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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

LEADING THE NEWS THIS WEEK IS A LEADERSHIP SHAKEUP IN THE ALABAMA SENATE.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS STEPPING DOWN FROM THE UPPER CHAMBER'S TOP POST TO TAKE A POSITION IN GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S ADMINISTRATION SPEARHEADING THE STATE'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS.

THIS PAST SESSION, THE LEGISLATURE ENACTED THE "WORKING FOR ALABAMA" PLAN THAT AIMS TO STREAMLINE AND BETTER COORDINATE THE STATE'S SOMETIMES DISPARATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

PART OF THAT PACKAGE INCLUDED CONSOLIDATING AGENCIES INTO ONE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE WITH A CABINET LEVEL SECRETARY TO LEAD IT ALL.

THAT WILL BE THE POSITION REED WILL EVENTUALLY TAKE AS THE AGENCY GETS STOOD UP OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

BUT HE'LL START IN JANUARY AS SENIOR ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR ON WORKFORCE TO OVERSEE THE TRANSITION.

I'LL SPEAK WITH SENATOR REED IN DETAIL ABOUT THIS MOVE LATER IN THE SHOW.

REED'S MOVE MEANS THE SENATE IS GOING TO NEED A NEW PRESIDENT PRO TEM.

THIS WEEK IN BIRMINGHAM, THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS MET TO DISCUSS THE NEXT STEPS.

TWO SENATORS PUT THEIR NAMES FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION: SENATOR STEVE LIVINGSTON FROM SCOTTSBORO, WHO CURRENTLY SERVES AS MAJORITY LEADER, AND SENATOR GARLAN GUDGER FROM CULLMAN, WHO IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

THE CAUCUS WILL MEET AGAIN ON DECEMBER 3 WHEN THEY ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON A NEW LEADER.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN ALABAMA POLITICS.

SPEAKING OF GOVERNOR IVEY, SHE VISITED TROY THIS WEEK FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE NEW IVEY CENTER FOR THE CULTURAL APPROACH TO HISTORY AT TROY UNIVERSITY.

THE CENTER IS NAMED IN HONOR OF HER LATE UNCLE, DR. TURNER IVEY, A AUBURN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR WHO PIONEERED AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING HISTORY.

HIS METHODOLOGY PRIORITIZED STORYTELLING AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS, MAKING HISTORY MORE ENGAGING AND MEANINGFUL.

TROY UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR JACK HAWKINS EMPHASIZED THAT THE CENTER ALIGNS WITH THE UNIVERSITY'S COMMITMENT TO FORWARD-THINKING EDUCATION.

AT A TIME WHEN MANY AMERICANS STRUGGLE WITH BASIC CIVICS KNOWLEDGE, THE CENTER'S MISSION IS CRITICAL FOR FOSTERING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATION'S HISTORY.

>> RECENT TESTS INDICATE ABOUT 70% OF AMERICANS FAIL A BASIC CIVICS QUIZ.

YOU THINK ABOUT THAT.

WHEN WE BECOME IGNORANT OF OUR PAST, WHEN WE BECOME IGNORANT OF HOW BLESSED WE ARE, WE STAND ON THE THRESHOLD OF LOSING THAT VERY LESSON, AND THAT'S WHAT I SEE THE IVEY CENTER IS ABOUT, BRINGING TO LIFE IN A VERY MEANINGFUL WAY THROUGH THE CULTURAL APPROACH LEARNING, NOT ROTE MEMORIZATION MANY OF US REMEMBER, BUT LEARNING.

>> PERSONALLY, I'M DEEPLY PROUD OF THE WORK OF MY LATE UNCLE TURNER IVEY FOR PIONEERING THE CULTURAL APPROACH TO TEACHING HISTORY THAT WE CELEBRATE TODAY.

DURING HIS LONG TEACHING CAREER IN OPEN UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING THE TIME THAT I WAS A STUDENT ON CAMPUS, UNCLE TURNER WAS A REVERED AND RESPECTED PROFESSOR.

YOU HAD TO BE A SERIOUS STUDENT TO PASS HIS COURSE.

I DIDN'T TAKE IT.

[LAUGHTER] >> BIG NEWS THIS WEEK IN THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY.

THE POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS ANNOUNCED IT IS ACQUIRING THE BIRMINGHAM RACE COURSE AND CASINO IN NORTHEAST JEFFERSON COUNTY.

THE PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE FAMILY OF THE LATE MILTON MCGREGOR.

THE MCGREGORS WILL STILL OWN VICTORYLAND IN MACON COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE TRIBE'S WIND CREEK BRAND INTENDS TO TRANSFORM THE PROPERTY INTO A TOURIST DESTINATION.

THE POARCH CREEKS OWN THREE OTHER CASINOS ON THEIR TRIBAL LAND IN WETUMPKA, MONTGOMERY AND ATMORE.

NON-INDIAN CASINOS HAVE FACED MULTIPLE SERIES OF CRACKDOWNS OVER THE YEARS AS THE STATE HAS ENDEAVORED TO ENFORCE LAWS BANNING THE USE OF SLOT MACHINES.

GAMBLING WAS OBVIOUSLY A BIG TOPIC IS THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND, WITH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, IT COULD WELL BE A BIG TOPIC IN THE NEXT ONE, TOO.

THIS WEEK, THE A PLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP AND TEACH FOR AMERICA TEAMED UP TO PUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT IN BIRMINGHAM.

THE CONFERENCE BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 400 EDUCATION ADVOCATES, POLICYMAKERS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE IN ALABAMA.

A PLUS PRESIDENT MARK DIXON SAID THE SUMMIT IS A CHANCE TO EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION AND REIMAGINE WHAT'S POSSIBLE THROUGH TEAMWORK.

>> SO, WITH THE OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT, OUR GOAL EVERY YEAR IS TO BRING TOGETHER A DIVERSE GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS THAT CARE ABOUT EDUCATION AND MOVING ALABAMA FORWARD, TO LEARN ABOUT THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE BUT ALSO THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE MAKING AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE TO DON'T BUILD A GREAT EDUCATION SYSTEM.

SO, FOLKS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH TEN SESSIONS TO LEARN ABOUT POLICIES THAT ARE BEING ENACTED.

THEY WERE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT BEST TEACHING PRACTICES THEY CAN TAKE BACK TO THEIR SCHOOL.

BUT THE REAL GOAL IS COME AWAY WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

>> THIS WEEK MARKED RURAL HEALTH DAY, AND STATE HEALTH CARE LEADERS GATHERED IN BIBB COUNTY TO HONOR CHAMPIONS OF RURAL HEALTH IN A TIME OF ACUTE CHALLENGES IN THE FIELD.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS AND STATE SENATOR APRIL WEAVER WERE IN ATTENDANCE.

>> THIS IS NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH DAY, A DAY TO STOP AND REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH CARE TO OUR RURAL AREAS.

HEALTHCARE FACILITIES LIKE THE ONE IN CENTERVILLE ARE NOT ONLY AVAILABLE TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE'S ILLNESS BUT THEY'RE ECONOMIC DRIVES, THEY CONTINUE THE WHOLE SUCCESS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THEY GIVE PEOPLE A PLACE TO MEET, TO COME TOGETHER.

THEY ARE VITAL AND HAVING A REALLY ROBUST HEALTHCARE CENTER IS WHAT NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH CARE DAY IS ABOUT.

IT'S HOW WE KEEP OUR RURAL AREAS ROBUST AND VIBRANT.

>> PEOPLE ARE SEEING WHAT WE'VE SEEN ALL ALONG, A BIG MEDICAL CENTER IS A SHINING STAR NOT ONLY IN THE STATE BUT THE NATION.

AS THE FORMER REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, I HAVE SEEN THE MEDICAL CENTER BEST PRACTICES USED ACROSS THE NATION AND EVERYONE IS SEEING WHAT WE'VE KNOWN ALL ALONG THAT THE PEOPLE AT THE MEDICAL CENTER ARE OWN VIOLATED, FORWARD THINKING AND DOING GREAT THINGS.

