISIONS GO INTO AFFECT.

EVERYONE IS WONDERING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE SCORES.

THE THIRD GRADERS EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.

91% ARE AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL.

SOME WORK TO DO BUT REALLY GOOD NEWS.

YOU HAVE BEEN TRACKING THIS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE LITERACY ACT.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION AND WHAT SHOULD WE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS?

>> WE WERE VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS PROGRESS AND VERY PROUD OF OUR TEACHERS AND THE FOLKS STATEWIDE THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING TO IMPLEMENT THE LITERACY ACT EFFECTIVELY.

IF YOU THINK OF THE NUMBERS, ONLY 9% OF STUDENTS, 4800 STUDENTS IS IMPORTANT AND WE HAVE PROVIDE THEM WITH SUPPORT.

WHEN IT WAS 17 %, 10,000 A YEAR BEFORE AND HIGHER THE YEAR BEFORE WE ARE TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WHEN YOU THINK OF STATE POLICY, THAT IS REAL PROGRESS REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU MEASURE IT.

THE MORE STUDENTS THAT WE'RE PROVIDING FOUNDATIONAL SKILL OF READING TO AND MAKING SURE WHEN THEY GO TO FORTH GREAT THEY ARE READY TO LEARN THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE AND WE SAW REAL PROGRESS ON THAT THIS YEAR.

I WANT.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO 2019 WHEN THE LITERACY ACT WAS PASSED.

CRAZY TO THINK IT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO.

AND COVID IN BETWEEN.

TAKE ME BACK.

I KNOW YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE PASSING OF THIS THAT POLLS AND ADVOCACY SIDE.

TAKE ME BEHIND THE SCENES OF WHAT IT TOOK TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT.

>> IF WE GO BACK A LITTLE FURTHER, ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE HAD BEEN A NATIONAL MODEL FOR IMPROVING READING IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAD SEEN FUNDING FOR THE ALABAMA READING INCREASE BETWEEN 2,000 AND 2011 BY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS AND WE SAW STUDENTS -- WE WERE ONE OF THE LAST IN THE NATION AND MET THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN FOURTH GRADE READING.

WE WERE MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROPPING.

DUE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS AND LACK OF EMPHASIS AND FOCUS, WE FELL DOWN OVER THE COURSE TO 49TH IN THE NATION.

THE GOVERNOR, LEGISLATORS AND OTHER FOLKS WERE FRUSTRATED WITH WHERE WE WERE.

SO THERE WAS A REAL EFFORT TO SAY WHAT DO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE REINVEST?

WE LAID DOWN THE GAUNTLET, WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OTHER STATES?

FLORIDA HAD PASSED A VERSION OF OUR LITERACY LAW.

AND MISSISSIPPI HAD IMPLEMENTED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO OUR LITERACY ACT AND THEY MET THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN READING AND CONTINUE TO CLIMB TO THIS DAY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WANTED TO LISTEN FROM THE MISSISSIPPI MIRACLE AND MAKE SURE WE LAY IT DOWN IN A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHAT STUDENTS NEED.

THAT INCLUDES TRAINING IN THE STEINS OF READING FOR TEACHERS AND ASSESSMENTS TO IDENTIFY WHERE WE HAVE STRUGGLING READERS AND MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND WHERE WE HAVE CHALLENGES.

INTERVENTION FOR STUDENTS SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THEY CATCH UP.

IT BEGINS REALLY IN PRE-K BUT IN KINDERGARTEN IDENTIFYING AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS ALONG THE WAY.

THE HIGH-QUALITY AND INSTRUCTION AM MATERIALS ALIGNED TO THE SCIENCE OF READING.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS NOT ABOUT RETENTION BUT MAKING SURE KIDS ARE READY TO MOVE TO THE FOURTH GRADE.

WHAT WE KNOW FROM AN EVIDENCE-BASED STANDPOINT IS WHEN KIDS MOVE FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GRADE, THEY MOVE FROM LEARNING TO READ TO READING TO ELEVEN.

IN THIS PAST WE PASSED STUDENTS UP THAT DIDN'T HAVE THAT SKILL AND THEY FALL FURTHER BEHIND AND THE DATA SHOWS THEY HAVE LITTLE CHANCE OF GRADUATING.

IT IS INCUMBENT TO GET IT RIGHT IN THE BEGINNING.

IT IS INTERESTING TO POINT OUT THE RETENTION IS IMPORTANT.

THAT WAS DISCUSSED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE SINCE THE LITERACY ACT GOT PASSED.

I WAS TALKING TO DR. MACKEY LAST WEEK AND HE EMPHASIZED JUST BECAUSE YOU GET A LETTER THAT YOUR CHILD IS NOT AT GRADE LEVEL YET DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY GOING TO BE HELD BACK.

THERE ARE, LIKE YOU SAID, INTERVENTIONS AND PATHWAYS AND EFFORTS OVER THE SUMMER TO GET STUDENTS READY FOR FOURTH GRADE.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT IN THAT LAW.

>> IT IS CRITICAL.

THIS IS A CULMINATION OF THAT.

THEY HAVE A SUMMER READING CAMP THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OUR STATE AND ONCE THEY GO THEY CAN TAKE ANOTHER ASSESSMENT AND IF THEY PASS THEY CAN MOVE TO FOURTH GRADE.

THEY CAN LOOK AT A STUDENT READING PORTFOLIO WHERE WE TAKE THE TEN MINIMUM STANDARDS AND IF THEY CHECK THOSE BOX THEY CAN MOVE ON AND GOOD CAUSE EXEMPTIONS WHERE WE LOOK AT STUDENTS EARLY IN THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE CAREER OR AN IEP SPECIFIC TO THEIR NEEDS THAT THEY MAY MOVE ON IN ADDITION TO THAT.

THERE ARE A DIFFERENT OF PATHWAYS.

IT'S NOT BASED ON ONE TEST.

I WILL SAY I THINK WHERE THE CUT SORT SCORE IS SET ON OUR TEST RIGHT NOW REALLY SHOWS IF THEY ARE NOT MEETING THESE REQUIREMENTS WE DON'T NEED -- IT IS CRITICAL FOR THE STUDENT.

IT IS CRITICAL TO GIVE THEM AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF TIME SO THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

THAT'S THE GOAL HERE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE SOCIAL PROMOTION.

WELL, JOHNNY CAN'T READ BUT WE WANT HIM TO BE IN THE SAME GRADE AS HIS FRIENDS BUT DOES NO SERVICE TO THE CHILD.

>> NOT AT ALL.

>> WE'RE FEELING GOOD ABOUT THIS NEWS.

IT'S GOOD.

WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE GOOD NEWS STORIES BUT I WANT TO TAKE IT ALSO THIS WAY PASSAGE OF THE LITERACY ACT, IS THAT A LESSON ON OTHER POLICIES ON EDUCATION.

THERE ARE ALSO EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

IS THIS A MODEL AND LEGISLATION SON TO SAY IF WE DO THE HARD THINGS AND PASS THE RIGHT POLICIES AND MAKE THE RIGHT INVESTMENTS WE CAN SEE SUCCESS.

>> I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.

IN TERMS OF LESSONS LEARNED, I'D SAY IT STARTS WITH LEADERSHIP.

WE HAVE HAD STRONGER LEADERSHIP FROM GOVERNOR IVEY, OUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT AND LEGISLATORS WHO CRAFTED THIS LEGISLATION AND LED THE CHARGE WITH REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS AND SENATOR ORR TO CRAFT THE LEGISLATION AND MOVE IT FORWARD.

THAT'S HUGE, BUT IT ALSO TAKES COMMITMENT.

BECAUSE THE EASIEST PART IS PASSING THE LAW.

IT IS A THREE PARTER.

