local constitutional amendments

Alabama Constitution 2020 Voter Information State Wide
and Local Amendments

Alabama constitution amendments Local Vote

Conservative Candidate Endorsements for November 3, 2020

We recommend a straight ticket Republican vote.

Statewide Constitutional Amendments

We recommend NO on Amendment 2.

We recommend YES on the rest of the Amendments.







Constitutional Amendments for March 3rd, 2020.

Amendment 1 - NO

Amendment 1 will take away your right to vote for the state school board. It will also require Alabama to match our education standards to a currently unknown national standard instead of letting Alabama choose what is best for our state.

Alabama Conservative Voter Guide - click here

Conservative Candidate Endorsements for November 6, 2018

We recommend a straight ticket Republican vote.

Statewide Constitutional Amendments

We recommend YES on all statewide Amendments.

Amendment 1 - YES

Allows the Ten Commandments to be posted

Amendment 2 - YES

Officially makes Alabama a pro-life state. Explicitly states that there is no right to abortion.

Amendment 3 - YES

Removes the State Superintendent from the University of Alabama board of trustees.

Amendment 4 - YES

Eliminates special elections for state legislative seats if the vacancy occurs after Oct. 1 before the next election.

Local Constitutional Amendments, Acts, and Referendums

Blount County

"Do you favor the formation of a district to be known as the Mt. High Fire and Emergency Medical Services District and the collection of mandatory annual dues of $120.00 to be assessed annually on each residence, business, and church in the boundaries of the district?"

Calhoun County

On the ballot: PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Calhoun County, proposing a local amendment to Amendment 508 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, authorizing the operation of bingo games for prizes or money in the county; and to prohibit any bingo permittee or licensee from operating bingo near a residential area. (Proposed by Act 2017-81)

What it means: If passed, the amendment would ban bingo halls from operating within 3,000 feet of any residence.

When the ballot measure says "authorizing the operation of bingo games for prizes or money in the county" it means that bingo games are already legal according to Amendment 508 of the Alabama Constitution. The wording of the ballot measure makes it seem like voting yes would authorize bingo games in Calhoun County. However, they are already legal according to Amendment 508. This ballot measure will add the additional regulation of not allowing bingo games from operating within 3,000 feet of any residence.

On the ballot: PROPOSED AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO (2) Relating to Calhoun County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that any territory in Calhoun County outside of the corporate limits of a municipality would not be subject to the police jurisdiction or planning jurisdiction of the municipality if the municipality is not located entirely in the county and to provide an exception for the City of Oxford. (Proposed by Act 2018-17)

What it means: If passed, the amendment would restrict cities that straddle the county (Southside, Glencoe, maybe Piedmont) from being able to exercise police jurisdiction within the county. Only cities that lie entirely within Calhoun County would have police jurisdiction in the county.

Chambers County

"SUNDAY SALES. Do you favor the legal sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in Chambers County outside the corporate limits of the City of Valley and the City of Lanett on Sunday after 12:00 p.m.?" - NO

Chilton County

"Relating to Chilton County; proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, for those areas of Chilton County outside the corporate limits of any municipality, to authorize the Legislature to establish a procedure by which a dog can be declared dangerous and to provide for a penalty. (Proposed by Act 2018-184)" - YES

Clay County

"PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Clay County, proposing an amendment to Amendment 671 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 4, Local Amendments, Clay County, Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, to prohibit the Sheriff of Clay County from participating in the supernumerary program of the county and to allow the sheriff to elect to participate in the Employees' Retirement System. (Proposed by Act 2018-37)"

"PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO (2) Relating to Clay County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, prohibiting the removal of the state courts from the historical Clay County Courthouse. (Proposed by Act 2018-91)"

Cleburne County Local Act

"Whether the powers authorized under the Alabama Limited Self Governance Act shall be effective in Cleburne County?" - NO

The name of the Alabama Limited Self Governance act is misleading since it really means removing the safeguards of the Alabama Constitution on counties from passing unnecessary regulations and increasing the size of the county government. A NO vote is a vote for Limited Government and property rights.

