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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY IN THE HOMESTRETCH OF THIS 2023 REGULAR SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

THERE ARE THREE LEGISLATIVE DAYS REMAINING AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT LAWMAKERS WILL COMPLETE THE SESSION THIS WEEK.

THAT WOULD MEAN MEETING WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND POSSIBLY FRIDAY.

OR THEY COULD HOLD ON TO THE 30TH DAY AS AN INSURANCE POLICY AGAINST ANY POTENTIAL VETOES, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS ACTUALLY NEEDED.

REMEMBER THAT THE BOTH THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET ALONG WITH THEIR SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING PLANS, WERE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR LAST WEEK.

SHE NOW HAS UNTIL THURSDAY TO ACT ON THEM, WHETHER THAT MEANS SIGNING THEM OR RETURNING THEM WITH EXECUTIVE AMENDMENTS FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER.

BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES STILL MOVING IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE CHANCE TO PASS BEFORE TIME IS UP.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE AWAITING ACTION IN THE HOUSE.

SENATE BILL 206 FROM STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS WOULD CRACK DOWN ON THE INCREASING PROBLEM OF RETAIL THEFT, INCLUDING ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT.

SENATE BILL 261 FROM STATE SENATOR DAN ROBERTS WOULD PROHIBIT STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM CONTRACTING WITH COMPANIES WHO BOYCOTT OTHER COMPANIES BASED ON POLITICAL ESG SCORES.

SENATE BILL 263 FROM STATE SENATOR DONNIE CHESTEEN WOULD MAKE UPDATES TO THE ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT TO SEE MORE STUDENTS IN MORE SCHOOLS BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO ESCAPE STRUGGLING SCHOOLS.

SENATE BILL 223 FROM STATE SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES WOULD UPDATE THE CHILD PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIM PROTECTION ACT TO ALLOW FOR CHILD WITNESSES.

ALL THOSE BILLS ARE ON THE HOUSE AGENDA FOR TOMORROW.

ANOTHER BILL AWAITING COMMITTEE ACTION IS SENATE BILL 301 FROM STATE SENATOR JABO WAGGONER.

IT WOULD CRACK DOWN ON TEXTING AND DRIVING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES BY PROHIBITING THE USE OF A HANDHELD PHONE OR TABLET WHILE DRIVING.

WAGGONER WORKED WITH SENATOR SAM GIVHAN ON CHANGES TO THE BILL TO MAKE IT MORE PRACTICABLE.

THE BILL WOULD CLEARLY DEFINE DISTRACTED DRIVING AND WHAT ACTIONS ARE PROHIBITED IN ALABAMA LAW.

>> I'M READY TO PASS THIS HANDS-FREE BILL.

IT'S BEEN TRIED OVER AND OVER.

I'M SERIOUS ABOUT THIS BILL AND I HOPE THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE WILL LISTEN TO SENATOR GIVAN, HE'S THE LEARNED ATTORNEY WITH THIS ISSUE ALONG WITH SENATOR BAR FOOT.

>> HE WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM HOLDING A STAND-ALONE ELECTRONIC DEVICE, IPAD QUALIFIES FOR THAT.

DIFFERENT FROM A WIRELESS PHONE.

COULD BE A ANY NUMBER OF THINGS.

YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE VIDEOS AS YOU GO DOWN THE ROAD OR BEING SILLY ON AT THIS PARTICULAR TO BEING.

THAT'S OUT LOUD.

YOU CAN SEND TEXT WITH SIRI, GIVE AN AUDIO TEXT BUT NOT USING YOUR HANDS GOING DOWN THE ROAD TO DIAL A NUMBER OR TEXTING.

YOU CAN HIT ONE BUTTON TO START OR INITIATE A PHONE CALL OR END A PHONE CALL.

BUT YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HOLD THE PHONE IN YOUR HANDED.

SOMETIMES THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE CALL CAN'T HEAR ME OR I CAN'T HEAR THEM ON BLUE TOOTH AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THEM OFF BLUE TOOTH AND HOLD IT UP TO MY HEAD.

>> THE BILL WAS SENT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE BUT THERE IS CURRENTLY NO MEETING SET FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT NOTABLE BILLS AWAITING SENATE ACTION.

