Democrats Continue Fight for Constitutional Reform

Democratic members of the Alabama Legislature announced Thursday that they would introduce a resolution that would allow the state's voters to decide whether to call a constitutional convention to reform the state's constitution.

State Rep. Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham, said that he hopes his Republican colleagues who now control both chambers of the Legislature will join him in support of allowing the people to vote. Newton has championed a reform of Alabama's oft amended 1901 constitution by convention. Democrats had brought legislation for years when they controlled the legislature, but were never successful.

"Today is step one in letting the people of Alabama decide if they want a new constitution," Newton said. "Why should we be afraid of the citizens of Alabama?"

State Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, said that Alabama's constitution was written to disenfranchise blacks, women and poor whites, and, with its hundreds of amendments, a broken document.

"Our constitution is clearly broken," she said. "It has hundreds of amendments and every time we add another amendment it is weakened even more."

Republicans have said they favor an article-by-article revision of the state's constitution. State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, has introduced legislation this session that would amend the constitution to remove racist language.

-- Markeshia Ricks

'Fire Pelosi' Bus Tour Rolling to Alabama

The 'Fire Nancy Pelosi' Bus Tour will roll through the state on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, with stops in Montgomery and Huntsville.

The bus will pull into the at the Montgomery County GOP Headquarters, 2801 Vaughn Plaza Road, on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Tuesday. ALGOP Chairman Mike Hubbard will hold a press conference with representatives from Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby's campaign and other local officials and Republican candidates.

Roby, the Republican nominee for congressional District 2, faces incumbent Democratic Congressman Bobby Bright in November and she is hammering hard at his vote to put Pelosi in the speaker's chair.

According to the 'Fire Nancy Pelosi' bus tour Website, the Republican National Committee put the tour on as a grassroots effort to get rid of "out-of-touch Democrats" on Nov. 2. The big red bus is rolling into more than 115 cities throughout the country.

-- posted by Markeshia Ricks

Political Hopefuls Rack Up Endorsements

With election season officially upon us, political hopefuls are racking up endorsements. Here's the latest.

Ron Sparks, democratic candidate for governor, received the nod from the Alabama New South Coalition once again. They supported him in the primary too.

Sparks said in a statement, “I can't tell you how grateful I am to have the support of the Alabama New South Coalition in the general election," Sparks said. "The support of New South and its members in the primary was a tremendous help and gave me the momentum I needed to win in June. And now with their support I can go and win the general election on Nov. 2.”

Both the Alabama chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Benevolent Association have endorsed Democratic Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr.

Folsom said he's always worked closely with police officers in the state and was grateful to have their endorsement.

“We all owe a debt of immeasurable gratitude to the brave men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day," Folsom said in a statement. "The support of law enforcement was critical to my victory in 2006 and I am grateful that the law enforcement community is choosing to stand with me in this year’s election.”

Democrats weren't the only ones getting the support from key organizations that influence how people vote. The National Federation of Independent Businesses/Alabama Save America's Free Enterprise Trust has endorsed Montgomery businessman Dick Brewbaker in his quest to become the next senator of state Senate District 25.

Brewbaker, a Republican hoping to replace long term Sen. Larry Dixon who is retiring, said in a statement, “I truly appreciate the support of NFIB/Alabama. I believe small business is the foundation of our state’s economy. By helping small businesses, we can help all of Alabama.”

-- posted by Markeshia Ricks