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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

LEADING THE NEWS THIS WEEK IS THE LABOR STRIKE BY THE UNION OF DOCKWORKERS THAT BROUGHT SEAPORTS FROM MAINE TO TEXAS TO A HALT.

THAT INCLUDED THE PORT OF MOBILE, WHERE MORE THAN 900 WORKERS THERE BELONG TO THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN'S ASSOCIATION, THE LARGEST DOCKWORKER UNION IN NORTH AMERICA.

IN FACT, IT WAS THE PORT OF MOBILE'S USE OF AUTOMATION IN CARGO SCANNING THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED BY THE UNION'S LEADERSHIP AS AN IMPETUS TO THE STRIKE BECAUSE THEY FEAR GREATER AUTOMATION WILL THREATEN JOBS.

HOWEVER, LATE THURSDAY THE STRIKE WAS SUSPENDED TO ALLOW WORK TO RESUME AND TO ALLOW NEGOTIATIONS TOWARD A LARGER DEAL IN JANUARY.

SO WORKERS AT ALABAMA'S PORT AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ARE BACK ON THE JOB.

ALABAMA PORT AUTHORITY DIRECTOR JOHN DRISCOLL HAD THIS TO SAY WHEN NEWS OF THE DEAL BROKE.

"OUR ECONOMY DEPENDS ON POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CORPORATIONS AND THE WORKERS THEY RELY ON TO SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS.

WHILE THERE IS STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE, THIS IS AN ENCOURAGING STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS THE USMX AND THE ILA WORK TO FINALIZE TERMS ON A NEW CONTRACT.

"AS I'VE SAID, A STRIKE ISN'T GOOD FOR ANYONE-FROM WORKERS TO CONSUMERS, OUR SUPPLY CHAIN, AND THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

GETTING THE CONTAINER TERMINALS BACK TO WORK IS CRITICAL FOR ALL AMERICANS, AND THE CONTRACT EXTENSION IS SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD A PERMANENT RESOLUTION THAT WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO SEE."

I'LL SPEAK WITH MOBILE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT BRADLEY BYRNE MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE LATER IN THE SHOW.

ALABAMA AGAIN FINDS ITSELF DEFENDING THE STATE AGAINST A LAWSUIT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THIS TIME IT'S THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE BEING ACCUSED OF VIOLATING THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT.

BACK IN AUGUST, SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN ANNOUNCED THAT THE STATE HAD FOUND MORE THAN 3,000 VOTERS WHO WERE LISTED AS NON CITIZENS ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

THOSE PEOPLE WERE PUT ON AN INACTIVE VOTER LIST AND SENT LETTERS TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY TO AFFIRM THEIR LEGAL STATUS.

NOW DOJ SAYS THAT WAS AGAINST THE LAW BECAUSE IT TOOK PLACE WITHIN 90 DAYS OF AN ELECTION.

ALLEN SAID HE COULD NOT COMMENT ON THE LITIGATION BUT SAID QUOTE "I WAS ELECTED SECRETARY OF STATE BY THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, AND IT IS MY CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO ENSURE THAT ONLY AMERICAN CITIZENS VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS."

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT STORY.

ANOTHER FEATHER IN THE CAP FOR ALABAMA'S AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

MAJOR SUPPLIER COMPANY MOBIS HAS BROKEN GROUND ON A $52 MILLION EXPANSION PROJECT IN MONTGOMERY.

THE NEW 460,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY WILL SUPPORT THE PARTS NEEDS OF HYUNDAI AND KIA'S NATIONAL DEALER NETWORKS, BOOSTING LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND SOLIDIFYING ALABAMA'S ROLE IN THE AUTO SECTOR.

>> IN TODAY'S GROUND BREAK IS A TESTAMENT TO THE STRENGTH OF OUR REGION'S WORKFORCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS FACILITY WILL SERVE THE AFTERMARKET PARTS NEEDS OF HYUNDAI AND KIA ACROSS THE NATIONAL DEALER NETWORKS.

TWO BRANDS THAT ARE NOT ONLY HOUSEHOLD NAMES BUT ALSO ARE CENTRAL TO OUR REGION'S ECONOMY.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS EXPANSION GOES BEYOND JOB CREATION AND FINANCIAL INVESTMENT.

IT REINFORCES THE MESSAGE THAT MONTGOMERY IS OPEN FOR BYS.

>> BOMIS IS A WORLD LEADER.

THEY HAVE INCREDIBLE OWN VIOLATION.

ANYTIME A COMPANY INVESTS THIS AMOUNT OF CAPITAL, IT INCREDIBLY INCREASES OR VISIBILITY IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR.

SO MOBIS IS AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER.

OVER 20 YEARS, THIS COMPANY HAS INVESTED AND EXPANDED IN MONTGOMERY AND THE STATE AND SHOWS TREMENDOUS FAITH IN OUR STATE AND OUR COMMUNITY.

>> IT WAS DEBATE WEEK HERE IN THE CAPITOL CITY.

CANDIDATES FOR THE NATIONALLY WATCHED 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT APPEARED ON STAGE TOGETHER FOR A DEBATE HOSTED BY THE MONTGOMERY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

REPUBLICAN CAROLEENE DOBSON AND DEMOCRAT SHOMARI FIGURES FIELDED QUESTION ABOUT THE ECONOMY, HEALTH CARE, THE MILITARY AND SEVERAL OTHER TOPICS.

WHILE THERE WERE DISAGREEMENTS OVER POLICY, THERE WAS ALSO PLENTY OF COMMON GROUND BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES.

FOR INSTANCE, ON THE ISSUE OF HEALTH CARE, BOTH DOBSON AND FIGURES ACKNOWLEDGED THE PLIGHT OF THOSE CAUGHT IN THE COVERAGE GAP AND DISCUSSED WAYS THAT GAP COULD BE CLOSED.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE HAVE NOT TO GET OUR ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK.

WE HAVE GOT TO CURB INFLATION, WE'VE GOT TO CREATE JOBS, WE'VE GOT TO GET THE GOVERNMENT OFF OUR BACK.

FOR HOSPITALS TO SURVIVE FOR SCHOOLS TO FLOURISH, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> THE THING THAT I WOULD DO DAY ONE IS WALK DOWN THE HALL TO CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL'S OFFICE AND CO-SPONSOR THE MEDICAID EXPANSE BILL TO OPEN UP THE REIMBURSEMENT PERIOD WITH REIMBURSEMENT INCENTIVES, RATHER, FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO EXPAND HEALTHCARE HERE, WHAT 47 OTHER STATES HAVE ALREADY DONE.

>> AND ON THE MILITARY, BOTH EXPRESSED STRONG SUPPORT FOR MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE AND TALKED ABOUT WAYS TO BOLSTER ITS POSITION.

>> WHETHER OR NOT I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH OR NOT TO END UP ON ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, I WILL BE THE BIGGEST ADVOCATE AND CHEERLEADER FOR WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO SEE WHEN ARE THE NEW PROGRAMS ON THE HORIZON, WHAT ARE THE PROGRAMS CURRENT BY BEING IMPLEMENTED AND RUN OUT OF OTHER MILITARY BAILS YOU WERE THINKING OF EXPANDING OR RELOCATING AND COMING TO AN ENVIRONMENT ACTUALLY USED TO FACILITATE THAT, I WILL BE THE BIGGEST RECRUITER FOR THAT TO BRING THE INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAMS.

>> THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO REPRESENT MAXWELL, ONE IS TO SUPPORT THE MILITARY, KEEPING IT GROWING AND THRIVING, CONTINUING TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS LIKE THE WAR COLLEGE HERE.

BUT, IN ORDER TO RETAIN MAXWELL HERE AND HELP IT FLOURISH, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS DISTRICT IS ONE THAT'S ATTRACTIVE FOR MILITARY SPOUSES, THAT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITARY CHILDREN.

>> THAT DEBATE AIRED LIVE ON WSFA TV.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO WATCH IT IN ITS ENTIRETY, VISIT WSFA.COM AND FIND IT THERE.

