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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

IT WAS A BUSY DAY HERE IN THE HALLS OF STATE GOVERNMENT AS MORE THAN 20 COMMITTEES MET TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE BODIES ALSO MET FOR THE 9TH LEGISLATIVE DAY.

SOME CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES WERE DEBATED TODAY.

WE'LL START IN THE SENATE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, WHICH TOOK UP THE ISSUE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, OR DEI.

SENATE BILL 105 FROM SENATOR WILL BARFOOT OF MONTGOMERY WOULD PROHIBIT CERTAIN PUBLIC ENTITIES, INCLUDING K-12 SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES, FROM HOUSING A DEI OFFICE OR PROGRAM.

IT WOULD ALSO PROHIBIT THE TEACHING OR PROMOTION OF WHAT'S TERMED DIVISIVE CONCEPTS RELATED TO RACE OR GENDER.

REPUBLICANS ARGUE THAT SUCH DEI PROGRAMS HAVE LED TO COLLEGES IN OTHER STATES PROMOTING A WOKE IDEOLOGY.

DEMOCRATS PUSHED BACK AGGRESSIVELY SAYING DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING IS NEEDED NOT JUST IN COLLEGE BUT IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

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>> YOU CANNOT COMPEL FOR SOMEBODY TO BELIEVE THAT ONE RACE, SEX, OR A WHOLE HOST ARE ALL BETTER OR WORSE THAN ANOTHER.

I THINK THOSE DIVISIVE CONCEPTS AND WE CAN'T USE FROM A STATE EDUCATION LEVEL OR STATE TAX DOLLAR LEVEL WE SHOULDN'T BE EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN TELLING THEM ONE RACE OR SEX IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER.

>> THAT'S WHY WE NEED DEI TRAINING HERE.

WE HAD A COLLEAGUE ON THE HOUSE SIDE WHO SENT OUT AN EMAIL.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A JOKE, ABOUT SOME DEMOCRATS AND IT HAD MONKEYS WITH BANANAS.

IT SHOUT DOWN THE HOUSE FOR A DAY.

HE SAID HE WAS SORRY.

>> WELL, I PEND THE LETTER AND I RESIGNED FOR IT.

AND MY MOTHER SAID, I CAN'T DO THINGS LIKE THAT.

I SAID YESTERDAY, I SAID, MAMMA SAID, BUT YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT WE FOUGHT THESE BATTLES ALREADY.

>> THOSE ARE HEARTFELT COMMENTS AND IT TUGS AT YOUR HEART.

THINK SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN LEVIED AGAINST THE BILL WILL NOT HAPPEN.

I MEAN, LEGISLATION LIKE THIS IS HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES.

BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THAT OCCURRED IN SOME OF THOSE STATES THAT HAVE OCCURRED.

>> THE BILL ADVANCED OUT OF COMMITTEE IN A 7-3 VOTE AND COULD COME TO THE SENATE FLOOR AS SOON AS TOMORROW.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CONVENED TODAY FOR ITS REGULAR MEETING, BUT THE SUBJECT MATTER DREW A MUCH LARGER CROWD THAT USUAL.

THAT SUBJECT?

GENDER AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

HOUSE BILL 111 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DEBOSE OF HOOVER IS DUBBED THE WHAT IS A WOMAN ACT.

IT WOULD CODIFY INTO STATE LAW THE BIOLOGICAL DEFINITIONS OF MEN AND WOMEN.

DUBOSE AND BILL SUPPORTERS SAID IT IS NEEDED TO PROTECT WOMEN IN A WORLD OF GENDER FLUIDITY.

BUT THE BILL DREW CRITICISM FROM LGBT ACTIVISTS WHO CALLED THE BILL DISCRIMINATORY.

>> THIS BILL HB111 IS A DEFINITIONS BILL.

IT CODIFIES THE TIME-HONORED DEFINITIONS OF MALE, FEMALE, MAN, WOMAN, BOY, GIRL, MOTHER, FATHER AND SEX.

IT IS IMPORTANT?

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN THIS BILL THAT SEX IS DEFINED AS THE STATE OF BEING MALE OR FEMALE AT BIRTH.

SEX IS OBJECTIVE AND FIXED.

I'M SURE.

>> I'M SURE THAT MY EXPERIENCE TODAY WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ALABAMA LEGISLATURE TO PASS THE BILL.

IF PASSED, THIS BILL GUARANTEES THAT WHEN, AND ONLY WHEN, THAT [INAUDIBLE] HOW DOES THIS DO THIS.

BY DEFINING COMMON WORDS, WOMAN AND FEMALE WHICH ARE USED IN 160 UNIQUE ALABAMA STATUES, BY CODIFYING THESE WORDS, WE PROTECT OUR LAWS TO PROTECT WOMEN.

THIS BILL DOESN'T ERASE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE BUT IT PROTECTS AND ENACTS LAWS THAT SETS ASIDE FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN TO DO WHAT THEY WERE INTENDED TO DO.

>> THIS IS UNWORKABLE DEFINITION OF SEX AND IT'S DENYING THEM FROM PROTECTION.

ALSO, IT WILL HAVE THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF MAKING IT HARDER FOR ALL WOMEN TO USE NON STATE DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ADDRESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND STEREOTYPING.

IT'S DIRECT AND BLATANT DISCRIMINATION.

NO VOTE WAS TAKEN ON THE BILL SINCE IT WAS JUST A PUBLIC HEARING.

IT COULD COME UP FOR A VOTE IN COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ALSO TOOK UP THE ISSUE OF GUNS, AND SPECIFICALLY, DEVICES THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO HANDGUNS TO CONVERT THEM INTO DEFACTO MACHINE GUNS.

HOUSE BILL 36 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP ENSLER OF MONTGOMERY WOULD PROHIBIT SUCH DEVICES AND SET PENALTIES FOR THOSE CAUGHT WITH CONVERTED WEAPONS.

ENSLER EXPLAINED THE BILL TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

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>> A VERY SIMILAR ONE CAME UP IN COMMITTEE LAST YEAR AND PASSED.

BUT THE ONE LAST YEAR DIDN'T MIRROR FEDERAL LAW.

SO, WITH THIS VERSION THIS YEAR, IT MIRRORS FEDERAL LAW BUT HAS LANGUAGE IN THERE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

WIG PICTURE, I'VE HEARD FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT HAVE BEEN PICKING UP WEAPONS WITH THE DEVICES ON THEM.

CURRENTLY, NO STATE FINE PROHIBITING THEM.

ONLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL LAW SO THIS ADDS A TOOL TO THE TOOLBOX ON THE STATE LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO WEAPONS WITH THESE DEVICES.

THE TWO CHANGES IN THE SUBSTITUTE ON LINE 61, WE ADDED IN EXPLICIT LANGUAGE THAT SAYS ANY PARTS LICENSED UNDER FEDERAL LAW WOULD BE EXEMPT.

SO, THEY ARE ALREADY EXEMPT BUT WE EXPLICITLY PUT THAT IN.

AND THE SECOND PART, IN ON LINE 48, WE PUT LANGUAGE CLARIFYING THAT IT'S NOT POSSESSION OF THE DEVICE ITSELF, BUT POSSESSION OF THE FIREARM THAT HAS THE DEVICE ON IT.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE PENALTY PIECE.

UNDER THE FIRST VIOLATION, PUNISH ABLE BY NOT LESS THAN 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND SECOND SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION IS A FELONY.

THAT'S A BIG LEAP.

WHY DID WE SENT THE FIRST VIOLATION SO LOW AT COMMUNITY SERVICES?

>> WELL, OFTEN, I GOT THE INFORMATION FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, OFTEN YOUNGER PEOPLE GET IT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA OR HEARD ITS POPULAR AND GETTING THEIR HANDS ON THEM.

