ACCR - Newspaper Series

Newspaper Series The following is a list of editorial series from newspapers around the state of Alabama including The Birmingham News, The Gadsden Times, The Tuscaloosa News, The Huntsville Times, The Anniston Star and Mobile Register Press Coverage from around the State Testament to a travesty Anniston Star Editorials About the Constitution series In our opinon 4/01/02 through 4/07/02
Part 1: Legacy of a flawed document Part 2: Daniel’s lost summer: Hogging the subdivision Part 3: Grocery shopping with Judy Part 4: Principal McClure’s wish list Part 5: Eli’s road rage Part 6: A re-write is only right
Contributors to The Star’s six-part editorial series on constitutional reform included Associate Editor John Fleming and Editorial Writer Richard Raeke, who wrote the essays; Star Graphics Department illustrator Lesley Johnson, who drew the daily cartoon strips, “The Daily Constitutional,” which ran along the bottoms of the pages; Anniston artist John Will Davis, who drew the head-shot portraits of the daily editorials’ subjects; and Jacksonville State University art student Leilah Rampa, a native of Switzerland, who sketched the daily editorial cartoons. Commentary editor Bruce A. Lowry handled the layout and overall design of the series.
A three part series of New York Times regional articles that appeared in the Tuscaloosa News, Florence Times Daily and the Gadsden Times
Part I • Alabama Constitution at heart of heated controversy By Mike Goens, The Florence Times Daily, November 18, 2001 • Constitutional Reform: Who’s in this fight and why? By Mike Goens, The Florence Times Daily, November 18, 2001 • Poll: Respondents skeptical that state constitution can be changed for the best By Steve Reeves, The Tuscaloosa News, November 18, 2001 • How the Constitution came to be: ‘It’s quite a birthday for a document steeped in Alabama’s history’ By Dana Beyerle, The Tuscaloosa News, November 18, 2001 Part II • Opportunity for change has come and gone for nation's longest constitution By Dana Beyerle, The Tuscaloosa News, November 19, 2001 • Some see amendment 328 as proof that constitutional reform can happen here By Mike Goens, The Florence Times Daily, November 19, 2001 • Other states show how, and how not, to reform constitution By Mike Goens, The Florence Times Daily, November 19, 2001 • State constitution cited as cause for ‘holding us back’ By Dana Beyerle, The Tuscaloosa News, November 19, 2001 Part III • Constitution thins the wallets of Alabamians By Steve Reeves, The Tuscaloosa News, November 25, 2001 • Opponents of constitutional change say higher taxes are possible result By Steve Reeves, The Tuscaloosa News, November 25, 2001 • Most timberland, farm owners shun changes to tax structure By Dana Beyerle, The Tuscaloosa News, November 25, 2001 • Poll: 65% say tax structure favors the rich By Steve Reeves, The Tuscaloosa News, November 25, 2001
*Used by permission. . A new century, a new constitution A Special editorial series of the The Birmingham News
Introduction: Dear Governor Siegelman asked; this week offers an answer Part 1: Constitution’s cost Siegelman's aim of efficiency took a beating Part 2: History’s knot For 100 years, an obstacle at the center of government Part 3: Malicious intent Part 4: State’s straitjacket Earmarking in constitution ties Alabama's hands Part 5: Schools on the cheap Constitution's blue-light special taxes no bargain Part 7: Hogtied, handcuffed Constitution keeps counties from governing selves Part 8: Wet rag Alabama's constitution dampens development Part 9: Daybreak in Alabama
*Used by permission
• Rewriting Alabama’s Constitution • It's hard to tell which parts of state's Constitution are still valid • Constitution: Alabama’s solution
*Used by permission. A state buried in paper: Alabama's controversial constitution .
Introduction • Our future dimmed by yellow paper? • ‘The Negro problem’ • Putting the six constitutions of state into historical context • Not much power to the people • Alabama: A taxing problem • Constitution that shelters resources extracts a high price. • Abolition of slavery also helped abolish major source of revenue. • Mobile ‘Memorial Forest’ grows Lowe's store, Marriott hotel • Other states update creaky constitutions • Survey: No big rewrite push from Legislators • A movement grounded in optimism • Speakers vow that this time state will break free of a crippling law Other Stories: • Legislature deep in local issues
*used by permission. . . Century of shame A Special Editorial Series of the Mobile Register Introduction I. When the lights dimmed II. The beast in the garden III. Blessed are the privileged IV. Faces from the future V. The last big mule VI. Absurd in Alabama VII. Let us convene Sin of the fathers How powerful interests made Alabama safe for themselves -- and condemned generations to ignorance and bitter division I. Introduction II. The legacy of misplaced power • World’s biggest, but nobody’s proud • Political reformers try and fail • Special interests fear ‘can of worms’ • When Alabama’s reformers have failed • No easing of amendment rat race • ‘Supremacy’ and the stolen vote III. The problem comes home • ‘Hostage’: County’s desire to hike tax • Outdated system has coosa schools struggling for life • ‘Current use’ loses millions for Alabama • Birmingham’s bickering the worst • Horse and buggy roads good enough for 1901 Constitution • Hurting for home rule in Baldwin and Mobile counties IV. The long apron strings • Capital has the power in Alabama • Alabamians advised: Don’t fear home rule • State tells counties where the money goes • Zoning anarchy is a muddy mess • Home rule could spur city, county teamwork • Callahan commission’s fall a blessing in disguise? V. What other states have done • Virginia: Simplification is better • Learning from Maryland’s mistakes • Coloradans can take law into their own hands • Assembly provided draft with teeth VI. Where can we go from here? • Alabama court reform an exception • Voter s would make final statemen t on constitution Dixie’s broken heart A series of editorials • Contents • The two Alabamas • Hogs at the door • Suffer the little ones • The dunking booth • By the numbers • A shameful legacy • Our new century
Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 34 Montgomery, Alabama 36101-0034 E-mail: accr@constitutionalreform.org
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