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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

MORE CONVERSATION THIS WEEK ABOUT RECIDIVISM AND WAYS TO KEEP FORMERLY INCARCERATED FROM REOFFENDING AND RETURNING TO ALABAMA'S ALREADY OVERCROWDED PRISONS.

THE ALABAMA COMMISSION ON REENTRY, KNOWN AS REENTRY ALABAMA, MET TUESDAY TO DISCUSS SUPPORTING FORMER INMATES IN ADJUSTING TO LIFE AFTER INCARCERATION.

ALABAMA IS ONE OF FIVE STATES IN THE REENTRY PROGRAM, WHICH AIMS TO CUT RECIDIVISM IN HALF BY 2030.

DURING THE MEETING, RONALD MCKEITHEN, REENTRY COORDINATOR AT ALABAMA APPLESEED, EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE "WRAP-AROUND SERVICES" FOR FORMER INMATES.

>> WE START VISITING THEM AND LETTING THEM KNOW CERTAIN THINGS WE ARE GOING TO DO FOR THEM.

I LOVE GOING TO MEET A GUY WHEN HE COMES OUT.

THE FIRST THING WE DO IS HUG HIM AND SAY, WE GOT YOU.

THAT'S THE WAY WE DEAL WITH THEM, TREAT THEM, TALK TO THEM, THE WAY THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WE INTRODUCE THEM TO.

WE INTRODUCE THEM TO PEOPLE THAT'S GOING TO LOOK AT THEM LIKE THEY'RE HUMAN BECAUSE THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT SO MUCH IN PRISON, LIKE THE STAFF, EVERYBODY IS MEAN MUGGING, LOOKING AT YOU CRAZY.

OFFICERS ARE TRAINED TO BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOUR MOUTH IS MOVING YOU'RE LYING.

BUT WHEN YOU GET THEM IN THE VISION AND PUT PEOPLE AROUND THEM NOT JUST BY THEIR WORDS BUT ACTIONS THAT THEY BELIEVE IN THIS PERSON THAT WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT YOU, YOU SEE THE CHANGE.

>> I THINK FROM YOUR END AND YOUR ORGANIZATION'S END, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE MONEY FOR THAT.

THERE'S NO QUESTION.

D.O.C.

WOULD KNOW MORE THAN ME ON THIS BUT YOU'RE GOING INTO THE $8 MILLION, $9 MILLION RANGE JUST ON AN OPERATING LEVEL.

THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO NEED TO BE AT.

I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU.

WE SPENT THE BULK OF OUR BUDGET ON IT BUT IT'S EASIER ON US BECAUSE WE'RE NOT HAVING TO WATCH PEOPLE INSIDE THE PERIMETER EVERY DAY.

THAT'S WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN MY ORGANIZATION AND THEIRS.

BUT I SEE WHAT YOU'RE RAISING.

YOU RAISE A VERY VALID POINT.

>> AS RE-ENTRY ALABAMA WORKS TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, ONE EXISTING PROGRAM IS ALREADY SHOWING GREAT SUCCESS.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S JEFF SANDERS HAS MORE.

>> AT FIRST GLANCE, THIS MAY SEEM LEAK AN ORDINARY JOB FAIR, BUT THIS ONE IS HELD BEHIND RAZOR WIRE FENCES.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEME WHO ARE FORMALLY INCARCERATED, WHAT ARE WE WANTING THEM TO LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY GO BACK INTO SOCIETY.

>> CAM WARD, DIRECTOR OF ALABAMA BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, IS LEADING EFFORTS TO HELP THE FORMERLY INCARCERATED TRANSITION BACK INTO SOCIETY.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INGRAM STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HIS PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED THE PREP CENTER IN 2022.

>> WE HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE PERSON TO DATE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS COMMIT A CRIME AGAIN, AND I THINK IT SHOWS THAT A PERSON WITH A GOOD-PAYING JOB, A KILLED WORKING JOB THAT'S A GOOD EMPLOYEE, THAT'S WHAT WE ALL WANT FOR EVERYBODY, AND I THINK IT'S SHOWING THAT IT REDUCES, YOU KNOW, CRIME, IT HELPS THE PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT IT'S A KEY COMPONENT TO MAKING SURE SOMEONE IS SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.

>> THE 90-DAY PROGRAM OFFERS PARTICIPANTS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE INSTRUMENT AND EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE REDNESS TRAINING.

>> WE'VE OFFERED THEM SKILLS AND ABILITIES, SKILLS FOR SUCCESS TRAINING IN FIBER OPTICS, TREE TRIMMING, FORKLIFT CERTIFICATE, HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, CARPENTRY AND ELECTRICAL, AND WITH THOSE TRADE SKILLS, WE ARE HOPING TODAY THAT THEY GET A JOB.

>> JOSEPH GOODWIN IS ONE STUDENT EAGER TO PUT HIS NEWLY ACQUIRED SKILLS TO USE.

HE DREAMS OF ONE DAY OPENING HIS OWN HOME CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND CREDITS THE PROGRAM NOT ONLY FOR TEACHING HIS VALUABLE TRADE SKILLS BUT FOR ALSO HELPING HIM BECOME A BETTER PERSON.

>> JUST HOW TO BE MORE POSITIVE AND MORE FOCUSED ON THE SELF THAT I AM, YOU KNOW, THE INNER SELF INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT THE OUTSIDE OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT THINK OF WHO I WAS AND BASICALLY BEING ABLE TO BE MYSELF.

>> THE PREP PROGRAM NOW PLANS TO EXPAND TO INCLUDE A NEW INITIATIVE FOR WOMEN IN CLARK COUNTIES, AIMING TO EQUIP FORMER PRISONERS WITH THE SKILLS AND HOPE THEY NEED FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

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

>> WE ARE STILL FIVE MONTHS AWAY FROM THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BUT THIS WEEK WE GOT SOME UPDATED BUDGET NUMBERS THAT GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT LAWMAKERS WILL BE WORKING WITH IN THE 2025 SESSION.

IT LOOKS LIKE FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR ALABAMA LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE SURPLUS FUNDS TO SPEND IN 2025.

THAT'S BECAUSE IN BOTH THE GENERAL FUND AND THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, REVENUES ARE EXCEEDING WHAT WAS BUDGETED IN THE LAST SESSION.

IN THE GENERAL FUND, REVENUES EXCEED PROJECTIONS BY 7.6% AND THE ETF IS 1.2% THROUGH THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

EXACTLY HOW MUCH EXTRA MONEY WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL IS UNKNOWN.

HOWEVER WE DO KNOW THAT IN THE GENERAL FUND, EXCESS REVENUE WILL FIRST GO TOWARD THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND THE NEW STATE HOUSE PROJECT.

AND IN THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, AS MUCH AS $50 MILLION IS COULD BE NEEDED FOR THE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ENACTED THROUGH SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATION PASSED IN FEBRUARY.

ALABAMA'S MEDICAID ROLLS HAVE DECREASED BY MORE THAN 250 THOUSAND PEOPLE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

MEDICAID OF COURSE IS THE STATE-SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR THE LOW INCOME, DISABLED AND CHILDREN.

DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROHIBITED STATES FROM REMOVING THOSE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID FROM THE ROLLS.

STARTING IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, ALABAMA AND ALL STATES BEGAN A PROCESS OF WHAT'S CALLED UNWINDING, CULLING THE ROLES TO REMOVE THOSE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID COVERAGE.

THAT COULD BE FROM EARNING MORE INCOME OR MOVING OUT OF STATE.

OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR, 278,238 ALABAMIANS WERE REMOVED FROM THE MEDICAID ROLLS.

THAT NUMBER NATIONALLY WAS MORE THAN 25 MILLION.

NOW ABOUT 1.1 MILLION ALABAMIANS REMAIN IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

ONE ISSUE WE EXPECT TO COME UP IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS CRIME AND, SPECIFICALLY, WAYS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE IN ALABAMA CITIES.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP EISLER SAYS HE'S BRINGING BACK LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THE SALE AND USE OF SO-CALLED GLOCK SWITCHES THAT CAN TURN REGULAR PISTOLS INTO AUTOMATIC WEAPONS ALREADY ILLEGAL IN EVERY STATE.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF DERRICK CUNNINGHAM HOSTED A DEMONSTRATION AT A SHOOTING RANGE TO DEMONSTRATE JUST HOW DANGEROUS THESE DEVICES CAN BE.

