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DEL.ICIO.USReading other people’s mail: The Speaker’s apology to the governor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the face of a formal request made under the state’s Open Record Act, Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office has reluctantly surrendered a copy of the written apology that accompanied the verbal version offered by House Speaker Glenn Richardson on Monday.
Remember that you read it here first.
In the letter, Richardson took responsibility for his “poor choice” of words, but said they erupted from him while he was under great stress. The word “backside” does not appear.
Wrote Richardson: “When I spoke, I was upset, defensive of the House and quite exhausted by the lengthy session and final adoption by us of the ’07 and ’08 budgets in the preceding 36 hours. While I feel some of my response was initiated by the actions and remarks of others, this is not the time to make excuses or lay blame on others.”
Aside from the crow consumed, the document is important on two points:
— First, as we suspected, the apology was prelude to Richardson’s urging of the governor to abandon his plans for a special session. One reversal for another.
“I believe it is not only possible to avoid a costly special session, I believe it is imperative that we act quickly to fund those necessary items which need immediate attention such as the mid-year adjustment for local school systems, PeachCare and tornado relief for Sumter County,” Richardson wrote.
— Secondly, the House speaker offered Perdue cover on the “unveto.” You’ll remember that the governor, as well as Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, declared the House override of Perdue’s April 19 veto of the $700 million budget bill — and its $142 million tax rebate — to be invalid.
The veto wouldn’t become official until it was formally transmitted to the House, Perdue and Cagle maintained. Richardson and House leaders scoffed at such hair-splitting.
But in his note to Perdue, Richardson said he was willing to concede the point, if it meant avoiding a special session.
Wrote the Speaker: “If you will simply strike through the word ‘vetoed,’ which was written by you on April 18, 2007, and sign the bill again, I believe the supplemental appropriations bill will become law.
“Moreover, I believe that the only entity who could thereafter question whether there had been a transmittal would be the House. And, by this letter and my signature, I am agreeing on this resolution. Thus, the action would not again be raised and would be final.”
Comments
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By Ben, Mark, Earl and Jerry
May 10, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
Looks like the Speaker sincerely and humbly extended an olive branch to the Governor; which was then promptly shoved up the Speaker’s backside.
That’s what Sonny did!
By Sam Sludge
May 10, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
I do believe the Speaker needs to consult with a dietician or nutritionist.
First, the Hotlanta media catches Glenn eating out with the Gas Light Lobbyist so Mrs. R. has old Glenn eating crow on opening day;
then, Casey Cagle catches Glenn (and the House) eating too much pork and puts Glenn on a diet of lean and mean;
then mean old Glenn puts himself on a diet of humble pie in his backside smooching missive to the Governor and now,
the Governor is forcing Glenn to eat sh**!
By Claude
May 11, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Sam, you are a funny little fella. Good for you, you are so knowledgable about state goverment! Ooooh Gov. Perdue really taught Richardson a lesson didn’t he? Finish your kool-aid and cookie! And try and pay attention next time…
By Sam Sludge
May 11, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
“Qu’este-ce quil y a mon amie?”
Claude, my frog friend, my sources say you double as the Speakuh’s chauffer and valet.
Personally, I think you’re Glenn’s lap dog and apologist.
Either way, you’re on the State’s payroll and I don’t like it!
Get off welfare and get a job!
PS. Did you really arrange the tryst with Glenn and the gas light gal?