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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

TODAY WAS COMMITTEE DAY IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

WEDNESDAYS TEND TO BE WHEN LEGISLATION IS CONSIDERED BY VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND WHEN THE MEET FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ALLOWING FEEDBACK FROM CITIZENS IT'S A KEY PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND THERE WERE SEVERAL NOTABLE COMMITTEE MEETINGS TODAY.

WE'LL START IN THE SENATE BANKING AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE WHERE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REGULATE AND TAX PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS, OR PBMS.

PBMS ARE THE INTERMEDIARIES BETWEEN PHARMACISTS, HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND DRUG MANUFACTURERS.

THE IDEA IS THAT POOLING RESOURCES ON DRUG PRICE NEGOTIATIONS HELPS KEEP COSTS LOW FOR CONSUMERS, BUT MANY LOCAL PHARMACIES SAY PBMS ARE MAKING IT HARD TO STAY IN BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THE RATES THEY SET.

TWO SIMILAR BILLS WOULD TIGHTE REGULATIONS ON PBMS AND CHARGE FEE ON FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS TO HELP PHARMACIES RECOUP THEIR COSTS.

SENATE BILL 93 FROM SENATOR ANDREW JONES WOULD STOP PBMS FROM REIMBURSING PHARMACIES AT RATES LOWER THAN WHAT IT COSTS THEM TO BUY THE MEDICATION.

IT ALLOWS PHARMACIES TO REFUSE TO FILL PRESCRIPTIONS IF THEY LOSE MONEY ON THEM.

SENATE BILL 99, FROM SENATOR LARRY STUTTS, TAKES A SIMILAR APPROACH, FOCUSING ON PBMS' ROL IN DRUG INSURANCE BENEFITS.

BUT OPPONENTS OF THE BILLS SAY THAT'S JUST GOING TO DRIVE UP COSTS FOR CUSTOMERS AT A TIME WHEN DRUG PRICES ARE ALREADY HIGH.

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>> IT'S GOING TO DRIVE DOWN OVERALL DRUG COSTS.

YOU CAN HAVE GENERIC THAT PBMS AREN'T ALLOWING ON THE FORMULARY.

AND ISTANBUL 299 SENATE BILL 299, IT HAS SAVED HEALTHCARE COSTS.

AND THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA ESTIMATES SAY $50 MILLION A YEAR IN STATE MONEY.

KENTUCKY SAYS A HUNDRED MILLION AND THEY HAVE BILLS ALMOST EXACTLY LIKE THE ONES WE'RE PASSING.

>> BOBBY GILES WITH THE ALABAMA PHARMACY ASSOCIATION HAS MET WITH FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

AS I SAID AT THE VERY BEGINNING IS TO HAVE THE STRONGEST BILL POSSIBLE, ACTUALLY CAN PASS AND GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> I LOOK AT ONE SPECIFIC DRUG LAST MONTH AND I SPENT $81,000 ON ONE DRUG, MULTIPLE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THAT, AND I GOT A PROFIT OF $71.

THAT DOESN'T COVER THE STAFF, DISPENSING OR THE TRANSACTION FEES AND WE HAVE TO PAY A FEE TO RECEIVE IT ELECTRONICALLY.

WE HAVE TO PAY TO SEND IT TO THE DOCTOR, AND WE HAVE ALL OF THE OVERHEAD THAT OTHER BUSINESSES HAVE AND WE WANT WHAT'S FAIR.

>> THEY NEED MORE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.

AND OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE PASSED LAWS IN THE PAST AND THINK THEY SHOULD BE ENFORCED.

THERE'S A WAY TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LAWS PASSED BY THE STATE OF ALABAMA, BY THE LEGISLATURE, ARE ENFORCED HERE.

SO, THERE'S THINGS THAT WE DO AGREE WITH THE PHARMACIES AND WANT TO WORK WITH THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THOSE THINGS IN PLACE.

>> NO VOTE WAS TAKEN ON EITHER OF THE BILLS.

THE SENATE BANKING AND INSURANC COMMITTEE IS SCHEDULED TO MEET AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

>> ON TO THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK UP LEGISLATION REGARDING CHILDREN' HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDICAID.

HOUSE BILL 177 FROM REPRESENTATIVE BEN ROBBINS WOUL REQUIRE PARENTS WHO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR WORK TO ADD THEIR CHILDREN TO THEIR PLANS INSTEAD OF ENROLLING THEM IN MEDICAID.

