Almanac: At the Capitol

What a strange morning at the Capitol already. The House and Senate were supposed to start passing basic budget bills to keep the state running, but they didn't get agreement that the governor would sign the bills to keep the state running. So, just as they were about to launch into the budget bills, Senate Minority Leader David Senjem suggested they stop the bills and walk down to the governor's office and try to negotiate an end-of-session deal rather than pass bills that could just get vetoed again. Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller actually took Senjem up on his offer, live on the Senate floor. So leaders are trying to reach the Governor now, who's still at a bar signing the smoking ban bill. Sen. Senjem (might we call him Mr. Dealmaker?) will be live on Almanac: At the Capitol tonight with House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher.