In August 2009 we interviewed then candidate for Governor Robert Bentley. We got reasonably straight answers to difficult questions.
After six months in office a recap of Governor Bentley’s performance is reasonable.
On thing that overshadows all else is money. Tax revenue is down in Alabama. Half a billion dollar short fall has forced educational proration and layoffs of state personnel. The budget tightening battle between the Republican and Democratic camps in Washington has reduced research funding to a trickle.
Robert Bentley candidate for governor - Alabama's scientific future - 8/5/2009
Dr. Robert Bentley, gubernatorial candidate and State Representative from Tuscaloosa, was gracious enough to answer the following questions for me Wednesday 8/5/09.
Birmingham Science News ExaminerPresident Obama in his address to the NAACP last week mentioned the fact that many teachers were unqualified to teach math and science. Do you agree that many teachers in Alabama that teach math and science are not really qualified to do so?
Dr. Robert BentleyI believe we should improve the quality of Alabama science teaching. We should improve reading and distance learning too. We are not at the level where we want to and should be.
Update: Alabama’s STEM (science, technical, engineering, and mathematics) program has been cited as one of the best in the nation. The Governor is an active participant in this program but at present federal funding is scarce. Progress has been made and several Alabama teachers have been named as high performers by various national evaluation teams. Many schools in Alabama have improved their math and science scores on standard tests in 2011.
Birmingham Science News ExaminerWhat plans do you have to remove or improve the unqualified teachers?
Dr. Robert BentleyStrengthen the tenure law so that unqualified teachers can be removed. There should be higher standards for qualified teacher in math and the sciences. The standard should be a major in math or science not education because they would know more math, chemistry, and physics. Pay should be commensurate with the level of education in the sciences. A teacher should be paid more for a science degree than an education degree.
Birmingham Science News ExaminerHow do you plan to accomplish the removal of tenured teachers considering the power that the AEA wields in Montgomery?
Dr. Robert BentleyFirst, we need to change the legislature to reduce their influence. Dr. Paul Hubbert has a lot of power. I do not want to be too critical of him. Dr. Hubbert's job is to look after the teachers in the state, and the governor's role is to look after the interests of the people, children, and parents. I personally like Dr. Hubbert but, the key to the governor's job is to look after the students first.
Update: The tenure law was changed during the first legislative session of 2011. The bill itself allows more input from faculty and administration than it does from parents. The way the bill is written it is possible for the legislative act to have the effect of a popularity contest between teachers and teacher cliques as well as a kiss up contest to administration but the law does make it mandatory that complaints about poor performance be addressed in 20 days from the date of complaint. The bill also stipulates the removal criteria for underperforming teachers. Dr. Paul Hubbert has disassociated himself from Democratic PACs and as a leadership member of the Democratic party in Alabama prior to the passage of the new law.
Birmingham Science News ExaminerWith the demise of the space shuttle program Huntsville's scientific community may well become a ghost town like it has in the past. What are your plans to retain these positions in Huntsville?
Dr. Robert BentleySenators and Congressmen need to recruit federal moneys and other scientific funding. The governor can recruit high tech industries into Huntsville. The state does not have a major emphasis on science and math. There is no crisis creating a driving force or a will to attract people into science and engineering careers. We need to create a drive like JFK did for putting a man on the moon. Perhaps a goal and mission for the nation's medical field - to cure cancer or for engineering - maybe go to Mars - a mission to get students interested like they were in John Kennedy's time.
Update: No great inspiration has come from Washington. Huntsville has shown the most progress in jobs growth in the state of Alabama with several new business openings and the opening of a new technical center. The actual demise of the Space Shuttle program will not occur until after August 1, 2011, but about 300 people have already been let go from Marshall Space Flight Center. Several new programs from NASA may repopulate the space program in Huntsville.
Birmingham Science News ExaminerThe basic conundrum is if the state educates more scientists and has no jobs for them they leave the state. What new technology based, scientific, and "green" technology companies do you plan to lure toAlabama to build plants and employ scientists?
Dr. Robert BentleyLook at all the world's industries that are a fit for Alabama. Turn the coal industry into a clean industry that produces clean burning fuel. Recruit all biotech that we can to Huntsville and UAB in Birmingham. NIH grant funding is the key.
Update: UAB and other Alabama universities have made several discoveries in 2011. Funding by NIH, NSF, and other federal grant programs has become a trickle as our representatives in Washington seem to prefer budget cuts to research. Governor Bentley has been proactive with both Senators Shelby and Sessions in attempting to get more funding for Alabama university research. The University of Alabama in Birmingham announced a retirement request for tenured faculty on July 1, 2011.
Birmingham Science News ExaminerThe University of Alabama and by association with the school for basic research, Southern Research, are suffering financially. What plans do you have to revitalize UAB and federal funding for projects at SRI?
Dr. Robert BentleyThe governor needs to recruit science-related industries to Birmingham. Attracting drug companies and research, NIH grants, and federal government grants for UAB are some of the actions the governorcan take. The governor can also utilize matching state dollar programs to encourage businesses to develop in Birmingham. The economic genie for Birmingham and Alabama is medical.
Update: See above. SRI has benefited from quite a few project grants but is not bursting with growth like it once was.
Birmingham Science News ExaminerThe taxpayer funds the present incentive program that lures new business to Alabama.What alternatives to tax deferral and other taxpayer paid incentives can you create to bring new jobs to Alabama?
Dr. Robert BentleyTax abatement is not a deficit to the state. If a company is attracted by tax abatement and brings jobs to Alabama, the income from those jobs pay sales tax, which fund education trust fund. Business and education need to work together. Provide more tax abatements to industry already in state if they expand in the state.
Update: Several plants have opened and or expanded in Alabama thus far in 2011. Thyssen-Krupp is now fully operational with a billion dollars in tax incentives. The Governor and the Alabama Economic Development Commission have secured several manufacturing plants for Alabama. This is a superior performance in tough tough economic times.
The best jobs creation news comes from one of the worst disasters in Alabama's history. The outcome of the tornadoes that devastated Alabama is estimated to be over 50,000 new jobs funded by insurance and federal assistance.
Governor Bentley has kept his word about developing the sciences, improving science education, improving the removal of underperforming teachers, and supporting economic development to the extent that he has been able to considering economic and political constraints. Have to give him two A’s for effort and an A for accomplishment.
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