http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101202/NEWS02/12020337/1009
Gov. Bob Riley expects a special session that will begin next week to overhaul ethics laws in Alabama and fundamentally change politics in this state.
The new Republican majorities in the House and Senate campaigned on toughening ethics laws, and they will have that opportunity when they convene beginning Wednesday.
Riley said they can "put an end once and for all to a broken and corrupted political system."
Pay attention to that last line, as you'll likely hear Riley using it in 2012 or 2016 as he runs for President.
I have made no secret of the fact that I oppose this special session idea. Why? The legislature will be meeting in just a few months, and we have no elections or anything between now and then. The urgency that requires the state to spend an extra $100,000 just to get something done NOW simply isn't there. Yes, I know that Riley wants to claim credit for doing this, but he's had eight years. It's time to let the Legislature work as it is designed to and deal with the subject in regular session.
Riley did make an attempt to explain WHY he was calling the special session, but it was a little strange. Here is what he said:
Riley said there is momentum after the election and they must move fast because lobbyists and special interests already are working to deter lawmakers.
Let me paraphrase what he said: "We have to do this fast, before all you politicians get corrupt and we can't trust you anymore."
Uhhh... yeah.
Now don't get me wrong, I think we need stronger "ethics" legislation... though I strongly doubt that the Legislature will pass bills that REALLY clean things up. In my opinion, lawmakers abusing the public trust should be jailed, not slapped on the hand like Charlie Rangel will be. I want to see the specific bills before passing judgement, though.
I just don't agree that passing these laws NOW is worth the added cost to the taxpayers for a special session. Get it done during the regular session that is, after all, just a few short months away.
But now you see how much our lawmakers care about our money. They're more than willing to spend our money to increase their own political reputations. Even when it's not necessary.
I would agree with your logic. The idea that a special meeting at this point will finally "fix" ethics in Bama...is pretty much a joke. There has to be a casino bill or some bingo bill in the wings...or some other act that folks aren't talking much about.
ReplyDeleteAs for the method of fixing the ethics situation? I think it'd do just as well to bring everyone into a room and announce that a single violation terminates your political career, ends your ability vote in any Bama election, ends your ability to procure a hunting & fishing license, and requires you to pay back the previous salary from the day you performed the ethics violation to that day convicted. We need to make ethics something that you'd think about everyday you walk into a state legislative area or a county commission area.
On one hand I can go along with calling a special session to deal with ethics reform because in a special session only those matters the governor names can be discussed and voted on, thus making the session limited in scope and not distracted with other issues. On the other hand, a special session could be called within the regular session starting next year.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, Riley could be calling for the special session on his watch so he will get credit for any good that comes out of it. On the other hand, Riley may not believe that Bentley would call for a special session to deal with ethics reform, and if he did, Bentley may not put forward legislation that would result in REAL ethics reform if it were passed.
Only Riley knows which it is. Maybe he doesn’t trust Bentley any more than I do.
Don, that's not entirely accurate. In a special session, the Legislature CAN pass bills not specifically requested by the Governor, but they need a 2/3 super-majority to do so.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I'm sticking to my guns on this one. There is nothing they can accomplish during a special session that they cannot accomplish during the regular session. They shouldn't need a special session to pass bills on a particular subject... they should pass bills when they are in Montgomery for that purpose.