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

>> WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

IT WAS COMMITTEE DAY IN THE LEGISLATURE TODAY.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SESSION BEGAN, THERE WAS NOT ALSO ACTION ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR.

THAT HAD LAWMAKERS, LOBBYISTS AND US IN THE MEDIA BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF IN WHAT HAS BEEN A FAST PACED SESSION SO FAR.

LAWMAKERS WILL MEET FOR THE 23RD LEGISLATIVE DAY TOMORROW BEFORE LEAVING FOR SPRING BREAK.

THAT WILL LEAVE SEVEN LEGISLATIVE DAYS FOR THE SESSION HOMESTRETCH WHEN THEY RETURN MARCH 28.

NOW TO THE ACTION IN COMMITTEE.

A BILL LIMITING THE PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE CITIES CAN BUDGET FROM THEIR TRAFFIC TICKET REVENUE ADVANCED TODAY IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

SENATE BILL 282 IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER IN RESPONSE TO THE SPEED TRAP SITUATION IN BROOKSIDE, ALABAMA, THAT WAS REPORTED BY AL.COM.

THE BILL IS A PRIORITY OF LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH, WHOSE OFFICE DID A SURVEY SHOWING MOST CITIES' BUDGETS ARE LESS THAN 10 PERCENT TRAFFIC FINES.

THAT'S WHAT THE BILL SETS AS A LIMIT FOR THE STATE.

THE COMMITTEE PASSED THE BILL AFTER SOME TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS WERE ADDED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES.

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>> THE SECOND ALSO CONSIDERED FRIENDLY FROM THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES, HOLDING THE LIMIT AT 10% BUT IT DOES MAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDS THAT ARE ALL DEPOSITED IN GROSS, ONLY THE NET AMOUNT THAT THE CITY KEEPS OF THOSE FINES RELATED TO TICKETS IS WHAT IS COUNTED TOWARD THE 10%.

>> THAT BILL NOW GOES TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ALSO ADVANCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN PENALTIES FOR THOSE CAUGHT CARRYING A FIREARM WHEN THEY ARE PROHIBITED FROM DOING SO.

WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, ALABAMA LAW PROHIBITS PEOPLE FROM POSSESSING FIREARMS IF THEY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT CRIME, ARE SUBJECT TO A PROTECTION ORDER FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE, OR ARE OF UNSOUND MIND.

HOWEVER, BREAKING THIS LAW DOES NOT COME WITH JAIL TIME.

SENATE BILL 301 FROM SENATOR WILL BARFOOT WOULD CHANGE THAT.

>> THE INTENT OF SB 301 IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROHIBITED PERSONS CARRYING A FIREARM THROUGHOUT THE STATE HAS TEETH TO IT.

>> WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS LOOKING AT CLASS A, CLASS B FELONY, DEADLY WEAPON AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE GREAT ROBBERIES AND MURDERS IN THEIR PAST AND FIREARM, AND SENATOR BARFOOT SAYS CLASS C AND THE FEDS REALLY DON'T TAKE THE CASES ANY MORE.

IN ALABAMA, WE DON'T HAVE A MECHANISM TO DETER SOMEBODY WHO HAS A PRIOR RAPE, ROBBERY, MURDER FROM CARRYING A FIREARM WHETHER IT'S UNLAWFUL OR NOT.

SO WE'RE HOPING TO GET TEETH ON THOSE SERIOUS OFFENSES, WITH FORGERIES OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT PEOPLE POSSESSING WEAPONS.

>> THAT BILL NOW GOES TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

ALSO IN SENATE JUDICIARY, LAWMAKERS ADVANCED LEGISLATION EXEMPTING HOMELESS YOUTH FROM THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH OBTAINING A DRIVERS LICENSE.

HOUSE BILL 385 IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE KYLE SOUTH BUT WAS HANDLED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR KIRK HATCHER.

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>> FROM THE SCHOOLHOUSE CONNECTION ORGANIZATION, THAT'S AN ADVOCATE FOR THIS LEGISLATION AND COMPILED A LOT OF THE EVIDENCE, THAT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, I THINK FROM THE YEARS 2018 TO 2019, WE HAVE SOME 16,000 PLUS HOMELESS CHILDREN IN THE STATE.

