Republican Alabama Governor Kay Ivey delivered her 2021 State of the State Address to the Legislature and the people of Alabama. Alabama Republican Party Chair Terry Lathan and other members of the GOP released statements praising the speech.
Lathan said:
“Governor Kay Ivey set forth an agenda with big goals and a bold vision. I have no doubt she will work with the Legislature to have deep discussions to prioritize the needs of Alabamians. I join our Governor in looking ahead with confidence from our leaders.
“We support Governor Ivey’s three ‘priority bills’ – ensuring there will be no state income tax on CARES Act funding, renewing our economic incentives and providing our business and medical communities COVID-19 liability protection. Additionally, the infrastructure projects laid out by the Governor will improve the lives of people in our great state. From the much needed four lane highways through our rural communities to improving mental health services, these efforts are a great focus for all.
“Even with COVID continuing to greatly impact our state, Alabama’s general fund and education budgets remain in solid shape. This comes from years of conservative policies from our Republican-controlled Legislature along with Governor Ivey. These principled governing decisions will allow Alabama to provide for our citizens during the pandemic.”
“We look forward to the Legislature and the Governor’s office working out plans to put Alabamians first. We are greatly appreciative of our elected officials serving in the public arena of service.”
Republican former state Rep. Perry Hooper Jr. said: “Governor Ivey once again has shown that she is a Governor’s Governor. She is willing to tackle problems that others have just kicked down the road, like Alabama’s myriad prison issues. She is committed to the people of Alabama and finding Alabama solutions to Alabama problems. She always puts what is best for the people of Alabama before politics.”
The State of the State Address comes on the first day of the 2021 Legislative Session.
Normally, the governor would be addressing a packed joint meeting of the legislature in the Old House Chambers of the historic Alabama State Capital Building, but due to COVID-19 concerns, the speech was delivered virtually without all the normal pomp and ceremony.
State Senate Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, said, “I appreciate @GovernorKayIvey’s leadership and enjoyed hearing her vision of a strong path forward for our state. I will continue to do my part in the Senate to help her accomplish her high goals for the state of Alabama.”
Both chambers of the Legislature met on Tuesday for an organizational meeting. The Legislature will meet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week and next week. The Statehouse is barring the public due to COVID-19 fears. A member of the public who is wishing to speak to a legislator about a bill needs to contact them through phone or email.
