March 16, 2023

>> TODD: FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACEY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE HAS COMPLETED ITS SPECIAL SESSION CALLED BY GOVERNOR IVEY TO ALLOCATE MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS.

THE SENATE TOOK UP THE BILL ON THE FLOOR TODAY AND VOTED TO PASS IT AFTER SOME DEBATE AND AN AMENDMENT.

SENATOR RODGER SMITHERMAN OF BIRMINGHAM PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT TO ALLOW APPLICANTS FOR THESE FEDERAL FUNDS TO AMANDA THEIR APPLICATIONS TO CORRECT MISTAKES LEST THEY BE DIS QUALIFIED FOR A TECHNICAL ERROR.

HE SPOKE ABOUT THE NEED FOR THIS PROVISION ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> THIS IS SIMPLY TO BE ABLE TO HELP MANY, MANY OF OUR SMALL TOWNS, WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY OF STAFF TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AND IT GIVES THEM SOME ADVICE TO HELP THEM SO THAT THEY WON'T LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR GRANT.

THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS EXPRESSED ABOUT WHETHER IT WOULD INCREASE THE NECESSARY COST FOR THESE AGENCIES TO DO IT.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THE LAST LINE WHERE YOU SEE IT SAID IT HAS THE CAPACITY AND THE EXPERTISE AVAILABLE TO DO IT.

IF YOU'RE IN A METROPOLITAN AREA, YOU PROBABLY HAVE SOMEONE THERE WHO WILL ADDRESS THAT.

BUT OUR SMALL TOWNS THEY CANNOT AFFORD THAT.

>> I WOULD SUGGEST WHAT WE HAVE IN YOUR STATEMENT, IN YOUR AMENDMENT IS -- IT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE.

IN FACT, THAT WAS DONE IN ARPA ONE.

WHENEVER THERE WAS DIFFICULTY OR QUESTIONS I KNOW THAT ADEM HELPED, I SIFTED, GUIDED ENTITIES SO THAT APPLICATIONS TO BE ACHIEVED.

AND I BELIEVE AND KNOW THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

I HESITATE TO PUT THAT LANGUAGE WHICH IS ALREADY OCCURRING INTO STATUTE.

>>> THE SENATE ADOPTED THE AMENDMENT AND THEN PASSED THE ARPA FUNDING BILL BY A VOTE OF 30-THREE.

THE BILL THEN WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR CONCURRENCE ON THE CHANGES MADE IN THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE VOTED 96-ZERO WITH SIX ABSTENTIONS TO PASS THE BILL.

THAT SENT THE BILL TO THE DESK OF GOVERNOR IVEY WHO SIGNED IT INTO LAW THIS AFTERNOON.

HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER COMMENDED HIS MEMBERS FOR DEALING WITH THE ARPA FUNDS IN SHORT ORDER.

>> I THINK THE BODY DID A GOOD DAY'S WORK OR A GOOD WEEK'S WORK.

SHE SAID FIVE DAYS.

THE SENATE AND THE HOUSEWORK TOGETHER WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH -- I THINK IT SHOWS WORKING TOGETHER IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO THAT IS FOR ALABAMA AND MOVING THE ARPA FUNDS ACROSS THE STATE WAS A BIG DEAL.

WE WERE APPROPRIATE IN THE RIGHT PLACES WITH ONE ADVERTISEMENT MONEYS AND WE KNEW THAT.

SO SPENDING IT ON WASTEWATER AND MENTAL HEALTH AND HOSPITALS AND VETERANS HOMES AND THINGS OF THAT MATTER, I THINK IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR THE CERTIFICATE AND I APPLAUD THE SENATE AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FOR WORKING TOGETHER AS WELL AS THE HOUSE AND I THINK WAS A GOOD DAY FOR OUR STATE TO SEE HOW THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WORKS.

>>> LET'S REVIEW WHERE THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE SPENT E FOR INFRASTRUCTURE $660 MILLION, INCLUDING 400 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER GRANTS AND $225 MILLION FOR BROAD BAND.

FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, 339 MILLION INCLUDING 100 MILLION TO REIMBURSE HOSPITALS.

$40 MILLION EACH FOR THE PUBLIC EDUCATION EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE PLAIN AND THE STATE EMPLOYEE'S INSURANCE BOARD.

$23 MILLION FOR A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER.

AND $20 MILLION FOR A VOLUNTEER CLINICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM.

FOSTER COMMUNITY SERVICES $55 MILLION INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR FOOD BANKS AND LETTER HOUSING.

AND $5 MILLION FOR THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR ITS EXPENSES IN RESPONDING TO UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE PRISON FINANCE AUTHORITY HAS INCREASED WHAT THE STATE CAN SPEND ON A 4,000 INMATE PRISON IN ELMORE COUNTIES.

IT WAS QUESTIONED FROM 623 MILLION TO 975 MILLION.

ASKED ABOUT THE INCREASE, SENATE GENERAL FUND BUDGET CHAIRMAN GREG ALBRITTON, POINTED TO THE INFLATION.

>> THE PRISONS ARE A GREAT REFLECTION OF THAT.

I DON'T MEAN GREAT AND GOOD BUT GREAT AND LARGE.

WE'RE SEEING THAT THROUGHOUT EVERYBODY -- FROM EGGS TO GAS TO CARS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DEAL WITH UP INFLATION.

THAT'S THE PLAYING THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US BY THE FEDS.

THAT'S THE GREATEST GIFT I GUESS.

BUT IT'S HARMFUL.

IT'S HURTING US.

IT'S EATING AWAY AT OUR RESOURCES.

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOT FROM BALDWIN COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT THE AMENDMENT TO THIS ARPA BILL, AMERICAN RESCUE ACTS FUNDS HAS MADE IT THROUGH THE HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEE YESTERDAY.

YOU BROUGHT AN AMENDMENT THAT ALTERED THE WAY THE STATE CAN SPEND THE WATER AND SEWER FUNDS.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES.

>> WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON WATER AND SEWER OR ARE GOING TO.

$225 MILLION FROM THE 1ST TRANCH AND A LOT $400 MILLION OR CLOSE TO IT IN THE SECOND TRANCH.

WHAT WE DID IN THE AMENDMENT WAS SIMPLY SAY THAT OF THAT 400 MILLION OR SO, ONE HURRICANE MILLION DOLLARS REQUIRES A SIGNIFICANT MATCH SO THAT THE LOCALS HAVE TO HAVE SOME SKIN IN THE GAME TO ACCESS THAT POT OF MONEY.

THAT IS AT 35 PERCENT.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY GOES AS FAR AS IT CAN.

>> I REMEMBER YOU HAD BEEN PRETTY VOCAL DURING THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HEARINGS WHEN LANCE LE FLOOR AT ADEM WAS EXPLAINING THE 1ST TRANCH AND WHERE IT WENT.

AND YOU SAID HEY NONE OF THIS IS GOING TO MY FAST-GROWING AREAS.

YOU REPRESENT A FAST-GROWING AREA.

AND I ASSUME A LOT OF THAT, THEY HAVE IN FLORIDA STRUCTURE NEEDS AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE DESERVE A CHANCE AT THIS.

>> WE HAVE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.

BALDWIN COUNTY ADS 8,000 PEOPLE EVERY YEAR AND HAS FOR THE PAST DECADE OR SO.

YOU CAN IMAGINE WITH THAT MANY MORE PEOPLE COMING THEY NEED THAT WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL.

AND I WAS FRUSTRATED WITH ADEM'S ADMINISTRATION IF YOU WILL ON HOW THEY DISBURSED THE MONEY IN THE 1ST ROUND OF ARPA AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE SOME OF THIS MONEY GOT TO THE FASTER GROWING AREAS THAT SAW THAT PHYSICAL NEED FOR INCREASED INFRASTRUCTURE.

NOT JUST MY AREA BUT AROUND THE STATE.

THE WAY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT WAS PRETTY REASONABLE, WHICH WAS SAYING THOSE AREAS THAT CAN PARTICIPATE, TIP HE DID THOSE GROWING AREAS, WILL HAVE THIS IS POT OF MONEY WHERE THEY CAN ACCESS THOSE FUNDS BUT ARE REQUIRED TO PUT THAT MATCH IN AS WELL.

THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY FLOATING AROUND THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A MATCHER.

THE BALANCE IN THIS SECOND ROUND OF ARPA IS $300 MILLION.

>> YOU'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT ONE-FOURTH.

>> CORRECT.

BUT IT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IS A BUNCH OF MONEY.

BUT IT WILL GO FURTHER A MATCH, AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE THAT MONEY GET DIRECT DIRECTED, TREAT THAT'S THE HOPE AND THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT, GET DIRECTED TO THOSE AREAS THAT CAN AFFORD TO PUT UP THE MATCH AND THAT ARE TRULY GROWING.

>> GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE NEED IN A GROWING PLACE.

IS IT, YOU KNOW, WATER/SEWER?

IS IT STORMS?

BOTH?

>> IT IS REALLY ALL OF THE ABOVE.

IT IS STORMWATER.

MY COLLEAGUE, SENATOR COLEMAN MADISON AND I, WORKED ON GETTING THAT IN THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL.

IT'S STILL DRINKING WATER, AND CLEAN WATER.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT -- LET'S TAKE FAIRHOPE, FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY HAVE HAD CHRONIC STRUCTURE PROBLEMS, CAPACITY PROBLEMS, THEY HAVE HAD MORATORIUMS ON CONSTRUCTION.

YOU HAVE SEEN WATER SHORTAGES.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS IN WHAT IS A FAST-GROWING AREA, AFFLUENT AREA, BUT ONE THAT IS JUST PEDDLING AS FAST AS IT ASK TO COACH UP WITH THE GROWTH.

AND MY HOPE IS THESE MONIES HELP THEM KEEP UP WITH THAT GROWTH AND HELP THEM CONTINUE TO GROW IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER BUT ALSO IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS THE REST OF THE STATE.

BALDWIN COUNTY, AREAS LIKE FAIRHOPE AND OTHERS, REALLY DO KICK INCREDIBLE REVENUES TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SO IT'S IN EVERYONE'S INTEREST TO HELP US GROW AND HELP US GROW RESPONSIBLY.

>> I FOUND IT CURIOUS THE AMENDMENT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

I WONDER IF YOU MIGHT HAVE PUSH BACK MAYBE FROM RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE BUT THERE WASN'T.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FEEDBACKS HERE?

>> I THINK SO THE FEEDBACK FROM THE RURAL FOLKS IS THAT WE STILL HAVE 3/4 OF THIS MONEY.

THAT'S STILL A BUNCH THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY MATCH.

IT REALLY WAS A PUSH AND AND YOU WILL A NEGOTIATION.

BUT ALSO REALIZING THIS 35 PERCENT MATCH REQUIRES THOSE FOCUS THAT CAN PUT IN MONEY TO DO SO.

AND THAT'S KIND OF HOW I EXPLAINED TO IT MY COLLEAGUES AND THEY WERE SUPPORTIVE OF IT.

>> SO I PUTTED TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY UPDATE ON THE I-10 BRIDGE.

I KNOW THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AROUND.

BUT I'M CURIOUS IF THERE HAS BEEN AN UPDATE BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING IN THE NEWS.

>> THE LATEST IS DISAPPOINTING NEWS FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL ABOUT MEGA-GRANTS AND THOSE NOT COMING TO OUR PARTICULAR PROJECT.

IT'S FRUSTRATING THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT SEEN THAT TO BE A PRIORITY FOR THEM.

THERE ARE STILL FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN.

BUT THE NUMBER OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES IS REALLY STARTING TO DWINDLE DOWN TO ONE OR TWO.

>> SO IT'S REALLY A MONEY ISSUE?

>> IT IS.

IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

AND I WILL TELL YOU, THEY ARE PROCEEDING AND THEY ARE MOVING AHEAD WITH THIS PROJECT.

AND THEY ARE.

AND THAT IS CERTAINLY HAPPENING.

THE QUESTION CONTINUES TO SHOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE CATCH STARK, THE DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES, THERE'S STILL A 500-MILLIMETER DOLLARS GOAL IN THAT STACKINGAL TO ACHIEVE THAT.