[ GUNSHOTS ] >> WE'RE PLEAING FOR YOU ALL.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

YOU JUST SAW WHAT IT DOES, AND THAT'S WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE CALLING ABOUT.

I JUST DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO KEEP MUD I DIDN'T THINK THE WATER, TRYING TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE THIS DEVICE HAS A PLACE ON OUR STREETS.

IT DOESN'T.

>> I THINK WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO SHOOT A GUN THAT FUNCTIONS THAT WAY.

I CAN SAY FROM A TACTICAL STANDPOINT, I AM NOT GOING TO CARRY ANY FIREARM THAT HAS A DEVICE LIKE THIS ON IT.

>> AND I CANNOT GO TO A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING WITHOUT RESIDENTS COMING UP TO ME COMPRESSING THAT THEY ARE HEARING THESE AND SEEING THEM IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE MOST HEARTBREAKING WAS A MOTHER WHO CAME UP TO ME WHO SAID THAT SHE LOST HER SON TO A GLOCK WITH ONE OF THESE SWITCHES ON THEM AND JUST PLEADED WITH US TO DO SOMETHING ON THE STATE LEVEL.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT WHAT THESE DEVICES DO.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT DESTRUCTION.

NOW WE'RE COMING TO THE LEGISLATURE, ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT THIS FROM COMING BACK INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO, I THINK WHAT YOU ALL HAVE SEEN TODAY, YOU KNOW HOW WE ALL FEEL IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT THIS TYPE OF DEVIALS BEING ON THE STREET, KNOWING WE HAVE OUR LOVED ONES, OUR DEPUTIES, OUR OFFICERS PULLING OVER CARS, KNOWING THAT PEOPLE CAN GET OUT OF THEIR VEHICLE WITH THESE TYPE OF DEVICES ON A WEAPON -- UH, NO.

[ GUNFIRE ] >> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK JOINED HUNDREDS OF NORTHEAST ALABAMIANS TO BREAK GROUND ON THE STATE'S FIRST CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER IN ETOWAH COUNTY.

DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ALABAMA'S STUDENTS WITH BIG DREAMS, THE CENTER WILL FEATURE A SPACE SIMULATOR AND LEARNING HUB FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS-OFFERING THEM CUTTING-EDGE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> ALABAMIANS LOVE A CHALLENGE, AND THEY RISE TO IT.

THAT IS EVIDENCED BY THE STRONG EMBRACE STEM EDUCATION HAS RECEIVED AND CONTINUES TO RECEIVE THROUGH OUR SWEET HOME ALABAMA.

>> MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THINGS THAT ARE HANDS ON WHERE THEY SEE THE INTRINSIC MEETING AND WHERE THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE LEARNING SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN APPLY FOR A POSSIBLE CAREER.

SO, COULD BE VERY EXCITING FOR A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THERE WILL BE THOUSANDS OF KIDS WHO COME THROUGH HERE IN THE FUTURE.

>> A MAJOR ACCOLADE FOR AN ALABAMA UTILITY.

SOUTHEAST GAS, A NATURAL GAS PROVIDER HEADQUARTERED IN ANDALUSIA, HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE TOP 20 UTILITIES IN THE NATION BY SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE.

THE UTILITY SERVES 14 MUNICIPALITIES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF THE STATE.

>> WHEN YOU PROVIDE JOBS FOR COMMUNITIES, THEN THAT BRINGS INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT BRINGS REVENUE, THAT BRINGS PEOPLE INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS, EVERY ONE BENEFITS.

AND OUR MAYORS, OUR TOWN, I HAVE 14 MAYORS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE MY BOSSES, SO THEY RECOGNIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE GROWING THEIR COMMUNITY, EVERYONE IS BETTER OFF.

SO, GAS UTILITY, JUST LIKE ELECTRIC, WE WORK TOGETHER.

WE DON'T ARGUE WITH THE ELECTRIC.

WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION WITH THE PRESIDENT OF A POWER COMPANY SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

HE MADE THE COMMENT, HE SAID, YOU KNOW, WE MAY ARGUE ABOUT ROOFTOPS WHEN WE GET THE ROAD OR THE INDUSTRY IS HERE, BUT LET'S ALL GET IT HERE FIRST.

>> AND, SO, HAVING THEM SO INTERESTED IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SIDE AND ASSISTING US IS JUST A BIG DEAL, ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE SMALLER CITIES, YOU KNOW, LIKE OZARK.

WE HAVE TWO FULL-TIME STAFF PEOPLE THAT FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH THE GAS BOARD, ONE IS KIND OF ON THE INDUSTRY SIDE AND ONE IS MORE OF A RETAIL SIDE, AND THEY HELP US WITH SMALL PROJECTS, LIKE WE HAVE SOME RETAIL STRATEGY TYPE COMPANIES THAT WE DEAL WITH WHERE THEY HELP US ON A DAY-TO-DAY AND TRY TO RECRUIT SMALL BUSINESS, AND, OF COURSE, ON THE LARGER SCALE, TOO, IT REALLY HELPS US A LOT.

>> THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS JUST 45 DAYS AWAY, AND WHILE ALABAMA MAY NOT BE A SWING STATE, SEVERAL IMPORTANT ELECTIONS ARE ON THE BALLOT.

THAT HAS REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ORGANIZING THEIR CAMPAIGNS AND PREPARING TO GET OUT THE VOTE.

RANDY SCOTT HAS THAT STORY.

>> ELECTRICITY IS IN THE AIR, AS THE DAYS TO THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS COUNT DOWN, AND MANY PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY BUSY, GETTING READY FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS COMMITTED.

WE'RE ALL TOGETHER, UNITED AND WORKING HARD TO PROVE TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA WE DESERVE THEIR VOTE THIS NOVEMBER.

>> ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN JOHN WALL SAID THE G.O.P.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING STARTING WITH FUNDRAISING EVENTS.

>> WE HAD TWO RECORD FUNDRAISERS IN 2023, AND, SO, THIS YEAR WE WANTED TO TURN OUR DINNER INTO A FUNDRAISER FOR DONALD TRUMP AND WE RAISED OVER A MILLION DOLLARS LAST WEEK FOR THE PRESIDENT'S CAMPAIGN.

>> THE REPUBLICANS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES EXCITED ABOUT THE ELECTIONS.

>> WHO WILL CARRY OUT THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE PEOPLE?

WHO WILL GOVERN ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS EXCITING.

>> ALABAMA STATE SENATOR KIRK HATCHER GOT A TASTE OF EXCITEMENT ATTENDING THE RECENT DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

HE SAID HE'S TAKING THAT ENERGY TO THE CITIZENS TO INSPIRE THEM TO GET INVOLVED IN WORK INCLUDING FUNDRAISING.

>> THESE CAMPAIGNS ARE EXPENSIVE.

I'VE HEARD THE NUMBERS INDIVIDUALS HAVE MENTIONED AS RELATES TO WHAT WILL LIKELY BE SPENT IN THIS CAMPAIGN BETWEEN THE TWO RID RUNNING, AND IT'S -- ASTRONOMICAL.

>> THE GRASSROOTS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE INCREDIBLY EXCITED AND READY TO GET ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS.

>> DEALING WITH, YOU KNOW, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, SOCIAL JUSTICE.

THEY ARE VERY STRONG ON THAT, VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

SO, FROM, YOU KNOW, CANVASSING AND PHONE BANKS AND ALL THE THINGS GRASSROOTS.

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

>> SOME SAD NEWS TO REPORT THIS WEEK.

FORMER STATE SENATOR PRISCILLA DUNN, A DEMOCRAT FROM BIRMINGHAM WHO SPENT MORE THAN TWO DECADES IN THE LEGISLATURE, DIED ON TUESDAY FOLLOWING A LONG ILLNESS.

SHE WAS 80.

CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL OFFERED A TRIBUTE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TO OFFER A TRIBUTE.

>> SENATOR DUNN WAS A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT.

