By Mike Sherman
February 1, 2003
Gov. Bob Riley put a citizens
commission to work Friday on limited constitutional reform and said
changing the state's governmental guidelines could become a continuing
process.
"I know most of y'all like to color outside the
lines," Riley told the group. "This time, stay focused
on two or three things. Go ahead and take care of them. That doesn't
mean this group can't come back time and time again and keep working
on them until they are adopted and we have a document and all of
us can be proud."
Riley's first executive order as governor called for
reform in five areas of the state's antiquated 1901 Constitution.
He wants limited home rule, a reduction of earmarking
of tax revenue while fully funding education, an enhanced line item
veto on state budgets, a "supermajority" to enact taxes
and a redrafting to remove language that has been overruled by courts
or otherwise outgrown over the years.
Governors began calls for reform of Alabama's Constitution
within 14 years of its adoption in 1901. Former Gov. Albert Brewer
tried for wholesale reform and failed, Gov. Fob James tried unsuccessfully
during his first term, and former Lt. Gov. Bill Baxley tried revision
later, but the state Supreme Court rejected the idea.
Brewer is a member of Riley's group, but was unable
to attend Friday's meeting.
The 34-member Alabama Citizens' Commission on Constitutional
Reform is headed by former secretary of state Jim Bennett, and includes
members who want limited reform and those who prefer comprehensive
change.
He said the constitution is in many ways a "horse
and buggy document" that does not speak to today's problems.
The commission plans meetings around the state during February.
He said he hopes to have proposed constitutional amendments ready
for the regular legislative session that begins March 4 and runs
into June.
"Riley must persuade the Legislature that he does
not just want to enhance his power and reduce theirs," said
William H. Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at the
University of Alabama and a member of the commission.
"Unfortunately, in Alabama the executive is weak.
In most political system,s power gravitates to the executive. This
would put Alabama in line with other states. The Alabama governorship
is in need of strengthening," Stewart said.
Commission member Mike Waters, a Montgomery attorney
who spearheaded a constitutional reform effort as legal adviser
to former Gov. Fob James, said the new effort launched through executive
order and public discussion is a good one.
John W. Giles, president of the Christian Coalition
of Alabama, opposed a constitutional convention that he said could
have removed a ban on lotteries.
"The greatest fireworks probably will come over
earmarking and home rule. A lot of legislators will not want to
give up that power," he said.
Howard Walthall, a technical adviser to the group,
is a law professor at Samford University. He said that 87 percent
of Alabama tax revenue is dedicated by the constitution or statutes
to particular purposes.
Walthall said changing the earmarking system probably
would be "the most delicate" of the five areas Riley wants
to change.
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Members of Governor’s Commission
Gov. Bob Riley put a citizens commission
to work Friday on limited constitutional reform and said changing
the state's governmental guidelines could become a continuing
process. Gov. Bob Riley's appointees to the Alabama Citizens'
Commission on Constitutional Reform:
ï Chairman Jim Bennett of Homewood, former secretary of state
ï Vice Chair Lenora Pate, attorney with Sirote Permutt in Birmingham
ï Charles Allison, retired vice president and general counsel
for Gulf States Paper Co. in Tuscaloosa
ï Nancy Archuleta, chief executive officer of MEVATEC in Huntsville
ï Stanley Batemon, chairman of the St. Clair County Commission
in Ashville
ï Albert Brewer, former governor, now law professor at Samford
University in Birmingham
ï Michael Ciamarra, vice president of the Alabama Policy Institute
in Birmingham
ï Charles Collat, owner of Mayer Electric in Birmingham
ï Sallie Creel, president of Alabama Car Rental in Birmingham
ï Mark Culver, chairman of the Houston County Commission in Dothan
ï Mason Davis, attorney with Sirote Permutt in Birmingham
ï Scott Douglas, executive director of Greater Birmingham Ministries
ï Jack Edwards, former U.S. representative, now attorney with
Hand Arendall in Mobile
ï John W. Giles of Montgomery, state president of the Christian
Coalition
ï Catherine F. Golden, attorney in Fairhope
ï Gorman Houston of Montgomery, Alabama Supreme Court justice
ï Robert Huffaker, attorney with Ruston, Stakely, John ston Garrett
in Montgomery
ï McDowell Lee, secretary of the state Senate in Montgomery
ï Lynn B. Lowery, executive director of the Historic Huntsville
Foundation
ï Bob Ludwig, publisher of The Huntsville Times
ï John Nixon, president of United Services Associates in Birmingham
ï Greg Pappas, clerk of the Alabama House in Montgomery
ï Jimmy Parnell, operator of a family-owned timber and cattle
business in Stanton
ï Freddie Patterson of Montgomery, director of government affairs
for the Alabama Farmers Federation
ï Morris Savage, attorney with Bankhead Savage in Jasper
ï Lisa Sharp, attorney with Balch Bingham in Birmingham
ï Alex Sierra, owner of Sierra Mexicanisimo Restaurant in Arab
ï Karen Stanley, vice president of Stanley Construction Co. in
Huntsville
ï Bill Stewart of Tuscaloosa, professor emeritus of political
science at the University of Alabama
ï Eddie Thomas, pastor of Mary Magdalene Baptist Church in Abbeville
ï Bailey Thomson of Tuscaloosa, communications professor at the
University of Alabama
ï Mike Waters, attorney with Balch Bingham in Montgomery
ï Beth Whitehead, president of HealthActions in Jackson
ï Tom Young, vice president of Intergraph in Huntsville and former
chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby
Source: The Associated Press
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