What did the Governor Say (to Tweak them so?)

I don't quite know what the Governor said, but it's clear that he really upset the Senate with an email that he sent from Atlanta today.  It sounds like more of what the Governor had already been saying -- that he would veto the sales tax increase if the Senate didn't pass some of his recommended reforms first -- but whatever he said, it got the Senate collectively to have their knickers in a twist.  They unanimously passed an amendment, with the Republicans on board and Tisei even speechifying in support, proposed by Senator Tarr, that would require the Governor to develop a report detailing what actions he's taking with respect to FY 2009 and post it on the State website.  Here's the full text of the amendment:

Mr. Tarr moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after Section X, the following new Section:-

“SECTION XX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Governor shall, through the Secretary of Administration and Finance, develop a report detailing all action undertaken by the Executive Branch in Fiscal Year 2009, and those planned to be undertaken in 2010, to reduce the costs of employee compensation. Said report shall also include an itemization of any and all stuffing reductions, furlough and salary wage reductions in addition to any salary and wage increases and any increases in staffing levels from 2008 to 2009 to those projected for 2010.

Said report shall be filed with the clerks of the House and Senate and the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means and posted electronically on the official website of the Commonwealth not later than three months following the passage of this act.”