Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said public safety is her number one priority during the legislative session that started Tuesday, saying she would support a package of bills to support police and crack down on felons who commit gun crimes.
Ivey, in her eighth State of the State address at the State Capitol, also pledged to help President Trump’s initiatives on illegal immigration.
The governor praised Alabama students for their gains on national tests in math and reading.
And she put her support behind a bill to establish a statewide policy to restrict students’ use of cellphones in public schools.
Ivey, 80, became governor when Robert Bentley resigned in 2017 and has won two landslide elections since. She said she plans to finish her second term strong.
“There is nothing … I mean nothing … an Alabamian cannot achieve, and it remains the highest honor of my life to serve our people as governor these next two years,” Ivey said. “Ladies and gentleman, the state of our state is strong, and opportunity abounds for all of Alabama.”
Ivey gave the 30-minute televised speech to a joint session of the Alabama House and Senate and others who greeted the governor with applause and cheers as she entered the old House chamber in the Capitol with a smile and a thumbs-up.
Ivey introduced Abbie Stockard, a Vestavia Hills native and Auburn University nursing student who became the fourth Alabamian crowned Miss America in January.
Republican leaders in the GOP-controlled Legislature have said fighting crime is a priority this session, and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said a package of bills will begin moving soon.
“Bolstering public safety is my number one priority this session, and I am proud to partner with Speaker Ledbetter and a bipartisan group of legislators in putting forward a package of bills that will back the blue and combat inner city gun violence,” Ivey said.
“To back the blue, we will provide law enforcement with enhanced legal protections that allow them to carry out their duties courageously and effectively – without fear of Monday morning quarterbacking in the courts.”
The governor said she would support a ban on Glock switches. She said the state would expand on a crime-fighting effort in Montgomery called the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit.
MACS is made up of law enforcement officers from ALEA, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the Montgomery Police Department, the Montgomery Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On immigration, the governor praised U.S. Sen. Katie Britt for passage of the Laken Riley Act , which expands detention of undocumented migrants charged with crimes.
“Here in Alabama, we are supporting President Trump in his mission,” Ivey said. “I have directed my cabinet agencies – including the Alabama National Guard and ALEA – to continue standing ready to lend assistance where needed.”
“Securing the Southern Border is securing Alabama’s border,” Ivey said. “And today is a new day in America with President Trump at the helm. He has wasted no time in leading on this very important issue.”
This story will be updated.