AND WE WANT TO STEER THEM TOWARD MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, MAYBE WORKING WITH CLERGY AND STEERING AWAY FROM THE CULTURE OF GUN VIOLENCE.

BUT THE SECOND TIME AROUND, IT'S TELLING THEM, HEY, THERE'S A MORE SEVERE CONSEQUENCE.

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

THE HOUSE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE TOOK UP A BILL THAT'S BEEN AROUND A WHILE, BUT MIGHT BE FINALLY GETTING IT'S SHOT TO PASS THIS YEAR.

KNOWN AS THE FIRST GRADE READINESS BILL, HOUSE BILL 113 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE PEBLIN WARREN OF TUSKEGEE WOULD REQUIRE CHILDREN TO EITHER ATTEND KINDERGARTEN OR DEMONSTRATE THE NECESSARY PROFICIENCY BEFORE ENTERING THE FIRST GRADE.

WARREN HAS CARRIED THE BILL FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW BUT BELIEVES THE MESSAGE OF EARLY SCHOOL READINESS WILL FINALLY WIN OVER HER COLLEAGUES THIS TIME AROUND.

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>> THIS, I BELIEVE, IS THE EASIEST THAT IT'S PASSED SO FAR.

>> YES.

LIKE I SAID, I'M GOING TO GO BACK AND SEE HOW MANY YEARS I'VE DONE THIS.

BUT LIKE I SAID, I HAD IT IN MY HEART.

AND I THINK THESE PEOPLE ARE NOW SEEING, MY COLLEAGUES ARE SEEING, I'M NOR THAN PLAYING POLITICS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE IN, THIS IS SOMETHING TRULY IN MY HEART.

I DON'T THINK A CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO GET TO THE THIRD GRADE TO BE REPEATED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T READ.

WE GOT TO START EARLIER.

AND YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK, INTERNATIONALLY, EVERYBODY STARTS KIDS MUCH EARLIER THAN WE START THEM IN THE UNITED STATES.

YOU TAKE A CHILD, PUTTING THEM IN THE FIRST GRADE, NEVER HAD TO SIT IN CLASS IN ORDER, NEVER HAD TO RAISE THEIR HAND TO DO ANYTHING, NEVER BEEN IN A LINE TO GET A TRAY AND GO EAT.

IT'S JUST AN EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE NEVER HAD.

SO ALL WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE, THAT WE CAN GET THE STUDENTS A SOLID FOUNDATION SO THEY CAN BE READY WHEN THEY START IN THE FIRST GRADE.

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

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER NOTABLE BILLS THAT MOVED IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

SENATE BILL 24 FROM SENATOR APRIL WEAVER AND HOUSE BILL 82 FROM REPRESENTATIVE MIKE SHAW WOULD INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR FALSELY REPORTING A CRIME.

THESE ARE COMING IN THE WAKE OF THE CARLEE RUSSELL FALSE KIDNAPPING ORDEAL LAST YEAR SENATE BILL 89 FROM SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN.

THIS WOULD SET RESTRICTIONS FOR WALKING OR LOITERING NEAR BUSY HIGHWAYS.

SMITHERMAN SAYS THE BILL IS MEANT TO PROTECT PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS.

SENATE BILL 57 FROM SENATOR ARTHUR ORR WOULD PROHIBIT PICKETING AND PROTESTING NEAR THE RESIDENCE OF PUBIC OFFICIALS.

THIS COMES IN THE WAKE OF PROTESTS AT SUPREME COURT JUSTICES' HOMES AND AT LEAST AN ATTEMPT TO DO THE SAME AT ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL'S HOME A FEW YEARS AGO.

HOUSE BILL 103 FROM REPRESENTATIVE KENNETH PASCAL WOULD REVAMP THE ALABAMA CODE SECTION DEALING WITH VETERANS AFFAIRS, INCLUDING HOW VETERANS PURSUE CLAIMS AND SENATE BILL 59 ALSO FROM ORR.

