HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — If you haven't heard, some big changes are in the works in Alabama this year. Governor Kay Ivey was in Huntsville Monday with legislative updates. She also provided an outlook for the year ahead. "As we began this session, I stated that my number one legislative priority was to pass an education savings account plan to help more families choose an education that best suits their child's needs," said Ivey.
Governor Ivey said they did that with the passage of the CHOOSE Act. "Education is every child's ticket to a successful future." Furthermore, Governor Ivey explained that preparing for the economy of tomorrow is also important, and apart of preparing for the economy of tomorrow is addressing workforce needs. "During my time as Governor of Alabama has seen investments totaling 49 billion with a B dollars, which has created some 87,000 new jobs. While our unemployment rate remains historically low. our labor force participation rate stands only at 57.4%, one of the lowest in the nation."
That's not low in a good way. "Last week, I was proud to join a bipartisan group of legislators in signing what we called the working for Alabama Bill package." Governor Ivey shares that this bill is expected to help keep things moving forward in the area of workforce. "From majorly reforming our state's workforce programs to establishing a childcare credit this legislation will certainly help us and all of you move the needle on this workforce needs."
A new road project on I-565 is also in the works. "This runs from County Line road to the Wall Triana interchange. But when it's all said and done, all of [the Interstate] will be at least six lanes across."