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By Phillip Rawls
The Associated Press
January 8, 2002

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Gov. Don Siegelman began the election-year session of the Legislature Tuesday night by calling for a constitutional convention to rewrite Alabama’s framework of government and reduce the power of special interests.

   In the final State of the State address of his term, Siegelman asked the Legislature to let the public vote in the Nov. 5 general election on whether they want a constitutional convention.

   “It’s time we end the special interest domination that has ruled our state and held us back for over a hundred years. It’s time we throw them out and give the power back to the people,” Siegelman said.

   Sen. Bill Armistead, R-Columbiana, said the Democratic governor won’t get what he seeks. “He knows we can’t get constitutional reform done in this session, but he wants it as an issue to campaign on,” Armistead said.

   Siegelman laid down a challenge to legislators: “I know where I stand. The question is, where will you stand? With the people or with the special interests? With us or with them?” Siegelman’s remarks differed from his last State of the State address on Feb. 6, 2001, when he did not mention rewriting Alabama’s 1901 constitution. Then in March, he embraced constitutional revision and called for a constitutional convention in October. Tuesday night marked the first time he had specified a timetable.

   “I’m happy he came out in favor of a constitutional convention. It’s past time and now we have the opportunity to do it,” House Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham, said. Siegelman caught legislators by surprise. Usually, he talks with legislative leaders before each legislative session to garner support for items he is considering proposing, but several legislative leaders said they had no meetings before this session.

   Senate President Pro Tem Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, couldn’t recall the last time he met face to face with Siegelman. “It’s been awhile,” he said. House budget committee Chairman John Knight, D-Montgomery, said it would be good to begin legislative debate on rewriting the constitution, “but I doubt very seriously if we have time to deal with constitutional reform and the work it would require.”

   Republican Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, who hopes to replace Siegelman in the governor’s office, said he supports a constitutional convention, but doesn’t believe it will pass in an election-year session when lawmakers want to avoid controversial topics. “That is something so controversial there is no way to get it done this session,” he said.

   If the Legislature were to authorize a statewide referendum on a constitutional convention and Alabama voters were to approve a convention, the next step would be to select the delegates who would rewrite the constitution. Then, Siegelman said, the document would be presented to Alabama voters for approval.

   Republican Secretary of State Jim Bennett said Siegelman’s speech would have significant impact. “I’ve always said it would take the support of a governor to make this a front-burner issue. I think it’s interesting that almost every candidate for governor is embracing constitutional reform,” Bennett said.

   In addition to advocating a constitutional convention, Siegelman called for a constitutional amendment to give local governments more control in deciding education issues without going through the Legislature for approval. The governor also advocated a discount prescription drug program for the elderly through the state Medicaid Agency, the death penalty for domestic terrorism, regulation of payday loan businesses and protection against civil actions for National Guardsmen who stand watch over Alabama airports, roads and other facilities during the war on terrorism.

   In his address, Siegelman criticized the phone tax that the Legislature approved — over his veto — in a pre-Christmas special session, but he did not ask the lawmakers to repeal it.

Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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