>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE STATE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT'LL BE OPENING UP ELIGIBILITY FOR A CORONAVIRUS VACCINATION TO A LOT MORE PEOPLE.

STARTING ON FEBRUARY 8TH, THOSE 65 AND OLDER, AND GROUPS INCLUDING TEACHERS, CHILDCARE WORKERS, POSTAL EMPLOYEES, PUBLIC TRANSIT WORKERS, MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEES, GROCERY STORE WORKERS, FOOD AND AGRICULTURE WORKERS, CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, LEGISLATORS AND STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS CAN ALL START SIGNING UP TO GET A SHOT.

WE ASKED STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS ABOUT EXPANDING THE ELIGIBILITY GROUP WHILE THERE'S STILL NOT ENOUGH VACCINE TO GO AROUND.

>> PEOPLE DO HAVE AN EXPECTATION WHEN THEY SEE ALL OF OUR SURROUNDING STAYS DOING DIFFERENT THINGS.

THEY WONDER WHY WE'RE NOT DOING IT HERE.

WE HEAR FROM MOST PEOPLE DAILY.

WE TRY TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS BUT ULTIMATELY PEOPLE WANT WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE TROUPE.

BUT THERE'S NOT AN EASY ANSWER.

TELLING PEOPLE THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE YET IS FRUSTRATING.

TELLING THEM THEY'RE ELIGIBLE AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH VACCINE IS ALSO FRUSTRATING.

DON: DR. HARRIS SAYS THE STATE WILL START RECEIVING MORE VACCINE NEXT WEEK: ABOUT 10,000 DOSES A WEEK FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.

EIGHT DRIVE-THROUGH VACCINATION CLINICS WILL BE OPENING AROUND THE STATE ON FEBRUARY 8TH AND EACH WILL BE EQUIPPED TO GIVE A THOUSAND SHOTS A DAY.

DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

DON: AS EFFORTS TO RAMP UP VACCINATIONS ACROSS THE STATE CONTINUE, ONE OF ALABAMA'S HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITIES ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT IT WOULD BE DOING IT'S PART TO GET MORE SHOTS IN ARMS.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT.

>> SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1867 ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY PARTNER.

>> SOME EIGHT MONTHS AGO ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY JOINED THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.

>> THE UNIVERSITY PARTNER WITH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO BECOME A COVID-19 TESTING SITE.

>> NOT ONLY FOR OUR CAMPUS COMMUNITY BUT ALSO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MULTIPLY HOUSING AUTHORITY.

>> WE ARE EAGER TO PLAY A ROLE IN PARTNERSHIP WHERE WE ROLLED OUT TESTING RIGHT HERE ON CAMPUS AND WE MUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TESTING.

>> IT STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALLOWED THE SCHOOL TO BE A TESTING SITE FOR FOUR ALABAMA COUNTIES.

NOW, ASU IS ONCE AGAIN EXPANDING THAT MISSION TO FIGHT THE DEADLY VIRUS.

>> THAT ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A COVID-19 VACCINATION SITE BY THE ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> PHASE ONE ROLLOUT IN CLOUDS HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS.

>> THROUGH THIS PHASE, IT WILL INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE 65 AND OLDER IN THE ASU COMMUNITY AND IN OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

>> BUT HERE WE ARE SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE MONTHS LATER ON THE FRONT END OF ROLLING OUT THE VACCINATIONS.

>> THE UNIVERSITY RECEIVED TWO THOUSAND MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINES.

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

DON: THE STATE THIS WEEK HAS BEEN MARSHALLING HELP AND RESOURCES FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY A TORNADO THAT RIPPED THROUGH NORTHERN JEFFERSON COUNTY ON MONDAY NIGHT.

ONE PERSON WAS KILLED, DOZENS WERE HURT AND DESTRUCTION WAS WIDESPREAD AFTER THE STORM CUT A PATH ACROSS FULTONDALE AND CENTER POINT.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TOURED THE DAMAGE ON WEDNESDAY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE PEOPLE OF FULTONDALE AND CENTER POINT.

THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA ARE PRAYING FOR Y'ALL THIS MORNING.

AND WE'RE HERE AS A SIGN OF OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR RECOVERY.

AT THIS TIME, WE ARE AWARE OF ONE FATALITY THAT RESULTED FROM THIS STORM, AND I DEEPLY EXPRESS MY DEEP CONDOLENCES TO EL YET HERNANDEZ FAMILY AND LOVED ONES.

HOMES AND BUSINESSES CAN BE REBUILT.

BUT LOSING A YOUNG SOUL TO A STORM LIKE THIS IS BEYOND HEART BREAKING.

>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, DR. ERIK MACKEY THIS WEEK PAID TRIBUTE TO THE JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR HOW IT RESPONDED TO THE LOSS OF LIFE IN THE TORNADO.

HIS REMARKS CAME AS THE STATE MARKED A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE COORDINATOR PROGRAM.

>> WE HAVE A STUDENT WHO WAS KILLED.

AND THEY HAVE USED THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, HAVE WRAPPED AROUND THAT FAMILY THAT HAD GREAT NEED.

THEY LOSE A CHILD AND HAIR HOME AT THE SAME TIME.

THEY NEEDED A LOT OF SERVICES SO THEY HAVE WRAPPED AROUND THAT FAMILY AND PROVIDED SERVICES FOR THAT FAMILY.

SOME OF THOSE SERVICES HAVE COME FROM INSIDE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

BUT MOST OF THEM HAVE COME FROM THE COMMUNITY.

BUT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS TAKE OVER AND SAY WE WILL COORDINATE ALL OF THIS WORKING TOGETHER.

AND THAT'S WHAT THESE FOLKS ARE DOING EACH AND EVERY DAY.

DON: THE LEGISLATURE IN 2019 APPROVED FUNDING THE INAUGURAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS WITH 4.5-MILLION DOLLARS.

102 COORDINATORS HAVE BEEN HIRED TO SERVE SCHOOL SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

DON: THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION KICKS OFF NEXT WEEK AMIDST A CONTINUING PANDEMIC.

THAT'LL MEAN A LOT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND LIMITED PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE STATEHOUSE.

THE SENATE, BEING THE SMALLER BODY, CAN MEET IN ITS CHAMBER WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING.

BUT THE HOUSE, HAVING MORE MEMBERS, CAN'T, SO IT'LL SPREAD OUT IN THE MAIN CHAMBER, THE GALLERY AND AN OVERFLOW ROOM AND WILL VOTE VIA ELECTRONIC TABLETS.

SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL LAWMAKERS WILL ALSO TAKE AN EARLY BREAK.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE IN SESSION FOR TWO WEEKS.

AND THERE WILL BE THREE DAY WEEKS.

WE WILL HAVE SIX LEGISLATIVE DAYS AT THE END OF THE TWO WEEKS.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A WEEK AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO SIT BACK AND ASSESS WHERE WE ARE.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ANY TYPE OF COVID ISSUES WE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT PUBLIC ACCESS AND LOOK AT HOW THE COMMITTEES ARE FUNCTIONING.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT JUST OVER ALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

AND THEN PLANNING TO COME BACK ON THAT FOURTH WEEK.

AND HOPEFULLY -- HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE IN BETTER SHAPE ON THE FOURTH WEEK THAT WE MAY GET BACK TO A LITTLE MORE NORMAL TYPE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

DON: THE MEETING SCHEDULE IS ONLY THE ‘TIP OF THE ICEBERG' WHERE PANDEMIC-RELATED CHANGES IN THE ALABAMA HOUSE ARE CONCERNED THIS YEAR.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW A LOT OF THINGS WILL BE DONE VERY DIFFERENTLY DURING THE 2021 REGULAR SESSION.

>> NEW YEAR -- NEW REGULAR SESSION -- NEW RULES.

CHANGES ARE ALL AROUND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> THE FOURTH AND FIFTH FLOORS OF THE ALABAMA STATEHOUSE CONTROLLED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

THAT IS NOT A DECISION WE HAVE MADE LIGHTLY, BUT IT IS ONE WE HAVE HAD TO BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> HOUSE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER CLAY REDDEN POINTS OUT NEW PROCEDURES.

>> ANYONE INCLUDING THE PUBLIC, THOSE WHO HAVE A RESERVATION OR AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET A MEMBER AND THE STAFF AND MEMBERS WILL GO THROUGH THE METAL DETECTOR AND THE THERMAL IMAGING.

IF THEY HAVE A TEMPERATURE ABOVE 100.4 DEGREES, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BUILDING.

WE HAVE SET ASIDE ROOMS FOR MEMBERS TO RESERVE TO MEET WITH CONSTITUENTS AND LOBBYISTS.

THEY WILL RESERVE A ROOM FOR A 15 MINUTE BLOCK.

DURING THE LATTER OF THE PART OF THE 2020 SESSION WE HAD TWO ROOMS THAT WERE LIVE STREAM CAPABLE.

NOW WE HAVE FIVE ROOMS.

ALL COMMITTEE MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THOSE FIVE ROOMS THAT ARE WIRED FOR LIVE STREAMS.

SO THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE COMPLETE VIDEO AND AUDIO ACCESS TO WATCH EVERY COMMITTEE MEETING HERE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: THE SAFETY OF THE MEMBERSHIP, THE STAFF AND THE PUBLIC IS PARAMOUNT TO US.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TAKEN THE STEPS WE HAVE WITH STREAMING, WITH THE SOCIAL DISTANCING, THE MASKS, THE RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE BUILDING IN ORDER TO PROTECT AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M RANDY SCOTT.

DON: GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WILL DELIVER HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE NEXT TUESDAY EVENING, AND IT'LL BE A VIRTUAL SPEECH.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, SHE IS EXPECTED TO REQUEST A 2-PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND TEACHERS.

THE GOVERNOR ON MONDAY IS ALSO EXPECTED TO SIGN PRIVATE LEASE AGREEMENTS ON AT LEAST TWO NEW PROPOSED MEN'S PRISONS.

THOSE FACILITIES WERE A HOT TOPIC AT THIS WEEK'S LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARINGS.

LAWMAKERS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE RICH WINGO OF TUSCALOOSA PRESSED CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER JEFFERSON DUNN FOR DETAILS ON THE LEASES.

>> I HAVE HAD PEOPLE TO SEND ME THE NUMBERS FOR THE LAND AND THE SITES AND WE CAN -- I THINK THIS COMMITTEE DESERVES TO KNOW WHAT THEIR RETURN ON COSTS REALLY IS FOR THE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE ACTUALLY BUILDING.

I'M ALL FOR THEM MAKING MONEY.

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

I'M NOT TRYING TO SHORTCUT THEM.

BUT IT IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY AND WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE'S MONEY.

>> AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND I THINK THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ON AND NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONFIDENTIAL BECAUSE WE'RE DEALING WITH TWO PRIVATE ENTITIES AND THEN THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF THAT.

AND THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE LEASE AND FINANCIAL CLOSE.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON RIGHT NOW TO HELP US GET TO THAT POINT.

DON: GOVERNOR IVEY HAS, OF COURSE, PROPOSED BUILDING SEVERAL NEW REGIONAL MEN'S PRISONS TO HELP DEAL WITH OVERCROWDING AND AGING FACILITIES.

UNDER THE PRIVATE LEASE PLAN, CONTRACTS ARE BEING NEGOTIATED OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

A COALITION OF OPPONENTS TO THE PLAN ISSUED A STATEMENT TODAY IN WHICH THEY CALLED IT A '30-YEAR MISTAKE.'

DON: A LOTTERY BILL THAT WOULD PARTIALLY BENEFIT CORRECTIONS WAS PRE-FILED TODAY.

DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN ROGERS OF BIRMINGHAM IS PROPOSING THAT THE PROCEEDS FROM HIS LOTTERY LEGISLATION BE SPLIT THREE WAYS, WITH 40-PERCENT GOING TO BOTH THE EDUCATION AND GENERAL FUND BUDGETS, AND 20-PERCENT TO CORRECTIONS.

A STATE GAMBLING TASK FORCE REPORTED LATE LAST YEAR THAT ALABAMA COULD NET UP TO 700-MILLION DOLLARS FROM GAMBLING.

SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON IS ALSO EXPECTED TO INTRODUCE A SWEEPING LOTTERY BILL.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

B.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH JOIN USES BACK ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> ALWAYS NICE TO BE ON.

>> WE'RE ABOUT READY TO KICK OFF A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT COMES IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY PRESSING ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED AND IT COMES WHILE THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON IN WASHINGTON AT THE SAME TIME.

LET'S START IN WASHINGTON BRIEFLY IF WE COULD.

THE SENATE, THE U.S. SENATE, IN ABOUT A WEEK, WILL KICK OFF AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL FOR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

THERE'S A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH ON WHETHER THIS SHOULD EVEN BE HAPPENING.

A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ARE CONTENDING THAT WE ARE JUST STIRRING UP MORE CONTROVERSY, FURTHER POLARIZING THE NATION AND AT THE SAME TIME FURTHER POLITICIZING AS THE GOP HAS PUT IT, THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THOSE POSITIONS?

>> I DO.

I THINK IT'S ANOTHER DAY.

I THINK WE LOOK AT IMPEACHMENT AND IT USED TO BE ABOUT SOMEBODY IN OFFICE.

THEY'RE WANTING TO IMPEACH SOMEBODY WHO IS NOW A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

IT COULDN'T MAKE SENSE.

IT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO FURTHER DIVIDE OUR NATION, AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK MAT WHAT GOOD IS THAT GOING TO DO.

IT'S NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD.

THE PURPOSE OF IMPEACHMENT IS TO REMOVE SOMEONE FROM OFFICE.

>> DO YOU AGREE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP BORE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE UPRISING AT THE U.S. CAPITOL?

>> ANY TIME ANYBODY DOES ANYTHING WRONG IT'S THAT PERSON'S INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY SO I THINK -- I DON'T THINK ANYBODY, YOU KNOW, BARES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT THOSE PEOPLE DID OTHER THAN THE PEOPLE THAT ACTED AND CREATED CRIMINAL CRIMES ON THEIR OWN.

THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT.

DOESN'T PARENT WHAT ANYONE SAID.

THOSE PEOPLE DID IT ON THEIR OWN FREE WILL.

THEY SHOULD BE PROSECUTED.

YOU CAN'T GO BREAK INTO A CAPITAL.

THAT'S NOT AMERICAN.

THAT'S AGAINST THE LAW AND THEY DESERVE TO BE PROSECUTED.

>> BUT YOU DON'T THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP DESERVES TO BE IMPEACHED A SECOND TIME OVER THIS -- >> NOT AT ALL.

I DON'T THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP -- I LISTENED TO THIS SPEECH.

I DON'T THINK HE SAID ANYTHING AT ALL -- I DO NOT THINK HE IS TO BLAME.

>> WHAT ABOUT IN THE LEAD UP TO THE SPEECH.

A LOT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE SPEECH, THE RALLY SPEECH, EARLIER ON JANUARY 6.

BUT THE LEAD UP TO THE SPEECH, THE DAYS IN WEEKS WHERE HE WAS PROMOTING ALLEGED ELECTION FRAUD AND FIRING UP HIS BASE SO TO SPEAK.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, JIMMY CARTER EVEN TALKED ABOUT THE FEAR AND WHY WE DO NOT NEED TO HAVE VOTING FOR THE POTENTIAL OF FRAUD.

A LOT OF STATES BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT WAS GOING ON, THEY THOUGHT MAIL IN VOTING WAS THERE.

MAIL IN VOTING MAKES IT EASIER TO CHEAT.

WE'RE FORTUNE TO HAVE A GOT SECOND OF STATE IN ALABAMA THAT MAKES IT EASY TO VOTE BUT HARD TO CHEAT.

THAT'S HIS MOTTO.

IF JOHN MERRILL WOULD HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE ELECTION EVERYWHERE IN THE U.S. WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY IN A LOT OF STATES YOU CAN REQUEST A MAIL IN VOTE AND IT MADE IT EASY TO CHEAT.

WE ARE NEVER KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT THE LESSON IS YOU BETTER MAKE SURE YOUR HAVE THE RIGHT PROCESSES IN PLACE AND HAVE A GOOD SECOND OF STATE THAT IS GOING TO OVERSEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> DO YOU AGREE GIVEN ALL OF THIS CONTROVERSY, SURROUNDING THE ELECTION, AND PRESIDENT TRUMP, THAT IT'S BECOME SORT OF A RECKONING FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY THAT THE PARTY IS BECOMING MORE SPLIT, DIVIDED.