Cullman County

"PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Cullman County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that effective beginning the next term of office of the sheriff, all allowances or amounts received by the sheriff for feeding prisoners would be deposited in a special account and used for feeding prisoners in the county jail and any excess in the fund would be authorized to be used for law enforcement purposes by the sheriff and to provide that, at that time, the annual salary of the Sheriff of Cullman County would be equal to the annual salary of the Judge of Probate of Cullman County. (Proposed by Act 2018-409)" - YES

Dale County

"Do you favor the adoption of Act 239, of the 2018 regular Session of the Alabama Legislature?"

Although “emergency medical services” is not in the verbiage, approval of Act 239 will allow a $5 tag transaction fee earmarked to fund emergency medical services in Dale County.

A “yes” vote will mean the assessment of a $5 fee for each motor vehicle—except trailer tags—issued or renewed in Dale County beginning Jan. 1, 2019. The fee will not apply to tag transfers and replacement tag transactions.

Three percent of the proceeds from the fees collected will be retained by the Dale County Revenue Commissioner’s office to cover administrative costs and the remainder given to the Dale County Commission to be distributed to municipalities and emergency medical service organizations for EMS services, according to the bill.

For more information: Tag tax, alcohol sales to be decided in Dale County Tuesday.

Sunday Alcohol Sales

"Do you favor the legal sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages for on-premises and off-premises consumption within Dale County on Sunday after 1:00 P.M. as provided in Act 245 of the 2018 Regular Session?" - NO

Elmore County

SPECIAL REFERENDUM ELECTION "Shall the powers previously authorized to the Elmore County Commission under Chapter 11-3A-1 et seq ., of the Code of Alabama , 1975, also known as "The Alabama Limited Self-Governance Act," be repealed in Elmore County? The powers authorized the County Commission to provide for its property and affairs; and for the public welfare, health and safety of its citizens throughout unincorporated areas of the county by excercising certain powers for protection of the county and public property under its control, except as otherwise prohibited and/or defined by law. The authorized powers include: (1) Abatement of weeds as a public nuisance; (2) Control of animals and animal nuisances; (3) Control of litter or rubbish; (4) Control of junkyards which create a public nuisance because of an accumulation of items; and (5) Abatement of noise, unsanitary sewage, or pollution creating a public nuisance." - YES

The name of the Alabama Limited Self Governance act is misleading since it really means removing the safeguards of the Alabama Constitution on counties from passing unnecessary regulations and increasing the size of the county government. A YES vote is a vote for Limited Government and property rights.

Etowah County

SPECIAL REFERENDUM Pursuant to Act No. 2017-305 Do you favor the legal sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages outside the corporate limits of any municipality within the county on Sunday as further provided for and regulated by ordinance of the county commission? - NO

Franklin County

PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Franklin County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to amend Amendment 881 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 9.50 of the Franklin County Local Amendments to the Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, to specify that the county governing body may allocate one-fourth of an existing one cent sales tax for public schools in Franklin County for costs associated with construction, maintenance, and repair of roads and bridges in Franklin County, not to include use for salaries, personnel costs, or the purchase or lease of new equipment, to provide for the continuing distribution of the revenue for 30 years, and to delete certain requirements for recurring referendums. (Proposed by Act 2018-109) - YES

Uses an existing sales tax for roads and bridges.

Geneva County

FIRE DISTRICT ELECTION "Shall there be created for the area of SLOCOMB a district for fighting fires and a fire protection service charge or fee of $35.00 per year levied and collected on each dwelling and commercial building served by the system?"

Jackson County

PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Jackson County; to propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to authorize Cumberland Mountain Water and Fire Protection Authority to provide natural gas service in the county within the service area of the authority. (Proposed by Act 2018-54)

Jefferson County

On the ballot: PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating only to the City of Homewood in Jefferson County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that existing limits on the amount of ad valorem taxes payable on various classes of taxable property in any one year would not apply. (Proposed by Act 2018-166)

What it means: If passed, the amendment would allow Homewood, Ala. residents to vote on raising property taxes above the state lid at some point in the future.