THIS WOULD REQUIRE CPR TRAINING IN K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND IT'S NOT RANDOM.

DURING A VISIT TO KOREA LAST YEAR, ORR PERFORMED CPR ON HIS COLLEGUE SENATOR TIM MELSON DURING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND LITERALLY SAVED HIS LIFE.

IT'S QUITE A STORY AND I HOPE TO HAVE THEM ON THE SHOW SOON TO TALK ABOUT IT.

SO THOSE WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM LEGISLATION MOVING AROUND THE STATE HOUSE TODAY.

ONE HIGH PROFILE ISSUE THAT IS IDLE FOR THE MOMENT IS THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PACKAGE PASSED BY THE HOUSE LAST WEEK.

SENATORS SAY THEY WANT TO TAKE THEIR TIME WITH THE LEGISLATION AND REVIEW IT.

STATE SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON, WHO IS CARING THE PACKAGE IN THE SENATE, SAYS HIS COLLEAGUES ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ASKING QUESTIONS, MANY ABOUT WHERE THE GAMBLING REVENUE WOULD BE DIRECTED.

>> THE MORE WE DISCUSS, THE CLOSER WE GET.

THE MORE WE EXPLAIN AND GO THROUGH WHERE WE ARE.

LOOK, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PARTICULAR BILL FOR, IF YOU WILL, 10 YEARS.

AND MANY OF THE FOLKS THAT HAVE THE QUESTIONS HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THAT.

AND THE COST, EVEN QUESTIONS COMING UP AS TO THE CRIMINAL ASPECT OF IT.

SO, THOSE WE'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH.

AND ALL OF THESE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND HEARINGS, IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, THE MEMBERS HAVE TO BE ASSURED THAT WE'VE DEALT WITH THEIR ISSUES.

>> MORE REVERBERATIONS FROM THE RECENT ALABAMA SUPREME COURT RULING THAT SAY FROZEN EMBRYOS CAN BE CONSIDERED CHILDREN UNDER STATE LAW IN CIVIL LAWSUITS.

THE UAB HEALTH SYSTEM ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT IS PAUSING ITS IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION TREATMENTS AS IT AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WEIGH THE RISKS OF BEING SUED AS A RESULT OF THE RULING.

IN 2018 THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE PASSED AND VOTERS RATIFIED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT MADE IT THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF UNBORN CHILDREN, WHICH IS IN PART WHAT THE RULING RELIED ON.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> TODD STACY: WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, STATE SENATOR JACK WILLIAMS, MOBILE COUNTY.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR INVITING ME.

>> I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON, HAVE YOU AN INTERESTING PIECE OF LEGISLATION THIS SESSION.

IT PASSED EARLIER THROUGH THE SENATE HAVING TO DO WITH ARTIFICIAL MEAT AND RESTRICTING THE IMPORTATION AND PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL MEAT.

WHAT IS IT AND WHY DOES IT REQUIRE LEGISLATION?

>> THEY ARE MAKING THIS ARTIFICIAL MEAT OUT OF CELLS FROM ANIMALS.

THE ONLY TWO PLANTS, ONE IS IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY ARE MAKING CHICKEN.

IT'S ON THE GO TO COME HERE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE.

IT'S MADE OF NOTHING.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PRODUCT IS GOING TO DO, HOW IT AFFECTS THE PEOPLE.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO AFFECT OUR KIDS LATER ON, IF THEY EAT IT AT 10-YEAR-OLD, IF THEY CAN REPRODUCE.

WE DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ON IT.

SO, THEY TAKE A CELL AND CLONE IT.

>> RIGHT, CLONE IT AND PUT IT IN A BIG VAT, METAL VAT, WHAT THEY USUALLY USE, AND IT MAKES A BIG TUB OF MEAT.

THE CHICKEN DOES NOT HAVE ANY BONE IN IT, JUST CHICKEN MEAT.

>> TODD STACY, YOU SO YOU ARE SAYING THERE'S NOT ENOUGH RESEARCH OR TESTING OUT THERE TO TRUST IT TO BE COMPLETELY SAFE.

>> IT IS NOT.

AND RIGHT AFTER I DONE IT, NASA CONTACTED ME, AND THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO RESEARCH IT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT ON THE CALL LAR -- CALENDAR AND THIS HAS BEEN A BIG SUPPORT FROM THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ON IT.

I EXPECT THAT IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE FLOOR DOWN THERE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS ANY WAY.

>> WHAT COMES TO MIND IS LIKE, IMITATION CRABMEAT AND -- IS THAT THE SAME THING?

>> NO, NO.

THE IMITATION CRABMEAT IS MADE OUT OF FISH THIS.

IS MADE OUT OF A CELL!

I MEAN, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH NOTHING BUT CELLS.

IT'S NOT A BYPRODUCT, NO.

THAT'S WHAT SCARES ME.

PEOPLE ACCUSED ME BECAUSE I'M A CATTLE FARMER.

THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

>> WHAT ABOUT CRITICS, SAY, THEY ARE PROTECTING CATTLE FARM.

>> WELL, I GIFTED MY GRANDSON THE CATTLE FARM BEFORE THIS CAME UP.

AND IT DOESN'T AFFECT ME ON WHAT I RECEIVE.

BUT OTHER FARMERS, THEY CLAIM THAT OUR POPULATION WILL DOUBLE BY 2050 AND THERE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH MEAT PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET.

BUT I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

WE CAN ALWAYS UP OUR PRODUCTION!

>> IT'S A BILL TO WATCH.

ITS GOT AB INTERESTING TITLE, FRANKENSTEIN.

>> THAT'S MY TITLE, FRANKENSTEIN MEATS.

>> WE'LL WATCH THE DEBATE GOING FORWARD.

WHILE I HAVE, YOU HAVE A BILL FOR MAKING FENCING FOR FARMERS MORE AFFORDABLE BY UNTAXING IT.

I WANT TO GET THE TAXES OFF OF IT.

IT'S JUST THE FARMERS.

WE DO A LOT OF FENCING OFF FOR FERAL HOGS NOW TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE CROPS, OUT OF THE HAY FIELDS.

EVERYTHING.

IT'S JUST SO EXPENSIVE THAT THE TAXING WOULD HELP SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

AND THE STATES AROUND US, ALMOST EVERY STATE HAS IT.

>> TODD STACY: REALLY.

>> ALABAMA IS ONE OF THE FEW.

FLORIDA, MISSISSIPPI AND ALL OF THE STATES AROUND US.

I CAN GO THERE AND BUY IT.

>> PHYSICAL FENCING, METAL FENCING AND ALL.

>> METAL POSTS, ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF WIRE AND LOTS OF THE FENCING WE PUT DOUBLE ELECTRIC FENCES AROUND.

WHATEVER YOU CAN DO TO KEEP THE ANIMALS OUT OF YOUR COPS.

>> SO, THESE ARE FENCES THAT DON'T HAVE TO BE BUILT EXCEPT FOR THE FERAL HOG PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE.

MOSTLY, THAT'S A BIG MAJORITY.

MOST OF THE CATTLE FARMERS HAVE THEIR FENCING UP, LIKE US.

>> YOU DON'T NEED A FENCE FOR ROW CROPS.

>> YES, BECAUSE OF THE FERAL HOGS.

>>ONED MY OWN PLACE WE CAUGHT OVER A THOUSAND OF THEM AND THAT'S NOT INCLUDING WHAT WE SHOT.

>> SO, ANY TIME YOU TALK REVENUE THAT'S A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

DO YOU SEE IT ADVANCING.

