>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, ANOTHER SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS NOW UNDERWAY, THIS TIME TO DEAL WITH REAPPORTIONMENT.

LAWMAKERS RETURNED TO MONTGOMERY ON THURSDAY TO CONSIDER NEW DISTRICT MAPS FOR CONGRESSIONAL, LEGISLATIVE AND STATE SCHOOL BOARD SEATS.

IT'S WORK THAT COULDN'T GET DONE DURING THE REGULAR SESSION BECAUSE CENSUS DATA WAS DELAYED, AND IT'S WORK THAT HAS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

TODAY, HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES MADE QUICK WORK OF THE REAPPORTIONMENT BILLS.

IN THE UPPER CHAMBER COMMITTEE, SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO AND REAPPORTIONMENT CO-CHAIR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE DEBATED SOME KEY ASPECTS.

>> COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY WITH THE POPULATION OF JEFFERSON THAT WE TIP TO GET AS MANY SPLITS ON THE SENATE SIDE WHEN THE POPULATION WILL HOLD -- AND IT BASICALLY WILL STATE THAT JEFFERSON COUNTY CAN HOLD FIVE SENATORS.

BUT THERE'S STILL SEVEN SENATORS GOING INTO JEFFERSON COUNTY?

>> YES, SIR, SENATOR SINGLETON.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT'S MORE OF THE RULE THAN THE EXCEPTION.

WE SEE THAT IN MOST OF OUR HIGH POPULATION AREAS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS FOR THIS.

AND, OF COURSE, THE NUMBER ONE REASON IS OBTAINING THE NECESSARY VOTES TO GET THIS BILL PASSED.

>> THE STATE SENATE AND SCHOOL BOARD REDISTRICTING MAPS STARTED IN THE SENATE AND THE STATEHOUSE AND CONGRESSIONAL MANSION STARTED IN THE LOWER CHAMBER.

WITH TODAY'S COMMITTEE APPROVALS THEY WILL NOW CONTINUE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON REAPPORTIONMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME UNVEILED THE NEW DISTRICT MAPS RIGHT BEFORE LAWMAKERS REASSEMBLED IN MONTGOMERY TO BEGIN CONSIDERING THEM.

RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> THE POINT HERE IS TO VET THE INFORMATION SO WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THIS PROCESS.

>> OF THIS GATHERING MARKS THE SECOND PART OF THE SESSION.

IT COMBINES HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF REDRAWING STATE DISTRICT LINES, FOR MAPS, INCLUDING TWO FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE UP FOR DISCUSSION.

>> ALL DISTRICTS ARE CONTIGUOUS AND REASONABLY COMPACT UNDER THE JINGLE'S TEST AND IT RESPECTS COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND IT PRESERVES THE CORE OF EXISTING DISTRICTS.

IT SPLITS A MINIMUM NUMBER OF COUNTIES AND VOTING PRECINCTS.

>> QUESTIONS ARISE CONCERNING TIMING AND DATA.

>> I AIN'T SEEN NONE OF THIS UNTIL I JUST WALKED IN AT 1:00 SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

BUT I AM REQUESTING EITHER THAT WE GO OVER IT OR I'M REQUESTING THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IF YOU HAVE GOT TO READ IT, LET ME READ IT OUT LOUD, AND EVERYBODY AS I SIT HERE TODAY HERE AND WE WILL READ AND IT THEN WE WILL HAVE SPECIALS ABOUT IT.

I DON'T MIND DOING WHATEVER YOU TELL ME TO DO.

BUT I WANT TO GO OVER THIS.

JUST TO RAM IT DOWN MY THROAT, THAT AIN'T MAP.

>> THE FOUR MAPS ARE APPROVED.

>> AT THIS POINT WHAT WILL HAPPEN, ANY CITIZEN THAT WANTS TO CONTACT THEIR LEGISLATOR WHO HAS THE FINAL SAY-SO ON THE MAPS WE DRAW, THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN THE LEGISLATORS HAVE TO ACTUALLY VOTE ON THIS.

>> WE OWE THE PUBLIC A LOT MORE DON DAILEY THAN TO GET THE MAPS YESTERDAY WITH ALL OF THE DATA THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT AND ALL OF THE RULES, REQUIREMENT ELSE TO THE CONSTITUTION, VOTING RIGHTS ACT, DID EQUAL PROTECTION AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS TO COME IN HERE THE DAY AFTER AND VOTE ON MAPS AND PASS THEM.

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

>> DON: GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT DIRECTS STATE AGENCIES NOT TO COOPERATE WITH A FEDERAL COVID VACCINE MANDATE.

IT ALSO ENCOURAGES THE AGENCIES, WHERE POSSIBLE, TO HELP WITH THE STATE'S EFFORTS TO CHALLENGE SUCH A MANDATE IN COURT.

IVEY ADDRESSED HER ORDER THIS WEEK WHILE SPEAKING IN MOBILE.

>> WE DIDN'T NEED AN OUTRAGEOUS OVERREACHING MANDATE TO GET US TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

LET ME BE CLEAR: I AM VERY MUCH FOR PEOPLE TAKING THE VACCINE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME I'M ADAMANT FOR IT BEING A CHOICE.

AND HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA SAID THAT HE DIDN'T PLAN TO ALLOW VACCINE LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR.

THE SPEAKER SPOKE TO REPORTERS WEDNESDAY AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> NO, DURING THIS SPECIAL SESSION WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON THE CALL THAT WAS OUT THERE, BECAUSE REDISTRICTING IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WE NEED TO GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY.

THEY BE THE NEXT THING IS WE HAVE A BILL ON APPROPRIATIONS.

AND THAT'S TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES AND PEOPLE WHO GIVE HEALTH CARE, LET'S GET THAT OUT OF THE WAY AND THEN LET'S SEE WHAT KIND -- LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN GET AND PUT TOGETHER.

>> DON: THE SPEAKER WAS REFERRING TO APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE LATEST FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR STATE HOSPITALS, WHICH ARE STILL COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> DON: THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY THIS WEEK WAS STILL CALLING ON LAWMAKERS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATE.

PARTY CHAIR JOHN WAHL OF ATHENS TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT, EVEN THOUGH SUCH BILLS AREN'T ON THE CURRENT CALL, HE'S HOLDING OUT HOPE THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL ULTIMATELY ACT.

>> THAT PRESENTS A CHALLENGE AND ALSO THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF A SECOND CALL.

THE GOVERNOR CAN MAKE A CALL THE NEXT TIME.

I DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS OFF THE TABLE.

REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE STATE WANT ONE GOVERNMENT AND WE WANT TO CHALLENGE THIS AND I ENCOURAGE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO CHALLENGE IT EVERY WAY AND RESPECT THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AT EVERY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

>> DON: CHAIRMAN WAHL WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE VACCINE MANDATE PUSHBACK EFFORT.

BECAUSE RELATED LEGISLATION WASN'T ON THE GOVERNOR'S SPECIAL SESSION CALL, THE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED THIS WEEK WOULD, OSTENSIBLY, TAKE A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE OF LAWMAKERS TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA.

>> DON: THE VACCINE MANDATE ISSUE BROUGHT PROTESTORS TO THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK.

THEY MARCHED AROUND THE BUILDING ON THURSDAY, JUST AS LAWMAKERS WERE GETTING TO WORK IN THEIR SPECIAL SESSION.

>> DON: MANY OF THE SIGNS THE PROTESTORS WERE CARRYING WERE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL 31.

IT'S CALLED THE ALABAMA HEALTH FREEDOM ACT AND IT PROPOSES PROTECTING CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES FROM WHAT IT CONTENDS COULD BE BOTH DISCRIMINATION AND JOB LOSS AS A RESULT THE FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATE.

THE LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE RITCHIE WHORTON OF OWENS CROSSROADS, WHO SAYS HE FORMALLY INTRODUCED IT TODAY.

>> WHEN WE GO TO A INTEREST'S OFFICE OR GET A PHYSICAL, THEY WILL ASK YOU DO YOU WANT TO GET YOUR FLU SHOT?

AND YOU CAN SEE YES, I LIKE THE FLU SHOT OR, NO, I DON'T WANT TO FLU SHOT.

