>> GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, STATE PRISONS WILL TAKE CENTER STAGE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE RECONVENES ON MONDAY FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE TRIED TO TACKLE NUMEROUS TIMES IN RECENT YEARS, AND MANY ARE NOW PREDICTING SUCCESS AT LAST.

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

GOVERNOR IVEY ARE BRINGING LAWMAKERS BACK TO FIX THE STRUGGLING PRISON SYSTEM.

>> IT UP TO US NOW TO GET THE RIGHT.

WE HAVE AN ALABAMA PROBLEM AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT AN ALABAMA SOLUTION.

>> THE GOVERNOR TOLD CITIZENS THIS WEEK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CLOSE TO STEPPING INTO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, BUT ALABAMA WILL FIX IT FIRST.

>> SEPTEMBER 27th, LEGISLATURE WILL DELIBERATE UPON A PLAN THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY TO ADDRESSING THESE CRITICAL, DECADES-OLD ISSUES.

>> THAT MEANS GETTING THE LEGISLATURE UP AND RUNNING.

CHECKING OUT THE HOUSE CHAMBER STARTED IMMEDIATELY.

>> WE DID MANAGE TO WORK WELL WITH THE LEADERSHIP TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY WAS COMFORTABLE WHEN WE MET AND THERE WOULD BE A FOCUS ON THEIR WORK RATHER THAN THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER THEY WERE GOING TO BE INFECTED OR NOT.

>> HOUSE CLERK SAID THE SPECIAL SESSIONS ARE NOT AS LONG AS THE REGULAR SESSIONS.

>> THE REGULAR SESSION RUNS 30 WORKING DAYS OVER 105 CALENDAR DAYS.

SPECIAL SESSION IS 12 WORKING DAYS OVER 30 CALENDAR DAYS.

SO MUCH SHORTER AND MORE FOCUSED.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY SAID SHE WILL ONLY CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION WHEN LAWMAKERS AGREE TO FIND A SOLUTION TO FIX THE PRISON PROBLEM.

>> I'M SO VERY GRATEFUL TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE OF COMING TOGETHER AND ALLOWING US TO BE A RESOURCE FOR THEM AND GET THIS DONE.

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

>> LEGISLATIVE OFFICIALS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE EXPRESSED A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE THAT A PRISON CONSTRUCTION BILL AND REFORM MEASURES WILL BE PASSED NEXT WEEK, AND THAT IT WILL ALL BE DONE IN FIVE DAYS.

ON THE TABLE IS A PLAN TO BUILD TWO NEW MEN'S MEGA-PRISONS AND A NEW WOMEN'S FACILITY, AND TO RENOVATE A COUPLE OF OTHER PRISONS.

IN THE PROCESS, A FEW OTHER LOCKUPS WILL INEVITABLY BE CLOSED.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I REALLY HAVE A LOT OF OPTIMISM.

I THINK WE'RE IN A REALLY GREAT PLACE.

I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD PLAN.

THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS, BUT OUR HOUSE COLLEAGUES AND WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND WE HAVE TRIED TO INCLUDE BOTH PARTIES, AGAIN, ALL BRANCHES.

A LOT OF VIEWPOINTS AND A LOT OF INPUT.

SO I THINK WE DO HAVE A PRODUCT THAT WILL HOPEFULLY SATISFY THE COURTS.

>> THE STATE IS, OF COURSE, UNDER A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAWSUIT TO APPROVE WHAT ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS BEHIND BARS.

UNDER THE LEGISLATION THAT LAWMAKERS WILL CONSIDER NEXT WEEK, THE PROPOSED NEW PRISONS WOULD BE FUNDED BY A $785 MILLION BOND ISSUE, SOME $400 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY AND $150 MILLION IN AVAILABLE CASH FROM THE STATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

A PAIR OF PRISON REFORM MEASURES THAT DIDN'T GET FINAL PASSAGE IN THE REGULAR SESSION WILL ALSO BE BACK BEFORE LAWMAKERS IN THE SPECIAL SESSION.

THEY PROPOSE TO MAKE RETROACTIVE BOTH THE 2013 SENTENCING STANDARDS AND A 2015 LAW ON MANDATORY SUPERVISION OF INMATES.

DEMOCRATS HAVE LONG PUSHED FOR REFORM TO GO ALONG WITH NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE SAYS HE'S ENCOURAGED WITH WHAT'S ON THE TABLE.

>> I FEEL MUCH BETTER RIGHT NOW, DON.

VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE REFORM MEASURES THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO INTRODUCE.

THERE ARE OTHER COLLEAGUES THAT ARE LOOKING TO POSSIBLY DRUM UP ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR OTHER REFORM MEASURES.

SO THAT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

I'VE ALWAYS HAD THE POSITION, SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING, THAT I CANNOT SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT REFORM.

>> BOTH REPRESENTATIVE DANIELS AND SENATOR SCOFIELD WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

>> NEXT WEEK'S SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BE FREE OF MANY OF THE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS WHICH HAD BEEN IN PLACE FOR THIS YEAR'S AND LAST YEAR'S REGULAR SESSIONS.

IN THE HOUSE, MASKS WILL BE STILL BE REQUIRED IN AREAS CONTROLLED BY THE LOWER CHAMBER ON THE FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH FLOORS, INCLUDING THE CHAMBER, COMMITTEE ROOMS AND COMMON SPACES.

SOCIAL DISTANCING IS ALSO STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

BUT HOUSE CLERK JEFF WOODARD TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT REPRESENTATIVES AS A WHOLE WILL, IN LARGE PART, BE RETURNING TO THEIR DESKS IN THE CHAMBER.

>> THIS IS SESSION THE GALLERY WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC NOW AS IT USED TO BE AND THE MEMBERS WILL BE ON THE FLOOR, EXCEPT FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO -- OR HAS REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE SOCIAL DISTANCING -- THE LACK OF ASSOCIATE SOCIAL DISTANCING OF SIX FEET.

THEY WILL BE ASKED TO WEAR MASKS.

>> MEANTIME, IN THE SENATE OFFICIALS SAY THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS ARE ASKED TO WEAR MASKS, BUT THERE WILL BE NO ENFORCEMENT OF THAT REQUEST.

THE SENATE GALLERY WILL AGAIN BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BUT, DISTANCING IN COMMITTEE ROOMS WILL STILL BE IN PLACE.

BOTH SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS WILL CONTINUE TO BE LIVE STREAMED ONLINE.

>> SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL IS REMINDING LAWMAKERS AND CERTAIN OTHER OFFICIALS THAT DURING THE UPCOMING SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION, STATE LAW PROHIBITS CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING.

MERRILL TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT THE LAW SAYS CANDIDATES FOR LEGISLATIVE AND STATEWIDE OFFICES AND THEIR PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES MAY NOT ACCEPT, SOLICIT, OR RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS DURING THE PERIOD IN WHICH THE LEGISLATURE IS CONVENED IN SESSION.

>> IT WAS PASSED DECADES AGO AND THE BENEFIT IS THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE IT'S LESS LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY INFLUENCE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL DURING THE TIME WHEN THEY ARE IN SPECIAL SESSION IF THEY CAN'T RECEIVE THOSE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

>> MERRILL SAYS THE SO-CALLED ELECTION ‘BLACKOUT' PERIOD WILL BEGIN WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES ON MONDAY AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL IT ENDS THE SPECIAL SESSION.

HE SAYS THAT DURING THAT TIME, CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEACTIVATE ANY WEBPAGES THAT ACCEPT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ONLINE TO AVOID INADVERTENTLY RECEIVING FUNDS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK JOINED A NUMBER OF OTHER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY IN A LETTER REQUESTING A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO DISCUSS WHAT THEY CALLED A CRISIS AT OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

IVEY CONTENDS THAT A SURGE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CROSSING INTO THIS COUNTRY WAS CAUSED BY A LACK OF FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT.

>> THERE ARE 18 OF US THAT SIGNED A LETTER, 18 OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES.

WE ASKED FOR A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT IN 15 DAYS.

WE CALLED THE MEETING BECAUSE THIS IS A CRISIS AND ONLY A PRESIDENT CAN FIX IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY SAID ALABAMA AND OTHER STATES HAVE SENT RESOURCES TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER, BUT HAD SEEN NO ACTION FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

ALABAMA ALONE DEPLOYED SOME 350 GUARDSMEN TO TEXAS.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS SAID TODAY THAT NO MORE HAITIAN MIGRANTS REMAIN UNDER A BRIDGE IN DEL RIO, TEXAS, AFTER THOUSANDS HAD SET UP A MAKESHIFT REFUGE THERE.

IMAGES OF MIGRANTS BEING CHASED BY BORDER AGENTS ON HORSEBACK HAVE BEEN WIDELY CONDEMNED.

>> GOVERNOR IVEY THIS WEEK DOUBLED DOWN ON THE STATE'S THREAT TO SUE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IF IT DOESN'T LIFT A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE MANDATE.

THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID COMPANIES WITH A HUNDRED EMPLOYEES OR MORE MUST EITHER REQUIRE SHOTS OR WEEKLY COVID TESTS FOR THEIR WORKERS.

IVEY SPOKE IN MONTGOMERY ON WEDNESDAY.

>> I DID AGREE WITH PRESIDENT ELECT JOE BIDEN LAST DECEMBER WHEN HE SAID VACCINES WOULD NOT BE MANDATORY.

EVIDENTLY HE'S GETTING A LITTLE FORGETFUL.

BECAUSE JUST LAST WEEK PRESIDENT BIDEN DEMONSTRATED YET AGAIN HE'S COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH, AND AT THIS POINT I CAN'T HELP BUT TO QUESTION HIS LEADERSHIP.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THIS OUTRAGEOUS, OVERREACH MANDATES WILL BE CHALLENGED IN THE COURT.

>> ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL LAST WEEK JOINED A COALITION OF 24 ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN CALLING FOR THE PRESIDENT TO EITHER DROP THE VACCINE MANDATE OR FACE LEGAL ACTION.

>> OUR STATE'S COVID DEATH RATE THIS WEEK BECAME THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY.

STATISTICS FROM JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY SHOW WE AVERAGED SOME 100 DEATHS DAILY OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

THE STATE REPORTED TODAY MORE THAN A THOUSAND ALABAMA CORONAVIRUS DEATHS IN THE PAST WEEK, ALTHOUGH THAT NUMBER MAY HAVE RESULTED, IN PART, FROM LAGS IN REPORTING.

THE HIGH DEATH COUNT HAS, IN SOME RESPECTS, LED TO A LOWERING OF OUR HOSPITALIZATION RATE.

DAILY COVID CASE COUNTS ARE ALSO DOWN, BUT STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT IS STILL RAMPANT IN ALABAMA.

>> WE HAVE THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF SPREAD, THE RED COLOR ON THE RISK MAP, IN I THINK 65 OF 67 COUNTIES AND THE OTHERS THAT ARE NOT ARE BARELY BELOW THAT.

THEY ARE AT THE NEXT RISK LEVEL BUT NOT FAR OFF FROM THOSE NUMBERS.

SO 1,000 CASES SPREAD OVER 67 COUNTIES IS A LOT OF DISEASE AND WE ARE GETTING REPORTS EVERY DAY FROM EVERY COUNTY.

>> STATE ICU'S REMAINED FILLED WITH PATIENTS, ALTHOUGH THIS WEEK OFFICIALS REPORTED A NET POSITIVE OF CRITICAL CARE BEDS OF ABOUT 10 TO 20, WHICH IS, OBVIOUSLY, AN IMPROVEMENT.

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

>> THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT ISSUED A RULING TODAY THAT CRITICS ARE CALLING ‘THE END OF PUBLIC ACCESS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS.'

THE JUSTICES UPHELD A LOWER COURT RULING THAT SAID THAT THE BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DID NOT HAVE TO TURN OVER RECORDS ABOUT A FATAL SHOOTING TO A LOCAL NEWS OUTLET, THAT THEY FALL UNDER AN EXEMPTION FOR INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS.

ALABAMA CHIEF JUSTICE TOM PARKER SAID IN A VERY POINTED DISSENT.

“WITH ONE SWEEPING STROKE, TODAY'S DECISION SPELLS THE END OF PUBLIC ACCESS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS THAT ARE CONNECTED IN ANY WAY TO AN INVESTIGATION.

I CANNOT SIT IDLY BY WHILE THIS COURT SHRINKS A LEGAL RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA TO THE VANISHING POINT.

AND I ESPECIALLY CANNOT DO SO WHEN THE SHRINKAGE FLIES IN THE FACE OF TEXT AND PRECEDENT.” >> THE LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS BEING SOUGHT IN THIS CASE RELATED TO THE 2017 FATAL SHOOTING OF A MOTORIST.

A BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WAS CLEARED IN THAT CASE.

>> IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, ENDING WHAT'S BEEN LABELED AS ‘PERIOD POVERTY' IN THE STATE.

IT'S THE MISSION OF A NON-PROFIT GROUP CALLED ‘WOMEN IN TRAINING.'

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH SPOKE WITH THE 14-YEAR-OLD FOUNDERS ABOUT THEIR AWARD-WINNING WORK AND AN UPCOMING FUNDRAISER.

>> WHEN STATE REPRESENTATIVE HOLLIS PRESENTED THIS BILL -- >> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS MAKE SURE OUR GIRLS HAVE THEIR HANDS ON FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS FREE, AT NO CHARGE.

>> TO THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS EDUCATION COMMITTEE, SHE HAD SOME HELP.

>> WHEN I FIRST WENT UP THERE I WAS NERVOUS BECAUSE THERE WERE A LOT OF MEN UP THERE AND I WANTED TO GET THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS SAYING, BUT BY THE END I WAS REALLY CONFIDENT AND WHEN I WAS SPEAKING I FELT THEY WERE LISTENING TO ME.

>> THE BILL PASSED COMMITTEE.

THE TWINS ARE THE BRAIN CHILDREN BEHIND WOMEN IN TRAINING, A NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDES FREE FEMININE CARE AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS TO THEIR PEERS.

>> WHEN I GIVE THESE GIRLS THE BAGS, I SEE A SMILE ON THEIR FACE AND THEY ARE SO HAPPY AND THEY ARE LIKE THANK YOU SO MUCH AND IT MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY.

THESE GIRLS JUST DON'T COME TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY ARE ON THEIR PERIOD BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PRODUCTS THEY NEED AND DON'T WANT TO BE EMBARRASSED IN SCHOOL.

I FEEL LIKE WHEN WE GET THESE PRODUCTS TO THE GIRLS IT GIVES THEM HOPE THEY CAN GO TO SCHOOL AND DO THEIR WORK AND LEARN THE WAY THEY SHOULD AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO MISS SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PRODUCTS THEY NEED.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HOLLIS FOUND ONE IN FIVE GIRLS DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER MENSTRUAL CARE ITEMS, INSTEAD THEY USE FACE CLOTHS, SOCKS, EVEN PAPER TOWELS.

TO KEEP PROVIDING THESE SUPPLIES, WOMEN IN TRAINING IS HOLDING THE SECOND ANNUAL VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON 5K ON OCTOBER 9th STARTING AT COURT SQUARE IN DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO WOMENINTRAINING.ORG.

