Alabama budget chairman begins talks with incoming Tuberville team

Alabama House Education Trust Fund budget chairman Danny Garrett has begun budget discussions with members of the incoming Tuberville administration. This marks Alabama’s first gubernatorial transition in eight years, as Republican nominee Tuberville prepares to face Democratic nominee Doug Jones in the November election.

Garrett, a Republican from Trussville, indicated that the transition will likely involve new priorities aimed at increasing state government efficiency. He noted that he does not expect the process to be “just business as usual” given the wholesale administration change.

The discussions come as the state’s Education Trust Fund returns to a more stable financial state. After several years of large surpluses driven by federal COVID-19 funding—which saw supplemental appropriations peak at approximately $2.8 billion—revenues have declined. Recent figures showed the amount falling to $419 million last year, and Garrett expects the upcoming supplemental appropriation to be closer to $200 million.