STAND BY.

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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

TODAY WAS THE SECOND DAY OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S REGULAR SESSION.

BUT THE CAPITOL WAS STILL ABUZZ OVER GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LAST NIGHT THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT AN ARRAY OF ISSUES, BUT CLOSED THE SPEECH CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO JOIN HER IN ADDRESSING VIOLENT CRIME.

IT ELICITED A BIPARTISAN RESPONSE.

>> FOLKS THINK PUBLIC SAFETY IS MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THIS SESSION.

I AM PROUD TO PARTNER WITH SPEAKER LEDBETTER AND A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LEGISLATORS IN PUTTING FORTH A PACKAGE OF BILLS BACK THE BLUE AND COMBAT INNER CITY GUN VIOLENCE.

TO BACK THE BLUE, WE WILL PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH ENHANCED LEGAL PROTECTIONS THAT ALLOW THEM TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES COURAGEOUSLY, EFFECTIVEL AND WITHOUT FEAR OF MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING IN THE COURTS.

WE WILL SPANISH FORT LONG-STANDING FAMILIES THROUGH DEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE.

THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT ALABAMA HAS THEIR BACKS.

[APPLAUSE] WE WILL CRACK DOWN ON DANGEROUS DOWN ON VIOLENCE WITH DANGER INNER CITY GUNS AND EXPAND SOMETHING LAWS AND BOOST OUR SUCCESSFUL METRO CRIMES SUPPRESSION UNIT, BAN GLOCK SWITCHES AND ENHANCE SUPERVISIO OF HIGH RISK JUVENILES.

WORKING TOGETHER, WE'LL CREATE SAFER ALABAMA.

>> WE GOT OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGETS TODAY.

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, THE GOVERNOR IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE DAY.

FINANCE DIRECTOR BILL POOLE HEL A BRIEFING WITH REPORTERS EXPLAINING HOW THE STATE WILL B RETURNING TO MORE NORMAL BUDGET LEVELS AFTER MULTIPLE YEARS OF REVENUE BEING ENHANCED BY FEDERAL COVID RELIEF DOLLARS.

WHILE BOTH THE GENERAL FUND AND THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND REMAIN IN STRONG FINANCIAL SHAPE, POOL EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR A MORE CAUTIOUS APPROACH AS LAWMAKERS BEGIN BUDGET DELIBERATIONS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> WE'VE HAD REALLY THE BEST OF TIMES IN BOTH BUDGETS FOR THREE FOUR, FIVE YEARS.

SO, THIS IS A NORMALIZATION BAC TO HISTORIC NORMS.

SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT CONTEXT WITHIN THIS DISCUSSION.

WE'VE ANTICIPATED THAT THESE ANOMALIES WOULD NOT SUSTAIN ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, IT'S DRIVEN FROM THE SITE ON INCOME STATE DEPOSITS, AND THE HISTORICAL NORMS THERE AND WE'V BEEN FAR FAR FROM THE HISTORICA NORM.

AND EDUCATION SIDE WE'VE SEEN SEVERAL CONSECUTIVE YEARS 20% PLUS GROWTH.

AND YEAR OVER YEAR, GROWTH IS 3 TO 4%.

WE'RE PROJECTING IN FY25, LESS THAN 2% GROWTH IN THE ETF.

WE'RE CONCERNED BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL IN ANTICIPATING THE CHANGES.

THEY ARE NOT SURPRISES AND THEY ARE ALSO REFLECTIVE OF WHAT THE CONTEXT OF, WE'VE SEEN INFLATED REVENUE IN BOTH BUDGETS OVER RECENT YEARS.

>> OF COURSE IT IS THE LEGISLATURE THAT MUST TAKE UP THE BUDGETS AND TAKE THEM THROUGH THE ARDUOUS PROCESS OF BEING ENACTED.

TODAY, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEES HEARD FROM AGENCY HEADS ABOUT THEIR BUDGET REQUESTS AND WHAT FUNDS ARE NEEDED FOR WHAT PROJECTS.

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>> THE PRESENTATION, WE KIND OF KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO BE SAID.

