2024 State of the City address
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin's 2024 State of the City address was delivered to the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham at the Harbert Center on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. It was Woodfin's 7th annual address, and followed the completion of the 2nd year of his 2nd four-year term of office.
In the course of 35 minutes on the podium, Woodfin highlighted many of the initiatives and accomplishments he had previously touted in December with a presentation on "The Blueprint" for his second term. These included Birmingham Talks early childhood education, Birmingham Promise for high-school graduates, Embrace Mothers to support single mothers, Home For All to address homelessness, investments in public works and parks, the city's home repair program, and efforts to reduce violence and address food deserts.
The mayor acknowledged the work done by his staff and all city employees, and also used the opportunity to publicly introduce his wife, Kendra.
Alluding to problems he wants to tackle, Woodfin discussed the fragmentation of economic development efforts in the region, and the need to potentially "blow up the structures we have," in order to rebuild. He put out a call for Birmingham leaders to, "be comfortable being uncomfortable as we continue to secure our role as the key player in this region." He called for a focus on workforce training, including further investment in Birmingham City Schools and in the success of its students. In particular he exhorted anyone with the ability to help coach the system's third graders in reading to avoid a circumstance where hundreds could be held back due to newly-implemented requirements of the Alabama Literacy Act.
During his address, Woodfin favored public support for Birmingham-Southern College, which he noted is a crucial part of the city's economy, both as a taxpaying institution and as a producer of highly-educated workers. He suggested that the Alabama State Legislature change one word, "may", to "shall" in its 2023 bill to authorize a public loan, directing Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer III to approve the application.
Woodfin also discussed crime reduction efforts, including $8 million the city budgets annually for crime prevention and anti-recidivism programs, which support efforts to improve law enforcement toward the overall goal of making the city safer for residents and visitors.
References
- Keenum, Lynne (February 6, 2024) "Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin delivers State of the City address." WVTM13.com
- Garrison, Greg (February 6, 2024) "Woodfin: Alabama lawmakers can save Birmingham-Southern College by changing one word." AL.com
- Wright, Barnett (February 7, 2024) "Mayor Woodfin’s ‘Uncomfortable’ State of the City Address to The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham." The Birmingham Times
- Garrison, Greg (February 7, 2024) "Mayor Randall Woodfin introduces First Lady, outlines Birmingham’s challenges for 2024." AL.com