The state legislature convenes Monday with a full list of key issues to address, from taxes to water to transportation and beyond. But the cloud hanging over it as the gavel sounds is a familiar one, and could derail any chance of significant accomplishments. As always, blame politics.

The fact that the legislative agenda can be steered by looming elections isn't new. And frankly, it's not always a negative influence. Lawmakers know the public is paying closer attention and often provide meaningful legislation that Georgians need in order to earn their trust come election time.

This year, though, the election hanging over the Gold Dome is the not one this November but the gubernatorial race in 2010. The posturing already has begun and has spawned a power struggle within the majority Republican ranks.

Thursday, Gov. Sonny Perdue, House Speaker Glenn Richardson and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle were scheduled to visit Gainesville's Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport as part of an annual statewide fly-around to share this year's legislative agenda with local officials. Weather forced a change of plans; still, we'd like to have been a fly in the cabin of that plane to hear what was said among the three when they began the tour a day earlier.

For the past year or more, Perdue and Richardson have butted heads over several issues, seemingly over who should be considered the true leader of the state GOP. During last year's General Assembly session, it was over the budget and Richardson's proposed property tax cuts. When Perdue balked and used his line-item veto power to amend the budget, Richardson threatened to override his veto, and the battle was on.

Last fall, a feud over the state Department of Transportation ensued when the speaker's choice as commissioner was passed over in favor of Gena Abraham. Richardson now seems to be targeting the board members who cast the deciding votes in her favor for defeat.

Then there is Richardson's GREAT tax reform plan aimed to cut property taxes in favor of a statewide sales tax. City and county officials are not on board with the plan, and Perdue has been reluctant to endorse it without further study.

As Richardson seeks to drive the GOP's governing agenda, Perdue still wants to remain a relevant force as he completes his final three years in office. Speculation is that Richardson has his eye on Perdue's job and is working to become the party's nominal leader as a way to position himself as the candidate to beat.

Meanwhile, Cagle, who may aspire to Perdue's job himself in 2010, has tried to stay above the fray. He supports the governor while trying to keep the state Senate, over which he presides, from rubber-stamping the ambitious House agenda guided by Richardson.

The push and pull among these men, as well as other key leaders in the House and Senate, will determine how much, if anything, gets done in the 40-day session.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. When the Republican party claimed the majority from the Democrats in the 2002 and 2004 elections, it promised a more united approach to governing and more accountability than the Democrats offered in their century-plus as the leading party. After watching generations of good ole boy politics drive the state and carve up ridiculous voting districts, many Georgians were eager for a more professional approach to guiding our state.

But now GOP leaders scrap among themselves over which direction to take, undermining the hard work they put in to gain power. And the now-minority Democrats find themselves dealt out of most major decisions, just as Republicans were for so long.

For this large, growing, diverse state to thrive well into the future, we need a more unified approach to governing. Richardson, Perdue and Cagle need to put aside future ambitions long enough to craft a balanced budget, a workable plan to manage and conserve water, and better solutions for the ongoing traffic mess in metro Atlanta and beyond.

There's plenty of time for the key players to think about 2010 in another year plus. They'll earn our trust, and our votes, by working together more effectively now.

In fact, our state leaders might want to take a lesson from the nation's presidential race. So far, candidates who promise to rise above partisanship have done well. Voters are tired of the same old political in-fighting. We hire leaders to work out their differences and devise solutions to problems, not simply cast blame and posture for personal gain.

And while key issues remain unsolved, it's pointless to spend energy on evening political scores. Richardson needs to move past the DOT issue and begin to reform his current image of a strong-armed hardliner by reaching out to Perdue and Cagle on key legislation and working more cooperatively with other leaders. Perhaps the speaker needs to be reminded that while Perdue and Cagle were elected by all Georgians, he was chosen only by voters in his district. He may lead his party, but state government is not a one-man show run out of Hiram.

He also needs to be willing to give the Democrats a seat at the table in how the state is run. It's true they are the minority, but the people who voted for them deserve a voice in the state's affairs. The GOP was locked out by the Democrats for too long when it was the minority, but there's no need to turn back the clock to those days simply to avenge past wrongs.

We also call on our local legislative delegation to step up and help steer their party toward a more effective approach. If lawmakers merely bow to the speaker at every turn for fear of reprisal, they make themselves irrelevant. Voters expect them to do what's best for our communities and all of Georgia and not put their focus on boosting the political aspirations of party leaders.

It's also up to us to keep the pressure on our leaders to address the issues that matter. They are accessible and accountable to us, and we have every right to bend their ears. If your state senator or representative isn't following your wishes, let them know with a letter, phone call, e-mail or visit to their office. You also can keep up with the goings-on at the Capitol via print media, the Internet, public television and other outlets. By getting involved and making our leaders answer to us, we'll remind them who really is boss in this state.

It's a lot to ask for from all of us, and for politicians to put aside their future ambitions to what's right for the state. But voters will keep insisting they do until the key issues are addressed. And if these leaders can't do it, we should find someone else who will.