Editorial: Let’s hope state House flooded with good ideas

The Alabama State House flooded last Thursday. Not with filibusters or passage of bills that make our state a better place to work and live. Not with calls for Constitutional reform or banning PAC-to-PAC transfers.

But instead, it flooded with rainwater. Literally.

Incessant, heavy rains in Montgomery bombarded the central part of the city, flooding streets, parking lots and the lower levels of some buildings. As storms pounded Alabama, the House and Senate continued to meet until the sour weather forced a 30-minute recess as power was shut off to the building.

An estimated $1 million, or more, in flood damage was reported to the lower levels of the State House.

That’s a raindrop in the bucket compared to the Legislature’s annual $7.4 million budgeted salary, which includes a 62 percent raise as voted upon by lawmakers in 2007.

The Thursday floods were so bad one senator’s vehicle was almost completely submerged in a nearby parking lot. And when water congregates over flooring and along walls, and filtrates into important electronic equipment, it can have devastating effects.

Just ask the residents along Alabama’s Gulf coast, whose homes were washed out over the last few years by the effects of tropical systems.

The state made good use of prison labor to help repair the damage without having to use more expensive contractors.

But prison labor can’t replace copy machines, computer equipment or other necessary electronic gadgets that help the leaders of our state do their jobs. Insurance sure comes in handy.

It is imperative that the men and women who make the most important decisions in this state have a quality place to conduct their business, so repairing the damage was obviously a must.
Machines can be replaced and flooring can be made like new, but what about the number of old school houses in this state that scrape for every dime of funding they are allotted and still can’t afford to make the necessary repairs, or additions, to improve the learning environment for students?

What about the number of overcrowded jails in this state that don’t have enough prison space for their inmates?

What about the number of road projects (bridge repairs, repaving, widening, etc.) in this state that create a safer driving environment for motorists?

Where is their insurance? Where is their repair? Where is their improvement? Hopefully the State House will be flooded with ideas to help these in the near future.