Fitzgerald Washington

News / Economy

Alabama sees job growth and record high employment in November, labor participation up

“This job growth continues improving, and we know that Alabama’s employers are continuing to add jobs each and every month,” said Washington.

December 25, 2023

ADOL secretary appoints first deputy secretary over government affairs

Attorney Don Harrison, currently assistant general counsel for ADOL, will serve as deputy secretary government affairs.

March 2, 2022

Alabama’s November unemployment rate holds steady at 3.1 percent

November’s rate represents 68,673 unemployed persons, compared to 67,860 in October and 105,558 in November 2020.

December 17, 2021

Alabama’s October unemployment rate holds steady at 3.1 percent

The unemployment rate is 3.1 percent, unchanged from September, but well below October 2020’s rate of 4.7 percent.

November 19, 2021

Governor says there will be no special session before August

Wednesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) told legislators that there will be no special session prior to August because the state’s budget numbers will not be in before July 15. The Governor told the legislators in a video conference that all options are on the table on whether or not there will be a special … Continued

Brandon Moseley and Nicole Jones

June 11, 2020

Legislators briefed on coronavirus crisis

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and her team on Thursday briefed state legislators on the latest developments on the coronavirus crisis that has gripped the state for the last ten weeks. State Public Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris told legislators that the state has 13,058 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection. 528 Alabamians have died from COVID-19 … Continued

Brandon Moseley and Nicole Jones

May 22, 2020

Ivey expected to announce reopening plan Tuesday

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, on a conference call Monday, told legislators that she will announce her plan to reopen the economy. Ivey was joined by her chief of staff, former Congressman Joe Bonner; State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris; State Finance Officer Kelly Butler; Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington; and Legislative Liaison William Filmore. Ivey told … Continued

Brandon Moseley and Nicole Jones

April 28, 2020

Ivey says plan for reopening the economy “will be data driven not date driven”

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey held her weekly briefing Monday with state legislators to update them on the state’s COVID-19 response and plans for reopening the economy. Ivey told state legislators that reopening the economy will be data-driven rather than date-driven. Reopening the economy will be a balance of health and economics, she said. Thirty to … Continued

Brandon Moseley and Nicole Jones

April 21, 2020

Ivey reports that the state has started conversation on post pandemic economy

Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) hosted a conference call with state Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington, and EMA Director Brian Hastings. “We are one week in to our Stay at Home order. While it seems to be working, we have to remain vigilant and continue to follow the orders,” said … Continued

Brandon Moseley and Nicole Jones

April 16, 2020

2019 was record year in Alabama for low unemployment, total employment and wages

2019 will be remembered for both our bicentennial as a state and for the record low unemployment. Not only are more people working in Alabama than ever before but average wages are also at a record high. “I’m so proud to be able to close out this decade with record-breaking economic measures,” Alabama Governor Kay … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 27, 2020