CONTINUING WITH THE 2ND DISTRICT RACE, FIGURES THIS WEEK ROLLED OUT THE ENDORSEMENT OF A FORMER OPPONENT.

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS, WHO RAN AGAINST FIGURES IN THE PRIMARY AND TOOK HIM TO A RUNOFF, OFFICIALLY ENDORSED THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE THIS WEEK.

>> WHILE TODAY I'M PROUD TO ENDORSE AND THOUGH MY FULL SUPPORT BEHIND SHOMARI FIGURES FOR CONGRESS.

MY HOPE IS INDEPENDENTS AND REPUBLICANS THROW THEIR SUPPORT BEHIND HIM.

HE IS THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE TO TAKE THE DISTRICT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> FOR SOME.

THIS MAY BE ANOTHER TALKING LEVEL OR DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICAN BATTLE, BUT IN BULLOCK COUNTY, ABOUT A HOSPITAL WE'VE SEEN CLOSE, IN CLARK COUNTY, TWO THAT CLOSED IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

IN MONROE COUNTY IT'S ABOUT THE MATERNITY SERVICES NO LONGER THERE.

IN CRENSHAW COUNTY, IT'S ABOUT THE DIALYSIS CENTER THAT CLOSED A FEW WEEKS AGO WITH VERY LITTLE NOTICE.

IT'S ABOUT THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES NOT PRESENT IN A CONNECTED COUNTY OR BUTLER, MACON, RUSSELL OR BARBER COUNTY.

IT'S TOO MUCH AT STAKE.

THIS IS NOT JUST ANOTHER ELECTION.

>> AND DOBSON IS TOUTING A BIG ENDORSEMENT OF HER OWN.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS THROWN HER SUPPORT BEHIND THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE AND RECENTLY LENT HER VOICE TO A TV AD HIGHLIGHTING THE ENDORSEMENT.

HERE'S A SNIPPET.

>> CAROLEENE, RUNNING FOR OFFICE IS TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR ALL ALABAMIANS.

>> BACK IN 2019 THE LEGISLATURE PASSED GOV.

IVEY'S SIGNATURE REBUILD ALABAMA GAS TAX AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

FIVE YEARS LATER, THOSE DOLLARS ARE STILL BEING USED TO UPDATE THE STATE'S ROAD AND BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH MONEY IN OUR NORMAL BUDGET TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN THESE ROADS THE WAY THE PEOPLE -- THE CITIZENS EXPECT US TO.

>> MACON COUNTY ENGINEER GEORGE SIMS AND HIS TEAM HAVE A BIG JOB KEEPING THINGS ROLLING SMOOTHLY THERE.

SOME OF THEIR BIGGEST TASKS, KEEPING ROADS AND BRIDGES OPEN FOR TRAFFIC.

THE MONEY THEY HAVE HAD FOR THIS ISN'T ENOUGH SOMETIMES.

>> IT DOES GOTTEN AS FAR AS IT USED TO, BUT WHEN YOU FIGURE IN INFLATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION PRICES HAVE INCREASED -- >> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY ANNOUNCED $3.1 MILLION TO FUND ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS ACROSS ALABAMA AS PART OF THE REBUILDING ALABAMA PROGRAM, AS A PART OF THE REBUILD ALABAMA ACT WHICH THE GOVERNOR SAYS "IMPROVING ALABAMA'S ROADS AND BRIDGES IS A TOP PRIORITY, AND I'M PROUD THAT WE ARE CONTINUING ON THIS PROMISE."

>> IN 2019, THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE APPROVED OR VOTED IN THE REBUILD ALABAMA ACT, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY AN INCREASE IN THE GAS TAXES.

>> MANY VOTERS WERE NOT HAPPY WHEN THE GAS TAX MEASURE PASSED IN 2019.

SKIP TO 2022, MACON COUNTY IS AWARDED MONEY FROM A PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE GAS TAX PROPOSAL TO REPAIR ROADS AND BRIDGES WITHIN ITS BORDERS.

MANY SAY IT'S A PROGRAM THAT IS STILL NEEDED TODAY.

>> THE STATE LAWMAKERS WERE AT LEAST SMART ENOUGH TO INCLUDE SPECIAL PACKAGES IN THE LAW WHERE THE MONEY IS ACCOUNTED FOR.

WE JUST CAN'T SPEND IT ON WHATEVER WE WANT TO.

IT IS SPECIFICALLY IN THE LAW THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND IT ON RESURFACING ROADS OR REPLACING BRIDGES WITHIN THE COUNTY.

>> SIMS ADDS, IN 2022, MACON COUNTY WAS AWARDED $1.1 MILLION TO WORK ON COUNTY ROAD 18.

HE ADDS OTHER PROJECTS NEEDING WORK AND THEY WILL TRY THE PROCESS AGAIN.

>> ALTHOUGH WE WEREN'T SELECTED THIS YEAR, WE'LL TURN AROUND, WE'LL CIRCLE THE WAGONS AND WE'LL START WRITING OUR GRANT APPLICATION FOR NEXT YEAR AND SEE IF WE CAN GET ANOTHER SHOT AT A DIFFERENT ROAD.

>> IN MACON COUNTY, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE BECOMING A MORE COMMON SIGHT ON ALABAMA HIGHWAYS.

I'VE SEEN A FEW OF THOSE ELON MUSK CYBER TRUCKS DRIVING AROUND THE CAPITAL CITY.

BUT SOME DRIVERS ARE STILL HESITANT TO CHOSE EVS DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT RANGE AND PRACTICALITY.

THIS WEEK WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW ALABAMA IS EMERGING AS A LEADER IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION AND HEAR FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS AND EVERYDAY DRIVERS ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF MAKING THE SWITCH.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S JEFF SANDERS HAS THE STORY FROM AUBURN.

>> MORE AND MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE BECOMING A COMMON SITE ON ALABAMA HIGHWAYS.

>> THE NUMBER OF EVS REGISTERED IN THE STATE IS SKYROCKETING.

>> MICHAEL STALEY IS PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA CLEAN FUELS COALITION AND ALSO AN EV OWNER.

>> THIS IS A 2024 MODEL, THE FIRST EDITION, AND I GOT THIS AUGUST 1, AND I WAS TOLD I WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN ALABAMA TO GET THE RST.

>> STALEY UNVEILED HIS NEW ELECTRIC RIDE IN AN EV SHOWCASE IN AUBURN.

>> THE BEST PERSON TO LEARN ABOUT OWNING AN EV FROM IS A PERSON WHO OWNS AN EV.

PEOPLE COME OUT AND SEE ALL THE MODELS.

WE HAVE PICKUPS, LUXURY SEDANS, SPORTS CARS, WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF EVS OUT HERE.

I HAVE A PICKUP AND IT'S A SILVERADO.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T THINK IT LOOKS ELECTRIC BUT IT IS.

>> IN RECENT MONTHS, EV SALES SLOWED NATIONWIDE PARTLY DUE TO RANGE ANXIETY WHICH MADE MANY HESITANT TO SWITCH FROM GAS TO ELECTRIC.

HOWEVER, STALEY POINTS OUT, THAT IMPROVED RANGE IN NEWER MODELS ALONG WITH INCREASED INVESTMENTS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IS POSITIONING ALABAMA AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN EV ADOPTION.

>> THE STATE OF ALABAMA MADE 42 GRANTS TO BUSINESSES AROUND THE STATE REALLY IN ALL DIRECTIONS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS, YOU CAN NOW FIND A FAST CHARGER THAT WILL HELP IF YOU GO BEYOND THE RANGE YOU EVER CAR.

BUT ALL THE BIG PLACES YOU STOP WHEN YOU'RE ON A TRIP, THEY HAVE FAST CHARGERS, AND PEOPLE ARE NOTICING THAT NOW.

PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT EVS AND REALIZE IT'S PRACTICAL TO OWN ONE EVEN HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> ONE DRIVER WHO MADE THE SWITCH IS ALAN.