THERE WERE 10 REPUBLICANS FOR INSTANCE IN THE U.S. HOUSE WHO VOTED FOR IMPEACHMENT WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE.

I THINK WE LOOKED AT REPUBLICANS -- WE'RE A CENTER RIGHT NATION.

I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE THEY'RE AT ON POLICY, THEY ALIGN WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THEY DIDN'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH HIS MESSAGE AND THE WAY HE DELIVERED IT.

ON THE POLICY SIDE WE'RE UNITED AND REPUBLICANS ARE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SMALLER GOVERNMENT, PERSONAL FREEDOM, ABOUT ALLOWING PEOPLE TO THRIVE.

AND THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE OUR MESSAGE.

WE BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN DREAM.

AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN ALABAMA.

AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THINGS TO HELP PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HELP THEMSELVES.

>> WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS INAUGURATED LAST WEEK YOU ISSUED A STATEMENT WISHING HIM WELL, AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, YOU WANT HIM TO SUCCEED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BUT YOU SAID YOU HOPED OUR LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON WOULD CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THE CONSERVATIVE VALUES THAT ALABAMA BACKS SO HEAVILY.

YOU MENTIONED SECOND AMENDMENT GUN RIGHTS FOR INSTANCE FOR INSTANCE AND FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

>> A LOT OF MY STATEMENT ON THAT WAS FOCUSED ON THE STATES RIGHT AND MAKING SURE I DO WHAT I CAN DO TO PROTECT OF PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

THEY ELECTED ME TO FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS AND PROTECT THEM AND I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE.

LOOK AT ALREADY PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS COME IN AND PUT A MORATORIUM ON DRILLING.

AND THE DANGER IN THAT IS NOW WE WILL BE DEPENDENT ON OTHER COUNTRIES FOR OUR FUEL.

WE SHOULDN'T DO THAT.

FIRST TIME IN OUR COUNTRY WE WERE PRODUCING ENOUGH ENERGY OURSELVES.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DEPEND ON OTHER COUNTRIES.

IT MAKES US WEAKER AS NATION.

THAT'S OUR OPINION.

IT'S NOT VERY WISE.

THE SECOND THING THAT CONCERNED ME AND I'M ALREADY LOOKING INTO WHAT WE CAN DO IN ALABAMA, MY KIDS PLAY SPORTS.

AND I HAVE HAD -- IT DIDN'T MATTER IF THEY WERE MODERATE LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE PEOPLE HAVE COME TO ME CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT DEALS WITH ALLOWING, YOU KNOW, TRANSGENDER AND ALLOWS MALES TO PLAY IN FEMALE SPORTS.

WE CAN'T DO THAT.

AND I MEAN -- MY EXACT QUOTE WAS COME ON, MAN, USING HIS PHRASE.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

I MEAN GUYS AND GIRLS ARE CERTAINLY ABLE TO COMPETE AND DO THAT BUT WE NEED TO HAVE -- IN SPORTS, THERE'S A REASON WE'RE SEPARATE AND NEED TO KEEP THAT.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR AND MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID THIS IN HIS SPEECH HE WAS GOING TO TRY TO UNIFY THE COUNTRY, THAT WE WERE SO POLITICALLY DIVIDED BUT MANY BEG THE QUESTION IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE GIVEN THE DIVISIVE NATURE OF POLITICS IN THE NATION RIGHT NOW.

>> IT'S CERTAINLY POSSIBLE FOR SURE.

I THINK IN ALABAMA I GET ALONG WITH MINORITY LEADER SENATOR SINGLETON WELL.

I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE.

I THINK PRESIDENT BIDEN IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO DECIDE HE WANTS TO UNITE THE COUNTRY OR POSH LEFTIST AGENDA.

IT'S NOT WHAT THE COUNTRY WANTS OR NEEDS.

I'M HOPEFUL HE DOES WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR COUNTRY WHICH IS WHAT I SAID IN OUR TEXT AND PUTS AMERICA FIRST.

>> DO YOU THINK BASED UPON YOU HAVE SEEN, THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT IS CONSTITUTING A QUOTE/UNQUOTE LEFTIST AGENDA.

>> I THINK A LOT OF THEM FOR SURE.

I THINK THAT'S DISAPPOINTING.

I SAW WHERE HE HAS ISSUED MORE -- I THINK EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAN THE LAST FOUR PRESIDENTS COMBINED AND HE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE NOT EVEN A WEEK.

>> IT'S LEARN TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHICH KICKS OFF NEXT WEEK AS LT.

GOVERNOR, YOU ARE THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE STATE SENATE.

WHAT DO YOU SEE BEING AMONG THE TOP PRIORITIES.

WILL COVID PROBABLY FINGER RIGHT UP THERE?

COVID CHANGED HOW WE DO EVERYTHING DURING LAST YEAR'S SESSION AND WE GO INTO THIS YEAR'S SESSION WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS.

>> SO I MEAN I THINK FIRST THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS.

I MENTIONED COVID.

SO COVID BUSINESS LIABILITY PROTECTION ACT.

BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH.

THEY'RE NOT GETTING SUED FOR ANY COVID RELATED ISSUES WHEN THEIR TRYING TO PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES.

NEXT, ARE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PACKAGES, GROWING ALABAMA, THOSE NEED TO BE REAUTHORIZED AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A PRIORITY.

I THINK OBVIOUSLY FOR US PERSONALLY, WE HAVE A PACKAGE OF MILITARY BILLS.

I'M CHAIRMAN.

MILITARY STABILITY COMMISSION AS WELL AS FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA AND YOU KNOW, WE ARE THE VOICE FOR ALABAMA MILITARY FAMILIES.

WE HAVE 10 DIFFERENT BILLS.

FOR INSTANCE MAXWELL WAS RANKED FOURTH FROM THE BOTTOM IN A REPORT THAT CAME OUT RANKINGS BASES IN THE U.S. THAT IS PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER BASE REALIGNMENT.

THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE BASE FOR THE BOTTOM SO WE HAVE BILLS TRYING TO IMPROVE THE BASIS OF IN ALABAMA DEALING WITH EDUCATION, LICENSE, RECIPROCITY FOR SPOUSES.

FOR INSTANCE IF A MILITARY FAMILY IS IN ALABAMA AND THEY MOVE OUT OF THE STATE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR IN STATE TUITION IF THEY'RE AT A COLLEGE.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

OUR GOAL IS TO BE THE MOST MILITARY AND VETERAN FRIENDLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY AND WE HAVE A PACKAGE OF BILLS TO DO THAT AND THAT WILL BE A PRIORITY.

>> WHERE COVID IS CONCERNED THERE WILL BE MOVES IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO GIVE THE LEGISLATURE MORE OVERSIGHT OVER THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND OUR STATE HEALTH OFFICER.

DO YOU SUPPORT THAT?

I KNOW YOU HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS DURING THE PANDEMIC ABOUT POSSIBLE OVERREACH.

>> I DO.

>> I DO.

I THINK DR. HARRIS HAS DONE A GOOD JOB BUT I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT POTENTIALLY IF SOMEONE ELSE WAS IN THAT ROLE, DR. HARRIS HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR.

IF YOU HAD SOMEBODY WITH A DIFFERENT MIND SET AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WORK COLLATERALLY AND JUST FORCE THEIR OWN AGENDA, I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS THE WAY IT'S CURRENTLY SET UP.

I THINK LOOKING AT THAT, TWEAKING THAT SOME, AND TAKING SOME OF THE AUTHORITY AWAY IS A WEISS MOVE FOR THE STATE.

>> IT WOULDN'T BE A MOVE TARGETED FOR DR. HARRIS.

IT'S SAYING SHOULD THIS EVER HAPPEN AGAIN AND IT MAY NOT HAPPEN FOR ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS OR SO, THE PANDEMIC, THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THESE CHECKS AND BAMS AS YOU PUT THEM PLACE.

>> DR.

HARASS IS A GOOD MAN.

HEAP HAS DONE A GOOD JOB IN OUR STATE.

HE IS IN A TOUGH SPOT.

HE CARES ABOUT OUR STATE.

HE IS VERY WISE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB.

C I'M PROUD TO CALL HIM A FRIEND.

SO IT'S NOT TARGETED TO HIM.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF POWER HE HAS, FORTUNATELY HE IS NOT POWER HUNGRY.

SHE WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR.

BUT I COULD BE PROBLEMATIC.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE CHECKS AND BALANCES.

>> YOU HAD YOUR OWN BATTLE WITH COVID BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS.

I KNOW YOU SAID IT WAS A MILD CASE BUT YOU AND YOUR WIFE HAD A BOUT DID YOU NOT.

>> WE HAD IT BACK IN OCTOBER.

MINE WAS MILD.

I WAS FORTUNE, ABLE TO WORK ON THE FARM EVERY DAY.

KENDAL'S WAS -- MINE WAS MILD.

I WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF RUNNY NOSE.

KENDAL WAS MILD, MILD FLU TYPE THING.

ONE OF OUR KIDS, HAZE, HAD IT AS WELL.

IT WAS VERY MILD.

WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN KNOW HE HAD IT.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING EVERYONE NEEDS TO TAKE SERIOUS.

IT'S KILLED TOO MANY PEOPLE AND YOU NEED TO DO WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN PRETTY OUTSPOKEN ON MASKING.

THE GOVERNOR EXTENDED THE STATEWIDE MASKING ORDINANCE ANOTHER SIX WEEKS AND SHE CONTENDS IT HAS DONE GOOD AND PREVENTED A LOT OF CASES.

ARE YOU STILL PRETTY ENTRENCHED ON OVERREACH WHERE MASKING CAN IS CONCERNED.

>> IT BOILS DOWN TO ME ABOUT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE IN THE BUSINESS OF MANDATING THAT YOU WEAR A MASK.

EACH PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO PROTECT THEIR OWN HEALTH AND THAT'S WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO ME.

IT'S A POLICY DECISION.

>> SPEAKING OF MASKING AND OTHER VIRUS PROTOCOLS, OF THE SENATE HAD TO ADJUST HOW IT CONDUCTS BUSINESS LAST YEAR WHEN THE PANDEMIC BEGAN DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE SENATE WAS ABLE TO ADJUST A LITTLE EASIER BECAUSE THERE WERE FEWER MEMBERS THAN THERE ARE IN THE HOUSE OBVIOUSLY.

THERE WAS DISTANCING, MASKING, AND SANITATION METHODS.

I ASSUME WE WILL SEE ALL OF THAT AND MORE THIS YEAR.

>> WE HAVE A GREAT PROTOCOL IN PLACE.

AND SO WHEN YOU COME IN, WE HAVE THERMAL SCANNERS THAT WILL SCAN YOUR TEMPERATURE AND KNOW NOW IF PEOPLE HAVE A TEMPERATURE AND HAVE OTHER THINGS IN PLACE AND MAKE SURE THE STAFF IS ALL OF TESTED BEFORE SESSION BEGINS.

WE'RE GOING TO GO IN TWO WEEKS AND TAKE OFF A WEEK TO GIVE US A 10 DAY GAP SO IF ANYBODY GETS INFECTED IT RUNS A CYCLE.

SO, YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS ALLOWING VISITORS IN, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME IN BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT IN A SOCIAL DISTANCING METHOD.

YOU CAN COME IN AND WATCH VIRTUALLY OR GO IN BIG ROOMS AND SPREAD PEOPLE OUT.

THERE'S A LOT OF THOUGHT AND PROCESS THAT WENT INTO PROTECTING THE MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC AND LOCALING THEM TO HAVE ACCESS.

IT'S A TOUGH BALANCE BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD PLAN.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS WILL LOOK DIFFERENT.

IT SHE WILL BE ALONE IN A ROOM AND LAWMAKERS WILL BE IN SEPARATE ROOMS WATCHING; RIGHT?

>> YEAH: YOU MIGHT KNOW THIS.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME THAT'S HAPPENED IN WHO KNOWS HOW MANY YEARS, BUT CERTAINLY I WON'T BE THERE.

WE WILL BE WATCHING VIRTUALLY BUT THAT IS WHAT IS IT GOING ON RIGHT NOW AND IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> WE ARE READY TO GO TO CONDUCT THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS AND WE'RE GOING TO BE AS SAFE PASS WE CAN ABOUT IT.

AND YOU MENTIONED THAT MAKE WE WILL TAKE OVER TWO WEEKS TO ASSESS WHERE WE ARE AND HOW WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO -- IT'S OUR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY.

WE NEED TO COME TO WORK AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT SAFELY.

A LOT OF THE POPULATION THAT IS POTENTIALLY AT RISK HOPEFULLY THEY CAN GET THE VACCINE.

I'M ENCOURAGED BY -- I WAS SOME SPEED BUMPS EARLY ON.

BUT I TALKED TO DR. HARRIS YESTERDAY.

THEY'RE GIVING OUT ALL OF THE VACCINE SO THIS TO NARRATIVE THAT WE HAVE VAC SCENES ON THE SHELF ISN'T ACCURATE.

THEY'RE TREATING PEOPLE.

SO I SUPPORT ALABAMIANS GET THE FACTS AND SOME OF THE OLDER POPULATION THAT SERVES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

HOPEFULLY THEY WILL GET VACCINATED AND AS TIME GOSS ON WE WILL HAVE MORE AND MORE.

BUT WE HAVE TO GET TO WORK AND DO THE PEOPLE'S BITS AND WE WILL DO THAT IN THE SAFEST WAY POSSIBLE.

>> WILL AINSWORTH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> ALWAYS GREAT TO BE ON THE SHOW.

>> SEE YOU SOON.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, SPEAKER OF HOUSE, MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WE HEARD FROM THE LT.

GOVERNOR.

I'M SEWER YOU HAVE TO BE WORKING WITH HIM AND THE SENATE ON THE SAFETY PROTOCOL AND THE STATE OF COAST.

DEALING WITH COVID DURING A LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS NOT AN ANOMALY FOR US ANYMORE.

IT CAME OUT LAST YEAR.

I GUESS WE DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD STILL BE IN THIS POSITION THIS YEAR BUT HERE WE ARE.

THE HOUSE PHASES ITS OWN UNIQUE CHALLENGES WHERE THIS IS CONCERNED BEING THE LARGER BODY.

105 MEMBERS.

SOCIAL DISTANCING IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR EVERY MEMBER TO BE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, BUT IT IS IF YOU PUT SOME OF THE MEMBERS IN THE GALLERY, LIKE YOU DID LAST YEAR, AND I THINK THAT'S THE PLAN AGAIN THIS YEAR.

RIGHT?

>> IT IS THE PLAN.

WE'RE GOING TO USE THE GALLERY.

WE USE THE FLOOR AND THEN THE GALLERY, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO OVERFLOW ROOMS.

SHOW IF WE HAVE THE FULL 105 MEMBER BEING PRESENT IN THE CHAMBER, THEN WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO NEED A FEW SEATS IN AN OVERFLOW ROOM WHICH WILL BE ADJACENT TO THE GALLERY AND THERE WILL BE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SPACING OUT OF THE MEMBERS.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACED AT THE CLOSE OF THE 2020 SESSION IN MAY WAS THE FACT THAT WE HAD TO SOCIAL DISTANCE AND WE HAD TO UTILIZE THE GALLERY AND ONE OF THE OVERFLOW ROOMS.

AND BECAUSE WE RECORD OUR VOTES ELECTRONICALLY, MEMBERS WOULD HAVE TO ACTUALLY COME TO A MIC THAT WE HAD PUT UP INTO THE GALLERY AREA AND SPEAK IN THE MIC AS TO WHAT THEIR VOTE WOULD BE, YEA, NAY, OR ABSTAIN AND THE CLERK WOULD RECORD IT ELECTRONICALLY.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY IN PLACE AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUY WHAT WE CALL VOTING PADS.

AND THE MEMBERS IN THE GALLERY AND IN THE OVERFLOW ROOMS WILL BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THOSE PADS TO VOTED WITH, WHICH WILL HELP US AS FAR AS OUR TIMING AND MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS A LITTLE BIT QUICKER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY.

WE WILL STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO SPEAK.

THE MICS WILL STILL BE IN THE GALLERY AREA WHERE IF THERE'S A DEBATE GOING ON, THEY CAN ALSO USE THOSE PADS TO LET ME KNOW AT THE SPEAKER'S CHAIR THAT THEY WISH TO SPEAK AND I CAN RECOGNIZE THAT REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY CAN COME TO THE MIC AND THEN SPEAK ON AN ISSUE.