>> I THINK THE VISION IS TO CREATE ACCESS TO ALL THE THINGS WE CAN DO HERE SAFELY.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY IS THE GOAL TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES WE CAN DO AND TO PARTNER WITH THOSE UPSTREAM THAT WE MAY NOT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S SURGERIES IN TUSCALOOSA OR BIRMINGHAM, THAT WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERS BUT REALLY TO CREATE AS MUCH LOCAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND CREATE GOOD JOBS AND BE A PLACE PEOPLE WANTED TO WORK AND BE A PART OF AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL, IT'S ON US TO MAKE SURE WE AFFECT THE COMMUNITY POSITIVELY.

>> IF YOU WATCHED THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS HERE ON APT LAST YEAR, YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER SEEING SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT: FLAG FOOTBALL, A SPORT THAT IS GROWING IN POPULARITY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

THIS WEEK, THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED THAT WOMEN'S FLAG FOOTBALL WILL BE ADDED TO ITS ATHLETIC OFFERINGS NEXT YEAR.

>> WE'RE GATHERED TO ANNOUNCE AND CELEBRATE THE OFFICIAL START OF WOMEN'S FLAG FOOTBALL BEGINNING IN THE FALL OF 2025.

THIS NEW AND EXCITING SPORT IS GOING TO BRING ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO FEMALE STUDENT ATHLETES AND PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO CONTINUE THE SPORT THEY LOVE.

>> GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPETITION, WHICH SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

ITS REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RELATIONSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS WITH COACHES, PLAYERS, COMMUNITIES, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AS FAR AS ATHLETICS GO, AND IT ALSO REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, FOR COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER AND ROOT FOR ANOTHER SPORT AND GROUP OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT ON THE FIELD AND COMPETE ON BEHALF OF THEIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

>> THROUGH OUR FOUNDATION, WE'RE PROVIDING MULTIPLE SAFE AND AGE-APPROPRIATE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS.

WE WANT TO POSITIVELY EFFECT THE UNDERSERVED AREAS IN OUR STATE.

WE ARE GOING INTO THE UNDERSERVED AREAS IN OUR STATE.

THIS IS A HUGE PIECE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO SAY, HEY, GRASSROOTS, HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGIATE, AND GIVE THEM THAT VISION, HELP THEM HAVE THAT VISION OF WHERE THEY CAN GO IN PLAYING FLAG FOOTBALL.

>> WE ARE GETTING A LOOK AT SOME UPDATED RENDERINGS OF THE NEW STATE HOUSE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ACROSS THE STREET.

THE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM GOODWYN MILLS AND CAYWOOD IS DESIGNING THE BUILDING AND PRODUCED THESE INTERESTING PHOTOS.

TAKE A LOOK.

THERE YOU SEE THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING.

WE ARE TOLD THAT THE DOME WILL NOT BE TALLER THAN THE CAPITOL DOME, AND THE ARCHITECTS ARE SEEING TO THAT.

HERE'S A RENDERING OF THE SENATE CHAMBER FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE GALLEY, A FAMILIAR LAYOUT BUT NICER AND NATURAL LIGHT.

THAT'S THE HOUSE CHAMBER IMPROVED WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE LOAD-BEARING COLUMNS IN THE ROOM.

THIS IS THE LOBBY SPACE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBER WHICH WILL BE ON THE SAME FLOOR, UNLIKE IN THE CURRENT BUILDING.

AND THIS IS ONE FLOOR ABOVE, WHICH IS IN BETWEEN THE GALLERIES FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

WE'LL HAVE THEM ALL TOGETHER THERE.

THIS IS THE JOINT LARGE COMMITTEE ROOM, WHICH WILL BE USED FOR VERY LARGE GATHERINGS.

THERE ARE ANOTHER LARGE COMMITTEE ROOM.

THERE WILL BE TWO LARGE COMMITTEE ROOMS, FOUR MEDIUM-SIZED ROOMS AND FOUR SMALL ROOMS.

HERE AGAIN IS THE RENDERING OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING.

THE IDEA IS TO ACCOMMODATE THE PUBLIC IN A BETTER WAY THAN THE CURRENT BUILDING OFFERS.

CONSTRUCTION IS ONGOING, AND THE BUILDING IS ON SCHEDULE TO BE OPERATIONAL FOR THE 2027 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE PORT OF MOBILE IS UNDERGOING A MAJOR EXPANSION, AIMING TO SOLIDIFY ITS ROLE AS A KEY PLAYER IN GLOBAL TRADE.

WITH PLANS FOR SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND A BILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT OVER THE NEXT DECADE, THE PORT IS POSITIONING ITSELF TO DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH ACROSS ALABAMA AND THE SOUTH.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S JEFF SANDERS HAS THE STORY.

>> THE PORT OF MOBILE IS RAPIDLY EXPANDING, AS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING PORTS IN THE U.S., IT'S DOUBLING ITS CONTAINER CAPACITY TO SOLIDIFY ITS POSITION AS A KEY LOGISTICS ON.

THE PORT'S EXPANSION PLAN IS EXPECTED TO ENHANCE ALABAMA'S ECONOMY BY INCREASING ITS ABILITY TO HANDLE LARGER SHIPS AND GREATER CARGO VOLUMES.

JOHN DRISCOLL SERVES AS DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA PORT AUTHORITY.

>> IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS, WE'RE LOOKING AT INVESTING ABOUT $1 BILLION, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH MORE WE COULD DO, IF WE HAD ADDITIONAL CAPACITY, LIKE ALMOST ANY BUSINESS, BUT THIS BUSINESS HAS REALLY SHOWN SOME POTENTIAL THAT'S BEYOND ANYBODY'S EXPECTATION.

>> A KEY PART OF THE PORT'S TRANSFORMATION IS THE DEEPENING OF THE MOBILE SHIPPING CHANNEL TO 50 FEET, MAKING IT THE DEEPEST PORT ALONG THE GULF OF MEXICO.

THIS PROJECT, WHICH HAS RECEIVED FEDERAL FUNDING, WILL ACCOMMODATE THE WORLD'S LARGEST SHIPS, ALLOWING THE PORT TO HANDLE EVEN MORE CARGO.

>> THE IMPACT TO THE REST OF THE STATE CAN BE TREMENDOUS.

ONE IN SEVEN JOBS IS SOMEHOW TIED TO THE PORT -- TO ALABAMA'S PORT HERE IN MOBILE.

SO, WE REALLY STRETCH IN OUR BUSINESS IS THROUGH ALL 67 COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

>> BUT THE EXPANSION GOES BEYOND MOBILE.

NEW INTERMODAL FACILITIES IN THE STATE, INCLUDING ONE IN MONTGOMERY, WILL IMPROVE STATEWIDE RAILWAY CONNECTIVITY TO THE PORTS.

>> WHEN WE ANNOUNCE THAT FACILITY THERE, IT'S AN INTERMODAL CONTAINER FACILITY FOR IMPORTS AND EXPORTS FOR ABOUT 100-MILE RADIUS OF THE MONTGOMERY AREA.

SO CORE CUSTOMS ARE HYUNDAI AND SABIC, WHICH IS AN EXPORT IN ALABAMA, THOSE BUSINESSES WILL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THEIR CARGO IN AN EFFICIENT FASHION.

SOME OF THE PRODUCTS ARE MOVING TO OTHER GATEWAY.

THIS 165-MILE RUN ON A RAILWAY WILL GIVE THEM AN OPTION.

>> THE PORT HAS FACED CHALLENGES, A RECENT STRIKE BUT THE NATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN'S ASSOCIATION TEMPORARILY IMPACTED CONTAINER OPERATIONS, THOUGH THE IMPACT WAS MINIMAL.

>> ABOUT 20% OF OUR CARGO TONNAGE IS CONTAINER BUSINESS IMPACTED BY THIS, SO THAT MEANS 80% OF OUR OTHER CARGO IS NOT IMPACTED BY THAT PARTICULAR LABOR UNION AND MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION GOING ON.

