OLYMPIA -- This may be -- emphasis on may -- the final day of the special session.

The Senate is moving toward passing the same tax hike approved Saturday by the House. They both expect to vote on the changes to the operating budget and the capital budget today.

Democrats are saying this will be the final day, although Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla said he'd be willing to vote the last day technically will be Tuesday...perhaps some time after midnight?

Most vote schedules to be determined, but the Senate is expected to vote this morning on a House bill involving bonds for retrofitting schools to make them more energy efficient, just to get the ball rolling.

One complicating factor: The trip south to Olympia from the Seattle area is extremely slow today because of a major construction project on Interstate 5. Some of the Puget Sound legislators have yet to arrive..

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