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The hits just keep on coming from the Artur Davis campaign. If you want depth in a candidate, this is your man. Today, it’s the Taxpayer Protection Plan that repeatedly asks, “Why don’t we do that?” On tax enforcement:
[E]xperience in Texas, New Mexico and California show a return of about $250,000 to $780,000 per enforcement auditor. According to Governor Riley’s efficiency commission, approximately $40 million of additional tax revenue could be collected via an aggressive fuel tax collection program alone. I wouldn’t stop there: Based on experiences in other states, Alabama should be able to obtain an additional $130 million in unpaid taxes through improved collection efforts. Deadbeats ought to be paying what they legally owe so that the rest of us who pay our fair share and play by the rules don’t have to make up for them
On energy-saving:
High-efficiency green buildings typically consume 40% less energy and water than traditional buildings. Governor Riley set an admirable goal of cutting energy consumption in state buildings 30% by 2010 – but in reality the state is moving too slowly to meet this goal. It is on pace to reduce energy usage by 10% and saving roughly $5 million per year in doing so – but I will push to meet the original goal within three years. Other states like Colorado saved millions of dollars by moving toward 20% energy-reduction targets of 20%-25%. I will push for all new state building construction (and all new state leased space) to meet LEED Silver standards for green buildings. I will retro-fit and retro-commission all existing state buildings to meet this goal and save the state an additional $10 million a year.
Amongst a number of other cost-saving measures that could realize over $660 million in savings. These are not empty promises, these are concrete strategies that have worked in other states and make a whole heck of a lot of sense.
I know some of you think I am just a cheerleader for Artur Davis, but what I’m a cheerleader for is sound policy and good ideas. Artur continues to bring that again and again to this campaign. What does sound policy mean? Sound policy is proven, sound policy is demonstrated. Show me WHY your plan will work and I’m happy to listen. Artur always gives you the why in a level of detail that cannot be questioned. You may be believe his reasoning is wrong on a particular issue, ,but it is clear that he and his policy team understand the nuances of a wide variety of issues.
I’m still waiting for this same level of detailed engagement from other campaigns. I’m confident that other candidates are capable of engaging at this high level, but they need to step up to the plate and do it. If you agree with Artur on some of these ideas, let us know. If you think some of them are wrong, let us know why and demonstrate with evidence so we can make a decision
As always, your comments and thoughts are welcome below.
UPDATE: Mooncat at Left in Alabama also has a lot of positive things to say about the plan.
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Nice plan, will it survive the Legislature? Outlook is cloudy there.
Also nice to see the recognition he gives Ivey for review of pork grants.
Would quibble based on anecdote over the effectiveness of home care vs group vs institutional care. Hopefully, though this will not see closing of place like the Mulherin Custodial Home or St Jude’s in Montgomery. Almost of those residents have no where else to go.
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RT @TWAY_Kris: NEW TWAY Blog Post: @ArturDavis Continues to Ask, “Why Don’t We Do That?http://j.mp/4EQOVHGD Star Rating
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RT @TWAY_Kris: NEW TWAY Blog Post: @ArturDavis Continues to Ask, “Why Don’t We Do That?http://j.mp/4EQOVHGD Star Rating
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The interaction with the legislature is always the question mark…but does any other candidate stand any better chance?
The push away from institutional care has been going on for some time. As their website states Mulherin does not receive any state or federal dollars. I do not believe St. Jude’s would be impacted either, but couldn’t find evidence either way.
The idea behind the move to community based care is that almost anyone would be able to stay in a home environment, but receive enough support services to not need to be in an institution. I think that is a very good goal to reach toward.
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Baring a major change in the state senate (which might affect the state house), none of our candidates have more than a cloudy outlook.
I remember the big push in 70’s as the state hospitals emptied out and pondered as I made my rounds we had done some of them any favors. Some of the adults wound up on the streets (from which they had been committed) , when the expected group homes, half way houses, etc failed to appear. Then the job market changed too, no body needs workers capable of simple repetitive tasks that don’t involve public contact. Of course, I also saw some of the abuses too, the deaf woman locked up for 20+ yrs for being promiscuous, children with complex medical needs being sent home with out follow up instructions, and my favorite bureaucratic mightmare of trying to place a MI/MR child, etc.
The state has placed children at both facilities and has paid for their care which means state and federal money has passed through. St Jude’s is a medicaid approved SNF and has been active in seeking all benefits due their wards. In the 60’s severely handicapped children were abandoned at St Jude’s. Both take care o f severely (think anencpahlic) children and adults. The care level is quite high and just as expensive when done at home or in a group setting.
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The fact is that moving people with mental illness and other disabilities back out into the community instead of locking them up was and is the right thing to do. It brings it’s own challenges in serving them, but they can and should be given the opportunity to be productive members of society, not isolated.
You should take up the last part of your statement with Mulherin. If they are indeed accepting placements from the state and taking money for it, they should not claim to not be taking any federal or state money on their website.
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The kids placed at Mulherin are most likely adults now and so not a state responsibility any more. Not being in the child placement biz any more, I have no idea of current arrangements. If they’re still there good on them, they had no where else to go. When you’re in the permanent custody of the state as child, your only family is an ever changing caseworker.
While community care is a laudable goal, as part of the whole “bending the curve” part of reform, we might find in some rare, specific cases, institutional (nursing home, “dying houses”) cheaper than community based home care. Ponder how many boomers like me will live long enough to require 24 hour supervision, feeding, diapering and reality re-orientation as modern medicine keeps the old husk ticking. Then there will be the problem of the boomer’s adult children, the 60 year old simple schizophrenic who stares at the TV all day, the 70 year old with trisomy 21 who lost his janitor job since robots do it all and so on.
I ramble.. sorry
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