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We Can Do Better - ALABAMA
Unfortunately running for office has only been for the privileged, wealthy and those supported by special interests or PACS. It is possible to be elected by word of mouth and very little financial support. Please spread the word..... Elect Robin Litaker PSC - President
April 30, 2018
True Transparency Can Stop Corruption
Alabama has been ranked as one of the most corrupt states in the Union. I believe that our state can do better…. We expect and deserve honesty from our government officials. When politicians claim to be transparent they should follow their claim with a plan and evidence of openness.
My personal plan for transparency at the PSC is simplistic yet necessary.
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I will publish monthly what I do every day at work.
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I will post information such as who I meet with and why.
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I will post why I vote the way I do during monthly commission meetings.
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I will insist that the PSC website be more user friendly, updated and be a resource for the people of Alabama.
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In addition I will answer phone calls, emails and travel to meet with citizens whenever I am asked…..
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AND I will go to work every day as outlined in Alabama Code 37-1-9 (see below)
WHY? Because I will be employed by you ….and will be accountable to you. If you know what I am doing and I take the time to explain my actions…. Then there will be no question about who I am serving.
As an educator I did this daily…. It’s called a lesson plan…. No parent would ever dream of letting their child go to school with an educator that could not show accountability. Why should government officials be any different?
As I have traveled around the state and shared with Alabamians my desire to put them first and have shared these ideas…. It has been met with what I will term “positive shock”….. That an elected official could and would be this transparent…..
I have other plans that I will begin sharing in the closing weeks before the primary.
I am not asking for your vote….. I am asking to earn your vote….. Then it will be my job to maintain your confidence not only in me but in the office I will serve….
Section 37-1-9
Residency of commissioners; full time devoted to official business.
Each member of the commission shall devote his or her full time to his or her official business and may reside anywhere within this state.
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/coatoc.htm - Link for all PSC Codes (37)
April 17, 2018
I am not a politician.... I am a PUBLIC SERVANT....
I know the difference and so do you....
True public service is when you put others above yourself
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself” –Philippians 2:3
Alabama has recently been ranked as one of the most corrupt states in the country. Committing to serve the public should never be a self-first venture. I have spent my entire adult life serving the public. I have been vocal and active within my profession. I have stood up for children and teachers in this state and on the national level. Now it is time to speak up for ALL the citizens of Alabama.
The Alabama Public Service Commission is not a typical elected position. This is a full-time job (Section 37-1-9) and requires the person elected to be at work in Montgomery daily. I am ready to step-up and speak up for ALL citizens of Alabama.
What do you think you can accomplish as a PSC Commissioner?
I have years of experience studying and implementing complex policies and regulations in a fair and equitable manner. I have worked with the public, served on national and state boards. I have met two United State Presidents, worked with Governors and worked to give teachers voices in educational issues. I can give the public an important voice in regard to public utilities. The most important attribute I have is that I know how to listen. When you conduct yourself with integrity, everything else falls into place. As a PSC Commissioner, I will ensure that utility rates are kept low, consumers are treated fairly, and that the policies in place are the most necessary and effective.
Why I am running for Public Service Commission:
Alabama has recently been ranked as the most corrupt state in the country. In the last few years we have seen a speaker of the house, governor, Supreme Court Justice, and others steeped in controversy which ultimately led to them being removed from office. In my career as an educator, I had to uphold a high standard of excellence and I was held accountable to the public in everything I did. Why should government be any different? I am running because I want to ensure that Alabama’s taxpayers and ratepayers are represented fairly.
A few goals:
• Publishing monthly what I do daily at the PSC. I will work for you therefore I will be accountable to you.
• I will work with the divisions of the PSC and the public utilities to create a better website and reporting system.
• I will answer and return emails, phone calls and will travel where I am needed. I am asking for the opportunity to earn your vote.
We can do better Alabama!!!
MARCH 16, 2018
I PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS
I want to begin to talk about what I can bring to the PSC (Public Service Commission). Many of you who know me personally know that I am very meticulous. I focus on details and I am very inquisitive and detailed when I am placed in a position of responsibility…. Especially with public money. I will question and research prior to making any decision.
The Sheriff that was exposed this week for using leftover funds to purchase a beach house (see link below) is an example of what should NEVER have happened (“the practice of keeping excess inmate-feeding funds for themselves is legal”). The Alabama Code that is in the books is old, antiquated and is definitely out of date. Why has this remained on the books past time for the need?
I believe it is ethically my responsibility to review all Section 37 Codes (PSC Code number) and question when I don’t understand or when I feel that a code should be removed.
Here is an example: AL Code § 37-1-15 (2012) - Free tickets, free passes or free transportation. First, the wording that includes “civil war veterans” shows it is dated…. Secondly, does this comply with current ethics laws when it states: “Members of the Public Service Commission and its agents and employees, when traveling on official business, may pass free of charge on all the railroads and all other common carriers and may receive free tickets, passes and transportation from such carriers”…..?
I will never blindly go into a PSC meeting without understanding why each item is on the agenda…. I have a responsibility to you the tax paying citizens of Alabama…. After all I will work for you and I will have to answer to you for every action or inaction taken…..
---- PLEASE know this:
I PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS
PS --- those that know me….. will believe when I tell you I reviewed code 37 in its entirety prior to deciding to run for this position…. :-)
Follow this link for the article about the Sheriff from Etowah:
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2018/03/etowah_sheriff_pocketed_over_7.html
Follow this Link to view Code 37-1-15:
https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2012/title-37/chapter-1/section-37-1-15/
March 6, 2018
NOTES
Serving on the Public Service Commission is a full-time job.
A Public Service Commissioner is much like being elected to be a judge, sheriff or coroner.
I WILL be at work every day and I will establish better ways to communicate to the public.
A Public Service Commissioner is supposed to be the voice of the public, the voice for the hardworking consumers of Alabama.
This is the law that specifies that this is a FULL-TIME job:
Section 37-1-9 Residency of commissioners; full time devoted to official business. Each member of the commission shall devote his or her full time to his or her official business and may reside anywhere within this state. (Acts 1920, No. 42, p. 92; Code 1923, §9615; Code 1940, T. 48, §10; Act 2013-375, p. 1377, §1.)
The Alabama Public Service Commission
http://www.psc.state.al.us/News/ComHist.html
Mission
To ensure a regulatory balance between regulated companies and consumers in order to provide consumers with safe, adequate and reliable services at rates that are equitable and economical.
History
The Alabama Public Service Commission was designated as such in 1915 by the Alabama Legislature. The Commission evolved from the Railroad Commission of Alabama, which was created in 1881 to regulate railroads. The Commission has always been composed of three elected members: a president and two associate commissioners.
Between 1881 and 1915, the Legislature extended the Railroad Commission’s jurisdiction to include express companies, sleeping car companies, railroad depots and terminal stations. In addition, the Commission’s jurisdiction was broadened to include the regulation of telephone and telegraph companies, transportation companies operating as common carriers over water and operators of toll bridges, toll ferries, and toll roads. The Commission was also charged with the regulation of utilities providing electricity, gas, water, and steam, companies operating streets or inter-urban railways, as well as rail and communication companies already subject to regulation by the former Railroad Commission. The newly constituted agency thus became known as the Alabama Public Service Commission. The Commission’s authority was extended to approving the sale or lease of utility property or franchises and was broadened again in 1920 when the Legislature made the Commission responsible for regulating utility rates. (more on website)
Please review the most recent articles about some utilities in Alabama…..
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2018/03/alabama_power_fined_coal_ash.html
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/alabama_residents_pay_2nd_most.html
Alabama residents had the second highest average total electricity costs among 50 states and the District of Columbia, spending $1,747 in 2016.
http://www.wsfa.com/story/37406210/spire-alabama-psc-explain-spike-in-january-gas-bills
"The Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) is certainly aware that the coldest winter experienced in this state in many years has resulted in natural gas bills that are above the levels normally experienced during our typical winters in Alabama. The increased gas bills customers are experiencing is primarily attributable to colder weather with the resulting higher level of gas usage. For January 2018, average residential gas usage in Alabama is 54.3% higher than January 2017.
There is no correlation between Spire Alabama’s acquisition of Alagasco and higher average gas bills this winter. Spire acquired Alagasco more than three years ago. On October 1, 2017 the utility changed its name from Alagasco to Spire but ownership and management has remained unchanged since 2014.
Spire Alabama, Inc. did file for a rate increase in December 2017 that was reduced by 38% due to the efforts of the Commission and its staff. Further, the increase that ultimately went into effect on December 1, 2017 will be offset by a revised filing submitted by Spire to be effective today which will decrease base rates by approximately $12.8 million over the remainder of 2018. The rate decrease is attributable to the federal corporate income tax reduction approved under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Recovery Act of 2017.
Anyone with questions about their Spire bill should call 800-292-4008."
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/02/alabama_utility_companies_easi.html
But the state agency that regulates utilities in Alabama said customers who are unable to pay their bills can have their accounts placed under temporary financial hardship to help weather the burden.
"The increased usage by customers in January 2018 has contributed to higher utility bills and an increase in customer billing/payment inquiries," the state Public Service Commission said in a statement to AL.com. "The Alabama Public Service Commission and its regulated power and gas utilities understand this may create temporary financial hardships for some customers. Alabama Power, as well as Spire Alabama and Spire Gulf, are working with its customers, as appropriate, to develop payment arrangements when customers find themselves temporarily unable to pay their utility bills."
The utilities said the higher bills are due to usage, not rate increases or billing issues.
Birmingham activist Frank Matthews, president of the Outcast Voters League, was in Montgomery early this week lobbying on behalf of customers who saw their power bills increase by as much as $300 in January. Matthews, who said he received complaints from more than 500 people, met with the commission and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey's office.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU SHOW
My mother always told me I could and would go to college... That almost changed the day my high school counselor called me in to her office... my senior year... She asked me what I was going to do after graduation ... I said proudly “I am going to college”... I’ll never forget the smirk on her face... kind of like she wanted to laugh but she didn’t.... and then her words... and they stung....“oh honey you’re not college material” she then went through a list of job options that only required a high school diploma... I don’t know how I held it together to walk out of her office... In her eyes I was a throwaway.... I went home told my mother what she had said....My mother said simply “Robin you are what you show”.... I don’t know how I have had the wear-with-all to move on at times but I have. I just keep hearing my Mother’s words and I just keep moving forward ... I’ve always had to work harder than most... as an educator I always took up for the underdog ... you know the child that has the sprit and the potential but was beaten down in school.... like me (yes there are plenty of other stories to tell) I’ve always taken on the cause that most would just be quiet about... I see wrong ... I want to fix it... I see injustice I want to right it.... Even as an adult I realize that I am still a throwaway... but I would rather be in my group of labeled throwaways than with some of the so-called leaders of this country who are not public servants...but instead they are self-serving... I had someone at a campaign event ask me how they could be sure that I wouldn’t turn into “one of them”... I said “it’s simple... My mother raised me better... because I am what I show”...
PS - I was the first person in my immediate family to ever graduate from college, I have a masters, an Ed.S and a doctorate... Plus a year of law school under my belt... doesn’t make me better than anyone else... just shows that I won’t give up...Yep...I still struggle... but it only makes me work harder.. after-all YOU ARE WHAT YOU SHOW...