SO WE WILL NOT BE IN A NORMAL SITUATION BUT WE WILL BE GETTING VERY CLOSE AND I HOPE THE PROCESS WILL MOVE A LITTLE SMOOTHER.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BASICALLY IPADS OR TABLETS RIGHT, TABLET-LIKE DEVICES.

>> A LITTLE TABLET, RECTANGULAR SHAPE, AND IT HAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO VOTE -- THE SAME AS THE VOTING BUTTONS AT THEIR ASSIGNED SEATING IN THE CHAMBER ITSELF.

YOU HAVE THE YEA AND THE NAY AND OBTAIN AND THE SPEAK BUTTON.

>> BUT THEY CAN VOTE FROM WHEREVER THEY ARE, WHETHER IT'S IN THE GALLERY OR OVERFLOW ROOM -- COULD THEY OSTENSIBLY VOTE FROM THEIR OFFICE OR WOULD YOU RATHER THEM BE IN THE DESIGNATED AREA.

>> IT'S ZERO NOT SO MUCH A RATHER AS A RULE THAT WE HAVE.

WHEN WE'RE IN SESSION AND, UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES YOU WOULD BE IN THE CHAMBER AT YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT, WHEN WE'RE IN SESSION, THERE'S NO ONE ALLOWED ON THE FLOOR EXCEPT BY PERMISSION ONLY.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE MEMBERS THERE HAVE ACCESS TO VOTING AND THE PUBLIC DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.

SO BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DESIGNATE THAT SIXTH FLOOR AREA, THE OVERFLOW AREA THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, WE'RE GOING TO ROPE IT OFF AND IT WILL BECOME PART OF THE CHAMBER.

AND THEREFORE, ANY VOTING DONE WITH THE IPADS AND EVERYTHING, THE IPADS WILL BE LEFT IN THAT AREA.

THEY WILL NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF THAT SIXTH FLOOR DESIGNATED AREA AND THE ONLY VOTING THAT TAKES PLACE WILL BE IN THE DESIGNATED AREA.

>> WE TOUCHED ON WITH THE LT.

GOVERNOR BUT I WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP ON THIS WITH YOU AND THAT IS, USING THE GALLERY, WHICH IS USUALLY SET ASIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OR LOBBYISTS OR WHAT HAVE YOU TO IS IT AND WATCH.

IT WILL BE DESIGNATED FOR MEMBERS TO SIT IN.

THERE WILL BE OTHER AREAS OF THE STATEHOUSE, RIGHT, SET ASIDE WHERE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN COME AND VIEW THINGS VIRTUALLY?

OR HOW WILL THAT WORK?

>> DON, IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE VERY RESTRICTIVE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW ANY PUBLIC ON THE FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH FLOOR AT ALL.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE IN THE HOUSE BODY THAT WISH TO MEET WITH ANY PUBLIC CONSTITUENTS AND/OR INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LEGISLATION AND GOING THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS, THEY WILL HAVE TO GO DOWN TO A MEETING AREA THAT WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A REPRESENTATIVE OFTEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR.

SO THEY WILL BE GOING DOWN THERE.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC TRAFFIC THAT IS IN AND OUT OF THE BUILDING.

I DON'T LIKE THAT.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG PROPONENT OF TRANSPARENCY.

I MEAN WE'RE CONDUCTING THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS HERE, SO WE'RE -- IT'S BEEN KIND OF A DIFFICULT THINGS FOR US TO PUT THESE RULES IN PLACE, BUT WE THINK, FOR THE SAFETY OF THE STAFF AND FOR MEMBERS WE NEED TO LIMIT ACCESS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

NOW, THE SENATE WILL BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

IF AN INDIVIDUAL OR IF A CONSTITUENT WANTS TO MEET WITH A SENATOR THAT HE CAN SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SENATOR AND THEY CAN BEES COURTED FROM THE FRONT DOOR UP TO THE SENATE OFFICE SPACES, MEET WITH THE SENATOR AND THEN BE ESCORTED BACK DOWN.

BUT NO MATTER WHETHER YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE SENATE OR HOUSE, IT'S GOING TO BE A CHANGE AND THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE RESTRICTIONS ON THAT.

ONE THING THAT WE HAVE DONE, WE HAVE FOUR -- RIGHT NOW WE HAVE FOUR AVAILABLE COMMITTEE ROOMS.

AND IN THOSE COMMITTEE ROOMS, WE HAVE VIRTUAL CAPABILITY.

THE SESSION ITSELF WILL BE THROUGH VIRTUAL MEANS.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE VIDEO AND AUDIO ON YOUR COMPUTER THAT WAY THE PUBLIC WILL ACCESS THROUGH THAT.

THE NEWS MEDIA WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR MEETINGS INCLUDING COMMITTEE MEET AND GOES WE'RE GOING TO YIELD TO THE NEWS MEDIA TO BE A RESOURCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO GET INFORMATION AS WELL.

SO WE'RE SURE -- IT WILL BE LIMITED BUT YET WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE.

>> WHERE PRIORITY ISSUES ARE CONCERNED, THE LT.

GOVERNOR MENTIONED COVID RELATED THINGS PROBABLY WILL BE RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE COVID LIABILITY ISSUES FOR BUSINESSES WHICH WE HAVE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT, WHETHER CARES ACT FUNDS ARE TAXABLE HERE IN THE STATE, AND THERE'S ALSO BEEN A LOT OF HEADLINES IN THE TIME LEADING UP TO THE SESSION ABOUT RENEWING ECONOMIC INCENTIVES.

THOSE WILL PROBABLY BE BROUGHT UP THERE; RIGHT?

>> THOSE ARE THE TOP THREE PRIORITY BILLS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE SENATE IN THE HOUSE.

WE SAT DOWN WITH LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND DISCUSSED THESE.

THESE BILLS HAVE HAD A LOT OF WORK PUT IN THEM.

THEY'RE READY TO GO.

AND THEY WILL BE THE TOP THREE BILLS THAT WE WORK ON THAT FIRST WEEK FOR SURE.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A REGULAR ORDER CALENDAR.

AND WEAVER WE'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW WITH THE SENATE TO WHERE HOPEFULLY WE CAN IDENTIFY PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT THE SENATE FEELS LIKE ARE PRIORITIES AND THE HOUSE WOULD FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A LIST OF PRIORITIES AND SO THAT WAY WE'RE NOT HAVING A BILL ON WHAT WE CALL A DUAL TRACT.

I KNOW YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH IT AND THE PUBLIC MAY NOT BE.

YOU HAVE A LEGISLATION THAT DEALS WITH THE SAME ISSUES THAT BEING INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND IT FOLLOW'S DUAL TRACT THE.

WE WILL TRY TO AVOID HAT SO WE CAN BE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND GET MORE LEGISLATION OUT.

SO THE SENATE IS WORKING ON A LIST OF OTHER BILLS, BESIDES THOSE THREE.

THEY'RE WORKING ON A LIST OF OTHER BILLS THEY WILL BE WORKING ON.

THE HOUSE IS DOING THAT AS WELL.

AND THOSE FIRST TWO WEEKS THAT WE'RE IN SESSION WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING IN TAN DENIAL WITH EACH OTHER TO TRY TO GET AS MANY PIECES OF LEGISLATION OUT OF THE WAY AS WE CAN.

>> PUTTING TOGETHER THOSE PRIORITIES I IMAGINE WOULD BE FAIRLY CHALLENGING GIVEN SO MUCH THAT HAD TO BE PUT NOT SIDE BECAUSE OF LAST YEAR'S ABBREVIATED.

>> VERY GOOD POINT.

WE HAVE TO SET ASIDE GOOD PIECES OF LEGISLATION LAST YEAR.

AND THOSE -- SOME OF THOSE ARE BACK UP AGAIN.

SOME ARE AGENCY BILLS THAT ARE FINALLY.

THEY NEED TO BE PASSED FOR THE SAKE OF THE AGENCY THEMSELVES.