>> THE FORCED CAPTION PROJECTS ARE ON TRACK TO BE COMPLETED BY 2027, ENSURING CONTINUED GROWTH AND NEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

REPORTING FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M JEFF SANDERS.

>> THIS DIGITAL AGE WE'RE LIVING IN COMES WITH ALL KINDS OF CONVENIENCES THAT WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

BUT, THOSE ONLINE CONVENIENCES COME WITH RISK OF CYBER ATTACKS, AND THE SAME GOES FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT CAUGHT UP WITH THE ALABAMA OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR CYBER SECURITY MEASURES.

>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT EFFORTS TO KEEP TECHNOLOGY IN ALABAMA SAFE, WHETHER IT'S NEW TOOLS, SUCH AS EXPANDED BROADBAND OR KEEPING IMPORTANT DATABASES SECURE, THE ALABAMA OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, OR OIT, PLAYS A BIG PART.

>> OVERSEAS, RATHER, THE IT POLICY FOR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES, WE'RE ALSO A SERVICE AGENCY, SO WE DO A LOT OF WORK AROUND THE STATE TO ENSURE OUR AGENCIES HAVE THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND JUST THE GENERAL IT CONNECTIVITY AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO CARRY OUT THEIR MISSIONS.

>> JEREMY WARD IS THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE OIT.

>> WE ARE IN CHARGE OF THE STATE NETWORK.

ALL OF THE -- JUST THE INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS, IT COMPONENTS THAT HELP THE STATE OPERATE, THAT FALLS UNDER OUR PURVIEW.

A PRETTY BIG JOB, A LOT OF WORK, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD AGENCY PARTNERS THAT ASSIST IN THAT EFFORT.

>> WITH ALL THE TECHNICAL ADVANCES GOING ON THROUGHOUT ALABAMA, YOU CAN BELIEVE CYBERSECURITY IS A TOP PRIORITY.

THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IS A STATE DEPARTMENT CHARGED WITH HELPING MAKE SURE PROJECTS SUCH AS EXPANDING BROADBAND OR KEEPING STATE AGENCIES CONNECTED AND PROTECTED STAYS ON TRACK.

IT'S A BIG JOB, BUT OITS SAY THEY'RE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE.

>> THERE IS A FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM CALLED THE STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM OR SLCGP FOR SHORT.

>> WARD SAYS ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO STRENGTHEN THIS PROGRAM.

>> THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT WAS PASSED BY THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

THERE IS A LARGE PORTION OF THAT THAT WAS CARVED OFF SPECIFICALLY FOR CYBERSECURITY AND TO DEVELOP A GRANT PROGRAM THAT WOULD ASSIST ALL 50 STATES AND U.S.

TERRITORIES.

>> PAVING THE WAY FOR MEETINGS LIKE THIS, BRINGING STAKEHOLDERS FROM ALL OVER ALABAMA TOGETHER TO PLAN MORE PROTECTION STEPS.

>> WE PARTNER A HOT WITH OTHER AGENCIES, WITH ALSO THIRD PARTY STATE PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO BE AS PREPARED, NOT JUST WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS BUT AHEAD OF WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> IN MONTGOMERY, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> WE ARE SADDENED TO REPORT THAT FORMER FINANCE DIRECTOR KELLY BUTLER PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK AT THE AGE OF 61.

BUTLER SPENT DECADES ADVISING LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR ON FISCAL MATTERS, AND HELPED THE STATE NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

HE STEPPED DOWN IN 2021 AFTER HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ALS, SOMETIME KNOWN AS LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY CALLED BUTLER THE EPITOME OF A PUBLIC SERVANT AND A GOOD MAN.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE, WHO WORKED WITH KELLY FOR THREE DECADES, SAID QUOTE, HE WAS ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR THE TAXPAYER.

QUITE A LEGACY TO LEAVE BEHIND.

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE BUTLER FAMILY.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR GREG REED, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE ALABAMA SENATE.

SENATOR, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD, ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO BE WITH YOU.

>> I SHOULD SAY, AT THE MOMENT, PRESIDENT PRO TEM BECAUSE THAT'S THE BIG NEWS, YOU HAVE ANNOUNCED YOU WILL STEP DOWN AS PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE ALABAMA SENATE, THE LEADER OF THE ALABAMA SENATE, TO TAKE A POST IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT UNDER GOVERNOR IVEY.

SO THAT'S THE BIG NEWS WE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER IN THE NEWSCAST.

TELL ME ABOUT THIS.

HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT AND WALK ME THROUGH YOUR REASONING.

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, WHAT A GREAT JOURNEY, HAS BEEN, WHAT A GREAT PRIVILEGE IT HAS BEEN TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF SENATE DISTRICT 5 FROM MY HOPE UP IN NORTHWEST ALABAMA AND ALSO TO BE GIVEN THE PRIVILEGE TO BE THE MAJORITY LEADER IN THE ALABAMA SENATE FOR SIX YEARS AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT FOR FOUR YEARS, BEING IN ELECTED SENATE LEADERSHIP TEN YEARS.

THAT'S FANTASTIC, AND I AM SO HONORED AND PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TO HAVE DONE THAT.

HAD SO MANY GREAT THINGS HAPPEN, MADE SO MANY RELATIONSHIPS, SO MANY FRIENDS.

IT'S EXCITING.

AND TO YOUR POINT, I'M NOT LEAVING PUBLIC SERVICE, JUST MOVING TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT YOU ASK ABOUT HOW DID IT HAPPEN.

YOU KNOW, THE LEGISLATURE'S WORKED ON A SERIES OF DIFFERENT PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO HELP MOVE US FORWARD ECONOMICALLY.

AND, SO, A LOT OF THAT WAS IN THE WORKING FOR ALABAMA PLAN THAT I WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SPEAKER AND OTHERS ON IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

AS A RESULT OF FINISHING ALL THAT, SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA CAME TO ME AND SAID, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STAND UP THIS NEW AGENCY AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND PORTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AND OUR FOCUS IS WORKFORCE, AND THAT'S THE ELEMENT THAT'S STILL THERE THAT WE'VE GOT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE BALANCE OF MY TENURE AS GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA AND WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO LEAD THE EFFORT.

SO, A LOT OF PRAYER AND DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT, BUT I MADE THE DECISION THAT IT WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR ME, SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN ALREADY BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN, EVEN, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE INVOLVED AND ENGAGED IN A PROCESS, YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE OR YESTERDAY OR WHATEVER UNTIL YOU'RE FORCED TO KIND OF TAKE A LOOK AT RETROSPECTIVELY WHAT'S GONE ON.

AND THIS, FOR ME, HAS BEEN A HALLMARK OF MY FOCUS -- JOB CREATION, WORKFORCE ISSUES.

YOU KNOW, I SPONSORED THE ORIGINAL JOBS ACT, THE AIM ACT, THE GROWING FOR ALABAMA ACT, THE RENEWAL OF THE JOBS ACT, THE JOBS ACT AGAIN IN THE GAME, AND THE GROWTH ALLIANCE, A BIG FOCUS ON THIS ALABAMA DEVELOPMENT JUST WORKING IN THIS ALABAMA PLAN.

THIS IS NOT A NEW THEME FOR ME.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT DILIGENTLY DURING MY TENURE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> SO YOU GET TO IMPLEMENT THE WORKFORCE LAWS NOW.

>> YES.

>> THIS IS A CABINET LEVEL.

IT TAKES TIME TO SET UP THE DEPARTMENT, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> WE COLLOQUIALLY REFER TO IT AS THE WORKFORCE CZAR, YOU KNOW, THE DIRECTOR OF ALL THESE SILOS COMING INTO ONE COHESIVE WORKFORCE AGENCY, RIGHT.

>> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

SO, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PORTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ARE GOING TO COME TOGETHER UNDER THIS NEW SUPER AGENCY, AND THERE WILL BE A WINDOW OF TRANSITION THERE.

