By Erica Thomas, managing editor
MONTGOMERY Alabama Governor Kay Ivet gave her State of the State address from just outside the old House Chamber in the Alabama State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.
Ivey talked about how COVID-19 has impacted the state, natural disasters, economic development, gambling, education, internet across the state and the Legislative Session.
When looking back at a year ago today, Ivey said a lot of things have happened to add challenges to the state
“At 2.7 %, Alabama had the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history,” said Ivey. “We were seeing economic prosperity all around and, we were dealing with the wonderful problem of more jobs than people to fill them. During the past 12 months, Alabama – like the rest of the country – had no choice but to deal with one giant challenge after another.”
February 2, 2021
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed 30-year leases for new prisons to be constructed near Atmore and in Elmore County.
The two new men’s correctional facilities wilk be constructed by CoreCivic’s Developer Team. The state signed a lease agreement with Government Real Estate Solutions of South Alabama, LLC, a CoreCivic entity, for the Escambia County facility on Bell Fork near Atmore.
The agreements are not subject to annual renegotiation; however, options to negotiate occupancy extensions beyond the 30-year lease term are available to the state.
The Alabama Department of Corrections will staff and maintain full operational control of the facilities these are not private prisons. CoreCivic will construct, own, and maintain the facilities
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs lease agreements for 2 new mega prisons for men Share Updated: 4:30 PM CST Feb 1, 2021 WVTM 13 Digital Share Updated: 4:30 PM CST Feb 1, 2021
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Show Transcript UPGRADED. TODAY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SIGNED LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR TWO NEW MEN S PRISONS, ONE WILL BE IN ELMORE COUNTY AND THE OTHER IN ATMORE IN HE IS CAM BEE I CAN T. THE NEW PRISON BUILDING PROPOSAL WILL NOT ADDRESS CHRONIC PRISON VIOLENCE AND SEVERE STAFFING PROBLEMS IN THE SYSTEM. IN A STATEMENT, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID LEASING AND OPERATING NEW MODERN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY WITHOUT RAISING TAXES OR INCURRING DEBT IS WITHOUT QUESTION. MOST FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE DECISION FOR OUR STATE. WE ARE IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY, PROVIDING BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS AND WORKING CONDITIONS, AND ACCOMMODATING INMATE REHABILITATION, ALL WHILE PROTECTING THE IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF THE TAXPAYERS. AND THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTI