Saturday will mark the longest the state has ever gone without approving a budget as both Democrats and Republicans dig in for a massive fiscal tug-of-war.

Gov. Jodi Rell has kept the state running through a series of executive orders and can continue to do so for some time. However, if a budget is not reached by Sept. 1, the state's bond rating will go down. That will lead to a higher cost to build new schools and other construction projects.

A delay in passage of the budget could also lead to cuts in non-essential state services.

Lawmakers have scheduled a special session for Thursday and Friday to continue working on a deal.