THAT'S THE WAY THE VACCINE SHOULD BE.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A CHOICE IF YOU WANT THE VACCINE OR NOT.

I'M NOT AGAINST THE VACCINE.

I'M JUST FOR PERSONAL CHOICE AND OUR FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES.

>> DON: SOME BUSINESSES HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT WHORTON'S LEGISLATION.

DON: THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER THIS WEEK HAS BEEN WATCHING WITH INTEREST AS THE DEBATE OVER PUSHING BACK ON THE FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATE HAS HEATED UP.

DR. SCOTT HARRIS SAYS HE RECOGNIZES THAT IT'S A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC AMONG BOTH CITIZENS AND LAWMAKERS, BUT HE TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HIS POSITION ON COVID SHOTS REMAINS THE SAME.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO STAY OUT OF THE POLITICS.

WE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

WE WISH IT WEREN'T TIED UP IN ALL OF THIS PATTERN DISCUSSION.

WE WISH PEOPLE WOULD TALK TO THEIR DOCTOR AND MAKE A GOOD MEDICAL DECISION LIKE THEY DO ABOUT THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE OR ANY OTHER MEDICAL CONDITION.

WE BELIEVE VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP TRYING TO PUSH THAT MESSAGE OUTDOOR.

>> DON: DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

>> DON: THE VACCINE MANDATE AND REAPPORTIONMENT WERE ALSO HOT TOPICS AT A MEETING THIS WEEK OF MAYORS FROM THE STATE'S LARGEST CITIES.

BUT THAT WASN'T ALL THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> THIS NOT ONLY BENEFITS OUR COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE BUT I THINK IT WISHES THE ENTIRE STATE FOR US TO HAVE THESE TYPE OF CONVERSATIONS, COME OUT OF THIS WITH SOON ACTION PLAN AND BE READY TO MOVE FORWARD IN BETWEEN THE NEXT MEETING.

>> MONTGOMERY MAYOR AND THE CAPITOL CITY HOSTED THE BIG 10 MAYOR SUMMIT WHERE THE CONVERSATIONS INCLUDED URGING ALABAMA I UNDERSTAND TO VOTE YES ON THE ANIAH'S LAW AMENDMENTS WHICH WILL BE ON THE 2022 BALLOT.

>> WE HAVE PUT A LOT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING INTO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY IN THIS NEW FISCAL BUDGET.

AND ALL OF THE MONEY IN THE WORLD ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE THE CRIME THAT'S HAPPENING.

IT'S THE PACKAGE OF ANIAH'S LAW AND TRIESING TO GET REPEAT OFFENDERS OFF THE STREETS AND IN PRISON.

>> ANIAH'S LAW GIVES JUDGES MORE DISCRETION IN DENYING BAIL TO CERTAIN VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

NOW THAT A COVID-19 VACCINE IS BEING REQUIRED OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THE MAYORS WANT THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE TO TREAD CAUTIOUSLY IN POSSIBLY DECIDING TO BAN THIS MANDATE.

>> LOOK, THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE PASSING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO -- TO ASK THAT YOUR EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE VACCINE.

THAT PLACES COMPANIES IN HAD A DOUBLE JEOPARDY SITUATION.

WHERE WHICHEVER WAY THEY GO THEY WILL BE VIOLATING STATE LAW OR FEDERAL LAW.

>> WHILE THE MAYORS WERE IN MONTGOMERY THEY MET WITH ALABAMA GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WHERE THEY DISCUSSED SEVERAL TOPICS INCLUDING PRISON REFORM WHICH THEY SUPPORT.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> A MATTER UNRELATED THE VACCINE MANDATE, REAPPORTIONMENT OR OTHER HIGH-PROFILE ISSUES WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH ON THE FLOOR OF THE UPPER CHAMBER TODAY.

SENATOR VIVIAN DAVIS FIGURES OF MOBILE TOOK TO THE PODIUM TO MAKE HER FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT VIOLENCE AT HER HOME.

SOMEONE OPENED FIRE THERE IN JUNE, SHOOTING AT LEAST 15 TIMES AT FIGURES' HOUSE.

NO ONE WAS THERE AT THE TIME, SO NO ONE WAS HURT.

NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND NO POSSIBLE MOTIVE FOR THE SHOOTING HAS BEEN RELEASED.

FIGURES THANKED HER COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE VIOLENCE.

AND SHE SAID SHE'S CONSIDERING PROPOSING A BILL NEXT YEAR IN THE WAKE OF A LOCAL MOBILE TELEVISION STATION BEING TIPPED OFF THAT THE SHOOTING HAD OCCURRED, BUT NOT REVEALING ITS SOURCE.

>> SO I'M LOOKING INTO LEGISLATION.

I KNOW THEY HAVE TO PROTECT THEIR SOURCES OR WHATEVER.

BUT WHEN THERE'S HAD A LIFE OR DEATH MATTER ABOUT THIS, IT SHOULDN'T MATTER THAT IT'S ELECTED OFFICIAL.

THAT SHOULD BE FOR ANYBODY.

THAT IF THEY HAD INFORMATION ABOUT THAT HE THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST CALLED THE POLICE SO THEY COULD GO AND CHECK IT OUT.

>> DON: SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED OF JASPER ALSO SPOKE OUT ON THE ISSUE TODAY AND SAID THAT, WHILE ITS NOT KNOWN WHETHER POLITICS MIGHT HAVE BEEN BEHIND THE VIOLENCE AT FIGURES' HOUSE, IT'S THE KIND OF THE THING THAT HE FEELS CAN HAPPEN TO ANY LAWMAKER.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST HUNTSVILLE MAYOR TOMMY BATTLE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> WHICH LAST TIME YOU WERE IN THE STUDIO WITH US YOU WERE CAMPAIGNING FOR GOVERNOR THE ALABAMA.

I KNOW A LOT OF WATER IS UNDER THE BRIDGE -- >> A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> I'M SURE YOU STILL GET ASKED WHY YOU ARE NOT IN THE RACE THIS YEAR.

>> I'M HAPPY WHERE I AM.

WE ARE ABLE TO DO GREAT THINGS IN HUNTSVILLE, ADD JOBS, ADD AN ECONOMY, BUILD A WHOLE DIFFERENT CLASS OF WORKERS AND IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE RESULTS OF YOUR WORK.

I MEAN YOU ALL OF A SUDDEN LOOK BACK AND SAY I MIGHT HAVE HAD A HAND IN DOING THAT AND MAKING THAT HAPPEN FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

SO IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> SPEAKING OF BEING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, YOU JOINED THE MAYOR OF SOME OF THE OTHER STATES AND LARGER CITIES THIS WEEK AT A MEETING HERE IN MONTGOMERY TO TALK ABOUT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE REGULAR SESSION WHICH STARTS IN JANUARY.

WHAT RANKS RIGHT UP THERE FOR YOU.

>> I THINK ONE.

-- THERE'S A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO, TO BE ABLE TO SIGN OFF ON A FORM THAT YOU SEND IN ELECTRONICALLY.

AND SOME OF THE OVER THINGS THAT -- WE'RE LOOKING AT REVENUE SHARING IDEAS.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF WHAT THE STATED GOVERNMENT DOES THAT COMES IN.

AND THEN OF COURSE ANIAH'S LAW IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

IT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT, I THINK, IN NOVEMBER.

THAT'S ONE OF THOSE RAISE THAT HELPS US TAKE THE PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS THAT NEEDS TO BE OFF THE STREETS AND RETAIN THEM IN JAILS RATHER THAN HAVE THAT REVOLVING DOOR WHERE THEY'RE CONTINUALLY DOING SOMETHING, GOING BACK ON THE STREETS, DOING SOMETHING AGAIN, GOING BACK ON THE VOTES.

>> ANIAH'S LAW INSPIRED BY THE CASE OF ANIAH BLANCHARD, A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WAS MURDERED BY SOMEBODY WHO WAS SO YOU HAVE JAIL ON ANOTHER CRIME.

THE LEGISLATURE WENT ALONG WITH THIS.

NOW, IT'S UP TO THE PEOPLE TO APPROVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> THE PEOPLE HAVE TO VOTE FOR IT AND IT GIVES THE JUDGES THE POWER TO DO THAT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE A SAFE SOCIETY.

>> AMONG OTHER THINGS, I KNOW THE MAYOR'S TALKED ABOUT DISTRIBUTION OF THE INTERNET SALES TAX AND EQUAL DISTRIBUTION SO TO SPEAK.

DO YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS?

>> WE DO HAVE SOME.

RIGHT NOW OUR BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT AND MORTAR ARE KIND OF TAKING IT ON THE CHIN.

IF YOU'RE A LOCAL BUSINESS IN HUNTSVILLE WHO IS BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT AND MORTAR, YOU'RE PAYING 9 PERSIAN SALES TAX VERSUS IF YOU ORDER ONLINE, YOU'RE NOT INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY, YOU'RE NOT PUTTING UP A BUILDING, YOU'RE NOT HIRING WORKERS IN THAT AREA.

BUT YOU'RE PAYING 8 PERCENT SALES TAX.

SO 8 PERCENT VERSUS 9 PERCENT, IT'S NOT HUGE BUT IT'S ENOUGH TO BE A DIS INCENTIVE FOR SOMEONE TO BUY LOCAL.

AND I THINK THAT'S OUR MAIN ARGUMENT OUT OF THAT IS THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO BUY LOCAL.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES.

WE WANT OUR LOCAL STORES WHO HAVE INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE WANTED TOMORROW BENEFIT FROM WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO AND THE TAX DOLLARS THAT COME IN.

>> MR. MAYOR I KNOW YOU HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED ABOUT WORKFORCE GAPS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC, ESPECIALLY IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY TYPE OF JOBS.

>> IT HAS.

WE'RE FORTUNE.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF JOBS COME INTO OUR AREA OVER THE PAST FLEE YEARS.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS THAT -- WE AS A COMMUNITY HAD ROCKET SCIENCES AND ENGINEERS ON THE WHITE COLLAR SIDE AND THEN WE HAD THE HOSPITALITY STREET INDUSTRY ON THE LOWER SIDE BUT DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ADVANCED MANUFACTURING WITH THE POLARIS COMING IN, 2000 JOBS, $130 MILLION INVESTMENT, ARROW DEBT, MAZDA, TOYOTA -- ALL OF THOSE COMING IN.

IT'S LIKE 10,000 JOBS.

SO WE'RE SEEING THOSE PEOPLE ON THE LOWER END ARE MOVING UP TO THE MIDDLE CLASS JOBS AND IT'S LEAVING A GAP IN THE BOTTOM SIDE.

SO WE'RE DOING A LOT TO HAVE OF TO TRAIN A NEW WORKFORCE, THOSE COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL OR THOSE WHO WANT TO GO TO TWO YEARS TO COLLEGE AND COME IN.

ALSO WE'RE RECRUITING AND GOING THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THROUGHOUT UNITED STATES TRYING TO BRING PEOPLE IN TO BE PART OF OUR WORKFORCE TO FILL THE JOBS WE HAVE ALREADY BROUGHT IN.

IT'S A GREATER PROBLEM TO HAVE.

YOU WANT TO FILL THE JOBS AND YOU ALREADY HAVE THE JOBS THERE.

>> IT'S INTERESTING WITH YOUR SUCCESS YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY CREATING A NEW MIDDLE CLASS.

>> IT IS.

AND BY CREATING A NEW MIDDLE CLASS, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD HAVE 200 JOBS OVER AT TOYOTA MANUFACTURING AND HAVE 10,000 PEOPLE APPLY.

THAT TOTALS REAL QUICK WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER EMPLOYED.

SAME THING WITH POLARIS.

THEY HAD 10,000 JOBS AND HAD 11,000 APPLY.

NOW, WE'RE MOVING THEM UP TO AN EMPLOYMENT AREA WHERE THEY CAN PROSPER THE SAME AS EVERYBODY ELSE WITH THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE AND IT MAKES THEM FEEL LIKE THEY'RE PART OF OUR CITY AND PART OF OUR SUCCESS STORY.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY RECENTLY JOINED YOU IN TRUMPETING GREAT NEWS ABOUT TOYOTA, A NEW ENGINE LINE.

>> A NEW LINE, THE '6 CYLINDER TURBO CHARGED -- IT'S SOMETHING-SOMETHING.

SOUNDS LIKE THE DUKE OF HAZARDS TO ME BUT IT'S A GREAT LINE THAT WILL BE IN THEIR TUNDRA TRUCKS AND MAKE THEM SOME OF THE STRONGER DRIVEN TRUCKS IN THE SYSTEM.

>> HOW HUGE WAS IT THAT HUNTSVILLE HAS BECOME THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE PUT CREDENCE INTO THE IDEA YOU'RE THE LARGEST.

I DON'T PUT THAT MUCH IN IT.

I THINK YOU'RE MUCH BETTER TO THINK YOU ARE TRYING TO BE THE BEST.

BEING LARGER IS GREAT.

I MEAN WE WERE REALLY SURPRISED AT THE NUMBERS.

WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE 205 OR 20 AND ENDED UP 215,000 SO BEING THE LARGE E CITY IT PUTS BELATED -- IT PUTS A LITTLE BIT OF IDENTITY ON YOU, TOO, AS THE LARGEST CITY, THAT YOU IDENTIFY WITH THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND AS IDENTIFYING WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE CAN CHANGE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT ALABAMA WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN FROM EAST AND WEST COAST AND THEY COME INTO ROCKET CITY OR WHAT WE CALL A SMART PLACE AND WITH MORE ENGINEERS AND GREAT PROFESSIONALS THAT THEY COME INTO THAT AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE CAN HELP CHANGE IMAGES AND EVERYTHING.

>> HUNTSVILLE SAW TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN THE LAST 10 YEARS AS REFLECTED BY THE CENSUSES NUMBERS AND I ASSUME YOU WILL BE WATCHING ESPECIALLY SPECIAL.

IT COULD MEAN A LOT OF CHANGES WHERE DISTRICT LINES ARE CONCERNED.

>> IT IS.

EVERY ONE OF OUR CITIES ARE IN THE SAME REAPPORTIONMENT.

WE'RE REAPPORTIONING THE FIVE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND CITY COUNCIL.

AND 9 STATE LEGISLATURE IS REAPPORTIONING A STATED SCHOOL BOARD, YOU KNOW, HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS GOING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

AFTER WE HAVE FINISHED UP WITH THE 2010 CENSUS.

WE'RE ABOUT OH, 2/3 OF THE WAY THROUGH OURS.

BY DECEMBER WE WILL HAVE A PLAN AND HAVE IT OUT AND PUBLISHED AND PASSED SO PEOPLE CAN NOW WHERE THEY'RE RUNNING FROM OR WHERE THEY FIT INTO A DISTRICT THAT REPRESENTS THE STUDY.

REPRESENTS THE CITY.

THE STATED, I HOPE THEY HAVE THEIR PLAN SOONER RATHER THAN LATER BECAUSE THEY'RE LOOKING AT A PRETTY QUICK ELECTION COMING BACK ALONE THE FIRST QUARTER OF '22.

>> THEY GOT DELAYED BECAUSE THEY WERE WAITING ON CENSUS NUMBERS.

>> WE WERE ALL WAITING ON CENSUS NUMBERS.

WATCHING WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR YOUR CENSUS NUMBERS BUT YOU CAN'T PUT THEM OUT BECAUSE YOU'RE WORKING AND DOING TELEWORK INSTEAD OF WORKING IN AN OFFICE AND I'M SOMEWHAT AMAZED IT TAKES SO LONG TO DO THAT.

>> TOMMY BATTLE IT WAS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME FOR US.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR JOHN WAHL OF ATHENS IS BACK WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS ENJOY IT.

>> LET'S BEGIN WITH THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER THIS WEEK DEALING WITH PUSHING BACK ON VACCINE MANDATES CHOOSINGS STATE AGENCIES ESPECIALLY STATE AGENCIES TO PUSH BACK ON THE MAN DATES AND THIS CALLING FOR THEM TO SUPPORT THE CERTIFICATE'S EFFORTS TO SUE OVER THIS ISSUE.

THE PARTY HAS PUSHED FOR LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC LEGISLATION PLACED ON THE CALL.

WERE YOU HAVE DISAPPOINTED.

>> YOU BE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER ON THIS ISSUE THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE A UNITED FRONT.

AND WE DO WANT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE USED IN FEDERAL COURT.

THIS IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE.

I BELIEVE IT GOES AGAINST INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHTS TO PRIVACY AND THE FOURTH AMENDMENT REVEALING THEM TO REVEAL THEIR PRIVATE MEDICAL RECORDS WHICH WE ALWAYS HELD SACRED IN AMERICA.

AND IT'S A STATE'S RIGHTS ISSUE, TENTH AMENDMENT.

SO I THINK OUR GOAL IS THE SAME.

WE WANT TO SEE JOE BIDEN AGENCY VACCINES CHALLENGED IN FEDERAL COURT.

THIS IS WHERE IT'S GOING TO END UP.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF KAY IVEY'S EXECUTIVE ORDER.

IT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PROSE RELEASE THAT SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF HAVING A UNITED FRONT -- BY THAT I MEAN LEGAL FROM THE ATTORNEY'S GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER AND ALSO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WITH A BILL THAT GOES INTO EFFECT AND A LAW IN ALABAMA.

SO I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF KAY IVEY'S EXECUTIVE ORDER BUT I'M SUPPORTIVE OF CONTINUING DESPITE TAKING A CHIEF LEGISLATOR AND PASSING A LEGISLATION.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID SHE FELT THE COURTS WAS THE PLACE TO SETTLE THIS.

YOU SEEM TO AGREE.

>> I THINK THAT IS WHERE IT WILL.

ANY TIME YOU HAVE A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO DO BE SETTLED IN STATE COURT.

I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE WILL GO TO THE SUPREME COURT.

AND I THINK IT DEVOTION BACK TO SO MANY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE ADDRESSED OVER THE LAST 200 YEARS OF OUR COUNTRY WHERE, WHEN THERE'S A CONFLICT IT WILL BE SETTLED IN FEDERAL COURT.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE AT A TIME IS UNITED.

WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR.

WE KNOW WHAT AMMUNITION WE NEED AND THAT WE HAVE A UNITED FRONT.

SO I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ALL EFFORTS FROM ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT TOWARD FIGHTING THESE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES.

>> THE LEGISLATURE RECONVENED FOR A SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

THIS ISSUE, VACCINE MANDATES IS ALSO LOOMING LARGE.

LAWMAKERS AGREED WHERE PROTESTERS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SESSION THIS WEEK CONCERNED ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES SAYING THEY WANT TO BE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE BUT DON'T WANTED TO BE FORCED INTO DECISIONS.

I HAVE HEARD SOME PEOPLE SAY I'M NOT AN ANTIVAXER; I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE TOLD I HAVE TO DO THIS.

>> THAT'S AN OPINION OF THE GREAT MAJORITY OF ALABAMA.

OF THE PARTY CONDUCTED A POLL OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND 65 PERCENT OF THE STATE SAY THEY DISAPPROVE OF JOE BIDEN'S VACCINE MANDATES AND AMONG REPUBLICANS IT'S 95 PERCENT.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT VAX SEEN AND WHETHER THEY ARE VACCINATED OR NOT.

THIS IS IT A FUNDAMENTAL OVERREACH OF THE PROPER REAL OF GOVERNMENT.

AND I THINK THE PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT WHETHER YOU'RE VACCINATED OR NOT THIS IS BAD GOVERNMENT AND IT NEEDS TO BE CHALLENGED.

>> THE VACCINATION RATE IN ALABAMA HAS BEEN A PROBLEM BUT IT STARTED IMPROVING LATE IN THE SUMMER OF.

LAST WEEKEND WE HAD HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER LEDBETTER ON THE SHOW AND HE SAID HE FELT A MANDATE MIGHT HURT SOME OF THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED BECAUSE OF THIS PERSONAL RIGHTS ISSUE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO NO ONE LIKES OF LIKES TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE BEING FORCED TO TAKE A SHOT.

IT GOES AGAINST WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FREE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE SELF-GOVERNMENT AND A RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND YOUR OWN MEDICAL DECISION ELSE.

I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY HARMFUL.

TOWARDS TRIALING TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

YOU HEAR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAVED THIS HAS BEEN HELPFUL.

BUT I THINK AT LEAST IN ALABAMA IT'S ACTUALLY HARMED VACCINATION EFFORTS.

WOULD I AGREE.

>> MAYBE THAT MIGHT BE THE CASE IN OTHER STATES AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU KNOW PRESIDENT BIDEN WHEN HE FIRST SAID THIS, HE WAS ACCUSED OF BEING TWO FACED BECAUSE HE SAID EARLY ON HE WOULD NOT BE FOR A MANDATE GO THEN HE CAME BACK AND PROPOSED THE MANDATE BUT IT WAS AS IF HE WERE FORCED INTO A CORNER SAYING PEOPLE WEREN'T GETTING VACCINATED IN THE NUMBERS THEY HOPED FOR.

>> THAT IS THE PERCEPTION HE PUT OUT.

I DON'T BUY IT.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTUAL TIMING, THE VACCINE MANDATES AND THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS CAME OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER SOME OF THE VACCINE WERE DECLARED BY THE CDC TO BE OFFICIALLY APPROVED.

AND IT WAS ACTUALLY LAW IN PLACE AT THE FEDERAL LAW THAT YOU CANNOT REQUIRE SOMEONE TO TAKE AN EXPERIMENTAL VACCINE.

I THINK THERE WAS NOTHING ABOUT HIM BEING FORCED -- BECAUSE IF HE WAS WAITING FOR AID APPROVAL TO BE -- FOR HIM TO NOT BE DIRECTING CONFLICT WITH THE FEDERAL LAW.

SO I THINK THAT WAS ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

THEY WANTED ED PEOPLE TO THINK THEY WERE WAITING -- THEY HAD WAITED AND WERE TRYING TO BE PATIENT.

THEY WERE NOT.

THEY WERE WAITING TO NOT BE IN CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL LAW.

>> THE STATE PARTY ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO ACT ON THIS DURING THE REGULAR SESSION EARLY NEXT YEAR DO YOU TAKE THE POSITION ALSO THAT YOU'RE NOT NECESSARILY ANTI-VAX, YOU'RE JUST ANTI MANDATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE A VACCINE OR NOT TAKE A VACCINE BASED ON THEIR DECISION -- INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES MAKING DECISIONS WITH THAT I READ PERSONAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS SHOULD DECIDE THAT QUESTION FOR OR AGAINST.

>> AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS EFFORT AND MORE PEOPLE DECIDE TO GET VACCINATED ON THEIR OWN -- OR HAVE YOU BEEN ENCOURAGED WITH THAT INCREMENTAL PROCESS.

WE SORT OF SLACKED OFF NOW ON VACCINATION RATES.

AS I MENTIONED BEFORE WE WERE IMPROVING THERE FOR A WHILE.

>> YES.

689 VACCINE QUESTION IS A VERY INTERESTING QUESTION BECAUSE WE KNEW NOW THAT IF YOU HAVE THE VACCINE YOU CAN STILL CATCH AND SPREAD COVID.

WHICH I THINK IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.

I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID TWICE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS BOTH TIMES FROM PEOPLE WHO HAD THE VACCINE SO THEY WEREN'T AS CREDIBLE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE FOLLOW THE SCIENCE.

IF YOU HAVE THE SACK SCENES YOU CAN STILL CATCH AND SPREAD COVID AND WE NEED TO GET BACK, NO, GOOD MEDICINE WHICH IS INFORMING PEOPLE OF THE SITUATION TO BE CAREFUL WHETHER THEY HAVE HAD THE VACCINE OR NOT, TO BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE, IF YOU'RE SHOWING SYMPTOMS BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND PEOPLE YOU'RE AROUND AND TAKE PRECAUTIONS EVEN IF VACCINATED.

>> QUICKLY BEFORE WE CLOSE, HB31, WHICH HAS BEEN PROPOSED DEALING WITH BUSINESSES HAVING TO FILE A VACCINE MAN DATES OR NOT HAVING TO FOLLOW THEM.

