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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S WEEK IN REVIEW."

WE'RE IN THE HEART OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NOW AS THIS WEEK SAW THE HOUSE AND SENATE MEET FOR THE 16TH, 17TH AND 18TH LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

THAT LEAVES US WITH 12 MORE REMAINING, WHICH WILL LIKELY TAKE US INTO EARLY JUNE.

TOPPING THE NEWS THIS WEEK WAS THE SENATE PASSAGE OF THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET AND RELATED BILLS.

AT $8.8 BILLION DOLLARS, THIS EDUCATION BUDGET IS THE LARGEST IN STATE HISTORY.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, LAWMAKERS ARE ALLOCATING $2.8 BILLION IN SURPLUS REVENUE CARRIED OVER FROM LAST YEAR.

THE BUDGET REMAINED LARGELY THE SAME FROM WHAT GOVERNOR IVEY ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION, BUT THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL SAW SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

LET'S WALK THROUGH THOSE.

THE BIGGEST LINE ITEM CHANGE WAS THE TAX REBATE.

WHILE THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED $966 MILLION TO OFFER ALL TAX PAYERS A ONE TIME REBATE CHECK, THE SENATE REDUCED THAT TO $275 MILLION.

THAT MEANS THE ORIGINAL $400 TO $800 CHECKS WOULD BE REDUCED TO $100.

FUNDING FOR SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS WAS INCREASED FROM $10 MILLION TO $40 MILLION.

AND CLASSROOM MATERIALS GOT A $20 MILLION BUMP TO ALLOW TEACHERS TO GO AHEAD AND DRAW ON THAT MONEY BEFORE THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

SOME LINE ITEMS WERE CUT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

$200 MILLION THAT WAS SLATED FOR THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM WAS DROPPED.

SO WAS $31 MILLION FOR THE MAGNET SCHOOL PROGRAM.

AND THREE NON-EDUCATION PROJECTS THAT RECEIVED SOME CRITICISM WERE ALSO DROPPED: $31 MILLION FOR THE MOBILE AIRPORT, $25 MILLION FOR A MONTGOMERY WATER PARK AND $25 MILLION FOR THE PORT OF MOBILE.

THERE WERE ALSO ADDITIONS TO THE BILL.

$200 MILLION IN PROJECTS AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WAS ADDED.

$185 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED TO CREATE A K-12 CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE LT.

GOVERNOR.

AND $500 MILLION WAS PUT TOWARD THE PROPOSED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES RESERVE FUND, WITH THE INTENT TO ENSURE THE EDUCATION BUDGET CAN WEATHER ANY FUTURE ECONOMIC STORM.

SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WHO CHAIRS THE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE EXPLAINED THE WHY HE FELT IT WAS PRUDENT TO REDUCE THE TAX REBATE AND SET THAT MONEY ASIDE.

>> WE ENDED UP TAKE TAKING HALF A BILLION DOLLARS AND PUTTING IT IN THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUSINESS PRESS THEY'RE ALL PREDICTING AN ECONOMIC SLOW DOWN.

THAT MEANS REVENUES WILL DROP OFF.

WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THAT IN OUR INCOME TAX RATES, OUR INCOME TAX RETURNS, AS FAR AS FILINGS THAT WE HAVE GOT.

WE HAVE SEEN A DROP OFF OVER THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

WE'RE DOWN ALREADY ON INCOME TAXES.

SO POINT BEING WE SEE A SLOW DOWN IN THE ECONOMY.

WE BELIEVE WE NEED A SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO CONTINUE THE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS.

THEY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDS EACH YEAR LIKE THE LITERACY ACT, THE SALARY MATRIX FOR EDUCATORS.

WE NEED TO KEEP THAT GROWTH GROWING TO SPREAD ACROSS THE STRAIGHT AND THAT'S THE REASON WE WANT TO ESTABLISH THAT SAVINGS ACCOUNT >> I'LL SPEAK WITH SENATOR ORR IN MORE DETAIL LATER IN THE SHOW.

A BILL DEALING WITH TRANSGENDER ATHLETES MOVED THIS WEEK AND IS ONE STEP AWAY FROM FINAL PASSAGE.

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

THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE BUT NEEDS CONCURRENCE FROM THE HOUSE BECAUSE AN AMENDMENT WAS ADDED.

I SAT DOWN WITH REPRESENTATIVE DUBOSE TO DISCUSS HER BILL EARLIER THIS WEEK.

>> SCIENCE TELLS US NO MATTER HOW MANY HORMONES YOU TAKE OR HOW MANY TESTOSTERONE SUPPRESSIONS THAT YOU GO THROUGH, IT DOES NOT ELIMINATE MEN FROM BEING BIGGER FASTER LARGER LUNGS, LARGER CARDIOVASCULAR CAPACITY.

THERE'S NO WAY TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD WITH ANY AMOUNT OF HORMONE SUPPRESSION.

SO, YOU KNOW, I REALLY AM NOT TRYING TO HARM ANYONE ELSE.

AND THIS VERY SPECIFIC AREA THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WOMEN'S SPORTS, WOMENS ATHLETICS, WE NEED TO KEEP WOMEN SAFE AND PROTECT THEM, ALLOW THEM TO BE PART OF THAT TEAM, ALLOW THEM TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE AND WIN, ALLOW THEM TO HAVE A SPOT ON THAT BODY JUDGMENT.

AND IF THEY HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST A BIOLOGICAL MALE IT WILL RUIN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

>> THAT WASN'T THE ONLY CONTROVERSIAL BILL MOVING THIS WEEK.

BILLS IMPACTING ELECTIONS AND VOTING TEND TO DRAW INTENSE DEBATE, AND THAT WAS THE CASE IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK FOR HOUSE BILL 209 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE KIEL, WHICH WOULD IMPLEMENT MUCH STRICTER GUIDELINES AROUND ABSENTEE VOTING.

RANDY SCOTT WAS THERE IN THE HOUSE WHERE THE DEBATE HAPPENED.

>> THE INTENTION HERE IS NOT TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM VOTING BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT PROCESS IS AS CURE AS POSSIBLE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE KEEL IS PRESENTING HOUSE BILL 209 TO THE LOWER CHAMBER.

HE SAID THE GOAL IS TO MAKE VOTING IN ALABAMA MORE SECURE.

>> WHILE PEOPLE DO NEED ASSISTANCE WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR IN THIS BILL WHO CAN REQUEST THAT ASSISTANCE.

AND SO IT'S A VERY SPECIFIC LET'S OF PEOPLE THAT CAN REQUEST ASSISTANCE AND THOSE FOLKS ARE ANY FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS AN AUNT, UNCLE, GRAND PARTY, NIECE, NEPHEW, FULL SIBLING, HALF SIBLINGS -- A CHILD.

>> IF THERE'S ONE AREA THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASY FOR VOTER FRAUD, IT WOULD BE WITH THE ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESS.

SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO IS SHORE THAT UP TO LESSEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> HOURS OF DEBATE TAKE PLACE ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL.

>> YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S VOTING FRAUD BUT YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN ANY DATA, ANY EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR POSITION IN THIS.

SO HOW WOULD YOU GOVERN THIS BILL?

HOW WOULD THE D.A.

GOVERN THIS BILL?

HOW WOULD THE POLICE GOVERN THIS BILL?

GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES OF THAT.

>> THE SAME WITH ANY OTHER CRIMINAL COMPLAINT.

>> THE SAME WITH ANY OTHER CRIMINAL COMPLAINT.

SO IF IT HAPPENS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, WE DON'T KNOW IF IT HAPPENS OR NOT.

>> LIKES ANY OTHER CRIME.

>> WE NEED LEGISLATION TO SAY WE'RE STOPPING THE POTENTIAL OF IT HAPPENING INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY FIXING THE PROBLEM.

>> HOUSE BILL 209 IS APPROVED.

THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CUSS ADDRESSES THE MEDIA ABOUT THIS BILL ON ADJOURNMENT.

>> THEY SHUT US OUT AND WOULD NOT ALLOW VOICES TO BE HEARD.

WE THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO REPRESENT OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM US TODAY IN ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TODAY, WHICH IS OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> UNDER HOUSE BILL 209, YOU HAVE THREE DIFFERENT CRIMINAL PENALTIES THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED.

1ST IS A CLASS D FELONY, IF YOU HAND SOMEONE A BLANK ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION.

SO MERELY HANDING SOMEONE A BLANK ABSENTEE VALID APPLICATION CAN SUBJECT YOU TO A YEAR IN JAIL.

IF YOU PAY SOMEONE TO ASK FOR, TO RETRIEVE, OR COLLECT YOUR OWN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION, MEANING YOU PAID YOUR CHILD OR EVEN PAID YOUR SPOUSE TO GO DOWN AND GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION FOR YOU, YOU WOULD BE A CLASS B FELON AND YOUR WIFE OR YOUR CHILD WOULD BE A CLASS C FELON.

>> BUT IF THIS DOES GO THROUGH A FINAL PASSAGE STAGE I'M SURE YOU WILL SEE COURT CHALLENGES TO THIS.

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

>> PRIOR TO THIS WEEK, ALL THE TALK WAS ABOUT THE PACKAGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILLS KNOWN AS THE GAME PLAN.

NOW THAT PLAN IS LAW, BUT THE REAL WORK BEGINS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO IMPLEMENT AND USE IT.

I SPOKE WITH COMMERCE SECRETARY GREG CANFIELD ABOUT THAT PROCESS EARLIER THIS WEEK.

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

SO 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 IS IT THE FINAL PRODUCT WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE SO WE COULDN'T PUT FINISHING TOUCHES ON EVERYTHING BUT AS IT RELATES TO PASSAGE OF THE SEEDS ACTS, WE'RE GOING TO BE UTILIZING THE STATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, CETA AS WE CALL IT, AS THE MECHANISM TO DELIVER THAT PROGRAM.

SETA HAS NEVER HAD THIS "IN DEPTH" OF A PROGRAM.

THIS -- HOPEFULLY WE'RE GOING TO SECURE THE FUNDING.

>> EARLIER THIS WEEK, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE STATE'S TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS VISITED THE NATION'S SOUTHERN BORDER EARLIER THIS WEEK TO SEE FIRST-HAND SECURITY ISSUES THERE.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED, SENATOR LANCE BELL, ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL, ALEA SECRETARY HAL TAYLOR AND SEVERAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WERE ON THE TWO-DAY TRIP TO MCALLEN, TEXAS ALONG THE RIO GRANDE.

THEY MET WITH FEDERAL AND STATE BORDER PATROL.

I SPOKE WITH SENATOR BELL UPON HIS RETURN TO ALABAMA.

>> WE SEE ALL OF THIS -- WHAT WE SEE ON THE NEWS.

I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHAT CHANNEL YOU WATCH TO WHAT YOU SEE IS GOING ON THE BORDER.

AND I THOUGHT, YEAH,, I HAVE HAD LOVE TO GO.

AND HE INVITED AND SECRETARIAL WITH ALEA WENT.

AND CONNIE ROWE WITH THE LT.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

AND NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT, IT WAS A VERY EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE A CRISES ON THE BORDER.

AND I FEEL SORRY FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT DOWN THERE TRYING TO PROTECT US WHOSE HANDS ARE TIED.

WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING NOW AT THE BORDER SHOULD BE CRIMINAL.

IT'S THAT BAD.

THEY ARE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO JUST WALK ACROSS THE BORDER AND I DID NOT HAVE A CLUE THAT THE CHINESE COMING ACROSS THE BORDER WAS AS BIG OF A DEAL AS IT IS.

AND THEY'RE FLOWING THROUGH DAILY.

WHAT HAPPENS, WHEN YOU COME IN, YOU GIVE THEM YOUR NAME, THEY FILL OUT A FORM, AND THEY FINGERPRINT YOU AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE YOUR NAME, UNLESS YOUR FINGERPRINTS SHOW UP ON SOMEBODY ELSE, THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT AS YOU SAY.

YOU'RE GIVEN A FORM AND THEN GIVEN A COURT DATE.

YOU EVER COURT DATED MAY BE IN 2026 OR 2027.

IT COULD BE IN ATLANTA, IN NEW ORLEANS, IN NEW YORK.

AND YOU'RE TOLD YOU CAN GO.

>> THIS WEEK, THE LEGISLATURE TOOK ANOTHER SMALL STEP TOWARDS FINALLY BUILDING A NEW STATE HOUSE.

WITH THE CURRENT BUILDING IN DISREPAIR, LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR OPTIONS FOR A NEW HOME.

A PROVISION OF SENATE BILL 222 GIVES THE LEGISLATURE DOMAIN OVER THE CITY BLOCK DIRECTLY BEHIND THE BUILDING, WHICH IS THE SPOT SOME LEADERS SAY A NEW STATE HOUSE WOULD GO.

THE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA RECENTLY PUT OUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO ARCHITECTS FOR SITE INVESTIGATION, PLANNING AND DESIGN.

I SPOKE WITH VETERAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE ABOUT THE NEED FOR A NEW BUILDING.

>> THIS BUILDING WAS NOT BUILT TO SHOW A STATEHOUSE.

IT WAS BUILT TO BE A DEPARTMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUILDING IN 1962 AND THE LEGISLATURE TOOK IT OVER IN 85 AFTER THE DOT MOVED TO THEIR ENOUGH FACILITIES TO TEMPORARILY STAY HERE WHILE CONSTRUCTION WAS GOING ON ACROSS THE STREET.

AT THE CAPITOL.

THEN IT WAS GOING TO MOVE BACK.

THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

SO THIS BILL -- THIS BUILDING HAS SERVED ITS PURPOSE HERE.

I THINK THE MAIN THING THAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER -- I KNOW IT'S CONTROVERSIAL TO BUILD A ENOUGH STATEHOUSE, IS THIS FOR THE PEOPLE.

IT'S FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

IT CERTAINLY WON'T BE FOR ME.

BUT IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO COME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE HERE TO TESTIFY BEFORE COMMITTEES TO SEE THEIR LEGISLATORS AND NOT BE ABLE TO ADEQUATELY GET UP AND DOWN THE HALL -- THE HALL WADES ARE NARROW.

THE ELEVATORS ARE ANTIQUATED.

MOMENT WHO ARE DISABLED, IN WHEELCHAIRS IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO NARROW DOWN THESE HALLS.

IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR THEM.

WE NEED A BUILD IN THAT IS GOING TO LAST FOR THE NEXT 200 YEARS FOR GENERATIONS AND GENERATIONS TO COME TO BE ABLE TO CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF THE STATE.

THAT'S THE WEEK AS IT WAS IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR FROM DECATUR, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> BIG WEEK FOR YOU AS YOU GOT THE EDUCATIONAL BUDGET THROUGH COMMITTEE.