>> I DO.

I HAD, I THINK, 26 SENATORS SIGN THE BILL.

BOTH SIDES OF THE PARTY LINE.

I'VE TALKED TO ORR AND I SEE IT GOING LAST YEAR, THEY HAD SO MANY TAX CUTS I PROMISED NOT TO BRING IT.

SO THIS YEAR, HE HAS ME IN COMMITTEE AND I FEEL BETTER ABOUT IT.

>> ANOTHER BILL TO WATCH.

THANKS, SENATOR, COMING ON THE SHOW AND EXPLAINING THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME ON THE SHOW.

>> TODD STACY: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK!

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TOMORROW ON THURSDAY, THIS IS HIGHER ED DAY AND JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT IT, GORDON STONE.

GORDON, THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> IT'S A PLEASURE.

>> YOU DO A GOOD JOB.

TOMORROW, HIGHER ED DAY IS EXCITING WHEN THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM ALABAMA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CONVERGE RIGHT HERE TO RALLY, MEET WITH LAWMAKERS.

TELL US WHAT WE HAVE IN STORE FOR THIS HIGHER ED DAY.

>> WELL, IT'S THE MOST EXCITING DAY WITH THE LEGISLATURE BY ALL MEASURES.

WE HAVE A BAND LEADING THE PARADE COMING DOWN OVER TO THE STATE HOUSE, FROM 10:30 TO 11ISH.

11:15 WE DO PLEDGE SIGNING AND THEY COMMIT TO WORKING TOGETHER TO TRY TO MAKE ALABAMA BETTER AND WORKING WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

SOMETHING WE LIKE TO DO EACH YEAR TO SHOW OUR DESIRE TO BE PARTNERS IN PROGRESS TO THE STATE.

WE MOVE TO THE LUNCH TENT OVER TO THE CIRCLE OF TENTS ON THE LAWN CAPITOL, WE'LL HEAR FROM THE LEGISLATORS, KEY MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND ALL OF SORTS OF COMMITTEES.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE THERE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR ELECTED FILLERS.

SO PROUD OF STUDENTS, WORKING HARD TO PREPARE FOR THIS.

THEY HAVE HAD WORKSHOPS TO BE SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD THE ISSUES, LOCAL MEETINGS WITH THE LEGISLATORS AND NOW THEY COME DOWN HERE AND PREPARED TO UNDERSTAND HOW ADVOCACY WORKS AND TO IMPLEMENT THAT BY HAVING MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS.

GREAT TIMING, BUDGETS ARE IN MOTION AND WE'RE MAKING SURE WE'RE INCLUDED THERE AND INCLUDED IN THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS DISCUSSED.

AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF A COUPLE OF APPLICATIONS OF OTHER POLICY ISSUES.

EXCITED TO HAVE OTHERS YEAR, THRILLED ABOUT THE ENERGY IT WILL BRING AND THAT UNIVERSITIES ARE IMPORTANT VALUE ASSETS FOR OUR STATE.

>> AND IN YOUR OP-ED, AS THE STATE FOCUSES ON THE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT, WATCH WORD THIS YEAR.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> DON'T FORGET, WE ALSO NEED PROFESSIONAL JOBS, THINK OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE JOBS TO RECRUIT THOSE TYPE OF JOBS.

I'M KIND OF FUMBLING IT.

BUT TALK ABOUT THAT MESSAGE.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE ECONOMY IS NOT MADE UP OF ONE SECTOR.

OUR ECONOMY IS MADE UP OF MULTIPLE SECTORS.

PARTICULARLY AS THE STATE IS DIVERSE, NATURAL RESOURCES ACROSS THE STATE.

AND IF WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES, WE HAVE TO PREPARE A WORK FORCE AT ALL LEVELS.

DONE A GREAT JOB RECRUITING MANUFACTURING.

AND SOME 86,000 NEW JOBS IN MANUFACTURING.

