Editorial: Legislative Immunity - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Legislative Immunity

Posted: Updated:
By Collin R. Gaston - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    •   
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

I don't know about you, but every 111 years or so I like to dust things off a bit. This week's spring cleaning (knowing full and well we are still in winter) focuses on Article IV, Section 56 in the Alabama Constitution.

This is the law that allows for the immunity of legislators during session that states "in all cases, except treason, felony, violation of their oath of office and breach of the peace, members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same."

I think it's high time and not unfair to demand that we all live and are accountable to the same laws with no special privileges.

The 140 members of the Alabama House and Senate can surely appreciate and understand this viewpoint. A

s lawmakers your intention with the passing of a law is that people obey them.

If you speed – you should get a ticket – regardless of the position you hold in a legislative body.  It's fair and it just makes sense.

Something to consider as you prepare for the session to begin next week.

We appreciate and encourage your feedback.

Copyright 2012 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.