Legislative leaders react, as the governor calls a special session on the budget. Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch says he's "surprised and disappointed" by Governor Jim Doyle 's decision to call lawmakers to Madison on Monday to consider a budget compromise. "We will . . follow the law as far as the special session is concerned," says Huebsch. "As far as taking that budget to the floor, that is (yet) to be resolved, mainly because I have not yet seen what the governor is gong to try to introduce."
Still, Huebsch characterizes the special session as "an ultimatum," and says his Republican members cannot support any budget which dramatically increases taxes and spending.
"Senate Democrats are ready to answer the governor's call," says Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson. "We are ready to go to the floor, ready to do our jobs, and ready to pass a state budget." Huebsch and Robson both say they'll be willing to continue negotiations this week, to try and resolve the budget stalemate, although no meeting was scheduled for today.