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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IT IS ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR ALABAMA'S TOURISM INDUSTRY.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND STATE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT THE STATE IS PROJECTED TO SEE $24 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT FROM TOURISM.

THAT'S UP MORE THAN $4 BILLION FROM LAST YEAR.

AND TO PUT IT IN LONGER PERSPECTIVE, THE INDUSTRY HAD AN $11 BILLION IMPACT IN 2013.

IVEY WAS IN AUBURN AT THE ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S TOURISM CONFERENCE.

SHE AND DIRECTOR OF TOURISM LEE SENTELL SAID THE STATE'S INDUSTRY WEATHERED THE PANDEMIC BETTER THAN MOST STATES.

>> IT IS GREAT TO BE AT THE GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON TOURISM.

THIS IS A BANNER YEAR FOR TOURISM.

IN JUST TEN YEARS, THE TOURISM INDUSTRY HAS GROWN FROM 11 BILLION, WITH A B DOLLARS TO $24 BILLION.

Y'ALL, THAT'S REMARKABLE.

THAT'S DUE TO THE HARD WORK AND EFFORTS OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN TOURISM.

I'M JUST PROUD TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> IN 2020, THE NATIONAL INDUSTRY WAS DOWN 45%.

ALABAMA WAS DOWN 20%.

WE WERE IN THE 5 TOP STATES WITH THE LEAST LOSS BECAUSE PEOPLE DISCOVERED OUR STATE PARKS AND OUR BEACHES AND OUR OUTDOOR RECREATION AND THEY LIKED IT SO MUCH AND THEY HAVE COME BACK.

>> WHILE SPEAKING TO REPORTERS, IVEY WAS ASKED AGAIN ABOUT HER HEALTH.

"ALABAMA DAILY NEWS" REPORTED TWO WEEKS AGO THAT IVEY UNDERWENT A NON-EMERGENCY, OUTPATIENT INTESTINAL PROCEDURE, BUT IVEY'S OFFICE HAS NOT COMMENTED PUBLICLY ABOUT IT, DESPITE REPEATED QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS.

IVEY MADE IT CLEAR THAT SHE IS IN GOOD HEALTH AND TOLD THE MEDIA TO QUOTE MOVE ON FROM THIS NONSENSE.

>> I HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH.

NOT PLAY INTO Y'ALL'S NARRATIVE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IMPORTANT TOPICS ABOUT HOW TO GET OUR SCHOOLS TO HAVE GOOD OUTCOMES FROM THE EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS AND CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR S.T.E.M.

INNOVATION, LABORATORIES, LIKE DEL REY ELEMENTARY.

LET'S GET ON WITH THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE AND MOVE BEYOND THE NONSENSE.

>> THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION THIS WEEK ENDORSED NEW COVID-19 BOOSTERS WHICH TARGET THE MOST COMMON OMICRON STRAINS.

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS THE NEW SHOTS SHOULD ARRIVE IN ALABAMA WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

DR. PAUL GOEPFERT, DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA VACCINE RESEARCH CLINIC AT UAB, EXPLAINED THE ROLE THESE NEW BOOSTERS WILL PLAY IN COMBATING COVID.

>> THE FDA HAS AN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE VACCINE.

SO THIS IS THE NEW COVID VACCINE BIVALENT MEANING TWO.

ONE IS THE ORIGINAL TRAIN, THE ORIGINAL TRAIN OF COVID.

THE NEXT IS THE BA-45 STRAIN, WHICH IS THE LATEST AND GREATEST STRAIN THAT'S THE MOST DOMINANT STRAIN INFECTING PEOPLE CURRENTLY.

BY DOING THIS, THEY ARE SAYING IT'S OKAY TO BOOST INDIVIDUALS WITH THE PFIZER VACCINE AT 12 AND OLDER AND WITH THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINE 18 AND OLDER.

I SHOULD ALSO SAY THAT USUALLY THE ACIP ALSO MEETS AFTERWARDS.

THEY ALSO PROVIDE THEIR FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS.

WHILE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WILL DECIDE, IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RECOMMEND THIS NEW BOOST TO INDIVIDUALS.

>> WE SHOULD NOTE, THE UPDATED SHOTS ARE ONLY FOR USE AS A BOOSTER, NOT FOR SOMEONE'S FIRST-EVER VACCINATIONS.

>>> ANOTHER STEP IN THE JOURNEY FOR ALABAMA'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW THIS WEEK.

THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION ANNOUNCED THAT ENTITIES CAN NOW BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO BECOME A LICENSED CULTIVATOR, PROCESSOR, DISPENSARY AND OTHER ROLES.

THE LAW SAYS THE COMMISSION CAN AWARD UP TO 12 CULTIVATOR LICENSES, FOUR PROCESSOR LICENSES, FOUR DISPENSARY LICENSES, FIVE INTEGRATED FACILITY LICENSES AND AN UNSPECIFIED NUMBER OF SECURE TRANSPORT AND LAB TESTING LICENSES.

THE LAW ALSO SET LICENSEE FEES AT NO LESS THAN $10,000 AND NO MORE THAN $50,000, DEPENDING ON THE CATEGORY OF LICENSE.

ONLY APPLICANTS WHO SUBMIT A REQUEST BY OCTOBER 17 WILL RECEIVE A BUSINESS APPLICATION FORM.

ENTITIES WILL THEN HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER 30 TO FILE APPLICATIONS.

>>> THERE'S A NEW COMMANDER AT THE OF THE ALABAMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD'S 187TH FIGHTER WING.

COLONEL BRIAN VAUGHN FORMALLY ASSUMED COMMAND A CEREMONY AT DANNELLY FIELD THIS WEEK.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THE STORY.

>> IT WAS A DISTINCT MILITARY CEREMONY.

IT PULLED AT THE HONOREES' HEART STRINGS.

AND GENERATED A POPULAR ALABAMA GREETING.

>> 187th, LONG LIST OF IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INCLUDING BEING -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] [ LAUGHTER ] >> AS THE COLONEL ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE 187th FIGHTER WING.

>> ATTENTION TO ORDER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION, 51604 AND BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR, EFFECTIVE 2 AUGUST, 2022, COLONEL BRIAN VAUGHN IS ASSIGNED COMMANDER OF NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA.

>> WHAT WE DO HERE IS EXTRAORDINARY.

IT'S NOT ORDINARY.

IT IS EXTRAORDINARY.

SOMETIMES WE TAKE THESE TYPES OF CEREMONIES FOR GRANTED, AS WELL BUT THIS A BIG DEAL.

IT SYMBOLIZES THE TRUST WE HAVE IN YOU.

IT HAS THE TRUST THAT I HAVE IN YOU AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE IN YOU FOR OUR NATION'S DEFENSE.

>> THIS IS HOW WE DELIVER THIS IS HOW WE WILL DELIVER BY SIMPLY MAKING A CHOICE.

IT SEEMS SO EASY IT IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO DO AND YOU HAVE TO DO IT EACH AND EVERY DAY.

WE ALL KNOW WHAT LEADERSHIP IS.

WE HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

>> IN OTHER MILITARY NEWS, BOEING COMPANY HAS WON A DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACT WORTH ABOUT $5 BILLION TO INTEGRATE AND ENSURE READINESS OF THE NATION'S MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM.

BOEING'S WORK ON THE GROUND-BASED MIDCOURSE DEFENSE SYSTEM WILL HAPPEN PRIMARILY AT ITS HUNTSVILLE OPERATIONS.

THE COMPANY WOULDN'T SAY ADDITIONAL JOBS THIS COULD MEAN, BUT BOEING EMPLOYS ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE AT ITS HUNTSVILLE FACILITY AND IS THE STATE'S LARGEST AEROSPACE EMPLOYER.

AUSTAL USA, A SHIPMAKER WITH A MAJOR SHIPYARD IN MOBILE, ANNOUNCED IT WILL PARTNER WITH CALIFORNIA-BASED SAILDRONE TO BUILD AUTONOMOUS, UNCREWED SURFACE VEHICLES.

THE PARTNERSHIP COMBINES SAILDRONE'S UNCREWED SURFACE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY AND AUSTAL'S ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES.

THE 650-FOOT SAILDRONE SURVEYOR IS DESIGNED FOR DEEP-OCEAN MAPPING AND INTELLIGENCE AND WILL BE MANUFACTURED IN MOBILE.

>>> U.S.

SENATORS FROM ALABAMA AND GEORGIA ARE URGING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD AUSTIN TO ENSURE THERE IS A COMPETITION FOR THE AIR FORCE'S NEXT GENERATION OF REFUELING TANKERS.

U.S.

SENATORS RICHARD SHELBY, TOMMY TUBERVILLE AND RAPHEAL WARNOCK FROM GEORGIA SEND THE SECRETARY A LETTER MAKING THE CASE THAT COMPETITION IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN DEFENSE PROCUREMENT.

THE LETTER COMES AS LOCKHEED MARTIN AND AIRBUS ARE TEAMING UP TO COMPETE TO BUILD THE TANKERS.

THEY LMXT SHOWN HERE WOULD CONSIST OF AIRBUS 330S BUILT IN MOBILE AND MODIFIED FOR THE MILITARY AT LOCKHEED'S MARIETTA, GEORGIA FACILITY.

IF SUCCESSFUL, THE PROGRAM COULD MEAN AS MANY AS 1,300 JOBS BETWEEN THE TWO STATES.

>>> IT'S NO SECRET THAT CRIME HAS BEEN A PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS HERE IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

LOCAL LEADERS ARE NOW TAKING NEW APPROACHES TO REDUCING CRIME AND ESPECIALLY VIOLENT CRIME.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT ALWAYS AT THE TOP OF OUR AGENDA AND IT HAS TO BE OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN TERMS OF KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE AND RESIDENTS SAFE SO WE CAN GROW THIS CITY THE WAY WE WANT TO GROW IT.

>> MONTGOMERY MAYOR SAID TAKING A NEW APPROACH TO FIGHTING CRIME IS IN FULL AFFECT FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS.

>> WE HAVE TO LOOK AT VIOLENCE AND CRIME AS A HEALTH ISSUE.

IT'S NOT ONLY A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE BUT A WEALTH ISSUE.

IT CREATES BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

IT CREATES TRAUMA IN PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCE CRIME IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> NEW REIMAGING PLANS FOR THE WEST AND SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF MONTGOMERY ARE AIMED A JUMP STARTING PROGRESS FOR THE WHOLE CITY.

TO MOVE IT FORWARD, SAFETY WILL BE A PRIORITY, THAT INCLUDES LAW ENFORCEMENT BEING MORE VISIBLE AND ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> I'M EXCITED TO SEE OUR MAYOR UNDERSTAND CRIME IS AN ISSUE AND HE'S LEADING THE CHARGE AND SAYING IS IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

WE WILL GET THE POLICE INVOLVED, THEY ARE GOING OUT AND BAGGING GROCERIES AT THE STORES AND GOING TO SCHOOLS TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR YOUTH.

>> CRIME IS DOWN 20% YEAR OVER YEAR AND HOMICIDES DOWN 10% AND OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DOING A GREAT JOB IN CATCHING THOSE WHO COMMIT SOME OF THE CRIMES AND HAVING A 71% CLEARANCE RATE.

THAT'S THOSE WHO WERE CAPTURED.

>> INVESTMENT OFFICER AND MONTGOMERY NATIVE EDWARDS SAYS SAFETY IS A KEY PART OF THE PLAN.

>> THE WELLNESS OF THE COMMUNITY IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD FOCUS ON.

OVERALL, IT MAKE THE OVERALL NEIGHBORHOOD MORE VIBRANT.

PEOPLE FEEL MORE SAFE.

THERE IS A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND EQUITY THAT I'M PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS TAKEN CARE OF BUT I THINK THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS ASPECT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

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

>>>IT'S COLLEGE COLORS DAY IN ALABAMA AS MOST OF THE STATE'S COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS KICK OFF THEIR SEASONS THIS WEEKEND.

GOVERNOR IVEY AND GORDON STONE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP GATHERED MASCOTS FROM ALL THE STATE'S COLLEGES AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

YOU CAN SEE SOME FAMILIAR FACES THERE, BIG AL, T-ROY, AUBIE.

ALABAMA UNIVERSITIES ARE HOME TO MORE THAN 180,000 STUDENTS AND HAVE A $20 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT ON OUR STATE.

>> ALABAMA HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST ADVOCATE FOR FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS AND I'M TRULY THANKFUL FOR WHAT THE ORGANIZATION DOES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THE FUTURE OF OUR GREAT STATE.

IN MANY WAYS, MY PARTICIPATION IN THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION PREPARED ME FOR MY SERVICE AT THE STATE.

AS A PROUD GRADUATE OF ONE OF OUR STATE INSTITUTIONS, TODAY AS YOUR GOVERNOR I ASSURE YOU ALL THAT MY FULL AND TOTAL SUPPORT AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK SURE TO MAKE SURE ALABAMA'S HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS AND YOUR STUDENTS SUCCEED.

I'M THRILLED TO PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 AS COLLEGE COLORS DAY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO.APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

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

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR WILL BARFOOT FROM PIKE GROVE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> YOU ARE IN THE STATEHOUSE TODAY FOR THE CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE, THIS HOUSE AND SENATE PANEL THAT LOOKS AT AGENCIES AND THEIR PANELS AN OVERSIGHT REEL.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT PROCESS?

>> RIGHT.

IT IS COMPRISED BY MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND EVERY MONTH WE ARE PRESENTED WITH CONTRACTS THAT STATE AGENCIES HAVE WITH OUTSIDE ENTITIES A WENT REVIEW THOSE.

NOT THE FINER DETAILS OF THE CONTRACTS BUT THE NEED AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

WE CAN EITHER HOLD THOSE FOR A 45-DAY PERIOD OR THEY PASS THROUGH TO GO TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> REALLY A BIG TRANSPARENCY ROLE MAYBE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> IT IS AND WE CAN'T STOP A CONTRACT FROM THE HAPPENING BUT WE CAN SHINE LIGHT ON IT AND MAKE COMMENTS IF WE SEE SOME THINGS THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE.

WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.

WE CAN ALSO, YOU KNOW, PUT A HOLD ON IT FOR 45 DAYS WHICH IN TURN CREATES SOME INTEREST AND MAYBE THE ABILITY FOR OTHERS TO LOOK INTO THOSE THINGS.

>> YOU ARE FINISHING YOUR FIRST TERM IN THE STATE SENATE.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT LONG.

I'M CURIOUS FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS WHAT YOU WOULD SAY MAYBE YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE STATE SENATE, ABOUT STATE GOVERNMENT, IN GENERAL, THAT MAYBE FOLKS WOULDN'T KNOW.