I WILL BE AS AN ADVISOR TO THE GOVERNOR DURING THAT WINDOW OF TRANSITION.

BY SUMMERTIME, THE AGENCY WILL STAND UP ITSELF AND BE ABLE TO OPERATE AND FUNCTION.

THE AGENCY WILL WORK WITH K-12, COLLEGE SYSTEM, FOUR YEAR COLLEGE INSTITUTIONS, BUSINESS, INDUSTRY.

IN THE LEGISLATION THAT CREATED THIS WORKFORCE DEPARTMENT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO VERY IMPORTANT ADVISORY COMMISSIONS OR COMMITTEES.

YOU'VE GOT AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THAT'S GOT MEMBERS THERE.

IT'S HEADED, CHAIRED BY JEFF PEOPLES, THE CHAIR OF ALABAMA POWER.

YOU'VE GOT PHIL WEBB, A BUSINESS MAN FROM CALHOUN COUNTY, WILL BE THE CHAIR OF ANOTHER 40-MEMBER GROUP THAT'S A WHO'S WHO OF ALABAMA BUSINESS PEOPLE THAT WILL BE BRINGING THEIR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS IN A THEME THAT'S GOING TO BE HERE'S ALL THAT WE'RE DOING IN EDUCATION, HERE'S ALL WE'VE SET UP AS FAR AS ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AS FAR AS STATE, THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR, HERE'S ALL THE IDEAS FROM INDUSTRY AND GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY AND WHAT'S NEEDED FOR FOLKS TO BE INVOLVED IN WORKING AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES THAT ARE LOOKING FOR GREAT SUCCESS IN ALABAMA, HOW DO WE PULL ALL THAT TOGETHER AND HAVE A COHESIVE PLAN TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THAT FORWARD?

SO WE INCREASE OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATES, WE HAVE MORE ALABAMIANS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

THEY GET GREAT JOBS.

THEY GET GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS FOR THEIR FAMILIES, AND ALABAMA'S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW, BECAUSE WE HAVE WHAT'S NECESSARY.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT, WHICH IS WORKERS, TRAINED WORKERS FROM EVERY ASPECT OF THE ECONOMY TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE AND ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> YOU KIND OF ANSWERED MY NEXT QUESTION FOR ME BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO SAY WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN ORGANIZATIONALLY.

YOU PASSED MANY LAWS WELL INTEND, MOST UNANIMOUS, IF NOT CLOSE TO IT.

NOW IT'S TIME TO IMPLEMENT.

DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BENEFIT FROM YOUR TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE?

BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO BE INVOLVED IN ALL THIS, TOO.

>> OF COURSE.

>> THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN LAWS NEED TO BE TWEAKED SO THE RELATIONSHIP COMING BACK SAYING HEY THIS ISN'T WORKING THE WAY WE INTENDED, NEED TO TWEAK IT THIS WAY.

YOU'VE SERVED SO LONG IN THIS BUILDING, THAT WILL BE A BENEFIT TO YOU, RIGHT?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE A BENEFIT.

MY TENURE OF SERVICE 14 YEARS IN THE ALABAMA SENATE WILL BE A BENEFIT TO ME, PERIOD, ON ANYTHING I'M DOING.

I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH AND BEEN GIVEN SO MUCH IN THE PROCESS.

BUT UNDERSTANDING HOW THE LEGISLATURE WORKS AND WHAT THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE WAS, THEN UNDERSTANDING ALL OF THE IDEA THAT MAY BE COMING FROM INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS, AND THEN WHAT ARE EDUCATORS GOING TO BE DOING TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE ALLOWING FOLKS TO GET THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE 21ST CENTURY JOB MARKET, MAKING SURE THAT ALL THAT WORKS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO NEED A LOT OF COLLABORATION, AND I THINK THAT'S THE ATTITUDE THAT HAS BEEN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE NEED FOR THIS, CERTAINLY THE WAY THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED IT TO ME IN HER INTEREST EARLY ON WAS WE'VE GOT TO COORDINATE THIS TOGETHER.

THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

IF YOU GO BACK TO 1997, ALABAMA'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING?

THAT NUMBER WAS 65%.

TODAY, THAT NUMBER IS 57%.

>> OKAY.

>> IF WE INCREASE ALABAMA'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE BY JUST 1%, IT WILL ADD 50,000 TRAINED WORKERS INTO ALABAMA'S ECONOMY.

THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

>> PART OF THAT IS REMOVING BARRIERS, RIGHT.

WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT LAST SESSION, ABOUT WHETHER IT'S HEALTH CARE, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, THE BARRIERS THAT MAYBE WE TAKE FOR GRANTED, THE BARRIERS TO PEOPLE WANTING TO PARTICIPATE, THE BENEFITS CLIP.

I'VE HEARD NICK MOORE IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TALK ABOUT THIS TILL HE'S BLUE IN THE FACE.

NOW THERE'S A CABINET-LEVEL AGENCY, YOU SPECIFICALLY, TALKING TO THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT, THIS TALKING ABOUT THE BARRIERS.

I THINK THAT'S INTERESTING.

THE FOCUS ON WORKFORCE HAS BEEN ELEVATED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS, YOU KNOW, A KEY FOCUS OF NOT JUST THIS ADMINISTRATION BUT INTO THE FUTURE.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT, AND THE LEGISLATURE'S BOUGHT IN, ALREADY, BECAUSE, IF YOU GO BACK AND EVEN LOOK AT JUST THE MOST RECENT PACKAGE WITH WORKING FOR ALABAMA, WHAT WERE OTHER ELEMENTS THAT WE INCLUDED THERE OTHER THAN THE GROWTH ALLIANCE WHICH FOCUSES ALL OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IDEAS TOGETHER IN A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO KNOW WHAT DOES INDUSTRY, WHAT DOES BUSINESS NEED, WHAT DOES EDUCATION NEED, WHAT DOES THE LEGISLATURE WANT TO DO, ALL THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER THINGS, TAX CREDITS FOR CHILDCARE, SAME TO BUSINESSES, IF MOM WANTS TO COME BACK TO THE WORKFORCE AND YOU'RE WILLING TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE FOR HER SO THAT WE TAKE CARE OF HER BABIES WHILE SHE'S WILLING TO WORK -- >> THAT'S A BIG ONE.

>> -- THEN WE'LL GIVE YOU A BENEFIT FOR DOING THAT.

HOUSING CREDITS, WE HAVE A LOT OF PLACES WHERE JOBS ARE OPEN AND AVAILABLE, WE NEED WORKERS TO BE IN THE JOBS, BUT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO LIVE IN THE AREAS, PLACES LIKE HUNTSVILLE OR BALDWIN COUNTY WHERE YOU HAVE REALLY ISSUES THERE.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS ADDED THINGS, THE COOLEST, CAREERS PATHWAY DIPLOMA, BRAND-NEW DIPLOMA AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

IF THEY SAY, I WANT TO BE A MACHINIST, SOMETHING I'M INTERESTED IN, WHAT I WANT TO DO, THE KID IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY UNDER THE NEW DIPLOMA, IDENTIFIED IN THE NINTH OR TENTH GRADE THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO, PROGRAMS AND INTERNSHIPS WILL BE AVAILABLE ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR INTEREST.

THEY WILL GO THROUGH A CAREER TECH PROGRAM IN HIGH SCHOOL AND MAYBE IN COLLABORATIVE WITH OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS IN ONE LOCATION POTENTIALLY, AND THEN ONCE THEY'RE READY TO MOVE INTO THEIR SENIOR YEAR, THERE'S A DUAL ENROLLMENT SCHOLARSHIP WAITING FOR THEM, THE STATE'S FUNDING FOR THEM TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND GET ALL THEIR CERTIFICATES IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF EXPERTISE IN THE JUNIOR COLLEGE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND AT 18 AND 19 YEARS OLD, THEY'VE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, THEY HAVE ALL THE CERTIFICATES, THE TRAINING HAS BEEN THEIRS TO ENJOY, AND THE INDUSTRY IS GOING TO BE STANDING IN LINE TO HIRE THESE KIDS BECAUSE THEY ARE FOCUSED, THEY ARE TRAINED AND READY TO GO.

