From Ralston just now:

In a caucus meeting that just concluded, Assembly Democrats, being bombarded by emails from teachers, told their reps up here that 5 percent cuts are a victory. But some of them think no cuts to education would be something to take home. Message to teachers: There is a billion-dollar deficit. I understand it was quite feisty. Will the teachers now shut up and praise the Assembly for cutting the reductions in half? Doubtful.

A couple of legislative leaders tell me the deal with mining is very close. Lawmakers have presented a deal that will add up to close to $100 million, although more than half is an adjusted forecast in net proceeds because of the price of gold that would be paid anyhow (although it will still help bridge the gap). The rest would be made up of fees and prepayments — but the industry has not yet signed off.