Childcare Credit and Property Tax Cap: How the Alabama Legislature Supported Families in 2024 - Op-ed

{TheChronicle.cc} –It’s been a little over two weeks since the Alabama Legislature adjourned Sine Die, and the people of Alabama should be proud of the significant achievements made over the past three months.

When evaluating the productivity and success of a legislative session, the key question is, “Did we improve the lives of the people of Alabama?” Looking back, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

One major accomplishment is the Childcare Tax Credit legislation, aimed at addressing the rising cost of childcare that makes it financially difficult for many Alabama parents to work. This new law provides tax credits to employers who offer childcare to their employees, helping parents—especially single parents—remain in the workforce and support their families.

Affordable housing is another critical issue, particularly in cities like Huntsville, Birmingham, and Mobile, where high-wage jobs are concentrated but housing costs are prohibitive. To tackle this, we passed the Housing Tax Credit, championed by State Rep. Cynthia Almond, to help more people secure housing and employment.

Additionally, we addressed the issue of soaring property taxes. Some areas have experienced property tax increases of up to 68% year over year, which has forced many families out of home ownership. Thanks to legislation sponsored by State Rep. Phillip Pettus, property tax increases are now capped at 7% annually, protecting homeownership and the American dream in Alabama.

In education, we made significant strides by bolstering career tech training in K-12 schools. The Career Pathways Act, sponsored by Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, introduces a diploma for students pursuing trades, providing an alternative to the traditional college prep route and equipping students with the skills needed for post-graduation jobs.

We also made a record $9.3 billion investment in public schools, community colleges, and universities, under the leadership of ETF Chairman Danny Garrett. For the fifth consecutive year, Alabama’s teachers received a well-deserved pay raise, with the starting salary for classroom teachers now at $47,600, the highest among neighboring states.

In partnership with Governor Ivey, we passed the CHOOSE Act, ensuring a strong education for all students, regardless of their zip code. This legislation positions Alabama as one of the most pro-school choice states in the nation while making substantial investments in public schools.

As we approach the presidential election in November, we took steps to safeguard election integrity by banning ballot harvesting and ranked-choice voting.

Supporting Alabama’s active-duty service members and veterans remained a priority. Legislation led by Rep. Chip Brown paved the way for Alabama’s first comprehensive plan for veteran mental health care, addressing issues such as substance abuse recovery, traumatic brain injuries, and PTSD.

I am proud of the professionalism and respect with which our members made difficult decisions this session. We passed strong legislation that will significantly improve the quality of life in Alabama, making our state an even better place to live.

This successful session sets a positive momentum as we prepare for another productive session in 2025.