>> GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY IS AMONG A GROUP OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE COME OUT STRONGLY AGAINST PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S SWEEPING NEW VACCINATION MANDATE.

IT REQUIRES ALL BUSINESSES WITH MORE THAN A HUNDRED EMPLOYEES TO BE VACCINATED OR SUBMIT TO WEEKLY COVID TESTING.

THE MANDATE WOULD AFFECT SOME 80 MILLION AMERICANS.

IN A STATEMENT, GOVERNOR IVEY SAID -- “I'VE MADE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR: I SUPPORT THE SCIENCE AND ENCOURAGE FOLKS TAKING THE VACCINE.

HOWEVER, I AM ABSOLUTELY AGAINST A GOVERNMENT MANDATE ON THE VACCINE, WHICH IS WHY I SIGNED THE VACCINE PASSPORT BAN INTO LAW IN ALABAMA.

THIS IS NOT THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT.” GOVERNOR IVEY TOOK PART IN A CONFERENCE CALL TODAY WITH OTHER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS AND SAID THAT THEY WERE UNITED IN FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE PRESIDENT'S VACCINATION MANDATE.

BIDEN HAS SAID THAT IF REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS WON'T HELP HIM BEAT THE PANDEMIC, THAT HE WOULD USE HIS POWER AS PRESIDENT TO ‘GET THEM OUT OF THE WAY.'

ON SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY, GOVERNOR IVEY RESPONDED BY SAYING: “I'M STANDING STRONG AS A BULL FOR ALABAMA AGAINST THIS OUTRAGEOUS WASHINGTON OVERREACH.

BRING IT ON.'

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WAS ASKED TODAY ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S CONTROVERSIAL NEW VACCINATION MANDATE.

HE TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE LIKES TO STAY OUT OF THE POLITICS SURROUNDING THIS ISSUE.

>> IT'S PROBABLY NOT MY PLACE TO WEIGH IN ON FIGHTS AGAINST THE FEDS AND THE STATES.

CLEARLY THE COURTS WILL BE INVOLVED.

THERE WILL BE LITIGATION I WOULD SUSPECT AND WE'LL SEE HOW HIT PLAYS OUT.

OUR POSITION IS WE WANT TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

WE THINK VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AND WIDELY AVAILABLE AND THE BEST WAY TO GET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

WE WILL DO OUR JOB TO VACCINATE PEOPLE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

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

HOSPITALIZATIONS FROM COVID-19 IN ALABAMA HAVE CONTINUED TO LEVEL-OFF, BUT OFFICIALS WARN NOT TO READ TOO MUCH INTO THE NUMBERS.

THIS, AS HOSPITALS CONTINUE TO SEE A NET NEGATIVE OF SOME 60 CRITICAL CARE BEDS.

ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT DR. DON WILLIAMSON SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> WE'RE IN DIRE STRAITS.

WE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY OVER 800 PATIENTS IN THE ICU NOW FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

WE HAVE OVER 600 PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS WITH COVID.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR ICU CAPACITY AND UTILIZATION, 50% OF ALL OF THE PATIENTS IN ICU IN ALABAMA TODAY HAVE COVID.

>> OUR DAILY VIRUS COUNTS CONTINUE TO REACH AS HIGH AS 5,000 AND WE'RE AVERAGING DOUBLE DIGIT COVID DEATHS DAILY.

>> COVID CASES AMONG SCHOOL AGE KIDS IN THE STATE CONTINUE TO CLIMB EXPONENTIALLY, AND WITH THAT, HEALTH CONCERNS ARE NOW OVERSHADOWING OTHER HOT TOPICS THAT HAVE BEEN BEFORE EDUCATION OFFICIALS.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> IT'S THE SEPTEMBER BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING AND THE TOPIC OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY ISN'T ON THE AGENDA.

>> LAST MONTH WE DEALT WITH THAT ISSUE.

WE'RE NOW FOCUSING CLEARLY ON COVID, ON ACADEMIC RECOVERY.

>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT DR. MACKEY AND BOARD MEMBERS SAY THEY KNOW CRT LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON THE STATE BUT A VOTE ON IT CHANGED THE BOARD'S FOCUS.

>> PERSONALLY I'M GRATEFUL THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING DATA AND PERFORMANCE IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND WE ARE MOVED FORWARD AS A BOARD.

>> WE CAN GO FORWARD WITH ISSUES THAT ARE MORE IMPERATIVE AT THIS TIME.

FIRST COVID-19 AND THE VARIANTS OUT THERE.

GETTING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCHOOL AND BEING ABLE TO RETAIN THEM THERE.

>> NOW THAT CRITICAL RACE THEORY HAS TAKEN A BACKSEAT, BOARD MEMBERS SAY THEIR ATTENTION CAN TURN ELSEWHERE, MOST LIKELY THE EFFECTS OF THE CORONAVIRUS ON SCHOOLS.

>> WE'RE DISCUSSING TRULY WHAT IS IMPORTANT AT THIS TIME AND THAT IS THE LEARNING LOSS OF OUR STUDENTS.

I THINK THE ENGAGEMENT TODAY BY THE BOARD JUST SHOWS HOW DIALED IN WE ARE.

>> MANY DISTRICTS HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE TOPICS OF WEARING MASKS.

BEYOND THAT, WHEN CASES HAVE OCCURRED, THEN DETERMINING IF VARIOUS SCHOOLS SHOULD BE CLOSED.

>> I CANNOT OVER EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF FOCUSING ON STUDENTS' HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE IT'S ANOTHER CHALLENGING YEAR FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

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

>> INITIAL DATA THIS WEEK SHOWED THAT ALABAMA STUDENT TEST SCORES ARE DOWN THIS YEAR, WITH READING AND MATH SCORES FALLING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND, UNDER HALF OF SECOND GRADERS WITH PROFICIENT SKILL IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, WHICH IS WIDELY VIEWED AS A GAUGE OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO RISK BEING HELD BACK A GRADE.

STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DR. ERIC MACKEY SAYS THAT THE INITIAL DATA HAS NOT YET BEEN VERIFIED.

>> SO THE DISTRICTS ARE NOW VERIFYING THE DATA, BUT THEY WON'T CHANGE MUCH.

AND YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THE SCORES ARE LOWER ACROSS THE BOARD.

THEY ARE EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE SAYING LAST SUMMER, LAST SCHOOL YEAR, DURING THE TESTING WINDOW THIS SPRING.

THAT WHEN STUDENTS DON'T HAVE A TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM WITH THEM IT'S MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO LEARN.

>> DR. MACKEY ALSO SAYS THAT OUR STANDARDIZED TESTS ARE NEW AND HE CAUTIONS AGAINST COMPARING RESULTS TO 2019, THE LAST YEAR STUDENTS TOOK STATEWIDE TESTS.

>> LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE HELD CAUCUS MEETINGS THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS A NEW DRAFT PRISON CONSTRUCTION BILL.

AND MANY LEFT SAYING THAT THAT AN AGREEMENT COULD BE CLOSE AT HAND.

