Speaker Mike Sheridan opened the session by acknowledging what a difficult week it's been.

"Wow, we're here," said the Janesville Democrat. "It's been a long week ... I didn't know democracy was so hard."

Sheridan said the week was marked by "a lot of great debate" with "a lot of emotion."

"Fourteen years of a lot of pent up needs and wants, things that are near and dear to our hearts," he said.

Sheridan touted the Dems' ability to put together a budget in a dire fiscal time without raising general taxes and still focus on priorities like education and health care. He said Dems made $3.2 billion in cuts in state spending, which he hoped would bring bipartisan support.

"We need to pass a budget tonight," Sheridan said.

Sheridan passed an envelope to raise money for the couple that had to move their wedding from the Assembly chamber today.

Note: Rep. Nick Milroy, D-Superior, is not here. His wife is in the hospital, and he was given leave.

-- By Greg Bump