>> WHAT MY BILL IS, IT'S ABOUT MEDICAID AND WHAT IT DOES, IT SAYS, IF YOU ARE A PARENT THAT HAS EMPLOYER-PROVIDED INSURANCE, YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR CHILD ON THE INSURANCE AND NOT HAVE THEM ON MEDICAID.

IF YOU END UP IN, WHETHER IT'S DOMESTIC RELATIONS OR CUSTODY COURT, AS LONG AS A JUDGE HAS AUTHORITY OVER YOU, THAT JUDGE CAN ENTER AN ORDER THAT YOU MUST PUT YOUR CHILD ON YOUR PRIVATE INSURANCE AND TAKE THEM OFF MEDICAID.

>> I BELIEVE THE WAY IT'S DRAFTED, I'VE SENT IT TO FIVE NATIONAL EXPERTS WORKING ON HEALTHCARE POLICY AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT IT WOULD DO.

NOW, CHILDREN IN HOUSEHOLDS ON MEDICAID, SINGLE PARENT SAY WITH TWO KIDS, UNDER $30,000 FOR A FAMILY OF 2.

SO, THE USUALLY THE PARENT IN THAT HOUSEHOLD CAN'T AFFORD THEIR OWN INSURANCE.

AND I WANT TO BE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T CAUSE THOUSANDS OF ALABAMA KIDS TO LOSE THEIR INSURANCE AND WE WOULD HAVE QUESTIONS HOW IT WAS ENFORCED.

>> THAT BILL WAS ADVANCED BY TH COMMITTEE AND HOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

A KEY PART OF THE SAFE ALABAMA CRIME PACKAGE WAS UP IN THE THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY HOUSE BILL 202 FROM REPRESENTATIVE REX REYNOLDS SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT IS A CRITICAL TOOL TO HELP RECRUIT AND RETAIN MORE POLICE OFFICERS AMID THE CURRENT SHORTAGE, BUT DEMOCRATS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW FAR THOSE PROTECTIONS SHOULD GO.

>> HB202 ESTABLISHES A NEW FORM OF LEGAL PROTECTION FOR ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT.

A SHOW OF SUPPORT THAT HELPS RECRUIT AND RETAIN OUR OFFICERS.

THIS BILL PROVIDES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER JUSTIFIED IN AN IMMUNE FROM CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR USE OF FORCE AGAINST A PERSON IN THE PERFORMANCE OF CONDUCT WITHIN HIS OR HER DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY UNLESS THE USE OF FORCE VIOLATES THE PERSON'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO BE FREE OF THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE.

>> NO VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE BIL AND A NEW VERSION ADDRESSING CONCERNS IS EXPECTED TO DROP SOON.

ALSO IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE FLYING OF DRONES.

HOUSE BILL 201 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ALMOND WOULD PROHIBIT THE FLYING OF DRONES WITHIN 500 FEET OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THERE IS ALREADY A PROHIBITION OF FLYING DRONES NEAR PRISONS AND ALMOND SAYS SCHOOLS ALSO NEED THAT PROTECTION, ESPECIALL WITH THEIR ABILITY TO PHOTOGRAPH, VIDEO AND EVEN CARR OBJECTS.

NO VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE BILL, BUT IT DID GENERATE SOME DISCUSSION.

>> BASICALLY WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN PLACE THAT YOU CAN'T FLY DRONES OVER CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

I BELIEVE WE DID THIS LAST YEAR THIS ADDS TO IT, YOU CAN'T FLY DRONES OVER SCHOOLS, K-12, PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND THE IDEA HERE IS TWO-FOLD.

REALLY PUBLIC SAFETY PRIMARILY OF OUR CHARLIE BROWN IN THE SCHOOLS, WHETHER THEY ARE OUT ON THE PLAYGROUND, PRIMARILY THAT OR IF IT'S SOME SORT OF DRONE THAT, HEAVEN FORBID, MIGHT BE CARRYING WEAPONS.

OBVIOUSLY THE LAW DOESN'T KEEP SOMEBODY FROM DOING SOMETHING TERRIBLE.

THEY DO IT ANY WAY.

BUT WE DO WANT A LAW ON THE BOOKS THAT SIZZ YOU CAN'T -- SAYS YOU CAN'T DO IT.

>> IMMIGRATION CONTINUES TO BE BIG TOPIC OF THE SESSION.

TODAY THE HOUSE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE TOOK UP LEGISLATION DEALING WIT IMMIGRATION LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DETENTION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

HOUSE BILL 7 FROM REPRESENTATIV ERNIE YARBROUGH WOULD ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES TO COORDINATE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.

IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE COUNTY AN MUNICIPAL JAILS TO HONOR DETENTION REQUESTS FROM THE FED AND REQUIRE STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAINTAIN ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE LEGAL STATUS OF SOMEONE THEY DETAIL -- THEY DETAIN.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY 7, LAKEN RILEY ACT AND WE WORKED WITH THESE TO TAKE AMENDMENTS LAST SESSION.

AND I'VE RECEIVED ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE SPEAKERS AND WORKING WITH THE D.A.S AND SUCH A AND GIVES US THE ABILITY, MORE FORMAL WAY FOR STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND GUIDED AND STRUCTURED WAY TO ENFORCE EXISTING IMMIGRATION LAWS.

IT WAS THE SAME BILL AS BEFORE YOU LAST SESSION.

>> >> THAT BILL ADVANCED THROUGH COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL IMMIGRATION BILLS ON THE MOVE THIS SESSION.

SENATE BILL 63 FROM SENATOR LANCE BELL ALSO PASSED COMMITTE TODAY.

IT WOULD REQUIRE STATE AND LOCA LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TAKE FINGERPRINTS AND DNA SAMPLES OF ANYONE THEY DETAIN WHO IS IN TH COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

THAT BILL NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE AND COULD SEE FINAL PASSAGE SOON.

OTHER BILLS BEING INTRODUCED AN STARTING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS ARE HOUSE BILL 302, FROM REPRESENTATIVE BEN ROBBINS WHICH WOULD REQUIRE LABOR BROKERS WHO EMPLOY MORE THAN FIVE FOREIGN WORKERS TO REGISTE THROUGH E-VERIFY.

HOUSE BILL 304 FROM REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE KEIL WOULD AUTHORIZE THE IMPOUNDMENT OF VEHICLES OF THOSE OPERATING ILLEGALLY AND WITHOUT A DRIVERS LICENSE.

HOUSE BILL 3 FROM REPRESENTATIV CHIP BROWN WOULD MANDATE ENHANCED CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR ANYONE HERE ILLEGALLY WHO IS CONVICTED OF FELONIES AGAINST MINORS.

HOUSE BILL 297 FROM REPRESENTATIVE JENNIFER FIDLER WOULD PLACE A FOUR PERCENT FEE ON ANY FOREIGN WIRE TRANSFERS.

AND HOUSE BILL 298 FROM REPRESENTATIVE BROCK COLVIN WHICH WOULD EXCLUDE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER STUDENTS WHO DON'T PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS FRO BEING COUNTED TOWARD'S A SCHOOL'S ATHLETIC CLASSIFICATION.

WE'LL BE FOLLOWING ALL OF THESE AND MORE THROUGH THE SESSION.

YESTERDAY, THE HOUSE GAVE FINAL PASSAGE TO LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A VETERANS RESOURC CENTER THAT WILL OFFER ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES, INCLUDING JO PLACEMENT AND CONNECTING TO COUNSELING.

TODAY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THOSE FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR CELEBRATED THE BILL'S PASSAGE AND SAID IT WILL BE A GAME CHANGER FOR VETERANS ONCE OPERATIONAL.

>> ALABAMA'S HOUSING ALMOST 400,000 VETERANS AND HOUSING AND WE'RE ONE OF THE MOST VETERAN-FRIENDLY STATE.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH AND THE ALABAMA VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER IS ABOUT PROTECTING VETERANS AND HELPING THEM.

I THINKING IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE THEM THE BEST WAY WE CAN.

>> WHEN VETERANS ARE IN CRISIS OR IN NEED OF SERVICES, THE LAST THING THEY SHOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS NAVIGATING THE MAZE OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S WHY CREATING A ONE-STOP WATCH SHOP WHERE VETERANS CAN ACCESS ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO HELP THEM.

AND EVERYBODY UP HERE IS DOING THAT FOR THEM BECAUSE OUR VETERANS FOUGHT FOR US.

>> 16.4 MILLION VETERANS IN THE UNITED STATES AND EVERY 90 MINUTES ONE OF THEM TAKES THEIR LIFE.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY, SO MANY DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT WE HAVE BOTH THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS.

WITH ACTIONS LIKE TODAY, YOU HEARD THE NUMBER OF 400,000 VETERANS LIVING IN THIS STATE.

THAT'S FOURTH PER CAPITA IN THE UNITED STATES.

THEY COME HERE FOR A REASON.

SO, WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WITH THIS ALABAMA RESOURCE CENTER IS CREATE A HUB SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUGHT AND SERVED FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FOR US, THAT DURING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME OF TRANSITION, WHAT WE CAN DO, WE CAN ASSIST THEM, WITH THAT INTO THEIR CIVILIAN LIFE.

>> WE'LL BE BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUEST.

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>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS GORDON STONE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE AND ALWAYS FUN TO SEE SOMEBODY THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH FOR A LONG TIME.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO KEEPING US INFORMED.

>> TOMORROW IS HIGHER ED DAY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EVERY YEAR AS STUDENTS DESCEND ON THE STATE HOUSE.

BUT REMIND OUR AUDIENCE, THE HIGHER ED AND ORIGINS, WHAT THEY DO.

>> THEY HAVE SERVED AS THE GRASS ROOTS VOICE FOR THE 14 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

WE HAVE UNIVERSITIES IN EVERY REGION OF THE STATE.

TWO PUBLIC HOSPITALS, LAND GRANT WORK THAT WE DO ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND EVERY COUNTY IN ALABAMA WITH SOME TYPE OF PROGRAM.

WE REPRESENT THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, THE STUDENTS WHO POPULATE THE CAMPUSES, STRIVING TO GET DEGREES AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE STATE.

AND THE FACULTY RESEARCHING AND TEACHING BUILDING THE MINDS OF THOSE, THE ADMINISTRATORS AND ALUMS, AND WE COME TOGETHER AND GIVE THEM A PLACE.

AND WE HAVE LOTS OF FACULTY GROUPS AND WORKING WITH HOW DO WE RETAIN OUR GRADUATES TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PROPER FUNDING TO KEEP THE ECONOMIC ENGINES RUNNING AT FULL SPEED.

>> AND I GUESS WE'LL HEAR THOSE TALKING POINTS TOMORROW AT HIGHER ED DAY.

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO BECAUSE NOLS ALWAYS A TON OF HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK AT, BARBEQUE, PARADE AND ALL THAT.

TALK ABOUT HIGHER ED AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TOMORROW.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE RECOGNIZE, POLICY CAN BE A LITTLE BIT IMPERSONAL IF WE'RE NOT CAREFUL.

SO, THE HIRER ED PARTNERSHIP DECIDED IN THE EARLY DAYS TO REACH OUT AND MAKING SURE THOSE MAKING DECISIONS ARE IMPACTING YOUNG LIVES.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT OUR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES CHANGE LIVES.

AND THE CHANGES WE DO IS WORTH SUPPORTING.

AND THE WAY TO DO THAT, SHARING THE STORY, IS GET THE PEOPLE HERE WHOSE LIVES ARE IMPACTED.

SO STORYTELLING, WE BRING THEM HERE AND BRING THEM DOWN HERE AND TELL THEM ONE ON ONE TO THE LEGISLATORS.

AND THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS CAPTURE A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE FUN OF A UNIVERSITY.

WE HAVE A PARADE, RALLY, SIGNING PLEDGE CARDS.

AND WE HAVE A LUNCH, SIT-DOWN CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE INSTITUTIONAL REPS AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

WE'LL HAVE ABOUT A THOUSAND PEOPLE HERE AND ALL 14 CAMPUSES WILL BRING APPROXIMATELY A BUS LOAD.

IT WILL BE A FULL DAY AND A FUN DAY.

OUR COLLEAGUES THAT WORK HERE IN THE LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM, LEGISLATIVE OFFICES, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF, THEY LOVE IT BECAUSE IT'S HIGHER ENERGY AND IT'S ABOUT TELLING STORY.

WHY THESE PEOPLE CHOSE THEIR TIME, ENERGY AND SUCH IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION TIME.

>> MY TIME THAT I REMEMBER ABOUT THIS WAS FUNDING, PARITY FOR FUNDING IN K-12.