SOME OF THEM ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PUBLIC.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL OF THOSE AND TRYING TO SORT OUT A PRIORITY LIST.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SELECT HIP BILLS AND WE WILL BE IN SESSION THREE DAYS A WEEK FOR TWO WEEKS AND WE WILL HAVE SIX LEGISLATIVE DAYS FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEN TAKE A WEEK AND SIT BACK AND ASSESS WE ARE.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ANY TYPE OF COVID ISSUES, WE WILL LOOK AT PUBLIC ACCESS AND HOW THE COMMITTEES ARE FUNCTIONING AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT JUST OVERALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE AND PLANNING TO COME BACK THE FOURTH WEEK AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE BACK IN BETTER SHAPE ON THE FOURTH WEEK AND GET BACK TO A LITTLE MORE NORMAL TYPE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH TO TACKLE, REPRESENTATIVE KLAUS OF OZARK WHO CHAIRS THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IN THE HOUSE SAID RECENTLY THAT HE THINKS THERE COULD BE A NEED FOR A SPECIAL SESSION OR MAYBE TWO AT SOME POINT LIGHTER TO DEAL WITH ISSUES LIKE REAPPORTIONMENT WHICH YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH BUT THAT WORK HAS BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE CENSUS, AND THE EFFECT COVID HAD ON IT AND I THINK HE MENTIONED GAMBLING AS THE SUBJECT OF A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> WE KNOW THERE'S WORK BEING DONE ON THE GAMBLING ISSUE.

SENATOR MARSH AND THE SENATE HAS DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND WORK.

DIFFERENT ENTITIES IN THE FIGHT FIGHTING OVER THE GAMBLING LOTTERY ISSUE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE FINALLY COMING TO THE TABLE AND SITTING DOWN AND LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE FROM A STANDPOINT OF COMPREHENSIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, WHICH I THINK IS GOOD.

THE GOVERNOR PUT TOGETHER A COMMISSION AND THAT REPORT IS AVAILABLE TO US.

THERE'S VERY GOOD INFORMATION IN THERE AND I THINK THAT WILL HELP US.

MOVING FORWARD WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO WORK THROUGH IT AND SEE HOW MUCH PROGRESS CAN BE MADE.

BUT FOR SURE THERE'S GOING TO BE A SPECIAL SESSION DEALING WITH THE CENSUS.

THERE'S JUST NO WAY TO VOID IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY NUMBERS AND INFORMATION THAT WE NEED BY THE TIME THIS IS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL END.

THAT TAKES US INTO THE SUMMER AND POSSIBLY AS LATE AS THE FALL TO ADDRESS THAT.

THE GAMING ISSUE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THE ROB AND SO HE WHERE IT GOES AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH.

>> BECAUSE I MENTIONED THE PANDEMIC PUT A DENT IN GETTING THE CENSUS COMPLETED AND AS YOU ALLUDED TO WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION WE NEED YET SO MUCH IS AS STAKE IN REAPPORTIONMENT AND SO MANY HEADLINES THIS YEAR ABOUT IF WE DON'T GET OUR POPULATION NUMBERS UP WE COULD LOSE A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

AND WE'RE LOOKING TOWARDS THE 2022 ELECTION AND THAT HAS A DIRECT BEARING ON THE WAY YOU DRAW THOSE DISTRICT LINES AND THE NUMBER OF CONGRESSIONAL SEATS THAT WE HAVE, EVEN TRICKLING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

AND THEIR JURISDICTIONS.

SO IT'S A LOT AT STAKE HERE AND AS SOON AS WE CAN GET THOSE NUMBERS, WE HAVE A GOOD REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE.

THEIRS SETUP HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE.

THAT HE HAVE ROOM.

IT'S DESIGNATED FOR THEM TO HAVE MAPS AND ALL OF THEIR DATA.

AND THEY'RE SET UP TO GO TO WORK.

AND I'M GOING TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS DURING THIS SESSION, WHEN WE STARTS NEXT WEEK, I'M GOING TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO GO TO WORK ON THEIR LOCAL LEVELS GO TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER, START LOOKING THAT THEIR DISTRICT LINES, AND LET'S START THE COMMUNICATION AND LET'S START PUTTING INFORMATION TOGETHER SO THAT WHEN THOSE NUMBERS TO COME BACK TO US AND WE CAN START PUTTING THOSE NUMBERS ON A MAP, THEN WE WILL BE A LITTLE BIT HEAD OF AT GAME.

>> JUST TO REMIND FOLKS THESE REAPPORTIONMENT WORK HAS TO BE DONE.

WE CAN'T PUT IT OFF BEYOND THIS YEAR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IT MIGHT REQUIRE A SPECIAL SESSION TO GET IT DONE.

>> THERE'S NO DOUBT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.

>> DO YOU SENSE AMONG YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE A SENSE OF COMING DOWN AND GETTING THE WORK DOWN AND LET'S MAKE IT EFFICIENT BECAUSE OF COVID AND WHAT WE MAY OR MAY NOT FACE IN THE COMING MONTHS?

>> YES.

WE HAVE WORKED -- LEADERSHIP HAS WORKED HARD ON TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER AS MANY POLICIES AND RULES CHANGES AND PROCEDURES THAT WE HAVE TO BE TO TRY TO MAKE THE ENVIRONMENT AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND THE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN JUST INDIVIDUALS COOPERATIVE.

THEY'RE WORKING VERY WELL TOGETHER.

I HAVE A RESPECT FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AND THE WAY THEY HAVE REACTED TO THIS.

THEY'RE RODE TO COME BACK.

WE HAVE HAD BUDGET HEARINGS INS WEEK.

THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN THE HALLS AND MEMBERS ARE TURNING IN BILLS.

WE HAD CLOSE TO 200 PREFILED BILLS COMING IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS TO LEGISLATORS ARE WORKING HARD TO GET THEIR LEGISLATION IS READY TO GO.

MY CONCERN IS WE HAVE -- AND I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE IN OTHER NEWS REPORTS, BUT WE HAVE MEMBERS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO PERSONALLY THAT ARE IN THE HIGH RISK CATEGORY.

IF THEY WERE TOE CATCH COVID, THEY WOULD BE AT A HIGH RISK.

AND THEIR RESPONSE HAS BEEN TO ME, MR. SPEAKER, WE GOT ELECTED TO THIS POSITION TO SERVE THE PEOPLE F WE'RE IN SESSION WE'RE GOING TO COME AND DO OUR JOB.

AND I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR THAT KIND OF ATTITUDE.

BECAUSE OF THAT I'M CONCERNED AND I WANT TO PROVIDE -- I KNOW I CANNOT DO ENOUGH THINGS TO ELIMINATE 100% OF THE RISK, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO MINIMIZE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU FOR THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> GOOD LUCK WHEN YOU REASSEMBLE.

>> THANK YOU DON.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

Reporter: FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST TONIGHT, IT'S OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

BACKING TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU, DON.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE GOT SOME GOOD NEWS THIS WEEK IN THAT MORE VACCINE IS ON THE WAY TO ALABAMA.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A WELCOME THING GIVEN OUR SHORTAGE AND SUPPLY VERSUS THE DEMAND FOR IT.

BUT EVEN SO, OUR SUPPLY WILL REMAIN LIMITED.

BUT WE'RE ENCOURAGED WITH EACH LITTLE PIECE OF GOOD NEWS.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT, 10,000 NEW DOSES A WEEK FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THIS PAST TUESDAY THERE WOULD BE A 16 PERCENT INCREASE IN VACCINE ALLOCATION OVER ALL TO ALL STATES AND THAT'S OVER ALL FOR THE COUNTRY.

IN ALABAMA THAT TRANSLATED TO 10,000ADOSIS.

IT HAPPENS TO BE IN THE MODERNA VACCINE PRODUCT COMING TO BACKING.

WE'RE EXCITED.

10,000ADOSIS IS 10,000ADOSIS.

WE'RE A LONG WAY FROM REACHING ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE WANT TO REACH BUT EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

>> WE WILL TAKE IT.

>> WE'RE GLAD TO SEE IT YES.

>> DR. HARRIS YOU ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT YOU'RE OPENING UP ELIGIBILITY FOR THE VACCINE TO MORE PEOPLE.

WE NOW EXPANDING WHAT WE HAVE REFERRED TO AS PRIORITY GROUP B PRIORITY GROUP B ORIGINALLY INCLUDED THOSE 75 AND OVER AND ALSO "FRONTLINE" WORKERS LIKE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS.

