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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

TODAY WAS THE 19TH DAY OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE JUST 11 MEETING DAYS LEFT BETWEEN NOW AND MID MAY.

IT WAS MILITARY DAY HERE IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

PER TRADITION, THE HOUSE AND SENATE HELD A JOINT SESSION WHERE MEMBERS FROM BOTH CHAMBERS GATHERED FOR A PROGRAM HONORING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY AND CELEBRATING THE LARGE MILITARY FOOTPRINT ALABAMA HAS.

INSTALLATIONS REPRESENTED INCLUDED FORT NOVOSEL, FORT BENNING, REDSTONE ARSENAL AND MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE.

LEADERS FROM MAXWELL AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MILITARY.

>> WE'RE OPENING OUR DOORS TO THE INSTALLATION AND PARTNERING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND MILITARY COMMANDER'S.

THE FOCUS OF THE 42ND AIRBASE WING OPERATES MEDICAL READINESS, PREPAREDNESS AND BUILDING.

AND WE CONTINUE TO FULFILL THE HISTORIC ROLE AS PIONEERS OF THE GREAT NATION.

AND WE ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.

WE ARE THE INSTALLATION TO BE CULTIVATION AND EPI CENTER, TACTICAL AIR CENTER AND THE STRATEGIC HUB FOR JOINT AIR OPERATIONS.

>> OUR PRIMARY WORK FORCE, OUR CORE MISSION SET HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 80 YEARS AGO, TO HELP OUR VETERANS WITH THE FEDERAL BENEFITS.

WE HAVE VETERAN OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN 61 COUNTIES.

THEIR PRIMARY SERVICES IS FOR THE VETERANS TO GET YOU THE SERVICES WE HAVE.

THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE WITH THE SERVICES OFFICERS OUT IN THE FIELD IS, THE FEDERAL V.A.

IS ALWAYS CONSTANTLY CHANGING SO WE HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF THE GAME, STAY ON TOP OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICES.

>> IT WAS THE HOUSE'S TURN TO TAKE UP THE CLOSELY WATCHED PBM BILL TODAY.

PBM STANDS FOR PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS, AND THEY ARE THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATION SEEKING TO REFORM THE BUSINESS THEY DO WITH LOCAL PHARMACIES WHO SAY THE DISPARITIES IN DRUG PRICES ARE DRIVING THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.

SENATE BILL 252 FROM SENATOR BILLY BEASLEY WOULD REQUIRE THOSE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS TO PAY PHARMACIES MORE FOR THE DRUGS THEY SELL, INCLUDING A $10.64 CENT DISPENSING FEE, THE SAME AS MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT.

MANY IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAD OPPOSED THE BILL, SAYING IT WOULD RAISE HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS, BUT SEVERAL AMENDMENTS WERE ADDED ALONG THE WAY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS.

IN THE END, THE VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS.

REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP RIGSBY CARRIED THE BILL IN THE HOUSE.

>> AS A PHARMACIST, I BECAME, I LOST PHARMACY IN FEBRUARY 2023 TO THIS ISSUE.

IT WAS HARD WORK TO GET THE EDUCATION DONE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF GRASS ROOTS EFFORT.

I HAD A BILL LAST YEAR THAT KIND OF FAILED MISERABLY, BUT WHAT IT DID DO WAS BRING A LOT OF AWARENESS TO THE ISSUE.

H.B.

348 LAST YEAR HAD A LOT OF MISINFORMATION AROUND IT.

I WAS GLAD THAT WE CAME BACK THIS YEAR AFTER AN OFF SEASON, LEGISLATIVE OFF SEASON AND CONTINUED THE DISCUSSION, THE EDUCATION AND WE LET THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS.

PHARMACIES WERE UNDER A GAG CLAUSE.

WE COULD NOT DISCUSS WITH OUR PATIENTS THE PLIGHT THEY WERE FACING.

SENATE BILL 252 REMOVES THAT.

NOT ONLY DO WE GET FAIR REIMBURSEMENT BUT WE HAVE GOOD CONVERSATION.

I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THIS.

>> A FEW HOURS LATER, THE SENATE TOOK UP THE AMENDED VERSION OF THE BILL AND GAVE IT FINAL PASSAGE, SENDING THE PBM LEGISLATION TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GARLAN GUDGER NOTED HOW RARE IT IS FOR SOMETHING SO CONTROVERSIAL TO PASS UNANIMOUSLY IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A WIN FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, IT'S BEEN A HUGE WIN FOR THE PHARMACISTS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA WHO WANT TO GO TO WORK, MAKE A LIVING AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR PATIENTS.

