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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

TODAY WAS THE THIRD DAY OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION AND THE END TO BUSY WEEK HERE IN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX.

BUDGET HEARINGS CONTINUED FOR THE SECOND DAY, GIVING LAWMAKER A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM STATE AGENCY LEADERS ABOUT THEIR REQUESTS IN GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S PROPOSED BUDGETS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOPLINES OF THOSE PROPOSED BUDGETS FROM THE GOVERNOR.

FOR THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, B FAR THE LARGEST OF THE STATE'S TWO BUDGETS, IVEY IS PROPOSING $9.9 BILLION DOLLARS IN REGULAR EDUCATION SPENDING.

THAT'S AN INCREASE OF $600 MILLION FROM THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

FOR THE GENERAL FUND, IVE IS PROPOSING $3.7 BILLION DOLLARS IN SPENDING.

THAT'S AN INCREASE OF $300 MILLION FROM THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

LOOKING AT THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND, THERE ARE SOME NOTABLE BUDGET REQUESTS FROM ENTITIES FUNDED THERE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS REQUESTING $213, WHICH IS A $12 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE.

THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS ASKING FOR $622 MILLION DOLLARS WHICH IS A $35 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE.

I'LL ACTUALLY BE TALKING WITCH CHANCELLOR JIMMY BAKER ABOUT TH REASON FOR THAT REQUEST LATER I THE SHOW.

THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS A NEW PROGRAM, OR AT LEAST WOULD BE IF PASSED.

IVEY TALKED ABOUT THAT IN HER SPEECH THE OTHER NIGHT.

IT WOULD START OUT WITH A $10 MILLION DOLLAR APPROPRIATION.

THERE'S $158 MILLION PROPOSED FOR COST INCREASES FOR EDUCATIO EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE.

AND THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE FORMERLY THE LABOR DEPARTMENT, IS REQUESTING $19.8 MILLION.

LET'S LOOK AT THE GENERAL FUND WHERE THERE ARE SOME BIG COST INCREASES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS A $827 BILLION DOLLAR REQUEST, WHICH WOULD BE A $90 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE.

THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IS ASKING FOR $12 MILLIO MORE AND A TOTAL BUDGET OF $142 MILLION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH IS REQUESTING $248 MILLION WHIC WOULD BE A $10 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE.

AND JUST LIKE ON THE EDUCATION SIDE, THERE ARE INCREASED COSTS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE WHICH COMES WITH A $2 MILLION DOLLAR ASK.

>> TODAY SAW THE SESSION'S FIRS FLOOR ACTION, AND IT WAS LIVELY IN THE SENATE TO SAY THE LEAST.

THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ITEM WAS THE PROPOSED "WHAT IS A WOMAN" ACT, WHICH WOULD DECLARE TWO SEXES IN ALABAMA LAW AND DEFINE TERMS LIKE MAN, WOMAN, MOTHER, AND FATHER IN STATE LAW.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT AFFIRMS BIOLOGICAL REALITIES AND UPHOLD ALABAMA VALUES, WHILE CRITICS ARGUE IT'S UNNECESSARY AND COUL HARM THE STATE'S REPUTATION.

DESPITE THE HOURS-LONG DEBATE, REPUBLICANS HAD THE VOTES TO PASS IT.

HERE'S WHAT LAWMAKERS HAD TO SAY.

>> WHAT WE DID TODAY WAS PUT INTO LAW OR TRIED TO PUT INTO LAW WITH OUR BILL, THE DEFINITION OF MAN, WOMAN, FATHER, MOTHER, BOY, GIRL, MALE, FEMALE.

AND THESE ARE BIOLOGICAL TRUTHS AND WE JUST ADDED THEM TO LAW.

IT'S A COMMON SENSE BILL THAT CERTAINLY HELPS US PROTECT ALABAMA FAMILIES AND ALABAMA.

VALUES.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO PUT COMMON SENSE INTO LAW WHEN WE HAVE RADICAL THEORIES THAT IMPOSE ALABAMA VALUES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.

>> ALL I'M SAYING TO MY COLLEAGUES IS WE'RE GOING DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE THAT WE DON'T NEED TO GO DOWN.

ONCE AGAIN, SHEDDING A NEGATIVE LIGHT ON THE STATE OF ALABAMA, LIKE WE'RE SOME BACK WOODS -- THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL.

AND I'M SORRY.

I JUST CANNOT AGREE WITH YOUR RATIONALE FOR THIS.

THIS LITTLE SIMPLE LAW AS YOU CALL IT, THIS SIMPLE BILL, THE SIMPLEST THING -- NO.

ABSOLUTELY NO.

IT MAKES NO SENSE.

>> THE CONSEQUENCES, I THINK, ARE NOT WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IT IS.

THEY'RE JUST AGAINST THE BILL I CAN LET THEM HAVE THEIR VOICE AND THEIR OPINION.

THERE WERE TIMES WE WANTED TO CLOTURE BECAUSE SOME OF THE CONVERSATION GOT RIDICULOUS TODAY.

HAVING SAID THAT WE LET THEM HAVE THEIR TIME TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK THEIR MIND AND REPRESENT THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT.

BUT IN THE END, AGAIN, THE BILL PASSED.

>> NOT A DRAMATIC DAY DOWNSTAIR IN THE HOUSE, WHERE LAWMAKERS TOOK UP AN AGENDA OF SUNSET BILLS.

THOSE ARE BILLS REAUTHORIZING STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSION, WHICH IS AN ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITY AND USUALLY TAKE A WHOLE DAY.

HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER SAID HIS MEMBERS KNOW BIG PIECES OF LEGISLATION ARE O THEIR WAY, INCLUDING THE CRIME PACKAGE AND IMMIGRATION BILLS.

>> WE'VE DROPPED THOSE BILLS YESTERDAY SO THEY WILL BE IN COMMITTEE THE NEXT WEEK AND THE FOLLOWING WEEK WE HOPE TO HAVE THEM ON THE FLOOR.

WEE WORKED WITH THE SENATE?

CORD FACE WITH THOSE.

I THINK THEY DROPPED ALL OF THE ONES THEY HAVE YESTERDAY AS WELL AND WE WILL HAVE THEM IN COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK SO I'M WORKING WITH PRO TEM GOVERNOR TO KEEP THEM ON SCHEDULE SO IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYTHING IS ME OF MOVE VERY WELL AND WE WILL CONTINUE THAT GOOD CORPORATION WITH THE SENATE ON THAT AND THE GOVERNOR CERTAINLY IS PAYING ATTENTION WITH THE PACKAGE OF BILLS WE'VE GOT.

THAT IS IMPORTANT TO US AND WE WILL SEE THOSE COME TO THE FLOOR FAIRLY QUICKLY.

WE TALKED WITH OUR MEMBERS THAT'S BEEN WORKING ON IMMIGRATION AND WE A MEETING ABOUT THAT SO WE WILL BE LOOKING AT PUTTING THOSE IN COMMITTEE AND GETTING THOSE THROUGH AS WELL AS THE SENATE.

I THINK IT WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE CRIME PACKAGE.

WE HAVE A FEW BILLS AND THEY WILL HAVE A FEW BILLS AND WE WILL DROP THEM DOWN HERE AND GET OURS RUNNING AND THEY WILL DO THE SAME THERE.

WE WILL SEE THAT COMING.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES BUT WE WILL SEE HOW THEY COME OUT ONCE -- THE ONES THAT WE GET.

I KNOW THEY WILL WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS AND SEE THE ONES THEY'RE GOING TO GET OUT AND THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO THE STATE SO WE WILL CERTAINLY BE MINDFUL OF THAT.

THEY GET THOSE OUT AND WE WILL BE TAKING THOSE UP.

>> AS THIS FIRST WEEK OF THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMES TO A CLOSE NEWLY ELECTED SENATE PRO TEM GARLAN GUDGER IS REFLECTING ON HIS FIRST DAYS IN THAT LEADERSHIP ROLE.

GUDGER WAS FORMALLY ELECTED TO THE POSITION THIS WEEK BY THE FULL SENATE AFTER BEING NOMINATED BY THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS LATE LAST YEAR.

HE REPLACES FORMER PRO TEM GREG REED, WHO RESIGNED FROM THE SENATE TO BECOME GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S NEW SECRETARY OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR A NEW LEADER TO FACE EARLY TESTS FROM THE OPPOSING PARTY, AND GUDGER HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES.

