No end in sight

So it's now Monday, and the state budget hasn't been approved. Despite a record 30 hours in session, lawmakers were shy just one Republican vote of getting the $14-million tax measure meant to close the state's billion dollar deficit passed.

The hang-up is likely going to spill over into this morning's legislative session, which will convene at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, here's what some of our local pols have to say about this past weekend's fervor to get the budget passed:

"We were just trying to show those who have expressed some interest that this package of reforms is the right away to go, and we have to act now... to show them how important it is to get something now, to get ourselves out of this short-term financial crisis."

- Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Claremont

"Is there something good enough for have Repulbicans to go (thumbs) up on taxes? Well it's a sliding scale. Have I seen anything, no. Has anyone else, I don't know. There are some Republicans that have a long list, say 'if you did this this this, I could support it.' But those conditions require a full blown debate that is not going to happen tonight."

- Sen. Bob Huff, R-Glendora

"It could have been viewed as a waste of time. We used it as a chance to get to know each other."

- Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-El Monte, on lawmakers spending most of the night in their chairs

"We are committed to the package, we are committed to an early budget. On Wednesday there are another 700 (construction) projects that would be stopped if we don't have a budget."

- Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello