>> GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

WELCOME TO OUR SPECIAL LIVE EDITION OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THIS EVENING TO BRING YOU THE GOVERNOR'S 2021 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

GOV.

IVEY WILL BE DELIVERING HER REMARKS IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES FROM THE CAPITOL ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE STATEHOUSE IN MONTGOMERY AND WE WILL JOIN HER SPEECH AROUND 6:30.

OF COURSE, SHE IS DELIVERING THAT SPEECH VERY DIFFERENTLY THIS YEAR GIVEN THE PANDEMIC.

SHE WILL BE ALONE AT THE PODIUM THERE.

THERE WILL BE NO IN-PERSON AUDIENCE.

LAWMAKERS WHO ARE GENERALLY IN THE AUDIENCE WILL BE SPREAD AROUND THE CAPITOL COMPLEX WATCHING HER REMARKS THIS EVENING.

IN THE LEADUP TO THE GOVERNOR'S REMARKS IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE EXPECT TO FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN HER ADDRESS AND THOSE THAT WILL FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHICH KICKED OFF TODAY HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE.

WE WELCOME TWO SPECIAL GUESTS TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TO TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES TODAY.

BRYAN TAYLOR IS FORMER STATE SENATOR AND FORMER LEGAL ADVICE TORE GOVERNOR RILEY WHO IS NOW A PRACTICING ATTORNEY IN BIRMINGHAM.

BRIAN, WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> RETURNING THIS YEAR IS OUR LONGTIME FRIEND, NOTED POLITICAL SCIENTIST AND BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE PROFESSOR EMERITUS DR. NATALIE DAVIS.

WELCOME BACK AGAIN.

>> INDEED.

>> BRYAN, I WANT TO BEGIN WITH PRISONS.

THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS LOOMING LARGE IN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX RIGHT NOW.

GOVERNOR IVEY OF COURSE HAS EMBARKED ON AN AMBITIOUS PRIVATE LEASE CONSTRUCTION PLAN.

SHE SIGNED TWO LEASES ON MONDAY AND IS EXPECTED TO SIGN A THIRD.

THIS IS BEING WATCHED VERY CLOSELY BY LAWMAKERS HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE.

MANY OF THEM EXPRESSING DISPLEASURE WITH THE LACK OF INFORMATION THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN SO FAR, THE FINANCIAL COST OF THIS.

THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR PRIVATE LEASE AGREEMENTS IS IT NOT?

THEY'RE CONFIDENTIAL NEGOTIATIONS?

>> THERE ARE.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE AN ECONOMIC PROJECT.

BUT I WILL SAY THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN REVEALING OUT TO THE LEADERSHIP, THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT PRO TEM AND THE SPEAKER FOR THREE YEARS PLUS ON THIS.

AND I KNOW THAT WHEN I BEGAN WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR IN 2017, THIS WAS A HOT TOPIC.

AND YOU WILL RECALL GOING BACK THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TWO OR THREE SESSIONS TO PASS A BOND ISSUE TO ADDRESS THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND THEY JUST COULD NEVER GET IT'S DONE IN THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE OF THE POLITICS AND THE POLITICS OF A BOND ISSUE AND GOING INTO DEBT.

SO THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN WAS TO PUT THE RISK ON PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO DEVELOP AND BUILD PRISONS AND THEN THE STATE WOULD JUST LEASE THEM, AND THE STATE IS GOING TO STAFF AND OPERATE THE PRISONS, BUT THE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS BEAR THE RISK OF MAINTAINING -- BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THE PRISONS SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS ABLE TO DO WITHOUT FURTHER LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL, BUT I THINK THE GOVERNOR REALLY SHOULD BE COMMENDED ON KEEPING THE LEADERSHIP ENGAGED AND THE LEADERSHIP INFORMED, WHETHER EVERY MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE GETS A BRIEF ON THE GOVERNOR'S PLANS AND THE LEASES IS ANOTHER QUESTION.

BUT CERTAINLY THE LEADERSHIP, I THINK, THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO KEEP THEM ABREAST OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> NATALIE, PRISONS ARE ALWAYS A CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT HERE IN ALABAMA.

WE HAVE OUR OWN UNIQUE SET OF PROBLEMS.

WE'RE BEING SUED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND WE'RE UNDER A COURT ORDER TO FIX SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

AND PRISON REFORM IS NEVER A SEXY TOPIC IN THE STATEHOUSE BUT IT'S ONE THAT WE HAVE TO APPROACH.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE SOME CRITICS OF THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN WHO SAY, WHILE AMBITIOUS, IT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH IN ADDRESSING THOSE PROBLEMS.

>> WELL, I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS, STARTING WITH THE PAROLE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE HAD A HARD TIME EVALUATING PRISONERS IN TERMS OF THEIR GETTING RELEASED ON PAROLE, AND THERE IS TALK THERE MIGHT BE A SECOND LEVEL, ANOTHER PAROLE BOARD MAYBE TO DEAL WITH EASIER CASES.

>> THERE'S ACTUAL A BILL IN THAT EFFECT IN COMMITTEE HERE TOMORROW MORNING AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> SO THAT'S A PROBLEM.

BUT I THINK THAT THE PRISON LEASE BUSINESS IS KIND OF OVERWHELMING IN TERMS OF IT JUST SORT OF HAPPENED.

NOBODY SAW IT COMING.

I'M SURE SOME INSIDERS DID BUT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING WAS GOING ON.

AND I THINK THERE'S STILL SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET FOR THAT AND -- AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS THE QUESTION OF WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WHOLE THING FALLS THROUGH AND WHO IS BEARING THE BURDEN.

BUT WE NEVER GET OUT OF THESE DEALS WHAT WE EXPECT.

Don: BRYAN, WHEN YOU WERE STILL IN THE LEGISLATURE YOU WERE TACKLING THIS ISSUE.

I REMEMBER THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT FORMER GOVERNOR BENTLEY PROPOSED.

AFTER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS, GOV.

IVEY TOOK ANOTHER DIRECTION WITH THIS.

>> THERE'S ONLY TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH PRISON OVERCROWDING.

YOU RELEASE PRISONERS OR BUILD MORE PRISONS.

THERE'S A THIRD APPROACH, AND I THINK DR. DAVIS TOUCHED ON THIS WHICH IS TO ADDRESS THE PAROLE ISSUES.

BUT IN TERMS OF TACKLING THE OVERCROWDING PROBLEMS THOSE ARE YOUR TWO CHOICES.

SO I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SHOWN BOLD LEADERSHIP IN BOTH ADDRESSING THE PAROLE ISSUES, MAKING SURE THAT -- MAKING SURE THAT THE PAROLE BOARD IS FULFILLING ITS GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY, ITS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY WHEN PRISONERS ARE PAROLED SHE APPOINTED SENATOR CAM WARD, A COLLEAGUE OF MINE, WHO HAS BEEN ADVOCATE FOR PAROLE AND PRISON REFORM FOR A LONG TIME, AND I THINK, BY ALL ACCOUNTS IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S DONE A GOOD JOB OF GETTING THAT AGENCY BACK ON TRACK AND MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO OPERATING THE AGENCY, TRAINING PAROLE OFFICERS AND GETTING THAT AGENCY MOVING AGAIN.

>> THERE'S A SCHOOL OF THOUGHT OUT THERE THAT PERHAPS LAWMAKERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION UP FRONT, THAT MAY BE PRIVATELY ARE GLAD THAT GOV.

IVEY IS TAKING THIS ON HER OWN AND WILL TAKE THE HEAT FOR WHATEVER COMPLICATIONS MIGHT ARISE.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S ANY MERIT TO THAT SCHOOL OF THOUGHT?

>> I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO ANYBODY IN PARTICULAR ABOUT THAT.

HERE IS THE POLITICS OF IT; RIGHT?

EITHER YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING AND THEN YOU GET BLAMED FOR A MASS PRISON RELEASE WHEN THERE'S A LAWSUIT AND THE JUDGE ORDERS PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED OR YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR A BOND ISSUE TO BUILD PRISONS AND BONDS ARE BORROWING MONEY AND THAT'S NOT POPULAR EITHER.

SO I THINK LEGISLATORS WERE CAUGHT IN BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE.

SO, YES, I THINK THERE ARE MANY LEGISLATORS THAT ARE PRIVATELY VERY GLAD THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TAKEN THIS BULL BY THE HORNS AND COME UP WITH ANOTHER SOLUTION.

>> SHE SPENT QUITE A LOT OF TIME, NATALIE, TACKLING THIS ISSUE BEFORE SHE PROPOSED THIS PRIVATELY SO SHE DID HER HOMEWORK.

>> I REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR AT THIS VERY PLACE.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S AN IRONY HERE.

JUST THE TIME THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS ISSUED AN ORDER THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE PRIVATE PRISONS AT LEAST IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM, AND HERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT IN ALABAMA.

AND I GUESS WHEN YOU SAY THAT THE STATE WILL HIRE AND FIRE, I REALLY WONDER HOW THAT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

THIS IS A 2.6 BILLION DEAL.

AND IT'S MY SIGNATURE.

THE LEGISLATURE CAN OPT OUT, CAN CUT THE FUNDING, CAN DECIDE WHAT'S TERRIBLE, AND THEN YOU'RE CAUGHT BETWEEN ANOTHER ROCK AND HARD PLACE.

>> IS THAT THE TRADEOFF HERE, BRYAN?

SHE CAN SIGN THESE LEASES AND MAKE THE DEALS BUT THE LEGISLATORS UNITED STATES MATILY CONTROL THE PURSE STRINGS.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

WITH A LEASE THEY HAVE TO BE AUTHORIZED YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

ALL LEASES HAVE TO BE REAUTHORIZED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THERE'S THE RISK ON THE DEVELOPERS HERE THAT IF THEY'RE NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINING THE PRISONS, IF THEY DON'T MEET THEIR END OF THE BARGAIN THE LEGISLATURE COULD FUND NOT TO FUND THE LEASE AND THE DEVELOPERS DON'T WANT TO RUN INTO THAT PROBLEM.

SO, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THE LEGISLATURE TRIED TO TAKE THIS UP SEVERAL YEARS.

THEY COULDN'T GET A BOND ISSUE THROUGH TO BUILD THE PRISONS.

SO THIS IS A THIRD SOLUTION THAT FRANKLY I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS ARE HAPPY TO SEE.

>> I HAD ONE LAWMAKER TELL ME THIS WEEK IT WAS TOO BAD WE DIDN'T GO THE BOND ISSUE ROUTE BECAUSE INTEREST RATES ARE SO LOW RIGHT NOW.

HIS CONTENTION WAS WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE BUILT A NEW WOMEN'S PRISON WITH THE SAVINGS.

>> AND I THINK THERE WAS SOME TALK EARLY ON BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE LEGISLATURE COULD TAKE UP A BOND ISSUE OR WOULD TAKE UP A BOND ISSUE LAST YEAR PRIOR TO THIS GOING FORWARD AS A LEASE.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST YEAR.

SOME SAY THAT'S BECAUSE COVID DISRUPTED THE SESSION.

OTHERS SAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE WAS TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO GO FORWARD.

>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK NOW.

THIS IS A LIVE SHOT FROM RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET AT THE STATE CAPITOL WHERE GOVERNOR RILEY WILL BE MAKING HER REMARKS IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR SO.

