@willainsworthAL
Sept 17
236 years ago today, our Founding Fathers signed the United States Constitution establishing the government for the greatest country the world has ever known and securing “the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”
Representative Nathan Ledbetter, Speaker of Alabama’s House of Representatives, recently outlined the pros and cons impacting Alabama’s economy. He touted the historic numbers that “paint a picture of robust economic progress and unmatched job growth.” But he also noted what these numbers don’t show, explaining the barriers that are hindering the state from reaching its full potential. To keep the state’s growth going, he said the legislature will likely make addressing these issues a priority in the 2024 legislative session. Read more here.
Once an elementary school teacher herself, Governor Kay Ivey recently cleared her office calendar to visit elementary schools around the state. During a visit to Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Huntsville, she discussed the importance of reading and having a strong work ethic. She told students it was their job to study and work hard and be the best they can be, encouraging them to dream big, and explaining that with hard work and dedication, they can realize those dreams and aspirations.
U.S. Senator Katie Britt recently celebrated $34 million in funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for a new Math and Science Building at Marion Military Institute’s Perry County campus. MMI has prepared young men and women across the country for successful civilian and military careers since 1842. It is a part of the Alabama Community College System and one of only four military junior colleges in the nation. According to Britt’s office, the new classroom space will enable the campus to expand course offerings in fields such as computer science, cybersecurity and information technology. MMI is home to one of the nation’s top Service Academy Programs, with more than 600 cadets receiving Academy appointments in the last seven years, and the school also counts more than 216 generals and admirals among its alumni.
The state will soon know more about the possible construction of a statewide health-science high school near Demopolis, something Governor Ivey proposed during her State of the State address in March. The Legislative Contract Review Committee recently approved a $500,000 contract with a consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study. Under the governor’s proposal, the school will accept students in grades nine through twelve and offer a varied curriculum of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as healthcare-based courses. The consulting firm will recommend a site location in November, with the final report complete in January 2024.
Public K-12 schools can now apply for up to $5 million from the state-funded Alabama K-12 Capital Grant Program administered by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth’s office. The fund was created by the legislature during the 2023 regular session and can be used to:
The required matching grant can’t be more than 35 percent of the total project cost. To receive grant money, schools’ application has to be endorsed by their local state senator and house member.
State Senator Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) was recently named Alabama Tourism Advocate of the Year at the 2023 Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Gudger, owner of Southern Accents Architectural Antiques, one of the top five architectural salvage businesses in the country, is currently vice chair of the state’s Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee. Prior to being elected to the Senate, he served on Cullman’s City Council for 14 years. Read more here.
Verano Alabama, which was initially awarded a license to grow and sell medical marijuana before the commission voided the decision, filed suit against the state in Montgomery Circuit Court. In the suit, Verano argues the commission lacked the statutory authority to void decisions and seeks reinstatement of the original awards. This latest lawsuit is part of a flurry of litigation against the commission, including one that alleges the commission violated the Alabama Open Meetings Act by deliberating in secret. That lawsuit, filed by Alabama Always, asks the court for a complete do-over, a move that would be at odds with the relief sought by Verano’s attorney.
The Literacy Act, which became law in 2019, is focused on improving reading proficiency for K-3 students. One of its requirements is for third graders to demonstrate reading proficiency before entering the fourth grade. Last week, The Alabama State Board of Education voted to adopt a new testing standard for advancing third graders. This new benchmark could cause as many as 12,000 students to repeat third grade next year. Read more here.
On the heels of new standards related to The Literacy Act and the loss of federal emergency relief funds, The Alabama State Department of Education recently discussed asking the Alabama Legislature for additional funding in the coming year to support students above third grade who need help with reading. Read more here.
