“If he reaches out, we’re not going to slap his hand back. I hope we’ll all be mature in the process and do what’s best for Georgia.”

A 7-26-07 post was entitled "This is a hell of a way to conduct the State of Georgia's business -- Funding feud squeezes agencies."

Today we learn from InsiderAdvantage Georgia:

It’s hardly Camp David and it’s probably too early to suggest that it will produce a peace accord, but the governor has asked the Legislature’s budget negotiators to a meeting in his office this afternoon that key lawmakers say they are hopeful will produce an improved working arrangement for next year.

Gov. Sonny Perdue called the meeting, and most - if not all - of the six-member legislative conference committee will be present in person or, in the case of House Majority Leader Jerry Keen, by telephone.

“I hope it’s the governor reaching out,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ben Harbin, R-Evans. “If he reaches out, we’re not going to slap his hand back. I hope we’ll all be mature in the process and do what’s best for Georgia.”

Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson, R-Savannah, called it “a good sign.”

He explained: “We’re going to have a good deal of quality time with the governor and his staff to discuss the status of redirects and what his thinking is now - not to spend much time looking backward but to see how we can work together better and avoid miscommunications and unnecessary squabbling.”