The numbers game

About 250 people carrying a petition with 65,000 signatures rallied in Montgomery to support constitutional reform efforts Wednesday. A far smaller number of opponents also gathered to decry the "socialist agenda" that they suggest is eager to strip Alabamians of the right "to vote before the liberal Legislature raises our taxes," even though aforementioned legislative body already can increase some taxes on its own.

All large and small public demonstrations aside, Rep. Randy Hinshaw, D-Meridianville, said the bill probably won't go too far in 2006 because -- wait for it -- it's an election year.