SOME BUSINESSES HAVE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THAT AND RAISED CONCERNS.

ASK THAT CONCERN THE PARTY AT ALL?

>> I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF CHALLENGING THIS LEGISLATION ON A DISCRIMINATORY BASIS BECAUSE IT'S EASY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DISCRIMINATING AGAINST SOMEONE WHO HAS A DIFFERENT SET OF BELIEFS ON WHETHER TO BE VACCINATED AND THAT'S A TYPE OF PERSECUTION.

BUT I THINK THE HB31 IS A VERY GOOD BILL FOR LOCATING PEOPLE'S INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.

ITS IT MISSES PROTECTING BUSINESSES.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BILL THAT PROTECTED INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AS WELL AS BUSINESS RIGHTS.

BECAUSE REALLY THE PEOPLE ARE HARMED MOST HERE ARE THE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE BEING FORCED TO FIRE THEIR EMPLOYEES AND A LOT OF TIMES FIRE THEIR FRIENDS WHO ARE FIRED OR HAVE GOT TON KNOW OVER THE YEARS AND ARE ALREADY HAVING A LABOR SHORTAGE.

THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY, OUR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY, AND IT'S AN OVERSTEP OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> YOU BELIEVE THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED IN A SESSION.

>> I'M SUPPORTIVE OF A SPECIAL SESSION BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET SOMETHING IN PLACE BEFORE THE DEADLINE, SO I WOULD HAVE TO REMI THE DECISION, BECAUSE I THINK IT SHOULD BE HANDLED IMMEDIATE SUPPLY.

>> OF COURSE GETTING IT BEFORE LEGISLATORS IN SPECIAL SESSION IT WANT TO TAKE A 2/3 MAJORITY VOTE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR COULDN'T BUT IT ON A CALL.

DOES THAT PRESENTLY A CHALLENGE.

>> IT'S ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF A SECOND CALL.

THE GOVERNOR CAN MAKE AWE CALL AT ANY TIME.

I DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS IT OFF THE ABLE TO.

REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE STATE, ONE GOVERNMENT, WE WANTED TO CHALLENGE THIS AND I CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO CHALLENGE EVERY WAY AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND THE FREEDOMS OF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AT EVERY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

>> JOHN WAHL CHAIRMAN OF THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY.

NICE TO BE HERE.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE OF MOBILE BACK WITH US.

>> ALWAYS GOOD SEEING YOU DON, THANK YOU.

>> AS CO-CHAIR OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON REAPPORTIONMENT YOU'RE PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER PEOPLE IN THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK BECAUSE REAPPORTIONMENT IN IS THE NAME OF THE GAME IN THE NEW SPECIAL SEGMENTS.

AND IT ALWAYS COMES WITH CONTROVERSY, DOES IT NOT?

>> YOU CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT HAVING CONTROVERSY.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT AND IT'S ALWAYS CONTROVERSIAL.

>> WE REDRAW DISTRICT LINES.

WE'RE FOCUSING ON LEGISLATIVE, CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE SCHOOL BOARD LINES.

THE JOINT REAPPORTIONMENTS COMMITTEE MET EARLIER IN THE WEEK BEFORE THE SESSION STARTED AND APPROVED THE MAPS THAT WILL BE DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE COURSE OF THE SPECIAL SESSION: DEMOCRATS WERE SAYING THEY FELT THAT THERE WANTS ENOUGH OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC STUDYING DONE AHEAD OF TIME ON THESE.

WHAT DO YOU SEE TO THAT?

>> WELL, WE ARE OPERATING ON SUCH A COMPRESSED TIMELINE.

WE DIDN'T GET ANY NUMBERS UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST.

TOOK ARE A COUPLE OF DAYS TO GET THEM IN THE COMPUTER AND WE HAD TO DO 28 PUBLIC HEARINGS ALL OVER THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND THEN WE MET WITH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS MEETINGS WITH SOME MEMBERS AND SOME ONLY CAME IN ONCE AND TO GET 105 HOUSE MEMBERS AND 35 MEMBERS AND 7 MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS AND 8 MEMBERS-OF-THE-SCHOOL BOARD -- IT WAS A HERCULEAN TASK.

I HAVE LIVED IN MONTGOMERY FOR OF THE PAST SEVERAL SIX WEEK.

EVERY DAY WE HAVE A 30 MINUTE SCHEDULE AND WE MEET WITH PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE SEEN THE MAPS AND THEIR DISTRICTS.

EVERYBODY HAS SEEN THEIR DISTRICT.

THEY JUST HAVEN'T SEEN THE MAP IN TOTALITY.

ONE MEMBER CALLED ME AND SAID I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU THE MAP.

I SAID HOW ABOUT I SEND YOU SOME SAND BECAUSE IT'S SHIFTING SANDS AND EVERY DAY WE'RE MEETING WITH DIFFERENT MEMBERS AND TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE AND GET OUR DEVIATIONS DOWN AND GET WITHIN THE DEVIATIONS AND NOT, YOU KNOW -- AND WORK THIS WHOLE THING OUT.

>> DO YOU CONTEND THERE WERE PROPER DEMOGRAPHIC STUDIES THAT THE WENT INTO THESE MAPS.

>> EVERY DEMOCRATIC MEMBER.

SENATE AND THE HOUSE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN AND WORK ON THEIR DISTRICT.

SOME OF THEM CAME IN NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE MET WITH THEM IN GROUPS, SAME AS REPUBLICANS.

EVERYBODY WAS TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME.

VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THE WHOLE PLAN UNTIL THE OTHER DAY BECAUSE WE WERE MEETING WITH MEMBERS UNTIL 5:00 FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

5:00 ON FRIDAY WE CUT IT OFF AND THE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION WAS SENT OFF TO BE ANALYZED TO SEE WHAT WE HAD FINISHED -- COME UP WITH, AND IT DIDN'T COME IN UNTIL, YOU KNOW, TUESDAY MORNING.

SO I CAN'T EVEN SEE IT.

AND IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE FRYING TO OBSCURE ANYTHING OR HIDE OR KEEP AWAY.

IT'S JUST THE TIMELINE IS SO COMPRESSED.

THEY REMEMBER LAST TIME WE HAD TWO YEARS TO DO THIS.

NOW WE HAVE THREE MONTHS.

SO IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT BALLGAME.

>> I REMIND FOCUS WE'RE UP AGAINST.CLOCK ON THIS ISSUE.

BECAUSE THE CENSUS DATA THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THESE MAPS WAS DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO GET THIS INTO REGULAR SESSION.

A SPECIAL SESSION HAD TO BE CALLED AND THIS HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

>> EXACTLY.

ONCE WE FINISH THE PROCESS, ONCE WE REDRAW ALL THE DISTRICTS, THEN WE HAVE TO SEND THAT INFORMATION TO THE COUNTY LEVEL.

THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND CHECK ALL OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS DO MAKE SHUSH THEY'RE IN THE LIGHT VOTING PRECINCT.

THEN AFTER THAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ORDER THE BALLOTS FOR EACH BALLOT VOTING PRECINCT AND WE TRIED TO RULES THE NUMBER OF PRECINCTS AND WE HAVE SPLIT.

WE HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB OF REDUCING VOTING PRECINCT SPLITS BUT THEN WE HAVE TO PRINT THE BATTLES AND ALL DONE BY MAY.

>> ANY CHANGES ALWAYS HAVE A TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT.

THERE WERE CERTAIN AREAS THAT SAW TREMENDOUS GROWTH UNDER THE NEW CENSUS DATA -- I'M THINKING ABOUT THE HUNTSVILLE AREA FOR INSTANCE.

BALDWIN COUNTY, LEE COUNTY ARE SOME THAT COME DO MIND.

WHEN YOU REDRAW DISTRICT LINES THIS THOSE AREAS ITS TRICKLES DOWN TO SURROUNDING AREAS TOO.

>> YES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTIES THAT GREW, THE COUNTIES AROUND THEM OFTENTIMES SHRANK AND LOST POPULATION.

WE HAD TO USE POPULATION GROWTH COUNTY TO GET THE POPULATION UP FOR THE DEVIATIONS IN THE OTHER DISTRICTS.