THAT WAS A PRETTY LENGTHY PROCESS.

BUT ALSO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR.

AND ALL OF THE ETF AND ALL OF THE RELATED BILLS IN ONE FAIL SWOOP TO BE HERE THIS WEEK.

WALK ME THROUGH THE HIGH POINTS.

YOU TALKED ABOUT IT BEING A CHALLENGING YEAR BECAUSE OF UNPRECEDENTED RESOURCES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT WAS CHALLENGING.

BECAUSE WHEN THE WORD GOT OUT THAT WE HAD A GOOD BIT OF MONEY IN A SURPLUS YEAR-OVER-YEAR, THEN A LOT OF HANDS CAME OUT, TO TOO, THAT WERE OPEN AND CERTAINLY HAD A LOT OF ASK OF THE STATE AND ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

ONE THING WE TRIED TO DO IN THE BUDGET WAS ATTEMPT TO KEEP IT FOCUSED ON EDUCATIONAL TYPE ENDEAVORS.

SOMETIMES THAT GETS A LITTLE GRAY.

BUT THAT WAS CERTAINLY IN ATTEMPT.

I THINK ANOTHER THING THAT WE DID THIS YEAR THAT'S SOMEWHAT UNPRECEDENTED IS THAT WE ESTABLISHED A SAVINGS ACCOUNT WITH HALF BILLION DOLLARS, AND THE REASON IS IF YOU READ THE BITS PRESS, THE PREDICTIONS ARE NOT GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE STATE REVENUES DECLINE BECAUSE THE INCOME TAXES AND THE SALES TAXES GO DOWN AND WE START RIDING THE ROLLER COASTER DOWN, AND SOMETIMES VERY FAST.

AND I WAS HERE IN 2009, 2010, 2011, AND THOSE WERE TRYING YEARS FOR BOTH EDUCATION AND THE GENERAL FUND.

BUT HAVING THIS SAVINGS ACCOUNT THAT IS NOT TRIGGERED BY PRO PRORATION BUT WE CAN KEEP THE IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET GROWING PERHAPS IS THE GOAL.

BY THAT I MEAN THE LITERACY ACT, THE NUMERACY ACT THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO EARLY GRADES AND CHILDREN ACROSS THE STATE THAT WE GIVE THEM A STRONG FOUNDATION IN MATH AND READING.

AND THEY DON'T FALL BEHIND IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.

THINK GET DISINTERESTED IN SCHOOL AND SOMETIMES THEY GET INTO THINGS THEY MAY NOT BE INTO.

IMPORTANT FOR OUR STATE.

>> DIDN'T USED TO BE THAT WAY.

IT ALL GOT SPENT THAT YEAR AND THAT'S WHAT LED TO THE YEARS AND THERE'S A LOT MORE TALK ABOUT CONSERVING AND WAITING FOR THAT RAINY DAY THESE DAYS -- MAYBE BECAUSE OF THOSE TOUGH TIMES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND WHAT YOU CERTAINLY HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING PRACTICES GOT US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, WORKING WITH FORMER CHAIRMAN BILL POOLE WHO CHAIRED THE EDUCATION BUDGET FOR YEARS.

WE DIDN'T ALWAYS SPEND EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE COULD, AND THAT LED TO HAVING THIS LARGE SURPLUS THAT WE HAD THIS YEAR.

>> THERE WERE CHANGES TO THE BUDGET AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL FROM WHAT THE GOVERNOR ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.

MAYBE THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL WAS WHAT Y'ALL WANT TO APPROACH OFFERING IN A TAX REBATE.

YOU KNOW, SHE HAD CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS WHICH WOULD HAVE WORKED OUT TO $400 FOR INDIVIDUALS, $800 FOR MARRIED FILING JOINTLY.

Y'ALL REDUCED THAT DOWN TO 275 MILLION WHICH WOULD MEAN ABOUT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN THAT ONE ADVERTISEMENT TAX REBATE CHECK.

WALK ME THROUGH THE DECISION-MAKING THERE.

WERE YOU LOOKING TO SPEND THE RESOURCES ELSEWHERE?

>> WELL, WE'VE TOUCHED ON IT ALREADY, IN THAT MOST OF THAT MONEY THAT WAS HEADED TOWARDS THE REBATE WENT NOW TO THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PREPARED OURSELVES FOR OF THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN THAT WE ALL READ ABOUT OR WATCH ON TELEVISION, SO THAT'S THE MAIN REASON WE FELT IT MORE PRUDENT TO DO AND WE WANTED TO CERTAINLY RESPECT AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOVERNOR'S COMMITMENT TO TRY TO GET MONEY BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS OF ALABAMA.

THEY'RE THE ONES THAT SEND IT TO US IN THE 1ST PLACE.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT OUR MONEY, AS LEGISLATORS.

SO IF THERE'S A POSSIBILITY TO RETURN SOME OF THAT MONEY TO THE PEOPLE, I THINK THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR AND CERTAINLY WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

>> I THINK CHANGE WAS TAKING OUT THESE APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR THE WATER PARK HERE IN MONTGOMERY TO -- THE MOBILE AIRPORT.

THERE WERE OTHER NONEDUCATION SPENDING PROJECTS.

WALK ME THROUGH THAT DECISION.

>> THEY WERE TOUGH DECISIONS.

WE MET WITH EACH OF THE GROUPS AND THEY HAD COMPELLING CASES BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE BODY FELT LIKE, MYSELF INCLUDED, THAT WE NEEDED TO COACH EDUCATION DOLLARS ON EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

SOMETIMES THAT CAN GET A BIT GRAY.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASES IT'S SEEN MORE OF A CLEAR DEFINING BLACK AND WHITE TYPE DECISION AS FAR AS WHETHER THEY WERE GOING TO STAY IN THE BUDGET OR NOT.

I'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH CHAIRMAN GARRETT IN THE HOUSE, AND HIS -- GETTING HIS THINKING AS WELL AS TO HOW THE HOUSE MIGHT PERCEIVE CERTAIN ITEMS IN THE BUDGET AS WE DON'T MAKE ONE DECISION IN THE SENATE AND THEY MAKE ANOTHER 2349 HOUSE.

IF WE CAN COORDINATE THAT HELMS.

BUT IT SEEMS AS IF HE WAS SIMILAR MIND-SET WHEN IT CAME TO THOSE PARTICULAR PROJECTS.

>> THIS KIND OF RELATES TO THE GROCERY TAX SITUATION BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT THIS BILL.

WHO KNOWS WHEN IT'S GOING TO MOVE BUT EVERYBODY CO-SPONSORED THIS -- ALL OF THE SENATORS CO-SPONSORED THE GROCERY TAX REDUCTION.

MAYBE THEY'RE NOT EXCLUSIVELY EXCLUSIVE BUT MAYBE IT'S JUXTAPOSED WITH THE TAX REBATE AND NOW THAT THE TAX REBATE HAS BEEN REDUCED DOWN TO A HUNDRED I'M CURIOUS IF THE HOUSE MIGHT DO AWAY WITH IT COMPLETELY AND FOCUS MORE ON THE PROTECTION ON GROCERIES.

>> IT'S A LITTLE APPLES AND ORANGES IN MY MIND, BECAUSE THE GROCERY TAX BEING A LONG-TERM OR FOREVER PERMANENT TYPE TAX CUT THAT WOULD OCCUR, AND THE 275 MILLION USED FOR THE REBATES BEING A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE, SO IT'S JUST TWO DIFFERENT FACTORS AT PLAY THERE.