WE ARE TOLD IN ADVANCE THAT HER SPEECH WILL BE JUST UNDER 30 MINUTES LONG.

SHE IS IN THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL THERE.

AGAIN, A VERY DIFFERENT SCENE THAN WE'RE USED TO GIVEN THAT SHE WILL BE SPEAKING JUST TO THE CAMERA AND NOT WITH AN IN-PERSON AUDIENCE.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT LAWMAKERS, SOME OF THEM ARE HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE TONIGHT TO WATCH THE VIDEO FEED SOCIALLY DISTANCED, OF COURSE, AND ARE VERY INTERESTED OBVIOUSLY IN WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY.

BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS CERTAINLY CHANGED A LOT OF THINGS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH THE WAY IN WHICH GOVERNOR RILEY WILL DELIVER HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TONIGHT, IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE PANDEMIC LOOMS SO LARGE, DR. DAVIS, OVER THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT'S CHANGED SO MUCH HOW LAWMAKERS WILL DUE THINGS THIS YEAR.

AND WE WONDER OF COURSE HOW IT MIGHT AFFECT THE SESSION MOVING FORWARD, LIKE IT CUT IT SHORT LAST YEAR.

THERE'S SO MUCH TO CONSIDER.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO CONSIDER.

FIRST THE TOP LINE NUMBERS FOR ALABAMA ARE JUST NOT GOOD.

WE HAVE -- DEPENDING ON WHAT REPORT YOU READ, EITHER THE LOWEST OR THIRD LOWEST OR WORST POSITIVE RATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE NOT ROLLING OUT THE VACCINE IN ANY SORT OF UNDERSTANDABLE OR COMPREHENSIVE WAY.

AND I FEEL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO H. HEAD OUR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

BECAUSE IN A WAY A LOT OF IT IS OUT OF THEIR HANDS.

THEY HAVE TO GET THE VACCINE IN ORDER TO ROLE IT OUT.

AND THIS LOOKS LIKE AN ENORMOUS TASK THAT, IF THERE HAD BEEN A GOOD PLAN UP FRONT, MAYBE WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER.

BUT IT'S NOT GOOD.

AND THE POSITIVITY RATE, HAS VARIED FROM, YOU KNOW, 15, 20, TO 40 -- IT'S CRAZINESS.

THE RULE OF THUMB IS YOU WANT A POSITIVE RATE OF 5 PERCENT OR LOWER.

YOU DON'T WANT ANY BUT YOU'RE CONSIDERED DOING IT RIGHT.

AND THIS IS JUST NOT HAPPENED.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, GETTING IT OUT.

NOW, IN TERMS OF THE LEGISLATURE, HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO QUARANTINE THEMSELVES?

IT MAY BE CRITICAL TIMES.

>> THAT'S THE QUESTION.

>> THE GOVERNOR HERSELF MIGHT HAVE TO.

AND SO THERE'S A CRAZINESS OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND VIRTUAL MEET AND GOES ALL OF THAT WHICH TAKE AWAY FROM THE GIVE AND TAKE OF POLITICS, WHICH NOT JUST MAKES FOR FUN FOR POLITICAL ANALYSTS BUT IT MEANS YOU CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS BETTER AND I'M NOT SURE A LOT OF ZOOM MEETINGS WILL DO THAT FOR YOU?

Don: THERE SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT LAWMAKERS ARE READY TO PERFORM THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES AND REALIZE THE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND GET THE PEOPLE'S WORK DONE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE RISKS ARE LINGERING OUT THERE.

WE HEARD TODAY ONE HOUSE MEMBER WAS SENT HOME AFTER TESTING POSITIVE TODAY, TO QUARANTINE.

A AS FORMER LAWMAKER WOULD YOU SHARE THAT SENTIMENT, WE HAVE TO GET THE PEOPLE'S WORK DONE DESPITE THE RISK?

>> MY ANSWER IS YES.

I THINK AT THIS POINT, LAWMAKERS -- IT'S BEEN A YEAR ALMOST SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

AND I THINK LAWMAKERS, WE'RE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE NOW WITH HOW TO TAKE THE RIGHT PRECAUTIONS, WHAT WEANED TO DO, HOW TO QUARANTINE OR SOCIALLY DISTANCE OURSELVES, AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE MORE CONFIGURE COMING TO THE STATEHOUSE AND DOING THAT WITH THE APPROPRIATE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

AND FROM ALL APPEARANCES THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE AS WELL AS THE CAPITOL.

>> INDEED.

>> JUST TO ADD ONE THING, THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR OF THE QUADRENNIUM.

AND IF THEY DON'T GET A BUNCH OF STUFF DONE THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR IT'S GOING TO BE WORSE BECAUSE IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR AND THEY WILL BE HEAD-TO-HEAD -- IT'S INTRAMURAL FOR ALABAMA IN THE SENSE IT'S REPUBLICANS AGAINST REPUBLICANS AND THERE COULD BE A LOT MORE CRAZINESS NEXT YEAR THAN WE'RE USED TO.

>> A GOOD POINT, BRYAN BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAD TO BE LAID TO THE SIDE LAST YEAR BECAUSE THEY CUT THE SESSION SHORT.

>> SURE.

LOCAL BILLS ARE ALWAYS A PRIORITY FOR LEGISLATORS, ESPECIALLY AS YOU GET CLOSER AND CLOSER TO AN ELECTION YEAR.

SO LAST YEAR I KNOW A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE SAW THEIR LOCAL LEGISLATION DIE AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TOMORROW COME BACK AND GET THAT MOVED.

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS STAND OUT THIS YEAR.

PRIORITY BILLS IN THE OPENING DAYS ARE GOING TO BE COVID RELATED.

THERE'S ONE DEALING WITH BUSINESS LIABILITY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THERE'S ONE THAT SAYS FEDERAL CARES ACT FUNDS CAN'T BE DAX TAXED HERE IN ALABAMA AND ECONOMIC INCENTIVE BILLS THAT ARE URGENT.

OUTSIDE OF THAT A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO TOUCH ON TONIGHT.

NATALIE, I WILL BEGIN WITH YOU.

THAT IS THE MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT.

THERE'S A MOVE TO REPEAL IT IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR AND THERE WAS A NEW BILL THAT WAS EXPECTED TO BE DROPPED JUST THIS WEEK WHICH WOULD DO THE OPPOSITE, WOULD STRENGTHEN THAT LAW.

>> I ASSUME REPRESENT DEVAN GOOD ONE THAT SAID KEEP THE MONUMENTS BUT LET'S MOVE THEM TO A HISTORIC PLACE AND MAKE A MUSEUM OUT OF THEM.

AND WHETHER THAT MEANS ANYTHING -- I DOUBT ANYTHING WILL HAPPEN IN TERMS OF ENDING THE MONUMENTS IN SPITE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING NATIONALLY AND IN LOTS OF PLACE ELSE.

AND I GUESS BIG CITIES LIKE BIRMINGHAM COULD AFFORD $25,000.

>> IN TERMS OF A FINE.

>> YEAH.

>> NOR VIOLATING LAW.

>> YES.

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING TOPIC.

REPRESENTATIVE GAVAN PREFILED HER BILL LAST YEAR ON THIS ISSUE WHEN THE CONTROVERSY OVER CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS HIT THE GROUND.

I INTERVIEWED A REPRESENTATIVE WHO SAID HE WAS OFTEN TO TWEAKING THE LAW BUT THAT HE WOULD VIGOROUSLY OPPOSE A REPEAL.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WEDGE ISSUES THAT COULD DISRUPT SMOOTH SAILING IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE MINORITY CAUCUS COULD USE TO STAND THEIR GROUND ON WHATEVER BUCKET ISSUES THERE MIGHT BE SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS UNFOLDS.

I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES THAT, AS WITH MANY LAWS, THIS LAW DESERVES ANOTHER LOOK AND THAT THERE MAY BE SOME TWEAKING.

WHETHER THERE WILL BE A WHOLESALE REPEAL IS DOUBTFUL.

BUT I DO THINK IT REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MINORITY CAUCUS TO FLEX THEIR MUSCLE A LITTLE BIT.

>> IT'S A GOOD POINT NATALIE.

GIVEN THE RACIAL TENSIONS OF THE LAST YEAR, THE RENEWED BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT, THIS IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE AN ISSUE THAT WILL SPARK SIGNIFICANT DEBATE.

>> I SAW YOUR INTERVIEW OF SENATOR ALLEN, AND I THOUGHT THIS GUY IS NOT MOVING.

>> NO.

>> NOT AN INCH.

>> AND HE IS PRETTY ENTRENCHED.

BRYAN NOW WE HAVE THIS NEW BILL COMING THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN THE BILL AND PROPOSES MAKING IT EVEN TOUGHER SO TO SPEAK, AND REDEFINING THE DEFINED STRUCTURE SO TO SPEAK.

SO THESE TWO OPPOSING BILLS OUGHT TO MAKE FOR A INTERESTING DEBATE HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> SURE.

I THINK THERE WILL BE ROBUST DEBATE ABOUT THIS, AS THERE WILL BE ON MANY OTHER ISSUES.

BUT AGAIN GOING BACK TO DR. DAVIS' POINT, I THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON GETTING SOME HIGH PRIORITY ITEMS DONE, LOCAL LEGISLATION, THE BUDGETS.

WE'RE HEARING ALREADY ABOUT THE GAMBLE ISSUE AND I IMAGINE WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A FEW MINUTES.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT ARE LOOMING OUT THERE AND WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IS COMING WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

YOU KNOW, IF SOME OF THE LEGISLATORS START TESTING POSITIVE THERE MAY BE A HURRY TO GET OUT OF HERE MORE QUICKLY.

>> TO THAT POINT THEY HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED I'M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD THAT THE LEGISLATOR LESS MEET FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15TH OFF TO ASSESS HOW THINGS HAVE GONE AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.

BUT IT'S A GOOD POINT.

MORE THINGS MIGHT HAVE TO BE PUT OFF TO THE SIDE THIS YEAR, DR. DAVIS, GIVEN HOW THE PANDEMIC UNFOLDS.

>> AND THE MONUMENT ISSUE IS ONE THAT CAN JUST EAT TIME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ALSO YOU GET PRESS FOR IT.

YOU GET INTERVIEWED.

>> YES.

>> AND I THINK IN THAT SENSE IT DOES NOT EASILY GO AWAY.

AND IT'S ONE EVERYBODY CAN GET THEIR ARMS AROUND WHETHER YOU'RE FOR MONUMENTS OR GUESS THEM.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT IS EASY TO FOLLOW.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP GAMBLING.

SENATOR DEL MARSH ANNOUNCED HE WILL BE DROPPING A COMPREHENSIVE LOTTERY BILL WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

MANY ARE WONDERING IF THIS MAY BE THE YEAR FINALLY GIVEN THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE THAT SHE PUT TOGETHER LAST YEAR.

AND THE GOVERNORS HAVE AN 800 PAGE STUDY THAT WAS GIVEN TO THEM WITH A LOT OF FACTS AND FIGURES THEY HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN ARMED WITH.

>> I THINK THE GAMBLING ISSUE -- THE WATERS HAVE BEEN MUDDIED BY THE VARIOUS FACTIONS THAT WANT TO PROMOTE THEIR BRAND AND THEIR STYLE OF GAMBLING AND THE INFLUENCE THEY WILD IN THE STATEHOUSE.

AND I THINK THAT THE STUDY GROUP HELPED SORT OF CLARIFY THE ISSUES FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

HOW DOES PULLING ONE LEVER ON THE GAMBLE ISSUE AFFECT THE OTHER LEVERS?

I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO MANY OF THE MEMBERS YET ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE GAMBLING REPORT BUT I KNOW IT WAS APPRECIATED AND RECEIVED WELL AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION.

SOME FOLKS HAVE SAID THAT -- I HAVE SEEN THE NEWS STORIES WHERE SOME FOLKS SAID THEY DIDN'T GET ANYTHING NEW OUT OF IT.

WELL, I THINK WHAT IS NEW IS THAT YOU HAVE AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT NOW THAT IS PUT TOGETHER BY A WELL APPOINTED COMMISSION THAT REALLY SPENT SOME TIME AND DID SERIOUS RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE SO THERE'S A TROPHY OF INFORMATION THERE FROM WHICH TO DRAW YOUR OPINIONS AND CONCLUSIONS FROM.

>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT AGAIN.

THIS IS A LIVE SHOT OF THE PODIUM AT THE CAPITOL WHERE GOVERNOR IVEY WILL BE DELIVERING HER 2021 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

AGAIN, WE JOIN HER SPEECH RIGHT AROUND 6:30 OR SO, AS SOON AS SHE STEPPED UP TO THE PODIUM.

IN THE MEANTIME OUR GUESTS ARE NATALIE DAVIS, PROFESSOR EMERITUS FROM BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN AND FORMER ADVICE TORE GOVERNOR RILEY, BRYAN -- FROM BIRMINGHAM.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

THE GAMBLING ISSUE, THERE'S A LOT OF POLLING OUT, DR. DAVIS, WHICH SUGGESTS PEOPLE ARE READY TO APPROVE THIS.

SO OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, AND IF THE LEGISLATURE PASSES IT, IT WOULD ULTIMATELY GO UP FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

>> EVERY POLL I HAVE EVER SEEN SHOWS THERE'S SUPPORT FOR A LOTTERY, WHETHER IT'S PLURALITY OR -- THE TYPICAL NUMBER IS BETWEEN 55 AND 60 PERCENT.

BUT THAT DOESN'T GET PEOPLE UP OUT OF THEIR CHAIRS TO VOTE FOR IT.

THEY MAY DRIVE TO GEORGIA OR FLORIDA OR MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE TO GAMBLE, BUT FOR SOME REASON IT DOESN'T HIT THEM THAT THE VOTE COUNTS.

SO THE STUDY GROUP DID DO A GREAT JOB OF SEPARATING OUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CASINO MONEY AND WHAT THAT LARGES COULD BE, LOTTERY MONEY.

THEY EVEN SAID YOU COULD GET $10 MILLION OFF OF SPORTS BETTING.

AND THEN THERE'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER COMMISSION TO STUDY -- I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT THE TRUTH IS, THE LOTTERY IS THE THING THAT COULD PASS.

WHETHER IT GETS THAT FAR, I DON'T KNOW.

AGAIN, IT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

IT CAN'T HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S STUDY GROUP SAID THE STATE COULD REALIZE $700 MILLION OR SO FROM A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING BILL, ALL COMBINED, SPORTS CASINOS AND GAMBLING AND THE LIKE.

IT WOULD COME AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE CAREFULLY BUDGETING.

LUCKILY OUR STATE BUDGETS DIDN'T TAKE MAJOR HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC, BECAUSE THEY COULD HAVE, AND MANY ARE THANKING LAWMAKERS WHO PUT TOGETHER SMART BUDGETING PRACTICES THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS FOR GETTING US THROUGH THIS DESPITE THE LOVES THE ECONOMY.

SO A LOTTERY COULD PUMP US UP EVEN FURTHER.

>> IT COULD.

I THINK DR. DAVIS MAKES A GREAT POINT.

YOU MAY SEE POLL -- AND I TOLD MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES AND FORMER COLLEAGUES THE SAME THING.

YOU MAY SEE A POLL THAT SAYS(6) 5 PERCENT OF ALABAMA SUPPORTS A LOTTERY.

I THINK THE MORE ACCURATE WAY OF LOOKING AT THE POLLS IS 65 PERCENT OF ALABAMAS IS OKAY WITH A LOTTERY.

BUT IT'S A MUCH SMALLER OF THOSE THAT ARE ACTUALLY -- THAT THAT'S A ONE ISSUE VOTE FOR THEM, AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET UP AND VOTE IN A SPECIAL ELECTION OR IN A GENERAL ELECTION THEY WOULDN'T OTHERWISE VOTE IN.

SO IT'S A QUESTION OF INTENSITY.

AND I HAVEN'T SEEN THE CROSS TABS ON THE POLLS.

I DO REMEMBER WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, AS YOU KNOW, DON, I TOOK A POSITION THAT WAS, I GUESS, ANTI GAMBLING IS WHAT YOU WOULD CALL IT.

NOT A MORALIST POSITION, STRICTLY A POLICY AND ECONOMIC POSITION THAT I TOOK.

BUT PEOPLE WOULD FREQUENTLY COME TO ME, THE FOLKS WHO WANTED TO LEGALIZE AND EXPAND GAMBLING WOULD COME TO ME WITH POLLS SAYING, HEY, MORE THAN HALF OF ALABAMA IS FOR THIS.

AND I WOULD FLIP OVER THE CROSS TABS AND SAY THE INTENSITY -- THESE ARE PEOPLE NOT NECESSARILY OPPOSED TO IT BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO LEGALIZE GAMBLING YOU HAVE TO GET A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSED MEANING 3/5 OF THE LEGISLATURE AND MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION AT A SPECIAL OR GENERAL ELECTION.

>> THE OTHER PIECE OF THAT IS THAT YOU HAVE TWO GROUPS ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE ETIOLOGICAL SPECTRUM.

YOU HAVE THE RELIGIOUS SIDE OF THE ISSUE WHICH BELIEVES IT'S SINFUL.

THEN YOU'VE GOT THE PROGRESSIVE LEFT WHO ARE SAYING IT'S A TAX ON THE POOR.

IT'S JUST AN INTERESTING JUXTAPOSITION.

SO THERE ARE FOLKS IN THE MIDDLE, SOME WHO SAY I'M OKAY WITH IT, PROBABLY WOULDN'T DO IT BUT IT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> BUT YOU DO WONDER IF FOR SOME REASON NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WOULD BE THE PANDEMIC, THE SESSION GETS CUT SHORT AGAIN THIS YEAR THE LOTTERY MIGHT BE LAID ON THE TABLE AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> IT MIGHT.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT SIX MINUTES OR SO BEFORE THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

I WANT TO TOUCH BRIEFLY ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

BRYAN, THIS IS BACK THIS YEAR.

THE SENATE PASSED IT LAST YEAR AND SENATOR TIM NELSON OF FLORENCE, WHO IS A PHYSICIAN, WILL TRY AGAIN.

IT'S A CONTROVERSIAL BY NATURE POSITION.

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S SIMILAR TO THE GAMBLING ISSUE IN THAT IF IT DOESN'T GET DONE THIS YEAR IT'S NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.

NOBODY WANTS TO MAKE THAT VOTE IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH IT THIS YEAR.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A QUESTION OF HOW FAR IT GOES.

BUT CERTAINLY THE INDUSTRY IS ANTICIPATING AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR-FOOT IN THE DOOR HERE IN ALABAMA.

THAT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO WATCH.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE, DR. DAVIS, HAVE SAID THEY WERE SURPRISED IT GOT AS FAR AS IT DID IN LAST YEAR'S SESSION.

>> AND I THINK -- I WOULDN'T GIVE UP ON IT THIS YEAR.

I THINK IT DOES HAVE BROAD-BASED SUPPORT.

AND THAT IS ONE WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.

I WANTED TO RAISE ONE MORE.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL COME UP.

BUT THERE'S A -- A REJECTION OF THE ACA IN TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE.

>> THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

>> THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

>> AND THAT ALABAMA CAN STILL GET IN ON THIS AND START FROM GROUND ZERO.

THAT IS THEY WOULD STILL GET -- WE WOULDN'T PAY ANYTHING UP UNTIL 8TH OR 9TH YEAR AND THEN IT'S 25 PERCENT.

THE ORIGINAL BILL WAS 10 PERCENT.

BUT A LOT OF RED STATES HAVE GONE THAT ROUTE BECAUSE IT JUST MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE F YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WORRYING ABOUT MEDICAID SPENDING AND SO ON IT MIGHT BE A GOOD ANSWER.

>> SPEAKING OF MEDICAID EXPANDING NATALIE, THAT IS A DEMOCRATIC PRIORITY AGAIN THIS YEAR, ALTHOUGH IT NEVER GOES VERY FAR IN THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

>> IT'S TOUGH.

BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH POLITICAL VERVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> AND WE HAVE THIS INSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM AS YOU KNOW EVERY YEAR IN THE GENERAL FUND.

IF YOU TAKE THE INCREASE, THE EXPANSION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, HOW DO YOU PAY THE STATE STATE'S SHARE?

LIKE YOU SAID THIS YEAR, THE BUDGETS LOOK PRETTY STABLE.

AND I THINK I HEARD EARLIER TODAY THAT MEDICAID'S BUDGET REQUEST IS ACTUALLY 50 MILLION LESS THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR.

BUT IN MORE DIFFICULT YEARS WHEN MEDICAID'S ASKING FOR MORE AND MORE MONEY THE QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU PAY THE STATE'S SHARE IF YOU EXPAND THE MEDICAID PROGRAM?

>> IF YOU HAVE EIGHT OR NINE YEARS TO PLAN FOR IT.

>> WELL, THAT'S TRUE.

>> I WANT TO TOUCH BRIEFLY BEFORE WE GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH, ON A BILL THAT WILL BE IN SENATE COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

IT'S BACK TO THE PANDEMIC ISSUE.

AND IT DEALS WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER.

A LOT OF EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC TO THE SCOPE OF THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER'S AUTHORITY TO ISSUE ORDERS DURING A PANDEMIC, AND THERE'S A MOVE TO -- FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO PUT IT -- TO REIGN IN THAT AUTHORITY, TO GIVE THE LEGISLATURE MORE OF A SAY IN THIS ISSUE.

AS FORMER LAWMAKER, BRYAN, WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT THIS?

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF TALK.

THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THE PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD IS GOING TO STRONGLY OPPOSE ANY CHANGE I THINK TO THE MAKEUP OF HOW THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER IS SELECTED.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE HEARD MUCH APPETITE FOR CHANGING THAT THIS YEAR, ALTHOUGH IT HAS -- THE MICROSCOPE CERTAINLY HAS BEEN PUT ON THE SUBJECT.

Don: INDEED.

I SPOKE WITH LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, AND HE HAS SAID HE SUPPORTS SUCH A MOVE BUT IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL WITH OUR CURRENT OFFICER, DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

HE SAID HE HAS DONE A GREAT, GREAT JOB BUT WHO IS TO SAY 10 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD THERE'S NOT A NEW HEALTH OFFICER WHO MIGHT BE MORE POWER HUNGRY AND MIGHT ABUSE THE POWERS SO IT BRINGS UP AN INTERESTING DEBATE.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE POLITICIZING THIS ANY MORE THAN IT HAS BEEN NATIONALLY.

CAN YOU IMAGINE -- WELL, MY COUNTY NEEDS MUCH MORE THAN YOUR COUNTY DOES.

IT'S JUST THE -- IT'S DIFFICULTY IF NOT INSANE.

>> AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS REALLY BETWEEN A ROCK AND HARD PLACE RIGHT NOW, BRYAN WITH THE LACK OF VACCINE FOR THE DEMAND FOR IT.

DR. HARRIS TOLD US LAST FRIDAY THAT STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE BOOKED FOR APPOINTMENTS FOR ALL OF FEBRUARY AND MARCH, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE EXPANDING THE ELIGIBILITY CLASS NEXT WEEK.

SO THEY HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE.

>> IT'S -- YOU KNOW, WHO WOULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING, AT LEAST FOR THE STATE TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE OF THOSE SUBJECTS THAT IS EASY TO SIT BACK AND ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK AND CRITICIZE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU HAVE CAPABLE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN PLACE AND THAT SEEM TO BE DOING THE BEST JOB WITH THE INFORMATION AND THE RESOURCES THAT THEY HAVE.

>> LET'S TAKE LIVE LOOK AGAIN OVER AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AT ANY MOMENT NOW WILL BE MAKING HER WAY TO THE PODIUM THERE IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA TO DELIVER HER 2021 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

AND AGAIN WE POINT OUT.

IT'S A VERY UNIQUE ADDRESS THIS YEAR IN THAT THERE IS NO IN-PERSON AUDIENCE THERE AT THE CAPITOL AS THERE USUALLY S USUALLY WE WOULD BE IN THE OLD HOUSE CHAMBER AND IT WOULD BE FILLED WITH LAWMAKERS WHO WOULD APPLAUD.

HERE IS GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

>> GOV.

IVEY: MY FELLOW ALABAMIANS: I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TONIGHT JUST OUTSIDE THE OLD HOUSE CHAMBER IN THE ALABAMA STATE CAPITOL.

PREVIOUSLY, OTHER GOVERNORS AND I HAVE USED THAT HISTORIC CHAMBER TO KICK OFF A JOINT SESSION OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE FOR THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

TONIGHT, HOWEVER, IS DIFFERENT, JUST LIKE 2020 WAS DIFFERENT FROM EVERY OTHER YEAR IN MEMORY.

INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THE 140 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE IN PERSON, THE CAPITOL BUILDING IS EMPTY TONIGHT.

BECAUSE OF COVID-19, OUR LEGISLATORS HAVE APPROPRIATELY TAKEN THE ADDED PRECAUTION OF SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE FORMAL START TO THEIR REGULAR SESSION.

TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE LEGISLATURE, LET ME BEGIN WITH A WORD OF HEARTFELT THANKS.

THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH MY ADMINISTRATION AND ME AS, TOGETHER, WE HAVE LOOKED FOR GOOD IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES AND DEMANDS OF THIS PAST YEAR.

AND, I KNOW I SPEAK FOR EVERY ELECTED LEADER THROUGHOUT THE STATE WHEN I SAY WE ALL OWE THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US AS WE HAVE NAVIGATED ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YEARS IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, THIS TIME LAST YEAR THINGS WERE DIFFERENT, MUCH DIFFERENT.

AT 2.7 PERCENT, ALABAMA HAD THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

WE WERE SEEING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY ALL AROUND AND, WE WERE DEALING WITH THE WONDERFUL PROBLEM OF MORE JOBS THAN PEOPLE TO FILL THEM.

DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, ALABAMA - LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY - HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DEAL WITH ONE GIANT CHALLENGE AFTER ANOTHER.

IN ADDITION TO SOCIAL UNREST AND A POLARIZING NATIONAL ELECTION, WE ALSO HAD EIGHT FEDERAL DISASTER AND EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS IN THE STATE, INCLUDING A HURRICANE, A TROPICAL STORM AND FLOODS FROM ONE END OF THE STATE TO THE OTHER.

SO, MAKE NO MISTAKE, THERE WERE NO TEARS SHED WHEN WE BID GOODBYE TO 2020 A MONTH AGO.

WHILE THE YEAR TESTED BOTH OUR PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE, IT NEVER ONCE TESTED OUR FAITH.

DESPITE ALL THAT WAS THROWN AT US, ALABAMIANS REMAINED GROUNDED AND KEPT OUR RESOLVE.

YOU NEVER GAVE UP.

AND WHILE COVID-19 HAS PROVEN TO BE A WORTHY ADVERSARY WITH NO REGARD FOR CLASS, RACE OR GENDER, THE DISEASE HAS SHOWN US JUST HOW MUCH MORE WE CAN ACCOMPLISH IF WE WORK TOGETHER.

MANY SMALL BUSINESSES, RETAILERS AND RESTAURANT OWNERS UTILIZED CURBSIDE SERVICE TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN, ENSURING THEIR EMPLOYEES COULD CONTINUE RECEIVING A PAYCHECK AND THEIR CUSTOMERS COULD BE SERVED IN A SAFE WAY.

ALSO, OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS PROVED THEIR METTLE AS THEY HELPED FIGHT THE VIRUS AND KEEP US SAFE.

Y'ALL, NONE OF THIS HAS BEEN EASY.

WHETHER IT WAS DELAYING AN ELECTION, A WEDDING OR A FUNERAL, OR WEARING A MASK AND PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING, THIS DISEASE CREATED OBSTACLES WE ALL HAD TO OVERCOME.

BUT IT IS ALSO REVEALED THE “ANGELS AMONG US,” AS MY FRIEND RANDY OWEN AND THE BAND ALABAMA WOULD REMIND US BACK IN 1993, A SONG WRITTEN FOR THE CHALLENGES OF A DIFFERENT TIME, NEVERTHELESS, HIGHLIGHTING THE BEAUTY OF NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS EVEN AS WE ALL GET THROUGH LIFE'S DARKEST MOMENTS.

ONE OF THOSE DARK MOMENTS CAME JUST LAST WEEK, WITH THE DEADLY TORNADO THAT HIT FULTONDALE AND CENTER POINT.

WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO LOST SO MUCH AND RENEW OUR PLEDGE THAT WE WILL BE WITH THEM AS THEY PICK UP THE PIECES AND START TO REBUILD.

WHILE THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE TO THANK TONIGHT, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MAKE ONE EXCEPTION BY SINGLING OUT THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF OUR STATE HEALTH OFFICER, DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THERE ARE MANY THINGS WE WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY IF ONLY GIVEN THE CHANCE.

DR. HARRIS HAS BEEN A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL SINCE DAY ONE AND HE AND HIS TEAM'S TOP PRIORITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.

WHILE WE ARE STILL LIVING IN A CHALLENGING YEAR, I CAN REPORT WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER!

AS THE SUPPLY OF VACCINE INCREASES AND IS IN MORE ARMS, THE END OF COVID-19 IS CLOSER THAN EVER BEFORE.

MY FELLOW ALABAMIANS, MY PRAYER - AND OUR GOALS - FOR 2021, IS NOT JUST TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

INSTEAD, I WANT US TO LOOK AHEAD WITH CONFIDENCE TOWARD WHERE WE ASPIRE TO BE.

IT'S TIME TO SET BIG GOALS AND LAY OUT A BOLD VISION FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

THE FOUNDATION FOR THIS AGENDA BEGINS WITH A RESPECTFUL, HONEST RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS LEGISLATURE.

I HAVE FOUND IT HELPFUL TO SHOOT STRAIGHT, TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT AND ESTABLISH OUR PRIORITIES WITH A REALISTIC TIMELINE FOR WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND WHAT IS NOT.

WE HAVE ALSO ENDED A CRAZY YEAR BY MAINTAINING ALL FUNCTIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

MOREOVER, THERE WAS NO REASON TO EVEN MENTION “PRORATION,” OR REDUCING STATE SERVICES.

PAGE 3 OF 8 THANKS TO THE ONLINE SALES TAX THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2017, OUR STATE'S RECEIPTS REMAIN IN THE BLACK DESPITE AN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING YEAR FOR RETAIL.

AND INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT RAISING TAXES, ONE OF THE FIRST BILLS I WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS IS A MEASURE THAT WILL ENSURE EVERYONE WHO RECEIVED CARES ACT DOLLARS WILL NOT PAY ONE PENNY IN STATE INCOME TAXES ON THAT RELIEF.

AFTER ALL, THESE MONIES WERE MEANT TO TIDE PEOPLE OVER UNTIL THE ECONOMY RECOVERED; IT WAS NEVER MEANT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THE STATE'S BANK ACCOUNT.

ANOTHER BILL THAT IS A TOP PRIORITY IS TO RENEW OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES THAT WE HAVE USED FOR YEARS TO BUILD SUCH A STRONG, DIVERSE ECONOMY.

THE PIPELINE OF NEW COMPANIES LOOKING TO COME TO ALABAMA IS FULL, AND THESE TAX CREDITS HELP ENSURE WE ARE COMPETITIVE ENOUGH TO GET THEM.

I AM ALSO GRATEFUL THE LEGISLATURE IS POISED TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WILL PREVENT OUR BUSINESS AND MEDICAL COMMUNITIES FROM FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS THAT MIGHT COME BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

THEY AND OUR LEGAL COMMUNITY WORKED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

THESE ARE JUST THE FIRST OF THREE PRIORITY BILLS THAT I HOPE THE LEGISLATURE WILL SEND TO ME WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS OF THIS NEW SESSION.

WHEN THEY DO, I'LL BE SURE TO SIGN THEM INTO LAW WITHOUT HESITATION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, COMPARE THIS WITH THE DISCORD AND DIVISION OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN COMING FROM OUR NATION'S CAPITAL.

SADLY, THE CONTRAST IS STRIKING.

I'D LIKE TO AGAIN OFFER MY SINCERE THANKS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR DESIGNATING HOW WE WERE GOING TO GET $1.8 BILLION OF FEDERAL CARES ACT MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEEDED IT THE MOST.

I'M ALSO PROUD OF ALL THE DEPARTMENTS IN MY ADMINISTRATION FOR HOW THEY RESPONDED TO THE PANDEMIC.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WORKED WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THE LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE EVERY PENNY WAS SPENT WISELY.

AND WHETHER IT WAS OUR INITIAL “REVIVE ALABAMA” SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM THAT GOT MORE THAN $96 MILLION TO NEARLY 8,000 SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, OR THE REVIVE-PLUS PROGRAM A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHICH APPROVED CLOSE TO 11,000 APPLICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN $198 MILLION, OUR MISSION WAS CLEAR AND SIMPLE, THIS MONEY NEVER BELONGED TO THE STATE, IT ALWAYS BELONGED TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD THAT THESE GRANTS WENT TO 941 VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES AND MORE THAN 4,100 MINORITY- OWNED BUSINESSES.

I'M ALSO GRATEFUL WE FOUND WAYS TO HELP OUR STATE'S NON-PROFITS, FAITH-BASED ENTITIES, AGRIBUSINESS AND OTHER GROUPS.

WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO REPLACE CRITICAL FUNDING INTO OUR STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT ON EMPLOYER PAYROLL TAXES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

WHILE 2020 PRESENTED A HOST OF CHALLENGES, THE YEAR ALSO GAVE US OPPORTUNITIES TO DO SOME BIG THINGS SUCH AS WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AUTHORITY BOND.

