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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL".

TODAY WAS THE 17TH LEGISLATIVE DAY OF THE REGULAR SESSION, BUT MOST ACTION HAPPENED IN COMMITTEE.

TOPPING THE LIST WAS THE SENATE FINANCE AND TAXATION EDUCATION COMMITTEE, WHICH TOOK UP THE EDUCATION BUDGET AND RELATED BILLS.

AT $8.79 BILLION DOLLARS, THIS IS THE LARGEST PROPOSED EDUCATION TRUST FUND IN STATE HISTORY, AND THAT'S NOT INCLUDING THE $2.8 BILLION DOLLARS THE LEGISLATURE IS PREPARING TO ALLOCATE IN SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS THANKS TO CARRYOVER REVENUE FROM THE LAST BUDGET.

ALL THAT MONEY CAN MAKE FOR A CHALLENGING BUDGET PROCESS.

IN FACT SENATOR ARTHUR ORR, WHO CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE, SAID IT'S THE MOST DIFFICULT HE HAS BEEN A PART OF DURING HIS TIME WORKING ON BUDGETS.

>> I WOULD HAVE TO SAY CATEGORICALLY AND WITHOUT HESITATION THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST TRYING BUDGET IN MY ILLUSTRIOUS FORMER 12 YEARS.

AND I GUESS THIS IS YEAR 13, AS SERVING IN THIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF A BUDGET, INCLUDING THE 2011 SESSION WHERE WE WERE WORKING ON THE 2012 GENERAL FUND BUDGET THAT IT WAS ALL DOUBLE DIGIT CUTS TO MANY STATE AGENCIES.

>> THE 2024 BUDGET INCLUDES A 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR K-12 AND 2 YEAR COLLEGE EMPLOYEES.

STATE SENATOR DAVID SESSIONS OF MOBILE ASKED IF THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD CONSIDER AN ADDITIONAL PAY INCREASE FOR SUPPORT STAFF.

ORR SAID THAT COULD BE SOMETHING FOR THE HOUSE TO CONSIDER WHEN IT TAKES UP THE BUDGET WITH AN UPDATED REVENUE OUTLOOK.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY ON TRYING TO ASSESS THE NUMBERS FOR K-12 WORKERS.

AND THEY'VE BEEN BEATING THE BUSHES BETWEEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TRYING TO GET A BEAD ON WHAT THAT NUMBER IS.

I'M HOPING IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS WE WILL GET IT.

BECAUSE, LIKE YOU, AND I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL OF YOU, WHEN IT CAME TO SUPPORT STAFF YOU WANTED TO SEE MOVEMENT.

AND I CAN SAY THAT, IN MY CONVERSATION WITH CHAIRMAN GARRETT, HE IS SUPPORTIVE OF THAT INITIATE AS WELL.

>> THERE WERE SOME CHANGES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

THE COMMITTEE MARK UP TOOK THE $966 MILLION THAT WAS GOING TOWARD ONE TIME TAX REBATES DOWN TO $275 MILLION.

THAT MEANS THAT ONE TIME TAX REBATE WILL BE JUST $100 DOLLARS FOR EVERY STATE TAX FILER.

TAKEN AWAY COMPLETELY WERE $200 MILLION FOR THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM, $31 MILLION FOR THE MOBILE AIRPORT, $25 MILLION FOR A MONTGOMERY WATER PARK AND $25 MILLION FOR THE PORT OF MOBILE.

THERE WAS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FOR SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS THAT SCHOOL SYSTEMS CAN USE FOR SECURITY UPGRADES.

>> THAT NUMBER HAS GONE UP FROM $10 MILLION TO $40 MILLION.

I THINK EVERY LEGISLATOR, THAT SCHOOL SAFETY HAS BEEN SOMETHING YOU ALL HAVE TOLD ME THAT YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT AND YOU WANT TO DO SO WE HAVE QUADRUPLED THE ORIGIN RECOMMENDATION FOR SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS.

