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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE ARE NOW LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY FROM THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION THAT BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 4.

OF COURSE, THAT DAY WE WILL HAVE LIVE COVERAGE OF GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS HERE ON APT.

BUT MOST OF THE POLITICAL ACTION THIS WEEK WAS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WHERE PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S CABINET NOMINEES WENT BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEES FOR CONFIRMATION HEARINGS.

ALABAMA SENATORS TOMMY TUBERVILLE AND KATIE BRITT PLAYED LEADING ROLES IN THOSE HIGH-PROFILE HEARINGS.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" ALEX ANGLE REPORTS ON THEIR QUESTIONING FROM WASHINGTON.

>> ASK QUESTIONS OF PAM BONDI THE AG NOMINEE AND SCOTT TURNER IN THE SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE NOMINATION.

TURNER IS UP TO WITH THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND TUBERVILLE AND BRITT SHOWED THEY ARE SUPPORT I HAVE.

TRUMP'S PICK FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH IS ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL.

TOMMY TUBERVILLE PRAISED HIM DURING THE HEARING.

>> YOU ARE A TOUGH GUY.

BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

NEVER SEEN THIS MANY HERE FOR SUPPORT OF A NOMINEE.

>> HE HAS FACED ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, ALCOHOL ABUSE AND PAST COMMENTS ON WOMEN IN THE MILITARY.

AND HE CALLED OUT THE DEI POLICY.

>> WILL MY COUNTRY USE THEM RESPONSIBLY.

>> WHILE THEY QUIZZED HIM ON HIS KNOWLEDGE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, THEY WENT AFTER HIS STATEMENTS ON WOMEN IN COMBAT ROLES.

THE NEXT DAY KATIE BRITT APPLAUDED PAM.

BONDI.

>> THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA COULD ONLY BE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOMEONE OF YOUR CALIBER, INTELLECT AND EXPERIENCE.

>> WHILE THEY QUESTIONED IF BONDI COULD BE INDEPENDENT OF TRUMP, THEY WILL NOW VOTE ON THE NOMINEES.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER UPDATE ON COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS IN THIS NEW CONGRESS.

ALABAMA'S NEWEST CONGRESSMAN SHOMARI FIGURES HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

IF YOU RECALL, THOSE WERE HIS TOP CHOICES WHEN WE LAST TALKED IN DECEMBER.

THE REST OF THE DELEGATION WILL RETAIN THEIR EXISTING COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

CONGRESSMAN BARRY MOORE WILL SERVER ON THE AGRICULTURE AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEES, CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS REMAINS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

CONGRESSMAN ROBERT ADERHOLT REMAINS ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE WHERE HE CHAIRS THE KEY SUBCOMMITTEE ON LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATION.

AND CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER REMAINS ON THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>>> BACK HERE IN ALABAMA, THE BLOCKCHAIN STUDY COMMITTEE MET THIS WEEK HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THIS EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND IT'S POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE STATE.

BLOCKCHAIN IS A DIGITAL LEDGER THAT SECURELY RECORDS TRANSACTIONS IN A WAY THAT'S TRANSPARENT AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ALTER, MAKING IT A BACKBONE FOR CRYPTOCURRENCIES LIKE BITCOIN.

THE COMMISSION IS EXPLORING THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF BLOCKCHAIN, BUT THEY'RE ALSO IN A HOLDING PATTERN, AWAITING ACTION FROM LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON.

SENATOR GREG ALBRITTON EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING AND PREPARING FOR THE CHANGES BLOCKCHAIN MIGHT BRING, WHILE AMANDA SENN OF THE ALABAMA SECURITIES COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTED THE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR TRADITIONAL CURRENCY COMPARED TO THE UNCERTAINTIES OF CRYPTOCURRENCY.

>> MY CONCERN IS WHAT IS THE DETRIMENTS?

HOW WE MAKE AND RECEIVE PAYMENTS PARTICULARLY FROM THE FED.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW IT.

WE WILL PROBABLY STILL BE TALKING DOLLARS AND CENTS.

IT'S SIMPLY THE METHODOLOGY THAT WILL BE TRANSACTED IN.

WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

I THINK THAT'S MY BIGGEST CONCERN.

>> THERE'S STILL THE GOVERNMENT THAT HAS AGREED THIS IS OUR LEGAL TENDER.

YOU CAN PUT IT IN A BANK, INSURE IT UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT IN MULTIPLE BANK ACCOUNTS.

SO, THERE ARE -- THERE'S A FRAMEWORK IN PLACE AND THERE ARE MEASURES AND PROTECTIONS BEHIND THE U.S. DOLLAR THAT DON'T EXIST RIGHT NOW WITH CRYPTOCURRENCY.

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IS BUT IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING THE DATA THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT ON A SCREEN, STILL INCOMPREHENSIBLE FOR SOME.

>> THE ALABAMA REENTRY COMMISSION MET AGAIN THIS WEEK TO PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT WAYS THE STATE CAN HELP REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> ALABAMA'S REENTRY COMMISSION IS LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO STREAMLINE THE STATE'S REENTRY PROCESS.

DATA COLLECTED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SHOWS WHAT'S WORKING AND WHAT COULD POSSIBLY WORK IN ALABAMA.

>> IT ALSO SHOWS THE HUGE DEMAND AND INCREASE IN THE NEED FOR MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, WHICH I KNOW COMMISSIONER BOSWELL LOBBIES FOR QUITE OFTEN.

IT ALSO SHOWS THE NEED FOR GREATER PAY AND INVESTMENT IN OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, WHICH I KNOW CHRISTIAN HAMM, YOU ADVOCATE FOR.

>> A LOT OF ATTENDEES ARE HELPING THE STATE ARE IMPROVING RECIDIVISM RATES AND HELPING TO SET GUIDELINES TO HELP THOSE FACING REENTRY INTO SOCIETY.

>> TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL IN TERMS OF DO THE FINDINGS RESONATE, DO THEY ALIGN WITH WHAT YOU ARE SEEING FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVES AND WHERE YOU SIT ON REENTRY AND WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FROM YOUR AGENCIES AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> THERE HAS TO BE MORE WAYS, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF REENTRY INTO SOCIETY OF DIVERTING INDIVIDUALS THAT WE KNOW HAVE A DIAGNOSEABLE OR TREATABLE MENTAL ILLNESS AND KEEPING THEM OUT OF A FACILITY WHERE THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY DIAGNOSED -- NOT INTENTIONALLY BUT PUT IT THIS WAY, THE CRISIS DEMANDS A RESPONSE THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE TREATMENT.

>> THERE ARE SOME SCENARIOS WHERE YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY.

AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER ON IS THIS PERSON REALLY READY AND WHAT IS A REASONABLE WAY TO TRANSITION THEM BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WITH SOME SAFEGUARDS AND PROVING THEY CAN FUNCTION WELL IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE PROVIDE REENTRY SERVICES TO INMATES.

WE HAVE REENTRY SERVICES.

ABOUT 2,000 A YEAR.

CAN WE DO BETTER?

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT WE DO HAVE THEM.