AND IS THIS PARITY NOW?

IS THAT PART OF THE CONVERSATION NOW?

ARE YOU SEEKING MORE OR A BIGGER PIECE OF THE PIE.

>> WHEN YOU DO THE COMPARISONS, YOU SEE HOW MUCH WE FUND PER STUDENTS ON THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES AND THE CONVERSATION OF FUNDING IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

ACCESS IS A CRITICAL ISSUE.

WE DON'T HAVE A STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, WHO MAKES A CERTAIN GRADE TO ATTEND 4 YEAR UNIVERSITY.

WE MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET THE APPROPRIATE MESSAGE ACROSS.

WE WANT TO KEEP ACCESS REAL AND YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, MOST OF THE JOBS THAT ARE COMING, ABOUT 40% OF THE JOBS COMING IN THE NEXT DECADE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE AT LEAST A FOUR YEAR DEGREE.

AND WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN ALABAMA.

OUR UNEMPLOYMENT IS DOWN, OUR JOB CREATION IS UP.

AND WE'VE ALSO GOT A WHOLE SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY OUT THERE TO STILL BE CAPITALIZED ON.

ONE OF THE TELLTALE STATISTICS, WE HAVE ON AVERAGE ACROSS THE NATION HIGHER THAN WHAT IT IS ACROSS THE NATION.

NOW, SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO MATCH THE JOB WITH THE WORK FORCE.

AND IF WE CAN INCREASE THAT FOUR YEAR NUMBER, THE PERCENTAGE WE'LL GO AFTER THE JOBS WITH A HIGHER RETURN.

WE'RE 48TH IN THE NATION PER CAPITA INCOME.

AND WE CAN DO BETTER BY CREATING MORE KNOWLEDGE-BASED JOBS.

AND MAKING THE CASE THAT BETTER FUNDING, CREATES ACCESSIBILITY, GETTING YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED SO YES, WE'LL TALK ABOUT FUNDING.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WORK FORCE THING.

THAT'S A BUZZ WORD FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS IN THE STATE HOUSE.

THE LEGISLATURE, GOVERNOR, AND REALLY MOST OF STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TRIED TO ADDRESS THIS WORK FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

IT WAS THE BIGGEST THING, BIG PACKAGE OF BILLS AND FOCUSED NOT ON FOUR YEAR BUT DUAL ENROLLMENT, TWO YEAR COLLEGE.

JOB TRAINING BASICALLY.

AND LIKE I SAY, A LOT OF FOCUS ON THAT.

BUT MAYBE LEFT OUT OF THE CONVERSATION SOMETIMES IS HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE JOBS THAT COME WITH THAT.

YOU KNOW, AM I SENSING SOMETHING THERE?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO BE EXPANDING OUR VOCABULARY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WORK FORCE AND WE NEED TO DEFINE WORK FORCE TRAINING IN A WAY INCLUSIVE FOR ALL OF THE KINDS OF JOBS THAT WE CAN TRAIN PEOPLE FOR.

WHAT WE ADVOCATE FOR, WHEN YOU HAVE CAREER COUNSELORS, COACHES IN SCHOOLS, TO BE SURE THEY ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO EXPRESS WHAT THEIR DREAMS ARE, GOALS, PASSIONS AND SHOW THEM THERE'S A WAY FOR THAT TO BE PURSUED IN ALABAMA.

NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE AT A FOUR YEAR DEGREE LEVEL.

BUT WE THINK A LOT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, IF THEY KNOW THEY CAN WILL PURSUE FOUR YEAR DEGREES.

BUT WE HAVE TO COMMUNICATE THAT WE NEED TO BE SURE WE DEFINING WORK FORCE AND GIVING PEOPLE THE FULL SPECTRUM OF OPPORTUNITY OUT THERE TO GIVE THEM.

AND DUAL ENROLLMENT, WORKING WITH THE TWO YEAR COLLEGES TO BE SURE THAT THE DUAL ENROLLMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL IS INCLUSIVE OF BOTH TWO YEAR AND FOUR YEAR.

AND WE WANT TO BE SURE THE YOUNG PERSON NODES WHAT'S THE FULL WHOLE HORIZON, WHAT PICKS THEM BEST.

>> SOMETIMES THAT'S A PLACE TO START, I KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE THAT.