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

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

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

>> JOHN MERRILL IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

LET'S START WITH IN THE LEGISLATIVE BLACKOUT PERIOD BECAUSE LAWMAKERS WILL BE BACK IN SPECIAL SESSION NEXT WEEK THERE'S A PERIOD IN WHICH LAWMAKERS OR ANY STATEWIDE OFFICE HOLDER CANNOT FUNDRAISE FOR THEIR CAMPAIGNS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THE ONLY EXCEPTION ON FUNDRAISING ONCE THE BLACKOUT PERIOD BEGINS IS CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL OFFICE.

SO COUNTY COMMISSION, SCHOOL BOARD, SHERIFF, ANOTHER ELECTED OFFICE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL YOU CAN CONTINUE TO RAISE MONEY, JUDICIAL RACES AT THE CIRCUIT LEVEL BUT NOT THE LEGISLATURE, NOT FOR STATEWIDE JUDICIAL OFFICES, NOT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, ANY OF THOSE RACES AT ALL.

>> FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR VIEWERS, THIS IS A LONG-STANDING RULE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT WAS PASSED DECADES AGO.

THE BENEFIT IS PEOPLE BELIEVE IT'S LESS LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY INFLUENCE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL DURING THE TIME WHEN THEY ARE IN SPECIAL SESSION IF THEY CAN'T RECEIVE THOSE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

>> WE TALK ABOUT CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING, THAT TRICKLES DOWN TO DEFINED AREAS, INCLUDING WEBSITES THAT CAN ACCEPT DONATIONS.

THEY HAVE TO GO DARK DURING THIS PERIOD.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS PRODUCED A LIST OF BULLET POINTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

WE POSTED THAT ON OUR WEBSITE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT THESE ARE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS YOU HAVE TO ADHERE TO.

THESE ARE NOT SUGGESTIONS.

THESE ARE ELEMENTS RELATED TO THE LAW AND HOW THAT'S BEEN CODIFIED.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO CONCERN OR QUESTION.

>> SO HOPEFULLY LAWMAKERS, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, ANY STATEWIDE OFFICE HOLDER HAS BY NOW MADE PREPARATIONS TO AT LEAST GO DARK FOR THE COMING WEEK.

>> IF THEY HAVEN'T THEY NEED TO DO SO TODAY.

THAT'S WHY WE SENT A NOTIFICATION TO ANYONE WHO HAS AN FPCA ACCOUNT THROUGH THE E-MAIL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO BE NOTIFIED PERSONALLY.

WE ARE ALSO SENDING OUT THE FACT SHEET, THAT I MENTIONED TO YOU EARLIER, TO THEM, AS WELL.

>> EVEN A DONATION ONLINE COULD BE CONSIDERED A VIOLATION.

>> IT WOULD BE A VIOLATION.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REMOVE THAT COMPONENT OF THEIR WEBSITE IF THEY RECEIVE ELECTRONIC CONTRIBUTIONS.

>> IF YOU DETERMINE A VIOLATION HAS OCCURRED, WHAT HAPPENS THEN?

>> WELL, THEN IT RATCHETS IT UP A COUPLE OF NOTCHES AND WE WOULD HAVE TO TURN THAT INFORMATION OVER TO A LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE OR THE ETHICS COMMISSION, WHICHEVER WAS THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY GIVEN THE INFRACTION.

>> FOR A VIOLATION OF THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

>> CORRECT.

>> JOHN, LET'S TURN NOW TO LAST YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

IT'S RECENTLY BEEN ALLEGED BY THE HEAD OF THE MY PILLOW CORPORATION, MR. MIKE LINDELL THAT OUR ELECTION INTEGRITY LAST YEAR AS BEEN BROUGHT INTO QUESTION.

MIKE LINDELL FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR VIEWERS MET WITH YOU LAST WEEK.

HE ALSO MET WITH GOVERNOR IVEY, HE BOUGHT A COPY OF OUR VOTER REGISTRATION LIST, WHICH BY THE WAY, ANYONE CAN DO THAT THAT WANTS TO.

HE SAID HE WANTED TO CONDUCT TESTS ON THE LIST AND HE SAYS HE BELIEVES, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH OUR ELECTION SYSTEM AS WE LEARNED ABOUT IT FROM YOU THAT HE BELIEVES IT WAS HACKED AND 100,000 VOTES IN ALABAMA WERE FLIPPED.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> I SAY THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE.

THERE'S NO WAY IT COULD OCCUR OR DID OCCUR.

WE EXPRESSED THAT TO HIM, NOT ONLY ON THE FRIDAY MEETING, THE 17th OF SEPTEMBER FOR THE 3 1/2 HOURS HE WAS IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE BUT IN COLEMAN ON THE 21st OF AUGUST WHEN I MET HIM AT THE TRUMP RALLY TO MAKE SURE HE UNDERSTOOD ALABAMA HAS THE SAFEST, MOST SECURE ELECTION SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE JUST SAY, DON.

THAT'S BEEN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE THAT WE HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER ONE STATE IN THE UNION FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY.

SO WE TAKE IT PERSONALLY WHEN PEOPLE DISPUTE THOSE STATISTICS THAT ARE INTRODUCED AND WE KNOW THE CLAIMS ARE NOT VALID.

>> I'LL REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT MIKE LINDELL, BESIDE THE CEO OF THE MY PILLOW COMPANY WAS ADVISOR TO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HAS ALLEGED MASSIVE FRAUD DURING THE ELECTION.

SOME WERE TAKEN BACK THAT HE ZEROED IN ON ALABAMA, GIVEN THAT ALABAMA WAS A SOLIDLY TRUMP STATE LAST YEAR.

>> HE DIDN'T JUST FOCUS ON ALABAMA BUT EVERY STATE IN THE UNION.

WHEN HE INTRODUCED TEN COUNTIES IN OUR STATE THAT WERE PERPETRATORS, I WAS REALLY TAKEN ABACK, ESPECIALLY WITH THE COUNTIES HE INTRODUCED.

SO WHEN I SAW HIM AT THE TRUMP RALLY IN COLEMAN, I MADE A POINT TO TALK TO HIM AND EXPRESS OUR CONCERN ABOUT WHAT HE WAS SHARING AND TO INVITE HIM TO COME TO OUR STATE SO THAT WE COULD EDUCATE HIM ON THE THINGS HE NEEDED TO SEE AND KNOW ABOUT OUR PROCESSES AND WHY WE ARE DOING WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE MAKE IT EASY TO VOTE AND HARD TO CHEAT IN ALABAMA.

>> THUS HIS VISIT WITH YOU LAST FRIDAY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> CAN YOU TELL US WHAT COUNTIES?

>> THERE WERE SEVERAL COUNTIES THAT WERE INTERESTING TO BE ON A LIST.

BUT I'LL EXPLAIN WHY I THINK THEY MADE IT THERE IN JUST A MINUTE.

SOME OF THE MOST NOTABLE TO ME WERE MADISON, SHELBY, BALDWIN, COUNTIES THAT WE NEVER HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR ISSUES WITH RELATED TO ELECTION ACTIVITY FROM A FRAUDULENT PERSPECTIVE.

THOSE ARE ALSO COUNTIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED REMARKABLE GROWTH IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED WITH MR. LINDELL'S SUPPOSITION IS THEY ARE USING OLD FIGURES FROM THE 2010 CENSUS AND, DON, YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE HAVE DONE IN PROMOTING VOTER REGISTRATION, PHOTO I.D.

DELIVERY IN ALABAMA IN THE LAST SIX YEARS, EIGHT MONTHS AND FOUR DAYS I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE VIEWERS TO KNOW WITH ALL OF THE GROWTH WE HAVE SEEN, MORE THAN 250,000 NEW ALABAMIANS JOINING OUR STATE SINCE THE LAST CENSUS, THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS POINT OUT CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED THAT NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED.

