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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

IT HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND WEEK IN THE WORLD OF POLITICS, STARTING WITH THE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S INAUGURATION ON MONDAY.

MANY ALABAMIANS TRAVELED TO WASHINGTON DC FOR THE FESTIVITIES, BUT THE COLD WEATHER FORCE THE CEREMONY INSIDE TO THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

>> FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, OUR COUNTRY WILL FLOURISH AND BE RESPECTED AGAIN ALL OVER THE WORLD.

WE'LL BE THE ENVY OF EVERY NATION, AND WE WILL NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF ANY LONGER.

DURING EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, I WILL VERY SIMPLY PUT AMERICA FIRST.

[ APPLAUSE ] OUR SOVEREIGNTY WILL BE RECLAIMED, OUR SAFETY WILL BE RESTORED, THE SCALES OF JUSTICE WILL BE REBALANCED, THE VICIOUS, VIOLENT AND UNFAIR WEAPONIZATION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR GOVERNMENT WILL END.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND OUR TOP PRIORITY WILL BE TO CREATE A NATION THAT IS PROUD, PROSPEROUS, AND FREE.

[ APPLAUSE ] AMERICA WILL SOON BE GREATER, STRONGER AND FAR MORE EXCEPTIONAL THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> I'LL SPEAK WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DUBOSE WHO WAS ON HAND FOR THE FESTIVITIES LATER IN THE SHOW.

WE'RE A FEW DAYS INTO THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND ALABAMA'S REPUBLICAN MEMBERS ARE EAGER TO IMPLEMENT THE PRESIDENT'S POLICIES.

SOME OF OUR CONGRESSMEN ARE FOCUSED ON SECURING THE BORDER, TACKLING ENERGY POLICY AND BOLSTERING THE COUNTRY'S DEFENSE CAPABILITIES.

ALEX ANGLE REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.

>> OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL HERE WAS PRETTY QUIET MONDAY AS THE SCALED-DOWN INAUGURATION CEREMONY HAPPENED INSIDE THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

G.O.P.

MEMBERS ARE EXPLAINING WHAT THEY HOPE TRUMP WILL TACKLE FIRST.

JUNE LENS AS TRUMP WAS SWORN IN.

A MUCH-DIFFERENT SCENE THAN IN 2017.

ALABAMA'S G.O.P.

LAWMAKERS WERE ALSO FEELING THAT EXCITEMENT.

>> THERE WAS A SENSE OF HISTORY THERE THAT I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IN OTHER INAUGURAL CEREMONIES.

YOU JUST SENSE THAT SOMETHING CHANGED.

>> TRUMP SIGNED IS A SLEW OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS THIS WEEK INCLUDING DECLARING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AT THE BORDER, SUSPENDING TIKTOK BAN, AND ENERGY PRODUCTION.

>> THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT IS WHAT WE'LL USE TO PERMIT MORE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND MINING FOR CRITICAL MINERALS BECAUSE WE'RE DANGEROUSLY RELIANT ON CHINA.

>> MAJOR ROGERS SAYS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO BOLSTERING AMERICA'S DEFENSE PRESENCE UNDER TRUMP.

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR ALABAMA BECAUSE WE HAVE A LARGE DEFENSE PRESENCE IN OUR STATE.

IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY STANDPOINT.

>> ROGERS ALSO SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO FIND AN AMERICAN COMPANY TO BUY THE POPULAR APP TIKTOK.

>> IT'S NOT MY THING, BUT MY KIDS ARE CRAZY ABOUT IT AND I UNDERSTAND IT'S A PLATFORM A LOT OF AMERICANS ARE USING, BUT IT IS CONTROLLED BY THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY AND OWNED BY THEM, AND THAT CANNOT BE ALLOWED.

>> ALABAMA'S DELEGATION IS ALSO FOCUSED ON IMMIGRATION POLICY.

>> PEOPLE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH WHAT THE PAST ADMINISTRATION ALLOWED TO OCCUR AT THAT SOUTHERN BORDER AND NOW DONALD TRUMP IS FIXING TO START THE PROCESS TO FIX THIS.

>> THE STATE'S HOUSE DELEGATION UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED THE RILEY ACT WEDNESDAY.

40 DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR THE BILL.

IT PASSED THE SENATE EARLIER THIS WEEK, ALSO WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

THE BILL WILL REQUIRE I.C.E.

TO DETAIN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO COMMIT CRIMES SUCH AS THEFT OR SHOPLIFTING.

ALEX, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, ALEX.

SO GREAT HAVING OUR OWN APT REPORTER THERE ON CAPITOL HILL.

ANOTHER UPDATE ON COMMITTEES FOR THE ALABAMA DELEGATION FOR THE 199TH CONGRESS.

THESE ARE MORE ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE LEVEL.

AS PART OF HER SERVICE ON THE BANKING COMMITTEE, SENATOR KATIE BRITT PICKS UP A GAVEL AND WILL CHAIR THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

AS PART OF HIS SERVICE ON THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER WILL CHAIR THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS AND HAVE A SEAT ON THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT SUBCOMMITTEE.

AND ON THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM, PALMER WILL SIT ON THE SUBCOMMITTEES ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENERGY POLICY AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS.

AND AS PART OF HIS SERVICE ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, CONGRESSMAN DALE STRONG WILL SIT ON THE SUBCOMMITTEES FOR COMMERCE, JUSTICE AND SCIENCE, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

>> AND SENATOR FIGURES IS ON HIGHWAY AND TRANSIT.

WE'LL TALK WITH STEPHEN BOYD LATER IN THE SHOW ABOUT THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

LAST WEEK IT WAS NORTH ALABAMA DEALING WITH SNOW AND ICE AND THIS WEEK SOUTH ALABAMA GOT MORE THAN ITS SHARE OF WINTER WEATHER.

WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY, SOME ARE PREPARING FOR WHAT HAPPENS IF WEATHER MAKES TRAVEL TO MONTGOMERY A PROBLEM FOR LAWMAKERS.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> MANY ALABAMA RESIDENTS WOKE UP TO A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SNOW COVERING THE GROUND AND ROADS.

FROM THE GULF COAST TO CENTRAL ALABAMA, IT CAUSED A LOT OF BUILDINGS, BUSINESSES AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO NOT OPEN.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT IS AFFECTED, SUCH IS THE CASE IN 2014'S SNOW AND ICE STORM.

>> IT STARTED AFFECTING TRAVEL, AND THE SITUATION WAS NOT ENOUGH MEMBERS COULD GET TO MONTGOMERY TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.

>> IN 2020, IT WAS A STORM OF A DIFFERENT TYPE, DEALING WITH THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

TWO EVENTS, ONE WEATHER, THE OTHER A HEALTH ISSUE.