>> AND WE HAVE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN HIGH SCHOOL, OFTEN IN THE DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE TO BE SURE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT, EXPRESSING THE OPPORTUNITIES, THAT WE DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S INCLUSIVE IN ALL OF THE CHOICE HAS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE REALLY HAVE.

MOST INDIVIDUALS IN ALABAMA WHO WANT TO HAVE, GET A FOUR YEAR DEGREE, CAN FIND A WAY THROUGH ONE OF OUR 14 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW THAT.

WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT AS WE'RE FOCUSING OUR ENERGIES ON WORK FORCE, I'M HONORED.

THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED ME TO WORK ON THE STATE WORK FORCE BOARD.

THAT'S A REAL PRIVILEGE AND MY MESSAGE IS, LET'S DEFINE IT IN THE BROODEST SENSE.

HEALTHCARE, FINANCE AND CAPITALIZE ON ALL OF THE PROJECTS.

WE HAVE TO BE INVOLVED IN TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES AND WHEN YOU CREATE KNOWLEDGE-BASED JOBS, YOU BRING WEALTH TO THE COMMUNITY AND REVESTED IN QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAMS.

>> I WANT TO COVER THAT.

WE'VE COVERED A LOT FROM THE INNOVATE ALABAMA, AND THE WHOLE SHOW, YOU WERE HONORED WITH AN AWARD.

>> AND VERY PLEASED.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS KIND OF NEW TERRITORY AT LEAST IN TERMS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND EVERYTHING.

BUT THEY TALK A LOT ABOUT, LIKE YOU SAID, RETAINING THE TALENT THAT WE PRODUCE FROM THE FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS WHICH HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE OVER THE YEARS.

BUT ALSO, THE RESEARCH THAT HAPPENS AT FOUR YEAR INSTITUTIONS, THE INNOVATION, THAT IT CAN BE AN ATTRACTING FACTOR FOR FOLKS OUTSIDE OF THE STATE TO ACTUALLY MOVE HERE.

TALK ABOUT THE CONNECTION OF THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A 20 PLUS BILLION DOLLARS IMPACT EVERY YEAR IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

12 COUNTIES WHERE WE'RE LOCATED, THEY ARE THE COUNTIES WHERE WE HAVE THE MOST ECONOMIC ENERGY SPENT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND THOSE CAMPUS COMMUNITIES PROVIDE SO MANY LIFE AMENITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH THE ECONOMY, IT'S AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY AND HAVE A FULL LIFE.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE KNOW THAT.

AND PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE STATE KNOW THAT.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT INNOVATE ALABAMA HAS DONE, THEY HAVE INVESTED RESOURCES WITH THE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP AND BRINGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE TABLE.

HAVING THEM TALK ABOUT, WHAT IT IS THAT THEY LOOK FORWARD TO, OH, I GRADUATE AND I'M GOING TO PICK MY NEXT LOCATION.

WHAT IS IT THAT THEY WANT TO SEE AT THE NEXT LOCATION.

AND WE'RE EXCITED WORKING WITH INNOVATE ALABAMA.

LOTS PROGRAMS ARE TECHNOLOGY OR RESOURCE BASED BUT ALL DESIGNED FOR THE SAME PURPOSE TO SAY WE WANT TO BE A PLACE, NO MALTER WHAT YOUR TALENT LEVEL IS, GOALS ARE, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU IN ALABAMA.

AND WE KNOW IN ALABAMA, SOLUTIONS ARE FOUND, PROBLEMS ARE ADDRESSED AND CHALLENGES ARE DONE.

AND SO THIS ULTIMATELY CAN SHAPE LIVES FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO HIGHER ED TOMORROW.

I'LL ATTEND AS MUCH AS I CAN AND I KNOW I'LL HEAR IT TOO.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN DAY.

WE INVITE PEOPLE TO COME OVER, 10:30, THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE EVENT.

BE PART OF THE PARADE ROUTE, CHEER ON THE MASCOTS, BANDS, AND CHEER ONTO STUDENTS TELLING THEIR STORIES.

AND WE'LL HAVE ALL 14 UNIVERSITIES SIGNING A PLEDGE BOARD SAYING WE WANT TO ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE ALABAMA A BETTER PLACE.

>> THANKS, GORDON, HIGHER ED DAY TOMORROW.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM,