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DEL.ICIO.USThe constitutional confrontation behind the current teapot tempest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The temptation is to dismiss the Republican debacle at the state Capitol as an ego-driven temper tantrum in three parts, played out among a governor, a lieutenant governor, and a House speaker.
But it is larger than that.
Republicans have ginned up a philosophical crisis, verging on a constitutional one, with election-year implications for a state party that - only six months ago - thought itself a giddy exception to the directionless GOP in Washington.
And to make sure depression and confusion is complete and widespread, GOP officialdom has apparently decided to delay a special session to address the situation until the debate can be played out before thousands of true-believers at the state Republican convention a dozen days hence.
If you’ve been paying any attention at all, you know the basics. The House and Senate agreed on a $700 million mid-year budget bill. The root of the compromise was a $142 million property tax rebate to homeowners.
On the penultimate day of the winter session of the Legislature, Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed the measure. He had problems with both the logistics of the rebate, and its cost to other state programs.
Time ran out, and the Republican leadership that in early years declared efficiency to be its middle name couldn’t pass a budget that kept schools funded, addressed tornado damage, or maintained health insurance for lower middle-class kids.
And so the special session, to the frustration of many in the rank-and-file who had long dreamed of what marvels could be done with the GOP in charge of state government.
“We wanted it. We got it. Now we don’t know what to do with it,” said Dave Barbee, former chairman of the Richmond County GOP. The troops, he said, are disappointed and demoralized.
For Republicans, the philosophical question is simple: Give the money back, or don’t.
But beneath that debate is a building confrontation over constitutional powers that could peak next year - meaning even more showdowns and dysfunction among the Republican upper-crust.
Over five years, the governor’s style of management has been largely hands-off, especially during legislative gatherings. In the session just completed, lawmakers have said publicly and privately that Perdue was even less visible than normal.
Speaker Glenn Richardson and his House have stepped into this vacuum, asserting themselves specifically on the issue of tax reform. Richardson and the House leadership want a shift away from property taxes, toward a combination of sales and income taxes.
It’s an ambitious policy matter that Democrats would have reserved, from start to finish, for a governor.
But this session, the Republican-controlled House killed Perdue’s proposed tax break for upper-income retirees, along with most of the rest of the governor’s agenda. A Senate call for a constitutional cap on spending was rejected, as an infringement on the House’s control over the budget.
The push-back has already begun.
On Friday, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle had a conference call with his Republican senators. He passed on a message from the governor. Any bill sponsored by a House member would need a senator to vouch for it before the governor would sign it, the lieutenant governor said.
In other words, Perdue has designated the Senate the gatekeeper of the Legislature.
We could be witnessing the most significant confrontation over power in state government since Gov. Lester Maddox allowed the Legislature its independence. The House is engaging in a fight for “institutional equality with the governor,” in the words of Charles Bullock, the political scientist at the University of Georgia.
“You could call this another step in a march that began in 1966 and 1967,” said Bullock. “If you’re looking for influence, you have to take it away from the governor. Even four years ago, he had all of it.”
To get his way on tax policy next year, Richardson must beat back a now-hostile governor and a Senate that won’t want to become a mere third wheel when it comes to who rules Georgia.
Win or lose, that means a messy fight in an election year, and a legislative session that could become even more fractious and unproductive.
That worries GOP staff sergeants like Barbee, who pull the levers on the Republican grassroots machinery in Georgia. With little in Washington to stir confidence in the ‘08 elections, a meltdown in Atlanta would only add to the difficulty of moving enthusiastic voters to the polls.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Bill Kecskes
May 6, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
Tom - Jim,
You guys have nailed it! If Georgia’s GOP is to retain any credibility, governability and boost future electability; then Speaker Richardson, LtGov Cagle and Governor Perdue need to privately conference immediately and resolve this unfortunate matter. There are exit scenarios floating about and these three gentlemen of Georgia’s GOP need to quickly adhere to one. It would not be wise to wait any further.
By TW
May 6, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
We’ve lost a 100 in the senseless grinder that is Iraq and all these Republicans seem to care about is how much tax they have to pay. Sure, we can say it’s a federal issue, but what kind of a man claims to represent a district and then does not at least question the cause for his constituent’s sacrifice? Tax cuts during a time of ‘war’ are tantamount to treason. Never in the history of the nation have we been in more dire need of leadership…shame…
By Nancy
May 7, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
If anything I think this shows that we have a governor who is trying to over step his constitutional rights by getting into the business of the legislature. I hope the Senate will not become a pond in the governor hand and have the guts to stand if only on principal. Remember that Perdue is a Lameduck !! And the Voters are Watching
By accountant
May 7, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
The chickens have come home to roost. The fake Republican’s backsides are showing. Poor Richardson and his sidekick, Keen have been brain damaged by their excessive levels of testosterone. Finally, the fact that they barely have two brain cells to rub together is becoming clear to the public.
The only good news is that their “just plain dumb” attempt at tax reform is sure to fail in this climate. Sometimes we have to be thankful for small miracles.
As a former Republican of 25 years.. I will only begin voting for Republicans again when they start acting like Republicans. They have all lost their minds.
And Nancy, when your precious state sales tax scheme passes, and your school district loses massive amounts of funding, I hope that you have another career lined up. You will have little job security as a teacher.
The funniest part of it all is that all the “Fair Tax” idiots haven’t even spent the time to figure out that unless they own multiple expensive properties (like Richardson, Keen and their buddies do) they will pay about the same and frequently more under GA’s tax reform scheme. If you don’t believe me, sit down with an accountant and a copy of the bill and figure it out for yourself. You have to be a wealthy real estate investor to come out ahead on this.
I have run the numbers for several of my clients (mostly middle class and upper middle class), and they are dumbfounded at the results.
By James
May 7, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Accountant, you are referring to HR 900 - Richardson’s fair tax proposal which will eliminate all taxes and start over again with a 5.75% value added tax and a 5.75% income tax. HR 900 is to be first on the General Assembly’s agenda for January 2008. Question - how does HR 900 factor into the current budget stalemate?
By Nancy
May 7, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Georgian asked for tax reform and the Speaker and the Genral Assembly are steping up to get the debate started. There will be hearings this summer and Georgians can put theretwo cents in. I think weather or not this goes in to effect. At least we have someone who is at thinking about Georgia tax payers. The Democratic left us after a 130 years one of the most over tax states. But the point now is that the Governor is over steping his Rights!