THIS $1.25 BILLION INVESTMENT SENT MONEY TO EVERY K-12 SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND TO ALL OF OUR TWO- AND FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES.

THE PROCEEDS OF THIS BOND WILL BE TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR YEARS TO COME.

WHETHER IT WAS ASSISTING TALLASSEE HIGH SCHOOL REPLACE A 92-YEAR-OLD BUILDING OR UAB'S NEW GENOMICS FACILITY OR A NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA, THESE PROJECTS - AND OTHERS - WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ALABAMIANS.

FEW AREAS WERE MORE CHALLENGED IN 2020 THAN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

IN FACT, OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WERE AMONG THE FIRST WHO WERE AFFECTED BY COVID-19.

LAST MARCH, WHEN WE ENTERED A STATE OF EMERGENCY, WE ANNOUNCED OUR SCHOOLS WOULD BE CLOSED TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION UNTIL WE COULD WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

LITTLE DID WE KNOW THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR - AND THE CURRENT ONE -WOULD BE CHALLENGED.

UTILIZING CARES ACT DOLLARS, WE INVESTED MORE THAN $434 MILLION INTO OUR CLASSROOMS WITH $70 MILLION GOING DIRECTLY TO LOCAL SYSTEMS FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIMITING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN OUR SCHOOLS.

ANOTHER PROGRAM WE CHAMPIONED WAS WHAT WE CALLED ABC FOR STUDENTS WHERE WE ALLOCATED $50 MILLION FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO RECEIVE INTERNET THROUGH THIS CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR FOR REMOTE LEARNING.

WHILE MANY PARENTS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS STRUGGLED THROUGH THIS FORM OF INSTRUCTION, THEY ALL DESERVE PRAISE FOR HAVING THE DETERMINATION AND PATIENCE TO KEEP WORKING TO GET IT RIGHT.

AS A RESULT, MY BUDGET PROPOSES A TWO PERCENT PAY INCREASE AS A WAY TO EXPRESS OUR STATE'S GRATITUDE TO OUR TEACHERS WHO ROSE TO THE CHALLENGE DURING AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME FOR OUR STATE.

I WILL ALSO RECOMMEND THAT OUR STATE EMPLOYEES RECEIVE THIS SAME INCREASE.

AS THE OLD SAYING GOES “THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT,” AND WE SHOULD EXPRESS OUR THANKS FOR THESE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO KEEP OUR STATE RUNNING.

MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE WHAT WE KNOW WORKS - A FOCUS ON OUR NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED PRE-K PROGRAM, A SOLID FOUNDATION OF READING AND STEM EDUCATION, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING TEACHERS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS.

I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT OUR STUDENTS NEED TO GET BACK TO THE CLASSROOM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

ACROSS THE BOARD REMOTE LEARNING WAS ALWAYS INTENDED TO BE TEMPORARY.

TAKE IT FROM A FORMER ECONOMICS TEACHER, NOTHING REPLACES IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION AND, UNFORTUNATELY, DURING COVID-19, MANY STUDENTS HAVE FALLEN BEHIND.

CATCHING OUR STUDENTS UP WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT OR DURING THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOL HOURS.

AS SUCH, I AM URGING ALL OUR SCHOOLS TO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN YOUR LOCAL AREA; THIS WILL BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER BEFORE TO BE INNOVATIVE AND CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUMMER AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

ANOTHER PLACE WHERE COVID-19 EXPOSED A WEAK LINK IN OUR STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE WAS IN THE AREA OF BROADBAND AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.

THANKFULLY, THE LEGISLATURE IS ALREADY COMMITTED TO WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS DEFICIENCY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO PARTNER WITH THEM TO ASSIST INTERNET PROVIDERS TO EXTEND SERVICE FOR THE UNDERSERVED AREAS OF OUR STATE.

AND JUST LAST WEEK, I PARTNERED WITH CSPIRE FOR THEIR $500 MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN ALABAMA OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THIS INVESTMENT WILL PROVIDE BROADBAND TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN OUR STATE AND CREATE 250 JOBS.

THESE INVESTMENTS AND THE COMMITMENT OF ELECTED LEADERS, WILL MAKE GREAT HEADWAY IN THIS CRITICAL AREA OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

LAST YEAR, WE FUNDED - AND WILL SOON OPEN BY MAY 2021 - THREE NEW CRISIS CENTERS TO SERVE AS A SAFE PLACE FOR THOSE NEEDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

ESTABLISHED ALONG THE I-65 CORRIDOR IN MOBILE, MONTGOMERY AND HUNTSVILLE, THESE CENTERS WERE MEANT TO SERVE AS PILOT PROGRAMS WITH THE INTENTION OF EXPANDING INTO MORE COMMUNITIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WITH STRONG LEADERSHIP IN THE DEPARTMENT AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE, WE ARE PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF NEW TOOLS TO DIVERT INDIVIDUALS FROM HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS AND LOCAL JAILS.

TONIGHT, I'M PLEASED TO PROPOSE A $46 MILLION INVESTMENT TO EXPAND 96 BEDS AT THE TAYLOR HARDIN FACILITY IN TUSCALOOSA AND ANOTHER $6 MILLION FOR AN ADDITIONAL CRISIS DIVERSION CENTER.

BUILDING UPON THE PERSONAL COMMITMENT OF GOVERNOR LURLEEN WALLACE, MY ADMINISTRATION WILL MAINTAIN OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE CRITICAL EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION REGARDLESS OF THEIR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

A YEAR AGO, ALABAMA'S RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.7 PERCENT.

HOWEVER, THAT NUMBER GREW TO 13.3 PERCENT BY APRIL 2020.

BY DECEMBER, OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS BACK DOWN TO 3.9%, THE LOWEST SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THE ECONOMIC FOUNDATION WE HAVE BUILT IN ALABAMA OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS PROVEN TO BE SOLID, MAKING OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY A KEY REASON WHY I AM SO OPTIMISTIC FOR THE FUTURE.

WITH HELP FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, OUR BUSINESSES SHOWED RESILIENCY AND FLEXIBILITY AS MANY MANUFACTURERS PIVOTED TO MAKE FACE MASKS AND PPE IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

NOW, ALABAMA COMPANIES ARE MAKING THE VIALS FOR THE VACCINE AND EXPANDING OPERATIONS WITHIN THE STATE TO PROVIDE MASKS NATIONWIDE.

THERE IS REASON FOR CONTINUED HOPE IN OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH.

ONE SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY, ALABAMA'S AUTO INDUSTRY, HASN'T BEEN SLOWED BY THE PANDEMIC.

IN 2021, MAZDA TOYOTA IN HUNTSVILLE WILL HIT AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE OF HIRING AROUND 3,000 PRODUCTION WORKERS, AND THEIR SUPPLIERS ARE HIRING THOUSANDS MORE.

HYUNDAI IS ALSO MAKING A MAJOR INVESTMENT THIS YEAR AT ITS MONTGOMERY FACILITY TO INTRODUCE TWO NEW MODELS TO ITS ALABAMA PRODUCTION LINEUP - THE SANTA CRUZ CROSSOVER AND THE TUCSON SUV.

HONDA IS LAUNCHING THE MASS PRODUCTION OF THE NEXT-GENERATION RIDGELINE PICKUP.

AND MERCEDES-BENZ IS NOW RAMPING UP TO BUILD TWO NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLES AT ITS PLANT IN VANCE, PROPELLING CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN IN COMMUNITIES SUCH AS JASPER, MUSCLE SHOALS, GREENVILLE AND ALEX CITY.

LAST YEAR, I WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND STRONG CORPORATE PARTNERS TO LAUNCH A COMMISSION FOCUSING ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION CALLED “INNOVATE ALABAMA,” WHICH IS DESIGNED TO HELP BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND STARTUP COMPANIES.

SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO DR. CONDOLEEZZA RICE, AN ALABAMA NATIVE, WHO SERVES AS CHAIR OF THE INNOVATE ALABAMA ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

ALABAMA HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF DEVELOPING NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY AND WORLD A BETTER PLACE BUT, NOW, WE ARE ENGAGING OUR STATE'S TRAILBLAZERS TO COME UP WITH NEW IDEAS AND POLICIES THAT WILL SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS FOR THE FUTURE.

WHEN I BECAME GOVERNOR IN APRIL OF 2017, I THREW MY SUPPORT BEHIND AN EFFORT TO REBUILD OUR STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR ROADS, BRIDGES, AND EVEN OUR STATE PORT NEEDED SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES.

ON MY SECOND DAY ON THE JOB, I PUBLICLY SUPPORTED THE LEGISLATURE'S EFFORTS NOW KNOWN AS “REBUILD ALABAMA.” MY FELLOW CITIZENS, IF YOU ARE TRAVELING DOWN A ROAD OR HIGHWAY AND SEE A BLUE SIGN THAT SAYS “ANOTHER PROJECT TO REBUILD ALABAMA,” THAT IS PROOF OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT WISELY AND TRANSPARENTLY TO IMPROVE SAFETY, INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND SUPPORT COMMERCE.

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS PROGRAM, ALABAMA INVESTED OVER 127 MILLION NEW DOLLARS IN CHEROKEE, LIMESTONE, MADISON, AUTAUGA AND TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES ON PROJECTS TO PROVIDE INTERSTATE CONNECTIVITY AND MUCH NEEDED REPAIRS.

ADDITIONALLY, 27 CITY AND COUNTY PROJECTS WERE ANNOUNCED JUST LAST YEAR.

THIS IS ON TOP OF OTHER LOCAL PROJECTS AND ONGOING REPAIRS ALL OVER THE STATE.

FRIENDS, IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

TONIGHT, I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH A PROJECT THAT OTHER GOVERNORS HAVE TALKED ABOUT BUT, UNTIL NOW, NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO.

LATER THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO TURN THE SHOVEL ON A LONG DISCUSSED FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY 43 FROM THOMASVILLE TO TUSCALOOSA.

THIS WILL PROVIDE INTERSTATE CONNECTIVITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY RURAL COUNTIES IN ALABAMA'S BLACK BELT BETWEEN THE CITIES OF MOBILE AND TUSCALOOSA.

I AM ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE PLANS TO CONNECT TWO MORE RURAL COUNTIES WITH FOUR-LANE ACCESS IN GENEVA AND FAYETTE COUNTIES-- AND PLANS FOR OTHERS ARE UNDER DEVELOPMENT.

FOLKS, OUR ROADS ARE THE ARTERIES OF ALABAMA'S COMMERCE.

THESE PROJECTS ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY THAT WE'LL USE TO OPEN DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY TO ALL OUR PEOPLE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT WE CAN'T HAVE SAFE ROADS WITHOUT HAVING STATE TROOPERS PATROLLING THEM.

IN 2020, THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WAS ABLE TO RECRUIT, TRAIN AND GRADUATE 123 NEW TROOPERS.

THEY HAVE ALSO ADDED SWORN PERSONNEL TO OUR WATERWAYS AND GULF COAST.

I WOULD BE REMISS IN NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE CHALLENGES OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE FACE EVERY DAY AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE THEY MAKE TO KEEP US SAFE.

WE CAN NEVER SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH.

ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUES FACING OUR STATE IS THE DIRE CONDITION OF OUR PRISONS.

IT IS NO SECRET THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS FACED SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAT ARE A RESULT OF DECADES OF NEGLECT.

