>> GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON SAID TODAY THAT HE WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS WEEK THAT HIS PREDECESSOR, FORMER SPEAKER MIKE HUBBARD, MAY HAVE TRIED TO GET LAWMAKERS IN THE FIRST SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO HELP HIM GET OUT OF PRISON EARLY.

HUBBARD IS, OF COURSE, SERVING TIME FOR ETHICS CONVICTIONS AND HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR A WHILE TO BE FREED BEFORE HIS SENTENCE IS COMPLETED.

IN A LEGAL FILING THIS WEEK, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE CONTENDED THAT, BASED ON MONITORED PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS, HUBBARD SOUGHT TO HAVE LANGUAGE PUT IN THE PRISON BILL THAT WAS APPROVED IN OCTOBER THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED HIM GET AN EARLY RELEASE.

SPEAKER MCCUTCHEON TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE WASN'T AWARE OF THAT EFFORT.

>> THANKS TO THE WAY IT WAS BROUGHT UP, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN INAPPROPRIATE AND I WOULD NOT HAVE FELT LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, DON, THE LEGISLATIVE BODY IS NOT HERE TO ADDRESS ISSUES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR TRYING TO HELP AN INDIVIDUAL IN SOME WAY.

IT'S FOR THE BETTER GOOD OF THE ENTIRE STATE AND THAT'S THE WAY WE WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THAT.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LEGAL FILING THIS WEEK ALSO CONTENDED THAT AT LEAST ONE HOUSE MEMBER WAS INTERESTED IN POSSIBLY HELPING MIKE HUBBARD, BUT THAT PERSON WASN'T IDENTIFIED AND SPEAKER MCCUTCHEON SAID HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO IT IS.

THE PLAN IS SAID TO HAVE NEVER MUSTERED THE SUPPORT IT NEEDED.

HUBBARD HAS APOLOGIZED FOR HIS ETHICS CONVICTION, BUT THIS WEEK'S LEGAL FILINGS SUGGEST THAT HE WASN'T SINCERE.

THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE COMMENT FROM HUBBARD'S LAWYERS.

SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON WILL TALK MORE WITH US ABOUT THE CASE LATER IN THE BROADCAST.

>>> ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL THIS WEEK JOINED ANOTHER LAWSUIT WHICH PUSHES BACK AGAINST PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S VACCINE MANDATE.

THIS ONE INVOLVES THE REQUIREMENT THAT HEALTHCARE WORKERS GET THE COVID-19 SHOT.

MARSHALL IS ALSO SUING OVER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S MANDATES GOVERNING PRIVATE EMPLOYEES AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RECENTLY SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ABOUT HIS CONCERNS.

>> EACH OF THEM CARRY THE FORCE AND EFFECT OF LAW, BUT FOR REASONS THAT ARE INDEPENDENT TO EACH CASE, THAT GLOBALLY GET TO THIS IDEA OF FEDERALISM, WHICH VERY SPECIFIC CONTENTION FOR US IS THAT HISTORICALLY IT IS STATE GOVERNMENT THAT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH AN INOCULATION REGIME.

WHO GETS VACCINATED, WHEN AND WHY AND THAT'S NOT BEEN THE ROLE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHAT WE SEE HERE IS THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT POWER GIVE ON THE PRESIDENT AND OSHA REGULATION IN THE WORKPLACE AND THE FUNDING PROVIDED TO HEALTHCARE ENTITIES THAT WASHINGTON IS TRYING TO CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY AND THAT'S SIMPLY NOT THEIR ROLE.

>> WHERE THE MANDATE THAT HEALTHCARE WORKERS GET VACCINATED IS CONCERNED, MARSHALL CONTENDS THAT THE PRESIDENT, AS HE PUT IT, ‘HAS ABANDONED PERSUASION FOR BRUTE FORCE' IN ANNOUNCING HIS ORDER.

UNLIKE THE REQUIREMENT THAT PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES BE VACCINATED OR SUBMIT TO WEEKLY COVID TESTING, MARSHALL SAYS THE MANDATE COVERING EMPLOYEES OF MEDICAID- AND MEDICARE-CERTIFIED PROVIDERS DOES NOT INCLUDE THAT TESTING OPTION.

>>> TWO MORE LAWSUITS WERE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK TO CHALLENGE THE REAPPORTIONMENT MAPS RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

THE CASES WERE BROUGHT ON BEHALF OF GREATER BIRMINGHAM MINISTRIES, THE NAACP AND SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS AND THEY ALLEGE THAT NEW CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE MAPS UNLAWFULLY PACK BLACK VOTERS INTO A SMALL NUMBER OF DISTRICTS, DILUTING THEIR VOTING POWER.

THE LAWSUITS SEEK TO BLOCK THE MAPS FROM BEING USED IN NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE MAPS WILL SURVIVE A COURT CHALLENGE.

>>> CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER OF HOOVER THIS WEEK FOUND HIMSELF IN THE CENTER OF A MEDIA FIRESTORM AFTER HE VOTED AGAINST THE BIG INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED INTO LAW ON MONDAY.

IT'S A BILL THAT PROVIDES $360 MILLION FOR BIRMINGHAM'S NORTHERN BELTLINE PROJECT, SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS AND A ROADWAY FOR WHICH PALMER HAS LONG LOBBIED.

THE CONGRESSMAN TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE VOTED NO ON THE LARGER PACKAGE BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THAT IT CONTAINED TOO MANY BAD ELEMENTS, AND THAT HE HAS BEEN ON THE RECORD THAT HE WOULD DO SO.

>> WE HOSTED A LUNCH FOR ALL OF THE MAYORS IN THE DISTRICT, AND I TOLD THEM THAT WAS IN THE BILL AND I INTENDED TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

I THINK WHAT HAS REALLY HAPPENED IS YOU HAVE GOT PEOPLE IN THE EXTREME LIBERAL MEDIA THAT ARE NOT LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING PRODUCTIVE.

THEY JUST WANT TO ATTACK AND TEAR DOWN AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO ATTACK ME ON SOMETHING THAT REALLY IS A NON-ISSUE.

IF THAT'S ALL THEY HAVE GOT, I GUESS I'M OKAY WITH THEM ATTACKING ME VOTING THE RIGHT WAY ON A BAD BILL BUT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGING AT THE SAME TIME THAT SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS VERY BENEFICIAL TO THE DISTRICT GOT LUMPED INTO IT WITH NO INPUT FROM ME AND NO CONTROL FROM ME.

>> CONGRESSMAN PALMER ALSO VOTED NO TODAY ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BIG SOCIAL SPENDING BILL, WHICH HE AGAIN CONTENDED CONTAINED TOO MANY BAD ELEMENTS.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL OF SELMA WAS THE LONE MEMBER OF THE STATE DELEGATION TO VOTE YES ON THE PACKAGE, SAYING IT WOULD DO A LOT TO BENEFIT ALABAMA.

WITH TODAY'S U.S. HOUSE PASSAGE, THE SOCIAL SPENDING MEASURE NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE WHERE IT FACES AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

>>> THE DAUGHTER OF THE LATE VETERAN ALABAMA LAWMAKER THAD MCCLAMMY THIS WEEK WON HIS FORMER SEAT IN THE STATE HOUSE.

DEMOCRATIC MONTGOMERY ATTORNEY PENNI MCCLAMMY WAS THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR THE DISTRICT 76 SEAT.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE CERTIFIED HER ELECTION ON WEDNESDAY AFTER THE DEADLINE PASSED FOR INDEPENDENT OR THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES TO GET IN THE RACE.

MCCLAMMY WAS SWORN-IN IMMEDIATELY AND HAS ALREADY REPORTEDLY SAID THAT SHE WILL PRE-FILE A BILL THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE STATE TAX ON GROCERIES, AN ISSUE HER LATE FATHER SUPPORTED.