>> LEADERSHIP DECIDED IT MAY NOT BE A GOOD IDEA TO BRING EVERYBODY BACK WITH THIS VIRUS RUNNING RAMPANT, AND IT WAS GROWING DAY BY DAY THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAS AS PART OF THE MOTTO NEITHER RAIN, SLEET, SNOW OR ICE WILL STOP IT FROM DOING ITS JOB.

BUT WHAT ABOUT AGENCIES DEALING WITH LEADERSHIP SUCH AS THE ADMINISTRATION, SUCH AS THE LEGISLATURE?

HOW DO THEY HANDLE INCLEMENT WEATHER?

CLAY REDDING IS THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN.

I MEAN, THERE WAS A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN CASE THE STATE WAS ATTACKED WITH NUCLEAR WEAPONS, FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO MEET IN THAT EVENT.

THERE WAS NO CONTINGENCY PLAN IF ICE BLOCKED THE ROADS.

THE IDEA, TO KEEP THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS FLOWING DESPITE PROBLEMS POPPING UP.

>> IF THERE'S NO QUORUM OR A LACK OF A QUORUM IN THE HOUSE, AND THE GOVERNOR HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, THEN THE SPEAKER IS ALLOWED TO SET THE SAME AND DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING OF THE HOUSE.

>> GIVING LAWMAKERS A CHANCE TO KEEP WORKDAYS AND STAY SAFE WHILE DOING THEIR JOBS.

>> THE SPEAKER COULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING WITH THAT AS WAS DONE DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT IS TELL MEMBERS TO STAY HOME, DON'T VENTURE OUT, IT'S TOO DANGEROUS.

AND IT WOULD SET THE DATE OF THE SESSION PROBABLY GIVEN THE SITUATION WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WITH SNOW STILL ON THE GROUND IN MOBILE, PROBABLY WILL COME BACK THE NEXT WEEK, THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

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

>> THANK YOU, RANDY.

AND SESSION WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

IF THAT'S YOUR JAM, IT'S TIME TO MAKE THAT DENTAL VISIT AND A TRIP TO THE DRY CLEANERS BECAUSE WE ARE ALL ABOUT TO BE SUPER BUSY.

HERE ARE A FEW KEY DATES TO KEEP IN MIND AS THE SESSION APPROACHES.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4TH IS THE FIRST DAY OF SESSION AND THAT ALSO MEANS GOVERNOR KAY IVEY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

OF COURSE WE'LL BE CARRYING THAT LIVE HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FEBRUARY 5TH STARTS THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARINGS.

THAT'S ALSO THE DAY OF OUR LEGISLATIVE ISSUES BREAKFAST THAT, IF YOU'RE IN MONTGOMERY, YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS.

SEEING AS HOW IT WORKED OUT PRETTY WELL LAST YEAR, THERE ARE AGAIN TWO SPRING BREAK WEEKS.

MARCH 10-14 AND MARCH 24-28.

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, THE LEGISLATURE HAS 105 CALENDAR DAYS TO FIT IN 30 POSSIBLE MEETING DAYS.

THAT MEANS THE LAST POSSIBLE DAY OF SESSION IS MAY 19.

OF COURSE, THE LEGISLATURE COULD END BEFORE THEN, BUT USUALLY THEY GO PRETTY CLOSE UP UNTIL THE END.

ONE ISSUE THAT COULD BE ON THE TABLE THIS YEAR IS MODERNIZING THE WAY ALABAMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED.

A LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION IS RECOMMENDING A NEW APPROACH THAT BLENDS THE CURRENT FUNDING SYSTEM WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS FACING GREATER CHALLENGES.

AS CAPITOL JOURNAL'S JEFF SANDERS EXPLAINS, THERE ARE GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT FAIRNESS AND EFFECTIVENESS IN EDUCATION FUNDING.

>> FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES ALABAMA'S FOUNDATION PROGRAM HAS BEEN THE BACKBONE OF SCHOOL FUNDING BUT LAWMAKERS ON THE LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON MODERNIZING K-12 SCHOOL EDUCATION SAY IT'S OVERDUE FOR A CHANGE.

THEIR SOLUTION, LIKELY A HYBRID MODEL THAT KEEPS THE CORE FORMULA BUT ADDS EXTRA FUNDING TO MEET SPECIFIC STUDENT NEEDS.

>> AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A RESOURCE-BASED MODEL, WE'RE ONE OF FIVE OR SIX STATES THAT DOES NOT HAVE A STUDENT-BASED MODEL.

OUR MODEL IS NOT DESIGNED BASED ON STUDENT NEEDS, HASN'T CHANGED IN 30 YEARS, AND CERTAINLY THE EDUCATION PLATFORM AND THE NEEDS WE'VE SEEN IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE CHANGED IN THAT TIME.

>> THE COMMISSION WEIGHED THREE OPTIONS -- STICKING WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM, REPLACING IT ENTIRELY WITH A NEEDS-BASED MODEL, OR COMBINING THE TWO.

LAWMAKERS ARE LEANING TOWARD THE HYBRID ROUTE, AIMING TO DIRECT MORE RESOURCES TO AREAS OF GREATEST NEED WHILE DISCARDING EXISTING FUNDING STREAMS FOR DISTRICTS.

>> IT ALLOWS US TO DOUBLE THE MONEY ALLOCATING FOR THESE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES IN PLACE, WHERE THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE THE STUDENTS WITH THOSE NEEDS ARE GETTING THE FUNDS, RATHER THAN JUST THE ONES WHO KNEW HOW TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT, KNEW THE DEADLINES, GOT THE MONEY AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

$1,000 MORE PER PUPIL, RESEARCH SHOWS, THROUGH THE SCHOOL FINANCE REFORM EFFORTS HAS THE SAME EFFECT ON OUTCOMES AS 72 ADDITIONAL DAYS OF LEARNING.

>> ACCOUNTABILITY, HOWEVER, REMAINS A KEY CONCERN.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO ENSURE THESE TARGETED DOLLARS ARE SPENT ON THEIR INTENDED PURPOSES, NOT UNRELATED EXPENSES.

>> I THINK AS LONG AS WE CAN SAY WE HAVE TO PIN IT DOWN, IF I GIVE YOU MONEY FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS, YOU HAVE TO USE IT FOR THAT.

IF YOU DO IT FOR POVERTY, YOU HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY IN THAT AREA.

THE CONVERSATIONS I BELIEVE HEARING IS THEY'LL GET THIS MONEY AND NOT SPEND IT ON WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.

I APPRECIATE Y'ALL ADDRESSING THAT.

>> IN THE LONG RUN, LAWMAKERS SAY INVESTING STRATEGICALLY IN EDUCATION COULD PAY DIVIDENDS FOR THE STATE'S WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY.

>> IF I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN, IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD AND I WANT THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE BEST IN OUR STATE.

I DON'T WANT THEM TO HAVE TO MOVE OR GO ANYWHERE ELSE OR THINK THAT THE GRASS IS GREENER WHEN WE CAN GROW IT RIGHT HERE.

>> THE COMMISSION PLANS TO FINALIZE THE REPORT AHEAD OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVELY SESSION WHICH STARTS IN EARLY FEBRUARY.

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

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

AND JOINING ME NEXT TO TALK ABOUT THAT ISSUE IN MORE DEPTH IS TRISH CAIN, APT'S SENIOR EDUCATION REPORTER.

TRISH, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU, THANKS.

>> THIS INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT WITH THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION FUNDING, SOUNDED LIKE THERE WERE THREE KIND OF OPTIONS HERE -- GO BIG, MIDDLE ROAD, DON'T GO AT ALL.

>> RIGHT.

>> WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST LIKELY PATH THE LEGISLATURE MAY TAKE.

>> LAWMAKERS ARE LEANING TOWARD THE HYBRID MODEL WHICH WOULD KEEP THE CURRENT FUNDING SYSTEM, THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM, IN PLACE, MAYBE TWEAK IT A LITTLE BIT AND THEN ADD SOME TARGETED FUNDING BASED ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN DIFFERENT SORT OF CATEGORIES, IF YOU WILL, THAT EACH SYSTEM HAS.

>> CAN WE CALL IT THE GOLDILOCKS APPROACH, MAYBE?

>> YES, YES.

>> IT'S INTERESTING AND SO IMPORTANT AND OBVIOUSLY ANYTHING DEALING WITH EDUCATION AND WHAT WE DO IN EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY WITH FUNDING, IS GOING TO BE CONTROVERSIAL IS GOING TO BE NITPICKED.

CURIOUS ABOUT THIS PORTION.

THIS IS TAXPAYER MONEY.

WE HAVE INCREASED SPENDING OVER THE YEARS, BUT BASED ON YOUR REPORTING, INFLATION HAS ALSO TAKEN QUITE A BIT OF THAT.

>> RIGHT.

>> EVERY TIME BUDGETS GO UP THE BUDGET HAWKS IN THE LEGISLATURE WANT THE KNOW-HOW IS THE MONEY BEING USED, CAN WE HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

IS THERE TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENSURING THE MONEY WE'RE SPENDING IS ACTUALLY BEING USED?

>> ABSOLUTELY, YES.

THAT CAME UP.

THEY ALL AGREE, IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO EDUCATION, WE NEED TO SEE MEASURABLE OUTCOMES IMPROVE.

THERE ARE ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT SOME OF THE MEASURABLE OUTCOMES ARE ALREADY IMPROVING BECAUSE OF THE LITERACY AND THE NUMERACY ACT.

THEY DIDN'T TALK SPECIFICS, WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE, BUT THEY ALL AGREED WE NEED MORE ACCOUNTABILITIES WITH MORE MONEY.

>> I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THAT AND WE WANT TO SEE THE NUMBERS GO UP, BUT IF YOU SPEND MORE, INVESTING MORE, YOU WANT TO SEE THE NUMBERS.

AND IT CAN TAKE TIME.

SPEAKING OF TIME, WHAT KIND OF TIMELINE DO YOU THINK WE'RE REALISTICALLY ON?

CAN WE ACTUALLY SEE A BILL TO DO THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN.

>> WELL, CHAIRMAN GARRETT AND CHAIRMAN ORR DID SAY THAT, YES, WE COULD SEE A BILL THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU KNOW, IT WOULD DEPEND ON GOVERNOR IVEY AS WELL.

THIS COMMISSION WILL COME BACK WITH A REPORT ON FEBRUARY 4.

THEY SAID THEY'LL GET TOGETHER AND VOTE ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, THEY'LL MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND THEN IT WILL BE UP TO THEM.

DO WE WANT TO DRAFT A BILL?

DO WE WANT TO MAKE THIS ACTUALLY HAPPEN?

CHAIRMAN ORR AND GARRETT WERE QUICK TO SAY WE HAVE NO BILL AT THIS POINT.

WE ARE JUST STUDYING WHETHER OR NOT WE COULD ACTUALLY DO THIS.

>> YEAH.

FEBRUARY 4, THE FIRST DAY TO HAVE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT'S REALLY INTERESTING, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN BLAME CHAIRMAN ORR OR CHAIRMAN GARRETT OF RUSHING THIS.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION, A LOT OF MEETINGS.

THEY HAVE REALLY TAKEN THEIR TIME AND BEEN DELIBERATE AND I THINK THAT'S WORTH MENTIONING.

ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK ONE IMPORTANT POINT CAME UP TODAY, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD IT.

CHAIRMAN GARRETT SAID, YOU KNOW, WE DID THIS STUDY BACK IN 2013.

THERE WAS A GROUP, AND I'LL MESS THE NAMES UP, BUT IN 2013, STATE HIRED THEM TO DO A STUDY AND IN 2015 THE GROUP CAME OUT WITH THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AND CHAIRMAN GARRETT SAID WE ARE BASICALLY DOING WHAT THEY SAID WE NEED TO DO MINUS THE RAISING TAXES, RIGHT.

THEY ALL AGREE ON THE PREMISE THAT IT IS NEEDED.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE TARGETED FUNDING TOWARD STUDENTS NEEDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANALYSIS.

WE'LL WATCH AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THANKS, TODD.

>> BACK WITH THIS WEEK'S GUESTS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN DUBOSE FROM HOOVER.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> I KNOW YOU RETURNED FROM WASHINGTON THIS WEEK WHERE YOU WERE UP AT THE NATION'S CAPITOL ENJOYING INAUGURAL FESTIVITIES.

IT GOT MOVED INTO THE ROTUNDA.

A LOT GOING ON IN D.C.

I'M SURE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT WAS SUCH A GREAT CELEBRATION.

I WAS UP THERE WITH MY HUSBAND.

SEVERAL OF THE REPUBLICAN WOMEN FROM OUR STATE WERE THERE, LEGISLATORS THERE, DEFINITELY A CELEBRATORY ATMOSPHERE.

THE STREETS WERE FESTIVE.

EVERYBODY WAS HAPPY IN SPITE OF THE COLD, COLD WEATHER.

WE HAD A COUPLE OF GREAT BALLS TO GO TO.

SOUTHERN STATES BALL WAS A WELCOME STATE BALL SATURDAY NIGHT FULL OF PEOPLE FROM THE SOUTHERN STATES, ALABAMA.

SUNDAY NIGHT A GALAH -- GALA FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES.

MY HUSBAND AND I WATCHED INAUGURATION FROM THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM THE CAPITOL AND THEY HAD A BIG WATCH PARTY.

THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN BEING WITH SO MANY PATRIOTIC AMERICANS.

I WANTED IT TO BE ON THE LAWN.

WE WERE PREPARED FOR THE COLD.

WE WERE GOOD TO GO.

I WE WANT EIGHT YEARS AGO AND THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE SITTING ON THAT LAWN, SEEING THAT BEAUTIFUL CAPITOL WITH THE PATRIOTIC DRAPING AND HEARING OUR BANDS PLAY THE PATRIOTIC MUSIC.

I MEAN, THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THAT.

SO I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO MISS THAT BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT, THE IMPORTANT THING IS TRUMP IS NOW OUR PRESIDENT, AND HE GOT TO WORK.

>> NO KIDDING ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING, AT LEAST YOU WERE A LITTLE WARMER THAN YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN.

>> IT WAS FUN.

WE HAD A LITTLE BREAKFAST.

NICE REFRESHMENT, SO I CANNOT COMPLAIN.

>> WELL, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN, REALLY SPEARHEADED HERE, AND THAT IS GIRLS DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

I THINK IT'S THE SECOND YEAR THIS YEAR?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> IT LOOKS FANTASTIC IN TERMS OF INVITING YOUNG WOMEN TO REALLY ENGAGE IN GOVERNMENT AND ALL THAT.

TALK ABOUT GIRLS THERE AT THE CAPITOL, HOW IT STARTED AND HOW IT STARTED IN THE SECOND YEAR.

>> I PARENT WITH MISS ALABAMA'S TEEN TO DO THIS EVENT, WE DID IT LAST YEAR AND AGAIN THIS YEAR.

ALLEY NIMS IS MISS ALABAMA TEEN THIS YEAR.

SHE WON FIRST ALTERNATE IN MISS AMERICA'S TEAM AS WE HAD ABBEY FROM ALABAMA WIN MISS AMERICA.

THESE ARE OUTSTANDING WOMEN.

I WORKED WITH THIS ORGANIZATION ENOUGH TO KNOW I WANTED TO PARTNER WITH THESE GIRLS.

WE VIOLENT GIRLS SIXTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE TO COME DOWN TO THE CAPITOL AND SEE WOMEN LEADERS AND SEE ROLE MODELS, WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT.

I ALSO PARTNER WITH ALL THE OTHER FEMALE LEGISLATORS, THEY COME AND BRING GIRLS FROM THEIR DISTRICT.

SO IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WOMEN AS DECISION-MAKER IN OUR STATE.

GOVERNOR IVEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN GRACIOUS PARTNERING WITH US.

WE TOOK THE GIRLS TO THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION AND TOURED THAT, SEE THE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE THE DATE SET WILL BE DECEMBER 16.

THE MAIN THING IS FOR THEM TO START THINKING ABOUT CAREERS NOT JUST AS A, YOU KNOW, IN POLITICS NECESSARILY, BUT ALL THE OTHER PARTS OF GOVERNMENT THAT TAKE PLACE DOWN HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND NATIONWIDE.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, WE EVEN TOOK THEM TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, LET THEM SIT IN A DESK AND VOTE ON AN ISSUE AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT JUST SOME OF THE ISSUES WE FACE WHILE WE'RE DOWN THERE.

NEXT YEAR, THEY SAY WE WANT TO SEE YOU ALL DO AN ACTUAL DEBATE.

SO WE'LL GO FURTHER AND DEBATE AN ISSUE FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY IT IS WE DO.

IT'S SO MUCH FUN, AND I REALLY THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, I CAN GIVE BACK TO THE STATE, GIVE BACK TO THE GIRLS AND HAVE THEM PARTICIPATE IN STATEWIDE.

>> MAYBE SOME OF THEM WILL BE SITTING IN YOUR SHOES SOME DAY.

>> I HOPE SO.

WE NEED MORE WOMEN.

THAT'S WHAT WE TALK ABOUT.

LESS THAN 20% OF OUR BODY ARE FEMALES AND WE ARE ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE NATION AS FAR AS FEMALE LEGISLATORS, AND, SO, THAT'S REALLY HOW IT STARTED BUT IT'S GROWN FROM THERE.

>> WELL, SPEAKING OF WOMEN, YOU HAD LEGISLATION THIS PAST YEAR REALLY DEFINING IN THE STATE LAW, IT WAS CALLED WHAT IS A WOMAN ACT.

>> RIGHT.

>> REALLY LEANING IN ON THESE TRANSGENDER TYPE ISSUES BUT DEFINING ONCE AND FOR ALL WHAT A BIOLOGICAL WOMAN IS.

IT'S GOING TO BE BACK.

YOU SAID YOU'RE GOING TO BRING IT BACK.

IT ACTUALLY PASSED THE HOUSE LAST YEAR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THAT, SINCE TRUMP HAS TAKEN AN OFFICE, HE'S HAD AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DEFINING, FOR HIS PROCLAMATION, MALE AND FEMALE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

GIVEN THAT HE'S DONE THAT BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, DO YOU THINK YOUR BILL IS STILL NECESSARY AT THE STATE LEVEL?

>> YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND I'M REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN LIGHT TO THIS ISSUE.

IT WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HE SIGNED AND HE TALKED ABOUT THIS ON HIS CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

ATTORNEY MARSHALL AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT IT, TWO SEXES, SEX IS FIXED, MALE AND FEMALE.

WE NEVER HAD THAT CODIFIED BEFORE, WE ALWAYS TOOK IT FOR GRANTED.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER WHICH ONLY AFFECTS THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WE NEED TO PASS THE LAW BECAUSE THIS WILL AFFECT STATE AGENCIES AND STATE LAW.

SO WE NEED TO PROPERLY DEFINE MALE AND FEMALE BY THE BIOLOGICAL DEFINITION, CODIFY IT INTO ALABAMA LAW, AND MALE, FEMALE, MAN, WOMAN, MOTHER, FATHER, ALL THOSE TRADITIONAL TERMS, WE NEED TO PASS THIS BILL AND HAVE IT ACTUALLY CODIFIED INTO OUR LAW.

IT'S A TRANSPARENCY BILL, BASICALLY, SO THAT WHEN YOU SEE THE SIGN MAN, WOMAN, MALE, FEMALE, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> NOW, FOLKS IN THE LGBT, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITY, THEY DO, IN FACT, ALL THE TIME SAY BILLS LIKE THIS, EFFORTS LIKE THIS PUT THEM AT RISK SOMEHOW.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO CRITICISMS OF YOUR BILL THAT COME FROM THAT COMMUNITY THAT SAY THIS MAKES US AFRAID IN SOCIETY.

>> I SYMPATHIZE WITH THAT.

IT'S REALLY JUST INFORMATION.

THIS DOES NOT DO THIS.

THIS DOES NOT CHANGE WHAT GENDER YOU DECIDE TO AFFILIATE AS.

GENDER IS SOMETHING YOU CHOOSE.

SEX IS FIXED.

THIS SIMPLY DEFINES MALE, FEMALE, BOY, GIRL, MAN, WOMAN.

IT DOES NOT CHANGE ANYTHING YOU IDENTIFY WITH ACCORDING TO YOUR GENDER.

>> I KNOW YOU ARE A BIG PROPONENT OF SCHOOL CHOICE.

YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL CHOICE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT, BUT I WANTED TO SPECIFICALLY ASK YOU ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ABOUT HOME SCHOOLERS BEING ABLE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN BASICALLY WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

HONESTLY, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS INHIBITED AT ALL.

TALK ABOUT THAT ISSUE AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> RIGHT.

SO, IN OUR STATE, WE HAVE PLACED A REAL EMPHASIS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

WE WANT OUR KIDS TO BE COLLEGE OR CAREER READY WHEN THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND WE ARE PUTTING MORE AND MORE MONEY INTO OUR CAREER TECH PROGRAMS.

THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE EVERY CHILD ISN'T NECESSARILY SET TO GO TO COLLEGE, NOR DO YOU NEED TO GO TO COLLEGE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

SO I FOUND THIS REALLY DEFICIT GOING ON BECAUSE A CONSTITUENT APPROACHED ME IN SHELBY COUNTY, AND THE SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS HOME-SCHOOLED, AND HE WANTED TO ATTEND PART OF THE DAY AT HIS CAREER TECH PROGRAM IN SHELBY COUNTY AND HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT.

I THOUGHT, THAT JUST SEEMS ODD TO ME.

SO, COME TO FIND OUT, EVERY DISTRICT HAS TO OPT IN, THE WAY OUR LAW READS NOW, AND DECIDE IF THEY WANT HOME SCHOOLERS TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND.

GIVEN THE EMPHASIS ON THAT, WE WORKED ON THIS LAW WHICH WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ALLOW HOME SCHOOLERS TO ATTEND THEIR CAREER TYPE PROGRAMS IF THERE'S ROOM.

OF COURSE, IF IT'S FULL AND THERE'S NO ROOM, THAT'S FINE, BUT WE WANT TO PLACE AN EMPHASIS ON THE CAREER PROGRAMS AND THERE'S NO REASON THE HANDFUL OF HOME SCHOOLERS OUT THERE SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR COUNTY'S PROGRAM.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY HARD TO REPLICATE IN A HOME SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

>> SURE.

AND, I MEAN, IT SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARILY A FUNDING ISSUE BECAUSE HOME SCHOOL PARENTS PAY THOSE TAXES, TOO.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

IT'S NOT A FUNDING ISSUE AT ALL, IT'S JUST AN OPPORTUNITY ISSUE, AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE AND MORE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE I SEE, GOING FORWARD, EDUCATION BEING TRANSFORMED IN OUR STATE, AND EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE TAILOR MADE TO FIT EACH CHILD, AND IT MAY BE THAT A STUDENT IS HOME-SCHOOLED BUT MAYBE GOES TO THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL TO TAKE A FRENCH CLASS OR AN ACCELERATED MATH CLASS AND MAYBE THEY PAY A FEE TO DO THAT OR, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN DO IT.

BUT EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE TAILOR MADE.

THIS ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL IS GOING TO BE TRANSFORMED AND BE LIFE CHANGING FOR OUR STUDENTS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

READY?

>> CAN'T WAIT.

>> WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

REPRESENTATIVE DUBOSE, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STEPHEN BOYD, PARTNER AT HORIZONS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS.

STEPHEN, THANKS FOR COMING BACK ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> WE'RE TALKING A LOT ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN WASHINGTON, D.C. YOU HAVE BEEN KIND ENOUGH OVER THE YEARS TO UPDATE US FROM D.C., BUT WE FINALLY HAVE YOU HERE IN STUDIO, WHICH IS NICE.

I'M INTERESTED IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE, YOU HAVE BEEN A CHIEF OF STAFF IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE, WERE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, NOW THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

YOU'VE SEEN ADMINISTRATIONS COME AND GO.

MAYBE WE CAN START THERE.

WE'VE SEEN A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COME INTO POWER BEFORE, 2017, RIGHT, AFTER HIS ELECTION.

NOW IT'S 2025, AND IT'S A DIFFERENT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COMING IN.

I'M CURIOUS, WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES, SIMILARITIES, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> YEAH, IT'S REALLY NIGHT AND DAY TO THE WAY IT WAS IN THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION.

THAT PERIOD WAS CHAOTIC, IT WAS A LITTLE DISORGANIZED.

THE TRANSITION TEAM DID NOT HAVE MANY APPOINTEES LINED UP AND READY TO GO ON DAY ONE, BUT THE BIGGEST THING WAS WASHINGTON WAS, I THINK, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH DONALD TRUMP.

HE HAD WON, DID QUITE WELL, OBVIOUSLY, IN THE ELECTION, BUT IT WAS STILL THIS KIND OF OUTSIDER COMING IN, AND THE REPUBLICANS IN WASHINGTON HAD TO FIND A WAY TO GET ALONG AND FIGURE EACH OTHER OUT.

NOW IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

63% OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS BEEN ELECTED SINCE THEN, SO WHAT THEY'VE KNOWN AS DONALD TRUMP AS THE LEADER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND HE'S SHOWN UP IN TOWN THIS TIME WITH, I THINK, MORE ORGANIZATION, MORE CONFIDENCE, A LEVEL OF COMFORT, AND MARCHED INTO THE FRONT DOOR OF THE WHITE HOUSE WITH A LOT OF CONFIDENCE.

>> CERTAINLY THE WAY IT SEEMS FROM AFAR LOOKING AT IT.

HE HAS A LOT OF MOMEMTUM, AT LEAST PERCEIVED MOMEMTUM FROM TRUMP HIMSELF, REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, THE MAGA MOVEMENT, IF YOU WILL, ALL THAT, JUST REALLY UNPRECEDENTED, THAT I'VE SEEN.

SO, OBVIOUSLY, ALL THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, ALL THIS GOING ON.

ALEX HAS BEEN REPORTING ON SOME OF THAT.

I'M JUST REMINDED THAT, FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY WANT TO DO -- A LOT OF PLANS AND PROMISES LEGISLATIVELY -- THERE ARE CONSTRAINTS ON WHAT THEY CAN DO.

>> SURE.

>> BECAUSE THE HOUSE HAS A VERY SLIM MAJORITY, THE SENATE HAS THE CLOTURE 60 VOTE THRESHOLD TO GET OVER, SO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY WILL GO ABOUT TRYING TO LEGISLATE AND FULFILL THOSE PROMISES, UNDERSTANDING THERE ARE CONSTRAINTS ON THE MAJORITIES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

TRUMP WON THE FIRST POPULAR REPUBLICAN VOTE IN TWO DECADES.

REPUBLICANS WON BACK THE SENATE, THEY KEPT THE HOUSE, AND IN THAT MOVEMENT, THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF ENTHUSIASM ABOUT PUSHING THROUGH AN AGENDA AND TURNING, YOU KNOW, THOSE AGENDA ITEMS INTO LAW.

AND HE'S BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS WITH EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND TAKING AN EXPANSIVE VIEW OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER.

A LOT OF THOSE ORDERS WILL BE CAUGHT UP IN LITIGATION AND, OF COURSE, ANY EXECUTIVE ORDER CAN BE OVERTURNED BY THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION.

CHANGING THE LAW IS VERY DIFFERENT AND THAT MEANS HE HAS TO WORK THROUGH A CONGRESSIONAL LAW PROCESS.

THE BIGGEST TWO POINTS YOU TOUCHED ON IS IN THE HOUSE ONLY A TWO-SEAT MARGIN OF ERROR FOR REPUBLICANS.

YOU NEED 218.

GETTING 218 POLITICIANS TO DECIDE ON LUNCH IS DIFFICULT.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT SWEEPING CHANGES AND THEY WILL HAVE TO DELIVER ALMOST EVERY VOTE.

ON THE SENATE SIDE THERE'S A FILIBUSTER RULE.

60 VOTES ARE REQUIRED FOR MOST LEGISLATION AND, AT SOME POINT, THIS YEAR, I PRESUME, THAT'S ALL GOING TO COME INTO CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER.

THIS ENTHUSIASM AND MOTIVATION AND MOMENTUM ON THE MAGA SIDE WITH THE REALITIES OF CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATING, WHICH IS A SLOW, DIFFICULT, TEDIOUS PROCESS.

>> IT'S DESIGNED TO BE THAT WAY.

>> OF COURSE.

>> WE KEEP HEARING THE WORD RECONCILIATION.

YOU MENTIONED ESPECIALLY IN THE SENATE THRESHOLD OF 60 VOTES MAKES IT TOUGH TO PASS ALMOST ANYTHING THAT'S NOT TRULY WITH WIDESPREAD SUPPORT.

EACH YEAR THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET AROUND THAT 60 VOTE THRESHOLD.

THEY TALK ABOUT RECONCILIATION FOR A LARGE PORTION OF THE AGENDA.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW IT WORKS?

>> IT'S A LITTLE IN THE WEEDS BUT IMPORTANT.

RECONCILIATION IS A WORD THAT WILL GET THROWN AROUND A LOT, IT'S REALLY BUDGET RECONCILIATION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVE OUT THE BUDGET PART.

THE WAY IT WORKS IS THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PASS A BUDGETS RESOLUTION THAT SETS SPENDING PRIORITIES.

AND IN THAT RESOLUTION, IT INSTRUCTS THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES TO GO OUT AND LOOK FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO BRING IN THE SPENDING CHANGES TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW BUDGET RESOLUTION OR TO RECONCILE THE LAW WITH THE BUDGET.

AND THE REASON WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE OF A BUDGET LAW THAT WAS PASSED IN THE '70S THAT SETS UP THIS PROCESS, THOSE BILLS CAN BE PASSED IN THE SENATE WITH JUST A SIMPLE MAJORITY, AND WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 60-VOTE THRESHOLD WOULD NOT APPLY.

NOW, THE CATCH IS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT, IT HAS TO BE TRULY A BUDGET ISSUE, A SPENDING ISSUE, A REVENUE ISSUE.

THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN DECIDES THAT.

IN WASHINGTON, REPUBLICAN CIRCLES ON THE HILL ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE STRATEGY.

DO WE TRY TO DO THIS ALL AT ONCE, WHICH IS WHAT THE HOUSE WANTS TO DO, THEY WANT TO PUT A TAX EXTENSION, IMMIGRATION, BORDER SECURITY AND AN ENERGY REFORM BILL ALL IN ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.

THE THINKING THERE IS, WELL, IT'S SO DIFFICULT IN THE HOUSE TO GET THE VOTES TO 218, WE CAN JUST DO IT ONCE.

THE SENATORS, AT LEAST SOME OF THEM, WOULD PREFER TO PARSE THAT OUT.

HOW IT SHAKES OUT -- >> THAT WORD GETS THROWN AROUND A LOT.

ANYTHING WITHIN THOSE PARAMETERS.

TALKING ABOUT -- CONFIRMATIONS PROCESS.

IT STARTED BEFORE TRUMP TOOK OFFICE BECAUSE THE HEARINGS HAD ALREADY BEGUN.

YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH A CONFIRMATIONS PROCESS AS THE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE IN THE PREVIOUS TERM BUT ALSO PRESENCE IN THE SENATE PREPARING SENATORS FOR THE SENATE.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT BEHIND THE SCENES WHAT HAPPENS IN THE PROCESS AND DO YOU SEE ANY OF THE TRUMP NOMINEES NOT GETTING CONFIRMED?

>> THE CABINET PICKS, THE VERY TOP LEVEL, MY ASSESSMENT IS THEY'RE PROBABLY ALL GOING TO GET THROUGH WITH POSSIBLY ONE EXCEPTION.

I THINK TULSI GABBARD HAS ISSUES CAUSING CONCERN.

SOME OF THE PICKS WHICH WERE ANNOUNCED IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, THEY HAD SOME ISSUES, BUT THEY TOOK A STEP IN THE PROCESS WHICH WAS TO GO MEET WITH INDIVIDUAL SENATORS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT AND I THINK PUT A LOT OF THOSE CONCERNS TO REST.

FROM THE SENATOR'S PERSPECTIVE, YOU KNOW, SENATORS CAN VOTE YES OR NO.

IF YOU'RE IN THE PARTY OF POWER THAT IS THE SAME AS THE NEW PRESIDENT, A NO VOTE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT THING.

YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT ONLY IF YOU CAN'T GET TO YES.

MOST SENATORS IN THAT SITUATION TAKE THE VIEW THAT THE PRESIDENT WHO JUST WON AN ELECTION HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM THAT HE OR SHE CHOOSES AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE CABINET PICKS FOR THE TOP SPOTS.

I THINK THEY WILL GET THROUGH.

DOWN THE RANKS, THAT MAY CHANGE.

A LOT OF POSITIONS REQUIRE SENATE CONFIRMATION.

>> RIGHT.

MARK RUBIO WENT THROUGH 99-0.

