Questions for Gubernatorial Candidates

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Questions for Gubernatorial CandidatesOctober 12, 2010

BELIEF.1. Do you believe that all people, regardless of disability, should have an equal opportunity

to choose where they live, learn, work, and play?Absolutely. All Americans, regardless of disability, are afforded equal rights and protections by the Constitution, and as your governor, I will fight for all disabled persons while in office. I will be your advocate.

FUNDING2. What would your administration do to minimize the effects that shortfalls in the General

Fund and Special Education Trust Fund would have on services and supports for peoplewith disabilities?

It is important to keep in mind that as a government, we have a responsibility to

protect those most vulnerable in society, which includes the physically andmentally disabled. Let me be clear, as Governor, I will oppose the nonconsensualwithholding of care or treatment from people with disabilities, as well as theelderly and infirmed.

3. How will your administration support, through the General Fund and Special EducationTrust Fund annual budgets, the increases in operating costs of local community agencieswhich provide, under contract with state agencies, home and community services andsupports for people with disabilities?

While it is evident after an examination of the General Fund and Special

Education Trust Fund that there have been increases in operating costs of localcommunity agencies, through faith-based programs in particular, we will ensurethat each Alabamian is able to seek proper medical care and receive the basicnecessities needed to sustain life.

4. What is your plan to address budget shortfalls in programs currently relying on federalstimulus funds once those funds are no longer available? Note: Upon receipt of federalstimulus funds, the Department of Mental Health budget was cut approximately $40million in state funds. Would you restore these state funds?Jobs, jobs, jobs. Jobs are the economic engine which drives Alabama’s economy, as wellas the United States economy for that matter. If elected Governor of Alabama,

stimulating economic growth and job creation for our citizens will be the focal point of

my administration. The job of any government is not to directly create jobs, but to provide an environment for healthy and sustainable growth in business and industry. Mygoal as Governor is to stimulate the creation of 250,000 new jobs in Alabama. AsGovernor, I will work hand-in-hand with our state and local leaders, as well as interestedcitizens to create a robust environment in which business and industry can grow andsucceed. I will also coordinate the State’s efforts with those of our



Congressional delegation, as appropriate, to ensure that Alabama receives at least $1 back from the federal government for every dollar that our citizens pay in taxes of all kinds.

5. What is your plan for closing of Partlow Developmental Center and serving thoseresidents in their own communities. Home and community services have proven to beless expensive and provide a higher quality of life for persons with disabilities. Inaddition, the funds saved could be used to serve a significant portion of the 2,300+families currently waiting for services.The Partlow Developmental Center, in addition to other mental health facilities such as

Bryce Hospital in my hometown of Tuscaloosa, have tended to the needs of the mentallyill, and as governor, I will work hand in hand with agencies to create an environment that provides care to those mentally disabled at centers and in communities. I am a strong believer in the human spirit, and I have absolute faith that families, neighbors and churchesare fundamental to providing a high quality of life to not only the mentally and physically

disabled, but to all who suffer in the state of Alabama.

6. The Alabama Medicaid Agency has consistently supported the position that community- based services for individuals are more cost effective than the per bed cost of institutional based care. What are your plans to capitalize on this cost savings?

It is very important to identify cost savings in every part of the budget, and, whereneeded, allocate money that can be used by those who suffer. As I have stated, I will be anadvocate for those folks in the Governor’s office.

LEADERSHIP.7. What is your plan for the leadership of state agencies that provide services and supports

for people with disabilities, such as Mental Health, Rehabilitation Services, Senior Services, and Medicaid? What selection criteria will you employ for identifyingleadership positions? Will you solicit the input of consumers, stakeholder groups andservice agencies on making these selections?

I believe that good leadership at all levels of state government is what is needed in order tocreate a positive, effective, and successful environment in this state. For myself personally, Ihave never been, nor will I ever be, beholden to lobbyists or special interests, because I feelthat in order to be a good leader, I cannot be beholden to those special interests who wouldcloud my judgment on important issues. I will make our state's government one of the mosttransparent in the country by creating a strong executive branch code of ethics for myself, allcabinet officials, and our staffs. Additionally, I will eliminate the practice of awarding no bidcontracts to ensure that only the most qualified and competitive firms receive state contracts.I can think of no better way to identify potential leadership opportunities and thosecandidates to fill those positions than to seek the input of a diverse group of people.



EARLY INTERVENTION.8. Research has indicated that for every dollar invested in Early Intervention services for

infants and toddlers (ages 0-3), seven dollars is saved in future long-term care spending,thereby yielding a greater return on investment. What is your plan to enhance the current

Early Intervention system in Alabama so that more children may be served earlier and possibly taken out of the disability system later?As governor I will work with state agencies in providing compassionate care to thosewho need it. I believe that respect for life not only includes the unborn and disabled, butalso the sick, and needy. By investing in Early Intervention services we tackle address theneeds and concerns of the disabled from the get-go.

LONG TERM CARE.9. What is your position on utilizing a larger percentage of Alabama’s long term care funds

to support seniors and people with disabilities in the community? Currently,

approximately 90% of Alabama’s long term care funds go toward nursing home care andonly 10% supports people in the community. Would you support the concept of MoneyFollows the Person? At present there is federal funding available to support individualsto live in the community if they leave a nursing home.

If there is money that has been allocated to help the elderly and disabled and it isnot being used, I will fight to ensure that all monies that have been appropriatedare used effectively by the respective agency. My administration will be the mostefficient administration at getting things accomplished on time.

EMPLOYMENT.10. What would your administration do to support and encourage the employment of people

with disabilities in all sectors of the economy?As the Chief Ambassador for economic recruitment, I will invite industries forcedfrom their original manufacturing homes by obligatory unionization to relocate toAlabama. Our state’s low manufacturing costs make it a better option for relocation than other states or foreign nations. However, Alabama would becomemuch less competitive for these jobs. Expanding Alabama’s tax base by recruitingdomestic and international business will solve many of Alabama’s budgetary problems without increasing taxes. This begins by maintaining and defendingAlabama’s status a “Right to Work” state.

TRANSPORTATION.11. What would your administration do to increase state funds for public transportation

services for all Alabamians?Alabama should demand high standards from those receiving state contracts. I will require

short-term goals that produce long term results, accountability and benchmarks for state



contractors. Under my administration, the Department of Transportation will provide performance-based incentives for contractors to keep Alabama moving in times of infrastructurereconstruction and redevelopment. I will seek to upgrade our rail and water-based transportationmodalities. We need to cultivate Alabama's shipping railways and industrial development inareas strained by the need for growth. For example, the Port of Mobile's infrastructure also

should include modern in-land modes of transportation to help Alabama expand its sphere of influence in international commerce. This will allow Mobile to remain Alabama's gateway to theworld. We must also take advantage of Alabama's navigable rivers and waterways to expand andupdate transportation from ports and other industrial centers to help foster economic growth. Tokeep our waterways navigable and beautiful, Alabama must win the water war with Georgia and prevent inter-basin transfers of water without replacement.

GENERAL.12. Alabama is one of three states that do not provide services for individuals with

developmental disabilities. What would your administration do to restructure stateagencies in order to serve all Alabamians with developmental disabilities who are in need

of services?I believe that the governor’s office is a unique opportunity to positively affect the lives of all Alabamians, whether handicapped, or not. Because government should set a positivestandard in hiring and contracting for the services of persons with disabilities, we need toupdate the statutory authority by which those productive members of our society can offer high quality services at the best possible value to the public.

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Questions for Gubernatorial Candidates