IT'S AWL ABOUT POPULATION AND EQUAL PROTECTION -- THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

AND THERE'S STATE OF ALABAMA THAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM YOU KNOW.

IN 1964, THEY NEVER REAPPORTIONED.

AND IF WERE A REPRESENTATIVE OF MOBILE YOU HAD 160,000 CONSTITUENTS.

IF YOU WERE OUT OF BARBOUR COUNTY YOU HAD 60,000 CONSTITUENTS.

AND REYNOLDS VERSUS SIMS OPENED THE DOOR TO OVERSEE THAT WE DO.

BECAUSE EVERYONE EVERYTHING WE DO IS GUIDED BY THE 14TH AMENDMENT AND SINCE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, IT'S A SUBSECTION TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

>> WE WENT INTO THIS SESSION WITH A LAWSUIT HAVING BEEN FILED OVER REAPPORTIONMENT, SPECIFICALLY HOW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES HAVE BEEN DRAWN.

SUIT SEEKS TO MAYBE CREATE A SECOND MINORITY MAJORITY CONGRATULATIONSAL DISTRICT TO TAKE SOME OF THE VOTERS IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND DID THERE COME A TIME THEM INTO ANOTHER DISTRICT SO THAT AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTERS WOULD HAVE TWO AREA STRONG HOLDS SO TO SPEAK.

>> I MEAN IF YOU REMEMBER THE 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WAS DRAWN WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN THE SIMPLE MAJORITY AND THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY DREW THAT DISTRICT TO BE A MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICT.

AND IT'S REMAINED THAT WAY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, ONCE ITS THERE IT'S PROTECTED UNDER SECTION TWO OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

BUT THE PLAN THEY HAVE BROUGHT FORTH, THE 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS NO LONGSER A MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICT AND NEITHER IS THE SECOND ONE.

AND I CALL IT THE REPUBLICAN OPPORTUNITY PLAN.

BECAUSE WITHOUT BEING A MAJORITY OF MINORITY DISTRICT YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE REPUBLICANS MIGHT BE ABLE TO WITHIN AN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, YES.

>> YOUR COLLEAGUE, SENATOR MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE, WHO IS YOUR CO-CHAIR MUCH THE LEGISLATIVE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ON THE SHOWS AND HE HAS REFERRED TO THIS AS ONE OF THE MOST POLITICAL THINGS THAT WE DO IN THE LEGISLATURE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> YES.

IT'S EXTREME LIZ POLITICAL.

EVER HAS A VESTED FROM, OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, SCHOOL BOARD -- THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

IT'S WHY WE HAD 28 PUBLIC HEARINGS ALL OVER THE STATE.

IT'S AN INTERESTING PROGRESSION.

>> AND IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE PARTY THAT IS IN CONTROL THE YEAR THAT MAPS ARE DRAWN SO TO SPEAK.

AND DEMOCRATS AS YOU ALLUDED TO HAVE BEEN IN CONTROL OVER PREVIOUS MAPS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE NOW BEEN IN CONTROL SINCE 2010.

>> NO.

THEY CAME AND -- WELL, THEY DID BUT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY WAS ONE UNDER A DEMOCRAT-DRAWN MAP.

WE WON THE SUPER MAJORITY ON A MAP DRAWN BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AND WE HAVE DRAWN THEM AND TRY TO ADJUST THEM FOR DEVIATION AND POPULATION SHIFTS LIKE EVERYBODY DOES.

THAT'S THE WHOLE PROCESS.

BUT IT'S HARD TO TELL PEOPLE THAT WE'RE MOVING ON FROM THIS DISTRICT TO THAT DISTRICT BECAUSE PEOPLE GET USED TO WHERE THEY ARE.

BUT WHEN PEOPLE INDEPENDENT STATE MOVE AND COUNTIES LOSE POPULATIONS AND COUNTIES GROW THEN YOU HAVE TO MOVE THE LINES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT MY VOTE ON THE FLOOR -- I'M REPRESENTING THE SAME AMOUNT OF PEOPLE AS SOMEBODY FROM H OR TUSCALOOSA OR DOTHAN.

IT'S ONE MAN PER DISTRICT.

THAT'S WHAT WE STRIVE FOR.

>> DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET THIS DONE IN 12 DAYS.

>> I'M PRAYING.

I HAVE BEEN HERE WEEKS AND WEEK AND READY TO GET BACK TO MY CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE PRINGLE, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST SENATE MINORITY LEADER BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENS IS BACK IN THE STEW WITH US.

WELCOME BACK.

NICE TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> YOU SERVE SOFTEN.JOINT LEGISLATIVE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE.

YOU MET BEFORE THE SPECIAL SESSION KICKED OFFER THIS WEEK AND APPROVED THE MAPS THAT WILL NOW BE DEBATED IN FULL BY YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES.

WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE MAPS THAT YOU SAW?

>> FOR US ON THE MINORITY SIDE THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME -- WE HAD JUST GOTTEN THEM POINT DAY PRIOR TO THAT MEETING.

WE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO DIGEST THE MAPS AND DIGEST OF THE NUMBERS, ESPECIALLY FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL SIDE, STATE SCHOOL BOARD SIDE.

WE HAD NOT SEEN ANYTHING ON THOSE PRIOR TO US GETTING AND THEN WE'RE BEING ASKED TO VOTED ON THEM.

FOR THE SENATE MAP FOR THOSE OF US IN THE SENATE WE WERE ONLY SABLE TO SEE JUST OUR DISTRICT AND WEREN'T ABLE TO SEE THE ENTIRE SENATE MAP.

IT WAS 5 LITTLE CONTENTIOUS TO START THE MEETING BUT WE -- YOU KNOW, THE BODY APPROVED -- THE MAJORITY OF THE MINORITIES IN THE ROOM VOTED NO AGAINST THOSE MAPS SIMPLY BECAUSE WEEDS HAD NOT SEEN THE MAPS AT ALL.

>> YOU ARE AMONG THE PARAGRAPH OF PLAINTIFFS IN A LAWSUIT CONCERNING REDISTRICTING SPECIFICALLY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTING.

OFTEN THE TABLE IS A PROPOSAL TO MORE EVENLY DISTRIBUTE VOTERS IN DISTRICT 7 TO WHERE MINORITY VOTING STRENGTH WON'T BE SO DILUTED BY PACKING THEM ALL INTO ONE DISTRICT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OPTIMISM WHATSOEVER THOSE CONCERNS WILL EVER BE ADDRESSED IN THIS SESSION?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE ADDRESSED.

WE WILL ADDRESS IT.

AND I WILL ASK THE LEADERSHIP TO AT LEAST GIVE US AHN OPPORTUNITY TO GET AN UP OR DOWN VOTE ON IT.

I HAVEN MY OPPORTUNITY, AND I INTRODUCED THAT BILL.

AND ONCE WE GET INTO COMMITTEE, I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE CHAIR HE WILL LET IT COME UP IN COMMITTEE AND WE WILL GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS IT AND SEE WHERE WE GO WITH IT.

>> REDISTRICTING IS ALSO A CONTROVERSIAL PROCESS.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST POLITICAL YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES UNDERTAKE AND I SEE YOU AGREE WITH THAT.

>> YES.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE TIME WHERE EVERYBODY IS OUT FOR THEY WAS, JUST TO BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF, LOOKING OUTSIDE OF WHAT IS CONGRESSIONAL OR STATE SCHOOL BOARD.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS TRYING TO DEAL WITH TERRITORY.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TOO LOSE WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN SERVING OF IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

ONCE YOU START TO BREAK IN THOSE LINES OR SPLITTING DISTRICTS AND TAKING PEOPLE AWAY FROM SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST THEY'VE BEEN SERVICES THE LAST 10 YEARS AND GIVING THEM NEW COMMUNITIES THAT CAN BE A PROBLEM.

THAT'S WHERE YOU GET THE CONTENTION AT.

>> SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUE ELSE SAID THEY ARE PRETTY RESIGNED TO THE FACT THIS WILL ULTIMATELY END UP IN THE COURTS.

ARE YOU OF THAT MIND.

