Constitution change could give counties more legal powers

Associated Press

Updated: Jan 12, 2013 4:56 PM

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) —  

Alabama's counties could accept or reject changes made by the state Legislature that affect local rule under a proposed change to the state's constitution.   That proposal was made Friday to a commission rewriting the Alabama constitution. Cumberland School of Law professor Howard Walthall said it be a form of checks and balances.   Alabama grants its counties relatively few powers. The Anniston Star (http://bit.ly/SqZdHW ) reports the commission's staff presented four options pertaining to county powers Friday.   The option, called ratification, would allow county commissions to ratify state laws that change the makeup or function of local governments. Other proposals include delegating some powers to county governments. Another would let counties govern themselves while the Legislature is not in session.   A rejected plan would have given different powers to different county governments.  

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