>> LAST WEEK WE REPORTED ON THE STATE'S RE-ENTRY COMMISSION TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT IMPROVING HOUSING OPTIONS FOR RECENTLY RELEASED PRISON INMATES, TO CUT DOWN ON RECIDIVISM.

TONIGHT, IN OUR RECURRING FEATURE ‘THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY,' "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A DEEPER DIVE AND TALKS WITH A FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL.

>> I'M THINKING THAT DEALING WITH PRISON WAS HARD, WHICH WAS HARD BUT IT IS EVEN MORE HARD BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO GET YOUR LIFE TOGETHER IN A WAY WHERE YOU WON'T GO BACK AND RESULT TO THE WAYS YOU KNOW HOW, YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN, YOU ARE TRYING A NEW WAY AND IT IS HARD FOR SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE.

>> HE'S BEEN FREE 11 MONTHS.

>> A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN IN PRISON AND DON'T HAVE A RELATIVE.

THEY HAVE ALL DONE DIED.

>> HE LEFT PRISON WITH $80 AND WAS RELEASED BECAUSE HE REACHED THE END OF HIS SENTENCE.

THEY MUST ACQUIRE HOUSING.

>> I'M MEETING ALL OF THESE GUYS STRUGGLING TO FIND HOUSING.

MOST OF THE PLACES THEY CAN GET HOUSING THEY DON'T HAVE BEDS.

>> PAROLEES MUST GET A JOB AND PAY RESTITUTION.

>> IT IS WORD FOR THE PAROLE BOARD TO EXPECT TO PAY THIS MONEY WHEN HE PROBABLY DON'T HAVE NO JOB SKILLS.

THAT CAN SCARE A GUY, YOU KNOW?

THAT MAKES PEOPLE DESPERATE.

>> IF THEY DON'T PAY, THEY WILL BE REINCARCERATED.

HE SAID HE IS COMMITTED TO HELPING FORMER INMATES REENTER SOCIETY IN HIS POSITION AS A REENTRY SPECIALIST WITH THE ALABAMA CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE.

>> I WENT THROUGH THE STRUGGLES OF TRYING TO GET MY LIFE TOGETHER AND STILL GOING THROUGH THEM.

WHO BETTER TO HELP ANOTHER PERSON THAN SOMEONE HAS BEEN THROUGH IT.

HEAR THESE PEOPLE AND HOW THEY WANT TO HELP, BEING ABLE TO TALK TO ORGANIZATIONS AND I HAVE TO LET GUYS KNOW CHILL OUT.

PEOPLE OUT HERE ARE REALLY TRYING TO HELP YOU.

I'M JUST HOPING THAT I CAN -- IF I CAN JUST SAVE ONE PERSON, THEN GO TO THE NEXT ONE.

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

>> WE ALSO RECENTLY REPORTED ON A NEW INITIATIVE TO RECRUIT MORE MINORITY VOTERS TO THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT'S AN EFFORT THAT GOT KICKSTARTED THIS SUMMER AFTER KENNETH PASCHAL OF SHELBY COUNTY BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN REPUBLICAN ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE SINCE RECONSTRUCTION.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT TAKES A CLOSER LOOK FOR US.

>> BELINDA THOMAS IS MAKING HISTORY AS THE FIRST AFRICAN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR NEWTON, ALABAMA AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THEIR WATER BOARD.

>> I HOPE TO REWRITE THE HISTORY, DO MY PART TO REWRITE HISTORY AND BE A GOOD BEACON FOR THE PARTY AND FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS THAT HAVE MY SAME VIEWS.

>> THOMAS IS JOINING OTHER MEMBERS OF THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN HOOVER TO ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR AN EXPANDED OUTREACH PROGRAM TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR THOUGH GOP.

>> THE DEMOCRATS HAVE PAINTED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, SMEAR THEY DON'T REPRESENT US AS AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND AS A REPUBLICAN, BUT THEY DO.

WE'RE HERE TO CHANGE THAT.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW -- WE WANT PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO'S REPUBLICAN TO KNOW THEY CAN STAND BOLDLY AND LET THEMSELVES BE KNOWN.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO HIDE.

>> WE ARE HERE.

WE ARE HERE TO STAY AND DEMOCRATS WATCH OUT.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE TELLING THE FAKE MEDIA THERE ARE NO BLACK REPUBLICANS OR VERY FEW.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY LIED AGAIN.

>> PARTY LEADERS SAY THIS A POSITIVE MOVE.

>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PARTY OF MINORITY RIGHTS, WHETHER IT WAS IN THE FIGHTING AGAINST SLAVERY IN OUR COUNTRY OR FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE 1900s.

TODAY IS NO DIFFERENT.

>> WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE MINORITY OUTREACH BY CHALLENGING THOUSAND OF MINORITY CONSERVATIVE VOTERS TO SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS.

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

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY@APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

NEXT UP FITZGERALD WASHINGTON IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

MR. SECRETARY.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A BUSY TIME FOR YOU AND YOUR OFFICE SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE NEW LAW THAT SAYS ALABAMA WORKERS CAN FILE FOR CERTAIN VACCINATION EXEMPTIONS.

THERE IS AN APPEAL PROCESS THROUGH YOUR OFFICE IF THEY ARE DENIED.

YOU HAD TO TURN IT AROUND QUICKLY TO GET POLICIES IN PLACE.

I THINK THE DEADLINE FOR HAVING EVERYTHING IN PLACE IS NEXT WEEK, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOU ARE REFERRING TO SENATE BILL 9 WHICH ALLOWS AN EMPLOYEE WHO'S REQUIRED THROUGH A MANDATORY VACCINATION REQUIREMENT TO APPLY FOR AN APPEAL FOR MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.

ONCE THE EMPLOYEE REQUESTS FOR THE EXEMPTION, THEY HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO SUBMIT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE HAS 30 DAYS TO MAKE A DETERMINATION WHETHER OR NOT IT IS APPROVED OR DENIED.

>> RIGHT.

IF THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED, SAY IF THEY ARE DENIED AND NOT SATISFIED AND THEY WANT TO APPEAL IT GOES FURTHER THAN THAT, RIGHT, TO THE COURTS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE UPHOLDS THE DENIAL THE EMPLOYEE CAN TAKE IT TO CIRCUIT COURT.

>> THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, WOULD THIS BE SOMEONE THAT WORKED UNDER THE AUSPICIOUS OF YOUR DEPARTMENT.

>> THE LABOR DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR APPOINTING THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THE PROCESS IN PLACE.

WE HAVE UNTIL NEXT WEEK TO PUT THE PROCESS IN PLACE IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ALL OF THE GUIDANCE TO ALL EMPLOYERS STATEWIDE TO GIVE THEM A ROAD MAP IN TERMS OF WHAT TO DO IF AN EMPLOYEE COMES AND ASKS FOR AN EXEMPTION.

>> THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND YOU HAD ESSENTIALLY THREE WEEKS FROM THE TIME SHE SIGNED IT TO GET THIS IN PLACE.

SO IT IS A QUICK TURN THAT'S RIGHT.

I FEEL WE WILL HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING BY NOVEMBER 26th.

>> TO REFRESH FOLKS MINDS ABOUT THE EXEMPTION PROCESS, THERE WILL BE A FORM THAT FOLKS CAN FILL OUT.

THEY CAN CLAIM MEDICAL EXEMPTION AND MUST HAVE A DOCTOR ATTEST TO THE MEDICAL CONDITION.

WHERE THE RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION IS CONCERNED IT'S JUST ASSUMED IF THEY CHECK THE BOX THEY HAVE A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.

>> THE FORM IS BASIC.

ON THE MEDICAL SIDE THEY HAVE TO GET A MEDICAL PROVIDER TO SIGN OFF ON IT IF THEY ARE REQUESTING A MEDICAL EXEMPTION.

