CENTRE — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley was in town last week as part of a regular series of personal visits to chambers of commerce and small businesses around the state. During his time here, Bentley met with local business owners David and Elizabeth Crawford and their 28 employees.

Bentley presented the Crawfords, who own and operate Model Tees Screen Printing on Main Street, with a personal commendation for their years of offering employment opportunities and civic support to the community. The Crawfords also own The Post.

After touring the facilities at Model Tees and learning more about the screen printing and embroidery processes, Bentley sat down for a few minutes to conduct an interview with The Post.

Bentley said his travels across the state are a valuable tool to gain knowledge about the state of Alabama's economy. He said storms and holidays have interrupted his travel plans lately.

“We've only been able to do this one time this month,” Bentley said. “We are hoping to start back on a weekly basis after the first of the year.”

Next we asked Gov. Bentley about recent statements he has made in the media. On Dec. 9, he issued a joint statement with House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate leader Del Marsh announcing that the Legislature would consider changes to the state's new immigration law, labeled by many as the toughest in the nation.

“I think it will be easy to do but there may be some delay simply because now we know it's going to the Supreme Court,” Bentley said. “My preference is to go ahead and develop at least some legislation that will deal with the problems that we already see, and just go ahead and get that passed.”

Since the law went into effect in September, several sections have been enjoined by federal courts. Earlier this month, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange recommended several changes be made to the law to make it more likely to withstand legal challenges to its constitutionality.

Also last week, Bentley released a statement requesting that the Legislature rewrite the state's ethics law to allow school teachers to receive seasonal gifts from students. Opponents of the statute have argued that the new law is so prohibitive that teachers could face fines and even jail time for accepted gifts considered too expensive.

Bentley admitted that having to ask legislators to revisit their work on so many of the laws passed in the 2011 regular session could give the impression that not enough thought went into the documents.

“I can see how people could get that impression,” Bentley said. “But a complicated piece of legislation often needs clarification and revision after it is put into effect. It's not that uncommon.”

Bentley said his position has afforded opportunities to see the law in action that legislators don't often get to experience before laws are written.

“Since I'm in the executive branch and we are executing the laws, once the implementation starts like it has with the immigration bill, we can see things that need some simplification and clarification,” Bentley said. “That's all we are going to do.”

Bentley was unequivocal when asked what he will do as governor if the United States Supreme Court rules that states have no right to enforce federal immigration laws.

“Of course I'm going to obey the law and I'm always going to obey court orders,” he said.

But he was quick to state that he doesn't believe the nation's highest court will toss Alabama's immigration law.

“I don't believe they will do that,” Bentley said. “There are parts of this bill that have not been challenged.”

So far, in fact, Bentley said he is very encouraged by what he has seen from the legal system as the case moves along.

“We have already enjoyed some success because we have gone farther in the courts,” he said, “and the attorney general has defended it and we have gone farther than any other state. Arizona was not able to go as far as we have.”

Bentley also reiterated his earlier promise that he will fight to maintain as much of the law in place as possible.

“The clarification and simplification of it does not mean we are going to repeal it,” he said. “It also does not mean that we are going to mess with the core essence of the bill, which means if you live and work in this state you have to be a legal citizen.”

As he stood to go, Gov. Bentley said he enjoyed his time in Cherokee County.

“It's a beautiful county, it has a lot of things to offer up here,” Bentley said. “I've been here several times.”