THE DRAFT BILL PROPOSES BUILDING TWO NEW MEN'S PRISONS IN ESCAMBIA AND ELMORE COUNTIES AND A NEW WOMEN'S FACILITY IN ELMORE COUNTY.

THEY WOULD BE PAID FOR WITH A MIX OF A $785 MILLION BOND ISSUE, THE USE OF FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS, AND CASH ON HAND.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE OF OZARK IS THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND BUDGET CHAIRMAN.

>> WE HAVE HAD SOME GOOD REVENUE NUMBERS COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, VERY GOOD.

MORE SO THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT WHEN WE LEFT AT THE END OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE HAVE A SUPPLEMENT APPROPRIATION, CLOSE TO $150 MILLION OF GENERAL FUND DOLLARS.

THE MEN'S PRISON IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY WILL BASICALLY BE ABLE TO BUILD THAT WITH CASH WITHOUT HAVING TO USE ANY BOND MONEY THERE.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION ON NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION AND SHE SENT A LETTER TO LAWMAKERS URGING THEM TO GET BEHIND THE PLAN.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE EXPECTS TWO SPECIAL SESSIONS THIS FALL, ON PRISONS LATER THIS MONTH AND ON REDISTRICTING LATE NEXT MONTH.

>> WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME VOTE COUNTING.

MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOOD SUPPORT FOR THE PRISON ISSUE.

THAT WILL PROBABLY COME FIRST.

WE KNOW THE REAPPORTIONMENT ISSUE WILL BE THE LATTER PART OF OCTOBER.

ONCE WE GET THROUGH OCTOBER WE'RE INTO THE HOLIDAYS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER AND THEN IN SESSION IN JANUARY.

WE'RE GOING TO IMMEDIATE -- IF WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS PRISON ISSUE AND IT'S SOMETHING WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN GET PASSED WE NEED TO DO IT IN THE END OF SEPTEMBER, FIRST PART OF OCTOBER.

>> THIS AS THE STATE FACES A FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER PRISON CONDITIONS.

ALABAMA'S NEW MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION MET THIS WEEK AT THE STATEHOUSE.

AND OFFICIALS SAID THEY WILL PUSH FOR LEGISLATION IN A SPECIAL SESSION TO TWEAK THE LAW THAT, AMONG THINGS, CREATED THEM.

COMMISSION CHAIRMAN DR. STEVEN STOKES OF DOTHAN SAID TWEAKS ARE NEEDED TO EXPEDITE ISSUING PERMITS FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS GROWERS.

>> THEY PUT INTO LAW THAT WE WOULD NOT PLANT A CROP UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF 2022, WHICH IS NEXT YEAR.

SO YOU WOULDN'T HAVE A CROP UNTIL 2023.

WE'RE MOVING MUCH FASTER THAN THE LEGISLATURE THOUGHT WE COULD MOVE.

WE WANT TO MOVE IT SO WE CAN HOPEFULLY HAVE APPLICANTS FOR GROW PERMITS THIS FALL.

>> SUCH A MOVE WOULD, OSTENSIBLY, MAKE MEDICAL MARIJUANA AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE STATE NEXT YEAR.

THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION THIS WEEK ALSO VOTED TO HIRE STATE TREASURER JOHN MCMILLAN TO BE ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST.

HE IS, OF COURSE, A FORMER STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER.

>> THERE'S A NEW MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

DEMOCRAT KENYATTE HASSELL OF MONTGOMERY WAS ELECTED THIS WEEK TO FILL THE VACANT HOUSE DISTRICT 78 SEAT.

HASSELL RECEIVED 80-PERCENT OF THE VOTE OVER REPUBLICAN LORETTA GRANT IN UNOFFICIAL TUESDAY TOTALS.

HASSELL HAS SERVED WITH THE FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION ‘YOUNG LIFE' FOR 16 YEARS.

HE SUCCEEDS KIRK HATCHER, WHO LEFT THE HOUSE SEAT AFTER WINNING ELECTION TO THE STATE SENATE.

>> AS THEY GEAR UP FOR AN EXPECTED SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT NEXT MONTH, LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE CHANGES THAT WILL BE COMING TO SOME LEGISLATIVE, CONGRESSIONAL, AND SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICTS.

A HEARING WAS HELD AT THE STATEHOUSE THIS WEEK AND AS "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT, IT HIGHLIGHTED CONCERNS BEING BROUGHT UP AT SUCH HEARINGS AROUND THE STATE.

>> THE LEGISLATURE CANNOT JUST DRAW DISTRICTS ANYWAY IT WANTS.

IT'S BOUND BY AN OBLIGATION TO COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL AND STATE STATUTES THIS THE LEGISLATURE'S GUIDELINES FOR REDISTRICTING.

>> PART OF IT IS INPUT FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

AT THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD IN MONTGOMERY, TWO PARTICIPANTS FOCUSED ON THEIR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

>> THERE ARE SEVEN HOUSE DISTRICTS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

WEIRDLY SHAPED.

OBVIOUSLY PULLING IN FROM RURAL AREAS OUTSIDE OF MONTGOMERY TO ADDRESS THE BALANCE.

THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS.

>> FOR BLACK VOTERS TO HAVE FAIR REPRESENTATION, THEY SHOULDN'T BE PACKED IN TO DISTRICTS IN MONTGOMERY AND JEFFERSON COUNTY AREAS IN WAYS THAT UNFAIRLY DILUTE THEIR POLITICAL POWER.

>> ONE OF THE GOALS IS TO KEEP COUNTIES WHOLE.

A COMPLAINT HEARD IS THAT AMONG COUNTY IS SPLIT INTO THREE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

>> I ENCOURAGE THIS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER CHANGING THE LINES TO COMPLY WITH THE INTENT AND SPIRIT OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 WHICH WAS TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OF VOTING OR REMOVE BARRIERS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE AFTER SLAVERY ENDED AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BLACKS TO ELECT REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR CHOICE.

>> ONE HELD BY A DEMOCRAT IS THE BLACK PORTION OF TOWN, PREDOMINANTLY BLACK PORTION OF TOWN AND WHITE FOLKS ARE MORE LIKELY IN DISTRICT TWO OR THREE.

THAT CONTRIBUTES TO US HAVING RACIAL DIVISIONS WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> A FEW OF THE SPEAKERS SAID THEY HAVE DRAWN PLANS TO FIX THE ISSUES THEY VOTED.

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

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

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

>>> NEXT UP ON THE PROGRAM, CHIP BROWN IS WITH US.

>> THANK YOU.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF BILLS NEXT YEAR.

BOTH ARE COVID CONNECTED.

LET'S START WITH THE ONE THAT SAYS PARENTS COULD OPT OUT OF SCHOOL MASKING REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR KIDS.

TELL US WHAT INSPIRED YOU HERE.

>> IT IS A PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL.

