STATE HEADLINES:

SEGREGATION ERA: Lawmakers have returned to Montgomery to begin this year`s regular session...it officially kicked off Tuesday, and a familiar theme will be on the agenda. Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman, E. B. McClain, is sponsoring a new proposed constitutional amendment removing segregation-era language from the State Constitution. That language established the segregated school system, and has long been ruled unconstitutional by federal courts. McClain says its continued existence in the constitution damages the state`s image, and can cause economic harm if it drives away potential investors. REPUBLICANS CLAIMS DEMOCRATS ARE SWIPING AGENDA: Meanwhile, a fight is already brewing in the capitol...Republicans, the "minority" in both the state house and senate, are complaining that Democrats have swiped their agenda for the Legislative Session, and watered it down. Senate Minority Leader Mike Hubbard says the Democrat`s agenda almost exactly mirrors the one released by the GOP three months ago. Those priorities deal with budget and accounting items, health care and education issues, among others. GOP leaders say Democrats have watered down the bills in question, and Republicans would fight to restore them to orginal form.