Capitol Journal

We’re joined by U.S. Senator Doug Jones, who discuss his "no" vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination and the backlash from Alabama Republicans. We’re also joined by Barbara Caddell, President of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, who will discuss issues important to women in the upcoming election. And we will talk with Rep. Donnie Chesteen of Geneva and Martha Poole Simmons with the American Red Cross about hurricane damage in Southeast Alabama and the effort to help storm victims.

Rep. Allen Farley of McCalla joins us to discuss Amazon breaking ground on a huge new fulfilment center in his district. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey will be with us to talk about his proposed 150-million-dollar education budget increase for 2020. And Parker Snider with the Alabama Policy Institute joins us to discuss his op-ed piece on anger in politics, especially in light of the controversy over Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination.

 AUM political scientist Dr. David Hughes joins us to help analyze the implications of Senator Doug Jones of Birmingham saying he will vote not to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. We will report on this week’s sentencing of former state representative Oliver Robinson of Birmingham to 33 months in prison for accepting bribes. And we will be joined by Senator Gerald Dial of Lineville, who will talk with us about his constitutional amendment to allow the public display of the Ten Commandments.

Gary Palmer joins us to discuss Brett Kavanaugh, Jeff Sessions, a border wall and his re-election campaign. Robbie McGhee, governmental relations adviser for the Poarch Band of Creek of Indians, will be with us to talk about a possible new state lottery bill and the implications for the tribe. And we will report on Secretary of State John Merrill being sued for blocking a couple of state residents from his Twitter feed.

Alabama Ethics Commission ED Tom Albritton discusses an appeals court recently calling the state’s ethics law "problematic." Bob Vance, the Democratic nominee for Alabama Chief Justice, is with us to talk about his campaign. And Sen. Rusty Glover of Semmes joins us to discuss his constitutional amendment on the fall ballot that would do away with certain special legislative elections.

Rep. Rich Wingo discusses his opposition to talk of a possible sports betting bill in the legislature next year; Rep. David Standridge talks about implementation of his new law allowing the public display of “In God We Trust;” and Rep. Craig Ford discusses his plans to introduce a bill next year that would re-authorize longer summer breaks for state school students.

We report on an appeals court upholding most of the ethics convictions of former House Speaker Mike Hubbard. We’re joined by Cong. Robert Aderholt, who talks about Alabama support for President Trump in the wake of recent controversies. Former state representative Paul DeMarco will be with us to offer perspective on ethics reform and the election season. And Anne Hazlett with the U.S. Department of Agriculture joins us to discuss bringing broadband service to rural Alabama.

We’re joined by Gov. Kay Ivey, who discusses school safety, a ruling striking down a state abortion law, the lottery debate, and her fall campaign strategy. We’re also joined by U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, who talks about his call to delay confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and his call for new state Democratic party leadership. And Alabama Republican Party chair Terry Lathan of Mobile is with us to discuss this weekend’s summer GOP meeting in Tuscaloosa.

We’re joined by Alabama Democratic Party chair Nancy Worley, fresh off surviving powerful opposition to win another term. We’re also joined by Lee Auman, the Democratic nominee for Alabama’s 4th district congressional seat. He was among those pushing for a change in party leadership. And Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon will be with us to talk about seeking another term as speaker, and about his happiness over a reorganization of the influential Business Council of Alabama.

We report on this week’s arraignments of Rep. Ed Henry of Hartselle and Rep. Randy Davis of Daphne in separate fraud and bribery cases. We’re joined by Secretary of State John Merrill, who discusses a new controversy over releasing our voters list. Law Enforcement Secretary Hal Taylor will talk about implementation of a plan to arm education administrators in the new school year. And political scientist Dr. Natalie Davis joins us to discuss the debate over whether there should be a gubernatorial debate.