There is logic to the approach being taken in the Special Session.

Democrats loaded up the budget yesterday with pet projects because they know that it will be Democratic votes that get the bill out of the House.   They need 51 and only have 52.   Republicans will vote against the budget, so Speaker Pat Bauer must make sure that everyone in his caucus is on board.  Hence, Rep. Craig Fry’s successful attempt to include insurance legislation that would never go in a budget otherwise (Fry is notorious for holding out for personal budget favors.)

Once the budget bill gets over the state Senate it will be transformed into a Republican budget (there is no mystery in the Senate where the Republicans have 33 of the 50 votes.)   That GOP budget will (in all likelihood) come back to the House as a conference committee report.  Then, it will be the House Republicans who must carry the day.  Again, they need 51 votes but only have 48. 

Speaker Bauer has said repeatedly that Democrats will supply 3 votes (from Democrats in safe districts) if the Republicans do their part.