>> USUALLY THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.

WE USUALLY END NEWSPAPER COURT.

I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS A DIFFERENT APPROACH TAKEN BY THE CHAIRMAN AND THE OPPORTUNITY ATTORNEYS ON THIS ONE DEALING WITH THE WHOLE COUNTY PROVISION, WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THE 2012 WHERE WE DEALT WITH, NOT THE WHOLE COUNTY, BUT WE ALSO DEALT WITH A 1 PERCENT DEVIATION BACK IN 200012.

AND THIS TIME WE DEAL WITH A 5 PERCENT DEVIATION WHICH GAVE MORE LATITUDE TO BRING PEOPLE INTO AREAS AND PUT COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST TOGETHER BASED ON WHOLE-COUNTY PROVISION AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

>> THAT WHOLE COUNTY PROVISION THAT YOU REFERENCE, IT MIGHT BEHOOVE US TO REMIND VIEWERS CONSTITUTIONALLY YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO KEEP COUNTIES WHOLE.

>> YES THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

DRAWING THE WHOLE COUNTY PROVISION YOU SHOULD GET LESS MIX AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WITH THE MAP WE ARE SEEING SPLITS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, AND I THINK THAT'S SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES DON'T LIKE THAT.

JEFFERSON COUNTY BASED ON THE POPULATION IF YOU LOOK AT THE SENATE, IT COULD HANDLE 3.1 SENATE OR SENATORS AND YOU SHOULD GET THE THREE INSIDE.

I'M SORRY.

4.7 SENATORS.

YOU GET FOR INSIDE, MAYBE ONE COMING OUT.

RIGHT NOW YOU ALMOST GOT EIGHT OR NINE SENATORS THAT SERVICE JEFFERSON COUNTY.

AND SO WE FEEL THAT THERE'S TOO MANY SPLITS IN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY, AND WE THINK THAT WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB WITH THAT.

>> THE LAWSUIT THAT YOU WHERE YOU ARE A PLAINTIFF IN AND THE MOVE TO MORE EVENLY DISTRIBUTED VOTERS IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEVEN SOME VIEW AS AN ATTEMPT TO CREATE A SECOND MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING; RIGHT?

YOU ARE JUST MAKING THE VOTERS AS DILUTED AS YOU THINK IT IS.

>> THIS WILL GIVE US TWO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS.

WE CONTEND THESE ARE OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS.

IT GIVES US THAT OPPORTUNITIES ON THE WHOLE COUNTIES THAT WE CAN SHOW TO WHERE THAT YOU ARE PACKING ALL OF THE BLACKS IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEVEN AS IT IS TODAY.

THAT ONLY REPRESENTS 13 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION IN THE STATE.

WE BELIEVE THAT, BECAUSE WE'RE 26 PERCENT AND WHEN YOU LOOKS AT MINORITIES, WE MAKE UP ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S POPULATION.

SO WE BELIEVE WHEN WHEW LUKE HAT JEFFERSON COUNTY IF YOU DON'T SPLIT JEFFERSON COUNTY, KEEP IT WHOLE WITH THE OTHER BLACK BELT COUNTIES, YOU COULD TAKE TUSCALOOSA AND RUN IT ALL THE WAY BACK ACROSS MONTGOMERY AND GET ANOTHER CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND THOSE CAN BE OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS TO WHERE, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY AFRICAN-AMERICANS CAN WIN OR WE DEFINITELY CAN HAVE TWO STRONG DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT YES.

>> REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO HOLD THE SEWAGE SUPER MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE.

DO YOU SEE ULTIMATELY THE MAPS TO COME OUT BE THE REPUBLICAN-BACKED MAPS VERSUS ANY DEMOCRATIC IMPROVEMENTS THAT MIGHT BE MADE?

>> IT WOULD TOTALLY BE REPUBLICAN-BACKED MAPS.

IF THERE'S ANY WAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET IN A RESOLVE IT'S THROUGH THE COURTS.

SO WE JUST WASN'T TO BE ABLE TO STATE THE RECORD AND GET OUR ARGUMENTS ON THE RECORD AND PRESENT OUR MAPS, YOU KNOW, IN A FASHION.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT LEADERSHIP HAS WELCOMING THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD DO THAT.

>> YOU MENTION EASY THE PROBLEMS NO JEFFERSON COUNTY AS SAN EXAMPLE.

YOUR COLLEAGUES, SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN OF BIRMINGHAM, IS ONE OF THE PLAINTIFF PLAINTIFFS IN THIS LAWSUIT.

THE LAWSUIT COMBINED WITH THE BAIL YOU'VE INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS YOU HOPE WILL OPEN SOME EYES AT LEAST.

>> WE HOPE IT WILL OPEN SOME EYES.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, ONCE WE GET INTO THIS -- THAT IF EVERYBODY IS ALREADY BROUGHT INTO THE COMMITTEE'S MAP THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CHANGE.

I THINK THERE ARE MEMBERS THAT WILL SEE THESE MAPS MAKE SENSE AND IT SHOULD HAPPEN.

BUT WE WON'T GET THEIR VOTES.

SO YOU MAY GET THE SIDEBAR CONVERSATIONS YEAH, I LIKE YOUR MAP, IT MAKES SENSE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS WILL BE THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO GIVE US MORE REPRESENTATION IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND TO BE PROPORTION NATURE TO THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

>> BECAUSE IF YOU GOT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR HERE, IT COULD RESULT IN ARE A SECOND FROM TIME TO TIME MECHANIC OF CONGRESS?

>> IT VERY WELL CAN.

>> TERRY SEWELL REPRESENTS DISTRICT 7.

AND YOU THINK BASED ON POPULATION THAT WE MERIT HAVING A SECOND AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN CONGRESS.

>> YES.

AT LEAST AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ONE.

WE DUAL THEM OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS, YES.

>> SO DO YOU GO INTO THIS NEW SPECIAL HE SESSION WITH ANY SORT OF OPTIMISM.

>> I'M ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC.

I BELIEVE I'M WINNING EVERY DAY I COME HERE.

I WILL FIND A WAY TO WIN.

AND THE ABILITY TO GET THE RECORD THROUGH COULD BE A WIN.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET ON THE RECORD TO SHOW WHERE THE COMMITTEE COULD HAVE LOOKED AT SOMETHING DIFFERENT BUT THEY DIDN'T AND WE HOPE AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT OUR COLLEAGUES WILL GIVE US THE ATTENTION.

AND HOWEVER THEY VOTE ON IT, UP OR DOWN, THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY.

>> BOBBY SINGLETON OF GREENSBORO.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST TONIGHT IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU FOR DON.

>> ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LET'S BEGIN WITH VACCINE MAN INDICATES.

IT'S THE TOPIC DE JURE FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S MANDATE AND FRUSTRATION THAT SHE DIDN'T INCLUDE ON THE LEGISLATIVE CALL DEALS WITH PUSHING BACK ON THE FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATE.

I GUESS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WALKS A FINE LINE ON THIS ISSUE.

>> VIEWER.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE WEREN'T INVOLVED IN THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION.

BUT I THINK SHE DID THE BEST JOB SHE COULD DO WITH THAT.

THERE'S A REAL DIVIDE IN THIS COUNTRY ABOUT MANDATES.

I THINK IN WASHINGTON PERHAPS THEY HAVE CONCLUDED THAT A MANDATED WANT TO SORT OF NET INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT GET VACCINATED BUT I'M NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT IT'S DOING IN OUR STATE.

I THINK IT'S HARDENS THE RESISTANCE OF A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AS WELL, THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

IT WAS VERY STRONGLY WORDED AND WE GOT THAT MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNOR BENTLEY DOESN'T APPROVE OF MANDATES SO WE'RE TRYING TO STAY OUT OF THE POLITICS.

WE ARE FRYING TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED AND WISH IT WEREN'T DISCUSSED WITH THE PATTERN DISCUSSION AND WISH THEME WOULD TALK TO THEIR OWN DOCTOR AS THEY WOULD HAVE WITH BLOOD PRESSURE OR ANY OTHER MEDICAL CONDITION.

WE BELIEVE VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH THAT OUT.

