A publishing error by a Pickens County newspaper that the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) claims cost taxpayers nearly $1.76 million is causing some state lawmakers to call for the legislature to rethink a state law requiring public and legal notices to be placed in local print newspapers.
State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) is the latest to comment publicly on ending the statutory obligation.
During an appearance on Mobile radio's FM Talk 106.5, Elliott explained the ALDOT claim was a tangible example beyond solely a "good government argument" for lawmakers to consider.
"[L]ook, to get the legislature to move on something, you oftentimes have to have more than just a good government argument, right?" Elliott said. "It almost, it has to be a problem. You have to show that it's a problem. And oftentimes, you have to show that you're either losing money on it or stand to gain some significant efficiency. And so, I think what happens here is not anything new. It's just shining a light on the fact that these arcane methods of advertising for legal notices and bid lettings are fraught with problems as well and that we need to update the way we do those things. You know, the small independents, the weeklies that are hanging on, still printing things, good for them."
"They provide a valuable service, but it is very much — the way we're doing things now, and have been since the 60s, is very much a subsidy for these small weekly papers," he continued. "I mean, just call it what it is. It's not an efficient way to distribute the information. It's not an efficient way to get to meet the legal notice requirements for public works contracts. And the only reason it stays is because it supports these small little local papers. It subsidizes these small local papers. And it costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year, millions. And then, when there's a mistake, it costs even more millions. And so it's past time to look at this again. And I think these examples just provide the catalyst, if you will, to demonstrate what can happen to taxpayers when these things go wrong."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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