Welcome to RestoreAL, an organization focused on reforming Alabama from the ground up through principled governance that leads to greater freedom and prosperity for the people of this state.
This sounds like a lofty goal (and, frankly, it is), but we believe it is attainable. Alabama does not lack talent, resources, or ambition. Too often, however, our civic culture and public institutions fail to turn those strengths into lasting progress. We advocate to help rebuild the habits and institutions that make self-government work while advancing reforms that give Alabamians greater control over their communities, hold public officials accountable, and create the conditions for a more successful Alabama.
This website will house articles, educational materials, legal analysis, and other resources intended to help Alabamians better understand the laws of this state and the institutions that make, interpret, and enforce them. At times, we will focus on something narrow, such as particular pieces of legislation. Other times, we will discuss broader questions, including the shortcomings of our Constitution and how to fix it.
At the core of our mission is the concept of principled governance. We believe that governance is not a spectator sport in which only politicians get to play. It is a practice in which every Alabamian has a role. Our constitution identifies that political power is inherent in the people of the State of Alabama, and holds that it is we who "ordain and establish" our government. As such, the people's ability to self-govern, and thereby govern the state itself, must be strengthened to result in the best outcomes for all Alabamians. Alabamians must be able to understand, influence, and hold accountable the institutions that act in their name.
That is where principled governance begins. We believe it rests on three basic tenets:
Honest and Transparent Process: Often, it seems that the largest decisions in our society are made behind closed doors. Instead, our public officials should be open about the the actions they take and explain the reasoning behind them. Ultimately, this gives citizens the information they need to participate and hold those officials accountable.
Measured and Durable Reform: As Justice Louis Brandeis wrote in his concurrence in Whitney v. California, "[t]hose who won our independence by revolution were not cowards. They did not fear political change." We too should not fear reform simply because it may disrupt our familiar arrangements. However, change cannot be pursued for its own sake. Any reform should be carefully designed, publicly explained, durable enough to outlast one election, and open to correction when it fails.
Informed and Participatory Civic Culture: Even when Alabama law gives citizens a formal role, participation means little if the process is opaque or the necessary information is difficult to find. A stronger civic culture requires citizens who understand their rights, know how government works, and believe participation is worth the effort. The state cannot create that culture by decree, but it can make participation understandable and accessible. Schools, community institutions, the press, and organizations like RestoreAL also have a role in building and maintaining that culture.
These principles require something from elected officials, but they also require something from the rest of us. Our representatives must treat public office as a public trust, explain their decisions, and place the public interest above personal or political advantage. Citizens, in turn, must learn, participate, and hold them accountable. A brighter Alabama is possible, but only if we exercise the authority our Constitution says belongs to us. RestoreAL exists to help Alabamians do exactly that.