INTERESTING THING WILL FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, WHERE DO YOU FILL THAT $900 MILLION HOLE?

HOW DO YOU FACILITATE THAT?

AND I THINK IN ORDER TO KEEP THE COMMITMENTS ALDOT HAS MADE TO KEEP THESE TO LETS LOW -- NOT NO BUT LOW -- THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF PUBLICATION SUPPORT TO THE PROJECT, WHICH MEANS MORE STATE OF ALABAMA TAX MONEY GOING INTO THAT PRONG TO MAKE IT MORE SUCCESSFUL.

>> MOVING ON, SO WE'RE GOING TO END THE SPECIAL SESSION TODAY AND WE WILL START -- RESTART THE REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY.

SO EVERYTHING HAS KIND OF BEEN ON HOLD AND COMES BACK AGAIN.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'RE WORKING ON.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AND THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

WHAT MIGHT WE SEE FROM YOU ON THAT FRONT.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A SLEW OF BILLS FROM ME THAT DEAL WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING -- MY KIDS ARE YOUNGER AND HAVEN'T GOTTEN THERE YET BUT BOTH ARE ATHLETES.

BUT I HAVE HEARD FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AND FOLKS AROUND THE STATE, JUST UNBELIEVABLE FRUSTRATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

AND DIFFERENT INSTANCES WHERE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN DISQUALIFIED FROM PLAY, COACHES HAVE BEEN DISQUALIFIED FROM PLAY.

YOU HAD UMPIRE SHORTAGES AND ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO HELP OUR FRIENDS AT THE ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION WITH PROTECTIVE CHANGES THAT HOPEFULLY WILL GET THEM BACK ON TRACK, ONE OF WHICH IS DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY OF PLAY FOR A PLAYER PLIER TO THE START OF PLAY AND STICKING TO THAT ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION SO YOU DON'T HAVE THE SITUATION WHERE YOU'RE PLAYING A GAME OF GOT YOU WHEN A TEAM MAKES IT TO THE PLAYOFFS AND THEN WE END UP NOT JUST PUNISHING THE CHILD THAT MAY BE INELIGIBLE BUT THE ENTIRE TIME THAT HAS PLAYED THE WHOLE SEASON.

THERE'S ENTIRELY TOO MUCH OF THAT GOING ON.

SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT AND LOOK AT SOME OF THESE OTHER CASES THAT HAVE POPPED UP ABOUT PLAYING FOR A TEAM SPONSORED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH DO THAT.

AND WE WILL LOOK AT CLUB SPORTS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER PROGRAMS AROUND THE STATE THEY'RE SUFFERING BECAUSE ANYBODY THAT IS REALLY COMPETITIVE IN THAT SPORT KNOWS THE ACTION IS REALLY AT THE CLUB LEVEL SO THEY DON'T PLAY AT HIGH SCHOOL.

SO YOU HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION THAT IS ALMOST DIS IN SENT I HAVIZING PLAY AT HIGH SCHOOL.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON A BUNCH OF BILLS, AND I WOULD EXPECT TO SEE SIX OR SEVEN PIECES OF HESITATION TO DEAL WITH THAT.

>> I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THIS IDEA OF RED TYPE.

YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR IN HER SPEECH SAY BIG FOCUS ON REDUCING RED TAPE, CUTTING BUREAUCRATIC BARRIERS.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN FOR SOME THAT TIME.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY MIGHT WE SEE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE RESUMES.

>> 1 OF THE LAST VESTIGES OF DEMOCRATIC CONTROL WAS THIS LAST PART OF BIG GOVERNMENT IS THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE.

WE HAVE A TON OF THEM.

AND THEY'RE EVERYTHING FROM LOCKSMITHS TO WRESTLING TO SOME OF THE MOST OBSCURE THINGS AND THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN LITTLE THIEF COMES.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO CONSOLIDATE SOME OF THAT -- NOT NECESSARILY DOING AWAY WITH THE BOARD BUT TRYING TO HELP THEM BECOME MORE EFFICIENT.

AND ONCE WE DO THAT, MAKE SURE THEY'RE CERVIX A PUBLICATION SERVICE.

ALMOST 23 PERCENT OF THE STATE WORKFORCE FALLS UNDER THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ONE OF THESE BOARDS THAT OPERATES UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE BUT WITHOUT A LOT OF OVERSIGHT OF THE STATE, SOME OF WHOM EVEN HAVE THESE KIND OF PRIVATE FIRMS RUNNING THEM.

SO MY HOPE IS TO CONSOLIDATE THAT, WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HER COMMISSION TO DO THAT SO THAT WE'RE RUNNING THAT PORTION OF STATE GOVERNMENT AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT COULD DOVETAIL INTO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT?

BECAUSE I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE OF CREDENTIALING CERTAIN JOBS OUT THERE RIGHT KIND OF A HEAVY LAYER OF CREDENTIALING MAYBE BEYOND WHAT IS THE NECESSARY.

DO YOU THINK THAT COULD FOLD IN?

>> THAT'S A NICE WAY TO SAY YOU HAVE SOME PROTECTIONIST TYPE OF STUFF GOING ON.

AND I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN SOME OF THESE AREAS.

WITH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES LIKE THEY ARE, WE NEED TO WORKS TO GET MORE KIDS INVOLVED IN THAT.

THOSE BOARDS CAN BE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY NECESSARILY ARE NOW, AS INVOLVED AS THEY SHOULD BE IN GETTING MORE PEOPLE OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL INTERESTED IN THOSE TRADES AND INTERESTED IN THOSE PARTICULAR PROVISIONS.

BUT BE IT BEING AS DISPARATE AND SPREAD OUT AS IT IS IT'S HARD TO MANAGE THAT.

HOPEFULLY CONSOLIDATING THAT WILL GET US NOT JUST EFFICIENTY THERE BUT IN WORKFORCE TRAINING AS WELL.

>> FLIPPING ON IT SAID FROM A BARE YORE TO, NO, WE WANT TO GET RUE IN AND HELP YOU -- THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING THESE ISSUES.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN JACKSON FROM BIRMINGHAM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> MIER.

>> I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON BECAUSE WE'RE DEALING WITH ARPA IN THE SPECIAL SESSION.

IT'S FINALLY COMPLETE.

BUT Y'ALL AMENDED THE BILL IN SENATE COMMITTEE.

THIS AMENDMENT HAD TO DO WITH LOCALITIES, YOU KNOW, THEIR MATCHING FUNDS.

I TALKED TO SENATOR ELLIOT ABOUT THAT.

BUT ALSO DEALING WITH STORMWATER, A LOT OF MONEY GOING TO WATER AND SEWER.

BUT Y'ALL SPECIFICALLY WANTED TO ADD THIS PROVISION ABOUT STORMWATER.

TELL ME WHY THAT WAS IMPORTANT.

>> WELL, IT'S PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO ME, AND DURING THE BUDGET HEARINGS, THE STORMWATER WAS AN ISSUE THAT I BROUGHT UP.

WE WERE TALKING ACT SAN TORE SEWERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND DRINKING WATER.

WELL, IN THE URBANIZED AREA, NOT JUST IN BIRMINGHAM, I'M FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY, BUT THE WHOLE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY IS IMPACTED BY STORMWATER.

I LIVE IN AN AREA CALLED VILLAGE CREEK AND I REPRESENTED THAT AREA FROM CITY COUNCIL ON AND WE HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF EXCHANGES WHERE WE HAD ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO COME RELOCATE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH REPUMPING THOSE PROPERTIES IN THOSE AREAS BUT STILL HAVE A LOT OF FLOODING DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE MOVED IN A LOT OF FAMILIES.

THAT AREA, VILLAGE CREEK GOES ABOUT 25 MILES OR ALL ALONG THERE, EVERYTHING IS IMPACTED BY IT.

HERE RECENTLY, THE HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW.

SO WE HAVE HAD TO RELOCATE PEOPLE AGAIN.

THE ROSIN FLOODED, AND IT'S A LITTLE LATE WHERE CARS ARE STALLED.

YOU HAVE THE AREAS IN HOMEWOOD, VESTAVIA THAT ARE FLOOD, ALONG HIGHWAY 31, THAT AREA GETS FLOODED.

THE BUSINESSES, THEY KEEP COMING BLACK.

>> SO SOME OF THIS MONEY CAN GO TO BACK INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT HELP DEAL WITH THAT FLOODING?

>> EXACTLY.

AND THE GOOD THING IS YOU CAN APPLY FOR MATCHING FUNDS.

BUT A LOT OF CITIES JUST NEED THAT EXTRA HELP.

IT'S TOO BIG OF A PROJECT FOR ONE CITY BECAUSE IT'S LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALL CONNECTED.

WATER FLOWS DOWN TO THE LOWEST POINT BUT LIT IMPACT EVERYTHING DOWNSTREAM SO YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT FROM COUNTY WIDE VIEWPOINT.

IF EVERYONE WOULD WORK TOGETHER AND USE THE MONEY WE'RE PUTTING IN PLACE RIGHT NOW TO MAXIMIZE AND COME UP WITH A ENGINEERING PLAN TO DEAL WITH THAT HOLISTICALLY MAYBE WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE AND MAKE AN IMPACT.

RIGHT NOW IT JUST SEEMS LIKE ANNAL IMPOSSIBLE FEAT TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT BECAUSE IT'S FINALLY DONE.

AND I'M CURIOUS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MONEY.

>> SWITCHING GEARS I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON LEGISLATION DEALING WITH PARDONS AND PAROLES IN CREATING A DAY CENTER SIMILAR TO THE MEN'S FACILITY FOR WOMEN.

>> RIGHT.

>> THERE IN THOMASVILLE.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE THIS BILL DROP SOON?

>> YES, WE ARE.

JUST AS SOON -- WELL, MONDAY STARTS REGULAR SESSION SO THAT BILL WILL BE DROPPED MONDAY.

WE HAVE ONE WOMEN'S PRISON AT TUT TUTWILER BUT A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND JOB TRAINING ABOUT YOU BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT FOR THE WOMEN.

THIS WILL PROVIDE AAL FACILITY SIMILAR TO THE MEN SO THEY CAN GET TRAINING.

AND A WOMENS FACILITY IS A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT FROM THE MEN.

BUT WE ARE ABOUT REUNITING THOSE MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN.

WE ARE ABOUT REINTEGRATING THEM BACK INTO SOCIETY.

BUT THEY NEED SOMETHING TO SERVE AS AN ENTER RESULT BEFORE THEY ARE RELEASE SOD THEY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THIS FACILITY WOULD PROVIDE THAT SPACE AND HOUSING FOR THEM.

>> AND IT'S ALL ABOUT, LIKE YOU SAID, GETTING BACK INTO SOCIETY, HAVING A JOB AND A LOT OF THAT IS TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

I WAS TALKING TO CAM WARD AND HE MENTIONED THIS HE DO HAVE A JOB AND TO GO BACKS, IT'S A LOT LESS LIKELY THEY END BACK UP IN PRISON.

>> RIGHT.

SO IT'S HARD.

WHEN YOU COME OUT, YOU'RE HAVING TO START FROM SCRATCH AND TRYING TO DEAL WITH RECONNECTING WITH YOUR FAMILY.

YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND TRY TO FIND A JOB.

AND EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES.

LET ME WITHOUT SIN CAST THE 1ST STONE.

BUT WE WANT TO GIVE THESE PEOPLE AN STUDENT OPPORTUNITY.

WOMEN IN PARTICULAR WHEN YOU LOOK AT SITUATIONS LIKE THAT, IT'S USUALLY SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED WITHIN THE FAMILY, SOMETIMES IT'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND YOU CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE BUT THERE ARE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THIS.

AND FOR THE MOST PART THE WOMEN I HAVE SEEN, WHEN THEY COME OUT AND HAVE A JOB AND ARE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING, THEY DON'T GO BACK.

THAT'S A HUGE IMPACT ON THE CHILDREN THEY ARE RAISING AND THEM SERVING AS A ROLE MODEL SO YOU DON'T WANT THIS CYCLE TO BE REPEATED.

YOU WANT THEM TO SAY, YES, MADE MISTAKE, I CHANGED MY LIFE.

AND YOU HAVE AN OPTION.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THAT ROUTE.

>> HAVE YOU TALKED WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT SUPPORT FOR THIS BILL?

>> YES, I HAVE TALKED TO SOME OF THEM BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD HAVE TON A HONG TIME AGO.

THIS IS JUST A GREAT TIME.

AND I HAVE TO GIVE ACCUSE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

BRIE ARE ABLE TO DO A LOT OF THINGS WITH THE ARPA MONEY, AND ALL OF THIS IS A RESULT OF THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS COMING DOWN THAT WE CAN DO SOME OF THESE THINGS SO I APPLAUD THE DEPARTMENT OF PARDONS AND PAROLES THAT WE'RE DOING THIS AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS FACILITY.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION, RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS.

IF I RECALL YOU GOT IT THROUGH THE SENATE BUT MAYBE IT RAN OUT OF TIME BEFORE IT GOT TO THE HOUSE?

ARE YOU BRINGING IT AGAIN?

>> BRINGING IT GIVEN.

THIS IS 3RD TIME, 3RD TIME IS THE CHARM.

THIS IS A BIPARTISAN BILL.

SOME OF THE -- SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE WERE NOT IN FAVOR OF IT AND I HAVE TO AGAIN GIVE CREDIT TO SENATOR GAVAN.

I TOLD HIM YOU WORKED JUST AS HARD ON THIS BILL AS I DID.

>> EXPLAIN AGAIN WHAT IT DOES.

>> BASICALLY -- AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY OUT OF PRISON.

>> THEY HAVE SERVED THEIR STENOSIS.

>> THEY HAVE SERVED THEIR SENTENCE.

THEY'RE OUTDOOR.

THERE ARE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY HAVE TO PAY BACKS FINES OR FEES OR WHATEVER, ALL OF THAT IS IN THERE.

BUT THERE'S SOME PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY, YOU HAVE INDIGENT PEOPLE.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS ADDED INTO THIS AND THIS WAS BROUGHT PRIMARILY BY THE FAITH BASED COMMENT THAT WE ADD AN ELEMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.

NOW ON THE THREE LEGGED STOOL WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, AND WE ARE HELPING TO GET THEIR VOTING RIGHTS BACK.

RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR RIGHTS BACK YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND THERE'S A PROCESS.

AND YOU HAVE TO KNOW AND BE KEEPING UP WITH WHATEVER FINES OR FEES OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE NOT PAID.

THIS HE DON'T KNOW.

THEY'RE BUSY TRYING TO GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES AND MOST ARE TRYING TO GET A JOB.

BUT PATCH KNOWS WHAT YOU OWE.

SO THEY HAVE AGREED.

WE WORKED WITH THEM ON THIS.

THEY HAVE AGREED THEY WILL DO ALL OF THE NOTIFICATION.

>> AND ONCE THAT PERSON HAS COMPLETED WHATEVER PROCESS THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE, THEY WILL NOTIFY THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS IN THE COUNTY THEY WERE REGISTERED IN.

YOU HAVE TO BE A REGISTERED VOTER TO PUT THEIR NAME BACK ON THE ROLE.

BUT IT ELIMINATES THEM HAVING TO MAKE APPLICATION.

THE PARDONS AND PAROLES HAS AGREED TO KEEP UP WITH THE RECORD AND THE PROVIDES THE CAVEAT FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY TO DO COMMUNITY SERVICE.

AND WE JUST THINK IT'S GREAT.

BECAUSE AGAIN IT'S PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY OUT TRYING TO GET THEIR LIVES TOGETHER, TO GIVE THEM A SENSE OF DIGNITY TO GET BACK INTO THE POSITION OF BEING A FULL-FLEDGED CITIZEN.

>> WE WILL BE BILLION FOLLOWING THAT AND WE APPRECIATE YOU HAVE BRINGING IT UP.

TALK TO YOU AGAIN SOON.

>> GOOD.

LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW AT 7:30 FOR OUR "WEEK IN REVIEW."

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

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.