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Opinion
January 17, 2002

   Let's have public discussion about citizens' convention Because it's true that the devil really is in the details, a whole lot of devils will have to be dealt with concerning how to rewrite Alabama's constitution.

   This, though, is a very good thing. That we've even reached this point is thrilling. Two years ago, few elected officials would even broach the subject of rewriting our century-old, racist, power-grabbing constitution.

   Now, all major candidates for governor say they support rewriting the constitution, and two state House
members have drafted bills that call for letting voters decide in November whether they want a citizens' convention.

   Tuesday, Gov. Don Siegelman added his devils to the mix, unveiling his vision of how a citizens' convention would draft a new constitution.

   Let the debate begin in earnest. The discussion is no longer whether we need a new constitution, but how we go about getting one. We're even beyond the point where there should be any debate over whether to let
lawmakers or citizens rewrite the state's fundamental charter, even if some lawmakers don't realize it.

   We now have at least three concrete proposals that spell out what a citizens' convention would look like: Siegelman's, and those of Reps. Todd Greeson, R-Ider, and Mac Gipson, R-Prattville. Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, a candidate for governor, has outlined his "rules" for a convention, although he doesn't have a final proposal.

   There are similarities in the three plans. For example, all would elect delegates from each of 105 House districts in nonpartisan elections; delegates couldn't accept anything of value from lobbyists or anyone else; delegates would be limited in the value of campaign contributions they could accept.

   But there are important differences that ought to be the subject of vigorous debate across the state over the next several months. Among them:

   Siegelman's convention would seat 210 delegates two from each House district while Gipson's and Greeson's would elect just 105 delegates. Gipson's convention also would include each living former governor, lieutenant governor and chief justice, as well as 12 delegates who would represent some of the state's most powerful special-interest groups, such as the Alabama Education Association, the Alabama Farmers Federation, trial lawyers and the Business Council of Alabama.

   While Siegelman would allow those age 18 and older to be delegates, both House members set the minimum age to serve at 25. Also, Siegelman would ban public officials and lobbyists from serving as delegates, while the House members wouldn't.

   Siegelman's plan limits campaign spending to 50 cents per registered voter in the district, although his proposal may not pass constitutional muster with the U.S. Supreme Court. Neither House member's proposal sets spending limits.

   Let's debate these proposals not just in the Legislature, but in coffee shops and town halls, in ballparks, in offices, churches and homes all across the state. Let's look all of the devils in the eye, and decide which details make the most sense for Alabama.

   Let your voice be heard. Urge your lawmaker to help craft the best possible proposal for a citizens' convention to put before voters this November.

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