Governor Ivey Calls for Raises, Expanded School Choice in Final State of the State
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday delivered her final State of the State address, highlighting economic growth, education funding and public safety initiatives while outlining priorities for the 2026 legislative session.
Speaking before lawmakers, Ivey reflected on accomplishments since taking office in 2017, citing $69 billion in economic investment, the creation of more than 100,000 jobs and improvements in early-grade reading and math scores.
“Our state troopers deserve our thanks,” Ivey said. “That is why I am proud to propose a 2% pay raise for all our state employees — like our troopers, mental health workers and those who protect our cybersecurity.”
Ivey also proposed an additional $50 million for K-12 school safety and voiced support for legislation that would create a temporary teaching certificate pathway for qualified military veterans.
Sen. Matt Woods and Rep. Rick Rehm are sponsoring the measure, which Ivey said she “fully endorses.”
Education funding remained a central theme of the roughly 30-minute address. Ivey proposed increasing funding for the CHOOSE Act to $250 million for the 2027–28 academic year, expanding access to education options for families. She also announced a 2% pay raise for teachers.
“Our teachers are certainly key to our success,” Ivey said.
Among her other legislative priorities, the governor called for a bill that would impose the death penalty for the rape or sodomy of a child, the creation of a statewide flood notification system, and protections to ensure student-athletes are not barred from competition for a year if they transfer schools using CHOOSE Act funds.
Ivey reiterated her call for 2% pay raises for all state employees and teachers and noted that her proposed Education Trust Fund budget would be the largest in Alabama history.
Lawmakers from both parties responded following the address.
Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Montgomery, said pay raises are critical for recruitment and retention. “It’s hard to recruit employees in any field,” he said. “The only way we can maintain them is to pay them and give them good benefits.”
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, raised concerns about expanding CHOOSE Act funding without clearer outcomes. “If the intent was to increase the quality of education, we’ve seen little to no evidence of that,” Daniels said, calling for greater accountability.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, praised Ivey’s record, saying Alabama’s economic growth and education improvements have been “impressive.”
Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, said while pay raises are welcome, lawmakers must also address rising insurance costs and consider retirees. “PEEHIP is in trouble,” Singleton said, referring to the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan.
Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, said the governor struck a unifying tone. “There were things we can all agree on,” he said, citing raises for teachers and state employees.
The night took on a sentimental tone as Ivey praised legislative leaders from both parties, joking that Singleton was her “brother from another mother,” drawing laughter from the chamber.
You can watch her entire speech here.
