Jones Caps 2025 With Tax Cuts, Local Wins, Statewide Impact

Alabama State Senator Andrew Jones (R-Centre) closed out 2025 by pointing to a year of major legislative wins, local investments, and Statewide policy changes in his January 2026 “Year in Review” newsletter.

Jones, who represents Senate District 10 (Cherokee, Etowah, parts of DeKalb Counties) outlined ten highlights from the past year, led by the second phase of the largest tax cut in Alabama history. The change removed the final cent of the State grocery tax, a move Jones has pushed for more than five years.

With both cuts now in place, the average Alabama family is expected to save about $350 per year. The combined grocery tax reduction is valued at roughly $304 million Statewide. Jones has argued the tax placed the greatest burden on working families and seniors on fixed incomes.

Economic development also featured prominently in the report. The Northeast Alabama Regional (NEAR) Megasite surpassed $17 million in total investment after receiving an additional $3.3 million SEEDS grant in 2025. The funds were used to extend water and sewer service to the site, which is intended to attract large-scale industry to the region.

Jones also highlighted passage of a major package of pro-military and pro-veteran legislation. As Chair of the Senate Military, Veterans, and Public Safety Committee, he carried bills creating a new Alabama Veterans Resource Center, establishing a Veterans treatment court program, and elevating the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs to a Cabinet-level role. By year’s end, the resource center was preparing to open and the department had been reorganized under Commissioner Jeff Newton.

Healthcare policy was another focus. Jones worked with Sen. Billy Beasley, (D-Clayton) and Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia), to pass the Community Pharmacy Relief Act. The law addressed long-standing reimbursement practices by pharmacy benefit managers that had contributed to the closure of independent pharmacies across Alabama.

In education, Jones reported securing $323,696 in additional funding for schools in District 10. All 1,018 teachers who applied received $100 classroom grants, while 46 schools were awarded funds for projects ranging from playground upgrades to minor renovations and lab equipment. Nineteen middle school students from the district also served as Senate pages during the 2025 session.

Infrastructure and access issues rounded out the list. Jones was elected vice chair of the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority, which is overseeing the buildout of roughly 8,700 miles of broadband fiber and new connections for about 155,000 homes and institutions. He also continued work on the Sweet Trails Alabama Act, authoring and advancing efforts to link all 67 counties through a Statewide trail network.

The year included personal milestones as well. Jones completed the Legislature Energy Horizon Institute program and was selected for the Emerging Legislative Leaders program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Jones formally launched his re-election campaign in May, drawing more than 250 supporters to events in Rainbow City and Centre. Supporters offered public praise during the kickoff.

“He’s always responsive, even at the busiest times in the Senate, he’ll call you back,” said Shirley of Hokes Bluff.

“We share some of the same values. If you’re looking for somebody with conservative values, I recommend him,” said Jimmy of Gadsden.

“Andrew does what he says. He fights for this district, and he fights for the Alabama people, and he’s true to his word,” said Sharon of Rainbow City.

Closing the newsletter, Jones thanked District 10 residents for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his focus on carrying local concerns to Montgomery.

“Serving in the Alabama Senate is truly an honor,” Jones wrote, adding that his guiding principle remains “ANDREW and YOU.”