AND THAT'S AN INCREASE ACTUALLY FROM WHAT I WAS SEEING HERE OF 5,000 STUDENTS' YOUTH AT LEAST IN 10 YEARS.

WHATEVER WE CAN DO IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, WE'RE SEEING A RISE IN HOMELESSNESS AND PARTICULARLY AMONGST THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS.

HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

>> THAT BILL NOW ALSO GOES TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DEALT WITH A DIFFERENT DRIVER LICENSE ISSUE TODAY.

HOUSE BILL 425 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE PEOPLE TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR HARDSHIP DRIVER LICENSES, WHICH ARE USED TO ALLOW LIMITED DRIVING PRIVILEGES LIKE DRIVING TO WORK.

RIGHT NOW, ANYONE CONVICTED OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A HARDSHIP LICENSE.

ENGLAND'S BILL SAYS THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN BECOME ELIGIBLE AGAIN 5 YEARS AFTER THEIR CONVICTION.

>> HOUSE BILL 425 SIMPLY SEEKS TO CLEAR UP AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITH THE HARDSHIP DRIVER'S LICENSES, AND WHEN WE INITIALLY ADOPTED THIS, IT WAS DESIGNED TO HELP WITH THOSE WHO HAD EXTENDED DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATIONS.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS LEFT OUT, IF YOU LOOK ON PAGE THREE, SECTION, SUBSECTION DA- PERSON ADJUDICATED OR CONVICTED OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE PURSUANT TO 32-5A-191 WITHIN FIVE YEARS BEFORE OR AFTER THE HARDSHIP LICENSE SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HARDSHIP DRIVER'S LICENSE.

SO, IT MAKES SOMEBODY BEYOND FIVE YEARS, ELIGIBLE FOR THE HARDSHIP DRIVER'S LICENSE.

>> THE HOUSE EDUCATION WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE TODAY TOOK UP THE ISSUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

HOUSE BILL 459 FROM REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS WOULD REVISE THE STATE'S CHARTER SCHOOL LAW TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL COUNTY EDUCATION TAX DOLLARS FOLLOW THE STUDENTS WHO ENROLL IN CHARTERS JUST LIKE STATE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS DO.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE GRANTED GREATER AUTONOMY FROM TRADITIONAL SYSTEM RULES IN EXCHANGE FOR HIGHER STANDARDS FOR STUDENT IMPROVEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT.

COLLINS SAID THE FUNDING PARITY WILL HELP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS BECOME MORE FINANCIALLY VIABLE.

>> A CHARTER DOESN'T HAVE A BOUNDARY, ANY STUDENT CAN ATTEND, ANY STUDENT CAN ENROLL.

SO, THERE'S NOT A BOUNDARY BUT THAT THEY ARE LOCATED IN THE COUNTY.

AND THE EASIEST WAY TO ADDRESS IT IS TO LEAVE ANY CITY MONEY BEHIND.

BUT FOR COUNTY MONEY, THE STUDENTS THAT LIVE WITHIN THE COUNTY, THAT ONLY THAT MONEY WOULD FOLLOW PER STUDENT.

SO, RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE SCHOOLS WITHOUT THE STUDENTS THAT HAVE ALL THE MONEY.

AND THEN, YOU HAVE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS WITH ALL THOSE STUDENTS AND ZERO OF THAT LOCAL MONEY.

SO, WE HOPE IT'S THE SWEET SPOT FOR PEOPLE TO FIND AN AGREEMENT ON.

>> I'LL SPEAK WITH REPRESENTATIVE COLLINS IN MORE DETAIL LATER IN THE SHOW.

ANOTHER ITEM OF INTEREST ACTUALLY HAPPENED LATE YESTERDAY.

THE HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ADVANCED A BILL RESTRICTING DIVISIVE CONCEPTS FROM BEING TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR INCLUDED IN STATE DIVERSITY TRAINING PROGRAMS.

HOUSE BILL 312 FROM REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER SEEKS TO ENSURE STUDENTS AND STATE EMPLOYEES ARE NOT SUBJECTED TO CONCEPTS OR THEORIES THAT TEACH SOMEONE SHOULD FEEL GUILTY OR ASHAMED BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE, RELIGION OR SEX.

DEMOCRATS HAVE STRONGLY PUSHED BACK ON THE BILL, INSISTING THAT THE POINT IS TO BAN CRITICAL RACE THEORY WITHOUT SAYING SO.

THEY ARGUE THE BILL WOULD LEAD TO A CHILLING EFFECT IN WHICH TEACHERS FEAR FOR THEIR JOBS IF THEY ADDRESS DIFFICULT SUBJECTS IN THE TEACHING OF HISTORY.

THE BILL PASSED BY A QUICK VOICE VOTE AND NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

A SIMILAR BILL IS AWAITING A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> Todd Stacy: NEW JERSEY, I'M JOINT BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE CLOUSE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE GENERAL FUND COMMITTEE.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS, TODD, APPRECIATE IT.

>> BEEN A BIG HOUSE, PASSING THE HOUSE FLOOR ON TUESDAY AND NOW IN A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS GENERAL FUND?

>> I FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT IT, IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, VERY RARE.

>> AND EVEN SORE REL, WHEN YOU EARNED HIS VOTE!

>> RIGHT, IT'S A GOOD SIGN IN THE SENATE, WE'VE PASSED A GOOD BUDGET AND HOPEFULLY MOVE IT THROUGH CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WITHOUT MUCH WRANGLING AROUND.

WE'VE ADDRESSED A LOT OF ISSUES IN THIS WHOLE BUDGET FROM THE SENATE INTO THE HOUSE.

IT'S A RECORD BUDGET $2.7 BILLION.

WE'VE PAID A FULL PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, ONE TIME BONUS FOR RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES, SAME AS THE EDUCATION RETIREES.

AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO BUILD UP AGENCIES THAT HAS CUT SO DRASTICALLY BACK IN 2008-2009 WHEN THE DOWN TURN HIT.

AND THAT FILTERED INTO 11, 12.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, IN 12, WE HAD TO PRESENT TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA A PROPOSAL TO BORROW $435 MILLION FROM THE TRUST FUND TO GET US THROUGH THE 12-13-14 BUDGET YEARS.

AND IN THIS BUDGET, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO PAY OFF AND HAVE BEEN PAYING OFF 13 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO GET THE BALANCE PAID FOR.

WE HAD ABOUT 8 MORE YEARS TO GO.

AND SINCE THINGS WERE SO GOOD, WE WENT AHEAD AND PAID THAT DEBT OFF IN THIS BUDGET.

THAT WAS, THINK, QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THERE FOR US TO DO THAT.

WE'VE ADDRESSED A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES, PARTICULARLY IN MENTAL HEALTH.

THAT'S JUST SUCH A CRITICAL AREA SPILLING OVER INTO THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'VE HAD WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

A LOT OF OUR INMATES DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

WE'RE BUILDING CRISIS CENTERS AROUND THE STATE.

AND THIS BUDGET HAS TWO MORE CRISIS CENTERS, ONE IN HOUSTON COUNTY, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A CRITICAL AREA FOR PEOPLE HAVING SOME TYPE OF ISSUE WHERE THEY CAN SEE A PROFESSIONAL AND BE DIRECTED TO THE RIGHT PLACE AND TRY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR ISSUES.

RIGHT NOW, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE ONLY THING THEY CAN DO IS TAKE THEM TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AND THE NEXT DAY, THEY ARE OUT ON THE STREET.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PUT THEM.

SO, THE THEY ARE JUST BACK AND THE PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED AND LOTS OF TIME, IT LEADS TO PRISON.

AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH NOT ONLY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, BUT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> Todd Stacy: IN COMMITTEE, YOU ADDED A SIGNIFICANT PROVISION EXTENDING MEDICAID COVERAGE FROM MATERNITY TO MOTHERS BEYOND THE CURRENT 60 DAYS TO A WHOLE YEAR.

THAT'S PRETTY BIG NEWS WHEN YOU DID THAT.

SO WALK ME THROUGH HOW THAT CAME TO BE.

>> MEDICAID AGENCY, THEY WERE GOING TO 6 MONTHS ANY WAY AND HAD IT BUILT INTO THEIR BUDGET.

THERE WERE A LOT OF GOOD ADVOCATES PUSHING FOR 12 MONTHS.

AND THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HELPED TO PUSH US ACROSS THE LINE WAS NEIGHBORING STATES, WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT OUR NEIGHBORING STATES ARE DOING RATHER THAN CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS OR NEW JERSEY.

SO, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, AND TENNESSEE, THEY ARE DOING THIS ALSO, ON A ONE YEAR PILOT PROGRAM.

MISSISSIPPI WE THOUGHT WAS.

THEY PASSED A BILL IN THE SENATE, OVERWHELMINGLY, TO DO THIS, AND GOT IT THROUGH WHAT THEY CALLED THE MEDICAID COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

AND LAST YEAR, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PULLED THE PLUG ON THEIR PROPOSAL.

AND WE'RE JOINING THE OTHER THREE NEIGHBORING STATES AND TRYING IT OUT, TO SEE IF THIS EXTRA SIX MONTHS WILL BENEFIT WOMEN IN THIS CATEGORY.

>> Todd Stacy: AND YOU MENTIONED PAYING OFF DEBT.

IT STRIKES ME BECAUSE HAVING WORKED UP IN CONGRESS, IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT.

ANNUAL DEFICITS, MAYBE NEVER GOING TO PAY OFF THE $30 TRILLION DEBT.

AND THE LEGISLATURE IS MAKING A POINT IN BOTH BUDGETS TO PAY BACK THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND AND PAYING OFF DEBTS.

I THINK THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

WAS THAT A PRIORITY FROM THE COMMITTEE, FROM YOUR CAUCUS, ON DOWN THE LINE?

>> I THINK FROM A LOT OF FOLKS.

AND OF COURSE, IT CAME FROM THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET TO BEGIN WITH.

AND WE KEPT THAT, AND THE SENATE IN THEIR VERSION AND WE DID IT IN THE HOUSE VERSION.

AND I THINK IT GOES BACK TO WHAT I SAY TO PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT, THEY PRINT MONEY AND WE DON'T.

WE HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS.

IF WE DON'T LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS AND OUR BUDGETS DON'T MEET THE APPROPRIATIONS THAT WE'VE ALLOCATED, THEN WE GO INTO PRORATION.

AND THAT'S WHAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WAS IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET YEARS AGO BEFORE WE PASSED THE ROLLING RESERVE ACT IN 2011.

WE WERE IN PRORATION NINE OF THE PREVIOUS 30 YEARS JUST OUT OF EVERY 3 YEARS AND STANDPOINT, DEVASTATING TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD'S.

AND DEVASTATING TO THE GENERAL FUND BOARDS TOO.

WHEN YOU CALL PRORATION, IT'S AROUND 5%, THAT THE GOVERNOR CALLS AFTER 5 YEAR PERIOD AND YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY MORE THAN THAT, BECAUSE YOU WENT THROUGH SIX MONTHS SPENDING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAD.

AND WE HAVEN'T HAD PRORATION IN THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET SINCE 2011.

>> SINCE A RECORD REVENUE YEAR, IT MAY BE LAWMAKERS TEMPTED TO SAY, WHO CARES ABOUT THE DEBT, LET'S SPEND IT ON THE GOODIES.

YOU HAVE SERVED IN LEANER TIMES, AND MADE TOUGH CHOICE.

A LOT OF MEMBERS HAVE NOT.

THEY WERE ELECTED IN 2014, 2018, AND DO YOU TRY TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE YOUNGER MEMBERS?

>> IN PARTICULAR, I GO BACK TO THE 1990s, I WAS ELECTED IN 1994.

THINGS WERE GOOD BETWEEN 1995 AND 1999 AND THEN THE BOTTOM DROPPED OUT GOING INTO 2000.

AND WE WERE COMING BACK ON A SPECIAL SESSION.

I REMEMBER THE SPECIAL SESSION CHRISTMAS OF 1999, AND JUST TO RAISE $160 MILLION, TO GET US THROUGH THAT BUDGET YEAR, EDUCATION BUDGET.

AND FINALLY, WE SIGNED IT OUT, AND MY WIFE WASN'T TOO HAPPY WITH ME THAT PARTICULAR YEAR, THAT SHOWS YOU RIGHT THERE, THINGS HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.

THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WE HAD BUDGETED JUST EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD.

AND OF COURSE, THAT'S FINE IF REVENUES ARE GOING UP.

BUT WHEN YOU HIT A BRICK WALL, REVENUES GO DOWN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU ARE IN THE SOUP.

AND THAT'S ONE THING THAT THE ROLLING RESERVE, AND THE MINI-ROLLING RESERVE, I LIKE TO CALL THE GENERAL FUND HELPED SAVE US FROM.

>> REAL QUICK, WHILE I HAVE YOU, GAMBLING.

LOOKS LIKE A SENATE VOTE ON THE BILL TOMORROW AND KICKING IT BACK TO THE HOUSE.

DO YOU SENSE ANY APPETITE IN THE HOUSE TO PICK UP THAT LARGE, WIDE-RANGING BILL.

>> THINK FROM SOME MEMBERS.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO BE, I THINK VERY DIFFICULT TO GET 3/5 VOTE THIS LATE IN THE GAME.

ALL COMES DOWN TO, AS I SAY ALL THE TIME ON THIS ISSUE, NOT SO MUCH YOU HAVE MEMBERS OPPOSED TO ANYTHING, BUT THERE ARE A FEW THAT ARE, BUT IT'S ABOUT WHERE THE SITES ARE, THE DIFFERENT VENUES AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FUNDS.

AND THAT'S USUALLY WHERE THE RUB COMES IN.

SO, THOSE TWO ISSUES RIGHT THERE, WHERE THE VENUES ARE GOING TO BE LOCATED, IF YOU ARE GOING INTO THE CASINO PART AND THE DISTRIBUTION PART, THIS LATE IN THE SESSION, YOU KNOW, IT SORT OF NEEDS TO BE WORKED OUT BEFORETIME.

BUT WHO KNOWS.

>> WE'LL BE WATCHING.

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

>> THANKS A LOT, TODD, APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Todd Stacy: NEXT, I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS OF DECATUR.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR ASKING ME, TODD.

>> Todd Stacy: IT'S TIMELY FOR YOU TO BE ON THE SHOW BECAUSE TOMORROW THERE'S SCHEDULED TO BE A VOTE ON THE NUMERACY BILL.

THE LEGISLATION FROM SENATOR ORR THAT YOU PARTNERED WITH HIM ON ADDRESSING MATH.

WE'RE LAST NATIONALLY IN THE LAST NATION'S REPORT CARD.

AND THIS IS MEANT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

HOW DOES IT DO THAT?

>> DOES IT SIMILAR TO HOW WE HAVE ADDRESSED LITERACY WITH THE LITERACY ACT.

IT PROVIDES EXCELLENT, HIGH QUALITY, FOUNDATIONAL MATH, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS.

AND IT PROVIDES COACHES SO THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE GETTING INPUT ON HOW TO TEACH THOSE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS IN A BETTER, CLEARER WAY.

AND IT INVOLVED A LOT OF EDUCATORS AS A PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

BUT IT'S VERY MUCH A SIMILAR FORMAT FOR WHAT WE USED FOR THE LITERACY ACT.

AND WE DO THAT FORMAT.

IT WOULD BE HOLDING SCHOOLS ACCOUNTABLE.

THERE'S A LOT OF LITERACY HAS INTENSIVE FROM KINDERGARTEN TO THIRD GRADE.

WELL, THOSE ARE GOOD MATH FOUNDATIONAL YEARS.

AND THE HIGH INTENSITY ON THE MATH WOULD BE IN FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE.

