>>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, TOMORROW'S PENULTIMATE DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BE ANOTHER LONG ONE, WITH THE HOUSE SET TO RESUME DEBATE ON A BILL TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND TAKE UP THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN.

THE LOWER CHAMBER DEBATED MEDICAL MARIJUANA UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON TUESDAY, WITH A LOT OF FILIBUSTERING FROM OPPONENTS, BUT DID NOT TAKE A VOTE ON THE ISSUE.

HOWEVER, A VOTE IS WIDELY EXPECTED TOMORROW.

SENATOR TIM MELSON OF FLORENCE HAS CHAMPIONED THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION FOR THREE YEARS RUNNING AND HE WAS FEELING GOOD ABOUT IT LAST NIGHT.

>> THEY WILL VOTE IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND THEN WE WILL GO TO CONFERENCE OR MAYBE WE WON'T HAVE TO.

BUT I FEEL PRETTY GOOD.

A LOT OF GOOD QUESTIONS, A LOT OF GOOD STATEMENTS.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR MORE.

THERE WILL BE OTHER PEOPLE TO TELL STORIES ABOUT HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN USED IN THEIR LIFE OR IT WAS USED IN THEIR LIFE FOR BENEFIT.

DON: MELSON'S BILL WON A KEY PROCEDURAL VOTE IN THE HOUSE ON TUESDAY, WHICH IS WIDELY SEEN AS AN INDICATOR THAT IT COULD GET ULTIMATE APPROVAL.

OPPONENTS OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL HAVE AIRED NUMEROUS CONCERNS, INCLUDING THAT IT COULD BE A GATEWAY TO BOTH INCREASED RECREATIONAL USE OF THE DRUG AND POSSIBLE FUTURE LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL USE.

SOME HAVE ALSO CONTENDED THAT THE LEGISLATION IS TOO BROAD AND SHOULD BE MORE LIMITED IN SCOPE.

AMONG THE LAWMAKERS WHO SPOKE AGAINST MEDICAL MARIJUANA DURING TUESDAY'S LENGTHY DEBATE WAS REPRESENTATIVE JIM CARNS OF VESTAVIA HILLS.

>> YOU WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT BACK WHEN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS FIRST HEARD ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND THEY WERE AGAINST IT.

AND I WAS HERE DURING THAT TIME.

AND I THOUGHT AT THAT TIME THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD PROBABLY NEVER BE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I KNOW YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR MIND.

I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND IN THE PAST.

AND I GREATLY RESPECT YOU.

WE HAVE BEEN MEMBERS TOGETHER.

BUT WE CAN RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE ON THIS SUBJECT.

DON: THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION WOULD TIGHTLY CONTROL EVERYTHING FROM GROWING TO PROCESSING TO DISPENSING TO QUALIFYING CONDITIONS.

IF IT GETS FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT INTO LAW, ALABAMA WOULD BECOME THE 37TH STATE TO LEGALIZE THE MEDICAL USE OF THE DRUG.

DON: AS IF MEDICAL MARIJUANA WEREN'T A WEIGHTY ENOUGH ISSUE FOR THE HOUSE TO TAKE UP TOMORROW, THE LAWMAKERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN THAT PROPOSES A LOTTERY, CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING IN THE STATE.

THE RELATED BILLS HAVE ALL QUICKLY PASSED HOUSE COMMITTEES THIS WEEK, SETTING THE STAGE FOR A VOTE ON THE LOWER CHAMBER FLOOR ON THURSDAY.

REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS BLACKSHEAR OF PHENIX CITY IS CARRYING THE GAMBLING LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE.

>> THIS PROPOSED ACTION WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF GAMBLING AND GAMING LOCATIONS IN THE SITE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO SIX LICENSED TO SEPARATE FROM THE THREE LOCATIONS THAT EXIST TODAY DUE TO THE P PCI LOCATIONS ON THE FEDERALLY PROTECTED LAND.

AND ALABAMA WOULD BE RECOGNIZING REVENUE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

ALONG WITH A STRONG ENFORCEMENT ARM LIKE WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE FROM THE ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE.

DON: THE GAMBLING LEGISLATION INCLUDES A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, OR CA, THAT, IF APPROVED BY LAWMAKERS, WOULD ULTIMATELY GO UP FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE NEXT YEAR.

