Gov. Kay Ivey appeared as a guest speaker at a luncheon hosted by the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce in Jackson County.
Ivey took to the stage to express what she believes have been the most significant accomplishments for her administration, including the construction done on Alabama roads and bridges, as well as the “booming” economy. Ivey also discussed the current special session and the future for Alabama.
Ivey vented her frustrations with the national media and what she believes is a hysterical narrative being promulgated.
“As we head into – believe it or not – year three of us being in this pandemic, I certainly want to be clear with all of you today,” Ivey said. “We are at a point now where we have to learn to live with this virus. For me personally, I have chosen to be vaccinated and boosted and to be frank, I’ve just about had enough of this hysteria from the national media. Alabama is going forward.”
At the governor’s vigorous pronouncement of the last two words of the above statement, she received rousing applause.
“If you know me, you know I’m a straight shooter, and that means when I see a problem, I want to bring everyone to the table to find a solution, plain and simple. I guess that’s the rural Alabama mentality in me.”
Ivey discussed what she believed to be the significant accomplishments of her administration, mainly focusing on the improvements made to dilapidated roads, bridges, and prisons. Ivey also stated that her administration successfully combatted “federal overreach” with the proposed COVID vaccine mandate.
According to Ivey, Alabama’s economy has improved significantly, especially considering the economic effects of the pandemic.
"Alabama’s economy is rock solid,” Ivey said. “Our preliminary numbers for 2021 are looking so strong. You wouldn’t know we were in the middle of a pandemic. And since I have been governor, $25 billion has been invested in Alabama, and we have created 50,000 new quality jobs.”
Ivey discussed the current special session and stressed that she has urged the legislature to focus the federal ARPA funds on long-term investments in the economy to address Alabama’s “biggest challenges.” Specifically, Ivey addressed developments in healthcare, water and sewage, and broadband infrastructure.
“Those funds are large,’ Ivey said. "And I’ve made it clear that, unlike Washington D.C., Alabama will be wise with these one-time federal dollars. We must invest these one-time dollars, not just casually spend.”
The governor concluded her statement by addressing the needs of Alabama schools and her plans to address the struggling Alabama school system by “implementing the Alabama literacy act.” Ivey also announced plans to fund improvements for struggling and failing schools.
“We must assure that our young people are focused on their math skills, studying history, not theory, and mastering other classes like science and writing,” Ivey said. “Folks, if we don’t give our children our best, and make meaningful changes to our education system, we will hurt the future of this state.”
Ivey is running for re-election in a crowded gubernatorial field this year. In addition to Ivey, former U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda "Lindy" Blanchard, Springville Mayor Dave Thomas, Greenville businessman Tim James, Lee County Pastor Dean Odle, King’s Home President Lew Burdette, and former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy George are all running for the Alabama Republican Party nomination.
There are also three Democrats running: Yolana Rochelle Flowers, Chad Chig Martin, and Patricia Salter Jamieson.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com
