After five days of closed door discussions at the executive residence, Governor Jim Doyle says the budget talks have been going well.
Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) and Senate Majority leader Judy Robson (D-Beloit) have been meeting with the Governor and members of his staff since Monday. They're trying to reach common ground on a budget that's not 12 weeks overdue. Doyle says both leaders have set a very good tone, even though the discussions have gotten a little heated at times.
Doyle compares the talks to negotiating the price of a new car, with both sides taking proposals back to members of their caucus. He says, like trying to get a better price on a car, sometimes you have to go back to the manager to see what can be done.
The Governor says both sides have been open to what others have to say. Doyle says that's making the process easier than expected. He says it's much easier to get things done when both sides are willing to listen to each other.
The budget talks are expected to carry over into next week.