IF WE CAN DO THAT IN A SMALL SCALE FOR KIDS THAT ARE FOCUSED AND INTERESTED, YOU THINK WHAT THAT'S GOING TO MEAN TO OUR WORKFORCE TWO YEARS, FIVE YEARS, TEN YEARS OUT.

I MEAN, THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT ARE REVOLUTIONARILY TRANSFORMATIVE.

>> IT WILL TAKE A WHILE BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> WE'LL HAVE A NEW PRO TEM.

YOU HAD A CAUCUS IN BIRMINGHAM.

ANOTHER ONE ON THE THIRD TO TALK ABOUT WHO'S GOING TO BE YOUR SUCCESSOR.

I WON'T GET INTO THE POLITICS OF ALL THAT BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S VERY INTERNAL AND IT WILL ALL PLAY OUT, BUT I'M CURIOUS WHAT YOUR ADVICE WOULD BE.

I HAVE SENATOR LIVINGSTON AND GUDGER COMPRESSING INTEREST IN THE NEW PRO TEM.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO THEM AS THEY'RE SEEKING TO BE YOUR SUCCESSOR?

>> ONE THING I WOULD SAY ABOUT MY ABSOLUTE LOVE, AFFECTION, APPRECIATION FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA SENATE.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST DEDICATED AND QUALITY-FOCUSED INDIVIDUALS I'VE EVER WORKED WITH ON ANYTHING.

AND THEY ARE HERE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

THEY ARE SERVING THEIR CONSTITUENCIES, THEY'RE INTERESTED IN THE BEST THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS THESE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN ENGAGED AND INVOLVED IN, TRYING TO MOVE OUR ECONOMY FORWARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR PEOPLE, FOR THE BENEFIT OF CITIZENRY TO HAVE JOBS, HIGH-PAYING JOBS AND ALL THE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

SO I LOVE THESE FOLKS.

IT IS CERTAINLY A BITTERSWEET THOUGHT FOR ME TO NOT BE HANGING WITH THEM EVERY MINUTE ALL THE TIME.

TO YOUR POINT, THEY'VE GOT A PROCESS COMING UP AND THAT WILL BE THEIR PROCESS TO CHOOSE AS THE CAUCUS.

YOU'VE GOT GREAT MEN, DEDICATED GENTLEMEN WILLING TO STEP UP AND SAY THEY ARE INTERESTED IN THESE THEMES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE.

YOU KNOW, THE THINGS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT OF THE INSIDE BASEBALL, IF YOU WILL, ABOUT BEING A SENATE PRESIDENT, YOU KNOW, THE ONE THING IS I'VE TAKEN THE ATTITUDE THAT SENATE PRESIDENT THAT MY JOB IS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE OTHER 34 SENATORS REALLY WANT TO DO AND TRY THE AND HELP THEM ADVANCE THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.

SOMETIMES, THOSE ISSUES ARE COLLECTIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL GOOD FOR ALABAMA, AND YOU WIND UP WITH THE ENTIRE BODY IS FOCUSED ON THEMES THAT ARE ENTHUSIASTIC OPTIONS.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF THOSE.

>> YOU SAID 35 AND NOT 27.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ENTIRE SENATE, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT HAS TO BE THE ATTITUDE.

I MEAN, THE SENATE PRESIDENT IS THE SERVANT OF ALL OTHER MEMBERS, SO THE OTHER 34 MEMBERS OTHER THAN YOU AS A MEMBER ARE WHO YOU'RE SERVING.

THAT'S APPROACH I'VE TAKEN WITH THE JOB AND TRYING TO HELP THOSE MEN AND WOMEN GET THEIR ISSUES ACROSS THE LINE.

NOW, THAT CREATES CONFLICT, THAT'S THE POLITICAL PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS THAT DON'T AGREE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FOLKS FROM THE NORTH ALABAMA VERSUS THE SOUTH ALABAMA, ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, THE ALABAMA FANS VERSUS THE AUBURN FANS, HEY, IT'S ALL PART OF THE PROCESS, BUT GENUINELY TRYING TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS MOVE THOSE THINGS ALONG HAS BEEN SUCH A GOOD THING FOR ME, IT BUILDS SUCH CLOSE RELATIONSHIP ALSO IN TRYING TO HELP OTHERS ACCOMPLISH THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN THEIR DISTRICT, THINGS THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO A SENATOR IN A CERTAIN AREA OF NORTHWEST ALABAMA MAY NOT BE OF ANY INTEREST TO SOMEBODY IN THE WIREGRASS, BUT THE FACT OF TRYING TO HELP EVERYBODY ACCOMPLISH THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT HAS BEEN SOMETHING FUN FOR ME.

WHEN YOU GET INTO THE DETAIL OF WHAT'S HAPPENING, THERE'S ALWAYS DISCUSSION ABOUT IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN A CERTAIN AREA OF THE STATE, HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME AND MY CONSTITUENTS.

SO, YOU EXPECT THAT BECAUSE THE JOB OF THE SENATORS ARE THEY ARE SENT BY THEIR ELECTORATE TO COME AND REPRESENT AND DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN, JUST LIKE I'VE TRIED TO DO.

IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAN IN ON SOMETHING FOR SENATE DISTRICT 5, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE TENURE I'VE SERVED.

THEY'RE DOING THE SAME THING.

SO, YOU GET ALL THAT GOING AT THE SAME TIME WHILE YOU'RE IN SESSION.

YOU WIND UP WITH WHAT ARE COMPETING INTERESTS, YOU RECOGNIZE IT, BUT THE REALITY IS FOR THE FAST MAJORITY OF THINGS, THEY'RE THINGS THAT THEY ARE, AS MEN AND WOMEN, FOCUSED ON GOOD FOR ALABAMA.

AND YOU MENTIONED REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, AND THAT'S BEEN A HALLMARK OF WHAT I'VE TRIED TO DO IN MY SERVICE.

I'VE MADE STATEMENTS MULTIPLE TIMES ON YOUR PROGRAM THAT I WANTED TO BE A PRO TEM THAT WAS WILLING TO LISTEN TO EVERYBODY'S INPUT BECAUSE I FELT LIKE, IF WE WERE ABLE AND WILLING TO DO THAT, WE WOULD WIND UP WITH A BETTER OUTCOME IN THE END.

JUST TO THINK THAT I'VE GOT ALL THE ANSWERS, I THOUGHT THAT WAS NOT THE RIGHT APPROACH, AND IT HAS PROVEN TO ME THAT THE APPROACH OF LISTENING TO EVERYBODY'S INPUT, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH THEM OR NOT, BUT YOU WIND UP WITH THINGS THAT ARE GLEANED OUT OF THAT WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN AND LEARN THAT WOUNDS UP WITH A BETTER PRODUCT FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT.

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME, THEM, ABILITY INDIVIDUALS, IT'S WHAT'S GOOD FOR ALABAMA, AND I THINK THAT ATTITUDE HAS BEEN A HALLMARK OF WHAT I'VE TRIED TO DO, AND IT'S BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, FOLKS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND IT'S BEEN A REAL JOY FOR ME TO BE ENGAGED IN THAT.

>> I WILL SAY, I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, BUT MY BIG THING IS DON'T LET WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

HAPPEN IN MONTGOMERY.

DON'T LET THE EXTREMISM ON BOTH SIDES, RUNNING TO THE EXTREMES AND BEING KIND OF GOVERNED AND DOMINATED BY THE EXTREMES, YOU SEE WHAT THAT HAS DONE TO THE U.S. CONGRESS.

IT HASN'T HAPPENED HERE.

TO YOUR POINT, I THINK THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE HAVE BEEN PRETTY MUCH BIPARTISAN ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER.

I THINK THAT'S GOOD FOR THE STATE.

