From ou statehouse studio in Montgomery.

I'm Todd Stacy, welcome to Capitol Journal.

The Alabama legislature was not in session this week as the House and Senate took their first of two planned spring breaks.

More on that in a bit.

But Congress was very much in action this week as federal lawmakers were workin to avoid a government shutdown.

Midnight Friday was the deadline to pass a stopgap spending bill that would keep governmen agencies open and operational.

The House narrowl passed a continuing resolution on Tuesday and then left town, leaving it up to the Senate.

Democrats had the ability to block the bill through a filibuster, bu thought better of it in the end.

Our own Alex Angle reports from Capitol Hill on how it all unfolded and where Alabama's delegation stood in the debate.

A Partizan battle on full display in Congress this wee over a six month funding bill.

The government fundin deadline is midnight Saturday.

The continuing resolution mostly maintains spending levels, but raises defens spending by $6 billion in cuts, other spending by $13 billion, mostly from cutting earmarks.

It first cleared the House Tuesday in the motion to reconsider later from the chamber.

Republicans and Democrats stood almost entirely unified on party lines during the House vote.

Congressman Dale strong, who recently joined the Appropriations Committee, says it was a necessary step to keep the government open.

President Trump has asked the Republican Part to move forward with this C.R.

so that we can, be one step closer to working on the 26 budget.

Congressman Robert Aderholt, also an appropriator, says continuing resolutions are never ideal, but ensure the federal government stays operational if it will keep the government open, keeping making sure that our military has been paid.

Make sure that, the folks that are, getting their Social Security checks on time, making sur that all that's done, you know, we need to make sure that that that happens at the end of the day.

Alabama Democrats stood with their party opposing the funding bill.

Baker says it's a Partizan plan that made too many cuts.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries invoked his visit to Selma to commemorate Bloody Sunday to show Democrats opposition.

As they stood on that bridge, knew that there was trouble on the other side.

But even though ther was trouble on the other side, they believe that their cause was righteous.

And it was.

It was a just one.

In the Senate, a major showdown between the GOP, Democrats and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse.

Senator Tommy Tuberville says he supports a bill to allow the president to enact his agenda.

President Trump needs these months coming up to not worry about it, to go and put his, $0.02 worth in in terms of getting our country back.

Great.

Again.

But he can't do it if the government shut down.

Senator Katy Barret also supported the funding bill, but wasn't especially keen on a full year continuing resolution.

As an appropriator, Brit says she will work to keep the Senate accountable in fiscal year 2026 to pass the 12 appropriations bills.

She also says she will fight for Alabama's earmarks in that process.

The funding bill runs through the end of September.

Reporting on Capitol Hill Alex Ingle, Capitol Journal.

Thank you Alex.

And again, that stopgap funding bill will keep the government open.

So no threat of a shutdown for now.

Back here to Alabama where a lot of schools are also on spring break or approaching it.

For many families, that means a getaway to one of Alabama's beautiful state parks.

Capital Journal's Jeff Sanders takes a close look at their growing popularity and some hidden gems you may not know about.

Alabama state parks are a year round destination, but they truly come alive during spring break as schools let out familie across the state are packing up for outdoor adventures, filling campgrounds, cabins and even Alabama's inland beaches.

And with 21 state parks spanning over 48,000 acres, there's a scenic retreat just a short drive away.

That's the beauty of Alabama state parks.

No matter where you're at in the state, you're probably you're you're within a driving distance of a state park.

David Johnson, assistant superintendent of Oak Mountain State Park, the state's largest state par just south of Birmingham, says that attractions go far beyon hiking trails and campgrounds.

From Mount Jihad to Win Creek many of Alabama's inland parks offer a beach like experienc without the trip to the coast.

I get told a lot by guests that that they walk up to me and they've lived here their whole life and they're like, we've never been here.

I can't believe this is here.

And it always amazes me.

And they tell me you have a beautiful state park.

And I have to remind them that this isn't mine.

I just get the privilege to help take care of it for you.

This is your state park.

And while those inland beaches have become increasingly popular in recent years, there's also been an increase in popularity of RV campers, including here at Mayor State Park in Spanish Fort, where they're about to cut th ribbon on 45 brand new RV sites.

Other planned upgrades include the construction of a brand new state of the art lodge at Keyhole State Park, the highest point in Alabama.

But improvements are happening all around the state, including the Gulf Coast.

Matt Young is the superintendent of Mayor State Park, as well as Gulf State Park, Alabama's most visited state park.

Gulf state recently reopened its popular fishing pier, which have been closed fo repairs since hurricane Sally.

Well, I've got to give, you know, our state credit.

And, Governor Ivey, I think that they've really looked at, what our Alabama outdoor is means to not just our residents, but our visitors as well.

And, answering that call of of we we need more campsites.

We need more opportunities to get not just our citizens and our state residents, but also all the visitors, the the tourism impact, and also the education impact of teaching people about Alabama.

The and with new project on the horizon, there's plenty more opportunities for adventures to come.

For Capital Journal, I'm Jeff Sanders reporting.

Thank you Jeff.

And speaking of spring break, Alabama state troopers are gearing up to keep travelers safe this season.

The Alabama law enforcement agency has launched its fifth annual.

Think Smart Before You Start campaign.

The initiative focuses o promoting responsible decision making, especially among teens and college students.

State troopers will be increasing patrols on Alabama's roadways to crack down on speeding, distracte driving, and impaired driving.

For those headed to Alabama's beaches, Alia's aviation unit will once again deploy its rescue swimmer detail, working with lifeguard in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to respond quickly to emergencies in the Gulf.