STILL, HE SAYS HE'S LEARNING TH NUANCES OF COMMUNICATION IN THE CHAMBER WHILE WORKING TO ENSURE ALL LAWMAKERS FEEL REPRESENTED.

DESPITE DIFFERING OPINIONS, HE EMPHASIZES A COMMITMENT TO DOIN WHAT'S BEST FOR BOTH INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS AND THE STATE AS A WHOLE.

HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE SO FAR.

>> I'M SURE I SIGNED UP FOR THIS JOB?

IN THE END YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY.

YOU THINK THERE'S COMMUNICATION IN ALL FORMS WHEN YOU'RE PASSING IT TO OTHER PEOPLE AND I THINK PEOPLE COMMUNICATE THE WAY I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMMUNICATED SO HAVING SAID THAT THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

SO I FOUND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT OUT TODAY.

BUT FROM THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING EVERYBODY ON THIS FLOOR IS REPRESENTED AND DOING THEIR JOB FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE STATE KNOWS THAT EVERYONE IN THAT ROOM IN THERE IS INFLUENTIAL OR THEY WOULDN'T BE HERE NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO THEY'RE SMART.

NUMBER THREE, WE WILL TO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THEIR DISTRICTS AND ALSO FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND EVERYONE THAT IS UP THERE, WE MATE HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS BUT THEY'RE DOING WHAT AUTHENTICATION IS RIGHT SO I'M HAPPY TO HAVE BACK AND FORTH TO THE POINT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE THINK IS RIGHT TO PUT TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA >> THIS WEEK PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO BA TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM COMPETING ON GIRLS SPORTS TEAMS THE ORDER, TITLED "KEEPING MEN OUT OF WOMEN'S SPORTS," MANDATE THAT TITLE NINE, THE FEDERAL LA BANNING SEX DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOLS, BE INTERPRETED AS PROHIBITING THE PARTICIPATION O BIOLOGICALLY MALE ATHLETES IN FEMALE SPORTS.

THIS IS A REVERSAL OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S REINTERPRETATION OF TITLE NINE, WHICH EXPRESSLY ALLOWED TRANSGENDER ATHLETES TO COMPETE ON GIRLS TEAMS.

INSTITUTIONS NOT IN COMPLIANCE JEOPARDIZE ANY FEDERAL FUNDING THEY RECEIVE.

THE GUIDANCE WILL ALSO AFFECT U.S. VISA POLICIES FOR ATHLETES WHO TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY TO COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS OR OTHE SPORTING EVENTS, TRUMP SAID.

THE U.S. WILL HOST THE 2028 SUMMER OLYMPICS IN LOS ANGELES.

THE PRESIDENT WAS SURROUNDED BY YOUNG FEMALE ATHLETES AS HE SIGNED THE ORDER.

SEVERAL FROM ALABAMA WERE IN ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE, SENATOR KATIE BRITT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL STEV MARSHALL.

>> BUT ALL OF THAT EPISODE TODAY.

BECAUSE WITH THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER THE WAR ON WOMEN'S SPORTS IS OVER.

WITH MY ACTION THIS AFTERNOON WE'RE PUTTING EVERY SCHOOL RECEIVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON NOTICE THAT IF YOU LET MEN TAKE OVER WOMEN'S SPORTS TEAMS OR INVADE YOUR LOCKER ROOMS, YOU WILL BE INVESTIGATED FOR VIOLATIONS OF TITLE NINE AND RISKIER FEDERAL FUNDING.

THERE WILL BE NO FEDERAL FUNDING.

(APPLAUSE) >> SO THIS WILL EFFECTIVELY END THE ATTACK ON FEMALE ATHLETES AT PUBLIC K-12 SCHOOLS AND VIRTUALLY ALL U.S.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES >> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> TODD: >> THE 1961 FREEDOM RIDERS WERE A PROTEST AGAINST SEGREGATION ON INTERSTATE BUSSES AND TERMINALS IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH.

IT BEGAN MAY 4 AND CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER THE FREEDOM RIDERS, SMALL RACIALLY INTEGRATED TEAMS WERE MET WITH VIOLENCE IN A NUMBER OF STATES AND THEY ENCOUNTERED SOME OF THE WORST VIOLENCE IN ALABAMA, IN ANNISTON A BUS WAS ATTACKED BY A WHITE MOB AND FIRE BOMBED.