LIKE MANY EV OWNERS WE SPOKE WITH AT THE AUBURN EVENT, HE LYINGLIGHTS THE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER COST OF CHARGING HIS TRUCK COMPARED TO FILLING IT UP WITH GAS.

HOWEVER, HE URGES BUYERS TO CONSIDER THEIR LIFESTYLE BEFORE MAKING THE LEAP TO AN ELECTRIC.

>> IF YOU ARE A DAILY COMMUTER WHO COMMUTES A LONG DISTANCE AND DON'T HAVE A HOME CHARGER OR CHARGER AT WORK, IT MIGHT MAKE IT TOUGH.

BUT FOR PEOPLE LIKE MOST FOLKS, YOU DON'T DRIVE MORE THAN 300 MILES A DAY.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T DRIVE 50 MILES IN A DAY.

FOR LONGER DISTANCES, WE HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO DRIVE FOR LONG DISTANCES, BUT WE'VE ALSO TAKEN THIS ONE OUT OF TOWN AND FIND IT EASY TO NAVIGATE.

>> AUTO-MAKERS ARE BETTING THAT AS EV RANGE AND QUALITY CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, MORE ALABAMIANS WILL MAKE THE SWITCH TO ELECTRIC.

REPORTING A AUBURN, JEFF SANDERS FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> FOLLOWING UP ON SOME REPORTING WE RAN A FEW WEEKS BACK.

TROY UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR JACK HAWKINS NOW SAYS HE WILL STAY ON THE JOB AND NOT RETIRE NEXT YEAR AS PREVIOUSLY PLANNED.

YOU MAY REMEMBER WE HAD.

DR. HAWKINS HERE ON CAPITOL JOURNAL TO TALK ABOUT HIS PLANS TO RETIRE AFTER 35 YEARS AT THE HELM AT TROY.

BUT THEN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES GOT TOGETHER AND VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ASK DR. HAWKINS TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION.

HAWKINS SAID HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW LONG HE'LL REMAIN ON BUT HE WANTS TO FOCUS ON EXPANDING TROY TO BECOME A NATIONAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITY WITH AN R2 CLASSIFICATION.

HE SAID IT'S A BIG IDEA BUT A REACHABLE ONE.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS TO TALK ABOUT THAT 2ND DISTRICT RACE, THAT VOTER ROLL ISSUE AND WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AFTER THAT, I'M JOINED BY MOBILE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BRADLEY BYRNE FOR A DISCUSSION ON THE DOCKWORKERS STRIKE SITUATION.

LATER IN THE SHOW WE HAVE THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR TEAM HERE AT APT - EDUCATION REPORTER TRISH CRAIN SITS DOWN WITH ME TO TALK ABOUT HER NEW ROLE OFFERING IN DEPTH COVERAGE OF EDUCATION ISSUES.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ERIN BEASLEY OF THE ALABAMA CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION IS HERE TO PROMOTE BEEF MONTH IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND WORD IS SHE BROUGHT SOME MOUTHWATERING STEAKS WITH HER SO I HOPE YOU'RE HUNGRY.

STAY WITH US.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY DANIELS, MINORITY LEADER FOR THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MR. LEADER, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

>> I KNOW, TOO LONG.

>> I KNOW.

WE'RE STILL SOME MONTHS OUT OF SESSION, SO I'M SURE YOU WILL BE ON QUITE A BIT.

YOU WERE IN MONTGOMERY THIS WEEK, ENDORSING YOUR PREVIOUS OPPONENT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY SHOMARI FIGURES FOR CONGRESS.

WE RAN THE VIDEO EARLIER.

YOU WERE A CANDIDATES IN THIS RACE, CAME CLOSE.

I'M CURIOUS HOW YOU SEE THIS RACE BECAUSE IT SHOULD FAVOR DEMOCRATS LIKE THE COOKS POLITICAL REPORT HAS IT LEANING DEMOCRATIC, BUT, MAN IT SEEMS CLOSE.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKEN TO THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE OF THIS BRAND-NEW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT?

>> I THINK YOU'RE SEEING VOTER APATHY IN GENERAL ON BOTH SIDES TO HAVE THE AISLES WAITING FOR ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AS TO HOW EACH OF THE CANDIDATES WILL BE ABLE TO DELIVER RESOURCES BACK TO THE DISTRICT, BECAUSE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DISTRICT HAD REPRESENTATION AND CERTAIN PARTS OF THE DISTRICT THAT DIDN'T BELIEVE IN APPROPRIATIONS.

AND, SO, THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEIR MEMBER OF CONGRESS IS GOING TO CONTINUE THE SAME TREND OF THEM NOT GETTING ANYTHING OR ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS THAT'S GOING TO SUPPORT APPROPRIATING BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S WHY I THINK SHOMARI FIGURES BRINGS TO THE TABLE.

HE TALKED ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE VARIOUS AGENCIES, UNDERSTANDING THEIR INNER WORKINGS AND HE WILL BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND BRING BACON TO MACON AND THE OTHER DISTRICTS.

>> YOU'RE TALKING EARMARKS, AND THAT'S RIGHT, IN MY TIME IN D.C., THERE WAS A MORATORIUM ON EARMARKS THAT CAME BACK.

BUT THE CURRENT CONGRESSMEN SET NOTE OF THOSE THINGS AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT.

SO THAT'S INTERESTING SPECIFICALLY ON THE EARMARK THING.

YOU BROUGHT UP SOMETHING IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION.

YOU SAID THAT YOUR WIFE HAD BEEN PUT ON AN ENACTIVE VOTER ROLL LIST.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT IN MORE DETAIL?

>> WE WERE VOTING IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE HUNTSVILLE AREA IN AUGUST AND, WHEN SHE GOT TO THE POLLS, THEY TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS ENACTIVE, BASICALLY, AND, SO, SHE GOT A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AND VOTED FROM THE PROVISIONAL BALLOT.

SO, WE FURTHER INVESTIGATED THIS AND CALLED THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, AND THEY MENTIONED THAT IT STATES THAT THE CART WAS RETURNED.

IT'S INTERESTING THAT WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING MAIL IN THIS HOUSE FOR TWO YEARS AND A CARD WAS RETURNED INDICATING AS IF SHE DOESN'T LIVE IN OUR HOUSE.

SO IT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING TO ME BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY UPDATED OUR ADMINISTRATION AT THE SAME TIME SO I'M NOT CERTAIN AS TO HOW THAT HAPPENED, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER VOTERS OUT THERE THAT SHOULD BE CHECKING THEIR REGISTRATION STATUS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ACTUALLY REGISTERED AND ON THE ACTIVE LIST.

AND IF YOU'RE ON THE ENACTIVETIST LIST, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL REGISTRARS IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THEY ARE COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER AND THE INTERNAL SYSTEMS THEY HAVE, I KNOW THE SECRETARY OF STATES, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTERNAL SYSTEM THAT THEY DEVELOP, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT MISSING ANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOTERS TO BE KICKED OFF A LIST THEY SHOULD ALREADY BE ON.

>> DID YOU THINK IT WAS KIND OF RELATED TO THIS VOTER PURGE THING THAT -- I MEAN, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS SUING OR DO YOU THINK IT'S UNRELATE TO THAT?

>> I'M NOT SURE AS TO THE CONNECTION THERE.

WE DID GET IT RESOLVED.

SHE WAS ABLE TO VOTE IN THE RUNOFF AND MADE CERTAIN HER VOTE WAS COUNTED.

IT'S JUST UNFORTUNATE WE'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO UPDATE THE REGISTRATION TO OUR NEW HOME, AND IT WAS, YOU KNOW, ONE PERSON IN THE HOUSE WAS ABLE TO VOTE AND THE OTHER PERSON WAS NOT ABLE TO VOTE AND NOT BE ON THE ACTIVE LIST.

>> WE DID REACH OUT TO SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN'S OFFICE.

HE DIDN'T MAKE IT ON THE SHOW BUT THEY SAID THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS IN EGYPT COUNTIES ARE CHARGED WITH UPDATING THE STATUS OF ALABAMA'S REGISTERED VOTERS.

GENERALLY VOTERS ARE PLACE IN IN ENACTIVE STATS IN A MAILING IS RETURNED UNDELIVERABLE.

SWITCHING GEARS, THE UPCOMING SESSION.

WE HAVE FIVE MONTHS UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION BEGINS.

I KNOW CONVERSATIONS START IN ADVANCE ABOUT WHAT POLICIES YOU WANT TO BE PURSUING.

WHAT ABOUT THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS?

WHAT ISSUES DO YOU WANT TO BRING UP IN FEBRUARY WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENIENCE?

>> IT'S A TWOFOLD QUESTION.

FOR US, THERE ARE ISSUES THAT DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN THE SENATE THE PREVIOUS SESSION, ONE OF WHICH IS A GAMING LEGISLATION.

THE OTHER ONE WAS THE GLOCK SWITCH THAT SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BUT DID NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS IN THE SENATE.

SO, IN ESSENCE, WE'RE WAITING FOR THE SENATE TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT THEIR DESIRES WILL BE IN THE UPCOMING SESSION TO ADDRESS BOTH THOSE ISSUES.

ONCE WE HEAR FROM THE SENATE TO SEE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH NOISE WE WILL BE MAKING AROUND THE ISSUE.

THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

HEALTHCARE IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

WHEN YOU SEE COMMUNITIES LIKE IN MONROE COUNTY, WHERE THE, YOU KNOW, FEMALE THAT'S EXPECTING A CHILD, A MOTHER -- EXPECTANT MOTHER HAS TO DRIVE 90 MILES ONE WAY AND 100 MILES THE OTHER WAY TO HAVE A BABY, THAT ISSUE MUST BE ADDRESSED.

IN THOMASVILLE, ALABAMA, WE'RE SEEING THE ISSUES THERE.

IN BULLOCK COUNTY, WHERE THEY HAD TO LAY OFF 90 INDIVIDUALS FROM THE HOSPITAL, THAT REALLY KILLS YOUR TOWN.

THINK ABOUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS MAKING DECENT SALARIES AT THE HOSPITAL.

THINK ABOUT YOUR DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS, YOUR GROCERY STORES, THINK ABOUT THE OTHER RESTAURANTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN THAT TOWN, HOW THAT IMPACTED THEM.

SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHENEVER YOU LOSE A HOSPITAL IN A COMMUNITY THAT'S PROVIDING THE CARE, IMAGINE WHAT THAT'S GOING TO DO FOR SOMEONE THAT HAS A CAR ACCIDENT OR HAS SOME TYPE OF HEALTH CONCERN THAT'S WITHIN THAT TOWN.

SO IT'S REALLY CONCERNING TO ME.

THIS HAS HAPPENED ALL ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

MEDICAID EXPANSION IS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'LL BE PUSHING.

WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THERE IS A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

WE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IT LAST YEAR.

HOPEFULLY, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS IN THE UPCOMING SESSION, BUT ALSO ADDRESS FUNDING FOR A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HIGHER THAN NORMAL GUN VIOLENCE, PLAYING OFFENSE AND DEFENSE ON THAT.

GIVING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AS THEY'RE DOING IN MONTGOMERY, THE ABILITY TO PUT TOGETHER A MULTI-LEVEL TASK FORCE.

THAT MAY NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE GLOCK SWITCHES ARE BANNED FEDERALLY, BUT FOR SOME REASON, FROM A STATE PERSPECTIVE, WE'VE FAILED TO GET THERE.

SO LET'S UTILIZE THE OTHER RESOURCES WE HAVE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES, BUT ALSO BEHAVIOR.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THESE COMMUNITIES?

ARE THERE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER PROGRAMS?

WHAT ARE WE DOING THE OCCUPY THE MINDS AND INCREASING THE LEARNING AND AVAILABILITY OF LEARNING AND RESOURCES TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THESE COMMUNITIES?

BECAUSE A LOT OF THE VIOLENCE YOU ARE SEEING MOSTLY ARE TEENAGERS.

HOW DO TEENAGERS HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BE ABLE TOCH P A GUN BUT ALSO OPERATE A WEAPON IN THAT COMMUNITY?

AND, SO, WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE SIDE OF GETTING SOME OF THESE WEAPONS OFF THE STREET, BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PLAY OFFENSE AND MAKING CERTAIN WE'RE KEEPING THEM OCCUPIED WHERE THEIR MINDS ARE ABSORBING AND LEARNING AND THEY'RE DOING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AND GETTING WORKFORCE TRAINING, DOING THINGS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFE AND THE VALUE OF LIFE AND WHAT THEY, YOU KNOW, REALIZE IN THEIR POTENTIAL.

>> THE ROOT OF THE CAUSE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BUT IT HAS TO BE A MULTI-LEVEL APPROACH AND IT'S NOT JUST IN ISOLATION.

IT HAS TO BE DONE IN A MORE COMPREHENSIVE WAY BUT WE CAN'T KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> IT'S INTERESTING YOU BRING THAT UP BECAUSE THERE'S NO ONE MAGIC BULLET.

THAT'S PROBABLY A BAD PUN THERE.

THERE'S NO ONE SOLUTION, IT'S MULTI-FACETTED.

ONE OF THE BILLS YOU SPONSORED THAT'S WILDLY POPULAR, THE OVERTIME INCOME TAX CUT, IT WAS UNANIMOUS AT LEAST IN THE HOUSE, BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY WORKERS ALL ACROSS THE STATE TO THE POINT WHERE MORE REVENUE THAN WE EXPECTED, YOU KNOW, WAS NOT COMING INTO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

THAT LAW IS GOING TO SUNSET, RIGHT, NEXT YEAR, I THINK, SO THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE TO ACTIVELY REINSTATE THAT LAW.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

BECAUSE OF THOSE REVENUE, THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT, HEY, THIS IS COSTING THE STATE A TON OF REVENUE, WHAT DO YOU THINK'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> WELL, HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.

WHEN HOURLY WORKERS ARE GETTING MORE MONEY BACK IN THEIR PAYCHECKS, THEY ARE SPENDING MORE MONEY.

AND, SO, THIS IS THE ONLY TAX CUT THAT'S ACTUALLY GROSSING -- BRINGING INCOME IN FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, FOR CITIES, COUNTIES AND THE STATE.

THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT YIELDS RETURNS.

SO, UNTIL THOSE ARE OUT THERE, THE NAYSAYERS THAT SAY IT'S COSTING US TOO MUCH MONEY, WELL, IT'S OCCUPYING A VOID.

WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE WORKFORCE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

BUT IF I HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT'S IN MANUFACTURING AND I HAVE TO GET A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PRODUCT OUT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PRICES AT A NORMAL LEVEL, THEN I HAVE TO USE EXPERIENCED WORKFORCE.

IF I CAN'T FIND EMPLOYEES, I HAVE TO USE MY EXPERIENCED WORKFORCE TO WORK EXTRA, IF THEY WANT TO WORK EXTRA AND MAKE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET, IT'S AN INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO WORK MORE BUT THEY'RE REAPING THE BENEFITS FINANCIALLY, AND THEY'RE ALSO PUTTING MONEY BACK INTO THE ECONOMY.

SO FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE COSTING THE STATE A LOT OF MONEY WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO EXTEND IT.

I CAN GO DOWN THE LIST OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT YIELDING RETURN.

LET'S EVALUATE THAT.

ARE THEY YIELDING THE RETURNS WE NEED?

>> LIKE TAX CREDITS?

>> REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT IS.

A LOT OF THINGS ARE COMING OUT OF BOTH BUDGETS WE'RE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE AN ACTUAL ROI.

WHAT IS IT DOING?

LET'S START HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT THOSE THINGS AS WELL.

THERE ARE THINGS WE'VE IMPLEMENTED LIKE THE GROCERY TAX WHICH I'M VERY SUPPORTIVEOV, WHEN THOSE HOURLY WORKERS SPEND MONEY AND THERE'S A $300 MILLION HOLE IN THE BUDGET WHERE IF THE PRICES HAVE INCREASED THEN YOU'RE REALLY NOT SAVING ANYTHING, IT'S JUST A TALKING POINT.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE GROCERY TAX.

WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, BUT YOU BROUGHT IT UP.

THAT'S ANOTHER ONE THAT, YOU KNOW, 4% IS THE STATE TAX ON ALL, YOU KNOW, SALES TAX BUT ON GROCERIES.

SO THEY TOOK OFF 1 CENT.

IT'S A STAIR STEP.

THERE'S TALK OF REVISITING THE LAW SO WE CAN GET TO THE FULL 4%, YOU KNOW, CUT ON GROCERY SALES TAXES.

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THATLE?

THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT REVENUE THERE, TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD THAT WE'RE SEEING THE COST THAT 1 CENT HAS THAT WHEN, YOU KNOW, LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES CANNOT AFFORD TO REMOVE THE LOCAL TAXES BECAUSE IT WILL BASICALLY REALLY KILL THEIR BUDGETS.

>> THEY DEPEND ON IT.

THE REVENUE, THEY DEPEND ON IT.

IF YOU'RE NOT SEEING THE ENERGY MATCH AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, LET'S HAVE A REAL CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF IMPACT, WHAT WILL BE THE TAXES TAKEN FOR OVERTIME, FOR WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE THAT'S SPENDING MONEY, HOW'S THAT HELPING THEM?

SO WE HAVE TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IT AND BE REALISTIC ABOUT THE FINANCIAL HIT.

I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT FILL THE VOID.

GAMING LEGISLATION, SPORTS BETTING CAN FILL THE VOID, OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN BE REALLY CREATIVE ABOUT CAN FILL THAT HOLE WHERE DOLLARS, WE'RE TAKING THE TAXES OFF GROCERIES.

BUT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, TODD, ONE OF THE THINGS I WILL SAY, IF THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE AT THE GROCERY STORE, THEN HAVE WE ACTUALLY SAVED ALABAMIANS MONEY.

>> JUST BECAUSE OF INFLATION AND ALL THOSE THINGS?

>> WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON REDUCING THE COSTS AT THE GROCERY STORES, IN THE CONVENIENCE STORES.

HOW DO WE FOCUS ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN ASPECT?

BECAUSE IF PRICES INCREASE, 1 CENT WILL BE BETTER LONG TERM, BUT WHAT WILL BE MORE EFFECTIVE, A WAY TO GET THE PRICES BACK TO PRE-2020 LEVELS OR 1 CENT?

GETTING THE PRICES DOWN WILL PROVIDE MORE FOR A FAMILY THAN JUST REMOVING 1 CENT HERE, 1 CENT THERE.

LET'S PRIORITIZE.

WE CAN END UP DOING BOTH.

IF WE HAVE TO PASS SOMETHING THAT GENERATES ENOUGH REVENUE TO HAVE THE REALISTIC CONVERSATIONS AND MAKE THEM A REALITY.

>> LOTS OF ISSUES TO WATCH AS FEBRUARY APPROACHES, IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

APPRECIATE IT, MR. LEADER.

THANKS FOR COMING IN.

LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK BEFORE THE SESSION STARTS.

>> LOOING FORWARD TO IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

AS WE REPORTED EARLIER, THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMAN'S ASSOCIATION, THE LARGEST UNION IN AMERICA WENT ON STRIKE, INCLUDED 900 WORKERS AT THE PORT OF MOBILE.

A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED TO SUSPEND THE STRIKE TILL JANUARY TO ALLOW TIME FOR A LONGER TERM AGREEMENT TO BE NEGOTIATED.

JOINING ME IS BRADLEY BYRNE, PRESIDENT OF THE MOBILE CHAMBER OF MERS, TO TALK ABOUT THIS WITH ME: THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> IT'S BEEN AN EVENTFUL WEEK IN MOBILE CONSIDERING THE STRIKE AND THE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE HAD ON THE PORT.

LET ME ASK YOU, IS EVERYBODY BREATHE AGO SIGH OF RELIEF TODAY, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE ALL FEEL LIKE WE'VE DODGED A BULLET.

WE WERE SHUT DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, AND EVEN THAT'S NOT GOOD, BUT TO OPEN UP SO QUICKLY IS ACTUALLY A VERY GOOD THING FOR EVERYBODY.

UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN WHEN YOU OPEN BACK UP AGAIN AND THERE'S ALWAYS A BACKLOG, SO WE HAVE A COUPLE OF WEEKS WORKING OUT THE BACKLOG THAT CREATED JUST BY SHUTTING DOWN A COUPLE OF DAYS THIS WEEK.

>> ONE OF THE PRIMARY CONCERNS THE UNION IS COMPRESSING IS AUTOMATION, BASICALLY THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGY, ROBOTICS BEING MORE AND MORE INVOLVED AT PORTS, LOADING AND UNLOADING OF SHIPS, PROBABLY MORE THAN THAT, AND HOW THAT AUTOMATION MIGHT THREATEN THE DOCK WORKING JOBS.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE TO THE UNION'S CONCERNS?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT A PARTICULAR GATE AT THE PORT WHERE THEY HAVE CAMERAS THAT TAKE THE PICTURES OF IDENTIFYING NUMBERS ON THE TRUCKS AND ON THE CONTAINERS.

AND IT USED TO BE THAT THE WORKERS WOULD STAND OUT THERE IN THE LINE OF THE TRUCKS AND TRAILERS TO WRITE IT DOWN ON A CLIP BOARD.

WHAT THE CAMERAS DO IS ALLOW THE WORKERS TO BE INSIDE A TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AND NOT IN THE LINE OF TRAFFIC WHERE IT'S FRANKLY UNSAFE.

SO THIS IS AN INSTANCE WHERE THE TECHNOLOGY ACTUALLY BENEFITS THE WORKERS.

THERE'S A MYTH OUT THERE THAT SOMEHOW TECHNOLOGY DESTROYS JOBS.

TECHNOLOGY ACTUALLY CREATES NEW JOBS.

SO I THINK THIS IS A RED HERRING.

NAME ME ONE INDUSTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD THAT'S NOT TRYING TO GET MORE AUTOMATED AND MORE EFFICIENT, AND SHIPPING'S GOT TO BE A PART OF THAT.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO RAISE THEIR PRICES BY THIS MUCH, THEY'VE GOT TO PROVE MORE EFFICIENCIES WITH THAT.

>> WELL, I KNOW IT'S EARLY, BUT WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF A LARGER DEAL BETWEEN THE ALLIANCE AND THE UNIONS COMING JANUARY?

>> THE PRINCIPAL POINT OF NEGOTIATION IS THE AUTOMATION ISSUE, AT THIS POINT, BUT I AM CONFIDENT THEY WILL WORK THAT OUT, SO I THINK WE'LL BE OKAY IN JANUARY.

WHAT WE'VE GOT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT GOING FORWARD WITH IS ARE WE MAKING AGREEMENTS NOW THAT MAKE OUR PORT LESS COMPETITIVE?

WE'VE BECOME A COMPETITIVE PORT, WE'RE THE FASTEST GROWING PORT IN THE COUNTRY NOW AND WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO MAKE US LESS COMPETITIVE PARTICULARLY AS WE DEEPEN AND WIDEN THE SHIP CHANNEL, COMPLETED NEXT MARCH, WITH WILL MAKE US FOR MANY MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO SHIP IN AND OUT OF.

>> RIGHT, YOU MENTIONED THE CHANNEL.

EVERYBODY IS EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

IT'S REALLY AN EXCITING TIME FOR THE PORT.

AND IT HAS SUCH A HUGE IMPACT, NOT JUST THERE IN MOBILE BUT THROUGH ALABAMA AND THE SOUTHEAST.

YOU JUST EXPERIENCED A COUPLE OF DAYS OF A WORK STOPPAGE, WHAT WOULD A LONGER-TERM WORK STOPPAGE LOOK LIKE?

HOW WOULD IT IMPACT ALABAMIANS?

>> IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING.