AS A SCHOOL TEACHER AS WELL AS A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER, SHE FEELS DEFINITELY GUIDED BY HER ABIDING FAITH, AND SHE ALWAYS PRACTICED WHAT SHE PREACHED.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN SENATOR DUNN AND HER WONDERFUL FAMILY.

AS ALABAMA'S FIRST BLACK CONGRESSWOMAN, I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF AMAZING LEADERS LIKE SENATOR DUNN WHO OPENED THE DOORS FOR ME AND MANY OTHERS.

SHE WAS A GRAND DAM WHOSE FOOTSTEPS THAT WE AS BLACKWOMAN OFFICIALS IN ALABAMA ARE BLESSED TO FOLLOW.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL BE JOINED FROM WASHINGTON BY STEPHEN BOYD TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS TAKING PLACE TO AVOID A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

AFTER THAT, JAY REED OF THE ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS JOINS ME TO HIGHLIGHT THE CONSTRUCTION BOOM THAT IS BOOSTING ALABAMA'S ECONOMY.

AND LATER IN THE SHOW, MARK COLSON OF THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION IS IN STUDIO TO CELEBRATE TRUCK DRIVER APPRECITION WEEK.

STAY WITH US.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE ARE COMING UP ON THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND THAT MEANS ALL EYES ARE ON WASHINGTON AS CONGRESS MUST REACH A DEAL TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

JOINING ME NOW TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND OTHER ISSUES IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL IS STEPHEN BOYD, LONG-TIME CAPITOL VETERAN, FORMER ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES AND NOW PARTNER AT HORIZONS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS.

STEPHEN, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AS I MENTIONED, WE'RE AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, APPROACHING IT, AND SEEMS LIKE WE'RE LOOKING AT CONGRESS COMING UP ON THE DEADLINE FOR FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

CAN YOU GIVE US THE LAY OF THE LAND OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY, WE'RE BACK WHERE WE USUALLY END UP AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO PASS ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS BILLS.

IN THE HOUSE FIVE PASSED.

IN THE SENATE ZERO OF TWELVE PASSED.

WITHOUT A CONTINUING RESOLUTION, WHICH IS A STOP-GAP MEASURE TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OPERATING, TECHNICALLY, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHUT DOWN OCTOBER 1 OF THIS YEAR.

WHAT WE HAVE AHEAD OF US IS ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE, IN MY OPINION, BUT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF WRINKLES IN THE PAST WEEK AS WE APPROACH THE PASSAGE OF A CR, ONE IS TO ADD THE SAVE ACT, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP TO REGISTER TO VOTE, AND THE OTHER WAS A PUSH TO EXTEND THE CR MUCH FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE THAN USUAL.

A TYPICAL CASE WOULD BE A FEW WEEKS OR A FEW MONTHS TO GET PAST THE ELECTION.

SOME IN CONGRESS WANTED TO PUSH IT INTO AS FAR AS MARCH IN THE IDEA THAT IF DONALD TRUMP WINS REELECTION, HE WILL BE ABLE TO COME IN AND INFLUENCE SPENDING IN THE NEW YEAR.

THAT WAS REALLY A NON-STARTER WITH DEMOCRATS.

SOME REPUBLICANS, THE SAVE ACT WAS DEFINITELY A NON-STARTER WITH DEMOCRATS.

IN THE END, MIKE JOHNSON, A SPEAKER IN A TOUGH POLITICAL POSITION FRANKLY SINCE HE WALKED IN THE DOOR OF THE OFFICE, WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VOTES TO PASS THAT VERSION OF THE CR THIS WEEK AND MOST LIKELY GOING TO MOVE TOWARDS A SHORT-TERM CLEAN CR THAT MOVES THE SPENDING DEADLINE INTO DECEMBER, POST-ELECTION, AND CONGRESS CAN DEAL WITH THAT WHEN THE DUST SETTLES.

>> JUST FOR OUR VIEWERS' UNDERSTANDING, CR, CONTINUING RESOLUTION, BASICALLY MEANS EXTENDING CURRENT SPENDING LEVELS, HOWEVER THEY WERE PASSED ORIGINALLY -- I DON'T KNOW EVEN REMEMBER WHAT SPENDING LEVELS WE'RE EVEN TALKING ABOUT -- BUT EXTENDING CURRENT SPENDING LEVELS ANOTHER TWO OR THREE MONTHS INTO DECEMBER.

THAT KICKS THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT I FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THAT VOTE BECAUSE, YOU'RE RIGHT, IT CAME UP SHORT, AND THERE'S SUCH A SLIM MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE, BUT ALL REALMS WEREN'T OPEN BOARD AND WHAT I FOUND INTERESTING WAS OUR OWN CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS WHO CHAIRS THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, VERY INFLUENTIAL MEMBER, VOTED AGAINST THAT BILL.

I FOUND THAT INTERESTING.

IS THERE ANY INDICATIONS OF WHY HE WAS OPPOSED TO IT?

>> YEAH, THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT, AND HE WAS VERY CLEAR.

HE SAID HE WOULD BE OKAY WITH THE CR BUT NOT IF IT GOES DEEP INTO NEXT YEAR INTO THE SPRING.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS A CR, WHILE GOOD AND KEEPS THE GOVERNMENT OPERATING, IT TIES THE HANDS OF GOVERNMENT MANAGERS AND OUR LEADERS WHO ARE TRYING TO CHANGE AND ADAPT TO CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCING AROUND THE WORLD AND AT HOME AND PARTICULARLY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

CR IS SO DAMAGING TO THEIR ABILITY TO RESPOND TO CHALLENGES.

IF YOU JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH CHINA, WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY, A.I., TRYING TO STAND UP SPACE FOR US AND RESPOND TO CHALLENGES IN SPACE, NOT TO MENTION HOT SPOTS IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST, TO TELL DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MANAGERS THAT THEY CAN'T FUND NEW PROGRAMS OR CHANGE FUNDING TO ADAPT TO THOSE CHALLENGES IS LIKE PLAYING WITH ONE HAND TIED BEHIND OUR BACK, FRANKLY.

CHINA DOESN'T HAVE CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS.

THEY'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THESE SORT OF THINGS.

THEY'RE PRESSING AHEAD EVERY DAY TO GROW THEIR STRENGTHS AND TO RAISE TENSIONS AND WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND.

CHAIRMAN OF THE ARMED SERVICES, MAKES SENSE HE WOULD STAND UP FOR THE DOD IN THIS RESPECT, AND HE WAS CLEAR ABOUT IT AND VOTED NO WHEN HE HAD TO.

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THEY SPEND SO MUCH TIME WORKING ON THE DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL, THEY SPEND SO MUCH TIME ESPECIALLY ON THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT, I KNOW IT'S THROUGH THE HOUSE BUT MAYBE IT WILL PASS BY THE END OF THE YEAR, SO IT'S GOT TO BE FRUSTRATING FOR SOMEONE LIKE CHAIRMAN ROGERS WHO PUT A LOT OF ENERGY INTO ADAPTING AND TRYING TO UPDATE WHERE OUR SPENDING LEVELS NEED TO BE.

THAT'S THE JOB OF CONGRESS SO I CAN UNDERSTAND HIS FRUSTRATION IN SAYING, OH, NO, WE'RE JUST GOING TO CONTINUE THE SAME SPENDING LEVELS WITHOUT THE CHANGES, WITHOUT THOSE UPDATES.

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

AND, YOU KNOW, TO HIS CREDIT, HE SAID SO EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS AND MANY PEOPLE AGREE WITH HIM, HE VOTED NO.

HE'S GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING A BILL BEFORE HIM, A CR, AS THE REST OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WILL, SOON, IN THE NEXT WEEK, THAT'S STRAIGHT CR.

NO ONE WANTS TO BE IN A CR SITUATION.

THEY MUCHLY PREFER REGULAR ORDER.

THAT HAS PROVED VERY TOUGH IN RECENT YEARS AND FRANKLY A LONG TIME OF APPROPRIATION ALSO AND FEDERAL SPENDING HAS SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY.

WE ALWAYS FIND OURSELVES IN A SITUATION, NOT THAT UNCOMMON IN AN ELECTION YEAR, BUT WHAT WAS UNCOMMON WAS TRYING TO PUSH IT SO FAR INTO THE FUTURE.

