ATLANTA --- There may be wounds that don't show, but from the outward appearances, the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker seem to be working together this year.
That's a departure from previous years when it was clear they were feuding because of the name-calling and overt acts of aggression.
Just last week, Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson appeared together at two press conferences to announce joint initiatives and a third to back U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson's re-election. None made snide remarks or refused to stand next to the others.
Mr. Perdue began the third conference telling the reporters, "Y'all are here to see all of the stars lined up, I can tell."
Mr. Richardson even joked about his outspokenness from past sessions -- though he didn't mention the time he said Mr. Cagle needed to "stand up and be a man," or when accused Mr. Perdue of "showing his backside."
In that news conference, the trio announced joint support for legislation that would strip the Department of Transportation of most of its power and create a new State Transportation Authority governed by a board appointed by the three of them.
Mr. Richardson gushed about the cooperation.
"I look forward to working with the governor and lieutenant governor as we take this transportation idea through the process," he said. "I do want to thank the governor for thinking openly, and outwardly and differently about government."
The lieutenant governor added his praise.
"At first I want to say the governor has been wonderful to work with on this issue."
The first initiative they announced jointly last week was to restore funding of the homeowner tax-relief grants. Mr. Perdue had suspended payment of the $428 million after local governments counted on getting those funds when they set their budgets.
Mr. Richardson, Mr. Cagle and the legislators insisted on paying the grants to keep homeowners from owing a second round of tax this year. With the money coming from the federal economic stimulus package, they convinced Mr. Perdue to fund the grants.
It's not surprising that during that press conference, none of the three Republicans suggested thanking congressional Democrats for the money.
What was surprising was Mr. Perdue's comment to a question about why he gave in, especially after scolding local officials the prior week about their hoarding cash reserves when the state government was economizing.
"While I've been very candid in my feelings, even today, I feel it's appropriate for a chief executive, even when he disagrees with legislative action, to bow to that will if it's in the best interests of the state," he said.
Is this the same man who vetoed 17 bills and line-itemed 18 appropriations last May, including many sponsored by his closest legislative allies? Didn't he order executive agencies to ignore instructions the General Assembly included with the appropriations? Lawmakers then didn't see him bowing to their will enough to suit them.
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