IT WOULD AFFECT OBVIOUSLY ALL THE PORT JOBS DIRECTLY, BUT I'VE GOT A LOT OF BUSINESSES HERE AND IN THE STATE TIED TO THE PORT AND IT WOULD DEFINITELY DISRUPT THEM, BUT FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER, IT WOULD BE TERRIBLE.

YOU WOULDN'T FIND A LOT OF THE STUFF YOU NORMALLY EXPECT TO FIND ON THE SHELVES OF WAL-MART OR HOME DEPOT.

WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET CERTAIN PARTS FOR YOUR CAR AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE.

WE DON'T GROW ANY BANANAS OR COFFEE IN THE UNITED STATES, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET THAT.

THIS SEEMS LIKE HUM DRUM STUFF BUT THIS IS HOW WE LIVE AND WE HAVE TO KEEP THE SYSTEM OPEN.

>> DO YOU THINK MAYBE THIS STRIKE HAS MAYBE BROADENED THE AWARENESS OF JUST HOW IMPORTANT OUR PORT IS, NOT JUST OURS, BUT HOW IMPORTANT SHIPPING IS IN AN INSPECTED WAY, KIND OF RAISE THE AWARENESS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND MAYBE THE STATE ABOUT JUST HOW MUCH WE RELY ON THE PORT OF MOBILE?

>> YEAH, WE ALL GOT TRANSPORTED BACK TO COVID WHEN WE HAD ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THEM GETTING STUFF INTO THE WEST COAST PORTS.

WELL, WE JUST GOT OURSELVES BACK INTO THAT SAME FRAME OF MIND.

PEOPLE WERE TAKING A LOT OF TOILET PAPER OUT OF THE GROCERY STORE BECAUSE THEY WERE PANICKING.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I HOPE WE UNDERSTAND GOING FORWARD THAT THIS TRADE SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM OF GETTING THINGS IN AND OUT OF OUR PORT IS VERY, VERY, VERY VITAL TO OUR EVERYDAY EXISTENCE.

>> WELL, LOOK, WHILE I HAVE YOU, I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS UPCOMING ELECTION.

YOU, OF COURSE, SERVED IN CONGRESS, AND NOW, AFTER REDISTRICTING, THERE ARE NOW TWO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS REACHING INTO MOBILE.

I'M CURIOUS, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MESSAGE AS THE CHAMBER PRESIDENT TO THESE CANDIDATES IN TERMS OF PRIORITIZING MOBILE AND ALL THAT IS GOING ON DOWN THERE?

>> WELL, THE CHAMBER HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH BOTH THE CANDIDATES, LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE, WHAT THE WASHINGTON IS IMPORTANT TO US, HOW THEY CAN BE AN ADVOCATE FOR US, AND I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE OF BOTH CANDIDATES.

THEY HAVE BEEN VERY ATTENTIVE.

THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE DOWN HERE, BY THE WAY.

I SAW MR.

FIGURES LAST NIGHT AT A FUNCTION.

WE'RE PLEASED THEY'RE PAYING SO MUCH ATTENTION TO WHAT WE'VE GOT DOWN HERE, PAYING ATTENTION TO US IN GENERAL.

WE HAVE A DEBATE COMING UP IN THE CHAMBER THAT WILL BE TELEVISED IN THE END OF OCTOBER.

WIE GOING TO ASK A BUNCH OF SUBSTANTIVE QUESTIONS, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO PLAY GOTCHA WITH THESE DEBATES.

I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE.

I THINK WHICHEVER ONE OF THE CANDIDATES WINS WILL DO A GOOD JOB TAKING CARE OF US DOWN HERE.

>> YOU CERTAINLY NOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS FROM ALL THE YEARS YOU SERVED IN CONGRESS.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING TIME TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUES.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN MOBILE SOON.

>> TAME HERE, TODD.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS TRISH CRAIN, WHO WE CAN NOW ANNOUNCE IS NOW THE SENIOR EDUCATION REPORTER HERE AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

TRISH, WELCOME AND CONGRATS.

>> HOW, THANK YOU, TODD.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS.

THIS IS JUST NOT A SPOT I EVER THOUGHT I WOULD FIND MYSELF IN.

IT'S QUITE A PRIVILEGE.

>> WE'RE EXCITED, TOO.

THIS IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALABAMA DAILY NEWS, A DUO, BRINGING RESOURCES TO BEAR FOR REPORTING EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

YOU HAVE BEEN THE PREMIER EDUCATION REPORTER IN ALABAMA, REALLY CHANGED THE GAME IN TERMS OF HOW ALL THAT HAS GONE.

SO CAN YOU KIND OF WALK ME THROUGH YOUR BACKGROUND AND REALLY HOW YOU GOT TO THIS POINT BECAUSE IT REALLY IS AN INTERESTING BACKGROUND.

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING JOURNEY.

AGAIN, I DID NOT THINK I WOULD EVER FIND MYSELF HERE.

YOU KNOW, I WAS WRITING ABOUT EDUCATION, FROM SORT OF A PARENT'S VIEW.

I HAD A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING AT MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL.

I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, ALL GROWN NOW.

I WASN'T SURE WHO TO ASK THE QUESTIONS TO.

SO I JUST KEPT ASKING.

I KIND OF DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE UP.

I NEEDED SOME ANSWERS, WHY WERE SOME KIDS ACHIEVING BETTER THAN OTHERS.

SO THAT KIND OF LED ME INTO A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, CREATING ONE FOR HOOVER, WHICH IS WHERE MY CHILDREN WERE, WHICH THEN LED TO THE ALABAMA SCHOOL CONNECTION, WHICH WAS A WEB SITE AND ULTIMATELY A NON-PROFIT NEWS ORGANIZATION, IT REALLY STARTED AS A WAY OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN MONTGOMERY, LIKE WHAT BILLS THEY WERE PASSING.

I FOUND TEACHERS AND PARENTS WERE OFTEN THE LAST TO KNOW.

SO, PARENTS WERE ASKING, HOW DO WE FIGURE THIS OUT?

SO I BASICALLY MONITORED ALISON, YOU KNOW, THE WEB SITE, AND TRIED TO PUT UP INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING THAT LED ME TO AL.COM, IN 2016 I JOINED AL.COM AND HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE THERE, GREAT COLLEAGUES.

YOU KNOW, WE STARTED ALABAMA EDUCATION LAB, WHICH CONTINUES.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND, WOW, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT HERE SOMETIMES, TODD.

>> WELL, WE'RE GLAD YOU DID, AND IT JUST SPEAKS TO THE WORK THAT YOU WERE DOING, AGAIN, IN THAT NON-PROFIT SPACE THAT IT WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT ALABAMA'S LARGEST MEDIA OUTLET, YOU KNOW, AL.COM BROUGHT YOU ON BOARD TO BUILD THE EDUCATION LAB.

WE'RE GRATEFUL.

ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION DOES SO MUCH IN IF EDUCATION SPACE THAT WE DON'T TOUT ENOUGH ON HERE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU HERE FOR THAT.

LOTS GOING ON.

BRINGING THAT REPORTING TO BEAR IS REALLY IMPORTANT, TOO, BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE CERTAINLY WANT YOU REPORTING HERE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION," WE JUST GOT FINISHED WITH AN EPISODE, AND I THOUGHT, I WISH TRISH WAS ON BOARD BECAUSE YOU BRING A LOT OF QUALITY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

WHAT TYPES OF STORIES DO YOU HOPE TO BE REPORTING ON, YOU KNOW?

>> WELL, FOLKS WHO KNOW ME KNOW I'M KIND OF A DATA NERD AND A POLICY PERSON AND PROCEDURE, YOU KNOW, I LIKE REPORTING ON WHAT'S HAPPENING AS IT'S HAPPENING AND NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DECISION IS MADE AND SAY, HEY, HERE'S WHAT THEY DID.

SO, THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES, A LOT OF BIG THINGS ON THE HORIZON FOR EDUCATION.

K-12, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE SPENT MOST OF MY TIME ON, BUT, ALSO, COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

YOU KNOW, ALABAMA'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE SEEING ENROLLMENT INCREASE.

THAT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING NATIONALLY.

WE HAVE UNIVERSITIES HERE, RIGHT?

WE NEED TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, HOW ARE THEY CONTRIBUTING TO OUR FUTURE AS ALABAMIANS, WHICH IS WHAT I KIND OF SEE EDUCATION AS DOING, RIGHT?

LIKE, WE GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS EDUCATION, AND THEN WE NEED TO GIVE BACK, RIGHT.

WE NEED TO BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, WHILE STILL BEING ABLE TO MAKE CHOICES.

I THINK CHOICES ARE IMPORTANT, SO, HEY, SCHOOL CHOICE.

JUNE, THAT'S BIG.

THE CHOOSE ACT STARTS NEXT YEAR, BRINGING EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, WHICH, YOU KNOW, COLLOQUIALLY ARE REFERRED TO AS VOUCHERS, THAT'S GOING TO BE BIG.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU KNOW, WHO'S USING THEM, WHERE ARE THEY GOING, WHICH PRIVATE SCHOOLS THEY CAN THEM, OUR HOME SCHOOLERS USING THEM, LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE THE NEXT SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA, PERHAPS, ON THE HORIZON.

>> BIG, BIG DEAL.

>> BIG, BIG DEAL.

SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS NOW AND JUST WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT TO START TALKING ABOUT WHAT WOULD IT REALLY DO FOR KIDS, WHAT WOULD IT REALLY DO FOR, YOU KNOW, EQUIPPING CLASSROOMS WITH WHAT THEY REALLY NEED TO HELP KIDS WITH CHALLENGES.

SOME KIDS HAVE MORE CHALLENGES THAN OTHERS TO HELP THEM LEARN AND BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS -- YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR'S TURNAROUND SCHOOL INITIATIVES, I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN THAT.

I THINK, IF THEY CAN GET THIS RIGHT AND THEY HAVE FOUR STATE AGENCIES AT THE TABLE, HELPING 15 SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE SCHOOL IS MORE THAN JUST WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE SCHOOL BUILDING, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT, CERTAINLY.

>> YOU HAVE FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR KIDS WHEN THEY GET OUT OF SCHOOL, THAT'S GOING TO BE HUGE.

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO DIVING INTO THAT.

AND ALWAYS HOW DOES EDUCATION CONNECT TO THE WORKFORCE?

YOU KNOW, I THINK, FOR A LONG TIME -- AND OUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION SAID THIS, WHEN HE FIRST CAME TO THE POSITION IN 2018, HE SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'VE KIND OF BEEN SILOED.

K-12 WAS DOING ITS THING AND HIGHER ED WAS DOING ITS THING, BUT I KNOW GOVERNOR IVEY HAS DONE A LOT TO TRY TO BRING THE TWO TOGETHER TO SAY THERE SHOULD BE -- IT SHOULD BE SEAMLESS, RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

>> SO THERE'S A LOT TO LOOK INTO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I DO THINK THERE'S MORE INTERESTING COLLABORATING MAKING THAT SEAMLESS THAN REALLY EVER BEFORE.

YOU SAW THAT WITH ALL THOSE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BILLS THAT PASSED THIS LAST TIME AROUND.

THEY WANT TO HEAR FROM BUSINESS, THEY WANT TO ALIGN THE CURRICULUM TO BE CORRECT, REALLY ENGAGING CAREER TECH AND HOW THAT'S BEING IMPLEMENTED EVEN IN JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO THERE'S A LOT GOING ON THERE.

AND YOU'RE RIGHT, EDUCATION TOUCHES REALLY EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES.

IT IS REALLY THE BIGGEST THING THAT HAPPENS HERE IN MONTGOMERY IN TERMS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

IF ONLY BIG MEANS THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS, RIGHT, EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

AND, SO, IT'S BEEN INTERESTING FOR ME, SINCE I HAVE BEEN BACK, SINCE I STARTED BACK IN 2018, TO SEE A RENEWED FOCUS ON INSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT.

I GUESS YOU COULD KIND OF GO BACK TO THE LITERACY ACT.

YOU HAD THE NUMERACY ACT, WHERE YOU SAW STATE LAWMAKERS MAYBE MORE ENGAGED THAN I REMEMBER PREVIOUS LEGISLATORS BEING.

SO THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO YOU TRACKING THAT PROGRESS AS IT GOES FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU.

YES, I AM, TOO.

YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED CAREER TECH.

I THINK ALABAMIANS HAVE SORT OF BEEN UNDER THE IMPRESSION CAREER TECH IS NOT A THING.

CAREER TECH IS VERY MUCH A THING.

IT GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MIDDLE SCHOOL NOW.

KIDS ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT DO THEY WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP.

DOES EVERY SIXTH GRADE NOR ETHAT?

NO.

BUT THAT CAN LEAD CHILDREN TO OPPORTUNITIES, AND THEY CAN UNDERSTAND, YES, IT'S GOING TO TAKE THIS FOR ME TO GET THAT.

I MEAN, THE EASY ONE TO SAY IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR, RIGHT.

YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF SCHOOL AHEAD OF YOU IF YOU WANT TO BE A MEDICAL DOCTOR, BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND BIOLOGY, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO MATH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THERE.

AND I'VE SEEN JUST TONS OF INTEREST IN CAREER TECH WITH, YOU KNOW, WE'VE JUST COME OFF OF A THREE- FOUR-YEAR FEDERAL MONEY THAN WE'VE EVER HAD THROWN AT OUR K-12 SCHOOLS.

HIGHER ED GOT SOME OF THAT, TOO.

AND WITH A LOT OF THAT K-12 MONEY AND WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM, A LOT OF MONEY HAS BEEN INVESTED IN CAREER TECH, YOU KNOW, TO LET CHILDREN SEE WHAT COULD WE DO IF WE DON'T FEEL LIKE GOING TO COLLEGE NOW, EITHER COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR A FOUR-YEAR.

THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THAT, TRACKING THAT AS IT GETS, YOU KNOW, MORE AND MORE AVAILABLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE.

I FEEL LIKE SO MUCH IS HAPPENING ON THE EDUCATION FRONT IN ALABAMA.

SO I'M REALLY TICKLED YOU'RE NOW ON BOARD AS PART OF THE TEAM AND FOLKS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COVERAGE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND ESPECIALLY ON "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION" WHICH WE WANT TO KEEP GOING AND IMPROVING.

TRISH, CONGRATULATIONS AND CAN'T WAIT TO WORK WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

OCTOBER IS BEEF MONTH IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT IT IS ERIN BEASLEY OF THE ALABAMA CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> THANKS FOR BRINGING YOUR BEEF.

>> WE TRY NOT TO GO WITHOUT BEEF IN HAND.

IT'S EVERYONE'S FAVORITE PROTEIN.

>> I REMEMBER WHETHER A BILL SIGNING OR PROCLAMATION, YOUR MEMBERS IN JACKETS AND COWBOY HATS, CERTAINLY A PLATTER OF BEEF.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION AND ITS ROLE IN THE STATE?

>> IT WAS FORMED IN 1944.

WE'RE A TRADE ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS BEEF CATTLE PRODUCERS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE REPRESENT OVER 10,000 MEMBERS ANNUALLY ACROSS ALL 67 COUNTIES.

THERE ARE CATTLE IN ALL 67 COUNTIES.

AND, SO, WE -- YOU KNOW, OUR IMPACT IS WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ARMS BUT FROM A MEMBERSHIP PERSPECTIVE, OUR GOAL IS TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS, WHETHER THAT BE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE POLICY, THROUGH WATCHING OVER REGULATORY BURDENS AND WORKING TO ENSURE THEY CAN OPERATE IN A FREE MARKET AND BE ABLE TO RAISE CATTLE AND DO SO IN A MANNER THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THEM PROFITABLE AND BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE INDUSTRY.

WE DO A LOT OF BEEF PROMOTION, A LOT OF PROMOTION OF OUR INDUSTRY.

ONE THING ABOUT OUR CONSUMERS IS THEY ARE EAGER AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, KNOWLEDGE TO GAIN FROM LEARNING ABOUT OUR PRODUCT.

