Capitol Journal Alabama Public Television

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton of Greensboro joins us to discuss our prison problems and his dismay that Alabama’s federal COVID unemployment benefits were ending this weekend. Rep. Terri Collins of Decatur, chair of the House Education Policy Committee, is with us to talk about the debate over whether to teach Critical Race Theory and further implementation of her Alabama Literacy Act. Rep. Shane Stringer of Citronelle joins us to discuss his considering running for sheriff in Mobile County, after his losing his job in the department over his support of certain gun legislation. And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will talk about his fears that a COVID variant could become dominant in Alabama.

Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield discuss the effort to put together a new prison construction plan. Sen. Jim McClendon also is with us to talk about an expected fall special session on redistricting. Rep. Merika Coleman joins us to discuss putting together a commission to work on removing racist language from the state constitution. And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will talk with us about mounting concerns over our low COVID vaccination rate.

Rep. Steve Clouse joins us to look ahead to a meeting he and other legislative leaders will have with Gov. Kay Ivey next week to discuss options for building new state prisons after Ivey’s private lease deal fell apart. We’re also joined by Cong. Jerry Carl, who will talks about a bill he is drafting that would call for the resignation of President Joe Biden’s chief medical advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci. And Alabama Hospital Association President Dr. Don Williamson will be with us to talk about what MIGHT could cause our stable COVID numbers to start spiking again. 

We report on the governor vetoing a bill to delay a Literacy Act hold-back provision. We will be joined by Rep. Wes Allen of Troy, who will discuss his bill to ban curbside voting in the state becoming law. We will also be joined by Rep. Ginny Shaver of Leesburg, who will talk about the governor signing into law her so-called ‘born alive’ legislation. Alabama GOP Chairman John Wahl of Athens will join us to discuss the passage of party priority bills, including one that bans vaccine passports. And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will be with us to talk about the looming end of the governor’s pandemic health orders.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed joins us to look back on his first legislative session as Senate leader. Sen. Del Marsh is with us to discuss plans to bring back gambling legislation next year, after it failed to pass this year. Atty. Gen. Steve Marshall talks with us about his concerns over both gambling and the medical marijuana measure that was signed into law this week. And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris joins us to discuss the passage of a ban on so-called "vaccine passports" in the state.

We will preview the upcoming final day of the legislative session. Sen. Clyde Chambliss joins us to discuss a possible special session on prison construction if a private lease deal falls apart. Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington is with us to talk about the state ending its participation in federal pandemic unemployment compensation programs. And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris joins us to discuss new masking recommendations and vaccine eligibility for adolescent children.