Madison County

On the ballot: PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Madison County and the areas outside the corporate limits of any municipality, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to authorize the county commission to adopt ordinances or resolutions to prohibit excess noise, to regulate, limit, and control excess noise levels, and to control public nuisance caused by excess noise levels in the unincorporated areas of Madison County and to authorize penalties not to exceed the penalties for a class C misdemeanor. (Proposed by Act 2018-167)

What it means: If passed, residents unincorporated areas, rural parts of the county would be subject to penalties if they make too much noise. Right now, they are able to be as loud as they want. Areas like Huntsville and Madison are not included in the amendment.

Marengo County

PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Marengo County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide a process by which a municipality in the county could permit limited operation of golf carts on municipal streets or public roads within the municipality, require the owner of a golf cart operating on a municipal street or public highway within a municipality in the county to register the golf cart and to carry a liability insurance policy such as a homeowner's policy or special rider which covers operation of the golf cart on the municipal streets or public roads within the municipality, require the municipality to inspect the golf cart for the presence of required safety equipment and to verify that operation of the golf cart is covered by a policy of liability insurance, and authorize the municipality to assess a civil penalty for violations. (Proposed by Act 2018-186)

Mobile County

On the ballot: Shall Mobile County in the State of Alabama be authorized to issue from time to time and in one or more series its Pay-As-You-Go Road, Bridge and Drainage Facilities Bonds, not exceeding $60,000,000 in principal amount, for the purpose of raising funds for the construction and improvement, or either, of hard surfaced roads, hard surfaced bridges, and surface water drainage facilities, or any thereof in the county, which bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates to be fixed when they are sold, not exceeding twelve percent (12%) per annum, payable semiannually until their respective maturities, and shall mature and become payable on December 1 in the aggregate principal amount of $6,000,000 in each of the years 2022 through 2031, and shall the said county be authorized to continue to levy annually a special tax, on all taxable property in the county, at a rate not exceeding six and one-half mills on each dollar of the assessed valuation of such property, for the purpose of paying at their respective maturities the principal of and interest on the said bonds and all other bonds at any time outstanding which may be payable out of or constitute a charge on the said special tax, all pursuant to the provisions of Amendment 18, as amended and modified, to the Constitution of Alabama?

What it means: If passed, the amendment will allow Pay-As-You-Go work to be completed within the City of Mobile including the :

In the county area, projects include:

In total 67.9 miles would be added or improved.

Monroe County

PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Monroe County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide for the judge of probate to be compensated on a salary basis and for the fees collected by the judge of probate to be deposited in the county general fund; and to provide for the one-stop issuance of motor vehicle license plates. (Proposed by Act 2018-185)

Montgomery County

On the ballot: PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Montgomery County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to allow the members of the Montgomery County Commission to participate in the Employees’ Retirement System. (Proposed by Act 2018-388)

What it means: If passed, the amendment would allow the members of the Montgomery County Commission to participate in the Employees’ Retirement System that is part of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA). 

Morgan County

On the ballot: PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Morgan County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to propose a local constitutional amendment to provide that effective beginning the next term of office the annual salary of the Sheriff of Morgan County would be $5,000 less than the annual salary of the chair of the Morgan County Commission and to provide that all allowances or amounts received by the sheriff for feeding prisoners would be deposited in a special account and used only for that purpose. (Proposed by Act 2018-92)

What it means: If passed, the amendment would put an end to local sheriffs being allowed to keep any money they have left over after providing food for the jail inmates in their custody.

Shelby County

On the ballot: PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1) Relating to Shelby County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to require that the members of the county board of education and the county superintendent of education be elected by the qualified electors of the county residing outside of the corporate limits of any city with a separate board of education. (Proposed by Act 2017-151)

What it means: If passed, the amendment would remove residents of cities with their own school systems (i.e.:  Hoover, Pelham and Alabaster) from voting on the Shelby County Board of Education superintendent and School Board members.

Winston County

LOCAL REFERENDUM "Do you favor the adoption of Act-454, of the 2017 session of the Alabama Legislature?"