ANOTHER ISSUE OUT THERE ON THE DEFENSE SIDE IS THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT WHICH CHAIRMAN ROGERS IS PLAYING A KEY ROLE AND AS CHAIRMAN, THAT BILL NEEDS TO BE PASSED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

IT'S BEEN PASSED EVERY YEAR FOR 64 YEARS, I BELIEVE, AND I THINK THIS YEAR WILL BE THE SAME, ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT GO DOWN TO FAIRLY DEEP INTO THE DECEMBER TIME FRAME.

BUT CHAIRMAN ROGERS, HIS COUNTERPART ON THE SENATE SIDE, CHAIRMAN REED FROM RHODE ISLAND, HAVE A MUTUAL RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER, WORK VERY WELL TOGETHER, AND I BELIEVE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET THAT JOB DONE BEFORE THE DEADLINE STRIKES.

>> IT'S INTERESTING WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT SENATOR REED, CHAIRMAN REED, OBVIOUSLY A DEMOCRAT FROM RHODE ISLAND.

DEMOCRATS HAVE A SLIM MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

BECAUSE, FROM THE OUTSIDE HERE, IT OFTEN JUST SEEMS THAT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE JUST HOPELESSLY DIVIDED, ESPECIALLY IN WASHINGTON, BUT IT SOUND LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THERE'S SOME COMMON GROUND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL DEFENSE.

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF COMMON GROUND, ALSO.

IT HELPS WHEN YOU TAKE THE CAMERAS OFF AND LET PEOPLE TALK LIKE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND FIND COMMON GROUND AND WORK TO THE SOLUTIONS.

THIS HAS BEEN AN HISTORICALLY UNPRODUCTIVE CONGRESS BY ANY MEASURE.

JUST PURELY THE NUMBER OF BILLS PRODUCED IS QUITE LOW.

BUT THERE ARE AREAS WHERE MEMBERS CAN COME TOGETHER AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, NATIONAL SECURITY, DEFENSE TYPICALLY REMAINS ONE OF THOSE.

THE DEFENSE BILL THIS YEAR WAS, LIKE LAST YEAR, THREATENED BY A NUMBER OF SOCIAL WARFARE CULTURAL ISSUES TYPICALLY NOT FOUND ON DEFENSE LEGISLATION.

CHAIRMAN ROGERS HAS DONE HIS BEST TO KEEP THE COMMITTEE AND THE CONGRESS, KEEP THEIR EYE ON THE BALL AS RELATES TO MEAT AND POTATOES DEFENSE ISSUES IN THE LEGISLATION.

I THINK THERE ARE PLENTY OF THOSE AND I THINK WHEN WE SEE A FINAL PRODUCT IN DECEMBER, THEY WILL DESERVE PRAISE FOR WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW BECAUSE THE WAY THIS PROCESS WILL WORK IS STARTING LATER THIS MONTH AND INTO OCTOBER, THEIR RESPECTIVE TEAMS WILL BE TOGETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WORKING THROUGH THE DIFFERENT PROVISIONS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE LEGISLATION, RECONCILING THOSE DIFFERENCES, NEGOTIATING OUT THOSE DIFFERENCES AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD PRODUCT.

>> THAT'S ENCOURAGING TO HEAR, NOT A LOT OF ENCOURAGING NEWS OUT OF WASHINGTON.

IT SOUNDS LIKE OR SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY IS WAITING ON THE ELECTION, A LOT THE KIND OF RIDING ON THAT AND WE WANT TO GET TO THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER.

SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THERE'S GOING TO BE A DEAL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

IT MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST POLICY, BUT THE GOVERNMENT PROBABLY WON'T SHUT DOWN.

IT SOUNDS LIKE MAYBE FOLKS SHOULDN'T BE TOO WORRIED, BUT THE REAL DECISIONS ARE DOWN THE ROAD AFTER THE ELECTION.

>> YEAH, IN SO MANY WAYS, WHEN YOU GET THIS CLOSE TO ELECTIONS, CERTAINLY A CONTENTIOUS ONE LIKE THE ONE THAT IS JUST WARNED THE -- AROUND THE CORNER, CONGRESS TAKES THE VIEW OF DOING THE BARE MINIMUM, PUNTING THE ISSUES AFTER A BIG ELECTION TO A LAME DUCK SITUATION WHERE FRANKLY ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME.

THEN MEMBERS ARE EAGER TO GET BACK HOME BEFORE THEIR VOTERS, PARTICULARLY THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SEATS WHERE THEY ARE CONTESTED.

BEING STUCK IN WASHINGTON SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RIGHT BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS NOT A GOOD FEELING FOR MEMBERS ON THE BALLOT, THEY WOULD RATHER BE TALKING TO VOTERS BACK HOME.

>> YEAH, THEY'VE GOT TO CAMPAIGN, TOO, A LOT OF THEM DO.

ALL THE HOUSE MEMBERS DO AND I GUESS A THIRD OF THE SENATE HAS TO CAMPAIGN, TOO.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE I SAW -- WE WERE ACTUALLY PLANNING ON BEING IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK BUT COULDN'T SWING IT.

WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO PLAN FOR A LATER DATE TO GO UP AND TALK TO SOME OF OUR SENATORS AND HOUSE MEMBERS, BUT I DID SEE A LOT OF OUR FOLKS FROM ALABAMA WERE IN D.C.

THIS WEEK.

I SAW IN SOCIAL MEDIA ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF GROUP.

HELENA DUNCAN, PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA SPOKE TO THE ALABAMA BUSINESS COALITION MAYOR, AND I THINK SENATOR BRITT WAS INVOLVED IN THAT.

TALK ABOUT FOLKS FROM ALABAMA GROUPS COMING TO D.C.

I GUESS TO HAVE MEETINGS WITH THEIR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES.

TALK ABOUT WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF STAYING ENGAGED, NOT JUST SITTING BACK HOME AND MAKING CALLS AND SENDING E-MAILS, BUT HAVING A PRESENCE IN D.C. WITH ELECTED LEADERS.

>> THAT WAS A GREAT EVENT WEDNESDAY MORNING ON CAPITOL HILL WITH THE U.S. CAPITOL AS A BACKDROP.

PACKED HOUSE, FRANKLY, TURNED OUT TO SEE A PANEL DISCUSSION.

KATIE BRITT SPOKE ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, BUSINESS ISSUES FACING THE STATE, HOW TO POSITION OUR STATE AS A LEADER IN SO MANY WAYS, AND VERY WELL RECEIVED BY THE CROWD THERE AS YOU PROBABLY EXPECT.

THE GROUP IS AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF FOLKS WHO LIVE IN WASHINGTON OR ALABAMA BUT HAVE AN INTEREST IN ECONOMIC ISSUES AND PARTICULARLY HOW THOSE ISSUES ARE IMPACTED BY FEDERAL DECISION-MAKING.

WHEN I WAS A CHIEF ON THE HILL I USED TO SAY A LOT WE CAN'T SOLVE PROBLEMS WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT, AND WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THEM UNTIL THE PEOPLE TELL US ABOUT THEM.

SO THE DIALOGUE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN CITIZENS, ORGANIZATIONS, CITIZENS AND RESPECTIVE LEADER IN CONGRESS IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT, AND IT WORKS BEST WHEN THERE'S A DEGREE OF TRUST AND CONSISTENT FLOW OF INFORMATION, AND EVERYONE IS SWIMMING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

>> YEAH, AND I VISITED WITH THE ALABAMA BUSINESS COALITION WHEN I WAS THERE.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF INFORMAL.

IT'S NOT LAKE THEY'RE VOTING TO TAKE POLICY POSITION.

IT'S NOT PARTISAN OR REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, IT'S JUST KIND OF FOCUSED ON ALABAMA ECONOMIC ISSUES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I FOUND THAT TO BE AN INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THAT A DECADE AGO WHEN WE WERE BOTH WORKING ON THE HILL.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THIS, LIKE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR, THERE SEEMS TO BE SO MUCH RIDING ON NOVEMBER, LOT OF EMOTIONS, YOU KNOW, A COUNTRY VERY MUCH DIVIDED.

BUT I WANT TO KIND OF GET MORE PRACTICAL.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FROM CONGRESS POLICY-WISE THAT ACTUALLY MIGHT IMPACT REAL PEOPLE IN TERMS OF THE OUTCOME ON THIS ELECTION, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, UNDERSTANDING YOU HAVE A LOT OF GOOD EXPERIENCE ON THIS?

>> YEAH, WELL, THERE'S A LOT AT STAKE, OBVIOUSLY, BUT, BY FAR, IN MY OPINION, THE EASY ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS TAXES.

THE TO 217 TAX CUT AND JOBS ACT WAS PASSED IN 2017.

IT WAS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES TO THE TAX CODE IN 20 OR 30 YEARS.

IT WAS VERY POPULAR.

A LOT OF THOSE TAX PROVISIONS EXPIRE IN THE COMING YEAR, AND THERE WILL BE AN EFFORT NEXT YEAR TO REVISIT THAT ISSUE, AND THE QUESTIONS ARE PRETTY SIMPLE.

DO WE KEEP THE LOWER TAXES, CHANGE THEM, REFORM THEM?

AND IT WILL BE HUGELY IMPACTED BY WHO'S IN CHARGE, WHETHER AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND IN CONGRESS.

AND IT'S AN ISSUE THAT IMPACTS EVERYDAY AMERICANS.

THE TAX CHANGES COULD IMPACT INDIVIDUAL TAX RATES, SMALL BUSINESS TAXES, ET CETERA.

AND I THINK THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN WOULD BE WISE TO STOP TALKING ABOUT PATIENCE AND PETS AND THIS THING WITH TAYLOR SWIFT AND TALK TABLET THE TAX CODE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE ELECTION WILL BE WON OR LOST.

>> IT'S CRAZY YOU SAID THAT.

THAT WASN'T ON MY RADAR.

I FEEL PRETTY WELL INFORMED AND FOLLOW THINGS BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH AT ALL ABOUT THE TAX CUTS EXPIRING AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY THE ELECTION.

SO, I MEAN, YEAH, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT SEEMINGLY EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT THAT SEEMS LIKE A BIG ONE, TAXES AND HOW WE GO FORWARD ON THIS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A CLOSE ELECTION, WE'RE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE FOLLOWING IT.

STEPHEN, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

YOU'VE GOT SUCH A GREAT PERSPECTIVE AS A CAPITOL HILL VETERAN BUT ALSO SO PLUGGED INTO WHAT THE ALABAMA DELEGATION IS DOING.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM IN THE COMING WEEKS AS WE APPROACH THE FISCAL YEAR.

THANKS FOR COMING OPEN THE SHOW AND LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU AGAIN SOON.

>> APPRECIATE IT, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS JAY REED, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS OF ALABAMA.

JAY, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

MAN, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

I WANT TO ASK YOU, COULD YOU REMIND OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT ABC AND ITS ROLE HERE IN THE STATE.

>> AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

ASSOCIATE BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS BASICALLY A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDERS ONLY NOT RESIDENTIAL.

WE TEND TO REPRESENT BETWEEN 530, 550 MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE, RANGING ANYWHERE FROM BILLIONS TO YOUR GUY JUST GETTING STARTED OUT IN A TRADE AND OPENING HIS OWN COMPANY, AND WE JUST TRY TO BE THERE FOR THEM IN SAFETY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND THEN NETWORKING AND GETTING WORD OUT ABOUT THEIR BUSINESSES.

>> A TRADE ASSOCIATION.

>> RIGHT.

>> WE HAVE SEVERAL, MANY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE HAVE A PRETTY BIG CONSTRUCTION PROJECT GOING ON ACROSS THE STREET WITH A NEW STATE HOUSE AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO SEE MY FRIENDS.

IT'S QUITE A WORLD ACROSS THE STREET.

GLAD TO SEE IT BUILT.

>> WE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.

YOU'VE DONE THIS ECONOMIC STUDY, EYE POPPING NUMBERS, $17.2 BILLION, KIND OF AN ECONOMIC BOOM.

WE'LL GET TO SOME OF THE SPECIFICS LATER, WHY DID YOU COMMISSION THIS ECONOMIC STUDY ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?

>> IT'S INTERESTING.

WHEN I COME TO MONTGOMERY, YOU KNOW, I HEAR A LOT ABOUT WHAT I'M GOING TO CALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS.

WE KNOW THEIR TRADES.

THEY'RE OUT THERE, FLASHY, GET THE GLITZ AND THE GLAMOUR, WE THOUGHT, LET'S PAUSE AND BEAT OUR OWN CHEST.

17.12 BILLION IN ALABAMA, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT NUMBER AND WE WANTED TO RESONATE FROM THOSE INDIVIDUALS WANTING TO GET INTO CONSTRUCTION WHERE GREAT CAREER, GREAT WAGES, WE'LL GET INTO THAT IN A LITTLE BIT, BUT WE WANTED PEOPLE IN MONTGOMERY TO KNOW HOW IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION IS.

THIS IS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE THAT KEEPS THE WHEELS TURNING IN ALABAMA.

>> AND A CANARY IN THE COAL MINE, RIGHT.

>> EXACTLY.

>> A HUGE ECONOMIC INDICATOR FOR THE ENTIRE ECONOMY.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS CHECK STUDY?

>> THE EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS, 200,000 PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE EMPLOYED IN COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, THAT'S DEFINITELY UP FROM THE 2017 NUMBER.

ANOTHER ONE IS THE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WE LOVE OUR MANUFACTURING AUTOMOTIVE FACILITIES.

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION IS BIGGER THAN ALL THREE OF OUR LARGEST COMMERCIAL AUTOMOTIVE, IF YOU WILL, PLANTS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO WE'RE 17.2, AND YOU'VE GOT SOME OF THEM COMING IN AT 1- TO 5 BILLION.

CERTAINLY IT TAKES A LOT TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON IN ALABAMA BUT CERTAINLY FOR ALL THREE OF THOSE.

ALSO THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, OUR IMPACT ON TAXES ALONE COULD SEND EVERY KID IN JEFFERSON COUNTY K-12 FOR ONE YEAR, THAT'S OVER $600 MILLION IN TAXES.

ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS ARE JUST TO SAY WE'RE HERE, WE'RE PAYING GREAT WAGES, WE'RE DOING A LOT FOR THE FAMILIES THAT WORK IN CONSTRUCTION, BUT WE'RE ALSO DOING A LOT MORE THE STATE, AND WE WANT ELECTED OFFICIALS, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND OTHERS DOWN HERE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN THE FEEDBACK?

BECAUSE THE STUDY'S BEEN OUT A FEW DAYS, IT'S GOT TO GET INTO THE WATER TABLE A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, 17.2, THE NUMBERS YOU TALKED ABOUT, WHAT HAS BEEN THE FEEDBACK FROM GOVERNMENT, LAWMAKERS, OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DIGEST THE NUMBERS.

>> LET'S PICK ON THE GOVERNOR IF YOU WILL.

THAT OFFICE IS DELIGHTED TO WORK WITH US.

THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE HAVE 17.2 BILLION THAT WE'RE GENERATING IN THE STATE, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAS NEEDS, AND THEY ARE QUICK TO RESPOND.

THEY UNDERSTAND TO A LOT OF -- THEY UNDERSTAND AND THEY HELP OTHER INDUSTRIES IN THE STATE.

THIS HAS BEEN ONE WAY WE CAN SAY, YOU KNOW, WE MIGHT NEED A FEW THINGS ALONG THE WAY.

CRAFT TRAINING IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE.

THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION HAS TOTALLY BEEN LOCKED IN HAND WITH US TO BRING BACK VOCATIONL TRADES INTO THE STATE, TO MAKE SURE ACADEMIES OF CRAFT TRAINING ARE FIRST CLASS.

THESE NUMBERS HELP US PRESENT THAT CASE AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN OPEN ARMS AND SAYS WE WANT MORE OF IT.

>> THEY REALLY HAVE BEEN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> VERY.

>> HEAVY.

>> STRONG.

>> AHEAD OF THE CURVE A LITTLE BIT.

THAT'S BEEN A WATCH WORD HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE, TOO, ABOUT, YOU KNOW, LOOK, WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE, GOT TO GET MORE STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING AT AN EARLY AGE, IN JUNIOR HIGH, EVEN, THAT THERE ARE THESE TRADES OUT THERE THAT CAN PAY A LOT OF MONEY, AND YOUR INDUSTRY IS A BIG ONE.

