Gov. Kay Ivey delivered her final State of the State address at the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery on Jan. 13. The governor asked legislators to approve 2% pay raises for teachers and education employees, as well as state employees. Ivey also said she would support increased funding for the CHOOSE Act, the school choice program that allows parents to receive up to $7,000 to help pay for private school. Ivey proposed $250 million for the CHOOSE Act for the 2027-28 school year. In its first year, 2025-26, the program awarded about $100 million to families for private school costs. Ivey has served the longest consecutive term of any Alabama governor and will have served just three months shy of 10 years when she leaves office in 2027. Reporting by Mike Cason #education #payraise #governor #capitol #address