THAT'S WONDERFUL, WE'RE PREPARING PEOPLE FOR THOSE JOBS.

BUT WE HAVE A WORK FORCE, 180,000 STUDENTS READY AND LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BE INVESTED IN ALABAMA FOR THE LONG TERM.

WE NEED TO RECRUIT JOBS FOR THEM.

WHEN YOU THINK OF WORK FORCE, WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR SCHOOLS ARE THINKING OF THE WHOLE ARRAY OF POSSIBILITIES OUT THERE.

IF THEY WANT TO BE A PILOT, ENGINEER, DOCTOR, IF THEY WANT TO DESIGN AND BUILD THE NEXT COMPUTER SYSTEM TO HELP US CONNECT WITH THE WORLD ECONOMY.

OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE HELPED TO PREPARE THAT PART OF THE ECONOMY, TALKING ABOUT WORK FORCE, WHAT COMES NEXT IS REALLY THE CHOICE OF THE STUDENT AND THE DREAM BEING FULFILLED.

>> WHAT COMES NEXT?

THAT WAS THE TITLE, YEAH.

BUT SPEAKING OF TIMING, IT WAS INTERESTING THAT TODAY, OR I GUESS, YESTERDAY, THE BILL OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION DROPPED.

THERE WAS A COMMITTEE HEARING TODAY AND I SAW YOU SPEAKING AT THAT.

THIS WOULD EFFECT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES BIG TIME.

MAYBE MORE THAN MOST.

WHAT WAS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE SENATORS AS THIS BILL STARTS ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> WELL, THANKS TO SENATOR BARFOOT, WE REPRESENT 14 INSTITUTIONS AND ALL HAVE LOBBYISTS HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE.

AND THEY ARE ALL ASKING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DIALOGUE, THE DISCUSSION AS THE BILL IS BEING CRAFTED TO THE FINAL FORM.

THAT'S WHAT WE ASKED FOR TODAY.

WE ASKED THE COMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROCESS ALLOWS US TO TALK ABOUT THE VARIOUS ISSUES.

OUR INSTITUTIONS ARE COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THEIR MISSIONS.

AND THE MISSION IS TO CHALLENGE PEOPLE TO THINK, GROW, AND TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN BE THE BEST WE CAN WITH THE TALENT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES THE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION VALUABLE TO THE STATE HOW WE DEVELOP DURING THAT FOUR COURSE OF YEARS LEARNING.

WE WANT TO BE SURE WHATEVER POLICY IS INTRODUCED, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY TO FULFILL OUR MISSION.

I DIDN'T TAKE PRO OR AGAINST STANCE AS MUCH AS TODAY LET'S GET OUR VOICES AT THE TABLE TO BE MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE IN LINE WITH WHERE WE NEED TO BE TO BUILD THE ECONOMY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WE WANT SEVENTH GRADERS WHEN THEY LOOK AT WHERE THEY ARE GOING, THIRD GRADERS WHEN THEY ARE DREAMING THEIR FUTURE, WE WANT THEM TO BELIEVE WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO, IT IS POSSIBLE.

WHEN THEY THINK WHAT COMES NEXT FOR ME, AS YOU MENTIONED IT EARLIER, THEY CAN SAY, WE GO TO 4 YEAR, 2 YEAR, THE DOORS ARE OPEN AT BOTH PLACES AND OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ALABAMA FORWARD WE'RE AS DIVERSE OF AN ECONOMY ALL OF OUR PARTS OF THE ENGINE ARE PULLING THE TRAIN.

>> THAT VOICE IS LOUD AND CLEAR TOMORROW ON THE STEPS OF THE STATE HOUSE.

THANKS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU TOMORROW.

>> WE'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME TOMORROW, COME ON DOWN AND WE'LL BE DELIVERING AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE.

>> THANKS AGAIN.

OKAY.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> TODD STACY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

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