BUT I THINK THE GROCERY TAX AND OTHER TAX CUT TYPE LEGISLATION IS NOW GOING TO GET A LOT OF FOCUS BECAUSE WE HAD A BILL COME OUT OF THE HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE DANIELS REGARDING EXEMPTING TAXES ON OVERTIME PAY.

SO THAT'S NOW IN THE SENATE.

THE GROCERY TAX BILL THAT YOU MENTIONED.

ULTIMATELY, THAT WILL HAVE TO BE A HOUSE BILL BECAUSE IT RAISES OR REDUCES IN THIS CASE REVENUE AND THOSE HAVE TO OBJECT NATURE IN THE HOUSE PER CONSTITUTION.

>> BOTH OF THOSE WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE ETF.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER TAX-EXEMPTION, TAX CREDIT, TAX CONSULT TYPE LEGISLATION OF.

WE WERE WELL OVER A BILLION DOLLARS AND I BET WE WERE GETTING CLOSE TO $2 BILLION AND THAT KIND OF TAX CUT LEGISLATION.

AND THOSE LEGISLATORS WILL HAVE TO BE VERY STRATEGIC AS WE GO DOWN THIS ROAD.

PICK ONE OR TWO OR THREE AND FENDING ON THE COSTS, THAT WILL BE IT FOR ALL OF THOSE CREDITS AND EXEMPTIONS.

AND THEY'RE TAKING MONEY OUT OF EDUCATION AND WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT.

WE CAN'T BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE AND YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID, LIFE IS NOT A BURGER KING.

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT ALL YOUR WAY.

WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE SOME HARD CHOICES.

>> INTERESTING.

THAT WILL BE YOUR COMMITTEE'S NEW MOTTO.

I LEARNED HOW TO SAY NO IN THE GRIM DAYS OF 2011 AND 2012.

>> IN THE LINE ITEM I SAW WHAT YOU HAD RESERVED FOR YOUR PRINCIPLE PROGRAM.

YOU HAVE LEGISLATION WHERE YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO BECOME PRINCIPLES AND KIND OF INCENTIVIZING THAT.

WALK ME THROUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF IT.

MAYBE I'M NOT CHARACTERIZING THAT CORRECTLY.

>> AFTER THE SALARY MATRIX THAT WE FOR EDUCATORS LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN AMONG PRINCIPLES, AND THEY WORK -- MOST PLACES THEY WORK A 12-MONTH YEAR HE.

AND THEIR COMPENSATION IS NOT REALLY STAYED ABREAST.

SO WHAT WE WANT TOED TO DO IS ADD SOME TRANQ, SOME MENTORING FOR BRIDGES BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES RIGHT NOW, TODD, YOU HAVE A GOOD TEACHER.

AND THEY GET IDENTIFIED AS BEING A POTENTIAL PRINCIPLE AND THROWN INTO THE FRAY WHEN THE CURRENT PRISON LEAVES SUDDENLY OR THEY MAY BE THROWN INTO THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPLESHIP BUT WITHOUT A LOT OF TRAINING.

SO THE DIVISION IS TO -- THE VISION IS TO CREATE A PIPELINE OF TRAINED PRINCIPLES TO ASSIST WITH MENTORSHIPS AND PRINCIPLESHIPS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND THEY'RE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

THEY'RE LIKE A COACH AS FAR AS THE RUNNING OF A SCHOOL AND HOW IMPORTANT -- AND ALL THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH TODAY.

>> IT'S A DIFFERENT SKILL SET -- >> -- THAN BEING A CLASSROOM TEACHER.

THAT'S MY POINTED.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY GET THROWN INTO THE FRAY AND THEY'RE NOT READY, NOT TRAINED.

GOOD PEOPLE.

BUT JUST A WHOLE DIFFERENT SET OF ISSUES WHEN YOU HAVE TO MANAGE A STAFF THAT USED TO BE YOUR COLLEAGUES.

NOW YOU'RE THEIR BOSS SO TO SPEAK, AS A PRINCIPLE IN THE.

SO WE WANT TO IMPROVE THAT AND RAISE THAT BAR BUT WE WANT TO COMPENSATE THEM MORE IN THE PROCESS.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING I WILL BE DROPPING NEXT WEEK A BILL, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HUSTLE IT THROUGH BUT I THINK IT WILL MEET WITH GOOD RECEPTION AMONG THE LEGISLATURE.

>> SWITCHING GEARS I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE OPEN RECORDS LAW.

YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS ISSUE A WHILE.

WE HAVE A PRETTY WEEK OPEN RECORDS LAW HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

IT'S FRUSTRATING TO THOSE OF US IN THE MEDIA TRYING TO ACCESS RECORDS.

YOUR PART OF LEGISLATION TO UPDATE THAT.

IT'S BEEN ALMOST A SEEMINGLY IT POSSIBLE TASK IN RECENT YEARS TO GET THAT THROUGH.

DO YOU THINK THIS YEAR COULD BE A POSSIBLE YEAR TO ACTUALLY UPDATE THE OPEN RECORDS ALLOW?

>> WELL, WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO TRY.

AND WE'RE WORKING HARD ALONG THOSE LINES.

>> WE HAVE HAD VARIOUS BILL DRAFTS.

OF THE ONE THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE WORKED OUT THE KINKS WITH THE CITIES AND THE COUNTIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, SO WE'RE TRYING TO BE PUSHING.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO -- FOR OUR STATE TO BRING MORE CLARITY TO OUR OPEN RECORDS LAWS.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THE LAW BASICALLY SAYS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO RESPOND IN A REASONABLE TIME.

WELL, DEFINE REASONABLE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS IT DOES BUT IT PRIMARY IS BRING TIMELINES WHERE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES WOULD NEED TO RESPOND WITHIN SO.

DAYS WITH AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST.

IF THERE ARE ISSUES THEY CAN WORK THAT OUT IF IT'S AN UNREASONABLE BURDENSOME TYPE OF REQUEST.

AND YOU DO HAVE SOME CRACK POLTS OUT THERE THAT WANT TO BE A NUISANCE AND ABUSE THE SYSTEM.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD AND ARE SERIOUS, THEY NEED TO HAVE AN ADVERTISEMENT LINE THAT HE CAN EXPECT TO GET THE RECORDS THAT THEY NEED.

>> WHILE I HAVE GOT YOU I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR PICTURING BILL.

HAS IT ALREADY PASSED THE SENATE?

>> IT HAS.

>> EXPLAIN WHAT THIS BILL DOES.

>> IT COMES FROM WATCHING THE PICTURING OF JUSTICE KAVANAUGH'S HOUSE SOME TIME AGO.

>> AND MY THINKING WAS IF WE HAD A STATEWIDE BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW ARE FOR BANNING OF PEOPLE PICTURING AT ONE'S HOME AND IN A HARASSING TYPE MANNER, INTRUSIVE TYPE MANNER, AND BY THAT I MEAN STANDINGS OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOUSE AT 9:00 PM WITH BULLHORN AND SCREAMING AND YELLING -- AND IT MAY BE PUBLIC PROPERTY AND SIDEWALKS AND RIGHT-OF-WAY BUT IN A HARASSING MANNER.