I'VE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FIGHT SINCE THE LATE 1980'S AND THIS IS A BIG DAY.

I'M SO EXCITED.

I'M SO PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HERE.

>> EVERY ONE HAD A WIN-WIN AND JUST TO NAME THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TO THE TABLE.

RIGHT.

THIS HAS BEEN BIPARTISAN, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, BCA, RSA.

P HIP, INDEPENDENT PHARMACISTS, COMMUNITY PHARMACIST, CHAIN PHARMACISTS AND THE WHOLE BODY FOR THE STATE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND PASSED UNANIMOUS ON BOTH FLOORS.

THAT'S AMAZING.

I'M SO THANKFUL.

THIS IS HOW GOVERNMENT SUPPOSED TO WORK WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER.

THANK YOU, SENATOR BEASLEY FOR PASSING THIS.

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS TODAY AND IT JUST HAPPENED.

>> ANOTHER BIG, CONTROVERSIAL HEALTH CARE BILL WAS IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

HOUSE BILL 477 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FAULKNER WOULD ALLOW THE ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION TO SELL HEALTH CARE COVERAGE TO ITS MEMBERS.

ALFA SAYS HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS HAVE BECOME SIMPLY UNAFFORDABLE FOR MANY FARMERS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY ARE NOT SUBSIDIZED BY A LARGER EMPLOYER.

BLUE CROSS AND THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HAVE OPPOSED THE BILL, ARGUING THAT THE LACK OF REGULATIONS WOULD LEAVE CONSUMERS UNPROTECTED.

MULTIPLE AMENDMENTS WERE ADDED TO THE BILL IN COMMITTEE, INCLUDING ONE THAT WOULD GIVE THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE JURISDICTION TO REGULATE THE PLANS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, HEALTHCARE IN THIS COUNTRY, I THINK WE ALL KNOW IS RISING.

IT'S TAKING UP BIGGER AND BIGGER SHARES OF PEOPLES' INCOME.

AND IF YOUR EMPLOYER IS NOT PAYING IT AND YOU ARE PAYING IT OUT OF YOUR POCKET, IT'S TOUGH TO DO.

SO, WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS, I MEAN, THERE'S FIVE OTHER STATES CONSIDERING THIS NOW AND 10 THAT HAVE IT.

IT'S LOWERING PEOPLES' HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS AND LOWERING WHAT THEY HAVE TO SPEND ON HEALTHCARE.

SO, YOU TAKE A FARMER.

AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS GOING TO BE OFFERED AND WHY THE MEMBERS OF THE FARMER'S FEDERATION ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS AND IT'S PROVEN THAT IT'S DOING SO AND NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED OTHER PEOPLE IN OTHER STATES.

SO, CAN WE GIVE THEM THE OPTION TO DO THAT FOR THEIR MEMBERS.

AND IN THE PROCESS, PEOPLE -- YEAH, THERE MAY BE PEOPLE WHO JOIN THE FARMER'S FEDERATION TO TRY TO HAVE THIS OPTION.

BUT THAT'S THE REASON FOR IT.

IT'S THE COST OF HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT ON EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTHCARE.

>> THE AMENDED BILL WAS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

IT IS EXPECTED ON THE FLOOR THURSDAY.

WE REPORTED LAST WEEK ON A DUST UP IN COMMITTEE BETWEEN SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT AND SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON OVER HOW LOCAL SALES TAX DOLLARS ARE ALLOCATED FOR BALDWIN COUNTY SCHOOLS.

THE LEGISLATION APPEARED DEAD AFTER COMMITTEE MEMBERS VOTED TO SET IT ASIDE, AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT I SAID.

TODAY SENATOR ELLIOTT SAID, NOT SO FAST, MY FRIEND.

ELLIOTT, WHO CHAIRS THE SENATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT BROUGHT UP SENATE BILL 270 FOR CONSIDERATION AND PASSED IT BY A VOICE VOTE.

THE BILL WOULD CHANGE HOW LOCAL SALES TAX DOLLARS FOR EDUCATION ARE DISTRIBUTED IN BALDWIN COUNTY FOR CITIES LIKE GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH WHO SPLIT FROM THE BALDWIN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK FOR A LONG ROLL CALL OR ANYTHING THAT WE DO.

BUT I WOULD SUGGEST -- UNDERSTAND, I'M GOING TO GET TO YOU HERE IN JUST A SECOND.

BUT I WOULD SUGGEST AND IN PARTICULAR, YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY SENATOR REPRESENTING BALDWIN COUNTY >> NO, NOT AT ALL.

BUT I'M THE ONLY SENATOR REPRESENTING THESE THREE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT.

>> I SUGGEST YOU REPRESENT THE TWO SYSTEMS AND THE OTHER PART THE THIRD SYSTEM IS ON THE SMALL PART OF THE SOUTHERN END OF THE COUNTY.

IT'S SO DEEP ON THE COUNTY.

>> THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE, WHERE ALBRITTON HAS THREATENED TO FILLIBUSTER IF IT COMES UP ON THE FLOOR.

ACTUALLY, HE MADE GOOD ON THREAT EARLIER TODAY.

ALBRITTON HELD THE MIC AND FILIBUSTERED FOR THE BETTER PART OF AN HOUR IN PART TO PROTEST WHAT HAPPENED IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

AFTER BUSINESS FINALLY GOT MOVING IN THE SENATE, LAWMAKERS TOOK UP LEGISLATION REGARDING THE AGE OF CONSENT FOR MEDICAL DECISIONS.

SENATE BILL 101, FROM STATE SENATOR LARRY STUTTS, ORIGINALLY SOUGHT TO RAISE THE AGE OF MEDICAL CONSENT FROM 14 TO 18, BUT THE BILL WAS AMENDED ON THE FLOOR TO RAISE IT TO JUST 16.

AGE OF CONSENT IN THIS CONTEXT MEANS THE MINOR COULD GIVE CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL COUNSELING, DONATE BONE MARROW OR DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OF A PREGNANCY.

>> NOW WHEN I SAY THE AGE OF MEDICAL CONSENT IS 18, THAT'S FOR GENERAL MEDICAL CONSENT.

AND MANY OF THOSE STATES HAVE CARVE-OUTS FOR PREGNANCY, EXCEPTIONS FOR THIS, EXCEPTION FOR THAT.

AND THE BILL THAT I HAVE HERE SB101 HAS THE SAME EXACT THING, MULTIPLE CARVE-OUTS.

IF YOU ARE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY MARRIED, IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE IN THE BILL.

IF IT'S AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THAT'S ALL IN THE BILL ALREADY.

>> TO ME, 18 IS KIND OF LIKE A LITTLE BIT, A HIGHER NUMBER BASED ON NOT CHILDREN BUT WHERE YOUNG ADULTS ARE TODAY.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IN COMMITTEE AS WE DISCUSSED THIS, WE FELT THAT A GOOD COMPROMISE BETWEEN 14-16 -- I MEAN, 14-18 WAS 16.

>> WHEN THEY TURN 16, THEY HAVE TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL.

I WORKED ALL THE TIME.

MY WIFE WORKED ALL THE TIME.

AND I FELT IT WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT ONEROUS TO TAKE THE AGE UP TO 18.

NOT ONLY ON THE CHILD BUT ON PERHAPS THE DOCTORS.

>> THAT BILL PASSED 18-12 AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE -- NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL WAS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE MONTGOMERY KIWANIS CLUB TODAY.

HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFE AN UPDATE ON THE METRO CRIME SUPPRESSION UNIT THAT HAS BEEN AT WORK REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE I THE CAPITAL CITY.

LAST MONTH, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL ALLOWING FOR EXPANDING THE PROGRAM TO OTHER CITIES ALSO FACING GUN CRIME.

>> THE FIRST PART OF MY SPEECH IS TO HAVE GOOD NEWS.

MONTGOMERY IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED IN WAYS TO HELP OUR VICTIMS THAT YOU DON'T SEE ACROSS THE STATE.

AND TRULY IS THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FROM THOSE THAT LIVE HERE, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR HOMES, ON THE STREETS AND IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES THAT WANT TO BRING THAT VALUE TO EVERY ONE IN OUR CITY THAT EMBRACES WHAT IT IS THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO.

318 ARRESTS, 27 WHICH ARE JUVENILES.

WE'VE SEIZED COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS, 215 FIREARMS, OVER 2.6 -- WELL, 2,600 TRAFFIC STOPS, 7885 ARREST WARRANTS SERVED, 105 MACHINE GUN CONVERSIONS, 57 CARS STOLEN RECOVERED.

AND 84 PURSUITS WHICH MANY RESULTED IN ARREST OF CONVICTED FELONIES.

THAT'S REMARKABLE.

AND THIS WEEK, IF WE TALK ABOUT REFLECT OPT FACT, THE THE VIOLENT CRIME ISSUE IN THE CITY, SOMETIMES WE GET IMMERSED IN STATISTICS.

WE TALK ABOUT NUMBERS, BUT ALSO REMEMBER, THAT FOR EVERY ONE OF THOSE VICTIMS THAT WE HEAR ABOU IN THE NEWS, SOMEONE'S SON OR DAUGHTER, A HUSBAND OR A WIFE AND CLEARLY A FRIEND TO MANY.

WHILE NUMBERS MATTER, IT'S THE THING WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT, MONTGOMERY IS UNIQUELY EQUIPPED TO DO IT.

>> WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER STAY WITH US.

.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER FROM DADEVILLE.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

>> WELL TODAY IS MILITARY DAY.

>> ALWAYS A BIG DAY, JOINT SESSION, LOTS OF DISTINGUISHED VISITORS AND REPRESENTING EVERY MAJOR INSTALLATION IN THE STATE.

>> TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MILITARY DAY.

AS LONG AS I KNOW, IT'S A LONG GOING TRADITION TO HONOR BOTH MILITARY AND SUCH.

>> WE INVITE REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OF THE MAJOR COMMANDS, TWO STAR GENERAL SPEAKING, THANKING THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR ECONOMY AND WHAT THEY DO FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN ALABAMA.

AND THINK ABOUT 2,000 PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE GATES OF NOVOSEL.

REDSTONE, FORT BENING, YOU KNOW, JUST A TREMENDOUS BOONE TO THE ECONOMY.

AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE GREAT JOBS.

GREAT PLACE TO WORK.

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, RIGHT HERE IN MONTGOMERY IT'S THE HEART OF THE CITY.

>> RIGHT.

IT IS.

GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT.

HUGE MILITARY FOOTPRINT.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN PASSING BILLS HAVING TO DO WITH THE MILITARY.

AND I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME OF THESE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT PIECES OF LEGISLATION YOU ARE MOVING.

>> CHAIRMAN OF THE MILITARY VETERANS AFFAIRS, MY JOB IS TO WRITE HERD ON WHAT WE CALL OUR MILITARY PACKAGE.

WE HAVE A MILITARY PACKAGE WORKING WITH THE MILITARY STABILITY COMMISSION TO COME UP WITH LEGISLATION TO TRY TO MAKE ALABAMA MORE FRIENDLY FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND VETERANS.

WE WANT ALABAMA TO BE THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO RETIRE AS WELL.

SO, WE WILL HAVE LEGISLATION THAT WE THINK HELPS TO ACHIEVE THAT.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE ALABAMA CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE BILL THAT WE HAVE, THAT MAKES IT EASIER IF A KID GETS IN TROUBLE ON A MILITARY POST.

AND HE HAS TO WORK WITH THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THEN WE MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO MOVE TO THE NEXT DUTY STATION.

THAT SORT OF THING.

WE WANT IT EASY -- THEY MOVE FREQUENTLY, EVERY TWO OR THREE YEARS.

AND TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE STATE OR COME INTO THE STATE BECOMES VERY IMPORTANT.

ANOTHER THING THAT WE'VE DONE THAT WE ETHIC IS VERY IMPORTANT, VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS.

AND THEY ARE WORKING IN A FEW OF THE CIRCUITS IN THE STATE.

AND WE'RE MOVING THEM INTO EVERY CIRCUIT IN THE STATE.

MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE A VETERANS SERVICES OFFICER ASSIGNED TO THE COURT AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE FUNDED WELL ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THESE PEOPLE ONCE YOU GET THEM IN COURT.

ACTUALLY, THE VETERANS SERVICES OFFICER, WHAT HE DOES, HE DETERMINES WHAT BENEFITS THAT SERVICES MEMBER HAS.

AND SERVICES MEMBERS ARE GOOD AT FOLLOWING ORDERS, NO MATTER WHAT BEFALLEN THEM SINCE THEY GOT OUT OF THE SERVICES.

THEY TEN TO HAVE A HIGH ACHIEVEMENT RATE.

>> AND THIS IS INTERESTING TO SEE THE COURT AND LEGISLATURE WORK TOGETHER.

