>> GOOD EVENING!

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, GOVERNOR IVEY SENT A LETTER TO LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK ADVISING THEM TO PREPARE TO COME BACK TO MONTGOMERY FOR ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION, STARTING OCTOBER 28TH.

IT'S TO TACKLE THE REDRAWING OF STATE DISTRICT LINES, SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS, AND SOMETHING THAT IS LATE IN GETTING DONE BECAUSE OF DELAYED CENSUS NUMBERS.

PROPOSED MAPS FOR CONGRESSIONAL, LEGISLATIVE, AND STATE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS COULD BE UNVEILED NEXT WEEK.

REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR, SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON OF SPRINGVILLE, PREVIOUSLY SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ABOUT THE COMPLEX NATURE OF REAPPORTIONMENT.

>> I THINK YOU WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND A PROCESS THAT'S MORE POLITICAL THAN THIS ONE.

THIS IS ABOUT AS POLITICAL AS IT GETS.

SO, THAT'S PART OF IT.

THAT'S THE WAY IT WORKS.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THE MAJORITY PARTY DOES GET THE FINAL SAY SO.

AND THAT TURNED AROUND, THE REPUBLICANS WERE THE MAJORITY PARTY IN 2010, AND THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A CENTURY.

SO, IT'S NOTHING NEW.

IT IS JUST THE REPUBLICAN'S TURN.

>> THE DEMOCRATS ARE EXPECTED TO PUSH BACK AGAINST GERRYMANDERING OR DRAWING LINES TO THE BENEFIT OF ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER.

A LAWSUIT HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED OVER CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING IN THE STATE.

THE SPECIAL SESSION COULD LAST UP TO 12 DAYS AND SOME HAVE PREDICTED IT WILL TAKE ALL OF THAT TIME TO WORK OUT THE NEW DISTRICT LINES.

BUT DEMOCRATIC SENATOR KIRK HATCHER OF MONTGOMERY TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE DOESN'T EXPECT THE NEW SESSION TO LAST THE FULL DOZEN DAYS, THAT HE FEELS IT'S INEVITABLE THAT ALABAMA REAPPORTIONMENT WILL END UP IN THE COURTS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I WOULD RATHER NOT BE THE HARBINGER OF NEGATIVE NEWS, BUT I DO THINK THERE ARE NO THINGS THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED, EVEN IN THIS COUNTRY, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THINGS LIKE THIS, THE POWER OF THE VOTE, BALLOT AND ALL OF THESE THINGS.

IT'S NOT FOUND ITS WAY TO THE COURTS.

I DON'T SEE THAT NOT HAPPENING IN THIS ERA.

>> SENATOR HATCHER WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT REDISTRICTING AND THE NOW LOOMING SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO TACKLE IT.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY HAS NOT ISSUED THE OFFICIAL CALL FOR THE NEW SPECIAL SESSION, SO WE DON'T YET KNOW WHETHER REAPPORTIONMENT WILL BE THE SOLE FOCUS, OF IF SHE MIGHT ADD OTHER LEGISLATION.

A FEW LAWMAKERS HAVE ADVOCATED FOR A BILL PUSHING BACK AGAINST A FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATE TO BE ADDED TO THE CALL, CONTENDING THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO ACT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ABOUT THAT PROSPECT.

>> I'LL SAY WE JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BE VACCINATED.

WE DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYTHING PUT IN PLACE THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE A MANDATE IS NOT A DECISION THAT WILL FALL TO US IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

I'D ALSO SAY WE DON'T WANT TO SEND THE MESSAGE WE NEED TO PROTECT ALABAMIANS FROM BEING VACCINATED.

THE VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

THEY HAVE MORE SAFETY DATA THAN ANY VACCINE GIVEN TO ANYONE THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA EVER.

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

HE SAYS HE'S VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE STABILIZATION OF ALABAMA COVID CASE COUNTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AND SAYS THAT OUR DEATH RATE SAW A DECLINE LATE THIS WEEK, AFTER A HUNDRED DEATHS WERE REPORTED ON A SINGLE DAY EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID THURSDAY THAT SHE WAS ALSO ENCOURAGED.

>> WE'RE JUST GRATEFUL THE NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN.

IF MORE PEOPLE WOULD GET THE SHOT AND CONTINUE TO USE COMMON SENSE, WE'LL WHIP THAT BOOGER, TOO.

I'M JUST ENCOURAGED BY THE NUMBERS DROPPING, HOSPITALIZATIONS DOWN, NEW CASES ARE DOWN.

SO, WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY WAS ALSO ASKED THIS WEEK ABOUT A FEDERAL JUDGE DENYING THE STATE'S REQUEST TO DISMISS SOME OF THE ALLEGATIONS IN A FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER CONDITIONS IN ALABAMA PRISONS.

LAWYERS FOR THE STATE HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEMS BEHIND BARS, BUT DENY THAT CONDITIONS VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION, AS ALLEGED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

GOVERNOR IVEY SAID THIS WEEK THAT DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS WILL BE A PROCESS.

>> WE MADE A STRONG EFFORT IN THE LAST SPECIAL SESSION BY APPROACHING THE FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE TO BUILD TWO MEGA PRISONS FOR MEN AND SOME PRISON CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS.

WE'LL CONTINUE.

WHILE WE ARE BUILDING THOSE PRISONS, WE WILL HAVE TIME TO ADOPT MORE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS.

WE WILL WORK WITH THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP ON THOSE ISSUES.

WE WILL SOLVE THIS THING.

IT IS AN ALABAMA PROBLEM AND WILL HAVE AN ALABAMA SOLUTION.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS, OF COURSE, APPROVED BUILDING TWO NEW MEN'S MEGA-PRISONS AND A NEW WOMEN'S FACILITY IN A SPECIAL SESSION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

>>> THE LEGISLATURE ALSO PASSED A NEW PRISON REFORM LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF INMATES RELEASED EARLY FROM PRISON.

IT'S AN ISSUE BEING WATCHED CLOSELY BY THE ALABAMA SENTENCING COMMISSION.

BENNET WRIGHT IS THE GROUP'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HE TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT MORE PRISON REFORM IS NEEDED.

>> IT WAS PARAMOUNT TO FIX THE CONDITIONS ISSUE BUT THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT ARE IN NEED OF FURTHER IMPROVEMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND WE NEED TO HAVE A CONTINUING EYE ON THE PROCESS TO REALLY MAKE SURE THE TAXPAYERS ARE GETTING THE BEST POSSIBLE BANG FOR THEIR BUCK.

>> BENNET WRIGHT WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT PRISON REFORM AND WHAT OTHER MEASURES MAY LIE AHEAD NEXT YEAR.

>> THE CONTROVERSIAL DEBATE OVER CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND WHETHER IT SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS WAS BACK BEFORE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION THIS WEEK.

AS "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT, THE BOARD DECIDED TO CODIFY ITS OPPOSITION.

>> YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER.

YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER.

PLEASE BE SEATED.

>> A STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING WE MOTIONS RUNNING HIGH.

THE REASON, A BOARD VOTE THAT MAKE BAN TO TEACH CRITICAL RACE THEORY CONTRACT.

>> IT PROHIBITS THE INDOCTRINATION OF STUDENTS IN TO POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES THAT PROMOTE ONE RACE OVER ANOTHER.

IRONICALLY, THE RESOLUTION ITSELF WAS CREATED TO SUPPORT POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES THAT SUPPORT ONE RACE OVER ANOTHER.

>> FURTHER DOWN THE RESOLUTION YOU STATE YOU VALUE AND PROMOTE RESEARCH, DEBATE AND DIALOGUE.

HOWEVER, NOTHING YOU ARE DOING IN THIS RESOLUTION BACKS THAT STATEMENT UP.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY AND BOARD MEMBERS GOT AN EAR FULL FROM CITIZENS AFTER PASSING THIS RESOLUTION.

>> WE TEACH MATH AND READING AND THE BASIC SUBJECTS, AND WE TEACH STUDENTS SO THEY CAN BE PRODUCTIVE, SELF-SUFFICIENT INDIVIDUALS GOING FORWARD TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> I BELIEVE EVERY PERSON THAT WAS THERE HAS A GOAL OF MAKING SURE THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE RECOGNIZED, ALL CHILDREN ARE THE POINT OF EMPHASIS.

HOWEVER, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE COME TO ANY TYPE OF RESOLVE.

>> I DON'T THINK THIS ISSUE IS OVER.

I THINK IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE DISCUSSED.

I THINK ANY THOUGHTS THAT ARE WORRISOME, THAT MAYBE WE CAN COME TO A COMMONALITY, WHERE MAYBE THERE MIGHT BE MISUNDERSTANDINGS ON BOTH SIDES.

ANYTIME WE CAN COME TOGETHER IT WILL BE THE BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS.

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

>> MEDICAL CANNABIS, WHICH WAS MADE LEGAL IN THE STATE THANKS TO PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION EARLIER THIS YEAR, WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AT LEAST 2023.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIG TAKE-AWAYS FROM A MEETING ON THE MATTER THIS WEEK.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> IT WAS A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD AT THE MEETING OF THE ALABAMA CANNABIS COMMISSION BUT THE FIRST MEETING FOR THE FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOHN McMILLAN.

>> THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING COMMISSION AND MY COMPLIMENTS GO TO YOU ALL FOR BEING WILLING TO SERVE.

>> AT THE MEET MANAGE, COMMISSION MEMBERS DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE LEGISLATION THAT WILL EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF ISSUING LICENSES TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATORS.

>> WE HAVE THE NEXT MONTH AND A HALF -- ON THE HEELS OF EXPEDITING -- [ INDISCERNABLE ] >> IN HIS UPDATE, DANIEL AUTRY SAID THERE ARE TWO THINGS THEY MUST DO IMMEDIATELY.

>> ONE OF THOSE THINGS, OF COURSE, IS TO DEMOCRAT THE RULES.

WE CAN'T PLAY THE GAME, CAN'T DO THE JOB UNTIL THAT IS DONE.

>> THE PROCESS INCLUDES HAVING THOSE RULES VETTED BY THE ALABAMA LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY.

>> MAKE SURE THAT THE SUBJECT MATTER ON WHICH YOU ARE ADOPTING A RULE, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO ADOPT THAT RULE.

YOU CAN'T JUST ADOPT A RULE ON ANYTHING.

>> THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE PURCHASES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

ONE OF THOSE AREAS INVOLVES THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND PATIENT, PHYSICIAN REGISTRY.

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

>> THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE RECOMPILATION OF THE CONSTITUTION THIS WEEK SEEMED TO BE IN GENERAL AGREEMENT ON A PLAN TO REMOVE RACIST LANGUAGE FROM THE DOCUMENT.

A FORMAL VOTE WILL COME LATER, BUT NO OBJECTIONS WERE RAISED AT A MEETING OF THE GROUP THIS WEEK TO REMOVE RACIST LANGUAGE DEALING WITH SCHOOL SEGREGATION, POLL TAXES AND INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE.

REPRESENTATIVE MERIKA COLEMAN OF PLEASANT GROVE CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE AND SHE PREVIOUSLY SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> TO THINK THAT IN 2021 WE STILL HAVE IN OUR CONSTITUTION THAT BLACK CHILDREN AND WHITE CHILDREN CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL TOGETHER, THAT'S DISHEARTENING.

IN ADDITION TO SAY THAT BLACK AND WHITE PEOPLE CANNOT MARRY EACH OTHER.

AND WE KNOW THOSE HAVE BEEN OVERRIDDEN BY FEDERAL LAW.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE BLACK AND WHITE PEOPLE THAT ARE HAPPILY MARRIED.

SO, WE JUST WANT TO -- I'M GOING TO USE THE THEME OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS KNOW WE ARE A 21st CENTURY ALABAMA.

>> COLEMAN'S COMMITTEE'S PROPOSALS WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE AND, IF APPROVED THERE, WOULD ULTIMATELY BE VOTED ON AS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION BALLOT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON APTV'S MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE AND LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE TOMMY HANES IS JOINING US.

YOU PREFILED A BILL FOR CONSIDERATION NEXT YEAR THAT'S DRAWN A LOT OF ATTENTION.

IT CONCERNS THE PRESIDENT'S VACCINE MANDATE AND LAWSUITS.

TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE GOT ON THE TABLE.

>> WHAT THE BILL DOES IS IF A PERSON'S WORKING ON THE JOB AND BECAUSE OF THE MANDATES THE EMPLOYER SAYS YOU MUST TAKE THE VACCINE IN ORDER TO KEEP EMPLOYMENT, AND THEY REALLY DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT BUT THEY ARE AFRAID THEY'LL LOSE THEIR JOB.

THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEIR JOB.

THEY CAN'T LOSE THEIR JOB.

SO THEY ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVE AND TAKE THE VACCINE AND THEY HAVE A BAD REACTION OR THEY HAVE A PERMANENT DISABILITY AND GOD FORBID, EVEN DEATH.

WHAT THIS WILL DO -- THIS BILL, IF IT WERE TO PASS, IT GIVES THIS PERSON THE RIGHT TO TAKE THEIR EMPLOYER TO COURT.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN A PASSIONATE DEBATE, THE VACCINES IN GENERAL BUT PARTICULARLY THE PRESIDENT'S MANDATE.

I'LL REFRESH OUR VIEWERS MEMORIES THAT WHAT HE HAS PROPOSED IS REQUIRING THOSE WHO EMPLOY 100 OR MORE WORKERS TO TAKE THE VACCINE OR BE TESTED WEEKLY FOR COVID.

THERE ARE THOSE THAT CONTEND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH TAKING THE VACCINE ARE SMALL, THAT NEGATIVE REACTIONS ARE PRETTY SMALL, BUT I GUESS YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS THAT YOU FELT LED TO TAKE THIS ACTION.

>> THE REASON I HAD THIS BILL DRAFTED IS I FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS TO BE LIABLE.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO FORCE A PERSON TO KEEP THEIR EMPLOYMENT WITH YOU AND SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO THEM BECAUSE OF THE VACCINE, THAN SOMEBODY HAS TO BE LIABLE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, YOU FIRST UNVEILED THIS BILL SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND YOU HAVE RECENTLY REDRAFTED IT.