>> MANY FELT THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THIS BUT YOU TRY TO STAY OUT OF THAT FRAY?

>> I HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT.

NO ONE ASKED MY OPINION ON THAT.

BUT IT'S A REALLY -- AGAIN THE STATE IS REALLY DIVIDED ON THAT IN A LOT OF WADES AND THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

MANDATES ARE CONTROVERSIAL SO I WOULD HOPE COOLER HEADS WOULD PREVAIL AND PEOPLE COULD WORK OUT OF THE A WAY THAT THIS WILL SOMEHOW COME TO GOOD END.

THE MAIN THING THAT WE WANTED TO DO IN OUR ROLE IS PROTECT PEOPLE'S HEALTH TO PROTECT OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE SAY STAVE.

WE ARE FINALLY SEEING GOOD NUMBERS IN TERMS OF THE PANDEMIC NOW OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS THANK GOODNESS, THANKFULLY AND WE HOPE IT CONTINUES TO GO THAT WAY.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH WALKS A FINE LINE FOR MORE THAN ONE REASON.

THERE'S PUSH BACK IN YOUR OWN RANKS AGAINST A PUBLIC MANDATE.

>> ADPH IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM ALABAMA AS A HOLE.

PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH US HAVE ALABAMA IS CITIZENS.

THERE'S A CASE WHERE OUR STATE AGENCY AND OTHERS HAVE THESE REGULATIONS COMING DOWN FROM THE FEDS OURSELVES BUT WE ALSO CERTAINLY RESPECT THE GO POSITION THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TAKEN AND THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN BEING VACCINATED AND DON'T WASN'T TO BE AND WE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THAT FOR SOME TIME.

IN THAT SENSE WE'RE NOT DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION OR ANY OTHER STATE ALONG.

>> SOME ARE WILLING TO WALK AWAY; CORRECT.

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

MOST EMPLOYERS HAVE TRIED TO COULD THAT CALCULATION IS IT DIG THAT OUT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE VACCINATED OR HAVE WILLING TO LEAVE THEIR JOB OVER A MAN DATED BUT IT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOME.

>> LET'S TURN TO THE NEWS OF THE WEEK.

BOOSTERS STARTED GOING IN ARMS OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS HERE IN ALABAMA TO THOSE THAT QUALIFY RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE HAD BOOSTERS FOR A LITTLE WHILE WITH THE PHASE I PRODUCT.

WE RECENTLY STARTED FOR THOSE WITH J&J AND MODERNA AS WELL.

OUR OVERALL VACCINATION NUMBERS ARE NOT SO GREAT.

THEY'RE LIKE THEY ARE IN MAY AND JUNE AND AS' OWE THE POSSESSED TO MAY JUNE.

MOST OF THE SHOTS ARE BOOSTER SHOTS.

SO WE STILL HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE HAVEN'T REACHED WITH THEIR PRIMARY VEER REESE AND THAT'S THE GROUP WE WANT TO GET TO SOON.

>> THE J AND JUST A FEW MINUTES IS A IF YOU WILL SOON.

THE MODERNA BOOST CENTER A HALF DOLES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND THERE'S SOME GUIDANCE THROUGH THIS TO SUGGEST THAT IF YOU HAVE J AND J AS A FIRST SHOT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER ONE OF THE OTHER SHOTS AS A BOOSTER AS WELL.

BUT IF MODERNA IS THE ONLY IS ONE THAT HAS A BOOST EVER THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL SHOT.

>> MEANTIME, WE ARE MOVING CLOSINGER AND CLOSER DO A SHOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

>> RIGHT.

THE 5-211 GROOM IS THE NEXT GROUP TO BECOME ELIGIBLE.

PFIZER SUBMITTED THEIR EDUCATE TO THE FDA.

THE FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MET AND VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THAT.

SO FDA AT WHOLE, THAT AGENCY WILL NEXT -- IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE THAT RECOMMENDATION.

BUT WILL NEED TO APPROVE THAT.

THIS COMING WEEK ON MOHAMMED AND WEDNESDAY THE ADVISORY TO THE CDC ARE MEET AND THAT'S WHO WE TAKE ADVISORY INFORMATION FROM AND THEY WILL GIVE US GUIDELINES OF WHO SO ELIGIBLE.

>> I THINK I HEARD YOUNG PEOPLE COULD GET THE SHOTS BY THAT.

>> PERHAPS SOONER.

CDC MEETS THIS COMING WEEK.

WE COULD KNOW BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS COMING WEEK AND THERE'S NOTHING STOP US FROM GIVING THEM THE NEXT COMING DAY.

PEDIATRICIANS AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN ORDERING PRE-ORTHOPEDIC VACCINE AND IT WILL BE AWAITING THE CDC GUIDANCE AND THEY COULD BEGIN THE NEXT MINUTE GIVEN VACCINATION.

SO VERY LIKELY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE KIDS 5-11 TO BE ELIGIBLE.

>> YOU MENTIONED THAT WE WERE NEW ENGLAND ENCOURAGED WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW WITH COVID NEVERTHELESS OF DAILY CASE COUNTS, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE DEATH RATED IS IMPROVING.

RIGHT?

THAT'S WITHIN WORRISOME.

>> ALL OF THE NUMBERS ARE BETTER.

THE DEATH RATE IS STARTING TO GET BETTER.

THAT IS THE LAST NUMBER THAT WE SEE TO GET BETTER.

WE HAD A FEW DAYS WHERE WE ADDED 6 OR 7,000 CASES BUT THEY WERE LAB TOWARDS THAT NEVER REPORTED TO US BEFORE, IN ONE CASE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

BUT IN TERMS OF NEW CASES OCCURRING WE'RE GETTING A FEW HUNDRED A DAY, TWO OR THREE HUNDRED A DAY.

OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE BELOW 500 STATE WAIVED WHICH IS NOT AS GOOD AS WE WERE BUT MUCH BETTER THAN WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST TWO AND A HALF MONTHS.

OVER ALL THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER.

>> I KNOW I HAVE ASKED YOU THIS BEFORE BUT I THINK IT BARES REPEATING IS THERE ANY WAY 2340 KNOW IS THIS JUST PART OF THE EBB AND FLOW OF THIS DISEASE OR NO WAY TO KNOW?

>> I WOULD BE COMPLETELY CONFIDENT DO SAY I HAVE NO IDEA.

WE HAVE LEARNED WE CAN'T PREDICT VERY WELL.

IF WE HAVE A NEW VARIANT THAT CREPT UP THE SAME WAY AS DEPARTMENT A, ALL BETS ARE SOLVE.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WE HAVE 2.

FIVE MILLION THAT ARE VACCINATED AND THOUSANDS THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED OF INFECTED AND EXPECTED TO HAVE IMMUNITY FOR AT LEAST A FEW DAYS OR MONTHS SO IT'S POSSIBLY WE WON'T SEE CERTIFICATION SURGE FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

BUT TIME WILL TELL.

>> GIVEN THAT SO MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED YOU NOW MORE THAN LAST YOUR, DURING THE HOLIDAYS WHICH IS WORRISOME, MIGHT WE FARE THE HOLIDAYS BETTER THIS YEAR.

>> WE HOPE SO.

AND I THINK THAT AS WE HAVE SAID MANY TIMES ON THE SHOW, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE RESPONDED WELL TO THE CALL TO GET VACCINATED V.R.

THE SENIORS AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PROTECTED BY IN LARGE.

MORE THAN 80 PERCENT OF THE SENIORS HAVE VACCINATED AND HAVE BEEN COMING BACK FOR BOOSTERS SO WE HOPE THE MOST VULNERABLE WILL BE PROTECTED.

>> DR. SCAT ACCOUNT OF SCOTT HARRIS.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING EXPECTED PASSAGE OF THE STATE'S REDISTRICTING MAPS IN THE ONGOING SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'RE SET TO BE JOINED BY SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE, WHO CO-CHAIRS THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY MOBILE MAYOR STIMPSON, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO CITIES IN NEXT YEAR'S REGULAR SESSION.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK WITH US TO DISCUSS THE LATEST ON BOOSTER SHOTS AND THE EXPECTED FINAL APPROVAL OF COVID VACCINATIONS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.