SOUNDS LIKE A MUCH NEEDED OPTION.

THAT'S VERY INTERESTING.

AND WE'LL CERTAINLY FOLLOW SOME OF THOSE BILLS.

SEEMS LIKE A WORTHY CAUSE.

AND I WANT TO TURN TO THE OTHER PART OF YOUR COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP, VETERANS AFFAIRS.

WHICH IS SUPER ACTIVE.

THE VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER, THAT WAS YOUR BILL AND THEY COULDN'T PASS IT QUICK ENOUGH TO GET IT SIGNED INTO LAW.

TALK ABOUT WHERE THAT CAME FROM AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT ONCE IT'S UP AND RUNNING.

>> IT CAME FROM PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE IDENTIFYING A NEED.

VETERAN SUICIDE IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE, I ACTUALLY DID THE FIRST RESOLUTION CREATING A VETERANS SUICIDE TASK FORCE, SIX OR FIVE YEARS AGO.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO JUST GET FIGURED OUT.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE, MADE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEY CAME UP WITH A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

AND THE ONE COMMON DENOMINATOR IN VETERAN SUICIDE IS BEING UNDEREMPLOYED OR UNEMPLOYED.

SO, HAVING A MEANINGFUL JOB IS SOMETHING THAT'S AN ISSUE.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING WE TOOK TO THE RESOURCE CENTER.

EDUCATION, BENEFITS AND SAY THE KID WAS 18 ACTIVE DUTY WHEN HE WENT AND COMES BACK AT 25.

THE MILITARY HAS DONE EVERYTHING FOR HIM ALL THAT TIME.

AND ONE DAY, HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT ANYMORE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM.

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO BUY A CAR TAG.

ALL OF THESE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE LEARNING AS THEY WENT ALONG.

THESE VETERANS COME BACK AND THEY NEED HELP TRANSITIONS AND THE RESOURCE CENTER IS GOING TO DO THAT FOR THEM.

>> HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT'S BEFORE IT'S WORKING IT'S A HUB AND SPOKE MODEL?

IT'S IN MONTGOMERY BUT YOU CAN OPERATE OUT OF AN AUXILLARY OFFICE SOMEWHERE ELSE?

>> THAT'S TRUE.

AND THE FACE OF THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IS GOING TO BE THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

WE DON'T WANT TO REINVENT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE.

WE WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THE VETERAN SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS AND THE VETERANS SERVICES OFFICERS TO BE THE SPOKES IN THE HUB.

>> AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THAT SO FOLKS KNOW WHERE TO GO.

>> WELL, THE DAY YOU COME OFF ACTIVE DUTY, SOMEBODY IS TAKING YOU BY THE HAND TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THAT ADJUSTMENT INTO CIVILIAN LIFE.

>> THAT'S GOOD.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE THAT YOU DEALT WITH.

REALLY RESTRUCTURING THE GOVERNS NANS STRUCTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIR.

THE ENTIRE DUST-UP, UNFORTUNATE IS A NICE WORD AND PRETTY UGLY AT TIMES.

>> I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING.

I STARTED MAKING MY PLANS FOR THIS CHANGE THREE YEARS AGO.

>> IS THAT RIGHT?

>> AND LONG BEFORE, APRIL BEFORE ANY OF THIS DUST-UP OCCURRED.

AND THEY MADE A REQUEST TO BE HE WILL SERRATED TO THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET.

>> AND THAT PART DOESN'T GET TOLD.

>> RIGHT, THAT'S THE PART YOU NEED TO GET OUT THERE REALLY.

FIND THE FACTS.

>> WELL A LOT OF THE OPPOSITION TO THE BILL IT WAS LIKE IT NEVER NEEDED TO HAPPEN AND SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS AROUND A LOT LONGER THAN THE CONTROVERSY.

>> I DON'T TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVING VETERANS.

BUT THE THREE MAJOR VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS VFW, AMERICAN LEGION AND DISABLED VETERANS, THEY ARE THE FOUNDERS OF ADVA.

SO, ALL RESPECT TO THEM.

BUT YOU RECALL, THEY DID SUPPORT THE BILL.

SO, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THERE'S PROBABLY A REASON.

>> SURE.

I COVERED IT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE ETHICS COMPLAINT AND ALL THAT.

I CAN ABSOLUTELY VOUCH FOR YOU BEING FRUSTRATED OVER SOME OF THE MISINFORMATION THAT WAS OUT THERE ABOUT THE BILL.