YOU'RE TO BE COMMENDED FOR THAT, AND I KNOW THAT'S GOOD ADVICE FOR WHO'S COMING NEXT.

LOOK, IT'S GOING TO -- THE NEXT SESSION WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS, RIGHT, THAT YOU WON'T BE A LAWMAKER.

I GUESS THAT'S BITTERSWEET.

BUT YOU WILL BE AROUND.

ARE YOU GOING TO MISS IT?

>> YOU KNOW, I'LL MISS IT.

I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO GRACIOUS AND KIND TO ME.

THEY'VE THANKED ME FOR MY SERVICE.

IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE.

I'VE HEARD FROM SO MANY PEOPLE.

AS ALL THE NEWS WAS BREAKING RELATED TO ALL THESE AND THE DECISIONS I WAS MAKING, OF COURSE, I WAS ON THE PHONE HOUR AFTER HOUR AFTER HOUR TALKING TO PEOPLE, AND THAT'S BEEN A REALLY POSITIVE THING FOR ME, AND I HAVE BEEN SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE ATTITUDES PEOPLE HAVE HAD REGARDING THE MY SERVICE.

PUBLIC SERVICE IS STILL IN MY HEART AND MY INTEREST.

THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING IN THIS AGENCY MOVING FORWARD TO HELP ALABAMIANS ACCOMPLISH THEIR GOALS IN REGARDS TO THEIR JOBS AND CAREERS AND OUR ECONOMY TO GROW.

THAT'S STILL PUBLIC SERVICE.

I'M STILL WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES, THE GOVERNOR'S TEAM, MY FRIEND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, ALL ARE INTERESTED IN THESE IDEAS BEING SUCCESSFUL.

SO, THIS IS GOING TO BE A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.

I THINK IT WILL ADD A LOT -- I'M HOPING IT WILL ADD A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW RELATIONSHIPS, NEW INTERACTIONS, VISITING WITH PEOPLE THAT MAYBE I'VE NOT HAD A REASON TO ENGAGE WITH BEFORE THAT WILL GIVE ME A CHANCE FOR NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS IN A DIFFERENT AND NEW WAY, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING FOR ME.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN GENEROUS WITH YOUR TIME OVER THE YEARS SINCE I HAVE BEEN HOSTING AND DON DAILY BEFORE ME HERE AT APT TO COME AND EXPLAIN ISSUES.

YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN AVAILABLE, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO LEAN ON YOU AGAIN WHEN YOU'RE IN THIS NEW ROLE BECAUSE WORKFORCE IS A PRIORITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW APPOINTMENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TODD.

IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO YOUR FRIEND, TO HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK TO YOUR LISTENERS.

YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AND ALIGNED ME TO GET THE MESSAGE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE ALABAMA SENATE AND THE LEGISLATURE TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND THAT'S BEEN SO IMPORTANT.

TO YOUR POINT IT WILL BE IMPORTANT AS WE THINK ABOUT WORKFORCE AND GROWING THE ECONOMY AND THE THINGS IN THE FUTURE REGARDING TO THIS AGENCY AND MY OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD IT AND I WANT TO COME BACK AND TELL THE STORY SOON.

LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS ALABAMA'S STATE TREASURER YOUNG BOOZER.

MR.

BOOZER, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

GOOD TO BE HERE, THANKS FOR THE INVITATION.

>> BEEN A WHILE.

LOT TO CATCH UP ON.

>> OKAY.

>> MORE THAN A MONTH AGO WE FINISHED THE FISCAL YEAR, STARTED A NEW ONE.

GIVE US AN UPDATE.

WHERE ARE WE FINANCIALLY?

IS THAT A STATE OF PLAY FOR THE STATE?

YOU'RE OUR STATE BANKER, SO GIVE US AN UPDATE.

>> GOOD, WILL BE HAPPY TO.

LET ME PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE.

RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN AT A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE TREASURERS MEETING AND TALKED TO OTHER TREASURERS AROUND THE COUNTRY ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THEIR STATE.

AS I WOULD JUDGE IT, I WOULD SAY ALABAMA IS DOING BETTER THAN MOST.

IF WE LOOK AT NUMBERS WE PRODUCED FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR THAT ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, OUR NUMBERS ARE VERY, VERY GOOD.

VERY GOOD.

I THINK WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE, AND THE PROSPECTS ARE GOOD, TOO.

>> THAT'S NICE TO HEAR COMPARED TO OTHER STATES.

I MEAN, I GUESS OTHER STATES ARE RICHER THAN ALABAMA AND EVERYTHING, BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT BASED ON THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AND WHERE WE STAND WITH DEBT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I AM.

I AM.

>> OKAY.

>> AND ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS FROM A CONSTITUTION'S POINT OF VIEW WE HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND IT'S A CASH BALANCED BUDGET.

THERE ARE A LOT OF STATES THAT DON'T HAVE THAT SITUATION.

YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF STATES LIKE ILLINOIS AND CALIFORNIA THAT BORROW IN ORDER TO COVER LOSSES AND SHORTFALLS.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT SITUATION, SO IT MAKES US MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND MORE SOUND FISCALLY.

>> YEAH.

SO, WE'RE NOT RACKING UP $32 TRILLION, WHATEVER IT IS IN THE NATIONAL DEBT.

ALONG THE SAME LINES, WE HAVE TRUST FUNDS, SOME ACCOUNTS THAT GENERATE INTEREST, YOU KNOW, REVENUE FOR THE STATE.

YOU'VE TOLD ME BEFORE THAT, WHEN INTEREST RATES WENT UP, YOU KNOW, IT'S A BUMMER FOR CONSUMERS BUT GOOD FOR FUNDS LIKE THAT.

WHERE ARE WE WITH THE ACCOUNTS, ALABAMA TRUST FUND AND THE LIKE?

>> A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

THE FIRST ONE IS REALLY THE BANK ACCOUNT, RIGHT.

SO, WE HAVE A FUND THAT WE CALL THE TREASURER'S FUND, BASICALLY REVENUES THAT COME IN, WE HOLD THEM, MANAGE THOSE, TURN THEM OVER TO THE COMPTROLLER WHEN THE CHECKS NEED TO BE WRITTEN.

A COMPARISON, WHEN I WAS TERMED OUT IN JANUARY 2019, THAT BALANCE IN THAT FUND WAS $3.6 BILLION.

BEFORE I CAME OVER HERE TODAY I CHECKED ON THE BALANCE TODAY, IT'S $13.7 MILLION.

>> THAT'S 10 BILLION IN GROWTH.

>> $10 BILLION MORE IN ABOUT A FOUR OR FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.

YOU SAY WHERE DID THAT MONEY COME FROM?

WELL, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY THE BREAKOUT, BUT A GOOD PORTION OF THAT IS FEDERAL FUNDS.

>> ARPA AND -- >> EXACTLY, FROM THOSE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN ENACTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

SO, THAT HAS BUILT UP.

OF COURSE, THE IDEA THERE IS WE'RE GIVING YOU THIS MONEY FOR THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS.

YOU'RE GOING TO DO BROADBAND, HAVE WATER AND SUER PROJECTS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, AND THAT HAS BEEN QUEUED UP AND WAITING TO BE SPENT.

THEY'RE STILL WRITING CONTRACTS AND WORKING ON SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION ON THESE THINGS AND A LOT OF THAT MONEY HASN'T BEEN PAID OUT AND WE'RE STILL HOLDING THAT, I'M GOING TO SAY THAT'S ABOUT 7 BILLION OF THE 10 BILLION.

THE OTHER 3 BILLION IS OUR MONEY WE'VE EARNED THROUGH THE OPERATIONS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA THROUGH THAT TIME PERIOD BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD INCREASED REVENUES AND SURPLUSES IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AREAS.

WE'RE UP ABOUT $10 BILLION IN BALANCE.

ALSO, DURING THAT T.P.D., AND THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME PHENOMENON, IS THAT INTEREST RATES IN 19 WERE ZERO, VIRTUALLY ZERO.

