Better late than even later.
It appeared Monday that top state leaders were finally getting serious about doing their most important job — passing a state budget.
Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, and Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, D-Beloit, stood side by side Monday morning at the governor ‘s mansion in Maple Bluff, expressing optimism that a budget deal can be reached by the end of this week.