Montgomery, AL – The Alabama House has again killed efforts to rewrite Alabama's 1901 Constitution.
The House voted 43-36 Wednesday against a resolution by House Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton to hold a statewide referendum on the issue next year. His measure would have called a convention to write a new constitution to replace the often amended 108-year-old document.
Newton's efforts to call a constitutional convention have failed in almost every session over the past 10 years. Newton said the 1901 document included racist language and excluded blacks and women from participating in government. He says it also is way too long and gives the Legislature too much power.
House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard of Auburn opposed the resolution. He said a constitutional convention would be controlled by special interests.
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