State lawmakers are still mad that Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed some of their favorite budget projects last month. Some want to call a special session to override his vetoes.
House members were already seething over Perdue's veto of a property tax cut. Then, the governor nixed some local projects, or pork, depending on your viewpoint. Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) says even his chamber is upset with what came next: Perdue told state agencies to ignore lawmakers' instructions on how to spend public funds.
"If we don't have that privilege, then we become insignificant in the budget process and, frankly, we don't want to be there," he said.
Williams says he will try to work with Perdue to iron out differences soon. They have scheduled a meeting.
On the other hand, Clelia Davis, the spokeswoman for House leaders, says the lower chamber is seriously considering calling themselves back to the Capitol for a historic special session. Davis says representatives will not go out on a limb to do that without Senate backing, however.
A footnote:
When Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed a property tax cut last month, he said the state could not afford it, and pointed to declining revenue numbers for April. But Georgia has bounced back stronger than before, with a 28 percent increase in May tax collections compared over last year.
Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham says the late tax deadline of April 17 caused a delay.
"The two days, and people who owed money filing on the deadline, contributed to a big swing between April and May," he said.
Graham says the department did not manipulate the numbers to bolster Perdue's case for a veto.
House members were already seething over Perdue's veto of a property tax cut. Then, the governor nixed some local projects, or pork, depending on your viewpoint. Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) says even his chamber is upset with what came next: Perdue told state agencies to ignore lawmakers' instructions on how to spend public funds.
"If we don't have that privilege, then we become insignificant in the budget process and, frankly, we don't want to be there," he said.
Williams says he will try to work with Perdue to iron out differences soon. They have scheduled a meeting.
On the other hand, Clelia Davis, the spokeswoman for House leaders, says the lower chamber is seriously considering calling themselves back to the Capitol for a historic special session. Davis says representatives will not go out on a limb to do that without Senate backing, however.
A footnote:
When Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed a property tax cut last month, he said the state could not afford it, and pointed to declining revenue numbers for April. But Georgia has bounced back stronger than before, with a 28 percent increase in May tax collections compared over last year.
Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham says the late tax deadline of April 17 caused a delay.
"The two days, and people who owed money filing on the deadline, contributed to a big swing between April and May," he said.
Graham says the department did not manipulate the numbers to bolster Perdue's case for a veto.