THE SENATE RELATIONSHIPS MAY NOT SEE THAT EXACT THING.

>> NO, THERE WILL BE CLOSE VOTES I SUSPECT, HE GETS NOT A FREE PASS BUT GOT SOME DEFERENCE.

MOVING FORWARD, A LOT OF 51, 52, 53 VOTES AND OTHERS THAT WILL GET MORE DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT, ALSO.

>> YEAH.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT COMMITTEES BECAUSE, DURING THAT CONFIRMATIONS PROCESS, WE SAW OUR TWO SENATORS TOMMY TUBERVILLE AND KATIE BRITT PLAY A LEAD ROLE.

TUBERVILLE ON THE ARMED SERVICES PART, BRITT ON THE JUDICIARY PART.

ON THE JUDICIARY PART IT WAS HIGHLIGHTING HER NEW COMMITTEE.

SO THAT'S SOME OF THE NEWS OUT OF D.C. AND FOR OUR DELEGATION IS BRITT HAS TAKEN A SEAT ON THE POWERFUL SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

ON THE HOUSE SIDE DALE STRONG FROM ARMED SERVICES TO THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, ANOTHER APPROPRIATOR FROM ALABAMA.

GIVEN YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE HILL, TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TWO COMMITTEE GAINS FOR THE STATE.

>> SENATOR BRITT'S ROSTER, HAS APPROPRIATIONS WHICH IS IMPORTANT.

YOU'VE GOT BANKING, THE RULES COMMITTEE, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND NOW ADDED JUDICIARY, AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY A LIST THAT YOU COULD REALLY JUST EVER DREAM TO HAVE, HONESTLY, SUCH A STRONG SET OF COMMITTEES.

ON JUDICIARY, SPECIFICALLY, THAT COMMITTEE, WHICH I THINK IS PROBABLY THE TOUGHEST COMMITTEE IN TERMS OF THE PERSONALITIES INVOLVED, MOST ARE LAWYERS, THEY KNOW HOW TO QUESTION WITNESSES, IT'S VERY ARGUMENTATIVE, AND USUALLY IN A PRODUCTIVE WAY.

THEY HAVE OVERSIGHT OF ALL THE CRIMINAL LAWS OF THE NATION OR MOST OF THEM BUT ALSO OVERSIGHT OF CONFIRMING JUDGES AND U.S.

ATTORNEYS AND ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.

THAT WAS A VERY POWERFUL POSITION.

SENATOR BRITT IS PERFECT FOR IT.

APPROPRIATIONS IN THE HOUSE, DALE STRONG WAS ON THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE BUT GOT AN OPPORTUNITY AS A VERY -- STILL JUNIOR MEMBER TO JUMP OVER TO THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, WHICH IS I THINK A TESTAMENT REALLY TOLL KIND OF HOW HE'S VIEWED IN THE CONFERENCE AS A WORKHORSE AND SOMEBODY WHO'S THERE TO HELP AND TO FIGURE OUT SOLUTIONS AND GET THINGS DONE, WHICH IS CERTAINLY, IN MY OPINION, HIS PERSONALITY.

THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR HUNTSVILLE.

>> YEAH.

THINK OF ALL THAT'S GOING ON IN HUNTSVILLE.

>> OF COURSE.

AND WITH TIME I'M SURE HE WILL TRY TO BE GETTING ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE THAT HANDLES DEFENSE.

HE'S ON CJS NOW.

J IS JUSTICE, THAT CONTROLS FBI FUNDING, HUGE INFLUX OF FBI ASSETS MOVING TO HUNTSVILLE FOR THE SECOND HEADQUARTERS THERE, SO JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

BUT STATEWIDE, YOU KNOW, ANYBODY IN THE STATE CAN COME TO HIM AND ASK FOR HELP ON PROJECTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO STATE, THE ECONOMY, AND SECURITY AND THOSE SORT OF THINGS.

>> BIG COMMITTEE UPGRADES FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I'VE ALWAYS SAID OUR DELEGATION TENDS TO PUNCH ABOVE ITS WEIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO INFLUENCE IN WASHINGTON AND LOOKS LIKE THAT'S CONTINUING.

>> I AGREE.

>> OUT OF TIME.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME IN THE STUDIO.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COLUMNS IN ALABAMA DAILY NEWS.

THANKS AGAIN.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE BLACKBURN INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IS A LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE STATE OF ALABAMA THROUGH ITS WORK WITH STUDENTS, ALUMNI AND ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS.

THE INSTITUTE DEVELOPS A NETWORK OF LEADERS WHO HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE STATE'S CHALLENGES.

JOINING ME NOW, NEXT, IS JERRIN HILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BLACKBURN INSTITUTE, AND HANNAH ADAMS A SENIOR CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM.

WELCOME, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE BEING INVITED TO YOUR EVENT LAST NIGHT, A PANEL DISCUSSION FACING ISSUES IN ALABAMA AND GOOD DISCUSSION FROM THE STUDENTS AS WELL.

JERRIN, GIVE US A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT THE BLACKBURN INSTITUTE AND ITS ROLE ON CAMPUS AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> YES, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

OUR NAMESAKE IS DR. JOHN L. BLACKBURN, THE DEAN OF MEN AT THE UNIVERSITY IN THE 1960S.

AND, SO, HE REALLY PAVED THE WAY FOR THE DESEGREGATION TO HAVE THE UNIVERSITY -- DEGREE SEGREGATION OF THE UNIVERSITY.

WHEN HE RETIRED, SEVERAL OF HIS FORMER STUDENTS IMPACTED BY HIS MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP, THEY DECIDED THEY WANTED TO START THIS ORGANIZATION TO PRESERVE HIS LEGACY OF DEVELOPING STUDENTS AS LEADERS AND AGENTS OF POSITIVE CHANGE.

AND, SO, WE ARE NOW IN OUR 30TH YEAR, AND, SO, WE HAVE OVER 900 ALUMNI THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND BEYOND, AND WE REALLY ARE FOCUSED ON HOW WE CAN LEARN ABOUT CHALLENGES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND GIVE OUR STUDENTS THE TOOLS.

AND, SO, WE WANT TO PREPARE OUR STUDENTS ON CAMPUS, BUT REALLY WE WANT THEM TO BE LEADERS IN INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT AND BE ABLE TO REALLY IMPACT CHANGE ON A LARGER LEVEL IN THE DECADES AHEAD.

>> I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT WENT THROUGH BLACKBURN AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT SHY ABOUT IT.

THEY LET YOU HEAR ABOUT IT.

I'VE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME, BUT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BEING ABLE TO COME TO SOME OF Y'ALL'S FUNCTIONS HAS BEEN REALLY INTERESTING.

HANNAH, AS A CURRENT SENIOR, SOMEBODY INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM AS A STUDENT RIGHT NOW, WHAT IS YOUR -- WHAT HAS THE IMPACT BEEN ON YOU?

WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

>> I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE IT IS ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE EXPERIENCES THAT I'VE HAD IN COLLEGE.

FIRST AND FOREMOST THE COMMUNITY I'VE GAINED.

I'M SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ACROSS CAMPUS WHO HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS THAN ME AND I AM ABLE TO LEARN FROM THAT, BUT ALSO WHAT MR. HILL, YOU KNOW, SAID, HAVING THE MENTORSHIP FROM FELLOWS, IT'S LED TO INTERNSHIPS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT BLACKBURN IS IT'S THE LIFETIME COMMITMENT.

IT'S GROWING YOUS A PERSON AND A STUDENT AND WILL EXTEND BEYOND THAT, SOMETHING WE ALL YOU HAVE A CALL TO ACTION.

SO IT'S DISCOVERING WHAT IS YOUR CALL TO ACTION.

TO ME, IT'S UNDERSTANDING YOUR WHY IN LIFE, WHY AM I HERE, WHAT'S MY PURPOSE AND HOW CAN I IMPACT THROUGH THAT?

THE BLACKBURN GIVES YOU THE TOOLS TO DO THAT BECAUSE YOU BECOME AWARE OF THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THE STATE IS FACING, YOU HEAR FROM STAKEHOLDERS AND TRAVEL THE STATE AND HAVE THE EXPERIENCES.

YOU'RE NOT JUST READING ABOUT IT BUT YOU'RE GOING AND ASKING THE QUESTIONS AND DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOT JUST IN YOUR COLLEGE LIFE BUT SOMETHING BEYOND THAT.

>> WELL, I MENTIONED THE EVENT LAST NIGHT, A PANEL DISCUSSION.

AND YOU TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ADDRESSING CHALLENGES.

I FOUND THE QUESTIONS Y'ALL WERE ASKING SO ENLIGHTENING BECAUSE IT SPOKE TO HOW ENGAGED YOU ALREADY ARE.

THESE WERE DEEP QUESTIONS.

WE HAD TO THINK ABOUT THEM AS THOSE TRYING TO ANSWER THEM.

WHAT ELSE HAVE Y'ALL BEEN DOING IN THE CAPITOL CITY THIS WEEK?

>> WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, LAST NIGHT WE HAD A STATE LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW, HEARING ABOUT HOT-BUTTON TOPICS THAT WILL BE IN THIS SESSION, WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR.

WE HEARD FROM VARIOUS GROUPS WHO HAD DIFFERENT ISSUES THEY'RE ADVOCATING FOR.

TODAY WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR A PANEL ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, HEALTHCARE AND K-12 EDUCATION.

I THINK WHAT'S REALLY SPECIAL ABOUT THIS TRIP, IN PARTICULAR, THIS IS MY THIRD TIME HERE AND, EVERY SINGLE TIME, I WALK AWAY WITH SOMETHING DIFFERENT BECAUSE THERE'S NO TWO PANELS ALIKE.

WE'RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND WALKING AWAY WITH MORE KNOWLEDGE BEFORE.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IT WITH OUR PEERS AND SAY WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

THE STUDENTS INVOLVED IN BLACKBURN, WE HAVE OPEN MINDS.

WE'RE WANTING TO LISTEN AND LEARN AND HAVE OPEN HEARTS AND WE WANT TO TAKE OUR KNOWLEDGE BACK TO OUR CAMPUS.

>> IT'S SO INTERESTING YOU TALK SO MUCH ABOUT ALUMNI, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SO MANY GREAT COLLEGE ORGANIZATIONS, WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE ON CAMPUS KIND OF ENDS WITH THE CAP AND GOWN.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ALUMNI IN BLACKBURN AND WHY THAT'S SO CRITICAL TO THE ORGANIZATION.

ONE OF OUR OVER-ARCING VALUES IS NETWORKING THROUGH THE GENERATIONS.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT ALABAMA HAS SOME CHALLENGES THAT ARE PERSISTENT AND THESE ARE GOING TO TAKE FOLKS WITH DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS, WALKS OF LIFE AND DIFFERENT STATIONS OF THEIR LIFE.

SO HAVING FELLOWS WHO HAVE THE LIFETIME COMMITMENT NOT ONLY INSPIRES THE CURRENT STUDENTS BUT IT'S REALLY GRATIFYING FOR US TO SEE SOME OF OUR FELLOWS IN OUR NATION'S CAPITOL, WORKING HERE IN THE STATE HOUSE, AND EVEN IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE TRYING TO PUSH THE BALL A LITTLE BIT FURTHER, NOVEMBER THAT NEEDLE TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

SO WE REALLY PLACE A PREMIUM ON THAT.

AND YOUR EXPERIENCE IN BLACKBURN DOESN'T REALLY GET STARTED TILL YOU BECOME A FELLOW.

SO, THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE HOPE TO SEE THE BIG IMPACT.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING, SEEING THE LONG GAME.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT COLLEGE BUT BEYOND.

THAT'S UNIQUE, YOU KNOW.

I THINK MOST COLLEGES WOULD BE WELL SERVED TO MIMIC A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.

THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING, COMING FROM AN AUBURN GUY, YOU KNOW.

HANNAH, I CAN'T HELP BUT ASK YOU AS A SENIOR, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CAREER-WISE AFTER GRADUATION, AND, REALLY, HOW MAYBE BLACKBURN HAS IMPACTED THAT?

>> I THINK THE MENTORSHIP THAT I'VE HAD IN BLACKBURN FROM THE FELLOWS AND ALSO FROM THE AMAZING STAFF AND FACULTY WE HAVE IN THE BLACKBURN INSTITUTE HAS PLAYED A LARGE ROLE IN SHAPING WHAT I WANT TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

I'VE HAD AN INTEREST IN SHAPING SOME SORT OF POLICY, WHETHER ON CAPITOL HILL, WASHINGTON, D.C. OR RIGHT HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

BUT I REALLY WASN'T SURE WHERE I FIT INTO THAT.

I WENT INTO BLACKBURN HAVING THAT PASSION BUT BLACKBURN HELPED SHAPED THAT.

I'M INTERESTED IN HEALTHCARE POLICY.

I'M A CANCER SURVIVOR SO I HAVE A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT MAKES ME PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CAUSE.

BLACKBURN CHEERED ME ON AND CONNECTED ME WITH DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO FURTHER THAT MISSION.

I'LL BE STAYING IN ALABAMA FINISHING UP MY MBA AND SEEING WHERE LIFE TAKES ME.

I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE IN THE POLICY SPHERE.

>> PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF BLACKBURN AND LOOK FORWARD TO CATCHING UP MORE IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND 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.