Issue Position: Governance & Public Management

Issue Position

o I have written balanced budgets as a Member of the Education Appropriations Committee, and have the experience to produce realistic balanced budgets as Governor;

o I will never forget who I am, where I came from, or that I serve the people of Alabama;

o I will govern in a manner similar to President Reagan who understood that "leaders don't do great things - they empower others to do great things;"

o I will select only the most qualified people to serve in my administration; individuals will not be chosen simply for political expedience;

o I will reform the process whereby Alabamians elect their Lieutenant Governor;

Effective Public Management

As Governor, I will look at the big picture and work to improve the lives of all Alabamians. I am the most qualified candidate for Governor because of my experiences in both the private sector as a physician, and in the public sector as a State Representative. Building the most successful dermatology practice in the Southeast has made me acutely aware of what it is like to have families depend on an employer for their livelihoods, especially in times of economic uncertainty. It also provided me first-hand experience dealing with the obstacles that government can pose to business growth and increased hiring. My time in the State House has afforded me the understanding of how best to cure Alabama's political and economic ailments such as "Putting Alabamians Back to Work," improving education and fixing the PACT program, and improving ethics and transparency in Montgomery.

I will select only the most qualified individuals for my administration, and I will not appoint someone simply because it is politically expedient to do so. I am running for Governor because I believe in my heart that Alabama has so much to offer, yet we are allowing petty politics and battles for power to stifle our state's true potential.

Reforming Alabama's Lt. Governor Selection Process
As Governor, I will propose an amendment to the Alabama State Constitution that requires the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to run for office on a single ticket, similar to the election process for the President and Vice President. After the primary, the successful gubernatorial nominee should choose his or her own running mate. This will create better interaction between the two offices, thereby creating a more responsive government for the people of Alabama.

Additionally, this change will allow the Lieutenant Governor to become more involved in the daily operations of the state. This will ensure that future Lieutenant Governor's are well prepared for the possibility of assuming the governor's office at a moment's notice. Finally, I will task the Lieutenant Governor with leading specific, important projects for the state.

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