THE STATE GENERAL FUND IS GOING TO BE A DISASTER YEAR, NOT TIGHT BUT TIGHT.

AND WE'RE SEEING THE REVENUES TENDING BACK TO THE NORMS.

ALL IN ALL, YOU HEARD THE LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICER SAY, ALABAMA IS IN ONE OF THE BEST SHAPES AMONGST OUR SISTER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT'S A GOOD SIGN THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THINGS LIGHT.

AGAIN, ON THE GENERAL FUNDER SIDE, A LOT OF CHALLENGES AND MEDICAID GOING UP, MOVE CORRECTIONS GOING UP, THE CHIPS PROGRAM GOING UP, CHILDRENS' HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, THEY HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL.

WE DIDN'T CREATE THEM HERE IN ALABAMA BUT THEY ARE CERTAINLY GOING TO NEED TO BE VERY MINDFUL OF THOSE INCREASED COSTS COMING FORWARD.

>> ONE OF GOVERNOR IVEY'S TOP PRIORITIES FROM LAST NIGHT'S SPEECH IS A SWEEPING REORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMEN OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS.

IVEY IS NOW PUSHING TO INTEGRAT THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY INTO HE ADMINISTRATION.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD ELEVATE THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER T A CABINET-LEVEL POSITION WHILE REDUCING THE SIZE OF THE VETERAN'S BOARD.

TODAY IN THE SENATE VETERANS AN MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SENATOR ANDREW JONES INTRODUCED A BILL TO ENACT THESE REFORMS.

THE MEASURE PASSED THE COMMITTEE, THOUGH IT DID FACE SOME PUSHBACK FROM WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN RANKS.

>> THAT JUST BROUGHT A LOT OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS TO LIGHT, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT WORKS AND COORDINATES HAND IN HAND WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

ULTIMATELY THAT HAS TO HAPPEN.

AND I THINKING THIS BILL ASSURE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND ALSO, IT'S GOING TO INCREAS INVOLVEMENT FROM OTHER VETERANS GROUPS.

>> VETERANS, A LOT OF THEM ARE VERY CONCERNED, THEY FEEL LIKE THEY MAY BE LOSING SOME TOUCH I SOME AREAS.

SO, I THINK THERE JUST NEEDS TO BE SOME WORK IN EDUCATION OR ADAPTATIONS TO THIS BEFORE IT COMES TO THE FLOOR.

>> SEEMS LIKE THEY WOULD LIKE T HAVE A LITTLE INPUT INTO THAT, SEE WHAT THE DIRECTION IS.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN THOUGHT OUT.

BUT MY CONCERN IS WITH THERES.

WE HAVE A LARGE VETERAN COMMUNITY THERE IN DISTRICT 31.

SO, I HOPE TO WORK WITH YOU.

IF THIS GETS THROUGH COMMITTEE, HOPEFULLY WE CAN LISTEN TO THE STAKEHOLDERS AND MAKE CHANGES FAVORABLE TO THEM.

>> I'LL SPEAK WITH SENATOR JONE IN MORE DETAIL LATER IN THE SHOW.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ADVANCED A BILL THAT WOULD IMPOSE AN AUTOMATIC DEATH SENTENCE FOR ANYONE CONVICTED O CHILD RAPE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON IS A FORMER PROSECUTOR WHO HAS WORKED CHILD RAPE CASES HE SAYS THE EXISTING MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IN PRISON DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

THE BILL ORIGINALLY APPLIED TO THOSE CONVICTED OF RAPING A CHILD YOUNGER THAN 6, THOUGH REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD RAISE THE APPLICABLE AGE TO 12 AND UNDER.

THAT WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY B THE COMMITTEE.

>> I PROSECUTED THESE CASES AND PROSECUTED THESE CASES FROM MY TIME IN BALDWIN COUNTY, AND THIS WAS MY SPECIALTY WHERE CHILDREN WERE VICTIMS OF THESE RAPES.

THIS IS THE WORST OF THE WORST OFFENSE TO ME.

YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY GETS MAD AND KILLED SOMEBODY, I CAN SEE THAT MORE THAN SOMEBODY THAT RAPES AND TAKES AWAY THE INNOCENCE OF A CHILD THAT YOUNG THAT PERSON IS NOT REHABILITATABLE AND THAT PERSON CANNOT GET BACK ON THE STREETS.

AND IF THAT PERSON SAYS, OH, THIS IS NOT WHERE, IF I CAN HAVE SOME TREATMENT I'LL BE BACK.

THAT PERSON CAN NEVER GET THAT.

THIS IS THE WORST OF THE WORST AND IT NEEDS THE WORST OF THE WORST PUNISHMENT.

>> WE'VE TALKED FOR WEEKS ABOUT HOW IMMIGRATION WOULD BE A BIG TOPIC IN THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIV SESSION, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE DRAMATIC CHANGE IN ENFORCEMENT ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THAT PROCESS STARTED TODAY IN THE SENATE STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK UP A NUMBER OF BILLS RELATED TO IMMIGRATION AN IMMIGRANTS.

ONE BILL WOULD IMPOSE A FEE ON WIRE TRANSFERS GOING OUT OF THE COUNTRY IN AN EFFORT TO DETER THE PRACTICE OF MIGRANTS WORKIN HERE AND SENDING MONEY BACK TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES.

ANOTHER BILL WOULD REQUIRE STAT AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLECT DNA AND FINGERPRINTS FROM ANY ILLEGAL ALIEN THEY ARREST TO ASSIST IN THE FEDERAL DEPORTATION PROCESS.

AND ANOTHER BILL WOULD MAKE IT STATE CRIME TO HARBOUR OR CONCEAL AN ILLEGAL ALIEN.

THOSE BILLS ADVANCED THROUGH COMMITTEE BUT NOT BEFORE RECEIVING PUSH BACK.

>> THIS BILL AS WELL AS THE OTHER ANTI-IMMIGRANT BILLS ARE ONLY GOING TO DETER ME FROM STAYING IN ALABAMA TO PURSUE MY HIGHER EDUCATION AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER STUDENTS WHO WANT TO DO THE SAME.

BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE ON THE RIGHT FOR HISTORY.

AND THINK, ALL OF YOU, DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THE RIGHT FOR HISTORY.

WE HAVE AN EXTENSIVE HISTORY OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND THIS BILL ONLY CREATES, YOU KNOW, WILL ONLY JUSTIFY THE NEED FOR RACIAL PROFILING.

>> WE HAVE A DNA DATABASE TO PU AMERICANS IN.

WE'RE ADDING JUST ONE MORE GROU TO THIS DATABASE.

IT'S NOT, I THINKING, WITH THE MEDIA SENSATION, THIS IS NOT WHAT I HEARD ON SOME OF THE PEOPLE UP HERE.

I'M NOT TRYING TO DO ANY OF THAT.

WE'RE ADDING ONE PARAGRAPH INTO WHAT WE HAVE.

WE'RE NOT REALLY CREATING ANYTHING.

WE'RE CHANGING JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE ILLEGAL.

WE'RE DOING IT ALREADY.

>> EARLY THIS MORNING, LAWMAKERS, CABINET MEMBERS AND POLITICOS OF ALL STRIPES GATHERED FOR THE FIRST OF THE ALABAMA DAILY NEWS LEGISLATIVE ISSUES BREAKFAST SERIES.

THIS EVEN FEATURED MY PANEL CONVERSATION WITH HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GARLAN GUDGER AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS.

WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES BUT AS AN INTERESTING TWIST FOR A CROWD THAT INCLUDED A LOT OF LOBBYISTS, I ASKED WHAT ADVICE THE LEADERS HAD FOR THOSE WHO COME TO THEM ADVOCATING LEGISLATION.

GUDGER HAD SOME SIMPLE ADVICE: BE STRAIGHT UP AND TELL THE WHOLE STORY.