IF THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION THEY CHECK THE BOX.

THE FORM IS SUBMITTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE TO MAKE A REVIEW AND HE EMPLOYEE HAS TO MAKE THE SUBMISSION WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE HAS A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS TO MAKE A FINAL RULING ON IT.

>> I GUESS, MR. SECRETARY, FROM THE 30,000-FOOT VIEW, IT'S HARD TO TELL AT THIS POINT HOW BUSY THIS MAY KEEP THIS ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE.

WE DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY WILL BE DENIED THIS EXEMPTION OR NOT OR HOW MANY MIGHT BE DENIED.

>> THAT'S THE $100 MILLION QUESTION.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE VOLUME WILL ENSUE.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK YOU HOPE TO HAVE THE PROCEDURES IN PLACE AND THE PROCESS CAN RUN FROM THERE, HOWEVER IT MAY, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'M ENCOURAGED IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW WITH PUTTING THE GUIDANCE TOGETHER FOR THE EMPLOYERS TO FOLLOW.

AS MENTIONED THE SB 9 REFERS TO ALL EMPLOYERS, NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL.

IT GIVES THE EMPLOYEE THE OPTION TO BE UNVACCINATED UNDER THESE DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, WHETHER IT BE MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS.

>> MR. SECRETARY, IT WAS BROUGHT UP IN THE LAST SPECIAL SESSION THE GREAT BURDEN THAT LABOR, YOUR DEPARTMENT, HAS BEEN UNDER DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC AND REPERCUSSIONS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

THANKFULLY, IT IS NEAR NORMAL NOW BUT ADDING THAT BURDEN ON TO YOUR OFFICE SEEMED TO BE A TALKING POINT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT OPPOSED THE BILL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAD TO RUSH TO GET IT DONE IT SOMETHING YOU CAN DO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF COLLABORATION AMONGST THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND OTHER ENTITIES TO MAKE SURE WE FOLLOW THE LAW IN TERMS OF HOW SENATE BILL 9 IS TO BE EXECUTED.

I FEEL GOOD ABOUT OUR STAFF STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE OUR EMPLOYERS GET THIS GUIDANCE.

>> LET'S TURN NOW, IF WE CAN, TO THE LABOR MARKET.

WE MENTIONED OUR UNEMPLOYMENT LEVEL HERE IN ALABAMA IS BACK DOWN TO ALMOST WHERE IT WAS PRE-PANDEMIC, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THE SEPTEMBER UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 3.1%, THAT'S A HALF A PERCENT OF WHERE IT WAS A YEAR AGO BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

WE ARE ENCOURAGED WITH HOW OUR ECONOMY IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> IN CERTAIN RESPECTS IS IT NOT MIRACULOUS WE HAVE TURNED AROUND GIVEN THE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE MARKET.

>> IT HAS.

IT IS 84, 85 THOUSAND MORE PEOPLE WORKING THAN LAST YEAR IN THIS TIME PERIOD.

IT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW AGGRESSIVE WE HAVE BEEN THAT THERE ARE AVAILABLE JOBS FOR PEOPLE TO REENTER INTO THE WORKFORCE.

>> THINGS HAVE TURNED AROUND SO MUCH, HAVE THEY NOT, WE ARE IN A POSITION NOW WHERE WE HAVE MORE JOBS AVAILABLE THAN APPLICANTS WHO ARE SEEKING THESE JOBS, RIGHT?

>> YES.

WE TRACK OUR JOB ADS ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

THERE ARE TWO JOBS FOR EVERY ONE PERSON WE REPORT IS UNEMPLOYED.

IF THERE IS SOMEONE LOOKING FOR A JOB, THERE'S A LOT OF JOBS AVAILABLE.

>> WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD SOMEWHAT OF A CHALLENGE OF MAKING AVAILABLE A CERTAIN WORKFORCE, BUT THE BOTTOM SEEM TO HAVE FALLEN OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> YEAH, A LOT OF REASONS FOR THAT.

THE QUESTION WE CONTINUE TO ASK IS WHERE ARE THE EMPLOYEES?

AS YOU KNOW, IF YOU DRIVE AROUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA THERE ARE A LOT OF NOW HIRING SIGNS.

AGAIN, A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS FOR THAT.

THERE'S NOT ONE PARTICULAR REASON.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE JUST AFRAID TO GET BACK IN THE WORKFORCE DUE TO COVID.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF RETIREMENTS IN THE LAST 15 TO 18 MONTHS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THERE'S CHILDCARE AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS THAT STILL EXIST.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE AREAS WE LOOK AT IN TERMS OF WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING BACK IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> ONE REASON THAT DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROBLEM WITH AN AVAILABLE WORKFORCE AND YOU CAN BACK ME UP ON THIS IS EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

THOSE WERE SEEN AS A BARRIER TO PEOPLE RETURNING TO WORK BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ADDED ON BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO WHAT THE STATE WAS ALREADY PROVIDING.

THOSE ADDITIONAL FEDERAL BENEFITS HAVE LONG EXPIRED SO THEY ARE NOT A FACTOR IN THIS ANY LONGER.

>> NO, THEY ARE NOT.

THERE ARE STILL SOME PROGRAMS OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE, CHILD TAX CREDIT IS ONE AREA WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING BENEFITS.

THERE'S SOME EXTENDED SNAP BENEFITS THAT IS AVAILABLE OUT THERE.

THERE ARE SOME PROGRAMS STILL OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE CAN STILL DRAW DOWN FROM AND PEOPLE ARE UTILIZING AND PERHAPS MAY NOT BE PUTTING THEM BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

>> BEFORE WE WRAP UP, THE PARTICULAR AREAS OF CONCERN WHERE YOU HAVE LABOR FORCE SHORTAGES, TRANSPORTATION, RETAIL, FOOD SERVICE, RESTAURANTS, HOSPITALITY AND NURSING.

>> YEAH, SO WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SECTORS STRUGGLING TO FIND PEOPLE, HOSPITALITY AND RESTAURANT SECTOR ARE SECTORS THAT COME TO MIND.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT THOSE SECTORS, THE AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE IS TREMENDOUS, IS UP.

IT HAS INCREASED OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THAT'S ON THE AVERAGE, THOUGH.

OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE WE RAISE AWARENESS AND LET JOB SEEKERS KNOW THESE POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AND MOVE PEOPLE INTO THOSE ROLES.

>> ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC WE CAN MOVE MORE PEOPLE INTO THOSE ROLES BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THE NOW HIRING SIGNS OUT THERE.

>> WE HOST A NUMBER OF JOB FAIRS AROUND THE STATE TO CONNECT JOB SEEKERS WITH EMPLOYERS.

SO IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER, IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND AVAILABLE JOBS OR EMPLOYEES TO MOVE TO THOSE JOBS, I SUGGEST YOU REACH OUT TO ONE OF OUR CAREER CENTERS AND WE CAN HELP FIND PEOPLE TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS.

>> FITZGERALD WASHINGTON, IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU BET.

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

>> YOU CAN A WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE, APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER OF CITRONELLE IS WITH US.

LET'S START WITH A BILL YOU ARE BRINGING IN THE REGULAR SESSION, WHICH STARTS IN JANUARY.

YOU HAD IT IN THE SESSION EARLIER THIS YEAR.

IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY BILL AND IT ESSENTIALLY SAYS, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A PERMIT TO CARRY A CONCEALED PISTOL IN THE STATE AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A PERMIT IF YOU WANT ONE, RIGHT?

>> YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY IF YOU WANT ONE.

IT ONLY DOES AWAY WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO PURCHASE A PERMIT.

BUT THE PERMITS WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT CROSS STATE LINES AND NEED IT FOR THOSE PURPOSES.

YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THEM IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

>> THIS IS A PASSIONATE ISSUE FOR YOU.

