Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey took the stage in the historic Old House Chamber of the State Capitol on Tuesday, delivering her annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Alabama Legislature. The event, scheduled at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, featured notable guests, including Dr. Selwyn Vickers and students from the Jasper High School Competition Choir and ABC Elementary in Wilcox County.
In her address, Governor Ivey emphasized the importance of civic engagement, particularly with Alabama’s Primary Election approaching on March 5. She reminded citizens that voting is a fundamental civic duty and expressed support for legislation prohibiting ballot harvesting to safeguard the integrity of elections in the state.
The Governor praised bipartisan efforts in the legislature and highlighted ongoing discussions about gaming, noting its potential to crack down on illegal gambling and responsibly regulate limited forms of legal gaming, including a statewide lottery. She commended Speaker Ledbetter and his team for their work on this issue and called for Alabama voters to have a say on gaming.
Governor Ivey’s focus on public safety included a call to invest $100 million in a grant program for school safety, emphasizing the need to prioritize the well-being of Alabama’s children. She also urged continued support for mental health care and efforts to combat human trafficking, endorsing the proposed Sound of Freedom Act.
Addressing the technological landscape, Governor Ivey announced the signing of an executive order to establish a task force on Artificial Intelligence (AI). She underscored the importance of using AI responsibly, ensuring the state is prepared to navigate this emerging technology.
The Governor addressed key issues in the Alabama Department of Corrections, emphasizing the challenges faced by correctional facilities nationwide. She expressed confidence in Commissioner John Hamm’s leadership and highlighted efforts to build new facilities, combat contraband, and recruit and train correctional staff.
Support for the military and veterans was a focal point, with recognition for General David Pritchett, the new adjutant general for the Alabama National Guard. Governor Ivey called for investment in Dovetail Landing, a facility supporting veterans’ transitions to civilian life.
Proclaiming Alabama as a pro-life state, Governor Ivey announced a commitment to foster a culture of life and called for continued support for foster care adoptions and quality childcare. She urged investment in a pilot program offering checkups for pregnant women at county health departments.
Governor Ivey highlighted the significance of infrastructure, both physical and digital, for economic development. She praised recent broadband expansion initiatives, totaling $188 million, and announced plans to invest $2 billion in broadband infrastructure, ensuring high-speed internet access across the state.
Economic development success under Secretary Ellen McNair was celebrated, with Governor Ivey reporting $48 billion in investments and 86,000 new jobs during her tenure. The creation of a strategic plan for economic development in the 2030s was announced.
Governor Ivey called for increased focus on workforce development, citing the need to improve the state’s labor force participation rate. She stressed the importance of recruiting, training, employing, and retaining Alabamians in high-demand jobs, particularly within the healthcare sector.
The address concluded with Governor Ivey’s commitment to education, praising the success of the Turnaround Schools Initiative and proposing the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences in Demopolis. She called on legislators to invest in this project, aiming to replicate the success of Alabama’s healthcare leaders.
The Governor declared education savings accounts, introduced through the CHOOSE Act, as her top legislative priority. She emphasized the importance of school choice, promising financial support for families starting from the 2025-2026 Academic Year.
In closing, Governor Ivey expressed her confidence in Alabama’s future, citing the state’s competitive position, strong financial footing, and the dedication of its citizens. The State of the State address outlined a vision for Alabama’s growth, emphasizing education, healthcare, and economic development as “key pillars of progress”.
