Election worsens state's budget pain

Democratic and Republican lawmakers for once sound a lot alike when it comes to the state budget: The only way to solve a projected $4.8 billion shortfall over the next two fiscal years is to cut deep. "We're going to have to reset government. We can't spend more money than the revenue coming in," said Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt, repeating what's become a mantra for his party during the past couple of years. "We're going to prioritize, and if it doesn't fit, it's not going to be funded," said Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon, who is in the running to become the House majority leader.