NOW IF THIS JUST WANT TO HAVE SIGNS AND WHATNOT AND CAMP OUT ON THE SIDEWALK, THEN MAYBE THAT WOULD BE OKAY.

BUT GO IT'S AN INTIMIDATING MAYOR'S HARASSING MANNER AT THE RESIDENCE THEN THAT'S SOMETHING I DON'T THINK SO WE NEED HAVE IN THIS STATE AND WITH THE INTERNET IT'S EASILY ORGANIZED TODAY.

THIS COULD RESULT IN A DEFENSE LAWYER DEFENDING AN UP POPULAR CLIENT OR ANY CITIZENS IS THAT ACCUSED OF SOMETHING AND THEN THE PUSHING MASSES AND THEY WANT TO INVADE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND PROTEST.

AND I JUST THINK WE BRING SOME KIND OF GUARDRAILS TO THAT ACTIVITY.

>> YEAH.

I REMEMBER IT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO, A GROUP ATTEMPTED TO PICKET THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S HOUSE BUT I THINK THEY GOT THE WRONG HOUSE.

BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO FOLLOW THIS BILL.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

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

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK: >> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR ROGER SMITHERMAN FROM BIRMINGHAM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

>> IT'S A BIG WEEK THIS WEEK IN THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE YOU DEALT WITH THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

IN THE SENATE IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

ALL REPUBLICANS, ALL DEMOCRATS.

TELL ME, FROM THE MINORITY PERSPECTIVE, DID YOU GET EVERYTHING -- WERE YOU PLEASED WITH THE END RESULT.

>> I WAS PLEASED WITH THE END RESULT.

I THOUGHT THAT SENATOR ORR AND THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, WHICH I'M BLESSED TO BE A PART OF, TOOK CONSIDERATION OF A BROAD SPECTRUM OF NEEDS AND CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

AND IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I HAVE SEEN A BUDGET THAT TOUCHED ON THE STATE SO BROAD AND TOUCHED ON SO MANY OF THOSE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE, LIKE THIS BUDGET HAS DONE.

SO I'M PROUD OF THE BUDGET AND PROUD TO VOTE FOR IT.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO ENHANCE THE STATE AND ENHANCE MY REGION AND THE AREA OF JEFFERSON COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS IN PARTICULAR.

SO I SAW PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY IN THERE, OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR JUNIOR COLLEGES AND OUR FOUR YEAR EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITIES FOR K-12 AS WELL AS I SAW MANY ECONOMIC INCENTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP US BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE ECONOMIC POSITION THAT WE HAVE THERE IN THAT AREA.

>> 1 OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES THAT THE ECONOMY MADE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION WAS REDUCING THE AMOUNT THAT WENT TOWARDS THIS TAX REBATE.

IT'S A SUPPLEMENTAL $2.8 BILLION AND SORT OF SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE.

BUT TAKING THAT DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY TO WHERE IT WAS GOING TO BE, LIKE, $400 OR $800 TAX REBATE TO INDIVIDUALS OR FOR FAMILIES AND THAT'S DOWN TO A $100.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THE CONVERSATION WAS LIKE IN THE SENATE.

IT WAS A MATTER OF SPENDING THOSE RESOURCES ELSEWHERE.

>> THAT WAS PART OF THE CONVERSATION, BEING ABLE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WHERE THAT MONEY WAS GOING TO BE NECESSARY AND YOU HAVE MEMBERS THAT WANTED CUTS OR THE REBATE AND THEN YOU HAD MEMBERS THAT WANTED THE REBATE.

SO BETWEEN ALL THREE OF THOSE FACTIONS, A COMPROMISE WAS REACHED AND THE AMOUNT YOU SEE NOW IS WHAT ULTIMATELY BECAME THE COMPROMISE.

ALSO THERE WERE RESOURCES FOR STRUGGLING SCHOOLS, SPECIFIC RELY TALKING ABOUT FUNDING THE LITERACY ACT AND THE NUMERACY ACT, GETTING READING COACHES AND MATH COACHES INTO AREAS WHERE THE SCHOOLS ARE STRUGGLING AND TARGETING THAT IS THAT WHERE YOU WANTED TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THOSE SCHOOLS?

>> IT'S VERY INTENTIONAL.

I'M ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT SAYS IF YOU DON'T PUT THE RESOURCES THERE, WE'RE SETTING THE KIDS UP TO FAIL.

THE PROCEDURES ARE FINE.

BUT IF THERE ARE NO RESOURCES HOW ARE WE GOING TO EXPECT THEM TO RIGHT UP TO THAT LEVEL?

AND I THINK THE LEGISLATURE TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT AND ENHANCED THOSE RESOURCES IN TECHNOLOGY AND LIKE YOU SAID IN THE STRUCTURAL LEARNING AND MATERIALS.

WE PROVIDE FUND NOW FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUY WHATEVER SUPPLIES AND THINGS THEY NEED AND NOT HAVE TO TRY TO TAKING THEIR OWN MONEY AND RAISE MONEY TO GET THE THINGS THEIR STUDENTS NEED.

WE ALSO PROVIDE A COMPONENT FOR SECURITY IN THESE SCHOOLS.

WE HAD STEPPED TO THE PLATE AND WE PUT UP MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SO OUR SCHOOLS CAN BE EQUIPPED TO BE SAFE AND WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING HAPPENING TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

BUT THEM BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN.

>> SPEAKING OF THE LITERACY ACT IT WILL BE A YEAR FROM NOW WHEN THE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY KICKS IN.

AND YOU WERE SUCCESSFUL IN DELAYING THAT, MOSTLY DUE TO COVID AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND YOU'RE HAPPY FOR THAT MEASURE HAD TO KICK IN AND STUDENTS CAN HELP BACK IF THEY CAN'T READ PROFICIENTLY?

>> I THINK WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION NOW THAN WE WOULD HAVE BEEN AT THAT TIME.

WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE WAYS TO GO IN TERMS OF -- I WON'T SAY EVERYONE BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM BEING READY ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE SOME AREAS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING THE STUDENTS UP TO THAT LEVEL.

AND WE HAVE SOME WORKING TO DO IT NOW.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE ALLOCATED GET TO THOSE AREAS.

AND YOU SAY WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

I'M TALKING ABOUT TUTORS.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION.

AND I HAVE PEOPLE THAT CAN'T EVEN GET THEIR KIDS THERE.

AND THE INSTRUCTIONS -- THE INSTRUCTORS AS WELL AS DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE MAY NEED TO BE INNOVATIVE.

AND THE APPROACH AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO READ PROPERLY AND OF COURSE BEING ABLE TO HANDLE THEIR MATH AS WELL.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THAT BILL WITH DR. MACKEY AND OTHERS.

THEY ALWAYS EMPHASIZE IT'S NOT JUST THE STUDENT GETS HELD BACK.

THEY WORK ALL SUMMER OF TO TRY TO GET THEM UP TO THE 4TH GRADE.

AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

AND THAT'S WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THESE RESOURCES.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HOLDING KIDS BACK; IT'S ABOUT GETTING THEM UP TO SPEED.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A ROBUST SUMMER SCHOOL OR SUMMER OF CAMPS.

YOU KNOW WE HAVE THE MATH CAMPS THAT WE PROVIDED THE MONEY FOR IN THE SUMMER NOW.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE READING CAMPS AND MONITOR THEM -- EVERY THREE OR FOUR WEEKS TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE SO WE HAVE TO ENRICH IT -- HAVE ENRICHMENT WITH IT AND THEN GET THEM THERE.