IT'S BASED ON ACTUALLY ALMOST WORD FOR WORD WHAT THE GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE DID THROUGH AN EXECUTIVE ORBED ORDER.

IT DOESN'T MANDATE OR DO AWAY WITH MANDATES ON MASKS BUFF ALLOWS PARENTS THAT WANT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL TO WEAR A MASK, THE PARENTS THAT DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, I'VE HEARD FROM PARENTS ALL ACROSS THE STATE THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE ISSUES WITH WEARING MASKS, WHETHER IT BE NOSE BLEEDS, BREATHING PROBLEMS OR HEALTH CONDITIONS, LET ALONE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF WEARING A MASK ALL DAY.

IT ALLOWS THOSE PARENTS THAT DON'T WANT THEIR CHILD TO WEAR MASK TO OPT OUT.

THEY WOULD SIMPLY SIGN A PAPER THAT SAYS OPT OUT OF WEARING A MASK FOR MY CHILD AND THEY GIVE IT TO THE SCHOOL TEMPERATURE AND IN TURN THEIR CHILD DOESN'T WEAR A MASK.

>> DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE EFFECTS IT COULD HAVE ON SAFETY IN SCHOOLS?

I ASK THAT IN THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS WHO HAVE HAD TO ROLL BACK IN PERSON LEARNING ALREADY AND REVERT TO VIRTUAL LEARNING BECAUSE OF OUTBREAKS IN SCHOOLS.

THERE'S A LARGE CONTINGENT THAT IT COULD GUARD AGAINST THAT.

>> THAT IS A CONCERN BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I ANY THIS IS AFTER GOOD SOLUTION IF PARENTS CHOOSE TO WANT THEIR CHILD TO WEAR A MASK, THEY WEAR A MASK, IF STAFF OR TEACHERS WANT TO WEAR A MASK -- IT DOESN'T SAY YOU CAN'T BUT ALLOWS THOSE PARENTS WHO THINK IT ISN'T RIGHT FOR THEIR CHILD TO OPT OUT.

CURRENTLY WE DON'T HAVE A MASK MANDATE FOR ADULTS IN THE STATE SO WHY SHOULD WE FORCE THAT ON OUR CHILDREN.

IT GETS DOWN TO A RIGHTS ISSUE AND THE RIGHTS ISSUE IS I THINK PARENTINGS SHOULD HAVE A SAY SO IN THE HEALTH OF THEIR CHILDREN AND ALLOW THEIR CHILDREN TO -- THEY ARE THE ONES -- HILLARY CLINTON SAID IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD BUT I THINK IT TAKES PARENTS TO RAISE A CHILD.

>> YOUR PROPOSED LEGISLATION RATCHETS DOWN A BIT THE NOTION OF ANOTHER BILL THAT'S BEEN FLOATED THAT WOULD DO AWAY WITH MASK MANDATES AT SCHOOL.

YOU ARE NOT GOING THERE.

YOU JUST WANT TO GIVE PARENTS CHOICE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK THIS IS A GOOD COMPROMISE.

IT ALLOWS PARENTS TO HAVE A VOICE AND CHOICE.

IF YOU WANT TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL AND WEAR A MASK, BY ALL MEANS DO THAT.

IF YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO WEAR A MASK, THAT'S YOUR RIGHT AS A PARENT.

I THINK IF WE DO IT THE OTHER WAY, WHERE YOU DO AWAY WITH ANY OF THE MANDATES, I THINK WE ARE NOT ALLOWING THE PARENTS THAT THINK IT IS RIGHT FOR THEIR CHILDREN TOO DO THAT.

THIS IS A GOOD COMPROMISE I BELIEVE.

>> ARE YOU GOOD WITH THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED SO FAR IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S A LOCAL DECISION, NO STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MANDATE ON MASKS.

THEY ARE LEAVING IT UP TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT IS GREAT.

WE NEED MORE LOCAL CONTROL IN ALL FACETS OF GOVERNMENT.

TO ME THEY ARE THE BEST DECISIONS, USUALLY THE BASE OF WHICH THE COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED.

IF YOU BACK -- HE THOUGHT OF THE BEAUTY OF AMERICA VERSUS EUROPE WAS OUR GOVERNMENT WAS FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND NOT THE TOP DOWN.

I SUPPORT IT BEING A LOCAL DECISION THE WAY WE ARE GOING THAT BUT I TAKE THAT ONE STEP FURTHER AND ALLOW THOSE PARENTS TO HAVE A VOICE AND SAY SO IN THEIR CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

>> THERE ARE FOLKS THAT CONTEND IF IT WERE TO COME TO PASS AND PARENTS WERE 0 ABLE TO OUT OF MASK MANDATES IT COULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD BY ALLOWING PEOPLE NOT TO WEAR MASKS.

POSSIBLY SPREAD THE VIRUS MORE EASILY.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT, WE ARE TELLING THESE CHILDREN TO WEAR MASKS FROM 8-3.

BUT GO TO A FOOTBALL GAME ON A FRIDAY NIGHT AND LOOK AT THE KIDS PACKED IN.

PEOPLE WOULD SAY, OKAY IT IS OUTSIDE BUT THEY ARE SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, UP IN EACH OTHER'S FACES.

IT'S NOT.

IN IF YOU TALK TO A LOT OF TEACHERS, THEY WILL TELL YOU SOME OF THEM WEAR THEM HALF WAY DOWN THEIR MOUTH OR HERE.

THERE'S NO SET STANDARD.

I'VE HEARD FROM SO MANY PARENTS THAT FEEL LIKE THEY ARE NOT BEING LISTENED TO.

IF THOSE PARENTS WANT THEIR CHILD TO WEAR A MASK, BY ALL MEANS DO THAT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER BILL YOU PREFILED FOR NEXT YEAR THAT DEALS WITH CONSENT TO RECEIVE A VACCINE.

CURRENTLY ALABAMA LAW SAYS THE AGE OF CONTENT TO RECEIVE ARE COVID VACCINE OR ANY OTHER IS 14 AND YOU WANT TO CHANGE THAT.

>> THE LAW WAS WRITTEN IN 1971.

A LOT OF THE LANGUAGE IS OUTDATED.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT CHANGING THE OVERALL CONSENT FROM 14 TO 18.

MOST PEOPLE ARE SHOCKED WHEN THEY FIND OUT THE MEDICAL AGE OF CONTENT IN ALABAMA IS 14.

YOU CAN'T DRIVE.

YOU CAN'T HOPE A BANK ACCOUNT.

YOU CAN'T RENT A HOTEL ROOM.

SO MANY THINGS YOU CAN'T DO WHEN YOU ARE 14 YEARS OLD, TO BE ABLE TO BE MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF IS ABSURD.

I TOOK THIS PIECEMEAL APPROACH.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT IS NOT AN ANTI-VAC VACCINE BILL.

IT IS A PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL.

IT ALLOWS PARENTS TO HAVE SAY SO IN THEIR CHILD'S HEALTHCARE.

