The History of our Movement
1901 Constitutional Convention
November 25, 1901
Alabama State Constitution was ratified by the 1901 Constitutional Convention leading to the disenfranchisement of the poor, concentration of power in Montgomery, and the creation of what was to come on of the most regressive tax systems in the country. Read more here Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History, The Constitution of the State of Alabama…
Read moreACCR was Founded.
February 18, 2000
Journalist and educator Bailey Thomas (1949-2003) founded the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform (ACCR) in 2000 with the help of others, including lawyer Tom Carruthers, Sid McAnnally, the Honorable Jack Edwards, Dr. Thomas Corts, Gov. Albert Brewer , Brunson White, Odessa Woolfolk, Judge Gorman Houston, Professor Wayne Flynt, Odessa Woolfolk and others. His efforts along with those of Gov. Albert Brewer and with the help of the late Dr. Thomas Corts, President of Samford University, resulted in a movement for reform that began in Tuscaloosa with a rally attended by hundreds. The first board consisted of Dr. Thomas Corts, the Honorable Jack Edwards, Sid McAnnally and Odessa Woolfolk. The first…
Read moreJanuary 16, 2003
In 2003, ACCR established the Alabama Citizens’ Commission on Constitutional Reform under the leadership of the late Dr. Thomas Corts in 2002 when he was Chair of ACCR. It was chaired by then Secretary of State, Jim Bennett and made several recommendations. But none of the recommendations immediately became law. Governor Riley praised the Commission for their work and then in 2003, set up a commission to study parts of the Constitution with a goal toward reform….
Read moreThe Passing of our Founder
November 26, 2003
Bailey Thomson, chairman and founder of ACCR, passed away November 26, 2003 after suffering a heart attack. His death at the mere age of 54 leaves ACCR, as well as many throughout Alabama, shocked and saddened. Not only was Bailey the state’s leading fighter in constitutional reform, but he was also a father, husband, friend, teacher and writer who affected countless lives. Though he may be gone, his passion for helping the people of Alabama lives on. The fight will be hard and lonely without him, but we will continue what Bailey began. About Bailey Thomson Bailey Thomson was born a farm boy in Aliceville, Ala., the youngest of eight children to Bill and Becky Thomson. Thomson’s father died when Bailey was only 14, and to make ends meet, he began working at local newspapers. And so the newspaperman was born.. Thomson’s journalism career spanned 25 years, during which he worked for the Huntsville Times,…
Read moreLimited Home Rule Established!
August 1, 2016
Because of your help, four amendments that bring reform to Alabama’s Constitution were passed in the 2016 election year. Thank you for working so hard all these years to bring reform to our Constitution. Alabama finally has some home rule. This work would not have been possible without the leadership of former Governor Albert P. Brewer who chaired the Constitutional Revision Commission that authored these amendments. ACCR is saddened by the recent loss of this great statesman and thankful for his lifelong championing of constitutional reform. His passion for walking the service road of life lives on in many Alabamians. Amendment 4 gives county commissions the authority to establish certain programs relating to the administration of the affairs of the county. It does not authorize taxes or tax increases. Jefferson…
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