IN BIRMINGHAM RIDERS WERE BEATEN BADLY.

POLICE STOOD IDLE AS A MOB OF MORE THAN 2 HUNDRED GATHERED OUTSIDE OF THE BUS TERMINAL AND ATTACKED THE RIDERS AND REPORTERS AND OTHERS.

FEDERAL MARSHALS WERE SET TO RESTORE ORDER.

FOUR DAYS LATER THE FREEDOM RIDERS DEPARTED FOR JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI ESCORTED BY THE NATIONAL GUARD.

THE ACTION LED TO A 1961 ORDER WHICH THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION PROHIBITING TRANSPORTATION OF SEGREGATION IN BUS TRANSPORTATION AND STATIONS NATIONWIDE.

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

JOINING ME NEXT IS JIMMY BAKER CHANCELLOR OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHO >> THANK YOU.

I ALWAYS ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> YOU'RE DOING A HOT.

AND I WANTED TO START -- HERE WE ARE AT THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU HAD A BUSY DAY YESTERDAY, BUDGET HEARING ON THE EDUCATION SIDE SO YOU PRESENTED YOUR BUDGET REQUEST TO THE -- I GUESS, THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN AND THEIR MEMBERS.

INTERESTING BUDGET SEASON, BECAUSE YOU ARE ASKING FOR SOME MORE RESOURCES, SPECIFICALLY TO ALLOW Y'ALL TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE WITH PAY.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT LEADING UP TO SESSION.

IT'S A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT OUT THERE SO YOUR INSTRUCTORS, YOUR FACULTY, IT'S TOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR EVEN THE K-12 SYSTEM.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT NEED IS ALL ABOUT.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GROWN TREMENDOUSLY IN THE WORLD OF HEALTH CARE FACILITY, TRAINING AND ALL OF THAT, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER THINGS.

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, FOR EXAMPLE, IS NO LONGER JUST GIVE SOMEONE A BELOW TORCH AND -- IT'S A LOT MORE SOPHISTICATED THAN THAT.

AND WE FIND, IN MANY INSTANCES, STUDENTS GO THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND THEY BECOME CERTIFIED IN CERTAIN TRAININGS.

THEY GO OUT AND IMMEDIATELY MAKE MORE INCOME THAN THE INSTRUCTOR THEY HAD IN SCHOOL.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, AND I'M NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, THERE'S BEEN LEGISLATION IN THE PAST YEARS THAT HAS INCREASED THE PAY AT THE K-12 LEVEL.

AND WE'RE LITERALLY LOSING SOME INSTRUCTORS TO K-12.

WE DON'T MIND THAT PUT WE HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE.

WE CANNOT FUNCTION AT THE LEVEL WEANED TO FUNCTION IF WE CAN'T HIRE THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE TRAINING THAT CAN BE DELIVERED IN AN ORGANIZED AND CERTIFIED WAY.

>> THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH FOCUS IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEAR ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

REALLY AS THAT WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE HAS BEEN SUCH A FOCAL POINT, WE USED NOT TALKABLE IT AT THE NATIONAL POINT BECAUSE OF COVID AND EVERYTHING BUT THAT BEING THE CASE, Y'ALL ARE SUCH A CENTRAL DOG IN THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT WITHOUT THE INSTRUCTORS, WITHOUT THE PEOPLE, YOU CAN'T MAKE THAT WORK.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

THAT IS TRUE.

>> SO HOW HAVE LAWMAKERS BEEN RECEPTIVE TO YOUR -- >> VERY RECEPTIVE.

AND WE HAVE NOT PROPOSED BRINGING ALL IN AT ONE TIME OVER A PERIOD OF TWO ARE OR THREE YEARS.

THROUGH EFFICIENCIES WE'RE SAYING WE CAN HELP ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THAT.

AS WE GO FORWARD, I FEEL LIKE OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT TWO OR TREE YEARS I HAVE GOTTEN VERY GOOD RESPONSE FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IN BEGINNING TO ADDRESS THAT IN A WAY THAT WILL MAKE SENSE FOR THE STATE.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY BECAUSE OF THE YEARS OF THESE KIND OF RECORD BUDGETS AND MONEY FROM THE FEDS AND ALL OF THAT, IT'S KIND OF DRYING UP.

RESOURCES ARE LIMITED.

SO I'M SURE BUDGET CHAIRMEN PROBABLY HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS ABOUT, CAN YOU CUT HERE, CAN YOU TIGHTEN IT AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

ARE THOSE CONVERSATIONS YOU'RE HAVING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I WANT TO TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT ONE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA THAT Y'ALL ARE REALLY EMPHASIZING RIGHT NOW, AND THAT IS HEALTH CARE.

I GUESS IT WAS JUST THIS WEEK OR LAST WEEK THAT Y'ALL PROTECT GROUND ON A RURAL NURSING FACILITY IN GEORGIANA, I BELIEVE, THAT TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT RURAL HEALTH CARE NEEDED.

BUT THAT'S JUST THE LATEST BECAUSE Y'ALL HAVE THIS BIG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BOARD OF NURSING TO REALLY FOCUS ON THAT AREA BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A SHORTAGE IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY Y'ALL DECIDED TO DO THAT AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATE OF ALABAMA, VERY MUCH OF THE STATE IS STILL RURAL IN A LOT OF WAYS AND HEALTH CARE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, PROBABLY BIGGER THAN MOST FOLKS UNDERSTAND.

AND FINDING PEOPLE THAT CAN TAKE THE TIME AWAY FROM WHATEVER THEY MAY BE DOING IN TERMS OF MAKING A LIVING, COME IN AND GO THROUGH A TRAINING PROGRAM, IS KIND OF KEY.

AND IT CAN'T BE JUST CENTRALIZED IN ONE OR TWO LOCATIONS.

SO WE FOUND A WAY, WORKING WITH THE NURSING BOARD AND ALL OF THE OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED, AND THE HOSPITALS AND THE NURSING HOMES HAVE BEEN MOST COOPERATIVE IN HELPING US WITH THIS.

>> I'M SURE THEY NEED THE HELP?

>> THEY NEED THE HELP AND THEY MADE IT AVAILABLE IN THE TRAINING PROGRAMS.

AND WE DEVELOPED A PROGRAM WHERE WE CAN TRAIN PEOPLE IN A MORE RURAL SETTING THAN EVER HAD BEEN TRAINED BEFORE.

AND IT'S KIND OF MADE NOISE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE'VE HAD 33 STATES TO CONTACT THE STATE NURSING BOARD TO TRY TO FIND HOW DID YOU DO THIS AND HOW ARE YOU MAKING IT WORK AND WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

THE RESULTS ARE WONDERFUL BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE NOW GOING THROUGH AND BEING CERTIFIED IN HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS THAT NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO LEAVE HOME.

>> I SEE.

WELL, I ALSO REMEMBER FROM Y'ALL'S ANNOUNCEMENT, AND TALKING WITH THE BOARD OF NURSING, YOU KNOW PART OF YOUR DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM YOU CAN START ON THE PATH TO ONE OF THESE CERTIFICATIONS IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH I MEAN -- TALK ABOUT A PROMISING CAREER IN SOMETHING LIKE NURSING, YOU CAN GO GET STARTED WHEN YOU'RE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, I THINK -- TO ME, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE PROBABLY HAVEN'T EXPLAINED IN THE PAST.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS OUR LABOR PARTICIPATION RATE IS NOT WHERE IT SHOULD BE, MANY OF OUR STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOL AND NEVER ENCOUNTER THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME MORE EXPOSED TO A CAREER AND WHAT THE TRAINING WOULD BE.

TODAY IN HIGH SCHOOL, A STUDENT CAN GO THROUGH A HIGH SCHOOL WITH DUAL ENROLLMENT, LITERALLY BE INVOLVED IN A TRAINING PROGRAM AND LEAVE SCHOOL ALREADY CERTIFIED TO DO CERTAIN KINDS OF SKILLED TRAINING PROGRAMS AND JOBS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

OR THE OTHER ASPECT OF THAT, THROUGH DUAL ENROLLMENT, A STUDENT CAN LITERALLY SPEND TIME IN DUAL ENROLLMENT IN THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND WHEN THEY COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL, MANY STUDENTS TODAY HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE AT NO EXPENSE TO THE PARENTS.

>> BUT THEY'VE GOT TO KNOW ABOUT IT LIKE YOU SAID.

DO YOU THINK WE'RE GETTING BETTER IN TERMS OF THE STATE EXPLAINING IN THOSE GRADES THAT HEY THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE AND MAYBE HELPING PARENTS UNDERSTAND, LOOK, LET'S GET STARTED, YOU DON'T WANT TO PLAY CATCH UP AND BE BEHIND THE POWER CURVE.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT IN THE PUBLIC.

THERE'S LEGISLATION ALREADY INTRODUCED, SUPPORTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, ABOUT DUAL ENROLLMENT SO THAT EVERY SCHOOL IN THE STATE, EVERY SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS TO OFFER THAT OPPORTUNITY TO STUDENTS.

>> SO THEY WILL KNOW ABOUT IT AT LEAST.

>> AND THEY WILL KNOW ABOUT IT AND THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE ADVERTISING, A LOT MORE PROMOTION OF IT AND THEN THE PARENTS CAN, I THINK, FIND A WAY TO BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE WITH IT AND UNDERSTAND THE ADVANTAGES.

>> RIGHT.

BECAUSE IT'S -- IT HASN'T BEEN AROUND ALL THAT LONG.

IT TAKES A WHILE FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND BE COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

AND LIKE YOU SAID, HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AT THE FAMILY LEVEL, LIKE, ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET BILLY, LET'S TALK ABOUT A CAREER PATH AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

IT'S REALLY NECESSARY IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT.

ANOTHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT RELATED THINGS BUT IT'S REALLY Y'ALL'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, ALSO BUREAU OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, IT'S A KEY ROLE Y'ALL PLAY.

I'M THINKING ABOUT INCOME STATE AND MAKING SURE -- OFFERING THESE TRAINING PROGRAMS TO INMATES THAT ARE BEING RELEASED, BUT WE KNOW THAT WORK, FINDING A JOB, HAVING EMPLOYMENT IS SO KEY TO NOT RE-OFFENDING.

SO TALK ABOUT Y'ALL'S PROGRAM THERE, YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THESE OTHER AGENCIES TO PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM.

>> OUR MISSION, AS IT RELATES TO PRISON EDUCATION, FOR EVERY STUDENT, EVERY PRISONER WHO KNOWS AT SOME POINT THEY'RE GOING TO BE RELEASED, FOR THEM TO HAVE A SKILL THAT IS MARKETABLE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN THERE FULL TIME CALLING ON THIS AND THIS DISTRICT ABOUT WILL YOU HIRE SOMEONE IF THEY HAVE THIS SKILL AND IF THEY HAVE A PRISON RECORD.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO TELL THAT PERSON THAT IS INCARCERATED, IF YOU BEHAVE YOURSELF, WORK HARD AND DEVELOP THIS SKILL, WE CAN PLACE YOU IN A JOB THAT MAKES A LIVING WAGE WHEN YOU WALK OUT THE DOOR.

>> LET'S HEAR ABOUT HOME HOPELESSNESS WHEN IT COMES TO THE PRISON POPULATION.

LIKE HOW AM I GOING TO FIND A JOB AND GET BACK IN SOCIETY, SO IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS KEY, MAKING THAT -- MAKING THEM UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS POSSIBLE.

IT CAN HAPPEN, MAYBE THAT OFFERS THEM A LITTLE BIT OF HOPE.

>> WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN IN THE PAST.

A PRISONER WALKS OUT, THEY GET MAYBE 20 BUCKS AND A SUIT OF CLOTHING JUST A SHIRT AND SLACKS AND THEY'RE OUT ON THAT YOU ARE OWN.

WHAT ARE THEIR GOING TO DO?

HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE MAKE A LIVING?

HOW ARE THEY GOING TO GET THE NEXT MEDICAL OR TRAVEL?

SO WE HAVE RESOLVED THAT PROBLEM.

AND WE WORK WITH DHR AND OTHER AGENCIES AND POOL ALL OF THAT TOGETHER SO THAT THERE IS A PATH FOR SUCCESS.

>> HOW IS IT GOING?

SHOULD WE EXPAND IT?

YOU KNOW, IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE FUTURE THAT WE COULD DO MORE IN TERMS OF THE PRISON EDUCATION?

>> WELL, THIS HASN'T BEEN IN PLACE THAT MANY YEARS.

REALLY ABOUT THREE YEARS.

NOT FULL EVEN THREE-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME.

I THINK WE HAVE TO EXPAND IT IF WE'RE EVER GOING TO DO WHAT WEANED TO BE DOING IN IMPROVING THE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> IT'S JUST SO INTERESTING BECAUSE YOU TALK ABLE TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, LIKE IT'S A BIG STATEWIDE GOAL BUT IT TAILS MULTIPLE AGENCIES ALL COMMUNICATING AND WORKING TOGETHER, REDUCING RECIDIVISM, IT'S A BIG GOAL BUT IT TAKES MULTIPLE AGENCIES.

NOT SO LONG AGO STATE AGENCIES DIDN'T WORK TOO WELL TOGETHER, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER THEY SAY DAYS IN TERMS OF COORDINATING AND ALIGNING YOUR MISSIONS.

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S INTERESTING.

WE LITERALLY ARE IN THE BUSINESS AS WELL WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

WITH TRAINING GUARDS.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM.

THE FEDS HAVE ALWAYS DEEMED US IN THE STATE FOR NOT HAVING ADEQUATE GUARDS IN THE PRISONS BUT WE ACTUALLY ARE CONDUCTING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THOSE GUARDS NOW AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AVAILABLE AND TRAINED.

SO THAT THE PRISON SYSTEM, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THEM.

SO WE'RE DOING A LOT OF THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

I THINK ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS WORKING WITH THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES.

THAT REPRESENTS ALL OF THE CITIES.

WE HAVE NOW CONDUCTED -- WE ARE NOW CONDUCTING TRAINING FOR CITY COUNCILMEN, MAYORS AND OTHER PEOPLE SO THEY WILL BE AWARE OF WHAT THE FEDERAL AND STATE RULES ARE, AS THEY FUNCTION WITHIN OUR CITY.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO GRANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

WE LEARNED THAT LESSON BEFORE.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

AND I HOPE YOU CAN COME BACK DURING THE SESSION AND LET ME KNOW NOW THICKS ARE GOING SO WE CAN SHARE IT WITH OUR AUDIENCE.

>> I WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND I ALWAYS APPRECIATE THIS PLAN AND THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TELL THE STORY OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

>> WE APPRECIATE IT TOO.

TAKE CARE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION IS YOUR PLACE FOR QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, ACCESS TO FREE CURRICULUM, ALIGNED VIDEOS LESSON PLANS AND INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES WITH P.B.S.

LEARNING MEDIA AND ALL OF THE P.B.S.

KIDS PROGRAMS PARENTS KNOW AND TRUST.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY WITH ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

VISIT US AT APT.ORG.ORG/EDUCATION TO LEARN MORE.

>> THE CAHABA LILY IS A NATIVE PLANT NATIVE TO THE RIVER SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA, GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

IN ALABAMA, IT'S BEST KNOWN NATURAL HABITAT IS THE SHOALS OF THE CAHABA RIVER.

IT'S KNOWN FOR THE BEAUTY OF ITS THREE INCH WHITE FLOUR.

EACH SIX PETALS SURROUND A CRONE 5-THAT CONNECTS THE LOWER PORTION OF THE STAMEN.

THE SCIENTIFIC NAME TRANSLATED IS "BEAUTIFUL CROWN LIKE MEMBRANE" ACCURATELY DEPICTS THESE CHARACTERISTICS.

THE LILY REQUIRES A SPECIALIZED HABITAT OF SWIFT FLOWING WATER OVER ROCKS IN AN OPEN CANOPY.

THE PLANTS SPEND THE WINTER IN THE ROCKY WINTER BED.

LEAVES EMERGE IN MID APRIL.

FLOWERING COMMENCES IN MAY PEAKING IN LATE MAY AND JUNE.

THE FLOWERS ATTRACT A VARIETY OF POLLINATORS AND LARGE NUMBERS OF CANOERS AND KAYAKERS DURING THE SPRING BLOOMING PERIOD.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT FOR OUR "WEEK IN REVIEW" EPISODE AT 7:30 RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

SEE YOU NEXT TIME.