BUDGET DISCUSSIONS BEGIN TO PICK UP PACE NEXT WEEK

Meetings on targets for the 2009-10 budget between administration officials and top lawmakers could start Tuesday as the Legislature returns from its two-week break.

Discussions, which some officials have described as something short of sit-down meetings between all the different parties, have been ongoing during the break. Talks were held Friday looking at the levels of cuts officials could accept in the 2009-10 budget (the Senate has passed budgets cutting some $1.3 billion from the document, the House has cut more than $500 million, the administration has not yet put out a specific level of cuts it could accept.)

Also a part of the discussions are how much in federal stimulus funds will be used to backfill any budget holes not covered by cuts.   Also officials will likely discuss whether lawmakers will be willing to pass any legislation that would raise revenues, mostly likely through closing some tax breaks.

But officials have said actual meetings on budget targets are now slated to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There is no definite timeline on reaching a decision on the budget - completing the spending plan by the end of July remains a goal, though most officials acknowledge it will be difficult to meet - however.

State officials must complete a budget by October 1 or else state government functions have to close.