By David White
August 17, 2001
MONTGOMERY - Alabamians should replace their century-old constitution
by electing delegates to a convention that would write a new one,
leaders of a grassroots group pushing for a new constitution said
Thursday.
"Writing a new constitution is too important to be left
to politicians," said Thomas Corts, president of Alabama Citizens
for Constitutional Reform, or ACCR. "The people of Alabama, through
a convention of their elected delegates, should be the ones to write
a new constitution."
The nonprofit, nonpartisan ACCR has more than 1,000 dues-paying
members and has been calling for a new constitution for more than
a year. But Thursday marked the first time the group has endorsed
a way to rewrite it.
Alabama's constitution also could be changed section-by-section
by the Legislature, or voters could empower state lawmakers to write
an entirely new constitution.
But Corts, also president of Samford University, said
voters don't want state lawmakers to rewrite the constitution because
of the influence single-interest lobbies have on them.
"These groups can be relentless in pressuring the Legislature,"
Corts said. "The people of Alabama understand this. For this reason
and others, they do not expect the Legislature to rewrite the constitution.
In fact, they do not want the Legislature to rewrite the document.
Our citizens want to do that job themselves, as they have indicated
consistently in public surveys."
Corts, at a news conference at the Capitol, said ACCR
has not endorsed specifics for electing convention delegates or set
a timetable for a convention. But he said he hoped voters would ask
candidates for governor and the Legislature next year their views
on whether or how the constitution should be changed.
The current constitution gives power over county taxes,
local officials' salaries and other local issues to the Legislature
rather than county commissions. It also limits collections of state
property taxes and caps state income tax rates.
Corts said the ACCR, the leaders of which include former
Gov. Albert Brewer and former U.S. Rep. Jack Edwards, wants voters
to be able to accept or reject any new constitution drafted by a convention.
The current constitution allows a convention but doesn't
require voters' approval of a new constitution. Corts said ACCR would
push to require such a referendum. Corts said ACCR also believes a
new constitution should:
Limit government to public purposes, including quality
education. Keep the current preamble, which calls on the favor and
guidance of God.
Keep the constitution's current section on judges and
the courts, which voters updated by amendment in 1973.
Include a declaration of rights "to protect individual
liberty." The current constitution includes a declaration of rights.
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