>> I GUESS TWO THINGS.

ONE WAS A GOOD SURPRISING ONE.

MAYBE DIDN'T HAPPEN THE WAY I THOUGHT IT WOULD.

I THOUGHT I'M A LAWYER BY TRADE AND THOUGHT YOU WOULD GO DOWN ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND YOU GET IN THE WELL AND BEGIN TO TALK AND DISCUSS AND DEBATE ISSUES AND THAT THAT WAS THE TIME TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S HEARTS AND MINDS, THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE ON THE FLOOR.

YOU KNOW, IN REALITY, IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE YOUR WORK BEFORE THEN, YOU HAVE WAITED TOO LATE TO TRY TO ADDRESS ISSUES, CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS AND TRY TO CONVINCE OTHER MEMBERS WHY THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR OR AGAINST SOMETHING.

THAT WAS AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE.

I WAS A LITTLE NAIVE ON THAT.

ANOTHER THING THAT WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE AND THAT IS -- 27 REPUBLICANS CURRENTLY AND 8 DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE.

BY AND LARGE, EVERYBODY IS THERE, I BELIEVE, TO DO WHAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS WANT.

WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS BEST FOR THE STATE OR THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

WE MAY DISAGREE AND SOMETIMES STRENUOUSLY DISAGREE WITH EITHER -- MAYBE EVEN MEMBERS OF OUR OWN PARTY BUT CERTAINLY MEMBERS FROM THE OTHER SIDE BUT IT WAS AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE TO SEE THAT FOLKS WERE THERE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN FOR THE FOLKS THEY REPRESENT AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

SO -- >> A LOT MORE COLLEGIALITY IN THE SENATE.

IT SEEMS LIKE RECENTLY THAN THE HOUSE.

A LOT OF GRIDLOCK.

LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT TERM, WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO SEE THE LEGISLATURE ACCOMPLISH?

>> THERE'S A WHOLE HOST OF THINGS.

AS YOU SAID THE FIRST FOUR YEARS -- HONESTLY THE FIRST YEAR WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND SECOND WAS A COVID YEAR.

THERE WERE SOME THINGS, NOT ONLY FROM MY STANDPOINT, BUT I'M SURE OTHER MEMBERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM NOT ACCOMPLISHING GETTING BILLS PASSED IN A SHORT TIME FRAME.

ONE BILL THAT MADE IT THERE I THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE FLOOR OUT OF COMMITTEE WAS A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW JUDGES TO REQUIRE PARDONS AND PAROLES TO WATCH PEOPLE, TO MONITOR THEM AFTER THEY BONDED OUT BUT BEFORE TRIAL.

A PRE-TRIAL ISSUE THERE ON VIOLENT A OR B FELONIES, NOT JUST IN MONTGOMERY BUT ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU HAVE FOLKS WHO WERE MAYBE CHARGED WITH A ROBBERY OR MURDER AND MAY TAKE SEVERAL YEARS FOR THE INDICTMENT, GRAND JURY PROCESS TO ROLL THROUGH AND GET INDICTED.

YOU HAVE FOLKS FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN CONVICTED OF ANYTHING AT THAT POINT BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL WHEN THEY ARE ON BOND WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING FOR THE MOST SERIOUS CRIMES.

IT WOULD ALLOW PARDONS AND PAROLES TO MONITOR THEM.

THEY HAVE THE SYSTEMS IN PLACE THAT, FOR INSTANCE, IF A PERSON IS OUT ON MURDER BOND IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND GOT ARRESTED IN TUSCALOOSA, THE COURT FOR THAT INTERACTION FOR THE D.A.

'S OFFICE TO KNOW THERE WAS A MISDEMEANOR IN TUSCALOOSA BUT WOULD GIVE THEM THAT INFORMATION SO THEY COULD PRESENT IT TO THE JUDGE AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT PERSON'S BOND SHOULD BE LOOK AT OR POTENTIALLY REVOKED.

>> THAT DID NOT PASS THE HOUSE?

>> IT DIDN'T PASS THE HOUSE.

IT GOT THROUGH THE SENATE AND HOUSE JUDICIARY AND DIDN'T GET A VOTE THE LAST DAY IT WAS IN THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

>> GOODNESS.

HAVEN'T THERE BEEN RECENT EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES OUT AND COMMITTING MURDERS?

THERE WAS A RECENT KILLING OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU SEE, THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT, RIGHT?

UNFORTUNATELY -- AGAIN, I GO BACK TO CHARGE DOES NOT EQUATE TO GUILT.

THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT WE ALL HAVE, PRESUMED INNOCENT, BUT AS A PARTICULAR QUALIFICATION OF A BOND, THE JUDGE UNDER THIS BILL WOULD BE ABLE TO SET THE PARAMETERS THAT, HEY, YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A VIOLENT OFFENSE, CLASS A OR B VIOLENT OFFENSE AND AS SUCH, PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO NOW MONITOR YOU -- NOT EVERY DAY BUT MONITOR YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED POTENTIALLY AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT CAUSING PROBLEMS, GETTING ARRESTED OR CONVICTED FOR OTHER OFFENSES DURING THAT TIME.

I THINK THAT BILL WILL CERTAINLY HELP.

>> THERE ARE GOING TO BE SEVERAL NEW FACES IN THE LEGISLATURE NEXT TIME AROUND IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

YOU WERE THE NEW GUY ONCE.

YOU WILL HAVE A LOT OF FRESHMEN THIS TIME AROUND.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO THEM?

>> SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN AROUND POLITICS FOR A WHILE AND HELD OTHER OFFICES.

I HAD NOT.

THIS IS THE FIRST OFFICE THAT I HAD HELD.

I GUESS EACH PERSON MAY BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING I'D SAY TO WATCH, TO LEARN.

SENATOR CHAMBLISS TOLD ME THERE WERE THREE Ps -- PERSONALITIES, YOU HAVE TO LEARN IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, REAFFIRM YOUR POLICY BELIEF AND STAND STRONG ON THOSE AND ALSO THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENT ISSUES AND HOW IT MAY AFFECT YOU CONVINCING SOMEONE TO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST A BILL THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

>> WE COULD SEE LEADERSHIP CHANGES.

ONE OF YOUR COMMITTEES, JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WILL HAVE A NEW CHAIRMAN.

THIS IS AFTER THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN TOM WHATLEY WAS DEFEATED IN THE PRIMARY.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SEEKING THAT GAVEL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'VE LOT MY DESIRE TO BE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE KNOWN TO THE LEADERSHIP.

>> YOU ARE CURRENTLY VICE CHAIR.

>> VICE CHAIR AND A LAWYER PRACTICING IN THE MONTGOMERY AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES AND THINK I'M WELL SUITED FROM THE LEGAL SIDE OF THINGS TOWNS THOSE BILLS AND THE AFFECTS THEY HAVE ON BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SO, CERTAINLY WOULD APPRECIATE THAT OPPORTUNITY AND HOPEFUL THAT WHEN THE TIME COMES TO BE CONSIDERED.

>> HOW DOES THAT PROCESS WORK?

IS THAT A CAUCUS VOTE OR IS IT SIMPLY FROM THE LEADERSHIP?

HOW DOES THE CAUCUS GO ABOUT DETERMINING WHO'S THE COMMITTEE CHAIR?

>> I THINK THE LEADERSHIP STANDPOINT, I BELIEVE THERE IS A COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES, LIKE AT A CHURCH MAYBE THAT DECIDES WHICH COMMITTEE -- WHICH MEMBER SHOULD BE ON WHICH COMMITTEES AND CERTAINLY FROM THE LEADERSHIP ROLE, THE PRO TEM, SENATOR REID AND SCOFIELD AS MAJORITY LEADER, I BELIEVE GOVERNOR AINSWORTH AND THE BUDGET CHAIRS WOULD HAVE SAY SO ON THAT.

>> IT'S A BUSY COMMITTEE.

YOU ALL DEAL WITH A RANGE OF ISSUES AND SEEMS LIKE EVERY WEEK DURING SESSION, THAT'S THE ONE COMMITTEE THAT HAS A LOT OF BILLS AND THE MEETINGS WILL LAST A WHILE BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING.

IT'S A PRETTY GOOD CHALLENGE.

>> IT IS.

IT IS A CHALLENGE I LOOK FORWARD TO IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.

NUMBER ONE, THERE ARE A LOT OF LAWYERS IN THERE.

WE LIKE TO TALK SOMETIMES.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF BILLS THAT COME THROUGH THAT COMMITTEE.

EITHER THIS COMMITTEE NUMBER ONE OR COMMITTEE TWO FOR THE MOST BILLS THAT COME THROUGH.

IT IS CHALLENGING AT TIMES.

IT'S PRETTY EVENLY DIVIDED.

THERE ARE BILLS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE TALK ABOUT THOSE AND FLESH THOSE OUT IN COMMITTEE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FLOOR ONCE THEY GET THROUGH.

>> ONE OF THOSE BILLS I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT -- LIKE YOU SAID, HAD SOME MOMENTUM BUT THEN DIED AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

IT WAS YOUR BILL.

IT WAS KNOWN AS THE DRIVER'S LICENSE BILL.

IT WOULD LIMIT THE STATE FROM SUSPENDING LICENSES FROM PEOPLE WITH NON-DRIVING OFFENSES, NON-TRAFFIC OFFENSES, FAILING TO PAY A PARKING TICKET, NOT SHOWING UP TO COURT.

I TALKED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ABOUT HIS OPPOSITION TO THE BILL WHICH EVENTUALLY KILLED IT.

HE ESSENTIALLY SAID IT IS BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS BEING LITIGATED WHICH I THINK THAT IS ON TRACK NOW.

DO YOU THINK, SHOULD THAT LITIGATION END, DO YOU THINK THERE IS HOPE TO BRING IT BACK NEXT SESSION?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK NEXT SESSION, IN UPCOMING SESSION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I UNDERSTAND, BEING A LAWYER AND IN THE COURTROOM, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO PREVAIL ON ISSUES THAT YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR OR AGAINST IN THE COURTROOM.

WE MAKE THE LAWS HERE.

SO, SHOULD THOSE LAWS CHANGE, EVEN PENDING LITIGATION, I THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD ENFORCE THE LAW THAT IS AVAILABLE THERE.

THAT BILL ITSELF, I MEAN, IT DID A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT DIDN'T LET PEOPLE GO SCOT-FREE WITHOUT PAYING COURT COST OR FINES OR ALLEVIATE A NECESSITY FOR THEM TO SHOW UP.

WHAT YOU WERE SEEING IS A LOT OF TIMES INDIVIDUALS, MAYBE AT THE HYUNDAI PLANT OR OTHER BIG CORPORATIONS IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE THEY COULDN'T GET ON THE PLANT TO WORK.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS.

WHAT YOU SEE IS YOU HAVE MAYBE AN INDIVIDUAL ON A PAYMENT PLAN FOR TICKETS, COURT COSTS OR FINES MAKING THOSE PAYMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO.

IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE STATE MAYBE THREE YEARS OF PAYMENTS BUT MISS ONE AND BECAUSE THEY MISS ONE PAYMENT.

IT IS SENT TO ALEA AND THEIR LICENSE IS SUSPENDED.

THAT IS PUNITIVE.

CERTAINLY THERE IS A POINT IN TIME IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING YOUR FINES WE SHOULD SUSPEND YOUR LICENSE AMONG OTHER THINGS IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING YOUR OTHER COURT COSTS AND FINES LIKE HOLD YOU IN CONTEMPT OR POTENTIALLY LOCK YOU UP.

BUT SOME JURISDICTIONS WERE USING IT PREMATURELY.

I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET IN A POSITION WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT HAVING THEIR LICENSE SUSPENDED FOR NON TRAFFIC-RELATED INSTANCES.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE GUY WHO HAS A DUI OR SOMETHING ELSE BUT SOME SIMPLE OFFENSE THAT HAS NO DIRECT CORRELATION TO THEIR ABILITY TO SAFELY DRIVE.

>> ALSO A WORKFORCE ISSUE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> A LOT OF COMPANIES REALLY NEEDING WORKERS.

>> YEAH.

>> SENATOR, WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE FROM MOBILE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

ALWAYS FUN TO BE HERE.

>> MEETING UPSTAIRS IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM AND I ASKED YOU TO COME DOWN STAIRS AND HAVE A QUICK INTERVIEW.

I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT BECAUSE I KNOW YOU NEED TO GET BACK SOUTH.

ONE THING I WANT TO ASK ABOUT IS THE UPDATE ON REAPPORTIONMENT.

THERE ARE SOME LAWSUITS GOING ON.

WHERE DO THOSE STAND?

>> THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST OUR CONGRESSIONAL PLAN BEFORE WE EVEN HAD A BILL.

IT'S CONTINUED.

THREE-JUDGE PANEL RULED AGAINST US.

WE APPEAL IT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND OCTOBER 4th, THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR THE APPEAL OF OUR CASE.

BASICALLY, WE USE ATTORNEYS THAT HAVE DONE THIS FOR 20 YEARS.

THESE ATTORNEYS HAVE HELPED TO DRAW THESE PLANS AND ARE EXPERIENCED AND KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

WE FOLLOWED WHAT WE ASSUME WAS THE LAW TO THE T. THE THREE-JUDGE PANEL TOLD US THAT WE DID NOT RELY ENOUGH ON RACE IN ORDER TO DRAW DISTRICTS.

WE WERE TOLD YOU COULDN'T RELY ON RACE.

YOU HAD TO RELY ON CONTINUITY AND COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND GET THE DEVIATIONS DOWN TO ZERO WHICH HAS BEEN THE TRADITIONAL REAPPORTIONMENT STANDARDS.

THE QUESTION BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT IS DO THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE LAW AND DO THEY WANT US TO START TO DRAW PREDOMINANTLY ON RACE FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

WE DIDN'T LOSE A SEAT.

WE GAINED A LITTLE BIT OF POPULATION.

SO THE REDRAWING PROCESS -- BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONFLICT BETWEEN ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO USE RACE OR NOT?

FOR YEARS, I DID HEAR YOU HAVE TO BASICALLY DRAW THEM RACE BLIND.

>> WHICH IS WHAT WE DID.

>> OKAY.

>> THE CONFLICT HAS GROWN OVER THE YEARS.

IT'S A CONFLICT BETWEEN SECTION TWO OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION.