AND I THINK EVERYBODY IS SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING SURE OF THE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

UNTIL THE RESOURCES ACTUAL GET TO THOSE AREAS?

SOME AREAS HAVE A GREAT NEED FOR THOSE RESOURCES.

THE OTHER ONES AT THIS TIME AND THAT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT.

THE EFFORTS I SEE NOW WILL INCREASE TO THE POINT WHERE THOSE STUDENTS CAN BE BROUGHT ALONG AND WE WON'T HAVE A -- WE CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT NOBODY WON'T OF COURSE LEFT BEHIND BUT I SURE HOPE THAT IS VERY FEW IF ANY THAT IS.

>> SWITCHING GEARS I WANT TO.

>> WHY YOU ABOUT THIS STICKY ISSUE OF JUDICIAL ALLOCATIONS.

IT HAS TO DO WITH JUDGES AND CIRCUITS AND, YOU KNOW, BIG DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN WHERE THE RESOURCES NEED TO GO.

YOU'RE TRYING TO PROTECT YOUR TURF, JEFFERSON, AND MADISON COUNTY IS GREG AND AROUND MONTGOMERY, THIS CIRCUIT.

WHAT IS THE LATEST WITH THIS CONVERSATION AND WHERE IS IT GOING TO GO?

>> WELL, THE -- STARTED OUT WITH A COUPLE OF MY COLLEAGUES PUTTING IN BILLS SO THAT IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREA THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET JUDGES.

AND THAT WASN'T RELATED TO ALLOCATION.

THAT WAS RELATED TO THEIR NEED.

THEN I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FILING A SUBSTITUTE THAT WAS BASED ON THE REPORT IN FRONT OF THE REALLOCATION COMMISSION WHICH SAID WE NEED TO LEVEL MORE ALLOCATION JUDGES TO TAKE CARE OF OUR ADDITIONAL IMMEDIATE.

>> IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE HAVE NOW.

>> YES.

AS TO THE STATE.

AND I JOKE ALL THE TIME.

I SAID WE NEED 12 BECAUSE THEY TOOK ONE FROM US.

BUT THIS BILL ONLY HAS THE 11 IN IT.

SO SENATOR GIVAN HAS TAKEN THAT BILL, AND HE'S MADE IT IN PART -- IN LARGE PART, A PART OF HIS SUB FOR ONE OF THOSE BILLS.

SO NOW, OUT OF JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE THAT EMBRACES THOUGH THE 11 JUDGES THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS.

AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A MORATORIUM ON REALLOCATION UNTIL 2027 TO WHERE ALL OF THESE JUDGES WILL BE IN PLACE.

I THINK AT THAT TIME, THAT IT WILL SHOW THAT WE ARE -- THAT WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE ALLOCATION ANY MORE TALENT.

BECAUSE ALL OF THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IF WE'RE ABLE TO PASS THIS BILL THEY WILL HAVE THE JUDGES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE AREAS.

>> SOUNDS LIKE SOME PROGRESS.

>> IT'S A LOT OF PROGRESS.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT -- IT'S THE COMMITTEE THERE THAT IS LOOKING AT HOW WE CAME ABOUT MAKING A TERMINATION OF THE NEEDS AND THE POSITIONS OF ALL OF OUR CIRCUITS, WHICH I THINK WILL ENHANCE A TRUER PICTURE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY JEFFERSON COUNTY TO SHOW ALL OF THE CASES THAT WE HAVE VERSUS WHAT'S ACTUALLY BEING PRESENTED THROUGH A WAITED MEANS, YOU KNOW, SO HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A MANUAL AND BEING ABLE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THINGS LIKE THIS.

SOME COUNTY TAKE THE UNDERLINING CASES AND GIVE THEM SEPARATE CASE NUMBERS.

AND JEFFERSON COUNTY WE TAKE THE UNDERLINING CASES AND PUT THEM UNDER ONE CASE THAT HAS NUMBERS -- SUCH AS, IF A PERSON HAS DUI, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A RECKLESS DRIVING CHARGE AND THEN -- >> BUT IT'S ONE CASE.

>> 1 CASE, SEE?

BUT THOSE ARE THREE DIFFERENT CASES BUT IT'S LISTED UNDER ONE NUMBER BECAUSE IT WAS ONE STOP.

WHERE WHEN YOU COUNT AN ALLOCATION, YOU COUNT JEFFERSON COUNTY AS HAVING ONE CASE AND A CIRCUIT THAT PUTS NUMBERS ON THEM HAS THREE CASES.

SO THAT ADDS TO THE COMPLEXITY.

WE'RE IN A COUNTY WITH 800,000 PEOPLE.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE MORE COMPLEX CASES THAT THERE IS AND THOSE CASES TAKE SPECIAL TIME AND SPECIAL ATTENTION.

WELL, IN THIS REVALUATION OF HOW THE APPROACH THAT THEY TOOK, THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THOSE THINGS UNDER CONSIDERATION AS WELL.

AND IN THIS BILL, THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL THINGS THAT ARE BEING ASKED TO BE LOOKED AT AND MAKING THAT DETERMINATION.

SO I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT ONES THAT IS DONE, ONCE WE HAVE THE NEEDS SATISFIED AND ONCE THE APPROACH IS A LITTLE BIT MORE UNIFORM ACTIVE IN CONSIDERING THOSE -- THOSE THINGS, I THINK THAT IT WILL COME OUT TO SHOW THE TRUE LOAD THAT JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS IN TERMS OF ITS CASES AND RELATIONSHIP TO THE JUDGES.

SO I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT PROCESS FROM A MORE OPEN APPROACH, AND AS I SAID EARLIER, I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE NEED, AND I THINK IT WILL PROVIDE SOME STABILITY TO US IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

>> WE'VE ONLY GOT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME LEFT BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOME OF YOUR NEWER COLLEAGUES.

I HAD SENATOR WAGGONER ON THE SHOW THE OTHER DAY AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HIS TIME -- ROLE AS A MENTOR OVER THERE.

YOU'RE A VETERAN MEMBER AS WELL.

YOU HAVE MENTORED SENATORS OVER THERE.

YOU HAVE A FEW IN THE CHAMBER THIS YEAR.

WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKING WITH THE NEW CLASS OF SENATORS AND HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO SHEPHERD THEM AND TELL THEM HOW THINGS REALLY WORK?

>> YES, I HAVE.

AND IT'S -- IT'S FUN TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOUR NEW COLLEAGUES.

THERE ARE THINGS THEY'RE PICKING UP AND FINDING OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

AND IT'S VERY POSITIVE THAT THEY DON'T MIND ASKING YOU.

IT HAS KNOB NOTHING TO DO WITH PARTY.

I SIT IN FRONT OF THREE REPUBLICAN SENATORS, AND THEY TURN AROUND IN A HEARTBEAT AND SAY I'M GETTING RED TO DO THIS, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS OR THAT?

AND ONE OF THEM JOKED WITH MEET THE OTHER DAY.

I TOLD THEM SOME THINGS AND SHARED SOME THINGS WITH THEM.

AND HE SAID DO YOU REALIZE YOUR SHARING THIS WITH ME AND I MAY HAVE TO USE THIS AGAINST YOU?

I SAID THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S THE PROCESS.

>> THE RULES ARE THE RULES.

>> RULES ARE THE RULES.

I DON'T HAVE NOTIFY PROBLEM WITH THAT.

