The League of Women Voters of Alabama
supports the following position for reform of the constitution of
the state of Alabama. This position is the result of an in-depth study
of this issue followed by the taking of consensus of the members.
The LWVAL position on this issue was first established
in 1967. Revisions were approved in 1973 and updated in 1995.
A broad grant of authority to local governing units to
enable them to attempt to meet their own local problems independently
of the state legislature and/or of the state electorate.
It should provide guarantees that the choice of form
of local government should be determined by the local electorate,
and it should promote maximum intergovernmental cooperation in seeking
solutions to problems that cross the boundaries of political subdivisions.
The strengthening of the Legislature that it may more
effectively function within the traditional framework of checks and
balances among the co-equal branches of government.
We recommend that the Legislature meet annually and the
legislators receive an adequate annual salary. We believe that a constitutional
mandate for the Legislature to elect its own leadership is necessary
to insure greater independence of the legislative branch and that
there should be constitutional guarantees of adequate representation
for all citizens.
We support the principle of periodic reorganization of
the executive branch designed to achieve maximum efficiency and economy.
Formulation of a unified budget by the executive, subject
to legislative approval, should be one mechanism used for enhancing
efficiency and economy in government.
A Judicial Article for the constitution which would provide
for: the continuation of a unified court system; a form of merit selection
of judges with reappointment subject to approval by the voters; the
continued use of a compensation commission which would recommend salaries
of judges to the Legislature.
There should be no constitutionally fixed tax rates.
No specific monetary debt ceiling should be stated in
the constitution. However, we would favor a constitutionally specified
debt limit which is a percentage of a reasonable measure of the state's
wealth.
The constitution should neither provide for nor prohibit
earmarked taxes. The constitutional restriction on the income tax
should be removed since this tax is Alabama's most progressive revenue
source.
Charlotte
R. Ward is the President of the League of Women Voters of Alabama.
Return to : Resolutions
Index
