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September 05, 2003 GOVERNING MAGAZINE NAMES GOV. BOB RILEY AS PUBLIC OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR Montgomery - Governing magazine, one of the nation’s most respected publications on state and local government issues, has chosen Gov. Bob Riley its Public Official of the Year for proposing his comprehensive reform and accountability package to the citizens of the state. "Bob Riley has done something courageous and has taken a great step forward for the state of Alabama. It would be a great day for the state if this amendment passes next week," Governing Editor Alan Ehrenhalt said. "His bold proposal has attracted the respect and attention of people all over the country, and Alabama is leading, for once, instead of falling behind. Courage such as Gov Riley’s is rare in politics these days." Governing magazine releases a yearly assessment of state government management and performance, and Alabama has consistently rated poorly in the reports. In 2001, the state received a C- rating and, in 1999, was graded with a D. The assessment considers criteria such as financial management, capital management, human resources and managing for results. Additionally, the magazine ranks each state’s tax system on a one to four star basis with one star being poor. In its latest ranking, Governing awarded Alabama a one star ranking and criticized its overly regressive tax system that places an undue burden on its middle and lower income individuals and families. Alabama’s high sales taxes and low property taxes reflect poor fiscal policy, according to the publication. Riley’s reform and accountability package seeks to correct the tax burden inequities that Governing’s report criticizes. It raises the income tax threshold from approximately $4,600 to just under $20,000 within the next five years while lowering taxes for middle and low income families. At the same time, it requires large landowners to pay a more proportional amount of tax and also protects small family farms through farmstead and other exemptions. Ehrenhalt said the proposal, if passed, would vastly improve Alabama’s poor rankings and result in improved education, economic development and infrastructure. The editor said the strong accountability measures included in the package also drew attention as particularly bold and impressive initiatives. "I’m certainly honored to receive this award, but, in all honesty, I’m just doing what I feel is in the best interests of the citizens of Alabama," Riley said. "We have an opportunity on September 9th to create a world-class education system, provide college scholarships to deserving students, make necessary investments our state has refused to make for decades, implement sweeping accountability measures and, at the same time, remove an unfair tax burden from our fellow citizens." The award will be presented to Riley on November 13 during a ceremony at the Westin Fairfax Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information contact Governing Magazine at 202-862-8802. | |
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