FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2009

Media Contact:
Alex Goepfert
205-322-9096

Artur Davis Calls for Constitutional Reform to Fix Broken State Government and Unlock Alabama’s Full Potential

HUNTSVILLE — Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis held a press conference in Huntsville today, where he pledged his support for a new constitution for Alabama. Davis endorsed a constitutional convention comprised of elected delegates who will draft a new constitution to be voted up or down by voters in a statewide referendum.

"Alabama's 1901 Constitution is rooted in a 1901 value — the idea that local communities cannot be trusted to make their own choices, and that powerful special interests in Montgomery will always have the final say. Our old constitution protects the privileges of forces like out of state land owners, while it shortchanges families who pay taxes on baby milk and medicine," said Davis. "Alabamians deserve the right to vote on a new document that speaks to our current values and our current needs as a state."

Davis has previously proposed the toughest ethics reform plan ever considered in Alabama, reforms that far exceed anyone running for governor. Last week, Davis unveiled a Taxpayer Protection Plan to increase transparency and accountability and fight government waste.

Davis continued, "None of our recent governors have made a rewrite of the 1901 constitution a priority, and it is a fact that the other candidates in this race are all opposed to a constitutional convention. I would expect the opponents of constitutional reform to trot out the same tired arguments about why we should fear constitutional reform. But what they really mean is that they don't trust the voters and they're not prepared to defend the status quo in the light of day that a constitutional convention would provide. "

With more than 800 amendments, Alabama's 1901 Constitution is the longest and most convoluted state constitution in America. Among other things, the document bars local governments from participating in economic development activities and places local decisions in the hands of Montgomery politicians. According to Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, Alabama is the only state in the southeast that deprives counties of local control.

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