I’ve got some good news and some bad news about the special session.

First, the bad news. It’s not going to be over anytime soon.

The state Senate passed two bills needed to implement its budget today then adjourned until Tuesday. The state House hasn’t convened yet in the overtime session and there’s been no date and time set for them to show up for votes.

Noting the pace and the chasm between the House and Senate on budget issues, one influential senator and one veteran lobbyist offered the same startling prediction – a second special session is looking likely.

Now, the good news. Taxpayers aren’t shelling out a lot of money for this extra period. The big driver of costs is the per diem which lawmakers can claim each day they are in Olympia. Since many of them are not here, they aren’t racking up any bills.