A couple of interesting quotes out of today's Battle Creek Enquirer as the MSM picks up on the fact that the Democrats are on the fast track to shutting down government for a second time in the course of a month:

"The goal, without a doubt, is to get it done (this) week," said Matt Marsden, spokesman for the Rochester Republican. "That's very important to us. There will have to be painful cuts ... but Democrats have been digging in their heels a little bit."

House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, said a deal is close but "there's a bit of politics in the process. ... There aren't very many disputes; we're putting on the finishing touches."

It's now been:

286 DAYS since Dillon said:

"We are facing a budget shortfall this current fiscal year in excess of $500 million and next year's is in excess of $3 billion. Bottom line: We have a lot of work to do...

"We did this in anticipation of the looming budget crisis and the need for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work immediately."

Journal of the House, Jan. 10, 2007, pgs. 22-23

151 DAYS since the Democrat controlled House followed the Senate GOP lead on cuts, reforms and accounting changes that balanced the FY2007 budget without raising taxes.  An imperfect budget fix but one that closed the books, didn't steal a dime from taxpayers and avoided the governor's proposed cuts to education and Medicaid that would have caused schools to close early and people to "die" (the governor's words).

145 DAYS since the Democrat controlled House closed shop entirely to head up to Mackinac island for fudge, carriage rides and time on the porch of the Grand Hotel, wrapping up a period of time when they worked two of eleven days.  Looking back to the week immediately preceding this particular hiatus we find the Memorial Day weekend.  When you lay it all out in order the Democrat controlled House has done the following (taking into account their most recent vacation):

Four day Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28)

Two day work week (Tuesday and Wednesday, May 29 and 30)

Five day weekend on Mackinac Island (Thursday, May 31 through Monday, June 4)

9 out of 12 days off because... why not? (Thursday, July 19 through Monday, July 30)

Working one day a week in the month of August (5 days total)

112 DAYS since the Senate GOP and House Dems agreed on a replacement for the hated Single Business Tax, clearing the legislative agenda to tackle the $1.19 billion FY2008 budget "deficit."

62 DAYS since the House Democrat majority approved "budget" bills in essence promising the state would print it's own money, spending $2 billion more than best-case projected revenues.

27 DAYS since House Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman said: "In the long term, I think perhaps a shutdown would bring people to the table that have been unwilling to put forth any ideas whatsoever to solve this crisis."  Trying to protect his party leadership is he?

23 DAYS since Jennifer Granholm and Andy Dillon shutdown state government to ram through a nearly $1.4 BILLION tax hike, the biggest in the history of the state of Michigan.

21 DAYS since Andy Dillon told the Detroit News of the $1.4 billion tax-hike agreement: "Basically, this entire package was delivered by Democrats."

Now it's only 8 DAYS until they shutdown state government again!  Our tax dollars (more and more of them) hard at work.