Alabamians are hard workers, but too many people feel stuck, and too many communities are being left behind. Doug’s priority is to remove barriers to work, grow wages, and expand opportunity statewide so people can build a future here at home.

The Challenge

• Workforce participation is 57.9% overall and 71% for prime working-age adults, which places Alabama near the bottom nationally.

• That equals roughly 160,000 Alabamians sidelined from the workforce.

• Employers face an employee shortage: 38 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
  

Doug’s Plan

1. Reward work and raise take-home pay

   • Enact a state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to reward work for families who need it most.

2. Make it possible for parents to work

   • Expand childcare options and infrastructure — especially in areas considered childcare deserts.

   • Address the reality that childcare costs can average $18,000 per year for families. 

3. Open doors to training, credentials, and careers

   • Create paths like free community college for adults without credentials.

   • Strengthen apprenticeship incentives so more people can earn while they learn.

4. Cut red tape that blocks workers and small businesses

   • Reform occupational licensing rules that can cost Alabama $1.88 billion and 21,000 jobs annually.

   • Support second-chance hiring so more Alabamians can re-enter the workforce.

5. Invest in opportunity everywhere

   • Expand investments in broadband, transportation, and digital skills that are projected to generate $1.4 billion in economic impact and 25,000+ jobs in underserved regions.

   • Ensure small businesses and startups aren’t left behind while only large corporations benefit.

6. Strengthen the workforce through healthcare

   • Medicaid expansion can help people stay healthy and employed and is projected to create nearly 30,000 jobs and $2.76 billion in economic activity.
     

What This Delivers

• More workers able to work 

• More jobs with better pay 

• Growth that reaches every region, not just a few
  

Why It Matters

If Alabama makes the right choices now, we can turn 160,000 missing workers into 160,000 paychecks — and make sure people don’t have to leave to find opportunity.