Capitol Journal

We report on Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell becoming part of a U.S. House Democratic majority for the first time in her career. We also report on Attorney General Steve Marshall saying that he’s not ready to express optimism about an amended corrective action plan from the state Board of Pardons and Paroles. Senator Jim McClendon of Springville joins Don to discuss a lottery bill he plans to bring, as well as his legislation that would mandate hands-free cell phone use while driving. And Greg Cochran with the Alabama League of Municipalities will be with us to talk about a possible state gas tax increase.

We report on Speaker Mac McCutcheon’s hospitalization for a heart issue. We also report on AG Steve Marshall taking over the Hoover mall shooting case. And we report on Jeff Sessions’ first Alabama speech since being asked to resign as U.S. Attorney General. We will be joined by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston, who will discuss, among other things, whether he might run for the U.S. Senate. And we will also be joined by Rep. Wes Allen of Troy and Sen. Gerald Allen of Tuscaloosa, the first father and son to serve simultaneously in the Alabama legislature.

We’re joined by Attorney General Steve Marshall, who will discuss the change in leadership in his Special Prosecutions Division. Marshall also talks about his dissatisfaction with a corrective action plan submitted by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. We’re also joined by new state Representative Neil Rafferty of Birmingham, who will discuss Democratic losses in the House, making him the only white Democrat in the lower chamber. Rafferty will also talk about being the first openly-gay man elected to the Alabama legislature.

We report on the governor and attorney general saying a corrective action from the state Board of Pardons and Paroles "doesn’t go far enough." We also report on some confusion over state gun laws in the wake of a Thanksgiving shooting at Hoover’s Galleria mall. We’re joined by House General Fund budget chairman Steve Clouse of Ozark, who will discuss increased state tax revenues and pressing needs for them. We’re also joined by State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who will talk about his re-election and whether or not he might consider running for the U.S. Senate in 2020.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Cam Ward of Alabaster joins us to react to the high-profile change of leadership in the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Division. Alabama Republican Party Chair Terry Lathan of Mobile will be with us to talk about GOP gains in the recent election and the 2020 U.S. Senate race. Secretary of State John Merrill will join us to discuss record voter turnout and the election controversies in Georgia and Florida. And new Geneva County Commissioner Weston Spivey will be with us. At 18, he’s one of the state’s youngest elected officials.

We report on the shooting and wounding of a west Alabama district attorney by a former state trooper who was also shot dead. We’re joined by Lieutenant Governor-elect Will Ainsworth, who will discuss his priorities. We also talk with Rep. Tashina Morris of Montgomery, one of some 40 new state lawmakers. She will be joined by the man she succeeded in the legislature, 25-year veteran John Knight.

We have a complete election wrap-up, including Kay Ivey becoming the first Republican woman to be elected governor. We’re joined by Chief Justice-elect Tom Parker, who’ll talk about his priorities for the office. We’re also joined by House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, who will discuss Republicans picking up five seats in the lower chamber. And Alabama Democratic Party Chair Nancy Worley will be with us to talk about a disappointing election for the party and criticism of her leadership from some Democratic candidates.

We have a preview of next week’s Alabama general election. We’re joined by Congressman Mike Rogers of Saks, who discusses his re-election campaign, immigration and proposed federal budget cuts. We’re also joined by political historian and Auburn University professor emeritus Dr. Wayne Flynt, who will talk about the issues important in next week’s election. And Rep. Terri Collins of Decatur will be with us to discuss chairing a newly-constituted state House advisory committee on school safety and security.

We report on this week's state political news. We're joined by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow of Red Bay, who will discuss his proposed lottery bill. We're also joined by Mallory Hagan, the former Miss America who is the Democratic nominee for Alabama's 3rd district congressional seat. And former state representative Paul DeMarco of Homewood will be with us to discuss the country's political divide and to look ahead to the November election.

We report on a new controversy surrounding Governor Kay Ivey's health. We’re joined by Attorney General Steve Marshall, who will discuss the governor placing a moratorium on consideration of early paroles in the state. We will also be joined by Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, who will discuss her co-chairing an effort to pass the pro-life Amendment Two on the November ballot. And we talk with Democratic Secretary of State nominee Heather Milam about her campaign and her push for voter empowerment.