WHAT THE PLAINTIFFS ARE ALLEGING IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE 28% OF THE POPULATION THEY SHOULD HAVE TWO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

BASED ON THE VOTES RIGHTS ACT BUT THE LAST TWO LINES OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT CLEARLY SAY NOTHING IN THIS LAW SHOULD BE MISCONSTRUED THAT YOU HAVE REPRESENTATION BASED ON YOUR RACE OF YOUR POPULATION.

THAT'S THE QUESTION, WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT.

>> ALABAMA IS NOT THE ONLY STATE THAT DEALS WITH THIS.

>> THE COURTS ARE STAYING LAWSUITS.

REAPPORTIONMENT AND REDISTRICTING IS LITIGATED NONSTOP BUT THE COURT IS STAYING OTHER LAWSUITS SAYING WE WILL WAIT UNTIL WE RULE IN ALABAMA.

WE HAVE BECOME THE KEYSTONE, THE LEAD LAWSUIT.

>> THAT'S THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

WHAT ABOUT THE HOUSE AND SENATE AT THE STATE LEVEL?

ARE THOSE ALSO BEING CHALLENGED?

>> YES.

THE ALLEGATIONS ARE THE SAME.

THE FEDERAL JUDGE IN BIRMINGHAM STAYED THE STATE CASE WAITING FOR THE OUTCOME OF THE CONGRESSIONAL AT THE SUPREME COURT LEVEL.

>> I SEE.

IT WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHERE A COURT ORDERED THE LEGISLATURE TO GO BACK AND REDRAW MAPS, SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATE SENATE.

WERE THERE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THAT THAT YOU ALL APPLIED TO THE CURRENT MAPS?

>> IT WAS 12 HOUSE SEATS AND I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY SENATE DISTRICTS.

WHAT THE COURT RULED IN THAT CASE WAS WE RELIED TOO HEAVILY ON RACE TO DRAW AND THEY WANTED US TO DRAW MORE RACE NEUTRAL PLANS.

>> OH, REALLY.

>> NOW THEY SAY YOU HAVE TO RELY ON RACE MORE.

WE HAVE TO BE GIVEN DIRECTION BY THE COURT.

>> OCTOBER 4th, YOU SAID?

>> THE CASE IS SCHEDULED TO BE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT ON OCTOBER 4th BUT THEY ARE NOT EXPECTING A RULING UNTIL MARCH OF NEXT YEAR.

>> WE WILL BE EAGERLY AWAITING THAT DECISION.

BIG IMPLICATIONS FOR ALABAMA AND BEYOND.

WHILE I'VE GOTCHA, IT IS ELECTION SEASON.

WE ARE FINISHING UP THIS TERM OF THE LEGISLATURE.

PROBABLY WON'T MEET UNTIL THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION.

I WONDER, LOOKING BACK AT THIS TERM, YOU ARE ONE OF THE MORE EXPERIENCED LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSE.

IT'S REALLY STRIKING HOW MOST OF THE MEMBERSHIP HAS ONLY ONE OR TWO TERMS.

I WONDERED, AS ONE OF THE MORE EXPERIENCED MEMBERS, WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THE LAST TERM.

IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING WITH COVID AND EVERYTHING BUT WERE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE LEGISLATURE'S WORK IN THIS TERM?

>> I THINK THE MEMBERS DID A GOOD JOB.

I THINK WE PASSED SOME GOOD BILLS BUT I THINK THE PROCESS NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED.

I BECAME FRUSTRATED WITH US NEVER STARTING ON TIME.

I THINK IT SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET UP AND RUNNING AT THE APPOINTED TIME AND A FEW OTHER -- I WASN'T HAPPY WITH THE CALENDARS.

I THOUGHT WE COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB MANAGING OUR CALENDARS.

>> WELL, WE WILL HAVE, IN THE HOUSE YOU WILL HAVE BASICALLY ALL NEW LEADERSHIP, A NEW SPEAKER, NEW SPEAKER PRO-TEM, WHICH I KNOW YOU ARE RUNNING FOR IT.

WE WILL GET TO THAT IN A SECOND.

WE HAVE A NEW RULES CHAIRMAN, POSSIBLY A NEW GENERAL FUND BUDGET CHAIR, MAYBE OTHER COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

THAT'S A LOT OF CHANGE.

>> NEW MAJORITY LEADER.

>> NEW MAJORITY LEADER AND ALL OF THAT WITH A NEW CLERK COMING IN.

A LOT OF LEADERSHIP CHANGES.

I KNOW YOU ARE SEEKING ONE OF THOSE POSITIONS IN SPEAKER PRO-TEM.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT POSITION AND WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE.

>> LET ME BACK IT UP ON THE NEW CLERK OF THE HOUSE.

THAT IS A SEAT CHANGE.

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN A CHANGEOVER IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE, THAT IS HUGE.

GIVEN NEW SPEAKER PRO-TEM, MAJORITY LEADER AND ALL OF THOSE ROLES AND A BUNCH OF COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.

IT IS A BIG CHANGE WHICH IS WHY I'M RUNNING FOR PRO-TEM.

I THINK MY EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE, THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF HOW FAR IT WORKS COULD BE CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS IN THE NEXT QUADRIENNIUM.

>> YOU WANT IT TO BE MORE CEREMONIAL.

>> I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK TO WHAT IT USED TO BE WHEN JIM CAMPBELL WAS PRO-TEM AND MAKE IT MORE PROACTIVE.

IN THE ABSENCE OF THE SPEAKER, THE PRO-TEM IS SUPPOSED TO PRESIDE.

AT THE APPOINTED HOUR, IF THE SPEAKER IS NOT IN THE CHAMBER BY RULE 8 IS TO GO TO THE PODIUM AND GAVEL US INTO ORDER.

IF THE SPEAKER HAS TO LEAVE, THE PRO-TEM IS SUPPOSED TO PRESIDE OVER THE CHAMBER.

>> I KNOW THE POSITION HAS A BIG ROLE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MAYBE A LOT OF FOLKS AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH WHAT THAT BODY DOES.

COULD YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT?

>> IT IS TO ACT ON THE LEGISLATURE WHEN NOT IN SESSION.

IT HAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POWER, WORKING WITH THE CLERK AND DEALING WITH EMPLOYEES AND AREN'T EXCITING AND NOBODY PUTS IN THEIR CAMPAIGN BROCHURES BUT VITAL TO HOW WE COMPLY WITH WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO GET THE BILLS PASSED.

>> I ASSUME THESE POSITIONS FROM SPEAKER ON DOWN, IT'S A CAUCUS VOTE, THE CAUCUS WILL MEET AND VOTE ON THESE THINGS.

>> THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WILL MEET NOVEMBER 10.

WE WILL DECIDE INTERNALLY WHO WE WILL NOMINATE AND VOTE FOR SPEAKER AND PRO-TEM.

THE MAJORITY LEADER IS SIMPLY VOTED ON BY THE CAUCUS.

WHEN WE RETURN IN JANUARY FOR OUR ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING, THE ONLY TIME IN THE ALABAMA HOUSE THAT WE DON'T VOTE BY MACHINE.

IT IS STOIC, VERY QUIET.

THE CURRENT SPEAKER WILL PRESIDE AND THE CLERK, WE WILL NOMINATE WHO WE NOMINATE.

THE DEMOCRATS NOMINATE THEIR CANDIDATE AND THE CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL AND EACH OF US STAND AT OUR DESK AND ANNOUNCE THE VOTE.

IT IS THE ONLY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE WE STAND AND ANNOUNCE OUR VOTE.