>> THERE WERE SOME CHANGES TO THE BASE EDUCATION TRUST FUND FROM WHAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED.

HERE'S A QUICK RUN-THROUGH.

LOCAL K-12 SCHOOLS GOT AN 0ADDITIONAL 1.6 MILLION, BRINGING IT TO A TOTAL OF $5.1 BILLION.

THE MAIN CHANGES WERE A DECREASE OF $4 MILLION FROM THE K-12 FOUNDATION PROGRAM, WITH A $1 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE TO THE AT-RISK STUDENT PROGRAM AND $4.6 MILLION MORE FOR THE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER STIPEND.

HIGHER EDUCATION GOT AN ADDITIONAL $3.1 MILLION BRINGING THEIR TOTAL ALLOCATION TO $1.5 BILLION.

THE INCREASES WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SYSTEM, THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, TROY AND SOUTH ALABAMA.

THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM SAW AN INCREASE OF $2 MILLION BRINGING ITS TOTAL TO $551 MILLION.

THAT MONEY WILL GO TO CAPITAL PROJECTS AND THE STEAM PROJECT.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAW AN INCREASE OF $3.7 MILLION BRINGING ITS TOTAL ALLOCATION TO $534 MILLION.

THOSE INCREASES WERE FOR THE PRINCIPAL RECRUITING INITIATIVE, CLASSROOM CAMERAS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION, THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SAW A $7.1 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE BRINGING IT TO A $76.9 MILLION ETF ALLOCATION.

THE MAIN PLUS UPS WERE FOR COMMUNITY PROVIDERS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED.

FINALLY, THE BIGGEST CHANGE WAS FOR RURAL BROADBAND GRANTS, WHICH SAW ITS ALLOCATION REDUCED BY $25 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

THAT LEAVES THE ADECA PROGRAM WITH $7 MILLION FROM THE ETF .

THE EDUCATION BUDGET AND RELATED BILLS EACH PASSED THE COMMITTEE WITHOUT A DISSENTING VOTE AND NOW GO TO THE FULL SENATE.

THE SENATE ALSO CONVENED TO TAKE UP LEGISLATION THIS AFTERNOON, AND RIGHT OFF THE BAT PASSED A BILL DEALING WITH TRANSGENDER ATHLETES.

HOUSE BILL 261 FROM REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DUBOSE WOULD PROHIBIT BIOLOGICAL MALES FROM COMPETING IN COLLEGE SPORTS DESIGNATED FOR WOMEN, AND VICE VERSA.

>> THE BIG THING IS I JUST THINK THAT FORCING WOMEN TO COMPETE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MEN WOULD REVERSE DECADES OF PROGRESS THAT WOMEN HAVE MADE FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN ATHLETICS AND I BELIEVE THAT WOMEN DESERVE A SAFE AND FAIR AND LOCAL PLAYING FIELD.

>> THE BILL PASSED 244 WITH ONE ABSTENTION.

THAT'S FINAL PASSAGE, SO THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

MORE COMMITTEE ACTION IN THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TOOK UP LEGISLATION AIMED AT PREVENTING VAPING AMONG MINORS.

HOW BILL 319 RAN INTO SOME OPPOSITION FROM THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION WHO CLAIMED THE BILL WAS PUSHED BY BIG TOBACCO COMPANIES.

REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DRUMMOND, WHO HAS LONG SPONSORED ANTI-SMOKING AND VAPING MEASURES, SAID SHE HAD ALTERED THE BILL TO INCLUDE INPUT FROM THE VAPING INDUSTRY AND THAT THE INTENT WAS TO PROTECT CHILDREN.

>> THIS BILL DOES NOT DEAL WITH ADULT VAPING.

IT IS SIMPLY FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE -- WELL, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE 21 YEARS OLD AND UNDER.

THIS BILL WILL MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR RETAILERS TO SELL ALL VAPE PRODUCTS TO YOUTH WHO ARE UNDER THAT AGE.

IT WILL ALSO MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO SELL ANY VAPE PRODUCT THAT IS NOT ON THE DIRECTORY WHICH WAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED BY THIS BODY IN 2021.

AND IT IDENTIFIES ALL OF THE VAPE PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN NICOTINE SO THAT THEY CAN BE REGULATED.

WHAT THIS BILL WILL SIMPLY DO IS REGULATE VAPING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THIS IS A VAPE BILL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH AND THEIR WELFARE.

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

THE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE TOOK UP LEGISLATION DEALING WITH DRIVERS LICENSE SUSPENSIONS.

SENATE BILL 154 FROM STATE SEN. WILL BARFOOT WOULD LIMIT HOW QUICKLY THE STATE COULD SUSPEND AN INDIVIDUAL'S DRIVERS LICENSE FOR NON-MOVING VIOLATIONS, SUCH AS UNPAID TICKETS OR MISSED COURT DATES.

>> WHAT THIS DOES, THIS BILL DOES, IT PUTS THE PARAMETERS ON WHEN A COURT CAN SUSPEND THE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND BASICALLY WHAT IT IS, THIS IS A BILL THAT'S BEEN IN AGREEMENT WITH ALEA AND THE ATTORNEY'S GENERAL OFFICE WITH AN AMENDMENT.

WHAT IT DOES, IF THEY MISS MORE THAN ONE COURT APPEARANCE, THEN THE COURT HAS THE ABILITY TO SUSPEND THEIR.

THEY ACTUALLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUSPEND THE DRIVER'S LICENSE ON ONE MISSED APPEARANCE.

THIS MAKES IT HAVE TO BE MORE THAN ONE.

AND IF THEY FAIL TO MAKE THREE OR MORE PAYMENTS THEN THEY CAN SUSPEND THE DRIVER'S LICENSE.

RIGHT NOW THEY CAN SUSPEND THE DRIVER'S LICENSE ON MISSING ONE PAYMENT.

THIS JUST GIVES THEM A LITTLE BIT OF LEEWAY IN CASE THERE ARE SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE HARDSHIPS AND BASICALLY IF THEY DO GET THEIR LICENSE SUSPENDED AS A RESULT OF FAILURE TO TO MAKE -- TO MILLS THREE OR MORE PAYMENTS OR MISS A COURT APPEARANCE THEY CAN JUST PAY REINSTATEMENT FEE AND GET THE DRIVER'S LICENSE BACK.

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

AND THOSE WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM A FULL DAY HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

COMING UP NEXT, I'LL TALK WITH SECRETARY OF COMMERCE GREG CANFIELD ABOUT WHAT'S NEXT WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AFTER PASSAGE OF THE GAME PLAN.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS GREG CANFIELD, ALABAMA'S SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE.

IT'S ALLEGATION GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WELL, YOU HAD A BIG WEEK LAST WEEK WITH THE PASSAGE AND SIGNAGE, ENACTMENT OF THE GAME PLAN, ALL FOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILLS, THE RENEWAL AND REVISING OF THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE APPLAUSE.

BIG WEEK?

>> JUST TELL ME WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO HAVE THAT SUCCESS AND REALLY HAVE IT PRETTY OVERWHELMING.

>> WAS THAT JUST LAST WEEK?

SO OBVIOUSLY WE'RE THRILLED.

WE HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WE WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET THAT TO THAT POINT.

SO I THINK THAT WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE BUT I KNOW YOU DO, THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT A YEAR IN THE MAKING.

WE STARTED WORKING ON ALL OF THIS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

AND DURING THAT PROGRESSION WE WERE MEETING WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP, GOVERNOR'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL," WALKING THROUGHOUT WHAT THIS PACKAGE NEEDED TO LOOK LIKE, SOME OF THE CRITICAL ISSUES THAT WE WERE FACING AND REALLY PUTTING TOGETHER THE GAME PLAN THAT IS IT A VERY FORWARD FUTURE FOCUSED SET OF BILLS.

IT TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT OF COURSE.

