Break out the stakeout chairs!

Springtime is officially here. The legislative leaders will make their annual pilgrimage to the governor's office with the hopes of reaching a deal on the budget. There will be arguments about open meetings vs. closed meetings. There will be suggestions that folks aren't negotiating "in good faith" and are "just playing political games." And some poor reporter will look at their keyboard and think to themselves "How do I not write this lede":

"The legislative process ground to a halt today as tempers flared and battle lines were drawn."

Here's the release on the meeting:

Legislative leaders to meet with Governor

Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark will be meeting with the Governor for budget talks on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 10 a.m. in the Governor's office. Legislative leaders initiated the meeting and asked it be done in a public setting. However the Governor has asked for the meeting to be private.

The four leaders will be available to the media immediately following the meeting.

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