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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE 16TH DAY OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION.

THAT LEAVES 14 DAYS REMAINING WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN ON APRIL AFTER A BREAK NEXT WEEK.

LEADING THE NEWS TONIGHT IS FINAL PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL OFFER PAID PARENTAL LEAVE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL WORKERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES.

SENATE BILL 199 FROM STATE SENATOR VIVIAN FIGURES WILL ALLOW EIGHT WEEKS PAID TIME OFF FOR NEW MOTHERS AND TWO WEEKS FOR NEW FATHERS.

RIGHT NOW, THOSE EMPLOYEES MUST USE VACATION TIME OR UNPAID ANNUAL LEAVE.

THE BILL WAS CARRIED IN THE HOUSE BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE GINNY SHAVER, WH ARGUED IT IS PAST TIME TO PUT THIS POLICY INTO PLACE.

>> WE CAME SO CLOSE LAST YEAR, AND IT WAS QUITE A LETDOWN.

BUT WE KEPT WORKING ANOTHER IT AND HAD EVEN MORE SUPPORT THIS YEAR.

AND I THINK THE IMPACT WILL BE SEEN IN FUTURE YEARS AND THE EFFECTS OF IT AND HOW IT HELPS FAMILIES AND HELP TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND ENABLE THEM TO PROPERLY BOND WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND HAVE THAT TIME AT HOME TO BOND WITH THEIR WINNER.

>> IT SIGNIFIES THAT YOU CAN HAVE A FIELD THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO SO MUCH PEOPLE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN HAVE A BILL WORKING WITH THE OTHER PARTY, SOMEONE A MEMBER OF THE OTHER PARTY SO IT'S DEFINITELY A BIPARTISAN BILL.

WE HAVE BIPARTISAN CO-SPONSORS AND IT'S GOOD FOR OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

IT'S GOOD FOR US TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT THE PERSONNEL AND TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN THEM.

>> THAT BILL NOW GOES TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, WHO HAS CHAMPIONED THE PROPOSAL HERSELF THAT LIKELY MEANS PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR STATE AND EDUCATION WORKERS WILL BE LAW SOON, ONE O THE BIGGER POLICY DEVELOPMENTS SO FAR THIS SESSION.

THE HOUSE TODAY ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION PROHIBITING CAMPAIG CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES FROM FOREIGN NATIONALS.

HOUSE BILL 363 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JAMES LOMAX IS MEANT TO PREVENT ELECTION INTERFERENCE FROM FOREIGN ENTITIES.

IT CAN BE A FORD BASED COMPANY BUT IF THEY HAVE A DOMESTIC OPERATION THEN FUND FROM THAT DOMESTIC OPERATION CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CAMPAIGNS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.

SO THAT WOULD BE THE SAME FOR THIS -- UNDER THIS BILL AS WELL.

>> OK. DO YOU HAVE ANY OCCURRENCE OF THIS HAPPENING PRIOR TO NOW?

>> YES, SIR.

THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE.

>> IN THE STATE, IN THIS STATE?

THIS IS NOT A FEDERAL BILL THAT YOU'RE -- IT'S A STATE LAW YOU'RE PASSING HERE BUT HAVE YOU FOUND ANY OCCURRENCES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THE REASON WHY YOU'RE BRINGING THIS LEGISLATION.

>> WELL, THERE'S BEEN OCCURRENCES THAT, AGAIN, THROUGH BALLOT REFERENDUMS, IT'S BEEN UNKNOWINGLY.

THE FACT IT HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES, IT COULD EASILY BE HAPPENING HERE BUT WE DON'T KNOW IT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS WONDERING.

YOU'RE PROCEEDING, YOU'RE BEING PROACTIVE ON IT.

NOT REACTING.

>> YEAH.

>> THAT BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

>>> THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REMOVE STATE SALES TAX FROM CERTAIN INFANT CARE AND REPRODUCTIVE PRODUCTS.

HOUSE BILL 152 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE NEIL RAFFERTY WOULD MAKE DIAPERS, BABY FORMULA, MATERNITY CLOTHING AND MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS EXEMPT FROM STATE SALES TAX.