This refers to the increase of salary for the Winston County Coroner in the amount of $9,500 per year, effective beginning the next term of office. According to the Winston County Commissioner’s Office, the current salary of the coroner is $780 per year. If the majority of this vote is yes, the salary will increase to $10,280 per year. More information: https://www.mynwapaper.com/node/2834

Credit to altoday.com for the explanations of the local amendments. http://altoday.com/archives/27290-understanding-the-local-amendments-before-election-day

More Information on Amendment 2

AN EDUCATIONAL UPDATE FROM THE SOUTHEAST LAW INSTITUTE TM, INC. A. Eric Johnston

Proposed Alabama Constitutional Amendments - Alabama Sanctity of Unborn Life

Another important constitutional amendment which will be voted on at the time of the general election will be a proposed constitutional amendment recognizing the sanctity of unborn life in Alabama. The text of that amendment reads as follows:

(a) This state acknowledges, declares, and affirms that it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life. (b) This state further acknowledges, declares, and affirms that it is the public policy of this state to ensure the protection of the rights of the unborn child in all manners and measures lawful and appropriate. (c) Nothing in this constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.

The complete proposed amendment will not appear on the ballot. This is what you will see on the ballot:

“Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended; to declare and otherwise affirm that it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, most importantly the right to life in all manners and measures appropriate and lawful; and to provide that the constitution of this state does not protect the right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”

Since 1973, abortion has been legal in the United States. A decision by SCOTUS in Roe v. Wade opened the door for virtually unlimited abortion. Through the years, subsequent SCOTUS cases have upheld Roe and enlarged on it. In some cases, certain regulation has been permitted. Through the work of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition (“APLC”), a significant number of regulations have been passed that reduce the number of abortions and protect women’s healthcare, as much as legally permitted, from the substandard care they receive in abortion clinics.

The unique thing about the Roe decision is that opposition to it has never gone away. Roe was a very badly decided case with no legitimate constitutional underpinnings. The case was based on “an exercise of raw judicial power” as then Justice Byron White said in a dissent to the case.

The pro-life community continues to work toward the day when abortion will again be outlawed. Abortion is based on the terrible concept that the unborn child is not a person within the meaning of the U.S. Constitution. Because we amend the Alabama Constitution to recognize personhood will not undo Roe.

However, with President Trump’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh as a Justice to SCOTUS, we see the possibility that Roe may be reversed. Judicial, political and popular opinion opposition to Roe has remained constant for 45 years. Because it was such an illegitimate decision, our hope and expectation are that Roe will be reversed and sanity concerning the sanctity of life will be restored.

Therefore, this proposed constitutional amendment is a very important public policy statement for Alabama. We cannot say for sure how SCOTUS may rule if it reversed Roe, but the chances are it would either reestablish personhood of the unborn child or return the issue to the states. In either event, with approval of this constitutional amendment, the State of Alabama would be obligated then to enact statutes to criminalize the act of abortion. Therefore, the importance of this constitutional amendment is significant and is a very good strategic move in the fight to protect unborn life

SLI supports this amendment and urges a yes vote on it. SLI looks forward to the time when it will be able to work with APLC to rid the State of Alabama of this horrific murdering of her children.

This statement is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal assistance. We hope if you have questions or know of those who do, you will contact us and we can assist through referral to one of our cooperating attorneys. © 2018, Southeast Law Institute.

Your vote is critically important on Tuesday. We need strong Christians in office locally and statewide who will base their decisions on the Bible.

Alabama Constitutional Amendments, November 8, 2016

Conservative recommendations for the amendments:

Amendment 1 - NO

Amendment 2 - NO

Amendment 3 - Yes

Amendment 4 - Yes

Amendment 5 - Yes

Amendment 6 – NO - Makes it harder for corrupt politicians like Gov. Bentley to be impeached.

Amendment 7 – Yes

Amendment 8 – Yes - Makes Right to Work part of the Constitution in addition to being a statute.

Amendment 9 – NO

Amendment 10 – NO

Amendment 11 – NO - gives cities huge eminent domain power to benefit business and destroys property rights.

Amendment 12 – Yes

Amendment 13 – Yes

Amendment 14 – Yes

Madison County Local Amendment 1 - Yes

Read our detailed guide to the constitutional amendments for more information.
