Officials are also reminding spring breakers to wear seatbelts, stay aware of rip currents and plan a safe ride home if needed.

Troopers are stressin the importance of smart choices to ensure a fun and safe spring break experience.

This time of the year is when we see a lot of young people.

They may be going to the beach they may be going to the lake.

This may be the first time where them in a group of friends, even if they're freshman in college, even if it's their first year in college, this may be the first time that they're going to own a vacation without their parents.

Right.

So that's where we really want the parents to have that conversation with their kids.

Don't assume anything.

Be very intentional.

Don't assume that your 1617, 18, 19 year old knows how to change a tir or even knows where the tire is.

You got to make sure and have that conversation.

Don't assume if an emergency happens, they know to get out their phone and call 911, or how to get in contact with law enforcement.

Don't make those assumptions.

So again, be very intentional.

Have those conversations with your children, especially if you know they're going on these trips.

The Alabama Legislature will return next week, beginning on Tuesday for th 14th day of the regular session.

There is talk of a three legislative Day week, meaning we could be pas the halfway point by Thursday.

Capitol journal's Randy Scott covers the House of Representatives where members are reflecting on what has passed so far and what's to come.

Here's his story.

Lawmakers in the Alabama House of Representatives got to work early and often, tackling proposals dealing with fighting crime back to blue.

You know letting law enforcement across state know it was 14 and we have their backs was big to me.

And I think it will help us recruit officers and retain officers across the state.

So I do think course as part of the crime package, we got out earlier but that bill needed some work.

And, chairman Ransom, an extraordinary job working on that bill.

And today, certainly, I think, done a really good job explaining what it did and what we were trying to accomplish to immigration, sort of the immigration bill, something we've been working on during all season.

Ben Robertson title was a leading that they did a really good job getting those out.

Today was made to bills concerning providing help and aid for Alabama's veterans.

I really thought it would have a longer debate more closely to what went over the back of the blue debate.

That's what I expected.

But I think the thing with that, there's probably had been a lot of conversation, you know, and I think between both chambers and members talking and having all those conversations probably had something to do with that.

And everybody kind of knew where they were at at this point.

Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter says the lower chamber was busy on many issues, but they still have many more to see when they return from spring break items, including tax adjustments.

We have been working on during the last few weeks, a number of tax cuts and so ATF is meeting as we speak now to get those bills out of committee.

So I think we'll see those on the floor next week excited to do that.

You know, I think if we get those out, durin this quadrennial, we've had over 15 tax cuts, the largest tax cuts in Alabama history, opening the door for more work on tax a relief for Alabama taxpayers.

Those tax cut and what we had rebated as well, the rebates and a lot of people forgotten about those.

But that was just for last.

Those rebates for some 300 and some million dollars.

So a combination of maybe but this this particular package of four bills is like $190 million.

Also possible bills which could address continuing concerns about IVF treatment for families trying to have children.

I think, you know, IVF and, families have an opportunity to have children.

You know, what we did last year to make that happen has been positively hard to deal with.

400 pregnancies have occurred and hundreds of babies have been born.

So that was a goal at the state House.

Randy Scott, Capitol Journal.

Thank you.

Randy.

This week, Alabama education officials were briefly locked out of the federal system used to access school funding that delayed routine reimbursements totaling $9 million.

The so-called glitc is raising concerns among school officials about potential staffing cuts at the U.S. Department of Education.

Alabama State Superintenden Eric Mackey told reporters that the interruption was brief.

The issue was fixed and the teachers pay will not be impacted.

Yesterday, a little bit of money that was used to reimburse some teacher salaries was held up.

No teacher in this state is even going to know whether that money was directed toward their salary or someone else's salary so that's going to be covered.

Teachers don't need to worry about anything.

The only concern I would have is as yesterday, you know, we got this message from the department saying, right, if you need help, it's going to take us a long time to get back to you.

And I've said several times, I hope that is not the case, because, you know, many time we need an answer from the U.S. Department of Ed quickly, and especially if it includes the flow of funds or technical assistance.

This is only one day.

And, tha that note's been removed today.

So I feel good about that.

But we want to make sure that that they have a plan so that they can respond to states, closely, quickly.

They can respond quickly to states.

The Alabama State School Board this week voted unanimously to approve doctor McKee's recommendation to intervene in Dallas County schools.

McKee said that school officials there did not follow purchasing rules, while spending $12.2 million in federal funds.

He and the board are requiring that school district to repay those funds.

Last summer, in the routine audit process the state examiners determined that there were several million dollars, that had not gone throug the proper procurement process.

Now, again, that doesn't mean somebody has stolen the money or anything like that.

It just means they've not gone through the proper procurement processes.

And so they reported that as they would always do to our department, Dallas County asked us to come in and do a deepe audit of their federal programs.

This is all federal money.

Yes.

Federal rules are that you have to procure whatever procurement you do with federal money.

You have to follow your state's procurement laws.

So we're doing several things right now, and I can't go into detail with working with their CFO, and superintendent and, and working with the feds on what exactly the final number would be.

And, is it you know, is what what is that exact number of what is owed back and how would it need to be paid back if it if it does ultimately have to be paid back to Washington?

Well, it's rodeo weekend here in the capital city.

The Southeastern Livestock Exposition is hosting its annual rodeo at Garrett Coliseum, with events and performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The festivities kicked off with the annual SLA parade through downtown Montgomery.

Here's some video of that fun.

This rodeo has all kinds of fun.

Family-Friendly events Celebrating Farming and Ranching.