PROBABLY THE MOST PROMINENT IS HOUSE BILL 479 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANNY GARRETT, WHICH WOULD CUT THE STATE SALES TAX ON GROCERY ITEMS IN HALF OVER TWO YEARS.

IT IS AWAITING ACTION IN THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

HOUSE BILL 217 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY DANIELS WOULD ELIMINATE INCOME TAXES ON OVERTIME WORKED.

THAT TOO IS AWAITING ACTION IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

IN FACT, THERE ARE SEVERAL TAX CUT BILLS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN THAT COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW.

IT WILL LIKELY BE THEIR LAST CHANCE TO ADVANCE IN TIME TO ACHIEVE FINAL PASSAGE.

HOUSE BILL 436 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE ONTARIO TILLMAN WOULD CHANGE THE AGE FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE TO BE TRIED WITH YOUTHFUL OFFENDER STATUS TO 22 UP FROM 19.

IT IS ON THE AGENDA OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

HOUSE BILL 229 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND WOULD ALLOW NON-VIOLENT INMATES WHO WERE CONVICTED UNDER THE HABITUAL FELONY OFFENDER ACT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A RE-SENTENCING HEARING.

THAT BILL IS THROUGH COMMITTEE AND READY FOR FLOOR CONSIDERATION.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF REPRESENTATIVE ENGLAND'S BILLS THAT CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT HAS BEEN COVERING IN THE HOUSE.

HERE'S MORE ON THAT.

>> A LION'S SHARE OF HOUSE WORK IS HAPPENING IN THE COMMITTEES WITH TIME WINDING DOWN INCLUDING PROPOSALS, HOUSE BILL 14 BEING PRESENTED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO GET A CHANCE TO MAKE IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> THIS IS AN ANTIQUATED PRACTICE WHERE EVEN THOUGH A JURY WOULD IMPOSE A LIFE SENTENCE, THE JUDGE HAS THE ABILITY TO UNILATERALLY OVERTURN THE SENTENCE AND IMPOSE DEATH PENALTY.

>> DEALING WITH NEW ATHLETIC TRAINER GUIDELINES IS MAKING PROGRESS.

>> THIS IS GOING TO PROVIDE FOR GRANTS TO LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION MEETING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE USE OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS IN RURAL, 1A, 2A, 3A, AND ALSO AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF ATHLETICS DIRECTORS TO HAVE THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

>> AND COACHES, WHEN THEY COME, I KNOW SOME SCHOOL SYSTEMS GET AROUND IT, BUT THE REQUIREMENT FROM THE STATE IS ALSO, THEY BE A TEACHER IN THE SYSTEM.

WITH THIS NEW EDUCATION, RECRUITING OF TRAINERS FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT THE STATE WON'T REQUIRE THAT THEY ARE ALSO A TEACHER IN ORDER TO WORK IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE BILL IS APPROVED.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> THERE'S A NEW LAW IN ALABAMA AS OF TODAY.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS SIGNED HOUSE BILL 261 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DUBOSE.

IT PROHIBITS BIOLOGICAL MALES FROM COMPETING IN COLLEGE SPORTS DESIGNATED FOR WOMEN, AND VICE VERSA.

A SIMILAR MEASURE FOR K-12 SPORTS WAS ENACTED LAST YEAR.

GOVERNOR IVEY SAID THE LAW IS ABOUT FAIRNESS PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON FROM THE ALABAMA DELEGATION.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS, WHO CHAIRS THE POWERFUL HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CONTINUED DELAYS IN THE FINAL SELECTION OF THE PERMANENT HOME FOR THE U.S. SPACE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS.

IN 2021, THE AIR FORCE CHOSE HUNTSVILLE'S REDSTONE ARSENAL FOR SPACECOM AFTER A COMPETITIVE PROCESS.

BUT THAT DECISION HAS BEEN DELAYED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AS A REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED.

TWO WEEKS AGO, NBC NEWS REPORTED THAT THE WHITE HOUSE WAS CONSIDERING RESCINDING THE DECISION OVER ALABAMA'S STRICT ABORTION LAW AND SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE'S TACTICS TO FIGHT THE PENTAGON'S NEW ABORTION TRAVEL POLICY.

ROGERS SAID THE AIR FORCE MADE THE CORRECT DECISION TWO YEARS AGO AND THAT THE DELAYS SMACK OF POLITICS.

HE SAID QUOTE, "“I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE CONTINUED DELAYS IN MAKING THIS MOVE ARE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND DAMAGING TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

"” WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUEST, STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS OF PRATTVILLE.

>> JOINING ME NEXT, STATE SENATOR CLYDE CHAMBLISS FROM PRATTVILLE.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> AND TRULY WE ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH.

WE'VE BEEN SAYING IT FOR WEEKS, BUT THIS COULD BE THE LAST WEEK OF THE SESSION.

WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT TIMING-WISE?

DO YOU EXPECT TO BE DONE THIS WEEK.

>> THAT'S THE HOPE.

TWO DAYS, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY.

ALL DEPENDS ON IF THERE'S AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE BODY AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH, VETOES OR SOMETHING THAT WE'VE PASSED THAT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT NECESSARILY IN FAVOR OF SO WE MAY HOLD OUT FOR THE LAST DAY.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING REALLY HUGE.

NOW THAT WE HAVE THE BUDGETS THROUGH, WE KNOW WHERE THAT'S AT.

SO, I'M HOPEFUL WE'LL BE DONE ON THURSDAY.

>> SHE'LL HAVE ACTED ON THE BUDGET BY THURSDAY.

SO, YOU HAVE A CHANCE IF THERE WERE EXECUTIVE AMENDMENTS TO WORK IT OUT TO SEND IT BACK ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

THAT'S TRUE.

I FEEL THE GOVERNOR HAS FIRST CUT AT IT.

SHE SENDS US HER PROPOSALS AND WE GO BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND COME UP WITH A FINAL PACKAGE.

UNLESS IT'S SOMETHING REALLY AGAINST HER GRAIN, THINK THAT SHE'S GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

BUT WE'LL SEE.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> SPEAKING OF THE BUDGETS, YOU HAD SOME DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE FINAL PRODUCT ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU WERE ON THAT COMMITTEE AND THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND THE LATE LATE NIGHT THAT YOU HAD LAST WEEK.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOU SAW AS LESS THAN IDEAL, TO PUT IT MILDLY IN THAT FINAL PRODUCT.

WELL, IT'S KIND OF AN INVOLVED DISCUSSION BUT MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND, THEY ARE NOT BUDGETS.

THEY ARE APPROPRIATION BILLS.

AND I EXPLAINED IT TO MY YOUNG DAUGHTERS GROWING UP.

IF I GIVE THEM EACH A HUNDRED DOLLARS AND THEY GO OUT AND DO WHATEVER THEY WANTED TO DO WITH IT, I HAVE APPROPRIATED A HUNDRED DOLLARS.

AND I SAY, HERE'S A HUNDRED DOLLARS, YOU HAVE TO SET ASIDE SOME FOR TITHES, SAVINGS, AND SUCH, THAT'S A BUDGET.

WELL, WE DON'T DO THAT HERE.

ON THE GENERAL FUND WE BASICALLY DIVIDE UP WHO GETS WHAT.

WHAT THEY DO WITH IT, THAT'S CONTROLLED BY LAW, EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND WHATEVER.

MY MAJOR CONSTERNATION, OUR BUDGET PROCESS, APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS, OVER THE YEARS ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, THEY HAD TO DO WHATEVER THEY COULD DO TO GET THE BUDGET PASSED.

SCRAPE, CLAW, PULL FROM HERE, THERE, AND THROUGH A LOT OF HARD WORK BY A LOT OF PEOPLE, LOTS OF BUDGET CHAIRS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT ANY MORE.

AND HOWEVER, WE'RE STILL DOING THAT.

WHAT I MEAN, WE'RE ADDING OUR BEGINNING BALANCE TO THE EXPECTED INCOME, EXPENSES TAKEN AWAY FROM THAT AND WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

YOU DON'T PROBABLY DON'T DO THAT AT YOUR HOME AND I DON'T DO IT TO MINE.

I DON'T ADD EXPECTED INCOME AND PUT IT WITH IT AND SPEND IT.

I LOOK AT MY EXPECTED INCOME AND WHEN THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY GOES AWAY, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE SAME SITUATION IN 2015 LIKE MY FIRST YEAR AND LIKELY HAVE A HUGE HOLE IN THE BUDGET.

>> YOU SAY WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT ANY MORE.

YOU MEAN, BECAUSE REVENUES ARE MORE STABLE THAN THEY HAVE BEEN, THERE ARE MORE SOURCES OF REVENUE?

>> PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE SIMPLIFIED AS THE SIMPLE SELLER'S TAX OR THE INTERNET SALES TAX.

THOSE MONIES ALWAYS HAVE BEEN DUE.

AND SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE PUT 75% OF THAT INTO THE GENERAL FUND AND 25% INTO THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

THAT'S REALLY STABILIZED OUR INCOME ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE IT.

IT GAVE US THAT ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, AND WE DIDN'T ALWAYS HAVE THAT.

AND WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT, THE PROCESS WAS WHATEVER IT COULD BE TO GET TO THE END.

IT'S NOT A CRITICISM OF THAT.

WE HAD TO DO WHAT WE HAD TO DO.

NOW THAT WE'RE IN A SEPARATE SITUATION, I THINK WE NEED TO SEPARATE ONE-TIME MONIES FROM RECURRING DOLLARS AND ONE-TIME EXPENSES FROM RECURRING EXPENSES SO WE DON'T BEGIN OUR BUDGET, IF YOU WILL, WITH WHAT'S LEFT OVER FROM LAST YEAR.

THIS IS WHAT WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE THIS YEAR, HERE'S THE CURRENT EXPENSES AND BELOW THAT, HERE'S WHAT WE HAVE LEFT OVER FROM THE PREVIOUS YEARS AND HERE'S THE CAPITAL ITEMS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND, ONE-TIME EXPENSES.

>> WELL, SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT LIKE WHAT CONGRESS IS SUPPOSED TO DO IDEALLY AND PATRIOT SAYS IS JACKED UP RIGHT NOW OBVIOUSLY.

BUT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PASS A BUDGET FRAMEWORK BETWEEN APPROPRIATIONS EVEN BEGINS.

THAT'S THE FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS AND OFTEN TO PASS A 10 YEAR PLAN.

HERE'S WHAT WE WANT TO LAY OUT 10 YEARS FROM NOW.

AND THEY END UP DOING EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, LOOK.

LET'S JUST PASS THIS APPROPRIATIONS BILL.

AND DO YOU HEAR FROM THE COLLEAGUES WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT IDEAS FROM THAT, BUY-INS, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT I HEAR ON THE EDUCATION SIDE THERE'S BUDGET REFORM TALK LEARNING OFF OF WHAT TENNESSEE DID.

ARE YOU HEARING MAYBE THAT COULD HAPPEN?

OR BOTH?

>> WELL, AFTER MY COMMENTS, A LOT OF SENATORS THAT I HAVE TALKED WITH THAT ARE INTERESTED.

THIS IS A LOOK FORWARD.

IT'S REALLY NOT ABOUT THIS YEAR.

MY COMMENTS WERE NOT REALLY ABOUT THIS YEAR.

MY COMMENTS ARE REALLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR NEXT YEAR.

IF WE CONTINUE THIS SAME TYPE PROCESS AS WE ENTER INTO WHAT WE THINK OR LIKELY IS A DOWN TURN, IT'S GOING TO BITE US.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

BUT NEXT YEAR IS WHAT I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> SWITCHING GEARS WITH JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT AND THE BUDGETS ARE DONE.

WHAT OTHER BILLS ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

DO YOU HAVE ANY THAT YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THAT YOU ARE HOPING TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AT THE END HERE?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONE FOR ME IS THE RETAIL THEFT OR SHOPLIFTING BILL, IT'S THROUGH THE SENATE, COMMITTEE AND IT'S IN PLACE TO BE FIRST ON THE SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR TOMORROW.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE PASSED.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

LOTS OF PEOPLE ASK ME.

RIGHT NOW, SHOPLIFTING CRIMES ARE PROSECUTED UNDER THE THEFT STATUTE.

AND IT REALLY DOESN'T FIT EXACTLY.

THERE WERE NOT REGISTERS, BAR CODES AND ALL OF THAT, BACK WHEN THAT WAS WRITTEN.

SO, WE NEED A STATUTE THAT ADDRESSES THAT SPECIFICALLY.

WE'VE WORKED BACK AND FORTH.

THINK WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S PASSIBLE AND REALLY GOING TO HELP OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IS THIS, PART OF THAT, ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT WHERE WE HEAR ABOUT FROM STORES, NOT JUST RANDOM BUT PLANNED.

IS THAT PART OF THE BILL.

>> THAT'S PART OF THE BILL.

AND OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S A SECONDARY PART THAT I WAS NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH WHEN WE STARTED.

BUT IN TALKING TO THE D.A.

'S, PROSECUTORS, LPS, AND OTHERS, IT'S EVIDENT THAT'S A BIG DEAL AS WELL.

SO, BOTH OF THOSE ARE ADDRESSED IN THE BILL.

>> IS THAT TO COME BACK TO THE SENATE?

>> IT'S, UNLESS HIS AMENDED ON WEDNESDAY, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME BACK.

>> WELL, WHEN YOU START PLAYING PING PONG, WAIT WAIT, OH, NO.

COULD BE LATE NIGHTS COMING UP.

>> SURE.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, TRANSPORTATION.

YOU ARE ARE THE RESIDENT ENGINEER IN THE SENATE.

YOU GET ASKED ABOUT IT WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT.

BUT THIS IDEA OF I-65 EXPANSION, ALWAYS BATTED AROUND.

AND I'VE TWEETED ABOUT IT, WHERE YOU ARE DRIVING NORTH TO BIRMINGHAM AND IT JUST TAKES FOREVER, STARTING IN CLANTON AND JUST A HUGE DEVELOPMENT.

ESPECIALLY THESE DAYS IN THE SUMMER MONTH.

ONE THING TO SAY, YEAH, 6 LANE 65 FROM THE TENNESSEE LINE TO I-10.

BUT THAT JUST SEEMS TO ME A HUGE UNDERTAKING.

WHAT PRACTICALLY COULD BE DONE FROM ENGINEERING AND COST STANDPOINT TO ACTUALLY IMPROVE 65?

>> WELL, IT'S THE SAME AS, HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT.

ONE BITE AT A TIME.

IF YOU COMMIT AND SAY, TENNESSEE LINE TO FLORIDA AND LET'S GO DO IT, IT'S JUST NOT DOABLE.

IT'S VERY VERY MUCH NEEDED.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES WE HAVE TO LOOK AT RESOURCES.

WHERE'S THE MOST CONGESTION, OBVIOUSLY AROUND BIRMINGHAM.

BUT FOR ME, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET THE TRAFFIC FROM THE NORTHERN STATES TO THE GULF COAST.

THE GULF COAST IS A HUGE REVENUE GENERATOR FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AS I-65 GETS MORE AND MORE CONGESTED, PEOPLE WILL LOOK TO GO OTHER PLACES INSTEAD OF TO THE GULF COAST.

ONCE YOU LOSE THE MOMENTUM, IT'S HARD TO GET IT BACK.

SO, I-65 IS A HIGH PRIORITY AND WE NEED TO DO THE MOST WE CAN STARTING WITH THE HIGHEST CONGESTED YARD AND WORK IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

>> AND ALSO FROM SAFETY POINT, THERE'S A STRETCH FROM BUTLER COUNTY, SEVERAL WEEKS, INCLUDING REALLY DEVASTATING WRECK.

BUT IS SAFETY A CONCERN WHEN D.O.T.

IS LOOKING AT THIS?

AND WHEN THE JOINT TASK FORCE IS LOOKING AT IT?

SAFETY IS A BIG DEAL?

>> SAFETY IS A BIG DEAL.

I HAVE TO GET ON THE SOAP BOX.

LEFT LANE DRIVING JUST DIMINISHES THE CAPACITY OF THE ROADWAYS.

SLOWER TRAFFIC TO STAY RIGHT AND FASTER TRAFFIC TO THE LEFT.

EVEN IF YOU ARE GOING THE SPEED, YOU ARE NOT THE HIGHWAY PATROL, YOU NEED TO GET OVER.

AND PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED AND TRY TO GO AROUND.

STAY IN THE RIGHT LANE UNLESS YOU ARE PASSING.

THAT'S THE HELP.

THAT'S THE SAFETY ISSUE.

ESPECIALLY IN THE MORE RURAL PARTS.

PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED AND THEY START TAKING CHANCES THEY SHOULDN'T TAKE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRISON SITUATION.

I UNDERSTAND THERE'S ANOTHER JOINT PRISON OVERSIGHT PRISON MEETING COME.

COST OVERRUNS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT WE DIDN'T EXPECT.

YOU HEARD ABOUT IT FROM THE FLOOR IN THIS SESSION.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN IN THAT NEXT PRISON OVERSIGHT MEETING?

>> WE NEED TO UPDATE THE MEMBERSHIP OF WHERE WE ARE AT ON THE CONSTRUCTION, ELMORE AND ALSO, DESIGN FOR THE ESCAMBIA FACILITY.

I WAS ABLE TO GO OUT TO THE SIGHT AND LOOK AT THE PROGRESS.

WITH THIS TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION, BASED ON MY BACKGROUND, THERE'S ALWAYS A LULL IN THE PROGRESS.

WHAT IT IS, YOU GO OUT AND DO ALL OF THE CLEARING, EARTH WORK AND THINGS MOVE REALLY, REALLY FAST.

ONE DAY YOU DIG A HOLE AND COVERED IT UP AND LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.

SO, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS.

SEWER, STORM WATER, WATER, AND ALL OF THE UTILITIES UNDERGROUND ARE BEING INSTALLED.

THEY ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS AND I EXPECT TOWARD THE END OF THE SUMMER, THEY WILL START COMING OUT OF THE GROUND WITH BUILDING.

>> WHAT ABOUT ESCAMBIA COUNTY?

YOU SAID MORE DESIGN PHASE NOW?

>> BIGGEST THING, TAKE THE DESIGN FROM ELMORE AND USING THAT, SAVING HUNDRED OF MILLION DOLLARS, AND YOU KNOW -- SAVING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IT WILL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF TIME.

SO WE'RE DOING THAT.

>> INTERESTING.

WHILE I HAVE YOU, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION, SPECIFICALLY SCHOOL CHOICE.

SCHOOL CHOICE BILLS POPPING UP THIS SESSION AND REALLY THEY HAVE FOR A WHILE.

LITTLE DIFFERENT.

EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

YOU CAN TAKE OUT UP TO $10,000 -- OR I GUESS $7,000 TO TAKE A KID OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL OR PUT THEM IN PRIVATE SCHOOL OR HOMESCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

LOOKS LIKE THAT'S NOT GOING TO PASS THE LEGISLATURE THIS TIME.

BUT IT DID HAVE MOMENTUM.

YOU REPRESENTED A DISTRICT THAT HAS PLENTY OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS BUT TO ME, LARGELY A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WHAT'S YOUR FEEDBACKS FROM CONSTITUENTS AND EDUCATORS AND THIS IDEA HOW TO IMPROVE SCHOOLS OVERALL.

IT'S MIXED.

I GET SOME OF BOTH SIDES.

I WILL SAY THAT THERE'S MORE MOMENTUM NOW THAN THERE'S EVER BEEN.

I SENSE A FAIRLY GOOD AMOUNT OF SUPPORT IN THE SENATE.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NOT QUITE THERE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T PASS IT THIS SESSION.

BUT THE THING IS, IF WE STARTED WITH A BLANK SHEET, NOTHING OUT THERE, IT'S A NO-BRAINER, YOU JUST JUMP OUT THERE AND DEAL WITH IT.

YOU HAVE EXISTING SCHOOLS, AND HOW IT EFFECTS THEM AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHERE YOU GET INTO THE GRAY AREA, THE CONSTERNATION, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, PARENTS KNOW THE BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

I EXPECT THAT TO BE BACK AND PROBABLY MAKE PROGRESS NEXT SESSION.

>> AND EXISTING SYSTEM, THAT'S WHERE THE COMPLICATION COMES IN.

AND MAYBE SOME OF THE MISUNDERSTANDING COMES IN.

WITH ISSUES LIKE EDUCATION, PEOPLE WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND EVERYTHING IMPROVE.

IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.

IT TAKES YEARS TO TURN AROUND.

AND RECEIVE SEEN THAT WITH THE LITERACY.

>> YEAH, IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME.

POLICIES TAKE A LONG TIME TO BECOME INSTALLED AND EFFECTIVE AND ACTUALLY EVEN AFTER THAT, BEFORE YOU CAN GET ANY DATA.

>> SENATOR, I'VE KEPT YOU TOO LONG.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

I GUESS WE NEED TO WEAR OUR COMFORTABLE SHOES THIS WEEK AS WE FOLLOW THE LEGISLATURE AND IF YOU ARE IN THE STATE HOUSE, YOU MAY WANT TO BRING A COT!

>> THANKS AGAIN AND WE'LL SEE YOU ON THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU.