This is the old plan that they have abandoned. They are aiming for putting this on the Nov., 2008 ballot which takes the legislature out of it. All they need is for the amendment to pass and the tax is in. This is the best environment they’ve ever had to push this through. I’m not worried yet as I have a small amount of faith left that we will once again vote this garbage down. The problems will start to become clear as they are forced to deal with the details and how all this will be implemented. Wait until they have to agree on the type of coverage offered in the so called pool. Little things like employees who have access to group insurance but with say a $80 per month employee contribution but who are also eligible for the pool. The list goes on.
If they are involving the Governor then that means they are looking to put it on the ballot legislatively with an SCA or ACA. In that case, they WILL need 2/3 of both houses which again, they don't have and won't have any time soon. If they were thinking about trying to qualify it with signatures, then there would be no "negotiations". They'd just draft it however they pleased.