Archibald: When Alabama makes Mississippi look smart

Alabama’s spending priorities reveal much about the state’s values, especially when it comes to what it chooses not to fund.

The state pours money into billion-dollar prisons but shows little concern for children or support for the poor. Instead, it favors incentives for the wealthy.

Since 2000, Alabama has allocated about $4.5 billion in grants, tax credits, and incentives to attract businesses, according to Good Jobs First. This includes lucrative deals with companies like Thyssenkrupp and Toyota, which have deeper pockets than the state itself.

For instance, in 2012, Alabama promised Airbus $158 million in incentives to bring in 1,000 jobs—translating to $158,000 per job.

Alabama is enthusiastic about job creation—until it isn’t. This year, the state opted not to extend a $30 million loan to Birmingham-Southern College, leading to its closure and a loss of 1,481 jobs, costing the state $20,300 per job.

The state invests heavily in economic development when it suits its interests but neglects human development.

Alabama struggles with one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation and ranks 45th in child health and wellness. It also ranks poorly for working mothers and childbirth conditions.

Furthermore, Alabama is one of ten states that chose not to expand Medicaid, citing cost concerns. Meanwhile, hospitals are closing, leaving many families without access to healthcare. According to the non-partisan Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, expanding Medicaid two years ago could have saved enough money to cover the expansion's costs within six years.

Last year, Governor Kay Ivey proposed using $25 million from the Education Trust Fund to build a water park in Montgomery—a move that raised eyebrows among lawmakers. After public outcry, the funding was reduced to $5 million.

This year, the legislature prioritized funding for parents wishing to send their children to private schools, diverting crucial resources away from struggling public schools.

Alabama consistently ranks low in education, coming in 45th in the nation, and has historically relied on Mississippi to rank lower. However, Mississippi has recently improved its standing, now sitting at 30th.

Despite receiving substantial federal funding—much of which has driven growth in Huntsville, Alabama’s most prosperous metro area—the state is set to spend $5.5 billion on a controversial beltline around Birmingham, criticized by researchers as a “bridge to nowhere.” This investment, they warn, may ultimately harm Birmingham rather than benefit surrounding communities.

In summary, Alabama’s budget reflects a commitment to economic development at the expense of vital human needs, leaving many to question its priorities.