YOU ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT YOU'RE OPEN I GO THIS UP TO A LOT MORE PEOPLE NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, OTHER "FRONTLINE" WORKERS LIKE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, POSTAL WORKERS, GROCERY STORE WORKERS, PUBLIC TRANSIT WORKERS, AND EVEN MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

>> AND ANOTHER BIG GROUP TO INCLUDE THERE IS EDUCATORS AS WELL.

SO WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO FORGET EDUCATORS.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE ALL ALONG CALLED OUR PHASE 1B GROUP.

IT'S A LOT OF "FRONTLINE" WORKERS THAT HAVE ESSENTIAL JOBS AND IN MANY CASES THAT AIR NOTE ABLE TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES IN A WAY.

THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY AT HIGH RISK FOR ILLNESS BUT HIGH RISK FOR EXPOSURE BECAUSE OF THE JOB THEY DO AND THEY HAVE THE JOBS THAT ARE CRITICAL SO WE WANT TO INCLUDE THEM AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS -- EVERY DECISION LIKE THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A TRADEOFF.

WE HAVE THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH BECAUSE THEY LOOK AROUND AT STATES AROUND US AND SAY THAT GROUP IS INCLUDED, WHY ARE WE NOT DOING THAT IN ALABAMA OR I CAN DRIVE TO THAT STATE AND GET A SHOT, WHY CAN'T I DRIVE HERE.

AND THE ANSWER IS RIGHT.

THEY'RE -- THEY DESERVE TO GET A SHOT AND EVERYONE IS AWARE PRIORITY BUT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

SO WE EXPENDED THE YELL ACCESSIBILITY GROUPS TO INCLUDE NOT ONLY PHASE IN 1B BUT FOLKS 65 AND UP.

THAT ROUGHLY DOUBLES THE SIZE OF THE GROUP NOW ELIGIBLE AND YET WE HAVE NO MORE VACCINE OR WE HAVE 10,000 MORE DOSES OF VACCINE, SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE SOME FRUSTRATION.

THEY'RE STILL NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET A SHOT AND WHEN THEY HEAR THIS MESSAGE IT'S YOUR TIME THEY ASSUME YOU IS A SHOT FOR THEM BUT IN A LOT OF CASES WE WILL NOT HAVE THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED WE'RE DOUBLING THOSE ALREADY ELIGIBLE, I THINK ADDING ALL OF THESE PEOPLE PUTS IT AT OVER A MILLION PEOPLE ELIGIBLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IN FACT, IT'S PROBABLY AROUND 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE.

AND REMEMBER, WITH THE PRODUCTS THAT WE HAVE, THEY EACH NEED TWO SHOTS SO WE'RE DIAGNOSE TALKING ABOUT 2.8 MILLION SHOTS AND WE WILL GET AROUND ZERO SIX TO 70,000 FIRST DOSES PER WEEK.

YOU CAN DOT IN THAT AND EASILY SEE THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME ZERO REACH THAT GROUP IT MIGHT BEG THE QUESTION: WHY EXPAND THE ELIGIBILITY WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE VACCINE TO SERVE THEM?

DOES IT GO BACK TO MANAGING EXPECTATIONS?

>> THAT'S CERTAINLY PART OF IT.

THAT'S A VERY VALID QUESTION TO ASK.

I THINK PEOPLE DO HAVE AN EXPECTATION WHEN THEY SEE ALL OF OUR SURROUNDING STATES DOING DIFFERENT THINGS.

THEY WONDER WHY WE'RE NOT DOING IT HERE.

WE HEAR FROM THOSE OF PEOPLE DAILY.

WE TRY TO ANSWER IS THOSE QUESTIONS BUT ULTIMATELY WHAT PEOPLE WANT IS WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GROUP.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS ALSO HEARING THAT FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS SO WE ARE TRIED TO JUST MENTION IT AS PRECISELY AND CAREFULLY AS WE CAN.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO POSSIBILITY OF THERE BEING, YOU KNOW, VACCINE ON THE SHELF.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE IS RUNNING OUT OF PEOPLE TO VACCINATE.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE PEOPLE WITH A LOT MORE DEMAND.

WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS IT WITH THESE LARGE DRIVE IN CLINICS THAT WE ANNOUNCE TODAY AS WELL THAT WILL BE GOING FOR AT LEAST AS LONG AS OUR SUPPLY CAN SUSTAIN US.

BUT THERE'S NOT AN EASY ANSWER.

TELLING PEOPLE THAT I RECALL' NOT ELIGIBLE IS FRUSTRATING AND TELLING THEM THEY'RE ELIGIBLE AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH VACCINE IS FRUSTRATING.

>> I WANT TO BE TO GET BACK TO THE DRIVE IN CLINICS.

BEAVER GO THERE, HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL ASKING THE QUESTION, WHY DO WE NOT HAVE MORE VACCINE, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING AN ADDITIONAL 10,000 DOSES A WEEK FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE SAID THIS VACCINE FENG BEING DOLED OUT BASED ON POPULATION?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ALABAMA IS ABOUT 1.4 TO 1.5 PERCENT OF THE UNITED STATES BY POPULATION.

WE GET ABOUT 1.4 TO 1.5 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL MANUFACTURING AMOUNT EACH WEEK.

AND EGGS -- IT'S A FLAT FORMULA.

WE HAVE HAD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT IF YOU ARE NOT GIVING IT FAST ENOUGH ARE THEY HOLDING IT OUT?

AND THE ANSWER IS NO.

WE HAVE AN ALLOTMENT FOR OUR SIZE PER STATE.

THAT'S IT.

WE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE MORE.

>> SPEAKING OF HOLDING IT BACK I THINK I SAW A STAT THAT SAID BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE OUR CURRENT ALLOTMENT WE HAVE ONLY GIVEN OUT 42 PERCENT OF THAT AND THAT'S BECAUSE -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- IT'S BEING HELD BACK FOR APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY SCHEDULED AND PEOPLE DUE SECOND SHOTS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE SURVEYED ALL OF OUR PROVIDES IN THE STATE LAST WEEK TO MAYBE MAKE SURE OF THAT.

WE DON'T WANT ANY VACCINE SITTING IN THE FREEZERS OR SHELVES IF IT'S NOT ASSIGNED TO NIP.

WE FOUND A FEW THOUSAND DOSES IN THE PAST WEEK THAT WE HAVE MOVED TO OTHER LOCATIONS BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME LOCATIONS THAT WERE NOT ABLE TO GIVE IT OUT QUICKLY OR DECIDED THIS HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THE VACCINATION BUT ALMOST ALL OF VACCINE HERE IN ALABAMA THAT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN YET HAS A NAME ATTACHED TO IT.

>> ALREADY WILL BE 8 STATES AND THIS EXPANDED PRIORITY GROUP TAKES EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 8 AND THIS DRIVE BY CLINICS WILL BE SET UP IN TANDEM WITH THAT.

NOW, THEY'RE SET UP IN EACH PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT AROUND THE STATE; RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE EIGHT PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE AND THE LARGEST COUNTIES, JEFFERSON COUNTY AND MOBILE COUNTY, ARE EACH THEIR OWN DISTRICT AND THEN WE HAVE SIX MORE DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A.

LARGER -- AT LEAST A THOUSAND SHOT PER DAY DRIVE THROUGH CLINICS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PLACED IN HUNTSVILLE, BIRMINGHAM, ANNISTON, TUSCALOOSA, MONTGOMERY, DOTHAN, SELMA AND MOBILE.

>> ONE REASON WE WANTED TO INCLUDE THEM BECAUSE THESE CLINICS ARE SUPPLIED WITH THE VACCINE WE NORMALLY HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTING TO THE HOSPITALS.

WE TAKE A WEEK'S ALLOCATION THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO HOSPITALS AND USE THAT.

SOME HOSPITALS ARE GOING TO BE SHORT THIS WEEK.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT AT LEAST THERE WILL BE SEVERAL OF THEM INVOLVED WITH OUR DRIVE IN CLINICS.

>> DR. HARRIS EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE OWNING THE SHOTS UP TO AN EXPANDED GROUP STARTING ON FEBRUARY 8, I KNOW YOUR ALSO ASKING PEOPLE NOT TO JUMP THE LINE IF THEY'RE NOT CONSIDERED HIGH RISK.

I MEAN THEIR JOB MAY CLASSIFY THEM AS A HIGH RISK BUT MAYBE THEIR AGE OR OVER ALL GENERAL HEALTH MAY NOT.