>> I BELIEVE THE TWO GENTLEMEN FROM MY RIGHT ARE SOUND DRIVEN AND CHARACTER DRIVEN, GIVE SOUND ADVICE BUT THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD TO THAT, BRING ANY TYPE OF BILLS, LEGISLATION, OBVIOUSLY INTO ME TODAY OR TOMORROW AND GIVE ME THE FULL PICTURE.

SOME OF YOU DO, SOME OF YOU DON'T.

JUST TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

BUT HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST.

HAVE WE THOUGHT THROUGH DILIGENTLY ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES AND WHAT OTHER CONSEQUENCES GIVE ME THE FULL PICTURE AND WE'LL MAKE A HE EDUCATED DECISION.

NO DOUBT I HAVE THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST MEN AND WOMEN UP THERE, AND BEING THERE TO HELP ALABAMA.

NO DOUBT OF YOUR MOTIVE.

BUT DON'T GIVE US HALF OF THE PICTURE AND EXPECT US TO EXPECT US TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION.

>> I WANT TO THANK THOSE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP FOR THEI TIME AND CANDOR AND THANK EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED TO MAKE I A QUALITY EVENT.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH STATE SENATOR ANDREW JONES TO TALK ABOUT BILL IMPACTING VETERANS THIS SESSION STAY WITH US.

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>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, STATE SENATOR ANDREW JONES, YOU CHAIRED THE VETERANS COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE.

HAD A BIG MEETING, A LOT ON THE AGENDA.

STATE SENATOR ANDREW JONES.

NOW, YOU GOT A SHOUT-OUT, PERSONAL NAMED, CHECKED AND TALKED ABOUT HER PRIOR ADVERTISING THE VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT AND HER PRIOR ADVERTISING VETERANS AFFAIRS.

>> I THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK AND REALLY EMPHASIZED VETERANS AND TAKING CARE OF VETERANS.

I THINKING THESE BILLS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT DO JUST THAT.

AND I THINKING IT'S FOCUSED ON THE HIGHLIGHT AND PROGRESS ON THE MILITARY ISSUES AND WE'RE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE TOP FRIENDLY MILITARY STATES IN THE NATION.

AND NUMBER TWO, RETIRE AND LIVE IN THE STATE, ALABAMA RANKS NUMBER TWO.

MAKING PROGRESS AND APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP.

>> HIGHLIGHTING HER GUEST, STATE OF THE STATE, THAT WAS A BIG EMOTIONAL MOMENT.

REALLY, THE BIGGEST EMOTIONAL MOMENT OF THE NIGHT.

OKAY.

TALKING ABOUT THE VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER.

IN THE SPEECH, YOU HAVE LEGISLATION.

WHAT'S THE CONCEPT.

>> WE NEED A ONE STOP SHOP FOR VETERANS TO GO AND GET ACCESS TO EITHER HELPING THEM TO FIND A JOB, BENEFITS, TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

WE NEED A PLACE TO GO.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, CALLING IT A HUB AND SPOKE MODEL.

THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE COORDINATION OF EFFORT.

NEEDS TO BE ONE PLACE THAT A VETERAN CAN GO AND GET ASSISTANCE, THAT KIND OF COORDINATES WITH AWFUL THESE OTHERS.

PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP AND EXPECT IT TO BE LOCATED HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE SEEDED WITH THE MONEY FROM THE STATE AND EVENTUALLY, TOTALLY RUN BY PRIVATE DOLLARS.

>> IF I AM A VETERAN AND MAYBE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT, FIGURING OUT CREDENTIALS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT'S ONE OF THE RESOURCE THAT IS IT WOULD PROVIDE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT WOULD BE A PLACE TO GO IN HELPING FOR ASSISTANCE, TRANSITION TO MILITARY LIFE INTO PUBLIC LIFE OR PRIVATE LIFE WITH A DIFFERENT EMPLOYMENT BUT UTILIZING THOSE SKILLS YOU GET IN THE MILITARY.

>> WHAT DO YOU HEAR?

DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

KIND OF HARD TO ARGUE IF IT'S LONG-TERM GOING TO BE FINANCED BY ITSELF.

>> DEFINITELY.

