(06/05/07) HARTFORD ? It appears wrangling over the state budget will force a special summer legislative session.

Despite late-night negotiations between Governor Jodi Rell (R-CT) and Democratic leaders, it appears a budget deal won?t be completely wrapped up before the end of the current session. Even if the two sides strike a deal, leaders say they?re running out of time to write all the necessary legislation and implement all the bills.

The negotiations are focusing on spending. Democrats want a 10.5 percent spending increase, while Rell wants 7 percent. The governor wants Dems to bring their figure down a bit.

?They?re saying, ?but we need to spend more,?? Rell said. ?We?re saying now is not the time to do that. We need to control spending because in the out years?we know if you continue to put spending in there, there won?t be the revenue to cover it.?

Rell is confident once a deal is struck on spending, differences on taxes can be worked out without a tax increase. The governor believes a general agreement, even without all the legislation, would be beneficial to have in place before the session expires Wednesday at midnight.

Related information: Budget talks shift to spending amid impasse