Highway commission plan sensible

March 2, 2010

The occupant of the governor's office can change every four years in Alabama and at most changes every eight years, as governors are limited to two consecutive terms in office. It just makes sense to have continuity in transportation planning and in highway projects, continuity that transcends the changes in officeholders.

Yet Alabama continues to operate under a system that has great potential for being bent to political concerns and for allowing huge expenditures of public funds on the basis of decisions not necessarily made in the best interests of the state and its taxpayers. That ought to change, and a measure now before the state Senate would do so.

Alabama governors appoint the director of the state Department of Transportation. In some administrations, this works out well. Competent people with a clear commitment to addressing real long-term transportation needs get the appointments and steer the department accordingly. But that isn't always the case, and even when it is, that responsible direction is only one election away from being altered.

That scenario would change under an eminently sensible reform measure by Rep. Cam Ward, R- Alabaster. The bill sailed through the House on an 87-6 vote, but like so many other sound government reform proposals, it has languished in the Senate. The proposal has passed the House seven straight years.

The bill would create a five-member commission appointed by the governor to oversee the Department of Transportation, including hiring the director. The initial appointments would be for two, three, four, five and six years, thus setting up a staggered series of terms. Future appointments would be for six years. Members could not serve consecutive terms.

One member would be appointed from each of three defined regions of the state encompassing all 67 counties. Two would be appointed at-large, and could not reside in the same congressional district as another member.

That will assure geographic diversity. The bill further requires the commission to "reflect the racial, gender ... urban/rural and economic diversity of the state." Members must have 10 years of experience in a business or profession, with at least five years in a "responsible administrative capacity."

Members may not hold any other public office, nor "be employed in the roadbuilding industry, as a lobbyist, or as an employee or member of firm that provides goods or services to the Department of Transportation."

It's a smart way to conduct the public's business in an area of enormous long-term importance to the state. The Senate should pass this important reform.