Alabama Governor Kay Ivey spoke to the West Chamber of Commerce on Monday in Tuscaloosa. The governor emphasized her economic policies and her plans to improve Alabama’s public education.
Ivey thanked Terri and Coach Nick Saban for their patronage of the Saban Center and said she looked forward to returning to Tuscaloosa for the ribbon cutting.
Ivey said the Saban Center would have a lasting positive impact on education in Alabama. “I am so grateful to her and Coach Saban for their commitment to education in the state,” Ivey said.
Ivey extolled the current economic conditions.
Ivey said Alabama workers have “opportunities not seen in many generations.”
“Alabama is experiencing record surpluses in both our educational and general funds to address our state’s needs,” Ivey stated
Ivey said that the top priorities for this session and her second term are increases and renewal of economic incentives and improvements in education.
Ivey said that with her economic incentives, the state “will need to double down over the next four years to make a lasting difference. Our state’s industrial scouts have brought home many recruits.”
“$42 billion in economic investments has already netted an additional 78,000 new jobs,” Ivey said.
Ivey said her new economic plan is “The game plan.”
It involves renewing the state’s primary economic incentives for another five years.
“That is key for economic stability,” Ivey stated.
Ivey said her game plan legislation “sailed through the Alabama Legislature with bipartisan success.”
“Today, over two million people are employed in the state of Alabama,” Ivey said. “That is the most in state history.”
Ivey said the state has “a record low of 2.3% unemployment -the lowest unemployment ever.”
“The media asks how are you going to find workers to fill those new jobs. The media takes two positives and turn them into a negative,” Ivey said.
The governor explained that her road plan four years ago had already resulted in $370 million for 234 projects that are underway or already completed.
Ivey said one of these is the West Alabama corridor, which will be an improved land route to the port of Mobile and “make it easier to get to see Alabama on game day.”
The governor said that her widening and deepening of the shipping channel in Mobile would be completed in the next two years.
“Increasing broadband access throughout all of Alabama has been a huge priority of mine and will continue over the next four years,” Ivey said. The state has committed over $300 million to broadband projects.
Ivey said, “Building a top-notch education system in top thirty states in educational advancement is a goal by the end of my term.”
Ivey said that first-class Pre-K expansion was necessary so every child who wants it can access it.
Ivey said that children who have been through pre-K are more likely to perform well in kindergarten, are less likely to be chronically absent, less likely to be in special education, and less likely to be behavioral problems.
Ivey said that she is, focusing on the building blocks of education: Reading and Math.
“We will no longer tolerate the existence of failing schools in our state,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am supporting increased funding for more reading and math coaches.”
State Rep. Kyle South is the incoming President and CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.
“I wish Kyle South all the best in his move from the state house to the West Alabama chamber.”
South said that the position allows him to put his business experience and his policy experience together to give back to the community.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