SOME LEGISLATORS HAVE SAID THEY WOULD PREFER TAKING UP A LOTTERY-ONLY BILL, WHILE OTHERS SAY THEY THINK THE STATE SHOULD GO ALL THE WAY WITH CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

DON: BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE IS DONE, LAWMAKERS WILL ALSO NEED TO GIVE FINAL PASSAGE TO THE RECORD 2.4-BILLION-DOLLAR GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

THE SPENDING PLAN FOR NON-EDUCATION STATE AGENCIES WENT TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY, TO WORK OUT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE VERSIONS AND COULD RECEIVE FINAL PASSAGE TOMORROW.

SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON OF ATMORE IS THE GENERAL FUND CHAIRMAN IN THE UPPER CHAMBER AND HE SAYS A RECORD BUDGET DURING A PANDEMIC IS DUE TO NUMEROUS STEPS THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS TAKEN.

>> TO CHANGE ITS METHODOLOGY IN BUDGETING AND CHANGE THE ESTIMATE AND HOW WE COME TO HOW MUCH WE CAN SPEND AND THEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T SPEND IT ALL, TO HOLD BACK MONIES, TO RESERVE AND PUT CONDITION CONDITIONALS IN, TO TAKE DIFFERENT STEPS THAT ARE PHYSICALLY SOUND AND CAUTIONARY.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO A DECENT JOB OF THAT.

>> DON: AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE %2.4 BILLION FUND BUDGET CONTAINS A 2-PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, AND GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS ALREADY SIGNED IT INTO LAW.

SHE HAS ALSO SIGNED INTO LAW A 2-PERCENT RAISE FOR ALL EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

THE 7.6-BILLION-DOLLAR EDUCATION BUDGET STILL AWAITS HER SIGNATURE, AFTER RECEIVING FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.

DON: STATE REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN OF TROY HAS CALLED A NEWS CONFERENCE TOMORROW MORNING HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE WHERE HE IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE WILL SEEK THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR SECRETARY OF STATE NEXT YEAR.

ALLEN IS A FIRST TERM LAWMAKER AND A FORMER PIKE COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE.

HE SPONSORED LEGISLATION THIS YEAR THAT SOUGHT TO BAN CURBSIDE VOTING IN THE STATE.

THE MEASURE WAS APPROVED IN THE HOUSE BUT HAS YET TO BE VOTED ON IN THE SENATE.

CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL IS TERM LIMITED AND CAN'T SEEK RE-ELECTION TO THE OFFICE.

MERRILL WAS RECENTLY EMBROILED IN CONTROVERSY AFTER ADMITTING TO AN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE JIM HILL OF MOODY IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> PLEASURE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WHICH HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR YOU.

BEFORE WE GET THERE, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TWO BIG ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM WHERE THE HOUSE IS CONCERNED.

THAT'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND THE GAMBLING PLAN.

FIRST, MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

YOU SPENT ALL OF TUESDAY DEBATING IT RIGHT UNTIL MIDNIGHT AND YOU WILL TAKE IT UP AGAIN TOMORROW.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THIS ISSUE?

>> I THINK I'M FOR IT.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, MOST OF US KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE UTILIZED IT AND IT HAS HELPED THEM AND PEOPLE CALLED ME, PEOPLE THAT I KNOW IS KNOW WELL THAT TALK ABOUT IT HELPING THEM AND THEN THEM USING IT AND GETTING RELIEF.

I TALKED TO DOCTORS AND THEY TELL TELL ME IT CAN HELP.

I SAW A POLE FROM UAB THAT I THINK 75 PERCENT OF THE POSITIONS THEY POLL FELT LIKE IT'S SOMETHING THEY SHOULD USE.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE HAD MAJOR BACK SURGE.

I HAVE TWO RODS THAT RUN PRETTY MUCH ALL THE WAY DOWN THE LOWER PART OF MY BACK.

WHEN I CAME OUT OF THAT, THEY PRESCRIBED FOR ME SOME PRETTY STRONG NARCOTICS AND I TOOK THEM FOR ABOUT A WEEK BECAUSE I NEEDED THEM TO ALLEVIATE THAT PAIN.

AND I QUIT BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED ABOUT ADDICTION AND I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD BE.

BUT IF WE HAVE A MEDICINE THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE TO NOT HURT AND HELP PEOPLE TO GET OVER WHATEVER IT IS THAT IT IS THE CONDITION THAT IS TROUBLING THEM AND IT IS PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO ARGUE WITH A PHYSICIAN.

I'M NOT A DR.

I CERTAINLY FOLLOW THE ORDERERS.

>> THE VOTES SEEM TO BE THERE FOR MEDICAL MARION MARIJUANA IN THE HOUSE.

BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF FILIBUSTERING BY THOSE WHO OPPOSE THAT.

COULD WANT TO SEE THAT CONTINUING TOMORROW?

>> I HOPE WE WILL GET OUR SAY, HAVE OUR SAY, LISTEN TO WHAT EACH OTHER HAS TO SAY AND THEN TAKE A VOTED AND THE VOTE NEEDS TO BE YES OR NO.

AND THEN WE WILL LIVE WITH THE SITUATION THAT -- AS IT REPRESENTS ITSELF.

>> IN A BRAVE STEP THE HOUSE HAS ON ITS CALENDAR THE GAMBLING PLAN, THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN.

LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE IN FOR ANOTHER ALLNIGHTER.

>> THAT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT.

AND THAT LIKEWISE, I THINK, WILL BE A CONTROVERSIAL AND HOTLY DEBATED ISSUE.

WE HAVE EVERY STATE AROUND US AS GAMBLING.

THE ESTIMATES THAT I HAVE SEEN SAY THAT WE COULD RAISE ANYWHERE FROM 500 TO SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT FACE THIS STATE.

YOU KNOW, THE -- YOU CAN TALK ABOUT PRISONS IN A MINUTE.

WE'RE ABOUT TO BUILD THREE NEW ONES TO THE TUNE OF $2.5 BILLION OR BETTER.

THAT'S PROBABLY NOT ENOUGH.

WE PROBABLY NEED MORE.

SO MONEY IS AN ISSUE.

AND THAT GOES A WAY TO GENERATE IT.

CERTAINLY, WE NEVER FUND EDUCATION ENOUGH IN THIS STATE.

WE TAKE MANY, MANY MORE DOLLARS AND PUT THEM INTO THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND I THINK WITH GREAT RESULTS YET YOU HAVE TO RAISE THOSE DOLLARS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE STATE AND THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO THAT'S PART OF IT.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU COULD BE LEANING TO SUPPORTING GAMBLING.

>> I'M SUPPORTING LETTING PEOPLE IN THE STATE DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> LET'S SPEND THE LAST FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT PRISON REFORM.

I HAD AS BEEN A KEY ISSUE.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

SEVERAL HAVE GOTTEN OUT AND SEVERAL OTHERS YOU'RE HOPING WILL GET OUT THAT ARE UP IN THE SENATE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE ON THE?

THE AGENDA.

BUT I KNOW YOU WILL BE WATCHING CLOSELY TO SEE IF ANY OF THESE REMAINING BILLS WILL GET ON THE AGENDA.

>> I HAVE ABOUT FIVE THAT I BELIEVE WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.

AS WE LOOK AT OUR PRISON IS THEM, WE REALIZE THAT IT IS OVERCROWDED AD UNDERSTAFFED AND MANY OF OUR FACILITIES ARE ANTI INDICATED SO WEEP NEED DO -- IT'S NOT ONE-FIX SITUATION.

IT IS A MULTI FIX SITUATION.

BUT THE BILL -- SOME OF THE BILLS THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THE HOUSE THAT I HAVE SPONSORED THINGS LIKE CREATING COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS IN EVERY SINGLE CIRCUIT IN THIS STATE.

WE HAVE 20, 25 COUNTIES THAT HAVE IN ACCESS TO COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS INSTITUTIONAL SENTENCE.

IT GIVES A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY TO JUDGES.

TO RUN DIVERSION PROGRAM WITHIN THOSE PROGRAMS.

IT LETS US TO DO THINGS LIKE COLOR CODING, WHICH IS RANDOM DRUG SCREENING.

WE SUPERVISE ABOUT IS A THOUSAND PEOPLE RIGHT NOW IN OUR COMMUNITY CORRECTION PROGRAM.

AND I KNOW IT WORKS.

ANOTHER BILL I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM PASS OR FINISH UP WITH, WE SPLIT SENTENCES THIS THERE'S IN THIS STATE.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF I GIVE YOU A SENTENCE OF 15 FENCE YEAR SPLIT, SERVE THREE.

YOU'RE GOING TO SERVE THOSE THREE.

BUT WHEN YOU GET OUT OF PRISON YOU'RE GOING TO GO ON 52 ROLE OR PROBATION AND THAT'S GOING TO BE -- YOU STILL HAVE THAT QUESTION OF LAW YEARS IN FRONT OF YOU OR POTENTIALLY IF I REVOKE YOUR PROBATION, AFTER THE SPLIT TODAY, WHAT I HAVE TO DO IS REVOKE YOU FOR THE BALANCE OF THE 12.

