Democrats agree on operating budget, capital spending
"Top Democratic negotiators struck final deals on an operating budget and a capital-construction plan Sunday, paving the way for quick votes that could end the special session as soon as tonight.
'We have agreements. We have go-home plans, maybe as early as tomorrow,' Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown said early Sunday evening.
The deal, which House Speaker Frank Chopp confirmed, relies on about $794 million in new revenues to balance a $2.8 billion budget gap for a roughly $30.6 billion operating budget. The budget also leaves nearly $500 million in reserves and uses about $500 million in federal Medicaid-related aid, according to Brown."