IT WOULD PREVENT FROM WHAT HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES WHERE A SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS GONE IN AND DONE -- EVERY CHILD HAS TO HAVE A VACCINE, REGARDLESS AND THIS WOULD PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING IN ALABAMA AND ALLOW PARENTS TO HAVE A SAY IN THE HEALTHCARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

SO TO ME THAT'S IMPORTANT.

I THINK WE HAVE TO SHIFT THOSE RIGHTS BACK TO THE PARENTS.

>> YOUR FOCUS IS ANY VACCINE HERE.

WAS THE BILL LARGELY DRIVEN BY THE COVID VACCINE?

>> THAT'S CERTAINLY IN THE NEWS.

IT GAVE ME THE IMPETUS TO LOOK AT THE CODE OF ALABAMA SAYS REGARDING THAT.

SO, TO ME, IT'S A PIECEMEAL APPROACH.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT REDOING THAT PARTICULAR SECTION OF THE CODE TO WHERE IT CHANGES IT TO 18, BUT IT DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY SINGLE OUT THE COVID VACCINE.

IT JUST SAYS VACCINES IN GENERAL.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

IT PUTS PARENTS BACK IN THE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS OF THEIR CHILD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CHIP BROWN, ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES ANYTIME AT APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE AND YOU CAN LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, THOMAS JACKSON OF THOMASVILLE IS BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

>> GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> KNOWN AS HOT SUMMER.

>> IT'S BEEN HOT ONE.

>> YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE EXPECTED TO BE CALLED INTO A SPECIAL SESSION THIS FALL TO DEAL WITH REDRAWING OUR DISTRICT LINES, SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO DO BEFORE THE ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR AND SOMETHING YOU ARE DELAYED IN DOING BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET THE CENSUS INFORMATION WE NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS IN THE REGULAR SESSION.

I ASSUME YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS ARE WATCHING THIS CLOSELY.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP DOING OUR BEST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE REAPPORTIONMENT.

THERE WILL BE SOME PUBLIC HEARINGS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE STATE FOR THE PUBLIC.

LIKE TEN YEARS AGO.

YOU ALREADY HAVE THE PLAN DONE AND YOU GO AND TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.

I ALWAYS COMPLAINED ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO BE ON THOUGH FOUNDATION FLOOR OF DRAWING THIS DISTRICTS.

WE ARE IN SUCH BAD SHAPE AS IT RELATES TO THE CENSUS IS WE LOST PEOPLE.

MY DISTRICT ALONE LOST AT LEAST 4,000 PEOPLE.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING TO GO.

SOUTH MAYBE.

WE HAVE SOME PROBLEMS.

REALLY HAVE SOME ISSUES.

>> THE TRENDS INDICATE THAT RURAL AREAS DID SUFFER IN TERMS OF LOSS OF POPULATION AND URBAN AREAS GREW.

OF COURSE THAT'S BEEN A TREND FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY LESS CONCERNING TO YOU AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS A RURAL AREA OF THE STATE.

>> WE ARE TALKING SOUTHWEST RURAL, FOUR AREAS OF RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WHEN YOU LOSE POPULATION IN A SMALL COUNTY, EVERYBODY KNOW EVERYBODY ANYWAY.

I THINK OF THOMASVILLE, MY HOMETOWN, WE ARE 3700 PEOPLE.

IT WAS 4300 SOMETIME EARLIER.

JACKSON HAS LOST PEOPLE.

THAT'S THE LARGEST COMMUNITY IN CLARK COUNTY.

WE DON'T KNOW.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN HEAR THE INPUT.

GET THE INPUT FROM THE PEOPLE RATHER THAN LET THE LEGISLATORS DRAW THE DISTRICT WITHOUT THE INPUT.

>> ONE CONCERN THAT COMES ALONG DURING REAPPORTIONMENT IS MINORITY VOTING STRENGTH.

IT SEEMS HER REAPPORTIONMENT CYCLE THERE'S NEW CONTROVERSY LITIGATION OVER STACKING AND PACKING AS IT'S CALLED WHERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTERS ARE PACKED INTO TRADITIONALLY MINORITY, MAJORITY DISTRICTS AND THEIR VOTING STRENGTH IN OTHER AREAS IS DILUTED IN THE PROCESS.

>> IT'S A CONCERN NOW.

THAT'S WHY WE WERE IN COURT LAST REDISTRICTING BECAUSE OF THIS.

IF WE DON'T PUT THIS OUT FRONT WHERE THE LINES ARE DRAWN FOR EVERY PERSON THAT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY, ONE VOTE -- ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE.

IT IS NOT STACKING AND PACKING MINORITIES IN ALL OF THE DISTRICTS.

SOME DISTRICTS WILL VOTE 35% MINORITY AND THEY DROPPED DOWN TO 13, 14%.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY OF DEMOCRACY.

EVERY MAN SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

WHEN YOU STACK PEOPLE LIKE THAT, YOU -- YOU WILL DRAW YOUR OWN VOTERS AND ELECT THE VOTERS ELECT WHO THEY WANT TO REPRESENT THEM.

THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> IT IS ALWAYS SAID THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST POLITICAL PROCESSES THERE ARE, REAPPORTIONMENT.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHO'S IN SCROLL.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GERRYMANDER IN A WAY YOU WILL MISREPRESENT THE PEOPLE.

I REMEMBER WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN CONTROL.

THEY DREW DISTRICTS THAT WERE FAIRLY BALANCED.

THERE WAS A GREAT PERCENTAGE OF REPUBLICANS IN EACH DISTRICT.

WE CAN'T GET THE SAME CONSIDERATION WHEN IT COMES TO US BEING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE.

>> WE'LL BE WATCHING CLOSELY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT PRISONS.

NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OVER A PLAN TO BUILD NEW PRISONS.

THERE'S A DRAFT BILL CIRCULATING THAT SAYS TWO NEW MEN'S PRISON ONE IN ESCAMBIA AND ANOTHER IN ELMORE.

AND A WOMEN'S PRISON IN ELMORE.

HOW DO YOU WEIGH IN?

>> SOME ARE CONCERNED ABOUT NOT HAVING THEM BUILT THERE.

AS IT RELATES TO THE WOMEN'S PRISON, FINE.

TUTWILER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED MANY YEARS BACK.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO TWO MEN'S PRISONS, I THINK WE SHOULD THINK OF THE WOMEN'S PRISON FIRST AND GO FROM THERE.

I'M LOOKING AT BIDS.

ARE WE GOING TO BID THESE THINGS OUT?

THERE WAS A STUDY DONE.

I THINK THE STATE SO MANY MILLION DOLLARS TO GET IMPACT AND THEN ALL OF THAT GONE AWAY.

WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO?

HOW ARE WE GOING TO USE THOSE FUNDS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN OUR EMPLOYMENT?

STATE PRISONERS ARE EMPLOYED BY STATE PEOPLE.

RESIDENTS THEN BECOME STATE EMPLOYEES.

>> ECONOMIC DRIVERS.

>> AND WE WANT TO KEEP THEM THERE.

