Governor Pledges Teacher Pay Raise, Prison Overhaul in State of the State

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Tonight the governor gave his state of the state address, debuting a new plan to change the state by the time he leaves office in three years.

“Today we launch Alabama’s Great State 2019 Plan. Our strategic 3 year course of action will set in motion things that will help our people to be educated and trained,” said Governor Robert Bentley.

When Governor Bentley is leaving office in 2019, the state will celebrate it’s 200th birthday.

He wants to leave a legacy and make drastic changes, because he recognizes some of the glaring issues that keep coming up.

“While good jobs are coming, industries are growing and education is improving, we cannot continue to ignore persistent problems. Alabama is the 6th poorest state in the country,” said Bentley.

Part of the solution means overhauling the state’s overcrowded prison system. Lawmakers last year passed legislation to help, but this new plan calls for even grander changes.

“We will permanently close the doors to decades old facilities where maintenance costs have skyrocketed and increased staff are needed. the outdated prisons will be consolidated and replaced by four newly constructed state of the art facilities,” said the governor.

Jeff Dunn heads up the state’s prison system, and he’s worked closely with the governor to come up with this plan, which he says is doable.

“We’re primarily looking at taking 28 old and outdated facilities and transforming that entire system to build three new high tech mens facilities and one new high tech womens facility and close Julia F. Tuttwiler. By doing that and consolidating our efforts, we’ll gain efficiencies to be able to pay for the plan,” said Dunn.

To cap it all off, the governor is looking to reward teachers and state employees for their hard work.

“In the balanced budget i will present. I will include a pay raise for teachers and school support personnel and state employees, no strings attached,” said Bentley.

For the governor’s speech in its entirety, click here.