The plot thickens...
Legislators are plotting against Perdue:
A week after Gov. Sonny Perdue slashed the state budget they approved, frustrated House and Senate leaders quietly got together at a St. Simons Island resort to consider taking a drastic and historic step: calling themselves back into a special session.Cross posted on Peach Pundit.Once leaders of the Republican majority had gone over their options, they called in a few Democrats to test their interest.
"I think the sentiment in the House is strong — and I think it's strong in the Senate, too," said House Rules Chairman Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), who attended one meeting of top House and Senate leaders. "Their loyalty was rewarded with a knife in the back from the governor."
[...]
However, senators were angered both by Perdue's May 30 veto of 41 bills and his decision to strike language put into the state's $20.2 billion budget directing how money should be spent. By doing so, Perdue essentially told state agencies they can ignore the directions of lawmakers. Some legislators felt the move was an attempt to make the General Assembly powerless to decide how state money is spent."There are some larger issues that need to addressed about the balance of power and the constitutional right of the Legislature to participate as an equal partner in the process," Johnson said.
Ehrhart said calling a special session "is really the only avenue we have if we want to be relevant in the appropriations process as a Legislature."
Comments
J, I'm confused. Aren't you happy that Sonny Do nixed some of the pork projects? I get that people are mad about the Guvna pulling the $142 mil tax cut.
But aren't you pleased he cut some of the stupid, stupid pork stuff like the Golf Hall fo Fame appropriation? Isn't Sonny half right here?
Posted by: Trackboy1 | June 11, 2007 11:02 PM
The cuts weren't made out of any sort of principle, but taxpayers reap some benefit from it.
Perdue has a history of increasing the budget and proposing tax increases. Cutting some pork projects out of spite is hardly enough to praise the man.
Posted by: Jason | June 11, 2007 11:16 PM
I'm admiitedly not as well versed as you are on this stuff.
But I read a post like this: http://www.gaporkbusters.org/2007/04/22/porking-the-budget/
and get happy that Sonny followed thru with some pork cuts.
From my vantage, Repub state rep's and senators want their pet projects, and that's why they're fighting Sonny, not because of the $142 mil tax cut. I could be dead wrong, and I just don't this stuff as well as you and Peach Pun, but I'm not seeing anything noble about the legislators fighting the guv on this.
How 'bout the tax cut and the pork projects cut?
Posted by: Trackboy1 | June 11, 2007 11:27 PM
Stan Watson, "a devout Christian", running for DeKalb Co. CEO, luv's his pork:
http://www.zwire.com/site/community.cfm?newsid=18409976&BRD=1077&PAG=461&dept_id=237828&rfi=6
"We need a new horizon and some fresh ideas," said Watson, a devout Christian.
"I can bring the bacon home from the state, as well as, the federal level."
Posted by: Trackboy1 | June 12, 2007 12:04 AM
I would not vote to go into special session over the Governor's objections. I think its time we get back on the same team and move forward. This mess has gone on long enough to make us all laughing stocks across the state. Except that people wont be laughing when they vote next year if we keep it up.
Posted by: John Douglas | June 12, 2007 07:23 AM
Where do I sign?
I'll sign on for a special session as long as it includes the tax cut and the language re-directing funds specifically appropriated by the General Assembly!
I actually support some of the cuts the Governor did in the 08 Budget but also think he has continued to overstep his power. I think he has violated the Constitution of Georgia and if we as members of the General Assembly do not step in and do the right thing then we are no better then him.
Senator, team or no team we were elected to represent the people and I believe we need to step up and say enough is enough. The very relevance of the positions you and I hold in General Assembly are at stake.
There is a time to go along and there is a time to say no more. I personally reached the "no more" stage during this years session. People are already laughing and it is really not very funny. Remember the Federal Republicans got rebuked hard last year because they would not stand their ground and act like Republicans, this Governor does not want to act like a Republican and if we want to maintain power then we will have to force the principles of Republicans on him!
With all due respect, I hope you will reconsider your position on a special session.
Posted by: Rep Davis | June 12, 2007 09:11 AM
Sen. Douglas,
We too want to be on the same team but we (and you) owe it to the citizens of Gerogia to level the playing field once again because sadly, our Governor has stolen the ball, ripped up the sod and kicked over the goa