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Majority Democrats in the House of Representatives tried Tuesday afternoon to get their arms around the daunting deficits facing state finances.

But after two hours behind closed doors, they left still trying.

Sources said many members of the caucus, which controls 87 of 151 House seats, are seeking to add hundreds of millions in spending to the $40 billion, two-year budget Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed on Feb. 18.

That could be a problem, though, given that the governors plan already fails to comply with the constitutional spending cap.

And even if that legal obstacle can be resolved, Democrats also havent reached consensus on an even bigger question: How to pay for the budget the legislature must pass.

I dont think theres any consensus yet on most of the big budget questions, House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, said afterward.

And though the speaker declined to talk about specifics discussed during the closed-door meeting at the Capitol, he did predict that the final plan lawmakers will send Malloy later this spring will start with our core Democratic principles.

We have to protect those who need protecting, Sharkey said.

The plan Malloy delivered to lawmakers spends hundreds of millions less on social services and health care than is necessary to maintain current services.

We have to be able to see the long term in the new budget, Sharkey said. This, he said, means ensuring proper investments in education, economic development, saving adequately to meet retirement benefit obligations for workers, and maintaining a tax policy that encourages job growth.

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House Democrats step off on long, difficult road to a state budget

Colorado Capitol Dome (Denver Post file photo)

DENVER (AP) Colorado House Democrats advanced measures to raise the minimum wage over objections from Republicans who say it's a costly idea.

Democrats gave initial approval Monday to asking voters to raise Colorado's minimum wage from $8.23 an hour to $12.50 by 2020. They also gave preliminary approval to letting municipalities set their own minimum wage.

The measures are temporary victories for Democrats. They don't have the two thirds support needed during a final vote later in the House to get the referred question to voters. The measure letting local governments set a minimum wage can pass the House, but will likely die in the GOP-led Senate.

Still, Democrats want to set the stage for a ballot question later.

Republicans say increasing the minimum way will drive up business costs and the price of consumer goods.

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Partial victory for Colorado Democrats on minimum wage

AP FILE PHOTO

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez

Shortly after federal officials released the indictment of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, a coordinated avalanche of support began pouring forth from national and state Democratic officials, including all seven Democratic members of New Jerseys congressional delegation.

One by one, they praised Menendezs accomplishments and ethics and pledged to stand by him.

The senator has told me personally that none of his actions were inappropriate or unlawful, and I truly believe him, added state Democratic Chairman John Currie. During this difficult time for him and his family, I will continue to proudly stand with my friend Bob Menendez.

There could be many reasons for their ardent solidarity, certainly including that they believe in Menendezs innocence. But another is that they can afford it Menendez doesnt pose an immediate threat to their own livelihoods.

Related: U.S. Sen. Menendez indicted on corruption charges Related: Political veteran Menendez dogged for years by allegations

That wasnt the case with former U.S. Sen. Bob Torricelli, a Democrat from Englewood whose political career was crippled by a corruption investigation 13 years ago.

Although he was never indicted, the once seemingly invincible Torricelli became a pariah with plummeting poll numbers during the final month of his campaign for a second term. Party officials feared a virtual bloodbath, a Torricelli loss so devastating that he could take down every Democratic office-seeker below him on the November ballot.

He got the message and withdrew his candidacy five weeks before the election. Democrats publicly expressed regret at the downfall of one of their party leaders, a man who had chiseled out a far-reaching national reputation. But privately, they were relieved.

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Stile: Democrats can afford to lend support to Menendez

Here's something you might have missed while following every jot and tittle of the Indiana religious freedom story: Two of the top Democrats in the Senate are in the midst of a veryunusual public spat over whether they had a deal (or not) when it came to the succession battles set off by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) retirement last week.

This, from Politico:

A feud between Sens. Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer escalated further on Tuesday, with spokesmen for the two Democratic leaders offering sharply different on-the-record accounts of whether the two men reached a power-sharing deal.

Durbins office insists Schumer agreed last week to support him as the partys whip when current Minority Leader Harry Reid retires at the end of 2016.

But Schumers office is denying any such deal was struck.

The on-the-record quotes are even better/worse.

"The two senators agreed to support each other Schumer for leader, Durbin for whip," Durbin spokesman Ben Marter told The Post. "They shook hands. That was the interaction."

Or not.

"That never happened, and they know it," responded Schumer spokesman Matt House.

Pretty fascinating, right? Democrats spent the end of last week and this weekend crowing about the bloodless succession of Reid: Schumer quickly wrapped up the top spot with the backing of Durbin. That, they argued, stood in direct contrast to Republicans especially in the House who couldn't seem to unite behind anyone up to and including Speaker John Boehner. Democrats were united, Republicans were divided. Done and done.

Read more:
Democrats bloodless succession is getting a little bloodier

Liberal Democrats Believe 2014
Alex Wilcock on what the Lib Dems Stand For, Take 2 For this take, it #39;s pouring down slightly less but people are going by on the river path and I can #39;t help looking down! This is mid-2014...

By: Alex Wilcock

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Liberal Democrats Believe 2014 - Video