Home Rule Redux?

A bill that would enable Alabamians to decide whether counties should be granted more local autonomy may be presented again to the Legislature. Members of Gov. Bob Riley’s administration are not familiar with all of the provisions outlined in the bill, but they believe it will be very similar to a bill proposed last year.

Currently, many local actions, such as zoning and litter laws, first must be approved by the Alabama Legislature. The bill would allow counties to make local decisions without first seeking legislative approval.

At least one farm organization is concerned the prerogatives counties could acquire under the legislation could harm farmers. Fred Patterson, governmental affairs director of the Alabama Farmers Federation, fears this could lead to some counties enacting onerous tax or land-use policies that could pose unfair financial burdens on some farmers.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at January 28, 2004 04:10 PM