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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE FIRST WEEK OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION IS IN THE BOOKS.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET FOR THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD DAYS OF THE SESSION THAT CAN LAST 30 LEGISLATIVE DAYS WITHIN 105 CALENDAR DAYS.

OF COURSE, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY KICKED THINGS OFF WITH PAGEANTRY TUESDAY WITH HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT AN ARRAY OF ISSUES FROM EDUCATION TO IMMIGRATION BUT CLOSED THE SPEECH SAYING ADDRESSING VIOLENT CRIME IS HER TOP ISSUE THIS YEAR.

SHE CALLED ON THE LEGISLATURE TO WORK WITH HER TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

>> BOLSTERING PUBLIC SAFETY IS MY KNURL ONE PRIORITY FOR THIS SESSION, AND I AM PROUD TO PARTNER WITH SPEAKER LEDBETTER AND A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LEGISLATORS IN PUTTING FORWARD A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WILL 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 AND EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT FEAR OF MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING IN THE COURTS.

WE WILL SUPPORT LONG-SERVING LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILIES THROUGH DEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIPS.

ALL OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE, AND THEY NEED TO KNOW ALABAMA HAS THEIR BACKS.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE WILL CRACK DOWN ON INNER AT THIS VIOLENCE BY ENHANCING PENALTIES FOR DANGEROUS FELONS WITH GUNS.

WE WILL EXPAND AN OURS LAW, BOOST OUR METRO AREA CRIME SUPPRESSION UNIT, BAN GLOCK SWITCHES, AND WE WILL ENHANCE SUPERVISION OF HIGH RISK JUVENILES.

WORKING TOGETHER, WE WILL CREATE A SAFER ALABAMA.

>> DELIVERING THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE THIS YEAR WAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ONTARIO TILLMAN.

HE SAID DEMOCRATS WANT TO FIND WAYS THIS SESSION TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ALABAMIANS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.

>> SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF OUR LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, MY COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE SPENT AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AND ENERGY ON HAVING DIRECT, FRANK DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PEOPLE AND FAMILIES IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC POLICY WE SUPPORT ADDRESSES THEIR NEEDS, THEIR CONCERNS AND THEIR COLLECTIVE WELL BEING.

>> WE HAD A SPECIAL GUEST AS PART OF OUR STATE OF THE STATE COVERAGE TUESDAY NIGHT.

MISS AMERICA ABBIE STOCKARD JOINED ME HERE IN STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT HER BEING INVITED BY GOVERNOR IVEY TO ATTEND THE STATE OF THE STATE.

THE VESTAVIA NATIVE AND AUBURN SENIOR ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUNG PEOPLE BEING ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES.

>> I WAS INCREDIBLY HONORED TO BE INVITED.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN ALABAMA MY ENTIRE LIFE.

I AM A NATIVE OF VESTAVIA HILLS.

LIVING IN THE STATE IS ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN.

I AM HONORED TO HAVE FORGED A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

I HAVE VISITED WITH HER MULTIPLE TIMES, SAW HER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AT THE INAUGURATION.

I AM SO HONORED TO REPRESENT ALABAMA AS MISS AMERICA THIS YEAR.

I WAS CROWNED THREE WEEKS AGO AND, IN THIS SHORT TIME, I HAVE SEEN AND FELT AN OUTPOURING OF ENCOURAGEMENT, LOVE AND APPRECIATION.

I AM SO EXCITED TO REPRESENT ALABAMA.

I ADMIRE GOVERNOR IVEY AND EXCITED FOR THE BOLD STEPS SHE WILL CONTINUE TAKING THIS YEAR SO WE CAN CONTINUE CREATING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE LIVING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THE WAY I SEE MISS AMERICA IS SHE IS A LIGHT, ROLE MODEL AND INSPIRATION.

SHE HAS THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE AND CONNECT WITH PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE AND BACKGROUND.

THE MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION IS THE PREMIERE PLATFORM FOR YOUNG WOMEN ACROSS THE NATION, EQUIPPING YOUNG WOMEN WITH SKILL SETS THAT WILL HELP THEM BEYOND THE CROWN.

YOUNG WOMEN CAN CHASE THEIR DREAMS WITHOUT LIMITS, CREATE A PLATFORM AND USE THEIR VOICE AND KNOW IT CARRIES WEIGHT.

I GET TO AFFECTED KIT FOR IMPORTANT MATTERS TO ME, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT.

THE MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION IS APOLITICAL.

WE NEVER LEANED TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

WE'RE THE MISS AMERICA FOR EVERYBODY.

YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW IT'S CRUCIAL TO UTILIZE THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST SACRED RIGHTS WE HAVE IN OUR FACING.

I USE THIS POSITION TO ENCOURAGE VOTING AND ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER IN ORGANIZATIONS THEY ARE IMPASSIONED ABOUT AND KNOW WHAT THE GOING ON IN THE STATE AND COUNTRY.

THIS WILL UPHOLD OUR DEMOCRACY AND WILL REMAIN TRANSPARENT, INCLUSIVE AND RESPONSIVE.

>> THAT WAS FUN INTERVIEW AND WE APPRECIATE ABBIE TAKING THE TIME.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

JUST GO TO YOUTUBE.COM@CAPTIOLJOURNAL.

AND HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON WHILE YOU'RE THERE.

THE FIRST WEEK OF SESSION ALWAYS BRINGS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STATE'S BUDGETS.

THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THE GOVERNOR TO SUBMIT PROPOSED GENERAL FUND AND EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGETS TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE SECOND DAY.

LAWMAKERS GATHERED ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FOR A SERIES OF BUDGET HEARINGS ALLOWING STATE AGENCY HEADS TO EXPLAIN THEIR BUDGET REQUESTS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.

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

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

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

FOR THE GENERAL FUND, IVEY IS PROPOSING $3.7 BILLION 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.

ACCS CHANCELLOR JIMMY BAKER EXPLAINED THAT THE INCREASE IS NEEDED TO PAY INSTRUCTORS ADEQUATELY IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

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

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

THERE'S $158 MILLION PROPOSED FOR RETIREMENT AND HEALTHCARE COST INCREASES FOR EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

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.

THAT MOSTLY GOES TO INMATE HEALTHCARE AND SALARIES FOR CORRECTIONS OFFICERS.

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

PART OF THAT INCREASE IS FOR THE METRO CRIME SUPPRESSION TASK FORCES WE'VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT.

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

THAT'S PART OF THEIR LONG TERM GOAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CIVIL COMMITMENT BEDS GIVEN THE CURRENT SHORTAGE.

AND JUST LIKE ON THE EDUCATION SIDE, THERE ARE INCREASED COSTS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE WHICH COMES WITH A $21 MILLION DOLLAR ASK.

STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR CHAIRS THE SENATE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE, BUT HE ALSO USED TO CHAIR THE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE.

HE SAID LAWMAKERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN WORKING TO MAKE SURE THE STATE'S VARIOUS AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS HAVE THE PROPER RESOURCES.

HE SAID IT IS GOOD THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN CONSERVATIVE IN ITS BUDGETING APPROACH IN RECENT YEARS PUTTING PLENTY OF MONEY INTO SAVINGS.

>> THE PRESENTATION, WE KIND OF KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO BE SAID AND THAT IS THE STATE GENERAL FUND IS GOING TO BE KIND OF A TIGHT YEAR, NOT A DISASTER YEAR, BUT TIGHT.

THEN ON THE EDUCATION SIDE, WE'RE SEEING REVENUES TRIM BACK TO THE NORMAL.

SO WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THE FLEXIBILITY WE USED TO HAVE.

BUT ALL IN ALL, YOU HEARD THE LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE DIRECTOR SAY ALABAMA IS IN THE BEST SHAPE AMONG THE STATES -- OUR SISTER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO IT'S A GOOD SIGN WE HAVE BEEN DOING THINGS RIGHT.

ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, A LOT OF CHALLENGES THAT THEY HAVE, AND WITH MEDICAID GOING UP, CORRECTIONS, AND THE MOVE IN CORRECTIONS GOING UP, AND THE CHIPS PROGRAM GOING UP, THAT'S THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, SO THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF CHALLENGES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL.

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

>> WE SAW THE FIRST FLOOR ACTION OF THE SESSION THIS WEEK.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TOOK CARE OF THEIR SUNSET BUSINESS PASSING A SERIES OF BILLS REAUTHORIZING VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT REQUIRE ANNUAL APPROVAL.

BUT THE TALK WAS ALL ANT THE MORE HIGH-PROFILE PROPOSALS THAT ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE FLOOR IN THE COMING WEEKS.

RANDY SCOTT REPORTS FROM THE HOUSE.

>> GAVEL.

>> 2025'S REGULAR SESSION IS HERE.

NEW BILLS ARE READY FOR DEBATE AND NEW PEOPLE ARE NOW A PART OF THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE JEANA ROSS OF GUNTERSVILLE AND KELVIN DATCHER OF BIRMINGHAM WERE JOINED BY FAMILY AS THEY WERE SWORN IN.

SOON AFTERWARDS, EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TURNED TOWARDS THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

ONE ITEM OF NOTE IS A PIECE FROM LAST SESSION, WILL A GAMING OR GAMBLING PROPOSAL RETURN?

>> ANY GAMING LEGISLATION THAT WE'LL ACTUALLY LOOK INTO IN THE HOUSE WILL HAVE TO START AND PASS THE SENATE AND THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL WE DIG INTO IT AND SEE WHAT IF ANYTHING THE SENATE PASSED AND MAKE A TIMETABLE AND DECISIONS OF HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS BLACK SHEER WAS ONE OF THREE HOUSE MEMBERS WHO AUTHORED LAST YEAR'S GAMING PROPOSAL WITH I DIED IN THE SENATE.

HE SAID THE IDEA IS WHAT MOVES THE SENATE MAKES REGARDING THIS NOTION.

BUT UNTIL THEN, FOR HOUSE MEMBERS, OTHER ITEMS LIKE FINDING WAYS TO FIGHT CRIME WILL BE A TOP PRIORITY.

>> NUMBER ONE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE THE SCHOOLS AND CRIME RATES.

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ALL OUR HOUSE AND SENATE DISTRICTS TO MAKE IT'S THE SAFEST PLACE YOU CAN LIVE, RAISE AND EDUCATE YOUR FAMILIES.

>> MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE TO ADD MORE MONEYS IN OUR BUDGET WITHIN THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT WILL DEAL WITH CRIME PREVENTION AND MENTORING TO OUR YOUNG.

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

WE'RE WORKING WITH THE SENATE IN COORDINATION WITH THOSE.

I THINK THEY DROPPED ALL THE ONES THAT THEY HAVE YESTERDAY AS WELL.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER SAYS IMMIGRATION WILL ALSO BE A TOPIC THEY'LL DEBATE.

>> THE ONES THAT WE GET, I KNOW THEY'LL WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS AND SEE THE ONES THAT THEY CAN GET OUT AND THE ONES THAT'S GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO THE STATE.

>> AT THE STATE HOUSE, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THE SENATE SAW THE FIRST HEATED DEBATE OF THE SESSION OVER SENATE BILL 79, DUBBED THE "WHAT IS A WOMAN" ACT, WHICH WOULD DECLARE TWO SEXES IN AND DEFINE TERMS LIKE MAN, WOMAN, MOTHER, AND FATHER IN STATE LAW.

REPUBLICANS CALLED IT A COMMON SENSE CONCEPT BASED ON BIOLOGY, BUT DEMOCRATS CALLED IT DISCRIMINATORY TOWARD TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS.

THE BILL ULTIMATELY PASSED, BUT NOT AFTER A LENGTHY FILIBUSTER ON THE FLOOR.

JEFF SANDERS REPORTS FROM THE SENATE.

>> A TENSE AND PROLONGED DEBATE ON THE SENATE FLOOR AS LAWMAKERS CLASHED OVER SENATE BILL 79.

BILL SPONSOR APRIL WEAVER ARGUED HER LEGISLATION WAS SIMPLY ABOUT COMMON SENSE, DEFINING IN LEGAL TERMS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAN AND A WOMAN.

>> 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.

>> THE BILL WAS FIRST PROMOTED BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY DURING HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

>> THERE ARE ONLY TWO GENDERS, MALE AND FEMALE.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> BUT DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE VOICED STRONG OPPOSITION ARGUING THE BILL COULD FUEL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDERS AND INCITE VIOLENCE.

>> AND I'M SORRY, I JUST CANNOT AGREE WITH YOUR RATIONALE FOR THIS.

THIS LITTLE SIMPLE LAW ISSUE, CALL IT THIS LITTLE SIMPLE BILL ABOUT THE SIMPLEST THING?

NO.

ABSOLUTELY NO, IT MAKES NO SENSE.

>> JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, THEN THEY ARE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

>> NEWLY-ELECTED SENATE PRO TEM GARLAND GUDGER DEFENDED THE BILL AND CRITICIZED DEMOCRATS FOR THEIR FILIBUSTER TACTICS.

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

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

WE WANTED TO GO TO CLOSURE SOMETIMES BECAUSE SOME OF THE CONVERSATION WAS RIDICULOUS.

HAVING SAID THAT, WE LET THEM SPEAK THEIR MIND AND REPRESENT THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT.

>> DESPITE THE HOURS' LONG DEBATE THE BILL PASSED BY A VOTE OF 26 TO 5 AND HEADS TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION.

REPORTING FROM THE STATE HOUSE IN MONTGOMERY, JEFF SANDERS FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THE CULTURE WAR ON GENDER ISSUES WAS ALSO RAGING IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK, WHERE SOME FROM ALABAMA'S DELEGATION JOINED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR THE SIGNING OF HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER BARRING BIOLOGICAL MALES FROM PARTICIPATING IN GIRLS SPORTS.

MEANWHILE, DEMOCRATS IN THE DELEGATION FOUGHT BACK ON SOME OF TRUMP'S ACTIONS WHILE ALSO HONORING ROSA PARKS AND PUSHING FOR HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION.

OUR OWN ALEX ANGLE REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.

>> ALABAMA'S REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE HONING IN ON WHAT THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON THIS CONGRESS.

THIS WEEK, REPUBLICANS APPLAUDED EFFORTS TO BAN TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM WOMEN'S SPORTS.

TUBERVILLE AND BRENT ATTENDED TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNING AT THE WHITE HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY.

>> EVERY WOMAN IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY DESERVES TO HAVE THE FULL BENEFITS OF ATHLETIC COMPETITION.

>> TUBERVILLE SPONSORS A BILL TO BAN TRANSGENDER ATHLETES TO PLAY IN SPORTS.

BRIT HONED IN ON COMBATING FENTANYL IN A JUDICIARY HEARING AND FLOOR SPEECH.

>> THE ERA OF ALLOWING DEADLY FENTANYL TO FLOW INTO OUR COUNTRY IS OVER.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED US TO ACT NOW AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING.

THE HOUSE PASSED THE HALT FENTANYL ACT THURSDAY WHICH CLASSIFY THE SUBSTANCE IN THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUG CATEGORY.

CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL AND SHOMARI FIGURES CAME TOGETHER TO REINTRODUCE THE ROSA PARKS ACT.

>> SHE STOOD UP FOR THE VALUES THIS NATION HOLDS DEAR.

>> IT HONORS PARKS' ARREST AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

TRUMP REMEMBERS PARKS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN HISTORY IS CRITICAL.

>> I THINK ESPECIALLY IN THIS MOMENT WHEN SO MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS ARE FEELING NOT SEEN, NOT HEARD, ARE FEELING AS IF EFFORTS ARE AFOOT TO WHITEWASH THEIR HISTORY, THAT WE STAND FIRM.

>> NO FEDERAL HOLIDAY CURRENTLY HONORS A WOMAN.

>> HER DEED IS CERTAINLY ONE THAT REQUIRED AMERICA TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND ULTIMATELY BE TRUE TO WHAT IS SAID ON PAPER.

>> BOTH ARE CO-SPONSORING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXPAND MEDICAID COVERAGE TO STATES LIKE ALABAMA AND HAVING EXPANDED THE PROGRAM UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

>> 300,000 PEOPLE IN STATE OF ALABAMA CAN'T AFFORD HEALTHCARE.

THIS IS IMPACTING OUR RURAL HOSPITALS.

>> SEWELL ALSO INTRODUCED A SCREENING BILL.

>> THIS FEATURE FEATURED THE FIRST OF THE ALABAMA DAILY NEWS LEGISLATIVE ISSUES BREAKFAST SERIES.

THE EVENT FEATURED MY PANEL CONVERSATION WITH HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, GARLAN GUDGER AND ANTHONY DANIELS.

WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES, BUT AS AN INTERESTING TWIST IN 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 TO MY RIGHT ARE CHARACTER-DRIVEN AND SOUND ADVICE THAT THEY JUST GAVE.

THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD TO THAT IS BRINGING ANY TYPES OF BILLS OR LEGISLATION TO ME OR MY OFFICE, GIVE ME THE FULL PICTURE.

SOME OF YOU DO, SOME OF YOU DON'T, TO BE HONEST.

THAT GIVES US WHO IS AGAINST IT, HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST, HAVE WE THOUGHT THROUGH DILIGENTLY TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NOT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES AND IF THERE IS WHAT ARE THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

GIVE ME THE FULL PICTURE, WE WILL MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION.

NO DOUBT I HAVE SOME OF THE FINEST MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ALABAMA STATE SENATE WHO ARE UP THERE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS AND THEIR INTENT AND MOTIVE FOR BEING THERE ARE TO HELP ALABAMA.

IF YOU GIVE THEM A FULL PICTURE, THEY'LL MAKE A GOOD DECISION, BUT DON'T GIVE US HALF THE INFORMATION AND EXPECT US TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION.

>> WHO'DA THOUGHT.

LAWMAKERS DON'T LIKE TO BE MANIPULATED.

IT WAS A GREAT EVENT.

I APPRECIATE THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP FOR THE TIME AND CANDOR AND EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED.

NEXT, LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH JOINS ME AT THE DESK.

STAY WITH US.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> GREAT TO BE ON THE SHOW.

APPRECIATE THE JOB YOU DO.

GOOD TO TALK ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN THE STATE.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE LIKE TO DO.

THE BEGINNING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT'S BEEN EXHAUSTING.

WE KNEW IT WOULD BE THAT WAY.

WE WANT TO BACK UP TO TUESDAY.

BEGINNING OF THE SESSION, STATE OF STATE, YOU HAVE A UNIQUE ROLE, GAVELING THE JOINT SESSION IN THERE.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH, WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM THE STATE OF STATE?

>> THE GOVERNOR CAME IN ON FIRE.

SHE WAS FIRED UP, YOU KNOW, HANDED ME THE PACKET THAT OUTLINES THE SPEECH, THUMBS UP.

HER SPEECH WAS SPOT ON, TALKED ABOUT ALL THE GOOD THINGS WE'VE DONE TOGETHER IN ALABAMA, OUR SUCCESSES.

THERE'S BEEN A LOTS OF SUCCESSES IN ALABAMA SHE TALKED ABOUT JUST THE SUCCESS WE'VE HAD IN EDUCATION AND COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER HOW WE'VE ALL WORKED WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND HER LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS LEADERSHIP IN OUR OFFICE.

YOU JUST LOOK AT WHAT'S DONE, SOME SAY ALABAMA IS LAST IN EDUCATION.

NOT ANYMORE.

WE'RE IN MID 30S IN MATH AND READING, THE LITERACY ACT, THE NUMERACY ACT.

PRE-K, RIGHT, PRE-K IS PAYING OFF WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HELPING THESE YOUNG STUDENTS.

JUST, YOU KNOW, ADD MORE TEACHER UNITS.

YOU KNOW, ALL THESE THINGS MATTER, RIGHT?

SHE TALKED ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE, RIGHT, AND THE CHOOSE ACT AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT CHILDREN'S LIVES.

I WAS REALLY ENCOURAGED JUST BY HER MESSAGE, YOU KNOW, AND JUST, YOU KNOW, ALABAMA'S DIRECTION IT'S GOING IN AND WAS REALLY PROUD OF THE FACT SHE WANTS TO BE TOUGH OBSERVE CRIME AND MAKE SURE WE BACK THE BLUE IN ALABAMA.

MY HAT'S OFF TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO MAKE SURE THEY TACKLE CRIME.

ON IMMIGRATION, RIGHT, BAKING SURE WE'RE TOUGH ON THAT.

WE WANT IMMIGRANTS COMING TO AMERICA AND ALABAMA.

WE JUST WANT THEM TO COME LEGALLY SO THAT'S IMPORTANT.

I THOUGHT THEIR SPEECH WAS PHENOMENAL.

I THOUGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE TARGETED HER FOR HER AGE.

I THINK SHE FLIPPED IT AND TALKED ABOUT HOW SHE'S GOVERNOR MEEMAW.

MY KIDS THOUGHT THAT WAS GREAT.

SHE'S DOING A GREAT JOB LEADING OUR STATE.

>> THAT SELF-DEPRECIATING HUMOR BREAKS THE ICE.

UP IN THE SENATE, WHERE YOU PRESIDE, WE'VE ALSO GOT A NEW PRO TEM IN GARLAN GUDGER.

IT'S EARLY IN THE SESSION.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO?

YOU HAVE A VERY SYMPATICO -- YOU KNOW, COMMUNICATING VERY WELL ON WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> NO DOUBTS.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST PRO TEM I'VE WORKED WITH BEING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

FIRST DEL MAR, THEN GREG REED.

EVEN GREG REED YESTERDAY IN HIS FAREWELL SPEECH SAID I COULD LOOK AT GOVERNOR AINSWORTH AND KNOW WHAT HE WAS THINKING.

WE COULD READ THE FLOOR AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING KEEPS GOING, ESPECIALLY IN MY ROLE KEEPING EVERYTHING MOVING.

BUT WITH SENATOR GUDGER, HE'S A NATURALLY-BORN, GIFTED LEADER.

HE ALSO COMES FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHICH I THINK WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY AND BEING ABLE TO RUN THE IS THAT THIS.

AND HE'S JUST AN ALL-AROUND GREAT GUY.

HE'S A FAMILY MAN.

HE'S VERY LIKABLE.

HE'S GOT A REAL BIG HEART FOR ALABAMA AND CONTINUE TO MAKE US, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE BEST STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK HE'S GOT TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION, FAMILIES, MAKING SURE OUR BUSINESS CLIMATE IS GOOD.

I THINK HE'S GOING TO DO A GREAT JOB.

I THINK HE'S JUST A NATURALLY GIFTED LEADER.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT HIS LEADERSHIP AND THINK HE WILL DO A GREAT JOB.

>> I APPRECIATED HIS COMMENTS ON THE FLOOR, TALKING ABOUT THE ACCIDENT HE'S BEEN THROUGH SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

HE GOT A LITTLE EMOTIONAL.

HE SPEAKS FROM THE HEART.

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET WITH MR. GUDGER.

SWITCHING GEARS, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE MILITARY STABILITY COMMISSION.

YOU CHAIR THIS COMMISSION.

YOU'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT WANTING ALABAMA TO BECOME MORE MILITARY FRIENDLY.

I GUESS WE'RE SECOND TO FLORIDA.

THAT'S PRETTY TOUGH.

WHAT MIGHT WE SEE THIS SESSION COMING OUT OF THE COMMISSION INTO LEGISLATION REGARDING THE MILITARY.

>> YEAH, SO, I MEAN, YOU LOOK AT, YEAH, WE'RE A NUMBER TWO STATE FOR VETERANS TO RETIRE.

FLORIDA IS ONE.

I WOULD SAY WE'RE PROBABLY NUMBER ONE ON BEING THE MOST MILITARY FRIENDLY.

HANDS DOWN, WE PASSED MORE BILLS IN THE LAST SIX YEARS THAN ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE RECEIVED AN AWARD FROM THE PENTAGON.

WE HAVE A MILITARY SPOUSE LIAISON, JEN HALLADAY, SHE REACHES OUT TO THEM.

WE WANT A VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER, WHEN VETERANS ARE HERE TO HELP THEM TRANSITION TO THE PRIVATE SECRETARY, BE A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND REALLY DIVE IN.

TIES IN WITH WORKFORCE.

THIS IS PART OF OUR PACKAGE IN THE MILITARY BILLS THIS TIME.

WE WANT TO HAVE A CENTER DEVOTED TO THAT TO HELP VETERANS IN OUR STATE GET A JOB, WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR SERVICE IN THE MILITARY TO MAKE SURE WE HELP THEM DO THAT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE MODELED AFTER SOMETHING THEY DID IN TENNESSEE, I THINK MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE.

SOMETIMES IT'S BEST TO TAKE IDEAS FROM OTHER STATES TO BRING THEM HERE.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BILLS DEALING WITH LICENSE RECIPROCITY AND CONTINUING THAT.

ONE THING TO BE PROUD OF AS A STATE, SEVEN YEARS AGO, WE WERE THE WORST STATE IN THE COUNTRY, NOW RANKED ONE IN LICENSE, RECIPROCITY.

WHEN A MILITARY FAMILY MOVES HERE, CAN THE SPOUSE GET A JOB THEY ARE TRAINED IN?

WE'RE THE BEST.

TWO MORE BILLS DEALING WITH THAT.

BILLS DEALING WITH NATIONAL GUARD AND SCHOLARSHIPS AND HELPING FAMILIES WITH THAT.

TAX BENEFITS WITH ACTIVE MILITARY WHEN THEY'RE A PRIORITY AND HELPING THEM ON THE TAX SIDE.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HEM MILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS AND REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE BILLS THERE.

I WANTED TO THANK SENATOR JONES IN THE SENATE, DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB OF LEADING THAT COMMITTEE AND REALLY WANT TO THANK JUST THE ACTIVE AND RETIRED GENERALS THAT SERVE ON THE MILITARY COMMISSION AND FOUNDATION AND JUST DONATING THEIR TIME AND CARING ENOUGH ABOUT OUR STATE AND COUNTRY TO GIVE US -- BECAUSE THE IDEAS COME FROM THEM, RIGHT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND WE GET THEM PASSED.

SO REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

LIKE I SAID, WE WANT WHEN PEOPLE THINK ABOUT ALABAMA TO BE THOUGHT OF THE MOST MILITARY AND VETERAN FRIENDLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

I FEEL LIKE WE'RE ACHIEVING THAT.

TELL YOU A QUICK STORY.

>> SURE.

>> WE HAD A MILITARY APPRECIATION WEEK LAST WEEK, SOME PEOPLE IN THE NAVY WERE IN TOWN FROM CALIFORNIA, THEY WERE STATIONED IN SAN DIEGO.

THEY WERE SO GLAD TO BE HERE.

THEY SAID, IT'S DIFFERENT HERE THAN IN OTHER STATES.

PEOPLE COME UP, SHAKE THEIR HAND, TELL YOU THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, SAY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

THEY SAID WE DON'T GET THE SAME ADMIRATION AND RESPECT IN OTHER STATES LIKE ALABAMA.

I THINK IT'S A CULTURE THING HERE WHERE WE APPRECIATE VETERANS AND MILITARY.

WE REALIZE WE DON'T HAVE A COUNTRY IF IT WEREN'T FOR OUR SERVICEMEN.

MAKES ME PROUD TO BE AN ALABAMIAN WHEN I HEAR THAT.

>> YEAH, IT'S NICE TO HEAR.

WE'LL FOLLOW UP ON THOSE BILLS.

YOU MADE A BIG DEAL OUT OF INTERSTATE 65 AND ALL THE CONGESTION AND THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF SIX-LANE-ING IT FROM BORDER TO BORDER.

I REMEMBER, THOUGH, WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS IN TOWN, HE WAS CAMPAIGNING, RIGHT, AND REALLY HE HADN'T LOCKED UP THE NOMINATION, MAYBE HE HAD, BUT HE MENTIONED 65.

I THINK YOU KIND OF HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HIM ABOUT IT BACKSTAGE, HE MENTIONED IT IN HIS TALK KIND OF COMMITTING A BIT TO FOLLOWING THROUGH AND FOCUSING ON THAT.

NOW, HE'S PRESIDENT AND HAS A LOT GOING ON, BUT I'M CURIOUS, ARE YOU GOING TO REMIND HIM OF HIS COMMITMENT TO INTERSTATE 65.

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY THE GOAL IS TO GET 65 SIX LANES.

APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP IN STARTING THE PROCESS TO DO THAT THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN SOME OF THE MORE CONGESTED AREAS.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE FROM TENNESSEE TO THE GULF OF MARK.

WE WANT TO GET THAT DONE.

YOU BETTER BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO THE PRESIDENT ABOUT THAT AND EXPLAIN TO HIM THE NEED AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT AND CERTAINLY REMIND HIM OF HIS PROMISE HE MADE AND THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT WILL BE A PRIORITY FOR HIM IN HIS ADMINISTRATION AND WE'RE LETTING HIM GET IN AND CERTAINLY PLANNING ON GOING TO D.C. AND HAVING THAT CONVERSATION.

>> DO YOU THINK -- BECAUSE THAT'S A HUGE, HUGE PROJECT, WOULD MEAN A LOT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

HAVE THE BRIDGE AND BAYWAY IN MOBILE THAT'S GOTTEN A LOT OF HELP AND IS GOING ON.

AM I WRONG?

I MEAN, WE SHOULDN'T SEE THOSE AS EITHER/OR PROJECTS.

CAN WE AFFORD BOTH SIX-LANE 65 AND A MAJOR BRIDGE PROJECT IN MOBILE?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST, THE BRIDGE PROJECT, I WAS PUSHING FOR BEFORE, WE GOT THAT DONE, WE HAVE TO GET THAT DONE.

65 IS ANOTHER PROJECT.

65, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND, THAT'S GOING TO BE PROBABLY AT LEAST A TEN-YEAR PROJECT AND THE GREAT THING ABOUT THAT IS IT'S AN 80/20 FEDERAL MATCH.

WE PUT 20% OF THE MONEY, THE FEDS PUT UP 80%.

THAT'S HUGE WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT DOLLARS PUT OUT.

SPREAD IT OUT OVER A REALISTIC TIME PERIOD OF TEN YEARS AND WE CAN GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

WE'VE ALREADY STARTED AND WITH THE PRESIDENT'S HELP, WE CAN EXPEDITE THAT.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK YOU THE QUESTION THAT'S ON EVERYBODY'S MIND.

EVERYBODY SORT OF ASSUMES YOU'RE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

IT'S OUT THERE.

IT'S ABOUT TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT 2026.

YOU HAVEN'T MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

WHERE ARE YOU IN THAT PROCESS?

DO YOU ANTICIPATE PERHAPS MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

ARE YOU LEANING IN THAT DIRECTION?

WHAT'S THE LATEST ON YOUR RUN FOR GOVERNOR?

>> I LOVE BEING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

ENJOY IT RIGHT NOW.

RIGHT NOW MY AND OUR STAFF'S FOCUS IS TRYING TO BE THE BEST LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND ACTIVE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THE STATE'S HAD.

WE'RE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF SESSION.

WE'RE DIALED IN AND FOCUSED ON WHAT CAN WE DO IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO HELP PEOPLE?

I'VE TOLD YOU THIS BEFORE AS FAR AS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, THAT'S THE ONLY OFFICE I HAVE AN INTEREST IN RUNNING FOR OUTSIDE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHEN MY TERM IS UP.

IF ANYTHING, IT WOULD BE GOVERNOR.

I AM BULLISH ON ALABAMA FOR THE FUTURE.

I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS, ONE OF THE BEST STATES FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE, PLAY AND WORSHIP.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS NOW.

STAYING FOCUSED ON SESSION.

AFTER SESSION, THERE WILL BE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT FUTURE PLANS.

>> WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

A LONG WAY TO GO.

WE'VE GOT TO GET TO MAY 19.

>> YEAH.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR TILE.

WE'LL FOLLOW UP ON THESE ISSUES.

I PROPOSE YOU WILL COME BACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SESSION AND SHARE MORE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS ALABAMA SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE SARAH STEWART.

CHIEF JUSTICE, THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ABSOLUTELY.

APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME HERE.

>> AT LEAST SINCE I HAVE BEEN HOSTING "CAPITOL JOURNAL," CERTAINLY HAVEN'T HAD THE CHIEF JUSTICE OR ANY JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT.

SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.

IT'S A REAL TREAT TO TALK ABOUT THE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WE DON'T SPEND AS MUCH TIME TALK ABOUT.

>> THE WEAKEST BRANCH.

>> I DON'T KNOW, UNTIL YOU GET TO RULING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I WAS HOPING YOU COULD SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT THE ROLE OF CHIEF JUSTICE.

I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS PROBABLY HAVE IN THEIR MINDS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND KIND OF HOW THAT OPERATES.

I'M SURE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT ROLE IS?

>> SURE.

SO ALABAMA, CONSTITUTIONALLY, THE WAY IT'S SET UP, IS THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE TRIAL COURTS, AND THAT'S WHERE MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING TV OR FAMILIAR AT ALL WITH THE COURT SYSTEM, THAT'S GOING TO BE THEIR PRIMARY INTERACTION IS THE TRIAL COURTS.

SO THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT ALL WORKS WELL.

ALABAMA IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE FEW STATES, AND IT'S TRENDING TO BE THIS WAY MORE, BUT SINCE THE 1970S WHEN HOWELL HEFLIN PUT IN THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM, IT'S BEEN HUGE TO US BECAUSE WE HAVE ONE CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CENTRALIZED I.T., CENTRALIZED H.R., LIKE A BUSINESS, AT THE HEART OF THAT IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE COURTS IN THE JUDICIAL BUILDING.

ALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE PIECES TO THE TRIAL COURT ARE HANDLED IN ONE PLACE.

GO TO TEXAS, IF YOU WANT TO PRACTICE LAW IN HOUSTON AND DALLAS, YOU HAVE TO JOIN TWO DIFFERENT BARS, SUBSCRIBE TO TWO DIFFERENT CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, HAVE TWO DIFFERENT SETS OF RULES.

IT SEEMS VERY CHAOTIC, SO I'M VERY HAPPY THAT WE HAVE THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE.

SO THE CHIEF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE ALL THAT FLOWS SMOOTH HI.

POINTS THE DIRECTOR OF COURTS, PERSON OVER THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS, ALL THE PIECES, MAKING SURE THEY ALL FLOW WELL.

SO THE CHIEF JUSTICE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT BUT ALSO, OF COURSE, IS THE HEAD OF THE SUPREME COURT.

THE WAY OUR COURT IS SET UP AND KIND OF THE CULTURE AND THE WAY OUR COURT CURRENTLY WORKS IS WE WORK REALLY WELL TOGETHER AS A TEAM.

WE'RE VERY CLEANING -- COLLEGIAL.

WE GET ALONG WELL THINKING ABOUT THE PIECES OF THE COURT SYSTEM, THE JUDICIAL BRANCH, THE RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY WE HAVE, THE DISCIPLINE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE BAR, THE LAWYERS, ALL OF THAT STUFF WE'RE VERY COHESIVE ABOUT, SO THAT'S BEEN A REAL BENEFIT TO HAVE THAT.

THEN WE HAVE OUR CASE LOAD WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE APPEALS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THE TRIAL COURTS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK ME HOW DID YOU HANDLE WITH COVID AND WITNESSES?

WE DON'T HEAR THAT.

ALL WE'RE LOOKING AT IS THE RECORD HAPPENING IN THE TRIAL COURT AND WHETHER THE TRIAL JUDGE DID SOMETHING WRONG, SOME ERROR THAT MAKES EITHER THE JURY VERDICT SUSPECT OR SOME PRELIMINARY MATTER THAT THE JUDGE GOT WRONG, THAT'S ALL WE DO ON APPELLATE COURT IS TO REVIEW THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROCESS IS RIGHT, THAT JUSTICE HAPPENED AND PEOPLE WERE TREATED FAIRLY AND EQUITY AND -- EQUITABLY AND THE RULE OF LAW WAS FOO FOLLOWED.

>> ALMOST LIKE A CEO.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THAT'S UNIQUE.

AND THE UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM, WE DID A WHOLE SHOW ABOUT THE ANNIVERSARY EVENT IN BIRMINGHAM TALKING WITH SOME OF HEFLIN'S LIEUTENANTS AND THE HISTORY ABOUT IT.

>> VERY VISIONARY, IT TRULY WAS.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU CAMPAIGNED ON.

>> OKAY.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT, IN YOUR PLATFORM EXPANDING ACCESS TO DRUG COURTS, REDUCING RECIDIVISM.

WE HEAR A LOT OF THAT IN THIS BUILDING SOMETIMES IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE HEAR ABOUT IT FROM THE GOVERNOR AND HER CABINET AND EVERYTHING.

NOT SO SURE WE'VE HEARD SO MUCH IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

IS IT GOING TO TAKE THE THREE BRANCHES WORKING TOGETHER ON THINGS LIKE THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THOUGHT IT WAS FASCINATING IN THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

EVERYTHING I'M ABOUT INITIALLY WITH THE COURT SYSTEM IS GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON THE SAME ASPECT, A LITTLE TWEAKED FOR OUR BRANCH BUT DEFINITELY PUBLIC SAFETY, AND KIND OF RUN THROUGH SOME OF THOSE YOUR.

>> PLEASE.

>> SO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO REALLY FOCUS ON IS THE COURTHOUSE AND COURTROOM SAFETY AND SECURITY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, WHEN THE PUBLIC IS IN OUR COURTROOMS, THEY ARE SAFE AND SECURE.

THERE HAVE BEEN A MULTITUDE OF ALL KINDS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY TARGETED TOWARDS JUDGES AND DISRUPTING THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AND WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE PIECES IN PLACE TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING.

WE'VE ALREADY BEEN WORKING WITH THE SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION ASSOCIATION TO MAKE SURE THE PIECES ARE IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE AGAIN THAT THE PUBLIC IS SAFE AND THE JUDGES AND LITIGANTS ARE SAFE, TOO.

SO THAT'S ONE PIECE OF IT.

THE OTHER PIECE THAT REALLY KIND OF WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS THE RECIDIVISM AND REALLY THE DRUG COURTS WHICH WE CALL ACCOUNTABILITY COURTS BECAUSE WE ARE STILL HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, WE'RE JUST GETTING TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF THEIR PROBLEMS SO THEY DON'T REOFFEND.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT I THINK OF AS A RECIDIVISM PIECE OF WHAT JUDGES ARE SUPPOSED TO DO AND OUR BRANCH IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT STOPPING CRIME IN ITS TRACKS BEFORE IT'S HAPPENED.

THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF US HAVE ALREADY OFFENDED.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO KEEP THEM FROM REOFFENDING AGAIN?

BECAUSE THE HARSH REALITY IS IF ALL WE DO IS LOCK THEM UP AND PUT THEM IN PRISON, 95% OF THOSE PEOPLE GET OUT AND COME HOME.

AND THE RECIDIVISM RATE WHICH IS THE RATE THAT WE LOOK AT FOR WHEN SOMEONE PICKS UP A NEW CHARGE IS 37% PICK UP A NEW CHARGE WITHIN THREE YEARS OF BEING RELEASED.

>> WOW.

>> THAT'S PRETTY HIGH.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO KNOCK THAT DOWN AND KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE AND KEEP PEOPLE FROM REOFFENDING?

SO, WE HAVE SEVERAL PROGRAMS WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE, WE JUST NEED TO GROW AND BOLSTER THEM.

WE HAVE THE COURT REFERRAL OFFICER'S PROGRAM, THE DEALS WITH LOW-HANGING FRUIT, MISDEMEANOR CASES, D.U.I.S, THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY COURT PIECE WHERE WE ARE DEALING WITH DRUG USE, MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL VETERANS COURT THAT WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO GROW THOSE.

PROBABLY NOT SURPRISING IT'S SO SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THAT COURT ARE USED TO TAKING ORDERS, FOLLOWING RULES, DOING THAT KIND OF THING.

IF WE CAN GET SOMEBODY SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATED FROM VETERANS COURT, THE RECIDIVISM RATE IS 8%, WHICH IS MUCH BETTER THAN 37%.

>> A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> SO GROWING THAT AND FIGURING THAT OUT, WE GOT SOME TREMENDOUS BENEFITS IN ALABAMA RIGHT NOW.

A FORMER CIRCUIT JUDGE, FORMER CRIMINAL COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE MIKE JOINER IS THE PRESIDENT OF ONE TO HAVE THE GROUPS CALLED ALL RISE AND THEY HAVE A BEST PRACTICE ALSO PLATFORM FOR ALL THE COURT'S MENTAL HEALTH VETERANS.

OUR CONCEPT IS TO TAKE THE BEST PRACTICES, ROLL IT OUT TO THE CIRCUITS, SAY THIS IS WHERE WE WANT TO GO, THIS IS HOW WE WANT TO DO THIS, TALK WITH THE D.A.S BECAUSE THEY HAVE A BIG PIECE IN IT BECAUSE THEY NEED TO AGREE PEOPLE GET INTO THE COURT SYSTEM.

WE ONLY WANT NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

WE WANT TO PUT PEOPLE BACK ON THE STREET THAT NEED TO BE IN PRISON FOR VARIOUS REASONS, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DUG USERS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEM AND WANT TO GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET, GET THEM A JOB, GET THEM TO PAY TAXES, AND A LOT OF THEM LOSE THEIR FAMILIES AND GET THE CHILDREN BACK INTO THE FAMILY UNIT.

>> SO MANY SOCIETAL BENEFITS TO REDUCING RECIDIVISM.

ALSO HELPS THE DOCKET AT THE TRIAL COURT LEVEL WHICH IS A BIG DEAL.

>> WE HAVE A BACKLOG.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

WE'VE MET WITH THE ATTORNEY ON HIS THOUGHT ABOUT HOW WE CAN WORK WITH THAT.

BUT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PLACES WHERE WE'VE GOT A LOT OF BACKLOG.

SOME OF IT IS LEFT OVER FROM COVID BUT SOME OF IT IS THE PURE EXTENT OF THE AMOUNT OF CRIMINAL CASES.

I JOKE WITH THE JUDGES THAT WE HAVE JOB SECURITY BECAUSE THE CRIMINAL CASES DON'T GO AWAY.

WE'RE REALLY GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON HOW TO GET THAT DONE.

IT'S EASY FOR ME TO APPOINT A JUDGE TO BE IN THERE BUT THERE ARE OTHER PIECES IN THAT.

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A PROSECUTOR AND A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER.

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A SPACE TO DO IT AND A COURT REPORTER.

SO THERE'S OTHER PIECES OF IT THAT HAVE TO FALL IN PLACE WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION, AND THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION TO TRY TO GET ALL THE PIECES IN PLACE BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THE PUBLIC TO MAKE SURE THE CASES ARE GETTING PROCESSED QUICKLY AND THAT THERE'S A RESOLUTION QUICKLY.

>> THAT'S FASCINATING.

I WANT TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE VIEWERS.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE YOU'RE TACKLING THERE.

WHILE WE HAVE TIME, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT FUNDING.

YOU MENTIONED THE BACKLOG AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT, OVER THE YEARS, FUNDING OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ALMOST PERENNIALLY BEING UNDERFUNDED FOR ONE REASON OR THE OTHER.

IS THAT THE CASE NOW?

WHERE ARE WE ON JUDICIAL FUNDING?

ARE YOU COMING WITH AN ASK THIS YEAR FROM THE LEGISLATURE FOR AN INCREASE AND WHY?

>> YEAH, SO, I THINK THIS ALL BOILS DOWN TO WHAT I THINK THE PURPOSE OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH IS, AND THAT PURPOSE IS TO DELIVER JUSTICE TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE.

SO, THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE DO THAT, WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES AND THE STAFFING THAT WE NEED?

AND THAT'S REALLY THE BUDGET PIECE.

NOW, BEING CONSERVATIVE, I ALSO THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE REALLY GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST PUSHES WE ARE DOING NOW IS GETTING OUR ARMS AROUND THE MONEY THE JUDICIAL BRANCH HAS BEEN GIVEN FROM THE GENERAL FUND, HOW WE'RE SPENDING THAT AND HOW WE OUGHT TO BE SPENDING THAT.

MY NEW DIRECTOR OF COURTS NATHAN WILSON AND FINANCE DIRECTOR STEPHANIE HAMMEL ARE REALLY FOCUSING ON DRILLING THAT DOWN AND ALMOST BUILDING A BUDGET FROM THE GROUND-UP.

LIKE, HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES IT TAKE TO DO THIS?

WHAT IS OUR PROJECTED GROWTH IN THAT AREA?

HOW DO WE STRATEGICALLY PLAN FOR THAT?

I WANT THAT TO BE REALLY TRANSPARENT, AND I WANT US TO BE ACCOUNTABLE SO THAT WHEN I COME OVER HERE TO THE STATE HOUSE THAT I CAN SAY THIS IS WHERE WE'RE SPENDING OUR MONEY, THIS IS HOW WE'RE SPENDING OUR MONEY, THIS IS HOW WE WANT TO GROW THESE PARTICULAR AREAS LIKE ACCOUNTABILITY COURTS AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

THIS IS HOW WE COST THOSE OUT, AND HERE'S THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE NEED.

I THINK THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT WE'VE HAD IS I THINK, IN 2009, 2010, THERE WAS A BIG CONTRACTION FINANCIALLY OF THE ENTIRE STATE AND FOR THE JUDICIAL BRANCH THAT MEANT WE LOST A LOT OF THE CLERK'S PEOPLE THAT FUNCTION IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE, AND THEN A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORTED THE JUDGES, AND THEN A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS.

AND WE HAD A HUGE REDUCTION IN STAFF, AND WE'VE REALLY NEVER RECOVERED FROM THAT.

I KNOW ONE TO HAVE THE THINGS CHIEF JUSTICE PARKER WHO JUST WENT OUT OF OFFICE, HE REALLY WORKED ON AND WAS TRYING TO GET THE STAFFING BACK IN PLACE.

I WANT TO FOLLOW-UP WITH THAT BUT I WANT TO BE DELIBERATE AND THOUGHTFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACES AND THAT WE ARE GROWING AND THINKING ABOUT A STRATEGIC PLAN GOING FORWARD.

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE, IN TERMS OF BUDGETING, IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE BUDGET LAST YEAR.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE, KIND OF TRYING TO JUSTIFY EVERYTHING FROM THE BOTTOM-UP.

THAT'S A NOVEL CONCEPT.

WELL, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THIS HAS BEEN A TREAT.

I HOPE WE CAN HAVE YOU BACK ON TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.

>> I'D LOVE THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LOTS OF THEM AND THEY WILL BE DEVELOPING OVER TIME AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT WOULD BE GREAT AND TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW.

IT'S ABOUT PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON TAKING OFFICE AS ALABAMA'S CHIEF JUSTICE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, MINORITY LEADER FOR THE ALABAMA SENATE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GLAD TO BE BACK IN SESSION.

HERE WE ARE.

>> HERE WE ARE.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING.

OFF TO A FAST START, I WANT TO GET TO THE FLOOR ACTION YOU HAD THIS WEEK.

BUT YOU HAVE A NEW LEADER IN THE SENATE, YOUR COUNTERPART, KIND OF, PRO TEM OF THE ALABAMA SENATE GARLAN GUDGER.

I KNOW YOU WORKED TOGETHER PREVIOUSLY BEFORE BUT PROBABLY IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY NOW.

WHAT IS Y'ALL'S RELATIONSHIP AND HOW DOES THE DYNAMIC WORK BETWEEN WHAT YOU DOES AND THE PRO TEM DOES.

>> GARLAN AND I HAD A RELATIONSHIP PRIOR TO HIM COMING IN SO I LIKE WORKING WITH HIM, THAT HE'S BEEN ELECTED BY THE BODY TO BE THE PRO TEM, AND THAT PROCESS WORKED BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AS MEN AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

INASMUCH AS WE'RE IN THE MINORITY, WE HAVE A SET OF RULES AND RULES ALLOW US TO CONDUCT IN THE SENATE.

GARLAN WANTS TO BE FAIR AND OPEN.

WE'RE A DELIBERATIVE BODY.

IN THE SENATE, THIS IS WHERE WE MAKE THE SAUSAGES, IS WHAT WE SAY.

IN MAKING THE SAUSAGE, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COMPROMISE AND GET ALONG AND WORK.

IT'S NOT ABOUT RS AND DS ALL THE TIME, IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO BEST FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND GARLAN HAS THE SPIRIT OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO MOVE ALABAMA FORWARD.

I DON'T CARE NOTHING ABOUT YOUR RACE OR WHAT PARTY YOU'RE IN, LET'S MOVE ALABAMA FORWARD AND THAT'S HOW WE'RE ABLE TO DO IT.

I DID IT WITH SENATOR REED AND MARSH, ALL THESE MEN WERE MEN OF CHARACTER AND BELIEVED IN THE STATE AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY HAD A VOICE, SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

>> WELL, Y'ALL HAD SOME INTERESTING DEBATE TODAY OR THIS WEEK, RATHER, WITH A SLEW OF BILLS REPUBLICANS WERE BRINGING, YOU KNOW, PRETTY IMPORTANT, FAR-REACHING BILLS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION, FIRST TIME YOU COULD ACTUALLY HAVE THEM ON THE FLOOR.

YOU CAME TO THE MIC, SENATOR SMITHERMAN CAME TO THE MIC TO VOICE TO SLOW THINGS DOWN.

TALK ABOUT YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE WHAT IS A WOMAN ACT.

>> WHAT IS A WOMAN ACT STARTED TO BE SOMETHING SIMPLE, JUST GIVING DEFINITION OF WHAT IS A MAN OR A WOMAN.

WELL, I KNOW I'M A MAN, YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A MAN, YOU KNOW.

AND WOMEN KNOW THAT THEY ARE WOMEN.

WHY DO WE NEED TO CODIFY THAT IN A STATUTE JUST TO SAY THAT AND WHAT DOES IT REALLY DO?

WHAT EFFECT DOES IT HAVE ON THE LAW?

THERE'S NO PENALTIES, YOU KNOW.

WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO GO AFTER A CERTAIN SECTOR OR GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEMSELVES WHAT THEY CALL DIFFERENT, AS YOU WOULD SAY, THEY ARE TRANSGENDERS, AND BECAUSE THEY WANT TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS SOMEONE ELSE.

I KNOW I'M A MAN AND, PERSONALLY, IF YOU WANT TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS SOMETHING ELSE, THAT'S ON YOU, BUT I AM GOING TO RESPECT YOU FOR THE PERSON I KNOW YOU ARE AND THE PERSON THAT YOU APPROACH ME WITH.

AND, SO.

>> ARE YOU SAYING IT'S MORE MESSAGING?

IT DOESN'T OUTLAW ANYTHING.

>> IT'S MORE MESSAGING THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

DOESN'T OUTLAW ANYTHING.

WE SEE IT HAPPENING IN THE NATIONAL LEVEL, IT TRICK ALSO DOWN IN THE STATE.

EVEN IN THE BILL, IT SETS UP FOR DISCRIMINATION.

YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE BEING BULLIED, DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, AND THE BILL HAS A POTENTIAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU SAW THE GENTLEMEN SMITHERMAN FROM JEFFERSON WAS ON THE MIC WHERE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE AREAS HE THOUGHT PEOPLE COULD BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN A BILL SUCH AS THAT.

>> COULD BE SOME LEGAL ACTION.

>> OF COURSE, IT WILL.

>> WE MENTIONED WASHINGTON.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I WANTED TO GET TO IS, SO, YOU'VE HAD THIS ELECTION, YOU NOW HAVE TRUMP IN OFFICE, I MEAN GOING FAST, GOING -- YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING, CAN'T REALLY KEEP UP.

BUT A LOT OF THAT IS THIS TRUMP, MAGA, REPUBLICAN MOMEMTUM.

THEY'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT DOING THINGS UP THERE.

ARE YOU SEEING THAT TRICKLE DOWN TO THE STATE LEVEL IN TERMS OF YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TRYING TO DO THINGS THAT KIND OF TAP INTO THAT TRUMP ENERGY FROM D.C. AND, IF SO, HOW DO YOU AS THE LOYAL OPPOSITION, UNDERSTANDING YOU'RE IN THE MINORITY, PLAY DEFENSE ON THAT AND SLOW THINGS DOWN AND TRY TO WORK WITH YOUR REPUBLICANS?

>> WELL, THE RULES ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO SLOW IT DOWN, OKAY, BUT THE OTHER THING IS, YES, I DO SEE A LOT OF THAT TRICKLING TOWN.

TAKE IMMIGRATION.

I THINK THERE'S FIVE OR SIX IMMIGRATION BILLS.

STATES HAVE NEVER REALLY DEALT WITH IMMIGRATION.

IN ALABAMA, WE'RE NOT A SANCTUARY STATE AND WE DON'T HAVE SANCTUARY CITIES IN OUR STATE SO WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE BIG PROBLEM LIKE THAT LIKE SOME OTHER BORDER STATE HAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING ACROSS.

WHAT WE ARE SAYING TO THEM IS, LOOK, LET'S JUST SETTLE DOWN AND LET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION AND ALLOW THE SENATE DOWN TO THE STATE.

WHAT IF WE'RE PASSING SOMETHING THAT GETS AHEAD OF WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING?

WE SAW IN 2011 WITH H.B.

56, THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT CAME BEHIND THAT, THE LAWSUITS THAT CAME BEHIND THAT, HOW WE IN ALABAMA MADE THE BIGGEST MISTAKES WE COULD TRYING TO GET OUT AHEAD OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO I SAY FOR US TO NOT GO BACK AND MAKE 2011 MISTAKES AGAIN JUST TRYING TO MAKE HEADLINES.

SO, WITH THAT, WE'VE JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS, THAT WE ARE NOT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT TAKING CITIZENS -- THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE NATURAL-BORN CITIZENS HERE WHO MAY BE THE CHILDREN OF PARENTS WHO CAME HERE AS IMMIGRANTS, WHO CAME ACROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY, WHO NEVER COMMITTED THE CRIME, THEY'LL GET CAUGHT UP IN THAT WELL.

IF YOU'RE GOING AFTER THE CRIMINALS, THAT'S FINE.

GO AFTER THE CAREER CRIMINALS WHO HAVE BEEN COMMITTING CRIMES IN OUR COMMUNITIES, GO AFTER THEM.

BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SPANISH-SPEAKING NAME OR THEY SPEAK A DIFFERENT TONGUE, YOU'RE GOING TO GO AFTER THEM, AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ONLY FOCUSED AT THE SONAR BORDER.

THERE ARE PEOPLE COMING IN OUR NORTHERN BORDERS, THROUGH ELLIS ISLES, COMING HERE ILLEGALLY WE'RE NOT GOING AFTER, THERE ARE SOME 45 MILLION PEOPLE PROBABLY IN THIS COUNTRY THAT'S ILLEGAL AND WE'RE ONLY GOING AFTER ONE SECTOR.

IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT, DO IT RIGHT.

A MASS DEPORTATION IS NOT GOING TO HELP ANYBODY.

WHAT WE WILL SEE IS JACKING UP PRICES ON LABOR, GOODS AND SERVICES, BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE PEOPLE OUT HERE TO SERVICE.

THESE PEOPLE ARE PART OF OUR WORKFORCE, OUR TAX STRUCTURE, AND WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING, AND THEY ALL ARE HUMAN BEINGS.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP 2011, I TALKED WITH SENATOR ELLIOTT ABOUT THAT BECAUSE HE'S IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS IMMIGRATION STUFF, I THINK WHAT REPUBLICANS WOULD ARGUE BASED ON 2011 IS IT'S A DIFFERENT PRESIDENT, BUT A IT WAS OBAMA THEN, AND THERE'S A DIFFERENT LEGAL STRUCTURE IN TERMS OF NOT JUST THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BUT DIFFERENT JUDGES AND MAYBE THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.

WE'LL SEE IF THAT'S TRUE.

WE'RE IN THE FIRST WEEK, BUT ON IMMIGRATION, TALKING ABOUT 20 IS 1, BECAUSE YOU WERE HERE, A LOT OF FOLKS WEREN'T, WHEN YOU MAKE THOSE ARGUMENTS ABOUT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES TO YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, WHAT'S THE RESPONSE?

IS THERE ANY COMMON GROUND?

>> YES, THERE IS SOME COMMON GROUND.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND AND THERE ARE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO UTILIZE SERVICES OF IMMIGRANTS.

OUR FARMERS IN HERE, WE HAVE CONTRACTORS, AND PEOPLE WHO ARE USING THE SERVICES WHO ARE NOT GOING TO SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT LOUD, BUT THEY REALLY DON'T CARE NOTHING ABOUT THESE BILLS EITHER.

SO, AT THE END OF THE DAY, AS A PERSON WITH A LITTLE HUMANITY ABOUT THEMSELVES, THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT PEOPLE AND HUMAN BEINGS AND PEOPLE THAT GOD MADE, YOU KNOW, IN HIS OWN IMAGE, AND JUST BECAUSE THEY SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE AND COME FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO LOVE ON OUR NEIGHBOR.

AND, SO, WE ARE HERE TO PROTECT THAT AND TRY TO PROTECT THAT INTEREST.

AGAIN, WE'RE NOT HERE TO PROTECT CRIMINALS.

IF THE CRIMINALS ARE HERE, GET THEM OUT.

I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE AMERICAN CRIMINALS.

LET'S PUT THEM IN JAIL.

LET'S GET CRIMINALS OFF THE STREET.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, LET'S NOT DO ROUNDUPS JUST BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE HEADLINES.

>> WE'LL OBVIOUSLY BE WATCHING THAT DEBATE, IT WILL BE PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THIS SESSION, SO WE WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION.

BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU, ARE WE GOING TO SEE A GAMBLING BILL THIS YEAR?

THE HOUSE SAYS NOT DOWN HERE, YOU DO IT UPSTAIRS, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO FOOL WITH IT BASED ON LAST YEAR.

WHAT ELSE YOUR THOUGHT?

I KNOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE A GAMBLING BILL BUT WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

>> HEY, THIS IS ALABAMA.

WE HAVE NOT FAILED YET TO HAVE ONE, OKAY?

SO, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO COME IN THE FIRST HALF TO HAVE THE FIRST QUARTER OR WHETHER IT COMES IN THE SECOND HALF, I'M NOT CERTAIN.

NO ONE HAS REALLY SAT TOWN WITH ME AND TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT THERE'S BEGINNING TO BE SOME CONVERSATION.

BECAUSE THINK ABOUT ITS, WE HAD $58 BILLION TO COME THROUGH HERE BETWEEN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE LAST OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

$58 BILLION WE AS A STATE HAD TO INVEST.

BY 2026, THAT MONEY HAS TO BE SPENT.

IT'S ALL GONE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE LEFT WITH BARE BUDGETS ON OUR OWN, WE'LL NEED NEW MONEY.

MEDICAID WILL NED NEED MORE MONEY, PRISONS NEED MORE MONEY, WE'VE GOT MONEY IN EDUCATION SYSTEMS.

WE'RE BRINGING ON NOW WHAT WE CALL THE CHOOSE ACT WHICH COULD SPEND EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT'S GOING JUST YET, SO MONEY IS BEING INVOLVED, MENTAL HEALTH, WE NEED MORE MONEY FOR A LOT OF THINGS IN THE STATE.

EVERY AGENCY IS ASKING FOR MORE MONEY IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF FEDERAL HELP ANYMORE.

SO WE'RE ONE OF THE TOP THREE STATES THAT DEPEND ON FEDERAL AID, FEDERAL MONEY.

SO, IF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DOES WHAT IT HAS STARTING DOING IS CUTTING OFF FEDERAL AID TO STATES, THEN WE'RE GOING TO BE IN TROUBLE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO BRING IN NEW REVENUE, NEW INCOME AND THE ONLY WAY IS A GAMING BILL.

WE CAN'T JUST DO A LOTTERY ONLY.

WE'VE DONE A LOTTERY ONLY TEN YEARS AGO, IT MAY HAVE WORKED, BUT EVERY BORDER STATE AROUND US ALREADY HAVE A LOTTERY NOW.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE FUNDING GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA LOTTERY.

IF WE JUST GET A LOTTERY ONLY THERE WILL BE NO ONE TO FUND OUR LOTTERY.

WITH THE 5- PLUS MILLION PEOPLE WE HAVE, WE'LL BE ALL WE HAVE.

>> THE CASINOS, THEY'RE NOT GOING LET THAT PASS.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

YOU SEE THE STATES THAT ARE SPORTS BETTING AND CASINOS, THEY ARE DOING WELL AND SE NEED THAT REVENUE.

>> WE'LL WAIT AND SEE.

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS IS A LOW KEY SESSION.

THAT WOULD WAKE IT UP IN A HURRY.

>> OH, YES.

NOW WE'RE ABOUT TO GO INTO AN ELECTION YEAR SO IT ALWAYS GETS A LITTLE LOW KEY WHEN WE'RE ABOUT TO GO INTO AN ELECTION YEAR.

IT'S ELECTION '26.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

SENATOR, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REST OF THE SESSION.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING HERE AND WORKING WITH YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK MONDAY NIGHT 10:30 RESUMING OUR NIGHTLY COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION.

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