WHAT IF THE SITUATION THAT GETS YOU REVOKED DOES NOT WARRANT 12 YEARS?

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GIVE TO JUDGES THE DISCRETION TO FASHION THE SENTENCE IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT IS REFLECTIVE OF THE PUNISHMENT THAT THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO RECEIVE BASED ON THE FENCE THAT HE HAS DONE, WHAT HE HAS DONE, THAT GENERATED THE REF THE REVOCATION.

ANOTHER BILL, WHEN WE RELEASE PEOPLE FROM PRISON WHETHER THEY BE ON PAROLE OR WHETHER THE MANDATORY EARLY RELEASE THAT WE HAVE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EOS, END OF SENTENCE, ONCE AN INDIVIDUAL ENDS THAT SENTENCE YOU HAVE NO SUPERVISION SENTENCE OFFER THAT INDIVIDUAL AT ALL.

I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO REQUIRE THAT PARDONS AND PAROLES PLACE AN ELECTRONIC MONITOR ON THAT INDIVIDUAL, AT LEAST FOR A PERIOD SO WE CAN KNOW WHERE THAT PERSON IS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

LET ME BRACK ON STEVE CLOUSE AND GREG ALBRITTON.

THEY'RE OUR CHAIRMAN IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THEY HAVE PRAISED $800,000 AND SET THAT ASIDE FOR PARDONS AND PAROLES TO UTILIZE FOR THAT MONITORING PROGRAM.

I JUST THINK WE NEED TO PASS A BILL THAT SAYS YOU HAVE TO USE IT.

YOU HAVE GOT TO USE IT.

BUT I THINK THAT WILL HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER BILLS THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

WE SENTENCE IN THIS STATE NOW FOR NONVIOLENT LINES ON GUIDELINES.

IF I DID NOT FEEL THAT I HAD TO ARTICULATE A REASON.

PRIOR TO 2013 I DIDN'T HAVE TO FOLLOW THEM AT ALL.

SO TODAY ALONE INDIVIDUAL MIGHT GET ONCE SENTENCE UNDER THE NINES WHEREAS IN 2000 TEN HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A DISH SENTENCE.

THAT MEANS IT ALLOWS THE DEFENDANT TO PETITION THE COURT WITH A LOOK BACK AT THE SENTENCE TO SEE IF THAT SHOULD COULD OR SHOULD BE RESENTENCED TO A LESSER AMOUNT.

THOSE ARE FOUR BILLS THAT I THINK WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARD PRISON OVERCROWDING AND PRISON REFORM.

ANOTHER ONE, IN 2015, WE INSTITUTED A BILL OR PASSED A BILL THAT SAYS EVERYONE OTHER THAN A LIFE WITHOUT TYPE SENTENCE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE RELEASED YOU MUSTING RELEASED PRIOR TO ENDING YOUR SENTENCE SO SO THAT WE CAN MONITOR YOU, SO THAT WE CAN SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

ONE OF THESE BILLS IS SIMPLY TO MAKE THAT RETROACTIVE.

LET'S GET PEOPLE OUT OF PRISON AND PUT THEM ON PAROLE.

LET'S GET THEM OWN ON SUPERVISOR AND LET'S GET THE OPTION TO TRY TO DIRECT THEM IN SUCH A WAY THEY DON'T RE-OFFEND.

>> JUDGE WE HOPE THE SNOOT CAN GET TO SOME IF NOT ALL OF THESE TOMORROW.

THANK YOU FOR LEADING THIS YEAR AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JIM HILL, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, TERRY COLLINS OF DECATUR IS BACK WITH US.

GOOD TO SEW YOU AGAIN AND WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THANK YOU.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> I WANT TO BEGIN WITH YOU AS I DID WITH JUDGE HILL ON THE BIG DAY SET IN THE HOUSE TOMORROW.

YOU HAVE A FULL PLATE BETWEEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND GAMBLING.

DO YOU SEE A VOTE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA TOMORROW.

>> I DO.

I BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE A VOTE.

I THOUGHT LAST NIGHT THAT I KNOW THE GOAL WAS TO POSTPONE IT AND HOPE IT WOULD JUST GO AWAY BUT IT LOOKED TO ME AS I WAS WATCHING THE DEBATE AND THE VOTE AS WE WENT THROUGH THE DIFFERENT PROCEDURES THAT WE WERE ACTUALLY -- IT WAS GAINING VOTES NOT LOSING IT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SHARING THEIRS HEARTS AND PERSONAL STORIES AND TO BE SUCH A LONG NIGHT IT HAD HIGH POINTS AS WELL.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN SEE PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON THIS ISSUE.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

ABOUT NINE HOURS WORTH OF SAY.

YES.

>> HOW DO YOU FALL ON THIS ISSUE?

>> I HAVE BEEN -- I HAVE SPOKEN WITH REPRESENTATIVE BALL EVEN BEFORE WHEN WE WERE DOING CARLY'S LAW AND ALL AND I WENT TO THE ROOM AND MET ALL THE CHILDREN THAT WERE HAVING SEIZURES AND ALL.

I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT TODAY AT A MEETING, WHETHER YOUR SCIENCE BACKS IT UP OR NOT WHEN YOU SEE IT'S WORKING IT'S HARD TO DENY WHAT YOU'RE SEEING WITH YOUR OWN EYES AND HEARING WHAT YOU ARE FROM MY FAMILIES.

I HAVE HAD A COUPLE.

WHAT I HEARD LAST NIGHT IS MOST OF THE THINGS THAT WERE FEARFUL ABOUT IT WERE WHAT IT COULD TURN INTO AND IT WAS ABOUT RECREATIONAL AND MEDICAL.

IN ALABAMA I DON'T HAVE THE FEAR OF RECREATIONAL TAKING A FOOTHOLD AT ALL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I DON'T SEE THAT BEING A FEAR.

SO I THINK THAT WE SAW A LOT OF -- WE HEARD A LOT OF GOOD DEBATE AND I THINK WE WILL HAVE A VOTE TOMORROW.

>> FINANCIAL WILL BE ON THE FLOOR TOMORROW.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE HEAR.

WE START EARLY AND WE WILL PROBABLY GO LATE.

I SERVE ON WAYS AND MEANS IN THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND WANT TO HAVE BEEN WORRYING ON PROCEEDS AND THE ASSOCIATION.

THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE THINGS AS WE WALK THROUGH THE BILL QUESTIONS AND IT WENT.

>> GIVING THE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON THE LOTTERY TO GAMING.

I WILL USE ONE WORD TO SUMMER ISIS IT WELL.

I MOVED FROM A LEASE, YES, TO A LEAN NO AND THEN THE MONEY WAS GOING INTO BASIC EDUCATION AND THINGS.

AND I THOUGHT IN MY MIND THE MOST THING WE NEED IS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

WE TREMENDOUSLY UNDER FUND THAT AS A STATE AND OUR POPULATION CAN'T NECESSARILY AFFORD IT.

YET TO MEET OUR WORKFORCE NEEDS WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE WITH FOUR YEARS AND EVEN CREDENTIALING AND IF THEY CAN'T FORD TO GET THAT, AN UPGRADE APPEAR THEIR SKILLS THEN THEY SAID HELP.

AND ALL OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO BE POURING INTO THAT.

WE HAVE THREE BUCKETS FOR OUR JUNIOR COLLEGE AND FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE AND A RETENTION PES PEE PIECE OF IT AND I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW IT WORKS IT.

>> >> IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING DEBATE.

>> SPEAKING OF EDUCATION, YOU CHAIR THE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE AND YOU CHAMPIONED LAST YEAR THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

THERE WAS A MOVE THIS YEAR TO DRY THE HOLE BACK PROVISION WHERE THIRD GRADE REHEARSE HELD BACK IS IF THEY CAN'T REAL AT A THIRD LEVEL.

IT GOT OUT OF YOUR QUESTION.

THE NEXT STOP IS THE HOUSE FLOOR, WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND GAMBLING FOAM IT PROBABLY WILL NOT COME UP BUT WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE DELAY PROVISION.

>> WHILE I'M NOT' POSED TO IT.

I'M SO HE POSED TO IT THINK AT THIS TIME.

I THINK THAT SENSE OF SURGE SEE KEEPS EVERYBODY ON TRACK.

IF YOU'RE STUDENT IN SUMMER SCHOOL THIS SUMMER, WITH SCHOOLS BEING OUT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND SOME DURING OF END OF THIS IS YEAR, I THINK WE STILL NEED TO GET TEACHERS IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

WE VERY MOVED OVER 13,000 BUT WE HAVE TEACHERS THAT WE NEED TO GET IN THE SCIENCE OF READING FOR PROFESSIONAL TEMPT.

