Editorials

On Wednesday, the Alabama Legislature met for the first of the three working days left in the session. Bills moved through committee and on to the floor, but nothing much was passed. With time running out, some legislation died.

It was in these death throes that one can see just how trivial issues often take up time that should be set aside for doing the people's business.

The state ban on selling sex toys was not repealed. It is a silly act to begin with, since the Legislature in effect approved having the devices because it did not outlaw possession. Thus, in reality the law is a restriction on commerce rather than the moral stand some legislators want constituents to believe it is.

Moreover, sex toys can be sold to anyone who will tell the salesperson they are buying them for medical reasons. What a waste of time.

Also dead are bills that would require Alabama workers to carry state-issued identification cards; require additional physical-education classes in public schools; and require schools to submit lunch menus to a state nutritionist for approval. These were proposed when state budgets couldn't fund them, so overburdened agencies would have to reallocate scarce funds. That said, the only "exercise" that would come of these laws would be exercises in futility.

The Legislature was not particularly keen on going against the wishes of special interests and letting voters decide on calling a convention to rewrite Alabama's out-of-date Constitution. Aware that polls show that voters would approve such a call, the forces of status quo won again. The people lost. Legislators also let die a bill that would allow voters to decide if they wanted to legalize electronic bingo at greyhound tracks in Mobile and Birmingham.

Also DOA are bills that would make it easier for independent or third-party candidates to get on the ballot, and would change the primary election day from Tuesday to Saturday — two issues that deserve more consideration next year.

Last, being allowed to die quietly is the Alabama Education Association-supported bill that would permit public employees to serve in the Legislature or other elected offices. This practice, which has created state-paid lobbyists for state agencies, has been the scandal of the two-year college system. AEA, which has benefited from the arrangement, has resisted. Now the education lobby has given up, at least for this session.

It is too late for the bill to pass and the Legislature to override the governor's expected veto. But don't be surprised to see the issue brought up again next year. AEA is not about to let it go so easily.

The budgets still need to be passed. Other issues remain, such as removing the state sales tax on groceries. (The Senate blocked debate on that Thursday.) It is a shame that because of petty politics in the state Senate it all comes down to the final days.

But there is still time for good things to happen, if only the people Alabamians elected will let them.