>> IT WOULD BE REMOVING THE STATE PORTION OF THE SALES TAX ON BABY BE BABY SUPPLIES, BABY FORMULA, MATERNITY, AND FEMININE HYGIENE USE.

>> WE TAX EVERYTHING.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO TAKE TAX OFF OF MATERNITY CLOTHES AND MENSTRUAL HYGIENE.

WE'RE ALREADY GIVING THAT AWAY FREE.

YOU KNOW, WE GIVE IT TO THE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL FOR FREE.

WE PAY FOR THAT.

SOME THINGS, YES.

FOOD, YES.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS, YES.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE A SOCIETY WHERE WE DON'T COLLECT ANY TAXES BECAUSE WITHIN OUR SOCIETY THERE ARE THOSE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE.

AND NOT SAYING THEY DON'T WORK?

>> WE HAVE THE WORKING POOR.

SO WE NEED SOME TAXES SO THAT GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR PEOPLE.

>> THAT BILL ALSO PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

>>> ON TO THE SENATE, WHERE A MAJOR PIECE OF PHARMACY LEGISLATION WAS DEBATED TODAY.

SENATE BILL 252 IS THE NEW VERSION OF LEGISLATION AIMED AT REINING IN PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS, OF PBMS.

PBMS SERVE AS MIDDLEMEN BETWEEN INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PHARMACIES, NEGOTIATING DRUG COSTS AND SETTING REIMBURSEMENT RATES.

MANY INDEPENDENT PHARMACISTS ARGUE THAT PBMS OFTEN REIMBURSE AT RATES LOWER THAN THE COST OF MEDICATIONS, FORCING LOCAL PHARMACIES TO STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY AND SOMETIMES CLOSE THE LEGISLATION FROM SENATOR BILLY BEASLEY, HIMSELF A RETIRE PHARMACIST, WOULD MANDATE THAT PHARMACIES ARE PAID AT LEAST THEIR COST FOR MEDICATIONS, PLU A FEE, BY PBM COMPANIES.

IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THAT 100 PERCENT OF DRUG MANUFACTURER REBATES GO BACK INTO HEALTH PLANS INSTEAD OF PBM PROFITS.

THE BILL HAD RECEIVED PUSHBACK FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHICH ARGUED THAT THE ADDITIONA COSTS WOULD ULTIMATELY BE BORNE BY BUSINESSES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.

THAT HAD LAWMAKERS TRYING TO WORK OUT A COMPROMISE BILL OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

THIS ALL LED TO AN INTERESTING DEBATE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

UNLIKE MOST BILLS THAT MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR ALREADY WORKED OUT AMONG LAWMAKERS, THIS WAS A WOR IN PROGRESS, WITH CHANGES BEING MADE IN REAL TIME.

IT WAS THE ONLY BILL ON THE CALENDAR TODAY AND SENATORS WEN BACK AND FORTH FINE-TUNING IT BEFORE A FINAL VOTE.

IN THE END, THE VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS TO OPPOSE I DO.

>> THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE ALMOST UNAFFORDABLE FOR ANYONE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE.

SO I'M HOPING THAT MORE STATES WILL PASS LEGISLATION LIKE WE PASSED TODAY IN ALABAMA THAT SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE PBP INDUSTRY, YOU HAVE TO BE FAIR TO THE PEOPLE THAT HIRE YOU AND YOU HAVE TO BE FAIR TO THE WORKERS WHO PROVIDE THE PHARMACY SERVICE.

>> CLEARLY, WHAT THE PBMS HAVE BEEN DOING, THE PRODUCT THEY'RE SELLING AND WE'RE GOING TO SAVE YOU MONEY HAS BEEN FALSE AND HAS NOT WORKED.

BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE INCREASE IN HEALTH CARE COSTS THE MAIN DRIVER OF THAT IS THE INCREASED COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

>> WE NEED TO GET THIS RELIEF IMMEDIATELY TO PHARMACISTS ACROSS THE STATE AND THEIR PATIENTS BECAUSE THEY'RE CLOSING ON AVERAGE ABOUT THREE PER MONTH.

