Governor Kay Ivey is set to deliver her State of the State address tonight, where she’ll outline her key legislative priorities for the 2025 session, now officially underway.
Speaking to the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) earlier today, Ivey offered a preview of her agenda, touting the state’s recent economic and educational gains while emphasizing the need for continued investment in workforce development, broadband expansion and infrastructure.
“My top priority this session is public safety, and that starts by standing behind our law enforcement,” Ivey said.
“While I have always been a strong advocate for our public safety personnel, I believe we can do more to help them fight crime.” She also underscored the importance of conservative budgeting, veteran support and building on last year’s legislative successes in education and workforce training. “We’re drafting conservative budgets that maintain government services while living within our means,” she said. “And we’re devoting renewed attention to the security of our communities and families.”
“Since my administration took office in 2017, Alabama has seen $55.7 billion worth of dollars from capital investment and the creation of over 93,000 jobs and counting,” Ivey told BCA.
RELATED: Garlan Gudger elected as Alabama Senate Pro Tem, expresses gratitude and shares vision
Highlighting the creation of the new Department of Workforce, led by former Pro Tem of Senate Greg Reed, Ivey focused on addressing the state’s persistent low workforce participation rate of 57.7%, which she noted is “well below the national average.”
Ivey also celebrated Alabama’s educational gains as seen in the most recent edition of The Nation’s Report Card.
“Alabama fourth graders achieved the country’s second highest gains in reading and have gone from 49th in 2019 to 34th,” Ivey said. “Those same students experienced the highest gains in math, moving up from 52nd in 2019 to 32nd. I’d say our policies are working, and education is not the only place where it’ll happen.”
On the topic of broadband, Ivey praised the work of ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell, saying they have “channeled hundreds of millions of state and federal dollars to broadband roll out projects in every corner of the state.” As a result, she said, “Alabama has risen from the bottom position of 47 among states in broadband readiness to just inside the top 25.”
The governor also thanked the BCA’s for its support of economic development legislation like the SEED Act. SEEDS grants were first awarded last year, and Ivey noted that in its first year, the SEEDS Act has “already steered over $30 million in state funding matched by $38 million in local dollars to speed the development of 29 industrial sites around the state.”
“Folks out of state are taking notice,” Ivey said of the impact of Alabama’s economic development investments. “In July, CNBC named Alabama folks the most improved state for business. And in November, Site Selection Magazine also ranked Alabama among the top 10 states in business climate.”
Looking ahead, Ivey will share more details of her legislative agenda tonight’s address.
“We know we have more to do, and it’s not an idea to stop or slow down,” Ivey said. “The people of Alabama deserve our very best, and future generations of Alabama deserve our hardest work today. So let’s not waste a moment.”
Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at [email protected].