BUT WE BUILT A HUGE STAKEHOLDER TEAM SO WE HAD LOTS OF BUSINESS INTERESTS AND HELPING US CONTINUE TO MOVE WITH THIS PACKAGE MOVING IT FORWARD.

THEY CAME TO OUR ASSISTANCE AS WE WORKED THROUGH THE BILLS AND WORKED THROUGH DIFFERENT ISSUES.

YOU KNOW HOW THIS GOES.

I MEAN IT'S -- IT CERTAINLY HAS TO BE IN THE LEGISLATIVE ENVIRONMENT.

THERE HAS TO SHOW A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF GIVE AND TAKE.

A GOOD BIT OF TOUCH WITH DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP.

SO WE WERE TALKING TO REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, HOW MEMBERS, SENATE MEMBERS.

WE WERE TALKINGS TO MINORITY GROUPS.

EVERYONE THAT HAD A STAKE REALLY IN THIS DEVELOPMENT COMMITMENT PACKAGE TO BUILD THAT CONSENSUS.

AND IT BECAME A COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF GIVE AND TAKE.

THERE ALWAYS IS.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE CAME AWAY WITH A PACKAGE THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF.

>> THAT'S WHAT IT SEEMED LIKE TO ME.

BECAUSE THE PRESS CONFERENCE HAPPENS AND THEN THE BILLS GET GOING AND THEN IT ALL LOOKS NICE AND PRETTY.

BUT ALL OF THE LEGWORK BEFOREHAND, YOU CAN JUST TELL THAT, OKAY, THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG LEFT LIFT OF LET'S DO THE HEAVY LIFTING BEFORE WE GET TO SESSION.

THAT'S WHAT IT SEEMS LIKE.

>> IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS CORRECTLY -- PARTICULARLY IN A REGULAR SESSION.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE PERHAPS HAD WE BEEN TO DO THIS IN A SPECIAL BUT THERE ARE THERE WERE TOO MANY OTHER ISSUES OUT THERE MADE THAT IMPRACTICAL.

TO GET THIS PASSED IN TWO WEEKS IN REGULAR SESSION, THAT'S ABOUT AS FAST AS YOU CAN GET IT DONE.

BUT WE REALLY WORKED HARD AND HEAVY FOR ABOUT' EIGHT WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE SESSION AND REALLY HARD AS THE SESSION BEGAN.

A LOT OF MEETINGS.

WE KIND OF -- UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF US HAD TO TAKE OUR REGULAR JOBS AND KIND OF PUSH OFF TO THE SIDE, SOME OF THE TO-DO ITEMS THAT ARE JUST A REGULAR PART OF WHAT WE COULD, WORK IN PROJECTS, WORK IN TRADE, AND TO GET THERE, YOU HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE.

AND YOU HAVE TO MEET WITH LEGISLATORS.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE AND YOU HAVE TO HELP THEY WILL GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE INFORMATION.

A LOT OF THIS WAS DATA-DRIVEN.

THAT WAS GOOD.

BECAUSE WE HAVE GONE THROUGH, SINCE PASSAGE OF THE JOBS ACT IN 2015, WE HAVE DEVELOPED A GREAT DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS THAT IS VERY DATA-DRIVEN.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO SHARE A GOOD BIT OF DATA THIS TIME AROUND, THAT IS VERY FACTUAL THAT HELPED LEGISLATORS UNDERSTAND JUST HOW WELL, THIS PROGRAM OF INCENTIVES IS WORKING AND THE FACT THAT IT TRULY IS PAY AS YOU GO.

IT'S VERY PERFORMANCE BASED.

AND I THINK THAT HELPED EVERYONE BE COMFORTABLE.

PLUS THE FACT THE 4TH BILL, THE ACCOUNTABILITY BILL, WAS SOMETHING THAT I THINK GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THE PUBLIC BETTER UNDERSTAND AS WELL AS LEGISLATORS ELECTED TO REPRESENT THAT PUBLIC JUST HOW WELL, THESE INCENTIVES ARE WORKING, AS WELL AS WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

>> OH, YEAH.

