By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Gov. Bob Riley continues his discussions with legislators about a possible special session of the Legislature next month.
But he says if he can't get Democratic and Republican leaders to put aside their differences on ethics reform and a new insurance plan for the Gulf Coast, then he won't call a special session.
Riley met Friday with the Montgomery Advertiser editorial board and explained the problem.
He says he's unwilling to risk a repeat performance of the regular session this year, when bitter partisan differences in the Senate kept virtually any significant legislation from being passed.
Emotions ran so high one day that a fistfight broke out on the Senate floor.
Riley says he spoke to some members of the Senate leadership and says, ''My contention is that we need a buffer period so we can get everyone back together where it is not controversial.''
A special session would force legislators to address only the two or three issues that Riley designates for the session.
The two that would undoubtedly be on the table are ethics reform and Gulf Coast insurance.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)