Alabama's 2010 Initiative and Referendum Constitutional amendment, HB201, was introduced by state Rep. Mike Ball and had its first reading on Jan. 12.

If you agree that Alabama voters should have this voice in the government they own and pay for, then contact your representative and senator and tell them you expect them to help get this bill passed in the 2010 session.

If they say they will, thank them and remind them about it every week or two.

If they don't say they will, let them know that if they run for office this year, your vote for them hangs in the balance. Then call them back later to see if they have changed their mind.

If you don't know who represents you or how to contact them, go to http://www.legislature.state.al.us and follow the instructions to learn who they are by typing in your nine-digit postal zip code. When their names appear, click on their names to see how to contact them.

Ask other Alabama voters to do the same thing.

Alabama will become the 25th Initiative and Referendum state only when and if there is a strong grassroots demand for it.

Don Seibold
Wetumpka