YOU HAVE A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND.

YOU ACTUALLY LOST A LAW ENFORCEMENT JOB IN THE LAST YEAR OVER THIS ISSUE.

>> I HAVE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 30 YEARS.

WOULD HAVE BEEN 30 YEARS IN JULY.

SO IT'S BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO LOSE YOUR CAREER OVER STANDING UP FOR SOMETHING, BUT ON THE SAME ASPECT, I HAVE A 24-YEAR-OLD SON WHO'S A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER NOW, MULTIPLE COUSINS AND THIS BILL ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT PUT THEM IN JEOPARDY.

YOU KNOW, THE CONSTITUTION SAYS YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS AND THAT'S WHAT THE BILL WILL DO.

THE PERMITS ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE A LOT, EVEN IF IT DOES PASS.

>> TELL ME ABOUT THE RESPONSE WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY.

OBVIOUSLY, YOUR FORMER BOSS HAD SOME CONCERNS BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, DO YOU HAVE SUPPORT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS SHOCKED HOW MUCH SUPPORT I HAVE HAD FROM OTHER POLICE CHIEFS AND EVEN SHERIFFS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND DIFFERENT ONES IN OUR COMMUNITY ITSELF THAT HAVE REACHED OUT AND TOLD ME THANK YOU FOR CARRYING THIS.

THAT THIS WAS NOT AN OFFICER SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT PERMITS DID NOT REALLY DO A LOT FOR OFFICER SAFETY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND THANKED ME FOR LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE AND STANDING UP FOR THE CONSTITUTION.

>> ARE THERE ENOUGH, THOUGH, LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS WHO HAVE CONCERNS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT AFFECT YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING THIS OUT NEXT YEAR?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I'VE REACHED OUT TO A LOT AND BASICALLY WE'RE EDUCATING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE OFF SEASON, GETTING THEM UP-TO-DATE ON THEM FACTS OF PERMITS.

IT'S A MISCONCEPTION THIS BILL WILL DO AWAY WITH PERMITS.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT OUT OF 67 COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE ALMOST EVERY ONE OF THEM HAVE A DIFFERENT PERMIT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT DO NOT KNOW WHAT EACH OF THE PERMITS LOOK LIKE.

A LOT OF THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THEIR PERMIT OFFICE IS ONLY OPEN FROM 8:00 TO 5:00 ON MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT STOPS SOMEBODY ANYTIME AFTER THAT OR ON A WEEKEND HAS NO WAY TO VERIFY IF THESE PERMITS ARE STILL LEGIT OR VALID.

>> YOU MENTIONED IT WOULDN'T DO AWAY WITH PERMITS.

IT WOULD REQUIRE A PERMIT BUT IF YOU WANTED A PERMIT, IF YOU ARE GOING TO CARRY A CONCEALED PISTOL ACROSS STATE LINES, YOU WOULD HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

GIVEN THAT, THOUGH AND IN THE FACE OF MASS SHOOTINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY -- I'M SURE THIS IS AN ARGUMENT YOU RUN INTO A LOT -- IS THIS A SMART MOVE GIVEN THAT CLIMATE?

>> WITH WHAT WE DID LAST SESSION WITH PASSING THE PROHIBITIVE PERSON DATABASE, THAT'S GOING TO CREATE A DATABASE IN ALABAMA OF PEOPLE PROHIBITED FROM OWNING A GUN.

THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHENEVER THEY RUN A TAG, IT WILL TELL THE OFFICER IF THE OWNER OF THE CAR IS PROHIBITED.

IF HE GOES UP AND RUNS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR, IT WILL TELL IF THEY ARE PROHIBITED AND THAT WILL ALLOW HIM, IF THEY ARE AND THERE'S A FIREARM IN THE CAR, THAT WILL ALLOW HIM TO ARREST THEM ON A CERTAIN PERSON'S FORBIDDEN CHARGE, WHICH IS A FELONY, INSTEAD OF A MISDEMEANOR PERMIT.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL HAVE A BETTER TOOL TO DEAL WITH THIS THAN JUST THE PISTOL PERMITS.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT NEXT YEAR MIGHT BE THE YEAR FOR THIS LEGISLATION?

>> IT REALLY SEEMS POSITIVE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING THE BILL OFF SEASON.

PRETTY MUCH I WOULD BE SAYING 70 TO 80% OF THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO NOW ARE 100% WITH THE BILL.

THE OTHER ONES I'VE TALKED TO WANT A LITTLE MORE FACTS AND DO A LITTLE RESEARCH THEMSELVES BEFORE THEY MAKE A COMMITMENT.

>> THEY ARE NOT A HARD NO, THEY JUST WANT TO LEARN MORE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> LET'S TURN TO HIGHWAY 45 IN YOUR DISTRICT.

A SUBJECT YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT ON THE SHOW SEVERAL TIMES.

YOU HAVE CHARACTERIZED IT AS A VERY DANGEROUS HIGH AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BUT IN YOUR ESTIMATION NOTHING SUBSTANTIAL HAS BEEN DONE.

WHERE DO WE STAND?

>> STILL PRESSURING ALDOT AND DIRECTOR COOPER AND THE GOVERNOR TO ADDRESS THIS AND STAKE A STRONG LOOK AT THIS.

THEY ASSURED ME THEY ARE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REPRESENTATIVE EASTERBROOK AND I BROUGHT TO THE TABLE IS TO ASK THEM TO CONSIDER TO DO IT AS A PAY-AS-YOU-GO PROGRAM.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES FROM THE MISSISSIPPI LINE TO PRITCHARD, ALABAMA AND IF THEY COULD ADDRESS IT IN FIVE TO TEN-MILE SEGMENTS WE WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF SOME OF IT HAS WE GO WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK.

>> IT NEEDS TO BE REDONE FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD BECAUSE OF SO MANY DANGEROUS ACCIDENTS, RIGHT?

>> IT'S ONE OF THE DEADLIEST, IF NOT THE DEADLIEST HIGHWAY IN ALABAMA.

YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT SOME OF OUR SHOWS AND PRESS THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT TO THIS, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN ARGUED THAT THERE ARE OTHER DEADLY ROADS, TOO.

BUT IF THIS IS NOT THE DEADLIEST IT IS CLOSE.

SOME STATISTICS SHOW IT IS AND I BELIEVE IT.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

IN SOME OF THE MEETINGS, I'VE MET WITH DIRECTOR COOPER.

THEY HAVE ASKED MOBILE AND WASHINGTON COUNTY PITCH INTO HELP WITH THIS.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO SAID THEY WOULD LOVE TO HELP BUT THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF ON THEIR OWN, WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE.

IT'S A STATE HIGHWAY.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO ADDRESS THIS.

I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 40 YEARS, YOU KNOW WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE TAX, GAS TAX AND CARES ACT MONEY AND DIFFERENT STUFF AND NOW WITH THE POTENTIAL OF GETTING INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NOW IS THE TIME TO ADDRESS THIS AND LET'S TRY TO TAKE CARE OF A MUCH-NEEDED PROBLEM.

>> TIME SHORT BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE, ARE YOU ENCOURAGED THAT SOMETHING MIGHT GET DONE A LITTLE QUICKER GIVEN THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> I'M OPTIMISTIC.

THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THEY ARE LOOKING AT THIS AND GOING TO TRY TO HELP.

I HAVE TO TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS.

I KNOW FOR A FACT -- I'VE LOST AROUND 20 FRIENDS OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS ON THIS ROAD.

>> REALLY?

>> I'M TIRED OF GOING TO FUNERALS.

THIS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA.

>> AND SO, WE WATCH CLOSELY AND THE SITUATION IS NOT IMPROVING IN THE SHORT TERM I HEAR YOU SAYING.

>> NO, IT IS NOT LOOKING GOOD RIGHT NOW.

