The Assembly will come to the floor shortly to begin debating the budget bill. Lawmakers are taking their seats now.

The session will begin with the body taking up the first nine Republican amendments, then break as drafting is finished on the Dems' amendment package and Republicans caucus to look at the proposals.

UPDATE: 4:43 p.m. -- Or not. Most of the Republican members are in their seats and waiting for session to begin, but there are only a handful of Dems in the house so far.

-- By Greg Bump