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‘Reform’ school
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By Steve Myers Staff Reporter October 24, 2002 Jesse Daniel will vote for the first time this year, and the Cullman High senior plans to support an amendment on the ballot that will ease people’s minds about constitutional reform. “I was a member of Boys State and constitutional reform was a very lively topic there,” said Daniel, who is 18. “I do plan on voting this year and I support Amendment One. I’m also planning to join the [constitutional reform] movement and plan to encourage my friends to do the same.” Cullman High School history students were eager to sign their names Wednesday on the big yellow school bus that is traveling the state in support of the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform’s efforts to fix the state’s document and get support for Amendment One on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. In addition to signing the bus, supporters of the movement are hopeful teenagers and adults will sign on to support efforts statewide to reform the state’s 1901 Constitution. “I learned a lot I didn’t know about the history of our state constitution and the need for reforms today,” said Nick Perry, 17. “I may not be old enough to vote this year, but I’m looking forward to the day when my vote will count. But if I could vote, I’d definitely vote in favor of Amendment One.” “We’re taking our message of reform statewide, and Amendment One is a guarantee that the people of Alabama will have the final say on rewriting the constitution,” said David Perry, field director of ACCR. “The state constitution presently has over 700 amendments compared to only 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. On Nov. 5, 34 additional amendments will be on ballots across the state. Of those, 31 pertain to individual counties, while only three deal with statewide issues, such as Amendment One.” Opponents say rewriting Alabama’s constitution could raise taxes and legalize gambling without the approval of voters. Amendment One, Perry says, requires that any new constitution must be approved in a statewide vote before it can be enacted. Bill Stewart, a leader of the movement to rewrite the constitution and professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama, told Cullman High students the 1901 constitution did not look to the needs of the 20th century, let alone the 21st century. “The 1901 constitution was originally written in order to prevent blacks and poor whites in Alabama from voting, a travesty that was not rescinded until the 1960s,” Stewart said. “I wonder how many of you know that as it was originally written, the 1901 constitution did not require the state to build one mile of roads and it made it very difficult to raise funds for public schools by placing restrictions on property and income taxes.” Since 1915, a number of Alabama’s governors have attempted to revise the constitution. In the 1940s and ’50s, former Gov. James Folsom proposed reforms which were opposed by the Legislature. “The constitution we have today was written for a purpose we cannot defend. And with so many amendments and attachments it’s clear that what we have is a case of the tail wagging the dog,” Stewart said. Cullman High history teacher Rick Connell said he thought Wednesday’s presentation gave students the opportunity to hear about key issues. “I’m in favor of our young people knowing as much as possible about local, state and national issues,” Connell said. “It’s up to them to digest the information and come to their own conclusions. And I think there will be plenty of time for most of them to help make a difference because I think this issue is going to continue to be at the forefront in the foreseeable future.” For more information about ACCR, call 334-834-5495 or send an e-mail to accr@constitutionalreform.org. Return to: Constitutional Reform ~ In the News Return to: Editorial Index |
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| Alabama
Citizens for Constitutional Reform Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 34 Montgomery, Alabama 36101-0034 E-mail: accr@constitutionalreform.org |
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