WE HAVE SEEN WELL OVER A HUNDRED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS THAT HAVE CLOSED THEIR DOORS.

>> WE COULD NOT WAIT UNTIL JANUARY 1.

>> WE HAD TO START SOMETHING SOONER.

THIS HAS BEEN A TEAM EFFORT AND I'M PROUD TO STAND WITH SENATOR BEASLEY AND ALL OF US AND GET THIS OVER OF THE FINISH LINE.

>> PBMS ARE NOT NECESSARY MIDDLEMEN.

THEY ADD NOTHING TO THE SYSTEM.

THEY SEE NO PATIENTS.

THEY ONLY TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE HEALTH CARE DOLLAR AND THEY'RE DRIVING UP COSTS EVERY DAY.

I HAD A QUOTE ABOUT WHAT A PBM WAS.

IT STANDS FOR "PRETTY BAD MEDICINE."

>> THAT BILL NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE WHERE MORE DEBATE IS EXPECTED.

>>> THE ALABAMA RE-ENTRY COMMISSION MET TODAY TO DISCUSS ONGOING WORK BY STATE AGENCIES TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

MEMBERS HEARD FROM THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS JUSTICE CENTER ABOUT WAYS THE STATE CAN USE DATA TO HELP FORMER INMATES REENTER SOCIETY WHEN THEIR SENTENCES ARE COMPLETE.

>> THE JUSTICE CENTER WORKED WITH RE-ENTRY ALABAMA COMMISSION TO WOMAN UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTH BE RE-ENTRY IN ALABAMA.

WE HAD WORKING GROUPS COMPRISED OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE AND THEY DEVELOPED RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC ABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE RELEASED FROM PRISON, OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT, STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS AND EDUCATE EMPLOYERS, PROVIDE EDUCATION TRAINING TO INDIVIDUALS, RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND EXPANDING HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AS WELL AS TREMENDOUS RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN DATA CAPACITY AND BEING ABLE TO TRACK OUTCOME MEASURES TO US WHAT IS WORKING AND WHAT IS NOT WORKING.

>> THE NEXT STEP ON THE COMMISSION IS GOING TO PRODUCE A FINAL REPORT THAT INCLUDES THE FULL LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEN THE NEXT STEP IS TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CAN MOVE FORWARD IN ITCH MENTATION SO DEVELOPING A STATEWIDE COMMISSION THAT CAN DEVELOP ACTION PLANNED AND TAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND TRANSLATE THEM INTO ACTIONS.

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

ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION IS YOUR PLACE FOR QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WITH ACCESS TO PRE-CURRICULUM ALIGNED VIDEOS LESSON PLANS AND INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS WITH OPINIONS LEARNING VIDEOS AND ALL OF THE PBS KIDS PROGRAMS PARENTS KNOW AND TRUST.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY WITH ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

VISIT US AT APT.ORG/EDUCATION TO LEARN MORE.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS STATED REPRESENTATIVE KELVIN FROM BIRMINGHAM.

>> THANKS.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED YOU'RE THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I'M THE BIG OF THE ROOKIE.

>> YOU LEFT IN OCTOBER WHEN FORM ARE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN ROGERS LEFT E WHY CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT LED YOU TO MOVE FOR OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

I GREW UP IN SHELBY COUNTY IN THE HUNTSVILLE MET THROW PLEASE EXPLAIN, ALL 12 HUNDRED FOLKS OR SO.

I'M WENT TO COLLEGE IN PENNSYLVANIA, MOVED BACK AND LIVED AND WORKED IN MONTGOMERY AND HAVE BEEN IN MONTGOMERY THE LAST 15 YEARS.

A LOT OF THAT WITH PUBLIC HEALTH WORK FOR THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, AND CITY COUNCIL DOING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NOW WORKING FOR THE MAYOR OF MONTGOMERY FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS OR SO.

SO I SET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL VIEW OF HOW STATE POLICY IMPACTS YOU ON A LOCAL LEVEL.

AND SO WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY AROSE, IT WAS ALMOST -- A LOT OF FOLKS ENCOURAGED ME TO THINK ABOUT IT AND I'M ONE OF THOSE GUYS PEOPLE SAID, HEY, YOU'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ENOUGH, IT'S TIME TO GET IN THE GAME AND THE OPPORTUNITY WAS THERE.

I WORKED ON COMPLAINS BUT IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN YOUR NAME IS ACTUALLY ON THAT BALLOT.

>> AND NEW ON THE DOOR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, YOU KNOW.

SO IT'S WITHIN DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW, I HAD A MEETING THE OTHER DOOR AND SOMEONE SAID, P. REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT FIVE TIMES AND I FIGURED OUT FINALLY THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ME.

THEY WERE LIKE, KELVIN, AND I GOT IT.

BUT IT'S BEEN EXCITING.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS SO FAR.

WE'RE TECHNICALLY HALFWAY THROUGH THE HALFWAY POINT.

WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS SO FAR.

>> PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK YOU WHAT YOU EXPECTED?

MY ANSWER IS I'M NOT SURE WHAT I DID EXPECT.

BUT IF YOU LOOKS AT WHAT HAPPENS ON TELEVISION FROM THAT KIND OF MEDIA COVER LINE OF SCRIMMAGE IT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE FILLED BE ACTION MEAN AND HEATED DISCUSSION.

THEORY SHARP COON AT LASTS BETWEEN FOLKS AND THEIR MILL POSITIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES BUT IN TERMS OF -- PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REALLY, REALLY GOOD AND DECENT TO ME AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

A TORCH.

I HAVE GONE TO LUNCH AND DINNER WITH SOME REPUBLIC FOCUS AND DEMOCRAT I WORK FOCUS AND SO BASICALLY WHAT YOU FIND IS EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME END GAME.

OUR CHALLENGE IS HOW WE GET THERE.

THAT'S THE FRAME OF OUR DISCUSSIONS THAT CAUSES A DIVIDE BETWEEN US.

BUT I THINK THERE ARE FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES WHO SPEND EVERY DAY LOOKING FOR WEES TO COME TOGETHER.

>> I AGREE.

IT IS A CONTRAST FROM WASHINGTON.

YOU LOOK UP THERE AND SAY THEY CAN'T AGREE ON THE LUNCH MENU BETWEEN THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE DEBATES AND ISSUES YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO AGREE ON BUT I AGREE WITH YOU NINE TIMES OUT OF 10, MOST PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE.

BUT IN SPEAKINGS OF THAT, LIKE I SAID, IN DC, IF YOUR'E IN THE MINORITY YOUR'E PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET A BILL PASSED.

THAT'S NOT THE WAY HERE.

BUN OF THE BIGGEST PILLS WE PASSED WAS HYBRID DANIELS OVERTIME TAX.

SO THERE ANY LOCAL BILLS YOU'RE WORKING ON THAT YOU HOPE TO GET ALONG THE FINISH LINE?

>> I SPENT THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS TRYING TOO GET MY FEET WET, LEARNING WHERE THE BATHROOMS ARE, KNOWING WHERE TO PARK.

IT'S THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS WHERE TO GO AND WHERE TO SHOW.

FOLKS HAVE THERE BEEN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL, NOT JUST MY COLLEAGUES BUT THE STAFF HAVE BEEN PHENOMENALLY SUPPORTIVE.

I THINK ONE LESSON THAT I HAVE LEARNED AND THAT I HAVE SEEN AND A LOGICAL PLAYED OUT LAST-YEAR IS THAT SOMETIMES THERE MULTIPLE WAYS TO GET TO THE SAME PLACE; RIGHT?

SO LOTS OF FOLKS IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN WORKING -- DEMOCRATIC FOLKS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IMMIGRANT HOUSING TAX CREDITS; RIGHT?

THEY'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET THE DONE FROM THE BETTER OF THAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THE REPUBLICANS PACKAGE TO SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SO WE I NEEDED UP -- THAT WE GOT THE AFFORDABILITY HOUSING.

PEOPLE JUST CAME AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO MY GAME, COULD BE THE SAME AS SOMEONE ELSE'S BUT WE'RE COMING AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, SO YOU HAVE TO BE ON TO SOMEONE ELSE'S BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCES.

THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ME WE KNOW THAT ALABAMA IS 47TH IN WORKFORCE.

IF MAYBE WE CAN BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND SOME FOLKS ON THE SIDE THAT THE AFFECTS US IT'S TO GET THAT NUMBER UP.

WE'RE THE ONLY STATE THAT PROVIDES ZERO DOLLARS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

>> WE KNOW IF FOLKS WANT TO GO TO WORK WE MAY HAVE TO HAPPY THEM GET THERE.

THE DRAGS WILL ALMS PUSH FOR PUSHING TRANSPORTATION.

NOW WE'RE FINDING THE COMMON OUTCOME BY THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET THERE.

>> IT'S DIFFERENT, THE REASONS WHY, DIFFERENT REASONS WHY TO GET TO THE SAME END.

YOU'RE RIGHT, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH CARE.

>> CHILDCARE.

>> ALL ARE BARRIERS TO THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> YOUR HAVE TO CREDIT THE GOVERNOR BECAUSE FOLKS CAN'T GO TO DO ANYTHING IF THEY DON'T HAVE DECENT CHILDCARE.

SO WHEN THE GOVERNOR PUSHED THAT PAGE TO GET THAT DONE THAT HAD BEEN A LONG DREAM OF DEMOCRATS TOO GET A CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT.

BUT THE REPUBLICANS FOUND -- INSPIRED BY A DIFFERENT RAIN BUT ABLE TO GET IT DONE TOGETHER.

>> GOING BACK TO HOUSING, ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL YOU TALKED ABOUT HOUSING IN YOUR PINCH EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR MOTHER AND HOW THAT INSPIRED YOU.

TALK ABOUT THAT HISTORY AND HOW THAT INSPIRES YOUR POLITICS.

>> MY MOM RAISED FIVE KIDS THROUGH A MIRACULOUS ACTS OF GOD SHE WAS ABLE TO GET FIVE KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE.

AND SO WHEN MY MOM GOT DIVORCED AND HAD FIVE KIDS, WE MOVED NEXT DOOR TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE.

THAT WAS A TWO-BEDROOM HOME.

I REMEMBER MYSELF, MOM CAME HOME AND SAID GET IN THE CAR AND WE PULLED UP TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

AND SHE SAID SOME OTHER FAMILY IS GOING TO NEED THIS SOMEDAY.

DID YOU AGREE AT THAT TIME MY MOM SAVED FOR DOWN PAYMENT, PREPARED TO BE A HOMEOWNER AND APPLIED FOR A FHA LOAN THAT APPLIED FOR HER TO BE A HOMEOWNER WHERE FOLKS CAME HOME FOR SUNDAY DINNER, THAT PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

I WAS PART OF THE FIRST CLASS OF UPWARD WINDOW AT MONTEVALLO.

STUDENT LOANS AND PELL GRANTS ALLOWED ME TO GO TO COLLEGE AND GET A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE, SO ALL OF THESE PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS THAT SEWN MADE ALLOWED ME TO HAVE A CHANCE AT A BETTER LIFE.

AND SO WHAT KIND OF GUY AM I IF I DON'T DO THE SAME TO HELP SOMEBODY ELSE OUT.

>> A POWERFUL STORY.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THAT.

WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

IT IS MARCH MADNESS.

DO YOU HAVE A BRACKET AND WHO HAVE YOU GOT IN YOUR FINAL FOUR.

>> I WORKED AT ALABAMA STATE AND THE HORNETS PICKED UP A BIG WIN.

I WOULD LOVE TO PICK THEM FOR OF THE FINAL FOUR BUT A TOUGH GAME WITH AUBURN.

I LIKE AUBURN, ALABAMA, FLORIDA AND DUKE BECAUSE I WANT US TO BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF DUKE.

>> IF THAT HAPPENED, I WOULD BE REALLY HAPPY.

BUT I AGREE WITH YOU, FLORIDA AND DUKE LOOK REALLY GOOD.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

YOU'RE DOING AN AMAZING JOB OF MAKING MONTGOMERY SUCCESSFUL FOR THE REST OF THE STATE.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW FOR OUR "WEEK IN REVIEW" EPISODE AT 730 HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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