WE WANT STRONG POLICIES THAT ARE EVIDENCE BASED.

THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

THAT'S WHERE YOUR GET THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

THEN YOU HAVE TO INVEST.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE $100 MILLION FOR THE LITERACY ACT TOCK FUND AND SUPPORT THAT WORK.

THAT'S CRITICAL, AS WELL.

AND FINALLY THE IMPLEMENTATION.

STRONG IMPLEMENTATION TO MAKE SURE WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE LAW AND BEST PRACTICE IS PUSHED INTO SCHOOLS, WORKING AND TRAINING TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS EVERY DAY AND PROVIDING THE RESOURCES AND TOOLS THEY NEED.

THAT'S WHERE THE ALABAMA INITIATIVE HAS BEEN SO CRITIC.

THEY HAVE DONE A TERRIFIC TIME.

>> MAYBE THIS TIME WE WON'T TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS AND SEE IT THROUGH.

THE FIRST MEETING HAPPENED THIS WEEK REGARDING THIS STUDY TO CHANGE THE WAY ALABAMA ACTUALLY FUNDS SCHOOLS, THE FUNDING MODEL, THE FOUNDATION AS IT IS KNOWN.

A REMNANT FROM THE '90S.

YOU WERE AT THE MEETING.

TALK ABOUT HOW THE CONVERSATION WENT AND WHY IT IS NECESSARY.

>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE LEGISLATURE STUDYING THIS ISSUE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

THEY ARE TAKING THEIR TIME, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES AND THE CURRENT FORMULA AND WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM OTHER STATES ABOUT BEST PRACTICE.

TODAY, WE HAVE WHAT IS CALLED A RESOURCE-BASED FORMULA.

ESSENTIALLY WE SAY YOU HAVE THIS MANY KIDS AND GET THIS MANY TEACHERS, BOOKS, ET CETERA.

>> HEAD COUNT.

>> EXACT.

>> I WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STATES ARE USING IS A STUDENT-WEIGHTED FUNDING FORMULA THAT.

THAT SAYS HERE'S THE BASE AMOUNT IT TAKES TO FUND AN EDUCATION AND WE WILL ADD ADDITIONAL FUNDING ON TOP WHERE WE HAVE ADDITIONAL COSTS TO STUDENTS WHO ARE MEDICAL OR FINANCIAL NEEDS TO BE MED OR ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE AND A LOT OF OTHER MODELS AND STATES WE CAN LOOK AT THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THIS AREA.

TENNESSEE JUST PASSED A NEW FUNDING FORMULA THERE AND THIS SESSION IN MISSISSIPPI IS MOVING TO STUDENT-BASED FUNDING FORMULA.

THE GOAL IS TO FOCUS LESS ON THE NUMBERS AND MORE ON THE STUDENTS.

WHAT ARE THEIR NEEDS AND HOW TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MEETING THEM.

>> IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES COMPETING WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHER SALARIES AND POLICIES.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A HEALTHY COMPETITION IN MANY WAYS.

SOMETHING TO WATCH OVER THE NEXT YEAR LEADING UP TO THE NEXT SESSION.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FORT HENRY LEWIS AARON, BASEBALL ICON HANK HEROIN HONED HIS SKILLS GROWING UP IN ALABAMA.

HE BROKE BABE RUTH'S RECORD OF 174 HOME RUNS HITTING 755, A RECORD THAT STOOD FROM 1974 TO 2007.

HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE MILWAUKEE AND THEN ATLANTA BRAVES FOR 21 SEASONS AND MADE THE NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL STAR TEAM FROM 1955 TO 19 974 AND THREE GOLD GLOVE AWARDS FOR OUTFIELD AND MOST RUNS BATTED IN AND MOST EXTRA BASE STILL STAND.

HE WAS ELECTED TO THE HALL OF FAME WITH 98.7% OF THE VOTES CAST.

HE RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM, THE HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR.

♪ >> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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