Gov. Kay Ivey announced that “Alabama is thriving,” and she stated that she would support an $800 tax rebate for Alabama residents.
Ivey revealed the rebate and other efforts for lawmakers who began the 2023 legislative session today in her State of the State address tonight at the State Capitol.
Alabama’s Proposed Tax Rebate
Furthermore, the governor has scheduled a special session of the Legislature to begin on Wednesday to allocate Alabama’s remaining $1.1 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a COVID-19 relief package authorized by Congress two years ago. The Legislature paused the normal session today for two weeks to hold a special session to debate how to use federal monies.
The governor proposed a legislative plan that includes 2% pay raises for teachers, a goal of raising starting salaries to the highest in the Southeast by the conclusion of her term, mandatory kindergarten before beginning first grade, and extra start-up money for charter schools.
Democratic legislative leaders said that Ivey could help working families more by repealing the state’s 4% grocery tax or expanding Medicaid to cover working poor families.
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Another Intends To Introduce Legislation
Alabama received $2.1 billion from the American Rescue Plan. So far, state legislators have utilized the funds for water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion, and healthcare costs. They also directed $400 million to a contentious prison development plan, dismissing Democratic concerns that the funds were not intended for such projects.
Ivey stated that she is looking for start-up funds for more charter schools, as well as changes to the state charter school statute and the Alabama Accountability Act, which provides tax credits for private school scholarships.
Other lawmakers, though, want more drastic measures. Republican Senator Larry Stutts of Tuscumbia has announced plans to submit legislation that would provide parents with around $6,000 in education savings accounts to pay for private schools, homeschooling, or other educational alternatives.
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