WE DON'T WANT TO BUILD THEM OUT TO SOMEONE FOR A PRIVATIZING.

WE'RE NOT GOING THAT WAY.

>> WHERE DO YOU SIT WHERE NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION VERSUS PRISON REFORM IS CONCERNED?

>> BUILDINGS IS CONSTRUCTION BUT WE NEED TO REFORM THE WHOLE SYSTEM.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM GETTING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT IT TAKES TO MAINTAIN A KID COMING FROM SCHOOL.

HE HAS A PIPELINE RATHER THAN ENHANCING THOSE PERSONS TO BECOME FULL-FLEDGED COMMUNITY INVOLVED CITIZENS.

EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW.

WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH, WE NEED TO LOOK AT SOCIAL ISSUES THAT PUT PEOPLE IN BAD SITUATIONS AND THEY END UP IN PRISONS OVER SOME LITTLE BAD SITUATION.

WE NEED REFORM.

NOT JUST BUILDINGS BUT MORE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A VAST IMPROVEMENT IF WE HAD COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS.

MOST OF THE POLICE OFFICERS DON'T LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND DON'T KNOW THE PERSONS UNTIL CRIME IS COMMITTED.

WE NEED MORE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

WE NEED TO GET POLICEMEN AND CITIZENS INVOLVED IN HOW PRISONS WORK.

CRIME, AS IT RELATES TO HOW WE -- WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP YOU OUT OF THIS PLACE.

PRISON IS TO OCCUPY PEOPLE.

AND THAT PRISON, WE BUILD THEM TO FILL THEM UP.

THAT MEANS SOMEBODY IS TAKING MONEY.

WE SHOULDN'T BE IN PRISONS TO LOOK AT THE BOTTOM LINE BUT TO DETER CRIME.

IF CRIME IS NOT DETERRED WE ARE LOSING THE WHOLE POINT OF PRISON REFORM.

>> REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS JACKSON OF THOMASVILLE.

WE'LL BE WATCHING THE SITUATION CLOSELY.

>> A LOT TO WATCH.

>> INDEED.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, STEVE CLOUSE OF OZARK IS BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> YOU TOO, DON.

>> WELCOME BACK.

YOU AND YOUR CAUCUS MET AT THE STATEHOUSE.

THE TOPIC WAS NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

A NEW DRAFT BILL WILL BUILD A COUPLE OF MEN'S PRISONS AND WOMEN'S PRISON AND RENOVATE A COUPLE OTHER FACILITIES.

HOW WAS IT RECEIVED?

>> I THINK IT WAS RECEIVED WELL.

WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR FIVE YEARS.

WE HAD THE BOND ISSUE THAT GOVERNOR BENTLEY PRESENTED IN 2016 SESSION AND IT CAME CLOSE TO PASSING.

HAD TOO MANY QUESTIONS AT THE END.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD PASS IN 2017 AND THEN GOVERNOR BENTLEY HAD HIS ISSUES AND RESIGNED FROM OFFICE.

SO THAT MESSED THAT UP.

AND 2018 ELECTION YEAR AND 2019 A NEW QUADRIENNIUM, THE GAS TAX AND DIDN'T BRING IT UP THERE AND THE GOVERNOR IS DOING HER DUE DILIGENCE ON THE LEASE PROGRAM.

THOUGHT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS SOMETHING LAST YEAR AND THEN COVID SUSPENDED THE SESSION.

WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF BAD TIMING, BAD LUCK.

BUT IN THOUGH LAST SIX MONTHS WE HAVE HAD SOME GOOD LUCK.

I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THE POINT ON THE PLAN BUT IT WAS A GOOD THING IT FELL APART.

IT WAS NOT A GOOD PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

THE RESCUE FUNDS WERE PASSED IN IF WASHINGTON IN MARCH.

AND WE STARTED TO SEE IN JUNE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THE FUNDS FOR PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

WE HAVE HAD SOME GOOD FORTUNE THERE AND I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE PART OF THOSE FUNDS.

IN FACT, I KNOW WE ARE.

WE WILL BE USING APPROXIMATELY 400 MILLION OFF THE BAT IN RESCUE FUNDS FOR THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

WE HAVE HAD GOOD REVENUE NUMBERS COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, VERY GOOD.

MORE THAN WHAT WE THOUGHT WHEN WE LEFT AT THE END OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION, CLOSE TO $150 MILLION IN GENERAL FUND DOLLARS.

THE MEN'S PRISON IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY WILL BASICALLY BE ABLE TO BUILD THAT WITH CASH WITHOUT HAVING TO USE ANY BOND MONEY THERE.

SO, THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE TAXPAYERS, AS FAR AS SAVING MONEY ON INTEREST INCOME.

>> YOU'LL BE ABLE TO USE THAT CASH FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

YOU'LL BE ABLE TO BE USE -- WHAT WAS THE FIGURE FROM THE FEDERAL FUNDS?

>> AT LEAST 400 MILLION.

I THINK GOING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AS WE GET MORE GUIDANCE, I THINK WE WILL HAVE 150, 200 MILLION MORE TO USE.

>> THAT'S GREAT.

WHATEVER IS LEFT OVER YOU WOULD DO A BOND ISSUE FOR WHATEVER REMAINS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

ARE UP TO 785 MILLION BUT WE WANT TO TRY TO GET, AFTER WE GET PAST FADE ONE WHICH IS THE TWO MEN'S MEGA PRISONS AND GO INTO PHASE TWO WHICH WE HAVE TO HAVE 60% OF THE TWO MEGAS FINISHED FIRST AND DOING RENOVATIONS AT THE LIMESTONE FACILITY, THE DONALDSON FACILITY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, REBUILDING THE WOMEN'S PRISON AT TUTWILER IN ELMORE COUNTY AND RENOVATION OF ONE OF THE FACILITIES IN BASHER OR BULLOCK COUNTY.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY SENT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES A LETTER EXPRESSING THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION.

DO YOU THINK THAT SPURRED A LOT OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ON?

>> I THINK SO.

IT WAS A VERY GOOD LETTER SHE WROTE.

I THINK IT SHOWED A UNIFYING EFFORT BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE HAD SOME GOOD TALKS HERE.

WE STARTED THE FIRST OF JUNE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

AT FIRST MEETING EVERY THREE WEEKS AND THEN STARTED TO MEET EVERY TWO WEEKS AND THE LAST MONTH HERE WE HAVE BEEN GOING EVERY WEEK AND HAVING ZOOM MEETINGS IN BETWEEN.

SO, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF GIVE AND TAKE HERE BUT I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PLAN.

I THINK WE'LL SEE FAVORABLE ATTITUDE HERE AMONG THE LEGISLATORS.

THINGS COULD CHANGE HERE OVER THE WEEKEND BUT RIGHT NOW I THINK BY THE 1st OF NEXT WEEK THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL BE GETTING SOME FAVORABLE REVIEWS FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND SHE CAN GO AHEAD AND GET READY TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WAS MEETING THIS WEEK TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

I KNOW THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WAS ALSO MEETING TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AT THE TABLE ON THE ISSUE.

A FEW OF YOUR COLLEAGUES WANTED TO MULL THIS OVER THE WEEKEND, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

A LOT OF MOVING PARTS HERE.

IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

IT COMES DOWN TO WHERE THE SITES ARE.

AND WE SAW FROM THE LEASE PLAN THAT A LOT OF FOLK DIDN'T LIKE IS BUILDING ON STATE-OWNED PROPERTY THAT WE ALREADY OWN AND BUYING NEW PROPERTY.

A LOT OF THE LANDOWNERS AND RESIDENTS DIDN'T LIKE THE IDEA OF THE PRISONS COMING IN.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF PROPERTY NEXT TO OUR STATE-OWNED FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN ELMORE COUNTY AND ESCAMBIA COUNTY.

IT WON'T BE AS PROBLEM AS FAR AS BUILDING THESE MEGA PRISONS THERE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT URGENCY SURROUNDING THE ISSUE.

THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT SURROUNDING OUR PRISON SYSTEM, NOT JUST THE FACILITIES BUT OTHER AREAS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, REHABILITATION, VIOLENCE BEHIND BARS.

ARE YOU IN AGREEMENT WITH THE MAJORITY THAT THIS IS THE WAY WE NEED TO START AND THEN INCREMENTALLY LOOK AT REFORM MEASURES ALONG THE WAY.

>> NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

ELMORE COUNTY WILL BE FOCUSING ON MAINLY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S WHY THE FACILITY WILL BE A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE TO BUILD THAN THE ONE IN ESCAMBIA.

IT'S LIKE PUTTING A PUZZLE TOGETHER.

THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE PIECE OF IT, THE FACILITIES HERE.

THE BUILDINGS ARE DETERIORATING.

IT'S CAUSED REAL ISSUES WITH HIRING NEW PERSONNEL AND RETAILING THEM.

THAT WILL HELP US MEET THE GOALS AND THE COURT ORDER.

I THINK THIS WILL BE A WIN-WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR THE TAXPAYERS OF ALABAMA.

IT'S GOING TO BE WIN FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT WE WILL SAVE MONEY ON INTEREST INCOME BY USING THESE RESCUE FUNDS AND GENERAL FUND DOLLARS.

IT WILL BE A WIN SITUATION BY MOVING US DOWN THE ROAD TO GET COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT WIN IS GOING TO BE PUBLIC SAFETY, NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES BUT OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN FOR GENERATIONS TO COME BY TAKING CARE OF THESE PRISON FACILITIES NOW AND NOT HAVING TO DEAL WITH A COURT ORDER AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR CITIZENS.

>> IT WILL REVERBERATE FOR GENERATIONS, WILL IT NOT.

>> WE OWN THE FACILITIES.

WE WEREN'T GOING TO OWN ANYTHING AFTER 30 YEARS.

WE WILL OWN THEM 75, 100 YEARS FROM NOW.

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM UPKEPT.

THAT IS PART OF THE DEAL TO HAVE A MAINTENANCE FUND THAT WE WILL HAVE TO FUND.

THE MONEY WE WILL BE SAVING ON INTEREST INCOME IS GOING TO BE UPON THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IN AND THE GENERAL FUND BUDGETS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PUTTING A CERTAIN AMOUNT INTO THE MAINTENANCE FUND AND RENOVATION FUND SO WE CAN PAY AS WE GO ON THESE FACILITIES THAT WE WANT TO RENOVATE DOWN THE ROAD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE OF OZARK IS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU.

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

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

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

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, REPRESENTATIVE McCUTCHEON FROM MONROVIA IS BACK TO YOU IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

WE SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE CLOUSE WHO SPOKE ABOUT OPTIMISM SON WHERE WE ARE AS FAR AS PRISON CONSTRUCTION IS CONCERNED.

DO YOU SHARE HIS OPTIMISM ABOUT WHERE WE ARE?

>> I DO.

WE HAD SOME GOOD DISCUSSIONS AND GOOD QUESTIONS RAISED -- WE'RE GOING THROUGH AN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS NOW FOR THE MEMBERSHIP SO THEY CAN LOOK AT THE DRAFT OF THE BILL ITSELF.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THIS.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT JUST CAME UP A FEW WEEKS AGO.

THE SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS BEEN MEETING AND WORKING ON DRAFTS AND CHANGING, TWEAKING AND AMENDING.

WE HAVE A PRODUCT NOW THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE HOUSE.

>> YOU WANT TO BE FAIRLY SURE YOU HAVE THE VOTES TO PASS THIS BEFORE WE GO TO SPECIAL SESSION, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

WE WANT TO GET GOOD, ACCURATE VOTE COUNTS.

ANYTIME YOU CALL A SPECIAL SESSION, IT'S ANOTHER COST TO THE TAXPAYER AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN AND OUT.

LET'S DO ALL OF OUR WORK BEFOREHAND.

>> I TALKED EXTENSIVELY WITH REPRESENTATIVE CLOUSE ABOUT FINANCING OF THIS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF ENCOURAGING NEWS ON THAT FRONT BOTH WITH BEING ABLE TO USE SOME OF THE FEDERAL MONEY FROM THE CARES ACT FUNDS, AND SOME CASH THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR ONE OF THE PRISONS.

THE AMOUNT TO BE FINANCED FOR THE BOND ISSUE IS A LOT LESS THAN HIT WOULD HAVE BEEN.

I WOULD ASSUME THAT IS ENCOURAGING TO YOU AND MEMBERS OF THE CAUCUS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT SINCE 2015, 2016, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OVERALL SYSTEM, THERE'S A LOT OF FACILITIES THAT ARE OUTDATED, THEY ARE OLD, THEY NEED A LOT OF REPAIR.

IS IT COST EFFECTIVE TO PUT DOLLARS INTO SOME OF THESE FACILITIES AND KEEP THEM UP AND OPERATING?

SPACE FOR INMATES, TREATMENT CARE FOR THE INMATES.

SAFETY FOR THE INMATES AND THE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, OVERCROWDING.

ALL OF THESE ISSUES HAVE COME INTO THAT.

ORIGINALLY WE LOOKED AT A PLAN BACK IN 2016 THAT WAS OVER $2 BILLION.

AND SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE HAD THE LEASE PROGRAM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WHICH WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE STATE-OWNED PLAN THAT WE HAVE WHERE THE STATE WOULD OWN THE FACILITIES AND THEY WOULD FINANCE THEM.

THEN IT HAS BEEN DURING THIS DISCUSSION FROM THE TIME THAT THE LEASE PROGRAM PLAN WAS NOT DOABLE TO NOW WHAT IS HAPPENED IS WE ARE IN A SHAPE TO WHERE WE HAVE FEDERAL MONEYS INTO THE STATE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO UTILIZE FOR THIS.

THAT HAS HELPED US ON THE 2.20 BILLION AND WE HAVE IT TO $758 MILLION.

THE OTHER THING IS WE HAVE -- FOR THE TAXPAYERS BENEFIT AND I'VE SAID THIS WHEN TALKING TO GROUPS, YOU KNOW, WE WERE ABLE TO PASS AN EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMING OFF OF A PANDEMIC.

IN A DIFFICULT YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO COME THROUGH THAT AND HAVE SAVINGS AND SHOW AN INCREASE IN OUR BUDGET.

SO, BECAUSE OF THAT TO CHAIRMAN CLOUSE'S POINT, WE HAVE MONEY THAT'S PUT ASIDE IN THE GENERAL FUND WE CAN APPLY, AS WELL.

IT'S GOING TO BE LESS MONEY THAT HAS TO BE BORROWED TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT'S STILL THE SAME AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT WE HAVE SOME FEDERAL DOLLARS WE CAN PUT INTO IT AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK A PHASED IN PROGRAM WHERE WE CAN SAVE SOME MONEY ALONG THE WAY TO APPLY TO THE SECOND PHASE AND MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME OF THE RENOVATIONS.

SO, IT'S A WELL THOUGHT OUT PROGRAM AND WE'RE A LONG WAY FROM WHERE WE STARTED.

>> ONE THING THAT REPRESENTATIVE CLOUSE AND I DIDN'T GET TO IS WHAT IS ON THE TABLE IS A DESIGN BUILD PROJECT, RIGHT?

EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> THAT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE CONTRACTORS WHO ARE CAPABLE OF BUILDING A -- OR LET ME SAY, BIDDING ON A PROJECT OF THIS SIZE.

ONE OF THE PROJECTS HAS BEEN BID AT $600 MILLION.

COMPANIES THAT NORMALLY CAN BID ON THESE KIND OF PROJECTS THEY HAVE A DESIGN PROCESS IN PLACE AND THEY BUILD IT BASED UPON THEIR DESIGNS THEY HAVE AND THEY MAKE BIDS BASED UPON THAT.

BECAUSE OF THAT THERE WAS ONLY FOUR COMPANIES THAT ENDED UP QUALIFYING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A BID LIKE THIS ON THAT SIZE OF A PROJECT.

SO, YOU CAN GO WITH THE DESIGN BUILT PROCESS WHERE YOU HAVE FEWER COMPANIES THAT ARE ABLE TO MOVE INTO THAT TYPE OF A PLAN, OR YOU CAN GO WITH THE TITLE 39, WHICH DESIGN BUILD PROCESS.

WE HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THAT.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE DESIGN.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE DESIGNS AND START THE BUILDING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, VERSUS GOING BACK TO SQUARE ONE AND START AGAIN AND DO THE DESIGN BID BILL PROCESS.

SO, RIGHT NOW, IN THE BUILD, IT TAKES CARE OF BEING FAIR TO ALL OF OUR CONTRACTORS IN THE STATE, BUT USING THE ORIGINAL DESIGN BUILD PROCESS.

>> WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, MR. SPEAKER, BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PROSPECT OF A SPECIAL SESSION ON PRISONS AND A SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

THAT'S TWO SESSIONS WE WILL HAVE THIS FALL, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, YES.

WE ARE DEFINITELY LOOKING AT THAT.

THERE AGAIN, I GO BACK TO MY POINT.

WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME -- IN THE COUNTY MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOOD SUPPORT FOR THE PRISON ISSUE.

THAT WILL PROBABLY COME FIRST.

WE KNOW THE REAPPORTIONMENT ISSUE IS GOING TO BE THE LATTER PART OF OCTOBER.

ONCE WE GET THROUGH OCTOBER, WE'RE INTO THE HOLIDAYS OF KNOWN AND DECEMBER AND THEN IN SESSION IN JANUARY.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO -- IF WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THE PRISON ISSUE AND SOMETHING WE FEEL WE CAN GET PASSED WE NEED TO DO IT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, FIRST PART OF OCTOBER.

>> I KNOW WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SPECIAL SESSION PROJECTS WE TALK ABOUT THE EXPENSE TO THE TAXPAYER BUT THESE ARE TWO THINGS WE HAVE TO GET DONE.

>> ESPECIALLY THE PRISON ISSUE.

WE'RE IN COURT OUT IN OVER OUR PRISON CONDITIONS AND THE FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE.

WE'RE IN COURT RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE GOT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.

IF THE COURT MADE THE DECISION TO MAKE OVER OUR SYSTEM, THEN THE PRICE TAG WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WOULD BE A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW.

>> MAC McCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

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, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S SWEEPING MANDATE DEALING WITH VACCINES.

HE IS TELLING EMPLOYERS WITH 100 EMPLOYEES OR MORE THEY MUST MANDATE VACCINATIONS OR WEEKLY TESTING.

AND IT EXTENDS TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AS WELL, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE CONNECTIONS TO MEDICARE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY IS WHAT YOU SAID.

THOSE WHO HAVE ESSENTIALLY A PROVIDER NUMBER WITH CMS, SO FACILITIES THAT TAKE MEDICARE OR MEDICAID PATIENTS, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE VACCINATIONS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND A SEPARATE CLAUSE AFFECTS BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY OSHA AND ANY PARTICULAR BUSINESSES THAT HAVE 100 OR MORE EMPLOYEES THAT WILL HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENTS.

>> DR. HARRIS, GOVERNOR IVEY IS AMONG A GROUP OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS WHICH HAVE DUG IN THEIR HEELS SAYING THEY ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE MANDATE THAT THE LEGAL CHALLENGES ARE ON THE HORIZON.

I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE TO GET INTO THE POLITICS OF THINGS, RIGHT?

>> I'D SAY IT IS PROBABLY NOT MY PLACE TO WEIGH IN ON FIGHTS BETWEEN THE FEDS AND THE STATE, BUT, YOU KNOW CLEARLY THE COURTS WILL BE INVOLVED IN THIS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE LITIGATION I WOULD EXPECT AND WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

OUR POSITION IS WE WANT TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

WE THINK VACCINES ARE SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND WIDELY AVAILABLE AND THE FASTEST WAY TO GET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR JOB TO VACCINATE PEOPLE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

>> LET'S TURN TO THE STATS.

OUR NUMBERS CONTINUE TO BE DISMAL AT BEST.

WE ARE AVERAGING 5,000 NEW CASES OF COVID A DAY.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

WE HAVE HAD SOME DAYS WHEN WE WERE IN THE 3,000 RANGE BUT THAT'S NOT A GOOD PLACE TO BE EITHER.

WE ARE HAVING DOUBLE-DIGIT NUMBERS OF DEATH.

HOSPITALS ARE SEEING WAY TOO MANY ICU CASES.

WE'RE IN THE NEGATIVE POSITION.

AND I THINK TODAY WE HAD 60 MORE IN ICU BEDS THAN WE HAD ICUS BEDS AVAILABLE IN THE STATE.

THAT'S A TOUGH SITUATION TO BE IN.

