The people's constitution Lawmakers give voters final say on new document 09/23/01 Alabama government is not of, by or for the people. Instead, our 1901 constitution assures that it is of, by and for special interests. Power is centered in Montgomery, making it much easier for special interests to control legislators and legislation. Too-weak ethics and campaign finance laws tighten their grip. The special-interest-dominated system is why so little good legislation comes out of Montgomery. Certainly, not much of consequence came out of the third special session of the year that ended Wednesday. But there is one bill approved by the Legislature and awaiting Gov. Don Siegelman's signature that gives people hope of a better Alabama. In between party-line spats over redistricting and dodging the wrath of AEA boss Paul Hubbert over the failed deferred retirement bill, lawmakers passed a bill proposing a constitutional amendment of some note. Normally, adding another amendment to the 700-plus already tacked on to the end of the constitution is about as welcome an idea as a root canal. This one, though, makes perfect sense and should become one of the last amendments to the constitution. The proposed amendment would allow voters to have the final say on whether the state gets a new constitution, whether written by the Legislature or a constitutional convention of citizens. The decrepit 1901 constitution, in yet another example of why it's so flawed, doesn't say whether voters would have to approve a rewritten document. Amazingly, the House passed the bill 93-0 while the Senate approved 30-0. Maybe the grass-roots movement for constitution reform really has got lawmakers' attention. Now, they need to pass legislation in the next regular session that would let the people call for a citizens' convention to rewrite the old constitution. A constitution is (or ought to be) a fundamental charter between government and its citizens. Including and relying on citizens every step of the way to a new constitution is a must. Copyright 2001 al.com. All Rights Reserved.