As the 95th day of this year's legislative session winds down this afternoon, it sounds like things are looking largely promising for the new budget deal, which cuts statewide personnel spending from the general fund next year by 5 percent, but allows the governor to backfill that from the budget stabilization fund if needed, and also allows dedicated and federal funds to be tapped to reduce the effect of the cuts, one-time, from 5 percent to 3 percent for those programs that draw on those funding sources. When the Senate Democratic Caucus was briefed on the deal this afternoon, it received it "skeptically," said Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly. "There was a lot of disappointment," she said. "There was a lot of support from our caucus" for the previous deal, SB 1222, which passed the Senate 34-1 but then was unceremoniously dumped in the House.

Republican caucuses in both houses, however, have been receptive. "I think we've got good resolution on that and good support, so hopefully we can move forward on that issue," said Senate President Pro-Tem Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs. Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said, "Obviously we're still working on the language." One pressing factor: Five budget bills await the governor's signature and must be acted upon by Saturday. "I'm told that he indicated that if we notified him by noon tomorrow that the caucus would support the agreement, that he would not veto those bills," Cameron said. Because of that, the Senate started passing House Appropriation bills today, clearing off  a slew of them from its calendar. Cameron said JFAC is likely to convene on Monday to consider the new budget bill.

As for transportation funding - the other big "going-home" issue, thanks to Gov. Butch Otter making it a top priority - there's no deal yet. "We're still working on it - there's nothing definitive yet," said Senate Transportation Chairman John McGee, R-Caldwell. "There's a great deal of discussion going on between the governor, the House and the Senate."

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