RESOLVING THESE REQUIRE A MULTI-FACETED STRATEGY AND IMMEDIATE ACTION.

THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR ONGOING EFFORTS IS THE ALABAMA PRISON PROGRAM - A BOLD UNDERTAKING TO REPLACE THE STATE'S AGING AND FAILING PRISON INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SAFE, NEW, SUSTAINABLE AND AFFORDABLE MEN'S PRISONS.

I HAVE SIGNED A LEASE ON THE FIRST TWO OF THESE PRISONS - TO BE LOCATED IN ESCAMBIA AND ELMORE COUNTIES - AND I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE SOON WILL COMPLETE OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE DEVELOPERS WHOSE PROPOSALS QUALIFIED THEM TO CONSTRUCT NEW PRISONS.

NOT ONLY WILL THESE MODERN FACILITIES IMPROVE PRISON CONDITIONS AND SAFETY FOR BOTH ALABAMA'S CORRECTIONAL STAFF AND INMATES, THEY WILL ALSO BE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE INMATE REHABILITATION.

REHABILITATED INMATES ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO REOFFEND AND MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED.

IT IS INCUMBENT UPON ALL OF US TO MAKE THIS INVESTMENT WHICH WILL, OVER TIME, HELP MAKE ALL OUR COMMUNITIES, AND ALL OF US, SAFER.

WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS, AND I AM GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF SO MANY IN THE LEGISLATURE AS WE SEEK TO IMPROVE OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAWS.

SINCE 1999, OVER 180 GAMBLING BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

HOWEVER, YOU'VE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

LAST YEAR, I ASKED THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA TO TRUST ME TO GATHER ALL THE FACTS ON WHAT HAS BEEN ENDLESSLY DEBATED IN OUR STATE BUT NEVER ADOPTED.

MY FIRST ACTION WAS TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP OF SOME OF ALABAMA'S MOST DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS TO PRESENT US THE FACTS SO WE CAN MAKE THE MOST INFORMED DECISION POSSIBLE.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK OF THIS GROUP, AND THEY HAVE DELIVERED A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF BOTH THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF EXPANDED GAMBLING.

I'VE NEVER BEEN AN OUT-FRONT CHAMPION ON THIS ISSUE, BUT I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA SHOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY.

IF ESTABLISHED IN AN ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT MANNER, GOOD CAN COME FROM THIS EFFORT.

THE CURRENT SYSTEM ONLY COSTS THE STATE MONEY AND YOU, THE PEOPLE, DON'T BENEFIT IN ANY WAY.

I AM CONFIDENT THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE THOUGHTFUL AND DELIBERATE AS THEY DEBATE THIS ISSUE.

BUT LET ME BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, THIS MUST BE A TRANSPARENT PROCESS - WITH NO DEALS BEING CUT UNDER THE TABLE.

IF SOMETHING DOES NOT PASS THE SMELL TEST, I'LL SURE LET YOU KNOW.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO GIVE ALABAMIANS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE, ONCE AND FOR ALL, IF A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO GAMBLING IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STATE.

AS I REFLECT ON ALL THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS PAST YEAR, ONE MOMENT THAT RISES ABOVE THE REST WAS THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OUR STATE EXTENDED TO THE LATE CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS.

ALTHOUGH HE REPRESENTED ATLANTA IN CONGRESS, THIS PIKE COUNTY NATIVE NEVER FORGOT WHERE HE CAME FROM.

WITH HIS PASSING, HE WAS GIVEN THE DISTINCT HONOR OF BEING THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO LIE IN REPOSE IN OUR STATE CAPITOL.

AFTER MARCHING ACROSS THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE IN SELMA AS A YOUNG MAN, JOHN LEWIS WENT ON TO BECOME A LEGENDARY LEADER FOR CIVIL RIGHTS ALONGSIDE OTHER GIANTS OF THE MOVEMENT LIKE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND REV.

FRED SHUTTLESWORTH.

TO HONOR HIS FINAL WISHES IN THIS WAY WAS SIMPLY THE PROPER THING TO DO.

IT WAS INCREDIBLY MOVING TO SEE PEOPLE OF ALL RACES, RELIGIONS AND POLITICAL PARTIES STAND IN LINE FOR HOURS TO PAY HOMAGE TO, AS HE CALLED HIMSELF, THE “BOY FROM TROY.”.

TO QUOTE JOHN LEWIS, “EVERY GENERATION LEAVES BEHIND A LEGACY.

WHAT THAT LEGACY WILL BE IS DETERMINED BY THE PEOPLE OF THAT GENERATION.”.

I HOPE THAT AS ALABAMA CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS, WE REMEMBER THE LESSONS OF HISTORY.

WE MUST CONSIDER OUR CHALLENGES AHEAD AS MORE THAN MOMENTARY STRUGGLES AND VIEW THEM IN THE LENSES OF OUR LEGACY.

REMEMBER, THERE IS NOTHING WE CANNOT ACHIEVE WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.

MY FELLOW ALABAMIANS, GOOD NIGHT.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS EACH OF YOU AND THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA.

Don: GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SPEAKING TO US FROM THE ROTUNDA OF THE STATE CAPITOL IN MONTGOMERY ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO; AND AGAIN, A VERY UNUSUAL STATE OF STATE ADDRESS AS SHE WAS ALONE THERE DELIVERING HER REMARKS.

LAWMAKERS WHO ARE USUALLY IN THE AUDIENCE IN THE OLD HOUSE CHAMBER ARE SPREAD OUTDOOR HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE AND WERE WATCHING HER REMARKS REMOTELY TONIGHT.

WE'RE AGAIN JOINED IN OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" STUDIO BY DR. NATALIE DAVIS, PROFESSOR EMERITUS FROM BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE, AND BRYAN TAYLOR FORMER STATE SENATOR AND LEGAL ADVICE TORE GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

THAT YOU BODIES FOR BEING HERE.

DR. DAVIS, ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR STAND OUT IN THE GOVERNOR'S REMARKS?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING IN THAT THERE WAS NO AUDIENCE TO APPLAUD IN THESE SPEECHES.

EVERY FEW SENTENCES, IT RAISES EVERYBODY UP.

AND I WONDER OF THE ISSUES THAT SHE MENTIONED, WOULD THERE HAVE BEEN SPONTANEOUS APPLAUSE.

>> THIS WAS MUCH MORE LIKE AN ADDRESS TO THE NATION FROM THE OVAL OFFICE CERTAINLY, WITHOUT THE APPLAUSE AND THE AUDIENCE THERE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE WERE ANY HUGE APPLAUSE LINES.

WHAT I NOTICED THAT A REAL DEMONSTRATION AND WHAT I THINK HAS MADE THE GOVERNOR A POPULAR GOVERNOR NOT ONLY WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE BUT ALSO WITH THIS LEGISLATURE.

SHE'S ABLE TO SPEAK IN UNIFYING LANGUAGE.

I THINK SHE ADDRESSED SORT OF THE NO-NONSENSE ISSUES THAT SHE HAS FOCUSED ON DURING HER ADMINISTRATION CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, BUILDING JOBS, AND THEN CLOSING WITH A TRIBUTE TO JOHN LEWIS I THOUGHT WAS A NICE TOUCH.

THAT SPEAKS TO A LARGE SEGMENT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT WANTS TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT LISTENS TO THEM AND KNOWS THEIR CONCERNS.

>> BRYAN, WE TALKED EARLIER IN THE SHOW ABOUT THE BUDGETS BEING IN PRETTY STABLE CONDITION GIVEN WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR FEELS CONFIDENT IN PROPOSING A 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AS WELL IN THE MIDST OF AN ONGOING PANDEMIC, I THINK, SPEAKS PRETTY STRONGLY ABOUT OUR SMART BUDGETING HERE IN THE STATE.

>> WELL, I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS COMFORTABLE WITH THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO SETA SIDE DOLLARS, RANDY DAY ACCOUNTS, BUDGET RESERVE ACCOUNTS, TO WHETHER THE STORM, IF YOU WILL, AND IT'S REALLY AMAZING THAT THE STATE HAS DONE AS WELL AS IT HAS DURING THIS TIME.

>> AND I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW, I DIDN'T ADD EVERYTHING UP BUT THERE'S A LOT OF NEW SPENDING HERE.

$52 MILLION ON MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND SO ON.

THE FIRST THING THAT -- YOU KNOW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING, HER LINE WAS, "THERE'S NOTHING WE CANNOT ACHIEVE WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER."

WHERE HAVE WE HEARD THAT BEFORE?

A GUY IN WASHINGTON IN THE OVAL OFFICE NOW.

THE FIRST THING I MENTIONED WAS HER PAYING TRIBUTE TO SCOTT HARRIS, THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS A MESSAGE TO THOSE WHO MAY WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT HIM OR CHANGE THE NATURE OF HIS APPOINTMENT, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN INTERESTING RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE SHE MENTIONED THAT.

>> IT'S INTERESTING WHEN YOU BRING UP DR. HARRIS.

BRYAN, HE HAS BEEN CITED A LOT FOR WORKING VERY COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE GOVERNOR IN MAKING THESE CRUCIAL HEALTH DECISIONS OVER THE LAST YEAR.

>> AND I THINK THEY HAVE HAD TO.

THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER ISSUES THE ORDERS AND HAS THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO DO THAT BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS COME ALONG AND SHOULD HAVE HAD DOZENS OF EMERGENCY PROCLAMATIONS TO SHORE UP AND TO SUPPORT THE DECISIONS THAT HE HAS MADE ALONG THE WAY.

SO I IN THE THAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS THE THEY HAVE FAITH IN DR. HARRIS.

>> IT WAS NOTABLE, I AGREE, THAT SHE BROUGHT HIM UP PERSONALLY.

OBVIOUSLY SOME OF THE EMERGENCY ORDERS HAVE HAD A CONTROVERSIAL NATURE TO THEM.

>> AND I THINK ALSO IT'S VERY CLEAR FROM WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY, SHE HAS A REAL COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION.

LAST YEAR SHE MADE THE SAME SORT OF COMMENTS ABOUT HOW THE CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE AND SO ON, WHERE SHE ADDED A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY, THEY GOT RAISES AGAIN LAST YEAR AND IT WAS YEARS SINCE THEY HAD GOTTEN SIGNIFICANT RAISES, THE TEACHERS AND THE STATE EMPLOYEES.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS GOOD, WITH THIS BUSINESS OF WANTING TO CREATE PROGRAMS TO CATCH UP STUDENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND BECAUSE OF ONLINE, AND THE NEED TO EXPAND MORE BROADBAND TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO REALLY CAN'T GET TO SCHOOL RIGHT NOW?

Don: THE GOVERNOR MENTION SHE IS A FORMER TEACHER AND HAS A CERTAIN PASSION FOR THIS.

AND SHE HAS BEEN SAYING FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WE NEED TO GET STUDENTS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM PHYSICALLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE LEARNING CURVE SUFFERING ONLINE VERSUS IN PERSON.

AND SHE MENTIONED IN HER SPEECH TONIGHT PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO HELP TUTOR STUDENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE FALLEN BEHIND!

WELL, I THINK CERTAINLY SHE SPEAKS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A TEACHER HERSELF, AND SHE MENTIONED THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT ALSO SPEAKS TO PARENTS OUT THERE.

I MEAN THERE ARE LOT OF PARENTS WHO ARE WORKING A FULL-TIME JOB.