SO I GUESS THE WORD IS DEFER TO THOSE 65 AND OLDER AND SOME OF THE MORE KNOWN RISK GROUPS?

>> YEAH.

WE REALLY NEED TO PEOPLE TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT HOW URGENTLY THEY NEED THIS.

WE ALL WANT THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT NOT EVERYONE NEEDS IT AS URGENTLY AS OTHER PEOPLE.

AGAIN WE'RE ADDING GROUPS IN OUR ELIGIBILITY CATEGORY THAT ARE ON THE ORDER OF 700,000 PEOPLE.

WE'RE GETTING ABOUT 110TH OF THAT PER WEEK.

SO AGAIN SIMPLE MATH TELLS YOU 9 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE VACCINE FOR THEM WHEN THEY GO OUT AND LOOK FOR IT.

IF YOU'RE A YOUNG PERSON OR HEALTHY PERSON NOT AT RISK OF SERIOUS ILLNESS AND PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A JOB OR A POSITION WHERE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE EXPOSED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE YOUR JOB TITLE SAYS THE YOU'RE IN AN ELIGIBLE GROUP PLEASE THINK ABOUT LETTING OTHER PEOPLE GO IN FRONT OF YOU.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE OVER 75 WHO HAVE NOT MANAGED TO GET A SHOT YET, FOR EXAMPLE.

WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE OTHER REASONS THAT WE WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEM IF THEY WERE TO GET INFECTED.

SO IT'S TOUGH TO TELL PEOPLE YOU'RE ELIGIBLE AND WE STILL WANT YOU TO WAIT BUT THAT'S WHAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO DO.

>> YOU HAVE IRONED OUT, IF HAVE YOU NOT, THE KINKS THANK YOU VERY MUCH HAD WITH THE PHONE LINES TO MAKES APPOINTMENTS BUT THE ONLINE PORTAL IS STILL NOT UP; RIGHT?

>> THE ONLINE PORTAL HAS BEEN SLOWER TO COME UP THAN WE WOULD LIKE BUT IT WILL BE UP THIS WEEK, WELL BEFORE THE 8TH WHEN WE HAVE THESE CATEGORIES EXPAND.

I THINK WE NEED TO AGAIN ADDRESS PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS ON THIS.

THE ONLINE PORTAL IS ONLY FOR SCHEDULING AT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, NOT NOR THE OTHER 200 OR SO SITES AROUND THE STATE THAT HAVE VACCINE.

>> IF YOU WANT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT THEM YOU HAVE TO CALL THEM.

>> EXACTLY; RIGHT.

WE'RE NOT SCHEDULING FOR YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY OR HOSPITAL.

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE SCHEDULED THROUGH FEBRUARY AND MARCH COMPLETELY.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY AVAILABILITY FOR THE NEXT TO MONTHS SO WE GET THE ONLINE PORTAL GOING SOON BUT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FIND THERE'S NO APPOINTMENTS THERE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

HOWEVER, THE LARGE DRIVE THROUGH CLINICS ARE GOING TO BE FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE BY APPOINTMENT.

THAT IS NOT IDEAL BY EVERY PERSON BUT IT'S A WAY FOR TO US GET OUT THE DRIVE BY CLINICS QUICKLY.

>> AND THE GOAL IS TO GIVE FIVE THOUSAND SHOTS A DAY AT EACH LOCATION.

>> ACTUALLY FOR THE WEEK.

>> SO A THOUSAND PER DAY.

>> A THOUSAND PER DAY?

THAT WOULD BE OUR MINIMUM.

IF WE HAVE MORE WE WOULD LIKE GIVE MORE.

THAT'S NOT A STRETCH FOR SOME OF OUR BIG MEDICAL CENTERS DOING THAT NOW, PLACES IN BIRMINGHAM OR HUNTSVILLE CAN EASILY DOWN A THOUSAND A DAY.

IN SOME CASES WHEN THEY HAVE HAD IT THEY HAVE DONE THAT.

BUT FOR THE SMALLER LOCATIONS THAT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME WORK.

WE'RE BRINGING IN VOLUNTEERS TO HELP, LOCAL EMA ARE WORKING WITH US ON THAT.

SO I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD TO HAVE IN SOME OF THESE PLACES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN USED TO HAVING THESE HIGH VOLUME CLINICS.

>> THE UK VARIANT TURNED UP IN ALABAMA THIS WEEK.

TELL US ABOUT IT?

>> WE WERE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT.

THE UK VARIANT IS A STRAIN OF CORONAVIRUS WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANYMORE DEADLY OR DANGEROUS BUT IS EASIER TO SPREAD AND WE HAVE ALREADY KNOWN IT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED IN TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA AND FLORIDA.

IN FACT, AROUND 25 OR 26 STATES NOW I BELIEVE.

SO IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL WE FOUND IT.

BUT WE HAD 3 DIFFERENT CASES IDENTIFIED YESTERDAY.

THESE WERE ALL GENOTYPE SEQUENCED AS UAB AND THEY'RE DOING THAT WORK TO LOOK AT THAT AND THERE WERE TWO CASES FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY, AND JEFFERSON COUNTY.

WORRISOME THING IS THAT IT SPREADS MORE EASILY SO IT WILL LEAD TO MORE CASES AND WE KNOW A PERCENTAGE OF THOSE CASES ARE GOING TO BE HOSPITALIZED OR PASSED AWAY SO THAT'S UNFORTUNATE.

>> DO YOU THINK IT COULD BECOME THE DOMINANT STRAIN.

>> I THINK IT WILL BECOME A DOMINANT STRAIN.

THE STRAIN THAT IS EASIEST TO SPREAD AND TO CATCH BY OTHER PEOPLE WILL BECOME THE DOMINANT STRAIN.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME, DR. HARRIS.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, OUR CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN ALABAMA OVER THE LAST WEEK OR TWO HAVE LEVELLED OFF SOMEWHAT BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE HEARING ABOUT OUR POSITIVE RIGHTS BEING HIGH.

HOW DO WE SQUARE THE TWO?

>> I SAW A NATIONAL REPORT ABOUT OUR POSITIVE AT THIS RATE AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WERE GETTING AT.

OUR PERCENTAGE OF TESTS THAT ARE POSITIVE HAS ACTUALLY IMPROVED OVER THE PAST MONTH OR SO.

IT WAS OVER 20 PERCENT AT ONE POINT.

IT'S NOW BELOW 17 PERCENT.

I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S OUT OF THE LINE NATIONALLY SO IT WASN'T SURE WHAT THEY WERE ALLUDING TO.

OVER ALL WE HAVE SEEN IMPROVEMENT.

WE PLATEAUED AS WE HAVE GOTTEN PAST THE HOLIDAY.

WE VERY A LOT MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED AND FRANKLY A LOT OF PEOPLE IMMUNE BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN INFECTED BECAUSE OUR CASE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN SO HIGH SO THE NUMBERS REHEARSE A LITTLE BETTER NOW THAN A MONTH AGO.

>> IT MAKES YOU WONDER ARE WE STARTING TO SEE HERD IMMUNITY?

>> I THINK IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY BUT IT'S A REASON QUESTION TO ASK.

IT'S POSSIBLE THAT TWO OUT OF THREE CASES OF CORONAVIRUS DON'T COME TO OUR ATTENTION.

MAYBE PEOPLE AREN'T SICK ENOUGH TO GET TESTED AND YET THEY MAY HAVE IMMUNITY AFTER THAT SO THERE MAY BE MORE HERD IMMUNITY OUT THERE AN WE KNOW ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

>> DR. SCOTT HARRIS ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS NEXT WEEK, OUR PROGRAM WILL BEGIN NIGHTLY BROADCAST TO BRING YOU THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

WE'LL BE SEEN MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:30 AND AT OUR USUAL TIME OF 7:30PM ON FRIDAY NIGHTS.

SO, PLEASE JOIN US THIS MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:30, WHEN WE'LL REPORT ON FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE SESSION AND WE'LL BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE KIEL OF RUSSELLVILLE, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT HIS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BOTH ALLOW BUSINESS TO STAY OPEN DURING PANDEMIC STATES OF EMERGENCY, AND WOULD GIVE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS A SAY IN EXTENDED SCHOOL CLOSURES.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

I'M DON DAILEY.