There's bull riding, of course, bronco riding, barrel racing, individual and team ropin competitions, and so much more.

It's always so much fun.

And tickets are still available, either by going in person or by going to sleep.

Rodeo.com.

And I'll be speaking mor about the rodeo with Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate later in the show.

We'll take a quick break an return with Governor Kay Ivey.

Stay with us.

You ca watch past episodes of Capital Journal online at Video adaptive.org.

Capital Journal episodes are also available on AP TV's free mobile app.

You can also connect with Capital Journal and link to past episodes o Capital Journals Facebook page, and you can listen to past episodes of Capital Journal.

When you're driving or on the go with Capital Journal podcast.

Welcome back to Capitol Journal.

Joining me next is Alabama governor Kay Ivey.

Governor welcome back to Capitol Journal.

Thanks, Todd.

Good to be with you.

Yeah.

Good to have you back.

Lots to talk about.

It's a very busy session.

Enjoying a little bit of a break right now on spring break, cause you're not.

But I wanted to ask you abou first public safety and crime.

It's become the top issue of the session.

You said it was your number one priority.

What strikes me about that i it's your number one priority.

Same for the legislature, the legislative leadership, the attorney general seems to be across the board.

Talk about why that came to be.

I mean, it seems to me that maybe it speaks to the problem that crime has become in Alabama.

Well, definitely, it is a problem, and you've got to address it.

And of course, without a safe Alabama, we cannot have any other progress in the areas of whether it's economic developmen or education or anything else.

So Alabama needs a secure future and security issues and secured safe futures outgo.

I imagine you had conversations leading up to this session with mayors police.

I know Secretary Taylor has been very involved in that, trying to take what has been successful in Montgomery in term of the crime suppression units, expanded state law.

So talk about those conversations leading up to the session with mayors and locals saying, hey, we need some help.

Well, certainly we've heard from a lot of local leaders and they are having a difficult time with public safety as well.

And we've got Glocks, which is out there that we need to get rid of.

And, Linda passed some rules, that will make it easie for law enforcement to operate effectively and avoid, Monday morning quarterbacking in the court.

Right?

Well, I think most of those crime bills are pretty non-controversial.

You've got HB 202 with police immunity.

It's passed the House.

It's it's controversial, though.

Democrats have pushed back on that.

I know y'all have had some conversations in the governor's office with lawmakers here addressing the Democrats concern.

Are you confident that, people can get together on that?

It's the police immunity bill.

You call it the back of the blue plan.

Are you confident that's going to get across the finish line, too?

I'm very hopeful.

It will.

Is a pleasure to work wit Speaker Ledbetter and his team.

And he knows a great job as well.

In the House.

And pro tem good.

You in the Senate does a great job.

So I just appreciate workin with them and listening to them.

And I believe together we'll get across the finish line.

Switching gears.

Veterans affairs.

This has been a really hot topic this session because you had the one bill that was non-controversial about the Veterans Resource Center.

I think they were just itching to pass that they couldn't wait to pass that bill.

That was, everybody was on board.

The other one was a little more controversia having to do with restructuring the Department of Veterans Affairs making it a cabinet appointment.

Also adjusting the governance structure, the board, talk about that because I know this was a priority for your office.

At the beginning of the session, I would have though this was non-controversial, too, but you had some pushback from veterans groups that talk about how you deal with that and reworked the bill.

Thank you.

Todd.

What historically, the veterans have been served by a board that represented just a portion of our veterans who got 400,000 veterans living in our state called an Alabama home.

And we want to serve all the veterans, not just a few of them.

And so we felt this legislation forward, and again, working with Speaker Ledbetter, Ledbetter and Nome Pro tem Gojo.

Oh, we're going to make this a big deal.

And the veterans my father was a veteran in World War Two.

And know I'm passionate about the veterans who will take care of all of them.

And having them in, in the governor's cabinet will give them a direct pipelin to information and assistance.

So we're going to work on tails off to be good stewards for our veterans and help them be successful.

And I think everybody kind of agreed with that in terms of making the commissioner a cabinet level.

You know, job plugging that i to other agencies and all that.

But let's go back to a I guess about a year ago, because all this bubbled up from that drama, kind of unfortunate drama having to do with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the commissioner, you ultimately used your constitutional authority to dismiss Kent Davis.

And this is kind of where it all bubbled up from.

So take us back to that and why this became such an issue, to to be addressed legislatively.

Well, the former chairman was not working well with other department heads, and that's an important job.

And he needs to work with other cabinet officers to get the work don on behalf of the veterans.

And the previous board was serving only a few folks of veterans, and we want to serve all the veterans.

We had several groups o veterans supporting this bill, even though it was controversial.

And I'm grateful for that because our veterans are very, very important to have you and all them.

I've got their lives on the line.

So the least we can do is be there for them.

Yeah.

And I guess you're going to sign that bill as soon as it gets to your desk next Tuesday.

When they come back.

It'll be on my desk.

Okay.

Another issue that you talked about in the state of the stat address, it's being, you know, put to the legislative proces banning cell phones in schools.

Kind of common sense but it is a little controversy.

A lot of parents out there don't really, you know, want that.

They want to stay in touch with their their students and everything.

Talk about how this becam a priority for you, to the point where you actually pushed it in the state of the state, when we've had the results of some surveys done nationwide, and some 72% of the teachers reported cell phones are a distraction to the students learning in their classroom.

So it just makes sense for cell phone to be banned from the classroom during instructional periods.

Bill to Bell is what they say right?

And no, it makes sense to do that.

And the local boards of education will, teach our students how to be responsible.

Uses social media because those things, it's an important tool, but it's important to know when and where and how to use social media effectively.

We want to protect our children and give them every positive environment condition we can, so they can learn and learn well in that case.

But we have experience.

Interesting.

I was talking with the, principal at Pike Road Junior High, and they have enacted a ban on cell phones.

I guess they started this year.

And she was saying, of course, instructional time was it was better quality, had some positive results.

She also said students walking down the hallways aren't looking at their phones anymore.

They're actually looking up and interacting.

I found that really interesting.

So I expect this to pass.

But, you know, educators, ove the years, you were an educator.

You were a teacher.

No cell phones back then.

So it's a whole different kin of technology and new technology breeds new regulations and laws.

I suppose we just need to help, teachers and students have a very positive learning environment.

Also on the issue of education, parental leave for teachers, also for state employees, this has been issue for the last couple of years.

A lot of folks didn't realize that if you're a teache or you know, education worker, you don't have paid parental leave, when you have a child or adopt a child and things like that.

Normally they take vacation time or even unpaid time off, things like that.

You made this a priority.

It's going through the legislative process.

But now questions are starting to be raised about costs.

Can the you know, because this does cost money.

Are you confident that the state can afford something like paid parental leave for not just education workers, but also for state employees as well?

An upfront start up costs will be minimal, and it is importan that we give teachers and state workers, staff attuned to to have parental leave because if they want it, the young person, they want to start a family, they ought to be able to start a family.

And no so paid parental leave.

It's just common sense that we need to do that.

You made news recently by, commuting the sentence, the death sentence of Robin Rocky Myers.

He was sentenced to death for a murder back in 1991.

This doesn't happen every day.

You have the extraordinary power to commute sentences.

You commuted him from a death sentence to life in prison without parole.

Kind of extraordinary.

Doesn't happen every day.

Talk me through.

What led you to this decision?

Well, in this decision.

And by the way, since I've been in office, we have conducted 22 executions.

So I'm pro death penalty.

When the when it is merited, with the lack of, facts and known.

There just were too many questions about, this bill and I just felt like we couldn't execute somebody that around which we had so many questions and lack of evidence.

So those questions led you to say, okay, well, you're not releasing him You're not ending his sentence.

You're just saying we don't want to execute him.

That the ultimate punishment.

But.

But you left him in prison with life without parole.

So, I mean, what what led you to that?

Well, I wanted to, It just goes to show how much detail we look at in every case that comes for us.

And I got to be dead sure that the person is, worthy of the death penalty.

And in this case, it was just lack of evidence.

No DNA, no fingerprints, no weapon found.

And it was jus too many unanswered questions.

Switching gears again what's going on in Washington?

I know you were recentl up there for National Governors Association and things like that.

It's moving at such a fast pace.

You've got Elon Musk and the Doge operation, which I think a lot of people like, love the concept of government efficiency, finding ways to, hey, there's fraud waste and abuse in government.

Everybody knows that.

But some of these cuts have hit close to home.

You've got you know, at the beginning it was NIH funding at UAB.

You had Huntsville, you know, some federal stuff up there kind of hit.

There was the, Greyhound bus station, the historic bus station.

All those have kind of been put on hold.

But talk about the impact of all that and your conversations with the Alabama's congressional delegation about, hey can we slow down a little bit?

I mean, it is an impact.

And on Alabama that maybe it was unexpected.

What would induction of Oh calls for the government needs to be addressed.

And so I applaud President Trump for doing that.

And we stay in touch with the white House and without congressional delegation.

And yeah, that'll be some pain.

But, that that'll take some pain to get some gain because our government doesn't need to be overstaffed all over.

Oh, we don't need to spen that much money on bureaucracy.

So I think that his overall concept is worthy.

There's talk of also kind of doing the same thin here at the state level, having, you know, governmen efficiency talks with, you know, looking at state agencies and getting some calls there.

Are you in touc with the legislative leadership about how to go about that and maybe, go about i in a precise and calculated way?

Speaker Ledbetter is working well on that, and he's keeping me posted.

So we're working together to reduce costs, what we can here in Alabama as well.

Yeah.

Well, the legislature returns next week.

There's a lot on the table.

I know that you're, you and your office are all involved in that legislation.

Thanks agai for coming on Capitol Journal.

I really appreciate the update.

I hope we can expect more.

And is there anything else you can share with us about your efforts going forward in this legislative session?

Well, I know I read your recent, Inside Alabama Politics article, and it and you mentioned them so that golf balls.

And so I just wanted to bring you said I told the gentleman at the table that's our meeting that we were talking about some heavy lives and som I might need some extra balls.

Okay.

That's right.

We did write about this.

The famous golf balls.

And if I'm not mistaken, they have the insignia on them, right?

Right.

How about that?

The Great Seal of Alabama.

I don't know if we can zoom in on that.

And, And Governor Kate Abbey, that's fantastic.

Thank you so much.

Yeah.

The famous meeting with letter leadership giving them some encouragement when it comes to tough legislation.

We'll go over.

That's a real treat.

Thank you so much.

Great.

Welcome.

We'll be right back.

You're watching Alabama Public Television celebrating 70 years of service to Alabama.

Welcome back to Capitol Journal.

Joining me next is Alabam Attorney General Steve Marshall.

Mr.

Marshal thanks for coming on the show.

Good to be here.

We get a little bit of a breather this week, right.

Something of a breather.

Legislators spring break.

Well, that's why it's actually goo to be able to catch up with you, with others in the executive branch that, you know, stay in Montgomery, keep working.

But, I mean, y'all are working you all year round.

It's unfortunate.

Sometimes during the session we don't get to hear from you as much.

I really appreciate you making the time.

Speaking of legislative session, I wanted to talk to you about some legislation that you've been involved in, some that you've written and including the Speedy Trial Act has to do with getting judges, maybe retired judges or out of district judges involved in takin care of the backlogs on cases.

Tell me how this bill came about.

Yeah, we had meeting in Birmingham to talk about what we could do to be able to help what everyone is seen as the violent crime issue that had gone on in the city over the last several months.

And one thing that came ou was this this backlog of cases.

They had, waiting to be tried.

And look, some of this can go back to the time of Covid when the jury system itself wa shut down and it caused cases.

You crime didn't end.

So we still had cases that were ongoing.

We just couldn't have them, have the ability to try them.

You know, this bill gives us the ability to try to address that using the existing resources of, retired judges.

That can be called u when the chief justice believes that the case itself, demands that that resource be used.

And so we're please that we give DA's an opportunity to be able to make that election along with the AG's office, because we have case that we also want to be heard.

And, you know, one thing that I think is, is a corollary to this is we also have to make sure that DA's offices have the resources to handle cases as well.

You know, there is only a finite sum of prosecutors that are out there.

I think to the extent that we can expand that resources in both our urban and rural communities, to be able to to enlarge the number of folks that are able to prosecute violent crime cases.

And that likewise is going to be something that can help us.

Well, that's interesting because there's been a lot of talk about the need to help recruit and retain police officers.

And I know that you agree with that.

That's been one of the real strong themes of the session in terms of police immunity, things that we can do to, to make, you know, life easier for police officers.

Can the same be said for prosecutors?

I mean, that's not you know that's a job that you really do have to have a calling for.

Do we need to do more to help you support prosecutors and support that profession?

Yeah, absolutely.

I think if you look at, sort of a survey across the state, Alabama's law lagging behin some of our neighboring states.

And to the extent that a young prosecutor who's been trained and knows how to make, arguments in front of a jury sees that they can make just a little more money as contract defense counsel, to be able to provide for their family than then I think that, for the state is a loss.

And so I know the DA's have, talked to the legislature about what they can do to be abl to help that particular issue.

And I think raising the pay and the opportunities for young people to be able to come in, I can tell yo it's the best training ground, for somebody that loves trying cases, wants to be a powerful advocat to make a change in community.

If we can make it financially, in their best interest to be able to come into these offices, I think we're going to greatly expand capacity as well as the delivery of servi We'll talk you mention you mentioned Birmingham.

So we've had a lot of talk about the, metro area Crime Suppression unit here in Montgomery that you've been a part of.

It's been a big success.

But by everybody's accounts from the city, the county, state.

But there's talk about, you know, there's legislation actually to expand that, to allow other cities to, you know, have this specifically Birmingham and other cities might be involved.

Let's say that passes.

How do how does one go about expanding that?

How does one take what happened in Montgomery, the successes of the Crime Suppression unit expand it to another city, understanding that every area is different and every and their crime rooted, their crime may be different.

Yeah.

I think first of all, Montgomer has been a remarkable success, and I lay a lot of that credit at the feet of Hal Taylor and what they've done with Ilea, Derek Cunningham, who is a remarkable sheriff here in Montgomery County, as well as the willingness of the city of Montgomery and the police department to embrace the opportunity for help.

You know, we've been pleased to be able to offer investigators from our office, prosecutors in my office have taken a load off of the DA's office here in Montgomery County with new cases that have come in.

So it's been a collaborative effort where lots of people came together to address a problem.

And the best thing is that th people that live in Montgomery feel safer.

And I think that's the most tangible benefit that we can provide.

Replicating it though, is not necessarily easy.

The resources the legislature is doing, I think is is a great effort.

But Birmingham is different than Montgomery.

You know, her we have one large municipality.

We have, sheriff's office with the resources, with a county commission that was willing to step up.

And I give our county commission chairman a great deal of credit here for recognizing that need.

Birmingham.

You've got multiple small jurisdictions.

You have, a little different dynami as it relates to their ability to kind of come together and share resources.

Because if you sort of look at what happened in Montgomery, the sheriff devoted resources to the city.

You had our office devote resources to the city.

You had to devote resources to the city.

The question is whether or not in Birmingham, some of those other jurisdictions are willing to be able to help the issue, directly involving the city of Birmingham.

I think it's important.

What circuit don't you like that you do.

You were cut off and all that.

So that's kind of complicated.

It does a little bit.

It just really is where the case goes.

But I think there, there has to be this embrace that there is a greater good that took place here in Montgomery.

And the question is whether or not that similar sentiment can, can go along wit what's going on in Birmingham.

Look the more resources we can throw, the more bodies we can thro at a criminal justice problem.

I think the better.

The fact that people are engaged and motivated to address violent crime is always a good thing.

But I think we have to be careful in saying just because it worked in Montgomery means it can be equally successful somewhere else, as are different, dynamic, different people involved, in different issues that may come into play.

But I commend everybody that's been involved in Montgomery, and we've all expressed a willingness to try to help replicate the similar success in other jurisdictions.

Has it been interesting this session?

Because, you know, I remarked earlier on, I guess it was after the state of the state, how, you know, when's the last time public safety, crime, public safety was the top priority for both the legislature and the governor coming into a session?

I think it speaks to the the fact that it is an issue for people out there, and which is remarkable, too that it's that big of a problem.

Oh, it's refreshing when you're talking about.

Yeah, for a long time in candidly been pushing back against, you know, the buz word of criminal justice reform, which I think has bee problematic for us in the state.

And to see people embrace this idea of, number one, we need to support law enforcement.

Grateful that we've seen the governor put together a package about back to Blue.

And I think there is, you know, we talk a lot about the tangible and the intangible benefits for the law enforcement officer.

That's work in the street every day to hear this state say that you're valued and you're important, I think is extremely important to be able to send that message to local law enforcement that this state supports you.

I mean, I think Alabama, unlike maybe some other states, have not drifted as far, but yet I think it's still important for us to make that as a policy statement.

And to the extent that we can through civil liability reform, make sure that we ca provide them additional support, whether there are other bill that that impact the day to day life of those that are willing to protect and serve.

I think it's an important statement for the state of Alabama, and I'm extremely pleased to see that discussion taking place.

Wanted to quickly ask you about redistricting.

I think most people may not realize that the case, especially th congressional case, is ongoing because we had all the stuff at the Supreme Court and the federal court and everything, but there is an actual trial going on.

Can you update us on what's going on with that draw that I think's taking place in Birmingham?

It is.

Yeah.

Remember there's two cases pending, one involving, several of our state senate districts that is already under submission to judgment.

Iosco and Birmingham.

And we'll await her result.

In just over the last month, there was a little over a couple of weeks of trial, involving the map that previously was used, by the state of Alabama and then ultimately rejected by the court to investigate whether or not the legislature acted properly or not.

You know, the initial procedura posture of the case was just on, the the temporary relief because of the election that was coming up in 2024, we never had a chance to fully litigate the issues in the authority.

The legislature, and what they did and the propriety of wha they did to their former maps.

This trial was the full blown hearing, and you had experts and in fact, witnesses on both sides.

Our team as well as those involved with the plaintiffs, will be submitting findings of fact and conclusions of law to the panel, and it'll be up to them to decide what Alabama's map looks like going forward with the 2026 election until the time of the next census.

I mean, we feel like we put on a strong case before the court to validate the intentions of the legislature.

We'll see what happens with it.

I will tell you that regardless of what the court decides and who they rule in favor of, I would expect both sides, who are on the on the losing side of that will probably take it up to the 11th circuit.

There's a very interesting case at the Supreme Court involving the state of Louisiana that I think could potentially impact how the law overlays into the facts that will be presented here.

And so I think this is still an evolving story and an evolving issue.

I think definitely a question or questions headed to the Supreme Court at some point.

Well, we will be watching that.

I wanted to ask you about the recent commutation.

Governo Ivey commentated the sentence, or commentated the deat sentence of Robin Rocky Myers, who had been set to be executed to life in prison without parole.

You had an objection to this?

He spoke out and said you were surprised, that she had done this and said it was not the right thing to do.

Talk about your objection to this commutation decision from the governor.

Yeah.

I mean, fully within th governor's authority to do it.

Right.

I mean, that's a power vested, within any governor to review the possible commutation of somebody for which execution has been set.

This case goes back to 1991.

You know, one of the things at least, if what you can read and the only thing I have received is what's in the governor's written materials, is they were concerned that there were no no DNA and no fingerprint evidence.

You know, the facts were that, the defendant charged in this case, was in possession, on the night of the murder of the VCR, of the woman that was killed, it was collateral for a crac cocaine purchase that he made.

And he gave multiple conflicting statements how it came into his possession and win, DNA in 1991 was not the DNA that we have now.

You know, recently I tried a case in Ozark that had genealogy, DNA, a fascinating technology that allowed for u to be able to solve that case.

This is pre OJ, right?

I mean, this is not a tim in which we were able to collect DNA for it to be use substantively and forensically, in a court of law.

And so to use that as a criteria I think is missing the reality of 1991.

And then second, the lack of fingerprint evidence.

I mean, I can't tell you how many cases I've tried over my career.

Only one of those ever had fingerprint evidence.

It's not the norm and it's not common.

And it seemed as a wish.

The evaluation of this commutation petition was through a lens of 2025, and what it is that we would expect forensically.

And that just said the reality of the day.

We believe that the facts of the case itself demonstrated both through the physical and circumstantial evidence, that there was a compelling nature of guilt.

And that's why we objected to to this commutation.

Could there be a circumstance where you could say, okay, that trial, maybe things didn't go right?

Maybe we do need to review this.

You get the two Force Johnson case coming up.

Can you see a circumstance i which it would be proper to say, well, let's revie this.

Was everything done okay.

And maybe a commutation or, you know, not pursuing the death penalty would be proper.

Well, I think every case is unique, right.

And I'm not going to comment on specifics as much as to be abl to say we vest in the governor, the authority to be able to make those decisions.

And I respect the fact that Governor Ivey, whoever's in the governor's position, has the ability to do it.

I just strongly disagree with the conclusions they drew from the material they were presented.

We'll leave it there.

But I do have to ask you, last time you were on, you, confirmed to us that you were not going to pursue the governor's office.

This in this next election.

There's been some news on that front.

It looks like Tommy Tuberville could get in the race.

We've reported on that.

Right?

That really change the dynamic most significantly.

That there could be a US Senate seat coming open.

You have not ruled ou running for other things beyond.

Governor, could we see your name on the ballot?

Let's say Tuberville runs for governor.

Could we see your name on the ballot for US Senate?

Well, Tommy Darrell had announced that.

So there is no open seat.

And I have great support fo what he's done in the US Senate.

If that seat comes open, you know, the Senate's been and, sort of an overlay interest for what I've had as attorney general.

The work that we've done federally, the many of the issue that we've been involved with, if that's an open seat, I think we'll be prepared to pivot quickly and make an announcement on whether or not we'd run.

Okay It is getting into the season.

Mr. Attorney General, thanks again for your time.

Always great.

We'll be right back.

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Welcome back to Capitol Journal.

Joining me next is Rick Payne, Alabama commissione of agriculture and Industries.

Commissioner thanks for coming on the show.

I appreciate you having me.

Well it's timely.

It's rodeo weekend.

We saw the parade out front about the Capitol and I know that y'all are off to and that you are very involved in that.

But what can people expect, from the rodeo this weekend?

Well, the rodeo has really been improved, and I don't know if there's a show Yellowstone or Covid or somehow.

But, yeah, there's a lot more interes in rodeo and rodeos in general.

And, but this one, it's certainly improved each of the last four years.

We've got some of the top stock from frontier, coming in.

And so that's what the Cowboys won't.

They won't really good bulls and horses to ride because half the score is based on how rambunctious they are.

So, but yeah, got good crowds are still pretty.

Your tickets.

We do about half a busines in walk up just come that day.

And, if you go on the website Southeast Livestock Acquisition Rodeo, there's specials like for military and families and different things.

And you can take advantage of some of those things.

But it's, tonigh starts off at seven and tomorrow at one Saturday, nine at seven.

And then it started having a Sunday matinee at two gives you a little longer to go to church and have lunch and get out there.

Great quality family, entertainment.

And I will see footage earlier of the lad that rides two horses at once.

I'm that's amazing that the talent there.

And you're probably right about the whole Yellowstone thing.

Everybody wants to be a cowboy now.

All right?

I used to say, you of Texas.

Now that I asked yo people of Montana, I'm guessing that's right.

Less to talk about.

Issue was, I, I wanted to start with egg prices.

Everybody' been really concerned about this because egg prices have been out of control.

And there's a reason for that.

We're starting to see maybe some improvement there.

But remind us the whole point, the reason why egg prices are so hig and what's being done about it.

Yeah.

Well, there's a disease i poultry called avian influenza.

And it pretty much wiped them out.

And so our strateg as a Department of Agriculture, once we get a little bit of it, we go in there and depopulate that whole house, and then we put a quarantine.

No, I think it's 30 kil lot kilometers around that area and we won't, you know, monitor everything that goes in or out for I think, 40 days.

But anyway, we're on top of it.

We're aware what it is.

The protocols are in place, but it's not so much.

In Alabama.

We hadn't really been hurt bad, but in the Midwest there's more of the table laying eggs.

We're mainl a broiler state here in Alabama.

And so but they've, I heard the other day since 2019, 22, mayb depopulated 88 million chickens.

And it just takes us a while to build that number back up.

But it's also a supply issue.

There's fewer eggs.

If you're eggs.

Exactly.

Yeah, yeah, but we won't get there.

Okay.

I know that people will appreciate having some, progress there, and it help the they'll keep going down.

On a related note, tariffs, tariffs.

We don't know everything that's going to go on.

We don't know what the president's going to you know, implement scaled back all that.

But I know that tariffs impact agriculture.

And I wanted to ask you what you're hearing from producers in the state, about concerns.

Maybe it's, fertilizer or other material that they've got to get water.

But what are you hearing from producers in Alabama?

What are they saying?

What changes?

Dale?

You know, he puts the tariff or says you can put a tariff and put it off right before, and then somebody else threatens us back with a tariff.

And, yeah.

So we think, I mean, I'm actually president of Souther United State Trade Association.

So I travel 2 or 3 times a year trying to do trade.

Just got back from ten days in Vietnam, talking to meet with them.

But, there's a big demand, but we've made some bad deals over the years, and so there has to be there probably will be a little pain here while we reset some of these deals.

But yeah, we've let other countrie really take advantage of us and, to tariff our product when it goes in their country.

And then we don't reciprocate when they come back.

And so, yeah, there's going t be a lot of blustering and talk.

We'll see how I think in long term it's going to be good for agriculture.

For short term there'll be some pain.

The thing that bleed that most people feel like most farmers feel like the president, you know, he won was really middl America, rural America support.

And before when he was president, he kind of took care when we had a few issues, kind of helped out.

So I don't think he's going to leave us hanging, but we already got problems.

I road crop farmers commodit prices are less than breakeven.

And you know, s there's tremendous structural.

But you know, I do feel like there's a feeling in this country that we know that food security is national security, that we can't count on China, Mexico or anybody to feed us.

And so we have to hav that ability to feed ourselves.

And so I think there's enough political will or enough intelligence around this subject that we won't lose our agricultural base.

And well, on that subject o commodity prices and all that, it's past time for a new farm bill in Congress.

I mean, it's supposed to be every five years.

I think we're on year seve at this point of of a new form of that kind of pass and Band-Aids.

What's your, you know I know you remain in touch with the congressional delegation.

What are we hearing about the prospects for a new farm bill updating some of those commodity policies?

It's interesting.

Farm bills like immigration.

You never found anybody that didn't think immigration need to be fixed or even Democrat.

And so I was in Washington two weeks ago at our meeting of 50 ag commissioners, and we had Amy Klobuchar, who's obviously a Democrat from Minnesota, I think, and there's another Democrat.

Nobody' against passing the farm bill.

That's where they get down in.

We don't know what is it.

And of course, you might.

Some viewers might not be aware of it.

8,283% of the farm bill is Snap programs and nutritional programs.

And so, you know, so there's a natural, I guess, fighting for who gets a bigger percentage of that pot.

I mean, 1% different food would make a huge difference for farmers.

And so the biggest thing right now, because they hadn't changed it in so long and input costs have gone up so much to reference, which is sort of the welfare price.

What you get when you're just about to lose your farm is so low now.

Even if you get it, you will probably go out of business.

So that' that's one of the main things.

We just need the new farm bill to reflect really the break even point or the but in most of our commodities and it does not now.

Well we'll get an update from the congressional delegation next time they're on.

But so important that farm bill.

You know, not just for farmers in Alabama but throughout the country.

And you mentioned that I mean there are folks struggling out there.

You all have this campaign.

You've got your button on here about think a farmer.

So talk about this campaign and why it's important.

Well, you know during Covi first time I think as Americans we saw a few things weren't on the shelves.

And I thought I saw people start to appreciate the fact that there was a farmer that grew, it raised whatever is on that shelf that grossed or didn't provide that, that warehouse to about it, a farmer providing that food.

And then, of course, we refilled the shelves and that feeling went away.

And and of course, I think it's appropriate.

But we do such a great job in this country of of honor and first responders, active military, policemen.

And, you know, a farmer kind of gets left out.

But we need him just about as bad as what we need.

And you need him every day.

And so really just bring awareness that, you know, that whatever you're eating, somebody is behind it.

A family behin it is trying to pay a mortgage or trying to pay, the fuel bills or equipment cost.

And, just a way to raise that awareness.

All vocations are honorable.

I'm not saying what you and I do honorable but they don't need me.

And you.

They need that farmer day in and day out.

Yeah, and maybe you're right.

Those those empty shelves were a reminder, of all that.

Switching gears real quick, your office sent out a press release this week talking about these seeds, these packages of seeds that were arriving.

And you know, unexpectedly in Alabama.

I guess that's, you know, from China or somewhere like that, just y'all wanted to get the word out about, you know, if you get an unsolicited packet of seeds, you know, call us and let us know what's going on here.

Well, we never really figured out what was going on before in during Covid.

When that happened, we thought somebody was trying to trigger some algorithm.

So that their name would pop up.

But we've received thre that we're aware of in Alabama.

One, we have a very DEA certified food and drug lab on our campus here in Montgomery.

And so we two, one proved to be tomato seed, another turned out to be onion seeds.

And I don't think we've gotten on the third one yet.

But yeah, if you get something I said, don't go.

Last time people went out and planted them, we had to dig the dirt up.

And you know, we don't know where they're coming from if they have contagions or something.

We don't know what kind o noxious weed they could be here.

And so, yeah, just read the county extension office call.

Our office will come get them if you can't drop them off.

And, we'll germinate the and see what they actually are.

Interesting.

Okay.

Before I let you go, it's you know, 2026 is right around the corner We've talked about this before.

You've been, you know, you've not ruled out, I guess, a run for governor.

We've talked about it before.

Where are you now?

Because now you got Coach Toe Rule thinking about running.

You got Ainsworth, you know, just chomping at the bit.

What's your latest thinking in term?

Because you're termed out right.

You can't run for ad commissioner again.

What do you think it might mean.

Might we see a pate for governor in 2026.

Well, term.

Well, certainly, a game change because of his name recognition and the job he's done in Washington.

So him and I, we've talked 4 or 5 times, you know, first he was going to be, Secretary of Commerce Interactive Interior, and then he was going to be Senator Messenger.

And then in January, he told me he was thinking 5050 had me call him, through, somebody else and, and and I said, well, that's fine.

And then, we were actuall on the same flight to Washington two weeks ago, and the flight go delayed an hour or so for him.

And I kind of went off for 30 minutes.

And, you know, he jus I think he told me as a friend, but he said, yeah, I'm probably going to run.

And, yeah, I wouldn't, you wouldn't challenge him.

Yeah.

Now.

And, and I'm, I'm not sayin I'm really trying to challenge anybody, you know, but yeah, I feel like I still got something left in the tank and something left to give.

And we've done.

I feel like I've done a pretty good job with that department bag.

And so if that door closes, mean, we'll see what door opens.

I mean, Go always has open a door for me.

And so with that, with to run for lieutenant governor or something else, I'm not going to run for anything else.

I can't imagine.

But there might be something somewhere else that I can, bring values.

We'll just say we really got to May.

I think that was what top level sort of said.

And once he makes a decision, I guess I'll make a decision.

Yeah, I think everybody's waiting on him because that affects not just governor but all down the ballot.

So it's going to be interesting to see.

Well we're out of time, Commissioner.

But good luck with the rodeo.

And thanks again for coming on the show.

Thanks, dad.

Always enjoy and we'll be right back.

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Tuskege University is the second oldest historically black college in Alabama, and one of the largest in the United States.

Founded in 1881 as the normal School for Colored Teachers at Tuskegee, the school quickly became a driving force in the developin industrial education movement.

Under the leadership of noted educator Booker T Washington, its first president in its early decades.

Tuskegee Institute made significant contributions to agriculture and improving the lives of rural black farmers.

Tuskegee has played an integral role in Alabama history and education.

It pioneered the movable school, served as the training ground for the Tuskegee Airmen, and students and faculty were heavily involved in the civil rights movement.

In addition to its many notable alumni and academic developments, it was the first HBCU to have a marching band.

Tuskegee University was recently ranked as the top black college in Alabama, and the sixth nationally.

That's our show for this week.

Thanks for watching.

And please stay safe out there this weekend as dangerous storms are passing through.

For our Capital Journal team.

I'm Todd Stacy.

We'll see you next time.