Alabama sends message: We are too broke to care about right and wrong

[decocker 7,198]

Take a look at the 10 Alabama counties with the highest percentage of non-white registered voters. That's Macon, Greene, Sumter, Lowndes, Bullock, Perry, Wilcox, Dallas, Hale, and Montgomery, according to the Alabama Secretary of State's office. Alabama, thanks to its budgetary insanity and inanity, just opted to close driver license bureaus in eight of them. All but Dallas and Montgomery will be closed.

Closed. In a state in which driver licenses or special photo IDs are a requirement for voting.

It's not just a civil rights violation. It is not just a public relations nightmare. It is not just an invitation for worldwide scorn and an alarm bell to the Justice Department. It is an affront to the very notion of justice in a nation where one man one vote is as precious as oxygen. It is a slap in the face to all who believe the stuff we teach the kids about how all are created equal.

Every single county in which blacks make up more than 75 percent of registered voters will see their driver license office closed. Every one.

http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/09/alabama_sends_message_we_are_t.html

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Of course. Poor and black. Two things the US can't stand. Just one by itself is enough to whip someone into a frenzy. But both? You might as well kill yourself...

[decocker 7,198]

Of course. Poor and black. Two things the US can't stand. Just one by itself is enough to whip someone into a frenzy. But both? You might as well kill yourself...

the comments on that article made my head explode..

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Let's knock down this attempt at hysteria and provocation, shall we? From the link posted above:

State parks and driver license offices were the first casualties announced because of the reduced state budget, which goes into effect Thursday.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced today that driver license examiners will no longer work at 31 part-time satellite offices not owned by the state.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that five state parks will close on Oct. 15.

Also, six National Guard armories will close in addition to 15 that were already expected to be closed and consolidated.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will close a warehouse for surplus state property in the town of Eva in Morgan County on Jan. 1. The four staff positions there will be moved to the warehouse in Montgomery.

The state parks closing are Bladon Springs in Choctaw County, Paul M. Grist in Dallas County, Chickasaw in Marengo County, Florala in Covington County and Roland Cooper in Wilcox County.

Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Gunter Guy said in a news release that the closings were difficult decisions caused by the Legislature's recurring transfer of funds from the department.

The budget for fiscal year 2016 calls for a transfer of $3 million from the department to the General Fund. More than $30 million has been transferred from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to support other state programs over the last five years, according to the agency.

"These five parks were selected for closure because they have consistently lost money over the past several years," Guy said. "However, the Alabama State Park system is important to the majority of the people in this state and I hope that we can find a solution to this budget issue by the next legislative session."

The department also announced changes at other parks.

Rickwood Caverns and Blue Springs will be closed during fall and winter.

Desoto and Cheaha Lodge & Restaurant will operate on weekends only during fall and winter.

The parks system plans to transfer Lakepoint's golf course to a concessionaire. If that is not successful, the course will close.

The campground at Bucks Pocket will become an unmanned, day-use only park managed by a nearby resort park.

The day fees at parks will increase from $4 to $5 for adults and there will be an 8 percent increase in some lodging rates, along with a new 5 percent discount for Alabama residents.

The cost of marina slip rentals will increase.

The department said a new resort fee will address resort maintenance costs not directly tied to other fees.

There will be a new park pass program for ungated parks and a new backcountry permit for trails and related services and programs.

ALEA said the reduction in service at the driver's license offices was caused by a cut in the agency's General Fund appropriation.

ALEA spokeswoman Anna Morris said that examiners from ALEA's district offices will no longer spend a portion of their week traveling to and working in the county satellite offices.

That means people won't be able to test for a new driver's license in those county offices. But the counties could still provide services such as license renewal.

See? It has nothing to do with blacks at all. It's all about the benjamins. And in spite of what some may attempt to interpret from the article, it has nothing to do with voter IDs.

[decocker 7,198]

See? It has nothing to do with blacks at all. It's all about the benjamins. And in spite of what some may attempt to interpret from the article, it has nothing to do with voter IDs.

i'm sorry, you must think i'm a yankee minority. i wasn't born yesterday dear.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

the comments on that article made my head explode..

I stay out of those places. It's bad for my health...

[Expat1 971]

http://www.rocketcitynow.com/news/alabama-law-enforcement-agency-reallocates-personnel-to-district-driver-license-offices

“Since the Jan. 1, 2015 implementation date of ALEA, my staff and I have worked hard to make improvements and optimize customer convenience to the citizens of Alabama. In July, I announced several advancements that will help the Driver License issuance process including online scheduling, online driver license renewals and duplicates, self-serve kiosks, digital licensing for smart phones, and statewide equipment upgrades. Since making that announcement, we have had over 40,000 transactions online,” said Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier. “The impact of the changes due to the budget cuts will be lessened because of the implementation of these technology-based services, including online renewals.”

Alabama issues an average of 1.2 million driver licenses each year. ALEA said the Driver License Division is severely understaffed and has 103 vacant positions as a result of past budget cuts and attrition.

ALEA said analyzing transactions performed in each location throughout the state revealed the combined efforts of the 31 part-time satellite locations accounted for less than five percent of all Alabama Driver License transactions performed by ALEA.

The busiest of these 31 satellite locations performed less than 2,000 transactions during 2014.

If these offices were all equally busy and even if they ALL performed 2000 transactions each then the 62,000 (out of 1.2 million) can just get up, dress, and go to the district offices (or renew online, or get with whatever program is available to them) like the other 95% of people in the state. Alabama isn't that big.