DATA IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN JUST HOPES AND NOTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

YOU HAVE NIECE BILLS PASSED.

THEY'RE IN LAW.

YOU HAVE MOST OF WHAT YOU ASKED FOR IN TERMS OF THE STATE'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STATUTES.

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT, YOU KNOW, USING THEM?

I MEAN IT'S UP TO YOUR DEPARTMENT MOSTLY.

I'M THINKING OF THE SEEDS ACT THAT HAS GETTING THESE SITES UPDATED AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE UPDATES?

>> ONCE WE GOT THE BILL PASSED, THE GAME PLAN ENACTED AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNING IT INTO LAW -- THAT'S WHEN ALL OF THE WORK BEGINS ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE, THE PLANS AND IMPLEMENTATION SIDE.

WE'RE ALREADY WORKING ON THAT IN FACT, WE STARTED WORKING ON THAT BEFORE PASSAGE TO A CERTAIN DEGREE.

WE WEREN'T ALWAYS SURE WHAT THE FINALITY PRODUCT WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE SO WE COULDN'T PUT FINISHING TOUCHES ON EVERYTHING BUT ACID RELATES TO PASSAGE OF THE SEEDS ACT, WE'RE GOING TO BE UTILIZING THE STATED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, SEDA AS WE CALL IT, AS THE MECHANISM TO DELIVER THAT PROGRAM.

AND CEDA HAS NEVER HAD THIS "IN DEPTH" OF A PROGRAM, THIS -- HOPEFULLY WE'RE GOING TO SECURE THE FUNDING.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY IT DIDN'T COME WITH AN APPROPRIATION.

DO YOU THINK IT WILL HAPPEN THIS SESSION?

>> CERTAINLY THAT'S OUR HOPE.

WE'RE HAVING SOME GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH LEGISLATORS.

WE'RE HOPING TO SEE AN APPROPRIATION COME IN.

WE FELT THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH DISCUSSION SO.

BUT KIND OF TRAVELING AROUND THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT, TAKING A LITTLE PIECE OF THE FUNDS THAT WOULD SHOW AVAILABLE IN THE PROFESSIONS PROCESS.

WE WANTED TO WORK KIND OF QUIETLY AND MORE DELIBERATIVE LIVE WITH THE BUDGET CHAIRS AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

SO I THINK WE'RE GETTING THERE.

BUT I THINK WE CERTAINLY HAVE TO PUT NEW RYALS IN TO PLACE AND CREATE A MECHANISM FOR EVALUATING MECHANIC IN ADDITION NATIONS FOR SEEDS.

THERE'S A GOOD BIT OF WORK BEING DONE IN THAT REGARD.

EVEN AS IT RELATES TO THE ACCOUNTABILITY BILL, WE'RE WORKING NOW TO REDESIGN OUR WEBSITE, TO ASSUME AND WORKING ON THE ACTUAL LAYOUT OF THE INFORMATION THAT WE WILL BE PUTTING THERE.

SO THE ALABAMA WEBSITE IS A VERY INFORMATIVE WEBSITE ALREADY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONSISTENT WITH OUR BRANDING ON THAT WEBSITE IN TERMS OF HOW WE INTRODUCE THIS INFORMATION.

AND HOW WE PRESENT IT.

SO IT'S A GOOD BIT OF WORK BEING DONE IN THAT REGARD.

>> THINKING ABOUT THESE SITES, THESE INDUSTRIAL OR POTENTIAL INDUSTRIAL SITES.

IS THERE A GOOD EXAMPLE THAT FLOATS TO MIND OF LIKE HOW WE CAN THINK ABOUT THIS?

I'M THINKING OF LIKE, IS IT A PLACE IN RURAL ALABAMA THAT IS VACANT AND MAYBE COULD -- YOU KNOW, IS IT CLOSE ENOUGH TO RAIL AND TO THE CITY FOR SEWAGE AND THINGS LIKE THAT?

OR IS IT A MORE URBAN ENVIRONMENT, A STORMER INDUSTRIAL SITE?

IS THERE ANY GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT KIND OF SITES MIGHT BE THE NEXT IN TERMS OF THE OF DEVELOPING AND OFFERING TO -- >> YOU ACTUALLY PAINTED THE PICTURE OF WHAT THE SCENARIO LOOK LIKE.

BECAUSE WE ENVISION SEEDS BEING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCOMPLISH TWO THINGS: AND TO DO SO IN A PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO BENEFIT RURAL ALABAMA AS WELL AS OR MORE URBAN COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE, THE ONE THINGS THAT IS TRUE IS THAT WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO, AND PARTICULARLY SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE JOBS ACT IN 2015 TO THE POINT THAT WE'VE PUT MORE PROJECTS ON SITES AND WE NOW EXTRA SHORTAGE.

THE TWO THINGS WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH SEEDS IS, TAKE THOSE SITES ALREADY IN THE INVENTORY, OR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE EVALUATING TO POSSIBLY ENTER INTO THEIR INVENTORY FOR DEVELOPMENT, AND TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY AND A COST SHARING GRANT OPPORTUNITY WHERE THE LOCALS WILL PUT IN AND HAVE SOME SKIN IN THE GAME, AND THE STATE WILL ALSO, TO HELP GET THOSE SITES EVALUATED, HELP THEM GET CERTIFIED, DO THE ENGINEERING WORK THAT'S NECESSARY TO GET THEM TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE WHAT WE CALL SPEED TO MARKET READY.

IT USED TO HAVE BEEN CALLED SHOVEL READY.

YOU WILL STILL HEAR EITHER ONE OF THOSE TERMS.

AND THE SECOND THING THAT WE WANT TO DO WITH SEEDS IS IT ADD TO INVENTORY.

WE'RE LOOK GOING TO BE LOOKING AT TRACTS OF LAND THAT ARE 75 TO A HUNDRED ACRES PLUS -- MANY OF WHICH MIGHT BE IN RURAL ALABAMA.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE WHERE IS RAIL LOCATED, HOW CLOSE TO MAJOR HIGHWAYS OR CONSPIRATORS AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THE INFRASTRUCTURE CAPABILITIES FOR LET, NATURAL GAS, SEWER, WATER, ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND MAKING SOME PRIORITIZATION OF HOW WE PARTNER AND HELP THROUGH THE ACT.

IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAV EAVAILABLE TO US IN THE GRANT-MAKING PROCESS TO BEGIN TO ADD TO THAT INVENTORY OF NEW SITES.

WE CAN TRACK NEW INVESTMENT AND NEW JOBS THAT COME WITH THAT INVESTMENT.

>> I REMEMBER YOU AND ME TALKING BEFORE ON THE PODCAST.

YOU WERE SAYING ESSENTIALLY THAT THAT LOCATION AND ITS -- THE WAY IT FITS INTO THEIR SUPPLY CHAIN AND THE WAY THE COMMUNITY -- ALL OF THOSE INTANGIBLE FACTORS MAY BE A MATTER AS MUCH OR MORE AS ECONOMIC INCENTIVES.

IS THAT A FAIR -- >> YOU KNOW, OUR RULE OF THEM OF THUMB AS COMMERCE IS, IF A COMPANY NEEDS OUR INCENTIVES TO COME TO THE STATED, THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT A GOOD IF I DID.

BECAUSE WE WANT COMPANIES THAT HAVE ABILITY TO ATTRACT THEIR CAPITAL AND SECURE THEIR DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GOOD BUSINESS CASE.

SO ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT THEY THINK IS IMPORTANT IS HAVING A SIDE THAT MAKE ESSENCE, IT'S LOCATED IN AN AREA IN CLOSE PROXIMATE I TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

MAY HAVE BEEN IT HAS LOGISTICS ADVANTAGES.

ALSO A WORKFORCE -- THE WORKFORCE VARIABILITY, THE LABOR SHED THAT WE CAN DRAW FROM IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

ALL OF THOSE FACTORS REALLY PLACE AND SCORE HIGHER IN A COMPANY'S EVALUATION OF SITES THAN DO INCENTIVES.

INCENTIVES USUALLY ARE WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE THE CLOSING TEAL.

>> INTERESTING.

WELL, SWITCHING GEARS, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT TRADE.

TODAY THE GOVERNOR'S TRADE EXCELLENCE AWARD THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR WHERE SHE IDENTIFIES AND CONGRESS IDENTIFIES THE REAL ALL-STARS FOR TRADE, BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONAL.

SO THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

TALK ABOUT THAT WENT AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE FROM THESE YARDS.

>> SO THE GOVERNOR'S TRADE EXCELLENCE AWARDS ARE SOMETHING WE DO EVERY YEAR.

IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO KIND OF DOWN-SELECT TO WHAT USUALLY IS ABOUT SEVEN COMPANIES.

AND THESE COMPANIES WILL RANGE FROM SMALL COMPANIES TO MEDIUM-SIZED, ENTERPRISES, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE BIG BOYS.

THEY REPRESENTED COMPANIES THAT HAVE PERFORMED IN TRADE PARTICULARLY WELL IN THE PRIOR YEAR.

WHAT REALLY MAKES THIS YEAR TOUGH TO PICK THE WINNERS THAT WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR 2022 IS THAT 2000 TOO IN STRAYED FOR ALABAMA WAS A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR AT $25.5 BILLION.

IT WAS A 22 PERCENT INCREASE OVER 2021, WHICH WAS ALREADY AN INCREASE BEFORE EVERYBODY 2020.

SO THE POPULATION OF COMPANIES OUT THERE TO CHOOSE FROM WAS PRETTY DIVERSE BUT WE'VE NARROWED IT DOWN.

>> WELL, THERE WAS THIS REAR ADMIRAL IN MOMENT, YESTERDAY, TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PORT AND JUST THAT -- ITS GROWING ROLE IN EXPANDING TRADE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALABAMA.

TALK ABOUT THAT AND THE FUTURE FOR THE PORT AND WHAT THE MEANS FOR MOBILE AND THE STATE.

>> THE PORT OF MOBILE IS AN ASSET FOR OUR STATE.

IT'S A CHECK AND ENGINE ON ITS OWN.

IT IS THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT ON THE GULF OF MEXICO IN THE U.S. AFTER THE DEEPENING AND WIDENING IS COMPLETED WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN FUNDED BY THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, IT WILL MAKE THAT PORT ONE OF THE DEEPEST AND WIDEST AVAILABLE FOR SOME OF THE LARGEST SHIPS OUT THERE.

IT WILL MAKE THE PORTAL OF MOBILE AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA A REAL DEFENDANT NATION FOR IN BOUND MOVEMENTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS THAT ARE A PART OF THE ECONOMIC ENGINE HERE IN THE STATE.

AND WHAT IS REALLY EXCITING ABOUT IT IS THAT IT'S GOING TO HELP US GROW EVEN FURTHER OUR EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES AS WE OPEN UP THE WORLD -- I THINK CURRENTLY MADE IN ALABAMA GOODS ARE FOUND IN ABOUT 196 COUNTRIES ACROSS THE GLOBE.

AT ONE POINT, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THERE WERE 196 COUNTRIES ON THE GLOBE.

BUT YOU KNOW, THIS PORT ARE CONTINUES TO GROW.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE INVESTMENTS BEING MADE, THE CONTAINER PORT HAS GROWN TRIPLE IN SIZE SINCE I THINK I'VE BEEN IN THIS IS ROLE, AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE NEW INVESTMENTS BEING MADE TO, LIKE I SAID TO DEEPEN AND WIDEN THE CHANNEL.

WE NOW HAVE ROLL-ON AND ROLL-OFF CAPABILITY THAT WE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

SO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING AT THE PORT THAT ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE OUR ECONOMY.

>> MR. SECRETARY, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

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

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.