AND WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT, THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE KIDS, HOW AM I GOING TO MANAGE THIS IS AND CONTINUE TO PUT BREAD ON THE TABLE HERE AT HOME.

SO THINGS -- LIKE DR. DAVIS JUST MENTIONED, EXPANDING BROADBAND AND INTERNET ACCESS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES IS IMPORTANT ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS RIGHT NOW.

>> WHERE THE LOTTERY IS CONCERNED, I THOUGHT SOME OF HER COMMENTS WERE CONCERNED.

SHE SAID LAWMAKERS WE HAVE EQUIPPED YOU WITH A LOT OF INFORMATION WITH MY TASK FORCE'S 8-00 PAGE REPORT, BUT SHE MENTIONED SHE'S NEVER BAN STRONG PROPONENT OF THE LOTTERY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, BUT HE IS FOR THE VOTERS HAVING THEIR SAY ON THIS ISSUE, AND SHE SAID -- I THINK HER WORDS WERE IF THIS DOESN'T PASS THE SMELL TEST WE WILL KNOW IT PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> I THOUGHT THE SMELL TEST WILL BE IN EVERY STORY TOMORROW.

AND WHAT I THINK IS INTERESTING IS SHE -- I DON'T HAVE A DOG IN THIS HUNT BUT I SURE DO WANT THE MONEY.

I THINK THAT WAS -- TO ME THAT'S WHAT CAME THROUGH.

AND IT'S -- AGAIN WE TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN.

SHE LEFT HERSELF OPEN IN TERMS OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

>> SHE ALSO PUT LAWMAKERS ON NOTICE DID SHE NOT SAYING LET'S KEEP THIS PROCESS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WAS THINKING.

THERE'S A DANGER -- LOOK, THE MECHANICS OF THIS AS YOU KNOW, DON, ARE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BYPASS THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE GOVERNOR HAS NO SAY SO IN WHETHER THERE'S A LOTTERY OR NOT LEGALLY.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE DECIDES AND THEN IT GOES TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

SO IN SAYING AS MANY GOVERNS HAVE IN THE PAST I'M JUST GOING TO LEAVE THIS SO THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK SHE WENT AN EXTRA STEP WHO SAID I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT TO THE LEGISLATURE TO FIND BUT IF THERE'S ANY FUNNY BUSINESS GOING ON OR FIT DOESN'T PASS THE SMELL TEST YOU BETTER BELIEVE I WILL BE OUT ON THE TRAIL TELLING PEOPLE TO VOTE NO AND TELLING THEM WHY.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.

>> SHE TALKED BRIEFLY ABOUT HER PRISON LEASE BILL AS WE TALKED EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM ABOUT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES TRICKLING AROUND THE STATEHOUSE HERE IN THE EARLY GOING.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE CASE HE IS MADE FOR THE PRIVATE LEASE PRISON CONTRIBUTION BUILDING?

>> I THINK SHE MADE A GOOD CASE.

AGAIN WITH THE LAWSUIT, THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT PENDING AGAINST THE STATE, THE LAWSUITS BROUGHT BY THE EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE AND SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER, THE GOVERNOR KNOWS THAT SOMETHING HAD TO MOVE FORWARD AND SYMPATHY TOOK -- A LOT OF PEOPLE SHE TOOK BOLD DECISIVE ACTION TO DO THIS.

WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE EVER COME THROUGH WITH ANOTHER SOLUTION IS DOUBTFUL.

>> HER INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE, SHE BROUGHT UP THE REBUILD ALABAMA INITIATIVE, DR. DAVIS, WHICH OF COURSE IS BEING FUNDED BY THE GAS TAX INCREASE OF A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND THERE'S A LOT OF TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE BENEFITS OF THAT.

I HAVE TO SAY FROM PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR HER SAY THEY WOULD BE TURNING SHOVELS ON THE FOUR-LANING OF HIGHWAY 43 FROM THOMASVILLE TO TUSCALOOSA, BECAUSE OF I GREW UP IN THAT PART OF THE STATE AND I CAN TELL YOU THE MAGNANIMOUS IMPACT THAT WOULD IT HAVE ON COMMUNITIES THERE.

>> I THINK IT'S ALSO AN INTERESTING NOTE TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW OF THE LAY OF THE LAND THE WAY YOU DO.

SHE MENTIONED BLACK BELT IN THAT, TO GET FROM MOBILE GOING NORTH AND SO ON.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS A NICE TOUCH.

SHE HIT EVERY NOTE.

I DIDN'T SEE MUCH ON HEALTH CARE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS KIND OF MISSING.

BUT SHE HIT JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

THE ONE THING THAT WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THAT MAY BE THEY WON'T GET TO AND THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION IS REDIRECTING.

>> YES.

SPEAKER MCCUTCHEON WAS ON OUR SHOW LAST FRIDAY NIGHT AND TOLD US THEN THAT THERE'S EVERY EXPECTATION THAT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A SPECIAL SESSION ON REAPPORTIONMENT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE CENSUS DATA IN.

>> AND WON'T GET IT.

AND IT MAY BE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS MAY NOT BE HELD OR DELAYED IN 2022.

I DON'T KNOW.

IN SOME STATES THAT'S PROBABLY THE CASE.

MAYBE NOT HERE.

BUT THAT'S ANOTHER INTRAPARTY GAME, YOU KNOW, WHAT STREET DO YOU LIVE ON?

>> IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO LOSE A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

>> AND THERE SEEMS TO BE -- I HEAR THAT THERE'S AN EFFORT TO SQUEEZE MO BROOKS JUST A LITTLE, ALTHOUGH I THINK HE MAY RUN FOR THE SENATE.

>> DR. NATALIE DAVIS, BRYAN TAYLOR, THAT YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE TONIGHT AND WE APPRECIATE YOU BOTH BEING HERE VERY MUCH.

IT IS THAT TIME IN THE PROGRAM WHERE WE PRESENT THE OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO GOV.

IVEY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TONIGHT.

AND THOSE REMARKS WILL COME FROM REPRESENTATIVE JEREMY GRAY OF OPELIKA.

ALABAMA DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN DECRYING THE DANGERS OF OUR CRUMBLING HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR FAR TOO LONG.

- HOSPITAL CLOSURES, THE RISE IN UNINSURED WORKERS, AND GROWING PHYSICIAN SHORTAGES IN RURAL AREAS MADE US ALL MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS VIRUS.

LACK OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CONTRIBUTED TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL TOLL OF ISOLATION, UNCERTAINTY, AND LOSS.

THE REFUSAL TO EXPAND MEDICAID COST LIVES.

THE PANDEMIC, ITSELF, EXPOSED DEEP CRACKS AND SIGNIFICANT SHORTCOMINGS IN OUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

IT CONTINUES TO HIGHLIGHT GLARING GAPS AND DISCREPANCIES IN OUR SYSTEMS OF HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND MORE.

TAKEN AS A WHOLE, THESE CRISES ARE NOT MERELY A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC; THEY ARE PART OF IT.

FOR INSTANCE, THIS PANDEMIC HAS FURTHER WIDENED THE GAPS IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOLS.

WHILE OUR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF WORK DILIGENTLY AGAINST WHAT SEEMED TO BE INSURMOUNTABLE ODDS, THEY CANNOT DO IT ALONE.

AND THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO IT ALONE.

AGAIN, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THOSE EDUCATORS AND EMPLOYEES WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR STUDENTS.

SOME HAD THEIR HEALTH SEVERELY OR PERMANENTLY IMPACTED.

OTHERS MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SERVICE, WE MUST DO BETTER FOR CHILDREN AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE MUST DO BETTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ALABAMA.

THAT MEANS WE NEED A REAL PLAN TO RECOVER OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

WE SHOULD BEGIN BY ATTRACTING AND RETAINING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST EDUCATORS WITH THE COMPENSATION THEY DESERVE.

WE SHOULD CONTINUE BY FULLY FUNDING IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING PROGRAMS.

WE APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR HER COMMITMENT TO PRE-K, BUT WE MUST DO MORE.

WE MUST INVEST IN KEY ?PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVEN TO PUT OUR KIDS ON THE RIGHT TRACK FOR SUCCESS IN WORK, SCHOOL AND LIFE.

AND WE MUST FOCUS ON PROVIDING NEEDS-BASED FUNDS TO SCHOOLS FACING THE GREATEST BARRIERS.

THAT STARTS WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES.

ALTHOUGH ALABAMA IS MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS WIRING EVERY COMMUNITY, 1 IN 8 ALABAMIANS - INCLUDING 1 IN 4 RURAL RESIDENTS - STILL DO NOT HAVE BROADBAND ACCESS AT HOME.

ALL IN ALL, 27% OF ALABAMIANS DO NOT USE BROADBAND AT HOME.

IF YOU CANNOT GET ONLINE, HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE IN REMOTE LEARNING OR REMOTE WORKING?

IF YOU CANNOT ACCESS THE DIGITAL WORLD, HOW CAN YOU COMPETE IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY?

AND THAT'S NOT OUR ONLY CHALLENGE.

IN SOME WAYS, IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WILL NEVER REALIZE TRUE EQUITY IF WE DO NOT EXAMINE AND ADDRESS THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

OUT OF 12,200 SCHOOL DISTRICTS NATIONWIDE, THREE OF ALABAMA'S SCHOOL DISTRICTS - HOMEWOOD CITY, TUSCALOOSA CITY, AND VESTAVIA HILLS CITY - LANDED IN THE TOP 20 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY WITH THE LARGEST BLACK-WHITE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

STATEWIDE, THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE STUDENTS IS VAST, BETWEEN 20 AND 30 PERCENT IN ANY GIVEN SUBJECT AREA.

ONCE YOU BREAK IT DOWN WITHIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IT'S ACTUALLY MUCH LARGER - AS GREAT AS 60 TO 65 PERCENT.

THE WAY TO HEAL FROM OUR PAST IS TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE.

THE WAY FORWARD IS TO INVEST RESOURCES IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT NEED THEM THE MOST, BE THEY RURAL, URBAN, IMPOVERISHED, OR UNDERSERVED.

WE HAVE A DUTY - AN OBLIGATION-- TO DO RIGHT BY ALL OUR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE BEING LEFT FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND BY THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

IN THE WORDS OF KELLI HAYN, A PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATOR IN BIRMINGHAM: “THIS IS AMERICA, WHERE ALL CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION.

WHEN A LARGE GROUP OF STUDENTS DO NOT SUCCEED, THEN WE HAVE TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND TAKE ACTION TO DO BETTER FOR OUR CHILDREN.” SHE'S RIGHT.

AND I'LL EVEN TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER.

IF NOT US, WHO.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

THE COLD, HARD TRUTH WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT OFF INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THE FINANCIAL TOLL IS TOO HIGH.

THE HUMAN TOLL IS IMMEASURABLE.

IF WE DON'T ADDRESS THESE GROWING GAPS NOW, WE'RE GOING TO PAY THE PRICE LATER - IN THE WORKFORCE OR IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

FINALLY, FACING A POVERTY GAP, AN ACHIEVEMENT GAP, AND A DIGITAL DIVIDE, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALL STILL ONE.

WE ARE AN ALABAMA AND WE'RE AN AMERICA WHERE EVERY CHILD DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE TAUGHT TO THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP THAT PROMISE TO OUR KIDS.

