House lawmakers are ready to rumble over the state budget starting Monday.

Because the two legislative chambers annually alternate on leading the budget shaping, this year the the lengthy budget measure -- known as the "Long Bill" -- is first confirmed in the House and moves the following week to the Senate.

While both parties joust and argue passionately over which pet projects should be included in the billion-dollar budget, they're really quibbling over change.

As always, the governor -- and the powerful Joint Budget Committee -- largely decide the budget. Last year, the Long Bill tallied $17.8 billion and after all the arguing, lawmakers shifted about $21,000.

So, here's the dance for this year's budget bill, as orchestrated by the JBC Chairman, Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction:

After brief floor discussion Monday morning, House legislators will break into party caucuses to chew over what programs Republicans and Dems will to fight to fund. (Parties often have internal rifts on this, but their JBC members and party leaders try to talk sense to them -- often not concealing their annoyance with fiery mavericks.)

Tuesday: the bill goes to the Appropriations Committee in the morning and then more floor haggling and caucuses as needed.

Wednesday: Lawmakers will get out their pencils and calculators and debate long and hard before taking the initial vote on the budget bill.

Thursday Morning: It will all be over but the crying and laughing as the House passes the Long Bill. Lawmakers will rest briefly -- then return to regular afternoon committee hearings.

Now that the heavy lifting has been done, the Long Bill moves to the Senate -- and then to Guv Ritter for his John Hancock.

--Alan Gathright

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