THINGS ARE JUST AT A STAND STILL FOR NOW.

>> GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> REPRESENTATIVE SHANE STRINGER OF CITRONELLE, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> YES, SIR.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ IN NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE MERIKA COLEMAN OF PLEASANT GROVE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> YOU TOO.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, I WANT TO BEGIN WITH A CAUSE THAT'S BEEN IMPORTANT TO YOU AND THAT IS REMOVING RACIST LANGUAGE FROM THE CONSTITUTION.

DURING THE LAST SPECIAL SESSION THAT JUST WRAPPED UP A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, YOUR COMMITTEE THAT WAS LOOKING AT DOING JUST THAT, APPROVED A PLAN TO REMOVE RACIST LANGUAGE FROM THE CONSTITUTION THAT GOES BACK TO THE LEGISLATION FOR CONSIDERATION.

>> VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT WORK AND WE HAD VARIOUS CHARGES.

REMOVING RACIST LANGUAGE IS ONE OF THE ISSUES WE WERE CHARGED WITH IN ADDITION TO RECOMPILING THE DOCUMENT TO MAKE IT MORE USER FRIENDLY.

I'M IN JEFFERSON AND I'VE TALKED TO YOU THIS BEFORE AND WE MAY HAVE AMENDMENT 2, 222, 522, WE ARE CHARGED WITH MAKING THAT DOCUMENT MORE USER FRIENDLY AND WORKING ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PORTION BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THE COMMITTEE DID THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF WORKING AND REMOVING THE SECTIONS OF THE RACIST LANGUAGE AND THE RACIST IMPACT.

VERY PROUD OF THAT WORK.

EXCITED ABOUT IT.

EXCITED THAT LAST YEAR, IN 2020 WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY, ALABAMIANS VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR US TO DO THIS WORK.

THE NEXT STEP IS TO TAKE IT TO THE LEGISLATURE AND BACK TO THE VOTERS.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS.

IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING ONE.

BUT BEFORE WE DO, THE COMMITTEE YOU CHAIR APPROVED THE PLAN UNANIMOUSLY.

YOU CAN'T GET BETTER THAN UNANIMOUS.

>> VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE COMMITTEE ITSELF.

LEGISLATORS, LAWYERS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS, A CROSS-SECTION OF IDEOLOGY, AS WELL.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE -- AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THE PLAN GOES TO VOTERS THAT THEY UNDERSTAND IT IS THOROUGHLY VETTED.

THAT WE HAVE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS FROM THE EXTREME.

WE ALSO ALLOWED THE PROCESS OF THE PUBLIC GIVING US FEEDBACK OF WHAT WE WERE DOING.

SHOULD WE BE WORKING ON THESE PROVISIONS, SHOULD WE NOT?

SHOULD THERE BE ADDITIONAL WORK?

OVERWHELMINGLY THOSE COMMENTS WERE POSITIVE.

NOW, WE DID GET FOLKS SAYING WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS.

HERE'S THE WHY.

THE CONSTITUTION TALKS ABOUT THE VALUES OF WHO WE ARE AS A STATE.

ILL SHOULD REFLECT WHO WE ARE.

THE 1901 CONSTITUTION I TRULY BELIEVE DOESN'T REFLECT WHO WE ARE AS A STATE BUT THIS NEW COMPILED DOCUMENT AND REMOVING RACIST LANGUAGE AND MAKING IT MORE USER FRIENDLY IS MORE REFLECTIVE OF WHO WE ARE.

>> SOME PEOPLE PROBABLY DIDN'T REALIZE THE 1901 CONSTITUTION STILL CONTAINED LANGUAGE REFERRING TO SEGREGATION, REFERRING TO SLAVERY AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE AND OTHER THINGS.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE IT WAS IN THERE TO SOME PEOPLE.

>> THINGS THAT WOULD IMPACT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND WE HAD IN DEPTH DISCUSSION AMONG THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE COMPLETED BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT IS INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, BLACK PEOPLE, WHERE POLL TAXES, DID THEY IMPACT JUST AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE STATE.

WE HAD IN DEPTH CONVERSATION.

THE KIND OF QUESTIONS THE PUBLIC WOULD ASK AS WELL, WE BELIEVE.

WITH THIS UNANIMOUS ADOPTION, WE HOPE WE WILL GET THE SAME UNANIMOUS FEVER IN THE LEGISLATURE, AS WELL.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE INTERESTING PROCESS THIS HAS BEEN.

FIRST, YOU HAD TO GET THE INITIAL BILL THAT WOULD SET UP THIS COMMITTEE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH YOU DID AND THEN IT HAD TO GO TO A STATEWIDE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE AS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH THEY APPROVED LAST YEAR.

>> ACTUALLY ONE ADDITIONAL STEP.

WE HAD TO PASS A BILL IN 2019 TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.

THE VOTERS SUPPORTED THAT AND THEN IN THE 2020 SESSION I HAD TO PASS THE RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE COMMITTEE WHICH WE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY ALSO, ESTABLISH THAT COMMITTEE, FINISHED OUR WORK.

NOW, WE'LL TAKE THAT WORK TO THE LEGISLATURE, HOPEFULLY GET IT PASSED AND BACK TO THE VOTERS ON THE BALLOT.

>> THAT IS KEY TO THE CONVERSATION IT WILL BE THEIR DECISION, THE PLAN YOU HAVE COME UP WITH.

>> ONE THING I TALKED TO VOTERS ABOUT LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE DOING THIS PROCESS, PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY TRUST THEIR PARTICULAR LEGISLATURE BUT MAY NOT TRUST THE PROCESS IN ITS TOTALITY.

I WILL SAY TO PEOPLE ALL THE TIME AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WILL BE YOUR FINAL SAY.

WE WERE ABLE TO GET MORE PEOPLE ON BOARD WITH THAT IN ADDITION TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PORTION OF WHAT WE WERE DOING.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME TO THIS STATE.

WE HAVE THE WORLD GAMES COMING TO THE STATE.

PROUD OF WHAT WE ARE BRINGING TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ACROSS THE WORLD THAT ALABAMA IS NOT AT THIS 1901 ALABAMA.

THAT WE ARE 21ST CENTURY ALABAMA AND OUR DOORS ARE OPEN AND WE WANT YOU TO SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE.

EXCITED WHAT WE DID WITH THIS COMMITTEE.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT, BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT TO VIEWERS THAT YOU ARE GIVING UP YOUR HOUSE SEAT AND RUNNING FOR STATE SENATE FOR PRISCILLA DUNN'S SEAT WHO IS RETIRING.

>> THE REDISTRICTING PORTION AND THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT IT IS BITTERSWEET THE NEXT SESSION.

IT WILL BE MY LAST SESSION AND I HAVE BEEN HERE 20 YEARS.

HOPEFULLY I HAVE DONE SOME GREAT THINGS THE VOTERS WILL ALLOW ME TO GO TO THE SENATE BUT THE REAPPORTIONMENT PROCESS WAS NOT A FAIR PROCESS.

THE PUBLIC IN MY OPINION DID NOT GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN LIKE THEY SHOULD.

WHEN THERE WERE PUBLIC MEETINGS THERE WERE NO MAPS.

HOW DO YOU ASK THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT SOMETHING WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING FOR THEM TO SEE?

I WISH THE PROCESS WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE OPEN WHERE THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE SAW THE MAPS.

THEY COULD HAVE BUY IN AND ENSURE THE PROCESS OF REAPPORTIONMENT WAS FAIR AND NOT POLITICAL.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL LAWSUITS FILED, AS THERE USUALLY ARE, OVER REAPPORTIONMENT.

IT SEEMS TO BE THE NATURE OF THE BEAST, WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> 100%.

I INTRODUCED AN ALTERNATIVE CONGRESSIONAL MAP THAT WE FELT -- IT DID FEWER COUNTY SPLITS.

