The Associated Press
12/10/02 4:20PM
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Secretary of State Jim Bennett, chairman of the
Citizens' Commission on Constitutional Reform, said 2003 offers the
best hope for persuading legislators and voters to rewrite major parts
of Alabama's constitution.
"I believe 2003 is the breakthrough year. I think
it's our best shot to do so. If we don't get it in '03, I think the
movement will lose some steam," Bennett said.
Bennett chairs the 21-member commission that was formed
by Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform to suggest changes in
Alabama's constitution. At a meeting Monday in Auburn, Bennett said
the commission's report will be given in early January to the Legislature
and Gov.-elect Bob Riley, who takes office Jan. 20.
Gerald Johnson, director of the Alabama Education Association's
in-house polling operation, told commission members that 61 percent
of Alabama voters support constitutional reform, according to a poll
of 606 registered voters conducted Nov. 13-20.
The Auburn meeting was the last of a series that Bennett's
commission has held around the state to get public input. Riley sent
a letter to the commission thanking the members for their work and
saying it would be invaluable to his administration.
Riley said he would like to see parts of the constitution
changed to reduce earmarking, which dedicates various state taxes
for specific uses, and to give county governments "at least some
measure of home rule so they may govern more effectively."
The current constitution limits the power of county governments
to develop economic development projects, propose tax increases and
perform many other functions without the Legislature's approval. Granting
greater home rule would reduce or erase the need for lawmakers' permission.
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