By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Governor Bob Riley is dropping plans to combine two of Alabama's Confederate holidays into one observance. The bill would have combined the holidays for Jefferson Davis' birthday and Confederate Memorial Day. Riley says that wasn't his intention. But some Confederate heritage groups complained bitterly, saying the proposal was a slap against Southern history. Riley says he was trying to reduce Alabama's 13 state holidays so they would be more in line with the ten holidays given by the federal government. But the governor says he and the bill's sponsor, state Senator Hank Erwin, have agreed to drop the bill.