As State of the State addresses go, Tuesday night’s was pretty good. That’s because the state of the state is also pretty good. (Or at least, better than usual.)
Alabama Gov. Bob Riley took pride in a variety of accomplishments in economic growth, fiscal conservativism and government accountability. Though one could argue that some of his examples were forced on him, Riley’s record in Congress shows that it did not take too much pressure to move him in the direction he has taken.
Revenue collection for the Education Trust Fund is up and this, combined with the fact that during the last three years education suffered serious cuts, meant that the governor could talk about a surplus (some in Riley’s administration prefer the phrase "new money") and propose ways to spend it.
Governors like to do that.
And, on Tuesday night, Bob Riley did.
All of which made it a sort of "something for everyone" night.
For those demanding tax cuts, the governor proposed across-the-board reductions.
For those wanting the state to stop the "unconscionable" taxation of people living below the poverty line, the governor talked of a five-year plan that would lift at least some of that burden.
For education and educators, whose flush Trust Fund would pay for this bounty, the governor offered capital improvements for schools, colleges and universities, plus a raise for teachers. Reading, math, science and technology initiatives would also be fully funded.
And for fiscal conservatives, the state’s chief executive offered to refill the rainy day account.
Yes, Gov. Riley spread the surplus far and wide.
Agencies supported by the General Fund did not enjoy such largess. That account floated by last year on one-time money. Though income is up this year, it is nothing like what is being enjoyed over in education. Still, the governor promised to put more money into prisons to reduce the overcrowding that is another of those "unconscionable" situations in Alabama.
Other initiatives — an eminent domain constitutional amendment, full disclosure for lobbyists, term limits for legislators, laws to protect the unborn, raises for state employees, restrictions on gambling and such —were also mentioned as the governor ranged far and wide in his remarks.
Yes, it was a speech with something for everyone, just the sort of reasoned, incremental approach to Alabama’s needs one would expect from Bob Riley. It was also campaign speech, for he clearly wanted voters to know that he was the one who could bring these things about.
In the weeks to come, alternatives will be proposed, details will be debated and motives will be measured to see just who benefits from the governor’s agenda and who comes up with less than they hoped to have.
So, watch the session closely. Although legislators talk about avoiding controversy, writing a budget and going home, that is not likely to happen. But no one really expected that it would.