Alabama Constitutional Amendments March 1, 2016

YES on Amendment One. It is poorly worded. It does not provide a pension. It replaces an already-existing pension that the officials are not required to pay into with one that they do pay into.

Shelby County

Vote NO to Sunday liquor sales.

Alabama Amendment on the Ballot Voter Election Recommendations - Local Amendments

Alabama Constitution
Alabama Constitutional Election - Local Amendments
Vote State Wide to changes to Alabama Constitution - See Local Amendments Below
TO APPEAR ON THE BALLOT IN ONLY THE LOCAL COUNTY OF APPLICATION - SEE STATE WIDE BELOW

Cullman County - Vote NO
Relating to Cullman County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to phase out the supernumerary system for certain public officials and allow elected or appointed county officials including the sheriff to participate in the Employees' Retirement System. (Proposed by Act 2014-84)

Escambia County - Vote YES Relating to Escambia County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to authorize the trustees of the Escambia County Oil and Gas Severance Trust to loan funds to Escambia County specifically for economic development and for roads and bridges and other capital projects in the county and to authorize other investments as otherwise provided for by local law. (Proposed by Act 2013-259

Franklin County - Vote YES
Relating to Franklin County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to allow the Franklin County Water Coordinating and Fire Prevention Authority to provide sewer services and broadband Internet services in the county. (Proposed by Acts 2014-283 and 2014-285

( ) Shelby County - Vote NO
Relating to Shelby County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that the Judge of Probate of Shelby County would be required to be an attorney licensed in this state. (Proposed by Act 2013-260)

Elmore County - Vote NO
Vote NO on proposed referendum, to allow more government regulations to regulate our private property. Authorizes fines for those citizens who do not comply with government demands.

Alabama Amendments on State Wide Ballot

Vote on Ala Constitutional Amendments

YES - Amendment 1 - Statewide Amendment 1
*YES - Amendment 1 - Statewide Amendment 1 - Vote YES, prohibits foreign law from being applied.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to prohibit the State of Alabama from giving full faith and credit to public acts, records, or judicial proceedings of another state that violate the public policy of the State of Alabama and to prohibit the application of foreign law in violation of rights guaranteed natural citizens by the United States and Alabama Constitutions, and the statutes, laws, and public policy thereof, but without application to business entities. (Proposed by Act 2013-269) Yes ( ) No ( )

NO - State wide Amendment 2 - Vote NO This will raid the rainy day funds, therefore putting pressure on our already strapped state budget. Also opposed by Association of County Commissions of Alabama, they say it would have a "devastating" effect on revenues that counties get from the Alabama Trust Fund. Conservative Christians of Ala, and Alabama Tea Party Express say Vote NO. *
Statewide Amendment 2
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, relating to the Capital Improvement Trust Fund, to increase the amount of the General Obligation Bonds authorized herein; to provide for additional payments from the Alabama Trust Fund to fund any bond issued; to provide for competitive bidding of the bonds; and to provide for the distribution of the proceeds for plans, construction, and maintenance of Alabama National Guard armories. (Proposed by Act 2013-266) Yes ( ) No ( )

*YES - Statewide Amendment 3 - Vote YES - Endorsed by NRA Senator Scott Beason and tea party groups support Amendment 3, our right to keep and bear arms.*
Statewide Amendment 3
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that every citizen has a fundamental right to bear arms and that any restriction on this right would be subject to strict scrutiny; and to provide that no international treaty or law shall prohibit, limit, or otherwise interfere with a citizen's fundamental right to bear arms. (Proposed by Act 2013-267)

*NO - Statewide Amendment 4 - VOTE NO Contains hidden taxes, provides new authorization for city and county school boards to raise taxes. This is a back door approach approach in raising taxes. While this amendment appears to do some good, concerning mandates, more taxes will be promoted and proposed by city and county school boards. Conservative Groups say Vote NO. says Alliance for Citizens Rights, Alabama Tea Party Express, Conservative Christians of Alabama all say Vote NO
Statewide Amendment 4 - VOTE NO
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to prohibit a general law, whose purpose or effect is to require a new or increased expenditure of at least $50,000 of local funds annually, from becoming effective with regard to a city or county board of education without enactment by a 2/3 vote. (Proposed by Act 2014-185)

*YES - Statewide Amendment 5 - Endorsed by NRA
Protects our right to hunt and fish. This is needed due to Federal over reach and EPA regulations. * Statewide Amendment 5 - Vote YES Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to amend Amendment 597, now appearing as Section 36.02 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, to clarify that the people have the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to reasonable regulations that promote conservation and management of fish and wildlife and preserve the future of hunting and fishing. (Proposed by Act 2014-286)

Conservatives and tea party groups across the state are pushing for a No Vote on Amends 2 and 4. Luther Strange - Special Thanks to our Attorney General for his diligent upholding of our Constitution and our traditional conservative values, and service.

Liberal Recommendations Ballot Constitution Amendments of Al

Conservative validation. Note that Alabama's leading liberal newspaper, Montgomery Advertiser has the exact opposite recommendation to the conservative recommendations above. Liberals will be following their leader, the Montgomery Advertiser.

See detailed information on all State Wide Amendments at:
Alabama Constitution Amendments November, 2014

The Alabama Forever Wild Program - Amendment to Alabama Constitution 2012

(1) What part of "ALABAMA IS BROKE" do these Legislators not understand? Especially in these times of economic crisis, when we do not have money to waste, we need and want smaller, more efficient and less intrusive government. Have these politicians already forgotten their campaign promises and why we elected them?

(2) Forever Wild is already funded through October 2012. (So, what is the rush?) Why are the supporters of Forever Wild pushing so hard to fund it early? Who is profiting from this program and what are we NOT being told?

(3) If the Legislature does nothing, Forever Wild will still get nearly four million dollars a year, (two and a half percent of all future incoming trust fund money) for so-called stewardship (maintenance) expenses. Therefore, none of their presently owned property is in jeopardy. Or if they choose to use that money at a later date to purchase additional land instead of for maintenance - that much money will buy 1875 acres of new land, (at an average cost of two thousand dollars per acre), every single year thereafter. Or, as in the case of the "Walls of Jericho," where the average cost was 750 dollars per acre, this would amount to 5,333 acres of new land every year. That is a tract eight miles wide by one mile deep.

(4) Just how much of the state do these folks want to take? When is enough - enough?

(5) We must also consider the impact of Forever Wild purchases on our local and our state government's tax bases and its negative effects on the taxpayers. Remember none of these Forever Wild properties pay taxes. Therefore, every acre placed under their control is removed from the tax rolls. This means that the remaining property owners must pay higher taxes to make up the short fall or local services and needed government functions such as police and fire protection must be curtailed.

(6) "At a time when, according to Gov. Bentley, the state is cutting funding for (1) state parks, which are already open and easily accessible to all our citizens and which by the way, bring in much needed tourist dollars, (2) forest protection which would keep these state parks, private property and Forever Wild lands from burning down, and (3) other public property which all taxpayers can presently enjoy, why is Forever Wild so important that you would defund these programs which benefit everyone and fund Forever Wild for the use of a few?

(7) In 1992 when Alabama voters approved this program, they did so with the understanding that Forever Wild was a twenty year program that would be thoroughly re-evaluated at the end of the twenty years; otherwise, the money would revert to the Alabama Trust Fund.
This is the exact wording of the Forever Wild Amendment as stated on the 1992 ballot: "providing that, after the state's 2011-12 fiscal year revenues directed to said land trust shall be paid to the Alabama Trust Fund, with the exception of 2.5% of such revenues needed to continue funding of the stewardship account or as provided by the Legislature," (Money to purchase additional land was to terminate in 2012 unless the re-evaluation was done.) Why has this re-evaluation not been done? And why is this re-authorization being pushed through over a year early?

(8) By the way, you don't need to worry about hunters being endangered either. There are thousands (I have seen estimates of between five and six thousand) private hunting clubs who lease hunting rights on private property in Alabama, plus untold thousands of farmers and ranchers who actually hunt on their own land. These folks don't depend on the taxpayers to furnish them with a place to hunt. Imagine that! Does Alabama really need to start a welfare program for hunters? What is next, are we going to buy them guns, ammo and four-wheelers at taxpayer's expense too?