>> OLD-SCHOOL VOTING.

>> YEAH.

>> WE WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAN WATCHING THE RACE CLOSELY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

MY PLEASURE.

GOOD SEEING YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY JANE ADAMS, DIRECTOR OF "COVER ALABAMA."

JANE, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE, TODD.

>> CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT COVER ALABAMA AND WHAT YOUR MISSION IS IN THE STATE.

>> IT IS A NONPARTISAN COALITION OF 118 STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING, FINDING SOLUTIONS AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ALL ALABAMIANS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALABAMIAN HAS THE ABILITY TO GO TO THE DOCTOR WHEN THEY NEED TO AND HAS THE INSURANCE THEY NEED THAT WILL MAKE SURE THEY GET THAT COVERAGE.

>> THIS WEEK THERE WAS AN EVENT WITH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BIRMINGHAM.

IT HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLAYERS.

PARKA WAS INVOLVED I KNOW.

IT IS CALLED WOVEN TOGETHER AND ONE DISCUSSION WAS THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID, THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS, REVENUE.

HOW DID THE CONVERSATION GO?

>> I THINK IT WENT OKAY.

I WAS PLEASED TO SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE ATTENDED.

THE KIWANIS CLUB OF BIRMINGHAM SPONSORED IT.

WE HAD A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE, WHICH WAS GOOD.

THERE WERE ROBUST DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION, THE INCREASE IN LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION.

THERE WAS CONVERSATIONS THAT HAPPENED AMONGST A COUPLE OF LAWMAKERS, WHICH I THINK WERE GOOD BUT JUST PERHAPS MISSING THE FULL PICTURE OF WHAT IT TRULY MEANS TO BE A PERSON WHO IS IN THE COVERAGE GAP, WHICH IS ALWAYS ON TOP OF MY MIND AS I WAS SITTING THERE.

WHAT'S IT REALLY MEAN TO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE AND BE LOW INCOME AND WORKING IN ALABAMA?

>> UH-HUH.

I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT TO PAINT A PICTURE.

FIRST, LET'S SET THE TABLE HERE.

I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF CHILDREN ON MEDICAID.

THAT'S BEEN INTENTIONAL THROUGH THE ALL KIDS PROGRAM TO GET KIDS COVERED WITH HEALTH INSURANCE, BUT FOR ABLE-BODIED ADULTS, WHAT ARE THE INCOME THRESHOLDS FOR QUALIFYING FOR MEDICAID IN ALABAMA?

>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO SHOCK YOU.

I JUST HAVE TO SAY THESE ARE ANNUAL NUMBERS, NOT MONTHLY BUT ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.

IF YOU ARE A PARENT AND YOU MAKE, TWO PARENT AND A CHILD AND YOU MAKE LESS THAN $4,000 A YEAR, YOU WOULD QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID.

IF YOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL AND YOU MAKE ZERO DOLLARS, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN, YOU CAN NEVER QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID.

THERE'S NO QUALIFICATION FOR ANYONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A CHILD, NO MATTER HOW LOW THEIR INCOME IS AND IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN YOU HAVE TO BE VERY, VERY POOR, 18% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

ONE OF THE MOST STRINGENT MEDICAID PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE ONLY OTHER ONE THAT HAS MORE STRINGENT IS TEXAS.

>> $4,000 A YEAR.

>> A YEAR.

AND THAT IS IF YOU ARE A PARENT.

IF YOU HAVE NO CHILDREN, THERE'S NOTHING.

>> NOT TO BE CRASS BUT THERE ARE SUMMER JOBS THAT PAY MORE THAN THAT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IF YOU ARE A PARENT AND YOU HAVE A CHILD AND YOU MAKE 4,000 AND $26,000 A YEAR, YOU ARE IN THE COVERAGE GAP.

WHICH MEANS NO MATTER IF YOU WANT TO OR NOT, THERE'S NO WAY YOU COULD GET ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID.

YOU MAKE TOO MUCH FOR MEDICAID BUT NOT ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDY ON THE HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE.

THAT'S THE COVERAGE GAP.

IT IS PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING, MAKING ANNUAL INCOME BUT PERHAPS WORKING IN SHIFT LABOR OR LOW-INCOME JOB.

>> YOU KNOW, I WANT YOU TO HELP PAINT PICTURE TO NOT HAVE INSURANCE.

I KNOW THERE WAS A TIME IN MY LIFE I DIDN'T HAVE INSURANCE AND A TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL TOOK ME TWO YEARS TO PAY THAT DEBT OFF.

I'M MORE FORTUNATE THAN MANY.

TALK TO ME ABOUT LIFE IN THAT COVERAGE GAP WHEN YOU AREN'T ABLE TO HAVE INSURANCE FOR THE TRULY LOW INCOME.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THOSE WHO ARE IN THE COVERAGE GAP ARE WORKING, RIGHT?

SO, FOR INSTANCE, IN LEE COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF AUBURN, THREE AND FOUR OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN THAT COVERAGE GAP ARE WORKING, IN LEE COUNTY.

THESE AREN'T PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST SITTING AT HOME.

THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMY.

DID YOU GO TO THE GAS STATION THIS MORNING TO FILL UP YOUR TANK OR STOP BY A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT?

>> NOT TODAY, BUT YEAH, ALL THE TIME.

>> EVERY TIME YOU GO TO THE GAS STATION, THAT ATTENDANT WHO WAS WORKING THERE IS MOST LIKELY IN THE COVERAGE GAP.

THEY ARE WORKING SHIFT WORK AND NOT WORKING 40 HOURS A WEEK.

SOMETIMES 30 HOURS A WEEK AT MINIMUM WAGE OR EVEN $15 AN HOUR.

BUT IT PUTS THEM IN THE INCOME THRESHOLD WHERE THEY MAKE TOO MUCH FOR MEDICAID BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR A SUBSIDY.

AND SAME THING WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR FAVORITE TACO BELL.

THAT PERSON IS MOST LIKELY IN THE COVERAGE GAP.

THEY ARE WORKING A LOW, MINIMUM WAGE JOB.

THEY MAKE TOO MUCH FOR MEDICAID AND NOT ENOUGH TO GET A PREMIUM SUBSIDY.

THAT PERSON WHO IS PREPARING MY FOOD DOES NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

WHICH MEANS WHEN THEY ARE SICK, THEY ARE GOING TO WORK SICK AND NOT ABLE TO GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

IT GETS WORSE THAN THE IMPACT OF WHETHER OR NOT I EAT FOOD BY SOMEONE WHO MADE IT SICK.

I THINK OF CANCER, RIGHT?

THERE ARE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION OR WORKING AT A HAIR SALON THAT MIGHT HAVE A LUMP AND THAT LUMP PROGRESSES AND PROGRESSES AND PROGRESSES BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF THOSE MEDICAL BILLS.

THEY DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE AND ARE AFRAID OF GOING TO THE DOCTOR.

THAT MEANS WHEN THEY FINALLY GET MEDICAID COVERAGE, IT IS MEDICAID COVERAGE BECAUSE THEY ARE AT LATE-STAGE CANCER DIAGNOSIS, ESPECIALLY GOING TO DIE.