>> WERE YOU TAKEN ABACK, JOHN, EVEN AFTER YOUR POSITIVE MEETING WITH HIM LAST WEEK, MR. LINDELL AND HIM PRAISING OUR ELECTION SYSTEM HE STILL SAID HE FELT WE HAD BEEN HACKED AND 100,000 VOTES HAD BEEN FLIPPED.

>> I WAS DISAPPOINTED.

WE MADE IT CLEAR IT IS NOT POSSIBLE.

THE PEOPLE IN THE MEETING NOTED HE CHANGED HIS ARGUMENT IN HIS PRESENTATION ABOUT WHY AND HOW HE THOUGHT THOSE THINGS OCCURRED FROM THE WAY HE INTRODUCED THEM TO THE WAY THE LEFT THE FEELING ABOUT HOW THOSE THINGS COULD HAVE HAPPENED.

OUR SYSTEM IS SO SECURE -- ONE THING I WANT TO SHARE FOR THE VIEWERS, DON, IS OUR TABULATORS, OUR VOTING MACHINES THAT WE USE HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED SINCE I HAVE BEEN THE SECRETARY.

WHEN WE PREPARED THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, THE RFP THAT WENT TO THE POTENTIAL VENDORS THAT WANTED TO DO BUSINESS WITH US, WE MADE IT CLEAR WITH THEM WE DID NOT WANT A MODEM COMPONENT ADDED TO THE EQUIPMENT.

SO THERE COULD BE NO ELECTRONIC TRANSFER OF DATA AT ALL T EITHER THROUGH A CELL PHONE OR LAND LINE.

WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE KNOW WE ARE SO SECURE.

>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP.

MR. LINDELL SAID HE THOUGHT THEY WERE CONNECTED TO BLUETOOTH.

I THINK YOU SAID HE MAY HAVE BEEN CONFUSED.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS WHICH WE HAVE IN EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE AND THOSE ARE CONNECTED THROUGH A BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY AT THE LOCAL SITE AT ALL 1980 POLLING SITES.

SO THOSE MACHINES CAN TALK TO EACH OTHER AND YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE HAS ACTUALLY CHECKED IN AND VOTED WITHOUT THEM GOING TO ANOTHER EQUIPMENT AND TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING THERE, BUT THAT ONLY RECEIVES DATA AND IT RETAINS THE DATA.

YOU CAN NOT ADD NEW DATA ONCE THE DATA HAS BEEN IMPORTED AND YOU CAN NOT EXPORT THE DATA.

IT IS JUST FOR CHECKING PEOPLE IN.

>> MIKE LINDELL HAS MADE A LOT OF HEADLINES SAYING HE WOULD HAVE IRREFUTABLE PROOF THERE WAS ELECTION FRAUD AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO UNVEIL IT IN A CONFERENCE THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND NOW HE IS SAYING THE END OF THE YEAR.

IN 60 SECONDS, DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS THAT PROOF?

>> IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SAY.

I CAN'T COMMENT ON OTHER STATES IN THE UNION.

I KNOW THIS WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES IN ALABAMA AT ALL.

WE HAVE PROVEN THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

I WILL SAY THIS, I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE CONCERNS INTRODUCED IN OTHER STATES IN THE UNION.

THOSE HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED.

I THINK THEY NEED TO CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS ON THOSE STATES AND MAKE SURE THEY DO WHATEVER THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE EXPOSED.

>> TO THE ALLEGATIONS SPECIFICALLY OF FOREIGN ACTORS WHO HACKED VOTING SYSTEMS HERE AND FLIPPED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VOTES DO YOU SEE -- >> IT WOULD BE EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT FOR THAT TO OCCUR, DON.

I DON'T KNOW HOW HE WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT THAT HAPPENED, BUT IF IT DID HAPPEN IN OTHER STATES, THAN THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO BE IDENTIFIED AND INVESTIGATED.

WHERE IT IS WARRANTED INDICTED AND PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

>> SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN MERRILL, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD TO WITH BE WITH YOU.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU GO BACK TO WORK ON MONDAY.

GOVERNOR IVEY CALLED YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

REPRESENTATIVE, YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU WERE OPTIMISTIC BUT NON-COMMITTAL.

IS THAT HOW YOU FEEL GOING INTO MONDAY?

>> I FEEL MUCH BETTER, DON.

I AM SUPPORT OF THE REFORM MEASURES WE ARE LOOKING TO INTRODUCE AND THERE ARE OTHER COLLEAGUES THAT ARE LOOKING TO POSSIBLY DRUM UP ENOUGH SUPPORT FOR OTHER REFORM MEASURES.

SO THAT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

I'VE ALWAYS HAD THE POSITION, SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING THAT I CANNOT SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT REFORM.

SO, SEEING THERE ARE SOME REFORM MEASURES PRIORITIZED DURING THESE SPECIAL SESSIONS AND SOME OF THE CHANGES IN THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION BILL, MAKING SURE THAT DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESSES AND OTHERS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME OF THE WORK THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

MAKING SURE WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO MAIN STREET AND NOT WALL STREET.

>> GETTING SOME OF THE BUSINESS DEALING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRISON.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO FROM ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SERVICES, EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

MAKING SURE THAT ALABAMA-BASED BUSINESSES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AT THE CONSTRUCTION PIECE.

I THINK ONE OF THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR MISPERCEPTIONS HERE IS WHY CONSTRUCTION THERE IS A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDER THAT FOCUSES ON CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS CONDITIONS AND REFORMS.

SO I THINK FOR ME, WHEN I HEAR FROM FAMILIES THAT TALK ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THEIR LOVED ONES THAT HAVE MADE A MISTAKE AND BEEN INCARCERATED AND IS DOING THEIR TIME AND SLEEPING INSIDE OF AN AREA, AN OPEN ROOM WITH A NUMBER OF BEDS.

SO FOR ME -- AND THEN THOSE INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN THOSE FACILITIES, THOSE CORRECTION OFFICERS AND THE STAFF WORKING IN THOSE FACILITIES, MAKING CERTAIN WE ARE BUILDING SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE THEM SAFE, AS WELL.

THE OTHER PIECE TO IT IS THE CONSTRUCTION, THE BRICKS AND MORTAR IS NOT SOMETHING I COULD SUPPORT WITHOUT, AS I MENTIONED REFORMS, BUT ALSO MAKING CERTAIN THERE ARE REHABILITATION SERVICES TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

AND MAKING SURE THERE ARE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND HOSPITAL BEDS ADDED TO THESE FACILITIES.

SO THAT WE ARE MAKING CERTAIN THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MENTALLY ILL ARE GETTING THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT THEY NEED.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE GOING TO BE RELEASED, MAKING SURE THEY ARE BEING PRODUCTIVE WHILE THEY ARE INCARCERATED BY GETTING OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO GET A JOB ONCE THEY ARE RELEASED.

AND HOSPITAL TREATMENT.

WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION IN OUR PRISON SYSTEM.

WE SHOULD ADDRESS THAT.

ESPECIALLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NO DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR SOCIETY.

LET'S LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS FOR THEM THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY BEHIND, INCARCERATED IN A PRISON CELL.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS AND THINGS TO TALK ABOUT.

>> YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED WITH THE DIRECTION THINGS HAVE BEEN MOVING WITH SOME OF THE REFORM MEASURES.

ANYTHING THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR YOU WHERE REFORM IS CONCERNED.

>> THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT MAY NOT MAKE THE CUT RIGHT NOW, BUT I THINK IN THE SPECIAL SESSION, IN THE REGULAR SESSION ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IS BEING ABLE TO HAVE INDIVIDUALS TO BE RESENTENCED.

RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, WE PASSED A BILL IN 2015 THAT ADDRESSES THE CURRENT AND THE FUTURE, BUT WE DID NOT ADD IN THERE GOING TOCK, A LOOK BACK.

IT IS LIKE THE SAME CRIME, SAME TIME BILL THAT YOU HEAR.

MAKING CERTAIN THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE TRIED FAIRLY.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS I THINK WE NEED TO DEAL.

THE OTHER THING FOR ME THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BUT IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION IS MAKING CERTAIN WE ADDRESS AND PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR PARDONS AND PAROLE.

RIGHT NOW I SEE SO MANY DENIALS FOR PAROLE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE DATA AND THE DATA -- I WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE PAROLE BOARD BEFORE I MAKE ANY ASSUMPTIONS, BUT THE DATA IS NOT LOOKING GOOD.

THE TYPE OF PEOPLE RELEASED VERSUS THOSE THAT ARE NOT.

THE ETHNIC ASPECT OF IT, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE -- HAVE A BREAK DOWN BY ETHNICITY, IT IS PROBLEMATIC.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TYPE OF CRIMES COMMITTED, VERSUS THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN RELEASED AND THOSE DENIED, IT IS ALSO PROBLEMATIC.

FOR ME, I WOULD GO SO FAR AS TO SAY WE SHOULD SEPARATE THE PARDONS AND PAROLE BOARD AND POSSIBLY -- I WOULD SAY FIRE THEM ALL.

>> YOU THINK IT MIGHT GO THAT FAR?

>> IT MAY NOT GO THAT FAR BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF IS THAT WHEN YOU SEE -- WHEN YOU SEE THIS DATA, IT'S VERY DISTURBING AND I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE A LONGER CONVERSATION ABOUT IT FROM A LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE AND MAKING CERTAIN WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU PUT OVER THERE AS THE DIRECTOR, THAT BOARD STILL -- WHILE THEY GET RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DIRECTOR, THE BOARD TAKES IT UPON THEMSELVES.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S NO REAL GUIDELINES.

SO WE HAVE TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE CAPABLE OF MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION BUT WHAT I'M HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS AND FOLKS ALL OVER THE STATE OF ALABAMA, TALKING ABOUT PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM AND CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEIR LOVED ONE HASN'T BEEN RELEASED.

IT SEEMS THEY HAVE DONE THEIR TIME BUT SEEMS THEY ARE RESENTENCED FOR THE SAME CRIME TWICE.

SOME THINGS ARE VERY CONCERNING TO ME.

>> YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THESE WILL NOT BE GOTTEN TO IN THE SPECIAL SESSION BUT THE REGULAR SESSION.

ARE YOU LOOKING IN THE SPECIAL FOR A COMMITMENT FROM THE MAJORITY PARTY TO ADDRESS THESE THINGS?

>> THERE ARE TWO BILLS, OF COURSE, THAT ALL OF US I THINK FOR THE MOST PART AGREE UPON.

THOSE ARE THE -- ONE OF THE BILLS IS SORT OF A KIRBY VERSION WITH JIM HILL BILL AND THEN ONE OF THE BILLS WAS INTRODUCED SOME TIME AGO BY FORMER SENATOR CAM WARD.

THOSE WERE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION, THE REFORM COMMISSION THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT TOGETHER.

SO, WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE PARTICULAR BILLS AS PRIORITIES.

WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE, THE TIME RAN OUT ON US DURING THE REGULAR SESSION AND BOTH PILLS PASSED THE HOUSE BUT DIDN'T GET UP FOR A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

WE ARE HOPING WE CAN MOVE THOSE PARTICULAR BILLS PRETTY QUICK.

I THINK THAT EVEN BEYOND THE SPECIAL SESSION, THERE WILL BE ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED AS A RESULT OF THE FEDERAL COURTS GUIDANCE ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO REALLY CORRECT THE EFFORT, THE PROBLEM, OR SOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT ALL OF US -- WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT FOR GENERATIONS.

YES, IT IS A HUGE COST.

TUTWILER, OF COURSE THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR MEMBERS OF OUR CALL BECAUSE WE SEE IT ON THE LIST BUT WE ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GETTING MORE CLARITY ON HOW TO FUND IT.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE A PRIORITY FOR ME AND AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF MY CAUCUS.

>> TIME IS SHORT BUT AS WE GET READY TO CLOSE, MR. LEADER, HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU THAT SOME PRISONS WILL BE CLOSED UNDER THIS PLAN?

>> OF COURSE, I CARE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT BULLOCK COUNTY AND THEY HAVE THE AND/OR.

THE COMMISSION WILL START TO LOOK AT AND EVALUATE THE AUTHORITY WILL BASICALLY EVALUATE THE CONDITIONS OF THE CURRENT FACILITIES.

NOT JUST THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF THE OUTER APPEARANCE AND INNER APPEARANCE OF THOSE FACILITIES BUT ALSO WHETHER OR NOT THOSE FACILITIES ARE IN LINE WITH WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO GO IN THE FUTURE.

THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF RENOVATIONS.

HOPEFULLY BULLOCK COUNTY WILL STAY IN PLACE.

THAT IS SOMETHING I CARE GREATLY ABOUT BECAUSE I'M FROM THAT COUNTY.

ALTHOUGH I DON'T REPRESENT THAT COUNTY.

YOU CAN NEVER SAY YOU AREN'T REPRESENTING THE COUNTY YOU ARE FROM.

THAT IS SOMETHING I'M PRIORITIZING AS AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER, NOT NECESSARILY CAUCUS POSITION BUT A LOT OF TIMES CAUCUS POSITIONS ARE -- IF A MEMBER FEELS LIKE THEY ARE MISTREATED, IT BECOMES MORE OF A CONCERN FOR THE OVERALL CAUCUS.

>> THE BILL, AS IT EXISTS NOW, PROPOSES RENOVATIONS TO EITHER OR THE FACILITY IN BULLOCK COUNTY OR ONE OF THE FACILITIES IN BARBER COUNTY.

I GUESS THAT EITHER OR IS CONCERNING.

>> I LIKE ASSURANCES.

MORE DEFINITE THAN AND/OR, EITHER/OR LANGUAGE.

I'M ALWAYS A SHALL GUY, NOT A MAY.

>> WILL WE GET A BILL OUT NEXT WEEK?

>> I THINK WE WILL GET THREE BILLS OUT NEXT WEEK.

>> THE CONSTRUCTION PIECE WILL PASS.

>> THE REFORM PIECE WILL PASS AND THE CONSTRUCTION PIECE WILL FOLLOW IF THE OTHER PIECES PASS.

>> YOUR CAUCUS, WHILE STILL LOOKING AT THINGS CLOSELY, YOU THINK WILL ULTIMATELY SUPPORT THIS BY AND LARGE?

>> I'M GETTING POSITIVE FEEDBACK.

THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS THAT HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AND THEY ARE SENDING THEIR CONCERNS INTO OUR FRIENDS AT LSA TO MAKE CERTAIN THEY GET THEIR RESPONSES IN A TIMELY MANNER BEFORE MONDAY AND LSA HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL TO WORK.

THEY HAVE BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE IN ADDRESSING AND ANSWERING ANY OF THE QUESTIONS THAT OUR CAUCUS MEMBERS MAY HAVE.

I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE POSSIBLES OF GETTING IN AND OUT NEXT WEEK JUST SO THAT ALL OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DISCUSSED ARE GOING TO BE THE THINGS THAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

>> HOUSE MINORITY LEADER, NICE TO HAVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE IS BACK WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I DON'T MISS A SHOW.