I REMEMBER Y'ALL KEPT SAYING MAKE SURE YOU ARE READING THE UPDATED VERSION OF THAT.

LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT.

I COMPLETELY HEAR YOU.

IT'S NOT JUST THE DUST-UP THAT WAS UNFORTUNATE BUT THE MISINFORMATION THAT WAS GOING AROUND.

AND NOW, IT'S LAW.

ALL OF THAT IS OVER AND IT'S LAW.

SO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE NEW STRUCTURE LOOKS LIKE AND HOW IT'S AN IMPROVEMENT FOR FUNCTIONING IN THE DEPARTMENT.

>> WE MENTIONED FOR VETERANS SUICIDE, WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT JOBS.

WELL, NOW, ADVA SITS AT THE SAME TABLE WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE CABINET MEMBERS.

SO, YOU HAVE GREG REID OVER AT LABOR, WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT NOW.

AND WE'RE ABLE TO TIE EVERY CABINET MEMBER INTO WHATEVER RESOURCES OR ASSETS THAT WE NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING VETERANS PLACED.

WHETHER IT'S MENTAL HEALTH, WHETHER IT'S PHYSICAL HEALTH, WHETHER IT'S EDUCATION, WE'RE SITTING AT THE TABLE WITH ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE RESOURCES.

WE'RE NO LONGER OPERATING AS A SEPARATE, SUBSET OVER HERE.

WE'RE IN THE BIG LESION NOW.

>> AND IT WAS KIND OF WEIRD.

OPERATING DIFFERENT THAN ALL OTHER AGENCIES.

QUASI, ONE FOOT IN, ONE FOOT OUT AND KIND OF OPERATES LIKE OTHER AGENCIES.

>> RIGHT, IT DOES.

AND THIS IS NOW DOING WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO.

FOR ME, THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

AND NOW, THE INTEGRATION PART BECOMES CRITICAL.

ARE WE GOING TO DO A BETTER JOB SERVING VETERANS?

YES.

THAT'S OUR MISSION, TAKING THE NEW RESOURCES AND ASSETS THAT WE HAVE AND THROUGH THE FACE OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND THE NEW COMMISSIONER, JEFF NEWTON, MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE AND DO A BETTER JOB OF PROVIDING SIRVES FOR VETERANS.

>> AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS AT THE BREAKFAST COMING UP ON THURSDAY.

I HOPE YOU ARE GOING TO BE THERE WITH THE PLAYERS, AND CHIEF JUSTICE.

NOW, WHILE I HAVE YOU, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT COLORECTAL SCREENING FOR CANCER.

WHERE'S THE BILL IN THE PROCESS AND JUST TELL ME WHAT THE IDEA BEHIND IT IS.

>> IT'S IN THE SENATE RIGHT NOW WE PASSED IT OUT OF THE HOUSE AND WE'RE WAITING FOR THEM TO ACT ON THE BILL.

BUT IT'S CHOLOGUARD.

WE WANT MEDICAID TO PAY FOR THAT.

PEOPLE SAY, WHY.

BECAUSE IT COSTS A LOT MORE TO DO OTHER TESTING THAN TO DO THE COL O GUARD.

AND IT SAVES LIVES.

AND IT SAVES US MONEY.

THAT'S THE REASON, NOT THE ONLY REASON BUT THE REASON THAT YOU REALLY CAN'T ARGUE WHY IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

>> THIS IS THE BOX THAT COMES TO THE DOOR.

>> YES.

>> SO, YOU ARE SAYING THAT'S CHEAPER THAN A COLONOSCOPY AND LOTS CHEAPER THAN TREATING COLON CANCER.

>> RIGHT.

SURE.

AND EVERY OTHER STATE AROUND US DOES THAT.

>> WELL, YOU STILL GOT 11 LEGISLATIVE DAYS LEFT AND YOU THINK THERE'S TIME TO PASS THE BILL.

>> I DO.

I DO.

I HAVE ALL KINDS OF BILLS TRYING TO SQUEEZE THEM THROUGH.

AND I SAY THE FUNNEL GETS NARROWER TOWARD THE END.

AND THERE COMES A POINT WHERE YOU HAVE TO START PICKING THE THINGS THAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHILD.

THAT'S TOUGH!

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THAT BILL SHOULD PASS.

>> YEAH, BOTTLENECK IN THE SENATE IS NO SURPRISE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON AND WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THE BILLS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SAME TIME WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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