Illustration: The Anniston Star
A — AEA. It’s still powerful after all these years. The next governor will be tested by Paul Hubbert's power.
B — BRAC - If the next round of base closures looks at Alabama -- Anniston's depot, for instance -- then the governor must assist the all-out offensive.
C — Crime. Alabama’s lock-'em-up strategy isn't working. Plus, the state must embrace alternative sentencing techniques for certain crimes.
D — Drilling. Crack down, regulate. Tar balls on the Alabama coast are all the proof the state should need.
E — Ethics. Strengthen the state commission, then hit unethical practices where they hurt.
F — Fairness. Government should treat people fairly. Especially the less fortunate.
G — Gambling. Need we say more? This never-ending issue must be resolved, and soon.
H — Housing. Use federal stimulus money to help improve and insulate housing, particularly for low-income residents.
I — Investment. Put money in things that will pay off down the road in Alabama – infrastructure and education are at the top of the list.
J — Judicial. Push for an independent judiciary that includes nonpartisan elections.
K — Knowledge jobs – We must attract high-tech research jobs that increase prosperity and whose residue is prosperity — not environmental pollution.
L — Lobbyists. Are they the most important people in Montgomery? The next governor will have a tough task keeping special interests from ruling the roost.
M — Money. There's not enough of it in the state coffers. That may be the biggest problem for the state's next leader.
N — No. The next governor needs to lead the state past the negative posture that holds us down. (See Y.)
O — Obesity. There’s an epidemic of weight-related unhealthiness in Alabama, particularly among children.
P — Public transit. Expand the conversation beyond cars when discussing moving people around the state.
Q — Quality. Good customer service must become a highly prized value in state government.
R — Restore. Our large cities have dirty air, and too many of our rivers and streams need cleaning.
S — Smoking. With such a high rate of cancer and heart disease, a public smoking ban should be a no-brainer.
T — Taxation. The state's unfair, upside-down taxation system hurts too many Alabamians.
U — Universities. Specifically, the high cost of a college education in Alabama, which already ranks at the bottom for affordability.
V — Vision. Alabama’s next governor must see the big picture — and know how to get us there. A simpleton can’t do that.
W — Waterways. We need a survey of what we have, and then we must redouble our efforts to protect them.
X — Xenophobia. There’s no place for this type of hatred or bigotry in Alabama.
Y — Yes. A positive mission can set us on a path to public policy success. (See N.)
Z — Zip. As in, let's move quickly to reach these goals.
