Huntsville, AL – Gov. Bob Riley says a special session with the newly elected Legislature would allow the new Republican majority to send a message that they meant what they promised about ethics laws during their campaigns.
Riley told The Huntsville Times' editorial board Tuesday that voters don't want to wait until March or April for a special session to give subpoena power to the State Ethics Commission, rein in lobbyist spending on public officials and ban transfers of campaign contributions between political action committees.
He said that's why he's looking at a special session before the change of governors in January. He said he's negotiating with Gov.-elect Robert Bentley and legislators about enacting some of the strongest ethics laws in the country.
Riley said the faster that the new legislators act, then the more credibility they get with voters.
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