Just when I had concluded that a state budget compromise was completely out of the question, lawmakers and the Governor came together and got a deal done. Sometimes it's good to be wrong. While I would have like to have seen a longer-term solution, the reported plan will work for now. Congratulations to all of the players who sat at the table and kept negotiating until they found something that all sides could accept, including Governor Owens, who was on the receiving end of much nudging here from yours truly. Now it's on to the November ballot. The bipartisan measure will be supported by the Chamber of Commerce because the business community understands that fiscal conservatism does not include the destruction of everything reasonable people hold dear--like good schools, excellent universities, decent health care and passable roads. In fact, the health of our economy depends on these things. Businesses, generally run by reasonable people, don't want to locate where schools, health care and roads are bad. If passed, the state will devote funds slated for tax refunds to build roads, bolster Medicaid and improve K-12 and higher education. Of course, there are the wing-nuts out there who are in complete denial about our budget woes and are opposing this reasonable solution. There's TABOR author Douglas Bruce, who is in denial about our budget woes, "They don't even need $3 more than the very generous growth formula that they've had now." Yeah, tell that to the 700,000 Coloradans without health insurance. And don't forget Senator Jim Dyer of Centennial, "This is a fundamental violation of the trust we have with the taxpayers" (What a hypocrite talking about trust! Dyer is a guy who was found guilty--twice--of civil conspiracy in tricking an 83-year old lady with Alzheimer's into quit-claiming her house to him for ten bucks!). Luckily, they're on the lunatic fringe; I don't think voters will agree with them. Not to say that the campaign is going to be an easy one. But leaders on both sides of the aisle said they would work together to pass it. And the business community on board sure helps. Here's another reason to celebrate: This budget breakthrough could be a glimpse of future bipartisan cooperation on other issues. Imagine a legislature working together for the good of Colorado... It's almost enough to make me giddy!