EVERY DAY YOU MEET PEOPLE IN THE COVERAGE GAP.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE GAS STATION OR A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, IF YOUR KIDS ARE IN CHILD CARE, IF YOUR PARENTS ARE IN A NURSING HOME, THOSE ARE PEOPLE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

FOR MEN IT IS MOSTLY CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

FOR WOMEN IN THE SERVICE 0ER HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

AGAIN, THESE FOLKS ARE WORKING AND YOU WOULDN'T SAY THEY ARE LAZY BUT NOT MAKING ENOUGH TO GET QUALITY AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE AND IF THEY LIVED IN KENTUCKY THEY WOULD BE GETTING MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUBJECT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION IN THIS BUILDING, IN FACT, WE JUST HAD THIS CONVERSATION IN THE HALLWAY, I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE, LAWMAKERS MOSTLY SAYING LOOK, IT WOULD BE NICE.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO EXTEND MEDICAID BUT THE STATE CANNOT AFFORD IT REVENUE WISE OVER THE LONG TERM.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT ARGUMENT?

>> WELL, IF I GOT IN A TIME MACHINE AND TIME TRAVELED BACK TO 2014 I WOULD SAY YES, I AGREE WITH YOU BUT IT IS NOT 2014 ANYMORE.

IT IS 2022.

AND THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

ONE MAJOR THING THAT HAS CHANGED IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING MORE MONEY THAN WE HAVE SEEN SINCE 2010 TO COVER THE COST OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THEY VERY MUCH WANT STATES TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

THEY ARE DANGLING EVEN MORE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR STATES TO DO IT.

ANOTHER THING THAT HAS CHANGED FROM 2014 TO CURRENTLY IS THAT OUR HEALTH SYSTEM IS STRUGGLING.

WE DIDN'T EXPAND MEDICAID IN 2010 OR IN 2014.

THAT DIDN'T CHANGE THE REALITY THAT WE HAD PROBLEMS SPREADING WITH OPIOID ADDICTIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT DIDN'T CHANGE THAT WE HAD MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, RIGHT, WHERE ADULTS WERE FACING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

THAT DIDN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE PRISONERS WHO ARE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET IN-PATIENT CARE AT THE HOSPITAL.

SO, THE STATE SAW THOSE PROBLEMS.

LAWMAKERS SAW THOSE PROBLEMS AND SAID HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR IT AND THEY DECIDED TO PAY ENTIRELY FOR IT.

SO ALL OF THE PRISONERS IN ADOC THAT GO TO THE HOSPITAL, IT IS OUR STATE TAXPAYERS PAYING 100% OF THAT COST, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T CONTRIBUTING ANY.

IF WE EXPAND MEDICAID FOR THE SAME SERVICES WE ARE PROVIDING SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, PRISONER HEALTHCARE AND SPENT OUR TAX DOLLARS, THE GENERAL FUND IS PAYING FOR THAT, NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IF WE EXPAND MEDICAID, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL COVER 90% OF THAT.

IN A CASE LIKE THAT HOSPITAL CARE FOR THAT PRISONER, WHERE WE ARE PAYING 100% NOW, IF WE EXPAND MEDICAID NEXT YEAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL COVER 90% OF THAT COST AND WE WILL HAVE TO ONLY PAY 10.

MEDICAID EXPANSION AND I KNOW LAWMAKERS DON'T LIKE WHEN I SAY THIS BUT IT TRULY DOES PAY FOR ITSELF.

IT PAYS FOR ITSELF BECAUSE LAWMAKERS DID THE RIGHT THING YEARS AGO WHEN THEY DECIDED TO INVEST MONEY TO TRY TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS.

BUT WHAT EVENTUALLY HAPPENED IS THEY WERE JUST PUTTING BAND-AIDS OVER THE ISSUE.

THE REAL WAY THAT WE SOLVE OUR HEALTHCARE ISSUE IN OUR STATE IS BY MAKING A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT, REALLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM AND NOT JUST PUTTING A BAND-AID OVER IT WITH STATE DOLLARS.

IF YOU EXPAND MEDICAID, YOU HAVE ON AVERAGE AN ANNUAL SAVINGS IN THE GENERAL FUND OF $397 MILLION.

THAT'S MONEY THAT YOU ARE NOT SAVING, BUT YOU ARE ABLE TO REINVEST OR PUT AWAY TO SAVE FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION IN THE OUT YEARS.

IT REALLY DOES PAY FOR ITSELF.

I'D LOVE TO TALK TO ANY LAWMAKER AND GET OUT A WHITE BOARD AND SHOW THEM HOW IT WORKS.

>> SOMETHING TELLS ME YOU WILL BE DOING THAT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT I HOPE YOU COME BACK AND CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.

IT IS AN ISSUE WE EXPECT TO COME UP IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.

>> YEAH, HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY WAS FOUNDED IN 1901, BECOMING THE NATION'S FIRST PUBLICLY FUNDED STATE ARCHIVE AGENCY, IT IDENTIFIES AND PRESERVES AND MAKES ACCESSIBILITY FACTS TO THE STATE.

THE FIRST DIRECTOR WAS SUCCEEDED BY HIS WIFE WHO HEADED THE ARCHIVES 35 YEARS AND THE SECOND WOMAN TO LEAD A STATE AGENCY.

>> NASA IS SET TO LAUNCH THE ARTEMIS ROCKET THIS SATURDAY.

IT HAD BEEN SLATED FOR MONDAY BUT RESCHEDULED DUE TO PROBLEMS.

JOIN MANAGE TOE DISCUSS IT IS BRANDON BURROUGHS, SYSTEMS ENGINEER FOR THE BOEING COMPANY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'RE ALL EXCITED ABOUT ARTEMIS AND THE LAUNCH ON TRACK FOR SATURDAY.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR ROLE WITH BOEING AND WITH THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM.

>> YES.

SO, SINCE I WAS AN INTERN BACK IN 2016, I JOINED THE BOEING COMPANY AS AN ENGINEER IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA AS A STRESS ANALYST.

AFTER GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE, TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY, IN ENGINEERING, I TRAVELED TO KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AND STARTED MY FULL-TIME JOB THERE AND I HAVE BEEN THERE THE PAST FIVE YEARS AS A SYSTEMS ENGINEER AND I ENSURE THE ROCKET WAS PROPERLY INTEGRATED FOR LAUNCH HERE AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT PARTS AND PIECES TO THE ROCKET AND MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THE COMPONENTS FIT TOGETHER PROPERLY AND COMMUNICATE TO EACH OTHER.

THAT'S MY ROLE THUS FAR WITH BOEING.

>> WOW, SO YOU ARE THERE AT KENNEDY WHERE THE LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE, REALLY IN THE THICK OF THINGS?

>> YEAH.

NO, IT HAS BEEN GREAT.

A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

SUPER EXCITING TIME.

LOOKING FORWARD TO LAUNCH.

>> WITH THE ARTEMIS PROGRAM, THE GOAL IS ULTIMATELY TO GET HUMANS BACK TO THE MOON, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

WE WANT TO GET BACK TO THE MOON BUT THIS TIME WE WANT TO STAY.

WE ALSO WANT TO DO SOME IMPORTANT THINGS SUCH AS LANDING THE FIRST WOMAN AND PERSON OF COLOR ON THE MOON.

THAT IS ANOTHER BIG MILESTONE WE LOOK FORWARD TO ACCOMPLISHING WITH THE ARTEMIS PROGRAM.

IT REMINDS ME OF A COMBINATION BETWEEN APOLLO AND THE SHUTTLE.

YOU HAVE THE BOOSTER ROCKETS LIKE THE SHUTTLE AND THEN THE CORE -- THE CAPSULE THAT SEEMS TO SEPARATE A LOT LIKE APOLLO DID.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CORE STAGE, THE BIG ONE, THE BIG ONE IN THE MIDDLE.

HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH OTHER COMPANIES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER COMPONENTS LIKE THE BOOSTERS.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE IS CONSTANT COORDINATION.

EVEN UP TO LAUNCH THERE IS ALWAYS COORDINATION BETWEEN THOSE DIFFERENT ENTITIES AND DIFFERENT COMPANIES BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY ALL OF THOSE PIECES HAVE TO FIT TOGETHER IN A SEAM HOMELESS FASHION.

THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT TO HAVE CONSTANT COMMUNICATION.

THINGS CHANGE.

ENGINEERING CAN BE UPDATED, ALL KIND OF THINGS CHANGE BUT IT IS UP TO EACH COMPANY TO COORDINATE THOSE DIFFERENT CHANGES AND THOSE DIFFERENT CORRELATIONS TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLES PROPERLY ASSEMBLED AND SPEAKING ACROSS THOSE SYSTEMS EFFECTIVELY.

>> THERE WAS A LAUNCH SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY.

THAT GOT SCRAPPED.

THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS, INCLUDING A FUEL LEAK, I THINK I READ.

WHAT -- HOW HAVE THOSE PROBLEMS BEEN ADDRESSED, WHATEVER PROBLEMS THAT LED TO THAT CANCELLATION?

HOW HAVE THEY BEEN ADDRESSED TO MAKE SURE THE ONE ON SATURDAY GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH.

>> PERSONALLY I HAVEN'T IN THE ROOMS ADDRESSING THOSE PROBLEMS.

I MADE SURE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROPER CONFIGURATION BEFORE LAUNCH BUT NASA HAS BEEN WORKING HARD TO REACH OUT TO THE DIFFERENT COMPANIES AND ENTITIES RELATED TO THOSE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES WE HAVE RIGHT NOW AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE A PLAN FOR IT ON HOW TO OVERCOME THOSE THINGS.

THE EXACT THING THEY WILL BE DOING, THAT IS UP TO NASA.

THEY ARE RUNNING THE SHOW.

I DON'T THINK EVEN AT THIS POINT, EVERY T HAS BEEN CROSSED AND I DOTTED.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE IT IS A CONSTANT EVALUATION GOING ON.

I CAN'T SPEAK EXACTLY TO THOSE DIRECT THINGS.

>> SURE.

UNDERSTOOD.

THIS MOMENT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING FOR YOU AND A LOT OF PEOPLE AT BOEING AND ACROSS THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM COMMUNITY.

HOW EXCITING IS IT RIGHT NOW WITHIN YOUR COMPANY AND THERE IN CAPE KENNEDY TO FINALLY, HOPEFULLY SEE THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM FLY?

TO BE HONEST IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS -- IT'S A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME AND I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THEY FEEL THE SAME WAY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I'D LIKE TO TAKE AWAY WHEN PEOPLE ASK HOW EXCITED I AM ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY, THIS IS BIG THAN JUST BOEING.

THIS IS, AS A COUNTRY, WE ARE GETTING READY TO SEND PEOPLE BACK TO THE MOON AND THIS TIME FOR GOOD.

THAT IS SUPER EXCITING FOR THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

THERE ARE SOME MANY COMPONENTS THAT HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AND A LOT OF SUPPLIERS AND COMPANIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THIS ONE GOAL THAT AMERICA COULD BE A NEARED SPACE.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS MAKE ME VERY EXCITED AND PROUD TO HAVE HAD A PIECE IN THAT -- IN THE UPCOMING ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT AROUND ARTEMIS.

I'M A SPACE NERD BUT IT SEEMS LIKE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION.

DO YOU THINK SO MUCH FOCUS ON THE MISSION, THE EXCITEMENT AROUND IT CAN KIND OF HELP THE SPACE PROGRAM IN GENERAL WITH POPULARITY AND SUPPORT FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND CONGRESS?

>> I DEFINITELY 100% DO.

I KNOW -- I WASN'T DIRECTLY AROUND DURING THE TIME WHEN THEY WERE DEVELOPING THE SPACE SHUTTLE.

FROM THE MENTORS AND PEOPLE I HAVE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST, THEY TOLD ME IT TOOK SOME TIME TO HAVE THE FIRST SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH.

ONCE THEY WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY HAVE A LAUNCH THAT THERE WAS EXCITEMENT THAT BUILT UP AROUND THAT PROGRAM.

I CAN ONLY LEAN BACK ON THOSE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE ME TO REMIND ME THAT, HEY, THERE ARE CHALLENGES ON THE WAY.

IT TAKES TIME BUT THE PUBLIC WILL COME AROUND AND WILL BE BEHIND YOU ONCE YOU GET SOME SUCCESSFUL FLIGHTS BEHIND YOU AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT IS EXCITING TO SEE THAT COME TO FRUITION NOW.

>> BRANDON, IF I MAY, I WANT TO ASK, YOU ARE A NATIVE ALABAMIAN, RIGHT AND A TUSKEGEE GRAD.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD FIND THAT COOL.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU GOT INTO A CAREER IN SPACE.

>> NO, SO, I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

I LIVED THERE UP UNTIL I GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.

WHEN I WAS REALLY YOUNG, I HAD THE NORMAL I DON'T WANT TO SAY CLICHE DREAM OF GOING INTO SPACE BY LOOKING UP AT THE STARS.

THAT'S WHERE IT ALL STARTED.

AND THAT LED TO ME WANTING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ENGINEERING, IN THAT CASE I NEEDED TO STAY ON MATH AND SCIENCE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I DECIDED TO ATTEND TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY AND HAD DOORS UNLOCK FOR ME.

THEY GAVE ME A FULL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP, WHICH IS SOMETHING I WASN'T ABLE TO GET AT A LOT OF INSTITUTIONS BUT TUSKEGEE SAID WE WILL GIVE HIM A CHANCE.

AND I MADE A DECISION TO STICK WITH BOEING AND HAPPY WITH THAT DECISION AND THE REST IS HISTORY AND NOW I'M HERE.

>> FOR ANY YOUNG PEOPLE WATCHING THAT MAY WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS AND DO THE ENGINEERING AND SOMETHING IN SPACE, WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO THOSE FOLKS?

>> MY ADVICE?

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF DRIVE, A LOT OF COMMITMENT TO WHATEVER YOUR DREAM IS, AND IF THAT IS YOUR DREAM IT WILL BE YOURSELF THAT SITS DOWN AND SAYS I WANT TO DO THIS AND YOU HAVE TO REALLY PUSH YOURSELF.

IF YOU RUN INTO A DOOR THAT SEEMS TO BE CLOSED, TRY ANOTHER DOOR OR TRY TO PUSH ON THE DOOR HARDER BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE SURPRISED HOW HARD YOU HAVE TO PUSH TO MAKE IT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

I FEEL LIKE FOR MYSELF I NEVER LET ANYONE STOP ME FROM MAKING MY DREAM COME TRUE.

I'M GLAD TO FINALLY BE HERE.

>> BRANDON, GOOD LUCK TOMORROW ON THE LAUNCH.

WE'RE ROOTING FOR YOU.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU TAKE DURING A BUSY TIME TO COME AND SHARE ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> NO PROBLEM.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK HERE NEXT WEEK, NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY, WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.