Despite the calls by some to the contrary, the Alabama Legislature will be forced back to work a little earlier than expected as Gov. Bob Riley is likely to call a special session as early as today.

In a simple, brief release Tuesday, previewing Riley’s press conference this afternoon, the governor’s press office said, “The governor has been speaking with legislative leaders and other legislators since the Nov. 2 election about whether to have a special session to pass anti-corruption reforms that Gov. Riley and others have tried to pass for years but were always killed by the Democratic majority in the Legislature. Some of those reforms they tried to pass include a ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers, full disclosure of lobbyist spending and subpoena power for the Alabama Ethics Commission.”

Anyone want to guess whether Riley will call for a special session during today’s press conference? It appears he is just fine-tuning the language.

But, if the state is going to spend the money to hold this session, then there is an expectation from everyone — and every voter — that something get done.

Ethics reform in Alabama has been a punchline for many years and these expected changes are indeed improvements. We’re not sure such could not be accomplished during the regular session next year, but we understand too Riley only has a few more weeks remaining in office.

Significant, substantial reform would not only be a feather in the hat for an outgoing governor, but it would be a positive change for Alabama.