Kay Ivey lays out agenda for her last legislative session

January 13, 2026 – MONTGOMERY – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) delivered her ninth and final State of the State address as the Alabama Legislature opens the 2026 regular session ahead of the 2026 Republican and Democratic primaries on May 19 to elect new leadership.

"My fellow Alabamians! The momentum is in our sails in Alabama – and we are not done yet!" declared Governor Ivey.

"Today marks my 10th Regular Session as governor," said Gov. Ivey. "Since then, we have seen investments totaling $69 billion which has created 100,000 jobs – and counting! Alabama consistently ranks among the top 10 states for doing business."

Governor Ivey highlighted the announcement that Space Command was coming to Huntsville as well as the Eli Lilly Medicine, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, First Solar, Meta, and Novelis announcements.

"Gov. Ivey also touted her role as a roadbuilder.

"Since 2019, Alabama generated more than $2 billion dollars, paving the way for 500 vital road and bridge projects in all 67 counties," said Ivey. "None of these projects would have happened without the passage of Rebuild Alabama," (Gov. Ivey's 2019 tax increase on fuel).

She also highlighted her record on broadband expansion.

"When we first decided to invest in high-speed internet, Alabama ranked near the bottom when it came to broadband connectivity. Today, we are 24th And with our state plan, 100 percent of Alabama will soon have access through an internet service provider."

Ivey also touted her changes to Alabama's government structure.

"We consolidated our new Department of Workforce, and in only its first year, we have taken 25,000 workers off the sidelines," said Ivey. "We gave veterans a stronger voice and moved the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs into the Governor's Cabinet."

The Governor touted her record on families,

"We are supporting Alabama families: From our record 6,000 plus foster care adoptions...to our CHOOSE Act education savings accounts...to paid parental leave for teachers."

Prisons are a large part of Gov. Ivey's legacy.

"We are nearing the completion of construction on the new men's prison in Elmore County and are pressing forward with work on the Escambia facility, all while recruiting a record number of corrections officers," said Ivey.

Ivey has pushed an aggressive effort to reform Alabama's historically dreadful public school systems.

"When I took office in 2017, Alabama's education system needed immediate attention," said Ivey. (After the failed adoption of new Common Core standards) "In 4th grade math, we ranked dead last at 52nd. In 4th grade reading, we were 49th" "We are now 32nd in math and 34th in reading. We ranked first in the nation in math recovery and third in reading. We significantly increased our pre-k classrooms. We are a top five state for computer science. We doubled the specialty schools with the addition of the Cyber Technology and Engineering School and the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences. We have our highest ever College and Career Readiness rate. We are tied for the lowest percentage of chronic absenteeism. Our teachers are earning high marks. And we added 500,000 more credentialed men and women to our workforce."

Gov. Ivey wants to crack down on crime even further.

"Our work is never done when it comes to protecting our citizens," said Ivey. "Representative Matt Simpson and Senator April Weaver will carry a bill to impose the death penalty for those who rape or sodomize a child. I was proud to quickly offer my full and total support."

"It is time we crack down on that reckless, criminal behavior and pass a bill led by Representative Reed Ingram and Senator Lance Bel," said Ivey. "In Alabama, we enforce the law, and I look forward to this bill reaching my desk."

"Here at home in Montgomery, I directed the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to increase trooper presence," said Ivey. "Between our specialized Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit and this larger law enforcement footprint, we are adding to our efforts in Montgomery."

Gov. Ivey asked the Legislature to give state employees a two percent across the board pay raise.

Ivey also mentioned healthcare – an area where little has been accomplished in the last nine years.

"We recently learned Alabama will receive more than $203 million dollars in first-year (federal) funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program," said Ivey. "This program, over five years, will kickstart efforts to improve health care in rural America. Our plan approved by the Trump Administration lists 11 initiatives to boost rural healthcare delivery."

The state has enjoyed ten years of increasing revenues. Lawmakers are concerned that trend could change in the near term. There is also concern of increased natural disasters.

"Representative Chip Brown and Senator Steve Livingston will carry legislation to ensure we have a statewide resilience plan," said Ivey. "Every Alabamian is worthy of a resilient community when disaster strikes." "Unfortunately, Alabama is no stranger to the wrath of Mother Nature."

"I am launching a statewide flood notification system that will be in place for this summer," said Ivey. "I am also calling on the Legislature to fund this notification system moving forward. We cannot put our young people at risk!"

School shootings are also a growing area of concern.

"We must also protect our young Alabamians in school," said Ivey. "That is why I am proposing an additional $50 million dollars for K-12 safety efforts."

The state also has a growing need for new teachers.

"Senator Matt Woods and Representative Rick Rehm are putting forward a bill to create a temporary teaching certificate pathway for qualified veterans," said Ivey. "I fully endorse this measure and look forward to this bill reaching my desk."

Ivey said that she is committed to, "Making Alabama the most school choice friendly state in the nation" and is asking the Legislature to increase funding for the CHOOSE ACT to $250 million dollars.

The Alabama High School Athletics Association has actively opposed the Legislature's efforts.

Ivey is supporting legislation by Representative Danny Garrett and Senator Clyde Chambliss – "'The Let the Kids Play Act' to make sure no family benefitting from the CHOOSE Act is unfairly benched again."

Ivey also announced that she wants a two percent pay increase for teachers and education employees.

"Representative Jeana Ross, is putting forward a bill with Senator Donnie Chesteen to limit screen time for children five and younger in publicly funded early learning centers," said Ivey. "House Bill 78 will help our youngest."

It remains to be seen how many of the Governor's priorities will be turned into law.

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