(9) Since Forever Wild stated in its answer to Senator Sanford concerning "mineral rights" that, Quote:" No mineral rights were acquired in many of the Forever Wild acquisitions." Then who owns the mineral rights under Forever Wild properties? Did the previous owners have a "sweet-heart deal" where they kept the mineral rights or timber rights or has Forever Wild just sold them? (What is to prevent the rightful owners of the mineral rights from strip mining Forever Wild property for coal, drilling for oil or natural gas, removing subsoil deposits containing chirt, or blasting and crushing granite formations for road building or construction materials? How can Forever Wild possibly claim to be preserving land for future generations when they do not hold the mineral rights? Anyone should understand that, so why have the mineral rights not been purchased by Forever Wild on these tracts?

(10) It appears that properties and easements owned or controlled by the Forever Wild trust are being used as collateral for bond sales and are also being listed as assets by the state of Alabama to improve their bond rating. Why would they mortgage property supposedly preserved for future generations? Why does the Forever Wild trust have a DUN and BRAD STREET ACCOUNT?

(11) In regard to another answer provided to Senator Sanford, it was stated that Forever Wild had provided 224 miles of new trails to Alabama. But they also stated that only 30 miles of trail were associated with hiking/backpacking. If this other 194 miles of trail is not even suitable for humans to walk on, then what are they used for? For people who claim that their land is open to the public this seems like a very small amount of hiking trails. Why are we being misled about public assess?

(12) Recently an individual, who is known to be a hard core environmentalist, passionately discussed with one of our State Senators his desire that Forever Wild re-introduce Buffalo and elk to Alabama. Alabama livestock producers should be VERY concerned about this. Buffalo and elk carry Brucellosis. In states like Montana diseases carried by bison have destroyed their disease free status and greatly harmed local agriculture, so why would the trustees of Forever Wild want to do something so destructive to Alabama's livestock industry?

Information on Alabama Amendments - Previous Voter Ballot Elections

Election of September 18, 2012 -
Or Do We need to be serious about reforming the Ala Budget, living within our means, and adjusting Ala Budget to live within our means? To kick the can down the road and raid the Ala Trust Fund is irresponsible.
If we cut Government Spending, this results in reductions of Government Bureaucracy and Regulation of our Lives.
The Alabama Eagle Forum has put together an excellent paper on pros and cons of this Constitutional Amendment Election of Sept 18, 2012. See their info paper, as well as other additional info pro and con at: http://ccofal.org/alabama/alabama-constitution.phtml
If the Ala Medicaid Amendment is defeated, what are the options?

See though explanation ways to cut fraud and waste in Alabama Spending at: http://theattackmachine.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/vote-no-on-september-18-statewide-constitutional-amendment/
47 against to 1 for, was the vote of the Morgan County Republican Mens Breakfast in Decatur on Saturday Sept 8.
132 against to 22 for, was the vote of the Huntsville/Madison County Republican Mens Breakfast on Saturday Sept 15. Conclusion: Conservatives Say NO to the Ala Medicaid Amendment and No to raiding the Alabama Trust Fund.

Existing taxes and revenues will not fully fund the budget passed by the Alabama Legislature. So to support the bloated budget, do we raid the Alabama Trust Fund to continue the high level of funding for AEA government education programs, and the Ala Medicaid, a medical services program for those on Welfare?