I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANYBODY HAVING AN ISSUE AND HARD TO IMAGINE ANYBODY VICK HAVING AN ISSUE HELPING AND SERVING VETERANS.

IT'S A BILL THAT'S LONG BEEN NEEDED AND TIME THAT WE CONSOLIDATE EFFORT AND PULL THOSE IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

>> ALSO, YOUR LEGISLATION, AND THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED THIS TOO, RESTRUCTURING THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO ALL OF THE DRAMA BUT IT WAS A ROCKY YEAR FOR THE V.A.

HERE ENDING UP WITH THE DISMISSAL OF THE DIRECTOR.

SO, YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT, THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT, THIS ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO BE RESTRUCTURED AND ALSO, YOU USED THE WORD, I FOUND IT INTERESTING, ELEVATED.

ELEVATING THAT DIRECTOR PERSON TO A CABINET LEVEL TO GIVE THEM A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

SO, YOU HAVE LEGISLATION TO DO THAN A IT'S STARTING TO MOVE.

>> YEAH, START TO GO MOVE.

GOT IT OUT OF COMMITTEE TODAY.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS WRAPPING THEIR HIDS AROUND THE DIFFERENCES, WHAT IT WOULD BE.

ONE, MORE STREAMLINE BOARD.

THE CURRENT BOARD HAS 17 MEMBERS AND REQUIRED TO BE LARGELY FROM THE VETERANS SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS AND THEY ARE NOT REPRESENTED -- >> IS THAT LIKE THE VFW, AMERICAN LEGION.

>> YEAH, ALL OF THOSE.

>> AND WE WANT TO HAVE A MORE INCLUSIVE BOARD TO REFLECT THE FULL ARRAY OF MILITARY PERSONNEL, BRANCHES OF SERVICES AND COMING TO THE TABLE, WE WANT A STREAMLINED BOARD.

TAKING IT FROM 17 TO 9.

THIS WOULD BE ADVISORY ENTITY MUCH LIKE OTHER STATE AGENCIES.

THINKING ABOUT THE ABC BOARD, MENTAL HEALTH BOARD, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME MODEL WHERE WE HAVE A COMMISSIONER, DIRECT LEE REPORTING TO THE GOVERNOR, THE BUCK STOPS WITH HER.

AND THEN HAVE YOU A BOARD ADVISORY CAPACITY BRINGING IN EXPERTS IN THE FIELD.

IN THIS CASE, WITH THE VETERANS, PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THERE AND SERVED THE STATE IN THAT CAPACITY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO HELP VETERANS.

SO, I THINK THIS, YOU USED THE RIGHT WORD, HE WILL SERRATES THE POSITION BY MAKING IT A CABINET-LEVEL AGENCY AND MAKING THE BUCK STOP WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> AND I FIND THAT, SOUNDS LIKE A NORMALIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT, MOST AGENCIES OPERATE LIKE THIS.

AND IF ANYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE CHAIN OF COMMAND, IT WOULD BE THE VETERANS THEMSELVES.

SO, DO YOU THINK THAT THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE REFORMS, WOULD REALLY HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF THE VETERANS AT THE STATE IF WE CAN GET THEM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> I DO.

THINK ANY TIME YOU HAVE SOMEONE SITTING IN A ROOM WITH THE GOVERNOR, THAT'S ONLY A GOOD THING.

THIS IS GOING TO HELP, YOU KNOW, RAISE THOSE ISSUES UP TO THE GUBERNATORIAL LEVEL AND HELP THEM, BRINGING THEM INTO THE FULL FOLD OF STATE GOVERNMENT ADVOCATING FOR THE ISSUES IMPORTANT TO VETERANS.

SO, THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IS ALREADY INTERIM DIRECTOR, COMMISSIONER NEWTON, DOING A STELLAR JOB, AND HELP HIM TO BRING THE FULL RESOURCES TO STATE GOVERNMENT TO BARE.

>> AND THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER GOVERNOR IN TWO YEARS, WITH A NEW CABINET AND ALL OF THAT.