MINE HAD FOUR COUNTY SPLITS.

THE ONE PASSED HAD NINE.

WE WERE TRYING TO KEEP COUNTIES WHOLE.

IN ADDITION THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT.

ONE THING ABOUT ALABAMA, OUR DISTRICTS ARE SO GERRYMANDERED.

WHETHER MERIKA COLEMAN WINS IN THE DISTRICT I REPRESENT, MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL BE A BLACK DEMOCRAT.

IT SHOULD NOT BE LIKE THAT.

VOTERS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT VASE RACES, DIFFERENT IDEOLOGY AND THEY MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION BASED ON POLICY AND VALUES NOT AN R OR D. RIGHT NOW THE WAY THE MAPS ARE DRAWN, THEY ARE SO GERRYMANDERED WE DON'T HAVE THAT -- THE VOTERS DON'T REALLY HAVE A SAY.

ALL OF THE VOTERS DO NO HAVE A SAY IN A PARTICULAR DISTRICT.

>> QUICKLY, AS YOU ARE CAMPAIGNING FOR THE SENATE SEAT NEXT YEAR, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ON THE FIELD?

ARE YOU GETTING GOOD SUPPORT?

>> WONDERFUL SUPPORT THIS PAST WEEKEND.

WE HAD A KICKOFF AND IT WAS ASKING PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND DO OLD-FASHIONED, GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGNING AND CANVASSING.

WE HAD PEOPLE TO COME OUT NOT FOR A DINNER OR TO EAT BUT TO CANVASS AND THEY CAME FROM ALL OVER THE DISTRICT.

THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE CONSTITUENTS I HAVE HAD OVERWHELMING SUPPORT.

SO WE FEEL GOOD BUT WE HAVE TO WORK AND FIGHT AND LET THEM KNOW THE WAY I REPRESENTED THEM IN THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I WILL DO THAT AND MORE IN THE ALABAMA SENATE.

I'M EXCITED TO MEET VOTERS, AND GO TO A PORTION OF THE DISTRICT I HAVEN'T REPRESENTED BEFORE AND, SELL WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THEM IN THE ALABAMA SENATE AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL PROMOTE IN THE FROM THE HOUSE TO THE SENATE.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY@APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MIKE HUBBARD, YOUR PREDECESSOR.

HE WAS MAKING HEADLINES LAST WEEK.

HE IS SEEKING TO GET OUT OF PRISON EARLY AND IS SERVING FOR HIS ETHICS CONVICTIONS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MADE A LEGAL FILING THIS WEEK AND BASED ON RECORDED PHONE CONVERSATIONS AND MONITORED E-MAIL, IT CAME TO LIGHT IN THOSE THINGS THAT FORMER SPEAKER HUBBARD HAD APPROACHED SOME IN THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT POSSIBLY ADDING WORDING TO THE PRISON BILL PASSED IN THE FIRST SESSION THAT WOULD HELP HIM IN HIS BID TO GET OUT OF PRISON EARLIER.

HOW DID YOU REACT TO THIS NEWS?

>> TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THOSE DETAILS AND ALL OF THAT INFORMATION.

NOBODY IN THE OFFICE EVEN KNEW SOME OF THESE THINGS WERE GOING ON.

IN A WAY, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT AND OF COURSE AT THE END OF THE DAY I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE WAY YOU NEED TO APPROACH LEGISLATION.

>> THE LEGAL FILINGS SAID THERE WAS ONE HOUSE MEMBER WHO EXPRESSED SOME INTEREST IN POSSIBLY HELPING FORMER SPEAKER HUBBARD BUT THE HOUSE MEMBER HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHO IT IS.

>> NO, I DO NOT KNOW WHO IT IS.

NO.

>> HAD IT BECOME AN ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATURE, IF IT HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP OR INTRODUCED, HOW WOULD YOU HAVE FELT ABOUT THAT?

>> BASED UPON THE WAY IT WAS BEING BROUGHT UP, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN INAPPROPRIATE AND I WOULD NOT HAVE FELT THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, DON, THE LEGISLATIVE BODY IS NOT HERE TO ADDRESS ISSUES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR TRY TO HELP AN INDIVIDUAL IN SOME WAY.

IT'S FOR THE BETTER GOOD OF THE ENTIRE STATE.

THAT'S THE WAY WE WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THAT.

OF COURSE, IF IT WOULD HAVE COME TO THAT POINT, THAN WE WOULD HAVE DONE OUR HOMEWORK AND RESEARCH ON IT AND, AS WE ALWAYS DO, TO FIND OUT WHAT'S THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE INTENTION OF THE BILL AND WHO'S PUSHING THE BILL AND DONE OUR HOMEWORK AND IT WOULD HAVE COME OUT.

>> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT SINCE BOTH SPECIAL SESSIONS HAVE WRAPPED UP YOU HAVE TO GO WITH THE CALL THE GOVERNOR ISSUES.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE PRISON BILL IF BROUGHT UP RIGHT.

>> IT COULD HAVE.

ESPECIALLY FROM WHAT LITTLE I KNOW ABOUT IT AND I HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THE WORDING THAT WAS BEING WORKED ON BUT I COULD SEE WHERE IT COULD HAVE COME IN AS AN AMENDMENT, YES.

>> I THINK THE COURT FILINGS FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE MENTIONED THAT ONE HOUSE MEMBER HAD EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HELPING THE FORMER SPEAKER BUT COULDN'T MUSTER SUPPORT IN THE SENATE AND THUS THIS WAS NEVER PURSUED AND YOU THINK THAT IS FOR THE BEST?

>> I DO.

AT THIS POINT, I THINK IT IS.

AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DID A GREAT JOB OF FOLLOWING UP ON THAT.

IT IS A GOOD HELP.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT THAT ASSISTS WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND I WAS GLAD HE WAS DOING A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION ON IT.

>> LET'S TURN TO THE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION WHERE YOU APPROVED THE REAPPORTIONMENT MAPS.

NOT SURPRISINGLY SEVERAL LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED OVER THE MAPS SINCE THE SESSION WRAPPED.

THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL.

REAPPORTIONMENT IS A HIGHLY POLITICAL PROCESS AND ENDS UP IN THE COURTS BUT I THINK YOU SAID YOU THOUGHT IT COULD STAND LEGAL MUSTER.

>> YES.

THE REASON I HAD MADE THAT STATEMENT IS WE HAD TAKEN COURT RULINGS FROM THE PAST, DECISIONS FROM THE BENCH AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS VOTING ACTS AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION WE HAD, AND IN EVERY ISSUE THAT WE HAD WHEN IT CAME TO DISTRICT LINES, WE ALWAYS WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THAT AS THE BACKSTOP.

ARE WE DOING WHAT WE KNOW TO BE THE BEST?

ARE WE DOING WHAT THE COURT HAS ALREADY LOOKED AT AND MADE DECISIONS ON.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I THINK WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.

THIS WAS THE SECOND REAPPORTIONMENT THAT I HAD DEALT WITH SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I DON'T COME AS AN EXPERT BY ANY MEANS, BUT WHEN WE DID TAKE TIME TO LOOK BACK WITH THE ATTORNEYS AND THE CO-CHAIRS IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ADDRESSING WHAT THE LAW HAS SAID AND WHERE WE WERE.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENTS TO BE FILED.

WE KNEW THAT WAS COMING.

IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE HAVE A REAPPORTIONMENT ISSUE.

SO THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE BACKED UP AND SAID, OH, MY GOODNESS, THERE ARE LAWSUITS FILED.

WE MUST BE DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

WE ANTICIPATED THAT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK MORE THAN EVER BEFORE WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE PAST AND TRIED TO STICK TO WHAT THE COURT HAS RULED ON AND THE DECISIONS THAT THE JUDGES HAVE MADE FROM THE BENCH.