HAVE SO MANY THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON FOR THAT.

WE HAVE OUR VERY FIRST TESTING THIS SPRING.

I THINK THEY WERE COMPLETING THAT BACK IN APRIL.

SO IT WILL BE A BASELINE.

AND SO WHAT I HAD WORKED WITH SENATOR SMITHERMAN EVEN BACK IN FEBRUARY WAS TO SAY -- HE.

>> HE SPONSORED THE DELAYED BILL.

>> HE DID.

AND ACTUAL TOOK IT OFF THE TABLE FOR A MONTH, MONTH AND A HALF AFTER WE HAD HAD A CONVERSATION THAT LET'S GET THE DADDY DATA AND LOOK AT WHERE OUR GAPS ARE MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION AND THAT, YES, WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO THEY I.T.

BUT LET'S DELAY IT AS SOON AS WE GET BACK THIS JANUARY WHICH IS STILL PLENTY OF SOMETIME BUT THEY IT WITH A PLAN TOOK SEQUEL FOR OUR OPPORTUNITIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT AND I KNOW I KEEP AND SPOKE WITH YOU ABOUT IT IS THAT THE REALLY IS THAT REALLY IN THAT PRE-K TO THIRD GRADE YOU'RE LEARNING TO READ ALL ALONG THAT PATH.

AFTER THIRD GRADE, YOU ARE READING IN ORDER TO LEARN.

AND IF YOU'RE NOT READING YOU JUST GET FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND.

AND THE AMOUNT OF STUDENTS THAT DON'T AGREE THAT HAVE PROBLEMS SERVICES OR PRISONS.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT.

WE ONE AT A TIME TO TELL SET THEM UP TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND I.T.

STARTS WITH PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN, FIRST GRADE AND SECOND GREAT.

WE HAVE HAD A CAN GET READINESS LEGISLATION IN THE PAST AND I.

HOPE IT WILL PASS.

AND IT'S REPRESENT BORE RIP'S BY.

WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO SHOW SUCCESSFUL.

BUT THAT SENSE OF URGENCY MAKES SURE THAT YOU'RE PREPARED, EVEN AT HOME WHAT WE'RE READING AT NIGHT AND WE'RE DOING THE THINGS THAT TAKE THAT INTENTION AT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND WE'RE NOT WANTED TO GO TO DO ANYTHING TO HURT OUR CHILDREN.

BUST WE WANT TO DO THINGS IN THEIR BOAST TIMING AND WE MAKE THE BEST DECISION ONCE WE HAVE INFORMATION FROM THE DATA.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, REPRESENTATIVE, YOU CHAMPIONED THAT THE DIRECT SHIPMENT WINE IS OUT AND ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK NOW.

>> I FEEL SHE HAS BEEN FOR THAT.

SHE HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE.

I THINK I HAVE WORKED ON THIS FOR OUR FIVE YEARS, IT LOOK LIKE BUT IT HAS PROMISED THE FINISH AND LISTEN EXCITING.

>> TO DIFFERENTIATE IT FROM THE OTHER PEOPLE OF BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS, WE MAY CALL THIS THE -- IF IT'S AT A WINERY OR A SPECIALTY STORE, HERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COR.

>> WELL, THE PEOPLE WERE VERY SUPPORTIVE.

WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE THAT WORK HERE.

I THINK WE FOUND THAT SWEET SPOT AND WE'RE READY.

I KNOW ALL ACROSS THE STATE WOULD I GET MORE INFORMATION, EVEN DURING COVID LAST YEAR, I REMEMBER TELLING THE SPEAKER THAT -- HE WAS LOOKING FOR PRIORITY LEGISLATION BEHIND LOCAL AND BUDGET AND I SAID THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR BUT I HEAR MORE ABOUT THE DIRECT WIN SHIPMENT BILL THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> REPRESENTATIVE TERRY COLLINS ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING EXPECTED HOUSE VOTES ON BOTH THE BILL TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE AND THE PACKAGE OF BILLS RELATED TO THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVE JIM CARNS OF VESTAVIA HILLS, WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS OPPOSITION TO THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLAN.

WE ARE ALSO SET TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY OF MORRIS, WHO WILL DISCUSS MEDICAL MARIJUANA, GAMBLING AND HIS RIOT BILL, WHICH HAS NOT MOVED IN THE SENATE.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.