On the issue of ID's?

“Probate Judges and License or Revenue Commissioners will continue to provide the same renewal services they have traditionally handled in their facilities. Additionally, statewide equipment upgrades announced in July, will allow Probate Judges and License or Revenue Commissioners to renew STAR IDs and conduct other services that were previously only performed at Driver License Offices.”

That part got left out. Probably because if it was included, there wouldn't be a case for whining "racism". There were 31 counties, where's the whining about the "non-black" ones?

Edited October 2, 2015 by Expat1

[decocker 7,198]

http://www.rocketcitynow.com/news/alabama-law-enforcement-agency-reallocates-personnel-to-district-driver-license-offices

“Since the Jan. 1, 2015 implementation date of ALEA, my staff and I have worked hard to make improvements and optimize customer convenience to the citizens of Alabama. In July, I announced several advancements that will help the Driver License issuance process including online scheduling, online driver license renewals and duplicates, self-serve kiosks, digital licensing for smart phones, and statewide equipment upgrades. Since making that announcement, we have had over 40,000 transactions online,” said Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier. “The impact of the changes due to the budget cuts will be lessened because of the implementation of these technology-based services, including online renewals.”

Alabama issues an average of 1.2 million driver licenses each year. ALEA said the Driver License Division is severely understaffed and has 103 vacant positions as a result of past budget cuts and attrition.

ALEA said analyzing transactions performed in each location throughout the state revealed the combined efforts of the 31 part-time satellite locations accounted for less than five percent of all Alabama Driver License transactions performed by ALEA.

The busiest of these 31 satellite locations performed less than 2,000 transactions during 2014.

If these offices were all equally busy and even if they ALL performed 2000 transactions each then the 62,000 (out of 1.2 million) can just get up, dress, and go to the district offices (or renew online, or get with whatever program is available to them) like the other 95% of people in the state. Alabama isn't that big.

On the issue of ID's?

“Probate Judges and License or Revenue Commissioners will continue to provide the same renewal services they have traditionally handled in their facilities. Additionally, statewide equipment upgrades announced in July, will allow Probate Judges and License or Revenue Commissioners to renew STAR IDs and conduct other services that were previously only performed at Driver License Offices.”

That part got left out. Probably because if it was included, there wouldn't be a case for whining "racism". There were 31 counties, where's the whining about the "non-black" ones?

whining racism? i don't get that from this op ed. i believe in every citizens right to a vote that is counted. nothing more, nothing less.

[Expat1 971]

whining racism? i don't get that from this op ed. i believe in every citizens right to a vote that is counted. nothing more, nothing less.

Skin color was highlighted in your original post.

I get that this is about imaginary racism even if you don't.

Since the local probate judges will still be able to issue the ID's that were previously issued by the satellite driver's license offices then I guess this consolidation of services, which affected <5% of the people anyway, has nothing to do with the right to vote.

Well, unless your right to vote is threatened by the need to get your ID from the local judge's office nstead of from the DL bureau....LOL but that's a different issue

Edited October 2, 2015 by Expat1

[decocker 7,198]

Skin color was highlighted in your original post.

I get that this is about imaginary racism even if you don't.

Since the local probate judges will still be able to issue the ID's that were previously issued by the satellite driver's license offices then I guess this consolidation of services, which affected <5% of the people anyway, has nothing to do with the right to vote.

Well, unless your right to vote is threatened by the need to get your ID from the local judge's office nstead of from the DL bureau....LOL but that's a different issue

whining racism? i don't get that from this op ed. i believe in every citizens right to a vote that is counted. nothing more, nothing less.

like i said i personally do not get whining racism from this op ed. i get voter disenfranchisement. calm down.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Who cares if it's less than 5% of the population, and that some of those people might find it even harder to get to see a probate judge (not all judges, not all courthouses) or revenue commissioner than it had been to go to a bureau. Oh BOO-effing-HOO. I mean, that's SO few people being disenfranchised. And yeah! The almighty Alabama state dollar was better spent on fighting the Supreme Court ruling regarding recognition of same sex marriage. DUH!

[JohnR! 5,495]

There is an election next year. Alabama has voting ID laws. You do the math.

Poor and black is not a problem until they decide they should also vote.

Welcome to Selma, 2015.

Of course. Poor and black. Two things the US can't stand. Just one by itself is enough to whip someone into a frenzy. But both? You might as well kill yourself...

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

There is an election next year. Alabama has voting ID laws. You do the math.

Poor and black is not a problem until they decide they should also vote.

Welcome to Selma, 2015.

Yes, keep on trying to force this to be an issue about race. It clearly is not; it's about saving money. Last time I checked, closing state parks wasn't exactly focused on any particular race. Nor were any of the other budget cuts being made.

And I'd be willing to wager that a great portion of that small population number (5%) would vote anyway, ID or not.

[JohnR! 5,495]

It is almost as though 'small population number' made it OK to dismiss their ballots...

Yes, keep on trying to force this to be an issue about race. It clearly is not; it's about saving money. Last time I checked, closing state parks wasn't exactly focused on any particular race. Nor were any of the other budget cuts being made.

And I'd be willing to wager that a great portion of that small population number (5%) would vote anyway, ID or not.

[Expat1 971]

It is almost as though 'small population number' made it OK to dismiss their ballots...

That would be relevant if perhaps the voting booths had been closed in those areas. One has nothing to do with the other.