>> MAN, RIGHT NOW, YOU HIT ON A GOOD POINT, WE'RE HEARING THIRD AND FOURTH GRADERS ARE INFLUENTIAL.

YOU NOTICE YOU HAVE A LOT OF OTHER INDUSTRIES, THEY'RE DOING THESE TRADE SHOWS AT SCHOOLS.

THIRD AND FOURTH GRADE IS WHEN YOU CAN ACTUALLY START SPEAKING TO AN INDIVIDUAL ABOUT SKILLS AND CONSTRUCTION.

GIVE THEM THAT HARD HAT, LET THEM KNOW CONSTRUCTION IS COOL AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE THEM IN THE TWELFTH GRADE AT ONE OF OUR ACADEMIES.

>> YOU MENTION IT BEING COOL AND WE WERE TALKING ON AIR ABOUT IT IS KIND OF COOL AGAIN.

I'M SORRY, WHEN I WATCH THE GUYS ACROSS THE STREET, IT DOES LOOK LIKE A COOL JOB.

TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS TO BE A SOUGHT-AFTER CAREER.

>> IT GOES BACK TO TWO YEARS AGO WE STARTED A FUND "GO BUILD ALABAMA" BECAUSE WE KNEW WE HAVE AN ISSUE.

WE HAVE GOT TO CHANGE THE MENTALITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND MAKE THEM THINK OF CONSTRUCTION AS ONE OF THOSE TOP CAREERS.

WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT, STUDIES LIKE THIS ARE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT, ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU HEAR EVERYBODY THAT'S GREY HAIRED TALKING ABOUT SHOP AND VO TECH AND THESE GUYS HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK.

WE DID ADVERTISING IN HIGH SCHOOLS, FOOTBALL STADIUMS.

WE GOT IN THE RIGHT SPOT AND KEPT DRIVING THE HARD HAT AND HAMMER ON TO SAY PICK US, WAGES AND BENEFITS ARE HERE, AND THEN YOU CAN DRIVE BY SOMETHING AND SAY, HEY, I BUILT THAT STATE HOUSE.

ISN'T THAT COOL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE THINK SO.

>> LOOK, EVERY CITY IN THIS DAY AND ALIEN HAS CHALLENGES -- INFLATION, SUPPLY CHAIN.

WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT SUPPLY CHAIN AND MAYBE HOW IT HELPS FUEL INFLATION.

HOW DO THOSE ISSUES SPECIFICALLY IMPACT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?

>> SUPPLY CHAIN COMING OUT OF COVID WAS OUR WORST NIGHTMARE.

IT WAS RIGHT THERE WITH WORKFORCE.

WE ACTUALLY HAD A COMMITTEE WORKING ON SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS LETTERS THAT WE WERE GETTING OUT TO OUR MEMBERSHIP.

SUPPLY CHAIN'S BUZZ WORD, THAT'S SORT OF TONING DOWN.

WE'RE DOWN TO A FEW TRADES EXPERIENCING A LOT OF DELAYS ON SUPPLY CHAIN.

I'M COMING BACK TO YOU ON WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE.

THE WHOLE MESSAGE TO THIS STATE, TO A MOM, TO A LEGISLATURE, TO ANYONE WATCHING THIS IS THINK CONSTRUCTION AND PICK CONSTRUCTION, WE NEED ALL OF YOU HERE.

>> WOW.

NOW, LET'S JUST SAY YOU'RE OUT THERE AS A PARENT OR AS A STUDENT, THINKING ABOUT CAREERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHERE'S THE PLACE TO GO?

IS IT GO BUILD ALABAMA?

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT?

>> TONS OF RESOURCES OUT THERE.

GO BUILD ALABAMA, CERTAINLY, WE HAVE A LINK THERE.

A GREAT LINK NOW, ACADEMY OF CRAFT TRAINING.

CURRENTLY IN OUR STATE THE GOVERNOR AND THIS LEGISLATURE HAS EMBRACED THREE CAMPUSES, WE'VE GOT THOSE IN DECATUR, BIRMINGHAM AND MOBILE, AND TENTATIVELY WILL HAVE TWO MORE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

WE'RE CERTAINLY ONE MORE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE EMBRACED AND WE'RE WORKING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS NOW TO GET THAT FOURTH CAMPUS.

BUT IT'S TALK TO A CONTRACTOR IN YOUR AREA.

THEY KNOW WHERE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE.

THEY KNOW WHERE THOSE JOBS ARE, AND, BY ALL MEANS, ALL ELSE FAILS, YOU CALL JAY REED AT ABC, WE NEED THE WORKERS, WE WILL GET THEM EMPLOYED.

>> FAIR ENOUGH.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

WE ARE IN THIS POLITICAL YEAR AND, OF COURSE, IMMIGRATION IS ALL OVER THE POLITICAL, YOU KNOW, RHETORIC AND ALL THIS KIND OF STUFF, ALL KINDS OF CRAZY STORIES OUT THERE.

BUT I KNOW IMMIGRATION IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO YOU ALL.

WHAT'S THE REALITY OF IT AND HOW DID IT IMPACT YOUR INDUSTRY?

WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FACTS OF IMMIGRATION AND HOW IT IMPACTS THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?

>> REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER, WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE IMMIGRANT WORKFORCE.

THE AGING WORKFORCE, THE AGE OF OUR PEOPLE ON JOB SITES RIGHT NOW AND THE PEOPLE COMING INTO CONSTRUCTION, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH FOR US TO CONTINUE TO BE THAT $17 BILLION ECONOMIC ENGINE, EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLES, WHATEVER HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER IS GOING TO HAPPEN, THERE HAS GOT TO BE LEVEL HEADS THAT PREVAIL ON THIS SITUATION.

AGRICULTURE AND CONSTRUCTION'S FACE WILL CHANGE IF THERE IS KNEE JERK ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLES, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, IF WE DON'T TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE TRUE NUMBER OF WORKERS THAT HAVE GOT TO BE IMMIGRANTS IN THIS COUNTRY AND GET THAT NUMBER RIGHT, ALL OF THE OTHER COOKIES CRUMBLE.

WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS RIGHT EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLES.

WE WERE HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE EVERY TIME WE DEALT WITH IMMIGRATION.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS, BOTH SIDES TO HAVE THE AISLES UNDERSTANDS THE WORKFORCE NEEDS IN ALABAMA, AND I JUST THINK LEVEL HEADS WILL PREVAIL ON THIS.

WE HOPE.

>> LOTS OF LESSONS LEARNED.

I REMEMBER 2011, 2012, HOTS OF LESSONS LEARNED IN THOSE DAYS.

>> I WAS HERE WITH YOU.

>> ALMOST OUT OF TIME BUT I WANTED TO GET TO ANOTHER ISSUE AND THAT IS UNION, UNION VOTES.

WE HAD THIS BILL, SENATE BILL 231, TALKING ABOUT SECRET BALLOT ELECTIONS.

I KNOW YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THIS.

IT CAME ABOUT AS THE UAW WAS MAKING A BIG PUSH, MERCEDES, HYUNDAI, ALL THAT.

THAT WAS THE BIGGER HEADLINE.

BUT I KNOW Y'ALL WERE INVOLVED IN THAT, TALKING ABOUT ENSURING SECRET BALLOTS FOR ELECTION.

WHY WAS THAT SO IMPORTANT TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?

>> WE ARE A MERIT SHOP.

WE BELIEVE THAT CONTRACTS IN CONSTRUCTION NEED TO GO TO THE LOWEST QUALIFIED BIDDER REGARDLESS OF UNION AFFILIATION.

WHAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO SUPPORT IS PUBLIC MONEY GOING TO PROJECTS THAT WEREN'T IN A SECRET BALLOT ELECTION.

I CAN ASSURE YOU, IF WE GO UPSTAIRS IN THE STATE HOUSE AND TALK TO EVERY LEGISLATURE AND SAID DO YOU WANT THREE PEOPLE IN THE VOTING BOOTH WITH YOU WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR, FOR YOUR FUTURE, YOUR POCKET BOOK, FOR YOUR WAY AND AMERICAN DREAM, THEY WILL WANT A SECRET BALLOT ELECTION.

