This Week at the State House - June 2nd
The 2023 Regular Session is all but over, with just one day left on Tuesday that the legislature saves in case they need to override a governor veto. Thankfully, I’ve got some good news to share.
Grocery Tax Gets Final Passage
The good news is that, after decades of lobbying by a host of conservative and liberal groups alike, the legislature has finally approved a grocery tax cut. The cut, once fully implemented, would lower the tax on groceries from 4% to 2%, saving Alabamians over $300 million a year. This is a huge deal and a change that will positively impact our state in perpetuity. It is really exciting to see our legislature opt not for easy one-year relief but for permanent tax cuts. We should applaud and expect more action like this in the future. The bill now goes to Governor Ivey for her signature.
Ivey Signs Largest Budgets in History
Governor Ivey Thursday signed the two largest budgets in state history. The Education Trust Fund was allocated $8.8 billion while the General Fund boasts $3 billion in state spending. Amidst all the spending is a one-time $150 per taxpayer or $300 per married couple rebate. The budgets were supported overwhelmingly in the legislature.
Anti-ESG Bill Gets Final Passage
The House Wednesday approved the Anti-ESG legislation that would prohibit government entities from entering into contracts with companies that use environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria to discriminate in business practices. The bill passed within a minute without any attempts to stall by Democrat members. This is an important and common-sense change for our government to adopt as the pressure to go woke continues to grow for companies. The bill now goes to Governor Ivey for her signature.
That’s it for now. I’ll be back with a full session review.
As always, put your trust in God and keep your powder dry.
Bryan