Senator questions Alabama constitution

Longtime state Sen. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals, said Monday as the Legislature opened a special session that a 100-year-old state constitution had brought them together in Montgomery again unnecessarily.
Gov. Bob Riley, a Republican, called lawmakers into special session to deal with legislation related to the ongoing financial fallout in Jefferson County.
Denton said local officials should be able to address the issue.
The 1901 Alabama constitution allows for very little local control so cities and counties must bring issues through the Legislature for changes or approval.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen