Capitol Journal

We're joined by Congresswoman Martha Roby of Montgomery, who discusses this week’s vote to end the partial government shutdown, the extension of the CHIP program and the promise to work out a deal on immigration. We're also joined by Sen. Gerald Dial of Lineville, who talks about his bill that would significantly alter the lieutenant governor’s duties and Governor Kay Ivey’s opposition to it. And we will discuss all of the week’s top state government news in our "Week in Review" segment.

The Senate considers bills that would both give working class Alabamians a tax break and allow ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft to expand statewide; hundreds gather at the Capitol to promote School Choice Day in Alabama; and House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels of Huntsville joins us to discuss his caucus’ "Clean, Competent and Competitive Alabama" legislative agenda.

We report on Senate committee approval of a bill that would require able-bodied Alabama Medicaid recipients to work. We also report on House committee approval of legislation that would take the state out of the marriage license business and add non-voting members to the state school board. And we're joined by Senator Linda Coleman-Madison of Birmingham, who discusses her bill that would curb so-called "breakaway" school districts, to ensure that they are viable.

We report on today’s Senate committee approval of a bill that would provide a tax break to working class Alabamians. We also report on a new bill that would codify the use of the national motto "In God We Trust" in state schools and public buildings. And we’re joined by Rep. Paul Beckman of Prattville, who discusses tomorrow’s scheduled committee vote on his bill that would take the state out of the marriage license business.

We report on today’s move to end the federal government shutdown; we also report on today’s swearing-in of new Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Brad Mendheim; We will preview the legislative week ahead, and we’re joined by Rep. Will Ainsworth of Guntersville, who discusses his legislative priorities and his campaign for lieutenant governor.

We report on a committee public hearing today on a much-watched bill dealing with online retailers and sales tax collection. We also report on committee passage of a ride-sharing bill and another that would ban smoking in vehicles in which kids are riding. And we’re joined by Sen. Gerald Allen of Tuscaloosa, who will discuss his new gun bill and the effort to repeal his Memorial Preservation Act.

Gov. Kay Ivey's State of the State Address.

We’re joined by Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Doug Jones, who will talk with us about his historic win this week over Republican Roy Moore. Jones will discuss his effective get-out-the-vote effort and how he hopes to work across the political aisle when he goes to Washington. We’re also joined by state Senator Hank Sanders of Selma, who will discuss how his groups "SOS" and the "New South Coalition" helped get out the African American vote this week. We also report on Roy Moore’s refusal to concede the Senate race, saying it’s in God’s hands and that he will wait until the vote is certified.

We have a complete report on the last few days of campaigning in the hotly contested Alabama U.S. Senate race. We’re joined by Roy Moore campaign chair Bill Armistead, who heralds President Trump’s endorsement of Moore and contends that voters will see past the sexual misconduct allegations swirling around the campaign. We’re also joined by Democratic pollster Zac McCrary, who says he believes that momentum will be in Doug Jones’ favor next week and predicts that some Republicans will probably vote for Jones.

We report on GOP U.S. Senate nominee Roy Moore hitting the campaign trail hard this week, and repeatedly denying the sexual misconduct allegations against him. We also report on Democratic nominee Doug Jones stepping up his criticism of Moore over the allegations. We’re joined by new Alabama Senate Minority Leader Billy Beasley of Clayton, who will weigh in on the Roy Moore controversy and will also talk about priorities in the upcoming legislative session. And we’re joined by Sen. Gerald Dial of Lineville, who will also discuss the Roy Moore allegations as well as his campaign for Alabama Agriculture Commissioner.