TELL US ABOUT THE REDRAFT AND WHAT PROMPTED YOU?

>> WELL, WHAT HAD ME TO REWRITE THE BILL, HAVE IT DRAFTED AGAIN, WAS NOW, SINCE THE POSSIBLE FEDERAL MANDATES COMING DOWN FROM WASHINGTON, NOW THE BILL HAS TO BE EMPLOYER FRIENDLY.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS WE HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE BILL TO PROTECT BUSINESS HERE IN ALABAMA.

WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE THEM HANGING OUT TO DRY ON IT BECAUSE IF WE DON'T PUT A CLAUSE LIKE THAT IN THIS BILL, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHAT TO DO.

DO I FOLLOW STATE LAW?

DO I FOLLOW FEDERAL LAW?

SO, WE PUT A CLAUSE IN THE BILL THAT SIMPLY SAYS THE STATE OF ALABAMA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ANY FEDERAL MANDATES ON VACCINES THAT WERE PRODUCED AFTER JANUARY 1st, 2020.

SO, WHAT THAT DOES IS IF THE BILL PASSES, THE EMPLOYER FOLLOWS STATE LAW AND THE FEDS -- IF THEY WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT -- THEY HAVE TO TALK TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA BECAUSE IT'S STATE LAW.

IT'S AN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE-FRIENDLY BILL.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT MOVE.

DID YOU GET A LOT OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO REDRAFT IT TO THAT EXTENT?

>> WELL, I KIND OF TOOK IT UPON MYSELF, DON.

WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE FEDERAL MANDATES, THE POSSIBILITY OF WHAT MAY ROLL DOWN HERE FROM WASHINGTON, I GOT TO THINKING, HEY, I COULD DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT BUSINESS.

I THINK THIS DOES IT.

THIS CLAUSE WILL PROTECT BUSINESS.

IF THE BILL PASSES, THEY CAN FOLLOW STATE LAW AND FEEL CONFIDENT THE FEDS ARE NOT GOING TO COME TO THEM.

THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> TAKING A STEP TO SAY THE STATE WOULD RECOGNIZE THE FEDERAL MANDATE IF IT COMES ABOUT, I GUESS IN SOME CORNERS MIGHT BE VIEWED AS A PRETTY BIG STEP.

>> IT WOULD BE.

I THINK IT WOULD BE.

I THINK THIS RIGHT NOW HAS BECOME THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IN THE STATE, IN MY DISTRICT ALONE PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS, WORRIED ABOUT LOSING THEIR JOBS OVER THIS.

I THINK IT'S TIME FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO STAND WITH THE PEOPLE.

>> WHAT KIND OF REACTION HAVE YOU GOTTEN FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES?

HAVE YOU TALKED TO THEM ABOUT HOW THEY MIGHT SUPPORT YOU ON THIS?

>> A LOT OF THEM ARE WITH ME ON IT.

THEY AGREE WITH ME.

SOME OF THEM ARE KIND OF TORN.

FOR SOME REASON, SOME OF THEM BELIEVE THIS BILL IS NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

SOME OF THEM, LIKE I SAY, A LOT OF THEM AGREE THAT IT IS, NOW THAT WE HAVE ADDED THE CLAUSE.

IT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY BUSINESS FRIENDLY BEFORE THE CLAUSE WAS ADDED, BUT IT CERTAINLY IS NOW.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT ARE COVID RELATED, WHICH WILL BE BACK BEFORE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE REGULAR SESSION IN JANUARY, AS THERE WERE A NUMBER OF THEM IN THIS PAST REGULAR SESSION.

YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE BILLS ADDRESSING THE MANY INTRICACIES OF THIS?

>> YES, I DO.

THE PEOPLE ARE REACHING OUT TO ALL OF THE LEGISLATORS ASKING FOR HELP.

I THINK THIS BODY, THIS GROUP OF LEGISLATORS, ARE GOING TO HELP THE PEOPLE.

I THINK WE'LL SEE EVEN MORE.

>> I WONDER WHAT YOU HEAR WHEN YOU TALK TO FOLKS?

YOU MENTIONED MANY HAVE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOBS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

ARE THERE JUST AS MANY WHO SAY I DON'T WANT TO BE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING PERIOD?

>> THAT'S THE GENERAL CONSENSUS.

ALABAMIANS JUST DON'T LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO.

THIS HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES AND FREEDOM.

THAT'S WHAT AMERICA IS ABOUT IS INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES.

AND YES, THAT'S A WHOLE LOT OF THE KICK BACK.

THEY JUST DON'T LIKE BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO.

>> DOES IT WORRY YOU, REPRESENTATIVE, ALABAMA HAS BEEN POINTED TO AS HAVING ONE OF THE WORST VACCINATION RATES IN THE COUNTRY AND NOTED FOR HAVING ONE OF THE WORST COVID DEATH RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

DOES THAT CONCERN YOU AT ALL IN THIS DEBATE OVER THIS ISSUE?

>> IT DOES, BUT, DON, UP UNTIL THIS PANDEMIC AND THIS PARTICULAR VIRUS, A VACCINE HAS ALWAYS BENEFITED THE RECIPIENT AND THE RECIPIENT ONLY.

IF A PERSON TAKES THE VACCINE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEY FEEL THAT IS WHAT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY WANT TO DO, THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.

BUT THERE ARE SO MANY RED FLAGS WITH THIS PARTICULAR VACCINE, THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY IS DIVIDED ON IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE TOMMY HANES, THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU BET.

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

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, BENNET WRIGHT IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA SENTENCING COMMISSION.

WELCOME BACK.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> I'M SURE YOU WERE KEEPING AN EYE ON THE GOINGS ON WHEN THE LEGISLATURE AND SPECIAL SESSION PASSED A NEW PRISON REFORM LAW.

LET'S REFRESH FOLKS MEMORIES ON WHAT EXACTLY PASSED.

IT HAS TO DO WITH MANDATORY MONITORING OF INMATES AND EARLY RELEASE, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

THE ORIGINS OF THE BILL WAS IN 2015, THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL THAT SAYS FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT OTHERWISE PAROLED THAT EVERYONE WOULD COME OUT OF PRISON A MAXIMUM OF A YEAR OR AT THAT TIME TWO YEARS EARLY AND COME ON TO SOME SORT OF SUPERVISION BY THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES.

>> THIS BILL MAKES IT RETRO ACTIVE THAT THOSE WHO WERE CONVICTED BEFORE IT BECAME LAW CAN FALL UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE LAW.

>> YES.

AS IT ORIGINALLY PASSED IT WAS THOSE WHO HAD OFFENSES ON 2016.

AND NOW IT SAYS IT WILL APPLY TO EVERYONE THAT IS IN PRISON OR GOES TO PRISON IN THE FUTURE.

>> AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA SENTENCING COMMISSION, WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE BILL?

>> I WAS ON THE PRISON REFORM TASK FORCE IN 2014 AND 2015 THAT LED TO THE PASSAGE TO THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT THIS ORIGINATED ON.

