Same old, same old
Want a new Alabama Constitution any time soon? Too bad.
State Rep. Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham, on Tuesday withdrew his bill calling for a public vote on convening a constitutional convention after it became clear that House members wouldn't approve a budget isolation resolution to permit its consideration. In plain English, we didn't even get to the point of a vote on allowing a vote to allow a vote.
Despite public support for a badly needed new constitution, the bill's demise was easy to see coming. Our current charter gives legislators an inordinate measure of power over county affairs, and politicians rarely give up power without a serious fight. Until citizens start voting reform opponents out of office and replacing them with supporters, the cycle likely will continue.
In the meantime, you'll still have the right to learn the name of a tiny town 200 miles away from you, and then weigh in on whether the people there get to play bingo.
State Rep. Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham, on Tuesday withdrew his bill calling for a public vote on convening a constitutional convention after it became clear that House members wouldn't approve a budget isolation resolution to permit its consideration. In plain English, we didn't even get to the point of a vote on allowing a vote to allow a vote.
Despite public support for a badly needed new constitution, the bill's demise was easy to see coming. Our current charter gives legislators an inordinate measure of power over county affairs, and politicians rarely give up power without a serious fight. Until citizens start voting reform opponents out of office and replacing them with supporters, the cycle likely will continue.
In the meantime, you'll still have the right to learn the name of a tiny town 200 miles away from you, and then weigh in on whether the people there get to play bingo.
posted by Alabamian at 7:00 PM
<< Home