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Editorial
December 30, 2001

   AS IT does each year, the Register's editorial board today offers its top 10 resolutions for the coming year, and commits itself to helping achieve them.

   Our local and state goals for 2002 include:

Bringing order to the way Alabama's political leaders raise and spend taxpayer dollars.

   As December's special legislative session confirmed anew, Alabama simply does not take in enough tax
revenue to pay for essentials such as public education, prisons, state troopers and social services.

   Nor do lawmakers approach budgeting realistically, which exacerbates the problem.

   The Register's editorial board promises to champion meaningful tax reform that would equalize the tax burden. As it stands now, the out-of-kilter system punishes the poor, favors timber corporations and other wealthy interests, and relies too heavily on regressive sales taxes.

   Meanwhile, state legislators and the governor can resolve to do a better job of budgeting. They can start by
basing revenue and spending estimates on the previous year's actual revenues.

   Next, they can promise to stop the shameless practice of larding the General Fund and Education Trust Fund budgets with "pork" projects for their home districts.

Encouraging voters to elect visionary political leaders.

   Voters will choose a governor, lieutenant governor and numerous other office-holders in 2002. We will urge citizens to become informed about issues facing the state, and to demand openness and honesty from their leaders.

   Their enthusiastic and informed participation in the election process is perhaps the most important contribution ordinary Alabamians can make to their state.

   The editorial board also will encourage good men and women to seek state office and, once in Montgomery, to wrest power away from the special interests by putting an end to Alabama's sorry tradition of weak governors and ineffective legislators.

Convening a "people's convention" to rewrite the Alabama Constitution of 1901.

   Politicians, including Gov. Don Siegelman, and the public have shown encouraging signs of understanding the need for a new constitution. Now's the time to launch the process of electing delegates to draft a new document, subject to the approval of voters.

   In addition to being the nation's longest state charter, the Alabama constitution -- with its pervasive lack of
home rule -- forces legislators to spend too much time tending to local matters that could and should be han dled by city and county governments.

   The Register's editorial board will fight for a modern constitution that gives state leaders the tools they need to govern in the 21st century.

Supporting the city of Mobile's "String of Pearls" redevelopment plan.

   The Retirement Systems of Alabama's plan to build a 35-story office tower and renovate the Battle House Hotel offers the Port City a chance to take its rightful place among progressive cities of the Southeast. We will urge Mobile leaders to continue to promote the city as a desirable place in which to live and do business.

Protecting children from abuse.

   State legislators continue to balk at requiring criminal background checks on all -- not just newly hired --
teachers and school employees who have contact with children. The editorial board will continue to insist on
passage of this measure, which will help protect schoolkids from sex offenders.

Calling for unity among Mobile County school board members.
 
   In 2001, voters approved new taxes for public schools. Now, school board members need to abandon the
bickering that characterizes their proceedings. We will urge them to put children's needs first, and to recognize that their infighting is every bit as destructive as a lack of money.

Reforming election laws.

   The editorial board will renew its support for a law requiring all voters to present photo ID's at the polls. We will also support the secretary of state's efforts to ensure that all counties have functional and accurate voting machines.

Championing the Alabama State Docks.

   The year 2001 was a good one for the State Docks, with voters giving the nod to millions of dollars worth of improvements. We will ask state leaders to support continued expansion in 2002, especially in light of Alabama's potential for increased trade with Latin America.

Rebuilding Prichard's government.

   In recent years, Prichard residents have been battered by political infighting and corruption. The editorial board will support Prichard leaders' efforts to stabilize the city.

Safeguarding the environment.

   We will ask Gov. Siegelman to continue the state's acquisition of fragile wetlands in south Alabama, particularly in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

   The editorial board will also urge local politicians to balance development with protecting the environment.

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