>> IN MONTGOMERY, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>>> A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK FROM THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM AND THE ALABAMA BOARD OF NURSING.

THEY ARE PARTNERING UP TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S HEALTHCARE WORKER SHORTAGE BY EXPANDING ACCS HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAMS.

THIS INCLUDES A NEW CERTIFICATION AIMED AT FILLING THOUSANDS OF CRITICAL ROLES IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" JEFF SANDERS HAS THAT STORY.

>> THE DEMAND FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN ALABAMA IS REACHING A CRITICAL LEVEL.

IN RESPONSE, THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS RAMPING UP EFFORTS TO EXPAND HEALTHCARE TRAINING PROGRAMS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES STATEWIDE.

>> WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE HOSPITALS LITERALLY ARE BEGINNING TO CLOSE IN A LOT OF RURAL AREAS.

>> JIMMY BAKER, CHANCELLOR OF THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM JOINED REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALABAMA'S HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY AND THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO HIGHLIGHT THE EXPANSION OF HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STATE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

>> IT IS A GREAT CAREER, A GOOD-PAYING CAREER FOR MANY OF OUR YOUNG STUDENTS.

THEY CAN GO AND IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME RECEIVE ENOUGH TRAINING TO BE EFFECTIVE AS A WORKER IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

>> TO ADDRESS A STATE-WIDE DECLINE IN NURSING SUPPORT STAFF, IN THE ALABAMA BOARD OF NURSING INTRODUCED THE NSTC CREDENTIAL, DESCRIBED AS A CRITICAL STEP TOWARD SOLVING WORKFORCE CHALLENGES CAUSED BY ONGOING SHORTAGES IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

>> WE HOPE TO FILL ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 4 THOUSAND VACANCIES IN HEALTHCARE RELATED TO THIS PROGRAM.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID IS REACHED OUT TO AACS AND DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS AND CAN YOU HELP US?

>> ENABLING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO EARN EARLY.

THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR ON WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION.

>> THE GOVERNOR STANDS READY.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE STANDS READY TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT IN REGARDS TO TRAINING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS SO OUR ECONOMY CAN CONTINUE TO GROW AND WE CAN RECEIVE THE CARE AND OUR FAMILIES CAN RECEIVE THE CARE THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM ALREADY OFFERS MORE THAN 80 HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAMS AT 22 COLLEGES ACROSS THE STATE.

REPORTING FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M JEFF SANDERS.

>>> THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE ALABAMA BIG 10 MAYORS-REPRESENTING THE 10 LARGEST CITIES FROM ACROSS THE STATE-GATHERED IN TUSCALOOSA TO COLLABORATE ON STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AHEAD OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AMONG THE KEY PRESENTATIONS WAS ONE FROM THE TUSCALOOSA POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH SHOWCASED INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES BEING USED TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY.

FROM DRONES SERVING AS FIRST RESPONDERS TO NEW RESOURCE ALLOCATION STRATEGIES, TUSCALOOSA IS LEVERAGING THESE TOOLS TO SET WHAT MAYOR WALT MADDOX CALLS “THE ELITE STANDARD” FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> THE LARGEST EXPENSE IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

TUSCALOOSA 41% OF THE BUDGET IS AT PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT IS AT THE CORE OF KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFETY SAFE.

IT IS SOMETHING WE WANTED TO SHARE.

WE BELIEVE TUSCALOOSA'S PROGRAM IS THE ELITE STANDARD.

>> WE CAN SEND OUT REALTIME ALERTS TO MYSELF AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WHO NEED TO FORESEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

WE HAVE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DRONES.

IT HAS NOT REPLACED ANYTHING BUT BUILT A VAULT TO GET SAFER INFORMATION RATHER THAN ALWAYS SENDING AN OFFICER IN FIRST.

WE CAN NOW SEND IN A DRONE FIRST.

>>> THERE HAVE BEEN INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS ON THE EDUCATION FRONT IN ALABAMA LATELY.

THAT'S WHY WE DEDICATED A WHOLE SHOW TO IT THIS WEEK.

"SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION" AIRED THURSDAY AND, IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, THE EPISODE IS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

JUST GO TO YOUTUBE.COM/AT CAPITOLJOURNAL TO CATCH UP ON THOSE STORIES, INCLUDING MY IN DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH APT EDUCATION REPORTER TRISH CRAIN.

AND WHILE YOU'RE THERE, GO AHEAD AND HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON SO YOU NEVER MISS AN EPISODE OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH THIS WEEK'S GUESTS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR ARTHUR ORR.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE SESSION.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S COMING UP THIS QUICKLY.

I WANT TO GET AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE ON THOSE BUDGETS, THE EDUCATION BUDGET THAT'S GOING TO BE IN YOUR COMMITTEE.

I KNOW YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE OFF SEASON WITH AIDES AND BUDGET FOLKS.

WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF REVENUES AND LEADING UP TO WRITING THE BUDGET?

>> REVENUES ARE TRENDING BACK TO THE NORM, WHICH IS NOT CERTAINLY A BAD THING.

WE'RE NOT NEGATIVE BUT CERTAINLY THE GROWTH IN REVENUES HAS GONE BACK TO THE NORM, AND THAT MEANS THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR WILL HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL OF AROUND $500 MILLION THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE.

THEN WE WILL BE ON THE K-12 SIDE LOOKING AT SIGNIFICANT TEE UP AND TRS EXPENDITURES WE WILL HAVE TO BUDGET FOR.

AND THEN CONTINUE IN NUMERACY AND LITERACY AND PRE-K AND ENDEAVORS LIKE THAT TO KEEP FUNDING THOSE SO THEY ARE FULLY IMPLEMENTED ACROSS THE STATE.

THOSE ARE ONGOING MAINTENANCE ITEMS WE HAVE TO SEE YEAR-OVER-YEAR FUNDING INCREASES MORE OR LESS.

>> I KNOW YOU TYPICALLY HAVE BUDGET HEARINGS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION IS THAT A GOOD TIME FOR MEMBERS OF YOUR COMMITTEE TO UNDERSTAND PERSON TO PERSON WHAT THE STATE NEEDS, THOSE AGENCIES SPECIFICALLY?

>> SURE.

WE WILL HAVE THOSE HEARINGS THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SESSION, THE EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND SIDE.

MEMBERS WILL COME AND GO AND LISTEN TO VARIOUS AGENCIES THAT THEY MAY HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN.

YES, IT'S HELPFUL IN PLOTTING THE COURSE.

OF COURSE, WE WILL HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT HER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AND TAKE IT FROM THERE.

>> YEAH.

I KNOW YOU ALL TALKED ABOUT THIS IDEA OF MODERNIZING THE WAY WE ALLOCATE FUNDS FROM THE STATE TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, RIGHT?

THE FUNDING FORMULA.

I GUESS IT GOES BACK TO THE '90S AND MAYBE FURTHER THAN THAT.

GO BACK TO THE '30S IN TERMS OF HOW WE STARTED THE PROGRAM AND MAYBE UPDATED IN THE '90S.

YOU HAVE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS AND GONE THROUGH THIS IDEA OF MAKING IT MORE MODERN, MEETING NEEDS OF STUDENTS BECAUSE SOME STUDENTS -- IT COSTS MORE TO EDUCATE DIFFERENT STUDENTS BASED ON THEIR NEEDS.

WHERE ARE WE ON THAT AND MIGHT WE SEE ANYTHING IN THE UPCOMING SESSION?

>> WE HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH, I GUESS AN EDUCATION PROCESS WITH THE VARIOUS MEMBERS AND SHOW THEM WHAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING, HOW THE FUNDING FORMULAS WORK IN OTHER STATES WHEN IT IS STUDENT NEED BASED, BASED ON THE STUDENT NEEDS, AS YOU ARTICULATED.

THE STUDENT NEEDS ROUGHLY DEFINED AS SPECIAL ED.

IT COSTS MORE FOR A SPECIAL ED CHILD OR ENGLISH LEARNER AND CHILDREN COMING OUT OF POVERTY, FOR THEM THE COSTS ARE HIGHER, NEED MORE ATTENTION.

IN THAT SENSE, WE WOULD LIKE TO PIVOT FROM JUST A SHEER HEAD COUNT SITUATION, HOW MANY STUDENTS YOU HAVE AND BASED ON THAT ENROLLMENT THIS IS HOW MUCH MONEY YOU GET.

AND ALL STUDENTS ARE TREATED EQUALLY MORE OR LESS AND PIVOT TO SOMETHING THAT IS BASED ON THOSE STUDENT NEEDS.

YOU HAVE A BASE.

SO, YOU HAVE THE ADM OR THE DAILY MEMBERSHIP, THE CENSUS AMOUNT AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT YOU WOULD PARCEL OUT FUNDS TO PROVIDE EXTRA MONEY FOR AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER CHILD WHO'S GOING TO REQUIRE ENGLISH CLASSES TO LEARN TO BE ABLE TO STUDY AND BE A STUDENT AND SUCCEED.

ALL OF THOSE ARE COMING TO A HEAD.

THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS IS OVER.

WE HAVE THROWN UP SOME MODELS, NOT FOR THIS IS THE WAY IT IS GOING TO BE BUT MORE SHOWING HOW IT WORKS AND WHAT THE DIFFERENT LEVERS ARE WITH THE MODELS AND WHAT YOU CAN TWEAK AND MOVE AROUND AND HOW THEY WORK.

NOW IT IS TIME TO SAY DO WE PUNT AND DO NOTHING?

TENNESSEE AND MISSISSIPPI MOVED RECENTLY TO THIS STUDENT-BASED FUNDING FORMULA.

46 STATES ALREADY HAVE IT.

WE'RE ONE OF FOUR LEFT, OR DO WE DO SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE, A HYBRID, THAT'S KIND OF THE GEORGIA MODEL, OR DO WE GO ALL IN, LIKE TENNESSEE AND MISSISSIPPI?

IT WILL BE UP TO THE COMMITTEES TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE MEETING NEXT WEEK AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEES ARE.

>> NOT AN EASY THING TO DO OBVIOUSLY.

>> OH, NO.

>> TALKING ABOUT TURNING AROUND AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER KIND OF THING.

AS YOU SAID, WE WILL BE ONE OF THE LAST STATES TO ACCOMPLISH THIS.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE -- SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS TO HAPPEN AT SOME POINT.

MAYBE IT IS BABY STEPS.

>> MAY BE.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU PUT IT OUT THERE AND GONE AHEAD AND TACKLED IT AS AN ISSUE RATHER THAN JUST IGNORING IT.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

I HOPE YOU'LL KEEP US UPDATED AS IT GOES.

I TELL FOLKS ALL THE TIME, WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE LARGEST AMOUNT WE SPEND PERIOD IN THIS BUILDING, IN THE STATEHOUSE.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT HOW THAT GOES.

I WANT TO ASK YOU -- SWITCHING GEARS A BIT -- ABOUT THE CHOOSE ACT.

OBVIOUSLY PASSED IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED.

IT WAS THE GOVERNOR AND YOUR CHAIRMAN AND CHAIRMAN GARRETT'S PARTY.

WE SAW IT GO IN TO EFFECT WHEN YOU COULD START APPLYING AND YOU SAW AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE IN THE COUPLE OF WEEKS IT'S BEEN IN EFFECT.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?

WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?

IS THAT PROOF POSITIVE WHAT Y'ALL WANTED?

>> WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE A PENT UP DEMAND FOR THOSE WHO WERE VERY CLUED IN TO THE LEGISLATION.

I THINK THE REAL QUESTION BECOMES WHAT'S ROUND TWO LOOK LIKE?

IN OTHER WORDS, WE GET THIS PENT UP DEMAND GROUP AND ALL SEND IN APPLICATIONS TODAY AND WANT TO BE PARTICIPANTS.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR AND THE NEXT YEAR?

IS IT START A BRUSHFIRE AND SNOWBALL AND WE START TO GET LARGER AND LARGER, OR IS IT TAPERING OFF AND YOU SEE SMALL INCREASES YEAR OVER YEAR?

THAT'S THE QUESTION FOR ME AS THE ONE THAT WILL NEED TO FUND IT.

WE DID PUT A CAP ON IT THAT IS IMPORTANT.

WE CAN RAISE THE CAP IF THE NEED IS DEMAND, BUT WE'RE KIND OF LEARNING AS WE GO AND MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE NEEDS ARE MET BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PROGRAM ENSURES THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION OF THESE CHILDREN PARTICIPATING.

>> RIGHT.

WELL, YEAH, CAPS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS MONEY COMES FROM SOMEWHERE.

IN THIS CASE IT IS TAX RECEIPTS AND IT WOULD NORMALLY GO TO THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

SO UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> BUT THESE CHILDREN COME FROM PARENTS THAT AREN'T PAYING THOSE TAXES.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY -- THAT'S ALWAYS THE TENSION BECAUSE YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

IT'S WHAT Y'ALL DO.

SPEAKING OF THAT, STUDIES, WATCHING THE DATA, WATCHING HOW LAWS ACTUALLY WORK, YOU WROTE AN INTERESTING OP-ED THIS WEEK ABOUT THE DOGE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, INCOMING PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTS THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY WANTING TO TACKLE -- I MEAN HE IS TALKING $2 TRILLION.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL EVER GET THAT MUCH BUT TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

YOU WROTE AN INTERESTING OP-ED ABOUT HERE IN ALABAMA YOU HAVE HAD SOMETHING SORT OF LIKE THIS.

YOU CHAIR THE COMMISSION THAT FOCUSES ON GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

TALK ABOUT WHERE THAT CAME FROM AND WHAT YOUR OP-ED SORT OF SPELLED OUT?

>> THIS GOES BACK TO MY DAYS AS CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL FUND.

IT WAS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT -- THOSE GO BACK TO THE DAYS OF THE GREAT RECESSION AND YOU WOULD HAVE ALL OF THE AGENCY HEADS COME FORWARD AND SAY YOU CAN'T CUT THIS PROGRAM OR THIS PROGRAM IS DOING GREAT WORK OR WHATEVER.

AND IT HAD NOTHING ON WHICH TO BASE THEIR CLAIMS.

MURDER, THE DATA MANY TIMES WERE INSUFFICIENT AND YOU JUST WERE FLYING BLINDLY WITHOUT ANY RADAR OR KNOWLEDGE OF ALL OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND EXPENDITURES OF AGENCY.

>> JUST ANTIDOTES.

>> JUST DON'T CUT US, CUT THEM MORE OR LESS.

>> TRUST ME.

>> WE WERE IN A CUTTING MODE.

SO, NOT HAVING ANY RELIABLE INFORMATION UPON WHICH TO MAKE FUNDING DECISIONS IN THE LEGISLATURE, POKED AROUND AND FOUND NATIONAL GROUPS WERE ALREADY DOING THIS.

HAD STOOD UP IN STATE GOVERNMENT AN ORGANIZATION TO EVALUATE THESE PROGRAMS AND WHETHER THEY ARE REALLY WORKING AND THEY ARE HITTING AS MANY PEOPLE AS THEY CLAIM.

AND IS IT EFFECTIVE?

ARE THINGS CHANGING.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE A PROGRAM FOR PRISON EDUCATION, IS IT REDUCING RECIDIVISM?

IS IT CAUSING INMATES TO GO AND GET A JOB AFTER THEY COME OUT OF PRISON OR JUST A FEEL GOOD AND WE THINK WE ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT AND WELL AND HELPING INMATES GET A LIFE AFTER PRISON AND IT DOESN'T REALLY SEEM TO BE THE CASE?

WHO'S EVALUATING AND LOOKING?

WHO'S TESTING AND VERIFYING?

SO, WE SET UP, BEFORE COVID, A GROUP CALLED ALABAMA COMMISSION ON EVALUATION OF SERVICES.

I KNOW IT SOUNDS NERDY BUT IT IS CALLED ACES FOR SHORT.

WE DID SOMETHING DIFFERENT HERE IN ALABAMA BECAUSE AT THE TIME AND OF COURSE NOW AND PERHAPS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, YOU SEE A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, PROBABLY GOING TO BE IN PLACE AND A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, PROBABLY GOING TO BE IN PLACE.

SO, WE WORKED WITH GOVERNOR IVEY AND WE HAVE THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AT THE TABLE MANAGING, MY COUNTERPART, CHIEF OF STAFF LIZ FILMORE WHO IS INVOLVED AND MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

TO SHEPHERD THIS ORGANIZATION AND LOOK AT VARIOUS AGENCIES AND SEE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE GOVERNMENT.

AS A STARTUP, WE ARE CRAWLING BEFORE WE WALK, BEFORE WE RUN.

I THINK WE'RE ABOUT TO HIT THE WALKING PHASE.

IT'S NOT A GREATLY EXPENSIVE ORGANIZATION.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO ADD MORE BUREAUCRACY.

BUT IT HAS BEEN HELPFUL TO HAVE A GROUP THAT'S FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE IN THESE AGENCIES IF YOU ASK THEM TO SELF EXAMINE THEMSELVES, OH, ALL IS ROSY.

>> SURE.

>> THAT'S A DIFFICULT PLACE TO PUT THEM IN.

RATHER THAN PAYING AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING GROUP OR SOME OUTSIDER TO COME IN AND EVALUATE, WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT.

WE WORK TOGETHER TO SEE HOW VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND EXPENDITURES CAN BE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, SAVE TAXPAYER MONEY IN THE PROCESS.

I'M ENCOURAGED ABOUT WHERE WE ARE.

IT TAKES A LOT TO TRAIN THE STAFF AND ALL YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO ASSEMBLE THE DATA.

WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

I'M PLEASED WITH IT.

I THOUGHT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS.

IT IS A LITTLE INSIDE BASEBALL BUT IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> THAT'S WHAT OUR VIEWERS REALLY LIKE.

YOU ARE RIGHTFUL.

NO AGENCY IS GOING TO COME AND SAY MR. CHAIRMAN WE REALLY NEED A HAIR CUT.

>> IT'S HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE WHERE THEY SAY WE DON'T NEED AN INCREASE.

>> OKAY.

YEAH.

A LITTLE DOGE OF OUR OWN.

>> YES.

>> I'D LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT TOO.

ACCOUNTABLE WHEN IT COMES TO TAXPAYER DOLLARS IS REALLY IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY FOR LAWMAKERS BUT FOR THOSE WHO YOU REPRESENT WHO PAY THE TAXES.

SO INTERESTING AND WE'LL SHARE THAT OP-ED.

WE HAVE GONE TOO LONG BUT I CAN'T LET YOU GO WITHOUT BRINGING THIS UP.

YOU RECENTLY RULED OUT RUMORS YOU MIGHT RUN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

RUMORS HAVE PERCOLATED OVER THE YEARS BUT YOU LAID IT TO REST BEFORE SESSION STARTED.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> AS YOU SAY, I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED THROUGH THE YEARS, THROUGH THE MONTHS AND THE CONTACTS WERE INCREASING EVER SO MUCH.

WITH PLEDGES OF SUPPORT AND HELP, WE WANT TO HELP YOU.

YOU ARE THE GUY, WHATEVER.

AND QUITE FRANKLY I HEARD SOMETHING TODD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAT RESONATED WITH ME.

SOMEBODY SAID WHAT DO YOU DAYDREAM AND THINK ABOUT?

WHEN I CONSIDERED THAT, ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.

I'M VERY FOCUSED ON WHAT I'M DOING HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I FIND THE PROCESS REWARDING.

PEOPLE SAY DO YOU ENJOY IT?

I DIDN'T COME DOWN TO MONTGOMERY TO ENJOY THINGS, BUT IT'S REWARDING TO SEE GOOD POLICY DECISIONS MADE AND FIND GOOD MERITORIOUS PROJECTS AND THINGS ACROSS THE STATE.

GOING TO PUT THAT OUT THERE AS CANDIDATES ARE CONSIDERING GETTING INTO THE RACE AND WHETHER WE ARE IN OR OUT THEY WOULD HAVE ONE LESS CANDIDATE THAT HAD BEEN RUMORED TO BE IN THE RACE TO CONSIDER AND CERTAINLY THAT WOULD BE MYSELF.

>> WELL, THAT'S -- YOU KNOW, PROBABLY CUTS OUT A LOT OF ALTERNATE TALK THROUGH THE SESSION.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE PRETTY BUSY ANY WAY.

SENATOR, AGAIN, THANKS FOR COMING ON.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE CONVERSATIONS.

JUST TWO WEEKS BEFORE SESSION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME IS CHRIS ENGLAND.

WE HAVE SESSION COMING UP.

IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

I ALWAYS ENJOY HAVING YOU ON.

YOU FOLLOW A GOOD BIT OF LEGISLATION ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, SO I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO START WITH THIS SIMPLIFIED TAX.

IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW.

THIS IS KNOWN AS THE ONLINE SALES TAX.

REFORMS GOING BACK TO 2015.

WHAT WOULD YOUR LEGISLATION DO?

HOW WOULD IT ALTER THE SSUT AND WHAT'S THE REASON BEHIND IT?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

THE SSUT ITSELF WAS INITIALLY DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE ONLINE MARKETPLACE FACILITATORS TO COLLECT TAX WHEN THEY FACILITATE A TRANSACTION.

>> AMAZON.

>> WHAT WE DID IS GIVE THEM A LOWER TAX RATE, 8% AND THEN SIMPLIFY THEIR TAX COLLECTION.

ALL THEY HAVE TO DO NOW, INSTEAD OF DETERMINING THE SALE OCCURRED AND DISTRIBUTING THE TAXES TO LOCALITIES IS COLLECT 8%, SEND IT TO THE STATE AND WE DID THE REST.

IT WAS PRETTY SUCCESSFULLY INITIALLY BECAUSE PEOPLE VOLUNTARILY ENTERED INTO THE PROGRAM AND STARTED TO PAY THIS SSUT.

WHEN WE ENACTED THE LAW, THE SUPREME COURT SAID WE COULD ASSESS A TAX ON THE TRANSACTIONS AS LONG AS THE TAXING SCHEME IS SIMPLE, RIGHT?

SO, IN MY OPINION, WE REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT'S OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS BECAUSE WE CAN IMPOSE A TAX ON THOSE FOLKS AND COLLECT IT AS LONG AS IT REMAINS SIMPLE.

AS A RESULT OF THE SSUT, THERE'S A LOT OF INEQUITIES THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED.

CITIES, SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND SO FORTH WHO WOULD NORMALLY GET THE LION'S SHARE OF THE TAXES THAT ARE COLLECTED ON BRICK AND MORTAR TRANSACTIONS ARE NOW LOSING THAT MONEY AS A RESULT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SHOPPING ONLINE.

SO, WE PUT OUR BRICK AND MORTARS AT A DISADVANTAGE AGAINST A LARGE, MULTINATIONAL CONGLOMERATE THAT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH INTEREST IN ALABAMA'S ECONOMIC FUTURE.

MY BILL SEEKS TO TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE INEQUITIES.

BECAUSE THE LION SHARE OF SALES THAT FUEL SSUT OCCUR IN CITIES, MAJOR CITIES, BUT A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE MONEY GOES TO PLACES THAT HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SALE.

WHY THAT IS HURTFUL IS BECAUSE IT DAMAGES CITY'S BUDGETS.

THEY ARE LOSING MONEY.

IT ALSO, ON A LOCAL LEVEL, THE MONEY USUALLY SPENT AT A BRICK AND MORTAR THAT WOULD NORMALLY GO TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD IS NOT GOING.

SO THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RUNNING A SCHOOL SYSTEM LIKE TRANSPORTATION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE GULF BETWEEN WHAT THEY HAVE AND WHAT THEY NEED IS CONTINUING TO GROW AND THERE'S NOTHING THERE TO ADDRESS IT.

TRYING TO ADDRESS THOSE INEQUITIES BY EITHER INCREASING THE AMOUNT THAT WE COLLECT AND MAKING IT EQUAL OR AVERAGE EQUAL FROM 8% TO 9.25 OR 9.5 OR CHANGING THE DISTRICTS FORMULA TO A CERTAIN DEGREE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THE INEQUITIES, ESPECIALLY THE EDUCATION.

>> I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND ESPECIALLY HEAR ON THE SCHOOL SIDE -- LIKE YOU SAID THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRICK AND MORTAR.

THEY GET A LOT OF SALES TAX AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

I KNOW THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND AND LOCAL COUNTIES AND CITY'S GENERAL FUND HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE SSUT.

I'M GUESSING THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE TOO HAPPY WITH LEGISLATION LIKE THAT?

>> NO, THEY ARE NOT.

IT IS THE ART OF POLITICS, THE NEGOTIATION PART OF THIS.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO THINK OF IT TWO WAYS.

YOU MAY GET MONEY ON THE FRONT END, BUT IF RESPONSIBILITIES IN OTHER AREAS THAT YOU ARE INCORRECT DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR, LIKE SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO GROW, YOU WILL HAVE TO APPROPRIATE SOME FUNDING TO HELP WITH THOSE PROBLEMS.

>> IT ALL COMES OUT IN THE WASH IT SHOULD.

THE SECOND PART IS IF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO SEE THE BENEFIT OF PROVIDING SIMPLIFIED TRANSACTIONS, MEANING IT'S A LOWER COST AND EASIER FOR ME TO ADMINISTER, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE SEEKING TO BECOME SSUT BUSINESSES.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF IT IS A BENEFIT TO YOU, AS A BUSINESS, TO NOT HAVE A BRICK AND MORTAR WHERE YOU CAN PUT LOWER TAX RATE AND EASIER ON ME AS FAR AS MY TAX ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED, WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE LESS BRICK AND MORTAR AND MORE ONLINE SELLERS, WHICH WILL BE DEVASTATING TO LOCAL ECONOMIES AND CITIES AND COUNTIES BECAUSE YOU HAVE BUSINESS CHOOSING WHETHER TO LOCATE THERE OR HAVE A DISTRIBUTION CENTER WHERE YOU JUST ORDER AND I DELIVER IT.

SO IT IS EASIER.

YOU ARE PUTTING THESE PEOPLE IN SITUATIONS, THE BRICK AND MORTARS AT A SIGNIFICANT DISADVANTAGE AGAINST THEIR OUT OF STATE COMPETITORS.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT DEBATE WHICH WILL BE A LIVELY ONE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES.

BAIL REFORM, YOU HAVE INTRODUCED THIS A COUPLE OF YEARS IN A ROW.

TALK TO ME ABOUT BAIL REFORM AND WHAT IT ENTAILS, AS YOU SEE IT AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> OFTENTIMES WHEN LEGISLATURE RESPONDS TO AN ISSUE WE OVERREACT, AND THERE WAS LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THAT ESSENTIALLY CHANGED THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, A COURT SYSTEM CAN ISSUE WHAT IS CALLED A PERCENTAGE BOND.

ON THAT PERCENTAGE BOND IF YOU HAVE 1,000 THEY CAN CHARGE 10% AND MAKE YOU PAY CASH.

YOU PAY CASH DIRECTLY TO THE COURT SYSTEM AND GUESS WHAT, MAGICALLY THE COURT COSTS GET PAID, VICTIMS GET COMPENSATION AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.

HOW WE CHANGED THE LAW A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO REQUIRES JUST ABOUT EVERY IN THE COURT SYSTEM TO GET A BONDSMAN, INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE COURT TO DO A PERCENTAGE BOND AND TAKE CASH.

WHAT THAT DOES OTHER THAN PROVIDE BUSINESS FOR BONDING COMPANIES, IT ALSO TAKES RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE COURT SYSTEM.

ALSO, IF YOU ARE -- SAY YOU MISS A COURT DATE OR YOU HAVE TO BOND OUT OF JAIL, WELL, USUALLY, IF YOU DON'T APPEAR, SOME OF THAT MONEY IS TAKEN TO PAY YOUR FINES AND COURT COSTS AND RESTITUTION, IF NECESSARY.

INSTEAD OF THE SAME MONEY YOU GAVE TO THE BONDSMAN DOESN'T GO TO THE COURT.

YOU WILL PAY THEM AND STILL OWE THE COURT.

YOU SAY BAIL REFORM, THIS IS REALLY JUST A WAY TO REFORM WHAT WE WERE DOING FOR YEARS TO MAKE SURE THEIR MONEY WORKS FOR THEIR BENEFIT IN TERMS OF PAYING FINES AND COURT COSTS AND FOR THE COURT SYSTEM BENEFIT BECAUSE THE MONEY GOES TO THE COURT INSTEAD A BONDSMAN BUT ULTIMATELY TO THE VICTIM'S BENEFIT BECAUSE IT GOES TO A VICTIM INSTEAD OF THE BONDSMAN.

THE BILL THAT I SPONSORED ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR DECADES WHICH IS PUT THE COURT SYSTEM VICTIMS AND SO FORTH FIRST.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT HOW VICTIMS ARE COMPENSATED AND TALK ABOUT THEM MOVING TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE RATHER THAN DOWN THE LINE.

>> RIGHT.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT PARDONS AND PAROLES.

OFF BILL THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN FOR A LONG TIME.

BEYOND THE BILL, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE NEXT STEP IN TERMS OF PARDONS AND PAROLE, THE BOARD.

I KNOW DIRECTOR WARD IS DOING THINGS A LOT DIFFERENTLY IN THE FUTURE THERE.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE SEEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST SIX YEARS, FROM 2019 UNTIL 2025, ALMOST -- I MEAN JUST A MASSIVE WAY IN THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE.

FROM THE POINT WHERE WE WENT OVER 50% OF PAROLES GRANTED AND PARDONS GRANTED TO UNDER 8 TO 7, 6%.

THERE IS ONE UNIFYING EVENT TO ALL OF THAT, AND THIS IS THE APPOINTMENT OF LEE WATNEY AS CHAIR.

WHEN WE CHANGED THE LAW, WE HAD THE BOARD RESPONSIBLE FOR SEVERAL THINGS.

WE INSTITUTED NEW GUIDELINES THAT THE BOARD HAS ROUTINELY IGNORED THE LAST SIX YEARS, BUT PART OF THAT, THE LAW REQUIRED THE BOARD TO REASSESS AND COLLECT DATA SO WE COULD FIGURE OUT WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THE LAW BEING ENACTED FROM 2019 TO 2022 WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS WORKING AND IF IT WASN'T WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH AN ENTIRE PROCESS TO FIX IT.

UP UNTIL THIS POINT, FIVE YEARS AFTER THE LAW IS PASSED, IT HASN'T BEEN DONE.

FIRST AND FOREMOST.

SO WE HAVE WASTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, BUT WE HAD A HEARING RECENTLY WHERE THE CHAIR GOES BEFORE US AND SAID NOT ONLY IS SHE IGNORING THE GUIDELINES PRIMARILY BUT CHANGING THEM BECAUSE SHE SAID THEY DON'T WORK.

PART OF THE PROCESS WAS TO GET PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.

SO IF WE HAD TO CHANGE IT THE PUBLICS WAS INVOLVED.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THE CHAIR CAN UNILATERALLY DO ACCORDING TO THE LAW BUT SHE'S DOING IT ANY WAY.

NOW WE WASTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR A GUIDELINE SYSTEM AND THAT IS CORRUPTED SO WE CAN'T USE THIS AND THE SUN LIGHT PART OF THIS, WHERE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CORRUPTED.

WE GAVE YOU A WAY TO FIX IT, NOT ON YOUR OWN BUT CREATE A PROCESS SO THE GUIDELINES WORK SO WE CAN HAVE A BETTER PROCESS.

>> WILL THIS COUNCIL ADDRESS THAT?

>> IT WOULD.

IT WOULD GIVE US OVERSIGHT TO MAKE SURE WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE FOLLOWS THE LAW.

THERE'S A BRIGHT LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

2025, HER TERM ENDS.

THE BEST WAY TO GET ANY SORT OF PAROLE REFORM DONE AND BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK IS TO NOT CONFIRM HER AND APPOINT ANOTHER CHAIR.

I THINK -- ALL THE LEGISLATION THAT WE SPONSORED AND THE IDEAS WE HAVE CREATED, ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS GETTING WHERE WE NEED TO GO IS THE CHAIR.

LISTEN, I'VE SAID THIS A MILLION TIMES.

IF THE PAROLE PROCESS DOESN'T WORK, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUILD A PRISON LARGE ENOUGH.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO CARE FOR THE POPULATION CREATED IF THE PAROLE SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING.

SO, IT NEEDS OVERSIGHT AND POSSIBLY NEEDS TO EXPAND ITS MEMBERSHIP SO ONE PERSON CAN'T COMMANDEER THE PROCESS AND SOME DEADLINES IMPOSED.

SO WHAT WE REQUIRED TO BE DONE IN 2019 IS ACTUALLY DONE NOW.

WE COULD EVEN MAKE A GOOD JUDGMENT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE GUIDELINES ARE EVEN WORKING.

IF WE HAD DONE IT THE RIGHT WAY, WE COULD HAVE GOT TO THIS POINT ORGANICALLY SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND CHANGED THE GUIDELINES, BUT SINCE THE CHAIR HASN'T DONE IT, THERE IS NO OVERSIGHT SO WE DON'T KNOW IF THE GUIDELINES ARE WORKING OR NOT.

>> WOW.

SOME STRONG WORDS EARLY IN THE YEAR.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE WATCHING.

WE WILL BE WATCHING IT GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

WE'LL SEE YOU IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION GETS STARTED.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO.APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> SINCE 1997, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS PROVIDED PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS.

VISIT APTV.ORG/EDUCATION TO LEARN MORE.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE FROM OZARK.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU MADE THE NEWS THIS WEEK BECAUSE YOU HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT YOU WILL SEEK RE-ELECTION AFTER HEARING YOU MAY CALL IT A CAREER AFTER 30 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GIVE IT ANOTHER GO?

I SAID A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I ASPIRED TO BE SPEAKER AND RAN FOR THAT POST AND TOLD FOLKS IF I WERE TO WIN I'D SERVE ONE MORE TERM.

OF COURSE I CAME UP SHORT ON THAT ENDEAVOR.

SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE FROM CONSTITUENTS IN DALE AND HOUSTON COUNTY AND FELLOW HOUSE MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE PRESENT SPEAKER ASKED ME TO RECONSIDER, TO STAY ON.

SO, I'VE DECIDED TO.

I LIKE THE PROCESS.

IT IS FRUSTRATING SOMETIMES BUT I LIKE TO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE AND HELPING FOLKS AT HOME.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT IN THE LEGISLATURE TO HAVE ELDER STATESMEN EXPERIENCE, CONSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

EVERY FOUR YEARS, THERE'S A NEW CROP OF YOUNG, NEW LAWMAKERS, WHICH THERE WILL BE AGAIN IN 2026.

IF YOU WERE TO BE RE-ELECTED, YOU WOULD HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG LAWMAKERS.

OVER THE YEARS, ARE THERE SOME THINGS -- A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED THAT WOULD BE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO PASS ALONG TO YOUNGER LAWMAKERS FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> I THINK SO.

OBVIOUSLY START OFF WITH THE RULES.

THAT'S THE BIG THING.

THE NEW LAWMAKER HAS TO LEARN THE PROCESS, HOW A BILL IS PASSED AND HOW TO COMMUNICATE THAT BACK TO THEIR DISTRICTS.

ALSO STAYING IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICT.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THEM AS THEY ARE STUDYING DIFFERENT LEGISLATION.

I HAVE HAD SO MUCH EXPERIENCE ON THE BUDGET ISSUES, PARTICULARLY THE GENERAL FUND, THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF FOLKS BACK HOME ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT FUNDING ISSUES FOR THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO LEARN THE MECHANICS OF THE BUDGETS, THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT TWO SEPARATE BUDGETS, A LOT OF NEW LAWMAKERS DON'T KNOW WE HAVE AN EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

WE ARE ONE OF THREE STATES IN THE NATION THAT OPERATE LIKE THAT.

YOU HAVE TO SEPARATE THOSE TWO AND THEN YOU HAVE TO LEARN THAT THERE'S SO MUCH WE DO, MORALLY ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE THAT INVOLVES MATCHING FUNDS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT'S NOT LIKE COMING IN AND CUTTING ACROSS THE BOARD.

THERE ARE THINGS ON MEDICAID, MENTAL HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

THERE'S A THRESHOLD WE HAVE TO MEET TO DRAW DOWN THE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT.

>> KNOWING THE NUANCES.

IT CAN BE COMPLICATED.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT BEING IN TOUCH WITH THE CONSTITUENTS BACK HOME.

YOU ARE A CONDUIT BETWEEN CONSTITUENTS AND STATE AGENCIES.

IF SOMEONE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH AN AGENCY, THEY CALL THEIR LAWMAKER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S A LONG, DRAWN-OUT PROCESS PLAYING PHONE TAG IN THIS DAY AND AGE WITH THE AGENCY, GETTING THE PARTIAL ANSWER YOU ARE TRYING TO GET BACK TO YOUR CONSTITUENT AND THEN BACK TO THE AGENCY AND MAKING SURE IF THERE CAN BE A SOLUTION THAT IT FINALLY COMES TO FRUITION.

IT'S NOT A 15-SECOND PHONE CALL.

>> RIGHT.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS INTERVIEW AND THINKING ABOUT YOUR CAREER.

EVERY AREA OF THE STATE NEEDS A LEGISLATIVE LEADER, A DEAN OF THE DELEGATION.

NOT AN OFFICIAL ROLE, BUT BIRMINGHAM, NORTH ALABAMA, HUNTSVILLE, HERE IN THE RIVER REGION, MOBILE, YOU ARE THAT FOR THE WIREGRASS.

YOU ARE THE LEGISLATIVE DEAN OF THAT.

I'M CURIOUS, IT'S NOT OFFICIAL BUT WHAT GOES INTO THAT IN TERMS OF YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR THAT AREA FOR ALL THE LAWMAKERS?

>> WELL, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WHEN WE GET INTO THE LEGISLATURE A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS ARE LEGAL ISSUES THAT DON'T INVOLVE THAT PART OF THE STATE.

SO, A LOT OF OUR DELEGATIONS THEY CAN'T GET ALONG.

THAT CAUSES -- SPILLS INTO THE REGULAR SESSION.

IT BLOCKS STATEWIDE BUSINESS.

WE HAVE HAD THOSE ISSUES IN THE WIREGRASS IN THE PAST BUT WE HAVEN'T IN THE LAST SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE YEARS.

WE HAVE WORKED VERY GOOD TOGETHER.

IT'S A MATTER OF TRYING TO FEEL THAT PROCESS OUT BECAUSE YOU ARE DEALING WITH FOLKS WHO LIVE IN THE COUNTY OVER OR A TOWN OVER AND SOMETIMES THERE'S CONFLICTS.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT PROCESS AND KNOW -- JUST LIKE YOU ARE DEALING WITH LEGISLATION HERE, IT HAS TO BE MASSAGED TO WORK THOSE ISSUES OUT.

WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT THAT.

>> YEAH.

SOMETIMES THOSE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL THINGS BLEED OVER IN TO LEGISLATIVE FIGHTS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IT IS AMAZING WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES WHEN LOCAL DELEGATIONS WORK TOGETHER.

I'VE SEEN THAT LOCALLY HERE WHERE I'M FROM.

LOOKING FORWARD, THIS SESSION, THE NEXT SESSION, MAYBE THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU FORESEE HAPPENING -- LAST SESSION WAS A GIANT SESSION.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SESSION AND BEYOND?

>> THERE'S VERY FEW SESSIONS WHERE THERE'S NOT AN UNEXPECTED THING THAT POPS UP.

>> RIGHT.

>> TWO YEARS AGO, WE HAD CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING.

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SUPREME COURT, THE FEDS SAYING WE HAD TO REDRAW THE DISTRICTS.

SO WE HAD TO STOP WHAT WE WERE DOING TO COME UP WITH A NEW REDISTRICTING PLAN.

OF COURSE, SEND IT OFF AND IT WAS NOT APPROVED AND THEN THEY ENDED UP DOING WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO ANYWAY.

SO, THAT ISSUE AFFECTED THE WIREGRASS MORE THAN ANYBODY.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE WERE ATTUNED TO.

IT IS NOT OVER YET.

IT IS A COURT CASE GOING ON.

WE MAY HAVE TO ADDRESS IT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE WIREGRASS IS LOOKED AFTER THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.

IT MAY WELL BE HAPPENING WITH THE STATE SENATE SEAT.

THERE'S A LAWSUIT DEALING WITH THAT.

WE MAY HAVE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF SESSION OR HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH SOME STATE SENATE SEATS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO -- NOT ONLY TO EVERYBODY IN THE STATE BUT COULD BLEED TO THE WIREGRASS, TOO.

LAST YEAR, DURING THE SESSION, ALL OF A SUDDEN IVF, IN-VITRO FERTLIZATION.

I MEAN I COULD HAVE PUT ON MY LITTLE FINGER WHAT I KNOW ABOUT IVF BUT I KNOW A LOT ABOUT IT NOW.

WE HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A SESSION.

WE CAME UP WITH A BAND-AID, DEALING WITH THE ISSUE THAT THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT HAD RULED ON.

BEING ABLE TO GET THE IVF CLINICS TO REOPEN AND GRANT THEM IMMUNITY BUT IT WAS JUST A BAND-AID.

WE'RE NOT THROUGH WITH THAT ISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WILL DEAL WITH IT THIS YEAR BUT THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE ON BECAUSE WE -- NOT ONLY IN MY AREA BUT ALL OVER THE STATE, THERE'S A LOT OF PROSPECTIVE PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS THAT DON'T GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS BUT GOT INVOLVED IN THAT ISSUE AND THEY WILL BE LOOKING FOR SOME ANSWERS HERE.

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

YOU CAN MAKE ALL THE LEGISLATIVE PLANS IN THE WORLD BUT THOSE SURPRISES COME UP SEEMINGLY EVERY YEAR.

WE MAY NOT KNOW RIGHT NOW WHAT THE BIG SURPRISE WILL BE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

I REALLY APPRECIATE HOW AVAILABLE YOU HAVE MADE YOURSELF OVER THE YEARS.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WHEN THE SESSION BEGINS.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THIS COMING THURSDAY, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WILL AIR AN EXCITING NEW DOCUMENTARY "BIG MAMA THORNTON, ALABAMA KID."

IT CHRONICLES THE LIFE OF WILLIE MAE BIG MAMA THORNTON, ONE OF THE GREATEST BLUES SINGERS OF ALL TIME.

HERE'S A CLIP.

♪ >> SHUT UP ALL OF THAT NOISE.

I'M HERE NOW.

I LOST A TOOTH.

I LOST ONE RIGHT IN FRONT.

LOOK AT THAT.

ISN'T IT PRETTY?

>> HER HUMOR IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF HER LEGACY.

>> SHE WILL PULL HARMONICA OUT OF HER BRA AND PEOPLE WENT CRAZY.

DURING ONE OF THE MIDDLE OF THE SONG SHE GOT THE DRUMMER OUT OF HIS SEAT AND SHE PLAYED HERSELF.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

I KNOW IT PREMIERS THIS WEEKEND.

BIG PREMIER IN BIRMINGHAM BUT IT WILL AIR NEXT WEEK ON APTV.

TALK ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS FILM.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE A FILM ABOUT BIG MAMA THORNTON?

>> I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH BLUES MUSICIANS IN ALABAMA FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

I DID A FILM AND IT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME BY PEGGY AT APTV THAT BIG MAMA THORNTON WAS A GOOD SUBJECT.

SHE'S QUITE FAMOUS IN SOME CIRCLES BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HER BECAUSE SHE DIED FOUR YEARS AGO.

AT THE TIME SHE HAD A GREAT CAREER.

WHEN I LOOK MORE AT HER STORY, HER ALABAMA ROOTS WERE IMPORTANT TO HER.

HER FATHER WAS A PREACHER.

A LOT OF HER MUSIC IS INSTILLED WITH HER RELIGIOUS TRAINING.

A LOT OF THINGS IN HER MUSIC ARE PART OF HER UPBRINGING IN ALABAMA.

SHE LEFT AT 14, KIND OF TRAVELING CIRCUS, A VARIETY SHOW.

SHE KNEW LITTLE RICHARD FROM THAT EXPERIENCE.

SHE WENT ALONG FOR MAYBE TEN YEARS.

SHE WAS GOING AROUND ON BUSES, STAYING WHEREVER AND SINGING AND THEY HAD DANCERS AND COMEDIANS, CHORUS GIRLS.

IT WAS LIKE VAUDEVILLE, ALL BLACK THEATERS.

SHE LANDED IN HOUSTON BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T PAYING HER WELL.

THERE SHE MADE HER FIRST RECORD AND GOT LINKED UP WITH DON ROBY.

THIS IS AN INTERESTING PART OF THE STORY.

HE WAS A BLACK MUSIC PROMOTER IN HOUSTON, A GAMBLER, KIND OF A GANGSTER IN SOME RESPECTS.

HE MADE RECORDS AND HE GAVE HER A CONTRACT.

SHE WENT ON TO L.A. AND THERE WITH A GREEK-AMERICAN BLUES LOVER JOHNNY OTIS THEY RECORDED, SHE ROUNDED "HOUND DOG" WRITTEN FOR HER.

HE SAID SHE WAS TOUGH.

SHE LOOKS TOUGH AND SHE WAS TOUGH BECAUSE THEY SAID THE SONG DOESN'T GO LIKE THAT.

AND SHE SAID DON'T TELL ME HOW TO SING THE BLUES.

>> THE RECORD SOUNDS TOUGH.

>> THEY WROTE THE SONG FOR HER.

WHEN ELVIS MADE IT FAMOUS AND MADE MORE THAN SHE EVER DID.

I THINK SHE WAS A LITTLE BITTER ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE SONG HAD BEEN WRITTEN FOR HER.

THE WAY SHE HAD DONE IT AT THE TIME WAS HER OWNED A LIBBING CREATED THAT AS AN R&B HIT.

IT WAS A NATIONAL HIT ON THE R&B CHART.

>> WE LOVE TELLING ALABAMA STORY AND I KNOW IT MUST BE FUN AS A FILM MAKER TO RESEARCH THIS, LEARN ABOUT IT AND TRANSLATE IT INTO FILM.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR FILM MAKING PROCESS?

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT RESEARCH AND PUTTING IT TOGETHER START TO FINISH?

>> THE FIRST THING WITH THIS FILM -- I KNEW THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE IN SAN FRANCISCO THAT I NEEDED TO INTERVIEW RIGHT AWAY.

BOTH 90 SOMETHING YEARS OLD.

ONE HAD BEEN A BIG FORCE IN HER EARLY CAREER IN CALIFORNIA.

HE MAKES SOME OF THE BEST RECORDS.

I GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO INTERVIEW HIM AFTER HE LOOKED AT MY OTHER WORK AND HE SUGGESTED BIG MAMA'S MANAGER JIM MOORE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, HE WAS IN HIS 90S AND I KNEW I HAD TO GET THEM RIGHT AWAY.

SO, I WENT OUT THERE AND GOT THEM.

ONCE I HAD THEM IN THE CAN SO TO SPEAK, I WENT OUT TO FIND ANYBODY ELSE WHO KNEW HER.

SHE'S BEEN DEAD FOR FOUR YEARS, KNEW HER, SANG WITH HER, SAW HER PERFORM.

I ROUNDED THEM ALL UP, AND FOUND THEM AND RECORDED THEM.

>> LET THEM TELL THEIR STORIES.

>> LET THEM TELL THEIR STORIES AND GET THEM TO TALK AND THEN FIND THE MUSIC FOOTAGE.

PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY I WISH THERE WAS MORE PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE.

IT DOESN'T EXIST.

AS I SAID, SHE WAS FAMOUS, WELL KNOWN AND BELOVED BUT THERE WASN'T MUCH FOOTAGE OF HER BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL, A LOT OF CONCERTS WEREN'T FILMED BACK THEN LIKE THEY ARE NOW.

BUT THERE'S A GOOD BIT OF STUFF IN THERE AND I'M HAPPY WITH THAT PART.

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

WE LOVE GREAT ALABAMA STORIES.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS DOCUMENTARY.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PREMIER THIS WEEKEND AND IT AIRS THURSDAY AT 8:00 ON APTV.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ TUSCALOOSA SERVED AS THE SECOND CAPITAL OF ALABAMA IN 1826 TO 1846 WHEN THE CAPITAL MOVED TO MONTGOMERY.

THE GREEK REVIVAL AND FEDERAL STYLES CAPITAL BUILDING WAS LEASED TO ALABAMA CENTRAL COLLEGE AS A CONCERT HALL AND CLASSROOMS UNTIL IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1923.

THE RUINS ARE NOW A CITY PARK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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

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