Capitol Journal

We report on the prospect of Jeff Sessions entering the U.S. Senate race. We will also report on a lawsuit to block this weekend’s planned vote for state Democratic Party chair. We’re joined by Rep. Chris England, who entered the race for party chair this week. We’re also joined by Rep. Steve Clouse, the House General Fund budget chairman, who discusses the prospects for next year’s spending plan. And Alabama Department of Archives and History Director Steve Murray is with us to talk about the opening of a bicentennial exhibit of the state’s founding documents.

We report on Gov. Kay Ivey coming out strong against the presidential impeachment inquiry. We also report on three Alabama congressmen taking part in this week’s GOP disruption of the impeachment hearings. We’re joined by Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur, who discusses gas tax revenue accountability. We’re also joined by House education budget chairman Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa, who predicts another possible record school-spending plan next year. And Alabama Sentencing Commission Executive Director Bennet Wright will be with us to discuss how sentencing reform is an important part of the bigger prison reform discussions.

House Speaker Mac McCutcheon joins us to discuss prison reform, lottery prospects for next year and if toll roads might still be up for discussion. We’re also joined by Montgomery Mayor-elect Steven Reed, who will talk with us about his historic election. Reed will also discuss the turmoil surrounding the state Democratic Party, which his father helps lead. Alabama Hospital Association President and CEO Dr. Don Williamson will be with us to talk about hospital ransomware attacks and his continued push for Medicaid expansion in the state.

We report on Gov. Kay Ivey completing her cancer treatments and predicting a full recovery. We also report on Steven Reed being elected as the first African American mayor of Montgomery. We’re joined by Sen. Cam Ward of Alabaster, who will discuss his candidacy for a seat on the Alabama Supreme Court. We’re also joined by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels of Huntsville, who will talk about the turmoil in the state Democratic party. And Dean Young of Orange Beach will be with us to discuss his proposed constitutional amendment that would ban toll roads in the state and his search for legislative sponsors.

We're joined by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, who will discuss the Trump impeachment inquiry and the prospects for a possible special legislative session on the state’s prison problems. We're also joined by State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris and Rep. Shane Stringer, who will talk about the mounting health problems surrounding vaping. And Rep. Tim Wadsworth of Arley is with us to discuss healthcare successes in his district, as the state grapples with a rural healthcare crisis.

Alabama lawmakers react to Trump impeachment inquiry; Gov. Ivey resumes normal schedule after cancer diagnosis; Attorney General Steve Marshall discusses all the changes at the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles; Lyn Head talks about stepping down as Pardons and Paroles chair; Rep. Terri Collins discusses abortion ban legal challenge.

We report on Gov. Kay Ivey’s cancer diagnosis and her doctor’s prediction of a full recovery. We’re joined by Alabama Democratic Party Chair Nancy Worley, who tells us she does not plan to step down amid the controversy in her party. We’re also joined by Alabama Republican Party Chair Terry Lathan, who discusses the GOP’s efforts to reclaim Democrat Doug Jones’ U.S. Senate seat next year. And Chris Darden with the National Weather Service in Birmingham is with us to look back on the controversy surrounding Alabama, Hurricane Dorian and President Trump.

We’re joined by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, who will discuss her news-making appointment to a key committee that will award local infrastructure grants under the state’s new gas tax increase. We’re also joined by State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who will talk with us about his efforts to, as he puts it, "keep the Mobile toll bridge project dead." And we’re joined by Rep. Chris Pringle, who will talk about his hope that a "non-toll" Mobile bridge solution can be found.

We report on Gov. Kay Ivey saying she won’t resign over her "blackface" admission. We will be joined by U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, who will discuss gun control in the wake of more mass shootings. We’re also joined by Cong. Robert Aderholt, who talks about the Pentagon diverting billions from military projects to the southern border wall. And Sen. Andrew Jones of Centre is with us to discuss his push to pick up for his district some of the funds leftover from the "dead" Mobile toll bridge project.

We report on Gov. Kay Ivey apologizing for wearing "blackface" during a college skit 52 years ago. We also report on the governor declaring a proposed Mobile toll bridge project "dead." We’re joined by Sen. Greg Albritton of Atmore, who will discuss the toll controversy and his new marriage law which took effect this week. We’re also joined by Sen. Clyde Chambliss of Prattville, who talks about the gas tax increase he sponsored taking effect this weekend. And Rep. Will Dismukes of Prattville is with us to discuss his new law that denies parental rights to those convicted of rape or incest.