Capitol Journal

We report on the state suing the Census Bureau over the counting of illegal immigrants. We also report on the state denying parole for notorious killer Judith Ann Neelley. We're joined by Alabama Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton, who will talk with us about his co-chairing the new Ethics Revision Commission, which has just kicked off its work. We're also joined by Secretary of State John Merrill, who will discuss preparations for Alabama’s upcoming June 5th primary elections.

We have a full report on Rep. Patricia Todd tweeting an insinuation that Gov. Kay Ivey might be gay, a tweet that cost Todd her new LGBT advocacy job. Ivey called the insinuation a lie. We’re joined by new Alabama Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey, who talks about his first week on the job. And in light of today’s Texas school violence, Mackey also discusses tightening classroom security. And we’re also joined by House General Fund budget chairman Steve Clouse of Ozark, who warns of more lean budget times ahead for the state.

We report on the state school board approving a contract for new superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey, who starts work on Monday. We’re joined by Acting Alabama Secretary of Information Technology Jim Purcell, who discusses his role in helping put together a school security report for the governor. It was released this week. And we’re joined by State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who will talk about a ceremony he hosted this week to mark the 50th anniversary of the death in office of Governor Lurleen Wallace.

Our Randy Scott will talk with Alabama Congressman Bradley Byrne of Mobile, who will discuss the search for a new Veterans Affairs Secretary, Mike Pompeo’s confirmation as the nation’s new Secretary of State, and the looming departure of U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan. We’ll also be joined by Representative Barry Moore of Enterprise, who’ll talk with us about leaving the legislature and his campaign for Alabama’s Second congressional seat. Moore will also discuss school security. And we’ll also be joined by the dean of the Alabama Senate, Hank Sanders of Selma, who reflects on leaving the upper chamber after 36 years of service, and about passing the torch to his daughter.

We’re joined by Josephine McCall of Montgomery, whose late father is one of the lynching victims honored at the new National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which opened this week in Montgomery. We’re also joined by Alabama Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn, who will discuss increasing correctional officer pay. And we’re joined by Senator Gerald Dial of Lineville, who will talk about leaving the legislature after 40 years of service.

We have a complete report on today’s selection of Dr. Eric Mackey as Alabama’s new superintendent of education. We’re joined in the studio by Alabama Board of Education Vice President Stephanie Bell, who will discuss Mackey’s hiring and the priorities he will face in taking over state schools. We will also report on Alabama executing Walter Leroy Moody for the 1989 mail-bombing death of Birmingham federal judge Robert Vance. And we will also be joined by Alabama Mental Health Commissioner Lynn Beshear, who will discuss the importance of mental health in the school safety debate.

We report on Gov. Kay Ivey marking one year in office; we also report on the first gubernatorial debates and Ivey not taking part; and report on the finalists for state school superintendent being narrowed down to four. We're joined by House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, who will look back on the legislative session. We're also joined by Attorney General Steve Marshall, who will discuss his support of the controversial bill to grant lobbying exemptions to economic developers.

We report on the investigation into former governor Robert Bentley and others being closed with no additional charges filed. We also report on corruption indictments against Rep. Jack Williams of Vestavia Hills and former Alabama GOP chairman and lobbyist Marty Connors of Alabaster. We’re joined by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston, who will discuss ethics reform. We’re also joined by Rep. Pebblin Warren of Tuskegee, who will talk about her much-watched daycare bill being signed into law.

We have a complete recap of the final week of the legislative session, including what passed and what didn’t. We’re joined by Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur, the chair of the education budget committee. He’ll discuss its final passage on Thursday. We’re also joined by Rep. Ed Henry of Hartselle, who isn’t seeking re-election. Henry reflects on his sometimes controversial legislative career.

We report on the legislature wrapping up its work today, after extending the session by a day. The Senate concurred with the education budget, sending it to the governor. An amended bill that would exempt some economic professionals from state lobbying rules received final passage, but racial profiling legislation that was a priority for Democrats did not make it out. And we’re joined by Senator Greg Albritton of Atmore, who will discuss the economic development bill, school security and his marriage legislation that did not get final passage again this year.