THAT'S WHAT I JUST WANT YOU TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THOSE.

SO WE HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP AMONG US IN THE BODY WHEN IT COMES TO THAT.

AND YEAH, I'M REALLY, REALLY PROUD TO SAY THAT.

I MEAN THAT.

I HAVE BEEN HERE A WHILE AND I CAN TELL YOU THIS GOES ONE OF THE BEST CLASSES THAT WE HAVE HAD, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE MAJORITY CHANGED.

EVERYBODY IS -- SHOWS A LEVEL OF SENSITIVITY YOU KNOW, AND LOOK MORE TO THE ISSUES.

SO YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO CLOSE WITH THAT BY SAYING THIS, WHEN I CAME HERE IN THE VERY BEGINNING, MY WIFE TOLD ME SOMETHING.

SHE SAID, YOU KNOW YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH R'S AND D'S AND ON THIS ISSUE YOU MAY BE OVER HERE WITH THIS ONE AND THEN OVER HERE WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

SO KEEP THAT IN MIND AND DRESS THINGS ISSUE BY ISSUE.

AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.

NOT JUST ME.

BUT I WILL GIVE THE MAJORITY OF MY COLLEAGUES CRITICAL.

THEY HAVE TAKEN THAT APPROACH.

THAT'S WHY WE WERE ABLE TO GET THIS BUDGET THROUGH AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE BEEN TABLE TO WORK IN A COOPERATIVE EFFORT IN MANY, MANY THINGS.

WHETHER THAT BE ONE OR TWO THINGS YEAH, YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES.

IT IS ONE OR TWO WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO GET THROUGH BUT I WOULD BE WILTING TO SAY 98 PERCENT OF THE THINGS WE WORK HAND IN HAND TOGETHER.

>> THAT WAS GOOD ADVISE.

>> SENATOR, WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOSTER HAVING MIDDLE EAST.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS ROBIN HYDEN.

FROM ALABAMA ARISE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> CAN YOU REMIND THE VIEWERS ABOUT ALABAMA ARISE AND ITS MISSION?

>> ALABAMA ARISE IS A STATEWIDE COALITION TO ADDRESS PUBLIC POLICIES TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR PEOPLE IN POVERTY.

SO WE KNOW THERE'S POOR FOLKS IN EVERY DISTRICT IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE 150 MEMBER GROUPS FROM ACROSS ALABAMA.

AND TOGETHER WE WORK TO ADDRESS PUBLIC POLICY.

IN RECENT YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN MOST KNOWN FOR YOUR PUSH ON THE GROCERY SALES TAX EFFORT.

20 YEARS?

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS?

>> AT LEAST.

>> SO IT'S REALLY INTERESTING THAT THIS YEAR SEEMS TO SHOW THE YEAR IT'S REALLY MOVING.

I MEAN CHATTER STARTED REALLY TOWARD OF THE BEGINNING OF SESSION.

THEN YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE MCCLAMMY IS REALLY PUSHING IT AND SENATOR JONES IS PUSHING IT, AND THEY INTRODUCED THIS BILL LAST WEEK WITH 35 CO-SPONSORS IN THE SENATE.

I KNOW IT'S NOT A FULL ELECTION.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, A HALFWAY ELECTION OVER SOME YEARS SO LET IMMEDIATE JUST ASK YOU, FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION'S PERSPECTIVE, ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PREVAILING GROCERY TAX PLAN.

>> WE ARE SUPPORTIVE.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT 1ST STEP, WE THINK, TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE PART OF THE GROCERY SALES TAX AWAY.

WE KNOW IT'S NOT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO TAKE THE FULL AMOUNT.

SO WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE LAWMAKERS COME BACK, IF THEY CAN PASS THIS REFORM THIS YEAR, PASS SB-257 AND HOPEFULLY A HOUSE VERSION WILL COME SOON AS WELL, WE WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND SAY HERE IS A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY THAT WE CAN REMOVE THE ADDITIONAL 2-CENT AND FULLY UNTAX GROCERIES.

>> WELL, DO YOU THINK IT'S -- WELL, THEY HAD SOME FINANCIAL DATA, ECONOMIC DATA TO SAY, OKAY, IT DID YOU OF DID THIS MUCH TO THE ETF.

AND LIKE REPRESENTATIVE DANIELS ALWAYS SAYS, THE MONEY IS GOING TO GET SPENT ELSEWHERE ANYWAY, LIKE THE SAVINGS IS GOING TO BE SPENT ELSEWHERE ANYWAY SO DO YOU THINK THAT THEY WILL HAVE ECONOMIC DATA TO SHOW THAT OKAY, IT'S NOT THE HIT ON THE ETF THAT WE THOUGHT IT WAS?

>> I FIND THAT TO BE UNLIKELY.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T AGREE THAT IF YOU SAVE, YOU KNOW, 2-CENT ON YOUR GROCERY TAX HERE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND SPEND AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES THAT WOULD GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAX.

TAXES JUST DON'T WORK THAT WAY UNFORTUNATELY.

SO WHAT I WOULD FIND MORE LIKELY IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC IS EXCITED ABOUT A GROCERY TAX CUT BUT THEY SEE HOW INCREMENTAL THIS ONE IS.

IT'S ONLY HALF CENT A YEAR OVER FOUR YEARS.

IT WILL STOP IMMEDIATELY IF THE ETF FAILS TO GROW MORE THAN 2 PERCENT A YEAR.

WE HAVE BEEN EXORBITANT GROWTH WHICH IS NOT ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE.

SO WHAT I WOULD FIND LIKE LIKELY IS THAT WE WOULD SEE THIS DOES COST MONEY TO EDUCATION.

AND WE HOPE THAT WOULD GIVE US FUEL TO THEN COME BACK AND SAY, OKAY, BUT WE KNOW THERE'S BETTER WAYS TO BRING IN TAX DOLLARS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION.

>> REVENUE REPLACEMENT.

>> YES.

>> WHICH HAS BEEN THE PROPOSAL REALLY THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, ELIMINATING THAT FEDERAL TAX DEDUCTION FROM OUR STATE INCOME TAXES.

IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWMAKERS ON THIS BILL OR ON THIS EFFORT, BECAUSE THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF BILLS, IS THAT WHERE THE RUB IS?

ARE REPUBLICANS RESISTANT TO THAT REVENUE REPLACEMENT MODEL?

>> YEAH.

I THINK FOR LAWMAKERS THERE'S A REAL FEAR OF EVEN OUR PROPOSAL NOR WHAT WE WORKED ON A LONG TIME THAT WE LOOKED TO MAKE SURE ONLY UPPER INCOME LEARNERS WOULD PAY MORE IN INCOME TAXES.

, WILL LOOK AND SEE THEMSELVES IN THE UPPER INSURANCE COMPANY TAX BRACKETS AND I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN, WE HAD A LOT OF PUSH BACK ON THE THAT AND THAT'S WHAT STOPPED THIS BILL FROM PASSING EVEN, YOU KNOW, GOING BACK MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

WE THINK WE MAY HAVE TO TARGET THAT FIT DEDUCTION AT A HIGHER INCOME BRACKET.

WE KNOW THAT IN ORDER HAD TO GET RID OF THE FIT DID YOU EXPLAIN WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND IT WOULD BE A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

WE ALWAYS SAID LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE, DO YOU THINK IT'S MORE FAIR TO TAX INCOME OR TAX FOOD?