>> THANKS.

THANKS A LOT.

MR. LEADER, OF COURSE I WILL ALL EYES ARE ON NEXT WEEK WHEN YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES RETURN FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON NEW PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

I'LL BEGIN WHERE I BEGAN WITH THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER PREVIOUSLY ON THE SHOW.

THAT'S YOUR OPTIMISM GOING IN.

DO YOU HAVE A LOT OF OPTIMISM?

>> I REALLY HAVE A LOT OF OPTIMISM.

I THINK WE ARE AT A REALLY GOOD PLACE AND HAVE A GOOD PLAN.

THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS WITH OUR HOUSE COLLEAGUES AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

WE HAVE TRIED TO INCLUDE BOTH PARTIES, AGAIN, ALL BRANCHES, AND A LOT OF VIEWPOINTS AND A LOT OF INPUT.

SO I THINK WE DO HAVE A PRODUCT THAT WILL HOPEFULLY SATISFY THE COURTS AND IT'S A PLAN THAT IS AS FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TAXPAYER THAT WE CAN PUT TOGETHER.

SO I THINK IT IS THE COMBINATION THAT WE WANTED AND SO, YEAH, I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC.

WE HAVE HAD GREAT FEEDBACK FROM THE MEMBERS.

WE HAVE TALKED EXTENSIVELY TO THEM AND ANSWERED THEIR QUESTIONS SO I THINK WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND WHAT A GREAT PLACE WE WILL BE TO FINALLY GET THIS BLACK CLOUD OVER THE STATE OF ALABAMA'S HEAD A LONG TIME BEHIND US SO WE CAN MOVE TO OTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC.

>> INDEED.

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS IN PREVIOUS YEARS TO TACKLE THE PRISON ISSUE AND IT'S NEVER COME TO COMPLETION.

I GUESS BEING UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND A LAWSUIT WE HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA INCENTIVE.

DO YOU THINK WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HERE ANYWAY REGARDLESS OF THE LAWSUIT OR DID WE NEED THE LAWSUIT'S PRESSURE?

>> IT NEEDED -- LOOK, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

THE REASON WE'RE IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE -- YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS IS A MULTI-GENERATIONAL PROBLEM.

THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT HAS JUST SUDDENLY APPEARED.

IT HAS JUST SLOWLY, OVER THE DECADES, CREPT UP ON US.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE STATE HAS NOT MAINTAINED OUR PRISONS.

YOU LOOK AT THE -- YOU LOOK AT THE COST THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT UP TO ACTUALLY REHAB ALL OF THESE PRISONS IS ASTRONOMICAL AND IN MY OPINION UNATTAINABLE.

WE HAD TO APPROACH IT WITH A WHAT CAN WE DO THAT IS RIGHT FOR THE TAXPAYER AND SATISFACTORILY POSITION WITH THE COURTS, AND I THINK WE HAVE DONE THIS.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS BACK HOME WE'D SAY IT NEEDED DOIN' AND IT REALLY DOES NEED DOIN' AND I'M GLAD WE ARE, AGAIN, GOING TO FINALLY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND LET'S MOVE ON.

WE'RE TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT PRISONS.

WE HAVE OTHER VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING OUR STATE THAT WE NEED TO GET TO.

I HAD SAID FOR A WHILE NOW AND I'M CONVINCED OF IT EVEN MORE HAVING WORKED ON IT, UNTIL WE SOLVE THIS ISSUE WE CANNOT MOVE ON TO OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M VERY PROUD OF IS THE FISCAL CONSTRAINT THAT OUR LEGISLATURE HAS SHOWN TO REALLY PUT THE STATE IN A BETTER FINANCIAL SITUATION, A BETTER ECONOMIC SITUATION AND ONE BAD RULING FROM THE COURT COULD CHANGE ALL OF THAT IT REALLY COULD CHANGE IT ALL.

SO WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THIS FIX FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT BY THEM.

>> MR. LEADER, THERE ARE THOSE THAT CONTEND, OF COURSE, WE ARE NOT COMPLETELY SOLVING THE ISSUE WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION.

THAT'S WHY REFORM HAS BEEN MENTIONED SO MUCH IN THIS DISCUSSION.

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING REFORM WILL BE AN OVERALL PART OF THE PACKAGE.

>> IT WILL BE.

BUT LET'S NOT FORGET THE CONSTRUCTION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT, THE ADA ASPECT IN IT.

THAT CAN ONLY BE SOLVED WITH CONSTRUCTION.

SO THIS PLAN DOES INCLUDE THOSE ASPECTS.

THE STAFFING SITUATION, I BELIEVE -- I TRULY BELIEVE CAN BE SOLVED WITH CONSTRUCTION.

THE WAY OUR PRISONS ARE SET UP RIGHT NOW, WHO WOULD WANT TO HIRE ON AS A PRISON GUARD?

WHO WOULD -- WITH WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING THEM, EVEN IF WE PAID THEM ANYMORE, WHO'S WILLING TO PUT THEIR LIFE AT RISK, GOING INTO SOME OF THESE BUNK HOUSES AND ALL WHERE WE CURRENTLY HAVE VERY DANGEROUS CRIMINALS.

THIS PLAN HELPS US TO MOVE TOWARD INDIVIDUAL AND DOUBLE-CELL TYPE STRUCTURE.

THAT WILL HELP US WITH RECRUITING AND RETENTION OF OUR PRISON GUARDS, WHICH STAFFING IS AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE, AS WELL AS OVERCROWDING.

SO, THE CONSTRUCTION ASPECT OF THIS IS EXTREMELY CRITICAL TO SATISFY MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE POINTS THE COURT HAS GOT US ON.

>> PART OF THE BILL THAT WILL BE ON THE TABLE IS THE PRIVATE PRISON FACILITY IN PERRY COUNTY, WHICH THE STATE HAS LONG ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE IN SOME FASHION AND LOOKS TO UTILIZE UNDER THIS PLAN, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF HOUSING DIPS AND DUNKS AS WE CALL THEM.

IT IS THOSE INMATES WHO VIOLATE PAROLE OR PROBATION AND HAVE TO GO BACK TO JAIL FOR BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME AND TRADITIONALLY TAKEN UP SPACE IN LOCAL JAILS AND IN THIS MODE THEY GO TO THE PERRY COUNTY FACILITY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

BIG KUDOS TO CAM WARD FOR PROPOSING THIS SOLUTION.

PERRY COUNTY IS THERE AND THE STATE NEEDS TO UTILIZE IT.

I THINK, AGAIN, WE GET BACK TO AT THIS TIME A BETTER DEAL FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND DOES RIGHT BY THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE CAUSED FOR OUR COUNTY JAILS AND SHERIFFS HAVING TO HOUSE THEM.

WE NEED TO GET AWAY FROM THAT AND ACTUALLY WE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WILL FORCE US TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.

SO, AGAIN, BIG KUDOS FOR DIRECTOR WARD TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT HELPS US WITH THE PERRY COUNTY COMPONENT AND THE DIPS AND DUNKS COMPONENTS OF IT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT FINANCING FOR A MOMENT.

THE BOND ISSUE WOULD BE AROUND $785 MILLION.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY BUT NOT NEAR WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN WERE WE NOT ABLE TO BE USE SOME OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY, AT LEAST $400 MILLION OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

I HAVE USED THE ANALOGY THAT THE STARS ARE LINED UP PERFECTLY ON THIS TO HELP US TO SOLVE THIS, ESPECIALLY ON THE FINANCING PORTION.