I THINK, AT THIS POINT, WE LOOKED AT THE POPULATION SHIFTS AND THE POPULATION MOVES, BEFORE WE LOOKED AT ANY POLITICAL PARTIES, DEMOGRAPHICS OF RACE, IT WAS BASED PURELY ON PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN ALABAMA THAT FILED AND WHERE THE NUMBERS WERE.

SO WE TOOK THAT AS A BASE TO START FROM.

WHEN YOU START FROM THAT BASE, IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT YOU ARE DOING SOME TYPE OF RACIAL GERRYMANDERING WHEN WHAT YOU ARE STARTING WITH IS THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, REGARDLESS OF WHAT RACE THEY ARE.

I THINK WE MOVE FORWARD -- I THINK WE MOVE FORWARD WITH A GOOD PLAN AND ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW THE COURTS SEE THAT.

>> YOU STICK BY YOUR STATEMENT THAT YOU THINK IT WILL -- >> I WOULDN'T PUT MY STAMP OF APPROVAL ON IF I DIDN'T FEEL WE HAD SOMETHING TO GO TO COURT WITH.

>> YOU RETURN TO THE REGULAR SESSION AND A LOT WILL BE ON THE TABLE.

IT WILL BE YOUR LAST.

YOU ARE NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

>> IT WILL BE BITTERSWEET BECAUSE I HAVE ENJOYED SERVING THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S BEEN THE HONOR OF MY ENTIRE LIFE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE AS SPEAKER.

WHEN YOU SIT IN THAT CHAIR, IN THAT CHAMBER AND YOU WATCH THOSE OTHER 104 MEMBERS DO THEIR WORK AND WORK AMONG EACH OTHER AND YOU HEAR THE DEBATES AND KNOW HOW THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS WORKING, IT'S VERY REWARDING WHEN THINGS COME TOGETHER AND WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING FOR THE STATE.

I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR EVERY MEMBER IN THAT CHAMBER.

OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KNOW THEM.

I HAVE BEEN WITH THEM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

I HAVE BEEN IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

FOR ME TO GIVE UP THE GAVEL, IT WILL BE A LITTLE BITTERSWEET FOR ME BUT I'M THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I HAVE HAD.

>> VERY QUICKLY, WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE MOST PROMINENT THE NEW SESSION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO ALLOCATE MONEY FROM THE LATEST STIMULUS PACKAGE.

>> THE FUNDS WILL PROBABLY BE TOP PRIORITY.

WE HAVE SO MANY NEEDS IN THE STATE.

THERE ARE SO MANY GROUPS AND ENTITIES THAT ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL HELP.

I THINK WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THEY ARE GOING TO LINE UP AT THE DOOR.

WHEN IT COMES TO APPROPRIATING THOSE DOLLARS IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A LOT OF WORK.

WE WILL HAVE TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND PUT THE MONEY WRIT IS MOST USEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I THINK IT WILL TAKE THE FRONT.

IN THAT, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OTHER ISSUES COME UP, THERE WILL BE LOCAL ISSUES COMING UP AND CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY HAS BEEN ONE HITTING THE NEWS LATELY.

WE DID A LOT OF GOOD WORK LAST YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTSON WORKED VERY HARD ON THE PISTOL PERMIT PROCESS WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

WE MOVED THE NEEDLE FORWARD.

I THINK WE HAD A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO HELP THEM AND WE ARE READY TO LOOK AT THE NEXT PHASE OF CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

PERSONALLY I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH LEGISLATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY STATES THAT ENACTED CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY AND I WANT TO KNOW FROM THEM, HAS IT BEEN A PROBLEM?

ARE THERE ANY INCIDENTS OUT THERE THAT INVOLVE PUBLIC SAFETY THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF?

AND SO FAR I'M GETTING A POSITIVE RESPONSE.

I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE THAT BILL.

A WE WILL HAVE SOME BILLS DEALING WITH VOTING RIGHTS ISSUES.

WE HAVE THE INNOVATION COMMITTEE THAT CONTINUES TO MEET AND THEY WILL BE BRINGING SOME STUFF TO US TO LOOK AT.

WE HAVE ALSO LOOKED AT THE PANDEMIC WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND WE HAVE A COMMISSION THAT'S BEEN WORKING ON THEM GOOD THINGS WE HAVE DONE AND THINGS WE CAN DO BETTER.

HOW DO WE NEED TO ADDRESS DECLARATION OF EMERGENCIES THROUGH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE LEGISLATURE AND I THINK WE WILL HAVE SOME ISSUES DEALING WITH THAT AS WE COME FORWARD.

SO WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LATE-BREAKING NEWS TODAY.

WE ARE MOVING TOWARD COVID BOOSTER SHOTS FOR EVERYONE 18 AND UP, RIGHT?

HOW SOON WOULD THAT BE IN PRACTICE HERE IN ALABAMA?

>> I THINK FROM A PRACTICAL MATTER, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ALREADY GETTING THEM.

ANYONE WHO HAS SHOWN UP TO GET A BOOSTER HAS BEEN GETTING THEM.

BUT IT WILL MAKE IT OFFICIAL.

IT SIMPLIFIES THE EXPLANATION.

IT HAS BEEN CONFUSING IF YOU ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER YOU ARE ELIGIBLE.

PRIOR TO NOW IF YOU HAD J.J., YOU WERE ELIGIBLE IF YOU WERE 18 AND UP.

IF YOU HAD MODERNA OR PFIZER, SIX MONTHS OR LATER OVER 65 OR IN CERTAIN LIVING ARRANGEMENTS OR OCCUPATIONS OR CERTAIN HEALTH PROBLEMS.

IT WAS PRETTY CONFUSING.

WHAT THE STEP DOES NOW IS ANYONE 18 AND UP IS ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER AND CAN BE BOOSTED WITH ANY OTHER VACCINE.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE SAME ONE.

>> PRIOR TO NOW WITH PFIZER AND MODERNA YOU HAD TO BE 65 OR HAVE AN UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITION OR A FRONT LINE JOB WHERE YOU ARE CONSIDERED MORE AT RISK.

>> THAT WAS TRYING TO BALANCE THE RISK OF -- POTENTIAL RISK FOR TAKING THE VACCINE ITSELF VERSUS THE RISK THAT YOU MIGHT BECOME SERIOUSLY ILL OR BECOME EXPOSED.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THE DATA FOR THAT.

IT MAKES SENSE THAT EVERYONE WAS PROBABLY GOING TO NEED BOOSTERS AT SOME POINT.

WE KNOW THAT THE ANTIBODIES LEVELS WANE OVERTIME.

THE QUESTION HAS BEEN, IF YOU ARE 22-YEAR-OLD HEALTHY PERSON AND YOU HAVE GOTTEN THE FIRST TWO SHOTS OF PFIZER WHAT'S THE RISK OF A THIRD SHOT VERSUS YOUR RISK OF HAVING ISSUES WITH COVID.

WHAT WE KNOW IS EVEN IN THE YOUNG, HEALTHY AGE GROUP, THERE'S A GREATER CHANCE OF BECOMING SERIOUSLY ILL FROM COVID ITSELF THAN GETTING ANOTHER SHOT.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE THE VACCINE DOES WANE SOME.

>> IT DOES.

THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT.

JUST LOOKING AT EVERY OTHER VACCINE.

IF YOU THINK OF IT, THERE ARE VIRTUALLY NO VACCINES THAT WE GIVE THAT ARE A SINGLE SHOT.

SOME MAYBE A SERIES OF SHOTS YOU GET IN CHILDHOOD BUT YOU TAKE SEVERAL OF THEM NORMAL LIMIT IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO GET LEAST ONE BOOSTER SHOT.

WILL WE NEED BOOSTERS SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR FROM NOW, THE ANSWER IS WE HAVE NO IDEA AT THIS POINT.

>> WE HAVE TO SEE HOW THE VIRUS PROGRESSES.

>> WE WANT TO SEE HOW PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED.

PEOPLE GETTING THEIR BOOSTERS THIS WEEK, HOW MANY OF THEM ARE INFECTED SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR FROM NOW.

THERE'S NO QUESTION THIS VIRUS IS ENDEMIC.

IT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH IT FOR A WHILE, FOREVER PERHAPS, AND WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE ABOUT ADDITIONAL SHOTS.

>> THE PFIZER BOOSTER IS A FULL DOSE.

MODERNA IS A HALF DOSE, RIGHT?

>> THE MODERNA CALCULATIONS -- WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE AS LITTLE PRODUCT AS POSSIBLE AND STIMULATE AN IMMUNE RESPONSE.

IT IS INTERESTING, THE MODERNA PRODUCT SEEMS TO BE THE ONE THAT PRODUCE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROTECTIVE ANTIBODIES.

ALL THREE ARE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING SERIOUS ILLNESS OR HOSPITALIZATION AND THANKFULLY DEATH BUT IF YOU MEASURE THE ANTIBODIES, THE MODERNA IN THE HALF DOSE OF THE BOOSTER HAS THE HIGHEST DOSE OF ANTIBODIES.

>> SO MODERNA AND PFIZER BOOSTERS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE 18 AND UP.

YOU MENTIONED THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS GROUP, ADULTS, MAY HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN A BOOSTER AND THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM AND IT BEHOOVES TO POINT OUT WHY.

EVEN IF THEY GOT IT BEFORE THE OFFICIAL AUTHORIZATION, IT IS NOT LIKE THEY WERE ROBBING SOMEONE OF A SHOT BECAUSE THE VACCINE IS IN PLENTIFUL SUPPLY.

>> WE MADE A BIG DEAL WHEN WE WERE FIRST ROLLING OUT VACCINES.

THERE WASN'T ENOUGH VACCINE OUT THERE.

THAT IS NOT A PROBLEM TODAY.

WE HAVE ALMOST 2 MILLION DOSES IN ALABAMA TODAY THAT ARE SITTING ON THE SHELF WAITING TO BE GIVEN TO SOMEONE, ANYONE.

IF YOU NEED A BOOSTER DOSE YOU CAN GO TO ANY COUNTY IN THE STATE TODAY, ANY COUNTY WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT AND SHOW UP AND PROBABLY GET ANY OF THE PRODUCTS YOU WANT TO GET.

>> DR. HARRIS, WE HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERING PEDIATRIC COVID SHOTS TO CHILDREN A LITTLE OVER A WEEK NOW.

HOW IS THAT GOING?

>> IT'S GOING OKAY.

WE HAVEN'T GIVEN HUGE NUMBERS.

WE HAVE GIVEN, I THINK IN THE RANGE OF 30 TO 40,000, MAYBE BEYOND 40,000 VACCINES, IN THAT AGE GROUP TO THIS POINT.

THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

THAT'S PRETTY GOOD UPTAKE.

IT'S BEEN A NUMBER THAT COULD BE HIGHER.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE KIDS WE'D LIKE TO REACH.

I THINK AS WE POINTED OUT BEFORE, THE KIDS IN THAT AGE GROUP HAVE PARENTS PROBABLY WHO ARE IN OUR GROUP THAT'S BEEN HARDEST TO REACH, THOSE YOUNG ADULTS IN THEIR 20s AND 30s HAVE BEEN THE GROUP WE HAVE HAD THE HARDEST TIME COMMUNICATING.

IT IS NOT SURPRISING A LOT OF KIDS IN THAT AGE GROUP WHO BELONG TO THOSE PARENTS HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED.

>> GETTING MORE KIDS VACCINATED WOULD SUBTRACT FROM THE OVERALL NUMBER BECAUSE KIDS MADE UP A DECENT PORTION OF THE UNVACCINATED.

>> OF COURSE.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN THE PAST TWO OR THREE MONTHS WITH PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED, WE HAVE MOVED AHEAD OF SEVERAL STATES IN TERMS OF PEOPLE RECEIVING THE VACCINE AND WE ARE PROUD OF THAT.

BUT AS WE SIT HERE A WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING HALF OF OUR STATE IS NOT VACCINATED.

SOME OF THEM ARE TOO YOUNG TO GET VACCINATED BUT A LOT OF THEM ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

WE ARE STILL SUSCEPTIBLE.

>> SPEAKING OF THANKSGIVING THIS, IT IS NEXT WEEK AND CHRISTMAS WON'T BE FAR BEHIND THAT.

PEOPLE WILL BE GATHERING IN LARGE NUMBERS AND THERE'S ALWAYS A CONCERN ABOUT TRANSMISSION COVID RAMPING UP.

DO YOU HAVE ANY EXPECTATIONS GOING INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON?

>> I THINK WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED THANKFULLY BUT A LOT AREN'T.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE INFECTED RECENTLY WITH THE DELTA VARIANT AND THEY MAY HAVE PROTECTION ON BOARD BUT IT IS HARD TO QUANTITATE THAT.

WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE MANY MONTHS THAT MAYBE SUSCEPTIBLE AGAIN.

THE BEST ADVICE IS TO USE COMMON SENSE.

REMEMBER TO BE OUTDOORS IF YOU CAN, OPPOSED TO INDOORS, WEAR A MASK OPPOSED TO NOT WEARING A MASK.

SPEND SHORTER TIME WITH PEOPLE OPPOSED TO LONGER TIMES AND ABOVE ALL GET VACCINATED IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE THAT.

>> QUICKLY, HOW WORRIED ARE YOU -- THERE ARE MANY POCKETS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE SEEING RESURGENCES IN COVID NUMBERS, HOT SPOTS SO TO SPEAK.

>> WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

WE SEEN IT START IN THE UPPER MIDWEST IN MINNESOTA, MICHIGAN HAVE BEEN HIT HARD.

IT MOVED INTO THE NORTHEAST NOW.

EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF THOSE STATES ARE HIGHLY VACCINATED THEY HAVE POCKETS OF UNVACCINATED PEOPLE AND PARTICULARLY YOUNGER PEOPLE.

THAT SEEMS TO BE DRIVING THIS IN OTHER STATES.

>> HERE IN ALABAMA WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING RELATIVELY STABLE COVID NUMBERS FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW.

>> IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY THAT HAPPENED BUT RIGHT NOW OUR NUMBERS ARE AS GOOD AS THE BEGINNING, ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

HAPPY WITH THAT.

WE HOPE IT LASTS.

>> USE COMMON SENSE DURING THE HOLIDAYS, FOLKS.

DO THOSE THINGS THAT YOU KNOW ARE TOP OF MIND, COMMON SENSE THINGS AND STILL CELEBRATE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

JUST BE MINDFUL.

>> ENJOY YOURSELVES, SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY BUT USE COMMON SENSE AND ABOVE ALL GET VACCINATED.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICER, DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK AND ON TWITTER.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US BY E-MAIL AT DDAILEY AT APTV.ORG OR BY MAIL.

♪ >> AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

BECAUSE OF THE LONG THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND, "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL NOT BE SEEN AT ITS USUAL TIME NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 26TH.

WE WILL RETURN WITH A NEW EPISODE TWO WEEKS FROM TONIGHT, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD.

WE HOPE THAT YOU'LL JOIN US THEN FOR THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE AGAIN SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS, WHO WILL TALK WITH ABOUT THE LATEST ON THE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE EFFECT OF HOLIDAY GATHERINGS ON OUR COVID NUMBERS, AND THE ROLLOUT OF BOOSTER SHOTS FOR ALL ADULTS.

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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

I'M DON DAILEY.

GOOD NIGHT.