State Republican Official - Vote NO - Save Alabama Trust Fund
It is with great regret that I stand in opposition to a Governor I worked to elect, and members of the Legislature who are trying to bring positive change to state government. However, the inability of our leaders to pass a balanced budget, except by a constitutional amendment that would take $437 million out of our state’s Trust Fund, is hardly a good reason for the people of Alabama to take nearly 20% of the Trust Fund to avoid an 8% cut in the General Fund. We are told if we don’t pass this amendment that the sky will really fall, hospitals will close, prisoners will be released, and nursing homes will close and kick grandma to the street. It sounds a little bit like Democrats saying Paul Ryan wanted to push his own mother over a cliff with his modest reforms to federal budgets. All this over a possible $143 million cut to a $1.67 Billion budget. Nobody thinks making additional cuts will be easy, but there are short and long term options to fix the mess. We elected new leadership to find solutions to the budgeting fiasco,not kick the can down the road by taking more money from the Trust Fund. We want Republicans in Montgomery to address the problems head-on, not dip in to the Trust Funds like Democrats did twice before them. Among reasons not to approve this Amendment includes the fact that there is no provision to repay this money and that we haven’t yet repaid the nearly half-billion already borrowed out of the Trust Fund in prior years. Secondly, the Trust Fund earnings have been used and were intended to supplement operating budgets at the state and local level. The more money we have taken out of the fund, the smaller the earnings potential has been. This amendment will fundamentally alter the future earnings that will be generated for operations by diverting a larger share of existing royalties away from the Trust Fund principal. We also just took nearly $300 million out of the Trust Fund by using an accounting gimmick, so if this proposed amendment passes we will have taken over$700 million out of the corpus over a two year period with no provision to repay it. As a CPA, I find this amount staggering,especially from an Administration and leadership that promised real financial accountability. Over the short-term, we can use unspent or future tobacco/oil spill settlements, sell unused state assets,eliminate unnecessary programs, and sell the ABC Board. Why is the State in the “liquor business” anyway, which is something the  Governor said we didn’t need to be involved with. For that matter, we could sell  Alabama Public TV, as if that is really needed in   today’s world of nearly unlimited cable, satellite, Netflix, etc.  Over the long-term, we can reform Medicaid and save nearly $50million  per year, consolidate and eliminate overlapping taxes and  regulations, and save up to $90 million per year offering early retirements.  The fact is the Governor can propose changes in the next session of  the legislature after voters reject this amendment, to make needed  reforms and structural changes that will get us out of this mess without raising taxes.

All over the country, from Wisconsin and New Jersey, to Indiana, we  have seen Republicans lead and make real changes to improve the  financial health of their states without raising taxes. We shouldn’t pass a budget  contingent upon taking 20% out of our Alabama Trust Fund. By voting NO on September 18, the sky will not fall, the Governor and the Legislature can get together and make short-term changes to get us through next year (like the Governor originally wanted to do). Then, we can start getting the State out of things it has no business being involved with, offering buy outs to long-time employees, consolidating programs and acting more like taxpayers and small businesses that have had to make changes in how they operate over the past few years. No more “sugarhighs” from Obama Stimulus, no more “accounting gimmicks”, and no more “kicking the can down the road” by taking more money out of our Trust Fund. Believe me, I have looked at the state budgets, have experienced its inefficiency, and seen some of its waste first-hand. We can Save the Trust and Balance the Budget. It starts with a NO vote on September 18! Join the Alabama Forestry Association, Tea Party members, Eagle Forum and fiscal conservatives all over the state and “Don’t Break the Trust”.

NO say the Conservatives of Alabama - on Tuesday September 18. More Data and Info, pros and cons on this election at http://alabamadefenders.us/ Forward to your Friends.  A competitive election and low turnout, means your vote counts more.  Forward and encourage your friends to vote this Tuesday.

Alabama Amendments to Constitution on Ballot Election November 2010 (Old)

Alabama Constitutional Amendments - Recommendations from conservative on the ballot in November.

This Tuesday, Alabama voters will decide on six constitutional amendments. Also, a local amendment for Jefferson County will be on the ballot. We recommends the following on the amendments:

What people tell me is that it's time for the politicians to live within their means. Fiscal discipline is the order of the day, especially as we face uncertain economic times ahead. The days of a flush state treasury may well be behind us and not return for some time. State officials tell us tax revenues are declining and we may well be facing proration in 2009, setting up a massive raid on the trust fund, IF voters approve Amendment One this November.

Alabama Ballot Measure / Referendum Statewide Amendment Number Two

Description: Relating to Shelby County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, establishing the Shelby County Judicial Commission and providing for the filling of vacancies in the offices of circuit and district judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit. (Proposed by Act 2007-225)



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Alabama Constitutional brings you these weekly Bible verses:

Habakkuk 2:2
[ The LORD's Answer ] Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.

Habakkuk 2:3
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Luke 2:32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Romans 16:25
Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

 


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