AND, SO, A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO IS USING OUR PROMOTION DOLLARS THROUGH A PROGRAM CALLED THE BEEF CHUCK OFF PROGRAM, SO THE SECOND ARM OF OUR PROGRAM IS WORKING TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS ABOUT BEACH AND PROMOTE THE CATTLE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

WE ALSO HAVE A FOUNDATION THAT'S VERY SUCCESSFUL IN GIVING OUT SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY.

WE DO ABOUT $100,000 ANNUALLY IN SCHOLARSHIPS.

SO, THE ASSOCIATION AS A WHOLE IS VERY DIVERSE IN THAT IT TOUCHES A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BUT OUR MAIN ROLE IS REALLY TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS.

>> AND I'M GUESSING BEEF MONTH IS A, YOU KNOW, PRIME TIME TO DO THAT, PARDON THE PUN.

SO HOW DID BEEF MONTH COME ABOUT AND HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, SO, WE WERE -- FIRST, WE WERE ONE TO HAVE THE FIRST STATES TO HAVE THIS BEEF CHUCK OFF PROGRAM TO PROMOTE OUR PRODUCT.

WE HAD SOME INCREDIBLE FOREFATHERS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION EARLY ON.

AS A PERSON IN 2024 LOOKING BAG ON THAT YOU GO WHERE DID THEY GET THESE AWESOME IDEAS?

ONE OF THOSE WAS THE IDEA THAT LET'S USE THE PROMOTION DOLLARS -- AT THAT TIME THERE WAS A LOT OF CATTLE IN THE MARKET, IT WAS KIND OF FLOODED IN THE MARKET AND THEY NEEDED TO MOVE THE PRODUCT BECAUSE PRICES WERE DEPRESSED.

SO IN 1964, THE IDEA CAME ABOUT AND SAID LET'S DEDICATE AN ENTIRE MONTH TO PROMOTING THE PRODUCT AND MOVE IT OFF THE SHELF AND GET THE CONSUMERS BUYING IT.

AND, SO, THEY DID THAT, AND THE RESULTS WERE JUST REMARKABLE.

SINCE 1964, GOVERNOR WALLACE WAS THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO PROCLAIM OCTOBER WAS BEEF MONTH.

AT THAT TIME, WE WERE THE FIRST STATE TO DO SUCH A THING.

AND, SO, IT WAS PICKED UP BY NATIONAL MEDIA, THE TIME TRADE PUBLICATIONS AND SUCH.

FROM THAT, A LOT OF STATES STARTED DOING IT AND, NOW, THERE'S ACTUALLY A NATIONAL BEEF MONTH IN MAY.

BUT GIVEN WE WERE THE FIRST TO COME UP WITH IT, WE'VE ALWAYS STUCK WITH OCTOBER BEEF MONTH, A GREAT TIME IN OUR STATE TO BE ABLE TO PUT THE EFFORTS TOWARDS IT AND THE DOLLARS TOWARDS IT AND JUST REALLY WORK BOTH AT THE STATE LEVEL AND DOWN IN OUR COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE THE BEEF CATTLE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS QUITE A BIT OF FORESIGHT IN TERMS OF SOMETHING THAT HAS STUCK AROUND ALL THIS LONG.

WELL, WHAT KIND OF THINGS CAN WE EXPECT FROM BEEF MONTH?

DO Y'ALL HAVE SOME PLANNED ACTIVITIES?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, THIS MORNING, ACTUALLY, BEFORE I CAME OVER HERE, WE HAVE A HISTORY BOOK THAT WAS WRITTEN AND I WAS READING ON WHAT THE EARLY ACTIVITIES WERE IN THE EARLY '60S WHEN THIS STARTED.

IT WAS ALL ABOUT BILLBOARDS AND PRINTED RECIPES AND COUNTY FAIRS AND STATE FAIRS AND ALL THESE ACTIVITIES.

WHILE BEEF MONTH ITSELF HALLS CHANGED A LOT WITH WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING, SOME OF THOSE DYNAMICS ARE STILL IN PLAY.

SO YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE INSTEAD OF THE PRINT ADVERTISING, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A REALLY HEAVY DIGITAL ADVERTISING PRESENCE AND WE ALL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND REACHING OUR CONSUMERS TODAY.

SO REALLY HEAVY ON THE DIGITAL.

A LOT OF EVENTS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THIS WEEKEND, WE'LL HAVE A LARGE SETUP AT TALLADEGA.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF ALABAMIANS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH THAT WILL BE SET UP PROMOTING THE BEEF CATTLE INDUSTRY.

ONE PROMOTION, SO THIS YEAR IS 60 YEARS OF CELEBRATING OCTOBER BEEF MONTH, AND A CONTEST -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT IT, TODD, BUT FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS, WE'VE DONE SOME TYPE OF BAHAMA'S BEST STEAK, BURGER, BEEF, WE'VE DONE ALL THESE BEST CONTEST PROMOTIONS.

WHAT IT'S ALLOWED US TO DO IS IDENTIFY A LOT OF GREAT INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS IN THE STATE THAT DO A JAM-UP JOB WITH BEEF DISHES.

IN HONOR OF 60 YEARS OF SAVOR, WE'VE DECIDED TO COMPILE ALL THOSE.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A PROMOTION, 60 SAVORY STOPS.

SO, YOU CAN GO ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

THAT IS OUT ON OUR WEB SITE.

YOU CAN SEE 60 DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS IN THIS STATE THAT HAVE AN AWESOME BEEF DISH TO OFFER.

IF YOU'RE A CONSUMER THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW WHAT, I WANT TO HIT THE TRAIL THIS MONTH AND A FEW OF THOSE, YOU CAN DEFINITELY FIND GREAT STEAK RESTAURANTS AND BEEF RESTAURANTS TO VISIT.

ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T MENTION OUR COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS.

SO WE MENTIONED THERE ARE BEEF CATTLE IN ALL 67 COUNTIES.

SO OUR COUNTY CATTLEMEN'S GROUPS, THEY REALLY GET INTO BEEF MONTH AS WELL.

THEY WILL BE VERY INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF THEIR COUNTY FAIRS GOING ON.

THEY RAISE MONEY THROUGH DOING THINGS LIKE STEAK SANDWICH SALES SO THEY CAN DO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KIDS IN THEIR COUNTY, SO WE SEE A LOT OF THAT, AND A LOT OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

WE'LL HAVE THEM READING BOOKS ABOUT THE CATTLE INDUSTRY IN CLASSROOMS.

THAT'S A GREAT WAY FOR US TO CONNECT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, JUST TEACHING KIDS WHERE THEIR BEEF COMES FROM.

THAT'S A BIG BARRIER WE HAVE.

YOU'RE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WE HAVE THE MUSEUM HERE THAT'S VISITED A LOT.

OUR COUNTIES DO A GREAT JOB OF EXTENDING THE MESSAGE AND HAVING THE GRASSROOTS EFFORT.

THERE WILL BE A LOT GOING ON.

ANYTHING YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, OR YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE WEB SITE AND CHECK OUT THE ACTIVITIES.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO THROW THE LINKS UP.

>> YEAH.

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GET INTO THE SAVORY DISHES.

>> SAVORY STOPS.

>> NOTHING I LIKE MORE THAN STEAK IN A RESTAURANT.

I HEARD IT'S RESTAURANT WEEK IN MONTGOMERY AND I HEARD FRENCHIE'S HAS A BEEF WELLINGTON.

>> OKAY.

>> THIS IS GREAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON AND EDUCATING US ABOUT BEEF MONTH, THE CATTLEMEN'S IMPACT IN THE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> WE APPRECIATE IT.

TAKE THE T-BONES HOME.

THROW THEM ON THE GRILL, GET YOU A STEAK TO EAT TO KICK OFF BEEF MONTH.

WE'RE HERE AND READY TO GO.

>> WE'LL SHARE IT AS A GROUP.

ERIN, THANKS AGAIN.

>> THANKS, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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