ATLANTA --- In the run-up to Monday's opening of the 2008 legislative session, Republican leaders talked frequently about how they had moved to patch up differences among the House, the Senate and Gov. Sonny Perdue.

So much for that.

In rapid succession, the House overrode a dozen vetoes issued by Mr. Perdue last year, a rare rebuke of the state's governor. If the Senate also overrides, Mr. Perdue's veto of House Bill 549, dealing with therapy for children on state-funded health care plans, would be the first successful override since Jimmy Carter's gubernatorial administration.

The votes added tension to the session's first day, usually marked by ceremony, reunions and a lack of any meaningful action.

House Republicans downplayed the likelihood that the overrides would shatter the GOP solidarity displayed during a "unity tour" last week that included Mr. Perdue, House leaders and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.

"We genuinely look forward to working with the governor, and I think that will play out through the rest of the session," said House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter, R-Johns Creek.

Mr. Cagle wasn't so sure.

"We've got some work to do to get back on the 'unity' side," he said.

Prospects became even bleaker when Mr. Perdue's office issued a blistering statement blasting the overrides.

"Today's actions are yet another example of House leadership insisting on making a statement rather than making the state better," Press Secretary Bert Brantley said. "While Gov. Perdue respects the constitutional provision for veto overrides, he is also mindful that there has not been a groundswell of support for any of these bills from Georgians, and the concerns explained in the veto messages remain.

"Georgians expect us to address serious issues facing this state and work together to solve problems, not create disputes between the branches of government."

The overrides now move to the Senate, where their fate is uncertain. Leaders there referred any veto overrides to committee and adjourned before the House finished business. House Speaker Glenn Richardson, R-Hiram, noted that the state Constitution required the Senate to act on overrides "immediately."

"I predict with a high degree of certainty that the other body ... may well shirk their constitutional responsibilities and not address these matters," he said.

Mr. Cagle stressed a go-slow approach to the overrides in the upper chamber, adding that the Senate met its obligations by sending the affected bills to the Rules Committee.

"We immediately took it up. The constitution and the Senate rules are very clear that we have to act on it. We have taken action, and we're going to deliberate on whatever it is we take up," he said, adding that the overrides could remain in the committee without further action until the General Assembly adjourns.

Democrats largely steered clear of the fire between Republicans, and voted with the House GOP on what their leaders said were principled grounds.

JOHN AMIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS [CAPTION]

JOHN AMIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS