Capitol Exchange March 27, 2026

This episode of Capitol Exchange highlights a wide range of voices shaping Alabama’s political, civic, and policy landscape, beginning with University of Alabama Student Government Association President‑elect Samantha Simmons. Simmons describes how her internship in Governor Kay Ivey’s communications office helped prepare her for leadership, academics, and public service, encouraging students to pursue similar opportunities. Other segments feature in-depth conversations with state officials and lawmakers, including Representative Danny Garrett on the $10+ billion Education Trust Fund budget, which passed unanimously in the House and includes teacher pay raises, education funding reforms, and school choice initiatives. The program also checks in with journalists like Alex Angle for Washington insights and touches on proposed election, education, and sports policy changes raised by multiple legislators.

Across multiple weeks covered in this compilation, Capitol Exchange examines public health concerns such as measles and vaccination, criminal justice reforms, rural healthcare investment, broadband expansion, education policy shifts, and debates over taxation and government efficiency. Listeners hear from governors’ cabinet members, mayors, nonprofit leaders, educators, and advocates discussing legislation, lawsuits, budgets, and community programs that directly affect Alabamians. Taken together, the episodes reflect the show’s mission to connect policy decisions in Montgomery and Washington to their real-world impact in the Tennessee Valley, while also emphasizing civic engagement, transparency, and the importance of local public media.