Quotes from Mitch Daniels today that point up how he will sell the idea of the need for GOP control of Indiana House:

-”It’s like pulling teeth but we got a portion of the savings measures that we asked for (from the House.)”

-”The taxpayers would be a lot safer if we were able to work with a different General Assembly.”

-”I like him (Democratic House Speaker Pat Bauer), but he’s a tough adversary and he looks at the world in a totally different way.”

State Senate GOP Leaders just left House Speaker Pat Bauer’s office after a lengthy private meeting.

President Pro Tem David Long declined to talk to the media, saying that only, “We’re talking.  We need to let things percolate.”

Long promised more information later and said he wouldn’t shut reporters out of the process.

Hopes that the 2010 General Assembly would wrap up today just went up in smoke.

The Indiana House passed a motion to adjourn until 1:30 tomorrow just before Senate President Pro Tem David Long headed into the office of House Speaker Pat Bauer.   On his way in the door I posed a one word question to Long, “Tomorrow?”   “Apparently,” was the answer.

Sen. Brandt Hershman and Sen. Luke Kenley just departed the office of House Speaker Pat Bauer after a 2 and a half hour negotiating session with both Kenley and Bauer saying they are on the verge of a deal.

They will take the latest proposals to their caucuses in the next few hours.  Bauer says the 2010 General Assembly could “possibly” end today.  Neither side would go into detail about agreements but both indicated that only minor issues remain unresolved.

State Senate GOP Leader David Long just emerged from the governor’s office to say that Republicans and Democrats are “this close” to an agreement that would end the 2010 General Assembly (he held his fingers about 2 inches apart.)

Republican leaders met with Mitch Daniels for about an hour after the governor met with Democratic House Speaker Pat Bauer.

Long says House Democrats canceled a negotiating session this morning but the two sides can solve things if they just sit down and talk.  He wouldn’t predict a timeline.

Democratic House Speaker and Republican Governor Mitch Daniels met for about 40 minutes this afternoon in the effort to find a way to conclude the 2010 General Assembly.

Bauer says the meeting took place at his request.  He emerged calling the meeting “positive.”

He also made it clear that there is no agreement on how to handle the unemployment insurance issue that is the major remaining stumbling block for lawmakers.

Democratic House Speaker Pat Bauer and GOP state Senator Luke Kenley held private talks this afternoon aimed at a conclusion to the 2010 General Assembly.

There is no progress being reported but also no apparent animosity.

On that front, Bauer lunched yesterday with Senate President Pro Tem David Long and both appeared cheerful when returning seperately to the Statehouse.

The conference committee considering a delay in the unemployment insurance bailout will meet early this afternoon.   A spokesperson says Democrats will attend. 

Lawmakers now have until Sunday to come up with a compromise on that and other remaining issues (primarily a jobs bill and and education bill) after Speaker Pat Bauer pulled the plug on his artificial deadline Thursday.

The state Senate will meet today with just 3 bills to consider while the Indiana House is out till Wednesday.

Democratic House Speaker Pat Bauer is blaming state Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Monticello) for a move that he says “seriously interrupted” negotiations on a delay for the unemployment insurance bailout this evening.

Sen. Hershman, who is running for Congress, left the Statehouse to attend the Boone County Lincoln Day Dinner this evening at a time when, Bauer says, “We had some rhythm going.  I don’t know if we can restore it.”

Senate GOP Leader David Long bristled at the suggestion calling Bauer’s remarks “a falsehood.”  Long says Hershman’s absence had “zero impact” on negotiations.  “That’s one of the most unfair comments I’ve ever heard in my political career,” said Long.

Meantime, Long says it make sense for lawmakers to come back tomorrow to finish up the 2010 Session.  Bauer says Democrats have done everything to be able to go home tonight.

Indiana House Minority Leader Brian Bosma says a two year delay in higher unemployment insurance premiums is his top priority as the 2010 General Assembly enters what could be its final week.

Bosma says his second choice would be a repeal of the unemployment bailout plan passed last year (an idea already approved by the House), and his third choice is a one year delay (already approved by the state Senate.)

House Speaker Pat Bauer says his priority is getting out early to save taxpayer money.