IN REGARD TO THE FEDERAL DOLLARS, IN REGARDS TO GET BACK TO THE FISCAL STEWARDSHIP THAT WE, AS A LEGISLATURE HAVE SHOWN AND NOT SPENDING ALL OF THE MONEY OR OVEREXAGGERATING WHAT REVENUES COULD BE.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT ANYWHERE FROM 130 TO 150 MILLION WORTH OF ROLLOVER IN THE GENERAL FUND THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY PAY CASH FOR SOME OF THIS.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH.

I WOULD DARE SAY A LOT OF GOVERNMENT FOLKS WOULD SAY LET'S JUST GO AHEAD AND SPEND THAT MONEY ELSEWHERE ON SOME OTHER STUFF.

AND LET'S JUST TAKE ON MORE DEBT.

>> ALSO, THERE WAS A TIME, NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT KIND OF ROLLOVER MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND.

>> NEVER.

AGAIN, THAT GOES BACK TO REALLY THE STEWARDSHIP THAT OUR LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE SHOWN OVER THE YEARS.

WHEN I FIRST CAME IN, WE WERE FLAT BROKE AND WE HAD TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS, CHANGE THE WAY THAT WE BUDGET AND RESTRAIN OURSELVES FROM SPENDING WHATEVER MONEY COMES IN AND EVEN BUDGETING MORE THAN WE MAY TAKE IN.

WE GET BACK TO MY POINT OF WHY WE HAVE TO SOLVE THIS SO THAT THAT IS NOT ALL WRECKED AND WE CONTINUE TO BE IN A GOOD FINANCIAL POSITION IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES CONVENE ON MONDAY.

YOU ARE PRETTY OPTIMISTIC YOU COULD BE DONE BY FRIDAY OF NEXT WEEK?

>> I THINK WE CAN.

I THINK WE CAN.

WE WANT TO GET EVERYBODY BACK HOME FOR THE WEEKEND AND GET ALL OF THIS DONE AND GET IT BEHIND US AND MOVE ON TO OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND ITS PEOPLE.

>> PLUS, I SUPPOSE, SAVE THE TAXPAYERS MONEY BY HAVING A BRIEF SPECIAL SESSION.

>> EXACTLY.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SET UP THE TIME FRAME THAT WE HAVE, TO DO THAT.

I'M REALLY PROUD THAT WE DO FOCUS ON SAVING TAX DOLLARS WHERE WE CAN AND THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT.

>> SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

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

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

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

>>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST TONIGHT IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK ON THE PROGRAM.

LET'S START WITH THE NUMBERS.

DAILY CASE COUNTS ARE NOW IN THE THOUSANDS ON AVERAGE IN ALABAMA RATHER THAN IN THE 2,000s.

IT IS NOT GOOD BUT AN IMPROVEMENT.

>> YEAH.

I THINK WE WANT TO MAKE WHATEVER GOOD NEWS WE CAN FIND.

WE HAVE HAD NUMBERS EACH DAY THIS WEEK THAT HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, 1500 OR 1800, 1900, SOMETIMES CLOSE TO 2,000 BUT NOT THE 4,000 AND 5,000 A DAY WE WERE SEEING IN AUGUST.

THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT AND WE'RE GLAD ABOUT THAT.

OUR PERCENT POSITIVITY RATE DRIFTED DOWN.

REMEMBER IT GOT UP TO 23% OR SO OF ALL TESTS DONE WERE POSITIVE.

THE NUMBER IS 15%.

SO AGAIN, THAT'S NOT A GREAT NUMBER, BUT COMPARED TO WHERE WE WERE IT IS AN IMPROVEMENT.

>> I THINK GIVEN THOSE NUMBERS IT BEARS REPEATING FOR FOLKS WHO MIGHT GLEAN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THAT TO SAY THAT COMMUNITY SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT IS STILL PRETTY RAMPANT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO, WE HAVE THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF SPREAD, THE RED COLOR ON THE RISK MAP, IN I THINK 65 TO 67 COUNTY AND THE OTHERS ARE NOT FAR OFF FROM THOSE NUMBERS.

SO 1,000 CASES OVER 67 COUNTIES IS STILL A LOT OF DISEASE AND WE ARE GETTING REPORTS EVERY DAY FROM EVERY COUNTY.

>> AGAIN, WE WILL TAKE WHAT GOOD NEWS WE CAN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

OUR HOSPITAL SITUATION IS DEFINITELY IMPROVED.

WE'RE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE IN HOSPITALS HAS FALLEN BELOW 2,000 INPATIENTS ON A GIVEN DAY.

THAT IS EXCELLENT.

SOME OF THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, IS BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE PASSED AWAY AND AREN'T STILL IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THAT REASON BUT A LOT OF IT IS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT SEEING THE SAME INITIAL CASE NUMBERS RESULTING IN HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> WHERE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE CONCERNED, TOO THERE'S MORE ENCOURAGING NEWS AND THE FACT THAT AFTER WEEKS AND WEEKS OF A NEGATIVE ICU BEDS WE HAD A NET POSITIVE, JUST A FEW BEDS BUT POSITIVE RATHER THAN NEGATIVE.

>> HAVING A LITTLE CAPACITY IS BETTER THAN NEGATIVE CAPACITY.

THE NUMBERS OF ICU BEDS WE HAVE HAD AVAILABLE THIS WEEK HAS BEEN AROUND 10 TO 20, SOMEWHERE IN THAT RANGE.

YOU KNOW, THAT CAN CHANGE IN THE COURSE OF A DAY.

THE COUNT YOU HAVE IN THE MORNING MAY NOT BE THE SAME BY THE END OF THE DAY AS PEOPLE GET ADMITTED OR DISCHARGED.

THERE IS NOT CAPACITY IN EVERY PART OF THE STATE.

MOST OF THE AVAILABILITY IS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY REGION WHERE MOST OF THE HOSPITAL BEDS ARE LOCATED.

>> AS WE SEE THE NUMBERS STABILIZING OR DROPPING OFF INCREMENTALLY, WHAT DO WE ATTRIBUTE IT TO?

IS THE VIRUS TAKEN ITS MAIN TOLL?

IS IT VACCINES INCREASING INCREMENTALLY OR BOTH?

>> I THINK IT IS A NUMBER OF THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE A YEAR AND A HALF INTO THIS AND DON'T KNOW THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THIS DISEASE.

WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD WHERE THIS VIRUS HAS BURST OF ACTIVITY, THESE SURGES THAT LAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND SEEM TO GET BETTER AND MAYBE THAT IS A PROPERTY OF THE VIRUS THAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

THAT IS WHAT WE SAW IN ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI THAT WERE THE FIRST STATES TO SEE THE DELTA OUTBREAKS.

WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF THAT HERE.

THERE'S NO DOUBT MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED.

WE ARE OVER 2 MILLION IN OUR STATE VACCINATED.

ALMOST 2 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED, IN FACT, WHICH IS THE BEST SITUATION WE HAVE BEEN IN.

IN TERMS OF KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL WE HAVE HAD WIDESPREAD USE OF THE MONOCLONAL.

THEY HAVE BEEN TAKING THAT AND IT KEEPS THEM OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> AT THE SAME TIME OUR MONOCLONAL SUPPLY HAS BEEN CUT.

WE TALKED HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID IT WAS GOING TO REIN IN THE AMOUNT OF DOSES THAT WERE DISTRIBUTED TO STATES AND THAT ORDERS FOR PROVIDERS HAD TO GO THROUGH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT VERSUS THE GOVERNMENT.

SINCE THIS REALLY KICKED IN IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, THE SUPPLY HAS BEEN CUT BY 18%.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

COMPARED TO THE WEEKS BEFORE.

IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

THIS IS A SCARCE RESOURCE.

THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH TO GO AROUND.

I THINK WERE TRYING TO COME WITH UP WITH WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS A FAIR FORMULA FOR DISTRIBUTING IT.

