Special Session facts:

-The budget conference committee in the General Assembly is meeting and hearing testimony.  That means that members are not engaged in negotiations. 

-Governor Mitch Daniels and Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman are on the road selling the GOP budget plan.  That means they are not engaged in negotiations.

-Republicans stand by a 2-year spending plan, Democrats stand by a 1-year proposal.  

-In many significant ways the standoff has not changed since late April.

-Time is running out.

-The one good sign is that there is an increase in tension between the Parties today.  The old Statehouse bromide is that you need a blowup before you can reach a compromise.  Maybe one is building.