SO, BEFORE THEY LEAVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THEY HAVE A GOOD FOUNDATION ON THE MATH SKILLS.

>> WHAT'S THE FEEDBACK FROM THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY, FROM THE ASSOCIATIONS DOWN TO THE TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOMS ABOUT THIS EFFORT?

>> VERY POSITIVE.

I'VE HEARD NUMEROUS AND GOTTEN LOTS OF EMAILS, VOTE YET FOR SENATE BILL 771.

LOTS OF MATH TEACHERS WERE INVOLVED AS WE WERE WORKING ON IT.

AND I JUST ACTUALLY LEFT A MEETING WHERE THE GROUP THAT'S BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO LOOK AT SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING.

THEY WERE VERY POSITIVE ABOUT IT.

AND EVERYBODY I THINK HAS BEEN VERY POSITIVE IN THE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION GROUPS.

>> Todd Stacy: DO YOU THINK THAT TRANSLATES INTO SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE?

DO YOU THINK IT WILL PASS.

>> I HOPE SO.

EDUCATION POLICY THAT I CHAIR, THERE WAS ONLY ONE NO VOTE.

SO, I'M HOPING THAT IT HAS REALLY GOOD SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE.

HEARING A LOT OF POSITIVES ABOUT IT.

>> Todd Stacy: I HAVE HEARD FROM CRITICS, THEY CLAIM, THAT THERE'S SOME KIND OF EFFORT TO INSERT COMMON CORE IN THE BILL.

AND THAT TOPICS COMING UP IN ALMOST EVERY EDUCATION.

>> I'M HAPPY TO ADDRESS THAT.

THE SAD PART OF THAT, SENATOR ORR MEANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE BILL.

HE INCLUDES AT THE VERY BEGINNING AND AT THE VERY END, AND HE TRIES TO CODIFY WHAT THE STATE BOARD DID, BACK IN I BELIEVE 2013, IN SAYING WE CANNOT TEACH COMMON CORE.

AND HE TRIES TO CODIFY THAT IN THE BILL.

SO, IT'S NOT TRYING TO BRING IT IN.

IT'S ACTUALLY TRYING TO CODIFY THAT WE CANNOT TEACH COMMON CORE.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT, EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

BUT WE HAVE MATH TEACHERS THAT CAME UP WITH OUR STANDARDS.

THEY ARE ALIGNED TO NATE, TO HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS.

AND THINK WE'RE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN DO.

AND YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE EVERY ONE HAPPY SOMETIMES.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, I KNOW YOU HAD A BILL IN COMMITTEE TODAY ON CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THIS IS TO MAKE THEM MORE IN LINE PARITY IN FUNDING ON THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> YES CORRECT.

>> AND WHAT DOES THIS DO, RIGHT NOW, AS WE PASS CHARTER SCHOOLS, ONLY IN FIVE COUNTIES RIGHT NOW.

BUT THEY ARE ALL DOING REALLY, REALLY WELL.

IF YOU COMPARE THEM TO THE SCHOOLS AROUND THEM.

THEY ARE MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS AND I'M PROUD OF THAT FACT FOR THOSE BILLS.

BUT THEY ARE ONLY GETTING FEDERAL MONEY AND STATE MONEY.

THEY ARE NOT GETTING ANY LOCAL MONEY IN ANY COUNTY.

SO, THE NEWEST STRATEGY TO GET SOME TYPE LOCAL FUNDING, IT WAS ALWAYS INTENDED TO HAVE LOCAL FUNDING FOLLOW THE STUDENT.

THEY ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

THOSE PARENTS ARE PAYING THOSE TAXES AND THOSE MONIES, IN MY THOUGHT SHOULD GO WITH THEM.

BUT A CHARTER SCHOOL DOESN'T HAVE A BOUNDARY.

AND THERE'S NOT A DISTRICT THAT THEY ARE IN.

THEY ARE THEIR OWN DISTRICT AND THEY ARE OPEN TO ANY STUDENT THAT WANTS TO APPLY.

SO, TAXING BECOMES DIFFICULT.

THEY ARE OUTSIDE OF THAT LOCAL CITY AND THEY ARE ALL IN THE COUNTY SOMEWHERE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO THIS TIME.

SAYING THE COUNTY MONEY APPROPRIATED FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FOLLOWS THESE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS AS WELL.

AND THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT, YOU HAVE SCHOOLS NO LONGER HAVE THE STUDENTS AND THEY HAVE ALL THE MONEY.

THEN, YOU HAVE THE NEW PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT ARE TEACHING THOSE STUDENTS AND THEY HAVE ZERO OF THE LOCAL MONEY.

SO, WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR THE PARITY, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, FOR FAIRNESS FOR A PORTION OF THOSE LOCAL DOLLARS TO FOLLOW THOSE LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING, I REMEMBER THE CHARTER SCHOOL DEBATE.

>> IN 2015.

>> Todd Stacy: AND MUCH DEBTED EVEN IN THE EARLIER YEARS PRIOR TO THAT.

I'M CURIOUS, IT'S TAKEN A WHILE FOR IT TO GET RAMPED UP AND THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS STATEWIDE.

I WONDER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS PART OF THE ALABAMA EDUCATION FUTURE, ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN AREAS, THOSE THAT STRUGGLE TRADITIONALLY.

>> I THINK THEY ARE A REALLY GOOD TOOL.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR BILL ALLOWS, WHICH IS NOT USED VERY MUCH, AND MONTGOMERY IS TRYING THE FIRST ONE, DONE DURING THE INTERVENTION, BUT IT'S A CONVERSION SCHOOL.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR CHARTER SCHOOL ALLOWS, ANY LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM TO BECOME AN AUTHORIZER AND THEY CAN CHOOSE TO CONVERT ANY SCHOOL STRUGGLING INTO A CHARTER.

IT WOULD BE ONE OF THERE'S, JUST LIKE IN MONTGOMERY, WE HAVE DAVIS AND I HEAR NOTHING BUT WONDERFUL SUCCESS STORIES FROM THERE.

CHARTERS ARE STILL ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL OPTION AND TOOL FOR STOOL SYSTEMS OR FOR COMMUNITIES.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MOST OF OURS ARE, THEY ARE COMMUNITY DRIVEN.

AND THE COMMUNITIES HAVE SAID, WE WANT THIS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE I-3, IN BIRMINGHAM.

OR LOOK AT EXCEL IN MOBILE.

THEIR STUDENTS, THEY ARE TAKING ONES THAT ARE NOT EVEN A PART OF THE MOBILE.

THEY HAVE ALREADY FAILED OUT, DROPPED OUT, KICKED OUT, WAY BEHIND.

AND EXCEL IS REALLY PARTNERING WITH THAT SCHOOL SYSTEM TO TRY TO BRING THESE CHILDREN TO GRADUATION.

>> Todd Stacy: REAL QUICK, WHILE I HAVE.

LITERACY ACT, YOU HAVE A BILL ADDRESSING TECHNICAL CHANGES.

SENATOR SMITHERMAN HAS A BILL HOLDING I.

AND THEY ARE HOLDING PAT IN EACH CHAMBER.

WHEN DO YOU SEE THE BILLS MOVING?

>> I HOPED THEY WOULD MOVE AT ANY POINT.

I KNOW WE WORKED WITH LEADERSHIP.

I HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH LEADERSHIP AND SENATOR SMITHERMAN AND WE'VE REACHED A COMPROMISE, THINK, WE CAN LIVE WITH.

THEY ARE THROUGH COMMITTEE, READY FOR THE SENATE FLOOR AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE WEEK WE GET BACK WE'LL SEE THAT.

AS SOON AS THAT'S DONE, THEN WE'LL WORK TO GET SENATOR SMITHERMAN'S ON THE FLOOR AS WELL.

JUST DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF TIME BEFORE THAT HAPPENS.

>> WE'RE GETTING TO THE HOME STRETCH.

>> WE ARE.

>> Todd Stacy: THANKS FOR THE UPDATE.

HOPE TO HEAR MORE SOON.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30 FOR MORE LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE.

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