The regular session of the Alabama Legislature is approaching. The only legal requirement for our state legislature is to pass a balanced budget, but literally hundreds of bills will be considered and debated as our elected leaders move through the session. .

It's difficult for even the most experienced legislators to stay focused on specific priorities, but we'd like to suggest 10 things Alabama legislators should accomplish for the representatives they represent in 2024. Masu.

1. Freeing up educational freedom

School Choice initiatives increase the ability of parents to truly choose among many options for their children's education. Charter schools, magnet schools, and tax credit scholarship programs are all good things. Universal school choice is better. Education savings accounts allow parents to choose what's best for each child each year. Also, consider enacting laws that mandate educational transparency so parents can see what their children are being taught in Alabama's public schools.

2. Reform of occupational licenses

Occupational licensing imposes costs and burdensome regulations and documentation without substantial social benefits. Revoking licenses for certain professions is justified. Significant reforms are also needed to create a higher burden of proof for government regulation and continued red tape for licensed professions.

3. Resist the expansion of gambling

Refuses to legalize or expand casino-style gambling in Alabama. Bills that would create a state lottery in Alabama, create sports betting, or legalize digital gambling are bad ideas. Gambling expands state bureaucracies, is inherently regressive, hurts the most vulnerable, invites corruption, and is financially negative.

4. Eliminate Alabama's certification process and increase health care transparency

The CON process unfairly stifles competition, creates a false bed shortage, and prevents both transparency and cost savings for Alabama citizens and patients. Alabama should stop picking winners and losers in health care and return to a free market model.

5. Resist the urge to expand Medicaid

Despite the views of some advocates, the expansion of services would have a negative impact on the state's general fund. Additionally, increased dependence on the federal government and negative effects on labor force participation are also reasons to reject expansion. Lawmakers should consider insurance exchanges and other reform measures and instead enact innovative ideas for expanding rural health care.

6. Reduce government emergency power supplies and return accountability to the people

Alabamians should be protected from healthcare discrimination and should vote to allow Congress to intervene during a prolonged state of emergency. Additionally, Congress should have the power to call special sessions, and the state health officer should be accountable to the people of the state.

7. Election Integrity

The right of Alabama citizens to vote in free and fair elections is a fundamental civil right. Protecting election integrity is fundamental to protecting the citizens of this state and many other rights on which all Americans depend. Legislatures should enact laws to protect election integrity. Election preparations must be professional, fair and transparent at all levels. Government legitimacy depends on public trust in elections and political processes.

8. Upper limit of fixed asset tax

Although Alabama has low state property tax rates, county and city tax rates vary widely within the state, so some residents are more affected by increases in property valuations than others. Lawmakers should consider implementing assessment caps to make property tax increases more predictable and reduce the tax burden for Alabama homeowners.

9. Women's Bill of Rights

Alabama has a compelling interest in preventing unfair discrimination and maintaining the safety, privacy, and fairness of both sexes. Codifying the definitions of men, women, girls, and boys is necessary to protect women's territory, enable girls and women to flourish, and affirm truth.

10. Protect children from harm

There are many reasons to protect children from intentional brainwashing and exposure to age-inappropriate information. Banning sexually explicit performances in public places, protecting minors from explicit library materials, ending her DEI programs in state agencies and higher education, and protecting minors on the Internet all have value It is a necessary goal.

These 10 issues aren't the only issues the Alabama Legislature should address this year, but if our leaders have a sincere desire to represent their constituents, this list is a great start. Probably. The Alabama Policy Institute celebrates his 35th anniversary of continuing to fight for good public policy solutions across Alabama. API is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and research organization committed to free markets, limited government, and strong families.

The Alabama Policy Institute is a nonpartisan education and research organization committed to free markets, limited government, and strong families.