>> RIGHT.

>> THEY WE WANT ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS AS HIGH AS 5.5%.

THAT'S A MASSIVE INCREASE.

WHEN -- IF YOU CALCULATE THE INTEREST EARNED ON THOSE BALANCES OVER THIS T.P.D., I'M GOING TO GO BACK FOUR YEARS WHEN THIS ALL STARTED, FOUR YEARS AGO, THOSE MONEYS MADE ABOUT $20 MILLION.

>> IN INTEREST PER YEAR?

>> IN INTEREST THAT YEAR.

>> OKAY.

>> OKAY.

INTEREST INCOME THAT YEAR.

THREE YEARS AGO IT MADE $40 MILLION, DOUBLED IN ONE YORE.

TWO YEARS AGO, THAT NUMBER WAS $405 MILLION.

>> GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

>> IT WENT UP BY A FACTOR OF 10.

>> BECAUSE OF INTEREST RATES.

>> INTEREST RATES AND THE BALANCE.

ALL RIGHT, THE YEAR THAT JUST CLOSED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE EXACT NUMBER IS RIGHT NOW, BUT I BELIEVE IT TO BE ABOUT $555 MILLION.

>> WOW.

>> SO THIS IS A PHENOMENAL DIFFERENCE.

IN THREE YEARS OR FOUR YEARS, THE TREASURER'S OFFICE ON THAT FUND HAS EARNED OVER $1 BILLION.

NOW, A LOT OF THAT HAS -- THE LEGISLATURE IS AWARE OF THIS.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, WHERE DOES THAT MONEY GO?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO, BUT THE LEGISLATORS WILL FIGURE IT OUT.

BUT IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE RUN, BUT I THINK THE RUN IS ENDING.

INTEREST RATES ARE STARTING TO GO DOWN, THE FEDERAL FUNDS RATE DEVELOPED BY 75 BASIS POINTS, THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THE MONEY HELD FOR THESE PROJECTS WILL BE SPENT AND BE SPENT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, SO THAT NUMBER IS GOING TO COME DOWN.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID, WELL, WE BELIEVE THAT INFLATION IS TRANSITORY AND GOING TO GO DOWN RAPIDLY, I DON'T THINK THAT.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE STICKY AND SLOWER TO MOVE DOWN THAN PEOPLE EXPECTED BECAUSE I'VE GOT $7 BILLION OR MORE TO BE SPENT IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

WELL, THERE ARE 49 OTHER STATES IN SIMILAR POSITIONS AND, AS MILTON FREEDMAN SAID OVER THE YEARS, THE DEFINITION OF INFLATION IS TOO MANY DOLLARS CHASING TOO FEW GOODS.

THAT'S THE SITUATION WE HAVE BEEN IN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE FOR A WHILE UNTIL ALL THIS MONEY IS SPENT.

>> EVERY STATE OR A LOT OF STATES ARE DOING BROADBAND, WATER AND SEWER.

SO, YEAH, THOSE MATERIALS ARE AT A PREMIUM RIGHT NOW.

>> YES, SO, ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALS, STEEL, CONCRETE, ALL OF THAT'S IN DEMAND, YEAH.

>> ALSO RELATEDLY, ALABAMA TRUST FUND -- >> YES.

>> -- HOW IS THAT FUND FARING?

>> IT'S DOING REALLY WELL.

WE JUST HAD OUR BOARD MEETING THIS MORNING.

WE HAD A GREAT REPORT NOT ONLY FOR THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND, BUT WE ALSO MANAGE MONEYS FOR THE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES CALLED THE CMT.

SO THE REPORT IS, FOR THE ATF, WE'RE AT $4 BILLION, THAT'S GROWN DRAMATICALLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THIS YEAR, WE HAD OVER A 20% RATE OF RETURN ON THE PORTFOLIO, AND THAT PORTFOLIO GENERATES 170-, $175 MILLION A YEAR FOR OTHER OPERATIONS, ABILITY 120 MILLION OF THAT GOES CORRECTLY TO THE GENERAL FUND.

15 MILLION FOREVER WILD AND OTHER RECIPIENTS.

BACK IN 2012, ARTHUR ORR AND I GOT TOGETHER AND DECIDED TO RESTRUCTURE THE THING BECAUSE IT WASN'T WORKING.

WE KNOW WHERE THE MONEY'S COMING FROM THE NATURAL GAS REVENUES.

WE'RE INVESTING IT IN THE 21ST CENTURY TYPE MODE WITH THE ASSET ALLOCATION THAT IS BROADLY DIVERSIFIED AND DONE WELL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND IT IS A FUND THAT WE CAN COUNT ON FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS BECAUSE WE CAN NOW FORECAST WHAT THE AMOUNT TO BE PAID TO THE STATE IS.

BEFORE WE WERE GUESSING REALLY THE DAY AFTER THE FISCAL YEAR WAS ENDING.

>> IT'S NICE WHEN YOU'RE A BUDGET CHAIRMAN, RIGHT, TO BE ABLE TO PREDICT?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY, RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY, MEANING CITIZENS' MONEY.

WHEN YOU WERE HERE LAST TIME, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM.

I HAD UNCLAIMED PROPERTY, AT THE TIME, ABOUT 600 BUCKS THAT ACCRUED OVER THE YEARS.

TALK TABLET THE PROGRAM AND HOW PEOPLE CAN CHECK TO SEE IF THEY HAVE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY, REALLY MEANING MONEY?

>> YES, I HAVE BEEN A TREASURER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, A BANKER MY WHOLE CAREER AND DONE ALL THE STUFF WE DO IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.

ONE THING I'D NEVER DONE BEFORE IS UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

IT IS THE MOST FUN PART OF MY JOB.

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE EVERYBODY SMILES WHEN THEY GET THEIR CHECK.

AND WE LOVE REUNITING PEOPLE WITH THEIR OWN MONEY.

SO, RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ABOUT $1.3 BILLION IN UNCLAIMED PROPERTY, WHICH, FOR THE MOST PART, CASH BALANCES.

AND IT REPRESENTS ABOUT 12-, 13 MILLION CLAIMS.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF CLAIMS OUT THERE AND A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WE PAID OUT THIS LAST YEAR ABOUT $41 MILLION FOR 33,000 CLAIMS.

IF YOU DO THE NUMBERS HERE, YOU'RE GOING TO REALIZE THE AVERAGE CLAIM IS A LITTLE OVER $100, AND THE AVERAGE RECEIPT TO THE PEOPLE IS ABOUT $100, TOO.

SOMETIMES IT CAN BE $1, OTHER TIMES $1 MILLION.

SO YOU'VE GOT TO CHECK TO SEE IF YOU'VE GOT UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, I HAD A CHECK FOR YOU BECAUSE WE CHECKED ON YOU.

>> YEAH.

>> I THOUGHT, WELL, I'M COMING OVER HERE TODAY TO TALK.

I THINK I'LL CHECK TO SEE IF YOU HAVE MORE.

I CHECKED, AND YOU DON'T.

>> GOOD.

>> I CHECKED TODD STACEY, DOES HE HAVE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY?

NO.

I WONDERED IF I'VE GOT ANYTHING, I CHECKED ON YOUNG BOOZER.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING EITHER.

I THOUGHT I'M GOING TO DO A MASHUP.

I'M GOING TO DO TODD BOOZER AND SEE IF TODD BOOZER HAS ANY MONEY.

I CHECKED ON HIM.

HE HAD TEN CLAIMS, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU THE AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

I JUST HAPPENED TO KNOW OF TODD BOOZER BECAUSE HE GREW UP IN TUSCALOOSA A SON OF RAY BOOZER, DISTANT FAMILY.

I CALLED HIM UP ON THE PHONE AND SAID, TODD, THIS IS YOUNG BOOZER, YOU'VE GOT UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

HE WENT CRAZY.

HE'S GOT A NICE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

HE HAS A BROTHER NAMED TRENT.

I WENT DOWN THE LIST AND THERE'S TRENT.

