Capitol Journal

State Health Officer Scott Harris discusses virus statistics, Sen. Del Marsh talks about virus stimulus money, & U.S. Sen. candidate Jeff Sessions maintains that China should be held liable for the global virus pandemic.

We report on Gov. Kay Ivey easing some of the virus restrictions on state businesses. We will be joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who talks about the need for a phased-in approach to reopening the economy. We’re also joined by House Speaker Mac McCutcheon of Monrovia, who will discuss next week’s resumption of the legislative session, with a focus on passing the budgets. And Senate General Fund Budget Committee chair Greg Albritton of Atmore is with us to talk about the group approving a $2.3-billion spending plan and sending it to the floor.

We report on Gov. Kay Ivey keeping her stay-at-home order in effect through next week. We’re joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who says any reopening of businesses should be done in phases. He also talks about the need for more virus testing in the state. We’re also joined by U.S Senator Doug Jones of Birmingham, who will discuss the new virus relief package approved by congress this week, including more money for testing. And House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter of Rainsville iswith us to talk about delaying the resumption of the legislative session for one more week, because of the virus.

We report on new recommendations that would allow some Alabama small businesses to begin reopening immediately. We’re joined by Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur, who says he is a big proponent of restarting the economy sooner rather than later. We’re also joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who says any easing of coronavirus restrictions should be done with extreme caution. And Rep. Mike Ball of Madison will be with us to discuss his ethics reform bill and how he believes it addresses some of the concerns raised in a recent state Supreme Court ruling on the ethics case of former House Speaker Mike Hubbard.

We’re joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who will discuss the continued rapid rise of coronavirus cases and deaths in Alabama and when the peak might come. We will also be joined by Mark Jackson, the Executive Director of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, who will talk about how doctors are holding up under all of the pressure. And Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton of Greensboro will be with us to discuss how the pandemic has renewed a Democratic call for Medicaid expansion in the state.

We’re joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who discusses Alabama’s surging coronavirus numbers and new public health directives. We’re also joined by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who tells us there is no rift between him and Gov. Kay Ivey over his outspokenness on the state’s virus preparations. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh will be with us to talk about the economic fallout from the virus and the legislature’s plans moving forward. And Alabama Finance Director Kelly Butler joins us to discuss how the virus is affecting state budget planning.

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris and Alabama Hospital Association President Dr. Don Williamson will join us to discuss the growing coronavirus outbreak. Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey will be with us to talk about schools closing for the remainder of the year. Attorney General Steve Marshall will join us to discuss his guidance for cities and counties surrounding virus mandates. And Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon will be with us to talk about how the pandemic is affecting plans for the remainder of the legislative session.

We will be joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who will discuss this week’s doubling of Alabama coronavirus cases and new public restrictions. We will also be joined by Alabama Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington, who will talk with us about modified rules to help state residents apply for jobless benefits necessitated by the virus outbreak. And Secretary of State John Merrill will be with us to discuss the decision to postpone the March 31st primary runoff elections because of public health concerns.

We have the very latest on the coronavirus threat in Alabama, with one state case already confirmed. We will be joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, who will discuss expanding testing for the virus in Alabama. Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey will also be with us to talk about how state schools are being impacted and plans moving forward. We will have a complete legislative wrap-up. And we will also be joined by former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, who will talk with us about winning a spot in the GOP U.S. Senate runoff with Jeff Sessions.

We’re joined by Rep. Chip Brown of Mobile, who discusses House passage of Aniah’s Law, his bill which would grant judges more discretion in denying bail to those accused of violent felonies. It’s named after murder victim Aniah Blanchard and her mother, Angela Harris, also joins us. We also talk with Sen. Cam Ward of Alabaster about committee approval of his bill that would shorten the death penalty appeals process. And we preview some of the high-profile races on Tuesday’s primary election ballots with Dr. Natalie Davis, political science professor emerita at Birmingham Southern College.