WE FEEL THE WORKERS DESERVE THAT.

WE DON'T FEEL THERE SHOULD BE COERCION.

WE DON'T BELIEVE CARDS SHOULD BE PASSED OUT AND SOME OF YOUR BUDDIES ON THE JOB SITE YOU HAVE TO BE WITH EVERY DAY WITH ARE WATCHING YOU VOTE.

THAT NEEDS TO BE BETWEEN THAT MAN, PEN AND PAD AND HE NEEDS TO VOTE WITHOUT COERCION AND LET'S DO IT SECRET BALLOT.

>> YOU'RE GOOD WITH THAT IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> YES, LET THE WORKERS DECIDE AND MOVE ON.

>> JAY, THANKS FOR COMING IN.

THIS IS FASCINATING STUFF.

AGAIN, I'M GLAD YOU HIGHLIGHTED IT BECAUSE WE SEE CONSTRUCTION AROUND ALL THE TIME, WE MAYBE TAKE FOR GRAND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THERE FOR CAREERS.

SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN AND LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK.

>> MAN, THANK YOU.

WE'LL BE BACK AS SOON AS SESSION STARTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK.

CHECK OUT THE SHORT VIDEO TRIBUTE.

[ REVVING ENGINE ] [MUSIC] >> HEY, ALABAMA!

IT'S GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HERE, AND TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE OVER 130,000 ALABAMIANS WHO KEEP OUR STATE MOVING, OUR DEDICATED TRUCK DRIVERS.

>> HEY, EVERYBODY.

LORI HOWE, ALABAMA PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR.

WANT TO GIVE A QUICK SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE PROFESSIONAL MEN AND WOMEN IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, JUST LETTING YOU KNOW WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO, THE LONG HOURS AND DAYS YOU PUT IN TO MAKE SURE OUR STATE AND COUNTRY ARE WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

THANK YOU GUYS A WHOLE LOT.

>> HI, I'M SENATOR KATIE BRITT.

DURING TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK, I WANT TO THANK EVERY ALABAMIAN WHO IS PART OF THIS CRITICAL INDUSTRY WHICH LITERALLY DRIVES OUR ECONOMY.

>> MY NAME IS JOE BLACK, I AM PROUD TO SERVE AS THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION.

PLEASE REMEMBER, AS WE CELEBRATE THE 37TH ANNUAL NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK, THANK A TRUCK DRIVER AND, REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE IT, A TRUCK BROUGHT IT.

>> I'M REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT 78.

TRUCKING HAS PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE FOR THE CITY OF MONTGOMERY AND COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE REGION OF THE UNITED STATES.

TRUCKING HAS HAD A BIG IMPACT FOR MY FAMILY, BEING A DIESEL MECHANIC IN THE CITY OF MONTGOMERY.

IT HAS IMPROVED THEIR LIVES AND QUALITY OF LIFE HAS BEEN BETTER BECAUSE OF TRUCKING.

>> OVER 895% OF THE COMMUNITIES AT HOME DEPEND EXCLUSIVELY ON TRUCKS TO MOVE OUR GOODS.

THAT'S WHY I'VE PROCLAIMED THIS WEEK AS NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK IN THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO, THANK YOU, TRUCKERS.

YOUR HARD WORK WILL NEVER GO UNNOTICED.

>> THIS NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR TRUCKERS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY ON OUR HIGHWAYS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO ACT IN TIMES OF CRISIS.

>> IF YOU WANT TO BE A TRUCK DRIVER, GO TO MYTRUCKINGFUTURE.COM AND YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE AND A GREAT LIFE AND A GREAT CAREER.

>> THANK YOU.

STAY SAFE, AND KEEP ON TRUCKING.

[ HONKING ] >> JOINING ME NEXT TO TALK ABOUT IT IS MARK COLSON, PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION.

MARK, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

EXCITED TO BE HERE ON NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S GOOD TIMING.

I KNOW YOU'VE HAD CAMPAIGNS GOING ON, A LOT OF INTERESTING FOOTAGE AND GRAPHICS AND WE'LL GET TO SOME OF THAT.

STRIKES ME, SEEMS LIKE EVERY INDUSTRY HAS A WEEK LIKE THIS, AN APPRECIATION WEEK FOR IT'S THEIR SECTOR AND EVERYTHING.

WHAT STANDS OUT AS DIFFERENT ABOUT TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY?

>> WE'RE EXCITED GOVERNOR IVEY DECLARED THIS WEEK IN THE STATE AS TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK.

1988 IN THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION IS THE FIRST NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK.

IF YOU WENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND FOLLOWED ALL THE GREAT ALABAMA COMPANIES LOVING ON THEIR PEOPLE, I MEAN, IT IS SO SPECIAL, AND THEIR FAMILIES.

WHETHER IT BE AT TRUCK STOPS, GIVING AWAY FREE MEALS, HOSTING DINNERS AND LUNCHES FOR THEM BECAUSE JUST BEING APPRECIATED AND SAYING THANK YOU, IN OR LIFE, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT LESSON IN LIFE FOR ALL OF US IS SIMPLY TO SAY THANK YOU AND CERTAINLY IN THE TRUCK DRIVING PROFESSION, THAT PROBABLY DOESN'T GET SAID ENOUGH, ESPECIALLY FOR A PROFESSION IN ALABAMA THAT REPRESENTS -- THERE'S OVER 40,000 PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS IN THE STATE, OVER 130,000 PEOPLE WHO WORK IN TRUCKING IN OUR STATE.

THAT, I THINK WITH EVERY INDUSTRY THAT CALLS OUR STATE HOME, TRUCKING IS THE KEY LINK THAT MAKES SURE THAT EVERYTHING GETS TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO SAFELY.

SO, IN EVERY COMMUNITY, 85% OF ALABAMA COMMUNITIES DEPEND EXCLUSIVELY ON TRUCKING.

THAT MAKES THIS WEEK REALLY SPECIAL FOR US BECAUSE THESE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL SACRIFICING AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES.

SO WE'RE PUMPED UP ABOUT IT.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT STRIKES ME THAT WE JUST TAKE SO MUCH FOR GRANTED SOMETIMES THAT THAT FOOD IS IN THE GROCERY STORE, YOU KNOW.

THE THINGS THAT WE NEED ARE GENERALLY WHERE WE NEED THEM, WHEN WE NEED THEM.

MOST OF THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE OF TRUCKERS.

>> WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT IT'S ONE OF THOSE JOBS THAT, IF IT WEREN'T THERE, IF IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, IF TRUCKING STOPPED FOR A DAY OR TWO, THE WHOLE WORLD STOPS.

WE'VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

I KNOW YOU AND I ARE GOING TO TALK A IT WILLL BIT ABOUT THOSE DYNAMICS.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE PROFESSIONS.

I MEAN, LIKE TEACHERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND ALL THESE IMPORTANT PEOPLE, IF THEY DIDN'T DO WHAT THEY DID, YOU AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE IN THIS LIFE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SUPPLY CHAIN BECAUSE I REMEMBER, GOING BACK TO COVID, THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, I MEAN, TALK ABOUT SOME HEROIC WORK.

THEY WERE FACING RISKS, HEALTH RISKS AND EVERYTHING, RIGHT MAKE THIS COUNTRY KIND OF GET BY IN A REALLY WEIRD TIME.

I REMEMBER SEEING SOME IMAGES WHERE THE ONLY VEHICLE ON THE ROAD IS A TRUCK DELIVERING STUFF.

IT'S JUST A VERY STRANGE TIME.

THAT WAS WHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES STARTED TO HAPPEN, AND IT REALLY PLAYED A ROLE IN INFLATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

ARE WE OUT OF THE WOODS YET IN TERMS OF SUPPLY CHAIN BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT SITUATION.

>> STILL A MAJOR CHALLENGE.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PORT STRIKES IN THIS COUNTRY.

YOU'VE SEEN THAT IN CANADA.

YOU SAW THE SUEZ CANAL BLOCK AN, THE L.A.

PORT STRIKES WITH THE BOATS SITTING IN THE HARBOR.

ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS, THE -- THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE.

ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR SUPPLY CHAIN, AND IT WANTS ALL LINKED.

FOR THAT REASON, WE'RE SO SENSITIVE TO THINGS THAT CREATE COST IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN, WHETHER IT BE FUEL PRICES OR INFRASTRUCTURE PRICING AND COSTS,TOLOGY, THAT KIND OF THING, LAWSUIT ABUSE AND FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS, ANYTHING THAT IMPACTS THE SUPPLY CHAIN HAS AN EFFECT THROUGHOUT IT AND ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE CONSUMERS.

SO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS AND MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY ARE SUPER VIGILANT ON THE MANY DYNAMICS THAT AFFECT THE FLOW OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN BOTH IN ALABAMA AND AROUND THIS COUNTRY.

>> INTERESTING.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT BECAUSE, YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S A SENSITIVE, A DELICATE BALANCE THAT OUR ECONOMY DEPENDS ON WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

WELL, LOOK, WE'RE HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

I KNOW THAT YOU ACTUALLY TODAY HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND, AND YOU'RE ON THE ROAD QUITE A BIT WITH YOUR MEMBER ORGANIZATION, YOUR TRADE ASSOCIATION.

BUT WE'RE HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE AND, COME SESSION TIME, YOU KNOW, YOUR PRESENCE HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE, TALKING ABOUT POLICY AND TALKING WITH LAWMAKERS ALSO, WHAT ARE SOME TO HAVE THE POLICIES WE MIGHT HEAR ABOUT THAT RELATE TO THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY NOW AND INTO THE NEXT SESSION?

>> OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN THE STATE HOUSE AND WITH EVERY OTHER POLICY-MAKING BODY IS TO MAKE SURE THE POLICY-MAKER UNDERSTAND THE MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR INDUSTRY LIKE TRUCK DRIVERS, DIESEL TECHNICIANS, THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THE COMPANIES THAT EMPLOY THEM AS WELL.

SO WITHOUT THAT LEVEL OF APPRECIATION, IT'S HARD TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND TALK ABOUT SOME SPECIFIC POLICY ISSUES.

SO, AGAIN, TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK IS JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT TO OUR POLICY MAKERS AS WELL.

THIS WEEK WE HAD GOVERNOR IVEY, SENATOR BRITT, HASSLE, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND THE PEOPLE IN IT CELEBRATING TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK COMING TO THE STATE HOUSE, THAT'S THE FIRST PRIORITY.

THE SECOND IS ANY OF THE ISSUES AFFECTING SUPPLY CHAIN.

WE'RE VIGILANT ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE, COST AND DEVELOPMENT, LIKE I SAID LAWSUIT ABUSE, LEGAL REFORM, IMPACTS EVERY INDUSTRY AND TRUCKING UNIQUELY.

REGULATORY POLICY.

ONE OF OUR BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STATE HOUSE IS TO PARTY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FEDERAL REGULATORS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE SAFER ROADWAYS.

AND THAT'S NOT A SLOGAN FOR US IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, IT'S A LIFESTYLE.

SAFETY IS A LIFESTYLE, IT'S SOMETHING THEY LIVE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE'RE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING HOME SAFELY, BOTH OUR FOLKS AND EVERYBODY ELSE ON THE ROAD.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

AS WE ADVOCATE HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE, IT'S SOMETHING WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS LIKE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OPEN BECAUSE THEY'RE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PARTNERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU TALK ABOUT GOVERNOR IVY, SENATOR BRITT, REPRESENTATIVE HASSLE AND ALL THOSE POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, DOES THAT RESONATE DOWN TO THE TRUCK DRIVER?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY DOES.

I GOT HERE TODAY FROM FULTONDALE, ALABAMA, AT THE NORTH JEFFERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TALKING TO THEIR MAYOR, MAYOR SLOCOMB IN FULTONDALE.

I JUST TALKED TO THE MAYOR.

YOU KNOW, TALKING TO A POLICY-MAKER, ELECTED OFFICIAL, HE WAS A FIREFIGHTER, THE BACKGROUND HE COMES FROM, REPRESENTATIVE HASSLE HAD FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY ARE ABLE TO CELEBRATE PROFESSIONALS OUT IN -- AND FOR ANY OTHER INDUSTRY AS WELL -- I THINK IT MAKES A TREMENDOUS IMPACT.

I THINK IT, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, IF THERE'S ONE CHALLENGE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL DRIVER IN ADDITION TO ALL THE ONES THEY'D LIST ON A CHART, NUMBER ONE WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD APPRECIATED.

SO FEELING THE LOVE FROM THOSE SERVING IN PUBLIC OFFICE I THINK IS SIGNIFICANT.

>> WE'RE ALL HUMAN.

WE ALL NEED THAT APPRECIATION EVERY NOW AND AGAIN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK EVERY INDUSTRY ACROSS THE BOARD IS FACING WORKFORCE SHORTAGES AND ISSUES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE A CAMPAIGN AND A WEB SITE.

MYTRUCKINGFUTURE.COM.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT AND THE CAREERS THAT EXIST IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

>> WELL, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR INDUSTRY BUT FOR OURS SPECIFICALLY THE FIRST STEP WAS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF OUR OWN PROBLEM, WHICH IS ATTRACTING HIGH-QUALITY PEOPLE, HIGHLY-SKILLED FOLKS TO ALL THE JOB SECTORS.

WE PROMOTE DRIVER AND TECHNICIAN, BUT THERE'S DIFFERS JOBS IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

WE'RE NOT RUNNING TO THE GOVERNMENT TO SAY FIX THIS FOR US.

WE TOOK RESPONSIBILITY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA TO SAY WE UNDERSTAND IT'S ON US TO CREATE OUR OWN FUTURE AND CREATE GREAT WORK FOR PEOPLE.

ALABAMA IS A TOP TEN TRUCKING STATE.

MY TRUCKING FUTURE IS A WAY TO HUMANIZE THE INDUSTRY.

WE HAVE WONDERFUL MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE PROVIDING AWESOME SERVICE IN THE STATE, THEIR EXTREMELY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WORK THEY DO FOR THEIR FAMILY, COMPANY, COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE TELLING THOSE STORIES, BECAUSE THERE ARE POPULATIONS OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE THAT WHEN THEY SEE THAT THEY'RE, LIKE, THAT LOOKS LIKE ME, I CAN DO THIS KIND OF JOB.

A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER OR DIESEL TECHNICIAN IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY BUT IT'S FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND IF THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO CONNECT WITH A HIGH QUALITY TRAINING PROGRAM, WITH THE PARTNER WITH THE COLLEGE SYSTEM, IT'S HIGHLIGHTED ON THAT, YOU CAN GO THROUGH TRAINING OPTIONS THROUGH THE STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM, THERE ARE OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE, AND THEN HIGH QUALITY PEOPLE GETTING INTO TRAINING PROGRAMS OR GETTING INTO HIGH QUALITY JOBS OR STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

WE SHOULD INCENTIVIZE TO SAY IT'S OUR JOB TO PROMOTE THIS EVEN IF IT TAKES YEARS FOR US TO SEE THE BENEFIT FROM IT.

MYTRUCKINGFUTURE.COM IS REVOLUTIONARY IN OUR STATE.

THERE ARE OTHER INDUSTRIES DOING COOL THINGS BUT WE'RE CATCHING UP TO THEM.

>> THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR.

I WANT TO HAVE YOU BACK BECAUSE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE INTERVIEW AND MAYBE HAVING A PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER COME ALONG BUT TURNS OUT THEY'RE WORKING.

>> IT WOULD BE MY DREAM TO HAVE A COUPLE OF REALLY AWESOME PEOPLE WE WORK WITH THAT ARE USED TO BEING IN FRONT TO HAVE THE CAMERA BUT THEY'RE HAULING LOAD AND MAKING MONEY.

IN THE FUTURE, I'M GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT WOULD BE FUN.

AGAIN, TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK, MYTRUCKINGFUTURE.COM, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO THERE.

MARK, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU, 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 HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

DON'T FORGET, WE HAVE SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION COMING UP THIS THURSDAY 8:00 HERE ON APT.

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS UPCOMING EPISODE OF "SPOTLIGHT."

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