March 20, 2023

>>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSES STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACEY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2023 REGULAR SESSION RESUMES TOMORROW, AND WE WILL GET TO THAT IN A BIT.

BUT LEADING THE NEWS TONIGHT IS SOME TROUBLING ACTIVITY OUR MEXICO INVOLVING AN ALABAMA COMPANY.

VULCAN MATERIALS TODAY CONFIRMED THE APPARENT BREACH AND SEIZURE OF ITS QUARRY AND SHIPPING FACILITY BY MEXICAN POLICE AND MILITARY FORCES.

OVER THE WEEKEND, SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FOOTAGE SURFACED OF MEXICAN POLICE FORCING THEIR WAY THROUGH A SECURITY GATE THE VULCAN'S PUNTA VENADO PORT FACILITY IN QUINTA ROO MEXICO.

VULCAN, A MAJOR PRODUCER OF GRAVEL AND ROCK MATERIALS BASED IN BIRMINGHAM HAS BEEN FIGHTING THE COURTS TO KEEP ITS FACILITY OPEN AS THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT HAS SOUGHT TO ANNEX THE PROPERTY FOR SHIPPING AND TOURISM PURPOSES.

THE COMPANY CONFIRMED THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE VIDEO, CALLING THE ACTION RECKLESS AND REPREHENSIBLE.

HERE IS THEIR COMPANY STATEMENT.

"OUR FIRST AND FOREMOST CONCERN IS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT OUR VULCAN FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PHYSICALLY UNHARMED AND ARE FOCUSED ON ENSURING THIS REMAINS THE CASE.

WE ARE HIGHLY CONCERNED FOR OUR PROPERTY AND OUR BUSINESS IN MEXICO.

WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO QUARRY AND SHIP CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATE SINCE THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT ILLEGALLY SHUT DOWN OUR OPERATIONS LAST YEAR.

BOTH OF ALABAMA'S U.S.

SENATORS HAVE BEEN OUTSPOKEN ON THE ISSUE.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE RESPONDED WITH A FLOOR SPEECH FROM THE SENATE FLOOR.

HE SAID THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE ACTED SOONER TO PRESSURE THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TO STAND DOWN.

>> I BELIEVE THIS SHUTDOWN, ORDERED BY THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO REPRESENTS A BASELESS ATTACK ON A U.S. COMPANY AND DEMONSTRATES A DISREGARD FOR THE RULE OF LAW.

BUT EVEN BEFORE SHUTDOWN ORDERS WERE ISSUED, VULCAN WAS SUBJECT TO PUBLIC HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION TACTICS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO INCLUDING THE MEXICAN NAVY SENDING TROOPS TO THE ENTRANCE OF VULCAN FACILITY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE LAST WEEK.

MEXICAN NAVY FLYING BLACKHAWK HELICOPTERS AND DRONES OVER VULCAN PROPERTY.

THE NEXT CAN NAVY SENT IN PATROL BOOTS TO VULCAN'S HARBOR AND THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT WITHHOLDING THE ISSUANCE OF A ROUTINE CUSTOMS PERMIT FROM JANUARY THROUGH MID FEBRUARY.

THESE ACTIONS BY THE PRESIDENT AND MEXICAN GOVERNMENT ARE CONTRARY TO THE MOST BASIC PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS THAT BIND OUR TWO COUNTRIES TOGETHER.

THESE ACTIONS ALSO GO AGAINST THE OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES JOINTLY SET BY THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICAN GOVERNMENT AS PART OF THE HIGH LEVEL ECONOMIC DIALOGUE ESTABLISHED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021.

HOWEVER, PRESIDENT'S ATTACK ON VULCAN IS BIGGER THAN JUST ONE COMPANY.

IT UNDERMINES THE RULE OF LAW IN MEXICO, IGNORES INTERNATIONAL LAW AND FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS, WEAKENS OUR BILATERALLY RELATIONSHIP, AND WILL DISCOURAGE FUTURE U.S. INVESTMENTS IN MEXICO.

>> U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT SPOKE TO REPORTERS IN BIRMINGHAM.

SHE CALLED THE SEIZURE UNLAWFUL AND UNACCEPTABLE AND CALLED ON PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO INTERVENE.

BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH WILL PICK UP WHERE IT LEFT OFF TWO WEEKS AGO BEFORE THEY WENT INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

TOMORROW WILL BE JUST DAY TWO OF THE SESSION.

REMEMBER, THE SESSION CAN LAST UP TO 30 LEGISLATIVE DAYS WITHIN 105 CALENDAR DAYS.

THAT MEANS THE SESSION WILL LIKELY RUN INTO JUNE.

AMONG THE ITEMS EXPECTED TO COME UP THIS WEEK ARE ECONOMIC INVESTMENT INCENTIVES LEGISLATION AND BILLS CRACKING DOWN ON VIOLENT CRIME.

.

ACROSS THE ISSUE THAT WE WILL LIKELY HEAR ABOUT THIS WEEK, A NUMBER OF SENATORS INCLUDING SENATOR WILL BAR-FOOT OF MONTGOMERY, WANT TO PRIORITIZE SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE IN RURAL AREAS.

>> I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THE VAST MAJORITY OF US IN THIS BODY HAVE A RURAL HOSPITAL OR SOME FOR THEM OF RURAL HEALTH CARE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITIZENS THAT WE REPRESENTED.. YOU THINK ABOUT THE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS OR MAYBE JUST IN TERMS OF NORMAL EVERYDAY OCCURRENCES, THINGS THAT HAPPEN THAT WE NEED ENGAGEMENT MEDICAL ATTENTION.

AND A VAST MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS THAT WE REPRESENT UP HERE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A LARGER URBAN AREA OR HOSPITAL.

THE PHYSICIAN THAT -- THE POSITION THAT WE'RE IN IN THE STATE AND THE RURAL HEALTH CARE SIDE IS LARGELY A FEDERAL ISSUE.

THAT THOSE ISSUES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT RATES FROM MED CARED OR MEDICAID ARE SOMETHING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT REALLY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

HOWEVER, OUR HANDS ARE NOT GOING TO BE COMPLETELY TIED.

AND I AM CHALLENGING EACH OF YOU HERE AND EACH OF YOU IN THE HOUSE TO BEGIN WORKING ON BILLS, TO LOOK AT BILLS THAT ARE THE FORTHCOMING AND TO SEE HOW THEY COULD HELP OUR RURAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> THE SENATE'S TOP LEADER, PRESIDENT PRO TEMPT GREG REED, ECHOS BAR-FOOT'S SENTIMENTS.

>> WE HAVE TO STAY FOCUSED ON RURAL HEALTH CARE.

AND THERE ARE GOING TO BE COMING IN THIS SESSION SOME TO RECOGNIZE THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH RURAL HEALTH CARE.

AND THAT DOESN'T TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM URBAN HEALTH CARE.

BUT IN LOOKING AT THE STRENGTH OF RURAL HEALTH CARE THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION RELATED TO NURSES.

WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A NURSING SHORTAGE.

WE NEED TO STAY FOCUSED ON THAT, ESPECIALLY NURSES IN RURAL AREAS AS WELL AS ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES.

WE HAVE MADE SOME CHANGES IN MODIFICATIONS OR CRNAS AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS BUT IN A LOT OF AREAS OF MY DISTRICT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A NURSE PRACTITIONER IN THOSE AREAS WE WOULDN'T HAVE HEALTH CARE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> REED ALSO SAID THAT A PREVIOUSLY INTRODUCED MEASURE TO ALTER HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME VISITATION RULES, THE ONE PUSHED BY SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER IN THE ESSENTIAL WILL MOVE FAST ONCE THE SESSION RESUMES.

>> A WORD OF PREPARATION OF APPRECIATION TO SENATOR GUDGER AS WELL AS EACH OF YOU THAT HAVE SPOKEN ON THIS BILL.

THOSE IN THE GALLERY THAT ARE SO INTERESTED IN THIS LEGISLATION, THOSE WHO HAVE SHARED PERSONAL ISSUES, PERSONAL STORIES THAT ARE RELATED TO THIS TOPIC, I WANTED TO DO THANK EACH OF THEM THAT HAVE BEEN ENGAGED.

WE HAVE MOVED THROUGH A DIFFICULTY.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO NAVIGATE THIS SENATOR IN A WAY YOU AND I BELIEVE IS POSITIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

I AGREE WITH YOU, THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT ARE ENGAGED HERE, NURSING HOMES, AND OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD A STAKE IN THIS LEGISLATION HAVE COME TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE AND BEEN WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU, WORK WITH ME, AND BEING ABLE TO PUT THIS FORWARD.

IT'S GOING TO BE MY COMMITMENT TO YOU, AND I ALSO HAD CONVERSATION WITH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THIS LEGISLATION IS MY INTENT AND IT'S ON A HOT RAIL MOVING QUICKLY THROUGH THIS BODY OF OUR PASSAGE.

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

>> JOINING ME NEXT TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARGIE WILCOX FROM MOBILE.

REPRESENTATIVE, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TOPICS BUT 1ST CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER.

YOU'RE THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD'S COMMISSIONS AND APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> BOARDS COMMISSIONS AND AGENCIES.

>> AND AGENCIES?

>> BOARDS AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS.

>> I SEE.

THIS IS A COMMITTEE THAT TENDS TO BE VERY BUSY THROUGHOUT THE SESSION AND OUT OF SESSION BECAUSE OF ALL THE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF APPOINTMENTS AND BOARDS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THE GOVERNOR HAS TO MAKE, OTHERS HAVE TO MAKE, ALL ENDS UP IN YOUR COMMITTEE.

CAN YOU KIND OF WALK ME THROUGH YOUR ROLE THERE AND HOW IT'S BEEN SINCE YOU WON THE CHAIRMANSHIP?

>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, THE BOARD'S AGENCY COMMISSION WAS SCARED FOR A VERY LONG TIME FROM REPRESENTATIVE SAND FORD SO I'M NEW TO THIS ROLE.

I HAVE DESERVED ON THIS COMMITTEE BEFORE.

BUT THIS BOARD, THIS COMMITTEE, LOOKS INTO ALL OF THE BOARDS AGENCIES AND COMMITTEES, ESPECIALLY THE OCCUPATIONAL COMMITTEES AND RELATES TO ALL OF THE OCCUPATIONS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT REQUIRE LICENSING.

THAT FEEDS INTO THE SUNSET COMMITTEE WHICH CAN SUNSET AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AND OVERSEE EACH COMMITTEE AND WE WORK CLOSELY WITH RACHAEL RIDDLE AND HE WILL HER DEPARTMENT ON THAT.

>> THE EXAMINER'S OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

SO ANYTHING -- IF YOU'RE A HAIRDRESSER TO A PLUMBER, ALL OF -- >> A PHYSICIAN.

>> RIGHT.

ALL OF THESE REQUIRE LICENSES OF WHICH THESE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, THEY HAVE REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER RIGHT.

>> THEY DO.

AND THEN YOU HAVE OVERSIGHT OVER THEN THEM?

>> EXACTLY.

>> SO THERE'S A LOT GOING ON WITH THAT, IN THAT THEY WANT TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANT TO HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT OVER THEM.

AND THEY WANT TO LOOK AT THE MODELS IN FLORIDA AND GEORGIA ON HOW THEY HANDLE IT WHERE IT'S BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE OR BY DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT THAT DOES SOME OF THE BACK OFFICE STUFF.

SO WHEN I 1ST HEARD THAT I WAS GOING TO BE CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE, I REACHED OUT TO THE COUNSEL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS, WHICH ALABAMA IS A MEMBER, AND GOT SOME OF THEIR STAFF TO GIVE ME SOME BACKGROUND ON WHAT GEORGIA AND FLORIDA DOES, BY AND LARGE I THINK THE MOST PEOPLE THAT I HAVE TALKED TO THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN THIS IS, LIKE THE GEORGIA EXAMPLE SO I HAD GOTTEN APPROVAL FROM THE SPEAKER, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLEFIELD TRIP OVER THERE TO GEORGIA AND GET TOMORROW TO EXPLAIN HOW IT IS THEY DO IT DIFFERENTLY THAN THE STATE OF ALABAMA DOES AND AT LEAST BE OPEN MINDED AND LOOK AT THOSE MODELS.

>> I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE LISTENING TO THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH, SHE TALKED ABOUT CUTTING RED TAPE, WANTING TO EXAMINE A LOT OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND SEE WHERE MAYBE THERE'S DUPLICATION OR REDUNDANCY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WAYS THAT THE STATE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT.

I'M GUESSING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MIGHT BE A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

AS A MATTER OF FACT YOUR COLLEAGUE CHRIS ELLIOT WAS ON THE SHOW THE OTHER DAY SAYING JUST THAT.

>> HE.

>> IT IS.

AND SHE IS LOOKING TO THIS COMMITTEE AND BOARDS IN PARTICULAR ON MAKING SURE THAT WE -- WE WANT TO HAVE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CITIZENS WHEN PEOPLE DO SERVICES FOR THEM BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T CREATE SO MANY OBSTACLES OF PEOPLE GETTING TO WORK AND SOME OF THE TIME SOME OF THESE FEES AND FINES AND SUCH ARE LOOKED AT AS AN OBSTACLE AND NOT HELPINGS PEOPLE ENTER THE MARKET PLACE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, PREVENTING OR REMOVING BARRIERS FROM FOLKS GETTING INTO THE WORKFORCE.

AIDT HAD THIS GREAT POLL THEY CONDUCTED WITH CIGNA ABOUT WHY DO YOU REMAIN ON THE SIDELINES, WHY AREN'T YOU GOING TO WORK?

AND THESE BARRIERS WERE PART OF IT, SOME TYPE OF CREDENTIAL.

A LOT OF TALK ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REFORM, YOU KNOW, SHOULD IT REQUIRE SO MUCH CREDENTIALING?

ARE WE OVERDOING IT ON THAT?

HAS THERE BEEN ANY EARLY FEEDBACKS?

ARE Y'ALL STILL LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE.

>> WE'RE STILL LOOK -- IT'S VERY PRACTICE MATURE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE DECIDED ON ANYTHING.

BUT WITH A VERY OPEN MIND WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT THE GOVERNOR DESIRES IN HER ADMINISTRATION AND TALKING WITH THEM.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE WHICH MANY MEMBERS OF THE SUNSET ARE ALSO ON THAT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE OF THE GOVERNOR'S SO WE WILL BE LOOKING WITH THEM FOR GUIDANCE ON THOSE PARTICULARS.

>> WELL, I'M CURIOUS.

YOU MENTIONED REPRESENTATIVE SANDERFORD, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, HE WAS DOING THAT COMMITTEE FOR A LONG TIME.

>> HE WAS.

>> DID HE HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOU WHEN YOU TOOK OVER.

>> WELL, HE'S GOT A LOT OF ADVICE HE LEFT ME.

ALL OF HIS NOTES.

I HAVE A STACK OF BILLS AND HIS NOTES.

>> DECADES WORTH, I'M SURE.

>> SINCE 2010.

>> SINCE THE REPUBLICANS TOOK OVER.

RIGHT.

>> SO HE WAS A CPA.

AND I'M NOT A CPA.

SO THE 1ST THING I DID WHEN THER IS WAS DECIDING, SAID PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT WEE HAVE A CPA AND AN ATTORNEY ON EACH OF THE COMMITTEES AND THAT WILL HELP US DO OUR WORK.

>> NOW I KNOW YOU'RE ALSO ON THE LICENSE TAG COMMITTEE.

Y'ALL MET TODAY.

WHAT HAPPENED TODAY, WHAT WAS GOING ON.

>> I JUST HAD A MEETING TO GO OVER THE NEXT AGENDA WITH THE REVENUE DEPARTMENT AND THEN WE WERE LOOKING -- WE HAD SOME OF THE CLERKS COME IN AND GET AN IDEA OF WHAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO SERVICE THAT COMMITTEE.

SO WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO HAVE A HISTORIC TAG, COMING UP ON THIS AGENDA, BUT DOES IT MEET THE GUIDELINES NOW?

SO WE HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE I KNOW YOU WANT TO HAVE A HISTORIC TAG BUT WE HAVE LEGIBILITY AND READABILITY CONCERNS TO THINK OF NOW.

THE LICENSE PLATE COMMITTEE INTERACTS WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE DOING WORK IN THE NONPROFITS AND DOING THE WORK THAT THE STATE CAN'T GET INTO AND HELPING PEOPLE.

SO I DO LOVE THAT COMMITTEE.

BUT IT IS -- IT'S A DIFFERENT COMMITTEE THAT YOU'RE INTERACTING AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PATTERN -- WE HAVE A LOT OF DISTINCTIVE TAGS IN ALABAMA.

WE'RE ONE OF THE STATES THAT SELLS THE MOST DISTINCTIVE TAGS SO TRYING TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE LEGIBLE AND THAT THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT CORRECTLY.

>> RIGHT.

BECAUSE THE ORGANIZATION GETS -- IS ABLE TO FUNDRAISE OFF OF THAT EXTRA FEE.

>> SOME OF THEM VERY SIGNIFICANTLY.

I THINK UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SELLS THE MOST TAGS.

>> THAT STANDS TO REASON.

>> RIGHT.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF OPINIONS.

>> I WANT TO TALKS ABOUT -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE STARTING THE REGULAR SESSION BACK TOMORROW.

IT'S JUST GOING TO BE THE SECOND DAY OF SESSION, ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN HERE TWO WEEKS, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING TWO WEEKS TO COME UP.

I HEARD A LOT ABOUT ECONOMIC INCENTIVES.

WE HAVE THE CURRENT LAW, ALABAMA JOBS ACT, THEY'RE GOING TO SUNSET THIS YEAR AND EXPIRE, WHICH IS ON PURPOSE TO GIVE Y'ALL AN OPPORTUNITY OR ALMOST FORCE YOU TO MAKE CHANGES TO THOSE INCENTIVE LAWS.

THIS IS WHAT WE USE TO RECRUIT COMPANIES TO ALABAMA.

I MEAN I THINK EVERYBODY -- MOST EVERYBODY SEEMS TO AGREE THAT THEY ARE NECESSARY TO REAUTHORIZE.

I'M HEARING LOTS OF TALK ABOUT POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE LEGISLATION OR THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE PARTICULARLY WANTING.

HAVE YOU HEARD ANY OF THAT TALK OR IS ANYTHING NEW IN PARTICULAR OR GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR IN THESE INCENTIVE BILLS.

>> YEAH, I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF TALK AND YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT'S HOT BUTTON.

OVER THE YEARS THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVE BILLS HAVE MORPHED AND WE HAVE CHANGED -- THE LAST TIME -- SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE DID THE CLAW BACK, THAT IF YOU DIDN'T DO WHAT YOU HAD PROMISED YES, I DO COULD YOU DO PEN AND WE GAVE YOU THOSE ABATEMENTS SOME OF THOSE -- NOW THEY'RE CREDITS AND NOT STUFF UP FRONT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS COME TO LIGHT IN MOBILE COUNTY IS THAT SOME COMPANIES HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO PAY THE ONLY TAX THAT WE DON'T ABATE, WHICH IS THE SCHOOL TAX.

SO I WANT TO PUT SOME LANGUAGE IN THIS ECONOMIC INCENTIVES BILL THAT SAYS, LOOK, WE WANT YOU TO COME TO THE STATE.

WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THESE ABATEMENTS THAT WE HAVE NEGOTIATED ON THE FRONT END.

WE WANT GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENS BUT WHEN IT COMES TIME TO PAY THE SCHOOL TAX WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO PAY THE BILL AS PRESENTED.

RIGHT NOW OUR TAX OFFICIALS CAN ONLY USES ONE BOOK, AND THAT WAS FOR -- I CHECKED WITH REVENUE.

THERE'S A GOOD REASON WHY IT HAS NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS AND IS ACCEPTED IN OTHER STATES AS WELL.

THERE'S A REASON OUR OFFICIALS WHEN ASSESSING THAT CAN ONLY USE THIS ONE BOOK.

BUT IF IT'S CHALLENGED, SOMETIMES COMPANIES USES ANY OTHER MANNER OF COMPARISON.

AND YOU'RE NOT REALLY DOING APPLES TO APPLES SO IT KIND OF CONVOLUTES THINGS.

THERE'S A CASE IN MOBILE COUNTY NOW WITH A COMPANY CONTESTING THEIR SCHOOL TAX.

AND I REALLY THINK -- I WANT THE STATE TO INVITE COMPANIES THAT REALLY ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO PAY THEIR SCHOOL TAX BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT WANT AN EDUCATED AND READY WORKFORCE.

YOU HAVE TO FUND YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ORDER TO GET THAT.

>> SO MAYBE PUTTING IT IN THE LAW SPECIFIC TO THE CONTRACT THAT IS SIGNED, MAYBE SOMETHING MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THIS IS MEANS YOU HAVE TO PAY -- ABSOLUTELY PAY, YOU KNOW, THE TAXES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO.

>> RIGHT.

AS PRESENTED.

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN, THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

AND I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF LAWMAKERS HAD SIMILAR THINGS, MAYBE THAT THAT SPECIFICALLY BUT SAYING I'M ALL FOR IT BUT I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR THIS AND THIS.

ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS TRANSPARENCY WHICH IS INTERESTING BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD -- IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PLAN THAT IS COMING FORWARD, THE LT.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION WORKED ON AND EVERYTHING.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH TRANSPARENCY, ALLOWING THE PUBLIC VIA THE WEBSITE TO SEE WHAT THE INCENTIVES ARE AND THE TAX CREDITS ARE.

I TALKED TO ONE LAWMAKER WHO SAID I'M NOT SO SURE.

>> HAS THERE BEEN ANY TALK IN CAUCUS ABOUT THAT?

>> NOT YET.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA THIS WEEK; SO I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE PLENTY OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT ONE OF THE OTHER INCENTIVES THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OF IS GEORGIA HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF REQUIRING COMPANIES TO UTILIZE THEIR SO AS A PART OF THIS IS INCENTIVE PACKAGE WE WANTED TO ENCOURAGE AND PUT SOME STUFF IN THERE TO INCENTIVE EYES THEM TO USE THE PORTS OR, YOU KNOW, I'D LOVE TO SAY IF YOU'RE GOING TO SHIP CARS YOU'RE GOING TO SHIP THEM OUT OF OUR PORT.

>> ONE OF THE SPEAKERS HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT.

HE IS AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE STATE WHERE YOU ARE.

YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY INVOLVED WITH THE POSITIVE AND EVERYTHING.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING TO SAY WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE SHIPPING ALL OF THE CARS THAT WE PRODUCE OUT OF HERE, AT LEAST THE ONCE THAT WE REQUIRE SEE TRANSPORT OUT OF MOBILE.

>> AND NOW THERE'S NEW INFRASTRUCTURE IN MOBILE WHERE IT'S BASICALLY A TRAIN RAIL THAT GUESS UP ON TO -- IT GOALS RIGHT UP ON THERE, IT SHIPS AND THEY ROLL RIGHT ON OFF.

THE ALABAMA PORT HAS INVESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE AND HAVE ROLL ON AND ROLL-OFF AND WE WANT THE VEHICLES THAT ARE MANUFACTURED IN ALABAMA TO GO THROUGH THE ALABAMA PORT.

GEORGIA HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF DIVERTING SOME OF THE THINGS MANUFACTURED IN MOBILE OUT OF THEIR PORT AND WE JUST WANT TO DO THE CORRECTIVE MEASURES TO GET THE BENEFIT OUT.

YOU ARE ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE MOBILE DELEGATION.

>> THE NEW CHAIR, YES.

>> SO IT COMES WITH SOME -- THAT'S INTERESTING.

THAT AREA HAS CHANGED SO MUCH OVER THE YEARS IN TERMS OF THE -- I MEAN, I THINK ABOUT VICTOR GASTON WHO WAS HERE FOR SO LONG.

AND SO A LOT OF TURNOVER I SUPPOSE.

DO Y'ALL FIND IT EASY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH YOURSELVES AND ALSO YOUR NEIGHBORS DOWN THERE IN BALDWIN?

>> WE DO.

AND WE DO PLAY -- THE COASTAL DELEGATIONS WORK AND GO TO A LOT OF MEETINGS TOGETHER.

IT'S NOT -- I HAVE NEVER BEEN THE DELEGATION CHAIR.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH THAT THAT I'M LEARNING A WANT TO SAY GO.

THE 1ST WAS TO GET OUR OFFICE STAFFED UP.

WE HAVE OUR OFFICE STOP OF STAFFED UP AND COME UP WITH MORE IDEAS TO STREAMLINE IT.

