When conservative leaders throughout Alabama met in their monthly Center/Right think-tank, their January meeting featured Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth. The featured topic was Ainsworth's plan to put three lanes in each direction on Interstate 65 from the Tennessee line to the Interstate's end in Mobile.
With Donald Trump's announced intent to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Ainsworth joked that he will change his description of the length of his I-65 project: "…from the Tennessee line in the north to the Gulf of America in the south."
Ainsworth has been promoting the I-65 fix for years, but the project has not gained traction with the Ivey administration or the Alabama Department of Transportation. Now, Ainsworth is actively exploring a run for governor in 2026 when Ivey is term-limited and constitutionally barred from running again. He will obviously make his I-65 plan a major – maybe the major – plank in his potential election platform.
Ainsworth told the group that the I-65 fix "should have been done years ago. There are a few areas that are three-laned already, but there are 277 miles left to expand."
Ainsworth said federal funds will cover 80% of the cost of the I-65 fix. He predicted the project would take 8 to 10 years to complete.
"Congested areas should be fixed first," he declared.
The potential gubernatorial candidate called the I-65 fix "the most popular issue."
Ainsworth also explained other issues he expects to be dealt with in the 2025 regular legislative session, which starts February 4.
Workforce development.
How to allocate the surplus in the educational fund.
Expanded veterans treatment courts to all 67 counties, a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, and more flexibility for National Guard dependents' scholarships.
Codifying federal reciprocity for professional licenses for military spouses.
Raising salaries for assistant district attorneys, which are hard to recruit.
In addition to Ainsworth, the Center/Right group heard from Bureau of Pardons and Paroles director Cam Ward and Alabama Republican Party communications chief Jeannie Burniston.
The Center/Right group holds a monthly hybrid discussion session—in person or by Zoom—to discuss issues facing our state and nation.
Center/Right is moderated by former Alabama GOP chair Marty Connors.
Jim' Zig' Zeigler writes about Alabama's people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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