>> THAT'S A WAY OUT FOR LAWMAKERS TO SAY LOOK I'M JUST LETTING THE PEOPLE VOTE ON THIS.

AND I THINK SO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE PRETTY POPULAR STATEWIDE.

>> I LIKE TO GIVE FULL CREDIT TO OUR MEMBERS AND CONSTITUENTS.

GEOGRAPHIC BACK TO WHEN WE STARTED WORKING ON GROCERY TAX OUR ORGANIZER REMINDED ME THIS IS NOT ARISES 1ST OR SECOND PRIORITY.

WE DO LISTEN SESSIONS AND COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS EVERY YEAR.

WE HAD SAID WHY DON'T WE DO INCOME TAX CREDIT, A CHILD TAX CREDIT, LOOK AT PROPERTY TAXES OR OTHER TAX ISSUES.

AND THEN THE NUMBER 1 TAX FAIRNESS THAT WE HEARD ACROSS THE STATE WAS THE GROCERY TAX.

AND I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST -- IT'S NOT ONE POLITICAL SIDE OR THE OTHER.

IT UNIFIES DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND NONVOTERS -- I'M NOT SURPRISED ITS TAKING OFF GIVEN THE RECORD OF INFLATION.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY HURTING WHEN THEY GO TO PAY FOR FOOD.

WE KNOW THAT THE AVERAGE FAMILY OF FOUR IS SPENDING $600 EVERY TWO, WE ON GROCERIES AND THAT'S THE AMOUNT THEY COULD BE SAVING IF WE WOULD SIMPLY REMOVE THIS TAX.

>> LET ME ASK YOU WHAT ABOUT THE SENATE AND SETTING MONEY ASIDE.

YOUR ORGANIZATION, LIKE YOU SAID, ADVOCATES ON POVERTY ISSUES.

WHAT ARE Y'ALL THINKING ABOUT THIS?

ARE YOU PRO REBATE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS REDUCTION IN THE REBATE FROM 400 TO $100?

>> OUR POSITION ON A REBATE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THESE SHOULD BE TARGETED TO THE MOST LOW WAGE WORKING CLASS FAMILIES.

SO THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IS THAT THESE REBATES ARE NOT TARGETED TO WHERE THEY WOULD DO THE MOST GOOD.

I ALSO AM INTERESTED IN POLLING THAT THE GOP RELEASED THAT DOES SHOW IT IS WAY MORE POPULAR TO DO A PERMANENT TAX REFORM AND REMOVE THE SALES TAX ON FOOD THAN JUST A ONE TIME TAX REBATE.

SO I'M GLAD THEY REDUCED THE REBATE AMOUNT BUT I THINK IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS IT DOESN'T REALLY DO MUCH TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE HURTING THE MOST.

>> A HUNDRED DOLLARS, THAT'S REAL MONEY BUT IT'S NOT 800 OR 400 OR WHATEVER IT WAS GOING TO BE.

AND I'M CURIOUS, HONESTLY, WHEN IT GETS TO THE HOUSE IF IT GETS BOTTOMED OUT COMPLETELY, JUST CONSIDERING THAT.

AND ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT THE GROCERY TAX CUT -- LIKE I SAID IS MORE POPULAR AND ALL OF THAT.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN A BIG ONE FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IS MEDICAID EXPANSION.

ADVOCATING FOR THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

NOT THAT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS SESSION.

THERE'S NO BILL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT THERE'S A LOT OF CHATTER AROUND THE ISSUE.

AND MAYBE SOME ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GO ABOUT DOING MEDICAID EXPANSION.

MAYBE IT'S NOT CALLED MEDICAID -- MAYBE IT'S MORE PRIVATE SECTOR TYPE OF THING.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING AND DO YOU THINK THERE'S SOME KIND OF FEASIBILITY FOR THIS?

IS THE CHATTER REAL?

>> WHAT I'M HEARING IS MORE LAWMAKERS THAN EVER ARE GETTING EDUCATED ON WHO IS IN THE HEALTH COVERAGE GAP.

I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE HEALTH COMMITTEE LOOK AT THIS AND THEY STARTED FROM A POSITION OF JUST SAYING WHO DOESN'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THIS.

SO MANY WORKERS THAT WE RELY ON, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, FOOD INDUSTRY, RETAIL, HAIR DRESSERS, FOLKS THAT WERE STRUGGLING TO HIRE AND RECRUIT AND RETAIN.

THESE ARE FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE AND AS A RESULT SOMETIMES THEY'RE DROPPING OUT OF THE WORKFORCE WITH PREMATURE DISABILITY.

THEY HAVE UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS OR STUBS USE DISORDERS.

SO THE MORE LAWMAKERS ARE UNDERSTANDING THIS IS THE POPULATION THAT WE'RE TARGETING WITH EXPANDING MEDICAID, I THINK WE'RE MAKING SOME HEADWAY.

AND I WILL SHARE NORTH CAROLINA JUST BECAME THE 40TH STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO O IN TO EXPANSION, AND THEY DID THAT WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, AFTER 10 YEARS OF SAYING, NO,, WE WILL NEVER DO THIS.

SO IT IS ENCOURAGING ME TO SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING, HEY, AFTER 10 YEARS I'M ACTUALLY CHANGING MY MIND.

I'M LOOKING AT THE EVIDENCE.

WE HEAR THIS ALL THE TIME.

WE HAVE DONE TOWN HALT MEETINGS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND I HAVE HEARD FROM HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS, CITY COUNCILORS AND MAYORS WHO SAID I REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS WAS.

ONCE I SAW AND HEARD THE STORIES FROM MY DISTRICT AND MY COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW I'M CHANGING MY MIND ABOUT IT.

SO I FEEL OPTIMISTIC.

>> IT'S SO INTERESTING HOW THE PANDEMIC AND THEN POST PANDEMIC WITH THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AND ALL OF THAT REALLY JUST I DON'T KNOW, BROUGHT INTO STARK RELIEF ISSUES LIKE HEALTH CARE, HEALTH INSURANCE AND THE COVERAGE GAP, LIKE CHILD CARE, LIKE NEVER BEFORE SUDDENLY THERE'S MORE ATTENTION TO PAY TO THESE THINGS BECAUSE IT BECAME A HUGE -- SUDDENLY YOU CAN'T FIND WORKERS AND ASK WHY.

HEALTH CARE AND CHILDCARE IS A BIG PART OF IT.

>> AND WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND HAD A LOT OF TALK THIS YEAR ABOUT OBTAINING JOBS AND RETAINING AND RECRUITING INDUSTRIES BUT WE NOW REALLY HAVE A CRISES OF WHERE ARE THESE WORKERS?

AND WHY HAVE FOLKS DROPPED OUT OF THE WORKFORCE OR ARE UNABLE TO CONNECT TO THESE JOBS?

AND I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA, IT IS THINGS LIKE HEALTH CARE, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, ISSUES THAT WE REALLY NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH SOME HISTORIC SURPLUS MONEY TO REALLY START TO ADDRESS.

>> WELL, WE WILL SEE WHERE GROCERY TAX GOES.

WE HAVE A 12 MORE DAYS OF SESSION.

WE WILL CERTAINLY FOLLOW THAT AND WE WANT TO HAVE YOU BACK TO EXPLAIN THE INS AND OUTS OF THAT POLICY IF AND WHEN IT HAPPENS.

>> HOPE SO.

HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW?

>> THANKS TODD.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACKS MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30 WITH MORE COVERAGE FROM THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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