State Rep. Garrett expects state funding investments in education to pay off — ‘We’re really ahead of what most states are doing’

The last two education trust fund budgets passed by the state legislature set records for public education spending in Alabama.

While some metrics show Alabama lagging behind other states on education, State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), who was recently named the chairman of the House Ways and Means Education Budget Committee, expects those public investments in education to pay dividends soon.

During an appearance on FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” the Jefferson County Republican lawmaker cited potential advances in broadband coverage and pro-innovation initiatives as a cause for his optimism.

“I think we are,” Garrett replied when asked about seeing results from the past two education budgets. “Number one, we passed last session a significant broadband bill, which establishes a broadband authority, which is going to come up with an internet connectivity plan for the state by June 30 next year. That’s important because to accommodate educational situations, we’ve got to have broadband access. We’ve also got to do some things creatively in areas that are not up to par in terms of the outcomes of education.”

“One thing I’m really excited about is the work of the innovation commission, which they’ll deliver a report at the end of October,” Garrett continued. “And then legislature also passed last year an innovation corporation bill, which established a group that will be looking at the knowledge-based economy and the future economy in the state, and to that end what we can do from an education standpoint for jobs that we don’t even know that are available today. We also have increased our budgets for the STEM teachers — paying teachers more money to go into certain areas to teach math and science.”

“So, I think we are formulating some really good plans in the executive branch and legislative branch,” he added. “And we’re going to fund those, and we’re beginning to do that. And I think that will pay definitely pay off — even though when you look at the rankings on all of these things, we are very low nationwide in terms of what we’re doing. With all of this planning and this strategy, we’re really ahead of what most states are doing. So, I’m excited about that. We just have to take advantage of it.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.