WE WANT OUR ENTIRE DELEGATION, THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED IN OUR DELEGATION OFFICE TO HELP THEM BE THE BEST REPRESENTATIVES THAT THEY CAN.

>> AND WHILE I HAVE GOT YOU YOU'RE ALSO ON THE MAJORITY WHIP TEAM.

>> YEAH.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING I REMEMBER FROM CONGRESS BECAUSE -- AND IT WAS 435 BUT YOU HAVE 105 MEMBERS.

ONE PERSON CAN'T BE COUNTING ALL OF THOSE VOTES.

IT TAKES A TEAM.

SO HAVE YOU ENJOYED YOUR WORKING IN COUNTING VOTES?

>> YEAH.

I STARTED DOING THIS FOUR YEARS AGO WITH REPRESENTATIVE GARRETT.

.

I LOVE GOING AND TALKING TO THE MEMBERS.

YOU ACTUAL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A BILL THE MORE YOU FIND OUT ABOUT WHAT SOMEBODY'S OPINION IS.

SO YOU HAVE TO REALLY ENJOY TALKING WITH THE MEMBERS AND LISTENING TO THEIR IDEAS AND GETTING THEIR VOTE COUNT.

FOUR YEARS AGO AT ONE POINT, I SAY WE'RE AT THE TWO-YEAR MARK AND I WAS LIKE I WILL TRADE YOU SO AND SO BECAUSE HE JUST WEREN'T GIVE ME AN ANSWER -- >> THAT'S RIGHT.

BECAUSE YOU'RE ASKING WHY ARE YOU.

>> ONE OTHER MEMBER SAID OH, I WILL TRADE YOU SO AND SO BECAUSE I GET A HISTORY LESSON ON WHY THIS IS A BAD BILL.

SO IT REAL KIND OF CAME OUT AMUSING THAT WE ALL HAD SOMEBODY THAT WE NEEDED TO BUILD TO TRUST OR DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHEN YOU SWAP AROUND.

I'M VERY PROUD TO BE WORKING UNDER CHAIRMAN SHED ON THIS.

I ENJOY WORKING WITH RANDALL.

>> BUT YOU HAVE TO LIKE IT IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE IT INVOLVES A LOT OF WORK.

AND AGAIN A LOT OF MEMBERS MAY NOT WANT TO TELL YOU WHERE THEY'RE SITTING.

>> RIGHT.

AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM IS LOOK, I'M JUST TRYING -- 1ST RUN YOU TELL THEM I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A VOTE TO LEADERSHIP.

I HAVE TO GET THIS TO THE LEADERSHIP OFFICE.

AND THEN I BASICALLY TURN AROUND AND SAY I DON'T CARE HOW YOU VOTE.

I WILL TURN AROUND AND TELL YOU WHEN I CARE ABOUT IT.

RIGHT NOW I'M JUST GETTING A VOTED COUNT.

I WILL COME BACK AND TELL YOU IF THE SPEAKER OR OUR REPRESENTATIVES TODD HAGAN HAS BEEN OPINION AND WANTS ME TO COME BACK AND TRY TO INFLUENCE YOU.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

I LOVE OFFERING THE VIEWERS INSIDE BASEBALL TO HOW IT WORKS ON THE FLOOR.

>> THAT IS THE FUN PART.

DURING COVID, EVERYBODY WOULD SAY SINCE I WEAR TENNIS SHOES I KIND OF MOVE FAST AND THEY'RE LIKE YOU LOOK LIKE A LITTLE WATER BUG DOWN THERE.

AND THAT'S WHEN I'M GETTING THE VOTE COUNT.

AT 1.4 YEARS AGO, I WAS TRYING TO GET A VOTE COUNT ON WHERE SOMETHING STOOD AND I GOT CALLED ON WHAT ARE YOU DOING A COUNT FOR?

YOU CAN'T JUST DO INDIVIDUAL VOTE COUNTS FOR YOU.

SO IT IS A FUN PART OF IT.

IT REALLY IS.

>> WE'RE OUT OF ADVERTISEMENT.

YOU HAVE BEEN VERY GRACIOUS ON YOUR TIME TO COME DOWN AND SPEAK WITH US.

GOOD LUCK AS THIS REGULAR SESSION RESUMES.

SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A BUSY TIME PUT WE WILL BE HERE FOR ALL OF IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30 WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

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