Before starting the 2024 legislative session, the Alabama Senate outlined a plan to show our commitment to conservative governance. We focused on delivering actual results that would continue to make Alabama the best state in the country to live, work and raise a family, because that is what Alabamians expect and deserve.
The Senate Republican Caucus prioritized issues aligning with Alabama’s foundational values while pushing back against President Joe Biden’s liberal agenda. Alabamians believe in God. Alabamians defend liberty and protect innocent life. Alabamians love our country, our state, and our communities. Alabamians support the rule of law and want safe and secure neighborhoods. Alabamians believe we can make our state better than ever through hard work, grit and determination.
Our list of legislative priorities was extensive. Beginning in February, Senate Republicans worked to accomplish these conservative goals, and as President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, I am pleased to say that we delivered for the people of Alabama.
Alabama’s elections are even more secure.
In Alabama, we believe in integrity and security. Through considerable efforts, the Alabama Legislature has passed legislation ensuring our state has effective and stringent election laws. This session, the Alabama Senate spearheaded efforts to make our election laws even stronger. State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) authored legislation elevating the criminality of illegal ballot harvesting to a Class C felony. This legislation will ensure that absentee ballots in Alabama are filled out and cast in proper ways. I am proud that we have ensured that your vote will count and that those who try to illegally take advantage of our electoral system cannot.
Divisive concepts are banned from taking over our public schools and state agencies.
God has made us all unique in many wonderful ways, and we all have special talents, gifts and skills that should be celebrated. In today’s world, there are so many efforts to pit people against one another, yet we should be looking for opportunities that promote unity and togetherness. In that spirit, the Alabama Senate led efforts to ban the utilization of taxpayer resources in the teaching and promotion of DEI and divisive concepts in public education and state agencies. I am pleased that this legislation, authored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), will ensure your taxpayer resources are not used to endorse and sponsor these divisive issues in our public domains.
Alabama children’s educations come first, and parents have a right to know what is being taught in their children’s classrooms.
Children are gifts from God, the future of our great state. Over the past decade, there have been considerable efforts made in the Alabama Legislature, like the Literacy Act and Numeracy Act, that ensure our educational outcomes are better for young students. This legislative session, the Alabama Senate wanted to build on our positive momentum in education policy. One way we did that was by passing the CHOOSE Act. This legislation, sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), allows for school choice options in a fiscally responsible way by utilizing Education Savings Accounts.
Another way the Alabama Senate built on our positive momentum in education policy was by passing State Sen. Donnie Chesteen’s (R-Geneva) First Grade Readiness Bill. This legislation creates a process to admit children to first grade that either turn six before a certain date, have completed kindergarten, or demonstrate they are ready to enter the first grade.
Our teachers should be commended for the daily work they do; their investments in our children’s futures are inspiring.
Another important way the Alabama Senate built on positive momentum in education policy was by passing my Parents’ Right to Know Bill. This legislation creates a methodology for parents to be informed about what is taught in their children’s classrooms and will provide a transparent opportunity for teachers and parents to engage together more for the betterment of all children’s educational outcomes.
I believe in Alabama and her future. As President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, it is my goal that the efforts made in our governmental entities will make Alabama better. As I hope you can see, the Alabama Senate delivered results that will make a meaningful difference in achieving that goal, and I want to thank every senator for his or her efforts in a productive legislative session. Alabama’s future is incredibly bright!
Sen. Greg Reed is the President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819news.com.
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