Kay Ivey in 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
$122 million to Rebuild Alabama infrastructure
I want to thank you for helping us address one problem that other legislatures and governors put off for 27 years... dealing openly and honestly with our aging, crumbling infrastructure. We have announced the state's portion of $122
million worth of road and bridge projects in more than 48 of Alabama's 67 counties. As I promised, Rebuild Alabama will only be spent on building roads and bridges. In fact, we added strong accountability measures to make certain of this.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
Gather the facts on whether to allow state gaming & lottery
For years, we've been hearing that expanding gaming, perhaps a lottery, would solve all our problems and provide money for all sorts of good ideas. That is why I will be signing an Executive Order to establish a working group to gather the facts on how
much money we could really gain if some form of gaming expansion occurred. While I, personally, have never believed we should fund essential state services on such an unstable source, the people of Alabama should have the final say.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
On Crime:
Build three new prisons, but focus on rehabilitation
Work is well underway in addressing our antiquated and crumbling prison infrastructure. Some of our worst, most over-crowded facilities--one of which was built more than 90 years ago -- were never designed for the number of violent offenders we have
today. That is why I tasked Commissioner Dunn to spearhead the efforts to build three new prisons that will transition our facilities from warehousing inmates to rehabilitating people.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
On Education:
$25 million for Pre-K; $1B for public schools & colleges
We all know that a world-class workforce begins with a world-class education system. The path that leads to that starts with a solid foundation constructed during the first 5 years of life.Just think... 95% of a child's brain develops from birth to
age 5. My education budget that I am proposing will provide an additional $25 million dollars to expand our nationally-recognized First Class Pre-K program. This significant increase will expand the program by another 193 classrooms.
I am proposing a $1 billion-dollar public school and college authority for K-12 education, as well as for our two- and four-year colleges and universities. This money will be distributed on a formula basis to allow for much-needed capital improvements
across the state. Equally important, this bond will not include any legislative earmarks for pet projects. It has been almost 14 years since Alabama made an investment of this size by providing direct help to our schools.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
On Health Care:
Incentivize medical professionals to build rural practices
Another sign of our commitment to improving the lives of those who live in rural Alabama is my full support for a pilot program to incentivize primary care physicians and nurse practitioners to establish services in medically underserved areas.
By encouraging medical professionals to build a practice in these areas, we can literally transform many small towns throughout the state.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
On Principles & Values:
No one party has a monopoly on good ideas
I made one of the most important decisions as governor, to begin regular meetings with the Bipartisan Leadership of the House and Senate. No one here will be shocked to learn that our two political parties don't always see eye-to-eye.
But I knew that no one party has a monopoly on good ideas. I felt that these bipartisan meetings would help us come up with bipartisan solutions on everything from infrastructure funding to hopefully improving our state's education system.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
On Technology:
Every Alabaman should have access to high speed broadband
It is a top priority to continue increasing the availability of high-speed Internet throughout the state, especially in rural Alabama, through the Broadband Accessibility Fund. While state government can't do it alone my budget will continue funding
to connect as many people as possible during the coming years. Currently, some 220,000 Alabamians do not have any wired Internet providers where they live. Our efforts will not end until every Alabamian has access through high speed broadband.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021