Editorial
August 24, 2001
People who fear that the momentum for a
new state constitution could turn into a runaway train can take comfort
in a proposal by the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform. If
Gov. Don Siegelman and the Legislature will cooperate, the plan will
ensure that voters -- and not special interests -- will have the final
say.
ACCR's proposal is this: that the governor, in his agenda
for the special legislative session that begins next Tuesday, include
a constitutional amendment that would require a statewide referendum
on whether to approve a new constitution.
The measure should be a slam-dunk for legislators, because
it would guarantee that once a new constitution is written, the people
of Alabama will have the opportunity to vote it up or down.
Whether or not people should fear the process of rewriting
the constitution, the fact is that some folks do worry that a constitutional
convention's final document wouldn't have to be approved by the voters.
Regrettably, the 1901 constitution under which Alabama
now functions isn't clear on this point -- hence, ACCR's push for
an amendment to clarify it.
Sadly, the constitution's lack of clarity isn't limited
to this instance. Nor is it the document's only problem.
The state's antiquated charter is riddled with inconsistencies
as well as with language that reflects the segregated era in which
it was written, provisions that hamstring local governments, and measures
that pertain only to specific towns or counties.
Furthermore, it is loaded with 706 amendments -- a number
that grows yearly because, thanks to the constitution, local governments
can do little without seeking an amendment.
Having lain dormant for many years, the push for a new
constitution achieved momentum last year when a grass-roots group
of civic and academic leaders formed ACCR and began actively championing
the idea.
Now it's the governor's and Legislature's turn to do
their part to assure Alabamians that when a new state constitution
is written, they'll make the ultimate decision on whether it flies
or flops.
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