Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey this morning issued the proclamation officially calling the Alabama Legislature in for a Special Session. Last night, the governor announced her decision during her state of the state address:
“Alabama’s budgets are strong. Folks, that is not by chance. That is because, together, we have taken a fiscally conservative approach to budgeting. We’ve fully funded our rainy-day accounts, paid down our debts and made robust investments that are paying long-term dividends for our people.
“We can be very proud of the fact that during my time as governor, we have not once used the word “proration,” nor have we spent beyond our means. And that’s not going to change moving forward. Members…I urge you to completely pay off the Alabama Trust Fund this year. That was the promise made to the people of Alabama, and we should make it a priority. Unlike D.C., we pay our debts!
“Alabama’s financial footing compared to other states across the country is solid, and on top of that, Alabama has one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the nation and one of best business climates.
“I urge each of you – especially our new members – to continue being wise and responsible with our people’s hard-earned money.
“We are, once again, tasked with allocating our taxpayers’ dollars that are part of the second round of the American Rescue Plan Act from Congress.
“And I’ll say again: This is not “free money,” and we must invest these one-time funds wisely. Last year, thanks to you, members of the Alabama Legislature, we put these dollars to work, meeting some of Alabama’s biggest challenges. I commit to the people of Alabama we will once again take a smart approach and put it towards major and needed endeavors like expanding broadband access, improving our water and sewer infrastructure and investing in our health care – including telemedicine.
“This evening, I am calling a Special Session of the Alabama Legislature to begin tomorrow so that we can urgently address these endeavors. Let’s wisely invest these federal monies to overcome some of our biggest challenges, while also paying off our debts.”
The proclamation can can be read here: https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2023/03/2023-special-session/
The full text of the governor’s 2023 state of the state address can be read here: https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2023/03/governor-iveys-state-of-the-state-address-2023/