SO, YOU CAN CHECK ON YOURSELF, YOU CAN CHECK ON YOUR FAMILY, YOU CAN CHECK ON YOUR RELATIVES, BUT YOU NEED TO CHECK.

>> WITH CHRISTMAS COMING UP, THAT'S A NICE LITTLE -- >> I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE YOU A CHRISTMAS PRESENT AND ANYBODY ELSE HERE IN TV LAND, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> AND WE'LL PUT UP THE WEB SITE AND EVERYTHING.

>> PLEASE DO.

>> IT'S LIKE FINDING MONEY ON THE STREET OR SOMETHING, TOTALLY UNEXPECTED.

>> AND CONTACT US AT TREASURY.ALABAMA.GOV.

YOU CAN DO IT ONLINE OR CALL US.

WE ARE VERY EFFICIENT AND KEEN ON CUSTOMER SERVICE.

>> THAT'S GREAT.

>> YEAH.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT AN OLD ISSUE, BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN.

THE CLOSURE OF THAT WAS A REALLY EMOTIONAL THING FOR A LOT OF ALUMNI AND PEOPLE.

YOU TOOK A LOT OF FLACK.

YOU NEIGHBORHOOD A DECISION IT WAS NOT A WISE INVESTMENT FOR THE STATE TO BAIL THEM OUT OF TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

YOU TOOK A LOT OF FLACK FOR THAT.

I'M WONDERING IN THE YEAR OR SO SINCE THAT WENT DOWN, DID THE FACTS BEAR OUT THAT YOU WERE CORRECT AND YOU STAND ON THAT, THAT THAT WAS A BAD INVESTMENT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT, THAT WAS A RIGHT DECISION.

GOING BACK IN TIME, A BILL WAS OFFERED AND A LAW WAS PASSED TO ESTABLISH A $30 MILLION LOAN PROGRAM FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION DISTRESSED.

AND BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN FIT THAT, BUT, ALSO, WE GOT A REQUEST FROM SELMA UNIVERSITY, WHICH HAD SIMILAR ISSUES BUT A MUCH SMALLER SITUATION LOOK, THE BILL WAS PASSED.

I DID EXACTLY WHAT THE LAW SAID.

THE INTERESTING THING WAS THAT BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN HAD MADE THE ROUNDS TRYING TO GET GRANTS AND DONATIONS, ET CETERA, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO IT, AND THIS WAS A SITUATION OF BEING THE LENDER OF LAST -- LAST OPPORTUNITY, RIGHT.

AND I BASICALLY TOOK THE LAW, I READ THROUGH IT, AND I SAID THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO, AND IT WAS JUST FOR ME.

I WAS THE PERSON WHO WAS GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT.

I SAID, THIS IS WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO.

I ALSO WANTED TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW I HAD BEEN IN BANKING 35 YEARS AND I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT CREDIT AND THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

THERE WERE FOUR TESTS THEY NEEDED TO PASS AND THEY FAILED ON ALL FOUR.

ENROLLMENT DROPPED DRAMATICALLY, TUITION DROPPED DRAMATICALLY.

THEY WERE OVERSTAFFED, OVERPAID AND THEIR ENDOWMENT WAS SPENT, 130,000 IN ENDOWMENT IN YEAR 2000 AND THEY WERE BASICALLY THAT ZERO WHEN THEY CLOSED.

>> WHEN ALL THAT WENT DOWN PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING WERE SAYING, HATE TO SAY IT, THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CLOSED EVEN IF THAT LOAN WAS MADE.

DO YOU AGREE?

>> I AGREE.

>> I WANTED TO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON IT AND EVERYTHING BECAUSE THAT WAS, YOU KNOW -- >> LOOK -- >> IT WAS A SAD THING.

>> IT WAS A VERY SAD THING AND UNFORTUNATE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF IT, THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME, AND IT WAS PREDICTED BY A NUMBER OF PEOPLE EVEN BEFORE WE SAW IT AS IT CAME THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> DO YOU THINK IT'S A LESSON FOR INSTITUTIONS, NOT JUST COLLEGES BUT ALL INSTITUTIONS OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE 11TH HOUR TO GET YOUR BOOKS STRAIGHT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY, IT'S A LESSON, YEAH.

>> WHILE I'VE GOT YOU, I WROTE INSIDE ALABAMA POLITICS THE OTHER DAY AND TALKED ABOUT WHO MIGHT BE ANGLING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

I DID NOT MENTION YOU.

I THOUGHT, GOOD NEWS, YOU'VE GOT THE BEST NAME IN POLITICS MAYBE IN THE COUNTRY.

THERE'S AN OPEN SEAT FOR GOVERNOR.

WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER PUTTING YOUR NAME IN THE HAT?

>> NO.

>> JUST NO?

>> SHOULD I EXPOUND ON THAT?

>> I GUESS YOU COULD RUN FOR TREASURER AGAIN.

>> I CAN.

I HAVE BEEN THE TREASURER FOR A COUPLE OF TERMS.

I'VE GOT A FANTASTIC STAFF.

WHEN WE FIRST CAME IN, WE HAD 64 PEOPLE, NOW WE'VE GOT 26.

WE HAVE SAVED AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF MONEY ON A BUDGET BASIS.

WE'VE GOT MORE TALENTED PEOPLE, MORE DEDICATED PEOPLE, GOT A GREAT GROUP, GIVEN YOU NUMBERS HERE THAT SHOW THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WE CAN DO IT REALLY WELL.

I LOVE THIS JOB, AND IT'S THE MOST FUN JOB I'VE EVER HAD.

SO, IF I'VE GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT ONE MORE TIME, I MIGHT THINK ABOUT DOING THAT.

>> INTERESTING.

SOMETIMES THE FOLKS WITHOUT AMBITION MAKE THE BEST CANDIDATES.

I'LL TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT.

>> OKAY.

>> MR.

BOOZER, THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

INSTEAD OF ME SENDING THIS OUT, I THINK YOU WANTED TO DO THE HONORS.

>> WOULD THAT BE GOOD?

ABSOLUTELY, RIGHT THERE.

>> HE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT, A LITTLE THANKSGIVING FUN.

PER TRADITION, GOVERNOR IVEY HAS PARDONED TWO TURKEYS, GRANTING THE BIRDS A REPRIEVE FROM ENDING UP ON THE THANKSGIVING TABLE.

THIS YEAR, THE TURKEYS WERE NAMED GOBBLER AND COBBLER AFTER THE ONLINE POLL.

THE BIRDS ARE PROVIDED BY BATES TURKEY FARM IN A TRADITION THAT GOES BACK MORE THAN 70 YEARS.

>> EACH NOVEMBER WE USHER IN A NEW THANKSGIVING SEASON BY INTRODUCING A PAIR OF SPECIAL GUESTS WHO'VE WAITED ALL YEAR LONG TO JOIN US.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO BATES TURKEY FARM FOR PRESENTING THESE TWO FINE BIRDS FOR OUR REVIEW.

AS THE TURKEY FLIES, THIS TOM AND HEN HAVE NOT COME A LONG WAY, BUT THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS CEREMONY FULFILLS A 70-YEAR TRADITION.

AFTER HAVING BEEN NAMED BY THE PUBLIC, GOBBLER AND COBBLER NOW APPEAR BEFORE US TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WILL AVOID THIS THANKSGIVING DINNER TABLE.

AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION OF THEIR QUIRKS AND GOBBLES, I BELIEVE I'VE REACHED AN APPROPRIATE DECISION.

TODAY, BY THE POWERS VESTED IN ME AS THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, I HEREBY GRANT A FULL PARDON TO COBBLER AND GOBBLER, SO THAT THEY CAN SPEND THEIR TURKEY DAY ENJOYING A MEAL OF THEIR OWN.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WON'T HAVE A SHOW NEXT WEEK AS WE OBSERVE THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

BUT WE'LL BE BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK AT OUR USUAL TIME HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR CAPITOL JOURNAL TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.