by: countrycat

Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 08:00:00 AM CDT

Odd From the PACT Web site…..

August 6, 2009 – We have been informed that RSA has been directed to share the PACT study with the senate leadership and Governor  prior to its release to the PACT Board.  Additionally, it is not to be released until after the expected special session of the Legislature.  A date for the special session has not been set by the Governor at this time.  Therefore, the results of this study will not be available to the Board at the meeting August 19^th.

Ok now, the last time PACT was in the news, we heard from RSA Deputy Director, Marcus Reynolds, who said that PACT could be saved:

Reynolds said he is still reviewing the study and said he won’t release details before presenting findings to Gov. Bob Riley sometime between Aug. 10 and the Aug. 19 PACT board meeting. Then, Reynolds will immediately send copies of the study to lawmakers and release it to the public.

The study was completed weeks ago.  The special session just started on the 17th and the Senate is expected to vote on the Jefferson County bill today, thereby wrapping up the session.  Surely someone could have taken some time to look at it earlier in the month.

Or they could look at it before next Wednesday! Isn’t the PACT issue important enough for Governor Riley and Legislative leaders to work the weekend to review the study?  ‘Cmon guys!  It’s not even football season yet!!

Statements from Ron Sparks and Treasurer candidate, Jeremy Sherer, are on the flip.

We don’t need anymore studies.  We made a deal with these parents and we should live up to our obligation.  They bought into a program that guranteed tuition payments for four years and that’s what they ought to get.  Period.

Jeremy Sherer, candidate for Treasurer, has been following the PACT issue closely and meeting with PACT parents all across the state and supporting their efforts to get information and resolution.  Yesterday, he issued a statement criticizing Governor Riley’s unusual decision to delay the report’s release:

“Governor Riley owes PACT participants and all Alabamians an explanation for his decision to delay the public release of the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s study on PACT.

[...]

Furthermore, before any necessary solution can be taken by the legislature or PACT board towards remedying the failings of PACT, we must fully understand PACT’s present status and the breadth of challenges in its future. The release of RSA’s analysis of PACT is necessary towards quickly and successfully adapting PACT’s longterm strategy.

What he said!  Give us the info, Governor Riley!  We’re grown-ups.  We can take it.  And, since PACT parents and students have been waiting anxiously for answers since February, surely you understand that further delay is a problem.

The PACT board won’t meet again until the end of the year, further stressing families who don’t know at this point if their Winter/spring tuition will be paid.