SO, MAYBE TRYING TO RECRUIT SOMEBODY, I WOULD RATHER, MORE ATTRACTIVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET GOING YOU ARE GOING TO BE PLUGGED INTO THE ADMINISTRATION RATHER THAN A QUASI SITUATION.

SO, I'LL BE WATCHING THAT BILL, I THINKING EVERYBODY WILL.

NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT VETERANS AND MENTAL HEALTH.

THAT'S WHAT THE DUST UP WAS ALL ABOUT.

MISCOMMUNICATION AND GOING ROGUE ON SOME OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ESPECIALLY AS PERTAINS TO ARPA FUNDS.

NOW, YOU CREATED THIS FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, THERE'S A LOT OF COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES AND COMMISSIONS AND THINGS THAT GET FORMED.

THEY DO SOME WORK, HAVE MEETINGS AND WHAT COMES OUT, SOMETIMES PRO FORMA GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS A LITTLE BIT.

I'VE BEEN TO MOST EVERY ONE OF THESE MEETINGS.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

I'VE BEEN REALLY IMPRESSED BY THE DEPTH, THE THOROUGHNESS AND THE FACT THAT WHERE IT'S JUST OVER MY HEAD HOW MUCH DATA THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

SO, SINCE IT WAS YOUR BILL, TALK ABOUT AND REFLECT ON THAT, THEY MOVED QUICKLY, THOROUGHLY.

HAVE YOU BEEN PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS THUS FAR?

>> YES, REALLY IT'S ONE OF THE MOST AGGRESSIVE TASK FORCES THAT I HAVE SERVED ON IN THAT WE'RE MOVING QUICKLY.

WE'RE NOT JUST MEETING TO MEET.

WE'RE WORKING THROUGH ALL OF THE DATA.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THOSE MEETINGS.

IN PARTICULAR, THERE'S GOING TO BE A BILL, I BELIEVE, SENATOR KELLY IS GOING TO CARRY ON SAFE STORAGE, FIREARMS FOR VETERANS WHO MAY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY, THEIR ABILITY TO HANDLE WEAPONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE VETERANS RESOURCE COMMITTEE.

>> THAT CAME OUT OF COMMITTEE.

>> WERE IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE COMMITTEE AND VOTED TO SUPPORT AND RECOMMEND IT.

YEAH.

ALL OF THOSE TYPE THINGS, AS WELL AS THE REPORT, THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AT THE CONCLUSION, WE'RE DUE TO HAVE A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR BY JULY.

SHE'S GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THAT AND SIGN OFF ON THAT.

AND THAT WOULD EFFECT ALL VETERANS ACROSS THE STATE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES NEEDS.

>> AND THE DATA IS IMPORTANT, THESE LASTED TWO, THREE HOURS AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH DATA AND I THINKING IT'S SO IMPORTANT, BUT HOW DO YOU EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS A PROBLEM UNLESS YOU TRULY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, STATISTICALLY USING THE DATA.

AND DO YOU THINK THAT'S SMART PEOPLE USING THE DATA AND GOING DEEP TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS.

>> I DO.

IF YOU FOLLOW THE DATA AND YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS VERY SMART AND CAN LEAD YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN FINDING THE DATA FIRST AND FOLLOWING WHERE IT LEADS, THEN YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE AN OVERWHELMING CHANCE OF A SUCCESS IN MY PLACE BECAUSE THEY FOLLOWED THE BREAD CRUMBS.

>> WELL, GOING TO BE A LONG SESSION AND WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THEM ALL.

HOPE YOU COME BACK AND SHARE THIS.

>> WE EXPECT 12-15 MILITARY BILLS AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG PACKAGE THIS YEAR.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE QUILTERS OF GEE'S BENDS ARE WORLD RENOUNCE FOR THE QUILT DESIGNS.

INHABITANT OF THE RIVER TOWN ARE MOSTLY SLAVE HISTORY.

QUILTS HAVE A LONG HISTORY IN ALABAMA AND MOTIVES AND CRAFTSMANSHIP OF OF THE AREA,GEE'S BEND.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT, RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACEY.