Andrew Kinnaird: Keeping better track of Alabama’s state property

  Supposedly the State of Alabama owns 6,560 individual pieces of real estate. The state "supposedly" owns them because the database from which this information comes, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) "State-Owned Land Registry," is replete with low-quality information.

  For instance, 1,957 of the 6,560 property listings have no explanation of how they are used by state government. 1,597 have no name or description. If the state entities which own and manage these properties don’t have the self-discipline or resources to even report the use and description, how can they be expected to properly manage the very same property?