I THINK ONE THING THAT CAME SHOCKING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IS PRIOR TO 2015, BETWEEN 1,000 AND 2,000 PEOPLE EVERY YEAR WOULD LEAVE PRISON WITH NO SUPERVISION.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD RECIPE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA.

IF SOMEONE HAS SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME IN PRISON, ESPECIALLY, I THINK IT IS GOOD PUBLIC POLICY TO MAKE SURE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHEN THEY RELEASE FROM PRISON THAT THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS SOME SORT OF SUPERVISION ON THEM HAS CURRENT INFORMATION WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL WILL LIVE, RESIDE, POSSIBLY WORK AND HAVE A GOOD DATABASE OF INFORMATION ON THEM.

I THINK A GOOD PROVISION OF THE NEW PIECE OF LEGISLATION JUST PASSED IS IT REQUIRES THOSE WHO COME OUT OF PRISON TO BE UNDER ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

>> GETTING OUT EARLY HAS STUCK IN THE CRAWL OF SOME PEOPLE.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT PARTICULAR CONCERN?

>> I WOULD EXPLAIN IT AS THIS, IF BENNET WAS SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS IN PRISON AND IF THE PAROLE BOARD DID NOT DEEM ME WORTHY OF PAROLE AFTER 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 YEARS, I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER PROTECTION FOR BENNET TO COME OUT A YEAR EARLY, UNDER ELECTRONIC SUPERVISION AND THEN TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO COLLECT THAT INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE BENNET LIVES, WHERE BENNET RESIDES AND TO PUT BENNET IN CONTACT WITH A POSITIVE NETWORK OF SUPPORT, PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER TO BETTER ALLOW ME TO REENTER SOCIETY.

>> THE INMATES THAT COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO BE RELEASED EARLY AND GO UNDER MANDATORY ELECTRONIC SUPERVISION INCLUDE VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND THAT STUCK IN THE CRAWL OF SOME OPPONENTS OF THE LEGISLATION.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THERE WAS ONE EXCLUSION UNDER THE BILL AND THAT WAS CHILD SEX OFFENDERS AND THAT'S RAISED A FEW EYEBROWS.

>> SURE.

AS ORIGINALLY PASSED THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT -- THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROVISION ARE CHILD SEX OFFENDERS.

I COMPLETELY REALIZE THE IDEA OF LETTING VIOLENT PEOPLE OUT OF PRISON EARLY IS OF GREAT CONCERN.

I'D SUBMIT, HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY TO MAKE SURE THOSE PEOPLE, THAT THE PAROLE BOARD, DID NOT SEEM SUITABLE TO BE PAROLED ARE THE PEOPLE THAT THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA WOULD WANT TO HAVE SUPERVISION UPON RELEASE RATHER THAN RELEASED ON TO THE STREETS AND VANISHING.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL WAS ON THE PROGRAM LAST WEEK.

HE'S BROUGHT FORTH CONCERNS ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION, A, ABOUT VIOLENT OFFENDERS BEING ELIGIBLE UNDER THIS NEW LAW, AND THE NUMBER OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS BEHIND BARS IN ALABAMA -- I FORGOT THE STATISTIC BUT 75, 80% BEHIND BARS ARE VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

HE BROUGHT UP HIS CONCERNS ABOUT PARDONS AND PAROLES' ABILITY TO CARRY OUT THE SUPERVISION OF THESE INMATES ONCE THEY ARE RELEASED.

>> YES, AS THE STATE OF ALABAMA BEGAN -- I GUESS WHAT WE WOULD CALL OUR MODERN SENTENCING REFORM IN 2006 -- IT WAS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT IN '13 AND 2015, SO OUR PRISON SYSTEM IS TRANSFORMED FROM A SYSTEM THAT WAS ALMOST EQUAL PARTS NONVIOLENT AND VIOLENT, UPWARDS TO 80 TO 85% OF OUR POPULATION IS CATEGORIZED WITH OFFENDERS THAT HAVE COMMITTED VIOLENT OFFENSES.

I STILL THINK IT'S GOOD PUBLIC POLICY TO MAKE SURE THOSE INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY VIOLENT INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT OTHERWISE PAROLED, THOSE ARE EXACTLY THE PEOPLE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HAVE SOME SORT OF SUPERVISION.

THE ABILITY TO SUPERVISE AND ELECTRONIC MONITOR COMES DOWN TO A FINANCIAL ASPECT.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALREADY MADE A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT AND WILL MAKE ANOTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING CAN TAKE PLACE TO MAKE SURE EVERY OFFENDER HAS ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

>> THERE WAS ANOTHER PRISON REFORM BILL ON THE TABLE DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION THAT DID NOT GET OUT.

IT DEALT WITH RESENTENCING OF INMATES, ESPECIALLY THOSE SENTENCED PRIOR TO A LAW AROUND 2013 OR SO.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> IT'S EXPECTED TO BE BACK IN THE REGULAR SESSION.

WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS?

>> SURE.

WITH THAT BILL -- THERE WAS A BILL IN THE GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED TRIAL COURTS TO CONSIDER RESENTENCING PEOPLE CONVICTED OF NON-VIOLENT OFFENSES THAT WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER OF 2013.

THE LAW CHANGED OCTOBER 1, 2013.

THAT REQUIRED COURTS TO USE A SET OF PRESUMPTIVE GUIDELINES FOR NONVIOLENT AND DRUG OFFENDERS IF THEY WERE SENTENCED AFTER THAT DATE IN OCTOBER.

IF THEY WERE SENTENCED PRIOR TO THEN, THE COURTS WERE NO REQUIRED TO USE THE SENTENCING GUIDELINES.

THE IDEA BEHIND THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE COURTS TO RESENTENCE THOSE NONVIOLENT PEOPLE THAT WERE SENTENCED PRIOR TO THAT DATE TO GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE SENTENCING REFORM CHANGES THAT THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS ENGAGED IN.

>> THE PASSING OF THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PLAN IS EXPECTED TO RENEW A PUSH FOR MORE PRISON REFORM MEASURES NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND AND I ASSUME THE SENTENCING COMMISSION WILL BE WATCHING CLOSELY.

>> YES.

I THINK OUR CENTRAL ROLE IN THIS IS THAT WE PROVIDE FACTS, DATA AND INFORMATION TO REALLY POLICYMAKERS TO ALLOW THEM TO MAKE VERY, VERY SOUND POLICY CHOICES, DECISIONS.

I THINK THE STATE -- OBVIOUSLY THE PRISON CONDITIONS WERE A PRIMARY CONCERN.

THE STATE STILL HAS A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES THAT THE STATE HAS TO GRAPPLE WITH, WHETHER IT IS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS, WHETHER IT IS HELPING THE COUNTIES, A LOT OF INMATES BACKED UP IN COUNTY JAILS DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHETHER IT IS FUNDING LOCAL PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION OPTIONS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICES, COMMUNITY CORRECTION PROGRAMS, DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH COURTS.

ALABAMA'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS VERY COMPLEX.

WHILE IT WAS PARAMOUNT TO FIX THE CONDITION ISSUE, THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES IN ALABAMA'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT ARE IN NEED OF FURTHER IMPROVEMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND WE NEED TO HAVE A CONTINUING EYE ON THE PROCESS TO REALLY MAKE SURE THE TAXPAYERS ARE GETTING THE BEST POSSIBLE BANG FOR THEIR BUCK.

>> BENNET WRIGHT IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA SENTENCING COMMISSION.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES GREG COCHRAN IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THERE'S A LOT OF TALK IN THE HALLS OF THE STATEHOUSE OVER THE RECENT SPECIAL SESSION ON PRISONS.

SEVERAL NEW MEGA MEN'S PRISONS, A NEW WOMEN'S FACILITY EVENTUALLY BUT A COUPLE WILL CLOSE IN THE PROCESS.

I'M WONDERING IF ANY OF THESE MUNICIPALITIES IF THE LEAGUE HAS HEARD FROM THEM THIS TIME.

>> THIS TIME AROUND WITH THE SPECIAL SESSION WE DID NOT HEAR FROM OUR MUNICIPALITIES AS MUCH OUTCRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF PRISON AND PERSONNEL IN THEIR AREA OR THE BUILDING OF A NEW FACILITY CLOSE TO THEM.

TYPICALLY, WE HEAR FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS WHETHER THEY WANT A LOCAL PRISON IN THEIR AREA, AND THE CITIZENS, AND WHAT IMPACT THAT WILL HAVE AND VICE-VERSA.

WHEN A PRISON IS EXISTING THEY WORRY ABOUT THE IMPACT AND THE LOSS OF JOB AND IMPACT ON THE FAMILY.

THIS TIME AROUND, I THINK MOST OF OUR OFFICIALS FELT IT WAS IMMINENT AND HAD TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE FEDERAL JUDGE OUTCOME.

SO THEY ACCEPTED WHAT WAS PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE.

>> AMONG THOSE THAT LOOK LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO CLOSE IS TWO IN BARBER COUNTY AND TWO IN SAINT CLAIRE COUNTY.

PRISONS ARE ECONOMIC DRIVERS IN AREAS IN WHICH THEY RESIDE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE JOBS CREATED THERE, THE IMPACT ON THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, LIVES IN GENERAL.

THEY WILL HAVE TO FIND ALTERNATIVE THINGS FOR THOSE FOLKS TO DO.

THAT WAS A CONCERN TO LOCAL OFFICIALS AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING AFTER WE SPOKE AT OUR BOARD MEETING TO SEE THE OUTCOME OF THOSE LATER IN THE WEEKS.

>> IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN THIS NEW PRISON DEBATE, THE BENEFITS FOR COUNTY JAILS THAT HAVE BEEN HOUSING STATE INMATES TEMPORARILY.

LOCAL JAILS, CITY JAILS DON'T REALLY DO THAT.

IT'S THE COUNTY JAILS THAT HANDLE OVERFLOW FOR THE STATE A LOT OF TIMES, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THE COUNTIES ARE THE BACKDROP FOR THE STATE PRISONS WHEN THEY ARE HOLDING PRISONERS THAT HAVE MADE STATE OFFENSES, AND FOR CITIES, UNLESS IT'S A CITY OFFENSE, THEY WOULD BE HOUSED INTO A COUNTY FACILITY.

>> I GUESS THE ONLY AFFECT IT MIGHT HAVE IS IN CITIES THAT COUNT ON THE COUNTY JAIL TO HOUSE THEM.

>> WE HAVE SMALLER TOWNS THAT CAN'T AFFORD THEIR OWN FACILITY.

SO THEY CONTRACT WITH THEIR COUNTY TO HOUSE LOCAL INMATES.

SO YOU ARE RIGHT.

THERE COULD BE AN AFFECT THERE AS WE HAVE HAD THIS BACKLOG OF GETTING PRISONERS FROM THE COUNTIES TO THE STATE FACILITIES.

>> GREG, WE DEALT WITH PRISONS IN ONE SPECIAL SESSION AND ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT AND THEN LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2022 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE WHEN THE LEAGUE WILL BE DEVELOPING BILLS THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO IT.

ANYTHING WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT OR ARE YOU STILL WORKING ON THE AGENDA FOR 2022?

>> WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THE AGENDA.

LAST MONTH WE HOSTED OUR POLICY COMMITTEES.

THEY CAME TO MONTGOMERY AND MET WITH RESOURCE OFFICERS AND TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUES PENDING IN OUR STATE AND THEY PRESENTED GREAT IDEAS A WENT WILL PRESENT THEM TO THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE IN NOVEMBER AND MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE 2022 SESSION.

>> THE LEAGUE HAS BEEN BUSY HELPING CITIES AND TOWNS DEAL WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS THAT ARE FLOWING IN TO ALL STATES, CITIES AND GOVERNMENTS.

HOW BIG OF A CHALLENGE HAS IT BEEN NAVIGATING THESE WATERS?

>> MOST OF THEM DID WELL.

SO NOW WE HAVE A SURPLUS OF MONEY THE FEDS SENT US, IT IS HOW DO WE USE IT TO BENEFIT LONG-TERM PROJECTS AND COMMITMENTS TO OUR COMMUNITIES THEM FEAR OUR CITY LEADERS HAVE IF I USE THIS MONEY ON A PARTICULAR PROJECT WILL THE GOVERNMENT COME BACK FIVE, TEN YEARS FROM NOW AND SAY WE DON'T APPROVE OF THE USE OF THAT MONEY AND WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THE MONEY BACK.

WE'RE WAITING ON FINAL RULE MAKING AUTHORITY FROM THE FEDERAL TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL COME SOON AND THAT WAY IT RELIEVES THE PRESSURE OF HOW DO WE UTILIZE THE FUNDS WE HAVE.

THE ONLY CLEAR GUIDANCE IS USE OF BROADBAND, WASTE WATER, DRINKING WATER, INFRASTRUCTURE.

THERE ARE SO MANY NEEDS IT COULD GO TO USE THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE CITIZENRY.

>> IT IS THE BROAD AREA THAT IS CALLED LOST REVENUE?

>> YES, AND THAT'S A COMPLICATED PROCESS.

MOST OF THE CITIES THAT ARE USING THE FUNDS IN THAT WAY HAVE HIRED CPAs TO COME IN AND DO AUDITS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING IT IN A WAY THEY CAN PROVE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TO THE TREASURY WHEN THEY DO THEIR ANNUAL REPORT THIS IS HOW WE CAPTURED THAT NUMBER.

AND THERE ARE THE MONEY MOVES TO THE GENERAL FUND AND LESS CUMBERSOME ON HOW YOU CAN USE IT.

>> A LOT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS MONEY IF WE CAN GET PAST THE FINE PRINT SO TO SPEAK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT WAS A GREAT THING THEY DID.

WHEN I SPEAK TO MY COUNTERPARTS AROUND THE NATION THAT LEAD THEIR LEAGUES, THEIR STATES DID NOT FAIR AS WELL AS ALABAMA DID THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

I THINK THAT GOES BACK TO GOVERNOR IVEY'S LEADERSHIP, THE LEADERSHIP OF LEGISLATURE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS.

WE REALLY HAD A GOOD FINANCIAL YEAR.

>> HOW THEY ACCESS THE FUNDS DEPENDS IN LARGE PART ON THE SIZE OF THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK I READ THAT SMALLER COMMUNITIES WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE VERSUS THE LARGER CITIES THAT MIGHT HAVE THEIR OWN LEAGUES.

>> 96% OF THE COMMUNITIES HAVE ALREADY CLAIMED THEIR MONEY AND FOUR OR FIVE COMMUNITIES DECIDED THEY DIDN'T WANT THE MONEY AT ALL.

THEY COULDN'T FIND A USE FOR IT.

SO THE STATE REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAS DISPERSED THE FUNDS.

THEY ARE IN THE COFFERS WAITING ON GUIDANCE TO HOW TO USE THEM.

>> THAT IS A UNIQUE SITUATION THAT THE CITIES AND TOWNS DON'T HAVE A USE FOR THE MONEY.

IT IS UNIQUE TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT.

>> IT IS BUT IF YOU THINK OF THE SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES THAT DON'T HAVE A DRINKING OR WASTE WATER FACILITY, THEY DON'T FUND BROADBAND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH GUIDANCE ON HOW TO USE THE FUNDS.

THEY DECIDED WE WILL STAY AWAY FROM THEM AND LET IT BE DISPERSED TO OTHER GOVERNMENTS.

>> TIME IS SHORT BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE, THE LEAGUE PUT TOGETHER AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY.

GIVE US AN IDEA WHAT THIS IS.

>> WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY.

WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION AND PUTTING TOGETHER A YEAR-LONG STUDY FOR 30 MUNICIPALITIES TO GO THROUGH AN EDUCATION PROCESS ON HOW BEST TO WORK WITH THE MONEY THEY HAVE TO REVITALIZE THEIR COMMUNITIES OR TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

OUR GOAL AT THE LEAGUE IS TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES, EDUCATION AND TOOLS FOR OUR MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS TO EXPERIENCE THEIR BEST SELF.

JOB CREATION, AS YOU KNOW, IS SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW, JOB TRAINING.

I HAVE HOPE THIS ACADEMY WILL HELP THOSE 30 COMMUNITIES REVITALIZE THEMSELVES AND BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.

>> REPRESENTATIVES WOULD GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> FOR ONE YEAR.

WE WOULD RECOGNIZE THEM AT THE 2022 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND WE HAVE 30 COMMUNITIES THAT CHOSE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL OUTCOME.

>> WE HOPE YOU HAVE A LOT OF SUCCESS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> GREG COCHRAN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING US SHARE OUR MESSAGE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

>> OF COURSE.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

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

♪ NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST R SENATOR KIRK HATCHER IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

>> LET'S BEGIN WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

IT IS BACK IN THE HEADLINES THIS WEEK.

YOU HAVE BEEN OUTSPOKEN ON THIS ISSUE AND THE SCHOOL BOARD CODIFIED THEIR POSITION ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

SAYING THEY WOULD NOT EMBRACE ITS TEACHING IN STATE SCHOOLS.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ACTION OF THE BOARD THIS WEEK?

>> VERY DISAPPOINTED.

I SAID ALL LAST REGULAR SESSION, IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, MY RUNNING STATEMENT WAS WE COME UP WITH THESE SOLUTIONS IN SEARCH OF PROBLEMS.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS NOT TAUGHT PRESENTLY IN K-12 IN THIS STATE.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, IT'S THIS BOOGIE-MAN THAT UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE HAVE COME UP WITH IN ORDER TO I THINK DISTRACT THE GENERAL POPULATION FROM BEING ABLE TO FOCUS ON THE REAL ISSUES WE HAVE BOTH IN THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S UNFORTUNATE THIS IS BEING BROUGHT UP BY SOME GOOD PEOPLE NONETHELESS, THERE ARE SOME REALLY GOOD PEOPLE THAT I CARE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT, CERTAINLY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WHO ARE SPONSORS OF THIS LEGISLATION.

IT WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHABLE MOMENTS IF NOTHING ELSE.

BUT IT'S REALLY A THING ABOUT NOTHING EXCEPT TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE PROBLEM OF RACE AND PLACE IN THE COUNTRY STUBBORNLY EXISTS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE LAWS IN PLACE TO RESPOND TO THESE THINGS.

SO LAW SCHOOLS ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ISSUE SINCE THE EARLY '90s AND '80s WHEN PEOPLE LIKE DEREK BELL UP AT HARVARD AND OTHERS -- I THINK KIMBERLY CRENSHAW MAY HAVE COINED THE EXPRESSION CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

SO THE BUZZ WORDS IN THERE I THINK EXCITE PEOPLE AND OBVIOUSLY THE ATTEMPT IS TO DISTRACT IN MY OPINION.

>> YOU POINT OUT THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLS PREFILED FOR THE REGULAR SESSION NEXT YEAR DEALING WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

>> DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT BEING ONE OF THE PREDOMINANT THINGS?

>> I SHOULD HOPE NOT.

I REALLY DO.

HERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US IN THE STATE TO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN KNOWN FOR IN TERMS OF KEEPING US IN SOME SORT OF FROZEN POSITION WHERE PEOPLE AROUND THIS COUNTRY BELIEVE THAT SOMEHOW THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS BACKWARDS IN OUR MOVEMENT FORWARD.

SO, MY HOPE IS IT WILL NOT DOMINATE ANY ASPECT OF THE SESSION AND THAT WE WILL GET ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF TAKING CARE OF QUITE A NUMBER OF THINGS TO HELP OUR PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> SPEAKING OF SESSIONS, GOVERNOR IVEY SENT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES A LETTER ASKING YOU TO COME BACK ON THE 28th FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

NOT UNEXPECTED SINCE YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO DO IT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE CENSUS DATA THAT YOU NEEDED.

YOU HAVE IT NOW.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS ON THE SPECIAL SESSION OF REAPPORTIONMENT?

>> I'M PART OF THE SUPER MINORITY IN THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY.

I'M ALWAYS -- I WILL ALWAYS ARTICULATE THE LANGUAGE OF HOPE.

BUT I RECOGNIZE BEING PRAGMATIC ABOUT THIS THAT REAPPORTIONMENT IS TEDIOUS AND REQUIRES COURAGE THAT WOULD SHOW WE ARE DOING OUR LEVEL BEST TO BALANCE THE REPRESENTATION OF OUR CONSTITUENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND THAT WE WILL DO IT FAIRLY.

THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THE FACT THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE STATE ACCOUNT FOR 26% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION AND WHAT I THINK -- ADD MIXED-RACE COMMUNITIES AND OTHERS YOU MIGHT GET TO 14% OF WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THESE REPRESENTATION.

SO I THINK A PART OF WHAT I'M HOPING FOR IS THAT PEOPLE WILL SEEK TO DO SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT BE FORCED UPON US BY THE COURTS.

I DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME ACTIONS BEFORE THE FEDERAL COURT THAT WERE FILED I THINK MAYBE TWO WEEKS AGO.

>> RIGHT.

>> I THINK PART OF IT IS RESPONDING TO -- GOING BACK TO THE TRADITIONAL ASPECT OF COUNTY LINES.

MAYBE OFFERING RELIEF FOR WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL SEE.

I DON'T EXPECT US TO BE IN LONG.

>> REALLY?

THE EXPECTATION FROM SOME IS IT MAY TAKE THE FULL 12 DAYS OF SPECIAL SESSION TO GET IT DONE AND YOU THINK -- >> I REALLY DO THINK -- UNFORTUNATELY, THESE THINGS ALMOST ALWAYS END UP IN THE COURT BECAUSE OF WHAT I HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED.

IT IS ALREADY THERE, ONE OF THE ACTIONS.

AGAIN, WHEN I SPEAK OF COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, CERTAINLY REGARDS TO REPRESENTATION, PEOPLE WHO BENEFIT IN MANY INSTANCES FROM PACKING THESE DISTRICTS TEND TO BE THE INCUMBENTS IN THE OFFICE WHO ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THOSE SEATS.

>> WHEN YOU SAY "PACKING DISTRICTS" YOU ARE REFERRING TO A TERM CALLED STACKING AND PACKING MINORITY VOTERS IN TO CERTAIN DISTRICTS AND THE CONTENTION IS IT DILUTES THEIR VOTING STRENGTH.

>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT 425,000 PLUS IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEVEN WHO ARE PACKED IN IN A WAY IF IT WAS NOT SO SERIOUS IT WOULD BE LAUGHABLE.

>> THAT'S THE SUBJECT OF THE LAWSUIT.

>> CORRECT.

MY HOPE IS, YOU KNOW -- ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS ALWAYS ATTRACTED TO AS IT RELATES TO POLITICS IN THE MOST HOPEFUL SENSE OF THE WORD IS IT WOULD AT LEAST PROVIDE US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEBATE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH SOME ROBUST DIALOGUE.

SO THERE IS COMPROMISE AND A LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING THAT IS BROUGHT TO BEAR.

I HAVE FOUND TO MY ABSOLUTE DELIGHT THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR ME IN THE SENATE.

THERE'S A LOT MORE OF INTENTIONAL KIND OF WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

I WANT TO HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE WITH YOUR VIEWERS.

I THINK -- I THINK PEOPLE HAVE TO BE ENCOURAGED A LITTLE MORE TO DO WHAT WE KNOW AND CAN IDENTIFY AS THE RIGHT THING.

>> THE LAWSUIT WE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES ARE TWO OF YOUR COLLEAGUES.

SENATOR SMITHERMAN WAS ON THE PROGRAM LAST WEEKEND AND HE EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THE CONCERNS THERE WHERE IT RELATES TO DISTRICT SEVEN MIGHT BE ADDRESSED IN THE SPECIAL SESSION.

DO YOU SHARE HIS OPTIMISM?

>> I ALWAYS SHARE HIS OPTIMISM.

I THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT FORTH AT LEAST A VISION.

MY GRAND DAD HAD AN INTERESTING EXPRESSION, DON.

HE WOULD SAY IT IS BETTER TO AIM AT THE BARN EVEN IF YOU MISS THE WHOLE PLANTATION.

AIM FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE TABLE FOR US TO WORK TOWARDS.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW -- I CERTAINLY SUPPORT WHATEVER GETS US THERE.

>> FINAL ANALYSIS ON YOUR THINKING THAT THIS SESSION MAY GET ACCOMPLISHED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER IS ULTIMATELY IT WILL PROBABLY END UP IN COURT AND THERE'S THE REALIZATION GOING IN.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I'D RATHER NOT BE THE HARBINGER OF NEGATIVE NEWS BUT I THINK THERE ARE NO THINGS THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED, EVEN IN THIS COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THINGS LIKE THIS, THE POWER OF VOTE, THE BALLOT, AND THOSE THINGS THAT HAS NOT FOUND ITS WAY TO THE COURTS.

I DON'T SEE THAT NOT HAPPENING IN THIS ERA.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> LIKE WISE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

AND "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 ALSO 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.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU VERY HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

LET'S BEGIN WITH BOOSTERS.

THEY ARE ALL THE TALK THIS WEEKEND.

WE ARE MOVING CLOSER TO THE MODERNA AND J.J.

BOOSTERS BECOMING AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC INITIALLY TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

A MONTH OR SO AGO THE PFIZER VACCINE RECEIVED APPROVAL FOR BOOSTER DOSE AND THE OTHER TWO MODERNA AND J.J.

RECEIVED POSITIVE VOTES FROM THE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE FDA.

THE FDA IS EXPECTED TO GO ALONG WITH THAT VOTE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND THE CDC WILL MEET AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK, WHICH WILL GIVE US THE OFFICIAL GO AHEAD IF THAT IS WHAT THEY CHOOSE TO DO.

>> MODERNA AND J.J. WILL BE AVAILABLE LIKE PFIZER WAS TO CERTAIN GROUPS, 65 AND 18 AND OVER IF THEY HAVE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

>> AND THEY INCLUDE CANDIDATE, AS THE PFIZER AUTHORIZATION DID, INCLUDED PEOPLE IN CERTAIN WORKING OR LIVING ENVIRONMENTS.

SO PEOPLE IN A NURSING HOME FOR EXAMPLE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE OR COMORBIDITIES OR PEOPLE WHO WORK IN A HOSPITAL WOULD BE ELIGIBLE AS WELL.

>> HAVE FRONT LINE JOBS WHERE THEY MIGHT BE MORE EXPOSED THAN OTHER PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN INCREASED RISK BECAUSE OF HEALTH ISSUES OR INCREASED RISK BECAUSE THEY ARE AROUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO COULD EXPOSE THEM.

>> WHERE J.J. AND MODERNA ARE CONCERNED, J.J. WILL GET A FULL BOOSTER SHOT.

MODERNA WILL HAVE A HALF DOSE OF THE ORIGINAL SHOT FOR A BOOSTER, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S WHAT WE JUST LEARNED IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.

IT WASN'T CLEAR WHETHER THEY WERE GOING TO GO WITH A HALF OR FULL DOSE FOR MODERNA, BUT THEY ARE REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FOR A HALF DOSE.

THE J.J. WILL BE A FULL DOSE.

IT WILL BE ABLE TO BE GIVEN AS SOON AS TWO MONTHS AFTER SOMEONE RECEIVES THEIR FIRST J.J.

BOOSTER.

WITH MODERNA AND PFIZER IT IS SIX MONTHS AFTERWARDS.

>> WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT MIXING AND MATCHING VACCINES.

I KNOW THE FDA ADVISORY PANEL TOOK THAT ISSUE UP THIS WEEK.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE FROM A TINE SCIENTIFIC STANDPOINT BUT THERE MAY NOT BE THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE THAT THESE ADVISORY COMMITTEES LIKE TO SEE.

THE FDA GROUP IS CONSIDERING THE MIX AND MATCH AND IT SEEMS LIKELY THEY WILL SAY NOTHING ABOUT IT.

I THINK THE MOST LIKELY OUTCOME IS WE WON'T KNOW ANYTHING AT THE END OF THE WEEK MORE THAN WE KNEW BEFORE.

>> BACK TO THE BOOSTERS, J.J. AND MODERNA ARE SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LAST SHOT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND LIKELY THOSE 18 AND UP.

THAT CAN BE CONFUSING TOO.

PFIZER HAS ALREADY DOWN TO AGE 12 BUT THE BOOSTER IS AUTHORIZED FOR 18 AND UP.

I CAN TELL YOU FOR THOSE THAT DO THIS ALL DAY EVERY DAY IT IS CONFUSING TO SEE THE NEW GUIDANCE COMING DOWN THAT CHANGES FAIRLY REGULARLY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS FOR A MOMENT.

ARE HOSPITALIZATIONS, OUR DAILY CASE COUNTS IN COVID REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN SIGNIFICANT SPIKES, ALTHOUGH DAILY CASE COUNTS ARE IN THE THOUSANDS AND WE HAVE ROUGHLY 1,000 IN THE HOSPITAL.

IT IS NOT GOOD BUT A LOT BETTER THAN IT WAS.

>> IT IS A LOT BETTER.

WE ARE PLEASED TO SEE THAT.

WE HAVE HAD HOSPITALIZATION NUMBERS DOWN IN THE 700 LEVEL.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW.

OUR DEATH NUMBERS, IT LOOKS LIKE ARE JUST BEGINNING TO DECREASE FINALLY.

WE HAD A COUPLE OF DAYS EARLIER THIS WEEK WHERE WE HAD OVER 100 DEATHS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO VERIFY, NOT THAT OCCURRED ON THOSE DAYS BUT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO VERIFY AND THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS 60 OR 70.

IT IS A HORRIBLE NUMBER BUT BETTER THAN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> AS YOU HAVE POINTED OUT BEFORE ON THE PROGRAM, THE DEATH NUMBERS ARE USUALLY THE LAST INDICATORS THAT WE SEE WHERE COVID IS CONCERNED.

>> THE PEOPLE MOST SICK WITH COVID TEND TO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

AS THE HOSPITAL DECLINE WE HOPE THEY ARE DECLINING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE DISCHARGED BUT IN SOME CASES IT IS PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK AND LINGERING A WHILE BEFORE THEY PASS.

THE DEATH NUMBERS ARE THE LAST THING WE SEE TO CORRECT.

>> HOW ARE WE DOING WITH VACCINATIONS?

>> WE ARE DOING OKAY.

WE HAVE FALLEN OFF WHERE WE WERE A MONTH AGO.

WE HAVE GIVEN ONE SHOT TO 2.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

THOSE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED ARE UNDER 2.1 MILLION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THIS CLOSELY EVERY DAY, THOSE NUMBERS ARE INCHING TOGETHER, INCHING MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER.

THAT'S BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE HAVE ONE SHOT ARE COMING BACK TO COMPLETE THEIR SERIES.

WE ARE NOT ADDING AS MANY NEW PEOPLE COMING IN FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AS WE WERE BACK IN THE THROES OF THE SURGE IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.

>> THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE ADDING TO THE VACCINATION ROLLS, MANY OF THEM HAVE HAD SOME PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH COVID AND THAT TENDS TO CHANGE MINDS WHERE THIS VACCINE IS CONCERNED.

>> THAT'S A POWERFUL MOTIVATOR WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED OR SOMEONE AT YOUR WORKPLACE OR CHURCH OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK ALSO THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEING THE STRAIN ON THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

MAYBE PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH COVID BUT MAYBE THEY NEEDED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL OR HAD A FAMILY MEMBER IN THE HOSPITAL AND REALIZE THERE IS NOT A BED AVAILABLE OR THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT VISITORS OF PEOPLE ARE TRANSFERRED MILES AWAY FROM THEIR HOME BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY AVAILABLE BED AND I THINK IT MOTIVATES PEOPLE.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY NOTIFIED LAWMAKERS SHE WILL BE CALLING THEM BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

THERE'S A PUSH AT LEAST AMONG SOME PEOPLE FOR GOVERNOR IVEY TO ADD TO THE CALL OF THAT SPECIAL SESSION PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT DEALS WITH PUSHING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S MANDATE.

>> I'M NOT INVOLVED IN THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO ADD TO THE CALL.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE VACCINATED AND DON'T WANT ANYTHING PLACE THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE A MANDATE IS NOT A DECISION THAT WILL FALL TO US IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

I'D SAY WE DON'T WANT TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT WE NEED TO PROTECT ALABAMIANS FROM BEING VACCINATED.

THE VACCINES HAVE MORE SAFETY DATA THAN ANY GIVEN AND APPROVED BY THE FDA EVER.

THEY ARE SAFE AND ALABAMIANS DON'T NEED TO BE PROJECTED FROM THEM.

AND THEIR CHOICE TO BE VACCINATED OR NOT, THAT IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE BUT WE NEED PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY THE MESSAGE THAT THEY ARE UNSAFE.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> IT'S A PASSIONATE ISSUE AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO STAND FIRMLY ON THE PLATFORM OF LET THIS BE A PERSONAL CHOICE NOT A MANDATE.

GOVERNOR IVEY HAS BEEN ON THE RECORD SAYING SHE IS PRO VACCINE.

SHE IS NOT NECESSARILY FOR MANDATING THAT PEOPLE TAKE IT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM HERE.

>> I DON'T THINK THE STATE WILL EVER MANDATE THAT ANYBODY TAKES VACCINES BUT WE WANT PEOPLE TO TALK TO THEIR PHYSICIANS AND GET THE BEST ADVICE THEY CAN.

MY VIEW AS A PHYSICIAN IS THERE IS A RIGHT AND WRONG CHOICE.

IT'S NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO NOT GET VACCINATED BUT ULTIMATELY WE WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE THAT DECISION BY TALKING TO THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

>> DR. HARRIS, PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

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

>> BORN HENRY LEWIS AARON ON FEBRUARY 5, 1934 IN MOBILE.

>>> HANK AARON FIRST HONED HIS BASEBALL SKILLS WHILE GROWING UP IN ALABAMA.

HE IS BEST KNOWN FOR BREAKING BABE RUTH'S RECORD OF 714 HOME RUNS, ULTIMATELY HITTING 755, A RECORD THAT STOOD FROM 1974 TO 2007.

DURING HIS CAREER, AARON WAS A MEMBER OF THE MILWAUKEE AND THEN ATLANTA BRAVES FOR 21 SEASONS AND MADE THE NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM EVERY YEAR FROM 1955 TO 1974.

HE WON THREE GOLD GLOVE AWARDS FOR OUTFIELD AND HAS LIFETIME RECORDS FOR MOST RUNS BATTED IN AND MOST EXTRA BASE HITS STILL STAND.

AARON WAS ELECTED TO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN '92 WITH 97.8% OF THE VOTES CAST.

INFORM 2002, HE RECEIVED THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM.

THE NATION'S HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR.

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

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30, WE WILL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE AND OUR GUEST WILL INCLUDE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER OF RAINSVILLE, WHO WILL TALK ABOUT THE SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT AND OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT COME BEFORE LAWMAKERS.

AND OUR GUESTS WILL INCLUDE STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS, WHO WILL TALK ABOUT THE LATEST PANDEMIC STATISTICS AND ABOUT THE ROLLOUT OF NEW COVID BOOSTER SHOTS.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.