LET'S SHOW THEM THAT THE DREAM OF EDUCATION AND CAREER SUCCESS IS ALIVE AND WELL.

OF COURSE, WE'LL NEED A STRONG WORKFORCE OF DEDICATED AND TALENTED INDIVIDUALS TO DRIVE OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP IS PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF ALABAMA'S ECONOMY.

UNFORTUNATELY, OUR ECONOMY CANNOT STAND TALL IF OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN DECIMATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

RESILIENT BUSINESSES AND WORKERS KEPT US GOING.

AND WE MUST NOW TAKE A CLOSE, HARD LOOK AT THE PAINFUL LESSONS OF THE LAST YEAR TO BUILD A PANDEMIC-PROOF ECONOMIC MODEL FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

WE'VE SEEN OUR DOWNTOWNS EMPTY, OUR MAIN STREETS VACANT, AND OUR FAVORITE STORES, TAVERNS, RESTAURANTS, GYMS, AND BARBERSHOPS CLOSE THEIR DOORS - SOME TEMPORARILY AND TOO MANY FOREVER.

IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THIS VIRUS, WE'VE TOO MANY LOST LIVES AND WE'VE ALSO LOST TOO MANY LIVELIHOODS.

LAST SPRING, 87 PERCENT OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SAID THAT THEY WERE HEAVILY AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

35 PERCENT SAID THEY WOULD NOT LAST MORE THAN THREE MORE MONTHS.

SADLY, IT'S SAFE TO SAY THOSE NUMBERS ONLY GREW.

WHEN I SEE THAT ALABAMA RANKS: 24TH IN “IMPACT & ACCESS TO RESOURCES”.

32ND IN “BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT & WORKFORCE SUPPORT”.

35TH IN “SMALL-BUSINESS FINANCIAL CONDITIONS” .

THERE'S NO QUESTION WE HAVE SERIOUS WORK TO DO.

AND WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO GET IT DONE QUICKLY.

ALABAMA DEMOCRATS WILL FIGHT TO PUT MORE DOLLARS INTO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND REDUCE TAXES THAT WERE RECENTLY DOUBLED FOR BUSINESS OWNERS.

WE SUPPORT THE GROWING ALABAMA TAX CREDIT AND THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT TO DRIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND STIMULATE JOB CREATION AND GROWTH.

AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WE ASK, WE PLEAD WITH, AND WE CHALLENGE THE MAJORITY NOT TO FURTHER HARM SMALL BUSINESSES BY DOUBLING THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT TAXES.

TO THRIVE TOMORROW, WE NEED TO SURVIVE TODAY.

WE CANNOT LAUNCH A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC RECOVERY ON THE BACKS OF UNEMPLOYED WORKERS AND STRUGGLING FAMILIES.

IT'S NOT ONLY THE SMART THING TO DO.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

AFTER ALL, WHERE ARE WE SPENDING TAX DOLLARS IF NOT IN VITAL AREAS LIKE PUBLIC EDUCATION, BROADBAND ACCESS, UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, OR JOB AND CAREER PROGRAMS?

WHERE IS ALABAMA MAKING KEY INVESTMENTS?

ACCORDING TO NEWS REPORTS, THIS WEEK THE GOVERNOR PLANS TO SIGN LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR TWO PRIVATELY BUILT PRISONS.

THIS IS PART OF A $2 BILLION “PLAN” THAT'S SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS OUR PRISON SYSTEM - ONE THAT ROUTINELY RANKS AMONG THE DEADLIEST AND MOST OVERCROWDED IN THE NATION.

BUT IT ISN'T REALLY EVEN A “PLAN” AT ALL.

UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION, THERE'S A LOT OF SPENDING ON PRISONS AND EVEN MORE QUESTIONS: WHICH PRISONS ARE CLOSING?

WHICH WILL REMAIN OPEN?BUILT AND WHEN?

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE HASN'T BEEN A REAL CONVERSATION ON SENTENCING REFORM.

WE CAN'T SIGN ON TO THIS.

BECAUSE OUR PRISON PROBLEM IS MUCH BIGGER THAN OUR AGING FACILITIES.

WE CANNOT BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF THE SYSTEMIC FAILURES OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - FAILURES THAT HAVE LED TO FEDERAL LAWSUITS AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.

OUR PRISON SYSTEM IS BROKEN BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT OR WILL NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING AND COMPLEX ISSUES AT PLAY: LACK OF ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

LACK OF ACCESS TO ADDICTION AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

HIGH RECIDIVISM DUE TO TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS AND LEGALITIES.

AN OUTDATED AND INEFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF PARDONS AND PAROLE.

AND ONGOING SYSTEMIC INEQUALITIES THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGET AND INCARCERATE MINORITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AT A TIME WHEN THE REST OF THE NATION IS LOOKING SERIOUSLY AT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION, BAIL REFORM, ENDING PRIVATE PRISONS, AND THE DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS OF MANDATORY MINIMUMS, ALABAMA IS SOLELY FOCUSED ON BUILDING MORE PRISONS.

FURTHERMORE, AGAIN, THE PANDEMIC HAS CAST A BRIGHT LIGHT ON JUST HOW BAD OUR PRISONS ARE.

WHEN THE CORONAVIRUS HIT ALABAMA PRISONS, THERE WAS NO PLACE TO HIDE.

HUNDREDS WERE INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS.

DOZENS SUCCUMBED TO IT.

ALABAMA RANKS 9TH IN THE ENTIRE NATION FOR THE NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS DEATHS PER 10,000 INMATES, ACCORDING TO BOTH THE MARSHALL PROJECT AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

CONSIDER THE WORDS OF CARLA CROWDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALABAMA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE: “THESE NUMBERS ARE SO DISTURBING, BUT NOT AT ALL SURPRISING GIVEN THE CULTURE AND CONDITIONS IN ALABAMA PRISONS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE FOR THE BASIC SAFETY OF PEOPLE IN ITS CUSTODY THIS YEAR AND COVID HAS ESCALATED THOSE FAILURES.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD UNDERSTAND IS THAT IT DID NOT HAVE TO BE THIS BAD.”.

NO, IT DID NOT HAVE TO BE THAT BAD.

AND NO, IT SHOULD NOT BE THAT BAD.

ALABAMA DEMOCRATS SUPPORT REAL ACTION AND INITIATIVES TO REFORM OUR BROKEN PRISON SYSTEM, INCLUDING: REPEALING CONSECUTIVE STACKING PROVISIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES.

REDUCING RECIDIVISM WITH PAROLEE AND PROBATIONER ELIGIBILITY TO TECHNICAL VIOLATOR PROGRAMS.

MAKING SENTENCING REFORMS RETROACTIVE FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS SENTENCED UNDER MANDATORY MINIMUMS.

OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MUST BE FOCUSED ON REFORM, REHABILITATION, AND PUBLIC SAFETY, NOT WAREHOUSING NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS BASED ON DRACONIAN DRUG LAWS OR LEGAL TECHNICALITIES THAT STACK THE DECK AGAINST MINORITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT MUST BE GROUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL.

ALABAMA DEMOCRATS WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT ENHANCED TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, INCLUDING IDENTIFYING IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT BIAS AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY POLICING METHODS THAT WORK TO KEEP ALL OF US SAFE.

ACROSS THE NATION, THE TIDE IS TURNING IN FAVOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, POLICE, AND PRISON REFORM.

ALABAMA NEEDS TO STOP TRYING TO SWIM UPSTREAM OR RISK BEING SWEPT AWAY WITH THE GROWING CURRENT.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, ALABAMA LED THE COUNTRY IN CASES AND LAGGED IN TESTING.

TODAY, WE HAVE THE HIGHEST POSITIVITY RATE IN THE NATION.

OUR HOSPITALS CONTINUE TO BE STRETCHED THIN.

AND WE RANK AT THE BOTTOM IN VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT ENSURES EQUAL ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND VACCINATIONS FOR EVERY ALABAMIAN.

THAT INCLUDES: PRIORITIZING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, LIKE THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS.

EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING VACCINE AVAILABILITY, SCHEDULING AND DISTRIBUTION IN A TIMELY MANNER.

AND UTILIZING THE NATIONAL GUARD TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS SAFELY AND SECURELY.

LASTLY, THERE'S THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM - MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WE CANNOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION'S REFUSAL TO EXPAND MEDICAID HAS AND CONTINUES TO HAMPER OUR RESPONSE TO THIS PANDEMIC.

IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS REMAIN UNINSURED AND HAVE NO REALISTIC ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

IT IS FOOLHARDY TO LEAVE $4.9 BILLION ON THE TABLE OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO LEAVE SO MANY UNINSURED AND UNPROTECTED IN THE FACE OF A DEADLY PANDEMIC.

ON AVERAGE, WE'RE STILL LOSING 46 ALABAMIANS A DAY TO THIS VIRUS.

THOSE ARE GRANDPARENTS, PARENTS, HUSBANDS AND WIVES, SONS AND DAUGHTERS, LOVED ONES, RELATIVES, CO-WORKERS, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS.

I RESPECTFULLY, URGENTLY, AND STRONGLY CALL ON THE GOVERNOR TO EXPAND MEDICAID IN ALABAMA.

PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING.

THIS PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US SOME HARD LESSONS.

AND THE END RESULT - THE POSITIVE RESULT - OF ANY LEARNING EXPERIENCE, NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT OR PAINFUL, IS CHANGE.

BUT WE CAN'T BE TAUGHT - WE CAN'T CHANGE - IF WE AREN'T WILLING TO LISTEN, TO OPEN OUR EYES, AND TO LEARN.

THE FACT IS THE VIRUS ITSELF IS NOT SOLELY TO BLAME FOR THE VAST, WIDESPREAD, DIVERSE, AND SIGNIFICANT SERIES OF CHALLENGES CURRENTLY FACING ALABAMA.

THE PANDEMIC MAY NOT HAVE BROUGHT THEM ABOUT, BUT IT MADE THEM SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE.

FAILURES IN HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, SUPPORT FOR OUR ECONOMY, AND OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MADE THIS CRISIS LONGER, DEEPER, MORE DANGEROUS, AND MORE DEADLY.

AND SO TODAY, I CALL ON THE GOVERNOR, MY FELLOW LEGISLATORS, AND ALL ALABAMIANS TO NOT LET THIS PANDEMIC DEFINE US.

BUT RATHER TO LEARN FROM IT.

TO CHANGE.

TO UNITE.

AND TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO CONQUER THE CORONAVIRUS, SO THAT ALL OF ALABAMA CAN EMERGE FROM THIS CRISIS STRONGER, WISER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE RESILIENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

A?

Don: THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE JEREMY GRAY OF OPELIKA WHO WAS PRESENTING THE OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO TONIGHT'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS FROM GOVERNOR KAY IVEY.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR OUR SPECIAL LIVE BROADCAST THIS EVENING OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

AND WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30.

WE'RE NOW ON OUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE TO PRESENT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AS IT UNFOLDS AND ON OUR PROGRAM TOMORROW NIGHT, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HOLMES OF WETUMPKA WILL JOIN TO US TALK ABOUT THE PRISON LEASE CONTROVERSY AND ALSO ABOUT A NEW BILL HE IS BRINGING THIS WEEK WHICH HE WANTS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE ALABAMA MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL," THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

I'M DON DAILEY.

WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN SOON.