Tuscaloosa Leaders Hear Quiet Election-Year Forecast in Montgomery Visit

Lawmakers predict no major legislative action as 2026 elections loom

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Lawmakers and state officials told a delegation of leaders from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to expect a quiet legislative session in Montgomery this year, as the state prepares for elections in November 2026. The group heard warnings about budget challenges ahead, but assurances that education funding should remain stable.

Why it matters

With the state legislature operating on a four-year cycle, lawmakers are hesitant to push major bills or initiatives in an election year, fearing voter backlash. This means the 2026 session is likely to be low-key, even as the state faces looming budget pressures and the need to maintain recent education gains.

The details

During their annual visit to the state capital, the Tuscaloosa delegation met with various state officials, including the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama president, the lieutenant governor's chief of staff, the state finance director, and the state superintendent of education. They were told to expect little legislative action on issues like gaming and lotteries, as lawmakers focus on staying out of voters' crosshairs ahead of the November elections. However, the group also heard warnings about upcoming budget challenges, as federal pandemic relief funds dry up, and a need to find solutions for the electricity demands of the growing AI industry.

  • The 2026 legislative session will be the end of the current four-year cycle, with elections scheduled for November 2026.
  • Interest revenue from federal pandemic funds peaked in 2024 at $557 million and is expected to crash to historical norms of around $374 million in the current fiscal year 2026, creating budget pressures.

The players

Paige Hutto

President of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.

Connie Rowe

Chief of staff for Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth.

Bill Poole

Alabama's Director of Finance and a Tuscaloosa native.

Eric Mackey

Alabama Superintendent of Education.

Chris Pringle

State Representative who discussed the legislature's upcoming move to a new $350 million State House.

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What they’re saying

“There are some things that are early in the quadrennium issues, and there are some things that are late in the quadrennium issues.”

— Connie Rowe, Chief of staff for Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (praise933.com)

“This is ending. [Interest revenue] peaked in 2024 at 557 million dollars. The estimate for 2026, the current year, is $374 million, and it is going to crash back to historical norms.”

— Bill Poole, Alabama's Director of Finance (praise933.com)

“The New York Times did a huge piece on us, Mississippi and Louisiana, as the three fastest-growing states [for education results] in the country. We have still not surpassed your traditional high performers, the Department of Defense, Massachusetts, and Vermont. These are states that traditionally do really well. They're still doing really well, but we are closing the gap with them at a rate we've never seen before. But I would still tell you that we have not made the changes in such a way that they will last forever.”

— Eric Mackey, Alabama Superintendent of Education (praise933.com)

What’s next

Lawmakers should move into the new $350 million State House across the street from the current Capitol building next year for the 2027 legislative session.

The takeaway

With the 2026 elections looming, Alabama lawmakers are expected to take a cautious approach during the upcoming legislative session, focusing on maintaining the status quo rather than pursuing major new initiatives. However, the state still faces significant budget challenges and the need to build on recent education gains.