THE STATES THAT HAVE MORE CASES AND HOSPITALS GET MORE PRODUCT.

THAT'S GOOD AND BAD NEWS.

I BELIEVE THERE ARE ONLY 12 OR 13 THAT GOT MORE THAN US BUT IT IS ONE THIRD OF WHAT THEY ARE REQUESTING.

>> PEOPLE WHO NEED IT DIDN'T NECESSARILY GET IT.

>> THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

WE WANT PROVIDERS TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ON HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHO GETS IT.

WE WANT THE PEOPLE MOST AT RISK TO BE THE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE THE PRODUCT.

THERE'S A MISUNDERSTANDING ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC IN SOME CASES THAT ANYONE SHOULD GET A MONOCLONAL, EVEN YOUNG, HEALTHY PEOPLE THAT WILL PROBABLY DO WELL ANYWAY.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE RESERVED FOR THOSE MOST AT RISK.

>> FOR THOSE WHO ARE MOST AT RISK OF GETTING MONOCLONAL, I WILL REMIND FOLKS THAT GENERALLY SPEAKING IT CAN CUT THE DURATION AND PREVENT THEM FROM BECOMING SERIOUSLY ILL. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

DEPENDING ON THE STUDY YOU LOOK AT, IT CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK OF GOING IN THE HOSPITAL UP TO 70% IN SOME STUDIES.

THAT'S A TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENT.

THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL IF YOU ARE ALREADY IN THE HOSPITAL OR BECOME SICK ENOUGH TO DO THAT.

AND THEY DON'T REALLY ADD ANY BENEFIT IF YOU ARE A YOUNG, HEALTHY PERSON WHO'S NOT AT RISK OF GETTING SICK IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IN ALABAMA WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE OR OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS AND THEY ARE EFFECTIVE IN THAT GROUP.

>> WE DON'T KNOW YET WHEN OUR SUPPLIES MAY COME BACK UP.

>> WE DON'T.

RIGHT NOW THE COMPANIES ARE MAKING 150,000, PATIENT TREATMENTS PER WEEK.

AT LEAST THE ONES THAT THE FEDS ARE PURCHASING FOR THE STATES.

THIS PAST WEEK, THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT UP TO 170,000 BUT IT WILL SETTLE OUT ABOUT 150,000.

AND WE ARE GETTING 150, 200,000 CASES OF COVID IN THIS COUNTRY EVERY DAY.

NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

>> EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT BOOSTER SHOTS THIS WEEK.

THEY ARE COMING BUT ONLY FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE.

THOSE 65 AND OLDER AND THOSE MOST AT RISK FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS, THOSE WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS OR MORE PRONE TO GET SICK, SAY FRONT LINE WORKERS EBB LIKE HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND GROCERY STORE WORKERS.

>> WE ARE SORTING THROUGH THE GUIDANCE AND WE WILL BE SAYING MORE IN THE COMING DAYS BUT THEY ARE CLEARLY INDICATED FOR PEOPLE OVER 65.

THEY ARE MOST AT RISK FOR SET GETTING SICK AND THEN THERE IS ANOTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO AREN'T NECESSARILY AT RISK FOR GETTING SICK THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF THEIR HEALTH CONDITIONS BUT BECAUSE OF THEIR EXPOSURE AND THEIR RISK OF ENCOUNTERING THE DISEASE, THINK OF PEOPLE WHO WORK IN AN ICU OR NURSING HOME WHERE THERE'S AN OUTBREAK.

SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST EXPOSED SO MUCH THEY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK FOR THAT ARE REASON.

>> OR GROCERY STORE WORKERS.

>> EXACTLY, BECAUSE OF THEIR OCCUPATIONAL OR COMMUNAL LIVING SITUATION.

WE NEED MORE GUIDANCE ON THAT AND WE ARE SORTING THROUGH THAT WITH THE FEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE BEST GUIDANCE ON THAT.

BUT BOOST PERS ARE HERE AND, BUT ONLY FOR THE PFIZER PRODUCT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE CONFUSING TO THE PUBLIC.

WE STILL DON'T HAVE GOOD GUIDANCE ON WHAT TO DO WITH PEOPLE THAT NEED A MODERNA OR J.J.

BOOSTER.

>> WE DID HEAR THIS WEEK THAT J.J. HAS SUCCESSFULLY TESTED A BOOSTER SHOT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO PROBABLY WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO IS RECOMMEND AN ADDITIONAL HALF DOSE OF VACCINE COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL DOSES.

THAT SEEMS TO BE WHAT IT IS LOOKING LIKE IN THE STUDY THEY ARE DOING.

PROBABLY EIGHT MONTHS OR SO AFTER THE SECOND DOSE.

HERE WE ARE ON A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE.

WHEN WE GAVE MODERNA AND PFIZER THE FIRST TIME YOU GAVE THEM AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS AND NOW THE BOOSTER DOSES WILL BE AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS AND HOPE THEY DON'T APPLY TO DIFFERENT POPULATIONS BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR ON THAT EITHER.

ONCE AGAIN, IT WILL BE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO GET CONFUSED ON THIS.

I WOULD SAY WE SOMETIMES GET CONFUSED, AS WELL.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE SORTED OUT SOON.

>> TIME IS SHORT BUT BEFORE WE CLOSE WE HEARD THAT PFIZER HOPEFULLY WILL HAVE A SHOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN OUT BY MAYBE THE END OF OCTOBER.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT KIDS 5 TO 12, 13, 14,.

>> UP TO 12 YEARS OLD.

WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THAT, AS WELL.

I'M NOT PRIVY TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS BUT SOUNDS LIKE THE DATA HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.

THE FDA IS REVIEWING THAT.

WE HEARD SOMETIME IN OCTOBER THE DECISION SHOULD BE MADE ON THAT.

IT WILL BE CRUCIAL.

KIDS UNDER 12 ARE SIZABLE POPULATION IN OUR STATE AND EVERY STATE AND IN ORDER TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS IT PROBABLY IS NECESSARY TO VACCINATE THEM IN PRETTY LARGE NUMBERS.

>> ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE NUMBER OF PEDIATRIC CASES WE HAVE SEEN IN ALABAMA SINCE SCHOOL STARTED AGAIN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

OVER A QUARTER OF ALL OF THE CASES ARE OCCURRING IN THE PEDIATRIC AGE GROUPS NOW AND WE HAVE HIGH NUMBERS OF CASES IN THE HOSPITAL, AS WELL.

SO WE CERTAINLY WANT TO VACCINATE THEM AS SOON AS WE ARE ABLE TO DO IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>> THE FAMOUS GOAL LINE STAND, ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED MOMENTS IN ALABAMA SPORTS HISTORY.

THE TIDE WAS LEADING THE 1979 SUGAR BOWL WHEN PENN STATE MOVED THE BALL WITHIN TEN INCHES OF THE GOAL LINE.

BARRY KRAUSE AND MARTY LYONS LEAPED OVER THE PILE TO STOP MIKE GUMAN AND PRESERVE THE TIDE'S VICTORY.

THE WIN HANDED THE COACH HIS FIFTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

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

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30, WE WILL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDING A COMPLETE WRAP UP OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON PRISONS.

LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO CONSIDER A NEW CONSTRUCTION BILL, A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION PLAN AND A PAIR OF PRISON REFORM MEASURES.

OUR GUESTS ARE SCHEDULED TO INCLUDE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THE EFFORTS TO RESPOND TO A FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER OUR PRISONS.'

AND ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT DR. DON WILLIAMSON IS ALSO SET TO BE AMONG OUR GUESTS NEXT WEEK, TO DISCUSS THE STILL VERY SERIOUS COVID CRISIS IN OUR STATE.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.