OUR OVERALL HOSPITAL NUMBERS HAVE PERHAPS PLATEAUED NOW.

LAST WEEK WE SAID THEY MIGHT BE DOING THAT.

THIS WEEK THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN UP MUCH.

FALLEN BELOW 2700 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS.

MAYBE THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

MOST OF THE PLACES THAT HAD DELTA BEFORE US SAW IT GO ON A TWO-MONTH RAMPAGE.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

TWO MONTHS INTO DELTA.

>> HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT DAILY DOUBLE-DIGIT DEATHS?

IN THE STATE.

>> THAT'S A FAILURE ON OUR PART.

OUR JOB IS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALABAMIANS.

SO MUCH OF THAT IS PREVENTABLE.

.01% OF VACCINATED PEOPLE, FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM COVID SINCE GOING BACK INTO THE SPRING WHEN VACCINES BECAME WIDELY AVAILABLE.

THEY ARE ALMOST IN UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> DO YOU THINK THE TELLING WEEKS WILL BE -- I ASK IT IN THE CONTEXT OF LABOR DAY HOLIDAY AND COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND LARGE GROUPS ARE GATHERING.

>> WE THINK PEOPLE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AND USE COMMON SENSE.

AS WE HAVE SAID MANY TIMES ON THE SHOW WE SEE CASE NUMBERS SPIKE FOLLOWED BY A SPIKE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND WEEK OR TWO LATER BY DEATH.

OUR CASE NUMBERS ARE NOT GOING DOWN EVEN THOUGH OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS PLATEAUED A BIT.

ANYTIME YOU HAVE LARGE GROUPS GETTING TOGETHER WITH OTHER GROUPS AND NOT KNOWING ABOUT VACCINATION STATUS THAT'S A WORRISOME THING.

OUTDOOR THINGS LIKE BALLGAMES ARE CERTAINLY SAFER THAN ENCLOSED INDOOR SPACES BUT IF YOU ARE A VULNERABLE PERSON YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT BEING IN A LARGE GROUP.

>> ALSO SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND COVID.

THOSE CASES CONTINUE TO EXPAND EXPONENTIALLY.

>> I THINK THIS PAST WEEK WE SAW CASE NUMBERS OVER 8,000 IN THE SCHOOL-AGE GROUP, WHICH WAS A 600% INCREASE OVER THE SAME WEEK A YEAR AGO.

REMEMBER, A YEAR AGO A LOT OF KIDS WERE MEETING VIRTUALLY.

THIS YEAR A LOT OF THEM ARE BACK TO VIRTUAL AND WE STILL HAVE 600% MORE CASES THAN A YEAR AGO.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE NOT IMPROVING YET.

I HEARD DR. MACKEY SAY LAST WEEK THAT MORE THAN 90% OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE ADOPTED MASKS AND ENCOURAGE UNIVERSAL MASKING.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO DISTANCE APPROPRIATELY AND GET PEOPLE VACCINATED IF THEY ARE ELSE AVAILABLE.

ALL KIDS IN ALABAMA 12 AND UP ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE VACCINATED.

>> WE ARE AVERAGING 50 PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> 54 KIDS IS THE NUMBER TODAY IN HOSPITALS.

THAT'S A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL BUT A HIGH PERCENTAGE WHEN YOU LOOK AT KIDS.

KIDS DON'T OFTEN GET SICK ENOUGH TO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL IN LARGE NUMBERS.

THAT'S A LOT OF KIDS WITH A SINGLE DIAGNOSIS AT A SINGLE TIME.

WE NEED TO KEEP OUR KIDS PROTECTED.

>> WHERE HOSPITAL STRESSES ARE CONCERNED I THINK WE HAVE FEDERAL STRIKE TEAMS IN HOUSTON COUNTY AND DOTHAN AND ONE THIS WEEK IN A HOSPITAL IN OZARK AND DALE COUNTY BUT A THIRD WAS IN FOLEY HAS DISBANDED, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THE TEAM AT SOUTH BALDWIN HOSPITAL HAS BEEN DEMOBILIZED TO GO TO ANOTHER LOCATION.

WE'RE NOT SURPRISED THEY ARE LEAVING.

THE OTHER TWO HAVE BEEN EXTENDED A FEW WEEKS AND WE EXPECT THEM TO BE HERE UNTIL OCTOBER AND HHS IS SURVEYING FIVE ADDITIONAL HOSPITALS TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RESOURCES.

WE CONTINUE TO HIRE TRAVEL NURSES WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY ALLOCATED BY THE STATE RECENTLY.

>> WE'RE GRATEFUL TO GOVERNOR IVEY AND FINANCE DIRECTOR POOLE FOR MAKING IT AVAILABLE.

WE ARE WORKING WITH DR. WILLIAMSON AND THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION TO DO THAT.

WE HOPE TO HAVE MORE THAN 200, MAYBE AS MANY AS 250 NURSES WHO WILL BE ABLE TO START AND WORK FOR AT LEAST AN EIGHT-WEEK PERIOD AND PERHAPS LONGER.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE BRIEFLY, THE NEW VARIANT, THE NEWEST VARIANT OF COVID IS OUT THERE.

IT'S NOT OF GREAT CONCERN RIGHT NOW BUT I BELIEVE ALABAMA HAS SEEN A COUPLE OF CASES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AS OF THE END OF THE WEEK, WE HAVE HAD THREE IDENTIFIED.

IT IS JUST THE LATEST IN A NUMBER OF VARIANTS.

THERE ARE AS MANY VARIANTS AS GREEK LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET.

WE DON'T KNOW IF IT IS AN ISSUE YET BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE MONITORING AND WE WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT IT.

>> FINALLY BEFORE WE CLOSE, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES,.

>> 70% OF THEM HAVE BEEN GOING TO FIVE OR SIX STATES IN THE SOUTHEAST BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY CASES AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE'RE NOT VACCINATED.

THEY HAVE PUT OUR STATE ON AN ALLOCATION.

WE CAN EXPECT A REDUCTION OF A THIRD FROM WHAT WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING BUT HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE CLEARED UP AS THE PRODUCTION INCREASES.

>> WILL THAT REDUCTION HIT US HARD?

>> SOMEWHAT.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RECRUIT FLU PROVIDERS.

WE HAVE HAD NEW PHYSICIANS AND HOSPITALS COME ON BOARD.

WE WILL NOT HAVE THEM SUPPLIED ADEQUATELY RIGHT NOW.

WE WILL HAVE LESS PRODUCT THAN A WEEK AGO.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. HARRIS, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

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

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

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

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

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

AND OUR GUESTS WILL AGAIN INCLUDE STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS, WITH THE LATEST ON THE PANDEMIC.

NEW STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE THE POSITION.

AND STATE TREASURER JOHN MCMILLAN WILL BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT BEING HIRED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION.

WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT REMEMBERING THE TRAGEDY OF 9/11, 20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEKEND.

WE SOMBERLY HONOR THE DEAD AND SALUTE THE HEROES.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.