Backup of bills

When lawmakers return today to the Capitol for their final four weeks of work this year, they likely will confront not only a contentious budget standoff, but face more than 900 other bills - some that deal with vital issues and many that are sure to fuel passionate debate. Steve Geissenger in the Daily News.

The question is: Can they get to them?

It's clear the first order of business for the Legislature will be the budget. Senate leader Don Perata, D-Oakland, has gone as far as to say that his house will not deal with any legislation until a budget bill is signed.

But even if the budget is resolved quickly, it's assumed that hashing out a health care bill - important to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders - will then become the focus. Next is a bill pushed by Perata and the governor to put a multibillion-dollar, San Joaquin Delta restoration bond on a 2008 ballot.