OPELIKA — Alabama lawmakers should cut the state’s individual income tax, according to former State Sen. Gerald Dial.
Dial is running against incumbent State Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika) in the May 19 Republican primary for State Senate District 13.
The former lawmaker said at a campaign event on Tuesday in Opelika that the first bill he’d push for if elected would be legislation to cut the state’s individual income tax rate from 5% to 4%.
“If you’re really for tax cuts, this is the opportunity to show it to the people. This is a real significant cut to taxes,” Dial said. “You’re going to get a lot of opposition to this bill because those in Montgomery who want to tax and spend will be opposed to this.”
Dial called the tax cut a “bold proposal to ensure that recent federal tax relief translates into real savings for the people of Alabama—not increased deposits into state government accounts.”
“With the passage of what has been called the ‘Great Big Beautiful Bill,’ Americans are seeing historic federal tax relief—eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits, tips, and overtime, while reducing capital gains taxes,” said Dial. “This is one of the most significant federal tax cuts of our lifetime.”
According to Dial, under current Alabama tax law, reductions in federal tax liability result in higher state tax burdens. Because Alabama allows taxpayers to deduct federal income taxes from their state-adjusted income, when federal taxes go down, state taxable income increases—meaning Alabamians will not fully receive the intended benefit.
“At a time when families are struggling with rising costs—gas, healthcare, food, utilities—we should not allow this relief to be absorbed into the state’s growing reserves,” Dial said.
Governor Kay Ivey recently dismissed and replaced the entire appointed Motor Sports Hall of Fame Commission, including Dial, the former board chairman. Two International Motorsports Hall of Fame employees were arrested recently for allegedly using their positions for personal gain.
“I’m not the subject or target of any investigation, and I’m fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities. I’ve been advised to make no further statement at this time,” Dial said.
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