Lawmakers Ready for a Weekend Off? That's Special

Austin Jenkins reports at his blog, the Washington Ledge, that the special session will likely spill over into a second week.

Today, day four of the special session, the likelihood that majority Democrats in the House and Senate will strike a deal on a budget and taxes and be done by Sunday appears a pipe dream.

In fact this morning I ran into Senator Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, who told me the Senate has been told it can go home this weekend. Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Ed Murray, also of Seattle, has said all along he thinks it could take ten days to wrap-up business.

Murray appeared on TVW's "The Impact" yesterday, saying what everyone's saying: They can't agree on a tax package.

Might be a long weekend.

UPDATE  Jim Brunner reports that the governor is frustrated with the lack of progress.

"We've got to get out no later than Sunday. The talk about going another week to me is inexcusable," Gregoire said.

While the threat of a sales tax veto might take one of the sticking points off the table, Brunner writes that the governor is concerned that the tactic might backfire. So, no threat yet.

... Gregoire refused to say whether she'd use a veto threat on a sales tax to move negotiations along.

Gregoire said she has made no veto threats except to say "Dadgumit, get it done."

Dagnabit, that's good advice.